Hives tend to be an allergic reaction to food or cleansing products. Most people experience hives at least once in their lives.

But, what if those hives don’t go away?

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a chronic form of hives. It takes about six weeks to get a CIU diagnosis, because doctors try to treat it as an allergic reaction first. You try to find triggers right away.

An allergist who is experienced with CIU should be able to help. Take photos of your rash and keep a diary of your condition so you can present the information to your doctor. This can help work out the best treatment option for you.

Listen as celebrity Vicky Lawrence joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share her story of being diagnosed with CIU.

Holidays mean hugs and kisses. They also mean easy transmission of colds and viruses.

Herpes

Little kids can get cold sores so don’t let them kiss adults who have cold sores. They’re commonly spotted around or on the lips. You can also find them by the nose from time to time. Sharing utensils and beverages can also transmit the possibility of these painful blisters appearing later in life.

Common Cold

Coughs and sniffles are warning signs to stay back. Don’t share utensils or drinks. Go with a peck on the cheek or an air hug.

Mononucleosis

This is more common in teens because of the kissing frequency. If you get mono, take your vitamins and stay hydrated. Stay away from friends and family. It’s very contagious.

If you are sick and don’t recover in two weeks, see your physician.

Listen as Dr. Georgea Pasedis joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to protect yourself from the consequences of physical affection when others are ailing.

Resolutions are on the horizon. Many people have big goals for reaching health and fitness goals next year.

But, the gyms will be just as empty and the snacks will be just as tempting a few weeks into the year. How can you avoid those pitfalls and stay on track?

Set realistic expectations. Pick one thing and make it part of your lifestyle. Can you add 15 minutes of activity per day now? A few short bursts of exercise during the day will add up.

Weight loss is more than calories in and calories out. You have to find the balance in your life. Watch your carb intake. Cut your starches in half if you’re consuming too much.

It’s harder to lose weight as you get older. Focus on gaining lean mass. Increase the number of vegetables you consume each day.

Convenience seems to be king of our diets. Learn simple ways to prepare your own food so you get more nutritious meals.

Listen as Dr. James LaValle joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can reach your health and fitness goals by the end of next year.

You try to eat healthy during the holidays. The reality is that many people gain a pound or two between Thanksgiving and the new year.

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How can you plan to keep the weight off?

This is not the time to try to lose weight. You’ll have difficulty succeeding with holiday interruptions and meals. Journal about your eating and activity. Keep your focus on seeing loved ones instead of eating your way through winter festivities.

Listen as Dr. Brian Parr joins Melanie Cole, MS to share tips on how you can keep the holiday pounds away.

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Have you ever watched an infomercial and said to yourself, “I could’ve invented something like that”?

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If you are a home inventor, how do you find people to buy your products?

There are two types of media:

All marketing is designed to solicit a response. The question is how immediate you want that response to be.

How to Get Your Product Made

Ask yourself if you’re in love with your product, or does it have a potential place in the marketplace? Don’t mortgage your home to chase the dream if your product isn’t relatively viable. Does your product solve a common problem? Does it have mass appeal? Is it affordable? 

If you assess it to be a worthwhile investment, now it’s time to see what you have to spend on this project.

Get your patent so you can license production. Now no one can steal your idea.

Make a working prototype. It doesn’t have to be amazing. You need something to present to someone who can license production.

Seek a marketing partner. Most marketing partners charge 2-5%. They handle production, promotion and pathways to retail.

Listen as John Yarrington joins Melanie Cole, MS, to break down how you can get your at-home invention into the hands of consumers.

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Do you collect things? Have a habit of holding onto things? Maybe your plan is a little cluttered?

If you’re listening to this podcast, something’s not working in your relationship with your stuff.

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Clutter is a constant to-do list. It raises your stress level. You have to get a handle on it so you can move on with your life.

Tips for Decluttering

Clutter doesn’t happen overnight so it’s going to take time to declutter. Go easy on yourself and focus on small spaces. You’ll have to do maintenance on spaces as you bring more stuff into your home.

Listen as organizational expert Tracy McCubbin joins Melanie Cole, MS, to help you declutter your life.

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It’s important to move your body. Walking is recommended for those who are new to fitness, because it’s very accessible and inexpensive. If walking seems too pedestrian, kick things up a notch with hiking.

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Preparing for a hike is like preparing for life. Start incrementally and gear yourself from the bottom up. Invest in good footwear that is durable, light and wicks moisture. Get a good hip pack for a first aid kit, map, water and a sandwich. Using poles works your upper body and increases your staying power. A broad-brimmed hat will protect your head and neck from the sun.

Begin with small adventures. Connect up with a hiking club if you’ve found hiking is a passion. You can travel the world and see some amazing sites as your skill develops.

Listen as James Klopovic joins Melanie Cole, MS, to learn how to set your feet on the hiking path.

Sponsor:

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You try to do your best to raise your child to be compassionate, empathetic and appreciative. You also want him to understand that your financial limitations may be different from other parents.

How can you deal with the gimmes and sense of entitlement?

Technology has contributed to an expectation of instant gratification. In real life, the speed of achievement is slower. It takes longer to earn things.

Your child learn know to enjoy life right now while working toward future desires. This will help him enjoy the future more when he gets there, especially if things don't turn out as he anticipates.

Teach him how to fail effectively. The value of failing can lead to eventual success. He has to get up and try again, taking a lesson from the experience.

“But My Friend Doesn’t Have to Do Chores!”

That’s great. Chores may be part of your household. Tasks are a great way for your child to contribute to the family. There is satisfaction in getting things done.

Work out a subjective measure for a financial allowance. Be clear about what tasks are allowance-worthy. Allowance is for frivolous expenses so push for proactivity from your child.

You want to raise a compassionate, resilient child who knows the difference between needs and wants.

Listen as Dr. Michael Wetter joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can curb expectations and have your child earn what he wants.

You need sleep to stave off chronic disease, improve hormone production, lose weight and deal with daily life. The demands of today’s lifestyle aren’t helping you get the sleep you need.

It’s time for some sleep hacks to get quality sleep for healing and improved overall health.

Listen as Dr. Ken Redcross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share tips to get the best sleep possible.

Maybe you want six-pack abs. Or, perhaps you want to get stronger.

What should you eat to support your fitness goals?

First, start with eating real foods that are close to what you find in nature. You don’t have to count the grams of everything. Make sure you have lean protein, fruit, vegetables, healthy carbs and smart fats every day. Avoid processed foods.

Second, assess your fitness goals. Do you want to increase or decrease your weight? Your goal will impact your food requirements each day. Don’t add a protein shake or bar just because you exercised.

Third, you don’t want to exercise completely fasted. You need some nutritious carbohydrates to fuel the workout early in the morning. Have a piece of fruit, or a glass of pure fruit or vegetable juice. The glucose gives you energy right away. Adding fiber, fat and protein will take longer to digest.

Additionally, alcohol is closer to fat than protein for your body. Cut back on booze and mixers if you have caloric goals.

Finally, use fats and oils to cook your food so it tastes good. You don’t have to drink coconut oil each day to get in your healthy fats. In moderation, you can eat the natural fats in your food, like the fat in your ham or skin from your chicken.

Listen as Dr. Felicia Stoler joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to eat to support your fitness goals.