Though, with what is quickly becoming the norm for this year, you might be wondering what adjustments need to happen to keep the coronavirus spread to a minimum? We will touch on a few safety concerns for this year’s 4th of July celebration. 

Fireworks Safety Tips

As exciting as fireworks can be, there is a risk of using them. Fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in kids and adults. Lighting fireworks at home isn’t legal in many areas due to this, so if you want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first.

Keep Things Fun – and Safe

• Kids should never handle any fireworks. Even sparklers, which thought of as safe, can reach temperatures up to 1,800°F. If you give your kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from their face, clothing, and hair

• Only purchase legal fireworks and store them in a cool, dry place. Most fireworks are heavily regulated and having proper labels with warnings. Even still, many illegal fireworks always find their way into homes and still account for injuries.

• Never build your own fireworks.

• Only use the fireworks outside in an area with space and keep a source of water nearby (bucket of water or hose)

• Steer clear of a fireworks path when lighting them, keeping in mind they can backfire and shoot off in the wrong direction.

• Never throw or point fireworks at someone.

There are many more rules to remember when setting off fireworks on your own. Click Here for a full list of safety regulations.

COVID-19 Reminders

We are still dealing with the coronavirus that has compromised our work and social lives. While things are beginning to open up cautiously, we want to remind you that we aren’t out of the weeds yet.

Maintain the regulations that have been coached into us over the past several months. Wear a face mask when out and around others, keep about 6 feet between yourself and others, wash your hands frequently, and remember that you can transmit the virus while asymptomatic.

Have a great, safe, and food-filled July 4th weekend. With proper precautions regarding both fireworks and COVID-19, you can make a memory-filled weekend with friends and family.

The post Tips to Stay Safe this 4th of July Weekend appeared first on Quick Med Care.

 

 

1.   Mixed Nuts and Trail Mix

• Nuts are a great nutritious snack, they provide the perfect balance of healthy fats, proteins and fiber
• They are very filling, so if you eat them in moderation, you may lose weight
• They don’t need refrigeration so you can take them anywhere and eat them anytime
• Add dried fruit, pretzels or maybe even some candy-coated chocolate pieces and you’ll have yourself a great snack 

2. Red Bell Pepper with Guacamole

• Bell peppers are nutritious, with red ones being high in antioxidants, like beta carotene, capsanthin and quercetin
• They are extremely rich in vitamin C, having over 300% of the daily recommended value
• Bell pepper, paired with guacamole, is high in healthy fat and fiber

3. Greek Yogurt and Berries/Nuts

• Greek yogurt is high in protein, calcium and potassium
• Add mixed berries, which are high in antioxidants, and maybe some nuts, and you get a delicious nutritious snack

4. Apple Slices and Peanut Butter

• This common snacking staple is tasty and good for you
• Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk
• Peanut butter in moderation has been shown to increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol

5. Hard Boiled Eggs

• Eggs are one of the healthiest and weight-loss friendly foods you can eat
• They pack plenty of protein and vitamins K2 and B12
• They are super filling and won’t leave you wanting to snack for a few hours

6. Cottage Cheese with Flax Seed and Cinnamon

• Cottage cheese is high in protein and very filling
• It pairs great with flax seed, which is known for blood sugar control and aiding in weight loss
• Add in some cinnamon for flavor, which aids in lowering blood sugar and may help with gut health 

7. Celery Sticks and Cream Cheese or Peanut Butter

• Celery has been a go-to food for healthy eaters for years for it’s inflammation-reducing antioxidant properties
• Pair celery with your choice of cream cheese or peanut butter and you get a delicious low-carb and filling snack

8. Kale Chips

• Kale is extremely healthy as it’s loaded with quercetin and kaempferol, which lowers blood pressure and reduces your risk of colon cancer
• Drizzle kale leaves with olive oil and salt. Bake them in a 350 ° oven for 10-15 minutes for a crunchy snack

9. Veggies and Hummus

• Hummus is great paired with many of your favorite vegetables
• Take any of the benefits of  your chosen veggies and add hummus to the mix to improve heart health and reduce inflammation 

10. Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella

• Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese match flavors beautifully
• Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, and are a staple food for many cultures
• Pair tomatoes with a high-protein, high-calcium, B12-loaded layer of mozzarella, and you have healthy snack

There are many more healthy snack pairings that you can eat and enjoy. We’ve just introduced you to a couple that are high on our snacking (and crunching) radar. Let us know what snacks you love and how you’ve paired them for extra tastiness.

The post Top 10 Healthy Snacks appeared first on Quick Med Care.

All it takes sometimes is a simple idea to get the creative juices flowing. Start by combining a bunch of ingredients that you have tucked away in your pantry. Before you know it, you have your next signature dish. Mystery meatballs, anyone?

We’ve listed some simple recipes that use commonly found (forgotten?) ingredients in your freezer or pantry.

Baked Balsamic Chicken

This recipe just needs some chicken breast and a couple of ingredients that tend to sit in the cabinet for an eternity. Some Balsamic Vinegar and a little honey, with some seasonings to taste and enjoy this delicious and filling dish.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Soup

With some leftover vegetables of any type, a little broth, and maybe a bit of protein, you can have this delicious dish tonight. A quick-and-easy recipe that you can add near anything to, and it will taste fantastic. Add some rice or leftover pasta, and this will be a filling dish you will remember.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

You can either make your meatballs with a few simple ingredients or use some frozen store-bought ones with this easy recipe. Throw the meatballs in a slow cooker with this 2-ingredient sauce for some great sweet and sour meatballs. A little grape jelly and either some chili sauce for a bit of a kick or ketchup for some without, and this simple sweet-and-sour sauce will leave you wanting more.

Patty Melt

The Patty Melt is the best of 2 worlds and is a cross between a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich. Take this quick recipe and turn it into a memorable lunch for you and your family. A little ground beef, cheese, bread, and onion, with seasonings to taste, and you have a dish that won’t break the bank.

Even if you don’t have the exact ingredients listed in these recipes, you can hopefully take some ideas from them and put together something great with whatever you have handy.

Share these ideas with your friends and come up with a few of your own. Feel free to post your favorite “forgotten pantry favorites” in the comment section below.

The post Dining while Distancing appeared first on Quick Med Care.