Ya Snooze, Ya Lose

February 18, 2015February 18, 20152 Comments

You’ve heard it a hundred times: 8 hours of sleep a night! Let’s face it – for most of us, that’s almost ~~impossible~~ really, really, really hard….

…but now that these adorable puppies got your attention, let’s talk about why sleep is SO important! It’s not just about feeling rested (although isn’t that such a great feeling?!) Sleep, along with hydration and nutrition, make our bodies efficient, from the inside out to our very top layer of skin cells. Lets uncover all of the benefits of sleep, including, yes, you guessed it: weight loss. MP900385227

Sleep literally creates energy, so we function efficiently in all walks of life, at all stages of life, from the classroom to the gym, at the office, with our families, and beyond. Healthy sleep aids brain functioning, memory, creativity, and focus to ensure we’re on our A game. With a big exam or job interview approaching, the smart thing is to spend those wee hours sleeping instead of cramming.

The immune system is most efficient at prevent illness and disease with ample sleep. Sleep also controls inflammation and balances hormones linked to mood, stress, weight, and appetite. The likelihood of losing weight and keeping it off long-term is far increased by good quality sleep.

With ample sleep, we’re able to efficiently metabolize food, absorb nutrients, cleanse toxins, rebuild muscles, strengthen bones, and control our appetite. That’s right, the difference between a poor night’s sleep and a good night’s sleep can be the difference between choosing healthy foods and…not. Hormones that cue hunger and fullness are thrown off by lack of sleep, as are cortisol levels, causing unnecessary stress, which also adds to weight gain, and the vicious cycle repeats.

Along with healthy eating, regular exercise, and emotional balance, we can become better versions of ourselves with the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Like recharging a battery or filling up a car with gas, sleep is the ammunition that fuels our bodies, a huge factor in mental, physical, and emotional health. If we ALL got enough sleep, imagine the possibilities…!

One Healthy Breakdown: Do your body right – get your eight hours tonight!

Pumpkin Yumminess

October 19, 2013October 18, 2013Leave a comment

Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin risotto, pumpkin beer…it’s pumpkin season! It’s everywhere. Pumpkin is a popular fall staple. We use pumpkins for decoration, food, and fun activities like pumpkin picking. But what do we really know about pumpkin’s nutritional value? I decided to share with you some interesting facts and tips about this round orange winter squash. And check out my super simple pumpkin bread recipe at the end of this article, it’s a yummy one!

The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon (πέπων), which is Greek for “large melon”
The bright orange flesh of a pumpkin is loaded with fiber and key vitamins and minerals. For a nutritional upgrade, just mix pumpkin puree into soup, stew, bowl of oatmeal or yogurt. The flavor won’t change significantly, but your meal will be more nutritious.
Pumpkin is a very low calorie, high fiber vegetable; 100g provides just 26 calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.
The beta-carotene in pumpkins is known to minimize skin wrinkles.
After a heavy workout, try a cup of cooked pumpkin for extra potassium (even more than a banana!) Yes, you can even throw it into your protein shake to make a super rich texture.
Don’t throw out pumpkin seeds! Roast them and eat them as snacks. They’re also high on the nutritional scale with heart-healthy benefits.
Always wash your pumpkin before cutting/cooking in order to remove dust, soil and any residual insecticides/fungicides.
And one more fun fact. Pumpkin is a fruit! Pumpkin is a fleshy plant that has seeds in it and comes from a flower, which actually makes it a fruit not a veggie. It is from the gourd family. Many people treat pumpkin as both a vegetable and a fruit. Either way, pumpkins are delicious and good for you, so whatever you call it, eat it!

Super Simple Yummy Pumpkin Bread Recipe:

This recipe can be used to make a pumpkin loaf, muffins, cupcakes, or even a pumpkin pie. Adjust baking time accordingly. Note: I usually don’t measure, I go by consistency when baking. In other words, if batter is too thick, add an extra egg white. If it’s too thin, use more oats.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients: