Tag Archives: Health

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Running in New York

Couple running on Brooklyn Bridge

Running has always been a popular way for New Yorkers to stay fit, and there are so many different routes to choose from. Whether you are seeking a classic run through the heart of the city, or a leisurely jog through meadows of wildflowers, here are some areas to consider if you have been looking for a few new running routes in New York.

Sunken Meadow State Park
The Sunken Meadow State Park boasts a wide range of topography, as well as incredible views out over the Long Island Sound, with Connecticut in the distance. There are several trails to choose from here, including the 3.7 mile Sunken Meadow Loop Trail, the two-mile Greenbelt Trail, or simply just running along the three-mile beach.

Joggers in Central Park

The Central Park Loop
For those who want an easily accessible run in the heart of Manhattan, but away from traffic, the Central Park loop is idea. The scenery that you will see within the park is varied enough to be interesting throughout the run, which stretches out for just under ten kilometres, and there will also be easy access to facilities, from restrooms to water fountains, as well as many other runners to provide you with some extra motivation.

The East River Run
The East River Run is the route to take if you are hoping to catch some gorgeous city views along your way. This run starts off at the top of Central Park, before going over the RFK Bridge to Randall’s Island, and then returning back again. This is a long run, measuring just over 16 miles, but there are ways to cut it short, such as by skipping Queens. The route itself is great as it avoids a large amount of traffic, meaning that you will be able to maintain a steady stride throughout.

The Five Bridges Run
The Five Bridges Run is another long route, measuring just under 17 miles. This route will take you to so many places around the city, and will have you crossing five bridges, including the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. Alternatively, you can shorten the route to just two bridges, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, which takes the journey down to just over three miles. While this is a great route for those who want to see more of the city, it does take you through some heavily populated areas, so you are best doing this run early in the morning if you want to avoid large amounts of traffic, both road and foot.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn

NattyC / Shutterstock.com

Prospect Park
For those who enjoy running in parks, but find Central Park too busy, Prospect Park in Brooklyn is your next best option. The route stretches out for just over three miles, and takes you past some of Brooklyn’s most popular landmarks, from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch to the Grand Army Plaza.

Fitness and physical activity is such an important part of staying healthy, and New Yorkers have long since recognized this. From the greenery of the Sunken Meadow State Park to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, these are some of the best running routes in the city.

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Health Risks to Avoid When Travelling Overseas

Woman travelling overseas
When travelling overseas, there are several health risks that you should be aware of, no matter where you may be travelling to. From drinking contaminated water to suffering from an illness brought on by an insect bite, these health risks can all be avoided by taking the necessary precautions.

Unsafe Water
From Asia to South America to the Middle East, travellers all over the world often end up drinking contaminated water, which can then lead to a number of different illnesses, including E. coli, salmonella and cholera. The reason for this is because the local water contains pathogens that the traveller’s immune system is not used to, which is why locals are able to drink the water with absolutely no problems. The best way to protect yourself from this is by sticking to bottled water, or by boiling tap water before drinking. Since freezing water does not kill any pathogens, you also need to make sure that any ice in your drink has been boiled first, otherwise, it would be best to just go without the ice.

Insect Bites
There are many different travel-related diseases that are transmitted by insects, be they mosquitoes, flies, ticks or fleas. When travelling to a destination that is rife with insects, it is important to be aware of the different diseases that they can cause before you arrive, making sure that you would be able to recognise any symptoms. You should also check what their peak biting times are, as different insects are at their busiest at various points of the day. Keeping your skin well covered is the best way to prevent insects from biting, while an insect repellent would also be a wise choice. If you find that the insects at your destination tend to bite while you are asleep, it would be worth investing in a net to sleep underneath, as well as accommodation that is fully enclosed and air conditioned.

Heat-Related Illnesses
Travelling to a hot country to soak up some sun is always popular, but you need to ensure that you keep yourself protected from the many common heat-related illnesses that often strike unsuspecting travellers. While everybody is at risk from these, elderly and child travellers are much more susceptible, so extra care needs to be taken. From sun burn to heatstroke, it is essential that you make sun protection a priority when in a hot country, not only with the use of sunscreen, but also by limiting the amount of time that you spend under the intense rays of the sun. You should also be keeping your body well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as this will go a long way in preventing heat-related illnesses.

While you may not yet have encountered any health issues while travelling, it is still important to be aware of them, so that you never find yourself caught off guard. From ensuring that you always have an effective insect repellent with you to making the effort to boil any tap water before drinking it, these steps will help to keep you safe and healthy no matter where you are travelling to.

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Singapore Food Festival

Chinatown. Singapore

GTS Productions / Shutterstock.com

An annual event that is being held this year from the 15th to the 31st of July, the Singapore Food Festival is celebrated throughout the island of Singapore, consisting of food-related events, culinary workshops and demonstrations, themed celebrations and competitions. The main theme for the festival this year is “Savour the Past, Taste the Future”, highlighting Singapore’s local flavors while showcasing the innovative spirit of Singapore’s food scene.

STREAT
The signature event of the Singapore Food Festival each year, STREAT will be returning again in 2016, featuring award-winning local chefs. The event will feature a pop-up restaurant that will be serving up a specially curated five-course dinner that promises to elevate iconic street food dishes, and there will also be 10 popular hawker chefs present, cooking up a range of local and progressive dishes.

50 Cent Fest!
From the 30th to the 31st of July, Singapore’s Chinatown Food Street will be transformed into a foodie wonderland, lined with several delicious street stalls, as well as buskers and street entertainers. The local dishes on sale here will all be sold in small 50 cent portions, enabling visitors to really sample a different taste from each stall.

Open Stoves
Open Stoves is a special event that will be held from the 23rd to the 24th of July, and features a BBQ outdoor kitchen, live cooking demonstrations, live music from local bands, and even neon beer pong. This is a great event for those who want a behind-the-scenes peek into the kitchen, where resident and guest chefs will be creating new and innovative dishes in full view of their audience.

Recreating History
As Singapore has developed over the years, certain areas of the country, which were once go-to places for local dishes, lost their foodie charm. This year’s Singapore Food Festival aims to recreate that in certain areas of the country, bringing back the food stalls that once lined the Farrer Park district, as well as highlighting the heritage of certain eateries, such as the landmark hawker center, East Coast Lagoon Food Village.

Singapore Restaurant Month 2016
Singapore Restaurant Month runs in conjunction with the Singapore Food Festival and is part of the Health Promotion Board’s quest to encourage the public to eat healthier foods. There are 46 restaurants taking part in Singapore Restaurant Month, 10 of which are heritage establishments, and they have come up with 95 exclusive and wholesome dishes, which have been inspired by traditional local dishes. Each dish is under 500 calories, showing that it is most definitely possible for authentic local dishes to still be just as delicious, but much healthier. Some of the dishes that you can expect to sample are the Steamed Sea Bass with Spicy Chilli and Lime Sauce from Nara Thai, and the Eight Treasures Box filled with delicate steamed dumplings from Shin Yeh.

The Singapore Food Festival is always a highly anticipated event, with Singaporeans in general quite passionate about their food. Each of the special events that will be held in honor of the festival promise to not only showcase the way in which local food has held onto its heritage over the years, but also bring to light the innovative new dishes that have been putting Singapore at the forefront of the culinary world in recent years.

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The Changing Scene of “Fast-Food”

The food industry is constantly changing, and while industrialized fast food may have been the norm over the past few decades, this may not be the case for much longer. With the health and environmental concerns that are continuously being linked to fast, convenient foods, and the increased awareness that consumers now have in wanting to know exactly where their food has come from, more and more people are now shunning fast food options in favor of healthier options that focus on freshness and quality.

Organic vegetables

Farmers Markets
Ever since 1994, when the US Department of Agriculture began to keep records on farmers markets around the country, numbers have more than quadrupled, and there are now over 8000 registered farmers markets dotted around America. This trend is also being experienced in many other countries around the world, from Europe to Australia, with many people now preferring to buy their food directly from the farmer that has grown it. Of course, the goods on sale will be seasonal, and can be completely different depending on which region you are in, but with winter farmers markets now just as popular as the summer versions, it is definitely possible to have access to farm-fresh produce all year round.

Meal Planning and Delivery Subscriptions
Meal planning is essential for most households, and there are now subscription services available that make this even easier, doing away with the temptation to opt for a fast food meal on those late evenings when you do not much feel like cooking. These new companies allow customers to sign up for a weekly meal plan, after which the exact ingredients needed for each meal are delivered to the customer’s door. Not only does this make cooking healthy meals at home much more convenient, but it also does away with the need to shop at grocery stores, and reduces the amount of food wastage, since you are only sent exactly what you will need for the week.

dainty morsels with white asparagus

Fresh and Seasonal Menus
With the increased demand from consumers wanting quality when they eat out at restaurants, a number of eateries are now creating seasonal menus, stocking their kitchens with fresh and local produce. This not only reduces food miles, but also expands awareness on the delicious ingredients that can be found locally. These restaurants can be found just about everywhere, ranging from high-end fine dining to casual café snacks.

Farm Co-ops
Small farms face a number of challenges when it comes to marketing and selling their produce, not only financially but also in terms of the range and quantity of produce that they can offer. This is where farm co-ops come in, a concept that has already seen plenty of success. Essentially, a farm co-op is a group of food producers that use combined efforts to sell their goods, sharing advertising costs and dividing up tasks between them. This makes it much easier for them to also sell to larger stores and supermarkets, as together they are much more likely to be able to meet the demands of these larger businesses.

The rise of fast food has led to the decline of local food traditions and cultures, and has severely altered the way in which consumers view food. Fortunately, it would seem as though the “slow food” movement is continuously gaining momentum, and once this has been embraced to a larger extent, we will soon be able to see improvements in the overall health of the general public, as well as that of the environment.

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Washing the Day Off

No matter how fresh and clean you may feel when you start the day, this is never the case each evening, especially for those living in a city. With air pollution at an all-time high in cities all over the world, and invisible germs swarming on just about every surface, it is essential that the harmful effects of a day in the city are thoroughly cleansed each evening, not only from your skin and your hair, but also from the clothes that you have been wearing.

Create a Clean Home Environment
Before beginning to wash the day off, it is always a good idea to ensure that your home environment is clean and free from any other germs or pollutants. Germs and bacteria arise from all sorts of places, be it your carpets, your pets or just the dust that settles on surfaces. When cleaning your home, try to use products that contain the minimum amount of chemicals, ensuring that your home environment is as healthy as possible.

Woman washing face

Skin Cleansing
If you are hoping to thoroughly cleanse your skin from all of the germs and pollutants that have barraged it throughout the day, it goes without saying that a couple of quick swipes with an everyday cleanser will not do the job. Instead, begin with damp skin, covering your fingers with the cleanser before gliding it around your skin. After doing this for a couple of minutes to clear away the dirt and oils, use warm water to rinse your face, as this will break down any residue much more effectively than cold water will. Once your skin has been cleansed, you can move on to applying other skin care products, opting for ones that contain extra antioxidants as this will help your skin to fight against the damage that the city inflicts onto it.

Hair Protection
The dirt and pollution from the day that builds up on your hair will result in locks that are dry, dull and undernourished. Shampooing it regularly will help to remove all of these impurities, while using a conditioner will protect it from subsequent wear and tear. There are many hair masks available that aim to counter the damaging effects of pollution, and you could also give your hair a steam treatment every week, as this will open up the pores and boost circulation.

Woman changing clothes

Clean Clothes
Even if your clothes still feel relatively fresh after a day in the city, pollen, pollutants and germs will have all attached themselves to your outfit over the course of the day. While throwing every item that you have worn into the washing machine each and every day may not be the most efficient use of your time, not to mention the devastating effects that this can have on the environment, there are other ways to ensure that you are able to keep your clothes germ-free. Rinsing clothes in hot water can be just as effective as a washing machine cycle, and drying them out in the sunlight will ensure that they are disinfected by the sun’s UV rays, while keeping the airflow optimized.

Although the majority of impurities that we come into contact with each day are invisible, this does not mean that they should be ignored. From thoroughly cleansing your skin to naturally disinfecting your clothes, these tips will help you to wash off all of the negative effects of the day, giving your body, and clothes, time to breathe in a clean environment.

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Loma Linda Vegetarian Eateries

Vegetarian food

Situated in California’s San Bernardino county, Loma Linda is considered to be one of the healthiest communities in the United States. One of the reasons for this is because a large portion of the city’s residents are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which advocates healthy lifestyle choices – something that almost all of its members follow. When it comes to diet, the church recommends that this be plant-based, as this is much healthier, meaning that the city is packed with delicious vegetarian eateries.

Happy Family
While Happy Family may be quite a basic eatery, it serves up delicious and authentic-tasting vegan and vegetarian Chinese cuisine. The menu is filled with hundreds of traditional Chinese dishes, with the meat-free alternatives looking so much like the real thing that the restaurant is constantly assuring customers that they are indeed meat-free. While the faux meat dishes are tasty, the vegetarian dishes are the true standouts. From the spicy Szechuan Style Tofu to the Crispy Oyster Mushrooms to the Crispy Shitake Mushrooms with Beansprouts, Happy Family serves up such tasty vegetarian dishes that even the meat lovers won’t miss the meat.

Patio Pantry
Situated on the Loma Linda University campus, Patio Pantry is attached to the Loma Linda Market, and makes good use of its easy access to fresh and healthy vegetables. This cute café serves up mainly lacto-ovo vegetarian dishes, along with a good selection of vegan options. Their made-to-order sandwiches are popular with those seeking a quick and healthy lunch, while they also enjoy a steady crowd during breakfast hours for their pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and their one-of-a-kind Spanish Potato. Patio Pantry also puts together some of the tastiest fresh juices, ensuring that you have a healthy way to stay refreshed and hydrated. While Patio Pantry can often get rather busy, especially at lunch times, all of their meals have a take-out option, and, thanks to the cafe’s central location, can easily be enjoyed in one of the nearby parks.

Tess’ Place
Tess’ Place is run by a Loma Linda doctor, who wanted to provide the city’s residents with fresh gourmet soups, sandwiches and salads. The restaurant puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that everything that they serve up is fresh, from their pastries to their soups. The in-house bakers create fresh bread each and every day, and the menu features a great range of vegetarian options, from the vegetarian speciality sandwiches to the fresh vegetarian and vegan soups to the speciality salads that make us of some unique ingredients. Their daily specials are always highly anticipated by their regulars each morning, and they are also posted on the restaurant’s social media accounts, so that you can be sure not to miss out if they are cooking up one of your favorite dishes.

Plant-based diets have been proven, time and time again, to be beneficial to a person’s health, and this is why the residents of Loma Linda not only enjoy a longer lifespan than the average American, but also live their lives feeling much healthier and happier.

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Sickness During Vacation – OROGOLD Reviews

Woman sneezing on a beach.

Often, with the excitement, stress and mad rush to get everything done before leaving for a vacation, people find themselves falling ill as soon as they have stopped working and started to relax. It is a relatively common affliction, termed ‘leisure sickness’ by a Dutch psychologist, who carried out a study among more than 1800 people, discovering that just over 3% of people have suffered from leisure sickness at some point. Although research on leisure sickness, and its causes, have yet to be confirmed, OROGOLD believes that there are certain things that you can do to prevent it from happening to you.

Tired woman falling asleep while working.

Lack of Adrenaline
To cope with all of the stress that is experienced before leaving on a vacation, our bodies produce adrenaline, which also boosts our immune system. When we finally stop working and relax, our hormones are out of balance and this, plus the lack of adrenaline, leaves our immune system open to infection. This explanation, although not yet proven, is plausible, especially if the switch from stressed to relaxed happens quickly, and the best way to avoid this would be to take the time to relax and de-stress during the run-up to your vacation. You can also make sure that you are taking immune-boosting vitamins, and eating a diet rich in healthy nutrients.

Woman fighting infections wiping her nose with a tissue.

Airplane Infections
Travel is always tiring, and airplanes are known to be a hotbed for infection. Although the cabin air is filtered, sitting in an enclosed space with other people’s germs means that you are much more likely to catch a cold or another type of infection. Official data suggests that only 1% of adults catch a cold on an airplane, but on a study carried out on a flight traveling from San Francisco Bay to Denver, it was found that within a week of traveling, 20% of passengers had developed a cold. Certain parts of the plane, such as the armrests, tray tables and toilet door handles, have also been seen to contain high levels of bacteria, and the longer the flight, the longer you are exposed to them for. To keep yourself safe, always carry some disinfectant wipes when flying, and wipe down the tray table and armrest as soon as you sit down. Try to eat some fruit before flying, as this will give you some much needed protection for the flight.

There is a lack of research when it comes to leisure sickness, meaning that it cannot yet be an official medical affliction. However, many seem to agree that the explanations for what could cause people to fall ill as soon as they stop working make sense, and that it is highly possible that leisure sickness is caused by a combination of those factors. Luckily, as we get older, it is something that we need to worry about less, as our immune systems develop more antibodies as we age, better protecting us from catching colds.

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Dispelling Airplane Myths – OROGOLD Reviews

Over time, airplanes have gotten a bad reputation for being packed with a whole variety of germs and diseases, but most people do not know where exactly these germs lie, as well as how to avoid them. OROGOLD reviews some of the most common airplane myths, along with the actual truth behind them.

Interior of an airplane with stewardess walking down the aisle.

Cabin air is a dangerous health hazard
One of the most commonly believed airplane myths is that the most dangerous hazard whilst flying is the cabin air itself. This is definitely not true, as cabins are fitted with HEPA filters, which clean the air. Instead, the upholstery of the seats, the tray tables, the armrests and the toilet handles are much more likely to contain traces of certain bacteria, including MRSA and E. Coli. These strains of bacteria have been found to live for up to a week on planes that haven’t been properly cleaned.

Air stairs being attached to an airplane.

Each plane is thoroughly cleaned between flights
According to many industry watchers, proper cleaning of the inside of an aircraft does not happen as frequently as we would like to think. Since the FAA does not regulate, or even inspect, aircraft cleaning, it is left up to the individual airlines to handle. As a general rule, each aircraft is supposed to be thoroughly wiped down after every 30 days of service, or after a 100 hour flying period. However, this means that an aircraft could carry out dozens of different flights before it is deep-cleaned.

Man resting in an airport lounge.

It is safe to use the bagged pillows and blanket
It is easy to believe that the pillows and blankets that are handed out, wrapped in plastic, are safe to use, but this is not necessarily true. Eyewitness accounts have stated that on some airlines, pillows are stored in the overhead compartments in between flights, with nobody changing the pillowcases. Your best bet would be to bring along a warm jacket, as well as neck pillow that has a cover that can be easily washed.

Airlines take precautions to ensure that certain viruses, such as Ebola, are not spread through the cabin
Ebola is a virus that is causing particular concern at the moment, but, as of yet, there have not been any reported cases of the virus managing to spread within the confined space of an aircraft cabin. Ebola is not an airborne virus, and can only be spread via blood or bodily fluids, so all passengers should make sure to cover up and exposed wounds.

Box of tissue sanitizers.

Once I’m on the plane, there’s nothing I can do to protect myself from harmful bacteria
Every flier can, and should, take steps to ensure that they are protected from any harmful bacteria that may be living in an aircraft. A pack of disinfectant wipes should be carried with you at all times, and used to wipe down the armrest and tray table as soon as you reach your seat. When touching door knobs or the toilet handle, it is best to use a tissue or a paper towel, so that your skin does not come into direct contact with it. As tear ducts are a fast route for germs to reach the nose and throat, your eyes are particularly vulnerable, and you should keep your hands as far away from them as possible.

Although the amount of germs that are found on an airplane may seem shocking, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself protected from them. By being aware of which areas of a plane contain the most harmful bacteria, and by carrying disinfectants and hand sanitizers with you at all times, you will have a much better chance of keeping your body free from the germs.

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Where to Workout in Los Angeles – OROGOLD Reviews

Santa Monica Beach and Pier.

Los Angeles is blessed with an almost endless choice of gyms and fitness centers, making a good workout extremely convenient. However, for those of you who prefer something slightly different, Los Angeles provides some great workout opportunities on its many beaches, mountains and hiking trails, as well as some unique sports and fitness classes.

Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular workout destinations in LA, thanks to its breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline. There are multiple routes to choose from, including steep paths for those who want to really push themselves, and slow but steady climbs for those who want to take it slightly easier. The great thing about Runyon Canyon is that you can workout at your own pace, whilst breathing in the fresh mountain air at the same time, taking advantage of the free yoga classes provided by top instructors if you so desire. You can even bring your dog along to workout with you, stopping off at the dog park along the way.

YOGAqua
LA is known for its many fitness innovations, especially ones involving yoga, and YOGAqua is no exception. The sessions are held in Marina Del Ray, and involve participants swapping their yoga mats for paddle boards. After a 15 minute paddling instruction session, you will be ready to practice your yoga moves out on the water. Managing to perfectly align yourself on the board whilst the gentle waves are bobbing you around may seem like a challenge, but will only help to improve your overall balance, making your in-studio yoga sessions seem like a breeze!

Hoopnotica
Hoopnotica was established to reignite the hula hoop craze, and has turned into a great workout session. Held weekly at a couple of different LA venues, the hour long class makes use of hula hoops to help you burn between 400 and 600 calories per session. Classes begin with simple stretches, using the hula hoop as a tool, continuing on to an aerobic workout which loosens your hips and tones your core.

Santa Monica Steps
The Santa Monica steps, located in a quiet neighborhood, was once a simple set of stairs that ran down from the Santa Monica Canyon. Now, it is a popular workout location for those who want to swap their indoor treadmill for some exercise in the fresh Santa Monica air. The steps are free to the public and are open 24/7 throughout the year, making them convenient for people who have other obligations and need to workout at more unconventional hours. If Santa Monica is too far to travel for a workout, LA has plenty of other great staircases that you can head to, such as the Beachwood Canyon Stairs, the Culver City Steps and the Pacific Palisades – Castellammare scenic city stair walk.

Incorporating some variety into your workout routine will definitely make it more enjoyable, and you will find yourself looking forward to it in a way that you never used to. Whatever your interests may be, you can be almost certain that LA will have a workout that is perfectly suited to you.