Life and Health

It’s holiday meal time. Are you ready to prep your food safely? Utilize safe food handling tips to ensure you and your guests remain healthy as you indulge in your favorite foods together this year.

Wash Your Hands

Hot soapy water kills germs on your hands before and after you handle food. Be sure to scrub for at least 20 seconds.

Use Sanitized Cutting Materials

From the knives to the cutting boards, use only sanitized cutting materials to slice, chop and dice ingredients. Never cut raw meat and other foods with the same knife or on the same cutting board either unless those cutting materials have been washed thoroughly.

Thaw and Marinate Properly

Tightly packaged turkey, ham and other frozen foods thaw and marinate safely in the refrigerator. Don’t let them sit on the counter to thaw or marinate because bacteria multiplies quickly at room temperature and can cause food poisoning or food spoilage.

Cook to the Right Temperature

Use a food thermometer and check the internal temperature of all hot dishes before you take them out of the oven or microwave. Suggested temperatures are:

• Beef, Lamb and Veal Roasts, Steaks and Chops: 160-170 F
• Pork: 160 F
• Turkey and Chicken Breasts: 170 F
• Turkey and Chicken Legs, Wings and Thighs: 180 F

If you don’t have a thermometer, look for signs of doneness. Thoroughly cooked food steams, poultry and chicken juice runs clear, fish flakes easily and egg yolks look firm not runny.

Refrigerate Leftovers Promptly

No matter how carefully you plan the food, you’ll probably have leftovers. Chill Aunt Sally’s carrot soufflé and grandma’s pumpkin pie within two hours. If you leave them on the counter, they could grow bacteria and spoil.

Replace Towels Regularly

Dish towels, wash clothes and sponges clean your dishes, but they also harbor bacteria. As you prep your holiday feast, remember to switch the towels regularly. Wash towels and dish clothes in hot bleach water, and pop sponges onto the top shelf of the dishwasher.

With these food handling safety tips, you’re ready to enjoy your holiday meals and stay healthy. Happy cooking!

While food is the primary cause of childhood choking, holiday decorations and other seasonal hazards can also be dangerous. If an item fits in a tube that’s one and three-quarters inches wide, a child can choke on it. As you decorate, unwrap presents and eat during holiday celebrations, take six precautions that keep your young guests safe.

1. Hang ornaments, lights and tinsel out of reach. Shiny and inviting, these tree decorations should be kept on the upper half of the tree or placed on wreaths that are out of a toddler or young child’s reach.
2. Remove fake berries from the table centerpieces. Kids are usually hungry, and fake berries look just like the real thing. So for safety, remove fake berries and any other artificial table centerpiece component that resembles something edible.
3. Pick up small items like spare change, buttons and jewelry. Especially if you’re not used to having youngsters around, you may store these choking hazards in jars throughout the house or lying loose on counters. For safety, move them to a high shelf where little hands can’t reach.
4. Give toy batteries to parents after the celebration instead of wrapping them with the gift. You don’t want kids to suck on or accidentally swallow batteries that are supposed to power their new toys.
5. Toss wrapping paper, tape and ribbon as soon as the presents are opened. Have a trashcan handy, and use it to dispose of these choking hazards after each gift is opened.
6. Store food out of reach. While you prep the meal, keep an eye on the serving area and table. Little ones may grab food, whether it’s bite-sized or full sized, and stuff it into their mouths. To be safe, prep a few kid-safe snacks in advance for hungry kids to enjoy between meals.

Create a choke-free holiday when you implement these six precautions. With them, everyone can enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

Holiday baked goods often take center stage during the season’s preparations. Maybe you do have a large life insurance policy, but that’s not an excuse to load up on unhealthy baked goods this year. With a few simple substitutions, your goodies are heart healthy and yummy tasting.

1. Reduce fat in cakes and cookies when you use applesauce in place of the fats like shortening, butter, margarine or oil. You can also use three smashed ripe bananas as a substitute for 1/2 cup fat. While this tip boosts your heart’s health, it also increases your vitamin C or potassium intake and ensures all your holiday goodies are moist.
2. Lower cholesterol by substituting several tablespoons of white refined flour with oat bran. The texture of your baked goods remains unaffected, but their health benefits skyrocket.
3. Increase antioxidants when you substitute one ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate with three tablespoons of antioxidant-rich cocoa and one tablespoon of canola oil. Why is this substitution important? Antioxidants may lower harmful LDL cholesterol and reduce your heart attack risk.
4. Boost omega-3 fats and antioxidants in your holiday diet when you add chopped walnuts to cookies, cakes and pies. Out of all the nuts on your grocery store shelf, these nuts pack the most powerful antioxidant punch. They taste great, too.
5. Consume more fiber by substituting whole wheat flour for half of the white refined flour in your baking recipes. The extra fiber helps you stay regular and reduces holiday bloat, but this important nutrient also lowers your cholesterol, regulates blood sugar and controls weight.

Which holiday goodies are you most excited about eating this year? Make a few simple changes to your ingredients list as you create health healthy desserts. Then, consider using these heart healthy switches in your baking year round as you improve your health and wellbeing.

Epilepsy is a disease that affects 2.3 million adults and approximately 467,711 children in the U.S. In the epileptic’s brain, certain nerve cells send out erratic signals that cause the person’s body to seize for a few seconds or a few minutes. Whether or not you know someone with epilepsy, November is National Epilepsy Month and a good time to learn seven facts about this condition.

1. What Causes Epilepsy?

Doctors can’t identify the cause of almost two-thirds of known epilepsy cases. However, genetics often plays a role. Other causes include oxygen deprivation during childbirth, stroke and brain infections, traumas, injuries or tumors.

2. How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?

Doctors review a patient’s medical history and examine the results of a full neurological exam, EEG and CT or MRI.

3. What Epilepsy Treatments are Available?

Most insurance pays for medication that controls many epileptic seizures. Doctors prescribe specific medications based on the seizures’ type, severity and frequency. Patients may also benefit from brain surgery, nerve stimulation and a ketogenic diet that’s high in fat and low in carbs.

4. How Many Types of Seizures are There?

While seizures can vary from mild to severe, they’re typically separated into two groups. Primary generalized seizures start in and involve both sides of the brain. Partial seizures start in one side of the brain and spread to the entire brain.

5. Can an Observer Tell When Someone is Experiencing a Seizure?

Petit mal seizures are small and the sufferer will only blink fast or stare into space for a few seconds. Complex partial seizures cause a person to be confused, dazed and unable to respond for several minutes. A person, who falls down, loses consciousness or experiences muscle jerks is experiencing grand mal seizures.

6. How Can You Help Someone During a Seizure?

If you see someone having a seizure, don’t restrain the person. Loosen his or her shirt collar, and remove nearby sharp objects. Roll the person to his or her side after the seizure ends, and remain close by.

7. Is Epilepsy Fatal?

Fortunately, many epileptic people live full lives. Patients who die often suffer other health conditions like strokes or tumors or suffer fatal injuries during a seizure. Prolonged seizures or suddenly stopping medication can also cause death.

Have these facts taught you something new about epilepsy? Learn as much as you can during National Epilepsy Month and be prepared to assist the epileptics you know.

Juicy turkey, creamy mashed potatoes and sweet pumpkin pie tempt your taste buds this Thanksgiving. However, you might need to watch your weight or follow dietary restrictions for health reasons. You can enjoy the holiday treats but stay healthy this year when you follow six tips.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

When you’re hydrated, you feel full and are less likely to overeat. So, sip water as you prep the meal, watch football and hang out with friends. By meal time, you won’t be tempted to stuff yourself.

2. Fill Your Plate With Vegetables

Crunchy and healthy vegetables make the perfect appetizers, side dishes and game time snacks all day. Plus, raw and cooked veggies satisfy your hunger and offer numerous health benefits. Before dinner is served, fill your plate with a large salad or a selection from the veggie tray as you satisfy your hunger with healthy foods.

3. Hide Veggies in as Many Main Dishes as Possible

No matter how your favorite dishes have been prepared for years, alter the recipes to make them healthier. Substitute cauliflower for at least half of the potatoes in mashed potatoes, shred carrots into the meatloaf and add extra celery, squash and carrots to the stuffing. No one will notice the extra veggies, but your waistline will.

4. Ask for the Recipe

Some of your favorite holiday dishes may be prepared and served only at Thanksgiving. Instead of overindulging in them, ask for the recipes. When you can make these dishes throughout the year, you’ll be less likely to overeat this one day of the year.

5. Serve Fruit-Based Treats for Dessert

Pie, cake and candy don’t have to take center stage on the dessert table. Fruit, whether fresh, frozen or in smoothies, provides a sweet and healthier alternative to sugar-laden treats.

6. Focus on Family Fun Instead of on Food

While food is an important part of Thanksgiving gatherings, focus on fun. Play cards, football or board games, look though photo albums or go shopping with your family members and friends. You’ll enjoy a healthier holiday when your focus in on the fun rather than the food.

As you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, implement these six tips that help you maintain your healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor or health insurance agent, too, about additional ways you can stay healthy this holiday.

For centuries, drum therapy has helped individuals and groups get healthy. November is International Drum Month and the perfect time for you to embrace this beneficial health tool.

Reduce Stress

When you experience chronic stress, you also experience muscle tension, stomach ulcers and other physical health challenges. You deserve a better life. Pick up your drum and reduce stress in just a few minutes. Then, practice drum therapy regularly as part of a stress-free lifestyle.

Lower Anxiety

Panic attacks and anxious thoughts can cripple you. Combat these emotions with drum therapy. It distracts and relaxes you as your anxiety flows through your arms and hands into your instrument.

Manage Pain

Follow your doctor’s advice about pain management, and ask him or her about adding drum therapy, too. It releases endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. Drums won’t cure the source of your pain, but they will help you feel better.

Improve Mood

Whether you’re angry, sad or lonely, drum therapy turns your mood around. Pound on a drum at home or in a public space and you’ll feel better emotionally.

Increase Immunity

In addition to mental health benefits, drum therapy increases your body’s immunity. Along with regular hand washing, use drums to avoid illness this winter.

Build Friendships

Good friends improve your attitude, reduce loneliness, inspire you to greatness and add fun to your life. Connect with others in a drum circle, and build your network of positive friends.

Express Yourself

When you have trouble sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings, pull out your drum. Start playing a rhythm that feels right to you. Mix soft, loud, quick and slow beats as you personalize your playing. There’s no right or wrong way as you use this form of self-expression to release your inner voice.

Whether you use a spatula and pan from the kitchen or set up a professional drum set in the garage, add drum therapy to your medical treatment plan during International Drum Month. It provides numerous health benefits that partner with your doctor’s advice and medication to help you stay healthy.

Get a good night’s sleep, and you’re more likely to wake up alert, energetic, happy and able to function. Since November is National Sleep Comfort Month, implement six tips that help you sleep better and more comfortably.

1. Invest in a Quality Mattress and Comfortable Bedding

Your sleep comfort depends largely on your mattress. If it’s lumpy, hard or scratchy, you’ll toss and turn instead of truly resting. Visit a local mattress store today and invest in the best mattress and bedding you can afford. It will quickly pay for itself as you sleep better and enjoy greater productivity and happiness.

2. Lower the Temperature

Because your body heat rises slightly as you sleep, you’ll be more comfortable when you lower your bedroom temperature by a few degrees. Opening a window or turning on a fan produces the same results.

3. Limit Big Evening Meals

Visiting the buffet for dinner tasted good at the time, but a large evening meal increases overnight discomfort. It will keep you awake and give you indigestion and heartburn. Step away from the kitchen at least two hours before bed. If you need a snack, indulge in a small portion of cereal with milk, fruit or granola.

4. Skip Alcohol and Caffeine

Your late-afternoon coffee affects your sleep 10 to 12 hours after you drink it. Your nightcap might make you drowsy, but the alcohol will wake you in the middle of the night. To boost your afternoon energy level, grab an apple, walnuts or cheese. If you want an alcoholic drink at night, enjoy it at least two hours before bedtime.

5. Relax

When you’re anxious, tense or stressed, your body won’t be able to relax. Practice yoga, deep breathing and visualization. As you relax your mind, your body will follow, and you’ll enjoy more comfortable sleep.

6. See Your Doctor

If you still can’t get comfortable at night, talk to your doctor. Discuss physical or mental issues that might be preventing you from getting adequate rest. Check with your insurance agent, too, about whether chiropractor visits or specialty pillows are covered by your insurance.

With a good night’s sleep, you wake up in a good mood and ready to tackle the day. Use these six tips to get your most comfortable sleep this month.

Having a baby will be one of the most exciting events in your life. It’s life-changing, and you and your partner probably thought long and hard before making the decision. As you plan for the arrival of your baby, go beyond buying clothes and decorating the baby’s new room. It’s equally important to think about practical matters such as preparing for the unthinkable with life insurance.

Time for Life Insurance?

Before starting a family, you may not feel a need for life insurance. You might be single and not have anyone else depending on your income. Or, your spouse might also be a breadwinner and able to fend for him or herself if something happened to you. Once you have a child, the situation changes. Getting life insurance is just one more way in which you’re going to need to be more responsible as you’re a parent.

Secure Your Baby’s Future

First, your baby is depending on you for financial support. It’s going to be a long time until your child grows up and is financially independent. If you’re not around to bring in some money, how would your family survive? Getting a life insurance policy can ensure that there would be enough money coming in even if something happens to you.

Consider Your Household’s Changes in Income

Second, your household may be transitioning if you or your spouse is planning to stop working and stay at home with the baby. You may be getting by on only one income instead of two, making it even more important for the working parent to take out a life insurance policy. If something should happen to the working parent, the surviving parent and your child would still have an income.

Starting a family gives your life a whole new direction. Do your best to be prepared for anything by getting life insurance that’ll protect your child should something happen to you.

Are you among the majority of smokers who’s been thinking about quitting? Maybe you just need a little more motivation before you take that first step. These are some reasons why it’s time to quit.

It’s not cool anymore.

There was a time when smoking was “in.” Hollywood portrayed it as glamorous. It was the thing to do when you hung out with coworkers or friends. That’s not true anymore. Only one in five American adults is a smoker. You can’t have a smoke in most restaurants. In some places, you can’t even smoke within 20 feet of a public building. Being a smoker is like being an outcast.

You can’t afford it.

The cost of a pack of cigarettes varies by state, and can be about $5 to $15. If you’re smoking a pack a day, that’s as much as $5,000 per year on cigarettes. Unless you’re wealthy, you can probably think of a few other uses for $5,000. What about a down payment on a new car? Do you think your family might like to go on vacation?

It’s killing you.

There’s no question about it. Smoking kills. Tobacco is the number one killer in the U.S., leading to one in five American deaths. Nearly a half million people die each year because of tobacco, and millions more are living with tobacco-related health problems, such as the following.

* Emphysema
* Cancer
* Heart disease
* Bronchitis
* Diabetes

Life insurance companies know the cost of smoking.

If you want to know how long you’re likely to live, ask a life insurance company. Providers are experts at managing risk. They charge premiums based on carefully calculations of your chances of surviving the policy until the policy term is over. You can eat right, be at a healthy weight, and be free from chronic conditions, but no matter how healthy you are otherwise, you’re still not eligible for the lowest-cost premiums. You’re won’t be offered “Preferred Plus” or even “Preferred.” The best you can hope for is “Preferred Nicotine.” From the point of view of life insurance companies, you’re just too great of a risk to insure for a low cost.

Quitting smoking it tough, but it’s worth it and you can get help. Ask your doctor about strategies and resources, and surround yourself with people to support your efforts.

“I want to eat better, but I just can’t afford it.” Does that sound like something you’ve said or thought recently? Healthy eating can seem more expensive, but in the long term, it’s not. Good nutrition at any point in your life can help keep you healthy so you don’t need to pay as much for medical care or life insurance.

It Starts with “Eating for Two”

You probably already know the value of nutrition if you’re pregnant. You want to make sure your baby has all of the necessary nutrients for growth and development.

Maintaining a normal weight before conception and gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy is another component.

Eating well can save money because it reduces the risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, and health conditions that require expensive care for your baby. It also reduces your risk of having complications. If you’re a father, eating right and staying healthy can keep you active and able to support your family whether you’re at home or working.

Likely Long-Term Cost Savings from Healthy Eating

Nutrition affects your risk for all kinds of chronic diseases. When you get the nutrients you need and avoid gaining extra pounds, you’re at lower risk for chronic conditions. These are some of the costs that many people can avoid by eating healthy.

* Prescription medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
* Trips to the hospital and recovery time for bone fractures from osteoporosis.
* Blood sugar monitoring devices and medications for diabetes.

Lower Life Insurance Premiums

Being healthy is also going to save you when you’re looking for health insurance. Health insurance rates are based on the likelihood that something will happen to you. Many health conditions can bump up your premiums. These are some of the conditions that increase your risk of dying and that you can help prevent with a healthy diet.

* Heart disease and risk factors such as high cholesterol.
* Diabetes.
* Obesity.
* High blood pressure.

Fresh, nutritious foods may be more costly than junk foods, but they’ll save you money in the long run. They help you manage your weight and get the nutrients you need so that you can avoid expensive medical care and keep your life insurance costs down.