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Congratulations to our Heart Month Winners!

By Luke | March 3, 2010

italian shells stuffedBack in February, Sherman Health created two items on Facebook to increase heart awareness.

Heart-Healthy Recipe Contest

The winner of the contest would have his or her recipe featured on the menu at the Sherman Café every Friday from March 13 – April 2. After deliberation, a group of judges has come to a decision. Congratulations to our Recipe Contest winner, Ana Ortiz-Hollian!

Ana’s recipe was for stuffed shells, made with ground turkey, fat-free cheeses and a wide variety of vegetables. But Ana’s recipe was not the only standout in the group. Because of the quality of the submitted recipes, we will be adding a recipe section to the blog that will make it easy to find the best submitted recipes. Look for these new posts in the coming weeks!

Support American Heart Month and Win a Free CT Scan

In an effort to increase awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart, we created a Cause on Facebook that asked people to join and accepted donations to the American Heart Association. The winner of a free CT scan was randomly selected yesterday. Congratulations to Chris Walker Brandt!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who submitted a heart-healthy recipe or joined our Facebook cause. Be on the lookout for more recipes in the near future, and don’t forget to sign up for your own CT scan. The scans are highly recommended for men over 40 and women over 45.

Topics: Community/Community Events, Recipes, Sherman News | No Comments »

Mediterranean Diet: A healthy way to eat without giving up those foods you love

By Mollie | February 26, 2010

mediterranean diet food pyramid

Do you have trouble sticking to a strict, calorie-counting weight loss diet? And does the word “diet” alone make you cringe? Perhaps it’s time to check out eating the Mediterranean way.

The Mediterranean diet, which allows for olive oil, cheese, breads, and even wine among other treats, is a healthy alternative to the American way of consuming food. It focuses on a balance of food that can lead to weight loss and other nutritious perks, including less chance of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes control, and other problems. But unlike most diets, the focus seems to be less on cutting and restriction and more on a shift in the overall food pyramid.

The Mediterranean diet is not just the latest diet craze, either. In the 1950s, researchers discovered that people in the Mediterranean area had longer life expectancies and were the healthiest people in the world. Looking closer, they could attribute it to what they ate. While the many countries don’t share the exact diet, the basic foundation is the same.

So just what is a Mediterranean diet? The focus is on the following:

If you’d like to learn more about exploring a Mediterranean diet, read “The Mediterranean Diet and Good Health” and check out our free “Eating the Mediterranean Way” class Tuesday night from 6-7PM at the new hospital. If you can’t make it Tuesday, the class will be offered again. Just let us know in the comments, and we’ll notify you.

Topics: Tips/Advice | No Comments »

Kane County ranks 11th and 19th in health study

By Mollie | February 24, 2010

In a recent study on Illinois health, Kane County can be proud to be ranked in the top 20 out of 101 counties. According to the Courier News, the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a study that compared several health factors in various counties, and Kane ranked 11th in the area of Health Outcomes, defined as longevity and how well people feel and 19th in the area of Health Factors like behavior, clinical care, socioeconomic factors, and physical environment.

Even with reports that 1 out of 2 children in U46 is considered obese, the area’s programs like Activate Elgin, which Sherman is a part of, help to push the county in the right direction. The program encourages area residents to focus on health, kids and families to eat healthy and be active, and parents to take an active role in their children’s health.

Also, over the past few years, as our clinical nutrition manager, Joan Kanute, points out in the article, residents have shown an increased interest in our healthy living classes. A few worth highlighting, in case you’re interested in taking a more active role in your own health:

You can read the full article on Kane County’s health ranking at the Courier News website: “Kane County Fares Well in Health Checkup”

Topics: Health News | No Comments »

Warning Signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

By Luke | February 23, 2010

chronic fatigueThis post was taken from Diana Kohnle at HealthDay News.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme tiredness and a feeling of being worn out all the time, even after waking up. Its cause isn’t understood.

The U.S. National Women’s Health Information Center says chronic fatigue syndrome may have these symptoms:

  • Extreme tiredness for longer than 24 hours, especially after exercise.
  • Forgetfulness, or difficulty maintaining focus.
  • Tiredness that persists after sleep.
  • Muscular aches and pains.
  • Joint pain that isn’t accompanied by redness or swelling.
  • Headaches that vary in severity, pattern or type.
  • Soreness of the lymph nodes beneath the arm or in the neck.
  • Sore throat.
  • To see the many services Sherman offers, just visit shermanhealth.com

    Topics: Health News, Tips/Advice | No Comments »

    SMHA to Host “Gold Rush” Fundraiser

    By Luke | February 15, 2010

    Gold RushElgin, IL — Sherman Men’s Health Alliance (SMHA) is pleased to announce a special “Gold Rush” fundraising event from noon to 5 pm, Sunday, February 21 at THE National Bank, Route 20 and Nesler Roads in Elgin. The event will take place in the community room at the brand new bank, which opened last month.

    The gold appraisals will be conducted by Shockey Jewelers, a locally owned business.

    Attendees will be paid top dollar for unused gold items, including broken and unwanted gold jewelry. Proceeds will support SMHA’s pledge for the new Sherman Hospital.

    Refreshments will be sponsored by Elgin Medi-Transport, and door prizes and gifts will be given away during the event.

    For more information, please contact Joy Jensen, Development Officer, Sherman Health Foundation, 224-783-3913 or visit shermanhealth.com

    About SMHA :
    SMHA was founded in 1972 as an extended family of Sherman Hospital. The Alliance is educational in nature with programs designed to enhance members’ knowledge of healthcare. Over the past 37 years the group has funded equipment purchases for the cardiac and emergency departments, a dialysis machine and equipment for the cardiac rehabilitation program.

    Topics: Community/Community Events, Sherman News, new hospital | No Comments »


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