Healthy Food Chart

A 10-minute walking stress test can give important information about health risks to those middle aged and older. The test measures cardiorespiratory fitness, or how well the lungs, heart, and blood vessels work together. Preventative medicine expert Dr Timothy Church, recently told CNN, “Fitness is just simply as powerful a risk factor as there is.” I think that’s a…

How to do it: Stand with right foot on towel (paper plate), arms extended in front. Sit back for a mini-squat, weight in heels (knees behind toes), and slide right leg out to side while keeping knee straight. Slowly pull right toe back to center (squeezing that inner thigh) and stand. With core tight, toe turned out; bring right leg diagonally across the body, lifting it a few inches off the floor. Hold for a second or two, and then slowly lower leg back down to towel. That’s one! Repeat for 12 reps. Switch sides. Aim for 3 sets.

: Take that mini-squat to a full squat and slide.

Make it Easier: Place hands on hips, keep that slide small.

Tonight I had to go to a board meeting for the nonprofit group Julie’s Family Learning Program which I am involved with. It was a very important meeting because Julie’s like many other nonprofit groups are facing loss of funding during these tough economic times. We as a board were discussing ways we can raise money and cut expenses until the economy turns around. The meeting was productive and we have another in a couple of weeks to keep at it. I ate the rest of my salad from lunch before the meeting and then I just reheated a piece of lasagna after the meeting. Mike was busy with work and I gave him the go-ahead to order Chinese food since I don’t like it and I am often not agreeable to having it when he suggests it. “Dinner” was then quick and easy for both of us, which we needed tonight. Tomorrow is going to be busy in the morning because Bruce has a haircut and I have to drop him off early. He’s getting his summer do so I am hoping that we actually get some summer weather or he is going to be cold!

Join with me in welcoming to Melanie Thomassian who has taken over editorial duties at Diet Blog, as well as contributing her own posts. Melanie brings a number of skills with her – she has a BSc honors degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and is a member of the British Dietetic Association. …

Reader Question: “I don’t have access to a gym, but I’d like to go outside and start a running program. How do you suggest I get started?” Answer: One popular way to get started is by incorporating a jog/walk workout…