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Clean Eating Tips

Tray of Food
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Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Melissa Burch Harton has a background in nonprofit administration and holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Melissa Harton enjoys many hobbies including horseback riding and hiking, as well as cooking with an emphasis on clean eating.

Clean eating emphasizes consuming foods that are as close to their natural form as possible, with minimal processing. These foods tend to provide maximal nutritional benefits and are usually produced in ethical and sustainable ways.

Beginning a clean eating diet is simple. First of all, begin incorporating more fruits and vegetables, which are naturally loaded with vitamins and minerals and can often be consumed raw after washing. When buying food at the store, start reading the labels and avoid foods that contain preservatives, added sugars, or unhealthy fats. It is also good to avoid adding sugar to foods.

Additionally, avoid foods that contain refined carbs, which are split into two categories. Sugars encompass sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, and agave syrup and refined grains refer to grains that have had the most nutritious parts removed, such as white flour. Refined carbs can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity, while whole grains provide more fiber and nutrients.

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Correctly Mounting a Horse

Brown Horse
Photo by Marylou Salon on Unsplash

Clinical counselor Melissa Burch Harton most recently served as an administrative manager for Maryland Nonprofits and as a part-time employee of Paul’s Place. Both organizations serve populations who are underprivileged in Baltimore, Maryland. Outside of work, Melissa Harton enjoys horseback riding.

The first step is learning to mount a horse properly. Position yourself on the left side of the horse by the animal’s shoulders. Mounting from the left side of the horse is the traditional way, but you should learn to mount and dismount from both sides. This is because sometimes the left side of the horse is not safe for mounting or dismounting, so you will have to mount from the other side.

At the side of the horse, grab the reins or the horse’s mane with one hand and place the toe of your shoe into the stirrup. If you are mounting from the left, this should be your left hand and left shoe.

Place your other hand over the saddle and grab the other side of it. Then, spring up and over the horse using your free foot. Do not pull yourself up with your hands. Instead, your hands should help you stay balanced as you mount.