FEATURED ARTICLES

• October Fitness Challenge
• Fitnes challenge

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Follow this day-by-day workout schedule to be healthier by Halloween.

Day 1: 100 Jumping Jacks

Day 2: 50 Squats

Day 3: 30 Burpees

Day 4: 50 Lunges

Day 5: 100 Jumping Jacks

Day 6: 60 Crunches

Day 7: 60 Squats

Day 8: 30 Tricep Dips

Day 9: 30 Push-ups

Day 10: 110 Jumping Jacks

Day 11: 70 Squats

Day 12: 30 Burpees

Day 13: 60 Lunges

Day 14: 110 Jumping Jacks

Day 15: 80 Squats

Day 16: 40 Tricep Dips

Day 17: 40 Push-ups

Day 18: 120 Jumping Jacks

Day 19: 70 Crunches

Day 20: 90 Squats

Day 21: 30 Burpees

Day 22: 70 Lunges

Day 23: 130 Jumping Jacks

Day 24: 100 Squats

Day 25: 45 Tricep Dips

Day 26: 50 Push-ups

Day 27: 140 Jumping Jacks

Day 28: 80 Crunches

Day 29: 110 Squats

Day 30: 40 Burpees

Day 31: 80 Lunges

• benefits of pumpkin
• pumpkin health benefits
• nutrition of pumpkins
• Healthy pumpkin recipe

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

• Many people do not know that pumpkins are made up of 90 percent water.
• Pumpkins also contain other great nutritional aspects including potassium and vitamin A.
• The bright orange color of pumpkins also tells us that they are a great source of the important antioxidant, beta carotene.

Recipe: Traditional Pumpkin Pie

• 1 ¾ cups (one 15oz. can) unsweetened pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

(For crust us a pre-made store bought crust or a homemade crust) In a small heavy saucepan, stir the pumpkin, brown sugar, spices, and salt together until mixed.  Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.  Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes or until thick and shiny.  Scrape the mixture into a mixer or food processor for 1 minute. With the motor on, add the milk and cream, mixing until incorporated completely.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just to incorporate, about 5 seconds after each egg.  When you add the last egg, also add the vanilla. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell.  Bake the pie for 50 - 60 minutes at 375 degrees. 

Recipe: Pumpkin Soup 

• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 4 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup chopped onion
• ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 clove garlic minced
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 5 whole black peppercorns 

Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic, and peppercorns.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.  Puree the soup in small batches (1 cup at a time) using a food processor or blender.  Return to pan and bring to boil again.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered.  Stir in heavy cream.  Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

• living with arthritis
• signs of arthritis
• foods to avoid arthritis

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

While there is no compelling evidence that one type of arthritis reacts differently to foods over another type, doctors do advise against eating certain foods to help alleviate some symptoms.

Here are some foods to avoid if you have arthritis:

• Fried foods
• Processed foods
• Salty foods
• Spicy foods
• Red meat
• Tomatoes
• Foods containing gluten.

In addition to these foods, you should also avoid drinking alcohol and using tobacco products.

• Suicide prevention
• Suicide warning signs
• Warnng signs of suicide

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

(Continued from Part I…)

Care – Show you care. The context of caring makes it a lot easier to ask the hard questions about suicide. By actively listening and engaging, without judgment, you are showing that you care – this might just be enough to help the person feel relief and that they are not alone.

Escort – When someone acknowledges that they are feeling suicidal or hopeless, care enough to connect them to the nearest helping resource. Do not leave them alone! If possible, separate them from methods of harm.

Resources that are available 

• Take the person to the nearest Emergency Room, where they will receive a full suicide assessment and receive needed care. If the person is hesitant to receive emergency healthcare, call 911.
• Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and follow their guidance. You can also visit their website, suicidepreventionlifeline.org for further information.
• If the person you know has a mental health professional that they see, help them schedule an urgent appointment. If they do not have an existing connection with a mental health professional, help them make an urgent appointment with their family physician. 

This year Suicide Prevention Week is celebrated September 10 – 16. The week is about prevention awareness but it is also about reducing the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance, such as therapy.

• Suicide prevention
• Suicide warning signs
• Warnng signs of suicide

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Suicide is a problem that affects people of all different walks of life. Many of us know someone, such as a friend, family member or coworker that has committed or attempted suicide. Over the past 20 years, suicide rates have risen rather steadily in the United States. Suicide is currently ranked as the 10^th highest cause of death of among all ages.

During the month of September, we celebrate Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, as suicide is preventable and together through treatment and support, we can help reduce the number of suicides.

Warning signs of suicide

• Feeling extreme depression, guilt, or shame.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Talking about, or preoccupation with, death or suicide.
• Preparing for death, such as updating/preparing a will, giving away possessions, or taking steps to access lethal means (buying a firearm, acquiring quantities of pills/medication, researching ways to die).
• Exhibiting a dramatic change in behavior, including withdrawal from friends or usual activities, increased alcohol/drug use, difficulties in sleeping or eating, decreased self-care.

What to do if someone you know is experiencing a crisis or hurting

If you believe someone needs help, we encourage you to follow the ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) suicide prevention model, with these easy-to-remember steps:

Ask – Ask, “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” Although it may feel awkward, research shows that people having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks them in a caring way.

(Continued in Part II…)