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QC07032014

for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com JUly 3, 2014 • HEALTH • The queens CourieR 11 ▶ health s Facts about your favorite hot weather footwear It’s easy to understand why we all love flip-flops: They’re cute and comfy, keep your feet cool in warm weather, and are great for showing off that fab pedicure you just got. But no matter how much you adore your flip-flops, they shouldn’t be all-occasion footwear. Sometimes, they can lead to sore feet or even severe injury. “Flip-flops are hugely popular, but it’s important to remember they’re not appropriate for everyday wear or for all occasions,” says Dr. Matthew Garoufalis, a podiatrist and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. “Every spring and summer, podiatric offices see an influx of patients with injuries and ailments directly related SUMMER VACATION SHOULDN’T SIGNAL A BREAK FROM GOOD NUTRITION While students are enjoying summer break, parents should make certain their children are not taking a vacation from the structured meal schedule and guaranteed physical activity that many benefit from during the school year. Nutrition and education experts warn that for too many kids, summer is a time when bad eating habits can prevail. Child nutrition expert and mother Jodie Shield, RD, says, “It can be a struggle to ensure kids are not only having fun, but also getting the nutrients they need, during the summer months, but there are things you can do to make learning about and eating vegetables fun.” To help parents meet their children’s recommended two to five cups of fruits and vegetables each day, Shield offers these inventive activities and delicious recipe ideas – all guaranteed to help kids love their veggies. Hit the Farmers’ Market for a Scavenger Hunt: Visit your local farmers’ market with the whole family.   Divide a list of vegetables that includes family favorites and new additions, and let everyone search for their veggies. Once everyone has returned, use the fresh produce to prepare dinner together. Cool (Pizza) Down When It Heats Up:  On a hot summer day, let your kids “veg out” with a no-bake pizza. Start with a pre-baked pizza crust and spread on a mixture of equal parts low-fat cream cheese and ranch dressing.  Encourage your kids to add their favorite veggies on top – try broccoli florets, bell peppers, portabella mushrooms and diced green onion. Erect Veggie Totem Poles: Your kids will have a blast turning vegetable kebobs into totem poles. Help them thread fresh vegetables – such as baby carrots, zucchini chunks, diced cucumber and cherry tomatoes – through a wooden skewer. Using their imagination and a little ranch dressing as “glue,” let them make faces with small pieces of veggies. Use the leftover dressing as a dip. VEGETABLE GARDEN “DIRT” CUPS WITH RANCH DIP Prep Time: 10 minutes Serves 8 – 10 You’ll Need: 2-4 cups pumpernickel pretzel or dark corn chip crumbs 2 cups Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing Variety of vegetables for dipping: mini carrots with tops, pea pods, mini sunburst squash, celery sticks, green beans or whatever your child likes to dip Crush the pumpernickel pretzels or dark corn chips until mixture resembles dirt. Pour a layer of dirt crumbs into the bottom of a clear container (or for single servings pour into paper cups). Pour dressing over crumbs then add a thicker layer of dirt crumbs on top. Place vegetables into dirt cup or serve them on the side to dip. Visit LoveYourVeggies.com for more fun recipes, tips and activities to help your kids eat right and beat the heat this summer. Courtesy of Family Features to wearing flip-flops at the wrong time or wearing the wrong flip-flops altogether. The secret to safely enjoying flip-flops through summer is two-fold, Garoufalis says. First, find the right style, and second, know when to wear flip-flops and when to wear something else. How to choose flip-flops Some styles of flip-flops may cause blistering and pain, and increase your risk of injury in certain situations. It is possible to find a better flip-flop. The APMA offers some tips: • Choose a flip-flop with soles that bend at the ball of the foot. If you can bend the sole completely in half or wring it like a wet rag, the sole will not provide proper support. • The thong part of the flip-flop should fit comfortably, neither too loose nor too snug. Straps that are too tight could rub and cause blisters. Too loose straps may result in you losing the shoe at a critical moment - resulting in injury. Consider a flip-flop with extra padding on the part of the strap that fits between your toes. • Your foot should fit perfectly on the sole. Your heel should not hang off the back, nor your toes off the front. • Dispose of worn flip-flips, no matter how much you loved them last year. Old shoes lose their ability to support and protect your feet, and it’s easy to find a new pair to replace old ones. When to wear flip-flops A shoe style that was once relegated to beach or poolside is now considered acceptable in a variety of settings. It’s not uncommon to see people wearing flip-flops to the mall or grocery store, when they’re out for a stroll, or even in the office. Flip-flops have even made inroads into the bridal scene, with some comfort-minded brides wearing them for their weddings and receptions. Deciding whether wearing flip-flops is socially appropriate for the occasion is up to you, but there are some times when you should not wear them for safety reasons. • When doing yard work - such as mowing the lawn or working in the garden - it’s best to wear shoes that cover and protect your entire foot. Flipflops don’t offer sufficient support or protection. • For long walks, opt for a good walking shoe. Even the sturdiest styles of flip-flops don’t offer sufficient arch support and shock absorption for extended walking. • Playing sports calls for the right footwear. Choose a shoe that is designed for the sport you’re playing. Flip-flops don’t offer adequate support or protection for hard play and may come off your foot at a crucial moment. They might lose you the game at best, and leave you with a foot or ankle injury at worst. Courtesy BPT


QC07032014
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