Tuesday, July 29, 2008

St Louis County Fair

St. Louis County Fair - July 30 - August 1st
 
A great opportunity to get out and walk and get some fresh air! See the animals, competitions, arts and crafts displays and commercial exhibits and maybe go on a ride or two. Just be sure to try and walk past a few of those tempting food booths!

For more information go to http://www.stlofair.org.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

McCarthy Beach

On July 26, at 7 PM, John Berquist will present a program about early mining and logging music and tales at McCarthy Beach State Park.

Make a day of it and enjoy the beach and hiking trails.

More tips to be Heart Smart at the Supermarket

  • Sterols and stanols. Plant sterols and stanols are cholesterol-lowering substances often added to products like margarine and salad dressings. Review the label carefully to make sure a product states it offers the cholesterol-lowering benefits of plant sterols and stanols.
  • Sodium. Look for phrases like "low sodium" or "reduced sodium." This is especially important in processed and canned foods. If a food is labeled as "reduced" in sodium, it has 25 percent less salt than the regular product.
  • Trans fats. Eat trans fats sparingly, as they raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol. Fried foods and processed foods that have a long shelf life are often loaded with them. The term "partially hydrogenated oil" on an ingredient's list indicates the food contains trans fats.
  • Saturated fat. Butter, fatty cuts of red meat, and cheese made from whole milk are among foods with the highest amount of saturated fat -- a main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol.
  • Opt for low-fat or non-fat dairy products, lean meats such as loin or round cuts, and liquid margarines instead of butter.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Be Heart Smart at the Supermarket

  • The claim, "May reduce the risk of heart disease." A company can only put this statement on a food if scientific evidence exists that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided is strong enough to support it.
  • Nutrient content claims. The government regulates how a company can use terms such as "high," "low" or "reduced." For example, a food must have 3 grams of fat or less to be considered low fat, and a product that is high in a certain nutrient provides 20 percent or more of the daily value suggested by the FDA.
  • Foods with fiber. Fiber helps the digestive system and lowers cholesterol. Look for the claims "high in fiber" or "excellent source of fiber," as these products have at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.
  • A food listed as a "good source" of fiber has 2.5 grams of fiber or more.
  • Omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats have been shown to benefit the heart. Fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and trout are good sources of omega fats and are low in saturated fat

Do you have other label clues that you look for?

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Healthy Hearing Facts

Healthy Hearing Facts
  • Hearing impairment currently affects 10% of the population and is the 3rd most common chronic health condition in the U.S.
  • One out of every three adults over 65 has a hearing loss
  • Hearing loss contributes to social isolation, dementia and depression
  • Every adult should have a base-line hearing test by the age of 30
  • Adults over the age of 40 should have an annual hearing test
  • Individuals with hearing and balance problems should seek care from a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
  • Hearing aids are the beginning of successful treatment for hearing loss. Training in their use is needed and follow-up is essential, as retraining is often needed to help the brain interpret sounds.
  • Hearing healthcare is constantly improving due to new and improved technology and specialized care provided by Doctors of Audiology.

Sources: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Audiology Foundation of America Thanks to bhNEWS

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

North Hibbing - Hull Rust Mahoning Mine Walking Tour

Start on the south side of Bennett Park and follow the walking trail up through the Park, by the horseshoe and bocce courts, the North Hibbing Cemetery, the Greyhound Museum, into North Hibbing, through the disc golf course past the bmx track and model airplane flying field and up to the mine view.

This 2.5 mile round trip walk includes a variety of activities to watch and learn and maybe even start a new hobby! Map and Historical details.