HEALTHY LIVING

Make a commitment to more family meals

Published

4 years ago

07/08/2020

(Family Features) Spending moments together with loved ones carries obvious benefits like time to catch up and opportunities to bond, but sharing meals actually provides definitive value for families. With restricted social interactions and confinement at home due to COVID-19, many families are facing meal challenges that have shifted from juggling busy schedules to seeking new ways to mix up the traditional menu or using digital solutions to reconnect at a virtual table.

A study published in the “Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior” funded by the FMI Foundation shows that more frequent family meals are associated with better dietary and family functioning outcomes. The results build on years of previous research studies to punctuate the creation of the Family Meals Movement, which encourages Americans to pledge to share one more family breakfast, lunch or dinner at home per week.

Consider these notable findings from the study:

Family meals improve fruit and vegetable consumption. Studies show a positive relationship between family meal frequency and fruit and vegetable intake when examined separately, but also when fruit and vegetable intake are combined.
Family meals improve family dynamics. Nearly all the studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between family meal frequency and measures of family functioning. Family functioning is defined as family connectedness, communication, expressiveness and problem-solving.

“There are thousands of individual studies that examine the impact of family meals on nutrition and family behavior, but this meta-analysis looks at the relationship between family meal frequency and family functioning outcomes,” said David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation. “We can confirm that family meals are a valuable contributor of improved nutrition and family dynamics.”

Find tips, recipes and ways to increase your family meal frequency despite COVID-19 circumstances at familymealsmovement.org.

German Fruit Tart

Recipe courtesy of Deanna Segrave-Daly on behalf of the FMI Foundation

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon half-and-half or cream
1/8 teaspoon almond extract or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced
cornstarch
sliced strawberries
sliced kiwi
sliced banana
blueberries
2 teaspoons turbinado or powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.
To make crust, beat together flours, sugar, egg, half-and-half and almond extract. Add butter slices and mix together until sticky ball of dough forms. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes.
On heavily floured surface, knead dough a few times and roll out to fit greased 10-inch tart pan.
Carefully spread dough into tart pan and bake 15-20 minutes, or until tart starts to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.
Dust crust with cornstarch to help fruit stick to crust. Arrange strawberries, kiwi, banana and blueberries on top of crust; sprinkle with sugar, if desired.

Hawaiian Chicken Pizza

Recipe courtesy of Toby Amidor on behalf of the FMI Foundation
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1ready-made pizza crust or whole wheat pizza crust (10 ounces)
1 cup canned or jarred tomato sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple or canned pineapple tidbits packed in 100% juice

Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat pizza pan or baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
In medium bowl, combine rotisserie chicken and barbecue sauce.
Place pizza crust on pan and evenly spread tomato sauce over crust. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Top evenly with rotisserie chicken mixture and pineapple.
Bake until crust is crisp and browned around edges, about 10 minutes. Let pizza cool 10 minutes before cutting into eight slices.

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Baked Oatmeal

Recipe courtesy of Lauren Harris-Pincus on behalf of the FMI Foundation
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 packets stevia (sugar substitute) or preferred sweetener
1/2 cup powdered peanut butter
1 scoop (1/4 cup) vanilla plant-based protein powder
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons liquid egg whites
1 ripe banana (4 ounces), mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ripe banana (4 ounces), sliced into 24 slices

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In large bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, stevia, powdered peanut butter and vanilla protein powder.
In separate bowl, combine almond milk, yogurt, egg whites, mashed banana and vanilla extract.
Add oat mixture to wet ingredients and gently stir until fully combined.
Line 9-inch brownie pan with parchment paper. Pour mixture into pan and spread evenly.
Top with banana slices in four rows of six slices each.
Bake 27-35 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
Let cool and cut into six rectangles. Wrap and refrigerate extras until ready to eat.

SOURCE:
FMI Foundation

HEALTHY LIVING

Tips for older adults and caregivers this holiday season

Published

5 days ago

12/18/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) The holidays are coming up, and many people will be celebrating with family and friends. The start of colder months also means flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. That can be dangerous for older adults.

“Holidays are a time to gather with family and friends,” said Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, senior advisor for health strategy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “but for older people, this can come with risk of serious respiratory illness. Get your updated flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to reduce your risk and do more together.”

Before heading to holiday gatherings, check out these tips from the Risk Less. Do More. vaccine education campaign. They can help you and your older loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season while lowering the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses
Older adults are at higher risk of getting seriously ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Vaccines are the best protection against severe disease from these common respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 65 and older get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. An RSV vaccine is also available to help protect older people from severe RSV. It is recommended for all people 75 and older, and for those ages 60-74 with certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or who live in a nursing home. If you are a caregiver or help an older adult with their medical decisions, encourage them to talk to their doctor about the vaccines that are right for them.

Gather Safely
Respiratory illnesses often thrive in indoor spaces where people are in close contact. If the weather permits, try hosting holiday gatherings outside. When gatherings are inside, think about keeping windows open or using fans for ventilation. If you are going to a large indoor gathering, consider wearing a mask. Washing your hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, also helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage your older loved ones to take these precautions as well.

Stay Home If You’re Sick
No one wants to miss out on festivities, but it’s important to stay home if you are not feeling well. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them about the impact flu, COVID-19 and RSV can have, especially on older adults. If you’re a caregiver of an older adult, monitor any respiratory symptoms that may develop. Testing for flu and COVID-19 can also help inform your plans. All U.S. households can now receive four free COVID tests. Order them for your family and your loved ones at COVIDTests.gov.

For many older people, the fall and winter holidays are an important time to connect with others. Be sure to include vaccinations in your holiday planning. Go to vaccines.gov to get started today.

You can also learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV at cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or by talking to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you this season.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services

HEALTHY LIVING

How to get free vaccines for flu, COVID-19 and RSV

Published

2 weeks ago

12/11/2024

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(Family Features) Respiratory viruses are common in the fall and winter months. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge during the cooler weather and keep people from gathering with family and friends. They cause many people to get very sick or even to be hospitalized.

“We know that getting vaccinated is the best defense against severe illness and death caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Respiratory virus season is here and now is the time to get your updated vaccines so you can focus on what matters most: spending quality time with friends and family.”

Vaccines help people risk less serious illness, so they can do more of what they enjoy. Everyone 6 months old and older should get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults ages 75 and older, adults 60-74 years old who have certain health conditions and adults age 60 and older who live in nursing homes should get an RSV vaccine if they have never been vaccinated against RSV. Pregnant people should also get an RSV vaccine to protect their babies from severe RSV disease in their first six months.

Getting vaccinated can be easy, and in many cases, it’s free. Here’s what you need to know.

Where Can You Get Vaccinated?

There are many places to get vaccines against flu and COVID-19, as well as RSV if you’re eligible. It’s OK to get all of these vaccines in one visit.

You can get vaccinated at some doctor’s offices, local health centers or most pharmacies. To find pharmacies near you, visit vaccines.gov. Your state or local health department may also be able to tell you where you can get vaccinated in your area.

Are the Vaccines Free?

If you have insurance: If you’re covered by Medicaid, or if you qualify for it, you can get the vaccines at no cost. People with Medicare (Parts B and D) or Medicare Advantage can also get the vaccines for free.

If you have private insurance through your job or your state’s marketplace, most plans fully cover the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines through in-network doctors.

If you are uninsured: If you don’t have health coverage, your state or local health department or a local community health center may offer the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines at no cost. Companies that make these vaccines may also offer them for free or at a lower cost through their patient assistance programs. Look for information on their websites.

To explore insurance options and affordable health plans, visit HealthCare.gov or see if you can get covered through Medicare or your state’s Medicaid program.

Get Vaccinated Now

Vaccines give you the best protection against getting very sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Getting vaccinated soon means you’ll be ready for upcoming winter gatherings.

Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Also, you can order free COVID-19 test kits (four per household) at COVIDTests.gov. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or visit vaccines.gov to get started today.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services

HEALTHY LIVING

What you don’t know can hurt: 3 facts about updated COVID-19 vaccines

Published

2 weeks ago

12/11/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) Four and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing their favorite things. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 keeps changing, so it’s still important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are common during the fall and winter months. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by getting the facts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.

“As the virus changes, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up to date as possible.”

Here is information about this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from the Risk Less. Do More. public education campaign:

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 lowers your chances of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Some people who get the vaccines still get sick, but vaccination can make symptoms milder. This is important if you are over age 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can put you at a higher risk for serious or long-lasting health problems, such as Long COVID or even death from COVID-19. If you do get COVID-19, ask your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of severe illness.

COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with the changing virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The updated vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the latest vaccine boosts your immunity and lowers your risk of severe sickness.

Side effects for COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own in a few days. The most common side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Severe side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with about five adverse events per 1 million doses given.

Staying informed and getting this season’s COVID-19 vaccine – and encouraging loved ones to do the same – is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for all. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.

If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. All U.S. households are now eligible to receive four free COVID-19 test kits. Order them today at COVIDTests.gov.

The Impact of COVID-19 In Black and Hispanic Communities
For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities were consistently more likely to get COVID-19, need medical or hospital care, and die from COVID-19 than people in other communities. That gap has narrowed over time, but this past summer, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to the average across all races and ethnicities combined. Hispanic people had lower than average rates of hospitalization. For everyone, getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services