February is Heart Month, a good time to take some simple steps to take care of

your ticker.

The National Institute on Aging has this information to get you started:

Try to be more physically active. Talk with your doctor about the type of

activities that would be best for you. If possible, get 150 minutes of physical

activity each week. Every day is best. It doesn't have to be done all at once—10-

minute periods will do.

Start by doing activities you enjoy—brisk walking, dancing, bowling, bicycling,

or gardening, for example.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death.

Quitting, even in later life, can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and

cancer over time.

Follow a heart-healthy diet. Choose foods that are low in trans and saturated

fats, added sugars, and salt. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in

fiber, like those made from whole grains.

Keep a healthy weight. Balancing the calories you eat and drink with the

calories burned by being physically active helps to maintain a healthy weight.

Keep your diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol under control.

Follow your doctor's advice to manage these conditions, and take medications as

directed.

Get your doctor to check your cholesterol and make sure you follow directions.

Don't drink a lot of alcohol. Men should not have more than two drinks a day

and women only one.

Manage stress. Learn how to manage stress, relax, and cope with problems.

Care Connection offers a course to help you learn to live healthy with chronic

conditions. Call Shery at 1-800-748-7826 to find out more.

And, don’t forget, Friday, February 1, is Wear Red Day, sponsored by the

American Heart Association.

So rock your red to show that you care about heart health!

Heart Health Month!

Margaret Gray Center News February 2019

Page 2 February 2019

Our birthday celebrations are the 3rd Thursday of every

month.

The following folks will celebrate birthdays this month. We’d

love to see you at our birthday celebration on Thursday,

February 21.

Tom Beard Feb. 29th

Peggy Beretta Feb. 23rd

Barbara Dolis Feb. 25th

Beverly Dunwoodie Feb. 6th

Frank Ferris Feb. 2nd

Anita Glisson Feb. 24th

Gale Green Feb. 13th

Bob Heggestad Feb. 20th

Charlene Hiatt Feb. 2nd

Judy Kumm Feb. 14th

Mark Lichte Feb. 2nd

Shirley Rodekohr Feb. 16th

Wanda Shroyer Feb. 15th

Carolynn Smith Feb. 7th

Karen Winemiller Feb. 17th

Birthdays of the Month!

Brain Teasers!

This is called a lateral thinking puzzle. These types of puzzles have

been around for many years in one form or another and they are a great

way to encourage discussion, thinking and creativity. Good luck! The

answer is at the bottom.

The Signal

John stood in an enclosed room watched by three men. The room had no windows or

openings, but solid walls, floor, ceiling, and door. There was no telephone or electrical

device of any kind. The three men (who all had good eyesight and hearing) watched

John carefully in silence. They observed no change in condition, sound or movement.

Yet while they were watching, John signaled to his partner, James, in a nearby room

and passed a message to him. How?

Answer: John stood with a dog whistle in in his mouth. He gave three low whistles

to his pet dog, James, to signal him to come and sit. The frequency of a dog whistle

is too high for the human ear to hear but is audible to a dog.

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Learn something new every month!

And on Friday,

February 15 the Knights

of Columbus will be frying

fish HERE at the senior

center! All proceeds

benefit the center. They’ll

be serving from 4:30—

6:30; cost is $10 for adults

and $4 for kids 6 and

under. Meal includes catfish, baked potato,

coleslaw and dessert. They always do a

terrific job on this … we look forward to

seeing you!

Did you know that February is National Hot Breakfast Month? It is! You

hear all the time how important breakfast is and that you should never skip

this meal—well that’s especially true if you’re worried about your heart

health. So here’s a heart healthy recipe from www.Prevention.com—try it for

a delicious hot breakfast that’s something a little beyond the usual. Enjoy!

Avocados are positively packed with heart-healthy (and belly-flattening)

monounsaturated fats. And when it comes to your cholesterol, those fats are doubly

effective: In a Canadian Medical Association Journal study, participants who ate an

avocado-rich diet decreased their bad LDL cholesterol by 22% while upping their good

HDL cholesterol by 11%.

Tex-Mex Breakfast Sandwich SERVINGS: 1

2 lg egg whites

2 Tbsp reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 multigrain english muffin, toasted

2 slices avocado, about ½ ounce

4 tsp jarred chunky salsa

1. COAT a small nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.

2. STIR in the egg whites and cheese and cook 2 minutes per side.

3. PLACE the eggs on the bottom half of the English muffin.

4. TOP with the avocado slices and salsa, then replace the top of the muffin.

NUTRITION (per serving) 276 cal, 16g pro, 35 g carb, 5 g fiber, 8.7 g fat, 2.7 g sat fat, 557 mg sodium

Center Tidbits We have so much going on this month so be

sure to mark your calendars!

On Wednesday, February 6 we have the

HCC coming in to do glucose and blood

pressure checks.

On Friday, February 8 Lacey from the Ray

County Hospital will be here to give us some

health tips.

Then on Valentine’s Day, Thursday,

February 14 Riverbend will talk to us about

Heart Health Tips.

811 C South Business 13

Highway Lexington, MO 64067

Phone: 660-259-2025 Fax: 660-259-2453

Email: “lexington@goaging.org”

Our mission is to provide resources and services that empower people to

create healthy aging experiences. We strive to provide an atmosphere that

is safe, comfortable, friendly, and well—equipped to meet the needs of the

senior citizens in our area.

THE MARGARET

GRAY CENTER Margaret Gray Center

We are on the web! Find us at

www.goaging.org

“Like” us on Facebook!

Coordinator’s Corner

Special

Dates

Fridays

1pm-4pm Bridge 2nd and 4th

Thursday—Pitch

Biscuits & Gravy is

back! Join us on

Thursday mornings!

February 6—HCC Blood

Pressure Checks February 8—Ray Co.

Hospital February 13—4Life

Board Meeting February 14—Heart

Health Tips February 19—CSB

Meeting February 21—Birthday

Daya

See the Activities Calendar

for more details and

normally scheduled events.

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Here’s a pretty picture of Lexington’s Main

Street. Although I hope this kind of weather is

gone, it was pretty to look at.

February is starting out cold but spring is on its

way. I can’t wait to get out to the flowers and

garden. Mowing I could do without, but there’s

nothing like looking at a yard freshly mowed

and knowing you made it look so good.

We have a lot going on this month such as on the 15th of February

the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Fish Fry here at the center

from 4:30 to 6:30. Come on out and enjoy some great food and good

fellowship.

We will have blood pressure checks on the 6th and 21st along with

glucose checks done by Health Care Collaborative on Wednesday the

6th.

We will have a Trivia game night towards the end of February or

beginning of March. These are a lot of fun and we plan on doing

these on a regular basis. Some folks play Mexican Train, instead of

trivia, which must be fun since the players laugh a lot!

A friend told me about a trip they took to Walmart in Warrensburg

the other day. My friend and her husband were walking out of the

store and spotted a senior couple trying to avoid falling on the ice

while pushing a cart of groceries. The man was holding on to the

cart and steadying his wife as they made their way to their car. She

noticed numerous people walking right by them and not offering any

assistance. One person bumped into the cart as they tried to make

their way past them. It was heartbreaking for my friends to see, so

they immediately offered assistance, helped them with their

groceries, got the couple into their car and took their empty cart. The

main point here is that it took less than 10 minutes to do such a kind

and helpful thing. I’m very proud to say this was told to me by our

head cook Pam—it was her and husband. It takes a whole village.

Take Care,

Candy

February 2019 Stay fit…for lie

Fun, Good Food, Regular Activity & Learning How you live can change how you age!

FITNESS CLASSES… around the County

Silver Sneakers : HIGGINSVILLE 10 am Mon & Thurs. ODESSA 10:15am Tues & Fri Tai Chi:

Concordia 10 am Wed & Fri.

Stay Strong : HIGGINSVILLE 11 am M –W - F Peppi : LEXINGTON 9 am Mon & Fri

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We’re going to change up the type of content in this section this month and

instead of focusing on fitness for your mind and body we’re going to take a

look at some “fitness” tips for keeping you and your home comfortable

during cold weather!

Winter is setting in for sure, but you can stay warm and cozy in your home

and also stay safe when you bundle up for the outdoors.

The National Institute on Aging has these reminders for you:

Set your heat to at least 68 to 70 degrees and leave it there. If you

have a programed your thermostat to lower the heat at night, don’t

do that during very cold weather.

Close off rooms you are not using.

Close the vents and shut the doors in these rooms, and keep the

basement door closed.

Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.

Make sure your house isn’t losing heat through windows.

Keep your blinds and curtains closed.

If you have gaps around the windows, use weather stripping

or caulk to keep the cold air out.

Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying home.

Throw a blanket over your legs.

Wear socks and slippers.

When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and

use extra covers and wear a night cap or hat.

Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don't

eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you

to stay warm. Drink alcohol moderately, if at all.

Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather. If a power

outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.

Remember, the senior center is a designated warming center so even

if we’re not serving food you can come in and get warm.

Dress for the weather if you have to go out on chilly, cold, or damp

days.

Wear loose layers of clothing. The air between the layers helps to

keep you warm.

Wear a hat and scarf. You lose a lot of body heat when your head and

neck are uncovered.

Wear gloves and warm socks if you go out. Frostbite can occur very

quickly on exposed skin when the temps and wind chills are low.

Wear a waterproof coat or jacket if it’s snowy.

Change your clothes right away if they get damp or wet.

We may be able to put you in touch with agencies that can help you make

your home warmer in winter or get assistance with utility bills for low

income individuals. Call 1-800-748-7826 for more information.

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Happy Valentine’s Day and Heart Health Month!

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