Cleaner Eating to Reduce Unnecessary Health Hiccups

Eating clean is a popular notion these days. We’re never sure how pre-prepared meals have been put together and eating in a restaurant presents the same challenges. Preparing our own food is a better bet if we can adjust our lifestyle to fit it into our daily schedule. When knowing what you’re eating and how it’ll affect your body, you can fuel up right and reduce problems that arise when ingesting something that’s not good for you.

Here are a few options to eat cleaner in different ways.

Ketogenic Diet to Manage Sugar & Weight Levels

A ketogenic diet is cleaner than a regular eating plan because it reduces carbohydrates, which tends to reduce sugar intake, too. While sugar is most often converted to glucose and used for direct energy in the body, too much sugar potentially can overwhelm it and require the release of insulin to balance sugar levels in the bloodstream.

When eating meals that are ketogenic (and possibly taking healthy supplements from https://www.ketogenicsupplementreviews.com/ too) there aren’t the mood swings and sudden energy spikes followed by feeling tired with diets loaded with sugar. Fat is also burned more aggressively when sugar is less prevalent in the diet, leading to healthy weight loss.

Paleo Diet for Fewer Additives and Unknown Extras

The Paleo diet originated in the 1970s but has recently become very popular. The diet includes a higher amount of (lean) protein than most diets usually do. The fat intake is often higher thanks to the inclusion of cashews, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and pecan nuts. Vegetables grown above ground and tending to be starchier are commonly eaten.

A lot of the food is consumed either raw or lightly cooked. The idea with this diet is to limit the possible chemicals, additives, and other unwanted extras that sometimes come with other types of food. Paleo ingredients are often organic to avoid the additives too.

Beware of overeating due to portion size mismanagement and a limited choice of ingredients that fit Paleo diet requirements. People eating Paleo often must prepare food at home because there are few, if any, suitable restaurants in the local area. Health-conscious Californians have far more Paleo-serving restaurants than Oregon.

Smart Snacking Between Meals

Clean eating when snacking between meals to satiate hunger pangs is a major challenge on any diet plan. Avoiding sugar spikes is also important when working to keep the day on a more even keel. Sensible snacks can fit into a diet plan when planned in advance.

For instance, certain types of unsalted nuts match both Paleo and Ketogenic diet plans alike. They provide a good portion of protein and healthy oils, with limited carbs or sugars. Fruit is also good depending on what it is. Dried fruit can be okay, but review the ingredients to see whether sugar has been added and what the ingredient’s label says about how many grams of sugar is present.

Eating cleaner helps both reduce the number of health issues but also rules out several potential causes too. For doctors, this often makes it easier to diagnose an illness. Ultimately, food (and drink) can be either good or bad for you, depending on what it is and how much of it you’re consuming on a regular basis.

Posted in Fitness/Health, Weight Loss | Leave a comment

Alexander’s Market & Deli in Hamilton is NOW OPEN

You know I always get really excited when new restaurants open in my area – especially any where near work (because I’m really getting sick of the same ol’ lunch). So when I was invited to have dinner at Alexander’s Market & Deli in downtown Hamilton, I was psyched!

So Alexander’s is right across from the old beautiful courthouse on High Street – you can’t miss the courthouse, so keep your eyes peeled for this little gem of a deli. Parking can be a bit sparse, but just drive around the block or even park over at the courthouse and cross the street if you need to (there’s usually plenty of parking there).

So Alexander’s is kind of a cool hipster type deli – which honestly goes with the whole new downtown theme Hamilton is going for, so they fit right in. They serve soups, salads and sandwiches and let me tell you it makes for a perfect lunch spot. (Or dinner as I’m thinking I may stop by on my way home from work tomorrow!)

Now I am normally just a sandwich girl, salads aren’t something I usually eat for a main course (like bring on the Olive Garden/Larosa’s pre-dinner salad, but then bring me the main course ) but I will tell you my next visit to Alexander’s will exclusively be at the salad bar.

Chef Rachel’s skills are on point – I could of stuffed myself with all the salads (pasta salad, potato salad, garden salad and so much more!) but I had to save room to try their amazing soups and sandwiches. Now if you are ever in the need of some legit delish sides for an upcoming picnic or party, Alexander’s does offer catering (and I may or may not be tempted to pass off one of these mouthwatering sides as my own at our next family gathering,  so shhh, don’t tell anyone!)

So they have some really cool unique sandwiches that are Chef Rachel’s specialties and that are too good to pass up. The one pictured above is the Plucked & Pickled. It’s served on sourdough bread loaded with turkey, bacon, pickled red onions and a creamy spinach and artichoke spread. I’m not a super huge fan of pickled onions, but they were good on this sandwich.

This mouthwatering sandwich is the Hamiltonian – Pretzel bread (which is amazing) with roast beef, cheddar cheese, a creamy coleslaw and onion marmalade. This one was probably one of my favorites!

Last but not least, is the Italian – served on a ciabatta roll and filled with ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce tomato, pickled red onions and a spicy garlic dressing. This was definitely a runner up as a favorite, and my daughter liked this one a lot as well.

Alexander’s is officially open for business May 1st with hours of operation as follows:
Monday – Friday 7:00a-7:00p
Saturday 9:00a-2:00p
Sunday: Closed

So stop by for lunch as your shopping all the wonderful new shops in Hamilton, or even call ahead and order to go if you need to! This is definitely a new happening place you don’t want to miss out on.
(I am hoping they partner with Door Dash soon so I can have it delivered to my office -I will have everyone addicted!!)

 

 

 

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Avengers: Infinity War – Tears, Laughter, Hope and Heartbreak

So I just home of from a screening of Infinity War – and to be honest, I am at loss for words. So lets start with a quick synopsis of what Infinity War is all about.

The Avengers, (along with Guardians of the Galaxy, Spiderman, Doctor Strange, the people of Wakanda, and more) unite to fight the powerful evil Thanos. Thanos plans to collect all six Infinity Stones and use them to change the fate of the world to his own twisted plan. So the fate of the planet and humanity itself is up to the Avengers (and friends) – and it’s quite a fight.

So without giving any spoilers – here’s what I will say.

If you love Avengers (or even just specific Avengers) you MUST go see this movie. When I say tears, laughter, hope and heartbreak – I mean it. Like the emotions I went through sitting through this two and a half hour movie – let’s just say I am ready for bed. It exhausted me.

As far as if it’s appropriate for children – if your kids have watched all the other super hero movies, I think you are fine. It is a bit more action packed, maybe a bit more blood/death than other super hero movies, and I did notice a few more curse words than in previous Avenger movies, but my 9 year old son and 7 year old nephew will definitely be seeing it this weekend. If your child is a bit younger and more sensitive, you may be better off waiting until it’s on DVD and not seeing it in surround sound. I did warn the boys to bring tissues! EVERYONE TAKE TISSUES!

Now everyone knows there is death in this movie the rumors have been going around from one Avenger dying, to only one being left; and the movie is very heartbreaking, like I-just-might-have-been-crying-into-my-hoodie-crying, however, I have my theories that maybe everything isn’t what it seems; or that there is a way to reverse what’s happened (??) or Marvel shot themselves in the foot and if that’s the case I think I may retire my Marvel power mindset and move on to  D.C. heroes.

Avengers: Infinity War opens in theaters April 27th! 

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Hands-On Fun at Newport Aquarium

I received complimentary tickets in exchange for my honest opinion.

Living where we do, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by a ton of fun (and educational) places to visit. One of my kids favorite spots to go is the Newport Aquarium located in Newport Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati.  Newport has a lot to offer as a whole (tons of restaurants, stores, and entertainment) but the aquarium  definitely takes center stage.

My favorite part about the aquarium (besides the shark bridge of course) is all the hands-on fun that everyone can have! They’ve always had starfish and some small sharks that you could reach in and touch (which is actually really hilarious to watch other people sometimes – ones who have never had experience with aquatic wildlife – they totally freak and its quite entertaining!) My kids always pull their sleeves up and dive right in. They love the water (we love the ocean) , so this is like a remembrance of a boat trip on vacation.

Recently however, they’ve added the Stingray Hideaway which I could hardly get my kids to leave! It was actually a really amazing area to hang out in, with a 17,000 gallon pool to home all the friendly stingrays!

  I think we spent the majority of our time just playing with the stingrays – they are super friendly, and everyone had such a good time touching them (though they are a little slimy!)

I think right now this is probably the most popular area at the aquarium – for good reason! It’s also nice and tropical, plenty of sunshine, and just a lot of fun to hang out in.

They also have some new creatures to watch – like the Ring of Fire: World of the Octopus – (which was by the way, totally awesome as well)

The Newport Aquarium 9 a.m. to 6 p.m most days – with special shows and presentations throughout the day (check the schedule here so you don’t miss anything!)

Purchase tickets – or even look into buying a season pass – online to avoid the lines (so you can spend more time exploring!)

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What is Cost of Attendance (COA) in College Education?

Cost of attending college, or COA, is the total sum you will spend on your college education, including tuition, room and boarding, books and supplies, travel costs, personal expenses and miscellaneous fees and charges. Understanding what’s included in the yearly cost of attending a particular college is the right way to go when in the planning phase.

As tuition is only a part of your college costs, you need to take into account all other additional expenses when estimating the total sum you’ll need to pay for college. If you’re applying for a loan, whether federal or private, having an estimate at hand will help you make the right decision so you don’t end up short of funds midway through school. While federal loans have certain advantages, they may cover only your tuition and not the entire cost of attending school, in which case you may need to explore a Federal PLUS loan or a private student loan.

Figuring out the Cost of Attendance

If you’re coming across varying information online about the yearly fees of a particular school, it could be because of the way those sources are calculating the fees. Of course, one of the best sources to get an idea of the average COA is the school’s website; however, do consider if the portal has been updated recently, and connect with existing and past students to know about costs that may not all included in the school’s list.

While all of the items listed under COA are not to be paid to your college, by providing this information they try to give you a fair estimate of all possible costs you will incur during your time at school. Typically, a college will include a detailed list of the costs (given below) included to arrive at the average yearly COA. If you applied for financial aid, your award letter will provide estimates specific to your admission.

Standard Inclusions in Cost of Attendance

Tuition: This is the cost of accessing education at a college, or, in simpler terms, the sum you will pay to study at the institution.

Administrative fees: These include specific expenses you will need to incur in addition to tuition, such as admission processing fees, fees toward student activities, event-related fees, club access fees, and so on.

Room & board: You will pay this sumif you choose to live and have meals on campus, which may be a good idea in your freshman year, or at least the first semester. Once you have become accustomed to your new surroundings and have made friends, you can choose to move out to live off campus, which will likely save you a significant amount on yearly accommodation and meals.

Do note that, one, most colleges do not give freshmen the option to forego on-campus room and dining, and, two, your college will offer housing and meal plans at various prices so you can choose one that you can afford. Also consider that living off campus may increase your daily travel costs. So compare both and then take a decision.

Books & supplies: Textbooks, notebooks, and materials will be an ongoing expense. While the college won’t bill this cost to you, including this item in your COA ensures you won’t overlook this important cost when planning your finances.

Transportation: If you’re going to a college in your city, you’ll incur a daily travel expense, which you can cut down by using any student discounts available on public transport. In preparing the cost of attendance colleges generally include the cost of travel home on mandatory breaks. Recreational travel is not included in this estimate.

Miscellaneous living expenses: These generally include living and other expenses not covered under above heads, such as personal care, clothing, items purchased for personal use (a study lamp or a speaker, for instance), leisure and entertainment, and other activity-related costs. This, of course, is a fluid cost and one component of your COA that you can control.

Fines, if any: These will not find a place in the cost of attendance estimate provided by your college, but they should be taken into account nonetheless. Library fines and any other fines accrued during a term make up this component; again, these are costs you can eliminate by following the school’s guidelines with regard to penalties and fines.

If you’ve maxed out your federal loans, explore private student loans to cover the variable costs associated with your university education. Private loans are particularly worth exploring if you’re going to take up a graduate course and if you have a steady income and good credit history.

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