HEALTHY OATMEAL RASIN COOKIES

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Joann Ariola

It’s Holiday Baking Season! Let’s start this season off right with a healthy choice.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cups of quick cooking oats or rolled oats
1/3 cup of all purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla
6 tablespoons of room temperature unsalted butter ( margarine may be substituted)
3/4 cup of light brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup of dark raisins
1/3 cup of flax seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffed up ( 1-2 minutes) and add the egg, cinnamon and vanilla and beat for another 30 seconds until smooth.
In a separate bowl, mix the oats, raisins, flax seeds and flour with baking powder and baking soda and pinch of salt.
Then using a rubber spatula, fold the oat mixture into the egg mixture. The dough will be a little crumbly, that’s ok.
Using a standard tablespoon measuring spoon or a small ice cream scoop or oiled hands, pick up golf ball sizes of the dough and place them on the cookie sheet about 1/2 inches apart ( these cookies don’t spread too much).
Bake the cookies ( middle rack) for 12-14 minutes depending on the size of your cookies. Take them out while the centre is still soft but the edges have set ( if you like a chewy cookie) or let them bake an extra 2 minutes until the centres are set too if you like a crunchier cookie.
Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before attempting to remove them.
Now enjoy!
To freeze the dough: wrap it in wax or parchment paper and freeze it as a log or pre-measure it into golf ball sizes. When ready to bake slice the dough ( if it’s a log) or bake the gold ball frozen doughs at the same temperature for an extra 2 minutes longer.

For this an other delicious cookie recipes visit –

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Home Remedy for an Upset Tummy…

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The Chinese have used ginger to treat nausea and digestive issues for over 2,000 years. While research has debated the extent of its effectiveness as a natural remedy, it’s thought that active components, such as gingerol, directly affect the digestive and central nervous systems.

Most doctors and herbal medicine practitioners agree that using fresh ginger in teas and water or natural ginger candies will help relieve nausea, especially during pregnancy. Some studies suggest it is an effective treatment for post-operative and chemotherapy-related nausea, as well.

Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help boost immunity. Bottom line, there are no disadvantages to ingesting a little ginger to help ease nausea and digestive issues.

Anemia in Older Adults

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Anemia is a condition that occurs when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells (hemoglobin). Hemoglobin is the part of the cell that that binds oxygen. If your hemoglobin is low, the cells in your body will not receive enough oxygen.

Although anemia can happen at any age, this condition is extremely common in adults 60 years and older. In fact, it is estimated that about 10% of older adults living independent lives over the age of 65 have anemia.

Since anemia is usually caused by poor nutrition or other medical issues, such as receiving chemotherapy, vitamin deficiency, or internal bleeding, older adults are at greater risk of developing the condition.

Common symptoms of anemia are:

Fatigue
Weakness
Shortness of breath
High heart rate
Headaches
Becoming paler (which is often first seen by checking inside the lower lids)
Lower blood pressure (especially if the anemia is caused by bleeding)

If you are experiencing some or all of the symptoms of anemia, your physician can perform a simple complete blood count (CBC) test to determine your overall health and detect a wide range of blood disorders including anemia.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center offers medical testing to diagnose testing. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, call 718-206-7001.

Holiday Travel Tips

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The holiday period (November 21 to January 2nd) is one of the busiest times of the year for travel. According to a recent study from AAA (American Automobile Association), most Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home to be with the ones they love. The report indicated driving is the most popular means of travel and more than 89% of travelers will be on the road.

With more vehicles on the road during the holidays, the odds of getting into an accident are greater. However, by following these safe driving tips from the American Red Cross you can keep your loved ones safe and enjoy your trip:

Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
Be well rested and alert.
Follow the rules of the road.
Use caution in work zones.
Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.
Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
Don’t overdrive your headlights.
If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

If winter weather threatens and you become stuck in the snow, these tips are for you:

Stay with the car. Do not try to walk to safety.
Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the car.
Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running to help rescuers see the vehicle.
Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
Carry an emergency preparedness kit in the trunk.
Keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.

From all of us at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center…Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Can Small Changes Affect Your Health

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Joann Ariola

When seeking a routine that can bring wellness to your entire being, you don’t have to climb a mountain in Tibet or strip away all the food you love. Experts say that the best way to bring a wellness routine into your life is through a series of small changes that will gradually make a difference.

Changes such as:

Meditation – Take a moment in the morning to meditate. It will set the tone of the day and clear your head to prepare for what the day may bring.
Music – Play calming music. The body’s internal rhythms sync with the rhythms of music. By focusing on the music and its melody, you will start of feel your breathing and heart rate begin to slow down, bringing you to a much calmer place.
Plan a trip – According to research, happiness spikes when planning a trip. Shut down your smartphone – When the impulse to pick up your phone comes, and you resist it, you may feel a wave of anxiety. Don’t panic! Breathy through the anxiety and you will see that there is a calm that will follow.
Breathe deeply – Sit in a comfortable place, breathe naturally and settle your attention on your breath. With each inhale and exhale, mentally repeat the words “in” and “out.” Even if your mind wanders, don’t get distracted; just bring your attention back to your breathing.
Email – Don’t check your email when you first wake up. Instead, sit silently and allow your mind to wander. Take 10 minutes to just center yourself before you start your day.
Walk – Use part of your lunch break to take a walk. This activity will aid with digestion, keep you active and relieve stress.

No one likes change and it rarely comes easy. That’s why slowly incorporating small steps toward your goals overtime can lead to huge changes in the long run.

Can Journaling Help Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Did you know that keeping a journal is a great tool for relieving anxiety and stress? According to , “Journaling can relieve stress by helping you work through your anxious feelings.”

By journaling, you can minimize thoughts that may have you anxious. Writing down what is causing you to stress may help you shift feelings of fear and hopelessness to empowerment and solution orientated thoughts.

Some tips on how to get started are:

Start journaling for five to 15 minutes – Too much time shouldn’t be spent on your journaling. Write about what is concerning you most.
If an event is currently causing difficulty write it down in detail. If it is not a current issue, but something that has been plaguing you, focus on writing that you worry about the “what could possibly happen” factor.
Write how these feelings affect you in your daily life
Once your thoughts are arranged, you can write about what positive measures you can implement to help relive how you are feeling (i.e. meditation, exercise, support groups)

The hardest part about journaling is getting started. Many people think that they don’t have the time to journal, but if you have the time to fret, you have the time to put pencil to paper and work on feeling better!

For more tips on how to benefit from journaling visit –

Breast Feeding After Augmentation

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breast augmentation has become the #1 cosmetic procedure for the last decade. Since the best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old, a woman’s desire to look younger may overlap with the tick of her biological clock.

One of the most popular questions women ask before having surgery is, “Will I be able to breastfeed?”

The answer is, yes. Breastfeeding after breast augmentation is absolutely possible.

Although the prior condition of the breasts, position of the implant and incision could have a direct bearing on milk production, it is very likely that you will have a positive experience when nursing your child.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, you can call Jamaica Hospital’s Lactation Consultant at 718-670-4200 for answers to FAQ’s.

DANGERS OF INFANT WALKERS

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The American Association of Pediatrics’ (AAP), has recommended a ban on infant walkers as a result of a recent study that revealed over 230,000- children less than 15 months old were treated for infant walker related injuries in U.S. emergency departments from 1990 to 2014. The majority of injuries were to the head or neck noting that the injuries were sustained by falling down stairs in their infant walker.

states that most walker injuries happen while an adult is watching. Even the most attentive parent or caregiver cannot respond quickly enough to prevent a child from falling since a child in a walker can move more than 3 feet in 1 second. That is why walkers are never safe to use, even with an adult close by.

The AAP recommends that instead of infant walkers, parents choose:

Stationary activity centers – They resemble walkers without wheels. They often have seats that rotate, tip and bounce.
Play yards or playpens – These can be used as safety zones for children as they learn to sit, crawl or walk.
High chairs – As your child grows, they can enjoy sitting in a high chair to play with toys on the tray.

Before 1997, there weren’t any standards for baby walkers in place. These standards caused manufacturers to make the base of a walker wider so as to not fit through most door ways and having brakes that stop them at the edge of a step. Although necessary, these improvements cannot and have not prevented all injuries from walkers.

Research has shown that walkers do not provide any advantage to accelerating a child’s development. In fact, they may hinder development because they do not teach infants to walk. A better practice is to allow your baby the freedom in a safe environment that allows them the opportunity for pulling themselves up, creeping and crawling.

EATING FOR ENERGY

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Joann Ariola

If you conducted a survey, most people will tell you that between the hours of 3:00PM and 4:00PM each day, a feeling of fatigue may set in which makes them feel less productive.

This is typically the time of day when they may reach for a less healthy choice of food or beverage to “perk-up.”

Many of their snack options are laden with sugar and fat and have no nutritional value. There are several healthy foods available that give us both a boost and essential nutrients.

Some healthy foods that have been proven to help raise energy levels are:

Bananas – Bananas contain carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B6, all proven to boost energy levels in your body.

Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes contain fiber and complex carbs, as well as manganese, which can help break down nutrients in order to produce energy.
Brown Rice – Brown Rice is less processed than white rice so it retains more fiber, vitamins and minerals. It also has a low glycemic index and could help regulate blood sugar levels to help maintain steady energy levels all day long.
Coffee – Coffee is rich in caffeine. Caffeine quickly passes from your bloodstream to your brain. The result is the production of epinephrine. Epinephrine is a hormone that stimulates the body and brain allowing you to keep more focused.
Eggs – Eggs are rich in protein and leucine. These are both known to stimulate energy.
Water – Not drinking enough water could cause dehydration which can cause your body functions to slow down and make you feel sluggish. It is a good habit to drink water throughout your day, even if you are not thirsty.
Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate has a high content of cocoa. Cocoa has antioxidants that have proven health benefits, like increasing your blood flow. An increased blood flow helps deliver oxygen to the brain and muscles, improving their functions. Additionally, dark chocolate contains compounds such as caffeine, a known ingredient to enhance mental energy and mood.

If you’d like to speak with a Jamaica Hospital Medical Center licensed nutritionist, call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

For these and other healthy food and beverages that can give your day a boost, visit healthline.com.

SUGAR FREE LEMON POUND CAKE

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Being the wife of a diabetic, I see how difficult it is for my husband to pass up so many delicious, sugary desserts.

Below is a recipe that I have made myself and recommend highly. Although I am not the creator of the recipe, I thought it delicious enough to share.

-Joann Ariola, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, MediSys Health Network

INGREDIENTS:

1	(18.25 Ounce) Package Sugar-free Yellow Cake Mix
1	(3.4 Ounce) Sugar-free Lemon Pudding Mix
1¾ cups	Water
3	Egg Whites
¾ cups	Reduced-fat Milk
½ tsp	Lemon Extract
1	(1 Ounce) Package Sugar-free Vanilla Pudding Mix
1	(ounce) Sugar-free
	Cooking Spray

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 10×15-inch pan with cooking spray.

Combine yellow cake mix and lemon pudding mix in a large mixing bowl. Stir in water and egg whites. Beat mixture on low speed for 1 minute. Beat for an additional 4 minutes on high speed.

Place batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through.

Meanwhile mix milk, lemon extract, and vanilla pudding mix in a large mixing bowl. Add in cool whip and mix well. Spread mixture over the cake once it has cooled.