Health News and Events December 2008
To read THE PEOPLES PRESS in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/. We are a community newspaper serving Meriden, Wallingford and all of central Connecticut.
The Cancer Center at MidState Launches Survivorship Clinics
Beginning Tuesday, November 18, the Cancer Center at MidState will be launching Survivorship Clinics for cancer survivors who have completed treatment but are still looking for ongoing support.
Many patients’ battle with cancer does not end when their cancer goes into remission. While patients are happy and relieved to be finished with treatment, they may also feel lost and out of touch with reality. The constant physical and emotional support given by family and friends may begin to fade, and cancer survivors may feel extreme anxiety and worry that their cancer will return. Some survivors many also experience long-term side effect associated with their medical treatments, including an increased risk for secondary cancers, lung and heart disease, fatigue, neuropathy and depression. Survivorship clinics can help survivors understand their body post-treatment and assist in their return to wellness.
“Many people need to learn new coping skills. They also need reassurance that what they are feeling is normal,” explained Kathy Clements, RN-ONC, Breast Care Coordinator.
Kathy and oncology social worker, Diane Lafferty, LCSW, are leading the November survivorship clinic in a support group setting to address these issues and help survivors adjust to life after cancer.
Please join us on November 18 in the Horwitz Conference Center. A light dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6 – 8 p.m.
Survivorship clinics will be offered at MidState Medical Center four times per year. Please check our calendar of events at http://www.midstatemedical.org/ for future dates.
___________________________________________________________________________
Healthy Balance, the First Steps
The Wallingford Family YMCA is pleased to present Healthy Balance, the First Steps, a free, hands-on workshop that’s open to YMCA members and the general public. In this workshop, discover why diets don’t work and what does work. Learn how to take the first steps towards improving your eating habits. Learn how to easily incorporate more effective, calorie-burning activity into your already busy lifestyle. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Healthy Balance, the First Steps is an introduction to the YMCA’s full 8-week Healthy Balance Program that addresses the health of the mind, body and spirit through hands-on learning about nutrition, fitness, and stress reduction. Call 203-269-4497 to reserve your spot in this free workshop. Space is limited, please call or stop by the Welcome Center to register. Monday, December 8th, 6:00-7:00 pm at the Wallingford Family YMCA, 81 S. Elm St, Wallingford, CT.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Meriden Health Department News and Events
Total Cholesterol Screening
Do you know what your total cholesterol number is? If not, the Meriden Health Department will be holding a total cholesterol screening on December 16, 2008 from 9:00-11:30am. Screenings are held at 165 Miller Street. The cost is $10.00 (cash only), and includes the screening and cholesterol tracking card. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. This is the last screening for 2008; 2009 dates will be in the January issue of the People’s Press.
Keeping the Weight Off During the Holidays: Tips from the Meriden Health Department
If calendars had a place for calorie counting, what would December look like for you?
Friday: School holiday party with assorted baked goods—1,000 caloriesSaturday: Office holiday party with buffet dinner—1,900 caloriesSunday: Neighborhood caroling with hot chocolate and cookies—800 caloriesMonday: Fruitcake arrives in the mail—600 calories
Food is an important part of the holiday season. Whether your taste runs to old standbys or to something new, it's easy for normal eating patterns to take a backseat at this time of year.
By following a few tips on holiday eating, you and your family can enjoy special foods while keeping a balanced and healthy diet.
Taking Control - Before a holiday event, eat a snack or light meal. Foods high in protein, like chicken or cottage cheese, help you to eat less later. Fasting ahead of time to leave room for a big meal or extra trips to the buffet may lead you to overeat.
It's important not to let kids eat whatever they want during this festive time of year. In particular, limit the number of sodas your children drink. Soda has little or no nutritional value and is loaded with caffeine and sweeteners. These ingredients, which are found in many holiday goodies, can make your child hyper. Besides, weight gain isn't just an adult issue. Too many children are obese, so don't let your child's holiday fun add excess weight.
If you are hosting a holiday event, do your guests a favor by including nonalcoholic beverages and healthier items such as vegetables, salad, and fruit on the menu. Use low-calorie and fat-free salad dressings. Put these items out before the sweets, meats, and soufflés to give everyone a better chance of not overdoing it with high-fat, high-calorie choices.
Look for healthy substitutes for ingredients when you whip up your favorite holiday fare. You may be able to use low-fat or skim milk products instead of whole milk products in some dishes. In some baked goods, you can swap applesauce for oil. Switching ingredients can create tasty results without the high calories that often come with rich foods.
Washing It Down - What you drink during the holidays can add calories. Look at all of your options. Alcoholic beverages and many fruit punches can be long on calories but short on nutrition. Instead, look for hot cider, diet sodas, and flavored waters.
Here are a few more tips for healthy holiday eating:
§ Eat smaller portions of food. This is especially important at a buffet, where you may want to try everything. Choose the items you want to try the most, and eat a small portion of each.
§ Eat slowly. Many times, people eat so fast that their stomachs don't have enough time to register that they are full. Savor each bite and enjoy the taste of the food-chances are you will eat less.
§ After a meal, go for a walk with your family to see holiday displays in your neighborhood.
§ Offer to bring a low-calorie dish to holiday parties. Your host might appreciate it, and you'll know that at least one healthy item will be on hand.
§ Don't park yourself in front of the buffet at a party. Mingle! If you stand by the buffet, you'll 
eat more than you would if it was across the room.
§ Avoid fast food. The holiday season can keep you on the go with little time to prepare meals. Fast food may be handy, but often is high in fat. Prepare and freeze quick, healthy meals ahead of time to stay out of the fast food trap.
§ Be realistic. Don't try to diet during the holidays; just aim to maintain your present weight.
Food and holiday gatherings go hand in hand. So join in and help yourself to some tasty treats, keeping the Food Guide Pyramid in mind. If you've been exercising, keep it up during the holiday season. If you aren't getting enough exercise, it's a great time to start. With a dash of discipline and a pinch of planning, you'll have a great recipe for holiday fun without the regret that many of us feel the next time we step on a scale. Call the Meriden Health Department at 630-4238 for information on holiday nutrition. Information for this article was adapted from WebMd.com.
Meditation
The word meditation comes from two Latin words: Meditari, which means to think or dwell upon and Mederi, which means to heal. In Sanskrit, the word meditation is derived from Medha, which means wisdom. Meditation is not a form of worship or prayer but is a technique that helps to develop awareness or a state of consciousness in which the mind is free from scattered thoughts. Whatever is done to reach a level of awareness is called meditation.
Published scientific and medical research have supported the benefits of meditation, although much still needs to be understood. Some of the known benefits of meditation include:
v Improvement in general health
v Increased immune function
v Increased serotonin production
v Reduction in heart rate
v Reduction in blood pressure
v Lowered stress and anxiety levels
v Relief of insomnia
v Improvement in concentration
v Decreased muscle tension and pain due to tension
v Decreased frequency of headaches
v Improvement in chronic diseases
v Improvement in post-operative healing
v Reduction in pre-menstrual syndrome
v Relief of phobias, fears and conflicts
v Increased self-confidence
v Increased joy and happiness
v Self discovery
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC in Wallingford is pleased to announce the addition of a free bi-weekly Meditation Group on Sundays from 7:00pm-8:30pm starting January 4, 2009. The Group will begin with a discussion of technique followed by time for practice. No experience necessary. Sign up is required. Call (203) 269-2TLC to reserve your seat or visit www.tlclisazola.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
BACK TO CONNECTICUT’S SCHOOLS FOR THE 30TH YEAR: JUMP ROPE FOR HEART CELEBRATES NEW MILESTONE
Jump Rope For Heart, an American Heart Association program teaching students jump rope skills and philanthropy, will be coming back to Connecticut for the 30th time during this school year. The program promotes community service by raising money for the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke, while teaching physical fitness to elementary students across the country. Approximately 169,000 students in more than 520 schools in Connecticut participated last year, learning about the importance of exercise, proper nutrition and a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Jump Rope For Heart was launched by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1978 and has raised $700 million nationwide since it’s inception. The elementary students who participate collect donations from family and friends to sponsor their participation in the event. The students will turn in their collected donations on a particular date and jump rope individually or in teams. Physical education instructors or coaches coordinate the event which also helps satisfy the National Standards of Physical Education and Health.
“It’s a great heart-healthy activity for the students and it gives them an opportunity to help others in need,” according to Marissa Greider, Vice President of Youth Market programs for the American Heart Association in Connecticut. “The students look forward to the event each year and are so proud to demonstrate their jumping ability. It shows kids that volunteering can be fun as well as beneficial to the community.”
In addition to raising life-saving funds, jumping rope also promotes physical activity helping kids to live stronger, more active lives. Childhood obesity is one of our nation’s leading health threats. According to the American Heart Association’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a collaboration with the William J. Clinton Foundation, today 11 million kids are overweight and an additional 13 million are at risk for being overweight. Teaching the importance of physical activity in elementary school can help establish a positive attitude and appreciation for regular, d
aily exercise for life.
For information about the American Heart Association or participating in Jump Rope For Heart, contact the American Heart Association at 203-294-0088.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health organization whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim close to 870,000 American lives annually. The American Heart Association invested more than $554 million during fiscal year 2006-2007 for research support, professional and public education, community service programs and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives. The American Heart Association serves Connecticut’s 8 counties and a population of close to 3.5 million people. The American Heart Association is a proud member of Community Health Charities of New England.
#
# #
To read THE PEOPLES PRESS in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/. We are a community newspaper serving Meriden, Wallingford and all of central Connecticut.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Meriden Health Department News and Events
Total Cholesterol Screening
Do you know what your total cholesterol number is? If not, the Meriden Health Department will be holding a total cholesterol screening on December 16, 2008 from 9:00-11:30am. Screenings are held at 165 Miller Street. The cost is $10.00 (cash only), and includes the screening and cholesterol tracking card. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. This is the last screening for 2008; 2009 dates will be in the January issue of the People’s Press.
Keeping the Weight Off During the Holidays: Tips from the Meriden Health Department
If calendars had a place for calorie counting, what would December look like for you?
Friday: School holiday party with assorted baked goods—1,000 caloriesSaturday: Office holiday party with buffet dinner—1,900 caloriesSunday: Neighborhood caroling with hot chocolate and cookies—800 caloriesMonday: Fruitcake arrives in the mail—600 calories
Food is an important part of the holiday season. Whether your taste runs to old standbys or to something new, it's easy for normal eating patterns to take a backseat at this time of year.
By following a few tips on holiday eating, you and your family can enjoy special foods while keeping a balanced and healthy diet.
Taking Control - Before a holiday event, eat a snack or light meal. Foods high in protein, like chicken or cottage cheese, help you to eat less later. Fasting ahead of time to leave room for a big meal or extra trips to the buffet may lead you to overeat.
It's important not to let kids eat whatever they want during this festive time of year. In particular, limit the number of sodas your children drink. Soda has little or no nutritional value and is loaded with caffeine and sweeteners. These ingredients, which are found in many holiday goodies, can make your child hyper. Besides, weight gain isn't just an adult issue. Too many children are obese, so don't let your child's holiday fun add excess weight.
If you are hosting a holiday event, do your guests a favor by including nonalcoholic beverages and healthier items such as vegetables, salad, and fruit on the menu. Use low-calorie and fat-free salad dressings. Put these items out before the sweets, meats, and soufflés to give everyone a better chance of not overdoing it with high-fat, high-calorie choices.
Look for healthy substitutes for ingredients when you whip up your favorite holiday fare. You may be able to use low-fat or skim milk products instead of whole milk products in some dishes. In some baked goods, you can swap applesauce for oil. Switching ingredients can create tasty results without the high calories that often come with rich foods.
Washing It Down - What you drink during the holidays can add calories. Look at all of your options. Alcoholic beverages and many fruit punches can be long on calories but short on nutrition. Instead, look for hot cider, diet sodas, and flavored waters.
Here are a few more tips for healthy holiday eating:
§ Eat smaller portions of food. This is especially important at a buffet, where you may want to try everything. Choose the items you want to try the most, and eat a small portion of each.
§ Eat slowly. Many times, people eat so fast that their stomachs don't have enough time to register that they are full. Savor each bite and enjoy the taste of the food-chances are you will eat less.
§ After a meal, go for a walk with your family to see holiday displays in your neighborhood.
§ Offer to bring a low-calorie dish to holiday parties. Your host might appreciate it, and you'll know that at least one healthy item will be on hand.
§ Don't park yourself in front of the buffet at a party. Mingle! If you stand by the buffet, you'll 
eat more than you would if it was across the room.
§ Avoid fast food. The holiday season can keep you on the go with little time to prepare meals. Fast food may be handy, but often is high in fat. Prepare and freeze quick, healthy meals ahead of time to stay out of the fast food trap.
§ Be realistic. Don't try to diet during the holidays; just aim to maintain your present weight.
Food and holiday gatherings go hand in hand. So join in and help yourself to some tasty treats, keeping the Food Guide Pyramid in mind. If you've been exercising, keep it up during the holiday season. If you aren't getting enough exercise, it's a great time to start. With a dash of discipline and a pinch of planning, you'll have a great recipe for holiday fun without the regret that many of us feel the next time we step on a scale. Call the Meriden Health Department at 630-4238 for information on holiday nutrition. Information for this article was adapted from WebMd.com.
Meditation
The word meditation comes from two Latin words: Meditari, which means to think or dwell upon and Mederi, which means to heal. In Sanskrit, the word meditation is derived from Medha, which means wisdom. Meditation is not a form of worship or prayer but is a technique that helps to develop awareness or a state of consciousness in which the mind is free from scattered thoughts. Whatever is done to reach a level of awareness is called meditation.
Published scientific and medical research have supported the benefits of meditation, although much still needs to be understood. Some of the known benefits of meditation include:
v Improvement in general health
v Increased immune function
v Increased serotonin production
v Reduction in heart rate
v Reduction in blood pressure
v Lowered stress and anxiety levels
v Relief of insomnia
v Improvement in concentration
v Decreased muscle tension and pain due to tension
v Decreased frequency of headaches
v Improvement in chronic diseases
v Improvement in post-operative healing
v Reduction in pre-menstrual syndrome
v Relief of phobias, fears and conflicts
v Increased self-confidence
v Increased joy and happiness
v Self discovery
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC in Wallingford is pleased to announce the addition of a free bi-weekly Meditation Group on Sundays from 7:00pm-8:30pm starting January 4, 2009. The Group will begin with a discussion of technique followed by time for practice. No experience necessary. Sign up is required. Call (203) 269-2TLC to reserve your seat or visit www.tlclisazola.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
BACK TO CONNECTICUT’S SCHOOLS FOR THE 30TH YEAR: JUMP ROPE FOR HEART CELEBRATES NEW MILESTONE
Jump Rope For Heart, an American Heart Association program teaching students jump rope skills and philanthropy, will be coming back to Connecticut for the 30th time during this school year. The program promotes community service by raising money for the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke, while teaching physical fitness to elementary students across the country. Approximately 169,000 students in more than 520 schools in Connecticut participated last year, learning about the importance of exercise, proper nutrition and a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Jump Rope For Heart was launched by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1978 and has raised $700 million nationwide since it’s inception. The elementary students who participate collect donations from family and friends to sponsor their participation in the event. The students will turn in their collected donations on a particular date and jump rope individually or in teams. Physical education instructors or coaches coordinate the event which also helps satisfy the National Standards of Physical Education and Health.
“It’s a great heart-healthy activity for the students and it gives them an opportunity to help others in need,” according to Marissa Greider, Vice President of Youth Market programs for the American Heart Association in Connecticut. “The students look forward to the event each year and are so proud to demonstrate their jumping ability. It shows kids that volunteering can be fun as well as beneficial to the community.”
In addition to raising life-saving funds, jumping rope also promotes physical activity helping kids to live stronger, more active lives. Childhood obesity is one of our nation’s leading health threats. According to the American Heart Association’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a collaboration with the William J. Clinton Foundation, today 11 million kids are overweight and an additional 13 million are at risk for being overweight. Teaching the importance of physical activity in elementary school can help establish a positive attitude and appreciation for regular, d
aily exercise for life.
For information about the American Heart Association or participating in Jump Rope For Heart, contact the American Heart Association at 203-294-0088.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health organization whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim close to 870,000 American lives annually. The American Heart Association invested more than $554 million during fiscal year 2006-2007 for research support, professional and public education, community service programs and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives. The American Heart Association serves Connecticut’s 8 counties and a population of close to 3.5 million people. The American Heart Association is a proud member of Community Health Charities of New England.
#
# #
To read THE PEOPLES PRESS in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/. We are a community newspaper serving Meriden, Wallingford and all of central Connecticut.
0 comments:
Post a Comment