\nBy Dr. Bradley Bale,
\nco-founder of the Bale\/Doneen Method<\/a><\/strong> and the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center<\/p>\n
![\"red-wine-health\"](\"http:\/\/images1.blisstree.com\/files\/2009\/12\/red-wine-health.jpg\")
\nMake certain your family and friends start the year off healthy. These gifts are an easy way to give the gift of health in 2010!<\/p>\n
1. Gym Membership<\/strong> 2. Offer to Attend a Doctor\u2019s Appointment with a Loved One<\/strong> 3. Healthy Cookbook<\/strong> 4. A Monthly Bottle of Red Wine<\/strong> 5. Fruit Basket<\/strong> \u00b9 \u201cA glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away\u201d. March 10, 2005. http:\/\/www.ynhh.org\/online\/nutrition\/advisor\/red_wine.html (Image via stock.xchng<\/a>)<\/p>\n Post from: Blisstree<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPut an extra spring in someone\u2019s step. Offer to cover a friend or family member\u2019s gym membership for a month or a year. According to The Mayo Clinic, individuals who exercise daily find it helps maintain consistent sleep patterns, a consistent body weight, and mental alertness. Check out your local gym for yearly and monthly membership packages.<\/p>\n
\nIt can be overwhelming for people to visit the doctor, especially older folks who may have multiple health issues. Use your knowledge about the latest diagnostics and treatments for prevalent conditions to make sure your loved one is getting the best possible care. For example, the PLAC Test<\/a> is relatively new and goes beyond traditional risk factors in identifying risk for heart attack<\/a> and stroke. By accompanying your loved one on their next doctor\u2019s visit you can be sure to ask about this test, among others, that might not come up otherwise.<\/p>\n
\nCompile or buy a book of your favorite healthy recipes. Kathleen M. Zelman<\/a> of WebMD.com recommends Fit Food – Eating Well for Life<\/a><\/em> by Ellen Haas, Healthy Homestyle Cooking<\/em> by Evelyn Tribole and The Phytopia Cookbook<\/em> by Barbara Gollman and Kim Pierce for healthy cooking.<\/p>\n
\nSign up to have a monthly bottle of wine<\/a> sent to your loved one. According to the Yale-New Haven Hospital, drinking one four-ounce glass of red wine a few times a week can reduce blood clotting, boost HDL (good cholesterol) and reduce LDL (bad cholesterol).\u00b9 Please keep in mind one or more alcoholic beverages a day does increase cancer risk in women.\u00b2 Also there is evidence individuals who harbor the apoE 4 genotype may have a worsening of their HDL and LDL with daily alcohol.\u00b3 Visit wineinsiders.com<\/a> to find 3 month, 6 month and 12 month wine packages. Or visit wine.com<\/a> and click on wineclubs for prices.<\/p>\n
\nWhat\u2019s healthier than mother nature\u2019s wide variety of desserts that are chock full of antioxidants that help ward off diseases like cancer?<\/p>\n
\n\u00b2 Allen NE, Beral V, Casabonne D, et al. Moderate alcohol intake and cancer incidence in women.J Natl Cancer Inst 2009; 101:296-305
\n\u00b3 ApoE genotype information. Berkeley HeartLab, Inc. www.bhlinc.com<\/p>\n