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The Best Holiday Gift of All

…classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas—the holidays aren’t about the food or the gifts. They’re about being resplendent in music, togetherness, and feeling connected to one another through our spiritual roots and heritages. Whatever your favorite holiday music (ours is Mary, Did You Know?), food,…

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Open Your Heart to Gratitude and Love

…cyberspace. I was so touched as I followed the story and gazed at the photo. Maybe I was even more moved because, once again, it was not the easiest of holiday seasons for us, with loved ones facing serious heath challenges. Whatever the reason, this simple story brought me to a serene state of gratitude and…

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How to End the Holiday Season 5 Pounds Lighter

…and more that they ate over the holiday season. Retailers are counting on that—in fact, they’re already getting their weight loss products ready to market. But you can survive the holidays with your waistline and health intact. Here’s your hour-by-hour holiday survival plan: 7:00 am — Put down…

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Ease Stress with Gifts that Give Back

…to rise and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. And, if you are like me, the mad dash around the holidays can be very stressful. Why not take some time to remember what the holiday season is supposed to be about? In fact, you can ease stress and do good at the same time by giving gifts that…

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3 Holiday Foods with Surprising Heart Benefits

We often hear about what holiday foods we should avoid. Eggnog, for instance is loaded with fat, sugar, and empty calories. But what we don’t hear about are the heart-healthy holiday foods you can indulge in, guilt-free. Here are three foods you can enjoy at the holiday season, and all year long: 1…

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Save Your Heart from Holiday Stress

As enjoyable as the holidays are, I know they can be stressful and hectic for many people. Shopping and wrapping holiday gifts, cooking and entertaining for loved ones and friends, and all of the extra family expectations can make this one of the toughest times of the year. But what concerns me most…

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6 Holiday Gifts to Avoid or Use with Caution

…all around us, in fact we’re living in a sea of invisible EMRs. At the holidays, the problem only gets worse and manufacturers introduce even more wireless devices. Here are six items you either want to keep off your holiday shopping list, or at least use with caution: 1. Video game systems. Wireless…

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A Little Insurance Against Holiday Excess

No matter how disciplined you are, the holidays always seem to lead to a few dietary indiscretions. There’s those delicious cookies that appear only at this time of year, an extra glass (or two) of wine, and little dishes of nuts and candies that seem to be everywhere. Before you know it, you’ve…

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5 Last Minute, Heart-Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

I don’t know about you, but my wife Jan and I still have a few more holiday gifts to buy. In case you’re in the same boat, I thought I would give you a few gift ideas that would not only be nice to receive—but give your recipients the gift of a longer, healthier life. 1. Homemade Harvest Trail…

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This Year, Take Time to Touch the Hearts of Others

I’ll soon be headed back to the northeast to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. This year, more than ever, I am so aware of how blessed I am to have a home and loved ones to go to. Too many folks back in my home state of New York—as well as New Jersey, Connecticut, and other states—are…

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Chocolate and Your Heart

With the holidays upon us, it seems like there is chocolate everywhere! And while too much sugar is never a good thing, it turns out that chocolate has some cardio-protective benefits. The April 15, 2000, Internal Medicine News featured three separate studies—all of which concluded that chocolate…

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A Special Heart-Felt Mother's Day Message

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, which ever since I was a small child was one of my favorite holidays. My mom (whose picture appears with this post) and I were extremely close, and many of my fondest memories revolved around time spent with her. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the wonderful meals…

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5 Heart-Healthy Veggie Side-Dishes for Your July 4th Celebration

On holidays like the Fourth of July, it’s easy to focus on the meats you’ll be putting on the grill. But you want to balance that out with a healthy serving of vegetables—and at this time of year, it’s easy to find delicious fresh veggies. Not only do vegetables provide valuable antioxidants…

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Reflections on Labor Day and 9/11

…a good education was another way to advance—so I ended up on the road to medical school. All of this is to explain why Labor Day is one of the holidays closest to my heart. I place a lot of stock in the honest effort of hard-working individuals, which is the foundation of this great country. It’s…

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Airport Angina: What You Need to Know

I know many of you are already making travel plans for the holidays, and thousands of you will be traveling by air. That’s why I wanted to make you aware, and review once again, the heart risks associated with air travel—namely “airport angina.” “Airport angina” is a phrase coined to describe…

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Warm Up with Spiced Winter Tea

It seems like January is prime-time cold and flu season. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the calm after the storm of the holidays, or maybe it's just good old-fashioned germs. But, whatever it is, you can be prepared with this delicious tea recipe. Not only is it delicious, but the orange juice and…

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The Healing Power of Music

…recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT brought these memories flooding back. Then, recently a friend sent a video to me of a holiday flash mob that took place at a mall called South Bay Galleria. Listening to it not only made me joyful during what’s become a very tough time of…

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Hidden Dangers of Cell Phone Radiation

This holiday gifting season, many of you will be buying cell phones for gift giving. And many of those cell phones will be going to children. But before you wrap up that phone for your teen, take heed. It’s my experience that most people I meet are totally unaware of the dangers of cell phone radiation…

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Ghosts, Goblins, and Diabetes?

…put a damper on fun, but I do want to make a case for moderation—during Halloween and throughout the holiday season. Here are my top suggestions for avoiding “sugar shock” during the holiday season, and beyond: * Steer clear of doughnuts and pastries. You get the sugar, plus damaging hydrogenated…

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Cardiology Terminology: Arrhythmia

…chocolate and sweets can generate quite intense arrhythmias among sensitive people. During the holiday season, when people often consume too much of both, I see a lot of this. In fact, I call it the Holiday Heart Syndrome. * Everyday stress. * Nutritionally, a deficiency of the mineral magnesium is a…

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Gifts That Give and Give and Give!

…and you will be responsible for 100 schoolchildren getting the seeds they need to start gardens of their own at home. So forgo those espressos this holiday season (they cause your blood pressure levels to go haywire anyway) and help out a family in need. …Feed for a Lifetime I don’t know anyone who…

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5 Heart-Smart Secrets for Your July Fourth Celebration

…celebrations can be a real disaster for your heart and your health. That’s why I wanted to share some of my best heart-smart secrets to make your holiday celebration both enjoyable and healthy. * Select your meats carefully: Some of the best heart-healthy choices are beef, bison, and lamb. Instead of…

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A (Facebook) Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (of Thanks)!

…cooking), shuttling to the airport, getting the house ready for guests, and similar holiday errands. When we get too wrapped up in the “Turkey Day” logistics, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the holiday, namely, the formal opportunity to contemplate and celebrate the many blessings we…

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A Heart-Healthy Side Dish: Baked Winter Squash

…80 calories per cup. Need a new way to enjoy them. Here’s a favorite recipe from my kitchen for Baked Winter Squash. Try it now, and again as a holiday side dish. Baked Winter Squash Winter squash (acorn, butternut or crookneck) 1 T. olive oil 2 T. fresh cilantro or parsley Salt and pepper to taste…

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