What to Eat Before, During and After Physical Activity
by Tracy Garrett Baseball great Babe Ruth excelled on a strict diet of hot dogs and beer. Basketball star Maurice Cheeks led the 76ers to the 1983 championship, powered by chocolate-chip cookies and Hawaiian Punch. Women’s half-pipe snowboarder Alexandra Duckworth prepares for every competition by downing two gallons of coffee. Whether you are a professional […]
H2O is the way to go
by Margaret Brown There’s a scene in the 1948 “3 Godfathers” movie where a parched John Wayne and his sidekicks save their necks by drinking water from a barrel cactus. The scene sparked a dispute—that continues to this day—whether barrel cacti actually contain water suitable for human consumption. What’s the answer? Stick around and I […]
What are Some Basic Safety Tips for Surviving the Summer?
ASK THE EXPERT – As seen in the Surprise Independent, June 3, 2015 “Summertime and the living is easy,” goes George Gershwin’s classic song from the opera Porgy and Bess. However, if we aren’t careful, summertime in the Arizona desert can be uneasy, unforgiving and downright unbearable. Here are a few tips to help you beat the heat. Drink Up Our bodies need […]
Is Too Much Sitting not Good for Your Health?
ASK THE EXPERT – As seen in the Surprise Independent, May 20, 2015 By design, humans are not sedentary creatures but technology, despite its countless positives, has turned many of us into sitting ducks. Recent research has shown that prolonged sitting increases one’s risk of death by up to 40 percent. It almost sounds like the plot for a low-budget horror film, “The Attack […]
What is Tai Chi and What are its Health Benefits?
ASK THE EXPERT – As seen in the Surprise Independent, May 6, 2015 Tai chi is an ancient martial art that has survived for centuries because of its many health benefits. It focuses on slow movement and deep breathing, designed to integrate the mind and body into one. Tai chi teachers demonstrate a gentle series of flowing, circular movements, which class members imitate. It’s non-competitive, easy to […]
Stretch Out and De-Stress with Restorative Yoga
Passive, slow movements performed in low light bring deep relaxation By Patricia Corrigan for Next Avenue Creaky joints? Sore muscles? Got that crunchy, “short” feeling that comes with arthritis and plagues people who sit a lot, either at work, in front of the TV or on the floor with grandkids? Restorative yoga can make […]
Can Stress Be Harmful to our Health?
ASK THE EXPERT – As seen in the Surprise Independent, April 29, 2015 While a certain amount of stress can be beneficial, when it motivates us to perform well in an athletic competition or to meet a deadline, often stress is negative. And everyone has stress. Whether it’s related to work, finances, family, personal health or other factors, stress is a frequent and […]
What’s Causing Your Leg Pain, Burning and Numbness?
Leg discomfort can knock you off your feet for a variety of reasons — but it should never be ignored Guest post by Winnie Yu for Next Avenue Aching calves, burning legs, numbness in the feet — pain and discomfort in the lower extremities is a common complaint that sends many of us to our […]
TLC Makes the Heart Grow Stronger in More Ways Than One
By Rhonda Zonoozi and Tracy Garrett Ah, February: when our thoughts turn to showering our Valentines with tender loving care. We don’t mean to play down Valentine’s Day and mushy, heartfelt love, but when was the last time you gave some TLC to that fist-sized, super pump in your chest? Without our hearts — working […]
What do You Have to Lose?
by Rhonda Zonoozi and Tracy Garrett Year after year, shedding pounds and getting fit top the list of New Year’s resolutions. Sadly, they also top the list of failed resolutions. As the joke goes, “If losing weight was as easy as losing your keys, your cellphone, your temper or your mind, we’d all be skinny.” […]
