by kelsey | Apr 29, 2015 | Etc.
The South Dakota Department of Health and SDSU Extension Services are mobilizing a statewide
campaign to implement and sustain Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management
Program, referred to as Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota. The program is designed
to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to manage their symptoms related to chronic
conditions and understand how their health problems affect their lives.
Basic Program Information
Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota is an interactive workshop offered once a week for
6 weeks. Each session is 2 ½ hours long. Trained leaders, many of whom are volunteers and have
a chronic illness themselves, will facilitate the workshops, which are not disease specific. During a
workshop, you may meet individuals with arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or breathing problems,
as well as others who have been diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions.
Better Choices, Better Health® SD is appropriate for anyone looking for better ways to cope with
chronic conditions, and to learn how to better care for themselves or a loved one.
Topics Addressed During Better Choices, Better Health® SD Workshops
The emphasis of the workshops’ curriculum is not designed to help people to learn more about
chronic conditions, but rather to learn the skills and tools to better manage those conditions.
Participants will learn skills such as:
Using your mind to manage your symptoms.
Communicating with friends, family, and providers.
Dealing with anger, depression, and other difficult emotions.
Designing and maintaining a healthy eating and exercise plan.
Managing pain and fatigue.
Goal setting, problem solving, and coping.
Relaxing and stress management skills.
Appropriate use of medications.
What Better Choices, Better Health is looking for from you:
The folks organizing this effort are looking for lay leaders–ie, people who not working in a medical profession to go through training to help lead the course. The course is scripted and led by lay leaders, so they are currently looking for individuals interested to help lead the course in Watertown. This program is separate and a completely different program from our STRIVE 2 Survive, but still has the same purpose to help people learn how to improve their health and wellness. We do not feel this program is competition to our STRIVE 2 Survive since it is a completely different type of program, which is why we wanted to share the information with you. The cost for participants is $10 for the 6 week sessions. There is compensation available for the leaders. If you are at all interested in becoming a leader, please contact
Lori Oster at RN@osterconsulting.com or 605-627-3061
Megan Olesen at Megan.Olesen@sdstate.edu or 1-888-484-3800
They need to find leaders before they can implement the program in Watertown, so we are helping them get the word out.
You can also learn more at their website: goodandhealthysd.org.
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Apr 28, 2015 | Cooking Tips, Diabetes, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
With the weather warming up, we will be consuming more icecream and frozen treats. Smoothies are a great way to cool off and get some great nutrients while you’re at it! I am reposting a post from last year written by Lara Cafruny, SDSU Dietetics Student. With the weather getting into the 70s this week, you might need to cool off with a delicious smoothie! -Kelsey
Lately there has been an explosion in the media discussing smoothies for weight loss, athletic performance, and meal replacements. Since the supplement industry heavily promotes “quick fixes”, keep in mind that an overall balanced diet is the best way to maintain or improve your health. The goal of many supplement industries is not to fix the problem, but rather to create addiction and increase revenue. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and claims made for them are not always accurate or proven. However, homemade fruit and vegetable smoothies are way to guarantee your 5-A-Day natural nutrients. Consumption of fruits and vegetables may help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes while delivering fiber and vitamins. With a new season upon us, we are gifted with a wider variety of options to choose from when eating the rainbow. Contrary to the common belief, consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables can be inexpensive and in the long run will save you money in terms of medical bills.
There are endless smoothie recipes you can use to make a quick breakfast, after a workout, or for an afternoon snack. Adding an extra boost to your smoothie such as protein powder or Greek yogurt will additionally provide other valuable nutrients. Here’s a guide to help get started
Add Fruit/Vegetable
|
Add Liquid
|
Add Thickener
|
Extra
|
| Banana, Berries, Apple, Pear, Peach, Kiwi, Pineapple, Cherries, Mango, Orange, Spinach, Kale, Beets, Carrots |
Dairy, Soy, Rice, or Almond Milk, Fruit Juice, Water, Iced Tea |
Peanut butter, Yogurt, Frozen yogurt, ice cubes, or oats. |
Honey, Cinnamon, Protein Powder, Mint, Figs, Dark Chocolate, Flaxseed. |
| Choose 2-3 |
Add 1-2 cups of liquid |
Pick your consistency |
Your preference |
Here are some examples:
Green Smoothie: Mango Chunks, Banana, Kale or Spinach, Apple Slices, Water, Plain low fat yogurt
Carrot Smoothie: Carrots, Orange, Pineapple, Low-sugar Apple Juice, Ice Cubes, Cinnamon
Desert Smoothie: Banana, Apple Slices, Low Fat/Skim Milk, Peanut Butter, Top with Dark Chocolate Shavings
Enjoy!
-Submitted by Lara Cafruny, SDSU Dietetics Student
by Dan | Apr 27, 2015 | Etc.
My son Nick had his last Prom this weekend. He had a great time, and Sarah and I helped out at the after prom party. This is the beginning of some final events of his senior year. He will graduate on the 24th of May, and then his final state track meet the last weekend in May in Rapid City. Where has the time gone? There were enough times throughout his 18 years where you think things went slowly, and then you look back, and it’s over! Make the most of those memories and times with your family, kids, grandkids…each has there own rewards. Each will have lasting memories. That is the point of me exercising all of these years…trying to stay healthy enough to make sure I am around to be able to see all of these events…events that create lasting memories. I would not trade it for anything! This is what life is about. Take advantage of all of those moments…many of them only come once! Appreciate your family, spend time together, enjoy life! Below are a few pictures from the night. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2768
by kelsey | Apr 22, 2015 | Cooking Tips, Diabetes, Diet, Food, Weight Management
Our friends at County Fair Foods help make our STRIVE 2 Survive lectures extra great with their healthy and tasty treats. Last night’s treats were once again delish!! These are must try recipes! The Angel Lush is a great sweet treat without all of the extra calories and the Eggplant Parmesan was excellent! Eggplant is not a common vegetable we eat in our area, but this recipe is wonderful so I really encourage you to give it a try!
Angel Lush (pictured above)
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice
1 pkg (1 oz) vanilla fat free, sugar free, instant pudding
1 cup thawed lite cool whip
1 round angel food cake cut into 3 layers
10 small strawberries
Directions:
Mix pineapple and dry pudding together. Stack cake layers on a plate, spreading pudding mixture between layers on top of cake. Refridgerate for one hour. Top with berries and enjoy!
Healthy Eggplant Parmesan
1 egg
3 egg whites
1 Tbsp water
3 eggplants thinly sliced
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs
6 cups spaghetti sauce (divided)
3/4 lb part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
1/2 tsp dried basil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together egg, egg whites, and water in a shallow bowl. Peel and slice eggplant. Dip eggplant slices into the egg then bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until fork tender about 7-10 minutes on each side. Spread spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan. Place a layer of eggplant in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese on top. Sprinkle with basil. Bake in oven for 35 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
-Kelsey
by Dan | Apr 19, 2015 | Etc.
We all have our degree of stress in our lives, and there are multiple ways of dealing with it. As long as we truly find a way to deal with it! It is easy to let things in life take over, with multiple things that have to get done, both for work, and at home. It don’t effectively figure out how to manage it effectively, it can have major ramifications to our overall health. The whole point of STRIVE to help maintain our health, so figuring out how to effectively deal with stress is a major factor. For me, exercise has been the most effective way of dealing with all of the pressures of everyday life. It is my time for me, to relax, sweat a little, and work out my frustrations from the day or week while I am out either running, biking, or walking. Which type of exercise it is really does not make much difference. My favorite is still running. My solitude…my time to reflect…my time to take in my own piece of the world, and figure out how I am going to deal with it. Running along the trails, and along Lake Kampeska can be some of the most relaxing time to think. Unfortunately, we have our fair share of wind here to contend with, but on those days when the wind is calm, the temperatures are in the 50-60’s, it is as close to perfection as I can get. Just take in all of the surroundings, enjoy what I am seeing, and let my mind go…as well as my legs! There was a day about 2 weeks ago that was as close to perfection as I have had in a while. The water at the lake was so calm it looked like glass. These are some images of the lake along the new boardwalk at City Park. Serene! This is truly why I run! Pictures really can say a 1000 words! Here were some of those images I got to take in on that run…Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2760
