Showing posts with label wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wellness. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

National Cherry Month

About seventy percent of the cherries produced in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. There are two main types of cherries: sweet and sour. Sour cherries are lower in calories and higher in vitamin C and beta-carotene than sweet cherries.






Selection
Select firm, red cherries with stems attached. Avoid soft, shriveled, or blemished cherries. Good cherries should be large (one inch or more in diameter), glossy, plump, hard, and dark-colored for their variety. Avoid fruit that is bruised or has cuts on the dark surface.

How to Store
Refrigerate cherries for up to 10 days.

Nutrition Benefits
Fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Health Benefits

Cancer
Sweet cherries have several cancer-preventive components, including fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries are a good source of cyanidins, which act as antioxidants and may reduce cancer risk.


Cardiovascular Disease
Sweet cherries have been shown to have significant levels of anthocyanins and other pigments in perhaps smaller concentrations that provide synergistic effects thought to be protective of the heart and related vascular tissue.

Diabetes
Researchers are interested in the role of anthocyanins in reducing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The lower glycemic response shown in relation to cherry consumption may result from the glucose-lowering effects of cherry phytochemicals in combination with the fiber content of cherries.


Potassium
Sweet cherries are considered a good source of dietary potassium, with approximately 260 mg of potassium for every cup of fresh cherries consumed. Adequate potassium intake has been shown to reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke.

Quercetin
Sweet cherries also contain a small amount of quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant that may play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer.

Melatonin
Cherries are one plant food source of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in promoting healthy sleep patterns.

Ease muscle soreness
Researchers believe tart cherries’ antioxidants protect against exercise-induced free radicals, which can lead to painful inflammation.

Gout
Cherries may help reduce the swelling, inflammation, and tenderness associated with gout. Research reveals eating about 2 cups fresh sweet Bing cherries daily lowered uric acid levels by 15%.


Recipes

1. Health, Health Benefits of Cherries
2. Better Homes and Gardens, Healthy Cherry Recipes
3. The Greatest Table: 5 Healthy Cherry Recipes from Around the Web

4. The Cherry on Top: 8 Health Benefits of Cherries. HealthEssential, Cleveland Clinic



Resources
Fruits & Veggies - More Matters, Cherries & Heart Health



Saturday, November 4, 2023

National Candy Day - Tips to Decrease Added Sugars

Cut Back on Your Kid's Sweet Treats
10 tips to decrease added sugars


Limit the amount of foods and beverages with added sugars your kids eat and drink. If you don’t buy them, your kids won’t get them very often. Sweet treats and sugary drinks have a lot of calories but few nutrients. Most added sugars come from sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy, and other desserts.

1.    Serve small portions. It’s not necessary to get rid of all sweets and desserts. Show kids that a small amount of treats can go a long way. Use smaller bowls and plates for these foods. Have them share a candy bar or split a large cupcake.

2.    Sip smarter. Soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks contain a lot of sugar and are high in calories. Offer water when kids are thirsty.

3.    Use the check-out lane that does not display candy.  Most grocery stores will have a candy-free check-out lane to help moms out. Waiting in a store line makes it easy for children to ask for the candy that is right in front of their faces to tempt them.

4.    Choose not to offer sweets as rewards.  By offering food as a reward for good behavior, children learn to think that some foods are better than other foods. Reward your child with kind words and comforting hugs, or give them non-food items, like stickers, to make them feel special.

5.    Make fruit the everyday dessert.  Serve baked apples, pears, or enjoy a fruit salad. Or, serve yummy frozen juice bars (100% juice) instead of high-calorie desserts.

6.    Make food fun. Sugary foods that are marketed to kids are advertised as “fun foods.” Make nutritious foods fun by preparing them with your child’s help and being creative together. Create a smiley face with sliced bananas and raisins. Cut fruit into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters.

7.    Encourage kids to invent new snacks. Make your own snack mixes from dry whole-grain cereal, dried fruit, and unsalted nuts or seeds. Provide the ingredients and allow school-aged kids to choose what they want in their “new” snack.

8.    Play detective in the cereal aisle. Show kids how to find the amount of total sugars on the Nutrition facts label in various cereals. Challenge them to compare cereals they like and select the one with the lowest amount of sugar.

9.    Make treats “treats,” not everyday foods. Treats are great once in a while. Just don’t make treat foods an everyday thing. Limit sweet treats to special occasions.

10. If kids don’t eat their meal, they don’t need sweet “extras”. Keep in mind that candy or cookies should not replace foods that are not eaten at meal time.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

National Employee Health and Fitness Month


Employees’ Health And Fitness Programs
Workplace Wellness Programs enhance the
overall health and productivity of your organization.

Benefits For Employers
Increase employee productivity
Improve health care costs
Less illness and injuries
Reduce employee absenteeism

Benefits For Employees
Less stress
Improve physical fitness
Better eating habits or weight control
Increase physical and mental health 


Global Employee Health and Fitness Month™ is Administered annually by the National Association for Health and Fitness. NEHF is a national health observance created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their worksite health promotion activities. Founded in 1989, National Employee Health and Fitness Month has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers around the world.

For More Information on how to Improve Employee Health and Fitness visit the following links:
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month

Sunday, May 7, 2023

National Women’s Checkup Day, a part of
National Women's Health Week


National Women’s Health Week is organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The goal is to empower women to make their health a top priority. 

There are some women who are so busy caring for their families and others, neglect to care for themselves. During National Women’s Health Week remind your wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and/or girlfriend to take steps to improve their health and prevent disease.

The annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, Dedicate this day to visit or make an appointment with your healthcare professional. Schedule a check-up. Prevention and early detection are crucial to one’s health. To learn more about National Women's Health Week visit the following links:



Why is it important for women to participate in National Women's Checkup Day?

It is important for women to get regular checkups because screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often than others. Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease.





How can women participate in this important event?
Women can participate in National Women’s Checkup Day by:
Contacting their current health care professional to schedule a checkup and get important screenings on National Women’s Checkup Day.

Discussing with their health care professionals which screenings and tests are right for them when they should have them, and how often.

For information about participating in National Women’s Checkup Day and other National Women’s Health Week activities, visit the National Women’s Health Week website at https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/ 

Women's Health Month

The information provided here is from the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC)


Sunday, June 13, 2021

National Men's Health Week





Men's Health Week.com  is maintained by Men's Health Network. Men's Health Network (MHN), is a non-profit educational organization focused on improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families through a broad spectrum of national screening, educational campaigns, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

MHN can be found in every state and over 25 foreign countries. The advisory board consists of over 800 physicians, researchers, public health workers, and community leaders specializing in men's and family health.




Preventative Care

When you get a preventive medical test, you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re doing it for your family and loved ones:
  • Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
  • Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
  • Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
  • Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
Source: Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data


Men's Health Week

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policymakers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

The Goals of Men’s Health Network
1. Save men's lives by reducing premature mortality of men and boys.
2. Foster health care education and services that encourage men of all ages to implement positive lifestyles for themselves and their families.
3. Increase the physical and mental health of men so that they can live fuller and happier lives.
4. Energize government involvement in men's health activities so that existing government health networks can be utilized to increase the health and well-being of men and boys.

Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age Your Checklist for Health (pdf file)
The information in this fact sheet is based on research findings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications. Its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

 Tips for men to get/stay healthy.

Resources
  1. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Men's Health
  2. US Department of Health and Human Services: Men's Health
  3. Men's Health Network (MHN)
  4. Get it Checked (pdf)
  5. International Men's Health Week
  6. During Men’s Health Month, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Reminds Men To Eat Right




Wednesday, March 31, 2021

April News, Events and Resources
in Nutrition, Food, and Health
for Journalists, Writers,
Educators and Bloggers


Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals.




April Highlights


National Autism Awareness Month
April 2nd World Autism Day

Keep America Beautiful (3/1 - 5/31)

Global Child Nutrition Month

National Volunteer Month


Alcohol Awareness Month
Cancer Control Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Defeat Diabetes Month

Stress Awareness Month
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month
National Donate Life Month
National Parkinson's Awareness Month 
World Habitat Awareness Month
Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month
National Garden Month
National Pecan Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
Soyfoods Month 

National Youth Sports Safety Month

Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month 
Jazz Appreciation Month
April 22 Earth Day
 

Sunday, May 31, 2020

June News, Events and Resources in Nutrition, Food, and Health

Current News, Resources, and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers, and Health Professionals. Wellness News is updated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here.





June Wellness News

June Highlights

     International Men's Month
 Men's Health Month
  Father's Day



     June Dairy Month


     Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf Hurricane Season  (6/1-11/30)

  
   National Aphasia Awareness Month 
Migraine Awareness Month
Home Safety Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Effective Communications Month
Audiobook Appreciation Month
Sports America Kids Month
Potty Training Awareness Month
Great Outdoors Month
June is Perennial Gardening Month
National Aquarium and Zoo Month
National Camping Month
National Rivers Month

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). Please make a donation with the proceeds going to special need adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).
Prepared by 

Monday, December 16, 2013

2014 Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Events Ebook
An Indispensable Tool for the Food and Health Writer



The “2014 Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Events” ebook is an indispensable tool for the food and/or health writer, blogger, dietitian, and editor. Each month highlights food, nutrition, and wellness events for the month, week, and day. Food photographs or graphic designs are provided to illustrate special events. In December, books by dietitians are featured.

The holidays and events listed come from numerous resources, such as: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Presidential Declaration, Federal, State or City Governments, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Associations, American Medical Association, Medical Affiliations, Private Organizations and Companies, Retail Promotions. The events have been verified. However, you should confirm the dates before making plans. Some events may vary from one state to another.

The “Wellness News” calendar employs adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, and Muscular Dystrophy). Part of the monies raised go to employ special need adults.



2014 Food, Nutrition and Wellness Events

Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN
Digital Downloads

The Edible Alphabet

Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN
Digital Download

$4.99


Eat Right Art &
Photographs at Etsy
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN
Digital Downloads

History of the Wellness Calendar

The wellness calendar has a history spanning over 20 years. When my son Jake was about two years old (back in 1990), he discovered the joys of celebrations and holidays. As most children, he associated these events with family, food, fun, music and gifts.

We had just recently learned Jake has cerebral palsy. Much of his young life had numerous challenges; it was a delight to see him so excited about these events.

Every day he would ask me, “What are we celebrating today?” Initially, I would make up events, such as a new tooth, the sun is out, etc... Eventually I would research reference books and later the Internet to see if there were special functions occurring on a specific day.

To my surprise, I found numerous events each day of the year, but there were too many and it was a bit overwhelming. I started to note those days that dealt only with Health, Nutrition, Food, Safety, Disability Rights and Environmental Issues.

I realized many of these events went unnoticed or unreported by Journalists, Educators and Health Professionals. In 2002, I started to send out about 50 calendars to local and national media representatives in the hope the topics would encourage awareness and inspire ideas for stories and/or projects. Each year the number of calendars we sent out would increase, as did the thank you notes from local, national and worldwide correspondents.

Then in 2006, Jake and his friends graduated high school. They were unable to find employment due to their disabilities. I asked them if they would be interested in working with me on the Wellness Calendar. They said, “Yes”.

The project became a wonderful way to raise money to help them with their ADL, self-esteem, independence.

The calendar was created to make sure every Journalist and Educator knew when certain events occurred, such as National Nutrition Month, World Diabetes Day, Earth Day, RD Day and many others. The goal was to provide a useful tool to impress their editors with some interesting time-sensitive stories.

Later on, the calendar served to provide employment to individuals who were unable to find jobs due to their special abilities.

Remember to Make Every Day Special, Make Every Day Count.

with warm regards,
Dr. Sandra Frank and Jake Frank

Monday, June 13, 2011

National Men's Health Week
June 13 - 19, 2011



Men's Health Week.com  is maintained by Men's Health Network. Men's Health Network (MHN), is a non-profit educational organization focused on improving the health and wellbeing of men, boys and their families through a broad spectrum of national screening, educational campaigns, advocacy opportunities and patient navigation.

MHN can be found in every state and over 25 foreign countries. The advisory board consists of over 800 physicians, researchers, public health workers and community leaders specializing in men's and family health.


Preventative Care

When you get a preventive medical test, you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re doing it for your family and loved ones:
  • Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
  • Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
  • Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
  • Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
Source: Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data


Men's Health Week

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

The Goals of Men’s Health Network
1. Save men's lives by reducing premature mortality of men and boys.
2. Foster health care education and services that encourage men of all ages to implement positive lifestyles for themselves and their families.
3. Increase the physical and mental health of men so that they can live fuller and happier lives.
4. Energize government involvement in men's health activities so that existing government health networks can be utilized to increase the health and well-being of men and boys.

Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age Your Checklist for Health (pdf file)
The information in this fact sheet is based on research findings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications. Its
recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

 Tips for men to get/stay healthy.


Men's Health Tips from the
American Dietetic Association


Resources
US Department of Health and Human Services: Men's Health
Men's Health Network (MHN)
Get it Checked (pdf)
International Men's Health Week



Dietitian Blog List