Happy 4th of July!

July 4th is fast approaching! If you are planning an exciting event, full of fireworks, friends and food, check out these safety tips to keep you having a good time while celebrating our Independence Day!

• If using fireworks, make sure they are legal – read directions and use common sense. Don’t set them off close to other people and always have a bucket of water close at hand.
• Having a beach party? Keep an eye out for children in the water, always swim with a buddy, and know CPR just in case of an emergency.
• Water activities, including boating, are a great way to enjoy the 4th of July, as long as alcohol is left out of the equation. Be safe while on the water by choosing not to drink.
• Hanging out near the pool is a great 4th of July activity! Remember to observe “pool safety” by walking (not running) on slippery surfaces, diving only where allowed, and watching for other people before jumping in. Check to make sure a lifeguard is always on duty as well.
• If out in the sun for extended periods of time, remember to reapply sunscreen regularly.
• Make sure meat is well cooked at your barbecue – undercooked meat or certain foods left in the sun too long (i.e. potato salad) can cause illness.
• Is there alcohol at your party? When drinking at parties there are easy ways to reduce risks associated with alcohol - keep an eye out for your friends at your party and have a designated driver ready for anyone leaving after drinking.
• As the sun goes down, be sure to wear reflective clothing especially if walking along roads. Also, walk with a buddy whenever possible.

Try remembering just a couple of these tips for your Independence Day weekend and you may be surprised at how fun (and safe) your event can be!

Planned Parenthood Celebrates PRIDE 2009

Check it out! Planned Parenthood celebrates LGBTQ rights throughout the decades!

PRIDE 2009!

…and congratulations to all who worked so hard for the passage of new legislation in Delaware to protect the civil rights of the gay and lesbian community! Keep up the great work!

Depression and the LGBTQ Community

Unfortunately due to homophobia, discrimination and intolerance, the LGBTQ community is at a higher risk for depression and suicide than the heterosexual population.

If you know someone who is struggling with depression, there are ways to help…

• Listen
• Be empathetic
• Tell them that you want to help
• Express that you love and support them
• Encourage them to talk to a professional (counselor, healthcare provider)
• Give them information on LGBTQ resources in the community

Check out Delaware PRIDE for a list of LGBTQ resources in our state and keep celebrating
National LGBTQ Pride Month!

More Good News About Exercise!

If there weren’t already enough benefits to being physically active, consider a new study conducted at the University of Vermont which found that mood can be elevated for up to 12 hours after exercise!

The study was conducted with college students exercising for 20 minutes at a moderate intensity level. Participants then completed a questionnaire which evaluated their mood at one, two, four, eight, 12 and 24 hrs after exercise. The study found that an elevated mood lasted for up to 12 hrs after exercise when compared to participants who didn’t exercise at all.

To read the entire article featured in USA Today, click here.

Need a Quick Exercise Mood-Boost During the Work Day?

Check out these simple tips for daily exercise (even while at the office)…

• Lift light weights (1-5 lbs) while sitting at your desk or talking on the phone
• Stash an exercise band in your desk for resistance work throughout the day
• Bring your gym shoes for a lunchtime power walk
• Squats and lunges are simple leg workouts that can be done down office corridors or hallways
• Try calf raises while typing on the computer
• Get your colleagues on board with exercise in the workplace – form a support group to motivate each other
• Start each workday with a 5-10 minute meditation to relax and quiet the mind
• Keep a water bottle at your desk to stay hydrated

Remember that exercise doesn’t have to be torture! A simple 20 minute workout each day can have significant health benefits including a happier, calmer demeanor in the workplace! You’re worth it!

Celebrate LGBT Month!

It’s official! President Obama released a statement proclaiming June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month! Click here to read more!

Interested in Getting Involved?

Now is a great time to join together in support of the LGBT community! Check out these websites for local events!

CAMP Rehoboth
Delaware Pride

…and Come Join the Fun!

Planned Parenthood of Delaware is joining with Delaware Pride to co-host a Drag Show on Friday, July 24, 2009 at 9:00 pm at Baxters, 2006 Pennsylvania Ave in Wilmington. Join us for a great time as we celebrate pride, liberty and good times! Cost: $5.00 at the Door (age 21 and over only)

Breakfast: The Lost Meal

While there are a lot of mixed messages out there concerning which foods are best to eat and which types of food need to fit into a meal, there’s at least one exception… BREAKFAST! Even if no one can agree on what you should eat for breakfast, they can at least agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Why is breakfast so important?

See, the body is like a car and food is the gasoline that makes it go. Without gas, the car can’t go anywhere and when it’s running low on gas, there is more of a chance of getting stranded on the side of the highway. Skipping breakfast will likely cause you to eventually run out of energy, which can sometimes feel like being stranded on the road. Additionally, eating breakfast has been proven to improve concentration, memory and mood. Just think how much more you can accomplish during the day by having a proper meal to start out! Eating breakfast also keeps you from overeating during lunch or dinner.

But here’s the dilemma: In a busy world, who has time to eat breakfast? Often it’s hard enough to get out of bed and make it to work or school on time! For those of you needing a quick meal on-the-go, try some of these favorites:

• Cereal – with or without milk. Try buying cereals low in sugar and high in fiber. There are many vitamin-fortified varieties for added benefit.
• Yogurt is another food usually packed with vitamins! Change it up by adding granola or berries!
• Granola bar or breakfast bar – remember to keep the sugar to a minimum
• Slice of toast (try whole wheat bread) with some peanut butter
• Fruit – grab a banana or apple on your way out the door!

If you happen to wake up without much craving for food right away, simply try to have a glass of juice or milk so you’ve gotten at least a little fuel in your body. Then bring along some food for a mid-morning snack.

If you’re interested in more information on healthy breakfast choices, or to meet with our nutritionist to create an individualized program please call 302.655.7296 x17.

Healthy Picnicking for Summer

Often times, typical picnic fare can be high in fat and calories while lacking nutritional value. There are slight changes you can make to your food selections, however, in order to lessen the fat content and still maintain flavor! If you are planning on attending a social gathering this summer, consider some healthier options for your picnic or barbeque.

Typical Picnic Fare Healthier Option

Potato salad Pasta salad with whole wheat pasta and low-fat Italian dressing
Hamburger Turkey burger or veggie burger with whole wheat bun
Hot Dog Turkey dog with whole wheat bun
Coleslaw Green salad with low-fat dressing
Regular Soda Water; 100% juice, or diet soda
Chips Pretzels; baked chips
Ice cream Fresh fruit salad; sorbet; frozen yogurt

Another option to consider when slimming down this summer is to engage in physical activity at your picnic. Consider a 20 minute walk after eating, or a game of volleyball before a meal. If you’re near the beach or lake, take a swim before eating. Have fun while burning calories! Small changes in your diet and activity level can really make a difference in your overall health and well-being.

Speaking of health and well-being…if you happen to be on a romantic picnic with your significant other, it may be a great time to bring up the topic of SEX!! Communicating about your wants and needs can make for a safe and enjoyable summer with your partner.

Happy picnicking!