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Eye Didn’t Know That #TransitionsLens
I have always considered myself pretty lucky that I have 20/20 vision. My husband, however, has horrible vision. It’s been because of his vision problems that I take my children’s vision health seriously. I am sure that had his vision problems been diagnosed at an earlier age he would have better vision now and he would have done better in school as a child (he couldn’t see the blackboard until 5th grade!). According to Transitions Optical, one in four children have an undiagnosed vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn. Wow! There is no doubt that healthy sight is a must for children to make the most of their education.
The good news is that there are some easy tips that we can follow to take good care of our children’s ojitos. Transitions developed the “Eye Didn’t Know That” (“Yo No Sabia Eso”) website for kids in both English and Spanish. It’s a fun and interactive site that you can explore with your children – the games, downloads and other resources are a great way to teach children (and adults too!) about the importance of taking care of our eyes.
My kids and I had a great time exploring it! First, we played the Memory Match game. My kids loved that we could pick the game diificulty level.
Next, we explored the Optical Illusions page - they really liked this one!
And we printed these coloring pages too! They each had a fun fact about healthy sight.
My kids obviously loved exploring the site, but so did I. The “Parents” section had practical and easy to implement tips for helping your children maintain healthy vision. Some things that I learned from the site are:
1. Eat for your eyes! Did you know that our diets impact our vision? We should all drink eight to ten glasses of water a day to hydrate your body and eyes. Also, there are tasty and good for you foods that have the excellent health benefits for your eyes. These foods contain vitamins A, C, and E; fatty acids; omega-3 and beta-carotene. Examples of these types of foods include:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Grapes (Here's my son enjoying a good "eye" snack!
- Berries
- Carrots
- Squash
- Soy
- Nuts
2. Near vision is not tested in the simple eye screenings offered in schools. I didn't know this! It’s near vision that’s especially important for reading books and seeing the computer screen clearly – things that our children do on a daily basis at school! Therefore, a full eye exam is needed for your children.
3. Shields away! When you protect the skin around your eyes—and everywhere else—during the first 18 years of your life, the risk of cancer is likely to be reduced by 50%! I am going to be better about encouraging my children to wear sunglasses when they are outside to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, BUT I am also going to buy them wide-brimmed hats and treat suncreen like a "never leave at home" item.
I encourage you to explore the site, so much information is available! One of the aspects that I was most impressed with was learning about the commitment that Transitions has to educating the community about the importance of healthy vision. First, you can show your support for healthy by simply clicking on this “Submit Your Promise” link and filling out the form. The best part is that for each new promise submitted in 2012, Transitions will donate a brand new book to mobile literacy initiative Bess the Book Bus! VidaCoco made their promise, see?
I was pleased to learn that Transitions Optical has joined the American Diabetes Association to help educate consumers nationwide about the link between diabetes and visions health. Hispanic/Latino Americans are at Greater Risk for Being Diagnosed with Diabetes - “This group is 1.7 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.”
According to Transitions, while Diabetes "is mainly diagnosed by a primary healthcare provider like an internist, pediatrician or endocrinologist, an eyecare professional can also detect the ocular signs of the disease. Diabetic patients may develop certain vision conditions because the eye is one of the principal organs affected by diabetes. Educating patients about the importance of proper eyecare, like regular comprehensive eye exams and proper protective eyewear, can help prevent the development of vision-threatening complications"
If you are in the NYC area, through its partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Transitions Optical is offering Free Vision Screenings during the ADA Expo on November 3, 2012 to help educate consumers about proper eyecare and its connection to Diabetes.
- For more information about the company and the Transitions family of adaptive eyewear, visit http://www.transitions.com.
This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Transitions Optical. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Transitions Lenses - Seeing Clearly
I recall my mom yelling from the kitchen “no se sienten tan cerca a la tele, se van hacer ciegos!” (don’t sit so close to the TV, you are going to go blind!). I know it was dramatic, but she was simply concerned about our eyes and the damage that we may be causing to our vision. I am not sure if it’s genetics or my mom’s advice, but overall I have great vision. Throughout my teen years and early adulthood, however, I took my 20/20 vision for granted. I had some poor habits – I didn’t wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect my eyes from the sun’s harmful rays and I only had an eye exam once in a blue moon.
Then, I met my husband, Dan, who has serious vision issues. I began to think about my vision. I was a little concerned that I had waited too long, but since eye damage is cumulative, it’s never to early or late to start getting regular eye exams and taking care of your “ojitos.” According to a study supported by Transitions Optical in January 2012, less than half of Hispanic adults living in the United States have had an eye exam within the past year. I get it – I was one of them. Now, however, not only does my husband get regular eye exams, but so do I and our kids.
I jokingly told Dan that he “was blind as a bat” when we first started dating. But on a serious note, he remembers when he first got glasses in the 5th grade and he could FINALLY read the chalkboard in school. Prior to getting glasses he missed many assignments and couldn’t even take class notes because he couldn’t see the chalkboard. I asked him why he didn’t just walk up to the chalkboard to write things down. He would have gotten in trouble if he got out of his seat and walked up to the chalkboard so he could read the materials! Imagine how many children in the country are not learning or are thought to not be good students simply because they need glasses? That is why I was honored to team up with Transitions® Lenses to promote eye health - as a result of what my husband went through as a child.
Since I still have (luckily!) great vision, my husband got a new pair of Transitions lenses. He had Transitions lenses 12 years ago and said that he would not get them again because they didn’t transition as fast as he wanted. Good news! That problem is now solved! He has been wearing his new transition lenses for a few weeks and he is happy to report that the technology has greatly improved. His new lenses transition from light to dark within seconds. He is so happy with them! In addition to quickly transitioning and blocking 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, his new lenses are helping with his eye fatigue and strain.
His Transitions lenses also solve another problem for him – he only needs ONE pair of glasses. He didn’t like having a pair of regular glasses and a separate pair of sunglasses because he would normally end up loosing the sunglasses! Since prescription sunglasses are expensive to replace he would go for long periods of time without sunglasses (he can be cheap!). Then I had to listen to him complain about how bright the sun was and how he needed to get new sunglasses but how he could only wear prescription sunglasses otherwise he cannot see. Problem solved!
But we have to talk about the frames Dan choose for his new pair of transition lenses - a bright red thick frame. Seriously? They are pictured to the left. Well, my husband isn’t one to shy away from attention, so I suppose these "loud" frames fit his outgoing personality. His regular prescription glasses are thick rimmed “Buddy Holly” style glasses, which I think look very nice on him, but these were a little unusual. He swears that they are a conversation starter and he's right - I have witnessed it first hand. Thank you Transitions lenses for solving my husband's sunglasses problems, but Ray Ban why did you need to make bright red frames that my husband would love so much? JK! On the bright side, we get to tell many people the story behind the red frames and about Transition lenses. While the frames are a hit or miss with people, everyone likes the Transition lenses!
For more information on how you can "see your best" check out the brochure below, it's a great resource.
- For additional information on how Transitions lenses can help you with your eyecare, visit: www.transitions.com (in English) or http://es-la.transitions.com/es/default.aspx (in Spanish)
- You can find them on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/transitionslenses and http://www.facebook.com/LentesTransitions (Spanish)
- You can also follow on Twitter.
This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Transitions Optical. I was provided with a complimentary eye exam and pair of eyeglasses to test for the purpose of this campaign. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Take Good Care of Your Corazon!
February American Heart Month. While heart problems have always been associated with men’s health, cardiovascular disease is actually the number #1 killer of women age 18 and above. Mujeres, we have a responsibility to take care of our heart health and make lifestyle decisions that can help us reduce our risk for heart disease. It's so easy to put our loved ones ahead of our own health needs, we tend to do this a lot, but we need to make sure that we take care of ourselves too.
According to the US Dept. of Health, "Heart disease is the #1 killer of Latinas in the United States. Together with stroke, heart disease accounts for a third of all deaths among Latinas—cancer, the second-leading cause of death, accounts for about a fifth. Latinas also have high rates of some factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity."
The good news is that many initiatives have blossomed throughout the month of February to raise awareness and provide information to improve women’s heart health. With healthy lifestyle choices, women can lower their risk of heart disease by 82%! To learn more about what you can do to keep your heart healthy check out our full article here.
According to T H E H E A R T T R U T H ® F O R L A T I N A S: A N A C T I O N P L A N, questions to ask your doctor are:
- What is my risk for heart disease?
- What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me, and what do I need to do about it?
- What are my cholesterol numbers? (These include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, a type offat found in the blood and food.) What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them?
- What are my “body mass index” (BMI) and waist measurement? Do they mean that I need to lose weight for my health?
- What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes? If so, what do I need to do about it?
- What other screening tests for heart disease do I need?
- What can you do to help me quit smoking?
- How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
- What’s a heart healthy eating plan for me?
- How can I tell if I may be having a heart attack? If I think I’m having one, what should I do?
Oatmeal Apple Pancakes
During the holiday season I make an extra effort to make sure that my family starts their day with a healthy breakfast. Why? Well, despite our effort to be healthy in our home, treats and goodies during this season tend to end up on our plate. Therefore, I want to make sure that their first meal of the day is super nutritious.
My oatmeal apple spice pancakes have become a favorite recipe in our home during the holidays. I just love the way the aroma from this super easy and delicious recipe fill up the house on cold mornings. I make them with a kamut pancake mix because the flour contains a very high amount of whole grain per serving. It’s a also a great source of fiber and provides such a hearty texture to the recipe. Any instant oatmeal works well, so feel free to get creative! Sometimes I will buy the flavored apple spice oatmeal and it works so well in this recipe. If you don't typically buy apple pie spice, you may substitute a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.
This is what you will need:
1/2 cup of kamut pancake mix
1/2 cup of instant oatmeal
1 teaspoon of apple pie spice
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of canola oil
1/2 cup of unsweetened apple sauce
1 cup of low-fat milk
First, place the dry ingredients (pancake mix, oatmeal, and apple pie spice) together in a bowl and mix well.
Add milk and applesauce and mix well.
Add they honey and mix well. It's at this point when I decide whether to add more milk. The mixture should be pretty close to what your usual pancake mix looks like, but it will look grainer due to the kamut and oatmeal. For thinner pancakes you may want to add about 1/4 cup of milk.
Pour batter onto a lightly oiled griddle or pan, about 1/3 cup per pancake. Turn when bubbles form on surface and the edges begin to dry. Since the recipe calls for a whole grain and oatmeal, the pancakes will have a heartier, denser texture.
Top off these delicious pancakes with just a bit of real maple syrup (real maple syrup lacks the high fructose corn syrup, which is not good for you) and banana slices.....and for added calcium have a glass of cold milk with them - just perfect!
To learn more about milk as part of a healthy lifestyle Link to The Master of the Glass Half Full on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with the California Milk Processor’s Board and Latina Mom Bloggers.
Benefits of Milk
After my 2nd child was born I decided that my family needed to become healthier. This meant gradual changes on a few levels. In addition to trying to go “green” around the house by replacing light bulbs with energy saving ones, recycling and using eco-friendly cleaning products, we made changes to our health, like deciding to exercise more and drink more milk.
The decision to incorporate more milk into our diet came after my husband and I took a series of healthy living classes. The classes were taught by very well-informed nutritionists, so I was very eager to learn from them. They were really a launching pad for my drive to serve more nutritious and healthy meals to my family, but they also inspired me to rework many of my mom's traditional Mexican recipes into healthier ones. One of our classes was focused solely on quick and easy ways to keep our families healthy. I was really surprised to learn that young children should really only drink milk or water, no juice. When I learned more about the lack of nutrients and high amounts of sugars found in juice we made the decision to only give our children milk and water. I have 4 kids under the age of 8, so organic milk is a staple in our house. We do allow them to have orange juice and the occasional glass of organic 100% fruit juice, but we try to focus on giving them organic milk at each meal and at snack time.
I found it really refreshing that even cutting edge healthy living classes recommended milk for keeping kids healthy. The funny thing is that one day I mentioned to my mom about the classes I was taking and their recommendation to give kids only milk and water. She laughed and said it doesn’t take a genius to know this fact! I am glad that we are such big milk family, especially considering that my kids LOVE it!
Actually, the holidays are a great way to incorporate more milk into your child’s diet. Think about all the junk that our families eat this time of year. It seems like between Halloween and Christmas so many unhealthy items can easily pile into our homes. Instead of another serving of something unhealthy on our plate or your child’s plate, serve a glass milk. Try making milk based holiday recipes that will provide nutritional value to your family, like arroz con leche made with brown rice. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and it's surely to be a favorite!
Milk contains so many more good for you nutrients than another cookie, slice of pie or piece candy can provide. Milk will give you added calcium, which in turn helps give you strong bones, teeth, nails and hair. Milk always helps me start day off on the right foot too, giving me that perfect boost of energy and at night a warm glass of milk helps me to relax and wind down from a busy day. My favorite time to have a glass of milk is actually after a great workout, especially after a long run! Did you know that after a workout muscle tends to break down and that the protein found in milk is a great tool to help your muscles rebuild after physical activity? Funny, I actually crave my glass of milk on my runs!
To learn more about the benefits of milk Link to The Master of the Glass Half Full on Facebook and on Twitter.
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with the California Milk Processor’s Board and Latina Mom Bloggers.
Stay Toasty and Save Energy This Winter
Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home
Stay Toasty and Save Energy This Winter
By Emily Anderson for Green Goes Simple
Winter is my favorite season, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy being cold. I appreciate a well-heated home -- and I’m definitely not alone. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with half of it going towards heating. You can’t stop the cold, but you can stop spending so much on your winter energy bill. Try these small changes that will add up to big savings:
Take Control
A programmable thermostat will earn its money back in no time. Plus, you won’t have to remember to lower the heat to 68 F -- which is where it should be -- when you go to bed each night.
Stop the Draft
Install a door sweep: It’s one of the easiest and most effective changes you can make in your home. Think about putting one on the back door, garage door and attic door -- any door that may be in need of an extra barrier against the cold.
Fix the Drip
A leaky faucet will drain your wallet with every drip. The cost to heat your water can skyrocket when the weather is cold -- so every drop counts. Most often it’s a quick fix with a new washer. Save even more money on your energy bill by installing a faucet aerator. Aerators, or filters, will help control the flow from your faucet and will save you plenty on your water bill.
Let it Shine
Clean windows allow more sunlight -- and natural solar heat -- into your home. Keep blinds or curtains open during the day and closed at night.
Wash the Machine
This is a year-round money saver. Dust and residue build up over time inside your washing machine, so monthly cleanings will keep it running efficiently. Your energy bill will be lower -- and your clothes will be cleaner .
Heating Ducts
Even the smallest crack in a heating duct will cost you on your energy bill each month. Some utility companies offer a free energy audit, during which a pro helps you to find the leaks. If your company doesn’t give you that option, it may still be worth it to pay for the same service in order to find those sneaky energy drainers.
Clean the Furnace
The air filters in your furnace should be cleaned at least once a month to keep it working efficiently. All you have to do is wipe them with a fresh dryer sheet. You should also replace filters a few times a year.
Enjoy the Great Indoors
Take care of yourself! Blustery winter weather can increase your chances of catching a cold. Eating right, exercising and finding time to relax in the warmth of your home are all great ways to keep the sniffles away. After all, making eco-wise choices shouldn’t just be good for the environment -- it should be good for you too.
Find more helpful information at EnergyGuide.com and the Energy Savers Blog
Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/nyul
Emily Anderson is the author of Eco-chic Home, Eco-chic Weddings and When Changing a Lightbulb Just Isn’t Enough. Her work has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal, The New York Times and her blog, GoodWithStyle.com. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.
National Diabetes Month (Spanish)
In an effort to continue to provide more content in Spanish, here is an interview with Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell on Diabetes, since November is National Diabetes Month. We will start to post more in Spanish soon!
Entrevista con la Dra. Maria Collazo-Clavell sobre diabetes
Dra. Collazo-Clavell es endocrinóloga de la Mayo Clinic en Rochester, Minnesota
¿Qué es la diabetes mellitus? Y por qué se llama mellitus?
La diabetes es una condición en que el cuerpo está teniendo problemas de controlar el azúcar en la sangre. La insulina es la hormona que controla el azúcar en la sangre y la diabetes ocurre cuando el organismo no produce o no usa apropiadamente la insulina. La llamamos mellitus porque ciento de años atrás se notaba que una serie de individuos tenía una orina muy dulce. La palabra mellitus proviene del latín y significa dulce. La explicación de este suceso es que cuando el nivel de azúcar aumenta en la sangre los riñones tratan de eliminar el exceso de glucosa.
¿Cuáles son los diferentes tipos de diabetes mellitus?
Hay la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 donde el problema se encuentra en la incapacidad del organismo de producir la hormona insulina. Esa condición es más frecuente en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes de menos de 25 años. Por eso que antes la diabetes tipo 1 se llamaba infantil. Sin embargo, puede ocurrir a cualquier edad aunque todavía se diagnostica en niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Así que pacientes que padecen de esta enfermedad necesitan insulina y hoy en día la insulina se provee por inyección o muchas veces por infusión usando una bomba de insulina. En la diabetes tipo 2, que es más frecuente en adultos, el problema no es la producción de insulina sino que el cuerpo no responde a la insulina, es resistente a la acción de esta hormona y por esa razón el azúcar sube. Los riesgos a desarrollarla son muchas veces ambientales: la dieta, la actividad física y el peso. Lo que está ocurriendo recientemente es que estamos poniéndonos más gorditos. La frecuencia en diagnosticar la diabetes tipo 2 ha aumentado. Lo que nos preocupa es que más jóvenes, adolescentes y niños están padeciendo de esta condición.
¿Y qué es la diabetes gestacional?
De nuevo estamos delante del problema del control del azúcar en la sangre. Lo que ocurre durante el embarazo es que el cambio de las hormonas tiende a dificultar la acción de la insulina. Así que una persona con un historial familiar de diabetes puede experimentar un aumento del azúcar durante el embarazo. Lo importante de controlar el azúcar es asegurar el bienestar de la mamá y del bebé. Si el azúcar no está controlada, aumenta el riesgo del bebé ser bastante grande. Aunque pensamos que grande es sinónimo de saludable, en esta circunstancia, puede predisponer el bebé a complicaciones durante el parto. Lo que sí es importante subrayar es que la mamá no tenía diabetes pero desarrolló la diabetes durante el embarazo y por lo tanto necesita controlar el azúcar durante la gestación. En un alto porcentaje de mujeres, se observa que la diabetes desaparece después del parto. No obstante, la diabetes gestacional aumenta el riesgo de la mamá desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 en el futuro. Si la mamá ha mejorado los hábitos de la comida y del ejercicio, mantener estos cambios a largo plazo es primordial para proteger su salud.
La diabetes es muy común en nuestra comunidad. ¿Cuándo es el momento para chequear el azúcar?
Los síntomas clásicos de la diabetes son mucha sed y muchas visitas al baño para orinar. El cuerpo está tratando de controlar el azúcar en la sangre. La verdad es que la mayoría de los pacientes diagnosticados con diabetes no presentan estos síntomas. Hay muchos individuos que tienen diabetes pero no lo saben. En el caso de que haya un familiar diabético, se recomienda que a partir de los 40 años, se debe chequear la tasa de azúcar. Si la persona tiene 35 años y ya nota el exceso en sed y la necesidad de ir al baño se debe chequear el azúcar. Si hay sobrepeso y sedentarismo, también se debe chequear el azúcar. Para las mujeres, el hecho de dar la luz a un bebé de más de nueve libras indica un riesgo de desarrollar la diabetes. Cuando se examina el azúcar puede que aún no esté en el nivel para diagnosticar la diabetes pero quizá esté en el nivel de pre-diabetes. En la pre-diabetes el paciente tiene la posibilidad de prevenir que el azúcar siga subiendo incorporando cambios en su dieta, adoptando ejercicio físico y manteniendo un peso más saludable. Es importante saber que una vez que se diagnostica la diabetes, la persona será diabética toda su vida.
¿Cuáles son los retos de cuidar de una persona con diabetes?
Lo más difícil es que muchas veces individuos sufren de estas condiciones y no las reconocen. Es un reto tratar de controlar una condición cuando una persona no sabe qué tiene. Uno de los grandes logros de la medicina ha sido el descubrimiento de la insulina. El tratamiento de la diabetes permite que la persona goce de una vida completa y saludable. Hay incluso atletas olímpicos que han ganado medalla de oro que tienen la diabetes tipo 1. El hecho de tener diabetes no les han limitado lograr lo que quieren en sus vidas.
¿Cuáles son las complicaciones de una diabetes no controlada?
El riesgo más alto es la gran cantidad de azúcar en la sangre. Sabemos que mientras más altas las tasas de azúcar, más alto el riesgo a complicaciones. En la diabetes tipo 1, hay riesgos agudos. Si una persona deja de tomar su insulina, en menos de 48 horas, puede desarrollar complicaciones que le pueden costar la vida. Así que es muy importante que el paciente con diabetes tipo 1 tome su insulina regularmente. A largo plazo lo que nos preocupa son las complicaciones que afectan la vida de los pacientes. Por ejemplo, complicaciones que afectan la vista que pueden conllevar a la ceguera o complicaciones con los riñones que pueden producir un fallo renal y quizá el paciente necesite un trasplante o también complicaciones relacionadas al corazón que pueden acarrear afección cardiaca. Estas condiciones no siempre son percibidas por los pacientes. Por eso la importancia de la prevención. Las visitas médicas regulares permiten chequear el azúcar en la sangre e identificar si otras complicaciones están sucediendo. Todo gira alrededor de la prevención y eso requiere que el paciente esté pendiente de sus citas y de que tome sus medicinas. Siempre digo a mis pacientes que si esperamos a que vengan a mi oficina porque tienen un problema ya hemos perdido mucho tiempo y no lo podemos recuperar.
Muchas personas piensan que la diabetes les llevará a que no puedan comer más. ¿Hay alguna verdad en esta afirmación?
Definitivamente el diagnostico de diabetes requiere cambios en la dieta. Los cambios que se recomiendan son cambios que todos nosotros debemos hacer para tratar de mantener una vida saludable. Lo que sí tenemos que limitar son los excesos: excesos en grasa, en porción, en azúcar. La persona con diabetes tiene que poner un esfuerzo para asegurar que el cuerpo pueda controlar el azúcar a un nivel adecuado. Sí que hay la posibilidad de comer un pastel o una torta pero que no va a comer todos los días ni en las cantidades que estaban acostumbrados.
¿Cuáles son las ventajas del ejercicio?
El ejercicio tiene un impacto beneficioso de muchas maneras. No solo controla el azúcar sino que protege contra un infarto del corazón. Pueda que no tenga un efecto directo en el peso. La persona que hace ejercicio tiende a mantener un peso más saludable. Otro aspecto es que muchas veces los diabéticos sienten que ellos son los únicos diabéticos y por lo tanto la familia no tiene que hacer estos cambios. Si ellos tienen diabetes, sus familiares también están en riesgo así que todos pueden compartir de estos hábitos saludables. Comer de una manera más saludable y mantener un nivel de ejercicio siempre es positivo.
Acerca de Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, entidad sin fines de lucro, es un líder mundial en atención médica, investigación y educación para gente de todos los ámbitos de la vida. Tiene sedes en Arizona, Florida y Minnesota. Para más información en español, visite http://www.mayoclinic.org/spanish/ y http://www.mayoclinic.org/news-spanish/.
New Survey on Hispanic Oral Health
Did you know that 67% of U.S. Hispanics rate their overall oral health as “excellent”or “good”...yet two-thirds experienced at least one oral health issue in the past year?
I am going to admit that I am part of the group who has experienced at least one oral health issue in the past year - Ok, make that two...
A recent national survey led by the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and sponsored by Crest and Oral-B found that, when compared to the general population, many Hispanics in the U.S. are facing barriers to achieving better oral health. Specifically, the majority of U.S. Hispanics believe more information about good oral health habits, access to affordable oral health care, and more Hispanic and Spanish-speaking dentists and dental hygienists in their communities would help them in achieving better oral health. The highlights of the survey are outlined in the images below.
I really appreciate these findings, mostly because taking care of my oral health has only become a priority in recent years. Growing up, understanding the importance of taking care of my teeth fell a good deal upon myself. It's not that my parents didn't care about my oral health, it just wasn't a priority. I am pretty confident it's because it wasn't very important in their childhood either. They simply grew up in a small town in Mexico where oral health was not a priority, their town didn't even have a dentist!
The survey data that most struck me, however, was on the barriers keeping Hispanics from receiving good oral health care - knowledge gaps, high cost, and language/cultural differences. I can totally relate to these barriers and agree with the resources suggested to helping improve good oral health - they are highlighted in the image to the left.
As the oldest child of immigrant Spanish speaking parents, I was the family translator. When I was 14 my mother decided that I needed braces – yes, she made that call, not the dentist – and it was up to me to find the orthodontist. I was used to calling the health and dental insurance companies to obtain coverage information for my parents. Once I knew how the insurance coverage would work for braces I checked if a recommended orthodontist was on our list of approved providers. The recommended orthodontist, by the way, was the same dentist who had done many of my cousins' braces, so we skipped actually seeing the dentist for a referral - it was cheaper. Once I saw the orthodontist, I asked all the important questions for my mom, since I spoke English and she did not and I, of course, filled out all the paperwork.
After my braces came off, I went to work for my orthodontist part time. I helped with simple clerical tasks around the office, but one of my main responsibilities was to translate for Spanish speaking clients. He always said that he wished he spoke Spanish because he could better serve his patients. I was fortunate that my parents had dental insurance for our family. All 4 kids in my family eventually had braces - my dad jokes that our smiles are worth a fortune! However, even with dental insurance my parents choose to see dentists in Mexico for their oral health care because 1. it was very inexpensive and 2. they could communicate in Spanish with the dentist.
So, what do we do? I firmly believe that we all have a part in improving the state of oral health. While there are so many issues raised in this survey that need attention, I believe that eating a well-balanced diet can help in this quest.
- Healthy food is not only good for your overall health, but it's important for your oral health. Eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups.
- Limit sugary drinks, especially in children. Young children should really only drink juice on a limited basis, focus instead on giving them milk and water.
- Avoid food with a high sugar content, especially sticky candy. It's not only good for your waistline, but your teeth too!
- Drink plenty of water.
To read more information on the study please click here.
Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a compensated campaign with Procter & Gamble and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
#Positivismo Twitter Party with Latina Mom Bloggers
For the past few weeks we have been sharing the #positivismo campaign. It’s been fun to blog about why we love milk as part of a healthy lifestyle….AND we’ve been continuously motivated by the Master of the Glass Half Full. His daily dose of wit and positivity makes us laugh and inspires us to find happiness in little things. The Latina Mom Bloggers who are part of this campaign have also inspired me. They are a group of very talented Latinas! So please join us me, the Latina Mom Bloggers, the Positivity Ambassadors and The Master of the Glass Half Full for a Twitter Party on November 16th from 9-10:30 pm ET (6-7:30 pm PT).
Porque? The conversation and PRIZES of course! The discussion will focus on how to incorporate milk into your family’s healthy diet, tips for leading a more positive life AND the Master of the Glass Half Full will be there with his words of wisdom! I would love to hear from you too! How have you incorporated milk into your family’s healthy diet? What are your favorite milk based recipes? With the holidays just around the corner, I hope to learn about some cool new recipes too!
WHEN: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011, at 6-7:30 pm PT or 9-10:30 pm EST
WHERE: Twitter hashtag #Positivismo
FOLLOW: @vidacoco (that’s me), @maestropositivo a.k.a. El Maestro del Vaso Medio Lleno (The Master of the Glass Half Full), @SassyScorpYM, @Eva_Smith, @michellerivera5, @daytrippingmom, @unknownmami, @shesnachomama, @darielacruz, @nibblesnfeasts, @yvonneinla, @spousesprite, @presleyspantry, @colombianaenCA, @mamanoticias, @LatinaMomBlogs, @JollyMom, @Eva_Smith
RSVP: You must RSVP at LatinaMomBloggers.com. Click HERE to RSVP. Gracias!
PRIZES: And, yes, the prizes, check them out! Which one would you like?
- Oster Classic Beehive Blender with a Six Month’s Supply of Milk
- Two (2) Six Month’s Supply of Milk
- Tree of Life Yoga Kit with a Six Month’s Supply of Milk
- NOOKColor & skin with a Six Month’s Supply of Milk
OFFICIAL RULES: Make sure to read the Official Rules at Latina Mom Bloggers.
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with the California Milk Processor’s Board and Latina Mom Bloggers.
I look forward to you joining us on November 16th!
Healthy Halloween Treat & Snack Ideas
Is it possible to have healthy Halloween treats? Halloween and sweets go hand-in-hand, so they are allowed in our house more than normal around this time. However, I try to explain to the kids that candy and sweats are an “every now and then” food. I have a major sweet tooth and I know that my kids do too around this season, so I don’t expect for candy and other treats to be banned in our home, but we do work on limiting the amount - for their appetite, nutrition and teeth. With your trick-or-treaters you can hand out healthier and fun treats that they will enjoy - and that their parents will appreciate!
Here are suggestions to help curb the sweet tooth overload this Halloween:
- Consider handing out healthy snacks in mini boxes/packages of:
- Animal crackers
- Angie's Kettle Corn, which is gluten-free.
- Baby carrots (BabyCarrots.com has packaged them as Scarrots)
- Buddy Fruit Bites (My kids LOVE these!)
- Apple slices
- Goldfish crackers
- Granola bars or cereal bars
- Sugar-free hot cocoa
- Pirate’s Booty
- Pretzels
- Raisins or yogurt covered raisins
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- String cheese
- Trail mix
- Sugar free gum
- Hand out non-edible treats, similar to what you may find in a goody bag.
- Miniature toys like mini yo-yos tiny pinball games, bubble sets, jacks and ball sets, mini Rubik's cubes, bouncing eyeball balls, sidewalk chalk, inflatable mini balls, mini Uno games, any card games like Go Fish, slide puzzles.
- Plastic jewelry with Halloween themed spooky characters like ghosts, black cats, spiders, skulls, pumpkins, etc.
- Crazy accessories like pirate eye patches, vampire fangs, glow in the dark fingers, necklaces, silly bands, and temporary tattoos.
- Halloween themed craft items or school supplies like pencils, sharpeners, erasers.
- Stickers, small coloring books, slap bracelets
- Small containers of play dough or wikki stix.
- Online stores like Oriental Trading Company and U.S. School Supply are great for finding these types of items at affordable prices. Don’t forget your local party supply store and dollar stores.
Depending on when your kids will go out for trick-or-treating, make sure that they have a healthy snack or dinner before they head out to avoid having them fill up on sweets. Some of my favorites snacks are pumpkin spiced muffins made with whole wheat flour. I LOVE this recipe from lunchboxbunch.com - they are so good! Try orange or cantaloupe slices, cheddar cheese with whole grain crackers, carrots with ranch dip…add a little orange food coloring to the dip! I love the apple cuts out pictured above, but peanut butter or even better, yogurt, would be a much healthier treat, but I do love caramel! Simply cut about 5 granny smith apples into thin slices and use assorted mini cookie cutters to cut shapes into the apple slices, use both the cut outs and apple slices. This yummy and easy to make treat comes from fancyflours.com. Great sites for additional healthy ideas are ivillage.com and fitsugar.com.
Check out my other favorite apple treat (I love apples!)- all you need are granny smith apples and slivered almonds....this idea comes from familyfun.go.com. My kids also love pumpkin cookies - check out our favorite recipe from Kristine Lopez here.
Finally, to lower the amount of candy in your house after Halloween, encourage your kids to participate in Halloween Candy Buy Back. This is such a great national program – it pays kids $1 per pound of sweets that are shipped to U.S. troops overseas. It's also a good idea to store the candy out of sight, like in a kitchen cupboard that only you can reach. Limit candy intake to one a day during a set time, for just a few days then get rid of the candy.
