Don't Mess Around With the Heat!

The heat this week is nothing to mess around with.  As real temps soar beyond 100 degrees and heat indices up to 110 degrees, an Excessive Heat Warning was issued for Tuesday and Wednesday this week by the National Weather Service.

 

GRMC has a cooling station open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day this week. All are welcome to seek relief from the heat in our cafeteria and have complimentary water, iced tea, and yes, even coffee if you so desire.

Iowa Department of Public Health offers this information about heat-related illness. Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, those at greatest risk include:

• People age 65 and older
• Infants and young children
• Overweight individuals
• People who are performing manual labor or exercising outdoors
• People who have a chronic illness, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as those for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.
• Even young and healthy individuals can have a heat-related illness if they are very active during hot weather or if the heat index is very high.

  To protect your health when temperatures and humidity are high, remember to keep cool and use common sense.

• Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
• If you are experiencing a lot of sweating, replace salt and minerals by eating foods like bananas and salty crackers, or drink rehydrating beverages that contain salts, such as sports drinks.
• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wear sunscreen.
• Wear hats that shade your face.
• Keep in the shade or in air-conditioning as much as possible.
• Work slowly if you are not used to working or exercising in heat and humidity. Stop immediately if you get dizzy, nauseated, or feel weak. Go into an air-conditioned space and drink cool liquids.
• Use a buddy system. Watch others for heat-induced illness, since some people may not realize they are suffering heat-related illnesses and can become confused or lose consciousness. 

·    For more information, click on the following: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=2BAF34BB-B3A3-495E-9656-501F8057665B

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

10 Great Ideas for After-School Snacks

from Lily Taylor, RD, LD, GRMC Clinical Dietitian

Healthy snacks are good for all ages, not just kids. Snacks should be a combination of a protein, fat, and/or fiber food with a carbohydrate food to eat a variety of nutrients throughout the day.

Here are some ideas for snacks to try:

• Low-fat cheese with whole grain crackers
• Low-fat yogurt with two to three tablespoons chopped nuts
• Two sheets graham crackers with peanut or almond butter
• One piece of fruit and string cheese
• 13 baked corn chips with fresh salsa
• Hummus with cut vegetables or whole wheat pita bread
• Popcorn Trail Mix – 1 cup light popcorn mixed with ¼ cup nuts and 2 tablespoons raisins
• Cereal Trail Mix – ¼ cup nuts, 2 tablespoons dried fruit, 1 tablespoon chocolate pieces, and ¼ cup whole grain cereal
• Nut Butter Smoothie – Blend 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, one banana, and 1 tablespoon of nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew…)
• Fruit Smoothie – Blend 6 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt, ½ cup skim milk, 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

Try a few of these options for a fresh and wholesome snack!

Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (www.eatright.org) and Kids Eat Right (www.eatright.org/kids)

What did you have for breakfast?

What’s that? 

You aren't eating breakfast because you are trying to lose weight?

Did you know that recent research published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds that people who skip breakfast may be in for a big surprise?

“Breakfast skippers are more likely to be overweight or obese and have a higher risk of type 2 Diabetes,” says Elizabeth Collins, a researcher at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about healthy eating.

2013 Blue Jean Ball Tickets Go On Sale August 1

It’s back! The Blue Jean Ball was such a hit in 2011 that GRMC is bringing it back, this time better than before.

Saturday, September 28, 8 p.m. to midnight

Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center

1500 Penrose Street, Grinnell

Tickets:  $25/person; $45/couple; $30 at the door on the night of the event

Opening Act: Grinnell’s own Broken Record

Performance by The Dweebs – Back by popular demand!

Silent and Live Auction for more than 50 fabulous items from area merchants, artists, and individuals.

Raffle for iPad Mini and Beats by Dre

Light refreshments and cash bar

Tickets go on sale at the following locations:

• Brooklyn – Seaton’s Grocery
• Grinnell – The Glass Gift Box at GRMC and Postels Community Health Park
• Lynnville Clinic
• Tama/Toledo – Deer Creek Health Center
• Victor Health Center and Victor Market
• Online at: www.grmc.us

Grab your friends, find your favorite pair of jeans, and put on your dancing shoes because the 2013 Blue Jean Ball is here!

GRMC Auxiliary Makes Significant Pledge to Grinnell Regional Medical Center Chemotherapy

The GRMC Auxiliary has pledged $150,000 toward the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign directed for the new chemotherapy and infusion department. This department is now officially known as the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite and is a tribute to the countless volunteer hours of service that the auxiliary has provided for decades and continues today.

“Our mission is solely to support GRMC through volunteer service and philanthropy, supporting a positive patient experience and providing scholarships to those seeking education in a health-related field,” says Shannon Reding, president of the GRMC Auxiliary.

“We wanted to honor the auxiliary for all they have done for GRMC, and ultimately for the entire community,” says Dan Agnew, co-chair of the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign for GRMC. “Their role, past, present, and future, is truly vital to the success of GRMC.”

The GRMC Auxiliary has more than 300 members and volunteers who serve within the medical center. They raise funds through special events such as the annual wreath raffle; the angel tree; jewelry, book, and medical scrub uniform sales; and Tag Day.

The Glass Gift Box located in the GRMC lobby is also a funding source for the GRMC Auxiliary.

“Many don’t realize that their purchases at The Glass Gift Box go toward our auxiliary projects,” Reding says. “It is one of our strongest fundraisers year-round.”

Overall, the comprehensive campaign, Moving at the Speed of Life, has a goal to raise $7.5 million over the next three to five years. To date, GRMC has $1.8 million toward these projects, including $450,000 from the last capital campaign.

Funds are being raised to modernize the GRMC emergency department and create an urgent care clinic, purchase the daVinci® surgical robotic system and a new CT scanner, renovate Postels Community Health Park to accommodate a new fitness center, and establish an endowment for Grinnell Regional Mental Health Center, in addition to the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite.

If you’d like to become a GRMC Auxiliary member, stop by The Glass Gift Box or call Kerri Olson, volunteer coordinator, 641-236-2588.

To learn more about the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, call Denise Lamphier, 641-236-2589.

The GRMC Auxiliary was honored at an opening reception of the new GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite on July 15. Pictured here are members of the GRMC Auxiliary Board with Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. From left to right: Kerri Olson, Karen Thomson, Jessie Johnson, Bonnie Buntz, Jennifer Collins, Todd Linden, Kama Small, Sheila Latcham, Sarah Smith, Judy Brown, and Fran Davis.