LiveWell Vermont

YIELD: 2 servings TIME: 10 minutes INGREDIENTS: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 large cloves garlic, minced 6 ounces large shiitake mushrooms, stems removed Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped parsley PREPARATION: Combine butter and garlic in sauté pan. Heat until butter is melted and garlic starts to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Do not let garlic brown. Add mushrooms and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, turning until lightly browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

This breakfast yogurt parfait in a jar is a tasty way to start your day. It’s so quick and easy, too. Why opt for sugary yogurt varieties, when there’s such a deliciously healthy alternative in naturally-sweetened Greek yogurt? The fruits included in the recipe can be swapped out with your seasonal favorites to provide you with a nutritious breakfast to-go! Note that you can get creative about layering your parfait, adding dark chocolate shavings, granola of choice, shredded coconut, sugar free jam, and more to the layers. Servings: 3 | Serving Size: 1 cup | Calories: 184 | Total Fat: 8 g | Carbohydrates: 23 g | Dietary Fiber: 4 g | Sugars: 1 g | Protein: 6 g Ingredients 1 cup grapes or mixed berries 1/2 banana, chopped 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 cup granola 1/2 cup nonfat or lowfat Greek-style yogurt Instructions Place a layer of berries or grapes on the bottom of the jar, add a layer of yogurt, a layer of granola, a layer of fruit, another ...

Looking for another reason to enjoy a glass of wine?? The men and women of Sardinia, Italy enjoy moderate consumption of locally made Cannonau wine and they have the world's highest concentration of male centenarians and are a designated Blue Zone!  Blue Zones were identified in 2004 as places where people consistently have longer lifespans. Over a decade or so of research has identified a list of 9 factors that prolong life in theses established regions. Among these factors was drinking some form of alcohol. Sardinians are famous for their daily consumption of the robust, regional red wine called Cannonau aka "Garnacha" (Spain), "Garnatxa" (Spain). Cannonau wine has TWO TO THREE TIMES  the level of artery-scrubbing flavonoids  as other wines. Another reason Sardinians may experience these wine health benefits is the way they consume it – always surrounded by good friends and good food! Good company makes everything better!  There is an a...

January 1 is a popular time to make big changes! "New Year, New Me!" That may work for some people but for the majority, by the time January 31st rolls around, those resolutions are reso lost!     Can anyone relate?? Maybe you haven't acheived some big change yet. That is OK! Maybe you have learned something about yourself or discovered something else to be more important! Think about what you truly want in life and use that as every day motivation.  Never underestimate the strength of a win and how that feeling can set you up for larger changes over time. Each success emphasizes your progress — and those micro-benchmarks should be celebrated. Rather than thinking this year is a bust, try these easier tactics: 1 FORGET JANUARY 1 Although the calendar provides that spring-loaded date as a jumping-off point, setting New Year’s Day as your starting line can be problematic, too. It tends to create more pressure, especially if you’ve had a ...

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate your love … for chocolate! This fun cocktail has all the makings of your new favorite treat, either to share or enjoy all by yourself. Make life even sweeter by swapping sugar with Stevia In The Raw for fewer calories. By: myfitnesspal's recipes Ingredients 1 cup (240 ml) frozen sweet cherries, plus more for garnish 8 teaspoons (40 ml) sugar (or 4 packets Stevia In The Raw Ⓡ ) 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chocolate extract 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla Ice cubes 1 cup (240 ml) sparkling water Directions In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sugar (or Stevia In The Raw) and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook until cherries are very soft. Crush cherries to release their juices, then strain syrup through a fine mesh strainer. In a small liquid measuring cup, stir together 1/4 cup (60 ml) cherry syrup, chocolate extract and vanilla. Pour into glasses filled with ice, and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with cherries.

Let’s talk about tea and longevity. Not just any tea, but the wide array of herbal teas that Ikarians drink. They drink herbal teas to naturally heal many ailments! Most of their herbal infusions are diuretic, which helps keep blood pressure at healthy levels, and are chock full of antioxidants, too! Health Benefits of Herbal Tea  1. Fights the Cold Herbal teas are great for treating a cold. The elder tree herb is one of the best for fighting a cold as it has properties that clear the nasal passages and stops heavy coughs. It can also reduce the symptoms of asthma. 2. Improves Digestion Many herbal teas help with the breakdown of fats and speed up the emptying of the stomach. Doing so, they can reduce symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and vomiting. Some of the best teas for these symptoms are dandelion, chamomile, cinnamon, peppermint, and ginger tea. 3. Boosts Immune System The antioxidants and vitamins found in herbal teas are great for helping fight...

The short answer is YES! But, an ideal stretch routine requires a little bit of planning.  Stretching is a vital part of a healthy fitness regimen. When done properly, stretching can  reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by increasing blood flow/circulation, improving muscular balance and posture, and improving muscle coordination. Stretching Reduces Fatigue Stretching increases blood supply and nutrients to muscles and joints  Stretching increases a joint’s ability to move through a greater range of motion  Stretching decreases tightness in tendons and muscles  Stretching Improves Muscular Balance and Posture Soft tissue structures often adapt poorly to gravity and bad posture habits  Stretching realigns soft tissue structures, therefore reducing effort to achieve & maintain proper posture throughout your day  Stretching Improves Muscle Coordination Stretching enhances the time it takes an impulse to travel to the br...

Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, taking the lives of 2,200 people each day. In addition, 103 million adults have high blood pressure and 6.5 million are living with heart failure. While genetic factors do play a part in  cardiovascular disease,  the good news is 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and action. Simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact when it comes to heart health.  Show your heart some love with these 5 tips: Don't Smoke! Quitting smoking is the best thing that can be done for the heart and for overall health. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States, and smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries.Check out 802Quits for more info.  Know your numbers! Maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and total cholesterol play a significant role in mai...