Tag: Dr. Barbara Princeton

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Summer Recipes for Summer Days

Planning healthy meals can help break up the dog days of summer. These warm months welcome new foods that can enhance your diet. But eating the same thing every day can become boring and stale. So, while summer is still in the air, here are some healthy recipes to share with friends and family.

Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad

A salad on a nice summer day can be very refreshing and it is quick and simple to make. Shrimp and avocado go really well over a nice salad. This recipe calls for ten shrimp, half an avocado and an orange. This recipe starts at 297 calories, with just those ingredients. But you can add anything to make this salad your own. Adding some lime on top or a little citrus vinegar dressing will help make it stand out and make it your own.

Pineapple Salsa Grilled Chicken

To really change up the dinner table on a summer night, try this recipe for grilled chicken. This recipe from delish includes a source of protein and adds a bit to grilled chicken. The sweet freshness of the pineapple will punch up the flavor. This simple recipe is great for someone just learning how to cook; the prep time is just ten minutes.

Carrot, Date and Feta Salad

Salad can be paired with every meal in the summer, but it can grow boring. So, to switch it up here is a different type of salad from Food Network. This salad has only 121 calories and it contains: carrots, dates, feta, almonds, cilantro, lime, olive oil, honey, and salt. There are many ways to eat this. It can be eaten on its own, over a burger or sandwich, or as a side. Either way, this adds color to a dinner table and is a refreshing salad people are not used to.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Five Easy & Healthy Poolside Snacks

Swimming is a great activity to keep you fit this summer. With this activity, you might find yourself hungry after you make your way out of the pool. These are five healthy snacks for you as you sit and relax in the backyard.  These snacks are not just for kids, but they can be great for adults as well. These snack ideas are not only healthy but filling enough to give you the energy needed to swim, run, and play on a long summer day!

Apple Pops

For apple pops you will need to start off by cutting apples into wedges.  Then, spread peanut butter on them; try choosing an organic peanut butter option. Then, insert a popsicle stick.  By keeping the apple covered it will protect the apple from turning brown. The peanut butter is also a delicious filling food. Worried about peanut allergies? Swap it out with another delicious nut butter like almond or sunflower seed butter.

Boiled Eggs and Veggie Sticks

This delicious snack is packed full of protein. Hard boiled eggs are easy to take to the poolside and are filling.  Veggie snacks is a great side for the eggs. These veggie sticks can be eaten by themselves or with a side of hummus. You can even add some left-over peanut butter from before.

Frozen Grapes

Not only are grapes sweet, but they are also refreshing. For this snack, all you have to do is put some grapes in the freezer and let them sit overnight. This is the easiest poolside snack to have.

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins do not always have to be eaten for breakfast. Homemade muffins can be a good to snack when sitting by the pool since muffins are filled with healthy carbohydrates and are sure to give you the energy needed to swim. Be sure to make these ahead of your day by the pool. Freeze them and when you are ready take them out. This snack is sure to have you wanting more. Try a recipe with a low sugar content when baking your own muffins.

Cheese and Carrot Sticks

This is a great snack option.  Cheese and carrot sticks are great to bring to the pool because they are fast and easy. You can use the leftover veggie sticks or apples to go along with this tasty snack. Crackers are a good addition as well. Pair with a store-bought cheese platter or cheese sticks.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Benefits of Doing Yoga Every Day

Exercising daily is a wonderful way to boost your health and feel energized. An excellent form of exercise that can be done in many ways with varying degrees of intensity is yoga. Practicing yoga every day has countless benefits that can lead to great improvements in physical and mental health. Whether you’re an experienced yogi or completely new to yoga, below are some benefits you could enjoy.

Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion

Many of the common yoga poses are focused on flexibility because yoga releases and lengthens the body’s deep connective tissues. Daily yoga creates muscle memory, thus continually increasing flexibility. In addition, increased flexibility leads to a greater range of motion which can help you avoid injury. The more yoga you do, the more you’ll be able to move.

Improved Mental Health (less stress, more sleep!)

Yoga is great for the body, and it is equally good  for the mind. Yoga is considered to be very grounding and mood-boosting. Connecting with your own body can even elevate your mood. Studies suggest that yoga can also be used to reduce stress and improve sleep. Practicing yoga gives your mind time to reflect and decompress, leading to a better and longer sleep.

Increased Muscle Strength and Corrected Posture

While yoga is mostly focused on flexibility, many yoga poses also build muscle strength. At first, there may be many poses that are too difficult for you, but with daily practice, your muscles can adjust and allow you to complete more advanced poses. Building your muscles is great for your health and can make you feel much more confident. Increased muscle strength also affects your posture, helping you to potentially correct your stance and reduce back pain.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton M.D. internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

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Benefits of Exercising Outside

Exercising outdoors can not only improve physical health, but it can benefit mental health as well. Being confined to just your living space can take a toll on self esteem, pleasure, and enthusiasm—and breathing in fresh air can alleviate some of that stress. Here are three benefits to outdoor exercising that can open the door to a happier life in the era of COVID-19.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a vital vitamin that comes primarily from the sun. Being outside for 15 minutes a day can help increase vitamin D levels, which may help reduce risk of stroke, heart attack, cancer and even depression. Taking a short walk locally or going for a slow jog are simple ways to  improve vitamin D intake.

Having a Clear Mind

Being outside brings you closer to nature, which can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Take this time to focus on your thoughts and give yourself a break from the stressors of every day life. Taking hikes, or even just a few trips around the block can have positive impacts on your cardiovascular health.

It’s Free!

Everyone has access to the outdoors—even if it’s a neglected tennis court at a public park. The best part is that it’s free and usually just a few steps from home. The worry about having to walk into a crowded gym disappears and you’re exercising on your own time in the comfort of your own environment.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton M.D. internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.