The Health Benefits of Being a Dancer

Since I was 4 years old, I have been a dancer. It is something that I enjoy and take very seriously. I have been trained in ballet, tap, and my favorite styles of dancing, hip hop and jazz. I have always danced because of my passion and love of self expression through the art, but I never thought much about the health benefits. As I sat back and talked to my current, college dance team at Michigan State University, I realized there are many health benefits that comes with the art/sport.

First off, you should know you don’t have to be a trained dancer to get enjoy the benefits of dancing.

1. Dancing can help you lose weight. Dancing requires the movement of your entire body in different ways. By constantly moving around, you are exercising your body and in turn, burning calories.

2. Dancing helps with your balance and posture. Almost every move, especially in ballet, requires good posture and constant movement. There are also stretched that dancers do specifically geared toward improving balance. This in return will help your posture and balance even when you are out of the dance studio. I have many people ask me if I am a dancer because I have great posture.

3. Dancing increases muscular strength. There are various dance moves that works the muscles repeatedly and helps build them.

4. Dancing increases flexibility. There are multiple stretches that dancers do to prepare themselves for shows. These stretches over time can credibly increase flexibility.

5. Dance improves the condition of the heart. Dancing can raise your heart and breathing rates because it is is very active. It increases your heart’s exercising by using burning calories.

6. Dance helps you sleep better. During a vigorous session of dancing, your body is being exercised and getting tired out, in return you will sleep great while your body is resting!

Now that you know some of the benefits of dancing, make sure you go out there and explore dance class options. And if you attend Michigan State University, make sure to check out MSU Urban Dreams Dance Team!

-LisaLenora

Healthy Uses for Greek Yogurt

We have all been seeing and hearing about the wonders of Greek yogurt on tv and from friends. If you're anything like myself, you want to know what's all the commotion about.

Here are some of the health benefits of Greek yogurt according to usnews.com:

• Helps with the digestive system because of the probiotics it contains.
• Helps control high blood pressure because it is a source of many vitamins believed to help.
• Helps with weight management because it's high in protein and causes you to feel more full.
• Helps with bone health because it provides ton of calcium, protein, magnesium, and potassium.

Once I found out the glorious wonders of Greek yogurt I decided to look into all the ways I can use it. You can easily replace mayo with it as well as use it in these recipes:

Marinade for vegetables, seafood, and meat:

1 ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1 tablespoon of chili powder

2 tablespoon of garlic powder

2 teaspoons of Ms. Dash Seasoning

2 teaspoons of salt

Ranch dressing:

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

1 pack of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning

Alfredo sauce:

¾ cup of plain greek yogurt

1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

2 tablespoons of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

½ cup of milk

½ cup of parmesan cheese

Honey fruit yogurt:

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

½ cup of honey

½ cup of your favorite fruit

The Detox Bath Experience

Being that my 21st birthday was this past Friday, I had a lot of detoxing to do. I had a very, VERY busy and long weekend. I have alway been curious about detox baths so I decided to give it a try this past Sunday.

Here are some of the benefits of detoxing according to bembu.com:

• Boosts energy
• Rids body of waste
• Builds stronger immune system
• Improves skin
• Gives you a clear head
• Helps you feel an overall sense of lightness, in a positive way

Here are some of the benefits of a detox bath according to healthylivinghowto.com:

• Eases stress
• Improves sleep
• Flush toxins through sweat
• Reduce inflammation to reduce muscle pain
• Eases headaches

So, my first step was of course going on Pinterest for recipes.

I began by running warm water (as hot as I could get it without compromising my comfort) in my freshly cleaned bath tub. I created a bath recipe that I poured into the running water which was:

• ¼ cup of lavender epsom salt: to soothe aching muscles
• ¼ cup of baking soda: to soothe irritated skin (this ingredient is extra beneficial for the female body part)
• ¼ cup of bentonite clay: to draw out toxins
• 1 cup of milk: to moisturize skin and provide vitamins

As the bath ingredients was getting mixed up and settled into the water, the aroma was getting pleasantly stronger and so was the heat radiating from the bath (which was not so pleasant).

After my bath was full enough, I let it cool down for about 5 minutes. I then eased my way into the water, fearing for my life because the tub floor was so slippery.

I don’t know if it was because the water was so hot or because my window was not open like it normally is (something I would never do again while taking these steamy baths), but I immediately began sweating.

I was starting to wonder if this bath and myself was meant to be. I quickly grabbed my phone which was right next to my bath (I know, not the best place for it to be) and I googled if sweating was a normal effect of detox baths. I was happy to see on realfoodrn.com that all my water works were not only normal but beneifting me, so I decided to stick it out.  Like a BOSS.

Even though I was still sweating I began to relax myself as I listened to my Erica Badu Pandora Station.

The water began to cool down and I was having fun with the bubbles (don’t judge me).

After about 30 minutes, I released the bath through the drain and felt a little light headed (probably because I wasn’t drinking water during the bath like I should have).

Due to all my sweating, I didn’t necessarily feel the cleanest. I decided to take a quick warm shower using my Bath and Body Works Sleep Aromatherapy Body Wash. After that, I wrapped myself in my towel and had to take a minute just to regain my normal body temperature.

I put on a pair of light pajamas, I made a healthy, light meal of grilled shrimp and broccoli. I also drunk a TON of water. After replenishing myself, I felt like a million bucks.

I layed down immediately after my meal and after about one episode of Martin, I was out for the count and I slept like a baby through the night.

I would definitely encourage you to try one of these! Throughout the sweats and the  heat, you still feel a sense of relaxation and like you just had a day at the spa.

Tips during bath:

• Take a cool shower after the bath to cool your body
• Drink a lot of water during and after the bath to stay hydrated

• Don’t take a bath longer than a hour
• If you are hungry afterward, just eat a small salad, soup, or fruit. You don’t want to eat anything that would put toxins back into your body
• Breathe in and out slowly

• Sleep in breathable clothing so your body can cool off
• Play calming music during and after the bath to get your head in the right space
• Enjoy a good night’s sleep!

-LisaLenora

Bringing in the Big 2 1 in a Healthy Way!

Here it is! That day that all college students can’t wait for. The day that brings a big relief to those (underage) party goers! The big 2 1 birthday! In the spirit of my 21 birthday being this Friday, I am going to share with you guys how I will bring in my birthday in a healthy way (atleast I’m going to try really hard too).

First, let's get this out the way. No more of these days (you know, for my friends because I never drank before)

We all know that too much alcohol can not only cause weight gain but can seriously cause some bodily harm or worse, cause a hangover (seriously, bodily harm is definitely worse). According to the National Institute of Alcohol and Abuse these are some of the effects of drinking too much alcohol.

• Interference with the brain’s communication pathways which can cause drastic changes in mood and behavior. (That never a good thing)
• Can potentially cause serious heart damage. (Yikes!)
• Can cause inflammations in the liver. (Sounds painful)
• Can cause the pancreas to produce toxins. (Nobody likes toxins)
• Can even cause various cancers.

Ok, now that my teaching is over I am going to share with you what I will do on my big night to celebrate in a healthy way prevent all those things from happening, so listen up all you young whippersnappers. You may need this advice when the glorious 2 1 comes your way (and not a day before!)

First off, I (and neither should you) will never, never, NEVER accept drinks from a stranger or leave your drink unattended. Its easy for people to slip drugs into your drink and no one wants that. If I just so happen leave a drink unattendant, I will just throw it away.

You must remember hydration is key. I am going to make sure I drink plenty of water during the special night to prevent dehydration.

I will make sure to eat a full meal before the festivities began and during. It is NEVER  a good (or smart) idea to drink on an empty stomach.

A tip that I have learned from older friends is to mix drinks with juice. Instead of doing a full glass of alcohol, I will mix some glasses with half juice, half alcohol.

Order alcoholic beverages with ice. When the ice melts, the beverage will becoming diluted.

I am not going to partake in the carbonated mixer drinking. According to webmd.com, carbonated mixers increase the rate of alcohol absorption in the blood, and for me thats a big no no!

I am also going to keep track of the alcohol that I consume to make sure that I am not just downing shot after shot, which can cause me to unintentionally go over my limit. (Even if I have to use my fingers as a counting system)

I’m going to make sure to tell my friends not to let me overindulge in the drinking festivities. This way I know that even if I can’t count on myself, I have someone else to help me out.

Last, but not least I am going to just say no! I know there will be many pressures coming from everyone that night to keep going on the tequila train, but it is important to know when you have had enough.

Extra Tip: NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. I will have a designated driver for the night to ensure to the safety of myself and others.

-LisaLenora

How I Survive Cookouts Being a Pescetarian

Here we are, in the middle of summer. We all know what comes along with summertime: sunshine, beaches, and barbecues!

We all know what comes with the typical barbecue: burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and chicken. No fish. No shrimp. Only vegetables smothered in mayo, butter, and cheese. No pescetarians or vegetarians welcomed.

You can imagine how hard it is for me to not to starve at these glorious food filled events being that people can not even dare to fathom the thought of someone not eating a steak at a cookout.

Everyone would stare at you because you only have corn on the cob and potato salad on your plate.

People start to ask if you’re just being too shy to eat or are you scared to really eat around people (like I’m ever scared to scarf a table full of food down) .

So, I decided it was time for me to enjoy myself at cookouts (and cease all the annoying looks and comments from meat-eater relatives and friends) by stuffing my face, the healthy and pescetarian way. Below are some of my personal tips on how to survive cookouts when you're a pescetarian (and some tips can also go for vegetarians).

1. I make it a point to tell the person that is throwing the cookout that I am pescetarian, I am living a healthier lifestyle, and I will be arriving! Most times that person makes it a point to have a few pieces of fish set aside for me.

2. I have started to bring my own fish to grill, but not too many pieces or the fellow cookout goers will get a little to curious about the taste of grilled fish (and I don’t share food).

3. Or I will bring a bag of seasoned shrimp to grill.

4. If I am feeling fancy the night before, I’ll prepare a seafood feast! (which just turns out to be crab salad).

5. Sometimes I will just bring a nice romaine and spinach salad topped with tuna.

6. Or I’ll bring an already prepared grilled fish fillet sandwich with a side of fresh vegetables.

  

7. My last resort is to just eat the side dishes.

8. And I ALWAY, ALWAYS make it a point to cover whatever I am eating in barbecue sauce(low fat and low sodium) so that I can pretend it's a burger (sad, I know).