Montreal’s variety of French and international cuisines are sure to give you a number of foods to experience.  The best dining areas can be found in the Boulevard St. Laurent and the Rue St. Denis regions of town, although beware that many of the menus are only printed in French.  Some of the local favorites that you must try are the poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese), tourtiere (meat pie), and ragout de boulets (meatball stew).  Montreal’s bagels and the beaver tail, a flat, fried doughnut, are some additional popular treats.

Normally, breakfast can be served as early as 6am and last until 11am.  Lunch starts around 2pm and dinner hours are between 6 and 11pm. While in Montreal, not only will you get a taste of French food at the bistros, but you can also try Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisines found throughout Montreal.

Safe travels,

Kevin

Read the complete article here: http://eba.benefitnews.com/news/medical-tourism-travel-adviser-opportunity-plan-asset-2723803-1.html

Often a companion will accompany our patients on their journey to receive medical treatment at one of our International Centers of Excellence. Companions not only offer comfort, peace of mind and a familiar face, but they typically provide medical assistance to the patients before and after the procedure.

As a patient receiving medical treatment abroad, you may incur additional expense, in the form of airfare, ground transportation, or hotel, if you bring a companion. However, depending on your situation, these expenses could be tax deductible for you.

The IRS allows a deduction for expenses stemming from “nursing services”, i.e. assistance with wheel-chair, luggage, driving, help with medication. If your companion helps you with these nursing services, the companion’s transportation (plane ticket, taxi rides) and lodging expenses (up to $50 per night for a hotel stay) may be deductible. Your companion does not need to have a specific medical license.

Be sure to consult with your accountant or tax advisor on whether the transportation or hotel expenses are deductible.

The content provided herein is for informational purposes and reflects the opinions of Satori World Medical, Inc. and should not be relied on as legal advice. In accordance with IRS Circular 230, the information set forth is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used as or considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or tax-related matter(s) addressed herein; for IRS audit, tax dispute or other purposes. Satori World Medical, Inc. disclaims any responsibility for any particular matter that effects your specific situation.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death      in the United States for men and women. Eating certain foods can lower your risk for heart disease and are beneficial in other ways as well. Here are 5 top foods that are great for your heart.

1)      Salmon. Salmon is a great lean protein that can prevent heart problems, due to it being rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3s encourage the production of body chemicals that help control inflammation of the bloodstream and tissues. Other fatty acids can make blood become too sticky which can lead to blood clots forming, a cause of strokes and heart attacks. However when your body has Omega 3s, these can help balance the other fatty acids and reduce the negative effects. Grill salmon and place on top of a fresh bed of spinach for a quick and healthy dinner, or opt for a salmon patty instead of ground beef in your next burger. 

2) Oatmeal. Oatmeal is rich in omega 3s, fiber, and also magnesium and potassium which help with heart rhythm and blood pressure. Start your day off with a warm bowl of steel-cut oatmeal and top it off with fresh fruit.

3) Beans. Black and kidney beans are rich in magnesium as well and in B complex vitamins which have added benefits such as producing healthy skin, hair, and nails, and aid with digestion. Add beans to your soups and salads for a hearty boost.

4) Nuts. Almonds and walnuts are a great heart healthy snack because they have omega 3s, magnesium, and heart favorable fats. For an extra crunch, add nuts to your salads or mix them into your morning yogurt.

5) Flaxseed. Flaxseed is not only a great source of Omegas 3s but also a great source of fiber. It has been proven to lower cholesterol levels and your blood pressure. The fiber in flaxseed can help your digestive system as well. Flaxseeds are great because they can be easily sprinkled on top of a variety of dishes, giving you that extra health benefit. Toss them into your oatmeal, smoothies and cottage cheese for a healthy breakfast.

To read more health tips click here.

Keeping your joints healthy is important in order to avoid injury and prevent arthritis. Here are some foods that are great for your joints as well as other parts of your body!

1) Salmon. Salmon is a food that benefits numerous parts of the body including the joints.  It is rich in omega- 3 fatty acids which can prevent inflammation of the joints. Omega -3s also reduce pain and swelling and increase blood flow.

2) Almonds. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E which protects the outer membrane of joint cells. They also have omega-3s and manganese which builds cartilage and speeds up the glucosamine in your body. Glucosamine repairs damaged cartilage in your body so eating almonds is a great way to keep those joints protected.

3) Papaya. Papayas are surprisingly a larger source of Vitamin C than oranges and Vitamin C is great for your joints. Papayas contain Vitamin C and E which work together to slow down the aging process. Vitamin C helps form collagen which is a very important protein that is found in your bones, tendons, and cartilage. Collagen helps to heal tissue and gets rid of free radical damage.

4) Black beans. Black beans are a great source of manganese. They are high in antioxidants which help prevent disease and may increase life expectancy.

5) Kale. Kale or any dark leafy vegetable is great for your joints due to their levels of manganese. Incorporating these into your diet will ensure strong cartilage and allow fast recovery if damage should occur. Kale also has antioxidants and can aid with digestion.

To read more health tips from Satori’s Chief Medical Officer, click here.

This past weekend I arrived at the State and Local Government Benefits Association (SALGBA) Conference in Burlingame, CA, along with Satori’s President & CEO, Steven Lash, and Client Services Representative, Madolyn Mertz.  SALGBA is a national organization for public sector benefits professionals. The SALGBA annual conference is a gathering of executive directors, benefits administrators, as well as other benefits professionals looking for exhibits by medical, dental, and life insurance companies, third party administrators, and benefits consultants.

On Saturday, our President & CEO had a meeting with various brokers, discussing how a global healthcare benefit can help their organization by offering their clients a product that saves healthcare expense, while enhancing their existing benefit structure with a new network offering.

Sunday was the opening day of the conference and the networking reception in the exhibit hall. It was great to see that many of the attendees that I had met already knew about medical travel and were familiar with Satori World Medical. The global healthcare trend is spreading!

We will be at the SALGBA conference until Tuesday, April 17th, so if you are attending the show or in the San Francisco area, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment or stop by booth 108 to learn more about medical travel.

Also, don’t forget to join Satori’s President & CEO, Steven Lash, for an insightful session on how a medial travel benefit can be a cost-savings solution for public sector employers on Tuesday, April 17^th at 11:15am in the Harbor Room.

In my years of being in the travel field, I have learned a trick when it comes to getting “freebies” at hotels. If you are planning on staying at a certain hotel, look for a similar brand or their competition in the same area. You can then email the hotel you are planning on staying and inquire what they offer and inform them you are trying to decide between a couple hotels (mention their competition). Many times the hotel will email back offering anywhere from an upgrade to free breakfast. You can find an email address for just about any hotel on their website.

To read more of my travel tips, please click here.
Fun Travels,
Kevin

In addition, Steven Lash, President and CEO of Satori World Medical will be holding an insightful session on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 11:15am on the topic of “Why the Public Sector is Looking at Medical Travel to Lower Healthcare Costs & GASB 45 Liabilities”.

“Healthcare costs continue to escalate at a record rate and containing these costs has become a critical issue for public sector employers,” said Steven Lash, President and CEO, Satori World Medical. “By offering a medical travel benefit, city and state municipalities can contain costs while offering their retiree populations a high-quality medical benefit option.”

SALGBA is a national organization for public sector benefits professionals. The SALGBA annual conference is a gathering of executive directors, benefits administrators, as well as other benefits professionals looking for exhibits by medical, dental, and life insurance companies, third party administrators, and benefits consultants.

Visit Satori World Medical at booth #108 during the conference for a chance to win a Kindle Fire! To schedule an appointment to meet with a Satori team member during the conference, please contact sales@satoriworldmedical.com or call (619) 704-2000.

About Satori World Medical:

Satori World Medical’s Global Network™ is comprised of International Centers of Excellence with leading physician specialists.  Satori delivers all travel related services, while lowering overall medical expenses for both the patient and the plan sponsor.

Satori, through its patented Health & Shared Wealth Program™, is the only global network that can offer sharing of the savings, including a 100% medical benefit to insured patients that choose to have surgery outside the United States.

All physicians and medical facilities in the Satori Global Network™ are required to meet Satori’s rigorous quality standards which meet or exceed U.S. standards.

For more information on Satori World Medical, call +1 (866) 613-9686 or visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com.

About Steven Lash:

Steven Lash is a frequent lecturer on healthcare trends, innovative healthcare strategies, medical travel, and employee health benefits at numerous industry seminars. Mr. Lash has spoken at University of San Diego, Ahlers Center for International Business “Medical Travel: Globalization of the Healthcare Market”, Health Care Globalization Summit on the topic of “The Economic Value Proposition For Adopting International Medical Coverage – Internal Corporate Cost Savings”, the World Health Care Congress on “International Partnerships for Health Care Delivery Innovation”, the Financial Executive International San Diego Chapter, and the Employer Health & Human Capital Congress on “Employer Need to Knows for Incorporating Medical Tourism into Employee Benefit Design”.

Media Contact

Kate Roberts

Director of Marketing & Communications

Satori World Medical

+1 (619) 704-2005

k.roberts@satoriworldmedical.com

                It is important to know the etiquette of any country you are traveling to as to not offend the native people, but to respect their traditions. With Mumbai, etiquette is a difficult subject given the range of beliefs and customs held by different people.  However, here are some simple, yet helpful tips that will prepare you for your upcoming stay.  Upon greeting, a small bow with palms together while pronouncing Namaste will usually take place.  However, a handshake is normal as well along with one’s last name and the usual Mr., Mrs. or Ms.  If you are out sightseeing and wish to visit mosques, Hindu temples, or famous monuments, be sure to remove your shoes before stepping through the door.   While most Indians remove their shoes before entering their homes as well, foreigners are not expected to do so.  As for topics of discussion, it is important that you do not bring up any sensitive subjects such as religion, the cast system, poverty, or Pakistan and China (rivaling countries). 

                When doing business, normally a lunch will take place instead of a dinner.  Do not share food off your plate or touch a collective plate with your hands.  Also, the left hand is considered polluted; therefore never eat with this hand. It is also important to remember that Muslims do not eat pork and Hindus don’t eat beef.  Alcohol can be a restricted beverage as well for some of the conservative believers.  If you wish to give someone a gift, it will not be opened in front of you so do not urge them to do so.

To read more of my travel tips, please click here

Fun travels,

Kevin

When traveling, it’s common to come down with illness due to exposure from germs on the plane and being exhausted from travel. Here are some tips that can help you stay healthy and allow you to enjoy your vacation!

1)      Stay hydrated. Just like when you are at home it is important to drink lots of water in order to prevent dehydration. Walking around a lot and not getting enough water can lead to headaches and feeling faint. Also, being dehydrated makes you more prone to catching illnesses like the flu. Keeping your nose moist with a nasal spray on the plane can help prevent germs from getting into your nasal passage.

2) Get plenty of sleep. Although it is hard when traveling to different time zones try and get acclimated as soon as possible. This will make you get on a healthy sleep schedule and give you plenty of energy for your trip. When you are tired, your body has a hard time fighting off germs and you become susceptible to catching a cold or worse.

3) Wear sunscreen. You should always wear sunscreen as a preventative measure but especially take precaution while on vacation. Apply some before you leave your hotel but bring some along and continue to reapply. Walking around a lot exposes you to the sun and getting burnt is not only painful but can lead to skin cancer.

4) Get vaccinated. Make sure before you travel to visit your physician and make sure you are up to date on the necessary vaccines and immunizations for the country you are visiting. Even continuing to get the flu vaccine can be helpful because the vaccine is always updating and your body can become immune. When you are in crowded areas and on the plane you are exposed to many germs so the more you take preventative measures, the more you can ensure to be healthy for your vacation!

To read more health tips click here.