Healthy Aging Association News - Healthy Aging Association

Healthy Eating for Life!

5/11/2020

As we age, having good nutrition plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Making sure we are getting the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need helps to give us the energy we need to go about our normal day, build up our immune system to fight infection and other diseases, and have strong skin and bones, to name a few benefits. There may be challenges we face to be able to eat healthy and get the nutritious food our bodies need.

The National Institute on Aging advises us, "Different foods in each food group have different nutrients. Picking an assortment within every food group throughout the week will help you get many nutrients. For example, choose seafood instead of meat twice a week. The variety of foods will make your meals more interesting, too." EatFresh.org remind us of the importance of making sure our plate is colorful with a variety of fruits and vegetables, this is also a great resource to find new recipes to try!

EatFresh.org has come up with a Mini Course to "boost your nutrition, cooking and healthy living knowledge". Take this fun course to learn more ways you can eat healthy, save money, and cook easy, tasty meals.

Written by Jessica Shupp-Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Source:https://eatfresh.org/eatfreshorg-mini-course
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals

Snack Time Made Easy

4/9/2020

If you are a snack-er, being home at this time may come with its own added challenges to limit the amount of snacks you have in a day. MyPlate MyWins has come up with some simple steps to "Hack Your Snacks" while remaining healthy and keep you moving toward your nutrition goals.

Build your own snacks such as trail mix to allow you to customize your snack to your liking.
Pre-portion snacks in baggies to save time and avoid overeating.
Combine food groups for a snack - yogurt with fruit or apples with peanut butter.
Keep your snacks colorful by trying raw vegetables with dip to take in more vitamins.

Another helpful resource for making your own snacks or trying new recipes can be by visiting eatfresh.org for snack recipes like smoothies, dips, wraps, trail mix, and more!

Written by Jessica Shupp-Enes, Fitness Program Coordinator
Resources: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate-mywins-tips-hacking-your-snacks-0
https://eatfresh.org/recipe/filter-meal-type/snacks-7
Image: https://foreignpolicyi.org/the-best-healthy-snacks/

Heart Health This Valentine's Day

2/14/2019

Think About Your Heart Health This Valentine's Day

For the whole month of February, American Heart Month is celebrated to bring awareness to heart disease and ways to prevent heart disease at any age. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to have a healthy diet and adequate physical activity no matter your age. By choosing a healthy eating plan and being physically active you can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association.

During the month of February it is also important to talk with loved ones about the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association mentions, "Not everyone experiences sudden numbness with a stroke or severe chest pain with a heart attack. And heart attack symptoms in women can be different than men."

Check out the links below from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, The American Heart Association, and HealthFinder.gov to learn more about heart disease and ways to prevent the onset of heart attack and stroke for you and your loved ones.

SNAP-Ed Connection has also come up with some heart healthy meals to enjoy this Valentine's Day. These meals include: Pink Party Salad, Baked Parmesan Fish, Caribbean Casserole, Kale with Nuts and Raisins, and Fudgy Fruit for dessert. We hope you enjoy some of these recipes and continue to strive for a healthy heart!

Resources:
Image: https://healthychesapeake.org/american-heart-month/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/how-to-help-prevent-heart-disease-at-any-age
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/
https://healthfinder.gov/healthtopics/population/men/health-conditions-and-diseases/keep-your-heart-healthy

Oktoberfest Healthy Recipes to Celebrate the Harvest Season

9/26/2018

Believe it or not, Oktoberfest starts in September! As the end of September nears and we head into October, try some of these great healthy recipe ideas to spice up your dishes and celebrate the upcoming Fall season. As harvest season approaches many people will be attending gatherings either with friends, family, co-workers, or planning seasonal meals for one. The USDA SNAP-Ed Connection has provided an appetizing and unique list of different dishes that will make great additions for those looking to cook up something this Fall. Some of these unique dishes include: honey mustard pork chops, stuffed summer squash, sweet and sour cabbage, dutch green beans and more!

Planning for the Memorial Day Weekend

5/24/2018

With warm weather predicted for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, here are a few tips for eating healthy at any festivities you may be attending. Whether you are getting together with family and friends for a barbecue or cooking for one the USDA SNAP-Ed Connection has created a delicious menu perfect for any Memorial Day plans. We all have our favorite recipes for food we like to bring to summer gatherings, but have you thought about trying a new recipe when planning a dish to bring? These burgers, pasta salad, baked beans, and homemade lemonade recipes are sure to be a liked by everyone. Check out the Memorial Day cookbook provided by the USDA SNAP-Ed Connection on https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/recipes-menus/healthy-thrifty-holiday-menus/memorial-day-menu?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MemorialDayImage
We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend honoring those who have given their lives in service for our country.

Author: Jessica Shupp
Source: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/recipes-menus/healthy-thrifty-holiday-menus/memorial-day-menu?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MemorialDayImage

The Ultimate Super Bowl Menu

1/30/2018

Game Day is soon approaching for this year’s Super Bowl Sunday, February 4th! While we are all anticipating the excitement of the game, we may also be looking forward to the food which will be present at our Super Bowl festivities. It is easy during this time of celebration and friendly competition to indulge in the food provided, but let’s not forget to be aware of what we are putting inside our bodies.

Those at SNAP-Ed Connection have come up with a Game Day Menu that is sure to please everyone during the big game! Check out their healthy and delicious suggestions “from the Glazed Skinless Chicken Wings to the low fat dips for fruit and veggies, these colorful recipes are all winners”! Feel free to share your healthy game day recipes with us in anticipation for the Super Bowl this weekend!

Author: Jessica Shupp
Source: SNAP-Ed Connection

Healthy Holiday Helper

11/9/2017

With the holidays quickly approaching many people are thinking of ways to still make healthy eating choices and still be able to enjoy all of the delicious seasonal dishes they know and love. Here are some helpful tips from the American Heart Association on how to choose and prepare your favorite dishes and still be mindful of healthy food choices:

• Choose wisely, even with healthier foods. Ingredients and nutrient content can vary by brand and preparation.
• Compare nutrition information on package labels and select products with the lowest amounts of sodium, added sugars, saturated fat and trans fat, and no partially hydrogenated oils.
• Watch your calorie intake. To maintain weight, consume only as many calories as you use up through physical activity. If you want to lose weight, consume fewer calories or burn more calories.
• Eat reasonable portions. Often this is less than you are served.
• Eat a wide variety of foods to get all the nutrients your body needs.
• Prepare and eat healthier meals at home. You’ll have more control over ingredients.
• Look for the Heart-Check mark to easily identify foods that can be part of an overall healthy diet. Learn more at heartcheck.org.

The American Heart Association has compiled some important information regarding healthy choices and alternatives for holiday beverages, family meals, ways to stay active, and delicious recipes in their Holiday Healthy Eating Guide. Visit https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/holidays-healthy-eating-guide to download this helpful guide and navigate your way through the holiday season with healthful food choices.

Author: Jessica Shupp
Source: https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/holidays-healthy-eating-guide

Summertime Bounty

8/11/2017

With summer in full swing and temperatures reaching triple digits the past week at least we can rejoice for the abundance of summer fruits and vegetables available to us here in the Central Valley. While some fruit and vegetable plants may be greatly affected by the scorching heat other plants are beginning to thrive. We have our local farmers to thank for our assortment of summer fruits, like peaches, nectarines, cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, and melon, and vegetables such as, corn, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and bell peppers just to name a few.

Click here for some easy summer recipes provided by Champions for Change that will not heat up your house, but have an explosion of nutritious value.

Author: Jessica Shupp

Peel Appeal

1/11/2017

Did you know that the skins of fruits and vegetables contain great nutritional benefits?
So many people toss peels and skins from apples, carrots, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, potatoes, papayas and other tropical fruits, but only if they knew what they were really throwing away. We are going to share why you should keep these peels and skins in your diet to help protect against cancer, other diseases and to support your organs.

Storing Whole Fruits & Vegetables for Better Flavor

1/15/2015

There are a lot of ways to serve fresh fruits and vegetables. If you need to store them for more than a day before serving, follow the storage guidelines below for the best taste and texture.

Countertop Storage
Many fruits and vegetables should be stored only at room temperature because refrigerator temperatures damage them or keep them from ripening to a good flavor and texture. Produce that should be stored at room temperature include:

Bananas
Cantaloupe
Eggplant
Grapefruit

Honeydew
Jicama
Lemons
Mangos

Oranges
Peppers
Pineapple
Plantains

Pumpkin
Squash
Tomatoes
Watermelon

Ripen on the Counter, and then Store in the Refrigerator
Some produce continue to ripen after they are picked. Produce that can ripen in a bowl or in a paper bag until they reach the desired softness include:

Avocados
Kiwi

Nectarines
Peaches

Pears
Plums

Cabinet or Pantry Storage
Produce that should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place includes:

Onions Garlic Potatoes Sweet Potatoes

Retrieved from: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cpns/Documents/Network-FV-AA-Cookbook-2008.pdf

Originally posted in the Young at Heart Instructor Newsletter - January 2015