Healthy Tips for the Holidays!

Lights on Main Street, Salt Lake City

Starting this week, the holidays will be in full swing. This means a frantic time for millions of Americans with shopping, travel, holiday parties, and family get-togethers. It is also a time in which most Americans gain weight that is called holiday weight creep.

The average American gains between 5 to 10 pounds during the holiday season and very seldom loses it during the rest of the year. Why do we gain so much weight during the holidays? How can people enjoy the holiday treats and parties and not gain the extra weight?

Dr. Keith Kantor, a leading nutritionist and author of the book, The Green Box League of Nutritious Justice, prepared the following list of tips that can help us avoid the dreaded weight creep of the holidays yet still enjoy the parties and treats.

1. Cut down on saturated fat in creamy dressings by mixing in yogurt instead.
2. For a wonderful flavor enhancer, sprinkle roasted vegetables with vinegar or citrus juice. Add it at the last minute so the flavor is at its strongest.
3. Substitute chopped vegetables for some of the bread in your stuffing recipe, this will reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the stuffing therefore reducing the glycemic load.
4. Don’t starve yourself the day of the party so you can fill up on food that evening. If you eat healthy normal meals throughout the day, you’re much less likely to overeat at the party.
5. Remember: The point of holiday gatherings is to celebrate, not to eat. Mingle with friends and loved ones instead of hovering around the buffet table, grab a plate and walk away.
6. Don’t load up at the buffet table. Keep portion sizes small by putting your snacks on a small plate instead of a large one and limiting your trips to the buffet.
7. Prioritize your food choices, if you love sweet potato casserole take a serving of that but skip the stuffing if it is something that you don’t have to have.
8. Present food in various locations all over your home to encourage activities and mingling not just eating.
9. If you are going to drink alcohol alternate the beverages with water, this will keep you hydrated and may curb the increase in appetite from excessive alcohol.  
10. Make sure you include protein and vegetables as your appetizers and throughout the main meal.  The protein from meat and fiber from the vegetables will keep you feeling full and avoid bingeing on excessive sugars and carbohydrates.
11. When choosing cocktails, aim for non-calorie mixers like sparkling water with the juice or limes or lemons, rather than heavily sweetened juices or syrup based mixers.  
12. Remain active throughout the holidays, maintaining lean muscle mass from strength training and cardiovascular activity will help keep your metabolic rate (calories burned at rest) high to offset the extra calories from the holiday treats.

Dr. Keith Kantor

About Dr. Keith Kantor

Dr. Kantor has been an advocate of natural food and healthy living for 27 years.  In 1994 he was appointed CEO of Service Foods, Inc., the largest all natural food company of its kind in the United States.

He has a Master Degree in Nutrition Science and a Master in Business Administration; Ph.D. graduate of Corllins University, Nutritional Science; Doctorate of Science graduate of Corllins University, Naturopathic Medicine.  He also holds undergraduate degrees in Biology and Chemistry.

Dr. Kantor has been married for 37 years to Karen DeFiore Kantor. Karen is a registered nurse and is Director of Nursing for Services Foods, Green Box Foods, Blue Ribbon Foods and Southern Foods At Home. They have two children, Kimberly is the Director of Personal Training for Lifetime Fitness. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Ryan received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his Master degree from the University of Georgia. He is currently employed with Bellomy Research in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as a research manager.

For more information go to http://www.drkeithkantor.com/

Young woman puts art skills to work to raise money for surgery

The high cost of surgery has one young woman working her creative juices to pay the bills.

Annelise Woodward will be having surgery December 1st and has been looking for innovative ways to pay her share of the surgery which will be amost $10,000. She is making and selling holiday greeting cards, which she hopes will raise about $1000. In addition, she has been putting her skills as a professional photographer to work to raise additional funds.

Friends and family have also been helping her out. An Internet friend Mandee held an online auction of handmade jewelry and art and crafts and was able to donate close to $600 for the surgery.  Mandee uses Instagram and Etsy to market her work under the name of cloudninedesignz.

Boyd and Annelise

Annelise's sister, Heather, set up an online fundraising page with the goal of raising $2000. To date people have contributed $1060.

Heather writes: "A few years ago Annelise and Boyd discovered they weren't able to conceive and/or maintain a pregnancy. This has been an extremely trying and harrowing experience for them both."

"After many tests," she continues, "fertility specialists have been able to discover that part of the problem is within Annelise's uterus. In order that she may be able to have a successful pregnancy she requires an operation, which has finally been booked for December 1st, this year."

"Although Annelise and Boyd have been working hard to save the money to pay down the deductible," she explains, "this is still an enormous financial burden -- especially for them both being recent graduates with the expense of student loans."

Annelise graduated from Boise State University in December 2013 and Boyd recently graduated with an accounting degree this summer. Boyd is taking the CPA exams and working part-time for Olive Gardens Restaurant.

Annelise got the idea for the greeting cards from an experience she had last February. "I did something special for my husband for Valentines. I made 14 cards."

"Each day from the 1st to the 14th I gave him a different card," she said. "I personalized them with things I love about him as well as things that are special to both of us. I then placed them in a different spot each day, for him to find before leaving for work. With each card I left a small gift or suggested a fun activity for us to do that evening. It made for a very enjoyable February."

"I did something similar for the holiday greeting cards," she said. "I designed the cards with the thought in mind that they could each be given to a different person or to one specific person for 12 days during the holiday season."

"My hope as I made these cards was that it would provide others a way of do the same thing for someone they love and in turn help me in my efforts to pay for some of my surgery."

With each pack of cards she is supplying a list of gifts and activity ideas that can be given with the cards.

While the many of the cards can be used for any religious celebration, others have a Christmas theme. Inside the cards are left blank so a person can write his or her own message. Each pack contains 12 different handmade cards and sells for $30 plus shipping of $5.50.

The cards can be ordered by contacting Annelise at her photography website at http://www.annelisewoodward.com/. Add to her fundraising page by clicking here.

Product Review: Hip Baby Wrap Nursing Ponchos

Nursing Mothers, Say Goodbye to Boring Color and Cutesy Baby Prints!
Get the Nursing Poncho that’s Functional and Fashionable with Hip Baby Wrap—Amazingly stylish nursing ponchos that are breathable, soft and beautiful!

Nursing is an important mother-baby bonding experience, but you shouldn’t feel trapped in boring, colorless or cutesy nursing ponchos day after day.  Connect with baby and rock amazing personal style with Hip Baby Wrap Nursing Ponchos.

Hip Baby Wrap Nursing Ponchos are beautifully woven, light weight ponchos that provide breathable and soft comfort for both baby and parent. Individually handmade of 100% cotton and non-toxic dyes, these wonderfully vibrant and stylish ponchos provide quality strength and durability, but with more air flow, more stunning color and less bulk than other ponchos or covers on the market.  Plus, with a variety of color options to choose from, and a reasonable price point, stylish moms can look and feel beautiful with a poncho to coordinate with every outfit.

Product details: Offering comfort, style and privacy while on-the-go with baby, Hip Baby Wrap’s chic nursing poncho is the ultimate necessity for any fashionable, nursing mother. Featuring six fun and modern color options, amazingly soft woven cotton, and light-weight breathability, this stylish poncho not only brings a stunning pop of color, but keeps mom and baby cool and comfy.  And because it slips over the head and rests on the shoulders like a poncho, there’s no fumbling around or shifting to ensure adequate privacy.

With a strong belief in the benefits of babywearing, raising happy, connected babies is the Hip Baby Wrap goal.  Both the wraps and ponchos are easy to use, fashionable and extremely comfortable while helping promote positive physical, mental and emotional development for baby.  

A busy mother herself, founder Jeannie Levedahl knows how convenient and meaningful a baby wrap can be.  However, constantly wearing the same wrap left her searching for beautiful and more affordable wraps without success.  Loving to coordinate her baby wrap with her outfits, Jeannie began making her own and soon received requests for orders—Hip Baby Wrap was born.  Now parents and caregivers can enjoy beautiful, fashionable, fun and quality woven wraps at an affordable price.

Product review: Pura Naturals household, personal, and baby products

By Angelene 


With the holidays coming and with family and friends celebrating with us, we many times forget about how much preparation and cleaning has to take place.  Pura Naturals, a new, California-based company, offers an earth-friendly alternative: plant-based sponges featuring the same durable and absorbing technology used to clean up sensitive waterways. Is this something you would be interested in trying?

Pura Naturals has created a new line of personal care and household cleaning products.  Pura Naturals has products for all of your every day needs.   The company makes personal care products for your face, body and when active. Products for babies are infused with natural lavender to help promote sleep.  

BeBetterFoam Sponge

Pura Naturals has harnessed the cleaning power of BeBetterFoam™, an innovation that was first invented to clean up the oil spill in the Gulf. The unique foam is oleophilic and hydrophobic, meaning it lifts oil, grease and grime like a magnet while resisting water, naturally inhibiting bacteria growth, odor and other issues often associated with household sponges.

What’s more, the sponges are made with a scrubber pad crafted from walnut shells and recycled materials, ideal for difficult counter-top stains while safe on appliances prone to scratches. Each sponge available in the household line is free of petroleum by-products, parabens and synthetic ingredients.  Not only are Pura Naturals products better for you and your family but they are better for the enviroment.   The BeBetterFoams helps wipe and clean up things up easily but absorbing oil, fats, fuels and other contaminents.  It can also be used again and again with out breaking down.   There is a 30 day gaurantee on their products.  

All of Pura Naturals products are infused with Level Naturals milled soap.  Every bar is 100% vegan, gluten-free.  All of Pura Naturals products are made in the USA. 

Pura Naturals cleaning products are made for the entire home.  They have a kitchen line of scrubbers and sponges that work for cleaning every part of the kitchen including hard baked food on your dishes.

Pura Naturals household and personal care products will change the way you clean. They’ll help you to “live better and be better™." These pads are like no other sponges you have ever used. They are highly effective at absorbing oils, fuels, fats, and a wealth of other contaminants.

I was excited to try Pura Naturals products.  I was able to try t he kitchen sponge, active soap-infused sponge as well as the soap-infused eucalyptus body bar.  I was a little hesitant at first when trying a sponge in the kitchen. I had gotten rid of sponges years ago due to their increase in germs as well as the smell they sometimes get.   I was impressed with how pure naturals sponge never smelled and every time I got the sponge wet it had a really nice lather to it.   I was impressed with how quickly and easily my counters were cleaned.  

I really loved the Pura naturals soap-infused eucalyptus body bar.  It smelled fantastic and I felt clean afterwards.  I loved how easy it was to activate and clean my body leaving it feeling refreshed and cleaned.   It lasted weeks as well.   I did notice that the sponge needs to be kept to the side of the tub where it won't continue to get wet while others shower or where the shower stream hits the sponge.  The sponge will not last as long due to it being continually wet.   Despite that one thing I was impressed and really loved the product.

The Science Behind Pure Naturals 

Pura Naturals™ products are made from BeBetterFoam™, which was created by Advanced Innovative Recovery Technology, Inc. (AIRTech). AIRTech was created in response to the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April of 2010 — one of the worst oil disasters in history. The immediate impact on the environment and wildlife was devastating; to make matters worse, many of the conventional cleanup methods were also damaging to the ecosystem.

AIRTech's solution, BeBetterFoam™, is a non-toxic plant-based foam that repels water while absorbing oil and silicone.  In fact, BeBetterFoam™ will pick up virtually all hydrocarbons, making it a unique and ultra-effective material for cleanup. It’s also EPA-approved for use in all waterways, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. In addition to being highly absorbent, it is so resilient that it can be used again and again without breaking down.

Scientific Highlights

Pura Naturals’™ personal care and kitchen products are:

• Oleophilic
• Absorb oil, grease, and grime
• Clean deeply to lift oil and grease from pots and pans
• Cleanse skin gently and thoroughly (removing makeup)
• Hydrophobic
• Resist and do not support bacteria
• Have a long-lasting, fresh scent
• Environmentally safe
• Made from plant-based/renewable resources
• Carbon-negative footprint (removes more carbon than is created)
• Free from petroleum by-products, adhesives, and glues
• Nontoxic
• Made with revolutionary 3P Technology™
• Created with a unique, proprietary polymer process technology that is protected by a trade secret, owned by AIRTech, and incapable of being reverse engineered
• Super durable: up to 25 times stronger than the leading household sponge brand (UL Testing)
• Highly chemical resistant (won’t break down when absorbing other chemicals)
• Latex-free

Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease Associated With Increased Risk of Heart Attack, Death

In a study that included nearly 38,000 patients, those diagnosed with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) had a significantly increased risk of heart attack or death one year after diagnosis, according to a study in the November 5 issue of JAMA.

Nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is atherosclerotic plaque that would not be expected to obstruct blood flow or result in anginal symptoms (such as chest pain). Although such lesions are relatively common, occurring in 10 percent to 25 percent of patients undergoing coronary angiography, their presence has been characterized as “insignificant” or “no significant CAD" in the medical literature. However, this perception of nonobstructive CAD may be incorrect, because prior studies have noted that the majority of plaque ruptures and resultant myocardial infarctions (MIs; heart attacks) arise from nonobstructive plaques. Despite the prevalence of nonobstructive CAD identified by coronary angiography, little is known about its risk of adverse outcomes, according to background information in the article.

Thomas M. Maddox, M.D., M.Sc., of the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, and colleagues compared heart attack and mortality rates among patients with nonobstructive CAD, obstructive CAD, and no apparent CAD. The patients included in the study were all U.S. veterans who underwent elective coronary angiography for CAD between October 2007 and September 2012 in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Patients with prior CAD events were excluded. CAD extent was defined by degree of vessel narrowing and distribution (1, 2, or 3 vessel).

During the study period, 37,674 patients underwent elective coronary angiography for indications related to CAD; of those, 22.3 percent had nonobstructive CAD and 55.4 percent had obstructive CAD. Within 1 year, 845 patients died and 385 were rehospitalized for MI. The researchers found that the 1-year MI risk progressively increased by the extent of CAD, rather than abruptly increasing between nonobstructive and obstructive CAD. Patients with nonobstructive CAD had an associated risk of MI that was 2-to 4.5-fold greater than among those with no apparent CAD. Similar observations were seen with 1-year mortality and the combined outcome of 1-year MI and death.

“These findings highlight a need to recognize that nonobstructive CAD is associated with significantly increased risk for MI, consistent with prior biologic studies indicating that a majority of MIs are related to nonobstructive stenosis [narrowing of an artery]. Correspondingly, these results reveal the limitations of a dichotomous [divided into two parts] characterization of angiographic CAD into ‘obstructive’ and ‘nonobstructive’ to predict MI and highlight the importance of preventive strategies such as pharmacotherapy treatments and lifestyle modifications to mitigate these risks,” the authors write.

(doi:10.1001/jama.2014.14681)

Dealing with Difficult People at Family Holiday Gatherings

By Terry Barnett-Martin, LMFT

The table is set with your holiday dishes and best silver, and the smell of the cooking turkey is wafting throughout the house. Fresh pine garland is draped just so over the hutch and bookcases, the Christmas tree is dripping with twinkling lights and memento ornaments, while packages are strewn under the tree waiting to be opened. You look around one more time checking to make sure everything is set, and then the doorbell rings. The first of many family members has arrived. Within minutes the house is bubbling with conversations mixed with familiar holiday music. You’re crossing your fingers that all stays well. “So far, so good. “ you whisper to yourself.  You spoke too soon…

 “Nice decorations, where’d you get them? You know, you should have checked with me first. I know where to get the best ones. Oh, and I wouldn’t have draped the garland like that, I would have done it this way,” says Bossy McBoss as she moves the garland you took the time to get just right. As she rearranges it, a few specially placed decorations fall to the ground with a crash. She continues, “ I wouldn’t have put those there either, see what can happen?” Your mouth is open and nothing is coming out.

Across the room you hear Bigsy B. Little clear his throat as he warms up his on-stage voice while approaching your sister, Hope. “Incoming!” you whisper to yourself, wishing Hope could hear you and duck for cover. Too late! Bigsy B. Little is on the hunt. “Well, it looks like your New Years resolution didn’t quite stick. Twenty five pounds, hmm, looks like you found them rather than lost them.”  She turns beet red and is completely frozen. You rush over to feign the need for help in the kitchen and take her by the hand to lead her away.

Later as everyone is seated for dinner, Bigsy says, loud enough for all to hear, “I pray the turkey isn’t dry as a bone like it was last year.” Everyone silently turns to look at you as if watching a Ping-Pong match, and it is your turn.

Family holiday gatherings can be difficult

 The holidays, for all of their hopeful preparation and sparkle, can come apart at the seams very quickly when difficult people do what they do. We all know some variations of people like these, who can strike fear and dread into the holiday experience, but you can change that. You can have your holiday cookie and eat it too when you follow these 5 tips.

1.)  Don’t expect others to change. Our greatest power lies in creating change within ourselves. Though you could delve into the whys about difficult people, and the insight might prove interesting, the fact is, they are who they are and you cannot change them. In fact, it’s a good idea to take a personal inventory to make sure you aren’t someone else’s difficult person. If in all honesty you suspect you are, make a few minor adjustments and promise yourself you will give your best this year.

2.)  Be aware and prepare. It is crucial, when facing difficult people, to be compassionately aware of your own vulnerabilities. Knowing and owning them gives you the opportunity to decide how you want to address or deflect intentional insults. Difficult people often home in on a person’s vulnerability and go in for the kill instinctively. That’s how Bigsy B. Little managed to destroy Hope with his well-placed insult. His aim was to make her feel small so he could feel big.  If Hope had already compassionately owned that she had fallen short of her goal, she would have been comfortable in her own skin, and able to respond without feeling stung. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are the two strongest weapons against bullies like Bigsy B. Little.

3.)  Use the power of your imagination. In the best relationships and especially in the most difficult, boundaries are the key to a sense of personal well-being. But how do you create good boundaries? One highly effective exercise, called Tending Fences, uses the brilliance of your creative mind to find solutions to these difficult relationships.

For instance, let’s take the situation with Bossy McBoss…

Imagine you own a large piece of land that adjoins the property of Bossy McBoss along its border. The current fence that marks the boundary is small and broken, and Bossy often jumps the fence to snoop around on your land, leaving a mess. Because everything is possible in your imagination, you design a new fence 30 feet tall and 5 feet thick with features that allow her good qualities to come through, while a Teflon finish ensures that her bossy negativity doesn’t stick. This clear message, mostly to yourself, ensures that nothing she says or does can get to you. Use this Tending Fences exercise for each difficult person and write or draw a description of your custom built fences for future reference.

4.) Review and Resolve. For the week leading up to your holiday gathering, take a few minutes each day to review your Tending Fences work, tweaking each fence as you see fit. Know that when the offending person delivers an insult, the fence will do the work for you, keeping you safe and intact.

5.)  Trust yourself. Once you’ve done your Tending Fences work, trust yourself. It will give you a sense of well-being and confidence that will not only be a gift to yourself, but to your family and friends as well.

With these 5 tips you can relax and know that you have everything you need to survive the family holiday gathering and truly enjoy yourself.  You’ve got this!  Happy Holidays!

Terry Barnett-Martin, M.S., LMFT is a relationship counselor in private practice in Southern California. She is an openhearted, intuitive practitioner and writer who is dedicated to helping people find the purpose and path in their life and relationships.

Website: www.tendingfences.com; www.truepurposecounseling.com

Tending Fences: Building Safe and Healthy Relationship Boundaries; The Parables of Avery Soul can be purchased from www.amazon.com and through major booksellers

The author is available for speaking engagements.

7 Tips to Prevent Stress and Maintain Your Waistline this Holiday Season

Justine SanFilippo

by Justine SanFilippo, MS, CHC

The holidays can be stressful… but they shouldn’t be!  Dealing with crazy traffic, last-minute gift shopping with it seems like millions of people, juggling holiday parties, traveling, dealing with long lines at the airport, seeing family members we haven’t seen in forever…. The list goes on and on.

There are a few reasons why we should avoid stress or greatly reduce it.  Not only is it not good for our health, but it’s not good for our waistline.

When a person feels “stressed,” the fight-or-flight response kicks in.  This response came from when we had to hunt and gather our food.  So, if we were running from a tiger, we would survive.  This means that the body releases adrenaline and cortisol.  If a person is constantly stressed, then there is constantly extra cortisol, which can lead to belly fat.

Stress can also cause headaches, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety.  It can lead to respiratory issues like asthma, cardiovascular issues like elevated cholesterol and the narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.  Stress can cause reproductive issues, digestive issues, and can lower the immune system.

Since the holidays are supposed to be a time of fun, family and celebration, let’s leave the stress behind, shall we?  Here are some tips to reduce stress and enjoy the holidays more this season:

1)     Plan Ahead – Nobody likes doing things last-minute, which causes unnecessary stress.  Start planning now so you don’t have to do so much later.

2)     Ask for help – Delegating is a great stress-reducer.  Ask your friends or family members to help you with some tasks.  You don’t have to be Super-Mom or Super Dad, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how eager they are to help.

3)     Shop During the Week – Most people will shop on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so aim to get your shopping done during the week.

4)     Exercise – We all know that exercise can help reduce stress, but if you’re in a tense situation or a family member is driving you crazy, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind.  Be sure to get in your daily exercise, especially if you’ll be in a normally stressful situation later.  Those endorphins will help!

5)     Stick to a Budget – The holidays are no reason to break the bank.  Stick to a budget or even plan a “Secret Santa” in which everyone draws a name and just gets one gift.  The holidays aren’t about who gets what – it’s about being grateful and spending quality time with the people you care most about.

6)     Learn to Say No – It’s okay if you can’t attend every function or party you are invited to.  If they are truly your friends, they will understand.  Putting yourself and your needs first will reduce stress.

7)     Remember the Reason for the Season - The purpose of the holiday season is to have fun, relax, and spend time with family and friends – not stress out.

Justine SanFilippo is a certified health coach, nutritionist, and author of the book Lose Your Inches Without Losing Your Mind!  To purchase the book and for more free resources to lose your inches, check out her website at www.happyhealthypeople.com

Cell phones and cancer

You get as much radiation from a cell phone as if you were carrying a microwave oven around with you, says Suzanne Somers.  She is promoting a product called LifeWave Matrix 2 on her website suzannesomers.com which sits in your cell phone case and is supposed to eliminate 98% of the harmful radiation.

The World Health Organization reports that cell phones cause certain kinds of brain cancer and a physician researcher saw increased breast cancer among teenage girls who carry their cell phones in their bra. Cell phone radiation goes three times further into the brain of children than it does adults, says Somers.

Women who carry their cell phones in purses have less exposure than men who wear them on their belts or put them in a pocket. Hand free use and speaker phones may be annoying but reduce exposure to dangerous radiation.

The National Cancer Institute reports that cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues closest to where the phone is held. The amount of radiofrequency energy a cell phone user is exposed to, writes the Cancer Institute, depends on the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone’s antenna and the user, the extent and type of use, and the user’s distance from cell phone towers.

More research is needed, writes the Cancer Institute, to show a link to cancer. "Studies thus far have not shown a consistent link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves, or other tissues of the head or neck."

Livewave Matrix 2 was tested by SGS Labs. 

Are you paying for health or disease at the grocery store?

Choosing the right food prevents disease

SPOTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA – (October 20, 2014) – According to the United States Census Bureau, supermarkets and grocery stores are a $466 billion industry. With nearly 65,000 stores nationwide, supermarkets are designed to meet the needs of those looking for the convenient foods to those who want to cook everything from scratch, and everything in between. With so many choices people can become overwhelmed and lose sight of the fact that what they put in their grocery cart can directly impact their overall health. Dr. Nimali Fernando, a pediatrician who founded The Doctor Yum Project, names five things you may be putting in your cart when you opt for unhealthy, processed foods.

“When it comes to feeding a family, there are choices we can make at the grocery store that can make us healthier AND save us money,” explains Dr. Nimali Fernando. “It’s time for us to stop considering the price per calorie of our food choices. Of course junk food may seem like the better value. But most Americans these days should consider the value of the nutrients per dollar and how full their food makes them feel. A banana has fewer calories than a bag of chips but delivers more satiation and nutrition at a similar price. Stocking your grocery cart with healthy fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be expensive, and it’ll be worth it health-wise for both you and your children.”

When you reach for many quick, pre-packaged foods, you may be choosing foods that will be detrimental to your health. In fact, Dr. Fernando advises that you may be adding these five things:

1. Early onset of diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 16 percent of caloric intake for children and adults comes from added sugars. A typical teenager in America is ingesting 35-45 teaspoons of added sugar a day, and many pre-packaged foods and beverages they eat and drink contain high amounts of sugar. We are now seeing record numbers of type 2 diabetes in children, which can be much harder to manage than diabetes in adults.
2. Obesity. With the one third of children now overweight or obese, we should be less worried about how many calories our dollars buy and more focused on how many nutrients we can buy. Extra calories are leading to weight gain in children, leading them to have back pain, flat feet, and poor self image.
3. Constipation. Most processed and convenience foods are devoid of fiber, which could lead to trouble in the bathroom. Today, many children suffer from constipation that lasts for months or even years. Constipation can even lead to problems like bedwetting and chronic urinary tract infections.
4. Early coronary artery disease. The consumption of all the added sugars, according to the CDC, has been associated with cardiovascular disease, even among adolescents. In one study almost 100 percent of 10 year-olds in America already had fatty streaks in their coronary arteries. When we choose healthier options we are not just preventing heart disease in kids, we may be reversing the disease they already have.
5. Shortened lifespan. Some experts predict that this generation of children will be the first have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is due to the nature of their diet and sedentary lifestyle, which leads to illness. For instance, obesity now is the number one risk factor for cancer, and so much of our risk factor for cancer in adulthood is established in the first two to three decades of our life. If we can teach kids to make healthy choices from a young age, we are ultimately giving them the best chance for a long, productive life.
    

“The simple act of choosing healthy foods that contain vital nutrients and vitamins can make a serious impact in your long-term health and your children’s health,” affirms Dr. Fernando. “Teaching your children how to shop healthy will be essential to helping them maintain a long, healthy lifestyle.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit the site at www.doctoryum.com.

About The Doctor Yum Project

The Doctor Yum Project is a nonprofit organization that was founded by Dr. Nimali Fernando, a pediatrician. The mission of the organization is to raise awareness about the benefits of feeding children healthy foods and encouraging healthy lifestyles, thereby reducing childhood obesity and diet-related illnesses. They offer kids cooking classes, a cooking club, a preschool nutrition program, and more. For more information on The Doctor Yum Project, visit the website at:www.doctoryum.com.

How unsanitary is your toothbrush?

Most dentists recommend that toothbrushes be changed out at least every three months, but if you travel, get sick, or have a toilet close to your brush - you probably want to change it out more often. In this busy life it can be easy to forget about the simplest things, like getting a new toothbrush on time. 13 Clean is providing consumers an easier way to remember to change out toothbrushes.

A new toothbrush, called 13 Clean, comes with 13 detachable heads - one starter head and 12 other heads for each month. Each head has its month printed clearly on the back, so when October fades into November users know it's time to change the brush head if they're still brushing with the one that says October.

Visit http://bit.ly/13CleanKS to see the product.

Surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital Save a Newborn's Life with the Support of 3-D Printing

NEW YORK (October 15, 2014) —A team of surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital saved the life of a one-week-old baby with the aid of a 3-D printed model of the child's heart. The 3-D model was used as a guide for surgery on the child, who was born with a complex and deadly form of congenital heart disease (CHD).

   

Photo credit: NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital 

Dr. Emile Bacha, director of congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and his team performed surgery when the baby was just one week old and weighed only 7 lbs. With the aid of the 3-D model, the team was able to repair all of the heart's defects in a single procedure. Typically, babies born with this complex form of CHD require a series of three or four life-threatening surgeries.

 "The baby's heart had holes, which are not uncommon with CHD, but the heart chambers were also in an unusual formation, rather like a maze," said Dr. Bacha, who is also chief of the division of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and the Calvin F. Barber Professor of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S).

"In the past, we had to stop the heart and look inside to decide what to do. With 3-D printing technology, we are able to look at the inside of the heart in advance, giving us a road map for the surgery," he added.
Prior to the surgery, a team of doctors led by Dr. Anjali Chelliah, a pediatric cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and assistant professor at P&S, diagnosed the baby with CHD while he was still in the womb, allowing time to develop the optimal treatment plan. After the baby was born, Dr. Chelliah worked closely with Materialise, a company that specializes in 3-D printing for healthcare, to create a model of the child's heart with data taken from a low-dose CT scan performed just one day after the baby.

Only two days after receiving the data, the printer was able to produce an exact replica of the heart, allowing the doctors to understand every detail of the congenital defects.
Dr. Bacha and Dr. Chelliah are optimistic that 3-D printing technology will continue to improve outcomes for patients.

"After the success of this surgery, it's clear that 3-D models can be successfully used to help surgeons in complex procedures," said Dr. Bacha. "This technology is the future, and we are proud that NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is leading the way."
The 3-D printed model of the baby's heart was paid for by Matthew's Hearts of Hope, a non-profit organization that supports CHD patients and their families.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, located in New York City, offers the best available care in every area of pediatrics — including the most complex neonatal and critical care, and all areas of pediatric subspecialties — in a family-friendly and technologically advanced setting. Building a reputation for more than a century as one of the nation's premier children's hospitals, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is Manhattan's only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children and one of the largest providers of children's health services in the tri-state area with a long-standing commitment to its community. 

It is also a major international referral center, meeting the special needs of children from infancy through adolescence worldwide. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division, NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital. The hospital is also closely affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area, according to U.S. News & World Report, and consistently named to the magazine's Honor Roll of best hospitals in the nation. For more information, visit www.nyp.org.

Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.

10 Natural Ways to Keep Healthy While Traveling this Holiday Season

Jayne McAllister

Eat healthy foods and keep hydrated

During the six day Thanksgiving travel period, the number of long-distance trips increases by 54% and during the Christmas/New Year holiday, travel increases by 23%. While thousands of Americans travel across the country to visit family and friends, no one wants to get bogged down with sickness. Jayne McAllister, of Jayne McAllister Travel Wellness, recommends ten tips to stay healthy while traveling this holiday season.

“Traveling is hard on the body, causing an increase in stress and an exposure to a variety of germs. It’s vital to stay healthy and take care of yourself or your trip can be ruined,” says Jayne McAllister, of Jayne McAllister Travel Wellness. “There are natural ways to stay healthy that require little extra effort, especially when you are bouncing from plane to plane.”

Jayne McAllister recommends 10 tips to stay healthy while traveling this holiday season:

1. Eat Healthy on the Road. Research airport eateries before you fly to find healthiest options. Request a fridge in your hotel room so you can shop for healthy meals and keep fresh fruit and salads to hand for when you don’t have to dine out. For long haul flights, order a vegetarian meal.  The extra vegetables are much easier on your body inflight than eating lots of sugar, saturated fats and animal proteins. Plan to eat a salad before you fly to offset the effects of inflight bloating.
2. Breathe. Breathing exercises calm the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous system. It’s the simplest tactic to reduce stress, it’s easy to do and it’s free. Inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts.  Work up to inhaling for two counts and exhaling for eight.
3. Jet Lag. Forget the drugs, forget the gimmicks, jet lag can be handled completely holistically. Here’s how: grounding (standing barefoot on grass or sand for 10 minutes at a time); electrolyte balance, antioxidants, exercise, and alkalizing foods.
4. Keep Your Usual Sleep Pattern. Red eye flights can seem like a good idea but at the end of the day, you’re depriving yourself of a decent night’s sleep, which will throw off your performance for days. Lack of sleep doesn’t just lead to lack of energy, it leads to bad decisions around food, such as reaching for caffeine and sugar for pick-me-ups, or being too tired to think about making the right choices at breakfast time. Take a soak in a tub before you turn in. Apply a little soothing lavender balm. This is very good for people who are anxious naturally, especially when flying. Use natural sources of melatonin, like pineapple, bananas, oranges, oats, sweet corn, rice, tomatoes, and barley.
5. Wash Frequently. The basics would be washing your hands as frequently as possible, carrying wipes to clean your tray table and ends of the arm rests, keeping the air vent above your seat open (even though it’s “recycled” air, it’s better than totally stale air.)
6. Keep Exercising. People love to use the fact that they’re traveling as an excuse to not exercise. Obvious remedies: Find a hotel that has a workout room or a pool. Use the stairwell. If you have a gym membership, see if they have a location where you’re traveling to. Get outside and walk as much as you can.
7. Hydrate. Ideally, consume at least one 8-ounce glass for every hour in flight. Caffeine, whether it is in coffee or soft drinks, will dehydrate you. Avoid the inflight salty nuts and snacks, which mess with cellular water content.  Similarly, watch out for salt in drinks like tomato juice and V8.
8. Avoid Alcohol. Alcohol and flying do not mix well because of alcohol’s dehydrating effects. It’s better to have a drink with your pre-flight meal while you’re able to drink lots of water with your meal. This will lessen the effects of dehydration, help you digest your food and relax you before your flight if you’re a nervous flyer. Just don’t overdo it.
9. Commit before you travel. Book a personal trainer, or exercise class before you get to your destination.  Personal trainers and Pilates studios usually have a 24-hour cancellation policy so it’s a real incentive to keep your appointment.
10. No Excuses. Some people will use the excuse of not having space in their luggage for their sneakers.  While some might wear them for the trip, others wouldn’t be seen dead in sneakers while traveling, plus they’re a pain to have to take off at security.  Light, foldable sneakers are now available that squeeze into any size bag. If the hotel doesn’t have a work-out facility or you don’t feel safe walking or running in the neighborhood, there are plenty of downloadable workouts to do in-room.

“It’s important to be educated about what to avoid while traveling to stay healthy, especially during the holiday season when there are more people traveling and more ill people,” says McAllister. “Staying healthy while traveling is essential to enjoy your holiday season with your friends and family.”

McAllister provides corporate wellness assistance to those companies with business travelers who spend 30 percent of their time, or more, on the road. She specializes in such training issues as weight loss for travelers, healthy eating while traveling, ergonomics for the traveler, functional exercise, jet lag recovery and avoidance, sleep quality, and nutritional cleanses. She has also created Dine Out Lose Weight, a 21-day guide for dropping weight without setting foot in the kitchen. For more information on her services, visit the site at: www.jaynemcallister.com.

About Jayne McAllister Travel Wellness

Based in Vero Beach, Fla., Jayne McAllister Travel Wellness is a company that provides corporate wellness training to business who have employees that spend a lot of their time on the road. Jayne is a certified coach, who has a degree from the University of Cambridge, is a Pilates instructor, and is a certified holistic health practitioner. For more information visit the site at:www.jaynemcallister.com.

Halloween Safety Alert: Costume Contact Lenses Can Damage Eyes

Zombie eyes

Miami, FL – Wearing decorative contact lenses to enhance your Halloween costume may seem fun, but it can permanently damage vision. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami School of Medicine warns consumers that using decorative lenses without a prescription or a proper fitting by an eye-care professional carries serious risks to vision, potentially leading to blindness. Often painted in vivid patterns, these lenses are used to change the eye’s appearance – not to improve vision. They are typically sold online and through flea markets, convenience stores, and shops.

Dr. Lana Srur, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer, advises, “Contact lenses purchased and worn without an eye exam or a doctor’s prescription greatly increase the possibility of serious complications. One size does not fit all — especially non-prescription costume contacts, which often fit improperly. These lenses may cause injuries such as cuts and open sores in the cornea, as well as bacterial infections, which could lead to corneal scarring and vision loss,” she added. Dr. Srur said additional risks include conjunctivitis (pink eye), swelling of the eye (corneal edema), sensitivity to light, allergic reactions to lens coatings and interference with normal activities including driving.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasized that a federal law passed in 2005 classified all contact lenses as medical devices and restricted their distribution to licensed eye care professionals. Illegal sale of contacts can result in civil penalties and fees. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advised that consumers should only buy decorative contact lenses from an eye care professional or seller who requires a prescription.

Dr. Lana Srur

About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of UHealth - the University of Miami Health System, is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the nation, as noted in U.S. News & World Report.   As the largest ophthalmic care, vision research and educational facility in the southeastern United States, each year Bascom Palmer treats more than 250,000 patients with nearly every ophthalmic condition and performs more than 12,000 surgeries. Founded in 1962, Bascom Palmer has patient care facilities in Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, and Plantation, Florida.  For additional information, contact Natali Latorre at (305) 326-6190 or bpeicommunications@med.miami.edu.  Visit our website at bascompalmer.org

RejuvaHealth Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Raise Funds for New Designs

Innovative compression legwear

Innovative compression legwear brand RejuvaHealth looks to expand their popular RejuvaSocks line with the launch of their Kickstarter Campaign in October 2014.

For many people,  graduated compression legwear  is more than just a tool to bring relief--it's an everyday necessity.  

Fashionable medical grade compression stockings

RejuvaHealth specializes in stylish compression legwear for both men and women with products ranging from socks, leggings, pantyhose and more.

They pride themselves in being able to successfully pair medical grade graduated compression with fashionable patterns and colorways for products that invigorate while mirroring their wearers' fashion sense.

 As a way to bring their fans a wider array of stylish options, RejuvaHealth is excited to announce the start of their Kickstarter campaign focused on raising money for new designs of their RejuvaSocks.

Flexible and durable

With this campaign they hope to raise $20,000 in 30 days, which will go towards four new patterns: chevron, houndstooth, argyle, and herringbone.

 "There's something magical about bringing people with similar stories or missions together," said RejuvaHealth founder Kelsey Minarik.  "It creates an authenticity. A buzz that makes you want to do more. I experience this daily at RejuvaHealth, within our compression community, and feel it within the Kickstarter community of creators too."

The brand is excited to tap into this new frontier and the energy behind Kickstarter as they build on the success of their RejuvaSocks line. RejuvaSocks offer all the benefits of graduated compression while flaunting a cushioned sports sock feel and fun designer patterns. This new mild grade level is well suited for the average person looking to relieve and prevent feelings of fatigue, leg discomfort, and swelling brought on by prolonged periods of sitting or standing.

Featuring 15-20 mmHg, the socks can serve as a great starting fit for first time wearers and an entry level for therapeutic applications.

Made from a durable and flexible fiber blend of nylon and Lycra spandex, RejuvaSocks are moisture-wicking and comfortable for all day wear.


Kelsey Minarik started RejuvaHealth in December of 2010 after being diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis at just 22. She found that there were limited compression legwear options on the market that were both fashionable and functionable.  Kelsey decided compression legwear needed a stylish makeover and soon launched her AMAZING RejuvaHealth brand.

For additional information or to make a pledge people can visit the RejuvaHealth Kickstarter Campaign HERE!

Heartland Policy Brief: Liberating the Poor from the Medicaid Ghetto

'The current Medicaid system is so disastrous that those who support it cannot realistically be seen as caring about the poor'

Peter Ferrara

CHICAGO – Medicaid is a massive federal-state entitlement program desperately in need of reform. Its mission is to provide health care to the poorest of the nation's poor ... and thus the poor have the most to gain from positive reform efforts, says Peter Ferrara, a senior fellow for The Heartland Institute and author of a new Heartland Policy Brief, "Liberating the Poor from the Medicaid Ghetto."

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which administers Medicaid, federal and state government spending for the program will total $6.56 trillion between 2013 and 2022. Medicaid is already the biggest line item in state budgets, and Medicaid spending will continue to grow, especially in the states that extended the reach of their programs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (About half the states enacted the Medicaid expansion provided for under Obamacare, while half did not.)

Ferrara notes the absurdly high-cost Medicaid program delivers tragically low-quality care. Hospitals and physicians resist taking Medicaid patients because the program reimburses providers only about 60 percent of their costs associated with delivering care. "Medicaid patients face difficulties in obtaining timely, essential health care, suffering from adverse health as a result," Ferrara writes.

Click here to read a free PDF version of "Liberating the Poor from the Medicaid Ghetto."

As he has done in previous installments of his entitlement reform series of Policy Briefs, Ferrara urges modernizing Medicaid by block-granting the federal government's share of funding to the states. He writes:
The unwillingness of health care providers to accept Medicaid patients because of the program's shamefully low reimbursement rates could be addressed by extending to Medicaid the 1996 reforms of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. ... Each state would be free to use the funds for its own redesigned health care safety net program for the poor in return for work from the able-bodied.

Ferrara notes Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) included Medicaid block grants in his 2012 and 2013 budgets, and generally "[s]upport for such fundamental entitlement reform is now mainstream within the Republican Party." He writes, "The current Medicaid system is so disastrous that those who support it cannot realistically be seen as caring about the poor. Their opposition to reform exposes a radical, impractical, counterproductive ideology to which they are wedded because it maximizes their power."

"Liberating the Poor from the Medicaid Ghetto" is the sixth in a multi-part series Ferrara is writing on entitlement reform for The Heartland Institute.

Earlier installments in The Heartland Institute series on entitlement reform are linked below:

"A Winning Plan for Entitlement Reform," Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute, December 13, 2012

"The Foundation for Entitlement Reform: Get America Booming Again," Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute, March 11, 2013

"Social Security Personal Accounts: Prosperity for All," Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute, June 14, 2013

"A Better Medicare for Seniors and Taxpayers," Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute, February 12, 2014

"Block Grants for All: Liberating the Poor and Taxpayers Alike," Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute, May 5, 2014

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The Heartland Institute is a 30-year-old national nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. For more information, visit our Web site or call 312/377-4000.