SNACK CHIPS THAT WON’T GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR HIPS!

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Joann Ariola

With the holiday season in full swing and snacking at an all-time high, you may be interested in this delicious and healthy alternative potato chips for your party table…

Cracked Pepper Potato Chips with Onion Dip

Ingredient’s for the chips:

3 Large russet potatoes (2 ¼ pounds total), sliced into 1/8-inch thick rounds
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
Salt

Ingredient’s for the dip:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, minced
2 scallions, thinly slices, greens and whites separated
1 ¼ cups nonfat Greek style yogurt or 1 2/3 cups regular nonfat plain yogurt
¼ cup of mayonnaise
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

How to make this recipe:

Chips – Toss potatoes in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of oil, and pepper until well coated. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange potato slices in 1 layer on 2 cookie sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until chips are crisped and lightly browned. Remove from oven, season with salt and cool.

Dip – Heat oil over a medium heat and add onions and scallion whites. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown and soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. If using regular yogurt, place it in a strainer lined with a paper towel and set the strainer over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain and thicken for 20 minutes.

Combine onions with thickened or Greek style yogurt, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt pepper and scallion greens and stir well to incorporate. Chill for 1 hour to let flavors meld.

Serve with chips

Excellent source of Vitamin C

Good source of Potassium

For more healthy snack recipes visit http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-appetizer-recipes/healthy-appetizer-recipes.html

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.

Baby’s First Year

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

If you are a new mom or dad, you may wonder what to expect and how to know if your baby’s development is on target.

In the first 12 months, your baby will undergo an incredible transformation with every month bringing new and exciting developmental strides.

There is a wide “window” for when it is normal for a baby to reach a particular developmental stage. If your baby reaches one milestone sooner and another later, he or she may be focused on perfecting another skill.

Keeping in mind that babies will progress at their own pace, here’s a list of what your baby may be doing during each three-month stage of the first year:

Zero to Three months

Early on, it will be just to him/her, but within three months, baby will be smiling in response to your smiles and trying to get you to smile back
Raising head and chest when placed on the tummy
Track objects with eyes and gradually decrease eye crossing
Open and shut hands and bring hands to mouth
Grip objects in hands
Take swipes at or reach for dangling objects

Four to Six Months

Roll over from front to back or back to front. Front to back usually comes first
Babble, making sounds that can sound like real language
Laugh
Reach out for and grab objects
Manipulate toys with their hands
Sit up with support and have great head control

Seven to Nine Months

Start to crawl
Sit without support
Respond to familiar words such as name
Babble becomes “Mama” and “Dada”
Clap and play games such as peekaboo
Learn to pull up to a standing position

Ten to 12 Months

Self-feeding and holding small objects such as O-shaped cereal between thumb and forefinger
Cruising or moving around the room
“Mama and “Dada” become more specific as a name for parents. The average is about three spoken words by the first birthday
Take first steps

If you are concerned that your baby may not be marking the strides expected each month after birth and would like to speak with a pediatrician, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center for an appointment at 718-206-7001.

Tips For Choosing A Pediatrician

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

The health of your child is very important. Equally as important is the pediatrician you choose to take care of their healthcare needs.

Pediatricians manage the physical, mental and behavioral health of children. They treat patients from birth until the age of 21. Therefore, your relationship with your child’s physician may be long term. Because your relationship with your child’s physician could be long lasting, it is important for you to compile a list of characteristics or requirements to help you assess compatibility.

While there are many qualified pediatricians for you to choose from, selecting one that is compatible with your requirements can sometimes be challenging.

Here are a few helpful tips you can use to make your search for a pediatrician less complicated:

Ask around– Friends or loved ones can be a trusted resource when looking for a pediatrician. They can refer you to a pediatrician that has provided a positive experience or to someone who has an excellent reputation.
Find the name of qualified pediatricians- A list of qualified and board certified physicians in your area can be found on the website of The American Academy of Pediatrics. abp.org
Consider proximity- It is highly suggested that you seek a pediatrician that is located within close proximity to your home.
Make sure the physician is covered by your insurance- Call your insurance company to ensure that the physicians you are interested in are providers in your plan.
Set up interviews– Call the pediatrician’s office and explain that you are interested in their services and would like to schedule a time to ask a few questions. Your talk with the doctor may be in person or over the phone. A few key questions to ask include:
Where did the pediatrician attend medical school?
What are their credentials?
Which hospitals are they affiliated with?
On average, how long does it take to get an appointment?
On average how much time does the doctor take to see each patient?
How are emergency situations handled?
How can the doctor be reached after hours?
Are sick and well patients separated?
Go with your instincts- After your interview with the pediatrician use the information you have gathered and your parental instincts to help you to decide if they are best for you.

Once you have selected your pediatrician, remember a good doctor-parent relationship can improve the quality of healthcare your child receives. Building a good relationship with your doctor will require clear communication, mutual respect and trust.

Tips for the Single Parent

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Being a single parent is not easy; it has its own set of challenges.

Couples get together with the very best of intentions, full of hopes and dreams of white picket fences, 2.5 kids.

No one enters into a committed relationship with the intention of uncoupling. Nonetheless, it’s a distressingly common occurrence.

Suddenly, you find yourself a single parent. Even if you have always been an active, involved parent, this is a completely different experience.

In the best of situations, with a support team of grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends, etc. you may have bouts of frustration and fatigue.

During these times you will have to push through and step-up. There is no substitution for a parent when dealing with a crying toddler, grumpy daughter or a son who failed to make the last out. These are hurdles you and your children will have to scale together.

Some of the most common ways a single parent can cope with and reduce stress are:

Finding a balance – Remember that parenting is about the moment. Take a deep breath and let go of your expectations.
Show your love –Praise your child. Give him or her unconditional love and support.
Create a routine – Structure, such as regularly scheduled meals and bedtimes help your child know what to expect.
Find quality child care – If you need regular child care, look for a qualified caregiver who can provide a safe environment. Do not rely on an older child as your only babysitter and be careful about asking a new friend or partner to watch your child.
Set limits – Explain house rules and expectations to your child, such as speaking respectfully and enforce them.
Don’t give in to guilt – Don’t blame yourself or spoil your child to try to make up for being a single parent.
Make time for yourself – Include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. Make time to enjoy alone time or activities with close friends.
Lean on others – It’s okay to join a support group for single parents or seek social services. Call on trusted loved ones, friends and neighbors for help.
Stay positive – Be honest with your child if you’re having a difficult time, but remind him or her that things will get better. Try to keep your sense of humor when dealing with everyday challenges.

Mistakes may be made, but with love and the best of intentions, you’ll make it through.

How Your Body Makes Milk for Your Baby

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

breastfeeding-475378452 Your breasts give you the earliest clues that you are pregnant. When you become pregnant, they become swollen, tender and the skin on your nipples and areolas become darker. Within the first trimester you will continue to experience physical changes in your breasts-such as the bumps(Montgomery glands) surrounding your areolas increasing in size. Milk –producing cells (alveoli) and ducts in the mammary glands will also multiply in preparation for the distribution of milk.

Usually by your fourth to sixth month of pregnancy, hormones will be released which tell your mammary glands to begin producing milk. The alveoli draw fats, proteins and sugars from your blood to make breast milk. At this point of pregnancy, it is not unusual for your body to begin leaking milk. This form of milk is called colostrum and may be yellow or orange in color and sticky.

After the birth of your baby the body increases levels of the hormone prolactin. This hormone releases signals to produce more milk. It is also known as the hormone that makes mothers feel maternal.

You can attempt to feed your baby soon after delivering; however some mothers are not fully capable of feeding their newborn within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Your “first milk” will be colostrum, which will have a creamy appearance. Colostrum is specially created for newborns; it is high in protein, low in fat and sugar and is easy to digest. It also helps your baby to make the first bowel movement and provides antibodies that strengthen the immune system.

As you can see, your body is designed to make the nutrients most essential to your baby’s health. Breastfeeding will provide many benefits for your bundle of joy and it will also provide you with countless health, emotional and financial benefits.

Is Your Child New to School?

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Joann Ariola

It is summertime but before you know it , it will be the end of August and a good time to start preparing your young child for their first experience at school. It is normal for young children, as well as their parents, to have some anxiety about starting something new.

Here are some tips on how to make the first day of school go well:

Visit the school and get familiar with the layout.
Become familiar with the school schedule.
Try to meet the teacher before school begins.
Reassure the child that everyone gets nervous and that it is okay.
Tell the child about all the new friends they are going to make.
Try to find someone who may be going to the same school in the same grade.
Parent should be calm and confident so your child will be more at ease.
If the school will permit it, see if you can bring a child’s stuffed animal to keep in their cubby
Always say good bye to your child when dropping them off or putting them on the bus. Reassure them that you will pick them up at the end of the day

It is natural for a child to have separation anxiety, especially if this is going to be their first time away from a parent. With a little bit of pre-planning, a child will adapt to the new routine and be just fine. Speak to your pediatrician to see if they have any other suggestions about getting your child off to school for the first time.

ADHD

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder diagnosed in children, as well as found in teens and continue into adulthood. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, have difficulty staying focused, and can’t control their impulses. Boys tend to be affected more frequently than girls. There isn’t a definite cause for the illness but there is a hereditary component, or result of a chemical imbalance in people who are diagnosed with ADHD. Mothers who smoke, drank alcohol, had poor nutrition, or were substance abusers during their pregnancy tend to have children with a higher incidence of the disease.
Children with ADHD:
• Are easily distracted
• Have trouble sitting still
• Have trouble waiting their turn
• Have difficulty organizing themselves
• Talk excessively
ADHD cannot be cured but can be managed through therapy and medication. Dr. Teresita Ruiz a psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, recommends that a parent who suspects their child is showing signs of abnormal behavior, seek professional help for an evaluation. Early intervention is an important component of successfully managing ADHD. To schedule an appointment with a child psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7160.

Honey Hastens Healing

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Did you know that out of all areas in the home, the kitchen is number one for getting burns and did you, also, know that the kitchen is a place you can find home remedies for that burn?

While most minor burns will heal on their own, there are home treatment remedies that can relieve your symptoms and promote healing, such as:

Honey – Honey has long been a remedy to disinfect wounds and heal burns. When applied to a burn, honey draws out fluids from the tissues, effectively cleaning the wound. You may also apply the honey to a gauze bandage, which is less sticky than direct application. On a piece of sterile gauze, place a dollop of honey and put the bandage directly on the burn, honey-side down. The dressing should be changed three to four times per day.
Additional home remedies for burns that can be found in your kitchen are:
Oatmeal – Oatmeal baths can help relieve the itch while the burn is healing
Tea bags – Tea bags contain tannic acid and help draw the heat from a burn. Gently dab the liquid, from a luke-warm water moistened tea bag, on the burn site.
Vinegar – Vinegar works as an astringent and antiseptic on minor burns and helps prevent infection. Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water, and rinse the burned area with the solution.
Cool water. – While ice is nice for sore muscles, cool water is the best liquid refreshment for burned skin. Ice can restrict blood flow to the burn site and further damage delicate tissues. Instead, gently run cool water or place cool compresses over the burn site for ten minutes. Do this as quickly as possible, preferably within seconds of getting a burn. Cool water not only feels good but will help stop the burn from spreading, and the sooner you run cool water on the burn, the greater the effect will be to reduce it.

Do’s and Don’ts to avoid burns:

DO lower the temperature of your hot-water heater to below 120 degrees F. A second-degree burn can happen within seconds in water that’s hotter than 120 degrees.
DO turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
DO keep that steaming cup of java out of a child’s reach, which means off the coffee table or other low-lying areas.
DON’T ever leave a child unattended in the kitchen.
DO make the stove area off-limits to children.
DO put a childproof lock on the oven door.
DO keep oven mitts and potholders handy when cooking.

You can try these remedies for minor burns, but if you suspect you may have a more severe injury, please seek medical treatment immediately.

The Fight Against Obesity is a Family Affair

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

The childhood obesity problem in the United States has reached epidemic proportions with many political leaders and health advocates turning their attention to bringing awareness to this issue.

Interventions have been suggested, school lunches have become healthier and more attention has been given to the benefit of outside play, recess, and cutting back on the consumption of processed foods.

One of the most effective solutions to the issue of childhood obesity may be a simple one; scheduling time for a healthy family dinner. The ritual of eating meals together, as a family, has shown to greatly improve healthy eating habits.

Studies have shown that families who dine while watching television tend to be heavier than those who make to time to sit down, together, for a meal on a regular basis. As a parent, eating with your family will give you the opportunity to encourage our children to eat mindfully, reinforce healthy eating habits and teach your children to eat slowly.

Some idea’s to make family meals regular events at your house are:

Turn off the TV
Make a date to have a meal together
Share the meal preparation process with the whole family
Select a healthy alternative to a favorite meal

In addition, eating is about so much more than the food and nutrients we receive from it. Meal time should be pleasurable, social and a time to connect with each other.

If you or someone you know is struggling with obesity, contact the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory care Center to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed Nutritionist’s at 718-206-7001.