Weight loss, water, green smoothies and Quinoa

You've read it and  heard it  so many times,  weight loss is achieved when you burn off more calories than you consume each  day.

The great challenge remains, to make  healthy food  choices  that both satisfy your hunger and  actually  tastes good. Doing the  research and the comparison  of  healthy options can be quite daunting. It's certainly easier to eat whatever you want without having to plan a meal or survey the break down of  calories assigned to the  fat, protein and carbs on your plate.


Here are three offerings to add to your asenal in the weight loss battle.

1. Opting out of  carbs dense rice and using protein rich Quinoa. I've found that I've had to cook it stove  top on a low heat for  about about 22 minutes ( slightly longer than the suggested time on the packaging).  If you have kidney failure or have been placed on a restricted protein diet, discuss with your dietition  how to portion Quinoa into your meal plan.  If you're a Diabetic, Quinoa will be a welcomed addition to your meal plan, discuss portion sizes with your nutritionist.

2. Having a daily green smoothie to ensure  you're getting  those  leafy greens  and fruit that you wish you ate more of .   If you're taking a blood thinner called Coumadin(Warfarin) your doctor will discuss restricting leafy greens in your meals and  you may not be allowed to have green smoothies at all.

3.Water is the fluid of life .You need it to improve how your body processes the food you eat. Travel with your supply, you're more  likely to drink more if  it's readily available to quench your thirst. Forgoing the sugary beverages in favor of water is a step in the right direction to avoid excess calories.



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A Visit With Your Dental Hygienist

Each year you make your list of important healthcare and health maintainance visits to enter into your daily planners and appointment books. It's a good plan to enter for yourself and your family members each, a visit with the Dental Hygienist.

The Dental Hygienist is a member of the team at your Dental office. The Hygienist can be a valuable resource person for you. He or she can answer your questions about helpful products available for your oral health, such as interdental brushes, antimicrobial rinses, and antiplaque agents. The Hygienist can assist you and your family as needed by teaching the correct techniques for cleaning of the teeth, tongue and gums.

Your Dental Hygienist will see you at a minimum of every six months to provide a professional cleaning; this is in addition to your visit with the Dentist. At home, continue to Brush your teeth a minimum of twice each day to remove plaque. At a minimum of once each day, continue to floss between your teeth and your gum line to prevent gum disease. Begin using a new toothbrush every three months.

The Hygienist can guide you to identify foods that you should limit as well as food choices required for healthy teeth and gums. Having healthy nutrition habits, daily cleaning of your mouth and visits to your Dental office will help you and your family to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Cfrancismunson@gmail.com

A Brief Note About Health Care Proxy

If tomorrow you woke up, unable to speak, unable to write, unable to nod your head, unable to
move, unable to care for yourself; Who would you choose to make decisions about your healthcare needs?


When you arrive at the hospital, someone is going to have to give permission for you to receive
treatment. If you need surgery or a blood transfusion; Who will sign on your behalf ?
If the hospital wanted to perform procedures that you do not want; Who will refuse on your behalf?

If you already know that if your heart were to stop, you don't want to be revived; if you already
know that you do not want to be placed on an artificial respirator (a vent or breathing machine) Who will communicate this to the doctors for you?

Who do you trust enough to speak for you? Who knows how you feel about surgery, blood transfusions?, artificial respirators?, organ transplant, artificial feeding? What you want done if your heart were to stop beating? What to do if the doctor said you were brain dead, or in a coma? Do you want to donate your organs?

The person you choose is your healthcare agent. The form you write your wishes on, along with the name and contact information of your healthcare agent is the health care proxy document.

Speak with your healthcare provider, ask questions about the healthcare Proxy.

If you don't have a healthcare proxy, someone will make choices for you. That someone may not be a person you trust, or who knows what you want. That someone may make choices for you that are completely opposite to what you want.

Provide your healthcare agent with a copy of your healthcare proxy document.
Travel with a copy of your healthcare proxy. A copy of it should be made available for your chart when you are receiving healthcare services.

Cfrancismunson@gmail.com

Travel With A List Of Your Medications

Travel with a list of your medications.

Keep this list in your wallets and pocketbooks next to your driver's license.

Take your list with you each and every time you have a medical appointment.

Update your list each time a medical provider makes a change; such as increasing a dosage.

This list should include medications you are allergic to; all vitamin supplements, herbal remedies, home-made cocktails and potions.

Always volunteer any changes in your medication regimen to each and every health provider. By ensuring all of your health care providers see your list, you are helping to decrease the risk of medication errors. For example it helps to avoid prescribing you medications that should not be combined.

Even if you have a photographic memory and are very knowledgeable about your medications and health; You should keep a list because during a crisis, you may become overwhelmed and uncertain of specifics; especially if some of the medications are new to you.

In the unfortunate event that you are rushed to an emergency room, unable to communicate your needs; your list will help to ensure your therapeutic regimen of maintenance medications will continue without an extended delay.

Next to your list of medications; you want to have a list of your medical problems. List all surgical procedures and hospitalizations. Include any allergic reactions that you experiened during a diagnostic testing.

By Charity Francis-Munson, Fnp.


Cfrancismunson@gmail.com

Cfrancismunson@gmail.com

Welcome to the Big Apple !

Hi,

Thank you so much for peeking at my blog. Welcome to New York City. No doubt you're here for work, perhaps in film, music, fashion, theater or a book tour.

If you're following me on twitter, I thank you so much for the follow. I hope that the health matters I tweet are helpful for you, your family, friends, work team and co-workers.

I imagine you're wondering what confidential services I can provide.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I am educated, trained and licensed in New York State to provide you, your children, significant others and your parents with the health care services that you traditionally received in an office from a medical doctor.

My background is more than two decades working as a Registered Nurse.I received my advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner  at Columbia University,
 NYC.  My focus as an NP has been in  Family practice.

It's very possible that you have already or perhaps know someone who has received health care services from a Nurse Practitioner (NP). We have been a part of the health care team here in the US for 40 Plus years with a well documented and very impressive customer service record.


Here is what I can provide for you. If you do not currently have your own private New York City based primary care provider, I can travel to you on set, on location here in New York City.

A typical scenario I can help you to avoid is travel to an emergency room for feeling unwell simply because your private doctor is unavailable. Naturally, when I examine you, I may determine that you indeed are very ill and require that trip to the emergency room. At the Emergency room I can accompany you and navigate the system for you and translate the medical mumbo jumbo for you.

Should you already have a private care provider here in New York, be it a doctor or another NP, I can be available if your person is away on vacation.

To reinforce, as an NP I am experienced, and licensed to examine, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret diagnostic tests, write prescriptions for medication and refer you to a specialists if required. I provide health maintenance visits for persons with conditions such as Hypertension, Diabetes, High cholesterol, etc.  For women I provide routine Gyn services.

Again, I thank you for peeking at my page, I hope that you will follow me on twitter.
Should you require my services to help you maintain optimum wellness or in a time of illness, I hope that you will call or have your people call.

Sincerely,

Charity F. Munson
Family Nurse Practitioner

cfrancismunson@gmail.com