Posts Tagged ‘health and wellness’
Hello friends,
If you recall, last year my GYN diagnosed me with being Vitamin D Deficient, so I started taking Vitamin D pills. If you are anything like me, you don’t like taking hard-to-swallow pills and may take softgels instead.
I had seen Gummy Vitamins on the shelves at our local drug stores but always felt they were a bit juvenile for a woman of my age!
Thanks to @Smiley360, I was able to receive ten sample packs to review. Included with the samples was a $2.00 off coupon and a Pedometer, which I wear at the office as a reminder to get up and walk, I definitely don’t want a “blogger’s butt”.
These Caltrate Gummy Bites are Calcium & Vitamin D3 Supplements which supports strong bones, another health concern for aging women. The Gummy Bites are not those stick-to-your-teeth bites which I though they would be, you know something similar to candy gummy worms.
They come in three flavors, Black Cherry, Orange and Strawberry and have now become part of my daily vitamin regiment.
Anyone over the age of 13 can take these supplements 2x per day with or without food but make sure to first check with your physician before taking any new medication or supplement.
Caltrate Gummy Bites can be purchased online @Amazon.com or at your local Walgreens, Walmart, Target or CVS. Click here to receive your $2.00 off coupon.
I received this product for free for the purpose of my review. Opinions are 100% my own. I am not a health care professional so please check with your physician before taking any over-the-counter products.
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Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.
Today, I am not featuring a recipe for food, instead an easy and inexpensive recipe to cleanse our kidneys.
The kidneys filters the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted toxins that have entered our body. However, over time, the salt and toxins build up and we need a colon cleansing treatment.
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Cut a bunch of cilantro into smaller pieces.
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Boil the cilantro in a pot of water for 10 minutes.
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Let it cool down and then sieve/strain and discard the cilantro.
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Pour the filtered water into bottles or any container and keep in fridge.
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Drink one glass of this water daily and you will notice the changes to your urine. Parsley may also be used.
Check back next week for this Duncan Hines cupcake feature!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. 
Hello Friends, I hope all is well in your world. Now that I am over the age of 50, I have started thinking more and more about the skin I’m in especially my face. We’ve all heard that too much sun exposure is bad for your skin – too late, from 1976 to 1979 I’d bake every summer at Rehoboth Beach and even now I enjoy laying in the summer sun but not as long. Drink more water – I wish I could drink the recommended 32 oz, or is that 64 ounces daily, heck I’m lucky if I drink 8 oz every 3 days, that is of course unless coffee and wine counts.
Get plenty of rest – who me, the person that doesn’t get into bed until after midnight and then tosses and turns because my mind won’t shut down? Don’t smoke – too late, although I am a quitter, 5 years clean, (yeah me) I did smoke for over 30 years. Now more than ever I have to pay closer attention to how I treat my skin to avoid any further damage.
I recently ordered a bottle of Foxbrim 100% Pure Argan Oil from Amazon.com and started using it as a moisturizer for my face. After removing my makeup and cleansing my face, I put 2-3 drops on the back of my hand then using my fingertips apply it to my face, eyelids and lips.
Foxbrim 100% Pure Argan Oil is unbelievably light, easily absorbs into my face leaving it feeling nourished. Now that I’ll be spending more time in the sun, this product will definitely be up front and center as part of my daily moisturizing and makeup routine.
Foxbrim 100% Pure Argan Oil can also be used a hair treatment and pre-shave oil, but I think I’ll let my mini men try it for those purposes then I’ll let you know what they think.
How do you love the skin you’re in?
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. Sunday is Father’s Day and the stores have been advertising great gift ideas for dads, everything from ties to tires. However, if you are like me and the father of your children is over fifty, you know there are some gifts that you can give him that are better than anything bought in a store.
Here a just 5 suggestions of Dad’s Day Gifts for Fathers over 50
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Eating Right: as a man gets older, good nutrition plays an even more important role in how well he ages. Hubby and I were in the grocery store and one of the ingredients that we focused on was sodium. The daily recommended amount of sodium should not come from just one meal. Have you checked the sodium content in a can of soup, you’d be surprised just how much there is. I enjoy cooking so when shopping we purchase more fresh fruits and veggies, fish, turkey and less red meat. Hubby still likes his sweets but has cut down considerably since his surgery, so this weekend I’ll make him a little treat like this No-Bake Cheesecake.
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Staying Active: staying physically active is important for everyone, and even more so for men as they age. Whether it’s taking a walk together after a meal, going to the gym, swimming at the Y, lifting weights or playing golf, men need to keep their bodies physically active. Having a healthy sex life is also important for men over the age of 50, not only because it’s a great form of exercise but it could reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Remember ladies, the marital bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4), so give him a good workout!
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Looking Good – men enjoy looking into the mirror and seeing a healthy smile, a well groomed face and hair as much as we like seeing them. So give him a compliment when you see him using body washes, lotions, and other grooming products. This not only makes him feel good but it also gives him a boost of confidence that is a gift that keeps on giving!
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Healthy Sleep – turn off that TV, iPod, Tablet, iPhone and the lights for a good night’s rest, which is rejuvenating and slows the aging process. If you have a lumpy mattress or ill fitting sheets, perhaps you may need new set of linen or a new mattress especially if it’s older than half his age!
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Prevention – an annual checkup is definitely vital for a healthy and happy life, so when your man makes an appointment he should ask to have the following tests completed during that visit:
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Blood pressure
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Cholesterol level
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Blood sugar level
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Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
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Testosterone level
What is the best gift you have given your hubby or significant other?
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, I will be thinking about mine on what would have been his 52nd Dad’s Day
Rest in Peace Pops!
I HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK AT 6:00 FOR THE #WWDPARTY
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014
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Hello friends, I trust you all are having a wonderful Wednesday. Some of you may or may not know that I have very fine and thin hair which unfortunately has been getting thinner as the years progress. I want to chalk it up to heredity because my primary physician as well as a dermatologist couldn’t diagnose the “root” cause – no pun intended.
At first I thought it was stress induced from being a caregiver to my grandmother, but she has since passed, 5 years now and my hair still hasn’t gotten thicker. I’ve had blood work and thyroid tests completed and nothing out of the ordinary was found, but it hasn’t stopped me from trying various hair re-growth products.
Recently, I had an opportunity to test a Biotin Vegetarian Capsule and Vibrance Vitamins from eunatural.com. Biotin is a vitamin that aids in hair growth and strong nails. I ordered it directly from Amazon.com and am currently in my 2nd week. There are only slight changes in the thickness of my hair, however, I will continue with the regiment and keep you posted on the results.
What do you use to keep your hair healthy and strong?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for for Amazon/eunatural.com which I received the product free, however, all opinions are 100% my own.
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Hello Friends and Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Today you may be tempted to overindulge with the Mexican foods at lunch or dinner, but if you can, please keep these Super Foods in mind.
This list of Super Foods are those that help to “keep us regular” and being regular is having timely and trouble free bowel movements. When we become irregular or have diarrhea and constipation it can cause additional health concerns.
Stress, bacteria, reactions to food or medicines can cause irregularity and there are nutrients other than fiber that can help keep our digestive tracts on track.
- Bananas – fight diarrhea with bananas which is also the first part of BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) to replace lost minerals
- Chocolate – cocoa in dark chocolate limits the development of fluids that cause diarrhea
- Rhubarb – the root extract relieves diarrhea and also keeps you regular
- Pineapple – cure for constipation
- Apples – fixes both diarrhea and constipation and an unpeeled apple contains 5 grams of fiber to keep the bowels working
- Cereal – whole-grain cereals with fiber softens and bulks up your stools to keep them moving
- Prunes – dried plums are the best natural laxatives
- Beans – eating foods high in fiber such as beans helps avoid diverticulitis
- Cauliflower – prevent constipation with high fiber veggies such as cauliflower, eaten raw or cooked
- Blueberries – high in fiber that is a sure-fire remedy for constipation
- Water – helps fiber soften your stools and helps to move them through the digestive tract
- Artichoke – eases irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – contains fiber, vitamin C and phytochemicals that stimulate bile production
- Papaya – rich in fiber and antioxidants to help soothe IBS
- Yogurt – live bacteria in yogurt helps to digest food and protects from harmful germs
- Chicory – prebiotics is good bacteria for the digestive tract
- Asparagus – vegetable that contains plenty of fiber and helps to keep away constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulitis
- Almond Milk – regular milk may cause IBS and almond milk is a good alternative
Fiber or roughage refers to the parts of fruits, vegetables and grains that your body can’t digest. There are two types of fiber: Soluable Fiber which helps to whisk away bad cholesterol and absorb carbohydrates. Insoluable fiber passes through your digestive system and keeps your bowels moving smoothly.
Many high fiber foods are low in calories so you can actually eat more to lose weight and stay healthy and they may prevent conditions like constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer.
So enjoy the day, eat responsibly and I’ll see ya tomorrow.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Monday!
Today, I have the privilege of presenting to you a guest post written by Patricia Dean-Escoto. In April, Patricia began a book blog tour to introduce the creation of the “My Breast Cancer Advocate” app.
She is also the author of The Top Ten Super Foods for Preventing Breast Cancer and has given us one of her favorite recipes to make a tasty and nutritious, green smoothie using coconut and kale!
Patricia-Dean-Escoto
Patricia Dean-Escoto is a certified nutrition consultant and breast cancer survivor. She holds a master’s degree in education and has more than 20 years of experience working in both the field of education and healthcare. In 2006, after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, Patricia returned to school to study nutrition and completed studies at Bauman College for her certification as a nutrition consultant.
Recently, she hosted a year-long radio show called Pathways to Healing on the Voice America network where she interviewed experts in the field of health and wellness. Patricia is author of ‘The Top Ten Superfoods for Preventing Breast Cancer‘ and creator of the My Breast Cancer Advocate app which is designed to assist those who are newly diagnosed with or recovering from breast cancer. Her company, Pathways2healing, works exclusively with cancer patients in the area of nutrition and exercise. She lectures both locally and nationally on the topic of nutrition and cancer prevention.
The My Breast Cancer Advocate app can be downloaded using these links:
To learn more about Patricia and her work, please feel free to contact her at via these Social Media Networks:
Making the Case for the Coconut
We have been conditioned to believe that all saturated fats raise our cholesterol. Besides butter, no other saturated fat has been more vilified than the coconut. For decades, we were discouraged from eating it and told, that it not only contained bad fats, but that, it would make us fat. All of this was done to promote the sale of the actual villain in our diet – margarine.
However, nothing can be further from the truth. Coconuts, in all of their forms, are one of the most beneficial, microbial and anti-fungal foods we can eat. In addition, several studies have shown that coconuts not only raise good cholesterol (HDL), but they also are instrumental in lowering glucose levels associated with diabetes.
Coconut Oil and your Heart
A study published in the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine demonstrated that populations such as those found in Polynesia or Sri-Lanka, who consumed coconuts on a regular basis, do not have higher serum cholesterol levels nor do they have a higher incidence of heart disease. This is most likely due to the fact that the saturated fat in coconut oil is completely different from most saturated fats found in foods like animal products. Most fats in our diet today are made up of long-chained fatty acids, which are stored in the body as fat and in the arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.
Unlike these types of saturated fats, coconut oil contains a unique form of fat that is composed of medium-chained triglycerides (MCT). Due to their chemical structure, MCTs, which are smaller, actually pass through cell membranes easily and therefore are easily digested, without using extra enzymes in the process. As a result, MCTs are sent directly to the liver, where they are immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat in our blood cells.
Coconut Oil and Diabetes
A study conducted at the Sydney Garver Institute of Medical Research discovered that a diet rich in coconut oil protects against insulin resistance. Additionally, this type of diet avoids accumulation of body fat that is associated with other high-fat diets. Both of these factors are important because obesity and insulin resistance are major factors leading to the development of type2 diabetes. Furthermore, coconut oil is one of the only oils (walnut oil is the other) that retain its molecular structure when heated at high temperatures. All other oils, including olive oil, will break down, thereby releasing toxic chemicals into our foods as they are heated.
Additional Benefits
In addition to promoting heart health, coconut oil has been studied for its beneficial aid in weight loss. It is thought that the benefits are derived, again, from its composition of MCT. Because coconut’s medium-chain fats are easily absorbed and used as energy, it actually increases the body’s metabolic rate inducting weight loss. One such study found that while the consumption of long-chain fatty acid metabolic conversion contributed to a weight loss of 66 calories in participants, MCT consumption translates to 120 calories burned!
Coconuts can be consumed in many forms. One thing I like to do is to add a handful of coconuts to my morning or after workout shakes. Additionally, instead of using milk in these shakes, I either use unsweetened coconut milk or coconut water. You can also use coconut flour as a substitute for baking. It adds a wonderfully nutty flavor to muffins and biscuits.
Here is my favorite morning smoothie using coconut water. Enjoy!
Tropical Kale Smoothie:
Serves 2. 274 calories
Baby kale (2-cups),
Pineapple (1-cup fresh),
Orange (1-whole),
Mango (1-cup fresh),
Chia seeds (2-T),),
Unsweetened coconut water (1-cup),
Crushed ice (1-cup).
Add all ingredients in a blender in the order listed. Blend these and gradually increase the speed to high then continue blending for 30 seconds.
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For far too many years, we have had several relatives affected by cancer, mostly breast but lung and colon cancer has also reared their ugly heads. We watched them go through treatment, recovery, get worse, become survivors or die. Cancer don’t care who you are, where you live, or even how you live.
Lung cancer has taken the lives of smokers as well as non-smokers and breast cancer invades the bodies of men as well as women and for far too long.
We have watched the deterioration of some and dealt with the sudden death of others. We have grieved as a family and attended the funerals and memorial services. Cancer don’t care about any of this.
My mother-in-law battled colon cancer, she put up a good fight, in and out of Hospice Care for over a year until her small frame, weighing less than 100 lbs could no longer take it…she died on Saturday August 31, 2013.
“You have cancer” is a phrase that no one ever wants to hear, especially a healthy, active, non smoking, non drinking man who is entering his next phase of life. Retirement papers signed after 32 years with the State of Delaware…now onward to that 2nd half of life and getting a start on the “honey-do” list.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Colonoscopy began at the age of 45, he ate little to no red meat, exercised daily, had a happy life with a happy wife and kids in slow suburban Middletown, DE.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Years of pain and an irritable bowel, yet, no detection of cancer, until one specialist working in God’s favor does an endoscopy and there is was hidden in the small intestines.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Diagnosed on the 21st…surgery on the 26th with no signs it has spread, and guess who’s home today!
God is Good and
I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!
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Surgery is scheduled for this morning at 8:30 am
Please Pray for my husband!
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Each year, 19,000 new cases of breast cancer occur among African American women. That’s 19,000 too many.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer for African American women is 77%, compared to white women’s rate of 90%. In addition, African American women are more likely to develop breast cancer at a younger age, and we tend to develop more aggressive tumors, which are harder and more expensive to treat.
Enter Dr. Kathleen Arcaro from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She studies breast cancer by studying breastmilk, which is full of breast cells key in figuring out how breast cancer develops. Over the past ten years she’s worked to improve our understanding of breast cancer risk, and her findings may lead to new screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.
The problem? Black women are underrepresented in the research. As a result, findings that work for white women or women with less aggressive forms of breast cancer, don’t work for the majority of black women grappling with the disease.
To ensure her findings are applicable to women of all races, she has been working to recruit African American women for the Love/Avon Army of Women, a project aiming to recruit one million women to sign up to participate in breast cancer research (if they choose to do so). By signing up, participants will receive an email newsletter with breast cancer research opportunities. Some research is as simple as a questionnaire or a phone interview.
Having African American women well represented in the breast cancer research is key, for her research and many others.’ So Dr. Arcaro hopes black women will sign up for the Army of Women (and be sure to select “breast milk study” as the referral type to help track the impact).
You can learn more about Dr. Arcaro’s work, and see if you or other women you know might qualify for one of her studies, at the website of the UMass Breastmilk Lab, and follow the lab on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
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