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Give yourself a Gift This Christmas. Stay healthy during Christmas.

Its that time of year again. Although its hard to believe another year has flown

by, I am clearly not mistaken as today I heard my first Christmas song on the

radio, shops are displaying their Christmas themed windows, and my inbox is full

of Christmas Gift Ideas emails from all my favorite brands that I subscribe to.

With the risk of sounding a little like the Scrooge, please be sensible. Its not

called the silly season for no reason. Partying, drinking, indulging, overeating and

running around like a headless chicken from event-to-event and shop-to-shop, its

no wonder many of us feel tired, rundown, overweight and stressed as the new

year comes around.

What if this year you honored YOU and entered the new year feeling refreshed,

energized, slim and relaxed? Its really not so difficult. Just a little discipline and

willpower, thats all.

Here are a few tips to help you keep on track.

Top 5 Tips to help you stay healthy over Christmas

1. Exercise

Remember to keep up with your exercise routine. Just because you were out and

about the night before is no excuse to sleep in and forego your workout. Staying

active will help you feel better. I promise! My favorite hangover cure used to be a

run on the beach and swim in the surf. Great way to sweat out those toxins! Try

and exercise outside as much as possible and take advantage of the bright

sunny summer days. If a run is too much, how about calling a friend who was out

with you the night before and take a brisk walk around the park.

.

TENSION IS WHO YOU THIK YOU SHOULD BE.

RELAXATION IS WHO YOU ARE.CHINESE PROVERB DE

Winter 2013olume 5 Issue 4Harford County

Department of Human Resources

THE

WELLNESS NEWSLETTER

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 PAGE 2

2. Relaxation

As much as Christmas is a lovely time to catch up with all your friends and

family,

remember to take some time out for YOU. Take a few moments in the day topractice meditation or stress-relieving breathing techniques. Were

conditioned to think that Christmas is all about giving, so how about taking

the time to give to yourself as well this year. Dont get stressed out over

Christmas present buying. Plan your shopping in advance, write a list of all

the presents you need to buy and avoid the frenzied crowds.

3. Nutrition

Remember to make healthy choices this Christmas. Its easy to get carried

away with all the puddings and chocolates and shortbread and party food,

but before over-indulging remember how its going to make you feel the next

day. Remember to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. If you do

like enjoying Christmas treats, limit your portion size.

4. Water

Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. If you do drink alcohol,

remember to alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water and please

dont drink on an empty stomach. Best to have a healthy snack before you go

to the party as it will also prevent you from snacking on unhealthy party

food. Dandelion tea is a great herbal tea to drink throughout the days whenyou know youre going to be out and about, partying and drinking alcohol at

night, as it helps to detoxify the liver.

5. Sleep

Get plenty of rest and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Its not going to

make or break your life if you dont go to EVERY party. How about having a

night in? Create a relaxing spa experience at home, snuggle up on the couch

with a good book or DVD and get to bed early.

And if all that fails, please dont beat yourself up about it. Take each day as

it comes and strive for a healthier day the next day.

Written by Sam Sample,Spring day Relaxation Expert.

http://www.myspringday.com.au/spring_experts_detail/sam_sample/14?id=14http://www.myspringday.com.au/spring_experts_detail/sam_sample/14?id=14http://www.myspringday.com.au/spring_experts_detail/sam_sample/14?id=14

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Would like to wish you and yours

a Happy, Healthy,and Joyous Holiday Season!

Page 4PAGE 4VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4

TheWellness

Committee

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FqkIAY7fOpqr7M&tbnid=lelyWH3miPMTpM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hdpaperwall.com%2Fchristmas-tree%2F&ei=cvOpUuHUBbHisASTnYLoBg&bvm=bv.57967247,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNFpH

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PAGE 5VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 Recipes for the Season

Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies Cranberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

1 cup flaked sweetened coconut4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup packed brown sugar1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 large egg2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), choppedCooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350.2. Arrange coconut in a single layer in a small bakingpan. Bake at 350 for 7 minutes or until lightly toasted,stirring once. Set aside to cool.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuringcup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder,baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whiskuntil blended. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl;beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.Beat in vanilla and egg. Add flour mixture, beating at lowspeed just until combined. Stir in toasted coconut andchocolate.

4. Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto bakingsheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 10minutes or until bottoms of cookies just begin to brown.Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire racks.

Jackie Mills, MS, RD, Cooking Light

2 skinless chicken breasts

4 tsp olive oil

2 red onions, thinly sliced

200g mixed leaves

cucumber, deseeded and sliced

25g dried cranberries

85g/3oz cranberry saucejuice 1 lime

METHOD

1.Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally togive 4 thin breasts, then rub with half the oil and sea-son. Heat a non-stick frying pan and fry the chickenfor 3 minutes on each side until cooked through. Setaside on a plate.

2.Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the onionsfor 5 minutes. Slice the chicken, collecting any juices,

and layer up with the onions, leaves, cucumber anddried cranberries. Mix the cranberry sauce, limejuice, 2 tbsp. water and any chicken resting juices,and drizzle over the salad.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/884634/cranberry-chicken-salad

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6 Holiday Safety Hazards

Christmas TreesAccording to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 240 home fires begin withChristmastrees every year. "If there is a fire, the Christmas tree often is the first thing to ignite --especially ifit's dried out," says Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for First Alert. These fires result in deaths,injuries, and roughly $17 million in property damage. When choosing a real tree, opt for one that is green (nobrown needles!). If you're going with an artificial tree, be sure to choose one that is fire-resistant (look for alabel), and remember that trees with built-in electrical systems should also have the label of an independenttest laboratory that is approved to perform safetytesting, such as the Underwriters Laboratories. "Whether it'sa real or artificial tree, place it in a sturdy stand so that it's not in danger of falling over on children," Hansonadvises. For a real tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk and then put the tree in a sturdy water-holdingstand; anchoring it will prevent children or pets from knocking it over. Keep the stand filled with water, andcheck often to make sure the tree is "drinking" the water. If the water level doesn't go down over a day, checkfor any problems. "Keep the tree out of the way of traffic, doorways, and exits, and away from heating

sources and candles," Hanson says."Parents should also avoid putting sharp, easily breakable decorations anywhere on the tree," says Debra

Holtzman, child-safety expert and author of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety andHealthy Living. "They should also refrain from using trimmings that have small removable parts or thatresemble candy or food. And be careful with icicles and tinsel. If the baby gets hold of these items, she mayput them in her mouth." Some decorations might contain lead, cadmium, or other toxic materials that can beharmful to young children, so keep all holiday decor out of reach. When the holidaysare over, discard thereal tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried -out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in thehome or garage or even placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find arecycling program.

Holiday Lights and CandlesEvery year, more than 50,000 home fires are started by electrical problems, according to the NFPA. So when

it comes to hanging lights, follow the directions on the box closely. Follow the obvious: Only use indoor lightsindoors (and use only outdoor lights outdoors), and verify that the lights have been tested and approved byan independent safety-testing laboratory."If you live in an older house, it might be a good idea to get a professional checkup from an electrician beforeloading up outlets," Hanson says. "And be especially careful when using older lights." Check lights forbroken, cracked, or bare wires, or loose bulb connections, and immediately replace any damaged light sets.Connect no more than three stands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw -in bulbs. Read themanufacturer's instructions for the number of LED strands to connect. Use no more than three light sets onone extension cord. Place extension cords against the wall so people and pets won't trip over them, but donot run cords under rugs. And make sure you turn off all the lights on trees and all decoration lights when yougo to bed or leave the house. When you drive up to a lit house at night, it looks festive, but you don't want torisk starting a fire when no one is home. Also, be sure to keep a watchful eye on candles; keep them away from the tree, decorations, and other

things that can burn. The U.S. Fire Administration states that candles cause more than 10 deaths, 175injuries, and $20 million in property damage each holiday season. "Never leave burning candles unattended,and place them away from the reach of children," Hanson warns. "Place them in stable holders, and make it apart of your routine to check that all candles are extinguished before you go to bed." Consider using electricor battery-powered candles instead.

Protect your family and your home from these holiday dangers. By Linda DiProperzio

http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/http://www.parents.com/shop/safety-c4215.htmlhttp://www.parents.com/shop/safety-c4215.htmlhttp://www.parents.com/holiday/http://www.parents.com/holiday/http://www.parents.com/holiday/http://www.parents.com/shop/safety-c4215.htmlhttp://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/

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PAGE 10VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4

Published byHarford County Government

In Conjunction withHarford County Public Library

Wellness Committee

Carol Boniface

Erik Ketelsen Safety

Lisa Emge & Meghan Denhard Fitness

Patty Kapelanczyk Disease Awareness

Sue Mahone Stress Management

Tamara Simmons Nutrition

Questions or Comments:

410-638-4871

tdsimmons@harfordcountymd.gov

Holiday CookingFood plays a major part in holidaycelebrations, so it's not surprising that unattended cooking is the leading cause ofhome cooking fires in the United States, according to the NFPA. Stay in the kitchen while you're frying, grilling, orbroiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Keep anything that cancatch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, paperor plastic bags, towels,etc.) away from your stovetop, including yourapron or any long-sleeved shirt. Utilize the back burners of your stove as much as possible so that no spills will fall

directly on you or anyone near you. When it comes to keeping little ones protected from burns, keep them out of thekitchen while you're cooking. Create a 3-foot kid-free zone around the stove, or put up a safetygate. If your kids areold enough, give them kitchen chores that won't require them to be near the stove or oven, such as mixing ingredients, setting the table, or arranging veggies on a tray.

The FireplaceHave a professional chimney sweep inspect and clean the fireplace and chimney annually --maintenance iscrucial to prevent creosote buildups and potential fires. "After it has been inspected, parents can enjoy theirfireplace so long as it has a sturdy metal fireplace screen in front of any open flame," Holtzman says. "Considerputting a safety gate in the doorway to the room with a fireplace or installing a hearth gate around the area."Make sure there are no greens, paper, or other decor near or inside the fireplace, and always make sure that theflue is open. Be careful with fire salts: The colored flames they produce are pretty, but the salts contain heavymetals that cause intense gastrointestinal irritation when ingested, so keep them out of the reach of children. Of

course, never leave your fire unattended, especially with kids in the same room. Extinguish the fire fully beforeleaving the house or going to bed, and allow ashes to cool before removing them. Dispose ashes in a tightlycovered metal container, and place it outdoors, at least 10 feet from the home and any other nearby buildings.

Holiday Flowers and PlantsIt's a popular misconception that poinsettias are poisonous, but they're not as toxic as people once believed. "It isunlikely that ingestion would cause death, although it may cause some gastric irritation and burning in the mouth,"Holtzman notes. Some other beautiful holiday plants that decorate our homes are potentially poisonous, however.These include mistletoe, holly, Christmasrose, and Jerusalem cherry. Still, one can never been too careful whendisplaying flowers and plants. "Keep them safely out of reach of young children and pets, or avoid using themaltogether," Holtzman says.

Holiday Wrapping and Cards

Most wrapping paper and ribbons are nontoxic, but certain foils and colored gift wraps might contain lead, so it'sbest not to let babies chew on them. "After opening presents, immediately discard gift wrap, plastic bags, foilpapers, tape,gift bags, and ribbons, as they can all pose strangulation, suffocation, and choking hazards for youngchildren or cause a fire if near a flame," Holtzman says. Another danger you might not think about are musicalholiday cards, which contain button batteries (also found in some toys,remote controls, flameless candles, andother gadgets). "When swallowed, these coin-size lithium batteries can get stuck in the esophagus," Holtzmanexplains. "The saliva triggers an electric current that causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn theesophagus in as little as two hours. The button batteries in musical greeting cards are not secured in a locked compartment, and a young child can easily pull them out and ingest them." If your child does ingest one, call 911and take him to the emergency room immediately.

http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/safety/holiday -safety-hazards/

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