Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Happier, Healthier Holidays


40 tips to get you through the season’s hurdles

In The Kitchen             

1. Cooking for a small crowd? Serve a turkey breast (no skin), which has 60 fewer calories per 3.5-ounce portion than dark meat. It also cooks in less time than a whole bird.

2. Keep Chestnuts on hand. They have less fat and about half the calories of regular nuts.

3. Season strategically. Flavors like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg capture the essence of the season without adding many calories. Replace salt with savory basil, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme or turmeric in casseroles, stuffings and dressings.

4. Make a healthier mash. Reduced-fat or no-fat versions of Greek yogurt taste rich and creamy and can be folded into mashed potatoes in place of butter or sour cream.

5. Bake with pureed fruit. It can replace up to 25 percent of the butter or oil in backing, cutting down on fat and calories.  For instance, try applesauce in muffins or brownies.

6. Prepare poultry safely. Buy a fresh bird one or two days before you plan to cook it. For a frozen turkey, allow 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds. For safe cooking instructions, go to fsis.usda.gov and search for “Let’s Talk Turkey.”


At The Table

7. For appetizers, think fresh. Boiled shrimp with lemon or cocktail sauce is a smarter pick than fried hors d’oeuvres. Other healthful starters include stuffed mushrooms, sliced low-fat cheese, and raw veggies with hummus.


8. Don’t fast before dinner. It will probably lead to overeating. Instead, grab some small, low-calorie snacks beforehand.

 
9. Avoid a deadly dinner. A study of heart-attack patients suggested that an unusually large meal—packed with carbohydrates, fat, and salt—quadrupled the chance of having a heart attack within the next two hours.

10. Relearn buffet eating. You would not order one of everything from a menu, so scan the table and make your choices before you load up a plate.

 
11. Skip the whip. Whipped cream can add 100 calories or more when used as a drink or dessert topper. Try going without, or opt for a nonfat version.

 
12. Eat slowly. For most people, incidents of heartburn are episodic and result from eating too much too fast.

 
13. Just say no. Peer pressure never gets easier to handle. But if you’re being urged by a host to keep eating when you’re full, this polite but firm statement should be able to do the trick: “No thank you, I’ve had enough. Everything was delicious.”

 
14. Sip tea. You can cut about 3,500 calories, about the amount it takes to put on a pound, by choosing tea over soda throughout the holidays. Try drinking it without sugar or milk. And tea has health benefits, too.

At The Party

15. Choose lighter-colored spirits. Dark liquors such as whiskey are more apt to cause hangovers than colorless or lighter drinks because they have more congeners, which are substances produced during fermentation that can make you feel ill.
 

16. Make a spritzer. Mix half red or white wine and half seltzer in a wine glass, add a slice of lime, and you have a festive drink with half the calories and alcohol content.
 

17. Arrive home safely. Nearly 60 percent of fatal traffic accidents are single-vehicle crashes, mostly occurring during late-night or early-morning hours. Get to a hotel if you start staring at the road or begin to nod off. 

 
18. Don’t fall for hangover “remedies.” The purported cures sold in stores and online are useless, according to a review published in June 2010 by researchers in the Netherlands. Instead, drink moderately and not on an empty stomach. Also, alternate water with alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated. Then drink coffee to battle fatigue and take aspirin or ibuprofen.

Under Your Roof

19. Don’t burn the tree down. Christmas trees account for an average of 240 fires, 13 deaths, and nearly $17 million in property damage annually, based on data collected from 2005 to 2009. Make sure that heat sources are kept far away, and keep the holiday tree stand filled with water.


20. Watch the decorating. More than 5,000 people annually will suffer a fall while decorating for the holidays, whether from ladders, roofs, or furniture. Instead, ask for help.

 
21. Watch the decorating, part 2. Inspect your holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken sockets, and excessive kinking.

 
22. Dust bust. Menorahs, Christmas tree ornaments, and other decorations that spend most of their year in the attic or basement can trigger allergies when taken out of storage. Clean them before you deck the halls.

 
23. Unwrap carefully. About 17 percent of adults will be injured or will know someone who gets hurt while opening gifts, according to a 2009 survey by the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Use a pair of scissors on stubborn plastic “clamshell” packaging or other items that you can’t open easily by hand. 

For Your Body

24. Team up. Find family or friends to exercise with. Workout buddies will motivate you on those cold, dark mornings when staying in bed seems so much more appealing.

 
25. Mall walk. You can burn about 300 calories an hour while walking briskly. Take a few extra laps around the mall even after you’re done shopping.

 
26. Rock 'n' clean. Nobody ever said cleaning can’t be fun. It’s a great way to burn calories while whittling down your to-do list. Some fast-paced holiday tunes should get you going.

 
27. Bust belly fat. Even if your overall weight doesn’t change, a small study published in 2006 in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism found that people saw a shift in body-fat composition over the holidays, with more of their fat accumulating by their belly. Since abdominal fat has been linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and early mortality, stay active regardless of what your scale says.

 
28. Don’t count on losing it later. If you need motivation not to put on weight over the holidays, consider this: Research shows that the extra pounds people gain during the season aren’t lost during the remainder of the year. 
 
For Your Spirit

29. Forgive. Disagreements within families are normal; don’t let them ruin your holidays or your health. A positive attitude can not only help mend and preserve relationships but also improve your heart rate and blood pressure, according to research published in the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy.


30. Forget what you can’t afford. Research in wealthy and poor populations has shown that as long as basic needs are met, additional wealth and material objects have little effect on well-being. In fact, people who are more focused on material goods exhibit reduced life satisfaction and higher levels of depression.


31. Worship with others. A study in the America Journal of Psychiatry concluded that observing one’s faith in a social setting was linked to a lower risk of illness, especially depression. If you don’t practice a religion, seek out community or other social events.

 
32. Toast those who aren’t there. Special remembrances and displays of photos can stimulate affectionate talk about people you miss, turning sadness into special moments.

 
33. Be merry with your mate. Couples who participate in holiday rituals together, such as decorating their home or lighting candles, can strengthen their marriages, according to Syracuse University researchers.

34. Make a New Year’s resolution. More than two-thirds of Americans don’t partake in this tradition, according to a nationally representative survey conducted by Harris Interactive. That leaves them with no urgency to make changes for the better.

On Your To-Do List

35. Hydrate. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day—at least eight glasses—will keep you from eating when you’re actually thirsty.

36. Re-gift. Take food baskets or high-calorie presents you receive to work or parties so that they can be shared.


37. Keep a food diary. The more honest you are about what you eat in a day, the bigger the boost in willpower.

38. Get a history lesson. Knowing the health status of your family members, past and present, not only strengthens ties but can also build a family health history. That can help you predict your own risk of disease, and motivate you to make lifestyle changes if needed.

39. Check your doctor’s vacation schedule. Make any necessary backup plans if he or she is going to be away at the end of the year. One possible reason fatal heart attacks spike during the holidays is because people wait to go to the doctor or hospital after initial symptoms appear, possibly due to a lack of available care.

40. Remember: Life isn’t perfect. Stay calm, and enjoy your family, friends, and all the festivities.


~Consumer Reports on Health, December 2012, Volume 24 Number 12

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

WCCOA's Featured Site

Our Featured Site: Wayne

Husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, and lifelong friends visit the Wayne Area Senior Center to learn something new, enjoy a nutritious meal, play card games, and enjoy the company of one another.

The site, managed by Barb Clark since it opened in 2008, is located in the Wayne United Methodist Church and is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
The Wayne Area Senior Center thrives on a family based atmosphere, where everyone looks out for one another.
 
The Wayne Area Senior Center
Many of the seniors who come in for programs and lunch also volunteer.
 
Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, as is evident with one of Wayne’s most respected and cherished seniors, Aldora Johnston.
 
Johnston, who will be 100-years-old on November 19, has lived in Wayne since moving there with her husband in 1942.
 
She walks the two blocks from her home (when the weather cooperates) to enjoy time with her friends, many of whom she says she watched grow up, and volunteers at the center.
 
"It makes me feel great to volunteer," Johnston said.
 
The soon-to-be centennial credits her longevity to eating right and walking daily.
 
"I used to walk three miles a day, but the doctors said I should slow down," Johnston laughingly said.
 
When asked about her favorite memories as a child, Johnston mentioned her memories of growing up as one of 11 children.
 
"We had a large family and I’ll always remember my mother would get all of us around after dinner and she would play the piano and all of us children would sing," she said. "Even to this day, out of habit, I want to sing after I’m finished with dinner."
 
(Continued from E-Newsletter)
 
Carla Phillips, who enjoys going to the center on a regular basis with her mother, also volunteers.
Phillips helps serve lunch.
“Helping people makes me feel appreciated and useful,” she said.
 
Phillips, who often spends time with her grandchildren, has always liked the company of older adults.
“Even when I was a little girl I gravitated towards older people,” she said. “I always loved spending time with my grandparents and learning from them, and now I get to do the same thing with my granddaughter.”
When they’re not teasing each other about their friendly Ohio State versus Michigan rivalry or putting together cards for the homebound, the older adults at the Wayne Area Senior Center simply enjoy spending time with each other. The site thrives on a family atmosphere, and if you didn’t know any better, you would think they were one big family.
For more information on the Wayne Area Senior Center, contact Barb Clark at (419) 288-2896.
 

November's Recipe

PUMPKIN PECAN CAKE

1 can (15 ounce) Pumpkin                                                      ½ teaspoon Salt

1 can (12 ounce) Evaporated Milk                                         1 package (15 ounce) Yellow Cake Mix

1 cup Packed Brown Sugar                                                     1-1/2 sticks Butter, cut into thin slices

3 Eggs                                                                                         ½ cup Pecans

2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice


1. Preheat oven to 350Spray 9 x 13-inch pan withnonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in medium bowl. Stir until well-blended. Pour into prpared pan and top with cake mix, spreading evenly.Top with butter slices in a single layer, cover cake mix. Sprinkle with pecans.

3. Bake about one (1) hour or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Makes 18 servings.

To view other recipes from the Wood County Throwdown, click here.

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver Helps Find Lost Individuals

Three out of every five individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will wander, and half of them will suffer from significant injury or death if they are not found within 24 hours.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office has put into place a public safety program designed to protect and locate loved ones that are missing due to wandering.

Memory cells are destroyed by Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in a person frequently becoming disoriented or lost, even in a place that is familiar to them. Individuals suffering from any kind of dementia, even in the early stages, can easily become confused for a period of time, and begin wandering.

Common reasons for wandering include: when an individual is looking for something familiar; or he/she is trying to get out of a stressful or an over stimulating situation. Wandering is especially dangerous for individuals with dementia. Individuals with Alzheimer’s do not call out for help, they rarely respond to people calling out to them, and until they are found, they are defenseless against inclement weather, traffic and predators.
 
Continued from E-Newsletter

There are practices that can be put into place to reduce the risk of a person wandering, but it is also a good idea to have a plan in place in case a loved one does wander and he/she cannot be located. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a program called Project Lifesaver to provide peace of mind to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. If an individual becomes lost, Project Lifesaver helps to ensure he/she will be brought home quickly and safely.

A candidate for Project Lifesaver will be assessed by a specialist and then fitted with a transmitter wristband. This one-ounce battery operated wristband emits a tracking signal every second of every day. In the event that an individual wanders away, the caregiver notifies the Sheriff’s Office and help will be immediate dispatched.
 
The wristband’s signal can be tracked by members of the Sheriff’s Office on the ground or from the air. The search team uses a specially designed radio receiver to identify a unique frequency from the wristband that allows the team to find the individual within minutes. The Project Lifesaver team is trained in rescue operations and also trained on how to approach a person with Alzheimer’s disease, gain their trust, and put them at ease to bring them home safely.

Project Lifesaver is an option for individuals of any age with Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, or other cognitive conditions. Project Lifesaver provides peace of mind to caregivers and can ensure that loved ones can be found and returned to their home as quickly and as safely as possible.

For more information on Project Lifesaver, contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at (419) 354-9001 or visit http://woodcountysheriff.com/services/project-lifesaver/, or contact the Wood County Committee on Aging’s Social Services Department at (419) 353-5661 or (800) 367-4935.


 

Holiday Outreach Project

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Those wishing to help with purchasing gifts or donations can contact the WCCOA Programs Department at (800) 367-4935 or (419) 353-5661 or email programs@wccoa.net.
 

Those grandparents raising grandchildren needing assistance with holiday gifts can fill out the form below and return it to any senior center by December 12, 2014.
 



The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc.
Holiday Outreach Project: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
 
 
 
This project is intended to enable applicants to receive assistance with gifts during the 2014 holiday season to help relieve the financial burden to grandparents raising grandchildren.
 
 
·   Deadline for applications is Friday, December 12, 2014 and the application must be completed to determine your eligibility.
 
·   One application per household per individual minor (birth to 12 years of age)  for consideration annually.
 
·   Submissions must be returned to any of the seven senior centers of the Wood County Committee on
Aging, Inc. or mailed to:
 
Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc.
c/o Holiday Outreach Project: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
305 N. Main St.
Bowling Green, OH 43402
 
If you have any questions about the application contact the Programs Department of the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., in Bowling Green at (419) 353.5661 or toll-free at 1(800)367.4935. You can also send an e-mail to programs@wccoa.net.
 
NOTE:  Holiday outreach project funds raised through the Senior Centers in Wood County will be used by
WCCOA to purchase gifts for the eligible children.  All gifts will be purchased and wrapped by WCCOA staff.
 
Selection Conditions:  Applications will be reviewed based upon geographical location. Funds collected will support families in that area.
 
Criteria:
 
1. Applicant must be 60 years old and over.
2. Applicant must demonstrate a financial hardship.
Committee will review application criteria based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.
3. Applicant must be a Wood County resident.
4.Applicant must be the guardian of the grandchildren and reside in the same residence.
 



Application: (please print)
 
Name:                                                                                       

Phone Number:                                                         
 
Address:                                                                                                            
 
Monthly Household Income: (including medications/prescriptions)                                                        
 
Number of Grandchildren in Household:                            
 
Names and Ages of Grandchildren:                                                                                                                         
 
Do you have legal guardianship?  Circle      Yes              No
 
Interests (Books, Games, Characters, etc.):                                                                                                             
 
Clothing (sizes and needs):                                                                                                       
 
Reason for Submission/Demonstrate Need:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Submit additional comments on a separate page
 
 
 
 STATEMENT OF ACCURACY
 
I affirm that all the above stated information provided by me is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if chosen that I will abide by the rules of the project.
 
 
 
Applicant Signature:                                                                                                               
 
Date:                                                                
 
 
 
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
 
Submission Date:                                                                     
 
Review Date:                                                                             
 


Status

ð    Awarded

ð    Not Awarded

Date of applicant’s last award_                  


Person contacted:

ð    Yes         Date

ð    No           Date