Invitation to Join
The Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Auxiliary would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the community who might be interested in joining its group.  The Auxiliary is a vital part of the PMH family and it has made significant purchases over the years to benefit the patients whom the hospital serves.  Purchases include a dishwasher for the kitchen, clocks, chairs, IV poles and pumps, Pulse Oximeters, and most recently a state-of-the- art GPS for the Ambulance Service.
 The Auxiliary is solely responsible for running the PMH Gift Shop.  Members can also be found at various fairs and festivals around the county with Gift Shop wares.  A special project of which the group is particularly proud is the Love Light Christmas Tree.  This fundraising event allows donations to be made in honor or in memory of loved ones.  Names are displayed on a tree in the front lobby of the hospital during the holiday season.
The Auxiliary members invite anyone who is interested in joining to attend their regular meeting at 1 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the PMH Conference Room .
Commit as much or as little time to the group as you wish. All that is asked is that members be willing to work for the good of the hospital. 
You may contact an Auxiliary member by calling the Gift Shop at 304-799-7400 ext. 1083.
 
Heart Healthy Cooking
Continuing with the February theme of “Heart Health Awareness” – no matter how much time you do or do not have for cooking, it is still possible to make quick and easy heart-healthy meals.  Heart-healthy cooking focuses on lowering your intake of fat and salt, while increasing fiber. 

Here are a few tips:
Change your plate proportions.  Fill half with vegetables, a quarter with whole grains, and a quarter with fish, poultry or meat.
Cut the fat.  The key here is to trim all visible fat from meat.  Take the skin off poultry and fish to reduce both fat and calories.  Instead of pan-frying or deep-frying, try baking, steaming, broiling, grilling or roasting.
Make smart swaps.  Substitute healthy ingredients for less healthy ones like plain low fat yogurt for sour cream, lower-fat cheese for full-fat, and evaporated milk for cream.
Ditch the salt.  Instead of salt, use interesting spices and pepper.  Dill goes well with fish and paprika pairs with chicken.
Eating heart healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up desserts.  Try this recipe for Pineapple Carrot Bars, provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
This dessert is good for your heart and not overly sweet or rich.
 
Pineapple Carrot Bars
Ingredients:
½ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup finely grated carrots
2/3 cup drained crushed unsweetened pineapple
½ cup raisins
½ cup skim milk
Directions:
Combine sugar, oil, vanilla and egg.  Stir well and set aside.  In separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda; add to sugar mixture and stir well.  Stir in carrots, pineapple, raisins and milk.  Pat into lightly greased 13 x 9 in pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until top is golden.  Let cool.