Three Things to Consider in February
#1 – Cook with Healthy Oils
Seed and vegetable oils have become a pantry staple with examples including soybean, cottonseed, sunflower and canola oils. Unfortunately, these oils are highly processed and high in omega-6 fatty acids, but deficient in omega-3s. This ratio can lead to inflammation and has been linked to chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases. So swap these unhealthy oils for healthier alternatives, such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil. Or use ghee, and check our recent blog post about it.
#2 – Sit Up/Stand Up Straight
Your mother was right, posture is very important and many people should really work on this more, adults included. Good posture is often lacking when eating, working on a computer, sitting in a meeting and more. Slouching wears down your bones and muscles while creating problems and strains in your muscles. So heed Mom’s advice and sit up straight, no matter how old you are.
#3 – Knit One, Purl Two
New research suggests knitting has many health benefits such as reducing depression and anxiety, slowing the onset of dementia, and distracting from chronic pain. Check out this article from marthastewart.com to read about this meditative hobby with calming effects. Then get those knitting needles out!