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A bowl of baked beans. Image Credit: Ju-Lee/iStock/Getty Images The heartiness of baked beans, as well as their low costs, makes the side dish a popular potluck item at family gatherings and cookouts. Baked beans are made from navy beans, which are full of fiber, folate, phosphorus and calcium. When you have cooked for a crowd and have leftover baked beans, freeze a batch to save for another day. Advertisement Step 1 Allow baked beans to cool to room temperature before freezing....

Just because masks are coming off doesn't mean you need to dive back in to pre-COVID life all at once. Image Credit: Deep Art/iStock/GettyImages More and more experts say it’s time to get out of emergency mode and learn to live with COVID-19. And for many, a big part of that means dropping state and local mask mandates where COVID community levels are low or declining. Advertisement But while the idea of not having to fumble with a face covering might sound nice in theory, in practice, venturing into a sea of maskless faces can be a little unnerving....

Pints of blueberries for sale at a farmers market. Image Credit: DiLor-71/iStock/Getty Images A balanced diet is one of the keys to good health. One way to ensure a balanced diet is to eat foods from all the food groups; another way is to balance your intake of acidic, or acid-forming, foods with alkaline foods. This helps your body maintain its pH balance, which is essential for proper physiological functioning and preventing disease....

The Food and Drug Administration recommends between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day for adults. Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images TUMS have long been used for quick relief of heartburn pain, but the calcium carbonate in TUMS also has other effects on your body. Calcium supplementation is oftentimes used reduce the risk of osteoporosis, but calcium plays many vital roles in the human body. Calcium supports blood clotting, nerve conduction and muscle function....

Atkins Protein Shake Diets Image Credit: baibaz/iStock/GettyImages The Atkins diet is a popular low carbohydrate diet that promotes healthy eating and weight loss. This meal plan has evolved so that Atkins isn’t just a single diet, but various diet plans that include products that can be tailored to each individual’s dietary goals and needs. Atkins sells frozen foods, meal kits, snacks and shakes filled with nutrients that can contribute to a healthy, balanced diet....

Sensitivities to certain kinds of food can trigger physical reactions such as a tingling tongue after eating, tingly cheeks after eating, slight numbness and other responses. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages Food sensitivities involve the body’s digestive system, which can be triggered by dairy and gluten, among other culprits. The sensitivities can cause a tingling tongue after eating, as well as numbness in the extremities. However, food allergies, which are more serious, can also cause this effect....

Gravity can cause ankle swelling after exercise. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Moderate exercise is often recommended to help increase blood flow, strengthen muscles and bones, and promote overall health and well-being. Therefore, when you notice swelling after your workouts, it can be a cause of confusion and concern. Swelling, or edema, in the legs and ankles is not necessarily unusual, and it can be caused by a number of factors....

Surgical procedures must have proper post care. Image Credit: Jochen Sands/Digital Vision/Getty Images Hyperthyroidism and cancerous or non-cancerous tumors of the thyroid gland often require a thyroidectomy or removal of the gland. Because of its location at the base of the neck, this surgery can affect what you can eat during the healing process. Removal of this gland will not require you to make any permanent changes to your diet though the increased metabolism created by an overactive thyroid gland might have resulted in weight loss....

The butterfly is just one of several swimming strokes that help you build muscle. Image Credit: technotr/E+/GettyImages If you’re like many people, “getting ripped” is shorthand for gaining noticeable muscle definition. For serious strength trainers, the term is somewhere between “cut” and “swole.” But no matter how literally you take the expression, a ripped body calls for low body fat and visible muscle definition. So how does swimming work into a routine for getting ripped?...

Integrating dumbbells into your bootcamp routine can add an extra challenge. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia/iStock/GettyImages No matter what your go-to workout is, there’s no denying that there’s something special about a bootcamp-style workout. Often formatted as a circuit, there’s something fun about the opportunity to get after it alongside others with a common goal. Advertisement Add in the potential for increased strength, weight loss and improved cardiovascular fitness — and you've got the perfect recipe for a total-body burn and a good time....

Fruit, Vegetable & Lean Meat Diet A diet consisting of lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables mimics the diets of our ancient ancestors and, proponents believe, best suits our genetics and digestion. Such a diet, embodied in the Paleo Diet Plan, can be very healthy, but challenging to stick to because it is so restrictive. The high protein content keeps you sated and you acquire tons of fiber and nutrients through fresh raw produce....

A bowl of salted peanuts. Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Peanuts are one a several crops that are vulnerable to aflatoxins, toxins produced by fungi that grow in or on certain foods and feeds. These natural contaminants are dangerous to both humans and animals – and linked to cancer and death when ingested in large amounts. The good news is that regulatory agencies in the United States keep a very close eye on aflatoxins to ensure public safety....

Grilled cheese sandwich ready for a meal. Image Credit: msheldrake/iStock/Getty Images If you notice that you develop an upset stomach every time you eat grilled cheese, you should avoid eating that food until you can be seen by your doctor. FamilyDoctor.org states that the most common causes of dyspepsia, the medical term for upset stomach, are peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Grilled cheese sandwiches are high in fat and contain lactose, which may cause upset stomach from some people....

With Gyrotonics you follow a flowing exercise sequence that moves from one exercise to the next. Image Credit: Rossella De Berti/E+/GettyImages Described by its founder as “yoga for dancers,” the Gyrotonic Method is an exercise technique that may look intimidating, but is touted to give great results — even if you aren’t a dancer. But does it live up to the hype? Advertisement Using specialized equipment, Gyrotonics combines tai chi, yoga and Pilates to help improve strength, balance and flexibility....

Many gyms have a hamstring machine that fixes your body in one position while you perform leg flexion against a resistance. Although this method of isolation training develops hamstring size and physical strength, it does very little or nothing to improve functional movement patterns that are vital for sports and daily activities, according to Dr. Nicolas Campos. Types of Hamstring Machines The seated hamstring machine fixes your body in an upright seated position....

A beef steak on a chopping board. Image Credit: Lisovskaya/iStock/Getty Images The culotte steak is a small steak cut from the bottom of the sirloin. Although you can purchase this steak at well-stocked grocery stores and butcher shops nationwide, the culotte steak is more often served on the West Coast of the United States. One benefit to the culotte steak is that it is cut small, from 4 to 6 ounces, which is closer to the 3-ounce serving size recommended by the U....

A croissant on a plate with a knife. Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Though not exactly good for the waistline, croissants are a delectable French pastry treat. The key to including flaky, rich buttery treats, such as croissants, into your meal plan is to eat them in moderation, making them a once-in-a-while indulgence rather than something you would consume every day. Purchasing frozen croissants is a convenient way to have the pastry on hand for those days that a treat is in order....

A close-up of Garbanzo beans. Image Credit: Zoonar RF/Zoonar/Getty Images Garbanzo beans – or chickpeas – are the most commonly consumed legume in the world. Garbanzos are a good source of vitamins B6, C and zinc. They’re high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, and are an excellent source of protein. Chickpeas are a staple in the vegetarian diet and are often eaten in the form in hummus, falafels or curry. They are available year-round both dried and canned....

Cook your smoked bone-in ham over low heat for 5 to 6 hours in your slow cooker. Image Credit: LauriPatterson/E+/GettyImages With your slow cooker, takeout is no longer your only option for dinner. The time-saving kitchen tool can have just about anything ready to go by the time you get home from work, even slow cooker smoked ham. Advertisement Tip Cook your smoked bone-in ham over low heat for 5 to 6 hours in your slow cooker....

Foods with complex carbs will help fuel your exercise, so they're a great option to eat before sports tryouts. Image Credit: vaaseenaa/iStock/GettyImages For athletes prepping for sports tryouts, the road to getting that coveted spot can be strenuous and stressful, both mentally and physically. One major factor that can help prepare you — and even give you an advantage — is fueling properly. Advertisement Eating before your tryout will help ensure a steady supply of glucose (aka energy) circulating in your bloodstream so your body can perform at its very best....