Lean, green, and packed with vitamins and minerals, asparagus stands as spring’s most powerful veggie. Low in fat and calories — one cup has less than 30 calories — but high in fiber, asparagus boasts vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, plus copper, calcium, folate, and iron. It’s also anti-inflammatory, has powerful antioxidant properties, and works […]
“There was fun 80s music playing and the doctor and I talked the whole time that he was doing my surgery,” Stephanie Delorm of Vernon Hills says cheerfully about her recent hand surgery. When given the choice between general and local anesthesia, Delorm opted for the local, which meant she would be awake throughout the […]
You know squats tone your legs and crunches target your core. But what workouts are best for your heart? The short answer: aerobic exercises, aka cardio. That’s because aerobic exercise can decrease inflammation, which lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, or fatty buildups in the arteries that can eventually lead to heart disease, according to researchers. […]
Every day, women in their forties tell Dr. Lauren Streicher that they aren’t sleeping well, are feeling moodier than usual, and that they, along with their partners, are frustrated by their low libido. They want an explanation for what’s happening to their bodies, and she has one: perimenopause. North American Menopause Society defines perimenopause as […]
Have you decided to start the new year by committing to overcome a harmful addiction? One of the greatest challenges faced by those in recovery is dealing with the feelings of deprivation. Suddenly, there are things you must say no to — and a lot of them. It can feel unfair to lead what seems like […]
With the holidays behind us, it’s officially time to take a deep, long breath. To celebrate this blissful season of R&R, we asked local small business owners to share how they slow their roll. Scott Friedland, shopkeeper at Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square “I wake up when I wake up — no alarms allowed — and […]
Updated Jan. 8, 2019 Regularly engaging in stress-reducing mental exercises is like an emotional detox, disrupting habitual negative thought patterns, promoting joy, and enabling the body to thrive. Regardless of your disposition, you can develop more positivity, nudging your emotional state in order to improve your health, by fostering “learned optimism” — a positive psychology […]
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh, especially when it comes to your fitness routine. Whether you’re looking for ways to work out at home (it’s seriously cold outside!), start training for a 5K, or want to be prepared to make the most of your outdoor workout come spring, […]
In an era of health buzzwords, fad diets that slip in and out of the limelight, and so-called superfoods, it becomes increasingly difficult to navigate the minefield of supposed “healthy eating.” One diet that continues to enjoy popularity is the detox diet, with variations tried and touted by celebrities from Oprah to Gwyneth Paltrow. But […]
Planning a healthy New Year’s resolution? Don’t get caught in the typical mad rush, changing your routine and crash dieting to lose weight, only to find that it’s not working for you. If you want this year to be different, use this quick guide to help identify what’s holding you back and set yourself up […]
