5 Keys to Living a Longer and Healthier Life

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Magrie Bloom shared with Healthy Lombard that recent world events have reminded all of us that life is both fragile and precious. We’ve heard a lot about avoiding illness, but striving for health seems to have fallen by the wayside. The tips below can be great reminders of what you need to stay healthier.

1.   Drink More Water

Change your habits each day to increase your water intake. This may include quitting alcohol, cutting back on soda, or reducing your caffeine intake. Dehydration is tough on every aspect of your body.

A dehydrated body is more prone to

  • constipation
  • kidney stones
  • sore joints
  • confusion and brain fog

If you’re struggling to get your gut to behave a bit better or are constantly plagued by dry skin, treat yourself to a sizable water bottle and strive to empty it at least once a day. Drink water with your meals instead of soda, coffee, or alcohol. When you’re ready for a snack, skip the chips and eat grapes or berries to increase your fluid intake.

2.   Eat More Vegetables

Take a hard look at your meal planning before you grocery shop and at your plate before you sit down to eat. Is it half vegetables, and are the majority of those veggies raw?

A diet loaded with raw veggies provides more than fiber, though fiber is critically important. Broccoli gives you protection against the formation of many cancers thanks to isothiocyanates and indoles that inhibit the growth patterns of invasive cells.

If you’re worried about wrinkles, boost your intake of leafy greens and avocado. Cabbage is a great addition to your plate if the lettuce isn’t your favorite. A plate full of raw veggies on your plate is an excellent way to protect your body from the inside out.

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35 Types of Spinach You Can Grow

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Happy DIY Home shared that spinach is an incredibly versatile plant when it comes to cooking. There are thousands of different kinds of dishes you can make using different kinds of spinach. What makes spinach so versatile is the fact that there are so many different types to choose from. You may find yourself curious about what kinds of spinach are out there, and what the best use is for each of them. You may also want to learn more about how to care for spinach so that you may grow it yourself.

To help you out, they compiled a list of different types of spinach, along with relevant information about them. We hope this article will inspire you to go out and plant your own spinach.

What is Spinach?

Spinach is a flowering plant native to Persia (modern-day Iran) that has spread across the world. Spinach is a popular edible plant that is used in a variety of different cuisines. It’s known for being incredibly healthy and full of vitamins.

Spinach has been used by humans for centuries. The first recorded instances of humans using this vegetable for medicinal purposes were found in the Mediterranean in the 10th century, but it soon became a staple of cuisine throughout Europe.

Today, spinach is a staple food all around the world. It’s cooked in a wide variety of different dishes, and it is considered a favorite food item in many cultures. Read more

How to Increase Mobility After Having a Stroke

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There’s no doubt that a stroke can be quite debilitating. The good thing is you aren’t powerless. You have the power to improve your life. The following are a few tips to help improve mobility after having a stroke.

●    Transportation Arrangements

The first thing to do is to make travel arrangements. Some folks can help you get around, and public transportation services may be of some assistance. This may not be the first thing you think about, but you might not be able to drive like before, yet you still have the same needs. You need food and clothes. Some things can be purchased and delivered but other things can’t, so figure out what options you have.

●    Use the Tools

The next thing you have to do is address your specific impairments. Stroke victims deal with all sorts of impairments, and there are helpful tools. For example, wheelchairs assist folks who can’t walk, while something like an AFO brace can help those that are diagnosed with foot drop. There are a lot of tools available, so be sure that you read reviews so that you get the best tools you can. Don’t forget to choose mobility aids that you can afford. You don’t want to burn through your cash, especially now that you need medical attention.

●    Scheduling Specialists

You’ll need more than mobility tools. Those can help you be more mobile, but you can’t allow your body and brain to get used to them. You want to force your body to regain mobility. This only happens if you work on your mobility by putting pressure on your body. The best way to do this is to work with a mobility expert. Find one that works for you. You need someone who motivates you to do the work. The work is intense, so the person must be able to motivate you.

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Food and Mood Go Hand in Hand

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Nicole Palmieri, who is currently studying Dietetics at the University of Dayton, shared with Healthy Lombard that…

We all know to some extent that potato chips and candy make us feel lethargic and leave us hungry, while fruits and vegetables make us feel energized and clear-headed. However, is it really that simple?

We eat differently for various reasons, depending on what kind of foods are accessible to us, how we are feeling before eating if we are socializing with others or are alone, and so much more. Whatever it is that leads us to choose our next meal, the food choices affect how we feel.

For one, eating a diet plentiful in healthy fats, protein, and fiber help keep blood glucose levels stable. Regulating blood sugar levels help one to feel less irritable, depressed, and anxious. In opposition, too high or too low of a blood sugar level makes one feel constant mood swings. Foods such as beans, lentils, broccoli, apples, and whole grains are great choices to help stabilize your blood sugar, and consequently your mood.

The Mediterranean Diet is associated with improved mood and anxiety levels because it emphasizes whole, non-processed foods, especially fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Healthy fats like olive oil, omega-3-rich fish, avocados, nuts, and legumes promote cell production, protect our organs, and generate important hormones. Most notably, omega-3 and omega-6-rich foods help the brain to function well, benefitting an individual’s mental clarity and focus. Read more

No Fooling – Earn a FREE String Backpack!

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Healthy Lombard Want To Know …

What’s your favorite “Spring Thing”?

 

Birds singing?

No more snow?

Flowers budding?

Going for a walk in the park?

Playing outside again?

Chalk drawings on the sidewalk?

Email your answer to us at: info@healthylombard.com, and, if we post it on our Facebook or Twitter pages throughout the month of April, you will win a Healthy Lombard branded drawstring backpack!* *One backpack (shown on the left)/per child age 4 – 16.

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Shopping With The Seasons

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The Healthy Kids blog shared that with the help of modern grocery stores, most produce is available to us year-round. Although it may not seem like it, shopping with the seasons can make a pretty big impact on your wallet, your health, and even the environment. It’s better for your wallet. Pay attention to the price of your favorite fruits and vegetables throughout the year. When in season, you’ ll likely be able to find certain product in abundance and snag a great sale. When out of season, you might find yourself grumbling at the price. Why is that? If you’ve ever grown your own fruits and vegetables at home, you know that they require a specific set of resources (amount of water, hours of sunlight, time to harvest, etc.). When in season, foods can essentially grow on their own, without any excess resources making them time and labor intensive. Purchasing out of season means putting a little extra money towards the support needed to help those fruits and vegetables thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. Read more

Needle Fears and Phobia – Find Ways to Manage

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The DCD shared that many people do not like needles as part of medical procedures when they receive care. But for some, the fear of needles is so great that it might prevent them from getting life-saving medical care, like vaccinations. This fear often affects children but can affect adults, too. Estimates show that as many as 2 in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults have strong fears around needles. As many as 1 in 10 people might delay the COVID-19 vaccine due to these fears. Fear of needles is also common in people with certain conditions that cause difficulties with managing strong sensations, such as in people with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Fear of needles can also be common in people with disabilities that making it hard for them to understand the procedures and communicate their concerns. There are ways to manage this fear. Read more

Driving Posture Tips and Stretches for a Long Trip

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Interior view of a young man driving a van or truck. Shallow depth of field.United Tires Library shared that if you’re in a vehicle for long drives, it’s important to improve your driving posture and incorporate stretching into your routine to prevent aches and pains.

Whether you’re commuting to work, traveling cross-country on a vacation, or driving for a living, you’ve likely felt it at some point. Your lower back starts to ache. Your arms and shoulders start to tense from gripping the steering wheel. Your upper legs start to hurt from sitting too long.

If you’re in a vehicle for long drives, it’s important to improve your driving posture and incorporate stretching into your routine to prevent aches and pains.

Adjusting your car’s seat position, as well as getting up and stretching periodically, are all important steps to alleviate these problems. These techniques can help you endure long trips behind the wheel (or in the passenger seat), and save you from aches and pains that can otherwise linger after you’ve parked. Read more

Senior Living: A Focus on Health and Wellness

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Julie Morris shared that if you are a senior, you know how critical your health is to how you feel. No matter your age, there are always ways to improve how you feel. The following tips may help you understand how to care for yourself as a senior adult.

Create Your Safe Place
How safe is your home? If you struggle to get around like you used to, your home needs to reflect your new accessibility needs. Many adults choose to age in place, but to do so, you need to ensure that you can reach your food, medicine, and other items on high shelves. You should have no hazards in your home that make it easy for you to trip or fall.

If you have trouble caring for yourself, you may need to consider a 24/7 care facility. If you require help with daily functions and if you want to have more opportunities to socialize with others your age, you may thrive in a care facility. There are sites like Senior Care that provide you with facility reports, payment options, and pricing information.

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Save The Date

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Healthy Lombard is a proud supporter of Obesity Care Week 2022 (OCW2022), and we need your help to make this the most impactful week of obesity awareness and action yet! OCW2022 is our chance to change the way we care for – and about – obesity. From advocating for expanded access to obesity care to ending weight bias, OCW aims to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for a better world for people living with obesity. Now is the time to act!

Join Us in Supporting OCW2022 by:

Mark your calendar for February 27th – March 5th and be ready to:

  • Like, comment, and share OCW2022 content using #OCW2022 on your social media pages!
  • Take action! There will be several opportunities during Obesity Care Week to get involved and take action to support OCW2022.

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