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Bite into better heart health

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When we think of February, We LOVE to think of how this month is about romance and heartfelt intention. It brings upon our ability to celebrate not only our loved ones, whether that may mean family, friends, or significant others, but also an opportunity to celebrate ourselves. Among many other celebratory occasions such as Black History month and Valentines Day, February is also “American Heart Month.”   Our heart has the job of pumping our blood. Specifically, 2,000 gallons (or about 7,500 Liters) every day, how crazy when put into perspective! Our hearts are specifically designed to maintain our body processes and keep us going throughout the day by using our blood as a lifeline. Unfortunately, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. More awareness is needed on the effects of cardiovascular disease and how heart health can influence how the rest of the body functions throughout life. This observance spotlights cardiovascular disease and calls o...
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February is for the Hearts

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Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in America currently? One person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Your heart is a vital organ that helps you live a healthy life so it is important you take care of it. Its job is to constantly move blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. The heart is important in controlling your heart rate and maintaining blood pressure. There are many conditions and disorders that can affect the heart so it is important we take care of it as much as possible! Here are some tips to take care of your heart to live a fulfilling life! 1. Eat a low sodium and saturated fat diet 2. Eat more fiber like fruits, vegetables and whole grains 3. Drink alcohol in moderation or none at all 4. Manage stress as much as possible 5. Be physically active, 30 minutes a day goes a long way 6.   Stop smoking Here is a recipe for strawberry cheesecake overnight oats that contains fiber to help with your heart health! Strawberry C...
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A Berry Sweet Way to Support Your Heart This Month

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 Valentine's Day is a day all about love, but there are foods that love and support you every day! February is American Heart Month making it the perfect time to show your heart some extra love through food. These pink and red foods support your heart, mood, energy, and overall health.  🍓Berries: strawberries and raspberries are rich in antioxidants to fight inflammation and support heart health. They are naturally sweet making them the perfect addition to any sweet treat, yogurt, smoothies, or paired with dark chocolate!  🫜Root Vegetables: beets and radishes are low calorie vegetables packed with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals that support heart health, digestion, and the immune system. Nitrates in beets can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure!  🍒Other red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cherries, red onions, and red bell peppers contain lycopene which helps improve heart health, decrease the risk of stroke, decrease the risk of some canc...
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Faint, Puke, Die, or Keep Walking

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  Faint, Puke, Die, or Keep Walking. The wise words of TV personality Jilliam Michaels trainer on Biggest Loser. But are those words really that wise? And did this TV show leave its contestants and most of America in a worse place? In short, yes.  Over the 18 seasons of Biggest Loser we watched 14 contestants on average go from their starting weights of sometimes up to 400 pounds drop as much as they could as fast as they could, all well-being publicly shamed on national television. With the idea that they would fight tooth and nail to get to their dream bodies and they would do it only with diet and exercise and emerge a healthy and happy person once it was all done. Well also keeping in mind that you would be kicked off the show if you did not lose enough. All with challenges designed to make you crack and trainers pushing you to know you were never going to be good enough.  A 2016 study published in the journal  Obesity  followed contestants after being on th...
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What Happens When TV Takes it too Far?

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   What Happens When TV Takes it too Far? In recent years the TV world has found a few found fascination with pushing the human body to the breaking point. With survival shows like Naked and Afraid, Survivor, Extracted, and most of note Alone taking the world by storm it’s safe to say the TV networks know that the viewers have caught the survival bug. But what happens when the after care of competitors is neglected, and what is the real tole on their bodies once the cameras turn off for good?  Producer Pender of US History Chanel told reporter Andy Dehnart that the preselection for participants is rigorous and that they must meet with the team to make sure they are fully equipped to be out there. They meet with an on staff “nutritionist” so they can get the “vibe” of what their diet traditionally looks like, as well as safe ways for them to bulk up. However, the aftercare on a show like alone does go further then most. They do not just give the contestants a flight home a...
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Taylor Swift-Inspired Chai Cookies: A Cozy, Cardamom-Kissed Treat

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If fall had a soundtrack, it would be warm, nostalgic, and a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. And if fall had a cookie ? It would definitely be a warm chai sugar cookie. Taylor Swift once mentioned making chai cookies for friends, and ever since, fans have tried recreating their own versions. These cookies blend soft sugar-cookie comfort with tea-inspired spices, making them perfect for fall gatherings, late-night baking sessions, or simply listening to Red (Taylor’s Version) with your cat. Below is my Swiftie-approved guide to chai-inspired cookies at home, BH’s Version .   Dry ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp nutmeg A pinch of cloves Wet ingredients ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp heavy cream Topping ¼ cup sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon   Directions In a medium bowl, whisk all dry ingredient...
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How to Host a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dinner Party (Stress Free!)

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If you’re hosting guests with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance this Thanksgiving, don’t panic! It’s entirely possible to pull off a delicious and cozy feast without missing any of the classics we know and love. With a little planning and a few simple swaps, your table can be just as familiar (and maybe even tastier) as a traditional spread. Here’s how to make it happen:   Start with the Easy Wins A lot of Thanksgiving staples are naturally gluten-free. Think:   Turkey Mashed potatoes Roasted veggies Cranberry sauce   So, no need to reinvent the entire menu. Start with what already works and build from there.   Keep an Eye Out for Sneaky Gluten Gluten can hide in strange places. Broth, gravy packets, spice mixes, even some canned pie fillings can contain it as a thickening agent. Just give labels a quick read and look for “gluten-free” to save yourself the surprise later.   Make Simple Swaps You don’t have to create brand-new recipes—just tweak what you alrea...
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