Don't Forget to Eat Fresh Fruit!

After several days of delicious holiday leftovers, you may be feeling a little sluggish and full – both physically and mentally.  Get your body moving again and keep it rolling by adding fresh fruit to your diet.  

Fresh fruit often gets overlooked during the colder months.  The health benefits of fruit make it worth the conscious effort to include it in your diet!  Fruit is naturally low in fat, sodium and calories.  Fruit is a great source of fiber which keeps our bowels in check.  Fruit can help to maintain a healthy blood pressure, lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.  (www.choosemyplate.gov)    

Fresh bananas and blueberries mixed
into my oatmeal.

Here are some tips for making fresh fruit accessible and appealing to you and your family:

·        * Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen counter or table.

·       *  Cut-up fruit and keep it in your refrigerator to grab for a quick snack.

·        *  No time to prep fruit?  Check out the produce section of your grocery store for pre-cut packages of fresh fruit.

·       *  Add some pizzazz to your fruit choices by trying something new.  There are so many varieties of apples and pears - grab one you’ve never had before!  Check out fruits that are in season.  You’re sure to find some unique ones such as a cactus pear, feijoa, kumquat or persimmons.

     * Serve fruit with your meals. 

     Next time you stop at the grocery, don't fly through the produce section without grabbing a few pieces of fruit.  Your body will thank you!

      Looking for more information about fresh fruit?  Check out

www.choosemyplate.gov

www.fruitsandveggies.org

6 Healthy Choices You Can Make TODAY!

Sometimes life can be overwhelming and the notion of thinking about your own health feels like the one thing that will send you over the edge to insanity.  Pause.  Take a deep breath.  Focusing on your health does not have to feel like a burden or a huge time stealer.  I've found that it can be the exact opposite - it can be easy!  It can actually be fun.  Here are seven  healthy choices that you can make today.

1) ADD MOVEMENT TO YOUR DAY
These are ideas that I imagine you have heard a thousand times and probably rolled your eyes at the suggestion a time or two.  I know I did, but then I actually tried them and found that they are easy to accomplish.  Park at the far end of the parking lot.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  Set your phone to prompt yourself to take a break and walk around your office or down the street and back.

2) EAT A PIECE OF FRESH FRUIT
The health benefits of fruit are amazing.  Fruit can impact your health in ways such as boosting your mood, keeping you regular and strengthening your bones!  I make it a point to eat fresh fruit at least once a day and now I crave it.

3) DRINK MORE WATER
Replace one can of pop or cup of coffee with a glass of water - just one!  I love to buy myself fun colorful plastic cups.  Getting a new cup every few months adds some pizazz to that water.  You can find great ones in the dollar stores!  You can also combine suggestion two and three by adding fresh fruit to your water to give it some taste. 

4) SCHEDULE A ME DAY
Take a moment to look at your calendar and find a day or half a day or two hours that you can block off for yourself (Don't forget to request the time off of work if you need to do that!).  I try to do this once a quarter.  Sometimes I take off an entire day and spend it in my PJ's binge watching TV.  Other times I might take two hours off and go for a walk in the park or sit in a coffee shop and read my book.  Planning ahead ensures that I do it and it gives me something special to look forward to.

5) TRY SOMETHING NEW
When is the last time that you tried something new?  A new recipe?  A new class at the gym?  Walking in a new park?  A new route home from work?  A new flavor of ice cream?  It doesn't have to be a big thing to add a little excitement to your day and give you a boost of energy.

6) 10 MINUTES OF FREESTYLE DANCING
I recently attended a workshop on Dancing and Dementia.  Research on the impact of unchoreographed dancing on the brain is unbelievable!  10 minutes of freestyle dancing a day had a greater impact on brain health than completing a crossword puzzle everyday.  Plus, you get a little cardio workout in.  Go ahead - put on your favorite song and shake it!  Another bonus - I bet your family joins in!

You might be thinking that these are all small things and that doing one of these today won't impact your health at all.  I disagree.  After doing one thing, you are going to feel good.  I bet that you will feel so good that you will be inspired to make another healthy choice.  And then another.  And another.  All of those small healthy choices will add up to a big impact on your health.  Don't believe me?  I challenge you to try it.  Trust me - it will work!

If you give any of these ideas a try, I'd love to hear from you!  Leave a comment below to let me know what you tried and how it went.  Or you might make a simple healthy choice that I didn't mention - I'd love to hear your ideas!