Winter Fruits and Veggies Blueberries Remarkable

WINTER PRODUCE
Do you eat less produce in the winter? It's true that some of our favorite fruits and vegetables are less available in the wintertime.
But don't let this keep you from getting your daily fruits and veggies. This is a great time of the year for produce like cranberries, yam, winter squash, and pears. You might also consider fun winter fruits and veggies such as guava, persimmons, pomegranate, quince and rutabagas. Consider adding these to some of your holiday
dishes. Fruits and veggies can be good for your holiday waistline.

New research on blueberries is showing they contain remarkable medicine for activating the brain and preventing Alzheimer's disease. Check out the brief on this breaking news at:
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000576_blueberries_memory_loss_Alzheimers.html

WHAT DIET PILLS FOR OBESITY?

This is a: Stanford Heart Network Tip of the Day

Don't be fooled by diet pills that promise overnight miracles.

For the obese, sibutramine and orlistat are the only prescription weight-loss drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for long-term use.

The FDA has also approved the over-the-counter sale of lower-dose orlistat for adults age 18 and over. Its side effects are similar to those for prescription orlistat.

To see if this type of intervention might be right for you, talk to your doctor. Drugs may support weight loss for some people, but are not considered a long-term solution.

Asleep at the Wheel

Sleep Well
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year more than 100,000 car accidents are attributed to sleepy drivers.

Just a one-and-a-half-hour sleep deficit can reduce alertness the following day by one-third. Increasing your physical activity throughout the day, cutting back on late-night eating, and avoiding alcohol and medication can help you get more quality sleep.

Germs in the Kitchen

Sponges and Hidden Kitchen Germs

Did you know that sponges are great places for bacteria to grow even after they dry? Most of the time you know when it's time to toss that smelly nasty rag or sponge.

Let's face it things can go wrong. This is it, spotless is not enough.

Keep your kitchen sanitary. Wash sponges carefully and replace them regularly. The bacteria found in dirty sponges can recontaminate your dishes and counter tops. Wash sponges in the hot cycle of your dishwasher, or disinfect them in a chlorine bleach solution.

I've read that putting them in the microwave is a good idea. What ever you do be careful, clean them if you choose to recycle these nasty contaminated tools. Then make sure to get ride of them once they start to smile. The best way is to replace them, take the old ones and toss them out with the trash.

Prostate Cancer Awareness

Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., affecting one in six men!

According to the American Cancer Society, age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer.

In fact, more than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65. Other important risk factors are family history and ethnicity. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in men of other races. Talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer.

Keep Your Muscles Mass

Did you know that between the ages of 20 and 80, the average person can lose up to 40 percent of their muscle mass?

Keep Your Muscles

Because muscles burn more calories per day than fat. Muscle loss and body fat gain appear to go hand-in-hand. To limit the amount of muscle mass lost as you age, make sure to include free weights and/or weight machines in your fitness program. Their use can slow muscle loss and even build additional muscle. It helps keep the softies away.

Little Red Bumps?

Do you get a patch of little red bumps or pimples, usually on your neck, upper chest, in the groin, under arms or breasts, or in elbow creases during hot, humid weather? This is known as heat rash. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash usually heals on its own and doesn't require medical care.

The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry and use dusting powder to increase comfort.

I hope your having a nice summer.

Stanford Heart Network Tip of the Day, presented by Mission
Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network.

Extreme Heat- What to Drink ?

Extreme Heat- What's Best to Drink
It's important to drink water during times of heat and activity. However, if you are an athlete doing prolonged exercise in the heat and gulping down lots of water, there is another risk to consider.
Hyponatremia, also called water intoxication, is when a person literally drinks too much water, too quickly. This over-dilutes the sodium in your blood. Warning signs include nausea, muscle cramps, slurred speech, and confusion. For hours of exertion in the heat, a sports drink, which replaces sodium and other electrolytes, is a better choice than plain water. If, however, you are out for a 20- to 30-minute walk, water is best.

Signs of Heat Illnesses

In summer we can never talk to much about the HEAT. Signs of Heat Illnesses to keep an eye on. Where do you live and play? Are you in a heat wave? Learn the signs of heat illnesses. If you experience heat rash and cramps, seek cooler temperatures, replace lost fluid and stretch out the cramps.


Heat stroke and exhaustion are far more serious, even deadly. They happen when the body can no longer cool itself properly.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and weakness. Signs of heat stroke are red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; and high body temperature.
Anyone with these symptoms should move out of the heat, begin sipping fluids, and seek emergency medical attention.

From our friends at Mission Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network

Catch Hemochromatosis Early- Part 1

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common inherited (genetic) diseases in the United States. It is a disease in which too much iron builds up in the body. This extra iron is toxic to the body and can damage organs. If hemochromatosis is not treated, it can eventually lead toillness or even death. Most people inherit the condition from their
parents; however, signs and symptoms don't often appear until ages 40 to 60. If your family medical history includes one or more blood relatives with hemochromatosis, alert your doctor as soon as possible. If caught early, treatment is often successful. Learn more tomorrow in part two of this series.

Stanford Heart Network, presented by Mission Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network.

Your Feet Need Care From Blisters

How to Keep Blisters Away
If you want to be kind to your feet, choose your athletic socks carefully. Fitness experts recommend staying away from 100 percent cotton socks when exercising. They
can become soggy after absorbing sweat, increasing your risk for developing blisters.

Instead, consider using socks with synthetic materials (such as nylon or acrylic).
These materials will reduce moisture, help keep your feet dry, and diminish your risk for blisters. Back when I was running over 125 miles a week, on long training days
that's over 12 miles up to 22 miles. I needed to put petroleum Jelly on my toes.
Hey, this works,it feels kind of strange at first, but after a few miles in the summer heat you'll be glad you did.

Kale Soup...Italian Health Food?

Hale to the Kale!
Did you know that kale, a variety of cabbage, is low in calories, and high in antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C? It's also very low in sodium. Kale can be consumed in soups, salads, with other greens, or by itself as a side dish or garnish. If kale doesn't interest you, consider trying other dark leafy greens, such as spinach or romaine lettuce. The first time I had Kale it was at this little Italian cafe'
near my home town. A great bowl of soup, all you could eat. I love Italian bread and with that and the soup that's a complete meal.

Use Golf in Your Weekly Workouts

Your Next Golfing Workout

By walking and carrying your clubs, you can make golf into a decent calorie-burning activity. Here's a rough example for a 190-pound man and a 135-pound woman. They carry clubs and play for 4 hours per week.

The man will burn about an extra 170 calories per hour and the woman roughly 120 extra calories per hour. Keeping their diet the same, this could eventually lead to weight loss. If you get to play more you can do the math yourself. You'll start to notice a more toned Leg's and Bum. If you play the early rounds to avoid the heat of summer you won't need that golf cart. Now your saving money, too.

Are Earphones Damaging Your Ears?

Earbud headphones are typically inserted into the ear and deliver sound directly into the ear canal. Based on recommendations from a study conducted through Harvard Medical School, safe listening limits are only about 1 1/2 hours per day with the volume control set at 80% of maximum. Many people spend three, six or even eight hours per day listening and at generally higher volumes. There is growing concern that this could permanently damage your hearing.

Fast and Healthy Breakfast

Try This Fast, Healthy Breakfast, I know this is summer with warmer weather around the corner, but this is still a great way to get that healthy first meal of the day.

Need a quick, healthy breakfast? Try instant oatmeal. Just boil some water and your all set. It's low in total and saturated fat, high in fiber and packed with vitamins, including vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate and iron. Add a glass of skim milk and a piece of fruit, and you've got a balanced, nutritious meal. YUM, YUM!

National Start! Walking Day

American Heart Association
Start! with a million on April 16. We’re challenging America to walk a million miles and raise $1 million all in a day’s work. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes to build a healthier life. So Start! walking with your friends, family and colleagues today.

Heart Disease Women are at Risk Too!

Women at Risk for Heart Disease Too, it's not just us men at risk. Heart disease is no longer a men's disease. It is actually the #1 killer of women in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease can affect women differently than
men. The most recent AHA guidelines underscore the need for women to make changes sooner rather than later to reduce their lifetime risk of heart disease. Recommended lifestyle changes include eating a diet low in saturated fat and rich in fruits and vegetables and getting regular physical activity.

Every Little Motion Counts

Why do some people seem to steadily gain weight, while others, eating roughly the same diet, seem to stay slim? The answer may be in the fidgeting. Fidgeting may help separate the lean from the obese, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

These extra movements throughout the day may just be enough to keep those extra unwanted pounds away.

Link Between Physical Activity and Cancer

This is important, Link Between Physical Activity and Cancer. Looking for a reason to boost your physical activity level? According to recent studies by the American Institute for Cancer Research, vigorous physical activity can help lower your risk for colon cancer.

Examples of vigorous activities include running, fast cycling, circuit weight training and competitive basketball. I hope tennis is in there. Even if you are just starting an exercise routine or prefer to exercise at a moderate level, every level of physical activity can have important health benefits. Check with your doctor before increasing your physical activity level.

Indoor Tanning

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there is no such thing as a "healthy" tan. When UVA rays from tanning devices penetrate your skin, it leads to premature aging, increased sensitivity to sunlight and increased risk of damage to the eyes. If you want a tan, try self-tanning lotions. They help avoid premature aging and other damage to the skin.
My good friend no matter how many times I tell him it's not worth it. See, Joe wants to look good for his 'Lady', that's all good and fine. But, at what cost? Joe's one of the lucky ones. He got that 'Med' look all year long But, he still go's out to the pool in summer and the tanning booth in the winter months. The first thing I did was send off a link to this post.

Red Meat as protein

OK, if you've seen the way they treat those cows, I'm talking about the news this last week. "Mass Slaughter House", not a pretty site. What took them so long to air the story? Anyway, at least they fired the crew that was doing the dirty work, what about closing the hole operation down? Come on do us all a favor. Every time I see or think about eating meat this story and others comes to mind. I'm not there yet, as far as going the no meat in my diet. Maybe some day.

Protein a small amount

Red meat is an excellent source of protein, zinc and iron. When shopping for lean beef, look for "round" or "loin" cuts, such as eye of round, top round steak, sirloin, and tenderloin. These cuts tend to be lower in both saturated and total fat.

Moderation is the key (a serving is 3 ounces or about the size of a deck of cards). To promote variety, think of red meat as one of many lean protein choices and vary your selection.

I'll also say, that most everyone that's over weight doesn't stop at 3 oz. Do you? That's me for sure. So, if you NEED to loss weight, just start now to cut your intake!

Are using Ginko biloba ?

Are you are taking daily doses of vitamin E, aspirin, ibuprofen, or any blood thinning medication? If so, you may want to avoid adding ginkgo biloba. Recent studies indicate that ginkgo biloba extracts may cause excessive bleeding when combined with other blood thinning agents. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends consulting with your doctor before using any ginkgo products. To play it safe, also consult with your doctor before taking other complementary and alternative medicines, herbs or supplements.

Warning: You May Never do Without It! Music

If you try this once, you'll be hooked.

Does Music Improves Exercise ?
Does music motivate you to move your body? Those who listen to enjoyable music while working out, often find that deciding to exercise is easier. And they usually feel that the exercise takes less effort. Consider adding some kind of music to your routine - pop, rock, classical, jazz, country, or whatever you enjoy. Notice, I didn't say RAP!
We wouldn't won't your short to fall down around your knees.

Keep that health Resolution

Don't fail yourself, keep those good for you healthful resolution.
Some Tips:
Sticking with a New Year's Resolution
Improve your chances of achieving your new year's health goals. Be specific. Instead of promising to lose 15 pounds, state how you will do it. For example, say that you will add 40 minute walks along the Lake Front or workouts at the health club, 4 times a week. Use a simple tracking system, perhaps check marks on a calendar, to help you
keep your focus.


Enjoy your Stanford Heart Network Tip of the Day, presented by Mission Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network.

Your Teeth and Sugarless Gum, Who knew?

Could Sugarless Gum be Good for YOU?
Research indicates that chewing sugarless gum may actually help to prevent cavities. Gum chewing increases saliva flow, which helps clear away food and acid producing bacteria. So, its okay, even helpful now and then, to use that stick of sugarless gum!