CalCPA ProtectPlus

If you haven’t been to the CalCPA ProtectPlus website lately, you have a surprise—a healthy surprise—in store. Reaching out to fulfill an important aspect of the Group Insurance Trust mission and foster the well-being of its members, a new “Wellness” feature on the ProtectPlus site opens up to an array of resources for information on diet, health, exercise, and treatment options.

A series of scrolling panels link to some of the most highly regarded sources of health information on the Web, including Healthy Women; WebMD, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, and RealAge. Here is a sample of what you will find.

HealthyWomen

Sponsored by the nonprofit National Women’s Health Resource Center, HealthyWomen.org has a long history of providing unbiased and accurate health information. It was named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by ForbesWoman. The site features information on a wide range of topics from pregnancy and reproductive health to diet, aging, and alternative medicine.

WebMD

One of the most popular health-oriented sites on the Internet, WebMD offers credible, in-depth medical news, features, reference material, and online community programs. Aiming to provide the most important and relevant health news each day, the site’s independent journalists draw upon medical journals, conferences, federal or state government actions, industry materials, and interviews with medical experts.

The American Heart Association

One of a group of sites created by the American Heart Association, Heart.org provides a wealth of information on cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In addition to explanations of heart-related health conditions, there are guidelines for caregivers and educators, resources for training in CPR and first aid, current research findings, and tips for healthy living.

American Diabetes Association

The official website of the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes.org offers a concise introduction to the basics of diabetes. It explains the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, describes the symptoms, provides tips on prevention, and offers solid tools for living with the disease. Additionally, there are links to community resources, research, and advocacy measures.

RealAge

A highly praised commercial site, RealAge.com is dedicated to providing quality science-based health and lifestyle content available in a personalized, user-friendly, and easy-to-understand format. The editorial team is made up of health editors, writers, and researchers. Major categories address common issues around exercise, food, medical issues, and remedies. 

CLICK HERE to visit our new Wellness page

And More … Delivered to Your Desktop

For those who would like regular input or updates on health issues but need a reminder, RSS feeds are available from the American Heart Association and WebMD. The ProtectPlus website provides links to sign up for these, plus you can also sign up for an RSS feed of the ProtectPlus blog where Trust staff posts information on many topics of interest to members.

Finally, the Trust has contracted with HopeHealth for the semi-monthly delivery of a new eMagazine “The Healthy CPA.” You should have already received your first issue, with features and short squibs on health, diet, exercise, and even financial issues—information that you can put to use the day it arrives. If you didn’t receive it or overlooked it, here’s a link for retrieving it.

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This week  the American Dietetic Association (eatright.org) released the following article regarding a great new website provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that has helpful tools and information for consumers about nutritional guidance. Click here to view news coverage on the release of the website and what Michelle Obama had to say about the site.

Press Release:

New MyPlate Is a Useful Tool for Consumers to Follow Dietary Guidelines and Eat Healthfully, Says American Dietetic Association

CHICAGO – The U.S. government’s new graphic symbol of nutritional advice for consumers contained in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be a useful and intuitive way for people to eat well and improve their health, especially with the expert individualized advice provided by a registered dietitian, according to the American Dietetic Association.

“Time will tell if this new icon helps people to better understand vital nutritional messages of balance, variety, moderation and adequacy,” said registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association President Sylvia A. Escott-Stump. “If MyPlate can assist people in effectively adopting the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines, it will be a success.”

The new MyPlate icon is a plate split into four sections, each representing a different type of food (protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables). The sections vary in size depending on the recommended portion of each food a person should eat. A circle shape next to the plate represents dairy products, especially milk. Viewing the icon online allows consumers to click on each section of the plate for more information.

Escott-Stump emphasized that no one symbol can serve as a stand-alone consumer nutrition education tool, and praised the government’s consumer education campaign that is accompanying the release of the new icon. “No matter how informative or intuitive the symbol, it needs to be combined with easy-to-understand messages, motivational and educational tools—all specialties of registered dietitians—that guide people toward healthy food choices,” Escott-Stump said. “A goal for this new icon must be to increase the ‘nutrition literacy’ of all people,” Escott-Stump said. “The visual representations on the plate can support nutrition messages provided by registered dietitians and ADA.”

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines, released in January, are based on a comprehensive review of the latest scientific literature conducted by an advisory committee that included five ADA members, including the committee’s chair, registered dietitian Linda Van Horn, professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University. ADA previously announced its support for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, noting that, due to the epidemic of obesity in the United States, they are the first to address an unhealthy public, making their recommendations especially urgent for consumers and health professionals alike. ADA also called the Dietary Guidelines “a practical roadmap to help people make changes in their eating plans to improve their health.”

“As we have in past years, the American Dietetic Association was deeply involved in the development of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. And we will use the Guidelines and the new MyPlate to provide the unequalled advice and services of registered dietitians to individuals and communities alike. ADA and all our members look forward to working with the USDA, the Obama Administration, other health associations and food and nutrition policy makers to develop effective nutrition, research, education, food assistance, labeling and promotion programs that help people get and stay healthy,” Escott-Stump said.

Media Contacts: Ryan O’Malley, Allison MacMunn
media@eatright.org

June 2, 2011

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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 2011 is “It’s Your Time.” National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Those steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both, each week 
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

Learn more about National Women’s Health Week.

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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…)

The following article is from The American Dietetic Association and information will help to educate us on how to read food labels when we are grocery shopping so that we can make wise and healthy purchases.

Nutrition Facts Panel

Become a smart shopper by reading food labels to find out more about the foods you eat. There are several reasons why it is smart to check out the Nutrition Facts found on most foods: 

• Find out which foods are good sources of fiber, calcium, iron and vitamin C
• Compare similar foods to find out which one best meets your nutritional needs
• Search for low-sodium foods
• Look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fat.

Start with the Serving Size 

• Look here for both the serving size (the amount for one serving) and the number of servings in the package.
• Compare your portion size (the amount you actually eat) to the serving size listed on the panel. If the serving size is one cup and you eat two cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat and other nutrients listed on the label.

Check Out the Total Calories and Fat 

• Find out how many calories are in a single serving and the number of calories from fat. It’s smart to cut back on calories and fat if you are watching your weight.

Let the Percent Daily Values Be Your Guide 

Use percent Daily Values (DV) to help evaluate how a particular food fits into your daily meal plan: 

• Daily Values are average levels of nutrients for a person eating 2,000 calories a day. A food item with a 5 percent DV of fat provides 5 percent of the total fat that a person consuming 2,000 calories a day should eat.
• Percent DV are for the entire day, not just one meal or snack
• You may need more or less than 2,000 calories per day. For some nutrients you may need more or less than 100 percent DV.

The High and Low of Daily Values 

• 5 percent or less is low. Aim low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.
• 20 percent or more is high. Aim high in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Limit Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium 

Eating less fat, cholesterol and sodium may help reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.

• Total fat includes saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans fat. Limit to 100 percent DV or less per day.
• Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
• High levels of sodium can add up to high blood pressure.
• Remember to aim for low percentage DV of these nutrients. (continue reading…)

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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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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The following information is from www.healthcare.gov:

Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services —which can help you avoid illness and improve your health—at no additional cost to you.

What This Means for You:

If your plan is subject to these new requirements, you would not have to pay a copayment, co-insurance, or any deductible to receive preventive health services, such as recommended screenings, vaccinations, and counseling.

For example, depending on your age, you may have free access to such preventive services as:

• Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests;
• Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies;
• Counseling from your health care provider on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use;
• Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis;
• Flu and pneumonia shots;
• Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies;
• Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21. (continue reading…)

The following information is from WSJ.com (September 14, 2010):

Herbal Supplements Face New Scrutiny

Elderberry extract and acai to boost the immune system. Black cohosh to lessen the discomforts of menopause. Soy capsules to prevent bone loss and prostate cancer.

Many botanical supplements—made from the seeds, bark, leaves, flowers and stems of a wide range of plants—have been widely used as folk remedies for centuries. Americans have been consuming growing quantities of the supplements in hopes of warding off disease and easing symptoms of various conditions. But there is scant scientific evidence to support their health benefits.

Now, the federal government is stepping up research into the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of over-the-counter supplements, including plant oils, garlic, soy, elderberry, licorice, black cohosh, St. John’s wort and the Asian herb dong quai. The aim is to better understand how compounds in the plants affect health and to help consumers make more informed choices about supplements, which can interact with prescription drugs, cause side effects or lead to new health risks. Sales of botanical supplements in the U.S. topped $5 billion last year, up 17% from five years earlier, according to the non-profit American Botanical Council.

“Sometimes people assume because a product is natural, it is also safer. But these compounds can have both benefits and potential side effects and we need to understand both of those,” says Floyd Chilton III, director of the Center for Botanical Lipids and Inflammatory Disease Prevention at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Dr. Chilton’s center received a $7.5 million federal grant to study botanicals, including whether plant oils such as echium and borage can help play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes. (continue reading…)

The following information if from Anthem Blue Cross and is quite helpful in guiding you to a healthier lifestyle.

Are you or a family member living with a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease? If so, we can help. 360˚ Health provides you with support to help you achieve your health goals. We’ll work with you, your doctor and other health care professionals to help you improve your health.

ConditionCare enhances your doctor’s plan of care through the use of a dedicated nurse plus a team of health professionals including dietitians, exercise physiologists, pharmacists and more. You can gain a better understanding of your health, receive help in following your doctor’s care plan and learn how to better manage your health. This program is designed to help members with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure.

ConditionCare Support Programs complement our core ConditionCare programs. They assist members who are not managing a core chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes, but need help with other conditions ranging from arthritis pain to high blood pressure. These programs include help with vascular at-risk conditions, low back pain, musculoskeletal conditions, and various types of cancer.

ConditionCare Kidney Disease is a program specifically designed to support members with chronic kidney disease. Nurses that specialize in renal care and the treatment of kidney disease provide education and support to help members manage their health.

ComplexCare provides help to those with multiple health concerns who may require high levels of collaborative care. Personalized nurses who specialize in treating multiple health conditions work with members to help improve their health.

Comprehensive Medical Management provides one-on-one expert assistance to help members find and receive the right services and care. The program includes a personal advocate to see that benefits are utilized effectively and that necessary medical interventions are appropriate and safe.

360° Health program offerings vary by state. Specific programs are included in your health plan and others are available for additional cost. Contact your human resources department or benefits administrator as appropriate for eligibility and further details.

Take your next step to better health. Choose a link:

• 360° Health Overview
• Improve Your Health
• Get Guidance

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When an elderly family member became ill and was hospitalized, I realized that not knowing the medications that she was taking, was a real problem. My solution was to literally bring the doctors a large bowl containing all of her medications so that they could enter the information into her medical record. The doctors asked questions including her blood type and drug allergies and I had no answers. Although she recovered, this experience brought to my attention just how important it is to have a personal health record for each and every family member.

A personal health record, or PHR,  is a health record that that you keep for yourself and your loved ones. Your health records are in different places and possibly with many different providers – some information may even be stored online. You can simplify life by putting together a health record that will give you peace of mind and provide healthcare professionals with a complete and accurate summary of your health and medical history. You can do this by gathering the following information: 

• personal identification, including name and birth date
• emergency contact(s)
• names, addresses, and phone numbers of your physician, dentist, and specialists
• health insurance information
• living wills, advance directives, or medical power of attorney
• organ donor authorization
• allergies
• allergic reactions to medications (including latex)
• medications (dose and how often taken)
• over the counter medications and herbal remedies (dose and how often taken)
• family health history (hereditary illnesses)
• blood type
• hospitalizations
• significant illnesses (dates they occurred)
• surgeries (dates they occurred)
• vaccinations (dates they were received)
• test results from lab work performed
• physical exam records
• eye and dental records
• dietary habits
• exercise routines
• track past and present health conditions
• any other changes in your health (continue reading…)

Do you suffer from headaches, fatigue, dizziness, dry skin, dry mouth or thirst? These are all signs of dehydration. Since water makes up about 60 percent of our body weight, it is important that we drink water each day. We can go without food for almost two months, but without water only a few days. Our body completely depends on water intake in order to function properly. Here are some ways that water helps our body:

• flushes toxins out of our vital organs
• carries nutrients to our cells
• helps us to feel full if we are trying to loose weight
• boosts our metabolism -especially if the water is ice cold because your body has to work to warm the water up, which burns a few calories in the process
• our heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout our body if we drink enough water
• 85% of our brain tissue is water – by drinking water – our mind will be less stressed
• helps prevent muscle cramping and lubricates joints in the body
• helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles in our face since it hydrates skin cells and plumps them up
• helps to flush out impurities and improves circulation in blood flow which in turn leaves our face looking rested, clean and glowing
• helps dissolve waste particles and passes them smoothly through our digestive tract
• helps our body by diluting the salts and minerals in our urine that lead to kidney stones
• provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues (continue reading…)

Omega 3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids. There are three types of omega 3 essential fatty acids and your body benefits greatly by having all of these omega 3s to help perform different functions. The three types of omega 3s are:

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): EPA is usually found in fish and fish oil.
• Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA): DHA is important to your body, and is also found mainly in fish.
• Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA): ALA is found mostly in seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy green vegetables. It is converted into EPA and then into DHA in your body.

Omega 3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids and they are found in various foods such as oily fish – mackerel, herring, sardines and salmon. It is important to keep in mind that fish can be contaminated with mercury and PCBs, so make sure that you choose safe types of fish. Omega 3 can also be found in non-fish sources as well and those would include fortified foods such as eggs, bread, juice, dark green vegetables, walnuts and flax-seed oils.

While there are three types of omega 3s, there has been special attention brought to the omega 3 fish oil in medical news reports over the past few years.  The reports say that you should take fish oil if you are pregnant, if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, if you have a bad heart, and the list goes on. Here are some things studies have shown:

• It has been found that omega 3 helps to lower triglycerides, which are know to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, by 20% to 50%.
• Fish oils have been shown to help lower cases of high blood pressure due to cardiovascular disease.
• It helps to reduce high cholesterol.
• Several studies report that in people with a history of heart attack, that regularly eat oily fish or take fish oil supplements reduce the risk of heart rhythm problems, heart attack, and sudden death. A large Japanese study showed 19% fewer heart-related events (like a heart attack) in adults taking a fish oil supplement plus a statin drug, compared with those taking only a statin. (Statins are drugs that lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease).
• Fish oils with omega 3 help to prevent blood clots, help stimulate your blood circulation and help you to avoid issues such as varicose veins.
• Many studies have shown that fish oils improve your brain function.
• A lack of omega 3 has been linked to depression - fish oils are known to benefit you greatly if you suffer from depression.
• Taking fish oil with omega 3 while pregnant may help the baby with brain development, form the retinas and helps develop the nervous system. My doctor had me take flax-seed oil and fish oil with omega 3. It is key to the well-being and healthy development of the baby while in the womb.

If you are not taking fish oil with omega 3, you may want to think about doing so…especially if you are suffering from any of the above conditions. Fish oil with omega 3 now comes in prescription form. If you buy it over the counter, however, remember that  fish oil comes from real fish and mercury content is something to consider – stick with a name brand and ask your doctor what they would recommend for you. Remember to always check with your doctor before using supplements because some can interact with other drugs you take. Some women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take supplements other than prenatal vitamins unless their doctor recommends them to.                            

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From Eatingwell.com (May/June 2007)

4 servings, about 1 cup each

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile
Low cholesterol – High calcium 

Ingredients

2 ounces pancetta, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar                                                   
1/4 teaspoon salt                                                                                                             
1 pound gnocchi, (see Shopping Tip below)
4 ounces watercress, tough stems removed, coarsely chopped (6 cups packed)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
 

Preparation

1. Put a large pan of water on to boil.

2. Cook pancetta in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, sugar and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes are almost completely broken down, about 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt. Remove from the heat.

3. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float, 3 to 5 minutes or according to package directions. Place watercress in a colander and drain the gnocchi over the watercress, wilting it slightly. Add the gnocchi and watercress to the sauce in the pan; toss to combine. Serve immediately, with Parmesan.

Tips & Notes

Shopping Tip: We like the texture of “shelf-stable” prepared gnocchi found in the Italian section of most supermarkets, but frozen and fresh refrigerated gnocchi also work well here.

Nutrition

Per serving: 377 calories; 7 g fat (3 g sat, 1 g mono); 16 mg cholesterol; 63 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 3 g fiber; 686 mg sodium; 329 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (50% daily value), Vitamin A (45% dv), Calcium & Iron (15% dv).

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This winter season we have all been on alert about the H1N1 virus and how it is lurking just about everywhere.  It is ever so important to take the necessary precautions to keep our health in tip top shape and our immune system strong. We may not be able to ward off the H1N1 since it is so powerful, but we could help increase our chances of bypassing that irritating common cold.

It was thought that there were 100 variants of rhinoviruses which are the most common cause of the common cold. Now they have discovered with more screening tests, a whole new group of rhinoviruses. “It’s beginning to look as if there may be as many as 200” cold viruses, says cold expert Owen Hendley, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and one of the world’s leading experts on cold viruses. Yes, it is the cold that just about every other person has at work and every other child has at school. Americans on average gets 3 to 4 colds and children average about 6 each year! Follow these tips below, and hopefully you can protect yourself and lower these averages! (continue reading…)