Month: June 2014

About once a year, I like to remind people why it is so important to donate blood. I’ve believed for most of my life that if you are willing to take something, you should be willing to give it in return. That especially applies to giving blood. It is so easy and yet such a lifesaving gesture.
I’ve been giving blood since I was in my 20’s and weighed enough to meet the requirements. Later in life, I realized even more how important it is to give. When my son Jordan was in a terrible accident at the age of fourteen, the impact of how we all need to pay it forward really struck me. If you would accept blood for yourself or your loved ones when they are in the hospital, I believe it is our duty to give it when you are able. Some people cannot give because of a medical reason, others have a great fear of needles. I can tell you, it only is a small pinch for a quick second. The small “sacrifice” is by far worth the benefit.
Here are some facts from the American Red Cross about donating blood:
Facts about blood needs
• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 70,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
Each blood donation is said to save up to three lives. What greater benefit can you get than that? It is an amazing gift. Other benefits to giving blood are it actually makes YOU healthier to donate. According to studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack and 33% less likely to suffer any type of cardiovascular event. They are not sure why, but hey- I’ll take those stats! It also is said to burn calories and may reduce your risk of cancer as well. Not to mention you get a free health check up for cholesterol, blood pressure and other biometrics each time you donate. You can give every 56 days so check with your employer or church for upcoming blood drives, or go to Carter Blood Care or American Red Cross websites to find a donation site.
http://www.carterbloodcare.org/Donate-Blood
http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/why-donate-blood

Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator for the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].

Wellness does not just mean gym time. One very common issue I see people dealing with is fiscal fitness. I know many people who are struggling with money. Many folks are trying to afford healthy food for them or are trying to feed their kids on a limited budget. So, in times of financial stress, how do you eat well?
When my son Jordan was growing up, we were very poor. I was a single mom, working a low-paying job, paying for daycare, and going to college all at the same time. We didn’t have money for extras, so we didn’t buy things like chips, soda, and candy. In some ways, that was a blessing because Jordan grew up not having junk food in the house and much of that carried forth to his adulthood. However, back in those days, before my life took the path of wellness, I bought many things that were inexpensive, but not nutritious like boxed macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, raviolis, peanut butter and white bread.
As the years went by, I learned more about health and nutrition and the food in our house became more nutrition-based and yet was still affordable on my very limited income. We cut out most of the processed, “fast-foods,” and added in more things like chicken breasts, broccoli, egg whites, canned tuna, and spinach.
Some tips I have for eating well on a budget.
• Eat plant-strong meals. Serve spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts or another leafy green with most meals.
• Grow your own. For the green-thumb-blessed, this is a great option. For those like me, if you factor in the cost of seeds, the time weeding the garden, and the fact that I eventually kill most plants, this isn’t the best plan.
• Food co-ops. We are very lucky to have Bountiful Baskets available to us locally. I get a great basket of fruits and vegetables for around $15. Bountifulbaskets.org.
Where do you get your protein? Try alternatives to meat. Things like tofu, quinoa, beans, canned tuna and eggs are all very affordable options for protein sources. Many vegetables are also a great source of affordable protein; just make sure you are getting a whole protein when eating non-animal foods (like eating brown rice with your beans or broccoli so that you get all of the essential amino acids that you need).

The breakdown:
• Quinoa (1 cup) contains 8.14 grams of protein: $2.19 per box (2 servings = $1.10 per serving)
• Chia seeds (2T) contains 6 grams of protein: $6.99 for 12 oz container (14 servings = .50 cents per serving)
• Tofu (1/3 cup) contains 7 grams of protein: $1.99 per container (5 servings = .40 cents per serving)
• Broccoli (12.5 oz) has 11.5 grams of protein: $1 per bag (7 servings = .14 cents per serving)
• Tuna (1/2 can) 20 grams of protein: .79 cents per can (2 servings = .40 cents per serving)
• Eggs (1 whole egg) 7 grams of protein: $2.79 per dozen (12 servings = .23 cents per serving)

Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator for the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].