GET YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGIES BEFORE THEY GET YOU!
Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something many people suffer from: allergies. While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas.
If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better. Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens.
HOW LONG CAN AN ARMADILLO HOLD ITS BREATH? Quite a while. Armadillos like to swim, and they’re very good at it. They have a strong dog paddle and can even go quite a distance underwater, walking along the bottom of streams and ponds. They can hold their breath for 4–6 minutes at a time. DO BANANAS GROW ON TREES? No, actually! They grow on a root structure that produces an above- ground stem. The plant is classified as an arborescent (tree-like) perennial herb. This makes the banana itself, technically, a berry. HOW MUCH IS 20 POUNDS OF DIMES VS. QUARTERS WORTH? A pound of dimes and a pound of quarters are essentially worth the same amount of money — $20 — a coincidence on two levels that isn’t so well-known. YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW!
ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES
INGREDIENTS •
1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
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1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn
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1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
Zest of 1 orange
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes.
5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
513-438-8152 • 3
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