These veggie crisps live up to their name
Vegetables and fruits such as carrots and zucchini (surprise — zucchini is technically a fruit!) are mostly made up of water. For example, a zucchini or carrot is about 95% water. It can be a challenge to deal with all that water when cooking or baking — no one likes soggy zucchini bread! One of salt’s many superpowers is that it can pull water out of food. Plants are made up of ... READ MORE
Multi-cooker can be a real meal changer
Eating healthy has never been so easy — or so quick — as with a multi-cooker (such as the Instant Pot and similar devices). The appliance makes cooking a healthy meal accessible and approachable; it takes less time and energy than not-so-healthy fast-food runs or tossing a frozen pizza into the oven. Roast a chicken in 30 minutes, cook nutrient-packed whole grains like wild rice or... READ MORE
Eucalyptus leaves’ many health benefits
To me, eucalyptus oil is one of the best essential oils you’ll ever find. It has so many uses. If you don’t want a little bottle of this, I suggest using the plant leaves that are sold in a bunch. You can get them dried or fresh, and you can shower with them! The compound that does the work in eucalyptus is called 1,8-cineole, and it breaks up mucus and reduces spasms in the... READ MORE
Do nighttime calories stick around more?
You may have heard the adage, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” But the truth is that most of us snack in the evening, sometimes even after a large dinner. According to the Washington D.C.-based International Food Information Council’s 2021 Food and Health Survey, about 65% of those surveyed said they eat at least one snack in the evening,... READ MORE
How to start, maintain a walking program
Dear Savvy Senior, My doctor recently suggested I start a walking program to help get my weight and blood pressure under control, but I’ve never exercised much and am 66. Can you recommend some tips? —Hate to Exercise Dear Hate, You should follow your doctor’s orders. Years of research have shown that walking may be the single best exercise you can do to improve your health... READ MORE
It’s time to return to primary care doctor
Q: I stopped going to my primary care doctor during the pandemic and I feel fine. Why should I still continue to get primary care? A: It was necessary, though difficult, to hold back from many forms of primary care during the initial stages of the pandemic. Today, there may be long wait times to get an appointment. But it is highly recommended to see a primary care doctor at least... READ MORE
How to appeal or negotiate medical debt
According to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, between about 18% and 35% of Americans have medical debt. If you’re struggling to pay medical debt, what can you do? Fortunately, you may have a lot of options, depending on your situation and especially if the debt is from a hospital. Medical debt is the most common type of debt pursued by collection agencies,... READ MORE
Five rules for choosing healthier juices
While a fruit-and-veggie-loaded drink sounds righteous in theory, are juices really healthy? Well, yes and no. “Juices can be part of a healthy diet, but they are not a replacement for whole fruits and veggies, especially because you’re not getting the fiber,” explained Dana Angela White, RD, author of Healthy, Quick and Easy Juicing. “That being said, you’re still getting... READ MORE
Harvard Q&As about exercise, heart rate
Q: I started exercising regularly, jogging for about 40 minutes five times per week. Does that mean I can stop my antidepressant medication because my body is now creating the same antidepressant effect on its own? A: It’s great that you’re devoting yourself to regular exercise. There is no question that it is good for your whole body, including your brain. It can lift mood, quell... READ MORE
Healthy pasta comes in many forms now
The world’s love affair with pasta traces back thousands of years to Asia, where archaeologists believe the first noodles were produced. Its reputation has been bruised in recent years, however, taking hits from the low-carb diet trend, wheat allergies and accusations of contributing to several types of ill health — from weight gain and diabetes to cardiovascular disease. Our... READ MORE
