Summer is headed our way, quarantine or not. One healthy place to be, for sure, is the grill in our own backyard! Perhaps it is the stars or sun overhead, a fresh breeze or just being out of the house but cooking outdoors just seems to make food taste better. If you are not growing fresh vegetables, head out to the market or local farm and cook up a healthy rainbow of delicious summer meals. Perhaps this recipe will get you going on summertime fun.
Caprese Salad with Grilled Flank Steak
This can be served in small portions as an appetizer salad, or in large portions as a whole meal. This recipe is for 4 larger salads. Prep time: 20 mins, Cook time: 10 mins
Ingredients
Mix tomatoes, mozzarella, 1 clove minced garlic, basil and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl. Toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate.
Preheat grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate.
Place steak in a large resealable bag; add 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and distribute the oil mixture over the steak.
Cook steak on grill to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium. Meat thermometer inserted into the center should read 140°F. Let stand for 5 minutes before thinly slicing across grain.
Divide lettuce onto 4 serving plates. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil onto each lettuce portion. Top each salad with ¼ of the steak and ¼ of the tomato and mozzarella mixture.
Each serving has approximately 321 calories; 24 g total fat; 49 mg cholesterol; 115 mg sodium. 5.8 g carbohydrates; 20.2 g protein
Enjoy this simple, healthy meal for Father’s Day or any time with family and friends!
Father’s Day Prayer of Remembering
“Fathers young, fathers old,
Remembering good times are our gold.
Value earned through guidance given
Helping us go forth in livin’.
Each father adding to our trove
A treasure chest of love untold.
Remembering fathers in our lives
Taking time to realize.
Fatherly love brings wealth to living
Remembering this, we go forth in giving.
Fathers young, fathers old
We remember you all
As life unfolds.”
– Susan Kramer
During this pandemic, the one healthy place to be is the grill in our own backyard. Hopefully, you are eating your rainbow of fruits and vegetables daily. Here is as an easy way to accomplish that goal and If vegetarian is your culinary style, this light recipe will give you and your grill something to smile about!
Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Lightly brush vegetables with olive oil. Place vegetables over medium hot heat. Cover and grill for 3-5 minutes for asparagus, turn once. Cook zucchini, pepper, and onion for about 10 minutes turning once, or until they are tender. Remove and cool slightly.
Cut vegetables into 1/2-inch pieces and toss with pasta in a large bowl. Add remaining oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper to pasta mixture, toss to coat. Top with fresh oregano and, if desired, Parmesan.
Prep time: 20 mins, cook time: 10 mins 4 servings Each serving has approximately 333 calories; 12 g total fat; 1g saturated fat; 1g polyunsaturated fat; 7g monounsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 152 mg sodium. 281 mg potassium; 49 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 9 g protein
If you are interested in making your own condiments for those delicious grilled food, registered dietician Alana Kessler offers these healthy tips:
Bon Appetit, All!
Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day. The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days.
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging and is not just a disease of old age. However, the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older.
Studies show that cognitive impairment may remain unrecognized in 27% to 81% of affected patients in primary care. However, of these patients with cognitive impairment, 60% to 80% have Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the only top-10 cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed, making it one of the most important unmet medical needs of our time. From 2000 to 2015, deaths associated with Alzheimer’s disease increased by 123% while other major causes have declined.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or a way to stop or slow its progression, there are drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms. Understanding available options can help individuals living with the disease and their caregivers to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes may help you manage your condition. For example, your doctor might develop strategies to help you or your loved one: focus on tasks, limit confusion, avoid confrontation, get enough rest every day, stay calm. Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease in which there are many unknowns. What is known is that the condition worsens over time, but treatment can help delay symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you think you or a loved one may have Alzheimer’s, talk with your doctor. They can help make a diagnosis, and help connect you with services and support, and provide information on clinical trials, if you are interested.
Fuquay Varina Junior Woman’s Club Prior to COVID-19 they had a 3rd blood drive scheduled at the FV Baptist Church. Unfortunately, the church was unable to host the drive, so they scrambled to find a new location because of the shortage of blood in the area.
Stephen’s Hardware in downtown Fuquay stepped up and the Club quickly updated publications with the new location and watched as donor sign-ups climbed. They had great community response, so they worked with the American Red Cross and Stephen’s Hardware to schedule another drive for the following Friday. (At both drives they practiced social distancing and sanitized all surfaces.) In two weeks’ time, they helped the American Red Cross collect 111 units of blood, and impact 333 lives, using platelets, plasma and red blood cells. They are in constant communication with the Red Cross to host more drives as needed.
GFWC of Holden Beach continues to support Hope Harbor Home and Providence Home, the primary beneficiaries of their Annual Gala, which was canceled, and student scholarship programs. They have been zooming to meetings to stay in touch!
Mary Stewart WC and JWC of Raleigh have partnered to provide lunches for the women of the Helen Wright Center – homeless shelter for women.
“There is no health without mental health; mental health is too important to be left to the professionals alone, and mental health is everyone’s business.”
-Vikram Patel
To close out the month we are including some tips for supporting those with mental illness. Help erase the stigma!
Mental Health America: https://www.mhanational.org
CDC: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
The American Legion is our country’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the United States through diverse programs and member benefits. There are over 200 American Legion local Posts in North Carolina.
Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is an international, not-for-profit organization established to improve the quality of life for members of the military, veterans, and their families by building comfort homes at military and VA medical centers and gifting them to the government. Military and veterans’ families stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. Other Quality of Life programs include the Hero Miles and Hotels for Heroes programs, scholarships, support for continuing rehabilitation initiatives, and individual assistance to members of the military and their families during a crisis. There are two Fisher Houses facilities in NC; Fort Bragg Fisher House is within walking distance of the Womack Army Medical Center and Camp Lejeune Fisher House is near the Naval Medical Center.
The USO (United Service Organizations) strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country, throughout their service to the nation. Since 1941, the USO has provided programs, services, and live entertainment to members of the US Armed Forces and their families. There are eleven USO centers or airport centers in North Carolina.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military. The Purple Heart Foundation provides support to veterans and their families through grants and outreach programs and donations to organizations whose programs help veterans. Veterans returning home can face emotional, medical, and financial challenges. The Purple Heart Foundation exists to lessen these trials and give veterans the homecoming they deserve. Purple Heart Dinners were held throughout North Carolina. The NC Legislature provided resources to fund these functions to recognize recipients.
We are encouraging Clubs to continue to volunteer and support these organizations, especially here in North Carolina, with financial aid during activities and special events. Furnishing and planting plants to beautify the landscape, providing holiday meals, donating much needed supplies, writing letters and creating holiday gift boxes are always welcome. Celebrating our Women Veterans with luncheons and teas in the community are great events to host, attend and raise awareness.
Father, today we pause to reflect on the sacrifice made by those who paid the ultimate price on behalf of our nation. We pray that their sacrifices are never forgotten, nor is the pain of their families.
We acknowledge that freedom comes at a cost and pray that we can pursue peace and someday celebrate Memorial Day as a long-ago memory of the time before we started living the peaceful existence you intended for us since the beginning of creation.
Let us turn to you, Lord, in our grief and in our remembrance of the fallen. Guide us toward a harmonious existence as we honor those who were willing to give up their lives that we may gather here today freely.
On this Memorial Day, we pray for peace and for those who gave all. Lead us toward a world where no one must give their lives in pursuit of freedom – may we be receptive to your guidance and may we never forget the fallen.
Thank you for supporting the 2018-2020 GFWC-NC President’s Special Project. We are so pleased to announce that we have made donations to the following organizations because of this effort. This opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women and children across North Carolina focuses on our goals of Healthy Women and Thriving Children.
Alamance Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization serving children and families in Alamance County. They administer Smart Start and NC Pre-Kindergarten funds, an early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed.
Alamance Regional Charitable Foundation – Pink Ribbon Fund. The Foundation is a well-known funding source for unmet medical needs in Alamance County. They target breast cancer, providing diagnostic procedures for mammograms for those who cannot afford them and breast cancer therapy essentials for women who have a malignancy. Breast cancer has touched all of us, and these funds will directly impact the health of women in the community.
Going Beyond the Pink is an educational and supportive resource to individuals and families affected by the life-threatening disease—breast cancer. The donation was made in honor of Joy Wade who is a program manager for “Going Beyond the Pink” and was a workshop speaker at the GFWC-NC Convention in Wilmington. So many charities need our support, now more than ever.
Harbor, Inc. is a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Johnston County. We are certain that this pandemic has increased the need for their services and hope we can make a difference. Since 1984, this Not-for-Profit organization has provided victims with a variety of services and programs to aid them to move beyond a life of violence to one that is violence free and encourages self-sufficiency.
Helene Foundation, located in Raleigh, is an organization created to honor Helene Davidian who was a nurse and mother with cancer. They support women and their families with a vast array of services from picking up groceries, cleaning houses, babysitting, driving to appointments, and beyond. Their support is amazing.
Novant Health Foundation – Breast Health Fund is built on a foundation of community outreach and partnerships with businesses. The Brunswick Medical Center’s mobile mammography coach has significantly increased the number of women in Brunswick County receiving mammograms, so we are providing additional assistance to this GFWC-NC Convention Partner.
Parkview Community Foundation, Inc. Their mission is to help the children reach their individual full potential and to be prepared for life and adulthood. They provide children and youth with programs that are neighborhood centered, placing priority on the entire family’s economic and social well-being, and is based on a foundation of positive core values.
Safe Harbor, located in Hickory, NC, offers services to anyone with the capacity and willingness to participate fully and safely, regardless of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin. Programs are co-ed and are for women and children in need of empowerment and support.
Donations were made in honor of all GFWC-NC Clubwomen, President Ann Landis, and the Executive Committee. Thank you again GFWC-NC. Your dedication and support are amazing!
This year is the 21st annual National Women’s Health Week, which kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 10 and is celebrated through May 16, 2020. This event is led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Women are encouraged to be as healthy as possible during this event. Each year millions of women take steps to improve their health. The agency normally encourages women and women’s groups to participate by organizing events or activities. However, this year, uncertainty as to the status of our ability to gather together in May will result in personal steps for each women to take to assess her health status and make changes.
What steps can you take for better health?
It is not always easy to take steps for better health, and each of you knows what works for you. Reflect on your goals, what motivates you, and what is holding you back from being your healthiest you. GFWC-NC has encouraged us to improve our health with the President’s Special Project: Healthy Women! Let us continue to live the healthiest life possible!
Sedgefield Woman’s Club continues working with March of Dimes, who has made operating changes. They note that there is still time to sign your team up at www.marchforbabies.org/event/guilfordcounty. Moms and babies need us now more than ever!
GFWC Warrenton Woman’s Club has been encouraging members who sew to make masks that can be donated to nursing homes, hospitals or doctors’ offices. Their President has offered to deliver them. They have many members working on the frontlines in healthcare, law enforcement and assisting with food support programs.
There are times when only a mother’s love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a mother’s love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we’ve dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a mother’s faith
Can help us on life’s way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a mother’s heart and a mother’s faith
And a mother’s steadfast love
Were fashioned by the angels
And sent from God above.
– Author Unknown
Mental Health has never been more important than this year. Until now, there were still some people who believed that mental health wasn’t everyone’s concern. They thought that our annual mental health resources – even though they were shared with millions – were aimed at just a small group of people – the one in five who have a mental health concern in any given year. That isn’t the case today.
Just weeks ago, we had no idea that our worlds were going to be turned upside down by the coronavirus or that the associated worry, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety would be something that literally everyone – all five in five – would experience.
It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster. Everyone reacts differently, and your own feelings will change over time. Notice and accept how you feel. Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. Self-care during an emergency will help your long-term healing.
Look out for these common signs of distress:
The Fuquay Varina Junior Woman’s Club has been busy supporting the community and beyond during COVID-19. Members have been sewing cloth facemasks. To date they have made more than 140. They have set up locations for members and non-members to pick up and/or donate supplies for masks. Also, they are using their Clubhouse as a drop off point for completed masks. They invited the community to join in and non-members have contributed 21 this far! Masks have been supplied to Rex Cancer Floor, assisted living enters, and nurses at Rex, Wake Med Raleigh, Transitional Health Services and Pine Acres Community Center.
Thanks for sharing your great work with us. Keep us informed and stay tuned for more updates in next week’s edition.
GFWC- SBI has several clubwomen making and distributing masks. To date 114 masks have been delivered to Hospice, Universal Healthcare and to high-risk individuals in the community. They are supporting the Wings Ministries’ Backpacks financially and with delivery support, ensuring that local children are being fed. Members are donating blood and/or platelets to the American Red Cross and food and supplies to the Brunswick Senior Resources Center. They are providing much needed financial support to several organizations throughout the county.
The Woman’s Club of Raleigh is coordinating assistance with groceries and medication for members. They have a Clubwoman contact ready to help put those who need help get in touch with those who can help. They have given Easter baskets to Triangle Family Services. Members contributed most of the items before COVID-19, so one member coordinated the 86 baskets at her home (using social distancing) and transported them to the organization in time for Easter. Also, to keep each other’s spirits up, they are checking on each other, and sending out inspirational messages and poems via e-mail to members. They are making masks for people in high risk areas: pregnant women, the elderly, and public workers. Businesses have spread the word, so they get calls daily from people who need masks.
Greensboro Woman’s Club has donated funds to local food banks/distribution organizations. Through the Arts CSP, the club also donated to the Greensboro Artist Emergency Relief Fund to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by event and performance cancellations. 100% of the gifted funds directly benefit artists in Greensboro. Finally, the Public Issues CSP is following through on a project planned early in the year of providing “Grab and Go” packaged treats to EMS and 911 Operators.
World Immunization Week will be observed April 24-30, 2020. There is no doubt that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has upended life around the world. If we did not appreciate the critical role that vaccinations have had in protecting lives before this life-threatening pandemic, most of us now understand the importance of immunizations while we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Strong health systems remain critical to global preparedness for disease outbreaks. Investing in routine immunization, primary health care, and community health workers bolsters a nation’s ability to handle both common illnesses and unanticipated health concerns like the emergence of novel pathogens. The stress many feel amid this outbreak is not so different from the day-to-day stress medically vulnerable people experience. We cannot take this for granted in the United States.
While a coronavirus vaccine will provide the best line of defense against the disease, it is likely that it will take a year because it takes time to develop a vaccine that is safe and effective. You can help by supporting vaccine research and procurement, through organizations like CDC and USAID Shot@Life. Please contact the offices of your local congressman and Senators Burr and Tillis and ask them to prioritize funding for global vaccine programs through partners such as the United Nations, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), CDC, and USAID.
Today’s COVID-19 pandemic underscores that an outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere.
Thanks to all the clubs who have shared their activities with us! Here are just some of the projects and accomplishments:
Burlington Woman’s Club members have sewn over 400 masks for the elderly, friends, family, and nursing homes. Members have supplied fabric, including sheets, thread and elastic. The son of one member donated a large supply of elastic which has been shared with an organization in Colorado, enough to make 250 masks, and locally, enough for 50 masks.
The Club’s Backpack project is still operating although in a different way. Currently we supply 55 backpacks. The Little Free Library is being supplied weekly to serve those who visit Joe Davison Park. One thoughtful member invited members to stop by and choose books from the stash she has left on her front porch. Members are staying in touch by phone, text and email. Some are sending humorous emails for welcome relief. Members are calling and helping the elderly who live alone and need assistance.
Woman’s League of Henderson members have been volunteering every day at the ACTS House in Henderson (Area Christians Together in Service). They furnish meals for the homeless, Meals on Wheels, and Backpack Buddies, plus food packs for families in need in the area. They are now only providing take-out plates where before individuals could eat in the dining room. They post information on Facebook about meals served each day and items needed. They are making donations to local agencies in need.
Greensboro Woman’s Club has been supporting A Simple Gesture to end hunger in their community. Club members filled their green bags and the Home Life CSP coordinated a time for safe and easy drop off. A Simple Gesture’s office also supplies baby formula to pediatric offices for families in need. Many members have provided both canned goods and formula. Twenty-two members spent 31 hours shopping and delivering the food, valued at $1,023.
Anderson Creek Club Woman’s Club – There was a strong need to shop for those who are unable to leave their homes, so 20 out of 29 members volunteered to be our Shopping Angels. This program is ongoing, but so far, they have clocked 36 hours of shopping. To address the shortage of facemasks, they formed the Sewing & Cutting Angels. Cutting Angels and Sewing Angels have worked to supply our hospitals in Harnett County with over 200 masks thus far.
Members of the Mary Stewart Woman’s Club have been providing snacks and baked goods to the nursing staff at WakeMed Hospital.
Roanoke Island Woman’s Club members have been sewing surgical masks for their community.
GFWC-NC will share more activities in next week’s Federation Friday. Thanks for all you do!
To celebrate 130 years, GFWC is planning a legislative blitz. Plan to call, email, or write your US Senators and Representatives on April 24th to urge them to pass Miranda’s Law (S. 1787 and H.R. 2793) and the 3D Printed Gun Safety Act (S. 1831 and H.R. 3265). Ask family and friends to join.
This will be the last chance to participate in the 3 Brand Initiatives this administration. We will also be honoring all of our sisters who fought so hard to gain the women’s right to vote. Stay tuned!
