ConnectedCare Newsletter
May 2019 ConnectedCare Newsletter (PDF)
Bonus Health Articles:
DIY Project Reality Check
“I applaud anyone who wants to take care of their own home repairs and improvements,” says Maurilio Hernandez, M.D., from the Henry Ford-Richmond Walk-in Clinic. “However, safety should be primary. I have seen many well-intentioned people come in with injuries that were avoidable. If only they had been realistic about their capabilities ... or followed the safety tips exactly as written."
So before you start you project, ask yourself a few important questions:
- What type of protective gear will you need for this project? Safety goggles, gloves, a mask, ear plugs, protective clothing, closed-toe shoes, etc. are typically on this list. If the task calls for any of these, don’t skimp.
- Do you know how to use the equipment needed? Use power tools with caution and follow all directions. This goes for working with chemicals that produce toxic fumes as well, allowing for ventilation.
- Do you have the strength to complete the project? If you’re physically limited, ask for help. And if the job requires you to climb a ladder or balance on a small area, be sure you are realistically confident in your dexterity.
- What are the labor requirements? If your project is a three-person job, then make sure you have three people. This is one of the biggest shortcuts DIYers take.
- Does doing it yourself make financial sense? Keep in mind, if the professional doesn’t fix or build it properly, you usually have recourse. If you mess up, you have to fix it yourself.
- Do you have knowledgeable resources? If you’ve never done a complicated project like you’re considering you may want to ask a friend who has experience to assist you. For simpler projects, YouTube offers great tutorials. And don’t forget your local hardware store. The experts there are usually good at walking your through projects, and will caution you if it’s a complicated task.
How Can I De-stress?
Smelling nice smells, focusing on what is happening RIGHT NOW, having a chat with a professional or simply going for a walk outside. These are all ways to relieve stress without the use of medications. And considering stressors will always be a part of life, it might be time to incorporate some of these healing modalities into your life.
- Aromatherapy. Essential oils – when used in a diffuser (which is like a mist humidifier) or topically on the skin – can trigger nerve impulses that travel to the brain and alter its chemistry. Aromatherapy is often used to help reduce stressful or anxious reactions, boost energy or calm nerves. Some popular scents include lemongrass, eucalyptus, orange, lavender and peppermint.
- Mindfulness. How often do you spend time fretting about what “might” happen, and how you may or may not be able to handle it? And then it never happens! Mindfulness – which is a form of meditation – is simple but not easy. It asks you to focus only on what is actually happening right now, not what might happen (or what happened months or years ago). When practiced regularly, mindfulness helps you live your life with more joy and peace, and with less stress.
- Talking. Meeting with a behavioral health specialist, such as a cognitive therapist, can help you work through your stressors in a calming and safe environment. Moreover, seeing a behavioral health specialist can give you tools to manage situations that may arise in the future.
- Walking. The act of walking can be very therapeutic to a person’s emotional wellbeing. First, exercise can release “feel good” hormones that can naturally lift your spirits and decrease the impact of the stressors in your life. Second, walking does not require a lot of conscious focus, therefore, it allows your mind to wander. Many studies have shown that when the mind wanders, new ideas and solutions can “pop” into your brain. So, not only is walking therapeutic for dealing with stress, it is a brain stimulator! Even poets have written about walking – especially in nature – as a great way to kickstart the brain in a positive way. Henry David Thoreau once wrote: “Methinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
Keep in mind that we all have stress in our lives, but we each decide how much it will impact us. By incorporating one or more of these holistic practices you can start a new habit of managing your stress … instead of the other way around.
Protein and Fiber-packed Mujadara
Usually a recipe catches your eye because the ingredients make you salivate. You can just imagine how good it tastes.
This recipe for Mujadara, a Middle Eastern favorite, would be easy to overlook based on its limited – and somewhat bland-looking – ingredients. But give it a chance! Not only is this dish extremely healthy, but it makes a lot and cooks up in a matter of minutes. Even more, kids tend to like it.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 2 cups of bulgur/cracked wheat (medium coarseness)
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon salt
Directions
- Add all ingredients in a large saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium
- Once water is cooked out (like when cooking rice) remove from heat and empty into a 13 x 9 pan to cool. Cooling the mujadara keeps it from getting mushy.
Eating
Enjoy heated on its own or add tabbouleh for even more flavor and juiciness. You may also want to stuff a mujadara-and-tabbouleh mixture into a half pita for a delicious sandwich.
Healthy Twist
Unlike typical mujadara recipes, there are no caramelized or fried onions in this one. This reduces the amount of fat in the dish without sacrificing flavor.