TED Talk: How I Did Less and Ate Better, Thanks to Weeds

This is a great TED Talk. What is a weed, anyway? Simply a plant that is growing where you don't want it to be. Take a few minutes to watch this TED talk and learn about how foraging can play a role in having a sustainable food system.

Reader Poll: Have you ever foraged for food? Tell us about it!

A hilarious buzzfeed in honor of national bike week

aughter is good for the soul and so is biking. Here is a great combo of the two from our friends at Buzzfeed. Enjoy!

(and go ride your bike!)

44 Things You Will Only Understand If You Ride A Bike In New York City

Where have you ridden your bike today?

Celebrate National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month—a perfect time for our community to recognize and celebrate all the benefits of bicycling.

Bicycling keeps us healthy, carries us efficiently from point A to point B, saves us from high gas prices, and makes our air cleaner and our roads less congested.

Bicycling is good for our community and helps address many of our most pressing societal and environmental problems. Bicycling is fun!

Even though this week (May 13-17) is National Bike to Work Week, I encourage you to think of it as Bike to Anywhere Week. According to the national bike group PeopleForBikes, half of all trips Americans make are three miles or less—an easy biking distance.

If more people in our community bike, even just once a week or once a month, we’ll all be better off (even those of us who don’t ride). This month, dust off your bike and give two wheels a try!

Reader question: Real foods for exercise recovery?

Ben asks: "I'm sore from my workout!What "real" foods could I eat after I exercise to alleviate this & stay healthy?" 

Great question, Ben!

After a tough workout, it is important to nosh on some carbohydrates and protein to help repair muscle and to replenish the stored glycogen. I like smoothies because they're quick - I made this smoothie before my run this morning and had it in the car for when I was through. Ideally, your recovery snack should be consumed within 30-60 minutes after your workout.

Why does this snack work? The yogurt and fruit provide carbohydrates, the nut butter and yogurt provide protein. The flavorings make it delicious without having to add any extra sugar.

Nuts and seeds (and nut butters) are a great option for getting minerals - magnesium, for example. Some folks seem to be more prone to charlie horses (those awful leg cramps) if these key minerals are low. The yogurt provides calcium, another important mineral for your muscles.

Here are a few more idea:

• 1/2 cup Cottage cheese + 1 cup cantaloupe cubes + 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup chocolate milk
• peanut butter sandwich with whole grain bread and banana slices in place of the jam
• 1 Larabar
• Handful of dried apricots + almonds
• 1 hard-boiled egg + 1 cup grapes
• 1 cheese stick + 1 pear

Remember to keep your portions reasonable - you don't want to eat more than you just burned - and to have a big glass of water, too!

What's your burning question for the dietitian?