Nutrition Corner

Are bell peppers good for you? Red vs. green nutrition benefits: There is a nutrition difference between red, green, yellow and orange bell peppers, but not what you might think.

What Are Emulsifiers? And Are They Safe? An emulsifier is a binding agent used in products like processed foods, cleaning agents, and personal care items.

Recipe for The Day

The Last Avocado Toast Recipe You'll Ever Need: This is the easiest—and the last—avocado toast recipe you'll ever need to know. Memorize the recipe, then use it as a jumping off point for your favorite avocado toast riffs. Put an egg on it, top it with tuna salad or crown it with fluffy alfalfa sprouts for a healthy and satisfying meal. You can mix up the toppings too—we love Japanese furikake or everything bagel seasoning.

Lifestyle & Fitness Focus

Does Chicken Soup Have Any Real Health Benefits?

• Carrots are a source of vitamin A, which is critical for the health of your immune system and also for the cells lining your GI tract, which is the first line of defense for your body.

• Onions and garlic have also been researched for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. In a May 2023 study, for example, elderly people who consumed daily onion and garlic extracts were better able to fight off infectious respiratory diseases.

• Even the water or broth in chicken soup could offer benefits. When sick, it’s easy to get dehydrated. Chicken bone broth offers even higher levels of some electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, and chloride.

How to be more grateful in 3 steps

• Try to notice when you feel grateful: This simple mindfulness practice can help you bring awareness to moments of gratitude. When you feel thankful for something or someone, try to pause and notice what it’s like to sit with that feeling for even just a few breaths.

• Consider reflecting on what you’re grateful for: Journaling at the end of the day can help you highlight positive experiences and recognize that things are going better than you might think.

• Practicing mental subtraction can help: Mental subtraction is a thought experiment that can amplify and promote gratitude. When something positive happens, try to imagine what it would have been like if it hadn’t, or if an alternative, less desirable outcome would have happened.

3 best stretches for tight hamstrings

• Lying hamstring stretch: Lie flat on the ground or a mat with the legs stretched out. To stretch the right leg, hold the back of the right knee with both hands, pull it up toward the chest, and slowly straighten the knee until it feels like it is stretching. Hold the stretch for 10–30 seconds. Repeat 2–3 times on each leg.

• Lying hamstring stretch using a strap: Lie flat on the ground or a mat with the legs stretched out. To stretch the right leg, bend the right leg and place the strap across the ball of the right foot. Hold the strap in both hands. Keep the left leg extended on the ground with the foot flexed. This should push the thigh and calf toward the floor. Slowly extend the right leg with the foot flexed. The right leg should be straight with a slight bend in the knee. The bottom of the foot should face the ceiling. Gently pull the strap until there is a slight tension in the hamstrings. Hold the stretch for 10–30 seconds. Switch legs. Repeat 2–4 times on each leg.

• Lying hamstring stretch using a wall: Find an open doorway. Lie flat on the ground or a mat, with the back flat and the left leg fully extended on the floor. The left leg should pass through the doorway. Lean the right leg against the wall next to the doorway. Adjust the distance between the body and the wall to achieve mild tension in the right leg. Hold the stretch for 10–30 seconds. Switch legs. Repeat 3 times on each leg.

3 Forgotten Abs Exercises for an Incredible Six Pack in 2024

• Hanging Leg Raises: One of the most neglected yet highly effective exercises for the abs is the hanging leg raise. This exercise targets the lower abdominal muscles, challenging your core stability and strength.

• Woodchoppers: Woodchoppers are a dynamic exercise that combines rotational movement with a resistance element.

• Dragon Flagsz: Channel your inner martial artist with dragon flags, an advanced bodyweight exercise that targets the entire abdominal region.

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