Excedrin- March is National Nutrition Month+GIVEAWAY

I'm excited to announce that I'm back on board with Excedrin to be a brand ambassador again for 2013! I'll be sharing my journey and migraine tips, knowledge, and facts with you.

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? Put down that bag of chips and cook up some delicious steamed broccoli! I try to eat as healthy as possible, but come on, we all know that's not always true or possible. Just this week alone I've had chocolate, pizza, and frozen yogurt. I have had many salads and fruits and veggies too.  I always try to keep an equal balance of healthy vs. unhealthy foods.

What I've recently learned is that certain foods can trigger migraines and make your stress levels go up. A fantastic part of this campaign is that I'll be given nutritional resources by registered dietitan Keri Gans. This can only help with my migraines!

I was not aware that citrus, fruits and nuts are key triggers for migraines.  I have noticed more migraines after eating peanuts and citrus, but I never thought that the cause could be related to those yummy foods!

The following items are key triggers for migraines:

Tyramine: a substance found naturally in some foods, like aged cheese and red wine.  It's formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age.  A good rule of thumb is that the longer a high-protein food ages, the higher the tyramine content.  Some common foods that contain tyramine include aged cheeses, red wine, alcohol beverages, and some processed meats. I don't drink much wine but I do adore cheese. It's good to know that cheese can be a migraine trigger too.

Alcohol: increases blood flow to your brain which can cause migraines and headaches.  Red wine, beer, whiskey and champagne are the most common culprits.

Other potential migraine triggers include: artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame), chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee or tea, caffeinated soda, foods that contain MSG and nuts or nut butters. This is where I have to be careful.  I consume a lot of chocolate and tea, which is probably why I've had a migraine this week after eating more chocolate than I usually do. In the future, I will have to watch out for this.

There is emerging science that suggests foods rich in magnesium, such as kale and broccoli, support healthy brain function.  Try swapping kale for romaine in your salad at lunch to increase your magnesium intake.

I feel much more in control of my migraines after learning these new tips. It's important to me to know what causes and triggers my migraines (besides stress or lack of sleep).  I feel that I will have a better handle on my migraines and will now lead a more positive life because of this.

Stick with me on my Excedrin journey as I lead the way to a migraine-free life!

One lucky winner will win an awesome Excedrin prize pack!

   The Veggie-Peel - This innovative fruit and vegetable peeler features a patented, built-in chamber that retains peels during use. Scraps are held in the durable, thermo-plastic chamber, eliminating messy peelings and clogged sinks. The double sided stainless steel blade allows for both right and left handed use.

·         Harold Import Company Avo Saver - Avo Saver is easy to use and will reduce a cut avocado’s exposure to air, greatly slowing the destructive oxidization process.

·         Dressing Emulsifier - The Emulstir is an innovative way to mix up and store delicious salad dressings. It's very easy to use; simply remove the top of the Emulstir, fill with oil, vinegar and herb replace lid and squeeze the handle to blend. 

·         Emson Two Tier Microwave Steamer Food Cooker – This microwave steamer retains more vitamins & nutrients than other means of cooking vegetables, perfect for healthy cooking. It allows you to cook/steam two dishes at once, fits in most microwave ovens and is dishwasher safe.

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