Archive for the ‘Health and wellness’ category

Wiihabilitation ?? Can you benefit from Wiihab?

February 15th, 2010

Nintendo Wii - A New Medicine?

A group of my friends were chatting about our weekend, the topic of Wii came up. Laughter broke out when the mention of putting my shoulder out trying to sword fight my husband.  Another one of my girl friends was complaining about her arms and stomach muscles being sore from a boxing match with her husband. Interactive games are great for getting many of us off the couch and moving but, did you know that there is a therapeutic component that many are finding.  Check out this article I found on USA Today reporting about a local hospital using Wii as part of rehab therapy.

Doctors use Wii games for rehab therapy

By Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press

CHICAGO — Some call it “Wiihabilitation.”Nintendo’s Wii video game system, whose popularity already extends beyond the teen gaming set, is fast becoming a craze in rehab therapy for patients recovering from strokes, broken bones, surgery and even combat injuries.

The usual stretching and lifting exercises that help the sick or injured regain strength can be painful, repetitive and downright boring. In fact, many patients say PT — physical therapy’s nickname — really stands for “pain and torture,” said James Osborn, who oversees rehabilitation services at Herrin Hospital in southern Illinois. » Read more: Wiihabilitation ?? Can you benefit from Wiihab?

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness

Tags:

Health Tip: RED MEAT

February 15th, 2010

Health Tip of the Week

Red meat is an excellent source of protein, zinc and iron. When shopping for lean beef, look for “round” or “loin” cuts, such as eye of round, top round steak, sirloin, and tenderloin. These cuts tend to be lower in both saturated and total fat. Moderation is the key (a serving is 3 ounces or about the size of a deck of cards). To promote variety, think of red meat as one of many lean protein choices you eat each week. Balance out your week with other lean proteins such as fish, poultry (remove skin) and beans.

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness

Rehab Facilities

February 13th, 2010

Rehab Facilities

The state of our rehabilitation facilities:

My mother was recently entered into a rehab facility.  On one of the days I went there to visit there was an old woman sitting in a wheelchair.  She sort of reminded me of Grandma Moses (if my idea of Grandma Moses was accurate).  She sat there in the hallway in her wheelchair looking very old and very decrepit and very, very sad.  If that wasn’t bad enough, when I returned the following day, the same woman in the same wheelchair looked to be sitting in the very same spot.  I can’t positively say whether she remained there overnight, nor can I say that she hadn’t been moved and then returned to the same position.  All I can say for certain is that she hadn’t looked like she had moved very far.

My mom has always been a very active sort.  Being confined to a bed with period bouts of therapy didn’t sit very well with her.  After having visited four different facilities (the facilities that her insurance would cover) I had deemed the one she wound up in to be the best: that didn’t mean it was great by any means.  It had decent food; it had a pretty good amount of therapy time provided for her; and it had activities to keep her amused throughout the morning/afternoon.  » Read more: Rehab Facilities

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness, Home & Real Estate

Tags:

Texas Legislature to Address Trans Fats

February 13th, 2010

Trans fats amaging Effects

This trans fats thing has been bugging me for a while, well actually since one of my blog contributors opened up the can of worms. I read up on it day and night trying to find the middle ground on this issue. And really there is no black and white decision here. Yes they are bad for you, they are a main cause for child obesity and they are a plaque to our society but how much of it is propaganda and how much of it is true?

Well truth be told there is no question about the damaging factors associated with trans-fats, and there isn’t one parent out there that doesn’t wish the best for their child. But no matter how determined you are as a parent to protect your children, there is only so much you can do. As such part of the burden gets shifted towards government organization, let them be local or federal.

The other day I found a refreshing article on PublicCitizen’s blog site! I was once again renewed with hope that our legislature actually looks out for us! I was pleased to find out that the great state of Texas is considering legislature that will ban the food industry from serving menu items containing trans fats. Click on the link here to see the actual bill and voting scores on this piece of legislature.

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness

Tags:

Obama’s Administration New Strategy to Curb Child Obesity

February 10th, 2010

Trying to get closer to the so controversial and publicized healthcare reform, President Obama signed much like waving a magic wand, another anti-obesity strategy. Off course just like First Ladies before her, Michele Obama has volunteered to spear of the fight against childhood obesity, and turn it into her prevailing cause – we do need a mission manager after all.

So how effective is this new strategy going to really be? How much of this is actually doable and how much is just another disappointment waiting to happen? Mrs. Obama expressed her desire to end childhood obesity in just ONE generation. That is a tall order even for the Obama clan.

But maybe she is on to something. Scientist and researches are noticing a decline in childhood obesity over the last years mostly due to the large attention the local and state governments are paying on what is being served in school cafeterias. Another reason is the measures that the food industry is self imposing to reduce food consumption by children. » Read more: Obama’s Administration New Strategy to Curb Child Obesity

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness, Politics

Tags:

Trans Fat: Is there a choice?

January 18th, 2010

I wish to know who made the decision not to allow trans fat at McDonald’s anymore.  Seriously, who is driving up to a McDonald’s with healthiness at the forefront of their mind?  I know they have their salads and their wraps, but – who are they kidding?  No one on a diet leaves a gym after a serious work-out and thinks, “I’m hungry after that 45 minutes on the weights.  Let me go get some McDonald’s to satisfy my appetite – AND that will totally work with my 1500 calories a day I’m on!” » Read more: Trans Fat: Is there a choice?

Related Posts with Thumbnails

View Comments »

Posted in Health and wellness

Tags: