This Issue:
National Hand Washing Awareness Week 2018 December 2-8
December 1, is World Aids Day
3 Reasons Why being a Nurse During The Holidays is Hard
December Holidays Around the World
Almost Classic Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf Recipe
December Fun Family Activities
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Man Writes FB Post About His Nurse Wife
This Is Amazing. Sauce:
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National Handwashing Awareness Week 2018 - December 2-8
Personal hygiene begins and ends with our hands. And though we're taught as youngsters to wash our hands before dinner, it's important to remember that germs don't care what time of day it is. Clean hands prevent sickness. So it's especially important to learn the basics about hand hygiene so that you, too, can become a champion hand washer! Let's examine some handy (see what we did there?) tips and info in honor of National Handwashing Awareness Week, which takes place each year during the first week of December.
National Handwashing Awareness Week - History
1. Do it right
Experts recommend washing your hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to get a good lather going and clean the back of the hands, between the fingers and under the nails. Dry them using a clean towel. There is a lot of science behind these recommendations, so be sure to follow them each time you wash your hands.
2. Memorize the five steps
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls hand washing "a do-it-yourself vaccine" and suggests remembering five easy steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry.
3. Learn the Four Principles of Hand Awareness
Endorsed by the American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians, the four principles are: 1) Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating; 2) Do not cough into hands; 3) Do not sneeze into hands; and 4) Don't put your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth.
5 Super Clean Facts About Hand Hygiene
1. Handwashing equals happiness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related illnesses and 1 in 5 infections, including the flu.
2. Beware the twin killers for kids
About 1.4 million children under age 5 die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia - the two most deadly afflictions for children worldwide.
3. The dirty secret of public restrooms
The CDC also reports that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women washed their hands after using a public restroom.
4. Handwash your way to health
Using antibiotics creates antibiotic resistance. Handwashing prevents many sicknesses, so people need less antibiotics. Therefore, less antibiotic resistance.
5. Sneezes are mini hurricanes
A typical human sneeze exits the body at about 200 miles per hour and emits around 40,000 droplets into the air.
Why We Love National Handwashing Awareness Week
A. Healthy hands are happy hands
And happy hands make for happy and healthy homes.
B. It helps prevent the spread of germs
Think of how many different things we touch during the course of an average day. Now imagine how many of those things were touched by other people's hands. Yuck! Wash your hands to prevent the spread of dangerous microbes.
C. Let's shake on it
Finally, we love National Handwashing Awareness Week because it reminds everybody else - especially doctors and those who prepare the food we eat - to take cleanliness and hygiene seriously.
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December 1, is World Aids Day
A Comprehensive Guide to HIV and AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that damages the immune system. The immune system helps the body fight off infections. Untreated HIV infects and kills CD4 cells, which are a type of immune cell called T cells. Over time, as HIV kills more CD4 cells, the body is more likely to get various types of infections and cancers.
HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids that include:
- blood
- semen
- vaginal and rectal fluids
- breast milk
The virus doesn't spread in air or water, or through casual contact.
HIV is a lifelong condition and currently there is no cure, although many scientists are working to find one. However, with medical care, including treatment called antiretroviral therapy, it's possible to manage HIV and live with the virus for many years.
Without treatment, a person with HIV is likely to develop a serious condition called AIDS. At that point, the immune system is too weak to fight off other diseases and infections. Untreated, life expectancy with AIDS is about
three years. With antiretroviral therapy, HIV can be well-controlled and life expectancy can be nearly the same as someone who has not contracted HIV.
It's estimated that
1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV. Of those people, 1 in 5 don't know they have the virus.
What is AIDS?
What is Aids?
AIDS is a disease that can develop in people with HIV. It's the most advanced stage of HIV. But just because a person has HIV doesn't mean they'll develop AIDS.
HIV kills CD4 cells. Healthy adults generally have a CD4 count of
500 to 1,500 per cubic millimeter. A person with HIV whose CD4 count falls below
200 per cubic millimeter will be diagnosed with AIDS.
A person can also be diagnosed with AIDS if they have HIV and develop an
opportunistic infection or cancer that's rare in people who don't have HIV. An opportunistic infection, such as pneumonia, is one that takes advantage of a unique situation, such as HIV.
Untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS within a decade. There's no cure for AIDS, and without treatment, life expectancy after diagnosis is about
three years. This may be shorter if the person develops a severe opportunistic illness. However, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can prevent AIDS from developing.
If AIDS does develop, it means that the immune system is severely compromised. It's weakened to the point where it can no longer fight off most diseases and infections. That makes the person vulnerable to a wide range of illnesses, including:
HIV and AIDS: What's the connection?
click the link below for additional info
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3 Reasons Why Being A Nurse During The Holidays Is Hard
But Worth it
By Keith Carlson, RN, BSN
Being a nurse during the holidays can be a mixed bag. Since nurses work in an enormous variety of clinical and non-clinicals settings, every situation will be different; one common denominator is that the holidays have an impact on us all.
Missing Our Families
No matter what holidays you may celebrate, being home with loved ones is generally preferred. Sadly, the healthcare system is a round-the-clock animal and nurses are needed on the front lines 365 days a year.
When you're working on Hannukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, you can feel bereft of the experience of being with your family members on a special day. While you may enjoy holiday cheer with patients or colleagues, nothing can replace being home. The reality of your loss is real, and weathering the feelings isn't always easy; thankfully, you have colleagues for mutual support.
Some nurses rearrange family celebrations in order to be home for the special moments; we've even heard of nurses who have postponed Thanksgiving dinner until Friday when they can't be home on Thursday. If your family is flexible, creative solutions can help ease the pain.
Patients and Holiday Separation
Healthcare providers aren't the only ones separated from family during holidays. Inpatient stays don't magically end on the day before a special celebration, and thousands of patients end up stuck in the hospital. Moreover, some patients may not have any family to speak of, thus they may see you as their substitute family. Giving a little extra and spreading holiday cheer to your patients is your sacred duty and privilege.
While you may be dealing with your own longings while working on Hannukah or Christmas, your patients are in a similar situation with the added insult of feeling unwell and being unable to go home at the end of the shift. Although you may miss your family, you can eventually walk out the door. Cultivating empathy for your patients' plight is an important act of compassion.
Mounting Stress
The holiday season can be joyous, but it can also be a time of additional stress and worry. Many of us may feel stretched beyond our budget at this time of year, and our patients may feel similarly; and when our patients are facing catastrophically high medical bills, their stress level may rise accordingly.
During this potentially tender time, watch closely for signs of depression and anxiety in yourself, your colleagues, and your patients. Those with a history of clinical depression or anxiety may have exacerbated symptoms, and those with no apparent history may manifest novel symptoms. Additionally, such celebratory times can cause old grief to arise regarding friends and loved ones who have died.
Stress during the holidays can be born of any aspect of our experience, and some of us have stronger coping skills than others.
Compassion is Key
In the end, cultivating compassion regarding our own feelings and the feelings of others is key during the holidays. We need to remember that one person's holiday may be another's nightmare, and we cannot easily know how this time of year may manifest emotionally for any individual.
Kindness, self-compassion, a little extra patience, and a giving heart go a long way when the holidays come around. Remain aware of what others may be experiencing, ask kind questions, and listen with an open heart and mind; that is the true holiday spirit in action.
Keith Carlson, RN, BSN is a Board-Certified Nurse Coach (NC-BC), award-winning blogger, nurse podcaster, speaker, and author. Based in Sante Fe, New Mexico, Nurse Keith's work has appeared in a variety of online and print publications.
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December Holidays around the World
Few months present as many multicultural celebrations as December. From Christmas to Omisoka, the last month of the year is a "world of holidays." Let's take a look at some of December's holidays around the world.
Christmas
One of the most widely known December holidays, Christmas traditions vary around the world. While Americans celebrate with Christmas trees, visits from Santa Claus, and dreams of snowy landscapes, Christmas falls during
Australia's summer, where it is popular to go camping or to the beach over the holiday. Some Australians decorate a "Christmas Bush," a native Australian tree with small green leaves and flowers that turn red during the summer.
In
England, Christmas traditions are similar to those in the
United States, but instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus, children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas.
In
Iceland, capital city Reykjavik turns into a winter wonderland with its Christmas market and for the children, there is not one but thirteen Santas, known as Yule Lads. One arrives each night in the thirteen days before Christmas, leaving small gifts in shoes left in window sills. Read more about how Christmas is celebrated around the world
here.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in
Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to burn for eight nights.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Celebrations revolve around lighting the menorah. On each of the holiday's eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown. The ninth candle, called the shamash ("helper"), is used to light the others. Typically, blessings are recited and traditional Hanukkah foods such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are fried in oil. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with dreidels and exchanging gifts. Learn more about Hanukkah
here.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 after the Watts riots in Los Angeles. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African "first fruit" (harvest) celebrations. From there, he combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations to form the basis of Kwanzaa.
The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, families gather and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara, then one of the seven principles, values of African culture, is discussed. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. Learn more about the principles of Kwanzaa
here.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day takes place on December 26. Only celebrated in a few countries, the holiday originated in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages. It was the day when the alms box, collection boxes for the poor often kept in churches, were opened and their content distributed, a tradition that still happens in some areas. It was also the day servants were traditionally given the day off to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Boxing Day has now become a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries. In England, soccer matches and horse races often take place on Boxing Day.
The Irish refer to the holiday as St. Stephen's Day, and they have their own tradition called hunting the wren, in which boys fasten a fake wren to a pole and parade it through town.
The Bahamas celebrate Boxing Day with a street parade and festival called Junkanoo. Learn more about the origins of Boxing Day
here.
Ōmisoka
Ōmisoka, New Year's Eve, is considered the second-most important day in
Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year's Day, the most important day of the year. Families gather on Ōmisoka for one last time in the old year to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon, a tradition based on eating the long noodles to cross over from one year to the next.
At midnight, many visit shrines or temples for Hatsumōde. Shinto shrines prepare amazake to pass out to crowds and most Buddhist temples have large cast bells that are struck once for each of the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering. Learn more about Ōmisoka
here.
What other holidays do you celebrate in December?
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(Almost) Classic Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf
This hearty vegan meatloaf is made from a base of seasoned chickpeas, baked up to perfection and topped with a flavorful maple glaze. It's not quite a classic meatloaf. It's better.
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Prep :10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 254 kcal
Author Alissa
Ingredients For the Chickpea Meatloaf
- 2-14 oz. cans or 3 1/3 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup unflavored soy or almond milk
- 3 tbsp. vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. ground flax seeds
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. liquid smoke
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
For the Maple Glaze
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tbsp. maple syrup
- 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp. paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly oil a 9 inch loaf pan and arrange a strip of parchment paper width-wise along the center, with just a bit hanging over the sides.
- Working in batches if needed, place all meatloaf ingredients into food processor bowl and pulse until chickpeas are broken up and ingredients are well mixed, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Do not overblend. If working in batches, transfer each batch to a large mixing bowl when complete and then mix by hand.
- Press mixture into prepared loaf pan and bake 30 minutes.
- While meatloaf bakes, stir glaze ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Remove loaf from oven after 30 minutes and spoon glaze overtop of loaf. Bake another 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 10 minutes before cutting.
Recipe Notes:
The longer this sits, the firmer it gets. If it initially feels a bit soft for your liking, let it sit a for a few minutes or prep it a day in advance and reheat the day of serving.
https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/almost-classic-chickpea-vegan-meatloaf/
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December Fun Family Activities
November 10 through December 24, 2018
Santa Photos at Cherry Hill Mall
Santa Hours:
· Monday - Saturday: 10am to 9pm
· Sunday: 11am to 6pm*
· Christmas Eve: 10am to 5pm**
Santa Break Times
Monday - Saturday: 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 6pm
Sunday: 2pm to 2:30pm
https://cherryhillmall.com/calendar/view/3441
December 1, 2018
Garden State Discovery Museum
ChildrenSong
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
ChildrenSong are back to help us kick off the holidays with beautiful sounds of the season!
Performance begins at 1pm.
December 2, 2018
Cherry Hill Mall
SANTA CARES- sensory-friendly photo sessions with Santa
8:00am to 9:30am
Grand Court
Sponsored by Centria Autism Services
The Santa Cares experience creates holiday magic for children and presents sensory-friendly photo sessions with Santa exclusively for families of children with special needs. Santa Cares welcomes children of all abilities and spectrums of special needs to a photo environment supportive of their sensory, physical and developmental needs. The sensory-friendly event will take place prior to public hours in a comforting and physically accommodating setting designed to lessen behavioral triggers associated with this bustling time of year.
December 2, 2018
Garden State Discovery Museum
Hooray for Hanukkah
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Listen to Hanukkah stories and enjoy hands-on Hanukkah crafts. Top the afternoon off with an interactive performance with Cantor Scott Borsky.
Drop-in Crafts: 1pm - 3pm
Concert : 3pm
December 8, 2018
Garden State Discovery Museum
Breakfast with Santa
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Enjoy your first meal of the day with the big guy in red! It's all the fixins' for a pancake breakfast with songs and stories and of course a visit with Santa. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Breakfast with Santa is sponsored by Whole Foods of Marlton and Cherry Hill.
Seatings: 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:00PM & 1:00PM
Tickets on sale now!
December 16, 2018
Maggiano's Cherry Hill
Breakfast with Santa
8:00am-10:00am
Delicious Breakfast Buffet will Include:
Assorted Freshly Baked Muffins, Fresh Fruit, Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Pancakes, Bacon, Italian Sausage & Potatoes with Peppers and Onions
Hot Chocolate, Fresh Coffee, Milk & Juices
Children will Enjoy:
A Personal Meeting with Santa
(Parents Please Remember Your Cameras!)
$25 for Adults & $20 for children 3-12
(Children Ages 2 and under are Free, but still need to register!)
December 26, 2018
Garden State Discovery Museum
Kwanzaa Celebration with Queen Nur
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Experience the symbols and principles of this important African American tradition as Queen Nur lights up the stage with interactive storytelling and song in a joyous celebration!
December 31, 2018
Garden State Discovery Museum
New Year's at Noon (and 3pm)
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Be the first to ring in the New Year...kid style! The entire Museum will be singing and dancing and counting down to 2019 with our biggest celebration(s) yet.
Countdown celebrations begin at 11:45am to countdown to 12:00pm and 2:45pm to countdown to 3pm.
November 05, 2018 - December 31, 2017
Sensory Hours at Sky Zone in Springfield
skyzone.com/springfield-nj
04:00pm - 06:00pm
25 Route 22, Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 671-5100
PROMOTING AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SENSORY NEEDS
EACH OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED TO ENSURE THE COMFORT AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL OUR GUESTS. Once a month participating Sky Zone locations open exclusively for our jumpers with special needs. We welcome adults and children with any and all special needs to join us. We will dial down the noise, increase the staff ratio and limit the capacity for all the enjoyment of our special guests. One companion may participate for free with each paying jumper. This location is the first Monday of each month!
Jellybean Jungle
Crispin Square Shopping Center
230 North Maple Ave
Marlton, NJ 08053
Open Play Hours:
Monday - Wednesday 9:30 - 5:00
Thursday 9:30 - 6:00
Friday 9:30 - 8:00
Saturday 9:30 - 2:30
Sunday - Closed for Private Parties
Jellybean Jungle is a play and learn adventure that is exclusively for children 5 and under. Our facility is a bright and stimulating environment created just for your little ones.
Jellybean Jungle was designed by a New Jersey Early Childhood certified teacher. Safe, age appropriate equipment has been selected for your children's enjoyment. We offer a large variety of imaginative and developmentally appropriate activities that will lead your child on an adventure of social exploration! As your child plays, you will gain insight into their development, as well as enjoy a great time of bonding.
Open All Year
3111 Route 38, Ste. 14 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
856-242-9354 info@werockthespectrummountlaurel.com Call or email in advance to make sure facility is not booked for a party. Open 7 days a week We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym is the first of its kind in New Jersey, offering fitness and play space for children of all abilities, including those with sensory issues. Our Gym Includes: Suspended equipment with swings - for balance and vestibular treatment Crash mats and crash pillows - for fun, motor planning, and strength Zip line - for stress release and joint and body relaxation Trampoline - for building leg and core strength Indoor play structure - for climbing and increasing playground skills Sensory-based toys - for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area - for improved hand-eye coordination
Mon. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CALL: (856) 365-3300
1 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103 PH: 844-474-FISH (3474)
Adventure Aquarium is just minutes from downtown Philadelphia on the Camden Waterfront and features one-of-a-kind exhibits with more than 8,500 aquatic species throughout two million gallons of water. The Aquarium is home to the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, including the only great hammerhead shark on exhibit in the United States, the only
aquarium in the world to exhibit hippos, one of only six facilities in the US to have Little Blue penguins as permanent residents and exhibits the longest Shark Bridge in the world, a unique V-shaped rope suspension bridge just inches over Shark Realm. Adventure Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is held to the absolute highest standards in animal care and exhibition.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theater listings for specific show times, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
62 Battleship Pl, Camden, NJ 08103-3302
Located on the Camden Waterfront, NJ, across the Delaware River from Center City Philadelphia the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial offers guided and self-guided tours. Climb inside the 16" gun turrets, learn explore the captain's cabins and crew's quarters and discover what life was like for a Battleship sailor. Group packages and educational programs are available for school. You can rent space aboard the Battleship for meetings and social events. Families and youth groups can spend the night aboard the Battleship as part of the overnight program.
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