Month: May 2019

2019-05-31T11:07:00

(BPT) – In a sea of plastic bags and exhaust-filled commutes, it can be overwhelming to remind yourself to be environmentally responsible and reduce your carbon footprint, especially during busy times like the morning. You slept through your alarm, the kids wouldn’t get dressed for school, your train has been delayed another 10 minutes — sustainability is often the last thing on your mind when trying to get out the door.

No matter how hectic your morning may get, consider integrating these five easy habits into your daily routine for small ways to make a big impact.

Shower smart. Replace showerheads and leaky faucets as soon as they begin to drip. Take advantage of fixtures that can reduce overall water waste. The EPA estimates that by replacing just one showerhead with a WaterSense certified model, the average family can save up to 2,900 gallons of water every year, or the amount of electricity needed to power its home for 13 days.

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. While this might seem like a no-brainer, 42% of Americans report leaving the faucet on when brushing their teeth, according to a Google survey, which can waste up to four gallons of water each time. Colgate’s Save Water initiative estimates that every morning, we have the power to save up to 542 million gallons of water as a country with this small behavior change, based on U.S. Census data. Your water utility bill will thank you too.

Save your breakfast scraps. You may have to crack some eggs to make your morning omelet, but that doesn’t mean the eggshells need to go to waste. The idea of composting may seem intimidating, but there are several breakfast scraps, like coffee grounds and eggshells, that can enrich your garden’s soil as is. Sprinkle them in your flower bed to give your plants, and your karma, a boost.

Unplug your electronics. As you’re getting ready to begin the day, look around your house and consider unplugging any unnecessary appliances. The easiest way to reduce the amount of “phantom energy” that is likely contributing up to 10% of your electric bill, according to Berkeley Lab? Invest in power strips that you can easily power down before you head out of the house.

Use a reusable coffee mug. You don’t have to ditch your morning jolt of caffeine, but you also can help combat the 100 billion disposable cups sent to U.S. landfills each year, according to Associated Coffee. Put down the single-use cup, grab a to-go mug and enjoy your coffee. Bonus points if you choose organic or night-shade coffee.

Visit https://smiles.colgate.com/page/content/everydropcounts to learn more about the environmental impact of turning off the faucet when you brush and join the 321,646 people that have already pledged to spread the word, saving up to 2,573,232 gallons of water every day.

2019-05-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – Summer is coming — and swimsuit season will be here before you know it. Now’s the time to do a quick assessment and create a routine to get your body ready for sun and fun.

By following three easy steps — reset, realign and repeat — you can commit to making changes to create a healthier you in time for summer.

Reset

Do a self-health assessment. Take time to reevaluate your goals and set new milestones. Achieving desired health goals requires you to be honest with yourself in regard to where you are at and what you want to achieve.

Are you just beginning a weight-loss journey? Or perhaps you’re looking to drop a few pounds? Once you’ve identified your goals, find a program that aligns with your everyday routine and empowers you to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to go at it alone. Find a program that uses technology to provide support and encouragement that helps you maintain healthy habits and routines. A digital solution can help you track progress and provide 24/7 accountability.

Realign

Now that you’ve identified your goals, hold yourself accountable! It’s easier to keep up with a routine that aligns with your lifestyle and doesn’t require drastic modifications. Using the right tools and technologies can also help in achieving your health goals. Amway’s BodyKey SmartLoss program, developed in collaboration with Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, makes it easy to integrate smarter, healthier lifestyle choices into your everyday routine. The program provides continual personalized feedback and support without the pressure of calorie counting.

“Weight-loss solutions are not one size fits all, so to achieve and sustain your weight-loss goals, it is important to use strategies that best fit into your everyday lifestyle,” said Kerry Grann, Principal Research Scientist, Amway Research & Development. “This might involve eating less, making better food choices, or a little bit of both. Using tools such as the SmartLoss Graph, step tracking and logging what you eat can make you more aware of the choices you are making, empowering you to identify what works and what doesn’t work in your journey to a healthier you.”

Repeat

Once you’ve found the right solution, then what? Consistency is the key to achieving and maintaining your goals. Keep track of your progress on a daily or weekly basis to see how much you accomplish in shorter spans of time. BodyKey’s program has a free mobile app to help you track your journey and offers advice and guidance to keep you motivated to hit your daily goals. The app is available for anyone to download on the iTunes Store and Google Play.

The program helps users develop daily habits throughout their entire weight-loss journey. It offers a personalized eating plan that tracks weight loss and provides customized recommendations to help you every step of the way. With the convenience and accessibility of this program it’s easier to keep up your routine beyond the summer months.

“Accessibility and convenience are important when it comes to programs that assist with weight-loss management,” said Grann. “Having a digital program that tracks your progress can help you maintain daily habits beyond your desired summer goals.”

This summer take your health into your own hands by resetting, realigning and repeating healthy habits throughout the season and beyond. Proper weight management and discipline, supported by educational tools, will help you transform your everyday routine and help achieve a healthier you. Programs such as BodyKey SmartLoss can help you take control of your weight-loss journey so you can look and feel your very best this summer.

2019-05-30T10:41:01

(BPT) – Lacking culinary inspiration? Telling yourself that you will start going to the gym “next week?” Binge-watching TV rather than tackling a crossword puzzle?

We can often be our own biggest hurdle when it comes to making healthy decisions. But sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge from a friend or a fun new idea to spark your motivation. Below, find three simple ideas to help you live your best life and boost your mental and physical health.

Staying active: Squats

Squats are one of the most important exercises we can do. And most of us do squats multiple times a day — think sitting down to dinner or standing up to get a drink of water. Squats help ensure both your leg and stabilizing muscles stay strong and your range of motion stays wide, so those mindless daily activities, stay that way.

1. Stand tall and place your feet shoulder width apart.

2. Squeeze your glutes and lower yourself down and back toward the ground. Try to drive your knees out slightly as you squat down.

3. Straighten back up to standing and repeat.

To take a more active role in your health, some health plans, including UnitedHealthcare, offer gym memberships at no additional cost. To learn more, visit UHCMedicarePlans.com. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

Staying healthy: Sheet-pan roasted salmon with vegetable hash

Salmon is one of the best foods we can eat to keep our brain healthy. Enjoy this delicious recipe; best of all, there is only one pan to wash!

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed (1/2 inch)
• 1/2 cup red onion, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed and roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 450 F. Spray a large rimmed baking pan with cooking spray.

2. Arrange the butternut squash and onion in pan. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper; toss to coat. Bake for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon oil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

4. Remove vegetables from the oven and add Brussels sprouts to the pan.

5. Stir to combine. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

6. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and brown sugar until smooth. Brush mustard mixture over both pieces of salmon.

7. Remove baking pan from oven. Move the vegetables over to one side of the pan and place the salmon (skin side down) on the other side. Bake for another 12 to 14 minutes, or until salmon is cooked to desired doneness and vegetables are browned.

Health facts: calories: 579; total fat: 31 grams; saturated fat: 4.5 grams; cholesterol: 105 milligrams; sodium: 904 milligrams; carbs: 39 grams; dietary fiber: 6 grams; sugar: 13 grams; protein: 45 grams

Staying mindful: Word scramble

Keeping your mind active and engaged is one of the best ways to help fend off memory loss. Brain games, like word scrambles, are fun ways to help keep your memory sharp.

Try unscrambling the words below. Hint: Summer.

IUHNSSNE

CAOVATNI

WFOSELR

GNLSAUSSES

CCNIIP

HFGINSI

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies. For Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

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2019-02-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – Bananas are a tasty snack that many people eat regularly without much thought, but there’s more to the iconic yellow fruit than just its convenience and color. Bananas are a superfood loaded with nutrients and have been enjoyed worldwide for hundreds of years. In fact, there are many reasons to consider eating more bananas.

Versatility: Bananas are one of the most versatile foods available. They come in their own container and you can eat them right out of the peel. You can slice up fresh bananas to enhance favorite snack foods, like cereal, yogurt or smoothies. They are a natural alternative to sugar to sweeten desserts and can be used in a variety of recipes, including savory ones. They are even tasty dried and eaten as banana chips.

Nutrient powerhouse: Bananas are not only a powerhouse for potassium with nearly 10 percent of the recommended daily value, but also boast many other nutritional benefits. Just one banana has 35 percent of the daily recommended B-6, which helps with cell growth. In addition, you’ll be giving your body important vitamins and minerals like magnesium, manganese, vitamin C and copper. Bananas are also a good source of antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.

Don’t believe the sugar rumors: Bananas are a wonderful source of natural sugars (the good kind) and carbohydrates, which help provide sustained energy. It’s a common misconception that bananas aren’t as healthy due to the higher sugar content, however, the natural sugars in bananas come with fiber, which slows digestion and gives the body time to use it as fuel instead of storing it as fat.

Low-fat, low-cal: Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, making them ideal for nutritious eating as well as a good option if you’re on many specialty diets. Plus, they’re just 100 calories per banana, providing you all-natural, long-lasting energy. Whether it’s a snack or addition to a recipe, you can feel good about eating bananas.

Digestive health: Bananas are often one of a baby’s first foods. They are also one of the first things we eat when we are sick. Why? Because they are soft to chew and easy to digest. In fact, bananas can support digestive health thanks to their pectin level that acts as a fiber. If you prefer your bananas a bit on the unripe side, you’re also in luck because unripe bananas contain higher levels of resistant starches, which are a soluble fiber.

Banana bread: One of the most popular ways to bake with bananas is banana bread. What many people might not know is the history of the moist, sweet loaf featuring the classic yellow fruit. Banana bread is the creation of thrifty housewives during the Great Depression who had to stretch their family’s food supplies, including utilizing overly ripe bananas.

Recipes have evolved over the years to include different ingredients and fun variations, such as adding in nuts, chocolate chips and flavoring like almond and vanilla. Try this classic recipe to treat your friends and family.

Chiquita Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients:

4 ripe Chiquita bananas
3 eggs
1 cup almond flour/spelt flour
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup pecans
1/4 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons ginger powder
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 can coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla powder

Directions:

Purée 3 bananas with a hand mixer. Scoop the bananas into a big bowl.

Chop nuts coarsely. Now add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Pour batter into greased pan. Cut the fourth banana lengthwise in half and place the slices on top of the batter.

Bake loaf for about 45 minutes in oven.

The night before, put the coconut milk in the fridge (to separate fluid from cream). Scoop only the top layer of cream from the can into a big bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla and mix it until you get a smooth mixture. Serve with the loaf.

2019-05-29T12:01:00

(BPT) – Grass is a highly resilient plant, but even the healthiest lawn will require some TLC to help it keep up with the high-traffic summer recreation season. Follow these three tips for improved summer durability to make sure your yard bounces back quickly from whatever you throw at it — whether your activity of choice is a rowdy game of flag football or a leisurely backyard dinner party.

• Don’t stress; cut less. As a rule of thumb, when you mow your lawn you should never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. Scalping a lawn will cause stress, which can create problems all summer. To best protect your lawn before a high-traffic activity, mow at the tall end of the recommended range. For most grass species, this means increasing the mowing height to around 3 inches. Leaving a little extra length will also provide more cushioning for the soil and your guests’ feet.

• Fertilize correctly. When your lawn starts to brown in the summer, don’t throw fertilizer on it. Fertilizing in the spring and summer favors shoot and leaf growth at the expense of root growth, which is key for creating a healthy, hardy lawn. Feed your lawn twice per year (plan for mid-May and mid-September), with the spring application featuring slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to minimize excess growth. Still feel the need to fertilize? Simply leave the clippings on your lawn after you mow. This not only saves time, but can provide up to 25% of the lawn’s fertilizer needs.

• Water properly. Instead of watering a little every day, water more deeply twice a week — aiming for a total of about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall — to help the water penetrate the root zone and then dry out a little in between waterings to keep good oxygen in the soil system. This will create a resilient, low-water lawn with a strong root system that will thrive and require less watering during the hottest months. If you’re planning to host a large gathering on your lawn, avoid watering for two or three days beforehand, but then water immediately after. A drier lawn will help protect guests’ shoes, better support furniture and other structures and minimize damage from heavy traffic — especially if you’re playing yard games.

“A natural grass lawn creates the perfect setting for a whole host of outdoor activities for the entire family,” said Bryan Ostlund, executive director of Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists. “If you’re lucky enough to have a grass lawn, use it! Spending time outdoors is good for both mind and body.”

So take advantage of your green oasis and gather on the lawn to eat or play together. If you’re looking for games, children’s classics like tag or flag football might be the first activities that spring to mind, but a quick search on Pinterest will show that the possibilities are truly endless. Bring out the bubbles, Frisbees, Hula-Hoops and kites. Pitch a tent, spread out a blanket or just lie on the grass.

Whether you’re playing, entertaining or relaxing, there are countless reasons to get out on your lawn, and a bit of maintenance will make sure your grass is up for whatever the summer may bring. With proper mowing, fertilization and irrigation, a healthy lawn can stand up to a surprising amount of traffic.