In recent years, yoga studios and yoga teachers have experienced strong growth in membership. The Dutch Association of Yoga Teachers (Vereniging Yogadocenten Nederland) now has 1,100 members, compared to just 400 in 2008. But what exactly is yoga? Yoga is all about creating a connection between body and mind. The word comes from the Sanskrit…
The timing of your meals and the type of food you eat can influence the quality of your sleep. Below are some do’s and don’ts for a better night’s rest: Caffeine can disrupt sleep because it stimulates the brain, kidneys, stomach, and intestines, and suppresses tiredness — making it harder to fall asleep. Caffeine is…
Should we eat fruit and vegetables with or without the peel? What’s healthier?Eating the skins of fruits and vegetables helps reduce food waste — but are these peels really as healthy as people sometimes claim? The skins of fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. For example, in potatoes, half of the fiber content is…
October 31st is Halloween! Especially popular in Canada and the U.S., but it’s also gaining popularity across Europe. A carved-out pumpkin with a spooky face is a classic decoration for the occasion. But pumpkin is more than just decoration — it’s also a delicious autumn vegetable that can be used in all kinds of recipes,…
“Sitting is the new smoking” is a phrase we hear more and more often. It has long been known that physical activity is important for our health, but it’s becoming increasingly clear just how important it really is. Those who don’t move enough are more likely to get sick. Many tips for increasing physical activity…
Work performance is increasingly influenced by modern technology. We constantly receive messages and notifications from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and email. These messages trigger the release of dopamine, the “happiness hormone,” in the body. But afterward, the body starts craving yet another message or another like on that photo. Our brain is goal-oriented and can only…
The oyster season officially opens on September 19. Oysters are considered a luxurious and festive delicacy, but they’re also a healthy choice. They contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Iodine, for example, supports a healthy metabolism, and vitamin B1 contributes to the proper functioning of the heart muscle.Farmed oysters are also a good…
Everyone feels unhappy sometimes, for all sorts of reasons. One person hides under a blanket, another tries to eat the feeling away with unhealthy food, while someone else listens to sad music. But often, these things don’t solve the problem in the long run. So what tips and insights can actually help in this situation?…
Supermarkets use clever tricks to tempt consumers into buying more — and more expensive — products. Here’s a list of some of the most common tactics: Hungry people buy more, which is why freshly baked bread is often sold in-store. If no bread is baked, an artificial bread scent may be used.Free samples also trigger…
In almost all countries, people eat a warm meal around midday, but in the Netherlands, we typically have a sandwich with cheese. Is that healthier? Eating a warm lunch used to be very normal in the Netherlands. In most households, a hot meal was served at home around noon. In the evening, people would eat…
Eierkoeken are a typical treat from the three southern provinces of the Netherlands, though in Groningen they’re also known as pleverkouk. Their popularity skyrocketed—sales increased tenfold—after Sonja Bakker recommended them as a low-fat, low-calorie snack. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true: even though they look light and airy, one eierkoek contains more calories than two apples.…
Not all Dutch people spend their vacations lounging on the beach. It’s estimated that 15% of trips abroad and 25% of domestic trips are active holidays — such as cycling tours or hiking trips. But which is healthier: an active holiday or a lazy one? Holidays are healthy for four main reasons: First, they offer…
