Blog Posts by TheDailyZeel

By: StacyAtZeel

Falling asleep at the desk? A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that nearly one-third of the American work force is deprived of those precious few hours of sleep.

Here's the deal. 30 percent of professional adults noted that they get (or don't get) six hours of sleep (or less) per night. In terms of ethnicity, those who classified themselves as "white" or "Hispanic" got the most shut-eye, whereas individuals who checked off "black," "Asian," or "other race" got the least.

Blood line wasn't the only element at play either; marital status and whether an individual had received a high school diploma were also measured in the study.

Getting your best night of sleep yet may be as simple as making small dietary tweaks. Rest easy (well, easier) with these five nutrition-based tips for nipping insomnia in the bed.

Eat a big breakfast. While it can be tempting to chow down on a handful of nuts, crackers and,

By: StacyAtZeel

What's going to be in season?After a winter-full of root vegetables and starch, there is nothing like the prospect of fresh farmers' market finds come spring. As the weather continues to warm, fill your environmentally sustainable carryalls with these seven delicious farmers' market eats, from spinach and rhubarb to snap peas and more.

(Zeel reports back from the northeast. Check what's fresh at your local farmers' market here.)

Spinach: Available early May to early July

Get your daily dose of, well, nearly everything. Spinach, a "nutritional powerhouse," contains high levels of vitamins A, C and K as well as folate, protein, iron and magnesium. While this dark leafy green was formerly made popular for its use in mainstream meals like salads and soups and pasta, more recently, it's been making its way into smoothies and juices while still in raw form. Drink up!

Rhubarb: Available late May to late August

Low in calories and high in water content, rhubarb is best when

By: StacyAtZeel

Dress your best for acupuncture!There are so many times throughout the day that we find ourselves contemplating what to wear-to the gym, to work, to dinner with friends, to drinks with a hot date. But acupuncture? Some might consider the dress code for an hour of this Eastern-inspired therapy to be a bit less obvious.

Be prepared for your next appointment with these five tips for appropriate acupuncture attire, as recommended by experts of the ancient art.

Slack pants; no socks or shoes. "To best prepare for you treatment with your acupuncturist, wear loose-fitting but comfortable clothing. You should be prepared to take your socks and shoes off," says Angelica Drum, a licensed acupuncturist based in El Dorado Hills, Calif. She adds that your acupuncturist should be able to access points on the lower abdomen or lower back.

Shorts or loose fitting trousers. Lone Star State acupuncturist Dale Tope says, "The best thing to wear would be shorts or loose fitting trousers." Dale, a

By: StacyAtZeel

Pilates at a glance.We ask trusted Zeel Expert Halle Clarke-owner of New York City's Mongoose Bodyworks-for her take on fusion Pilates. What eccentric Pilates-inspired classes are out there, and are they as effective as the original? Halle tells it like it is.

Pilates is an exercise technique that was developed about 80 years ago and has grown in popularity in the last 20. In recent years, it has become common to combine Pilates with other techniques such as yoga, ballet or even tango.

So what exactly does that mean? It probably means something different in each case. There are a lot of attributes that make Pilates "Pilates." There is the choreography (the movements themselves), the specialized Pilates equipment and the principles (the philosophies behind the movements).

Some of these fusion techniques are simply adding in Pilates mat exercises into the movements of yoga or fitness training. Other times, fusion classes may be incorporating the idea of engaging

By: StacyAtZeel

Sunshine is the best way to get vitamin D, but it's not always available.For those of us who spend all day long cranking away in the office, it can be difficult to get a sufficient amount of sunshine. That's where supplements come in.

Like lacking in veggies and fruits, individuals with low levels of vitamin D can get their daily dose in the form of a pill. But, one question that remains is: Do you have to get sunshine everyday in order to activate the vitamin D supplement, or is knocking back the tablet good enough? Brooklyn-based registered dietitian Beth Warren responds.

"There's nothing like getting vitamin D from the sun, but it depends on where you live, the season, the time spent in the sun, what clothing you wear, whether you use sunscreen, and so on," says Beth. Fortunately, she adds that one doesn't need to soak up the sun in order to activate their vitamin D supplement.

The lesson doesn't end there, however. As Beth notes, you do need to take your supplement with a food that contains fat. Vitamin D is

By: StacyAtZeel

Do you Yamuna?Not long ago, I took part in a yoga class that utilized a tool known as a Yamuna Ball. I was instantly hooked by its convenient size and amazing qualities, and a few moments after rolling my tight calves, I could instantly feel the difference. (In a lot of ways, this handy little device is like foam rolling.)

Just when I thought I had discovered the Holy Grail of post-exercise equipment, Zeel Expert Halle Clarke, who's given us such advice as how Pilates can be utilized formuscular re-patterning, injury prevention, and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, chimed in.

When asked whether she had stumbled upon any great new devices in 2012, Halle replied, "My new favorite prop is the "foot saver" by Yamuna." Yep, we were sold.

Halle goes on to explain that these plastic half-spheres improve foot function and open up the bottom of the foot, releasing the posterior fascia all the way up the back of the leg. As written by the manufacturer, they also

By: StacyAtZeel

This was not your best night of sleep though!We're constantly being told about the benefits of a good night of sleep, and yet most of us are rarely afforded the opportunity to get one. Case in point: A recent study published in the Journal for Community Health,"Household Demographics and Perceived Insufficient Sleep Among US Adults."

There were several factors in the study that resulted in the likelihood of insufficient sleep, from the number and age of a person's children to their marriage status. But no matter what's inhibiting you from getting some serious Z's, one thing is certain. As the article reveals: "Insufficient sleep poses a substantial economic burden to society and is surprisingly prevalent."

How can you get a better, more restful night of sleep? From meditation to meal control, we've got your answers here.