Quitting Smoking

I'm not going to get into why one should quit smoking. 

I'm assuming most who read this blog really aren't in need of tips to quit smoking, but in the event you are seeking inspiration, this article from the Des Moines Register could be helpful.

This article gives constructive tips as to how to approach a comprehensive plan for quitting smoking. 

Using Meditation

Personally, I have not been a practitioner of meditation.

However, I know many people who practice yoga also practice meditation.  There are many benefits for the mind and body that come from meditation.  This post in the St. Cloud Times previews some of the positives that come from meditation.

Bombas Socks

Check out these cool and comfortable socks.

A review on the Bombas socks was recently posted on the Jill Will Run blog site.  Their colorful and comfortable.  They also have a donation program associated with the purchase of their socks.

Protein-Packed Foods

Looking for some protein-packed foods?

This post from www.active.com will give you several foods to choose that are high in protein and nutritional.  These foods have lots of benefits for you. 

Vitamin-Rich Foods

What do turnip greens, concord grape juice and grapefruit have in common?

These foods are full of valuable vitamins your body needs to survive.

Read more about the value of these vitamin-rich foods from a post on www.active.com.  This article originally appeared in Men's Health.

Tips For Sleeping Better

So just as I am looking for some tips to sleep better  . . . this comes along.

The Carrots 'N' Cake blog introduces five tips to help you fall asleep and keep you from thinking about everything BUT sleep. 

We all need sleep to stay healthy, so take a look.

Flotation Therapy

Ever tried flotation therapy?  No, I haven't either.

It's made its way to my community.  It's sort of a floating meditation, relaxation for pain relief approach.  Check out this article from the Des Moines Register that shares more information about flotation therapy.

Never Take Relationships For Granted

As my son struggled with the recent death of a friend with whom he played sports . . . and this is the second time in less than three years this has happened . . . this post reminded me to share the word about never taking those who are important to us for granted.

My son's friends meant a lot to him and obviously the inspiration of Cameron Slider meant a lot to her family.  In the middle of a half marathon, she was making her way through the race and hours later, she was gone.  This was recently reported in the Shut Up and Run blog.

We should never take for granted the inspiration of those who are important to us.

Beecher’s Kale and Brown Rice Gratin

I love Kristin Porter's Iowa Girl Eats blog.

This blog features some great tasting, healthy recipes as well as helpful fitness information.

Check out this for a beecher's kale and rice gratin recipe she recently posted.

Missing The Mark?

Maybe it's time to forgive yourself.

Looking back four months ago, you set some New Year's resolutions.  I really enjoyed Lisa Lavia Ryan's thoughts on how you can get back on track by "retooling" as she calls it.  This is from the Des Moines Register.

When Team Loses, We Add On Pounds

Check this out . . . sports fans tend to put on weight with additional food consumption when their teams lose.

HealthDay recently published an article on the findings of a study where on the Monday after a team loss, people ate 10 percent more calories and 16 percent more saturated fat, compared to their typical habits. In contrast, they ate slightly fewer calories and less saturated fat on the Monday after an NFL victory.  The study found the same among French soccer fans.

So as football wraps up and basketball heats up, keep this in mind when your team is behind!

Downfall Of A Champion

There is no need to beat the Lance Armstrong drum any further.

However, I couldn't stop reading a recent Wall Street Journal article that is an excerpt from a new book titled "Wheelmen: Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever" that outlines the fall of the cycling icon.  The book was written by two Wall Street Journal reporters Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell.

If you are like me, you worshipped Armstrong and all he did.  Only to be later fooled and disappointed with his horrible behavior.  This article shows just how "duped" we were and what a horrible endurance sport tragedy the Lance Armstrong saga has become.

Reduce Your Salt Intake

There is no secret that lowering your salt intake makes you healthier.

Lowering salt consumption also lowers risk of heart disease and stroke - this is well documented.

So, how do you lower your salt intake.  The easiest way is to do it gradually. 

In an article recently published in the Des Moines Register, you can learn a variety of strategies for lowering sodium in your diet.  For example, the article shows how by simply reading the labels of similar products for levels of sodium, you can make a big difference.

You can also minimize salt intake by cutting the amount of bread you consume and using more fresh ingredients in your cooking.

Cutting Your Size In Half

There are a lot of folks who have opted for weight loss surgery as an alternative to cutting their size.

Certainly, there are risks involved in this type of procedure, but it has become pretty common.  Read this story from the Des Moines Register about the experience of a Central Iowa woman who lost 125 pounds.

This woman's experience will offer some guidance on what to expect using this option for weight loss.

Running With Friends?

Occasionally, I have to share some humor.

I noticed the popular web games' developer Zynga recently announced its "Running With Friends" game.  If you weren't paying attention, you might think this was a new app to keep better track of your runs with friends.

Not the case.

Check out this story about.  I'm sure the characters in the game remind us of ourselves on occasion.

Talk About Stupid

I can't believe I witnessed this.

Filling up my car with gas, a guy pulls in with a cigarette in his mouth.  He proceeds to fill his vehicle up with gas.  I couldn't believe someone would do this!

It's bad enough you are killing yourself and potentially others with your smoking, but now this person is risking blowing the place up.  Yet another reason why smoking is a BAD choice. 

Taking A Break

Will be taking a break from blogging until the end of the month. Check back and we'll see you soon!

Coming Home

At what time of the day are you most stressed?

Think about it. More than likely it is the time of day when you've faced the most issues, you're the most tired and you're likely the most hungry. All of these factors lead to the end of the day when many folks greet their spouses after work.

I found a recent article by Elizabeth Bernstein in the Wall Street Journal to be very thought-provoking on this topic. Essentially, it's often hard for us put the "honey" back in "Honey, I'm home" when we're tired, hungry and irritable about the day's past events. Let's face it, as the article points out, the days of wives greeting their husbands at the door with a martini have gone the way of the "pet rock".

The article is helpful in providing some helpful insight and strategies toward making your "coming home" to your spouse a less stressful and a more enjoyable experience.

Families Need A Break From Gadgets

When we think of folks who are chained to their Blackberrys or other communications technology gadgets, we are usually thinking of the working dad or mom who is constantly "checking" and "pecking".

It's not just mom and dad though. Entire families are tethered to a variety of technological devices - whether it's an iPhone, laptop, computer game device or other gizmo, we're all guilty as charged.

I loved this article by Elizabeth Bernstein of the Wall Street Journal. It suggests how we can all benefit from a "tech detox". And why not?

Can't we all just turn our gadgets off for a half hour and take time to go on a walk, a jog, a bike ride or some other activity that would make for a healthier lifestyle together as a family? It doesn't sound as though it would be THAT difficult.

The next time each member of your family is glued to a screen, no matter how large or small, see if everyone would be willing to do something far more productive. And do it together as a family.

Surgery To Relieve Asthma

If you're an asthma sufferer, or you live with one, this is for you.

Melinda Beck recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal about a new asthma treatment called "bronchial thermoplasty". The article highlights how the surgery has helped one patient by permanently opening constricted airways.

My son, Jay, is one of the 22 million Americans who suffers from asthma. He maintains a very athletic lifestyle, but it still holds him back at times. It's always pained me to see people hurt from asthma, particularly when it affects more active folks. Imagine not being able to breathe!

Hopefully, this treatment will be helpful to many of those with asthma.