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Have a Salsa Party this Summer in your backyard!

Posted in Healthy People, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 26, 2023| 1 Comment »

Nothing is better than a fresh Ohio tomato grown in season!  Add fresh onions, peppers, and cilantro and now it’s fresh salsa!  Salsa is a versatile dish, used as a fresh vegetable dip for tortilla chips or added as a topping to grilled fish and meat dishes. 

Consider growing a salsa garden this year.  A salsa garden requires only four plants- tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and peppers. If your garden space is limited, skip the onions, and grow tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers.

Spring is the best time for planting a salsa garden.  A salsa garden may be planted on a patio in containers, raised beds or in a garden.  Be sure the garden spot receives at least six hours of sun daily.  Start planting once the danger of frost has passed.

If you are container gardening, choose deep pots for tomatoes and peppers.  Cilantro may be planted in a shallow pot, in a larger size as they need plenty of room to grow and expand. Be sure to use supports for the tomatoes and peppers whether in a container, raised bed or garden to prevent sprawling of the plants,  avoids breakage and keeps pests and disease away. Use potting soil with a 50/50 blend of potting soil and compost.

Choose tomatoes with:

  • Thick flesh (limits moisture in salsa)
  • Different varieties to produce throughout the season.
  • Prune tomatoes regularly to prevent the plant from growing out of control.
  • Trim off the lower branches to encourage air circulation around the base of the plants.

Peppers are the most challenging of the group to grow with their finicky heat requirement.  Here are a few tips for growing peppers for salsa:

  • Select between sweet and hot peppers or mix the two varieties according to your preference.
  • Peppers change color as they are ripe, pick them at any color stage.
  • Be careful with the seeds and pale colored flesh inside the hot peppers when they ripen.  Be sure to wear single use gloves when handling hot peppers to protect your hands.  These are extra hot and only add them to the salsa if you like the heat.  Otherwise, clean out the inside of the pepper and wash your hands carefully.
  • Support your peppers to protect them from wind damage.

Cilantro

  • Grows well in a shallow pot that is larger allowing it space to expand.
  • Thrives in warm weather, bring the cilantro inside when it gets cold outside.
  • Harvest frequently to prevent the plants from flowering and going to seed.

Caring for your salsa garden:

  • Water plants when there has been no rain.  Apply water at the soil level to avoid getting the plant foliage wet and water deeply to encourage plant roots to grow deep.
  • Plant marigolds around the salsa garden to keep pests off the plants.
  • Feed the plants with a good fertilizer once a month.

Health Benefits of Garden Salsa

  • Tomatoes, onions, lime juice are rich sources of Vitamin C.
  • Fiber is found naturally in plants and helps stabilize blood sugars.
  • Tomatoes contain lycopene which is linked to reducing the risk of cancer.
  • Hydrating tomatoes are 95% of water
  • Low in calories – two tablespoons of salsa is 10 calories or less
  • Healthy for your heart- cholesterol free as it is made from plants containing no cholesterol.

Make salsa with your fresh grown harvest.  It is easy and delicious.  Here is a great recipe for fresh salsa.  Anothe recipe to try is Pico de Gallo.  Enjoy growing an easy salsa garden this spring and have a salsa party this summer!

Written by:  Beth Stefura, OSU Extension Educator, Mahoning County, stefura.2@osu.edu

Reviewed by:  Margaret Jenkins, OSU Extension Educator, Clermont County, jenkins.188@osu.edu

References:

MyPlate | U.S. Department of Agriculture

https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/salsa_garden.pdf

https://extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension/programs-and-services/school-gardens/documents/3-Economic-Grow-A-Salsa-Garden.pdf

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Earth Everyday

Posted in Uncategorized on April 25, 2023| 1 Comment »

With Earth Day celebrated in April, it can be a great month to pause and reflect on you and your family’s impact on our planet. There are many ways we can show up for our planet in the way we live. While some of these changes may seem small and insignificant, they really can add up over time. In fact, small everyday changes not only add up, but they help us feel as if we are doing something to positively contribute to climate solutions.

If you are looking for some simple changes you can start today by considering:

Walk when you can. Try to avoid unnecessary trips in the car or take public transport when available.  Carpooling can also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Avoid single-use plastics. This may be tricky but pay attention to the products you choose with unnecessary plastic packaging. Take reusable bags when shopping and reuse produce bags when you can. Purchase reusable silverware and straws to use when on the go instead of taking disposable items when you must be on the go.

Consider additional ways to be sustainable at home. Look for ways to reduce what goes into the trash. Everyday items that are thrown away can add up. Evaluate what these may be in your home and find washable, reusable, or less-waste alternatives. For example, can a plastic storage bag be washed and used again? Can an old t-shirt be repurposed as a rag to reduce paper towels?

Is there a change you can begin today? Get your family involved to make your change more lasting. Starting small and involving your family helps ensure your changes will last longer. A fun way to involve your family is to calculate your carbon footprint. This takes less than five minutes and can help you identify ways to improve. Good luck in your journey to be more sustainable!

 Written by: Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Miami County.

Reviewed by:  Amanda Bohlen, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Washington County.

Sources:

Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, September 29). What you can do: At home. EPA. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange/what-you-can-do-home_.html

How many planets does it take to sustain your lifestyle? Ecological Footprint Calculator. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en

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Stress Awareness- The Basics

Posted in Healthy People, Healthy Relationships, Mindfulness, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on April 4, 2023| 1 Comment »

letter blocks that spell the word stress

For the past 31 years, the month of April has been recognized and promoted as Stress Awareness Month. Health professionals had noticed that there is a correlation between stress and the wellbeing of the body, mind, and on our behaviors. Stress can affect the body negatively with symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, anxiety, constant worrying, substance abuse and having angry outbursts.

Stress can be positive or negative. Positive (eustress) stress happens when you are trying to meet a deadline or preparing to take a test, it can improve your focus and motivation. Examples of positive stress could also be getting married or having your first child. Negative (distress) stress happens when certain situations overwhelm our ability to cope. Negative stress can result from financial worries, illness, or having high expectations in the workplace. The problem with stress is when the small, manageable amounts start to build up on each other to create big problems, which can affect your health. A few different techniques that may help with decreasing stress levels are:

a green cup filled with coffee and words for journaling and a pen
  • Journaling– Track your stress and how you reacted and coped with it.
  • Healthy lifestyle- Eating healthy while also getting in regular amounts of sleep and exercise.
  • Relaxation techniques- Practice methods such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or getting a massage.
  • Setting time aside- Finding the time within your day to “simplify” and enjoy the little things.
  • Healthy relationships– Continue to build and strengthen interpersonal connections that will have a positive impact in your life.

Don’t let stress continue to negatively impact your body, mind, or behaviors. Start using stress relief techniques to help manage the stress in your life.

References

Healthy Lifestyle: Stress Management. Mayo Clinic, Published 3/24/2021. Accessed 3/4/2023. Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior – Mayo Clinic

What is stress? My Brain Co. Published 11/21/2019. Accessed 3/5/2023. What Is Stress? Positive vs. Negative | Fight or Flight | Resilience (mybrainco.com)

Ohio State University Extension (2015) Have you tried “Journaling” your Stressors?? at Have you tried “Journaling” your Stressors?? | Live Healthy Live Well (livehealthyosu.com)

Ohio State University Extension (2012) S.I.M.P.L.I.F.Y- In Recognition of Stress Awareness at S.I.M.P.L.I.F.Y. – In Recognition of Stress Awareness | Live Healthy Live Well (livehealthyosu.com)

Bilodeau, K. Fostering Healthy Relationships. Harvard Health Publishing. Published 7/1/2021. Accessed 3/6/2023. Fostering healthy relationships – Harvard Health

Written by : Amy Cleland, BGSU Dietetic Intern working with Wood County Extension and Susan Zies, Extension Educator, FCS, Wood County

Reviewed by: Casey Bishop, MACP, Paulding County Extension Educator, FCS

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Our Small Changes can Help Our Planet

Posted in Healthy People, Uncategorized, tagged , , on March 30, 2023| 1 Comment »

picture of the earth that says "one world"
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

There is a recent report out that says the Earth’s climate is changing more rapidly than previously thought. We may reach the critical temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius as compared to pre-industrial times by the mid 2030s. We’ve observed that that our last eight years have been the hottest on record. We are also seeing more extreme droughts, flooding and hurricanes in other parts of the country and it’s only going to get worse. We also have the issue of pollution. Trash on roads, beaches, streams, campgrounds, and parks seems to be getting worse every year.

What can we do as consumers? Choose paper over plastic, recycle, buy electric vehicles? These actions might help but only a little since there are trade-offs. For example, paper bags can be composted and break down, but they degrade forests, and are more energy intense to transport. Only a small percent of what we try to recycle is actually recycled. And the issue with buying electric cars is that they also are resource intense to manufacture in terms of resources and water.

The best thing we can ethically do as consumers is to consume less- drive less, fly less, eat less, buy less, take shorter showers, use less electricity. We must consider needs versus wants. I’m a type 1 diabetic so I use a lot of single use plastics and insulin to manage my diabetes. I’m not able or willing to compromise my health. However there might be some other small changes I can do to offset. For example, I can eat less sweets so I won’t need as much insulin, and not use as much diabetes supplies.

Small, simple behavior changes especially related to “wants” versus the “needs” can make a big difference over time. For example, cutting your showers by a few minutes can save many gallons of water over a year, in addition to saving energy. If you need ideas for goals, please see our OSU sustainability resource page for ideas.

Author: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension

Reviewer: Jessica Lowe, Extension Educator, Pickaway County

Sources:

Diffenbaugh N.S. and Barnes, E.A. (2023). Data-driven predictions of the time remaining until critical global warming thresholds are reached. PNAS 120(6). https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2207183120

World Meteorological Association. (2023). Past eight years confirmed to be the eight warmest on record. Retrieved from https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/past-eight-years-confirmed-be-eight-warmest-record

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Conversations with My Computer

Posted in Healthy People, Uncategorized, tagged , on March 28, 2023| 2 Comments »

Person holding a phone and chatting with a bot.

Recently a co-worker and I were talking about ChatGPT – a new online bot that can respond to questions and comments from users in a conversational and “human-like” manner. We spoke about the pros and cons of this new technology, the effects it could have in education, as well as ways it could be used by individuals. After our conversation, I wanted to try chatting with the bot myself, and learn a little more about how it can be used by others.

ChatGPT was first launched in November 2022 and is currently available through a free research preview. The program does require a user to create a username and password to log in, but that hasn’t stopped many individuals – within three days of its launch, over one million people had signed up to use the site. Users can ask ChatGPT just about anything that comes to their mind, from meal planning help, ideas for a party, or a synopsis of a book or movie (and it even tries to avoid spoilers!). The chatbot rejects inappropriate requests and will challenge false assumptions – for example, if asked to talk more about Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America in 2015, it will first gently correct the user then treat the question as hypothetical.

As I was chatting, I wondered how artificial intelligence could be used as a support in other productive ways. So, of course, I asked ChatGPT itself:

ChatGPT's response to how artificial intelligence can be helpful.

As artificial intelligence technologies continue to improve, individuals may see it being used more in healthcare and medicine. One way it is used today is through wearable health devices (WHDs).  Many of these devices look like watches or bands and are able to track the daily health stats of the person wearing the device. This allows individuals to take charge of their own health and monitor their activity. Some WHDs are able to be remotely monitored by physicians, creating more communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

Even ChatGPT itself could play a role in community health. It can provide information on public health issues and answer questions about health promotion and disease prevention, including the importance of vaccinations, regular screenings, and ways to reduce risk factors. It can also provide information about health programs and services in the community, listing eligibility criteria for certain services and whether programs can be covered through health insurance. The are some limitations to what ChatGPT can do, however. It may not always be completely accurate due to the limitations of its data. Chatbots also do not have the same level of engagement with individuals as a human health educator would provide.

I know I am amazed by the advancements of technology in the last few years. There is so much support that artificial intelligence can provide to help keep us healthy, however there are still some issues for programmers to solve. I am excited to see what the future will bring to better health and wellness!

Written by:  Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu

Review by:  Dan Remley PhD, MSPH, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition, and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension, remley.4@osu.edu

References:

Biswas, S. (2023). Role of chat gpt in public health. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10439-023-03172-7#citeas

Bohr, A. & Memarzadeh, K. (2020). The rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare applications. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7325854/

Broom, D. (2022). Explained: what is chatGPT? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/chatgpt-ai-bot-intelligent-conversation/

ChatGPT. (n.d.). https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Tyson, A. et al. (2023). 60% of American would be uncomfortable with provider relying on AI in their own health care. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/02/22/60-of-americans-would-be-uncomfortable-with-provider-relying-on-ai-in-their-own-health-care/

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Load Up on Vitamin N(ature) this Spring

Posted in Healthy People, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2023| 4 Comments »

Sharp-lobed Hepatica blooming, a spring wildflower

Monday, March 20th marked the first official day of Spring. Now is the perfect time to get outside and commit to increasing your daily dose of Vitamin N(ature). Why should you go outside? The health and wellness benefits of being outdoors are numerous. If you want to dive deep into these benefits, read Florence William’s book, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. For now, you might want to watch her short video, What Happens When You Spend 5 minutes in Nature? Her advice: “Go outside. Go often. Bring friends. Breathe.”

Need ideas of things to do to increase your Vitamin N? Here are four activities to try outside this spring:

1. Search for spring wildflowers, also referred to as spring ephemerals. These early bloomers have been blooming for weeks and are a welcome sight year after year. Want to learn more about wildflowers? Visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildflower website to find the Spring Wildflowers of Ohio field guide, weekly wildflower bloom reports, videos, a wildflower checklist, and featured locations throughout the state.

2. Watch the stars, planets, and moon. Visit What’s Up: Skywatching Tips from NASA, an educational website with monthly highlights, daily skywatching guides, night sky news, and other educational resources about our galactic neighborhood. Have you ever seen the International Space Station in the night sky? You can enter your location on NASA’s Spot the Station website and get a calendar of sighting opportunities in your community.

Male Red-winged Blackbird singing

3. Look and listen for migrating birds to return to your yard and community. Have you noticed the return of the chatty Red-winged Blackbirds? They are often one of the first migrants of the season. The male birds, with their black body and yellow and red shoulder patches, returns to their nesting grounds before the dark brown, streaked females. Be on the lookout for migrating waterfowl, hummingbirds, and warblers. To learn about birds, visit All About Birds and eBird, two websites maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These websites provide enormous amounts of information about different bird species, their migration patterns, their songs and calls, their behavior, and identification information.

4. Walk, stroll, or ride on the 1,523 miles of bike trails in the Buckeye State. To learn about the different trails and find a trail near you, visit the Ohio Bikeways website hosted by the Ohio Department of Transportation. This site features trail safety tips, a bikeways brochure, and a downloadable map.

Seedlings growing in an egg carton.

If you or someone you love has limited mobility or a difficult time getting outside, consider bringing nature indoors. Sowing seeds indoors is a fun and educational Spring activity. Using a cardboard egg carton is an easy, economical, and environmentally friendly way to plant your seeds.

Every day is an opportunity to get outside and get a healthy dose of Vitamin N. Even better, get outdoors and bring others with you. Be sure to get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer this Spring!

Written by: Laura M. Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60.osu.edu     

Reviewed by: Shari Gallup, Assistant Professor and Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Licking County, gallup.1@osu.edu

Sources:

Louv, R. (2016). Vitamin N: The essential guide to a nature-rich life. Algonquin Books.

Stanton, L. M. (n.d.) Nature matters. OSU Extension, Warren County.  go.osu.edu/nature-matters

Stanton, L. M. (2021, April 19). Get out! Celebrate nature on Earth Day and every day. Live Healthy Live Well.  https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/04/19/get-out-celebrate-nature-on-earth-day-and-every-day

Stanton, L. M. (2022, May 2). How’s your environmental wellness? Live Healthy Live Well. https://livehealthyosu.com/2022/05/02/hows-your-environmental-wellness

Tedrow, S. (2022, March 8). Selecting and starting seeds. OSU Extension, Wayne County. https://wayne.osu.edu/news/selecting-and-starting-seeds

Williams, F. (2018). The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. W.W. Norton.

Williams, F. (n.d.). The Nature Fix: What Happens When You Spend Just 5 Minutes in Nature? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwQkTuhId-o

Photo Credit: All photos from AdobeStock.

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Celebrate the Winter Solstice

Posted in Healthy People, Mindfulness, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on December 20, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The sun shining behind a tree in winter.

The Winter Solstice occurs the moment the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, which is the maximum tilt away from the sun. The significance of this event is that, in terms of sunlight, everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and longest night of the year. This typically occurs around the 21st or 22nd of December every year.

In meteorological terms, the Winter Solstice marks the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This year, the Winter Solstice will take place on Wednesday, December 21st (at 4:48 PM to be exact).

Here are four ways you and your family can observe and celebrate the Winter Solstice, indoors and outdoors:

Winter shadows in the snow.

1. Look At Your Shadow
If it is a sunny day, go outside around noon and check your shadow on the Winter Solstice. Even better, measure your shadow and remember how long it is. You can measure your shadow on other days of the year, but it will never be as long as it is on the Winter Solstice. This is because the sun is at its lowest point in the sky and therefore, casts the longest shadows of the year. Visit this NASA link to see a beautiful image that shows how the sun moves across the sky throughout the year and creates a fascinating pattern called an analemma.

2. Attend a Winter Solstice Celebration
Many parks, nature centers, and other outdoor venues hold Winter Solstice events. For example, in southwest Ohio, Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve holds an annual sunrise celebration. On the morning of the Winter Solstice, the sun strategically rises through a gap in the Fort Ancient earthworks. In central Ohio, OSU Chadwick Arboretum hosts an annual candle-lit labyrinth walk in the evening. For events close to you, try a quick internet search to find a Winter Solstice celebration near you.

3. Read About the Winter Solstice
Make a trip to your local library to find children’s books about the Winter Solstice. Snuggle up, light a fire or a candle, drink hot cocoa, and read a book together. Some book suggestions are:

  • The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer
  • The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
  • The Solstice Badger by Robin McFadden

4. Rest and Reflect
Paying attention to nature and the four seasons is a healthy way to be mindful. It gives you an opportunity to be fully present in the moment and recognize that life is about change. We change and the seasons change. Pausing to recognize the shift that occurs at the Winter Solstice can connect us to the people, traditions, and memories that have come before us. The cold days and the long nights are perfect for rest, reflection, and setting your intentions for the new year and the next season of life.

Wishing you a wonderful and cheerful Winter Solstice! May the coming days bring warmth, light, and peace.

Winter Solstice Greetings image

Written by: Laura Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60@osu.edu.

Reviewed by: Patrice Powers-Barker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Lucas County, powers-barker.1@osu.edu.

Sources:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2007, June 17). Astronomy Picture of the Day. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070617.html

Stanton, L. (n.d.) Mindfulness. Ohio State University Extension, Warren County. go.osu.edu/mindful-warren-co

Stanton. L. (n.d.). Nature matters. Ohio State University Extension, Warren County. go.osu.edu/nature-matters

Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E. & Richardson, M. Mindfulness and nature. Mindfulness (9), 1655–1658 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0883-6

Photo Credits:

© Björn Buxbaum-Conradi. Sun shining behind a tree in winter. Adobe Stock.

@ Lizzy Komen. Winter shadows in the snow. Adobe Stock.

@ Teddy and Mia. Winter Solstice greeting. Adobe Stock.

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A New Season

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on October 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Country road in fall

This time of year is always difficult for me. Unlike those of you who LOVE fall, I do not. Yes, you read that right, I do not like fall, not at all. For a long time, I couldn’t figure out why I don’t share the same love of Fall like so many. It turns out, I have the milder version of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) known as the Winter Blues. You might be thinking, but it’s not winter. Well, SAD or seasonal blues can occur anytime of the year. Symptoms are typically the opposite for people who have Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise, they start and end around the same time each year.

I knew this year would be especially challenging. I just sent my youngest child off to college in August and my older son who moved into an apartment in late spring. So, my husband and I are technically empty nesters. While he is excited, I don’t share his enthusiasm. I enjoyed having my kids at home and I still LOVE it when my sons stop by if just to do laundry or stay over. My daughter was home this past weekend for fall break and my younger son came home for a visit. It was nice to see and hug them, to hear what’s going on in their lives, and to hang out. While I don’t miss the extra dirty dishes, I do miss them.

Each new season brings change. While this season is especially difficult for me, I try to be proactive to help minimize the negative impacts. Some things that help me include EXERCISE, eating healthy, adequate sleep, connecting with loved ones, getting as much natural light as possible, and realizing that this too shall pass. I know about when my symptoms start and about when they end. This predictability of symptoms is actually what helped me realize that I experience the “winter blues,” just in the fall.

Group of young adults

The new season of being an empty nester has brought its share of change. While I miss my kids immensely, I know I raised healthy, well-adjusted, productive adults. There are times when I feel they don’t need me, then I get a phone call asking me about something, so they still need me, just in different ways. My daughter has had a cough for a couple of weeks (negative COVID), and she called asking me to drive 2.5 hours to go to the doctor with her! She has never been to the doctor without me, and she is scared. I had to keep myself from laughing. She’s very independent and hasn’t asked for my help navigating college and all that comes with it, yet she wants me to accompany her to the doctor! I asked her why she was scared She said she doesn’t want to fill out the paperwork. I told her she can call me if she has any questions. She was not thrilled that I would not come up, but she was more at ease knowing she can call me if needed.

This new season will continue to be an adjustment as we all figure out how to support each other in new or different ways. I am excited about what the future holds for my kids and for my husband and me. My young adult children are building their own lives and figuring out what they want to do in the next few years. My husband and I will be building our retirement home in the next several months and we are rehabbing a vintage camper to travel now and when we retire. All in all, this new season is filled with countless possibilities for us all!

Written by: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Ken Stewart, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Monroe County, stewart.1982@osu.edu

Sources:

Carter, S. (2017, September 21). It’s fall, it’s fall… I love it all! Live Healthy Live Well. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://livehealthyosu.com/2017/09/25/its-fall-its-fall-i-love-it-all/

Harmon, M. (2019, October 21). Fall: A sad time of year. Live Healthy Live Well. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://livehealthyosu.com/2019/10/21/fall-a-sad-time-of-year/

Harmon, M. (2021, October 15). It’s Fall Y’all and the struggle is real. Live Healthy Live Well. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/09/28/its-fall-yall-and-the-struggle-is-real/

Harmon, M. (2022, July 28). Empty nest-now what? Live Healthy Live Well. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://livehealthyosu.com/2022/07/28/empty-nest-now-what/

Nelson, H. (2007, October 32). Advice for parents and guardians of college students: 6 pieces of first-year wisdom. Advice for Parents of College Students: 6 Pieces of First-Year Wisdom – Azusa Pacific University. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.apu.edu/articles/advice-for-parents-of-college-students-6-pieces-of-first-year-wisdom/

Scammahorn, R. (2021, September 8). Don’t delay, start saving today! Live Smart Ohio. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/money/scammahorn-5osu-edu/dont-delay-start-saving-today/

Stewart, K. (2022, March 2). Getting financial aid without getting scammed. Live Smart Ohio. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/money/stewart-1982osu-edu/getting-financial-aid-without-getting-scammed/

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The Health Benefits of Keeping an Aquarium

Posted in Healthy People, Mindfulness, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on October 14, 2022| 1 Comment »

Picture of fish in Aquarium
Photo by Fahad AlAni on Pexels.com

Do you ever wonder why many doctors and dentists’ offices have an aquarium in their waiting areas? No, it’s not because doctors and dentists all happen to be hobbyists; it’s because there’s some evidence that aquariums have a calming effect and improve moods. Calm patients make easier patients, especially for a dentist! Aquariums have many potential health benefits including:

  • Improves mood
  • Reduces pain
  • Improves nutritional intake and body weight
  • Improves loneliness
  • Improves anxiety, relaxation and stress

One study found that increasing the amount and variety of fish in an aquarium was associated with greater reductions in heart rate, greater increases in self-reported mood, and higher interest. 

Aquariums can be expensive though depending on the type. They range from the inexpensive such as a simple bowl with goldfish to the most expensive option of a large saltwater aquarium with beautiful tropical fish, coral, and other sea creatures. There is also a brackish aquarium which contain fish and animals found in coastal rivers where there is mix of fresh and saltwater. Many pet stores can help you decide which might be the best option for you.

Depending on what you decide you will most likely need (besides the aquarium), lighting, a pump, a filter, a heating device (if tropical), rocks, gravel, and some cleaning equipment. If you go with saltwater, you will need a salt, a hydrometer, and possibly chemical testing equipment. Saltwater and brackish fish and sea creatures are also the most expensive and least hardy, but they are also colorful and interesting.

In any event, do some research if you think it might help you or your family become healthier!

Author: Dan Remley, MSPH, PhD. Associate Professor, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition, and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension

Reviewed by: Susan Zies, Assistant Professor, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Wood County

Sources

Cracknell, D., White, M. P., Pahl, S., Nichols, W. J., & Depledge, M. H. (2016). Marine Biota and Psychological Well-Being: A Preliminary Examination of Dose–Response Effects in an Aquarium Setting. Environment and Behavior, 48(10), 1242–1269. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916515597512

Clements H, Valentin S, Jenkins N, Rankin J, Baker JS, Gee N, Snellgrove D, Sloman K. The effects of interacting with fish in aquariums on human health and well-being: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2019 Jul 29;14(7):e0220524. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220524. PMID: 31356652; PMCID: PMC6663029.

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Enjoy Fall with All Your Senses

Posted in Healthy People, Mindfulness, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on October 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Fall is a beautiful time of year to get out and enjoy all the sights, colors, and sounds of nature. All of this can be a treat for our senses. Connecting to your senses can be a simple way to reduce stress. Tapping into all five senses can immediately provide calming and healing powers.  Incorporate one of these sensory experiences into your day and enjoy finding something new about fall to love:

people walking in woods

Vision:

Have a scavenger hunt: look for items found in the woods or at a park, in your neighborhood, or stay in your own backyard.

Create some art: make a nature rubbing with paper and crayons. Collect interesting items such as bark or leaves and place them under the paper and rub them on top with a crayon.  Consider placing interesting leaves in a bowl or vase and enjoying for the season or arranging them in a frame.

Smell:

Pay attention to the new smells that come with the season. Bring your attention to the grass, flowers, and air of fall. Notice the difference between a sunny and rainy day and talk about these with your children or grandchildren noting the differences they perceive.

Taste:

Fall offers a variety of new taste experiences, including pumpkin, cinnamon, and more. Pay attention to how these seasonal flavors make you feel.

Touch:

Fall can provide new and exciting textures to explore. Grasses have different and new textures as the season changes. Acorns, leaves, bark, moss, pinecones, feathers, and more can all have interesting textures to explore.

Sound:

Crunching leaves, new bird sounds, and others can contribute to the exciting sounds of fall. Take some time to simply sit and observe the unique sounds of the season.

Try taking a sensory walk incorporating all these senses and enjoy the multi-sensory benefits of fall. Using all our senses to explore a new season can greatly enhance the experience of fall and provide fall memories that last!

Written by: Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Miami County.

Reviewed by: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension.

Resources:

Globokar, L. (2020, November 27). Learn how reconnecting with your senses helps you to manage stress. Forbes. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/lidijaglobokar/2020/11/30/learn-how-reconnecting-with-your-senses-helps-you-to-manage-stress/?sh=32696bec1544

Whitney-Coulter, A. (2022, January 26). Use your five senses to connect with nature. Mindful. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.mindful.org/sense-the-benefits-of-nature/

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