Angela Jenkins

Fitness

Celebrating Fat Tuesday? Here’s How to Burn Off Those Paczkis

Fat Tuesday is almost here and for many, it’s a day to enjoy a variety of decadent treats, including paczkis. How does that work if you’re counting calories?

Paczkis cooling on a rack
Prevention

Heart Health 101: What Your Numbers say About Your Health

February is American Heart Month and understanding your numbers is crucial in order to keep instances of heart disease to a minimum.

Nurse measuring a woman's blood pressure.
Prevention

A Perfect Pair: Heart Health and Physical Activity

Are you getting the recommended amounts of exercise to prevent heart disease and other health conditions? Find out how much you need and how to get moving.

Image of person walking on a treadmill.
Fitness

How technology can keep you fit: New fitness gadgets for spring

Oh how I love technology, especially when it involves fitness gadgets and fitness equipment. Although in this day and age, there is a technology and fitness…

Food and Recipes

#WellnessWeds: Traveling on Vacation? Here’s How to Make Healthy Food Choices

Vacations and travelling can be exciting, but also a bit stressful if you don't prioritize and plan ahead. There's making sure everything is packed (especially…

Fitness

How to Get Fit Like Detroit Tigers Slugger Miguel Cabrera

Like many Detroit Tigers fans, I am excited to see what the team is going to do this season, with reigning American League MVP Justin Verlander rockin’ as usual…

Food and Recipes

Are Weight Loss Supplements Really Effective?

It seems like there is always a “new” way being touted to lose weight in the form of a diet pill. Dietary or weight loss supplements is a $2.4…

Home and Family

#WellnessWeds: 4 Kid-Approved Exercises Adults Will Love

Ahh, to be a kid again, with stress-free days of a lot of playing and learning. When I grew up, playing outside and being active was a normal part of my day…

Food and Recipes

#NoMeatFridays: These Meatless Versions of Classics Don’t Skimp on Flavor — or Nutrition

Even though Lent is almost over, that doesn’t mean that healthy and meatless recipes can’t be enjoyed throughout the entire year. My husband has made the…

Fitness

A Workout Everyone Swears By: The Ballet Barre Workout

The ballet barre workout uses a ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to upbeat music.

ballet class
Food and Recipes

#NoMeatFridays: Where to Find Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Michigan

Whether you have a specific food allergy, are following Lent, prefer meatless dishes or are on a specific diet for health reasons, I find that a lot of…

Food and Recipes

Ask the Expert: What are the Best Websites to Track Calories and Exercise?

We're fielding questions from participants in the Win By Losing health and weight-loss program and turning them into posts. Here's another one: Q: What would…

Mind

The Stress Hormone: How Cortisol Affects the Waistline and How to Beat It

Have you ever heard that being stressed out can lead to weight gain? Unfortunately, it's true. Cortisol is commonly known as a stress hormone…

Food and Recipes

#NoMeatFridays: Try This Recipe For Fish Tacos During Lent

Fish tacos are a great way to make over traditional tacos. With all the health benefits fish have to offer, why not incorporate some into your next taco night…

Fitness

5 Crazy (and Harmless) Tricks that May Actually Help You Lose Weight

Do this, don’t do that. There are billions of different messages out there offering easy ways to lose weight, and it can be difficult to know which ones are…

Food and Recipes

#NoMeatFridays: When Going Meatless For Lent, Don’t Skip Out on Protein

It can be tricky to figure out what meatless recipes and other options are available when you choose not to eat meat for whatever reason. Meat provides a lot of…

Fitness

5 Exercises and Gym Machines To Skip — and How to Work the Same Major Muscles

Fitness is always changing, with certain workouts gaining in popularity while other moves or equipment fall out of favor. Figuring out what the best workouts…

Food and Recipes

#NoMeatFridays: What to Eat When You’re Dining Out Meatless for Lent

Growing up Catholic, I am all too familiar with no-meat Fridays as a fixture of Lent. Although I love what the season represents and the powerful message behind…

Food and Recipes

How to Eat Like the Stars on Oscar Night

The Academy Awards is a popular evening for more than just the famous people. Oscar parties are popping up all over the place; some even require formal attire…

Fitness

How to Work Out Like an Oscar-Nominated Superstar

Besides being nominated for Academy Awards for 2012, what do Brad Pitt, Michele Williams and Jonah Hill all have in common? They have a great workout routine…

Food and Recipes

Heart and Soul: Reasons to Feel Good About Eating Chocolate

February is a popular month for the heart, with both Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month. What better way to celebrate our heart than emotionally with lots…

Mind

#WellnessWeds: How to Lower Your Stress and Balance Work and Life

Although most Americans can relate to being somewhat out of balance between work and life, it is possible to achieve balance. I must warn you, it will take work…

Home and Family

Shape Up with Your Sweetheart

When you love someone, you want them to be healthy, so why not shed some pounds and burn some calories with your partner?

Couple working out together.
Fitness

Tune Up Your Workout: The Benefits of Music and Exercise

Music — I love it and can’t get enough of it! Music is a language all of its own that speaks to the soul. It can be exciting, uplifting and even bring sorrow.

Home and Family

Are Working Moms Really Healthier and Happier than Stay-At Home Moms?

As a working mother myself, my first reaction to this question is no, working moms aren’t happier and healthier than mothers who are, in my opinion…

Home and Family

Did the Obesity Epidemic Start in the 1950s?

Who is to blame for the obesity epidemic? New research is pointing the finger towards reproductive-age women. That’s right, what women eat prior to becoming…

Mind

#WellnessWeds: Do the Side Effects of Painkillers Have You Hooked?

I had my first and only major surgery when my son was born via Cesarean section in September. Even though he weighed 8.5 pounds, I don’t think the pain…

Mind

7 Stress-Management Tips for the New Year

Traffic, loud noise, workload, too many commitments, not enough time in the day — these are examples of stressors or things that cause us stress.

Fitness

#WellnessWeds: 4 Workouts Likely to be Popular in 2012

I love hearing about new workouts and exercises that people are doing. Variety is the spice of life and your workout routine is no exception.

Fitness

Beat Cabin Fever: 5 Ways to Stay Active and Fit This Winter

Winter time is so tempting for me to hibernate along with the bears. It is also a time where weight gain can show up. Thinking about all the extra work I will…

Food and Recipes

Try This Flavorful, Low-Calorie Stuffed Asiago-Basil Mushrooms Recipe

Happy New Year! I am always looking for healthy and delicious recipes to make and share. Mushrooms haven’t been a favorite of mine over the years but this…

Food and Recipes

Your Favorites: A Healthier Michigan’s Top 5 Recipe Posts of 2011

With only two days left in 2011, I always like to take a little time to reflect on the year and what I accomplished. It is also a good time to get organized for…

Food and Recipes

12 Days of Holiday Recipes Day 11: Vegetarian and Gluten Free: Spinach and Goat Cheese Tart in a Potato Crust

As a health coach, I am getting more and more requests for recipes with special accommodations, especially since the gluten allergy seems to be more common now.

Spinach
Mind

#WellnessWeds: Do You Take Advantage of Laugh Therapy?

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Laughing – especially a really good belly laugh – is one of my favorite things to do. I always feel refreshed and even a little…

Food and Recipes

Chocolate Lovers: Studies Show Your Favorite Sweet Offers Heart Benefits

We have heard over the past few years that chocolate is good for our hearts. Is it too good to be true? No matter what your favorite kind of chocolate is…

Food and Recipes

7 Healthy Apple Recipes for the Fall Season

If you have read any of my previous blogs, you should know that Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the smells, the temperature change, the colors…

apples
Food and Recipes

The Chocolate Milk Debate: Should it be Offered in Schools?

Serving chocolate milk in schools has been in debate for some time now. Does it contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic? Or would children'

Food and Recipes

10 Easy Ways to Cut 100 Calories Or More From Your Diet

Oh, if there were only a magic pill for weight loss, it would make our lives so much simpler. Unfortunately there isn’t a pill per se, but there is the power of…

Home and Family

Back to School: Why Kids Need a Bedtime Routine

I can’t believe that summer is almost over and the school year has started this week! As I am sure a lot of parents have noticed, it has been a challenge to…

Home and Family

Amid Cutbacks, Do School Kids Need Physical Activity to Learn Better?

Is it really any surprise that if kids don’t get any physical activity during the school day, their learning is compromised? Just think about it: As adults…

Home and Family

Supermoms and Depression: Do Working Moms Have it Easier Than Stay-At-Home Mothers?

Being a pregnant, full-time working mom of almost two now, I know what it can feel like to be overwhelmed and exhausted. I also wish I could term myself a…

Food and Recipes

#WellnessWeds: Is Counting Calories the Best Way to Lose Weight?

Calorie: A word associated with weight loss and maintenance, but do you really know what the word calorie means? The scientific definition is: “the amount of…

Fitness

Frequent Sitting May Do More Damage than Once Thought

Driving to work, sitting at a desk at least eight hours a day, driving home, making dinner and sitting more to watch television to unwind from the long day.

Home and Family

Is Your Child Overbooked With Too Many Activities?

Sports of all kinds, dance, gymnastics and music lessons: All of these can be a great learning experience for some kids, but how much is too much?

Food and Recipes

Give Your Sandwich a Makeover

Hot, cold, grilled, pressed, melt. Crust on or off (off for me). Sub, hoagie, panini, gyro. There are so many types of sandwiches to choose from. I don’t know…

Home and Family

Exercising and Stretching During Pregnancy: Tips for Moms-To-Be

Pregnancy is a time where women’s bodies are completely different. Aches and pains can come from nowhere and can make things uncomfortable. Luckily…

Home and Family

#WellnessWeds: Ways You Can Fight Back-to-School Bugs

It is hard to believe that the start of the school year is right around the corner. You may have already started to get school supplies, clothes and making last…

Prevention

Home Remedies: Myths or Kitchen Miracles?

Under the weather? There is actual truth to some of these old home remedies.

Soup made with turkey leftovers
Home and Family

Baby Exercise: Starting Healthy Habits at a Young Age

It is important to make sure your baby acquires healthy habits at a young age that will carry into the rest of their lives.

Healthy baby boys
Home and Family

Are You an Expectant Parent? Add These Things to Your “Pre-Baby To-Do List”

To all of you expectant moms and dads out there, it may be time to start thinking about what needs to be done before baby arrives. I know my gears sure are…

Fitness

#WellnessWeds: 5 Effective Sculpting Exercises For Both Men and Women

You may think that not all exercises are created equal — not for men and women, that is. To some degree, that's true: There are exercises out there that are…

Mind

Keep Your Mind Healthy by Checking Your Attitude and Managing Stress

So here I am writing this blog – feeling a little grumpy and overwhelmed, but it is up to me if I want to feel this way the whole day, or if I want to really…

Fitness

The Baby Bump: Be Sensitive About What You Say to a Pregnant Woman

So here I am — 7 ½ months pregnant and excited to meet the new addition to our family. I must say that throughout this pregnancy journey, I have been a little…

Prevention

Your Skin’s Health: On Self-Tanners, Tanning Beds and Sunbathing

If you want bronze skin, there are three main ways to achieve a tan: directly in the sun (sunbathing), using a tanning bed, or using self-tanning lotion.

Home and Family

To Make Homemade Baby Food or Buy From a Store? That is the Question

Okay, so I am not one of those moms who used cloth diapers, joined the Le Leche league or made my own baby food. But I am the kind of mom who was able to…

Food and Recipes

11 Healthy and Delicious Summer Appetizers

To me, summer is all about relaxing and enjoying the weather with family and friends. This can also mean that food will be a part of the festivities. That'

Home and Family

Study Finds Food Allergies in Children More Common than Once Thought

A recent study in the journal “Pediatrics” on childhood food allergies, the largest of its kind, found that 6 million kids under the age of 18 have food…

Fitness

How You Can Burn Calories in 15 Short Minutes

15 minutes is nothing in a 24 hour day. Get up and get moving to jump start your weight loss journey with these quick tips.

Road to success,running on road with sports shoes,healthy lifestyle sports woman running, female legs with sneakers jogging in evening
Home and Family

Exercising with your Children: Healthy Habits to Last a Lifetime

Regular physical activity isn't just great for adults – kids need it, too. When children are active on a daily basis, the benefits are just as amazing as they…

Food and Recipes

Take a Bite Out of Summer With These Quick and Healthy Desserts

On hot and humid days, sometimes all you want is a light, refreshing dessert. Read up on eating lighter desserts and check out these recipes!

dessert
Fitness

Switch Up Your Routine With These Fun Summer Activities

There are endless possibilities of outdoor activities in the summer. Try one of these!

healthy fathers day
Mind

12 Reasons to Make Someone Laugh Today

What did one eye say to the other eye? Something between us smells. Cheesy? Yes! Did it make you smile? Well, I hope so. As we all know, life is great when we…

Fitness

5 Ways to Increase Weight Loss

Losing weight can be extremely frustrating at times. You can be so good with watching what you eat and being active, but sometimes that doesn’t seem to be…

Food and Recipes

Enjoy Low-Calorie Beverages this Summer: Part 2

Enjoy these refreshing summer beverages while still staying on track with your weight loss goals.

iced tea
Food and Recipes

Enjoy Low-Calorie Adult Beverages this Summer: Part 1

Brewha; brewski; tropical paradise; bay breeze; sea breeze; margarita. As you know, there are so many adult beverages out there that can satisfy many different…

Home and Family

Plan a Family Picnic this Summer

Go on a picnic with friends and family for your next sunny Saturday this summer!

Picnic
Food and Recipes

Healthy Grilling Ideas for Father’s Day

Nothing beats summer grilling. Here are some healthy grilling options to make this Father's Day.

Grilled vegetables
Community

Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to the Beach

It's summertime and you know what that means: it's time to pack your bag, fill up your cooler, and head to the nearest beach.

Playing on the beach
Fitness

12 Reasons to Lose Your Fear of Lifting Weights

Despite all of the health benefits, lifting weights still seems to get a bad rep in a woman’s world. In fact, only one-fifth of women strength train the…

Home and Family

How to Keep Your Kids Entertained Over Summer Break

Summertime is finally upon us, but to some parents that can mean stressful weeks to come. Entertaining kids each day, every day can be exhausting…

Home and Family

Single Parent Households: How to Make Healthy Meals With One Cook

It can be frustrating cooking each and every night for your family. Most parents are tired and rushed for time, trying to make decisions to please everyone’s…

Fitness

Take a Hike This Summer

Summer is a great time to venture out and find a new hiking trail. Walking is a great form of exercise and walking on a nature trail challenges the body in a…

Food and Recipes

10 Frozen Treats To Enjoy This Summer, Without All The Calories

On hot summer days, I still look forward to hearing the ice cream truck's music coming down the road. When I was young and I heard the truck coming…

Home and Family

4 Ways Kids Benefit From Having a Working Mom

When my daughter was born 3 years ago, I had the pleasure of being with her day in and out for three amazing months – then reality hit. When I went back to work…

Marleigh and I swinging
Food and Recipes

How To Be Health Conscious At Fun Summer Events

It is the time of year for carnivals, festivals, fairs and more. If you're looking to slim down for summer and you're trying to make healthy lifestyle choices…

Fitness

10 Exercises You Definitely Have Time For

Do you travel for business or vacation often and assume you have no time for a workout? If so, think again because there are a number of calisthenic workouts…

Fitness

Challenge Yourself: Start Training for a Triathlon

Have you ever thought about competing in a triathlon? Triathlons are multi-sport events that include three sequential endurance events: There are many…

Fitness

Find Out if You are Physically Fit

Being physically fit is different than exercising regularly. Exercising is just that — taking time in your schedule to workout, whatever your preference is.

Food and Recipes

How You Can Help Your Pregnant Partner

Wife, spouse, partner, better half or wifey (as my husband calls me) — however you identify the pregnant lady in your life, pregnancy is not only exciting for…

Home and Family

New Moms: Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

Tired, overwhelmed, excited, nervous, happy, elated and did I mention tired? All of these are common emotions of being a new mother. With a new member of the…

Fitness

How To Prepare For Race Season

Race season is upon us. Whether you prefer running or walking, there are many races throughout Michigan to keep you going. Having finished a half marathon and a…

Fitness

How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy for a Healthy, Happy Baby

Taking care of yourself while pregnancy is not only important for your own health, but for your child's health as well.

A Healthy Pregnancy
Fitness

The Many Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy

I am finally in my second trimester of pregnancy at 14 weeks. Overall, I have felt great but have had some bouts of nausea, especially after drinking water.

Food and Recipes

10 Mexican Meals Under 300 Calories

I love Mexican food, but the options on the menu aren't always the healthiest. Items like chips, rice and margaritas can all add empty calories…

Community

Going Green at Home and at the Office

Green is simultaneously one of my favorite colors and a way that describes how to help preserve Mother Earth. There are a lot of little things that each of us…

Fitness

6 Tricks For a Flatter Stomach

Muffin top, pooch, love handles and jelly belly have all been terms to describe someone who has a little extra around their mid section. It does take some work…

Fitness

7 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight

If your scale is stuck, read up on ways to reach your goals.

Woman on a scale
Food and Recipes

6 Tips for Understanding Portion Control

Want to know how much of certain foods to eat on the go? Use these easy tips to keep portions in check.

Woman sitting cross-legged with plate of healthy food in lap
Food and Recipes

How to Become a Breakfast Champion

I know you've heard it before, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.

Eggs on toast
Fitness

9 Weight Loss Myths

When it comes to weight loss, there's a lot of misinformation. We break down some myths.

Mind

Secrets to Setting Reachable Goals

What is the difference between short-term goals and long-term goals? Understanding the difference can help you reach all your goals.

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