Lifestyle

Consider a plant-forward diet to help reduce your risk of breast cancer. That’s the finding from a new French research study, presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

Acting as a caregiver for a loved one can be emotionally draining however handling the range of emotions brought forth by the need to care for a spouse can be especially draining. While many seniors who are suffering from debilitating effects of aging or disease also suffer from depression, spousal caregivers may be likely to experience depression at an even higher rate than those for whom they care. Such depression can be spurred by a wide variety of emotional struggles. Care recipients may no longer have the cognitive ability to relate to their spouse, leaving spousal caregivers feeling as though they have lost the husband or wife they once knew so well. Many times, caregiv-ers may feel as though they’re adjusting to taking care of an entirely different person, especially with diagnoses like dementia, which can leave caregivers mourning the loss of their previous life with their husband or wife. While caregivers may feel guilty for these emotions, they are completely normal. Although you may fear talking with others about the changes in your marriage, support groups of caregivers in similar situations may offer a chance to talk about your challenges with people in similar situations. Emotional strain can have an undeniable impact on physical well-being. Excess stress can lead to poor sleep, increased blood pressure, weight gain or loss, headaches or any other wealth of symptoms. Aside from physical conditions that negatively affect health, physical challenges may present themselves in other ways. For example, wives may have trouble physically helping their husband move around the home due to a sheer difference in weight and size, while husbands may find that their own physical conditions make It difficult to help their wife with her mobility. To help work around these physical challenges, it may be helpful to seek assistance from a home care agency, physically able friends and family, or assistive devices like motorized wheelchairs or walkers that can help reduce some of the physical strain.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: When my daughter was young, she spent hours playing outside and running around. That happens a lot less now that she is a teen. I’m worried that she is not getting enough exercise. How much does she need each week, and do you have tips to motivate her to get moving?

Monday, June 27: Hot dogs Tuesday, June 28: Chicken salad sandwich Wednesday, June 29: Fish Thursday, June 30: Rib sandwich Friday, July 1: Chicken and noodles Reservations need to be made a day prior by calling 580-763- 8051. All meals are served with entrée, sides and dessert.

Monday, June 27: Spaghetti with meat sauce, corn, salad, dessert, garlic bread Tuesday, June 28: Pork loin, macaroni cheese, peas, salad, dessert, hot rolls Wednesday, June 29: Sour cream enchiladas, refried beans, Spanish rice, salad, dessert, chips, salsa Thursday, June 30: Smothered chicken breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad, dessert, hot rolls Friday, July 1: Pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, baked beans, dessert.

Tuesday, June 28: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, desserts Thursday, June 30: Hamburgers, baked beans ,chips, macaroni salad, dessert.