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Microwaves save time, but what about your health?

Read more about Microwaves save time, but what about your health?

After a long day at work and a night of kids’ activities, a microwave can be a lifesaver. Who has time to cook a meal in the oven when you get home at 8:30 p.m.? However, is the microwave saving or hurting us? Take our quiz to find out. As we know, most people using a microwave have very little spare time. So, our quiz is only four questions long. As fast as cooking your microwave snack, this quiz will be done.

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Nutrition

Quiz

Wed, 06/22/2022 - 08:00

After a long day at work and a night of kids’ activities, a microwave can be a lifesaver.

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The strongest candle vs. running shoes

Read more about The strongest candle vs. running shoes

Who burns a candle in their garage?

Why do running shoes smell so bad, especially if they’re wet? Shoes with that stench should not be allowed past the garage. Even the most potent candle can’t mask the stench of wet running shoes in the garage. Why is the odor potent? Why is it worse when shoes are wet?

Bacteria. With 150,000 sweat glands in each foot, our feet sweat. If your shoes don’t get a chance to dry out between wearing, the bacteria in your shoes keep growing.

Aside from going barefoot, there are remedies for smelly shoes and feet.

Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and thoroughly dry them, even between the toes.
Wear wicking socks made of natural or acrylic fiber blends that draw the moisture away from your feet instead of trapping it with socks made from 100% cotton.
Wear shoes made of breathable materials. 
Wash shoes or insoles.
Avoid shoes made of plastic.
Don’t share shoes or towels, that’s sharing bacteria.

Other remedies are to sprinkle corn starch or baking soda inside your shoes to absorb odor. Soaking your feet in a sink or tub of warm tea or Epsom salts are also methods of controlling foot odor.

Until you find the remedy that works for you, keep your shoes on in social situations.

Lifestyle

Wed, 07/27/2022 - 08:00

Why do running shoes smell so bad, especially if they’re wet? Shoes with that stench should not be allowed past the garage.

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Guilt-free popover muffins

Read more about Guilt-free popover muffins

These popovers are crisp on the outside, nicely moist within. Using egg whites and fat-free milk make this favorite comfort food guilt-free.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings, one popover

1 cup fat-free milk
1 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
¼ teaspoon salt
4 egg whites

Directions

Heat the oven to 425 F. Generously coat 6 large metal or glass muffin molds with cooking spray. Heat the muffin molds in the oven for two minutes.

In a large bowl, add the milk, flour, salt and egg whites. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Fill the heated muffin molds ⅔ full. Bake in the top part of the oven until golden brown and puffy, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Dietitians Tip - Make cheese popovers by topping each cup with 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese before cooking. The Parmesan cheese adds 7 calories, a trace amount of fat and cholesterol, and 25 milligrams of sodium to each popover.

Nutritional information

Per serving

Calories 101
Fat - trace amount
Cholesterol 1 mg
Sodium 152 mg
Carbohydrates 18 g
Fiber 0.5 g
Protein 6 g

Love the recipe? Download the recipe (PDF)

Recipes

Video

Wed, 10/16/2019 - 08:00

These popovers are crisp on the outside, nicely moist within. Using egg whites and fat-free milk make this favorite comfort food guilt-free.

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Tips to become more active

Read more about Tips to become more active

How often do you say, “I’m going to get more active,” but you put it off? Maybe it seems overwhelming, and you aren’t sure where to start? We get it. Here are some tips that may help you to kick off your goal of being more active… and healthier because of it.

Like any lifestyle change, adding activity to your daily routine is easier if you have a plan. Experts recommend doing moderate to vigorous activity to get and stay healthy. Work with your doctor to create a plan that is right for you. Start slowly. And set small goals.

Tip 1: Start with walking.

For most people, walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get moving. Keep track of the number of steps you take each day. You can use a phone app, a fitness tracker or a pedometer. Tracking can help you see the progress you're making toward your goals. That progress might inspire you to move more.

Tip 2: Work up to a comfortable level.

Even small amounts of activity add up. It's fine to be active several times throughout your day and week. If you're not active at all, work up to it. You may want to start by walking around the block every morning or walking for just 10 minutes. Over time, you can make your walks longer or walk more often throughout your day and week.

Tip 3: Do activities you like.

Find activities that fit your lifestyle and your personality.

For example:

Do you like to be active on your own or with others? Joining a group or a class helps some people stay motivated.
Do you like structured activities like classes or everyday activities like gardening?

Many people find that everyday activities are easier to fit into their life. Others are more likely to stay with an activity if it requires them to show up for a class or for a game.

Tip 4: Take stock of how much you want to spend.

How much money, if any, do you want to spend on gear or other expenses? There are activities to match every budget. You can walk around your neighborhood without spending any money. You may be able to join a community swimming, dancing or tai chi class for a small fee.

Fitness

Thu, 07/07/2022 - 08:00

How often do you say, “I’m going to get more active,” but you put it off? Maybe it seems overwhelming, and you aren’t sure where to start? We get it.

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13 cancer terms you need to know

Read more about 13 cancer terms you need to know

If you or a loved one have been recently diagnosed with cancer, you may find yourself confused or overwhelmed. Deciding on a treatment plan, as well as understanding cancer terms and what they mean, can also be confusing.

We've created this easy-to-understand infographic to help explain 13 cancer terms every patient should know.

Download 13 Cancer Terms You Need to Know (Infographic) PDF

Cancer Care

Infographic

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 08:00

We've created this easy-to-understand infographic to help explain 13 cancer terms every patient should know.

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Groov’n to the sound of a healthier you

Read more about Groov’n to the sound of a healthier you

The bass is booming, the treble is high and your favorite artist hits that note on the guitar. Your feet begin to tap, your head starts to bop and your body moves joyously to the sound of the music. Listening to music is extremely powerful. It has countless benefits for the mind and body. Music can help slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and ultimately calm the mind. Other benefits include increased memory and a sharper mind.

Effects of music on the body

In a Cochrane Systematic Review, scientists found that patients with coronary heart disease had reduced heart rate and lower blood pressure after listening to music. That’s enough to make you build a playlist and plug in your headphones. Observe your mood and body when listening to music and choose slow rhythms that are calming and make you relax for optimal results on your heart rate.

Effects of music on the mind

Try calming your anxiety with a bit of music before a test and observe the difference. A study at McGill University in Montreal tested patients about to undergo surgery. The participants were randomly assigned to listen to music or take anti-anxiety medications. Those who listened to music had less anxiety than those who took drugs.

How our brain computes music is fascinating. Vibrations travel through the air inside the ear canal when you listen to music. Those vibrations stimulate the eardrum and are transmitted into electrical signals that travel through the auditory nerve to the brain stem. They are then collected and converted into what we perceive as music. According to a study done at John Hopkins University, areas of the brain used to compute technical information light up when you hear new music. The next time you hear a new song you like, try to learn it. New music gets your brain moving and grooving in ways familiar tunes don’t.

Effects of music on memory

Part of staying young is keeping your memory intact. Experts say using music to remember events from the past is an excellent tool for memory exercise. Reach into your memory bank for an event that happened in your life and play a song from that period and you will recall more. Listen to music often and get groov’n to a healthier you.

Behavioral Health

Tue, 07/12/2022 - 08:00

The bass is booming, the treble is high and your favorite artist hits that note on the guitar.

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