Monthly Archives: October 2013

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

October 22, 2013 – 8:35 am

Halloween is celebrated around the United States on October 31st.This is a fun time to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats.

Before heading out with your host children this year,please read the following tips offered by the CDC( Center for Disease Control and Prevention):

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

FALL ACTIVITIES

October 16, 2013 – 11:08 am

When a crisp Fall air invites you outside for a walk, gather some brightly colored leaves. Press them in sheets of newspaper under heavy books for a few weeks. When they have dried they will still have their bright colors and can be glued onto paper.

Make leaf prints by painting one side of a leaf with tempera paint and then pressing it down gently into paper to form the leaf pattern. Make designs for fun, or use large sheets of paper (like tissue paper, brown paper or even newspaper) and save the painted paper to use as gift-wrap.

Place some leaves between pieces of wax paper and iron. This will keep them from crumbling and give the leaves a glossy sheen. You can then glue them onto paper- try adding bits of bark or seeds too.

Try putting leaves between pieces of clear contact paper. You can hang them in the window or use them as place mats.

Fall is apple season. Apples come in many varieties, colors, shapes and sizes. Some are wonderful to munch on, others best when cooked. Regardless of the variety, apple-picking is a fun activity. Please check your local newspaper, especially the Week-end section, to find out about local farms that offer apple-picking and hay rides.

Recipe for applesauce:

Remove the core and quarter the apples. If you leave the peel on during cooking it will give the applesauce a pink color. When the apples are very soft, remove any peel that is left, mash the pulp or put it through a sieve. Add sugar if needed.

Recipe for dried apple rings:

Peel, core and slice as many apples as you like into 1/8 inch rings; Macintosh or golden delicious apples work best. Dip each ring into a mixture of lemon juice and water to help the apples keep their color. Pull a piece of string through the center of each ring and hang in a dry, warm place. They take 1-2 weeks to dry and become chewy.

This makes an easy and nutritious snack!

From one Holiday to an other!

October 15, 2013 – 1:51 am

Yesterday we celebrated Columbus day.Today we celebrate Eid Al Adha!

Eid Al Adha is the biggest Muslim Holiday! During this time millions of Muslims travel to Mecca in order to perform Hajj (pilgrimage).

In this country,Muslims celebrate this holiday by going to the Mosque in the morning for prayer and eating a traditional dish made with Lamb: Fatteh .

Fatteh is a layered dish, of rice, toasted pita chips, broth and lamb. Sometimes its topped with yogurt or red sauce (depending on your nationality) and can be made with chicken too.

Here is an easy recipe to follow.Try it out ,it is quite healthy and nutritious too:-)

http://www.katherinemartinelli.com/blog/2013/fatteh-pita-chickpeas-yogurt/

Fatteh-31

Columbus Day Celebration

October 11, 2013 – 11:48 am

Columbus Day, which is observed annually on the second Monday of October, remembers Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492.

Americans are often invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities, special church services, parades and large events are held. Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community. The celebrations in New York and San Francisco are particularly noteworthy. In Hawaii Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverer’s Day. Not all parts of the United States celebrate Columbus Day. It is not a public holiday in California, Nevada and Hawaii.

For more information about this holiday go to: http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day

For activities for children including arts and crafts, word searches, puzzles and more facts and history go to http://www.theholidayzone.com/columbus/

Healthy Habits

October 10, 2013 – 11:07 am

Keeping a healthy body, mind and spirit= Balance

Get enough sleep

Eat healthily

Exercise regularly

Take some time each day to relax

Rest or slow down when you feel tired

Maintain a balance between work, rest, relaxation and your social life

Go outdoors! Even when it’s cold. Cold air doesn’t cause illness, staying cooped up inside with the germs usually does it. Plus the sunshine (Vitamin D) is good for you.

Protect yourself and others

Please remember that preventing illness and the spread of disease protects not just you and your

family, but also children who may have serious conditions affecting their ability to fight off infections. Kids who may have asthma, diabetes, heart disease, severe allergies, cystic fibrosis, cancer or other conditions are more vulnerable.

Avoid spreading germs, wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home if sick

Cover coughs or sneeze with the crook of your elbow or a tissue-not your hand

Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water will help prevent the spread of influenza, strep throat, stomach viruses, and many other diseases. Please keep children home from school if they have a respiratory illness, fever, diarrhea or vomiting.

Shower regularly

Avoid contact with people who have cold or flu symptoms

Keep a clean and healthy home environment

Keep frequently touched surface clean(kitchen counters, computer keyboards and computer areas, telephones, doorknobs)

Keep the children’s play area and toys clean

Keep your bedroom dust free as possible.Vacuum regularly and empty your waste basket daily.

Prevent the flu

Did you know the flu virus can knock you out for a week or more? Symptoms include high fever and severe head and muscle aches. Infection can lead to complications like ear and sinus infections, dehydration, and bacterial pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine each year.

Where can you get the flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are available NOW in medical offices, pharmacies and at your County Public Health Division. You don’t need to have a regular doctor or nurse to get the flu vaccine.

To find flu shots near you go to http://flushot.healthmap.org/ and type in your zip code. whoneedsvaccine_red_600x120