The holidays are far behind us and Valentines season is in full swing- chocolate everywhere! While I preach balance and moderation, sometimes its fun to recreate your favorite sweets with a healthy twist. These recipes stemmed from extreme boredom in quarantine and I am so excited to share my creations with you!

Check out these creative ways to satisfy your sweet tooth below.

Blueberry Muffin Greek Yogurt Cups

Ingredients

(makes 4 cups)

These cups mimic an ice cream bar. Theyre cold, creamy and super satisfying. And the best part is that there is no baking required!

First, divide the Overnight Oats bar into 4 & pack into a lined muffin tin. Drizzle a generous amount of almond butter over the crust & place in the fridge for 20 minutes to set. In a small bowl, mix about 1 cup of Greek Yogurt with 1/3 cup frozen blueberries until the mixture turns blue. Spoon the blueberry yogurt mixture on top of the set almond butter. Freeze overnight and enjoy

Chocolate Almond Protein Fudge Bites

Ingredients

(makes 10 bites)

If youre in a house with nosy siblings, friends or even parents, youll definitely want to hide these bad boys! These protein bites are a healthier version of chocolate truffles. Gooey, rich and covered in rainbow sprinkles, its safe to say that this recipe is a crowd pleaser!

First, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Roll into balls with your hands and fill a smaller bowl with some cacao powder and another small bowl with rainbow sprinkles. Gently roll the balls in the cacao then the sprinkles. Place cacao dusted and sprinkle covered balls onto a parchment lined sheet or large plate. Set in the freezer for 30 minutes and enjoy!

Vanilla Matcha Cereal Bars

Ingredients

These cereal bars arent your grandmothers Rice Krispie treats. Yes, theyre gooey, crunchy and delicious, but they pack a punch of protein filled goodness! If you want to make a more nutritious cereal bar, I recommend choosing a cereal with more protein and less sugar as a base. The Kays Naturals cereal I chose has 12 grams of protein per cup and is made with stevia. This recipe is also no-bake, so thats also a plus!

First, line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper. Combine almond butter and honey in a medium sized pot and heat over medium-low for a few minutes. Remove mixture from heat and stir in dry Kays Naturals French Vanilla Protein cereal. Carefully pack cereal mixture into baking dish and drizzle with Matcha almond butter. Let this set in the freezer for 1 hour, then carefully cut into 9 squares. Enjoy!

Check out my page for more recipe inspiration and be sure to share your sweet eats with me @whatzoeeeats.

About Zoe Gregorace

Zoe Gregorace is currently studying Nutrition Policy at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and recently graduated from Tufts University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and was a proud member of the Tufts Swimming and Diving team (Go Jumbos!). During her 16 year career as a competitive swimmer, she developed a passion for sports nutrition. She enjoys writing on the topic of nutrition, health and wellness and posts her meal creations on her Instagram page@whatzoeeeats. As a former college swimmer, she strives to share recipes and nutrition tips to promote balanced eating and optimize sports performance.

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The Hungry Swimmer: Creative Ways To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth 3.0 - SwimSwam

What to Know

THAT STORIED AND SUBLIME ISLE, the one that's located 22 miles across the sea from mainland Southern California? It's a bison-beautiful, shoreline-sublime land that's long been known for welcoming leisure travelers with warmth, charm, and outdoorsy pleasures aplenty. Leisure travel came to a halt for several months during the pandemic, but ardent fans of Catalina Island remained well-connected to one of their favorite places. After all, the island did send a moving, you-are-missed love letter to mainlanders in June, and shared its cool Frida Kahlo show, the one with the outdoor projections, later in the summer. And the incredibly rare chance to spend the night in the world-famous Casino building? That came up in October. Catalina has still been itself, in short, and awaiting those eager to return.

THAT CAN NOW HAPPEN, as leisure travel has reopened to the island. There are a few things to know, starting with your trip across that much-sung-about "sea" (indeed, it's the Pacific Ocean we speak of). The Catalina Express is making daily trips between Long Beach and Avalon, but due to reduced capacity, booking your ticket in advance is a must. Face coverings, physical distancing, and other safety guidelines are being observed at all island businesses, too, so be sure to arrive with your mask. And dining? It's outdoors, with a briny twist in some spots: Tables have moved to the beach, with plenty of space for each set-up, at some places.

TO FIND OUT MORE... about hotel specials, the alfresco dining at Catalina's restaurants, and how you should plan for your ferry ride to the island and back, visit Visit Catalina Island now.

See the rest here:
Catalina Island Reopens to Visitors, With Safe Measures - NBC Southern California

The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged South Africas schools further into crisis, exposing how the countrys education system continues to be shaped by the legacy of apartheid, Amnesty International said today.

A childs experience of education in South Africa is still dependent on where they are born, how wealthy they are, and the colour of their skin

In a new report, Failing to learn lessons: The impact of COVID-19 on a broken and unequal education system, the organization highlights how students from poorer communities have been cut off from education during extended school closures, in a country where just 10 percent of households have an internet connection. Meanwhile historic underinvestment and the governments failure to address existing inequalities has resulted in many schools not having running water or proper toilets whilst struggling with overcrowded classrooms, meaning they cannot provide a safe learning environment amid the pandemic.

A childs experience of education in South Africa is still dependent on where they are born, how wealthy they are, and the colour of their skin. The COVID-19 pandemic has made a broken and unequal system even worse, putting students from poorer communities at a huge disadvantage. Remote learning is not an option for the vast majority, said Shenilla Mohamed, Executive Director of Amnesty International South Africa.

South Africas schooling system is so under-equipped that the pandemic has all but ended education for many students, especially those from already disadvantaged communities. Unless urgent access is taken, the future livelihoods of an entire generation will be at risk.

Disturbing picture

Amnesty Internationals report is based on extensive desk research, including analysis of statistical data and institutional studies and surveys, between March 2020 and February 2021.

The education system in South Africa continues to be shaped by the legacy of apartheid. Previous research by Amnesty International showed how many communities continue to live with the consequences of political and economic decisions made during the apartheid era where people were segregated according to their skin colour, with schools serving white communities much better resourced.

When schools first closed in March, for almost three months, the widespread lack of internet access needed for remote study was laid bare. Nationally, only 22% of households have a computer and 10% an internet connection. In North West and Limpopo provinces, only 3.6% and 1.6% respectively have access to the internet at home. By contrast, students from wealthier communities with computer access have been able to continue their education particularly through remote learning provided by better resourced schools.

Further school shutdowns came in July 2020 and January 2021. The closures not only interrupted learning, but also severely affected access to food for around nine million students who depend on school meals for their daily nutrition. The situation became so bad that NGOs were forced to go to court to compel the government to resume the National School Nutrition Programme.

Hazardous and unhygienic

When schools have been open, hazardous and unhygienic conditions have prevented them from meeting basic COVID-safe requirements. Thousands of schools in South Africa have no running water more than half of schools in some regions. Social distancing is also impossible in many schools. One study by Stellenbosch University found that at least half of South African learners would not be able to comply with distancing rules due to overcrowded classrooms.

The government has failed to ensure that schools in poorer communities have the additional resources they need to provide a secure learning environment. As a result, many have had to shut down repeatedly due to high COIVD-19 infection rates.

The toll on staff needs also to be recognised. By the beginning of 2021 it was estimated that up to 1,700 teachers have lost their lives to COVID-19, more than 300 alone during the recent school holidays.

Drastic budget cuts are not the solution

Despite the clear evidence that school infrastructure and equipment can play a key role in ensuring safer learning environments, in June the government announced that it was planning to divert over R2 billion (US$ 0.13 billion) from the provincial education infrastructure grant. The recent medium-term budget statement revealed that, adjusted for inflation, the education budget will be reduced over the next three years with a cut of over 4% for this financial year.

Amnesty International is calling on the South African authorities to reverse that decision, and commit sufficient funds to address longstanding and ongoing infrastructure failings. These have not just been documented by Amnesty and other organisations but are also confirmed by the governments own statistics. In March 2020, just before COVID-19 struck, it was reported that only 266 out of 3,988 schools that needed it had benefitted from the Presidents own 2018 Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) campaign to address inadequate sanitation. 56% of South African head teachers reported in a survey conducted by the OECD in 2018 that a shortage of physical infrastructure is hindering their school's capacity to provide quality instruction. Many of the deficiencies are in breach of the governments own Minimum Norms and Standards for educational facilities.

Amnesty International acknowledges that guaranteeing access to education during a pandemic is not easy. It also acknowledges that the government has both put various procedures in place and taken action to seek to ensure both some limited access to remote learning during lockdown and to protect the safety of learners and teachers when schools have reopened.

However, the government needs to do more from exploring further innovative ways to provide access to education for as many students as possible where schools are partially or totally closed due to the pandemic, to ensuring that all schools have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks and hand sanitizer, as well as clean water facilities. Above all it must commit sufficient resources to address the infrastructure crisis in schools which is continuing to undermine the goal of safe learning spaces for all young people.

In certain key areas, the government has failed to meet its obligation to provide equal and accessible education to ALL learners.

The Constitutional and international human right to quality education includes access to safe, clean and adequate school facilities

The Constitutional and international human right to quality education includes access to safe, clean and adequate school facilities, said Shenilla Mohammed.

However, this right is clearly being denied to too many learners across the country. Schooling in South Africa has operated on a two-tier system for far too long. Now is the time to take concrete action to ensure that every child in South Africa has equal access to education, during and after the pandemic.

Go here to read the rest:
South Africa: COVID-19 pushes inequality in schools to crippling new level, risks a lost generation of learners - Amnesty International

57 dogs are safe and warm now thanks to some great local animal rescues!

Last week during our 'Furry Friday' segment, our friends over at Safe Haven of Iowa County informed us of a large animal rescue that they had been assisting with for the past few weeks. According to their latest Facebook update:

"Safe Haven has been closely involved in the rescue of 57 dogs from a local Marengo property for the past month. These dogs had been living in extremely unsanitary, crowded conditions and exposed to the elements for years, before the owner contacted us for help."

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa was able to save 25 pups during the blizzard on February 4th, and Safe Haven worked to collect the other 32 over the course of the pastseveral weeks. Those two organizationscouldn't take in all those dogs themselves, though. They were able to transfer some of them to other animal rescues like the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, Fur Fun Rescue, theIowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, thePAW Fort Madison Animal Shelter,PAWS & More Animal Shelter,Adopt A Pal Animal Rescue,Animal Welfare Friends,New Beginnings Pet Rescue of Quad Cities,and Paws-N-Claws Iowa.

Safe Haven has been closely involved in the rescue of 57 dogs from a local Marengo property for the past month. These...

Posted by Safe Haven of Iowa County onMonday, February 15, 2021

Fortunately, all the dogs are now SAFE! The post says that they were able to catch the final dog this weekend, but the recovery process is just beginning. The dogs desperately need medical attention, proper nutrition, and socialization before they can find their fur-ever homes.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has been posting updates about the rescue on their website and social media accounts, encouraging animal-lovers to donate money towards the pups' medical care. You can get more information about that HERE.

You can also donate to our friends at Safe Haven of Iowa County by clicking HERE.

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Over 50 Dogs Have Been Rescued from a Property in Marengo - khak.com

Cody Morgans HerpaGreens Reviews Is it an Really An Advanced Super Antioxidants Blend? Truth Revealed! List of the ingredients. Any Side Effects?

Official Website: Click Here

HerpaGreens is an all-natural dietary supplement that is formulated to treat Herpes from its roots.

HerpaGreens is a clinically proven, science-backed formula that flushes out every trace of the herpes virus so you never have to deal with any other breakouts anymore.

HerpaGreens formula is made using 57 greens and nutrients that are extremely important to boost your natural immunity levels so your body can find a way to defend the herpes virus on its own.

The herbs and greens used in this HerpaGreens supplement are 100% natural, pure, potent and effective.

HerpaGreens supplement has no adverse effects on your health, it is completely safe for consumption.

HerpaGreens formula is four times more powerful than any other medicine or herbs in the market because the way these ingredients are combined is amazing.

The ratio of mixing these ingredients has given a new boost to the cure for herpes. Now you too can treat the Herpes virus from its roots!

HerpaGreens works in two phases: Search Phase and Destroy Phase.

Unlike other Herpes medicines and topical ointments, HerpaGreens ensures that the herpes virus stops multiplying the moment you start taking the supplement.

If the virus keeps on multiplying then it becomes almost impossible for your body to prevent it. So it stops Herpes virus reproduction first.

Then it begins the Search Phase where the ingredients begin the detoxification process.

They cleanse your blood, organs, cells, tissues and microparticles that float in your body. In the process, all the toxins are removed so your immunity fighter bacteria can finally spot the herpes virus.

Then, the ingredients strengthen your bodys natural defence mechanism so whenever it sees the virus, it can kill it.

Once the immunity is strengthened and the virus is out of hiding, the war or battle begins.

Your immunity is likely to win because of the super ingredients in this HerpaGreens supplement. Eventually, every single trace of the herpes virus will be wiped out and you will be free.

Additionally, the supplement also takes care of the outbreaks and the symptoms.

However, its aim is to kill the virus directly so there are no symptoms or outbreaks to fear.

(LIMITED STOCK) Click to Order HerpaGreens For The Lowest Price Online

As mentioned above, HerpaGreens is made with 57 natural ingredients only. Here is the list of its ingredients:

Click to Order HerpaGreens Supplement For The Lowest Price Available

HerpaGreens is not made into a capsule because that would require adding some additives. They just didnt want to compromise with the product.

So they have made it in the form of powder. You just need to add one scoop of HerpaGreens superfood in a glass of water, your smoothie or shake every morning.

Youll be energetic and free from Herpes every day. Although the formula is 100% safe, you should consult your doctor before taking it if youre pregnant, under 18, or have other chronic medical conditions.

When you consume HerpaGreens, you wouldnt have to worry about the embarrassment or shame of outbreaks anymore.

You will simply be free. You can consume HerpaGreens for as long as you want as it is a completely natural and safe formula.

HerpaGreens has the following health benefits:

The benefits improve with time. So it is advised for you to take this supplement for at least three to six months for best results.

Click Here to Visit the Official Website to Place Your Order!

HerpaGreens is usually available at $99 per bottle, but the manufacturers have offered a good deal on the official website only. You can choose from these offers:

You also get two bonuses:

Both are for free for you!

Also, youre backed up by a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee.

If this HerpaGreens supplement doesnt show you any improvements or doesnt treat your Herpes, you can ask for a complete refund within 60 days of purchasing this supplement.

You get your refund and get to keep the bonuses and products too!

Theres nothing like living a life free from any risks and health dangers. You can enjoy it to the core and have an amazing sex life, marriage and have kids too.

You will never have to fear that you may transmit this virus to your loved one. Youre free and you should know that.

Living with Herpes is a choice you should never make. Thousands of people who chose HerpaGreens have already become free from this embarrassing disease. Dont you want to be free too?

This natural solution doesnt have any side-effects at all. Just one scoop of HerpaGreens every morning with water or smoothies and youre good to go.

Experience the goodness, health and sex life you have always craved for. This is your only chance.

(ORDER NOW & SAVE) Click to Order HerpaGreens from the Official Website

Excerpt from:
HerpaGreens Reviews Effective Antioxidant Supplement for Herpes? Safe Ingredients? - SF Weekly

With Valentines Day just on Sunday, some couples may feel conflicted with their plans for the special day, especially since the pandemic is still an issue across the country.

To help ease some of this confusion, the CDC has released a list of holiday tips so you and your loved one can spend the day together in a safe manner.

First and foremost, the CDC said the safest way to celebrate Valentines Day is gathering virtually or with people who live with you. Staying home and making Valentines cards together is one way for families to do this. You can then have someone in the household drop off the cards to your loved ones, if theyre close by, mail them if your loved ones are far away, or send them online yourself.

The other tips on the list include taking a walk with your Valentine, celebrating with your special someone virtually, preparing a special meal or dessert, or planning a special movie or game night.

Its alright to have a picnic outside, the CDC said, but just make sure you have your masks on most of the time, and that youre socially distanced from others who may be enjoying a picnic themselves in the same area.

Remember that if you plan to celebrate with people who dont live with you, outdoors is safer than indoors, according to the CDC.

Indoors, you should avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces. These places dont usually offer fresh air from the outdoors. If indoors, you can bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. Using a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out is recommended. This will also pull fresh air in through the other open windows.

If you really must host a Valentines event where youre expecting guests, the CDC lists some of the things you should bear in mind: if youre sick or you have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19, cancel the gathering.

During the event, if it does push through, provide single-use options such as salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable plates, cups and utensils. Limit the number of guests to your event, and prepare extra unused masks for your guests. Even before you start, remind everyone to wear their masks inside and outside.

Remember also to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use. You may have to have your cleaning gloves ready at all times, because the CDC recommends cleaning dirty surfaces with soap and water first, then using disinfectant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of disinfectants that are recommended for coronavirus. You can check out the list here.

Because youre celebrating, there will be food and drinks in the house or in your yard, so make sure your cleaning tools and your disinfectant do not mix with the food.

In any case, hosting a virtual gathering with friends and family is always the better option. You can also walk or drive or around your community to wave to neighbors and greet them from a safe distance. If youre taking food, your Valentines cards, or gifts to family, friends, and neighbors, do it in a way that doesnt involve contact, such as leaving them at the door.

Theyll understand that these are unusual times, and that its better to be safe than sorry.

For more of the CDCs tips for celebrating, visit http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/winter.html.

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How to Have a Safe Valentine's Day, According to the CDC Pasadena Weekendr - Pasadena Now

Millions of customers across the US have lost power, with much of those outages occurring in Texas. Power outages can be dangerous for those unprepared for such intense winter chill.

If you're among the Texans whose power has gone out or will go out at some point this week, here's what you need to know to stay warm and safe this week.

Take stock of the essentials

If you need to make a trip outside, keep it as brief as you can, and layer up, the CDC says. Check with your local emergency authorities to make sure it's safe to drive or travel in the cold.

Stay warm

The CDC recommends warming up with extra blankets, sleeping bags and winter coats.

It's not safe, though, to keep blankets and other flammable materials near alternate sources of warmth like a portable space heater. Keep the heaters in an area clear of flammable fabrics.

If you're using a fireplace, first make sure it's properly vented to the outside and won't leak gas into your home. You should keep it stocked with dry firewood -- not paper, the CDC says -- throughout the power outage.

To keep in heat, close blinds and curtains and shut doors to rooms to avoid "wasting heat," the National Weather Service recommends. Stuffing towels in the cracks under doors can keep some of the chill out of your home, and eating and drinking throughout the power outage will help keep your body warm.

Keep your food & water supply safe

Fill coolers with ice, if necessary, to keep food from spoiling.

Be careful of carbon monoxide

Generators can release poisonous carbon monoxide if you use them inside your home. If you're using one this week, keep it outside, about 20 feet away from your home, the CDC advises.

If it's safe, go somewhere warm

If it's safe for you to travel to a shelter, be sure to wear a mask or layer two masks and bring extras in case your stay is extended. These locations should be well-ventilated, though social distancing is still advised, according to Ready.gov.

Know the signs of hypothermia

If you fear someone in your household has hypothermia, call for medical help. If they can't immediately arrive, try to warm them up yourself with blankets, food and water and an alternate heat source.

Conserve power if you still have it

Start by turning off and unplugging nonessential lights and appliances, and don't use large appliances like ovens or washing machines if you can avoid it, the Houston Office of Emergency Management suggests.

Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower -- if too many people crank up the heat, the demand could trigger another blackout.

During the day, if it's sunny, open your blinds so the sun can heat your home, but close them at night to prevent losing heat.

Check on your loved ones

When safe to do so, check in with the people around you to make sure they're OK.

Those who have medical equipment that require power, like respirators, should be taken to locations with generators or a friend's or neighbor's home that hasn't been impacted.

Keep your pets warm

If you're walking your dog (though outdoor activity should be brief), consider wrapping them up in a sweater or coat -- pets can get hypothermia, too.

Look on your pet's paws for rock salt or other chemicals used to melt ice. Those chemicals can irritate your pet's feet, so wipe them down with a warm, damp towel upon returning home.

CNN's Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.

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What to do if you're in the middle of a power outage - CNN

I can imagine that the last word you want to hear about in these times of trying to stay loyal to your New Years resolutions is the D word, or diet. That said, your diet can and does play an important role in brain health. I went to ALZ.org to learn more about diet and brain health, and what I found made a great deal of sense.

You may recall from a previous installment that I mentioned that the brain and the heart are both vascular organs, so what youre doing thats good for your heart and cardiovascular system is also good for your brain. Clearly, a heart-healthy diet benefits your brain and your body.

Although there is not a huge amount of research in the area of diet and cognitive funtion, the focus appears to be on two recommended diets. Theres the D.A.S.H. Diet, or Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, and the Mediterrainean Diet. Both diets have been given credit for reducing heart disease, and as a result may be responsible for reducing dementia. So lets take a look at these two diets and what makes them special.

The DASH diet is known to reduce your blood pressure, which is always a good thing under any circumstances. It recommends food low in saturated fats and total fats and suggests a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy.

The Mediterrainean Diet is a little more complicated, as it incorporates different principles of healthy eating that are tyically found in areas bordering the Mediterranian Sea. Now for those who didnt master geography, that includes 22 countries, some of which you may have a tough time finding on a map. Youll also notice some similarities with the DASH diet, as they recommend enjoying fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Along with that, they recommend replacing butter with olive oil, limiting your intake of red meat (everything in moderation), use herbs for flavor instead of salt, and make it a point to consume fish and poultry at least twice a week.

Id love to be able to tell you that there was one super food or pill that we could all eat or take that would eliminate any chance that we develop dementia, but I cant, because there isnt one. Its interesting to note, however, that eating foods like fish that contain fish oil or Omega 3 have consistently shown benefits, while many of the supplements and vitamins you may have been taking have mixed results as to their effectiveness.

Theres no shortage of books out there that can cover the dos and donts of smart eating, but as always, before you begin this journey, consult with your family physician or a dietician to insure you get off on the right track. Taking the do it yourself approach to dieting can get you in trouble. Likewise be careful when it comes to supplements. Ive seen these catalogs that offers these pills that make incredible claims, e.g. Well clean out your arteries, improve your hearing, detox your liver and on and on it goes. I have seen situations where a senior was taking a certain vitamin because they were told it would help them avoid sclerosis. If 400 units a day are good, then 1,000 units has to be even better right? WRONG. They had no idea that one of the charateristics of this vitamin was that it worked as a blood thinner.

Once again, Ill refer you to the ALZ.org site for more information as well as to the AARP website (aarp.org) for more insight as well as some pretty good recipes. Im not suggesting you incorporate an entire lifestyle change here, unless of course your diet consists of white sausage gravy for breakfast, double cheeseburgers for lunch and fried chicken for dinner seven days a week. As my wife says to me ... make good choices.

Questions? Email me at repe@careforcaregivers.org. Join the Journey.

Originally posted here:
Join the Journey: Your brain health and your diet - The Westerly Sun