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MEDICAL EXAMINER recipe feature PAGE 7
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got milk? what about bread?
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ast year at about this time, the Augusta area was hit with an epic ice storm. Store shelves — if you could get to them, and if the store was open — looked like this (above). While it’s not likely we’ll see a repeat performance this winter, eventually we’ll all be running to stores again, whether the reason is Icemageddon II or some other catastrophe. Online Medical Examiner readers and subscribers in parts north may face this issue tomorrow. The question: what’s up with the mad rush to buy bread and milk? A Washington Post article last week was headlined, “Milk and bread are actually pretty terrible survival foods.” Why? Milk won’t last long after the power goes out, and would likely freeze if kept outside. Bread also has a short shelf life. What’s a better choice when the world is coming to an end and all you have time for is one last trip to Kroger? Buy stuff that’s high in nutrition, doesn’t require cooking, and that won’t spoil tomorrow. Such as: peanut butter, crackers, tuna (make sure you have a manual can opener), bottled water, nuts, trail mixes, granola bars, and — if cooking fuel is available and expected to continue to be — canned vegetables and soup. Hmm... No mention of bread and milk... +
FEBRUARY 6, 2015
Work it, baby! American Heart Month is a great time to turn the spotlight on simple ways to make hearts healthier. Ironically enough, taking it easy is not the best way to reward our heart for all its hard work. Like any muscle, the heart gets stronger by working. “But doesn’t the heart work all day every day, 24/7?” you ask. True enough. A heart will beat an average of 3 billion times in an average lifetime. But don’t forget there’s an entire circulatory system connected to this amazing pump. So if our veins and arteries aren’t in good health, it can make the heart work harder. It’s not entirely apt to compare getting exercise with “blowing the carbon out” of a car’s exhaust system by revving up the motor, but it does suggest one of the systemic benefits of exercise. The trouble is, exercise is notoriously difficult to stick with. It can be boring, time-consuming, and sweaty. Yuck. But there’s an old joke that puts things into perspective. A doctor asks a patient, “What fits your busy schedule better: exercising a half hour per day, or being dead 24 hours a day?” With that in mind, here are some tips for exercise success from the American Heart Association:
Dress for success • Wear comfortable, properly fitted sneakers or flat shoes with laces. • Wear comfortable, loosefitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity.
Make the time! • Start slowly. Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days of the week (or whatever your doctor recommends). • Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a regular part of your lifestyle. For example, you might walk every Monday,
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 12:30 or from 7:00 to 7:30 pm • Find a convenient time and place to do activities. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day another way. Keep reasonable expectations of yourself. • If you have a high risk of coronary heart disease or some other chronic health problem, check with your healthcare provider before beginning a physical activity program. • Look for chances to be more active during the day. Walk the mall before shopping, take the stairs instead of the escalator or take 10–15 minute breaks while watching TV or sitting for walking or some other activity. • Don’t get discouraged if you stop for a while. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace. • Don’t exercise too vigorously right after meals, when it’s very hot or humid, or when you just don’t feel up to it. Make it fun! • Choose activities that are fun, not exhausting. Add variety. Develop a repertoire of several activities that you can enjoy. That way exercise will never seem boring or routine. • Ask family and friends to Please see HEART page 6
New year. Old scrubs? We can fix that. (706) 364.1163 • WWW.SCRUBSOFEVANS.COM • 4158 WASHINGTON RD • ACROSS FROM CLUB CAR • M-F: 10-6:30; SAT: 10-4