Posted by
Kate W
on
Thursday, October 18th, 2012
Image source: Soulsingingliv.blogspot.com
Sometimes it seems that there are few health topics as controversial as breastfeeding. Many mothers face criticism for nursing in public; in response, vocal breastfeeding supporters have staged nurse-ins. I personally am an advocate for breastfeeding, though I think steps like banning hospitals from distributing formula packets are too simplistic and don’t do enough to support new mothers. In fact, I wish my mother had considered breastfeeding as an option. Breastfeeding promotes a strong immune system and helps children fight off allergies and respiratory issues as they grow into adulthood. I respect my mother’s choice decision to formula-feed without attempting breastfeeding, because I respect the right of any woman to have full autonomy over her own body. Still, I can’t help but wonder if my immune system would be stronger if she’d breastfed me for even just the first few days, so I could have at least gotten the benefit of colostrum.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
Image source: Rosalilium.com
I am a major cheerleader when it comes to taking vitamins. I work hard with my husband and his rheumatologist to keep his lupus in check with a carefully managed vitamin regimen. I have seen firsthand how vitamins have helped improve his energy and reduce his inflammation. I was also diligent about taking prenatal vitamins throughout my pregnancy, even when the mere thought of ingesting anything triggered my severe hyperemesis. I knew my daughter only had a two-vessel umbilical cord instead of the typical three-vessel one which would make it difficult for her to receive adequate nutrition in utero. My diligence paid off; she was born small, but perfectly healthy. But once she stopped depending on my body as her primary source of nutrition, I admit I slacked off on taking vitamins. Why? Because I hate swallowing pills. Luckily, I have discovered my new secret weapon: liquid vitamins. Here are some great examples:
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012
Image source: Herbalfire.com
I grew up in a sleepy little bayfront town in south Florida. My neighborhood was a tiny, sparsely populated subdivision carved out of some swampland surrounded by spiky mangroves and sprawling saw palmetto trees. I always found the foliage comforting; little did I know that its medicinal properties could be physical as well as mental. The same clusters of saw palmetto trees that I sought solitude and solace in as a child are also the source of incredible healing powers.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Monday, October 15th, 2012
Image source: Facebook.com
This weekend was heavy on the sweets in our normally health food-oriented house. My daughter turned one this weekend, and I wanted her to have something truly amazing for her first taste of birthday cake. Unfortunately, she has a milk protein intolerance that makes it so that her system can’t handle dairy. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to make a nondairy cake that was both moist and delicious. Luckily, I stumbled upon a recipe for the most sumptuous vegan chocolate cupcakes, and another one for some luxuriously decadent non-dairy buttercream frosting. Everyone in my family agreed the resulting cakes were more delicious than any other cupcake they had ever had, non-dairy status notwithstanding. Unfortunately, just because they’re vegan, it doesn’t necessarily mean these cupcakes are healthy. They still have enough sugar to interfere with your sleep, just like Halloween candy. So unless we’re celebrating a special occasion, we’ll be getting our chocolate fix from these healthier sources:
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Friday, October 12th, 2012
Image source: Listal.com
Many celebrities in the public eye rely on strict diets and intense workout regimens solely to maintain their enviable physiques. But, just like the rest of us, some celebrities make strict dietary choices in order to have better health. Jennifer Esposito is currently starring on the hit CBS show Blue Bloods, but she has acted for nearly twenty years in dozens of critically-acclaimed television shows and successful films. Her success is made even more impressive when you consider that for years, she was plagued by a debilitating and mysterious illness.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Thursday, October 11th, 2012
Image source: Health.com
Many people rely on lengthy whitening treatments at the dentist or expensive facial treatments at a spa in order to brighten their teeth and clear up their skin. But you might be surprised to learn that a common household item can be just as effective at whitening teeth and treating acne. Hydrogen peroxide isn’t just for disinfecting scrapes; it’s also a secret weapon in the fight for beauty. But before you start whipping up your own homemade spa treatments, it’s important to realize that not all hydrogen peroxide is created alike.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
Image source: Well.blogs.nytimes.com
While I always understood intellectually that doctors were important, it wasn’t until a few years ago that my deep and profound respect for members of the medical profession truly blossomed. Nearly four years ago, my husband nearly died from sudden onset double pneumonia at the age of 26. For two years, he remained weakened and debilitated long after he should have fully recovered. With the help of a dedicated rheumatologist, who committed to go on a journey with us to find the underlying cause for my husband’s drastically changed health, we ultimately discovered that he had lupus.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
Image source: Flickriver.com
I went to the eye doctor yesterday, and its official! My eyesight has gotten worse since last year. I had been avoiding going in, despite months of persistent headaches that I attributed to a potentially worsening prescription. I already wear the proverbial coke bottle glasses: I shudder to think of what my new glasses will ultimately look like with even bulkier frames. I am at my wit’s end with my bad eyes, so I am committing myself to improving my eyesight over the next year. No more reading in dim light, no more surfing the web on my tiny smart phone screen in the dark while my baby is napping, and no more avoiding coming up with a helpful vitamin regimen to combat my rapidly-dwindling sight. I have done my research, and I feel confident that adding these four supplements to my daily routine will help my eyesight flourish instead of fail:
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Monday, October 8th, 2012
Image source: Alidamakes.com
There are a lot of advantages to living in Florida. There are beautiful beaches, and the weather is lovely and warm just about all year round. We also have such beautiful sunsets, that one friend of mine keeps a daily journal detailing the sunset every evening and uses the time to also reflect and gain clarity on her own life. But there are also distinct disadvantages: most notably, bugs are seemingly everywhere.
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Posted by
Kate W
on
Friday, October 5th, 2012
Image source: Indiatvnews.com
We live in a looks-oriented society and no one is immune, not even celebrities. If anything, celebrities may be more vulnerable to pressures to look good: not only do their looks and weight often play a role in whether they’ll land an acting gig, paparazzi lurk everywhere in an effort to catch stars at unflattering angles. Thus, it’s no wonder that many celebs are quick to jump on the latest health fad. And the new, hot trend in health is a vitamin IV drip.
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