Archive for the ‘Health and Wellness’ Category
Wednesday, February 20th, 2013
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
How much Calcium do I need?
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the human body, is found in your bones and in your teeth. During adolescent and teen years, your body builds bone density, so it is very important to meet calcium requirements during that time. As we age, our bone density actually decreases, so calcium requirements increase with age. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid recommends that individuals 2 years and older eat two to three servings of dairy products per day, which is the best way to meet calcium requirements.
One serving of dairy products is equal to:
- 1 cup (8 fl. oz.) of milk
- 8 oz. of yogurt (about one single-serve container)
- 1.5 oz. of natural cheese (such as cheddar)
- 2 oz. of processed cheese (such as American)
Blogpost by: Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
Tags: bone density, calcium, cheese, milk, UNYTS, US Department of Agriculture, yogurt
Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthkick, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, February 11th, 2013
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
Ending your relationship with Tobacco
Quitting smoking will likely be one of the most challenging experiences many people face, but is so essential to having a healthy relationship with your body! Talking with your doctor is a great place to start, once you’ve decided to quit. It will help you to get started and will also give you some insight into all of the amazing health benefits you will reap as a non-smoker. Once you’ve resolved to quit, here are some tips I gathered from my parents, who both recently became non-smokers after smoking for more than 30 years!
1. Ask family and friends for support. The same way a fitness buddy helps to keep you motivated, telling your close circle that you’re trying to quit will help you stay on track. Since your family and friends want to see you live a long and healthy life, they will be great support on your quit-smoking journey.
2. Ease into an exercise regimen. Since people who smoke often find cardio exercise difficult, beginning an exercise regimen, even if it is just taking daily walks, will help you feel great and make you less likely to reach for a cigarette after you’ve done all that hard work
3. Make a list of your personal reasons for quitting. Whether you’d like to save money, improve your career outlook, or change your social image, most people have multiple reasons to quit smoking. Make a list and read through it every day, and picture what your life will be like as a non-smoker. Tell yourself that each day without smoking is living your goal!
Tags: american cancer society, cigarette, facebook, quit for life, quitting, smoking, tobacco, univera, UNYTS
Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthkick | No Comments »
Monday, February 4th, 2013
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
Ways to beat the common cold
It seems that everywhere we go we hear sniffling, sneezing, and coughing! However, since it isn’t practical for many of us to isolate ourselves indoors for the winter to prevent catching a cold, there are easy ways to strengthen your immune system and improve your chances of fighting off a bug quickly.
1-Take your vitamins! If you are already taking a multivitamin, be sure to continue on that regimen. If your vitamin is lacking in vitamins C, D, or Zinc, you may want to discuss adding an extra supplement with your doctor or a pharmacist. Citrus fruits are also rich in vitamin C, and the wintertime is the in-season for citrus! Oranges and the like are at their highest quality and lowest price of the year, so try to work them into your diet!
2-Take a rest. It may seem like a good idea to work up a sweat when you’re feeling sick, but your body will recover more quickly if you put your fitness routine on pause and catch up on your rest. High stress levels also have a weakening effect on an immune system, so taking some time to relax will have you reaping multiple benefits!
3-Drink more water! This may seem obvious, and you probably have been meaning to drink more water anyway, so now is the time! This will help to flush the toxins out of your body and prevent sickness, while doubling as a dry hair and skin remedy! Staying hydrated is essential in the winter for so many ways- so bring a water bottle to work and fill it up between meetings!
4-Try some home remedies. Foods like garlic, tea, and citrus (just reminding you!) have been studied for their ability to ward off colds. Though the evidence is difficult to prove, experts do know that it won’t hurt! Look for meals that you can add some extra garlic or herbs to, and your family won’t know that they are doing something to help their bodies!
Blogpost by:Michele McDaniel, Unyts volunteer
Tags: common cols, garlic, immune system, UNYTS, vitamin c, vitamin D, vitamins, water, zinc
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Monday, January 21st, 2013
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
Why women should lift weights
Oftentimes, women are reluctant to lift weights in fear of “bulking up”, so they structure their fitness plan around cardio exercise only. Cardio can have wonderful health benefits, but by doing cardio alone, you are limiting the health benefits your work-out routine can have. Below are five reasons that should convince women to hit the weights at least twice a week!
1-To increase your metabolism! Lifting weights will turn your body into a calorie blasting machine for hours after you put down the dumbbells!
2-To burn fat all day long! Since muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, gaining muscle will help you to burn more calories than you do now, while you’re at your desk or laying on the couch!
3-To improve or maintain your bone health! Lifting weights can help counteract age-related bone loss, which gets increasingly more important the older women get.
4-To drop your blood pressure! “Strength training lowers blood pressure for ten to twelve hours after each session, which gives your heart a break,” says William Haskell, PhD, professor emeritus of medicine at Stanford University.
5-Because it’s easy! There are so many strength-training exercises that you can do anywhere! Bring a hand weight to work for mid-morning bicep curls or do some squats before lunch! Look online for do-anywhere routines- there are plenty!
Blogpost by: Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
Tags: bicep curls, blood pressure, bone health, bone loss, calories, cardio, fitness, health, lift weights, metabolism, muscle, Stanford University, strength training, UNYTS, weights
Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthkick | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
What to Watch Out For-Healthy Foods with Hidden Sodium
If you’re striving for a low sodium intake, you probably know that you should avoid things that are very salty. Avoiding the extra-salted fries or the salted pretzels, but avoiding foods high in sodium content is not always that easy.
There are many foods that you probably have in your cupboard that are high in sodium content, but do a great job of hiding it! Make sure you read labels to ensure you are within your target range, as provided by your doctor or another health care professional.
Below is a list of some foods that are seemingly very healthy, but are packed with sodium!
1-Raisin Bran (double the sodium content of other leading cereals!)
2-Kellogg’s Eggo Buttermilk Pancakes (one serving alone will satisfy 25% of a normal diet’s sodium intake!)
3-Kraft Singles Slices (227mg of sodium per slice!)
4-V8 Spicy Hot Vegetable Juice (20% of your daily intake!)
5-Friendship 1% Low-Fat Cottage Cheese (15% of your daily intake!)
Blogpost by: Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
Tags: health care, kellogg's eggo, kraft, raisin bran, salty, sodium, UNYTS, V8
Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthkick | No Comments »
Monday, December 17th, 2012
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
Habits to start NOW for a Healthier New Year
Blogpost by Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
You don’t have to wait until the new year to start working on your New Year resolutions. Get a head start now, and be well on your way to living a healthier life by the time the holidays are over! Here are a few ways to kick start your goals:
1) Set your goals. This step might seem easier than it sounds. Most people have some idea of what they’d like to achieve during the coming year, but few actually create an action plan of how to get there. Write down your long-term goals (lower your blood pressure, for instance) so you know what the big picture will look like, but also set mini-goals for yourself so the result seems more attainable. For example, set a weekly exercise or weight loss goal, and adjust these as you go, as needed. Setting mini-goals helps to keep the ball rolling by giving you constant check-points while still keeping you focused on your long-term plan.
2) Put your Christmas Cash to good Use. Did you get some cash from friends or relatives for Christmas? Did you get a Christmas bonus? Put that money to good use and invest in some personal training sessions. Learning a proper exercise routine, tailored to your body and goals, is a great way to get an idea of where your starting point its and what the road ahead might entail. Don’t just guess what you should be doing- learn from an expert! The end of the year is a great time to get good deals on gym memberships and training sessions so don’t wait!
3) Don’t Order In Tonight. With shorter days and colder air upon us, it can seem hard to find the will or energy to make a home-cooked dinner when so many take-out options are only a phone call away- but don’t be tempted. Take-out is fine once in a while, but don’t incorporate it into your routine. Instead, challenge yourself to find some easy, healthy dishes that freeze well- which are great for weeknights! I usually prep a few meals on Sunday and freeze them, so on Wednesday night I can just as easily reach for one of my pre-made dishes as I can order take-out, and I don’t even have to pick up the phone or pull out my wallet!
Tags: Christmas, dinner, exercise, goals, Healthkick, healthy, New Year resolutions, take-out, UNYTS
Posted in Education, Health and Wellness, Healthkick | No Comments »
Monday, December 10th, 2012
Welcome to the Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
When do I need a Mammogram?
Blogpost by: Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
A screening mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast, which is performed to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening mammograms help to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 70, and making sure you are screened as often as your doctor recommends is a crucial step for a woman to stay on top of her health.
Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it has spread. The National Cancer Institute recommends that women over the age of 40 be screened once every 1-2 years. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer or other factors that your doctor can explain, you may need to be screened earlier and more often. Women should also ask their doctors how they can perform at-home breast self-exams between mammograms to assist in early detection of the disease.
After you make sure you are up-to-date with your mammograms- encourage your loved ones “at risk” to do the same! Early detection is one important way to fight back against one of the leading causes of death in women in the United States.
Source: National Cancer Institute
Tags: breast cancer, disease, early detection, mammograms, mommography, National Cancer Institute, UNYTS, x-ray
Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthkick, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, December 6th, 2012
December 5th, 2012
Barb Rodgers, being interviewed by WGRZ's Kevin O'Neill
For Niagara Falls library specialist Barbara Rodgers, her birthday wish didn’t involve expensive gifts or even a party. She wanted to host a blood drive at the school and asked Unyts to get involved. We were delighted that around 130 students and faculty rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life!
Thanks to everyone who donated at the Niagara Falls High School blood drive!
Even faculty rolled up their sleeves to support the Unyts Blood Drive!
Plenty of students volunteered their time throughout the day
Click to read Niagara Gazette Article
Tags: Barbara Rodgers, blood, blood donation, Donate Life Club, gift of life, niagara falls, Niagara Falls High School, UNYTS
Posted in Donate Life Clubs, Education, Events, Health and Wellness, Organ, Tissue & Blood Donation | No Comments »
Monday, November 19th, 2012
Welcome to our new Unyts Health Blog! Through this blog, we hope to get you thinking about healthy choices that we have the opportunity to make everyday in life. Our mission here at Unyts is to save and enhance lives, and on that, we’re following through with our message here. We hope that you’ll continue to read our weekly blog. You may just read some life-saving information.
The Importance of taking care of your Liver
Blogpost by: Michele McDaniel, Unyts Volunteer
Your liver is one of those organs that you just can’t live without- and for good reason. The liver is a multi-tasking organ that performs functions like processing nutrients from food and removing toxins from the body (including the alcohol in those margaritas you love!). Keeping your liver healthy is essential- as these functions of the liver break down as cells are damaged. For example, a person is experiencing liver failure, their liver cannot process nutrients from food that their body needs to survive. Without immediate medical attention, brain damage (or other medical emergencies) can result.
In 2011, the American Liver Foundation estimated that 17,000 people were currently awaiting donor livers for transplants. This list, unfortunately, continues to grow.
Taking steps to keep your liver healthy can go a long way to prevent damage or disease to this vital organ. Simple precautions to take/ changes to make include:
1) Limiting the amount of alcohol you consume each day (and how often you consume!)
2) Ensuring that your medications are taken at the appropriate dosage and at the correct times (you can help your loved ones with this, too!)
3) Quitting smoking (which, as you know, has more than one health benefit!)
Source: American Liver Foundation
(http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/liverhealth/)
Tags: alcohol, American Liver Foundation, damage, Healthkick, liver, liver transplant, organ, smoking, toxins, UNYTS
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Monday, September 17th, 2012
The end of the summer means the end of the Donate Life Challenge. If you don’t know about what the challenge is all about, it’s an exciting and life-saving corporate competition designed to boost awareness and action with regard to organ, eye, tissue and blood donation. 44 Companies from all over WNY earned and accumulated points by completing the events and tasks offered as part of the Donate Life Challenge. In the end, around 2,200 potential lives were saved in local hospitals. At the end of the summer the company with the most points was declared the winner!
1st Place
Independent Health
The employees of Independent health held a successful blood drive, had a packed house to gather for a lunch to learn about organ, eye and tissue donation. Upper Management supported and encouraged employees to take part in the challenge, thanks to drive sponsor Cindy White.
“I encourage all associates to support this important initiative, as it’s a great way to demonstrate your committment to improving the health and well-being of everyone in WNY. It is important we do our part to educate our associaltes about the importance of life-saving organ, eye, tissue and blood donation, as it is through awareness and education that we can truly make a difference.”
Thomas Foals, Chief Medical Officer, Independent Health
Congrats to Independent Health for a job well done!
2nd Place
Briody Healthcare
This is the oldest family owned and operated nursing facility in WNY. Ann Briody-Petock is the sponsor here and provides great leadership and support for the blood drive. We’re so grateful to have the support of this Western NY business.
Congrats to Briody Healthcare!
3rd Place
First Niagara, Ridge Lea
Kudos to First Niagara for hosting 2 blood drives along with 2 info tables this summer. Sponsor Ken Stoll walks the office asking people to donate blood, which helped the employees exceed blood goals both drives. This was no small feat, given that these drives were held around the same time as the HSBC merger was taking place. Employees were busy and free time was non-existent, yet they still took time to donate blood.
Way to go First Niagara, Ridge Lea!
“Donor Day Winner”
Upstate Pharmacy
The Donor Day category is for companies who host their blood drives at one of Unyts’ four neighborhood blood donation centers. Sponsors Christine Incorvaia and owner Ted Kuzniarek personally asked staff to participate in the challenge, resulting in an amazing turnout and staff support! It was one of the largest donor day blood drives of the summer. We are also thrilled that Upstate Pharmacy is following up with a Golf Tournament later this year, with proceeds to benefit Unyts.
Awesome job, Upstate Pharmacy!
We owe a huge “Thank You” to Michael Meade and Coffee Culture at 448 Elmwood Avenue, for providing lunches and t-shirts to all of our corporate partners. This challenge would not be possible without your support and dedication to our mission of saving lives through organ, eye, tissue and blood donation.
Tags: blood drive, Briody Healthcare, coffee culture, Donate Life Challenge, eye, First Niagara, Independent health, Michael Meade, organ, tissue and blood donation, UNYTS, Upstate Pharmacy
Posted in Donate Life Challenge, Education, Events, Health and Wellness, Organ, Tissue & Blood Donation | No Comments »
