Have you thought about becoming a vegetarian, but not sure where to start? A good first step is to replace meat in recipes with legumes instead, such as garbanzo beans, which are also known as chick peas.

Legumes provide protein, just like meat does, but without any animal fat. Legumes also are a good source of soluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol. This is a heart healthy recipe - perfect for a meatless Monday dinner!

Enjoy this recipe for home-made, healthy pita chips with friends or treat yourself. With only four ingredients and a few easy steps, you can whip these up in no time!

Why Worry About BMI? The body mass index (BMI) is a tool used to assess and monitor changes in body weight. Body mass index is defined as the individual's body mass divided by the square of his or her height, measured in kilograms/meters squared. To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by height in meters squared (m2). A normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 to 29.9. A BMI equal or greater than 30 is considered…

What is Perimenopause? Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the stage of a woman’s reproductive life that begins 8 to 10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in the 30s as well. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the reduction of estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women experience…

What is Body Mass Index? One of the most common topics patients address with their doctors is weight loss. One-third of Americans today are overweight. Exceeding an ideal body weight is caused by genetic, socioeconomic, and physiological factors. However, doctors today see excess weight as an important, treatable medical condition. There are several ways of measuring your ideal body weight. One of the most popular methods to gauge whether or not you are overweight is the body mass index…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains and reviews recent research related to Omega-3 fatty acids and their importance to our health.

This Target Heart Rate Calculator provides, based on your age, an estimate of your target heart rate ranges for all exercise intensity levels.

Curious as to how many calories you need to maintain your current weight? Try this Weight Maintenance Calculator to find out.

Use this Ideal Weight Calculator tool to determine your healthiest weight.

Use our Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator to determine your waist to hip ratio. Waist to hip ratio is a simple measure of where fat is stored in your body.

Use this free Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator to calculate your BMI index. Simply put in your height and weight, and we'll do your BMI calculation.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's blog on the results of the 10-year research on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This latest study shows the safety of HRT on heart events in recently post-menopausal women.

Sleeping Pills If you feel you are suffering from insomnia, should you seek help and get a sleeping pill prescribed? I am afraid of becoming dependent on the medication. Millions of Americans are asking the same question. While sleeping pills can help a person fall asleep more quickly, most patients with chronic insomnia would better be served by learning healthy strategies for getting a restful sleep. It is true that some of the newer medications advertised on TV are not addictive as was the…

Overview of Sleep Disorders Sleep disorders are on the rise. It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of adult Americans experience sleep disorder symptoms at least a few nights per week. At the same time, sleep disturbances in some form are seen in as many as 25 to 30 percent of infants and children. Millions of people of all ages suffer from a variety of sleep disorders including: Sleep apnea Restless legs syndrome Insomnia. These disorders frequently are misdiagnosed and untreated.…

Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs) Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs) are advanced practice nurses who provide quality care to many patients. They have a master’s degree in nursing and a board certification in their specialty. They provide initial, ongoing, and comprehensive care, including: Taking medical histories Providing physical examinations Other health assessment and screening activities CNPs are prepared to diagnose and treat patients with many types of symptoms as well…

Handling Stress During the Holidays The holiday season can be full of excitement, parties, shopping, religious observances and family gatherings. But inevitably, with this time of year comes stress. People feel that there is not enough time to fit in everything. We often have higher expectations for this time of year. And that places even more pressure on us and increases the likelihood we may end up disappointed. Signs of stress may include: Feeling impatient Worried Cranky You…

Try our stuffed burgers, which can either be cooked on a skillet or on the grill.

If you’re making these burgers for children, you may want to serve the apples and peppers raw, on the side (some children prefer their fruit and veggies that way).

Note: Don’t forget to purchase ground white meat turkey. Not all ground turkey is lean, so be choosy.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker reports on highlights from the North American Menopause Society meeting. Good news for menopausal women who need hormone therapy!

By Dr. Manisha Yadav What Are The Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease? High cholesterol, inactivity, diabetes and smoking can lead to atherosclerosis (deposition of fat in arteries) and arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes (due to decreased blood supply). When this ongoing decreased blood flow is happening to your legs, it manifests as leg pain when walking and achiness, burning or discomfort in the muscles of your legs. Other symptoms…

What is Breast Cancer? Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes, cells in a part of the body grow and divide out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. If the cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is called benign (not cancerous). If, however, the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and don't function like the body's normal cells, the tumor is called malignant (cancerous). Cancers are…