FEATURED ARTICLES

• push ups
• Benefits of push-ups
• Push-up exercises

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

This May it’s time to build that muscle! A great exercise to do just that is by the good old-fashioned push-ups. Good luck!

Day 1: 5 push-ups

Day 2: 7 push-ups

Day 3: 9 push-ups

Day 4: 11 push-ups

Day 5: 13 push-ups

Day 6:  15 push-ups

Day 7: REST

Day 8: 17 push-ups

Day 9:  19 push-ups

Day 10: 21 push-ups

Day 11:  23 push-ups

Day 12: 25 push-ups

Day 13: 27 push-ups

Day 14: 29 push-ups

Day 15: REST

Day 16: 31 push-ups

Day 17: 33 push-ups

Day 18: 35 push-ups

Day 19: 37 push-ups

Day 20: 39 push-ups

Day 21: 41 push-ups

Day 22: REST

Day 23: 43 push-ups

Day 24: 45 push-ups

Day 25: 47 push-ups

Day 26: 49 push-ups

Day 27: 51 push-ups

Day 28: 53 push-ups

Day 29: 57 push-ups

Day 30: 60 push-ups

Day 31: REST

• nutritional value of plums
• Benefits of Plums
• Benefits of Plum
• Healthy Plums
• Healthy Plums Recipe

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

• Plums, and their dried version known as prunes, are very high in phytonutrients, which function as an antioxidant and provide much benefit to the body.
• Eating plums helps in the production and absorption of iron in the body, thereby leading to better blood circulation leading further to the growth of healthy tissues.
• Consuming plums on a regular basis will help prevent macular degeneration and other eye infections.

Recipe: Chicken Breasts with Plum Salsa and Basmati Rice

• 1 ½ cups of water
• 1 cup uncooked basmati rice, rinsed and drained
• ¾ pound plums, pitted and chopped
• ½ medium red onion, minced
• 3 habanero peppers, seeded and minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh minced cilantro
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¾ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 

Place water in medium saucepan and stir in rice. Bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, cool and fluff with fork.  In a bowl, mix the plums, peppers, onions, cilantro and sugar. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Season chicken with rosemary, salt and pepper.  Heat vegetable oil in skillet over medium-heat. Place chicken in oil and brown 1 minute per side.  Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 5 additional minutes per side.  Serve over rice with plum salsa.

Recipe: Fresh Summer Fruit Salad

• ½ cup water
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 cups thinly sliced rhubarb
• 15 seedless grapes, halved
• ½ orange, sectioned
• 10 fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 apple, cored and diced
• 1 peach, sliced
• 1 plum, pitted and sliced
• 15 pitted Bing cherries
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries 

Bring water and sugar to boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in the rhubarb, turn heat to low, cover and simmer until rhubarb is soft, 10 to 15 minutes.  Mash and chill in the refrigerator about one hour.   To serve, mix the grapes, orange, strawberries, apple, peach, plum, cherries, and blueberries with 2/3 cup of the rhubarb sauce.  Stir gently, but thoroughly to coat.  Refrigerate for at least two hours for all of the flavors to blend well.

• healthy picnic
• healthy picnic options
• Healthy picnic food

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

It’s getting warmer and it’s almost time for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor parties! But just because you aren’t choosing all of your meals, that doesn’t mean that you have to pack on the pounds this summer.  Keep these tips in mind at your next picnic:

• Choose lean ground meat when making burgers. You should also try low-fat hot dogs, sausages and bratwurst and other grilled favorites.
• Seafood and chicken are great grilled foods and are both still healthy picnic options.
• Don’t forget your greens and mix in a salad to your picnic or party menu.
• Remember your veggies as they are also great on the grill and as side dishes, especially summer time veggies like squash and zucchini.
• Instead of chocolate desserts, think fruity desserts instead, and take advantage of a season when fruits are plenty.

• Autism awareness
• Autism

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

(Continued from Part I…)

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, including any of these signs:

• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping.
• Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging.
• Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change.
• Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language. 

When should I seek medical advice regarding my child and autism?

Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child:

• Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months.
• Doesn't mimic sounds or facial expressions by 9 months.
• Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months.
• Doesn't gesture — such as point or wave — by 14 months.
• Doesn't say single words by 16 months.
• Doesn't play "make-believe" or pretend by 18 months.
• Doesn't say two-word phrases by 24 months.

Loses language skills or social skills at any age. 

• Autism awareness
• Autism

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Every April across the world, World Autism Awareness is celebrated to show support and raise awareness for those adults and children living with Autism.  Here we take a look at Autism and hope that you do your part in educating yourself and others about this disorder.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder is a “condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication.” The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. 

Are people born with autism?

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society — socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms. 

Is autism curable?

While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children. 

What are some signs of autism?

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:

• Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times.
• Resists cuddling and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world.
• Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression.
• Doesn't speak or has delayed speech or loses previous ability to say words or sentences.

(Continued in Part II…)