Halloween Recipes

Halloween is just around the corner and our very own chef-in-residence, Shelby Brethour, has come up with some amazing Halloween recipes that are fast and fun to make. By day, Shelby works hard at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. By evening, she is a self-proclaimed kitchen goddess and food blog writer at http://www.shelbysfoodblog.blogspot.com/. In her work capacity, she travels all across the state and has had the great opportunity to eat and taste much amazing food. In our brand new section, Shelby will be using her many food adventures to bring us some amazing recipes from all around the state.

Low Fat Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

 -1 (8 ounce) package fat free cream cheese, softened

-2 cups confectioners' sugar

-1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

-1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

-1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

-1 teaspoon orange juice

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
• Gradually mix in the pumpkin.
• Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice until smooth and well blended.
• Chill until serving. Serve with cookies, fruit, or spread on toasted pieces of whole wheat bread and Enjoy!!!

Turkey Dog Mummies

Ingredients

-1 can of reduced fat crescent roll dough

-1 package of turkey dogs

-Yellow Mustard

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Open the pack of turkey dogs and pat them dry.
• Open the crescent roll dough. Take one piece of the crescent roll dough at the bottom of the turkey dog and wrap it up the turkey dog so that it looks like a mummy.
• Repeat on all the turkey dogs and place on a baking sheet.
• Cook 15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.

Do you have a favorite Halloween recipe? Comment below and let us know.

Embrace a Healthy Florida

Did you know that in Florida, 33.1% of children ages 10-17 are overweight or obese? This means Florida has a higher percentage of childhood obesity than the national average which stands at 30.6%. A study from the New England Journal of Medicine shows that children who are overweight or obese are more likely than others to become obese as adults. A 2004 study commissioned by the Action for Healthy Kids show that overweight and obese children may also suffer from higher rates of depression, greater difficulty in peer relationships and poorer quality of life than their normal weight counterparts.

This is why partnerships like Healthy Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition and the BCBSF Foundation are important. This August marked the 10th anniversary of the coalition and was commemorated with the unveiling of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation’s 2011 Embrace a Healthy Florida grant recipients for the city of Jacksonville.

To learn more, watch Susan Towler (Vice President, BCBSF Foundation) speak at the Healthy Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition's 10-Year Anniversary Celebration.

Fashion’s Night Out

If you are in Tampa on September 8^th, join us at the International Plaza and Bay Street for Fashion’s Night Out, an after-hours shopping extravaganza filled with live music, caricature artists, DJs, competitions and tons of shopping.

We, at BCBSF, are excited to be a sponsor for Fashion’s Night Out, where designers participate in an exciting, one-of-a-kind event in stores all over the globe from Manhattan to Milan, Atlanta to Australia. Led by Vogue Magazine and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, this year marks the first time the International Plaza retailers in Tampa will be representing Tampa Bay’s first official Fashion’s Night Out. So get out there and boost your local economy by indulging in a little shopping at the International Plaza and Bay Street!

Florida Blue Young Authors Contest

We are so proud of 7^th grader Noelle Schneider! This 13 year old homeschooler from St. Petersburg, Florida is the winner of the Florida Blue Young Authors Contest, a contest sponsored by Florida Blue and the Books by Kids Foundation. The contest invited middle school students from Hillsborough and Pinellas county to submit a unique story about Tampa Bay. The winning entry is to be featured in a new children’s book titled Tampa Bay from A to Z.

Tampa Bay from A to Z will become part of the A to Z series, published by Books by Kids.  All books in the series are educational in nature, benefit non-profit organizations and are illustrated and written in part by children.

Once Noelle’s entry was selected as the winner by a panel of community leaders, it was colorfully illustrated by the talented young patients of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa and All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

“In our personal interactions with Tampa Bay residents about their healthcare and wellness needs, we often hear from parents regarding their aspirations for their children,” said David Pizzo, market president, West Florida. “By partnering with the Books by Kids Foundation, our Tampa Florida Blue center had a wonderful opportunity to support both education and children’s health, and help make these dreams come true. We look forward to sharing the first edition of Tampa Bay from A to Z with area residents and hope that it will enrich the lives of Tampa Bay kids for years to come.”

Interested in getting a copy of Tampa Bay from A to Z? The book will be sold at each hospital, Stein Mart stores and online at Books by Kids. Sale proceeds from book sales will be donated to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital  in Tampa and All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

U.S. News and World Report's Hospital Rankings

We, here at BCBSF, are proud of all the facilities that have made the list in the U.S. News and World Report annual metro area hospital rankings list. The rankings have been published annually by U. S. News for the past 22 years. The report tracks hospital data from the federal government, such as death rates and the ratio of nurses to patients. They’ve recognized 720 hospitals out of 4,825 nationwide.

Here are the top ranked hospitals throughout our state:

Jacksonville

1. Mayo Clinic

2. Baptist Medical Center

3. Memorial Hospital

Lakeland

1. Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center

Miami/Fort Lauderdale

1. University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital 

2. Cleveland Clinic Florida 

3. Mount Sinai Medical Center 

Sarasota/Bradenton

1. Sarasota Memorial Hospital  

Orlando

1. Florida Hospital 

2. Orlando Regional Medical Center

Palm Bay/Melbourne

1. Holmes Regional Medical Center

2. Cape Canaveral Hospital

3. Wuesthoff Medical Center

Tampa/St. Petersburg

1. Tampa General Hospital

2. Moffitt Cancer Center

3. Brandon Regional Hospital

For additional information, the publication has a searchable U.S. map of hospital locations available on its website and a nationwide ranking based on specialty type.

Top Five Best Beaches in Florida

We’re constantly being asked by out-of-towners about our favorite Florida beach destinations.  So we thought – why not make a top five list? The next time you’re asked or packing your bags to head to the beach, consider one of these:   

Photo Credit: Laura Faith

1. Siesta Keys, Sarasota: White, silky, bright, fine - there aren't enough adjectives to describe the sand and quality of the beaches here. Located in Sarasota, this West coast beach has idyllic written all over it with tranquil waters and expansive sand. 
2. South Beach, Miami: How could we make a list of our favorite Florida beaches and not include South Beach? Understandably the most famous of all our beaches, this one has it all – beautiful waters, people watching, shopping, and all the aquatic activities you can think of.
3. Clearwater Beach, Clearwater: Wind down with Sunsets at Pier 60, meet Winter “the celebrity dolphin” or enjoy the Caladesi Island State Park. The options are limitless at Clearwater Beach.
4. Key West: Visit the southernmost tip of our country and you can see why this is a popular destination for everyone – not just Jimmy Buffet fans! This four miles of paradise has tons of fun things to do like snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin tours, and the highly enjoyable glass bottom boat ride. 
5. New Smyrna Beach: Lest you think all of the best beaches are dotted on the west and south ends, New Smyrna Beach is nestled in the central east coast. This coastal moss-draped community gives you an inkling of the diverse ecology that Florida is blessed –with – dunes, lagoons and salt marsh and endangered species of birds, animals and much more.

So, what do you think of our top five list? Share your top beach picks with us!

Little known ways to increase your fluid intake

Continuing our tips for summer safety under the Florida sun, we are talking today about fluid intake. Under normal conditions, most people can drink enough fluids to meet their water needs, but if you are outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake.

If you think you're not getting enough water each day, the following tips may help: 

1. Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or running errands.
2. Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
3. Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tip can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
4. Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.
5. Give your water a little pizzazz by adding a wedge of lime or lemon. This may improve the taste, and you just might drink more water than you usually do.

Do sugar-sweetened beverages count?

Although beverages that are sweetened with sugars do provide water, they usually have more calories than unsweetened beverages. To help control your weight, you should consume beverages and foods that don't have added sugars.

 Examples of beverages with added sugars:

·         Fruit drinks.

·         Some sports drinks.

·         Soft drinks and sodas (non-diet).

 Visit Rethink Your Drink for more information about the calories in beverages and how you can make better drink choices to reduce your calorie intake.

The Secret to enjoying Cruises the healthy way

Summer is here and we at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida are excited about the different ways Floridians are utilizing the sun. With a whole host of activities to choose from, cruises seem to be a favorite with everybody we asked. We talked to a few cruise aficionados, who had some interesting tidbits to share about their cruise experience, especially about how to stay healthy while still having fun in the sun.

Karla Williams who went on a 7 day family cruise in 2010 says her biggest challenge was getting over the the concept of endless free food. With food choices from the healthy to the not-so healthy, Karla took advantage of the fun activities like line-dancing or ballroom dancing to work out those calories. She also took to taking the stairs and dropping in on the aerobics classes that were held in the gym on the cruise.

That’s the same advice Brian Benda went with – he went on two snorkeling trips and a walking city tours – activities that offered him several hours of non-stop fun but also helped him get some exercise in. For Melissa Adams, getting up for the AM yoga, helped her get most out of her day. Christy  Harding, who just recently returned from a cruise suggests using the dining room more than the buffet. “Table service is great because you get waited on. Plus, you’re served individual serving sizes instead of helping yourself to an entire plate of bacon. If the buffet isn’t in front of you, you don’t know what you’re missing and you still leave the table well-satisfied.”

We think that’s great advice. So, the next time you are packing your bags for that cruise destination, remember:

1. Take the stairs. Cruise ships are huge and offer many exciting adventures. Take the time to explore your ship, starting with those stairs.
2. Try to drink as much water as possible. Those lovely drinks come with a price tag and calories. Enjoy yourself but be mindful how many you consume/day.
3. If you’re in the buffet line, start with a salad. Not only are you getting in your fibers, you are also filling up. 
4. Try out the dining room. Not only are you resisting the temptation of endless food, you also have more control over the portions presented before you.
5. Take advantage of the abundant fun activities that will get you moving like dancing, scuba diving, aerobic classes, yoga, etc.

We want to hear from the cruise lovers - any other tips we missed on how to manage health while you're having fun?  

What everybody ought to know about Fireworks - tips from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida

Happy Fourth of July everybody! We are excited to celebrate this fun
weekend here in beautiful Florida. As always, we hope everybody has a safe time. Our Dr. Jannifer Harper, Vice President of Medical Operations, here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida gave us some great information on fireworks and what to do in case of injury during this weekend.  

The Fourth of July is a notorious time for fireworks-related injuries and trips to the emergency room. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are about 200+ fireworks injuries a day nationwide between mid-June and mid-July.

The most common cause of injuries is firecrackers, which are essentially gunpowder, followed by sparklers. Most people do not consider, when handing a young child a sparkler, that sparklers can reach extreme temperatures of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

My colleagues and I at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida encourage all Floridians, in their pursuit of health, to enjoy a safe and injury-free Independence Day celebration. That means leaving the fireworks to the professionals and enjoying one of the many fireworks displays offered in communities across South Florida.

If you decide to handle fireworks, here is some sensible advice in case of injury:

• First and foremost remain calm
• Only the mildest of injuries should be treated at home
• The best course of action is to seek medical care
• Urgent care centers can treat minor cuts, burns and abrasions, as well as some sprains and fractures Individuals with more severe injuries should go to the emergency room or be transported  by ambulance, especially in the case of head trauma or loss of consciousness

For additional information on health and wellness, visit your neighborhood Florida Blue Center or  CPSC's Fireworks Safety page, and from all of us at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Fourth of July!

Dr. Jannifer Harper is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s Vice President of medical operations, leading the clinical areas of the medical operations unit as well as oversight of clinical strategy for BCBSF.

Stay Healthy, Surf away

We’ve been looking at fun, healthy tips for kid friendly summer activities and surfing seems to be the one that has everybody we know raving. From cardiovascular fitness to shoulder, leg and back strength, this fun activity seems to be a great confidence booster for kids to partake in during the summer. We spoke to Jacksonville surfing guru, Scott Holmes of the ‘Surf into Summer’ surf camp and here’s what he had to say:

For surfing camps around the state of Florida, check out the below links:

http://www.floridasurflessons.com/

http://www.ezridesurfschool.com/default.asp

http://www.floridasurflessons.com/

Surfing in Cocoa Beach –

http://www.ronjonsurfschool.com/

Holy Smokes - Your Health & the Florida Wildfires

If you are in Florida, you’ve been waking up to the smell of smoke and/or seeing the ash sprinkles. The Miami Herald reports that brush fires over 70,000 acres in the West Miami-Dade area and Everglades fire.  Add to that the 4,306-acre Espanola Fire that engulfed Flagler County, as well as several other wildfires that have consumed counties up and down the coast, and Floridians have been experiencing some difficulty with their air quality.

For more on wildfires in the State of Florida, check out the below map or visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Forestry. 

We, at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, want to help with information on what you can do to offset the hazards presented by the smoke and related pollutants.

Here are some tips we gathered from our research and from talking to our health experts:

• Stay inside as much as possible, with doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners and/or air cleaners. The EPA suggests using air cleaners that were bought before a fire.
• While Inside or driving, use air conditioners on the recirculation setting so outside air will not travel. Make sure your keep your windows and vents closed while driving
• Ordinary dust masks may not help as they may still allow the finer particles to pass through. The American Lung Association recommends that special dust masks with true HEPA filters will filter out the damaging fine particles but are difficult for people with lung disease to use. Consult with your physician before using a mask, especially if you have a lung disease.
• If you live close to or in the surrounding area of the fires, the recommendation is to abstain from exercising outdoors, especially if you smell smoke or are noticing eye or throat irritation.

     Extra precaution should be taken for:

• children, since they are more susceptible to smoke because of their developing respiratory systems and since they breathe in more air (and consequently more pollution) per pound of body mass than adults.
• people with asthma, who should check with their physician regarding any changes in medication that may be needed to cope with the smoky conditions.

For more information on respiratory health please contact the American Lung Association by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA. As always, if you notice symptoms like a persistent cough, or have difficulty breathing, contact your physician.  

You can also check your air quality at the EPA site: http://www.airnow.gov/