Stomach Soothing Thirst Quenching Lemon Ginger Iced Green Tea

In keeping with our January Theme - The Four Rules, today I offer this terrific recipe for flavored herbal tea that both soothes the stomach, quenches thirst, and meets our Rule #2 - Lots of Water requirement. Remember, a goodly amount of daily water is essential for weight loss and in continuing weight maintenance with bariatric surgery. Earlier this month we talked about the benefits of lemon water. This Lemon Ginger Tea has the added benefits of green tea (including powerful antioxidants that promote fat loss) and the stomach soothing properties of ginger.

I use this recipe often and enjoy it served warm, freshly brewed or over ice. There is a certain clean feeling that comes from drinking beneficial herbal tea. I think if you are not already including green tea in your healthy weight management plan that once you do, you'll be hooked. Give it a try! Herbal tea counts towards water intake and provides many health benefits.

Lemon Ginger Iced Green Tea
Ingredients:
2 cups water
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
6 green tea bags
juice of 1 lemon
low-calorie sweetener of choice, to taste

Directions:
Add water, ground ginger, and lemon peel to medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to where it sustains a gentle boil and cook for about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and add the green tea bags. Steep this tea mixture for 10 minutes, stirring or dunking the bags often.
Remove tea bags and stir lemon juice into the tea liquid. Cover and refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 weeks.

For a warm cup of pre-brewed tea simply heat to desired temperature in the microwave. To make a cup of iced tea, pour 1/4 cup of the concentrated tea mixture into a tall glass and stir in 3/4 cup of cold water, add sweetener as desired.  Add ice cubes and enjoy!

Further Study: Restrict Liquids, Drink Lots of Water - HUH? Making Sense of WLS Guidelines
In a country where food and drink go hand in hand weight loss surgery patients are challenged to follow the liquid restrictions as instructed by their bariatric center. But understanding and following the liquid restrictions plays a key role in long-term weight maintenance following gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or adjustable gastric banding (lap-band) surgeries. Learn more: Restrict Liquids, Drink Lots of Water - HUH? Making Sense of WLS Guidelines

Baby it's hot outside! Heat issues for WLS sun lovers

Understanding the dangers of summer heat
From our Newsletter Archives: The Heat is On: Don't Let it Spoil Summer Fun


Greetings!

It's hot out there! Across the nation, as we are celebrating Summer, many are suffering from record-breaking hot temperatures. Add to that power outages that have shut-down air conditioning and refrigeration and this is one sweaty country. Aside from being uncomfortable and inconvenient, high temperatures pose serious health threats including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Those of us with weight loss surgery may be at increased risk of heat related illness if we struggle with the all-important Rule #2 of the Four Rules: Drink Lots of Water. As bariatric patients we are instructed to sip-sip-sip water during waking hours to keep our body hydrated and facilitate weight loss. In situations of extreme heat even a slight case of dehydration can become serious and may include symptoms very similar to dumping syndrome such as dizziness and disorientation.

Please take a moment to review the articles in this week's Digest and take appropriate action to protect your body from heat related illness with proper hydration and other temperature-lowering actions. And be mindful of those around you for symptoms that suggest a heat related illness, sometimes we do not recognize the symptoms in ourselves. Let's take care and avoid being one of the statistics during this season of celebrating our new healthy life. You deserve to take extra-steps to be healthy and enjoy your new life of LivingAfterWLS! Make sure to review our Four Rules and don't miss this week's featured recipe: Smoked Turkey & Melon Salad.

Best Wishes and Good Health!

Link to the full newslette from our archive:  The Heat is On: Don't Let it Spoil Summer Fun

Dumping Syndrome: How to avoid it this summer

Learn more about WLS Dumping in our Spring Season: Unit 4 of Project 2014
 

Summer is a time to celebrate warm weather, sunshine, good friends and good times - often with food and drink. But for people with weight loss surgery celebrations bring the potential for a dietary crisis called dumping syndrome that has the potential to ruin a day of good old fashioned summer time fun.

Gastric Dumping Syndrome, or rapid gastric emptying, is a condition where partially digested food bypasses the stomach too rapidly and enters the small intestine. This causes the pancreas to release excessive amounts of insulin into the bloodstream and symptoms of hypoglycemia occur. Dumping Syndrome is most commonly associated with malabsorptive gastric surgery, specifically gastric bypass surgery. Patients will experience the symptoms of dumping syndrome immediately after eating or within three hours of eating. The symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, profuse sweating followed by chills, dizziness and fatigue. When insulin levels return to normal symptoms subside. Many patients experiencing dumping syndrome find comfort in lying down or sipping fortified water or energy drinks served at warm temperature.

Clearly an episode of dumping syndrome will disrupt any celebration and most weight loss surgery patients will benefit from taking precautions to avoid such an occurrence. Here are four basic dietary and lifestyle guidelines to follow that will help prevent a dumping episode from ruining your summer celebration:

Hydration. Drinking lots of water is the second sacred rule of weight loss surgery. This is of keen importance during the hot summer months when bodies release more fluid through perspiration thus becoming susceptible to dehydration. On warm days filled with outdoor activity be mindful to sip water throughout the day. As a guideline drink one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight to ensure proper hydration. Vitamin fortified water or non-calorie sports drinks fortified to balance electrolytes may be enjoyed as well to prevent hydration. The symptoms of dehydration often feel like mild dumping syndrome, and some weight loss surgery patients report a higher likelihood of dumping syndrome when they are not properly hydrated.

Protein First. It is particularly important to follow the first rule of weight loss surgery, "Protein First" when partaking from an array of party foods including barbecue, picnic salads and sides, and bountiful desserts. Eating protein first will buffer foods that may potentially cause a dumping episode. Be wary of barbecue sauces that may be high in sugar or breaded and fried protein which is also known to cause dumping. If fried chicken is the only protein offered remove and discard the skin and breading and enjoy the meat without it. Remember to eat two bites of protein to every one bite of complex carbohydrate. When taking small bites of protein three forks will measure about one ounce of protein. The tight feeling in the gastric surgical pouch is a sign of fullness and the signal to stop eating. Avoid discomfort by following this signal and cease eating.

Taste Wisely. Celebrations are often a showcase for friends and relations to share their best dishes including gorgeous calorie and fat laden desserts. Who has not been tempted by the display of outrageous desserts at the annual family reunion? For the weight loss surgery patient unchecked enjoyment of such foods is likely to cause dumping syndrome in the short term and, in the worst case, weight gain in the long run. Patients can find a safe place in simply tasting one or two select desserts without imminent fear of dumping if they have stayed hydrated throughout the day and if they have eating a reasonable amount of lean protein prior to sweet indulgence. One or two bites of a sweet dessert should satisfy the palate and the persistent requests of a beloved relative who urges, "Come on, one little piece of my deluxe super duper chocolate mess is not going to hurt you."

Contribute Good Food. When the occasion allows take the opportunity to provide a weight loss surgery friendly side dish or dessert that you can safely enjoy and others may enjoy as well. It is a great time to demonstrate that healthy can be delicious and attractive. Present salads or side dishes featuring fresh seasonal ingredients and homemade dressings made of pure ingredients that are low in fat and sugar. Prepare sugar-free desserts or snacks following recipes that use popular sugar substitutes which, when enjoyed in moderation, do not cause dumping syndrome. Sugar free pudding and gelatin dishes also fare well at any potluck summer celebration. When a weight loss surgery patient provides safe food for a potluck meal they decrease the temptation to eat foods that are likely to cause dumping syndrome and ruin an otherwise fabulous summer celebration.


Learn more about WLS Dumping in our Spring Season: Unit 4 of Project 2014

What's in your water?

Navigating the rough waters of beverage labeling

Morbidly obese people that undergo bariatric surgery for weight loss are instructed to drink lots of water as part of their post-surgical dietary plan. In fact, "Drink Lots of Water" is the second of Four Rules most bariatric surgeons require of patients following any gastric surgical procedure for weight loss. The Four Rules are essential behaviors to be followed during the early months and weeks following weight loss surgery during which weight loss occurs. For life-long weight maintenance patients will continue to follow the Four Rules once goal weight is achieved. In addtion to drinking lots of water patients will follow a high protein diet, avoid snacking and engage in daily exercise.

Water makes up about 60 percent of the adult body's weight and is essential for the transport of nutrients and waste products throughout the body. When a person drinks an adequate amount of the correct type of water it may have a positive effect on their health. The first sign of inadequate fluid intake is thirst and symptoms of dehydration may soon follow.

Weight loss surgery patients who struggle to drink enough water often ask if other beverages count toward their total fluid intake. The advice from bariatric nutritionists varies, but in most cases patients learn the cleaner their fluid intake the more favorable health outcome they will achieve. Below is a glossary of terms one may encounter when purchasing water. A basic knowledge of these terms is useful in helping achieve good body fluid balance.

Artesian water is drawn from a well that taps a confined aquifer in which the water is under pressure.

Bottled water is drinking water sold in bottles.

Carbonated water contains carbon dioxide gas, either naturally occurring or added, that causes bubbles to form in it; also called bubbling or sparkling water. Seltzer, soda, and tonic waters are legally soft drinks and are not regulated as water.

Distilled water has been vaporized and recondensed, leaving it free of dissolved minerals.

Filtered water is treated by filtration, usually through activated carbon filters that reduce the lead in tap water, or by reverse osmosis units that force pressurized water across a membrane removing lead, arsenic, and some microoganisms from tap water.

Hard water has a high calcium and magnesium content.

Mineral water comes from a spring or well that typically contains 250 to 500 parts per million (ppm) of minerals. Minerals give water a distinctive flavor. Many mineral waters are high in sodium.

Natural water is obtained from a spring or well that is certified to be safe and sanitary. The mineral content may not be changed, but the water may be treated in other ways such as with ozone or by filtration.

Public water is from a municipal or county water system that has been treated and disinfected.

Purified water has been treated by distillation or other physical or chemical processes that remove dissolved solids. Because purified water contains no minerals or contaminants, it is useful for medical and research purposes.

Soft water has a high sodium or potassium content.

Spring water originates from an underground spring or well. It may be bubbly (carbonated), or "flat" or "still," meaning not carbonated. Brand names such as "Spring Pure" do not necessarily mean that the water comes from a spring.

Well water is drawn from ground water by tapping into an aquifer.

Kaye Bailey (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved

Article Source: Understanding Water Terms For Optimum Water Intake After Weight Loss Surgery.

Precautions to Take when it's Hot Hot HOT!

 Featured in the LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest. View Here

When the heat index is high, it's best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat exhaustion by taking these steps:

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it's generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day. Because heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.

Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors.The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another eight ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes even if you don't feel thirsty.

Avoid fluids containing either caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat exhaustion. If you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention, check with your doctor before increasing liquid intake.  

   

Article Source: WebMD 

Heat Warnings & Your WLS - What you must know now!

Hey my LivingAfterWLS Friends - I know I nag on this a lot -- heat related illness after WLS. But with record breaking temps across much of the country I feel I must beat the drum again -- be careful out there in this heat. Check out our Digest (June 10, 2013) for detailed information on the dangers of heat illness after WLS and how you can prevent it. Link below to our archive and stay well out there!

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs144/1101189349792/archive/1113744507088.html

Greetings!

It's hot out there! Across the nation, as we look forward to celebrating Summer, many are suffering from record-breaking hot temperatures. Add to that power outages that have shut-down air conditioning and refrigeration and this is one sweaty country. Aside from being uncomfortable and inconvenient, high temperatures pose serious health threats including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Those of us with weight loss surgery may be at increased risk of heat related illness if we struggle with the all-important Rule #2 of the Four Rules: Drink Lots of Water. As bariatric patients we are instructed to sip-sip-sip water during waking hours to keep our body hydrated and facilitate weight loss. In situations of extreme heat even a slight case of dehydration can become serious and may include symptoms very similar to dumping syndrome such as dizziness and disorientation.

Please take a moment to review the articles in this week's Digest and take appropriate action to protect your body from heat related illness with proper hydration and other temperature-lowering actions. And be mindful of those around you for symptoms that suggest a heat related illness, sometimes we do not recognize the symptoms in ourselves. Let's take care and avoid being one of the statistics during this season of celebrating our new healthy life. You deserve to take extra-steps to be healthy and enjoy your new life of LivingAfterWLS! Make sure to review our Four Rules and don't miss this week's featured recipe: Smoked Turkey & Melon Salad.

Best Wishes & Good Health!

Kaye

 

Link to Newsletter

 

 

Heat Related Injury After WLS: Are you at risk?

Weekly Digest June 10 - WLS & Heat Dangers! What you must know
Our LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest has been delivered to your Inbox and is also available online in our archive. Very important topic this week! Don't miss it. Link below.

"Those of us with weight loss surgery may be at increased risk of heat related illness if we struggle with the all-important Rule #2 of the Four Rules: Drink Lots of Water. As bariatric patients we are instructed to sip-sip-sip water during waking hours to keep our body hydrated and facilitate weight loss. In situations of extreme heat even a slight case of dehydration can become serious and may include symptoms very similar to dumping syndrome such as dizziness and disorientation.

Please take a moment to review the articles in this week's Digest and take appropriate action to protect your body from heat related illness with proper hydration and other temperature-lowering actions. And be mindful of those around you for symptoms that suggest a heat related illness, sometimes we do not recognize the symptoms in ourselves. Let's take care and avoid being one of the statistics during this season of celebrating our new healthy life. You deserve to take extra-steps to be healthy and enjoy your new life of LivingAfterWLS! Make sure to review our Four Rules and don't miss this week's featured recipe: Smoked Turkey & Melon Salad.

Go to the newsletter in the archive: Digest June 10, 2013

Summer Heat Poses Danger to WLS Patients

 Summer Heat & WLS What you must know to survive record-breaking temps!

From the LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest July 2, 2012
It's hot out there! Across the nation, as we look forward to celebrating Independence Day on Wednesday, many are suffering from record-breaking hot temperatures. Add to that power outages that have shut-down air conditioning and refrigeration and this is one sweaty country. Aside from being uncomfortable and inconvenient, high temperatures pose serious health threats including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Those of us with weight loss surgery may be at increased risk of heat related illness if we struggle with the all-important Rule #2 of the Four Rules: Drink Lots of Water. As bariatric patients we are instructed to sip-sip-sip water during waking hours to keep our body hydrated and facilitate weight loss. In situations of extreme heat even a slight case of dehydration can become serious and may include symptoms very similar to dumping syndrome such as dizziness and disorientation.

Please take a moment to review the articles in this week's Digest and take appropriate action to protect your body from heat related illness with proper hydration and other temperature-lowering actions. And be mindful of those around you for symptoms that suggest a heat related illness, sometimes we do not recognize the symptoms in ourselves. Let's take care and avoid being one of the statistics during this week of celebrating in scorching high heat. You deserve to take extra-steps to be healthy and enjoy your new life of LivingAfterWLS!

Go to Newsletter

Heat Wave & Health Dangers

Over 40 states are warning their residents of the dangers of heat related illness as the mercury rises setting new records. While not as dramatic as storm related health concerns heat waves cause more illness and death than any other weather event. For weight loss surgery patients it is critical to stay hydrated at all times. Take a look at the National Weather Service heat index below and also the information from the American Red Cross. Empower with knowledge and avoid heat related health complications!

The American Red Cross Reports: "In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. Generally temperatures are 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region during summer months, last for a long period of time and occur with high humidity as well."

Know the DifferenceExcessive Heat Watch—Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning—Heat Index values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).

Heat Advisory—Heat Index values are forecast to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100-105° Fahrenheit).

You can download the "Be Red Cross Ready" free Heat Wave Safety Checklist Here:
Heat Wave Safety Checklist This free .pdf file has great information to help prepare for a heat wave, what to do while experiencing a heat wave and how to recognize and care for heat wave related emergencies.

Weight loss surgery patients should always follow Rule #2 - Drink lots of water. And this is never more important than during a heat wave. Dehydration can, among other things, lead to fits of dumping syndrome:

Danger! Warm Summer Weather May Lead to Dehydration For Weight Loss Surgery Patients
Following bariatric surgery for weight loss patients are instructed in the Four Rules of weight loss surgery; the second of which is drink lots of water. This rule is of particular importance during the warm summer months when perspiration and elimination cause greater water losses and the potential for dehydration increases. To avoid dehydration and illness caused by insufficient water balance weight loss surgery patients can take several measures to insure adequate water intake. Read Full Article

 Be safe this summer by being informed! You are in your new life to enjoy LIVING! Don't let a little heat wave bring you down!

Danger! Warm Summer Weather May Lead to Dehydration For Weight Loss Surgery Patients

Dehydration leads to wilting in flowers and humans too! 

Following bariatric surgery for weight loss patients are instructed in the Four Rules of weight loss surgery; the second of which is drink lots of water. This rule is of particular importance during the warm summer months when perspiration and elimination cause greater water losses and the potential for dehydration increases.

Water constitutes about 60 percent of an adult's body weight. In the body, water becomes the fluid in which all life processes occur. Water in the body fluids carries nutrients and waste products throughout the body; maintains cell structure and participates in metabolic reactions; serves as the solvent for minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other small molecules, acts as a lubricant around joints, the spinal cord and inside the eyes; aids in the regulation of normal body temperature and maintains blood volume. To support these vital functions, and others, the body actively maintains an appropriate water balance. When the body is short of water the condition known as dehydration results.

Dehydration is the condition in which body water output exceeds water input meaning we eliminate and perspire more fluid than we ingest. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry skin and mucous membranes, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and weakness. When a message of thirst is unanswered the symptoms of dehydration may progress rapidly from thirst to weakness, exhaustion, and delirium and end in death of not corrected. Dehydration may easily develop with either water deprivation or excessive water losses.

To avoid dehydration and illness caused by insufficient water balance weight loss surgery patients can take the following measures to insure adequate water intake:

Lots of Water. The second rule of weight loss surgery is drink lots of water. During the initial stage of weight loss this is key in flushing fat and toxins from the body and keeping all metabolic processes functioning smoothly. To ensure enough water is consumed a good measure is to drink one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight. Water intake should occur throughout the day.

Fortified Beverages. Vitamin and mineral fortified beverages are beneficial to some weight loss surgery patients. The flavoring makes them more palatable making it easier to consume generous amounts of water. Be certain to enjoy only non-calorie fortified beverages that do not contain sugar or other high calorie sweeteners.

Green Tea or Sun Tea. Freshly brewed green tea or herbal tea served over ice and sweetened with non-calorie sweeteners is another good way to stay hydrated during warm summer weather. The health benefits of green tea and herbal tea may contribute favorably to a well-planned health and weight management program.

Water Containing Foods. Many foods contain a high percentage of water that contribute to body hydration. Enjoy vegetables and fruits such as strawberries, watermelon, lettuce, cabbage, celery, spinach, apples, grapes, citrus, and carrots. All of these foods contain more than 80 percent water which will contribute to hydration and provide a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.

Kaye Bailey (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved

The Weight Loss Surgery Four Rules

Rule #2 - Lots of water

Summer is here with searing hot temperatures across much of the country. Now is a good time to refresh our memory on the weight loss surgery Rule #2 - Drink lots of water. As a general rule we need to nourish and flush our bodies with 65 ounces of water a day -- minimum. In our January LivingAfterWLS refresher course of the Four Rules we discussed water intake at length. You can find the newsletter in our Archive: LivingAfterWLS Newsletters
 

Today's LivingAfterWLS Digest is the second in our New Year's refresher series about the Four Rules. We are looking at Rule #2 - Lots of Water. Water consumption and weight loss is old news to those of us who are lifelong dieters. We know drinking water flushes away toxins and facilitates weight loss. As weight loss surgery patients we must make water intake a priority, but we also have to manage water intake around our quirky liquid restrictions. Frankly it can be a hassle sometimes to meet the daily requirements of Rule #2 - Lots of Water. Today's digest features several articles about the hows and whys of water consumption. Take a minute to fill your glass right now and then refresh your memory on this important rule. Remember, when we signed on for surgery we agreed to follow these rules -- for life! Bottoms up!

Link to the Newsletter

 Be sure to read this article: Restrict Liquids, Drink Lots of Water - HUH? Making Sense of Weight Loss Surgery Guidelines

Dumping, Dehydration & Other Summer Dangers

Did you know that weight loss surgery patients report more episodes of dumping in the warm summer months than any other time of year? Take a look at today's LivingAfterWLS Digest to learn more and avoid the things that cause dumping. Tons of good information for you today. enjoy!

Over the last several years in working with my fellow weight loss surgery patients I have observed an increase of reported incidence of dumping syndrome and dehydration in the warm summer months. While my study is not scientific, I have observed some common factors that lead to the dumping. In sharing some of what I have learned today from  so many of you I hope we can continue to build our collective knowledge and understanding of dumping syndrome. 

Most people believe that dumping is the exclusive fate of gastric bypass patients. However, adjustable gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients who follow a strict Protein First diet and then suddenly deviate by eating sweets or fried food have reported symptoms of dumping syndrome. I believe all patients of bariatric surgery, regardless of the procedure, should be familiar with the causes and symptoms of dumping syndrome. Today's Digest addresses dumping syndrome and dehydration. Please take a look at the information and arm yourself with knowledge!

Summer begins tomorrow and with it comes warmer weather and hopefully a more relaxed pace of living. And while it is a great time to enjoy our improved health with weight loss surgery it is exactly this relaxation of compliance to the Four Rules that gets us in trouble with dehydration or dumping. I am committed this summer to getting in an extra glass of water and enjoying my protein first so my summer fun is not disrupted by an inconvenient dumping episode or bout with dehydration. Will you join me in making the Summer of 2011 a "Dump-Free Zone"?  Remember - We are all in this together!  Newsletter Refresher Series: Four Rules

Best Wishes!
Kaye Bailey

Read the June 20, 2011 LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest

Water & Dehydration

Hey Guys -- This thread from the Neighborhood is darn near older than the Neighborhood! But it is still pertinent to us. As we know, WATER WATER WATER is rule #2.

Perhaps you know that two weekends ago I suffered a severe case of food poisoning, so severe that I couldn't even keep water or tea down. Not one swallow. Well, Jim was out of town and by the time he got home Monday night (I had been sick since Friday) I was extremely ill from the initial food poisoning and then the dehydration that followed. So the first lesson I learned, go get help even if husband isn't home! (LOL - I can be as stubborn as a man when it comes to seeing the doctor!) Next, try anything to get the fluids down. Dehydration can be deadly.

Health care workers use this solution for ORT - Oral Rehydration Therapy. The solution is taken by mouth to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea. Combine 1/2c boiling water, 4tsp sugar and 1/2tsp salt. Dissolve and cool before taking. The sugar may cause you to panic because we know it may cause dumping syndrome. But from my experience the dehydration was a greater immediate concern than dumping. And as always (disclaimer) it is important to seek the advice of your qualified health care professional!

Join the conversation in the Neighborhood