Tag: Dr. Barbara R. Edwards Princeton

Posted on

Reasons to Listen to Inspirational Podcasts

How often do you hear someone saying, “I was listening to this podcast…” in conversation? With the days of radio past their prime, podcasts are in a renaissance with topics delving into every corner or a person’s interests. Many influencers and celebrities have hopped on this trend, hosting podcasts for the public to consume. There are many doctors and psychologists that have founded their own podcasts in which they help with motivation and inspiration. Here are some reasons why you should listen to an inspirational podcast the next time you put your headphones on. 

Connections

In our society, many of us miss out on some of the social interactions that fulfill us. If you’re starting to feel lonely, try including an enjoyable podcast into your routine that lifts your spirits. Real people are sharing their stories that you can relate to and connect with. This can help validate feelings and uplift your mood.. It can help you feel better knowing that someone else was able to make it through tough times, and you can feel inspired and motivated that you will too. 

Relaxation 

Everyday life can become stressful and finding new ways to relax can help you unwind after a packed day. Spending time listening to an inspirational podcast can be the way to go. Most have calming music in the background and can even be a form of meditation. Intentional relaxation can result in an improvement in your overall mood, sleep patterns and your focus. Start your day with a short 10 minute inspirational podcast and see if there is a difference in your performance or mood at work! 

Learning New Things

Podcasts can be educational, so if you are listening or even have them on in the background as you do busy work, you may hear some helpful information. You can gain knowledge on moving up in your career or dealing with uncomfortable situations. Utilizing tips and tricks you hear from podcasts can help you in other aspects of your life and give you a new outlook on your own. 

Podcasts are easy to find and listen to so if you are looking for something positive and different try listening to a podcast. You have the potential to learn new mental health techniques and work on improving yourself. 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

 

Posted on

Quick & Easy Back to School Snacks

With a new school year in full swing now, get in a better habit of preparing healthy after school snacks. While it’s easy to let the kids grab a bag of chips when they drop their backpacks off by the door, a healthy snack habit is one they can carry with them into adulthood. If you are looking for some snacking inspiration read on for some new snacks to try either after school or in their lunches! 

Frozen Yogurt Bark 

What you need for this snack is plain greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, berries of your choice (strawberry and blueberries are popular) and unsweetened coconut flakes. You will need to stir the yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla. Then you spread this out on parchment paper and press the berries in with sprinkled coconut, then freeze for three hours and break apart to serve. Try making it the night before to give it enough time to freeze! 

Mini Pizzas

Make this a cute, fun treat in your child’s lunch in just 20 minutes. You make these pizzas like you make any traditional pizza but place pieces of dough into a muffin pan to make them tiny. However, make sure to spray the pan to avoid a mess. You can top these with any toppings you desire or keep them plain. Bake them for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees, a quick treat from a classic favorite. 

Nutty Butterflies 

This snack changes the classic “ants on a log” snack that people are very familiar with, and this is healthy too! Take some peanut butter and spread it through a celery stick and use two pretzels to make the illusion of wings. You can even take it a step further and add some edible eyes with raisins to make it fun. Follow the recipe to make your own bug picnic snacks! 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

 

Posted on

Healthy Game Day Snacks

Getting together with friends for a Sunday of pro football is a favorite day among sports fans. If you want to bring some different snacks for the upcoming get together, read on for some healthier options you may want to try out! 

Bunless Burger Bites 

Delish has a great recipe for a snack that is a burger without the bun! When you go to make the patties just break the meat off into bite-sized pieces and then cook them on a stove top in oil. Cooking these bites should take about eight minutes, and then melt a sprinkle of cheese on them. When it comes to serving, place all desired toppings on a burger, so lettuce, onion, pickle, tomato on a skewer for everyone to grab! 

Bang Bang Cauliflower 

This recipe takes a favorite appetizer, Bang Bang shrimp, and makes it vegetarian friendly. Bang Bang Cauliflower has the beloved sauce and is easy to make and can be done quickly if you are in a time crunch. You can make these your own if you want them crispy, make sure to put them back in the oven after tossing them in sauce, or leave them be if you want! 

Shrimp Cucumber Rounds

If you are someone who likes to keep things light and refreshing, you may want to try this appetizer. These shrimp cucumber rounds have a hint of Greek in them so this is perfect if you like tzatziki sauce! Make the shrimp however you desire and wrap it in turkey bacon, which is perfect for those who are lovers of bacon. The homemade tzatziki sauce paired with the piece of cucumber and shrimp will have you coming back for just one more! 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

Posted on

Healthy Vegan Snack Ideas

Going vegan doesn’t have to limit one’s palette entirely. There are still many options to choose from, whether it be from meals to everyday snacks. Healthy and natural ingredients and foods are plentiful throughout the vegan diet and knowing which flavor profiles work best together can further help to structure one’s diet. Here are a few healthy vegan snack ideas:

Fruit & Nut Butter

Fruits and nuts make an excellent combo for a healthy and nutritious vegan snack. Fruits naturally contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber while a wide variety of nuts contain protein and fiber. Some fruits to combine are bananas or apples with possible nut butter options being almonds, peanut butter, or cashews.

Trail Mix

A classic snack everyone enjoys, trail mix is a great choice. Trail mix is naturally plant based and usually contains seeds, nuts, and an assortment of dried fruit among other kinds of varieties. Most trail mixes are usually rich in protein, fiber, and a variety of natural fats. Some mixes however contain added sugar, salt and other unhealthy ingredients, but this snack can be custom made at home with minimal effort.

Edamame With Sea Salt

Edamame is another name for immature soybeans that are still in the pods. This snack is chock full of plant proteins, having around 17 grams per cup while only containing around 200 calories. Edamame can be prepared by steaming, boiling, or thawing using a microwave. Soy sauce or sea salt work best as a topping for this snack.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

Posted on

Long Term Benefits of Taking Daily Vitamins

Because of a busy schedule, it can be difficult to pack all the necessary nutrients into your diet. If you struggle with chronic health conditions that require certain elements be added to your diet daily, vitamins and supplements are so important to add to your routine. There are many reasons why people take vitamins, but vitamins have benefits you may not even know about. 

Nutritional Value 

By taking a daily vitamin or even a multivitamin you can be getting nutrition that you may not even thought of. For example, vegetarians may think their diet is healthy enough, but are often missing out on vital nutrients such as B12, iron and even magnesium. Dietary supplements can step in to fill in the gaps where the dietary choices we make are not the best. 

Reduce Mental Health Symptoms

If you are someone who suffers from anxiety or depression, there could be a connection between those mental health symptoms and how your diet is supporting your brain’s health. Improving your diet can give you more energy, which is paramount for a person coping with depression. The vitamins you are giving your body through a supplement help regulate areas of the body like the nervous system to help regulate mental health. 

Healthy Metabolism 

Taking a vitamin every day regulates the body so that it gets the same amount of nutrients. Regulating these vitamins and minerals can be good for your metabolism as it helps to create a more predictable pattern for your body to become accustomed to. A multivitamin, in addition to a healthy diet and exercising, sets you up for a healthy, vital life. 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.