by Kristi Jain | Mar 31, 2021 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog asks the question, are you in the zone today? Did you wake up grouchy and tired? Often this state of being means that copious amounts of coffee are the only means of survival. If this sounds familiar, you are probably not in the zone. Perhaps it’s time to wake up and experience “the flow.”
IN THE ZONE
I was inspired for the “In the Zone” blog from an audio book I’m listening to narrated by Oprah Winfrey. Love her or not, it is a great book that considers many interesting points of view. It is uplifting, inspiring and worth a read (or listen.) It is called “The Path Made Clear.”
IN THE ZONE
First, let’s clarify what it means to be in the zone. If you are in the zone, you are happy or excited because you are doing something very skillfully and easily. Getting into the zone, also known as “being in a state of flow” usually happens when we are…
- Feeling energized.
- In a good mood and doing things we enjoy.
- Have some level of skill that meets the demands of the task.
CRUSH IT
I love days when you crush it! Some days it is natural and easy then there are other days we have positively no interest in reaching the zone. Occasionally you need to mentally and physically veg out. That’s okay but don’t stay in that state of unresponsiveness. If you’re not feeling particularly motivated, how does one get into the zone?
FOCUS
Performance psychology suggests that if we sharpen our focus and attention you increase the chances of achieving flow. Reduce distractions, both environmental and internal that can get in the way of seeing and doing. Gain confidence and trust in yourself and your abilities. Match your skills and challenges and you will increase the chance of getting into the flow. The feeling is euphoric if you allow yourself to get there.
GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME
It may take some effort to get into a state of flow. It can take a few minutes of seriously focusing on a task to fully reach it depending on the task at hand. FYI, constantly checking social media is a surefire way to derail your focus and yank you out of the zone. Before you “zone out” be sure to check your e-mails, Instagram, and snapchat. Be certain enough friends have “liked” your latest selfie so you can now put your phone away and let it flow!
YOUR HEALTH
Make sure you are staying in the zone when it comes to your health and wellness. Don’t think about your health only when you feel unwell or there is a problem. Your health is your life. Take care of yourself as if your life depends on it because it does.
HDD
We are a team and in the zone and here at HDD. We are dedicated to helping you in the diagnosis and maintenance of your health. When diagnostic ultrasound is indicated, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Mar 23, 2021 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog is kind of fun. It asks and answers a few of those head scratching questions that perhaps you always wondered about. If you are anything like me, I have good intentions of looking something up then forget, or sometimes the question is too embarrassing to ask. Let’s see if we can answer a few of those head scratchers today.
OLD WIVES TALES
My former mother in law more than a quarter century ago used to give me advice. Some I gratefully took, and others I questioned. She advised if I rubbed fireplace ashes into my children’s chicken pox, they would disappear or if I put sliced potatoes on a feverish forehead, the fever would dissipate. Thanks, but no thanks.
WHAT’S UP DOC?
How many times were we told to eat our carrots because they are good for our eyesight? Each time the folks served carrots, right? Maybe the parental units were right. The fact is that carrots are rich in beta-carotene which the body utilizes to produce Vitamin A. Carrots are good for lowering cholesterol levels and yes, for improving vision. Vitamin A helps the eye convert light to a signal to the brain allowing you to see better in low light.
PLEASE PASS THE CRANBERRIES
Have you also heard that cranberry juice is good for a UTI (urinary tract infection?) WebMD says that cranberries don’t work for everyone and they don’t treat the UTIs that you already have. They do make urine more acidic which is less friendly to bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) that are usually to blame. If you suspect a UTI, consult your provider pronto!
SPEAKING OF URINE…
Here is a subject that nobody really wants to discuss. Have you ever wondered why asparagus makes your urine smell funky? I looked it up and ww.aurorahealthcare.org gets down to the truth of the matter. The culprit of the funky smelling urine appears to be asparagusic acid. This is a compound high in sulfur and abundant in asparagus. When your body breaks down asparagusic acid, it releases volatile components that are responsible for the nasty smell of asparagus urine. Sometimes as quickly at 10 minutes! So, there you have it. You’re welcome.
GOUT ANYONE?
Hopefully you aren’t one of the lucky ones that suffers from gout. If you are, my condolences. It is a painful, crippling condition. Those affected know that cherry juice is sometimes recommended. Does it really help? I read that cherry juice lowers uric acid. That is the culprit of gout. Both the lowering of uric acid and the increase in antioxidants may help lessen the number of gout attacks. Also recommended are copious amounts of water, milk and interesting enough, coffee.
CHAT WITH YOUR PROVIDER
Before you make any dietary changes, be sure to chat with your provider. Perhaps dietary changes will suffice, and sometime good old-fashioned medicine may be in order.
HDD
I’m afraid that HDD can’t help much with poor eyesight, UTI’s, gout or funky urine. We can help with all of your diagnostic ultrasound needs. Call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Mar 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
Hello again! Today’s blog visits the idea of getting things done. Now that the world is slowing starting to re-emerge from this pandemic, many of us are coming from isolation and stay at home orders to getting back to our jobs, and socialization in a limited capacity. It has been so boring and frustrating. It is high time to get going again (safely of course.)
- (AND MRS.) CLEAN
I don’t know about you however in John’s and my home, things got done during this pandemic. The garage, the closets, the drawers, the fridge and freezer and anything else that needed organization is now officially organized. Things got cleaned. A lot of books got read and to John’s satisfaction, as soon as the courses re-opened, a lot of golf got played.
GET ‘ER DONE!
We are finding our schedules full once again. Twenty-four hours in a day would be super productive if we didn’t sleep for 8 of those hours. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist so when I need something done, I need it done yesterday and perfectly. Who in their right mind would acquiesce to those kinds of demands? Only me, so if I want it done…
IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT
The quote “If you want it done right, do it yourself” is variously attributed to emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, dramatist Charles-Guillaume Etienne and dictator “Zorg” in The Fifth Element. That means we either do absolutely everything ourselves or we learn how to delegate better!
A FEW QUOTES…
I found some quotes by Dr. Andrew Saul who is a biologist and teacher. His area of expertise is in nutrition research and vitamin therapy. He says,
“If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This especially includes healthcare.”
“No person knows your body better than you. The world’s most sophisticated and sensitive diagnostic apparatus is your body’s own feelings.”
WELLLLLL…
Although there is no argument that nutrition and vitamin therapy are critical when it comes to health care, there may be a difference of opinion when it comes to diagnostic apparatus. While it is absolutely true that no one knows our bodies better than we do, sometimes you need modern technology to aid in diagnostics. Period.
DIAGNOSIS
Without a diagnostic apparatus aka ultrasound machine, I wonder how one might diagnose a DVT (deep vein thrombosis), an abnormality in the heart, circulatory issues, as well as a wide variety of conditions affecting the organs and soft tissues in the body. That’s where we come in.
HDD
Don’t believe everything you read or hear. When it comes to your health, always consult your healthcare provider to determine what is best for you. HDD stays abreast of the latest diagnostic technology and brings it to each of our patients. When we want it done right, we do it ourselves. If you and your provider determine diagnostic ultrasound is indicated, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Mar 2, 2021 | Uncategorized
As always, thank you for taking time to read this week’s blog. Your interest and feedback are what make me continue to write. I’ve been given the highest of compliments in the form of feedback and have been asked how I come up with so many different ideas to support a weekly blog for so many years.
2017
I began writing blogs for High Desert Doppler sometime in 2017. Not having any blog experience, I was asked to give it a try. I can’t say I dove in fearlessly, but I managed. When I look back at my earliest attempts…let’s just say the blogs have improved with experience!
IDEAS
Those of you kind souls who follow our blogs will recall reading about the writers block, lack of subject matter and lack of motivation I’m sometimes plagued with authoring weekly blogs. I look for inspiration in every conversation, picture, article, or story. Obviously, there are only so many blogs that pertain to ultrasound, hence I try to tie some form of healthcare information into them. I am not always successful and today’s blog about houseplants may validate that however…maybe not.
THE BENEFIT OF HOUSEPLANTS?
Seriously? Some might be wondering how that shriveled up, dry, neglected former houseplant will benefit your health in any way shape or form. Yes Sandy, I’m talking to you. The fact is they certainly can benefit your health. See, here is that tie from houseplants into your health as promised. Did you doubt me even for a second?
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN…
Did you know that having houseplants help clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen? Research has shown rooms with plants have less dust and mold than rooms without any foliage. Not only do plants enhance the appearance of your space (more so when they are alive rather than dead Sandy), they’ve been shown to be therapeutic to care for, can lower levels of anxiety, reduce noise levels, boost mood, productivity, concentration, and creativity.
WHY?
Plants fill an important psychological need. Filling your space and caring for plants can breathe life and color into your space which can in turn boost your mood. Without sounding like a weird plant lady, I read that plants can actually feel and respond to our treatment of them. They have sophisticated systems to detect and respond to light, gravity, temperature, and physical touch. Yes, they also respond to be watered Sandy.
HOW HARD CAN IT BE?
I’m no horticulturist yet I know that simple routine watering and feeding of your plants is not that complicated. Plants have a sense of peace around them. They simply sit around and grow helping to create beauty, life, and a docile sense of calm. Go ahead and give it a try. How hard can it be?
HDD
I hope today’s reminder about ways to improve your health was fun and informative. May I also remind you that if you require diagnostic ultrasound, call us at 505-350-3397. Our office has a lovely collection of plants that Sandy is slowly learning to care for. Let’s hear it for Sandy!
by Kristi Jain | Feb 23, 2021 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog asks the question, have you found yourself in the unenviable position of doing something you don’t want to do because you feel like you should? You would rather be somewhere else, yet you find yourself doing what was expected because you don’t have the guts to say “No?” If this is you, read on and see how to just say no.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The act of saying no when you really don’t want to do something may take a bit of practice. Many can’t say no because they feel guilty or they don’t want to hurt the feelings of others. Remember saying yes to one thing means saying no to another. Choose wisely.
A BIT OF ADVICE
Grammerly.com reminds us that saying no isn’t always easy but it is often necessary. Here are 5 examples of how to say no nicely.
- Cushion your “no” with kindness or a compliment. Give the recipient a few words to feel good about despite the rejection.
- Give your reasons. The person you’re saying no to might appreciate a brief explanation.
- Be brief but not brusque. You don’t always have to explain yourself, but it is considerate to provide an explanation rather than being thoughtless and non-responsive.
- Leave the door open. Sometimes you don’t want to say “no” so much as “not now.”
- Offer an alternative. If your answer is no, suggest an alternative.
SERIAL PEOPLE PLEASERS
Many have a hard time saying no because we are people pleasers. We don’t want to let someone down even if it is the right thing to do. The word no often takes planning. It’s perfectly reasonable to delay your response until you’ve had time to think it through. It becomes easier to then offer an alternative that is more preferable to you.
ART
The art of saying no is empowering. Imagine the freedom when you no longer feel the need to cater to the needs of someone else. You can now make room for what you would rather do. Learning to say no is an essential part of self-care. Setting healthy boundaries is critical in maintaining physical and emotional strength so you can still care for others without losing yourself in the process.
R E S P E C T
After reading that last header, couldn’t you just hear Aretha Franklin belting out her famous R E S P E C T? That being said, when you say no when that is what you really mean, it indicates respect you for yourself as well as the other person because you are being your honest and authentic self. Good for you!
HDD
We prefer to say yes! Yes, we would be happy to assist you with your diagnostic ultrasound needs. Yes, we will see you as soon as humanly possible. Yes, we respect your time and your situation. Do we have all the answers? No. Will we do everything within our power to come up with workable solutions? Yes! Call us at 505-349-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Feb 16, 2021 | 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? Healthlone.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 may promote heart health in myriad 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 may 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.
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