Articles by

Ask a trainer: The bottom line on the best time of day to exercise

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:40:00 -0800

Are you one of those cranky morning exercisers that reluctantly drags yourself to the gym or do you bound out of bed ready to charge the health club doors at 5 a.m.? We’ve heard morning workouts are best because it jump starts your metabolism and gets your workout behind you before the day gets in the way, but is morning exercise really best? To find out, we called on Illinois-based fitness expert Angie Miller, founder of AngieMillerFitness.com, to give us the muscle on the best time of day to get fit.

3 Protein-rich salad recipes for lunch

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:10:00 -0800

If your idea of a healthy salad is a handful of greens tossed with a nonfat dressing, no wonder you skip lunch or opt for less-than-diet-friendly fare. Boring salads that have no substance will never win your thumbs up when it comes to healthy eating nor will they ever become anticipated and satisfying midday meals. We couldn’t agree more! So we’ve come up with three amazing protein-rich salad recipes that will make lunch your favorite meal of the day.

3 Tasty high-fiber breakfast recipes

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:28:00 -0800

The best way to start your day is with a healthy breakfast recipe that powers your mind and body through the morning, promotes your long-term health and is so lip-smacking delicious, you actually look forward to waking up for a meal. These high-fiber breakfast recipes, featuring whole grains, fruit, nuts and even beans, are quick to the table, family-friendly and give you three tasty ways to help meet your daily fiber needs.

Victory over verbal abuse

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:18:00 -0800

Did you know that nine out of 10 teens witness bullying on social networks and 50 percent have been the target of such attacks? The anonymity and speed of the Internet makes it possible for bullies to strike without parents even being aware that their child is being harrassed. We talked with Patricia Evans, author of Victory Over Verbal Abuse: A Healing Guide to Renewing Your Spirit and Reclaiming Your Life about the damage verbal abuse can inflict, ways that parents can help children who are victims of the abuse and the best steps to take to put a stop to bullying.

Traditional Mexican Christmas recipes

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:14:00 -0800

Whether you’re celebrating a Mexican-inspired Christmas or want to start a new Christmas food tradition, here are some of our favorite Mexican Christmas recipes

Christmas menudo recipe

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:12:00 -0800

Before you think this is an article about Ricky Martin’s former boy band, get your mind in food mode and think about sitting your family down to a dish of menudo, a traditional Mexican meal for the holidays. Here’s how to make menudo, a popular Christmastime soup recipe.

How to roast chestnuts

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:24:00 -0800

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire isn’t just the title of the well-known song crooned by Nat King Cole , it is the most amazing way to enjoy chestnuts throughout the holiday season. Sure, you can buy vacuum-packed ready-to-eat chestnuts from the local gourmet store, but they greatly pale in comparison to bona fide chestnuts roasted over a flame. Here’s how to roast chestnuts over an open fire.

Bump up your workout routine

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:59:00 -0800

Sometimes, we stick to the same workouts -- even though they're boring -- just because they are familiar. The new year is the perfect time to bust out of your exercise rut and get super-enthused about fitness. Not only will you have more fun when you sweat, but you’ll also actually get results that boring exercise will never help you achieve. Here are the most effective ways to bump up your workout routine.

Accomplish your fitness resolutions

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:56:00 -0800

Don't set yourself up to feel like a New Year’s fitness failure by setting unrealistic, impractical or boring workout resolutions. Instead, follow these surefire tips to keep your New Year’s resolutions and reach your fitness goals.

Eat all 5 food groups daily in 2013

Michele Borboa, MS — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:30:00 -0800

Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to diet, make one to which you can actually stick past mid-January. Typical fad diets restrict and deprive you, even dictating that you drop entire food groups from your daily eating plan. Where's the fun in that? Instead, resolve to eat more: more of the right foods, that is, basing your diet on the five food groups. Here’s how to eat all five food groups every day to help you crowd out the junk food, reduce your calorie intake and bolster your health with nutrient-dense fare.

How to eat well

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:42:00 -0800

Eating a healthy diet isn’t rocket science, but it can sure seem complicated when you’re trying to fit wholesome meals into your day while faced with so many food choices at the supermarket, diet plans that contradict each other and the fear you aren’t getting all the nutrients your body needs for optimal health. To help you eat well , here is a how-to for simplifying your meal planning.

How to balance your menu for a better mood

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:06:00 -0800

Your diet has a significant impact on your mood and energy level. If you find yourself singing the blues or schlepping through your day, it may be time to change your daily diet to revive your spirits and get re-energized. Here is our how-to list to better your menu for a better mood.

The wellness gift guide for kids

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:31:00 -0800

Instead of getting your kids one more video game, consider the following kid-friendly gifts that will improve every facet of their health and wellness.

Gourmet gifts for the meat lover

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:38:00 -0800

It’s far easier to holiday shop for the meat eaters on your list than the picky eaters who eschew entire food groups or have ethical issues with certain cuisines. Here is our juicy list of gourmet holiday gifts for your favorite carnivores.

Foodie gifts for the healthy gourmet

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:25:00 -0800

For the healthy gourmet who loves crafting up nutritious, delicious meals, this foodie gift guide is a one-stop gift shop for kitchen gadgets and gourmet goodies made with the health conscious foodie in mind.

Fun foodie gifts for the kid chef

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:24:00 -0800

If there is an aspiring young chef on your Christmas gift list, look no further than our kid-friendly foodie gift guide. From kid-sized chefwear to fun kitchen gadgets, the following kid chef gifts will delight your budding gourmands.

How to keep kids off the couch during the holiday break

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:53:00 -0800

Concern for your children’s health can peak during the holiday break, when all they do is laze around worshipping the teen trinity of cell phone, keyboard and game controller, while grabbing bags of unhealthy snacks and slurping down 32-ounce soft drinks. With more than one-third of American children overweight, how on earth do you keep your kids off the couch and get them healthy and active during the holiday break -- and hopefully jump-start a healthier new year? We asked Dr. Sejal Shah, pediatrician at Miami’s Children’s Hospital and creator of teen weight loss program Power Play, to give us parents the skinny on holiday break health. Here are Dr. Shah’s 10 tips for keeping our kids active and at a healthy weight.

Entertaining gift guide for the hostess with the most-est

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:22:00 -0800

With all the holiday parties you’re attending this year, we’re taking the stress out of your hostess gift shopping. Every one of these holiday gifts will show your favorite entertaining expert how much you appreciate her impressively flawless and full-of-grace talent for hosting the best holiday gatherings.

Ask the trainer: 10 Reasons women need weights

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:15:00 -0800

Are you one of those women who slaves on the elliptical for hours each week and refuses to near the weight room at the gym? If you’re of the mind that weights are for meatheads and will turn you into a mini-Schwarzenegger, we’ve got news for you. Weight lifting will give you the body of your dreams. Illinois-based fitness expert Angie Miller, founder of AngieMillerFitness.com, answers the most pressing questions women have about lifting weights.

How to stay healthy on a budget in the new year

Michele Borboa, MS — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:20:00 -0800

Those $125 doctor visits can add up during the cold and flu season -- and any time of the year when you just don't feel your best. Your health is largely due to lifestyle -- namely, diet and exercise habits -- but that doesn't mean you have to go broke buying organic foods and fancy gym memberships. Certified holistic health practitioner Carolyn Harrington says it's easy to stay healthy on a budget. She shares five easy and economical ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle in the new year.