Wellness | Health & Wellness

Pop Quiz: Peggy Fleming

Peggy 1 200x300 Pop Quiz: Peggy Fleming Growing up, Peggy Fleming was a household name — she won the United States their only gold medal at the 1968 Olympics for figure skating and is a true American idol. A survey by the Associated Press in 1993 ranked her as the 3rd most popular athlete in America.

No stranger to cold climates, Peggy has teamed up with Robitussin during cold and flu season. I chatted with her for a quick pop quiz to learn more about what she’s up to these days.

Lolita Carrico: How do you balance your career with your personal life?
Peggy Fleming: I always keep a close eye on my calendar so I can be sure to balance time with my family, find time to stay in shape, or do whatever I need to do for my work.

LC: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a girlfriend?
PF: Take time for yourself. Go on trips that you want to go on. I have a friend who is teaching us the art of goofing off! We’re learning that it’s ok to have a day to not do anything. You feel refreshed and come back with new energy.

LC: What gadget can’t you live without?
PF: I mean, how did we ever get by without a cell phone? I also like my electric toothbrush!

LC: What are two of your favorite beauty product must-haves?
PF: Just two? Moisturizer and eyeliner.

LC: Tell us about the Simple Acts of Relief campaign and your involvement.
PF: I have teamed up with Robitussin to help spread the word about the Simple Acts of Relief program which is giving away 100,000 simple acts of relief over the next 100 toughest days of the cold and flu season, including a grand prize of $100,000! To help kick things off Robitussin is also providing a special offer to people whose name is or sounds like one of the cold symptoms that they treat – like Fleming, which lucky me!, sounds like phlegm. You can register for both online by visiting www.SimpleActsofRelief.com.

Gloss Find: Caltrate Gummy Bites

41gi72xseYL 207x300 Gloss Find: Caltrate Gummy Bites We’ve talked a bit about the benefits of Vitamin D and it’s importance as far as calcium absorption to ward off osteoporosis. Recent news has also touted the benefits of Vitamin D for breast health, diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight and heart disease. But remembering to take my daily multi-vitamin is hard enough…let alone adding calcium and Vitamin D supplements.

Enter Caltrate Gummy Bites. Gummy vitamins aren’t only for the kids anymore! These tasty supplements give you 1000mg of calcium and 1600 IU of Vitamin D in the form of four little candies, which beats eating a pound of almonds or 8 ounces of sardines each day to get the same amount of nutrients.

I stash the Gummy Bites in my desk and have a couple mid-day after lunch as a treat and then two more before dinner.

Caltrate Gummy Bites – $12.99 for 50 at drugstores nationwide or at Walgreens.com

Celiac Disease: Eating Well While Avoiding Gluten

gluten free foods 300x200 Celiac Disease: Eating Well While Avoiding Gluten Though most of you probably didn’t know, Tuesday (September 13th) was Celiac Awareness Day — an effort shining a light on Celiac Disease, a growing issue facing a number of Americans.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food when a person affected consumes gluten (the protein found in wheat, barley and rye). When untreated, people with celiac disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and cancer.

As more Americans become aware of their gluten intolerance — symptoms of Celiac Disease range from gas and bloating to fatigue to tingling in the hands and feet — more products labeled “Gluten-Free” are hitting the shelves. We spoke with Alice Bast, Founder and President of The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness about Celiac Disease, how to detect and manage it and how to enjoy foods while staying healthy.

Lolita Carrico: I know many adults with Celiac disease – and the statistics suggest more than 3 million Americans suffer from it, but what about Celiac disease in children – what percentage of the 3 million are children?

Alice Bast: The 3 million figure takes into account children and the good news is that Celiac Disease is easiest to diagnose in childhood. However, of the 3 million Americans who have Celiac Disease, only 5% are aware of their condition. 95% of American’s are not diagnosed so we’re hoping to raise awareness so people that have the symptoms get tested.

Lolita Carrico: There are so many more gluten-free options available at the markets now, which is wonderful, but what about in restaurants – is it tricky for those that have Celiac disease to navigate menus since some ingredients in sauces, etc. can have gluten?

Alice Bast: That’s an important question — because so many people think that the absence of wheat means gluten-free, asking your waiter at a restaurant if a menu item is gluten-free isn’t always going to result in an accurate answer. The best advice is to call ahead to the restaurant and specifically ask what menu items are truly gluten-free before you go. Also, ethnic restaurants like Indian and Thai offer mostly gluten-free meals.

Lolita Carrico: What’s your best advice for someone newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease?

Alice Best: Focus on the positive! Think about all the foods you can eat — everything around the perimeter of the supermarket is usually gluten-free and think of all those foods! And as far as starches, potatoes and rice are always on the approved list.

Lolita Carrico: You’re working with Post Cereals and their Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles brands because they’re great once-in-a-while treats that are gluten-free. We got some great recipe ideas from Post – like Cocoa Crunch bars (recipe below) which are great ideas for gluten-free treats for kids (and adults!). Are there other ideas you can offer?

Alice Bast: There are many recipes on the CeliacCentral.org site from desserts and treats to ethnic meals.

Cocoa Pebbles Crunch Bars

5 cups Cocoa Pebbles
2/3 cups snowflake coconut
½ cup nonfat milk powder
1 cup mini marshmallows
2 sticks butter, melted
¾ cup dulce de leche or other caramel sauce

DIRECTIONS

PREHEAT oven to 325F.
Mix cereal, coconut, marshmallows and butter.
Press firmly into a greased 6-inch square baking pan.

BAKE 25 minutes.
Hot out of the oven, drizzle caramel sauce over bars.
Cool completely.
Cut into 24 bars to serve.

*Makes two dozen bars.

TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
Use small molds –muffin pans or other shape –metal or silicone –to make individual Cocoa Pebbles Crunch Bars.Use Fruity Pebbles and sweetened condensed milk in place of Cocoa Pebbles and caramel sauce.Stud the caramel sauce with your favorite nuts.

Giveaway: Enjoy a Meatless Monday with a HUGE CalNaturale Prize Package!

I’ve been a BIG fan of CalNaturale Svelte drinks since they sent me a huge care package this past Fashion Week, and helped me stay nourished the entire week — and even moderately healthy. This doesn’t happen often that week, and I discovered I was even more a fan when the week ended than when it began.

Available in four different flavors – french vanilla, cappuccino, chocolate, and spiced chai – these drinks are delicious and filling and super-easy to carry — but they are also incredibly good for you — they are non-dairy, gluten free, have an organic soymilk base, and are made with all-natural and more than 85% organic ingredients. It’s super-energy-causing too, it has 16 grams of protein and provides 32% of your DRV of fiber per serving.

Certified organic and providing tons of protein and fiber, CalNaturale Svelte realizes the importance of being green all year long, which is why they choose all-natural, organic ingredients and eco-friendly/100% recyclable Tetra Pak containers for their protein shakes.

svelteGiveaway meatless sm Giveaway: Enjoy a Meatless Monday with a HUGE CalNaturale Prize Package! In celebration of Earth Month, CalNaturale Svelte has been hosting a giveaway every Monday on their Facebook page (the last one is this Monday!) for those who do their part to make our Earth cleaner and greener, and we will also be giving away one of the fabulous prize packs right here!

Simply tell me about a lifestyle change you have made to help the planet via a tweet (send it to @alywalansky — you must also be following me!) for a chance to win the following incredible prize pack:

Meatless Monday Cookbook
· To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set
· Whole Foods Gift Card ($50)
· Branded tote bag
· Svelte product (1 case of each flavor)

This giveaway runs through April 29 at 11:59 PM EST. A Winner will be chosen and notified by e-mail, and the prize will be shipped direct to the winner by CalNaturale.

To learn more about CalNaturale Svelte, please visit http://sveltebrand.com

2011 Resolutions: Have More (and Better) Sex

Do not judge, it’s your resolution at as well.

Every January, I write a mile long list of huge changes I want to make in my life — get skinny, get rich, have great hair, etc. By the next day, I break most my resolutions, and then I give up and go hurling in the other direction.

With that in mind, I figured I’d present some resolutions that are actually doable, sustainable, and well… fun!

bettersex 300x206 2011 Resolutions: Have More (and Better) Sex Kicking us off is something we all like… sex!

While I can’t improve your partner, or lack thereof, I can suggest some products to liven things up!

*Boom chicka wow wow!*

1 – Add Magic Personal Lubricant ($10)
2 – Turn Me On Vibrating Panties ($99)
3 – TROJAN® Her Pleasure™ ECSTASY™ Lubricated Condoms ($10)
4 – Paul Seville Black Vanity Spanking Paddle (£75)
5 – I.D. Sarrieri Vintage Style Bustier ($328)
6 – Laura Mercier ‘Crème Brûlée’ Candle ($32)
7 – French Lesson Panty Set ($295)
8 – Boyfriend Shirt ($295)
9 – Gold Handcuffs ($350)
10 – Lace Beaded Blindfold ($195)
11 – The Highest Heel Women’s Maribou Mule ($42)
12 – Lelo Alia Massager (£76)
13 – Sheer Dot Babydoll ($38)
14 – Stay Up Fishnet Stockings with Back Seam ($12)

Gloss How-To: Prevent the Flu — and Don’t Believe the Lies (plus a flu shot giveaway!)

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? You still can — and here’s some things to consider if you are on the fence:

Myth #1: Getting a flu shot will make me sick.

flu vaccine 300x225 Gloss How To: Prevent the Flu and Dont Believe the Lies (plus a flu shot giveaway!) Truth: It’s impossible to catch the flu from the vaccine. The injectable “flu shot” contains viruses that are inactive, so it can’t give you the flu. Because flu season typically coincides with cough and cold season, people may mistake cold symptoms for similar flu symptoms.

Myth #2: Only older people need to get vaccinated.

Truth: This flu season, for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending seasonal flu vaccination for everyone age six months and older. This means you – and your family – should get vaccinated.

Myth #3: I don’t know anybody who’s gotten the flu yet, so I can wait to get a shot.

Truth: Seasonal flu outbreaks can begin as early as October. It’s best to get a flu shot as early as possible, since your body takes about two weeks to build up its defenses.

Myth #4: I don’t need to get a flu shot, because I never get sick.

Truth: Flu strains change each year. Even if you haven’t gotten the flu in the past, you may not be immune to this year’s strains. Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Myth #5: I don’t have the time to get vaccinated.

Truth: A CVS/pharmacy survey found that 41% of respondents would prefer to get a flu shot on Friday or the weekend. Fortunately, getting vaccinated doesn’t require a trip to the doctor or time off work. The “My Flu Shot Scheduler,” available at CVS.com/flu, allows you to make an appointment at your nearest CVS/pharmacy. And flu vaccines are available without an appointment at more than 500 MinuteClinic locations nationwide, where shots are administered by Nurse Practitioners.

Myth #6: I got vaccinated last year, so I’m already protected.

Truth: Even if you got vaccinated last year, the “all-in-one” flu shot this season protects you and your family against all three flu strains expected this year, including H1N1 and the new strain H3N2.

Myth #7: The flu isn’t that serious.

Truth: The flu can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications. Getting vaccinated is an easy way to protect yourself and your family.

For more tips on flu, visit www.CVS.com/flu.

And here’s something else exciting — or as exciting as getting an injection can be — FIVE readers will win a gift card good for a free flu shot at any CVS! To have your chance to win, follow and Tweet me on twitter at @alywalansky – and tell me about the sickest bout of the flu you’ve ever had. Deadline to enter – January 25!

Quick and Easy Ways to Have More Energy

tiredwoman 199x300 Quick and Easy Ways to Have More Energy Almost all of us could use some more energy to get through our busy days — but how can we find it? Here are some simple tips to try to increase your energy level and feel better:

1. Cut the mochaccino! One cup of the fat-laden caffeinated coffee will weigh you down, not perk you up! Have a cafe latte instead…with nonfat milk. It’s a much healthier choice.

2. Trade your croissant for a cup of cereal. Sure, a croissant is easy to grab as you commute to work, but here’s a better strategy: grab your favorite nonfat sugar-free yogurt and stir a half-cup of your favorite cereal into it. Take that to work, and enjoy a fraction of the calories and fat, and a whole lot more good nutrition!

3. For you Moms…watch out for the kiddies! Many moms go around after their kids, eating what the kids leave over…not realizing all the extra calories they’re taking in. Serve the kids healthy food, and either save the leftovers or throw them out!

4. For more energy, eat every 2-3 hours…it doesn’t have to be something big or caloric…just something small to keep your energy levels up. Try keeping small containers of nonfat or low fat yogurt and cottage cheese in your office or home refrigerator for a quick snack. Fruit is a good snack, as are cut up crunchy veggies, such as carrots and peppers. Three cups of air-popped popcorn has only about 50 calories, and a sugar free hot chocolate has about the same!

5. Take a walk! Get your engine revved up first thing in the morning…for the rest of the day you’ll feel more energetic, and you’ll know that you’ve accomplished a goal.

About the Author:

Registered and Licensed Dietitian Susan Burke March, MS, CDE, is a dynamic speaker, accomplished author, enthusiastic media representative, and committed professional counselor dedicated to helping people learn strategies to improve their health and accomplish their weight goals. She is the author of “Making Weight Control Second Nature: Living Thin Naturally,” which offers a wealth of practical information, tips and strategies for people who are serious about taking control of their health, fad-free, for life. She may be reached online at www.SusanBurkeMarch.com.

Get Fit While You Shop! Tips to De-Stress and Shape Up

shopfit 300x199 Get Fit While You Shop! Tips to De Stress and Shape Up Holiday shopping can take a lot out of us — the rushing around, searching for gifts and then waiting in long times takes up a lot of time and energy. And, can be stressful! So, how about maximizing your shopping experiences to get stronger and relieve stress?

These tips will help burn more calories, create stronger muscles and will remove tension while shopping.

1. When standing in long lines, be productive and focus on standing evenly on both feet. Standing equally on both feet engages your larger muscles such as your glutes and hips along with your core and improves your balance. Larger muscles burn more calories than smaller ones. So using them more often is a crucial part of being fit.

2. Squat when looking at items on low shelves versus bending at your waist. Strengthen your legs and save your back. It may not seem like much, but doing this through out your shopping experience can add up to a full leg workout.

3. Park further away at the stores! Stand tall, relax your shoulders and walk with a purpose!! Burn some calories while saving the stress of looking for a closer spot.

4. If shopping online and using a laptop, put your laptop on a high surface and stand while browsing. Standing also engages larger muscles in your body so that you can burn more calories. If you’re really motivated, you can can lift one leg to the side and alternate while waiting for your orders to process!

5. If fellow shoppers are driving you crazy remember… exhale!! People hold their breath when they are tense or begin shallow breathing. If you notice that your neck and shoulders are tight, you most likely fit into this category. Breathing well helps your metabolism by efficiently using and increasing the oxygen that go to your cells. When tension is high, the simplest and most beneficial thing you can do for your body is to remember to breathe!