by Guest | Apr 18, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Lunch & Snack Recipes, Uncategorized
by Guest | Apr 18, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized, Work Well
What is your first memory of being stressed or upset? What was it about? Is it something that would upset you now, all these years later? Maybe, or maybe not. For me, it’s the time my brother knocked over my Lincoln Log house because he wanted one of the pieces I was using (though he would probably tell you a different story).
We all face challenges—even kids. Dare I say, especially kids, as they are still developing the understanding and skills to navigate their world and interactions with others. We as humans are not born with executive function, or the complex ability to think about future consequences, regulate our emotions and impulses, or organize tasks. These are all things that we learn from the environment around us. Most people would probably recognize early interactions and relationships as things that help form a child’s executive function. And they would be correct! The “serve and return” back-and-forth exchange of communication with caregivers is a necessary component in a child’s ability to feel secure in the world and to know how to operate within it. Their executive function allows them to process new anxieties, building resilience. When a child is resilient, the inevitable challenges of life aren’t quite as hard to manage.
So, you’re raising a child. You’re doing all the right things: the bedtime stories, the tummy time, the peek-a-boo. Your child is on the superhighway to mastering executive function! What else could possibly be done? Well, have you checked for lead in your home?
Like, the lead pipe from the board game Clue? The lead that infiltrated the water supply in Flint, Michigan in 2014? Yeah, that lead. You probably already know that lead is bad, but do you know why? Lead is a common and exceptionally potent neurotoxin that accumulates in bones and soft tissue. It damages the brain and central nervous system. In high enough doses, it can cause coma, convulsions, or death. Even in non-fatal cases of lead poisoning, children can be left with permanent brain damage: reduced IQ, reduced attention span, and increased antisocial behavior. In other words, lead can interfere with a child’s development of executive function.
There is no “safe” level of lead exposure, and young children are particularly vulnerable. As a child plays and crawls on the floor, any lead dust or particles on the ground get on their hands. And, as is a child’s nature, those hands go in their mouth. That easily, the dust of the lead paint on the walls is now in the child’s system. This is compounded by the fact that children’s bodies are far less efficient than adult bodies at filtering out lead.
The good news is that lead poisoning is preventable. You can easily find out if an item has lead in it with a home lead testing kit ordered online. Be aware of common sources of lead in the home. Lead-glazed ceramics, water pipes, imported spices and cosmetics, and children’s toys are all common places lead has been found. About 24% of homes and buildings built before 1978 have lead paint. (Note: DO NOT try to sand or scrape off lead paint! This will release more lead dust into the air and can be extremely harmful. If you have lead paint and want to make your home safer, paint over the existing paint and be mindful to clean up any chipping or flaking.) Some jobs and hobbies can also come with lead exposure. Demolition work, manufacturing, renovation, welding, casting or soldering (fishing weights, bullets, stained glass) can all leave lead dust on clothing that is later tracked into the home. To avoid this, leave shoes and work clothes outdoors, wash them, and take a shower before going about your home life. Creating a physically safe environment for your child, one that is absent of lead and other dangers, gives them the capacity to focus on developing as resilient young humans.
Whew! Lead averted. Now that that’s out of the way, we can go back to focusing on the bedtime stories and peek-a-boo…almost.
Lead isn’t the only household toxin. Other common sources of accidental poisonings in children are household cleaning products, personal care/cosmetic products, and analgesics (pain relievers). About 35,000 children go to the emergency room every year after getting into medications and vitamins left within their reach. Those gummy vitamins sure do look like candy, right? Imagine how tempting such a treat is to small hands. Protect your children from accidental poisoning; keep medications, vitamins, and cleaning products up, away, and out of reach. When possible, keep them locked. Never refer to medicine as “candy” to get your child to take it, and teach them to never eat something that wasn’t given to them by a trusted adult, even if it looks like candy.
Parents and caregivers: I know the list of everything you do for your kids is always growing, and it just grew a little more. Your hard work is recognized. All those veggies they don’t want to eat, the emotional guidance, late nights, and disputes over Lincoln Logs can be exhausting unlike anything else. But remember this: the environment you are creating, the support you provide, and your watchful eye are sculpting your child’s executive function, their whole health. And you’re doing an amazing job.
Written by: Sarah Ermer, MPH, CHES; Tillamook Family Counseling Center
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 29). Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention: Populations at Higher Risk. Retrieved from
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/populations.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2F
www.cdc.gov%2Fnceh%2Flead%2Ftips.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 24). Early Brain Development.
Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 17). Lead in Foods, Cosmetics,and Medicines. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/foods-
cosmetics-medicines.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 2). Lead in Jobs, Hobbies, or
Other Activities. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/jobs-
hobbies-activities.htm
World Health Organization. (2023, August 11). Lead poisoning. World Health
Organization.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-
health
by Guest | Apr 11, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Move Well, Uncategorized
We love our pets. We also love our beautiful coastal gardens. Sadly, sometimes, the most stunning things in our gardens can be toxic to our beloved pets. So, how do we protect our pets and still maintain a gorgeous landscape. Depending on your pets’ needs and habits, we can eliminate many of the toxic plants they may come in contact with. Here are a few common plants to avoid.
First to consider is Narcissus (Daffodils). These pretty seasonal flowers brighten up an early spring garden. Many see them as a sign that wet stormy coastal weather is ending and warmer, drier days are upon us. However, even in small amounts, the flowers can cause symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.
Many of us love rhubarb pie and the rhubarb plant grows well in coastal climates. The stalks produce malic acid which is beneficial for people with acne, fibromyalgia, dry skin, and fatigue. The leaves are a different story. Even in small amounts the leaves can be lethal. They can cause gastrointestinal distress, breathing problems, and internal bleeding.
The flowers from Digitalis (foxglove) contain cardiac glycosides used in modern medicine. Accidental ingestion can be fatal. Dizziness vomiting, irregular heartbeat, delirium, hallucinations, and death can occur if accidentally ingested.
Hemlock is another plant highly toxic to pets. The entire plant, especially the roots, are poisonous. They can be found growing wild along stream banks and ditches. Symptoms vary after ingestion, ranging from nausea, vomiting, and salivation to convulsions, coma and ultimately death.
Finally, Hedra (English Ivy) is a common culprit of poisoning. These evergreen woody vines are extremely invasive and can easily climb up trees, fences, and buildings. The berries of these plants look like blueberries but that is where the similarity ends. If eaten, they can cause burning in the mouth and throat and gastrointestinal distress.
Before discussing pet-safe plants there is one additional plant of concern. Locally, Creeping Buttercups grow prolifically. They are opportunistic and will grow anyway they can take root. Gone unaddressed they will completely take over a garden. It is important to take note of these especially because often they grow in lawns. Many domestic animals eat grass to aid in digestion. The fresh sap of this plant is highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes. If ingested it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, colic, diarrhea, nephritis and in severe cases, paralysis of the central nervous system. The best way to prevent the spread of these is to dig and pull them up by the roots before they go to seed.
Even though there are a number of plants of concern, not to worry, there are many plants and flowers that add beauty to a garden and maintain a safe environment for your pet. Consider planting a pet friendly lawn. You can purchase seeds from a variety of places that sell lawn seed advertised as pet safe and pet friendly. Careful research will help you decide which seed is right for your pet and the area where you live.
Also, there are many herbs that your pet might enjoy snacking on while they improve your landscape. Try planting herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, dill, fennel or basil. They smell terrific, are a nice addition to dips and sauces, and your pets will also appreciate them.
Many annuals are colorful and safe for your pets. Among them are petunias, fuchsias, sunflowers, camellia, snapdragons, and nasturtiums. All these plants come in a variety of shades, shapes and colors. Because of our mild coastal temperatures, they often winter over, and we can enjoy them over again the next year.
There are also a variety of perennials that are equally gorgeous and pet friendly. They include dahlias, hollyhock, and black eyes susans. These will add the brilliance that makes every garden pop with color year after year.
There is much to consider when designing a pet friendly landscape. It is best to do thorough research before planting. There are a wide variety of choices to meet your and your pet’s needs. If you need help determining what is safe and unsafe for your garden, please feel free to contact your local OSU extension office at 503-842-3433 or contact us through our web site at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/tillamook
You can also contact the Tillamook County Master Gardeners Association for help. Reach them through the OSU extension office, their website at https://tillamookmastergardeners.com/ or find them on Facebook. There are many resources available to assist you in creating a beautiful and safe garden for you and your pet.
Written by: Alice St. Clare, OSU Master Gardener
by Michelle | Mar 23, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized, Work Well
Imagine yourself living and working in a space that only sparks joy. This is a goal of our Tillamook County Wellness initiative. It is also the philosophy behind decluttering, a proven approach for improving well-being. Popularized by Japanese organizing consultant, Marie Kondo, decluttering has become a winning strategy for identifying what truly matters in one’s life – keeping the things that spark joy and getting rid of what doesn’t.
Many of us are drawn to Spring cleaning. A time of renewal, Spring feels like the perfect window to get things in order and start with a fresh, clean slate. Decluttering isn’t just for our home environment; it is good for our workspaces too. As part of their Blue Zones well-being initiative, Adventist Health Tillamook is encouraging employees and leaders to declutter their workspaces. The process involves not just removing old, unwanted items but determining what brings value. As you can see by one team’s before and after photos, clearing clutter can transform the spaces in which we spend most of our day from stress-inducing chaos to calm, welcoming environments where people can cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning.
Whether it is our home or work environment, most of us have accumulated things we no longer need. I love reading. My home is filled with many, many partially read books. Kondo suggests that a half-read book is a book that gave you what you needed in the pages that were read. If the book sparked joy, you’d have finished reading it. So, rather than feeling obligated to finish reading every book, we can take heart that we were fulfilled from what we did read and pass that book along for someone else to enjoy.
Kondo says, “People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking.” When we get stuck thinking a certain way, it can get in the way of what we really need. Taking time to deliberately ask if something is serving us is helpful when it clears the debris to make way for what is most meaningful. Disorder is not only visually unpleasant but it can create a kind of mental disorder where we find it difficult to prioritize, plan and stay focused. The little bit of energy it takes to declutter can free up a lot of energy for what really matters.
The process of getting rid of things can also help us identify patterns that are not serving us. I have a lot of shoes; a lot of clothing, in general. If I’m being honest, much of what I own no longer fits me and there aren’t enough days in the year to wear it all even if it did. When we are collecting and holding on to things, it’s a good idea to ask ourselves why it is so important for us to hold onto them? There is often a deeper insight into this. As a child, I wore hand-me-downs and always felt like a fashion flop. I wanted to fit in and have the latest styles like the popular kids. This mindset has carried over into my adult life. Is it serving me now – and did it serve me as a child? No. Being objectively curious about what is behind our habits can be a springboard to improving our mental well-being. As Kondo so wisely states, “When we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.” This is why people like Steve Jobs wear the same clothes every day. Not having to sift through the closet each morning, frees up their mind for more creative pursuits
Decluttering isn’t just about “stuff.” It can be about getting rid of apps on our phone, emails in our inbox, and relationships that drain us. Kondo gives the following advice. “When you come across something that you cannot part with, think carefully about its true purpose in your life.” You may be surprised to realize how much of what you have already served its purpose. “By acknowledging their contribution and letting them go with gratitude, you will be able to truly put the things you own, and your life, in order,” says Kondo.
It can feel overwhelming to tackle cleaning out the attic, garage, or, in my case, the bedroom closet. Breaking it down into smaller tasks can help. For proven tips and tricks, check out Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, or any other of her books, which you can also check out from your local library branch. You can also watch “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix.
What will you declutter this Spring? I’ll be tackling my closet!
Written by Michelle Jenck, M.Ed., Tillamook County Wellness Coordinator, Certified Behavior Change Coach
by Guest | Mar 2, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Move Well, Uncategorized
As spring approaches, a sense of excitement fills the air among local gardeners as they prepare to kickstart their seeds and condition their gardens for the upcoming abundance of fruit and vegetable starts. It’s also a great time to involve children in the excitement of planning and starting a gardening!
Being surrounded by the temptations of technology, encouraging kids to get outside and engage with nature can be a challenge. Gardening is a valuable tool to captivate their interest, offering a hands-on approach to exploring their outdoor world.
As kids dig into the soil, sow the seeds, and tend to the plants, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility. The act of caring for the seeds instills the concept of delayed gratification, offering a reward that comes from consistently caring for something over time. In our fast-paced “microwave society,” it can be an advantage for our children to understand that things require time and patience to grow.
Let’s explore some entertaining and budget-friendly ways to introduce kids to the joy of gardening!
• Craft environmentally-friendly seed pots using recycled newspapers. This engaging activity not only prepares for planting but also serves as an excellent rainy day project.
• Utilize everyday items like recycled yogurt or cottage cheese containers, and even milk jugs that are cut in half. Remember to poke a few small holes in the bottom for proper drainage.
• Use eco-friendly items like eggshells, egg cartons, or orange peels as planting containers. These can be directly planted in the garden, where they will biodegrade.
• If space is limited, sow seeds directly into a large pot or bucket, creating a compact and manageable container garden. This is ideal for patios or areas with minimal space.
• Capture your child’s interest by aligning the garden with their passions. Consider a pizza garden with basil, oregano, tomatoes, and onions. Or create a fairy garden, allowing them to plant flowers or succulents and add them to the container with fun trinkets.
• Foster excitement by planting something that grows taller than your child. Dill, with its tall and frilly leaves, or classic sunflowers, make for excellent choices.
• Opt for fast-growing options like radishes, lettuce, and some bean varieties, providing a sense of accomplishment as your little ones get to harvest their crops in no time.
By adding in creative and budget-friendly ideas, you’re helping cultivate a love for gardening and sparking the imagination of the young green thumbs in your life!
For more information on starting and growing a garden, visit: https://foodhero.org/gardening
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Mar 1, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Recipes, Uncategorized
Deliciously seasoned potatoes, roasted to perfection and topped with Parmesan cheese for a heartwarming and fulfilling dish. Bonus: It’s Kid Approved!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups potatoes cut in 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, toss potatoes with oil, salt and pepper.
- Place potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
- Roast 25 minutes. Sprinkle potatoes with cheese and roast 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve warm.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes:
- Try other types of cheese or a blend.
- Try adding other herbs or spices with the salt and pepper, such as garlic powder, thyme or rosemary.
Resource: FoodHero.org https://foodhero.org/recipes/parmesan-roasted-potatoes
