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A Healthy Valentine

Valentine's Day brings to mind fancy dinner, boxes of chocolate and heart-shaped candies-but you can avoid busting your diet while celebrating with your sweetheart. Try these suggestions:

  • Go out for lunch instead of dinner to take advantage of smaller portions.
  • Or, get romantic and share a meal at dinner to cut the calories.
  • Choose flowers or another gift rather than chocolate or candy.
  • Make your own healthy meal at home.
  • For a romantic dessert, make dark chocolate fondue with lots of fruit.
 
 DYK2-12
 
Safe Sleeping Can Prevent Infant Death

 

Green Baby 

 

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants between 1 month and 12 months of age. Though the cause of SIDS is often unknown, one contributing factor can be unsafe sleep. Follow these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics for infant safe sleeping:

  • Babies should always sleep in a crib or bassinet, not your bed or couch. The crib should be free from toys, pillows, quilts, soft bedding or anything else.
  • The safest place for the crib is your bedroom, so you are close to your baby in case of need.
  • Babies should always be placed face up on their backs.
  • Dress your baby lightly to avoid overheating and make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature.
  • If a light blanket is necessary, tuck the sides and bottom of the blanket into the sides of the crib. The blanket should be below the baby's arms.
  • When having anyone else care for your baby, discuss these safe sleep practices to ensure they are followed at all times.
Baked Apple Slices

 

 Green Apples

Try this recipe for a healthy, delicious Valentine's Day dessert.

 

2 oranges

2 tbsp. honey

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. ground cloves

3 apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch slices

5 tbsp. raisins

¼ cup chopped walnuts

¼ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

 

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Grate the zest of one orange, set aside. Squeeze the juice from both oranges into a small bowl; stir in honey, cinnamon, cloves and half the zest. Lay half the apple slices in a glass baking dish. Scatter the raisins and half the walnuts on top. Pour on half the juice mixture. Add the remaining apples and juice. Sprinkle the top with the remaining walnuts and orange zest. Cover lightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Yield: 4 servings. Each serving provides: 206 calories, 6g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 41g carbohydrates, 13mg sodium and 4g fiber. Source: www.health.gov.

 

Wellness Tips for a

Healthy Lifestyle

February/2012

Greetings! 

 

MacCorkle Insurance is pleased to provide you with this newsletter - we hope you will find the topics both interesting and informative.  Please look for future editions covering benefit trends, wellness ideas, and legislative updates throughout the year.
 

Should you have any questions, or wish to discuss any of these topics, please contact me at the number listed below. 

 

Ease Stress to Improve Heart Health

February is Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association. This month, focus on reducing your stress, which can improve your heart health and lower your risk of heart disease.

Did you know that the heart and brain have a significant connection and impact on each other in your body?

 Family Smiles

Due to this, mental health can have a dramatic effect on heart health, and vice versa.

 

When you experience stress, which is a response in your brain, the body responds by increasing:

  • Blood pressure
  • Respiratory rate
  • Heart rate
  • Oxygen consumption
  • Blood flow to skeletal muscles

If you experience frequent stress, you are putting your body at an increased risk for heart disease.

 

How do you combat stress? There are many strategies and techniques for reducing stress in your life:

  • Meditate. Try sitting down in a quiet, comfortable room, and focusing your attention on one word, phrase or image in your mind. Repeat this thing over and over, refocusing if your mind wanders.
  • Read a book or listen to calming music.
  • Exercise. Getting your blood pumping is an excellent way to relieve stress, and is also great for your heart.
  • Eat nutritiously-don't turn to junk food, alcohol or tobacco. Healthy food will energize you, while other options have negative effects on your body.
  • Confide in a loved one.
  • When feeling overwhelmed, plan and prioritize instead of trying to tackle everything at once. Also try taking a break from the situation. 
Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

Looking to save some money on groceries-or anything else you're buying? If you're not taking advantage of couponing, you are leaving hundreds of dollars on the table. Extreme couponing is a trend in the media recently, but you don't have to dedicate your life just to save money with coupons. Here are some tips:

  

Coupons 

  •  Look for manufacturer's coupons online or in the newspaper, and always use them when the item is also on sale at the store to maximize your savings.
  • When shopping online, browse around for free shipping codes and other coupons before buying.
  • Whether buying in-store or online, always shop around.
  • Some retailers offer e-newsletters with sales, promotions and coupon codes. Find some and sign up.
  • Follow your favorite retailers on social media to stay up to date on sales and "insider" deals.
  • Join daily deal sites, such as Groupon or Living Social.
  • Buy according to sales cycles. For example, buy fruit in season, buy summer clothes on sale in August, etc.
 
Signature - Bernard CEO

 

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