Good oral health plays a major role in your overall well-being. Daily brushing and flossing is important because how you take care of your oral health affects the health of your entire body. If you do not brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and gums clean, plaque can build up along your gum line. This creates an environment where additional bacteria can accumulate in the space between your gums and teeth, leading to more serious problems. It is also important that good oral health for children begin at infancy.

Facts

There are many other diseases and health conditions that minorities suffer from disproportionately that are linked to oral health.

• Heart Disease. Recent research shows that several types of heart disease may be linked to poor oral health.
• Pregnancy. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to the birth of premature babies. It is important to note that the time to practice good oral hygiene is before you are pregnant, since once you are pregnant infection may spread to your entire body.
• Diabetes. Diabetes increases your risk for a multitude of gum diseases, cavities and mouth infections. Poor oral health can also make your blood sugars more difficult to control.
• HIV/AIDS. In some cases one of the first signs of AIDS may appear in your mouth in the form of a severe gum infection. You may also develop white spots on your tongue or in your mouth that won’t go away.
• Osteoporosis. The first stage of bone loss may appear in your teeth. Your dentist may be able to identify this on yearly x-rays, which is another reason why it is important to schedule annual dental visits.

I watched First Lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin unveil the new food icon, MyPlate. I love the new icon that replaces the often times confusing MyPyramid image as a visual cue and teaching tool.

The intent of the new icon is to translate the main tips of the newly updated 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans into a visual that helps Americans build healthy diets, one meal at a time. The main take away tips from the Dietary Guidelines are to:

• Enjoy food but in the correct portion size.
• Make fruits and vegetables the focus of your meal.
• Include fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk and dairy products in your meals.
• Select foods lower in sodium.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

This new icon is another in a long history of USDA Food Guides. In the 1940′s visual tools started with the basic seven wheel that quickly became the Basic Four Guide to Good Eating in the late nineteen fifties. This educational tool was used for over twenty years. A fifth group was added in the late 1970′s to provide guidance related to recommendations on fats, sweets, and alcohol. The Food Wheel was created in the mid-1980′s for use in a Red Cross nutrition course which transitioned into the familiar Food Guide Pyramid in 1992. Although there was an update in 2005 to MyPyramid in an attempt to increase focus on activity, the triangular shape has been the national icon for nearly two decades, until now.

Here are some of the highlights of the new USDA circular icon.

The new MyPlate icon consists of four colored sections intended to teach people to build meals using fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. There is also a smaller circle for dairy, suggesting a glass of low-fat milk or cup of yogurt for each meal. This visual provides the suggestion of selecting whole foods as the basis for healthy meal planning.

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. These bright colored sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber should fill half your plate whether fresh, frozen, 100% juice, steamed, or grilled. It is important to note that starchy vegetables are also included in the USDA lists. For those trying to control blood sugar levels, single serving carbohydrate information will be necessary as well for healthful meal planning with medical conditions in mind.

Make at least half your grains whole grains. Grains come in two groups – refined or enriched grains and whole grains. In your quest to get at least three servings or more of whole grains each day, look for the Whole Grains Council stamp on bread and pasta options.

Select all types of proteins. One fourth of the plate is for foods rich in protein. Lean meat is a good protein source as well as other high biological value options such as eggs or cheese. Nuts, nut butter, seeds, soy products, legumes and some grain products are all good protein choices without the meat as well. Selecting non-meat choices several times a week is a great way to move your diet toward a plant-based focus.

Include fat free or low-fat (1%) dairy with your meal. Milk provides nine essential nutrients necessary for health, four of which (calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin A) are frequently inadequate in an adults diet. The Dietary Guidelines recommend three servings of dairy a day. The USDA considers dairy to include all milks including lactose-free and lactose-reduced products and fortified soy beverages, yogurt, frozen yogurts, diary desserts and cheeses because of their calcium content. Cream, cream cheese, and sour cream would not be included because of their low calcium content.

The Bottom Line
While the USDA does not endorse any products, services, or organizations, they do offer recommendations for good health.
1. Build a healthy plate using the new MyPlate icon as a guide.
2. Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, (also known as SoFAS) and salt.
3. Eat the right amount of calories for you.
4. Be physically active your way.

We could not agree more with these recommendations and believe the new MyPlate icon will be a great new tool to help Americans build a healthy eating plan, one meal at a time. No icon or visual can tell the whole story without education that offers specific recommendations and guidelines. Here are a couple guidelines to help you make your plate healthy and useful in reaching your weight and health goals.

• Select a 9- or 10-inch plate for your meal. Take a ruler and measure across the plate to be sure it is no larger.
• Fill one-half of the plate with vegetables and fruits, either cooked or raw. For those that are trying to control blood sugar responses, fill one-half of the plate with non-starchy vegetables.
• Fill one-fourth of the plate with a serving of protein such as nuts, nut butter, soy based product or grilled or roasted meat.
• Fill the last fourth of the plate with a grain selection, whole grain if possible. For those seeking to control blood glucose responses, select a carbohydrate-rich choice equal to 15-grams of carbohydrate from starchy vegetables, fruits, or grains.
• Add one cup (8 fl oz) of low-fat or fat-free milk or fortified soy beverage or one container (6-8 oz) of light yogurt to your meal.
• Be sure your meal includes a serving or two of healthy fats from nuts, one or two teaspoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of mayonnaise or a tablespoon of salad dressing.

The new MyPlate icon will most likely serve as a helpful tool for many years to come to help all Americans balance their calories, increase healthy food choices while limiting unhealthy ones. We are very excited for this new educational tool.

What do you think of the new MyPlate icon? How do you think it will help you?

Eat well for less with these money-saving meal that is tasty. This recipe offers a low price of $2.55 per serving.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh or frozen large shrimp in shells
2/3 cup regular brown rice
1 tablespoon butter
3 medium carrots, cut into thin julienne strips
8 oz. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon dried dillweed

Directions

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Peel and devein shrimp. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/3 cups water and the rice to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 40 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add carrots and green beans; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup water and bouillon granules until dissolved. Add bouillon mixture, shrimp, lemon peel, and dillweed to bean mixture. Cover over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp are opaque, stirring occasionally.

3. To serve, divide rice among four bowls. Divide shrimp and vegetable mixture among bowls.

Servings: 4

Carbs. Per Serving: 33 g

Per serving: 268 cal., 5 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 37 mg chol., 381 mg sodium, 33 g carb., 4 g fiber, 21 g pro. Exchanges: 1.5 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. Carb choices: 2.

Enjoy your healthy meal!

This delicious Dill Shrimp and Carrots recipe has met our specifications of “diabetic friendly,” which basically means that it is acceptably low in carbs and fat as well as being absolutely delicious.  However, we always advise you to consider any special diabetic conditions and the guidelines your medical resources have provided you with.

What is White Tongue

White tongue is a coating of debris, bacteria and dead cells on your tongue that makes it look white. Although the appearance of white tongue may be alarming, the condition is usually harmless and temporary. However, white tongue can be an indication of some serious conditions, ranging from infection to a precancerous condition, such as leukoplakia.

If you’re concerned about a white coating or white spots on your tongue, contact your doctor or dentist.

Healthy Tongue Unhealthy Tongue

Causes

Inflammation

The surface of the tongue is covered with finger-like projections called papillae. If your tongue is entirely coated in white, you most likely have an inflammation of the papillae. The white appearance is caused by dead bacteria, debris and dead cells becoming stuck among the papillae. Smoking, excessive mouth breathing and poor oral hygiene can cause the papillae to become inflamed. This type of white tongue can be treated by brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper, quitting smoking, drinking more water or eating more fiber, which helps to scrape the debris from your tongue.

Oral Thrush

If your tongue is white in thick, cottage cheese-like patches, you might have oral thrush. Oral thrush is a kind of yeast infection (Candida albicans), and most often is seen in infants, the elderly, diabetics, drug abusers, people with immune deficiencies and asthmatics being treated with inhaled steroids. Use of antibiotics or chemotherapy can also result in oral thrush. The treatment for oral thrush varies depending on the underlying cause but is generally treated with oral antifungal medication.

Leukoplakia

White patches on the tongue (and mouth) may also be cause by a condition called leukoplakia. In this instance, the cells in the mouth grow excessively, causing the white patches. Leukoplakia is commonly seen in smokers and users of other tobacco products. The condition is usually harmless, but sometimes oral cancer forms in the areas where leukoplakia appears, and the patches themselves might also harbor cancer. Usually, quitting use of the tobacco products will clear up the condition, but if not, a doctor might use a scalpel or razor to remove the patches. Even then, a person should be vigilant about the reappearance of the patches because of the heightened risk of oral cancer.

Oral Lichen Planus

If your tongue has a lacy appearance or many raised white lines, you are likely to have oral lichen planus. While no one knows for certain the cause of oral lichen planus, there have been some links to patients having an autoimmune condition. In general, there is no treatment and the condition will likely go away on its own (though often it is chronic and will reappear eventually).

Warning

If your white tongue is accompanied by pain, a loss of feeling inside your mouth or sores that don’t heal after several days, you should consult a medical professional. Certain symptoms accompanying a white tongue can be a sign of oral cancer or other serious illnesses.

When to see a doctor

White tongue is generally harmless, and may be helped by brushing your tongue with a tongue scraper and drinking plenty of water. However, if you’re concerned about changes in your tongue, if your tongue also hurts, or if your white tongue persists for longer than two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor or dentist. In rare cases, however, it can be a sign of serious disease or illness.

Reference:

1. Tongue disorders. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec08/ch110/ch110c.html#N3196C. Accessed April 2, 2011.
2. Goldstein B, et al. Oral lesions. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2011.
3. Less common signs and symptoms: White tongue. In: Labus D, et al. Handbook of Signs and Symptoms. 4th ed. Ambler, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010:699.
4. Tareen M, et al. White tongue. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009; 360:e26.

Dreams Are Possible is now listed as a partner in the Community Contribution Program with Ralphs.

It is very simple!  Dreams Are Possible (DAP, Inc.) will get a percentage of your Ralphs purchases after you have registered your card.

TO USE THE RALPHS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOLLOW THESE EASY INSTRUCTIONS:

Members who already have a Ralphs card: go to www.ralphs.com. Click on Services, Community Contributions and enroll your charity, Dreams Are Possible (DAP, Inc. or #92095).

Members who do not have a Ralph’s card: go to www.ralphs.com. Sign up for one, or ask for an application at the courtesy booth at any Ralphs. Then register Dreams Are Possible (DAP, Inc. or #92095) as your designated charity on-line. Click on GET STARTED, SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘Create An Account’ section.

Members that ONLY use a phone number @ Ralphs: Go to www.ralphs.com. Click on Services, Community Contributions and enroll your charity, Dreams Are Possible (DAP, Inc. or #92095) or call 800-660-9003 and register for the program.

Members who do not have access to a computer need to use the SCANBAR letter to scan at the register the first time after they have applied and receive a Ralphs card. This registers them to donate to Dreams Are Possible (DAP, Inc. or #92095).

Remember, members must swipe their registered Ralphs REWARDS card or use the phone number that is linked to their registered Ralphs REWARDS card when shopping for each purchase to count.

NOTE: I applied online and it was extremely simple.  And…..until now, I had no idea I could save money by going to the Ralphs site for coupons etc.

Forward this email to your friends and family!  Also, if you know someone without internet access, print the SCANBAR letter for them.  Kindness is the greatest wisdom.

This is a great way for Dreams Are Possible to garner donations!  Donations truly do keep us going!

Click here for your SCANBAR 

PS  Our registration account number is: 92095 (I never needed this number to register).