Tasteful Tip Tuesday: February 2020

Exercise Your Way to a Healthier Heart

Every year, the United States recognizes February as American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, causing about 610,000 deaths annually. Heart disease is also an extremely expensive disease—costing the United States about $207 billion annually in health care, medications and lost productivity. Fortunately, heart disease can often be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle and properly managing health conditions.

In addition to eating healthy and avoiding cigarettes, exercising is an important contributor to cardiovascular health. In order to make exercise an effective tool for cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association suggests that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. An easy way to keep track of your exercise is to aim for 30 minutes a day, five times a week.

Do You Know Your Family’s Cancer History?

World Cancer Day occurs every Feb. 4, and aims to raise awareness and educate the public about cancer. Early detection of most types of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. Some cancers are caused by an abnormal gene that is passed along from generation to generation. This is known as family cancer syndrome. Knowing your family cancer history enables you to talk with your doctor about your personal cancer risk and establish a screening process to detect cancers that may run in your family.

Before you determine whether cancer runs in your family, be sure to carefully evaluate each situation. For each case of cancer, ask the following questions:

• Who is affected? How are we related?
• What type of cancer is it? Is it rare?
• How old was this relative when he or she was diagnosed?
• Did this person get more than one type of cancer?

Asking these questions for each case of cancer will help you determine if a certain type of cancer runs in your family. As always, consult your doctor if you’re concerned about your family’s cancer history or your personal risk of developing cancer.

	Wheat Berry Chili			Brussel Sprouts With Mushroom Sauce