Latest news with #KorinMiller
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eat pineapple, avoid clutter creep and use this 4-word phrase to fall asleep — plus 6 more tips to improve your health
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share this week's best health and wellness tips from around the internet. There's nothing Yahoo Life loves more than taking a walk — we've long written about the health benefits of getting your steps in, whether that's with some cozy cardio on a walking pad or a quick jaunt around the block at lunchtime. But what happens when your feet are hurting after all that walking? This week, Korin Miller explored the different reasons your dogs may be barking, and while that could include poor-fitting shoes, it may also be something else, like a posture or gait issue. If you're concerned, a podiatrist can help you assess the problem. In the meantime, with the weather warming up, now is a great time to take your strolls outdoors (buh-bye, treadmill). Spending time in nature can improve your mental health, help you sleep better and even boost your immune system. Got a coffee date with a friend planned this weekend? Take those lattes to go and catch up for a leisurely stroll. And in the meantime, look at the local weather forecast and check out your horoscope for a peek at your future. Then see what small steps you can take to make the week ahead fabulous. Summer is around the corner, and if it has you daydreaming of a tropical vacation, get into the spirit by eating pineapple. Not only is this tart yellow fruit rich in potassium, vitamin C and manganese, it's also been shown to help lower blood sugar, which can have a healthy impact on your heart. You can slice up this fruit and eat it plain, but if you're feeling creative in the kitchen, make a pineapple-based salsa with peppers and tomato. It tastes great on top of white fish like tilapia or cod. As Real Simple shared this week, 'clutter creep' is the gradual accumulation of stuff in your home — like that too-small pair of jeans you keep meaning to return, the pile of magazines you still haven't read or the holiday cards that have been collecting dust on your mantle since December. Dealing with all that stuff can take a toll on our mental health and make us feel too overwhelmed to want to tackle a cleaning project. To prevent it, try small daily habits: Set aside five minutes each day to clean up, and make sure everything you own has a designated 'home.' If it doesn't, toss it or donate it. Another helpful tip: Think twice before buying new items that will add to the clutter in your home. Sure, that candle smells nice, but do you have a place to put it, or will it just be one more thing you stash away in your cupboard? And do you really need a new shirt, or are you just looking for the extra hit of dopamine that comes with adding it to your cart? Taking a walk or pausing to do something else when you're shopping can help you snap out of that 'must buy now' mindset, experts tell Real Simple. Racing thoughts can keep you up in bed — so annoying! If you're struggling with rumination in the wee hours of the night, try this simple phrase to soothe your mind: 'This thought can wait.' Psychologists found that these words are helpful because they allow you to recognize a thought as opposed to forcing it away, which can make stewing on it worse. It also removes the urgency of repeating these thought patterns, which can exacerbate anxiety. I don't know about you, but sit-ups are my least favorite part of my gym routine. Strengthening your core, however, is vital for building stability, improving posture and preventing injury. Maddie Lymburner, who goes by MadFit on YouTube, has a core workout plan that doesn't involve sitting down at all, and it's just 10 minutes long. Pop it on next time you want your abs to burn. You know that dark chocolate has antioxidants, but did you know that it could actually be good for your gut, too? According to EatingWell, the slightly bitter treat has polyphenols, which are plant compounds that help calm inflammation in the body by neutralizing free radicals. Plus, a study published in 2022 found that healthy adults who ate one ounce of 85% dark chocolate daily for three weeks developed more diverse gut microbiomes compared to those who didn't. A healthy dessert idea: Dip strawberries or green apples in melted dark chocolate. There's a reason you might hear so much grunting at the gym. According to a new study in the Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance. Forcefully exhaling (whether or not it comes with a sound) has been shown to boost power and performance during intense moves, like a heavy lift or box jump. 'When you forcefully expire, you create abdominal pressure and maintain airflow — it's the best of both worlds,' exercise physiologist Alexander Rothstein tells Women's Health. 'You won't fatigue as quickly, and your core muscles will still be firing and stabilizing like they should.' You put quinoa in your salad and are all about oats — but have you heard of sorghum? There are plenty of reasons to eat this underrated ancient grain, which has a nutty flavor and texture similar to couscous. Not only is it high in micronutrients like iron, magnesium, B vitamins and potassium, it's also rich in plant-based protein: A half-cup serving contains 10 grams, keeping you full and satisfied while also helping you build muscle and other tissue. Try sorghum in this roasted sweet potato salad recipe, or even pop it on your stovetop — it's a great, higher-protein dupe for popcorn. The Guardian shared six conversations you should be having — including one that can enrich your relationship with an older person. The next time you talk to a friend or relative who has a couple of decades on you, ask them what they were doing at your age. Often, we only see people like our parents in one role: the one they've played in our lives, like caregiver. But by asking them about their past, we can see them from a new perspective. 'We get very caught up in what's different between us and other generations rather than what is the same,' family therapist and University of Exeter professor Hannah Sherbersky tells the outlet. But with this conversation, the older person is 'invited to step back into another aspect of themselves that perhaps they've lost touch with: a time they may have felt stronger or had more sense of agency in the world, or perhaps life was more complicated and they can reflect on how they feel more content now,' she says. You'll strengthen your bond and maybe learn a little about life in the process. Life is busy, but you still want a neat, tidy home. According to HuffPost, though, you can officially let yourself off the hook when it comes to tasks that are way more about busywork than the mental clarity that comes with organization. Those tasks include folding your underwear (it's not like they're ever on display!) and putting foods in different containers from their original packaging to make your kitchen cabinets look Pinterest-pretty. Instead, focus on things that will actually help you function throughout the day. Organizing your closet so you can more easily find your favorite top? Doing laundry so you have a fresh towel when you come out of the shower? That's what's going to keep you calm.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Try 'zebra striping,' sip ginger tea and change your air filter — plus 8 more health tips to help you have a great week
Hello, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share the best health and wellness tips from around the internet this week. Groceries are expensive, and one way to cut back on unnecessary expenses is to make sure your produce lasts as long as possible in the fridge. Yahoo Life's Korin Miller spoke to experts (from a farmer to a food scientist) this week for tips on how to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. One surprising tip is to separate certain foods — specifically, keeping 'gassy' fruits like bananas, apples and tomatoes away from things like leafy greens, carrots and cucumbers. Since these fruits give off ethylene gas, they can cause other produce to ripen too quickly — meaning they may be spoiled before you have time to make a big green salad. Take a peek at your local weather forecast and check out your horoscope if you're so inclined. Then read up on the small steps you can take to make this week the best yet. Many people are looking to cut back on their alcohol consumption, whether that's going 'sober curious' or tackling Dry January. And there's an easy way to reduce how much you imbibe, even just for the night. Consider 'zebra striping,' a term that's become popular on social media and refers to alternating between one alcoholic drink and one booze-free one during a night out. This way, you'll reduce how many boozy beverages you have throughout the course of your day, while also staying hydrated, which can reduce the not-so-fun symptoms of a hangover. Ideally, you'll want to stick with low-sugar options in between alcoholic drinks, like a seltzer with a splash of cranberry juice or even just plain water to avoid excess calories that come with, say, a can of Coke. Feeling fancy? Try a nonalcoholic adaptogen beverage instead, which claims to give you a mood boost sans booze. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but using ginger may help reduce your risk, per a study published in the medical journal Cureus. According to the new research, ginger has heart-protective properties, such as the ability to lower inflammation and blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. While you can add ginger to a ton of dishes — from curry to desserts — a simple way to get your ginger fix is to turn it into tea. Just slice up some fresh ginger, steep it in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes and add a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor. A bonus for migraine sufferers? Previous research suggests sipping ginger tea may also help reduce pain from these headaches. Your HVAC system works hard to catch dust, hair and other debris in your home, keeping your indoor air quality in check — but it's not a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing, experts told the Spruce. You also need to regularly change your air filters, as poor air quality can negatively affect your health, especially if you have asthma or allergies. So how often should you change out your filters? The Environmental Protection Agency recommends swapping out the filters every 60 to 90 days — but if you've never done it before, there's no time like the present. Oh, and if you look at your filter and see they're seriously gross, consider changing them more frequently, the EPA recommends. It's salty. It's tangy. It's spicy. Most importantly, it's great for your gut. Kimchi, a Korean dish made from fermenting vegetables like cabbage, is one of the five foods dietitian Amy Bragagnini, national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recently recommended to Fortune to improve gut health. It's no wonder: Kimchi is packed with probiotics, beneficial bacteria that support digestion. It also contains fiber, which helps stabilize your blood sugar and reduce bad cholesterol. Fun fact: Some South Koreans have a separate kimchi fridge that helps with the fermenting and preservation process. But you don't need one to experiment with the pungent, flavor-packed dish. Need some ideas? Make some kimchi fried rice. Or, you could top a quesadilla with kimchi, as Taco Bell did in 2016, for a unique kick. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you couldn't keep me off my mini trampoline — and now, First for Women is here to remind you that bouncing is not only a true joy, but also a great workout. The reason? Unlike running, using a rebounder will get your heart rate up and still be gentle on your joints. It's also effective for calorie burning: A 2016 study found that it burns about the same amount as running at a 6 mph pace. Too much screen time gets a bad rap, especially in the age of doomscrolling. However, a new study published in Nature Human Behavior found that there could be an upside for using technology, especially for older adults. The researchers found that older adults who used smartphones, computers or apps had a much lower risk of memory problems as they aged compared to those who didn't, similar to how crossword puzzles and reading can keep one's mind sharp. But don't just mindlessly scroll. The key to keeping your brain sharp and mental health in check is to use technology to learn something new, or connect with others. You know that a healthy plate has a mix of protein, carbs and fats — but do you know in what order you should eat your food? Enter: meal sequencing. Dietitian Katie Drakeford wrote about the research-backed topic for Yahoo Life this week. She says the best way to maximize your meals is to start with protein before moving on to fiber-rich foods and finishing your meal with a quick-digesting carb. So, if you're having breakfast, go for eggs first, then berries, followed by toast or a pastry last. Eating your meals in a specific order can help you keep your blood sugar in check, leaving you energized instead of sluggish. And by saving carbs for last, your body digests food more slowly, which keeps you feeling full longer. If you're looking to cut back on utility costs, you may want to consider what temperature you're setting your fridge at. Too chilly and you could be unnecessarily spending too much on electricity, but too warm and you could risk food spoiling. The answer, per PureWow, is to set your fridge between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so will keep your food safely chilled and extend the shelf life of your groceries. Think colder is better? Nope. Your fridge has to work harder to keep itself cold, which can cause the appliance to deteriorate faster. Plus, food starts to freeze at 32 degrees, which means you could be compromising the quality of your groceries. April is the start of asparagus season, and there are many reasons to enjoy this spring veggie. Just half a cup of cooked asparagus has 57% of your daily vitamin K needs, which helps build strong bones. It also boasts antioxidants and nearly 2 grams of fiber, which is great for your digestive health. An easy way to enjoy asparagus — and the warmer weather — is to grill it: This hearty vegetable grills quickly and is a nice way to sneak in some green among BBQ staples like chicken and burgers. The last Wednesday in April is Stop Food Waste Day. According to the USDA, Americans waste 30 to 40% of our food supply. One way to combat this problem — besides purchasing only what you will 100% eat — is by using food scraps creatively. Stop tossing peels, roots, stems and leaves of vegetables that would otherwise end up in the garbage. An entire cauliflower, for example, is edible, P.K. Newby, nutritional scientist and founder of Food Matters Media, previously told Yahoo Life. And watermelon rind can be used in kimchi! April 30 is National Raisin Day, and we get it — they can be a polarizing snack! But there is one big reason to enjoy these tiny treats: half a cup of raisins offers 3.3 grams of fiber. For a quick breakfast, throw some raisins on top of Greek yogurt for a satiating protein and fiber blend. Or, get whimsical and recreate your favorite childhood snack of ants on a log.
