The post How to Eat Clean This Spring appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
Most of us think of the new year as the only time to make big resolutions and set new goals. The truth is, you can set a new resolution for yourself at any time! Still, if you’re looking for a kick-starter, spring is an absolutely fabulous time to make a resolution and (try your best to) stick to it. This spring, why not try teaching yourself clean eating?
How to Eat Clean This Spring
What Is Clean Eating?
Essentially, "clean eating" means cutting out processed foods and eating more whole foods that are good for you. This includes eating more vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean and unprocessed proteins, healthy fats and other unrefined foods.
How to Start Eating Clean This Spring
1. Clean out your kitchen.
If you’re serious about clean eating, you’ll need to take a look in your fridge and cupboards and do some cleaning out. Remove foods that are processed, refined, or packaged in a box or bag. Most packaged foods have been processed in some way.
2. Buy some replacements.
Eating clean doesn’t mean foregoing sugars or carbs — as some other diets require. The point is to choose clean alternatives. For example, replace your table sugar with maple syrup or honey. Switch out pasta for whole grains like quinoa, brown rice or barley.
3. Refine your cooking habits.
It’s time to learn a few new tricks for at-home cooking. Your go-to pasta and tomato sauce or frozen pizza won’t cut it anymore. Instead of these processed choices, gather a group of snack and meal recipes that are quick, simple and clean. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Salads
- Stir-fries
- Soups
- Chicken breast or fish with a vegetable side dish
- Veggies and hummus
- Fruit and nut butter
Many of these snacks and meals can be made in advance to reduce time.
Are you looking for new Flagstaff apartments where you can start your clean-eating lifestyle? Contact our office today to see which floor plans are still available!
The post How to Eat Clean This Spring appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post Best Tips to Stay Healthy this Season appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
Wintertime means cold and flu season is here. As long as you take certain steps, you can keep yourself healthy! These four tips can help you avoid illness this cold and flu season.
1. Wash Your Hands; Carry Sanitizer
Wash your hands throughout the day to keep germs away. Always wash before touching food, before (and after) playing with your little one and after going to the bathroom. Carry hand sanitizer around with you, so you'll have a backup plan if the bathroom at work doesn't have soap. All that washing can dry out your skin, so switch to ultra-moisturizing hand soap at home.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours per sleep, but it's very common for adults to get less sleep than they need. Rearrange your schedule to ensure that you're getting the right amount of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation is associated with a weakened immune system. If you're not getting enough sleep, you could find yourself struggling with illnesses throughout the winter.
3. Avoid Touching Your Face With Your Hands
Your hands will get germs on them even if you're washing them a lot. Avoid touching your face to your hands to stop the spread of those germs.
4. Clean Frequently at Home
Disinfect surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom on a regular basis. Wash your sponges or dishrags on a daily basis. Use a cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water to disinfect surfaces like your kitchen sink, counters and floor.
Clean the germ hot spots, such as your bathroom counters and sink, at least twice per week. Resolve to clean other parts of your house once per week.
Come See the Fun
Living among friends makes life better. Come take a look at the available units at Highland Village Apartments. In our apartments in Flagstaff, AZ, we're always excited when new people join our community. Call today to schedule an appointment.
The post Best Tips to Stay Healthy this Season appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post Sunrise Yoga: 3 Stretches to do in the Morning appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
You love exercising in the morning, but there just isn't time to get to the gym! Instead, enjoy some morning yoga stretches in your Flagstaff apartment. These stretches will wake you up and give you the energy to face the day. Since you can do them right at home, you don't have to make time for the ride to the gym, and you can shower in your own shower.
Spinal Stretch
Sit cross-legged and press your sit bones into the floor. Lengthen your spine by reaching up with your head. Keep both of your sit bones on the floor during this stretch. Place your left hand on your right knee, and then inhale and lengthen your spine. Exhale, and then twist to the right. Breathe, and then return to the center. Repeat the process for the other side, and the repeat the whole process several times. If the floor is not comfortable for you, do this stretch while sitting on a firm pillow or pile of folded blankets.
Puppy Dog
Get down on all fours. Tuck your toes and press your hands and fingers into the floor. Lift your hips up and push back. While your knees are bent, “wag your tail.” Bring one heel toward the floor while you straighten that leg behind you. Breathe, and then bring that leg back under you. Straighten the other leg. Repeat.
Runner's Stretch
Get into the lunge position. Lift your hips up toward the ceiling while sliding your hands back a bit. Let your front leg straighten as much as possible. Press your back heel toward the floor. Your toes will angle out just a bit. Keep the leg as straight as you can while your hips are up in the air. Relax the upper part of your body over your front leg. Breathe. Switch sides and do the same steps. Repeat both sides several times.
Yoga-Perfect Floor Plans
While all of our floor plans are spacious, you may want even more space, especially if you neighbors join you for a morning stretch. Contact our Flagstaff apartment office for Highland Village to tour the perfect floor plans for yoga sessions.
The post Sunrise Yoga: 3 Stretches to do in the Morning appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post Have a Heart: Stay Heart Happy for National Heart Month appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
February is a month full of heart … No, not because of Valentine’s Day! February is also National Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time to think about what you can do to be “heart happy.” After all, your heart is one thing you quite literally can’t live without. Everything from diet and exercise to your levels of stress and happiness contribute to how your heart performs. Keeping your heart healthy and happy, then, is about more than just getting in a good workout every once in a while (though it couldn’t hurt). It’s about making good lifestyle choices to do what’s right for your health! Here are a few suggestions to help you concentrate on heart health this month!
Kick Up the Cardio
Add a little exercise to your daily routine. Go for walks. Join a Zumba class. Take advantage of the free Fitness Center! Aim for 15 minutes of activity three times a week to start, and gradually increase your activity level as you feel more comfortable!
Kick Out Bad Habits
If you’re a smoker, now’s a good time to quit. Quitting can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke, among other things! Wave farewell to fatty foods. Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Use spices instead of salt to add flavor to your food. Say goodbye to bad habits and say hello to a happier heart!
What’s Up, Doc?
Don’t forget the importance of regular check-ups with your doctor … even when you’re not sick. Your doctor can help you set heart healthy goals. Doctors are also great resources for asking questions about your health in general; remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your health! And make sure you’re willing to trust their advice … because they’re doctors, and you’re not.
Just Relax …
Raise your hand if you’ve NEVER had a stressful day at school, work, home, the store, church, the park … Yeah, we’ve all had stressful days. It’s impossible to avoid stress, but it is possible to learn to manage it. Take time daily just for yourself. Take a long bath or an extra long shower. Do some yoga. Take a nap. Meditate. Listen to relaxing music. Do whatever it takes to allow the stresses of your day to simply melt away … even if it just means putting your stressor on the back burner for now. Your heart will thank you!
Heart health is not magic. It is simply the process of making good choices. Celebrate National Heart Month by showing your heart a little extra TLC!
The post Have a Heart: Stay Heart Happy for National Heart Month appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>