Take Excursions With The Family

These aren’t vacations necessarily, mind you, but day or weekend jaunts that don’t require much driving time. So rather than burn energy sitting in a car all day, you can hit the hiking trails, go on bike tours, visit amusement parks, and so much more. The key is choosing active activities that are appropriate for his age and health level. Not only are you burning calories, you’re also getting in family bonding and new memories. What’s more? Even light to medium exercise produces endorphins (the chemical behind happy feelings), thereby making your activities all the more memorable.

Planning these outings doesn’t fall on one person’s shoulders, either. The entire family can submit suggestions and other activities.

Practice Family Kitchen

Simply put: cook as a family! Think of it as running a restaurant kitchen for one or two nights per week. Pick simple and fun recipes that three or more people can make together and also are reasonably healthy. (Read: Avoid high fat or fried foods). Beyond encouraging healthier ingredients, kitchen time provides perfect opportunities to share proper safety techniques such as using knives and food sanitation. After a while, your family might even start making your own original recipes.

In the meantime, try this jerk chicken recipe as a crowd-pleasing starting point.

Annual Doctor Week(s)

Many studies have shown that men are less likely to go see their doctors than women are. In one study, the reason is due to internalized gender roles like self-reliance and toughness. The key is repositioning medical visits as more than the self. In other words, Dad’s health also affects the welfare of others.

Make that transition easier by using group accountability. If your schedule allows, schedule all family health checks during a one or two week window. Not only is everyone getting a valuable check-up, but each family member can hold the other accountable–especially Dad.

Encourage Alone Time

This suggestion stands out because it doesn’t involve group activity–but that’s exactly the point. Everyone is doing the same task with similar expectations. For Dad, this means getting recharged by reading a book, watching his favorite TV show, or relaxing in the backyard. It’s the perfect antidote for stressful days or transitioning into the weekend. In effect, this creates a safe space for all family members.

Just make sure Dad doesn’t try and sneak in stressful activities like answering work emails, as those activities defeat the purpose of alone time.   

It will also yield helpful fatty acids and a small amount of caffeine, which can make it a nice afternoon snack to get you through the end of the workday.

Beyond its antioxidant benefits, dark chocolate assists blood flow in the arteries, due to its flavanols. Better blood flow can translate to benefits like healthier, more resilient skin and reduced inflammation. Studies indicate that flavanols may improve slight memory loss. Chocolate has also been linked to mood improvement and aiding in PMS symptom relief.

Cooking with Chocolate

One of the best things about chocolate, in terms of cooking, is how versatile it is. Of course, you can reap the above benefits by snacking on a couple pieces of a dark chocolate bar. But you can also experiment with recipes like this one for fudge walnut brownies. Or try making your own granola bars and incorporating some dark chocolate chunks.

However you choose to indulge, remember to look for high quality chocolate with at least 70% cacao and to consume it in moderation. Keeping these goals in mind, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or a regular afternoon or evening, have a Forrest Gump-worthy snack and enjoy it in good health.

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec.24.com.

Making the dish a little spicy gives it great flavor and makes it so you don’t miss all the unhealthy ingredients. Get the recipe here.

Some of these might be your favorites when you order take out from your local cantina, but these chicken enchiladas that you can make at home will make you change your mind.  Use cooked, shredded, skinless chicken breasts and whole wheat tortillas to instantly lower the calorie count and up the health quotient. By using lots of herbs and spices like chipotle chili powder, cumin, and cilantro, these enchiladas are packed with flavor. You can even top them off with some low fat shredded cheese!

Chick peas are a great source of protein and fiber, and coconut milk is a good dairy free alternative if you are lactose intolerant. Vegetables like sweet potato, cauliflower, and tomatoes make this dish highly nutritional, and the curry, garam masala, and ginger make it aromatic and flavorful.

The next time you want to pick up that take out menu, put it down and get in your kitchen! These dishes are easy to make, will save you money and calories, and above all, they are delicious.

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

The spinach in this soup is packed with vitamin K, A and C as well as fiber and protein. Top it with a slice of toasted baguette bread to give this dish some crunch.

Black Bean Soup

If you like your soup with a little kick, you will love this healthy and hearty Black Bean Soup. Black beans are a wonderful source of protein and fiber. If you are a vegetarian, this soup is perfect for you, and if you eat meat, throw in some pieces of cooked chicken or even some leftover turkey.

This skinnier version is easy to make because all you have to is throw all the ingredients into your crock pot and when you come home, you will have a steaming bowl of tomato goodness waiting for you. These healthy soup recipes are perfect for cold, winter nights, and will make enough for leftovers so you can have a filling lunch the next day.

Here at Neighbors, we know that emergencies can still happen during the holidays. That’s why we are open 24/7, 365 days a year, which means we are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

You might think it’s more of a summer dish, but the red tomatoes and green cucumbers, avocado, and basil embody the classic Christmas colors, and the white mozzarella reminds us of snow. Very festive!

This lighter version contains heart-healthy olive oil and protein-packed Greek yogurt. You can also bring homemade baked pita chips to dip, which makes this appetizer even healthier.

For one, the pumpkin and carrots are full of vitamin A. Secondly, the cream cheese frosting will make people think they are decadent, but with ingredients like light cream cheese and skim milk, they are relatively guilt-free but still delicious.

You will be the hit of your next holiday party or potluck, and you can rest easy knowing that you aren’t sabotaging your healthy eating plan or weight loss efforts. Happy holidays!

Here at Neighbors, we know that emergencies can still happen during the holidays. That’s why we are open 24/7, 365 days a year, which means we are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

In addition, a fruity dish can often be a cheaper option, since it often requires less sweetening and thickening agents, like sugar or flour.

Coffee makes a great base for a liquid dessert, and it’s versatile, so you can spice it up in a variety of ways. Plus, it will give you a little pep in your step for cleanup duties. Add a dollop of lightly whipped cream, and you’ve got a surprisingly healthy and satisfying dish.Here’s a great recipe that allows you to feature the flavors of gingerbread in a coffee cup.

Maple syrup, honey, and molasses can all be used as replacements for traditional white sugar in baking, and coconut sugar can stand in when a recipe calls for granulated sugar.

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec.24.com.

Regular exercise will help maintain a healthy metabolism, keep your circulation flowing for those colder evenings, and unclutter your mind to make meal and shopping planning much easier. If you don’t yet have a regular workout routine, the holidays are a great time to start. You can get a jumpstart on all those resolutions by committing yourself to a new exercise plan and welcome the new year with a healthy, positive outlook. Best of all, with so many friends and family around, you might find a workout partner for that extra bit of motivation.

Pretty soon, you’ll be learning how to prepare a new dish from someone at the table, and you’ll have given your stomach time to tell your brain you’re satisfied.

These items are usually easy to prepare, taking some of the stress out of holiday cooking. Plus, everyone will be thanking you for helping them make healthier choices as well.

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec.24.com.

One of the best ways to fuel up for the day is to start off with whole grains, or complex carbohydrates, and some protein. Both fill you up and give you energy. A bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and one scrambled egg on the side is an example of this powerful combination.

But I’m Not That Hungry in the Morning

A lot of people are not that hungry in the morning, especially if they wake up very early. If you are one of those people, try a smoothie instead of a full-blown breakfast. One option is to mix chocolate whey protein, almond butter, raspberries, blueberries, chia seeds, with some water and ice. Put all of those ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

You may also want to try a small bowl of Greek yogurt sweetened with honey and topped with berries, almonds, or low-fat granola.

Savory VS. Sweet

When you go to brunch, do you skip the sugary pancakes, waffles, and pastries and go straight for the more savory options on the menu? If this is you, then you might skip breakfast since most options tend to be sweet. Good news! There are great savory breakfasts out there!

Try having some sliced salmon rolled with cucumber, avocado, tomato, and onion, with a small bowl of cottage cheese with some almonds. Another option is a “breakfast bowl” filled with sliced hard-boiled egg whites, black beans, cubed chicken or turkey seasoned with hot sauce, and avocado. The combination of carbs, protein, and healthy fats are sure to keep you full till lunch.

If you start off with a nutritious and filling breakfast, you will be less likely to snack on unhealthy foods to get you through till lunch. Also, you won’t be so ravenous when lunch time rolls around that you overeat and feel tired and sluggish the rest of the day. You might even start to look forward to mornings!

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec.24.com.

If working out is not your thing, offer to help clean up after the meal. You will be less likely to keep snacking on leftovers, and you will burn some calories.

Know When to Say When

Because the Thanksgiving table is a bounty of delicious food that we only usually indulge in once or twice a year, sometimes we feel like we should eat as much of it as possible. It’s also very easy to do if you have a well-meaning but overbearing relative who keeps adding second and third helpings to your plate. Make a point to stop eating when you are full. When serving yourself, serve golf-ball sized helpings of everything you want. If someone else insists you eat more, tell them nicely that you have had plenty to eat and it was all very delicious. Give yourself 20 minutes after you have cleaned your plate and if you’re still hungry, go back for even smaller servings of a couple of your favorite dishes, or save room for pie!

Remember, Neighbors Emergency Centers are open 24/7, 365 days a year, which means we are even open on Thanksgiving Day. We hope you don’t need to see us on a holiday, but if you do, we’re here for you.

This will also help you strengthen your abs in addition to your back muscles! In this same realm of thought, you can keep free weights beneath your desk and do reps while on the phone or any time your hands are free. If you don’t have free weights, you can use water bottles!

From spinal rotations in your chair to standing up and stretching as tall as you can, just 5 – 10 minutes of stretching per hour can reduce the risk of blood clots and muscle deterioration.