Monthly Archives: August 2011
News Update: Autism Not Caused by M.M.R Vaccine
| August 29, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Health News |
A panel of scientists assembled by the Institute of Medicine has released a study finding no evidence linking the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism.
“The M.M.R. vaccine doesn’t cause autism, and the evidence is overwhelming that it doesn’t,” said Dr. Ellen Wright Clayton, the chairwoman of the panel.
The report stated, many children injured by a vaccine have an immune or metabolic problem and “receiving vaccines may be the largely nonspecific ‘last straw’ that leads these children to reveal their underlying” conditions.
To read more about the whole report – please visit the NY Times Health page.
6 Ways to Stay Motivated to Reach Your Fitness Goals
| August 29, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Fitness, Wellness |
I once read it takes 21 days to make something a habit. If anyone was going to prove that as false, it would be me – and I did. I can count on two hands the failed attempts to start a fitness regime that lasted over 21 days. Most recently I’ve been on a regime for 4 weeks, and I still don’t feel as though it has become a habit. Here are some of my tips to stay on track even through the days you may be fighting yourself to get the gym:
Don’t Make Excuses – Use these Tips to Stay Motivated!
- Use Family and Friends as Motivators. Friends and family are some of the best motivators – because they not only encourage, but give your fitness plan legitimacy. Many people keep plans to stay fit quite, afraid to fail publicly. Well, sometimes answering to only yourself isn’t a strong enough authority. If you tell your friends and family, it may drive you to NOT fail. They will keep you from making silly excuses that really stems from a fear of failing or lazy habits.
- Keep a Food Journal. Don’t count the calories; just log your meals and snacks. It will give you accountability for what you eat. Writing “Grilled Chicken Salad and Crystal Light” in your journal feels a lot better than “BBQ Chicken Pizza and Beer.”
- Don’t Lock into a Gym Contract. Pay month to month. Try out the gym, roadside running and fitness videos. Whatever one makes you want to go back and work out again – pick that! Working out should be fun and you should look forward to it. Don’t force yourself into a plan that isn’t for you – you will put yourself on a path to failure.
- Don’t Set Unreasonable Goals. Working out five days a week may not be attainable, and that’s okay! Start with two days a week. When you feel like that isn’t a challenge or love your routine, add another day!
- Keep the Junk Food Out of the House. I am one of those people who will find the snacks no matter where they are hidden. At the start of my health kick, I refused to keep fattening snacks in the house. If your husband or wife refuses to give up the treats, make him/her bring their snacks to work! That way they can get their fix and you aren’t tempted. If your kids are complaining, give them one cupboard to themselves. Don’t put their Oreo’s next to your dried cherries! Find the snacks that are healthy and tasty! They do exist!
- Make an Excellent Playlist on your IPod. Do not get bored with your work out – you won’t want to continue. If you like to read, listen to an audiobook. If you like to jam, pick out 30 of your favorite upbeat hits and hit the shuffle button. If you like the news, tap into NPR. Whatever it is that keeps you going through the intervals, find it. I promise, it will help.
Weekly News You May Have Missed
| August 26, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Health News |
In early Alzheimer’s, work is possible with support. Even with the daunting future after a diagnose of early-on-set Alzheimer’s, work is possible. This article suggests how to continue working using Tennessee women’s basketball coach, Pat Summit, as inspiration for early Alzheimer’s patients.
‘Maggie Goes on a Diet’: A Kids’ Book About Dieting? Not Without Controversy. This TIME Magazine Blog article outlines the controversy surrounding the upcoming children’s book, Maggie Goes on a Diet. Child obesity rates are sky rocketing, but critics suggest the language surrounding healthy eating utilized in this book are unnecessary and send the wrong message to children. Should “diet” be in a child’s vocabulary
Study: World is getting fatter, needs to stop. This CNN blog article outlines the results of a worldwide study on obesity. Numbers of obese people in the world are staggering and they are only growing, according to the report. How can people take action to stop the growing numbers and secure the future of their health?
Cancer Patients Like Steve Jobs Face Risks From Treatment. Recently, Steve Jobs stepped down from his position as CEO of Apple due to health conditions – pancreatic cancer being one. “As many as 80 percent of patients who get liver transplants to treat this type of cancer live for at least five years, according to the University of California San Francisco.”
A Rainy Weekend Recipe You are Sure to Love
| August 25, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Food and Nutrition, Recipes |
With Hurricane Irene barreling (potentially) directly to my apartment, I went on the hunt to find delicious, healthy food we could eat if the power goes out and I’m stuck indoors. Anything I could find to skip the frozen hot dogs and canned beans. That’s when I found an old friend: Cook This, Not That. Read More
The Dos and Don’ts of a Gluten-Free Diet
| August 24, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Food and Nutrition |
Turns out people with celiac disease are not the only ones benefiting from the gluten-free foods and menus popping up across America. Nearly 15% of consumers in the United States are buying gluten-free goods, where only 1% of the population is affected by the disease. Gluten, a protein bound to a carbohydrate found in a piece of grain, is most commonly associated with bread and wheat products. But it can also be found in processed foods you sometimes splurge on at the grocery store or at restaurants. Read More
Ergonomics for the Aging
| August 22, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Aging, Ergonomics, Wellness |
Since the dip in the economy a few years ago, many, who once thought their retirement fund was booming, saw a drastic drop in their investments. Consequently, the workforce is populated with older Americans who cannot afford to retire.
They continue to work, and do so in environments that are suited for young, all-around healthy employees. Their offices are on the top floors, their chairs often are as old as their career at the company and their eye sight hinders their ability to utilize growing technology as easy as younger employees.
Employers can be taking the necessary steps to ensure their older workers are comfortable and free from potential injury and stress. For instance, computer screens can now be equipped with magnifying screen filters and accessories (like keyboards and mice) that are designed to accommodate arthritic hands and worsening eye sight. Also, chairs can now be purchased to ensure good posture and comfort for one’s hips and back.
Designing your home accordingly is just as important as your office to prevent injury and heal from surgery. These design updates are not always drastic overhauls that are time consuming and costly. Often, changes can be simple and relatively inexpensive to improve daily quality of life. For instance, adding a seat to the shower can drastically reduce the chance of slipping and also may make bathing more comfortable. Adding extensions to door handle handles and medication bottles may help those with arthritis or inflamed joints.
Ergonomics for the aging rises above comfort and safety – it’s also about mental health. When someone, no matter their age, is comfortable and feels safe, he/she has a higher probability of feeling happier, more efficient and more secure. This leads to fewer cases of depression and thus longer life. So keep in mind the possible ergonomic solutions and aids for the daily life of yourself or a loved one.
Weekly News You May Have Missed
| August 19, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Health News |
Cancer’s Secrets Come into Sharper Focus: The New York Times Health page reports, “Cancer appears to be even more willful and calculating than previously imagined.” http://nyti.ms/njueuA
Autism Risk for Siblings Higher than Expected: The New York Times blog, Well, writes about a recent study that links Autism within siblings more closely than previous studies suggested. “Based on the study population, that suggests that roughly 1 in 5 younger siblings of children with autism go on to develop the disorder.” http://nyti.ms/o9uZsR
The Scary Trend of Tweens with Anorexia: The report follows a mother that faced a young daughter’s fears of weight gain after quitting the gymnastics regiment in which she had been accustomed. Her daughter was 10-years-old and Anorexia didn’t even cross her mind. http://bit.ly/p9gXkB
New Labels Simplify Health Plan Options: “The rule announced by U.S. health officials Wednesday is designed to better inform people about health insurance choices with a standard label, which the Department of Health and Human Services likens to the kind on a cereal box.” http://on.msnbc.com/oChS1Z
New Stroke Screening Test Raises Hopes, Worries: “A new test based on ultrasound scans may be able to spot people at high risk of a stroke, though it is still too early to be excited, researchers said.” http://fxn.ws/nNsReL
Chocolate Milk: the Surprisingly Beneficial After Workout Snack
| August 18, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Fitness, Food and Nutrition, Health |
Having just jumped back onto the fitness train myself, I have been diligently searching for beneficial techniques to boost my weight loss and health that is cost efficient. Protein supplements are neither enticing nor monetarily in my budget – so I had to look for natural supplements. The most surprising and delicious fitness treat I have read about is indeed chocolate milk.
Ever since I was a tot, chocolate milk has been a member of my diet. I’ve gone through stages in my life where it was a treat given to me by my parents, a daily regiment after school and, most recently, a tool to decrease my chocolate cravings. So when I read that chocolate milk is actually beneficial to weight loss – I rejoiced!
I have seen sprinkles of Chocolate Milk supporters across the blogosphere; all claiming its benefits but warning about drinking the treat in excess. But when my newest workout book, Look Better Naked by the editor of Women’s Health Magazine, said I should drink chocolate milk after some of my workouts during the week – I latched on to the concept.
I was confused at first – how could chocolate milk, filled with sugar and fat, be good for you after a workout. After a little research, I found that by using low fat milk you are reducing the fat content and still taking in the high levels of protein and positive carbohydrates milk has to offer!
So why not drink white milk? AskMen.com says, “This sugar [in the chocolate] will cause a spike in insulin levels, driving the glucose molecules into the muscle tissue and replenishing the energy stores for your next workout.” In English, it gives your muscles what they need to heal after you stretch and tear them.
Keep these simple rules in mind:
1) Work out for at least a half hour prior to indulging in a glass.
2) Use a little less than a tablespoon of chocolate syrup (although cocoa powder is best, because it does not have any calories) for a large glass of milk.
3) Use low fat (1%) or skim milk to avoid extra fat.
4) Most importantly, drink it slow to prolong the joy of drinking such a treat!
Can Laughter Help Heal?
| August 17, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Aging, Happiness, Health |
When the medical field is overtaken by trail procedures, medications and surgeries, it seems insignificant to discuss laughter as a source of healing. Could becoming healthy really be that simple? Laugh more?
It seems so.
Prevention Magazine reports that people with cardiovascular disease are 40% less likely to laugh at life’s little hiccups than those without any heart complications. Bloggers across the web describe incredible occurrences and instances of overcoming disease due to laughter.
It’s not that the simple, positive act changes the enzymes that cancer or disease manifests. It’s that laughter is proven to change perception. Things that once seemed impossible become manageable and attainable. It also is contagious. Laughter of a positive nature spreads like wild fire.
So next time you spill milk at breakfast or someone steals your parking spot at the mall – just laugh. You will live healthier and possibly longer if you do. Also, maybe someone else will laugh with you – and improve their life too!
How to Shop Healthy Without Breaking the Bank
| August 16, 2011 | Posted by Ronni under Food and Nutrition |
My sister-in-law, a registered nurse, once advised me to stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store; the further you move to the inner aisles, the less healthy the food becomes. Good advice, for sure. The fresh produce, meats, breads and dairy are all situated on the outside aisles of nearly every grocery store in which I’ve ever shopped. I’ve tried hard to live by that basic principal.
However, it’s not a secret that the prices of produce and fresh meats and cheeses are higher than processed, prepackaged foods. As a result of government subsidization, “the indexed price of fresh produce increased by 40% since 1980 whereas the price of sodas and processed foods has declined by 10-30%.” So what happens when the fresh, nutritious food becomes two to three times more expensive than the canned, processed food? People move into the center aisles.
Here’s a better question: how do you save money and still make healthy choices? It isn’t easy. On an average grocery trip, I’ll spend between 80-100 dollars to last about a week and a half for two people. I try hard to search desperately for deals on nutritious foods. Often times I feel like a woman on TLC’s hit TV show Extreme Coupons – except you can rarely find coupons for tomatoes or baby spinach.
Here are some tips I’ve picked up over time to successfully leave a store knowing my money wasn’t wasted:
- Get a Store Rewards Card. Several grocery stores have cards that not only rack up discounts on foods from every aisle, but also give you gas points; savings that reaches outside the doors of the grocery store. Having the card also keeps you on track. Often times I won’t buy something that doesn’t have a sale, if I don’t need it.
- Buy to Fit Your Family. Usually to save money you’ll want to buy in bulk, but not if you’re a family of two or three. When I first started buying my own food, I wasted a lot of money buy thinking I should stock up on lettuce, apples or potatoes. The truth was, we couldn’t eat the food fast enough and had to throw it out!
- Go to More than One Store. This took me a few months to learn. I’d go to a grocery store based on the proximity to me – not always the right choice. Now I go to four different stores to save money and find the best product – one for produce and lunch meats, one for poultry and red meats, one for the odds and ends and one for my seafood.
- Don’t Give Up and Be Patient! It may be tiring at first, but health and your budget can go hand-in-hand! Right after college I was making pennies and thought I’d start a strict new diet to shed my unwanted drinking weight. After my first 200 dollar food bill, I took a reality pill. I didn’t give up on my desire to lose weight and live healthier – I searched endlessly for deals. Sometimes you’ll miss them or be stumped, but they are always there somewhere!
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