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SAFE GARDENING T IPS Keeping You Happy, Healthy, and in Your Garden ‘Tis the season for gardening! While you’re getting ready to get out into your garden once again, it’s important to be aware of the small aches and pains that can come with it. There are a few ways you can avoid getting stiff and store while you’re out in your garden. WARMING UP Before you start your garden project, be sure to stretch or take a short walk to warm up. Getting your limbs and muscles moving before you do any activity will decrease the chances of injury, aches, and pains. MOVE AROUND Staying in one position for a long time can cause muscles to tense and ache. If you experience pain in your back from leaning over, take a break from what you’re doing and stretch. You can also switch to a different gardening task that doesn’t require the same position or use the same muscles. USING PROTECTIVE GEAR While kneeling can cause pain in your knees along with your back and legs, you can protect them by wearing knee pads or by kneeling on a gardening pad. To avoid kneeling too much, consider growing plants in elevated containers, such as boxes on a wall or fence. TAKING BREAKS It’s crucial that you allow your body to take a break from strenuous activity so that you can recuperate. Get up and stretch, have a snack, or spend a few minutes relaxing before you tackle your project again. Make sure to plan out your day so that you work in short bursts with plenty of time to step away for a few minutes every couple of hours. BODY MECHANICS Gardening often requires a lot of heavy moving or lifting. Be sure to use proper body mechanics if you’re picking something up or moving heavy materials or tools. Remember to lift with your knees instead of your back and to turn your body as a whole as opposed to twisting your knees or spine when you’re moving something. Even with all the precautions in the world, accidents, soreness, and pain are still bound to occur. If you’re experiencing any discomfort while you’re gardening, physical therapy can help. Physical therapists work to strengthen your body to lessen the pain you’re feeling, helping you get back on your feet and back into your garden in no time.
Recipe of the Month:
Inspired by OhSnapLetsEat.com
EASY BACON AND SPINACH STIR-FRY
This super easy stir-fry is the perfect weekday dinner. It manages to pack a ton of flavor using just a handful of ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
3 slices bacon
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 bunches spinach
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper Salt and black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a large skillet to medium. 2. While skillet is warming, cut bacon into squares.
3. Cook bacon until fat is rendered and bacon is almost to your desired doneness. If desired, you can remove bacon fat from skillet and replace with 1 tablespoon oil. However, keeping the fat is recommended for flavor. 4. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Add spinach and crushed red pepper and stir-fry for 10 minutes. 6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
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