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• walking exercises
• Health fits of walking
• walking challenge

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

It’s officially March Madness season, so why not kick off this month with a 31-day Walking Challenge? This challenge can be done by itself or in addition to other exercises or workouts that you currently do each day. 

Happy Walking! 

Day 1: Walk 1 mile

Day 2: Walk 1 mile

Day 3: Walk 1 mile

Day 4: OFF

Day 5: Walk 1 mile

Day 6: Walk 1 mile

Day 7: Walk 1 mile

Day 8: OFF

Day 9: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 10: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 11: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 12: OFF

Day 13: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 14: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 15: Walk 2 miles

Day 16: OFF

Day 17: Walk 2 miles

Day 18: Walk 2 miles

Day 19: Walk 2 miles

Day 20: OFF

Day 21: Walk 2 miles

Day 22: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 23: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 24: OFF

Day 25: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 26: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 27: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 28: OFF

Day 29: Walk 3 miles

Day 30: Walk 3 miles

Day 31: Walk 3 miles

• Spring Health Tips
• spring diet
• Healthy spring diet
• spring eating tips

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Before hitting the grocery store or produce stands this season, check out what fruits and veggies you should be getting:

• Apricots – slightly soft, not bruised
• Artichoke – compact head, bright green color
• Asparagus – closed and compact tips, bright green stalks
• Avocado – should be a little “give” when squeezed
• Carrots – crisp, healthy tops
• Collard Greens – dark green, vibrant color
• Mango – more orange/red than green
• New Potatoes – last only a few days
• Pineapple – sniff the bottom for sweet aroma, check for firmness
• Rhubarb – check for bright, crisp stalks
• Spinach – avoid dried out or yellow stems
• Strawberries – pick fragrant, slightly soft ones
• Sugar Snap/Snow Peas – bright green, should feel like they have a snap (not limp)

• Spinach health benefits
• health benefits of spinach
• spinach healthy recipes
• spinach recipes

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

• The vitamin K in spinach provides 200% of the daily value in fresh spinach and nearly 1000% of the daily value in boiled spinach.
• Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, folate and magnesium.
• Cooked spinach is a great source of iron and is totally fat free.

Recipe: Wilted Spinach Salad

• 10 to 12 ounces spinach, washed and torn into pieces
• ¼ cup minced red onion
• 5 to 6 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, 1 chopped and 1 sliced
• 2 to 4 slices bacon
• 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper 

Place prepared spinach in a large bowl. Add onions and radishes. Refrigerate, tightly covered. Fry or microwave bacon until crisp; remove to paper towel and set aside. In a small jar or measuring cup combine drippings with sugar, vinegar, water, salt and pepper. Refrigerate all ingredients until just before serving. When ready to serve, microwave the dressing on high for 30 to 45 seconds, or until mixture boils. Toss the chopped egg with the greens then pour the hot dressing over greens mixture; toss again lightly. Top with sliced egg and crumbled bacon.

Recipe: Spinach Lasagna

• 2 egg whites
• 26 oz of prepared spaghetti sauce
• 24 oz of ricotta cheese
• 10 oz of Lasagna noodles, cooked
• 10 oz of frozen spinach, thawed and chopped, then squeezed dry
• 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, grated, reserve ½ cup
• ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese, grated and divided, reserve 2 tablespoons
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• Olive oil 

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9x13 dish. Cook lasagna noodles as directed on the package, then rinse and drain. Combine parmesan cheese, ricotta cheeses with the egg whites, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Pour ¼ cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and spread it out using a spatula. Cover the sauce with a single layer of lasagna noodles. Spread about half the cheese mixture over the noodles, and then cover with about half of the spinach and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finish this layer with half of the remaining spaghetti sauce. Add a second layer of noodles, topping with the remaining cheese mixture, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Top with the final layer of noodles and remaining spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle the reserved Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set for 10-12 minutes. 

• RSV awareness
• RSV diagnosis
• RSV treatment

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Continued from Part I… 

What is the treatment for RSV?

While there is no specific routine treatment for an RSV infection, doctors will offer suggestions on how to manage RSV symptoms, such as how to reduce fever or how to use saline drops to help clear a stuffy nose. Doctors may also suggest IVs, oxygen, or a breathing machine. 

Is there a vaccine or immunization for RSV?

Currently there is no vaccine or immunization for RSV, although scientists are working daily to come up with a vaccine. 

Isn’t RSV just a virus that children get?

Many think that RSV is a disease for infants and children. RSV causes approximately 100-500 deaths each year in children less than 5 years old; it also causes an estimated 14,000 deaths annually in adults aged 65 years and older. 

How long does it take for RSV to go away?

It usually takes 7 to 10 days for RSV to clear up on its own. Sometimes that can be shortened with breathing treatments and saline drops. 

How can I alleviate my symptoms of RSV?

• Resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Keeping your child upright as much as possible.
• Using a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to keep air moist.
• Using saline drips or a nasal rinse to ease sinus congestion.
• Managing pain with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Staying away from cigarette smoke.  

How can I prevent RSV?

Cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid close contact with infected individuals, and clean frequently touched surfaces. 

• RSV awareness
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• RSV diagnosis
• RSV treatment

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

If you have listened to any medical broadcast over the past few months, then you have certainly heard the letters RSV. But what do you know about RSV? In this two-part article, we hope to provide you with a full understanding of what RSV is, signs, symptoms, treatments and how you can help yourself and those around you from getting RSV.

What does RSV stand for?

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a contagious virus that is usually mild but can severely affect the lungs and respiratory airways.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

Symptoms of RSV can range from mild to severe and can last up to two weeks. RSV can cause severe symptoms in older adults. RSV symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, headache, and tiredness.

How does RSV spread?

Like some other respiratory infections, a cough or sneeze can easily spread RSV. And while you are typically contagious for 3 to 8 days, some people, especially those with weakened immune systems can be contagious for as long as 4 weeks – even after they stop showing symptoms. 

Can you get RSV more than once?

Yes, people can get RSV multiple times throughout their life. 

How is RSV diagnosed?

Since most cases of RSV are mild, tests are usually not required to diagnose infection. However, depending on your medical history and the time of year, your doctor may obtain a sample with a buccal swab or do a blood test to look for the presence of viruses and check the white blood cell count. In more severe cases and where hospitalization is required, your doctor may perform a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for pulmonary complications.

Continued in Part II…