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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
- Leafy, green vegetables, like spinach, provide more nutrients than any other food.
- Researchers have found at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that have been known to act as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents, combating specific cancers like ovarian and prostate cancer.
- The vitamin K in spinach provides 200% of the daily value in fresh spinach and nearly 1000% of the daily value in boiled spinach.
Recipe: Spinach Lasagna
2 egg whites 26 oz of prepared spaghetti sauce 24 oz of ricotta cheese 10 oz of Lasagna noodles, cooked 10 oz of frozen spinach, thawed and chopped, then squeezed dry 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, grated, reserve ½ cup ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese, grated and divided, reserve 2 tablespoons ½ teaspoon of salt ½ teaspoon of black pepper Olive oil
Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare lasagna noodles as directed on the package. Combine parmesan cheese, ricotta cheeses with the egg whites, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Pour ¼ cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and spread it out using a spatula. Cover the sauce with a single layer of lasagna noodles. Spread about half the cheese mixture over the noodles, and then cover with about half of the spinach and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finish this layer with half of the remaining spaghetti sauce. Add a second layer of noodles, topping with the remaining cheese mixture, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Top with the final layer of noodles and remaining spaghetti sauce. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set for 10-12 minutes.
Recipe: Wilted Spinach Salad
10 to 12 ounces spinach, washed and torn into pieces
¼ cup minced red onion
5 to 6 radishes, thinly sliced
2 hard-cooked eggs, 1 chopped and 1 sliced
2 to 4 slices bacon
1 to 1 ½ tablespoons bacon drippings
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon water
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Place prepared spinach in a large bowl. Add onions and radishes. Refrigerate, tightly covered. Fry or microwave bacon until crisp; remove to paper towel and set aside. In a small jar or measuring cup combine drippings with sugar, vinegar, water, salt and pepper. Refrigerate all ingredients until just before serving. When ready to serve, microwave the dressing on high for 30-45 seconds. Toss the chopped egg with the greens then pour the hot dressing over greens mixture; toss again lightly. Top with sliced egg and crumbled bacon.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Now that the seasons are changing, it is the perfect time to change up some of those old worn out items and routines that you have been stuck with for so long in your exercise routine. This is a handy list of “what to ditch” to make the exercise switch:

Ditch the old running shoes. Instead opt for a new pair and keep track of how much “mileage” you get out of them. Typically if you run/walk 10 miles per week then shoes can last for 12 months (15 miles : 8 months, 20 miles : 6 months, 30 miles : 4 months).
Throw out the old cotton workout t-shirt. Instead invest in some shirts that are made of wicking fabrics. Wicking fabrics (like synthetics) do a better job of keeping you drier and cooler when you are exercising.
Toss the lightweight dumbbells. Instead try heavier dumbbells that are more challenging in your workout.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading health concerns today. We may associate heart disease with aging but the mechanisms that bring this condition start during the peak of our years. Being young does not excuse us from indulging in unhealthy eating habits. It might seem that we are indestructible going about our daily activities but just like a thief, all these habits creep into our body eating its way into our body.

Stick to White Meat
Meat is an excellent source of protein and it should always be a part a healthy diet. But if you're planning to consume meat everyday then sticking to white meat is an excellent way of keeping our arteries free from obstruction. Chicken meat is a good alternative to red or fatty meat. But before reaching out to that piece of chicken on the table make sure that you stay away from the skin. Chicken skin has the highest concentration of fat.
White meat refers to meat which is literally white in color. Examples of white meat are those from chicken, fish, shrimps and even alligator meat. Red meat on the other hand refers to pork, beef, veal, mutton or those that are red in color.
Keep away from Sugary-drinks
Sodas and other sugary-drinks are known to cause diabetes but this has also been proven to be a cause of clogged arteries. Consumption of sodas could lead to weight gain, a tell-tale sign that heart disease might already be setting in. Sodas elevates blood pressure which could damage the arteries. Sugar content could also coat free flowing fats in the blood increasing the likelihood of these getting embedded in the arteries and clogging it up.
Eat More Veggies
Incorporating more vegetables into your every diet serves two purposes, it helps clear your body from impurities and inadvertently reduces your meat intake. Leafy vegetables in particular contain nitrates which are directly sourced from the soil. This is converted into nitric oxide and important ingredient for healthy blood circulation. It prevents the formation of plaques, resists blood coagulation all essential for the normal flow of blood. People who include leafy vegetables for example could lower their blood pressure by 11mmHg in a few hours.
Fish and Omega 3 rich foods
Fish has two factors going for it, it's considered as white meat and is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish meat is leaner and contains none of the fat contained in animal or red meat. While the fat it contains which is Omega 3 works to clear the arteries.
A healthy diet is one that does not starve us from the things we love to eat. But one that promotes moderation and eating food in the right amounts. Most diets fail simply because people find them to stifling. Rather than encouraging people to stick to a healthy diet, it becomes a constant struggle for people each day.
Eating is one of the simplest joys of life. And denying ourselves of these simple joy makes life less interesting. Just remember to eat more healthy foods and keep everything to a minimum. The body has an excellent system for eliminating wastes that if left uncontrolled could clog our arteries. The problem is when our body finds itself overwhelmed and unable to eliminate artery-clogging deposits.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Having a hard time dieting and resisting the urge to “snack” on everything you see? Most people struggle with this aspect of dieting the most, because in every social situation there seems to be food : in excess- and it's usually unhealthy.
So if you are looking for a way to stop the snacking, perhaps you just need to do something to keep your mind off the fact that you are hungry.
Here are some tried and true suggestions of things that you can do to avoid eating between meals or ways to avoid grazing throughout the day.
When you get the urge to “snack” try these ideas instead,

- Clean out the junk drawer.
- Paint your nails.
- Play a game on your phone.
- Pin 10 things on Pinterest, or more!
- Doodle.
- Do one thing on your “To Do” list.
- Work on a craft project.
- Read a book or a magazine.
- Do one of your Pinterest pins.
- Write in a journal or on a blog.
- Color in a coloring book.
- Write a “To Do” List.
- Catch up on emails.
- Watch a movie.
- Do a puzzle.
- Do 50 jumping jacks.
- Drink a full glass of water.
- Brush your teeth.
- Take a nap.
- Organize/edit photos.
- Clean out your closet.
- Walk to the park.
- Suck on a peppermint candy.
- Read a food journal.
- Do 25 crunches.
- Create a mood diary.
- Learn 10 Yoga moves.
- Pin a new workout routine.
- Work on a menu plan.
- Chew some gum.
- Drink a cup of tea.
- Walk around the block.
- Clean the toilets.
- Write out 50 blessings.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Spring is here and it's time to break out the mop, dust off the duster, get out the cleaners and get your spring cleaning underway. Spring also brings with it a whole new host of allergens that cause sneezing, wheezing, coughing and other seasonal symptoms. To kill two birds with one stone, here are some ways to tackle those allergen hot spots in your home while getting a jump start on your spring cleaning at the same time!

- Avoid “bringing the outdoors inside.” If you know that you are allergic to pollen, then you will want to avoid keeping your windows open on a high pollen day. If you spent a good deal of time outdoors, be sure to launder your clothes right away and shower and wash your hair to avoid spreading those allergens throughout your house onto your furniture and bedding. Allergens tracked indoors can be potent enough for symptoms to last a few days
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters trap allergens better than normal vacuums. You should use a vacuum with a HEPA filter at least once a week to remove allergens, if not more often.
- Wash your bedding once a week. Dust mites are the most common allergen that cause indoor allergy and asthma symptoms, and these mites thrive on soft surfaces. Your mattress is your greatest exposure to these harmful allergens. To decrease your exposure to dust mites, wash your bedding weekly in hot water (approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry them on a hot dryer cycle. It's also good to encase your mattress, box springs and pillows in allergen-proof covers.
- Clean your upholstery and drapes. Again, because allergens cling to soft surfaces, your upholstery and drapes are also susceptible to seasonal allergens. Wash or dry clean your drapes when possible and vacuum sofas and chairs to remove any dust mites from your furniture. You should also wash or dry clean any throw rugs you have lying around. Whenever possible, you should use roller shades or vertical blinds as they accumulate less dust mites than drapes and other window coverings. If you are renovating in the future, you should also avoid wall-to-wall carpeting and shoot for hardwood or tile floors instead, which are easier to clean and do not harbor allergens.
