Dr. Barbara Edwards | Princeton, NJ | Dr. Barbara R. Edwards

August 15, 2018July 30, 2018

Calling All Volunteers in Princeton, NJ!

Volunteering your time to help and give back to others is always a great decision. Not only do others benefit from your kindness, but volunteering positively impacts your physical and mental health, as many studies have shown. Volunteering has been proven to improve your mood and decrease the chances of feeling lonely because it provides a sense of purpose. Other benefits of volunteering include gaining experience and skills you wouldn’t otherwise learn, earning community service hours, and it is a great way to meet new people and network.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteer work includes a wide variety of different tasks. Whether you enjoy being outside, playing with animals or working on a computer, volunteers are always welcome and needed in all areas. Often our lives are busy between work, family and other duties and it seems difficult to find time to fit volunteering into your schedule. Actually, organizations that are looking for volunteers often offer flexible hours, and they will be grateful for any time that you can put aside for their cause.

Princeton Volunteer Opportunities

1. Penn Medicine Princeton Health

Love the medical field or looking to pursue a career in it? Volunteering your time at Penn Medicine Princeton Health is a great way to gain experience, meet other professionals in the industry, and give back to the community. A wide variety of jobs and tasks are available for volunteers, so find your fit today by contacting the Penn Medicine Princeton Health volunteer department.

2. Princeton Family YMCA

Volunteers are always welcome at the Princeton Family YMCA and play a vital role in the success of programs and events at the YMCA. Volunteers can be responsible for helping at events, coaching and mentoring children, and assisting children with disabilities. Each year volunteers invest hundreds of hours at the Princeton YMCA to serve and give back to their community. Learn more about the Princeton YMCA volunteer opportunities here.

These are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities in the Princeton area, discover more here.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area – practicing at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

July 25, 2018January 14, 2020

5 Healthy Summer BBQ Foods

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1. Turkey Burger

Summer is a time for family-fun and BBQ’s and eating healthy is not always the easiest. There are always healthy alternatives out there, like this tasty turkey burger, but often, we are attending other people’s BBQs and are left with no choice but to eat what they have. A helpful tip is to make 4 or 5 burgers and freeze them and bring them with you when going to the BBQ. These turkey burgers are low in fat and high in protein.

Find the recipe here:

https://thelivefitgirls.com/the-best-turkey-burgers/

2. Grilled Zucchini and Squash

Spice up the dinner menu by adding this savory side dish that also happens to be healthy. A grilled zucchini and squash side is a great option that pairs well with almost any main dish and is even kid-friendly. These ingredients also happen to be in-season during the summer, making it a convenient summer food. Zucchini and squash are good sources of vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber.

Find the recipe here:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222763/balsamic-grilled-zucchini/

3. Chicken and Veggie Skewers

Another great, tasty BBQ food is chicken and veggie skewers. Simple yet delicious, marinate the chicken cubes overnight and throw some veggies on the skewers and you have a flavorful, healthy meal. Veggies like onions, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms are all great options to include on the skewer. Like the turkey burgers, the chicken is low in fat, high in protein and with this meal, and you gain all the nutrition from the veggies.

Find the recipe here:

https://ourbestbites.com/grilled-chicken-and-veggie-skewers/

4. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Simple and easy is the way to go during the summer in terms of cooking. Grilled corn on the cob is just that, simple, easy and healthy. Throw the corn on the grill and let the grill do the rest of the work. Lightly salting and using a low-fat butter can add some extra flavor to this light, healthy side-dish. Corn is a great source magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and even B vitamins.

Find the recipe here:

http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/super-simple-grilled-corn-on-the-cob-no-foil-no-husks-245576

5. Grilled Sweet Potatoes

There will be no turning back once you try these grilled sweet potatoes. Packed with flavor, this recipe will become your go-to for years to come. Perfect for all ages, the sweet potatoes are lightly coated in olive oil and salt, but the dressing is really what makes the dish. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, vitamin A and C, potassium and B vitamins.

Find the recipe here:

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/grilled_sweet_potatoes/

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

July 11, 2018July 30, 2018

Summer Happenings at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center

Dr. Barbara R Edwards, Dr. Edwards Princeton, Dr. Barbara Edwards Princeton

Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center has undergone major changes in the past year. One of the most notable improvements for our patients this summer is the rollout of PennChart by Epic, an electronic medical record keeping system. The hospital, along with many of the outpatient departments went live on Saturday, June 9^thand the launch went smoothly. Following the successful rollout will be six additional offices planned to go live August 14^th. The system will be fully implemented throughout the hospital system this coming fall.

Benefits for Patients and Physicians

Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center has been working with Epic, a software development company who engineered this electronic health record system (EHR) for years. The goal of the EHR system is to unify all medical records for the entirety of the Penn Medicine hospital system. Along with making it easier for all medical staff to securely collect, store and share patient medical information system-wide, PennChart also has a patient portal. Within the portal, patients will have access to their records and will be able to schedule appointments and contact their physicians at their convenience.

Streamlined Medical Services

Hospitals all over the country have been using EHR systems similar to PennChart because they facilitate accurate patient diagnosing and prescribing of medicine. The goal of converting to complete electronic records is to make the patient experience more effective and efficient. With a patient’s entire medical history at the fingertips of the physician, the best care plan can be put into place. Epic’s EHR system is one of the top EHR systems on the market and is used in over 50% of hospitals in the United States. Penn Medicine has been working with Epic for over 10 years and is excited to see how this change will positively impact the hospital’s patients and physicians. The implementation of PennChart ensures the continuity and efficiency in the care of our patients, which is always our primary priority.

More information at https://www.epic.com/about.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

June 18, 2018July 10, 2018

3 Countries to Volunteer in this Summer

Summer is right around the corner, have you thought about how you are going to be spending your free time? Often, we end up not being as productive as planned during the summer because it is so easy to just sit back and relax. Volunteering abroad is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures, experience new things, and meet some great people along the way. Not only will volunteering abroad this summer feel rewarding, it will also mean more than you know to the people that you are helping.

Haiti

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, and its citizens face unemployment, political instability and major food shortages. In addition to that, Haiti is still in recovery after the devasting earthquake that destroyed their country in 2010. There are numerous opportunities to become involved in the rebuilding process of this beautiful country. Volunteering in Haiti is highly encouraged because of the ongoing relief efforts.

Fiji

Experience island life and do good by volunteering in Fiji this summer. The warm people of Fiji will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at home. Experiencing their culture and way of life is a once-in a-lifetime opportunity. Volunteering during the summer is a wonderful time as it is considered their dry season, so you’ll be able to experience the beautiful beaches and rainforests. Volunteer opportunities are available with projects involving educating young children, teaching them how to play sports and renovating communities. Interested in marine biology? There are countless opportunities for marine conservation. With over 300 islands in the archipelago, there is bound to be a volunteer position that is your perfect fit.

Peru

Despite tourists traveling to Peru to see Machu Picchu, many parts of Peru are underdeveloped and in need of services volunteers can offer. Volunteering in Peru could consist of a variety of different projects like educating children, focusing on community development, environmental conservation, and healthcare. For many of the people in Peru, clean water is not accessible and there is a strong focus on making clean, drinkable water accessible to more communities. If your perfect idea of a summer vacation is helping others out and lending a hand to underserved communities, Peru is the place for you.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Curious to read more of my writing? Read my articles on PsychCentral’s blog:

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards

June 4, 2018July 6, 2018

4 Tips on Staying Healthy this Summer

Dr. Edwards - 5 ways to stay healthy this summer

Eating healthy and keeping up with an active lifestyle can become difficult as summer approaches. During the summer, we tend to let loose which means we eat more than usual and relax more than we normally would. Below are 5 tips for the whole family on how to stay healthy this summer.

1. Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body hydrated is one of the most important things to stay on top of as summer approaches and the temperature is heating up. An effortless way to make sure you are staying hydrated is by always keeping a reusable water bottle on hand when leaving the house. Consider infusing your water with fruits like lemons, berries and oranges for a little burst of flavor without the artificial sugar additive.

2. Workout Routines

Changing up your daily workout routine may be a good idea during the summer. Try to exercise either in the morning before the sun is really beating down or at night after the sun sets. This can make your workout more enjoyable and lower your risk of a heat related injury. Try changing your routine up—get in the water for a full body workout that gets your heart pumping. Swimming is a fun and easy way to exercise and cool off at the same time.

3. New Recipes

Testing out fresh summer recipes is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy during this season. Stocking your kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables will help encourage healthier eating and snacking for everyone in the house. Take a break from roasting your veggies in the oven and fire up the BBQ to really embrace summer.

4. Family Time

Summer memories are made with the family has time to spend together. Set aside an hour or two every day and get everyone outside. Having fun and exercising is a fantastic way to stay healthy this summer. Play a friendly game of kickball or take a nice walk around the neighborhood to enjoy each other’s company while also getting some fresh air.