Allrecipes.com

Check out http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Healthy-Living/Main.aspx if you like to cook and are looking for some new ideas. The site is broken down into appetizers, main dishes, healthy salads, and side dishes. There are sixteen categories under the "Diets' headline, which include dairy-free and low-calorie. Pretty much there is something for everyone because it addresses different health concerns and issues related to food.

There is also a tab called view recipes and people can email in their recipes in this section. You can rate the recipe (five stars is the best). One thing that looks really good is the "Fabulous Fruit Salad."

INGREDIENTS
1 red apple, cored and chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
1 nectarine, pitted and sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 ounce) container nonfat lemon yogurt

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine red apple, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, celery, dried cranberries, and walnuts. Mix in yogurt. Chill until ready to serve.

I thought the fruit salad sounded and looked delicious. The picture definitely makes you want to try it and the idea of it in general makes me think of summer! There are hundreds of recipes on this site, so I'm sure everyone could find something they would enjoy.

Toxins in Canned Foods

I found an article posted today at http://www.newstarget.com/021761.html about a toxic chemical that has been found in canned foods. According to the article, the Environmental Working Group found bisphenol A (BPA) in a high percentage of name-brand canned food. If you think about what you buy when you go to Shaw's, canned goods fill up some of your shopping cart. Vegetables, fruit, raviolis, dog food, and sauces are all canned.

What is BPA?
"BPA is an industrially produced chemical commonly used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA-containing resins are a common ingredient in the linings of canned goods."

One to three servings of chicken soup and instant formula can be harmful to a person. Chicken soup, instant formula and ravioli have the highest levels of BPA.

The FDA estimates that 17% of the U.S. diet comes from canned food, but there is no government safety standard regulating the amount of BPA allowed in such foods.

Make Sure You Get Enough Zzz's

It is easy to cut back on sleep when there are too many things to complete in one day or you need more time to get something done. Many medical studies stress the importance of sleep every night and describe the sleep cycles our brain experiences. "We need sleep to think clearly, react quickly, and create memories. In fact, the pathways in the brain that help us learn and remember are very active when we sleep. Studies show that people who are taught mentally challenging tasks do better after a good night's sleep. Other research suggests that sleep is needed for creative problem solving."

When you lose just one hour of sleep it can have a great impact on your day. Experiencing a deep sleep helps prevent you from getting serious illnesses and produces hormones your body needs. You naturally feel tired between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. and again between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Here are some tips if you're looking to sleep better:

1. Go to bed and wake-up at the same time each day, even weekends (the weekends part may be a little difficult for some)

2. Don't exercise too late in the day.

3. Avoid caffeine and nicotine.

4. Don't drink alcohol before bed.

5. Avoid large meals and beverages late at night.

6. Don't nap after 3 p.m.

7. Relax before bed (don't watch t.v. or sit in front of the computer for an hour)

8. Have a good sleeping environment. Get rid of anything that might distract you from sleep.


Number 8 is probably the hardest to conform to in college when most people have a roommate. If you're lucky enough to have a single, it's easier to have an undisturbed sleep. The noise and distractions are unavoidable.

Fresh Air

Getting 15 minutes of fresh air is good for your body and spirit. Walking instead of driving also drops pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Less air pollution means we breathe in cleaner air. Yay! Today I walked down by the Charles with my roommate. Boston was an entirely different city this afternoon. People were out and about, biking, rollerblading, running, and walking. Others were simple relaxing by the water.

If working out at the gym with a million other people isn't appealing to you, than take advantage of spring's return. Activities like biking and rollerblading are fun for two reasons. You can get some fresh air and see Boston at the same time. There are paved paths down by the Charles where you can go.

Nice Weather

The warm 50 degree weather certainly encourages a sunny outlook on your day. As the semester nears an end, your mind starts to wonder and dream about the gorgeous summer days not too far in the future. Although nice weather may distract you from class or tempt you not to go in order to enjoy the fresh air, it's definitely a mood booster.

If you wake-up to look out your bedroom window to find the sky is overcast and there isn't a speck of blue in sight, most people wouldn't be obliged to crawling back under the covers. A great sunny day without a cloud in the sky is a positive way to begin a Monday morning. I wonder if people realize the impact weather and sun can have on their mood?

Seasonal affective disorder, also known as the winter blues, can have a big influence on many individuals. "Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early winter and goes away by summer. A less common type of SAD, known as summer depression, usually begins in the late spring or early summer. It goes away by winter. SAD may be related to changes in the amount of daylight during different times of the year."

"As many as half a million people in the United States may have winter depression. Another 10% to 20% may experience mild SAD. SAD is more common in women than in men. Although some children and teenagers get SAD, it usually doesn't start in people younger than 20 years of age. For adults, the risk of SAD decreases as they get older. SAD is more common in northern geographic regions."

There are a high number of people who suffer from SAD. This goes to show that the amount of sunlight you're exposed to can seriously impact your life. In Boston especially, the winters are long and there are periods where the sun hides forever. Luckily, it seems that spring is slowly rolling in.

Nice Weather

The warm 50 degree weather

BOSTON MARATHON!

This year's BOSTON MARATHON is MONDAY APRIL 16, 2007. Expect the city to be bustling with lots of activity that weekend! It's definitely a uniting event for the city because old and young venture out and gather on the streets to cheer runners on. In order to quality, one must meet the specific time requirements for their age group. Registration for the race is closed for this year. The 2007 race will be celebrating its 111th running. The 26 mile run starts on Main Street in Hopkinton and finishes near the John Hancock Tower in Copley Square.

Robert K. Cheruiyot (from Kenya) won the Men's Open last year with a time of 2:07:14. His time set a new record for the course. Rita Jeptoo (from Kenya also) won the Women's Open with a time of 2:23:38. http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Default.asp is the official site of the Boston Marathon is you are looking for legitimate information on the race.