National Dog Day Health Benefits

Health Benefits of a Pet

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

From Our Garden: Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with Ginger Thyme Dressing

Recipe: Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper  
with a Ginger Dressing 

The last mango of the season. The tree produced 82 mangoes this year. We met our neighbors who came by to pick fruit from the tree. We made 6 Banana Mango Breads and 60 Muffins. Family and friends enjoyed these sweet and juicy mangoes. 

With this last mango, I wanted to make something different. There were two bell peppers ready for picking. What would blend well with this combination?

•     Pasta - hot or cold
•     Thyme from the garden
•     Ginger dressing

From Our Garden:
Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with
Ginger Thyme Dressing
Serves 3

Ingredients
3 cup Pasta, cooked
3/4 cup Mango, diced
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper, sliced

Ginger-Thyme Dressing (Serving size: 2 Tablespoon)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium
1.5 tablespoon grated ginger root
1 teaspoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/8 tsp white pepper

Directions

1. Prepare pasta, mango, and peppers. Place in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Dressing. Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over pasta. 
3. Serve Hot or Cold.

Nutrition Facts

Ginger Thyme Dressing

Serving size. 2 Tbsp

Calories (kcal)             37

Protein (g)                   1

Carbohydrates (g)       2

Total Dietary Fiber (g) 0

Total Sugars (g)          1

Added Sugar (g)         1

Fat (g)                         3

Saturated Fat (g)        0

Cholesterol (mg)         0

Sodium (mg)              193

Nutrition Facts

Serving size.

1.25 cup Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with

2 Tbsp Ginger Thyme Dressing 

Calories (kcal)             249

Protein (g)                   8

Carbohydrates (g)       46

Total Dietary Fiber (g)  7

Total Sugars (g)           8

Added Sugar (g)          1

Fat (g)                          5

Saturated Fat (g)         0

Cholesterol (mg)          0

Sodium (mg)              199

Choosing foods from your garden makes the meal special and tastes better.  

National Sponge Cake Day - What a Difference Portion Control Can Make

Recipes
1. Sponge Cake Recipes, Food Network

 

August 2, Ice Cream Sandwich Day

An educated consumer has the knowledge to make healthy choices.

August Food, Nutrition, and Health Events

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. 

August
Events, Celebrations, and Resources

Food Events

Kids Eat Right Month

National Water Quality Month

National Goat Cheese Month

1-7 World Breastfeeding Week
 

National Farmer's Market Week
 


Exercise with Your Child Week

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
Dietitians-Online
Weighing-Success
Wellness News

Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN

Jake Frank

John Gargiullo

Gorgeous Grandma Day

July 23rd is “officially” Gorgeous Grandma Day!  For those of you not familiar with “Gorgeous Grandma” here is what she is:

“Gorgeous Grandma” are women over fifty, sixty, or seventy plus who:

• 1. Believes she has her whole life ahead of her, not her whole life behind her.
  2. Wants to get the most out of every day of her life
  3. Wants to thrive, not just survive
• 4. Cares for her mind and her body
• 5. Remains adaptable to life’s bittersweet as well as sweet
• 6. Cherishes herself as much as she cherishes her loved ones
• 7. Refuses to remain static – who is always open to learning, to new ideas, to new challenges, and to new experiences.
• 8. Loves life – and lets everyone know it!
• 9. And for those single gorgeous grandmas – recovers after loss and learns to love again.
• 
  

Golden Grannies

National Lollipop Day

National Lollipop Day

Lollipops are what we call "Empty Calories." A food labeled as empty calories provides little to no nutrients, except calories. The calories in the "Dum Dum Pop" comes from sugar and corn syrup.

Food Network - Dum Dum Pops Unwrapped

Celebrating Blueberries

On May 8, 1999, Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture of the United States of America proclaimed the month of July as "National Blueberry Month".

Spotlight on Blueberries

Blueberry Facts.
Blueberries are a native North American fruit produced in 35 States.

Fresh blueberries are available for about eight months of the year from producers across the United States and Canada. North America is the world's leading blueberry producer. The North American harvest runs from mid-April through early October, with peak harvest in mid-May through August.

Blueberries can be found in the market all year round, along with frozen, canned and dried blueberries.

Blueberries are low in calories and sodium and are a good source of fiber.

Blueberries rank high in antioxidants that help protect against cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases.

Researchers have found compounds in blueberries that may help prevent urinary tract infection.

Purchasing Blueberries
When purchasing fresh blueberries, look for firm, plump, dry berries with smooth skins and a silvery sheen. Check the color - reddish berries aren’t ripe but can be used in cooking. Avoid soft or shriveled fruit or any signs of mold. Containers with juice stains indicate that the fruit may be bruised.

Storing Blueberries
Refrigerate fresh blueberries as soon as you get them home, in their original plastic pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Wash berries just before use. Use within 10 days of purchase.

Freezing Blueberries
Freeze unwashed and completely dry. Discard berries that are bruised or shriveled. Blueberries can be frozen in their original plastic pack or in resealable plastic or frozen bag or transferred to a freezer container. Remember to rinse them before using.

Serving Suggestions
*Add blueberries to your favorite muffin or pancake recipe.
*Combine blueberries with yogurt and granola cereal.*Sprinkle blueberries over mixed greens.
*Serve blueberries with sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese.

Celebrating Blueberries
During the month of July, we enjoyed the sweet flavor of blueberries in various recipes. Below are some of the photographs taken to capture their versatility and beauty.

Recipe: Blueberry Smoothie

Recipe. Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat)
with Fresh Blueberries 

Recipe. Blueberry Ices with Kiwi and Blueberries 

Recipe. Orange Sections and Fresh Blueberries 

Recipe. Blueberries with Vanilla Ice Cream (light),
Blueberry Ices and Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat)

Recipe. Blueberry Crumb Ice Cream
with Fresh Blueberries 

Resources
North American Blueberry Council. NABC, The North American Blueberry Council
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

National Grilling Month - Safe Grilling Tips

Summer Grilling - Food Safety Tips with Chef Michael

Top 14 Healthy Summer Grilling Recipes
Recipe Compilations | Allrecipes.com

Grilling is a form of cooking involving dry heat applied to the surface of food, usually from above or below. Grilling involves a significant amount of direct, radiant heat, and tends to be used for cooking meat quickly.

Grilling is often performed outdoors, using charcoal, real wood, preformed briquettes, or propane gas. Mesquite or hickory wood chips (damp) may be added on top of the coals to allow a smoldering effect that provides additional flavor to the food. Other hardwoods such as pecan, apple, maple, and oak may also be used.

Gridironing is the cooking of meats or other foods using a grill suspended above a heat source. This cover can be used for smokers for grilling, roasting, or barbecuing.

Risks of Grilling

Studies show cooking beef, pork, poultry, and fish at high temperatures can lead to the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCA), benzopyrenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are carcinogens. Grilling is frequently presented as a healthy alternative to cooking with oil, although the fat and juices lost by grilling can contribute to drier food.

Healthy Grilling Tips

1. Grill Fruits and Vegetables. Grilling fruits and vegetables is a way to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, obesity, and some types of cancer.

PAHs and HCAs do not form on grilled fruits and vegetables. In addition, if you are having grilled meat, the fruits and vegetables will provide antioxidants.

2. Grill with Lean Meat. Choose lean meats or trim visible fat and skin to limit the amount of fat that drips on the coals.

3. Marinating.  It is possible to reduce carcinogens when grilling meat or lessen their effect. Garlic, rosemary, basil, mint, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, olive oil, and cherries have been shown to reduce the formation of both HCAs and PAHs by as much as 92% to 99%. Choosing the right marinade ingredients limits the fat dripping on the coal. Select wines, vinegar, lemon, lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, onions, herbs, spices, fat-free or low-fat marinades on your grilled meats, fish, and poultry.

Meats and poultry should marinate at least 1-2 hours; fish and vegetables usually only need to marinate for an hour. Marinating enhances the flavor of meats, fruits, and vegetables.

4. Cut Down on Grilling Time. Grill smaller portions of meat, poultry, and fish so they cook faster and spend less time on the grill. Another method is pre-cooking the meat in the microwave and then draining meat juices so they do not fall onto flames, preventing the release of PAHs.

A skewer or brochette is a fun way to cook small pieces of food. The resulting food product is often called a "kabob" which means "to grill" in Persian.

5. Cooking Temperatures. Make sure to bring a cooking thermometer. Cook beef to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Resources
1. Wikipedia, Grilling
2. WebMD, A Healthier Way to Grill 

July Health, Nutrition, and Food Events

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.

July Featured Causes and Events

An Independence Day Tribute

July Health, Nutrition, and Food Events

National Baked Bean Month National Blueberry Month National Culinary Arts Month National Grilling Month National Horseradish Month National Hot Dog Month National Ice Cream Month      National Pickle Month National Picnic Month National Watermelon Month

Smart Irrigation Month Herbal/Prescription Interaction Awareness  International Group B Strep Awareness Month Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month Family Reunion Month National Make a Difference to Children Month National Recreation and Parks Month Sandwich Generation Month

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by 

http://www.dietitians-online.com/

http://www.weighing-success.com/

Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)

Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LD, FAND

Jake FrankJohn Gargiullo

Michelle Canazaro

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