Bump in the Road

Summer activity-related head injuries are becoming more common and bicycling, water sports, and baseball/softball are the cause. Cell phones appear to be part of the problem for cyclists, as texting and riding can be just as dangerous as texting and driving. Avoid distractions and always wear a helmet. As for pool safety, be sure to only dive in deep water and read signs near the pool that will help keep you and your family safe.
For more information, please see http://news.health.com/2010/06/21/bump-in-head-injury-numbers-linked-to-summer-play/ .

Happy First Day of Summer!

        We often hear that it is harmful to go out in the summer sun without sunscreen. However, you don’t always hear the possible dangers of your sunscreen choices. The Environmental Working Group has found that many sunscreens contain toxic ingredients that can be absorbed by the skin. You may be surprised by which sunscreens fall into the danger zone!  Before you go out to buy your next bottle, see how your favorite brand measures up by going to The Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen page: http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/.  You can see a list of the best sunscreens, and search the ratings for a particular type.  Keep in mind that just because one type does well, does not mean the entire brand is good, so be specific in your search.

         For those seeking to be bronze this summer…sunscreen will NOT stop you from getting a tan. Many avoid sunscreen thinking they will get a better tan and end up facing consequences later.  Protecting your skin is extremely important! Take the extra time to find the best sunscreen for you. Don’t forget to put some on every day and NEVER forget your face! 

Eating Fresh

There’s no excuse to not be eating your fruits and vegetables in the summer! Not only are they in season and delicious, but they are more plentiful than ever! Fruits and vegetables provide our bodies with the many vitamins and minerals they need to perform all of the tasks that we demand, and they are also important for growth and development. Make sure to get your 5 servings a day and here are some spots to get the goods for a good price:
1.) Reading Terminal Market: http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
2.) Farmers Markets: http://philadelphia.about.com/od/foodshopping/a/farmers_markets_2.htm

Take Care of Your Bites

If you’ve become a tasty treat for the bugs of summer there are a few things you can do to stop the itch. Ice can help keep the swelling and inflammation to a minimum and an over the counter antihistamine can do the same. If you develop hives or itching all over, facial swelling or trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately, because you may be having a severe allergic reaction. If you have questions or concerns about a bite, contact your physician for medical assistance.

Grilled Curried Chicken Salad and Pita

This recipe provides a great way to make an alternative to regular chicken salad by substituting mayonnaise with yogurt. Try this recipe or make your own chicken salad with this helpful, healthy tip!

*Makes 4 sandwiches*
Ingredients
1 whole boneless, skinless chicken breast (8 oz), halved
2 tablespoons canola-oil mayonnaise
2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
1/3 cup peeled and diced apple
1/4 cup red seedless grapes, quartered
3 tablespoons diced red onion
2 teaspoons apple juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper
2 whole-wheat pita rounds, cut in half
4 lettuce leaves
8 slices tomato

Preparation1.) Preheat grill or broiler.
2.) Remove excess fat from chicken and pound breast halves between sheets of waxed paper to 1/2-inch thickness.
3.) Grill or broil chicken 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
4.) Cool.
5.) Cut into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl.
6.) Add mayonnaise, yogurt, apple, grapes, red onion, apple juice, parsley, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
7.) Mix.
8.) Heat pita in warm oven and serve with chicken salad, lettuce and tomato slices.
The skinny: 287 calories per sandwich, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 25 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 21 g protein

Recipe from http://www.self.com/fooddiet/recipes/2004/09/grilled-curry-chicken-salad-and-pita

Get Your Vitamins!

A new study released shows that up to 70% of children in the United States are not getting enough Vitamin D. This problem is especially severe among poor African American and Hispanic children. Darker skin acts as a natural screen from the sun, causing the body to not produce as much Vitamin D as it needs. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and other metabolic functions, and low levels in children can cause health problems later on in life. Doctors suggest supplements for children, with the recommended amount being between 200-400 international units (IU) per day of vitamin D.

Soft Tacos With Spicy Chicken

As if the summer nights needed more spice, we found a great recipe for Spicy Chicken Tacos that will help you 'turn things up a notch'.

Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 32 minutes; Marinate: 1 hour.

Ingredients
· 3 chicken breast halves
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
· 1 bay leaf

· 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano 1
· 2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, seeded and finely chopped

· 1 finely chopped red onion
· 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 cup dark beer, preferably Mexican

· 12 soft corn tortillas
· 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
· 1 1/2 cups salsa

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 300°.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the bay leaf, oregano, chipotle chiles (or another mildly hot fresh chile, seeded and finely chopped), onion, and vinegar. Allow to marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
3. Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken for about 10 minutes, or until brown. Turn the chicken and cook for another 20 minutes or until tender and cooked through.
4. Splash in 3/4 cup beer, a little at a time. As the chicken cooks, add more beer as needed to keep chicken from drying out. Test for doneness by making an incision with a knife; no pinkness means the chicken is done. (Or test with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should be 170°.) Remove chicken from skillet and allow to cool slightly.
5. When the chicken is nearly done, wrap 6 tortillas at a time in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a 300° oven for about 5 minutes or until warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Line a basket with a napkin, and place warmed tortillas in basket.
6. Deglaze the pan with remaining 1/4 cup of beer. Cook for 2 minutes. Pull the chicken off the bone into bite-size strips. Toss with the pan juices and scatter the chopped cilantro over the top.

7. Enjoy!!!