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• Monkeypox
• Information on monkeypox

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

You can’t turn on the television anymore without hearing about the latest infectious disease: Monkeypox. While there is a lot of information all over the Internet about Monkeypox, here we break down what you need to know, what you should do and how to prevent the spread of this disease.

So, what is Monkeypox?

According to the CDC, “Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It leads to rash and flu-like symptoms. Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in groups of monkeys being used for research. It’s spread mainly through human contact with infected rodents but can sometimes be spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.”

How common is it?

Monkeypox is actually rare. But the number of cases is increasing in Africa, as well as in regions that haven’t seen these infections before. 

Where is it found? 

For decades, Monkeypox was only found in Africa. But 2022 has brought outbreaks to regions outside of Africa, like Europe, the Americas and Australia. 

Who is affected by Monkeypox? 

According to the CDC, “Anyone can get monkeypox. In Africa, most cases are among children under 15 years old. Outside of Africa, the disease appears to be more common in men who have sex with men, but there are numerous cases in people who don’t fall into that category.” 

(Continued in Part II…)

• healthy diet
• foods to avoid
• Healthy kidneys

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Everyone knows that your kidneys are two vital organs in your body. Located in your lower back, your kidneys work as blood filtration, keep a balance between minerals, eliminate waste from blood and water, excrete waste materials from the body through the urinary tract, produce hormones, and more. 

These organs are very important and without both kidneys, humans would not survive much longer. While they are vital organs, they are very prone to many diseases caused by food items, hereditary diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, and more. If food is not damaging your kidneys directly, it will damage them indirectly. 

That’s why is it super important to maintain a kidney-healthy diet 

This includes eating all kinds of healthy, fresh, herbal, homemade, and farm-fresh foods.

The following foods should be avoided for the health of your kidneys:

• Processed food
• Salt or sodium food items
• Beets
• Tomatoes and tomato seeds
• Fast food
• Sugary foods
• Alcohol
• Lentils and beans
• Junk food
• Frozen food, ready to cook food
• Artificially flavored juices
• Potatoes

• fitness tips
• easy exercise
• easy fitness tips

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

The Fourth of July brings food, picnics, swimming, fireworks and so much more. 

Why not kick off this Fourth of July with a bang and not just end it with one? 

This month we offer you this “Firecracker Frenzy: Fourth of July Workout Challenge”.

 Start off with these warm-ups:

*30-second march in place

*20 glute kicks

*20 squats

*20 jumping jacks

*30-second march in place 

And the workout:

 *25 jumping jacks

*20 side lunges

*25 jump squats

*15 push-ups

*10 burpees

*20 crunches

*20 sit-ups

*30-seconds to 1 minute plank

Repeat full circuit one time. 

Cool Down:

*30-second march in place

*Stretch 

Have fun and Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

• healthy diet
• summertime fruits
• Great summertime fruits
• Healthy summertime fruits

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Summer is a great season to partake in the numerous delicious seasonal fruits.  Not only do these summertime fruits taste great, but they also give you many nutritional benefits. Some fruits to enjoy before the season ends include:

Berries: the phytochemicals in blueberries, strawberries and blackberries all boost immunity, and protect against heart diseases and circulatory problems.

Peaches and plums: full of vitamin C and beta carotene, peaches and plums help to eliminate free radicals from the body.

Pineapples: being packed with the most vitamins and minerals, pineapples are also a great digestive aid.

Papayas and mangoes: both are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene and fiber.

• benefits of banana
• health benefits of bananas
• banana benefits

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

• We consume about 25 pounds of bananas per person each year.
• There are more than 1,000 varieties of bananas.
• Bananas don't grow on trees : trees have bark and banana plants don't have bark.
• Bananas are low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium.
• A large portion of the calories in bananas come from sugars.

Recipe: Classic Banana Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Recipe: Banana Chia Pudding

1 ½ cups vanilla-flavored flax milk

1 large banana cut in chunks

7 tablespoons chia seeds

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Put milk, banana, chia seeds, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt in respective order in the blender; blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl and refrigerate until thickened, at least 2 hours. Spoon mixture into small bowls to serve.