Easy Ways to Eat 5 Fruits and Vegetables Each Day

By Laura Bofinger, Guest Writer

"Eat your fruits and vegetables." We've heard it all of our lives. If only it were so simple.Our bodies crave fruits and vegetables more than just about any other food because we tend to get far fewer of them than we need. We often think we'd survive just fine on 2-3 servings a day – or less. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the USDA both recommend at least 5 servings per day! What you’re missing could be the difference between just surviving and all out thriving.

With just a little thought and a tiny bit of effort in snack preparation, you can make these nutritious foods more convenient and accessible.

Tips and Tricks

Add fruit to your cereal, oatmeal, waffles or pancakes at breakfast.

Create your own yogurt flavors with plain yogurt and different combinations of fresh fruit.

Snack on raw vegetables or fruits instead of chips or pretzels. Keep sugar snap peas, raisins or carrot sticks in your car, your office or your backpack.

Use chunky salsa instead of thick, creamy snack dips.

Drink 100% juice instead of addictive coffee, tea, or soda.

Going out to lunch? Take a trip to the grocery salad bar. Use lots of dark green leaves and other vegetables instead of piling on all of the extras like eggs, bacon and cheese.

Add frozen veggies to any pasta dish. It's an easy way to get in another serving of the good stuff.

Keep fruits and vegetables in line of sight. Grapes, oranges, bananas, and apples make a colorful bowl arrangement on the table. If you see them, you will eat them.

Dried fruit is just as portable as potato chips -- and less messy. It tastes especially good when added to basic trail mix.

When cooking vegetables, makes 2-3 times more than you need and immdiately store the extra away for tomorrow. It'll save you time later on.

Add your own beans and vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, peppers, cabbage) to canned and quick-serve soups.

If you must have pizza, load on extra veggies and pineapple instead of fatty meats and extra cheese.

Try berries, melons or dates for a naturally sweet dessert rather than the usual candy bar, cookie, or ice cream sandwich.

Frozen fruit and veggies are nearly as healthy as the fresh stuff, and only take minutes to prepare.

Combine fruit with your main meal courses. Raisins, apples and tangerine slices add sweet, crunchy variety to a salad. Apples complement pork, pineapple is great with fish, and orange slices are perfect with chicken.

Besides being packed full of nutrients, fruits and vegetables can also be quite filling. They may even ward off any empty calorie snacking that might follow! Don’t be discouraged by the recommended 5 servings a day. The guide below shows that one serving is less than what you might think.

One serving equals:
- 1 medium piece of fruit
- 1/2 cup fruit (raw, canned, or frozen)
- 1/2 cup cooked vegetables (canned or frozen)
- 1 cup raw vegetables
- 1/4 cup dried fruit
- 4-6 oz. of 100% juice (serving size depends on the type of juice)
- 1/2 cup cooked peas or beans

Learn the Fitness Class Lingo - Read Up Before You Work Out

By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer

When you think about “fitness classes,” what images come to mind? Do you picture skinny people (leg warmers included) jumping around and kicking their legs to loud music? Although that might have been the case 10 or 20 years ago, the latest trends in classes focus on the mind-body experience, and helping people of all ability levels.

If you considered taking fitness classes at your gym, you probably picked up the schedule, only to find a list of unfamiliar and confusing classes. Spinning? BOSU? What does it all mean and how do you decide which class is right for you? Here’s a guide to some of the most popular classes and how you might benefit from them.

Spinning/Group Cycling Spinning is an intense cardio workout on a specially designed stationary bike. A certified instructor leads the class, indicating when to adjust your speed and resistance level (making it easier or harder to pedal). Spinning classes are typically set to music and use visualization techniques to enhance the experience.

What are the benefits? This class allows you go at your own pace, and set your own resistance level. There are no complicated moves to learn, so regardless of how fit, flexible, or coordinated you are, you can get a great workout. Cycling is also a low-impact exercise, which is much easier on your joints than other activities such as step aerobics or running.

BOSU Balance Training
The BOSU looks like a Swiss ball cut in half. It is an inflated rubber dome on a flat, round platform. BOSU actually stands for “BOth Sides Up,” meaning that the “ball” itself can be placed on the ground with either the flat or rounded side up. A BOSU class can include aerobic and strength training routines, flexibility exercises, and balance training. Familiar exercises like leg raises, crunches, and push-ups are performed on the BOSU—a surface that is constantly changing, forcing you to maintain your center of gravity. This makes the exercises more difficult.

What are the benefits? BOSU training helps establish and reinforce balance, stability, and core strength, and can be used for a wide variety of exercises. It is safer than a Swiss ball in that you are less likely to roll off, but it also makes workouts more challenging. It can add variety to your workout, mixing things up your traditional routine.

Circuit Training
This class takes the participant through a series of exercise stations (which could also include strength training), with relatively brief rest intervals between each station. The purpose is to keep the heart rate elevated near the aerobic level without dropping off.

What are the benefits? Circuit training is a complete workout—both cardio and strength training—which saves time. Since the program is fast-paced and offers variety, it can be more interesting than a typical class that focuses on only one aspect (cardio or strength). Exercisers of all fitness levels can enjoy this class, because you can work at your own pace and resistance level.

Functional Fitness
Although it’s important to have a strong heart and muscles, many people are more concerned with being able to complete activities of daily living (transporting groceries to and from the car or lifting a heavy bag off of the top shelf, for example). Functional fitness focuses on core training (abs, hips, lower back), balance exercises, and strength work. It involves a lot of stretching, twisting, and bending motions to mimic everyday activities.

What are the benefits? This class has very practical applications in daily life. For example, suppose you’ve been doing squats at the gym and feel like you’re getting stronger. Then one day you squat down to pick up a heavy garbage can and throw your back out for the next week. What happened? Although your squatting muscles might be strong, the other muscles used to pick up the can might not be. Functional fitness teaches isolated muscles to work together. It can also help someone remain independent and injury-free.

Mind-Body Classes Classes like yoga, Pilates and tai chi are now the norm instead of the exception. The great thing about these classes is that participants vary widely in age, fitness level, and body type. These classes improve flexibility and strength, while also helping to relieve stress and promote relaxation.

Don’t be afraid to try something different! There are a wide variety of classes out there to cater to your needs. You could end up finding an enjoyable activity that helps you reach your goals at the same time!

What to Do After A Workout

Many of us have a great workout routine. We drink plenty of water, warm up, stretch, work the entire body, and even get in some cardio. Then, after the last exercise, we promptly head back to the locker room, change, and journey home.

You may have done the majority of the work, but how you treat your body in the minutes and hours after you exercise has a direct effect on muscle soreness, muscle strength and growth, and staying hydrated.

Cool Down: The first thing you need to do is cool down. Try some light cardio for a few minutes. This brings your heart rate down at a slow and steady pace, which helps you avoid feeling sick after a workout. Walking on a treadmill for five minutes is a good and easy way to cool down.

Stretch: Stretching allows your muscles to rebuild, growing bigger and stronger, and thus allows you to get the full benefit from your efforts. Stretching after exercise also relaxes your muscles, helps speed circulation to joints and tissues, and helps removal of unwanted waste products, thereby reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.

Drink Water: It's recommended that you drink another 2-3 cups within two hours after you have finished exercising. You may not feel thirsty anymore, but you still need to replenish yourself to avoid getting dehydrated.

Refuel: You need to repair your muscles and boost your energy level, and you need to do it fast. It's recommended that you eat within 90 minutes of your workout, but the sooner the better. Look for foods that are packed with complex carbohydrates and protein. A perfect example is a tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Exercise Extra: The longer you cool down after a workout, the less sore you will be the following day.

Souped-Up Summer Snacking

Just because good things are in your salsa doesn't mean you're getting all the good out of it.

If you toss some avocado chunks into the spicy red stuff, you'll absorb 400 percent more lycopene from the tomatoes. Avocados give spinach salad a boost, too.

Salad on Steroids
Topping spinach salad with half a cup of sliced avocado What do you get in return? Healthier eyes, a stronger cardiovascular system, and possibly even protection from certain types of cancer.

Spinach, Avocado & Mango Salad
Makes 4 servings, 2 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

Dressing
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons hazelnut oil, almond oil or canola oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Salad
10 cups baby spinach leaves (about 8 ounces)
1 1/2 cups radicchio, torn into bite-size pieces
8-12 small red radishes (1 bunch), sliced
1 small ripe mango, sliced
1 medium avocado, sliced

1. To prepare dressing: Whisk juice, vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl.
2. To prepare salad: Just before serving, combine spinach, radicchio, radishes and mango in a large bowl. Add the dressing; toss to coat. Garnish each serving with avocado slices.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 210 calories; 14 g fat (2 g sat, 10 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 6 g fiber; 258 mg sodium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value), Vitamin A (40% dv), Fiber (26% dv). 1 Carbohydrate Serving

References: Carotenoid absorption from salad and salsa by humans is enhanced by the addition of avocado or avocado oil. Unlu, N. Z., Bohn, T., Clinton, S. K., Schwartz, S. J., Journal of Nutrition 2005 Mar;135(3):431-436.

Avocado increases the bioavailability of carotenoids from test meals in humans. Unlu, Z. N., Schwartz, S. J., Clinton, S. K., International Food Technology (IFT) Annual Meeting, July 12-16, 2004.

Who's in your Mental Network?

Good friends can help keep you from losing your mind sometimes. Literally.

Case in point: Some people don't have much memory loss from Alzheimer's disease, even though their brains show physical signs of it. And the more good friends and close family they have, the less affected their memory seems to be. Coincidence?

Mental Immunity
Sometimes, the human brain can function fairly normally even when physical signs of a disease -- such as the brain "tangles" associated with Alzheimer's -- are present.

Researchers call this resilient power of the brain "neural reserve." Think of it as the brain's capacity to keep working even though it's physically injured. And it's not clear why, but having lots of close friends and family -- the kind you can call on for help or confide in about private matters -- appears to help shore up those neural reserves.

More on Your Mind
Other ways to bolster your neural reserves? Continue your education, play games (such as sudoku), and exercise regularly.

References: The effect of social networks on the relation between Alzheimer's disease pathology and level of cognitive function in old people: a longitudinal cohort study. Bennett, D. A., Schneider, J. A., Tang, Y., Arnold, S. E., Wilson, R. S., Lancet Neurology 2006 May;5(5):406-412.

10 Tips for Staying Happy at Work

This is a reprint of an article by Monster Contributing Writer Beverly West. Thanks to Denise for bringing it to our attention.

If you find yourself longing for greener work pastures, don't immediately go looking for the first exit ramp off of your chosen career path. The Balance Team, which specializes in professional- and personal-growth seminars for administrative and executive assistants in Fortune 1000 companies, suggests these 10 tips for staying content at work:

1. Separate Work from Home. When you're preoccupied with personal issues, it's difficult to concentrate or be happy at work, says Alison Rhodes, a founding partner of The Balance Team. By all means, make sure you have your kids covered in the event of an emergency, but realize that nobody's personal life is ever going to be completely problem-free. Just as you need to let go of work to enjoy your time at home, it's important to leave personal worries at home so you can focus and be productive at work.

2. Create an Office Nest: "You are at your job for at least eight hours a day, which is more time than you probably spend in your bed," says Jennifer Star, a founding partner of The Balance Team. "Make your space your own, decorate your area as much as your company policy permits, and make yourself as comfortable and relaxed as you can be in your office.

3. Develop an Office Support System: "Gathering a circle of colleagues who share similar backgrounds or lifestyles can take a lot of pressure off you at work," says Rhodes. "When you are able to voice your feelings to people who understand, it can really help minimize stress.

4. Eat Healthy and Drink Lots of Water: "Maintaining a good diet and keeping yourself properly hydrated throughout your workday can really make a big difference in your energy level and attitude," says Shirly Weiss, a certified holistic health and nutritional counselor and consulting expert for The Balance Team. "And if you can manage to maintain a diet of whole foods, as opposed to refined foods such as sugar and bread, then you'll really be ahead of the game.

5. Be Organized: Create a manageable schedule to handle your workload, suggests Stacy Raden, a founding partner of The Balance Team. "A sense of empowerment stems from accomplishment," she says. "When you feel overwhelmed, it tends to intensify dissatisfaction. By being proactive and taking control, employees can feel a sense of satisfaction, enhanced confidence and motivation.

6. Move Around: "Working in an office can be a very sedentary job, so it's especially important to your overall sense of health and happiness to take a few minutes during your workday to get up and move a little," says Jason Bergund, founding director of Dancetherapy, a dance class, and a consulting expert for The Balance Team.

7. Don't Try to Change Your Coworkers: "You can't change anyone; you can only change the way you react to them," says Star. "Don't let other people's actions affect you. Just figure out a way to resolve conflicts and avert uncomfortable situations."

8. Reward Yourself: Identify a reward outside of your job, and indulge yourself, says Raden. Whether it be dinner with friends, a movie, exercise or a manicure, treat yourself every once in a while. Just as stress from home can interfere with work, the positive aspects of your life can influence mood at work as well.

9. Take a Breather: "In yoga, we practice the breath of joy, in which we inhale a long breath and then exhale laughter," says Sarah Schain, founding director of Yoga Tales studios for children and a consulting expert for The Balance Team. Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Inhale deeply, then exhale laughter and bend forward. Try to do this movement 10 times.

10. Focus on the Positive: "Identify the things that you like at work, even if they are as simple as your coworkers or the nice view from your office window," says Raden. "You create your own mind-set. If you stress the positives, you will make your job more enjoyable. Worrying about the negatives may cause you to become overwhelmed."

Break Your Foot - See a Doctor

If by some chance you fall down and twist your foot, drop a masonry brick on it , or some other activity that results in some rather intense pain, followed by a week or so of swelling accompanied by multi-colored swelling with no sign whatsoever of it beginning to heal, take the time to visit your doctor. Better yet, visit him or her right away and save yourself considerable physician lecture time while reducing the risk of increased injury. The same advice also applies to just about any other part of the body that gets injured with lots of not-getting-any-better type pain. Trust me, you'll be better off.

Can Walking Save Your Life?

"Walking saved my life."

So say many walking enthusiasts who picked up the habit and as a result either reduced their risk of disease, lost weight, beat depression, or enjoyed countless other major health rewards.

Although you may not be surprised to know that walking is considered a superior health habit, it might surprise you to learn just how much research has confirmed the far-reaching and diverse health benefits that regular walkers experience.

Some doctors and scientists even believe that walking regularly can reverse illness and aging, making the simple act of walking quite possibly the most underrated prescription for good health.

Read on to discover the long list of health wishes that walking can fulfill for you.

1. I wish I had more energy.
A short brisk walk has both a calming and an energizing effect, according to research. And walking may help you feel more alert and well-rested because of its ability to improve the quality of your sleep. Walking at a moderate pace later in the day can help encourage deep, restful sleep. Finally, the mood boost you experience from walking may further enhance your energy levels.

2. I wish I could think more clearly.
Need to sort out some things in your head? Few activities help improve your perspective as quickly as a brisk walk, which will boost circulation in all parts of the body, including your brain.

Some research also has shown that walking is associated with less cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia later in life.

In addition to improving cognitive function, walking regularly can help you handle stressful situations and help you remain in control of your emotions, which clears the path for straight thinking.

3. I wish I could protect myself from my parents' diseases.
Your genetics determine only a small part of your health profile. Research shows it's how you live your life that really counts, and walking regularly can prevent and improve many serious chronic diseases.

Here is a short list of ways that walking can reduce the impacts of disease. Moderately intense activities such as walking can:

• Reduce cardiovascular disease by as much as 30-50 percent.
• Decrease osteoarthritis pain, and improve stability, endurance, and agility.
• Reduce the risk of colon cancer and possibly breast cancer.
• Protect against diabetes in high-risk people, and lower blood glucose and improve insulin action in diabetics.
• Lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack.

4. I wish I could lose weight
Although you might think that losing weight is the only way to enjoy an improved health profile, the truth is that regular walkers may not have to worry quite as much about what the scale says. Studies show that thin, sedentary people may have more markers of heart disease risk than overweight people who exercise regularly.

Nonetheless, losing weight is a great way to improve your health profile and walking can help you accomplish this goal. Walking will increase the number of calories you burn each day and can boost your muscle mass, which in turn helps your body burn more calories throughout the day, not just while you are exercising.

5. I wish I felt happier in general.
Protecting and nurturing your mental health is an important part of overall wellness, and studies show that walking regularly has the ability to lower your stress levels. Also, studies show that aerobic exercise such as walking may bring long-term benefits to your mental disposition by warding off both depression and anxiety.

Steps toward better health
No other prescription for your health is as free and easy as walking. It can even equal more vigorous forms of exercise in terms of its ability to improve your health profile. And it's easier on your body, especially your joints, than activities such as running. Do you know of any medicine that has greater benefits for your health and well being?

So start where you are and gradually increase the amount of time you spend walking. You'll gradually be granting yourself some very key health wishes in the process.

This article originally appeared on Realage.com.