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When I think about Easter, I think of ham … but also all the sides! From green bean casserole to mac and cheese, there are so many options to include. While our Easter plate is composed mainly of sides, sometimes we may lack a variety of vegetables. Think about what you usually put on your plate during Easter… how many of these dishes include vegetables? If the answer is none or not very many, below are some tips and tricks to add vegetables to your Easter in a fun and unique way! Start by visualizing your plate before the big Easter meal happens. Your plate should consist of ½ plate vegetables, ¼ plate protein, and ¼ plate of carbohydrate. Looking at the different food choices available can help you mentally pick your plate to make sure you are getting enough veggies. Another tip: Try to eat your vegetables first. All veggies are chock full of fiber! Fiber helps slow down the digestion of food in your stomach, leaving you feeling fuller for longer. After you have your fill of veggies, grab a protein option, like turkey or ham. This can help prevent overeating or feeling “stuffed” after a big meal. Vegetables can come in many different forms including salad, roasted vegetables, or raw vegetables with a dipping sauce. The texture of different vegetables can either encourage or discourage individuals from trying them. Here’s a recommendation: If there’s a vegetable you have tried before and it has not been your favorite, try roasting it! Roasting vegetables lightly tossed in olive oil and your favorite seasonings at 450 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes brings excellent flavor and texture to the table! Finally, if you have any kids who are picky about vegetables, try getting them involved in the kitchen! Making a veggie tray in the shape of a bunny head and serving with their favorite vegetable dip can make food “fun” and can help kids try to accept new foods and food groups. One of the easiest ways to add a vegetable to your Easter table is through a salad! Salads can be served as an appetizer, giving you something to satisfy your stomach before the main meal. They can also help subdue cravings throughout the day. But salads don’t just have to be a pile of leafy greens! One of my favorite salads is Shaved Asparagus Garden Salad. This salad combines sweet and savory flavors together while also packing in nutrients. Plus, asparagus is one of the first spring vegetables to come in season! Some of asparagus’ nutrients include antioxidants, fiber, vitamin K and folate, which in turn can help with our immune function, inflammation and much more. Try serving this at your Easter table to impress your guests and your taste buds! Shaved Asparagus Garden Salad Serves 6 (1 cup each) All you need: 12 oz asparagus spears 2 cups tightly packed baby arugula ¾ cup thinly shredded purple cabbage 2 whole red radishes, thinly sliced 1 tbsp finely chopped basil 1 tbsp finely chopped mint ½ cup blackberries ¼ cup honey-roasted sliced almonds ¼ cup Soiree traditional feta crumbled cheese ¼ cup Brianna’s champagne style vinaigrette dressing All you do:
Recipe source: March/April 2024 Hy-Vee Seasons magazine Are you ready for more tips and inspiration to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your diet? Not only are vegetables good for you, but they can help stabilize your blood sugar. If you’re ready to take a deeper dive when it comes to regulating your blood sugar, check out our Balancing Your Blood Sugar program, an action-based group program for those with prediabetes or diabetes, but also for individuals looking to lower inflammation, reduce their sugar intake and control their cravings. To learn more, reach out to your Hy-Vee dietitian today or head to https://www.hy-vee.com/healthnew/dietitians. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
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Jackson County Public Health (JCPH) has released its new Community Health Assessment, offering a data-driven snapshot of the county’s health alongside community-driven health priorities.
“While no document can ever capture the full scope of our residents’ lived experiences, a Community Health Assessment enables us to identify emerging health trends and areas where public health interventions are most urgently needed,” Bridgette Shaffer, Health Director of JCPH said. The final document, which can be found here, provides an in-depth look into 14 topics currently impacting the health of EJC. To better understand the factors affecting the health of our jurisdiction, JCPH conducts a CHA every five years. Most recently, this process included analyzing local and state health data, examining the potential health impact of local policies, and receiving survey responses from more than a thousand EJC households about their health and the communities they live in. JCPH also worked closely with community focus groups and interviewed key stakeholders to better understand where residents would like to see the most change. As part of these efforts, two key priority areas were identified impacting Eastern Jackson County's health: Economic Stability The county poverty rate according to the assessment is 7%; Grain Valley's poverty rate is lower than the county at 5%. 1 in 5 survey respondents had to choose between buying food or paying other bills within the last year. In a release JCPH stated, "from nutritious food to safe living conditions, financial security has an enormous impact on one’s health." Mental Health Approximately 1 in 4 EJC residents have experienced depression, surpassing the national average of nearly 1 in 5 adults (CDC). In Grain Valley, 25% of residents reported experiencing depressing, 2 percentage points higher than the county average. In terms of community strengths, residents overwhelmingly pointed to Grain Valley as a good place to raise kids (82%) and the quality of the public schools (75%). In terms of community concerns, distracted driving (44%), access to public transportation (43%), and access to affordable health care (36%) ranked highly among Grain Valley residents. For more information about the 2023 CHA, including in-depth city reports, visit jcph.org. Grain Valley Community Assessment Report: FINAL - Grain Valley (jcph.org) by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD
Spring is here, and your kids are kicking it into high gear with long practices, all-day meets, and travel to and from competitions! So how do you fuel your growing athlete so they can have fun, achieve their peak performance and avoid injury? The keys are simplicity and consistency, so let’s navigate this fueling season from meals to hydration to snacks. Fueling is not just about performance during the game – it’s about building healthy habits for life! For everyday nutrition – and especially the night before a big game or competition – focus on building a balanced meal. Carbs are the energy heroes, so plan to include simple carbs like white pasta, rice or light-grain bread. These are easier to digest and store for use the next day than whole grains, so save those for the night after a game. Start by selecting a source of protein (fish, chicken, beef, tofu) and pair it with a grain (pasta, bread, tortillas) or starchy vegetable (potatoes or corn). Then add a non-starchy vegetable or fruit (tomatoes, cucumbers, berries) and round it out with a serving of calcium and vitamin D found in milk or fortified dairy alternatives. Balanced meals set kids up for triumph on the field! You may have heard the phrase “Eat the rainbow!” We mean it quite literally. By incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and veggies into their diet (and yours) you ensure more vitamins and minerals to support their growth and development. Plus, a more colorful plate can be visually appealing and encourage them to enjoy mealtimes. Nutrition isn’t just about energy – it’s also a crucial player in preventing injuries. Growing athletes and those in competitive sports can be prone to overuse injuries if prevention isn’t a key part of their everyday routine. When it comes to healthy bones, muscles and joints, protein takes the spotlight. It’s not just for bodybuilders; it’s essential for muscle growth and repair. Seafood, lean meats, tofu and beans are fantastic options to incorporate into meals. Feel free to mix protein sources too! Beef and bean burritos are popular for a reason, and you can round out the meal with a fruit or vegetable and a side of dairy or a fortified dairy alternative to incorporate all-important nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium. Fish such as salmon and cod are full of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that support brain health and development as well as vitamin D, two nutrients that everyone could use more of in their diet – especially your active kids! Did you know that nearly 60% of all seafood harvested in the U.S. comes from Alaska waters? Look for Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon or Wild Alaska Cod for nutrient-dense protein sources the whole family will love. Start simple by serving fish tacos at the next family meal night! Hydration is another game-changer for sports performance and injury prevention! Water should be young athletes’ constant companion throughout the day. Cramps and joint issues can often be avoided simply by staying properly hydrated. In hotter weather or for longer practices and meets, consider sports drinks like Gatorade or Liquid I.V. for Kids to replenish lost electrolytes through sweat. Fruit also contains water, so including an apple or orange as a snack can boost hydration and sneak in a few extra vitamins and minerals. And let’s not forget the often-underestimated factor: rest. Sleep is a vital component for everyone, especially growing and active kids. Caffeine intake, especially in the form of energy drinks or coffee in the afternoon, can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Screen time can also stimulate our brains a little more than desired at bedtime, so consider offering other activities like reading when you’re close to bedtime. Nutrition for sports goes beyond the table, and snacks are a great way to ensure your child is getting enough calories to fuel their practices. Prepackaged and portion-controlled snacks can be a key time-saver in your busy schedule. Trail mix, kid-friendly protein bars, and applesauce pouches are convenient options that don’t require refrigeration and can easily be added to a backpack or practice bag. However, if you have time to prep ahead or a child who loves to help you in the kitchen, consider making a batch of these Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites to fuel up before or after practice! Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites All you need: 3 cups old fashioned oats 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes ¾ cups dried cranberries 1 cup freshly ground peanut butter ¾ cup honey 1 tbsp vanilla extract All you do:
Dietitian Tips: Recommended to store up to 5 days at room temperature or 1 week in the refrigerator. Perfect to pack in backpacks or sports bags for on-the-go snacking pre or post practice and games! Recipe source: Hy-Vee dietitians The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. This content was made possible with the support of our sponsors, Alaska Seafood and Seafood Nutrition Partnership. (StatePoint) DIY activities, like swapping a lighting fixture or painting your living room, are popular ways to accomplish your to-do list. But as anyone who has tackled too big of a project knows, some jobs are best left to the professionals. That includes your dental health.
You may have already seen DIY dentistry products, such as at-home whitening kits, mouthguards or teeth aligners. These often guarantee fast, easy ways to solve your oral health issues without the involvement of a dentist or an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in the bite and alignment of your teeth). “Dental products are never one-size-fits-all,” said American Dental Association (ADA) president, Linda Edgar, D.D.S. “No two mouths are alike, which is why it’s important to work directly with an ADA dentist or orthodontist to determine the precise care that your body needs.” Skipping the dentist chair and “fixing” your teeth at home can lead to bigger, sometimes irreversible problems. For some people with more complex dental health needs, using an at-home aligner may cause bone loss, lost teeth, receding gums, bite problems, jaw pain and other damaging and permanent issues. You might also not be aware of other dental issues that should be addressed before you start moving teeth. “Patients are understandably drawn to these DIY treatments because they might struggle to fit a dentist appointment into their schedule or they assume at-home care will cost less,” Dr. Edgar said. “But when these products cause major issues, patients end up spending more time and more money trying to reverse that damage. Instead, trained ADA dentists and orthodontists can talk through patients’ budget concerns and offer them a wider variety of dependable, approved treatment options.” In between dental checkups, look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These have been independently evaluated by experts and recognized to be both safe and effective. When you choose one of these options, you can be assured that your care is backed by evidence-based research and generations of scientific knowledge. Whether it’s teeth grinding or a toothache, talk to your dentist before trying to solve your dental problems on your own. A dentist can help you find a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you, monitor your progress and make recommendations on how to manage your oral health outside of the office. To look for an ADA dentist in your area, visit findadentist.ada.org. “The ADA’s primary concerns with DIY dentistry are, and always have been, patient safety and quality care,” Dr. Edgar said. “Our job as dentists is to put patient health first.” On Thursday, February 22nd at 7:00pm, Congressmen Mark Alford and Emanuel Cleaver will be hosting a fentanyl forum at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri. The event is designed as a collaborative space to delve into the seriousness of the fentanyl crisis in our community and strive for collective solutions.
Forum participants include:
Center High School is located at 8715 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. To RSVP, please contact Austin Higginbotham at 770-519-7894. Reservations are made and it’s time to start packing your bags for Spring Break – but aside from the sunscreen and sandals, have you thought about how to pack the essentials when it comes to your nutrition? We all know that vacations can lead to unpredictable eating patterns, and that can lead to crabby kiddos, dehydrated adults and overall fatigue. I want to share with you my top five spring break travel hacks that will set you up for nutrition success whether you’re flying or driving to your final destination!
First and most important, pack a reusable water bottle! Whether you are road tripping or flying, having a reusable water bottle on hand is an excellent way to save money and help you stay hydrated. If you’re headed through security at the airport, don’t forget to dump any remaining liquid pre-screening and then refill at a water station as you head to your gate. I encourage you to pack balanced snacks. You’ll skip the feelings of hanger and avoid impulsive and expensive snack purchases while traveling. Snacks can be key to maintaining your energy levels and keeping the kids entertained and satisfied when traditional mealtimes are missed or delayed. Balanced snacks can help you stay on track with your healthy eating habits! Focus on packing snacks that contain protein and fiber to help keep you full longer. This could include protein bars, fruit or veggies and nuts or seeds, dried edamame or chickpeas, snack crackers and cheese and more! My advice: Come up with a plan to keep items temperature controlled whenever possible, and pack them in reusable containers or storage bags to reduce waste! I cannot stress the importance of avoiding dehydration while traveling. So, while this tip pairs closely to my number one tip – even if you don’t pack a reusable water bottle, I recommend packing your electrolytes. Dehydration is incredibly common when traveling and can lead to irritability, lack of ability to concentrate, fatigue, muscle cramps, digestive distress and more! To avoid these symptoms come prepared with electrolyte supplements that you can use on long flights, road trips, upon arrival or before departure to ensure you are getting a dose of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to support your health and well-being while traveling. I highly recommend packing powdered electrolyte supplements such as Liquid I.V., BioSteel, Pedialyte or Nuun tablets to mix with your water. They will not take up excessive amounts of extra space but will provide exponential benefits! I love exploring new local restaurants and trying new foods when I am traveling, but I know that they may not prepare foods in the ways I would traditionally eat them at home. I also don’t always eat at the same time I normally would at home, especially if I am traveling within a different time zone. These shifts can lead to gastrointestinal distress or simply throw off your meal routine. If you dine out while traveling, I encourage you to enjoy dining out with these simple strategies: First, focus on still incorporating the food groups – fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy. Fruits, vegetables and grains will help provide fiber, while protein and dairy can help further enhance satiety. Second, try splitting entrees when dining out to maintain portion control. Or if you’re staying in a hotel or residence with a kitchen, cook some of your meals to save money and use ingredients you would normally incorporate into meals at home. Last but certainly not least, have a plan for your return from vacation and schedule your Aisles Online order in advance. You might find yourself coming home to an empty fridge or bare pantry. Use Hy-Vee Aisles Online to schedule an order delivery or pickup that is ready for you when you return from vacation! This will save you from final pit stops on the way home and allow you to unpack and settle in before the return to work. Get started on https://www.hy-vee.com/aisles-online! Ready to give one of my tips a try? Check out these deliciously easy homemade snack bars, perfect for travel! They combine protein and fiber to help keep you full longer and are completely customizable to your family’s taste preferences. If storing for the long haul, I recommend cutting into single-serving bars and freezing to help keep other snacks cold and to prevent a sticky or smooshed mess of a protein bar in your carry-on or cooler. Once defrosted, they are ready to enjoy! No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars All you need: 1 cup That’s Smart! creamy peanut butter ½ cup That’s Smart! honey 3 cups That’s Smart! 100% whole-grain quick-cooking oats ¾ cup desired mix-ins, such as: dried fruit, nuts and/or chocolate chips All you do:
Wondering how to get started on your health and wellness journey before Spring Break? Speak with a Hy-Vee registered dietitian who can help you create a plan that works for you. If you’re ready to learn how a Hy-Vee dietitian can help you, schedule a complimentary Discovery Session today by contacting our Discovery Call Center via email nutritionservices@hy-vee.com or calling (515) 695-3121. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. With a casino on their phones, more Kansas City gamblers risk addictionby Suzanne King, The Beacon Takeaways:
When Andrew Gallamore clocks out of work at his job in Bonner Springs, he clicks on his phone. Sometimes, to bet. His DraftKings app makes dropping $5 or $10 on a prop bet so easy. And once he’s back home in Missouri, having even a few dollars riding on how many yards a player may rack up running or passing makes watching sports that much better. “It makes the game,” he said, “way more exciting.” His bets are among the $2.8 billion wagered in Kansas since the state legalized sports betting in September 2022. And among the $300 billion in bets placed nationwide since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court said every state had the right to legalize the pastime. Casual gamblers like Gallamore use sports betting apps to add a little spice to a game. Yet for a fast-growing number of gamblers, online, in-game betting takes a potentially addictive pastime and makes it irresistible in ways that can put a mortgage, a lifetime of savings or a life in danger. Sports betting apps like DraftKings and FanDuel that put the power to wager in your pocket, experts say, can act like a newly powerful drug laced into something familiar — sports fandom combined with the always available hope of easy money. “It’s like gasoline on a fire,” said Keith Spare, chair of the Kansas City Port Authority Problem Gambling Fund Advisory Committee. “If you take the energy around sports and add gambling and add that to people who are at risk of becoming problem gamblers, you have a disaster rolling down the hill.” So far, 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have bought in — pushing sports betting revenues up 61% in 2022 to $7.5 billion. And the dollars won and lost on athletes figure only to grow as more states tear down legal limits. Missouri has been toying with the idea since the high court said it could. Consider this weekend’s Super Bowl. It’s expected to draw 68 million Americans betting a combined $23 billion-plus, a whopping 35% more than in 2023. The American Gaming Association predicts that almost half of those bets will be placed online. Kansas lawmakers legalized sports betting in 2022, and Gov. Laura Kelly, wearing a red Barstool Sportsbook jacket, placed the state’s first legal sports bet in September of that year. (She won with a homer bet: that the Chiefs would win the Super Bowl six months later.) By the end of last year, bettors in Kansas had wagered $2.8 billion. Of that, the state made $12.2 million — or less than half of 1% of the money gambled on point spreads and over/unders. Critics contend the state’s lawmakers failed in not giving the state a bigger share and in letting sportsbooks deduct “free plays or other promotional credits” used to draw gamblers into the habit. Missouri lawmakers have yet to legalize sports betting, but the state is expected to join in soon. Missouri’s professional sports teams, with financial help from FanDuel and DraftKings, are leading a petition drive to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. “People want to do it,” said Leon Lewis, who was being paid to collect signatures for the petition drive recently outside a midtown Kansas City grocery store. “Most of the people I speak to are aware that residents here are going to Kansas to gamble anyway.” Though sports gambling isn’t legal in Missouri, it is already everywhere in Kansas City: On the radio, at sporting events, on highway billboards and on TV during games. Missourians need only cross the state line to bet legally. From their phones. Often in their cars, just barely inside Kansas. The law is clear. It’s still illegal to bet in Missouri. But Missouri residents can place sports bets in Kansas. The betting apps in their phones will only accept wagers when a phone is in Kansas. GeoComply, a Washington, D.C.-based company, makes its money by checking that you’re actually in Kansas when you gamble on Travis Kelce’s receiving yards, points surrendered by the 49ers defense or the opening coin flip. If you’re not in Kansas, it’s the company’s job to block your bets. Between Jan. 13 and Feb. 4, while the Chiefs made their playoff run, GeoComply conducted 2.65 million geolocation checks from more than 81,000 individual sports wager accounts located in Missouri. The company pinpointed a single highway interchange — Exit 18 off Interstate 435 in Wyandotte County — as a notable hot spot. While the Chiefs were winning playoff games, the company conducted 24,000 geolocation checks at that single interchange, the first one across the Missouri River from Platte County. It pinpointed 1,300 individual accounts owned by Missouri gamblers who presumably drove into Kansas, pulled off to the shoulder and made their bets. Jason Moss plays poker at Kansas City area casinos and, occasionally, bets on sports. He’s overheard people joke about parking lots or gas stations just west of the state line that are so popular with Missouri sports gamblers, someone should bring in a food truck. “There’s all kinds of people that pull over and do that,” said Moss, who lives in Blue Springs. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that the ubiquity of sports betting, unleashed by the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, led to a 30% rise in the risk of gambling problems by 2021. And the risk has likely grown in the years since. “The introduction of online sports betting has made every single phone a casino,” said Cait Huble, director of communications with the council. “With the increase of accessibility, the availability of it and things like in-play betting, it’s just exacerbating the risk for problems developing.” Moss said gamblers should worry about the addictiveness of in-game betting, which he compared to going to a bar and never getting cut off. Before bets went online, wagers could only be placed before the kickoff or first pitch. Now, gamblers can chase their losses almost endlessly throughout a game. “In-game betting,” Moss said, “is way more addictive for an impulsive person.” A 2022 study in Missouri, funded by the Kansas City Port Authority Problem Gambling Fund Advisory Committee, found that 64% of adults in the state gamble every year, while 20% gamble at least weekly. The study, based on a sample of 3,259 people, estimated that 4% of Missourians, about 200,000 adults, met the criteria of a gambling disorder. Another 21%, about 1 million people, were at risk of the addiction. That’s almost one in 20 with a problem. Another one in five on the verge. Health and addiction experts want to see states, which sanction gambling through lotteries, casinos and, more recently, sports betting, take greater responsibility for helping people who gamble themselves into trouble. “I’m not aware of any state government that has the lottery equivalent of the drug or alcohol department,” Huble said. States spent $31.8 billion on substance abuse disorders in 2021 — more than 330 times as much as the $94 million they devote to treating gambling addiction. Of course, gambling won’t affect everyone, Spare said, but it can be life-threatening for the people who have the most serious addictions. The 2022 Missouri study concluded that 72,000 Missouri adults could be experiencing suicidal thoughts or may have attempted suicide because of their gambling. “You can’t die from gambling at the casino or playing the lottery,” Spare said. “But the consequence leads to suicide and in some cases criminal activity, which results in death.” Spare said problem gamblers get so engaged in gambling they steal from their kids or do most anything else to keep going. In his years counseling gambling addicts, Spare said, he had clients who took out two mortgages to fund their habit. “The gambler,” he said, “believes they’re going to win.” Health experts say the brain chemistry triggered by gambling is the same as an opioid, a highly addictive drug. But addictions related to gambling can be easily hidden because so many problem gamblers head down a destructive path long before anyone notices. “We’ve got people who have hidden it from family members, from employers, for months and years before they reach a point where they can’t do it anymore,” a recovering problem gambler and volunteer who answers calls placed to the Kansas City Gamblers Anonymous hotline said. He has seen people lose their jobs, their homes and their families. And, in the worst cases, their lives to suicide. “Gambling is like any addiction,” he said. “It will take you down to levels you haven’t even dreamed of.” Missouri and Kansas both funnel some gambling revenue to treating problem gambling, but experts say their efforts fall short. In 2023, Missouri put $100,000 of the $29 million it collected from casino admissions fees into a compulsive gamblers fund. Of that, only $24,667 was paid out to contracted providers for treatment. But Kansas spent $748,000 on its problem gambling and treatment services in 2023, up from about $530,000 the previous year. Both states operate helplines that gamblers can call to get assistance with problem gambling. They promote those helplines at every casino and with every lottery ticket sale, but call volume is low. Missouri’s 1-888-BETS-OFF logged 1,746 calls in 2022, compared with 1,593 the previous year. Kansas’ 1-800-GAMBLER reported 377 calls in 2023, 263 in 2022 and 225 in 2021. Both Missouri and Kansas also offer people an opportunity to be placed on voluntary exclusion lists so they will be blocked from gambling at casinos, on the lottery or on a sports app. But as sports betting grows, addiction and health experts contend, the states and the federal government need to do more. Legislation introduced in Washington would take half of the revenue collected from the federal excise tax on gambling and put it toward helping prevent, treat and study gambling addiction. Proponents of the bill estimate the measure could bring more than $130 million to the effort in a single year. If the ballot measure to legalize sports betting in Missouri makes it to voters and is adopted, according to proposed language, the state would only get a 10% wagering tax. But the measure would create a Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund and specifies that 10% of annual tax revenues or $5 million, whichever is greater, would go to the fund. The Kansas City Port Authority Advisory Committee is calling on lawmakers to be sure any sports betting laws give financial support to treatment, prevention and education; include training requirements for all industry employees to watch for and know the signs of gambling disorder; and call for advertising that accurately represents the risks of gambling. Some in the industry already are looking internally to clean up marketing. Earlier this year, the industry announced it was adopting a responsible marketing code. It bans sports books from partnering with colleges to promote betting, bans payments to college athletes for marketing purposes and restricts sports betting ads from saying bets are “free” or “risk-free.” In April, major professional sports leagues and the media companies Fox and NBCUniversal announced the Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising, which calls for similar safeguards, including recommending that “excessive” advertising be avoided. Anyone who has watched a football game this season may find that request difficult to imagine. But the NFL has said that viewers of this year’s Super Bowl should only expect three sports betting ads during the game. Unless you check your phone. Diagnosing gambling disorder: People with a gambling disorder meet four or more of the following criteria, and people who are at risk of a gambling disorder meet one to three.
Source: American Psychiatric Association For help call the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (Operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling) This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Devoting a little time every day to care for yourself can go a long way toward protecting the health of your heart. Simple self-care, such as taking a moment to de-stress, giving yourself time to move more, preparing healthier meals, and not cheating on sleep can all benefit your heart.
And that’s a good thing, because heart disease is largely preventable and focusing on improving your heart health has never been more important. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for women and men in the United States, and many Americans remain at risk of getting it, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). People with poor cardiovascular health are also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. “Studies show self-care routines, such as taking a daily walk and keeping doctor’s appointments, help us keep our blood pressure in the healthy range and reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke,” David Goff, M.D., NHLBI’s director of cardiovascular sciences said. It may be easier than you think to “put your heart” into your daily routine. Each Sunday, look at your week’s schedule and carve out 30 minutes daily for heart-healthy practices. Take an online yoga class, prepare a heart-healthy recipe, schedule your bedtime to get at least seven hours of sleep, or make a medication checklist. Then seek out support from others, even if it’s online or via a phone call, to help you stick to your goals. Here are few self-care tips to try every day to make your heart a priority: Self-Care Sunday Find a moment of serenity every Sunday. Spend some quality time on yourself. Mindful Monday Be mindful about your health and regularly monitor your blood pressure or blood sugar if needed. Keep an eye on your weight to make sure it stays within or moves toward a healthy range. Being aware of your health status is a key to making positive change. Tasty Tuesday Choose how you want to approach eating healthier. Start small by pepping up your meals with a fresh herb or spice as a salt substitute. Get adventurous and prepare a simple, new, heart-healthy recipe. Or go big by trying a different way of eating, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure. DASH is flexible and balanced, and it includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meats, beans, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Wellness Wednesday Don’t waffle on your wellness. Move more, eat a fruit or vegetable you’ve never tried, make a plan to quit smoking or vaping, or learn the signs of a heart attack or stroke. You could be having a heart attack if you have chest and upper body pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness. You might be having a stroke if you have numbness in the face, arm, or leg; confusion; trouble talking or seeing; dizziness; or a severe headache. Treat Yourself Thursday Treats can be healthy. Try making a dessert with fresh fruit and yogurt. Then stretch your imagination beyond food. Host a family dance party, take a few minutes to sit still and meditate, go for a long walk, or watch a funny show. Laughter is healthy. Whatever you do, find a way to spend some quality time on yourself. Follow Friday Follow inspiring people and pages on social media, or text a friend to help you stick to your self-care goals. Remember to take care of your mental health, too. Two of the main hurdles to self-care are depression and a lack of confidence, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. If your mental health gets between you and your fabulous self, take action to show your heart some love. Reach out to family and friends for support, or talk to a qualified mental health provider. Selfie Saturday Inspire others to take care of their own hearts. Talk about your self-care routine with loved ones or share a selfie on your social media platforms. Having social support and personal networks can make it easier to get regular physical activity, eat nutritious foods, reach a healthy weight, and quit smoking. Learn more in this Self-Care Tips for Heart Health fact sheet and visit www.hearttruth.gov to learn more about heart health. by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD
You may have heard of vitamin D referred to as the sunshine vitamin, but did you know you can also find this nutrient in food? As a Hy-Vee registered dietitian, I am frequently asked about vitamins and minerals along with all their associated health benefits. During the winter months, while you may not be catching those rays, let’s review some of the most asked questions about the sunshine vitamin and shine some light on how you can check your vitamin D status. If you are wondering whether you are currently getting enough Vitamin D, you will need to take a blood test. While your doctor or other medical professional can advise what levels may be right for you as an individual, for most people, this lab value should be within the range of 30-50 ng/mL. This vitamin D range can be reached through lifestyle habits such as sun exposure, diet and supplementation. Our main source of vitamin D comes from the sun, as our bodies can convert ultraviolet rays to make vitamin D. During the winter season when the sun is not shining as often, we might be more likely to be low in vitamin D lab levels. One way to help correct these values is through food sources that contain vitamin D. Foods that contain vitamin D include salmon, tuna, mackerel, mushrooms, egg yolks, fortified dairy products and fortified cereals such as many of those made by General Mills. Family-favorite cereals like CheeriosTM deliver 20% of the Daily Value of vitamin D per 1.5 cup serving. Pair this tasty cereal with fortified milk for even more vitamin D! A 3.5 oz portion size of salmon (the size of your palm or a deck of cards) provides around 60% of your daily needs. If you are curious about the health benefits of vitamin D, having your vitamin D lab levels in the recommended range can help support bodily functions such as increasing cell growth, helping control blood sugar levels, and reducing inflammation within the body. Vitamin D is also one of the major components of bone health! This nutrient is necessary for calcium absorption in the gut, which in turn helps us have healthy bones and teeth. You may be thinking, “Do I need to take a vitamin D supplement?” If choosing to take a vitamin D supplement, I encourage you to speak with your physician for a recommended dosage. If you decide to take one, Nature’s Way has you covered! Nature’s Way Vitamin D3 Gummy provides more than 100% Daily Value of vitamin D3 per gummy for daily immune and bone support.* Finally, are you curious about your vitamin D levels? Come see your Hy-Vee dietitian! Thanks to our generous sponsors General Mills and Nature’s Way, during the month of February Hy-Vee will offer 1,000 FREE vitamin D screenings at select locations on a first-come, first-serve basis. A simple finger stick will determine your level, and a dietitian can talk you through how to improve your vitamin D level. Once you request your complimentary screening, I will reach out to you to schedule your visit. Sign up on www.hy-vee.com/health or reach out to me via phone or email. Still have questions on vitamin D, nutrition trends, or just wondering how to get started on your health and wellness journey? Come visit with me and I will help create a plan that works for you. If you’re looking to boost your vitamin D intake at home, consider adding this recipe to your weekly meal plan. Sesame Salmon Oven Stir-Fry Serves 4 All you need: 4 medium carrots, peeled and julienned 2 tbsp avocado oil, divided Hy-Vee salt, to taste Hy-Vee pepper, to taste 1/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 2 tsp Hy-Vee cornstarch 3 tbsp Hy-Vee honey 2 tbsp Hy-Vee less-sodium soy sauce 1 (6 oz) pkg fresh snow peas 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips ¼ cup canned Hy-Vee sliced water chestnuts 1 (1 lb) Verlasso skinless salmon fillet 2 cups white rice, hot-cooked Sesame seeds, for garnish All you do:
Recipe adapted from: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/sesame-salmon-oven-stir-fry This content was made possible with the support of our sponsors General Mills and Nature’s Way. *These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. (StatePoint) Children and teens can be moody, but when signs of mental health troubles last for weeks, don’t assume it’s just a passing mood.
Suicide is a leading cause of death among U.S. children, teens and young adults ages 10-24, and rates have been on the rise. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all teens be screened for suicide risk starting at age 12. While no single cause has been identified, suicide is often preceded by depression that is undiagnosed or untreated. Most youth show some warning signs or behavior changes in advance. Families and their doctors can work together to identify if a child or teen is struggling with depression, anxiety or substance use, all of which increase the risk of suicide. “Suicide is complex, but often preventable,” said Janet Lee, MD, FAAP. “When a person talks about killing themselves or feeling hopeless or trapped, it should always be taken seriously.” Don’t be afraid to ask your child or teen to talk about their mental health or if they’re contemplating suicide. Asking directly is the best way to know what your child is thinking. Studies show that it is safe to ask about suicide risk and that asking the question will not put the idea into their head. Note that your child may initially turn away or be silent, but actions may speak louder than words. Watch for major changes in your child’s sleep patterns, appetite and social activities. Self-isolation, especially for kids who usually enjoy hanging out with friends or participating in activities, can signal serious difficulties. “Your goal should be to create a safe space where your child can trust you to listen and express concern without judgment or blame,” Dr. Lee said. If your child says something like “I want to die” or “I don’t care anymore,” some suggested responses are: • “I’m sorry you are feeling this way—can you share a bit more?” • “It sounds like you’re in tremendous pain and you can’t see a way out.” • “Maybe you’re wondering how life got this complicated and difficult.” • “Right now, you’re not sure of the answers to the problems you’re facing.” • “You must really, really be hurting inside to consider ending your life.” Common causes of stress that increase the risk of suicide include major life-changing events, including the loss of a loved one to death, divorce, deployment or incarceration. Bullying, discrimination, racism and stigma surrounding mental heath or suicide can also increase risks. Children who have witnessed or are suffering violence or domestic abuse, engage in self-harming behavior or experienced a suicide in their school or friend group are also at higher risk of suicide. Research has shown there are protective factors that help reduce the risk of suicide, including ready access to health care. Maintaining close connections to family, friends and one’s community is also important. Parents and guardians should limit access to lethal means, such as removing firearms and locking up medications or other potential poisons or weapons in the home. Half of youth suicides occur with firearms—and suicide attempts with firearms are almost always fatal. Teens and adolescents who attempt suicide with a firearm almost always use a gun found in their house, studies find. “Suicide is often impulsive and a moment of crisis can escalate quickly,” Dr. Lee said. “If your child is considering suicide, call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org right away. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.” For more information, visit HealthyChildren.org. As children grow and become more independent, it can be more challenging to know what they are thinking and feeling. However, if you see signs that your child’s mental health is under threat, it’s important to tune in and take action. |
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