Lotsa Blog

Contributed by Haley Burress

As we age, our bodies change. This isn’t exactly news. Chances are, you feel your body changing when you notice creaky joints in the morning or squinting to read your dinner menu. When it comes to food, it is important to note that our body changes the way it absorbs and uses what we eat and drink. The more you know about how your diet and nutrition changes as you age, the better you can eat to increase energy and health. Here’s a look into your body and how diet and nutrition shift dramatically as we add on years.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the flavors of the season in healthy yet satisfying dishes. It’s also the perfect time to prepare quick and easy meals that are a cinch to pull together, leaving you plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the weather. The best summer recipes can be made without even turning on the oven, keeping you and your family cool as a cucumber. Give these three light and healthy summer recipe ideas a try and be sure to share them with your community.

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Contributed by Nora Stasio

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. Studies have shown that those exercising regularly basis tend to have stronger immune systems than those who do not. But what if you are one of those people that exercises religiously and you fall ill? Is it healthy to exercise while sick? Might a round of rigorous activity be helpful or detrimental to your recovery?

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

Life gets busy and the daily grind can be hectic and unpredictable. Being able to provide a tasty and nutritious meal for your family without much thought or preparation could be the silver lining on an otherwise cloudy day. If you need something in a pinch or are preparing a meal for others, it may be a good rule of thumb to stick to basics. Come up with something that will appeal to the entire family – especially kids who can be particular about what they eat. Remember, warming up a frozen meal should provide relief, not require you to take on the role of a short-order cook for picky eaters.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Being a caregiver isn’t easy. Whether you care for young children, an aging parent or an ill spouse, it’s a non-stop job. As with any job or ongoing duty, we sometimes lose our motivation. It doesn’t mean we love the person we’re caring for any less. Losing motivation usually means we need some “me” time to recharge our batteries.

Here are seven tips for when you need motivation to pick yourself off the couch – even when you don’t want to.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Being a caregiver for a loved one can definitely be stressful at times. It is a big responsibility to provide the best care possible for your friend or family member, and it can be a strain on your time, energy, finances and emotions. When you combine the stresses of caregiving with the daily stresses of everyday life, you may occasionally feel overwhelmed with tension. Unchecked stress has been linked to a variety of physical and psychological health problems, so it’s extremely important to learn how to relax yourself when going through a stressful time. Luckily, there are some tried and true strategies for lessening stress which you can employ the next time you feel your blood pressure rising.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to live with a pet knows the strong bond that exists between humans and animals. Animals have long been valued for their companionship, intelligence and loyalty. These traits are the reason that animals are so well-suited to serve as therapeutic partners. Therapy animals aren’t just cute, they can really help people to overcome trauma and disabilities.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

A healthy diet is essential to successfully manage diabetes. When it comes to diabetic diet recipes, ingredients that regulate blood sugar levels are king. Whole grains, fruits, nuts, beans, fish, low-fat dairy products and healthy fats are all perfect foods to incorporate into a diabetic lifestyle. The good news is that there are hundreds of diabetic diet recipes that are easy to prepare and full of flavor. The three recipes shared below are so healthy and satisfying that even non-diabetics will be sure to love them! Diabetes does not mean deprivation, and these delicious recipes will prove just that.

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Contributed by Nora Stasio

TBI stands for Traumatic Brain Injury. Those who’ve experienced TBI can tell you, the combination of physical and emotional pain it brings is nothing short of traumatic. When the proper functioning of the brain is compromised, everyday tasks can suddenly become a chore. Once familiar faces may seem strange and seemingly simple questions can leave the patient baffled.

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler 

Believe it or not, our bones are constantly growing and changing. With age, bones become weaker and less dense than they used to be. This change in bone density can result in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that results in brittle and fragile bones that are more susceptible to fractures. This bone disease develops when the body neglects to produce enough new bone and/or loses too much bone. So how can you tell your bones are changing? Sadly, you can’t. There are no signs of osteoporosis. The best thing you can do for your bones is know how to build them up and understand how you might be at risk for these untraceable signs of osteoporosis.

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