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You are here: Home / Archives for healthy

Finally Take Control Of Your Own Nutrition

December 5, 2023 by Wendy S

Your nutrition is one of the most important elements to your overall health. As long as you are looking after this, you will find that most aspects of your health are going to be distinctly improved upon. That is because what you eat affects everything, from your heart to your lungs, your sleep to your stress levels, and your mental health and more. So it’s vital that you have a solid understanding of how to master your nutrition as well as you can.

nutrition

Image – CCO License

In this post, we are going to take a look into what you can do to finally take control of your own nutrition as well as you can. As long as you do this, it’s going to mean that you have a much better approach to your physical and mental wellbeing on the whole. Let’s take a look at what’s involved here.

Understanding The Importance Of Nutrition

If you want to take control of your nutrition, it will first be necessary to know why you should need to do so. That will help to inspire you and motivate you, so that you’re actually going to have the energy to do what follows. So why is it that you should consider your nutrition so important? We have already hinted at a few reasons above, but it might be worth going into in a little more detail right now.

First of all, nutrition affects your physical health in pretty much every way that you might need to think about. If you are concerned for your organs, or pretty much anything else to do with your physical wellbeing, then you will need to make sure you have good nutrition. If you want to have good circulation, then it’s going to help with that too.

Similarly, if you want to have a lot of rest and to make sure that you feel well rested, nutrition is vital for that too. And you should make sure that you are thinking about this if you are keen on trying to keep your sleep levels where they ideally should be too.

Image – CCO License

Beyond all that, nutrition also affects your appearance. If you are at all concerned about your beauty, then you’ll need to make sure that you have a good diet. That’s important because your skin’s appearance is very much affected by what you eat, so it’s a vital part of making sure that you are taking care of your overall appearance. And of course, it affects your weight levels too, which can make a difference with this as well.

So as you can see, nutrition is very important, and the kind of thing you need to make sure you are keeping on top of as well as possible. If you are keen to do that, then there are quite a lot of things to think about. And that is what we are going to take a look at next. What do you actually need to do in order to finally take control of your own nutrition?

Distinguishing Good Nutrition From Bad

Essentially the main task and challenge with nutrition is being able to distinguish good from bad. This is pretty much what the entire practice is about, and it’s something that a lot of people have difficulty with a lot of the time. Because of that, you might find that it requires quite a lot of work and thought to be able to get your nutrition right, as well as a fair amount of research too. Thankfully, it’s also something that you can get the headlines on if you are simply looking to try and get into this as soon as possible.

So, what does it mean to have good nutrition? More often than not, this is to do with eating a variety of foods in their right amounts, and avoiding things which are not going to be good for you. If you can achieve that, it will mean that you are going to have a much better ability to look after your health, and it’s amazing what you are going to achieve and how different you will feel.

Image – CCO License

So as long as you are eating a balanced diet of good foods, you are probably getting better nutrition than most. However, that is not quite the full story, because there are also going to be a lot of things that you might need to think about because they are specific to your own health, for instance. So this is the kind of thing that you will need to think about as well.

Nonetheless, a basic appreciation of what counts as good nutrition is certainly a good place to start. But what will you need to think of beyond that?

The Question Of Supplements

One of the debates in the world of nutrition is whether or not you should use supplements. The truth is that most people will benefit from supplements, but only of the right kind – meaning that you should not merely take them for the sake of it, but only because you have identified a definite need for it. In fact, the research seems to suggest that supplements are only really beneficial if you have a lack of that particular vitamin or whatever it might be. So that is something to consider here.

Also, you should ensure that the quality of the supplements are as they should be. There are a few things that can help to indicate high quality here. First of all, the packaging of nutraceutical products is a clear indicator of whether or not you can trust them. Similarly, you should look into the supplier and manufacturer, and make sure they are a trusted brand. If they are, then you are much more likely to be able to trust the product itself.

Image – CCO License

In general, you should take care with supplements, but they can certainly be a very useful and even powerful part of the process of having good nutrition, so that is something to think about here for sure.

Mindful Eating

This is a practice that you may want to try if you are keen on being able to eat as well and as healthily as possible. Being mindful of what you are eating is going to help you a great deal, especially if you tend to eat too much of what you shouldn’t, and not enough of what you should. Sometimes, developing a more mindful approach to eating is all you really need to do to make sure that you are turning that situation around.

So what is mindful eating really, and how can you make sure that you are doing it right? Most of all, this is about making sure that you pay attention to what you eat, and that you do so as clearly as you can. If you can do that, and in particular if you have self-compassion while doing so, the results can be surprisingly profound. You might notice that you have a lot of eating habits which are not helping you very much, for instance, and that can be useful to see. Or you might have noticed some things that you want to start including in your diet.

Image – CCO License

A good mindful approach to eating can radically transform your nutrition and therefore your life, so it’s something that you are certainly going to want to think about. But why is it worth having good nutrition in the first place?

The Benefits Of Good Nutrition

So why is it worth it? What are you actually going to experience if you do indeed have good nutrition, and how quickly can you expect those benefits? These are questions that many of us have, and they are good to understand if you want to try and feel motivated enough to actually make the necessary changes.

The truth is that there are plenty of powerful benefits to having good nutrition. One of the most instantly noticeable, especially if you have had poor nutrition for a while, is that you can expect a huge increase in your energy levels. This can be a truly wonderful feeling, and one that will probably sustain you as you try to improve your nutrition even further.

Beyond that, and related to it, you can also expect better sleep. This improves everything from cardiac health to your mental health, so it’s a vital thing to have in itself. And having better sleep also improves your mood, which is another great improvement you can expect from having a good approach to nutrition.

You will also be able to expect better physical health in general, including the ability to exercise more and with greater effect. And you are more likely to live longer as well. With all of that, it’s clear that it’s really important to have strong nutrition wherever possible.

Those are some of the things you should think about if you want to take control of your own nutrition. They are all going to be really important in their own right.

Filed Under: body mind spirit, food Tagged With: food, health, healthy, nutrition, suppliments

You Don’t Have To Give Up Anything In Order To Be Healthy

May 2, 2023 by Wendy S

It’s important for you to understand that you do not have to give anything up in order to be healthy. This is where so many people go wrong because they start trying to cut out the things in life that they like. The problem with this is that it’s not sustainable, and it leads to people feeling as though they have failed when they eat a candy bar. This is not the way forward, and down below we’re going to be looking at some further information on this. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.

healthy strawberries

Source Credit – CC0 License

Everything In Moderation

First, you should ensure that you are having everything in moderation. Too much of anything can make you sick, and that’s why you have to be cautious going forward. You don’t want to end up as one of these people who is stuck in a cycle of trying to be nothing short of a health God, only to find yourself binging and collapsing a couple of weeks later. You need to enjoy the things that you like, take days off every now and then, and give yourself a break. Moderation is the key to life, so you want to make sure that you are balancing things out as and when you need to.

You Still Have Free Time

A lot of people think that leading a healthier lifestyle is going to take up so much of their time that they are no longer going to have any for the things that they enjoy. They might think that they are going to need to spend so much time meal prepping, exercising and whatever else, and they won’t be able to do things they enjoy like hanging out with their friends. But, this isn’t true. You can save time on meal preps by doing as many as you can, and checking out my favorite crockpot recipes that you don’t have to stress about. As for exercise, you can make this fun and you can do it with your friends!

See It As An Opportunity For Your Future

The last thing that we’re going to say is that you should see this as an opportunity for your future. Instead of seeing the changes in your life as a burden or a negative thing, you could try seeing them as positives. They are stepping stones for your future and that’s exactly what you need. If you have a more optimistic outlook on life and the future of your health, then you’re going to find it much easier to make these changes, and stick to them going forward.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you need to know about being healthier going forward. You don’t need to give up some of the things that you love just so that you can live a healthier life, because you don’t need to give up anything at all entirely. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you manage going forward. 

Filed Under: body mind spirit, food, Life Tagged With: healthy

How to Cook Healthy Meals When You’re Short on Time

December 29, 2022 by Wendy S

Cooking healthy meals can be a challenge, especially when you’re short on time. It’s easy to resort to fast food or processed meals when you’re busy, but these options are often high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. However, it is possible to cook healthy meals even when you’re short on time. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Plan ahead

One of the biggest time-savers when it comes to healthy cooking is planning ahead. Take some time on the weekend to plan out your meals for the week, make a shopping list, and prep ingredients in advance. This can save you a lot of time during the week, as you won’t have to spend as much time chopping vegetables, cooking grains, or portioning out protein sources. Planning ahead can also help you stay organized and ensure that you have all the ingredients you need to make healthy meals.

Keep a well-stocked pantry

Having a well-stocked pantry can be a lifesaver when you’re short on time. Keep a variety of healthy staples on hand, such as whole grains (such as quinoa and brown rice), canned beans, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, and nuts and seeds. These ingredients can be used to create a variety of healthy meals in a pinch. For example, you can make a quick grain bowl by combining cooked grains with canned beans, frozen vegetables, and a homemade dressing. Or, you can create a healthy soup by simmering canned tomatoes and beans with frozen vegetables and spices.

meals

Image Source – CC0 License

Use your slow cooker

Slow cookers are a great way to cook healthy meals when you’re short on time. Simply add ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning, and you’ll have a healthy and delicious meal ready for dinner. Slow cookers are great for making soups, stews, and braises, which are all perfect for busy weeknights. Slow cookers are also a great way to cook tough, inexpensive cuts of meat, as the long cooking time helps to tenderize the meat and make it more flavorful. This guide on how to cook white chicken chili in an instant pot is a good example of what you can do with a slow cooker.

Use convenience items

While it’s always best to cook from scratch, there are some convenience items that can help you save time without sacrificing nutrition. For example, pre-cut vegetables and fruit, rotisserie chicken, and canned tuna can all be used to create quick and healthy meals. Just be sure to read the labels and choose options that are lower in sodium and added sugars. Pre-cut vegetables, for instance, can be added to stir-fries, omelets, or grain bowls to add nutrition and flavour without requiring any prep time.

Try one-pot meals

One-pot meals are a great option when you’re short on time, as they require minimal prep and clean-up. Some examples include chili, soup, and pasta dishes. These meals can be made in advance and easily reheated for a quick and healthy dinner. One-pot meals are also a great way to use up any leftover ingredients you have in the fridge, as you can throw them all into the pot and create a delicious and nutritious meal.

Filed Under: body mind spirit, food, Life Tagged With: healthy, meals

5 Products to help you get healthy!

January 8, 2015 by Wendy S

5 Products to help you get healthy @ mapsgirl.ca

 1. Vitamix

This is first on my list because you have to start getting healthy by making sure that you’re getting the right nutrition!  Craig wrote a great post about our Vitamix!

Vitamix @ mapsgirl.ca

Vitamix 1732 TurboBlend VS Blender

2. Meal Planner

Making sure that you’re eating the right foods at the right time of day is very important! We use The Organized Family Menu Planner by Glow Baby to help keep us on track!

Menu Planner by Glow Baby @ mapsgirl.ca

The Organized Family Menu Planner by Glow Baby

3. Fitbit

Tracking your movement, activities, steps and calories can help keep you motivated!  The new Fitbit Charge has a lot of amazing features, including the number of stairs climbed!

Fitbit Charge @ mapsgirl.ca

Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Activity Wristband

4. Yurbuds

When I run, I have to listen to music.  The regular ear buds that you get with most devices, don’t stay in when you’re running.  


Yurbuds Inspire Pro Female Performance-Fit Sports In-Ear Headphones
(also available for men)

5. Contigo AutoSeal Waterbottle

Hydration is important! I love that the Contigo bottle auto-seals and doesn’t leak! It’s also easy to drink from and fits in most cup holders. Most importantly, it fits in the cup holder on the elliptical at my gym!


Contigo AutoSeal Water Bottle


 NOTE: Some of the links above are affiliate links and I may get credit if any purchases are made.

Filed Under: Affiliate, body mind spirit, Life, Products & Reviews Tagged With: blender, Contigo, FitBit, FitBit Charge, food, healthy, meal planner, meal planning, smootie, Vitamix, Yurbuds

How fast is your chicken recipe? #ChickenDotCa

September 30, 2014 by Wendy S

Now that activities are in full swing, there are many nights where we need to get something on the table quickly!  We’re eating quickly before heading out the door, between activities or even on the run!

Fast food used to be our crutch, but when we made the choice to live a healthier lifestyle, that isn’t an option any more.

So now our “fast food” is just recipes that don’t take a lot of prep or cook time!

Quick Chicken Pot Pie

This is a family favourite and is really easy with left-over chicken, frozen veggies, canned soup and a pre-made pie crusts!  Prepped, cooked and ready to eat in 50 minutes! 

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes #ChickenDotCa

See my recipe below!

 

Chicken.ca has so many great Quick and Easy Recipes to choose from!

What kid doesn’t love Chicken Fingers?

One quick and easy recipe, that my girls love are the Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers with Sweet Potato “Plum” Sauce

 How Fast is your chicken? #chickendotca

 http://www.chicken.ca/recipes/almond-crusted-chicken-fingers-with-sweet-potato-plum-sauce

Breakfast for Dinner is always a favourite!

On the weekends, if we cook a big roast chicken, there is always leftovers. Using the leftover chicken breast, the Chicken & Egg in Mug is not only quick and easy, my girls are able to make it themselves!

How fast is your chicken? #ChickenDotCa

http://www.chicken.ca/recipes/chicken–egg-in-a-mug

To see more Quick and Easy Recipes

Click on over to the Chicken.ca recipes section — http://www.chicken.ca/recipes/cat/8/quick-n-easy

 

To see all of the other great things that the Chicken Farmers do, follow them!

Facebook: Canadian Chicken
Twitter: @ChickenFarmers
Instagram: ChickenDotCA
Pinterest: ChickenDotCA


Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pie
2014-09-30 18:33:02
Serves 4
Using convenience products like canned soup, cooked chicken, frozen veggies and refrigerated pie crusts make this comfort food classic a cinch to prepare. It’s chock full of flavor and ready in just 50 minutes.
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Save Recipe
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 package refrigerated refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts), at room temperature
  2. 1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
  3. 1/2 cup milk
  4. 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
  5. 2 2/3 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, green beans, corn, peas), thawed (about 2 2/3 cups)
  6. 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate with 1 pie crust. Trim any excess.
  2. Stir the soup, milk, chicken and vegetables in a medium bowl. Spoon the chicken mixture into the pie plate. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Place the remaining pie crust over the filling. Trim any excess. Crimp the edges of the top and bottom crusts together. Using a sharp knife, cut several slits in the top crust.
  3. Bake for 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Sprinkle the crust with the remaining cheese.
By Wendy [mapsgirl]
mapsgirl.ca https://www.mapsgirl.ca/

Disclosure: I am participating in the Chicken Farmers of Canada campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Ambassador, Chicken Farmers, Recipes Tagged With: chicken, healthy, recipe

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mapsgirl@gmail.com

Why “mapsgirl” ?

Wendy is a cartographer! She draws maps!

When not mapping, Wendy is also a mom to two daughters. They are the inspiration of this blog. Passionate about child passenger safety, Wendy was a certified Car Seat Technician in Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2020. [Read More …]

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