Why Watermelon?

One of the best things about summer is sweet, juicy watermelon (seeds, please!).

Watermelons are about 92 percent water and soaked with nutrients. Each juicy bite is loaded with vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of antioxidants and amino acids. There's even a modest amount of potassium. Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, and lycopene.  According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. At 46 calories per cup, watermelon offers 20% of your daily intake of vitamin C and 17% vitamin A, according to the USDA.

Don’t forget the seeds!

“Watermelon seeds and also others like melon seeds and flaxseeds are rich in micronutrients like selenium, potassium, copper and zinc which you may not derive from your daily diet in adequate quantities. They can be sun-dried and eaten as a snack or can also be powdered. They’re good for your heart, boost immunity and keep blood sugar levels in check.  You can add it to your diet as a health supplement in combination with others seeds. I’d suggest about ¼ of a teaspoon twice a week,” says Dr. Simran Saini, Dietician at Fortis, New Delhi.

Source: http://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/watermelon-seeds-755725 

Yours in health!

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877-888-3546

Breastmilk, Bees & Bicycles

Breast milk , Bees & Bicycles sizzle in August

 

Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin released The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding on January 20,2011 saying ” One of the most highly effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself is to breastfeed.”

 

 

BREASTFEEDING FACTS (SOURCE: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/breastfeeding/factsheet.html)

How many American women breastfeed their babies?

• Three out of four mothers (75%) in the U.S. start out breastfeeding
•  Among African-American babies, the rates are significantly lower, 58% start out breastfeeding, and 28% breastfeed at six months, with 8% exclusively breastfed at six months.

What are the health benefits of breastfeeding?

• Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma.
• Children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese.
• Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

What are the economic benefits of breastfeeding?
Families who follow optimal breastfeeding practices can save between $1,200–$1,500 by eliminating infant formula in the first year alone.
A study published in the journal Pediatrics estimated that if 90% of U.S. families followed guidelines to breastfeed exclusively for six months, the U.S. would annually save $13 billion from reduced medical and other costs.

Learn more about Breastfeeding Awareness Month from the United States Breastfeeding Committee http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/p/cm/ld/fid=114 

Honey bees are very important today due to a decline in native pollinators, which impact local agriculture and many backyard gardens. Beekeepers are not just vital for large scale food production. Backyard beekeepers are vital for neighborhood pollination. Agriculture depends greatly on the honeybee for pollination. Honeybees account for 80% of all insect pollination. Without such pollination, we would see a significant decrease in the yield of fruits and vegetables (www.backyardbeekeepers.com ). Beekeepers fill the void with their honey bees.

Honey has a long medicinal history. Many people are aware of honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. While honey is natural and considered harmless for adults, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly caution against feeding honey to children under 1 year old.

August 22 is National Honeybee Day 

learn more about National Honey Bee Day

 

Summertime and bicycles go together. Detroiters have taken it to another level -- it's called Slow Roll
Slow Roll is Michigan's biggest weekly bicycle ride, aimed at building community and showing off the great  city of Detroit. Slow Roll is a group bicycle ride that meets every Monday night in Detroit. Slow Roll is for everyone; all ages, all skill levels and every type of bike is welcome. Our slow pace keeps the group safe and gives riders a unique perspective of our great city and its neighborhoods. 
Join on the 5th Season fun:
Monday, August 10^th  Focus Hope - 1355 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48238
Monday, August 17^th  Zenith & Movie Night  @ NEw Center Park- 3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Thursday, august 20th Green Slow Roll 6pm  - Detroit Market Garden - 1850 Erskine Street 

Full schedule can be found at http://www.slowroll.bike/

 

Yours in Health,
Dr. Velonda   On Facebook                   PHONE: 877-888-3546