for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com april 2, 2015 • HEALTH • The queens CourieR 5 ▶health Discover ways to drink more water A whopping 96 percent of Americans believe that they should be drinking more water, according to a International Bottled Water Association survey. Celebrity health and wellness coach Kathy Kaehler agrees, because she encounters hydration issues all the time with her clients. “I’ve heard so many excuses about why people don’t drink enough water,” Kaehler says. “Yet hydration is so important for managing calorie intake, keeping skin bright and clear, and maintaining overall health and wellness goals.” Luckily, increasing your water intake is not as difficult as you may think. Here are a few of Kaehler’s easy and unexpected ways to drink more water: Bubbles make water exciting. A sparkling water maker transforms ordinary water into sparkling water in seconds, making it more fun to drink and helping to boost water intake. An anecdotal study Kaehler conducted revealed that consumers increased their water consumption by 46 percent when they had a SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker in their home. Reinforcing this result, a recent survey by Toluna Research showed that those with a sparkling water maker at home consume 43 percent more water (three more glasses of water and water-based drinks per day), as well as 54 percent less sugary soda, than those without one. Spruce it up. Add some flavor to your flat or sparkling water with fresh fruit or veggies, like lemon, cucumber or berries. Kaehler loves adding grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit to her sparkling water for a delicious, water-based beverage with an added boost of Vitamin C. Balance out your happy hour. If you enjoy drinks after work, be smart about it. Swap every other drink for a glass of flat or carbonated water to keep hydration levels up. Accomplish the task with tech. There are plenty of apps available that track health and fitness goals - from steps trackers to sleep monitors. Hydration apps can help remind you to consume water throughout the day and track your consumption. Not up for an app? Set an hourly alarm on your phone as a reminder to refill. Drinking water shouldn’t be a chore. With these easy-to-apply tips, you will guzzle more H2O, enjoy doing so, and reap water’s many benefits for a healthier, more hydrated you. Courtesy BPT Go nuts and celebrate your health with a handful Good things really do come in small packages. And when it comes to your health, pistachios pack a powerful punch: They help you manage your weight, may help reduce blood pressure and a study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research shows they may even help with erectile function. Here are three big reasons why you should unshell and celebrate your health with a handful. The power of pistachios Pistachios are a great snack chockfull of vitamins and nutrients including antioxidants, beta carotene, fiber, glutamine, potassium, phytosterols, zeaxanthin and B6. “You really can’t go wrong with pistachios,” says director of sports nutrition at the University of Southern California, Becci Twombley. “With six grams of protein in every 160-calorie serving, pistachios are a protein front-runner compared to 160 calories of other common snacks.” In addition, pistachios have more nuts per serving (49) than any other tree nut. Performance food for athletes Whether you’re an elite athlete in training or a casual fitness buff, what you eat will affect your performance. “As an athlete, your body needs the right carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fluids,” says Twombley. Pistachios are a great pre- and post-workout snack because they contain a good source of lean protein, the right type of fat and electrolytes such as potassium. Green goodness Their taste is unbeatable. They can be enjoyed right out of the bag, or to jazz them up, you can season them right in the shell. Saffron and Vanilla Pistachios Ingredients: 1 pound American pistachios, inshell 1.5 ounces Spanish saffron, steeped in cold water 2 vanilla beans, scraped 2 tablespoons canola oil Sea salt to taste- Directions: Warm canola oil in roasting pan or wok on your stove top, add pistachios and lightly toast. Add saffron, with some liquid to coat the pistachios. Add the vanilla bean scrapings and stir to incorporate; season with sea salt to taste. Remove from heat and serve warm in the dish of your choice. In addition to flavoring for premium snacking, American Pistachio Growers have a wealth of recipes developed by renowned chefs. Visit www.americanpistachios. org to see recipes like Pistachio Dusted Roast Salmon with a Light Honey Glaze by Chef Jesse Brune. Courtesy BPT
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