Archive for the ‘Eating healthy’ Category

The Freshest Fruits for June

Posted on: June 9th, 2015 by Medi-RentsBlogger

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It’s officially summer which means it is the peak season for many fruits. There are many health benefits to eating fruits during the summer and all year round. You can lessen your likelihood for chronic diseases and common illnesses by eating more fruits. Medi-Rents is bringing you information about this season’s freshest fruits in today’s blog.

The freshest fruits for the month of June-

Apricots– Looking for an excellent source of vitamin A? Now is the time to soak up the benefits of orange apricots. Apricots are filled with beta-carotene and are considered to be one of the first signs of summer. Although apricots are not considered a popular fruit, we challenge you to try something new this June by eating an apricot!

Berries– June brings the peak season for all types of berries across the United States. From blueberries to strawberries and raspberries, you can sink your teeth into some of the sweetest fruits in June. Berries can aid in weight loss, prevent diseases and help you feel fuller for longer.

Kiwi– An ice cold strawberry kiwi smoothie is a sure sign of cooling off on a hot summer day. Kiwi fruit is a medium sized, fuzzy fruit that opens up to a bright green center. High in fiber and low in calories, the kiwi is an ideal midday snack to enjoy during its peak season of June.

Grapes– These sweet and sour ovals bring a sense of tartness and a unique texture to any meal. Try grapes frozen or tossed into a salad for sweet flavor. Grapes provide many health benefits including a high level of vitamin K and vitamin B2.

Medi-Rents hopes you can enjoy all of the fruits that June has to offer. Medi-Rents is here for your health needs including aids to daily living, power scooters and other home medical equipment.

 

What is Enteral Nutrition? The basics

Posted on: April 15th, 2015 by Medi-RentsBlogger

Cute little girl with a glass of milk, isolated over white

All people need food to live. Sometimes a person cannot eat any or enough food because of an illness. Medi-Rents and Sales specializes in enteral nutrition, so we are bringing you information about this form of feeding. Others may have a decreased appetite, difficulties in swallowing, or some type of surgery that interferes with eating. When this occurs, and one is unable to eat, nutrition must be supplied in a different way. One method is “enteral nutrition” or “tube feeding.”

Normal digestion occurs when food is broken down in the stomach and bowel, then absorbed in the bowel. These absorbed products are carried by the blood to all parts of the body.

Tube feeding is when a special liquid food mixture containing protein, carbohydrates (sugar), fats, vitamins and minerals, is given through a tube into the stomach or small bowel.

Who Receives Tube Feeding?

People of all ages receive tube feeding. It may be given to infants and children, as well as to adults. People can live very well on tube feeding for as long as it is needed. Many times, tube feeding is used for a short time–the tube is removed when the person can begin to eat normally again.

How is Tube Feeding Supplied?

Tube feeding can be given through different types of tubes. One type of tube can be placed through the nose into the stomach or bowel. This tube is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral feeding tube. Sometimes the tube is placed directly through the skin into the stomach or bowel. This is called a gastrostomy or jejunostomy. Your health care team (doctors, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists) will talk with you about the different types of feeding tubes.

Medi-Rents and Sales is a provider of enteral nutrition products for pediatrics and adults. Contact us today to learn more about what we have in stock.

 

 

Oh so Delicious Oatmeal Recipes

Posted on: January 2nd, 2015 by Medi-RentsBlogger

A good start to any day. Fresh fruits and cereal

When you think of breakfast, do you think of warming up to a delicious serving of oatmeal? Oatmeal has many health benefits and it is packed with fiber to keep you healthy. Oatmeal is a simple, delicious, and nutritious choice for breakfast, so Medi-Rents is bringing you a few delicious recipes to try!

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 ripe banana, sliced
  • 2 dashes cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup pureed canned pumpkin
  • 1 dash ground cloves
  • 1 dash ground nutmeg
  • Handful frozen blueberries (optional)

Directions: Put the oats, milk, sliced banana, and cinnamon into a small pot on the stove. Stir continuously over medium high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture gets thick and creamy (and starts bubbling). Stir in the frozen blueberries now, if you like. Turn down heat to medium low and add the canned pumpkin and a dash each of ground cloves and ground nutmeg.

Breakfast Cookie Dough Oatmeal:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 scoop protein powder
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Pinch of stevia or other sweetener
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Dash of vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoon nut butter
  • 1 cup milk

Directions: In a bowl, mix oats, protein powder, cinnamon, sweetener, sea salt, and vanilla extract.  Add nut butter and, using a spoon, break up and stir until mixture resembles crumbly cookie dough. Top with milk and then add toppings of your choice.

Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal:

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup milk of choice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp ground flaxmeal
  • 3 1/2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil
  • 1/16 tsp uncut stevia, or 2 tbsp sugar of choice
  • 2 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apple slices (about 2 large apples)
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3-6 tbsp brown sugar or or coconut sugar or xylitol, depending on desired sweetness
  • 1/2 cup raisins, optional
  • 1 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup more milk of choice

Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 F and lightly grease an 8-in square baking pan. Combine the first five ingredients in a mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together all remaining ingredients except the last 1/2 cup milk of choice. After letting the liquid ingredients sit for at least 5 minutes, pour into the prepared baking pan. Then pour the bowl of dry ingredients over top and stir. Finally, pour the remaining 1/2 cup milk over everything. Bake 35 minutes. Broil an additional minute if desired.

Now that you have a few recipes to enjoy tomorrow morning, let Medi-Rents know how delicious they are! We are here for your medical equipment, sleep apnea, and therapy needs. Contact us today if you have any questions.

Food Truths: Don’t believe these Nutrition Myths

Posted on: November 4th, 2014 by Medi-RentsBlogger
Nutrition is important to your overall well-being. Make sure you avoid these nutrition myths.

Nutrition is important to your overall well-being. Make sure you avoid these nutrition myths.

The internet is filled with millions of articles and webpages that contain misinformation about anything you can imagine. From news stories to health information, be wary of what you read and if the source is credible. Medi-Rents wants you to be your best and learn helpful health information. Nutrition is a major part of your life, so Medi-Rents will be showing you a few nutrition myths.

4 common nutrition myths:

  1. Foods, like celery can have negative calories. Wrong, it is actually not possible for a food to have negative calories. Although very low in calories, you do not burn more digesting the food. It takes about 20% of the calories in a food to burn it, so you would still be left with a few calories from the celery.
  2. Muscle can turn into fat. You may hear people say, if you don’t use muscle, it turns into fat. This is not true because muscle cannot turn into something else. It is true that you will lose muscle mass, but it most definitely does not turn into fat.
  3. A detox juice diet will help you lose weight. This is a myth because there is little proof to back up the allegations that a detox can “flush your system”. Although a short fast can possibly help you get started on a weight loss diet, it is not necessarily the answer to losing the weight.
  4. Diet soda can make you gain weight. Recently, there has been a lot of hype about diet soda making people gain weight, just like regular soda. A recent study showed opposite results, stating that diet soda can actually help to lose weight.

Your nutrition is important to your overall health. Knowing what is true and false about nutrition can help you live a better life. Visit Medi-Rents for your medical equipment needs.

 

Incontinence as a Symptom to a Bigger Problem

Posted on: August 6th, 2014 by Medi-RentsBlogger
Incontinence is not a fun subject to talk about, but learning about it can help you with your problem.

Incontinence is not a fun subject to talk about, but learning about it can help you with your problem.

Many think of incontinence as a medical condition all on its own, but it is actually considered a symptom. It may be a symptom of different types of medical issues. When incontinence presents itself, whether urinary or fecal, it should be dealt with knowing that it could mean a more serious problem lies under the surface of the problem. While incontinence is never an easy subject to talk about with your doctor or loved one, it is necessary.

Urinary incontinence is caused by aging and bladder-related medical issues. While aging is not a medical condition in and of itself, it does mean there is a greater risk for a more complex medical condition than in a younger person. Most often, the more severe health conditions that cause incontinence are found in men rather than women.

Urinary incontinence can be caused by an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, which can press and squeeze the urethra, causing urine to be released at different times. Men, as well as women, can also have incontinence caused by neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, a stroke or even a tumor in the brain. The presence of cancer in the bladder can also be a cause of urinary incontinence.

Just like urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence can be a warning sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. Diseases that affect nerves in the rectum, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, are at a higher risk for fecal incontinence. Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rectal cancer or any other condition that stiffens the walls of the rectum can lead to fecal incontinence.

Talking with someone about your incontinence is never an easy thing. It is an embarrassing symptom, but a symptom none the less. If you or a loved one is suffering from incontinence, you need to talk to your doctor about it right away. Ignoring it or just trying to deal with it yourself can put off treatment for the underlying condition causing your incontinence.

If you live with incontinence and the effects, Medi-Rents has many incontinence products for you to choose from. Check out our online catalog for all of your home medical needs!

 

Life Changing Food Tips

Posted on: July 22nd, 2014 by Medi-RentsBlogger
Food preparation tips.

Simple tips to make food preparation simple and healthy.

Summer is the perfect time to experiment on the grill and work with fresh produce to create delicious dishes. July is National Grilling Month, so a food blog post was in order to celebrate this fresh take on cooking for the summer. Whether you are looking for new and interesting foods to eat, tips on cooking techniques, or different recipes, Medi-Rents has it all. We have life changing food tips that can spice up the way you think about summertime food favorites.

Life changing food tips:

  1. Sauté vegetables in chicken broth as opposed to butter or oil. Your veggies will come out crisper and this is a healthy alternative to fatty oils.
  2. Marinate meat for ten minutes after it has been cooked. After the meat is done cooking, marinate it in your favorite sauce because it adds intense flavor that can be lost if done beforehand.
  3. A squeeze of lemon can go a long way. If your dish is complete, but needs a little boost of flavor, lemon can do the trick.
  4. Sharpen your knives often because a dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp one.
  5. For dishes including meat, browning the meat ahead of time will help to create a golden crust.
  6. To easily core a head of lettuce, slam it down on the cutting board and the core can easily be pulled out.
  7. Pre-soak pasta and it will cook in less than half the time.
  8. Slice an avocado directly in the skin to make squares that are easily peeled out.
  9. Place a damp cloth or paper towel under your cutting board when using it to prevent the board from slipping.
  10. Coat your cheese grater with non-stick cooking spray for easy shredding and cleanup.

These tips can help with your summer cooking adventures and they will also save you time. Medi-Rents has nutritional supplements for you to keep up with your dietary health needs.

Improving your Quality of Life: Incorporating more Fruits and Vegetables into your Die

Posted on: June 5th, 2014 by Medi-RentsBlogger
Healthy eating

Eating more fruits and vegetables will give you more energy throughout the day.

Medi-Rents is all about improving your quality of life in every area we can. We know that eating healthy is a major part of improving your quality of life, but sometimes it is hard to incorporate healthy foods with your busy lifestyle.

Eating more fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk for certain cancers and diseases. You will not only be broadening your horizons by trying new foods, but also taking preventative measures for your health. We have compiled a list of six simple ways to start getting the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables into your diet.

  • Start with breakfast. As many know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it can be easy to get started with fruits right away in the morning. Eating in the morning can boost your metabolism and give you a great start to the day.
  • Get your family involved with your better eating habits. It is much easier to make lifestyle changes if your loved ones are right there with you bettering their lives too.
  • Try different fruits and vegetables. When you go to the grocery store, choose a new vegetable and/or fruit to try each time. You will be surprised with yourself for keeping an open mind and you may have a new favorite!
  • Start making smoothies for your afternoon snack. We all get the midday urge to eat in the afternoon before dinner. Smoothies are the perfect way to satisfy hunger. A tip for smoothie making: add spinach to your concoction because the sweet fruits will mask the taste!
  • Plan ahead. This goes for anything, but especially when you are making a major lifestyle change. Make a detailed grocery list and plan your meals for the week ahead. Food prepping on Sunday afternoons is ideal because you can get the family involved in the cooking process.
  • Eating out is always a struggle when you are new to a healthier lifestyle. Most restaurants have healthy options on their menus. Keeping an open mind while eating out can also help you try new things.

We hope these tips from Medi-Rents can help you incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet. Improving your quality of life is essential to living well. We also offer nutritional supplements for your health and convenience.