CalCPA ProtectPlus

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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Something we all need but many of us seem to not get enough of is sleep. We may be going to bed too late, getting up too early, tossing and turning, stressed, have a racing heart from a cup of coffee or all of the above! No matter what our sleep issue may be, we need to have a restful night’s sleep in order to feel good the next day. The following information is from RealAge.com and it has valuable tips that may lead you to nights of peaceful sleep.

Sleep Better in 9 Steps

Follow these steps to get a good night’s rest.

Give Yourself the Gift of Great Sleep

When we think of our health and different ways to improve it, we can’t forget about our eyes. In the latest newsletter, EnVision, provided by Vision Service Plan (VSP), there are some great tips to follow to help keep our eyes healthy.

Get a handle on your bucket list: 9 ways to keep your eyes healthy

People usually create bucket lists to record the things they want to do before they die, but here’s a new spin on that concept. This bucket list is designed to guide you through your eye health journey over the next 10 ½ months—until 2012 “kicks the bucket.”

Here are some of our favorite tips to keep your eyes healthy this year. Put this list on your fridge or somewhere it will catch your eye.

Schedule an eye exam. You’ve heard this over and over, and here it is again. An annual visit to your VSP doctor is the best way to manage your eye health and catch early signs of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Protect your eyes from the sun. Your eyes, like your skin, need protection from the sun year-round, not just in the summer. Dress up in some stylish UV protection sunglasses to face whatever weather the new year brings.

Include more fish in your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are just plain good for you, and they can help prevent dry eye syndrome.

Improve your exercise regimen. Sticking to a regular fitness schedule can help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions that can affect your eyes.

Say “no” sometimes. Cut something out of your schedule to avoid high levels of stress that can lead to high blood pressure and blood vessel damage in your eyes.

Experiment with a healthy new recipe each month. Give your go-to meals a break and try something new. Try kale, dandelion leaves, squash, or raw bell peppers for a new twist on getting your veggies and vitamins.

Keep an eye on your beauty regimen. Makeup has a shelf life. This goes for eye drops and other eye medications too. Old eye products are a breeding ground for bacteria. Replace your makeup every three months at least.

Put together an eyecare first aid kit. Include a portable eyewash bottle, hand sanitizer, eye drops, back-up glasses or contacts, and an antihistamine and/or decongestant.

Treat yourself. That’s right! Grab some dark chocolate, blueberries, wine, or any other antioxidant-rich food and indulge your taste buds while taking care of your eyes.

Your eye health is a lifelong project, but you’ve gotta take it one step—or year—at a time. So give the items on this list a shot and keep an eye out for more eye health tips in upcoming editions of EnVision.

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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The following information is from the American Heart Association and explains how to understand blood pressure readings which is very important if we are to monitor our health. It is especially important to understand these numbers if we suffer from high or low blood pressure as well as other health conditions.

Step 1:  About High Blood Pressure – Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

What do the blood pressure numbers mean?

Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio like this: 117/76 mm Hg (read as “117 over 76 millimeters of mercury”.

Systolic

The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).

Diastolic

The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).

What is the AHA recommendation for healthy blood pressure?

This chart reflects blood pressure categories defined by the American Heart Association.

* Your doctor should evaluate unusually low blood pressure readings.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

Your healthcare providers will want to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure and chart what happens over time. Starting at age 20, the American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure screening at your regular healthcare visit or once every 2 years, if your blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. About one in three (33.5%) U.S. adults has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, your doctor may take several readings over time and/or have you monitor your blood pressure at home before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.

A single high reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. However, if readings stay at 140/90 mm Hg or above (systolic 140 or above OR diastolic 90 or above) over time, your doctor will likely want you to begin a treatment program. Such a program almost always includes lifestyle changes and often prescription medication for those with readings of 140/90 or higher.

If, while monitoring your blood pressure, you get a systolic reading of 180 mm Hg or higher OR a diastolic reading of 110 mm HG or higher, wait a couple of minutes and take it again. If the reading is still at or above that level, you should seek immediate emergency medical treatment for a hypertensive crisis.

Even if your blood pressure is normal, you should consider making lifestyle modifications to prevent the development of HBP and improve your heart health.

Which number is more important, top (systolic) or bottom (diastolic)?

Typically more attention is given to the top number (the systolic blood pressure) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50 years old. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term build-up of plaque, and increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.

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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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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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In the video below, Kelsey Hubbard of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network speaks with WSJ’s Shirley Wang about steps that are being taken to help prevent Type 1 diabetes especially with the rising numbers of children that are diagnosed with the disease.

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 article is from Realage.com.

Slim Down with This Kind of Sweetener

The type of sweetener you use in your oatmeal and coffee could have quite an impact on your ability to trim down.

According to new research, you should grab the honey pot, not the sugar bowl. In a study, the effects that honey had on appetite hormones and blood sugar control were more favorable than those of table sugar. Which means choosing honey could help prevent weight gain.

Sweet As Honey
In the small study, young healthy women who had normal body mass indexes ate a 450-calorie baked good for breakfast, and it was made with either honey or sugar. Then, the women’s levels of an appetite-stimulation hormone called ghrelin were measured. The hunger-making hormone was lower after the honey-based baked good than after the sugar-based one. Not only that, but the honey-based baked good was associated with higher levels of appetite suppressing hormones, too. And honey-sweetened breakfast goods made the women feel more satisfied. Altogether, researchers think these beneficial effects on hunger hormones and satiety could have a really positive impact on people’s attempts to manage their weight.

Everything in Moderation
Of course, the recent honey study isn’t an excuse to start dipping your finger at will into the honey jar. Any type of sweetener — be it honey, sugar, molasses, or agave nectar — is going to add calories to your diet. To help reduce your risk of obesity, try to limit your intake of added sugars to no more than 100 calories a day if you’re a woman and no more than 150 calories a day if you’re a man. And when you just have to have a little something sweet, choose honey. A teaspoon has about 21 calories, so measure, and then add that number to your daily tally.

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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…)

The following wellness tip is from eatright.org – the American Dietetic Association.

Food is more than just fuel. Your diet can help fight disease and keep you looking and acting younger. How a man eats throughout his life can help predict how well (or not) he ages.

Eating Right

A healthy diet for men includes: 

• At least 2 cups of fruits and 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day. At least once a week, eat tomatoes or something made from tomatoes like pasta sauce. The antioxidant lycopene found in tomato products is good for prostate health.
• At least five 1-ounce servings of whole grains each day. Replace refined grains with whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, brown rice or oats
• At least two to three servings of fish per week
• At least 38 grams of fiber a day for younger men; 30 grams of fiber a day for men older than 50
• Unsaturated fats like oils, nuts and salad dressings in place of saturated fats like full-fat dairy foods, butter and high-fat sweets
• 4,700 milligrams a day of potassium from fruits, vegetables, fish and milk.

To read more information on healthy eating tips for men, visit The American Dietetic Association.

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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The following recipe is from EatingWell and is a perfect healthy choice for your Superbowl party this Sunday!

From EatingWell:  June/July 2006

6 Servings – Active Time:  30 minutes – Total Time:  30 minutes

Nutrition Profile:  Low calorie – Low cholesterol – Healthy weight

The secret to a grilled pizza is having all your ingredients ready to go before you head out to the grill. Make it a meal: Toss the extra black beans, diced tomato and some avocado with pre-washed salad greens and a tangy vinaigrette and dinner is on the table in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 plum tomato, diced
• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels, (about 2 ears)
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 pound prepared whole-wheat pizza dough
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella, preferably smoked mozzarella

Preparation

1. Preheat grill to medium.
2. Combine tomato, beans and corn in a medium bowl. Sprinkle cornmeal onto a large baking sheet. Stretch the dough into about a 12-inch circle and lay it on top of the cornmeal, coating the entire underside of the dough.
3. Transfer the crust from the baking sheet to the grill. Close the lid and cook until the crust is puffed and lightly browned on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Using a large spatula, flip the crust. Spread barbecue sauce on it and quickly sprinkle with the tomato mixture and cheese. Close the lid; grill until the cheese is melted and the bottom of the crust is browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 316 calories; 6 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 48 g carbohydrates; 3 g added sugars; 14 g protein; 4 g fiber; 530 mg sodium; 94 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (15% daily value).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 medium-fat meat

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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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Below is a great article about foods that that can help you have healthier skin. Enjoy!

15 Foods That Fight Breakouts

By Lucy Danziger, the Editor-in-Chief of SELF magazine.

If you’re craving clear, smooth skin (and who isn’t?), you don’t have to spend a fortune on cleansers and creams. In fact, you might already have everything you need to battle blemishes in a surprising place: your fridge. Turns out, what you put in your mouth is as important as what you slather on your face when it comes to curing and preventing common complexion woes.

We all heard this advice as teenagers—to try to fight breakouts by swearing off french fries or chocolate chip ice cream (I know, painful then and now!). But researchers are beginning to hone in on exactly which foods have acne-fighting powers, and lucky for me, they happen to be some of my favorites (Nuts! Spinach!). So if it’s flawless skin you seek, don’t think about what you can’t eat—toss these yummy bites in your shopping cart and try SELF’s delicious recipes to be your most beautiful inside and out.

Nibbles with Zinc

My go-to snack, almonds are rich in zinc, which may help banish existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. The mineral works to reduce inflammation to shrink bumps, and it also slows sebum production to reduce shine and prevent more breakouts from forming. Munch on a handful, or toss them into a savory Almond-Pear Galette.

Great sources of zinc:

1. almonds
2. baked beans
3. beef
4. chickpeas
5. oysters
6. pumpkin seeds (continue reading…)

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…)