The March of Dimes Chicago Chef of the Year Award was created out of a desire to honor Chef Rick Bayless for his achievements, especially as they relate to the March of Dimes and its annual Chicago Signature Chefs Auction. As the inaugural winner of this award, Bayless is being honored for his many efforts including his dedication to the culinary arts, his humanitarian efforts, his dedication to the environment, the farming industry and an eco-friendly lifestyle, and his recent accomplishments in Bravo's Top Chef Masters, which brought nationwide attention to local chefs and to the Chicago restaurant market.
"Chef Bayless is a culinary legend who has used his fame and success to not only bring some great attention to the Chicago Restaurant world, but also to encourage a green and sustainable lifestyle, which is especially important for new and expecting mothers," says Dane Neal, co-host of Restaurant Radio Chicago.
Bayless will be in Mexico on the night of the auction, and has worked with the March of Dimes to create an exclusive video presentation for the award to be shown at the event. In the video, the award is given to Bayless by the Kernans, a family that has been affected by the organization's mission, and who most recently raised the most funds in the history of the state of Illinois ($42,000) as a Family Team for this year's walk, March for Babies.
"In addition, to have this fantastic award with Chef Rick Bayless as its inaugural recipient, and presented at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs event, which is by far the premier food-related charity event in Chicago, immediately makes it one of the most prestigious honors that chefs in this city will be vying for next year," says Neal.
The event is Thursday, October 29, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel, 5 p.m. More than 600 guests will sample the unique dishes of local chefs representing some of the city's most notable restaurants. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tinytastings.com.
(10-20-09)
Before throwing out the meat and seeds of a carved Halloween pumpkin chew on this:
Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and potassium, and the seeds are high in fiber, vitamin B12 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, one of the so-called good fats.
"The flesh of pumpkin and the seeds are abundant in many essential nutrients," says Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "Pumpkins are low in fat, calories and are loaded with vitamins."
If you are planning to use fresh pumpkin for baking, Sandon says, choose smaller, blemish- and bruise-free pumpkins. Smaller pumpkins have softer and tastier meat. To maintain freshness, pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
And don't forget to oven roast the pumpkin seeds. They are ideal as snacks or as a salad topping.
Check out our Purely Pumpkin Recipe Collection!
(10-20-09)
The first swine flu vaccinations will start to arrive this week in some parts of the country. Around 600,000 doses of FluMist, a vaccine that is squirted into the nose, will be distributed between 21 states and four larger cities, with more following later in the week. The larger shipments of the vaccine (around 40 million) will start shipping the second week of October.
This year, most people will need two different shots for influenza; one for the "normal" flu and one for H1N1, or the swine flu. Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of H1N1.
Learn more by reading Swine Flu and Pregnancy: How Does the Influenza H1N1 Strain Affect Mom-to-be? and Swine Flu and Babies: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment for the Swine Flu. (10-06-09)
Many people who have died from 2009 H1N1 influenza in the United States had co-infections with a common bacteria (
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus), which likely contributed to their death, according to a report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC is reminding people of the importance of being vaccinated against this common bacterium.
"Our influenza season is off to a fast start and unfortunately there will be more cases of bacterial infections in people suffering from influenza," says CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Moore. "It's really important for people, especially those at high risk for the serious complications from influenza, to check with their provider when they get their influenza vaccine about being vaccinated against pneumococcus."
The CDC report included an analysis of specimens taken from 77 fatal cases of 2009 H1N1. Bacterial co-infections, including some caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, were noted in about a third of those cases. The following are CDC's recommendations for vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia:
All children under 5 years of age should receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine according to current recommendations.
In addition, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) should be administered to all persons 2 to 64 years with high-risk conditions and everyone 65 years and older.
The entire MMWR report can be found at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
Read the following for more information:
Pregnant Women Urged to Get Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu and Pregnancy: How Does the Influenza H1N1 Strain Affect Mom-to-be?
Swine Flu and Babies: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment for the Swine Flu
Swine Flu Vaccine: One Shot or Two? (10-06-09)
For young children, the home is a playground, and while many parents childproof to ensure that their home is a safe place, some may not be aware that unsecured TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents once again to take simple, low-cost steps to prevent deaths and injuries associated with furniture, TV and appliance tip-overs.
CPSC staff estimates that in 2006, 16,300 children 5 years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs, and between 2000 and 2006, CPSC staff received reports of 134 tip-over related deaths. Additionally, CPSC staff is aware of at least 30 media reports of tip-over deaths since January 2007 involving this same age group.
"Many parents are unaware of the deadly danger of this hidden hazard. I urge parents to include securing TVs, furniture and appliances in their childproofing efforts," says CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Taking a few moments now can prevent a tip-over tragedy later."
"You may think your home is safe, but everyday things like a television can hurt your child. I was right there and it happened," says Sylvia Santiago, of West Haven, Conn., who lost her 2-year-old daughter in 2008.
Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries. "The most devastating injuries that we see resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates," says Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Recent revisions to the voluntary safety standards for clothes storage units provide for the inclusion of warning labels and additional hardware to secure the furniture to the floor or wall. To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests or dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall.
Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.
Push the TV as far back as possible.
Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach kids not to play with them.
Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won't be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
Learn more by reading Toppling Televisions: Taking Precautions to Keep Babies Safe Around TVs.
(9-29-09)
In recognition of national ADHD Awareness Day,
Dancing with the Stars performer and professional dancer Karina Smirnoff is adding her voice to the growing attention about adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by sharing her personal experiences for the first time and advocating for others to seek evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Smirnoff is partnering with Shire plc , the global specialty biopharmaceutical company and a leader in ADHD treatment, in an effort to highlight the impact of ADHD on adults at work, at home and in social settings, and to educate people that ADHD symptom management is possible.
"As a professional dancer, I've become known for my moves and my career accomplishments, but most people don't know about another part of my life – I'm an adult with ADHD," says Smirnoff.
Smirnoff has struggled with the ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity throughout her life. She was diagnosed after a friend recognized how her symptoms were impacting her life, and urged her to see a doctor. With the hope that other adults with ADHD will benefit from her story, she is speaking out about her experiences with ADHD to reinforce that ADHD is a real, treatable medical disorder.
"My parents tried anything and everything just to address my inattention and provide an outlet for my hyperactivity," says Smirnoff. "They enrolled me in activities that held my interest like figure skating, ballet, gymnastics and playing the piano. Throughout my life, I have found ways to cope with my symptoms, because I thought they were just part of who I am."
"After speaking with my doctor and getting diagnosed with ADHD, I realized that having tools – such as medication and organizational strategies – would help manage my symptoms," says Smirnoff. "In addition to recommending strategies, such as taking breaks during rehearsals, my doctor prescribed Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) Capsules CII, as part of my ADHD treatment plan. Like most adults, my schedule is very busy. My day is filled with 10-hour dance rehearsals for my television show, teaching choreography, dancing in shows and constant travel. With improvement in my ADHD symptoms, I can focus on finishing what I start."
"My doctor did let me know about the possible side effects of Vyvanse, including possible heart problems, as well as more commonly associated side effects including decreased appetite, difficulty falling asleep and dry mouth," says Smirnoff. "Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Because everyone is different, work with your doctor to find a treatment plan, which may include educational approaches, psychological or behavioral modification and/or medication, that may be right for you."
To learn more about Karina Smirnoff's story, visit www.vyvanseadult.com.
(9-22-09)
Chlorine is effective at killing pathogens in swimming pools, but it also irritates the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract of swimmers, according to a study in the journal
Pediatrics. Recent research has found swimming in outdoor or indoor chlorinated pools can increase asthma risks. The study found that children who swim in chlorinated pools have a higher risk of asthma, as well as other allergic diseases such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
Researchers in Belgium compared the health of adolescents who swim in chlorinated pools to adolescents who swim in pools sanitized with a concentration of copper and silver. In children with allergic sensitivities (atopy), exposure to chlorinated pools significantly increased the prevalence of asthma and respiratory allergies.
Study authors suggest the chlorine-based oxidants in the water or just above the water cause changes in the airway and promote the development of allergic diseases. The findings reinforce the need for further research and to enforce regulations on the level of these chemicals in the water and air of swimming pools.
(9-22-09)
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) reminds parents to get their children vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children 6 months through 18 years of age get a seasonal flu vaccination each year. This is the first year that this full influenza vaccination recommendation for children will be implemented by all doctors.
"Every year we remind families about the importance of getting children vaccinated against the flu," says Richard Kanowitz, president of FFF. "This year, it is just as important as any other to get your kids vaccinated. The seasonal flu is very serious as it took the life of my healthy daughter who was only 4 years old when she died. I do not want what happened to my family to happen to any other family; therefore, I encourage everyone to call their doctor now and make an appointment to get your kids vaccinated."
FFF is also announcing the availability of a new public service announcement (PSA) that features soccer legend and mom, Mia Hamm, who talks about the importance of getting a seasonal flu vaccination this year and every year. The goal of the PSA is to encourage families to get their kids, and themselves, vaccinated against the seasonal flu, which is the single best way to stay healthy. The PSA was developed in partnership with FFF, the American Youth Soccer Organization and MedImmune.
"I am excited about this new PSA as it is another great tool to help educate families about the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination," says Joe Lastinger, board member of FFF who lost his healthy 3-year-old daughter to influenza in 2004. "As a dad who has kids that play sports, it is very important to my wife and me that we help keep our children healthy by getting them vaccinated every year so that they don't get sidelined by the flu. We've seen firsthand the devastation that can result from not getting children vaccinated. It's our responsibility as parents to protect our children, so please get them a seasonal flu vaccination this year and every year."
To view the new PSA, click here.
Learn more by reading the following:
Swine Flu and Pregnancy
Swine Flu and Babies
Tackling Influenza: Healthy Decisions This Flu Season
Pregnant Women and New Parents Urged to Get Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu Vaccine: One Shot or Two?
CDC Answers Questions About Swine Flu and Breastfeeding
Expert Tips for Swine Flu Prevention
What Parents Should Know About Swine Flu
(9-15-09)
Katherine Heigl, 30, star of ABC's
Grey's Anatomy, and her husband, Josh Kelley, are adopting a special needs baby girl from Korea. The little girl is almost 10 months old and was born the day before Heigl's birthday in November. Heigl, who also has a sister adopted from Korea, and Kelley have been married since December 7, 2008. The actress announced the adoption on
The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
(9-15-09)
As a new school year gets underway, President Obama launched a major back-to-school campaign aimed at keeping kids in the classroom. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) new Chairman Inez Tenenbaum carried the President's message to South Carolina where she met with students and faculty at Rosewood Elementary School in Columbia.
Tenenbaum, a former South Carolina State Superintendant of Education, brings a strong focus to CPSC on educating and informing children and consumers across the nation about product safety. She released CPSC's "Back to School Safety Checklist" and urged parents and schools to use it to create a safer school environment for children.
"It just takes a moment for a child to be seriously injured or even killed riding a bicycle, playing on the playground, using a movable soccer goal, wearing a jacket with a drawstring or by a recalled product," says Tenenbaum. "Let's keep kids in the classroom and out of the emergency room. Parents and school officials should make it a priority to check for hazards at home and at school."
CPSC's "Back to School Safety Checklist"
Playgrounds:
I checked with my school's officials to make sure that the school's playground equipment has been inspected and maintained.
There are at least 9 inches of shock-absorbing surface material around my school's playground equipment.
Each year, more than 200,000 hospital emergency room visits are related to playground injuries. Most injuries involve falls onto the playground surface or playground equipment.
Bicycle Helmets:
My child wears a helmet that meets CPSC requirements every time he/she bikes or rides a scooter to and from school.
My child's helmet fits snuggly, level on top of the head, with a buckled chin strap.
CPSC staff has reports of an annual average of 80 children under 16 years of age who died in bicycle-related incidents in recent years. About half of the approximately 500,000 bicycle-related emergency-room-treated injuries in 2008 involved children under 16 years of age.
Drawstrings:
None of my child's outerwear clothing has drawstrings at the hood or neck area.
Since 1985, CPSC has received reports of 28 deaths and 71 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children's clothing drawstrings.
Movable Soccer Goals:
All soccer goals are securely anchored while in use.
From 1998-2008, CPSC has reports of at least eight deaths and an estimated 2,000 emergency department visits by children younger than 16 years of age that are related to soccer goal tip-overs and structural failures.
Recalled Products:
I have checked CPSC's Web site, www.cpsc.gov, to make sure all back-to-school purchases and previously owned items have not been recalled.
I have signed up at www.cpsc.gov to have e-mail alerts of CPSC recall announcements that interest me sent directly to my e-mail inbox.
Keep track of recalls by bookmarking our Product Safety Recalls page.
(9-15-09)
See parents helping parents in action! 
