Benefits of Walking

Since this is what I do best, I really enjoyed this article:

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/easiest-way-live-longer

Summary:

• Walking more than an hour a day improves life expectancy.
• Thirty minutes of walking a day can prevent diabetes.
• Walking 72 blocks a week (6-9 miles) increases grey matter and can improve memory, concentration and ward off diseases like Alzheimers.
• Thirty minutes 3-5 times a week lowers blood pressure.
• One mile a day improves bone density in women over 50.
• Walking 12.5 miles a week reduced risk of stroke.
• Thirty minutes on the treadmill reduced depression and tension, lifting moods quicker than anti-depressants.
• Twenty minutes of walking per day burns 7 lbs a year.
• Forty-five minute walk in the morning five days a week reduces insomnia.
• Three or more hours of brisk walking per week reduced heart disease in women 30-40 percent..

Splenda, Artifical Sweetners, Stevia, etc.

I've been eating Splenda, so I've been worried about the dangers of it and wanted to know more. This article seems to be very good at explaining everything you might want to know, and as a result, I might be trying Stevia:

http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx

Inspriational Radio Broadcast - Didi Emmons and Eva's Garden

http://radioboston.wbur.org/2011/10/28/edible-weeds-evas-garden
Edible Weeds And Uncommon Herbs From Eva’s Garden By Meghna Chakrabarti

HealthyDiningFinder.com

Learned about this site today on the news, during an interview with a rep from the National Restaurant Association:

HealthyDiningFinder.com

They are working to get healthier dining options in restaurants for kids.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Produce Purchasing Guidelines

Great information! The new dirty dozen list of produce by Sarah B Weir(d) (just kidding)

Top 12 Dirtiest (Most Pesticides)
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Top 15 Cleanest (Least Pesticides)
1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

DesertJul's Fave Salad Dressing

Thanks to Cinda for posting about the Famous Gypsy Cab salad dressing recipe! Here is my current favorite salad dressing, this is for 2-3 servings:

• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Splash of apple cider vinegar
• Squirt of organic mustard
• Optional splash of olive oil
• Spoonful of honey
• Dash of Celtic Sea Salt and dash of pepper

This is a flexible recipe and you can adjust the amounts based on your palate and the type of salad. This is very tasty on any salad but especially a salad with mangoes and avocados.

:)

~julz

Cuban Food

Fun site recommended by my friend Marilyn, who recently visited Cuba on an outreach program from Florida : http://www.tasteofcuba.com/. There are lots of healty choices in Cuban food, and the Caribbean as a whole.