I am pretty sure you know someone that suffers from asthma, either a family member of a friend. Asthma is a very common disease. Asthma is a disease that affects the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition are said to be asthmatic.

People with asthma have airways that are irritated and can be sensitive to asthma triggers that can make their symptoms get worse. Symptoms of the narrowing of the airways include wheezing (a hissing sound during breathing), breathing problems, and coughing. Asthma triggers can even cause an asthma attack. An asthma episode, or an asthma attack, is when symptoms are worse than usual.

If you suffer from asthma you should see your doctor. Your doctor can help you find out what triggers your asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. They can also prescribe medications which will help you manage your asthma.

With time you will learn to keep away from things that irritate your airways (triggers) and know when to take your medication. Effective asthma control allows you to take part in normal everyday activities such as playing outside and exercising.

Asthma awareness month is to raise awareness that asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic disease that can be controlled. Everybody needs to be aware of the resources available us, Latinos, because asthma seems to be very common among Latinos.

In 2010, about 3,600,000 Hispanics reported that they currently have asthma.

Hispanics are 30 percent more likely to visit the hospital for asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic Whites.

You can read more in the report: Luchando por el Aire: the burden of asthma on Hispanics

Lo más probable es que conozcas a alguien que sufre de asma, ya sea un familiar o un amigo. Asma es una enfermedad muy común. El asma es una enfermedad que afecta las vías aéreas que llevan el aire a los pulmones. A las personas que sufren de esta condición crónica se les conoce como asmáticos.

Las personas que sufren de asma tienen vías aéreas que pueden ser sensibles a algunas sustancias que pueden hacer que los síntomas sean peores. Cuando las vías aéreas se contraen, se pueden presentar síntomas como problemas para respirar, respiración con jadeo (silbido en el pecho) y tos. Las sustancias desencadenantes del asma pueden causar un ataque asmático. En el ataque asmático, los síntomas son más severos de lo normal.

Si usted sufre de asma, debe consultar con un doctor. El doctor le puede ayudar a identificar las sustancias desencadenantes del asma y ensenarle como controlarlas. También le pueden dar recetas para medicamentos que le pueden ayudar a manejar los síntomas del asma.

Con el tiempo, usted puede aprender a identificar cuáles son las sustancias que le empeoran el asma y aprender a manejar sus medicamentos. Una vez usted aprenda a controlar el asma podrá realizar actividades de la vida diaria como jugar afuera y hacer ejercicio sin tener ningún síntoma.

El mes de la concientización sobre el asma ha sido creado para aumentar los conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad tan grave, que a veces puede hasta producir muertes. Todas las personas deben tener conocimiento de los recursos disponibles, sobre todo la población Latina, en la que las estadísticas del asma son alarmantes.

En el 2010 aproximadamente 3,600,000 hispanos reportaron que tenían asma

Las visitas al hospital por asma son más comunes en los hispanos.

Si quieren leer mas sobre como el asma afecta a los hispanos pueden leer el reporte: Luchando por el Aire: the burden of asthma on Hispanics

Ok, so I am on my way to Miami for Hispanicize 2013 thanks to United Healthcare. 

A few days ago I wrote a post to participate on a contest to attend the conference with all expenses paid. As I was reading the post of everyone else that entered, I was getting nervous, because everyone had such an inspirational story and I had heavy competition.

So, when I found out that I had been chosen as the winner I was really happy. I want to say Thanks to the panel of judges that chose my story as the winner and I hope my journey to become healthy can empower more people to follow my advice and start moving and getting healthier.

It has not been easy but here you can see part of my trasformation

And I am not done here. This is still a work in progress so keep connected and you can more changes. 
Just remember: The number on the scale does not define you. Strive for healthy not for skinny.

I will be tweeting from Miami, so follow me @monicazyoung

Thank you UnitedHealthcare

If you are a reader of my blog, you should know by now that my New Year resolution for 2013 was to get healthier, lose weight and change my lifestyle. Most people have the same resolution year after year. But for me, it was serious and needed to happen.

I have medical background and I even have a Masters in Public Health and almost all my life I have been preaching how to be healthy and make lifestyle changes. However I was far from walk my talk, and I was not living a very healthy lifestyle. 

It was towards the end of 2012 that I went for a yearly check up and my doctor told me that I was obese. Yes, not overweight, but obese. The doctor told me that I was at high risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious diseases. I was on shock. I knew I had some extra pounds, come on, my clothes were not really shrinking, but I was on denial about the severity of my problem.

My son is just 8 years old and I was not ready to become ill and not be able to enjoy time with him. I was already out of shape and keeping up with him playing was getting harder. Then I made a commitment. For me, for my son, for my family. 

It was time to change things here. Change my lifestyle. I had been on diets before, but it was obvious they actually did not work. So the change had to be in all aspects of my life. And the changes were going to include my family as well, so everyone was going to benefit from the changes.

What I have done so far that has helped me to lose 35 pounds.

• Exercise: I am walking 5 miles a day. It is recommended that you take 10,000 steps a day which equals to 5 miles.
• Drinking water: I am drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. I have reduced the amount of diet sodas (I am still working on trying to stop drinking them)
• Eating more fruits and vegetables. Changing the way I eat. I am not following any diet (diets do not work, believe me), but I am watching my portions and avoiding fatty, high calorie foods.

I can tell you that after losing the pounds not only I feel better with more self esteem but I also have more energy, I enjoy being outdoors and playing with my son, I do not feel depressed and even the stress level is less. I am taking my weight loss one pound at the time. I do not want to rush it, because I do not want to gain the weight again. My goal is to still lose at least another 30 pounds and I am sure that doing the changes I am making and continue with my medical check-ups I will be able to get there in a healthy way.

I want to invite you to visit United Health Care Latino and see all the resources available to change the lifestyle. Also check the video below. Learn about good eating habits and exercise

This post has not been compensated. I am writing this to participate on a contest sponsored by UnitedHealthCare to be able to attend Hispanicize 2013.

Cuidar tu piel con productos naturales es lo más indicado. Sabes exactamente que estas aplicando y es económico. Acá hay unas recetas naturales a base de miel para que cuides tu rostro. Y lo mejor de todo es que las puedes preparar, envasar en un recipiente y llevarlas contigo si te vas de viaje para que siempre tengas una piel reluciente.


El National Honey Board nos trae estas recetas naturales por Mauricio Burgos

Los tratamientos de uso nocturno son muy recomendados para nutrir profundamente la piel de tu rostro. Prueba esta combinación de dos ingredientes muy simples y accesibles

Ingredientes:
2 cucharadas de miel
1 cucharadita de canela

Preparación:
Coloca la miel y la canela en un recipiente pequeño y mezcla hasta formar una pasta. Aplica el emoliente sobre el rostro antes de acostarte y déjalo durante toda la noche. A la mañana siguiente, enjuaga con agua tibia. Como segunda opción, puedes aplicar la pasta y dejarla actuar durante 30 minutos antes de enjuagar con agua tibia.

Un tratamiento rápido y eficaz para darle a tu piel ese brillo especial que se logra usando un humectante natural.  

Ingredientes:
2 cucharadas de miel
1 limón

Preparación:
Parte el limón por la mitad y exprime el jugo en un recipiente pequeño, ya sea a mano o con un exprimidor.

Luego agrega la miel y mezcla ambos ingredientes hasta que queden perfectamente integrados. Aplica el tratamiento de limpieza sobre el rostro masajeando suavemente. Déjalo actuar por 15 minutos. Enjuaga con agua tibia

¿Cansada de usar un desmaquillante que irrita tus ojos y tu piel? Este desmaquillante no sólo es suave sino que también nutre la piel alrededor de tus ojos y tus pestañas.

Ingredientes:
1 cucharadita de miel
3 cucharaditas de aceite de ricino


Preparación:
Mezcla la miel y el aceite de ricino en un recipiente pequeño. Cubre la preparación y deja reposar durante una semana en un lugar fresco, mezclándola regularmente hasta obtener una solución homogénea. Úsala todas las noches para retirar el rimel y maquillaje de ojos, así como nutrir tus pestañas al mismo tiempo.

Ahora sí, no hay disculpa para lucir una piel limpia y saludable. Cuál es tu régimen de belleza?

Easter is that time of the year again. Kids are looking forward not only to decorate the Easter eggs, but also to participate in the fun activities that take place all over the country.

The Easter Egg hunt is a very fun activity that keep kids entertained. In previous years the eggs were filled with candy and sweets. But as the rates of childhood obesity and other diseases associated with obesity increases, there are more parents, teachers and educators that want to provide different options instead of the candy.

Here are some ideas of things you can use to fill up the eggs instead of candy.

Other things you can use for your Easter Baskets are

• Play-doh
• Crayons
• Chalk
• Pencils
• Coloring books

Yes, they might still get some candy, but at least there is plenty of healthy options available. 
What are you going to be putting on your kids baskets this year?

The ambassador program has come to an end. However my journey to get healthy does not stop here. Thanks to the awesome tools provided by OmronFitness I will be able to continue exercising and keeping track of everything from weight, calories, to BMI.

With the support of the Mamavation community I will be able to continue having the accountability I need. I am already signed up for the virtual 5k that Mamavation is going to held on 03/09/13

I am really happy to report that this week I lost 3.5 pounds for a grand total of 32 pounds for the challenge.

Do not forget to come and join us on the twitter party, where you can win awesome tools to make your weight loss easier.

Who: Omron Fitness & Mamavation
When: Wednesday, February 20th
Time: 8-10pm EST (5-7pm PST)
Hashtag: #iheartOmron 
Theme: Workout SMARTER instead of longer

Giveaways during the party
HR-500U Heart rate monitor retails for $149.99 (2 winners)
HJ-323U Connected pedometer retails at $49.99 (2 winners)
510W scale retails for $79.99 (2 winners)

To RSVP for the party and more information visit Mamavation

This week I have been so busy. My son's birthday party, work, pretty much life. I was proud at the party I did not have cake and eat the salad I had made. The party was really fun. My son was sick but he still enjoyed it. 
The cool thing about the party is that it was full of running and physical activity and not only the kids but the parents participating. Talk about changing our live style.

Happy to tell you that this week I lost 3.8 pounds for a total of 28.5 since starting the challenge.

I want to remind you about the twitter party where you can win the awesome tools that I got to help me with this challenge

Who: Omron Fitness & Mamavation
When: Wednesday, February 20th
Time: 8-10pm EST (5-7pm PST)
Hashtag: #iheartOmron
Theme: Workout SMARTER instead of longer

Giveaways during the party
HR-500U Heart rate monitor retails for $149.99 (2 winners)
HJ-323U Connected pedometer retails at $49.99 (2 winners)
510W scale retails for $79.99 (2 winners)

To RSVP for the party and more information visit Mamavation

This is the official last week of our ambassador program, although we still will have a great twitter party to celebrate all the great things that happened to the 25 bloggers that were on this journey. However my efforts will not stop here, because this challenge was just the jump start for me. I still have more weight to lose and I will be continue with my healthy leaving and exercise plan.

I got the last tool that Omon Fitness is providing us. The Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-500U) which works wonders and the best part is that since it is strapless, you just need to wear the monitor on your wrist with no more straps on your chest and also tracks pace, distance and calories burned during my walks.

Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer, recommends using a heart rate monitor to help you get in the zone

Now for my results let's start with the before and after pictures

Now let's talk inches

 I am very happy to report that this week I lost 4.7 pounds for a total of 24.7 since applying to become an #IheartOmron ambassador.

I am super grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank the Mamavation Community for their support and Omron Fitness for the awesome tools that have facilitated my progress. I also want to tell you that I am goal is to continue using the tools because I am doing this challenge to become healthier. And it is happening. I have a great non-scale victory to report: I used to hate exercising and now I look forward to that time of the day.

Twitter Party
Now, I have awesome news for all of you my readers. You will have the opportunity to win some of the great tools I have been using during a twitter party. Here it is the information for the twitter party

Who: Omron Fitness & Mamavation
When: Wednesday, February 20th
Time: 8-10pm EST (5-7pm PST)
Hashtag: #iheartOmron 
Theme: Workout SMARTER instead of longer

Giveaways during the party
HR-500U Heart rate monitor retails for $149.99 (2 winners)
HJ-323U Connected pedometer retails at $49.99 (2 winners)
510W scale retails for $79.99 (2 winners)

To RSVP for the party and more information visit Mamavation 

As you probably already know I am trying to eat healthier and lose some weight. I had one day this for lunch and every body was asking me for the recipe so here it is.

A lo mejor ya lo sabes, pero este año estoy tratando de comer más saludable y perder peso. La semana pasada prepare esto para el almuerzo y muchos me preguntaron por la receta, así que aquí la comparto.

Preparation

Chop all the ingredients on little pieces, mix together and enjoy

Yes, it is that simple and it is delicious

Preparación

Corta todos los ingredientes en pedazos pequeños, mezcla y disfruta

Es así de simple y sabe muy rico.