If you've never tried chia seed pudding, you're in for a treat. It's a fast, easy-to-prep-ahead meal or snack that is totally customizable and delicious. Chia seeds are a nutrient-dense food, full of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins and minerals. These tiny seeds swell up when soaked in liquid and form a gelatinous coating that creates a luxe, pudding-like consistency.
If you're like most people, the holidays came and went in the blink of an eye. A whirlwind of food and drink that left you in desperate need of a detox. It's so difficult to say no to all the decadent party treats (and you shouldn't have to). All this indulging does add up — in the form of bloating, tummy troubles and pants that fit a little tighter than we may like. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to start implementing some new, healthy recipes into your week.
For so many of us, fall is magical, a season which offers us respite from summer's relentless heat and humidity. There's so much to enjoy about the season: sweater weather, warm beverages, holidays, vacation time. But for some of us, as the mercury drops, so does our mojo.
There's a lot of prep that happens during the holiday season — and much of it can be described in one word: stressful. Between surprising your loved ones with special gifts and planning gatherings for your family and office alike, the time between turkey day and New Year's Day flies by. But for some women, the previous 10 months can dictate the sentiment of the holiday season, especially if they battled extreme hardship. From divorces and death in the families to medical emergencies and other strife, here, seven brave women express how they overcome the most difficult situations amidst the joy of an otherwise happy time of year. Let their stories of hope, triumph and bravery inspire you to get through the long lines, the family tension and the ups and downs you know you'll face this go 'round.
Quick: think back to the first time you considered going on a 'diet.' You might have been in high school — or even middle school — when your body was changing and growing, and it made you uncomfortable. Or perhaps someone in the hallways made a comment about how 'fat' you were, or worse, a trusted loved one showered you with criticism tied to weight. Considering many young women begin thinking about their weight early int heir pre-teen experience, the quest of creating the 'perfect' body becomes a lifelong, fruitless mission. For some women, it takes life-altering experiences for their self-loathing attitudes toward their bodies and their eating habits to shift. Here, five powerful, strong women share their inspiring stories.
You can call pumpkin basic all you want -- but there's a reason why it's the core of a whole slew of much-anticipated seasonal treats and recipes. It's unique, nostalgic and deliciously autumnal -- and perhaps most importantly of all, there's really nothing else like it out there that evokes the same set of feelings. When you think about it that way, it's really not difficult to understand the mass appeal of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Ever had a poop throw you for a loop? The kind of poop that leaves you looking down at the toilet, thinking, 'How did that come out of me?' Or perhaps you consistently churn out the same kind of stool over and over again, but don't really know if it's normal because, well, you don't really spend a whole lot of time comparing it to other people's poo. Alternatively, you may not even take a peep at your poop because, ew, it's poop.
With a Starbucks on virtually every major city block, it's pretty clear that Americans love their coffee. Real estate trends notwithstanding, a 2013 National Coffee Association survey found that 83 percent of American adults drink an average of three cups a day. That's a whole lot of lattes.
With chillier fall temps approaching, we're ready to get back to those warm comfort foods that pair so perfectly with the season. While pasta will always be a go-to, there are clever ways to put fun twists on classic dishes that deliver all the flavor without all the carbs. One easy update that'll satisfy even the pickiest of eaters (not to mention, the laziest of cooks)? Spaghetti squash.
If you smile into the mirror and are self-conscious about your not-so-pearly-whites, you're probably wondering how to whiten teeth fast. Because, honestly, when you barely have the energy to remove your makeup at the end of the day, time is of the essence.
Unless you've been living under a rock — without access to social media — chances are, you've heard at least some of your Facebook friends evangelize about Whole30. For the uninitiated, this popular diet involves eliminating foods like dairy, sugar and grains, while amping up your intake of veggies, unprocessed meats and seafood for, you guessed it, 30 days.
One thing all doctors can agree on — whether they're trained to cure skin diseases or specialized in treating conditions of the heart — is that healthy eating is the key to a long and fulfilling life. As the old adage goes, we are what we eat. Doctors know this to be especially true, as they see first-hand the extent of physical, mental and emotional damage a poor diet can wreak on the lives of their patients.
As appealing as Pinterest tries to make it look, no amount of mason jars or color-coded plastic containers can make meal prep actually fun. Even if you have the foresight (and time and energy) to meal prep all at once, meal planning usually involves sacrificing precious Sunday hours to grocery shopping, chopping, seasoning, roasting and packing a week's worth of meals -- and then you're stuck with the same meal for every meal, which usually isn't improved upon as the days of the week slip by.
The verdict is in: Plant-based diets are more popular than ever, and with good reason. There's now convincing evidence that yes, bacon and hot dogs are bad for you — eating them and other processed meats in excess has even been linked to significantly higher chances of certain cancers. Evidence shows that choosing a plant-based diet can ward off high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even acne and wrinkles. At this point, it isn't really rocket science: Eating more fruits and vegetables, vegan or not, is definitely, definitely good for you.
If you've recently gone Paleo, or just looking to lower your carb intake, cauliflower rice is a satisfying, healthy alternative to rice, pasta and all those other carb-centric staples. And just about everyone is obsessed with it these days. Case in point: Trader Joe's recently announced it was rationing its cauliflower rice in certain locations due to high demand.
It's not that you just-can't eat healthy; it's that you just-don't always have time. While staying busy might make you productive and feel more accomplished, tight schedules don't allow for much wiggle room to prepare nutritious snacks. You might grab for whatever is nearest when you're starved between meal times, but what you digest can make or break the rest of your day.
You've made up your mind: It's time to go on a cleanse. The problem? You have no idea which of the hundreds of detox programs out there is right for you. We feel you. TBH, plugging "detox programs" into Google and sifting through the results is stressful enough to send you right back into the arms of that sinful pint of Ben & Jerry's. Well, it's your lucky day, because the planets have finally aligned — and they're going to choose your cleanse for you.
If you're making an effort to eat healthy, protein balls are kind of a must. Packed with nutrients, flavor, and protein, they're both filling and delicious. They're a great way to start off a busy day, plus they make for great pre/post-workout snacks. Perhaps best of all, they can be a great way to sate sweets cravings -- after all, many protein ball recipes happen to be inspired by your favorite desserts, from Almond Joy candy bars to fudgy brownies to good old fashioned cookie dough.
Juice cleansing -- drinking a selection of juices daily instead of eating food, or heaven help us all, the Master Cleanse -- has been on the radar for over ten years.
Packed with sugar and alcoholic goodness, sangria isn't exactly health food. That said, it makes an absolutely excellent treat on cheat day -- after all, it's got everything you could ask for in a summery cocktail: Copious fruit juices (and/or fruit-flavored alcohol), wine, bubbly fizz, and, perhaps most importantly of all, booze-soaked fruit. Sangria's perfect for every summer occasion, be it a birthday barbecue, a vacation on a white sand beach, or a good late-afternoon float in the pool.
