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Prepare for a Healthy Vacation

Sherri Martin — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:00:24 +0000

School is letting out and that means many families will be going on vacation in the months to come. As you make your plans and pack your bags, remember to be prepared — just in case — for health troubles. Here are some things to remember.

First, you generally don’t get sick in an instant. Usually, there are early signs before the illness takes full effect. Before leaving, assess how you are feeling. Any aches or pains? Allergies troubling you? Take action now. Don’t wait until the minor ailment becomes more serious. Visit your doctor before your vacation, pick up over-the-counter medications, refill prescriptions, and pack your favorite home remedies.

Also, be sure to bring your doctor’s contact information and your children’s pediatrician’s phone number. Even if you feel perfectly healthy, you might catch something while away. Having your physician’s phone number at the ready means you can call for their advice.

Lastly, don’t stress. If you are well prepared, you will be ready for anything. Besides, you may not have any troubles at all. In that case, relax, go on adventures, soak up the time with your loved ones. All of this will give you the energy you need to get back to work with fresh pep in your step.

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Want to know how to be prepared in advance for potential health concerns? MyHealthSpin’s book Easy Healthcare: Before You Get Sick helps you figure out how to prepare so that you can get care as seamlessly as possible.

Trying to figure out health insurance? Get my book Choose Your Best Health Insurance for detailed assistance on how to decide which insurance plan is right for you and your family.

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6 Tips for Staying Healthy This Holiday Season

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 14:00:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! As quickly as Turkey Day comes and goes, the holiday season is far from over. While this is a time for love and laughter it is also a time for over indulging and too many sweets. With parties taking over your evenings and weekends, and the temptations of cookies and candy, it’s hard to stay on track and stay on top of your health. Today, we’re going to share 6 tips for surviving and staying healthy during the holidays.

Don’t go hungry
This is possibly my number one rule. It is a huge mistake to go to a holiday party or a work function hungry. Go with a full stomach so you can graze and enjoy the food but not over indulge.

Get your workout in
Be sure to get up and get your workout in early. It will help to kick your metabolism in to high gear and burn fat all day. This way you don’t have to worry about having a few cookies while out at night.

Offer to bring a healthy dish
If you’re going to a party where you’re asked to bring something be sure to bring something healthy. Sure, maybe your famous pecan pie isn’t super healthy, but bring something additional to balance it out. This way you know there is at least one option that’s good for you. And get creative, it’s so easy to make little tweaks to make something more nutritious.

Always have water
Water is another really important one when it comes to this. It helps to keep you full but it also helps to be sure you don’t get a little too tipsy. Drink lots of water with your meal and be sure to have a glass between each drink. There’s nothing worse than embarrassing yourself at a company party or waking up with a raging headache.

Mind your portion sizes
Portions are key when it comes to being sure you don’t over eat. Keep protein to the size of your palm, veggies to the size of your fist, carbs to the size of your hand cupped and sweets and sides to the size of your thumb. If you’re still hungry you can always go back for seconds but you’ll feel rude if you don’t finish everything on your plate.

Don’t forget to enjoy
All in all, don’t forget the reason for the season. Obviously your health is important but family and friends come first. Don’t beat yourself up for falling off track.

Looking for tips on wellness? Pick up the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. The summit contains 6 interviews from top female health professionals plus three videos from MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard, as well as two bonus workout videos. Use promo code “BEWELL” to recieve 50% off!

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4 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Insurance for 2018

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Believe it or not, 2018 is fast approaching! And if you’re one of the 6.5 million American’s who gets their insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it’s time to select your plan! Open enrollment for Obamacare starts November 1st and ends December 15th. Enrollment is only open for a short time, so it’s important to do your research now! These are four things you must consider when choosing the best plan for you and your family.

Your budget

This should be first and foremost. Before you even sit down to start looking at policies it’s important to set a realistic budget. Obviously insurance is pricey, so make sure you allow a fair portion of your income to be set aside for your monthly premium.

Key insurance terms

You can’t choose the best policy for you without knowing the key terminology. Important insurance terms to know are: deductible, co-insurance, copay and out of pocket maximum. Need to brush up on these terms? Follow this link. This will make picking a policy a lot less of a headache or prevent you from choosing something that isn’t right for you.

What services you use

It’s important to consider what services you use most when choosing an insurance. Keep in mind that preventative services are currently covered under the Affordable Care Act. This includes things such as colonoscopies and diabetes (Type II) screening. But if you see a chiropractor, or another specialized practitioner, be sure the policy you’re looking at covers that type of care.

Is it an HMO or a PPO

A lot of people don’t know the difference between Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s). Typically, an HMO plan is going to be a little more affordable than a PPO plan. But they aren’t created equal. PPO’s allow for more flexibility. Typically you can see any doctor you chose, where as with HMO’s you’re more limited. Also, often times with an HMO you will need to have a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who must refer you for specific services (i.e. a routine colonoscopy). Don’t forget to check the type of plan before finalizing your 2018 coverage.

Mark your calendar for November 1st! And if you still have questions about health insurance, you can pick up my book Easy Healthcare: Obamacare.

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Breast Cancer Treatment: What Your Insurance Covers

Francesca Saracino — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 13:00:30 +0000

After a devastating diagnosis such as breast cancer, the last thing one thinks about is insurance. But sadly this is a true reality for most. How to pay for it, what your coverage is and what to do if you don’t have insurance are all things that run through one’s mind. Today, we’re going to discuss what your insurance covers when it comes to breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Mammograms are a major diagnostic test used for the detection of breast cancer. Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, all insurance policies are required to cover one routine mammograms for women over 40 years of age per, at no out of pocket cost to them. So take advantage of this tool every year.

If your physician suggests a mastectomy as part of your treatment it will likely be covered. Even better yet, due to an act passed in 1998 any insurance company that has mastectomy coverage must also cover breast reconstruction coverage, if you wish to have it done. Not only does this include implants but it can also include surgery to correct asymmetries (i.e. only one breast was removed) as well as treatment for any surgical complications.

Chemotherapy and radiation are two major treatments for any form of cancer, specifically breast cancer. Coverage for these two types of treatment are going to be plan specific. So make sure you look over your insurance to see what type of coverage you have. Often times they come with high deductibles and copay’s, but it’s better than nothing.

Other prescription medications will be billed the same way as chemo and radiation, which is considered a medication. For instance, cancer suppressing medications, such as tamoxifen, fall under this category.

If you don’t have insurance there are several institutions that can provide you with the care you need. You can head over to www.komen.org to learn more.

Or, if you’re interested in enrolling in a health insurance plan for 2018 stay tuned for next weeks post, we walk you through everything you need to know about Obamacare.

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How to Care for Your Parent Who Lives in Another State

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:50:07 +0000

Having aging parents can be difficult, and in some cases, adding in the fact that they live hundreds of miles away, it can make it that much more difficult. Today, we’re sharing how to care for your aging parent who lives in another state.

Create a medical life list
I talk about this all the time, but it’s so important. A medical life list is something that contains all of your loved ones important health information. This includes allergies, past history, surgeries and medications. It’s easy to forget things when you’re at the doctor. This way they have it all in one spot and they can just have the physician make a copy for their file.

Know their neighbors
If you live out of town and your parents are elderly their neighbors should be your watch dogs. Have them keep an eye out for any changes in your loved ones health or routine. Maybe the noticed they’re getting out less, or they have a little bit of shutter when they speak. Ask them to get in touch with you if they notice any changes in your parent

Hire a caregiver
Whether you hire someone to come in all day, every day, or for just a few hours, hiring a care giver can help put your mind at ease. They can help with taking medications and showering. They can also help with cooking and making sure your loved one is eating well. But Make sure you meet them in person before hiring them, it’s easy to take advantage of elderly people.

Consider an assisted living
Making the decision to put your parent in an assisted living can be a tough one. Most of them don’t want to lose their independence and don’t want to leave their home. But it may be the best option for their health and well-being. If there isn’t anyone around to care for them they can fall, or can become malnourished. In an assisted living all of their basic necessities will be cared for and you won’t have to worry.

If you want more information on picking an assisted living for your loved one pick up my book Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living.

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Top 7 Tips to Make Breastfeeding a Breeze

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:00:16 +0000

Breastfeeding is natural, and is a great way for mom and baby to bond, but just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it comes easy. Everyone will have their opinions on what you should do if you plan on nursing your new baby. Today were sharing the top 7 expert tips on how to make breast feeding a breeze.

Start right away
It’s always best to try and nurse your newborn within a couple hours after birth. Mainly because your newborn will be hungry, but also to get them in the swing of things. The quicker they start the quicker they’ll catch on

Take advantage of the classes they provide in the hospital
Whenever you have a baby there are several classes you must take while in the hospital. One of the classes they provide helps to teach moms the ins and outs of breastfeeding. They typically covered by insurance so why not take advantage.

Relax
This can be taken two ways, one being, literally, relax (see our next tip for more information) but also don’t stress. Breastfeeding comes easier for someone women than others. Don’t let that stress you out. Just do what you can, baby will figure out what to do.

Lay on your side
Some women find greater success when breastfeeding if they lay on their side. Not only can it help increase milk letdown, but it helps you relax. Having a relaxed neck and shoulders will make it easier and more comfortable. And lets be honest, anything that makes nursing more comfortable is good in my book!

Get a breast pump
A lot of women don’t know this but your insurance must cover the price of a breast pump. Sometimes they will only let you rent them, but try and get a new one that you can keep if possible. Having a pump will make it easier for when you go back to work and have to be away from your new baby. It will also be helpful for when you’re producing more than they’re using. Just freeze and save for a busy day!

Try some supplements that increase milk production
If your supply is lacking there are several foods and supplements that can help with that. The yeast in beer, whether it’s alcoholic or non-alcoholic can help increase production. Herbs such as fenugreek, an Indian herb that helps with inflammation, but it also increases supply. You can also find teas or other natural remedies to help with production at your local health food store.

Accept the challenge
Lets face it, breastfeeding can be challenging, but so rewarding. Don’t give up too quickly. Theres a learning curve for both you and your baby. It takes time but you’ll get the hang of it!

To learn more about health and women’s health check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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4 Ways Health Centers Can Benefit You

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 13:00:37 +0000

A lot of healthcare is focused on community. Communities working together to be healthier and decrease disease. This week (August 13-19) is National Health Center Week. This week aims to celebrate how health centers work to create healthier communities. Did you know, according to healthcarecenterweek.org one in every fifteen-people living in the United States depends on health center services. Or that health Centers deliver high quality, cost effective, accessible care while serving as critical economic engines helping to power local economies. Today, we’re going to discuss how health centers can benefit you and your community.

They provide health screenings
Simple things like your child’s yearly physical or blood pressure screening can be done at a health center. You can even get your teeth checked at a health center. It’s quick and easy, and often times they don’t require appointments.

They provide education
At health centers, they do more than provide health care. They teach you things about health. How to eat well, how to keep your heart healthy and ways so stay active.

They help translate
Often times those who benefit most from health centers are people who have immigrated to the United States, and English may not be their first language. The doctors aim to ensure their patients understand every aspect of their care.

They serve the people who need it most
Typically, health centers are placed in areas located in Medically Unserved Areas (MUAs). These are areas that don’t have easy access to hospitals, physicians or quality healthcare.

To learn more hot healthcare tips pick up my books on easy healthcare.

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5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Insurance

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:00:44 +0000

Health insurance is expensive, and if you’re lucky you’ll hardly ever need to use it. But regardless of your mental and physical health, it’s important that you have good coverage in case of an emergency. And whether you get your insurance through your employer or the Health Insurance Marketplace, you should always use your insurance to its fullest ability. Today, we’re sharing how to ensure you get the most out of your insurance.

Choose a policy that matches your needs
If you have a chronic health condition it may be in your best interest to choose a policy with a low deductible. This will lower the amount of money you spend before your insurance starts to kick in. It also may be in your best interest to choose a plan with a low out of pocket max. An out of pocket max is a specific amount of money that you must meet and then your insurance will pay at 100%. Therefore, if you spend a lot of time at the doctors, having a policy with a low deductible and out of pocket max would meet your needs. Also, if you see a specialist, such as a chiropractor, on a regular basis, be sure that your policy has chiropractic coverage. This is not a benefit on many plans so be careful.

Make sure your doctors take your insurance
If you have a particular doctor or doctors that you like to see make sure they take your insurance. This may help narrow down between two companies. If you’re switching insurances give your doctors office a call and see if they accept any of the policies you’re considering. Also find out if you will need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) to see any specialists you see.

See if they pay for your gym membership
Insurance companies see the value in keeping their clients healthy. Now a days, it’s common for your insurance to cover all, if not most, of your monthly gym membership.

See what other benefits they provide
Some companies provide coverage for things such as acupuncture and massage, or even other forms of physical therapy such as Pilates and yoga. Prevention is key to leading a healthy lifestyle so you should check and see if any of these services are covered to stay healthy!

Use it
You can’t get the most out of your insurance if you don’t use it! Make sure you schedule your yearly Pap test with your PCP. Get in to the dentist twice a year, get your eyes checked, and if you’re over the age of 50 schedule yourself a colonoscopy. These services should be at least partially covered by your insurance, so why not take advantage of them?

To learn more about choosing your insurance pick up my workbook Easy Healthcare: Choose Your Insurance or any of my three healthcare sets.

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6 Supplements to Avoid if You’re on Prescription Drugs

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 13:00:33 +0000

We’ve been talking about supplements a lot lately. And while supplements can be vital to ones diet, it’s important to keep in mind that they must be taken safely. Also, you should never start taking any vitamin or supplement without consulting a healthcare professional. Even though a supplement can be considered safe by the FDA it doesn’t mean that it can’t cause interactions. July is Herbal/Prescription Drug Interaction Awareness Month so today we’re sharing 6 supplements you should watch out for if you’re on prescription drugs.

Grape fruit and St. John’s Wort
Not many women know this, and not many health care professionals warn young women about it, but grapefruit supplements, as well as St. John’s Wort, can interact with birth control pills. It can change how your body handles estrogen. Which is the whole point of a birth control pill, it prevents an egg from dropping by tricking your body in to thinking it’s already pregnant. Therefore, if the grape fruit extract messes with one’s estrogen levels it can cause a decreased effectiveness of their contraceptive.

St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is an herb that has several contraindications. In addition to birth control, as mentioned above, it can interact with many other prescription medications. These medications include HIV drugs, cyclosporine (an immunosuppressive drug used after transplants), imatinib and irinotecan (chemotherapy drugs), verapamil (a calcium blocker used for hypertension), warfarin (blood thinner), digoxin (for managing high blood pressure) as well as methadone (pain medication). So as you can see, this herb has many dangerous contraindications.

Black Licorice
Licorice and licorice liquid is often times used to improve poor adrenal function. The adrenal glands are responsible for blood sugar control, blood pressure regulation and they can play a role in stress and fatigue. Black licorice is a great herb to help boost adrenal function, but beware if you’re on diuretics. This liquid can lessen their strength.

Coleus
Coleus, these beautiful variegated plants you see in peoples landscaping, is used for treating cardiac disorders. It helps regulate blood pressure and strengthens the heart muscle. But be careful not to mix this plant with prescription hypotensive drugs. It can drop blood pressure too low.

Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng is an ancient herb used to boost the immune system. It can also help manage diabetes and improve memory. But don’t take this herb if you’re on MAOI’s for depression. It can cause drowsiness and more serious complications such as liver damage.

Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil is an herb that all women should know about, especially those who are of the age of menopause. EPO helps to lessen hot flashes. What woman wouldn’t want that? But this is a no-no for those with blood sugar issues. It can lower blood sugar and could potentially lead to diabetic coma. It can also increase one’s risk for breathing.

As you can see, many of the herbs listed above have important benefits. And can really help with many ailments. But as you can also see, these supplements can be extremely dangerous when mixed with the wrong prescription drugs. So you should always consult your physician before adding any vitamins or supplements to your diet.

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7 Best Oils for Cooking

Francesca Saracino — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 13:00:42 +0000

Knowing the right type of oil to use when cooking is no small task. We know oils such as olive oil and coconut oil are great for our health, but can they stand up to high heats when cooking? What about vegetable oils? There’s always mixed reviews on if they’re okay in moderation or if they should be avoided all together. Today, we’re going to help you decide what types of oils to use when making your favorite dishes.

Olive oil
Olive oil is heart healthy and helps to build strong bones. But this oil should only be used in medium heat. Meaning, it should not be used for frying or baking over 350 degrees. At high temperatures oil can go rancid, causing bonds to break down making them indigestible in our bodies. Olive oil is great to use in salad dressing or on dishes being cooked at 350 or less.

Avocado oil
Like several of the other oils listed here, avocado oil has a very high smoke point. The smoke point of avocado oil is about 520 degrees! This makes it perfect for frying. Also, avocado is a healthy fat, perfect for hair, skin and nails.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of the best oils around, including one of the best to cook with. It has numerous benefits for your body including: working as an antimicrobial, helping burn stubborn fat, and it boosting your immune system. Coconut oil has a high smoke point, meaning it can be used when cooking at high temperatures. It’s perfect on Brussels sprouts and cabbage as it adds a slight sweet flavor to food. You can also try putting a tablespoon in your smoothie or morning coffee. One thing to note, when buying coconut oil it must be unrefined, expeller pressed.

Butter and ghee
While very different, we’re going to consider them the same for the purposes of this article. Butter, not the garbage margarine you find in the grocery store, is good for you. It’s a healthy fat. Remember our post last week Facts About Fat? You just have to be sure you’re buying the right kind. Stick to (get it?) butter that is made from grass-fed cows milk, that are not treated with hormones and antibiotics. An excellent brand is Kerry Gold. Ghee is another great option for cooking. Ghee is clarified butter, again, be sure you’re using the good stuff. It’s super easy to make your own ghee at home, or you can buy it at the health food store.

Beef tallow
We hadn’t heard of this healthy cooking fat until our most recent interview with Dr. Jennifer Shell, so we were really excited to learn about it. Beef tallow is excellent for cooking as it can withstand high heats. It also contains a bunch of vitamin D, helping to build strong bones. Thanks Dr. she’ll for sharing this with us! Check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit for more information!

Sesame oil
Sesame oil is high in fat, but good fat! It has a smoke point of over 400, so it’s great for cooking. Choosing a lighter color version of this oil is even better. But, it’s definitely not something you want to use for baking. It has a heavy flavor so stick to using it when making things like stir fry or lettuce wraps.

Palm oil
Palm oil is found in the heart of the palm. It’s high in vitamin E and carotenoids making it an excellent choice when it comes to health. It has a very high heat point making it great for cooking. And it has a very mild taste which makes for a great alternative to use when baking.

Oil to avoid…

Canola oil
This oil is a no-no, even when it comes to baking. It is genetically modified from its original form containing countless of harmful chemicals. It’s also a partially hydrogenated oil, meaning the oil has been heated and the molecular bonds have been broken down. The purpose behind this is to keep the oil from going rancid, thus, giving it a longer shelf life. But hydrogenated oils are bad for your heart and can increase cholesterol, clogging your arteries.

To learn more health and wellness tips, pick up the WMBW Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with myself, MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard. Plus a newly added bonus video from Dr. Jennifer Shell! Use promo code “BEWELL” to receive 50% off!

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