Use A Tape Measure to Prevent Dementia!

Today, July 14th, measuring twice means something extra on National Tape Measure Day.

The tape measure comes in a wide array of sizes, colors, and materials. You can find some smaller than the palm of your hand or bigger in lengths of 300+ feet. They are used for anything from health purposes, DIY projects at home, by contractors, and in construction. They are a standard tool in almost every household and doctor’s office.

Tape measures are a useful tool for preventing and fighting against dementia. How can this be?! In older adults, body mass index (BMI)-adjusted waist circumference is positively associated with the incidence of dementia, according to study results published in ‘Obesity’. That means that using waist circumference (measured using a tape measure!) is a more acurate indicator of visceral fat than BMI. The reason why BMI – Body Mass Index – is not a reliable measurement for predicting increased risk for dementia is that BMI calculations do not discriminate between fat and lean body mass.

Waist size (measured with a trusty tape measure!) may be better than BMI as an indicator of excess fat. This is because older people tend to lose muscle and gain fat without a change in their weight. A larger waist size is also a sign of excess visceral fat, the deeper type of fat stored within the abdominal cavity. Higher amounts of visceral fat also have been linked with such health issues as heart disease and diabetes. These chronic diseases may contribute to or interplay with the risk of dementia. Sometimes it is better for your health to rely on the old fashioned tape measure than on a fancy new scale!

National Macaroni N’ Cheese Day!

National Mac n Cheese Day One of the classic comfort foods earns a place of honor on July 14th. It is National Mac and Cheese Day!

Mac n’ Cheese is an American favorite and can be found all over the nation, often with added regional twists – New England Lobster Mac n’ Cheese is divine!

Made with macaroni noodles, cream or milk, and the golden goodness of cheese, mac and cheese shines as a side dish while also standing on its own as a main dish. This meal reminds many of us of home while also teaching us the basics of the kitchen, or as a lunchbox staple, or as a go-to easy dinner after a long work day. (Psst – check out this health mac n cheese recipe – https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/healthy-mac-cheese/?fbclid=IwAR20uX2SOEg34_2NQeWT4xkrJa4kZRZIr7NECcThkP8pBZ2sx9vDp-8Wb7U )

From the classic boxed mac n’ cheese, to baked mac n cheese with cheddar or American (and bread crumbs on top!), to the spicy cowboy mac with bacon and jalapenos, there’s a combination for everyone. Mix up the cheeses or load up on seasonings like veggies, meats, and other yummy ingredients.

Mac n’ cheese can be prepared as indulgently or as healthy as you like! You can have 4-cheese mac n cheese, deep fried mac n cheese, or even pizza topped with mac n cheese (carb overload much?). At Private Home Care, we love Mac n’ Cheese, but as always we love it elevated to a healthier dish. Simple ways to make it healthier is to use whole wheat or bean-based pasta, or swap out butter for olive oil or Greek yogurt (which has more protein AND probiotics). Great healthy add-ins could be peas, chickpeas, petit broccoli or brussel sprouts, or tomatoes. Experiment with different cheeses too – you can use Swiss, Parmesan, Gouda, goat cheese, or a tangy soft Lebanese cheese called ‘Labneh’ where you do not have to add any butter or milk!

On July 14th, celebrate mac and cheese not only because we love to eat it, but because it taught us we can cook, too.

P.S. We always love to make foods healthier, but using low fat cheese is NOT the best choice. Why? Because when fat is taken out of cheese, fillers are added to still make the cheese taste good. This could be extra salt or sugar, or even chemicals! PHC always encourages the use of whole foods ingredients, and if you are trying to cut down on fat in cheese, just use a little less!

‘Eat Your Jello Day!’

‘Eat Your Jello Day!’ was yesterday, July 12th. With plenty of flavors to choose from, you should have no problem finding one you like. It is easy to eat and fun to make!

Private Home Care loves jello because it is a great food for care giving. Many seniors may have difficulty swallowing, and jello is easy to consume. This is very important for when seniors have trouble swallowing medications and pills. A pill can be crushed up and stirred into jello for easy consumption, or pressed deep into the jello as a whole to help facilitate swallowing. The elderly are more prone to dehydration due to processes that happen when the body ages.

Those with dementia or alzheimers are particularly prone to dehydration because they may simply forget to drink or not realize when they are thirsty. The high water content of jello is a fantastic way to keep seniors hydrated, and it is easy to swallow. It is a great way to make sure that your loved ones who find the taste of water to be bland are hydrated.

Trademarked in 1897 by Pearle Wait of Leroy, New York, Jell-O is the novel and fun dessert loved by millions. Francis Woodward, who later purchased the recipe and trademark, eventually made Jell-O a household name. With 21 different flavors, Jell-O satisfies every taste and can be enjoyed in numerous combinations.Jell-O’s primary ingredient is gelatin. Gelatin consists of collagen, specifically animal collagen. It’s a protein extracted from the connective tissues. Once the protein is broken down and extracted, the collagen is dried and ground into a fine powder.

National Beans and Franks Day!

National Beans and Franks Day

https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/05/baked-beans/

National Beans ‘N’ Franks Day on July 13th encourages us to make our favorite recipes during National Hot Dog Month. This simple recipe cooks up a delicious dish in no time and goes well with summertime barbecues, too!

Beans boast many health benefits and are an important part of a healthy diet. Baked beans are often made with pinto beans, which are a rockstar superfood! Pinto beans contain important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B1 (thiamine), iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Pinto beans are also full of fiber and protein.

Pinto beans can help improve blood sugar regulation because they have a low GI and are high in fiber and protein. The same properties in pinto beans aid in weight loss because it promotes fullness and a healthy digestive system. Other benefits include rich in antioxidants and may aid heart health!

Baked beans became popular during the Civil War in the United States. They would later become one of the first canned convenience foods on the market in the 1890s. The franks, or frankfurters, can be beef, pork, or a combination of both. They can even be plant-based! The ground meat is blended with spices and seasonings before being cured. Home cooks make beans and franks, too.

Recipes can include beans, hot dogs, brown sugar, onion, mustard, barbecue sauce, and spices. The United States isn’t the only place recipes are found, either. Around the world, beans and franks enjoy wide popularity.Beans and franks go well with coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, and vegetable kabobs. Add some iced tea and pie to complete the meal.

How Eating Blueberry Muffins is Healthy!

How eating blueberry muffins makes you healthier – yes, this is real!

Health benefits of blueberries:

1. Cancer prevention! Blueberries contain high levels of powerful compounds called phytochemicals, which decrease the risk of several cancers by protecting your cells from chronic inflammation. Phytochemicals occur naturally in plants and give them their color, aroma and flavor. They fight cancer by stimulating the immune system and reducing the kind of inflammation that makes cancer growth more likely. The fiber in blueberries also helps protect your intestinal lining from colorectal cancer.

2. Heart health! Fiber and antioxidants also contribute to preventing chronic diseases like heart disease by fighting free radicals in your body!

3. Help mitigate and delay cognitive decline!

4.Weight control – the fiber and low calories help you to lose weight!

5. Improves gut microbiome health and digestion! All of the nutrients, especially the fiber, in blueberries, help with your bowels.

National Pina Colada Day!

Happy National Pina Colada Day!

If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught being healthy, this is the day for you!

July 10th recognizes a sweet, rum-based cocktail on National Pina Colada Day. Along with rum, a Pina Colada includes cream of coconut and pineapple juice and is usually served blended or shaken with ice.Pina Colada means ‘strained pineapple,’ a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink.

There are several claims as to the origin of the drink, but no matter who was the real creator, we know that this well-loved drink reminds us of beach days and the summer!

Private Home Care loves nutrition! Believe it or not, there are many health benefits of drinking pina coladas! Pineapple is chock full of Vitamin C – it has 131% of the recommended daily intake! It also boasts high levels of manganese and antioxidants, as well as Vitamin K and A. Coconuts are full of natural, ‘good’ fats and are also high in manganese, copper, and iron. When drinking a pina colada during a (safe) sun lounging session, where you absorb important Vitamin D, you have gotten your daily levels of Vitamin A, C, D, K. Who says there is no such thing as too good to be true?! Cheers to National Pina Colada Day!

The alcoholic beverage isn’t the only way to celebrate either, making pina colada mocktails is just as delicious and refreshing! The day is dedicated to all things pina colada. Whether we make a dessert or snack on pina colada jelly beans, everyone can join in the day.