Traveling this holiday season? Check out these tips from Live Oak Pharmacy’s Pharmacist & Co-Owner, Nathan Pope, Pharm.D.!
Be sure to keep your medications in your carry-on in the event of lost or delayed luggage, for information on what is and is not allowed by the TSA, please click here.
Don’t forget your medication list. In an emergency it can make all the difference – don’t have one? Download one here http://retwt.me/1KCiy
Keep your medications, including over-the-counter medications, in their original packaging. You don’t want to take the wrong medication.
Remember that your pharmacist is an important part of your health care team!
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Michelle Gonzalez, Fishmongress at Quality Seafood Market, writes a monthly article for Live Oak Pharmacy on seafood as an essential part of whole body wellness.
October is known as the month for Breast Cancer Awareness, however to seafood lovers it is also known as National Seafood Month! There is no better time than now to showcase the health benefits of eating a seafood rich diet as well as quick tips to help you make informed seafood choices.
As most of us know, SEAFOOD = OMEGA 3s = HEALTHIER BODY! While this is true there are many other benefits and reasons to love and consume the recommended 8oz of seafood weekly.
Here are five reasons you should incorporate seafood into your diet:
Eating fish reduces the risk of death from heart disease, the leading cause of death in both men and women. Seafood intake has also been linked to a lower risk of stroke, depression and mental decline with age.
Fish intake is extremely important for pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding because it supplies DHA, a specific omega-3 fatty acid that is beneficial for infant’s brain development.
Essential fatty acids found in most seafood may cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Various reports show that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can slow mental decline and even reduce the development of Alzheimer’s disease in older people.
Seafood lovers and eaters have lower risks of getting cancer. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are the essential components responsible for protection against cancer. In fact, there had been reports that people who eat fish regularly have low risks of cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, and prostate.
Shellfish help aid in healthy skin, and good eyesight. Different varieties of shellfish are rich in vitamins and minerals, aside from being very low in fat content. Shellfish helps guarantee healthy skin and promotes good eyesight because vitamins contained in shellfish aid in formation and use of red blood cells and muscles.
It is important that you purchase the freshest seafood possible for the most benefits. So keep these quick tips and tidbits in mind when purchasing your seafood at your local market.
Buy your seafood from markets that have a reputable name. Quality Seafood Market has been selling seafood since 1938. They are known for their fresh fish and friendly and trustworthy fishmongers. Go with your gut instinct and ask yourself: What is my first impression of this facility? Does it look and smell clean?
Only buy fish that is refrigerated or properly iced. Fish should be displayed on a thick bed of fresh ice and preferably in a case.
Previously frozen ais still considered fresh. Nowadays, fresh catches can be processed and frozen immediately to very low temperatures – frequently, this takes place right on the fishing vessel.
Fish should smell fresh and mild NEVER sour, fishy or ammonia-like. Remember that a fish’s eyes should be clear, and the fish should have firm, shiny flesh. Dull flesh, fillet discoloration (green to yellowish) and cloudy eyes could mean the fish is on it’s last fin or not good!
Thaw frozen seafood gradually by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. If you have to thaw seafood quickly, seal it in a plastic bag and immerse it in cold water.
Seafood should be cooked to an internal temp of 145°F. if you don’t have a food thermometer lying around use these everyday techniques to know when your seafood is ready. Fish: Flesh should be opaque and separate easily. Shrimp & Lobster: Flesh becomes pearly-opaque. Scallops: Flesh turns milky white or opaque and firm. Clams, mussels, and oysters: Look for their shells to open and throw away the shells that don’t open.
Remember to always consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any known allergens or medical conditions before consuming seafood.
National Seafood Month provides the perfect opportunity to become a healthier you, to branch out and try a new fish or shellfish or pass on new seafood facts and information you have learned to family and friends. Give yourself the gift of health and seafood awareness this month. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try new things!
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
It’s still too hot to fire up that oven. Ceviche (say-VEE-chay) is a great hot weather meal. It requires no heat and very little prep time. What’s more, it’s cool and refreshing! This week, I’d like to share a few pointers that I learned from my fellow fishmonger, Ryan Verheyn of Quality Seafood Market, on how to safely prepare ceviche. Most recipes call for marinating the seafood (fish, shrimp, scallops, octopus, and squid are all popular choices) for 1-5 hours in citric acid (i.e., lime juice) before consumption. The fresher the seafood and the longer it marinates, the more bacteria is killed by the acid and the safer the ceviche is to eat. However, Ryan recommends an even more sanitary method than just selecting a fresh catch and marinating it. Ryan marinates just the seafood, leaving the other ingredients aside, in the citric acid for 5 hours or overnight, if possible. This ensures that the maximum amount of bacteria bites the dust. When he’s ready to serve the ceviche, Ryan drains the seafood, discards the marinade and replenishes it with fresh lime juice. Then he adds his other fresh ingredients, such as diced jalapeño and onion, chopped tomato, and minced garlic and cilantro. The new lime juice has a brighter, fresher flavor, not to mention it’s free of that fishy marinade.
As always, when making ceviche, be sure to buy seafood from a reputable, busy market that is known for its high turnover of product (you don’t want fish that’s been sitting around all week). Also, ask your monger what fish she recommends that day. What’s the freshest? What has the right texture and flavor for ceviche? My personal favorite is black drum. It’s lean, white, and firm. It has a mild flavor and takes to the flavors of other fresh ingredients well. Finally, it’s a local, wild-caught Texas favorite. Now what could be more refreshing than supporting your local fisherman? See you in the market!
Come into Live Oak Pharmacy to get a smile, they’re free and available every time you walk in the door!
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Yesterday was National Cancer Survivors Day. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation defines a “survivor” as anyone living with a history of cancer - from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of his or her life.
We also invite you to view the trailer for the upcoming film Cancerpants. “Cancerpants – a story told through the eyes of Rochelle “Ro” Poulson is about life, love and a young woman’s journey with breast cancer. Ro faces each day as it comes, and is grateful for the lessons she learns along the way. Cancerpants shows how the struggles, losses, triumphs and joys of breast cancer affect not only those diagnosed but their family and friends as well.”
If you or someone you care about is facing cancer, please take a moment to learn more about the LIVESTRONG Cancer Navigation Center. The LIVESTRONG Cancer Navigation Center, located in East Austin, provides a range of free services for anyone affected by cancer. This includes people diagnosed with cancer, their families, friends, loved ones and the health care professionals who work with them. We help people with any cancer type and at any stage of treatment. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Pharmacy. Good health and wellness starts with having a great health care team and that means having access to a pharmacist that cares! Stop in today and while you’re at it, bring your four legged and furry friend in because we are Austin’s Pet Friendly Pharmacy too! Come find out why the reader’s of the Austin Chronicle voted us Best New Local Business! And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
Sarah Harper, Fishmongress at Quality Seafood Market, writes a monthly article for Live Oak Pharmacy on seafood as an essential part of whole body wellness.
Just in case you missed it, Helene York (director of strategic initiatives for Bon-Appetit Management Company) published a superb article, “In Defense of Tilapia,” in The Atlantic last Friday. Her article debunked two stereotypes that often mislabel tilapia: it’s unsustainable and it’s not ashealthy as other fish.
With respect to sustainability, critics of tilapia claim that its soy-based feed could be used more efficiently if it were fed directly to humans. This is a valid argument, but when you compare tilapia feed to the volume of grain-based feeds eaten by livestock, the feed-conversion-ratio of tilapia farming is relatively small. In short, eating tilapia has less of an environmental impact (in terms of feed) than eating beef, pork, or chicken.
In addition, Chinese tilapia farms are under criticism from organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium for their use of antibiotics and growth hormones. But York aptly points about that the blanket “red listing” of all Chinese tilapia actually hinders those farms that are raising tilapia sustainably. Leading by example – York spearheaded an investigation of the tilapia farms that contracted with the Bon-Appetit Management Company and discovered that they weren’t using antibiotics or growth hormones – she argues that it’s partially the consumer’s responsibility to check the facts, to ask questions of their suppliers, and to find out the truth about how their fish is raised.
York concludes her article by silencing critics who claim that tilapia is somehow less healthy because it doesn’t have as many omega-3 fatty acids as other fish. Citing Dr. Alice Lichtenstein, York points out that tilapia is low in omega-3’s because it’s inherently lower in fat than other fish. That’s a good thing, right? In the end, consumers may overtly choose tilapia because of its low price point or its “non-fishy” taste, but inadvertently they’re choosing a source of protein that’s leaner than some other fish, chicken, pork, or beef. Rather than splitting hairs over which fish is best, let’s continue to encourage consumers to choose heart healthy sources of protein that have as little environmental impact as possible.
Learn more about fish at Quality Seafood Market. The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest bloggers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Pharmacy. We are also your fun Austin Pharmacy! Come find out why the reader’s of the Austin Chronicle voted us Best New Local Business! And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
We often take water for granted—until we’re thirsty and it’s not available. For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week—a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
Come into Live Oak Pharmacy today and pick up a U-Turn 2 Tap reusable water bottle so you can have H20 on the go! U-Turn 2 Tap was born out of a need to provide products that are good for the body, the community and the planet.
Benefiting the body: U-Turn 2 Tap’s stainless steel water bottles are made from 304 grade 18/8 stainless steel that is always BPA and Phthalate free. The bottles are a safe, healthy alternative to the dangers of plastic toxins.
Benefiting the community: U-Turn 2 Tap contributes to programs that offer children the tools they need to create and experience art in all forms. With funding rapidly being stripped from the education system, it is our goal to ensure that programs for art and art therapy are supported.
Benefiting the planet: U-Turn 2 Tap’s stainless steel water bottles aim to stop the plastic water bottle frenzy that fills up our landfills and oceans. In the US alone, 60 million plastic bottles are hitting the landfills every single day!
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s fun pharmacy! Our goal is to educate and entertain you with fun facts that help you and our community! To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy stop in today and talk to one of our team members! Or visit us on facebook or our Web site.
Sarah Harper, Fishmongress at Quality Seafood Market, writes a monthly article for Live Oak Pharmacy on seafood as an essential part of whole body wellness.
This Wednesday, April 20th, marks the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The day is a somber reminder of the manmade disaster that claimed the lives of 11 oil rig workers, and that continues to threaten the economy and the culture of an entire region. Even a year later, fisherman and their families continue to struggle to get the message to the American consumer that Gulf seafood is safe to eat. It seems like yesterday when the media were telling the story of the disaster and its potentially devastating effects on the industry. Where are they today? So few stories of success and recovery are being told. Therefore, Gulf coast communities have taken it upon themselves to rebuild consumer confidence in their product. And make no mistake, seafood coming from the Gulf of Mexico is continually screened for safety by the NOAA and by independent laboratories (My Gulf Wild randomly screens its snapper and grouper for trace PAHs, heavy metals, and dispersants). Consumer safety is the Gulf fisherman’s number one concern, and they’re trying to get that message to us. Let’s at least listen to their story…
FDA.gov – “Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Questions and Answers”
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Live Oak Pharmacy, winner of Best New Local Business in the Reader’s Choice of the Austin Chronicle, is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare and that includes eating well. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street, visit us online or call us at 512-476-8979 ext. 1
Business travel can be a strain on any family. But when you’re on the road, staying in touch can make the separation easier for everyone.
Here are some ideas for staying close when you’re far away:
Take pictures. Bring a digital camera to capture a few images from the city you’re traveling to, and share them when you get home. Or send them directly via your cell phone. Even a shot of your hotel room can make children feel a connection to you.
Communicate regularly. Send e-mails and text messages as often as you can. A short message can mean a lot to the people missing you at home.
Encourage kids to stay in touch. Have your children fax pictures drawn at school to your hotel, or e-mail you with homework questions, so they know they can reach you when they need to.
Don’t go right back to work. If you return in the middle of the day, head home first. Take your spouse to lunch, or pick your children up from school, to show you’ve got your priorities straight.
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s Pharmacy! We’re here to offer everyday solutions to help with health & wellness! Have questions about health & wellness? Come in today and talk with any of our team members or visit us online or give us a call 512-476-8979 ext. 1
Welcome to Skin’s In! Skin’s In is a bi-weekly new segment to the Live Oak Pharmacy blog specifically about skin care and how it relates to your overall health & wellness. Enjoy and if you have suggestions or feedback, please let us know!
Summer is too long in Texas to be concerned about how you look in a sleeveless shirt. We recently came across an article by Dr. Jessica Wu on the subject of dark armpits and here’s what we found out for you.
Dark & course underarm hair can make your armpits appear darker, even after shaving. Consider waxing instead which removes the root of the hair.
Ask your dermatologist about erythrasma. Erythrasma is a bacterial infection that typically appears on just one side, not both. By using a special light, your dermatologist can properly diagnose and prescribe a topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics from Live Oak Pharmacy.
Another cause may be the skin condition Acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis nigricans produces brownish gray velvety patches on the underarms, the sides of the neck, and the inner thighs. Often times it’s hereditary but weight gain and diabetes can also cause it. Talk with your doctor to find out more and what it’s underlying cause is. Treatment may include customized compounded creams prescribed by your doctor.
If you have questions about compounds or you’d like us to contact your physician to tell them more about compounded prescriptions, give us a call at 512-476-8979 ext. 1.
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s compounding pharmacy. We want you to have access to the best information so you can live the best life you can! We know that looking your best means you that you’ll feel your best! And when you feel great you’re health and well! Have questions about a customized compounded prescription? Stop by for a consultations with our pharmacist! Come in today and see why reader’s of the Austin Chronicle voted us Best New Local Business!
A study from the Women’s Health Initiative shows the increased risk of stroke found among women who take estrogen-only hormone therapy disappears after they stop the pills but the reduced risk of breast cancer — believed by some to result from hormone use after natural menopause — is maintained.
Navigating through this all can be confusing. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Live Oak Pharmacy offers Hormone Restoration Consultations and we work directly with you and your prescriber to get you the facts and help customize a plan specifically for you. To sign up for more information, fill out the form below and one of our team members will contact you with more information.
Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s compounding pharmacy. We want you to have access to the best information so you can live the best life you can! That means consultations with our pharmacist, offering the best products and services and compounding medications that are customized for your health! Come in today and see why reader’s of the Austin Chronicle voted us Best New Local Business!
