We all know that food safety is important. There are processes and procedures at the farms, packers and processors, restaurants and food stores. But we play a key role ourselves for ensuring the food we prepare is safe to eat. Take this short quiz to see if you know some of the basics.
Did you pass the quiz? If you scored 100%, you’re a food prep pro. Even if you scored low, you just brushed up on your food safety tips by taking this quiz.
To advance your food safety knowledge, Chef Derek from Moravian Manor Communities shares some tips below from the foodservice industry that also apply to food safety in your home.
Chef or Home Cook, The Rules Still Apply
Safe cooking, serving, storing, and rotation of food products are all an integral part of keeping our food safe to eat. As a home chef who prepares many meals for family and friends, you too should follow some hard and true food safety guidelines.
Pre-washing produce is a must for food safety. Remember, most of these products grow in the ground or are treated with chemicals to preserve freshness. Therefore, they must be washed prior to cutting or using. Salmonella and listeria are just a few foodborne illnesses that can be contracted from dirty or unwashed produce. Don’t worry about re-washing pre-washed greens. Doing this can cause more harm than good because you could introduce bacteria to the greens from your sink and counters.
Cold foods must be held at 40 degrees or below and hot foods must be held at 140 degrees or above once cooked and awaiting to be served. Most foodborne pathogens grow when the temperature is between 41 degrees – 139 degrees.
Prevent foodborne illnesses by:
Proper handwashing
Cook food thoroughly
Prevent cross-contamination by using one cutting board for fresh produce and another for raw meat, poultry and seafood.
Use food thermometers to gauge internal temperatures:
Fish – 145 degrees
Whole meats – 145 degrees
Ground meats – 155 degrees
Poultry – 165 degrees
Do not put hot food directly into the freezer. By doing this, you risk increasing the temperature of other foods nearby already frozen, which could lead to bacterial growth. Allow enough time for hot food to cool slightly before placing in the fridge or freezer.
When pre-seasoning or marinating meats before cooking, put them in a container or sealed bag and place in the refrigerator. Pull it out of the refrigerator when you are ready to cook and dispose of any liquids no used; do not reuse marinades or add uncooked liquids to cooked foods as this can add unwanted bacteria to the food about to be consumed.
Use airtight storage containers to store leftovers for in the fridge or freezer. Properly sealed containers help keep out bacteria and prevent odors impacting other food in your refrigerator.
When defrosting meat, the best options are to either defrost meat in the fridge, under cold running potable (consumable)water, or in the microwave. Leaving it on your kitchen counter to defrost at room temperature can take hours and by then a number of bacteria have made the meat unsafe to eat, even after it’s cooked.
We hope you find this helpful for consuming, cooking, and storing foods safely. Bon appétit!
From Tansy Rodgers, FNTP (Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner), Health and Lifestyle Coach, Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor, and Physical Therapist Assistant
We all have moments where we make big plans to shake up our lifestyle and work toward improving our health. Lose those extra pounds. Quit smoking. Get to the gym and start exercising. Yet, it can feel daunting and overwhelming when looking at the big picture.
Even though it is important to strive to achieve bigger health goals to improve your overall wellness, there are small steps you can take that will greatly impact the quality of your life. You don’t always have to take a huge leap to reap health benefits. And, as we get older, it is just as important to take many small healthy steps as it is to take the big ones – better balancing out our mental, emotional, physical health, etc.
The best part about taking small steps in your health journey is that it’s easier to stick to them. Even if you only have a few minutes in your day, you can take that time to improve your well-being.
Here are 5 small healthy steps you can take today to start balancing out the many arenas of your health.
Sleeping mask Alarm clock and milk
Get to bed earlier. Not getting enough sleep can cause mood swings, weight gain, food cravings, inflammation, and overall body aches. Over time, a shortage of sleep can raise your risk of heart attack or stroke – regardless of your age, weight, or exercise habits. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night and try going to bed even 15 minutes earlier, more if you are sleep-deprived.
Check your posture and ergonomics. Poor posture and ergonomics can cause a slew of health concerns, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain. A slouched posture also decreases your energy and causes disturbances in your digestion. Next time you are at your desk or on your phone, take a moment to straighten your back, tuck in your stomach, and put your feet flat on the floor. You should notice a relaxed feeling right away and it helps to avoid back pain. And if you work at a computer, look at the ergonomics of your workstation — how you fit and move in your environment — to help prevent back and neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain, and other occupational injuries.
Make a few small dietary changes. Try swapping out white rice for brown rice. Replace one sugary drink (soda, juice, etc.) for a tall glass of water with some fresh fruit slices. Eat almonds or cashews or carrots dipped in hummus rather than reaching for candy or chips. It’s no secret that vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, are good for you, but there are added benefits…they are rich in fiber and contain a lot of water, so you will feel full and more satisfied. Cooking dinner for your family? Make cauliflower mashed potatoes instead of regular potatoes, add peas and extra frozen vegetables to soups, and add slices of red or yellow peppers to your sandwiches.
View of an old person completing a crossword puzzle.
Do a crossword puzzle. Mentally challenging activities may have a protective effect on your brain. According to research studies, regularly engaging your mind may help lower your risk for the dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Try reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing chess, doing Sodoku. You can also change your routine and make your brain become more engaged. Try walking a new route, eating with your nondominant hand, and staying socially connected with others.
Get moving daily. Moving the body is super important, but you don’t have to have a strict gym routine in place to reap the benefits. The next time you have a choice between the stairs and the elevator, pick the stairs. Not only does this keep your body strong so you can keep doing stairs, but it also gets your blood pumping and it exercises your lungs. It conditions your heart and your muscles. But, don’t stop there! Regularly stretching and doing activities to calm your nervous system is important to lower your stress and to avoid injuries – it also helps you stay limber and moving freely as you age. Take a few minutes to stretch out before and after you exercise, stretch right before bed to relieve tension and help you sleep, do tai chi or yoga to increase balance and decrease stress. On the go? Look for natural opportunities in your daily routine to stretch, such as finding a bench to sit and stretch on or reaching for items on a high shelf at the store.
Small steps can lead to a healthy life. When you are younger, they can build the foundation for a lifetime of good health and when you are older, they can help you control diseases you have or lower your risk of getting others in the future!
Interested in learning more about wellness from Tansy? Visit her website at www.tansyrodgers.com.
In support of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 21-25, 2020, our partners at Flagship Rehabilitation offer the following article on how to prevent falls.
There are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of falls. Here are some tips to follow as general guidelines. It is important for you to discuss any specific concerns you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Stay Healthy
Review your medications with your doctor and/or pharmacist on a regular basis. Always bring a list of all the medications you are taking whether prescription, over the counter, vitamins, or herbal supplements to every doctor’s appointment.
Have your eyes checked at least once a year or if you notice a change in your vision.
Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing dizziness or unsteadiness.
Make sure you are getting enough to eat and drink every day.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise will increase your strength and flexibility. It will also improve your balance and coordination.
Talk to your physician or other healthcare provider before you start an exercise program.
Check the Lighting in Your Home
Use good lighting throughout your home. Frosted bulbs or lamp shades will help to reduce glare.
Use night lights to avoid sudden changes in light. This will help if you need to get up during the night.
Keep Your Home Orderly
Eliminate clutter and things you can trip over from areas where you walk.
Arrange countertops, closets, cupboards and other storage areas so regularly used items are easily accessible.
Eliminate throw rugs or make sure they are secured with double-sided tape.
Use Equipment Designed to Keep You Safe
Have grab bars installed in your tub or shower and next to your toilet.
Use non-slip mats in the tub or shower.
Use a tub seat if needed. Dry off before stepping out of the tub or shower.
If you need a device to assist with walking, make sure it is in good repair and you are using it correctly and consistently.
Install handrails on all steps or staircases.
General Reminders
Get up slowly after sitting or lying down.
Know your capabilities and limitations.
Wear shoes with good support and non-slip soles.
Keep a portable phone and important phone numbers close by.
From: David Swartley, President/CEO Date: September 23, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #25
As I’ve discussed in my earlier updates, Moravian Manor Communities (MMC) has been rigorously following all infection control protocols stipulated by the PA Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with the new Coronavirus. But despite our best efforts, recent testing confirmed on September 22 that two residents and one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by this Coronavirus. The two residents live in our Herrnhut Personal Care neighborhood.
There is no reason for panic – while our staff and fellow residents have worked tirelessly to prevent this highly contagious virus from entering our Community, we have also been preparing for this possibility. Both the residents and staff member participated in our weekly testing as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Both residents are currently asymptomatic (no symptoms) and feel fine. Our employee who tested positive, works in the clinical area and is also asymptomatic. We have been in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and are taking every step possible to limit future exposure. We are thoroughly investigating the source of the exposure and have reached out to every known person with whom the affected individuals have had contact within our Community.
Since the first knowledge of COVID-19, MMC has taken proactive measures to protect residents and staff. We have been adhering to the recommended control measures and guidelines of DOH, CDC, and Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. At this time, we will need to restrict visitation to the Founders Campus (main building) and will continue to screen staff and other essential personnel for any signs of exposure before each shift. We will also continue to limit the contact of necessary care personnel to specialized areas within the facility and continue our heightened hygiene practices.
We are taking this matter seriously, and we understand how difficult this news is for residents and their family members. The safety of our residents, their family members, team members, and our Community remain paramount.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the latest recommendations from the CDC and the PA Department of Health. For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
During September, residents of Moravian Manor Communities (MMC) are lighting up their porches with blue lights to show their support for the Lititz Borough Police department. On top of this, a Warwick Woodlands campus resident donated 17 $30 gift cards to Isaac’s Restaurant as a special thank-you to the officers for all their hard work and dedication to Lititz. They are so appreciative of all the support the Lititz Police department gives to our community. And thankful to see the police patrolling their neighborhoods. They said it makes them feel so safe during these times of uncertainty.
To celebrate National Night Out on October 6, MMC has invited the Lititz Borough Police to join residents on the Warwick Woodlands campus to hang out and enjoy free walking tacos and chili. Plus, each officer will receive a free boxed meal to take home…just another way we can show our support to our local heroes!
Thank you Chief Kerry Nye and the entire police department who make living in America’s Cool Smallest town so wonderful.
