Woodside Family Practice

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The average daily weekday ridership in Houston is 39,500. Houston operates a fleet of 18 Avanto light-rail vehicles built by Siemens. Each vehicle is 96 foot long and has four low platfrm doors per side and has a capacity of 72 seated and 148 standing passengers.

The arrival of METRORail came 64 years after the previous streetcar system was shut down, which left Houston as the largest city in the United States without a rail system since 1990 when the Blue Line opened in Los Angeles. METRORail is operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, or METRO for short.

Being the second major light rail service in Texas (first is the  Dallas Area Rapid Transit system) is the METRORail enough for the residents of Houston? As of April 15, 2006, there have been 129 crashes officially confirmed. One crash has resulted in a fatality; the fatal crash occurred on May 10, 2005 and involved a man in a pickup truck who ran through a red light at the Jefferson Street intersection and collided with a train, killing the driver of the truck instantly and causing minor injuries to several passengers of the train.

There are several possible reasons for the high accident rate; an often proffered explanation is that the entire 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of track runs in city streets unlike systems with private right-of-ways. METRO has consistently blamed driver error as the cause of the high collision rate and the transit agency’s police department regularly tickets motorists who cross paths with the train.

Since its inception, METRORail has been the source of several political controversies in Houston. Taking into consideration the rising gas prices and exhausting supply for global resources, Houston needs more methods of public transport.

The METRORail is a commonly used transportation system for college students and middle-class workers who do not want to be stuck in traffic in peak hours. A number of apartment complexes have been built in close proximity to the METRORail. Some of these apartments include Gables, Waterford Square, Scotland Yard, Broadstone etc. (insert link). With growing Houston population we need more METRorails with mess number of crashes.

MonaVie original acai blend is the original juice, introduced in 2005 as a healthy supplemental drink.  It is now one of several blends and many older adults are finding the benefits of enjoying a daily serving of these drinks.

Today many people in the U.S. are living retirement lives much different than their parents or grandparents. This generation is much more active and concerned about maintaining their health and vitality. They are committed to exercise, walking laps in the mall or riding their bikes around the neighborhood. And many are eating better and including healthy drinks like MonaVie acai in their daily diet.

Ever since medical and nutritional experts started talking about the acai berry, people of all ages have been curious about its benefits and how it could benefit their health. . Called a super food, acai is believed to have high levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants. It is believed that these properties can improve overall health. And MonaVie blends the acai with eighteen other nutritious and antioxidant rich foods, such as blueberry and cranberry, to create their original acai blend.

While many older adults have added the original MonaVie blend to their diets, some have other health concerns. Heart disease is very prevalent and people want to do whatever they can to cut their risks of heart attack or stroke. They’ve added daily exercise and are eating healthier. Some are finding ways to lower their cholesterol which in high levels can negatively affect the cardiovascular system.

MonaVie Pulse is a blend that contains plant sterols and may help to reduce cholesterol levels. This blend also features the acai berry and the blend of eighteen other fruits. It also has resveratrol and omega 3 acids, two other components which may help lower cholesterol levels and support the cardiovascular system. Many older adults are consulting with their physicians and deciding if they may benefit from adding this drink to their diet.

Other older adults have trouble being as active as they want due to poor joint performance. They may have a hereditary condition that limits their joints’ flexibility or they may have damaged them from years on a demanding physical job. These adults may want to consider adding a nutritional drink such as MonaVie Active to their daily regimen.

Similar to the original acai blend, MonaVie Active also contains a form of glucosamine which some experts believe helps improve joint flexibility and range of motion. This could be a good addition especially if it helps some adults get back to their regular physical activities. Joints need to be worked and kept flexible so they can continue to support the body and keep us moving.

There is so much information available today regarding personal health. And many people are making very personal decisions to be proactive and do whatever they can to stay at their optimum best for as long as possible. They’ve quit bad habits such as smoking, and they are eating healthier and getting regular physical exercise.  And some are adding one of the delicious and nutritious MonaVie blends to their regular diets.

Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 21, 2008) – The holiday season may bring visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads, but trouble can ensue when pies, cakes, cookies and other fatty holiday treats start dancing on our plates.

With careful planning and smart choices, you can have your fill of holiday cheer without filling your plate with calorie-rich foods, said Netty Levine, RD, CDE, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center.

“You can enjoy your favorite traditional holiday foods in moderation without dragging extra pounds into the New Year,” Levine said. “Make smart choices at parties and in buffet lines, and on days you’re not celebrating make sure you’re eating healthy, well-balanced meals.”

Fitting in exercise, drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet will not only be good for your waist line, but can also ensure you have enough energy for the season’s many celebrations, Levine said.

She offers these suggestions for sensible eating during the holidays:

1. Vow to maintain, not gain. If you’re on a long-term weight loss plan, make every effort to maintain your weight. Maintaining weight despite the season’s many temptations should be considered a reasonable goal.

2. When going to  a holiday potluck, bring along a healthy dish or treat you enjoy. Find ways to lighten up traditional recipes, or bring along a vegetable or fruit tray. Presentation and creativity count!

3. Never go to a party hungry. Eat a small healthy meal or snack to ward off cravings, which can help make temptation easier to resist.

4. Drink water. Avoiding high-calorie beverages will make those holiday splurges easier on your waistline.

5. When dining buffet-style, choose a smaller plate and pile it high with fruits, vegetables and green salads. Load up on lean roasted meats, and choose small portions of your holiday favorites

6. Dodge the pre-dinner cocktail. Alcohol makes you hungrier, and lower inhibitions can lead to poor food choices. Opt instead for a drink with your meal. When ordering cocktails, reach for those made with a low- or no-calorie mixer.

7. Don’t be too busy for breakfast. Starting the day with a healthy meal will help control cravings later.

8. Be picky about dessert. Indulge only in your very favorites, and when presented with several dessert options, choose just one. Check in with yourself when eating. Do you want the whole portion of a rich treat, or do you feel satisfied after a few bites?

9. Make time for exercise – be active when you can. Even short bits of exercise can add up.

10. Focus on friends and family, not the food. Make the company of loved ones the center of your gathering – not the tasty treats.

To arrange interviews, please contact Nicole White, media specialist, at nicole.white@cshs.org or at (310) 423-

5215.

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