Heart Health and the Couch Potato: Sit at Your Own Risk

Guest Post Submitted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center We’ve all made the excuses…you can’t face the drive to the gym, you’re too tired at night, getting up in the morning is a chore or it’s too hot or cold outside. So you cozy up on the couch in front of the television. If you’re a couch potato, you’re a gambler — with your life. Unfortunately you’ll need a big sofa because you’re not the…

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Healthy Eating with ChefMD – Spectacular Meatloaf

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I’m still waiting for my friend, John La Puma, MD, ChefMD to make a house-call.  He can leave his stethoscope at home; all he needs to bring is his culinary tools. I’m waiting for some first rate cooking lessons, and I’m holding John to his words when he says, “Gee…I’d make a house call for you, Barbara, any day.”  I’m waiting… Meantime, while I’m waiting, I’m kicking up my…

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Healthin30 on KOMO News Radio Seattle, WA Shares Tips About Reading Food Labels

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I was thrilled to take the other end of the microphone as guest expert for quick healthy living spot on KOMO News Radio in Seattle, WA, thanks to Matthew Holt and courtesy of The Health Care Blog. I talked with hosts John and Nancy about the importance of reading the ingredients on food packages.  Reading only the front food labels on food products can be misleading. Consumers need to…

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4 Super Foods for Spectacular Health

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Raise your hand if you want to eat healthy. Healthy eating isn’t just good for cinching your waistline; it’s great for overall health. From glowing skin, to heart health, to maintaining healthy teeth and bones; eating foods packed with certain nutrients can also protect your immune system and fight infections.  It can boost your libido and decrease that lousy (LDL) cholesterol and boost your good (HDL) cholesterol. Healthy eating…

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Healthy Eating: Smart Foods to Follow on the Mediterranean Diet

Guest Post by Vandana Bhide, MD Greeks who live on the Island of Crete have significantly less heart disease and cancer than Americans.  Research studies suggest it is the Mediterranean diet that may give Cretans their health advantage. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and nuts such as almonds and walnuts.  It has been found to be associated with less risk of recurrent heart attacks than people who followed the…

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