What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
Happy (almost) Mother’s Day! The day, like no other, screams breakfast in bed. I’m a little too far from my Mom to whip up any of these for her this weekend, but maybe I can offer an I.O.U. and refer back to this post to make her a treat when I see her for my sister’s wedding in one month. Sidenote: So excited for Amy and Joe—yay!
As you know, I’m not the most inspired cook in the kitchen, but enjoy learning from others in the Internet world with amazing ideas! I’ve rounded up some delicious-looking recipes Pinterest-style that I might have to taste test myself first. :) Here are a few ideas if you want to treat the special ladies in your life (photos courtesy of recipe developers). The best part? Those marked * can be made ahead and simply warmed or thawed for easy prep on Sunday morning.
- Heart-Healthy Flapjacks (103 calories, 3 g fat)
- Baked Brie Strata* (198 calories, 8 g fat)
- Baked Banana Oatmeal Cups* (216 calories, 5 g fat)
- Blueberry Breakfast Cake* (162 calories, 0 g fat)
- Spinach and Bacon Egg Wrap (240 calories, 1 g fat)
- Tropical A.M. Smoothie* (185 calories, <0.5 g fat)
What is your favorite breakfast on a leisurely day?
Anyone who knows me knows my response would be whole-wheat pancakes!
Besides being a wonderful influence on me in every area of my life (and pretty much my mental twin), my mom has greatly impacted my view on health. In honor of Mother’s Day—love you mom!—here are three things I’ve learned from her about wellness:
- Invest in or improvise to create good equipment. Over the years, my mom has had dumbbells spanning from five to 25 pounds, a medicine ball, stability ball, resistance bands, mats and several step benches—including one my dad rigged up out of wood! (Although I probably wouldn’t recommend this for the sake of your shins in case you have a misstep.) Having the right equipment makes at-home workouts more effective and efficient. Now I’m working on her to be better about replacing her sneakers a little more often :)
- Exercise your brain. A book is never far from my mom’s side, which is a plus since research has shown how helpful it is in boosting brainpower and memory. When you’re not sweating and challenging your large muscle groups, reading or playing Scrabble (another favorite of ours) can challenge your mind.
- Work your abs laughing. My mom is known to catch a laughing fit that leaves her red-faced and oftentimes struggling to breathe! Being able to see the lighter side of life is very healthy, and according to laughter research, exercise and chuckling have similar effects on the body.
What has your mom or the mom figures in your life taught you about living well?
