National Puppy Day Health Benefits

Studies have found that:
• Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
• Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than those without pets.
• Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
• Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

Caring for a pet can help with those healthy lifestyle changes by:

• Increasing exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to involve boring repetition at a gym. Taking a dog for a walk, riding a horse, or simply chasing a kitten around are fun ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.

• Providing companionship. Isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse. Caring for a living animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems. Most pet owners talk to their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles.

• Helping meet new people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners. Dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks or in a dog park. Pet owners also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.
• Reducing anxiety. The companionship of a dog can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world.
• Adding structure and routine to your day. Many pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—you’ll always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for your pet.
• Providing sensory stress relief. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. This could involve petting a cat or taking a dog for a walk.

Pets and older adults
The key to aging well is to effectively handle life’s major changes, such as retirement, the loss of loved ones, and the physical changes of aging. Pets can play an important role in healthy aging by:
• Helping you find meaning and joy in life. As you age, you’ll lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost your morale and optimism. Taking care of an animal can also provide a sense of self-worth.
• Staying connected. Maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as you grow older. Retirement, illness, death, and moves can take away close friends and family members. And making new friends can get harder. Dogs especially are a great way for seniors to spark up conversations and meet new people.
• Boosting vitality. You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of yourself. Pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy.

Resources and References

American Humane Association

5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health

Chip and Dip Day - Looking for healthy alternatives for chips?

Resources
1. Cooking Light, Healthy Dips  
2. Lauren Swann, Pinterest: Healthy Chip Board on Pinterest
3. Lauren Swann, Pinterest: Healthy Dips board

Exploring the World of Flour: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the diverse landscape of flour can transform your baking adventures, offering a spectrum of textures, flavors, and nutritional profiles. This guide will illuminate the essentials, enabling you to master the baking aisle with confidence.

Flour, a staple in baking, is the fine powder obtained by grinding dry grains. While wheat flour dominates the market, flour can also be made from grains like rice, oats, corn, and barley, each with unique qualities.

 

Understanding Flour Components

 The characteristics of flour largely depend on the grain used and the specific parts of the grain retained during milling, which can include the endosperm, bran, and germ:

Endosperm: This is the starchy heart of the grain, providing carbohydrates, proteins, and a hint of oil. Refined flours mainly comprise this component, offering a simple, versatile base for various recipes.

Bran: The grain's outer layer, bran enriches flour with texture, color, and dietary fiber, contributing to the wholesome quality of whole grain flour.

Germ: The nutrient-packed core of the grain, the germ infuses flour with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, enhancing its nutritional value.

Gluten: Found in wheat's endosperm, gluten is a protein that adds elasticity and strength to dough. It is essential for the texture of bread, pasta, and other foods.

Flour Varieties at a Glance 

All-Purpose Flour: A jack-of-all-trades in the kitchen, made from wheat endosperm and often enriched to replace lost nutrients. It balances protein and starch, and it is suitable for various baked goods.

Unbleached Flour: Mirrors are all-purpose in their uses but retain their natural color, appealing to those who prefer minimal processing.

Bread Flour: Boasts a higher protein content, ideal for robust doughs that rise beautifully, resulting in chewy, structured bread.

Cake Flour: With lower protein and a finer texture, cake flour is the secret to tender, airy cakes.

Pastry Flour: Nestled between all-purpose and cake flour, pastry flour is your go-to for flaky crusts and light, crumbly pastries.

Self-Rising Flour: This convenient blend of all-purpose flour, salt, and leavening agents is perfect for quick breads and biscuits.

Whole Wheat Flour: This flour incorporates the wheat grain, richer in nutrients and fiber and offers a heartier texture and flavor.

Stone Ground Flour: A variant of whole wheat with a coarser grind, adding a rustic touch to your bakes.

Semolina: Made from durum wheat, this high-protein flour is the backbone of many pasta varieties and is known for its dense, chewy texture.

Rice Flour: A gluten-free option derived from rice grains, available in white and whole grain versions, favored for its light texture.

Masa Harina: A traditional flour made from lime-treated corn, essential for authentic tortillas, tamales, and other Latin American dishes.

Armed with this knowledge, you're set to explore the rich world of flours, each with its unique qualities to enhance your baking repertoire.