living-related stories
All-American Rejects all about health
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
The rockers known as the All-American Rejects are all about health, and they tell PEOPLE magazine it's not hard for the group to live healthfully."On the road we're just active every day," says rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty. "We're playing shows. So that really does help. It's when we come off the road that we're not doing anything but sitting around drinking."
Drinking milk is what he means.
The quartet joins a slew of other celebrities donning milk mustaches in the famous Got Milk? ads. The ads, which promote the nutritional benefits of drinking cow's milk, are a bit controversial. Click here for more scoop.
Eating habits: Which 'atartian' are you?
Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Apparently, the term Pescatarian is now in the dictionary, according to our friends over at Fitsugar. 'Pescatarian' describes a vegetarian who eats fish, in case you didn't know. And then there's Flexitarians--people like me who are part-time vegetarians. But it got me thinking: What are the other types of vegetarians?
Here's a short list of some other types of veggies:
- Vegans don't eat any animal products, including dairy and honey
- Fruitarians eat only fruits and vegetables that are classified as fruits
- Lacto-ovo vegetarians stay away from meat but eat eggs and dairy
- Raw/Living foodists eat only raw foods
- Macrobiotics eat only unprocessed foods, but sometimes eat fish.
What 'atarian' are you?
Living rooms not just for living
Sometimes I run. Sometimes I walk. Sometimes I bike. Sometimes I work out in a gym. Sometimes I try to get fit in my own back yard. Yesterday, I exercised in my living room. It all comes down to my kids and how to best fit in my physical activity around their needs, their wishes, their desires, their demands. The living room workout, all 22 minutes of it, well, it satisfied us all. I only hope we can keep up with it, making it a regular ritual at our house.All it took to keep the three of us busy were one BOSU, two resistance bands, two six-pounds weights (for me, not them), and our own bodies. We did push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, jumping jacks, and planks. I did squats, on and off the BOSU, and lunges, and a few arm exercises too. Danny (he's five) did a lot of creative work with the bands, and Joey (he's seven) became a master at BOSU push-ups.
I don't know about my guys, but I worked up a sweat during our group workout and judging by the enthusiasm of my kids -- "I really like to exercise," said Joey as he moved to the tunes he chose to blare throughout the house -- it seems I may get to keep sweating in this manner. Perfect for me. And for them too.
Men: 5 steps to live a longer life
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
A study which started back in 1981 is now discovering that living a long, healthy life may rely more on other factors than just genes and luck. After all, we've heard from all kinds of centenarians about how to stretch mortality. Everyone has an opinion about how to do it. But after following over 2,000 senior citizens aged 72 (way back twenty years ago), they have found five behaviors to improve men's odds of reaching 90 and beyond.Abstaining from smoking, watching your weight, and controlling blood pressure were among the factors needed. Also included were regular exercise (no surprise there) and avoiding diabetes. As one of the researchers states, the takeaway here is that we do have control over our longevity.
This may be news to some people who believed reaching old age was more reliant on genetic makeup. The study weighed other variables and factors to discover how likely these behaviors would improve (or diminish) the men's chances of living past 90 years of age. Having diabetes, for example, increased the risk of death by 86 percent. Obesity alone increased this mortality rate by over 40 percent. So, in the end we have more control than many people think! Read on for more information if you're curious about the other factors.
Canada declares no tax when buying a bike
Buy a bike with a price tag of $1,000 or less in Ontario and you won't pay any tax. No tax on accompanying safety equipment either.
"I trust this will encourage people to take the opportunity to become more active and to lead healthier lives," said Margarett Best, the province's minister of health promotion.
It seems biking incentives are nothing new in Canada. British Columbia has had a program in place since the early 1980s that cuts the tax from purchases of bikes, parts, and accessories. Alberta residents get $300 toward a bike when they retire an old car. And the federal government offers a fitness tax break to parents who enroll their kids in athletic programs.
While tax breaks don't even compare to parental and peer encouragement when it comes to healthy living and while fitness doesn't have to cost a cent -- consider the good old-fashioned walk -- this is certainly an option that may prove inspiring to some.
How about you?
A guide to Zen Living
- Only do one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is overrated -- it only causes us more stress.
- Become aware that life is about choices and see through choices through carefully
- Live in the moment
- Think about how many people have worked to create what you have, and be grateful.
(via Fitbuff)
Put some "green" into your fitness routine
The easiest way to turn exercise into an environmental act is to move your workout outside. Besides connecting with nature and connecting with your community, you'll cut your electricity bill by turning off the treadmill and exerting yourself outside. You can also replace your conventional workout routine with conservation activities such as gardening, hiking, or trail building. Check into volunteer opportunities at public parks too.
Heard of the "green gym" experience? What started in Europe is now spreading across the globe -- some are popping up on the United States East Coast. Slightly structured and costing nothing, these programs consist of people who meet a few times per week to get active and have fun while contributing to the wellness of the planet.
Think composting, reforestation, and recycling programs, and you've got the right idea. Gyms associated with this effort might include water-conserving shower heads and low-wattage light bulbs. If you spot any TV sets, they're likely programmed to turn off when not in use. They might feature biodegradable and natural cleaning products in the locker rooms and showers, and guests may be required to wear clothing made with organic cotton and other natural fibers.
Get your kick at a health and fitness spa
I found just the push I needed at Canyon Ranch spa in Tucson, Arizona. This desert oasis boasts the finest in not only pampering but also in healthy living. For four days, I ate the healthiest foods, indulged in fitness classes galore, and learned from experts how to fine-tune my ways for optimum functioning and survival. It was grand. And for five months now, I have not wavered in my newly disciplined life. As a result, I am leaner, healthier, and happier than ever before. Thank goodness for my trip out west.
Sometimes it just takes a little kick in the pants when it comes to mastering the whole diet and exercise thing. And many are signing up, like me, for their own personal kick.
Conscientious people less prone to developing Alzheimer's Disease
Are you leading a good and decent life? Are you considered a 'good Samaritan?' If so, you probably have a lowered risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease, according to new research out this week from the U.S.So, if you are conscientious, self-disciplined and scrupulous, take note here. Finding people that exemplify all those qualities most of the time may be hard, but when you find them, finding out why they act the way they do may be good for the future if you buy into this most recent research.
Researchers in this study defined conscientiousness as people who control their impulses and are goal-directed. In addition to being considered dependable, those surveyed who had a higher levels of conscientiousness were found to have an 89 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those in the lowest percentile tested.
What does weather have to do with MS?
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Multiple Sclerosis is one of those scary diseases that doesn't have a cure and that no one knows the cause of. I admit that I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so any condition for which there are no known preventive measures worries me quite a bit. I never really knew much about MS until someone I know was diagnosed with the disease and filled me in on some of its idiosyncrasies.
First of all, as information on this site states, there seems to be some weird link between MS and the weather. There is a much higher instance of the disease among those who grew up in cold climates and no one really knows why. Similarly, symptoms of the disease seem to worsen for some when they spend too much time in a hot climate. At the same time though, I've heard about people with the disease who find that their symptoms are much better when they visit warm and humid climates. Go figure. It's definitely a mysterious disease.
While it's frustrating to known that you can't really take any steps to prevent MS, I also learned that, depending on the severity of the disease, for many the symptoms can be controlled by lifestyle. The person I know with MS says that she feels pretty much normal as long as she sticks to a healthy diet with lots of exercise and little drinking. Alternative therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine also seem to help. So while being diagnosed with the condition is pretty scary, it's important to keep in mind that there are a variety of ways to treat, deal with and live with the disease.
Living with cancer of unknown primary origin (CUP)
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Men's Health
Cancer of unknown primary origin is so rare that unless you know someone who has been affected by it, you've probably never even heard of it. Also known as carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP), the disease is so named because doctors are unable to determine the cancer's site of origin, making it much more difficult to treat. I think it is one of the scariest forms of the disease because, if you can't figure out where it began, how can you ever really eradicate it?
CUP accounts for a mere 2 to 4 percent of all cancer cases, making it very uncommon. The only reason I've heard of it is because a friend of my mother's was diagnosed with the disease over 5 years ago. Sadly, she passed away last week after a long and courageous battle. While five years sounds like a drop in the bucket, it's important for anyone who has recently been diagnosed to know that, according to the information provided here, diagnostic tests for the disease continue to improve and now four out of five of those diagnosed with CUP will eventually find out the actual origin of their cancer.
It is also good to remember that it is up to you to take charge of your care if you don't feel that everything possible is being done. My mother's friend was told by her first doctor that she had a mere 6 months to live. She refused to believe this and demanded to see another doctor. This physician laughed at her original diagnosis and told her that there were loads of treatments and that while she may have some tough times ahead, she also had a lot more than 6 months left. While she did have some bad days, she spent the next five years traveling, enjoying the company of friends and living life to the fullest.
The explosion of "baby organics"
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Although there's no doubt that the organics and "green living" industry is growing by leaps and bounds, it seems one of the biggest growth areas is anything related to babies -- be it baby food, baby clothes, baby diapers, or even cleaning products for baby's room. It seems one of the biggest incentives for people to switch to a greener lifestyle is having a baby -- so much so it's earned the name "baby organics."There is no proof that adopting an organic approach with your children actually makes a difference in their health and wellness, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything either. Limiting your baby's exposure to chemicals, even if they're only potentially harmful, definitely seems like a good way to go.
Living with bipolar
Healthy Home, Healthy Relationships, Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain. Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, medicine can play a key role in helping to manage symptoms and extreme mood swings. It can help make behavior more even and predictable.Bipolar disease also has an impact on millions of family members and friends. It is tough watching someone you care about struggle with emotional and physical stresses. Depression affects everyone in the house. So what can you do to help out someone that you care about or live with, that has a bipolar condition?
Number one is to know the disease and that it is a chemical disorder and you nor your loved one can control it all the time even with medication. Recognize the symptoms and mood changes so that you can encourage them to see their professional health care provider. Encourage the person to stick with their prescribed treatments no matter how good they feel at the moment. Learn the difference between a good day and a manic day and let them recover at their own pace. Take advantage of support groups. There are several resources available for families and friends of people with bipolar disorder. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation's leading patient-directed, illness-specific organization. The organization's mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.
Fitzness Time: Meet your new trainer
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Nice to meet you! I'm Fitz and I'm ready to help you get happy in the skin you're in. I'm on a mission to tack ten years of quality life on to everyone I come across and fortunately I've been offered a position here as a blogger so I can hound you every day about it.
I've been teaching Fitzness (my brand of fitness) for over 17 years and have a Master's Degree in Exercise and Sports sciences, but more importantly... I GET IT! Get what? I get this whole fitness/healthy living thing, and I'm really excited to share it all with you.
Expect straight talk, fun and effective ideas for exercise and eating right, monster motivation and always the truth. Got questions? Send em. I'm eager to get into your heads and get you where you want to be. It's FITZNESS time!
Centrum's healthiest U.S. cities?
HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
It's safe to say I'm a pretty well-traveled individual and have lived in or around some big, booming U.S. metropolises. Being in cities like Honolulu and Los Angeles, I found people tend to care more about their image, shape, figure and are a little more active and outdoorsy than say, Biloxi, MS.
At the same time, people in Mississippi might be taking down hordes of Mickie D's and the air quality is probably a whole lot better than the City of Angels. And if angels were anywhere up in Southern California's clouds they'd probably be choking on a ton of smog. So really it's not always about how many Shapes, Curves or Bally's the community has in a five-mile radius. It is and should be about more. That's just my own vision.
Each year you'll find a number of reports on which city outranks the next for healthy city. While I'd love to give you a rundown of those lists we'd probably come up with more than a top 10 which is a number that works well for me. Anyway, this particular report on healthy cities comes from Sperling's Best Places and was conducted by our vitamin friends Centrum. The study was based on key factors of health status, nutrition, exercise, mental health and life balance. Some of the selections sort of surprised me, considering Vermont is supposed to be the healthiest all-around state. I guess I thought there would be a few more East Coast cities than listed. Here's their Top 10 cities with the highest healthiest city scores:























