How to Avoid that Bliss Bulge

by Cascade Ice on April 14, 2011

According to a recent article by Best Health, studies are showing that when people are in relationships, they tend to gain weight. Researchers found that married men and women were twice as likely to become obese as their single counterparts. The study also showed that even living with someone can increase the risk of weight gain. But why exactly? And what can you do to combat the bulge?

There isn’t specific evidence as to why couples gained weight, but experts speculate that sharing a home can prompt a dramatic shift in eating practices. For example, if your partner tends to be more relaxed around eating, you will inevitably pick that habit up as well. Also, when you have a partner who wants unhealthy snacks and is used to having them, then those snacks are going to be in the house, making them more readily available. Even exercise can go by the wayside, when you begin to prefer going to the movie with your honey, rather than spin class.

To avoid these common traps, prioritize and make small changes together. Couples who establish goals and believe that their heath is important are more likely to stay trim long-term.

Learn to communicate, but make sure the conversation is non-threatening and inclusive. Exchange suggestions about foods you could stand to lose from the fridge, or exercise you could start incorporating into your day. Strategizing and planning can help too – the first step is as simple as walking together to a favorite restaurant, instead of taking the car. Bad behavior may be contagious, but good habits can be, as well.

What do you do to stay healthy and happy in your relationship?

Healthiest Easter Candy Options

by Cascade Ice on April 6, 2011

Easter is arguably one of the best times to indulge in sweets – chocolate Easter bunnies and fruity jellybeans galore! But, those delicious sugary sweets can tack on the calories and fat faster than you realize. So, we’ve investigated some of the best choices to indulge in this Easter, without sacrificing your healthy living goals.

By far, Peeps marshmallows come in at the healthiest option, with only 32 calories each, zero fat calories, and 7 grams of sugar. Coming in at second are Jelly Belly assorted jelly beans, with only 140 calories (for 35 beans!), zero fat and 28 grams of sugar. Another healthier option if you’re craving a smaller treat, is a Brach’s chocolate covered marshmallow egg. It has a mere 43 calories and 6 grams of sugar.

The key thing to remember when enjoying holiday treats is moderation. Also, many major grocers also sell sugar-free versions of these seasonal treats. Happy Easter egg hunting!

Courtesy of FitSugar.com

Dawn’s Healthy Living Journey – Finding Healthy Shortcuts

by Cascade Ice on March 31, 2011

The Flavorful Life is featuring several “healthy living journey” stories from Cascade Ice fans around the country, where guest bloggers tell us their thoughts on how they face challenges and come up with new ideas to pursue better health and fitness lifestyles. The following is the latest update from Dawn Sievers of Knoxville, TN, and blogger for “The Healing Morning”

Since we last chatted, I’ve been continuing this process of healthy living. Part of that process is incorporating those healthful habits into an increasingly hectic business week.  I am a freelance writer, editor and blogger, with each of those categories picking up speed and client rosters growing.  That’s a wonderful thing, but we all know that analogy of burning the candle at both ends.  Stress is possibly one of the biggest, most grim health threats to the human body, after all.  When stress hits our system, cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands.  While cortisol is an important hormone, it also has many negative effects on our bodies, the most damaging being that its release increases blood sugar levels and depresses the immune system. Given that many of us exist in a constant state of stress, is it any wonder that obesity is a common ailment in our society?

In an effort to streamline my life, I’m on a constant search for simple, effective ways to punch up a bit of health providing benefits. One that I recently discovered is simple beyond belief!  Giving your body a quick dose of Vitamin C can quickly lower your levels of cortisol.  How easy is that?!  It could be as simple as eating an orange, a grapefruit or any other fruit high in Vitamin C, or drinking a quick glass of juice.  Granted, processed fruit juices are high in unnecessary processed sugars, so I would choose freshly squeezed juice when possible. 

Luckily, Cascade Ice Water makes my favorite Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water with Juice that contains natural fruit juices.  I sometimes mix a quarter cup of one of those favorite flavors with freshly squeezed fruit juice, because I love the zip and fizz that Cascade Ice Water gives me.  Little did I know that I was also doing something that provided multi-fold health benefits for my body!

Vitamin C supplements are another simple way to achieve a similar result, if you’re not able to grab a piece of fruit or bottle of Cascade Ice Water.  I’m a big proponent of supplements in addition to healthy eating, so stay tuned for details on all sorts of fascinating supplement information in future posts!

Men Need Nine a Day

by Cascade Ice on March 30, 2011

Every since we were little kids, it has been ingrained in us that we need to eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily. There are several food and drink products that find ways to sneak in an extra serving here and there and we are all too familiar with that upside down pyramid. Well men, we are about to throw a wrench in your system!

Research shows that men should actually be eating 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily and many men are in danger of not eating enough. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, only 4 percent of men say they eat the nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day, which is not near enough for a man with an active lifestyle. If that isn’t alarming enough, it gets worse. More than two-thirds of men are overweight or obese.

So, next time you reach for that candy bar, think about grabbing an apple or banana. If the thought of eating an apple a day has you bummed out, explore new ways to eat fruits and veggies. Try mixing some low fat yogurt, fresh fruit and nonfat milk together for a delicious smoothie or use carrots for dipping instead of chips.