For further information contact
Gary Guarino
Ph: 737-0120 x653
 
FOR RELEASE: Thursday March 4, 2010

MARCH HEALTH HAPPENINGS

HOPEWELL Valley Night Off - Tuesday March 2, continue what you began on Tuesday and appreciate time with your family and kids.
 
March is National Nutrition Month - Make Healthy Food Choices   While you can't do much about your genes, regular physical activity, making the right food choices and dealing with stress are lifestyle behaviors you can control. When it comes to healthy eating, one key is monitoring the type and amount of fat you consume. Limit foods high in saturated fat, which can increase LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels. Instead, eat more plant proteins, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy foods. Cook with moderate amounts of olive or canola oil instead of butter, margarine or shortening.
Some examples of foods for heart health include:

• Beans, peas and barley
• Soybeans, other soy-based foods (not soybean oil)
• Fruits and vegetables
• Salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel
• Red grapes and purple grape juice
• Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts
• Green or black tea
• Onions, scallions, shallots, garlic and leeks.

Maintain or improve your weight. The more excess body fat you have, the greater your risk for heart disease. If you're overweight, losing weight can help you lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which is especially important if you have high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol and carry excess abdominal fat. Those who carry a "spare tire" around their abdomen have a higher cardiac risk than those with extra padding around their hips and thighs.  Get active! Physical activity offers many rewards, from heart health to strong bones and stress relief. Regular, moderate activity helps keep your blood cholesterol levels normal. It helps lower blood pressure, helps your body control stress and helps control body weight as you burn calories. More vigorous exercise actually gives your heart muscle a workout, too, which ultimately helps your whole cardiovascular system work more efficiently. Unless you have a health problem, you probably can start moving more now. Talk to your health-care provider if you have ongoing health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis or obesity.
For more information on heart-healthy eating, consult a registered dietitian.   American Dietetic Association   www.eatright.org.   USDA   http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Changing Attitudes and Breaking Down Barriers, Pain Myths busted - Wednesday March 17, 10:30-11:30am at the Hopewell Valley Senior Center. Donna Post RN, BC BSN with Princeton Health Care System will present. No registration required. For more information, contact Senior Services at 737-0605, ext. 692        
 
National Poison Prevention Week, March 14-20, 2010 Each year, during the third week of March, the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) observes National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21, 2009). There are two themes this year - “Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons and Poisonings Span a Lifetime.” The first theme reminds parents to always be watchful when household chemicals or drugs are being used. Many incidents happen when adults are using a product but are distracted (for example, by the telephone or the doorbell) for a few moments. Adults must make sure household chemicals and medicines are stored away from children at all times. The other theme is meant to increase awareness that poisonings can happen to people of any age including children, adults, and older adults.  Visit our website today at www.njpies.org

Tuesday,March 2, 10:00 a.m.—12:00 noon, Blood Pressure: Senior Center, Reading Street, Pennington.

Tuesday, March 9, 11:00 a.m.—12:00 noon, Shop, Lunch, Blood Pressure!  Pennington Market Café. This popular monthly blood pressure site is made possible through a continuing health partnership between the Pennington Quality Market and the Hopewell Township Health Department.

Wednesday, March 17, 9:00 a.m.—10:30 a.m., Blood Pressure:  Lower Level, Hopewell Township Municipal Building.

Tuesday, March 23, 10:00 —11:00 a.m., Blood Pressure: Community Meeting Room, Hopewell Township Branch, Mercer County Library, Pennington-Titusville Road.
  
Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., Healthy Bones: Ongoing classes to build bone  strength and prevent osteoporosis. Lower level, Hopewell Township Municipal Building. Space is limited. Call 737-0120 ext 638 to sign up and confirm enrollment in the class.