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    Alliya Samhat

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    5 Rules for Avoiding the Halloween Sugar Rush

    Table Set For Halloween DinnerIs it just me or does it seem like every store you walk into lately is filled with delicious, tempting treats? Between the bags of Halloween candy and the cider and doughnuts it’s hard to resist temptation. Last week when I was working out with my trainer, Kate, we started talking about all of the Halloween events her three kids have coming up, and it got me thinking of when my girls were in school. We shared stories of our kids Halloween memories, as well as tips on how to avoid all the sweets and treats. Today, I’m sharing our tried and true rules for keeping you and your kids healthy during Halloween.

    Rule #1
    Pick only two pieces of candy to eat. Put the rest of the candy away. If the kids can’t see it or reach it, they are less likely to ask for it. Out of sight out of mind.

    Rule #2
    Let them have fun at their school Halloween party. One afternoon filled with sugary doughnuts and king-size candy bars won’t kill them. When my girls were growing up, most of their school parties were centered around junk food. But Kate, who has three young kids, said that that’s starting to change. Parents are finding fun ways to make healthy Halloween-themed food.

    Rule #3
    Only give out candy you don’t like. This is probably the best advice I’ve ever received. If I passed out Snicker’s bars, I would eat more than I gave out. Skittles on the other hand? You wouldn’t ever catch me eating those. This way I can still join in on handing out candy, but don’t have to worry about it impacting my health or my waistline.

    Rule #4
    Don’t buy any candy in advance. Pick it up on your way home from work on Halloween night. The longer you keep it in the house, the more likely you are to get in to it. This was one of Kate’s tips, and I think it’s genius!

    Rule #5
    Don’t finish off your kids leftovers. If they leave a few bites of their sweets, don’t feel bad about throwing them away. This doesn’t only apply to their Halloween treats. As moms we have the bad habit of picking off our kids plates so things don’t go to waste, but let it!

    What are your rules to live by when it comes to avoiding the temptations of Halloween candy?

     

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    5 Symptoms of Lupus

    bigstock-132919457Over 1.5 million people are living with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where one’s immune system attacks their body’s organs, joints and tissues. Anyone can get lupus, however lupus is more common in women of non-Caucasian descent. Since lupus is all too common it’s important that women be able to spot the signs and symptoms.

    1. Fatigue
    A common symptom of lupus is extreme fatigue. A lot of women with lupus wake up feeling tired, they never feel like they got a good night’s sleep. However, fatigue is a common symptom in many disorders and diseases, so just because you’re feeling burned out doesn’t mean you have lupus.

    2. Joint pain and swelling
    Swelling in the knuckles and joints is especially common in the morning. Joint pain and swelling can be easily confused with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another autoimmune disease. However, there are two key differences between lupus and RA. Lupus usually occurs at a younger age and the joint pain and swelling in lupus can be unilateral, or only on one side. Those with lupus may notice swelling in their right hand but not their left. With RA the swelling is usually on both sides of the body.

    3. Fevers and rash
    An unexplained fever accompanied by a butterfly shaped rash on one’s face may indicate lupus.

    4. Chest pain
    Men and women with lupus often suffer from something called pleurisy. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleural lining of the lung and the chest cavity. This can result in tightness in the chest and painful breathing. This pain is typically worse when taking a deep breath.

    5. Bloody urine and kidney stones
    Lupus can attack any of the organs in one’s body. In advanced stages of the disease the body’s immune system attacks the kidneys. Weakened function of the kidney results in blood in the urine due to lack of filtration. Those with lupus also have a high risk of developing kidney stones.

    If you have lupus, there are several things you can do to be sure you stay well:

    • Get plenty of rest
    • Start an exercise program
    • Eat a well-balanced diet
    • Keep up with your doctors

    If you think you may be suffering from lupus, set up an appointment to see your doctor.

    Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with lupus? How have you best managed your disease?

    For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here for only $10!

     

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    Helpful Health Care Links for October 17, 2016

    Pregnant Woman Being Given Ante Natal Check By DoctorThere is a lot going on in healthcare news this week! I have put together a handful of trending health topics to share with you in hopes that this information will assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few trending health articles for this week.

    What does it mean to “eat clean”? Clean eating is basically a fancy way of saying eating healthy. It means eating foods in their whole, natural state as opposed to prepackaged and processed foods. It seems like eating clean would be difficult, but with the right information it can be easily become part of your lifestyle.

    In his final months in office President Obama is still making strides for women’s healthcare. In a new ruling, Obama is pushing to permanently protect the services provided by Planned Parenthood. Many women, especially those of low income, depend on services provided by them to stay healthy. This is huge news for women.

    We all know that one of the early signs of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting. A new study suggests that morning sickness is a good sign and is actually advantageous to the newly pregnant mother.

    Starting a workout regimen can be hard. Most people don’t know what types of workouts they should be doing — cardio, strength straining, low impact — and others simply don’t know how to do the moves properly. Avoiding common mistakes when it comes to working out can be the key to success!

     

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