Healthy Living How To

Vanessa Rae Romero

How Do You React to Stress?

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I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the weekend! This week has been a test of my resolve to not overreact and handle life stressors in a healthy way. The week started with my mom, who has Lewy Body Disease, having a seizure and being hospitalized. A few hours after the call from… [Continue Reading]

Pumpkin Pie Chia Parfait

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We’ve all heard the catchy jingle, ♫ Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia ♫, sung during a television commercial for Chia Pets, the kitschy Christmas gift that sprouts plant-like hair. Yes, the same chia seeds that puts hair on a terra-cotta replica of Homer Simpson’s head is also an amazing ancient seed full of nutritional benefits. Super Food: Chia Seeds History Chia seeds were originally cultivated… [Continue Reading]

Happy National Cat Day!

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It’s only fair, since we celebrated National Dog Day last August, that we pay homage to our feline friend, Kirby the Kitty. Yep, today is National Cat Day! Recently, I shared the sorry tale of how we almost lost Kirby due to flower poisoning. Yes, you read that right, lilies (along with other plants) are… [Continue Reading]

The Amateur’s Guide to Insulin Resistance

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Diabetes. Insulin resistance. Carbohydrate intolerance. Blood sugar problems. These terms come up frequently in the news, radio and the web. Often, they’re used in ways where it is expected people understand what they mean. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. If a term like insulin resistance doesn’t mean much to you, you’re likely to tune out the… [Continue Reading]

Mediterranean, Low-Carb or Paleo, Which Diet is Best?

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As the fascination with a low-fat diet fades into history, along with VHS tapes and New Kids on the Block, three diets are getting more attention – the Mediterranean diet, Low-Carb and Paleo. Is one superior compared to the other two? Unfortunately, no one has performed a solid research study comparing these three diets. Personally,… [Continue Reading]

Healthy Looking Sugar Addicts BEWARE!

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As someone who has been in the fitness industry for most of my career, I have met a lot of women over the years who love their group fitness classes or who live for cycling or running. They schedule their weeks around their cardiovascular training, almost to the point you’d think they were addicted to it…. [Continue Reading]

Why You Need Sleep If You Don’t Want Dementia

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I’ve mentioned on a few occasions my mother has a form of dementia called Lewy Body Disease (LBD). The most common response I get when I tell people this, besides a look of puzzlement is, “what’s that?” Admittedly, I had never heard of the disease myself, until about six years ago, when my mother was… [Continue Reading]

6 Reasons To Eat Meat for Optimal Health

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I eat meat. Animal protein is a really important part of a healthy diet. I eat vegetables as well. And nuts and seeds. And on the days I lift weights, I eat non-gluten, starchy carbs. With the research studies, books and other information I’ve read, I plan to keep eating meat as a way to… [Continue Reading]

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Bread

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It’s been a dreary, drizzly, cold, wet, rainy day here in the city. Perfect weather, to stay cozy in my sweats, turn the oven on and do some baking. Since the season of pumpkin has been declared, I’ve been stockpiling my favorite pumpkin in the pantry. I just so happened to have an open can… [Continue Reading]

Say Goodbye to Flat Butt Syndrome

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It is common for both women and men to have lazy glutes. For the most part, this is due to what is called quad dominance. Basically, all that means, is the front part of the thigh is stronger than the rear. This happens, due to excessive sitting (which causes tight hip flexors), weak core muscles and… [Continue Reading]