After realizing that this is national heart month, I began searching for information. Many of the releases focused on the stress that Canadians are facing.
Some feel stress is an overused concept, but the Heart and Stroke Foundation believes that it is threatening our health. The foundation’s annual report shows that 43 percent of people older than 30 are overwhelmed by their jobs, families or finances.
Dr. Rob Nolan, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson and stress expert, said these results should serve as a wake-up call for all of us, given that almost one in two adult Canadians reports being stressed on a frequent basis.
Read Also
Rural emergency room closures continue to be vexing problem
Staffing issues are at the root of disruptions and closures in hospital emergency departments, both in rural and urban Canadian locations.
The time crunch is a big culprit. I can certainly vouch for this, as there never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish what I want. And I am not alone – 53 percent of the national sample (both men and women) felt they were short on time for their family, friends or partners, or to do the things they want.
So what should we do to cope with stress? First of all, try not to let yourself fall into bad habits. Smoking, eating junk food and consuming alcohol are tempting, but don’t help. The foundation has these suggestions for properly dealing with tension:
- Try some relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing or massage. My personal favorite is getting my 31Ú2-year-old son Carter to drive his trucks on my back.
- Exercise is the best remedy. There are no excuses for not exercising. You are not too old, too tired or too full, so get moving.
- Practise time management. Do essential tasks and rate the others. Tackle one thing at a time.
- Get enough rest and sleep.
- Talk with people with whom you feel comfortable about what is bothering you.
- Get away for awhile by reading a book, watching a movie, playing a game, listening to music, lounging in the tub or going on vacation.
- Do not try to be perfect.
- Do not criticize others or be too competitive or quarrelsome.
- Laugh and surround yourself with people you enjoy.
New bread machine book
This recipe is from The New Bread Machine Book by Marjie Lambert. It is a beautifully illustrated resource that offers basic machine-made recipes from start to finish, and more complicated recipes that start in a bread machine and finish in a conventional oven.
The recipes include basic wheat, rye, sourdough, fruit and vegetable, sweet and holiday, as well as breadsticks, biscuits and rolls.
Whole wheat sesame rolls
1 cup water 250 mL
11Ú2 tablespoons vegetable oil 25 mL
11Ú2 tablespoons sugar 25 mL
11Ú2 teaspoons salt 7 mL
11Ú2 cups bread flour 375 mL
11Ú2 cups whole wheat flour 375 mL
21Ú4 teaspoons yeast 11 mL
Topping:
2-3 tablespoons milk 30-45 mL
2-3 tablespoons sesame 30-45 mL
seeds
Put all dough ingredients in bread pan in order suggested by your machine instructions. Set for dough. Press start.
When dough is ready, punch it down on a lightly floured board. Let it rest a few minutes, then take it between your hands and roll it into a thick log.
Cut log into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, flatten slightly and put on one or two nonstick or lightly buttered baking sheets. Cover, put in a warm place and let rise for one hour.
When dough has risen, brush lightly with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cut a cross in the top of each. Bake in a preheated 375 F (190 C) oven until light brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Makes 12.
And for dessert
I am sure that you have all heard of the mega-hit Looneyspoons, a low-fat cookbook made fun by Janet and Greta Podleski. Now I am happy to share with you a recipe from their second book Crazy Plates, with the claim attached that “you’ll swear it’s bad for you.” Here it is, a great finish to our heart-healthy dinner that must be prepared the day before.
Abracadaiquiri pie
1 cup crushed graham 250 mL
crackers
2 tablespoons sugar 30 mL
2 tablespoons 30 mL
melted butter or margarine
(light if desired)
1 14 oz. can low-fat 398 mL
sweetened condensed milk
1Ú2 cup frozen strawberry 125 mL
daiquiri mix concentrate, thawed
1 cup frozen strawberries 250 mL
in light syrup, thawed
2 cups whipping cream 500 mL
(light if desired)
fresh strawberries for garnish
(optional)
To make crust, combine graham crumbs, sugar and butter in a small bowl. Grease an eight-inch (20 centimetre) springform pan. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom of the pan. Place crust in freezer while you prepare the filling.
Beat sweetened condensed milk and daiquiri mix on low speed of electric mixer. Add strawberries and beat again until well blended. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
To serve, run a knife around edge of pan and remove sides. Garnish with strawberries if desired. Makes 10 servings.
Let Heart Month be your motivation as you try to travel the road to a healthier lifestyle. Here is a thought to keep you going: Each day is a new beginning … an opportunity to write your own happy ending.
