Even in normal times, home-cooked meals are a healthier option, and incorporating them back into your life now can help you focus on your overall health, too.

Meals dont just provide us with energy and nutrients, its also a time of pleasure and enjoyment interacting with the people in your house, said Jessica Bihuniak, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the nutrition and food studies department at N.Y.U.

Dr. Bihuniak added that sharing meals provides emotional benefits, too, and that because so many of us are working and eating in the same area or nearby, cooking and sharing a meal can help us draw boundaries to stave off work-creep into our personal lives.

Now can be a good time to experiment with new types of food and recipes, she added.

Self-control is already challenging without the stress of a pandemic, so as you slowly resume normal-ish daily life, consider simply not stocking foods youll want to phase out of your current diet, added Dr. Li, calling this a golden time to think about not just your health, but your environment.

Its a time for spring cleaning, Dr. Li said. Any processed food, including the wonderful cereals, cookies and juice, they need to be out. Processed food is never doing us anything good.

She added: We want to take a lesson from this virus pandemic to refocus our own health, our familys health, so in the future it doesnt matter what comes along. What matters is good health is our own defense system.

Still, a bottomless bowl of snacks makes for an easy addition to any home office, and as our lives have moved almost entirely indoors, some processed foods, once shunned by health-conscious consumers, have had a resurgence in sales. But those small, seemingly insignificant mini-meals add up quickly and, for many of us, they are far outside our normal eating habits.

Read more:
Eating Is Weird Now. Heres How to (Kind of) Get Back to Normal. - The New York Times

Jackson, MS, April 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diet Doc, the nation's leader in telemedicine weight loss coaching and wellness support wants to remind consumers how important it is to keep an eye on their self-care amid times such as these. During this nationwide as well as global lockdown, it can be difficult to maintain your physical and mental well-being. Gyms are closed, and the nonstop breaking news can lead us to indulge more than normal or neglect our health in search of comfort-inducing activities that may not be as healthy, such as overeating, binge eating, and a lack of physical activity. If you were already on a diet and/or exercise regimen, the COVID-19 health scare may have made a big difference in your routine. However, continuing or beginning a new healthy regimen can help you fight off the additional stress, it can help you balance your emotions, it can improve your heart health and it can also help you better prevent getting infections diseases by boosting your immunity. The more weight gained, the more suppressed your immunity can become.

Weight management is key to keeping blood pressure levels low, reducing bad cholesterol levels, and enhancing circulation throughout the body which works wonders for the heart. In fact, losing just 5-10 pounds can make a significant impact on heart health. Medical weight loss is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track as far as wellness and with maintaining a healthy weight. Diet Doc's telemedicine weight loss program has helped thousands of patients remotely, from the comfort of their own homes for over a decade. Their licensed weight loss doctors and coaches develop customized diet plans for each customer based on individual body composition

For individuals seeking to lose quick pounds to boost their health or to keep their weight under control, Diet Doc's doctor-supervised Jumpstart Diet at Diet Doc is an ideal solution. The Jumpstart Diet is a quick weight loss program with heart-healthy and balanced diet options, backed by a team of medical weight loss experts to assist with short-term as well as long-term weight loss goals.

Interested in what medical weight loss can do for you? New Diet Doc patients can call or easily and effortlessly visit https: https://www.dietdoc.comto complete an initial comprehensive, yet simple, health questionnaire and schedule an immediate personal, no-cost consultation. DietDoc's physicians all received specialized training in nutritional science and fast weight loss. DietDoc reviews each patient's health history to create a personalized diet plan geared for fast weight loss, or that addresses life-long issues causing weight loss to slow down or stop. Nutritionists work personally with each patient and use their own algorithm to craft meal and snack plans that are compatible with each patient's age, gender, activity level, food preferences, nutritional needs and medical conditions. They combine these state-of-the-art diet plans with pure, prescription diet products that enable their patients to resist the temptation to reach for sugary snacks, eliminate fatigue and curb the appetite. Over 97% of DietDoc patients report incredible weight loss results with the majority losing between 10-15 lbs. or more pounds per month.

At Diet Doc, all patients gain unlimited access to the best minds in the business. Their staff of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and coaches are available seven days per week to answer questions, offer suggestions, address concerns and lend their professional guidance and support. Because of this, more and more people are turning to Diet Doc for their weight management needs. Diet plans are tailored to be specific to the needs of those of any age, gender, shape or size and for those who are struggling to lose that final 10-20 pounds to those who must lose 100 pounds or more. Call today to request a private, confidential, no-cost online consultation.

About the Company:

Diet Doc is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long-term weight loss.

Diet Doc Contact Information:

Providing Care Across The USA

Headquarters:

Escondido, CA

(800) 581-5038

info@dietdoc.com

Diet Doc

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

See the original post:
Diet Doc Advises Consumers on How They Can Stay Healthy During Times of Crisis - Benzinga

With the global coronavirus pandemic in full swing, a deluge of articles have surfaced recently offering advice on what to eat to ward off the virus along with a number of quick fixes and miracle cures. Most of the advice revolves around how to boost our immune systems, but no one food is directly linked to a better immune system and certainly none can prevent you from contracting the virus. However there are a number of proven, proactive steps you can take to give yourself the best shot at staying healthy and happy while weathering this pandemic. Below is our list of ten things you can do today to put you and your body in the best possible position.

Above all, be wary of unscrupulous marketeers preying on a vulnerable, anxious population and check your national public health guidelines as the situation continues to evolve.

Ignore the articles about miracle nutritional cures. These range from consuming lots of garlic, herbal teas, special yoghurts, and supplements such as zinc and Vitamin C, turmeric and chicken soup to simply sipping water. None of these approaches are based on scientific evidence.

Whilst zinc lozenges and Vitamin C supplements have some evidence of working in the case of a common cold, the coronavirus is different. If taking your normal supplement of Vitamin C, Zinc, or multivitamin makes you feel better and in control, then carry on, but be sure to check any possible interactions with other medications.

Following any special diets e.g. low carbohydrate, ketogenic or fasting (excluding religious reasons) is not advised.

There is no one specific nutrient which will give you a better immune system. But a mixed diet with lots of fruit and vegetables has a certified gold star benefit. A balanced diet will give you both the macronutrients (protein and carbohydrate) and the vital micronutrients. Eat a wide range of foods if you can to cover all food groups.

Vitamin D is especially important for your immune system and fighting infection. Derived mostly from sunshine during the summer months, we get little from our food. With the restrictions currently in place around the world curbing our outside activity, ensuring we are getting enough of this vitamin is especially important at the moment.

Try to get out in your allotted outside time (especially if sunny) either by exercising outside or simply sitting in the garden or on abalcony for at least 10 15 minutes in the sunlight if possible. We are all advised to take a supplement of Vitamin D; 10 micrograms per day. Food sources of Vitamin D include oily fish (e.g. salmon or sardines), eggs, meat and milk as well as some fortified products (e.g. cereals, margarines, and yoghurts).

Whilst there is some evidence that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may shorten the duration of colds, it is not yet clear whether they have any effect on the coronavirus. However it would be prudent to continue if you are already taking them.

As opportunity for exercise is limited your requirement for calories is also reduced. Your appetite will somewhat compensate for this but boredom and lethargy may kick in and draw you towards food treats. Treat yourself by all means, but be mindful about what you eat, steering clear of high calorie foods such as sugary or fatty foods.

If you are self-isolating its important to maintain good nutrition and hydration, especially if you are feeling unwell. Try to eat and drink regularly even if you feel unwell. If you are not able to cook then tinned soups, microwavable or frozen ready meals may help.

You have more time to cook, so be inventive and learn new skills like making bread or trying out new recipes. Food may be difficult to find, so plan your menu using the food you already have, but also think ahead and write a shopping list. Trying different recipes and new meals with spices and sauces could make you look forward to eating. Easy to prepare foods such as dried pasta, tinned sauces and soups, canned veg and beans make useful bases for meals. Make a batch of dishes and freeze.

Use up perishables like fruit and vegetables first. Sort your fridge out and only keep in there what needs to be chilled thereby freeing up space for the more perishable foods. Use frozen food and vegetables to make smoothies, crumbles and compotes. Frozen foods are just as nutritious.

Be inventive with cooking to maximise food availability e.g. roast a chicken for a main meal, use leftovers for a stir fry and use the bones to make stock which makes a delicious base for risotto or soup.

Keep your shopping trips to a minimum and avoid panic buying and stockpiling. Stock up on foods and staple products which will last longer than a week, for example potatoes, onions, root vegetables, rice, couscous, and pasta.

You are unlikely to catch coronavirus from food but continue to follow food safety advice by washing hands, avoid putting your hands to your face and clean kitchen surfaces.

Chronic stress may diminish the immune system. Keeping calm, meditating and exercising mindfulness are all good weapons against this. Exercise and getting outside while respecting social distancing measures is equally important. Get lots of high quality sleep, aiming for 8 hours per night.

If you have any specific or urgent questions about your nutrition, ask a nutritionist if virtual appointments are available: modern technology allows for convenient and safe virtual consultations.

Read more:
Ten nutrition tips for taking on the coronavirus and coping in a lockdown - Row360 Magazine

Whenever you restrict calories and lose weight, you disrupt your bodys basal metabolic rate (BMR) the number of calories your body burns while at rest. Thats where the concept of reverse dieting, or a recovery diet, comes into play.

Reverse dieting is supposed to give your BMR a boost, returning it to baseline where it was before you lost weight, and help you burn more calories during the day. That way, youre more likely to keep off the weight you lost and not gain it back.

At least, thats the idea. Reverse dieting is not proven, and most of the evidence for it is anecdotal. In practice, the actual eating plan of reverse dieting can be beneficial, but relying on your metabolism to keep the weight off is a bad idea.

Insider spoke to Manhattan-based registered dietician Brittany Modell, founder of Brittany Modell Nutrition and Wellness, about reverse dieting and how to best recover from a restrictive diet.

On a reverse dieting plan, you are supposed to gradually increase the number of calories you eat over several weeks to months so that youre no longer in a caloric deficit and your weight can stabilise, Modell says.

Overall, the theory is to eat more calories gradually, rather than restrict and increase dramatically, she adds. This is a good way to ease out of a diet and prevent weight gain.

And, according to the reverse dieting philosophy, this is also supposed to help increase your BMR and prevent you from regaining weight as you add more calories back to your diet.

However, it is not so simple. It is impossible to make claims that a reverse diet will recalibrate your metabolism and maintain the weight you lost. The body is much more complex.

Our bodies are influenced by many hormones, like ghrelin and leptin, that dictate our appetite and hunger levels. Ghrelin triggers hunger and leptin signals when youre full. So your body releases a certain amount of ghrelin when you need to eat and then replaces it with leptin when its time to stop eating.

However, when you lose weight, researchers have found that your body releases more ghrelin and less leptin meaning you feel hungrier when its time to eat and less full after youre done.

These hormones and the way they contribute to weight control is totally separate from the role that metabolism plays. Plus, these hormones likely play a larger role in whether or not you keep the weight off that you lost.

In other words, relying on your BMR to keep the weight off for you is a bad, and likely unsuccessful, game plan.

If youve found yourself in a restrictive mindset and youve dieted for a long time, you can adopt healthier habits to ease yourself out of a diet without putting on pounds.

Chances are you likely restricted carbohydrates and fat. If this is the case, start by adding in carbohydrate and fat sources with breakfast or lunch, for example, adding oatmeal and peanut butter to breakfast or beans and avocado at lunch, says Modell. This will increase your overall calorie intake as well as incorporating back some healthy fats and carbs, which your body needs.

Eating these types of whole, fibre- and protein-rich foods instead of introducing or reverting back to processed foods will help you feel fuller longer and may help prevent overeating.

Some other methods of safely easing out of a diet include:

Site highlights each day to your inbox.

Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Continue reading here:
What is reverse dieting and how to best recover from a restrictive diet - Business Insider Australia

With school cafeterias closed, New York City has opened 400 campuses serving about 250,000 grab-and-go meals a day to students or any other residents who need food.

Its a fraction of the 900,000 meals served daily in school cafeterias before the pandemic, and it is only making a dent during this time of need, as many New Yorkers have lost jobs or are unable to work because theyre sick with the coronavirus.

Many local nonprofits which typically work within schools and with young people to teach about healthy eating are stepping up to make sure students are fed while school cafeterias are closed.

But the same organizations that are providing groceries and meals some of which are providing direct food assistance for the first time, while others are significantly ramping up their food distribution efforts are themselves facing dire economic circumstances, a new survey shows.

They are facing increased costs while seeing their budgets shrink, according to the Food Ed Hub, a coalition housed within the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Columbia Universitys Teachers College. Reported losses for some organizations are expected to top $1 million, respondents said.

Many organizations report that it is very likely that they will temporarily or permanently reduce the number of overall staff, the Food Ed Hub report said.

The cost of distributing food is up, along with the need to buy protective gear and increase overtime pay as workers become sick. But the public health crisis means that organizations are expecting cuts to government contracts, while social distancing rules mean they cant put on paid programs or host fundraising events that help bolster their bottom lines.

Food pantries across the city have also raised the alarm, and officials recently approved a $25 million infusion to help keep shelves stocked.

In the meantime, food education nonprofits are doing all they can right now.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, The Brotherhood/Sister Sol operated a food pantry once a month, and provided a hot meal to all of the young people who came to the organization for after school programs.

Now, the West Harlem nonprofit has doubled the pantrys hours and its reach, feeding some 400 people every two weeks. Students can pick up a generous load of groceries stuffed with fresh fruit and canned beans, or even have staff drop it off at their door.

That is a necessity for a pandemic, said Nando Rodriguez, a coordinator for the group. Its healthy, fresh, local food that theyre getting.

In addition to mobilizing around food security, the organization is redirecting resources to counseling, and hoping that funders will understand that they need to be nimble in the current climate.

This is something that no one in our field knew was coming, Rodriguez said. We have had to change our ways with the funds that weve gotten to continue to provide for our members.

Many of the member organizations surveyed said the pandemic hasnt changed the need to address health disparities in low-income communities of color that can often be driven by lack of access to a nutritious diet, and are shifting their programming online.

We know that people with underlying diet-related diseases they have hypertension, diabetes, heart disease theyre just more susceptible to COVID-19. Diet is a key part of the problem here, said Julia McCarthy, director of the Food Ed Hub. This is an opportunity to double down on prevention strategies.

Organizations that would usually work with students to grow fresh vegetables or measure out how much sugar lurks in a soda can, are now launching YouTube channels and setting up Google classrooms. Theyre sharing healthy recipes with ingredients that are affordable, and readily available at a time when many staples are hard to find or connecting with students like they did when school buildings were open.

City officials knew that closing school buildings would exacerbate food insecurity. Roughly 70% of the nearly 1 million children in city schools are low-income, and thousands of students rely on school cafeterias for food.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams thinks more people would be able to take advantage of the free meals now available at schools if the city changed the times that they are available for pickup. Last week, Adams wrote to the mayor and chancellor, saying the current schedule, from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., interferes with remote learning time for students and work obligations for parents.

We need to take that barrier out of the way, Adams said in an interview with Chalkbeat. You cant make a choice between eating and education.

The education department said it is not considering changing the school food schedule.

To ensure no one goes hungry, Claire Raffel, deputy director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, which houses the Ed Food Hub, said the city should work more closely with existing organizations, such as the members of its coalition.

Theres an opportunity here for the city to really strategically partner with all these organizations in our coalition, who have really close ties to families and communities to help get the word out about meals being provided by the city, Raffel said.

Read more:
Food education organizations ramp up efforts to feed students, even while facing their own hardships - Chalkbeat Colorado

As a progressive home cook and working professional chef, having as many vehicles in the pantry to help incorporate full-spectrum cannabis into the daily diet has become another mission of mine. The chamomile cannabis vinegar used in this pickled egg recipe is one such example.

When eating eggs, I choose only pasture-raised farm eggs from happy hensthey are richer in vitamin A, vitamin E and omega 3s. Over many years of living on a farm and raising chickens, I strongly believe when the chickens are allowed to roam free on the range and eat insects and plants around the barnyard and farm, they produce a more nutrient-dense egg versus the commercially produced conventional eggs that are standard on grocery store shelves.

Personally, my favorite are brown eggs from Rhode Island reds and blue-green eggs laid by Araucanas and Ameraucanas. Remember that the color of an eggshell doesn't mean that one is healthier than the otherthe different colors and shades are from the many different chicken breeds out there. Both brown, white and even blue-green eggs are all equally as healthy.

For pickling, I quickly choose turmeric. It is a close relative of ginger and a great source of curcumin, which is a known anti-inflammatory. It also has the ability to keep blood sugar levels steady, and it is used to help treat type 2 diabetes. The warm floral chamomile cannabis vinegar used to pickle the eggs will impart slight nuances of honey, cider apples and chamomile. Both chamomile and cannabis contain the terpene bisabolol, which is known to have antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant and analgesic properties.

Considering all those health benefits, these pickled, pasture-raised farm eggs will definitely help with an overall healthy diet that includes full-spectrum cannabis. They are a great addition to any tabletop, anytime of year.

Chamomile + Turmeric Pickled Lil Devils

Total THC/CBD: Depends on products used.

1.In a saucepan over medium heat, add the first 13 ingredients and simmer until sugar is dissolved, 5 or 6 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool for 15 minutes and add the limonene. Mix well. Add this mixture and the peeled eggs to a plastic container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

2.Remove eggs from pickling liquid and pat dry. Cut in half and remove yolks, and place in a stainless steel bowl. Add remaining stuffing ingredients to the bowl and mix thoroughly.

3.Fill each egg half with your desired amount of stuffing.

4.To make the ham powder, place ham steak on a lined sheet pan. Bake in 200 degree oven for 3 to 4 hours, checking occasionally. The idea is to dry the ham steak out without browning or burning. When the ham steak is sufficiently dry, remove from the oven and set on the counter to cool. Break the ham steak into little pieces to check moisture level. If sufficiently dry, place in a coffee grinder and grind to a fine powder. Place the powder in a small mixing bowl and add enough salt to keep it dry, 1 teaspoon or more. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

5.Sprinkle the top of each egg with ham powder and chopped chives.

Chef Sebastian Carosi is a farm-raised, Portland culinary professional with more than 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry who has been cooking with cannabis since the mid-'90s. He shares most of his terpene-fortified recipes on Instagram.

Read the original:
Chef up 4/20 With These Weed-Infused Deviled Eggs - Willamette Week

Workout routines to be done at home are useful, especially currently. Express.co.uk has an exclusive video, created with Seema Parmar. She's a fitness coach and personal trainer at Psycle London and Sweat it London, as well as an ambassador for Sweaty Betty.

Seema is partnering with Express.co.uk to provide a few home moves Britons can do using a cushion, if they don't have a block of a yoga block, and a chair, sofa or stool.

She revealed there would be five exercise in total, doing 45 seconds on and 15 seconds off, performed as a circuit.

Once you have completed the circuit you are going take a minute of recovery and and then repeat the whole circuit twice more, making three circuits in total.

The first exercise on the list is a side lunge, using the cushion to slide the foot across the floor.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo fitness secret: Juventus star's home workout for toned physique revealed

Seema said: "You are going to bring your back foot on top, either on your toes or resting on your foot, whatever's easier.

"You're going to drive that back knee down towards the ground.

"Tuck your tailbone under, strengthen through that core and drive down and squeeze up."

She added: "Bend the back knee, so you are not overloading the front knee."

Do 45 minutes on one leg, then change sides and do the same thing with the other leg out in front of you.

Read more:
Workout: At home exercise routine to burn calories with a cushion and sofa - Express

May Xiao spends most of her time in her dorm room. When she leaves, which she only does to get food or take out her trash, she is surrounded by an empty, quiet Hill.

On Mattie Greens floor in Rieber Hall, only around four students remain, Green said.

Hasan Masud doesnt see many people either, other than the occasional meetup to stand in line to get food together, 6 feet apart.

Its lonely, said Xiao, a resident assistant for Rieber Hall and a second-year ecology, behavior and evolution student. All my friends are not here anymore.

Xiao, Green and Masud are part of the minority of students who opted to remain in residence halls. More than 80% canceled their housing contracts and left after classes moved online for spring quarter.

Many operations have been limited on the Hill in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and student life has changed as a result.

Among the changes, dining options have been limited to De Neve Residential Restaurant and Rendezvous, with Feast at Rieber to replace Rendezvous next week. All meals are takeout, and residents are instructed to stand 6 feet apart in line with a mask on as they wait for their food.

Rieber Hall has the only operating front desk on the Hill. However, the swipe system has remained the same, and vending machines still work.

Xiao said food options are lacking, especially for her vegetarian diet.

Theres no way to keep a healthy diet on the Hill right now, its been really bad, Xiao said. Im vegetarian and its really hard to get vegetables.

Green, a third-year mechanical engineering student, has had to supplement her diet with groceries while living on the Hill.

When I came back to the Hill and I tried to get food, I had a feeling of anxiety because there were just no vegetables anywhere, Green said. Before, I didnt really buy any food from the grocery store except for snacks, but I had to get myself some fresh produce that Ive been eating.

Lines for the grocery stores in Westwood are much longer than usual, and students must wear masks to enter.

When we went to Trader Joes, there was a huge line all across the parking lot, Xiao said. Theres no way we wanted to go in that line.

Many bathrooms on the Hill have been shut down as well. Five bathrooms were left open in all of Rieber Hall out of the total 25, Xiao said, making most residents have to take an elevator trip to use the bathroom. Rieber Hall bathrooms were left uncleaned for two days during spring break as well. UCLA Residential Life professional staff said housekeeping operations had been understaffed during that week in a recent Zoom town hall.

I had two residents complaining about the bathrooms not having been cleaned, Xiao said. Although they moved the bathrooms to one floor per building, it still takes them a long time to move throughout the Hill.

There has also been an increased amount of people experiencing homelessness staying on the Hill, with university police having received double the amount of calls to escort nonstudents off the Hill compared to last month, according to UCPD.

Xiao, as a Hill employee, encountered one woman experiencing homelessness who spent two days in the Rieber Hall 3 South lounge before being escorted off campus by UCPD. This was the second time she had been escorted off the hill in a week, Xiao said.

I saw her for like two days just sitting in the lounge. I was curious and asked if she is a resident but she said shes homeless because of the pandemic and had nowhere to go and that she wanted me to keep her as a secret, Xiao said. I feel so sorry about this but I had to report it and call my supervisor.

UCLA Housing has been working on consolidating residents into fewer buildings so that residents are not as spread out, with the goal of giving each resident their own room. Residents in De Neve residence halls were transferred completely to Sunset Village over the weekend.

This was done to make space for possible hospital overflow from patients as well as housing for doctors, according to ResLife professional staff in the Zoom town hall meeting.

Masud, a Dykstra Hall RA and fourth-year applied mathematics student, said that he and his residents were given notice Thursday that they had to be moved out by Sunday.

There was a lot of complication, Masud said. As an international student of four years, I have all my stuff with me, so it was a harrowing process to pack up. I almost got moved into a room that someone was already living in.

Masud said that residents now have single rooms and single or shared bathrooms after the move, which he thinks is beneficial for safety and made the move worth it.

UCLA Housing plans to continue consolidating all residents into Sunset Village, Rieber Terrace, Rieber Vista and Hedrick Summit in the following weekends.

Xiao and Masud, like many other international students, had little choice but to stay on the Hill.

Xiao is an international student from China and said that her reasons for staying are complex. Although she has the option to go home, flights are limited, and she would face a mandatory two-week quarantine once she returned.

A lot of new cases in China are found to be people coming back from foreign countries, Xiao said. I guess thats why a lot of us are scared to go home and part of the reason why a lot are staying.

Other residents have different reasons for choosing to stay. Green said that she returned to the Hill to better focus on her studies and have her own space.

I didnt feel like I could be in a school mindset at home, Green said. My family is six people, which is a lot for a house. I needed my own space, and I wanted to be closer to my friends.

Student employment on the Hill has also been affected by the pandemic. Many RAs have resigned and moved home, and other students in ResLife positions have been given the option to either work remotely or receive three weeks of paid administrative leave.

Some RAs are frustrated with swiftly changing protocols, Masud said.

We just keep getting these update emails that are confusing, contradict themselves and go back on things, Masud said. I think were asking questions that they still dont know the answers to, and thats why we dont have the information. Its not like theyre withholding information, its that they genuinely do not know. I think we can give them the benefit of the doubt. This is a situation that no one has ever had to deal with.

Masuds advice for everyone still on the Hill like him is to be understanding in this time of unprecedented circumstances.

Its easy to get frustrated, but just understand that everyone is trying to deal with it, Masud said. We just have to get on with it and try and do our best.

More here:
Still on the Hill, students face loneliness and lack of vegetables - Daily Bruin

Adam Shell, Special to USA TODAY Published 6:01 a.m. ET April 15, 2020 | Updated 8:01 a.m. ET April 15, 2020

Debt is a financial drag. But digging out from a blizzard of bills requires a plan no matter whats happening in your life. The good news isthe money you owe doesnt have to be paid back overnight.

One debt-reduction strategy worth considering is the debt-snowball method made popular by personal finance expert Dave Ramsey.

How does it work? You pay off debt in order of smallest to largest, no matter what the interest rateowed on the cards.

So, if you have a Visa with a $150 balance, a Mastercard with a $285 balance and a Home Depot with $415, youll tackle the lower-balance Visa debt first. Just pay the minimum payment on the other cards until the Visas paid in full.

Its a good strategy for the type of person that wants to see some type of progress, says Daniel Milan, managing partner at Cornerstone Financial Services.

When you knock out your smallest bill, then move on to the card with the next biggest balance. The idea is just as a snowball rolled down a hill gains momentum, so will your bill-paying.

One debt-reduction strategy worth considering is the debt-snowball method made popular by personal finance expert Dave Ramsey.(Photo: AP)

If youre in debt now, or fear you will be, youre not alone.

U.S. household debt, including money owed on mortgages, was $14.15 trillion at the end of 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Money owed on plastic was $930 billion. Last year, the average American household carried a credit card balance of $6,194, according to credit bureau Experian.

Staying cool amid debt woes is key. Executing the debt snowball plan has five key benefits:

1. Its motivational

Just like success on the job or the golf coursecan incentivize you to keep improving, so can paying off a bill even a tiny one using the debt snowball approach.

(It) gives you motivation, and motivation is the secret sauce, Ramsey explains on his web site. When you pay off that smallest debt first, you get a taste of victory. And that feeling of success is the momentum you need to tackle the next debt with vengeance.

2. Provides psychological boost

Winning boosts morale. Even knocking out a small bill is good for the psyche, says Chrisanna Elser, a financial planner and founder of personal finance site ThefinU.

Elser says the debt snowball approach is the most accepted (debt-reduction) method by psychologists because it rewards you for terminating one debt at a time in its entirety. The idea is that the little wins will keep you focused on your goal of reducing debt.

3. Delivers quicker results

Paying off a small debt likely will take less time than if you target a bigger debt, or one that carries a high interest rate.

The snowball method is like the Keto diet, Elser says, referring to the low-carb, high-fat diet that trims fat fast. The reward center of the brain sees quick results in debt reduction, so youre more likely to stick with the program.

4. Creates accountability

Ignoring debt isnt a plan. Warming up to the debt-snowball approach is a way to stay focused on the task at hand. And to lower your odds of falling off the debt-paydown wagon, says Elser.

The importance is in the execution and accountability, she says. Much like posing a picture of a bikini on the fridge to prevent binge eating, posting your debt repayment schedule in a commonly viewed place, like the laptop you use for Amazon binges, is very helpful.

5. Begets behavior change

Paying off any debt, even a small one, will get you out of a rut.

Those in heaps of debt typically are depressed about it and feel there is no way forward, says Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. By starting with small balances, the individual begins to feel the rewards of debt reduction, (and) is behaviorally more motivated to keep trying to payoff money they owe.

Whats the key to success?

Sticking to the plan, says Bryson Roof, investment advisor at Roof Advisory Group, a division of Fort Pitt Capital Group. And that means, if at possible, try not to take on fresh debt.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2020/04/15/debt-why-snowball-method-paying-off-credit-cards-works/2952695001/

Visit link:
5 reasons why the snowball strategy for paying off credit cards works - USA TODAY

EDEN HAZARD admits he is finding it hard to resist pigging out on buns during isolation.

The Real Madrid forward is working with an online physio to strengthen the ankle that has ruled him out of 17 games this season.

2

But the Belgian - who was blasted for being overweight after sealing his 150million move from Chelsea last summer - did not hide the fact he is also battling the urge to snack on buns at home.

He told RTBF: "It's complicated for me. I'm trying not to eat a lot.

"I'm trying not to go into the pantry to eat a lot of buns, but it's not easy."

The 28-year-old has managed just one goal in his 15 appearances this season, and missed the start of the season with a hamstring problem.

Hazard had returned to the squad briefly in February before missing another three games with a second ankle fracture picked up against Levante.

But despite football coming to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic, the winger continues his road to recovery through home therapy.

Hazard added: "I'm working with the physio online.

"He can't come here anymore because he fell ill and has to stay at home.

"We started ten days ago, but he sends me videos from home.

"I'm working to strengthen my ankle and I'm doing what I can from home."

2

Continue reading here:
Eden Hazard admits he is struggling with diet and weight with Real Madrid star tempted to pig out on buns at - The Sun