Friday's Top 5 Tips and Trends

1. New insight into healthy Mediterranean diet

What is it that makes the Mediterranean diet so darn healthy? Researchers have a new theory: aside from being full of greens, lean meats and seafood, and whole grains, the famous Mediterranean diet also combines olive oil with veggies or salad—and this little detail might make all the difference.

Scientists explain that combining veggies or greens with an unsaturated fat (found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, or avocadoes) creates a chemical reaction that forms nitro fatty acids in the body, lowering blood pressure and benefitting cardiovascular health. Take this info to heart and combine your salad with olive oil for lunch today!

2. Exercise is healthy, but don’t overdo it

Make no mistake: exercise is incredibly healthy and important, and too many of us aren’t getting our fair share, but moderation is key. New research is finding that endurance exercise (such as ultra marathons or triathlons) can interfere with the heart’s natural rhythm, possibly increasing the chance of endurance athletes requiring a pacemaker later in life. The verdict? Be active, be healthy, but don’t overdo it.

3. How do Canadian kids rank in physical fitness?

Not very well, as it turns out. The new report from Active Healthy Kids Canada compiled stats from kids all over the world to grade how active and healthy they were. Here are the results for Canadian kids:

• D- for overall physical activity
• C+ in organized sport participation
• B+ in community and the built environment
• D in active transportation
• F in sedentary behaviour
• C+ in physical activity at school

To read the full report, hop on over to the Active Healthy Kids Canada website. And for tips on getting kids off the couch and kicking around a soccer ball, check out our article “Overweight and Underactive.”

4. Minnesota bans triclosan in soaps

Here’s some good news from the US: Minnesota is the first state to ban the use of triclosan in consumer products, starting in 2017.

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent found in products such as soaps, toothpastes, and deodorants. It’s extremely controversial, with many health experts saying that it’s no more effective than washing with plain soap, can contribute to antibiotic resistance, may have health negative implications, and is toxic and persistent in the environment. Check your products’ labels to make sure they’re triclosan free!

5. Celebrate Salsa Month!
Who doesn’t love salsa? It’s not just tomatoes, peppers, and onions, either—did you know that you can make salsa out of just about any combination of chopped fruits or veggies? Spicy or mild, sweet or savoury, there are endless varieties to create and ways to experiment with salsas. Try out one of these recipes for inspiration.

• Grilled Black Cod with Spicy Pineapple Salsa
• Goat Cheese Crostini with Gingery Nectarine Salsa
• Greek Chicken Kebabs with Radish, Cucumber, and Feta Salsa
• Cucumber Soup with Avocado and Grilled Jalapeno-Tomato Salsa