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Having just celebrated Mother’s Day, it is a perfect time for women to look at how they are living their lives and to check in on how they watching out for their health. Sometimes women forget to take care of themselves because of their busy schedules at work and at home. The National Women’s Health Week helps women to learn how to put their health at the top of their priortiy list and gives them the ways to do so.

The following is from womenshealth.gov – a project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.

National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health. The theme for 2012 is “It’s Your Time.” National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages women to take the following steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases:

• Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

Learn more about National Women’s Health Week.

In the news

• Presidential Proclamation – National Women’s Health Week 2012
• HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on National Women’s Health Week

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Our eyes are very important to us and it is for that reason we want to make sure we take care of them and learn ways to make them healthy. In the latest Vision Service Plan’s newsletter, EnVision, it discusses four bad habits that we must stop if we want to have healthy eyes. Make sure to check it out and see what habit(s) you need to stop!

The following article is from VSP EnVision Newletter: April 2012

You may be surprised at some of the simple things you could be doing that can damage your eye health and vision. Breaking these bad habits starts with learning what’s okay—and what’s not—when it comes to your eye care routine.

Are your contacts really clean?

Some of the most common mistakes that contact lens wearers make are not cleaning, disinfecting, and storing their lenses properly. Make sure to follow your eye doctor’s and lens manufacturer’s instructions for handling and taking care of your contact lenses. Remember:

• Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
• Replace your contacts and case regularly.
• Clean and store your lenses according to your doctor’s instructions.
• Never re-use or “top off” contact solution.

The damage control approach

“It’s important to get your eye exam annually, not just when something goes wrong or you think you need new glasses,” says J. Bradley Oatney, O.D., a VSP doctor at Riverview Eye Associates in Columbus, OH. “Your VSP doctor can be a valuable resource in helping to identify the effects of conditions such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes which can all be devastating to your eyesight.”

• Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing eye strain, double vision, pain, or dry eyes, or if you’re seeing spots or lights.
• Before you leave, schedule your next appointment.

Digital device overdose

Do you find it hard to tear your eyes away from your smart phone? You’re not alone—and, you’re in the company of many eye strain sufferers. “To ease eye strain, I recommend the 20-20-20 rule,” says Dr. Oatney. “Simply look away from your screen and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.”

Computer screen glare can be a problem too. Arrange the lights in the room so they don’t shine directly on your computer screen, or move your computer to another location if necessary. Other solutions include non-glare coating for glasses, glare-reducing contact lenses, and anti-glare screen options.

When sharing isn’t caring

Do you occasionally use your friend’s mascara, eye drops, or contact solution, or let others borrow yours? Doing this can spread unwanted bacteria and make you and your eyes sick. So, keep your eye products to yourself. A few final reminders:

• To avoid an eye infection, don’t let the tip of your eye drops bottle actually touch your eyes.
• After an eye infection, replace any makeup or applicators that come in contact with your eyes. You don’t want that infection all over again!

The content of this article is for general informational awareness purposes only. Please consult your eyecare doctor or physician for actual advice.

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Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) represent “pre-paid” or “capitated” insurance plans in which individuals or their employers pay a fixed monthly fee for services, instead of a separate charge for each visit or service. The monthly fees remain the same regardless of types or levels of services provided by physicians who are employed by, or under contract with the HMO.

New steps are being made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that will help protect consumers from skin damage caused by the harmful rays of the sun. The following measures are listed in the report:

• Final regulations that establish standards for testing the effectiveness of sunscreen products and require labeling that accurately reflects test results.
• A proposed regulation that would limit the maximum SPF value on sunscreen labeling to “SPF 50+”.
• A data request for safety and effectiveness information for sunscreen products formulated in certain dosage forms (e.g., sprays).
• A draft guidance for sunscreen manufacturers on how to test and label their products in light of these new measures.

“This new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun,” says Lydia Velazquez, Pharm.D. in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development. She said that the measures are necessary since “our scientific understanding has grown” and it is important for consumers “to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.”

The FDA’s regulations will become effective in one year. The regulations will provide a standard test for sunscreen products that are sold over-the-counter which will determine if the products can be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” The term broad spectrum means protection from both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays.

The FDA has come up with additional labeling regulations designed to help consumers select the right sunscreens and teach them how to use them properly. Here are the additional labeling regulations from the FDA’s recent report:

• Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert:  Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.” 
• Water resistance claims on the product’s front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
• Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweatproof, or identify their products as “sunblocks.” Also, sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.

Since each and every one of us is exposed to the sun, we need to pay close attention to these new regulations. Any time that we spend in the sun increases our chance of skin cancer and each time we get a sun burn that risk is heightened. Not to mention, it also causes early skin aging. The FDA report lists the following steps we should follow in order to reduce our risk in the sun:

• Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
• Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

For more detailed information click here to read the full report from the FDA.

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Many of us suffer from allergies, especially now that spring has sprung. We commonly associate our allergies – sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes – with all the many pollens floating around outside, however, according to the article below from WebMd, many people are affected by allergens in their own home. Pet dander, mold and dust are just a few of the indoor allergens. The article shows us how we can “allergy-proof” our home and hopefully alleviate some of our miserable allergy symptoms. 

Relief for Allergies at Home  

Allergy-proof your home to eliminate stuffy sneezes

By Gina Shaw
WebMD Feature                              Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Your home is your castle — except when you’re allergic to it. A recent nationwide survey found that over half of all Americans test positive for at least some allergens, and many of these are indoor allergies such as dust, mold, and pet dander.

How can you allergy-proof your home to make it a refuge, not a source of sneezes? Take a tour of your house from room to room, find out where the allergens are lurking, and get relief from indoor allergies.

Allergies in the Bedroom

“This is the most allergen-prone room in your house, because the most common indoor allergen is dust mites,” says James Sublett, MD, an allergist in Louisville, Ky.

The single most important thing you can do for dust mite allergies is to put hypoallergenic casings on your beds, mattresses, box springs, and especially the pillows. “They’re right in your face all the time, so they particularly need allergy casings,” says Sublett.

You can also reduce the presence of dust mites in your beds by using only washable bedding.  Many people may pile their beds with fancy quilts, throw pillows, and wool blankets that aren’t washed regularly.

“If you move them around at night when you’re getting ready for bed, you stir up the particulate found in these linens,” says Sublett.

This applies to stuffed animals in children’s bedrooms as well. Instead of piling stacks and stacks of cuddly toys on the bed, limit the furry friends to one or two favorites that are washable. (Take a look at the label — many stuffed animals are marked “surface clean only.”)  Your child’s linens and stuffed animals should be washed in hot water at least once a week. (continue reading…)

More than likely you know someone who has diabetes. I know someone who is four years old and someone who is 83 years old that has it – which shows that this is a disease that can hit just about anyone, no matter what their age. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet  that shows that 25.8 million people are affected by diabetes – which is 8.3% of the U.S. population.  With statistics like this, it is pertinent that we understand what diabetes is and find out if we could be at risk so that we can possibly stop this disease from growing so rapidly.

Just exactly what is diabetes? According to WebMd,

Diabetes, the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system, occurs when blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above normal…Diabetes is a disease brought on by either the body’s inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). It can also appear during pregnancy. Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (called glucose) for energy. 

The CDC states that more than one-quarter of people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type with almost 18 million people being affected by it. You are of higher risk of getting the disease if you are obese, age 45 or older, have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, had gestational diabetes or not physically active. Type 2 diabetes mainly affects adults and can lead to such results as blindness, amputations and chronic kidney failure.

With such high numbers of people being affected and the terrible conditions type 2 diabetes can lead to, it is vital that we educate ourselves and learn about the disease. We should find out if any close family members have the disease and if we may be at risk. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your family health history. By doing this, you may find out if you are at risk and you may be able to help prevent the disease from starting if you catch the early symptoms  and are able to change your lifestyle. My grandfather had the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. His doctor advised him that he needed to change his diet and begin to exercise on a daily basis, otherwise, he may get the disease. My grandfather did not change his ways since he had been set in his ways with bad eating habits and by never exercising. The doctor gave harsh warnings for the next few checkups…and two years later, my grandfather was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now he has changed …but it is too late since the damage has been done. By listening to your doctor, and taking the actions they suggest, you may be able to prevent this disease or even be able to possibly stop it.

The CDC has provided detailed information about type 2 diabetes and there is a test you can take to see if you are at risk. Make sure to take that quick test and see what suggestions they have if you have a high score of being at risk. We are fortunate to have great resources at our fingertips, such as the CDC, which has taken the time to put together valuable information for us on diabetes. Make sure to visit the CDC to learn more about diabetes .

Please take the time to evaluate your current health condition – if you think you may be at risk or have any of the symptoms – talk to your doctor and see what steps you can take to help stop this disease from taking over your life and possibly causing you serious health complications down the road.

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On March 4th, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on two sleep studies in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which shows a very serious issue facing the United States. The report shows that an estimated 50 to 70 million adults do not get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can have many negative effects on people such as having difficulties in the ability to concentrate, it can impair a person’s performance at work, cause you to  be a hazardous driver and it can hurt your overall health and well being. 

The studies analyzed sleep surveys of 74,571 adults in 12 states and the results were quite shocking. Almost 37.9% of respondents said they had fallen asleep by accident in the last 30 days. It also showed that 35.3% reported sleeping less than seven hours within a 24 hour period and about one-quarter of these people said they had trouble concentrating during the day. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Another 4.7% said they had nodded off or fallen asleep while driving in the past month. This is a frightening figure since according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drowsiness or nodding off while driving accounts for 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries a year.

The report brought out that people who slept less than seven hours were more likely to have many health issues as mentioned above, compared with people who got seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Increasing sleep time would likely improve everyday functioning, the researchers added. To get a good night’s sleep, it is important to have your bedroom free of cell phones, computers and television. Your bedroom needs to be your sanctuary…a peaceful environment that you can go to and let go of the stresses of your day. You should keep a consistent sleep routine and stay away from performing any activities such as exercise close to bedtime.

Lela McKnight-Eily, a psychologist and epidemiologist at the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, and the lead author of one of the reports, said “over the last 20 years there has been a decline in overall sleep duration in adults.” She noted that changing lifestyle habits, including longer workdays and late nights on the computer, have pared away much-needed sleep time. “Within our culture there seems to be a belief that sleep isn’t a part of overall essential health,” she said.

“It is clear that a lot of restorative activities are going on in the body during sleep,” said sleep specialist Dr. Shirin Shafazand, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “We have to make a conscious effort to pay as much attention to sleep as people do to other healthy activities like exercise and eating right, because they are all linked together,” she said.

This information from the CDC has come out at the perfect time since this week, March 7 – 13^th, is National Sleep Awareness Week. Some other great resources that will show you how important sleep is to our health and well being, visit the National Sleep Foundation and the CDC for further information.

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When I go to the grocery store, I always wonder where the fruits and vegetables have been and just how clean they are. The following article pretty much sums up those questions by listing the top 10 dirtiest fruits and vegetables. After reading it, you will realize that you have to really clean your produce before eating it. To read more about how to properly clean your produce, click here.  I think you will find the article below to be very valuable and make you think twice about taste testing that grape at the grocery store!

One thing to note, the same report pointed out that onions, asparagus, eggplant, avocado and pineapples are the top five cleanest fruits and veggies…so you may want to add those to your grocery list this week!

The following article is from Health.com – By Ashley Macha

Are the fruits and vegetables you buy clean enough to eat?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) studied 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a list of 49 of the dirtiest and cleanest produce.

So before you hit the grocery store, see how some of your favorite fruits and veggies measured up.

Did one of your favorites make the list? Don’t worry, the EWG recommends purchasing organic or locally grown varieties, which can lower pesticide intake by 80% versus conventionally grown produce.

Celery
This stalky vegetable tops the dirty list. Research showed that a single celery stalk had 13 pesticides, while, on the whole, celery contained as many as 67 pesticides.

Chemicals fester on this vegetable as it has no protective skin and its stems cup inward, making it difficult to wash the entire surface of the stalk. It’s not easy to find locally grown celery, so if you like this crunchy veggie, go organic.

Peaches
Peaches are laced with 67 different chemicals, placing it second on the list of most contaminated fruits and vegetables. They have soft fuzzy skin, a delicate structure, and high susceptibility to most pests, causing them to sprayed more frequently.

Strawberries
This red, juicy fruit has a soft, seedy skin, allowing easier absorption of pesticides. Research showed that strawberries contained 53 pesticides. Try to buy strawberries at a local farmer’s market for a sweet dessert. (continue reading…)

The following is a delicious recipe from the Diabetic Gourmet Magazine. It is a perfect main course for your upcoming holiday feast and a healthy choice for diabetics!

Honey and Sage-Roasted Rack of Pork

Nothing is more memorable than the unexpected. This rack of pork is perfect for those large holiday gatherings. For serving, two roasts can be positioned with bones interlaced as in photo.

Ingredients

• 2 8-rib pork loin racks, center cut, chine bone off (Frenched)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh snipped sage

Directions

1. Season pork racks with salt and pepper. Place each rack in roasting pans with bones facing up and sides not touching.
2. Roast at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F. (about 20 minutes per pound).
3. Stir together honey and sage. Brush honey mixture onto roast after removing from oven. Let rest 10 minutes while internal temperature rises to 160 degrees F. before slicing to serve.

Nutritional Information (per serving); 231 calories; 31 g protein; 95 mg sodium; 90 mg cholesterol; 7 g fat; 9 g carbohydrates

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The following recipe is from the Foodnetwork’s Holidays Made Healthy: Smart Indulgences (click here for more delicious healthy holiday recipes from Foodnetwork.com!)

Yes, you can still have a slice of chocolate cheesecake this holiday season — just make Food Network Kitchens’ lightened-up version, with 1-percent cottage cheese in place of most of the cream cheese. By replacing most of the cream cheese in a traditional cheesecake with 1 percent cottage cheese and adding cocoa powder and just a touch of melted chocolate the end result is a silky rich deeply chocolaty dessert.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray

Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs, 8 whole sheets
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter

Filling:

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 24 ounces 1 percent cottage cheese
• 8 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Fresh raspberries and mint sprigs, serving suggestion

1. Position the racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven. Put a small roasting pan on the lower rack and fill about 1/3 full of water. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and wrap the outside bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to prevent any leaks.

2. Crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, water, and melted butter in a medium bowl until moistened. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes, while preparing the filling.

3. Filling: Put the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium power until soft and melted, about 1 minute, depending on the power of your oven. Stir until smooth. Puree the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor until smooth. Add the cream cheese, sugar, cocoa, and flour and continue to puree, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until smooth. Add the egg, egg whites, espresso, and vanilla and puree until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and pulse until just combined. Pour over the prepared crust.

4. Put the pan on the upper rack in the oven and bake until just set and the center jiggles slightly, about 50 to 55 minutes. Turn off the oven and let stand in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the cheesecake to a cooling rack and run a knife around the edge of the pan.

5. Let stand at room temperature until cooled, about 2 hours, and then refrigerate until well chilled, 8 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving. For easier serving, slice with a clean hot knife, wiped clean after each slice. Serve each slice with a few fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint.

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calories 245; Total Fat 9g (Sat Fat 5g, Mono Fat 2g, Poly Fat 0g); Protein 12g; Carb 31 g; Fiber 2g; Cholesterol 36mg; Sodium 373mg

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Home Infusion Therapy Provider is a provider licensed according to state and local laws as a pharmacy, and must be either certified as a home health care provider by Medicare, or accredited as a home pharmacy by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

Anthem Blue Cross has announced the launch of a new California website designed to provide reliable information to women about health issues specific to them. It will save women time searching for health related answers since everything is in one place and is accessible at any time of the day or night, which is the convenience that women need with their busy schedules. 

“We recognize that the lives of today’s women are filled with work, friends and family. At Anthem, we wanted to develop a place that’s just for them,” said Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross. “This dynamic new site is all about women’s health, and it can help women in California feel, and become their healthy best.”

According to Anthem’s press release last week, they selected SmartNow to develop the content for the site. SmartNow works with the top two hundred women’s health experts across the country, so the content is relevant, reliable and current. In addition, the information is designed to meet women’s personal, professional and business needs.

Anthem’s press release states that the site will help women:

• Stay on track with a dining out and fast food guide;
• Get more nutrition for their money with a down-loadable grocery guide iPhone app for Anthem members;
• Learn about health conditions and diseases;
• See how improved health can help lower costs;
• Learn how to compare quality and costs for hospitals in their area.

“At home, the woman is most often the one who makes the health care decisions that will impact the health of their family,” Anthem leaders said. “At work too, women are often the ones to make the choices about health care coverage and wellness offerings for their employees. This new site is intended to help guide women in California toward the right choices both at work and at home.”  

This great site provides the tools and programs needed to help women make healthier decisions and help those around them to do so as well. To check out this new site from Anthem click here.

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Few individuals have given as much for as long to CalCPA or been as intimately associated with its growth as John Dodsworth. Actively engaged in committee work since he joined in 1972, Dodsworth was appointed Director of Business Operations for CalCPA in 1984, a position that included responsibility for the financial aspects of the organization, continuing education, and the insurance program. A few years later he led in the creation of CAMICO—where he served as Director from 1986 until his retirement in 2009—and in expanding the Group Insurance Trust. Today he continues to serve on the boards of both CAMICO and the Trust.

Curiously, his first step toward this distinguished career began with a college job in the mail room at Union Carbide in San Francisco, and among his duties was delivering mail to the internal audit department. “I got to know some of the employees,” he recounts, “and they encouraged me to look into accounting as a profession.” As a math major he felt an affinity to the work they were doing. He recognized that “math is the language of accounting,” and saw that accounting offered something practical to do with the math he was studying.

After finishing college and a stint in the army, he went to work for the public firm of John F. Forbes & Co. “They were big in professional association involvement,” he comments, and so he joined CalCPA and became active in committee work for the San Francisco Chapter, eventually chairing the Accounting and Auditing Committee. During those years he was working his way up at Forbes. He made partner in 1977 and then opened an office for the firm in San Jose in 1981. When his firm won the engagement as auditor for CalCPA, he learned how the organization functioned, and he got to know its then executive director, Jim Kurtz. (continue reading…)

It wouldn’t be quite fair to say that John Phillips was there in the beginning, but as the Group Insurance Trust’s longest-serving member and former Executive Director, he has been intimately involved in the evolution and growth of CalCPA’s insurance program for almost 40 years, including formation of the group health insurance program as a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA).

Phillips joined CalCPA in 1968 shortly after receiving his CPA license. In 1972 he became a member of the Insurance Committee when Jim Kurtz, the long-time CEO of CalCPA, served as its Secretary. The Committee at that time was charged with overseeing all CalCPA-sponsored insurance plans and the Trust. This area of service also fit well with his professional responsibilities at Coopers & Lybrand in San Francisco where he  had become the first employee in what over many years would become a major human resource advisory group. One might say that Phillips was in the right place at the right time in respect to both his job and volunteer service, but that wouldn’t do justice to his enthusiasm for the work that engaged him over his long career. He has always found, he says, the precision of numbers to be “fun” and looked forward to his work every day—31 years with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) and 10 years as executive director of the Trust.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 1962, serving in the military, and entering the workforce, Phillips soon saw, as he puts it, that “the language of business is accounting.” This insight inspired a return to Cal for an MBA with an accounting emphasis, which he earned in 1966, and then a stint at Golden Gate University at night for an MBA in taxation in 1972. (continue reading…)

From EatingWell:  June/July 2005, The EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook (2006)

Why put the cheese on top of the burger when half of it just melts off? Instead, form the burger around the cheese so you can char the meat and safeguard the more delicate flavors. Use any mixture of hard or semi-hard cheeses–Emmentaler and Gouda or Asiago and Parmigiano-Reggiano also pair well.

4 servings

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Diabetes appropriate / Low calorie / Low carbohydrate / Low sodium / Healthy weight

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat grill to medium-high or preheat the broiler.
2. Combine Cheddar and Gruyere in a small bowl.
3. Gently mix beef, Worcestershire, paprika and pepper in a large bowl, preferably with your hands, without overworking. Shape into 8 thin, 4-inch-wide patties. Mound 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each of 4 patties, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Cover each with one of the remaining patties. Crimp and seal the edges closed.
4. To grill: Lightly oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the stuffed patties over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes per side for medium-well. (Be sure not to press the burgers as they cook or they’ll split open and the cheese will ooze out.) To broil: Cover a broiler pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Broil the stuffed patties in the upper third of the oven, about 4 minutes per side for medium-well. In either case, let the burgers stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

• To oil a grill rack: Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Nutrition

Per serving: 250 calories; 15 g fat (7 g sat, 6 g mono); 74 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 25 g protein; 0 g fiber; 164 mg sodium; 264 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Zinc (37% daily value), Calcium (15% dv), Iron (15% dv).

Exchanges: 3 1/2 medium-fat meat

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On June 1, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will begin to enforce a nationwide identity protection law that  hospitals, doctors’ offices and other health care providers need to adhere to. They will be required to develop and implement written policies and procedures that will help identify warning signs or “red flags” that could lead to identity theft of their patients.

The FTC conducted a survey that found that close to 5% of identity theft victims have experienced some form of medical identity theft. The victims could find their benefits exhausted or they may face potentially life-threatening consequences due to inaccuracies in their medical records.

The following is a list provided by the FTC that gives a few warning signs or “red flags” that may be relevant to health care providers:

• Suspicious documents. Has a new patient given you identification documents that look altered or forged? Is the photograph or physical description on the ID inconsistent with what the patient looks like? Did the patient give you other documentation inconsistent with what he or she has told you — for example, an inconsistent date of birth or a chronic medical condition not mentioned elsewhere? Under the Red Flags Rule, you may need to ask for additional information from that patient. 
• Suspicious personally identifying information. If a patient gives you information that doesn’t match what you’ve learned from other sources, it may be a red flag of identity theft. For example, if the patient gives you a home address, birth date, or Social Security number that doesn’t match information on file or from the insurer, fraud could be afoot.  
• Suspicious activities. Is mail returned repeatedly as undeliverable, even though the patient still shows up for appointments? Does a patient complain about receiving a bill for a service that he or she didn’t get? Is there an inconsistency between a physical examination or medical history reported by the patient and the treatment records? These questionable activities may be red flags of identity theft. 
• Notices from victims of identity theft, law enforcement authorities, insurers, or others suggesting possible identity theft. Have you received word about identity theft from another source? Cooperation is key. Heed warnings from others that identity theft may be ongoing.

We should welcome this new rule for health care providers since it is an added measure to protect our identity and to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to our health insurance information and personal medical history. It will help our health care providers to identify red flags in advance and they will  be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns. Overall, we can be assured that our identity is better secured and that the proper steps will be taken to prevent a red flag from escalating into a terrible case of identity theft against us. 

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Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis (Show: Giada at Home / Episode: Mother’s Day Brunch)

 Treat Mom to a sweet breakfast on her special day. Best of all, these recipes are so simple you won’t have to ask for her help.

 Baked French Toast with Blueberries

Cook time: 45 minutes / Yield: 4-6 servings / Level: Easy

Ingredients

• Butter, for greasing
• 6 eggs
• 3 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup maple syrup, plus extra for serving
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 lemon, zested
• 3 (1-inch thick) slices (8 ounces) day-old challah or sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen, thawed, and drained blueberries
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

Place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest. Add the bread cubes and mix until coated. Stir in the blueberries. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, mix together the remaining cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the egg mixture in an even layer. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is set.

Spoon onto serving plates and drizzle with maple syrup.

[Information Source]

Citrus Cream Smoothie

Cook time: 5 minutes / Yield: 6 (8 ounce) servings / Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/4 cups orange juice
• 2 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons grated orange zest (from 1 large orange)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

Pour the cooled syrup into a blender. Add the yogurt, orange juice, bananas, orange zest, vanilla extract, and ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

[Information Source]