At the Heart
“First, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty...Second, you have to read...And third, you have to believe in yourself...”
February is in full swing! Yesterday was Valentine's, I hope you hope you feel loved year round regardless of the day though!
This week we are highlighting a person who changed the course of food storage! Fredrick McKinley Jones holds more than 40 patents for refrigeration alone. He and a partner started the company that makes Thermo King, you know the refrigerator units you see on trucks carrying food to your grocery stores. Without this invention, we would not be able to experience freshly frozen foods that are in our grocery stores today. He later modified his invention so that the military could use it for blood and serum storage, and a modified version of his original design is still in use today! While working for Ultraphone Sound Systems, Jones was the person who made talking projectors a reality, changing how we experience movie theaters forever. Fredrick McKinley Jones was a prolific innovator and inventor! Many of his inventions are used daily by us to make our lives richer and fuller.
Frederick McKinley Jones (Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society)
American Heart Month is in full swing.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Most middle-aged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.
Here are some facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health.
Manage stress
Managing stress helps your heart health. Set goals with a friend or family member to do a relaxing activity every day, like walking, yoga, or meditation, or participate in an online stress-management program together. Physical activity also helps reduce stress. Talk to a qualified mental health provider or someone else you trust.
Improve sleep
Sleeping 7–9 hours a night helps to improve heart health. De-stressing will help you sleep, as does getting a 30-minute daily dose of sunlight. Take a walk instead of a late afternoon nap! Family members and friends: remind each other to turn off the screen and stick to a regular bedtime. Instead of looking at your phone or the TV before bed, relax by listening to music, reading, or taking a bath.
Track Your Heart Health Stats, Together
Keeping a log of your blood pressure, weight goals, physical activity, and if you have diabetes, your blood sugars, will help you stay on a heart-healthy track. Ask your friends or family to join you in the effort. Check out NHLBI’s My Heart Health Tracker.
Visit #OurHearts for inspiration on what others around the country are doing together for their heart health. Then join the #OurHearts movement and let NHLBI know what you’re doing to have a healthy heart. Tag #OurHearts to share how you and your family and friends are being heart healthy. For more information about heart health, visit www.heartttruth.gov.
For more information about Frederick McKinley Jones, visit these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVo5tHFWrY
https://www.msthalloffame.org/frederick_mckinley_jones.htm
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/jones-frederick-mckinley-1893-1961/
For more about American Heart Month:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth
Thank you to everyone who braved the weather last week, it actually turned out to be quite lovely! We are so grateful for all of you! This weather has been a bit unpredictable! We really do love to see each and everyone of you each week! We hope to see you tomorrow!
Here’s a lineup:
Mitchell from Buckwheat Farm will have various microgreens that he fresh cuts for you right there at his booth! We will have Bon Bon Bakery, Ms Shirley, Marie’s Baked Goodies all there with wonderful sweet baked treats. Jams Jellies Jewelry and More and Rosa Ray’s Farm Fresh will also be out there with wonderful jams and jellies, breads, and teas. And we can’t forget about the arts! Prachi Henna art and Sonder Collective will be at the park along with another new vendor Jump 4 Joy Creations! Hank's Food Truck is a wonderful way to enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at the park! Mr Porter will be there with his wonderful creations and he also has some beautiful produce for us as well!
Urban Harvest experienced a setback with their produce, so they will be joining us hopefully next week! We can't wait!
We are always looking for more people to join our fun! If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a vendor at our market, follow the link below for our vendor application!
Just a hint of all the fun we have to offer! Come join us!