Tag Archives: nutrition

Tips for keeping your heart healthy

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

keeping your heart healthyFebruary is American Heart Month

This month is American Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA).

While I think the AHA is a little too focused on meeting targets like cholesterol level and blood pressure (which promotes overdiagnosis and overtreatment), their website has lots of information about keeping your heart healthy.

The most effective things we can do to protect our hearts (and brains) are to … read on

The health benefits of apples

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

health benefits of applesAn apple a day…

Keeps the doctor away.

That’s what the old saying tells us. (It was shortened in the 19th century from the rather lengthy “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” )

Is it true? What are the health benefits of apples?

I personally love apples and really do eat one most days of the week, because I know … read on

Healthy eating tips for the New Year

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

Healthy eating tip #1: Be label smart

Healthy eating must be one of the top New Year’s resolutions, but it can be difficult. How do you define “healthy”?

That vague word makes it easy for marketers to sell their products, whether they are truly healthy or not.

Lucky for us, the consumer website Peel Back the Label wants to inform consumers about these marketing tricks.

… read on

Frugal Nurse Healthy Gifts Guide 2018

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

health gifts guide 2018I rarely start my holiday shopping until mid December. But I keep a gift list throughout the year, and when I see an item I think is perfect for a certain friend or family member, I write it down.

Many of the gifts I give are those I’ve used myself: books I’ve read, games I’ve played, or other products I use regularly.

I like giving gifts with a healthy twist … read on

Home remedies for heartburn

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

home remedies for heartburnImmediate relief

The other day a family member asked for my advice on treating heartburn. It’s a common problem and fortunately there are many lifestyle changes and simple products to try before spending money on doctors’ appointments and prescription medications.

For the occasional case of heartburn following a large meal, or eating too late at night, or being more stressed than usual, try a herbal product or one of the … read on

Home remedies for gas and bloating

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

home remedies for gas and bloatingWhat causes gas and bloating?

In short, gas is caused by what we eat and how we eat it.

Most gas is formed in our lower intestines where bacteria are busy breaking down any undigested food. Gas is the normal byproduct of this process. In fact, our bodies produce between 1 and 4 pints of gas a day.

Thankfully, most of the time this gas is passed unnoticed by us … read on

Is black licorice bad for your health?

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

black licoriceBlack licorice health hazards

It’s coming up on Halloween and I know lots of people who love to decorate with black licorice candies. They even like the taste (which I definitely do not!).

But every year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes a public safety message about the possible health hazards of black licorice.

Why is it unhealthy? And which products should be avoided?

Licorice comes from a root … read on

Homemade probiotics are best

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

homemade probioticsHealthy guts need healthy bacteria

After his ruptured appendix my husband was on antibiotics for almost a month. His surgeon, physician and several nurses all suggested he take probiotics to help restore his gut’s healthy bacteria. The surgeon even recommended a popular brand of probiotics on Amazon.

“No problem,” I told them all. “My husband loves to ferment and makes his own probiotics—kefir, kombucha, yogurt, sauerkraut, ginger ale, etc. Our … read on

Netflix’s “What the Health” wants you to be a vegan

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

netflix what the healthExtreme viewpoints entertain, not educate

I finally got around to watching the Netflix documentary What the Health.

Bottom line on top: This film is too extreme and manipulative to be a good source of information.

In short, the filmmakers cherry pick statistics and use fear mongering to promote their hypothesis that veganism is the only healthy lifestyle choice. That is a gross oversimplification of a complex and hard-to-study topic—nutrition.… read on

Overnight oatmeal with a probiotics twist

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

overnight oatmealOvernight oatmeal is an easy, healthy breakfast

I’ve seen a lot of recipes online for overnight oatmeal, but I think mine (or my husband’s, more accurately) is the best.

Rather than just refrigerate the oats and milk overnight, we add a small amount of fermented liquid—we use homemade yogurt whey or kefir—and then leave the oats at room temperature overnight.

In the morning, we have a slightly fermented bowl of … read on