Giving Up Meat or Junk Food for Lent Makes Good Health Sense

Still haven't decided what to give up this Lent? What's lent, you ask? It's a 40-day fast period Catholic Christians observe in preparation for Easter. We abstain from unhealthy practices and foods to focus on Our Lord. If done right, it can be beneficial health-wise, too. I once shed 20 pounds during my lenten fast. So what should you give up? A group of Anglican bishops in the UK suggest abstaining from meat for the 40-day Lenten period, says the Huffington Post. I agree that meat is the best thing to give up, but I'd also add sweets, junk food and fast food. Saying "farewell to the flesh (candy, cookies, pies, cake) makes good health sense. Here's why.  Go vegetarian, sweets-free for lent

Dairy Food Swaps to Lower Cholesterol, Cut Calories

I started dieting 18 months ago. Along with losing weight, I needed to lower my LDL-low-density lipoprotein, "bad" cholesterol. Wanting to avoid medications, I tried reducing cholesterol with diet. A big step was lowering dairy consumption. Here are food switches that reduced LDL cholesterol and helped me lose weight. These food swaps cut 500-1,000 calories a day.  Dairy Food Switches to Cut LDL Cholesterol, Lose Weight

Diet Dangers--Things to Avoid to Lose Weight

 Dieting is one of the most challenging behavior modification acts to perform. Unlike quitting smoking, where the smoker can give up cigarettes altogether, the dieter has to eat to live. I can't give up food but I can avoid certain pitfalls. Here's my diet danger watchlist. Diet Problems

2012-2013 Flu Season Hits Hard

In health news, the 2012-2013 flu season is shaping up to be a rough one. The Detroit Free Press reports that yet another child has died in southwest Michigan from flu-related illness, bringing the number to three this year. Two adults have died from similar flu illnesses, and the number of cases in Michigan continues to rise. Despite this, I still urge caution when considering whether to get the flu shot or not. For all the hype about it, remember that it only protects against three strains and which ones will be virulent each year is hard to predict. Also, once vaccinated, you pretty much have to be vaccinated every year thereafter (that's from health care providers). Lastly, the best offense is a good defense. Eating healthy, taking care of yourself and your kids, keeping sick ones away from others, washing hands and covering your mouth--those are worth more than any vaccine. Michigan 2012-2013 Flu Shot Options

Using Al-Anon Slogans to Heal Post Holiday Depression

Depression and I go back a long way. Some of my worst bouts of depression have happened during or after the holidays. If you're coping with depression, particularly post-holiday letdown, here are some tips. I've tried many different techniques to heal or at least just cope with my depression. About 10 years ago, I tried Al-Anon, the companion support group for Alcoholics Anonymous. I discovered that Al-Anon principles were useful for treating a gamut of emotional issues, including depression. Some of the most helpful components of Al-Anon, for me, are the recovery slogans. Addiction A-Z lists a collection of slogans for all different sorts of situations. There are general helpful reality checks and mental health tools, too. Read more