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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Been to a gym lately that offers spinning/cycling classes and wonder what it's all about? Spinning classes are rising in popularity as they provide an excellent alternative to the “same old” exercise routines.

According to www.aboutaerobics.com, indoor cycling began in 1989 and has endured as a popular exercise routine. Classes are usually held in the aerobics section of gyms and last between 30 and 60 minutes.
Spinning can burn 500 calories or more in a short amount of time and, believe it or not, is actually a low impact activity for all ages.
Many assume that the class is just like riding a bike : without actually going anywhere. But spinning actually involves jumps, hills, jogs, runs and other moves that are performed on the bike by either moving your body position and/or adjusting the resistance : or tension : of the bike.
Spinning does take some getting used to. Experts and instructors will warn you that, as beginners, you will encounter soreness in various places on your body.
Many serious spinners purchase padded seats and special shoes to eliminate any discomfort that might come from the bike.
Take it easy at first : try a beginner's class or incorporate it once or twice a week into your workout routine. Mix in other forms of exercise such as yoga, weight training and swimming with your spinning routine.
Remember, the first few classes will be uncomfortable, but the benefits of this unique exercise are worth the adjustment!
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
- The beta-carotene in carrots is an antioxidant combating the free radicals that contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and a few other conditions.
- Cooking carrots actually raises the nutritional benefits of this great vegetable. By cooking them you free the beta-carotene from the fiber, thereby allowing your body to better absorb the beta-carotene.
- If you eat just a half cup of carrots each day you will get more than the recommended dosage of beta-carotene in your diet.

Recipe: Banana Zucchini Carrot Bread
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 extra large egg
1 cup sugar
3 medium bananas
1 cup chopped zucchini
½ cup grated carrots
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 dash salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and pour into large bowl. Add bananas and mash. Add grated zucchini and shredded carrots. Mix well.
Add sugar, vanilla and beaten egg. Sprinkle in baking soda and salt, and mix. Add flour and mix well. Pour in 4x8 loaf pan to two large muffin pans. (Yields one loaf or 12 large muffins.)
Bake loaf for 60 to 75 minutes. Bake muffins for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Let cool and serve.
Recipe: Creamy Carrot with Curry Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ pounds peeled carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon butter
1 pinch salt
3 large garlic cloves, thickly sliced
2 tablespoons curry powder
3 cups chicken broth
1 ½ cups half-and-half (or whole milk)
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Garnish: Chopped pistachios
Heat oil in sauté pan until shimmering. Add carrots, then onion, sauté until golden brown (about 7 minutes). Reduce heat and add butter, sugar, and garlic; continue cooking about 10 minutes longer. Add curry and sauté a minute longer. Add broth and simmer. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Using a blender, puree in a blender for about a minute. Return to pot and add enough half and half so the mixture is soup-like, yet thick enough to float the pistachio garnish. Add salt and pepper as needed.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
In a recent animal study, it was found that diets that included canola oil rather than corn oil had less of a chance of growing colon tumors.

One of the reasons that gives canola the edge is the high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, where corn oil is higher in omega-6 fatty acids. In the animals tested, researchers charted the size and number of colon tumors and tested their blood for its fatty acid amount. When comparing animals whose diets contained corn oil verses canola oil, the animals whose diet included canola oil had fewer tumors and much smaller tumors on average.
While researchers will next attempt this same study on humans, researchers and nutritionists alike agree that only good can come from including more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
More and more these days we hear about our foods and how they are becoming laced with synthetic ingredients. If you want to avoid these synthetic ingredients, you need to learn how to detoxify the foods you are eating and choose healthier foods.
Here are some suggestions to detoxify and eat healthier in the New Year:

Clean Your Produce: Before eating or cooking with any fruits or vegetables be sure to wash them very well. Washing your fruits and veggies eliminates the chemicals and pathogens from your food's surface and help to eliminate any harmful ingredients.
Watch Your Animal Fat Intake: Do you know what's in your animal fats? They are loaded with synthetic hormones, antibiotics, organochlorine chemicals, and other harmful pesticides. Look for low-fat options when buying your foods and be sure to trim all of the fat off of poultry and meats when you buy them.
Avoid Cans: Cans are lined with a resin that contains bisphenol-A, a hormone-disrupting chemical. While many companies are working to eliminate these chemicals in their products, in the mean time you can avoid these chemicals by choosing frozen, fresh or dried foods.
Think Organic: According to a study done by the Environmental Working Group, your pesticide exposure can be eliminated by 90 percent by avoiding the most contaminated conventionally grown produce including: peaches, apples, bell peppers, nectarines, celery, cherries, lettuce, strawberries, grapes, carrots and pears.
Choose Whole Foods: Whole foods are not processed, therefore they have their own natural ingredients. Choose whole grains and look for food items that say “whole” on them , but be sure to check the labels, just to be sure.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
The easiest way to kill your New Year's resolution sometimes is to make one at all. So, why not make the switch in 2018 to not make a resolution that you will most likely break a few days later, but choose a way to be a better person by making some inward and outward changes.

Get more sleep. Besides helping you to feel energized during the day and improve your mood, getting more sleep can also aid in losing weight. Your body repairs and rejuvenates during sleep, even calcium is added to your bones while you sleep! Getting adequate sleep is the best way for your mind and body to be the best it can be. While optimum sleep time varies from person to person, the average is 4 to 11 hours each day. While getting to bed earlier is easier said than done, you should also avoid food for at least 2 hours prior to bedtime and eliminate all sources of light in your bedroom while you sleep.
Get out of toxic relationships. You may have been talking about it for months or even years, but if you are in a toxic relationship : whether friendly or emotionally : make 2018 the year when you cut your ties. Don't let your fears control you and break yourself free of when you cut your ties. Don't let your fears control you and break yourself free of relationships that are doing you more harm than good. Believe in yourself and good things (and good people) will come into your life.
Eat a fruit or a vegetable with every meal. Studies show that Americans eat fewer fruits and vegetables than other countries, and disease prevention is directly linked to consumption of fruits and vegetables. It seems like a no-brainer to get healthier through eating more fruits and vegetables, but for some it may be best to start small. For example, add a banana to your morning cereal or make sure to eat a salad prior to dinner.
Be more social with friends. Studies have found that having a very active social life can be very beneficial to your health. Having an active social life can help you stick to healthy habits, fight disease and depression, reduce anxiety and stress, enhance your purpose in life, promote happiness, and even live longer. Balance is key, though, so be sure to allow at least one day a week for some “me” time.
