Health Benefits of Having a Pet

  

      So this weekend I was fortunate to have my canine niece, Gehl, staying with us.  She had me smiling all day long with the cute little things she does...like jumping with such excitement to greet you when you come home and curling up contently on your lap while sitting out on the porch.  Then as I sat playing with her in the grass, noticing how happy she made me felt, I started to wonder what impact pets have on our health and well-being.  After all...being happy is healthy right?  With a little bit of pondering and some research I found all kinds of ways our favorite little friends can benefit our minds and bodies.  So be sure to thank your pet with a special treat today!


Here's what I came up with:

• Animals have the unique ability to brighten up anyone's day.  They can make us smile and laugh almost effortlessly with their cuteness and quirky antics.

• Pets tend to have this unique sense of knowing when something is wrong.  They will kick up the charm to cheer us up or provide comfort by snuggling close by and not leaving our side.  

• Activities such as petting a dog or cat, watching fish swim, or birds fly all have a calming and relaxing effect, thereby reducing stress.

• They provide companionship and someone to talk to for those that are lonely.  The best part is pets are great at keeping secrets...so go ahead and pour your heart out!

• Socially they inspire interaction.  In fact, therapies are emerging that use animals such as dogs, cats, horses, etc. to draw socially or otherwise challenged people (especially children) out of their shells.  Animal-therapies have also been used to help victims cope with tragedies. 

• Growing up with a pet can help teach children important traits such as responsibility, loyalty, loving-kindness, plus many others.

• Pets can keep us active: not only by needing to be walked and taken care of regularly, but by wanting to run around and play as well.  Dogs especially make great work-out buddies! 

• Pets have been known to save lives by alerting their owners of danger.  For example, a dog barking to wake up a family whose house is on fire or alerting them that there may be an unwanted visitor approaching.

•  The CDC claims that having a pet can be linked with decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.  Plus having pets in the home can reduce the risk of developing allergies and asthma..how's that for healthy!? 

• And let's not forget the many service related pets out there that provide care for their owners like seeing eye dogs and seizure dogs for example.  

References:
A Woman's Health. (2014). The health benefits of pets.  Retrieved from  http://awomanshealth.com/the-health-benefits-of-pets/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Health benefits of pets.  Retrieved from  http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html

Webmd. (2012). 27 ways pets can improve your health. Retrieved from http://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-improve-your-health

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog, www.mind-bodypursuit.blogspot.com, represents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of its author and should be taken as such…with a grain of salt.  It is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure.  Before trying any new physical activity, dietary plan, supplementation, complementary and alternative therapy, or other wellness tip please seek the guidance of a qualified professional.

Garden Fresh Salsa

     It's time for yet another one of my favorite recipes containing produce fresh from the garden...salsa!  Ever since I started making this version a few years ago, and realizing how incredibly simple it is, I have not bought jarred salsa from the store since.  It can even be made all year long with produce from the supermarket when those cravings strike.  My version, which is actually more like a pico de gallo, is rather chunky and extremely versatile.  I have used it as a topping for quesadillas, a stuffing in burritos, on top of tacos, stirred into rice, and of course alongside of tortilla chips for dipping.  I invite you to raid your garden and check out my recipe below to see how easy it is for yourself.  Also see the list of add-ins to increase the yummy factor!  Feel free to leave suggestions if you have any other creative add-in or recipe ideas.

Ingredients:
4 tomatoes
1 poblano pepper
1 red onion
A handful of fresh cilantro **
Juice and zest of 1 lime **

Optional Add-Ins:
Pineapple
Black Beans
Jalapenos (try them roasted for a boost of flavor!)
Cucumber
Corn

Directions:
Chop the tomatoes, poblano pepper, and onion and place into a plastic food storage container (make sure it has a lid with it).  Roughly chop the cilantro and add to the mixture along with box the zest and juice of the lime.  Add in any of the additional ingredients you like.  Place the lid on the container and give it a few good shakes to really mix up the flavors and create some juice.  Keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

**The fresh cilantro and lime can be replaced with 2-3 frozen cilantro cubes if they are not available (see how to make them here).

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog, www.mind-bodypursuit.blogspot.com, represents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of its author and should be taken as such…with a grain of salt.  It is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure.  Before trying any new physical activity, dietary plan, supplementation, complementary and alternative therapy, or other wellness tip please seek the guidance of a qualified professional.

Mindful Motherhood (Book Review)

"Mindful Motherhood"

-Cassandra Vieten, Ph.D

"Mindful motherhood is not about becoming unflappable, aloof, untouchable, or above it all.  Mindful motherhood is being present, aware, and allowing of experience and remaining in your body all the while.  Mindful motherhood is a practice that is living, embodied, down and dirty, sensual, caring, centered and grounded in this world, in this body, in this moment.  It's about being present, in your body, and connected with your baby."

     I would consider this book a must read for all expecting women and mothers alike.  Vieten does a remarkable job at explaining mindfulness in a way that is easy to understand and relate to daily life.  Newcomers to mindfulness can benefit from exercises at the end of each chapter, as well as an online course that compliments the book if they choose to enroll in it.  Even those with experience in the practice of mindfulness can take away a new outlook as it relates to this new stage in their life. 

     Personally I feel that the book has been instrumental in helping me through the end of my pregnancy and as I prepare for childbirth and my new role as my little boy's mommy.  While I enjoyed many of the exercises included in the book, a favorite of mine was the yoga series that I have taken to practicing several times a day.  It has been extremely beneficial in relieving some of the aches, pains, and restlessness that I feel in my body.  

     Also thanks to Vieten's encouraging words through the book I have been able to cultivate an open mind regarding labor and childbirth especially.  I feel confident that going into labor with my mindfulness techniques in tow will allow me to stay calm and be present in the moment, greeting each stage with the attention and loving-kindness it deserves.  Likewise, if any issues shall arise I know that mindfulness will give me the clarity of mind and strength to accept them and make the best choice for both baby and I at the time.  

     Just as the book has helped me through pregnancy and will in the birth of my child, It is very likely that Vieten's techniques and suggestions will continue to be beneficial in rising my little boy.  From being aware of his needs as a tiny infant in my arms to dealing with his meltdowns as a toddler...I can see mindfulness being a part of my parenting style then and beyond.

"It's playing with your baby in the dirt, rather than worrying about how it's going to get cleaned up.  It's spending all morning in bed together, playing peek-a-boo, eating, napping, and cuddling, rather than having the dirty dishes in the sink call you back to work."

Institute of Noetic Sciences. (2014). Mindful motherhood online course. Retrieved 

     from  http://www.noetic.org/education/self-study/mindful-motherhood-course/

Vieten, C. (2009). Mindful motherhood: Practical tools for staying sane during 

     pregnancy and your child's first year.  Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 

     Inc. 

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog, www.mind-bodypursuit.blogspot.com, represents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of its author and should be taken as such…with a grain of salt.  It is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure.  Before trying any new physical activity, dietary plan, supplementation, complementary and alternative therapy, or other wellness tip please seek the guidance of a qualified professional.

Grilled Naan Pizza

     I am so excited to introduce you all to my latest foodie find: Grilled Pizzas!  Ahh...to die for.  I have made them literally every day this week and still cannot get enough.  This recipe features my favorite combination of ingredients, but feel free to take creative liberties here and customize the ingredients as you would like.  So without any further hesitation...here are my step by step instructions for the mouthwatering grilled pizza you see below!

 

Ingredients:

2 pieces of naan

2 frozen basil cubes (See my previous post on how to make them here)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Ground pepper

Step One: Melt the basil cubes and brush the basil oil over the pieces of naan.

Step Two: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place on top.  I used some gorgeous heirloom cherry tomatoes here that I bought at the farmer's market last weekend...so good!

Step Three:  Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the pizzas and add ground pepper to taste.

Step Four: Place the pizzas on the grill and close the lid.  Grill for about 3-4 minutes, rotate, and then grill an additional 2-3 minutes.  I found a medium flame to work about the best, allowing the bottom to crisp without burning too quickly.

Step Five:  Remove the pizzas from the grill.  Cut into slices and enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog, www.mind-bodypursuit.blogspot.com, represents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of its author and should be taken as such…with a grain of salt.  It is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure.  Before trying any new physical activity, dietary plan, supplementation, complementary and alternative therapy, or other wellness tip please seek the guidance of a qualified professional.

Clean Snacking -An Article Review

As published in the Student Nutrition Association of Kaplan Newsletter, July 2014, Vol. 3, Issue 3.

"Clean Snacking-One of the Fastest Growing Food Trends" 

-Lori Zaneston in Today's Dietitian

  

     Cleaning snacking:  No it’s not about washing your hands before digging into the popcorn bowl, although you totally should!  It’s about choosing healthier foods not only for meals, but throughout the day as well.  To be considered clean, foods have to be whole and in their least processed state to offer the greatest nutritional value for those consuming them.  

     In the past year there have been a lot of new “health” snacks emerging in the market.  The author takes a look at some of them to determine whether this is just another trend or if they are really on to something here. Some of these products can mislead consumers into thinking they are healthier than their alternatives with cleaner-looking packaging that features health claims front and center to catch their attention.  Zaneston suggests consumers pay more attention to the back of the label to double check its actual nutritional value by doing a food label comparison with other similar products. 

     Zaneston points out that the ultimate go-to clean snack is fresh fruits and vegetables, but also lists a bunch of other options that were enough to make my mouth water as I was heading straight to the grocery store.  My top three favorites were Happy Squeeze fruit & veggies pouches made by Happy Family Organic Superfoods, KIND fruit & nut bars, and Real! veggie chips.  I am also anxious to try Bare crunchy coconut chips!  Read Zaneston’s article for a complete list of her clean snacking ideas.

To read Zaneston's article visit: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060114p20.shtml

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog, www.mind-bodypursuit.blogspot.com, represents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of its author and should be taken as such…with a grain of salt.  It is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure.  Before trying any new physical activity, dietary plan, supplementation, complementary and alternative therapy, or other wellness tip please seek the guidance of a qualified professional.