Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 69

Adventurous Travel for the Winter Season

by Family Features

(Family Features) There is something about the winter months that seems to awaken a sense of wanderlust in many people. Whether it’s the need for an escape from the bitter, drab conditions or a desire for a break from the hectic schedule that often accompanies the season, carving out time to head south may be the perfect pick-me-up.

In fact, because of the cluster of holidays and time off from school, the winter months can be the perfect time to get away. A destination like Texas offers mild weather in the winter, not too hot or too cold, which makes for an opportunity to spend time at the state’s beaches. Of course, the region is also home to a variety of unique activities, museums, restaurants and attractions that can be enjoyed during the colder season due to the climate. When planning your trip, consider these fun-filled vacation ideas.

Get outdoors. Many parts of the country are too chilly to enjoy much time outdoors during the winter months, but heading south to an area like the Rio Grande Valley, home of the World Birding Center and National Butterfly Center, can provide the opportunity to find some time to appreciate nature. If you’re eager to see some wildlife, warmer climates can provide a true nature encounter, whether you visit a wildlife refuge or set out on a hike of your own. Plus, the moderate temperatures are appealing to many species.

Bring along your bucket list. Crossing items off your bucket list can be especially exciting when you’re on the road. If there’s an experience you’ve always wanted to create, there’s no place like vacation to make it happen. For example, if you’ve never touched a stingray, visit an aquarium with a hands-on display. Learn to surf or go parasailing.

Experience local cuisine. One way to explore the true flavor of a new vacation destination is the culinary scene. Instead of dining at familiar chains and restaurants you can find nearly anywhere, plan your meals around unique, cultural fusion cuisine. On the Texas-Mexico border you can find hybrid cuisine featuring dishes like tacos, grilled steaks and cheese-filled tamales which serves as a nod to the unique crossover culture. If you’re in need of a recommendation, ask your hotel concierges where they like to go for a hearty breakfast or where you can find the best patio for lunch.

Seek out unique attractions. The opportunity to see and experience things you can’t find anyplace else is one of the best advantages of exploring a new place. A unique destination in South Texas like Quinta Mazatlan, is a luxurious historic mansion constructed in the 1930s that is thought to be the largest adobe structure in the state. Today, the home is open to the public as an urban sanctuary working to enrich people’s lives by sharing knowledge about birds, plants and environmental stewardship.

Start planning your journey toward warmer weather this winter at TravelTexas.com.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Adventurous Travel for the Winter Season by Family Features appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

What You Should Know About Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Health

by Brandpoint

(BPT) – When you’re living with type 2 diabetes, there is a lot to think about when it comes to your health. Most people know that eating healthy, staying physically active, and following a prescribed treatment plan are important to successfully manage the disease. What many people may not know is that it’s also important to understand how diabetes impacts your heart health.

An online survey was conducted on behalf of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by The Harris Poll in February 2018, which found that nearly all of the 508 US adults age 18+ with type 2 diabetes surveyed said it’s important to stay active (98%), eat healthy (99%), and follow a treatment plan exactly as prescribed (98%) in order to successfully manage their condition.

Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for heart disease. In fact, people living with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than people without diabetes.

Armed with this knowledge, Matthew (60), a former postal worker who lives in Tennessee, is diligent about managing his condition and educating his loved ones about their family history and increased risks. Matthew has a long family history of type 2 diabetes, and received his own diagnosis during a hospital stay due to symptoms of heart failure. Now on a successful treatment plan, Matthew said, “I wish I had asked my doctor about heart disease earlier! I didn’t know my family history soon enough.”

In order to manage his type 2 diabetes and heart health, Matthew focuses on eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and tracking his progress. He takes INVOKANA® (canagliflozin) to lower his blood sugar, which is also approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established CV disease. INVOKANA® is the first and only oral diabetes treatment approved with this additional CV indication.

INVOKANA® is a once-daily pill used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA® can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established CV disease. In most clinical trials, the majority of people taking INVOKANA® reached an A1C goal of less than 7%, which is recommended by the American Diabetes Association. INVOKANA® is not for weight loss, but may help people lose weight-on average 2-3 percent. INVOKANA® was also shown in clinical trials to reduce systolic blood pressure (on average 3-5 mmHg), though it is not indicated as a blood pressure medication. Results may vary by dose and when used alone or with certain other diabetes medications. INVOKANA® may increase the risk of lower-limb amputations. The most common side effects of INVOKANA® include genital yeast infections, urinary tract infection, and changes in urination. These specific adverse events were generally mild-to-moderate in intensity and infrequently led to discontinuation in clinical studies.

If you have type 2 diabetes, here are a few tips for living well with the condition and managing your cardiovascular risk:

Learn about heart-healthy foods. These simple food swaps can help you create healthy meals and lower your risk of developing heart disease.
Take the climb. Incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine – one great option is taking the stairs! Did you know you can do an entire workout on your staircase at home? These exercises will get your heart pumping. Before any strenuous physical activity, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Ask your doctor about your cardiovascular risk. Your doctor can help you understand if you are at risk for a cardiovascular event, and what you can do to lower your risk while managing type 2 diabetes.

Visit INVOKANA.com to find more heart-healthy recipes and cardiovascular exercise ideas, as well as information on reducing your risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, important components in a type 2 diabetes management plan.

WHAT IS INVOKANA ® ?

INVOKANA® is a prescription medicine used:

along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes
to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have known cardiovascular disease. INVOKANA® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in blood or urine). It is not known if INVOKANA® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INVOKANA ® can cause important side effects, including:

Amputations. INVOKANA® may increase your risk of lower-limb amputations. Amputations mainly involve removal of the toe or part of the foot; however, amputations involving the leg, below and above the knee, have also occurred. Some people had more than one amputation, some on both sides of the body. You may be at a higher risk of lower-limb amputation if you: have a history of amputation, have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, have had blocked or narrowed blood vessels (usually in leg), have damage to the nerves (neuropathy) in the leg, or have had diabetic foot ulcers or sores. Call your doctor right away if you have new pain or tenderness, any sores, ulcers, or infections in your leg or foot. Your doctor may decide to stop your INVOKANA® for a while if you have any of these signs or symptoms. Talk to your doctor about proper foot care
Dehydration. INVOKANA® can cause some people to become dehydrated (the loss of too much body water), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure, take medicines to lower your blood pressure (including diuretics [water pills]), are on a low sodium (salt) diet, have kidney problems, or are 65 years of age or older
Vaginal yeast infection. Women who take INVOKANA® may get vaginal yeast infections. Symptoms include: vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (discharge may be lumpy or look like cottage cheese), or vaginal itching
Yeast infection of the penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis). Men who take INVOKANA® may get a yeast infection of the skin around the penis. Symptoms include: redness, itching, or swelling of the penis; rash of the penis; foul-smelling discharge from the penis; or pain in the skin around penis

Talk to your doctor about what to do if you get symptoms of a yeast infection of the vagina or penis.

Do not take INVOKANA ® if you:

are allergic to canagliflozin or any of the ingredients in INVOKANA®. Symptoms of allergic reaction may include: rash; raised red patches on your skin (hives); or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis

Before you take INVOKANA®, tell your doctor if you have a history of amputation; heart disease or are at risk for heart disease; blocked or narrowed blood vessels (usually in leg); damage to the nerves (neuropathy) of your leg; diabetic foot ulcers or sores; kidney problems; liver problems; history of urinary tract infections or problems with urination; are on a low sodium (salt) diet; are going to have surgery; are eating less due to illness, surgery, or change in diet; pancreas problems; drink alcohol very often (or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term); ever had an allergic reaction to INVOKANA®; or have other medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. INVOKANA® may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking INVOKANA®, tell your doctor right away. INVOKANA® may pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed while taking INVOKANA®.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take diuretics (water pills), rifampin (used to treat or prevent tuberculosis), phenytoin or phenobarbital (used to control seizures), ritonavir (Norvir®, Kaletra® – used to treat HIV infection), or digoxin (Lanoxin®– used to treat heart problems).

Possible Side Effects of INVOKANA ®

INVOKANA® may cause serious side effects, including:

Ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood or urine). Ketoacidosis has happened in people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, during treatment with INVOKANA®. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition, which may need to be treated in a hospital. Ketoacidosis may lead to death. Ketoacidosis can happen with INVOKANA® even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL. Stop taking INVOKANA® and call your doctor right away if you get any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, tiredness, or trouble breathing
Kidney problems. Sudden kidney injury has happened to people taking INVOKANA®. Talk to your doctor right away if you: 1) reduce the amount of food or liquid you drink, if you are sick, or cannot eat or 2) you start to lose liquids from your body from vomiting, diarrhea, or being in the sun too long
A high amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia)
Serious Urinary Tract Infections: may lead to hospitalization and have happened in people taking INVOKANA®. Tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection such as: burning feeling while urinating, need to urinate often or right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis), or blood in the urine. Some people may also have high fever, back pain, nausea, or vomiting
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take INVOKANA® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you take INVOKANA®

Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, or feeling jittery.

A rare but serious bacterial infection that destroys the tissue under the skin (necrotizing fasciitis) in the area between and around the anus and genitals (perineum). Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum has happened in women and men who take INVOKANA®. Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum may lead to hospitalization, may require multiple surgeries to remove affected tissues, and may lead to death. Seek medical attention immediately if you have fever or you are feeling very weak, tired, or uncomfortable (malaise) and you develop any of the following symptoms in the area between and around your anus and genitals: pain or tenderness, swelling, or redness of the skin (erythema).

Serious allergic reaction. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking INVOKANA® and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Broken Bones (fractures): Bone fractures have been seen in patients taking INVOKANA®. Talk to your doctor about factors that may increase your risk of bone fracture.

The most common side effects of INVOKANA® include: vaginal yeast infections and yeast infections of the penis; changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC at 1-800-526-7736.

Please click here for full Product Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for INVOKANA ® .

Canagliflozin is licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.

Trademarks are those of their respective owners.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article What You Should Know About Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Health by Brandpoint appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Valentine’s Recipes You’ll Love to Share

by Family Features

If the way to your loved one’s heart is through the stomach, there’s no better way to start off this Valentine’s Day than with a homemade breakfast prepared with love.

Whether you’re whipping up a breakfast for a spouse with a sophisticated palate or trying to tempt the taste buds of your littlest loves, explore these ideas to get inspired.

Red is the color of love, so build your menu around fresh strawberries or raspberries, which pair perfectly with French toast or crepes, and can even dress up a simple cereal.


For a more sensible menu, opt for a fruity berry smoothie or a parfait layered with fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt and granola. Add a hint of loving indulgence by sprinkling dark chocolate shavings on top.


Show your affection with a plate of these colorful Cocoa-Kissed Red Velvet Pancakes featuring rich 100 percent cocoa, buttermilk and fresh berries. Heart-shaped cookie cutters lend a special touch to these fluffy, flavorful pancakes. Add sweet garnishes like powdered sugar and berries for a sensational way to say “I love you.”

Find more recipes you’ll love to share with your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day at Culinary.net.

 

Cocoa-Kissed Red Velvet Pancakes

Recipe courtesy of Nestlé

Servings: 10 pancakes

1          cup all-purpose flour

1/4       cup granulated sugar

3          tablespoons Nestlé Toll House Baking Cocoa

1          teaspoon baking powder

1/2       teaspoon baking soda

1/2       teaspoon salt

1          large egg

1          cup reduced-fat buttermilk or low-fat milk

2          tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2    teaspoons vanilla extract

1          teaspoon red food coloring

heart-shaped pancake cutters or cookie cutters (optional)

butter, for garnish (optional)

powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)

maple syrup, for garnish (optional)

fresh berries, for garnish (optional)

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir well.

In separate large bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, unsalted butter, vanilla extract and food coloring. Add to flour mixture; stir to combine. Allow mixture to sit 5 minutes.

Heat nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Brush with oil or butter. Add about 1/4 cup batter to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on top. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes, or until bottom is lightly browned. Serve immediately with butter, powdered sugar, syrup and berries, if desired.

Tip: If using pancake or cookie cutters, be sure to coat with oil so pancakes don’t stick. Place cutters in skillet and pour batter into cutters. Remove cutters before flipping.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Valentine’s Recipes You’ll Love to Share by Family Features appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Melatonin Benefits and Uses – Can This Hormone Help You Get Better Sleep?

by Cascia Talbert

If you have trouble sleeping, your body may not be producing enough melatonin. This hormone helps regulate your natural sleep-wake cycles and may play a role in other vital bodily functions. You can also purchase melatonin as a supplement.

While many people use melatonin supplements to help correct sleep issues, you should ensure that you understand any potential risks. Here is everything that you need to know about melatonin.

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland. With a normal sleep schedule, your body should produce more of this hormone at night and less during the day.

High melatonin levels help you fall asleep and stay asleep while low levels help keep you up. If you suffer from a lack of melatonin, you are likely to experience sleep difficulties.

As you age, your body naturally produces less melatonin. Electromagnetic waves may also lead to a decreased production of melatonin.

However, the most common cause of a melatonin deficiency is the disruption of sleep. Anything that disrupts your normal sleep routine may cause your body to produce less melatonin in the evening.

Drinking alcohol, consuming caffeine, and stress are three of the biggest factors. Working late, blood sugar imbalances, and constantly changing your sleep schedule may also lead to less melatonin.

Melatonin is naturally produced. When you suffer from a deficiency, you may consider taking a melatonin supplement to restore your natural levels.

These supplements are typically sold in tablet form and taken orally. The dosages can vary, as can the effectiveness of the supplement.

There are also natural ways to increase melatonin production, such as avoiding things that disrupt sleep, including caffeine and stress. Blocking light may also help increase production.

You can find melatonin in some foods, including rice, bananas, barley, ginger, and tomatoes. Eating a single serving of one of these foods in the evening may help boost melatonin levels.

Common Signs of a Melatonin Deficiency

Melatonin deficiencies can affect people of all ages, including toddlers and the elderly. As this hormone is primarily responsible for regulating sleep, the most common signs of a melatonin deficiency are related to your quality of sleep.

If you or someone that you know suffers from a melatonin deficiency, you may detect one or more of the following:

Difficulty staying asleep
Insomnia
Depression
Irritability
Fatigue

Depression is the only symptom not directly connected to sleep. However, studies have shown that people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are more likely to experience unusual melatonin levels.

These individuals may have lower melatonin levels during the night, which makes it difficult to stay asleep. They may also experience increased melatonin levels during the day, which can lead them to feel drowsy and fatigued.

A melatonin deficiency may also lead to additional changes to your health. Sleep disorders connected to a lack of melatonin may increase nervous system activity at night, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Low melatonin levels may also increase adrenaline production and may damage the walls of blood vessels.

Benefits of Melatonin Supplements

Increasing melatonin levels may help address the symptoms discussed, including insomnia and depression. Improving the quality of sleep is the primary reason for taking melatonin.

People may take melatonin when they need help falling asleep and staying asleep. It is often used to treat circadian rhythm disorder, insomnia, delayed sleep phase, jet lag, and various sleep problems.

Blind people also sometimes take melatonin to help maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle. As they cannot see the difference between night and day, they are more likely to suffer from issues that affect their circadian rhythms.

Besides treating issues related to the sleep cycle, melatonin is often used by patients suffering from a wide range of health issues. Melatonin has been taken by people suffering from bipolar disorder, dementia, fibromyalgia, hyperpigmentation, high blood pressure, and bone loss.

Melatonin contains antioxidants, which may have a positive impact on a variety of bodily functions connected to the conditions listed. Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of research into the benefits of melatonin for easing symptoms related to these health issues.

Potential Side Effects of Melatonin Supplements

The potential side effects of melatonin are rare and typically minor. Some of the most commonly reported side effects include:

Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Drowsiness

The drowsiness is a natural side effect of increased melatonin levels. Taking a melatonin supplement tells your brain that you should be sleeping.

However, if you take too much melatonin, you may continue to feel drowsy during the day. In fact, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least five hours after taking a melatonin supplement.

Some people may experience mild anxiety, depression, irritability, confusion, or disorientation. These side effects are also rare and typically short-lived.

The supplement may also be less effective when taken with specific substances, foods, or drinks. For example, consuming caffeine or alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of melatonin supplements, as they disrupt your normal sleep cycle.

Are Melatonin Supplements Safe for Adults?

There are no major side effects to taking melatonin supplements. They are also considered much safer compared to other sleep medications.

Unlike other sleep medications, there is a much lower risk of developing a dependency on the supplement. People that take melatonin supplements also rarely report experiencing a hangover effect, which is common for other sleep medications.

While melatonin is considered safe, there is a minor risk of drug interactions when taking melatonin supplements. Patients taking blood pressure medications may experience higher blood pressure when taking these supplements.

Anticonvulsants, seizure-threshold-lowering drugs, and immunosuppressants may also react negatively to the melatonin.

Besides these medications, melatonin is likely to interact negatively with other sleep medications and sedatives. Any medication that produces a sedative effect may cause additional drowsiness or fatigue when taken with melatonin.

Anyone who is currently taking medications should talk to their doctor before taking any supplement, including melatonin supplements.

Are Melatonin Supplements Safe for Children?

Circadian rhythm disorder and delayed sleep phase are two disorders that are often treated with melatonin supplements. These supplements may be used to help improve conditions in adults or children.

However, doctors also advise that melatonin supplements should only be taken short-term. They are not intended as a long-term solution for continual regulation of sleep cycles. They may help you or your child get better sleep, which will allow you to address the root cause of the problem.

While melatonin supplements are typically considered safe for short-term use in children, some doctors are concerned about the potential interaction with normal hormone production.

The concern is that melatonin supplements may interfere with the natural development of a child during adolescence. This is an area that has not been fully researched, which is why some doctors may be hesitant about recommending melatonin for your child.

Recommended Dosage for Melatonin

Most medical professionals agree that you should consult with your doctor before giving a melatonin supplement to your child. Your doctor should also be able to provide recommendations for dosage.

While you should talk to your doctor before taking melatonin, it is available over the counter. You can buy melatonin in pill form, which is typically taken by mouth.

The doses can vary, depending on the condition that you want to treat. A low dose is considered 0.5 mg while a high dose is 10 mg.

If you are having trouble falling asleep, most doctors recommend 0.5 mg to 5 mg of melatonin each day. If you regularly wake up at night, you may try 2 mg to 10 mg before bedtime.

People who suffer from insomnia may need to take melatonin more frequently. 2 mg to 3 mg before bedtime is the typical recommendation. However, serious cases of insomnia may require higher doses for a short-term period.

For example, your doctor may recommend that you take 10 mg each night for up to 4 weeks.

If you suffer from jet lag, a smaller dose is often recommended. Just 0.5 mg to 3 mg may help correct your sleep-wake cycle without producing any of the side effects, such as drowsiness.

Doses for children are lower compared to doses for adults. Children who are having trouble falling asleep may need 1 mg to 3 mg for up to one month. Small doses of 0.5 mg are also sometimes used to reduce anxiety before surgery for children one to eight years old.

Conclusion – Should You Start Taking Melatonin

If low melatonin levels are keeping you from getting quality sleep, you may consider taking a supplement. Just make sure that you are aware of the possible side effects.

While melatonin supplements are mostly considered safe for adults and children, they can pose minor health risks, including drowsiness and headaches. There is also a potential risk for negative interactions with other medications, including anticonvulsants.

Melatonin is primarily used to correct sleep disorders. If you or your child suffers from a sleep problem, you should first consult with your doctor. You can review any possible interactions with other medications and address the issues that are causing a lack of sleep.

With melatonin, it may be easier to determine why you, or your child, is having trouble maintaining a normal sleep cycle.

If you suffer from jet lag, a smaller dose is often recommended. Just 0.5 mg to 3 mg may help correct your sleep-wake cycle without producing any of the side effects, such as drowsiness.

Doses for children are lower compared to doses for adults. Children who are having trouble falling asleep may need 1 mg to 3 mg for up to one month. Small doses of 0.5 mg are also sometimes used to reduce anxiety before surgery for children one to eight years old.

 

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Melatonin Benefits and Uses – Can This Hormone Help You Get Better Sleep? by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

How to Get Rid of Belly Fat After Pregnancy

by Guest Author

Even though the average woman loses approximately 15 to 20 pounds after giving birth, getting rid of the belly fat that remains even after pregnancy won’t be done with such ease. Whether you just had a baby or if you’re holding onto your baby weight longer than anticipated, a well-balanced diet, exercise and a healthy outlook on life can help you in your endeavors.

There’s a saying for women who are eager to “snap back” after giving birth. “If your tummy took nine months to get there, then it should take at least that or longer to get it back to the way it was.”

Losing weight can be tough after pregnancy. It might take six months to a year for you to reach your desired results. With that in mind, we’re going to share with you tips that will help you safely get back into shape during your postpartum recovery period.

Refrain from Dieting

Although this tip sounds a bit counterproductive to our end goal, going on a diet can potentially ruin your weight loss efforts. Depriving yourself of the vital nutrients during a time where you stressed from being a new mom could actually cause you to gain weight.

Regardless of how much you are trying to lose, it is recommended to try not to drop below 2,200 calories, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Most new mothers find that baby weight comes off naturally when foster healthy eating habits. Instead of dieting, opt for eating a well-balanced variety of foods and try keeping healthy snacks around the house to keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Try Breastfeeding

Whether you choose to bottle feed or breastfeed your baby, there are a variety of benefits that are accompanied by breastfeeding your child.

However, when it comes to losing weight – some studies find that breastfeeding can actually help lose weight, while other studies indicate no differences in weight loss between women who bottle feed and those who breastfeed.

What is for certain is that breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for your baby, as it helps strengthens immunity and offers a plethora of vital health benefits. Nursing also allows you to add an extra 300 calories to your diet a day. Just make sure that if you chose to breastfeed, not to use it as an excuse to eat whatever you’d like.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is essential during the postpartum recovery period. Drinking lots of water throughout the day prevents you from getting dehydrated. Aside from it keeping you hydrated, it also aids in milk production for lactating mothers and research also suggest that it helps speed up your metabolism.

The often recommended eight glasses of water a day isn’t completely accurate, particularly for new mothers. Which is why doctors will usually recommend using the color of your urine and how often you use the restroom as a guide.

If you’re drinking enough water, your urine should be comparatively clear, and you should be going to the bathroom every three to four hours.

Get Moving

Although drinking water and fostering a healthy diet is important, these are only a portion of what you need to do to you reach your weight loss goals. You will need to incorporate strength training and aerobic exercises to help you burn calories and strengthen your bones and muscles.

Exercise will not only help you lose weight, but it will also help to relieve stress, fight postpartum depression and promote better sleep. Keep in mind that after you’ve had your baby, your body needs the proper time to heal. Going hard in the gym will only overexert yourself and potentially cause injury.

You don’t have to spend 24 hours in the gym to get back into shape; holding a baby all day is a workout in itself. Taking brisk walks, lifting light weights, yoga and tai-chi can all help you lose your baby weight.

Bonus Tip: Try other Weight-Loss Options

A healthy diet and getting the right amount of exercise can help you lose weight, but there are other weight-loss options you can use to help you lose your baby pooch.

If you’re looking for instant gratification, you can also wear pregnancy spanks, drink weight loss teas or consider getting rid of your stubborn belly fat with a non-invasive fat removal procedure like BHRC’s CoolSculpting Treatment.

CoolScupting, unlike a lot of other fat removal procedures, is the only FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to target and gets rid of stubborn fat won’t go away with diet and exercise. Moms note that this procedure is painless and offers immediate results.

Regardless of what option you chose to get rid of your belly fat after pregnancy, always make sure to speak to your doctor and get their approval first. Talking to your dietician is also recommended as they can help you compose an individual eating plan that will help you lose weight both effectively and safely.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article How to Get Rid of Belly Fat After Pregnancy by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Healthy Garden Tips for 2019

by Guest Author

Having a passion garden in your own home does miracles. It helps make you feel more relaxed, calmer and more serene. It not only adds more value to your property, but it also adds a homier and a more cozy feeling of being closer to nature.

As modern life progresses more and more quickly, people’s stress levels are also increasing. Having these home gardens greatly impacts not only our physical health but also our mental health.

As a matter of fact, research suggests that having a home garden helps increase levels of physical activity for the promotion and maintenance of our bodies’ ideal weight. Moreover, having a home garden helps manage or relieve some of the symptoms in patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Having all these in mind, we will realize further the importance of maintaining our home gardens. Listed below are some of the best tips we have gathered to help you level up your garden game this year. Continue reading to find out more.

Healthy Garden Tip #1: Choose The Perfect Plants To Grow Based On Your State’s Climate

The majority of home garden owners’ problems stem from them not being educated and informed enough about the plants they choose to grow in their gardens. What home garden owners must understand is that not all plants can grow well in all places. One of the most important factors affecting plant health is the temperature where it is planted.

In places like Michigan where summers tend to be warm but not too hot and where winters are cold but not excessively frigid, planting perennials like Hostas, Bleeding Hearts, Japanese Anemones, Ferns, Astilbe and Virginia Bluebells is a very good idea.

The same will not be true for home garden owners in Alaska or Los Angeles. There are many sites on the internet where you can search for the perfect plants to grow in different places. If you are a resident of Arizona, you can read this article discussing plants ideal to be planted in that locality.

Healthy Garden Tip #2: Have The Right Gardening Tools

Another important tip that home garden owners must know is that having the right gardening tools will help them greatly in their gardening life. Gardening tools like shovels, trowels, rakes, pruners, loppers, snips, cultivators and weeders are some of the most essential gardening tools every home garden owner must have.

Moreover, never compromise on quality. You should not buy substandard gardening tools because in the long run, the money you think you saved by buying cheaper gardening tools will eventually disappear because of having to frequently replace broken tools. Invest in high quality and efficient gardening tools so that you can reap their full benefits.

Healthy Garden Tip #3: Use Natural and Organic Pest Control

Pests are also one of the biggest problems that home garden owners battle with all the time. Even if there is an abundance of chemical based pesticides available on the market, using organic and natural pest control sprays or methods is still the better and healthier choice.

Since most commercially produced pesticides contain toxic and potentially dangerous substances, prolonged exposure to these pesticides can be harmful for your family’s health. Look for organic methods to address any pest problems. You can look them up in books and on the internet, or ask some other home gardeners for expert tips.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Healthy Garden Tips for 2019 by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Diarrhea in Children and Toddlers

by Cascia Talbert

From time to time, every child experiences diarrhea. While the issue typically passes on its own within a few days, it is understandable for parents to be concerned.

Knowing the most common symptoms, causes, and potential treatments for diarrhea may help you resolve the issue quickly.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Diarrhea?

The most obvious sign that your child has diarrhea is a loose stool. Bowel movements may appear runny and contain more liquid compared to typical bowel movements.

However, there are additional diarrhea symptoms that may occur, such as:

Dehydration
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fatigue

Dehydration is one of the biggest concerns when a child experiences diarrhea. Children who show signs of dehydration may require oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which can be purchased over the counter at most drugstores.

Nausea and vomiting may indicate that your child is suffering from a gastrointestinal infection caused by viruses, parasites, or bacteria.

Loss of appetite and fatigue are common signs of GI infections. However, a child suffering from dehydration may also exhibit these symptoms.

Detecting diarrhea in infants is different. Infants tend to have soft, loose stool, especially in the first two months.

However, if the stool is unusually watery or bowel movements occur more frequently, your infant may have diarrhea. It is also common for diarrhea to cause rashes due to the frequent soiling and cleaning.

Potential Causes of Diarrhea in Children and Infants

Exploring the possible causes of diarrhea may help you relieve the situation. The causes may also vary if your child is an infant.

Infants often experience diarrhea due to milk allergies or when switching to a different formula. About 3% of children are allergic to milk proteins. If your child has a milk allergy, besides diarrhea, he or she may spit up frequently.

Older children and infants may also develop diarrhea due to a variety of issues, including:

Gastrointestinal (GI) infections from viruses, parasites, and bacteria
Lactose intolerance
Gluten intolerance
Inflammatory bowel disease
Celiac disease

Viral gastroenteritis is a viral infection and a common cause of diarrhea. It is also called the stomach flu. Children with stomach flu may experience the symptoms discussed. However, they typically pass within a few days. Hydration remains the biggest concern.

Rotavirus is another viral infection that may cause diarrhea and is much more common during the winter. The diarrhea is often explosive and watery.

Enterovirus may also cause diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. It commonly occurs during the summer and is spread through feces.

Besides viral infections, there are many types of bacteria and parasites that may cause diarrhea. Salmonella, E. coli, and Giardia are common causes.

With any type of GI issue, your child may experience the typical symptoms of sickness. However, diarrhea often passes within a few days. If diarrhea persists, it may be the result of an allergy or a gastrointestinal disease.

As mentioned, milk allergies can affect infants. Food allergies, including peanut allergies, may cause diarrhea in older children.

Inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease are two types of gastrointestinal diseases that may lead to diarrhea.

Weight loss and blood in the stool are potential signs of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Your child may also develop rashes and not grow as quickly as other children his or her age.

Celiac disease is a type of autoimmune disorder that occurs due to gluten intolerance. It prevents the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from certain foods. Children who suffer from celiac disease may also become malnourished and experience stomach bloating and abdominal pain.

How to Determine If Your Child Is Dehydrated

Sometimes diarrhea is a temporary issue due to minor changes in your child’s diet. However, if normal bowel movements do not resume within a day or two, your child may be at risk of dehydration.

No matter the cause, dehydration is a potential side effect of diarrhea from the loss of excess fluids. If your child has diarrhea, you should also pay attention to the signs of dehydration:

Dry mouth
Dark urine or no urine
No tears or fewer tears
Lethargy and lack of energy
Dry skin
Dizziness

Severe cases of dehydration can lead to additional health complications including brain damage and seizures. If you are concerned about the risks of dehydration, your best option is to contact your doctor immediately.

While diarrhea often passes within a few days, adding fluids to combat dehydration may cause diarrhea to persist. You should never use water to try rehydrating a dehydrated child.

Infants may require additional formula or breastmilk to stay hydrated. Toddlers and young children may benefit from over-the-counter rehydration sources such as Pedialyte.

Home Remedies and Foods for Treating Diarrhea

If your child has diarrhea, you should try to determine if any changes to his or her diet in the past few days may have caused the problem. In many cases, the diarrhea is simply the result of something that your child ate.

For these mild cases of diarrhea, you may not need to use any home remedies. The issue should pass within a few days. However, it is also important to prevent dehydration by providing necessary fluids. Infants may need additional breastmilk and older children may need oral rehydration solutions (OSR).

Doctors also recommend that you continue with your child’s regular diet unless you suspect that the issue is related to a GI issue. If your child is sick or dehydrated, you should not use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication without consulting with your doctor.

Keep in mind that if your child has one loose stool, you should not make any major changes to his or her diet or routine. When your child has had multiple loose stools, there are a couple of home remedies that may help treat the issue.

While most doctors recommend normal eating, your child may benefit from table foods. For example, you may feed your child foods with starchy ingredients such as grains, cereals, crackers, pasta, bread, and mashed potatoes. These foods are easier to digest.

You should also avoid feeding your child any foods that may loosen the stool, such as beans, fried foods, and fatty foods. If your child has lactose intolerance, dairy products may cause watery bowel movements.

Some parents follow the BRAT diet when their children suffer from diarrhea. BRAT is an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods also include starches, sodium, and other nutrients that may help firm the stool.

Yogurt is also a suitable food for young children and toddlers that may help treat mild cases of diarrhea and fight bacterial infections in the gut.

Yogurt is a probiotic, which means that it contains healthy bacteria. The healthy bacteria can replace unhealthy bacteria and may ease gastrointestinal distress.

There are also several common mistakes that parents make when their children suffer from diarrhea.

Giving your child soda pop, Kool-Aid, and fruit juices may make the problem worse. These drinks contain too much sugar. Clear fluids should also be avoided as they do not contain the electrolytes needed to keep your child hydrated.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Doctor for Diarrhea?

When you first detect diarrhea, you should pay attention to any other symptoms. Fever, nausea, and vomiting may indicate that your child has a stomach flu or another GI issue.

In most cases, the stomach bug will pass within a few days. Give your child plenty of rest, fluids, and a regular diet. However, if any of the symptoms worsen, you should consult your doctor immediately.

You should also consult your doctor if you detect any signs of gastrointestinal disease. If your child’s stomach becomes bloated or you detect blood in the stool, do not hesitate to visit your child’s pediatrician.

If your child becomes lethargic, vomits excessively, and is severely dehydrated, you should take your child to the emergency room or attempt to schedule an emergency appointment with your child’s pediatrician.

Last Thoughts on Dealing with Diarrhea in Children

Any type of illness can be scary, especially when it is your child who is sick. However, diarrhea is not always the result of an illness.

In fact, occasional diarrhea is perfectly normal for people of all ages from infants to adults.

When should you be concerned? If your child experiences several watery bowel movements in a row, a GI issue may be causing diarrhea.

Pay attention to any other symptoms or changes in your child’s behavior. If he or she becomes sluggish, fatigued, and nauseated, you should visit your doctor as soon as you can.

However, most cases of diarrhea should not cause major concern. While waiting for the issue to pass or for your appointment with the pediatrician, give your child plenty of rest and fluids.

You should also continue feeding your child normally. With infants, you may even want to offer additional milk or formula unless they begin to spit up the food.

In the end, diarrhea is a common issue. When it is paired with other symptoms and does not pass, talk to your doctor.

 

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Diarrhea in Children and Toddlers by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Turmeric Health Benefits

by Cascia Talbert

You need to login to view this content. Please Login. Not a Member? Join Us

The article Turmeric Health Benefits by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Postnatal Depression Must Become Key Conversation Focus

by Guest Author

Having a baby is one of the most life-changing things that can possibly happen to a person. Most of the time, having a baby changes everything in only the best ways. And while this is true in most cases, there are some circumstances where, despite the common emotions and experiences had by new mothers (and fathers, for that matter), women suffer from PND nor (postnatal depression). In short, PND is a type of depression that some new mothers experience after the birth of their child. While doctors are not entirely sure what causes PND, it is widely believed that it is at least partially the result of the hormonal changes, fatigue, and psychological adjustment to motherhood – either for the first time, or as a woman who already has other children.

In some cases, PND can be treated with simple therapy sessions and medications. Some women have an easier time finding their way out of their PND than others do. For the women who find it more difficult to cope with their PND, it becomes necessary to actively pursue more targeted treatment options like TMS Therapy  Some new mothers do not respond as well – if at all – to standard treatments, and this is when therapies like TMS Therapy become the next logical stepping stone for finding a treatment that genuinely works for them. While there are many treatments for PND available – and more emerging – many women feel guilty and resistant to even be open about their struggles. This is a truly terrifying reality, and it is one that must change. We must be more willing to be understanding, open, and willing to help.

It is a sad reality that there has always been, and still is, a stigma nor surrounding PND. The statistics in the USA alone are staggering. 1 in 7 new mothers experience postnatal depression in the US, while 1 in 4 at-risk mothers living in poverty or otherwise challenging environments experience PND. And these are just the numbers openly reported – many women do not seek help or open up about their mental health struggles at all. Despite these harrowing statistics, there is not enough treatment happening to assist women struggling with postnatal depression. This is an incredibly serious illness, and many women feel afraid to speak up about their feelings. This is where the problem snowballs.

Health is important to maintain for anyone, but it is especially true for expectant or new mothers. Ensuring an expectant or new mom’s health nor is crucial not just for her own wellbeing, but also that of her child. PND is a brutal sickness. Through no fault of their own, these new moms are not in control of their mental health. The risks associated with that lack of control can be damaging and even fatal – for not only the mother, but her baby. The thoughts that go through a new mum’s mind when she experiences PND are terrifying, and unless an individual has experienced PND for themselves, it is next to impossible to truly understand the impact it has, the toll it takes.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Postnatal Depression Must Become Key Conversation Focus by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Soulfull Project Gives Back to Local Communities

by Cascia Talbert

According to the USDA  in 2017 15 million American households were food insecure. Being food insecure means that you are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of everyone in your household because you have insufficient money or other resources for food. People with food insecurity usually rely on local food pantries to feed their family. These food pantries are always in need of donations.

Megan Shea and Chip Heim, founders of the Soulfull Project, realized that they needed to do more to help families in need when they met a single mom and her three kids in Texas.

“We were on a business trip in Texas working on a totally different project. We were doing research, meeting with Moms in their homes and talking to them about the types of foods they eat. Honestly, a pretty basic research trip,” stated Shea.

“The Moms we were meeting with were supposed to be at a high income level. But the very last family on the trip turned out to be nothing but. I remember pulling up to the house and it looked abandoned. The whole neighborhood did. Boarded up windows and doors and broken down cars. We knew it was a mistake so we were just about to leave until the researcher said, ‘You should go inside… You never know what you might learn.’ ”

“So we went in. We met a single mom and her three kids. They were so kind and welcoming. As we got into the conversation we realized that they were struggling. The Mom was working nights at a casino and with every dollar she made she was using it to buy food for that day. They showed us around their kitchen and they actually had no food in their home. The cabinets were empty. The Mom told us how she was working hard to not only feed her family, but to get them good food so they could grow up healthy.”

“We left there with a heavy heart and we made a promise to ourselves to do more than just give them extra food and money. We wanted to make a real impact. But to be honest, we got home and back to our every day lives and didn’t follow up on it. Life just kind of got in the way. It’s one of those things I think everyone experiences at some point… You mean well, but somehow, you just don’t follow through.”

“Crazy enough, a year later we were working in a warehouse in Camden, NJ, and we heard a knock at the door,” she continued.

“It was a Mom and her kids asking for extra food for dinner. We gave them what we had on hand, but as they walked away, we realized… We didn’t really help them, and it reminded us of the family in Texas and our promise to help. So that night we sat down and created The Soulfull Project.”

The Soulfull Project is a company out of Philadelphia that makes good quality, non-GMO, clean label hot cereal that tastes amazing.

For every serving of the Soulfull Project’s hot cereal purchased they donate a serving of their 4 Grain cereal to a food bank close to where the purchase was made.  Their products are found in many grocery store chains throughout the United States.  These stores include Amazon, Wegmans, Sprouts Farmers Market, Fred Meyer, ShopRite, Giant, Shaws, Stop & Shop, Roche Brothers, Fairway, and Jewel-Osco here in the Chicago area. Visit www.thesoulfullproject.com/store-locator/ for a complete listing of their store locations. Soulfull Project cereal can also be purchased at CIBO stores in airports.

Shea and Heim hope to inspire others to give back to their local communities. “That’s really what Soulfull is about,” states Heim.

“We want to show people that with even one hour of your time, you can make a huge impact. Actually, when we launched Soulfull we challenged ourselves to do 100 volunteer events in 100 days. It was an amazing experience. Every day we tried a different volunteer activity and we saw how impactful an hour of time can be. We did everything from packing senior citizen boxes to helping with the kids back pack program. We even picked fresh vegetables at local farms and those vegetables were used for meals at places like The Cathedral Kitchen. We met the most amazing and inspirational people. They are the real heroes. You can be a hero too. I guarantee you that if you volunteer one time, you will see how amazing it is and you will be back to do it again.”

Megan Shea and Chip Heim volunteering at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey

If you check out our web site,” Heim continued, “take a look at the list of food banks and find one close to you. Go to their website and click ‘volunteer.’ It’s really that easy. If you want something even easier, pick up one of our cereals and we will give a serving to a food bank in your region.”

“Even if you can just help us spread the word by sharing or telling a friend. We would be so appreciative and it will help us deliver more donations.”

Currently the Soulfull Project only sells breakfast items but they may expand their product line in the future. Shea and Heim believe that if you start off eating something good in the morning, then it sets the tone for the rest of the day. They want to make the day better for everyone. When they spoke with the people that run local food banks they learned that there was a need for good, wholesome food.  They also learned that breakfast foods are in high demand. That is why the Soulfull Project offers a line of hot cereals. Shea and Heim conclude that we are all equal and we all deserve the same quality food. Therefore, they give what they sell.

Shea encourages everyone to go out and make a difference in their local communities. “Whether you volunteer your time or support brands like Soulfull when you shop or both, just know that the need is real. We have personally visited over 100 food banks across the country and we have seen the struggles in every town. They can really use the help and your efforts really will make a difference.”

If you are interested in volunteering your time you can also visit feedingamerica.org to find a food bank near you.  Follow the Soulfull project on Facebook, Instagram and visit their website at TheSoulfullProject.com.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe {
width: 100% !important;
}

The article Soulfull Project Gives Back to Local Communities by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.