Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

We’ve all been there – you don’t want to hurt your mom’s feelings when you visit her during the holidays, but, you also don’t want to tack on extra pounds. Sure, the mountains of cookies, homemade fudge and snack mix look delicious, but if you’re committed to losing weight or keeping it down, even the most persuasive “food pushers” will understand. It just takes a little communication. MyFitnessPal.com offers four ways to not give into the pressure, while still being a gracious guest. We particularly like Number 4: Respond with values, not outcomes. This is about communicating that you’ve made…

What disease came to mind when you read the title of this article? I bet it wasn’t loneliness. It may surprise you to know that loneliness is more common than the “common cold,” and the number of lonely people in the United States is on the rise. All human beings are lonely at one time or another.   However, loneliness becomes a concern when it negatively affects an aspect of health (mind, body, spirit) and quality of life. Why are we feeling lonelier? The “village” lifestyle we used to live is rare today. Americans aren’t living near family and…

You’ve probably heard there are several ways to get healthier skin that are expensive or involve more sleep than you currently allow yourself. But did you know there are also several foods you can add to your meals that will improve your complexion? Watch this short video from Women’s Health Magazine to learn more about how walnuts, cauliflower and other foods add vitamins to your diet that will boost collagen production and decrease inflammation and other aging effects. Remember to place these foods in your cart during your next trip to the grocery store.

If you insist on having eggnog this holiday season, we found a healthier way to enjoy it from MyFitnessPal.com. You actually cook the oatmeal in milk and eggnog then, of course, top it with cinnamon. You can also top it with nuts and fruit, such as cranberries (to add a festive touch of color), bananas or raisins. We found some other yummy oatmeal recipes that may also spark your interest: Pumpkin pie oatmeal Apricot honey oatmeal Blueberry coconut oatmeal Cranberry orange oatmeal

You may have already thought about your resolutions for 2015. This year, instead of a New Year’s resolution that may disappear before the end of the month, consider making a single lifestyle change to recalibrate your health. We have four suggestions to get you started. 1. Promote brain health According to Dr. David Perlmutter, Neurologist and author of Grain Brain, we can make four lifestyle changes that will decrease the probability of Alzheimer’s and other neurological problems while improving our overall health status. Adhere to a gluten-free diet Decrease carbohydrate intake and select low glycemic foods Increase good fat intake,…

Most cultures have a tradition of eating certain foods on New Year’s Day to assure a prosperous and healthy new year. Even the least superstitious of us, tend to partake of these foods just because they’ve become an annual tradition. Black eyed peas and sauerkraut are a New Year’s tradition in my home, and even though my children turn up their noses and make faces, they’d miss it if I didn’t serve it! Here are a few of my favorites: Black-eyed peas Thought to have originated in the southern United States, they are eaten to promote prosperity. The peas look…

‘Tis the season for houseguests ““ and feeding them delicious meals is an important part of being a five-star host. However, waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare a tasty breakfast is the last thing you need this week. Get an extra hour of shut-eye with this no-fail recipe to prepare before the guests arrive. Muffin Tin Omelets Ingredients (any combination can be used) Eggs Cheeses Vegetables (potatoes can be tricky) Cooked bacon or other meats Favorite seasonings/sauces Preparation Heat oven to 350 degrees Spray muffin tins with cooking spray Add in any combination of ingredients Top with…

Having a glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail isn’t unusual during holiday party season. But, alcohol isn’t just extra empty calories ““ it can have serious effects on your health. Before you leave for a New Year’s Eve party, here are a few facts to keep in mind. What is a standard drink? A standard drink equals 14.0 grams, or 0.6 ounces, of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in: 12 ounces of beer (5 percent alcohol content) 8 ounces of malt liquor (7 percent alcohol content) 5 ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol…

Yes, it’s possible to actually enjoy all parts of the holidays. If you’re feeling stressed, pause and take a deep breath ““ we’re here to help! Whether you can use the advice this year or need to save it for 2015, we have seven tips to make sure you have a wonderful holiday season. 1. Be pro-active Determine what is really important for you to do and what are optional tasks or commitments then prioritize. Let your family and friends know about the changes you plan to make and why. You may be surprised at the support you receive. 2.…

Oh my gosh! It’s the holidays! I have all of this work to do. And my schedule is packed with parties and lunches and cleaning and cooking. We know “slowing down” is easier said than done, that’s why we have ten suggestions to help you simplify the holidays. Trying all ten this year will probably just make your holidays more stressful, so take a deep breath and try one or two now, then save the rest for the New Year. 1. Start a new tradition Do you always make a fruitcake to take to Uncle Ben’s party? Do you always…