May is National Blood Pressure month. Did you know that 1 billion people around the world have high blood pressure? High blood pressure can develop over the course of many years, but if left untreated can cause damage to your heart, eyes, brain and kidneys. It can lead to a heart attack and stroke. Of course, being overweight is one of the factors putting you at risk for high blood pressure, but don’t despair because including healthy changes to your diet and to your daily routine can help lower blood pressure to optimal levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. These changes can also help you on your weight loss journey, so definitely something to think about! What we want to remember is that small, incremental changes to your lifestyle made peacefully and with purpose will allow you to incorporate these foods on a regular basis. Having a plan before the start of the week will help you do this easily, so menu planning is key. Let’s talk food! You may have heard of the DASH diet which incorporates high levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber and lower levels of salt, caffeine and alcohol. Well, what does this mean … Continue reading Taking the Pressure Off!