Fill your clean sink with cold water. Add 1 cup of vinegar, and stir. Add your fruit and let soak for 10 minutes. Your fruit will be clean with no dirt or wax coating! This is also great for berries. Prevents molding for weeks.
Author Archives: Monica
Asparagus Soup
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups dices onions
1/2 tps chipped garlic
1 1/2 quarts fat-free low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 lbs diced asparagus
1/2 diced potato
Dash of Salt
1/2 tps yellow mustard seed
1/2 tps dry mustard
Dash of 17 spice mix
Directions:
Saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup of the chicken broth. Next add asparagus, potato, and the remaining stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Remove soup from the heat and puree with a food processor or immersion blender. Return tot the pan and season with spices.
Non flavored protein powder can be added to boost the protein content. Although will change the below serving content.
Serves 8
Per serving:
Calories 38
Total Fat trace
Protein 2 g
Carbohydrate 5 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 1,780 mg
Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron.
Iron is important because it helps you get enough oxygen throughout your body. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a part of your red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your body. If you do not have enough iron, your body makes fewer and smaller red blood cells camera.gif. Then your body has less hemoglobin, and you cannot get enough oxygen.
Iron deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body. You might have low iron levels because you:
Have heavy menstrual bleeding.
Are not getting enough iron in food. This can happen in people who need a lot of iron, such as small children, teens, and pregnant women.
Have bleeding inside your body. This bleeding may be caused by problems such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, or cancer. This bleeding can also happen with regular aspirin use. Bleeding inside the body is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and in women after menopause.
Cannot absorb iron well in your body. This problem may occur if you have celiac disease or if you have had part of your stomach or small intestine removed.
You may not notice the symptoms of anemia, because it develops slowly and the symptoms may be mild. In fact, you may not notice them until your anemia gets worse. As anemia gets worse, you may:
Feel weak and tire out more easily.
Feel dizzy.
Be grumpy or cranky.
Have headaches.
Look very pale.
Feel short of breath.
Have trouble concentrating.
Babies and small children who have anemia may:
Be fussy.
Have a short attention span.
Grow more slowly than normal.
Develop skills, such as walking and talking, later than normal.
You can get the most benefit from iron pills if you take them with vitamin C or drink orange juice. Do not take your iron pills with milk, caffeine, foods with high fiber, or antacids.
You can prevent anemia by eating foods that contain iron every day. Iron-rich foods include meats, vegetables, and whole grains such as iron-fortified cereals.
You can prevent anemia in babies and children by following recommendations for feeding infants and making sure babies and children get enough iron.
If you are pregnant, you can prevent anemia by taking prenatal vitamins. Your doctor will give you prenatal vitamins that include iron. Your doctor will also test your blood to see if you are anemic. If you are anemic, you will take a higher-dose iron pill.
#iron
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veinscamera.gif near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. They usually aren’t serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems.
Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in your legs. Normally, one-way valves in your veins keep blood flowing from your legs up toward your heart. When these valves do not work as they should, blood collects in your legs, and pressure builds up. The veins become weak, large, and twisted.
Varicose veins often run in families. Aging also increases your risk.
Being overweight or pregnant or having a job where you must stand for long periods of time increases pressure on leg veins. This can lead to varicose veins.
Mild symptoms may include:
Heaviness, burning, aching, tiredness, or pain in your legs. Symptoms may be worse after you stand or sit for long periods of time.
Swelling in your feet and ankles.
Itching over the vein.
More serious symptoms include:
Leg swelling.
Swelling and calf pain after you sit or stand for long periods of time.
Skin changes, such as: Color changes.
Dry, thinned skin.
Inflammation.
Scaling.
Open sores, or you may bleed after a minor injury.
Home treatment may be all you need to ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. You can:
Wear compression stockings.
Prop up (elevate) your legs.
Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
Get plenty of exercise
#veins
Bad Breath
Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses can also help reduce bacteria. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate the gums.
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
1.Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
2.See your dentist regularly — at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
3.Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
4.Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
5.Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.
Lemon-Grarlic Chicken
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs malasses
2 tps Worcestershire sauce
4 garlic cloves chopped
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 tps salt
1/4 tps black pepper
lemon wedges
parsley spring
Directions:
In a glass dish combine the lemon juice, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, garlic cloves, and chicken. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Remove the chicken from the dish reserving the marinade. Arrange in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, basting occasionally with marinade. Bake without basting for 20 minutes more or until chicken is done.
Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley if desired.
Per serving:
Calories 153
Total Fat 4
Protein 21 g
Carbohydrate 8 g
Cholesterol 86 mg
Sodium 219 mg
#chicken
Too Much Sun!
You already know the simple explanation behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a period of time, eventually it burns, turning red and irritated.
Under the skin, things get a little more complicated. The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light:
UVA
UVB
UVC
UVC light doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface. The other two types of ultraviolet light not only reach the surface of the earth, but they penetrate your skin. Skin damage is caused by both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you’ve been exposed to the sun’s rays too long. Sun damage isn’t always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to skin cancers, including deadly melanoma.
How soon a sunburn begins depends on:
Your skin type
The sun’s intensity
How long you’re exposed to the sun
A red-haired, blue-eyed woman sunbathing in Rio de Janeiro will redden far sooner than an olive-complexioned woman sitting out on a sunny day in Minneapolis.
Treatment:
Apply cold compresses to your skin or take a cool bath to soothe the burn.
To take the sting out of your sunburn, gently rub on a cream or gel containing ingredients such as:
Menthol
Camphor
Aloe
Refrigerating the cream first will make it feel even better on your sunburned skin.
Drink plenty of water and other fluids so that you don’t become dehydrated.
Avoid the sun until your sunburn heals.
You may be able to treat the sunburn yourself. Call for a doctor’s help if you notice any of these more serious sunburn signs:
Fever of 102 degrees or higher
Chills
Severe pain
Sunburn blisters that cover 20% or more of your body
Dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, and fatigue, which are signs of dehydration
#sunburn
Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits
Here’s the beauty of massage therapy.
The benefits are compounded when massage is utilized as a frequent therapy. The more you get, the more it does. Taking part in this form of regularly-scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for massage therapy at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health.
And remember! Just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with Monica to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.
Profound Effects
In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects.
Research shows that with massage:
• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
• Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain.
Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat postsurgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.
A Powerful Ally
There’s no denying the power of massage. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen. The incredible benefits of massage are doubly powerful if taken in regular “doses.” Professionals at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami explain the more massage you get, the greater benefits you reap.
Here’s why:
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress.
This translates into:
• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.
Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.