Tag: summertime

Embracing Summer’s Bounty

Posted on by Jordank

#Summertime offers an embarrassment of riches — warm weather, #holidays to celebrate and cookouts galore. If you don’t like the heat, there are air-conditioned #summer blockbusters, pool parties and water sports to help keep cool.

Summer delivers bounty in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, too. Whether you grow your own favorites in a backyard #garden or visit the local farmer’s market, there’s no match for fresh, flavorful produce harvested in season.

Here at The Organizing Blog, we enjoy growing heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, hot peppers, chard and herbs — and with the recent heat wave, are looking forward to a bumper crop. In less than a month, we’ll be running out of ways to use it all!

We’ll grill sweet corn and summer squash. We’ll bake zucchini bread and tomato-and-chard tarts. We’ll blend up potato-leek soup, basil pesto and fresh salsa. And we’ll make a host of other dishes that celebrate summer.

There are ways to keep enjoying that bounty year-round, say the chefs at The Chopping Block. Some vegetables can be blanched and frozen, and even more can be pickled and canned. And to enjoy a summery entrée later in the year, cook an extra and freeze it for a wintry day.

Even as you discover creative new ways to eat your way through the season, consider for a second whether your material bounty — your stockpile of owned, nonperishable things — is getting out of hand.

Summer is a great time to cull through those possessions and #organize. Cold weather won’t get in the way of #decluttering, and you can always stage a #garage sale to make a little money off the things you no longer want or need.

You can also #donate lightly used #clothing and household goods to ClothingDonations.org year-round with a #free #donation #pickup. Resale of those goods helps fund valuable #veterans programs.

However you choose to embrace summer’s bounty, remember that it won’t be around for long. Now’s your chance to enjoy everything that summer has to offer! #SummerBounty

Food Safety and the Summer Cookout

Posted on by Jordank

Only a week in, this #summer is shaping up to be a hot one for much of the United States. It’s also prime time for family #cookouts, so the home chef would do well to review #food #safety practices for hot weather to head off any health issues that could ruin an otherwise festive event.

An estimated one in six people gets sick from a #foodborne illness each year. Granted, not every foodborne illness results from a #picnic or #cookout, but that seasonal combination of food, outdoor living, shared dishes, heat and pests makes them especially vulnerable.

Mayonnaise-based salads are notorious for spoiling in the sun. Limit cold foods’ potential to harbor harmful bacteria by keeping them indoors until needed, says Martha Stewart, use a cooler to maintain refrigeration, and serve foods such as shrimp over an ice bath.

Other common-sense tips apply whether you grill outdoors or prepare something in the kitchen. First and most obvious? Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before preparing any foods — and wash them again after handling raw meat, fish and egg yolks.

Cross-contamination — the process in which bacteria spreads from food or poorly washed hands to other surfaces — is a problem, Consumer Reports says. Never use the same cutting board for meat and produce, and avoid reaching for the spices or condiments after handling raw meat.

#Clean your grill properly by scrubbing the grates with a grilling brush. Use a food thermometer to cook foods to the proper internal temperatures to ensure that any harmful bacteria burn off: Cook cuts of red meat and fish to a reading of at least 145°F, ground meats to 160°F, and pork and poultry to 165°F.

After the feast, food storage is just as important. Cooked foods should be refrigerated in less than two hours when the outdoor temperatures are under 90°F, and that limit drops to one hour when the temperatures soar. If you don’t know how long something has been sitting or it starts to look/smell a little suspect, throw it out.

Keep your summer cookouts fun for everyone! Protect yourself, your family and your guests from the potential of foodborne illnesses.

How to Treat a Sunburn

Posted on by Jordank

Even if you take precautions, prolonged exposure to the #summer #sun can produce a nasty #sunburn. To recover quickly, dermatologists interviewed by Prevention magazine recommend taking a cool bath or shower without soap, soaking in a soothing oatmeal bath, applying an ice pack or cold compress, and applying aloe vera or coconut oil to the affected areas. You may also wish to apply a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and irritation if the burn is severe, take an aspirin to reduce swelling, and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and eating water-rich fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumber. Consult a doctor if you experience nausea, chills, fever and extensive blistering. #SunProtection

Seek Protection From the Summer Sun

Posted on by Jordank

The longest day of the year may see you out enjoying the #summer #sun. While #sunlight triggers essential vitamin D production, UV rays can damage the skin. About 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in United States for skin cancer, the CDC says. To avoid becoming a statistic, Montclair State University offers several recommendations: Reduce #sun exposure “by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, canopy or any other shade structure.” Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or late afternoon hours. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves. And apply a broad-spectrum #sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to all exposed areas. #SunProtection

You May Need More Sunscreen Than You Think

Posted on by Jordank

#Sun protection isn’t rocket science. But many people don’t apply enough #sunscreen early or often enough. For the best results, one must apply ample amounts of sunscreen at least 15 minutes before exposure, using at least an ounce (about one shot glass) to cover the exposed areas of the adult body. “Most studies have shown that individuals only apply half of the recommended amount, so applying sunscreen twice should be considered,” dermatologist Dr. Mariana Philips told the Virginia Tech News. “Also, sunscreens should be applied every two hours [during] sun exposure or following water immersion.” #SunProtection