Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016

Preparing For Baby: Making Sure They’re Healthy

Once you find out you’re pregnant, you have to make a lot of decisions; what color will you paint the nursery? What will the child’s name be? But possibly the most important decision is choosing the right pediatrician.

As many of you know my youngest daughter was born with a life-threatening illness. In my first days home with her she showed no signs of being as ill as she was. She was my quiet one. At her two-day check-up her pediatrician noticed she had jaundice, which isn’t uncommon. Because I already had a two-year-old at home, doctors thought it would be easier to readmit her in to the hospital to give her light therapy until the jaundice cleared. This was divine intervention. The child that I thought was just quiet and sweet was actually very sick. After a few days, on Mother’s Day, a possible diagnosis was given. The disease my daughter had required an operation, and she was only four days old. After that she had a colostomy for about a year.

But things are much different now. She is a healthy, thriving, beautiful, 20-something-year-old, living in New York. Looking at her now, you would have never known how sick she was as an infant. Without the right medical care and guidance from doctors, we may have had a different outcome.

I sympathize with parents who have sick children. And in order to help make this process easier on you I have put together a list of things I found helpful while going through this process.

First, before your baby is born, be sure to interview pediatricians. Make sure it is someone you can communicate with. This saved my daughters life.

Second, be serious about where you deliver. Make sure the doctor’s viewpoints are aligned with yours. If you want to do things naturally, make sure they are accepting of your birth plan. So many moms are looking for a hotel-like experience — a gorgeous room with concierge. However, when you have a sick baby, you need a hospital with all of the services, such as NICU and pediatric surgeons, among others. You’ll only be there for two days; the resources are more important than the room.

Third, once you have confidence in your pediatricians and hospital, follow their advice. You don’t want birth to be the first time you’ve met.

In the end, remember that if you have other children you need to make a plan to take care of yourself, your other children and your marriage. It’s a balancing act. Many moms just focus on one sick child, allowing many marriages, including mine, to fall apart.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2016

What You Need To Know About the Zika Virus

Summer comes and goes too quickly. So we all want to spend as much time outside as possible, even at night. And let’s face it: some nights the bugs are unbearable. Although bug bites are itchy and annoying they typically don’t pose too much of a health concern. However, this summer things are a bit different. With the emergence of the Zika virus in the United States, you need to be extra careful of mosquitos and mosquito bites. Today, we will discuss what Zika is, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent it, as well as the possible ramifications of it.

First, what is Zika? Zika is a virus which is spread through mosquito bites. The symptoms of the virus are usually fairly mild, and a lot of people may not even know they have it. Those who have symptoms may experience a rash or low grade fever, conjunctivitis or fatigue, as well as muscle and joint pain lasting seven days or less. These symptoms are similar to a mild flu.

Second, how is Zika transmitted. The virus is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites. However, it can also be passed along through urine, saliva or even sexual intercourse.

Third, how can I prevent getting the Zika virus? The only real way to prevent contracting the virus is to avoid getting mosquito bites. So wear lots of bug spray and use citronella candles.

Fourth, what are the possible ramifications of contracting the virus? One of the main concerns is microcephaly in newborns. Many infants have been born in Brazil with microcephaly in the past months. Some health agencies are also recommending delaying pregnancy at this time due to the increased risks during pregnancy.

Knowing these tips can help to protect you from contracting the Zika virus this summer.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process and how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016

Healthy Tips For Summer Cookouts

Happy Fourth of July! With hot dogs, hamburgers and s’mores being a staple at all summer cookouts, it can be hard to stay on track when it comes to healthy eating. But that doesn’t have to mean you have to turn down invites or throw healthy eating out the window. July is National Grill Month and what better way to celebrate than by sharing some tips on how to stay healthy during BBQ season!

First, think lean protein. Opt for grilled chicken or fish over hot dogs which don’t contain enough protein to hold you over. Burgers are an okay choice but make sure you choose a lean beef with a low amount of fat, and don’t choose a burger every time you grill. Opt for healthier options whenever possible.

Second, fill your plate with healthy options first. Don’t start by filling your plate with the potato salad; start by adding salad, grilled veggies, baked beans or other healthy options. This will ensure that you fill up in nutrient-dense foods while still getting a taste of the sides you enjoy such as macaroni and cheese. Also, be mindful of portions. Meat should be about the size of the palm of your hand, a fist is equal to a cup, so choose that amount when grabbing veggies, and the amount of condiments you use should be around the size of your thumb. Knowing how to eye-ball portion sizes is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Third, bring a healthy dish to contribute. The more healthy options there are the easier it will be to stay on track. Bring a tray of cut-up raw veggies with homemade dip, or a napa cabbage salad, or even a seven bean salad. One of my favorite healthy foods is grilled asparagus. You can throw them on the grille with a little salt and Parmesan cheese and you have a perfect healthy side.

Fourth, eat before you go. People always make this mistake. They arrive to a party starving and then end up gorging on potato chips and junk food to fill themselves up. Arriving shortly after eating will allow you taste everything at the party without totally destroying your diet.

Fifth, keep alcohol to a minimum. Alcohol, especially beer, is calorie dense and will increase your waist line. Make a pact with yourself to only drink once a week, even when you have special events.

Sixth, stay hydrated. Dehydrated can be mistaken for hunger. Keep water on you at all times. This will help to keep you full and prevent you from munching.

Seventh, opt for healthy dessert options. S’mores are a fun treat at cookouts, but leave them for the kids. Instead, try grilling some fruit. It’s high in fiber to hold you over.

Hopefully you found these tips helpful for enjoying BBQ’s and cookouts all summer long. Now, lets eat!

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