Newswise — The Secret to a Healthy Holiday Potluck
Between holiday office parties, school functions and family gatherings, many of us have plenty of opportunities to share our favorite festive foods with others this time of year. While such parties are usually filled with indulgent dishes, that doesn’t have to be the case.
In fact, according to Annette Frain, registered dietitian at the Weight Management Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, many partygoers appreciate a balance in food options. Whether you make a healthier version of a heavy dish, or go light from the start, Frain says that your coworkers, friends and family members will enjoy the variety and may thank you later.
Frain is available to offer delicious, nutritious food ideas for holiday potlucks.
Holiday Fire Prevention
While decking your halls with boughs of holly, remember to keep fire safety in mind. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home candle and decoration fires peak in December with nearly half of all holiday season fires occurring because decorations were placed too close to a heat source.
The NFPA also says that December is the leading month for home candle fires with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day being the top three days of the year for such fires to occur.
Shawn Griffin, R.N., trauma/burn outreach coordinator at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, says fire safety should also be top of mind when heating your home this winter. December, January and February are the leading months for home heating fires, says Griffin, with heating equipment being the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths.
Griffin is available to discuss all aspects of fire safety and burn prevention as they relate to the upcoming holiday and winter seasons.
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