Stressed and know why but really can’t change the situation? Try this advice from Melissa at Too Much on Her Plate on how to lower your stress even if you can’t change your life . It’s been a question for a while whether zero-calorie sweeteners actually increase our appetites . The latest research published in the jounal Appetite says no. We still encourage moderation in their use because their intensively-sweet taste can make naturally sweet foods pale in comparison. Interesting tidbit from the study was that stevia actually reduced blood sugar and insulin levels. Stevia is the zero-calorie sweetener of choice among food as medicine advocates. More on the food as medicine front: Research has already suggested green tea can help regulate blood sugar. Now a test-tube study points to the polyphenol ECGC, a chemical found naturally in the tea, as potentially beneficial in helping manage LDL-cholestero l (the bad kind) levels. Try at least one cup a day, steeped for about 5 minutes before enjoying. Summer is the time for salad. If you’re bored with the same ol’, same ol’ when it comes to salads, try these salad presentation ideas . I had a wonderful salad last night: freshly picked greens from the garden topped with watermelon chunks, a few slices of green onion and dressed with lime and extra virgin olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Have a wonderful weekend! It’s going to be beautiful here in the Green Mountains and I plan to get out and enjoy it. As Trish from I Am Succeeding pointed out on Twitter this week, the warm weather doesn’t last long in these parts. If you snooze…or spend too much time indoors working…, you lose! Posts That May Be Related Managing Stress: Discover Your Ambivalences It Happened This Week: Taking Time for Ourselves Sweet Talk: Which Sweetener is Best? Escaping Stress – I Dare You!

Original Source of It Happened This Week: Stress, Sweeteners & Salads