Heart HealthHeart Health Success Recognition
I was recognized this month by Constant Contact as a business with a successful email marketing campaign. Here’s the write up:
Email Marketing Success Story
Healthy and Happy Readers: A Constant Contact customer discusses the value of editorial planning
eNutritionServices
List Size: 725
Open Rate: 35%
Website: https://www.lisanelsonrd.com
Ask Lisa Nelson and she’ll tell you she was “blessed with crummy genetics”: Her family has a strong history of heart disease and she has a personal cholesterol level that has hovered around 200 since her early twenties. Both factors inspired Lisa, a registered nutritionist, to start her own business, eNutritionServices, which empowers people to take the necessary steps to promote a long, heart-healthy life. Since June 2007, she has provided guidance on how to lower cholesterol and blood pressure naturally and lose weight in a healthy way. Clients receive education, support, and coaching via Lisa’s Heart of Health email newsletter, online courses, special reports, and online coaching.
The Heart of Health email newsletter began in May 2008. Each issue features an article about one of three distinct topics — cholesterol, blood pressure, or weight loss — but in an effort to include all interested readers, Lisa also includes a “Take Action” section with tips on another of the subjects. For example, if the feature article is about cholesterol, the action tip might be about weight loss. “To stay on track, I have an electronic schedule outlining my newsletter topics several months in advance,” Lisa explains. In every issue, Lisa also asks readers for feedback about their biggest health struggles, and takes advantage of the opportunity to better connect with her readers by sending a personal email directing the person to an article or product that addresses his or her concern.
By redirecting traffic from her newsletter to her website and following the click-through rates, Lisa is able to see which specific items readers are most interested in. She can then rotate the products/services she offers on the site appropriately, and can also tailor the newsletter to better suit her readers’ interests. In addition, she leverages the newsletter to collaborate with colleagues on joint ventures, and has used the newsletter to gain greater exposure for her business. For example, she now writes an “Ask the Expert” column for another health website, and even uses the questions she’s asked there to generate articles for her own newsletter. These results have made Lisa optimistic about eNutritionServices’ future prospects: “I trust email marketing will lead me to the successful online practice I am working towards,” she says.
All the Best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Lower CholesterolMediterranean Diet to Reduce Heart Disease
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Mediterranean Diet and it’s link to heart health. The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and monounsaturated fats (olive oil).
Those that follow a Mediterranean Diet have a reduced there risk of developing heart disease and dying from a heart attack. Even those that have survived a heart attack and lived to adopt the Mediterranean Diet significantly reduced their risk of a second heart attack and other complications.
In an interesting twist, the native Mediterranean population has gradually adopted a more Western diet leading to negative results. The Mediterranean area has seen an income rise that’s resulted in extra dollars being spent on meat and saturated fat food sources. Over the past 4 decades the average calorie intake in the Mediterranean countries has increased ~30%. So, the once healthy Mediterranean countries are now seeing the weight epidemics the US is familiar with – 75% of the population overweight or obese in Greece, with over half of the population in Italy, Spain, and Portugal following suit. These countries are now supporting the “Mediterranean Diet” as a part of their cultural heritage they can not let die.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the characteristics common to a Mediterranean Diet:
- High intake of fruits and vegetables
- Select whole grains
- Consume healthy fats (canola and olive oil)
- Eat nuts in moderation
- Low red wine consumption
- Limit eggs to less than 4 times per week
- Consume little red meat
- Eat fish regularly
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
Lose WeightBe Heart Healthy – Switch to diet soda.
Do you drink a couple cans of regular soda each day? If so, consider making the switch to diet. Switching from 24 oz (two cans) of regular soda each day to diet soda will save you 280 calories/day and 78 grams of sugar! This change promotes weight loss (~1/2 pound/week) and triglyceride control.
Continue readingLower CholesterolLet's Talk About Medications
Janie Ellington
I want to share with everyone a great resource. Janie Ellington is a pharmacist that runs the blog, Let’s Talk About Medications. I frequently see questions related to medications, but medications are not my specialty, which is why I’m sharing this resource with you. I’ve posted a recent interview with Janie below.
Tired of changes that don't last?
1. What is your current position?
I am a registered pharmacist. I manage an in-house pharmacy for a nonprofit pediatric clinic for children of low-income families who do not have health insurance. We are only open weekday mornings. During the cold and flu season, our patient load requires that we stay into the afternoon a bit, but I still have some time for other pursuits. That’s where my article writing and blogging comes in.
2. What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
Over my career as a pharmacist, I have come across so many misconceptions with regard to medications and general health concerns and I have wished I had an opportunity to clarify some of those issues for the public on a wider scale than just the one-on-one that I get when I counsel when dispensing a new medication. I enjoy helping people who want to take more responsibility for their health and to understand how to use medications safely.
3. What services can you offer to someone struggling to be heart healthy?
My best advice to people who are struggling with any health concern is to educate themselves as much as they can. I have found that people who fail to take responsibility, by learning about issues concerning their health, often have worse outcomes overall. I would encourage people to participate fully in their own care.
My interests in health in general are not limited to prescription drugs. I also enjoy studying and writing about the benefits of natural approaches.
4. Are you able to benefit individuals struggling with weight loss?
Weight loss medications are a decision between you and your doctor, based on your individual health history and goals. When they’re prescribed, they typically work alongside the nutrition and lifestyle changes that support long term health, not instead of them. Your doctor and pharmacist are the best resources for understanding whether a specific medication is right for you.
5. Do you have a forum where questions can be submitted?
Yes, I would especially enjoy answering questions about health issues that I have written about in my blog. I can only answer specific questions based on what is known about the drug you are taking. Without access to your health information, I cannot effectively answer questions specific to your treatment.
6. What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with high cholesterol or blood pressure?
Everyone’s health picture is different, so the best step after a new diagnosis is an open conversation with your doctor about your treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, medication, or both. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors can meaningfully support cholesterol and blood pressure management, and they work well alongside medication when it’s prescribed. If your doctor does prescribe medication, understanding it well is one of the best things you can do. Know the common side effects, know which ones warrant a call to your doctor, and report anything concerning. Sometimes a different medication in the same class won’t cause the same reaction, since everyone responds differently.
I hope you’ve found this information useful and visit Janie’s blog to learn more.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
Lose WeightWant more respect?
Overcoming stress is one positive step towards heart health and weight loss. Here’s a guest post from Doris Helge, Ph.D. She provides a simple technique for gaining more respect so you can get your needs met and enjoy your life much more. Turn anger, fear, and other negative emotions into peace and confidence.
Want more respect?
by Doris Helge, Ph.D.
Even though Jan and Nan are both very talented, Jan’s contributions are applauded while Nan’s gifts are unnoticed. What’s Jan’s secret? Jan has discovered that we are constantly training other people how to treat us. When Jan is treated with disrespect, she politely says, “No thank you” by using the technique in this article. Even though Jan knows we can’t change other people, she knows how to set up situations in which she’s treated well and her needs are met.
The following is an example of how you can gain peace of mind when someone else’s behavior rubs you the wrong way. My coaching clients call it The Get Respect Now Technique.
DON’T BE AN OSTRICH
Nan tries to ignore her problems like an ostrich that hides its head in the sand. Then Nan moans that life presents her with the same snarly packages over and over. Jan’s approach is very different. She meets a challenge with, “Hmmm . . . I wonder what I’ll learn from this experience?” Denying an unpleasant situation breeds more of the same. The challenge magnifies until we finally say, “Alright, already . . . I’ll deal with this.” Avoid getting hit over the head by a 2×4 by standing up for yourself when a toothpick jabs you. Perceive situations as accurately as possible. A rope is a rope and a snake is a snake. The simple act of acknowledging what exists initiates the potential for positive change. Why? You signal your mind to search for solutions.
AIM FOR RESULTS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BE “RIGHT.”
When you’ve been treated with disrespect, pause a moment and ponder. How can you express what you’re entitled to in a factual way? The other person may never acknowledge that you’re right because all of us have erroneous perceptions. They’ve been formed by decades of experiences and faulty beliefs.
Do you ever watch a “sunset” even though the sun never sets? Do you ever instantly like or dislike a person you’ve never met? When treated with disregard, your goal is to be heard and get your needs met. We can’t force other adults to change their opinions or behavior. However, we are in total control of how we respond to every situation. We can say what we need to and transform anxiety into peace of mind.
EXAMPLES
Here’s an example you might use at work. “I felt hurt when his contributions were recognized and mine weren’t noticed. I need for my work to be acknowledged.” An example at home is, “When you didn’t call and tell me you changed your plans, I worried about you. I need to know when you’ll be late so I can arrange my own schedule.” Notice: These statements are not drenched with negative emotions or accusations that trigger defensiveness and counter attacks. You gain positive results faster by using “I statements” that acknowledge your emotions. Use the minimum amount of words possible to say what you need. Know you deserve it. This approach will empower you to breathe a big sigh of relief and go on with your next step in life.
THE FINAL OUTCOME
No matter what the final outcome of the particular situation, you’ll meet your personal growth challenge, so this type of situation will occur less frequently. Just use the technique I’ve outlined so you can easily resolve conflicts with “difficult people.” Soon, an effective response to disrespectful behavior will become easy and automatic because you’ll be clear what you deserve. Enjoy knowing you are so powerful that you can infinitely reshape your life. You deserve happiness. Turn every unpleasant experience into a rich opportunity for personal growth.
Visit http://www.FreeJoyOnTheJobEbooks.com and GET YOUR FREE EBOOKS: “Secrets of Happiness at Work,” “Employee Engagement Made Easy,” and “Get the Respect & Appreciation You Deserve Now.” Doris Helge, Ph.D., is 100% dedicated to empowering you to create more meaning, fun, and fulfillment at work. Dr. Doris is an executive coach & a corporate trainer for companies as large as Microsoft. Download sample chapters from Dr. Helge’s latest books, “Joy on the Job” & “Transforming Pain Into Power” at http://www.MoreJoyOnTheJob.com.
Lower CholesterolTrans Fats Banned in California
Good news if you live in California! Starting in 2010 restaurants will be banned from using trans fats in food preparation. This will be a major benefit to those of you struggling to lower total cholesterol, low LDL “bad” cholesterol, or raise HDL “good” cholesterol. To improve your lipid profile you should follow a diet with less than 30% daily calories from fat. Ideally your intake of trans fatty acids should be zero for heart health. Since numerous restaurants affected will be nationwide chains, hopefully the trend will start to spread and avoiding trans fats when dining out will not be an issue after a few more years.
Eight steps to lower your cholesterol
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD