Happy Heart Month!

“The name of the game is taking care of yourself, because you're going to live long enough to wish you had.”
-Grace Mirabella

February is known for being the month to celebrate Valentine's day, but did you know it is also is Heart Health month?  How is your hearth health?  Do you know your blood pressure and/or your cholesterol levels?  These are two important numbers, along with others, to help you know your heart health.  Cholesterol plays a major role in a person's heart health. High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. So what are the proper levels for total blood cholesterol?  The American Heart Association suggests the following:

Total Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk.
200 to 239 mg/dL	Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above	High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.

HDL Cholesterol Level	Category ("Good" Cholesterol)
Less than 40 mg/dL (for men) Less than 50 mg/dL (for women)	Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
60 mg/dL and above	High HDL cholesterol. An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.

LDL Cholesterol Level ("bad")	Category
Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL	Near or above optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL	Borderline high
160 to 189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very high

How do you reduce your cholesterol?  You need to reduce the amount of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and total fat in your diet! If you have high cholesterol, it's very important to monitor and control high blood pressure, avoid tobacco, eat healthy, exercise regularly, & maintain a healthy weight.

Taking these steps will help to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. This may not be enough, and you may have to visit with your doctor to see if medicine is right for you along with a healthy lifestyle.

Go to http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/  for more information. REMEMBER!  We need to start being PRO-active with our health and we need to be responsible for ourselves.

New Year, refresh!

I hope everybody had a great holiday season!  By now, hopefully, you have gotten rid of all the yummie's that trickle in with all the festivities!  I don't know about you, but I start to feel better, mentally and physically, when I finally get rid of the last of my goodies.  Whether I have to throw it because it is so stale, or if I finally eat the last of the German & Finnish chocolates (thanks exchange students!) for the Christmas season, it is out of my house!  I then start thinking how to "detox" my body from added sugar and white processed flour!  And I do have to say, when I finally get most of it out of my system, I start to feel better.  I start to want to eat healthier, more nutritious foods. 
So, to help you get your palate refocused to foods you should be eating, I have copied a couple recipes for you  from my new favorite cook book, Placer County, Real Food, from farmers markets, by Joanne Neft with Laura Kenny.  It focuses on using fruits and vegetable's that are locally and readily available in the region you live.  Since it is winter here in Lake County, root vegetable's are about the only thing that are locally available still. 

Sauteed Rutabaga and Baby Carrots
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (not margarine!)
4 pounds rutabaga, peeled and cut into wedges (about 4 cups)
3 pounds carrots, peeled and halved lengthwise (about 4 cups)
salt and pep to taste

Heat oil and butter in a large skillet. Saute vegetables until slightly tender.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

** You can always add some brussel sprouts (my favorite!!) to this dish.  I put all the veggies into the oil/butter and sauteed them for a bit to brown them up.  Then I put them in a baking dish and stick them in the oven at about 400 F. until they are tender, too and it works great!!  It really brings out the natural sugars in the vegetables by doing this.**

Spinach and Apple Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Preheat oven to 350 F.

2 bunches spinach, cleaned and torn into pieces
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced (you can omit if you don't care for fennel)
2 apples, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pecans, almonds, or walnuts

Mustard vinaigrette
1/4 cup whole grain mustard
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon shallots, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Toast nuts until slightly browned.  Toss salad ingredients together.  Mix together vinaigrette well and just before serving, toss the salad and vinaigrette together.

De-stress during this holiday season!

The holiday season is here and brings with it yummy treats, hot buttered rum, friends and family and STRESS!  Symptoms of stress can be an adrenaline rush ("flight or fight"), irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, digestive system problems and a compromised immune system.  Many times stress is a result of circumstances we have little or no control over.  BUT you do have the control over how you react to them! 

Five Powerful Stress Busters

1. Stay well hydrated.  Water is the most important component of your body since you body is about 70% water.  Your brain is 85% water and your muscles are over 70% water.  It is also the main detoxifier of your body.  It is essential to properly eliminate waste products from your body.  It transports nutrients to tissues, regulates your body temperature, increases your metabolism and maintains your bodies PH levels.  Water is also an energizer!  Since the body can only absorb about 4-6 oz. of water in one sitting, the key is to drink small amounts during the day.  Drinks that count toward your water intake are items like:  Distilled and filtered water, spring water, sparkling water, decaf. teas and coffees.  Anything caffeinated (coffee, tea, "energy" drinks), alcohol, & sodas DO NOT count as they are very dehydrating!
2. Stable blood sugar.  As you blood sugar drops, so does your energy, your mental clarity, and your ability to properly handle stress.  Your brain burns primary glucose (also called blood sugar).  It does not store it, so it needs glucose to burn to function correctly.  The levels of glucose in your body comes from what you eat.  Alot of sugary, starchy foods and your blood sugar goes up with a low crash later.  Not enough proper food, low blood sugar and low energy and focus (hypoglycemia), which in turn releases a hormone called cortisol.  It is a stress hormone that will bring your blood sugar back up to normal but at a price of storing fat and takes the glucose away from you bones and muscles.  Help control blood sugar by eating 4-6 oz. lean protein, a tablespoon for good fats, like olive oil or nuts, and only one serving of complex carbohydrates (NOT white flour products!).  Also, if you eat a little bit around every 4 hours and never skip meals, especially breakfast! 
3. Exercise.  Get regular exercise, which means at least 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.  More is better!  It is also a natural anti-depressant!  When you exercise, it helps transport oxygen to all the cells of your body to burn fuel for energy.  It gives you more energy overall and releases endorphins, which is a powerful anti-depressant and makes good feelings!  Exercise also helps strengthen your immune system and helps you sleep better. 
4. Sleep (rest) and relaxation.  During rest and relaxation is when your body repairs itself, eliminates toxins, and bones grow.  Get to bed early and try to wake up at the same time every morning.  As for relaxation, a technique to practice is deep, full breathing.  Avoid shallow, short breathing.  Sit or stand tall and allow your ribcage to fully expand and your belly to relax and feel the breath.  Deep breathing lowers your heart rate and in turn lowers the hormones associated with stress.
5. Stay connected.  Maintain close and meaningful relationships with friends and family.  Having a supportive network can have a strong positive effect on your mental and physical health!

Have a happy holiday season!  Stay positive and stress free! 

Healthy Apple Pie

Happy Holidays!  I hope all of you are enjoying what the season has to offer.  I am enjoying it a little too much and am currently "back on the wagon".  The food wagon that is... :)  With that in mind, food is a major part in most people's holiday plans.  From office parties, to main dinners and dessert, we are surrounded with yummy food!  We just have to remember to keep our portions in check and watch our calorie intake.  If we do go overboard, make up for it by working out a little harder the next time in the gym.  If you have to bring a little something to a party or to dinner, here is a recipe from a blog I follow called, Tone it Up.  It sounds good! 

Most traditional apple pie recipes are loaded with butter and refined sugars which tend to make this delicious treat a unnecessarily guilty pleasure. Try this healthy alternative apple pie recipe for a holiday favorite that everyone will love.
Tone It Up Apple Pie
Crust:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup almond or rice milk
Combine oil flour and salt together in a bowl and mix well. Gradually mix in almond milk. When all ingredients are thoroughly combined cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to chill in the fridge for 1 hour.  When chilled remove dough from bowl and roll flat. Press crust into pie pan  with your hands until it is spread evenly throughout. Place excess dough to the side to use for the top crust.
Filling:
3/4 cup all natural honey or natural maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
7 cups granny smith apples (peeled, cored, thinly sliced)
Mix together honey or syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice in a small bowl. Place half of the sliced apples in the bottom of the pie crust. Pour half of the filling mixture over the apples. Place the remaining apples slices on top and add the rest of the filling mixture.
For the top crust roll out excess dough from earlier. Cut into thin strips (about 1 inch) and place them on top of the filling in a criss cross pattern (like the picture), pinching them together with the lower crust at the edges. Brush the top crust lightly with almond milk to achieve a glazing effect.
Preheat oven at 425 degrees. bake for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Tips:
- Use granola or crushed walnuts instead of crust to top pie.
- If you are cooking for an open minded crowd you can bake the filling with a crumbly topping and skip the crust altogether ;)
- You can use this recipe for other types of pies as well. Just switch out the apples for berries or peaches!

Youth Obesity & How We Can Help!

As you all know, and see everyday, obesity in our youth is very much on the rise.  In the past 30 years, the occurrence of overweight in children has doubled and it is now estimated that one in five children in the US is overweight. (American Obesity Association) 
Some of the results of being overweight as a child are:

• Insulin Resistance
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypertension
• High Total and LDL Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood
• Low HDL Cholesterol levels in the blood
• Sleep Apnea
• Early puberty

Obese children are more likely to be obese as adults, which puts them at increased risk for a number of diseases including: stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers.

Some contributors to childhood obesity

• The main two:  Food choices and sedentary lifestyle.  Not enough fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates which result in healthy calories.  Not enough physical activity!  Too much TV, video games, computer, and I am sure they would say... homework! <smile>
• Parental Obesity - children of obese parents are more likely to be overweight themselves. They tend to follow what they observe.
• Eating Patterns - skipping meals or failure to maintain a regular eating schedule can result in increased caloric intake when food is eaten.  Remember, to keep the metabolism fire going, need to eat regularly!
• Of course, parenting style. As a community leaders, we need to be able to approach the subject with parents.  Kids don't always have the skills or mental capability to be their own regulators!

I know you may not feel it is "your place" to get involved with children's and parents lifestyle choices with regard to nutrition and exercise.  That maybe they should talk with there doctors or someone like that, but you as teachers, see them almost everyday!  Most of the time, you see them more than their parents!  They are, and need to be, learning from you and the whole school environment, starting at a young age.  I feel, in my profession, I can't, no matter how hard I try, save everybody.  But, if I can improve the lives of at least one or two people then it is a good start.

In this new year, add a little focus on nutrition, movement, and raising self esteem in a few of your lesson plans. Maybe you can help one or two kids and change their whole life path!  I have included some links that can help with curriculum incorporation.  They are very interesting! 

ACE (American Council on Exercise) Youth Fitness Resources:
http://www.acefitness.org/ofk/default.aspx

ACE Operation FitKids Curriculum
http://www.acefitness.org/ofk/curriculum.aspx

Livestrong - Obesity in Children and Exercise Article
http://www.acefitness.org/pressroom/pdfs/mediacoverage/ACE_Livestrong.com_6_19_10.pdf

'Tis the season to eat!

Well, the holidays are getting near.  And I know in my life during the holidays, I am inundated with food!  There seems to be goodies hanging around everyday.  I try to keep them out of my house, but I am surrounded at work and parties and my self control usually goes down the drain!  So, this year I am not going to worry about what I eat, but how MUCH I eat! 

 

Portion control is a huge component of living a healthy life.  What are proper portions?  According to the USDA Food Pyramid:

• A serving of meat is about two or three ounces, or about the size of a deck of cards. Serving sizes for other proteins would be two tablespoons of nut butters, two eggs, and one third cup of dry beans.
• A serving of bread is equal to one slice of white or whole grain bread, one ounce of prepared cereal, or just one half cup of pasta, or rice.
• A serving of fruit or vegetable is equal to one piece, one half a cup of chopped fruit or vegetable, or three-fourths cup of 100% juice.
• A serving of dairy is equal to one cup of milk or one and one half ounces of cheese.

Here is a (fuzzy, sorry!) diagram of portion sizes to keep in mind if you don't know the amount of ounces.   As stated above, the measurements are equal to one serving:

• 1 serving of meat is 3-4 oz. and  should be about the size of a deck of cards, or the palm of your hand. 
• 1 cup should be used for carbs such as cooked rice, cooked pasta and ice cream.  It is about the size of a tennis ball.   
• 1 serving of cheese is the size of 1 domino (oops... I may eat more cheese than that!)
• 1 medium piece of fruit is the size of a baseball.
• 1 serving (1 tsp.) of fats like butter, or margarine is the size of 1 die.
• 1 small baked potato is about the size of a computer mouse.
• 1 cup of beverage is equal to the size of a woman's fist.
• 2 Tbs. of fats like Peanut Butter, jam, or salad dressing is the size of a golf ball.
• 1 oz. of chocolate is the size of package of dental floss.

Now think about your portions.  Most of us have much larger servings than the recommended amount!  And restaurant portions are probably 3-4 servings!  So, when you are surrounded by all the goodies this

holiday season, use portion control!  Don't eat 10 cookies, just eat 1.  Try small tastes, not big plates full.  That way there is no deprivation!  Unless you know you have no self control when it comes to certain things (*cough* - cheesecake..) then you may just have to say no!  Check out this link to get more helpful information!  http://nutritiondata.self.com/

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  Pancreatic Cancer is a fast and silent cancer and it will often go undetected until it is too late.  Only ~ 5% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years.  It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.  So, what is the pancreas?  It is a gland organ near the stomach which produces enzymes that aid in digestion and also produces the vital hormone, insulin which is responsible in regulating blood sugar levels.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can also be associated with other illnesses, making early and correct diagnosis difficult.  Some symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, nausea, abdominal or back pain, vomiting, and jaundice.  When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed very early, successful treatment is possible.  Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. 

This is why it is so important to keep your body fit from the inside out!  Pay attention to changes in yourself as you are your best health advocate!

Go to http://www.lustgarten.org/ and http://www.curepc.org/ to learn more about pancreatic cancer.  And of course, talk to your doctor if you have any suspicious symptoms!