Aug 13, 2013 | Fresh Foods, Giving
Tanner Terrace residents line up for blood pressure screening.
Over 300 seniors will receive complimentary fruits and vegetables donated by Walgreens through Gregory’s Fresh Market, as an avenue to promote living well and eating well. The Walgreens Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2 continues through September. Senior housing facilities visited to date are Beatitudes Campus, Pine Towers, Westward Ho and Tanner Terrace.
Walgreen’s team of trained pharmacists will visit each location to provide blood pressure screenings, answer questions relating to prescriptions, and share tips on how to live well. In addition, seniors will enjoy food and juicing demonstrations presented by nutritionists on how to easily prepare and enjoy the donated fruits and vegetables to receive the maximum nutritional value. Because of a new collaboration with the University of Arizona Nutrition Network, this addition to the program has made it possible for seniors to receive healthy nutrition tips, education and recipes. The team of health professionals will visit Washington Manor on Tuesday, August 20 at 2 p.m.
“Health and wellness are the keys to living a full life”, Walgreens Community Affairs Director John Gremer explains. “We are honored to continue the Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2, in partnership with Gregory’s Fresh Market. Seniors deserve to have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We are proud to help make this possible through community programs such as GFM.”
Diana Gregory, President and CEO of GFMP commented, “Thanks to Walgreens, many seniors that don’t have transportation to travel for fresh fruits and vegetables will have the fresh produce delivered where they live and receive valuable information on nutrition and prescription medication. Fresh produce is extremely beneficial to help manage common health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions, high cholesterol, digestive issues, obesity and many more. The lives of many seniors will be impacted by Walgreen’s sponsoring this program.”
The Walgreens Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2 began in June and will run through September.
ABOUT DIANA GREGORY OUTREACH SERVICES FOUNDATION
Gregory’s Fresh Market is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides programs in health, nutrition, and education. The mission is to enrich lives through providing on-site farmers markets for seniors and nutrition education.
ABOUT WALGREENS
As the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,096 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Jul 26, 2013 | Fresh Foods, Uncategorized
No doubt, strawberries are a familiar fruit. They are usually the first to ripen in spring and are part of American summertime favorites like Strawberry Shortcake. They have also made their way into our salads, muffins and smoothies. But how much do we really know about strawberries? Beyond the fragrant juiciness and attractive red
skin we know and love, there is much more.
Antioxidant Capacity
Strawberries have been ranked 3rd among common U.S. foods when it comes to antioxidant capacity. Why is that important? Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. When oxidation occurs, free radicals are produced and a chemical reaction is started that can damage or even cause the death of a cell. In other words, antioxidants work to keep our cells healthy and functioning properly.
Reducing Blood Sugar Spikes
If you are living with type-2 diabetes, you likely know that table sugar in servings of 5-6 tablespoons or more can cause your blood sugar to spike. The good news, researchers recently discovered that consuming about one cup of fresh strawberries can reduce blood sugar elevations caused by simple sugar intake.
Anti-Inflammatory/Cancer Risk-Lowering Properties
When consumed several days a week in servings of about 1 cup, strawberries can fight inflammation in the body. This is important because chronic inflammation (and a lack of antioxidants) is known to lead to the development of cancer. The cancer risk-lowering properties of strawberries are best demonstrated in breast, cervical, colon, and esophageal cancers.
Nutrient Values
Strawberries are an excellent source of Potassium, Folate and fiber as well as Vitamin C and Manganese.
To get the most nutritional value from your strawberries:
- Enjoy them raw
- Include ½ to 1 cup of berries in your diet at least 3-4 times per week
- Store at a temperature of 36F (2C)
- Store for no more than 2 days to ensure minimal vitamin C and antioxidant loss
Sources:
Like this:
Like Loading...
Mar 25, 2013 | Fresh Foods, Giving, Health Eating
GPBCC President-Kerwin Brown, Diana Gregory, Phoenix Mayor-Greg Stanton
In 2007, I stood on the stage of the Ritz Carlton as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce and the Dinner Chair for the 7th Annual Dinner. At that time, I had aspirations for becoming an entrepreneur when I retired. Six years later, GFM is the recipient of the 2013 Black Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.
What a blessing! I am so grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community with my time and service to over 5,000 seniors. It was a privilege for me to accept the award on behalf of the seniors and the volunteers that provide service to the seniors.
I would like to thank The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce Board, staff, members and friends that voted for GFM., the Board of Directors for Gregory’s Fresh Market Place/Diana Gregory Outreach Services for their ongoing support, advice, and financial support, my coach Dr. Joel Martin, the sponsors and partners for Gregory’s Fresh Market Place, and my many volunteers, especially Rufus McClain who keeps the operation moving. A big thanks to Archie Welch who was instrumental in helping me launch the business and is on the Board of Directors and Sylvester Holmes, Attorney and Board member for everything that he does.
GFM sponsors include Southwest Gas, Walgreens, ONECare by Care 1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc., Majerle’s Sports Grill, Southwest Airlines, Chase Bank and the Arizona Informant. Without our sponsors and the dedicated volunteers who are deeply committed to this cause, GFM would not exist. They are an integral part of GFM.
The partners for GFM are Peddler’s Son Produce, GoldStar Communications, Triad West, Robert Ferguson, Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, and Black Book Arizona.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Oct 25, 2012 | Fresh Foods, Health Eating, healthy eating, Independent Living
Senior Awards Recipient of the Pioneer Award – Sonia Chavez, Service Coordinator, Pine Towers
Pine Towers is comprised of 156 units
Sonia has been employed with the City of Phoenix for 8 years, and worked as the Service Coordinator for Pine Towers for over 3 years.
Sonia comments, “I learn something new every day from working with seniors.” “I have learned to embrace the best and let go of the rest. I enjoy seeing the seniors smile and laugh. I think knowing that I am part of an individual’s last year’s of life makes my job different from my previous positions. I now know how precious each day of life is. I have learned how hard it is to say good-bye to those you care about.”
I try to live my life by this quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Like this:
Like Loading...
Oct 24, 2012 | Fresh Foods, Giving, Health Eating, Independent Living
Senior Award Recipient of the Volunteer Service Award – Centenarian, Vicky Moe – Resident, Beatitudes Campus
Over 800 seniors reside at Beatitudes Campus.
Centenarian, Vicky Moe
If you lack inspiration, spend a day with Ms. Vicky Moe and that will change quickly. She is 100 years old and is active in mind, body and soul. She enjoys people and helping others. She greets the new residents at Beatitudes Campus by taking them to lunch and giving them a tour of the campus.
When asked, “What do you contribute to your longevity?” She smiles and comments, “I have great genes.” However, she practices good habits that lead to longevity. She has a great attitude, exercises at “Sit to Be Fit” every Tuesday and Thursday, does breathing exercises, and eats healthy. She takes a teaspoon of olive oil every day.
Ms. Moe was born in New York on April 28, 1912. She moved to Phoenix in 1943. She was a registered nurse in the regular nursery and primy nursery prior to retiring in her 60’s. After retiring, she volunteered for 5 years tutoring 2nd grade students. Her 73 year old son lives in Ohio and her 70 year old daughter lives at Beatitudes Campus.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Oct 24, 2012 | Fresh Foods, healthy eating, Independent Living
Senior Awards Recipient of the Volunteer Service Award – John “Jack” Geary – Senior Resident, Sunnyslope Manor
John “Jack” Geary
John “Jack” Geary is amazing. He is a Korean era Veteran. A “Vietnam Era” Veteran is defined as any Veteran who served during the official time frame of the Vietnam War. He will be 84 in January.
Although Jack has very limited vision and hearing, he finds time to share his love of books with his friends and neighbors. The library at Sunnyslope Manor was in disarray. Very few residents used the library. Jack volunteered his time to organize the library. He gathered all the books in the library, put together carts of books to donate to charity, and arranged the remaining books by subject and author using a magnifying glass. He donated several of his own new books for his fellow residents to read.
The residents at Sunnyslope Manor now use the library and have expressed their gratitude to Jack for his outstanding work. Jack takes pride in maintaining the library in an orderly manner on a weekly basis to ensure all books are in their proper place.
Like this:
Like Loading...
