Mighty Mint!

Peppermint is a beloved flavor of the holiday season. Peppermint finds its way into just about every Christmas treat imaginable – candy canes, peppermint Bark, peppermint cookies, peppermint candies, peppermint hot chocolate, peppermint cocktails, and more. Why is it so popular? The flavor of mint can cut through the richer flavors associated with food eaten during the holiday season. It’s a palette cleanser of sorts. Mint leaves behind a cool sensation in the mouth and, as Christmas is associated with snow and ice, this seems to make sense as the flavor of snow.

Peppermint is not just for treats – there are many health benefits of this minty herb! Peppermint also works as an anti-inflammatory agent and it can relieve indigestion — quite helpful as we begin the annual Christmas binge. Peppermint oil has been shown to relax muscles in your digestive system and improve various digestive symptoms. Therefore, peppermint tea may provide similar benefits. As peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, it may diminish certain types of headaches. The menthol in peppermint oil increases blood flow and provides a cooling sensation, possibly easing pain. Peppermint, of course, freshens breath and the peppermint oil itself has been shown to kill germs that lead to bad breath.

Peppermint has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, peppermint tea may fight clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold and allergies. Additionally, research demonstrates that menthol — one of the active compounds in peppermint — improves the perception of airflow in your nasal cavity. Therefore, steam from peppermint tea may help you feel as though your breathing is easier. Compounds found in peppermint oil help perk you up, which has been shown to relieve fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Along the same vein, peppermint oil may help increase alertness and memory, which may improve concentration. Now that you know what wonderful health benefits that peppermint has, Private Home Health Care invites you to eat as many peppermint flavored foods as you can!

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Yesterday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Private Home Health Care welcomes you to celebrate those with disabilities as well as raise awareness about persons with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are no different from anyone else, and they absolutely deserve the same happiness, respect, and quality of life as everyone else. International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 is a day to help everyone become more compassionate and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. The day doesn’t discriminate between mental and physical disabilities, and the spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have equal opportunities for work, play, health, and success. People with disabilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society, and today is all about appreciating them.

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. At Private Home Health Care, we strive every day to provide exceptional caregiving for seniors with age-related disabilities. We wholeheartedly believe in this cause to support persons with disabilities because it is one of the fundamentals of our company is to promote health and happiness for all!

The 2020 theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities is ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ also focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others. This includes cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, which may occur in the aging brain. Private Home Health Care is a proud advocate for those with age-related cognitive issues. We recognize and support individuals with these conditions and their rights promote rights and well being. What is more, we celebrate those with cognitive conditions and their families. For over 30 years, we have been improving the quality of life and providing expert caregiving for seniors with cognitive challenges. Private Home Health Care wishes you a Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

National Cookie Day!

It is the day we have all been waiting for – December 4th is National Cookie Day! Who doesn’t love a good cookie?! Whether soft or crunchy, big or small, there is a cookie to satisfy every taste. Cookies are comforting for everyone, and are a perfectly sized treat! (The trouble is, it is hard to stop at just one…) Now that it is the holiday season, it is the mighty cookie’s time to shine! Bakers, warm up your ovens – cookie swap parties and cookie tins are a beloved tradition. Many times recipes are passed down through generations and they help us feel closer to our families. Private Home Health Care wishes you a Happy National Cookie Day!

Because everybody loves cookies, they are a fabulous gift. Even better is to bake cookies for someone – aren’t homemade gifts the best?! It has been proven that favorite baked goods and sweets can help with memory because it takes us back to positive memories of childhood or special occasions like holidays. Not to mention that they keep forever if they are stored properly. There’s no doubt about: cookies more than deserve their own day, and that’s why Cookie Day is celebrated around the world in order to pay tribute to these delicious little treats. So grab some flour, butter and sugar, and let’s get celebrating, shall we?

In America, a cookie is described as a thin, sweet, small cake. By definition, a cookie can be a variety of hand-held, flour-based sweet cakes, either crisp or soft. Each country has its own word for “cookie”. In England and Australia they’re referred to as biscuits, in Spain they’re galletas. Germans call them keks and in Italy they have several names to identify the various forms of cookie. In America, the Dutch word “koekje” was Anglicized to “cookie”. The sweet treat came to America through the Dutch in New Amsterdam in the late 1620s. The earliest reference to cookies in America is in 1703, when the Dutch in New York provided 800 cookies for a funeral.

Hard cookie-like wafers have existed for as long (and maybe even longer) as baking has been documented. However, they were not sweet enough to be considered cookies by modern standards. They appear to have some origins in 7th century CE Persia, shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region. They spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain. By the 14 century, they were common in all levels of society throughout Europe, from royal cuisine to street vendors.

Cookies are one of the most customizable baked goods, you can use whatever ingredients you like to create any flavor! But, you don’t need to be a whiz in the kitchen to make cookies, even break-a-part store bought (home baked!) cookies are a great treat. What is more, because cookies are so flexible, there is plenty of opportunity to make healthy cookies! Yes – you heard me, healthy baked goods!

Here are some healthy cookie recipes! Here at Private Home Health Care, we love cookies of all sorts, sizes, and flavors! Today on National Cookie Day, Private Home Health Care encourages you to indulge in eating cookies! Ideas to celebrate National Cookie Day include stopping by your favorite bakery for yummy cookies, showing off your skills in the kitchen and baking some for loved ones, or hold a charity bake-off where sell cookies and donate the proceeds to a deserving cause. Happy National Cookie Day!

https://www.brit.co/healthy-christmas-cookie-recipes/

Caregiver Stress and Burnout

This year we have had to face unprecedented challenges, and this is especially true for those who are caregivers for loved ones. Now that the holiday season is upon us, there may be extra demands on time and energy. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and Private Home Health Care is here to give respite from overwhelming caregiving responsibilities so you can focus on your well being. Give you and your loved ones the gift of peace of mind this season by trusting Private Home Health Care to provide first rate caregiving services.

The holidays can be stressful enough, and being a caregiver adds more pressure. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on your health, relationships, and state of mind—eventually leading to burnout, a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. And when you get to that point, both you and the person you’re caring for suffer. Signs of caregiver stress and burnout include:

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver stress

-Anxiety, depression, irritability.

-Feeling tired and run down.

-Difficulty sleeping.

-Overreacting to minor nuisances.

-New or worsening health problems.

-Trouble concentrating.

-Feeling increasingly resentful.

-Drinking, smoking, or eating more.

-Neglecting responsibilities.

-Cutting back on leisure activities.

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout

-You have much less energy than you once had.

-It seems like you catch every cold or bout of flu that’s going around.

-You’re constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break.

-You neglect your own needs, either because you’re too busy or you don’t care anymore.

-Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction.

-You have trouble relaxing, even when help is available.

-You’re increasingly impatient and irritable with the person you’re caring for.

-You feel helpless and hopeless

Empower yourself by turning to Private Home Health Care to support the needs of you and your loved ones. You don’t have to do it alone, and Private Home Health Care has over 30 years of experience providing compassionate care for seniors. It is estimated that up to 1 in 5 Americans are caregivers for family members, and it can be a lot to handle on top of daily obligations. If you are experiencing stress or are feeling burnt out, this message is for you: self care is key to health and wellbeing, and an important part of self care is reaching out for help, because we all need help sometimes. Self care is even more important when you are a caregiver. Our agency will help take care of you and your loved ones so that you do not have to stress. Our caregiving services help shoulder the burden of caregiving, which gives you more energy to celebrate the season. At Private Home Health Care, “Compassion is at the Heart of Our Care”. Have compassion for yourself and let us relieve your stress with your exceptional home caregiving services.

Cyber Monday for Safety

Today, November 30th, is Cyber Monday! Cyber Monday is celebrated the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Established in 2005, Cyber Monday is the Internet’s answer to brick-and-mortar holiday shopping. Unlike Black Friday, Cyber Monday gives you the chance to shop those amazing Black Friday deals from the comfort of your couch or office. In recent years, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals tend to run together. Some start as early as the week of Thanksgiving and run right through the holiday season. But don’t neglect online deals. There may still be savings to be had. 

This year, Cyber Monday is especially appealing because of COVID. Doing your holiday shopping from home is much safer than venturing out to crowded malls where germs can be spread. The CDC still recommends avoiding indoor spaces where there are a lot of people, especially now that cold and flu season is here. This year, retailers are offering Cyber Monday holiday deals that are just as good as Black Friday sales and some of those sales have been extended. Cyber Monday is also less stressful, because you don’t have to drive to the mall, deal with traffic, try to find a parking space, trapeze your way through the crowd, fight for the items on your wish list, negotiate the checkout line, and so forth. Even reading that sentence sounds stressful! Cyber Monday also allows for easier returns because you can send it back in the same box it came in. You can still support small and local businesses on Cyber Monday by ordering artisan gifts from websites like etsy.com. This year in particular, Cyber Monday makes most sense for your health and well being. With the simple click of a mouse, you can finish your holiday shopping for loved ones, hassle-free. Now that is a good deal. 

November is Sweet Potato Month

November is National Sweet Potato Month! Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, but very healthy as well. In fact, they are considered superfoods, because they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Sweet potatoes are especially popular around the Thanksgiving table, either mashed, roasted, or in a pie. When sprinkled with cinnamon, they make for a perfect, cozy wintertime food.

One cup (200 grams) of baked sweet potato with skin provides

Calories: 180

Carbs: 41.4 grams

Protein: 4 grams

Fat: 0.3 grams

Fiber: 6.6 grams

Vitamin A: 769% of the

Daily Value (DV)

Vitamin C: 65% of the DV

Manganese: 50% of the DV

Vitamin B6: 29% of the DV

Potassium: 27% of the DV

Pantothenic acid: 18% of the DV

Copper: 16% of the DV

Niacin: 15% of the DV

In addition, sweet potatoes — especially the orange and purple varieties — are rich in antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Natural compounds called carotenoids give sweet potatoes their rich color. Carotenoids are also antioxidants, which means they have the power to protect your cells from day-to-day damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage DNA and trigger inflammation. Free radical damage has been linked to chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and aging. Therefore, eating antioxidant-rich foods is good for your health. This is especially so for brain health, because antioxidants play a role in protecting brain cells when aging.

Just one sweet potato gives you 400% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body’s defense against germs. Also, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and anthocyanins, antioxidants that may help prevent vision loss and improve eye health. In fact, the large amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are in sweet potatoes, can lower your chances of developing macular degeneration eye disease, which is the most common cause of vision loss. Sweet potatoes are also beneficial for those with diabetes, because the compounds found in them can help control blood sugar. When boiled, sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index (GI), which means they won’t raise your blood sugar as quickly as high-GI foods.

In addition, sweet potatoes promote gut health due to their high levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber as well as antioxidants. Studies have found that fiber-rich diets containing 20–33 grams per day have been linked to a lower risk of colon cancer and more regular digestion. Antioxidants in purple sweet potatoes promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, including certain Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Greater amounts of these types of bacteria within the intestines are associated with better gut health and a lower risk of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and infectious diarrhea. The high levels of Vitamin A in sweet potatoes contribute to a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is also key for maintaining healthy mucous membranes, especially in the lining of your gut. The gut is where your body is exposed to many potential disease-causing pathogens. Therefore, a healthy gut is an important part of a healthy immune system. The gut of course is responsible for digestion, but also plays a critical role in immunity, and sweet potatoes act as a superfood in that they support both of those functions.

Post-Thanksgiving Food Hangover

You had a fabulous Thanksgiving with loved ones – turkey was eaten, cranberry sauce was consumed, the mashed potatoes were like a dream, your family is stuffed with stuffing, and the warm, inviting pumpkin pie delivered on it’s promise. Your Thanksgiving stretchy pants served you well this year. It is the day after Thanksgiving and the trash is taken out, leftovers are in the fridge, and the kitchen is cleaned. But, you feel off – really off. What is happening?

The next day ‘food hangover’ is real (so worth it though!). We have all had a food hangover – bloating, lethargy, maybe a little nausea or stomach upset, and fatigue. And you know the cause: not drinking too much but eating too much—overindulging in food that’s too fatty, salty, spicy, sugary, caffeinated, or simply too much food for your body to cope with the day after. After a Thanksgiving feast, your body simply is not prepared to handle such a large amount of fatty food. It’s going to take a little while for your digestive tract to get up to speed and build up the necessary enzymes to process it, causing you that heavy, bloated feeling you’re suffering through, possibly along with indigestion or heartburn.

When people overeat, their bodies have the tendency to chemically change, including metabolic shifts. There are also electrolyte imbalances due to the process of digestion that occur once the massive amounts of food have been deposited into the body. This can also cause a feeling of depression, emotional attachment to food, fatigue, and also boredom. This is thought to be partially due to dopamine and endorphin release after food consumption High amounts of salt consumed at Thanksgiving are responsible in part for the ‘food hangover’ feeling. Drinking extra water the day after can help flush out the excess sodium in your system and facilitate the digestion process. Then there is the sugar – like salt, sugar is quickly absorbed and not something you’re likely to feel the effects of the next day, even if you consumed a mountain of cookies, candy, and sweets. Instead, your hangover is more immediate—you probably feel a rush of energy soon after you eat, followed by a so-called sugar crash shortly afterward (picture kids 30 minutes after cake is served at a birthday party).

By nature, our bodies crave sugar and salt, and once indulged, it still wants more. That is why you will be hankering for sweet and salty foods the day after Thanksgiving, but your best bet is to refrain. Ride through the food hangover by taking good care of yourself by resting, hydrating regularly, going for walks, eating healthy meals full of fruits and veggies, and staying away from caffeine and alcohol. Herbal teas like peppermint or ginger are great for aiding digestion and helping with the post-Thanksgiving food hangover. If you need, take some pepto or antacids. Most importantly, sit back and enjoy another Thanksgiving well spent with delicious food, loved ones, and filled with gratitude. Feasting for one day will not make you gain weight if you nurse your food hangover and take care of yourself in the days after. Now that is something that we can all be grateful for!