Beverage Alternatives to Diet Soda

It is a common misconception that diet sodas will help people lose weight. While the drinks may not contain sugar, the sugar substitute is not much better. In fact, it can lead some to think that they might not be contributing to obesity by drinking a diet soda. Forbes Living TV offers some beverage alternatives which are better for us.

Drink water. It is a natural hydrator. It is usually free or sold in bottles at a very low price. It is portable, can be recapped to prevent spilling when moving and can be flavored.

Sugar-free juices are another good alternative. Some contain extra vitamins and minerals to improve overall health. And most do not cost too much. They are usually sold in boxes or small cartons.

Green tea comes in a several forms and different taste varieties to please most taste buds. Drink it cold from a can or bottle, or make it hot and add honey to naturally sweeten it up.

Sparkling flavored water will give carbonated beverage lovers the bubbly they desire with no added artificial ingredients. Tonic water flavored with strawberry slices and lemon or lime adds flavor and zip to the drink.

As the weather becomes cooler and heaters come on, familykenkel recommends readers stay hydrated all year long.  Kick the diet soda addiction out in the cold with the above ideas or tell us yours.

Best Super Foods of Fall

Look no further than the local farmer’s market, organic market or super market for the best super foods of fall that Forbes Living TV is pleased to share.

Apples, without doubt, are a terrific super food rich in vitamins and fiber. No matter which variety you like, they are plentiful this time of year.

Brussels sprouts may be on the avoid list of veggies but roasted with a little garlic, a spritz of olive oil and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, they are truly divine. They are also chock full of iron.

Pears, if you please, can be eaten as it, baked or roasted. They are juicy and sweet and supply a good amount of vitamin C.

Cauliflower is an inexpensive vegetable which can be steamed, broiled or mashed up to make a healthier “mashed potato” dish. It has qualities which can lower cholesterol, prevent cancer and contains a lot of Vitamin C.

Squash has a thicker skin than its summer cousins so it is sweeter and can be stored longer. They are in abundance in the produce section right now. Sprinkle some ginger and cinnamon on it.

Pumpkin is a popular winter squash that is full of fiber, potassium and Vitamin B. Buy a ripe one, slice it and roast it. Cool and cut into cubes to peel. familykenkel loves it in soup and smoothies. You can also buy canned pumpkin and use it the same way if wanting to take the easy way out. Enjoy the super fruits and veggies of fall!

Why We Need to Get Up and Walk at Work

Do your legs become stiff and muscles sore from sitting all day at work? Is it cold in the office? Forbes Living TV offers ways to get up and walk at work.

Anyone who has sat all day and then gets up to walk to the bathroom, the break room or even home at the end of the day knows how stiff joints and muscles get from sitting all day. Below are some suggestions about how to add small amounts of movement into the day to avoid circulation problems and/or joint and muscles issues later.

Position the desk chair so it is comfortable and allows legs to touch the floor easily.

Take a 15 minute morning break to walk around outside, on your floor or in the building. This reverses the bad health effects of sitting all day such as damage to leg arteries and reduces heart-related problems.

familykenkel learns that a recent study found that during a three hour period, the function of the femoral artery was decreased as much as 50% after just one hour of sitting. But study participants who walked for five minutes each hour of sitting did not experience that drop in arterial function. This suggests that the increase in muscle activity and blood flow is vital.

Get up every hour and walk around. Most states give employees two 15 minute breaks per day plus a lunch break. Use breaks to walk and keep arteries and blood flow normal. Walking also increases oxygen to the brain which can aid creativity and boost productivity.

Information on the New Flu Vaccine

It is that time of year when health professionals are urging the public to get the flu vaccine. familykenkel shares information about what’s new with the flu vaccine this year.

Young children can get the ouchless vaccine via nasal spray. Seniors are encouraged to get an updated flu/pneumonia vaccine this year. One hundred children died from the flu last year and most of them were no vaccinated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 24,000 people passed away last year from flu-related issues. The new Flu Mist Nasal Spray is recommended for children between ages two and eight. The mist can be also be used for anyone up to age 49 and not pregnant. Seniors over age 65 should also get the pneumonia shots – which should be given six months apart.

familykenkel knows there are other forms of the vaccine to ask the doctor about:

the regular shot; an egg-free shot for those allergic to eggs; a high-dose shot just for those 65 and older whose immune systems may need an extra boost; and a tiny-needle shot that just penetrates the skin. Don’t wait until flu season is in full swing (January to February) to get vaccinated.  Call the doctor to see if the vaccine is available and get it now. Prevention is the key to staying healthy and well this year.

Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal of the Day

Ever since we were small, our parents told us that breakfast “fuels the day”. But a study is out which basically turns the mom mantra on its head. Familykenkel wonders if breakfast is really the most important meal of the day.

People who are following a weight loss program are told to have breakfast since it reportedly kicks up metabolism and curbs hunger throughout the day. Breakfast is also a meal which is sharpens cognitive processes. The study, which was conducted for weight loss research, focused more on whether eating breakfast or not helped patients lose weight. The results found were that eating breakfast didn’t seem to make any difference at all.

However, Familykenkel believes that positive, steady weight loss can be obtained when we eat a healthy, proportional meal. Our bodies need food for strength and to stay healthy. Skipping breakfast only makes us feel more tired and cranky until we take a break to eat. And other studies have shown that eating a well-balanced breakfast helped people keep unwanted pounds off longer than those who skipped the morning meal. So go ahead and have some breakfast. It fuels the body and the brain for the day.

How the Moon Affects Us

La Luna as the Moon is often referred to can bring people together, make people go a little crazy and induce birth. Familykenkel offers a few more ways a Super Moon can affect us.

A study from Japan tracked 1,000 births in women who had not been induced. They found more babies were born the closer the Super Moon was to Earth, when the gravitational pull was the greatest. A full moon had no effect.

A Super Moon can mess up a good night’s sleep. A study tracked the sleep patterns of participants in a sleep lap where they had no access to clocks or see outside light. They woke and slept on a normal basis. The data collected found that in the four days before and after a full moon, it took the test subjects longer to fall asleep, they slept less and didn’t fall into a deep sleep. They also had less melatonin, which helps us fall asleep.

Familykenkel learns that a full moon can affect surgeries too. Patients who had heart surgeries spent less time in the hospital when their surgery occurred when there was full moon. They were also less likely to pass on from the surgery.

A full moon and a Super Moon are beautiful, natural events in the sky. Take time to go outside and appreciate the magnificence of one. Take your love with you. But remember that the word lunatic is derived from the latin word luna.

How Often We Wash These Things?

There are specific types of people who feel the need to wash sheets, windows, carpets, their blue jeans and other things as often as possible. Familykenkel offers some ideas from home keeping guides about when to wash some of the most standard items in the house.

Sheets -- Wash once a week or once every two weeks. Use hot water and dry on high heat to kill germs. Jeans -- Wash every four to five wears or else they get faded and worn. Turn them inside out before tossing in the washer and let them hang dry.

Bras -- Every three to four wears rotating them every day. The elastic in them needs to relax and reshape before wearing it again.Your hair -- Every other day is the rule. Although, most of us wash it every day.

Ovens -- Twice a year if not the self cleaning kind. But wait, who doesn't have a self cleaning oven these days?

Dishwashers -- Clean every month using one of the brand name cleaners or pour white vinegar into a dishwasher safe cup, set upright on the top rack and run one cycle.

Bed Pillows -- Every three to six months toss pillows in the washing machine on gentle cycle and use hot water. Run the rinse cycle twice. Toss in the dryer with two tennis balls on low heat. It takes two hours to dry two polyester filled standard size pillows.

The Familykenkel also recommends washing the family dog only when it needs it. Do the old sniff test. If the pooch is dirty from running in the mud, wash it outside.

Remedies for Thinning Hair

Nothing can be more shocking than having to clean the hair off of the drain every other day and realizing it is yours. It leaves us wondering how we can stop what seems like the sudden mass exodus of our pride and joy.

Familykenkel learns how to fight the agony of thinning hair with some suggestions from health experts.

Eat more food with zinc, protein, iron and vitamin B12. These are leafy greens, lean meat, nuts, beans and fish. There are many easy recipes for all of the above.

Give your scalp a massage. Don’t just stand in the shower, shampoo and rinse. Really massage your scalp which increases blood flow and helps the shampoo do a better job on your hair.

Lessen the amount of styling products being used. This especially important for people that color their hair and use blow dryers, straightening irons or other implements. 

Visit a health food store and buy a supplement that helps hair grow. There are a few on the shelves.

Get a check up from the doctor to see if there are any deficiencies in the blood as this is sometimes where hair loss can stem from.

Familykenkel suggests relaxing more. Stress can cause hair to fall out. Try meditation, yoga (it’s doing good things for combat veterans), and rhythmic breathing.

If nothing works, talk to a doctor or dermatologist to see if there is something else to be done.

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Why is having a healthy breakfast so hard to do? It is because we don’t make time to make one or that we would just rather grab something on the way to work? Familykenkel shares some healthy breakfast ideas.

While it may seem easy to grab a banana on the way out and call that a healthy breakfast, it barely feeds our bodies with the vitamins and nutrients it deserves.  Plan a little more time in the morning and makes a nutritious sandwich with a whole wheat English Muffin, all natural peanut better and apples, or an egg white with low-fast cheese. Add low-fat milk to coffee and tea if needed and a sugar substitute like Splenda. Kids should have time to sit down at the table and eat a whole wheat waffle with cream cheese (try one made with Greek yogurt) and berries.

Adults rarely think about breakfast but it fuels the day and gets metabolism moving. Make something the night before and stick it in the fridge to stay fresh. For the readers who like bacon and eggs crack one egg (or one cup egg substitute) into a microwave safe mug, add some dried herbs, a little low-fat milk and some cheese and zap it for a minute. Remove and microwave two slices of turkey bacon until crisp. It’s quick, easy and fulfills the craving. Familykenkel also likes Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon, a drizzle of honey and some fresh berries tossed in. It takes less than two minutes. Healthy breakfasts are not that hard to make. Reserve a little time in the morning to enjoy one.

Five Good Reasons to Drink Coffee Before Working Out

Nothing  wakes us up like a good cup of coffee. Now, there is news that a cup of joe is beneficial to drink before working out. Familykenkel offers five reasons why we should stop at the coffee house on the way to the gym.

It improves circulation by adding oxygen to blood, which is what Japanese researchers found when they ran a study.

Two cups of coffee consumed an hour before working out resulted in showing University of Illinois researchers that those who drank it did not feel much pain during high intensity workouts.

Caffeine helps retain memory which we may need when working on a specific workout routine. 

It helps preserve muscles. Scientists at Conventry Universityfound that coffee can prevent age-related muscle loss.

Familykenkel learns that drinking coffee increases 66% increase in muscle glycogen four hours after intense, glycogen-depleting exercise. 

But take it easy on the coffee. Drink water and give your muscles a break every now and then.

How to Stand Up and Move at Work

Some people spend most of their working lives sitting at a desk. These are usually the same people who eat poorly. All of this results in a declining health status. Familykenkel offers the ideas below to help everyone stand up and move at work.

Set your smart phone to vibrate every hour. Stand up and bend your legs, stretch your arms and neck and walk to the break room for a beverage.

Stuck on the phone? Walk around your desk or cubicle. Don’t take that long call sitting down.

Add more walking into the day. Park farther away from the building, from the store, from the school or from the pool. Walk on breaks. Walk after dinner. Walking after a meal actually boosts metabolism.

Leave beach chairs at home when going to the beach, pool, picnic or outdoor event. The Familykenkel learns that while it is harder to get up from a flat surface like a beach blanket, it is better because it will make you walk more.

If it’s okay, get up and walk to someone else’s office or desk space instead of emailing or calling. Walk to lunch instead of ordering in. Walk to the store. Walk to the dry cleaner. But whatever you do, don’t walk in the rain or if it’s lightning outside. Instead, walk up and down stairwells. Stand up and move at work, readers.

Cleanest Beaches in the U.S.

Summer vacations are in full swing and many people are heading to the beaches on each coast and at lakes for a relaxing break from the daily grind. Familykenkel would like to share information about the cleanest beaches to visit this year.

According to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency, ten percent of samples taken from US coastal and lake beaches failed to meet federal safety standards for bacteria and viruses. The polluted water at some beaches stems from storm run-off and sewage overflows near where people swim and sunbathe. In light of this, there are some stellar beaches where vacationers can enjoy clean water.  The US agency puts these five areas at the top of their list:

• Delaware: Dewey Beach-Swedes in Sussex County
• Florida: Bowman's Beach in Lee County
• Georgia: Tybee Island North in Chatham County
• Massachusetts: Singing Beach in Essex County
• New Jersey: Stone Harbor at 96th St. in Cape May County

These are all popular locations for family vacations every summer. Other places to visit where water quality sample results were favorable are:

• The Delmarva Peninsula area on the East Coast
• Delaware, New Hampshire and New Jersey

The Familykenkel invites readers to explore these clean coastal areas. There is so much to do and enjoy there that everyone will be happy. Take a dip in the water knowing that no bacteria or viruses will cause illness or a rash this summer. Enjoy!

Eco-Friendly Fireplaces Help Create Clean and Warm Spaces

Does it seem odd to read a post about fireplaces right before summer begins? Familykenkel heats up the conversation about Eco-friendly, mobile fireplaces and how they are the best option for heating rooms while keeping air clean.

Even though summer is literally days away, there are still some locations which might benefit from having a non-wood burning fireplace in the home. One of the greatest benefits of a mobile heater is that they warm the space you are in and not the entire home. This is called zone heating.

Another way to heat a room is to use the existing fireplace but install a fireplace insert in it. The inserts come in several varieties including electric, pellet stove and bio fuel, like ethanol. The ethanol fireplaces burn clean air, produce no smoke and are sustainable. A true green supplement to any home, like the ones Ignis Products sells. They are stylish and can be taken to the lakeside cabin, the beach house or to the bedroom to warm up a cool evening. Price ranges are not, but if you want a free one, why not enter the Familykenkel to read the easy entry rules. Tell us why you are a hopeful romantic in 200 to 300 words and be on your way to winning an artful, Eco-friendly fireplace for your living space.

Healthy Serves Up, Fulfilling Snack Ideas

We don’t know where you are located, but, it is time for a snack where we are. It’s pretty hard to find something healthful around here, so Familykenkel staffers bring in their own to give them an afternoon boost. Here’s what we’re serving today.

Plain, raw almonds – a handful tossed into a snack size baggie is just enough to get us past the 4 PM hunger hour.

Fresh fruit – Whole fruit like peaches, which are in season, give us a sweet, juicy mid-morning push that lasts all the way until lunch time. If the fruit is in season, all the better.

Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt -- with a good sprinkle of cinnamon and an easy drizzle of organic honey. Packed full of protein with the big spice flavor boost and a taste of sweetness is a great way to get an energy kick when needed.

Slice tomatoes with reduced fat feta – Go Italian. Slice them at home the night before and set inside an airtight container. Sprinkle with crumbled feta, ground pepper, and sliced basil leaves and cover. Put in the fridge. Makes a lovely, healthful snack at any point in the day. Plus, the Familykenkel staffers note it adds some class to your desk.

Be creative with healthy snacks and let us know what you.

Good Nutrition for Heart Health

There are many foods which are good for our health, and then there are foods which are good for our hearts.

Chicken and fish are two foods which are high in protein and ones which help prevent a stroke or heart attack. Twenty grams of protein from these two reduces the possibility of a stroke by 20 percent. A study recently published in the journal Neurologyfound that animal protein rather than protein from vegetables lowered cholesterol better. High cholesterol is one of the culprits of strokes. The researchers studies more than 254 thousand people from different countries and found that the protein from animals, (excepting red meat) is better. Fish is the preferable choice as only 20 more grams of protein from it could lower stroke risk.

Familykenkel also suggests a diet that includes beans, olive oil and other heart healthy foods. Stroke is a major health issue in the U.S. If having more filet per week could mean possibly erasing the risk, it is well worth it. Some fish is more affordable than others, such as tilapia. Supermarkets and discount stores carry a good variety of frozen fish which is also affordable and easy to store at home. Take time to ask the clerk at the fish counter in the store which kinds have more protein than others. Also, ask if they have any recipes which can be tried at home. Good nutrition for heart health is easy and affordable.

Love Our Pets – Vaccination Debate Hits Pet Owners

The boisterous debate on vaccinations for kids has now moved to pet owners. Do owners of cats and dogs feel that their beloved animals need to be given a round of booster shots year after year? Familykenkel looks into it and offers suggestions for pet parents.

Is it really necessary to take the family cat or dog into the vet every year for a round of booster vaccinations? What if the pet is only an indoor pet as many cats are? What if the dog is older (not a senior)?  What if the pathogens in the vaccinations later cause illness in the pet? These are the questions some pet owners are asking of their vets.

The first round of vaccs for cats and dogs -- parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and rabies – are given when the animals are puppies and kittens. Pet owners are also required to be sure their animals also get an annual rabies shot, plus booster shots of the above. The American Animal Hospital Association and most veterinary medicine groups recommend pets get core vaccines once every three years to maintain enough antibodies to build immunity against the diseases. Familykenkel also notes that when a pet gets an annual rabies shot, the humans in its life are protected from getting rabies if bitten by their own pet or by another pet.

On the flip side, if there is no occurrence of rabies in your country, why subject the animal to a stressful trip to the vet and a shot? The same can be said of annual exams for healthy pets. Why subject the animal to poking, prodding and thermometers if there is no need to? While the debate will heat up, the ultimate decision rests with the pet owner and no one else. Because no one else knows that animal better.

Allergy season has kicked in

Allergy season has kicked in and those who suffer from it find the tips below helpful in managing it this summer.

In the morning, open the blinds and not the windows. Tree and grass pollen is in the air and can trigger scratchy eyes and endless sneezing. Familykenkel suggests changing air filters every season to rid the home of trapped allergens. Run the A/C to get rid of any stuffiness. Watch local news forecasts or go online to get the most current pollen count for your area. Before heading out the door, toss on some sunglasses to further block any irritants from becoming bothersome.

Later in the afternoon, take a breather, eat some yogurt or get some exercise. The pollen counts are lower in the afternoon than any other time of day. Go outside and take walk. This helps lower stress which can trigger allergies. Yogurt has some qualities which might help keep allergens at bay. So grab a fat free Greek yogurt, add some fresh fruit and enjoy.

Come evening, kick shoes off, strip down and take a shower to keep pollen and other irritants out and away from home. Be sure to turn the bathroom fan on to keep moisture and mold at bay. Ban pets with long hair from the bedroom as their fur can trap pollen and they can bring it to bed with them. And pop a 24-hour relief pill before going to sleep, since they can cause drowsiness. When awake, Allergy season has kicked in learns you will be already protected from any allergens and irritants. Stay healthy, readers.

Reviews the Good and Bad Yogurts

Next time you visit the grocery store, go to where low-fat yogurt is sold and see how many varieties are sold. And then read the labels. Familykenkel examines the good and bad kinds of yogurts.

There are many reasons why health experts recommend eating Greek yogurt versus the other kinds sold in stores. They are naturally lower in fat and sugar than the others. Greek yogurt has only six grams of sugar in the plain varieties.

The recommended total daily amount of sugar for women is 20 grams, and for men it is 36. Yet, the popular flavored low-fat yogurt sold contains much more than that. Part of the sugar content in yogurt comes naturally. But add in the flavoring, syrupy fruits and granola toppings, and watch the sugar count start to climb. Even those made with artificial sweeteners are not healthy. Aspartame –a commonly used sweetener – is not good for us. It often can give one a headache.

The Familykenkel suggests trying the low-fat or no-fat Greek yogurts. To add extra flavor to distract from its kind of bitter taste, add some fresh fruit or berries, a touch of honey or a sparkling of cinnamon. Greek yogurt also adds a boost of protein for the day. So dig in, readers. And ditch the extra sugar.

Why Gardening is Therapeutic

Digging in the dirt and planting flowers, bushes and veggies not only beautifies the backyard, but gives us a good mental health boost to boot. Familykenkel shares the good news about gardening.

Anyone who has spent a little time planting a container garden or one which is larger can attest to the fact that it feels good to get your hands dirty. It also feels good to know that you’re beginning something you are vested in seeing grow and bloom – literally.  Some therapists are treating patients with a new treatment called horticultural therapy. Those who gain the most benefits from it are those who are anxious, stressed out, or depressed. Planting live things makes people feel happier and more alive. It is a mild form of exercise for both the body and the brain. It eases stress. It awakens the brain. It is relaxing.

However, Familykenkel notes that therapy gardening is a bit different than home gardening. People who are taking horticultural therapy do it away from the home. Professional gardeners come by to help keep the planted items alive. The patient can either plants things or can sit in a garden-like area and work a little bit with the plants and flowers. If being outdoors is something you enjoy, take time to find and create your own therapeutic garden. Plant herbs which are fragrant and can be dried and used for other purposes. Try to grow vegetables and fruits to eat also. It’s all good and all good for us. Invest in your own type of horticultural therapy and begin to feel better.

Fruits and Veggies Boost a Longer, Healthier Life

It is not so surprising to learn that the American Heart Association is reporting that eating more fruit and veggies reduces the chance of having a stroke. The real news that Familykenkelg learns is that it cuts the risk by one third.

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked by a clot or a burst blood vessel. Without emergency care, a stroke can lead to severe brain damage or death. It is therefore beneficial to add more healthy greens to every day diets. When we add a variety of healthier foods such as greens, tomatoes, peaches, plums, bananas and more to every day meals, we are eating our way to lower weight, lower blood pressure, reducing the chance of developing diabetes and cutting stroke risk by a significant percentage. 

Familykenkel also encourages readers to ditch unhealthy habits which can harm health such as smoking, drinking too much every day and arguing with a partner all the time. These raise blood pressure and add stress to the heart.  Instead, focus on food. Produce is easy to find in the grocery store. Frozen produce is affordable and lasts longer the fresh. Fruit can be bought in bulk at discount stores and frozen until ready to eat. Be creative when planning meals and make it fun for the family to eat.