Steve Victor

Fit for Life!

Monthly Archives: December 2011

Steve Victor: Top 10 Heating Tips

It’s cold weather time again. There are certain safety tips for around your house you may not have thought of. I asked Jody Victor®  to tell us about some.

Jody Victor®: Hey Steve, you couldn’t be more right. Here’s some safety tips everyone needs to follow no matter where you live or what your weather is like.

  1. Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your central heating system. Have leaks and other problems repaired. Install new filters at least twice a year.
  2. Make sure your portable/space heater has been tested for safety. Look for a label such as ETL, UL or CSA on the bottom of the unit. Place heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including furniture, window treatments, people and pets. Never use heaters to dry clothing or blankets.
  3.  Always have an adult in the room when the portable heater is on. Supervise children and pets at all times. Turn off heater before leaving the room or going to sleep.
  4. Keep gas appliances properly adjusted and serviced. Do not overload electrical circuits.
  5. Do not heat your home with a gas stove or oven.
  6. Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or in a closed garage.
  7. Portable electric generators must be used outside only. Never use them indoors, in a garage or any confined area that can allow carbon monoxide to collect.
  8. Burn only seasoned hardwood like oak, ash or maple in your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Do not burn trash, cardboard boxes or Christmas trees because these items burn unevenly, may contains poisons, and could cause a home fire.
  9. Make sure you have a working smoke detector in every room. Check and change batteries often.
  10. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and check it regularly. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, watch family members for carbon monoxide poisoning. The most common symptom is headache. Other symptoms may include dizziness, chest pain, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases the person can become increasingly irritable, agitated and confused. Eventually the victim will become lethargic and lapse into unconsciousness. Call 911 and get the person to fresh air immediately and open windows.

Steve Victor

 

 

 

Steve Victor: The 2011-2012 Flu Season

Flu season in the U.S. can start as early as October and last as late as May. So far this fall, the incidences of influenza have been minimal. Most areas of the country enjoyed warmer than normal temperatures in October and November. I asked Jody Victor®  to tell us more about it.

Jody Victor®: The CDC is concerned that not many people have received the flu shot so far this flu season. They recommend that everyone from 6 months of age and older be vaccinated. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, especially for the very young and the elderly. If everyone is protected against the flu the chances of infecting the people most at risk will be reduced.

While everyone should get vaccinated against the flu each year it is especially important for the following groups to get the flu shot: pregnant women, children younger than 5 (especially those younger than 2), people of any age who have chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at risk for complications of the flu.

The 2011-2012 flu shot offers protection against the pandemic H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus in addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to circulate this fall and winter. There are two types of vaccines available:

 

  1. The “flu shot” is an inactivated vaccine (contains killed virus) that is given in the arm with a needle. The flu shot is approved for people older than 6 months of age. There are three different flu shots available: the regular flu shot, a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64 years of age.
  2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist) is made with live, weakened flu viruses. The viruses in the nasal spray do not cause the flu. It is sometimes called the “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine” or LAIV. The LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

People who should not be vaccinated without first consulting with their doctor include those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs; have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination previously; are younger than 6 months of age; have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (wait until recovery); or have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome that occurred following a flu vaccination.

There are different side effects associated with both inoculations. The viruses in the flu shot are inactivated (killed), so you can not get the flu from the shot. Adults and children can expect some possible minor side effects such as soreness, redness or swelling at the shot site, low grade fever and aches. If you experience any of these they will begin soon after the shot and will last 1 to 2 days. The viruses in the nasal spray are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms associated with the flu. Adults may experience runny nose, headache, sore throat or cough. Children may experience runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches or fever.

The flu shot and nasal spray both help to protect you from influenza by causing your immune system to produce antibodies that will recognize and protect you from the flu viruses you come in contact with. It takes about 2 weeks for the flu shot to take full effect. If you’re exposed to the flu shortly before or during that time you might catch the flu. The earlier in the flu season you get inoculated, the better. You also need to get inoculated every year. One reason is that your antibody level will start to decline about six months after you receive the shot. Another reason is that influenza viruses evolve and mutate (change) so quickly. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with the rapidly adapting flu viruses.

All the Best!

Steve Victor

 

 

Steve Victor: Low-Cal Christmas Cookies

‘Tis the season to be baking and enjoying homemade Christmas cookies. It’s also the season of lowered activity. The two together can add a few pounds to your physique. I asked Jody Victor®  to give us some advice.

Jody Victor®: Here are some low calorie cookie recipes that will help reduce the guilt factor for your Christmas cookie enjoyment:

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (48 calories/Traditional 78 calories)

1 cup sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter

4 teaspoon sugar substitute

1 egg, beaten

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (3 oz)

Sift together the dry ingredients. Cream butter and add sugar substitute, vanilla and eggs in a separate bowl. Blend well. Add flour (dry) mixture a little at a time to butter mixture and beat well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by level teaspoons on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for ten minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

OATMEAL COOKIES (44 calories/Traditional 67 calories)

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup hot water

4 cups whole wheat flour

4 cups Quaker quick oats (dry)

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup molasses

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups water (approximate)

Soak raisins in hot water. Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients a little at a time to wet ingredients and mix well. Fold in raisins. Additional water may be needed if batter is too stiff or dry. Drop by level tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Dip a teaspoon in water and flatten cookies out. Bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes. Makes 8 dozen cookies.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES (45 calories/Traditional 95 calories)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup Splenda

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together. Roll into small balls or drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet. Press each cookie flat with a floured fork. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

MACAROONS (25 calories/Traditional 97 calories)

1 16-ounce package of one step angel food cake mix

1/2 cup low calorie strawberry or orange soda pop

1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 7-ounce package cookie coconut (about 2 cups)

In large mixing bowl, blend cake mix, soda pop and almond extract on low speed, scraping bowl constantly for 1/2 minute. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl constantly for 1 minute. Fold in coconut. Drop by teaspoons about 2 inches apart on a vegetable-sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 8 dozen cookies.

For Fruit Macaroons, substitute water for soda pop, vanilla for almond extract and add 1 cup dried and chopped apricots, figs, cranberries or prunes.

All the Best!

Steve Victor

 

 

Steve Victor – Living Christmas Tree Tips

A live tree is a good way to celebrate the season as well as add a new tree to your landscaping. I asked Jody Victor  to tell us more about it.

Jody Victor: Just in case you have chosen to use a live tree as your inside Christmas decoration, here are some great tips for you.

 

  1. Measure the area where you will display your live Christmas tree before you head to the nursery or tree farm. Keep in mind that smaller trees will have a better chance of survival. Smaller trees are usually in better proportion to the size of the root ball.
  2. Decide what kind of tree you want to plant in your yard. Size at maturity should be considered. For a small yard, dwarf evergreen, yew, juniper, arborvitae or holly would be good choices. Firs are good as cut trees, but may not like the growing conditions in your yard. Spruce trees are good as cut trees as well, but their needles don’t retain water well and may dry out too much while the tree is in your home.
  3. Choose a tree that has been recently dug or was container grown and looks healthy. Check for loose, dry needles. Make sure the branches are supple. Be wary of bargain trees. They are usually leftovers from the growing season and may be in a stressed condition.
  4. Wrap your live tree in a tarp and take it home either in an enclosed vehicle or on top of your car. Strap it down root ball forward.
  5. When you get your live tree home, stand it in a large galvanized or heavy-duty plastic tub. Use bricks to stabilize it if necessary.
  6. Water well and store in a cool area protected from winds, freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. Your garage, porch or shed are good places for transitional storage.
  7. Check often to make sure the root ball does not dry out. Do not add nutrients or fertilizers as they will initiate growth in your dormant tree. You can purchase a spray with an antidessicant or antiwilt product (such as Wilt Pruf or Cloud Cover) to minimize needle loss. Use the product during the cool storage transition phase.
  8. If the ground freezes in your area, pre-dig your hole for planting your tree beforehand. The depth of the hole should be the measurement from the bottom of the root ball to the soil level. The width of the hole should be twice the width of the root ball.
  9. Place the soil you remove in a container or tarp and store for later. You may want to fill the hole with mulch or leaves and yard debris and cover it so it won’t fill up with water and freeze. If the soil you have removed is poor, you may want to purchase (or dig up elsewhere) some better soil to mix in when planting.
  10. Keep your live tree in its protected area for one week. Place in your house for one week (no more than 10 days). Return tree to protected area for one week before planting.
  11. Place your live Christmas tree in the coolest part of the room away from any heat sources. Water and check daily.
  12. If the ground has frozen and you did not pre-dig the planting hole, you can keep your tree in its protected area until the ground thaws. Keep the tree moist!
  13. Plant your tree at the same depth it was grown at the nursery or in the container.
  14. Once your tree is placed in the hole, remove any plastic or burlap wrapping.
  15. Loosen the outside roots and direct them outward.
  16. Refill the hole with your saved soil and gently heel it in to remove any air pockets. Air in contact with the roots will kill the tree in a very short amount of time.
  17. Water thoroughly! This will also help remove any remaining air pockets.
  18. Apply about 3-6 inches of mulch around the base of your tree.
  19. Water every month or so especially if temperatures are mild and precipitation is slight. If ground is frozen, water when it thaws.

 

All the Best!

Steve Victor

Steve Victor – Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree Tips

It’s time to bake the cookies, wrap the gifts, and trim the tree. I asked Jody Victor  to tell us more about caring for a live tree.

Jody Victor: The National Christmas Tree Association estimates that nearly 29 million families will be choosing a real fresh-cut Christmas tree this season. If your family is included, here are some ways to ensure you choose the freshest tree and care for it so that it will last throughout the holidays.

 

  1. Before you go shopping for your tree make sure you know what size (height and width) you need. Most trees are trimmed to an 80 percent taper. That means a tree that is 10’ tall will be 8’ wide at the bottom. A tree that will fit in your room vertically may be too big horizontally.
  2. Have your tree stand at the ready. Choose a stand that will hold at least one gallon of water. Measure the circumference of the ring that will hold your tree’s stem in your holder and take that measurement with you to buy your tree.
  3. Go to a tree lot that is well-lit and stores the trees in a shaded area.
  4. Ask the tree retailer when he/she gets the trees. Were they delivered once at the beginning of the season? Or does he/she get several shipments during the season? A tree obtained soon after its arrival on the lot will be the freshest.
  5. Run a branch through your enclosed hand. The needles should not come off easily.
  6. Gently bend the outer branches. They should be pliable.
  7. Vigorously shake the tree or drop it onto the end of its trunk several times from the height of about one foot. If green needles from the edges of the tree fall out, choose another tree. If old dead needles fall out from the center of the tree, don’t worry. All conifers shed a certain part of their oldest needles in the fall. Most tree farms (but not all) use a mechanical shaker to shed the old growth needles before they ship them to the retailers.
  8. Look for other signs of dryness or deterioration: discolored foliage, musty odor and wrinkled bark. When in doubt- choose another tree.
  9. Check the stem of the tree. Make sure it’s fairly straight. Keep in mind that pine trees will usually have some crook in their trunks. Make sure the stem will fit into your tree stand.
  10.  If the transport time from the tree lot to your home is longer than 15 minutes, wrap your tree in a tarp or carry it in an enclosed vehicle.
  11. If you have to carry your tree on top of your vehicle, put the bottom of the tree aiming forward to protect the needles from being blown off and tie it securely.
  12. Once your tree is home, cut a 1-inch disc from the bottom of the stem with a saw. Do not cut it at an angle. An angled bottom will make it harder for the tree to stand straight upright in the tree stand. If you have no saw at home, ask the retailer if they can make the fresh cut for you before you leave the lot.
  13. Do not drill holes around the sides of the trunk. That just gives the tree more surface to dry out if the water level in your tree stand drops too low. Only drill holes in the sides of the trunk if your tree stand has completely dried out and the bottom of the tree stem is sealed up and can no longer take in water.
  14.  If your tree cannot be immediately placed in its stand in the room where it will be displayed, make the fresh cut to the stem and stand it in a bucket of water in a cool, shaded location (either indoors or outdoors) until you are ready to move it into your home. Depending on how long your tree is “stored” in the bucket, you may have to make a second fresh cut when you are ready to put it in its stand.
  15. Set your Christmas tree away from direct sunlight, heaters or fans.
  16. Secure your tree in the stand and fill reservoir with water. Water daily!
  17. For easier watering, buy a funnel and a three to four foot tube. Slip tube over the funnel spout and extend tubing down into the tree stand. Hide your watering system in an out-of- the-way part of your tree. You won’t have to bend over to water your tree or disturb the tree skirt every day. Water daily!
  18. Use just plain cold tap water to water your tree. Commercially prepared Christmas tree preservatives and home mixes like aspirin, sugar, molasses, bleach, soft drinks or corn syrup are not necessary. Do not use water holding gels in your stand. They reduce the amount of water available to your tree.
  19. Take your tree down before it dries out. Once you are done with your tree, recycle it if possible. Most communities have tree recycling programs. They may have pick-up service or you might have to drop it off at the facility.
  20. With good care your family will be able to enjoy your fresh Christmas tree for a month or more.

All the Best!

Steve Victor