Health and fitness

Kennedy’s Vaccine Agenda Hits Roadblocks, Diminishing His Clout https://ift.tt/DtzThpH Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism is posing challenges for the Trump administration. Top health jobs are unfilled, and a court has blocked his vaccine schedule changes.

Sugar Cravings: Why It Happens and How to Satisfy Them https://ift.tt/k0m7EL8 Ever finish lunch and immediately start wondering what dessert might hit the spot? You’re not alone! Even as a dietitian, I have a sweet tooth and I’m not shy about it. The truth is, enjoying sweets in moderation can absolutely fit into a healthy, balanced eating plan. The challenge comes when sugar cravings start to feel like they’re running the show. Cravings can be driven by real physiological signals, like a dip in blood sugar that your body interprets as “feed me sugar,” or by psychological triggers, such as stress or strong emotions prompting a sweet fix ( 1 , 2 ). Understanding why you’re craving sugar is often more revealing than the craving itself. For example, these cravings can point to underlying factors that need attention first. The good news? With a little awareness, support, and strategy, you can decode what your cravings are really telling you and build a sustainable foundation for balance...

How to Turn a Chicken Egg Into a Drug Factory https://ift.tt/B4Et7fg A biotech start-up is testing a novel way of efficiently producing pharmaceutical drugs.

How U.S.A.I.D. Birth Control Meant for Africa Was Ruined https://ift.tt/rutvD8x The Trump administration had options for offloading contraceptives once destined for Africa, a newly obtained memo shows. Instead, it has let them collect dust and go bad.

Trump to Delay Nominating New C.D.C. Director https://ift.tt/uckDPde The administration has yet to find a candidate who aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda while avoiding his unpopular stance on vaccines.

Green Goddess Hummus With Crudités and Crackers https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Green-Goddess-Hummus-With-Crudités-and-Crackers-1024x643.jpg This easy homemade hummus is a great way to use any leftover tender herbs and greens in your fridge. In fact, the more variety, the more complex the flavor. Serve it as a dip with fresh vegetables and seeded crackers as we do here, or add a dollop to a grain bowl or use instead of mayo on a turkey wrap. RD Tip: Though the recipe calls for specific vegetables for dipping, any kind will do (and be delicious with this hummus) ! Active time: 25 minutes | Total time: 25 minutes Green Goddess Hummus With Crudités and Crackers Ingredients 1/4 cup (60g) tahini 1/4 cup (60g) lemon juice, freshly squeezed 2 tbsp olive oil 2 scallions, chopped 1 small garlic clove, finely grated 1 tsp salt, divided 1 15-oz (253g) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 1/2 cups (53g) fresh herbs and greens, such as mint, basil, tarrago...

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint https://ift.tt/AOMCunZ Freezing watermelon briefly compresses the texture and intensifies the flavor, making for a cool, restaurant-style salad that’s actually a breeze to make. Soaking the onions in ice water makes them crunchier and more mild tasting. Active time: 15 minutes | Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint Ingredients 1 lb seedless watermelon, peeled 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 small red onion, very thinly sliced 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 tbsp lemon zest 2 tsp honey 2 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp black pepper 3 cups arugula or baby spinach 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese 4 tbsp torn fresh mint leaves Directions Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Sprinkle with salt and place in an even layer in a large zip-top plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible and lay the watermelon flat in the freezer. Place a few items on top to weigh the fruit down, such as bags of frozen vegetables. Freeze for 2 hours. Mea...

Two States Sue Cord Blood Bank Over False Advertisements https://ift.tt/l2prOXB The attorneys general of Texas and Arizona contend that Cord Blood Registry, which stores umbilical cord cells, profited from misleading new parents.

Key Adviser Quits Federal Vaccine Panel https://ift.tt/eKQUihq Dr. Robert Malone, vice chair of the committee, was appointed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a purge of the previous advisers.

Red Lentil Tagine With Pistachios https://ift.tt/v8AYuxy Red lentils are the smart cook’s secret weapon, delivering all the savory nutrition of beans in 20 minutes of cooking time. Tender sweet potatoes melt into the soup, giving it an earthy, all-natural sweetness. Moroccan spices add an exotic flavor and fragrance that makes the dish seem much richer. Currants and pistachios add little explosions of chew and crunch, for extra excitement. Serve this as a vegetarian main dish or a hearty side. Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes Red Lentil Tagine With Pistachios Ingredients 1 cup (192g) red lentils, sorted and rinsed 4 cups (532g) cubed sweet potato (about 3 medium potatoes) 2 cups (320g) chopped onion 8 cups (1896g) water 1 tsp salt 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp paprika ¼ cup dried currants ¼ cup shelled pistachios, chopped 1 lemon, quartered Directions Place the lentils, sweet potato and onion in a 1 quart pot and add the ...

Kale and Black Bean Salad With Avocado https://ift.tt/1Mxsm7l This big bowl of kale, tender black beans and creamy avocado is delicious and nutritious. With zesty flavors, it’s best enjoyed on the side of a simple protein for a satisfying dinner. RD Tip: Kick up the protein content in this meal by topping the salad with a fried egg or tofu. This makes the salad more filling and helps you hit your protein goal while getting a serving of vegetables. Active time: 10 minutes Total time: 1 hour + 10 minutes Kale and Black Bean Salad With Avocado Ingredients 1/4 cup (44g) dried black beans, soaked 2 cups (50g) kale, chopped 1 tbsp avocado oil 1 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp salt 1 large tomato, diced 1 medium avocado, cubed Directions In a small saucepan, combine the soaked black beans with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and cook ...

Strength Training 101: How to Build Muscle https://ift.tt/pH7Cjrn Cardio lovers, this one’s for you. While logging miles or crushing cycling classes does wonders for your heart and lungs, strength training deserves a spot in your routine, too. Also known as resistance training, this form of exercise does more than build lean muscle; it can help lower body fat, making it a powerful tool for improving overall body composition ( 1 ). Current national guidelines recommend strength training at least two days per week, thanks to its wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits ( 2 , 3 ). The good news? You don’t need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment to get started. From bodyweight circuits in your living room to resistance bands in the park, there are plenty of accessible ways to make strength training part of your week. Ahead, we’ll break down what strength training actually is, why it matters, and simple ways to start adding it to your routine. You might also lik...

Takeaways From the Times’s Inside Look at the C.D.C. https://ift.tt/WqSBFmC Many current and former employees say the actions of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are undermining the agency’s role in safeguarding public health.

Diabetes, Overlooked and Unchecked, Poses New Risks in Africa https://ift.tt/gMGkDPA As deaths from diabetes start to rival those from infectious threats like malaria, a new form of the condition linked to malnutrition is surfacing in patients who can afford neither screening nor care.

J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize Winner for Cancer Research, Dies at 90 https://ift.tt/FJp4O5L He helped discover cancer-causing genes. Later, as chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco, he led a major expansion.

No Pills or Needles, Just Paper: How Deadly Drugs Are Changing https://ift.tt/IlNVCYj Lab-made drugs soaked into the pages of letters, books and even legal documents are being smuggled behind bars, killing inmates and frustrating investigators.

David Botstein, Gene-Mapping Pioneer, Dies at 83 https://ift.tt/t0cbhni His method of locating genes in human DNA allowed researchers to find disease-causing genes, and later to map the entire, sprawling human genome.

How to Handle Dining Out on GLP-1 Medications https://ift.tt/NK9u6MD Eating out gets a bad rap. While some restaurant meals can deliver a full day’s worth of calories in just one sitting ( 5 ), there is a silver lining. Not all meals are created this way, meaning dining out doesn’t automatically mean blowing your goals. From fast-casual spots to sit-down favorites, there are plenty of better-for-you options that can absolutely work with your eating plan, even if you’re taking a GLP-1 medication. That said, ordering out may feel a little different on a weight-loss medication. With a smaller appetite and feeling full faster, choosing what (and how much) to order can take a bit more intention ( 1 ). The good news? It’s completely doable. Stick with us as we break down how to navigate restaurant menus while on a GLP-1, with practical tips and smart swaps to help you order confidently, enjoy your meal, and stay aligned with your health goals no matter where you’re dining. You might ...

How New Mexico Became an Obamacare Success Story https://ift.tt/tYrhI5x Affordable Care Act enrollment has dropped across the United States since the enhanced federal subsidies expired. But New Mexico has record numbers of people signing up.

Why I Decided to Share My Cancer Surgery With Times Readers https://ift.tt/XEVDwQa An editor on the limits of shyness in the face of serious disease.

Trauma Bonding: What It Means and How to Spot the Signs https://ift.tt/qWtyefJ The phrase has been used online to describe connections built through shared suffering, but experts say that’s all wrong.

Ozempic Is About to Go Generic in India, China and Canada https://ift.tt/zugFT1s In India, China and several other nations, Novo Nordisk is on the verge of losing patent protection for its blockbuster weight loss drug, opening the door for cheaper competing versions.

How TrumpRx Drug Prices Compare With Those in Other Countries https://ift.tt/mtwQCXe The TrumpRx website claims to offer the best prices for medications. Here’s where Americans still pay more — and much more.

Women Who Undergo Menopause Before 40 Face Higher Heart Attack Risk https://ift.tt/al7V0Cf A new study found that women who went through so-called premature menopause had 40 percent more fatal and nonfatal heart attacks over the course of their lives.

Top 10 Foods to Make You Feel Full and Satiated https://ift.tt/pfQsNO2 Ever finish a meal only to find yourself reaching for a snack not long after? You’re definitely not alone. Sometimes the issue isn’t how much you ate, but whether your meal left you feeling truly satisfied, both physically and mentally. The good news? Staying fuller for longer doesn’t require a pricey subscription or a major lifestyle overhaul. By choosing the right kinds of foods, like those rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and even water, you can support satiety, stay hydrated, and keep hunger at bay. Read on to discover 10 satisfying foods to add to your regular meal rotation. You might also like 5 Signs You’re Not Eating Enough Fiber What Makes Food Filling? Ever heard of nutrient density? This is a term used to describe the balance of nutrients present in a food that contributes not only to overall diet quality, but also how full, or satiated, you feel after eating ( 1 , 2 ). Nutrient dense fo...