Rolanda Perkins

  (On behalf of National Nutrition Month) So here we are at the end of National Nutrition Month & I feel like there’s one subject that we can all use a refresher on and that’s the subject of  SUGAR,  because it’s everywhere. I read where researchers noted that  sugar  is not necessarily a health problem, but the amount of  sugar  that we consume is. I came across a great article on  sugar , located on the  VeryWellFit  website that does an excellent job of explaining this subject.  In this article, I learned what  sugar  is, the different types of  sugars , & even the different names for  sugar . I also learned about alternative sweeteners & how  sugar  affects the following: your body, heart, brain, mood & body composition. It also gave examples of foods that are high in  sugar . It even discussed: monitoring  sugar  for diabetes, weight loss, mood, digestive health, fitness & other conditions. There’s a lot to know about  sugar  and its effects on our bodies. The

  When I had to make changes to my diet, I really wasn’t sure what I needed to do or even how to go about doing it. I knew that my diet needed work, but I  wasn’t for sure  what that work consisted of. Should I be counting calories and if so… how many calories do I need to consume?  I didn’t even know about the importance of keeping a food journal to monitor what I was consuming , and the importance of monitoring my mood when I did eat . I remember being at work one day and someone telling me that they noticed that throughout the day I  would,   ‘graze’ .  Wait! What? Really? Could I have been an emotional eater, and if so… what was causing me to be that way? I know that lots of people eat in response to their emotions but never really take the time to assess those emotions and understand why they do what they do. I found a great article on the  verywellfit.com website that explains ways to curb emotional eating. I hope that it helps shed some light on this subject for you, as it did f

  Have you ever  ‘meal prepped’? I’ve been doing it for quite a few years now. However, the version of what I do is referred to as ‘ batch cooking’  and I didn’t even realize that it had a name. I was talking to my sister one day and mentioned to her how I usually prepare my meals. She told me that this was actually a form of ‘ meal prepping’.  The only difference is that I’m not storing each individual meal in containers. I’m utilizing one day out of the weekend, cooking the foods that I’m going to consume during the week, storing them in the fridge, and then reheating them when I’m ready to eat. For me, there is no need to freeze my food because I’ll be eating it before the week is up. Last June 2021, I injured my ankle and was off my feet for a while. When the injury initially occurred, my neighbors, Bruce & Madonna were so kind & helpful to me & my dog during that crucial time. They would bring me meals so that I would not have to be in the kitchen preparing food. Madon

  One of the things that I was never conscious of, before having a heart attack was  paying attention to the Nutrition Facts panel on the foods that I purchased. It was only after I was forced to begin looking at what I was putting into my body, did I become interested in focusing on those labels. When I became intentional about monitoring food labels, it was easier for me to shop for better food choices. I then wanted to know  why  I shouldn’t consume certain foods. What was it doing to my body? How was it contributing to my heart health? Should I stop eating certain things… was it OK to continue eating certain foods in moderation? I had many questions. As I did my research, it was all so intriguing to me. I felt as if I was learning a new language because a lot of the information seemed so  foreign  to me.  During  National Nutrition Month , I would like to stress the importance of knowing what you’re putting in your body and the effects it can have on your health. Taking baby steps

  Thought I’d try something different in 2022 for my blog. Each month of the year is dedicated to one or more  health observances . This year I’d like to help inspire you by sharing the gift of health education.  One of the Health observances for the month of March is  NUTRITION . So, that’s what I’d like to focus on. Prior to having a heart attack in 2005, I was  not  intentionally focused on properly nourishing my body with the right foods. However, there have been many things that I’ve since learned over the years as it relates to proper nutrition & the benefits for my health. I still have a lot to learn and, “ NO, I don’t get it right 100% of the time ”! However, the difference today is that I take the time to educate myself on the importance of using food & proper nutrition to support & sustain my life. Funny Story : I remember years ago I was out to lunch with a friend. We were at a popular restaurant and ended up ordering the same chicken stir-fry dish. When our food