I recently read an article in Body & Soul Magazine that listed 50 ways to stay healthy in the coming year. Tips ranged from eating more ginger (to combat congestion) to rubbing your temples with peppermint oil (to tame tension headaches) to sniffing rosemary (to impove mental clarity).
Below I have compiled a “Top Five” list of my favorite tips featured in the article. They’re super-simple, but pack a big punch when it comes to healthy living.
- “Get a good pair of sneakers. Is your energy lagging? Though it may be the last thing you feel like doing
when you’re tired, exercise–even a brisk walk–can be more effective than a nap or cup of coffee at fighting fatigue.” I really do think this one works. The last time I was feeling drowsy mid-afternoon, I set out on a quick walk around my neighborhood and arrived home feeling energized and alive again. - “Embrace bitters. Combat a yen for sugar by following a Chinese medicine approach: eat foods like endive, radicchio, cooked greens, and olives.” Now this one I can do! The foods mentioned in this tip lend themselves to a host of different recipe adaptions that are pretty tasty. As a matter of fact, I think I have a few recipes somewhere in my file drawers featuring both radicchio and endive. (Yep, I just checked. Balsamic Radicchio and Walnut Salad or Caramelized Endive, anyone?)
- “Make small talk. Engaging in casual conversation with others may help keep you as sharp as doing a word puzzle, according to some studies. Just 10 minutes of daily chatter appears to improve mental function and clarity.” Finally, a reason to justify the hour-and-half-long phone conversations I have with my sister a few times a week!
- “Have some honey. Research suggests that honey may be more effective than over-the-counter cough syrup at quelling nighttime coughing.” For a few of my favorite recipes using a drizzle or two from the honey jar, click here or here or here. What can I say? I just love honey!
- “Eat broccoli. For healthy gums, put this green vegetable on your grocery list. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and provides calcium as well, both of which have been linked to lower rates of periodontal disease.” (More info on the benefits and uses of broccoli here.)
(This post is linked to Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays.)
This is a great snapshot for the year! Can you recommend some ways to prepare broccoli other than raw or steamed? I enjoy it as a side dish, but run out of ideas on preparing it.
Brianna—great question. In addition to being eaten raw or steamed, broccoli can also be roasted. Just toss big broccoli florets with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast in a 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes. It develops a lovely nutty flavor this way. Sometimes I also add sliced garlic for an extra kick.
Also, try keeping steamed broccoli florets in your refrigerator to have on hand for throwing on top of salads or in soups at the end of cooking. This way you can enjoy all the health benefits of the steamed vegetable without having to just eat plain steamed broccoli again.
One of my favorite things to make with broccoli is a Quinoa-Broccoli Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan. Toss together cooked quinoa, steamed broccoli florets, a few tablespoons each of olive oil and lemon juice, a handful of toasted walnuts, and some grated Parmesan cheese. Delish!