You are what you eat, but what about what you drink?

     The fall/winter holidays are in full force, and it’s a wonderful time of year, with family and friends getting together and catching up. We know that most holiday parties involve food, and if you’re watching what you eat, you probably prepare for the onslaught of goodies by eating a small, healthy meal before the party so you feel full by the time you walk in. Have you thought about how what you drink affects your attempts at losing weight and staying healthy? The beverages you drink are just as important as the foods you put into your mouth. Melissa Tewes, RD, LDN, a clinical nutrition manager at Meritus Medical Center with more than 15 years of experience as a registered dietician, has these words of advice:

I’m Dreaming of a Safe Black Friday

     Start your engines! The holiday shopping season officially begins on Black Friday. As an Olympic shopper, Black Friday is better than New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July combined. I start this fine day at 3 am, with 10 of my closest friends and relatives. We eat a hearty breakfast, caravan to the biggest Black Friday sale, and end the day when we hit a minimum of 12 stores (or when someone whines about their feet).

It's holiday travel time, are you avoiding DVT?

     Over the river and through the woods means long hours spent driving or flying for many of us. Travel is hassle enough, but did you know that when you slow or change the flow of blood in your veins, you could develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? DVT is a clot that forms within a deep vein inside the body—usually the leg. Cathy Ware, BSN and vascular specialist at Meritus Medical Center, says inactivity is a common thread in DVT cases. Aside from traveling in cramped conditions for too long, here are other risk factors:

Those wonderful foods of fall

     With the holidays right around the corner, you might be wondering what fall foods are the best for your health and well-being. The good news is there’s a plethora of traditional options that taste great and are good for your body. Let’s take a look at what foods are best to pile up on your plate, and what might be better to avoid.

Are your bowels irritable?

     Have you ever heard of a nervous stomach or a spastic colon? They’re funny names to give your organs, but the condition—not so funny.

The Sandwich Generation…How do you handle caring for parents and children simultaneously?

     No parents ever want to see their child suffer. Nor do any children want to see their parents suffer. So what happens when you’re in your 40s or 50s, with dependent children and elderly parents who are starting to need help? How do you balance caring for your children and your parents while working outside of the home? I’d like to share with you a story I witnessed firsthand.

Diabetes myths debunked.

     Diabetes is a disease that a lot of people don’t know too much about. Dr. Adriana Maldonado, medical director of Meritus Endocrine, Nutrition and Diabetes Education Center, shared with us a few myths that she frequently hears. Check them out:

Tips for shoveling snow

Well, we were going to save this post for late November or early December, but since Mother Nature has decided that it’s open season for snow, we figured we’d post this now in case there she has any other tricks up her sleeve. (Didn’t the winter wonderland scene put you in the mood for the holidays?! I know it had that effect on me!)

How do I pick the right walking shoes?

     Did you know that the foot has 26 separate bones, 30 different muscles, 56 tendons, 250,000 sweat glands, and 33 joints?!

     Selecting the right pair of walking shoes is crucial to both the effectiveness and comfort of your workout. The right pair of shoes for your best friend isn’t necessarily the best pair of shoes for you. Everyone’s feet are different and require different things. Fortunately, getting a good pair isn't a difficult task-as long as you're aware of a few key points.