Almost everyone on a keto plan will agree that preparing everyday meals can be exhausting. Also, the most difficult part is saying goodbye to the unhealthy but rather delightful carbs! However, your keto recipes don’t have to be bland and limited. To revive your taste buds, here are 3 healthy but appetizing keto recipes that you should try.
Broccoli cheese soup
A perfect last-minute pick for demanding weeknights, broccoli cheese soup merely takes 20 to 25 minutes to prepare. To whip up this recipe, you will just require five ingredients, i.e., broccoli, chicken broth (you can also use bone or vegetable broth), heavy cream, garlic, and cheddar cheese. All you need to do is saute minced garlic on medium heat for a minute or so. Then, add the broth, cream, and chopped broccoli and let it boil until the broccoli turns soft. While stirring the mixture, keep adding shredded cheese on a low heat. Once the cheese melts and the soup reaches a thick consistency, turn off the heat and serve it in a bowl with some cheddar cheese shavings on top.
Chicken Alfredo with zucchini noodles
One of the things that makes keto extremely frustrating is giving up the beloved, comforting pasta. The good thing is that pasta can be replaced with something healthier. In this recipe, zucchini comes to the rescue. For throwing this recipe together, cut 3 to 4 small zucchinis in long strands with a vegetable peeler. Put the zucchini strands in the colander and place the colander over a bowl. Season zucchini with salt and let it rest for at least half an hour.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan and season the diced chicken with salt and pepper (you can customize the seasoning by adding some herbs and spices). Then, add the diced chicken pieces to the pan and cook them for at least 10 to 12 minutes. Lower the heat, add butter to the pan, and let it simmer until brown. Then, pour heavy cream and whisk it continuously until it comes to a boil. Then, add garlic and parmesan and cook it until the cheese melts. Finally, add the zucchini strands, chicken, and some parsley and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
Keto pancakes
If you are a “pancake for breakfast” kind of a person, this recipe is a must-try to salvage your early morning cravings. A mere 20-minute recipe, to make keto pancakes, you need blanched almond flour, coconut flour, your choice of natural sweetener, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract, avocado oil, and sea salt. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl until the batter turns smooth. Then, in a preheated oiled pan, add the batter and flatten it into small circles. Cook both the sides on medium heat for 2 minutes each or until they turn golden brown. Then, serve it with maple syrup or coconut sugar on top.
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Contact lenses can be a perfect pick for those who need vision correction and don’t want to opt for a LASIK surgery or wear spectacles. As there are numerous options when it comes to contact lenses, you can make the right choice by knowing what to look for while buying one. From choosing the right brand to buying contact lenses, it is important to know whether you’re making the right purchase.
Here are 3 handpicked tips on buying the right contact lenses online.
Choose from an array of contacts
The first step is to know the kind of lenses you want to shop for online, which would help you shortlist from the vast array of contact lenses available online and this would make your task simpler. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in vision care and once you get your eye checkup done, the eye doctor would help you with the prescription mentioning the material and brand of the contact lenses. You can also decide whether you want to go for disposable contacts if you’re using them for the first time. Moreover, you may also select from various colors and opaque contact lenses, suiting your personal preferences.
Keep your budget in mind
Once you select the type of contacts you would want to go with, it is time to set your budget. One must not go overboard with the budget as you might change the contact lenses within a few months. Therefore, while shopping online for your contact, personalize the price filter by setting the price range. This will help you choose the contact lenses of your preferred price. Also, be careful of the shopping sites that charge excessive shipping charges.
Buy from the right brand
Choosing the right brand is important and online reviews can help you zero down the popular contact lenses brands. It is always advisable to read the product reviews online to know about the popular brands. Moreover, it is best to go for popular brands as you can get a product warranty and if there is any need for an exchange, the same can be done without any hassles. You can choose from popular brands like ACUVUE, Biofinity, DAILIES, SofLens, to name a few.
So, keep these handy tips in mind while shopping for your next pair of contact lenses online.
The key to living a healthy lifestyle is by getting the right nourishment through a well-balanced diet. The immune system is one of the driving factors that keep the health of the body well-regulated and thus, it requires nutrition that comprises the right vitamin balance. However, today most people live a fast-paced lifestyle, and this leads to most people not getting enough vitamins through their meals. This is where vitamin supplements come in as a great alternative that can make up for the lack of vitamins being acquired by the body. The best vitamin supplements are also employed for individuals who suffer from health complications or lack of an appetite. Moreover, there are people who do not consume all food groups and supplements serve as the best alternative. Vitamin supplements are available in the form of capsules, powders, liquids and even chewable. Moreover, unlike medication, most vitamin supplements can be consumed at any time of the day.
Vitamin supplements can be a great way to support the immune system and here are some of the types that one can consume through their daily routine. Here is a collated list of the best vitamin supplements to get.
TwinLab Daily One Caps with Iron
The TwinLab Daily One Caps with Iron is a multivitamin and mineral supplement. The product comes with a good load iron too that is beneficial for people who not get their share of iron. It encompasses a total of nineteen vitamins that are essential for the healthy growth of the body and be taken once every day. The tablets also pack a great amount of folic acid and aid in achieving better health of the eyes and the heart. The supplement is also available in a formula that does not contain iron.
CBH Super Multivitamin for Men and Women
The CBH Super Multivitamin for men and women comprises of a total of 23 vital vitamins and minerals. The supplement contains a major portion of antioxidant Vitamin C that is a great essential to boost the immune system of the body. What makes this one of the best supplements is its admirable combination of minerals and vitamins that aid in the good health of the bones and arteries. It also maintains and regulates the function of the heart. The multivitamin for men and women is commonly prescribed to people with irregular blood pressure conditions.
Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin
The Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin capsules are packed with the right number of vitamins, mineral, and nutrition that the body requires. The formula comprises ingredients that regulate high blood sugar levels, support bone health and maintain youthful metabolism. Most importantly, the addition of Vitamin C supports the health of the immune system, while protecting one against the oxidative stress. A great bargain on dietary supplements, the capsules must be taken twice every day.
Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin capsules consist of a number of vitamins and minerals and nutrients such as marigold extract, lycopene, and alpha lipoic acid. It is recommended to take two capsules every day. It is also one of the most affordable dietary supplements,
Garden of Life Vitamin Code® Perfect Weight Multivitamin
Vitamin Code® Perfect Weight Multivitamin is a product from Garden of Life and is formulated to aid in maintaining the right body weight. The supplements boost the metabolism and regulate the immune system. It also contains herbal ingredients that aid in relieving and managing stress. The probiotics and enzymes in the supplement further work towards strengthening the gut and immune system.
It is important to note that even the best vitamin supplements come with a set of side effects. In some cases, the body may not react too well with the given supplements. Also, the product is monitored as a subcategory of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that they are not regulated before they hit the shelves. Thus, it is always recommended to read the labels carefully and consult a physician before consuming any type of vitamin supplement. The doctor will be able to administer the right set of vitamins that the body needs while tracking any reactions to the same.
While choosing the best probiotic supplements, you need to consider the one that has multiple strains of effective bacteria. Also, the dosage has to be good enough to produce the results that are needed. Below are some of the best probiotic supplements for different health requirements.
Islands Miracle Ultra-30 Probiotics
This is the best probiotic for general digestive health. If there is no specific medical reason for consuming probiotic and you simply want to maintain your gut health, this is one of the best probiotics for you. This probiotic leaves a number of good bacteria floating around the system of your body. This probiotic contains the right strains that are ideal for gut health. One of the biggest reasons you should choose this probiotic is that it does not contain any gluten or dairy. It is great especially if you have a sensitive digestive system. However, unlike most probiotics that usually require only one supplement per serving, this probiotic requires two. If you don’t prefer swallowing pills, swallowing two pills per serving can be a bit inconvenient. When you open this bottle of probiotics, you may notice a sour smell that is common in many probiotics. It is a subtle smell but if you are particularly sensitive to smell, you might want to give it a second thought before buying.
MegaFood® MegaFlora®
This is one of the best probiotics, especially when it comes to antibiotic recovery. This probiotic supplement fills your digestive tract with good bacteria. Your microbiome is wrecked by antibiotics by decimating good and bad bacteria. This is one of the best probiotic supplements if you have an infection and will prove to be an effective treatment if you have a weak immune system. One serving of this probiotic contains 20 billion CFUs to replenish all the good bacteria. The length of the capsule is only that of a small fingernail. These pills can be dropped or misplaced easily but at the same time, you will have no trouble swallowing them. Also, you need to take only one serving per day. MegaFood is one of the top picks because it is certified as vegan. It is also gluten-free and dairy-free, making it the best probiotic choice for sensitive stomach. However, these probiotic supplements are required to keep in the fridge to sustain the life of the CFUs. The label of the supplement specifies that the supplement must be stored in cold and it is usually shipped also with an ice pack.
Renew Life Ultimate Flora™ Extra Care Probiotic 30 Billion
This is the best probiotic supplement for immune health. This supplement uses bacteria that will help to improve not only the upper respiratory infections but also aid in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The supplement has a prophylactic effect which helps to stock good bacteria in your gut and even improves your immune system. The supplement has also shown promising results in treating autoimmune disorders. One of the major reasons for consuming this probiotic supplement is that it has a high accuracy of labeling. If you have trouble consuming big capsules, you might want to reconsider consuming these pills. However, you have to only consume one pill a day, so it shouldn’t be a big issue. The probiotic supplement suggests cold storage as well.
Dr. Formulas Nexabiotic Advanced Multi-Probiotic
This is one of the best probiotic supplements for IBS/IBD relief. The bacteria contained in this probiotic supplement are proven to ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as acute infectious diarrhea. The probiotic supplement contains the right strain that helps to ease the symptoms of IBS and IBD as it contains the strains that are proven to alleviate the symptoms. Like most probiotic supplements, you need to take only one supplement per day and the size of the capsule is average as it is not too big or small.
Dealing with a stuffy nose is annoying. A nasal congestion is most often accompanied by a running nose. Performing your daily activities becomes all the more difficult, even the chores you did easily earlier might frustrate you now. All you are seeking is a quick, efficient healing technique.
Your nose feels stuffy, after a while, it starts running and suddenly you have no control over it. You are of the idea that it is the mucus that is causing the nasal congestion. It is, however, in most cases, a swelling in the blood vessels in your nose that is the reason for the nasal congestion. Now that we know the causing factor, the following are some of the best remedies for nasal congestion relief.
A humidifier
Even if it works only as a temporary reliever, a humidifier is one of the best nasal congestion relief techniques. It works by converting water into moisture and letting it out in the room, in a bid to increase the humidity in the room. Breathing the moist air is apt for your nose, it can soothe your swollen blood vessels and the irritated tissues. A humidifier not only helps your blood vessels but also works in thinning the mucus. Once the mucus finds its way out of the nose and the blood vessels are back to normal, you should be able to breathe through a clear passage.
A hot shower
A hot shower is an underdog when we talk about the best nasal congestion relief techniques. In most cases, you will feel relieved after taking a shower, but you might not consider it to be the reason for the absence of your nasal congestion. The steam from a hot shower will thin out the mucus as well as reduce the inflammation in the nose. Even if it is only for a while, the hot shower can help you in easing out the breathing process. Similarly, you can get relief from a nasal congestion by breathing steam from hot water in a sink. Turn on the hot water in the sink, and put your head over it, covered with a towel, when the temperature is right. Take long deep breaths on the hot steam, this will have the same effect as a hot shower, however, you can do this multiple times in the day, even at work.
Drain the sinuses
This might not be the most pleasing or glamorous task to most of us, but it most certainly works as one of the best nasal congestion relief techniques. You will need a neti pot to drain out the sinuses from your nose. A neti pot is a teapot-shaped container that is designed specially to drain out the mucus from the sinuses. To use a neti pot you will need to stand over a sink, push the spout end of the pot in one nostril until the water enters the nostril. Once the water is in your nostril, it will come out from the other nostril along with some mucus. Repeat this for about ten to twelve minutes and then switch the nostril. This should give you a relief that will last throughout the day; it is another technique that you can try at work.
Decongestants or allergy medicines
If none of the above remedies work for you, then you might have to stick to medications to gain relief from the nasal congestion. Decongestants are one of the best nasal congestion relief medications. If the root cause is an inflammation or a swelling, then a decongestant will work best for you. There are many decongestants that are available without a prescription. If the nasal spray does not work for you, you can also take a pill for your nasal congestion. In a case where the congestion is caused by an allergy, an anti-allergen would be a good way to get quick and efficient relief from nasal congestion.
Do you often have a dry and itchy feeling in your eyes? Or do you have a burning sensation in your eyes after working long hours in front of the computer? You may also experience a foreign body sensation that may lead you to feel that a dust particle or other object is in your eye. All these are symptoms of dry eyes. Eyes tend to become dry due to lack of moisture or tears on the surface of the eyes or in the tear ducts. This can happen as a result of the natural aging process, the side effects of taking certain medications, effect of certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen vascular disease, or Sjogren’s syndrome.
Also, with long hours spent in front of different screens, both at home and work, dry eyes have become quite prevalent these days. The brightness and glare from phone screens, tablets, computers, and other personal devices are one of the primary reasons for causing the tear ducts in the eyes do not work efficiently. Wearing anti-glare glasses or contacts for dry eyes is one of the most helpful ways to prevent the symptoms of dry eyes. Compared to glasses, contact lenses are hassle-free since there are no issues of scratches or breakage. With many new technologies adopted by manufacturers, the best contacts for dry eyes now include soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable contacts. Here is a list of well-known brands of contacts for dry eyes.
Hubble
Made with a hydrogel material called high-grade methafilcon gel, contact lenses from Hubble are quite popular among consumers who frequently experience dry eyes. One of the best contacts for dry eyes, these are made of 55% water and very thin materials. Designed for all-day comfort, these daily use contact lenses also provide protection from UV rays. Available in quaint nifty packaging, you can get Hubble contact lenses delivered to you by registering on their official website. With $33 per month, you can a new box of these contact lenses delivered to you every month. You just have to provide your Hubble contacts prescription, which will be validated by your doctor.
Dailies Total1®
This brand of daily use contact lenses from Alcon is another popular choice among consumers who suffer from dry eyes often. These lenses are perfect to prevent dry eyes since the core of these lenses is made of 33% water, while the front and back surfaces are made of 80% water. This keeps the surface of the eyes lubricated and moist. The smooth surface of the lenses does not cause any irritation and provide comfort all day long. A box of 30 lenses cost about $40. You can also opt for an annual supply of these best contacts for dry eyes through the official website. An annual subscription can give you a rebate of $150 to $200.
Optima 38/SP
Manufactured by Bausch and Lomb, the Optima 38/SP contact lenses has been made using the manufacturer’s trademark technology known as Reverse Process III. This technology is used to design a comfortable and spherical lens that is perfect for preventing dry eyes. These soft daily wear lenses have low water content compared to other brands; however, these lenses provide excellent on-eye lens centralization which gives all-day-long comfort. These contact lenses cost around $48 per box, with each box containing two lenses.
Biofinity®
One of the best contacts for dry eyes in the soft contacts category, Biofinity® is known to avoid eye irritation and dry eyes due to the high oxygen permeability and protein resistance of the lenses. These lenses can hold water molecules for a long period, thus ensuring that moisture is retained on the surface of the eyes and you do not experience any symptoms of dry eyes. Manufactured by CooperVision, these silicone hydrogel-based contact lenses cost around $45 for a 6-lens box. You can avail of rebates up to $130 if you register for an annual subscription of lenses through the official website.
Portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is a type of medical equipment that is prescribed for patients dealing with respiratory conditions. Earlier, POCs were considered to be extremely cumbersome to use as they were heavy, automatically restricting free movement. Thankfully, the apparatus has evolved to a great extent. Today, brands have innovated POCs that combines compactness and efficiency. At the same time, choosing the best portable oxygen concentrator has become overwhelming due to the sheer volume of manufacturers in the market. But don’t fret! Here’s a list of some top portable oxygen concentrators you can purchase for yourself or a loved one.
Philips SimplyGo
Weighing 10 pounds, Philips SimplyGo provides pulse-dose delivery and continuous flow through a single device. Not just ideal for daily use, this portable oxygen concentrator works best as it can be easily carried while you are traveling or working out. Therefore, you need not worry about unfavorable temperatures or impacts and vibrations affecting your POC. Philips SimplyGo is equipped with smart sleep mode, an intuitive control panel, long-life compressor, and operating alarms. Philips also offers with an option of a 2, 3 or 5-year warranty. The SimplyGo POC comes with a mobile cart, one rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC and AC power cables, carrying case, and accessory case. Currently, this POC costs approximately $3,500.
SeQual Eclipse 5
As compared to other products, the SeQual Eclipse 5 weighs around 18 pounds. However, it has some incredible features and would make a right pick for individuals who don’t commute much. Its highlights include adjustable rise time and bolus size along with AutoSAT technology for balancing optimal oxygen levels, all flow settings (pulse and continuous), continuous oxygen flow ranging between 5 and 3 LPM (liters per minute) and simple battery recharge via the standard DC supply. Even though it’s not lightweight like its counterparts, it can be easily maneuvered with the help of a cart, outfitted with a telescopic handle. The SeQual Eclipse 5 can be bought for around $4,000.
Inogen One G3
The Inogen One G3 is one of the best portable oxygen concentrators and is a reliable choice if the patient requires to use the POC all day long. This 5-pound device comes with numerous useful features such as pulse dose technology for quick compliance and maximum comfort. Furthermore, the equipment is capable of distinguishing unusual breathing phases that allows it to facilitate natural respiratory patterns. It offers a continuous battery life of up to 9.5 hours and provides 90% oxygen concentration on all its modes. Also, its low maintenance needs including filter cleaning ensure hassle-free user experience. At the moment, the Inogen One G3 comes with an estimated price tag of $3,800.
LifeChoice Activox 4L
One of the lightest POC in the market, LifeChoice Activox 4L weighs only 4.8 pounds, that easily fits into a bag that can be carried as a backpack or satchel according to your comfort. It incorporates advanced oxygen purity sensors, sophisticated Auto Mode and Pulse-Wave™ oxygen delivery options, long battery life (lasting up to 10.25 hours), alarm and charging notifications. This lightweight device with an excellent battery life is apt for patients who are working or constantly traveling. It is offered with a 3-year long warranty period and currently is priced around $4,000.
AirSep® Freestyle® 5
This wearable portable oxygen concentrator weighs 6.7 pounds and can be effortlessly carried around with the help of a backpack or shoulder bag. It consists of features such as sensitive pulse delivery technology, pulse flow settings from 1 to 5, simple user interface, optional 7-hour battery backup, and easy to read battery levels. It requires very little maintenance, which makes it a great choice for patients frequently caught up with a busy schedule. It manufacturer’s warranty lasts for 3 years. AirSep® Freestyle® 5, at the moment, will approximately cost you around $2,000.
Apart from the best portable oxygen concentrators stated above, you can also consider buying these models –
Before, buying a portable oxygen concentrator, make sure that you seek advice from your doctor to be sure about your choice.
Aging is a phenomenon that stealthily makes its way into everyone’s lives, irrespective of how healthy or affluent they are. One’s twilight years are often accompanied with mobility and health issues, and most of the times, seniors need around-the-clock caretakers if their health deteriorates. However, it is a fact that not every senior citizen can afford a caretaker as a majority of seniors depend on their Social Security for sustaining their everyday needs. So, what should a senior citizen with moderate income do in the case of medical emergencies? Well, investing in the best medical alert systems will prove to be a lifesaver in such circumstances.
A medical alert system is a device which is a combination of hardware and software and is usually available in the form of a pendant which sends a distress signal to medical personnel when there’s a medical emergency. This device is commonly used by seniors and differently abled people who are prone to sudden medical urgencies. The regular medical alert systems for seniors often consist of a pendant and a corresponding base station. When the individual pushes the pendant button, the base station receives this distress signal and it calls a pre-programmed number where emergency responders standby to access the situation and send an emergency personnel or contact a family member if the situation calls for the same.
Since there are various companies that offer medical alert systems for seniors, you need to decide which one would be more compatible with your requirements. Here are some of the best medical alert systems for seniors that have been tried and tested, and are believed to provide with the desired results.
GreatCall Lively Mobile
This is one of the best medical alert systems for seniors that is water-resistant and can dial the call center or directly contact 911 immediately, typically 15 seconds after you press the button, which is faster than the other medical alert systems. Moreover, the fact that this medical alert system can contact the call center and 911 is commendable since not many medical alert systems for seniors have this provision. Another factor that makes GreatCall more appealing is that it offers one of the lowest cost month-to-month plans and the battery lasts for 24 hours. This amazing, life-saving device costs around $40 per month and is compatible with Verizon cell service.
Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm Medical has been around for 70 years and prides itself on promoting the most important things in an individual’s life, which are family, health, and independence. It is common knowledge that senior citizens do not take it kindly when it comes to compromising their independence and depending on someone else. However, Bay Alarm Medical is the perfect partner for such independent seniors, and you can choose from the four medical alert plans with prices that range from $19.95 to $39.95 per month. It has a portable base station that includes the HELP button with a range up to 1000 ft. and offers 24/7 emergency access.
LifeStation
LifeStation has been hailed as one of the best medical alert systems for seniors since it has a plethora of customers that vouch for its efficiency. LifeStation offers four plan options with prices starting at approximately $25.95 per month and even comes up with discounts that make it appealing to the prospective customers. Moreover, it is quite easy to use, and whenever you press the help button, you are immediately connected to the customer care immediately, and help is already on the way before you know it. It is also equipped with automatic fall detection and helps access help through mobile with GPS technology.
LifeFone
This is one of the best medical alert systems for seniors that have been around for more than four decades. Moreover, this company’s emergency pendants and consoles are considered to be the best when it comes to medical monitoring services that have the longest ranges. The At-Home Landline medical alert plans cost around $30 per month, which is highly affordable. It also provides a solid emergency contact plan and has receptive and courteous response center to its credit. The emergency care plan of this company offers a personalized profile with medical history, physicians, medications, allergies, family members, and preferred hospitals.