Friday, March 22, 2013

Exercise in the Garden


If we are patient, the weather will soon be warm enough to work in the garden.  Remember that gardening is great exercise.  Check out the following tips:

The American Council on Exercise suggests how to tone up while working in the garden:
  • Start off slowly to avoid soreness and injury.
  • Work in your garden for 30 minutes to an hour at a time at least three times per week.
  • Turn your compost pile and pull weeds by hand to work your upper body muscles.
  • Use hoeing and raking to strengthen your upper body and trunk.
  • Dig in the dirt to work your thigh muscles.
  • Use a push mower to get in a cardiovascular workout.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Stay Busy if You Are Giving Up Smoking


The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics lists these suggestions to help curb weight gain when quitting smoking:
  • Keep your hands busy by drawing, knitting or doing puzzles.
  • Try to cut back on your caffeine intake, as it's often associated with smoking.
  • Get plenty of sleep so you feel rested.
  • Instead of taking a cigarette break, go for a brisk walk.
  • Have plenty of healthy, convenient foods on hand for snacking, such as low-fat dairy foods.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Talk To Your Doctor Before Dieting


The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these things to discuss with your doctor about your weight-loss plans:
  • Ask for educational brochures or other materials from your doctor about calorie-counting, healthy eating habits and exercise.
  • Ask your doctor to measure your body-mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight) and your waist circumference, and ask what that means for your health.
  • Explain to your doctor about your current physical activity and eating habits, and talk about changes that you can make to help yourself get healthier.
  • Consider how many changes you are willing to make to your lifestyle before meeting with your doctor.
  • Ask for information about local specialists such as dietitians and personal trainers, and whether they may be covered by your health plan.

Are You a Distracted Eater?

If you watch TV, read, or do other chores while eating you are more likely to consume unneeded calories.

See this article at Medline Plus.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Broiled Fish Makes a Healthy Dinner


The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics lists these tips for broiling delicious, healthy fish.
  • Understand how the technique works -- broiling is basically like grilling food upside down, since the heat comes from above the food instead of below it.
  • Use aluminum foil to line a baking dish, and spray it with cooking spray.
  • Place the fish in the dish, skin side down.
  • Slide the baking dish into the oven about 5 inches away from the broiler.
  • Fish should appear flaky and opaque when done; test it with a food thermometer to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Exercise When You Travel


The American Council on Exercise lists these suggestions for exercising while traveling:
  • Instead of your usual stair-climbing machine, look for tall buildings or stadiums where you can climb the stairs.
  • Walk through the new city and explore; look for a hiking trail or a local park.
  • Try to walk to more of your destinations rather than driving or taking a cab.
  • Find out if your hotel has a fitness center or pool and pack your workout or swim clothes.
  • Ask about a local gym where you can get a short-term pass or pack simple workout equipment like a jump rope or an exercise tube.
  • Try exercising in your hotel room by doing activities that don't require equipment, such as push-ups and crunches.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Quit Smoking for Heart Health

Quitting smoking is good for your heart even if there is a modest weight gain.

See the following information on Medline Plus and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_134864.html

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2013/nhlbi-13.htm

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Food Choice Consequences

Check out the following article to see which foods you should be passing up.


MedlinePlus

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Amercian Cancer Society Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life annual kick-off event will be at Zimmy's on March 11th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Anyone interested in learning more about Relay for Life is encouraged to attend.

This year's overnight event will be held at Bennett Park on August 9th and the theme will be Christmas in August.  Teams of local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families help to build awareness and raise funds, prior to and at the event, in the fight against cancer.  Teams are starting to form now!

You can register a team at the Zimmy's kick-off or you can register on-line at any time.  Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, secure community support, coordinate logistics, obtain refreshments and prizes, assist with publicity and plan entertainment activities for this exciting event.

For more information on the Relay for Life Celebration, contact the American Cancer Society at 847-368-1166 or visit Relayforlife.org/hibbingmn.

County offers safe medicine disposal - Hibbing Daily Tribune: Health


A medication drop box is located in Hibbing  Sheriff’s Department, 1810 12th Ave. E.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
See the article in the Hibbing Daily Tribune for complete information.

County offers safe medicine disposal - Hibbing Daily Tribune: Health


Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Healthy After School Snack Ideas


The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests these no-cook healthy snacks:
  • Make a frozen treat by dipping a peeled banana in yogurt, rolling it in crushed cereal and then freezing.
  • Shake up a fruit smoothie by combining a half cup each of low-fat yogurt and chilled 100 percent fruit juice in a container with a lid, and then shake.
  • Use fun-shaped cookie cutters (like dinosaurs, stars or hearts) to cut out sandwiches made with lean meat, low-fat cheese and whole-grain bread.
  • In a bowl, mix peanut butter with cornflakes or bran flakes, and then roll into balls. Roll the balls in crushed graham crackers to make tasty peanut butter balls.

Friday, March 01, 2013

New Books at the Library

Check out these new books at the Hibbing Public Library!