| How to Choose Snacks That Help Control Blood Sugar Posted: 11 Jun 2017 05:00 PM PDT Choosing snacks that help control blood sugar is an important part of managing your health. This can be especially important if you are diabetic and your body struggles to maintain blood sugar levels. Snacks that are low in carbohydrates, like vegetables, nuts, and seeds are all good choices. You can also utilize your snacking time to get extra servings of greens by reaching for a handful of kale chips or a green smoothie. Pairing high-fiber carbohydrates with healthy protein sources is also a great way to control your blood sugar. EditReaching for a Low Carbohydrate Snack - Talk to your doctor. Before you make any changes to your diet, you should consult a medical professional. This is especially important if you are dealing with a chronic health condition like diabetes. Ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help you learn what foods are right for managing your condition.
- Snack at the right time. Eating snacks between meals can help keep your blood sugar levels normal. Snacks should be eaten either two hours before or two hours after a meal. You should avoid eating snacks at night.
- Reach for raw vegetables. Raw vegetables that are low in carbohydrates are an easy and healthy snack if you're looking to control your blood sugar. Try vegetables like cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery sticks. If you want to add a little flavor, try dipping them in plain Greek yogurt.[1]
- Grab a piece of fruit. Fruits are good snack choices, but you should limit how much you eat as fruits are not low in carbs. If you are diabetic and looking to control your blood sugar, you should eat fruit in 15 gram portions. Try snacking on a medium apple, half a banana, or a cup of watermelon balls.[2]
- Snack on nuts and seeds. Seeds and nuts are high in calories and low in carbohydrates. This makes them a great snacking option if you are trying to control your blood sugar. Try snacking on a handful of peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. Make sure you opt for nuts and seeds that do not have added sugar or salt.[3]
- If you are allergic to legumes, peanuts or tree nuts, you should avoid eating peanuts, tree nuts, or other foods that you are sensitive to.
- Some flavored nuts, such as honey roasted peanuts or cinnamon sugar almonds, are not good choices as they have added sugar and salt.
EditPairing High-Fiber Carbohydrates with Protein - Go for Greek yogurt and fruit. If you're looking for an easy snack that will help you control your blood sugar while giving you a boost of protein, Greek yogurt is a great choice. It is higher in protein and healthy bacteria than other types of yogurt. Opt for plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and top it with half a cup of berries, bananas, or your favorite fresh fruit.[4]
- Reach for hummus and veggies. Hummus is a dip that is traditionally made with chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini (sesame seed paste), and olive oil. You can make your own at home with a blender, or buy different flavors at the grocery store like lemon, olive, or roasted red pepper. Dip high-fiber vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, or zucchini in a couple of tablespoons of hummus for an easy snack.[5]
- Try tuna on whole grain crackers. Tuna is a protein-rich snack option that is also high in omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Try plain tuna on top of a whole-wheat cracker. You can also make a tuna salad with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and lemon.[6]
- Pair apples with nut butter. Adding peanut, almond, or walnut butter to an apple is a great way to combine a healthy carb snack with an added dose of protein. Try slicing any variety of apple into about 10 slices and spreading 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter onto the slices for an easy, delicious snack.[7]
EditGoing for the Greens - Try a green smoothie. A smoothie is a wonderful way to add extra servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet. It's a snack that is satisfying and can help you control your blood sugar when you get into an afternoon slump. Try blending together 1 cup of water, 1 cup of spinach, ½ banana, and ½ cup mango.[8]
- Give kale a chance. Kale is rich in vitamins and minerals, and can be a great snack. Try snacking on homemade kale chips. You can make them by baking kale tossed in olive oil at 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 149 degrees Celsius for about 25 minutes.[9]
- Snack on a salad. A great way to work your greens into an afternoon snack is with a salad. Try tossing 1-2 cups of greens with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Top the greens with chopped veggies like red peppers, zucchini, and carrots. Finish off the salad with a sprinkling of walnuts, sunflower seeds, or shaved almonds.
- Limit your snacks to 15-30 g of carbohydrates per serving.
- Avoid drinking your calories. Cut down on drinking soda, lemonade, sweet tea, or fruit juice.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Make Aloe Vera Gel Posted: 11 Jun 2017 09:00 AM PDT Aloe vera gel is one of nature's great healers. It can be used to treat sunburn, moisturize skin and soothe irritation. To make your own, all you need is a healthy aloe plant. Aloe vera gel can be mixed with other ingredients to help preserve it for more than a few days. EditIngredients - Aloe leaf
- Optional: 500mg powdered Vitamin C or 400 IU vitamin E (for every 1/4 cup of gel)
- Wash your hands. It's important to start with clean hands and use clean tools to make sure the gel doesn't get contaminated.
- Slice off an outer leaf of an aloe plant. The outer leaves are more likely to be mature. They'll contain plenty of fresh, healthy gel. Look for leaves around the outside of the plant, with bases growing close to the ground. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut near the base.
- Since aloe vera gel is perishable, it's best not to make a huge batch at once, unless you plan to give some away. Cutting off just a leaf or two, especially if they're large, should be sufficient to make 1/2 to 1 cup of gel.
- If your plant is young, be especially careful not to cut off too much at once. Cutting off all of the outer leaves could damage the plant.
- Drain the resin for 10 minutes. Place the leaves upright in a cup to let the dark yellow resin drain out. The resin contains latex, which can be slightly irritating to skin. It's best to drain it out so it won't get into your gel.
- Peel the leaves. Use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel away the green portion of the leaves.[1] Be sure to cut through the inner white layer to the gel underneath. Peel off all of the skin on once side of the each leaf, leaving a canoe-shaped half filled with gel.
- If you have large leaves, it may be helpful to cut them into smaller pieces before peeling.
- Discard the skin as you go so it won't get mixed in with your gel.
- Scoop the gel out with a spoon or knife. The clear, soft gel is easily scoopable. Scoop it all out into a clean bowl until there's nothing left in the leaf half.
- Consider mixing the gel with a natural preservative. If you have a lot of gel and you want it to keep for a month or two, mix in 500mg powdered Vitamin C or 400 IU vitamin E for every 1/4 cup of gel you have. Place the ingredients together in a blender and blend well. The gel will look foamy at first.[2]
- Place the gel in a sterilized, clean glass jar. If you used the preservative, the gel will keep for several months in the refrigerator. Without it, it will keep for a week or two.
- Use the gel. Apply it to sunburns or other minor, surface burns. Aloe can also be used as a skin moisturizer or an ingredient in homemade body products.
- Never use aloe vera gel on deep cuts or blistered skin. It should only be used on surface skin irritation, since it can prevent deep cuts from healing properly.
- Try blending 1/2 cup aloe with 1/4 cup melted coconut oil to make a healing, moisturizing massage lotion.[3]
- Learn how to grow an aloe plant so you'll be able to make a batch of gel whenever you want.
- In place of vitamin C powder, you can crush a vitamin C pill and stir it in. A few drops of grapefruit extract will also do the trick.
- Aloe may be consumed orally but never consume too much; it has a laxative effect.
- Wear gloves while handling aloe if you're sensitive to the latex.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Devote a Day to Relaxing and Pampering Yourself at Home Posted: 11 Jun 2017 01:00 AM PDT Everyone needs a day off once in a while. You just want to relax and rejuvenate, and all you need to do is make a few preparations ahead of time. From a spa day to just vegging out, choose what you think will make you the most relaxed. EditPreparing for the Day - Clear your schedule. Obviously, you don't want to have to run to the dentist during your relaxation day. Move any appointments you have that day. That way, the day is wide open.
- Let everyone know you're not available. Take the day off from work if it's a week day, and create an "Out of Office" message for your email to let people know you'll be back tomorrow. Tell friends and family you won't be around much that day, unless you want to pamper yourself with some friends around, which can be fun, too.
- How you take the day off is up to you. You may want to schedule it a couple of weeks in advance and use one of you paid vacation days. However, you can also take a sick day as a mental health day, if your boss is amenable to that idea.[1]
- Turn your phone on emergency only. Many smartphones have an option to only let certain calls through (from your close friends and family) or to only let calls through from people who've called multiple times (like people do when it's an emergency). Try putting your phone on one of these settings so people can't get a hold of you unless they really need you.
- Take a moment to clear your head. At the start of the day, you need to make sure you're in a good head space to relax. That means letting go of your worries. One way to de-stress is to take a moment to do some deep breathing.[2]
- Try closing your eyes and focusing all your attention on your breathing. Breathe in slowly, counting to four before breathing out. As you breathe out, you should also count to four. Make sure you are breathing deeply, from your diaphragm. Keep your attention on your breathing until you feel your stress melting away.
- Close the screens down. Of course, you may want to watch television or a movie on a relaxing day. However, try turning off your other technology, such as your laptop and tablet. When you're on technology, you have access to your email. If you can get on your email, you have the potential to stress yourself out. In addition, you will also be able to view things like the news, which may let stress intrude on your day. Try taking a break from the internet just for today.[3]
- Skip the clocks. If possible, turn off or cover all your clocks. Spend your day away from a schedule. Just enjoy the day at leisure, doing what you want when you want.[4]
- Don't hold yourself to a plan. If you decide ahead of time that you want to work in the garden but you really don't feel like it when the day rolls around, don't worry about it. Just do what your heart desires.[5]
- Choose some good music. It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as it puts you in a good mood. Let it play in the background while you're going about your day.[6]
- Choose your main focus for the day. Decide how you want to spend the majority of the day. You can have a spa day and pamper yourself through spa treatments. Alternatively, you can have a veg-out day, where you just watch your favorite movies and eat your favorite snacks. Just pick what you most feel like doing and what will relax you the most.
EditCreating a Spa Day - Take a bath. The warm water will help relax your muscles, as you let your cares drift away. You can even add a bath bomb or two to help pamper your skin while you're soaking.[7]
- Try lighting some candles in your bathroom to create a soothing ambiance.[8]
- Apply a face mask. A face mask can be relaxing in and of itself, but it will also make your skin feel nice. The easiest solution is to use a store-bought version. However, you can also make a simple face mask at home with a few ingredients. Mash up a couple of strawberries. Add a dollop of both honey and plain yogurt. Mix the ingredients together, and apply it to your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes.[9]
- For store-bought versions, follow the directions on the bottle for how long you should leave it on.
- Try a hot oil hair treatment. This treatment can relax you just because it feels soothing on your head. In addition, it will also help moisturize and rejuvenate your hair. Afterwards, your hair will be silkier and shinier.[10]
- To create a hot oil treatment, simply pour a little olive oil in a small bowl, a couple of tablespoons or so. Add a dollop of coconut oil and a tablespoon or two of honey. Heat it up in the microwave for about 15 seconds, but don't let it overheat. Mix the ingredients together.[11]
- Use a pastry brush to apply the mixture to your hair from roots to tips. Tuck your hair into a shower cap, or wrap it in plastic wrap. Leave it on for several hours, if possible, then wash it out.[12]
- You don't need all three ingredients if you don't have them. You can just use one of the oils (without honey) if that's all you have.
- Make a sugar scrub. Sugar scrubs are easy to make with ingredients you have on hand. You use these scrubs to exfoliate your skin, sloughing off dry, dead skin cells. To make sugar scrub, just mix one part oil (such as coconut oil or olive oil) with two parts brown sugar (white will do in a pinch). You can also add in a scent with essential oils or even just a dash or two of cinnamon from your cupboard.[13]
- If you use coconut oil, heat it in the microwave for a minute or two to help it melt before adding the sugar.
- To use the scrub, simply rub it into your skin with your hands and then wash it off.
- Try a foot treatment. Get a thick foot cream. Wet a towel, making sure to shake or wring out excess water. Microwave it for about 60 seconds. Once it's done, apply the cream to your feet, and wrap up your feet in the towel. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.[14]
- Paint your nails. Of course, one of the best things about going to the spa is ending up with pretty nails, which you can do at home. Just take some time at the end of the day to paint your nails and toenails. Don't forget to add a base coat and a top coat for a longer-lasting effect.[15]
EditHaving a Veg-Out Day - Get some tasty snacks. One of the keys to a veg-out day is to have some of your favorite snacks on hand. Pick whatever you like, from chips and dips to ice cream. If you prefer, try ordering a pizza.
- Have a glass of wine. Most people associate having a drink with relaxing, and certainly having a drink or two isn't going to hurt. Open up a bottle of your favorite chardonnay, and enjoy a glass or two if you'd like.[16]
- Don't overdo it, though. You don't want to ruin the effects of a relaxing day by having a hangover the next morning.
- Try a cozy beverage. If you don't drink, don't worry. Try coffee, tea, or hot chocolate instead of the alcohol. It can be just as comforting, especially if you treat yourself to something you don't normally drink.[17]
- Pick some movies or television shows to watch. One good way to relax at home is to have a marathon of your favorite movies or television shows. Make sure you have them available before you start your day. You can try streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.[18]
- Don't be afraid to pull out a sad movie. Sometimes, having a good cry over a movie can help you deal with the reality of what's going on in your life.[19]
- Curl up with a good book. If movies aren't your thing, get yourself a new book that you know you'll love. Curl up with it all day under a warm blanket.[20]
- You don't need to buy a book. Borrow one from a friend, or check one out from the library. In fact, you can check out digital books from most libraries if you have an e-reader.
EditRelaxing and Pampering Yourself in Other Ways - Work on something you love. Maybe you don't get to spend as much time painting as you'd like to, or maybe you enjoy gardening but don't get out in the backyard very much. Take some time on your pampering day to enjoy doing a hobby you love. Not only will it make you happier, it can help you de-stress from the week.[21]
- Try some yoga. If you love yoga, take a few minutes during your day to do some stretching. It will help you relax and feel rejuvenated.[22]
- Get some sunlight. Spend some time in your backyard. Sunlight can help reset your body's schedule, helping you feel more relaxed the rest of the week. Plus, just being outside in nature can help you relax.[23]
- Send yourself some flowers. Flowers can help you relax and feel pampered, but you don't have to wait for someone to send them to you. Set up some to be delivered on your pampering day.[24]
- For a cheaper method, pick some up at a grocery store the day before.
- Order food from a fancy restaurant. Most cities have delivery services now that deliver food from even high-end places. Look at services available in your city, such as GrubHub or Postmates, to see what restaurants they deliver from. Pick one of your favorites to pamper yourself.[25]
- Enjoy some time with your family. Let's face it, sometimes you just don't get to spend enough time with your family, and pampering yourself can mean focusing solely on being with the ones you love. If that's the case, break out the family games, movies, and coloring books, and enjoy some time at home with your family.
- Pamper yourself with your partner. Maybe instead of your whole family, you want to spend time with just your significant other. If that's true for you, try taking a bath together, reading to each other, or just curling up on the couch together to watch a movie.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment