Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo, cooked
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ bell pepper, chopped
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 1 large tomato, diced
• ½ package of broccoli slaw
• ½ can olives, sliced
• 2 cups frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 avocado sliced
• 1 package of feta cheese (low-fat)
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil
• 3-4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook orzo according to package directions.
2. While orzo is cooking, sauté garlic in a saucepan with a bit of olive oil on medium heat, 1-2 minutes.
3. Add onions and peppers to saucepan, cook until almost tender.  Add broccoli slaw and spinach; cook until tender.
4. Add tomato to sauce pan and cook until heated through.  Remove saucepan from heat and let vegetables cool for 5-10 minutes.
5. Put cooked orzo in a large mixing bowl and add black beans and olives.  Once vegetables have cooled, add to the mixing bowl and fold into the orzo.
6. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  Let cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. Serve pasta salad topped with a sprinkle of feta cheese and some slices of avocado. Enjoy!

Yields 4 servings

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and central nervous system that affects women more often than men.  The protective coating on nerve cells called the myelin sheath is destroyed over time by the body’s own immune cells, which causes a wide range of neurological, muscular, and visual problems.  Symptoms can include loss of balance, difficulty walking or moving arms and legs, muscle spasms, tremors, weakness in arms or legs, double vision, painful eyes, loss of vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, hearing loss, dizziness, and depression.

People with MS may experience symptoms for a few days, weeks or months (these periods are called “episodes”), followed by periods of less severe symptoms or no symptoms at all.  While there is no cure for MS, there are certain medicines and therapies that can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and enable those with the disease to live as normal and healthy a life as possible.  We are also unsure of what causes MS; however, your chances of developing the disease are slightly higher if you have family members with the disease or if you live in an area where the incidence of the disease is high.   The development of the disease may have to do with a virus or a genetic issue of some sort.

Jack’s family is still coping with the news, but he refuses to give up now.  He has his own wedding to look forward to this fall, and a brand-new baby girl at home to keep him busy.

According to a panel of six medical experts selected by ABC news, after review of the 10 most current scientific studies on sunless tanning products, DHA can potentially have harmful side effects, including DNA damage and genetic alterations.

While none of the examined studies were conducted on humans, the panel of experts (in fields ranging from dermatology to toxicology) said they were concerned about the effects of DHA on the lungs and bloodstream.

The FDA notes that spray-on tanning booths are not FDA-approved methods of using DHA products and that “consumers are not protected from the unapproved use of this color additive,” if they inhale  the solution into their lungs or if their eyes, lips and other areas that cover mucus membranes are not protected.

The key message? More research is needed to determine exactly what effect sunless tanning spray has on the human body, particularly when it is inhaled into the lungs. To protect yourself when you visit a salon or booth, request nose plugs and eye covers, and do not breathe in when the solution is being applied.

Fitness Story of the Week

Looking to increase your flexibility?  Five minutes a day may be all it takes!

Health News Story of the Week

Eye problems are on the rise, and once again, diabetes seems to be the culprit.  Read more about it here.

Nutrition Story of the Week

Are you trying to cut back on calories this summer?  Whether you are starting a new diet or just trying to keep your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, here are a few snack ideas from Shape magazine – all under 200 calories!

Pet Story of the Week

Are your kids begging you for a puppy?  Well, you might want to consider giving in because research shows that dogs can in fact be good for children’s health.

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries (domestic)
12. Potatoes

While leafy greens like kale and collard greens didn’t make the Dirty Dozen list, they were found to contain organophosphate insecticides that are highly toxic to the nervous system.  The use of these chemicals in agriculture has dropped dramatically, but is not legally banned.

In addition to the Dirty Dozen, the EWG reports the Clean Fifteen, a list of the 15 least contaminated fruits and vegetables on the market.  The organization suggests that you save money by purchasing non-organic versions of these foods.  Check out this year’s list.

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocados
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantaloupe (domestic)
12. Sweet potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 2 leeks, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp butter
• 6 baking or large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 box of stock (vegetable or chicken)
• 3 cups low-fat milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Steamed broccoli and shredded cheddar cheese if desired

Cooking Instructions

In a large pot, sauté the leeks and onion in butter until tender and translucent.  Add stock and potatoes and cook until potatoes are tender (add water to raise liquid level if desired).  Use a standing blender or immersion blender to puree the potato mixture until smooth.  Return to heat and add milk.  Throw in some steamed broccoli and sprinkle with cheddar cheese to make a meal of the soup.

According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, people aged 60 or older had an increased risk of death during the study’s six-year follow-up period than those who did not report feelings of loneliness. The authors determined that participants who said they experienced loneliness had a 22.8 percent chance of dying during that timeframe, compared with 14.2 percent of participants who did not feel lonely. Feelings of loneliness were also linked to difficulties with upper extremity tasks and stair climbing, as well as a decrease in daily activities.

The authors used data from 1,604 participants in the Health and Retirement Study. Of this group, 43.2 percent said they experienced feelings of loneliness. Participants were determined to fall into the lonely category if they noted feeling “left out, isolated or lack of companionship at least some of the time.”

“Loneliness is a common source of suffering in older persons. We demonstrated that it is also a risk factor for poor health outcomes including death and multiple measures of functional decline,” the authors write.

The bottom line? If you are feeling lonely, it may negatively impact your health. In fact, the authors of the study suggest that doctors take note of these particular feelings when evaluating older patients.

“Assessment of loneliness is not routine in clinical practice and it may be viewed as beyond the scope of medical practice. However, loneliness may be as an important of a predictor of adverse health outcomes as many traditional medical risk factors,” the researchers note. “Our results suggest that questioning older persons about loneliness may be a useful way of identifying elderly persons at risk of disability and poor health outcomes.”

Heat safety

No matter where you live, you are bound to experience some rising temperatures this summer. Heat stroke and dehydration are common during hot summer months, so follow these tips to prevent common heat-related illnesses:

• Stay hydrated. Doctors typically recommend drinking at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day. If you’re outside for an extended period of time or are exercising, you need to drink even more water. If you plan vigorous physical activity in the heat – like a pickup soccer game – you may even want to pack a sports drink that contains electrolytes and necessary nutrients to replenish your body after an intense workout. Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
• Seek shade. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time when it’s hot out. If possible, take breaks in the shade to cool off and avoid excessive sun exposure.
• Wear sunscreen. Choose at least SPF 30, broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every two hours or after swimming and sweating excessively.

Fireworks safety

The 4^th of July is almost upon us and with barbeques and vacation time comes fireworks. While fireworks are a fun way to celebrate summer, they can also pose some major safety risks.

• Do not allow young children to handle fireworks. Older children may be allowed to assist with fireworks, but only under close supervision.
• Only use fireworks well away from your home, trees, flammable items and people.
• Do not attempt to reuse or relight fireworks that have malfunctioned. Pour water on them if this occurs.
• Keep a bucket of water on hand for any malfunctioning fireworks or to extinguish fireworks.
• Only ignite one firework at a time and never light fireworks while they are inside of a container.

Water Safety

Headed to the pool, lake or beach? Don’t let a fun day be ruined by a water-related accident.

• Know how to swim. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, consider taking a few swimming lessons to brush up on technique. If you are ever in a situation where your life depends on it, you’ll be glad you took the time to learn.
• Avoid horseplay around water. While we all want to have a good time this summer, avoid running, pushing or wrestling around the pool, lake or ocean.
• Don’t overdo it. If you are at the ocean and see that there are warnings for strong currents and riptides, do not go in the water that day. Stay close to the shore when swimming in the ocean. If you are at a lake, do not swim too far from shore or from your boat in case you get tired or cramp and cannot swim back to safety.
• Never drink excessive alcohol when you are near water or swimming. Alcohol significantly decreases your motor skills, reaction time and coordination, which is especially dangerous when you are near bodies of water. Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate you as well.
• Never leave a child alone near the water, whether it’s the ocean or in a bathtub. Always be sure they are supervised. Never swim alone, even if you are a good swimmer.
• Do not jump into water if you aren’t familiar with it. It could be much shallower than you realize. If you are jumping into the water, jump feet-first.
• Use approved flotation devices (like a lifejacket) when riding in a boat or swimming (if needed).

Driving safety

Traveling this summer? Brush up on these safe driving tips!

• Avoid road rage. Whether you’re on a road trip with your family or on your daily commute, nothing is worth your safety. If someone upsets you while driving, avoid reacting. Keep your focus on the road and safe driving.
• Stick to the speed limit. While you may want to reach your destination in a timely fashion, it is most important that you arrive, period. Avoid speeding to reduce your chances of a traffic violation, as well as to keep yourself and fellow drivers safe.
• Do not text and drive. Cell phone use is one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents, so put the phone away! If you absolutely must make a call, use speaker phone or a hands-free device. Never text and drive. Wait until you are pulled over in a safe location or have someone else in the car do it for you.
• Keep your car well-maintained. Regular oil changes and tire balance/rotations will keep your car in tip-top shape and help prevent more serious car problems.

Finally, no matter what your activity this summer, keep a first aid kit nearby (in your car, boat, beach bag, home, etc.) and if possible, take time to get CPR-certified.

MDS is a rare condition that occurs when the bone marrow begins to function improperly.  Bone marrow is a spongy material inside your bones that produces stem cells that eventually grow into new blood cells.  In MDS, the bone marrow produces abnormal stem cells that eventually become defective blood cells.  Depending on the type of MDS, either red or white blood cells can be defective.  The condition can be brought on by chemotherapy and radiation commonly used to treat various kinds of cancer.

There is no known cure for MDS; the goal is to keep as many healthy blood cells circulating in the body as possible.  This can be accomplished with blood transfusions, where defective blood cells are replaced with donated healthy cells.  Another, riskier, option is a bone marrow stem cell transplant. Roberts has opted to undergo a bone marrow transplant with the help of her sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, who turned out to be a good match and therefore a viable donor for Roberts.

The 17-year “Good Morning America” veteran plans to continue working as much as possible through her treatments.  She says it is her love of her job, the support of her co-workers and friends, her faith and her family that give her the strength and the motivation to fight yet another medical battle.

New Study of the Week

We all know pregnancies become riskier for women as they age, but a new study shows that offspring can actually benefit if their fathers are older at the time of conception.  Children of older fathers lived longer and healthier lives compared to children of younger fathers – an effect that was linked to certain aspects of sperm DNA.

Healthy Eating Tip of the Week

Think those rice cakes you’re munching on are good for you?  Check out these seven “health” foods that a nutritionist would never touch.

Adolescent Health Story of the Week

Adderall abuse is back in the news again as teenagers continue to turn to stimulants to gain an academic edge over others.

Food Psychology Story of the Week

Do you notice that you tend to eat poorly when you don’t get enough sleep?  You’re not alone!  Check out this new story on how a lack of sleep can make junk food harder to resist.