admin, Author at BattleGroundHealthcare.org

Battle Ground Healthcare is 5 Years Old

July 12, 2016 By admin Leave a Comment

BGHC Clinic celebrating 5 years of committed community service to Battle Ground and North County areas.

the Benefits of Green Smoothies

June 23, 2016 By admin 1 Comment

Green Smoothie

Green smoothies have many health benefits, and can include spinach, lettuce, kale, and collard greens; for the more advanced green smoothie drinker, you can also add parsley, dandelion greens, watercress — really, any leafy green veggie your palate can handle, and enjoy. Bananas, apples, pears, avocado, and mango are great companions in these beverages. Here are 10 advantages of drinking green smoothies on a daily basis:

Green smoothies offer pure nutrition. The amount of vitamins you’ll get depends on the fruits and vegetables you choose for the smoothie. However, most fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins A and C.
Smoothies are made using the whole fruit/vegetable, so you get all the fiber in your drink. Therefore smoothies are healthier than fruit or vegetable juices: you get the vitamins and minerals as well as the fiber.
Green smoothies are a great way to eat your veggies without even realizing it. Although most people like fruit, many have trouble getting their daily requirement of veggies. When you make a green smoothie, the taste of the greens is hidden by the taste of the fruit, so you don’t even notice the veggies are there.
Green smoothies are easy and quick to make. The only equipment you need is a blender.
Homemade green smoothies are inexpensive. Buying smoothies at a juice bar can cost as much as $6 a glass. At home, combining fruits and vegetables won’t cost you more than a few cents. Drinking a glass every day will provide you with all the vitamins you need, and is a much cheaper (and more natural) option than buying multivitamins.
Green smoothies can be a good way to get kids to “eat” their vegetables. You might need to start with a higher proportion of fruit vs. vegetables (for example, 70/30 instead of the standard 60/40) until they get used to the flavor.
Green smoothies will provide you with a lasting source of energy. Fruits are a good source of energy, but eaten alone will only provide short bursts of energy (they contain lots of sugars, which are quickly metabolized). Because of their high content of veggies as well as fiber, green smoothies have a balanced sugar content.
Green smoothies are low in calories but very filling. Because they contain high amounts of water and fiber, they’ll make you feel as if you just ate a full meal. If you’re trying to lose weight, green smoothies will help fight hunger and cravings.
Green smoothies are easy to digest. Because they’re already blended and liquefied, smoothies are quicker to digest. After all, your body no longer needs to work so hard to “break down” the food in order to extract the nutrients. People who suffer from indigestion after eating a heavy meal will also benefit, as smoothies are filling but light.
Green smoothies will keep you hydrated. Although one should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, experts believe most people don’t drink even half that amount. One of the reasons for that is that many people simply don’t like the taste of plain water. If that describes you, simply add more water to the mix as you prepare your smoothie. You’ll be drinking more liquids without even noticing it.

This information is based on the “The New Green Smoothie Diet” by Hilary Greenleaf, 2012

Here are a couple fun, refreshing smoothie recipes for you to try:

Kale, Cucumber, and Pineapple Smoothie (2 servings):

1 cup diced fresh or canned pineapple

½ medium or a small sweet apple

4-ich piece of cucumber

3-4 kale leaves

1 cup mango or pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and process until quite smooth. Divide among two glasses and serve at once.

Source: VegKitchen.com

Banana/Strawberry power smoothie (2 servings)

½ cup kefir (plain or blueberry)

2 handfuls mixed greens (baby kale, fresh spinach)

1 large banana

8-10 small strawberries

1 small carrot

½ cup of chipped ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and process until smooth. Divide among two glasses and serve at once.

Napa Giveback Day 2016

June 16, 2016 By admin Leave a Comment

Make your list and mark your calendars! Oil change, filters, car items… On June 24th and 25th, Napa is giving us 10% of all their proceeds from the Battle Ground and Camas locations! Thank you for the huge generosity.

Invite your friends!

Napa Give Back Day

Protect people, pets to prevent heat-related illness

June 2, 2016 By admin Leave a Comment

Swimming_in_the_Oconaluftee_River,_Cherokee,_NC_IMG_5146

Contact:
Dr. Alan Melnick, Health Officer/Public Health Director
(360) 397-8412; alan.melnick@clark.wa.gov

Vancouver, WA — With temperatures expected to approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Public Health officials are urging residents to protect themselves during the hot spell expected this weekend.

“We are encouraging people to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings, and drink plenty of fluids,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. “Elderly people and the very young are especially vulnerable during periods of intense or prolonged heat.”

Some air-conditioned locations in Clark County are listed at http://cresa911.org/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness/beat-the-heat-tips-and-places-to-stay-cool/. To add the name of a cooling center to the list, please contact Eric.Frank@clark.wa.gov.

The following tips can help prevent heat-related problems:

Drink more water and other nonalcoholic fluids, regardless of your activity level.
Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.
Stay indoors, in an air-conditioned location, if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, go to the mall, a movie or the library for a few hours to cool down.
Never leave anyone, especially young children, in a closed, parked vehicle. This also applies to pets.
Fans provide comfort, but will not prevent heat-related illness. Cool off by taking a shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.

If you must be out in the heat:

Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
If you work outdoors, check on your co-workers and drink lots of water.
Cut down on exercise. Avoid midday exercise and drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
Rest often in shady areas.
Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses; put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

Heat related illnesses

Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs include: body temperature above 103°F; red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid pulse; throbbing headache; nausea; dizziness; and confusion.

If you see any of these signs, call for immediate medical assistance. Place the victim in a tub of cool water or cool shower, or spray the person with cool water from a garden hose. Do not give the person fluids to drink.

Less severe heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. Signs are heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, headache and vomiting. Drink nonalcoholic, cool beverages. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.

Swimming at Clark County parks

Swimming is allowed in most Clark County parks that have water access, but parks on the Columbia River are not considered safe for swimming because of strong river currents and sudden drop-offs.

Lifeguards will begin working at Klineline Pond on Saturday, June 18. Lifeguards will be on duty the final two weekends in June, with daily summer coverage starting on Friday, July 1.

Users at all county parks swim at their own risk. Parents should be vigilant watching children near the water. More information on swimming and water safety at parks is available on the county website: http://www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/swimming.

Hot days, cold water a potentially dangerous combination

Despite the heat, rivers and lakes in Southwest Washington remain very cold. Cold water − especially when high or swift − can immobilize even the strongest swimmer in minutes. If your weekend plans include a trip to a local swimming hole, here are some safety tips:

Wear a life jacket when swimming anywhere without lifeguards or when on a boat, jet ski, inner tube or other water sports equipment.
Ensure children wear life jackets. Inflatable toys and mattresses will not keep children safe. By law, children 12 and younger must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest on all vessels 18 feet or smaller.
Never leave children unsupervised in or near water, even for a minute. Drowning can happen swiftly and silently. Supervision requires complete attention, even if other adults are present.
Always avoid alcohol when swimming or boating.
Avoid swimming in potentially dangerous areas such as fast-flowing rivers or oceanbeaches with riptides.