Thursday, October 29, 2009

Leave the Halloween Treats in the Bag


Stay away from that Halloween candy. Let your kids eat it!


If your tempted reach for an apple or some other fruit.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

You Deserve It!

Make it a point to take care of yourself.

· Get your vision and hearing checked
· Schedule a dental exam
· Don’t skip your annual physical


Be good to yourself.

· Make time for a lunch break and leave your desk
· Get a massage, haircut, manicure, or facial
· Do take time to relax and put your feet up

Monday, October 26, 2009

Cook At Home and Save Calories

You have more control over your calories when you cook at home. Try to limit restaurant meals to one or two a week (don't give up everything!) Do try to choose restaurants where you know there will be "real" healthy options on the menu. Split an entree with your husband or friend or take half home for another meal. If you just have to have a dessert split it with someone else! Drink water with your meal. Remember wine and alcoholic drinks are extra calories. Check out restaurant menus ahead of time online.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Zesty Tomato Soup

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dietitian’s tip:
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Lycopene is most plentiful in red tomatoes and is best absorbed when the tomatoes have been cooked.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed low-sodium, low-fat tomato soup
1 can (10.5 ounces) filled with fat-free milk
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or cilantro
2 tablespoons croutons
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
In a saucepan, add the soup and milk. Whisk together until smooth. Warm over medium heat about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add in the tomatoes and herbs. Cook an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Ladle even amounts into individual bowls and garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon croutons and 1 ½ teaspoons Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis (per serving)
Calories 202
Cholesterol 5 mg
Protein 9 g
Sodium 681 mg
Carbohydrate 35 g
Fiber 2 g
Total fat 3 g
Potassium 570 mg
Saturated fat 1 g
Calcium 182 mg
Monounsaturated fat 1 g

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Release From the MN Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Health
News Release
October 21, 2009
Minnesota FluLine to offer support and treatment options for people with possible symptoms of influenza Minnesotans with flu symptoms can call toll-free line at 1-866-259-4655
A new phone-based service is now available for Minnesotans who think they may have the flu.
Beginning today, people with possible flu symptoms can call the Minnesota FluLine (MN FluLine) at 1-866-259-4655 for information and treatment options. Professionals will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People with limited English skills will be connected with an interpreter. There is no charge for the call.
Callers with flu symptoms will be connected with a participating nurse at MN FluLine, or a nurse at a triage line operated by their own provider network or health plan. The nurses will evaluate the health concerns of callers and discuss treatment options, using consistent criteria to determine which treatment option is most appropriate for each individual.
Possible treatment options can include rest and fluids at home, a prescription for an antiviral medication, or medical evaluation in a clinic or hospital.
FluLine was developed in response to the first global influenza pandemic in over 40 years. Officials are concerned that the pandemic could overwhelm the health care system, and they believe that FluLine can reduce some of the demands on the system.
FluLine is also expected to help decrease the spread of the flu. By providing assistance over the phone, the new service is expected to limit the number of potentially infectious people who gather in emergency rooms, urgent care centers and clinics.
“We have been concerned that this flu season could place a huge burden on our health care system,” said Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “By providing support and treatment options to people over the phone, we hope this new service will allow our health care providers and facilities to focus on those people who most need their attention.”
MN FluLine is the first influenza triage line in the country providing statewide reach and the option of prescribing anti-virals drugs under standing orders from a physician. It is a unique public-private partnership involving the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Hospital Association, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, health care providers, local health departments, and the Children’s Physician Network (CPN). CPN is responsible for the actual operation of FluLine. The service was developed with input and advice from a number of other partners, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“This unprecedented collaboration means that Minnesotans with flu-like symptoms have another tool in their tool kit to fight the flu – a place to have questions answered about their illness and be evaluated for possible treatment,” said Dr. Aaron DeVries, medical epidemiologist at MDH. “We’re grateful to have the support of so many partners in making the FluLine available to the people of our state.”
The Minnesota FluLine was created specifically to meet the needs of people with possible symptoms of the flu. By definition, those symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees or more, along with a cough or sore throat. Flu symptoms can also include runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and/or fatigue. In some cases, symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza can also include vomiting and diarrhea in addition to respiratory symptoms.
In most cases, people can recover from the flu at home without needing to visit a health care provider. Those who may be at highest risk for complications from the flu include children under two years of age, people 65 years of age or older, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions.
Health officials continue to emphasize prevention measures as the first line of defense against the flu: stay home if you're sick with a flu-like illness, cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or a tissue, and wash your hands frequently.
For most people, staying home when they are sick means staying home from work or school, and avoiding other locations where they could expose others to the flu, until at least 24 hours after their fever resolves, without the aid of medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. People are being encouraged to get vaccinated now against seasonal flu, and get the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available. The H1N1 vaccine will be an extremely valuable tool for preventing infection.
People who need information about the flu, but do not have symptoms, are encouraged to visit the flu information page on the MDH Web site at www.mdhflu.com. The Web site offers a wide range of information and resources, including an interactive flu shot clinic finder.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

What Do You Drink?

Are you drinking enough water?

Water is one of the most important elements of the human body. It makes up approximately 70 percent of our muscles, and about 75 percent of our brain, playing a vital role in the proper functioning of the body. Water is an essential part of a healthy diet.

Drink a minimum of ten, 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

Monday, October 19, 2009

This Week - Think Small!

Take one focused step at a time to reach healthful goals. Trying to make too many lifestyle changes at one time is overwhelming and will lead to disaster. Small changes, done consistently, add up to big improvements that last a lifetime.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Crank Up the Volume and Dance!

Like other moderate, low-impact, weight bearing activities, such as brisk walking, cycling or aerobics, dancing can help:

strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints

tone your entire body

improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls

increase your stamina and flexibility

reduce stress and tension and
build confidence

provide opportunities to meet people

ward off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression

So if you're tired of the treadmill and looking for a fun way to stay fit and healthy, it might be time to kick up your heels!

Don't want to dance in public? Then dance in the privacy of your own living room.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Apples With Dip

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dietitian’s tip:
By using fat-free cream cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese, you save 143 calories and 19 grams of fat – most of which is saturated fat – in each serving.

Serves 4
Ingredients
8 ounces fat-free cream cheese
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
½ cup orange juice
4 apples, cored and sliced

Directions
Place the cream cheese on the counter to allow it to soften, about 5 minutes.
To make the dip, combine the brown sugar, vanilla and cream cheese in a small bowl. Mix until smooth. Stir in the chopped peanuts.
Place the apples in another bowl. Drizzle orange juice over the apples to prevent browning. Serve the sliced apples with the dip.

Nutritional Analysis (per serving)
Calories 177
Cholesterol 4 mg
Protein 10 g
Sodium 326 mg
Carbohydrate 28 g
Fiber 4 g
Total fat 3 g
Potassium 305 mg
Saturated fat 1 g
Calcium 121 mg