Link to HealthDealing with Asthma. For many people with asthma, symptoms become worse in the spring. Coughing from asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep. Dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander and secondhand smoke trigger asthma attacks. Exposure to secondhand smoke also can cause asthma in young children. If you or your child has asthma, it’s important to talk with your primary care provider (PCP) about a care plan. It’s important that you take your main-tenance medication daily, even if you don’t have symptoms. For more info, visit the CareOregon asthma health info web page at www.careoregon.org/member/masthma.html

Preventing Cervical Cancer. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is now covered by the Oregon Health Plan for preteen girls and young women through age 26. HPV, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country, is a leading cause of cervical cancer. To get the free vaccine, visit your primary care provider. For more info, call CareO-regon Customer Service at 503-416-4100 in the Portland area or toll-free 1-800-224-4840 outside the Portland area. TTY/TDD is 1-877-416-4161.

CareOregon & You Better Together

Spr ing 2007A news le t te r fo r CareOregon members and f r iends

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDSeattle, WA

Permit No. 776

Tips for Parents

Spring 2007/EN

For busy families, it’s not always easy to sit down and have a family meal together. It’s usually easier to get something on the go. But did you know that fast foods are often higher in fat, salt and sugar? They are more expensive, too.

Family meals offer a great way to share a healthy meal. Busy parents don’t have a lot of time, and it’s possible to keep meals simple. It’s easy to buy a ready-made sauce or marinade and add it to lean meats for a tasty main dish.

To save time, you may want to double a favorite recipe, enjoying one meal now and freezing the other for some evening when you’re too tired to cook. No matter how simple the meal, take the time to sit down and enjoy it with your family.

Even if the family meal can only happen on the weekends, it’s a great way for the family to get together. Turn off the

315 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 900Portland, Oregon 97204

television, the video games and the computer. Kids can also help with preparing the meal or in setting the table.

Link to CareersOregon Tradeswomen will host its 2007 Women in Trades Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 at NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center, 16021 NE Airport in Portland. Numerous exhibits and interactive demonstrations make the fair a great introduction to a trades career, such as carpentry or electrical work. Learn about Pathways to Success, a program that helps women interested in trades careers plan their pathways to entry-level work in the trades and apprenticeships. Meet employers and successful tradeswomen, participate in workshops, learn about paid training opportunities and more. No registration required. Free parking, free child care, free admission, and free shuttle from the Gateway Transit Center in Portland. For more info, visit www.tradeswomen.net/programs.html or call 503-335-8200.

Link to KnowledgeNeighborhood House offers free, informative life skills classes that help with job search strategies, parenting techniques, health education and more. Classes are held from 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at the Neighborhood House basement, 7780 SW Capitol Highway in Portland. For more info, call Andrea Hanson at 503-452-2944, ext. 04. For more info, visit www.nhweb.org/programs

Renters. The Ready-to-Rent class series discusses how credit works, qualities of a good renter, ways to solve problems with the landlord and more. The next Ready-to-Rent series starts April 4.

Parenting. Classes focus on parenting techniques to help with discipline. Learn how to talk with kids of all ages. The next parenting series begins May 9.

EN

Learn About HomeownershipPortland Habitat for Humanity offers affordable homeownership opportunities to needy families who have steady income and good credit history. U.S. citizens or residents must contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity.” Those who meet income requirements may qualify:

Attend an upcoming homeownership application meeting to learn more about the program. For more info, visit www.pdxhabitat.org or call 503-287-9529 ext. 22.

• Wednesday, March 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Kelly Elementary School, 9030 SE Cooper St.

• Saturday, March 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman, Luther Hall Room L121.

• Sunday, March 25, 4:30 to 6 p.m., also at Concordia University.

Ready, Set, Draw! Did you know that being active is important in stay-ing healthy? Playing in the schoolyard, taking your dog for a walk, or throwing Fris-bees with a friend in the park are all fun ways to stay active.

How do you play? If you’re between the ages of 4 and 12, send us a drawing of yourself and friends playing your favor-ite game or sports. CareOregon staff will judge entries, and prizes are available for two winners from each age group (ages 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12).

Send your entry by April 16 to CareOregon, Attn: CareLink Contest, 315 SW Fifth Ave. Suite 900, Portland, OR 97204. Please include your name, street address, phone number and e-mail so we can let you know if you are a winner.

3/4 cup of juice; 1/2 cup of canned fruit; or 1/4 cup of dried fruit

1 serving size of fruit = a tennis ball

Milk, Yogurt & Cheese: One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt; or 1.5 to 2 ounces of cheese. Choose low-fat options from this group.

1 serving size of cheese = 1 ping-pong ball

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, & Nuts: One serving equals 1.5 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish; 1 to 1.5 cups of cooked beans; 2 eggs; or 4 tablespoons of peanut butter

1 serving size of chicken and/or fish = 1 deck of cards or palm of a woman’s hand; 1 serving of meatball = a ping-pong ball; 1 serving of cooked meat (i.e., a burger) = a hockey puck

Fats, Oils & Sugar: This includes alcoholic beverages, and high fat and/or sugar in foods, such as cheese, ice cream and French fries.

1 serving size of peanut butter = a ping-pong ball; 1 serving of white wine = 1 small wine glass

Making Healthy Food Choices

How to...

Get Free Tax HelpApril 15 is right around the corner. If you need help with preparing taxes, volunteers from the AARP Tax-Aide Program can help.

Free tax help is available at various locations throughout Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. To find an AARP Tax-Aide site close to you and for a list of forms and documents to bring call toll-free 888-AARP-NOW (888-227-7669) or visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide.

CareLink lists local community resources as a service to members. However, CareOregon as-sumes no responsibility for services provided.

Living Well The USDA MyPyramid

online tool can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you. www.mypyramid.gov/. Depending on your age, gender and amount of physical activity, MyPyramid makes a recommendation about amounts from each of the different food groups. Typically, a healthy diet is high in grains, fruits and vegetables.

Understanding serving size is helpful for a balanced diet:

Breads, Cereals, Rice & Pasta: One serving equals 1 slice of bread; 1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; or 1 ounce of cold cereal. Choose whole-wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal from this group.

1 serving size of bread = plastic CD case; 2 servings of cooked brown rice = size of a tennis ball

Vegetables: One serving equals 1/2 cup of raw or cooked; 1 cup of leafy raw vegetables

1 serving size of broccoli = a light bulb; 1 serving of potato = a computer mouse

Fruits: One serving equals 1 piece of fruit or a melon wedge;

Kids’ Corner Congratulations!Thanks to everyone who submitted their entries to the Word Search Contest. The first 10 entries won giveaways from CareOregon.

Julian Castro, 10, Sheridan

Robert Caudillo, 10, Portland

Destiny Hastings, 9, Portland

Katelynn Jacobson, 9, Portland

Craig Lane, 6, Beaverton

Ana Muntean, 8, Woodburn

Jessica Nguyen, 9, Fairview

Amanda Scott, 8, Oregon City

Michaela Wickert, 7, Troutdale

Ayla Wiley, 8, Portland

fiesta will be held from Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6, at Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The fiesta helps build resources for increased educational, civic, artistic and humanitarian efforts of the Latino community of Oregon. For more info, call 503-232-7550 or visit www.cincodemayo.org.

AsiaFest PortlandAsiaFest Portland celebrates the diverse cultures of Asian Pacific American communities in Oregon. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. See a show, listen to music, and experience the craftsmanship and creativity of a variety of Asian cultures. The event will also feature cuisine from local Asian restaurants, a silent auction and more. For more info, call The Asian Reporter Foundation at 503-283-0595 or visit www.ARFoundation.net.

2007 Earth Day

Events

Did you know that having a pet can be good for your health? Celebrate social and environmental sustainability at the annual Earth Day event to be held on Saturday, April 19, at Woodlawn Park in Northeast Portland. Along with organizations and vendors, the event will feature a Better Transportation Fair, natural building demonstrations, music, dance and a kid’s art village. Service projects will be held in the local neighborhood and community garden. More than 6,000 people are expected at this year’s event. For info, call 503-235-8946 or visit www.cityrepair.org.

Cinco de Mayo FestivalPortland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta celebrates Latino culture and brings people together from all walks of life. Food, dancing, crafts and cultural activities all will be featured. This year’s

Persons in Household Monthly Gross Income 2 $1,358-$2,717 3 $1,529-$3,054 4 $1,695-$3,396 5 $1,833-$3,667 6 $1,970-$3,938 (add $50 for each additional dependent)