Healthy Living Archives - Melanie Young- Fearless Fabulous You!

How adding 20 pounds helped improve my sleep

On January 25, 2020 / Healthy Living, sleep

Being overweight can disrupt your sleep. But a weighted blanket may help you sleep more soundly. Weighted blankets are the latest buzz in sleep technology. They are designed to facilitate restful sleep by placing gentle pressure on the body. It has similar benefits to swaddling an infant to encourage calm and rest. A weighted blanked is a big body cuddle, and who doesn’t feel cozy and relaxed being cuddled? Is all the buzz a big snooze? Maybe not! According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are benefits to a weighted blanket such as: Increased serotonin. We all want more serotonin,

Are Antibiotics Making You Sick?

On July 24, 2019 / Healthy Living

Recent news reports indicate that diagnosis of colon cancer among individuals under the age of 50 has been steadily increasing. While one’s diet may be a contributing factor (among others), overuse of antibiotics may also be a problem. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk for colon cancer have their first colonoscopy starting at age 45. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. If colon cancer is not detected early, it can pose a greater health risk. That’s one reason an increase among young people being diagnosed who have not yet been screened is concerning. Medical and nutrition experts both agree

I Didn’t Sign Up for This

On April 23, 2019 / Healthy Living, Staying Grounded

Every day I receive dozens of emails from people and businesses I don’t know. I wonder, where did everyone I know go, and who are all these other people? I sign up for newsletters to stay in touch and enter contests to win trips. I sign up for one-time webinars to learn new things. I friend people who seem interesting online. But sometimes it gets to be too much. One contest submission to win a trip becomes a barrage of notices and ads. One webinar becomes a weekly entreaty to sign up for a class series or purchase coaching sessions. One

Is Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Really That Good for You?

On April 13, 2019 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living, Nutrition and Diet

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has debunked the theory that following an alkaline diet can improve your health and reduce your risk for cancer, stating, “What you eat can have a profound affect on your cancer risk, but the acidity or alkalinity of foods is not important. Instead, focus on making dietary choices that can truly affect your risk.” The AICR has launched a campaign to hep bust common myths and present science-based facts about cancer prevention. (link) As the recipient of numerous publicists’ pitches on the benefits of an alkaline diet, risks of high acid in your

Just Because It’s Good for You Doesn’t Mean It’s Right for You

On March 9, 2019 / Attitude Adjustment, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living

I am pitched on a range of products and protocols that are intended to be good for you. They claim to improve your health and well-being. I keep an open mind, but I always peer into the science behind the statements. I question, “How does this work for women of all ages and backgrounds and when does it not appropriate for someone?” I’ve been schooled in the “not one diet fits all” theory of healthy eating. There are general guidelines to follow: eat more plants, leaner protein, and better fats; consume less sugar and simple carbohydrates; avoid processed foods; drink

Vegetables for breakfast. Why not?

On March 8, 2019 / Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, food and drink, Healthy Living

I like savory breakfasts. I’m not talking about bacon, sausage and eggs. I like vegetables for breakfast- sautéed mushrooms and spinach with a poached or hard boiled egg, roasted beets in my Greek yogurt, warmed-up leftover vegetables over toast, or kale or spinach smoothies with berries. I even like a cup of vegetable soup for breakfast. My physician recently informed me my blood sugar and cholesterol levels are slightly elevated. I know this means further editing to my diet, moving more and keeping stress levels in check. The start of the day is a great place to start. Various studies have shown the benefits of eating a

The Joy of Solitude

On February 13, 2019 / Attitude Adjustment, Happiness, Healthy Living

This is a love note to all the single ladies. I was once among you for many years. Sometimes I feel among you again. My husband travels quite a bit to drink wine in far-off locales. There are many joys of solitude that I have rediscovered when David is away. Some of them apply to the joys of solo travel as well. Here are a few: You can eat what you want and when you want. Dinner does not have to be on the table at a certain time. You can eat dessert for breakfast and breakfast for dinner,

Silenced! Well, Not Really!

On January 31, 2019 / Healthy Living

Mother Nature has played a nasty trick on me. She robbed me of my voice. Dry, frigid winter air is playing tricks on my vocal chords. The doctor calls it “asthmatic bronchitis.” After five days, I call it a nuisance but have learned that a sense of humor is the best medicine of all. It’s tricky. I host radio shows and talk for a living. I enjoy speaking my mind. My husband must be enjoying the quiet. Thankfully, I can communicate through my writing. I’ve tried all the remedies Facebook friends have suggested. Here are a few and my thoughts: Chicken soup. Called “Jewish penicillin,”

Don’t Toss These Out!

On January 24, 2019 / Cooking Tips, Healthy Living, Zero Waste Living

I am a believer in zero-waste cooking I grew up in a house where food was regularly thrown away. It drove me crazy! That’s why I recommend books like Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking with Scraps: Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, and Stems into Delicious Meals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly half of America’s food supply is wasted, around 133 billion pounds. Wasting food is a waste of money, but it also hurts the environment because food dumped into landfills produces methane gas, a big contributor to global warming. Why waste food if you can repurpose it? Canned food

Flab Friday – Walking It Off

On November 27, 2018 / Healthy Living

While thousands of Americans dashed for the stores as soon as doors opened to take advantage of after-Thanksgiving Black Friday Sales, I made a dash for the out-of-doors to get some fresh air and work off the remains of the feast. I called it “Flab Friday.” My goal was instant and visible reduction in the heaviness and lethargy I felt after drinking so much great wine from our cellar with my vegetarian “sides.” David is still devouring his turkey- for- one. My Walk Away Weekend continued with brisk daily walks despite the frigid temperatures and a temporary halt on wine

Just Chew It! Digest These Tips

On November 21, 2018 / Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living

Let’s face it. We’re all going to over-indulge this Thanksgiving. It’s the national day of giving thanks and stuffing….your mouth. Rather than ruminate over calories, just try to adjust the quantity of what you eat and enjoy more leftovers for the weekend. Consider hosting a Thanksgiving leftovers potluck party and invite friends to bring over theirs. Or, freeze leftovers and reuse later in the winter. My husband is actually un-thawing last year’s Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and stuffing as I write this. It’s just us two this year at the table, so we are having a hybrid “Thawsgiving” combined with some

Probiotics Versus Enzymes: Digesting the Difference

On September 24, 2018 / Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living, Nutrition and Diet

Many women experience digestive issues during different times of their lives. Taking birth control pills or antibiotics, dealing with chronic stress, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep and an imbalanced diet are just a few reasons. You may have read or heard about the benefits of taking probiotics and enzymes for your digestive health. But do you know the difference? Here is a short explanation. Probiotics are living bacteria that the human body needs but does not produce. Probiotics help support your digestive system to help it function properly. Since the human body does not produce probiotics, you need to consume