New Year's Resolutions by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Resolve to do more for others

Eat less, exercise more, pay off debt, quit smoking, drink less, get a better job…

These are just a few of the most common New Year’s resolutions. You may notice that the abovementioned abstentions tend to focus on the self. Some people, however, have taken it upon themselves to emphasize the needs of others with their resolutions.

One woman decided that after a lifetime of working on her own self-improvement it was time to improve her relationship with others. Since that epiphany, she now takes a retired art teacher to art classes and takes her sister for ice cream and to medical appointments. She also now makes it a point to compliment strangers. How nice!

Editing Out Hypertension by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Maybe take it less often with a grain of salt

My editor is Santa Monica’s most enthusiastic gym rat upon learning that he has high blood pressure. He’s going full-force at the gym now and even asked if I could help with his diet.

Unfortunately, for some people, it takes much more than elevated blood pressure to motivate change. Sometimes it takes a heart attack or stroke before making any serious commitments to improve health.

Holiday Wishes by Elizabeth Brown. MS, RD

Dear Santa,

For Christmas I would like an official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. Oh, no, that was on Ralphie’s wish list. Besides, I had a BB gun and a bow and arrow when I was a kid. It was fun to shoot at targets in the safety of my father’s backyard. But since I won’t even kill a spider, what’s the point?

What I want for Christmas is nothing material, for that goes against my Buddhist nature of simplicity and non-attachment. Admittedly, I do want to have a nutrition science-based cooking show where I can clarify nutrition concepts while demonstrating pertinent recipes and food facts, kind of like I do in my articles. This has been my goal for the past 22 years. Steadfastness is another Buddhist principle I practice daily.

Food Safety is in Your Hands by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Wash your hands of the whole thing

With the holiday season approaching and the cooler weather upon us, we must be prudent and protect our precious immune systems. Some people get flu shots. Some take extra vitamin C. Others bundle up and stay warm and dare not go outside with a wet head.

But did you know that one of the leading causes of illness this season might be something that is completely out of your hands…or is it?

Stop Tripping on Tryptophan by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

The turkey made me do it

It’s been more than a week since we all indulged on turkey and then promptly fell asleep. So if you’re still blaming the turkey for your post-meal fatigue, you can forget it. First of all, you should not have been eating leftovers beyond Sunday. The life of cooked turkey and stuffing is three to four days including the day you prepare the meal.

Second, let’s dispel the turkey/tryptophan myth—