"The first wealth is health."
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Video: Physical Activity Guidelines Introduction

Reduce obesity with six behavioral changes from the CDC

Calcium Calculator will help you find out if you are getting enough calcium in your daily diet. Women ages 19-50 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily. Girls and women over 50 need even more calcium.

Can a Mediterranean diet lower my risk of Alzheimer's?(Mayo Clinic)

Small Steps Change of the Month

Show Mom how much you appreciate her by making her a colorful fruit salad and taking a leisurely walk through the park.

Adults

Asparagus is Springing Up!

bundle of asparagus

Asparagus is a spring vegetable. Only young asparagus shoots are eaten: once the buds start opening the shoots quickly turn woody.

Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and selenium as well as chromium (a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells). It is also rich in the amino acid, asparagine.

Asparagus can be served in many ways and can even be pickled. Try out Asparagus Guacamole. Asparagus hunting can also be fun for the family and gets you exercising too!!!

Yoga and Weight Control

woman in yoga pose Yoga is a mind-body practice that people use to improve relaxation, fitness and health. Research suggest that through its combination of physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation, yoga may help with a variety of health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and high blood pressure.

Limited research suggests that regular yoga practice may also help promote weight loss and slow down weight gain, particularly in overweight adults. Data suggests that yoga may help slow weight gain because it increases mindfulness and, therefore, mindful eating. People who eat mindfully are more aware of the reasons they eat and their feelings of hunger or fullness. Also, since yoga helps to reduce stress and anxiety, it may also decrease eating triggered by these emotions.

Although the data is promising, it remains unclear whether adding yoga to a weight loss program that includes limiting calories and portions, eating nutritiously and being physically active will make losing weight and maintaining weight loss more likely. However, due to all the positive aspects of yoga, it is worth a try.

Did you know?

Summertime means grilling time. There are all types of tasty foods to grill up, plus those sides, desserts and drinks that round out the meal. The American Heart Association has important tips to help you grill “fat sensibly” through the summer season.