September 28, 2009
Best Life Newsletter
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Bob Greene
From the Community

"Because of The Best Life, I've become a more fun dad and husband. We're always planning what activities we'll do on the weekends or when the weather is nice, or where we'll ride bikes. My biggest accomplishment is being an active participant in life, and more importantly, being an active participant in the lives of my wife and son."

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Libby's
Frozen Assets

By Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D., Best Life lead nutritionist

It's sad to say that summer is over, and all the fresh produce you've been enjoying won't be around again for a while. But that doesn't mean you have to wait months to eat them. Not only are frozen options more convenient than fresh (no spoiling!), they can often be more nutritious. After being shipped across the country, 'fresh' produce just isn't all that fresh. Heat, light and time all destroy key nutrients. Flash-freezing, on the other hand, happens just after produce is picked, which locks in nutrients. Take a look at the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients these frozen fruits have to offer.

Blueberries (unsweetened)
Calories per cup: 79
Frozen facts: They're an excellent source of fiber (four grams per cup), putting a dent in that 25-grams-per-day goal for women (38 for men). They're also a rich source of anthocyanadins, antioxidants linked to reducing blood clots and improving memory.

Peaches (unsweetened)
Calories per cup: 107
Frozen facts: They pack four grams of fiber, 443 milligrams of potassium, and a whopping 236 milligrams of vitamin C per cup.

Strawberries (unsweetened)
Calories per cup: 77
Frozen facts: A cup contains four grams of fiber and 91 milligrams (one and a half times the daily value) of vitamin C.

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Cardio Health
Why is good posture important?
Q: Is it better to do 30 minutes of a single activity (say the treadmill) or split that time up between two activities (like a treadmill and an elliptical)?

A: For cardiovascular fitness, the American Heart Association recommends 20 to 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise. That means no breaks, no slowing down—but a continuous, rhythmic movement for the entire 20 to 30 minutes.

For weight loss, on the other hand, it's better to do whatever keeps you coming back for more.  If exercising for a constant 30 minutes is completely daunting and you don't think that you can get through it, don't stress: You will get the same weight-loss benefits if you do a few 10-minute sessions on several machines (or if you do short 10-minute bouts throughout your day) as you would doing 30 or 50 minutes straight on a single machine. The most important thing for weight loss? Do what you love to do—when you bank the minutes you set yourself up for weight loss success!
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