Fish Trumps Fish Oil...

As vital as omega-3s are, your body can't make these nutrients efficiently:  they have to be part of your diet.  And while fish oil supplements are hugely popular, research shows that they may not lower the risk of death from a heart attack, stoke or heart disease.  Your best bet is a rich food source, especially fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel!

Foods to Eat Before a Date...

Maybe I am concentrating on this because Bob and I are having a date night tomorrow for our 24th anniversary!

Nosh smartly before your big night and show up with high energy, a flat belly, and not a hint of nerves!  You want to look as fabulous as possible for every date, even if it’s with your husband and especially on a first date. And all that time you focus on putting together the right outfit, doing your hair and makeup could leave you with little time to think about what you’re eating.

Instead of reaching for anything—or worse, nothing—snack on foods that will help you shine tonight by flattening your stomach, boosting your energy, and eliminating every bit of anxiety. Go get him, girl.

Hummus and Celery - Celery is a natural diuretic (hello, flat belly) that’s low in calories with lots of fiber that will help keep you full going into a date!  Pair three large sticks with 2 tablespoons of hummus, which contains good-for-you monounsaturated fats that can help stabilize blood sugar to prevent unstable emotions.

Dark Chocolate - While regular consumption of dark chocolate can reduce levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and catecholamines (amino acids that trigger the “fight-or-flight” reaction), having a treat also immediately slashes anxiety. Chocolate may increase serotonin, the feel-happy neurotransmitter in the brain, which is probably why you experience that calm, satisfied feeling. Choose a bar that’s at least 70 percent cacao, and since just 1 ounce is 170 calories, be mindful of your portion size.

0% Greek Yogurt...

It's one of those foods you eat and think, "There's no way this is good for me." It feels so naughty to consume, but really, yogurt is a mega get-gorgeous food! Greek yogurt is packed with calcium and protein to help maintain those beautiful teeth (everyone loves a gorgeous grin). Yogurt also contains natural live active cultures or "good" bacteria that aid in digestion, help boost immunity, and mitigate the effects of lactose intolerance, leading to a flat and "happy" belly!  I don't need any excuses,  I love and can't get enough of yogurt!

Until Monday - Keep thinking veggies and protein!

Berry Good...

Another reason to love the berries! When you hit the farmers' market for the season's first crop of blueberries and strawberries, consider stocking up.  A new report in the journal Circulation shows that eating three or more 1/2-cup servings a week of either variety can reduce your risk of having a heat attack by up to 32 percent.  It's suspect that anthocynanins, a subclass of flavonoids found in the fruits' skin, help dilate arteries and counter the buildup of plaque.  That makes my summer's approach that much sweeter!

Would Adding Exercise Times to Menus Make You Order Healthier?

Seeing that a quarter-pound double cheeseburger clocks in at 520 calories may make you stop and think before you order it, but seeing that it would take you about 2 hours to briskly walk off your lunch may make you switch to a lighter option!  I would definitely think twice!