Matti Daniels

One of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy is to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands with warm soapy water: • before and after preparing food • after touching raw eggs, meat, poultry and fish or their juices during food preparation • before eating • after using the bathroom • after changing a diaper • after touching garbage • after handling pets, pet food or pet waste • after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing • before and after caring for someone who is sick • before and after treating a cut or wound Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub for at least...

Wintertime can be dangerous for travelers. Not only do you sometimes have to contend with deteriorating road conditions caused by snow and ice, but life-threatening situations can arise if you find yourself stranded on the road for a significant amount of time. Here are some tips to help you prepare and make your wintertime travels safer. It is always helpful to have the following in your car in case of an emergency: A cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries Jumper cables Blankets and extra layers of clothing like hats, coats and mittens A flashlight with extra batteries A first-aid kit Water and nonperishable snacks Shovel and a windshield scraper In addition to self-preparations for winter, make sure...

Many people today have less time to prepare meals and fewer cooking skills. They may eat meals away from home and spend money on foods that are not nutritious. When meals are cooked at home, you have more control over your nutrition and food budget. If you are a good cook, consider sharing some of your talents to help others learn to cook. Volunteer opportunities to work with adults and children in cooking programs are increasing in many communities. Some people just need ideas and recipes to get them started. Encourage everyone to serve plenty of fruits and vegetables for colorful, healthy meals. Helping someone change behaviors takes time and...

Winter in Kentucky is often synonymous with inclement weather. Snow, ice and black ice not only make it hazardous for drivers, but such weather can also make it hazardous for pedestrians. Falls, slips or trips can result in injuries ranging from scrapes and bruises to broken limbs or serious head injuries. Here are some pointers to help you stay upright this winter. · Keep your home well stocked with food and essential household items, like batteries and toilet paper. This way you do not have to run to the store because you are out of something during or immediately after an inclement weather event. · Remove snow and salt or sand...

Holiday feasting, snacking and partying could add extra weight that is difficult to shed in the new year. Many times around the holidays we give gifts of candies, cookies, pies and other baked goods. While these items could be eaten in moderation, we also have the option of giving gifts that would improve the health of family members, friends and co-workers. As you consider gift giving this year, include gifts for people on your list that would help them increase their health. Suggestions for healthy food related gifts include Fruits - Give fresh fruits in a basket. Place some straw or crinkle paper at the bottom of a basket. Place a variety...

Country ham is a regional delicacy that many of us enjoy but may not know how to properly prepare. Here are some tips and tricks to make country ham the star of your holiday dinner. Country hams may contain mold, which is a result of the curing process. Mold is normal, but it could produce mycotoxins which could cause a food-borne illness. Remove mold by washing the ham with hot water and scrubbing it with a stiff vegetable brush. Soak the ham for 4 to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Cover with water and boil the ham for 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Drain and glaze your ham to taste. Brown the ham...

It is nearly Thanksgiving; and soon delicious, juicy turkeys will take center stage at many of our holiday meals. It is so important that these birds are properly cooked and prepared because we do not want anyone to get sick from a food-borne illness. It does not matter whether you purchase a fresh or frozen turkey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cooking safety tips for both on its Food Safety and Inspection Service website. But if you plan to purchase a pre-stuffed turkey, make sure it is frozen and has a seal that states it was inspected by either the USDA or a state department of agriculture. The USDA does...

Although summer may not seem that far behind us, the holiday season will soon be here! Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. Spending time with family, enjoying time off work and celebrating with family traditions are enjoyable activities. However, the holidays also can represent added stress due to the crunch on your wallet. Decorations, gifts and food expenses add up quickly. The November and December months can be very expensive, in terms of holiday spending. Holiday shopping can be both a rewarding and stressful experience. Every year, millions of Americans flock to retail and online stores to buy gifts for their family and friends. Unfortunately, poor planning...

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body uses energy. More than 29 million Americans are affected by diabetes and close to one-quarter of these individuals do not know they have the disease. An additional 86.1 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Many people believe they can prevent or control these disease by taking various dietary supplements, but that may not be the case. A wide variety of supplements may claim to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, help you better manage the disease or prevent it all together. Some of these supplements include chromium, herbal supplements, Chinese herbal medicines, bitter melon, milk thistle, aloe vera, magnesium and vitamin D....

The candy, the costumes, the frights … and did I mention the candy? The fall is here again, and Halloween is once again upon us. Here are some tips about your child’s costume: • Your child’s costume should be made from flame retardant material. If it is a homemade costume, treat the fabric will a flame retardant spray. • If possible, include a light reflector with your child’s costume. You may even consider sewing one if there is none on the costume already. Also make sure that your child has a flashlight when he or she goes out to trick or treat. • If your child will be wearing a mask, you will want...