NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

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myhealthoc.org

“Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. National Bike to Work Week 2016 will be held on May 16-20. Bike to Work Day is May 20! ” – Rightful owner

Here are some top reasons why you should start riding bikes:

  • Save $$$ on gas! If you have to get to a location nearby or is willing to bike at a distance, then every new opportunity you take to bike somewhere will save you money on gas!
  • You get to exercise! At the same that you are transporting yourself, you are also actively moving your legs and burning off calories!
  • Sightseeing! You can enjoy viewing your neighborhood from a different perspective and take in the sights at a slower pace.
  • TIP: Always remember that your safety comes first! Anytime you plan on riding your bicycle, remember to wear a helmet and turn on your lights/wear a neon traffic uniform, if you are riding at night.

Spring Cleaning!

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http://epmseagles.com/

It’s that time of the year again to clean your house after winter! Do you know what you should be throwing out and recycling? There are many things to consider that you had stored up from the past year. Don’t stress! Here’s a quick breakdown so check out list below:

  • Have you checked if there’s any medication that has already expired? “This Saturday, April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Collect your leftover prescription drugs and take them to a local site for a safe way to dispose of medication.” -usagov
  • Got books you don’t read anymore? If they are still in good condition, you can always donate them to your local organizations or sell them. If not, you can recycle them along with your other recyclable materials.
  • Old clothes/shoes? The easiest method is to donate unwanted clothes and shoes that are in fair condition. Also, you can sell them to stores, online retailers, or at a garage sale.
  • Yard cleaning! It is not always fun, but tidying up your yard will really help your grass grow and your yard looking cleaner. To recycle dead materials, buy recyclable paper bags at your local stores.

This Month in Japan | May

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www.cheng-tsui.com

With the arrival of May, it signals the mass amount of holidays celebrated during this time. People can find that Japan is the most busiest time as everyone is trying to get to their destination and are going away for vacation. At the same time, it can be quite quiet in big cities like Tokyo as most people are not working and visiting other cities or relatives who lives further away. Here is what you need to know for the month of May in Japan:

  • “Japan Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays that take place within a week including Showa Day celebrating Emperor Showa’s birthday; Constitution Day; Greenery Day, a national holiday dedicated to nature; and finally, Children’s Day with families praying for the health and success of their sons.” – http://www.onthegotours.com/
    • Golden Week is in between April 29 to May 5. Make sure if you are planning to a trip to Japan during this time be aware that tourist spots, famous attractions, and traffic will be quite busy. During this time period is when many Japanese people take vacations and have time off work.
    • Children’s Day is on May 5th and it celebrates the happiness, health, and personalities of children! A distinctive feature of this holiday in Japan are the carp-like kites which are used as decorations.
  • The weather in May is probably one of the best time for people to enjoy nature and visit sites. It’s a period of when it is not too hot and before the arrival of the rainy season, so people are more likely to be outside from April to June.
  • For more info & events of Japan in May, click here!

April is Minority Health Month

The theme for 2016 is “Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation.” – www.cdc.gov

Image of smiling African American girl with arms crossed under chin leaning on table at school, while two other children look on - Every community deserves good health. This April we celebrate National Minority Health Month. National Minority Health Month logo - Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation.

Picture belongs to www.hhs.gov

The goal of Minority Health Month is to bring awareness of health disparities and to promote health equity among our diverse communities. It’s important to address health concerns and problems prevalent in different groups of people because there are things that we can do to help others live a safer and healthier life. Here are some ways in which people have implemented to help others:

  • Encouragement of breastfeeding among low-income and minority populations
  • Providing info on healthier food choices to children at home and school & bringing awareness to the increasing rate of child obesity
  • Educating communities that are at risk of certain health problems
    • “This first national study on Hispanic health risks and leading causes of death in the United States by CDC shows that Hispanics had higher death rates than Non-Hispanic whites from diabetes and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The report encourages the use of community health workers, also called promotores de salud, to provide resources to educate the Hispanic community about health risks and preventive services.” – www.cdc.gov

What can you do as a participant?

  • Spread the words! Follow @MinorityHealth for great information on #healthequity & make sure to share on your social media!
  • Participate in an official (or related) events near you!

Click on the official website for info on events, social media, & more!

Planning on a trip? | Health Awareness Regarding Your Travel Destination

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http://www.vacationgetawayinternational.com/

Are you planning to go on a trip soon? It’s always good to keep in mind of where are you going and the current situation of the location. So make sure to do your research of what you may need to bring along with in terms of medicines, clothes, electronics, and possibly even getting vaccinated before flying to another country. Listed down below are some places that you may need time to prepare for if you plan on visiting there:

MERS

  • MERS stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and is a viral respiratory illness. Cases of MERS has been reported in the Middle East and spread to, but decreased in South Korea. Click here for more in depth info.

Polio

  • There has been an increased in reported cases of polio among in Guinea, Madagascar, and Nigeria. It is highly recommended that travelers get the polio vaccine before entering the country and for people to get vaccinated again if already done so in the past. Be aware that polio can be spread through contaminated water and direct contact with an infected person.
  • Reported cases of polio has also came from Ukraine (Europe).

Zika Virus

  • The local transmission of the Zika virus has been reported in various parts of the world, Cape Verde (Africa), Laos, Burma (Myanmar), American Samoa, Bolivia, Cuba, and other countries in Central America, South America, Caribbean, and Pacific islands. Make sure to do your research!
  • “Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Women who are pregnant(in any trimester) should not travel to areas with Zika. Men who have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex for the duration of the pregnancy. Women and their partners who are thinking about pregnancy after possible exposure to Zika should talk with their doctor or healthcare provider.” – “Global Travel Pinet
  • Be aware and protect yourself for those who plan on attending:
    • the 2016 Summer Olympics scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016
    • the Paralympic Games that is scheduled for September 7 to September 18, 2016

Being Active & Involved in April

Do you have any ideas on what you want to do in the month of April? If you don’t know and is interested, look down below of the suggestions. You possibly find something that you would enjoy.

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Home

  • Take a hike! Now that it’s April and we are heading to a warmer season, it’s time to go outside and enjoy the warmer season. Want some tips on how to enhance your hike:
    • Plan out your trip! It’s a good to get an idea and to research about the area you’re interested in hiking in. In this way, you know if it’s good for someone like you or a friend/partner if they are a beginner, experienced, or expert at hiking!
    • Wear the right gear! That also means make sure to check your local forecast. The right pair of hiking shoes will help support your feet and clothing will protect you from potential danger.
    • Bring extra food & water! Chances are you may get hungry so pack nutritional meals/snacks and water along. Make sure to always stay hydrated!
    • Bring a map/GPS/compass! It’s probably a good idea to know where you are heading and on how you can hike back to where you’d started.
    • Recommended local hiking trails: Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Minnehaha Regional Park, Fort Snelling State Park, Hyland Lake Park Reserve, and more!

This Month in Japan | April

Uzuki, the traditional name for April based on the lunar calendar, means “hare month.” It has been speculated that the name uzuki corresponds to the year of the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac.

For many years, the only national holiday this month was Greenery Day, on April 29. The 29th was the birthday of the late Emperor Showa so in 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed Showa no hi, or Showa Day.

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https://www.gapyear.com/

Golden Week starts at the end of April in Japan (Showa Day [April 29], Constitution Day [May 3], Greenery Day [May 4], Children’s Day [May 5]). It is common for businesses to give their employees the whole week off, making it a busy time for travel among the Japanese people.” – Credits belong to rightful owner

Other fun facts:

  • The sakura season began in March and continue towards the end of April. Visitors still have time to enjoy the cherry blossoms at local parks and gardens across Japan.
  • Roppongi Art Night is a free event that allows people and tourists to view amazing art collections in the neighborhood of Roppongi. It is an event held from 10AM throughout the night.  “Galleries that will stay open throughout the night: Roppongi Hills, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Midtown, Suntory Museum of Art, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, The National Art Center, Tokyo.” – http://www.tokyo-top-guide.com/

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http://www.tokyoweekender.com/

  • Earth Day (April 23-24) is celebrated in Japan through a event hosted at Yoyogi Park. It’s an opportunity for organizations to present their causes to the public and allows people to become informed of other environmental issues. Other features of this event are foods, performances, and music.
  • The 2016 Takayama Spring Festival is held on April 14-15 and it’s located in the town of Takayama. It’s known to host antique floats that are uniquely designed and decorated with lanterns. For more detail on the event, click here!

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http://incrediblephototours.com/

The Truth About E-Cigarette

People think that using e-cigarettes in place of smoking cigarettes is a “healthier” alternative. It has become more popular among youths as it provide similar effects and it comes in various flavors. Social media and pop culture has been glamouring vaping as form of a trend and “cool” thing to do. But studies have shown that regardless of smoking cigarettes or e-cigarette, both will put your health at risk at the exposure to nicotine. Here are some facts you need to know about e-cigarettes:

  • Nicotine affects brain development among children and teens
  • Harmful chemicals can be found in various flavors and affects the body differently
  • The vapor created from using e-cigarettes contains leads, tin, nickel, and other metals
  • E-cigarettes are not an effective way to quit smoking, people trying to quit should try to quit completely
  • “Initial tests have found e-cigarettes contain varying levels of the addictive substance nicotine as well as cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde.” – www.lung.org

CDC E-cigarette Fact Sheet

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Postcard Highlights for March | 2016

Check out the postcards created for the Month of March by AMA Youths and staffs! We encourage healthy youth messages and want to share our knowledge with the community!

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Blog link to this postcard here!

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Blog link to this postcard here!

Local Farmers in the Urban City

Robert Lor displays a bitter melon, one of many he grew on more than 100 acres of rented land north of Stillwater.    (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Photo belongs to Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin) 

With spring’s arrival and summer around the corner, we encourage people to support their local farmers and markets. It supports our farmers and helps the community by having access to local, fresh, affordable, and organic foods! Minnesota has many farmers that sells a variety of produces and goods. Here are some ways in which you can support your community:

  • Be on the lookout for farmer’s markets that could potentially be anywhere! A popular spot is under the 94W bridge where people can find goods like fresh flowers, delicious grilled corn, and homemade candles! Of course, farmer’s markets are often located on busy streets or lots such as on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis Downtown, parking lots of Asian supermarkets, and such!
  • Organic and fresh produces from local farmers are cheaper and have better quality! The grocery stores probably charges a lot for organic produces and not everyone can afford them. But local farmers are willing to sell for a better price with a guarantee for great quality.
  • It’s only seasonal, so make sure you stock up! You can’t always buy produces and goods whenever you want to. The summer season is your best time to venture out and explore what’s available in your community!
  • Become exposed to local foods & music! You can try local foods that are not found in other cities and enjoy the different things that are being offered. You’ll be exposed to a variety of cultures, fashion, and music with Minnesota’s diverse population. Expect to see lots of influences from the Somalian, Hmong, Irish, and more!