Current Events in May!

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Wondering about what events are occurring in May? A few are listed down below and maybe you might want to attend some of them with your friends and families. There is something for everyone from music to sightseeing! Make sure to check around your local areas of other events that may not be posted online.

The Pan Asian Arts Festival 2016 is happening at MOA on May 14th from 12PM-8PM! Come enjoy free performances, games, and carnival activities! Get the chance to see the performances from Iny Asian Dance Theater, Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Group, Sumunar Indonesian Dance Ensemble, and much more! It’s a free event for all!
May is also recognized as National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM). It advocates to spread awareness and prevention of teen pregnancy. Click here for more info!
The Minnesota History Center is hosting the “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom” exhibit about those who lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and the years after the war! Admissions are $11 and it would be a great experience for everyone!
SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2016 – May 15-21, 2016
- “SAMHSA’s fifth annual National Prevention Week, happening May 15-21, 2016, is dedicated to increasing public awareness and prevention of mental and/or substance use disorders. During National Prevention Week, community organizations across the country host health fairs, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and more. This year’s theme—Strong as One, Stronger Together—recognizes that one person can make a positive difference in their community, but when we all unite together we can achieve even more.” – Rightful owner
Other helpful links for Minnesota events occurring in May:

NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Patricia Thao

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.

April is Minority Health Month

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Patricia Thao

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

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

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Patricia Thao

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

American Heart Month

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“February is American Heart Month. Talk to your doctor about #hearthealth” – www.cdc.gov

Original image belongs to www.storybird.com.

February is dedicated to sharing the awareness of taking care of our hearts. The path to a healthy lifestyle is always a continuous journey so positive choices you make now will benefit you in the long run. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips on how to:

The easiest place to start is to eat healthier foods. Your food intake has a direct impact on your heart, especially on your cholesterol level. Tip: Avoid drinking sugary or fizzy drinks such as juice and pop. Many American’s are obese because of their diet of high fat, sugar, and salt.
Balance your meal! Eating healthier is easier than said so what can try first is to substitute unhealthy food for healthier alternatives. For example, if you like sweet snacks like chocolates, gummies, and such, switch it out with ripe fruits! And it is okay to indulge in your cravings once in a while.
Exercise regularly, not extensively. If you try to maintain a exercise schedule with healthy eating, you’ll lose weight more effectively and maintain your health/weight. Doing intense work out one or twice a week is better than doing it often because your body needs time to relax, rebuild, and reenergize.
Want to know what kind of fruits & veggies are in the winter season:
- dates, kale, passion fruit, oranges, turnips, leeks
- For more info on what’s in season, click here!

Korea: Metal & Flat Chopsticks

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Take on glance at Korean chopsticks and you will notice the difference right away. Compared to other Asian countries that uses round chopsticks, Korean chopsticks are flat. And if you were to hold a pair of Korean chopsticks you would feel that it is more heavily weighed. That is because unlike most chopsticks which are made out of wood and bamboo, they are usually made out of metal or stainless steel.

Belongs to rightful owner.

One theory suggested that silver chopsticks were used because it could detect poison and change color if there was any. This detection would’ve been very important in the royal palace where the king’s food was always inspected. Another theory of the origins of metal chopsticks was the availability of metal in Korea where it was much easier to obtain than wood and bamboo. Deforestation could’ve been another reason why the people turned to using metals. In the end, one can tell that Korea has distinctive chopsticks which they’re known for.

Belongs to rightful owner.

Here are some benefits to using Korean chopsticks:

Much more sanitary as they are easier to clean and maintain
Reusable and last longer compared to other materials
You don’t have to invest in high quality chopsticks as cheap ones are usually good quality
Chopsticks are paired with a spoon so it is cost effective

Ways to Create a Healthier Community

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Patricia Thao

There are many issues in the community that needs to be addressed and fixed. But we cannot do that alone as it requires everyone’s active participation. We should make a team effort, to not only educate those in our community, but everyone else in this world.

Original artwork belong to rightful owner.

“The National League of Cities (NLC) report states that one in three children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and that children aged 2-19 from low-income families are 1.7 times more likely to be obese.” – http://preventobesity.net/

Problems like obesity, racism, health inequality, and such will continue to exist. But we can always put effort in positive changes that will help make our world better. Here are a few tips on how to:

Listen to one another in a respective manner. Sure, we are all different, but that doesn’t mean we should be close minded to another. That is ignorance and the will to not listen to others only results in anger and frustration. Take the time to listen to your friends, relatives, and those around you. Although you may not agree with others, it is more about broadening your perspective and understanding how or why people think the way they do.
Encourage your community to become healthier! Whether it is making healthier choices, buying more to organic produces, reading and researching into what you are purchasing, or anything else, it is a great start to live a healthier lifestyle. You can become motivated by others or become part of someone’s else motivation. So share the healthy lifestyle with everyone you know and on your social media platforms and please do share it @biculturalliving.
Be the change you want to see! If no one is fighting for your cause, you can start an organization/club/group for those who may share the same goals as you. It does not have to be a big cause and small goals are more attainable. Such as fundraising for animal causes, health awarenesses, and more!

Healthy Living from Within!

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Part of living healthy is caring for yourself internally. And making yourself feel or look good from the outside is part of it as well. Healthy living isn’t supposed to occur in one day, but throughout your lifetime. Yes, it is not an easy thing to do. But here are some tips on how to be healthy within:

Your mentality affects your perspective. Sometimes, we over think things and it makes our problems seem like it is a bigger deal than it really is. But try to avoid it by distracting yourself by doing positive thinking/activities. And negativity could stem from the people around you that may have or carry the negative energy. It’s a good idea to shift away from those people as they could bring you down instead of helping you.
Are you meeting your basic needs? We can forget to feed our body properly like drinking enough water or getting the right amount of sleep. And that can translate to us being in a bad mood, over-eating, or having unhealthy habits. So it’s a good time to always check with yourself every now and then.
Changing your lifestyle could be a good thing! Reevaluate what is important to you and try to have a focus on the goals you want to achieve. In this way, you will not feel lost or fall behind on what you wanted to do. Take the time in the present to invest what you value for your future!
What does healthy correlate to? Well, that’s really up to your own definition. Make it realistic and make it happen. One way to do it is to have a goal to be “healthier” whether it means to get fit, get into your dream college, find a new job, or simply to eat healthier. It’s the little things that you could do to be healthier and happier.

5 Tough Questions to Ask Aging Parents

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Patricia Thao

See Mou, wife of Robert Lor (not pictured), carries a basket full of ripe tomatoes on their rented land north of Stillwater.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

The financial well-being and long-term care needs of aging parents can be among the most sensitive, difficult issues for families to discuss. The Minnesota Department of Commerce is encouraging Minnesotans to take the time to talk with their loved ones this holiday season about their financial commitments and long-term care wishes.

1. Do you have any serious health issues?

Openly discuss with your parents any chronic illnesses or conditions that require recurring treatment. Request a list of medications and doctors’ contact information. If a parent has a history of prolonged physical illness or disability, you may want to research long-term care options.

2. What is your financial situation?

If an elderly parent’s health suddenly takes a negative turn, out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly. Discuss all sources of income and insurance coverage to determine how and if your parent might cover unanticipated medical treatment. If your parents agree, familiarize yourself with their insurance coverage and financial assets such as savings, pension plans, stocks, IRAs and 401K plans. Income, assets and insurance affect Medicaid eligibility and Medicare options.

3. Where would you prefer to live if you could no longer care for yourself?

Is your parent comfortable with the prospect of living in a nursing home, or does he or she have plans to move in with a family member or friend should special care be required? Be open and direct about your ability to honor these wishes. If your parents need nursing home care, it’s important to know if their monthly income meets state eligibility requirements for Medicaid.

4. Who do you trust to make decisions for you should you become incapacitated?

Encourage your parent to officially ask someone to serve as his or her medical and financial proxy or power of attorney. It is best if your parent chooses someone to trust with making their financial decisions, and if that is possible, there is agreement within the family about who is being entrusted with these responsibilities. It is also important for this person to maintain clear communication with family members.

5. What are your end-of-life wishes?

Individual feelings vary regarding the prospect of having one’s life prolonged by the use of medical equipment and medication. Know your parents’ views, and make sure their preferences are recorded in an official document such as a living will or advanced health care directive long before they no longer are capable of expressing informed consent.

Rightful credits belong to rightful owners. For info, click here.

November is National Diabetes Month

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Patricia Thao

It’s Your Life. Treat Your Diabetes Well.

http://www.cdc.gov/

“November is National Diabetes Month, and the City of Minneapolis wants to help prevent diabetes by encouraging people to get screened for Type 2 diabetes and then take action if they’re at risk for developing it.

The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that one out of three Minnesotans have prediabetes, but most of them don’t know it. People with prediabetes are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes within five years if they don’t take action.” – http://www.minneapolismn.gov/

The Minneapolis Health Department, with funding from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsors the prevention program for Minneapolis residents in four community clinics and one community organization.

Under the guidance of a trained coach over 16 weeks, participants learn healthy eating, physical activity, managing stress, staying motivated, and solving problems that can get in the way of making healthy changes.

New classes are forming now. For more information, people can go to www.minneapolismn.gov/health/living/diabetesor call a class provider directly:

Native American Community Clinic (Brian Joyce at 612-872-8086 x1041).
Hennepin County Medical Center (Pa Xiong at 612-873-6641).
Neighborhood HealthSource clinics (Julie Lor at 612-287-2447).
Stairstep Foundation (Sylvia Amos at 612-521-3110).

For more information about the National Diabetes Prevention Program, go to www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.htm. Credits belong to the rightful owner.

Bicultural Healthy Living

A Balanced Approach to a Bicultural Healthy Life

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