Want to make your next mammogram a bit more comfortable — and convenient? These tips can help. • Hold off on caffeine. Caffeine has a tendency to make a woman’s breasts tender, potentially making the mammogram more uncomfortable. Avoid drinking coffee and tea, unless it’s decaffeinated, for a week prior to a mammogram. Other items containing… Read more
Arthritis: How Staying Active Can Help
For people with arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve pain levels, function, mood and quality of life. These physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury. Examples include walking, biking and swimming. Being physically active can also delay the onset of arthritis-related disability… Read more
How to Tell if Your Headache is a Migraine
Compared with a migraine, a tension-type headache is generally less severe and is rarely disabling. While the pain level for both can be mild to moderate, in the case of a migraine, it can sometimes be severe and even debilitating. Migraine headaches can sometimes cause nausea and vomiting, which are generally not associated with a… Read more
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Who doesn’t love healthy, low-calorie lettuce wraps? Crunchy vegetables, buttery lettuce and small portions of meats with various dipping sauces combine for delicious meals that are eaten with your hands. The secret to a good wrap is bold spicing, along with a mixture of textures and crunch in the fillings. Almost any lettuce will work… Read more
Blood Pressure Update
If you’ve got high blood pressure (hypertension), you’re in good company. The American Heart Association estimates that nearly half of all adults in this country have high blood pressure—when blood presses too hard against your blood vessels. That’s not something you can afford to ignore. It doubles your risk of cardiovascular disease—stroke, heart disease, and… Read more
Scallops in Lemon Wine Sauce
Serves 4 There is nothing quite so elegant as a plated dish of scallops. Pair this dish with a simple vegetable such as roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans and shallots. Round off the meal with a nice-but-simple rice pilaf to gather up the wine sauce. Ingredients: 1 large lemon 1 1/2 pounds large sea… Read more
Why Strong Relationships Are So Important
As humans, we have a built-in desire to connect and build relationships with others. The benefits are many: • Less stress. Being in a committed relationship is linked to a lower production of cortisol, a stress hormone. This suggests that the social and emotional support that comes with having a partner can be a great… Read more
Vitamin C: What You Need to Know
Vitamin C is vital for a number of processes in the body. It assists in the production of collagen, which helps wounds heal. It also helps the immune system work more efficiently to protect from disease. The recommended daily amount depends on a person’s age, with more needed for children as they grow older. The… Read more
Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots
Serves 6 Dressing down some of our holiday favorites can not only be healthier but actually can awaken our taste buds. Without all the mushroom soup and canned fried onions, you can actually taste the delicious individual flavors of the green beans, shallots and mushrooms in this side dish. Ingredients: 1 pound fresh green… Read more
Head Lice: A Few Helpful Treatment Tips
When using a head lice medication:: • Apply according to instructions. If the person has long hair, a second bottle may be needed. Pay attention to instructions regarding how long the medication should be left on the hair and how it should be washed out. • Have the person put on clean clothing after treatment…. Read more
