It's Apple Season!!!

Apple picking is a great way to get in some fun, outdoor exercise before the sun sets too early and the temperature falls too low. Set up a day to go apple picking with your family. Spend some fun, quality time together while burning calories. Mix up how you pick: reach for apple on a high branch work your obliques; squat down for the apples on the floor to work your legs and glutes; your biceps will feel powerful at the end of the day after carrying a bag of apples.

Apples make a wonderful snack. They are low in calories but packed with fiber to help aid in digestion and make you feel fuller longer. Apples also contain phytochemicals and antioxidants to help keep that immune system strong as flu season approaches (don’t forget to get your flu shot soon!). Make sure to eat the skin to get the biggest dose of health boosting chemicals!

Here are some healthy ways to enjoy your picked apples:

Bake them in the oven with a little honey and cinnamon
Cut into slices and have with peanut butter
Make a healthy apple crisp with oats, almonds or walnuts and raisins
Make apple bread or apple muffins using whole wheat flour
Cut into cubes and mix into your salad

Visit http://www.pickyourown.org/ to find an orchard near you to go apple picking.

August 7, 2010-Diabetes and the Heat

Controlling diabetes at any time of year is an ongoing battle, but during the summer month, diabetics are more likely to develop heat related illnesses. People with diabetes have an impaired ability to sweat which makes it more difficult to control body temperature, causing more heat-related problems. Diabetes medications are also vulnerable in the heat, and medications such as insulin can lose efficacy above a certain temperature range. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about diabetes.

For more information, please see http://news.health.com/2010/06/22/many-diabetics-unaware-of-hot-weather-hazards/

August 5, 2010-Treating Sunburn

As much as we tried to protect and warn you, sometimes sunburns happen anyway. There isn’t much you can do to stop the pain and discomfort, but there are a few remedies that can help take the edge off.

o Use cool cloths on sunburned areas

o Take frequent cool showers or baths

o Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas

o Drink lots of fluids

Photo from: http://dermnetnz.org/common/image.php?path=/reactions/img/sunburn1.jpg

August 3, 2010-Exercise May Guard Girls Against Dementia in Senior Years

A new study released shows that girls who exercise in their adolescence have a decreased chance of developing dementia later on in life. While the evidence is not 100% conclusive, it does show that physical activity early in life is important for health later in life. The two theories that may explain this phenomenon are that exercise may prevent blockage in the blood vessels that supply the brain or exercise helps develop new connections within the brain, which help it function later on. Encourage all children to exercise, and come up with ways to make it fun with family and friends.

For more information, please see http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/exercisemayguardgirlsagainstdementiainsenioryears.

August 2, 2010- Road Trip!!

When it comes to taking road trips, you’re more than likely getting most of your meals from fast-food restaurants or rest stops. It’s easy to grab a bag of junk food, or sugary candy from off the shelf, but we all know that’s not the healthiest choice we should be making. Here are a few tips for finding healthy snacks and meals on the go:

• If you’re eating from a convenience store go for a package of mixed nuts, dried fruit and yogurt and make a healthy parfait
• If your only option is a rest stop on the highway, avoid the high caloric coffee stands, and try and find a meal that covers several food groups (a turkey wrap or a grilled chicken sandwich)
• If your only option is fast food, avoid supersizing! By keeping the meal small you can avoid a lot of calories. Also, keep in mind that just because something is called a salad doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s good for you. Certain dressings can double the amount of calories in a salad! Avoid creamy dressings and save yourself a lot of calories!

For more road trip tips, please see http://diet.health.com/2010/06/22/road-trip-eat-healthy-anywhere/

August 1, 2010- Life’s a Beach

As if we needed another reason to escape to the shore this summer, it turns out there actually is something special about the air near the ocean. The mix of the waves, wind, and sunlight help to break apart air molecules and create negatively charged ions that help to improve your mood! Negatively charged ions cling to dust in the air, making it settle to the ground allowing for more oxygen-rich air that we can breathe. While not every day can be a beach day, air from the outdoors tends to have more negative ions than indoor air,so crack open a window and let the fresh air in!!

Philadelphia Ujima Brings Health Education to Women's Prison

Raise and shine, Ujima’s next latest adventure was to the Riverside Correctional facilities for Women’s in Philadelphia on July 14, 2010.
At the correctional facilities, a great number of influential organizations attended the fair addressing a composite of health, wellness and advice on transitioning back into society to the women and staff. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the presentations, giveaways and helpful information that were dispensed at the fair. Ujima’s presented a wide range of information covering nutrition, sexual health and women’s general health. The participants enjoyed the visual demonstration of our breast kit which simulated a real life like breast with cancerous tumors, addressing the importance of self awareness for a healthier you.