Willow: Staying Active & Avoiding Injury

HOW TO PREVENT INJURIES

Stretch Stretching is one of the most important ways to prevent injuries. Your muscles and other tissues require oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow to be elastic. Stretching helps bring these things into the tissues making them more elastic and allowing them to stretch more. This prevents over-stretching and tearing. Hydrate and nutrition Your body is more than 70 percent water and therefore requires water to be supple and function at its best. Without adequate water and nutrition, your body’s tissues are more prone to injury. Hydrate and make sure you replenish the electrolytes you lost during activity with a sports drink like Gatorade. Stay within your abilities We have all heard of the term “weekend warrior” which means a person that has not prepared their body at all to go out and do extensive sports or activities on the weekend.Typically, this person is more prone to injury, just because they are not prepared. If you have a hard time running, then you wouldn’t go out and do a marathon. Make sure that you train properly and safely for the sport or activity you would like to try. Wear proper equipment Make sure you have the right equipment to prevent injuries when doing activities. Good running shoes, proper hiking boots, helmets and much more can make the difference when it comes to preventing injury.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment at 907-456-5990!

HEALTHY RECIPE Chicken Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp low sodium chicken broth • 1⁄4 cup onion, chopped • 1 small garlic clove, minced • 1⁄4 cup bell pepper, chopped • 2 chili peppers, minced (to taste) • 3 plum tomatoes, chopped

• 8 flour tortillas • 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded • 1 1⁄2 cups cooked chicken, shredded • scallion, cut on the bias (garnish) • salsa (garnish) • nonfat sour cream (garnish)

DIRECTIONS In a medium-heavy skillet, saute the onions, garlic and peppers until soft in the 2 tablespoons chicken broth. Add the chili peppers and tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes more until the liquid has evaporated. Add the chicken and stir well to combine. Spray a cold skillet with the nonstick spray and heat over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle with 1/8 cup cheese. Add about a quarter of the chicken mixture and top with another 1/8 cup cheese. Cover with another tortilla and cook for two to three minutes or until golden brown. Flip the quesadilla over and cook for an additional two minutes. Remove from the heat and cut into edges. Keep warm while frying the remaining quesadillas. Serve with salsa, scallions, and fat-free sour cream.

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog