LUFKIN – CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Specialty Hospital recently recognized two long term board members whose terms have expired.  Les Leach, Administrator for CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Specialty Hospital (right) presented Terry Morgan (left) and David Perkins (center) with Resolutions of Appreciation for their service to Memorial Specialty Hospital.  Mr. Morgan has served on the board for 9 years and Mr. Perkins has served for 15 years. CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Specialty Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital located within CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin.  Memorial Specialty Hospital is dedicated to the care of the critically ill and/or medically complex patient with long-term care needs.

About CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial

Memorial provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year and has a longstanding history of providing quality, innovative health care in East Texas.

With hospitals in Lufkin, Livingston, San Augustine and Memorial Specialty – the area’s only long-term acute care hospital – CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year.  Our mission is to nurture the healing ministry of the Church, supported by education and research.  Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create healthier communities.

Memorial offers a wide array of services, including the area’s first dedicated heart and stroke care facility and radiation oncology at the Temple Cancer Center. It is also known for the area’s only comprehensive diabetes, heart and stroke education center. Other specialty areas include imaging, orthopedic care, women’s services, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, homecare, wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, kidney & diabetes treatment, sleep disorders treatment and express lab.

Parents often wonder how to maintain their kids’ health. One important step that may be overlooked is to ensure that young children are properly hydrated. It can also be a challenge for parents to create a menu kids will enjoy that meets the recommended Daily Value (DV) of vitamins and nutrients.

“By including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic fruits and vegetables in your children’s diets, you can help ensure your child is staying hydrated from the water in them, while also consuming the necessary vitamins, minerals and protein that they need to grow healthy and strong,” says Dr. Deena Blanchard, Pediatrician at Premier Pediatrics in New York City and a consultant for Ella’s Kitchen brand, which makes organic food for babies, toddlers and kids. “Nutritional shakes provide proteins, vitamins, and minerals, the necessary building blocks of a healthy immune system, to supplement kids’ daily diets for complete nutrition; and electrolyte waters with naturally-occurring electrolytes can also help keep kids hydrated.”

Dr. Blanchard recommends the following tips to help parents make good choices for their children.

• Hydrate children, especially when sick:  When children are sick, the importance of proper hydration cannot be overestimated. If eating or drinking is difficult, try giving your child smaller amounts, more frequently. Choose water, 100 percent juice or drinks that contain naturally occurring electrolytes and other components that help support kids’ immune systems.

• Choose wisely: Watch out for artificial flavors, colors and preservatives as well as the amount of added sugars in sports drinks and other beverages. It is important to provide kids with beverages that are free of artificial ingredients and contain fruits and vegetables. You can be sure you’re avoiding those additions when you choose USDA organic beverages, such as Ella’s Kitchen Organic Coconut Water Electrolyte Drinks or their new Smoothie Drinks, which provide one full serving of fruit per 8 fluid ounces.

• Don’t forget to hydrate when playing sports: Kids can become dehydrated while playing sports or engaging in other physical activity. At the ballpark or playground, it is important to keep drinks on hand. Good choices include organic fruit and veggie purees, which contribute significant water to the diet and naturally-occurring electrolytes for natural rehydration.

• Supplement: Though vital to proper growth and development, meeting the recommended daily intake of vitamins and nutrients can be tough, especially for little ones who are picky eaters.  A tasty, protein-packed nutritional shake can help parents ensure kids get the calories and nutrition they need. Consider trying Ella’s Kitchen Coconut + Milk Nutritional Shakes, which are made  with certified USDA organic low-fat milk, fruit + veggie purees and coconut water, providing 44 percent of the recommended DV of protein, 30 percent DV of calcium, as well as vitamin B12, riboflavin, iodine and electrolytes. Made with ingredients parents recognize, these shakes provide a boost of nutrition with a taste that kids will enjoy.

In the warmer months, proper hydration is especially crucial for healthy. Parents should seek out choices for kids that support a healthy immune system.

-StatePoint

For the health conscious, there’s no such thing as a summer vacation from making good nutritional choices and getting plenty of exercise. But there’s no reason to let a healthy lifestyle become boring.

Here are three ways to let the summer season guide your routine:

• Mix Up Movement: After months of indoor exercise, you may be ready for a change of scenery. And summer is the ideal time to take a break from the treadmill and incorporate different types of movement and exercise into your lifestyle. So ditch the gym this weekend and head for greener pastures. From row boating to hiking, you’ll find yourself activating different muscles than you normally would by mixing things up.

• Eat In-Season Produce: Take advantage of the summer harvest and plan meals around in-season produce. The USDA lists apples, beets, bell peppers, kiwifruit, carrots, garlic, peaches, okra and cherries, amongst many more fruits and vegetables that reach their peak in the summer months. These items are a chock full of vitamins and nutrients and taste their best in summer.

• Summer Sun: Beyond the Vitamin D factor, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that sunlight may lower blood pressure, which could reduce one’s risk for heart attack and stroke. Some researchers now say the benefits of sunlight could outweigh cancer risks associated with exposure. Don’t forget to take the usual precautions, however. Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat to protect against harmful UV radiation.

(Statepoint)