A Healthier Thanksgiving

Posted on by TP Mechanical

Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN

bigstock-Autumn-Dinner-Collage-52307473Thanksgiving meals usually include an abundance of unhealthy food options, making it easy to stray from proper nutrition until the start of the New Year. But if you opt for a healthy Thanksgiving meal instead, it doesn’t mean it can’t also be enjoyable. With a few changes, you can make your “Turkey Day” an extension of your year-round commitment to good health.

Begin with the elephant in the room: food. You can probably stand to forgo a luxury or two come turkey time. But don’t worry; you can still enjoy a delicious meal with the added bonus of feeling much better afterward. Plus, Thanksgiving is just the start of the holiday season, so there will be a lot of large meals to come.

Start by having breakfast. While many Americans make it a habit to wait to eat until the holiday meal is set out, eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite, allowing you to be more selective in your food and beverage choices later on. Keep in mind that you can always have leftovers the next day.

When moving on to Thanksgiving’s centerpiece—the turkey—be sure to go skinless. Just 1 ounce of turkey skin contains 80 calories and 2 grams of fat. Also, be sure to use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and to make the gravy.

Next, turn your attention to the side dishes. Substituting skim milk or half-and-half for whole milk and cream in recipes is an obvious choice, as is omitting bacon and cheese from any casseroles, but how about complementing these sides or ignoring them altogether in favor of steamed or roasted vegetables and cornbread?

If you must have a holiday favorite, make sure it is just that, and not something you consume regularly during the year. And be sure to police your portions, since there are definite consequences to having too much of a good thing.

Once you’ve made smarter choices regarding your turkey and your side dishes, you may be wondering if there is anything else you can do. There is!

Take a walk early in the day and then again after dinner. It is a wonderful way for families to get some physical activity and to enjoy the holiday together. For those who have the day off after Thanksgiving, plan an additional workout. You will feel like your old self in no time, ready to manage your diet and exercise regimen right away, instead of waiting until January 1.

Lower Winter Fuel Costs

Posted on by TP Mechanical

Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN

Winter CabinBudgeting money for the holidays is always important, but many people often forget about the increased energy costs associated with winter until they get hit with the bill. Use the following recommendations from the Department of Energy to keep your costs in check this year.

  • Cover drafty windows with heavy-duty, clear plastic sheets, or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames.
  • Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, in gaps around recessed lights in insulated ceilings and in unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  • Maintain a regular service schedule for your heating systems. Replace filters once a month or as needed.
  • Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Turning it back 10 degrees at night or before leaving your home can save around 10 percent of your heating bills.
  • Finally, use LED holiday light strings to save on the price of seasonal decorations.

Take Our Winter Fire Safety Quiz

Posted on by TP Mechanical

Safety takes on a higher level of importance as the winter months approach. As businesses, we need to pay special attention to the work environment to be sure our employees are ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.

Take this brief survey to be sure you are ready to protect your employees and your office:

When is the last time you had your fire extinguishers checked?

In the US, fire extinguishers in all non-residential buildings should be checked annually – and some municipalities require a more frequent check. Look at the tag on the extinguisher to see the type of service that was performed in the past and pay attention to the date. If it is more than 12 months ago, you need to have it checked and serviced.

Side view of a male mountain climber using laptop on mountain peHow much clearance do you have between the ceiling and your file cabinets?

When is the last time you looked at the ceilings in your office? It might seem like a silly question but piling too many boxes and supplies on your file cabinets can block fire sprinklers from working properly. Well-meaning employees might try to use all the available vertical space in an office so that the floor is clear of obstacles. This might have adverse consequences. Look upward and rearrange or get rid of unnecessary items.

Are your employees using space heaters?

As an employer, you need to balance the comfort of your employees with your heating bills. And the optimum temperature varies for each individual. Some may be too cold in winter and others too hot. One solution is that employees may use space heaters to keep their space comfortable. Have you checked your employees work areas lately to see where they have placed these heaters? You may find that they are under desks and surrounded by purses and shoes and umbrellas and near stacks of file folders. This is a clear fire hazard. Although modern space heaters don’t start fires as easily as those in the past, you still need to be smart. Give the space heater some air and make sure it is not too close to something that can start on fire. This is the best way to eliminate any risk. Also be sure your employees are turning the devices off each day or have an automatic shut off.

Where are the furnace vents and intake valves in your office and home?

You probably haven’t given it much thought. But keeping vents, intake valves and chimneys free of snow and ice in the winter is important to keep the heat on and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s a good idea to have a functioning carbon monoxide monitor in your home or office, especially this time of year.