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Accessible Fitness, more choices for more people

Fitness has always been a concern with regard to both mental and physical health regardless of age, gender, or any other variables that make each one of us unique. And for those in the blind community, fitness is every bit as much—if not more—important.

Exercise for the visually impaired is something that should be incorporated into a weekly, if not daily, routine for a variety of reasons that are both similar and different from people within the sighted community. For those with total loss of sight as well as for those who are low sighted, a lack of regular exercise can bring on a host of other issues, including weight gain, sluggishness, and perhaps worst of all for many, insomnia or a circadian rhythm that has been thrown completely off track.

A quality workout done at the right time of day and at the right pace to meet your unique physical and mental needs is just what the doctor may have forgotten to order. For many blind people, fitness has been a challenge: without someone to guide you and without the ability to drive yourself to the gym, it becomes obvious why so many visually impaired individuals give up—but with the BlindAlive line of Fitness Workouts for blind people, you’ll never have to depend on anyone else again.

Yoga and Strength Training with wieghts for blind people along with a variety of other cardiovascular exercises help our bodies stay toned, help us gain muscle mass and lose weight, but most of all, can help lead a blind person away from a sense of helplessness.

Are you ready to sweat? Come get healthy and leave all your notions of not being able to get fit due to your visual impairment behind with BlindAlive!

The Healthiest Way to Enjoy Pumpkin

November 06, 2016  /  Lisa Salinger

This time of year, pumpkin is everywhere: pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin doughnuts, and pumpkin ice cream, just to name a few. If you love pumpkin, this time of year is full of temptation. While a little indulgence can be a good thing, a lot can wreak havoc with your health. So what's a pumpkin lover to do? There are several options, but one of the simplest and most healthy is to roast your own pumpkin seeds.

If you carve a pumpkin for Halloween, set this information aside to use each year. If you use whole pumpkins to prepare other recipes, you have many chances to enjoy this treat.

Of course, you can buy pumpkin seeds already roasted, but there are so many advantages to making your own. If you're already cutting open a whole pumpkin, the seeds are ready for roasting, and it won't cost you any extra. When you roast them yourself, you can add the seasonings and spices you like best. And who can resist roast pumpkin seeds, hot off the cookie sheet? If you don't enjoy snacking on them, they can garnish a salad, or make a great homemade gift.

Pumpkin seeds can be sweet, savory, or downright spicy. Have fun experimenting, or look online for combinations that interest you. Here is a very basic recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds. Consider it a jumping off place, and let your creativity take over.

First, wash the seeds. Most methods suggest scooping out the middle of the pumpkin and placing it all in a bowl of cold water. Separate the stringy pulp from the seeds.

Optionally, boil the seeds. Many online sources suggest simmering the seeds in lightly salted water for about ten minutes. This will apparently keep the inner seeds from getting done bfore the outer shells. Some people swear by this method, while others say it is not necessary.

Next, dry the seeds. Place them in a sieve, and pat dry with towels.

Drizzle the seeds with oil. In general, about 1 teaspoon oil per cup of seeds is suggested. Mix the seeds to coat them thoroughly.

Spread, sprinkle, and stir: Spread the seeds on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt or any spices and seasonings you like. You can bake them in a preheated 325 degree oven for about twenty-five minutes. If you prefer not to preheat, just add an additional five minutes. Be sure to stir the seeds every ten or so minutes.

Once they are cool, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or in the refrigerator for one to two months.

With roast pumpkin seeds, you get a snack that is rich in iron, magnesium, fiber, zinc, potassium, healthy fats, protein, and tryptophan (which can boost your mood and help you sleep).

If you have a creative pumpkin seed recipe, we'd love to hear it. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or join our BlindAlive Community on Facebook.

 

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