Fresh air. Warm sunshine. Green leaves. Birds twirping happily. The sound of dirt crunching beneath your feet. There’s something uniquely restorative about spending time in nature — a fact backed by science. A host of research published in the National Library of Medicine shows being in nature:   Boosts mental health and cognitive function Reduces stress and perceived ability to deal with stress Improvement in depressed psychological states Stimulates brain activity Lowers risk of developing psychological disorders Positively correlates with lower obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates In ..read more

One of the biggest struggle areas many of us have is undoubtedly around our bellies. Belly fat often seems to be the quickest to burgeon and slowest to go away. Unfortunately, studies show belly fat increases the risk of things like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It also can be uncomfortable and make finding clothes that fit challenging. Thankfully, there is good news for those of us who want to target this problematic area — and the solution may lie in boosting your soluble fiber intake.   What is Soluble Fiber? Soluble fiber is a carbohydrate that can slow down how fast your s ..read more

If you’re looking for a fun fitness form that engages your entire body — and your mind! — look no further than dancing. Dancing is one of the best heart-pumping ways to torch calories while simultaneously improving muscle tone, strength, balance, core strength, and joint health. Plus, your mind stays engaged and sharp as it learns choreography and keeps pace with the steps. What’s more: This well-rounded, full-body workout is actually fun! Time flies as you whirl around and step to the beats, ensuring you’re not staring at the clock and watching the minutes tick by until the workout ends ..read more

Many of us set out on a weight loss journey with all the passion, commitment, and dedication we need to succeed. And for a while, we’re doing it — sticking to our plans and celebrating as we achieve one milestone after another. The days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, and we get comfortable in our new healthy living routine. It becomes second nature. But then that day comes — and it very likely will come — where we inevitably fall off the wagon and relapse into old poor eating habits, forgo our fitness classes, and just, kind of, give up. It happens — even to the best of us. Ma ..read more

There’s something special about enjoying brightly colored food that looks just as pretty as the flowers, fruits, and veggies that sprout in spring. Take advantage of this bountiful season by creating one of our 8 favorite spring side dishes — delicious items like roasted carrots, avocado deviled eggs, pasta salad, and more — all of which you can bring to any upcoming event to leave your guests feeling satisfied and asking for more.   1) Strawberry Spinach Salad Serves: 6-8 Calories: ~300 Color meets taste in this citrusy blend of spinach, berries, pecans, goat cheese, and tangy lemon ..read more

Sugary foods are prevalent in our world and sugar is often an added ingredient to the countless snacks and packaged foods gracing grocery store shelves. A 2015 study published In The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology found that a staggering 68% of the packaged foods and beverages purchased by U.S. households contained added sugars. In addition, 74% of U.S. food supply products contain either caloric or low-calorie sweeteners. With numbers like that, it may seem impossible to escape consuming high-sugar foods regularly, which can be problematic for your health. Experts say that eating foo ..read more

When it comes to losing weight, there’s a certain exhilaration that hits you when you get on the scale and see that your first 10 pounds are gone. For people trying to lose 50 pounds or more, that first 10 pounds is a significant milestone. You’ll probably feel excited, flushed, and — hopefully — proud of your success. It’s confirmation that you can — and will — reach your goals. And while the mental and emotional benefits are worth paying attention to, the physical benefits of losing 10 pounds are also quite impressive. We broke down seven things that happen to your body immediately afte ..read more

You know that exercise is essential, with countless studies showcasing how it can improve everything from heart health to immunity, skin vitality, and more. But if you’re getting on in life, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed any movement becomes a bit more difficult the older you get — whether you’ve ever been an avid exerciser or not. For example, running a mile or two in your early 20s may seem challenging but not too terribly difficult. That’s quite a different story when you’re in your mid-to late-40s or beyond — when running a mile may take a good deal of training. The reality is t ..read more

Cholesterol plays a vital role in your body, ensuring your blood cells can replicate and you get essential vitamins. But high cholesterol levels can have the opposite effect, increasing your risk of serious diseases that lead to strokes, heart attacks, and even death. High cholesterol is also a significant contributor to an increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to a recent study published in the journal Neurology. Researchers analyzed 11,571 participants with a mean age of 71 and found a 19% increased risk of Alzheimer’s in those with blood levels that varied t ..read more

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you plan on busting out the cooking skills for a quiet night in with your sweetheart, adding a delicious, light dessert at the end of the meal will show them you’re next-level. Or, perhaps you want your kiddos to take the dessert of the year to their Valentine’s Day class party. Either way, you can’t go wrong with our list of eight healthier Valentine’s Day dessert recipes to satisfy your sweetheart’s sweet tooth. Pavolas with Strawberries and Cream Servings: 6 Calories: 269 Don’t let the uber-complicated, elegant appearance fool you. These ..read more