Friday is International Overdose Awareness Day.

This flyer has introduced me to Naloxone, a medication that can counteract the effects of opioid drug overdose.  Too late for the display at Farmer's Market, but not too late to remember the Overdoe Awareness Day.

VMC Farmers Market

751 Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA

Wednesday, August 29, 10AM to 2PM

International

Overdose

Awareness Day

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Everyday, we see lives around us being changed and lost to

overdose. Overdose does not discriminate – it could be you or

someone you love, a friend, colleague or your neighbor.

Come join us to understand how this affects each one of us.

We will be providing educational resources and distributing

Naloxone, the life-saving opioid overdose medication.

To†join†our†coalition¨†receive†opioid†education†or†host†a†free

Naloxone†training¨†contact†sccoopp@hssÆsccgovÆorg

Find†us†online†at

https∫ØØwwwÆsccgovÆorgØsitesØbhdØinfoØopioid

facebookÆcomØSCCoOOP

It's time to remember. It's time to act.

Time: The Opioid Diaries

Time Magazine published a special edition dedicated to documenting the cost of opioid addiction: Special Report March 2018.  The photographs were taken by James Nachtwey.  There are now annually in the United States 64,000 drug overdose deaths. Life expectancy in the United States is going down as a result.  The pictures are very graphic.  They show people who are overdosed, emaciated, homeless.  Some are in coffins.  They show pregnant mothers with the effects of drug usage.  They show families that are devastated as a result of addiction.  Stories are also presented; but it is the pictures that drive this message home.  This is really bad stuff. 

Reflective Questions

A Message from NAMI About Stigma

Here is a good message from NAMI.  It comes with a quiz.   Stigma harms one in five Americans who has mental illness.  

Eggs for Diabetics

I have been visiting the diabetic nurse lately.  She chided me on how many carbohydrates I put in my breakfast, and suggested an egg or two for protein.  It is so easy to get into the carb habit for breakfast--cake, breakfast roll or cereal with milk.  There are better choices.  I found an article about the benefits of eggs, "8 Egg-cellent facts about eggs."
1. Eggs can be hearth healthy.  The big issue has been egg yolks, which hide a lot of cholesterol.  However dietary cholesterol generally does not cross over, and egg yolks have healthy nutrients.  No cholesterol in egg whites.
2. Eggs are a weight-loss super food.  Eggs are high in protein and low in  calories.  Consequently they can curb hunger with just a few calories.  Plus you can add vegetables to a scrambled egg for more nutrients.
3. Eggs are nutrient-rich.  Consider the vitamins in an egg.  The are a good source of zinc and vitamin A.  For a vegetarian who eats eggs they provide vitamin B12.
4. Egg size and color come to the chicken.  In other words there are varieties, but no real different in the actual egg.  Color and size have to do with color and size of the chicken laying the egg.
5. Dyed Easter Eggs is an ancient tradition.  People have been dying eggs for centuries.  These eggs are part of Jewish and Easter traditions.  Dyed eggs are safe to eat if they have been refrigerated.
6. Egg substitutes are healthy too.  These are usually egg whites with added color.
7. Are raw eggs safe to eat?  The risk with raw eggs is the threat of Salmonella which is a food born illness.  There is no loss in nutrients in cooking an egg, so no health benefit in eating raw eggs.  If speed is a question throw the egg in a mug and microwave for a minute.
8. The healthiest way to eat eggs.  There is really no difference in the egg with the type of preparation, other than some methods add calories.  Boiling and poached eggs do not add calories.  Another suggestion is using spray oil which adds minimal calories.
My issue with eggs is the rush I have in the mornings.  Consequently I usually boil a few eggs and then keep them in the fridge.  However the idea of cooking an egg in the microwave I need to try.

Screen Time: The Power is Yours

The Power Is Yours: Simple rules for supervising screen time, Scouting Magazine, March April 2018.

Simple rules:
Enjoy Screens:  Screens are not all bad.  They can bring games, and social interaction with family that is far away. 
Not Too Much:  Screen time can be limited by requiring credits for screen time.  Credits can be earned via chores.  Using screens before bed disrupts sleeps.  Good reason to turn them off an hour before bed and keep them out of the bedroom.
Mostly with Others:   Keeping screens out of the bedroom is big here.  Also doing activities together, such as family history, or research projects, or Instagram projects.
Lead by Example: You can lead by example by letting kids know what you are doing when you look at a screen during family time.  If you are overusing, then your kids will too.
Lastly, some age appropriate ideas:
No screen time under 18 months except for video chatting
18-24 months only age appropriate programs such as PBS which you watch with them and explain.
2 to 5 years: Limit screen time to less than an hour per day.  Watch with them so you can pause the programs and talk about things.
6 and older: Place limits and stick to your limits.  Agree on media-free times.

7 Tips to Help You Stick With Exercise When Managing Type 2 Diabetes

This   article is  taken from  Everydayhealth.  I explore each bullet and how I am personally doing.
Exercise helps with weight loss; and weight loss helps to reduce your A1C.  Exercise can be as simple as walking.
1. Start slowly:  I am a walker, but my walking is still slow.  This article suggests working p to 30 minutes of brisk walking daily.  I need to add the brisk part.
2. Choose an activity you like:  I don't mind walking, and this is what I usually do.  However I would like to add some basketball and other enjoyable activities.
3. Grab a Friend:  I have failed with this regard.  Most of my walking is as I commute or as I play Pokemon during lunch.  I have not been able to interest anyone in exercising with me in the evening, even for a walk.
4. Reward Yourself Along the Way:  I have failed in this regard.  My reward is to go out to eat which defeats the whole process in the end.  This article suggest rewarding yourself with music.  This may be a better way to motivate myself.
5. Formally schedule you workouts:  Again I am not good here.  Of course commuting exercise is at the same time everyday.  However other exercise usually depends on the weather.  If it is too hot, I choose to read a book instead.  I would be  good to schedule exercise with a partner.
6. Prep for your workouts:  Again I haven't done this.    I do not lay out clothes as I am wearing work clothes. 
7. Check your blood sugar before and after exercise:  I have never done this.  This article says it is a good idea as the numbers should provide motivation to continue exercising. 

Information on drowning/near drowning patients

This is from an e-mail newsletter at work.  
From May 10 to June 23, eight children were brought to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for drowning incidents. Tragically two of these patients died. Children under the age of five are at the most risk of drowning, with 70% of drowning incidents last year involving children under 5 years of age.  Nurses in the Emergency Department and Pediatrics asked if community awareness could be raised to help reduce these preventable deaths and injuries. You can see the news release on HHS Connect News once the site is back up later today. More information will be posted to social media sites to bring even more attention to the issue and hopefully prevent additional child drownings.  As the weather warms up and more children are in and around water, it is important that we all do what we can to reduce fatal and nonfatal drownings.  You can help. Keep an eye out for our social media posts. Read and share the tips provided. Some of the key prevention tips include making sure children know how to swim and learning CPR. Please do what you can to bring more awareness to this issue so that every child can have a fun but safe summer! Thank you.