National Almond Day

It is National Almond Day! Today we pay tribute to these superfood nuts! Portable and nonperishable, they make for a perfectly balanced snack any time. They are as versatile as they are delicious. You can put them in salads, grind them into flour, or use them as a healthy alternative to milk.

Almonds are a great source of protein, with a 1 ounce serving containing 6 grams! They are also high in fiber and healthy fats, as well as low in carbs. This makes them a perfect choice for a long lasting, energy-boosting snack. Almonds are also great for weight loss, due to the high fiber and protein content, which helps you feel fuller for longer.    

Almonds are one of the world’s best sources of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects the cells in your body from oxidative damage. A 1 ounce serving of almonds provides 37% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin E. Researchers have linked a higher intake of vitamin E with lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. 

This nut also boasts high levels of magnesium, which supports over 300 essential processes in the body. Magnesium plays a key role in balancing blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure. These benefits of almonds are great for diabetics or those with cardiac issues. 

Unroasted almonds with the skin on are the healthiest, because nutrients can be lost when heating and the skin contains high amounts of vitamins. In honor of National Almond Day, Private Home Health Care encourages you to enjoy this wonderful nut in as many ways as you can! 

President’s Day

Private Home Health Care wishes everyone a Happy President’s Day today!

Held on the third Monday in February, this holiday honors the birthdays of George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). We recognize these celebrated Presidents for making the United States the great nation that is it today.

A traditional way to honor this holiday is by eating cherry pie. This tasty pastry is reminiscent of George Washington’s cherry tree story, showing he could not tell a lie.

When President’s Day was passed by congress in 1971, they hoped that this would inspire greater productivity nationwide. It was believed that at this point in the year, the restorative effects of the Winter holidays have begun to fade and we need another break to regain some of that lost stamina. So go ahead and enjoy this day off!

Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is almost here! At Private Home Health Care, we love celebrating this fun holiday! Valentine’s Day is not just for couples. Anyone in your life that you love and care about can be your valentine, whether they are a family member, a close friend, or someone else in your life. Many say that having meaningful relationships is the true key to happiness in life. Studies show that people have increased longevity when they have a strong social network.

Valentine’s Day traditions like flowers, candles, and chocolates are also beneficial for your health! Flowers and candles create a soothing and pleasant atmosphere, which decreases stress and increases your mood. Chocolate is a superfood because it is packed with antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage. The flavonoids in chocolate trigger feel-good chemicals in your brain like dopamine, and also contains a bit of caffeine, which energizes you.

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day!

Lots of love,

Private Home Health Care

Valentine’s Day and Heart Health

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Medical research proves that having a valentine is good for your heart! No matter if your valentine is your partner, your child, a good friend or relative, having a loving relationship is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Being around someone you love helps relieve stress, which lowers blood pressure. Loving feelings tamp down our sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our fight or flight reactions. When relaxed, blood vessels tend to dilate a little bit more, and blood pressure tends to drop.

Hugs and hand holding also release feel-good chemicals in the brain, like oxytocin. Social support through loving relationships has been found to help improve the immune system and reduce inflammation. Being around a crush or a partner who makes your heart race is also good for the heart because it gets the blood pumping and is essentially like a mini aerobic workout!

Private Home Health Care encourages you to keep your heart healthy and celebrate love on Valentine’s Day!

National Football Hangover Day Pt 2

It is pretty common for people to need a day to recover. It is estimated that 11 million people will schedule time off for the day after the super bowl, and an additional 5 million will call out sick. Your boss will probably know that you are not really sick, and the best move to make is to schedule time off well in advance.

Another option is to plan for success (or at least damage control). Take a nap before the game, and stay hydrated by drinking a glass of water between every alcoholic drink. Eat healthy food throughout the day so that you won’t end up in a food coma from binging on nachos. Though there is no cure for hangovers, food can really help with the effects. Drink Gatorade the morning after and eat eggs, which contain an amino acid called cysteine that can break down acetaldehyde (a byproduct produced when your liver breaks down ethanol). Eggs are also high in B vitamins, which studies have shown to help with hangover symptoms. Bananas boost your potassium levels back up to normal, which helps you feel fresh even after celebrating.

National Football Hangover Day Pt 1

Today, the day after the Super Bowl, is ‘National Football Hangover Day’. You had a great time watching the big game with friends and family, and now it is catching up to you. You may have overindulged a bit with drinking and game-day food (wings!) and are feeling the effects the day after. The morning after is filled with unwelcome symptoms – headache, nausea, irritability and fatigue.

Medical professionals say that the post-super bowl hangover differs from a standard hangover from drinking in a few ways. You are also likely to eat heavy game day foods that are high in sodium and fat, which can also make you feel sluggish the day after. Super Bowl Sunday is actually the second highest day for food consumption in the US, behind Thanksgiving. Additionally, strong emotions during the game produce high levels of hormones. The physiological processes that happen in your body when watching a game – such as heightened awareness when you are anxious about your team catching up in the fourth quarter, or faster pulse when celebrating a touchdown – can take a toll and make you feel worn out the next day.

The Puzzle Connection

Puzzles can help strengthen social ties. Nowadays it is more important than ever to stay connected with others. Socializing is a critical part of well being, and studies have proven that social connectedness leads to longevity. Doing a puzzle with someone is a low key way to connect and spend quality time with loved ones. In fact, people bond on deeper levels when working together on a shared goal or solving a problem together. Teamwork and the sense of accomplishment with others helps create special memories.

Technology offers us the opportunity to still be able to do puzzles together while social distancing. Whether it is solving crossword puzzles together over the phone or playing a game of virtual chess on the computer with loved ones, there are ways to bridge the gap!

Puzzles offer another unique social benefit. Solving puzzles provides a rare opportunity for intergenerational engagement. Getting teenagers off their smartphones and working on a puzzle with Grandma makes for a really nice family interaction that seems to be harder and harder to come by these days. It is great for older folks who may have limited mobility, and they feel like they can contribute. Grandparents can pass on tips and tricks they have learned from decades of doing puzzles to their grandchildren. Also, seniors are at a major advantage when doing crossword puzzles because they have a wider scope of knowledge.

Isolation and loneliness is widespread amongst seniors. It is very harmful for their health and well being. Sometimes it can be hard for seniors to make new connections and friends, but doing puzzles is a great way to meet others in an easy manner. Places like community centers and public libraries may offer events where seniors can do puzzles together.

At Private Home Health Care, we love to keep our clients active and do puzzles with them! Puzzles are more than just a game – they are a way to improve our health and well being!