In the News

Healthy Lifestyle

As previously printed in Washington Life Magazine on June 2013.

Everyone is looking for advice on the best way to get on track for a healthy lifestyle. The answer is to make simple and positive changes to your diet. The best food options consist of the freshest and most seasonable fruits and vegetables paired with healthy proteins. These fresh, unprocessed foods can typically be found around the perimeter of the grocery store.

Tailoring a diet based on the freshest and most available produce is a great way to learn to enjoy certain fruits and vegetables in new, creative ways. June is National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month and some of the best choices this month include: blackberries, scallions, cherries, radishes, strawberries, and most leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, chard and spinach.

Trying out different cooking methods with vegetables and creating healthy desserts with fruit can also help keep smart eating flavorful and exciting. Saut ing and baking vegetables using extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and parmesan or feta cheese (hormone and antibiotic—free) is a great way to enjoy your greens. Mixing a variety of fruits into yogurt or even blending them into a smoothie creates interesting flavors with endless combinations.

In addition to fresh and healthy eating—get outdoors! Now that the weather is warm and sunny it’s time to start thinking about spending more time outside and less time inside to round out your healthy lifestyle. Take the dog for a walk, play outside with the kids, go for a run or even start swimming laps. Any amount of physical activity boosts your metabolism and your mood.

Some other simple yet helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Become a label reader. Know what is in the foods you are choosing
• Keep a food diary to track what you’re eating
• Start experimenting with new grains, produce and protein options to find new things that you like to eat
• Find healthy alternatives to sugars, wheat, gluten and dairy
• Be aware of what triggers your food choices: late night snacking, stress, etc.
• Begin an exercise program
• Get 6—8 hours of sleep each night
• Drink plenty of water
• Omit sugary drinks from your diet

Gina Snyder is the owner of Sunny Bridge Natural Foods Café & Catering in McMurray, PA. Gina is a health advocate and has a passion for clean and healthy eating. For healthy food alternatives and to purchase all the freshest produce each month, stop in to Sunny Bridge Natural Foods in McMurray, PA or visit the website at sunnybridgenaturalfoods.com for more healthy tips, tricks, recipes and more.