Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

In Arizona, a local news crew is taking advantage of the scorching heat by first cooking chocolate chip cookies and, in the clip below, chocolate-covered strawberries. If you’re ready to try this recipe at home, you’ll need at least 20 minutes and temperatures at or near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While the strawberries and cookies may be delicious, the video is a great reminder to never leave children or pets in the car, even for a short amount of time. If it’s hot enough to melt chocolate bars, it’s hot enough to put your loved ones in danger. And,…

We all know that one person who enjoys  going to the gym or for a run in the early morning hours  – while the rest of the world is happily sound asleep. While  that’s great for the people who can do it, for some of us, simply making it to work on time with a shower and clean clothes is an accomplishment in and of itself. Should you really exercise before work? For night owls, who constantly hear about the “magical wonders” of waking up early to exercise – a faster metabolism and better ability to focus –  are we…

Would you wear the wrong shoe size? How about ill-fitting jeans? Of course not! Then ladies, it’s time to stop wearing the wrong bra size. Women’s Health Magazine  found  most women wearing either a  34B or a 36C are probably wearing the wrong size. Why are women wearing the wrong bra size? Both bra  sizes are average, which can lead women to either under- or overestimate what they should be wearing. Worried you aren’t wearing the right bra? Here are three indicators you have the wrong size: You can move your band up and down, your straps dig into…

If you’re wondering if it’s time to talk to someone in your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), it probably is. That’s the advice of Dave Welscher, manager of the St. Elizabeth Employee Assistance Program, which offers counseling to households of employees who work for about 70 Northern Kentucky employers. How do I know I should talk with an EAP? “I think if anybody has any questions or any doubt in their mind, of whether or not it might be helpful to talk with a therapist, it’s probably a good time to talk with a therapist ““ in particular, an EAP therapist,…

Getting your baby to take a nap is difficult for both newbie and seasoned moms. If you’re tired of driving around the block until Junior falls asleep, the Mayo Clinic  has five tips that could  help: Create a dark, quiet and comfortably cool environment for your baby to sleep. Put a drowsy, not sleeping, baby down for a nap. Avoid putting your baby to sleep by using  a  bottle, rocking or cuddling. Check the crib or bassinet to make sure it’s safe. Lay your baby down at the same time each day and for about the same length of time,…

Exercise is good for people with diabetes. It aids weight loss or maintenance. It improves heart health and stabilizes blood sugar levels. It improves mood and strengthens bones and joints. But, without careful planning, physical activity ““ which requires the body to use more glucose in order to fuel all that movement ““ can cause hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood glucose levels. How to get started Next time you talk with your doctor, ask about these five steps to start exercising: 1. Snack first Exercise can lower your blood sugar, so if you plan to exercise and then take insulin,…

We all need our coffee. It’s the perfect way to start the  day and a great option  to get a much-needed energy boost in the mid-afternoon. While it’s been debated whether drinking coffee every day will affect our health long-term, one thing is clear: we could all benefit from reducing  our java habit. Here are a few alternatives  suggested by Inc.com  when you need a mental pick-me-up: Hot tea Chewing gum Your favorite song Others on the list, like your favorite song, aren’t a different beverage, or even a food, but are sure to get your blood pumping! Be sure…

Barbecue sauce and french fries are just a few of our guilty pleasures. If you’re in the same boat, but trying to keep a healthy diet, you should check out this recipe  approved by the American Heart Association. The oven fries are not fried. They’re baked, which cuts down on fat. You simply cut up the potatoes, season them and  put in the oven. The barbecue glaze consists of a low-sodium sauce and a sugar-free orange marmalade or grape jam/jelly. Definitely an interesting way to impress your next dinner guests. Oven Fries You’ll need: cooking spray 3 medium baking potatoes…

We know smartphones, laptops, desktop computers and tablets changed the way we take in information, but it seems these devices have also changed the way we read. Researchers found people born at a time when computers were always accessible tend to skim more than they read in-depth. They believe this stems from sites filled with striking images, instantly rolling video, enticing hyperlinks and never-ending ads. Each of these are big distractions for readers. Even reading eBooks could cause problems for retention. Books give readers physical clues as to when events occurred. If the plot twist happened halfway through the book,…

Healthy, active living makes for a healthy, active brain, research shows. That’s the take away from a review of brain research in the June 1 edition of “Alzheimer’s & Dementia,” the scientific journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. “The research on cognitive decline is still evolving,” said Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer, Alzheimer’s Association, in a press release. “But there are actions people can take. Certain healthy behaviors known to combat cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline. These include staying mentally active, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a heart-healthy diet that benefits…