Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo and we hope that you have a chance to enjoy the day of Mexican heritage and culture.

Mexican Americans are the largest group of immigrants to come to the U.S.  As of 2023, there were approximately 10.9 million immigrants from Mexico.  

California has the largest group with 23% of its population from just over the border.

Mexican independence day is September 16 but Cinco de Mayo really represents a great symbolic victory for Mexico back on May 5, 1863.

It’s a David vs. Goliath story.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates a battle in the Mexican state of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  Napoleon III, nephew to Napoleon the Great used 6,000 troops to attack to win over the state for France.

The Mexican general was Ignacio Zaragoza and he had a mere 2,000 troops to defend.  The battle started in the morning and ended that night.

 When the dust settled there were 500 dead on the French side and only 200 dead Mexicans.  General Zaragoza was triumphant and the French retreated.

President Benito Juarez made it a day of celebration to honor the win.   Today, the celebration continues but it is not a major holiday so government offices are open.

Private Home Health Care hopes that you have a chance to join in the celebration with food and maybe some music.  Everyone can be Mexican on Cinco de Mayo.

Pilates

Pilates is a form of yoga-like exercise.  When you do pilates you will be working on stabilizing and strengthening your core.  It can be low impact so good if you are a senior.

Interestingly, this form of core strengthening was created in Germany in the 1920’s.  Joseph Pilates developed it while he was imprisoned in England during World War I.

He led exercises and when he was released he came to the United States and began by helping dancers with injuries in New York City.

When you take a pilates class you will find a standard set of structured exercises that can challenge you more as time goes on.

As a senior it’s important that you work with an instructor to go over any health issues you might have.  This helps to tailor the exercises to what you need.

You will need a mat and comfortable clothing to begin. Resistance bands, foam rollers and bars and equipment are useful.   

A class is usually 45 minutes. You can attend in person or attend an online class once you get the hang of it.  Using a chair is also an option to do pilates.

For your changing body some of the advantages of pilates are:

Improved bone density.  Equipment can help for weight bearing exercises.

Help with your posture.  Pilates focuses on alignment of your body.

Improved balance.  Strengthens you to help you avoid falls.

Greater mobility. Keeps you from getting too stiff and tight which can cause injury.

Better mood.  Can help with your mood and your cognitive functions.

Private Home Health Care recommends that you talk with your medical professional before you attempt a Pilates class.  Any potential issues can be addressed to keep you safely taking care of yourself.

Raisins

What do you think of when you think about a raisin?

Do you think about how they started as a grape? Does your mind turn to how yummy they are to eat?  Do you worry they have too much sugar?

Private Home Health Care loves raisins and we decided to learn more about them to learn of any health benefits or cautions of this yummy fruit.  

To begin, there are three kinds of raisins:  dark raisins, sultanas (golden raisins) and currants.

All three raisin types are great sources of antioxidants that help your cells fight off the free radical molecules that want to hurt you.  

Raisins also contain good amounts of iron, copper, potassium and manganese.  Add boron to help with bone and joint health and one quarter cup is a bit of a powerhouse. The iron helps to guard against anemia.

There is more sugar, calories and carbs in raisins over grapes but their glycemic index is between low to moderate so your blood sugar level is slower to rise. That’s a positive.

The sultanas or golden raisins have the least amount of sugar but again with the low glycemic index in all types are ok for people with diabetes to eat them.  The key is moderation.

Raisins can also help with heart health, lower your risk of chronic disease, and help with better gastrointestinal and oral health. 

The bottom line is that small amounts of raisins at a given time can be super beneficial, even if you have to watch your blood sugar.  They are a healthy choice so add them to your cereal, oatmeal or yogurt.  Grab some nuts and use them in a trail mix.

They are excellent on salads and of course when you treat yourself to a muffin or a scone.

We hope you’ve learned a bit about these dried up grapes and know that if you eat them in small amounts the health benefits are great, especially for such a small food.

Is a Pet Good for Your Health?

Pets. 

Depending on your age, you may have had a number of different pets over your life.  You may have cared for a hamster, gerbil or guinea pig.  

Your tastes may have gone in a different direction to fish, iguanas or maybe even a snake.

You might also have had the popular pet of a cat or dog. 

No matter the pet, you learned to care for something other than yourself which likely had a positive effect on you.  

Some pets need more care than others and some pets have more overall health benefits.

Take a dog or cat as an example.  There have been many studies done over the past forty years that show health benefits to owning a cat or dog.

• You feel less lonely since your furry friend keeps you company.

• Your laughter at the funny tricks they play can boost your mood and make you feel happy.

• You usually keep up a routine and find purpose in caring for a pet.

• Finally, dogs in particular give you more exercise since they need walks during the day.

Any time spent cuddling or loving a pet decreases stress, helps blood pressure and lowers your heart rate.

You may even discover that you keep your cognitive functions longer when you have a pet in your life.  

This blogger is actually taking care of an adorable and snuggly cat.  It is very relaxing even though an allergy pill was needed to help with the visit.  

Private Home Health Care knows how rewarding a pet can be. A pet can make you feel needed.  It is not for everyone but if you are able a pet can add to your health and well-being.

Pretzels

On Saturday, it is National Pretzel Day.  Do you like pretzels?

Pretzels are very popular.  You can find thin, fat, long and short hard pretzels at the grocery store.  

Go to a pub style restaurant or a sports game and you will most likely find large and soft pretzels to enjoy.

What is it about pretzels that are so tasty?

Pretzels are made from water, flour and salt, sometimes a lot of salt.  The salty taste may be one of the things that make them tasty to eat.

Interestingly enough, it is said that the soft pretzel may have started during Lent by the Catholic Church.  Fasting used to be much more strict and included not eating anything with dairy, meat or eggs. 

The shape looked like someone praying as back in the 7th century that’s how children were encouraged to pray, with arms crossed.

Fast forward to today and as we said, pretzels in all forms are available.  

Private Home Health Care always thinks about the nutritional value of foods.  The pretzel is not necessarily the best way to get nutrition but if you can find wheat pretzels that changes the story.

Wheat pretzels definitely qualify as a better snack so best to find these to enjoy.

The salt is another thing you need to watch.  If you have to be on a low salt diet the pretzel is a snack for every once in a while.  

The hard pretzels are hard to find in a low salt version.  For the soft pretzel if you dip it into mustard that can add to the salt content. 

On this National Pretzel Day, try to find a wheat version and split a large one with a friend.  They are a twisted snack that can be fun to eat.

World Book Day

Today is World Book Day, a day celebrated by over one hundred countries.

What is it exactly and why was it created?

World Book Day is the day for you to stop what you are doing, pick up a book and read it.  Consider it a wonderful privilege.

Believe it or not there were signs of writing way back in 3,500 B.C. and China actually printed a book 858 A.D.  

When you start in school, books are in classrooms beginning in nursery school and Pre-K and it continues all the way up to when you graduate high school.  Books are a constant in our lives from very young to very old.

There are so many authors who have kept us entertained and taught us new things.  It is such a gift to be able to write a book and have it enjoyed by thousands of people.

This day was chosen by UNESCO as it was the death of Shakespeare and a Spaniard named Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.  

Shakespeare needs no introduction.  He wrote so much that many of our idioms today come from his works.  Sayings like, a laughing stock, a sorry sight, dead as a doornail and in a pickle to name a few.

Inca Garcilaso de la Vega was born in Peru but moved and resided in Spain for most of his life.  Because his mother was of Inca heritage his writings were about the life and benevolence of the Inca people.  This is where he gained his fame.

Today, you and I have print books that we can get on loan or buy.  There are also audiobooks we can listen to and a number of digital devices where we can access books.  We really have the reading world at our feet.

Private Home Health Care hopes that on this day and in the future you’ll find time to sit and read a good book.  Choose anything you like and sit back and let it take you away.

Easter Monday

Yesterday, Easter Sunday was celebrated by millions of Christians around the world.  Jesus was crucified and then rose on the third day to save you and I from sin.  It is a wondrous day of celebration and elation.

You may not realize it but the day after Easter is called Easter Monday or in the Catholic church “The Monday of the Angel.”

Here in the United States we do not officially celebrate Easter Monday.  After Easter Sunday life begins again and people return to work and their daily lives.  

What does Easter Monday represent?

For many Christians around the world there is the season called Eastertide.  Easter Monday is the second day in that season.  It is a time to express their gratitude to God for what he has done.

Additionally, Christians believe that after Jesus rose from the dead he walked the earth for 40 days making himself known to his apostles.  He wanted to help them believe and to be strong to pass on the faith to the world. 

When the 40 days come to an end, Christians celebrate Ascension Sunday when Jesus ascends to the right hand of his Father.  This is followed by Holy Trinity Sunday for the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.

For the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine-Rite Catholic churches they celebrate a Bright Week after Easter calling it “Pascha Week” or” Renewal Week.”  Easter Monday begins this week.

Private Home Health Care knows that there are many celebrations of the Easter Season.  Our hope is that you and your family are blessed in this holy season.

Good Friday

As Passover is in its last two days, Good Friday is the second day of holy days in preparation for Easter Sunday for Christians.  

For many it is a holy triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  The holiest of holidays for Christian churches.

Good Friday is a very solemn day of remembrance for the sacrifice that Jesus made for everyone.  On this Friday Jesus was sentenced to die and was mocked and then beaten.  He was ultimately crucified on a cross with two criminals and died.

Why would we ever call this a Good Friday? So much sadness and death.  In Germany, it is called Sorrowful Friday which seems much more appropriate.

Christians believe that the goodness of the day comes from the death of Jesus to wash away the sins of those people of the time and for all of humanity who believe in Him.  

It is the great salvation of God who offered his only son for our sins.  A sacrifice of enormous love for the salvation of the world.

Many Christians use this day to fast, pray and remember the death of Jesus.  There are other traditions as well in different areas of the world.

In London, there is a reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ at Trafalgar Square.  With technology today you can stream it online as well if you cannot attend.

In Jerusalem, you are able to walk the path to Calgary where the crucifixion took place. It is on the Via Dolorosa and you might actually find people carrying the crosses as Jesus did.

In Bermuda the tradition is to fly kites made of bright colors. Why something which seems so happy?  The kites flying represent Jesus’s ascension into heaven.

As a Christian, you can choose to attend a church service, attend a station of the cross liturgy or take time to pray and fast as a way of observing Good Friday.

Private Home Health Care wishes everyone who celebrates Easter a very faith filled day on this Good Friday.

Bananas – A Healthy Choice

Do you like bananas?  If you do, it’s the perfect fruit to choose under any conditions.

Bananas are one of the most versatile fruits that you can eat as it is, add it to a fruit salad or use it in baked goods.

The United States has their bananas imported.  The main countries are Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico.

They are full of nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.  They help with controlling blood sugar and weight loss.

Most of us know the various stages of the ripeness of a banana from very green to super soft with a lot of brown.  Do the different stages have different health benefits?  Let’s look.

There are five stages of ripeness for the mighty banana and different stages do have different benefits.

Underripe (dark to medium green) – the most fiber and improves blood sugar control.

Barely ripe (firm with light green at the top) – less sugar so helps with blood sugar and lower in carbs.

Ripe (medium yellow, few or no brown spots) – best balance of starch and sweetness

Very Ripe (soft, not mushy, mix of yellow and brown spots) – this is the “sweetened up stage”, takes less time to digest, great for smoothies and shakes.

Overripe (mushy, highly spotted or completely brown) – highest in sugar, vegan, fat-free alternative to butter and oils in baking.

The less ripe bananas are better to help control blood sugar and for help with weight loss but overall the banana is a great snack to add nutrients and sweetness to your diet.

Private Home Health Care buys bananas when they are still green and that way we can eat and use them in smoothies and baked goods at any of their stages of ripeness!

The Final Week of Lent

Yesterday was Palm Sunday for Christians around the world.  A day that commemorates Jesus coming into Jerusalem.  He rode a donkey, a sign of peace and gentleness, and was greeted by palms and cloaks laid down before him.

In the Christian faith, it marks the last week of Jesus’s life and begins the most holiest week in the Church.

At the entrances of churches there are palms that you bring in with you.  The priest or pastor then blesses the palms and the mass or service continues.

Palm Sunday begins the final week of almsgiving, prayer and fasting for the lenten season.  It is all called Passion Sunday as the Passion of Jesus is read.

Most places celebrate with palms but in Latvia they have a tradition of using pussy willows.  The day is called Pussy Willow Sunday rather than Palm Sunday.

At almost the same time Passover has begun for our Jewish friends.  The holiday began with a seder on Saturday night and will continue for seven days.

Both those of the Christian and Jewish faiths have so much in common and often the two holidays come around the same time of year.

For Christians, the upcoming week continues with Holy or Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Thursday commemorates the last supper of Jesus and Friday mourns his death.

Next Sunday will be a day of joy as Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus for Christians around the world.

Private Home Health Care wishes our Christian and Jewish friends a blessed week ahead.