What’s in a Wordle?

There is a new digital game called Wordle that’s attracting more and more people each day.

It’s great exercise for your brain.  You have all the letters of the alphabet to choose from.  The words are all five letters in length.  Letters can only be used once.  You have to guess the Wordle in six tries.

You get hints for the wordle by the color coding of the letter.  Gray if it is not used in the word.  Yellow if the letter is used but in the wrong position.  Green if the letter is used and in the correct position.  Remember, the word has a total of five letters and is a real word. 

Private Home Health Care wants to share the fun with you!  Below are two sites where you can get the game online:

One game a day:  https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

Multiple games in a day:  https://wordle-play.com

Good luck and enjoy!

Today

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the lenten season preparing for Easter.  Around the world Christians receive ashes on their foreheads to begin the journey to the celebration of Easter on April 17th.   The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Easter, also called Pascha, one week later on April 24th.

Preparing for Easter or Pascha is a time for meditation and quiet moments.  Time just for you even if it’s just a short time. Try to find time to read or enjoy nature.  You can work towards finding balance in a busy life.  

Private Home Health Care wants you to think about rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul during this time.  Each of us can feel happy and fulfilled, no matter our age.

This Last Day of February

Private Home Health Care has shared information and tips about the heart this month of February.  On this last day we would like to leave you with a poem.  Our hope is that you have found inspiration to begin or to continue a healthy diet and lifestyle for the best you can be.

“I Love You” by Carl Sandberg

I love you for what you are, but I love you yet more for what you are going to be.

I love you not so much for your realities as for your ideals. I pray for your desires that they may be great, rather than for your satisfactions, which may be so hazardously little.

A satisfied flower is one whose petals are about to fall. The most beautiful rose is one hardly more than a bud wherein the pangs and ecstasies of desire are working for a larger and finer growth. Not always shall you be what you are now. You are going forward toward something great. I am on the way with you and therefore I love you.

Staying Calm

The world can be a crazy and stressful place.  Do you feel stressed? 

The American Heart Association has a quick two-minute exercise that can help keep you calm.  Staying calm can help your mental health and your heart health.

Private Home Health Care would like to share the short video on how to help yourself stay calm.  This works for all ages, young and old.

We hope you will enjoy this and find a way to incorporate this method into your life to help keep you balanced and calm.

Here is the link:  5, 4, 3, 2, 1 CALM

You can also get more information on managing stress at www.heart.org.

Cardiovascular Disease and Health

Private Home Health Care wonders if you understand the difference between certain terms involving the diseases of the heart.  You have probably heard of cardiovascular disease, heart disease and coronary heart disease right?

Cardiovascular disease refers to all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. It is the general overarching term for diseases of the heart.  Did you know that more than 800,000 people in the US die from cardiovascular disease every year?

Heart disease falls under the category of cardiovascular disease.  It is any disease that affects the heart’s structure and function.

Coronary heart disease is almost synonymous with the term heart disease but it’s definition is more specific.  You are diagnosed with coronary heart disease if you have large amounts of plaque that has built up in your arteries. This is what can lead to blood clots and heart attacks.

You can have a healthy heart if you focus on these areas of your life:

Blood pressure and cholesterol.

Reduce the sodium in your diet.

Get physically active.

Keep a healthy weight.

Don’t smoke.

Manage your stress.

Red Red Wine

This month of February has centered around our hearts and how to keep our hearts healthy.  Private Home Health Care is continuing by sharing some information about red wine and how it can be helpful for your heart and body.

It might surprise you but moderate amounts of red wine has shown to have some possible benefits for the heart. There is not 100% agreement but there have been studies showing positive results.  Here is the theory behind the benefits.  

Red wine, unlike white wine, is produced using the whole grape, skin and all.  The grape skin has antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols have been shown to lower blood pressure.  In red wine when these are combined with the ethanol found in wine there can be positive effects on both the heart and circulation.  You can also find small amounts of iron and calcium in a glass. 

With any alcohol, moderation is the key.  You don’t want to overdue on red or any other wine or the benefits will be lost.  People with asthma and gout could have allergic reactions and alcohol is also not recommended for any women who are pregnant. 

Be sure to check in with your doctor, but based on studies a glass of merlot, malbec or shiraz could be helpful in many ways.   Salut! 

Are you looking to make lifestyle changes?

Private Home Health Care would like to share some tips from the APA (American Psychological Association) about how to be successful with lifestyle changes. These changes can lead to a longer and healthier life!

*Map out a plan.  Make a plan that works for you.  Set realistic goals, review them and reset if needed.  Decide if you want short-term and/or long-term goals.

*Start small.  Break your goals into smaller, manageable steps that can be measured. For example, if you are looking for a heart healthy diet, try adding an extra vegetable to a meal or swap out a fruit in place of a sweet dessert.

*Change one behavior at a time.  Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to make too many changes at the same time.  Choose one goal and work on it until you feel it’s a habit.  You can then move on to the next goal.

*Involve a buddy.  Find someone that can encourage you with your goals and enlist them to help.  There are support groups out there if that works for you.

*Ask for help.  If you start to get discouraged with a goal don’t be afraid to reach out for help.  You might find a coach or if serious enough a health professional.

Lifestyle changes can be difficult but your sense of accomplishment can be satisfying and you could have an additional benefit of helping your heart!

Healthy Habits

The American Heart Association is a great resource with a wealth of information for ways to help keep our hearts healthy.  The Covid pandemic has caused a lot of stress over these past two years so the AHA recommends three areas for a healthier lifestyle.

Stress Management

The AHA is calling it “Claiming Me Time”.  Finding gratitude in your life, breathing techniques for stressful times, enjoy a moment in the great outdoors or at a minimum look for a nice, calming view out your window.  

Staying Active

Finding ways to do exercise routines.  Many Council of Aging organizations offer online or in-person exercise options for all ages.  Also look for meditation options.  There are books on meditation and lots of online resources too.

Healthy Diets

Remember that old expression, “you are what you eat”?  It turns out it’s true!  It’s important to take the time to look at recipes and menus that promote healthy hearts.  Private Home Health Care posted blogs earlier this month with details so check those out. 

Private Home Health care respects the American Heart Association.  Check out the AHA website to learn more information (www.heart.org).  They have videos you can watch too!  

Happy Valentine’s Day

Today is the holiday dedicated to love and romance around the world.  

Private Home Health Care would like to wish everyone love and happiness on this day.  We also have a couple of fun tidbits to share.

How did a box of chocolates become popular as a gift?  In the 19th century, a very ingenious chocolatier by the name of Richard Cadbuy had a brainstorm.  He was looking for a new marketing opportunity to showcase the company’s wide variety of chocolates.  Valentine’s day was chosen to showcase their delicious chocolates in a heart-shaped box.  It was a hit and the rest is history!

Remember “Romeo and Juliet” by that fellow Shakespeare?  Every year there are thousands of love letters sent to Verona, Italy, the setting of the tragedy.  In Verona, there is a club called the Juliet Club.  The volunteers of the club try to answer all the letters received that year.  They also pick the one letter they feel is the most touching.  The author gets an award called the “Cara Giulietta” or “Dear Juliet” as an honor.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed a bit of Valentine’s Day trivia.  Sending our heart-felt wishes to all today.

Why a Mediterranean diet?

Private Home Health Care loves the variety of food and spices offered by the Mediterranean Diet.  This is our diet of choice and we’d love to share it with you.

The Mediterranean Diet is a heart-healthy diet that offers a wide variety of goods.  It originated from places like Greece and Italy, countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.   Since it’s popularity in the 1950’s many studies have been conducted and concluded that there are multiple health benefits!

Plant-based foods are a staple but there are also moderate amounts of fish, poultry and dairy and lots of spices.  The benefits of  lower risk of heart disease and stroke are awesome!

Check out the key parts of the Mediterranean Diet:

Seven to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day

Whole-grain bread, cereal and pasta (add in bulgur and farro too!)

Healthy oils like olive oil over butter or margarine

Eating fish twice a week (salmon, trout, herring, tuna or mackerel (no deep frying)

Lean Red meat eaten no more than once a week (keep portions small)

Low-fat Greek or Plain Yogurt, small amount of cheeses

A variety of herbs and spices and less salt

Mangiare!