Tag: dr. edwards princeton

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Volunteering: Post Pandemic

As we look toward a world with COVID-19 under control, we can look forward to coming together in our communities once again. The best way to get re-engaged with your neighbors is through volunteering locally. Once organizations are ready to welcome volunteers through their doors again, here are a few reasons why you should volunteer and help out your community:

Volunteering Helps Build a Better YOU:

Not only is volunteering a great way to better build up your community by helping those in need, volunteering also helps to build up your own character and fulfill one’s civic duty. Volunteering can have benefits to a person’s physical & mental health. Depending on the type of volunteering that you are doing, the level of physical activity will vary. Regardless, volunteering is a great way to get yourself moving in a different way that your body may not be used to. Your mental state will improve greatly too!  Volunteering doesn’t come with any tangible rewards, (not usually, at least) instead, volunteering makes one feel better about themselves mentally for doing good for the betterment of those in need. Fulfilling one’s civic duty is enough of a reward itself combined with helping those in need. All in all, volunteering can only bring about positive & helpful things to you in your life.

More Volunteering Opportunities Are Available:

So many people’s lives were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Whether it was unexpected medical bills, a sudden loss in the family, or a job loss, people need more help now than ever.  There are plenty of volunteer options to choose from in one’s community, from helping at local soup kitchens, to volunteering at a sock drive. If contact and the spread of COVID-19 is still a worry for you, no need to fret!  There are still contactless volunteer opportunities for you that will still have an impact on your community! Conduct a web search to find out more on the possible contactless volunteer opportunities that are available in your area! No matter your level of risk with COVID-19, the opportunities are out there.

Here are a few safer options to lend your skills on a volunteer basis:

  • Virtual video chat support for an organization in need of live support
  • Hotline operators for mental health support organizations
  • Local outdoor low-cost sport leagues for children
  • Social media, web, and photography volunteer work for organizations in need of marketing

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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How to Entertain Guests When Socially Distancing

Although it seems as if life is finally getting back to normal in the wake of Covid-19, this may not be the case for everyone, including some of our own neighbors right here in the U.S. People that are old, sick, or immunocompromised still run the risk of experiencing severe and potentially fatal symptoms if they contract the lingering virus, so it’s important to keep other people’s fears and comfort levels in mind if and when you decide it’s time to start hosting gatherings again. Keep reading for some tips on how you can entertain guests as safely as possible when social distancing this summer, while still making sure everyone has a good time.

Start Small

Again, it’s important to keep in mind that even though many Covid-19 gathering restrictions have been eased or lifted in recent months, some people are still worried, and they have every right to be. When entertaining guests this summer, it’s best to start small: invite only a handful of close friends, family members and neighbors, and make sure they know not to bring any additional people without asking first. It also might be a good idea to set boundaries with your guests before they arrive. If you’re not comfortable with something (or vice versa), make sure this is communicated openly before the gathering or set ground rules when you send out the invitations.

Food and Service

Another certainty of Covid-19 is that, for now at least, the age of high-touch food buffets is over. Instead, consider asking your guests to bring their own food, prepare disposable meals for each person beforehand, or just have everyone buy their own takeout meal. While any experienced host can relate to wanting to tend to their guest’s every need, especially in a friendly, personal way, it’s better to play it safe and allow party-goers to fetch themselves a soda this summer, in order to minimize direct contact.

Socially Distant Activities

The biggest advantage to hosting socially distant guests this summer is that the warmer weather allows for more activities outdoors, which is the ideal location for any gathering in the foreseeable future. Some popular outdoor activities that could easily accommodate social distancing include marshmallow-roasting by the firepit, a follow-along painting workshop (make that a paint and sip night for the adults!), or a karaoke party where one or two people go up at a time. It’s been a rough year and a half for everyone, so do your best to keep the atmosphere light and reassure your guests that, despite the unusual circumstances, they are welcome and wanted.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Seasonal Vegetables: Recipe with Summer Vegetables

From cucumbers and zucchini to peppers, tomatoes, and everything in between, there is no shortage of hot-weather vegetables to keep your meals light, healthy and colorful this summer. Keep reading for some fun, easy recipes that include some of the best tasting and most nutritious vegetables in season.

Caprese Zoodles

Switch out those carb-loaded pasta dishes for something a little lighter (but just as tasty) this summer: zoodles! Zoodles, aka zucchini noodles, are a fiber-rich and low-calorie alternative to regular wheat pastas. Zoodles are loaded with Vitamin B6 and have even been known to protect against diabetes. For this simple recipe, dress the zoodles in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and add some halved cherry tomatoes, quartered mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves and balsamic vinegar into the mix. If zucchini is not your vegetable of choice, replace it with fresh corn or just stick to the traditional version of the salad: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, and salt and pepper to taste. Whichever way you go, you cannot go wrong with this fan-favorite summertime dish.

Stuffed Peppers

As another summer vegetable classic, stuffed peppers are fun and versatile in that they can be customized however you want and can pass as both a main and side dish. Although red peppers pack the most nutrition, all varieties are great sources of vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber. Cut and stuff the peppers with cooked rice, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and a meat of your liking, bake at the required temperature, and top with cheese, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Most people opt for a ground beef filling, but feel free to think outside the box. If you are really committed to getting your vegetable nutrients in, substitute the meat filling with some corn, black beans, and pepper jack cheese for a southwestern spin on this dish.

Sheet Pan Summer Vegetables and Chicken

This next recipe is chock-full of nutritious veggies and is easy to both cook and clean up. Plus, if you keep a garden in the summer months, most of these ingredients can be found right in your backyard. Keeping true to the recipe’s name, all you will need to do for this dish is cut up and season some zucchini, tomatoes, and yellow squash, and bake them on a pan with cubed pieces of a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Vegetable-heavy sheet dinners like this one are perfect for vegetable lovers who need a little extra protein to get through the day. They  pack the nutrients and vitamins you would find in a meal that took twice as long to make.

Summer Vegetable Tart

Now for a slightly more complicated but equally healthy and delicious mention: a summer vegetable tart. Depending on how ambitious you are, you can either create your own dough-based crust for this dish by hand or get a premade dough from the store. Once baked to crispy perfection and filled with the creamy, cheesy filling, add bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, top with fresh basil, and enjoy the best version of a pizza you will have all summer.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Four Health Tips to Avoid this Summer

As summer is quickly approaching, many are looking to get a “beach body” with the weather warming and shorelines opening up. While it is great to strive for a healthier lifestyle, many “health” tips or topics create an unsustainable way of eating —and living. Here are a few health tips to avoid:

Low-Carb Diets.

While going low-carb for a period of time may help you lose a few pounds, it can be harmful to your health in the long run. People experience less energy and tend to eat foods like animal proteins, saturated fats, and cholesterol. When trying to live a healthier lifestyle, it is crucial to consume all food groups, just in moderation.

Excessive Exercise

Many fitness influencers show unrealistic expectations of exercise as a result of being in the gym for hours multiple times per week. In reality, excessive gym time is not an option for working people and busy parents. Exercise should not be a chore, and even setting small, attainable goals is a step in the right direction. Exorbitant gym time is not necessary to lose a few pounds.

Juice Cleanses

Swapping a meal with juice is a dangerous way to lose weight. Most juices are packed with sugar and will leave you feeling hungry later on. Fueling your body with whole foods will keep you feeling satisfied and will more likely curb your cravings in comparison to drinking juice as a meal.

Achieving that “Beach Body”

The most common mindset that people have leading into summer is that they must have the perfect beach body. However, what most people fail to realize is that every body is a beach body! Setting unrealistic goals can cause a negative relationship with food and exercise, so do what makes you feel your best.

If you are looking to start a healthier routine, setting small, attainable goals will put you on the right track this summer and beyond. A balanced diet and workout routine will help you reach your goals. Remember, what may work for others may not work for you, so it is important to listen to your body throughout the process and be patient with your results.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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How Meditation Helps Mental Health

Mental health is important. Through proper self-care, mental health can be maintained and even boosted. An excellent self-care practice is meditation. When most people hear of mediation, they picture a person sitting cross-legged on the ground with their eyes shut, but this is not the only way mediation can occur. Meditation can be taking time out of the day to read a book you enjoy, it can be going for a relaxing car ride, it could be going for a walk, or it could be any way that enables you to clear your mind and find happiness. Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can help your mental health. Meditation can:

Reduce Stress

Day-to-day life can be pretty stressful. With busy schedules and many responsibilities, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Carving out a little time every day — or even every week — can help to ground yourself and clear your mind of current stressors. While meditation may not remove your stress entirely, it is an excellent way to give your mind a minute to catch up and rest.

Boost Confidence

Meditation often involves repeating mantras or positive words and phrases. Whether said in your head or out loud, these positive words can greatly improve your confidence and outlook on life. Reminding yourself of your value and abilities through meditation can help to boost your confidence and make you feel proud of yourself.

Encourage Emotional Health

When juggling many responsibilities in life, it can become difficult to remember to consider and express your emotions. Meditation gives you time to reflect on and process your emotions. It’s important for your mental health to deal with any feelings you might have and encourage happy emotions.

Increase Attention Span

Recently, society has adopted a very fast paced way of living. This had led to a decrease in individuals’ patience and their length of attention spans. Practicing meditation reminds you to slow down and enjoy every moment. It gives your brain a chance to “reset” and not expect immediate results. Meditation can increase your patience and attention span thus boosting your mental health.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton M.D. internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.