Get Healthy

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (1-pound) strip steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 cups Roma tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
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In this photo taken Jan. 20, 2010, Paris Woods, left, and her mother Dinah Woods listen to personal trainer Scott Mathews instructions as they take part in their final session of a 20 month obesity prevention study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Like nearly one-third of American teens, Paris is overweight and her doctor worries that she is headed for obesity. Wishing to avoid that scenario, Paris, and her parents participated in weekly sessions with a nutritionist, exercise trainer and physician preaching major lifestyle changes that could keep the 14-year-old from becoming obese. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Paris Woods is hardly a poster child for the obesity epidemic. Lining up dripping wet with kids on her swim team, she’s a blend of girlish chunkiness and womanly curves.

In street clothes—roomy pink sweats or skimpy tank tops revealing broad, brown swimmers’ shoulders—the teen blends in with her friends, a fresh-faced, robust-looking All-American girl.

That’s the problem.

Like nearly one-third of American teens, Paris Woods is overweight. Her doctor worries her weight will creep up into the obesity range. One out of four black girls her age is obese.
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When I and the other nine national contestants in Seattle Sutton’s 2010 Slim Down Challenge gathered at WGN TV Studios in Chicago on Jan. 4 for the launch of this weight-loss contest, there were a few common questions everyone wanted answered.

One of the first concerns of both the men and women competitors, a group spanning all ages, was about what we were allowed to drink with each of the three fresh-prepared provided meals we’d be dining on for the next 14 weeks.

The answer?

Lots of water.
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Yoga instructors, massage therapists sought for programs

The Cancer Support Center is looking for volunteers to help achieve the organization’s mission of providing free comprehensive resources that help people improve their quality of life during the cancer experience.

The Cancer Support Center needs new volunteers who can assist with one or more of the following:

• Answering phones and welcoming guests at the front desk
• Certified yoga and exercise instructors to lead gentle exercise classes
• Massage therapists and/or Reiki practitioners to provide free massages to participants at The Center
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Going face to face with the truth isn’t always easy.

But a new exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago encourages visitors to do just that by exploring simple ways to live a healthier lifestyle.

Taking Charge of You, this year’s feature Black Creativity exhibit, takes a look at health issues that affect African Americans—facing head on common problems such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and stress.
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A Super Bowl favorite gets a tune up to be both satisfying and healthy with this smoky white chili with grilled chicken. (Photograph by Larry Crowe/The Associated Press.)

Beans may be good for you, but that doesn’t mean every bowl of bean-rich chili is good for your diet.

If you take a look under the hood of many chili recipes, you’ll often find less-than-lean meat. Vegetarian versions fix that, but it’s not impossible to keep the meat and keep it healthy.

If your recipe calls for ground meat, use lean, ground turkey, chicken or even 93 percent lean ground beef.

If you make your chili with chunks of beef, stick to leaner cuts, such as sirloin or bottom round. Pork loin also works well. Just keep in mind that lean chunked meat dries out easily, so you might want to brown it and add it to the other ingredients just before the chili is finished.

Diced chicken and turkey also can be great in chili, but again, precook it and add it in at the end so it doesn’t dry out and toughen up.
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This photo released by Blistex shows a model using Blistex Complete Moisture.
(AP Photo/Blistex)

Screen-siren red lips might be the rage in Hollywood, but, for most of us, red lips are far less glamorous: They’re a sign that they’re chapped.

Lips are susceptible to dryness—the root cause of the burning, cracking and flaking—because the skin is thin and they lack oil glands and natural moisture. Chapping can happen anytime of year, although lips are particularly susceptible in the winter when there is little humidity in the air.

The best way to prevent it is to keep lips protected and moisturized all the time, says Dr. Charles Zugerman, associate professor of dermatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “The key to keeping lips healthy and moist is simple—you have to care for them every day. A layer of lip balm applied every morning and again when it’s needed throughout the day will help form a protective layer between lips and the elements.”
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Read about fitness, healthy eating, local health care news and events in this week’s Get Healthy newsletter. Not a subscriber? Check out Get Healthy’s weekly newsletter online or click here to subscribe and get the latest health news delivered weekly, straight to your inbox.

From the Get Healthy Inbox—We’re committed to keeping you informed on health care news and ideas throughout the region and nation. Here’s today’s recommendation, submitted by Northwestern Specialists for Women:

In response to the American Health Association’s February Heart Health Month, Dr. Seema Venkatachalam of the Northwestern Specialists for Women shares the top 7 ways you could be threatening your heart health—without even realizing it.

DRIVE-THRU DINNERS

Late nights at the office and busy schedules can often lead to fast food drive thrus. While common and convenient, it is also detrimental to your heart and overall general health. Plan ahead and stock your fridge with lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. Focus on eating healthy protein-rich foods low in cholesterol and complex carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta and breads. Pass on the french fries and stay away from the salt!
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Weight Watchers offers recipes to keep your weight a winner

Kickoff Turkey Sausage with Spinach is a tasty treat to offer your quests for Super Bowl snacking. This low-fat, high-flavor dish is sure to please a crowd. (Photograph reprinted from Weight Watchers Magazine © 2010 Weight Watchers International, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hosting the Super Bowl party at your house this year and wondering what to make to satisfy tastes without packing on pounds? Fear not. Weight Watchers, one of the leaders in weight management with its registered POINTS system, is offering some great advice and recipes to help you stay on track.

According to Kristy Widmar, Weight Watchers public relations manager, Weight Watchers wants to share advice it gives its members.

With Weight Watchers, the solution to temptation starts with a focus on filling foods that will help you stay satisfied longer. To enjoy the day in a healthy way, simply do what your favorite team is doing—put together a game time strategy. Weight Watchers has created a system where members count points instead of calories and try to stay within their allotted points each day.
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