Monthly Archives: November 2013

How our High School Gave Thanks!

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Below is a story than just needed to be shared.  What does it have to do with health? Well, it speaks to an often neglected aspect, Socal and Emotional Health.  Happy Thanks-giving!

112513_95248_1On Wednesday, November 20th, Glenbard East held their third annual Glenbard Gratitude Day.  The purpose of this event was to take a moment to thank someone who had gone out of their way to help, guide, support, transport, feed, clean, teach, mentor, shown kindness, etc.  WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!
Every table in the cafeteria was full of students snacking, listening to good music, writing notes and having fun.  The spirit was positive and real – so many individuals  took the time to ask what you could do to help, and the number of “thank you’s” we heard spoken was amazing.

Thank you to all of the  wonderful parent volunteers – Mary Lou Ochalek, Sherree Witt and Jennette Faragoi – and the ACTS (Advocating Character Through Service) Committee for providing food and drink for all.  

Glenbard is grateful for the 450+ students who came down to the cafeteria to write letters!  They had the biggest Gratitude Day turn out ever!  So many letters were written that we are still working on getting them all distributed – so thank you for your continued patience!
Thank you to the  student leadership who helped set-up, serve food and clean up – this event truly couldn’t have happened without each and every one of you.
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Don’t Let the Holidays Derail Your Healthy Lifestyle

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Turkey.3jpgNovember is a great time of the year, with the leaves changing and our attention turning to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This month is also National PTAs Healthy Lifestyles Month – a time when PTAs are encouraged to celebrate health and wellness in their schools and communities.

In their new brief, the PTA shared that many folks may think: “How can I possibly think about promoting healthy eating and physical activity during a time of year that brings families together to eat lots of delicious food, watch football, and stay warm and cozy inside?” Families may think: “It’s simply not possible to eat healthy or have time to exercise until after the New Year.” And, everyone may think: “Healthy food tastes bad and exercising is too hard.”
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Be A Quitter Today !!!!

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No-Smoking-Logo-WallpaperThe Great American Smoke-out is being observed on Thursday, November 21  this year and the DuPage County Health Department is encouraging smokers to use that date to kick off their attempts to quit smoking.

Tobacco use remains the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, yet more than 43 million Americans still choose to smoke. By quitting, even for one day, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life and reduce their risk of disease.  The health benefits of quitting smoking happen immediately:

  • 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
  • 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
  • 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
  • 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
  • 1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker.
  • 5 years after quitting: Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years.
  • 10 years after quitting: The risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx and pancreas decreases.
  •  15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker. Continue reading →
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Cut Calories With Better Chewing

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eb-thanksgiving-boxHeidi Mitchell, in the November 18, 2013 edition of the Wall Street Journal shared that over the holidays, Americans will undoubtedly overindulge, gulping down their first plateful and racing back for seconds. But is there an optimal way to masticate? One expert, Klaus Bielefeldt, director of the Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center at the University of Pittsburgh, chews on the subject.
Break It Down:
Digestion starts in the mouth, says Dr. Bielefeldt, and chewing initiates the process. “Mechanically, chewing breaks down the food into tiny pieces so that it is easier to digest,” he says. “Chemically, chewing releases saliva, a lubricant that helps food to slide down the esophagus and begin the breakdown of carbohydrates with the help of the enzyme amylase.” The longer you chew, the more fragmented food particles become, which eases the digestive process in the gut and stomach. “And you won’t swallow a whole toothpick that someone left in the turkey, which I’ve seen,” says Dr. Bielefeldt.

Continue reading →

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An Unwanted Thanksgiving Gust

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turkeyThe U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 1 in 6 Americans will get some kind of foodborne illness this year and one of the highest risk times is this time of year: Thanksgiving. Therefore, the DuPage County Health Department urges residents to learn how to prevent foodborne illness and avoid sending their guests home with anything but leftovers. The improper thawing, storing, cooking and servings of turkey and other dishes can lead to harmful bacteria like salmonella that is sure to ruin even the best tasting Thanksgiving feast. Keep in the mind the following five tips for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.

1)      Thaw Your Turkey Correctly. Many Americans thaw their turkeys in the sink but this can cause uneven thawing and cause harmful bacteria to grow. Instead, Thaw your bird in the refrigerator or in cold water that you change every 30 minutes. Continue reading →

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Wild Blueberries May Fight Heart Disease & Diabetes

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blueberries Lisa Collier Cool reports that there  is a brand new study on the health benefits of wild blueberries, coming out of the University of Maine and published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.

The researchers found that eating two cups of wild blueberries regularly can improve or prevent metabolic syndrome, a deadly gang of metabolic thugs that double risk for heart attack and quintuple it for type 2 diabetes.

Fifty million Americans, many of them undiagnosed, suffer from metabolic syndrome, marked by such disorders as high triglycerides, low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a large waistline. Continue reading →

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Simple Steps to avoid Diabetes

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diabetes-ribbon-2Twenty-four million American’s have diabetes, 25 percent of whom are not even aware of the fact.  This growing disease, also referred to as adult onset diabetes, is affecting a large number of the adult population. Even more alarming is the rate in which this disease is showing up in teenagers and children.

There is good news.  Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes) is preventable. In fact, roughly 90 percent of cases could have been totally avoided simply through a healthier lifestyle.
The Mayo Clinic has published five steps to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes:
Get more physical activity. Adults should get about 30 minutes of exercise a day and children and adolescents should get about an hour of exercise a day in order to maintain a healthy weight.

  • Get plenty of fiber. Foods high in fiber include; fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Replace chips and candy with these healthy snacks throughout your day. Continue reading →
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Ten Healthy Eating Tips

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yogartRobert Alan Anderson, an AFAA certified personal trainer and martial arts instructor working out of the Washington, D.C. area, and Claire M. LeBrun, M.P.H, R.D., L.D.  a registered dietitian specializing in weight management working out of the Washington, D.C. area tweeted these tips. They are worth sharing!

Healthy Eating Tip No. 1
Start by changing the “snack ratio” in the house. Slowly and gradually have more fruit and healthier snack choices around, rather than the typical, higher-calorie junk food. For instance, have three types of fruit (apples, oranges, grapes) to replace some of the small bags of chips or candy bars. Or simply start replacing unhealthy snacks with alternative choices, such as oatmeal bars, granola bars or peanuts and yogurt.
Healthy Eating Tip No. 2
When shopping at the grocery store, spend more of your time in the outer aisles. That’s where you’ll find the healthier foods, such as fresh fruits, fish and vegetables, which are naturally lower in fat and cholesterol and have not been filled with sugar, salt and other preservatives that add on the pounds. Continue reading →

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Just a Reminder that You Can To Become A
Certified Ageless Grace Instructor

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Peggy AG Retreat movement pictureLearn to teach Ageless Grace… “Timeless Fitness for the Body & Brain”… a “timeless, fun fitness for body & brain”…in a chair…for KIDZ! aged 5 – 105.

The 4-hour class will cover: 21 Tools to Stay Youthful, to Live with Comfort and Ease through Movement & Neuroplasticity and 21 Anti-Aging Routines that can be done in a Chair…for ages 5 – 105.

Once certified you will be qualified to teach in Fitness Facilities, Senior Residents, at Community Programs, Assisted Living, Schools, in Home, Hospitals, Rehab, etc.

16 CE Contact Hours Available

AGELESS GRACE Educator/Instructor  CERTIFICATION  DATES LOCATIONS:

Soderworld Healing Arts, Willowbrook
November 15 -17, 2013

Prairie State College, Matteson
March, 2014

SPACE IS LIMITED!
Register at www.agelessgrace.com
Seminars & Certification
or Contact Peggy Kinst
630-916-9677 [email protected]

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