JULY HEALTH NEWS

Quick Bites: Wash the Rind to Leave Bacteria Behind

The peak of summer brings ripe, delicious melons, like cantaloupe and watermelon, from the farm to your table. And watermelons are not only refreshing but also a great source of the antioxidant lycopene.

What’s so special about lycopene? Lycopene, which gives watermelon its red color, may help to protect against cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. And although it is more commonly associated with tomatoes, there is more lycopene in watermelon than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.

But hold off on having an icy cold bite. To get more lycopene from watermelon, serve it at room temperature. Whole watermelon stored and served at room temperature can have up to 40 percent more lycopene than refrigerated watermelon. At room temperature, watermelon continues to ripen, producing additional lycopene. So choose the counter instead of the refrigerator for storing watermelon.

Just make sure to refrigerate the watermelon within two hours after cutting it to avoid food-borne illness. If you prefer a cold taste, chill right before serving.

Of course watermelons aren’t the only melons that pack in the nutrients. Cantaloupes are a good source of vitamins A and C and potassium. When slicing and dicing any of your melon favorites, be sure to keep it clean — melon rinds can host harmful bacteria.

When fruit is cut, bacteria on the surface can be transferred to the flesh. To reduce the risk, avoid melons with blemishes, wash hands with soap before handling melons and scrub melons with a brush under cool tap water before cutting into them.

As with any food preparation, utensils, knives and cutting boards should be cleaned in hot, soapy water before and after use. And they should not be cross-contaminated with other foods, particularly uncooked meat products.

Here's to a favorite summer treat - Melons!  Enjoy!

Easy Healthy Cookies!

You're sitting at your desk at 3:00 pm and have a craving for something sweet and yummy. Instead of buying a package of Oreos from the vending machine, try bringing some of these simple healthy cookies for a snack. These are so healthy, you can have cookies for breakfast with no guilt!

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 2 cups oatmeal (quick or regular)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place oats in blender or food processor and blend until oats become the consistency of flour; it's okay if it's not perfectly ground.

In large bowl combined mashed banana with oats until smooth. 

If desired you may add in 1/2 cup of your favorite add in such as dark chocolate chips or walnuts, but be careful about adding too many calories and fat. You may also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Drop dough by large tablespoons onto cookie sheet; flatten a bit with a rubber spatula. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until cookies are set.
Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. 

Cookies will keep in a covered container for a few days, or they can be frozen and reheated. Makes about 16 cookies.

Be sure to enjoy one warm out of the oven!


FITNESS TIP
Trying to cram 5 days of exercise into the weekend actually has mixed results.  Instead, remember to exercise everyday, even if only for 30 minutes.