Homemade peanut butter protein bars

Sharing a super delicious and healthy homemade peanut butter protein bars recipe! Perfect for meal prep and grab-and-go snacks. Plus, they’re gluten-free and dairy-free.

Hey! How are you? I hope you are having a great week! With so much going on around here, this week seems to be flying by. Between work and things with the kids, my days have been especially hectic, so I’ve been reaching for quick and easy meals and snacks. Which brings me to today’s post.

How about a little protein bar with your morning coffee?

I love protein bars as an on-the-go snack because they’re healthy yet delicious. At the same time, I don’t usually love the ingredients for many store bought protein bars. My top bars right now are these good! bars (which are impossible to find; usually Sprouts has them), Aloha, and the chocolate whole food bars.

Homemade peanut butter protein bars

While it is possible to find tasty ones with good ingredients, they can also be a bit on the pricey side! Making them at home instead is so easy, way less expensive, and they don’t require a lot of time in or any cooking or baking skills. Peanut butter is one of the most popular ingredients used in protein bars (and one of my fave flavors!), so today, I’m sharing a peanut butter protein bar* recipe that you can make at any time!

*You can also make fun and delicious peanut butter protein balls using this recipe!

What Is A Protein Bar Good For

A quick snack when you don’t have time for a full meal

Sometimes it gets busy and instead of skipping a meal because you don’t have time to make a full meal, I’m ALL about relying on convenience. If these are in the fridge ready to go, you can enjoy one along with a hard-boiled egg or an apple – it’s perfect if you don’t have time to actually cook anything. Is it a substitute for a real meal? Nope! Buuuut it can give you extra fuel and nutrients when you’re on a time crunch and in a hurry.

For travel

I love wrapping up a homemade protein bar and popping it in my tote bag when we’re traveling, along with the usual suspects: jerky, tea, an apple, some chocolate, LMNT packs, trail mix, and a tuna pouch. I can never find any of my go-to protein bars at the airport, so it’s nice to have one on hand that you know you enjoy.

Post-workout fuel

These are great if you’re heading to the gym and then have to head straight to an appointment or back to work. As a pre- or post-workout snack, these homemade protein bars give you a burst of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, plus they are portable and don’t make a mess. 😉

Late-night snacks

Despite what you may have heard, it is not harmful to eat before you go to bed if it’s macro-balanced. Sometimes if you’re hungry, you may need a bit of protein and carbs to prevent a glucose crash in the night, disputing sleep. Just make sure that it’s balanced and not too sugary, which makes these bars an excellent choice. More of my favorite pre-bedtime snacks include hard-boiled eggs and some fruit, yogurt with some grain-free granola, and deli meat rolled up with hummus.

Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe

Ingredients

  • Vanilla or chocolate pea, brown rice, or whey protein powder (I like NOW Foods, DNS, and Truvani)
  • Peanut butter (feel free to substitute with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or other nut butter)
  • Oats
  • Maple syrup
  • Mini milk or dark chocolate chips
  • Coconut oil
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sea salt
  • Monk fruit (*optional, but I like that its naturally sweetening, not artificial tasting )

How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Step One

Grind the oats into a flour in a high-speed blender or a food processor. You can make them into a fine flour or leave them with a bit more texture, depending on your preference.

Step Two

Add the oats to a bowl, along with the chocolate or vanilla protein powder, and sea salt, then mix well.

Step Three

In a separate bowl, stir together the maple syrup, vanilla, and peanut butter. If you want this to be less sweet, use a majority of almond milk instead of maple syrup. This also depends on the sweetness of the protein powder.

Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, and then stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Step Four

Spread the mixture onto a 9×9 baking pan lined with parchment paper and place in the fridge to set slightly.

Step Five

Mix the coconut oil and chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir until melted.

Step Six

Drizzle the chocolate over the bars and place back into the fridge to set, about 30 minutes.

Step Seven

Remove from the fridge and cut into bars. Keep stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to one week.

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Homemade peanut butter protein bars

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A healthy and delicious snack recipe you can make in advance to enjoy throughout the week.

  • Author: Gina Harney // The Fitnessista

Ingredients

1 large scoops (70g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder (I like NOW Foods, DNS, and Truvani)

3 oz peanut butter

80g oats (about 1 cup) ground into flour

3 oz maple syrup

1 oz almond milk or water

2 oz mini chocolate chips (plus an extra 2 oz for drizzling)

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt

Monk fruit (*optional)


Instructions

Step One

Grind the oats into a flour in a high-speed blender or a food processor. You can make them into a fine flour or leave them with a bit more texture, depending on your preference.

Step Two

Add the oats to a bowl, along with the protein powder, sea salt, and mix well.

Step Three

In a separate bowl, stir together the maple syrup, vanilla, and peanut butter. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, and then stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Step Four

Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined 9×9 baking dish and set in the fridge to set slightly.

Step Five

Mix the coconut oil and chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir until melted.

Step Six

Drizzle the chocolate over the bars and place back into the fridge to set, about 30 minutes.

Step Seven

Remove from the fridge and cut into bars. Keep stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to one week.

Notes

If your protein powder is on the sweet side, use more almond milk and less maple syrup to hold them together. If your protein powder is not sweet, add the maple syrup and a little monk fruit and stevia according to your preference!

How Long Do Homemade Protein Bars Last?

Most homemade protein bars will last 1-2 weeks if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge. To make them last longer, you can also store them in the freezer for up to six months.

Are you going to make these??

Please let me know how they turn out!!

xo

Gina

More of my favorite meal prep staples and healthy snacks:

Buffalo chicken dip

Homemade sous vide egg bites

Chocolate protein bars

5 high protein meal prep recipes

Chickpea curry salad

Easy meal planning for busy moms

The post Homemade peanut butter protein bars appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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Author: Fitnessista

Journaling prompts to use this fall

Sharing some journaling prompts you can use as we wrap up the last portion of the year. 

Hiiii friends! Happy Wednesday! What do you have going on this week? My newest baby niece will be born this week and I can’t wait! I’m excited to put some baby meals together 🙂

Today, I wanted to chat about something that has changed my morning routine: journaling. I always heard people talking about it, but didn’t want to give it a try because it felt awkward and uncomfortable. I’m supposed to just… write?? Write about what? What if it isn’t good? What if someone reads it and was like wth is wrong with this person? It made me nervous to write something so effortlessly, without the power to brainstorm, strategize and delete.

But, during the time that shall not be named, something changed: I needed to dump my thoughts onto paper. I stopped caring about it being good, or perfect, but instead used it as a brain dump because my head was SO full of thoughts. It gave me clarity and peace, and since then, I’ve used it as part of my morning routine.

Usually my morning routine looks something like this (sometimes all of it happens, sometimes it’s in pieces broken up throughout the day, sometimes only one thing might happen):

My morning routine

Probiotic and a big glass of water

Meditate on my PEMF Go Mat (code is FITNESSISTA15) listening to binaural beats on Spotify for 7 minutes

Daily devotional/Bible study and prayer 10-15 minutes, listening to worship music on Spotify

Journaling 5-10 minutes about goals, a brain dump of thoughts, or where I see myself in the future. I write about these things like they’ve already happened. It’s been SO wild to go back to some of the things that I wrote in 2020 and every.single.thing has happened, even the ones that felt genuinely impossible.

After this, I’ll have breakfast (usually Daily Nutritional support and Truvani protein pudding topped with berries and hemp seeds or Nuttzo) and supplements, make a coffee and then get started on work

**Feel free to adjust your routine according to your unique beliefs and goals, and set yourself up for a peaceful and energized day.

Journaling prompts to use this fall

If you’re feeling stumped on the journaling portion, here are some prompts you can consider:

Reflect on your spiritual growth this year.

What lessons have you learned, and how have they shaped your beliefs and values? How is the version of you NOW different then the version of you at the beginning of the year?

What are three goals you want to achieve before the year ends?

Write about how you plan to work toward them, and the steps you’ll take to stay on track. Write about these goals as if they’ve already happened, the struggles you faced to acheive them, and how you handled these obstacles.

Visualize your dream life.

Describe it in detail, including your surroundings, relationships, and daily routine. Write about it as if it’s already happened. How can you start working this reality now? Create an action plan.

What spiritual practices make you feel most grounded?

How can you incorporate more of them into your routine? What makes you feel peaceful and calm? What strategies do you like to use each day?

Write a letter to your future self, one year from now.

What advice do you want to give yourself, and what accomplishments do you hope to have achieved? Write about these things as if they’ve already happened, and celebrate these things.

What limiting beliefs are holding you back from reaching your goals?

Explore how you can shift your mindset to one of abundance and possibility. Write down any limiting beliefs that are holding you back and how you can overcome them.

Set an intention for the season.

How do you want to feel throughout the fall and into the holidays? What actions can you take to align with this intention?

How do you nurture your spiritual connection during times of stress?

What rituals or habits can help you strengthen your spirituality this fall? Maybe it’s something like attending church or a Bible study, or even making time to be out in nature, meditating, reading, whatever works for you.

What are the signs that you receive when you’re on the right path?

Reflect on recent events or synchronicities that affirm your goals. When have things *worked out* even when it seemed hopeless?

Write about a personal goal you’ve been putting off.

Why haven’t you started, and what would it feel like to finally make progress? How can you take the first step? Create an action plan that you can follow.

What does your morning routine look like? What do you typically incorporate into your day? Are you a fan of journaling or not so much?

xoxo

Gina

The post Journaling prompts to use this fall appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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Author: Fitnessista

10 Vegan Pumpkin Recipes For Fall

Sharing a round-up of vegan pumpkin recipes to enjoy this fall!

Hey friends! Fall is finally here, and you know what that means—jeans, sweaters, boots, chili, aaaaand pumpkin everything! There’s something about that cozy, slightly sweet flavor that just screams autumn. Our leaves don’t change here in AZ, but the air gets a little crisper, and I love to bake and create pumpkin recipes. The Pilot isn’t a fan of squashes and gourds, but thankfully, I have two little pumpkin-obsessed buddies.

Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, I’ve got some amazing vegan pumpkin recipes that are perfect for this season. We’re talking everything from comforting soups to indulgent desserts, all with that delicious pumpkin twist. Please let me know if you give any of these a try!

10 Vegan Pumpkin Recipes For Fall

1. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl

A delicious and healthy high protein breakfast option that tastes like pumpkin pie! It’s gluten-free, vegan, and an awesome breakfast for busy mornings.

2. The Best Pumpkin Cornbread

The “make with everything” side dish for fall. Gluten-free, lightly sweetened, and no added oils.

3. Pumpkin Pie Mousse

This tastes like pumpkin pie in a bowl, minus the crust. It has the creamy texture of pumpkin pie filling but is totally egg-free for my vegan friends out there.

4. Pumpkin Amazeballs

These pumpkin protein balls are the perfect seasonal healthy snack! They pack a punch of protein and healthy fat in delicious dessert-like bites.

5. Vegan Pumpkin Bread from Well Plated

This marvelously moist, springy, and pumpkin-spiced bread is dairy-free, whole wheat, naturally sweetened, and uses a whopping WHOLE CAN of pumpkin (no weird pumpkin leftovers!).

6. Vegan Pumpkin Mac ‘n’ Cheese from Minimalist Baker

Amazing, creamy, flavorful pumpkin mac ‘n’ cheese made with 10 simple ingredients! The perfect dairy- and gluten-free entrée for fall and the holiday season!

7. Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu from Rainbow Plant Life

This Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu pairs authentic Indian flavors with a creamy pumpkin-coconut sauce made from whole pumpkin. It’s protein-packed and hearty, vegan and gluten-free, yet so creamy.

8. Vegan Pumpkin Cookies from Rainbow Nourishments

These soft and chewy vegan pumpkin cookies have crisp edges, puffy centers, and are packed with pumpkin puree! They are made with simple ingredients and are the perfect Fall treat.

9. One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Chili from Making Thyme For Health

One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Chili- all you need is just 30 minutes to make this delicious fall-inspired chili that’s packed full of fiber and protein!

10. Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup from Cookie & Kate

This pumpkin soup recipe is creamy AND healthy! It calls for roasted pumpkin for maximum flavor. This roasted pumpkin soup recipe would look lovely on your holiday dinner table, and leftovers would go great with sandwiches or salads the next day.

Tell me friends: what are your favorite pumpkin recipes? Please link up ALL the good stuff in the comments section! These flourless pumpkin bars are probably my favorites of all time.

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Author: Fitnessista

Redbreast’s New Whiskey Is Spectacular—Thanks to This Special Cask

Redbreast is considered by many to be one of the best Irish whiskey brands. In fact, we even named the brand’s 12-year-old expression our favorite Irish whiskey, period. That track record should remain intact with the addition of this fantastic new 18-year-old expression.

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey, a category that has a few specific guidelines: the whiskey is made from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley (a small amount of other cereal grain is allowed), and it’s distilled in a pot still at one distillery. Compare that to single malt whiskey, which is made from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley at one distillery, a style that is mostly associated with Scotland.

The pot still mash bill gives a unique fruit-forward flavor profile. And in the case of Redbreast, the types of casks that are used, typically a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, also contribute a great deal to the whiskey’s character.

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Redbreast 18 falls just in between the core lineup’s 15- and 21-year-old expressions, but the specific types of barrels it’s aged in make it stand out from the pack. 

“The addition of Redbreast 18-Year-Old to the core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” said master blender David McCabe in a statement. “By incorporating cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts.”

Cream sherry is a blend of sweet sherries. The use of these casks, which were sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Spain, brings something new to the Redbreast portfolio. 

The whiskey was made at Midleton, the large distillery, just outside of Cork, where other well-known Irish whiskey brands like Jameson, Powers, and Green Spot are also produced. It’s triple distilled and then aged in several different types of barrels: bourbon, oloroso sherry, and some ruby port casks in addition to the cream sherry casks.

At 18 years old, the whiskey has taken on big notes of oak and tannic spice. But it’s softened and balanced out by the different types of casks in which it spent nearly two decades resting. The resulting whiskey has big notes of cherry syrup, grape, butterscotch, fresh berries, dark chocolate, hazelnut, blood orange, and even a hint of Dr. Pepper on the palate.

The Redbreast portfolio is strong from start to finish, beginning with the 12-year-old that anchors the range all the way up to the outstanding (and expensive) 27-year-old. The new Redbreast 18 sits right in the middle in terms of age and price, $250. It’s not cheap, but still much less than the $700 or more you might pay for the 27. 

There is nothing mid about the flavor, however. My advice to longtime Redbreast fans and newcomers to the category? Grab this bottle if you see it in the wild and be sure to share it with friends.

Related: I’ve Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. This Smooth Bottle Is One of the Best Values on Store Shelves

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Author: Jonah Flicker

Dietician Outlines Three ‘Bad’ Foods That are Actually Healthy

Attitudes about diet are ever changing, and what was once considered healthy might eventually be found to pose a problem, or vice versa. Case in point, a “wellness culture BS busting dietitian” is highlighting three foods that have a bad reputation, but as it turns out, are pretty healthy for you.

The insights come from Abbey Sharp, who serves up “science and sass” on her popular TikTok account, which boasts over 840,000 followers. In her latest video posted this week, Sharp detailed three “bad foods” that she actually thinks people should eat.

First up were potatoes, which have been particularly demonized in recent years in the era of low-carb diets. “Potatoes do not inherently make you gain weight,” she explained, noting that they’re actually a great source of slow digesting carbs with blood sugar-regulating residence starch fiber. Not to mention, they’re also a great source of nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

Potatoes are actually quite filling as well, as she pointed out that the root vegetables actually topped a satiety ranking of common foods. For comparison, that’s seven times more filling than say, a croissant.

@abbeyskitchen

Diet culture loves to demonize these foods but they can actually be pretty good for you! Which one of these surprised you? #healthyeating #dietitiansoftiktok #potatotiktok

♬ September – Earth, Wind & Fire

The next food Sharp tackled was egg yolks, which have likewise always gotten a bad rap.

“For too long I feel that diet culture has painted egg yolks, specifically, as these fatty cholesterol bombs that will harden your arteries overnight,” she continued. “But we now know that dietary cholesterol doesn’t actually impact our blood cholesterol all that much.”

Plus, Sharp argued that egg yolks are also a great source of key nutrients such as vitamin D, choline, as well as containing half of the protein of the entire egg. “So definitely do not skimp on the yolks,” she advised.

Finally, the last item on Sharp’s list? Full fat dairy—or specifically, fermented dairy like yogurt—which she says is full of unique compounds like conjugated linoleic acid, butyrate, and gangliosides, that may actually offer a protective effect on heart health.

“Recent research has also found no association with full-fat dairy and cardiovascular disease while other research has found that full-fat dairy may actually reduce the risk of obesity and weight gain,” she added.

“So yeah, I feel like we have a lot of unlearning to do,” Sharp concluded the video, asking her followers which item on the list surprised them most. So next time you’re out at breakfast, don’t pay extra for an egg white omelet; and while you’re at it, get a side of potatoes or a yogurt parfait, as well.

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Author: Stacey Ritzen

Experts Identify Mysterious Remains Found Buried Beneath Notre Dame Cathedral

An enduring mystery surrounding a body found buried beneath Notre Dame following the disastrous 2019 fire that destroyed the church may finally be put to rest, Le Monde and La Croix International reported.

The remains were found in 2022 encased in a lead sarcophagus, one of two exhumed from the cathedral by a team of roughly 50 researchers with the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) who have worked since 2019 to preserve the site.

After examining the remains, scientists believe they belong to famed Renaissance poet Joachim du Bellay, who died in 1560 at the age of 37. Du Bellay, founder of the literary group La Pléiade, was believed to have been buried near one of his relatives at a chapel in Notre Dame, but the precise location of his grave was never pinpointed.

Further examination from the Forensic Institute of the University Hospital of Toulouse found that the man had suffered from bone tuberculosis and chronic meningitis during his lifetime. Éric Crubézy, a professor of biological anthropology at Toulouse, believes that du Bellay hinted at both conditions in several of his poems.

“He matches all the criteria of the portrait,” Crubézy explained. “He is an accomplished horseman, suffers from both conditions mentioned in some of his poems, like in ‘The Complaint of the Despairing,’ where he describes ‘this storm that blurs [his] mind,’ and his family belonged to the royal court and the pope’s close entourage.”

However, INRAP’s archaeologist and excavation leader Christophe Besnier contests this assertion. “Certain elements do not support this hypothesis: isotope analysis of the teeth indicates that the individual lived in the Paris region or Rhône-Alpes until he was 10 years old. However, we know that Joachim du Bellay grew up in Anjou,” Besnier said.

The remains are set to undergo further testing to determine the exact age at which the man died, but experts warn any definitive answers will be elusive due to the lack of comparative DNA.

Only 10 percent of the floors beneath Notre Dame have been examined, leaving much opportunity for similarly impressive finds. However, those will have to wait. The legendary church is entering its final phases of renovation before finally reopening to the public on Dec. 8.

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Author: Declan Gallagher

These Two New Blended Scotch Whiskies Aim to Silence Single Malt Snobs

Blended Scotch doesn’t need a sales pitch. The eminently popular style—which combines both malt and grain whisky components into an approachable whole—accounts for more than 90 percent of all Scotch sales worldwide. Indeed, it is the most widely consumed category of whisky on the planet. 

Yet, amongst a certain subset of connoisseurs (read: single malt drinkers), it’s persistently derided as lesser than. To them, its approachability is regarded as a flaw rather than a feature. It can either be easy to drink or it can be worthy of their critical adoration.

Compass Box is an outlier: it does it both ways. Founded in 2000 by a former marketing director for Johnnie Walker, the brand has a stated mission of “making the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.” It accomplishes this one beautiful blend at a time. And this month, its Core Collection is expanding to include two new bottlings that even the snobbiest single malt sippers would have trouble scoffing at.

Want the latest whiskey news, deals, and reviews? Sign up for the Whiskey Wednesday newsletter.

First up is Nectarosity, a 92-proof blended Scotch meant to evoke the aromas and flavors of French pastries. As advertised, it noses like a cinnamon-dusted danish. The palate features brioche, fudge, and a hint of wildflower honey. Ultimately, there’s a syrupy richness to the whisky, reminiscent of what you’d expect from a well-aged single malt. To achieve this result, the whisky makers relied on a series of virgin charred American oak barrels, along with casks seasoned with palo cortado sherry.

Though most blended scotches on the market today can’t (or are not allowed to) disclose the whiskies used in their creation, Compass Box is a champion of transparency. It proudly discloses the main grain in its mix—sourced from Girvan Distillery—as well as the star malt: a rich liquid from Clynelish. Nectarosity arrives on American shelves this month at a suggested retail price of $65 per bottle.

It’ll be joined by a slightly more expensive sibling called Crimson Casks ($75), a veritable sherry bomb that sings with dark fruit and baking spice. Though this one is also bottled at 92-proof, it’s a blended malt as opposed to a blended Scotch. The difference is that it combines whiskies from a handful of single malt producers without the use of lighter grain spirit—the stuff that the self-styled connoisseurs are forever complaining about. 

The other two bottlings in Compass Box’s Core Collection, the unapologetically smoky Peat Monster, and fall fruit-forward Orchard House are also blended malts.

Meanwhile, you’ll find plenty of other blended Scotches across the entirety of the Compass Box portfolio. It’ll never shy away from leaning into the style. And Scotch fans of all stripes, in turn, should never shy away from exploring them. As this brand does its best to deliver on the promise of “more interesting” Scotch whisky, enthusiasts can open themselves up to the same merely by acknowledging the beauty of the blend. 

Related: I’ve Tasted Hundreds of Whiskies. This Classic Luxury Scotch Is the Best You Can Buy

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Author: Brad Japhe

Foods Rich in This Compound Could Lower Dementia Risk, Study Finds

Recent studies have shown your risk of developing dementia could partially be mitigated through smart diet choices. New research pinpoints one compound in particular found in many foods and drinks that could lower your risk of dementia as years go on. 

The study, published Sept. 16 in the JAMA Network Open journal, outlines what scientists found when examining the dietary habits of more than 120,000 U.K. adults between the ages of 40 and 70. They discovered that “those with the highest adherence to a flavonoid-rich diet, specifically intakes of tea, red wine, and berries, had a lower risk of dementia.” That reduction worked especially well in participants with “high genetic risk, hypertension, and depressive symptoms.” 

“These findings suggest that simple dietary changes of increasing intakes of commonly consumed flavonoid-rich foods and drinks may lower dementia risk,” the study concluded. 

Flavonoids are a compound found in a variety of foods and drinks like parsley, onions, blueberries and other berries, bananas, citrus fruits, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, red wine, dark chocolate, buckwheat, and ginkgo biloba. Berries, tea, and red wine in particular stuck out to the researchers in their work. 

“Our findings show that consuming six additional servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day, in particular berries, tea, and red wine, was associated with a 28 percent lower risk of dementia,” study author Aedin Cassidy told The Guardian

This should come as welcome news for those looking to lower their risk of developing dementia, especially considering the lack of treatment options after the onset of the disease. 

“Currently, there is no effective treatment for the disease, so preventive interventions to improve health and quality of life—and reduce social and economic costs—should continue to be a major public health priority,” study lead author Amy Jenning noted. 

The findings align with a study published in The Lancet last month that pointed out 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia a person can work on throughout their life, diet being one of them. Still, more research needs to be done as the scientists only found an association between the phenomena and not a confirmation of flavonoids’ purported anti-dementia benefits. 

Given the health benefits of tea, however, it probably wouldn’t hurt to up your intake. 

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Author: Chris Malone Méndez

You Can Still See the NBA Finals Live With Stubhub

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Questions? Reach us at [email protected].

It is that time of the year, folks. June is here, and all sports fans are abuzz with the big championship series upon us. The NBA Finals have started, and it will surely be a barn burner this year.

In one corner, you have the number 1 seed in the West, the Denver Nuggets, and in the other corner, you have the number 8 seed in the East, the Miami Heat. It’s certainly a series you’re going to want to see in person, and if you’re after tickets, StubHub can be a big help.

Whether you want to see a live show, be it music or sports, and picking up tickets directly from Ticketmaster is not possible, StubHub is the place to go. Plenty of people are likely going to be selling off tickets, which means you can still grab some. While the NBA Finals have been a big ticket, you can bet that there are still plenty of tickets available for each game, with tickets ranging from around $500 to upwards of $52,000 if you’re looking to really get up close and personal. They may cost some money, but it’s worth it for the experience.

  • NBA Finals Game 1: Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
  • NBA Finals Game 2: Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
  • NBA Finals Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat
  • NBA Finals Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat
  • NBA Finals Game 5 (If Necessary): Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
  • NBA Finals Game 6 (If Necessary): Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat
  • NBA Finals Game 7 (If Necessary): Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets

Getty

The experience, in this case, is twofold. For one, you get to see an NBA Finals game. An NBA Finals that is like a real-life David and Goliath story, with the unstoppable Nuggets and their real-life Goliath Nikola Jokic going up against Miami and their slingshot-wielding David, Jimmy Butler, aka Playoff Jimmy, aka Jimmy Buckets. While Orlando may not be in the Finals, there will undoubtedly be some magic during this set.

The second reason that makes this experience worth the cost is the locales. Depending on which game in the series you want to go to, you will either be spending time in Denver or Miami. These are two gorgeous cities with plenty to see and do, but each town offers a vastly different experience. Before and after the game, you can explore the area with all the other fans enjoying the series.

Seeing basketball in person is one of the best experiences in sports, but going to a playoff or championship game is something special. The energy is going to be off the charts, and with this series offering up such a dramatic narrative, this should be one for the ages.

So head over to StubHub now and plan a little trip to the Rocky Mountains of Denver or the beach

Pick up your tickets to the NBA Finals today!

GET IT!

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Author: Tom Lorenzo

FDA Warns Consumers Against Using Off-Brand Weight Loss Meds

Weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have become so popular that—amid widespread shortages—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a warning to consumers to avoid off-brand versions of the drugs. 

These off-brand versions of the drugs contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in the brand-name medications, which have been compounded by pharmacies and are often sold online. However, FDA officials have been receiving reports of unspecified “adverse” reactions from people using these medications, which contain a version of semaglutide used in lab research that has not yet been approved for patient use.

The agency warns that consumers should only use prescription drugs containing semaglutide issued by a licensed health care provider, and obtained from a state-licensed, FDA-registered pharmacy.

“Patients should not use a compounded drug if an approved drug is available to treat a patient,” the FDA warning states. “Patients and health care professionals should understand that the agency does not review compounded versions of these drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality.”

Ozempic was initially designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, however its seen explosive popularity as a weight loss drug in 2022 thanks to a combination of social media and Telehealth prescriptions.

The drug works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. The GLP-1 targets the area of ​​the brain that regulates appetite and food intake, prompting the body to produce more insulin, which in turn reduces blood glucose and curbs overall cravings. 

Because of the increased demand, the shortage is impacting Type 2 diabetes patients who rely on the drug to control their blood sugar. Compounding pharmacies are allowed to produce versions of medications on the FDA’s list of drug shortages— and as of May, both Ozempic and Wegovy remained on that list.

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Author: Stacey Ritzen