Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

This Weekend in Weber County!

Time for this weekend's roundup of educational, free, athletic, or just plain fun(!) events happening in Weber County!

• Friday 7pm. Julie Moffitt Ballet School presents The Nutcracker Ballet at the Egyptian Theater. $8-12
• Friday 7:30pm. It's a Wonderful Life! at The Ziegfeld Theater. 

• Saturday 2:00 and 7:30pm. It's a Wonderful Life! at The Ziegfeld Theater. 
• Saturday 4pm. WSU High School Honor Band at the Austad Auditorium. FREE
• Saturday 7pm. Julie Moffitt Ballet School presents The Nutcracker Ballet at the Egyptian Theater. $8-12

• Movie screenings and various workshops at the Weber County Libraries. FREE

Enjoy Weber County!

Healthy Holiday Eating

With the holiday season here, you may be tempted to abandon your healthful eating habits. It is easy to forget to take care of yourself during this busy time of giving to others. But why spend January trying to get your cholesterol level or weight back down to its preseason level? Instead, some planning and following a few helpful tips can keep you on track through the holidays.

Goals to Remember

1. Continue watching your fat intake

1. Keep up your exercise program

These may also be the two hardest things to do during the holiday season. But with some of the tips below, you can have both an enjoyable and a healthy holiday season.

• Pre-plan for parties or special dinners. Know what to expect and have a plan for each situation. A party at your friend's house will be different from Christmas dinner at your in-laws. Decide what you are going to do at each and stick to it.
• Never go to a party hungry. If you hit the holiday buffet table on an empty stomach, you don't have a chance. Instead, have a low-fat snack before you go so that you are not famished. This way you can attend to the buffet table with your heart and waist in mind.
• Don't stand near the buffet table. Too often a friend will have found something you missed on your first go around and want you to try it.
• Limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage, unless you have been told by your doctor to avoid alcohol completely. Try sparkling cider or cranberry juice with sparkling water for a holiday treat. 
  
• Don't make food the focal point of all your activities. Plan a special hike with the family on a day when you are all together. Even just a walk around the block after dinner can help to burn off the extra calories as well as get you away from the food for a while.

With these strategies in mind, you can enjoy a 

healthy and happy holiday season!

This Weekend in Weber County!

Time for this weekend's roundup of educational, free, athletic, or just plain fun(!) events happening in Weber County!

• Friday 11am-8pm. Weber County Holiday Festival at Golden Spike Event Center - Exhibit Hall. FREE
• Friday 7pm. Julie Moffitt Ballet School presents The Nutcracker Ballet at the Egyptian Theater. $8-12
• Friday 7:30pm. It's a Wonderful Life! at The Ziegfeld Theater. 
• Friday 7:30-9:30pm. Jazz Ensemble at the Allred Theater at Weber State.  $6-7

• Saturday 11am-8pm. Weber County Holiday Festival at Golden Spike Event Center - Exhibit Hall. FREE
• Saturday 7:30pm. It's a Wonderful Life! at The Ziegfeld Theater. 
• Saturday 7pm. Julie Moffitt Ballet School presents The Nutcracker Ballet at the Egyptian Theater. $8-12

• Sunday 5:30pm & 8pm. WSU Choirs & Symphony Holiday Concert at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. $7-30

• Movie screenings and various workshops at the Weber County Libraries. FREE

Enjoy Weber County!

The Flu 101

What is the flu?

Influenza, more commonly know as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu is different from a cold, and it usually comes on suddenly. Symptoms generally start 1 to 4 days after exposure, meaning that a person with the flu may pass on the virus before they know they are sick, as well as while they have symptoms. Some people may be asymptomatic, meaning they show no symptoms, but they can still infect others during this time.

People who have the flu often have some, or all, of the following symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), and vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. It can range from mild to severe illness, and sometimes lead to death.

Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people who get the flu may develop serious complications that can results in hospitalization, life threatening illness, or even death. Some complications can include pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. In addition to these complications, the flu can make chronic conditions worse.

Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people, but there are some people who are at a greater risk. Those who are at the highest risk of contracting the flu, and suffering serious complications are; young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, and older adults, namely those over 65.

How does the flu spread?

The flu is spread person to person, and most experts think that is spread by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of people up to six feet away. Less commonly, someone might get the flu from touching a surface that is contaminated with the flu virus and then touching their own mouth or nose.

To avoid getting the flu it is important to take some simple precautions.

• Hand-washing and other techniques: to avoid the flu, stay away from people who are sick and stay home from work or school if you are sick. It is important to wash your hands often with warm, soapy water, and if water is not available then use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to sick people should be washed thoroughly before sharing. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, and school, especially if someone is ill.

• Vaccination: an annual seasonal flu vaccination, either an injection or nasal spray, is the best way to reduce the chances of getting the seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread throughout the community. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to form in the body about two weeks after vaccination. For this reason it is recommended that people get their flu vaccination as early as it is available, or ideally by the beginning of October. A flu vaccine is needed annually for two reasons. The first is the body's immune response declines over time, so an annual vaccine is required for optimal protection. The second is the flu virus changes over time, so the vaccines are updated to protect against the changing flu viruses. Because of these changes, it is still possible to get the flu after getting a flu vaccine, but the severity and chance of complications are reduced.

Who should get vaccinated?

It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months who is able to get a flu vaccine should.  It is important for those at high risk to get the flu vaccine. If you have any questions about whether you or your family should get vaccinated, talk to your doctor.

Flu vaccines are available from many sources in the community. Doctor's offices, pharmacies, grocery stores, schools, college campuses, and the local health department are just some of the places where vaccines are available. Go HERE to locate areas in your neighborhood.

DON'T FORGET, GETTING YOUR ANNUAL FLU SHOT CAN EARN YOU .5 HOURS OF VACATION AND HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM GETTING THE FLU THIS WINTER!