Source: http://greatist.com/live/best-health-happiness-blogs-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Being a happy, healthy person is much easier said than done. But these standout blogs, which provide quality health advice and healthy living inspiration, will get you that much closer.

They’re often expert-backed (if not, we’ve called out that you should take something with a grain of salt) and feature relatable voices, reminding you that we’re all on this journey together.

The Best Blogs for Health Advice

Photo credit: Weighty Matters

1. Weighty Matters

Yoni Freedhoff, M.D., director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, doesn’t let anything slide onWeighty Matters. He calls out the food industry for uninviting him to a talk and Beyoncé for being Pepsi’s spokeswoman, decodes the latest confusing studies, and responds to readers who challenge him. But he doesn’t just expose the truth about everything related to obesity and healthy eating. He also shares weekly funny videos and posts about the latest health news.

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Source: http://greatist.com/move/stretching-exercises-with-illustrations?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Every time you go to yoga class or do some simple stretches, you know the poses and movements you’re doing—but do you know exactly which muscles you’re working? If you’re like us, probably not.

So when we came across this story, originally published on Lifehack, we knew we had to share it. Not only are the images captivating, but as Sharen Ross, author of the article and co-founder of Mazlo, writes, “with this info, you can give yourself the nicest, best stretch.” (Not to mention properly alter your technique if you sense any pain.)

Vicky Timón, author of Encyclopedia of Pilates Exercises, created the illustrations, and James Kilgallon, CSCS, creator of Mazlo’s Body Maintenance Program, wrote the explanations for each drawing.

1. Camel Pose
Muscles highlighted: Rectus abdominus and external obliques. This stretch is best reserved for people who have good flexibility already. Sit on your heels and place your hands behind you as you push your hips up and forward. Avoiding putting too much pressure on your lumbar spine. If you have neck problems do not drop your head back.

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Source: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2016/02/energy-drink-marketing-australia-style/

Alexandra Jones, of the University of Sydney’s George Institute for Global Health, was kind enough to forward the promotional activities of V, a New Zealand energy drink, on college campuses during orientation week.

These, to say the least, got my attention.

According to the company’s promotional materials (take a look!), it wants colleges to agree to let it:

Put used textbooks into college libraries that V carves out with V-shaped holes.
Give prizes including free product, cash, and “life-hack” recommendations such as “sneak booze into anywhere by hollowing out a baguette.”
Appoint brand ambassadors to hand out sample cans like “an energetic Christmas charity drive”
Conduct ongoing activities throughout the academic year including sending “sneaky ninja staff” into campus libraries to hide V promotions and prizes among the “less helpful, less exciting actual books.”

Here’s how:

We’re going to take an elephant-load of used textbooks and cut a V-shaped hole in the pages.  We’ll put in fake V cans with a super mysterious mystery prize in it.  Most of the time it’ll be free Vs.  Sometimes it’ll be a fistful of cash, but they’ll always have a life-hack recommendation with it.  For example, if it’s a beginner’s Spanish book, the hack says,”¿le gustaria ir a cenar?” is how you say, “would you like to go to dinner,” in Spanish.  As the…

Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/02/21/467413500/for-russian-farmers-climate-change-is-nyet-so-great?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=thesalt

An aerial view of Rostov-on-Don region, where the fertile steppes support some of Russia’s best farmland.

Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says last month was the warmest January on record. That sets off alarm bells for climate scientists, but for the average person living in a northern climate, it might not sound so bad.

That’s what many people are saying these days in Russia, where the expected icy winter has failed to materialize this year – to widespread joy. Of course, any climate scientist will tell you that an unusually warm month — or even a whole warm winter — doesn’t mean much. It’s the long-term trend that counts.

But that’s not how it appears to the popular imagination, says George Safonov, who heads the Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. He says there’s a big temptation in northern countries to believe that warmer weather can bring econom…

Source: http://greatist.com/eat/grill-pan-recipes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Limiting barbecues to a measly three months a year is a real shame. Who doesn’t want corn on the cob, ribs, and s’mores year round? Here’s a way you can have your burger and eat it too: the genius grill pan. Not only does it make cleanup a breeze, but grilling can also be one of the healthiest ways to prepare meals.

So if you’re craving a cookout and your barbecue pit is buried in snow (or you just live in a tiny apartment), check out these 25 recipes for classic and unconventional dishes that can be made on a grill pan with equally satisfying results.

Meat Entrees

Photo: A Pinch of Healthy

1. Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Pork is one of the best sources of easy-to-absorb iron. Dust a lean cut of tenderloin with a few simple herbs and spices, then throw it on the grill pan to give your hemoglobin a boost.

<img src="http://greatist.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/Chimichurri-1600.jpg?itok=d-nhtuLf" a…

Source: http://greatist.com/health/are-you-vitamin-d-deficient?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Soak up the sun while downing some dairy for a dose of vitamin D. The nutrient is key for healthy bone growth, and proper immune, nerve, and muscle function. But here’s the kicker: Most Americans are vitamin D deficient, which can lead to serious health risks, such as osteoperosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure.1
So what’s the best way to avoid these problems and get enough D?

Far From The D-List: The Need-to-Know

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body needs for calcium absorption, cell growth, immune system function, and inflammation reduction. The major function of this important vitamin is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Without enough vitamin D, bones can’t properly develop, leading to diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.

Vitamin D comes from three sources: sunlight, food, and supplements. The key to getting enough is finding a good mix of all three sources—it’s impossible to efficiently get enough from just one source. So how much is enough? The National Institute of Health recommends that adults between 19 and 50 years of age get 15 mcg (or 600 IUs) of vitamin D per day. That’s equal to about one vitamin D-fortified six-ounce yogurt (80 IUs), two large eggs…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/what-happens-no-sleep?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

We’ve all had nights where no matter what we try—counting back from 100, meditating, drinking tea—we just can’t fall asleep. The next day we feel like a zombie shuffling through dense fog. This video from BuzzFeed details exactly what’s happening to your body when you don’t catch any zzzs. One sleepless night impairs movement and focus the same as when you’re drunk. Missing two consecutive nights messes with your speech, so you start to stumble on words and forget what you were talking about.

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Source: http://greatist.com/live/si-swimsuit-models-body-positive-advice?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

With three curvy cover stars (size-16 body-image activist Ashley Graham, badass boxer Ronda Rousey, and body-positive runway model Hailey Clauson) and even a 56 year old killing it in a bikini, this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue (finally) makes a bold statement that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

In this video from Bustle, three plus-size models, who appear in a multi-page ad in the swimsuit issue, share the advice they’d give to their teenage selves. (Spoiler: It’s full of self-love.) We could all use more role models like these, and you don’t need to be a teen to follow their lead. Just look in the mirror and repeat after Graham: “I love you. You are bold, you are brilliant, and you are beautiful.”

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Source: http://greatist.com/move/prenatal-yoga-poses?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

You probably already know that staying active while pregnant can have all kinds of great benefits for you and your baby. Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, lots of exercises—from jogging to basic bodyweight strength moves can be perfectly healthy.

Yoga in particular can be awesome, because it’s a perfect combination of stretching and strengthening, says Bec Conant, prenatal yoga instructor at Om Births and birth doula in Boston. (Fun fact: Conant has had four women go into labor during a class.)

“Yoga does two things while you’re pregnant: It’s a physical form of exercise that’s also going to bring some mindfulness and awareness into how your body is changing on a daily level,” Conant says.

Another plus: breath control. “You don’t need Lamaze if you go to yoga,” says Heidi Kristoffer, yogi, founder of CrossFlowX, and new mom to adorable twins. “Yoga makes you more conscious of what’s happening with your body—you’re not just checking out of what your body is feeling.”

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 12 soothing poses to help relieve some of the most common pregnancy ailments—from tight hips to a sore lower back. Bonus: These “ahh”-inducing postures will also ease aches and pains even if you’re not pregnant.

Note: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, check with your doctor first before starting any new workout routine.

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Source: http://greatist.com/eat/organic-milk-and-meat-benefits?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Ah, buying organic. Sure, it comes with sticker shock, but you tell yourself you’re worth it. (You are!) A new study confirms another major health benefit beyond avoiding growth hormones and antibiotics: Organic milk and meat have 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids (a.k.a. healthy fats) than the conventional kind. The jump in omega-3s is thanks in large part to organic cows’ grass-heavy diet, says nutritionist Tara Coleman.

These fatty acids are a big deal because they can lower your risk of heart disease, autoimmune disease, and depression. But many Americans aren’t getting enough—we could stand to add 200 milligrams of omega-3s to our daily diet, Richard P. Bazinet, M.D. told the New York Times.

One serving of organic beef or two glasses of organic milk clock in at about 50 milligrams. But there are other ways to get your fix of omega-3s, especially if organic groceries aren’t in your budget. “The quantities found in a serving of organic milk and meats are still much lower than the amount found in a serving of other food sources like salmon,” says Gina Hassick, R.D. The USDA suggests seafood, fish oil pills, nuts, and soy as the top sources of omega-3s.

If those options don’t sound appetizing, organic beef and dairy could be a good alternative.

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