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Super Bowls to Kickstart Your February

With the Super Bowl approaching, my intention is to fully exploit the theme and plant the seed for a more literal interpretation — with super bowls, one-bowl meals filled with super foods that naturally lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar, lower cholesterol and boost metabolism, giving you a home team advantage to play up to every day.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:

1. The Fruit Bowl

Power Food: Apples, Pears and Berries

Studies show the equivalent of an apple or pear a day slashes the risk of stroke by up to a third. Not a fan of apples? Try blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, which contain anthocyanins, powerful compounds that appear to help prevent weight gain, further slashing the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Power Prep: An easy way to create a heart-healthful breakfast bowl is to start with chia seeds. Mix 3 or 4 tablespoons for every cup of plant-based milk. Let this mixture sit for at least 20 minutes or even overnight to give them a chance to fully gel. Top with a freshly sliced apple or pear, berries, any additional fruit, like raisins or figs — the more colorful the better — and your favorite spices, like fresh cinnamon. If you want to add a touch of more sweetness, drizzle with a little maple syrup. You can serve these nutrient-dense bowls for breakfast or as a tasty snack.

2. The Beet Bowl

Power Food: Beets and Leafy Greens

Studies show that beetroot juice lowers blood pressure up to 4.5 points, thanks to the body’s ability to convert the goodness in beets to nitric oxide, which helps to relax and dilate blood vessels — encouraging proper blood flow. To reap the benefits, drink the juice or go straight to the source.

Power Prep: A delicious way to eat beets is roasting them, which makes them wonderfully tender while bringing out their natural sweetness. Consider mixing bright, beautiful roasted beets with dark leafy greens, either raw or sautéed. To really make it a meal, add some beans and your favorite spices or salad dressing. This vegetable combo makes for a potassium-packed dish, which, when combined with a low-sodium diet, helps support healthy blood pressure.

3. The Super Bowl

Power Food: Legumes and Whole Grains

Lentils, beans and peas have the ability to help steady blood sugar with close to 8 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving. Fiber is a nutrient rising to all-star fame, as it helps you feel full and escorts heart-attack causing cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Power Prep: Dress up any bowl — leafy greens or whole grains — with your favorite beans. Add red peppers, onions and cilantro for a flavor-packed dish that’s brimming with vitamins A, C, K and folate, which work together to support immune function and strong bones. (It’s no wonder these foods are on the list of Tom Brady’s favorites!) Or go wild and add a variety of beans to chili — the ultimate one-pot bean dish — which is perfect on cold winter days.

For additional tips and hundreds of heart-healthful recipes, visit NutritionMD.org.

More from U.S. News

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9 Foods That Can Keep Your Brain Sharp

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Super Bowls to Kickstart Your February originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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