Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Do you ever catch yourself bouncing in line or tapping your fingers during a meeting? Fidgeters, rejoice! The same habits that likely got you a stern look from mothers and teachers of the past may actually be keeping you healthy, according to a new study  we read about in the New York Times. Most of us spend eight to ten hours a day sitting without moving a muscle, which can lead to an increased risk of weight gain and diabetes. It can also decrease the  blood flow to the legs, increasing blood pressure and the risk for atherosclerosis (buildup of…

Capture the flavors of the season with this yummy pumpkin recipe, courtesy of  Chris Crowley, a chef at St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s Edgewood facility. With only 360 calories per serving, and 7 grams of protein, it’s a  new comfort dish the whole family can enjoy. Click here to download the recipe. Want more recipes? Click the button below for dozens of healthy, lightened-up versions of your favorite foods.

Have you noticed any teal pumpkins in your neighborhood this fall?  They are not simply an unorthodox decoration or a step away from traditional orange, white and green squash. They are serving a much higher purpose for children with food allergies. You see, Halloween, and trick-or-treating in particular, can be  a very difficult season to navigate for children with food allergies and parents of children with food allergies. But, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit dedicated to  education and advocacy of food allergy, launched the Teal Pumpkin Project in 2014 with the intent to make Halloween a fun…

Women are notoriously inattentive to their own health needs. With other time-consuming responsibilities such as heading to work, volunteering over the weekend, traveling and taking care of kids, their well-being is often a low priority on the totem pole. We get that, but that’s why these reminders, courtesy of Dr. Aleah Gibson with St. Elizabeth Physicians, are doubly important. When do you need a pap smear? And, at what age do you need to begin yearly mammograms? Gibson explains these important dates and more in the video below: If this video helped jog your memory and you are overdue for…

Nationally,  acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) – a mysterious muscle weakness similar to polio that has potentially been linked to one strain of enterovirus – is unexpectedly affecting otherwise healthy children. If “enterovirus” sounds familiar, it’s because there was an enterovirus D68 outbreak here in 2014. The symptoms of this respiratory infection were similar to the flu or the  common cold: Fever Runny nose Sneezing Cough Body and muscle aches Parents were urged to seek medical help if their child appeared to have trouble breathing or began wheezing, but most children were expected to be back on their feet within a…

It’s time to step up the battle to prevent strokes, the number one cause of serious disability for adults, according to Dr. James P. Farrell, director of the Stroke Program for St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “Our job is to keep disease from interfering with your life. Disease can take your life or prevent you from doing what you would like to do in life,” Farrell said. “The challenge of our time is to prevent disabilities caused by strokes.” Your risk of a first stroke can be lowered by 80 percent if you: Exercise regularly Eat right Maintain a healthy weight Don’t…

Craving the flavors of fall, and want an all-in-one dish to serve for brunch this weekend? This healthy quiche  recipe from the American Heart Association has all that and much more. Unfortunately, like many other comfort foods, cheese-laden quiche is not usually known for its health benefits, but with this lightened-up version, you truly can have your quiche and eat it, too. With just 136 calories per serving (and only five grams of fat!), this is one satisfying meal you don’t have to feel guilty about. See the full recipe below: Ingredients 1 medium sweet potato, washed 1 tsp. canola…

Quinoa, a so-called “super food” is all the rage among the health-conscious. It is packed with protein, amino acids and fiber. It’s also a naturally gluten-free alternative for people trying to reduce their gluten intake. Karah Stanley, RD, LD, with St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center, explains more about quinoa’s benefits in the video below, as well as easy ways to prepare quinoa at home.

Craving Italian food, but want to skip the heavy, traditional sauces that are loaded with calories? In the recipe below, which contains fresh zucchini and summer squash, you’ll find a new, summery way to enjoy a classic comfort food. While the dish uses summery ingredients, it is served warm, which makes it enjoyable well into the fall season, too. Click here to watch a prep video. If you try it out, let us know what you think! Ingredients: 8 ounces bow tie pasta 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half rounds…

It is officially the first day of fall, which is a relief to those of us who are sick of the heat and humidity. But, unfortunately, in addition to the cooler temps, fall also means kids are back in school and it’s only a matter of time before germs begin spreading (if they haven’t already taken over at your house). Here are some tips to stay healthy this fall from our friends at the NKY Tribune: Tips for Zika: (It is important to note that, to date, all Zika cases in our region are due to travel outside the…