Friday, October 4, 2019

The Flu and U!





Help protect yourself and others this flu season. There are two options available this year for UES staff members

UCF FLU CLINIC | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 FROM 3:00-7:00PM 
Location: Unionville High School
School season is prime time for classes, homework, sports… and the flu. With the flu virus most active from October to May, getting vaccinated is the #1 way to prevent the flu and the fever, sore throat, body aches, and even serious health complications that come along with it. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. We are partnering with the Chester County Health Department to offer a flu shot clinic to community members.
UES Staff Flu Clinic | Frida October 18th from 11:30AM-1:30PM 
Location: UES SGI 
Rose Bender, Immunizing Pharmacist from the ACME in Avondale, will be onsite at UES on October 17th from 11:30-1:30 to administer flu shots to staff.
The Flu vaccine is quadrivalient for those inquiring.
Also let me know if you are interested in the shingles vaccine (2 dose series for those 50 and older). Rose will bring a few that day as well. 

Video: Do your part to stop the spread of flu at child care facilities and schools



Article: Interesting read 


Monday, September 30, 2019

The Flu and U!





Help protect yourself and others this flu season. There are two options available this year for UES staff members
UCF FLU CLINIC | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 FROM 3:00-7:00PM 
Location: Unionville High School
School season is prime time for classes, homework, sports… and the flu. With the flu virus most active from October to May, getting vaccinated is the #1 way to prevent the flu and the fever, sore throat, body aches, and even serious health complications that come along with it. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. We are partnering with the Chester County Health Department to offer a flu shot clinic to community members.
UES Staff Flu Clinic | Thursday October 17th from 11:30AM-1:30PM 
Location: UES SGI 
Rose Bender, Immunizing Pharmacist from the ACME in Avondale, will be onsite at UES on October 17th from 11:30-1:30 to administer flu shots to staff.

Video: Do your part to stop the spread of flu at child care facilities and schools



Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Soup-er Good Time for Soup

3 Soup-er Reasons to try 3 Soup-er Soups (say that 3 times fast😋)


1. Soup-er bowl recovery🏈- Maybe some of us have been celebrating our E.A.G.L.E.S and need some hearty healthy meals to kick us back on track

2. Soup-er sickness 😷 You might have noticed it is cold and flu season (insert sarcastic tone here😱)...add a few more funky viruses, some strep & a good old fashioned GI bug to the mix and you could spend your entire day dodging germs (how many times a day have you said.."cough into your sleeve")?? Soup and broth have many known health benefits & immune boosting effects. If it's too late and you have been hit with one of those pesky little germs...soup can help keep you hydrated, provide the nutrients and proteins your body needs when fighting and recovering from illness. 

3. Soup-er easy 🙌- Soups can be as fancy or as simple as you want to make them. You can make it on the stove or in a crockpot. You can make a little pot of soup or an big ole' batch of soup. Soup freezes well. Freeze in individual servings and you have a lunch for that day you are just not feelin' it!
Sold on soup yet? 

Here are 3 Soup-er Soup recipes that are my go-to soups. We tend to eat a lot of soup at my casa, especially this time of year (see reasons 1, 2 &3). Click the link for more info about these recipes

Do you have a favorite soup you'd like to share?? Send it to me and I will add it to the blog. 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/hamburger-soup/
Hamburger Soup

Ingredients:
2-1/2 pounds Ground Chuck
1 whole Large Onion, Diced
2 stalks Celery, Diced
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 can (14.5 Ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes
3 cups Beef Stock Or Beef Broth, Plus More As Needed
1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
4 whole Carrots, Peeled And Sliced On The Diagonal
5 whole Red Potatoes, Cut Into Chunks
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (more To Taste)
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, More To Taste
2 teaspoons Dried Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Ground Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (more To Taste)
Preparation

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the meat with the onion, celery, and garlic. Remove the pot from the heat and drain off as much fat as you can. (Discard the fat once it cools.)
Return the pot to the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover the pot and simmer the soup for 15-20 more minutes, until potatoes are tender but not overly mushy. 
Soup should be somewhat thick, but if you'd like it to be more "soupy," add 1 to 2 cups more broth OR hot water and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed.



Chicken Noodle Soup⇉Cures all the Things....



Slow cooker Chicken Noodle Soup   

(adjust this if you want to do stove top)

Ingredients: 

  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano or dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 c. low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 8 oz. pasta
  • Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish


Directions:
In a slow cooker, combine chicken, onion, carrots, celery, oregano, rosemary, garlic, and bay leaf and season generously with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken broth.
Cover and cook on low, 6 to 8 hours.
Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred. Discard bay leaf. Return chicken to slow cooker and add pasta.
Cook on low until al dente, 20 to 30 minutes more.
Garnish soup with parsley and serve.

Wegman's Famous Italian Wedding Soup 



Okay, so full disclosure...only famous in my house really🍜  This recipe from Wegman's has serious protein punch with 10 grams per serving💪💪








 Ingredients:


  •  1 Large Egg
  •  1/2 lb Lean Ground Angus Beef (you can use ground turkey for this step)
  •  1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  •  2 Tbsp Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  •  2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  •  1 to 2 cups chopped Carrots, Celery & Onion 
  •  1 container (32 oz)  Chicken Culinary Stock
  •  2 cups Fresh Chopped Escarole (I always buy this bagged and chopped)
  •  1/2 cup Acini di Pepe Pasta 
  •  Salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
Add egg to bowl; beat slightly. Add ground beef, parsley, and bread crumbs. Mix well with clean hands. Form into small meatballs, using about 1 tsp ground beef mixture for each. 

Heat basting oil in stockpot on MED. Add meatballs; cook, turning to brown all sides, about 5 min. Remove meatballs; wipe pot clean leaving about 1 Tbsp drippings. 

Add carrots, celery, onion; reduce heat to MED-LOW. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, 6-8 min, until veggies are soft but not browned. 

Add meatballs and stock; bring to boil on HIGH. Reduce heat to MED; simmer 5 min. Add escarole. Increase heat to MED-HIGH; return to simmer. Add pasta; simmer, about 5 min, until pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper. 


I hope you have a Soup-er time making and trying out these soups!!
💙💛Stay Healthy💙💛

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Cold or Flu?

Flu season is here 😷...and we are spending our days dodging uncovered coughs & sneezes in an effort to stay healthy. Not to mention how many times a day we wash our hands!! 


Lifestyle tips to stay healthy during  flu season:

Sleep- Maintaining a balanced sleep routine is one way to keep our immune system healthy. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to rejuvenate for the next day. Consistent inadequate sleep lowers the body’s defenses needed for fighting viral infections.
 
Stress- While stress is a part of everyday life; excessive stress can decrease immune function and make it easier to come down with the flu. Establishing stress management techniques like deep breathing, exercise, yoga or meditation can help ensure that every day stress won’t leave you vulnerable to the flu.
 
Diet- A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and quality proteins is a foundation for a healthy immune system. Studies have shown that eating a sugary snack or meal can depress the immune system for several hours, creating a window of time during which it is easier to get the flu. Avoiding excessive sugar can keep the immune system working at the level needed to fend off viral infections, like the flu. 

Drink Plenty of Fluids- Make sure you are drinking plenty of water to give your immune system a fighting chance. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids, especially water, and by avoiding caffeinated drinks. Shoot for six to eight glasses of water per day!

More tips and information on Natural Flu Prevention can be found here



CDC has answers to our most frequently asked questions about the flu:

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

#everythingisbetterwithbacon

Turkey Bacon Meatballs...whaaattt?? #everythingisbetterwithbacon


So good and easy to prep. These are great to have on hand for those "I don't feel like cooking" moments so feel free to make a large batch. 


I make them without the chipotle🔥 and still so full of flavor! Sometimes I skip the mushrooms if I don't have any on hand. 

You can find this and many other delish 🍽 recipes at physicalkitchness.com

Bacon Mushroom Chipotle Turkey Meatballs
Serves: 8-10 MEATBALLS 

Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey
4 slices bacon, diced (uncooked)
1 cup finely diced kale
¾ cup chopped white or cremini mushrooms
3 teaspoons chipotle pepper (or less, depending on your level of heat tolerance)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine the ground turkey with the remaining ingredients. *Note, bacon does not need to be cooked beforehand
Scoop roughly 2 tablespoons of meat mixture and roll into a ball until all the meat is formed into meatballs. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet
Bake for roughly 25 minutes, then serve immediately 

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜


Need another idea for dinner?? 

This tried and true clean healthy version of a long time favorite dish Chicken Cacciatore is simple. Tip-make a big batch and you'll have lunch for a few days too 👍👍

You can find this and other recipes at https://whole30.com/2015/04/chicken-cacciatore https://whole30.com/2015/04/chicken-cacciatore/



Chicken Cacciatore
Serves 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

4 tablespoons cooking fat
1 pound chicken legs (bone-in)
½ pound chicken thighs (boneless)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ onion, minced
½ red bell pepper, finely diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth or water
1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, rough chopped

In a large skillet with high edges, heat 2 tablespoons of the cooking fat over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper and place in the pan. Sear the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

WITH the same pan still on medium-high heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of cooking fat, onions, and peppers and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the capers and diced tomatoes.

RETURN the chicken to the pan and cover everything with the chicken broth or water. Reduce the heat to medium and bring everything to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low and continue to simmer (not boil) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, about 30 minutes.

GARNISH with the chopped basil and serve.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Week 1 and Tips from Eat This, Not That

Helloooo week 1...Raise your hand if you thought you needed to polish off ALL of the left over holiday M&Ms in your house this week 🙋🙋🙋

It's okay, this is not an overnight process and some habits are hard to break. 

Check out these great tips and interesting facts from the authors at Eat This, Not That 

Who knew?? 
Tip #16 from Eat This, Not ThatWe’ve all been told that salmon, packed with heart-healthy omega-3s and belly-flattening protein, is a great way to get strong, lean and healthy. But not all salmon is created equal. Farmed salmon, which is what’s commonly sold in restaurants, can have the opposite effect on your waistline. Farmed salmon has over 100 more calories and nearly twice as much fat as wild-caught salmon. Plus, it’s much higher in saturated fat and lower in heart-healthy omega-3s. When dining out, you’re better off skipping the salmon altogether unless you are 100 percent sure it’s wild-caught.
http://www.eatthis.com/best-weight-loss-tips/




Oh and hey, speaking of salmon, here is my favorite recipe for cooking salmon from Hungry by Nature

Only a few basic ingredients...now you'e speaking my language!! 
BTW-I prep this way for the oven or for the grill. 

Roasted Lemon Salmon in Foil 

Ingredients:

2 pounds salmon
Olive Oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ garlic powder
1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with olive oil cooking spray. Place salmon on foil and spray salmon with olive oil cooking spray.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon slices on salmon.
Wrap salmon in foil and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

This recipe is written with rough amounts. Increase or decrease the spice quantities to your liking or swap them out for your favorites!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Back on Track is Back !!!

Happy 2018!!
 

Back on Track is Back!! 





UE's weight loss challenge is back...


How it works:

- First weigh in- this Wednesday Jan 3rd in the nurse's office. Your starting weight will be recorded on an index card. You can weigh in anytime on Wednesday. 

- Every Wednesday for 8 weeks, you will weigh in and record your weight on the card...no worries, our cards will be kept under lock and key in my office!

-The initial weigh in will cost $5.00/participant. For the next 8 weeks if your weight stays the same or goes up at weigh in, you will owe $1.00. (all $$ goes towards the prize)

-After 8 weeks, the participant who loses the highest percentage of body weight will win the cash collected during the competition. 

*In addition, you will receive healthy recipes, nutrition information and fitness ideas to help support you and keep you motivated...woot woot