Your health: Going for the whole grain

Health o' the Irish

This St. Patrick's Day, in addition to wearing green, celebrate by baking your own Irish soda bread. Try a recipe using whole-wheat flour, so if you eat a slice or two, you can feel good about following the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, which call for eating at least three servings of whole grain daily.

Sadly, though, that nice pint of Guinness you might down with your bread is brewed from barley, a whole grain, and the stout itself doesn't contribute to your whole-grain intake.

March mindfulness

Counter the March Madness in your life with a dose of mindfulness. The practice of living consciously in the moment can keep you calm and focused and even help with weight management, says Annie Mahon, founder of Circle Yoga in Chevy Chase, Md.

When you eat mindfully, you concentrate on and savor every bite you eat, which in turn can keep you from eating more than you need.

“If you sit and eat it mindfully, it can be a huge joy,” Mahon says. Families can practice mindful eating simply “by taking a moment of silence before you begin eating so everyone can enjoy their food,” she suggests.

Shop for spears

Asparagus makes its way to the produce section this month, a sure reminder that spring is on the way.

The vegetable is chock-full of folate, which can help reduce your risk of obesity, notes The Washington Post. A cup of raw asparagus adds up to just 27 calories, so you can afford to splurge.

Be aware that eating asparagus may make your urine smell like sulfur. Scientists aren't sure if this happens to everyone, or if only some of us can detect the scent. But asparagus is too good for you to skip it for this reason!