Do you have Celiac disease?  Are you bored with your options in the market for baked goods?
Check out Glutenus Minimus in Belmont owned by Natalie McEachern.

She was diagnosed at the age of 21 while in college.  Limited by the gluten free options available, Natalie and her mom started experimenting with recipes of the foods she once enjoyed.  They have perfected the ingredients and you could never tell they are gluten-free.  My kids can tell you.  They tried the chocolate chip cookies from the bakery and loved them.  Neither of my children have celiac disease!  I find children are the best critic when it comes to baked goods!

Natalie also sells her products to various restaurants and markets.  Check out the website for more information:
www.glutenusminimus.com

Stone Hearth Pizza is one of the locations that uses Glutenus Minimus products.  My niece (who has celiac) recently tried the gluten-free pizza at Stone Hearth Pizza and loved it! 

Crazy cortisol....a stress hormone produced in the adrenal gland...how does it affect my body?
Here are some...
-increased appetite and larger stores of abdominal fat (with a high exposure of cortisol over time)
-suppresses the immune system
-anti-diurectic
-increased blood sugar
-increased blood pressure

What can increase cortisol levels?  Anorexia nervosa, long-term exhaustion, sleep deprivation, alcohol, and caffeine.

Manage your stress.  Schedule time to de-stress...even if it is 5 minutes of your day.  This will help decrease those cortisol levels.  Try some music therapy or yoga or something that de-stresses you.

Do you take a breath in and suck in your belly and lift your shoulders and exhale and push out your belly?  If so that is shallow breathing. 

Take a moment and practice some deep belly breathing.  It is good for your body and you will strengthen your transverse (inner most abdominal muscle) and your diaphragm.  It will also help you to relax and is a great de-stresser.  And one more benefit..there are many.  You will be helping the elasticity in your lungs.

Ready?
Sit with your back supported so you shoulders are in line with your hips.
Don't arch your back and don't round forward.
Put you hand on your belly over your belly button.
Take are in thru your nose and fill your belly up with air.
Your belly should expand with air.
Don't lift your shoulders.
Exhale thru your mouth and pull your belly into your spine as you get rid of all that air in your belly.

Do that 10 times.  Try to do that throughout the day.
It might take some practice but you will get the hang of it.
Your body will thank you and so will your mind.
Just breathe.

World Health Day is celebrated on April 7th to mark the founding of the World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/en/

Why not establish a health related goal for yourself?

Make it smart!
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

Here's to your health.

Green tea is one of my favorite drinks.  It is the least processed of the teas (oolong and black).  It contains the highest level of polyphenols.  My favorites are TAZO or Yogi.

Why is that good?  Polyphenols occur in all plant foods.  Polyphenols antioxidants are known for their ability scavenge free radicals.  They have also been associated with reducing inflammation.  In a report from Science Daily, a study found evidence that polyphenols protect nerves from the kind of damage that occurs in AD and other chronic brain disorders.

So go brew yourself some green tea or have it over ice!

Stay away from processed foods.  Try to increase the amount of real foods you eat.  Whole natural foods that come from the earth not a factory.

Here are a few suggestions:
Berries - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries - nutrient, anti-inflammatory and fiber filled.
Nuts - shown to lower the risk of heart disease in moderation.
Veggies - especially brassica vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprouts which contain powerful compounds found to fight types of cancer.

Get back to nature and fuel your body with wholesome goodness.

Strengthen that core from the inside by being mindful of your movements with everything you do.  Start with your breathing!  Breath correctly, take air in thru your nose, your belly expands with air and pull the belly into your spine as you exhale.  With any sitting down or getting up from sitting; start with your abs in the right position.  Belly into spine on an exhale and on the work part of getting up.  Support that back and strengthen your core.  Mindful movements.

Who doesn't love ice cream?  Of course everything in moderation.

Brian Murray, President and CEO of Sweet Scoops Frozen Yogurt found a way to turn his favorite snack into a family business.

I recently tried Sweet Scoops ice cream, made in New Hampshire. It is delicious! 
Half the calories and fat of leading brands.  Full of flavor.
No artificial sweeteners.  No artificial growth hormones.
Contains the digestive health promoting benefits of live cultures found in yogurt.

So hard to decide which one to choose.  Madagascar Vanilla and Mudslide Chocolate Chunk were my favorites...but they were all quite tasty.
Check out their website for their products and a store locator to find where you can purchase this delicious treat!
http://www.sweetscoops.com/products/

During the dead of winter a salad can be a challenge if you are trying to eat seasonally and economically. 

You can try some of these for a change from iceberg.
  
The endive (also known as Belgian Endive, Witlof, and Witloof) - High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Phosphorus

Chicory (sugarloaf or radicchio) - sugarloaf is sweeter tasting. It is a good source of Thiamin, Niacin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

Lamb Lettuce - 5 ounces contains contains 95% of our recommended daily intake of vitamin C.  It is very rich in provitamin A (100 g is almost enough to satisfy your recommended daily intake!), rich in vitamin B9 and C.  In addition, lamb’s lettuce contains fairly significant levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Cabbage - Cabbage is an excellent source of manganese, calcium and potassium. It is a very good source of iron, phosphorous, magnesium. It is also a very good source of fiber, folate and omega-3 fatty acids. Further, sodium, zinc and copper are found in good amounts in cabbage. Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C. Cabbage is also a good source of thiamin vitamin B1, riboflavin vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin B6. It contains good amounts of vitamin k, folate, vitamin A and protein.

Celery Root - good source of Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium and Manganese.