Makes 4 servings 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 ounces each) 4 small skinless chicken drumsticks (about 2 1/2 ounces each) 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water Nonstick cooking spray 1. Preheat oven to 375. Rinse chicken. Pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any fat. 2. Combine flour, poultry seasoning, garlic salt and pepper in large resealable food storage bag. Combine cornflake crumbs and parsley in shallow bowl. Whisk together egg white and water in small bowl. 3. Add chicken to flour mixture, one or two pieces at a time. Seal bag; shake until chicken is well coated. Remove chicken from bag, shaking off excess flour. Dip into egg white mixture, coating all sides. Roll in crumb mixture. Place in shallow baking pan. Repeat with remaining chicken, flour mixture, egg white mixture and crumb mixture. 4. Lightly spray chicken pieces with cooking spray. Bake breast pieces 18 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Bake drumsticks about 25 minutes or until juices run clear. Nutrients per serving: 1 chicken breast and 1 drumstick Calories: 314, Calories from fat: 17%, Total Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 170mg, Sodium: 278mg, Carbohydrate: 13g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 50g
When you hold still during a stretch, it's called static stretching -- besides feeling incredible and improving flexibility and range of motion, a move like the forward fold can also help you cope better with stress. 1. Stand with your feet about hip-distance apart, knees slightly bent. 2. Fold forward like a rag doll. Try to be in this position as lazily as possible. 3. Inhale fully through your nose: increase your knee bend slightly to allow for more rib cage expansion. 4. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth as you try to fold further. You can hug or hold your torso or legs to gently pull yourself in. 5. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds or as long as it feels good.
OVERVIEW Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save lives. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs. WHOLE BLOOD DONATION Whole blood donation is the most common type of blood donation. During this donation, you donate about a pint (about half a liter) of whole blood. The blood is then separated into its components -- red cells, plasma and sometimes platelets. APHERESIS During apheresis, you are hooked up to a machine that collects and separates different parts of your blood. These blood components include red cells, plasma and platelets. The machine then returns the remaining parts of the blood back to you. * Platelet donation (plateletpheresis) collects only platelets. Platelets are the cells that help stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessels (clotting). Donated platelets are commonly given to people with clotting problems or cancer and people who will have organ transplants or major surgeries. * Double red cell donation allows you to donate a concentrated amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues. Donated red blood cells are typically given to people with severe blood loss, such as after an injury or accident, and people with anemia (low hemoglobin). * Plasma donation (plasmapheresis) collects the liquid portion of the blood (plasma). Plasma helps blood clot and contains antibodies that help fight off infections. Plasma is commonly given to people in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding. WHY IT'S DONE You agree to have blood drawn so that it can be given to someone who needs a blood transfusion. Millions of people need blood transfusions each year. Some may need blood during surgery. Others depend on it after an accident or because they have a disease that requires certain parts of blood. Blood donation makes all of this possible. There is no substitute for human blood -- all transfusions use blood from a donor. RISKS Blood donation is safe. New, sterile disposable equipment is used for each donor, so there's no risk of getting a bloodborne infection by donating blood. Most healthy adults can donate a pint (about half a liter) safely, without health risks. Within a few days of a blood donation, your body replaces the lost fluids. And after two weeks, your body replaces the lost red blood cells. HOW YOU PREPARE Eligibility requirements: To be eligible to donate whole blood, plasma or platelets, you must be: * In good health. * At least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parent permission. While there's no legal upper age limit, policies may vary between individual donor centers. * At least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms). * Able to pass the physical and health-history assessments. Eligibility requirements differ slightly among different types of blood donation. FOOD AND MEDICATIONS Before your blood donation: * Get plenty of sleep the night before you plan to donate. * Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as a hamburger, fries or ice cream. * Drink plenty of water before the donation. * Check to see if any medications you are taking or recently took would prevent you from donating. For example, if you are a platelet donor, you must not take aspirin for two days prior to donating. Talk to a member of your health care team before you stop taking any medications in order to donate blood. * Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Before the procedure: Before you can donate blood, you will be asked to fill out a confidential medical history. It includes questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of bloodborne infections -- infections that are transmitted through blood. Because of the risk of bloodborne infections, not everyone can donate blood. The following are groups that are not eligible to donate blood: * Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a health care provider in the past three months. * Anyone who has had a new sexual partner in the past three months and has had anal sex in the past three months. * Anyone who has had multiple sexual partners in the past three months and has had anal sex in the past three months. * Anyone who has a congenital coagulation factor deficiency. * Anyone who has had a positive test for HIV. * Anyone who has engaged in sex for money or drugs in the past three months. * Anyone who, in the past three months, has had close contact with -- lived with or had sexual contact with -- a person who has hepatitis B or hepatitis C. * Anyone who has had babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease, in the past two years. You will also have a brief physical exam. The exam includes checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. A small sample of blood is taken from a finger prick and used to check the oxygen-carrying part of your blood (hemoglobin level). If your hemoglobin concentration is within a healthy range, and you've met all the other screening requirements, you can donate blood. COVID-19 CONCERNS The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hasn't been shown to be transmitted through blood transfusions. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests waiting to donate blood for at least 10 days after a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 without symptoms or for at least 10 days after symptoms of COVID-19 have completely gone away. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation. DURING THE PROCEDURE You lie or sit in a reclining chair with your arm extended on an armrest. If you have a preference for which arm or vein is used, tell the person who is collecting your blood. A blood pressure cuff or tourniquet is placed around your upper arm to fill your veins with more blood. This makes the veins easier to see and easier to insert the needle into. It also helps fill the blood bag more quickly. Then the skin on the inside of your elbow is cleaned. A new, sterile needle is inserted into a vein in your arm. This needle is attached to a thin, plastic tube and a blood bag. Once the needle is in place, you tighten your fist several times to help the blood flow from the vein. First, blood is collected into tubes for testing. Then blood is allowed to fill the bag, about a pint (about half a liter). The needle is usually in place about 10 minutes. When your donation is finished, the needle is removed, a small bandage is placed on the needle site and a dressing is wrapped around your arm. Another method of donating blood becoming increasingly common is apheresis. During apheresis, you are hooked up to a machine that can collect and separate different parts of your blood, such as red cells, plasma and platelets. This process allows more of a single component to be collected. It takes longer than standard blood donation -- typically up to two hours. AFTER THE PROCEDURE After donating, you sit in an observation area, where you rest and eat a light snack. After 15 minutes, you can leave. After your blood donation: * Drink extra fluids. * Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about 24 hours. * If you feel lightheaded, lie down with your feet up until the feeling passes. * Keep your bandage on and dry for the next four hours. * If you have bleeding after removing the bandage, put pressure on the site and raise your arm until the bleeding stops. * If bruising occurs, apply a cold pack to the area periodically during the first 24 hours. * Consider adding iron-rich foods to your diet to replace the iron lost with blood donation. Contact the blood donor center or your health care provider if you: * Forgot to report any important health information to the blood donation center. * Have signs and symptoms of an illness, such as a fever, within several days after your blood donation. * Are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 48 hours after donating blood. RESULTS Testing: Your blood will be tested to determine your blood type and your Rh factor. Blood type is classified as A, B, AB or O. The Rh factor refers to the presence or absence of a specific antigen -- a substance capable of stimulating an immune response -- in the blood. You'll be classified as Rh positive or Rh negative, meaning you do or don't carry the antigen. This information is important because your blood type and Rh factor must be compatible with the blood type and Rh factor of the person receiving your blood. Your blood will also be tested for bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. If these tests are negative, the blood is distributed for use. If any of these tests are positive, the donor center notifies you, and your blood donation is discarded. Source: Mayo Clinic
Makes 6 servings Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 pound 95% lean ground beef 1 cup chopped onion 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables 2 cups water 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained 1 cup sliced celery 1 beef bouillon cube 1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) fat-free beef broth 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1. Spray Dutch oven with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef and onion. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until beef is browned. 2. Add vegetables, water, tomatoes with juice, celery, bouillon cube and pepper. Bring to a boil. Whisk together beef broth and flour until smooth, add to beef mixture, stirring constantly. Return mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Note: If time permits, allow the soup to simmer an additional 30 minutes. The flavors just get better and better! Nutrients per serving: 1 2/3 cups soup Calories: 198, Calories from Fat: 23%, Total Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 598mg, Carbohydrate: 27g, Fiber: 5g, Protein: 13g
One of the best things you can do to ease joint and back pain and ward off future ouches is so very simple: Just take it step by step. We know you're aware of the boundless benefits of walking -- a regular routine keeps you fit and helps you maintain muscle strength (crucial for later-life years), and walking is fantastic for flexibility and balance. Yet here's one win from walking that you might not know as much about: It's a proven pain reducer. But wait a sec -- shouldn't you rest when you're achy? If you have an acute injury or extreme pain that disrupts your mobility, then yes, of course you should take it easy. However, extensive research shows that low-impact aerobic exercise like walking can improve everyday aches and pains and may help prevent future discomfort. For instance, research suggests that exercise therapy may provide as much relief from lower-back pain as taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and another scientific trial found that in people with osteoarthritis, walking for at least 20 minutes daily was associated with a lower risk of developing recurring knee pain. "Walking is gentle on joints, which helps with stiffness, and exercise in general strengthens the muscles that support joints and bones and boosts blood circulation, which helps bring oxygen and nutrients to those tissues and joints to treat or prevent pain," explains exercise physiologist Kirsten Ambrose, M.S., associate director of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance at the University of North Carolina. "Consistent exercise over time has also been shown to reduce inflammation to further mitigate pain. And any physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, feel-good hormones that may act as a natural pain reliever." If you have a pain condition, it's a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise plan, says Ambrose, "but for the great majority of us, walking is the best medicine." Read on for expert tips on building a walking routine that can help you stay vibrant (and hopefully pain-free) for life. GET MOTIVATED Taking the first steps may be hard, especially if you've got some pain, but "one thing that really helps people over the initial hurdle is a reward that overrides the discomfort," says walking expert Kirkland Shave, program director of Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat in Ainsworth Hot Springs, Canada. "That 'joy factor' of being at one with our body and the environment can be a sensational delight." If that kind of payoff isn't doing it for you, plug in to your favorite tunes: Data suggests that listening to music you enjoy has performance-enhancing effects that can get you moving. START SLOW Shave recommends beginning with just 10 minutes of walking. "You wouldn't want to hike Kilimanjaro your first time out," he says. Ambrose also advises increasing your minutes and distance slowly: "The key is to build on the routine without overdoing it and causing more pain." PAY ATTENTION TO BODY CUES It's important to notice how your body is feeling during exercise. "If your pain is elevated beyond what it normally is, that's a sign to rest," says Ambrose, "and if you feel acute pain, such as a strained muscle or another injury, back off and take a break. "Try not to take a preventive OTC pain medication, like ibuprofen, before heading out on a walk, as it may "mask discomfort and prevent you from noticing that pain signal if you've tweaked something or overdone it," Shave adds. DEVELOP THE HABIT Consistency is important for reaping all the benefits of walking, and keeping at it helps reduce inflammation that can lead to discomfort (this is why you may be sore after not having worked out in a while). So build a healthy daily practice: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate activity, such as vigorous walking, per week. The government recommendation for weekly physical activity (150 minutes) breaks down to about 20 minutes a day for a full week or 30 minutes of walking five days a week. You can do this! WALK MINDFULLY "Research has shown that people who are depressed experience a greater amount of pain, and since we know regular exercise can help lessen a person's depressive symptoms, something like walking could also help mitigate pain," says Grace Hsiao-Wei Lo, M.D., chief of rheumatology at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Practice mindful meditation as you move to help shift your mindset -- perhaps you'll feel good focusing on gratitude and positivity, or maybe losing yourself in the sights and sounds along the way will give you just what you need. DON"T FORGET TO STRETCH Try to stretch before and after a walk to get blood flowing to your muscles -- this helps prevent soreness and improve flexibility and range of motion. Shave recommends gentle hamstring and calf stretches to target some of the main lower-body muscles used for walking as well as full-body yoga moves to get blood flowing to your upper body. Listen to your body and never push yourself to stretch beyond what feels comfortable, says Ambrose: "Your body will naturally start to feel resistance as you stretch, and that's when you'll want to hold it and not go too far." Source: Prevention
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. The symptoms can start so slowly that you may not notice them. The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There's no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF GLAUCOMA? There are many different types of glaucoma, but the most common type in the United States is called open-angle glaucoma -- that's what most people mean when they talk about glaucoma. Other types are less common, like angle-closure glaucoma and congenital glaucoma. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA? At first, glaucoma doesn't usually have any symptoms. That's why half of people with glaucoma don't even know they have it. Over time, you may slowly lose vision, usually starting with your side (peripheral) vision -- especially the part of your vision that's closest to your nose. Because it happens so slowly, many people can't tell that their vision is changing at first. But as the disease gets worse, you may start to notice that you can't see things off to the side anymore. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness. AM I AT RISK FOR GLAUCOMA? Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk. You're at higher risk if you: * Are over age 60, especially if you're Hispanic/Latino * Are African American and over age 40 * Have a family history of glaucoma Talk with your doctor about your risk for glaucoma and ask how often you need to get checked. If you're at higher risk, you need to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years. WHEN TO GET HELP RIGHTAWAY Angle-closure glaucoma can cause these sudden symptoms: * Intense eye pain * Upset stomach (nausea) * Red eye * Blurry vision If you have any of these symptoms, go to your doctor or an emergency room now. WHAT CAUSES GLAUCOMA? Scientists aren't sure what causes the most common types of glaucoma, but many people with glaucoma have high eye pressure -- and treatments that lower eye pressure help to slow the disease. There's no way to prevent glaucoma. That's why eye exams are so important -- so you and your doctor can find it before it affects your vision. HOW WILL MY EYE DOCTOR CHECK FOR GLAUCOMA? Eye doctors can check for glaucoma as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The exam is simple and painless -- your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then check your eyes for glaucoma and other eye problems. The exam includes a visual field test to check your side vision. DID YOU KNOW? * Glaucoma can happen in 1 eye or both eyes * Some people with high eye pressure don't get glaucoma -- and there's a type of glaucoma that happens in people with normal eye pressure * Normal eye pressure varies by person -- What's normal for 1 person could be high for another WHAT"S THE TREATMENT FOR GLAUCOMA? Doctors use different types of treatment for glaucoma, including medicines (usually eye drops), laser treatment and surgery. If you have glaucoma, it's important to start treatment right away. Treatment won't undo any damage to your vision, but it can stop it from getting worse. MEDICINES: Prescription eye drops are the most common treatment. They lower the pressure in your eye and prevent damage to your optic nerve. LASER TREATMENT: To lower your eye pressure, doctors can use lasers to help the fluid drain out of your eye. It's a simple procedure that your doctor can do in the office. SURGERY: If medicines and laser treatment don't work, your doctor might suggest surgery. There are several different types of surgery that can help the fluid drain out of your eye. Talk over your options with your doctor. While glaucoma is a serious disease, treatment works well. Remember these tips: * If your doctor prescribes medicine, be sure to take it every day * Tell your doctor if your treatment causes side effects * See your doctor for regular check-ups * If you're having trouble with everyday activities because of your vision loss, ask your doctor about vision rehabilitation services that could help * Encourage family members to get checked for glaucoma, since it can run in families Source: National Eye Institute
Makes 4 Servings 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, diced 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery 2 green onions, sliced 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) chicken broth 1 cup water 1/2 cup sliced carrots 2 tablespoons cream 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add bell pepper, celery and onions. Cook and stir 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 2. Add broth, water, carrots, cream, parsley, thyme and black pepper. Simmer 10 minutes or until carrots are tender. Nutrients per serving: 1/4 of total recipe Calories: 130, Calories from fat: 57%, Total fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 895mg, Carbohydrate: 5g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 9g
The best kinds of exercise get your entire body involved in a sustained activity. Playing tennis can keep you physically and mentally active for hours. To minimize the risk of injury from overexertion, try to compete against someone with a similar skill level. Even if you aren't a superstar on the court, just chasing the ball offers plenty of health benefits. Due to the unpredictability and variability of the game, tennis involves a full range of upper-and-lower-body movements. It also provides a solid cardio workout. Playing regularly improves aerobic fitness, lowers body fat and reduces the risk of heart disease. As a weight-loss solution, tennis can help you shed more than a pound a week from just a few hours of court time. There are mental benefits too. Split-second decisions required on the court strengthen connections in the brain. These neural pathways help improve motor skills and memory. The sport also helps older players maintain bone density, muscle strength and agility. Ideally, the social aspect of tennis also relieves stress and anxiety. Just don't try to jump the net unless you're sure of your stride! * Singles or doubles, there's nothing like a game of tennis to blast the fat.
An often-debilitating irritation of the sciatic nerve -- the longest and widest nerve in the body -- sciatica is characterized by pain stretching from the lower end of the spinal cord down the back to the leg to the knee. It's typically caused by a herniated disk, which pushes on a lumbar or sacral nerve root. SEEK HELP FOR THESE SYMPTOMS * Chronic pain in one leg or buttock * Pain that increases while sitting * Sharp pain that makes standing or walking difficult * Intense pain when anything even brushes the outside of the leg * Tingling in the foot or toes TREATMENT For acute sciatica, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen are helpful. Activities like slow walking and easy stretching will also help, as will hot or cold compresses. For chronic sciatica, physical therapy and painkillers may be required. In the worst cases, surgery may be needed -- either a laminectomy, which reduces nerve pressure by widening the spine, or a lumbar diskectomy, the partial or complete removal of a slipped disk. * A ruptured spinal disk can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs along the base of the spine, causing severe, stabbing pain.
To keep the body running efficiently, the average adult should consume between 1,500 and 2,000 calories daily. Eating a classic breakfast of eggs, sausage, buttered toast and juice supplies the body with enough calories for the entire day. That means you won't burn all the calories consumed for lunch, dinner and in between -- and they'll get stored as fat. Every 3,500 calories stored by the body adds a pound of fat. Instead of a heavy breakfast, consider hard-boiled eggs the night before and eating only the whites, which have a mere 17 calories. Fresh fruit salad, topped with yogurt for protein, is another excellent breakfast option. Lunch should be the biggest meal of the day. At that point, the body needs to refuel. A large, greens-heavy salad -- minus the cheese and creamy dressing -- is best. Since leafy greens aren't meant to sit sluggishly in the intestinal tract, it's important to give your system plenty of time to digest them before bed. For dinner, lentil soup and lightly grilled fish are healthy, lean choices. The nourishing dose of protein -- and the lack of greasy fare -- will make it easier to greet the morning.