We're Cool for the Summer

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Yay!! It’s the first day of Summer, time to lay back on the beach and enjoy those long summer days. While we want to immerse ourselves in all of the activities that the summer has to offer, let’s remember a few health precautions to ensure nothing hinders the fun.

1. Stay hydrated- Be sure to drink plenty of water, as the heat increases the more exertion the body puts forth. For a little extra flavor, add fruit and refrigerate your water to give it a cool and fresh taste.
2.  Protect your skin from the sun-wear wide-brimmed hats, apply water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and reapply at least every 2 hours.
3. Wear lightweight clothing with breathable fabrics such as cotton and protect your eyes with sunglasses.
4.  If the heat becomes unbearable, try indoor activities.
5.  HAVE FUN!

For more information of health tips for the summer, please visit http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Summer-Tips-for-a-Healthy-Heart_UCM_303868_Article.jsp#.V2gQW1l-6rw

ENJOY,

Paris Davis, TOVA Scholars Intern

Did you know Watermelon contains choline which may help reduce Chronic Inflammation?

Did you Know? 

W a ter m elo n c o n ta in s a n

antioxidant called lycopene, which helps fight cancer

causing agents in the body. Watermelon also contains

choline which may help reduce chronic inflammation.

Recipe Courtesy of Hungry-Girl.com

TOVA’S FLAVORFUL SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE PICK:
Jicama Watermelon Salad
Recipe Courtesy of Hungry-Girl.com
Cook & Prep Time:10 Minutes
Crunchy, sweet, and a little schmancy! Attack your
hunger and your summer food rut at once with this
special (yet so simple) salad…..
1/2 of recipe (about 1 1/4 cups): 110 calories,
4g total fat (1.5g sat fat), 176mg sodium, 16g
carbs, 2g fiber, 11g sugars, 4g protein

Picture from:  www.hungry-girl.com/weeklyrecipes

Ingredients:
 2 cups cubed watermelon
 1/2 cup jicama thinly sliced into 2-inch strips
 1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground, if available)
 1 tbsp. balsalmic vinegar
 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
 2 tbsp. chopped basil

Directions:
Place watermelon and jicama into a wide , shallow bowl. Toss gently to mix. Sprinkle with feta cheese and black pepper, drizzle with olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, and top with basil!
MAKES 2 SERVINGS


                                                         TOVACARES.BLOGSPOT.COM
                                                                 Tova Community Health
                                                     Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

Beware the Quiet Waters

Often time’s situations occur simply because we have not received adequate education.  According to the Defenders of Wildlife, an estimated 5 million American alligators are spread across the southeastern United States. Roughly 1.25 million alligators live in the state of Florida alone. Here are a few tips of safety when there is possibility of an encounter with alligators in your area:

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1.     Be aware of the possibility of alligator attacks when in or near fresh or brackish bodies of water. Many attacks occur when people do not pay close attention to their surroundings when working near water.
2.     Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours.
3.     Do not work with your back towards the water.
4.     Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water.
5.     Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators.
6.     Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Dogs are more susceptible to being attacked than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators.

For more information check out: http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Wildlife-Information/Alligators/Alligator-Safety-Tips

Are Mobil Devices Addictive?

                 According to a survey, 59 percent of parents think their children are
tech addicts. They feel they are on their cell phone, computer, or tablet
excessively and it is having an effect on their interaction with people. The
article states, “About one-third of both parents and teens say they argue
daily about the device use; only 21 percent of parents and 31 percent of kids
say that they never argue about it.” 

Picture from: unlockunit.com

              They are worried about time spent in front of the screen and the amount of times teens check their devices.Another concern relates to teen cell phone use while driving. 
The author believes parents should set a good example by not checking their phones
while they drive. Mobile Device Addiction is not labeled as a disorder, but
parents are concerned that it should be classified as one. The article says the
use of mobile devices are changing how people interact with each other, as well.

            Teens may experience physical effects from constantly using their
mobile devices such as finger cramping, neck and back muscle pain, eye
strain etc. Nomophobia which is the fear of being without one’s phone may
also increase a teen’s anxiety or fear of losing it. There are some positive
effects of teens being addicted to their mobile devices. One parent mentioned
she knows her child is awake by the fact that she is “liking” pictures on
Instagram early morning. Overall,there are pros and cons to teen
use of mobile devices. Laura Wharton, B.S.
                     For more information go to: www.commonsensemedia.org
                             
                                                                         TOVA
                                               Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center
                                                         

Remembering Prince

Picture:  thoriumwealth.com

           In the wake of the tragic death of Prince, we are forced to think about how chronic pain is treated.

How much is too much? Considering Prince was only 57 when he died and still performing was an

exceptional feat in itself. According to an article in the New York Times, “Evidence has been

mounting that suggests that Prince started taking pain meds for hip pain and

became dependent on them."

It is alleged that music legend Prince had a history of hip problems and may have relied on

opioids (pain meds) to ease the pain. Did the pressure of being able to perform and please his fans

like he did in his 20s cross his mind as he was taking this medicine? As performers age, they may

not be able to tour and perform at the same level of intensity. The human body needs ample rest in

order to perform at its optimal level as we age. Musicians may need to modify their careers,

lifestyles, etc. in order to keep up with the demands of touring as they grow older. In addition,

many artists may feel that pain meds can relieve their symptoms when their bodies are in fact

letting them know that there may be other underlying problems. Pain is one of those signals that

the body uses to let the mind know that there is something wrong. In other words, pain medication

may serve as relief, but may not be a permanent solution to the problem.

                                                                All the best, Dr. Nina

                                                               Tova Community Health
                                                 Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

Free Diabetes Self-Management program across Delaware

The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC) diabetes self-management program helps people to learn how to set goals for themselves. The class meets once a week for a few hours to talk about what diabetes is, healthy foods to eat, and different ways to get exercise. Everyone is paired with another person in the class so that they can have someone to talk to throughout the week. Many people find it helpful to be able to speak to someone who is going through the same thing they are and will reach out to their partner when they are having a hard time.

The class is not focused on forcing people to make huge changes overnight. Everyone speaks as a group about what they would like to change and the leaders of the class help them to break their big goals down into smaller goals; being unable to meet your goal is never looked down on. Instead everyone speaks as a group to help the person come up with things they think could help or a different goal altogether.

The leaders of the class are able to help teach people how to plan meals, better sleeping habits, ways to control feelings of hunger, and anything else someone might be having a hard time with. Rather than just telling people they need to change their ways this class helps each person figure out how to do that. The leaders see that everyone is different and are set on helping everyone succeed.
Sign-Up for a Class:  Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC)
                                               www.delawaremrc.org
                                                     302-831-8368
                                        Delaware Medical a Reserve Corps

Laura Kopach, UD Junior Nursing Student