Monday, April 27, 2015
Spring vegetables — get them while you can
It’s hard not to smile when you see that first robin hopping about in the grass, hear the long-forgotten sound of chirping frogs at dusk or smell those first brave daffodils as they poke their way through the snow. After a long winter, the signs of spring are so exciting to the senses!
And what better way to awaken your sleeping senses than to
enjoy the vibrant flavors of the season?
One of the best things about the coming of spring is that it means more
fresh produce is available and our steady diet of root vegetables is over — or at
least not so steady.
Spring is often a seemingly short season, with both winter
and summer encroaching upon it on both sides. So it follows naturally that many of the spring vegetables
are only locally available for a short time. All the more reason to appreciate the following delectable
delicacies while you can!
Asparagus. If you have an asparagus patch, you know that
you have a relatively short time in the spring to harvest your bounty before it
goes to seed. While modern
advances have made asparagus available in grocery stores for much of the year
now, the flavor of fresh-picked local asparagus just can’t be beat. It’s excellent in stir fries as well as
roasted, steamed or grilled (now that the grill is no longer under two feet of
snow).
Fiddleheads. These curly tendrils are actually the new
sprouts of certain fern plants and can be foraged (by experienced foragers
only) or purchased in many natural foods stores and some large chain
grocers. They are absolutely
scrumptious when lightly steamed or sautéed in olive oil and seasonings. The beauty and tragedy of these charming
veggies is that they are only available for a few short weeks each year,
generally in April or May.
Greens. Many leafy greens are salad-ready in May and June. And not just your run-of-the-mill
lettuce and spinach, but arugula, mustard and even dandelion greens. You can steam or sauté them of course,
but I have to say, nothing beats the flavor explosion when you bite into that
first colorful locally-grown green salad of the year!
Scapes. I was recently introduced to these tasty treats by
a friend who is a garden-guru and now I am in love. Sprouting from the bulbs, these green tendrils are the
would-be flowers of garlic or onion plants, but gardeners remove them to
encourage the growth of the root vegetable. They can be used in any dish that calls for onions or garlic
and have a slightly milder and more complex flavor.
Snow peas. As the name suggests, these pioneering little
veggies are often one of the first to be available in springtime. These peppy pods are superb steamed, in
stir fries or simply munched raw with your favorite dip or dressing.
Jennifer Fetterley is a registered dietitian for the Backus Health System and Thames Valley Council for Community Action. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal healthcare provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Fetterley or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Nurturing empathy in all of us
Have you sometimes felt like nobody understands you? And didn’t it feel great when you connected with somebody who was “in the same boat” as you? This is a perfect example of empathy. Roman Krznaric, PhD, founding faculty member of The School of Life in London describes empathy as “the ability to step into the shoes of another person, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives, and to use that understanding to guide our actions.” It is not to be confused with kindness or pity.
Why is empathy important? It’s vital for our society
because it facilitates understanding and connection to those around us.
It’s the foundation for building a supportive and thriving community.
When I was a clinical instructor for nursing students at the
University of Connecticut, I discovered early on that each student absorbed the
information best through experiential learning. Student nurses can learn
all about acute back strain from medical books, but it’s difficult to truly
understand how severe back pain can affect the ability to concentrate, work,
sleep, etc. unless you’ve experienced it.
I had my students simulate symptoms of illnesses or medical
treatments and therapies whenever possible. For instance, each student had to
wear a colostomy bag for three days to experience what it was like for those
patients they would be caring for post-operatively. I had them jab their
finger with a lancet to test their blood sugar, just as they would have to
teach new diabetics to do four times a day. And, I had them smear
petroleum jelly on their glasses then try to navigate the hallways to simulate
macular degeneration or low vision,
How can we nurture empathy in ourselves and our
children? For one, we have to listen without judgment. Listen
intently to what the other person is saying – without interruption. Then,
we have to practice it. Put down the cell phone and look around at the
other people wherever we are. Imagine who they might be, and what they
might be thinking and feeling.
Dr. Helen Riess is director of the Empathy Program at
Massachusetts General Hospital. She believes empathy is a crucial skill that
can be learned, and through her program she is making strides to “change the
world from the inside out.” Sounds like a good goal for all of us.
Alice Facente is a community health nurse for the Backus Health System. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
Monday, April 06, 2015
Walking every day can keep the doctor away
Last Wednesday was proclaimed “National Walking Day” by the
American Heart Association. It’s a
day when we are all encouraged to lace up our sneakers, get up and walk for at
least 30 minutes.
Walking is still considered the best exercise to maintain a
healthier lifestyle. Experts
recommend 2½ hours per week of moderate exercise, and brisk walking counts. It
can be in short bursts of 10 minutes at a time, adding up to a half hour in a
day. It’s free, easy, and
readily available. The only
equipment required is a good pair of supportive sneakers. After the brutal winter we have all
experienced in New England, it’s liberating to get out and notice the emerging
spring bulbs and buds on the trees.
Or look for the first real sign of spring – the robin.
If you have been a real couch potato lately, it’s good to
check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
• Start slow by setting a short-term goal. For example, walk for 5-10 minutes the
first day, or 300 steps per day.
Then increase walking time by 5 minutes every other day.
• Then set a long-term goal of 30 minutes a day, or 10,000 steps,
5 days a week. 10,000
steps is equivalent to about 5 miles.
• You can wear a pedometer to track your steps each day.
• To stay motivated, find a walking partner, such as a family
member, co-worker, or friend. If you schedule this daily walk, you are less
likely to skip it, not wanting to disappoint your walking partner.
• Stay hydrated.
Keep a refillable bottle of water with you and take a few sips every few
minutes.
And we don’t need to wait for next year’s proclamation: Let’s make every day “National Walking
Day.”
Alice Facente is a community health nurse for the Backus Health System. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
