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      • Almond-Crusted Pork with Dipping Sauce
      • Broccoli & Goat Cheese Soufflé
      • Baked Tofu
      • Chicken with Snap Peas
      • Grilled Chicken & Vegetables
      • Smoky Barbecue Chicken
      • Spicy 3-Bean Vegetarian Chili
      • Asian Noodles and Chicken
      • Herb-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
      • Chicken and Dumplings
      • Pasta Primavera
      • Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
      • Thyme & Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
      • Roast Pork with Apples & Onions
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    • Main Course >
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      • Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
      • Zucchini Lasagna
      • Yogurt-Curry Marinated Chicken Thighs
      • Soba Noodle Stir Fry
      • Winter Vegetable Dal (Red Lentils)
      • Almond-Crusted Pork with Dipping Sauce
      • Broccoli & Goat Cheese Soufflé
      • Baked Tofu
      • Chicken with Snap Peas
      • Grilled Chicken & Vegetables
      • Smoky Barbecue Chicken
      • Spicy 3-Bean Vegetarian Chili
      • Asian Noodles and Chicken
      • Herb-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
      • Chicken and Dumplings
      • Pasta Primavera
      • Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
      • Thyme & Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
      • Roast Pork with Apples & Onions
      • Crisp-Crust Chicken Potpie
      • Marinated Chicken Breasts
      • Bourbon Glazed Samon
      • Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
      • Stuffed Baked Acorn Squash
      • Broiled Salmon with Creamy Lemon-Dill Sauce
      • Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken
      • Almond-Crusted Salmon
    • Salads & Side Dishes >
      • Cool, Creamy Applesauce
      • Sweet Potato Custard
      • Whole-Wheat Irish Soda Bread Rolls
      • Cranberry Orange Sauce
      • Crispy Potato Latkes & Apple Sauce
      • Arugula & Strawberry Salad
      • Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
      • Sweet Potato Tots
      • Lemon Muffins
      • Roasted Brocolli Florets with Citrus
      • Veggie Potato Salad
      • Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad
      • Orzo, Feta & Sundried Tomato Salad
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      • Cranberry, Almond & Broccoli Salad
      • Sour Cream-Dill Potato Salad
      • Fresh Corn Sauté with Pepper & Onion
      • Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
      • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
      • Carrot Soufflé
      • Shrimp Avocado Salad
      • Chicken and Strawberry Salad
      • Roasted Butternut Squash
    • Dessert >
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      • Apple Coffee Cake
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      • Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie
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      • Light Strawberry Shortcake
      • Baked Pumpkin Pudding
      • No-bake Oatmeal Cocoa Cookies
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      • HOLIDAY TREATS
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      • Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
      • Glazed Condensed Milk Cookies
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      • Easy Key Lime Pie
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      • Dark Chocolate Avocado Cake
      • Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
    • Miscellaneous Recipes >
      • Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes
      • Cranberry Raisin Oatmeal Bars
      • Oven Baked Kale Chips
      • Vanilla & Almond Popcorn
      • Spiced Pecans
      • Pink Grapefruit and Lemon Summer Aid
      • Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips
      • Apple Pie Energy Balls
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      • 10 Ways to Clean with Lemons
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1-800-WE VISIT
  • Home
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    • Home Care FAQs
    • home health aide >
      • Home Health Aid Case study 1
    • joint replacement home care
    • rehabilitation therapy
    • hospice and palliative care >
      • Facts About Hospice
      • Hospice Case Study 2
      • Hospice Case Study 3
    • inpatient hospice
    • medical social work
    • VNA Case Studies
    • specialty services
    • visiting nurses
    • private care >
      • Private Care Case Study 1
      • Private Care Case Study 2
      • Private Care Case Study 3
  • Community
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      • thank you messages
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  • Recipes
    • Breakfast >
      • Tropical Smoothie
      • Green Tea Smoothie
      • Cottage Cheese Omelet
      • Cinnamon French Toast
      • Whole Grain Buttermilk Pancakes
      • Oatmeal with Bananas
      • Overnight Oatmeal
      • Skinny Ham & Cheese Omelet
      • Mixed Berry Acai Smoothie
      • Silly Pancakes
      • Blueberry and Maple-Pecan Granola Parfaits
      • Mushroom Frittata
      • Strawberry Banana Smoothie
      • Savory Ham, Cheese and Chive Scones
      • Feta, Scallion & Asparagus Frittata
      • Waffle Iron Hash Browns
    • Lunch >
      • Chicken Club Wraps
      • Cobb Egg Salad
      • Rotisserie Chicken Salad
      • Roast Beef Wrap
      • Cucumber Sandwich
      • Spinach & Cheese Quiche
    • Soup >
      • Fire-Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
      • Creamy Chilled Avocado Soup
      • Potato-Leek Bisque
      • White Bean Soup
      • Creamy Turnip Soup
      • Sweet Pea Soup
      • Easy & Quick Spicy Gazpacho
      • Mango Coconut Soup
      • Butternut Squash Soup with Pepitas
      • Pumpkin-Apple Soup
      • Carrot Soup with Yogurt
      • Velvety Squash Soup
      • Mushroom Soup with Barley & Thyme
      • Potato Soup
      • Mixed Vegetable & Farro Soup
    • Appetizers >
      • Roasted Red Pepper & Cheese Spread
      • Avocado-Yogurt Dip
      • Spinach-Artichoke Dip
      • Chili-Lime Peanuts
      • Buttermilk Ranch Dip
      • Creamy Spinach Feta Dip
      • White Bean Dip
    • Main Course >
      • Elegant Cheese Souffle
      • Herbed Chicken and Rice
      • Baked Salmon Dijon
      • Barbecued Chicken
      • Stir-Fried Beef & Vegetables
      • Macaroni and Cheese
      • Braised Brisket & Root Vegetables
      • Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
      • Zucchini Lasagna
      • Yogurt-Curry Marinated Chicken Thighs
      • Soba Noodle Stir Fry
      • Winter Vegetable Dal (Red Lentils)
      • Almond-Crusted Pork with Dipping Sauce
      • Broccoli & Goat Cheese Soufflé
      • Baked Tofu
      • Chicken with Snap Peas
      • Grilled Chicken & Vegetables
      • Smoky Barbecue Chicken
      • Spicy 3-Bean Vegetarian Chili
      • Asian Noodles and Chicken
      • Herb-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
      • Chicken and Dumplings
      • Pasta Primavera
      • Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
      • Thyme & Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
      • Roast Pork with Apples & Onions
      • Crisp-Crust Chicken Potpie
      • Marinated Chicken Breasts
      • Bourbon Glazed Samon
      • Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
      • Stuffed Baked Acorn Squash
      • Broiled Salmon with Creamy Lemon-Dill Sauce
      • Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken
      • Almond-Crusted Salmon
    • Salads & Side Dishes >
      • Cool, Creamy Applesauce
      • Sweet Potato Custard
      • Whole-Wheat Irish Soda Bread Rolls
      • Cranberry Orange Sauce
      • Crispy Potato Latkes & Apple Sauce
      • Arugula & Strawberry Salad
      • Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
      • Sweet Potato Tots
      • Lemon Muffins
      • Roasted Brocolli Florets with Citrus
      • Veggie Potato Salad
      • Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad
      • Orzo, Feta & Sundried Tomato Salad
      • Grilled Asparagus
      • Cranberry, Almond & Broccoli Salad
      • Sour Cream-Dill Potato Salad
      • Fresh Corn Sauté with Pepper & Onion
      • Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
      • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
      • Carrot Soufflé
      • Shrimp Avocado Salad
      • Chicken and Strawberry Salad
      • Roasted Butternut Squash
    • Dessert >
      • Airy Gelatin Foam
      • Easy Chocolate Mousse
      • Apple Coffee Cake
      • Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain Blondies with Pecans
      • Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie
      • Ginger Baked Apples
      • HOLIDAY COOKIES
      • Easy Slice & Bake Sugar Cookies
      • No-Bake Graham Cracker & Peanut Butter Cookies
      • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
      • Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Chocolate Chip Cookies
      • No Bake Mini Cheesecakes
      • Light Strawberry Shortcake
      • Baked Pumpkin Pudding
      • No-bake Oatmeal Cocoa Cookies
      • Banana Bread
      • HOLIDAY TREATS
      • Keto Chocolate Truffles
      • Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
      • Glazed Condensed Milk Cookies
      • Red Velvet Cupcakes
      • Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
      • Easy Key Lime Pie
      • Zucchini Bread
      • Berry Lemonade Bars
      • Dark Chocolate Avocado Cake
      • Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
    • Miscellaneous Recipes >
      • Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes
      • Cranberry Raisin Oatmeal Bars
      • Oven Baked Kale Chips
      • Vanilla & Almond Popcorn
      • Spiced Pecans
      • Pink Grapefruit and Lemon Summer Aid
      • Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips
      • Apple Pie Energy Balls
    • Food Hints >
      • Storing Lemons
      • Storing Avocados
      • Storing Honey
      • 10 Ways to Clean with Lemons
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Back to Blog

Easy Summer Pool Exercises

7/26/2022

 
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Aquatic Exercises Anybody Can Do

There are many reasons people give up on exercise, including arthritis, joint pain, recovery from surgery and illness, weight gain, boredom, and more. But aquatic exercises can help with all of that. Exercising in the water takes the weight off hurting muscles and joints, making exercises less uncomfortable. The hydrostatic pressure “pushes” against your body, lowering the heart rate and helping blood circulate more efficiently. Aquatic workouts also help to improve the range of motion and balance so they can be very beneficial to everyday functioning and reducing falls. And water resistance actually makes any exercise harder than doing it on land, resulting in faster development of muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility – all while having fun.


Here are some tips:
  1. No pool? No problem. Many gyms have excellent pool facilities, and some provide free, or reduced-cost gym memberships for senior citizens.
  2. Check for local group aqua exercise classes; most will include both aerobics and strength training but there are many variations, like aqua dance classes.
  3. COVID concerned? COVID does not transmit in the water so the pool is one of the safest places to be. However, social distancing and masking are still recommended when not in the water.
  4. Any body of water will do, but a supervised pool is safest, and will often have the exercise tools and toys you need for a good workout (kickboards, pool noodles, etc.).
  5. A cool pool is best, you will be able to exercise longer and more comfortably in a cool pool, while a warmer pool will help relax and soothe muscles.
  6. Pool time is not only relaxing, it’s most often a social environment, which may improve your mood and benefit your mental health.
  7. Have fun!

Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Why you feel what you eat

7/19/2022

 
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A recent article in AARP points out that your gut has an important connection to your brain function. Perhaps the saying “you are what you eat” should really be “you feel what you eat.”

Officially called the enteric nervous system (ENS), layers of nerve cells that line the gastrointestinal tract send electrical signals to your brain and back. This is how your brain knows you are hungry, feeling good, stressed, or depressed. In fact, your digestive tract may manufacture as much as 90 percent of the body's serotonin, the feel-good hormone that regulates mood!

The following foods can help fuel the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that help to keep your gut-brain connection healthy.

Yogurt – Many people eat yogurt for the probiotic benefit, and a recent UCLA study found evidence that yogurt might actually affect the way the brain responds to the environment as well.
 
Cold Cooked Potatoes – Potatoes are typically avoided because they are high in the starch that digests quickly, causing blood pressure and insulin to surge and then dip. But cooking and chilling potatoes changes the starch into “resistant starch,” passing it to the colon undigested and, once there, serving as a prebiotic (roughage) that feeds the healthy bacteria living in the gut. Even so, if you are dieting eat cold potatoes sparingly and no cheating – the potatoes must be chilled after cooking, with no butter added. Tip: they make a great addition to salads.

Onions, Leeks & Garlic – These members of the allium family are some of the best sources of a soluble fiber called oligofructose, a natural source of “inulin”. Studies show that inulin stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. To activate their health-promoting compounds, allow chopped onions, minced garlic, or sliced leeks to rest for a few minutes before you cook them or add them to other ingredients.

Sauerkraut – Have you heard? Tangy pickled cabbage (sauerkraut), kimchi, and sour pickles are a great way to restore healthy gut bacteria after taking a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are designed to wipe out illness-causing bacteria, and so often cause gastrointestinal stress. These foods contain live bacteria that can help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria and enzymes that are easy on the gut and help the body absorb some nutrients more readily. Look for fermented vegetables that are refrigerated, not shelf-stable, canned or bottled products, which have been preserved using vinegar rather than being naturally fermented.

Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

​The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Help for Caregivers

7/12/2022

 
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According to the "Caregiving in the U.S. 2020"* report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 53 million Americans are serving as a caregiver for a loved one, and around 6 in 10 of them are also working part-time or full-time jobs.

Obviously, this is stressful, and caregivers often experience health problems of their own, including depression and physical exhaustion. In addition, caregiving reduces the time available for stress-relieving activities, like socializing and exercising. Caregivers need a break.

Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is pleased to offer an array of caregiver support programs for residents of Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Somerset, and Passaic Counties, including some that are free of charge.

Designed to help caregivers care for themselves while also caring for loved ones, these programs may include patient care education, assistance by Certified Home Health Aides, volunteer visits for companionship, grocery shopping, and even short-term live-in assistance.

Program services, availability, and compensation varies by county. Contact VNA for more information or call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748).

​*AARP, What to know about employee benefits and the law, Updated January 27, 2022

Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Safer Sunscreens for Summer

7/5/2022

 
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There are two basic types of sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and absorb ultraviolet light. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreens are called mineral or physical sunscreens because they stay on top of your skin and deflect UVA and UVB rays.

A recent clinical study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency found that some commonly used sunscreen chemicals can seep through your skin and into your bloodstream. The study found that even after a single application, the chemicals remain in your body for an extended period.

The FDA did not say that these chemical ingredients are necessarily harmful to your health but some are under review in the US and are already banned in Europe. Oxybenzone, in particular, has been shown to cause allergic reactions and some studies have linked it to hormone problems, and some cancers. In addition, chemicals that dissolve in water sources like rivers, lakes, and the ocean, can be extremely harmful to aquatic life.

There are safer sunscreen alternatives
For those with sensitive skin, mineral or physical sunscreens cause fewer skin reactions because they don't get absorbed by your skin. Some people don’t like mineral sunscreens because they can leave a white film on your skin, but some brands have new formulas that use tiny micronized particles or skin-tone tints to reduce the appearance of the sunscreen.

Mineral sunscreens are also believed to be a better choice for the environment. But if you do purchase a chemical sunscreen check the ingredients to be sure they don’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate — these are the chemicals most detrimental to marine life (and possibly you).

Why “SPF 30” and “Broad Spectrum” are important
UVA rays form 95% of the UV (ultraviolet) radiation which reaches the earth. UVA rays are the concern in forming some types of skin cancers. ‌UVB rays have a shorter wavelength that can only reach the outer layer of your skin called the epidermis. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of a product’s ability to protect you from the sun’s UVB rays that cause sunburn.

Dermatologists recommend an SPF of 30 or higher, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. An SPF of more than 30 isn’t really going to add much more protection. Be sure to look for “broad spectrum” in addition to SPF 30, which is a better indicator that the sunscreen will also help protect you from the UVA rays which cause wrinkles and aging.

Get regular skin checkups
No matter how careful you are about using sunscreen, everyone is at risk for skin cancer and early detection is your best defense. So be sure to schedule a yearly skin check-up with your dermatologist IN ADDITION to daily use of your favorite mineral sunscreen.

Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

​The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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