Oct 7, 2013 | Uncategorized
Seniors at the Desert West Senior Center are often welcomed by the same friendly smile. That smile belongs to Maria Linda Alonzo a volunteer at Desert West who will be honored during our 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon, to take place on Friday, October 18, 2013.
Officially Maria serves as president of the advisory board and volunteers as a trainer, bible study leader and organizer of the center’s surplus and rummage sales programs. However, Maria also finds time to serve lunch to the center’s special needs members and volunteers at the local Nifty Fifty, where older community members go to exercise. There Maria inspires others to achieve a healthy lifestyle by sharing her own success story.
Maria attends the center each and every day, ready to help and assist staff with the daily routine. She is a self-motivator, always ready and waiting for the opportunity to help. Maria’s positive and warm attitude is an important part of making Desert West a happy home-away-from-home for our seniors. She is a source of inspiration to do more good and Desert West Senior Center would not be the same without her.
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Sep 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
2012 Senior Awards Luncheon Award Recipients
Why We Come Together
Since 2010 Gregory’s Fresh Market (GFM), a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, has been devoted to improving the lives of seniors in the Greater Phoenix area. In total, over 5,000 valley seniors have benefited from Gregory’s Fresh Market services.
In the last year Gregory’s Fresh Market and our all-volunteer staff of 7 have made great strides in strengthening established programs and building new ones. Our newest program is the GFM Centenarian Club; a group of 6 distinguished centenarians whom we have identified to receive fresh produce on a monthly basis, quarterly gift cards from retail stores and access to all GFM events. We honor and celebrate their life and accomplishments. GFM has also reached over 1,000 local seniors with our Health and Wellness Series, sponsored by Walgreens and the Nutrition and Healthy Eating Tour sponsored by ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc.
For our 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon we convene on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose is to rejoice in the progress we have made toward our mission this year, to celebrate the accomplishments of the seniors we serve and to honor the Service Coordinators who provide quality residential care; they are our unsung heroes. All proceeds from the awards luncheon will be used to provide bags of fresh produce to seniors and fund senior nutrition and health programs in the Greater Phoenix area.
Lifetime Achievement Award & Comedy Hour
Be sure to join us this year in honoring legendary human rights activist, best-selling author, comedian and health advocate, Dick Gregory; our Lifetime Achievement award recipient. Later in the evening, as a special treat, Mr. Gregory will offer an additional opportunity to support GFM with “An Hour of Comedy with Dick Gregory.” Mr. Gregory’s performance will take place at the Ritz-Carlton at 6:30 PM. GFM supporters can attend both the Senior Awards Luncheon and the Dick Gregory Comedy Hour or just one of the events. Tickets for each event are $75.00 or a combo package for $125.00. Simply select the following link to purchase tickets https://dgosfawards.eventbrite.com.
Additional Special Guests
GFM is honored to have Channel 12 News Anchor, Kim Covington as our Luncheon Emcee. Kim, who pursued a career in television reporting because she “loves meeting people and telling their stories” is sure to bring a special touch to this year’s luncheon.
Robert Ferguson, a nationally recognized voice of wellness and weight loss and CEO of Diet Free Life, LLC will join us again. Robert served as our key note speaker last year and we are excited to have this wellness expert back to support GFM in 2013. Be sure to meet Mr. Bernando LaPallo. At 112 years old, Mr. LaPallo is a super-centenarian (someone who has lived to or passed their 110th birthday). This age is achieved by about one in 1,000 centenarians.
Thanking Our Sponsors & Supporters
The 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon will also be a time to honor our sponsors and supporters. From the organizations that provide our seniors with free blood pressure screenings, prescription and health advice, bags of fresh produce, sponsor seniors to attend the luncheon to our individual supporters who volunteer or purchase produce for our seniors; we are grateful for their contributions and impact on our mission.
The sponsors for this year’s luncheon are: ONECare by Care 1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc., Walgreens, Southwest Airlines, Cox Communications, Inc. Southwest Gas, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc., Majerle’s Sports Grill and GFM Media Partner, 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.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our seniors and all the wonderful things they bring to our lives. Join us on Friday, October 18, 2013 for Gregory’s Fresh Market’s 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon. Unable to attend this year’s Senior Awards? Show your support by sharing this post with friends and family who may be interested in supporting Gregory’s Fresh Market and the seniors we serve through sponsorship of seniors, attendance or a donation. Opportunities for advertising in our Senior Awards Luncheon program are also available.
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Aug 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ginger is the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. Its skin is usually brown and because the root is available year-round, it can be thick or thin. Depending on the variety, the flesh of ginger root can be white, red or yellow. Ginger may appear a little plain next to a bright red apple or multi-colored mango, but this visibly plain root packs a pungent and spicy kick as well as some surprising medicinal benefits.
While ginger is native to Asia, use of this powerful root spread throughout Europe after it was imported by the Romans. Today, Jamaica, India, Fiji, Indonesia, and Australia are major producers of ginger. While the root’s popularity continues to grow, its medicinal properties and flare for spicing up cuisine have been valued for thousands of years.
When taken regularly ginger root can effectively:
- relieve nausea;
- promote healthy digestion;
- boost immunity;
- treat asthma;
- relieve pain;
- act as an anti-inflammatory;
- protect against colorectal cancer;
- induce cell death in ovarian cancer cells;
- and improve cardiovascular function/heart health.
Healthy Digestion
The history of Ginger use in India and China as a digestion aid goes back over 5000 years. Fortunately we don’t have to count on ancient texts to verify the power of ginger. Over the last few decades we have learned that ginger has an enzyme profile that promotes healthy digestion and aids our bodies in processing food through the intestine.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Regular consumption of ginger has been shown to provide pain relief and greater mobility to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, thanks to very powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called Gingerols, which are prevalent in ginger. Relief of muscle discomfort and swelling are also benefits of ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Safe Relief of Nausea
The April 2005 issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology confirmed ginger as effective in relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This was determined after the review of controlled trials with a total of 675 participants. In other studies ginger proved to provide relief of nausea superior to that of over the counter medication such as Dramamine.
To learn how to shop, store and prepare ginger, check out our suggestions for further reading below. For more information on the medicinal properties of this powerful root, review our list of sources.
Further Reading:
Sources:
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Aug 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
Over 50 enthusiastic residents at Washington Manor participated in the Walgreen’s Health and Wellness Series.
What is blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries each time your heart beats. High blood pressure, also referred to as Hypertension, is dangerous because it puts undue stress on the heart by requiring it to work much harder to pump blood through your body. It can also lead to hardening of arteries and heart failure.
A blood pressure reading will measure two indicators; systolic and diastolic pressure. Your systolic pressure is measured as your heart contracts, pumping the blood through your arteries. Your diastolic pressure is measured between beats, when your heart is at rest.
|
Systolic |
Diastolic |
| Normal |
120 or less |
79 or less |
| Prehypertension |
120-139 |
80-89 |
| Hypertension (Stage 1) |
140-159 |
90-99 |
| Hypertension (Stage 2) |
160 or higher |
100 or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis |
Higher than 180 |
Higher than 100 |
Why You Should Know Your Numbers
While the effects of high blood pressure, coronary disease and stroke, should be enough to get you in for your next blood pressure screening, the greatest motivating factor is that high blood pressure has no symptoms and can’t be detected unless it is measured. Another reason to get screened soon and regularly is that high blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes.
Factors such as age, diet and smoking contribute to high blood pressure. Women over the age of 65 and African-Americans of all ages are at a higher risk than most people. You should take these factors into consideration in deciding when and how often to be screened for high blood pressure.
Reduce Your Risk with Produce
Enjoying produce as a part of your diet can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, magnesium and fiber, which recent studies have shown to help reduce blood pressure. To naturally increase your consumption of potassium, magnesium and fiber enjoy fruits like apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, grapefruit, mangos, and Strawberries; and vegetables like broccoli, carrots, green beans, squash, and tomatoes.
As part of the Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2, local seniors will get help monitoring and reducing their blood pressure. Over 300 seniors will receive complimentary fruits and vegetables donated by Walgreen’s through Gregory’s Fresh Market. A Walgreen’s team of trained pharmacists will also be on hand at each location to provide blood pressure screenings, and answer prescription related questions.
Further Reading:
Sources:
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Aug 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
Most would agree that toasted corn tortilla chips, a crispy fish taco or a cool dish of ceviche are all good reasons to enjoy avocado. I would have to agree, but beyond their ability to be the perfect finishing touch to our Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes, there are numerous nutritional benefits that will encourage you to enjoy avocados every day.
1. Increased absorption of antioxidants – When about 1 cup of avocado is added to a salad containing carrots, spinach and romaine lettuce, absorption of important carotenoid antioxidants is increased by 200% – 400%. A similar increase in absorption of carotenoids occurs when avocado is combined with tomatoes, such as in salsa. These carotenoid antioxidants are vital to healthy cells.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties – The fat of an avocado is packed with three inflammation fighting phytosterols that help to keep our inflammatory system in check. While inflammation is a natural, healthy response from our bodies, chronic inflammation is more stress than our system can handle. Arthritis sufferers should definitely be encouraged, as the avocado’s anti-inflammatory abilities have been best demonstrated as in cases of Arthritis.
3. Heart Support – The avocado’s role in cardiovascular health requires further study but recent research is promising. We do know that omega-3 fatty acid, oleic acid, folic acid and B-6 vitamins in the avocado provide significant heart and blood support.
4. Blood Sugar Regulation – A few factors account for the avocado’s blood sugar regulation; it’s low in carbohydrates, low in sugar and is low on the glycemic index. 7 – 8 grams of fiber doesn’t hurt either.
If you’re not convinced yet that avocados are power packed with health benefits, check out our list of resources for more information. For ideas on how to incorporate the amazing avocado into your everyday diet, view our list of recipe ideas.
Recipes Ideas:
· http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20395687,00.html
· http://allrecipes.com/recipes/fruits-and-vegetables/fruits/avocados/
Sources:
· http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/17/avocado-benefits.aspx
· http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5
· http://www.avocadocentral.com/nutrition/avocado-nutrition-health-facts-label
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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:
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