Chocolate and Delicious

Do you know what the Mayans and the Aztecs had in common 2000 years ago?

Cocoa! 

On this day of the National Cocoa we love to talk about how delicious cocoa powder is along with how good it can be for you.

Cocoa powder worked its way through Mexico into the New World and Europeans.  Eventually cocoa became very popular and in the wintertime transformed into hot cocoa.

Hot cocoa is the perfect drink for the winter if you’ve been out skiing, hiking or skating. In truth, it’s a really great winter drink for anyone who wants to warm up.

We are talking about hot cocoa made from cocoa powder.  Hot chocolate is very different as it’s made from cocoa butter and not as healthy. 

Cocoa is low in calories and fat and high in polyphenols.  Polyphenols are found in plants and act like antioxidants. 

Antioxidants help you lower your cholesterol, reduce inflammation and lower your blood pressure.  All good and tasty too.

You can make a homemade hot cocoa recipe very easily with just three ingredients:

1-½ TBSP Ghirardelli 100% cocoa powder (60-70% is minimum to use for benefits)

1-½ TBSP Sugar (Stevia or Erythritol & Monk Fruit for a healthy sugar substitute)

1 c milk (Choose your favorite)

Whisk it all together and heat the milk until hot.

(Courtesy of thrivinghomeblog.com)

Private Home Health Care is ready to make a cup of hot cocoa on this chilly New England Day.  We hope you’ll enjoy a cup one of these winter days too.

Bingo!

December is the month for the birthday of the game Bingo!

Bingo is a fun game of chance for all ages, from Preschool to Senior Citizens.  You fill in squares to see if you earn the right to be able to yell Bingo and win the game.

Many of you may associate the game with the American Catholic church.  That’s because a Catholic priest back in the 1930’s had the idea to launch the game as a fundraiser for his church and he got permission from Edwin Lowe.

Edwin Lowe who brought the game to America and called it Beano.  Supposedly someone playing the game yelled Bingo and that’s the name that stuck instead!

Children play the game to learn letters, numbers and shapes.  They all love to be the first to shout and of course win!

If you are a senior living in a group setting, try and get Bingo started if it’s not on the list of games.  Bingo can do wonders for you socially for one thing..

Additionally, you can also improve your cognitive abilities and your hand-eye coordination.   It might even give you physical strength!

Bingo is a fun game that most everyone loves to play.  You don’t need a lot of materials and you can play for fun or maybe a little cash depending on the setting.

Private Home Health Care hopes you get the opportunity to play a bit of Bingo this month.  It’s a great way to relax and have some fun.

#BingosBirthdayMonth

Pears

What fruit is in the same plant family of the apple, apricot, cherry and peach family and is full of sweetness and nutritional value?

If you guessed the pear you are correct!

Believe it or not the pear is in the same family as all of the fruits listed above.  It comes from the Rosaceae plant family.  

There are actually ten different varieties of pears. Anjou, Bartlett and Bosc are some of the most common found here.  All have different colors, textures, and sweetness and if you have a sweet tooth a pear can definitely help with that.

It turns out that in addition to your sweet tooth, a pear is also a food that can help you digest well, aid your heart, moderate blood sugar and help your inflammation. 

Pears are a great choice if you are diabetic or watching your blood sugar.  They contain one quarter of the fiber you need in a day which slows your body’s sugar absorption.  You would also be eating a low-glycemic food which helps to keep your blood sugar from spiking.  

In addition to fiber, eating a pear gives you potassium to help with blood pressure.  You’’ll  also get good amounts of Vitamins C, K and B6.  

A pear is a win-win situation with one caveat.  As with any food, you should be sure to eat pears in moderation.  Too much of any food can work against your healthy diet.

Private Home Health Care hopes that you enjoy pears.  They are delicious alone, they pair well with different cheeses and for a splurge they can make a tasty treat!

#NationalPearMonth

Happy Chanukah!

Private Home Health Care would like to wish all of our Jewish friends a very Happy Chanukah.

The festive celebration begins tomorrow night at sunset and ends eight days later on December 15.

A menorah or Chanukiah is lit each of the eight nights of the celebration with a total of eight lights shining at the end. 

The light commemorates the time back in 139 BCE when Jewish Freedom Fighters called the Maccabees were victorious over the Greeks who had taken over their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. 

 In looking for the pure oil to light the Temple menorah, the Maccabees found only enough for one day.  Amazingly, the oil lasted for a total of eight days until they could get more.  Such a miracle continues to be celebrated each year.

Families say a blessing as they light the candles.  Presents can be given.  Latkes, potato pancakes, and doughnuts are often found on the table.  Spinning dreidels is a fun game played.

You can greet people just before the holiday or during the holiday with happy Chanukah.  If you want to try and impress you can try it in Hebrew, Chanukah samayach (sah-MAY-ahkh).

Once the holiday is over though no need to use a greeting since the holiday is done.

We wish a very Happy Chanukah to all celebrating.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

This first week in December has us thinking about our seniors and driving.  The CDC states that there are 44 licensed drivers over the age of 65 currently in the United States.

If you are a senior driver, what are ways that you can continue to drive safely?

As you age, driving can get more challenging.   Your vision or hearing may have changed.  It could be more difficult to drive at night.  

Additionally, if you have arthritis or another medical condition that can make driving more difficult.

It’s most important for you to know yourself and your capabilities.  If you are feeling uncomfortable it may be time to scale back or stop driving.  There are however ways to help you drive safely.

• Have your vision and hearing checked regularly.

• Stay physically active.  This will help with your reflexes and strength.

• Try to drive a car with an automatic transmission.  Shifting can be distracting as you age.

• Avoid driving at times that are difficult for you.  Nighttime or heavy traffic times may be best to avoid.  Bad weather is a sign to stay home too.

• Plan your route and don’t crowd other drivers.  Be sure to leave extra space between cars in front of you.

Your independence as you age is important.  We all understand that but your safety is also important so try and be aware of your abilities.

If you have a loved one that you are concerned about, please try to talk with them to see if anything needs to be done differently or changed..  

Private Home Health Care recommends checking in with your doctor if you have concerns.  This is a very busy time of year and people are rushing at times.  We want you to keep yourself safe when you are on the road.  Stay safe.

#OlderDriverSafetyAwarenessWeek

Getting through the Holiday Season

Are you thinking what we are thinking?  The holidays are upon us once again.  How do we make it through all the preparations and still enjoy them?

Hanukkah begins on December 7 and as everyone surely knows Christmas will be upon us again on December 25. 

Both holidays involve traditions, food, presents and church or temple for some.  There are also a lot of expectations with both holidays.  It is such a busy time for all of us. 

How do we keep our sanity and enjoy the festivities and remember the true meaning of the holidays?

Lists – a list of what is needed from food, to drinks, to presents can save our brains.

Pre-Baking – if you have food to be served that can be baked ahead and frozen, do it!

A Budget – spend what you can afford.  If you set up a fund for the holiday, try your best to stick to it.   You’ll be very happy in January. 

Patience – you will need patience shopping, driving anywhere (everyone seems to be in a hurry) and with each other.

Take Care of Yourself – everything costs more this year.  If you need to cut back on things, do it and don’t feel guilty.  If you need help, ask for it. 

The holidays can be a special time with family and friends.  For those of you in a senior center or a nursing facility, try and gather with your neighbors. Hopefully friends and family can visit but be sure to remember and share your memories and see if you can make new ones.

We at Private Home Health Care are trying to take one day at a time this season.  We hope to spread good holiday cheer and patience to all we meet.

Louisa May Alcott’s Birthday

Louisa May Alcott is a famous author from the 19th century.  Her most well known book has been read by generations of women and it’s a book that you can read more than once.

That book is titled Little Women, a book written in 1868.  Have you read it?   

Louisa was born on November 29, 1832 and she led an interesting life.  She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Her parents were religious and believed in children enjoying their learning.

She started early with reading and writing, mostly through homeschooling. Did you know that along with learning from her parents, Louisa was also schooled by Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathanial Hawthorne.  Pretty impressive.

While she was growing up her family ran into financial difficulties.  Louisa was forced to work and because of this she began to write.  This helped her financially and emotionally.

Additionally, Louisa worked as a nurse during the Civil War and actually contracted typhoid fever. She wrote the Hospital Sketches based on her experiences as a patient and as a nurse.  It was written under the name A.M. Barnard.  This book was read by both adults and children.

In 1868, her publisher asked her to write a book for young women.  Having grown up in a family of four girls with some trials and tribulations, she had the perfect setting.  Her women were strong heroines, not typical of that time.

As an adult, Louisa was part of the suffragist movement and she wrote for publications that focused on women’s vote.  

Louisa adopted her niece and moved to Boston where she suffered from various illnesses.  She continued to write additional stories from Little Women until she died at the young age of 56 years old.

Private Home Health Care has very fond memories of the book Little Women.  If you have not read it yet, give it a try.  It’s a wonderful book.

National Roasting Month

Did you happen to cook or enjoy eating a roasted turkey or roast beef for Thanksgiving?  If so, you participated in National Roasting Month whether you realized it or not.

You can roast any time of year but November is the month because of all the turkeys roasted at Thanksgiving.  If you have an oven, you can roast.

Roasting is not just for meats!  There are so many vegetables that can be roasted.  Roasting makes your vegetables delicious for their crispness and because you can add your favorite spices.  

Additionally, you get good amounts of vitamins B and C from roasting.  Both vitamins protect you from infections but vitamin B also helps with cell health, brain function and digestion.  Vitamin C helps form blood vessels, cartilage and muscle.

One thing to remember is that roasting can take a bit longer than steaming or boiling your vegetables.  If you have an air fryer, check cooking times because they will vary from a conventional oven.

If you haven’t roasted anything but meat or potatoes, try some vegetables.  Carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, onions and peppers lend themselves easily to roast.  

Private Home Health Care hopes you enjoy #NationallRoastingMonth and set your oven to roast something you haven’t roasted before!    

Your Medical Care and Appointments

What a busy time of year you are in! There are so many advertisements for “special deals”, activities and general busyness. 

You could have doctor’s appointments scheduled. You don’t need to feel additional stress from them.  It can be a lot to juggle so here are a few ideas to help you manage your medical life.

First, be sure you have a working calendar to keep track of important dates.  Keep the calendar in a central place and check it daily.

Next, prepare for your visit to the doctor. Share any health problems or changes in your habits or medications.  Perhaps have 3 or 4 questions prepared ahead as well.

It can be hard to remember all that a doctor tells you.  You can take notes or get a printout of the visit from your doctor.  Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to repeat something.

If you need any treatments, have a discussion with your doctor on any risks and costs. Are there any options on treatments?

Are you hard of hearing?  Be sure you ask your doctor to speak up or repeat so you can understand any information shared.

Additionally, if you are feeling rushed or uncomfortable let the doctor know.  The time was set up for you and the doctor may need a reminder of its importance to you.

We here at Private Home Health Care want you to be a strong advocate in your medical life.  Don’t be afraid to make sure your doctor supports you as best they can.

Thanksgiving

Private Home Health Care wishes all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

We wonder if back in 1621 the Pilgrims from England and the Wampanoag Native Americans indigenous to the land knew the tradition they were starting!

The holiday continued over many years, from 1621, to George Washington’s time through Abraham Lincoln all the way up to today.  

The day of the holiday however, has changed over the years.  For example, Thanksgiving has been on a Friday in the past and also on the last Thursday in November.

It wasn’t officially the fourth Thursday in November until the time of Franklin D. Roosevelt.  While he was President, Congress signed the law making Thanksgiving the next to last Thursday in November. 

Our wish for all is that you feel very blessed this holiday.  We hope that you are able to share a meal and time with family, friends or a group of familiar people.

#HappyThanksgiving