Let's Do It Healthy

March 10, 2005

Exercise is great, but learn to recognize signs your body needs a break. While exercise promotes a healthy heart, strong bones, reduction in body fat and more, rest is an important part of the equation, too. In order to prevent injury and avoid "burnout," it is best to take scheduled breaks from exercise. Typically, a week of rest is a good idea after a couple of months of steady training; it allows your body to heal.

Pumpkin in its pure form -- including canned -- has fat-busting potential in baked goods. Use it to replace up to 3/4 of the fat in some of your favorite spiced muffins and quick-bread recipes. Pumpkin, a winter squash, is especially rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and fiber, with some iron and few calories.

Sow your oats! Oats contain soluble fiber, known to help lower bad LDL cholesterol. Whole oats, quick-cooking oats, and steel cut oats are delicious breakfast cereals. Add oats to burgers, or top casseroles with a sprinkle of oats. Beware of sugared and brown-sugared instant oatmeals and cold cereals that have sugar in the first two ingredients. Even though they're oats, the sugar content reduces their nutrition value.

Dark meat chicken, or any chicken eaten with the skin, can have just as much artery-clogging saturated fat as red meat. For the healthiest poultry meal, choose white meat and remove the skin before eating. For the best taste, though, cook the bird with the skin intact -- this will help retain the moisture in the meat, and won't affect the fat or calories.

~Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.