Did You Know...

 Rinsing or submerging a cut avocado in cold water helps keep it from turning brown.. 

Nutrition  

Making the best of a hot dog.  Eating clean doesn't have to mean grilled chicken at every outing.  Learn how to pick a healthier dog, and enjoy the day knowing you made a smarter choice.  Here are a few tips to make this meal a little healthier. 

Avoid nitrates & nitrites.  Sodium nitrite or nitrate, which is added to extend shelf life,  has been linked to increased cancer risk.  Check ingredient list to avoid these additives.  Same taste, less cancer, done deal. 

Lower fat hot dog can taste just as good as the over saturated ones.  Look for hot dog with around 3g fat to drop total calorie content. 

Salt content can reach over 500mg per dog.  Keep in mind that condiments add even more sodium.  Aim for 300mg or less, you'll be feeling less puffy in the morning. 

Organic hot dog are a great choice.  Animals aren't treated with antibiotics or hormones, and are nitrite and nitrate free. 

Whole wheat buns may take a little more searching for, but worth the effort.  Increased fiber will help you maintain a more level blood sugar, and keep you full longer.  White buns, frankly, just don't contribute much to your nutritional needs.  As my mom always said "the whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead". 

Natural Health 

Recharge and focus with the help of essential oils.   Essential oils such as Organic Aura Cacia, are concentrated essences from plants.  Oils such as peppermint, rosemary, lemon and bergamot help to enhance focus and memory.  Keep these tiny bottles in your desk for a little afternoon pick-me-up.   

There is actually an art to experiencing essential oils.  Aura Cacia has a 6-step process to using them for a full experience. 

1-Put 1 to 3 drops of oil onto a sturdy absorbent paper, cardstock, or professional test strip.

2-Wait momentarily for the oil to absorb.

3-Focus, remove distractions and concentrate on the smell.  Bring the paper just under your nose. 

4-Slowly inhale as you draw the paper horizontally just below your nose.

5-Recharge.  Take some rapid short breaths away from the paper to refresh your senses.

6-Once the paper has dried out, repeat steps 3-5. 

Exercise

Looking for a little excitement in your exercise?  Try doing the Warrior Dash.  A little more intense than your typical run.  Warrior dash has expanded across the United States, a race in which you not only sweat, but get covered in mud.  During this 3 mile run there are some pretty wild obstacles, helping to make it feel more like 10 miles.  After making it through Hell's Hill and Knee High Hell, they throw something like Muddy Mayhem in your way.  Each course differs.  Last year we ran the course in NY on a ski slope, tomorrow is new territory up in Amesbury, MA.  Check out www.warriordash.com for races near you. 

Here is a picture of some of us at the Warrior Roast...Thank goodness Rachels pink wig got soaked in the iced slide bath.