Here Comes the Fall

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By Bridgette Wilson Although the temperature is not quite hitting the crisp coolness of October yet, for some reason I am starting to be reminded of my childhood days of the Fall festivities. Every year, my elementary school had a carnival for the entire neighborhood. It was always around Halloween. It was open season for costumes, pumpkin carving contests, cake walks, Frito pies, candy corn and bobbing for apples. Of course, back then, I wasn’t worried about calories or sugar grams. However, time has changed and now I… Read More →

Flavors of Fall Zipped up in a Bag: Pumpkin Pudding

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Flavors of Fall Zipped up in a Bag: Pumpkin Pudding @SpendEatSmart http://bit.ly/2fy3fk6 #recipe #kids Written by Jill Weber, Human Sciences Specialist-Nutrition and Wellness When my girls were young we often made Pumpkin Pudding for a fall dinner dessert. Pudding is inexpensive and also light and not overly filling. The Pumpkin Pudding recipe includes a full can of pumpkin, so you are also getting the added fiber and Vitamin A pumpkin is known for. With the pumpkin pie spice seasoning added, it tastes like pumpkin pie! For a fun… Read More →

Electronic screen alert: Avoid this vision risk

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Electronic screen alert: Avoid this vision risk @HarvardHealth Looking at a screen too long? http://bit.ly/2fu1nbx There are many reasons to restrict the amount of time you spend in front of an electronic screen. For example, more hours sitting at a computer or smartphone means fewer hours of being physically active, and looking at a computer screen at night can stimulate the brain and make it difficult to fall asleep. Click link to read more…

Think twice before going gluten-free

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Think twice before going gluten-free @HarvardHealth Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye… http://bit.ly/2wshoFY Unless you have celiac disease, banning gluten from your diet won’t boost your heart health—and may actually hurt it, suggests an observational study published May 2, 2017, in The BMJ. Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. In people with celiac disease, eating gluten triggers the body to attack the small intestine, causing inflammation and leading to malnutrition and gastrointestinal distress. The inflammation, in turn, can increase heart disease risk…. Read More →

Local Honey: Is it the sweet remedy for seasonal allergies?

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by Bridget Wilson Like most people in Central Texas, battling seasonal allergies is as traditional as tailgating in the parking lot of the first football game of the season. Weather changes creates a lot of challenges for those of us who deal with seasonal allergies. When I first arrived to Austin in the late Fall of 2006, I was immediately introduced to what the locals call cedar fever. During the peak of a major sneezing attack, I was left standing at the pharmacy counter reading the warning labels… Read More →

Back to School: Back to Basics

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by Bridget Wilson While most of us have already returned to the “back to school” routine, the dreadful feeling of less time and more responsibilities start to creep upon us. When it comes to meal planning, time management is the key. In my last blog, I talk about healthy time management and how we need to take care of ourselves first. During the most stressful times, one of the best ways to take care of ourselves and others is to have a game plan for meal time. Creating… Read More →

Reset Your Priorities: Healthy Time Management by: Bridgette Wilson

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When you think about your daily routine, what are the top ten tasks on your list? Do any of those tasks include anything that was primarily for you? As a single mother, I know there are times I put myself on the backburner. It is natural to think if we do for others’ needs ahead of our own, then we will be celebrated by those who love us for our selfless deeds. However, “selfless” means “less of self”. When we lose ourselves in the card shuffle in this… Read More →

Mind Over Matter: Removing the Limiting Factors

By: Bridgette Wilson In my last blog, I mentioned that change starts with transitioning the thoughts of the mind. I also mentioned creating a plan to take action that will assist in removing the limiting factors. Limiting factors are simply the stories we tell ourselves that “excuse” us from making better choices. I call them “limiting factors” because these are the things that hinder our abilities to move forward and accomplish our wellness goals. Many times, the things that limit us we also use as our safety net… Read More →

Changing Your Habits for Better Health

Are you thinking about being more active? Have you been trying to cut back on less healthy foods? Are you starting to eat better and move more but having a hard time sticking with these changes? Old habits die hard. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. And, you may face roadblocks along the way. Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating… Read More →

Change Your Mind Change Your Health

By: Bridgette Wilson In today’s society, there is no shortage of information on health awareness and let’s not forget all the technical devices and apps that remind us of our target health goals. However, with all the modern wellness amenities, if we don’t stick with a healthy mindset, we won’t be successful in managing any aspect of our health and well-being. Even though I had reached my weight loss goal, I knew that one day I would need to find a way to take what I have learned… Read More →