I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday with your loved ones. A friend sent me this and I thought it was just too funny not to share 
My new years posts to help everyone make and KEEP resolutions are coming soon!
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Aortic aneurysm
Photo Source: Danis Foundation
Heart Health is something that none of us can afford to take for granted. I got my first real awareness check several years ago when my grandfather had to have a quadruple bypass. That was a difficult time, but then when my Father-in-law suffered a stroke and then additional strokes that lead to his passing, things got much more serious. Nick and I both have family histories of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so it is critical that we take pro-active steps to reduce our risk now, for the sake of our children.
IF YOU ARE HAVING SEVERE CHEST, BACK, OR BELLY PAIN, OR IF YOU THINK YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE, IMMEDIATELY GO TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOURSELF. CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT.
The aorta is an especially critical part of the heart system, not that any of them aren’t important, but this particular area is the main artery coming from the heart. It carries blood throughout almost every area of your body, so it’s important to pay attention to any symptoms you have. Many heart problems can be treated, and if caught early enough have relatively good prognosis, but left untreated, can be fatal. When someone has an aortic aneurysm, the aorta has become weak and the pressure of their blood flowing causes a bulge in the weakened area. Should they rupture, internal bleeding would occur, which is obviously very serious.
Some common symptoms are:
- Chest Pain
- Back Pain
- Unusual sensation in the upper chest or back
- sweating
- fast heart rate
- rapid breathing
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- numbness
- loss of consciousness
- confusion
There are many other symptoms, but I would advise seeking medical attention if you experience any of these, or simply feel as though something isn’t right. Intuition is invaluable.
As part of a healthy lifestyle, it is important to note that prevention is possible with many medical situations. You may not always be able to prevent every situation, but making the best possible health choices can improve recovery time and reduce the damage or severity of many things.
What can you do to maintain a healthy heart?
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol
- Get moving! Try to at least walk 30 minutes per day. Keep your heart rate up, and do some strength training whenever possible.
- Get regular health screenings. Your primary care can monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and many other aspects. If they notice something out of the normal range, they can properly advise you as to how to keep it under control.
- Take your prescribed medications. If your doctor prescribes blood pressure or cholesterol medication, do not skip or miss doses.
This is a sponsored post however, all the points and views are my own.
How to eat and drink healthy during the holidays, Mangosteen Juice can help
I have been working on a series of posts set to go live soon, that feature several of the health and wellness programs available. I am trying to give authentic real person accounts of what is good and bad about these programs, so that anyone looking to make a healthier lifestyle change can make informed decisions about what is the best method for them to use.
In my research, I have been receiving several questions that I plan to address. One such question that I got, and have seen on forums, is how to eat healthy during the holidays, especially with so many treats at home, parties, work, school, etc. Here are some tips that I think everyone can enjoy:
- Eat a healthy snack before you go. The point of most parties is to socialize. If you aren’t hungry while you are there, you will be better equipped to make smart eating choices, while allowing yourself a small splurge, so you don’t feel guilty.
- Take a healthy snack as your contribution. I have seen some adorable Christmas Tree shaped fruit trees that people have taken as their pot luck contribution. Everyone loves it, and it’s a healthy alternative. (Side note: When I look at some of the posts, people suggest using wood glue on the toothpick to keep everything attached. Perhaps gluing the part that goes into the foam cone is ok, but I would NOT encourage anyone to put glue on a toothpick, then put fruit on the glue. That’s pretty much the opposite of healthy )
- Exercise before you go. Even if you’re a few minutes late, the soreness in your body will be a reminder of how much effort it takes to work off those extra calories, and may help deter you.
- Drink water or Mangosteen Juice, even flavored, from a reusable bottle while there. Save your calories for a splurge on a seasonal favorite dessert, don’t waste them on liquid calories! Be sure to STAY HYDRATED though!
- Try to eat small meals throughout the day. If you make a concerted effort to eat regularly, you’ll be less inclined to binge at a party.
- Keep healthy snacks with you. I know some people who keep snack size containers of non-perishable snacks in their purse of trunk for times when they are away from home and get hungry. Also consider keeping a cooler with fruit, yogurt, or drinks for day trips.
This is a sponsored post however, all the points and views are my own.
Mirra Chair
So many of us have jobs that require us to be at a desk for the vast majority of the day. If you are one of us, and have not yet endured back or neck problems, consider yourself lucky! For the rest of us that have suffered some sort of problem, you realize quite quickly just how important a quality office chair is, just to make it through the day. Many people start to feel a bit of discomfort when their current chair is wearing out. You might sit on a blanket or a pillow, or figure out some other solution to extend the life of your chair, but eventually, it will come to the point that the discomfort is affecting your ability to perform your job, and you will be facing the task of finding a new chair.
Depending on how long it has been since you last replaced your chair, you might be surprised at the advancements in comfort and options available. There are so many chairs that offer a variety of support options. Personally, I was amazed at my increased production when I got a new chair. No longer did I procrastinate sitting down to work, or get up to take frequent breaks because sitting was just so uncomfortable. Instead, I was able to sit comfortably and get my work done early!
I would love to have a mirra chair to sit in. The backrest is pliable and elastic, so it supports your back while conforming to your individual size, movements, and posture. The seat offers AireWeave suspension to help distribute your body weight evenly and keep you cool. Another bonus is that this chair comes with Free Shipping, 110% Price Guarantee, and a 30 day money back guarantee. The money back guarantee is important to me, because I work from home. I need to be able to bring a chair into my home and use it as I normally do, to be able to know if it is going to work long term for me. As a person with chronic pain and back problems, having a quality chair that doesn’t magnify my pain is a necessity.
This is a sponsored post however, all the points and views are my own.
Getting started in living a healthier life
Photo Source: Kate Freeman Nutrition
People talk about needing to lose weight or living healthier, for a variety of reasons all the time. They are able to set goals for themselves, and even understand the reasons behind why they need to make this choice – which is really the first step in getting started in living a healthier life. After you’ve made that choice though, it can be difficult in being successful on the follow through. Here are a few tips, that hopefully, will help get you started!
- Know how many calories you need. If you’re unsure, I have a post with a formula to help you determine how many calories you need.
- Know what a portion size is for each type of food you are eating.
- Use the food pyramid to help you plan out your meals for each day.
- Make a menu plan for each day, week, or month – whatever works for you. I use a spreadsheet and my google calendar to help me with my schedule. I like that the calendar schedules things that can repeat, which helps save me time down the road. Making a menu plan also helps you make a shopping list for the grocery store, so you can take advantage of sales and coupons. When you are able to take the time to plan ahead, you’ll know when you need to use your slow cooker, or prep fruits and veggies ahead – which will help keep you on track.
- When you get home from the store – prep your food in serving size portions. I use re-usable Rubbermaid containers so I can grab a snack on the run, and know it’s healthy and the right amount. Taking a few minutes to prep will help you avoid buying more expensive individual packages – you can buy in bulk and save, and you can avoid stopping for fast food because you don’t have time to cook at home.
- Write down what you eat. It’s easy when you’re just grabbing containers, and there are dozens of apps (free and paid) that you can use to keep track, or use a spreadsheet. Keeping track of what you eat will help hold you accountable. It will make it easier for you to keep track of calories (or other nutritional info) if you are short on time and can’t track as you consume each item. If you hit a wall, and things aren’t going as you’d hoped, having a record to review will help you see where you can make changes. It’ll help you see that if you make a mistake at one meal, the whole day isn’t ruined. Just take it one meal at a time, and do your best to stick to your plan!
