In this issue:
- Get Screened at NVFC Booth During FDIC
- Share Your National Firefighter Health Week Activity Ideas
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Side of Alcohol Consumption
- April is Cancer Control Month
- Heart-Healthy Tips: Supermarket Smarts – Shopping for Heart-Health
- Recipe: Pasta Il Pompiere
- Calendar of Events
Get Screened at NVFC Booth During FDIC
Are you attending the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) from April 7-12? Then come to Booth #91 to take advantage of free health screenings and much more. The NVFC booth will feature important components of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, and you won’t want to miss out!
Stop by Booth #91 to find out your blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition numbers. These free screenings are conducted by L&T Health and Fitness, an award-winning fitness management and health promotion company. Stay at the booth to sample some heart-healthy dishes courtesy of Chef Joseph Bonanno Jr., well-known as the Firehouse Chef. A 21-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, as well as a certified fitness trainer and nutritionist, Chef Bonanno will demonstrate how to prepare several delicious heart-healthy meals, including Pasta Il Pompiere, El Diablo Sausage and Lentil Stew, and Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya. Learn more about Chef Bonanno at www.chefbonanno.com.
Also visit the NVFC booth to learn about other exciting initiatives, such as Fire Corps and the National Junior Firefighter Program. This interactive booth has something for everyone and is a must-see at FDIC.
Share Your National Firefighter Health Week Activity Ideas
Mark your calendars for the second annual National Firefighter Health Week, which will be observed from August 18-22. Last year’s event was a great success, and this year will be even better.
First responders face increased risk factors every day that may affect their physical and mental well-being. National Firefighter Health Week is a time to focus on the importance of nutrition, exercise, and making healthy lifestyle choices. The focus topics of this year's National Firefighter Health Week include behavioral health, nutrition, heart-health, pulmonary health, and diabetes.
In preparation for this important week, the NVFC wants to hear from you! Tell us what your department did last year to observe National Firefighter Health Week and share your activity ideas for this year. Did you organize a department health screening, or participate in a team athletic event? Maybe you took part in a heart-healthy cooking demonstration or passed out health information packets to your department members. Or perhaps you signed a pledge to embark on the journey to heart-health. Whatever the activity, share it with the NVFC. Email your Health Week activities from last year or your planned events for this year to lricardo@nvfc.org. These activities may be highlighted as examples to other departments planning their 2008 activities.
Stay tuned to the Heart-Healthy Firefighter web site at www.healthy-firefighter.org and the Heart-Healthy Firefighter E-news for more information regarding the 2008 National Firefighter Health Week.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Side of Alcohol Consumption
This month is Alcohol Awareness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. As first responders, you probably have seen firsthand some of the worst consequences of alcohol abuse. While the negative consequences must not be ignored, alcohol can, in moderation, aid in the prevention of certain health ailments. You should speak with your doctor regarding the pros and cons of the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis.
Health benefits
There are several possible benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, meaning one drink a day for women and two for men. Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce your risk of:
- dying of a heart attack
- developing heart disease
- stroke
- developing diabetes
Negative consequences
On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol has many negative effects. It can raise blood pressure as well as harm the liver, brain, and heart. Alcoholic beverages contain calories, which matter if you are trying to lose weight. Too much alcohol can also negatively affect your behavior, mood, and memory.
What constitutes as a drink?
As stated before, moderate alcohol consumption is typically defined as one drink per day for women and two for men. When determining how much alcohol to consume, consider what amounts count as a drink:
- 12 ounces of beer (regular or light, 150 calories), or
- 5 ounces of wine (100 calories), or
- 1 ½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey (100 calories)
Alcoholism
Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that can often be identified from four main symptoms:
- Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”
Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. The following links provide more information on how to find out if you or someone you know has a problem and where to find help:
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- The Partnership for a Drug Free America
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
- NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
April is Cancer Control Month
Each year, the president proclaims April as Cancer Control Month to highlight advances against cancer and rededicate the nation to fighting this disease. This month, take some time to educate yourself further about the cancer risks you and your loved ones may face. Below are some links that may provide some assistance:
Heart-Healthy Tips: Supermarket Smarts – Shopping for Heart-Health
Heart-healthy eating starts with a trip to the supermarket. However, maneuvering the cart through aisles of bright packages offering new flavors, low fat, and high fiber can get confusing. How do you know which products do what they promise, which should be eaten only in moderation, and which to avoid altogether? Consider the following tips next time you are at the grocery store.
- Have a snack and create a list of items you need before going grocery shopping. You will be less tempted to buy items you do not need if you are not hungry and stick to a list.
- Start with the outside aisles (produce and dairy), which usually contain the healthiest, freshest items. Sugary, processed foods are usually kept in the center aisles of the store. Similarly, the least healthy foods in any aisle are kept at eye-level; look for nutritious items on the top and bottom shelves.
- Check product labels to see how much is considered to be a serving, as many items sold as single portions actually provide two servings or more.
- Use the Nutrition Facts Labels to help choose foods lower in total fat and saturated fat as well as in cholesterol and sodium, and with less ingredients, which usually means less added sugar and preservatives. If you can’t pronounce most of the ingredients on the label, it probably is not good for you.
- Limit your use of solid fats, such as butter and hard margarines, and instead look for vegetable oils, especially heart-healthy olive oil, as a substitute.
- In the dairy and meats sections, choose fat-free or low-fat types of milk products, and lean meats and skinless poultry. Omega-3 fats are both heart-healthy and good for the brain; look for these in fish such as salmon and tuna.
- In the soup aisle, look for reduced-sodium items – the average can of chicken noodle soup contains more than 85% of your daily recommended value of sodium. For less fat, choose broth-based rather than cream-based soups.
- Juices can be a great source of extra vitamin C, but try to choose reduced-calorie bottles or ones with higher real fruit juice content. Most juices available at the supermarket have very little fruit juice mixed with many preservatives and sugars.
- If you need vegetables to keep for later, choose frozen instead of canned. Frozen vegetables retain more nutrients and have much less sodium than most canned produce.
Recipe: Pasta Il Pompiere
Courtesy of Joseph T. Bonanno Jr.
www.chefbonanno.com
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
6-8 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thin
6-8 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped
½ tsp salt
1 bunch fresh Arugula
½ lb fresh Mozzarella, cut into dice-size cubes
1 lb penne pasta
Parmesan cheese, to taste
Dried red bell pepper flakes, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oil to medium. Add sliced garlic and sauté until just before golden - do not burn! Pour into large bowl.
- In another bowl, toss tomatoes with salt. Rip arugula into strips and toss most with tomatoes, saving some to top dish before serving.
- Mix together with oil, garlic, greens and tomatoes.
- Cook pasta according to directions. Drain pasta and immediately, while pasta is hot, mix in all ingredients.
- Mix well to melt cheese, sprinkle top with remaining arugula and red pepper flakes.
Serves 6-8
Calendar of Events
Visit the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program at the NVFC booth at these upcoming events:
Fire Department Instructors Conference
Indianapolis, IN
April 7-12, 2008
Fire Expo
Harrisburg, PA
May 16-18, 2008
Firehouse Expo
Baltimore, MD
July 22-27, 2008
Fire-Rescue International
Denver, CO
August 14-16, 2008
National Firefighter Health Week
August 18-22, 2008
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*The content of this E-news is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for advice from your physician. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues; only your healthcare provider should diagnose a medical condition and prescribe treatment. You may also wish to consult with your health care professional or nutritionist before starting a new diet or fitness regimen.
