Health Buzz: Healthy Fall Harvest Tips

Health news from around the web for October 20, 2011.

Fall is a great time to establish new diet and exercise habits. It's perfect workout weather, and there's a bounty of freshly harvest produce. In this week's Health Buzz, we're featuring stories that help you take advantage of the season's healthy offerings.

Fall Fashion Dos and Don'ts

Don't let the chill in the air deter you from getting outside for a fresh-air workout. This story is a great guide to fall fashion trends, with fitness in mind! When it comes to workout clothes, function is just as important as fashion. Look for clothes with functional details, like pockets for your iPod or thumb holes. Layering is also key to working out in the fall, so be sure to be smart about fabric choices. You should avoid cotton as an inside layer because it tends to trap moisture and can lead to chafing. Instead, pick clothing that has wicking properties to stay warm and dry.

Source: FitBottomGirls.com

Eat for Better Sleep

Fall is also the start of flu season, so getting proper rest is even more important than ever. This story is all about how to eat for better sleep. It's better to eat more during the day, and then something light for dinner. Eating a big meal causes increased blood flow to your digestive tract, while your pancreas and intestinal muscles have to work harder. This means your body is actually being stimulated when you want it to be calmed down. Another thing you can do to sleep better is avoid greasy and spicy foods within three hours of going to bed. These foods cause acid reflux, which can disturb or interrupt your sleep even if you don't experience heartburn.

Source: Yahoo Shine

Pumpkin Patch Relays and Other Active Fall Games

Working out with pumpkins? It might sound silly, but it's great if you can get the whole family involved. Burn some major calories on your next trip to the U-PICK farm or just in your own back yard. These ideas are also great for a fall-themed party. You can use pumpkins and bails of hay to set up a fall-themed obstacle course or pass off pumpkins in a relay race.

Source: DietsInReview.com

Figs Are Fall's Favorite Fruit

When we think of fall fruits, we don't usually think of figs. Besides being beautiful and making a dramatic dessert, figs are a good source of calcium, fiber, flavonoids, vitamin B6, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium. This fruit originated in Asia and the Mediterranean, and is now grown all over the world. You'll learn how to enjoy the fig outside of a chewy newton, both fresh and dried.

Source: DietsInReview.com

Recipe: Black Bean and Candied Sweet Potato Soup

This recipe comes from the mother-daughter team behind the blog Feast on the Cheap. It's a good option for anyone who loves a thick, creamy soup but doesn't want the calories of a heavy cream base. Sweet potatoes aren't just inexpensive, they're also a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. What's also great is that this soup freezes well, so you can make a big batch and save some to be enjoyed later.

Source: FeastOnTheCheap.net

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