September – Self-Care Month

Self Care Awareness Month was founded in 2017 as a result of the epidemic spread of self-care negligence and its associated issues. 

What is Self-Care? In a world that has convinced us that there is no time or place to devote our actions to one’s own self, it isn’t hard to fathom why so many people have come to associate looking after oneself with selfishness or the activity of a lazy person.

Trending articles nowadays may suggest that self-care is going to the spa or buying your favorite items, and they are not wrong, but doing this is so much more than just catering to your materialistic or relaxation needs. Caring for oneself is also about making you feel good, about you.

Self-care is most certainly the act of being kind to yourself, the practice of not comparing yourself to others, the art of being content with who and what you are. This may seem like common sense to those who regularly practice it, but some people out there need a good lesson on this, the “Self-Care Month” often serves to educate those on exactly that.

Why is Self-Care Important? In the darkest of nights, sometimes even the ones we trust the most tend to leave us alone, be it by choice or circumstances. But, the one person you can count on to always be there with you, one who cannot be held back by any physical means, and one who won’t abandon you no matter how cruel you are to them, that someone is you!

Thus, it is imperative for a healthy life, to be your own best friend. So next time life hits you hard, make sure you turn to the one person who will never abandon you, yourself.

Why Do People Neglect Self Care? This is indeed a hard question to answer as it’s different for each and every person, and often the circumstances surrounding it are highly multi-factorial and diverse. The following are a few common reasons someone may neglect their own needs:

• People are unaware of the concept of self-care.
• They don’t take time out of their day for it.
• They assume that it’s not that important.
• They put others’ needs first without realizing that they can only help others if they have helped themselves first.
• People don’t know how to evaluate themselves to make sure they are not going down a dark path.
• They never developed a healthy relationship with oneself thus do not give an ear to the pleas of their own soul.
• They are afraid of coming off as vain.
• They think looking after themselves and selfishness are the same things.
• Blind to help. The Self Care Month comes and goes and they never realize it is there. It is just a fad to them.

Tips for Practicing Self Care:  1) Create a morning ritual. It’s important that you start your day off by doing something just for you to set the tone and intention for your day. Take 5-10 minutes to connect with yourself. Here are a few things that you can do:

Meditate: Take 5-10 deep breaths (breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and exhale for 4 seconds) 

Pray: Quiet focus time

Set a Simple Intention: How do you want to feel today? How do you want today to go? Is there anything special going on today that could use a little extra love/intention?

Sip a Morning Beverage: You can start every morning with lemon water, tea, or coffee. Either way, make sure you actually pause to enjoy it mindfully. What does it taste like? Smell like? Feel like? And how does the mug feel in between your hands? 

References: Cannabis MD Self Care Month, ControlShiftBalance

Preparing For A Hurricane

Hurricanes and storms can cause power outages and lead to food safety concerns. As a hurricane approaches, protect your food and family by being prepared. Ways to prepare for a hurricane. 

1) Purchase or locate thermometers: 

• Place a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer
• Have a tip-sensitive digital thermometer ready to check food temperatures

2) Check stock of refrigerator:

• Purchase or prepare food items that don’t require refrigeration and can be eaten cold or heated on an outdoor grill

3) Store or purchase water:

• Be prepared in case water systems are impacted resulting in boil water advisories
• Use bottled/clean water for brushing teeth, cooking, cleaning, water for pets, etc.

4) Prepare coolers and purchase ice and/or dry ice

• Use dry ice to extend the amount of time food will stay below 41°F
• Purchase or freeze containers of water for ice

Infant Food Safety During a Hurricane >>

Preparing for a Hurricane >>

Meal Prep/Food Safety After a Hurricane >>

Guacamole & National Cooking Day

September 16th-National Guacamole Day: It’s not just a side dish anymore. On National Guacamole Day every September 16th, we elevate this tasty green blend into the spotlight. Guacamole (or “guac”) is made of avocados, which are well-known for the health benefits related to their high vitamin content and lots of cholesterol-lowering healthy fats. Originally native to Mexico and Central America, avocados  grow on trees. In fact, avocados are technically considered a fruit!

There are hundreds of ways to prepare guacamole. People spice up their guacamole with onion, garlic, cumin, tomato, cilantro, or even store-bought salsa. Traditionally, guacamole is served with tortilla chips but it’s also good with corn chips, carrot sticks  and celery. Guac is delicious on sandwiches and hamburgers or  in salads. Some people even blend it into smoothies! So, Go Green with guacamole on September 16th!

September 25th-National Cooking Day: It can be easy to get in a rut of constantly ordering takeout, or heating-up frozen meals, but if you want to feel truly nourished, nothing beats a home-cooked meal. It’s nice to slow down and enjoy the process of preparing your own food — and the joy of eating it! That’s why we’re celebrating National Cooking Day on September 25th. National Cooking Day encourages and inspires each of us to discover something new and enjoyable in the kitchen. It’s a time to learn a new skill by preparing something delicious for loved ones — and ourselves. So put on your aprons and let’s get cooking!

It’s Canning Season, Do You Know How to Shop For a Pressure Canner?

Canning is demonstrated at an extension building. Photo by Marc Hall.

Home canning low acid foods (foods with a pH of 4.6 or higher) like vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, tomatoes, or combinations of these foods require the use of a pressure canner to properly process jars for food safety. Clostridium botulinum is a bacteria that can cause botulism, a severe type of food borne illness. Improperly home-canned foods have been known to cause botulism. Here are some things that should be considered when selecting a pressure canner.

What to Consider When Selecting a Pressure Canner >>