Is Your Bottled Water Safe?

Although you may think that bottled water is a safer option than tap, two new reports show that the store-bought stuff is actually less regulated than the water you get out of your faucet for free.

While municipal water utilities are required to provide public reports of test results, bottled-water makers are not. (On the other hand, well water, which is found in many rural areas, isn’t regulated like water provided by towns and cities.) So although you may fork over a pretty penny for bottled water, that doesn’t mean it’s any better than what’s coming out of your faucet. In fact, it could be worse and you’d never know it.

source: Health.com article by Kate Stinchfield Is Your Bottled Water Safe? Read the full article.

Healthy Eating at Restaurants

In a recent poll 75% of people who eat out frequently said that like to see more healthy options on restaurant menus, however, only 20% of people said they think about health when ordering.

Vote with your dollars, as you start eating healthier one at restaurants, the restaurants where respondent and began serving more health friendly foods.

Here's some things to look for when eating out.

Order broiled instead of fried foods. Even healthy dishes such as fish get tainted when they are fried.

Watch out for salad dressing. Particularly at fast food restaurants the prepackaged salad may have as many grams of fat as a cheeseburger. Be frugal with salad dressing and you'll save tons of calories.

A soup and sandwich may be a light lunch, but could be loaded with sodium. Many soups and most deli meats have tons of sodium.

Breakfast foods can be dangerous if you usually skip or eat a light breakfast. Most restaurants who serve breakfast foods tend to encourage you to overindulge. Try the half stack of pancakes or split an omelette with your friend.

Fresh seafood can be extremely healthy, but watch for excess butter or sauces.

Finally, at some restaurants there just aren't many healthy choices. One of the best choices you can make is to leave half of your meal on the plate. A typical healthy diet should include 5 to 7 ounces of meat per day, but a single portion of steak at a restaurant is likely 12 to 16 ounces. Take home a doggy bag and you'll have another great meal tomorrow.

Benefits of Apple Juice

Drink a glass of good heath; drink Apple Juice. Yes, apple juice is a good cleanser and is essential for your body. It has vitamin A and C and also a great source of energy. But do not peel the apple to make the juice, as the peel has nutritional value.

Recent research suggests that drinking apple juice slows down the process that may lead to heart disease. It has compounds called phytonutrients that delay the break down of LDL or 'bad' cholesterol, which could cause thickening of arteries. Apples are also a primary source of soluble fiber, which prevents cholesterol build up. Apple juice also helps those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism as it has potassium.

Blueberries are Packed with Nutrition

Blueberries top the charts with antioxidants and have been shown to help with brain, eye and vascular health. Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive particles - induced by such things as cigarette smoking, sunlight and excessive exercise - that damage cells throughout the body by triggering oxidative reactions.

Not only are blueberries low in calories and high in fiber, they are packed with phytonutrients (plant compounds) that may promote healthy aging. In fact, preliminary studies focused on blueberry consumption have shown improved motor skills and a benefit in age-related short-term memory function. Blueberries may also provide other benefits such as supporting cardiovascular health and a healthy urinary tract.

You may not need a health-related reason to eat blueberries. They are just so delicious! But if you need one more, they're a low glycemic fruit, meaning that they raise blood sugar levels at a lower pace. Plus, they freeze well so you can enjoy them year-round?