National Influenza Vaccination Week
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of December 6-12, 2009, as National Influenza (flu) Vaccination Week.
This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing seasonal influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of December, January and beyond.
Since the flu season usually peaks in January or later, getting vaccinated in December and beyond can still provide protection against influenza.
Getting vaccinated early ensures that you will be ready when influenza season arrives. But, if you did not get vaccinated earlier, you can still get the vaccine.
For more information on flu vaccination, please contact the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan's Flu Busters at (248) 967-8755.
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Get to Know Your Fats
Knowing which fats raise Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL ) cholesterol and which ones do not is the first step in lowering your risk of heart disease. In addition to the LDL produced naturally by your body, saturated fat, transfatty acids and dietary cholesterol can also raise blood cholesterol.
Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats appear not to raise LDL cholesterol. Some studies suggest they might even help lower LDL cholesterol slightly when eaten as part of a low-saturated and trans-fat free diet.
The Bad Fat Brothers is a fun 2 minute video with available resources related to trans and saturated fats. |
Lemon-Sauced Chicken with Asparagus
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or turkey breast tenderloins, all visible fat removed.
1/2 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons canola or corn oil
10-ounce package frozen no-salt-added cut asparagus or broccoli florets, thawed
1 small red bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
Cooking Instructions
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. In a small bowl, stir together broth, lemon peel, lemon juice, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, and black pepper. Set aside.
Preheat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil. Stir-fry asparagus and bell pepper in the hot oil for 1 minute. Remove vegetables from wok or skillet. Add remaining oil and chicken. Stir-fry 3 minutes, or until chicken is tender and no longer pink in center.
Stir lemon mixture; add to center of wok or skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly. Return vegetables to wok or skillet. Stir until coated with sauce.
Nutrition Analysis
(per serving)
185 Calories
4.0g Total Fat
0.5g Saturated Fat
0.0g Trans Fat
1.0g Polyunsaturated Fat
1.5g Monounsaturated Fat
66mg Cholestrol
186mg Sodium
8g Carbohydrates
2g Fiber
2g Sugar
29g Protein
Dietary Exchanges
1/2 other carbohydrate, 3 lean meat
Source: American Heart Association
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The Heavy Cost of Obesity at the Workplace
According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), in the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. The survey shows that among adult men the prevalence of obesity was 33.3% and among adult women, the prevalence of obesity was 35.3%.
Obesity and overweight are also contributing factors of chronic conditions such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease and certain types of cancer. Well designed and properly delivered obesity prevention programs that promote better nutrition and increased physical activity can reduce employee risk for additional conditions that drive up health care costs.
Adults spend considerable time at work, making worksites ideal locations for reaching the employee population. Worksites provide access to 65% of adults in settings where people consume one or more meals daily. In addition, many worksites are capable of supporting employees in their efforts to achieve adequate levels of physical activity
Lifestyle changes that bring about 5% to 7% loss in body weight can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes for people at high risk for the disease, one of the most costly chronic conditions for employer groups.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's obesity prevention program, Lean Works! , offers various resources that can help your organization establish an obesity prevention program.
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Be an Active Participant
Many people go to the doctor ready to just listen and let the doctor take the lead. But the best patient-doctor relationships are partnerships. You and your doctor can work together as a team that includes nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers to address your medical problems and keep you healthy.An important part of this partnership is clear communication. Asking the right questions and obtaining quality information about prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, helps ensure safety, prevent errors, and improve health. For example:
- Being honest about symptoms can help doctors order the right tests and make the right diagnoses
- Clear instructions after an operation or hospital stay may be the difference between complete recovery or re-injury and relapse.
Discussing all medications taken along with vitamin supplements and over the counter medications.
Your first step is to find a main doctor (your primary doctor or primary care doctor) that you feel comfortable talking to. Your doctor needs to understand your health concerns and problems. He or she will help you make medical decisions that suit your values and daily habits, and will keep in touch with any other specialists you may need. So spend some time finding a doctor you can trust and with whom you can talk openly.
Taking along a family member, friend or caregiver to help you communicate with your doctor can help. So can writing down your questions or concerns in advance of your appointment. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers several publications that can also help promote meaningful interactions between patients and doctors.
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Energize Your Workday with Office Exercises
A stiff neck, back wrist pain and poor circulation are just some of the health hazards that can come with having an office job. There are simple exercises you can do at work that do not take much time and also help you stay fit.
Sitting for long stretches of time every day, especially at a computer, can take a toll on your body. In addtion, poor posture, stress and a work station that does not work for you, may cause additional aches and pains at the end of the day.
Working "mini" activity breaks into your day can really make a difference in how you feel and even how well you perform your job. Five minutes of movement every hour or two can boost your energy and improve your attitude. It will get your blood pumping and oxygen circulating, help you concentrate better and to be more productive, calm and efficient.
So why not de-stress, re-energize, jumpstart your brain, and work the kinks out of your body, each and every day? Here are two easy ways:
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Lift and rotate. Try some simple leg lifts, even while you are on the phone or reading emails or memos. Keep one foot planted on the floor and raise the opposite leg several inches off the ground. Gently pulse the leg upward a few inches 10 or 20 times and repeat on the opposite leg. You also can rotate each foot around in small circles (in both directions). Do the same with your arms: hold your arms out straight on each side of your body and make small circles with your hands.
- Breathe and meditate. Close and rest your eyes while breathing deeply, meditating for five minutes or picturing yourself in a favorite place, like the beach or mountains.
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Jumpstart Your Company's Wellness Program With VNA's Wellness Services
Services are available on-site and offer a convenient, cost effective way to detect potential health risks in your employee population.
Health Risk Assessments
Cholesterol Screenings
Glucose Screenings
Blood Pressure Screenings
Travel Vaccinations and Counseling
Flu Vaccinations
Lunch 'n Learn Sessions
Call us for more information (248) 967-8755 or vna@vna.org |
Resources for Family Caregivers Are Just a Click Away
If you are a caregiver to an aging loved one, you will want to visit a website specifically designed with Southeast Michigan residents in mind. ClickOnAging.com is an information portal to senior services and resources in Southeast Michigan. The information was written by experts in their fields as a free community tool. Log on today to clickonaging and see what information can help you.
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