Whether you're a broke college student like me, a single mom, or anything in between, living that healthy life in the big city is usually expensive and inconvenient. This blog will address some of the challenges to healthy living in the city, highlight the media coverage of these issues and give you a few tools to make the task of healthy living a little easier. Live long and prosper! But seriously.
Not the pie, baked to sugary perfection and topped with marshmallows around the Holidays. As good as those taste, they won't do much for your health. Sweet potatoes, in and of themselves, taste fantastic and add some incredible nutrients to your body.
In a time pinch, I bake my sweet potato in the microwave for a few minutes (depending on how big it is), top it with ground cinnamon (also great for your regulating your blood sugar), and enjoy it by itself or on the side of a protein source.
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, filling you up and giving you sustained energy through the day. They contain magnesium to relax you, and potassium to reduce swelling. You can get iron and many essential vitamins like B6, C and D. On top of that, they might even prevent cancers from taking up residence in your body. The health benefits are seemingly endless!
By no means a boring vegetable, the sweet potato can be consumed in many forms, including chips (a personal favorite). They can be purchased at some stores, or made at home.
Who's got money for a gym membership? Not me. Who's got hours to spend sculpting those abdominal muscles? Not me. Who's got YouTube? EVERYONE.
Mike Chang's Six Pack Shortcuts is one of my favorite go-to YouTube accounts for quick workouts that burn calories without burning time or through your wallet. My favorite of his ab work out takes 5 minutes, burns fat while building muscle for overall toning. Regular weight training is more effective for boosting your metabolism and improving your health in the long-run than extensive amounts of cardiovascular exercise (e.g. running, cycling, swimming). Besides, it takes less time! You don't need running shoes. You don't need a bike. You don't need swimming gear. You don't need weights. All you need is your body, a clock, and a bit of floor space.
Check it out! You've got at least 5 minutes. You'll only regret not trying it.
