February has blown in and, with it, some weather more typical of winter. We were treated to snow flurries the first Monday and, by Wednesday, some heavier snow and even a little icy precipitation.
Jim and I went up to fill the car with gas in late afternoon and already the rain was trying to freeze on the windshield. The forecast for a wintry mix prompted the cancellation of our midweek meeting and temperatures dropped into the teens. Fortunately there was no accumulation of snow and school was in session again the next day.
We closed out January by attending grandson Matthew's final pee wee basketball game on the 31st. He made an impressive basket during the game and, of course, we were quite proud of him. It was a good way to end the season. His sister Alyssa has been a key player on her team and they went on to tournament play last week, making it into the first playoff round.
On February first we switched sports and watched the much-anticipated Super Bowl game. As I suspected, the unveiling of the new commercials was more interesting than the game itself. After listening to suggestions for Super Bowl snacks for a week preceding the game, we got in the spirit and dined on a variety of appetizers. We sampled hot wings, breaded mushrooms, cheese sticks and cheddar poppers. We tried the less traditional breaded dill pickles and the more substantial chicken fajita quesadillas and nacho potatoes with bacon and beef. I wouldn't want to eat it every day, but it was a good choice for one special meal.
We have a new critter who's become a frequent visitor to our back yard. A hawk likes to perch high in the catalpa tree where he has an unobstructed view in all directions. On warmer days I've seen him digging in the dirt with his powerful talons but, when it's colder, the frozen ground prevents that. I've hoped to get a shot of this impressive bird with my camera but so far he has eluded me.
February has been designated American Heart Month and the emphasis is on promoting heart health. With the popularity of our heavily sugared, grease-saturated, often supersized meals, it's nice to know there are foods we can focus on to improve our diets. If you're like me and enjoy a cup of tea while reading the morning paper, you could be well on your way to better health. Tea is loaded with healthy antioxidants that protect against heart disease and cancer. Both green and black tea have been shown to reduce the risk of gastric and esophageal cancer.
Soy protein is another winner in the healthy eating department. Studies have shown that soy products are helpful in reducing LDL cholesterol levels and alleviating the hot flashes some women experience during menopause. Soy milk, soy nuts and veggie burgers are all good sources of this protein.
Garlic makes Italian food taste delicious and is a favorite seasoning of many. It's been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It contains a potent sulfur compound called allicin which also has antibacterial and anticancer properties. Fresh garlic is a great source of allicin but, if you want to prevent garlic breath, try garlic pills. They offer the same benefits but are specially coated to eliminate garlic odor.
If you want to keep your heart in tip-top shape, dietitians recommend adding more fish to your diet. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a good kind of fat that has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Researchers say the omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in reducing the "stickiness" of blood cells, making them less likely to clump together and block arteries. Salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna are all good sources.
Grape juice and red wine, in moderation, are heart-healthy choices because of the powerful disease-fighting chemicals found in the skin of grapes. These chemicals, called polyphenols, have been shown to affect blood clotting, lowering the risk for heart attack or stroke.
I'll tell you about five more healthy foods later this month.
Susan Holland is a reporter for the Westside Eagle Observer. She may be contacted by email at [email protected] [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 02/25/2015