Have you ever noticed if you are drawn to more positive or negative articles when you are reading about another generation?  A recent study has found that this answer might depend on your age group. 

In the September 2010 Issue of the Journal of Communication, it was found that older adults (between the ages of 50-65 years) were more prone to read negative articles about younger adults (between the ages of 18-30 years) and was less intrigued to read about others their age.  In addition, this negative news seems to give the older participants a self-esteem boost.  The opposite was found with the younger participants.  The younger individuals choose to read not only articles focused on others their age but also chose positive articles.

The study consisted of a sample of 178 young (18–30 years) and 98 older adults (50–65 years).

If interested in learning more about this study visit the article at Please Your Self: Social Identity Effects on Selective Exposure to News About In- and Out-Groups by the Journal of Communication (September 2010 Issue, Volume 60).

With everyone’s lives becoming more challenging with work, finances, family, friends…etc becoming more demanding we know that more people are experiencing a higher level of stress in their daily lives.  The American Institute of Stress found that Job Stress is the leading source of stress for most adults although it was discovered that the stress level of children (including teenagers), college students and the elderly are also increasing.  Some of the reasons for the boost in stress levels consist of being / feeling alone, loss of social relationships / support, increase in crimes / violence along with peer pressures which can potentially lead to substance abuse / other unhealthy behaviors.

 Therefore with everyone’s stress level increasing one great way to decrease your level of stress and others (families, friends…etc) is by adding some exercise into your daily routine.  Some might this that exercise only improves one’s body although it actually improves one’s mind and overall health.  Note that any type of exercise can be a stress reliever.  Some examples include stretching, walking, yoga, playing basketball, weightlifting or even playing Wii Fit.  Therefore finding an exercise that fits within your daily routine should not be too difficult.

Benefits of Exercising to Relieve Stress:

Boosts your mood – by exercising you can improve your sleep by improving your concentration, increase your self confidence and decrease the symptoms with mild depression.  In the research paper (The Influence of Exercise on Mental Health) written by Daniel M. Landers from Arizona State University, it was found that there is now significant evidence which demonstrates that there is a definite relationship between exercise and improved mental health.  This relationship was mainly apparent in reducing anxiety and depression. They stated that they have thousands of subjects that support this research.

Weight Control – by participating in physical activity you will be burning calories which will help you be in charge of your weight which will help one lose / maintain weight, tone one’s body and having a healthy glow.  

Energizes Endorphins – exercising enhances the production of endorphins on one’s brain which can produce a euphoric feeling which is sometimes referred to as ‘runner’s high’.

If you are feeling stressed try to add a little more exercise into your daily routine and hopefully you will be able to enjoy some of the benefits of exercising.  Share your favorite Stress Relieving Exercises below.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

“The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.” by Dale Carnegie

For all of you who love fresh baked brownies although can’t afford to use an estimated 200-250 calories (or could be much more depending on your brownie of choice) of your daily calorie intake on a brownie we have good news. Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito has a 53 calorie brownie which is made with black beans and other low calorie, healthy substitutes so all of us can enjoy a brownie without adding all of the extra calories.  If interested here’s the recipe below from his book Now Eat This: 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods All Under 350 Calorie.

Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1½ cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon espresso powder
• ¾ cup egg substitute
• 2 tablespoons low-calorie sugar-free chocolate syrup, such as Walden Farms
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream, such as Breakstone’s
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 24 packets (84 g) Truvia or 8 tablespoons granulated Splenda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spray an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Combine the beans, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and egg substitute in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through.
3. Add the chocolate syrup, sour cream, butter, Truvia, and vanilla. Process until all of the ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, turning the dish halfway through the baking time. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out with soft batter clinging to it.
5. Let the brownies cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Then cut into 12 squares and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Nutritional info per serving:

Fat 1.6 g, Calories 53, Protein 4 g, Carbohydrates 8 g, cholesterol 4 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sodium 94 mg.

If interested in watching Rocco make these Low-Cal Brownies you can view a video on ABC News.

Hope you can enjoy and look forward to hearing your feedback / comments on the recipe.

Source: Now EAT THIS! a Ballantine Trade Paperback Original by Rocco DiSpirito (c) 2010 Spirit Media, LLC

There’s a new craze with fitness goers who are looking for an alternative to the sugary sports drinks and it’s Coconut Water.  If you are not familiar with coconut water it’s the healthy clear liquid that is in an unripe coconut.  This liquid is usually found in young coconuts because once the coconut ripens the liquid will become the coconut flesh.  Once this liquid becomes the white flesh part of the coconut it is then used to make coconut milk.  

What are some of the health benefits of coconut water?

• Good supply of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Calcium
• Great supply of Dietary Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese
• Full of Electrolytes to assist with hydration therefore a good alternative to other sports drinks
• Low in calories (on average 46 calories per 1 cup / 240g)
• Low in fat
• Very low in cholesterol          

What are some of the uses of coconut water?

• Increases energy level and metabolism in one’s body therefore is becoming very popular as a fitness drink.
• Potentially assist with weight loss due to increasing one’s metabolism.
• Helps maintain good cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
• Assists with replenishing and hydrating one’s body since its rich in potassium and other minerals.
• Aids with cell growth therefore has been found that it can help with aging of skin cells therefore potentially helping with aging spots, wrinkles, dry and itchy skin and cellulite.

Hopefully you will be able to enjoy some of the benefits listed above by adding some coconut water into your daily diet.  Since coconut water is becoming more popular you should be able to find it in your grocery store although if not, you can also try an ethnic food store.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” by Gandhi

Do you ever experience a harsh stabbing pain in your heel? Is this pain the worse in the morning and tends to improve during the day? Does this pain sometimes come back during the day if you rest for a long time? If so, you might be experiencing signs of Plantar Fasciitis. 

For those of you who believe you might have Plantar Fasciitis we have good news.  WebMD has released an educational video which highlights a new exercise one can do in order to help alleviate the pain. It was found that 90% of study patients walked better after performing this stretch.  Preview the video visit WebMD – Healing the Heel.  

Details on the stretch are below:

1. Rest ankle on opposite leg and pull toes toward shin.
2. Rub finger along Plantar Fasciitis for a count of ten.
3. Do exercise 3 times a day

Another Exercise that you can do in order to help alleviate the pain is to stretch your calf muscles.  By performing this activity you will  help stretch the muscles of your lower leg and your Achilles tendon.

Details on the stretch are below:

1. Face a wall and place your hands against the wall.
2. Then place your left leg behind your right leg. (Reverse legs to stretch opposite calf muscle)
3. Then keep your back heel on the ground and bend your front knee.  You will want to continue this exercise until you feel your back leg stretching.
4. Hold this position for about 20-30 seconds and then switch to the other leg.
5. Repeat about 3 times a day.

Other suggestions to help alleviate some of the aching would include resting your foot, warming up before you participate in activities, ice your heel after activities and if possible, try to avoid any of the behaviors that cause the soreness.

Note: If pain increases or if you have any questions about the exercises please consult a doctor.

Hopefully the new exercise will help reduce your heel pain.  If you have any suggestions on exercises that work for you please comment.

If interested in improving your brain’s performance we found a tool offered by Lumos Labs – Lumosity.  They are a ‘Cognitive Neuroscience Research and Development Company that builds software tools to help improve one’s brain health and performance’. Once you sign up you will have a profile which you can participate in different courses and games to help improve your brain.  In addition, they offer assessments and reports/stats in order to help track your results along with some intriguing brain tips and fun facts. 

Please note that there’s a Free 7 days to their Premium Trail although after the 7 days there’s a charge for upgrade.

Here’s an example of some of the Courses:

• Basic Training – this course helps one with enhancing their memory and attention
• Memory Boost – this course focuses on name recall, store / recall information
• Scholar – this course is for students with a focus on standardized tests and performance in school
• Medical conditions – this course helps to meet cogitative training and rehabilitation for people with medical conditions (for example: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Mid Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Cancer Recovery and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Here are some of the Featured Games:

• Familiar Faces
• Flexibility games
• Attention games
• Memory games
• Speed Games

Users have reported the following results:

• Clearer and quicker thinking
• Improved memory for names, numbers…etc
• Increased alertness
• Elevated mood
• Better Concentration at work or driving

Hopefully if interested in improving your brain’s performance you will have an opportunity to participate in some of their courses and games.

For additional information on Brain / Memory see below:

• Free Learning Tool visit our post on: How to develop a better memory – a free tool at memorizenow.com
• How to Keep Your Memory Sharp

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” by Herman Cain

“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” by Arthur C. Clarke