Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

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• 1 container (8 oz) large fresh mushrooms
• 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
• 3 oz reduced fat cream cheese
• 2 tbsp turkey sausage crumbles
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion salt
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees F
Using a wet paper towel, wipe mushrooms clean and carefully remove stems.
In a glass baking dish, place mushrooms in a shallow amount of water. Drizzle with soy sauce and microwave for 5 minutes to soften mushrooms.
Combine cheese, sausage, garlic powder and salt.
Drain mushrooms and fill with cheese mixture. Top with shredded parmesan cheese.
Place back in glass dish and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese mixture is heated through and mushrooms are tender.

Immune Boosting Chicken Soup

The rumor of chicken soup being the best medicine when trying to get over an illness is very much true. Over the counter medications may help but when you need something to eat check out this soup recipe. The chicken has carnosine which can help fight back from viruses. The warm frothy soup will help soothe your throat as you sip.

This chicken soup recipe even has more to help you boost your immune system. Herbs that are included are easily found at the herb store or health food store. The mushrooms included help stimulate natural killer cells that attack the virus and harmful bacteria. Chili flakes offer heat and helps stimulate the sinuses to drain. Ginger is a antimicrobial and offers anti inflammatory powers.

Super Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup

This is one of my favorite soups to make during cold and flu season. Feel free to add any vegetables you prefer. Diced yams or winter squash are an excellent addition, so are finely chopped hot peppers. You can also replace the napa cabbage with either green or savoy cabbage. Tip: Use 16 cups of water for a 4- to 5-pound chicken or 12 cups of water for a 3- to 4-pound chicken.

Broth:

1 whole organic chicken (4 to 5 pounds)

16 cups water

1 medium onion, chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 to 5 shiitake mushrooms, chopped

1 whole head garlic, cut in half cross-wise

2 to 3 inches fresh ginger, cut into thin slices

2 tablespoons dried astragalus

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 stalk lemongrass, chopped (optional)

Soup:

1 medium onion, chopped

3 carrots, sliced

4 celery stalks, chopped

2 cups shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

2 to 3 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon sea salt

1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes

4 to 5 cups sliced napa cabbage

1 cup chopped cilantro

To start making the soup, add all ingredients for the broth into an 8-quart stockpot, cover, and simmer for about 1 ½ to 2 hours on low heat.

Place a large colander over another 8-quart pot or large stainless steel bowl. Pour the broth through it to strain out the chicken and vegetables. Place the pot of broth back on the stove. Place the chicken onto a plate to cool. Bring the broth to a boil, add the all of the ingredients for the soup except the napa cabbage and cilantro. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

While the vegetables are cooking, pull all of the meat from the chicken and cut into smaller pieces. Add the chicken to the soup. Once the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat and add the chopped cabbage and cilantro. Taste and adjust salt and seasonings if desired.

Yield: about 12 servings

Pink Grapefruit Playdough

Its still cold out there and little hands still are in need of something to do. Valentines day is only 10 days away so why not make up some pink play dough the best part is it will smell great as well. 

recipe from The Imagination Tree...

4 Minute Play Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups boiling water

First, mix the dry ingredients together.  Then, add the wet ingredients.  Anna, from The Imagination Tree, suggests adding the hot water in increments until the play dough seems to be the right consistency.  She also says that vigorously kneading the dough is key.

At this point, Elise and I added a few special ingredients:

6 drops red food coloring (actually, I added this to the hot water before mixing it into the dry ingredients)
1/2 teaspoon rainbow glitter
1-2 drops grapefruit essential oil

World Cancer Day

Understanding Cancer
Most of us have relatively well behaved cells in our bodies. Cancer happens when some cells get out of control. A normal cell knows how to grow and divide to make new cells, and knows when to stop and die. But a cancer cell isn't a normal cell. It grows and spreads too fast and it won't die. 

When all cancer cells clump together they form a tumor. Tumors grow to damage the part of the body where they start. The tumors can spread or metastasize to other organs where even more damage is done. 

Our family like many others have been affected by Cancer. From my childhood best friend to my grandparents I have lost many that I love. I hope one day they will find a cure for Cancer and rid this world of it.

Rice Krispy Valentine Hearts

3 tablespoons butter 
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies®
Red or pink food coloring (very small amount)

2/3 white candy melts (found at Walmart or Michael's)
Valentine sprinkles

* heart shaped cookie cutter
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir. When the marshmallows are 80% melted add a small amount of food coloring and mix until completely melted. Remove from heat. 
2. Add rice krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. 
4. Cut out heart shaped rice krispie treats
5. Melt the candy melts according to package instructions. Pour melted "melts" into a squeeze bottle.
6. Draw a heart shape on top of the treats with the melts.
7. Sprinkle mini heart-shaped sprinkles on top

Best served the same day.

Vanilla Sweet Hear Cupcakes

This recipe makes up just enough for you and your valentine. So if you are looking for a sweet treat to share then check out this awesome treat recipe

Vanilla Cupcakes (yields 4 cupcakes)

2 egg whites
4 Tbs. sugar
4 Tbs. butter, melted and cooled
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup  cake flour (can sub AP flour if needed)
1/2 heaping tsp. of baking powder
2 pinches of salt
3 Tbs. milk

1.  Line a cupcake pan with 4 cupcake liners.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  In large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and sugar.   Stir in the melted butter and vanilla.

3.  All at once, stir in the flour, baking powder and salt.  Keep stirring until everything is smooth and well-combined.  Add milk and stir until incorporated into the batter.

3.   Fill each cupcake liner with batter.  I love my large cookie scoop for this. If you don’t have one, simply divide the batter evenly between the 4 cupcakes.

4.  Bake  12-14 minutes.  The cupcake should pass the toothpick test.  Cool Completely.

Vanilla Buttercream (frosting for 4 Cupcakes)

4 Tbs. butter, room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2-3 tsp. heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar

1.  Beat or stir briskly the butter,  milk and vanilla.
2.  On low, or slowly, add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.  Incorporate your powdered sugar before adding the next installment.  Add more milk if needed.
3.  Pipe onto cupcakes and eat!

Cupcakes are best the day they are made.  Refrigerate if you will not be eating them in about 6-8 hours.

USO Day

February 4th 1941 was the start of the USO. The USO is the United Service Organizations that united six civilian organizations under one known as the USO. President Nixon proclaimed USO Day on February 4th 1971. This was the 30th anniversary of the organization.

The Salvation Army, The YMCA, The YWCA, The National Catholic Community service, The National Travelers Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board are all under the roof of the USO.

In 1947 Harry S. Truman closed the USO and honorably discharged it from service. When the Korean War began it was reactivated in 1951 The USO offers entertainment to the troops at war. Bob Hope was one of those entertainers. USO centers act as troops home away from home. Many major airports have centers where troops can get information and help with ironing out travel snafus.

Care packages, international phone cards and more help that troops need to feel more connected to home from faraway stations are all things that the USO does to strive to help soldiers. The USO intends to continue its mission til every one comes home

Mini Snickers Football Eclairs

Mini SNICKERS Football Eclairs: 

Cream Puff Dough:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 stick salted butter, cut into tablespoons
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 4 eggs, room temperature

Pastry cream:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 SNICKERS bars

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup  white chocolate chips

Chop SNICKERS bars into very small pieces, or you can use a food processor.

Place milk, sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan and whisk. Turn on meat to medium and whisk until mixture thickens to the consistency of a thick salad dressing. Stir in chopped snickers and whisk until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and butter. Place in bowl, cover with saran wrap and place in fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bring milk, water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil. Dump in the flour and stir continuously until dough becomes a ball. Transfer dough to a mixer and add in eggs, one at a time (make sure egg is incorporated before adding the next egg!) Your dough should be sticky and somewhat stiff. Place dough in a piping bag or a fun little cake decorating tool fitted with a round tip. Pipe “football shaped” (thin on the ends, thicker in the middle) lines about 2 inches long. You should be able to get between 32-36. 

Place into oven for 16-18 minutes, or until they are beginning to turn golden brown. Prop oven open slightly and bake for additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and baking sheet to cool.

Cut each shell open on one side. Place pastry cream into pastry bag or tiptop bag and pipe into cooled shells. Place in the fridge until chilled, about 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, heat oil and dark chocolate, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is completely melted.

Dip chilled eclairs into chocolate and set on parchment paper or foil to harden. Once chocolate has hardened, melt the white chocolate chips and place into ziptop bag. Pipe laces onto the top of the eclairs to complete your football. Place in fridge and chill until ready to serve!

Makes about 32 mini chocolate footballs

Happy Birthday Rosa Parks

Rosa McCauley was born in February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee Alabama. Her dad was carpenter and her mom was a teacher. Rosa came from many cultures including African, Cherokee Creek and Sots-Irish. Parks would grow up on a farm with her grandparents after her parents separated While some white people would be kind to Rosa others would offer hate during this time of racism. Rosa would see much discrimination and bigotry in her life. The world was a very different place it was a world of:

Jim Crow Laws that took the vote from most blacks in Alabama and other Southern States Segregation was also established by law in public facilities, stores, and transportation 

School buses would take white children to school but if black children wanted to go to school they had to walk. Rosa would struggle to get an education but in the end had to quit school to take care of her mother and grandmother. She did not get her high school diploma til she was a married adult. It was not at all rare for blacks in Alabama to not get their high school diploma. In fact, it was rather rare event to get your high school diploma being black and living in the south. The Jim Crow Laws was a resistant that Rosa fought hard against as well. It took three times but Rosa was finally able to register to vote. 

Rosa would work many jobs as well from maid, hospital aide as well as seamstress. It was after working a long day in Mongomery Alabama in 1955 that would make Rosa Parks unknowingly famous. It was on that fateful day that Rosa Parks would refuse to give her bus seat up to a white man. During this time in history black people were treated different because people thought they were different. Rosa was arrested for not getting in the back of the bus and giving up her seat to a white man. 

Rosa Parks arrest made people mad and blacks stopped riding the bus in protest. What became known as The Montgomery Bus Boycott started 

Because of her arrest Rosa lost her job as a seamstress and could not find employment. Parks then moved to Detroit Michigan. She was dedicated to the civil rights movement and became a secreatary at the NAACP. In 1979 Rosa Parks was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Rosa Parks would pass on October 24th 2005 at the age of 92. She would be honored with the U.S. Capitol Rotunda at her death. She was the first woman and non U.S. governmental person to be so honored. 

Weekend Hot Breakfast ::: Skillet Potatoes

8 medium red potatoes, diced into 1/2" chunks
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons bacon grease or oil {for frying}

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, place 2 tablespoons of bacon grease or oil, along with diced peppers and onions. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are just beginning to soften, then add diced potatoes. Season potatoes with seasoning salt, pepper, paprika and garlic, stir, and cover skillet. Allow potatoes to cook, covered, for 10 minutes.

Remove cover, sprinkle flour over the potatoes, then flip and stir them around. Allow potatoes to cook until outside is crispy and potatoes are tender, about 8-10 minutes  {flip and toss potatoes to make sure they don't burn.}

Remove from heat and serve! You've now made the most delicious breakfast potatoes ever! Pretty easy, right?

The Year of The Rooster

Chines New Year is the most important event in the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year celebrates the start of a new lunar year not a calendar year. The new moon will begin the festival. Chinese New Year 2017 started on January 28th and the celebration will continue through February 15th. February 15 will signal the next full moon. This is the year of the rooster. 

There will be fire crackers, lucky money and dancing dragons but so much more as well. Chinese New Year honors Heaven, earth, and ancestors. It is a celebration of family and thanksgiving. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and wish peace and happiness to all. All unfinished business with others need to be cleared away before the new year celebration. 

Firecrackers play a big part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The firecrackers are believed to scare away the evil spirits. Lucky Money is given to children by their parents or other adults. The money will be placed in a red paper envelope before handing the money out. The amount handed out must be an even number as odd numbers are associated with funerals. Chinese families will wear red clothes to ward off evil spirits

Chinese New Year coincides with slack time before a new year of farm work starts. It is a time of preparation. In the past most chinese were farmers but today 55% of all those that live in China live in urban areas. Millions of those living in urban areas will return home to their rural roots for the Chinese New Year celebration. During the festival time prayers and wishes will be made for a good harvest, new business year and profit and success for the year. 

2017 is the year of the Rooster Roosters are hardworking, resourceful, courageous and talented Those born in previous year of the Rooster include Rudyard Kipling, Benjamin Franklin, Prince Philip, Nancy Reagan, Joan Collins, Dolly Parton, ​Michelle Pfeiffer, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Beyonce, Eric Clapton and Yoko Ono. What do you think do any of those born under the sign of the rooster have the personality that it stands for?? 

French Toast Bites

6 slices bread

6 tablespoons jiffy chocolate cheesecake spread

1 egg

2 tablesppons milk

1 teaspoon cinnamon

cut crust off bread add 1 tablespoon of jiffy mix in center of bread fold corners over and seal ends MIX egg,cinnamon and milk ( mix well)

in medium heat place about 1 tablespoon butter in frying pan. place seam side don first.

cook tell golden brown. only about 3-5 minutes each side.

serve with powder sugar and sryup.

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

1 box of elbow macaroni
3 cups of shredded cheese (we used a cheddar and jack mix)
Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk – 12 oz can
2 tablespoons of butter
4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste

 Preheat the oven to 375. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain. Pour 1/3 of the macaroni into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Cover with 1 cup of shredded cheese, salt, pepper and a few pats of butter. Repeat this process three times until you have created three layers of macaroni and cheese. Pour the can of Carnation Evaporated Milk over the entire casserole. The combined bacon and cheese flavor reminded me of a loaded baked potato. This meal makes plenty, so there will be leftovers which always make my life easier.

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

Every February, including this one, is National Cherry Month. So if you like cherries you are in luck as you will see lots of cherries. If not then sorry please share with someone you know who loves cherries. 

CHOCOLATE CAKE:
1 cup cocoa
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chocolate extract
Paper baking cups
Vegetable cooking spray
24 milk chocolate kisses

CHERRY FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons cherry jam
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar

TOPPINGS:
24 red maraschino cherries (with stems)

CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
1 cup whipping cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cocoa and 2 cups boiling water in a large heatproof bowl, stirring until blended and smooth; cool completely. Beat butter with a mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate extract.

Place paper baking cups in 2 (12-cup) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not cool.
While cupcakes are still warm, press 1 chocolate kiss into the center of each. Let cool completely.
To prepare cherry frosting, beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended. Beat at high speed 2 minutes or until creamy. Makes 3 cups.
Frost each cupcake with Cherry Frosting.

To prepare ganache, cook cream in a heavy non aluminum saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, just until it begins to steam (do not boil); remove from heat. Place chocolate in a glass bowl. Slowly add hot cream to chocolate, beating with a whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is well blended. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Makes about 2 cups.
Dip cherries in Chocolate Ganache, and place 1 on top of each cupcake.

(recipe from southern living.com)

The Day The Music Died

Life is so very short and sometimes it is taken away in the blink of an eye. This happened in my life time as I have watched car accidents and other ways that those I love leave suddenly. Perhaps the day the music died was a way that so many felt that pain. It makes us all sad.

Elvis, Morrison, Janis, Jimi, Lennon and Cobain were all great legends that left suddenly. The deaths changed music and left a scar on generations. I can remember my mother standing in the living room the day the news announced that Elvis had passed. These great legends all died on different days but when the three music stars died at one time it is even harder.

February 3, 1959 is the date that of "The Day The Music Died" Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were the men that would spend their last night together on a Midwestern tour billed as "The Winter Dance Party". It was winter which meant it was cold and it was in the Midwest which meant it was really cold. The distance between the venues was almost to far making it hard for the men to drive to locations. The tour bus had broken heater which was making them all sick.

The night before the fatal day the tour had stopped in Clear Lake Iowa. This was a stop that had been booked at last minute to fill an empty date on the tour schedule. The next stop would be at Moorhead Minnesota. Because of this and the other problems on the tour it was Holly who decided to charter a plane to the next stop. An inexperienced pilot would pick up the group after the performance

The small plane could seat 3 in addition to the pilot. The charge was $36. The Big Bopper who was sick asked Holly's guitarist none other than Waylon Jennings if he could have his seat on the plane. Jennings with a southern personality had no problem in letting the ailing singer have his seat on the plane. Jennings would retain a haunting moment as the last joke he said to Holly was "I hope your ol plane crashes."

Seventeen year old Ritchie Valens had not experienced flying in a small plane and requested from Holly's other band mate Tommy Allsup if he could have his seat. They decided to flip a coin and Valens won or did he. Holly, Valens and the Big Bopper would all fly in the taxi with the young pilot Peterson. They would leave at 12:55 a.m. and a few moments later would fall from the sky. The Airport in Fargo North Dakota could not reach the young pilot and reported the aircraft missing. The plane had went down in a cornfield 5 minutes from the airport. The small plane had hit the ground at 170 mph and rolled over several times. The plane would end a ball of wreckage after sliding through the ground and being stopped at a wire fence. Both the bodies of Holly and Valens were found easily on the outside of the plane, Richardson had been thrown over the fence and the pilot was still in the plane. All 4 had been killed instantly.

Who was to blame?? The promoter who had pushed the tour too hard?? The pilot who did not have the experience needed to fly?? The owner of the plane who knew the pilot was still a student?? It really does not matter who should hold the blame for it is three young musicians of Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper who are not here to share their wonderful talent. 

Celebrating 15 years of Smiles ==== Give Kids A Smile

Give Kids A Smile is a program started by the American Dental Association Foundation. There are many dentist and dental schools that will host events during this celebration. It is the 15th year that Give a Kid a Smile is taking place. More than 550,000 volunteers have provided no cost oral health services to 5.5 million under served children. Dental students who participate in this program are starting their career with the community anchored with them in spirit and a drive to give back. 

Corporate Sponsors of Give Kids A Smile include Henry Schein Dental, Colgate, KaVo Kerr, Care Credit, 3M and many others. Sponsors have worked hard to make the program what it is. We have all read it takes a village to raise a child and yes this is yet one more example of how true that is. Without all those helping and sponsoring this program many children would go without much needed dental care. 

Chines New Year Steamed Dumplings

Steamed Chinese Vegetable Dumplings

To make the wrappers: mix 4 cups flour, 1 ¾ cups water and ½ tsp. salt in a large bowl until the dough is smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes. Transfer the dough to a clean surface. Cut the dough into 20 equal pieces. Press each piece into a disc and using a rolling pin, roll each piece into a circle about 3 inches in diameter. Make them as thin as you can. If you are not going to use them immediately, coat them with flour and store in the fridge or freezer.

To make the filling: heat 2 Tbs. vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add 2 cups shredded Napa cabbage to the skillet and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Add 2 shredded carrots and cook another 3 minutes. Add 2 cups chopped broccoli florets and 3 chopped scallions and cook for 3 more minutes. To the veggies, add 1 tsp. fresh grated ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves. Mix in 2 Tbs. tamari, 1 Tbs. brown rice vinegar, 1 Tbs. sesame oil and 2 tsp. Sriracha. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse a few times to just break down the veggies. Let the veggies cool before putting them into the wrappers.

To make the dumplings: place a small spoonful of the veggie filling in the center of each wrapper. Use your finger to wet the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold the wrapper over the filling and pinch the edges together, forming a half-circle. Transfer the wrapped dumpling to a plate lined with parchment paper. Continue until you fill all the dumpling wrappers. To steam the dumplings: bring a pot of water to a boil and place four dumplings at a time into a steamer basket over the boiling water. Steam for 10 minutes or until the dumplings are tender. You can also pan-fry them, if desired. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Find this recipe and much more information here

African Americans health Issues

While I am not an African American I do care for many of them where I work at. Some of the issues that my residents face are because they did not take good care for their selves. Taking preventive actions can help lower the risk of life threatening diseases and chronic debilitating illnesses. Among the many health issues are:

Cardiovascular Disease is the #1 killer of African Americans. High blood pressure in African Americans is the highest in the world. This is also known as hypertension. High blood pressure increases risk of heart disease and stroke. Permanent damage to the heart can be done before one even notices any problems. Thus the nickname the "silent killer" High Blood pressure in African Americans also develops earlier than in those other race. Family history influences many health related issues including this one. While nothing can be done about hereditary but life style changes and medication can be defined. The most important thing is to frequently check your blood pressure to keep on top of it. 

Diabetes goes hand in hand with cardiovascular disease. Around 2.3 million African Americans have diabetes. Still 33% are not aware of this issue. Obesity is an issue that often faces African Americans. This also plays an impact to developing diabetes. Diabetes is both treatable and preventable. Knowing early warning signs is the key to the issue. Many avoid seeking treatment because of the unknown. All they know about diabetes is older relatives that may have had the disease and were diagnosed too late and suffered issues such as blindness, amputations or renal failure. Along with being aware of ones own health is practicing regular exercise. Exercise will also help with blood pressure. A good 30 minutes of walking a day will get the heart rate up and help with the health. 

Another health issue that African Americans face is vitamin D deficiency. This issue has a lot to do with hereditary again. The question of whether this is true or not actually has its own issues. To much vitamin D leads to abnormal heart rhythms, blood vessel damage and kidney stones. Not enough vitamin D can result in low bone density, symptoms of osteoporosis and increased fracture risk . Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with cancer, autoimmune diseases and systemic lupus.

African Americans have been hit hard by HIV. The African American community is hit harder than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S. A  larger portion of this community gets AIDS diagnoses and has HIV related deaths. The African American diagnosed with HIV often does not live as long as other groups either. According to the CDC AIDS is the leading cause of death in African Americans. Women seem to be hit the hardest. With more awareness this number can be lowered. Sex practices and medications after being diagnosed are very important. Nearly half of all diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are African Americans. 

Early Deaths due to any disease or illness can be reduced with annual physical exams, nutritional counseling and talking and listening between doctor and patient. 

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