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  • Home
    • MEET OUR TEAM!
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    • Parenting Classes and Resources
    • Storybook Preschool
    • STEAM
    • Summer Programs
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    • Blogs >
      • Becoming Resourceful
      • Family Finance
      • Health Awareness
    • Social Media
  • Make a Difference
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Health Awareness

Spring Cleaning

2/27/2021

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Spring is near! And, with it comes the old time tradition of spring cleaning. After the long winter months, spring always brings a sense of freshness. A good way to add to that freshness is by deep cleaning our houses and airing them out after having them shut up through the winter. Also, spring cleaning has many health benefits. So, pull out the vacuum and mops and let's clean our way to better health.

Here are ways that a good spring cleaning may contribute to better health-
  • ​​Supports Immune Health: While the house is mostly closed up during the winter months, pollutants, such as dust, mold, mildew, and pet dander, tend to gather more. A deep clean will help reduce these pollutants and help those who may suffer from allergies and asthma. 
  • Reduces Stress: Having a messy and cluttered house may cause us to feel anxiety. Studies show that women who described their living areas as cluttered or full of unfinished projects were more likely to feel depressed and fatigued and have higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. On the other hand, women who described their living areas as restful or restorative felt less stress and anxiety (Psychology Today). While cleaning and organizing can help reduce stress, it can also give us a great sense of accomplishment.
  • Reduces Illness: Thanks to COVID-19, we were reminded of how fast viruses and germs can spread and how you can sometimes end up very sick. Spring cleaning gives us a great opportunity to once again clean those areas that may sometimes get overlooked; such as doorknobs, light switches, and toys and instruments.  Also, a deep clean of the kitchen may help reduce the chance of food-borne illnesses.
  • Exercise: Exercise does not always mean hitting the gym or running a marathon. Exercise is movement and cleaning is movement. It may surprise you on how many calories you can burn while cleaning. Vacuuming the house for at least 30 minutes can burn up to a hundred calories, while stripping and making beds for that amount of time can burn up to almost 200 calories (WebMD). And, although you may not spend a whole half hour making beds, the amount of total time cleaning adds up to a good workout.
Today is the perfect time to start your spring cleaning. If the task of cleaning the house from top to bottom seems daunting and stressful, remember that there is no timeline to complete spring cleaning. Traditionally, deep cleaning was customary after the long winters due to the build up of grime that was caused by oil and kerosene lamps and wood-burning stoves. Start with creating a list of all the tasks you want to accomplish and break that list into small, daily or weekly projects. 
However you may decide to tackle spring cleaning, remember that it can provide you with health benefits and also give you a sense of accomplishment.
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Radon

2/22/2021

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Have you ever heard of radon? If you haven't, you are not alone. Around 40% of Utahns do not know what radon is. However, radon is a big problem in Utah. It is known as a "silent killer" and is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Let's take a look at what radon is and what we can do to prevent and treat for it. 

What is radon?

Radon is a gas that is naturally found in soils and rocks; it is invisible, odorless, tasteless and radioactive. Radon occurs when uranium breaks down in rocks, soil and water. It is found everywhere, outdoors and indoors. Outside, where the air is moving constantly, radon never reaches dangerous, concentrated levels. However, it can become a hazard indoors where the gas can collect in enclosed spaces. Radon gas passes through cracks and openings in the foundation or walls of homes or buildings; and, the lower levels of homes and buildings are more susceptible to higher levels of radon gas. Due to high levels of uranium in its soil, Utah has the potential of having higher levels of radon gas.  
Mark Stevens, an environmental scientist for Bear River Health Department, stated that over 50% of homes tested in the Bear River district have had high levels of radon (HJNews).

Why you should be concerned.

Why should you be worried about radon gas in your home? As mentioned previously, radon is a carcinogen that may cause lung cancer. So, when radon levels become too high, they become a risk factor to our health. Bits of radon gas can easily attach itself to dust or other particles in the air and can be inhaled into our lungs. Once inside, these bits of radon gas can give off radiation that may damage the cells and lead to lung cancer.

How to reduce your risk of overexposure.

The best thing you can do to reduce your exposure to radon is to test for it. There is “no safe level" of radon exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that action be taken if levels of radon gas measure above 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). There are two types of tests that are used for radon testing: a short-term test and a long-term test. The EPA recommends starting with a short-term test which can be purchased at home stores for a relatively low cost. A long-term test takes over 90 days but will give a more accurate reading for average year round radon levels. There are also trained contractors that will test the radon levels in your home. If radon levels are testing at high rates, active air fans and sealed piping can be used; but, the EPA recommends hiring a qualified mitigation contractor to lower the levels of radon. Keep your family safe, test your radon levels today.
For more information on radon, please watch the video below and click on the links listed.
​Utah Department of Environmental ​Quality
EPA
CDC
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For the Peanut Butter Lover

2/15/2021

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As I sat contemplating this week's health topic, I decided a snack was needed in order to get my brain thinking. I immediately set to work in making my favorite snack; I got out the peanut butter jar and a spoon. Then it hit me, like a pound of peanuts, why not dedicate this week's blog to one of my favorite foods that keeps me going, almost daily, Peanut Butter! I knew that peanut butter had some health benefits, but what exactly does it provide and is it really a health food? Let's take a look at what I could find about the good and bad of peanut butter.

A Brief History

First off, let's take a quick glance into the history of peanut butter. For a more detailed history, click on one of the links below:
​National Peanut Board
Smithsonian Magazine
The earliest history we have of peanut butter is from the Aztecs and Incas, who grounded peanuts into a paste. Modern uses of peanut butter in the United States can be attributed to Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. A doctor and early activist for good nutrition and health, he filed a patent in 1895 for a process of creating peanut butter by boiling nuts and making a paste. He saw this as a necessity for many of his patients who had difficulty chewing. Peanut paste offered an easily digestible food that was packed with nutrients. Thanks to Kellogg, and the many contributors and entrepreneurs that followed, this peanut paste of years ago began evolving into the creamy peanut butter we know and love today that has become an American, household staple. The average child graduates high school consuming around 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (PreparedFoods). 

Health Benefits of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter contains many benefits that, in moderation, can be a wonderful addition to a well-balanced diet.
  • Protein: Peanuts are a great source of protein; and, a serving size of 2 tablespoons of peanut butter can provide you with 8 grams of protein. 
  • Besides, protein, peanut butter also provides: fiber (helps aid in digestion), niacin (helps the digestive system), vitamin B-6 (helps the body use and store protein and carbs), vitamin E (helps the immune system), potassium (helps with electrical pulses in the body) and magnesium (helps with muscle and nerve function and energy production).
  • Peanut butter also contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may boost heart health.
  • With the levels of mono and polyunsaturated fats, eating peanut butter can also improve satiety and help you feel fuller longer.

Moderation is Key

Although there are many health benefits to peanut butter, there are also ingredients that make peanut butter not so healthy and why eating it in moderation is important.
Per a serving size of 2 tablespoons, peanut butter is high in calories (approximately 200 calories), fat (16g, 4 of which are saturated fats), sodium (140mg) and added sugars. While most of the fats in peanut butter are the good kind, it is still important to consume in moderation to avoid unwanted weight gain.

Conclusion

As you can see, peanut butter may provide you with many health benefits but eating it in moderation is the key to enjoying this tasty food. So, next time you are in need of a snack to tie you over to your next meal, consider having a small serving of peanut butter. To add even more health benefits to your snack, pair your peanut butter with celery or apples.
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The Logan Family Center
50 South 400 East Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-755-5171
Email: loganfamilycenter@gmail.com
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