A Guide to Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle
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Stress Less When Times are Ruff
Where would we be without our pets? We certainly value their companionship and enjoy their antics. And, on a deeper level, pets help us connect to the carefree part of ourselves that doesn't have deadlines and mortgages. But, did you know that there’s growing evidence that owning a pet can also keep you healthier and help protect against the stresses of life?
A study by researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo suggests that pets can be even more of a support in times of stress than friends or spouses. The study involved 240 married couples, half of whom owned a cat or dog. The subjects had to perform two tasks: doing difficult math problems in their heads and putting their hands in ice water for two minutes. Some were alone, and some had company—either a spouse, a friend, or a pet—while completing the task. As reported in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, subjects had higher blood pressure and heart rates when a spouse or friend was in the room. However, in the presence of a pet, blood pressure and heart rates went down.
How could Bandit or Mittens be more helpful than a wife, husband, or close friend? The researchers noted that judgment and criticism from others is a major source of stress.
Spouses and friends may be supportive, but there is nothing like the nonjudgmental loyalty of a pet.
Article provided by Chris Woolston, Consumer Health Interactive.
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Rx Relief for People and Pets
Medications can be expensive, but with an average savings of 24 percent, AAA Prescription Savings can help.
The free, easy-to-use prescription discount program for AAA members and their pets requires no enrollment, and there are no claim forms to fill out and no deductibles. Use it any time your prescription is not covered by insurance.
Simply print out a AAA Prescription Savings card at AAA.com/Prescriptions. Write your membership number on the card and present it to your pharmacist for immediate savings.
For savings on pet prescriptions, ask your vet to write a script that you can fill at a participating pharmacy or through a mail-order service. To find a participating pharmacy, visit your local AAA office or AAA.com/Prescriptions.
AAA Prescription Savings is not an insurance plan. Savings only are available at participating pharmacies. Your savings may vary by pharmacy, prescription strength, dosage and quantity. Savings figures are compared to the usual and customary prices and may include mail service prescriptions. The program administrator may obtain fees or rebates from manufacturers and/or pharmacies based on your prescription purchases. These fees or rebates may be retained by the program administrator or shared with you and/or your pharmacy. The AAA Prescription Savings program only covers medications dispensed through a pharmacy. Heartworm or flea/tick prevention medications are not covered. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Certain prescription claims through this program may not be eligible for reimbursement through government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. *Prescription Savings card is not required in Puerto Rico.
Smart Strategies for Holiday Eating
The holiday season is a glorious time for enjoying family and friends and all those yummy dishes that are plentiful at social events. But if you don’t want to work overtime to burn off the extra pounds that show up each January, Kathryn Allen, manager of nutrition therapy at Moffitt Cancer Center, offers some tips for enjoying this special time without consuming the extra calories.
Don’t hit the table on an empty stomach. Eat a healthy breakfast or lunch so you’re not starved by party time. This will prevent you from being too hungry when faced with the abundant menu. When you are not starving, you can think with your brain and not with your stomach.
Drink a calorie-free beverage 20 minutes before the big event.
Load up on fiber first. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables at the beginning of the meal.
Avoid all-or-nothing thinking. Instead of trying to avoid “forbidden foods” entirely, have little portions of absolutely everything you love to eat, even if it is just a bite or two. Savor the flavor and spend a little time being grateful between bites. If it is not wonderful, don’t eat the whole serving. Use your calories wisely and make them count. The smaller your portions are, the more varieties of food you can choose from the table.
Don’t deprive yourself. Pick one or two special meals where you allow yourself to indulge in foods you only see once a year. This works much better than snacking on cookies and treats over the entire holiday season.
Avoid leftovers. The dinner is over, but now comes the real challenge—all those leftovers, each one as wonderful on day two (or three). Freeze leftovers right away in small portions for future meals, or pack them up for family and friends.
Allen also says, “Don’t forget your exercise! Staying on track with exercise will help your resolve and also help you manage your stress during this high-stress time of year. So take a walk after each holiday meal, or invite friends and family to go for a stroll to look at holiday decorations.” She also recommends making plans to do things other than eating, such as going to a new holiday movie, taking the kids to the zoo, or planning a day at the park or museum.
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It’s not so hard, really. Try substituting these healthier choices at your holiday meal.
Have white-meat roast turkey with no skin instead of dark meat or ham.
- Make roasted green beans with olive oil, garlic and slivered almonds instead of a casserole.
- Enjoy fat-free frozen yogurt or a premium sorbet instead of ice cream.
- Serve fresh baked yams instead of yams smothered in butter, marshmallows and cream.
- Prepare homemade dinner rolls or wild rice pilaf instead of stuffing.
- Serve grilled vegetables instead of mashed potatoes.
- Toast with white or dry red wine instead of eggnog.
Information courtesy of Moffitt Cancer Center. For information about cancer prevention, screening, clinical trials or support groups, call Moffitt’s Cancer Answers hotline at (888) MOFFITT (663-3488). Or visit www.moffitt.org and click on “Cancer Answers” to submit your questions online.
Back to TopDon’t Delay, Use Your FSA
If you are one of the estimated 3 million participants in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program, you understand the savings potential of putting pre-tax funds into an account for use on medical expenses not covered by insurance, including eye care and eyewear.
However, your funds may be forfeited if not used by the end of the year. As a AAA member, your (FSA) dollars can go farther at local LensCrafters®, Pearle Vision® or Sears Optical** locations, where members save 30 percent* on a complete pair (frame and lenses) of eyeglasses and sunglasses every day.
*Eyeglass purchase requires a complete pair, frame and lenses. Valid AAA membership card must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid with any coupons, discounts, package offers, sale items, promotional offers, previous purchases or most insurance programs. Offer subject to change. Restrictions apply. Certain brands are excluded; see store for details. Void where prohibited. **Sears Optical not available in Puerto Rico.
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