Author Archive for Sherry

Time for Something New: Four New Hobby Ideas That Everyone Can Try

by Sherry
January 12th, 2021

Guest post by: Jennifer McGregor

You wouldn’t listen to a radio station that only played one song, even if it was your favorite. Variety is the spice of life, after all, and if your life could use a little more spice, then maybe it’s time to try something new. Perhaps what you need is a new hobby, something that will get you up on your feet, feed your inner passions, inspire your creativity, and meet new people. To get you started, here are four different hobbies anyone can try, brought to you by Big Picture Long Life.

Dancing

Everyone loves to dance. Whether you’re 6 or 65, when the right song comes on, you can’t help but start bobbing your head and tapping your feet. As long as there has been music, there has been dance, and over the years, humans have invented hundreds of different dances. If you love dancing and music but you’ve never really taken the time to learn how to properly cut a rug, then maybe dancing is the hobby for you.

Dancing also is a great way to address negative feelings such as stress, depression, and anxiety. For example, people who are feeling lonely or struggling with recovery from addiction can use dance to sweat off the negativity and stay clean. With so many different benefits, it’s not hard to see why so many people love to dance, both for fun and for health.

Playing Music

Some people like to cut a rug when the music’s playing, but others enjoy getting up on stage and playing the music that makes others move. Learning an instrument can be a challenging experience, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It takes years to master an instrument, but thanks to technology, it’s never been easier for people of all ages to learn how to play a piano or guitar. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play, then maybe you should find an instrument that’s right for you and finally give it a go in your spare time.

Learning to play is a great hobby that can help build hand-eye coordination and improve your creative and analytical brain. The Herald-Palladium explains children and teens who have a musical background have greater academic success. Becoming skilled in an instrument builds confidence, and when you play in front of others, you can feel a sense of accomplishment by showing off what you can do.

Getting Outdoors

Who doesn’t love spending some time outside? The reality for a lot of adults is that work keeps you confined to a desk inside an office building. If you’re getting sick of the cubicle life, then maybe you should find a hobby that gets you outside—a simple action Business Insider says will benefit you in important ways, like improved memory and lower stress levels.

Frisbee golf, hiking, gardening, and recreational team sports are just a few examples of the many different hobbies you can pursue outdoors. There’s a little something for everyone, regardless of your inclination.

Creating Art

It’s an absolute tragedy when a creative heart doesn’t have the time to express itself. Not everyone can build a career of sculpting or painting, but so many of us have a creative soul dying to get out.

If you love to paint or draw, then perhaps you should make it your hobby. Investing more time in your creativity can reduce stress. Even simply filling in the lines of a coloring book can have a range of positive effects on adults. Being able to express yourself through the arts allows you to vent negative emotions and find your happy place, making it a great hobby to balance a bland work week.

Put It to Work

One benefit that goes along with any hobby is the opportunity to earn money from it, especially after you’ve honed your skills. Whether you offer online tutoring to newcomers or sell goods in boutiques, there is a way to pad your bank account with your pastime. However, it’s important to remember that even a hobby business needs to tend to legalities. You can tackle your Texas business registration easily through an online service or else hire an attorney to do it for you, then get back to doing what you love.

It’s never too late to try new things. Picking up a new hobby gives you the chance to discover something new about yourself. Hobbies let you express who you truly are and find others who share your interests, creating an experience that is rich and rewarding.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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Feel Amazing from Head to Toe by Incorporating These Simple Health Strategies Into Your Day

by Sherry
November 16th, 2020

Guest post by: Jennifer McGregor

The human body is comprised of a collection of systems that all work together to help us to look and feel our very best. If one system isn’t functioning optimally, one or more of our other body systems may struggle to perform as well. However, there are several strategies we can incorporate into our everyday lives to support each one of our body systems, which will, in turn, lead to better neural, integumentary, circulatory, respiratory, and muscular health. To explore these easy, effective health strategies in greater detail, read on!

Better Eye and Oral Health

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), certain things like eating empty calorie foods and living an inactive lifestyle can increase our risk of developing certain medical conditions that may negatively affect our ability to see, including high blood pressure and diabetes. However, taking a quality fish oil supplement or consuming plenty of omega-3 fatty acids keeps our eyes healthy and reduces our risk of developing dry eye, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Certain foods like tuna, herring, and salmon are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, but vegetarians can reap the same benefits by consuming flax and chia seeds, algal oil or other plant oils, and fortified soy beverages.

There is a clear link between depression and poor oral health, which makes it especially important that you care for your teeth and gums. You can improve your oral health by brushing twice a day, flossing, and going in for regular checkups at the dentist. Your diet also plays a major role in tooth and gum health, so avoid sugary foods and drinks.

Clear, Radiant Skin

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne affects approximately 50 million Americans each year, making it the most problematic skin condition in the US. However, there are several things you can do each day to prevent acne from appearing on your face, back, or anywhere else on your body. These include:

  • Washing your face twice daily.
  • Applying a retinol treatment to your facial area each night.
  • Exfoliating several times each week with a quality cleanser that contains a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) like salicylic acid and an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) such as glycolic acid.
  • Consuming plenty of anti-inflammatory foods such as dark, leafy greens, wild rice, soybeans, and fish products like salmon and mackerel.

Besides worrying about acne, you should also be extra careful about which types of hand products you use so you can prevent dryness and irritation. Use moisturizing lotion whenever you can and clean your hands with soap and hand sanitizer that won’t irritate your skin.

Easier Breathing

Like all parts of the human body, our lungs age with time. As such, we may struggle to breathe as well as the years go on, and we may find ourselves feeling winded and fatigued after performing basic daily activities like climbing a flight of stairs or going on a walk. However, certain exercises like upper-body weight training, yoga, and aerobic activity can all help to improve the functioning of our lungs when we engage in them regularly. Some of the best yoga poses for healthier lungs include Cow’s Face, Triangle, Cobra, Boat, and Fish Pose.

Strong Muscles and a Healthier Brain

Leg exercises are important for a variety of reasons, as they strengthen different muscle groups throughout the body, work our core, and help us to lose weight over time. According to ScienceDaily, however, leg exercise is also imperative to the functioning of our brain and nervous system. As such, regularly moving, exercising, and strengthening our legs is crucial to keeping our neural cells healthy and functioning properly. If you’re a senior, exercises like leg squats and step exercises can safely strengthen your legs.

If you can’t ride a bike or get to the gym on a regular basis, you can still exercise your leg muscles and reap the benefits of good neurological health by purchasing an under-desk elliptical machine. These portable devices allow you to move and exercise your legs as you sit behind a desk, helping you to tone your leg muscles, burn fat, and increase your daily activity levels. Plus, many models can also be used while standing.

However, make sure to keep your workout space decluttered if you plan to exercise at home. Having too much stuff around can lead to spikes in your stress and anxiety levels, so try to keep this area as neat as possible. Doing so can help keep you calm and prevent any negative vibes from becoming trapped inside your home.

By incorporating these simple strategies into your everyday life, you’ll soon find that you feel stronger and healthier from your head all the way down to your toes. The overall functioning of each body system depends on the health of the others, and these simple tips will help each one of your body systems to operate at its fullest potential.

Connect with Nina Rebstock to develop a big-picture health plan to meet your specific needs! To schedule a consultation, call 512-560-6925 or email ninabeucler@gmail.com.

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Acorn Squash

by Sherry
August 2nd, 2012

Acorn Squash

Ingredients

  • 2 acorn squash, halved and seeded
  • 2/3 cup quinoa
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons butter
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 apple, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, minced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 dash crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place the squash halves, cut-side up into a small baking dish, and bake until tender, about 45 minutes.
  2. Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. When done, stir in the butter until melted, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil at medium. Stir in the onion, green pepper, and celery; cook and stir until the onion has softened , about 10 minutes. Stir in the apple, and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes more. Add the garlic and ginger, cook 2 minutes more, then stir in the vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes; season to taste with salt and pepper.    When the squash is tender, scoop out some of the flesh, leaving the halves 1/2 inch thick. Chop the squash, and combine with the quinoa and apple mixture. Spoon the mixture back into the shells. Return to the oven, and bake about 5 minutes.   Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a side dish.
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