Scotland County Health Department / Home Health Agency

Scotland County Health Department / Home Health Agency We provide services to the community such as: Home Health, WIC, Immunizations, Monthly Injections

03/18/2026

The countdown is officially ON! 🚨 In just 10 days, the doors open for our Community Resource Fair. Mark your calendars for March 26th to get everything you need, all in one place - we can't wait to see you there! 🤝

Weekly Word, What's in a label.Why read food labels? You can use them to be informed or compare foods and choose the hea...
03/18/2026

Weekly Word, What's in a label.

Why read food labels? You can use them to be informed or compare foods and choose the healthier, lower calorie or maybe the low sodium option.. Whatever your goal is.
1. SERVING SIZE. It is the measurement of the food that has all the information on the label. For example, the label above may be yogurt, it says there are 2 servings per container but only 1 cup is a serving size. The 1 cup has 250 calories, 12g of total fat and that is 18% of what you should eat in a day- based on a 2,000 calorie diet etc. If you eat 2 servings you will double the calories and all the other values.
2. CALORIES. What are calories? They are the energy you get from food. We should eat enough food (energy) to get us through the day. The goal is to eat only what we can burn or the extra calories stick to our body and cause weight gain.
3. LIMIT THESE NUTRIENTS. These contribute to health problems when we eat too much/many. They are listed so we can avoid getting more than 100% of our daily alotment.
4. GET ENOUGH OF THESE NUTRIENTS. These key nutrients prevent many diseases so try to eat 100% every day. The amount of each one in this food is found to the right in the % Daily Value.
5. PERCENT DAILY VALUE (DV). This tells you what percent of these nutrients you get when eating this food based on a 2,000 calorie diet. A 2,000 calorie diet is about what a woman should consume a day and men should get 2,000 to 3,0000 calories daily- on average. 5% DV is low for good nutrients and 20% or more is high for nutrients that should be limited.
6. UNDERSTANDING THE FOOTNOTE This tells you how many grams of each nutrient you should eat each day based on a 2,000 or 2,500 calorie diet. Eating a variety of good foods will make it easy to get all your nutrients.
7. INGREDIENTS. This list is everything in the food. The order they are listed is from the largest amount to the smallest amount.

Are you just imagining how hard the time changes are, or is there evidence to back your complaints? Here are a few of th...
03/13/2026

Are you just imagining how hard the time changes are, or is there evidence to back your complaints? Here are a few of the facts. Daylight Savings Time (DST) is when we move our clock so we have the most sunlight during our waking hours. It has been said DST is basically society- enforced jet lag as symptoms are similar: insomnia, day time fatigue, indigestion, irritability and lack of concentration to name a few. DST is a 1 hour abrupt shift in time and a major disturbance of the following hormones: melatonin, its production and release is interrupted at the time change and this affects sleep and mental health. Serotonin levels drop from changes in light exposure and it is needed to stabilize our mood and feelings of well being. The peak of cortisol is approximately one hour later when we switch times and this also leads to fatigue, irritability and increased stress. The change disrupts the body's natural 24 hour clock which raises adrenaline and that increases heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, the day/days following DST there is a significant increase in heart attacks, strokes and traffic fatalities. This time disturbance further affects the body by increasing inflammation linked to major diseases like cancer and heart disease etc.
There is a movement to keep DST year round which would stop the ill effects of changing time and give us more sunlight in the evenings of November through the first of March and that is supposed to be part of the goal. Of course it would get light an hour later too. Most people recognize it would be healthier for us to keep with Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time year round.

03/13/2026

Celebrate by boosting healthy habits at work, home or school!

Here are 50 ways to get involved wherever you are: sm.eatright.org/nnm50ideas.

Thank you! These are some of the most powerful words, as you will see. Gratitude is a feeling or state of being but als...
03/05/2026

Thank you! These are some of the most powerful words, as you will see. Gratitude is a feeling or state of being but also the deliberate act of recognizing an external source such as a person, group or deity. Gratefulness initiates physical changes in several regions of the brain that are involved in functions such as: decision-making, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and motivation. People who show greater levels of gratitude have an increased volume of gray matter, the part of the brain that processes sensations, voluntary movement, sensory fine tuning, speech and mental tasks.
The benefits of gratitude are remarkable and they are as follows: 1. Developing a more positive mindset which improves mood, stops overthinking, making it easier to avoid harmful emotions like resentment and envy. 2. Gratitude reduces stress by lowering cortisol which profits heart function and balances automatic body functions. 3. Gratitude lessens depression and anxiety by lowering stress hormones and manages negative emotions such as guilt and shame. At the same time it increases motivation and goal-directed behavior. 4. Gratitude improves emotional strength by rewiring thought pathways from old ruts to new routes that positively affects our response during a crisis. 5. Gratitude enhances concentration when it releases dopamine because that strengthens focus and emotional awareness. 6. Gratitude releases hormones that regulate and cause the immune system to function at its best, helping you to avoid sickness and recover quicker. 7. Gratitude activates the hypothalamus (part of the brain) which helps regulate sleep and its quality. That also positively affects our immune system. 8. Gratitude improves our connection to others, family, friends, co-workers etc which has many benefits for our health and mental health. 9. Gratitude boosts common health issues and has been found to cause fewer headaches, infections, congestion, digestion concerns and more.
We are not going to have a grateful moment and see these amazing results, but work gratitude into your day, everyday, and see some of these remarkable benefits. Much of the brain and its functions are still mysteries to us but it has long been known the value of expressing gratitude. Where do we begin? It is a good idea to start with yourself! Self-appreciation is healthy and needed. Think or say 5 things you value about yourself, maybe your strengths, skills, achievements or good efforts. Then keep it going by seeing the good in others and the world around us. Keeping a journal has extra benefits as well and it is fun to look back at where you started after some time. This doesn't really have to be done everyday but the point is to make it a habit, one that makes life sweeter.

Weekly Word: Digital DetoxIn an age of screens, screens and more screens have you ever thought about taking a break, may...
02/27/2026

Weekly Word: Digital Detox

In an age of screens, screens and more screens have you ever thought about taking a break, maybe even a detox (undergoing detoxification from an addictive vice)? This requires time away from using all electronic devices. I can hear the panic! The average American adult spends around 11 hours DAILY listening, watching, reading and interacting with media according to the Nielsen Company study.
image.png

Research says technology is stressful for many reasons. Heavy use is linked to sleep problems, depression, increased stress levels, lack of mental clarity and relationship strain. Do you get upset or anxious when you can't find your phone or feel compelled to check it often? Do you have FOMO (fear of missing out), stay up too late or get up early just to catch up on electronics? If so, it might be a good time to detox.
How to detox and find your reason why. Maybe you want more time (which has a way of evaporating during screen time), more human connection, outdoor/hobby time or to improve sleep. Decide the time frame you will go without electronics , maybe a few hours daily, a weekend, one day a week or longer. It is always a good idea to ditch technology during meals, people time and when waking up and going to bed (research suggests screens before bed disrupts sleep patterns and length) Doing activities you enjoy and keeping busy is a good trade off. The saying, hang up and hang out, rings true. Good luck.

02/19/2026

At five years old, most kids can:
• Tell a story.
• Answer simple questions about a book or story.
• Keep a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges.
• Use simple rhymes.
For more information about developmental milestones, visit https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/5-years.html.

02/19/2026

Do you need help with the WICShopper app or using your WIC card, or have questions about WIC? Select the "Get Help!" icon on the WICShopper app to find helpful phone numbers, email addresses, FAQs and more! Find the answers you're looking for or get in contact with someone who can help!

Fresh milled flour can be a huge benefit and doesn't have to be a hassle. But, what is it and why do it? Fresh milled...
02/19/2026

Fresh milled flour can be a huge benefit and doesn't have to be a hassle. But, what is it and why do it? Fresh milled flour is flour produced from milling wheat berries (found on line and at local Mennonite stores ). Specialty flour mills produce a flour as fine as AP flour although it retains the bran which is bulkier. The flavor of homemade breads, pastas, cookies, and more with fresh milled flour vary from no difference in taste to more flavorful baked goods.
It is also healthier with many sites boasting 40 of 44 nutrients as opposed to a suggested 1/4 of that for all purpose flour. Many people notice better digestion, more energy and the ability to enjoy wheat without bloating, headaches and fatigue- even some who are slightly gluten intolerant as they can often enjoy bread or baked goods if they are from fresh milled flour.
Taking the milled flour and throwing it in a bread machine with other ingredients takes the hassle out of healthy bread making. It can be used with regular recipes too but you might have to add a little extra flour, typically 1/4 cup per cup called for in a recipe.
Watch for an upcoming class /demonstration and sampling of fresh milled bread and cookies in March.

Snacks can fit into a healthy eating plan if we choose well and stay prepared. What are some better options to eat? Who...
02/11/2026

Snacks can fit into a healthy eating plan if we choose well and stay prepared. What are some better options to eat? Whole foods top the list and they reduce empty calories and excess sugar. What's a whole food? Something that doesn't come with an ingredient list, like: meat, eggs, fruit, veggies, nuts, beans and more. When considering macronutrients (protein, fats and carbs), it is suggested to eat protein first, (can be included with some fats) but definitely carbs last. The benefits: keeps blood sugar stable, fills us more and possibly helps with weight management. Be prepared, plan your snacks and portions. Always having food on hand helps when you find yourself needing something between meals, 200 calories is a good goal or snack size. Don't forget to stay hydrated so your thirst doesn't make you think you're hungry.
What are some good snack options? Keeping washed fruits and cut-up vegetables in glass jars is a good snack, and the glass containers make them stay fresh longer (if they last, that is). Blend a smoothie by adding 1 cup milk to frozen fruit. Mix 3 cups of air popped popcorn with grated cheese and/or dried spices. Roast chickpeas/garbanzo beans and season with spices/ranch. Cut up fruit to make kabobs and serve with low-fat yogurt dip. Mix equal amounts of fat free plain or flavored yogurt with 100% fruit juice and freeze like a popsicle for a nice treat. These will get you started snacking right

Address

214 West Madison Street
Memphis, MO
63555

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Website

https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/frauddatalinks/nondiscrimination

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Scotland County Health Department / Home Health Agency posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category