St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN

Dear Viewers, Peace to all in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the Year for the Priests announced by Pope Benedict XVI. Fall is slowly approaching and schools are opening for the new school year. Be safe for our children. September is known for National Cholesterol Education Month; Labor Day and Patriot Day. Autumn begins September 22.

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This month lets focus on a short story that contains emphasis on three words: antioxidants, glean, and online. "One warm, sunny day in September Blueberry Antioxidant found itself in a patch of weeds soon to be gleaned. Blueberry Antioxidant thought itself better than a weed because it benefits lives and weeds don't, it thought. Blueberry Antioxidant thought I should be in a better situation. If, it thought I was online many more lives could benefit from eating me. But how does it get online to inform millions of people? If the weeds are gleaned my antioxidants will go to waste. But, if the gleaner only involves the lonely Blueberry Antioxidant itself then being saved will be great. So, Blueberry Antioxidant decided to be more brilliant and was saved by the gleaner and sent online to benefit millions by informing them of its goodness." Gen.1:29 states, "God also said, "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food." Antioxidants are phytochemical and vitamins that protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals (www.pubmed.org). Blueberries are a rich, low-caloric source of fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Regular intake of foods high in antioxidants such as blueberries, blackberries, nuts, grains, and pomegranates are reported to improve short-term memory and reduce the cellular damage that is associated with the aging process and other chronic health problems (www.mayoclinic.org). So, how does a person decide to eat more antioxidants? Eat more foods containing these nutrients at each meal or as a snack. See your Health Care Provider (HCP) and Parish Nurse for more information. Bon Appetit. Have a Safe Labor Day! Romans 14:23 states, "But if a man eats when his conscience has misgivings about eating he is already condemned, because he is not acting in accordance with what he believes." My book, A COLLECTION OF PARISH NURSE NEWSLETTERS is available at www.dorrancebookstore.com; amazon.com; Eden Book Store (1-877-627-5653) toll free. Ocooch Book Store (1-608-647-8826).