Thursday, June 30, 2011

Extreme heat terminology: understanding Chicago’s upcoming weather

Warren Millar / PhotoXpress
With a heat advisory in Chicago in place for Friday, you’ll be hearing a lot of information about the temperature and humidity in the media. But do you know what all the terms mean? Part of safety is correctly knowing what to expect, so let’s review some of the weather terminology when it comes to heat.

Extreme heat terminology: understanding Chicago’s upcoming weather - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Prepare and protect for Friday’s Heat Advisory in Chicago

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Chicagoland for Friday afternoon and evening. Temperatures are expected close to 100 degrees, with heat indexes in the 105 to 110-degree range. That’s a dangerous combination.

Here are some things you can do today to prepare for the extreme heat, and tips for handling the heat tomorrow, from FEMA and recommended by the Lake County Health Department:

Prepare and protect for Friday’s Heat Advisory in Chicago - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Leave the booms to the pros this 4th of July, but if not, be safe

Consumer Product Safety Commission
Fireworks can be fun, but can also be dangerous, and deadly. If you are going to celebrate with fireworks, follow these safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and recommended by the Lake County Health Department:

Leave the booms to the pros this 4th of July, but if not, be safe - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup

Xuejun li / PhotoXpress
This week’s Wellness Recipe is a recommendation of the Lake County Health Department, and uses the same main ingredient as last week’s recipe: Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium, and a good source of folate and fiber.

Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Friday, June 24, 2011

Garden Chef Series for June 25 & 26: Tapas Gitana & Glen Prairie

Robin Carlson © Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden Garden Chef Series features noted chefs preparing recipes with garden-fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden’s open-air amphitheater. Demonstrations are Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. The featured chefs for this weekend are:
  • Andy Novak from Tapas Gitana, in Northfield and Chicago
  • Danny Ovanin from Glen Prairie, in Glen Ellyn

Garden Chef Series for June 25 & 26: Tapas Gitana & Glen Prairie - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Walk with a Naturalist in Grant Woods on June 25

The Lake County Forest Preserves are offering another “Walk with a Naturalist” session on Saturday, June 25. These are one-hour guided nature hikes held at a different forest preserve each month.

The June 25 Walk with a Naturalist will be held from 9:00-10:00am at Grant Woods, near Fox Lake.

Walk with a Naturalist in Grant Woods on June 25 - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls some Italian Blend Salads - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling 2,880 cases of Dole Italian Blend salads which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The salads were distributed in twelve states, including Illinois and Indiana, and three Canadian Provinces.

Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls some Italian Blend Salads - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

This week’s Wednesday Wellness recipe is from the Community Nutrition page of the Lake County Health Department. 

Turn the lowly sweet potato into a tasty sweet potato pound cake.

Sweet Potato Pound Cake - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Yoga at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Learn and practice yoga in a beautiful setting, at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Several yoga classes for the summer session begin this week for all levels of students. When weather permits, classes are held outdoors in one of the beautiful areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Yoga at the Chicago Botanic Garden - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Garden Chef Series for June 18-19: Sixteen & Bank Lane Bistro

Chicago Botanic Garden photos
by Robin Carlson
The Botanic Garden Garden Chef Series features noted chefs preparing recipes with garden-fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden’s open-air amphitheater. Demonstrations are Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. The featured chefs for this weekend are:
  • Saturday - Frank Brunacci, from Sixteen at the Trump Tower, in downtown Chicago
  • Sunday - Brandon Paige, from Bank Lane Bistro, in Lake Forest
Garden Chef Series for June 18-19: Sixteen & Bank Lane Bistro - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Prepare for the Trek and Danskin triathlons with swim course swims

Chicagoland triathletes preparing for the Trek Women’s Triathlon on July 10 and the Danskin Women’s Triathlon on August 21 may want to take advantage of a series of swims following the race courses in Pleasant Prairie. The RecPlex will be offering cross-lake swims of Lake Andrea on Thursday nights and alternate Saturdays throughout the summer.

Prepare for the Trek and Danskin triathlons with swim course swims - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

June is for Peaches! Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Compote

June is not only when grilling season begins, but also it’s a month when many fresh fruits are available. June is also the best month to purchase peaches. Make sure the peaches are ripe for this recipe.

Check out your local farmers marker for the best selection, and enjoy this recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Compote.

June is for Peaches! Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Compote - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday Wellness marinades and sauces

These are some of the favorite summer marinades and sauces from Chef Jody Emer. They contain no salt, but still taste great. Use on steak, fish, meat and pork; even try them on grilled vegetables.

Wednesday Wellness marinades and sauces - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Thursday, June 2, 2011

For National Running Day, support new races

We’re thinking about running on this National Running Day, and I have a suggestion for you – please consider some first-time races this year when planning your calendar.

It takes a huge amount of work to set up a new race, and most of the work is done by volunteers. The second and subsequent years of a race a lot of the groundwork is already done, but that first year….

Here are two inaugural races in race county to consider. I’m personally acquainted with some of those working on creating these races, and I have seen the work they’re doing. Let’s make the races a success!

For National Running Day, support new races - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Garden Chef Series for June 4-5: City Provisions and A New Dawn cooking school

The Chicago Botanic Garden Garden Chef Series features noted chefs preparing recipes with garden-fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden’s open-air amphitheater. Demonstrations are Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 2:30pm.

The featured chefs for this weekend are:
  • Saturday, June 4 – Cleetus Friedman, from City Provisions in Chicago
  • Sunday, June 5 – Dawn Dlugosz, from A NEW DAWN cooking school & personal chef service, serving Chicago and the suburbs
Garden Chef Series for June 4-5: City Provisions and A New Dawn cooking school - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wednesday Wellness Recipe: side dishes from the grill

Now that it is finally getting warmer, it’s time to break out the grill. Here are a few easy grilling side dishes from Chef Jody Emer to make your grilling/cookout simple and tasty.

These side dishes cook right on the grill, and can be prepared quickly. Time crunch? Just prepare them ahead of time, then toss on the grill.

Wednesday Wellness Recipe: side dishes from the grill - Chicago wellness | Examiner.com