Wednesday Wellness: My Favorite Food

Blueberries are my favorite food.

Smoothies, muffins, bagels, frozen or straight out of the plastic grocery store produce container, I love 'em.

They are great with breakfast.

And in salads.

Not only are they delicious, they also love your body!

Some of the health benefits include:

~ 80 cals per cup

Virtually fat-free

Loaded with Vitamin C

Rich in dietary fiber

Packed with mangnese

They are one of the highest antioxidant activity-producing foods out there!

For more information.

Grab some bluebs and get to chompin'.

Wednesday Wellness: Sleep Styles

Most of us don't put a lot of thought into the way we sleep.

You hop into bed and, if you're like me, count the number of hours of sleep you're going to get and hope you don't have a hard time dosing off.  

Now, I've heard a lot about what your preferred sleeping style says about you...

If you sleep on your stomach you're type-A; sleeping on your back means you're lethargic and unmotivated.

I used to sleep on my stomach and side, and then I forced myself to sleep on my back...so what does that make me?

But that's another post for never (because honestly, who cares?).

What I'm here to discuss is the pose in which you take before you start counting sheep.

It matters.

The googled pictures of slumbering babies are for your enjoyment.

Let's begin with the worst position:

Stomach.

Sleeping on your stomach ensures that your neck will be twisted for hours. 

And likely means that you will have a crick in your neck for the rest of the day. What fun.

The Not-So-Bad Position:

Side.

Side sleepers (as long as you aren't curled up in a fetal-like position) benefit from an elongated spine and virtually no pressure on their neck.

However, your face is being smushed into your pillow and things are sagging hanging.

Hello early wrinkles.

The best sleeping style:

Back.

Sleep on your back, people.

Your head, neck, and spine are easily maintained in a neutral position.

No skin scrunching and easy breathing.

If you're a snorer, it's not going to get any better.  Just purchase some snoring strips and flip on your back.

What is your sleeping style?

Wednesday Wellness: Hot Weather Running

I live in Wilmington, NC.

It. Is. Humid.

And therefore whether it's 70 or 100 degrees, you simply must accept the fact that you are going to sweat if you are outside. 

I sometimes love to run when my knee isn't aching like I'm 80 years old.

But if you're running in the heat, you'll need to remember a few things to ensure that you don't pass out overdo it.

Tips for Hot Weather Running:

1. Water is your friend.

I used to say that I drink water like a camel...buuut that doesn't make any sense at all since camel's don't drink that much, they just store water in their humps.

Anywho, drink water. All day. Every day.

Get a refillable bottle and take it with you everywhere.

2. Beat the heat.

Run early in the morning. 

(Running at 6:27 am is not a regular thing for me...I just don't normally take pictures of the times that I run in the morning.)

 If you try to run between 10 am and 6 pm...just don't.

3. Or run in the evening. 

Or don't because my dad hates when I do that.

4. Go slow. 

Especially if you're running long distances (not that "long distances" is subjective or anything), you are more likely to get overheated and tired faster if you push yourself in the heat/humidity.

5. Know when to stop.

I have to preach this to myself.  If I don't finish a run or if I have to stop mid-run I feel like a failure.

But then I realize that it's disgustingly hot outside and, well...I'm running. And I could be doing a lot of other, sedentary activities.

I would rather stop and walk for one minute than have to cut a run short because I am so overheated.

What are some other great hot weather running tips that you use?