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Holiday feasts are coming on strong, kicking off with Halloween. (What? You never had a huge pre-trick or treating meal?)

While Halloween might mark the beginning of a winter of eating, it is also the start of packing on the pounds. And it might be tempting to shove your face with food, there are a couple of ways to avoid the pounds without a lack of flavor in your meal.Don’t think it is indulging whenever you want is that big of a deal? Then you should definitely get good family health insurance to help pay for your medical costs.

Here are a few sneaky tricks to still enjoy your holiday meals without packing on the extra calories and pounds.

1. Hold off on the rolls. Ok, this is really an unrealistic expectation. I love rolls and would never pass up. So indulge. But only take one roll. And do you love butter and jam on your roll? (Really, who doesn’t?) Ditch the butter. If you smother your roll in jam you won’t even notice. Trust me.

2. Be picky about your meat. Turkey is the bird of choice during the winter season. But not all turkey meat is not made equal. Dark meat, while delicious and moist, is more calories and at than the white part. Swap out some of the dark for white and only eat a small helping and you can shave off 250 calories from your meal. And ditch the skin. That is the fattiest part.

3. Switch out fatty toppings. Love sweet potatoes? Ditch the butter and marshmallows (which are full of fat and sugar) for a bit of cinnamon or ginger. Those spices will add in loads of flavor but ditch the extra calories.

4. Gravy, while delicious, is another calorie hog. But if you are like me, there is no way to avoid gravy. So do not deny yourself. Just limit your intake. A few tablespoons should be enough to create a volcano in your mash potatoes and to moisten your turkey.

5. Do not come starving. Sure, it would seem counter intuitive to eat before you go to a big meal but it is not a bad idea. No, I am not thinking you should eat a full meal but it is important to not go to Thanksgiving dinner starving. When I am starved before a meal, it is all I can do to not stuff my face with every piece of food in sight. If you eat too quickly like you often do when you are famished, your stomach will not have enough time to send messages to your brain telling you it is full. And that, my friends, is how you overeat. Make sure you eat a bit before you come, chew slowly and listen to what your body tells you. If you are not hungry anymore then you can stop. No need to eat until you can’t walk out the door.

6. Ditch the extra cocktails. If you must, only stick to one drink. Any additional drinks add on extra calories and will force you to find a designated driver to get home.

Wicked witches, green goblins and pumpkins are going to invade neighborhood streets starting next week. Halloween is here and the laughter of children scurrying up to the house to fill their bags with goodies.

While All Hallow’s Eve is a candy fest for kids, it can be a headache for parents. Here are a few tips to make this one night of the year painless.

• Start preparing early. The sure way to ensure insanity is to start costume planning the night before. We are all about preserving sanity so start looking for costumes early. Good with your hands? Creating or making your costume is a great way to save money and to make the costume exactly like you want it. But if you are not considered a craft-ician, you are not out of luck. Costumes can be found at big box stores like Walmart or at costume specialty shops that always pop up around this time of year. Another great places is thrift stores. Someone’s costume from last year can be your costume this year. Have an open mind and you can find the perfect costume.
• Don’t overload on treats. Sure, if you can afford the king size candy bars and want kids all over town to come trick-or-treating at your house, by all means, go crazy. But with the amount of loot that kids pick up on Halloween, you don’t need to go all out, especially since you don’t even know most of these kids. Grab candies that you enjoy and feel free to hand out as much as you want. When the candy is done or when you have had your fill of door bell ringing, turn off your porch light. That is standard for saying “we’re not home so beat it.”  And do not think about becoming the ‘raisin house.’ (You know, the one house that never gives out candies, but raisins instead.) If you want an alternative to candy to hand out, think glow sticks, Play Dough or other fun toys.
• Fuel before the trip. Anything with whiny kids is a nightmare, but trick or treating is even more painful. Before you rush out on your adventures, make sure to feed everyone with real food. My family serves up sloppy joes, but anything that has substance will help from hunger meltdowns. And start early. Even I get cranky when I am tired. And traipsing through the neighborhood would up the crank factor.
• Be safe. Take a flashlight and invest in the buddy system. Only visit houses in neighborhoods you are familiar with. And do not eat any unwrapped candy. Halloween should be fun, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
• Figure out a post Halloween candy strategy. If you do not want your kids to slip into a sugar coma, you need a plan. Or you could spend your time looking up health insurance quotes to pay for some doctor’s or dentist’s bills. One great mom suggested making a countdown calendar with one treat a day until Christmas. That way candy won’t take over your kids.

Halloween is here. You have the pumpkins carved, the candy purchased and your costumes made. But don’t even think about forgetting this year’s Halloween must have: candy liability waiver.

Yes, Halloween has gone legal. What used to be a holiday for dressing up like a witch and eating gobs of free candy has become a litigation nightmare.

Greedy lawyers who are up to no good have inspired this new lawsuit trend, according to Insurancejournal.com. Unsuspecting Halloween lovers give out the standard holiday treat to trick-or-treaters, only to get sued for handing out candy without notifying the children of the negative affects of overeating.

Did you fail to warn children (and their parents) about the nutritional facts (or lack of) of the treats you give? Or how about notifying them about other healthier options? And my favorite, did you let little Johnny know that candy corn is not made of real corn?

Ridiculous, no? But greedy lawyers are duping families by suing for contributing to obesity and not providing the necessary information to combat said obesity. The only way to protect yourself is to have each child sign a waiver relieving you of any responsibility.

I almost can’t type this without laughing. Isn’t this just as bad as the guy who sued McDonald’s for making him fat? Have we become a nation that cannot accept responsibility for our own decisions? These are choices people. While you might be unhappy after you have made them, what good is it to hire a lawyer? Are we going to sue the candy makers for cavities, even though we didn’t brush our teeth?

Here is how I see it. Kids and their parents choose to go trick-or-treating. They choose to go to their neighbors and they choose to accept and eat the treat.

Don’t want your kid to eat himself into a candy coma the day after Halloween? Don’t hire a scheming lawyer to take down your neighbor’s demonic ways. After the Halloween excitement, spread out the loot. Let the kids pick a few of their favorites and stash the rest. This will avoid tummy aches and will avoid padding the pockets of a lawyer.

Or you can use that candy to make some cash. A dentist in my area pays kids for their candy. He wants to help kids avoid cavities so he will trade in the treats for cash. (What he does with the candy after he gets it is his own secret.) While he could make a bundle on filling cavities, he tries to help kids avoid the painful procedure by eliminating the treats.

Can’t handle the anticipation of a lawsuit this Halloween? Try some alternative treats to spice things up. And no, I don’t want you to become the ‘raisin house.’ Glow sticks or Play Dough can be great alternatives to treats, but they won’t be something kids will turn their noses up at. And if you really want to avoid problems, just turn off your light and let the kids trick-or-treat at the neighbors. You might seem like a Scrooge but at least you won’t get sued.

I am a klutzy person. I fall or trip over practically everything. But after a spill, I dust myself off and go on with life. Perhaps a bit more bruised, but fine.

However, seniors who fall are not able to dust themselves off and start over again. Many seniors fall and seriously injure themselves. The injury results in a hospital stay which can lead to other health issues. As morbid as it sounds, a fall for a senior can be fatal. But it can be prevented.

If you are a senior or living with a senior, here are a few tips to avoiding falls and staying healthy.

• Do some home construction. If you reach that point where falling is an issue, it might be time to make some changes in your home. Bathtub a danger zone? A walk in tub/shower (one that has a door so you can step into it without having to step over the lip of a tub) is the best option to avoid any slippery falls. In addition to a walk in shower, a non slip mat in the tub, bathroom or laundry room can avoid other slips due to a wet floor. Also think about adding in a raised toilet seat and small railings in the bathroom and other places needed for support. Most of these can be done quickly and not super expensive. However, if you need more help, a home ramp will be a little pricier but can avoid problems with the stairs.
• Check out the pills. Medications are a big reason that seniors fall. The wrong combination of medications can increase dizziness and balance problems. Because many seniors visit multiple doctors it is easy for pills to get mixed up. To avoid any medication mix ups, take a list of all medications and doses to each doctor’s visits.
• Dress right. Clothing can actually have a big affect on the potential for a fall. Make sure there is no loose clothing, especially with shoes. Floppy slippers or loose shoelaces are falls waiting to happen. All clothing should fit snugly with no dangling parts (like a robe tie). Also check eye glasses to make sure the prescription is correct. Bad eye sight can make one think a stair is at a different height than it really is.
• Be in shape. The best way to combat injuries sustained from a fall is to be in good shape. That way the body will be able to bounce back. Strengthening your muscles can also help you catch yourself from a fall. Small exercises can help you maintain or gain strength and overall health that would help you avoid falls from an injury.
• Don’t forget about the floor. Loose or flapping rugs and other objects on the floor can be dangerous obstacles. Move any items out of the walkway.
• Visit your doctor. Yep, visiting your doctor is a great way to determine overall health. And most health insurance plans, even short term health insurance plans, will cover visits. Go over exercise routines, medication lists and more to ensure you are avoiding falls.

It seems like every time you visit the doctor you are told to take another pill. After so many visits you are downing pills left and right. After not feeling well, I assumed my doctor would whip out her handy script pad to write me out a prescription and she surprised me instead. No prescriptions for me. Over the counter vitamins should do the trick.

But what do we really know about vitamins? How much do you need? When you should find supplements and how much is enough? If you have big questions about vitamins, check with your doctor. Health insurance companies, including those with self employed health insurance, can get an annual visit covered to discuss your vitamin intake, among other things.

Vitamins are a tricky thing. While prescription drugs are regulated federally, vitamins are not. Simply that means that vitamins are not made equally, which means they should be taken with extra caution and consultation from a doctor.

One senior male I was talking with the other day mentioned he was taking women’s vitamins. Was that bad, he asked me. Or can you overdose on vitamins?

The most popular vitamins for a women to take are omega-3s, calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is one of the most important and often forgotten vitamins. The purest and most ideal form of calcium is found in milk, but with an increase of lactose intolerance, the need to find calcium in other places has become especially prevalent. Young women especially need to focus on their calcium intake to build strong bones before menopause. Vitamin D, often associated with sunshine, is mostly found through sunlight. However, during the cold and dark winter months our supply of vitamin D is often depleted which can affect us physically and mentally. (Ever heard of the winter blues?) Consult with your doctor about how much vitamin D supplements you should take.

Women looking to conceive or those who are already pregnant should be especially concerned with vitamins. Essentially, your baby gets all of its nutrients from what you eat. Not getting enough vitamin c? Neither will your baby. Doctor encourage young mothers to begin taking prenatal vitamins shortly before they get pregnant or right after. Folate is one of the most needed vitamins a pregnant woman can take. Folate or folic acid aids in the development of your baby while protecting against birth defects. While a majority of pregnancies are unplanned, taking prenatal vitamins early enough can be hard. If you are sexually active, start eating foods with folic acid now to ensure your body has the right nutrients.

After a doctor’s inspiration on what vitamins you should take, hit the store. Look for reputable brands that have a long standing reputation for quality products. Vitamins should be no frill (sorry, no teddy bear shaped vitamins for you) and with the fewest amount of additives. Ditch vitamins that have a long list of ingredients, especially those with caffeine. Vitamins should be simple and pure.

Halloween is just around the corner, and you may have noticed that we have been releasing some fun animated Halloween videos throughout the month of October. Each animation is based around our own monstER doctors who treat: a zombie for being dead (episode 1); an obese dracula (episode 2); the Hulk over his anger management issues (episode 3); the Headless Horseman for losing his head (episode 4); an alien infestation operation (episode 5); and finally Godzilla for his tremendous bad breath (episode 6).

For your enjoyment we have added all six videos into one post to get you ready for Halloween. We hope you have a SCREAMING time watching our trained M. D.s (monster doctors) deal with some unique cases. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

P.S. If you want to learn about some REAL scary stuff concerning insurance we invite you to read Wendy Roye’s article on Halloween liability waivers.

THE monstER HALLOWEEN SERIES

Zombie Brain (Episode 1)

Dr. Acula’s Obesity Woes (Episode 2)

Hulk’s Anger Management Issues (Episode 3)

The Headless Horseman’s Headless Aches (Episode 4)

Alien Belly Aches (Episode 5)

Godzilla Breath (Episode 6)

Dieting is on everyone’s mind. Sure, we might all slip a bit during the holidays, but that nagging feeling of what we ‘should’ be doing versus what we want to do can make anyone go crazy.

And with fad diets crashing the scene every minute, it can be difficult to know what diet rules to follow and which ones to throw out the window. Here are some diet rules that need a revision, according to Family Circle magazine’s February 2011 edition.

Myth: Avoid your scale. In fact, toss it out the window. It has nothing you need.

The truth is your weight is actually an important number that can determine your health. A higher weight (according to your BMI-body mass index) could have serious health affects. It is important to know your weight so you know where you are on the health scale. In fact, if you are trying to lose weight, stepping onto a scale can actually improve your results. Women who weighed themselves regularly while losing weight had a better time of keeping the weight off. Avoiding weigh ins can be a way of avoiding the truth, which can lead to weight gains. However, just know that the number is just a number. It does not define you or your confidence. But weighing yourself can tell you how successful your work out plans are and if you are staying in a healthy weight range.

Myth: Eat mindfully. Listen to your body to know how much food you should eat.

So, this rule is not really a myth, per se. However, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for busy women (and men) to keep on that diet. Eating mindfully requires a lot of discipline and time to know what makes your body happy. And if you are one of those who works or is busy wrangling kids, you don’t have a second to breathe let alone “listen” to your body. Most people inhale food instead of chewing slowly which is recommended. And our bodies are hard wired to eat as much as we can. Combat that natural instinct to stuff your face as quickly as possible by getting rid of the temptation to overeat. Family Circle Magazine recommends that you switch to a smaller plate or to put treats and other tempting food out of your line of sight. Even better, don’t buy the treats at all to avoid mindless eating.

Myth: Only shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The food in the middle is tempting and bad for you.

Yes, fruits and veggies tend to be on the outer part of the store layout, you are missing out on many other food groups like grains, fiber and protein. Don’t shop when you are hungry to avoid temptation and stick to your shopping list to avoid impulse buys.

Before you take on any diet or eating plan, consult your doctor. This is why health insurance is necessary. Big changes in diet and exercise can have adverse affects on your body. To make sure the right plan works for you, consult your doctor or dietitian.

How to Treat Bad Breath

Bad breath, a medical condition known as halitosis, is an unfortunate problem that many people live with. Severe cases of halitosis can even cause relationships, both personal and professional, to be broken and difficult. Luckily, advances in medical science have made it possible for regular people to learn how to treat bad breath effectively and safely.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are several known causes of bad breath, and most are easily treatable. One of the most common factors in halitosis is dry mouth, which can cause odorous bacteria to grow quickly. Food particles trapped in the teeth are also a source of bad breath, as well as foods and drinks such as garlic, onions, dairy and meat products, sugars, alcohol and coffee. A strong, persistent bad breath problem can also be one of the first indicators of oral disease. Being able to identify the cause is the first step in learning how to treat bad breath problems.

Simple Tips to Reduce Bad Breath

Sometimes, simply cutting certain foods and drinks out of the diet can be a good way to reduce or eliminate a bad breath problem. Foods like garlic, meat, and onions are high in sulfur, and reducing intake of them can help a halitosis problem. Good oral hygiene is a must. Regular dental checkups and good brushing and flossing habits will go a long way toward better breath, and will also help catch oral disease before it has a chance to worsen. There are also helpful and pleasant-tasting antibacterial mouthwashes commonly available in most stores.

Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Besides making dietary and hygiene adjustments, there are also some herbal home remedies that can be used to fight halitosis. Parsley, fennel seeds, mint, and cloves are some of the herbs that promote good breath, and they can be chewed directly or sipped in tea. Chlorophyll, nature’s odor fighter, is found in green plants and can be taken as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C, vitamin A and acidophilus are all helpful in healing the mouth, and promoting friendly bacteria. Seek advice from a medical practitioner before trying any herbal remedies yourself.

When Bad Breath Needs Medical Attention

Sometimes a bad breath problem is so serious that it cannot be fixed by adjusting the diet or taking herbal supplements. Sometimes, halitosis points to a severe underlying medical problem. Serious dental problems such as oral infection, gum disease and oral cancer can all have halitosis as a symptom and should be checked out right away. Halitosis may also be an indication of diabetes, lung problems, liver disease, digestive troubles and even HIV. Learning how to treat bad breath problems may need to start with a checkup from your doctor.

Although it is possible for the serious medical conditions previously mentioned to be indicated by halitosis, rest assured that for most people the dietary adjustments and herbal supplements are often enough to reduce or even fully eliminate the problem. Have your doctor rule out the serious issues so that you can try out the home remedies and get on the way to a better lifestyle.

Once I graduated college, I was done with tests. Sure, the learning was great but I start to sweat thinking about studying for and taking tests. However, there are a few health tests that could actually save your life. And with free health insurance quotes online, you will have no excuse not to take these “tests.”

Waist circumference. No, everything is not around looks. But your waist circumference is directly related to your health. If you are overweight-your waist circumference will relate- you will suffer from serious health risks like hypertension, heart problems and joint pressures. Belly fat can also increase your risk of stroke. On the flip side, women who are underweight run other serious health risks, as well such as malnutrition which leads to a whole host of health issues. How to test if you are right on track? Take your height and divide by 2.  That number will be your healthiest waist size.

Glucose levels. You should test your blood glucose level every three years once you hit 45. However, if you are overweight or have other health issues (such as diabetes) you should get tested more often. Sadly, the best way to test your glucose levels is through a blood sample after you have been fasting. This will give you a more accurate test. It will also let you know if you are at risk for diabetes.

Blood pressure. Your blood pressure is key to keeping your heart (and the rest of your body) pumping along. High blood pressure will overwork you heart which puts you at risk for heart attack, hypertension and/ or stroke. A more gross side effect? High blood pressure can harden your arteries and build up blockage. Yuck. Check your blood pressure on the grocery store machine. If your blood pressure is high, visit your doctor. You could get on medication to help lower your blood pressure.

Cholesterol. This is another test best tested with by blood, but it is worth it. Just like your blood pressure, high cholesterol can harden and block your arteries. A good percentage of strokes and heart attacks are linked to high cholesterol. Even a better reason to keep this score low. You should get your cholesterol checked every five years or so. However, if you have a history of high cholesterol, you should get it checked more often. While cholesterol is often associated with a heavy weight, do not be deceived. My mom was a thin and fit young women with high cholesterol that has chased her her entire life.

Mammogram. No, getting your boobs squished by a machine is not my idea of fun, but getting a regular mammogram could save your life. Breast cancer is on the rise, but it is one cancer that can be defeated if found early on. And getting a regular mammogram can help you detect cancer before it progresses to far. Women over 40 should get a mammogram every year. Younger women should do self breast exams at least monthly to check for lumps and other abnormalities.

Shopping. Video games. Chocolate. Television. Facebook. When you think of an addiction, do these favorite pasttimes come to mind? Most people instantly think of alchol or drug problems when associating addiction, but the previous activities can be pretty addictive.

An addiction is a physicological or physical need for an activity. Without that activity, the body suffers from withdrawals.

Can you really suffer from a shopping withdrawal? You betcha. The compulsive behavior has serious implications on your life, health and mind.

Alcoholism and tabacco addiction is has easier tell-tale signs, but other addictions are harder to accept. Here is how you know your pasttime has changed you for the worse.

• Everything revolves around the activity. You are preoccupied with thoughts of doing and planning the activity. Do you find that you cannot concentrate because you are focused on eating or playing video games? Then you might have a serious problem.
• You are secretive about the activity. Do you keep secret food stashed under your bed or play video games while your family is asleep? In my family, if you are being secretive then something is wrong. And this theory applies. If you find that you are hiding your activity from shame or embarrassment, then that is a red sign.
• You cannot stop the activity, even when you try. This is also a red flag when you stop for a bit, only to find yourself starting again.
• The activity is shedding a negative light on your life. Are your relationships straining because you spend all of your free time shopping?

Answered yes to even one? I hate to be the one to break the news, but you have a compulsive behavior problem.

But there is help. And you are not alone. Like with any addiction, the first step is realizing and acknowledging that you have a problem. While it might be tempting to keep the compulsive behavior private, the best way to acknoledge the problem is to tell someone. Not comfortable telling your spouse? Consider telling a friend that you trust.

The next step is to figure out what the root of your compulsive behavior is. Find that you eat a lot more when you are stressed? Figuring out the trigger is the best way to start eliminating the behavior. By getting rid of the trigger, you can actually figure out a way to eliminate the trigger.

Next, you need to figure out a way to block or create a barrier to the behavior. Can’t stop clicking on your Facebook news feed? Put a password on your internet. Or sign up for a free internet blocker that parents can use to limit the time their kids spend on the internet. But use it for yourself.

Seek help from a professional. Some compulsive behavior requires more than just personal intervention. Many health insurances-including United health care insurance- will cover mental health costs like visiting with a therapist. Through regular mental evaluation, and in some cases medication, you can beat the compulsive behavior and take back your life.