It Happened This Week: Fall Foliage, Eating Well On The Road, Arsenic in Rice, Omega-3s, and FFTW

Okemo Mountain As I’m looking out my window at the red and yellow leaves I realize how lucky I am to be at a healthy weight loss spa like Green Mountain at Fox Run in October. Two years ago Cindy wrote a post about Vermont in October and why it is such a wonderful time to visit a weight loss retreat in beautiful New England. All the seasons are nice but the fall foliage here is some of the most beautiful in the world.

If you’re headed out for a trip, you might wonder how you can stay healthy while traveling. Jessica gives us her best recommendations eating well on the road. She recommends bringing snacks, making wise food court choices, and staying hydrated. A registered dietitian, Jessica focuses on blending nutritious with delicious in her healthy eating advice.

Think brown rice is healthy? Well, it is. But tried nutrition advice to eat a wide variety of foods is proving true once more. Seems that a lot of rice contains higher-than-desired amounts of arsenic (if any amount is desired, that is). Meaning it’s wise to mix up your grains. This is especially true for the gluten-free among us who may be eating much more rice than the rest of us. Thanks to Linda at Kitchen Therapy for that heads-up.

Omega-3 fatty acids are in the news again. A study from the US National Eye Institute shows that increased intakes of this important fat can decrease the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 50. To get enough omega-3s, the American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week (more for people with heart disease) and oils and foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (flaxseed, canola and soybean oils; flaxseed and walnuts). If you’re concerned about mercury in fish, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has downloadable seafood guides to choosing fish that’s healthy for you and the environment.

Fat Free Talk Week is coming soon – October 19-23, 2009. This 2nd annual nationwide event is all abut body activism — supporting the pursuit of a healthy ideal which looks different for each one of us. It’s intended to raise awareness of body image issues and how “fat talk” can damage self-esteem and create endless cycles of unproductive behavior. Check out ways to get involved and sign the promise to to eliminate fat talk from conversations with friends, family and yourself.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

October 10, 2009 | Filed Under Cellulite Cure