Here’s a way to get more veggies in and encourage your kids to eat more too.

Makes 4 (3⁄4 cup) servings

Calories: 240 • Fat: 6 gm • Protein: 15 gm • Carbs: 32 gm

Ingredients:

• 2 T all-purpose flour

• 1¼ cups fat-free (skim) milk, divided

• ½ cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1⁄8 t black pepper

• 11⁄3 cups cooked whole wheat macaroni, rotini or penne

• 1½ cups frozen mixed vegetables, cooked and well drained (any blend will work; try different ones for different flavors)

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat inside of a 1½-quart glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2. Stir together flour and ¼ cup milk in small bowl. Mix well. Add remaining milk; mix again. Pour into small saucepan. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened

3. Combine cheeses in a separate bowl. Stir ½ of the cheese mixture into the saucepan. Reserve remaining cheese mixture. Add pepper, macaroni and vegetables to the sauce pan.

4. Spoon macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with rest of the cheese. Bake 20 minutes or until cheese and macaroni is hot. Let stand one minute before serving.

Visit us online at MercyHealthSystem.org

Dr. Ranjana Soorya, board certified internal medicine physician, is offering free bone density screenings at Mercy Crystal Lake Medical Center-South, 415-A Congress Pkwy., through March 23.

If you have not had a bone density screening, take of this quick and painless procedure involving an ultrasound of the heel. These are screenings only. An additional appointment can be made if treatment is sought. Screening times are limited and appointments are required. To make your appointment, call Mercy Crystal Lake Medical Center-South at (815) 356-7494.

For more health information, visit us online at MercyHealthSystem.org.

Bring a friend and join other heart-smart ladies and learn how to develop and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle at Mercy’s Women’s Heart Night, Wednesday, February 29. The event will begin at 5:30 pm and take place at The Armory in Janesville.

Physicians and other heart-wise health care professionals will talk about a variety of topics.

Enjoy:

FREE blood pressure screenings

Hands-on heart health activities

A complimentary dinner

Exhibits and talk with professionals

A $10 donation to the American Heart Association is appreciated at registration. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling (608) 756-6100.

Mercy Foundation is pleased to announce its date and location for the 2012 Charity Ball event to benefit the House of Mercy Homeless Center.

The event will be held Saturday, May 19, at the Janesville Country Club, 2615 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville. The prestigious, black-tie invited evening will begin at 5 pm with a social hour, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, followed by a gourmet dinner, music and a live and silent auction.

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The National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) recently announced Mercy Health System as one of the NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies for Executive Women. The list recognizes organizations whose policies and practices encourage women’s advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment.

The new report, conducted by the Working Mother Research Institute, finds that women hold 27 percent of all board of director seats at the NAFE Top Nonprofit Companies, compared with 16 percent across the Fortune 500.

“We are very honored to be listed among the top companies for executive women,” says Javon R. Bea, president and CEO of Mercy Health System. “We have an outstanding leadership team and I’m proud they do whatever it takes to continuously improve the care patients receive.”

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Eating healthy can be a problem for some people. Our fast-paced world doesn’t always allow for people to sit down and enjoy a nice, balanced meal. While it may be easier to grab a burger and go, taking an extra couple of minutes to eat an apple or a banana makes all the difference.

A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to lifelong good health. People simply don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables to be living a healthy, well-balanced life. The average person is supposed to eat (depending on their age, height and weight) anywhere from one-half to two cups of fruit and veggies a day.

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that can help protect you from chronic diseases. When compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts are likely to have reduced risks for strokes, some heart diseases, and certain cancers.

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Monica Freeman, AuD

What factors keep patients with hearing loss from obtaining hearing aids? The reasons may include cost, cosmetics, difficulty handling a hearing aid, and hearing about or having negative experiences. All of these reasons are valid, but let’s take a closer look behind the scenes and put things in perspective.

What makes hearing aids so expensive? The saying, “you get what you pay for” holds true for the most part with regards to hearing aids as well. Most health insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aids. What you are paying for is both the product and your professional’s time. The cost usually includes the hearing aid selection process, which in itself includes a discussion about your listening needs and challenges. The cost also includes the product itself, and the fitting of it, as well as follow-up visits. That is a lot of time spent with the professional fitting the aids, and time is a valued product with a price tag.

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Since February marks American Heart Month, we’ve organized several free or low-cost screenings and educational learning events for you and your family to take advantage of.

Take care of your heart with a special Valentine’s Day gift by scheduling your full cholesterol screening on February 14. The screenings are from 8 am-noon and are only $10.

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Mercy Health System is pleased to announce a new service to reduce long waits for emergency care and urgent care called InQuicker. Beginning February 6, patients with minor emergencies and/or urgent care needs can wait at home instead of the hospital by registering online.

Five Mercy emergency departments and urgent cares now provide this service:

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More than 60 percent of Americans don’t get regular exercise. Besides the long-term benefits of exercise, such as, controlling weight and reducing risks of certain diseases; exercise helps people to think and move better, manage stress and improve their mood in addition to boosting energy. Here are 14 ways to make regular exercise work for you:

1) Know that one of the biggest challenges for people is to be physically active.

2) Use the buddy system – find a partner to exercise with and hold each other accountable.

3) Make exercise fun! If you don’t like the gym, walk outside, play a sport, or find a group fitness class.

4) Schedule exercise just like you would any other appointment.

5) Start small – Try walking or running for 15 minutes and add 1 minute each time. Set a goal of 45-60 minutes.

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