Healthy Habits with Rachel

 Sleep is often pushed to the back burner in our fast-paced, modern society. We all know the struggles of juggling classes, assignments, extracurriculars, social life, and work. It often feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish every task. However, the significance of getting enough sleep must be balanced. It is not just a luxury; sleep is a fundamental pillar of overall health and well-being.  Let's face it: college is known for its sleepless nights and erratic sleep schedules. However, the consequences of sleep deprivation can be far-reaching and detrimental to both your academic performance and overall well-being.  Here are some tips for better sleep so that you can get your mind and body on a consistent, healthy track.  1. Set a consistent sleep schedule and stick to it, even on weekends.  2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down. 3. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, especially in the ...

  (https://www.nytimes.com/article/beginner-yoga.html) In the busy way of modern life, you have to find moments of peace and tranquility to keep your mind at peace. There is a practice that honors this concept and offers solace for both body and mind: yoga. Yoga is a great system that encompasses a wide array of benefits for overall health and well-being.  Yoga is a practice that combines movement with breath, fostering a deep connection between mind and body. Through a series of poses, known as asanas, yoga helps to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Consistent yoga practice helps improve posture and alignment, reducing the risk of injuries and chronic pain. Poses can be modified, too, to accommodate various fitness levels and physical abilities. This makes it accessible for everyone to participate.  Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting feelings of calmness and relaxation. Yoga has many differe...

In the world of nutrition and dieting, many rules, fads, and trends want our attention, promising health, vitality, and the perfect physique. Among these, the 80/20 eating rule is a refreshing approach emphasizing balance, flexibility, and suitability. What is the 80/20 rule and why has it gained so much popularity?  At its core, the 80/20 eating rule is a very simple concept: strive to eat healthily and mindfully 80% of the time, while allowing yourself to indulge and enjoy treats the remaining 20% of the time. This approach acknowledges that perfection is neither realistic nor sustainable in the long term. Allowing for occasional indulgences, removes the guilt and restriction often associated with strict diets. This approach helps to build a healthier relationship with food.  While the 80/20 rule offers flexibility, it's important to approach it with intention and mindfulness. Here are some tips for incorporating this rule into your lifestyle.  1. Focus on Nutrient-Dens...

 As the weather starts to become warmer, I find myself craving some lighter meals. I know a harvest salad is typically a fall salad, but it's so light and easy to enjoy that I find myself making it in the spring and summer too. I made this the other night for dinner and wanted to share the recipe.  I grabbed a box of 50/50 baby arugula and spinach, granny smith apple, a lemon, goat brie cheese, nut mix with dried cranberries, rotisserie chicken, olive oil, and a balsamic glaze.  Now, I do not have exact measurements because I just eyeballed all of this, but I made a pretty big salad. And I ate the whole thing. It was SO. GOOD.  If you wanted, you could add some strawberries. I didn't because they didn't look good at the store. Sad day because strawberries are my favorite! You could also switch out the protein for some salmon or grilled shrimp! You could also add some carrots, sweet potato, or any other toppings of your choice. Salads are so fun to create when looking...

Hi! Today I am going to share another healthy recipe. I have yet to try this one, but it is on my list. Everyone craves a little sweet treat now and then... sometimes everyday.. (no shame)! But we know that a sweet treat every day isn't the best thing to do for your body. So here is a healthy recipe that also gives the pleasure of eating a sweet treat. These are called snicker date bites! They are made with Medjool dates, a naturally sweet date, peanut butter, peanuts, and dark chocolate. You get sweet and salty! Dates are so good for you! They are sweetened by natural sugar and have many health benefits to consuming. They are packed with all kinds of nutrients. You definitely can't feel guilty about eating this treat. https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/snickers-stuffed-dates/ Here is the link to the recipe, which provides step-by-step instructions. I am so excited to try and I hope y'all try too and enjoy them! 

 Recently, I have been challenging myself to a new goal. I am pushing myself to hit 10k steps a day. This forces me to walk for at least an hour and a half daily. With the weather becoming warm and nice, this allows me to enjoy the beauty of spring while also getting some exercise in. I try to break my walking into segments. I go on an hour-long walk in the morning, a 30-minute walk mid-day, and another 30-minute walk in late afternoon. This makes it easier to reach my goal rather than trying to get all 10k in one walk. There are many benefits to getting this amount of exercise daily. It helps with cardiovascular health and reduces risks of cancer, stroke, and heart failure. Low-impact exercise has so many benefits that people don't necessarily think about because you don't feel like you're working out hard enough or sweating. In the past couple of months I have been doing this, I have noticed a difference in my body and have lost weight.  (via @eatmorelosemore on Instagram...