by Kristi Jain | Mar 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
Hello again! This morning, as I sat in the kitchen eating breakfast, I was wondering what the inspiration for this week’s blog would be. As expected, inspiration was in short supply. I continued to search my brain as I munched down the remainder of my Greek yogurt and chopped apple and behold…this week’s blog was born!
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Greek yogurt and apple sounds a little lackluster and it is. Sometimes I add insult to injury by mixing in a bit of low-fat cottage cheese, some chia seeds, a few nuts that I have on hand and maybe a little honey or monk fruit sweetener. I smoosh it all together and that is normally breakfast. Why would I eat that? Because it is good for me!
AN APPLE A DAY
Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, it seems there is specific meaning behind that statement because there is truth behind it. The fact is that apples are good for us. Why? Glad you asked.
APPLE FACTS
What exactly does an apple have to offer? Healthone.com offers the following information.
- Calories: 95
- Carbs: 25 grams
- Fiber : 4 grams
- Vitamin C: 14% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI
What’s more, the same serving provides 2-4% of the RDI for manganese, copper, and the vitamins A, E, B1, B2 and B6. Apples are also high in polyphenols. To get the bang for your buck, leave the skin on to receive these health benefits.
WHAT ELSE?
Apples may aid in weight loss because they are filling due to their high fiber content. Apples can promote heart health in a myriad of ways. They are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. They also have polyphenols, which are linked to lower blood pressure and stroke risk. Eating apples has been linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. This is possible due to their polyphenol antioxidant content. The type of fiber in apples feeds good bacteria and may be the reason they protect against obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
AND IF THAT ISN’T ENOUGH…
Apples have several naturally occurring compounds that may help fight cancer. Observational studies have linked them to a lower risk of cancer. Apples contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help regulate immune responses and protect against asthma. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may promote bone health as well. According to animal studies, apple juice could help prevent the decline of neurotransmitters that are involved in memory.
YOUR HEALTH
It’s almost snack time isn’t it? Put down the donut and grab an apple. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a little far fetched but it couldn’t hurt right?
HDD
We are concerned for your health hence the health-related information included in most blogs. Apples and ultrasound have nothing to do with each other, but may I remind you, should you require diagnostic ultrasound, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Feb 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog is a recycle from a couple of years ago. John and I are in the middle of moving so this blog serves as a reminder as we transition from one space to another. Take a look at your surroundings. What kind of condition is your car, office, home and life in? Are you neat and organized or does it look like a tornado blew through and wreaked havoc on you and your stuff?
PILES
Are you one of those folks who has piles everywhere? If so, you probably know exactly what is in each pile. You also probably freak out if someone dares straighten, organize or moves your piles. Maybe you feel buried and have no clue how to even start climbing out from under your mess. There is hope.
TOMORROW
Tomorrow (noun) is a mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored. Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow?
DISARRAY
I absolutely abhor disorganization, clutter and piles! In my world, everything has a place and there is a place for everything. I am a filer, not a piler. I have a hard time seeing things in disarray or not put in their proper place. It’s been said that clutter is the end result of procrastination.
DE-CLUTTER
There are a few good reasons you might consider decluttering your life and your surroundings. You will find yourself with more space both mentally, emotionally and physically. Physical clutter can be mentally draining. Do you really need and actually use all your stuff? Decluttering doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything you own. It simply suggests you do away with things that you don’t really need or use.
START SMALL
Start small. Try clearing out your e-mail box. Don’t let it pile up till you have 1000 unopened e-mails. Do a few each day and stay on top of it. Get rid of unused apps or photos on your phone. Organize your computer files and paperwork. Move on to your closet and drawers. I’ve read that we actually wear only about 20% of the things in our closet. The other 80% either doesn’t fit, we don’t like it as much as we used to or we forgot we had it.
FACEBOOK
Do you have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook? Do you accept a friend request from everyone who asks? Some of these people, you probably don’t even know. Do you spend hours reading nonsense from all 800 friends? It isn’t a bad idea to go through and purge those names who don’t necessarily have meaning in your life. Less can be more.
PROCRASTINATION
Hopefully, healthcare is not on your list of things to do tomorrow. In some cases, tomorrow can be too late. If there is a test, exam or procedure that you have been putting off, make a commitment to yourself to make the call and get it scheduled. If we can help, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
I’d like to share a little information regarding health and nutrition. In my youth, my friends and I were pretty concerned about fancy cars, designer handbags, pricy shoes and vacation destinations. Health and nutrition weren’t something we thought much about. We all took good health for granted, like it was our birthright.
MY HOW THINGS CHANGE
As the years tick by, the conversations morphed. They no longer center around what money can buy. We now compare our coronary calcium score, blood pressure meds, where we purchased our compression socks, the acuteness of our gout attacks and the weekly status of our good or poor health. My how things change!
BLOOD TEST REVEAL
A blood test recently revealed that my blood sugar was a bit high which was a surprise to me. The more I thought about it, my morning routine just may have been part of the culprit, when in reality, I thought I was doing my body good. Do we really know what is in the foods we eat?
SUGAR OVERLOAD
Typically, the morning meal consisted of a smoothie made from protein powder, raw oats, natural honey, chia seeds, almond milk, fresh fruit and a bit of Greek yogurt. It doesn’t get much healthier than that, does it? A blood test revealed my blood sugar was high. My nurse practitioner warned me that I might be pre-diabatic! It was suggested I change my breakfast smoothie to protein-based meal instead. My next blood test revealed it indeed helped and suggested watching other things that might be high in sugar that we may not pay attention to.
UNPOPULAR
This next paragraph might contain a list of things you may not want to hear. I feel the need to share some sugar bombs that you may not even realize are loaded. They include bread, salad dressing, yogurt, condiments, juice, peanut butter, crackers, energy drinks, breakfast cereals including granola, granola bars, smoothies, dried fruit, lunch meat (really, who knew?) tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, Chinese takeout, body building supplements, soda and alcoholic beverages. If you find yourself with high blood sugar and you are sporting a few extra pounds, look realistically at your diet and see if the answer is right in front of you.
HEALTHFOOD STORE
Wait! Maybe you aren’t guilty as charged. What if you use sugar substitute instead, for instance Agave. Your argument might be, “It has to be healthy, I got it at the health food store.” That doesn’t change the fact that agave is just dressed up sugar. It is 85% fructose and I actually read it is arguably even more damaging than cane sugar.
IN SUMMARY
Today’s blog shed a little light on some nutrition facts that we all probably already know but conveniently forgot. I imagine we can all stand to tweak our diets a little bit and focus on improving our health. If that shift to better health includes diagnostic ultrasound, don’t hesitate to call High Desert Doppler at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Feb 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
Thanks for stopping in to read this week’s blog. The month of committing to resolutions is in the rearview mirror. How have you done with yours? Among the many things we resolve to do as the calendar turns is to make better health a priority. How is your “stick-to-it-ivness?”
NEW ADDITIONS
It is certainly in one’s best interest to curtail unhealthy behaviors and addictions. It’s been said that moderation is the key. Well, not so fast. Some behaviors simply need to stop, some need to be modified and some need to be added. There are a few new additions in the Jain household. Allow me to elaborate.
SUPPLEMENTS
We are all aware of the value of proper nutrition. It is best to get these through proper diet but lets be honest, for the majority of us, it simply isn’t gonna happen, hence supplements. John is constantly introducing a new supplement for us to incorporate into our less than perfect diet. Probiotics are the most recent addition.
GUTS
Clevelandclinic.org tells us that because the enteric nervous system (located in our gut) relies on the same type of neurons and neurotransmitters that are found in the central nervous system, some medical experts call our gut the “second brain.” The brain in our gut and the one between our ears are in communication and plays a key role in certain diseases in our bodies and overall health.
PROBIOTICS
Studies show that the balance of bacteria in your digestive system is linked to overall health and disease. Healthline.com says that probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to many health benefits including weight loss, digestive health and immune functions to name a few.
WHY?
You may wonder what the benefits of taking probiotics are.
- They are live organisms and when taken in sufficient amounts they can help balance the friendly bacteria in your digestive system.
- They can help prevent and treat diarrhea.
- Probiotics supplements may improve some mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and memory.
- Certain probiotic strains can help keep your heart healthy by reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and modestly lowering blood pressure.
- They may reduce the risk and severity of certain allergies.
- They may help reduce certain bowel disorders like ulcerative colitis, IBS and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- They may help boost your immune system and protect against infections.
- Studies suggest certain probiotics may help you lose weight and belly fat and may play a powerful role in body weight regulation.
Healthline.com was instrumental in providing the above information. If you want to experience any of the health benefits of supplements and probiotics, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. It seems like a simple and effective way to improve your health.
HDD
If you are interested in probiotics or other supplements, High Desert Doppler will be carrying a very high quality line of products in the near future. Be sure to read the Blog to find out more about our product line of health supplements or feel free to call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Jan 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears.” There seems to be confusion about who really coined the phrase. Whether we give credit to Lao Tzu or Buddha, remember this concept when you are decision making, change is on the horizon or there is something you need to learn.
COINCIDENTALLY SPEAKING
John and I are both currently in the midst of decision making. His are major business decisions, while mine are not quite as pressing. I will admit, decision making is not my strong suit. I spent my morning perseverating on how to handle a decision I need to make. Coincidentally, I stumbled upon a You-Tube video that pertained to my dilemma and helped clarify things.
TEST TIME
The woman in the video (my teacher for the morning) is Marie Forleo. I give her credit for the following ideas. She said that if you are struggling with a decision, there are 4 tests you can give yourself and see if it decreases the anxiety about your decision.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
The first test is a physical test. When you contemplate your decision, how does it make you feel physically? Do you feel expansive or contracted? You may feel dread or heaviness or perhaps you feel lighter, bigger and better once you decide.
WCS
This stands for worst case scenario. How will it affect you mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially if the worst-case scenario occurred? Would you feel embarrassed or humiliated? She suggests you write down the steps you would take to get back on your feet. Deal with the WCS in advance. If you decide it is beyond what you are willing to risk, don’t do it.
BCS
Let’s look at the flip side which is the best-case scenario. What are the payoffs is the BCS would occur? What can you learn and how can you grow? Maybe you can start living your dream. There could be financial or creative upsides and freedom you’ve never known. Write a detailed concrete list of the BCS. How does it feel? Should you take a chance and say yes?
WORK IT
Marie’s mantra is “Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.” She calls this the “Work it test.” Are you able to try this change or opportunity on for size or give it a “road test” before you commit? If you are mulling over a decision, try it on for size.
NOT PERMANENT
Remember, most decisions you make are not permanent and can be reversed. Maybe not always easily but many are. Remember, change is constant, growth is optional. Open yourself up for a new experience and opportunity. Don’t be afraid of growing pains. This too shall pass.
HDD
If you are making a decision concerning your ultrasound provider, let me make that one for you. Give High Desert Doppler at call at 505-350-3397.
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