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Health & Fitness

Oatmeal and Hearing

January is National Oatmeal Month.  More oatmeal is consumed during January than any other month.  Oatmeal is considered a healthy food.  By eating oatmeal you can reduce your blood cholesterol, and possibly reduce your risk of heart disease.  Oatmeal has complex carbohydrates and water soluble fiber that helps slow digestion.  Oatmeal can keep your blood glucose levels steady.

 

                Oatmeal can be used as a shampoo on dogs to reduce itchy skin.  Oatmeal can be used as a paste to reduce swelling from poison oak and poison Ivy.  You can even make“oatmeal clay” to keep children occupied on a rainy or snowy day! 

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                And, you can even make pie dough with half oatmeal and half flour!  And, do I need to mention oatmeal cookies?  There are variations on eating warm oatmeal for breakfast.  You can add fruit or light syrup.  Or just add a little sugar and milk.  Personally, I like a little sugar with half and half.

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                Oatmeal is really healthy for you.  It has more uses than just food.  Hearing is similar.  Hearing conversations and the signs of life around you is healthy for you.  Being able to hear sirens and alarms can keep you alive!  Hearing family members creates communication.  Being able to enjoy favorite music is enriching. Being healthy and being able to participate in social situations can enhance the quality of our life.  Hearing well is part of being healthy.  It is a sense that is very important to our well-being. 

 

                This time of year we try to “turn over a new leaf’” and make New Year’s Resolutions to improve our quality of life.  Maybe that is one reason we eat so much oatmeal in January.  I am sure the cold weather has some effect on our choice of breakfast cereal. 

 

                As you enjoy your oatmeal this month, schedule a hearing test with your local audiologist.  You are eating a great food that can help your general health.  But, if you are missing conversations and the sounds of life, you are not maintaining your whole health.   Most insurance companies will pay for a hearing test.  It only takes about an hour of your time.  You will have a full diagnostic test that will be sent to your primary care physician to be placed in your medical record.  Start the New Year off right.  Eat oatmeal and have your hearing tested.  

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