Health & Wellness 90 by d-mars.com

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November 2019 | 1

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

November 2019

Inspire, Inform & Educate

90th Edition

The Diabetic Country Club OF HOUSTON

INSIDE

Care is Essential

Get Back In Your Favorite Jeans With These Weight Loss Tips Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Four Ways To Boost Your Vitamin D Intake

2 | November 2019 FOOD & RECIPES

By d-mars.com News Provider

hen starting a business, specifically as an African American, hearing from others what “you can’t do” or what “you won’t achieve” is not uncommon, and for Joan Anderson things were no different. When Anderson and her husband first started C.J.’s Southern Seasonings, they were told several times that the business “wouldn’t take off” and their seeming success was to be short lived and “wouldn’t last.” But that clearly did not stop them, because now, 10 years later, the Andersons are shipping out thousands of orders for the famous seasoning, and it can be found on the shelves of almost 200 grocery stores across the southeast United States. C.J.’s Southern Seasonings originally started as a commercial mobile concession stand in San Antonio where they sold fried fish and seafood. This is where customers were introduced to and fell in love with the secret seasoning. It quickly became a crowd favorite, leading the concession stand to be found at numerous locations across the city. Despite the mobile concession stand’s success, the Andersons relocated first to Tennessee after accepting a job offer and then to Mississippi, with the demand for their seasoning traveling along with them. “People loved our seasoning,” co-founder Joan Anderson said. “I think it is the one thing that really set us apart from everyone else. Even years after leaving San Antonio, we were still getting calls asking for the concession stand’s location or at least where to get some of our seasoning.” That is when the Andersons decided to launch their own website and start shipping

out orders of their seasoning and fish fry. They started out packaging orders in their kitchen, but sales grew exponentially, and they had to hire co-packers just to keep up. This is how the brand of C.J.’s Southern Seasonings got to where it is today. “We never thought it would grow into a brand,” Anderson said. “I thought it was just a fun hobby for us. Now, we have an entire customer base we like to call ‘Secret Sharers.’” This “hobby” has brought the Anderson’s much unanticipated success, but their good ideas haven’t run out yet. They have several items planned for the upcoming year including a chicken seasoning and a line of meal-specific seasonings that will remain a secret until their release in early 2021. C.J.’s Southern Seasonings has also recently become one of the few commercial kitchens in Mississippi to be a certified manufacturer and processor of desserts. This allows them to offer their sweet potato and pecan pies in multiple retail outlets. C.J.’s Southern Seasonings has grown into a brand

the Andersons never expected, one with sales from every state in the United States, grocery store partners across the south and plans to enter the Memphis market in 2020, but as the business continues growing and changing, one thing that remains the same is the Anderson’s gratefulness. “We would not be anywhere without the support of so many friends and family,” Anderson said. “I could not have done any of this without my husband of 36 years, our kids, our grandchildren and so many others who have helped us every day of this journey.” For more information or to purchase, C.J.’s Southern Seasonings, visit their website at www.cjssouthernseasonings.com or go to Amazon and search C.J.s Southern Seasonings.

“We never thought it would grow

into a brand. I thought it was just a fun hobby for us. Now, we have an entire customer base we like to call ‘Secret Sharers.’”

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— co-founder Joan Anderson

November 2019 | 3 HEALTH

Get Back in Your Favorite Jeans With These Weight Loss Tips By d-mars.com News Provider

o you have a favorite pair of jeans sitting in your closet with the hopes that one day they will fit again? You’re not alone! American women want to lose an average of 16.8 pounds to fit into their favorite pair of jeans and nearly 39 percent say they like to keep jeans in their closet that don’t fit to motivate them to lose weight, according to a survey by Nutrisystem. And while trying on jeans that don’t fit from the back of your closet or even a new pair at the store can be frustrating, being equipped with the right tips can help you get on the weight loss track and back in those jeans.

1. Eat Smart and Often. Aim to eat smaller meals every two to three hours, six times a day so that you don’t binge or overdo it. You’ll feel full and satisfied, which will help you make smarter choices.

2. Keep the Good Stuff Where You Can See it. It may sound overly simple but it’s true, you are more likely to eat healthy foods if you put them in a visible, easyto-reach location. And for the fridge? Don’t put your fruits and veggies in the produce bin! The middle shelf is the sweet spot. That’s where to keep your celery, carrots, apples, oranges and all that good stuff. 3. Don’t Go It Alone. Losing weight isn’t exactly a cakewalk. But it doesn’t

have to be impossible. Find a weight loss plan that works for you and fits in with your lifestyle. Programs like Nutrisystem ensure you feel satisfied throughout the day and take the guesswork out of dieting, making it easier to stick with the plan and drop those pounds.

4. Drink Up. Hunger and thirst are easily confused, so stay hydrated. But don’t make the mistake of drinking your calories,” says Courtney McCormick, dietitian at Nutrisystem. Opt for water. If you’re looking for a more flavorful option, add fresh fruit slices, a few squeezes of lemon or some sprigs of mint leaves.

5. Find Your Routine and Stick With it. It’s important to make a plan for what you’ll eat and when you’ll exercise each week. Carve out part of your day that works for your schedule and you’ll be much more likely to follow through. You owe it to yourself to focus on your health. Making changes is never easy at first, but hang in there. Your results will fuel your continued commitment. For more information and more great tips, visit theleaf.nutrisystem.com. Remember, making healthy changes can help you solve your denim dilemma and get you back into your favorite jeans in no time! Source: StatePoint

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4 | November 2019 HEALTH

the

Diabetic Country Club

of HOUSTON We do things that the physician may not have time to do, That includes educating them on proper nutrition, getting enough physical activity, setting goals and working to achieve those goals.” - Dr. Foreman-Hays achieve those goals, much like getting a gym membership and working with a professional trainer to achieve set fitness goals.

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he Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network (DAWN) Center is a behavioral health center, designed to support and compliment the care from physicians for Type 2 Diabetes patients. Jokingly referred to as the Diabetic Country Club by Dr. Faith Foreman-Hays, Director of Chronic Disease, Health Education and Wellness for the Houston Health Department, this is a place where individuals who are pre-diabetic, have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes or are the caretaker of someone with Type 2 Diabetes can gather with people who have similar concerns and work in peer groups to support one another. They also have access to subject matter experts in the areas of nutrition, physical education and coping with stress.

“We do things that the physician may not have time to do,” Dr. Foreman-Hays said. “That includes educating them on proper nutrition, getting enough physical activity, setting goals and working to achieve those goals.” All services at the DAWN Center are offered at no cost to its members. DAWN refers to their patients as “members” because joining the Center resembles joining a gym. When members join, they set health goals, and then work with professionals there to help them

The professionals available to DAWN Center members include registered nurses, dieticians, fitness professionals, health educators and social workers. The only requirement for members to become a part of the DAWN Center is they must be pre-diabetic, have Type 2 Diabetes or be a caretaker of someone who has Type 2 Diabetes. There are classes and programs catered to meet the needs of each category of members. Some of these include Diabetes 101 classes, classes for healthier cooking and healthier eating, how to grocery shop and fitness classes, including things like Zumba and Walking Club. “Many of our classes are focused on helping our members learn to manage their diabetes by eating healthier,” Dr. Foreman-Hays said. “We offer cooking demonstrations, cooking classes and even cooking classes based on different cultures. We also have a garden where members can grow their own vegetables to use in these classes.”

With diabetes being one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Houston, the DAWN Center wanted their services offered in an opportune location where they were able to serve the most people. It is located in the Third Ward of Houston at 3611 Ennis St and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Keeping with their goal to help as many people as they can, the DAWN Center also has a mobile unit they bring out into the community to provide services and education to places like schools, churches and other organizations. They also offer chronic disease self-management classes and diabetes self-management classes, which are six-week courses, at off-site locations like doctor’s offices and churches.

The three most important things Dr. ForemanHays and the rest of the staff want people to know about the DAWN Center are: 1. There is no cost to members. 2. It is very easy to become a member. 3. It is beneficial to ANYONE with or caring for someone with Type 2 Diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and the DAWN Center and the City of Houston Health Department as whole have made it their mission to get the word out to the people of Houston. They will work all month long to bring awareness to the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in this city as well as ways to prevent and manage the disease and the services available at the DAWN Center. The DAWN Center is also hosting a “Healthy Hour” on November 14, recognized as World Diabetes Day, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the DAWN Center. For more information on the DAWN Center and Type 2 Diabetes, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/health/Community/ dawn/index.html

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November 2019 | 5

3 TIPS TO LOWER YOUR RISK FOR DIABETES MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

MEAL PLANNING

Staying at a healthy weight can help you prevent and manage problems like prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol.

Physical activity can do a lot for your health, even if you haven’t been very active lately.

What you eat makes a difference in your blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. Eating healthful foods doesn’t have to be difficult.

1 out of 3

ADULTS HAS PRE-DIABETES Which can lead to diabetes and complications

Heart Disease

Blindness

Kidney Failure

Stroke

Make a change. The Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network offers FREE diabetes education and services for adults with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those at risk.

CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY houstontx.gov/dawncenter 832-393-4055

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6 | November 2019 HEALTH

CARE IS ESSENTIAL By Shelondra Peavy Contributing Writer

s it relates to the health care of any person who is closest to your heart, you’d naturally want the best possible treatment for them. Whether your loved one needs temporary restorative care or perpetual in-home care, you expect experienced, professional caretakers to uphold the certain standard which you already have etched in your mind. As for myself, I recently based my requirements solely on what I believe to be the “bare essentials”: compassion, kindness, devotion, trustworthiness, and care. In line with this, I can say that having a true understanding about the roles and responsibilities of a home health caregiver will assist you in choosing the best agency for your needs. Generally, a home health caregiver supports patients by providing general living assistance such as housekeeping and laundry services; shopping for food and other household items; preparing and serving meals; running errands, and so on. Furthermore, in more intense cases, a caregiver may also assist patients by providing more ‘personal’ services; including, bathing, dressing, and grooming. Needless to say; such services cannot be PROPERLY performed by someone who doesn’t possess the aforementioned qualities (listed as bare essentials).

Within the metropolitan area of Houston alone, there are well over 500 home health agencies to choose from, and having such a broad selection pool to choose from could be stressful. Overall, it’s understood that the general role of a professional home health care provider is to provide a suitable environment for their client. That said, if you have a loved one that needs care, or if your loved one is currently being looked after, but you feel that the caregiver is not performing to your expected standards (or if you’re concerned about the caregiver’s behavior), it’s important for you to exercise your POWER OF CHOICE. In other words, CHOOSE A COMPANY THAT IS ‘truly’ BASED UPON CARE and ESSENTIAL SERVICES. Since one consumer is usually excited to tell another about any OUTSTANDING experience of theirs, it’s seems fair for me to mention that I felt personally relieved and satisfied by selecting an agency named Prime Time Home Health Services Inc (located in South-West Houston @ 9894 Bissonnet) . Yet, choosing the right person(s) to administer home health care

with regards to your individual expectations is a very personal and intimate task. And, in order to ensure that you will receive the highest quality of care, you may use the following as a general guideline to aide you in your decision ·· Verify licensed and currently registered Verifythat thatthe theagency agencyisis licensed and currently inregistered good-standing with the State of Texas. in good-standing with the State of Texas. ·· Find Find out outthe thelength lengthofoftime time agency been in thethe agency hashas been business. in business. ·· Understand used to to hire caretakers, Understandthe theagency’s agency’sprocess process used hire including any training provided. caretakers, including any training provided. ·· Verify Verify that thatcaretakers caretakersare areadequately adequatelyevaluated evaluatedonon a regular basis. a regular basis. ·· The scheduled services should Theagency’s agency’sfee feestructure structureand and scheduled services be clearly understood and provided in print form. should be clearly understood and provided in print form.

Beyond this, if you want the best possible CARE for your loved one, it’s imperative that you look for the following “essentials” in the “true nature” of the actual caretaker: compassion, kindness, devotion, trustworthiness, and of course; CARE. Because; even though it is seldom stated, CARE is essential.

HEALTH

Dentist-Approved Tips for Healthier Smiles After Halloween Consistency is Key

By d-mars.com

Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you’re brushing for a full two minutes each time! It can be tempting to let kids skip brushing after a long day or during times when the normal schedule is off (like vacation or a holiday), but keep at it. That’s how you form a healthy lifelong habit. “Your children learn from you, so set a good example. The family that brushes together has even more reason to smile,” says Dr. Sahota.

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andy and sweets are fun to eat, but too many treats can take a toll on dental health. And when it comes to celebrations that are all about the sugar, families can do some damage control with a check-in to make sure everyone’s dental health routine is up to par. “National Brush Day is Nov. 1, and it’s an excellent opportunity to clean up from Halloween sweets, learn more about dental health and perfect your brushing technique,” says Dr. Ruchi Sahota, American Dental Association (ADA) spokesperson. For a healthy mouth and smile, the ADA offers the following tips and recommendations.

Purchase Proven Products One great way to celebrate National Brush Day is with a new toothbrush. It could be time for a new one, anyway. The ADA suggests replacing toothbrushes every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t clean as well. Soft-bristled brushes also protect your teeth and gums. Talk to your dentist about which types of dental products will be most effective for your family, and also be sure these products carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Prevent Decay

The Seal lets you know they meet strict ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. “You get a check-up when you go to the dentist. Think of the Seal like a check-up for your dental products,” says Dr. Sahota. “A team of dental experts evaluates each product to make sure it is safe and effective for you and your family.” Look for the Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, water flossers, mouth rinses, chewing gum and other oral hygiene products. Search products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at MouthHealthy.org/ADASeal.

Tooth decay-causing bacteria linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Limiting how much sugar you eat and drink also makes cavities less likely. The harmful bacteria in your mouth eat the sugars you consume and produce acid, which can damage teeth, causing cavities to form or erosion to occur. While sugar is often a given on Halloween, National Brush Day is a great way to make a fresh start. Take the opportunity to reinforce the habits that lead to healthy smiles.

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Source: StatePoint

November 2019â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 7 HEALTH

2. Choose high quality eggs with increased vitamin D content

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s the days shorten and the weather turns chillier, absorbing vitamin D from the sun becomes more challenging. Why does that matter? Less vitamin D can lead to a weakened immune system, fatigue, joint pain and even impaired wound healing. Essentially, vitamin D helps your whole system run better, from your digestive system to your nervous and circulatory systems. Vitamin D can help your body ward off diseases, while also boosting your mood and helping to fight depression. It also enhances the body's absorption of calcium, which helps form and maintain strong bones, and aids in maintaining muscle strength, healthy body fat levels and body tissue health. How can you make sure to get enough vitamin D as the season changes? Registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner offers a few expert tips on healthy hacks for your diet:

1. Opt for fatty fish when eating seafood When you're looking for a seafood option for meals or when dining out, choose the fattier types of fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and anchovies, as they are rich dietary sources of vitamin D. In addition, oysters and shrimp are also good sources of vitamin D.

Eggs are a great option for vitamin D, but keep in mind that not all eggs are created equal. Eggland's Best eggs contain six times more vitamin D and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. In addition, independent testing has revealed that Eggland's Best eggs have stronger shells than ordinary eggs, which leads to less breakage and helps them stay fresher longer. Eggland's Best's patented method of production and verification ensures that every Eggland's Best egg has these superior qualities.

3. Add mushrooms to your diet

4. Take a supplement

Mushrooms are another great way to add some vitamin D into your diet! You can add some fresh mushrooms to your salads or add cooked mushrooms into your favorite meals. When mushrooms are exposed to sunlight, they produce vitamin D. Not all mushrooms have been exposed to sunlight, however, so look for packages that say vitamin D enhanced or put your mushrooms in sunlight for 1-2 hours. Shiitake mushrooms are the best choice since they produce the most vitamin D.

If you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, consult your health care professional to be tested and to ask for recommendations for an appropriate vitamin D supplement dose for your situation. You don't have to suffer through the colder months of the year feeling deprived of vitamin D. With some adjustments to your daily diet, you'll boost your body's health all winter long. Source: BPT

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8 | November 2019

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