Be Careful to Take Antibiotics Only When and How the Doctor Prescribes

Antibiotics should only be taken if prescribed by your physician for a bacterial infection. They do not work for a viral infection such as a cold, cough or the flu. Taking an antibiotic when you don't need it can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Food Borne Illness?

If you suspect you have a food-borne illness, contact your local health department. Calls from concerned citizens are often the way outbreaks are first detected.

Be Kind to Your Kids' Teeth!

Decrease risk of tooth decay by practicing good oral hygiene and decreasing consumption of sugar and starch containing food and beverages.

Eat With Your Kids!

Children tend to eat better when they eat with adults. Having at least one adult at the family meal is linked to greater consumption of fruit and veggies and less chance of skipping breakfast.

Expose Your Children to a Variety of Foods!

Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the earlier and more often a child is exposed to different foods; the healthier that child's adult diet is likely to be.

Stress? What Stress?

According to the CDC and World Health Organization, stress contributes to half of all illnesses in North America and more than half of all deaths in people under 65 are a result of stressful lifestyles.

Be Careful! Watch Out for Falls!

In the United States, falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in people 75 years and older.

Lower Your Stress Level!

According to Shawn Talbott, PhD, LDN, FACSM "If you truly want to improve your health, it is just as important to get your stress levels under control as it is to eat a healthy diet and to get physical activity!"

Safety is Important!

For older adults or those at risk for falls, install grab bars in the tub or shower and by the toilet.

Nietzche Quote!

"He who has a why can endure any how."
Nietzsche

Got Tryptophan and Molybdenum?

Chickpeas are high in tryptophan, the trace element molybdenum, soluble fiber, folic acid protein, manganese, iron, magnesium, copper and zinc.

Too Busy to Cook? Here's a Simple Answer!

Double or triple healthy recipes to make your own frozen dinners. Freeze in individual containers for a quick meal on a day you don't have time to cook.

Is Your Mind Unsteady?

"When the breath wanders, the mind is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still."
Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Breathe! But, Do It Correctly!

There are many reasons people do not breathe properly. Some are being tense or agitated, stressed, sedentary lifestyle, depressed, feeling tired and drained which can lead to shallow breathing.

Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control!

Research shows that less than half the people with high blood pressure have their condition under control.

No More Than 1,500 mg of Sodium Daily!

According to the 2010 dietary guidelines for Americans, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, are over 51 or African American you should consume no more than 1500 mg of sodium daily.

Reduce Sodium in Your Diet!

Reduce sodium in your diet by buying fresh, plain frozen or canned "with no salt added" vegetables, avoid buying any canned meat, use herbs, spices and salt-free seasoning blends when cooking instead of salt, avoid packaged foods that have a high sodium content, avoid adding salt to foods and limit consumption of restaurant food.

Avoid Back Injuries!

Most low back injuries are caused from bending and twisting from the waist when picking up something. To avoid back injuries, when you are lifting something heavy, bend from the hips and knees and lift with your legs.

Journal Daily!

If you want to transition to a healthier lifestyle, start to journal daily.

Journal to Identify Hidden Barriers!

Research shows that journaling is a powerful way to identify barriers that you may not normally see.

Journal, Journal, Journal!

You can journal about anything to increase your awareness such as: daily food choices, physical activity, energy levels, mood, personal insights, relationships or anything else that appeals to you.

Lower the Fats in Your Diet!

Dr. Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging discovered that eliminating most fats from your diet lowers your risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, eating omega-3 fats actually helps to keep brain cell membranes soft and flexible, decreasing the risk of cognitive decline and improving memory.

Can You Get Omega 3's in a Vegetarian Diet?

Some good vegetarian sources of Omega-3 fats are  flaxseeds and walnuts.

Resistance Bands Differ in Degree of Difficulty By color

Resistance bands differ in the degree of difficulty by color. The most stretchable bands have light resistance and the hard to stretch bands offer heavier resistance.

Do You Use Resistance Bands?

Resistance bands can be a great alternative to buying weight lifting equipment. They give you the ability to have a total body workout and are easy to take with you wherever you go.

What's Your hippocampus Doing?

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that after one year of taking 40-minute walks three times weekly, the study subjects' hippocampi grew by 2%, reversing their brain's aging process by almost 2 years. The sedentary brains of the control subjects shrunk by almost as much.

Ralph Waldo Emerson Quote

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do it has increased."
Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Support Those Trying to Quit Smoking! Text Them!

A British study published in the Lancet, found that smokers trying to quit were twice as likely to be cigarette free after 6 months if they were sent regular, supportive text messages. At first texts were sent 5 times daily then 3 times weekly.

Where Do You Keep Your Chocolate?

Research at the University of Illinois found that people who kept chocolate inside a drawer instead of in a closed container on their desk ate 1/3 less without even knowing it.

Dog Owner's Get Recommended Amount of Exercise

The CDC has found that dog owners are 34% more likely to exercise the recommended minimum of 150 minutes or more weekly.