Your Healthy Tidbits; Volume 16 Issue 20

Tidbit #1

Being able to live in the moment means appreciating what’s around you. It’s about having your attention on now, instead of reminiscing about what’s already gone, or worrying about what’s yet to come. Living in the moment means: Enjoying your days off, without constantly thinking about Monday morning. Listening when someone’s talking to you, and being fully present in the conversation. Taking time to stop and watch a beautiful sunset, or to enjoy the smell of fresh-mown grass. pickthebrain.com

Tidbit #2

Every year the independent group called The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its Dirty Dozen list, a “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce,” and it serves as a solid reminder that we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to cleaning up the food system. Here’s the list of the EWG’s Dirty Dozen: Strawberries; Spinach; Kale/Collard Greens/Mustard Greens; Peaches; Pears; Nectarines; Apples; Grapes; Bell and Hot Peppers; Cherries; Blueberries; and Green Beans. Kale, collard and mustard greens, as well as hot peppers and bell peppers had the most pesticides detected of any crop (103 and 101 pesticides in total, respectively). This list should in no way deter you from eating fruits and vegetables, but it should make you wary of modern chemical farming. If you really want these foods (which are usually so beneficial) make sure you consume them from organic sources. Next week we’ll post the Clean 15! ewg.org

Tidbit #3

Diet Tip: Mindful eating is about being present in the moment, focusing on what you’re eating and noticing when your body is full. This approach builds a healthier relationship with food. It gives you a sense of freedom, whereas you may have felt restricted before, with a constant feeling that you’re being ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ health.clevelandclinic.org

Tidbit #4

Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various health challenges related to sleep that people experience. In this case the patient reported in the study was a 28-year-old female with complaints of sleep disturbance, anxiety, low back pain and headaches. The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck, midback, and low back. She had decreased range of motion and muscle imbalance in her neck, midback, and lower back as well as a gait disturbance. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body. Following chiropractic care she experienced a resolution in her sleep disturbance and anxiety. Her headaches and low back pain also resolved and her gait pattern improved. Who do you know that could benefit from chiropractic care? vertebralsubluxationresearch.com

Tidbit #5

Bok choy is a low-calorie, low carb food that also has lots of vitamins A, C, and K. Just one cup of shredded raw bok choy contains about half of your daily requirement for each of these nutrients. Plus, you'll get healthy levels of folate and vitamin B6, as well. All these benefits come in a light-tasting leafy vegetable that can be easily prepared as part of a quick sauté of Asian-style vegetables. verywellfit.com