It’s food safety month. With all the holiday food preparations for large groups it is easy to forget some good food safety habits. We are defrosting foods, preparing some foods early, other foods are sitting out for periods of time. To help you keep your foods germ free, here is a list of some key reminders:

• Take the time during meal prep to wash your hands and wrists with soap and water for 20 seconds. This is a good practice for your kids during meal prep.
• In the refrigerator, store turkey and other raw foods that will be cooked on the bottom shelves and ready-to-eat foods on the top shelves.
• Put turkey or roasts in a rimmed pan to catch any leaking juices.
• Designate separate cutting boards for raw meats or clean and sanitize cutting boards between uses for different foods.
• Clean and sanitize knives between uses on different foods and place only sanitized knives back in their racks.
• Sanitize any utensil, equipment or food contact surface after it has been in contact with raw foods, especially meat or eggs.
• Never move boxes or containers that may have been stored on the floor onto countertops.
• Purchase your perishable foods no more than 5 days before your holiday feast.
• Place leftover foods in air-tight containers in the fridge within 2 hours after removing from the stove or oven (bacteria start to multiply rapidly after 2 hours).
• Similarly, heat up leftovers to their proper temperature.
• Eat leftovers within 3-4 days.
• Freeze or throw away any leftovers that are still in your fridge after 4 days.

More Food Safety Resources Available on our Nutrition Education Website:

Printable Tip Sheet – Preventing food poisoning on Thanksgiving

Preparing your turkey safely – Guidelines for buying, storing, and thawing your turkey for the holidays

Food safety during holiday season

Family holiday safety tips for a happy, healthy ans safe holiday

Other Helpful Holiday Safety Tips:

http://holidayfoodsafety.org/

It is the kick off to holiday season and you are probably beginning to think about the turkey.

Turkey is a very good source of protein, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan. It’s a good source of zinc and vitamin B12. The skinless white meat is an excellent high-protein, low-fat food.

Here are some helpful tips on buying and thawing your holiday turkey.

Is your fridge ready? Turkeys are big! Before buying your turkey, check out the fridge and make sure you have room for it.

Should you buy fresh or frozen turkeys? There is really no difference. Some may say that a fresh turkey tastes better. You also have the convenience of not having to defrost it. Buying frozen turkeys allow you to buy early and take advantage of sales.

What size turkey do I need to buy? Purchase at least one pound of uncooked turkey per person. You’ll have enough for the feast and for leftovers too.

When should you defrost your turkey? A whole turkey takes about 24 hours per four to five pounds to thaw in the refrigerator. (For example: A 15-pound frozen bird will take 3 to 4 full days to thaw in the refrigerator.) Ideally, purchase your frozen turkey as far in advance as necessary to safely thaw it in the refrigerator. If buying a fresh turkey, purchase it only 1 to 2 days before the meal and keep it refrigerated.
Food Safety Guidelines:

• Always wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling the turkey.

• I know my mom would argue with me, but you should never defrost turkey on the counter!

Turkey can be thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water. The refrigerator method is the safest and will result in the best finished product. Leave the bird in the original packaging and place in a shallow pan and allow refrigerator thawing time at a rate of 4 to 5 pounds per 24 hours. To thaw in cold water, keep turkey in the original packaging, place in a clean and sanitized sink or pan and submerge in cold water. Change the cold water every 30 minutes. The turkey will take about 30 minutes per pound to thaw. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.

Once thawed, remove neck and giblets from the body cavities and keep bird and parts (if using) refrigerated at 40 °F or below until it is ready to be cooked.

New healthy Thanksgiving resources and printable tip sheets from our family nutrition website:

Cook your Thanksgiving Turkey germ-free!
Healthy Holiday Food Substitution Guide
Healthy Thanksgiving Themed Place Cards

This Monday sound the alarm.

Test every detector in your home to keep them functioning and charged. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones are worth the effort!

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

This Monday put school safety 1stSit down with your kids and review the rules for buses, bicycles and pedestrian crossings. Teach them how to stay calm in an emergency.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Every two seconds someone needs blood. You could save a life by donating. It’s safe and easy, and you get a free check-up!

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

You got the grill pulled out and are ready to start barbecuing. A fun family way to cook and eat together enjoying the wonderful summer weather.But don’t forget these safety tips to keep the kids and family safe:Before you start to grill – check and clean the grill

• Make sure the burner tubes are not blocked. Insects often make this their home during winter! Clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.
• Check for cracked or brittle gas tubes. Check for sharp bends in the tubes.
• Move the hoses far away from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.
• Keep the drip tray or can clean and free of debris
• Check for leaks; always follow manufacturer’s instructions if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container.
• If you find a leak, immediately turn off the gas. Don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
• Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, and open flames away from a leaking grill.
• Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself, always use the services of a qualified appliance repair person.

Now you are ready to barbecue:

• Keep grills at least 10 feet away from the house or any building.
• Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.
• When charcoal grilling, never use lighter fluid after the fire has started. Only use fluid to soak briquettes before starting the grill.

When you are barbecuing:

• Use long-handled tools and long barbecue mitts to prevent burns.
• Never use water to put out a fire on a gas grill.
• In case of flare up, turn burners off (in gas grilling). Gas or Charcoal, move food off of fire.

This Monday ban the tan
More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Apply sunscreen daily on your child and yourself and teach your child to wear a wide-brim hat. Also, adults should have a dermatologist check your skin every year.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Swine flu has been all over the news and with reported cases getting closer and closer to home, we are all very concerned.

How can we help keep our child safe? There is one thing we can teach our children that will prevent a great deal of diseases throughout their lifetime. And that is the simple habit of washing hands.

I know it sounds pretty simple and maybe you have taught your child to always wash their hands. But are they doing it enough? Are they washing their hands properly to kill most of the bacteria and virus that may have gotten on their hands from the millions (no make that zillions) of things kids love to touch!

Here is a simple rule that will help your child wash their hands properly.

• Sing the ABC song throughout hand washing. It’s about 20 seconds long, just the right amount of time required to wash hands properly. And, kids know this song!!

• Teach them to constantly rub their hands together during hand washing. It is the friction that helps remove the bacteria. Teach kids to build up lather (they like bubbles and that means they are rubbing the soap with good friction).

• Scrub all surfaces of the hand. Singing the ABC gives them plenty of time to rub the palms, the back of the hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails.

• Use soap, it helps kill the bacteria.

• Wash hands frequently throughout the day, before eating, after eating, after using the bathroom, after touching surfaces in very public places. This is really important now during this swine flu.

I can tell you as a nurse, I did a great deal of handwashing, constantly! We were even tested on it!

It is the start of Christmas eve and family parties and travel are beginning. Last minute shopping and for some increased stress.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to remember to make this holiday Healthy and Safe

1. Wash your hands often.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.

2. Stay warm.
Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.

3. Manage stress.
The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Practice time management. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook.

4. Travel safely.
Whether you’re traveling across town or around the world, help ensure your trip is safe. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age.

5. Be smoke-free.
Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.

6. Get check-ups and vaccinations.
Exams and screenings can help find problems before they start. They can also help find problems early, when the chances for treatment and cure are better. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history.

7. Watch the kids.
Children are at high risk for injuries that can lead to death or disability. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids’ reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly.

8. Prevent injuries.
Injuries from falls and fireworks often occur around the holidays. Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging decorations. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don’t use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year.

9. Handle and prepare food safely.
As you prepare holiday meals, keep you and your family safe from food-related illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

10. Eat healthy, and be active.
With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Nourish Interactive wishes you and your family a very Happy Healthy Holiday

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Lighten up today! It’s always best to exercise outdoors during daylight hours, but that can be tough – particularly at this time of year when days get shorter. If you exercise outdoors when it’s dark out, wear reflective materials to ensure that you and your family can be seen.

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.