EASY RECIPES THAT LEAVE THE ER OUT OF YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS

Another good email from BCBS of NC with a bit of humor.

DECORATING

Start with one regular home. Add yards of lights, boxes of decorations and several extra amps of AC power. Season with open candle flames, roaring fireplaces and flammable greenery.

To keep this soufflé from falling, add a healthy dash of caution:

• Don’t leave candles or the fireplace unattended.
• When you’re climbing a ladder, always follow instructions and rely on a spotter.
• Don’t carry anything too heavy. Grab a family member!

COOKING

For every dish destined for the table, place one extra cook in the kitchen – plus multiple hot burners, open oven doors and razor-sharp knives. Sprinkle liberally with time pressure.

To keep this concoction at the proper simmer, dial in these settings:

• Schedule cooking times for different dishes to have only one or two literal cooks in the kitchen at a time.
• Use caution with carving tools and knives – and keep them away from children.
• Be mindful of cleanliness and bacteria when handling cutting boards and dishes that have contained uncooked food.
• Be careful when you’re taking things out of the oven. Keep oven mitts and potholders where guests can easily see and use them.
• Be sure to remind kids that stoves can be hot. Never leave children alone in the kitchen and make sure pot handles are out of reach. 

FOOD SAFETY

To a mixture of personal allergies and preferences, gently fold in dishes from other people’s kitchens, uncertain heating times due to shared oven space and a lack of refrigerator space for safe food storage.

Throw a pinch of caution into the mix:

• Avoid serving leftovers that are too old or were left out for too long at room temperature.
• Make sure to cook all food thoroughly to meet the recommended temperature for each item.
• Ask your guests about food allergies and restrictions so your holiday table doesn’t hold hidden dangers. 

COCKTAIL HOUR

Does the spirit move you? Popping corks and clinking glasses can be a recipe for cheer – as long as people know their limits and respect the house rules.

To make sure a “wet” celebration doesn’t dampen the season, follow these careful steps:

• Have fun, but avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
• Respect the decisions of people who prefer not to drink.
• Store alcoholic beverages out of reach of those who are not old enough to drink.
• And never ever drink and drive.

FAMILY FEUDS

There’s one ingredient in family harmony that can run short around the holidays: elbow room.

Follow these kitchen-tested tips to make sure things don’t get too close for comfort and joy:

• Remember why you’ve gathered – and leave hot-button issues and personal grudges at the door.
• Do at least as much listening as talking!
• Give yourself some alone time. If you’re hosting, make sure guests have quiet places where they can retreat for a breather.
• If the temperature in the room (or between your ears) starts rising, recognize the signs. Find an activity that calms you down – or change the subject.

DISRUPTED HEALTH ROUTINES OR DELAYED CARE

The holidays take us out of almost every routine: work, diet, even exercise. But your body doesn’t take a vacation from needing care.

Set yourself a mental egg timer to make sure nothing important falls by the wayside:

• Set calendar or phone reminders to help you maintain any prescribed treatment regimens.
• If you’re traveling, make sure to pack any medications you take regularly or may need in an emergency.
• Remember that heart attacks, depression and other conditions often peak this time of year. Watch for signs you may need help.
• If you feel something is wrong, get checked out!

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET HURT.

These recipes can help turn stressful holidays into happy ones. But recipes don’t always turn out the way we hope. If you do get injured or hurt over the holidays, here’s what to do:

• Know where the nearest emergency room is located – but don’t treat the Emergency Room as the first option for care.
• Urgent care centers and retail clinics can often provide the care you need with less wait and expense. Make sure to locate ones near your holiday location in case an accident or injury occurs. 
• BCBSNC’s 24/7 nurse hotline, Health Line Blue (1-877-477-2424), can be an especially valuable resource on holidays when other care locations may be closed. The hotline is here to answer questions if you want to discuss your options for care.
• Before you seek medical care, visit our Know Where to Go page to determine whether you need to go to an urgent care or the ER, and to find the location closest to you. Our Find a Doctor tool is also useful when locating in-network providers.

If your family decides to take an international trip and an emergency occurs, go to an ER. However, in all other cases, coordinate your care through BlueCard Worldwide.

http://blog.bcbsnc.com/2017/12/easy-recipes-leave-er-holiday-plans/?cmpid=EM_U13800E_2