Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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Household Hazards: Candles
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Household Hazards: Candles

Recently, I have developed an obsession with candles. I have a candle on the stove, on the kitchen table, on the countertops, and in the bedroom. I love lighting one each night and smelling the cinnamon or lavender or whatever scent I have chosen, spread through the house. But after reading an article in October’s edition of Women’s Health magazine, I might need to consider pulling back on my candle lighting.
Women’s Health published an article titled ‘Beat Bad Air Days’ and it featured common household items that can pollute the air inside your house. Candles were number one on the list. Turns out, “paraffin candles emit chemicals that are linked to liver damage, neurological problems, and leukemia (page 76). Say what? Even more- the black soot that is released each time you light that wick, could be damaging your lungs and heart tissue.
So do I throw all my candles away and go for the plastic candles with LED lights to achieve that cozy ambiance? That was one suggestion from Women’s Health, but another was buying soy candles. Soy candles burn at a slower rate and emit less soot than the regular paraffin counterparts. I now have soy candles on my shopping list, and you may want to consider going the healthy-air route too!
Information from: Women’s Health Magazine, October 2010 Edition, by Katherine Bowers/page 76.

December 22, 2010
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Healthy Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta
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Healthy Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta

If anyone was following my Twitter updates yesterday, you realized that I hate grocery shopping, I hate cooking, and I was having immense struggles trying to figure out something healthy and easy to prepare. Well after a disastrous trip to the grocery store and buying little to no food, I got recipes in my inbox this morning from Women’s Health Magazine. Each recipe takes approximately 20 minutes to prepare, are healthy, and somewhat simple to make. My favorite recipe was the Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta- as chicken and pasta are two of my staples. Check out the recipe and ingredients below:

Makes: 4 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
3 cups hot cooked campanelle or penne pasta
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Directions
1. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving marinade, and chop them. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; add chicken and garlic. Cook and stir until chicken is brown. Add the reserved artichoke marinade, broth, wine, and dried oregano.
2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in chopped artichokes, roasted peppers, and olives.
3. To serve, spoon chicken mixture over pasta. If desired, sprinkle with feta cheese.
Nutrition facts per serving: 347 calories, 26g protein, 38g carbohydrate, 9g fat (1g saturated), 3g fiber

Get more recipes from WHM by clicking here. Bon Appétit!

March 2, 2010
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Is Instant Oatmeal Healthy?
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Is Instant Oatmeal Healthy?

I got my daily fitness tip from Women’s Health Magazine this morning. It came while I was sitting at my desk, munching on a hearty breakfast of a toaster strudel. I clicked on the link for ‘Healthy Breakfast Ideas’ since my usual breakfast of sugary cereals or strudels isn’t the healthiest.
I read a piece on instant oatmeal, and whether it is considered a healthy breakfast. I was a little surprised to read that it is healthy; that instant oatmeal still provides plenty of whole grains, just smaller pieces so they can be cooked faster. WHM warns to watch out for the sugar content though, because the instant kind can contain more than three teaspoons of sugar.

Check out Women’s Health Magazine for more breakfast ideas!

February 24, 2010
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Heart Healthy Tips
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Heart Healthy Tips

Women’s Health Magazine has a great article on tips for a healthier heart. At my work (a hospital) we recently celebrated ‘Wear Red for Women’s Health’ this past Friday, so I thought this article would be good to print out and hang up in my office, and share with all of you! Here are the five tips you can do to avoid heart problems:
1. Eat More Plants and Fish. Colorful foods (think berries and spinach) are filled with heart healthy antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants work to keep plaque from building up on the arteries, keeping the vessels clear and healthy. Fruits and vegetables also give the body plenty of potassium, helping to regulate the blood pressure. Fatty fish such as salmon or sardines is a great way to get the omega-3 fatty acids, which also reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing your blood pressure and triglycerides.
2. Cut the Fat. Butter, meat, and whole dairy products often contain high levels of saturated fats, which is bad for the heart. You want to keep your saturated fat level to about 7 percent of your daily calories and try to eliminate trans fats from your diet. Trans fats can do a double whammy- increasing the level of bad cholesterol and lowering the level of good cholesterol. WHM recommends keeping trans fats in your diet down to 1 percent of your daily calories- and the common foods that these are found in is margarine, oils, fried foods, and pastries.
3. Know Your Risk. We all know that prevention is key, and this relates to all aspects of your health. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to run some tests on you to check out your levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, and other tests that could reveal potential health problems. Be especially aware if there is history of health problems in your family, such as diabetes or heart attacks.
4. Move Your Feet. Working out and utilizing cardio routines is a great way to protect your heart. Even just walking 30 minutes a day can improve heart strength and lower bad cholesterol levels.
5. Stop Smoking. We are all aware that smoking can introduce many health problems in the system, so it’s time to quit! WHM reports that smokers are up to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who don’t smoke. Tobacco can narrow arteries, raise blood pressure, and thicken blood- all which can lead to clogged arteries and heart attacks. And- it reeks!
All these tips can be life-savers, so be sure to start implementing them into your daily routine. Be sure to check out Women’s Health Magazine online for the full article and other great heart healthy ideas!

February 9, 2010
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Know Your Birth Control
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Know Your Birth Control

Birth control is becoming increasingly popular for women these days, and not just to help prevent pregnancy. Birth control can help decrease cramps and PMS symptoms, help clear skin, even help decrease hair on the body! Women’s Health Magazine had an online quiz to take about knowledge on this oral contraceptive, and even though I’ve been on the pill myself for a number of years, I scored “contraceptive confused.”
For instance, I wasn’t aware that having the flu or other stomach alignment can lower the effectiveness of the Pill. Because the contraceptive is digested through the stomach, if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it may not be digested properly. It is recommended that you use a back up form of birth control combined with the Pill while you are sick.
Were you confused at all when you read taking the Pill can help decrease body hair? I was! Body hair is produced because we have testosterone, but taking birth control lowers the female testosterone produced, ultimately decreasing the amount of hair- and shaving time!
The quiz at Women’s Health Magazine gives some really good information about birth control and other forms of protection, and I would really recommend checking out that full article. Being knowledgeable is the best form of power and protection.

January 14, 2010
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Motivations to Hit the Gym!
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Motivations to Hit the Gym!

I was browsing on the Women’s Health Magazine online when I saw an article with the title ‘8 Motivating Reasons to Hit the Gym.’ Readers had written in on why they keep active, and WH picked out the top 8. It was interesting to see what inspired others to keep up with their workouts, and I noticed that many of their reasons were some of the top reasons why I keep myself motivated. Keep reading to see the top 8!

1. To Battle Depression. Working out has been seen as a great way to overcome depressions, because of the endorphins the body releases during exercise. When I am having a particularly rough day, turning to the gym or hitting my yoga mat can often distress me and help me think clearer.
2. To Feel Sexy. One Women’s Health reader wrote in and said she began taking pole dancing lessons. Not only was she learning sexy moves and gaining confidence, her body began to firm up and she dropped a couple jean sizes. I’ve never taken pole dancing lessons myself, but have done Carmen Electra’s Striptease DVD’s, so I can understand about learning sexy moves while getting a great workout.
3. To Stay Healthy. I began a steady workout routine a few years back when I learned I had high cholesterol (hereditary in my family). Each time I work up a sweat from a great routine I feel like I am continually improving my heart health, one of the best motivators.
4. For the Kids. I don’t have children myself, but I can certainty understand why this is a top motivator. Keeping yourself healthy is not only great for you, but can also influence your children to workout and stay active
5. To Achieve New Goals. It is always nice to set goals for yourself; then you reach them you feel a heightened sense of accomplishment. Keeping a goal is a great motivator to keep pushing even when you don’t feel up to it, especially if you give yourself an incentive, such as a new outfit or trip to the spa.
6. To Feel Happier. Working out can give similar benefits when battling depressions, because of the endorphins being released.
7. To Build Stamina. Maintaining a good workout routine will help build and a keep a strong stamina. Whether you need it for your work, taking care of kids, or to do activities you love, working out can help provide the energy and strength to do that.
8. To Have Your Cake (And Eat it Too!) This is one of my big reasons to continually work out. I’m not the best eater (I say that very loosely!) and often fill up on fast foods or chips. Working out not only relieves some part of my mind about possibly keeping those extra pounds off, but after I complete a good workout, I find that I don’t want to eat junk. Usually the best meals I eat come from after a workout, where I am feeling good about myself and would rather not ruin the great job I just did.

December 21, 2009
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Workout That Doesn’t Require Equipment
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Workout That Doesn’t Require Equipment

Want to keep up with your workouts, but don’t have the proper gear at home? And you’re too cold to walk or drive to the gym, which is the position I’m finding myself in at the moment! I’ve been searching for some good home workouts that I can do while I’m snowed in, and my favorite right now comes from Women’s Health Magazine. This routine requires no equipment, just your own body weight and motivation.

December 10, 2009
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Fashion Must Haves for the Holiday Season
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Fashion Must Haves for the Holiday Season

Everyone is agreeing- sparkle, bling, and metallic’s are in for this holiday season! Pick up some great items for yourself, such as a festive scarf or glittery ballet flats, and get some great gifts for friends and family. Women’s Health Magazine has 18 great bling ideas to add to your must get list. Check them out here!

December 10, 2009
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