Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can drastically reduce your risk for illness, according to the CDC. Good hand-washing hygiene is especially important after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Figs are an excellent source of fiber and can help aid digestion. Try this easy to make Goat Cheese and Fig Bruschetta, and they will be the hit of the table.
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups chopped, dried Mission figs (about 9 ounces) ⅓ cup sugar ⅓ cup coarsely chopped orange sections 1 teaspoon grated orange rind ⅓ cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange) ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 (½ inch-thick) slices French bread baguette, toasted 1 ¼ cups (10 ounces) crumbled goat cheese 5 teaspoons finely chopped walnuts
Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until figs are tender. Cook five minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature.
Preheat broiler.
Top each bread slice with 1½ teaspoons fig mixture and 1½ teaspoons goat cheese. Arrange bruschetta on a baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with walnuts. Broil two minutes or until nuts begin to brown. Serve warm.
Nutritional information
Per serving, 2 slices
Calories 138 Fat 4.7 g Saturated fat 2.3 g Cholesterol 7 mg Sodium 121 mg Carbohydrates 21 g Fiber 2.1 g Protein 4.2 g Calcium 45 mg
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Combine your family’s enthusiasm for dips and your desire for them to eat healthy vegetables in this recipe for hummusalsa (hummus and salsa together).
Ingredients
Makes four 1/3 cup servings
1 (16-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons olive oil ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 1 small, finely chopped garlic clove, optional 1 small jalapeno chili, seeded and coarsely chopped 1 large scallion, trimmed and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved; quartered if large ⅛ teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional)
Directions
Combine garbanzo beans, lemon juice, oil, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and garlic in blender or bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade. Puree. Stop the blender and scrape down the contents. Add jalapeno chili, scallion and cilantro. Mince with on/off pulses to finely chop contents. Add tomatoes, then mince again, turning machine on/off two or three times.
Scrape hummusalsa into a bowl; mix well. Taste. If more heat is desired, stir in chipotle chili powder.
For a snack, serve with carrot sticks, raw sugar snap peas, broccoli florets and/or whole-grain crackers for dipping.
For lunch, scoop hummusalsa into a whole-grain pita bread. Top with a small handful of baby spinach or baby kale.
Nutritional information
Per serving
Calories 115 Fat 4.5 g Cholesterol 193.5 mg Sodium 425 mg Carbohydrates 15 g Fiber 2 g Protein 6 g
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Combine your family’s enthusiasm for dips and your desire for them to eat healthy vegetables in this recipe for hummusalsa (hummus and salsa together).
The omega-3 fatty acids present in halibut provide a wide range of cardiovascular benefits including improving the ratio of good cholesterol (HDL). Halibut is also a good source of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folic acid.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
4 (6-ounce) halibut fillets Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 ounces’ lobster mushrooms, diced very small (see note) 2 shallots, minced Kernels from 6 ears of corn 1 medium heirloom tomato, diced very small 1 teaspoon fresh minced tarragon 1 teaspoon fresh minced dill weed 1 tablespoon white truffle oil (see note)
Directions
Season halibut with salt and pepper. Lightly coat a large ovenproof sauté pan with oil and heat to smoking point. Carefully Arrange halibut in pan. Place in preheated 375-degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and keep halibut hot.
Meanwhile, Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet. Add mushrooms, shallots, corn, tomatoes and sauté. Continue to Sauté. When corn is cooked, about 1 minute, add tarragon, dill weed and truffle oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the ragout with the halibut. Note - Lobster mushrooms are available in some specialty food stores and in some farmers’ markets. Truffle oil is sold in specialty food stores.
Nutritional information
Per serving (without added salt/pepper)
Calories 435 Fat 16 g Cholesterol 55 mg Sodium 121 mg Carbohydrates 5.5 g Fiber 2 g Protein 41.5 g
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Oysters are high in protein, low in fat, and have high levels of selenium, a mineral which may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
4 ounces’ whole wheat spaghetti 2 tablespoons pine nuts 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large shallot, chopped 1 celery stalk, trimmed and chopped 5 giant pimiento-stuffed olives, cut crosswise into 2 or 3 slices 2 anchovies, well-drained and chopped 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved ¼ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 (3.7 to 4 ounce) can smoked oysters, well drained Grated rind of 1 lemon Crushed red pepper flakes and salt to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a full boil. Add spaghetti and cook until tender. about 10 minutes. While spaghetti is cooking, spread pine nuts in large dry skillet and toast over medium-high heat until light golden brown, shaking skillet frequently.
Immediately remove pine nuts and set aside. Heat oil in skillet. Add shallot and celery and cook over medium-high heat for 3 to five minutes or until shallot is tender. Stir in olives and anchovies. Mash anchovies to a paste. Stir in tomatoes, paprika, red pepper flakes and pepper. Cook for one minute over medium heat or until tomatoes are pulpy.
Drain spaghetti well, reserving 2 tablespoons pasta cooking water. Stir spaghetti and water into tomato mixture. Cook over high heat for one minute to evaporate excess liquid. Stir in pine nuts, oysters and lemon rind. Toss gently but well. Season with salt to taste.
Nutritional information
Per serving
Calories 465 Fat 16 g Cholesterol 55 mg Sodium 660 mg (without added salt) Carbohydrates 55 g Fiber 10.5 g Protein 21 g
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Bell peppers are low in calories and high in vitamin A and C, making them an excellent choice for a healthy immune system and maintaining good vision. They are also a beneficial source of vitamin E, which plays a role in keeping our skin and hair looking healthy.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced 1 jalapeno chili, cored, seeded and minced (see note) 1 cup corn kernels (see note) 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 celery stalk, trimmed and chopped 1 small red onion, chopped ½ teaspoon crushed dried oregano ¼ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon pepper 4 cups (1 quart) reduced-sodium vegetable broth 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Place red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, chili and corn kernels in a shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons canola oil. Roast in preheated 400-degree oven for 15 minutes, stirring once. Add tomatoes, stir and roast an additional 15 minutes, stirring once. Meanwhile, Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add garlic, celery and onion. Cook for five minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in oregano, cumin and pepper. Remove roasted vegetables from oven and add to Dutch oven. Stir well. Add broth. Bring to a boil; Reduce heat to low and Simmer five minutes to blend flavors. Sprinkle on cilantro. Serve with one or more optional toppings if desired.
Note - The heat in jalapeno chilies varies greatly. Take a tiny taste and decide whether to use the entire chili in the soup. For 1 cup of corn, use a paring knife to remove the kernels from 2 medium ears of corn. If desired, substitute 1 cup of frozen corn kernels.
Nutritional information
Per serving (without additional toppings)
Calories 135 Fat 5 g Cholesterol 55 mg Sodium 165 mg Carbohydrates 20 g Fiber 4 g Protein 3 g
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
If most of the caregiving duties for an elderly or ill family member fall on you, you’re the caregiver-in-charge. As William Shakespeare famously wrote, “Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.”
The caregiver-in-charge experiences issues others in the family may not be aware of. There’s the physical act(s) of caregiving if the patient is at home. The management of the patient’s care if they’re in a hospital or nursing home. The many needs of your own family. Your job.
However, caregivers say that it’s often the emotional and informational aspects of caregiving that make this time in your life difficult.
You’re expected to have all the answers about your loved one’s illness and the outlook of their treatment. You’re also the person others turn to for support when they are grieving.
There’s no manual for caregivers
You have to make it clear to family members that you do not have all the answers. This is best accomplished when you admit, to yourself, that you do not have all the answers. We put a lot of stress on ourselves to know what to do next in times of crisis.
Negative emotions are normal
Feeling angry and sad about what you are going through is normal. Wearing all the caregiving hats is not easy.
It's OK to not be OK
Keeping emotions bottled up doubles the burden you already carry as a caregiver. You can and should ask for help. Hospital and hospice social workers and nurses are good sources of support. A senior center in your community may hold educational events for families. Don’t be shy. Go.
This too shall pass
University of Utah Psychologist R.G. Tedeschi published findings from his research on grief in the July-August 2020 issue of the Harvard Business Review. “People confronted with fear and loss often become better at noticing what they may have overlooked,” he wrote. “Many caregivers report more satisfaction with the relationships they still have.”
Flex your superpowers
Advocating for your loved one and yourself will change you. Use those skills in other areas of your life or help other caregivers by sharing what you’ve learned online.
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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
If most of the caregiving duties for an elderly or ill family member fall on you, you’re the caregiver-in-charge. As William Shakespeare famously wrote, “Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.”
If you are a nurse committed to providing quality, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art hospital where your talents and contributions are appreciated on a daily basis, Genesis HealthCare System is the employer for you.
If you are committed to providing quality, compassionate care in an innovative hospital where your talents and contributions are appreciated daily, Genesis HealthCare System is the employer for you.
