Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Reach Out and Touch Someone

Have you been meaning to schedule a movie night with the girls, or call up your college roommate, or take your favorite aunt out, but haven't made the time? Well, consider this: Researchers have shown that women who maintain close ties with other women enjoy such health benefits as lower blood pressure, increased immunity, and even longer life expectancy. Get in the habit of catching up with all the women friends in your life at least once a week. Even a simple phone call will do the trick — haven't you ever had a blah day, only to get a call from a girlfriend that cheered you up? Be that person to at least one of your close girlfriends or female family members today — both of you will reap the benefits!
It's important to remember that there's more to relationships than just remembering birthdays; they require you to invest in the people you care about. Even if it means taking 15 minutes out of your free time or lunch break to do so, reaching out to the women friends in your life makes a world of difference to them and you. If you really want to ramp up your girl time, try mixing the old with the new; invite the new woman in your office to have a drink with you and your friends, or make a point to learn more about your colleagues. Who knows? You could end up creating friends for life!

People who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Shine on!

Quote of the day:

Raise the bar! Set tiny goals for yourself, and as you meet them, set more. The sky is the limit!

Best Bets for Healthy Snacking

What's your "hungry" time of day? Does your stomach rumble midmorning? Are you starving by dinnertime? Smart snacking is a great way to control your hunger and keep your diet on track. I've put together a list of easy-to-prepare, tasty treats for you to safely snack on when the urge strikes!
Snacking is not a dirty word for dieters if you're careful about what you reach for! I can think of loads of nutritious, low-calorie foods that can help you feel full and boost your energy without ruining your day. Stick to a sensible serving size and you're good to go! Here are some ideas to get you snacking healthfully:

Cut up veggies with hummus
Sliced fruit with nonfat Greek yogurt
A few almonds or walnuts
Low-fat cottage cheese
Air-popped popcorn
Hard-boiled eggs
String cheese
Baked tortilla chips with salsa
Homemade smoothies or fruit shakes