[Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Propel® for the You.Propelled Program]

If I wasn’t in good enough shape to be able to hike and explore places like the one in this picture – Silver Creek Falls, Oregon – I don’t know what I would do. My vacation earlier this month to the Pacific Northwest reminded me why I choose to live a healthy lifestyle. Of course, it’s not always easy. It’s a constant effort – you have to keep exercising and eating a healthy diet. Forever. So what motivates me to do this?

Yep. I’ve got a thing for chocolate!

But besides that little obsession, my biggest motivator to try to be healthy is my genes. Heart disease runs in my family and I want to do what I can to avoid it. Both my parents had high blood pressure. My father has had a heart attack. My mom died of a stroke. I may not be able to control my family history, but I can control my lifestyle.

Another motivator comes from all the years I spent as a TV News Health Reporter. After covering so many health issues for 15 years and interviewing hundreds of doctors and patients, I learned that your odds of preventing serious illnesses are better if you take care of your health.  Of course, there’s still a chance you could get very sick. But if that happens, at least you’ll know you’ve done all you can.

This was one of my favorite moments on my vacation – watching the sun set on a beach along the Oregon coast. Hearing the waves crash is so peaceful. I took a little time to relax and really soak it all in… and I remembered how much easier it is to experience everything life has to offer when you have your health.

Taking the time to enjoy nature always enhances my life. What about you? How did you enhance your life today? There’s a new community waiting to hear your thoughts and inspire you to get where you want to be. And you could win some cash while you’re at it, so check it out! Chime in every day at You.Propelled on DivineCaroline for a chance to win $5,000 to pursue your dream. The more friends you bring, the better your chances of winning.

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Hi there! I am on vacation in the beautiful Pacific Northwest this week, but I wanted to leave you with some Food for Thought:

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Do you workout to feel good or to look good? A new survey finds most dedicated fit people exercise for their health, rather than for their looks…  and they want to stay healthy for themselves and for their loved ones. Results also show, even the tough economy has not kept active people from skimping on their workouts.

What about you? Why do you exercise?

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If you’re hoping to get pregnant, you might want to watch what you eat early on. A new report shows a mother’s health and diet before conception may take its toll on the child’s health in the long run. Researchers say the effects of nutrition, like a high-fat diet or not getting enough vitamin B and folate, could leave your children with problems like obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.

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If you got an e-mail with tips on how to eat healthier foods and suggestions on how to exercise more often, do you think you’d be healthier? Some participants in a new study got e-mails with small goals, like eating fruit for a snack three times a week, walking for 10 minutes a day at lunch time, or walking to the store instead of driving. Results show the e-mails can significantly improve diet and exercise by helping people move more, sit less, and make healthier food choices.

Would e-mail intervention help you?

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How out of shape are kids in this country? A new study of 5th and 7th grade students in Georgia finds half of them didn’t reach the minimum standards for healthy aerobic fitness, and nearly a fourth of them quarter didn’t reach the goals for muscle fitness, endurance or flexibility.

Sadly, I’m not surprised.

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been trying to watch my wallet over the past few months, especially at the grocery store. So today’s guest post couldn’t have come at a better time. Registered dietitian, Heather K. Jones has some fantastic tips to help us all save a little cash – “Bargain Grocery Shopping” is from her eBook,
The Grocery Cart Makeover.

There’s no need to break a sweat at the grocery store checkout.  Adopting a healthy diet doesn’t have to mean taking out a second mortgage, and you don’t have to sacrifice good nutrition for a reasonable grocery bill, either.  I’ve collected a few smart strategies to help keep your receipt within reason.  Here’s how to beat inflation, one aisle at a time.

1. Wonders on the Web - Log into websites such as mygrocerydeals.com or your local grocery stores to find sales and coupons that you can use to plan your menu.

2. It’s Better in Bulk - From lean meat to whole grain cereal, buy larger portions of healthy foods on sale.  Portion it out when you get home, then freeze or store for later use. When is bulk buying not an economical choice?  There’s no savings in food that spoils before it is used.

3. Double Check Your Receipt - Grocery store workers are only human, and we all make mistakes. Before you leave the parking lot, look at your receipt to make sure you didn’t get overcharged or double charged for anything.  It happens more often than you’d think, and grocery store managers or customer service clerks are always happy to reimburse you.

4. Go Meatless - Sub beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, or peanut butter for meat 2-3 times a week, and you’ll likely see a downward trend in your grocery bill.  Meatless protein substitutes are often less expensive, and they’re good for your health, too.

5. Once and Done – Go more than once a week to the grocery store, and you’ll end up with expensive and empty-calorie extras you don’t need.  On the other hand, if you shop every other week, you won’t be able to stock up on healthy fresh foods like milk and produce.  Once a week is just right.

6. Go Alone - Whether it’s your sweetie or your toddler, bringing more people to the store makes it hard for you to stick to your list and can add up to extra bucks at checkout.

7.  Commit to the Basics - If you’re filling your cart with mostly processed, empty-calorie foods, your grocery bill will be outrageous.  Instead, commit to a cart full of healthy foods and leave the rest on the shelf—it’s a mindset that will save you money and keep your health on track.

8. Frrrrrrozen is Fabulous - When fresh produce isn’t in your budget, frozen fruit and vegetables are a great nutritious alternative.  Frozen produce is just as healthy, since the fruits and veggies are flash-frozen shortly after harvest, preserving the nutrients.  Same goes for canned vegetables without added salt, and fruit canned in their own juice.

9. Make a Menu - Build a weekly menu, then construct a grocery list based on the foods you need for your menu.  Shopping from a strategic list ensures avoiding extra trips to the store for forgotten items, and it also keeps your goals in clear view, cutting the temptation to buy extras not on your list.

10. Crazy for Coupons - Clipping coupons can add up to big savings.  A savings of $10 per week adds up to a savings of $80 over two months.  Just think what you can buy with your “found” $80!  Just be sure you need what you buy with coupons.  For double savings, pair your coupons with a weekly store sale and bag serious bargains.

11. Be Loyal - Most grocery stores have loyalty programs—join and receive personalized savings on the things you buy the most.  Some stores even offer discounts on gas, free movie tickets, airline miles, and beyond!

12. Plan for Leftovers - Leftovers that are planned can be recycled into another meal, saving you from purchasing ingredients for another menu.  For example, leftovers from tonight’s grilled chicken can top your salad tomorrow.

13. Be a Windowsill Gardener - Fresh herbs add flavor without fat and sodium, so use them generously. Buying fresh herbs in the grocery store can add up and tend to go bad faster than you can use them.  Why not buy a potted version and cultivate your own healthy garden?

14. Stock a Stash - When you have time, like on a weekend afternoon, cook up a batch of healthy soups, casseroles, or chili and load up your freezer.  Later, when you’re in a time pinch, you’ll avoid diet- and budget- busting convenience foods and have a homemade meal in minutes.

15.  Look High, Look Low - Some grocery stores stock their most expensive items at eye level, so scope the shelves up and down where you’re likely to find the less expensive store brands and sale items. Store brand secret:  Generic replicas are often made by the “name brand” companies.

Remember, what you put in your cart is like making a smart investment.  While junk food is risky, healthy foods are a safe bet for the long term (i.e. your life). That extra dollar you spend on good-for-you foods is money well spent.  In the end, filling your cart with healthy picks is a much better bargain then filling it with junk.

###

Anybody else have any money-saving tips?

Check out the Grocery Cart Makeover here.

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Are you making yourself sick just thinking about finding the time to be healthier? Surely you can spare five minutes here and there, right? Here are five quick ways to get you on your way to better health.

Ditch the drugs
Go through your medicine cabinets and get rid of your expired medications. After the expiration date, drugs may not be as effective as they’re supposed to be and in some cases, they’re not safe either. But DO NOT flush them away. The American Pharmacists Association has guidelines here on how to toss those drugs safely.

Move it
You’ve probably heard a few ways to squeeze in more activity throughout your day like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking around your office for a few minutes when you can. Here’s another tip – next time you’re at work, leave something you need that day in your car – maybe your lunch or some important notes. After a couple hours of work, take a quick break and go get them. Walk to your car and back briskly. Oh, and take the stairs.

Exercise your brain
Research shows working out your brain can make you sharper and could also reduce the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Start a little Sudoku or a crossword puzzle after dinner or during your lunch break – you can always finish it later.

Stretch as you shower
It’s the perfect place, really. The hot water helps loosen up your muscles so you can get a good stretch. Stretch your hamstrings, quads, and arms. Maybe do a few shoulder rolls as you shampoo! You’ll feel less tension as you start your day.

Take a breather
Grab a quick minute to just close your eyes and focus on your breath. Count to 10 as you slowly inhale through your nose, thinking positive thoughts. Exhale through your mouth, again counting to 10. This time release all the tension and stress out of your body. Repeat if you have a few more seconds.

Since these are small changes, you won’t feel overwhelmed so you’re more likely to keep doing them. As they become second nature to you, gradually make more small healthy changes.

What quick things do you do to be healthier? Share them in the comments!

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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Pressing issues like the economic crisis, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan aren’t the only problems awaiting President Obama when he takes office today. Health experts urge him to take bold action to reverse the obesity epidemic or risk today’s children becoming the first generation of Americans to live shorter lives than their parents.

Nearly 100 prominent health organizations, physicians and nutrition experts sent a letter to Mr. Obama this month saying the government needs to take strong action to help curb the obesity problem. Groups involved include the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the American Heart Association, and the Obesity Society. You can see the letter here.

So, what do you think? Is it the government’s responsibility to do something to turn the obesity epidemic around or is it up to all of us as individuals? Would a campaign like the one in Britain work here?

And does knowing that President Obama is very much into fitness inspire others to want to get fit? Or will this picture of him looking – with all due respect – buff… motivate people?

[Photo Credit: barackobama.com]

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The first government survey of its kind finds one in 200 kids are vegetarian. The main reason those under age 18 are going meat-free? Concern for animals. The report says that concern may have something to do with watching YouTube videos that show animals getting slaughtered.

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