Welcome to Now Trending. Here’s what’s new in the world of natural health!
Crunch on a cucumber salad
Whether you’ve always been a fan of the humble cuke or you’re a more recent convert since it shot to fame on social media, cucumbers are here to stay. Enjoying them as a salad? That’s a food trend we think is tasty, adaptable, and ultra nutritious!
They might be 95 percent water, but a medium-sized eaten with the peel will provide 2 g of fiber and 57 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, an essential nutrient for bone development. In addition to its nutritional value, enjoying this water-packed veggie on the regular can keep you feeling hydrated while improving your gut health.
To make a nutritious and crunchy salad, begin with thinly sliced cucumber (keeping the fiber-rich peel intact) and try any of the following combinations (or come up with your own!):
● red onions, fresh dill, feta cheese, red wine vinegar, olive oil
● scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, sesame seeds
● fresh mint, chopped tomatoes, chaat masala, plain Greek yogurt
Express gratitude with a “good things” list
Given the often stressful nature of today’s world, it’s no surprise that finding small ways to show gratitude can have a beneficial impact on your well-being. Building on the idea of a standard gratitude journal, the “good things” list originates from social media and involves writing down a single item of gratitude each day.
Stay committed to your gratitude practice by writing when and where it’s convenient (the Notes app is a great option for on-the-go), adding as much (or as little detail) as you’d like, and keep your eyes out during the day for moments to feel grateful for.
Research on gratitude journaling shows that the practice has a positive effect on a wide variety of individuals, including those with advanced cancer and nurses experiencing burnout. One analysis found that the practice of gratitude journaling increased gratefulness, improved mental health, and decreased feelings of anxiety and depression.
Consider the benefits of chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, which is found naturally in leafy greens and vegetables, is also available as a supplement (called chlorophyllin, which contains additional copper and sodium) in liquid or powder form.
One of chlorophyll’s many purported benefits is that it fights odor from inside the body, including from sweat, bad breath, and urine. Despite these health claims, there is little-to-no scientific research backing them. The plus side? Eating a variety of chlorophyll-rich green foods ensures you’ll be adding an abundance of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber to your diet.
One study did find that chlorophyllin may be beneficial for photoaged skin. If you’re considering trying chlorophyllin as a supplement, speak to your healthcare provider first.
Bounce towards fitness with trampoline workouts
If you’re someone who couldn’t wait to jump on the backyard trampoline as a child, you’ll love trampolining for fitness as an adult. Using a mini-trampoline for exercise, either indoors or outdoors, can include simple hopping, knee jumps, jumping jacks, and twists (not to mention improvised movement).
Trampolining is known for being a safe, low-impact exercise with many benefits, including increased strength, bone density, cardiovascular health, balance, and reduced stress levels. Some advocates of trampolining have argued that the up-and-down motion of the exercise may even help stimulate lymphatic flow.
To get started with trampolining for fitness, experts recommend attending a class in order to learn the ropes, trampolining barefoot or in grippy socks, and starting with basic moves before switching up your routine.
This article was originally published in the February 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
