Did You Have a Healthy Lunch Today?

Packing a Healthy Lunch

Do you remember when your mom used to pack a lunch everyday during elementary school? It usually consisted of a sandwich made with white bread, chips, cookies, and maybe a fruit juice. Back then, we were not aware of the health benefits of eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. As the public becomes more aware of the daily food recommendations and benefits, we try to pack our own lunches to avoid eating unhealthy options at fast food restaurants and to stay within our budget.

The benefits of packing your own lunch:

#1: Healthier than eating out.

            Have you ever considered what is actually in your typical McDonalds burger and fries? A McDonalds Big Mac, large fries, and a large coke accumulate to almost 1500 calories and 55 grams of fat. That’s over half of your daily calories, and almost all of your daily fat recommendation. Where as packing a turkey sandwich on 100% whole grain bread, a salad with vinaigrette or a low-fat dressing, a cup of fruit, and baked potato chips gives you more food to chow down and keeps you under 500 calories.

Source: www.nutrition.mcdonalds.com

Also, the benefits of eating healthy are limitless. Some benefits include, prevention of cancer, obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, and many other health risks.

#2: It’s Cheaper!

            Let’s just say you eat out for lunch everyday during your 5-day workweek. An average meal costs about $7, which means you would be spending about $140 per month and about 1,700 per year. That’s enough money to go on a cruise or a mini vacation!

#3: Saves Time.

            During your lunch hour, the amount of time you spend going to a fast food restaurant, placing your order, and waiting for them to make your lunch, you could be enjoying your home-packed lunch peacefully and without rushing to make it back to work in time. Yes, you will be saving time even in a small town.

Guard Your Skin!

Guard Your Skin!

“OVER 90 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR GET SUNBURNS”- sunbunrtgel.com

Tips on how to protect your skin all year around:

There is nothing like a clear sunny day that beckons us to be outside. But if your skin is not protected while out enjoying the day, it can really put a damper on the rest of your agenda in no time. Nobody likes getting sun burns or blisters, no matter what season.

Here is what you can do!

-Use SPF 30 sunscreen (minimum) to protect from the dangers of the sun’s UV rays

•        Working outside

•        Athletics (soccer, football, tennis, etc.)

•        Gardening

•        Swimming/ fishing/ boating

Q: “What if I want to work on my tan?”

A:  Get “sun-kissed” at home! Self tanners are the healthiest way to go that won’t do any damage to your skin. Choose the best one that suits your skin at your drugstore. But definitely don’t forget your sunscreen if you’re laying by the pool!

“If you rely on the rays for your glow, you’re putting your skin – and health – at risk.” – SHAPE

                                                    

FALL Season & Cooler Weather

Good morning,

     Most of you have noticed the cooler weather here in rural Texas! It is raining again!  BUT even with this cooler weather you need to keep using sun screen to protect you from the damanging effects the sun's rays has on your skin and the risk of skin cancer! Remember that golden tan of today will really age your skin for tomorrow!

SKIN AWARENESS: 4 Reasons to Protect Your Skin From UV Rays

TRUTH ABOUT SUN AND SKIN-

•        Suntan = Unhealthy: There is nothing healthy about suntans. UV rays cause your skin to go into defense mode, making cells produce melanin, turning your skin golden, in an effort to prevent DNA damage, according to Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D.. By this time, the cells are already injured and have potential to become basal cell carcinoma ,  the most common and most treatable form of skin cancer.

Others are:

-squamous cell carninoma: accounts for 2,500 deaths per year

-melanoma: almost 9,000 deaths per year  

•        ‘Base’ Tan Does Not Protect Skin: People who sunbathe or go to the tanning beds before going on vacation are causing themselves more harm. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute found that increased pigment will not protect from UV rays, only subjecting skin to further damage.

•        Rays Don’t Discriminate: “Anyone can develop a cancerous lesion—even those with dark skin,” says Elizabeth Tanzi M.D. In a recent study in Cancer Control, melanomas are more likely to be fatal among African-Americans and Hispanics because they are often diagnosed much later. Again stressing that EVERYONE needs to protect themselves.

•        Diagnosis: Sooner the Better: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one person dies every hour from melanoma. However, if caught in its early stages can save lives. See your dermatologist for a full body exam every year. Or get one free from Aveeno and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

                                                        

In The Mean Time:

Do regular self-checks once a month: Watch your moles.

-Visit a dermatologist if you notice: Asymmetry= irregular shape, poorly defined borders, color changes, a large diameter (anything bigger than a pencil eraser), and also evolving moles (look differently than they used to.