Dr Lisa Shaver

It’s National Emoji Day.
What’s your fave emoji???

Know anyone struggling with food scarcity?

The Oregon Food Bank’s site offers resources.

Food Finder - Oregon Food Bank Find free groceries, fresh produce and nutritious meals near you through Oregon Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites.

Smiles for your Monday.

Choose What You Love

Engaging in activities you are passionate about has a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while enhancing your overall sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Do What You Love - DWYL is about a life journey. It is a journey across a territory of self-awareness, particularly of one's values and goals.

DWYL can be about small acts that bring joy. Planting your favorite flower. Watching a hummingbird. Savoring your favorite tea or wine. Joining a group that also loves hiking or crafting or woodworking.

It’s National French Fry Day!

Make your own French fries by using the oven or air fryer to reduce the amount of oil used. They will still be crispy and hot that craving!

Potatoes do not deserve the villain status that they hold. A medium-sized potato with the skin on has around 3 grams of protein, which is more than most vegetables and similar to 1/3 cup of milk.

They are a good source of vitamin C, B6, and iron.

A small but significant portion of the starch in a potato is resistant to digestion by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine, and so reaches the large intestine essentially intact.

This resistant starch is considered to have similar physiological effects and health benefits as fiber: it provides bulk, offers protection against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and possibly even reduces fat storage.

Enjoy baked French fries!

Homemade French Fries {Crispy Baked Fries} – WellPlated.com How to make the best crispy Homemade French Fries in the oven! The secrets to perfect baked fries, plus how to make French fries crispy again.

Food Scandals!! 😡

Can I tell you that I read stories and reports and exposes about this kind of thing every week?

China is freaking out over an 'open secret' that its cooking oil was ferried for years in chemical tanks that weren't cleaned China is up in arms after state media discovered trucks interchangeably delivered soy oil and chemicals for fuel without cleaning their tanks.

Don’t even go there! No comparing yourself to anyone who you see on social media. What you see is often not reality. 🧐

Self love and self acceptance, please! Be gentle with yourself.☺️

Here’s an example!

Woman Challenges Unrealistic Body Standards With Side-By-Side “Real Me Monday” Photos Of Herself (30 Pics) We live in a world that is very much influenced by social media. And what we usually scroll through is a never-ending chain of pictures that showcase happy people with perfect bodies in beautiful places.

Chocolate Cake from Scratch for World Chocolate Day

This cake has 40 five-star reviews. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and super chocolatey.

Recipe here:
https://bromabakery.com/vegan-gluten-free-chocolate-cake/

We do not become healers.
We came as healers. We are.
Some of us are still catching up to what we are.
We do not become storytellers.
We came as carriers of the stories we and our ancestors actually lived. We are.
Some of us are still catching up to what we are.
We do not become artists.
We came as artists. We are.
Some of us are still catching up to what we are.
We do not become writers.. dancers.. musicians.. helpers.. peacemakers.
We came as such. We are.
Some of us are still catching up to what we are.
We do not learn to love in this sense.
We came as Love. We are Love.
Some of us are still catching up to who we truly are.
~✨~✨ ~✨~✨ ~✨~✨ ~✨~✨ ~✨~✨ ~✨
✍️Wise words by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes
🎨Divine art by Lucy Campbell

h/t Wild Woman Magic

Flag Cake - gluten-free & vegan

Easy recipe. The red stripes are from strawberries and the blue from blueberries. The texture is light and fluffy, with a subtly sweet flavor that gets better every day after it’s baked.

Vegan Gluten-Free Flag Cake - Healthier Steps Easy to prepare Vegan Gluten-Free Cake is the perfect dessert to serve at your 4th of July cookout. It is easy to prepare and so moist and delicious.

FDA Bans Beverage Additive, Mostly Found in Sodas

According to the FDA, the ingredient Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted by the agency in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse effects in humans.

Full list of beverages with BVO:
https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/ingredients/7939-BrominatedVegetableOilBVO/search/?page=1&per_page=12&type=products

California banned the ingredient in October when it passed the California Food Safety Act, while BVO is already banned in Europe and Japan.

Though major brands have all but eliminated the ingredient from their product lines, it's still found in many commonly available products, such as multiple flavors of D&G Genuine Jamaican Soda, Sun Drop, several store-brand soft drinks, including HEB Orange Burst and Giant Orange Soda, and citrus-flavored juice.

Brominated vegetable oil can accumulate in the body and has been linked to health hazards which include nervous system damage, headaches, skin and mucous membrane irritation, fatigue and loss of muscle coordination and memory.

A study found that consumption of BVO by pigs damaged their hearts, kidneys, livers and testicles.

Read more here:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/health/fda-brominated-vegetable-oil-ban-wellness/index.html

The FDA will no longer allow this potentially harmful additive found in some sodas | CNN The FDA has allowed the use of brominated vegetable oil with regulations in some sodas. But that will not continue, according to a new statement.

Women with greater adherence to Mediterranean diet have 23% lower risk for death

"For women who want to live longer, our study says watch your diet!” Saima Mora, MD, MHS, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and study’s senior author, said in a press release. “The good news is that following a Mediterranean dietary pattern could result in about one-quarter reduction in risk of death over more than 25 years with benefit for both cancer and cardiovascular mortality, the top causes of death in women (and men) in the U.S. and globally.”

Read summary of study here: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20240605/women-with-greater-adherence-to-mediterranean-diet-have-23-lower-risk-for-death

Flavonoid-rich diet may reduce risk for type 2 diabetes by 26%

Flavanoids are found in: apples, red grapes, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bilberries, blackberries), peaches, pears, lettuce, cranberries, tomatoes, onions, kale, green and black tea.

Key takeaways:
-> Eating six servings of flavonoid-rich foods a day was linked to a 26% lower risk for type 2 diabetes.
-> Individual flavonoid subclasses were tied to risk reductions ranging from 19% to 28%.

The results could be attributed to the benefits of a flavonoid-rich diet on sugar metabolism, obesity, liver status, kidney function and basal inflammation, according to the researchers.

Read summary here: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20240531/flavonoidrich-diet-may-reduce-risk-for-type-2-diabetes

Banks to Vernonia Bike Trail Named National Recreation Trail

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a 21-mile paved rail-to-trail route connecting the towns of Banks and Vernonia through Stub Stewart State Park and was Oregon’s first abandoned railway converted to trail.

It’s a beautiful trail to hike or bike. Multiple parking area options along the trail.

Banks–Vernonia Trail Named National Recreation Trail In celebration of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day on June 1, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has announced the designation of four new National Recreation Trails in

Pack the essentials before even a short hike

“I didn’t bring anything” besides a flashlight and folding scissors because “I thought I was doing a three-hour hike” on the way to work, said the man.

Read more hear about some who went on what he thought was going to be a 3 hour hike and who was lost for more than a week: https://apple.news/ADm3PdsOMRditrkh_gst0jw

https://apple.news/ADm3PdsOMRditrkh_gst0jw

An intervention combining yoga and the Mediterranean diet improved nutrition, balance and body strength in community-dwelling older adults, according to results a randomized controlled trial.

The researchers developed a 12-week intervention where participants aged 65 years or older underwent 60-minute yoga sessions twice a week and adhered to the Mediterranean diet program.

Read more here: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20240604/intervention-mixing-yoga-mediterranean-diet-shows-benefits-in-older-adults

Recall at New Seasons Market for Bakewell Dessert - Update as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

Portland based New Seasons Market LLC recalled its Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart earlier in June due to it containing almonds that were not declared on the product packaging.

“The manufacturer confirmed the product did contain almond flour, but almond was not listed in the product specification. New Seasons Market initiated this recall because the scale label does not declare almond."

Read more:
https://www.newsweek.com/dessert-recall-update-fda-highest-risk-level-1915601

Smiles for your Monday.

Cartoon by Farley Katz.

Most Outdoorsy State in the Nation?

Oregon is #2, after Minnesota and before Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Colorado and Washington state.

How do you get outdoors?
Walks in parks?
Hikes in the mountains?
Paddling on a river or lake?
Biking on rural roads?
Beach days at the coast?
Horseback riding on trails?

Oregon is the No. 2 most outdoorsy state From hiking to cycling to horseback riding and so much more, our state has so many outdoor activities to choose from.

Summertime can be germy: A microbiologist explains how to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool or on the trail

Animal protein: Meats, including fish and poultry, often house harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli or Listeria. Raw meat can contaminate anything it touches, so be sure to wash your hands and disinfect surfaces and utensils. (see article for more)

Water: Unfortunately, some germs can remain infectious in chlorine for several minutes or days, which is plenty of time to spread from one person to another. These include viruses such as norovirus, bacteria such as E. coli, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. To avoid becoming infected, swim in well-maintained facilities and avoid swallowing the water. (see article for more)

Hiking: While hiking or camping, you may come across water that looks clean enough to drink, but don’t be tempted. Be sure to boil or properly filter water you drink to avoid bacteria such as E. coli and parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. These intestinal pathogens will produce cramps, nausea and diarrhea – especially unpleasant symptoms when you don’t have access to indoor plumbing. (see article for more)

Read more here: https://theconversation.com/summertime-can-be-germy-a-microbiologist-explains-how-to-avoid-getting-sick-at-the-barbecue-in-the-pool-or-on-the-trail-231794

🐾😺 July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month

I want to help you keep your precious kittens & puppies safe!

Here are 3 friendly tips to ensure their well-being:

​😻Create a cozy hideaway! Give your adorable pet a safe, quiet room to retreat to during your summer parties. Remember to be extra cautious at the door to prevent any curious escapes!

​😻Staycation for your pets! Instead of traveling with them, consider asking a trusted neighbor, family member, or hiring a reliable pet sitter to care for your furry friends in the comfort of their own home.

​😻The power of microchipping! 🏷️ This tiny device is a lifesaver. By having your pets microchipped, you increase the chances of a happy reunion if they ever find themselves in the hands of animal control.

Let's keep our companions safe and sound this month and always. Share these tips and spread the love! ❤️🐾

The summer solstice in 2024 will be on Thursday, June 20 at 1:51 PM Pacific Time (PDT).

The summer solstice occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and marks midsummer: the 'longest day' and 'shortest night' of the year.

On this day, the number of hours of daylight are at their maximum, while the number of hours of night are at their minimum.

It's often said to be a time of new beginnings; with the changing of the seasons, we say goodbye to a long, stagnant period of self-reflection and welcome the fiery energy of the sun to propel us forward.

This very physical changing of the seasons is a powerful time to manifest transformations.

Day Hiking Essentials- do have these in your day pack?

Friends of mine went for a day hike at Eagle Creek about 15 years ago and got caught up in talking and somehow went off-trail and got lost and the sun was setting.
Though it was a warm day, it got into the low 40’s at night. They made do, and had some basic survival skills under their belts, but were both embarrassed that, as experienced hikers, they had not prepared for the emergency. They managed and got out the next day with help from a rescue crew.

Be prepared.

Hiking Essentials Checklist: What to Bring on a Hike | REI Co-op Our comprehensive checklists for day hikers features required and optional gear, clothing and accessories.

Columbia River Swim Spots and Beaches Under 90 Minutes from Portland

From Sauvie Island to Broughton Beach to Rooster Rock, the Columbia River is big enough for everyone to find some sand and take a dip.

Columbia River Swim Spots and Beaches Under 90 Minutes from Portland Postcard perfect? Not always. But the mighty Columbia is big enough for everyone.

Multnomah Co Pet Adoption Sale

The Animal Services shelter, located at 1700 Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale, is offering a “Sun’s Out, Tongues Out” adoption special through the end of June to help with the overcrowding.

During the adoption sale, the county is charging $25 for dogs and puppies, $15 for cats and kittens and $5 for rabbits and “pocket pets” like guinea pigs, hamsters and rodents.

Multnomah County Animal Services announces adoption sale as kennels reach capacity Multnomah County Animal Services announced that it is holding a summer adoption sale as its kennels are at capacity.

Smiles for your Monday

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver