September 8-12 is National Malnutrition Awareness Week
Don’t forget to ask your healthcare provider about your nutrition!
Good nutrition can help prevent infections, heal faster and feel stronger.
- Are you or your loved one experiencing any of these?
- Sudden unplanned weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Not able to eat or only able to eat small amounts
- Muscle weakness
- Feeling weak or tired
- Swelling or fluid accumulation
- Getting sick often
If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know and asked to be referred to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who will partner with you to develop a safe and realistic eating plan to treat and prevent malnutrition.
National Food Safety Education Month
These steps can help prevent food poisoning and show others how to keep food safe.
- Clean: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after food preparation and before eating. Wash utensils, cutting boards, countertops, and surfaces with hot, soapy water when cooking. Always rinse fruits and vegetables under running water.
- Separate: Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs. Separate them from other food when grocery shopping, storing in the fridge, and during food preparation. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure foods cook to the correct internal temperature. Check out this website for safe temperatures: foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts
- Chill: Refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers within two hours of cooking. Chill within one hour if the food is in an environment above 90°F.
National Falls Prevention Month
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in the
ER for a fall-related injury. Many falls can be prevented following this tips!
- Move more! Check out the fitness classes through the Area Agency on Aging: Call 616-456-5664 https://www.aaawm.org/ew
- Talk to your doctor about your risk for falling and share any past falls you’ve had.
- Review your prescriptions with your doctor to make sure none of them increase your risk for falls.
- Get your vision and hearing checked annually.
- Keep your home safe by removing loose rugs, turning on lights before walking in rooms, having railings installed on stairwells, and install grab bars around showers and tubs.
What is a Whole Grain?
All grains start out as whole grains, but some grains are refined during processing so that parts of their original kernel are removed, stripping away much of the grain’s nutrients and flavor.
A grain ingredient counts as whole grain if it contains all three parts of the original kernel — the starchy endosperm, the fiber-rich bran, and the germ — in their original proportions.
Think of the difference between white and wheat bread. To be a whole grain, the flour must be “whole wheat.” As an example, at MOWWM, we use brown rice instead of white rice to ensure we are offering whole grains in many of our meals.
Brown Rice Apple Crisp
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole grain brown rice
- cooking spray
- 2 cans (20 oz, each) pie-sliced apples, undrained
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed (divided)
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups uncooked rolled oats (which are another whole grain!)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare rice according to package directions. Spray shallow 3 quart baking dish (13 x 9) with cooking spray; set aside.
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Combine cooked rice, apples, lemon juice, ½ cup brown sugar and cinnamon in prepared dish.
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Combine oatmeal and remaining ½ cup brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.
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Stir in raisins and nuts. Sprinkle over rice mixture. Bake until heated, about 20 minutes.
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Serve warm, with a dollop of yogurt or ice cream.
