For women around the world, 2019 was the safest year in history to give birth. Before COVID-19, pregnancy-related deaths had been declining steadily throughout much the world. Even in the United States, where maternal mortality rates are about double that of other high-resource nations, there was unprecedented momentum for legislation targeting the racial and ethnic disparities putting mothers of color at the greatest risk.

Seventeen months later, global death rates for mothers and newborns are soaring to levels not seen in decades, stillbirths have risen sharply, and more pregnant and postpartum women are experiencing serious medical complications. According to new research in Lancet Global Health, the chances of a woman dying while pregnant or during childbirth in Mexico and India has jumped by more than one-third since the pandemics start. The United Nations estimates maternal mortality could nearly double in many Latin American countries.

Governments around the world especially the United States must step up to address this crisis. U.S. lawmakers can do their part by providing funding to expand access to care in low- and middle-income countries. And they must lead the way to save the lives of mothers and babies by addressing maternal health inequities, both at home and abroad.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face greater health risks, but the pandemics crippling impact on health care systems is largely to blame for the spike in negative outcomes. Disruptions to health and nutrition services combined with fears about contracting the virus at medical facilities have deprived millions of expectant mothers of access to vital prenatal services. In many countries, the pandemic has shut down public transportation, community health centers and food programs, leaving pregnant women without adequate nutrition and medical care.

Women must also weigh the risks of going to a hospital, where they might be exposed to the coronavirus, versus giving birth at home without a skilled attendant. In places with high infection rates, hospital care might not be an option, as already scarce medical resources, such as hospital beds and midwives, are diverted to cope with COVID-19 patients, limiting access to basic and emergency obstetric care. In India, the worsening health crisis has pushed the system into chaos, leaving cities such as New Delhi, with a population of more than 17 million, with fewer than a dozen intensive care beds for pregnant women with COVID-19.

Meanwhile, reduced access to contraception is leading to more unintended pregnancies, putting more women at risk. The United Nations Population Fund estimates that 12 million women, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, lost access to family planning services because of pandemic-related disruptions. Those risks will worsen as the British government slashes funding for contraception in lower-income countries by 85 percent, which the U.N. Population Fund says could lead to an additional 14 million unintended pregnancies.

Even when services are restored, there will be lasting consequences as women, who may already face cultural or economic barriers in seeking prenatal and maternity care, lose confidence in health systems. Researchers at the U.N. Population Fund say lower usage of health services by women in 14 Asia-Pacific countries may have resulted in as many as 68,000 additional preventable deaths in 2020 alone.

Its encouraging that within days of taking office, President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States support for global maternal health, restoring funds for lifesaving U.N. programs. The new White House Gender Policy Council must have enough clout within the administration to be able to deliver on promises to improve maternal health and health equity in the United States.

Meanwhile, Congress can help moms by passing the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act, which would require the creation of a coordinated strategy for ending preventable maternal deaths globally and help regain ground lost to COVID-19. Closer to home, the Mommies Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus would help address racial and ethnic disparities.

But reversing the trajectory of maternal mortality requires action on a global scale, and COVID-19 is at the top of the agenda at next months Group of Seven summit. Vaccines are vitally important, but so are the lives of vulnerable women and children. G-7 leaders should collaborate on immediate strategies to restore prenatal and postnatal care, safeguard access to contraception and alleviate the global midwife shortage. The Biden administration can further cement U.S. leadership by gaining commitments from G-7 nations to take part in a global convening in 2022, the 10th anniversary of the Acting on the Call Summit, which set out country-specific plans that have helped reduce maternal and child deaths in 24 countries.

By taking decisive action now, theres a good chance that in 2030, we will once again be able to say that women around the world are living in the safest year in history to give birth.

Christy Turlington Burns is the founder of Every Mother Counts. Elizabeth A. Howell is chairwoman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Perelman School of Medicine. This was originally published by the Washington Post.

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2019 was a safe year to give birth: Then the pandemic hit - Santa Fe New Mexican

As a female runner, harassment is something Ive come to expect from the car that sounds its horn when I choose to run in a sports bra and shorts, the white van that follows me on a quiet residential road and the delivery driver who purposely swerves to splash me with a puddle. Like getting a blister from a new pair of running shoes, harassment is something I go out of my way to avoid, but have learnt to accept.

In the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, I, like many other female runners, took a long, deep breath. Weve already got the apps on our phones, we already choose well-lit paths, we already know to keep our keys close to hand should we need to use them as a weapon. And we know that, sometimes, this just isnt enough.

In partnership with Womens Health, we at Runners World have launched the Reclaim Your Run campaign, with the aim of raising awareness of, and reducing, the harassment and endangerment women experience while running. Together, we asked over 2,000 runners to tell us about their experience of harassment and from being masturbated at, to catcalled, to physically assaulted, the responses speak for themselves: a large number of female runners do not feel safe on the streets. Worryingly, 60 per cent of the women surveyed said they have been harassed when running, 25 per cent reported being regularly subjected to sexist comments or unwanted sexual advances and 6 per cent said they had felt threatened to such an extent by harassment while running that they feared for their lives.

Here, we share the responses of 50 women, who tell their stories of harassment while running:

Karen: I have been fat-shamed on more than one occasion and Im not the person who can shout back or take it on the chin. It really upsets me. I dont want to show people that this is the case, so I keep on going, crying as I go or when I get back.

Anon: Im on edge when Im running. I assess the environment for escape routes or hiding places. I use location tracking on WhatsApp. I feel more relaxed in the morning, but after the commute rush. Even in summer, I dont like to run after 5pm even if its light, it just feels uncomfortable. I wear extra-long shorts in summer, as I dont want to draw attention to myself. I also bought baggy T-shirts.

Chloe: As a woman who runs, I find unsolicited attention very stressful, even if it isnt overtly sexual, aggressive or abusive. There is a constant feeling of being observed, critiqued and being on the receiving end of unhelpful and unsolicited advice from people.

Jo: Nowhere is safe. Not even the gym. If youre female and moving, youre a target and if youre female and not moving, youre a target.

Molly: Whenever I run outside, I put my phone and my drivers license in a pocket. My phone so that if something happens, I could still call someone. My licence, so that if something bad happens, they could identify my body and let my family know.

Caitlin: I constantly fear for my safety as a female runner. I have changed my scenic routes for more well-trodden routes to keep myself safe.

Dee: I never run with music because I was followed once over 10 years ago now and ever since, Im nervous about anyone behind me. Id rather run in silence and be aware if someone is nearby.

Cat: Every run, I wear my hair up so it cant be grabbed and I hold my keys between my fingers for defence. Misogyny and street harassment needs to be criminalised. It stops so many women from feeling safe in their local areas. Ive been told by many women that its knocked their confidence to run and by some new runners that it made them question whether to start at all.

This is something that has been completely overlooked by the government in lockdown being forced to run alone or not being able to travel very far to run in a safe space is elitist, not everyone has somewhere safe they can run from their doorstep. Lockdown highlighted this issue for me and has made it so much worse.

Ive started a blog talking and writing interviews about womens experiences on it. It seems that weve all been brought up to avoid the danger, but never is the stress placed on not becoming the danger. There needs to be serious reform in how we treat women and girls as they experience a disproportionate amount of public sexual harassment. It IS a gendered issue. Perpetrators need to be dissuaded from seeing this as casual behaviour or banter. France, for example, has criminalised gender-based harassment. It may not be easy to police, but government recognition is the first step to changing public outlook on the topic.

I want my nieces to be able to grow up feeling safe to run outside whenever they want, not put it off for years, as I did.

Holly: Ive been spat on and had rubbish thrown at me while running.

Rachel: I was hit over the head by two youths on bikes. It was dark, but I was running on a busy, well-lit road. I was so shocked. I yelled back at them, might have told them to f*** off. I'm not sure where it came from, I was just so surprised and angry. I thought about calling the police, but I didnt in the end. I just never ran on that road again.

Alice: I feel anger. Anger that men think its OK to harass women. Sometimes I shout back through anger, sometimes I run quicker through anger. I try not to let it affect my choice of run route, but I have changed roads before to avoid certain cars. I will never let them stop me from running or wearing shorts.

Anna: When I tell people about these issues the general response is that I should change my habits. I dont think its right that women should have to change their actions because men are harassing them. It makes me feel like its my fault.

Gemma: I would usually just ignore car horns and catcalls, but on one particular occasion I was waiting to cross a busy road when a man in a white van slowed right down, wound his window down and shouted, You fat c**t. I was just gobsmacked.

Yasmin: The whole reason I run is for my mental health. I am a survivor of sexual assault and I started running after my attack. When I feel in danger or intimidated on a run, it takes the meaning of the run away from me because Im back to feeling scared.

Chloe: Women are entitled to take up space in this world and we should be able to exercise without fear and without experiencing lewd comments meant to intimidate us! It's infuriating and scary.

Coren: A man grabbed my arm. I screamed because I was scared about what he might do. Luckily, it was outside a busy station at rush hour, so another man intervened and told the offender to back off.

Ellie: Safe spaces for women to exercise have been taken away during the lockdown. Most of my female friends dont feel comfortable running alone in the dark, so we run together, but theres limited daylight in the winter and it makes it really hard to stay active and feel safe.

Emily: Im extremely conscious running late at night and am in a constant state of vigilance analysing men around me, listening for people following or watching for shadows behind me. I feel very vulnerable running in the evenings but its my favourite time to run

Anon: Once, a man stopped and crawled along in traffic to mime moving breasts at me. There was a man running towards me who didnt notice or receive any attention from the driver. The driver only moved when other cars started to beep at him.

Helen: I was being followed by a car. I didn't know where the nearest police station was, so I ran into a shop and waited there until I was sure they had gone; then I walked home. I checked the position of the local police stations when I got home. I stopped running for a while after that incident, and when I started again, I ran with my partner until I felt comfortable running alone again.

Emily: I was followed by a man in a van while running, in daylight, in a residential area that borders rural land. The van kept coming up close, stopping, driving away, waiting ahead. I felt very threatened. The van then pulled in opposite me and I feared the driver was going to get out. I think he was masturbating. My home was only a few minutes away. When I got home, my husband, who is a police officer, advised that I call the police, partly as it was strange that a van is cruising around slowly. It turns out he was a dangerous man and had threatened others. The police took action, and he was charged with a string of offences. I was very scared to run for a while. I still get frightened when I see men on their own and I feel very vulnerable. It made me realise how easy it would be for someone to harm me when out running. In lockdown (three years later) I ran on a lot of rural routes and felt I was less scared, but I dont think anyone should be complacent; runners really need to trust their gut.

Jennifer: I wear baggier clothing and only run certain routes when alone or when its dark. All this is in the hope of avoiding unsolicited sexual attention/comments, even though, realistically, I should be able to run alone on any street I like, wearing whatever is comfortable, and expect to do so without harassment. I also wear headphones whenever alone so that I can remain oblivious. The onus should be on the harasser to change their behaviours rather than on me to change my own habits.

Maddy: I often get comments about running in shorts, so now I usually wear 3/4 lengths or full tights when I run around my neighbourhood. I dont wear headphones anymore because Im scared that I wont hear someone coming up behind me. I dont run in the park at certain times because I know people drink in the evenings and will make horrible comments. I make sure I have a guy friend to run with me home from training because I run through a dodgy part of town, where Ive been catcalled in the past.

Charlotte: I'm shocked that it's something we have to go through. It's not always the dangerous aspect of being harassed and beeped at, it's the humiliation having to analyse where I jog to avoid a bunch of builders outside, crossing the road when there's a parked car and focusing on how I look while jogging to avoid being laughed at is horrible! If I jog in the daytime, its safer but Im more seen. if I jog at night, I feel very scared something worse will happen. I'll continue to put my music on loud and try and focus solely on running I don't want to ever have to stop running.

Emma: It frustrates me that as a woman I can't just go for a run. With young children, the evening is very often the only time I can go. I want to get out but to have these additional concerns is a genuine irritation to me. It seems that men just don't have to engage in this thought process at all if they want to run, whereas, as a woman, I experience that vulnerability every time I go out alone.

Ashleigh: I once got followed by a car that kept passing and shouting sexist comments. The car kept turning around and doing it again and again. I ran off the street down an alley that was pedestrianised even though it wasnt my route, and I didnt know where it would go. I waited until they had moved on, then I walked home.

Dawn: I run without headphones, so I am always aware of what is going on around me. I tell people where I am going or allow them to track me on Strava. I dont enjoy running alone in the dark because Ive been filmed when running before. This fear has seeped into walking in the dark, too previously, I would walk to and from the station early in the morning and late in the evening, but I am now much more aware of being vulnerable, plus the pandemic means fewer people are around. My sister has had experiences of being filmed, yelled at and harassed on runs, so she no longer goes running. It infuriates me that people think it is acceptable to harass others while they are minding their own business out running.

Jo: If Ive got my male partner with me, it's just men name-calling/telling me Im fat, ugly, need to go on a diet and that hes taking the dog for a walk from their vans or bikes. If Im by myself, its that, plus unwanted sexual advances, groups trying to surround me and just talk to me or if Im in the gym, cornering me on the stairs to tell me Im too fat to be there and I should go away and eat a salad. Its worse when there is more than one man and the anger/deliberately scaring me is far more likely in that situation. Theyre bigger than me, stronger than me and faster than me, whether on foot or in a vehicle.

Francesca: I consider my safety when running, plan where I run and avoid areas that could have potential dangers. I never run with headphones, as I want to be aware of whats going on around me at all times. I run past many women who wear headphones who are alarmed when I pass. Its great that they feel so safe. I dont think they are.

Phoebe: Its exhausting having to constantly be on guard when running. I can never run past a man, building site or van without expecting to be catcalled, whistled or shouted at. It is something to be expected now. Im not scared to shout back, but it should never have to come to that. I know so many women who are put off for fear of having comments about their size, weight or how they look. Running should be something to enjoy, not something to think twice about because the wrong people look at you.

Kate: I usually ignore comments (I get a lot of hellos or comments about my body) or run faster past people who stand in my way, but once I was out running in winter after work when it was dark (but relatively busy), and a man tried to talk to me. When I sidestepped around him to dodge him, he grabbed my arm to stop me because he wanted to talk to me, and I was being rude. I pulled my arm away and threatened to call the police if he ever touched me again. He called me a snobby bitch and a c-word in return, as he was only being friendly. I wish Id requested the CCTV and reported it now, although its unlikely anything would happen. This was nearly three years ago. Nothing as bad has happened since, but I always remember it.

Robyn: I was once on a run that sticks with me. It was only about 6km around a route I took regularly. It was about 7 pm and dark outside. The route was mainly main roads in Islington, London. During the 25-minute run, I had four separate people make comments at me. One was an older man on his own who wolf-whistled. I ignored it. Then two younger guys stood in my way deliberately, like playing chicken, which was intimidating. I told them to f*** off and carried on running, as there were other people around, which made me feel as though I could rely on safety in numbers. And finally, someone shouted something about my legs or appearance at me. I ran home but stopped running at night for a while. I also posted about it on social media and a lot of people suggested wearing baggy clothes or running with headphones to drown it out. Horrible.

Pippa: When I run, I go into my own world. When someone catcalls, it is a real shock it makes me lose my concentration, focus and enjoyment for running. So, if I am catcalled, I've found I've often ended up finishing a run earlier or taking a different route back so I can shorten my run because it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

Mary: I was followed by a guy on a bike. He sped up behind me and pushed me as I ran. I screamed and he carried on going. I continued my run and he looped around the estate, coming behind me once again. This time he pushed me to the ground as I ran. Once again, I screamed and shouted and hit out at him. He sped off once more, I changed my route and headed home as quickly as possible. My run was in the dark on an evening but along a street-lit estate. I dont run alone in the dark anymore. I also once had handfuls of eggs thrown at me from a van as I ran through town alone.

Michelle: Its really sad that women feel they cant run at particular times or places. I would love to be able to go and listen to music while running without looking over my shoulder and having to plan my route point by point. I wish people would realise how serious an issue this is, it shouldnt be about women staying safe, it should be men learning not to harass!

Kat: I only ran in just a sports bra once on a hot day, crossing a busy road, and felt very uncomfortable about white vans honking me. I usually wear a vest, even if it is really warm. When running with my running club with three male runners, a dog walker shouted, Dont worry, you can keep up with them, darling. The runner I was with thought it was really sexist.

Sophie: Women shouldnt feel the need to wear baggier clothing while running or have to avoid certain run routes. Men need to be educated from a young age that catcalling is immature, threatening and not acceptable. The burden needs to be on men to teach each other, not for women to have to normalise this behaviour and just cope with it.

Charlotte: I run less outside because Im scared.

Athene: I ran faster when a group of men at a bus stop made sexual comments at my appearance. I ran faster when I saw an old man rubbing himself as I stopped at the red light to cross the road on my run. I ran faster and ignored a man when he tried to get my number during a run.

Hannah: I think harassment has increased during the pandemic, I don't know if this is because we are all out in the same (limited) local places more, so there is more opportunity to be harassed, or because people are more anxious and it comes out in strange ways, but it has definitely been much worse.

Caitlin: I think its something women think about a lot more than men, I think it's just something women have to consider when planning a route, when men simply dont. My partner has never told me a route hes going out to run or change the time of day or route due to lighting. Im not so much fearful, just something I always consider.

Katy: I recently felt I had to make a quick decision to shorten and re-route my very early morning run in a poorly lit area of my local town, around a pond/lake. I felt I was being watched and followed by a man in dark clothing who was on a pushbike and wearing a full-face balaclava. He had no lights on his bike and was behaving suspiciously, initially stationary and then cycling towards me, then stopping and watching me pass before turning and slowly following me at a short distance, then turning back and cycling very quickly around the opposite side of the pond, as if to circle around and cut me off. I wear a chest light so I switched it off so that he couldn't track me so easily. I felt very nervous and unsafe and ran very fast to get to the main road and into the well-lit main street before he could reach me. Since then, I always ensure that I tell my husband the route I'm taking and when to expect me back. I've even looked up whether I can carry pepper spray but have learnt that it is not legal to do so. If I need to run in the dark now, I do try to stick to the lit streets of our small town and take my dog with me, but it is limiting and gets a little boring. I have also experienced catcalling from passing men, usually in vans, which makes me feel uncomfortable.

Tessa: The experience I remember the most clearly was when I was running one of my usual routes and a group of lads in a car slowed down and rolled down their window and shouted, Get those knees up you fat f***. Because I was running on the path by the side of the main road through town, I diverted course to go through a more residential area, as I thought the lads were probably cruising and would pass me again. I'm not particularly concerned about my weight, I'm a size 12, but this was still really upsetting. I didn't run that route for a long time afterwards, and I have never worn the top I was wearing since. It's a nice top. Gutting, really, when I think about it.

Stacey: The unwanted attention makes me feel uncomfortable. I dont receive this kind of attention when Im training in the gym, so why is it acceptable when Im running outdoors. We rarely hear of men being catcalled so what makes it acceptable for women? My body shape doesnt necessarily lend itself to running, but Im out there and Im working on me and my confidence to run, but the unwanted attention really knocks me sometimes. My partner doesnt particularly like me running in the area I live in, due to safety concerns, but owing to Covid restrictions, Im unable to travel to nicer areas to feel more comfortable, or even to be able to run with him. Im stuck I either drive myself mad by not leaving the house or chose to follow routes I know there is a lot of traffic and avoid dodgy routes/places where possible.

Sarah: I run to relax, to switch off, to be free. Many places in London seem scary or risky, especially in winter when its dark, which defeats the whole point of running. How in 2021 is this still a thing? We should be able to run freely.

Lauren: I've never confronted the people harassing me, I usually ignore them completely, as if I haven't heard or I will give them a stern look, as if to say That's not acceptable. I now live in Denmark and in the year that I've been living and running here, Ive only been harassed twice. I say that like its OK and I know it's not. When I lived in Croydon, South London, it was incredibly rare to go for a run and not get some form of negative attention. I think on almost every run some builders or van drivers would shout at me or beep their horn. The worst incident was the Croydon Council bin collectors while on duty at 7 am shouting and laughing at me as they drove past.

Jill: There are two times l really felt for my safety; one when a man came up from behind and dropped his trousers; the second time was when a man bolted out of a cafe when Id stopped running and asked me if Id like a lift in his car. He didnt take the rejection well, but soon shot off when he saw my husband come up and asked what the hell he was doing.

Kiera: I was out for a lunchtime run on a weekday, running through a local green space. I passed two men walking two abreast with a dog and felt a slap/elbow/hit on the back of my right shoulder. I turned around, assuming Id failed to see someone I knew, and was faced with a man yelling at me that I needed to be two metres away (I had not touched him, and he could quite easily have also stopped if he felt uncomfortable passing at that point on the path). I was honestly shocked, and I couldnt believe that Id just been physically assaulted, so I reacted out of instinct telling him that I had as much right to be on that path as he did. He continued to viciously yell at me for another 20 seconds or so but I did not hear the content, as I had my headphones in. Despite being shaken, I decided to carry on with my run and hill sprints as planned. I was determined not to let him get the better of me and thought it may help dissipate some of the shock. After, when I got home, I rang some loved ones. I still find it hard to believe that I, as a 30-year-old woman who was clearly visible (wearing an unnecessarily pink florescent top in the middle of the day), got physically and verbally abused in broad daylight. Im sure if I had been male or had a male with me that the situation would have been different.

Rachel: I have noticed as a woman running during the pandemic that men are less likely to move to one side to make space for me on the pavements to ensure social distancing. I have been forced to jump into doorways or go into the road by men who insist on walking or running in the middle of the pavement, without making space for me to pass safely. When I occasionally run with my fianc, we do not face the same issues. Some men have actually stared me down as they refused to move. I have also had at least two instances where I have been harassed for wearing running shorts. In one instance, a man on a tube escalator tried to take a picture up my shorts. My fianc caught him and made him delete the photo.

Natalie: One time I yelled back. This caused my harassers to circle back in their car and further harass me from inside their car. I was heading home, but I didnt want to go inside as theyd know where I lived so I kept going. It wasnt until I took out my phone and took a photo of their license plate that they sped off. I did it because, for one, it scared the hell out of me when they yelled at me going by. It startled me. I was mad. Im sick and tired of feeling like I am asking to be yelled at; Im sick and tired of feeling unsafe when I run. Id rather run in the woods alone in the dark I am less afraid of wild animals than unpredictable male predators.

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50 female runners share their stories of catcalling, harassment and abuse - Runner's World (UK)

Sending kids to summer camp may have felt like a pipe dream to most parents during the height of the pandemic in 2020, but open vaccine eligibility has families very hopeful for 2021. After spending a year plus inside and away from friends, kids are itching to get outside as are parents, who are so eager that camps are experiencing record level interest in their programs since the pandemic began, according to NBC News. The surge in interest is likely due to an April announcement from officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about camp safety, as the agency has drafted a new set of guidelines for camp administrators and counselors to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks amid their campers.

These new guidelines have drawn a bit of criticism, as some believe they are in contrast to recent updates to CDC guidance that deemed that vaccinated individuals can take their masks off outside. Initially, CDC officers suggested that masks be worn by staff and campers at all times, including outside during physical activity, all while maintaining at least 3 feet of social distance. The only exception would be for swimming and during mealtimes, when experts suggest a minimum 6-foot distance.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told members of the press in April that camp safety guidelines, which he referred to as a "bit stringent," would likely evolve over time.

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"I wouldn't call them excessive, but they certainly are conservative," Dr. Fauci told Savannah Guthrie during a TODAY appearance. "And I think what you're going to start to see is really, in real-time, continually reevaluating that for its practicality. Because you're right, people look at that and say, 'Well, is that being a little bit too far right now?'"

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., has since clarified that vaccinated teens will be able to remove masks while outside at camp this summer. She also indicated that if one of the currently in-use vaccines are approved to expand into the 12 to 15 age range, then those campers would also be able to remove masks outside after vaccination, The Hill reports. And she's clarified that guidelines have been updated so that those under the age of 12 can take their masks off outside when in small groups. "What we're really trying to avoid in this camp guidance is what we saw in outbreaks in camps last summer," Dr. Walensky told the press.

Where does that leave your family, you may wonder? For those with young teens over the age of 16, getting vaccinated alleviates much of the risk of traveling to camp and home each day (and is especially crucial for sleepaway programs). For all others, understanding your own family's potential threat or risk associated with sending a child in and out of the home every day is crucial. It's also a time to research the best options in your area before making a final decision.

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The full CDC camp guidelines are designed to lower the risk threshold for SARS-CoV-2 spread among campers as well as camp staff. Here's a recap of what CDC officials are asking camp administrators to keep in mind to lower risks for all:

There are further guidelines suggesting more initiatives or plans for those who aren't vaccinated. To see the CDC's full list of suggestions for safe camp experiences, click here.

The risk level for your child (or others in your family) to contract COVID-19 often depends on how viral the infectious disease is in your area, as well as the structure of the camp program you've chosen for your child, explains Jos Mayorga, M.D., the executive director of the University of California Irvine Health's Family Health Centers and a clinical professor at the university's School of Medicine.

"It's well documented that outdoor activities carry a significantly lower risk of getting COVID-19, but the risk still exists," he explains, adding that a viral 2020 summer camp outbreak in Georgia occurred after organizers ignored safety protocols like mask-wearing. "On the other hand, however, day camps that implemented public health protocols had very few COVID-19 cases. If activities are designed with safety in mind, the risk can be dramatically low."

You'll notice that Dr. Mayorga differentiated between day and sleepaway camps here, and that's because risk is significantly higher for those who spend evenings inside with other campers. He tells Good Housekeeping that air ventilation plays a key role here: "If you have multiple campers sharing a tent or cabin with poor air circulation, this dramatically increases your risk. We shouldn't forget that it also takes up to 2 weeks following exposure to develop COVID-19; while you can demonstrate a negative COVID PCR test on day one, it doesn't mean you won't become 'positive' so to speak the next day and infect others around you."

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A day camp isn't free of its high-risk vectors for COVID-19 spread, either. In city centers, outdoor activities may be tough to coordinate in non-crowded spaces; public or shared transportation to and from camp can also be an opportunity for your child to be impacted by a sick individual.

Take these four things into consideration before deciding to enroll your child in a summer camp this year:

Camp administrators have a lot of planning ahead of them to ensure a safe and fun summer for staff, campers and parents, too. It's up to you to ask the right questions when researching potential fits for your child, or considering sending them back to a program they enjoyed in 2019 or previously.

As Dr. Mayoraga established above, you'll need to exercise extra caution around sleepaway camps and plan for mandatory quarantines and more. Parents should be able to seek the following information from camp staff plus, the following standards you should expect to hear in order to determine whether or not a program is following CDC guidelines.

Be sure to ask these questions:

Like other activities you've coordinated throughout the last year, parents may choose to tackle summer camp as a pod. "It's not a bad idea. You would know who is adhering to COVID-19 precautions throughout the pandemic, and you can coordinate registration," Dr. Mayoraga says, adding that you'll also know who exactly is in your child's cohort. "This way, you'll know exactly who the kids are playing with at these day camps before returning home."

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Are Summer Camps Safe This Year? What Parents Should Look for During COVID-19 - GoodHousekeeping.com

You may find this as serious news if the grocery store has become one of your most frequent destinations in recent months. This week, the Food and Drug Administration released a report as part of a 10-year study that involves research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this report, the FDA identified five major risk factors for foodborne illnesses within the supermarket setting as they're caused by food safety practices. Unfortunately, a huge percentage of the supermarkets they surveyed were out of compliance in preventing the biggest risk for food poisoning that customers face at the grocery store.

In the new report, the FDA explains their method of analyzing data that was collected between 2015 and 2016 from supermarket surveillance of 397 grocery store deli departments around the country. They note that 48 million illnesses and 3,000 deaths occur each year from foodborne illnesses, while 811 illnesses and 38 outbreaks were attributed to problems in grocery store food safety practices during the timeframe this data was collected.

RELATED: This Is the Best Supermarket in America, New Survey Says

Food poisoning risks are prevalent, and knowing the red flags can keep you and your family safe. Read on to learn the five food poisoning risk factors the FDA is advising consumers to be on alert for at the grocery store.

Up front, we should note that the FDA said while food from unsafe sources is one of the five major concerns, poor practices at food sources and distributorsthink farms, meat processing plants, and morehaven't led to big problems in the U.S. in recent years. As a result, they left this variable out of the current research.

So it sounds like if you're the kind of person who checks the place of origin on your produce, that certainly doesn't hurt but you may be glad to hear that recent evidence shows that the places from where our retailers are sourcing our food have proven pretty safe. Still, as SeafoodWatch.org recently told Eat This, Not That!, asking store employees where your food came from can be a very wise practice.

RELATED: These Food Facilities Doubled COVID-19 Infection Rates in Their Communities, Data Says

You might have found last week's report on the food poisoning from pasta salad that led to a child's death to be a massive wake-up call. When foods sit too long or they're not kept at an appropriate temperature, even the most seemingly benign dishes can cause very serious illness.

The FDA found that time and temperature was one of "the two most commonly occurring out-of-compliance risk factors" among the grocery stores that were surveyed, with a whopping 70% of those stores not storing some colds foods at proper temperatures, and 53% not holding hot foods at the appropriate heat point. (Those slightly suspect overhead heat lamps may not always be a sure thing, after all.) Within this data point, they included whether deli-prepared foods had been discarded within seven days of preparation. So the marshmallow Jello-O dessert and your favorite store-made rotisserie chicken salad? Yeahit's OK to ask how long they've been sitting there.

Sigh this was the other major issue. Similar to the rather repulsive McDonald's story that led to reports of a lawsuit this week, the FDA has revealed that 72% of the grocery stores in their study observed employees who were working behind food service counters while not practicing proper hand-washing.

It's what we've been hearing for the past year from medical experts: Good hand-washing practices are one of the most powerful ways to cut down on the spread of infectious diseases. The FDA's research highlights that when grocery store employees don't follow appropriate gloving or hand-washing guidelines, or when they touch ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands, this can spread serious sickness.

The FDA held these supermarkets to how well their food was protected from cross-contamination during storage, preparation, and display to find that 43.1% of stores in this study were out of compliance; and how well and how often food contact surfaces are properly cleaned and sanitized (with a 47.9% out-of-compliance rate). It probably makes you hope that even when things get busy, managers are making sure surfaces, equipment, and utensils are being cleaned appropriately.

RELATED: 20 Surprising Things That Actually Expire

You might be relieved that in this study, the FDA found that over 95% of supermarkets ensured their raw animal foods were cooked to required temperatures, while over 82% of those stores made sure cooked foods were reheated to required temperatures.

RELATED: Using This Appliance To Cook Beans Can Cause Food Poisoning, Says Science

Stay smart when it comes to your everyday eating and shopping routines: Sign up for the Eat This, Not That! daily newsletter.

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The 5 Most Alarming Grocery Store Food Poisoning Risks, Warns FDA | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Mother's Day 2021: Eat a nutritious diet for healthy development of the baby

Motherhood is one of the most beautiful experiences for a woman. It is a life-changing process that comes with its own set of challenges. During the ongoing pandemic, expecting mothers might be worried about the health and safety of the baby. This can increase stress among pregnant women. But following the right precautions can help moms-to-be stay safe and healthy. On the occasion of Mother's Day 2021, here are some helpful tips for expecting mothers that can assist in healthy and safe pregnancy.

Mother's Day 2021: Make sure that you consume essential nutrients on daily basisPhoto Credit: iStock

In the current situation, women need to be more careful during their pregnancy and keep a daily check on their immunity system. Along with regular boosters, it is suggested to take iron and calcium supplements along with protein after consulting the appropriate doctor. Moreover, vitamins C, D and E are also recommended. Healthy fluids, tender coconuts, lime juice and fruits enriched with Vitamin C are advisable.

Also read:Food Craving During Pregnancy: Here's A List Of Foods Expecting Mothers Should Strictly Avoid

Gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy is normal and it helps the mother in delivering the baby easily. It also lowers the chances of the mother and her child having obesity and weight-related problems later in life. However, too much or too little weight may also lead to serious health problems and can raise the chances for developing diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Also read:Vitamin D Requirement During Pregnancy: Benefits, Daily Requirement, Food Sources And Much More

Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and ease pregnancy discomforts, like back pain. Do simple exercises after consulting your doctor.

Mother's Day 2021: Pregnant women should do simple exercises after under expert supervisionPhoto Credit: iStock

Soon-to-be mothers should maintain personal hygiene. Wash your hands regularly and ensurecleanliness in the household. it i also essential to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

Also read:Nutritionist Reveals How Much Weight Is Safe To Gain During Pregnancy

Also, it is best to regularly interact with your gynaecologist who can guide you with daily queries and smoothen the process from pregnancy to childbirth.

(Dr Aruna Kalra, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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The most common complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is damage to nerves outside your spinal cord or brain. People with diabetes typically first notice symptoms such as numbness, pain, or tingling in their feet and lower leg.

Although more research is needed, some evidence suggests that massage therapy may help people with diabetes manage neuropathy symptoms. Some studies have also found that massage may help lower blood glucose levels.

In this article, well break down the potential benefits of massage for people with diabetes and examine the latest scientific findings.

More research is needed to understand how to best use massage to treat symptoms of diabetes. However, some research has found promising results. Heres a summary of the latest findings.

A 2019 review of studies analyzed research published between 2000 to 2018 examining the potential benefits of massage for managing diabetes symptoms. The researchers found significant evidence that massage may:

Various factors were also found to influence the effectiveness of a massage, such as the:

Some types of massage may be more effective than others, but more research is needed.

A small 2018 study found no changes in blood glucose levels after 12 sessions of a type of massage called foot reflexology.

Peripheral arterial disease is when plaque buildup narrows your blood vessels and decreases circulation to your limbs. It commonly occurs in people with type 2 diabetes and increases risk of heart attack and stroke.

One 2011 study found evidence that connective tissue massage can improve circulation in the lower limbs of people with type 2 diabetes, and may help slow the progression of peripheral arterial disease.

Roughly 50 percent of people with diabetes deal with peripheral neuropathy.

A 2015 study examined the benefits of Thai foot massage for a group of 60 people with type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that participants given a 30-minute foot massage, 3 times per week for 2 weeks, had significant improvements in their range of motion, ability to stand up from a seated position, and foot sensation, compared to a control group.

A 2017 study also found benefits of foot massage for people with diabetes. In a group of 38 people with type 2 diabetes, the researchers found that foot massage led to increased balance and mobility. However, there was no control group in the study. More research is needed to understand the potential benefits of foot massage in people with diabetes.

A 2020 review of studies found that a traditional Chinese medicine foot bath combined with acupoint massage improved symptoms of neuropathy compared to control groups.

However, the researchers also concluded that more research is needed due to the low methodological quality of studies.

Another 2020 review of studies found evidence that Chinese massage, combined with metformin hydrochloride tablets, has a complementary effect that may help reduce the amount of diabetes medication you need.

Massage seems to generally be safe for people with diabetes and most studies report no serious side effects.

One potential risk is inducing low blood sugar in patients using insulin. One 2011 study found that when children with diabetes were given massage, they had significantly lower blood sugar levels than a control group.

If you decide to go for a massage, it may be a good idea to bring an emergency source of sugar in case you develop low blood sugar. Glucose tablets, hard candy, and juice are easy-to-transport options.

In the 2019 review of studies that found massage may lower blood glucose levels, the researchers concluded that more studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of different types of massage.

At this time, research is still ongoing looking at how to best use massage to treat diabetes symptoms. Massage is a complementary therapy, meaning that it may support traditional medical treatment but it shouldnt be relied on as a substitute.

Some of the types of massage that have been linked to benefits include:

Other types of massage may provide benefits as well. If you choose to get a massage, you can try different types and compare the change in your symptoms.

A licensed massage therapist can work together with you to help you reduce your neuropathy symptoms. You may benefit from a visit to a massage therapist if you have persistent pain, numbness, or tingling.

You can let your massage therapist know what symptoms are bothering you so they can best treat you. If you experience more discomfort than expected during a massage, tell your therapist so they can adjust their technique.

Your insurance may cover some of the cost of massage therapy if its deemed medically necessary. However, not all providers provide coverage. Medicare parts A and B dont cover massage, but some Part C plans may.

Massage may be able to help people with diabetes lower blood sugar levels, improve circulation, and deal with neuropathy symptoms. More research is needed to best understand what type of massage is most effective, and how often massage should be implemented.

Studies rarely report serious side effects from massage. But its possible that massage may cause your blood sugar to drop, so its a good idea to bring an emergency source of sugar, such as glucose tablets or juice.

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Diabetes and Massage: Benefits, Research, and More - Healthline

Meat and other animal products are rich sources of iron, which sparks concerns about iron deficiency in people following vegetarian and vegan diets. However, there are several suitable sources of iron for these individuals.

Heme iron, which is more abundant in animal products, is easier for the body to absorb. However, people who follow plant-based diets are no more likely than others to experience iron deficiency, providing they eat a wide variety of foods. However, it is important to note that they may experience iron deficiencies if they are not careful in what they eat.

Keep reading to learn more about 10 vegetables that vegetarians and vegans can eat to meet their iron needs, as well as more information on why iron is important.

A persons daily iron needs vary with age, health, and whether they are pregnant or lactating. Adult males aged 1950 years need 8 milligrams (mg) a day, while females need 18 mg. After the age of 50, most adults require 8 mg of the substance. During pregnancy, a persons iron needs increase to 27 mg daily.

Some vegetables that are high in iron include the below.

This fungal delicacy can be expensive as a main course but can serve as a garnish for salads, sandwiches, and other meals for a more affordable price. It offers 6.94 mg of iron per 200 gram (g) serving.

This thin, green root vegetable is one of the most suitable vegetarian sources of protein. Some people also call it the black oyster plant, serpent root, vipers herb, or vipers grass. Individuals can steam 250 g of black salsify to receive 5.5 mg of iron.

Richer in vital nutrients than more water-dense lettuces, such as romaine, spinach is a suitable choice for salads. It offers 4 mg of iron per 150 g serving. Try mixing it with other leafy greens to boost the iron content of a salad even higher.

This bright, rainbow-hued vegetable makes it suitable for salads. Try mixing it with spinach for a lunch rich in iron, or steam and season it on its own for a quick snack. Cooked Swiss chard offers 3.4 mg of iron per 150 g serving.

A person can eat beet greens as a snack or use them to replace other lettuces in a salad. A 100 g serving offers 1.9 mg of iron.

Add canned tomatoes to a salad for some acidic flavor and an iron boost, or try them on a sandwich. They contain 1.57 mg of iron per serving of half a cup.

People can include this uniquely shaped lettuce in salads. Some also like to steam it and eat it on its own. It contains 2 mg of iron per 100 g serving.

Most people serve green cabbage as a side dish. Try it in a casserole for some extra crunch and added iron it contains 0.94 mg of iron per 200 g serving.

Many people eat Brussels sprouts salted, while others enjoy them cooked with garlic in an air fryer or shredded and raw as part of a salad. After steaming, they offer 2.13 mg of iron per 150 g.

Boiled green peas contain 2.46 mg of iron per cup. They make a suitable snack and also pair well with other vegetables. Peas can also add extra texture to an iron-rich salad with Swiss chard and spinach.

Iron is vital for health because the body needs it to produce hemoglobin, a protein that helps red blood cells transport oxygen. Some of its roles include:

A person not getting enough iron may lead to them experiencing iron deficiency. With this condition, an individual may not have any initial symptoms, but as it progresses, they may develop iron deficiency anemia, which can involve the following symptoms:

In severe cases, iron deficiency can become life threatening. People deficient in iron typically have longer hospital stays, worse outcomes when they get sick, a higher risk of heart health issues, and a higher overall risk of dying.

Pregnant people with iron deficiency have a higher risk of negative outcomes such as preterm labor or having a baby with low birth weight. In children, iron deficiency can lead to neurological problems and developmental delays.

While diet plays a role in iron deficiency, it is not the only factor. A persons risk of the condition depends on their age, health, and other factors. Bleeding is also a major risk factor, such as gastrointestinal bleeding from an ulcer or another digestive issue. Menstruation in females of reproductive age can also contribute to iron deficiency.

This is why it is crucial for doctors to assess potential causes of iron deficiency and not just treat the symptoms. Sometimes, iron deficiency is the first symptom of serious bleeding or ulcers. The condition can also appear in people with certain rare genetic disorders, end stage kidney failure, or congestive heart failure.

Individuals may also have a higher risk of iron deficiency after:

Lead exposure in children can also lead to iron deficiency. Parents whose children are iron deficient should discuss lead exposure testing with a doctor.

Learn more about the health benefits and recommended daily intakes of iron here.

Spinach, Swiss chard, and lambs lettuce are some vegetables that contain high amounts of iron.

Iron deficiency is common across many people, with females of childbearing age having the highest prevalence rate, followed by 9% of young children aged 1236 months.

People with the condition may need to take supplements to restore iron levels to optimal levels. In severe cases, they might need an infusion of iron or blood transfusion.

If a person does not get enough iron, believes they may be iron deficient, or has a history of iron deficiency, they should talk to a doctor about strategies for addressing the problem.

Read more:
10 high iron vegetables for vegetarians and vegans - Medical News Today

Its the end of a warm January day in Zimbabwes Lower Zambezi Valley, and, as the sun sets on the regions great river, the temperature is just starting to cool. Its a welcome relief for the Akashinga rangers; the all-women anti-poaching unit is wrapping up a long day out on patrol, protecting the bushs local wildlife. They sit nestled around the campfire stove, and begin to devour a humble, yet satisfying camp-cooked meal. Locally-sourced vegetables, rice, fresh grains, and beans fill the pots and skillets in front of them, prepared, like they are everyday, under the loving supervision of Nicola Kagoro, the camp kitchens founder and head chef.

Kagoro enjoys the hard-earned meal with her friends and colleagues, before she heads home. She has a plant-based cookbook launch to prepare for, and as a passionate gardener, who wants to spend more time teaching children how to grow their own fruits and vegetables, she also has community projects to plan. So she says her goodbyes and sets off, ready for another evening of making her little slice of the world a better, more plant-based, place.

Kagoro, who goes by Chef Cola, was raised in New York City, but now lives back in Zimbabwe where she was born. Her culinary career began in South Africa, after a hospitality course landed her an internship in a Cape Town five-star hotel. And it was there, working in a restaurant called Plant, that she discovered veganism. It literally fell into my lap, she told LIVEKINDLY.

Once I started working for a 100-percent vegan restaurant (I was basically working six to seven days a week) I spent a lot of time eating vegan, plant-based food, she added. So it ended up being a routine and a lifestyle.

Now, plant-based food education is at the heart of Chef Colas mission. Indigenous African plant-based food education, to be exact. None of the Akashinga rangers eat meat on her watch, and she wants to extend her influence further afield.

Her dream is to prove to the communities she works with that food can be delicious, nutritious, and satisfying without animal products. And arguably more important than any of that, she wants to show that plant-based food can provide them with a tangible connection to their ancestors.

Chef Colas camp kitchen, called Back to Black Roots, caters to the growing group of Akashinga rangers day-in and day-out. (Its a hefty task; in 2020, there were 171 rangers, staff, and trainees in the unit, and by the end of this year, there is expected to be 160 new trained rangers.)

To do their job, each must be in peak physical condition, and food plays a vital role in that. Chef Cola takes her job very seriously. No matter what, 365, Im thinking about the Akashinga Back to Black Roots kitchen, she said.

But while the kitchens sole purpose is keeping the women of Akashinga nourished, its other mission is to show people how many on the African continent used to eat, prior to colonization (hence the name, Back to Black Roots). Veganism is something that everyone seems to think its not African, said Chef Cola. [People think] were introducing it to Africa. But its actually the other way around.

And the chef should know, because plant-based diets go way back in her own family. After researching her great grandmothers diet, who lived to the age of 100 and something, she discovered there was no meat there at all. But her mothers generation, she noticed, was big into animal products.

I realized, this woman doesnt eat meat, she recalled. She never ate meat. She was strictly on a vegan diet. I looked into my moms generation and I realized, no. Theres a difference here because my mum and my uncles, theyre eating meat. And that generation seems to not be reaching that 100-year gap. The difference is diet.

After learning about how her grandmother used to eat, Chef Colas own diet began to take on a whole new meaning. Being plant-based became about identity a link to those who came before her.

Many long-established African dishes are completely vegan. Traditional Zimbabwean cuisine, for example, includes meals like mupunga unedovi, which comprises just three simple plant-based ingredients: long grain rice, salt, and peanut butter. Theres also muriwo une dovi, which is essentially leafy greens in peanut butter.

Veganism to me now means culture and it means heritage, Chef Cola explained. I believe that my ancestors were plant-based and vegan. Through colonial practices, we developed meat-eating practices. We used it for more money, like herding more cows for money basically. [But] veganism was something that my ancestors were a part of. Its part of my heritage, its now part of my culture because Im getting a connection to [my ancestors].

But plant-based diets havent been phased out completely. There are many people, like some in rural Zimbabwe for example, who still follow plant-based diets. But the issue, Chef Cola says, is that some are ashamed of this way of eating. They think meat equals wealth, she explained.

They [often] eat soy chunks, and they call it nyama, which means meat, she said. In their head theyre eating meat, but theyre actually not.

[I] tell them youre actually on a vegan diet, she added. Because its not like youre slaughtering those two little chickens that you have, or that goat running around. Youre not doing that. And you dont have a fridge or electricity to keep things like milk and eggs. You dont do that. So youre actually on a vegan diet. Once they actually start looking at it like that, some people get upset because meat equals wealth.

Part of Chef Colas mission is to show people that there is no shame in following a plant-based diet.

Before the pandemic, she was working on community development, creating projects like gardens. When the world opens up, she intends to create community gardens in schools. (When we spoke earlier this year, that was all on hold while the schools were shut due to COVID-19.) One of her passions is working with children, and trying to make them understand what veganism, and being plant-based, is about.

She wants to encourage more to try out the lifestyle, and see that plant-based diets are not only traditional, but theyre healthy and affordable too. Her new cookbook coming out this year is called African Vegan on a Budget, and features traditional, indigenous, accessible, and affordable African vegan recipes.

Shes confident that her work will pay off. In the future, she sees mass diet change but also, more people getting back to basics by growing their own food. A lot of people are cutting down on the meat, and turning to vegan diets or vegetarian diets, she said. So I just hope that the future will bring more gardens, and more gardening for more people. Even those living in the city center.Chef Colas African Vegan on a Budget cookbook is slated for release in November 2021.

Link:
Meet the Chef Bringing Traditional Plant-Based Diets Back to Africa - LIVEKINDLY

Sherra Aguirre has a family history of high blood pressure that is so dramatic, it has cut short the lives of two cousins and left her parents tied to daily medication. She saw these circumstances ascautionary tales and decided to do everything she could to offset a family history that illustrated what can happen when this condition goes unchecked.

Known as the Silent Killer, high blood pressure affects 108 million Americans, or nearly half of all adults, has no symptoms, and can lead to strokes, heart attacks, andsudden death. That's the bad news, but there is good news as well, since lifestyle choices can have a major impact on who suffers from high blood pressure, and how to bring it under control. Studies have shown that getting daily exercise, practicing mindful de-stressing techniques, and eating a diet rich in plant-based foods and low in animal products such as meat and dairy can help to lower blood pressure naturally, bringing this untamed assailant to its knees.

One thing Sherra Aguirre learned in her journey to find natural solutions to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is that diet, above all else, can help roll back the symptoms and lower blood pressure to healthy levels, and now sheis aiming to help others, especially in the African American community, learn the power of eating a mostly plant-based diet to prevent and treat high blood pressure since this type of diet has proven to be powerfulon lowering blood pressure as drugs.

Aguirre is a health enthusiast and food justice advocatewho is passionate about empowering othersespecially communities that are at high risk for diabetes and heart diseaseto maintain good health at every age. She eliminated symptoms of her hypertension, despite the fact that her family tree isrife withcasesof heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. She switched toa whole plant-based diet and ditched her meds completely, and feels better than everthanks to her new way of eating.

Aguirre hopesher book, Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease,will empowerothers to beat back hypertension and heart disease, by providing simple, effective ways to preventand reverse heart disease, despite family history.The book is aimed at anyone who wants to enjoy a healthy, symptom-free life, especially African American women and other communities who are at high risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Sherra: As I turned thirty, I started to notice that after my fast food lunch usually burgers, fried chicken, or pizza my energy would tank and I had to struggle through the afternoon at work. I started to make changes based on what I ate and how I felt afterward. I eliminated fried food first, then beef, and eventually all meat. I continued to eat fish and dairy until in my fifties my blood pressure started to creep up, despite a mostly vegetarian diet. I had read enough to know that although I was on the right path and I had to go further. I was also very sympathetic to the animal rights argument.

Sherra: Hypertension, strokes, aneurysms, and heart attacks are common on both sides of my family. For as long as I could remember both my parents were on high blood pressure medications. Some of the deaths of close relatives were both sudden and untimely, as was the case with a cousin, who came home from work with a splitting headache, went to bed, and never woke up. Another cousin was on his way to a vacation with his wife and dropped dead of a heart attack at the airport. Both were in their forties, were on medications for high blood pressure, and thought their conditions were under control.

Sherra: The first benefit was an increase in energy, followed by greater mental clarity. The latter however may be debated by my family.

Sherra: The biggest challenge for me was finding vegan recipes and restaurant options that were heart healthy, i.e. oil-free, low sodium, and free of processed sugar. This is super important for the prevention or reversal of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Ultimately the best solution for me was learning to make delicious vegan food in my own kitchen that I loved and that loved me back.

Sherra: The biggest triumph for me was reversing my hypertension symptoms with a whole plant-based diet, despite a lengthy family history of heart disease.

Sherra: I love to have a small handful of raw nuts, usually walnuts or pistachios. I have to remember not to overdo it!

Sherra: I eat two good size meals each day that I really enjoy. It is not something I recommend however it works well for me. In Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease I do recommend listening to your body. When I wake up, I am not hungry. Mornings are my creative time and I express that energy in meditation, yoga, and in planning my day to include the insight from this process.

I have my break-fast from noon to 1:00 pm which is a big plate of whatever fresh fruits are in season and in my fridge grapefruit, apple or pear slices, blueberries, blackberries, melon, mangoslices, etc. with a bowl of steel-cut oats or granola with raisins, and sometimes a green smoothie. Buckwheat pancakes are a weekend favorite!

My dinner, which I eat between 7 and 8 pm, is based around a main course salad with various salad greens, fresh veggies, avocado, nuts, seeds, and a homemade dressing, all colorful and hearty. My sides are typically lentils, beans or black-eyed peas over rice or quinoa and with cornbread or corn tortillas. My favorite dessert is chocolate chip and raisin oatmeal cookies made with almond butter and maple syrup!

Sherra: In my book, I explain why donts dont work."To make any positive change sustainable you have to focus on where you want to go and not on what youre leaving behind. Focus on finding delicious plant-based foods that you enjoy and not on what you cant have. There are tips and strategies to make that journey successful and fun.

Many friends and family members are more open to eating plant-based because they see the health benefits, and theyve tried vegan food that they love. I am happiest that my two granddaughters are on the path. One has been vegan for a year and the other is mostly plant-based. Compassion for the animals and the environment are big motivators for them.

Sherra: Self-compassion makes compassion for every life, and for Earth itself, natural and joyful.

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What to Eat to Lower Your Blood Pressure, From a Woman Who Did It - The Beet

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Following his huge victory over Drew McIntyre on the April 26 edition of Raw, Braun Strowman has been added to the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash on May 16.

It's been a long road back to the top for The Monster Among Men, who hasn't held world title gold since dropping the Universal Championship to "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam in August. Despite being on and off television throughout the past year because of various injuries, he's back and better than he's been in some time.

He joins McIntyre and Bobby Lashley in the WWE Championship picture. Those two have been holding down the fort on Raw in 2021. Adding Strowman to the mix makes matters more unpredictable come WrestleMania Backlash, when the three of them will collide in what should be a thrilling Triple Threat match.

Strowman's return in the the most impressive shape he's been in has also been encouraging to see. He's proved that he can hold his own among the elite in the ring on Monday nights so long as the booking doesn't fail him.

Ahead of his upcoming world title opportunity, Strowman took the time to talk to Bleacher Report about his journey over the past year, feuding with Shane McMahon, getting in peak physical shape and more.Check out the complete audio of the interview on the next slide, and read on for the highlights.

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Strowman failed to capture the Universal Championship on countless occasions before finally winning it from Goldberg at WrestleMania 36. He went on to have a solid albeit unspectacular reign that didn't feature much of note outside of his feud with The Fiend.

However, a lot has changed for him over the past year, specifically with how his character has been presented. He feels way more like a main event talent now than he did when he was universal champ, and he's excited for the opportunity to show the world he's ready for that spotlight again.

"It's just solidifying what I've been saying for months and months and months: The Monster is back on the top of the food chainwhere he belongs," he said. "It's been a long, hard road to get back into the title picture and stuff like that, but I'm looking forward to it."

Strowman referred to the WWE Championship Triple Threat at WrestleMania Backlash as a "battle of titans," and with no rules involved, it's going to be as big as it gets.

He's had a handful of singles matches with both men since 2018. In addition to beating Drew McIntyre on the April 26 edition of Raw, he also has worked well with Bobby Lashley any time they have shared a ring.

Thus, he isn't taking either of his adversaries lightly.

"Bobby and Drew have been able to bring even more of a monster out of me than anybody else has in the past," he said. "I know what they're capable of. I know how devastating both of them can be with the Claymore and The Hurt Lock. Unfortunately, I've been on the receiving end of both of them, and I don't look to end up that way this time. ... It's King Kong meets Godzilla meets The Incredible Hulk.

He expects Lashley and McIntyre to put aside their differences and join forces simply to eliminate him from the equation. Fighting from underneath is rare for him, but if it means taking out two top talents at once, he's prepared for any possibility.

"On any given day, they have pushed me to the limits," Strowman said. "They are both very, very dominant, dominant athletes. I won't give either one of them an inch. [As far as] who's stronger and who's badder. They're both badasses. Let's be real."

2 of 5

Getting a significant singles push during a pandemic when there are no fans in the building isn't ideal, but Strowman wasn't about to let that opportunity to pass him by.

Winning the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 immediately made him the face of Friday Night SmackDown. Through no fault of his own, his reign was underwhelming because he didn't have many credible challengers and the show was light on star power at the time.

He returned to Raw in the 2020 WWE draft but had to take time off for a brief period at the end of the year to nurse nagging injuries. He seems to have picked up right where he left off and is a nice fit for the WWE Championship picture.

"What an honor it's been, through all this crazy stuff, to be able to represent the company and push forward through uncharted territories," Strowman said. "It was a struggle to figure out and get everything and keep our show going last year at the beginning of this pandemic. It was a learning process for everybody.

"Being thrown right into the fire, per se, and taking the company on my back, doing my best to keep carrying it forward, it was an honor to do it," he continued. "I feel like it was well-earned. I don't think I deserve anything. I believe I've earned everything that I have in my life, and that's why I think I've been in the positions that I am and continue to be put in the positions that I am."

He also acknowledged the record he apparently set on Monday's Raw in competing in a singles match, a tag team match and a Handicap match in the same night. That likely wouldn't have happened if the company didn't view him as a top talent on the Raw roster.

Having fans in attendance at WrestleMania 37 gave him the fuel he needed to keep moving forward and served as a reminder for why he got into the business. That said, his night on The Grandest of Them All almost looked a lot different because of a snafu that occurred during his entrance.

"I'll be honest, they blew so much CO2 smoke on the stage when I came out that I couldn't see anything, so I froze," he laughed. "I was afraid I was going to walk off the stage. We're talking like a 15-foot drop, so I just stood there. I didn't know where the ramp was. I didn't know anything. I could hear the people rumbling a little bit because they knew I was somewhere in that smoke, and as that smoke dissipated, the crowd just came alive, and I've got goosebumps right now thinking about it.

3 of 5

Strowman's Road to WrestleMania this year wasn't without its flaws as he settled into a storyline with Shane McMahon.

Considering he walked out of WrestleMania the year prior as the universal champion, a meaningless midcard feud with Shane felt like a significant step down for him. That isn't even including the many awful segments they found themselves involved in on Raw leading up to the pay-per-view.

To their credit, they went out at WrestleMania 37 and had a perfectly serviceable Steel Cage match. Strowman enjoyed the experience of working with the son of WWE chairman Vince McMahon and revealed that they both wanted it happen a lot sooner than it did.

"It was a seed that had been planted for a while," he said. "Shane and I have wanted to do one for quite a few years now. Behind the scenes, we have a very good relationship, and let's be real: Shane's a lunatic. That works great with my style because I don't go out there and think about anything. I just do it. It ended up working out well."

Although The Monster Among Men finds himself embroiled in the WWE Championship scene, he likely would have gotten a shot at the strap months ago had it not been for an untimely injury. He brought up how he benefited from being away from the championship chase for a while.

"I was in the title picture all of last year," Strowman said. "Sometimes fans are fickle, and it's hard to keep them happy. One minute, they wanted you to be champ. And the next minute, they hate you and don't want you to be champ. I was thinking of something: 'How can I stay relevant and do something to better our show and help our product without being in the title picture?'

"I feel like everybody always wants to be champ. Everybody wants to be in the title picture. Not always is that what's best for our show. You have to take a step down and figure out how to fill in the gaps that need to be filled to make our product full, and that's what I felt like I needed to do at that point."

4 of 5

Another positive that stemmed from Strowman's recent absence from WWE TV was that he was able to return in phenomenal shape, possibly the best he's ever been in during his time with the company.

His transformation in recent few months has led to some of his best work in recent memory. Although he didn't give too much insight on what he's been eating exactly or what his workouts consist of, he did admit that consistency is key.

"I try to tell people with getting in shape and working out that only 15 percent of it is done in the gym and on the treadmill," he said. "It's 85 percent mentally and preparation in the kitchen. I've always known how to eat, but at the end of the day, let's be real, healthy eating isn't always the most tasty stuff. I like cheeseburgers and pizza and cake and all those other things. But it was buckling down and telling myself, 'Hey, you can't have that.' It's not a diet; it's a lifestyle."

Adopting a better outlook on his health and making an effort to eat more nutrients has helped him tremendously in getting him to where he is today physically. After going through some personal hardships, he knew changes were needed and that his quality of life was of utmost importance.

He couldn't be more grateful for the many motivational messages he receives regularly from fans, telling him that they are inspired by his journey.

"Being fortunate with my strongman background, I know some of the top bodybuilders and nutritionists in the world and have been able to pick their brains and learn stuff," he said. "My whole life, it's been about getting in all these calories and pick up as much weight as I can. It gets to a point where your body can only take so much of that.

"Now it's training and teaching the muscles to do different things. I don't have to be picking up cars every day like it was when I was doing strongman. Every once in a while, I may flip one over if I lose my temper. Now, I lift weights because I want to look good naked!"

5 of 5

It's no secret that Raw has been struggling creatively throughout the pandemic era, but the problems affecting the product have been prevalent a lot longer than that.

The April 26 episode, for example, was arguably among the weakest in recent memory. Of course, the Superstars aren't to blame for that because they are simply attempting to make the most of what they are given.

Strowman has bounced around from brand to brand since 2019 and has been there for Raw's highest of highs as well as its lowest of lows. When asked to name an aspect of Raw that he feels doesn't get the credit it deserves from fans, he was quick to point out how the entire roster works tirelessly to entertain despite the circumstances.

"The boys and girls in the back, we all work really, really hard," he said. "It's been a little chaotic because everything's been all over [the place], and people get sick and things change last minute. And part of me enjoys that, I'm not going to lie.

"This past Monday was a prime example. Everything was crazy because people got hurt, people were sick and stuff changes. All of a sudden, you're in three matches in an hour and 10 minutes' worth of a three-hour show. You're freaking out, but when you get out there and get it done and hit a home run, it's such a satisfying feeling."

As for what he feels could be changed or improved upon with Raw, he stressed that live television is a difficult business to be in, with ratings not being what they used to be. Putting together three-hours shows on a weekly basis is bound to take a toll, and enticing new viewers to stick around is a tall task.

"It's a tough time right now. With how technologically advanced, everybody is and the media and stuff like that," Strowman said. "It's a challenge for everything that's on television to try to draw live viewership. I'll be honest, I haven't even had cable in my house in the last decade. I keep up with our shows via our apps and social media.

"I think we're doing a good job with everything that's out there in the world, with everything at everyone's fingertips. I think we constantly go above and beyond to do everything we can to keep our viewers entertained and to draw in new viewers and demographics."

Catch Braun Strowman in action on Monday nights on WWE Raw at 8/7c on USA Network.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website,WrestleRant, and subscribe to hisYouTube channelfor more wrestling-related content.

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