# 15: Feeling stuffy? Have you tried ginger? The volatile oils in ginger have long made it a useful herbal remedy for nasal and chest congestion. Pour two cups of boiling water over a 1-inch piece of peeled, grated ginger; steep for 10 minutes; and strain. Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the water and drink as needed.
#14: Are you getting enough protein? Did you know that DRI recommended intake for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight? So you would divide your weight by 2.2 and multiply that by 0.8 for your DRI of protein in grams. The acceptable intake range is 10 to 30 percent of daily calories. Women: 46 grams per day; men: 56 grams.
#13: Individuals who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat, less likely to snack during the day, tend to eat more healthfully and have a decreased risk of obesity. (mayoclinic.com)
#12: Ginger is a spice with powerful health benefits. Studies have shown that it lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), it is a great antioxidant and it keeps your blood from clotting by reducing the stickiness of your platelets. Ginger also has strong antiseptic properties.
#11: Oranges can act as a natural mood enhancer. Oranges contain vitamin B6, also referred to as the “mood vitamin.” Vitamin B6 acts in the brain to help produce serotonin which can make you happy.
#10: Hara hachi bu is a Japanese saying that loosely translates into eat until you are 80% full.
#9: Drinking liquids with meals slows digestion. So if you must drink with meals, try not to drink more than 4 ounces and do it sparingly. Drink either 15-20 minutes before you eat or at least 30 minutes after.
#8: Have you heard that you should chew your food 32 times? While it may not be necessary to count how many times you chew a mouthful of food, it is important to chew food thoroughly. Digestion begins in the mouth and chewing thoroughly ensures that the process starts right.
#7: NASA research has shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove some sources of indoor pollution. English Ivy, Bamboo palm and the spider plant are a few of nature’s air purifiers.
#6: Stop eating by 7pm. This will give your body enough time to digest the meal before you go to bed. This makes for a good night’s rest?
#5: 1 in 3 Americans with high blood pressure don’t’ know they have it. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?
#4: In the 2010 Sleep and Ethnicity Poll, 1/3 of all adults in all ethnic groups report getting less sleep than needed to function at their best. The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. (National Sleep Foundation)
#3: “It is estimated that 250,000 deaths per year in the United States are attributed to a lack of regular physical activity.” (Journal of the American Medical Association)
#2: "The bad news: Eating 100 extra calories per day will add 10 pounds in a year. The good news: Eating 100 less calories per day will help you lose 10 pounds in a year."
#1: Eat slowly. It takes ~20 minutes for your brain to register what you have eaten. If you eat quickly, you are likely to overeat.