Make Valentine's Day healthy for you, loved ones
With Valentines' Day around the corner, the Lake County Health Department's Community Health Center is offering suggestions for healthy ways to show your loved one(s) you care.
• If you find your heart pumping a little more on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), have your blood pressure checked between 10:30 a.m. and noon at the Park Place Senior Center, 414 S. Lewis Avenue in Waukegan. Provided through the Lake County Health Department, the blood pressure check by a professional is free and open to the public.
• Consider opting for flowers over candy as a gift of appreciation. Chocolates and candy can add unwanted calories. Additionally, the Lake County Health Department is providing online resources to prevent/address obesity(www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/ObesityPrevention.htm) .
• Provide some assurance to your loved one that you will be around for a while and stop smoking. The Health Department's Tobacco Free Lake County offers quit services. (www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/TFLCQuit.htm)
• It is not too late for your loved one to get a flu shot at a local clinic. (www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/want/Flu.htm).
• Make sure you choose a Valentine's Day dinner location that has passed muster. Restaurant inspection records are available through the Health Department's web site. (www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/want/Inspections.htm)
• Ensure your loved one is safe with an emergency response kit. He/she may need it one day. (www.ready.gov/america/getakit/).
• Start a trend in your kitchen to cook heart-healthy meals. Tasty and healthy recipes are available on the Health Department's community nutrition web page. (www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/resources/HealthEd.htm).
• Don't forget your pet. You can help ensure your favorite four-legged friend stays healthy by marking your calendar for the next low-cost pet vaccination clinic. (www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/HDCalendar.htm)
The Lake County Health Department wishes Lake Countians a healthy Valentine's Day. Visit the website at www.LakeCountyil.gov/health.