Omaha Business Hall of Fame

More and more patients are turning to social networks such Twitter and Facebook for health information, according to a survey by the National Research Corporation.

In the survey of nearly 23,000 people in the United States, 41% said they use social media as a source of health care information. For nearly all of them – 94% – Facebook was their site of choice, with YouTube coming in a distant second at 32%. Eighteen percent of the respondentssaid they turned to MySpace or Twitter for health information.

One in four respondents said what they learned on these sites was “very likely” or “likely” to impact their future health decisions.

The respondents who used social media were 41 years old on average. People in households earning more than $75,000 were more likely to use social media for health care purposes than households earning less.

Another survey out this week found that one in four internet users living with a chronic ailment has gone online to find others with similar health condition.

“The internet enables people to help people in a way we couldn’t help each other before,” says Susannah Fox, author of the report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. “The internet gives people access to not only information, but also to each other.”

Many of the patients who sought out other patients online have rare diseases.

“They say no one really knows what they’re going through except someone in the same situation,” Fox says. “Those personal tips can make all the difference in the world.”

 Most of the patients in the survey also consulted with their doctors.

 “The oft-repeated fear that patients are using the internet to self-diagnose and self-medicate without reference to medical professionals does not emerge,” according to Fox.

So are you more savy , that you are turning to the internet to find answers to your health concers?

Santa Cookies

It’s that time of year for seasonal cookies. 

Try this great recipe that involves no baking.

• 2 (6 ounce) pkgs white chocolate baking squares, chopped
• 1 (1 lb) package Nutter Butter sandwich cookies
• red colored crystal sugar
• 32 vanilla chips or 32 white chocolate chips
• 64 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 32 red-hot candies

Directions:

1.  In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt white chocolate, stirring occasionally. 

2.  Dip one end of each cookie into melted chocolate. 

3.  Place on wire racks.

4.  For Santa’s hat, sprinkle red sugar on top part of chocolate. 

     Press one vanilla chip off-center on hat for pom-pom, let stand until set.

     Note: you can also use a mini marshmallow cut in half for the pom-pom.

5.  Dip other end of each cookie into melted chocolate for beard, leaving center of cookie uncovered. 

6.  Place on wire racks. 

7.  With a dab of melted chocolate, attach semisweet chips for eyes and a red-hot, or red mini M&M’s, for nose.

8.  Place on waxed paper until chocolate sets.

ENJOY!!!! ~

Depression is not a normal part of aging, but when older adults do have depression, it may be overlooked, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Seniors may show different, less obvious symptoms and may be less inclined to experience or acknowledge feelings of sadness or grief. The winter months can be especially challenging because some seniors experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a depressive illness triggered when there is less natural sunlight.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation says that an elderly person who may be depressed should see a medical professional. Talk to a client’s family or doctor if you suspect a senior is depressed.

For others, keep the winter blues at bay by using these ideas to inspire ways you can cater to each client’s interests with your personal spin:  

• Eat something new – Tackle a new recipe or re-invent a traditional one. Invite family and friends once a week for dinner and take turns preparing meals. Host a potluck dinner or an evening with international cuisine.
• Exercise the mind – Try a jigsaw puzzle or solve riddles. Discuss our question of the week
• Indulge – Enjoy a healthy dessert or sip a hot drink.
• Go for a walk – Invite family members and friends for an evening stroll. During bad weather, complete laps inside a local mall or community center.

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TurkeyNoodle Soup

• 5 quarts water
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery leaves, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 7 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup fresh peas or 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup carrot, sliced
• 1 cup cut green beans, fresh or frozen
• 4 cups fine egg noodles (8 Oz)
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 1/4 cup flour
• turkey carcass, from a 15-20 pound turkey

Directions:

In an eight quart kettle or Dutch oven place turkey bones, water — down through to and including the bay leaf.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.  Remove the bones to a platter and let cool.

Add the parsley through to green beans.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, scrape meat from carcass and return meat to soup pot. Add liquid if required.  Heat to boiling; add noodles and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.

Melt butter in a small frying pan; stir in flour.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the flour browns.  Stir into boiling soup.  When the soup returns to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Serve hot.

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Holiday Card Project

Pressed Flowers/Leaves –

Pick fresh flowers or leaves from a walk. Remove any wilted petals and leaves. Try not to let flower parts overlap. Leaves should lay flat. Choose a heavy book and line the inside pages with 2 or 3 sheets of paper to protect the book. (Using paper towels might turn the whole thing to mush). Carefully lay the flowers/leaves on the paper, and cover with another 2 sheets. After closing the book I stack another couple of books on top. Or you can also place the book in your microwave and “cook” it for 30 seconds. You’ll have to repeat it a few times, checking to see if the flowers/leaves are almost dried. Then I let the book sit for at least another two weeks before opening.

Use the dried flowers and leaves to make holiday greetings for family and loved ones. Take a moment to arrange the flowers on your card, taking note of how and where you want to position them.  The pressed flowers can be mounted directly on the card itself, or you may want to adhere a background of fabric, or handmade paper to the card stock first before gluing the flowers down.  Hold the pressed flower, apply a very small amount of glue to the back of the flower, position it on the card, and gently press down.  Do the same with the stems and leaves.  Once you’ve finished adhering your pressed flowers/foliage, it’s a good idea to place the card under a heavy book for a few minutes.  The firm pressure will ensure that your pressed flowers will dry flat.

Hope you enjoy our holiday kick off of fun things to enjoy this  time of year!

Fight the flu

“A flu shot is your best protection against catching the flu,” says Randy Bergen, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Kaiser Permanente. The flu virus changes often. The protection given by the flu vaccine only lasts for about a year, so you need to get a flu shot every year, preferably in the fall.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children 6 months and older, and every adult, get vaccinated against the flu. Children and adults who have a chronic health condition or weakened immune system, adults 65 or older, or smokers who are between 19 and 64 should also get a pneumonia vaccine. When you come in for your flu shot, ask if you need a pneumonia vaccine.

Flu shots are safe and won’t give you the flu .

What to do if you get the flu

1.Don’t ask for antibiotics, which won’t help because the flu is caused by a virus.
2.Stay home to help avoid spreading the flu to others.
3.Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
4.Use home remedies or over-the-counter medications, but don’t give any cough or cold products to children 6 years old or younger.
Protect yourself and family

The flu is more serious than the common cold, so do everything you can to prevent it. A flu shot (or nasal spray) is your best defense. The vaccine is safe, won’t make you sick, and generally has few side effects.

The flu virus changes often, and the protection from the vaccine only lasts for about a year. That’s why you should get a flu shot every year, preferably in the fall.

Who should get a flu shot?
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccination every year.

The flu shot helps prevent you from getting the flu and from spreading it to others. Even healthy people can develop serious complications or even die from the flu — so protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated.

Vaccination is especially important for:

*people 50 years and older
*children 6 months through 4 years old
*women who are or will be pregnant during flu season
*people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems
*people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care centers
*health care workers
*people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for flu-related complications
*Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Why kids should get a flu shot
Children can spread the flu easily to adults and other children. Getting vaccinated also helps protect infants (who cannot receive a flu shot), pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions.

Make sure your children get all recommended vaccinations on time. Check your child’s immunization record.

Flu shots will be available beginning in early fall 2011.  They are available from your health care provider or at local CVS drug stores & local Safeway stores! Do you have a primary care physician to help you if & when you do get the flu? Dr. Thomas Yatteau is a wonderful physician here  in Sonoma County who offers Concierge medicine.

 Dont forget  or delay- Get your flu shot today!

November is National Family Caregivers Month

Every day, more than 65 million family caregivers in the United States fulfill a vital role on the care team. November is National Family Caregivers Month, a great time to honor the family caregivers who devote their lives to caring for senior loved ones.

Family caregivers need support, which is why the Home Instead Senior Care^® network launched Caring for Your Parents: Education for the Family Caregiver^SM. This family caregiver support series addresses senior resistance to care and features a variety of topics such as choosing an in-home care provider, the signs of aging, long distance caregiving and communicating with aging parents. Materials and videos are available at www.caregiverstress.com.  Tell a family Caregiver about this valuable resource.

The Perfect Turkey for your family Thangiving this year!

Three  Easy to follow reciepies you can create and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey

For the brine:

• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 gallon vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger
• 1 gallon heavily iced water

For the aromatics:

• 1 red apple, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup water
• 4 sprigs rosemary
• 6 leaves sage
• Canola oil

Directions

2 to 3 days before roasting:

Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.

Combine the vegetable stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve solids and bring to a boil. Then remove the brine from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.

Early on the day or the night before you’d like to eat:

Combine the brine, water and ice in the 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey (with innards removed) breast side down in brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area for 8 to 16 hours, turning the bird once half way through brining.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Remove the bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.  Place the bird on roasting rack inside a half sheet pan and pat dry with paper towels.

Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add steeped aromatics to the turkey’s cavity along with the rosemary and sage. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with canola oil.

Roast the turkey on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees F.

A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting.

Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil or a large mixing bowl

for 15 minutes before carving.

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Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

• 3 lbs potatoes (about 4 large)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 minutes    Cook Time 1 hour

Place potatoes in a saucepan; add water to cover and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 25 minutes or until pototoes are tender.  Drain.  Peel potatoes; place in a large mixing bowl, and mash with a potato masher.  Add 2 tablespoons butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt.  Mix until all ingredients are blended.  Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 12X8X2-inch baking dish.  Brush top of mixture with melted butter; sprinkle with paprika.  Bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate.  If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.  Bake at 350F, uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot~

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Caramelized Butternut Squash

• 2 medium butternut squash (4 to 5 pounds total)
• 6 -8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2-1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 minutes    Cook Time: 55 minutes

Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Cut off the ends of each butternut squash and discard.  Peel the squash and cut in half lengthwise.  Using a spoon, remove the seeds.  Cut the squash into 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″ cubes (large and uniform is best), and place them on a baking sheet.  Add the melted butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper.  With clean hands, toss all of the ingredients together and spread out in a single layer on the baking sheet.  Roast for 45 minutes to 55 minutes, until the squash is tender and the glaze begins to caramelize.  Turn the squash while roasting a few times with a spatula to be sure it browns evenly.  Serve hot.

ENJOY & Happy Thaksgiving All !~

Happy Veteran’s day to all those who have served & who are currently serving!  And to the families who lent us your sons & daughters, your husbands & wives, your fathers & mothers! Today we honor them all & Thank them for their sacrifice and courage!

Veteran’s Day Parade & BR Cohn Flyover
If you like Aircrafts, Parades, and an Airshow, you’ll love the Petaluma Veteran’s Day Parade. It’s held in beautiful downtown Petaluma. Vintage war birds and sleek air racers fly-in to take part in what has been called the “largest Veterans Day Parade north of the Golden Gate.” The Petaluma Veterans Day Parade features war planes that fly in formation over Historic Downtown Petaluma. The Parade winds its way north from the starting point at Walnut Park at “D” Street & finishes back at Walnut Park.

Every year on November 11th Petaluma hosts the largest Veterans Day Parade. Watch the parade, then take the short drive to B.R. Cohn Winery. We are honoring our Veteran’s during this weekend with complimentary wine tasting for all Veteran’s with ID. Plane Flyover at 2:30pm at B.R. Cohn!
Join us outside our tasting room around 2:30pm on Nov 11th, for a special fly over by a select group of WWII planes!

 
B.R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen
(800) 330-4064

A Salute to our Nation’s Veterans
Friday, November 11th from 10amo-1pm.
Join us on November 11th for a celebration worthy of America’s finest. It’s the perfect time to thank & honor all those who have protected our nation by serving in the armed forces, and to show our appreciation for their dedicated service. The program will include a complimentary lunch & a special presentation on the Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefit by Mel Aguilar, VA pension specialist with Design Benefits Financial. If you are a veteran who served during wartime, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, this is one presentation you cannot afford to miss. Make plans now to attend.
Lodge at Paulin Creek
2375 Range Avenue, Santa Rosa.
(707) 575-3722

Petaluma Veterans Day Parade
Date: Friday November 11, 2011
Time: 1pm
Cost: FREE

Pumpkin Patch – Petaluma- through Oct 31002011
Open Daily from 10am-6pm.
Anderson Organic Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Patch
4588 Bodega Ave., Petaluma.
(707) 338-3363

 

Blind Scream Haunted House – Santa Rosa  threw Oct 31002011
Upon arriving you meet Doc Hunter & his twisted Family where you get a look into their scary world…..walling through the house seeing & smelling this Sideshow of Terror. The Hunters were friends of Ripley…believe it or not…Are you afraid of the dark? If not, you will be after venturing into Blind Scream, the second haunted house with over 6,000 square feet of the longest, darkest mazes ever! This heart thumping, blood pumping, walk through your darkest nightmares will have you screaming to get out. Your only hope of getting out is that your glow stick holds enough light to get you through to the end. Scream If You Can……but remember, the screaming only makes the creatures in the dark, hungrier.
Encompassing over 12,000 square feet in the warehouse service bay of the Manly Honda Superstore these 2 haunted attractions are brought to you by Wine Country Haunts, the creators of the Hopper House of Horror. Your senses will be enlivened by the special effects lighting & sound, animatronics, unique smells, live actors & the attention to detail in every room. Haunt build & design specialist Drew Dominguez celebrates his 52nd haunted attraction with the creation of this year’s haunts – theatrical in nature & unlike anything you have ever experienced in the North Bay area. Blind Scream & Doc’s Horrortorium located @:
Manly Honda Superstore
2770 Corby Avenue – haunting Santa Rosa on 19 select dates through Halloween Night. Go to Click here for details
or call (707) 523-3728 for specific dates & times, ticketing specials & all the gory details….

 

Pumpkin Patch – Sonoma- through Oct31, 2011
Open daily: 9am-2pm
Fields of Green
1777 W. Wamaugh, Sonoma.
(707) 939-3648

 

Dr. Evil’s House of Horrors – Guerneville-Through Oct31,2011
Dr. Evil’s House of Horrors, Sonoma County’s scariest haunted house is back every Friday & Saturday night in October from dusk until done!
This spectacular & unique haunted house is loaded w/ live actors, providing the poking, prodding, ankle-grabbing, shoulder-clawing & head taping evil that will make your skin-crawl. Admission: $10/per person every Friday & Saturday night throughout the month of October from dusk until done with the final send off on Halloween Night. All proceeds from Halloween Night will be donated to the the charities Elves with Attitude & The Kidney Foundation. A special spooky Trick-or-Treat haunt on Halloween Night for the little ones!
J’s Amusement Park
16101 Neely Road, Guerneville.
For more info: (707) 206-1076.
Click here for details charities Elves with Attitude & The Kidney Foundation. A special spooky Trick-or-Treat haunt on Halloween Night for the little ones!
J’s Amusement Park
16101 Neely Road, Guerneville.
For more info: (707) 206-1076.
Click here for details

 

Pumpkin Patch – Sebastopol- through Oct 31,2011
Open daily from 9am-5pm
Hale’s Apple Farm
1526 Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol
(707)823-4613

 

Pumpkin Patch – Healdsburg-through Oct 31,2011
Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch
17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg
(707) 431-8058
Click here for details

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch Amazing Corn Maze
FREE Admission to Pumpkin Patch. Open daily
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
550 Stony Point Rd., Petaluma.
(707) 781-3132
Click here for details

The Wicked West Ghost Town – Lights Only Show- thorugh Oct.31,2011
The Wicked West Ghost Town
472 Jose Ramon Ave.
The Ghost Town will be open for haunting all the way up to Halloween night. October 31st includes not only the Haunted Maze & Ghost Town, but their Trick-or-Treat Extravaganza. Check the schedule & get a glimpse of this year’s Wicked West Ghost Town @:
Click here for details
Click here for details

 Have a Safe & Fun Halloween All!

Alzheimer’s Wine Country Memory Walk 2011!.

Hey Check out our video from this years 2011 Walk to End Alzheimer’s!

Did you walk? IF so which walk did you do?