Even if it makes your nose run and your face burn, spicy food can still be delicious. It can have health benefits, too, even if the pain would suggest otherwise. 

Why spice? 

The compound capsaicin puts the “hot” in hot peppers. It is also spice’s primary source of health benefits. According to the University of Chicago, capsaicin benefits multiple areas of your body. 

The studied benefits of capsaicin 

• Can have a positive effect on the microbiome of healthy bacteria living in your gut 

• Curb acid production in the stomach and helps prevent ulcers 

• Boost the body’s ability to burn fat and use energy 

• Help you feel full sooner 

• Reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes 

• Help you live longer when eaten 6-7 times a week 

Even if it makes your nose run and your face burn, spicy food can still be delicious. It can have health benefits, too, even if the pain would suggest otherwise. 

This one-pot, Mexican-inspired chicken dinner is easy and ready in under 30 minutes. Chicken is an excellent choice for kids because it is a lean, low-fat protein that contributes to muscle growth and development. The whole-wheat pasta also helps support healthy body weight and tastes great too. 

Chicken is an excellent choice for kids because it is a lean, low-fat protein that contributes to muscle growth and development.

What you don’t know about your food can hurt you 

A food allergy is an abnormal reaction by the immune system to specific proteins in certain foods. Most food allergies are triggered by:  

• Peanuts 
• Tree Nuts 
• Soy 
• Shellfish 
• Fish 
• Milk 
• Eggs 
• Wheat 

Common symptoms include: 

• Itching or tingling in the mouth 
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 
• Hives 
• Eczema 
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face 
• Diarrhea or vomiting 
• Dizziness or fainting 

What you don’t know about your food can hurt you. Learn about food allergies, what triggers them, common symptoms, and risk factors.

You’ve been admiring your friend’s earrings and decided it’s time to get your own. One problem: how can you do it safely? It’s important to know how to be safe when getting your ears, nose or other body part pierced. Use this quiz to test your knowledge and see how much you know about piercing safety. 

It’s important to know how to be safe when getting your ears, nose or other body part pierced. Use this quiz to test your knowledge and see how much you know about piercing safety. 

Our liver and why we need liver 

The liver is a vital organ in the human body, and it must be cared for through our diet and exercise.  

An animal’s liver, as a table food, is crazy loaded with nutrients and is one of the least popular menu items. Something has got to give.  

Humans’ liver functions 

Weighing in at about 3.1 pounds in adults, the liver is one of the largest organs in the body. The liver plays a central role in total body function. It converts the nutrients in our diets into substances that the body can use, stores these substances and supplies cells with them when needed. It also takes toxic substances and converts them into harmless substances or makes sure they are released from the body. The liver has many vital functions, including helping to digest food and process and distribute nutrients. A healthy liver is necessary for survival. Help your liver by limiting fatty foods, maintaining a healthy weight and if you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. 

Animals’ (or fowls’) liver for consumption  

Skip to the next paragraph if you order liver and onions or foie gras. If you do not, and would not, order animal liver of any kind, reconsider. Liver contains vitamins A, D, E, K, B12 and folic acid, and minerals such as copper and iron. These nutrients provide the body with tools to get rid of toxins to aid the function of your liver.  

If the thought of eating liver in the same way you would eat a steak is too unpalatable, try disguising it. According to the website Back to the Book Nutrition, when sneaking liver into recipes, the keys are:  

• Puree the liver first. Freeze the pureed meat in small portions for easy defrosting. 

• Add it to recipes that have lots of flavor on their own, like chili, lasagna or a dish that includes bacon, to help hide the texture and taste of liver.  

When served on its own, liver commonly comes with onions. Let’s agree that onions can mask the taste of anything. 

The liver is a vital organ in the human body, and it must be cared for through our diet and exercise.  

You’re more than your numbers  

Do you know the eight elements of wellness? When it comes to your health, there are lots of things you can measure. You can track your heart rate, your body mass index (BMI), and how many calories you eat each day. Your healthcare provider will monitor and record your blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and more.  

“While knowing your health numbers is important to make sure you are within healthy ranges, there is more to achieving wellness than numbers on your chart,” said Sean Beach, L.D., R.D., Genesis Diabetes & Nutrition Education. Wellness also involves being free from illness, being proactive about your health and enjoying life. 

Discuss how to optimize your personal wellness with your healthcare provider and use the eight elements of wellness to improve.  

Eight elements of wellness 

Each of these building blocks is essential to your overall health.

1. Emotional – Understand your feelings and coping with stress 

Tips: 

• Pay attention to self-care 

• Practice relaxation techniques 

• Develop skills to learn from experiences 

2. Environmental – Live a life that is respectful of the planet 

Tips: 

• Connect with nature 

• Protect the environment 

• Raise your awareness of your impact on the earth 

3. Financial – Learn to manage your expenses 

Tips: 

• Understand how to responsibly handle your money 

• Avoid financial stress by anticipating expenses 

• Use online apps to track your spending 

4. Intellectual – Have an open mind about new ideas 

Tips: 

• Explore educational opportunities 

• Be curious and expand your knowledge 

• Participate in cultural events 

5. Occupational – Take satisfaction in your work 

Tips: 

• Take pride in your achievements 

• Feel a sense of contribution 

• Enjoy what you do 

6. Physical – Keep your body healthy 

Tips: 

• Visit your doctor for check-ups and screenings and make an appointment if you notice anything unusual. 

• Eat a nutritious diet 

• Stay active 

• Get enough rest 

7. Social – Build healthy relationships 

Tips: 

• Create a support network 

• Develop intimate relationships 

• Strengthen bonds with family 

8. Spiritual – Develop values to help you seek purpose 

Tips: 

• Use resources to cope with problems 

• Practice the religion of your choice 

• Meditate 

Each of these building blocks is essential to your overall health. 

Are you overwhelmed trying to pick a workout? Beach this, cross that and so on. It seems like there is a new fad workout every week, and a lot of them can be expensive to either purchase the equipment or program.  

Sometimes, all you need to do is go back to basics.  

Jumping rope can be an amazingly inexpensive and effective workout. The equipment list is pretty much a jump rope and athletic shoes. Yep, that is it.  

Maybe you are not convinced it can do much for you. 

A 2013 study on Shape America showed that jumping rope for 10 minutes a day can provide the same cardiovascular benefits as a 30-minute daily jog. Same benefits and save over 2 hours a week? Those numbers are hard to argue. 

Want more? Jumping rope can also improve your coordination. A 2017 study in Indian Journals revealed jumping rope improved coordination for autistic children.  

Another 2017 study on Plos One revealed girls 11 to 14 years of age who jumped rope each week had a higher bone density than girls who did not jump rope. A 2019 study by the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research recommended jumping rope for 10 minutes a day to improve bone strength. 

Still not convinced jumping rope is an adequate workout? Consider that jumping rope is a full body workout focusing on calves, glutes, quads, core muscles, shoulders and endurance.  

In case you still have doubts, we recommend trying it. You will probably be surprised at the effort it takes to jump rope for ten minutes. 

Of course, before starting any workout, always talk to your doctor first.  

Sometimes, all you need to do is go back to basics.