Staying healthy in the fall

Fall Health Tips

This Fall season follow these tips to help you and yours stay in top health and be your best during the seasonal and all year long:

• Flu Shots - Check with your doctor or your local public health department to find out when the annual flu shot is available. If your doctor can give you the shot in the office combine it with a check-up. If your doctor does not give the shot check on local events for flu shot administration. You may also want to get a pneumonia shot also. Remember that the flu shot is recommended for all adults, especially those with a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that makes them more at risk for the serious complications of the flu.
  (Also watch our web site in November for our OralFlu prevention remedy and other cold and flu remedies)
• Exercise - Exercise is important all through the year, but can help you get in shape for the winter months. If you exercise by walking outdoors, it may be time to locate other places you can walk that are protected from harsh winter weather. Indoor shopping malls are great places to walk and often have walkers clubs that offer discounts. With the days getting colder, take a few extra minutes to warm up your body and stretch your muscles before you exercise. Also wear a handkerchief around your nose and mouth if it's really cold to warm up the air before it enters your lungs.
  Boost your energy with Native Remedies Fatigue Fighter to keep you going all season long.
  
• Diet - Add all the fall vegetables to your diet. Many of the root vegetables are in season now and are an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.
• Drink More Water – You can experience dehydration even during the winter. Dry central heat robs your body and skin of vital moisture. If you keep hydrated your mucous membranes also stay hydrated, working much more effectively to filter our disease causing organisms.
• Sunscreen – Yes, even in the fall and winter months you should be thinking about sunscreen. If you're a skier, don't forget your sunscreen. The snow reflects the sun's rays and can quickly burn your skin. Don't let the cold temperatures fool you.
• Second-Hand Smoke - Watch out for the effects of second-hand smoke. During cold weather, you may find yourself behind closed doors and windows with a smoker. Avoid inhaling smoke and check your home for proper ventilation.
• Cold and Flu - Cover your face when you sneeze or cough, and wash your hands often to help stop the spread of the season's cold and flu germs. Get a flu shot if you are 65 or older; or if you have a chronic disease of the heart, lungs or kidneys.
• Hats and Gloves - Wear a hat and gloves when you go outside. The hat keeps warmth from escaping through the top of your head—a major source of body heat loss. And the gloves help prevent painful frostbite.

Also, be aware of Fall allergies. Late summer and early fall bring on another season that triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor molds become plentiful in the fall in gutters, soil, vegetation, rotting wood and fallen leaves. You can reduce your exposure to Fall allergens. For example, avoid being outdoors in the morning hours between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m. when pollen dispersal is peaking; avoid lots and fields where ragweed grows; shower and wash hair immediately after coming in from outside activities, and especially before going to bed; keep the windows and doors of your home and car closed.

Content Credit: http://www.holistichealthtools.com/fall-health-tips.html

Photo Credit: Google Image

Fun Friday: Summer

Today is just a great day! First and foremost its Friday and it is my favorite time of the year! Summer time!  The perfect way to spend summer is by the pool, listening to great music and eating yummy food. This blog covers 2 out of 3 , great music and awesome recipes!

Summertime Tortellini Pasta Salad

19 oz. bag cheese filled tortellini (I prefer the tri-colored)
Small Container Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
4 oz. can sliced black olives
1/2 large yellow bell pepper, diced
1/3 c. red onion, diced
1 c. Zesty Italian Dressing
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
Cook cheese tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled through.

Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli

1. Heat the oven to 425.
2. On a large cookie sheet, toss together 2 pounds of broccoli cut up into florets (but not teensy tiny florets, I like a little stem attached), 2 Tbs olive oil, 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/8th tsp hot chili powder. Spread into a single layer and pop into the oven for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, toss together one pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined, with 2 Tbs olive oil, lemon zest from one lemon, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper (I just eyeball the salt and pepper) in a bowl. When the broccoli’s been in the oven 10 minutes, add the shrimp to the broccoli and toss (carefully.)

3. Roast another 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the broccoli is “tender and golden around the edges.”

And that’s your dinner!
I served it in a big bowl of rice and squeezed some lemon on top. It was a big hit.

Recipe: http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html

Tomato-Watermelon Salad with Feta and Toasted Almonds

Ingredients

• 8cups1 1/4-inch chunks seedless watermelon (about 6 pounds)
• 3poundsripe tomatoes (preferably heirloom) in assorted colors, cored, cut into 1 1/4-inch chunks (about 6 cups)
• 1teaspoon(or more) fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt
• 5tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2tablespoonsred wine vinegar
• 3tablespoonschopped assorted fresh herbs (such as dill, basil, and mint)
• 6cupsfresh arugula leaves or small watercress sprigs
• 1cupcrumbled feta cheese (about 5 ounces)
• 1/2cupsliced almonds, lightly toasted

Preparation

• Combine melon and tomatoes in large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon fleur de sel and toss to blend; let stand 15 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and herbs to melon mixture. Season to taste with pepper and more salt, if desired.
• Toss arugula in medium bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Divide arugula among plates. Top with melon salad; sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted almonds and serve.

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2006/08/tomato_watermelon_salad_with_feta_and_toasted_almonds#ixzz1yXM67z8s

-Denea Duran

10 tips to stay motivated

If you're like me then you're probably kicking yourself now that summer is right around the corner. I really wanted to have a beach body but it has been a task getting motivated to go to the gym. If I'm not going to a Zumba class then, let's be honest, I really don't want to be there. Here are some tips that have kept me motivated (and, believe it or not, really good at going to the gym! ).

This also helps with motivation to conquer the treadmill! 

1. Make it a Routine: The nature of a routine is that after a while it becomes mechanical, or just something you do, which eliminates the need for daily internal pep talks. Maybe that's what Nike meant when they said, "Just Do It."

2. Set Goals: For runners training for a marathon, a regular exercise routine is essential to success, and is therefore motivating. This can be true for more moderate goals, such as running a mile or increasing the amount of weight you're lifting from five to eight pounds.

3. Reward Yourself: You are your own teacher, so give yourself a gold star for a job well done (or a well-deserved pedicure?).

4. Make it Fun: Exercise doesn't have to be boring. Spice up your treadmill experience by making a playlist of your favorite music, or by downloading a personal training session online. Or forget the gym and turn up the music and let loose in your own living room.

5. Switch It Up: A sure way to lose motivation is to do the same exact thing everyday. Keep it interesting - take a belly dancing class, a martial arts course or just take a nice long walk to a new area of town.

6. Keep Going: Push through those off weeks when nothing seems to be going your way. Go easy on yourself, but don't give up entirely, even if that means taking a 15-minute walk or going to the gym and sitting in the sauna for 20 minutes; just stay in the game.

7. Be Positive: Focus on feeling good and the high that comes from an intense, sweaty workout. Don't concentrate on how much it hurts, how tired you are or how much you would rather be lying on the beach with a frozen drink.

8. Visualize Success: Take a few minutes before your workout and see yourself enjoying the exercise; visualize it coming naturally and easily to you. Top Olympic athletes practice this technique regularly with great success.

9. Feed Your Soul: Exercise not only your body, but also your mind. Yoga is a great way to engage both - it can stabilize your mood, and even improve your endurance. Or get outside and take a walk, touch the leaves and breath in the fresh air.

10. Know the Benefits: Remember that exercise gives you energy; it strengthens your bones, muscles and joints; it lowers risk of heart disease, colon cancer and type 2 diabetes, and helps control blood pressure, prevent weight gain and fend off depression and anxiety. In short, exercise makes you feel good and on the inside and out. Remembering that should make it easy to stay motivated.


Content Credit: http://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/exercise-10-ways-stay-motivated

-Denea Duran

$ave Money On Grooming

Although I am not a pet owner, I have experienced that many pet owners have been able to lower professional grooming costs by practicing routine pet hygiene. If you would like to know how to keep your pooch or feline squeaky clean, here are a few common questions and answers that may prove to be helpful:

How often should a dog be bathed?    

Only bathe a dog when they need it – once a month is fine for most dogs. Schedule it so that you bathe them at the same time you are due to put on their flea protectant.

How do you keep a dog calm in a bath? What is the easiest way to bathe a dog?


A lot of dogs that enjoy water activities like swimming don’t like baths. If your dog enjoys swimming, try bathing him outside if it isn’t cold.

For indoors, put non-slip mats down in the bathtub and use the shower head instead of the faucet. A hand-held shower head is best. I recommend putting cotton balls in their ears to absorb water. As with other grooming activities, make it fun for your dog. Talk to them and praise them while you bathing.

Moisturizing, Odor-control, Medicated ... there are so many different types of pet shampoo on the market now. What types of shampoo do you recommend for a healthy dog?


Ask a professional, "What shampoo should I be using?" Your vet can tell you if your dog needs a special shampoo. Never use dog shampoo on cats; read the label on pet shampoo beforehand to make sure it's for the correct species and age of pet you’re bathing.

Can I use regular human shampoo on my dog?

Never use human shampoo. It is a different pH level, and the chemicals are too harsh for pets.

What is the best method for drying a dog?                            

Towel drying is probably best, but if you do use a blow-dryer, make sure to use it on the lowest setting. Your dog's skin can burn easily. I also recommend using a blow-dryer (again, on the lowest setting) for puppies or kittens, because they will get cold much faster than an adult dog or cat.

Is it true that you can't bathe cats?          
      
It is true that cats don't like water and they are self-grooming, so you don't need to bathe a cat unless there is a need – if the coat looks unhealthy, or the cat has fleas or a skin condition. But it is a fallacy that you can't bathe a cat. You could bathe your cat once a year during high-shedding season, but as long as cats don't smell they are OK. Below are the steps I recommend for bathing a cat:

Trim their nails first and brush their coat, removing any knots or mats.
Have cat shampoo and big, absorbent towels within your reach.
Using the kitchen sink, fill one side with lukewarm water. Make sure the other side is empty and clean.

Pick the cat up, holding it by the scruff (between the shoulder blades and behind the neck), and lower it into the water
Next, move the cat into the side of the sink with no water.
Lather up with shampoo – let it sit for 10 minutes. Allow the cat to hold on to something, like the edge of the sink. Talk calmly and rub the cat as the shampoo works.
After 10 minutes, lower the cat back into the water to rinse.
Then towel-dry really good. Cats do not like blow-drying.

How often should a dog be professionally groomed?


If you aren't properly maintaining your dog's ears, nails and coat, you should take him to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. You should always ask your groomer to do the following:

1. cut hair out of ears
2. clean ears
3. express anal glands
4. cut nails

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/groomer-has-it/grooming-tips/dog-baths.html

Photo Credit: Google Image

How Healthy Is Your Pet?

Having a pet is not only about shelter, food, romp and fun but also about keeping your pet healthy and happy. Would you know what to do if your pet was choking or suddenly stopped breathing? Here are some tips to ensure that you know all of the proper steps to keep your animal pal in prime condition!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy. Make sure your pets:

• Get plenty of exercise.
• Have plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines (especially rabies).
• Are spayed or neutered.
• Are kept leashed while outside – another animal or flashy object may be too much temptation.

Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first
aid until veterinary care is available 

PET FIRST AID    Courses on how to better care for your pet are available at many local Red Cross chapters. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic pet responsibilities available at their Store. The guides cover many helpful topics such as spaying/neutering, medications, proper CPR techniques and disaster preparedness. For more information, visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available.




Content Credit: redcross.org
Photo Credit: Google Image

-Denea Duran

Chocolate Does A Body Good!

A new research study to melt my heart...




Chocolate may not be as hazardous to your waistline as you think — at least in moderation.
A new study shows that people who eat chocolate frequently have lower body mass indexes than less avid consumers. The researchers could not explain precisely why something usually loaded with sugar, fat and calories have a beneficial influence on BMI. However, they suspect that antioxidants and other compounds in chocolate may deliver a metabolic boost that can offset its caloric downside.

To the delight of chocoholics worldwide, this is not the first time a study of morsel goodness has been released. In 2009, researchers in Sweden found evidence that people who eat chocolate have increased survival rates after a heart attack — and it may be that the more they eat, the better the outcome.

So to celebrate the good news, let's have a Hershey Cookies & Cream bar and pretend like the fat and calories Never Even Happened!



-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15choc.html?_r=1&ref=health
Photo Credit: Google Images

Fun Friday!

We've been talking a lot lately about going green, but now it's time for a green monster smoothie. That's right, we're taking green to a new level. Try this easy recipe, courtesy of Sing for Your Supper (check out this fantastic cooking blog when you get the chance). Before you go running at the sight of green, the blog will tell you that you can't taste the spinach, but you will benefit from its numerous benefits: "Spinach is high in calcium, vitamin A and iron, to name a small few. This smoothie is a great solution for people wanting to get their daily fill of fresh fruits and vegetables; it’s SO good for you."

Green Monster Smoothie

1 banana, roughly chopped
4 or 5 strawberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 small peach, peeled and roughly chopped
1 heaping cup (or more) fresh spinach leaves, thoroughly rinsed
splash vanilla soy milk
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
*this recipe makes a very large smoothie--two could easily share.

Photo Credit: Sing for Your Supper

Sandy Hayden