World Diabetes Day Blue Monument Challenge

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14th.  It was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to growing concerns about the escalating threat of diabetes worldwide.  In 2007, World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day as a result of UN Resolution 61/225.  The Resolution invites all member states to participate in World Diabetes Day and draw attention to the need for education and awareness to tackle the growing diabetes epidemic.

Since 2007, the global diabetes community has worked together with local champions to light iconic landmarks and buildings in blue to mark World Diabetes Day around the world. More than 1000 monuments in 84 countries have gone blue for diabetes.

This year, one students lit one of the monuments in front of the library blue. The Bromo-Seltzer Tower was shining blue in the background. Pharmacy students handed out flyers containing diabetes education to spread awareness to people walking by.

MOD was excited to be involved in such a monumental event!

Healthy Halloween

Last week 20 third and fourth graders came to the School of Pharmacy for a Healthy Halloween celebration.
The event combined health education with fun activities and a haunted house. The number of children affected by obesity and diabetes continues to increase each year. It is important to educate children and their caregivers at a young age to make healthy lifestyle choices.

One of the stations was a guess the calories game. Did you know that there are about 100 calories in an apple, 300 calories in a sandwich, and 400 calories in a hamburger?

 



One of the stations was about healthy hand washing. Did you know that frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness? When you wash your hands you should rub them vigorously for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

 

  



Other stations included Healthy Hydration, How Sweet are these Treats, Healthy Exercise and more.





Step Out Walk for Diabetes

We had a great turn-out at the annual Step Out Walk for Diabetes in Baltimore on Saturday, October 5. Our team managed to raise over $1014 and we had nearly 40 students walking from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. All of the proceeds went to the ADA to support diabetes research. Go Maryland!

Invokana

By Stella Chan, Student Pharmacist

MOD does another health fair!

Last week, MOD had a diabetes education booth at a health fair at the Genesis Bible Fellowship.



35 people stopped by our booth to learn about diabetes and diabetes prevention. Our most frequent question was if it is possible to cure diabetes. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes there is no cure. However; you can control your diabetes so that you need fewer medications or no medications at all.

Move Your Body!

Last year, a pharmacy student brought the message from Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Campaign to Baltimore.
He taught middle and elementary school students the dance from Beyoncé's music video "Move Your Body".

Today, nearly 1 in 3 children in America are overweight or obese. If we don't solve this problem, 1/3 of children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes or chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma at some point in their lives. "Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams."  It gives parents information and fosters an environment that supports healthy choices. (Information above retrieved from the Let's Move! website).
Here are pictures from our Move Your Body class.



 The dance leader taught 34 middle and elementary school students how much fun exercise can be. Everyone laughed, learned some new dance moves, and got their heart pumping.

MOD tries healthy recipies

A few days ago I decided to try for myself one of the delicious recipes from the American Diabetes Association website. Since I love pasta, I found a recipe that uses low carb Rotini. I started off making the ground beef and spinach sauce using this recipe: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/recipes/dreamfields-rotini-with-ground-beef-and-spinach.html

Ingredients (Makes 6 servings)
1 box Dreamfields Rotini, Penne Rigate or Elbows
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 pound (90%) lean ground beef
1 can (8 ounces) no salt added tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 package (10 ounces) spinach leaves, shredded
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt (optional)
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beef; cook until no longer pink, stirring and breaking beef into pieces.
3. Stir in tomato sauce and oregano. Continue cooking 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add spinach, basil and red pepper flakes; continue cooking 3 minutes. Season with salt, if desired.
4. Drain pasta. Add to skillet; toss with beef mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

 

Nutritional Information (1/6 of recipe)

401 calories
27 g protein
14 g digestible carbohydrates*
11 g total fat
4 g saturated fat
49 mg cholesterol
178 mg sodium
8 g total dietary fiber

 

I found that healthy cooking can be fun and delicious. People with diabetes can work with a diabetes educator or dietitian to design a meal plan that includes the foods they love. Foods high in carbohydrates raise blood sugar the most and need to be monitored throughout the day. Round your meals out with meat and non-starchy vegetables. For more diabetes friendly recipes look here: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/recipes/