Central Ozarks Medical Center: August 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

3 Healthy Fall Treats

Fall will be here before you know it! The fall craze has hit the Lake of the Ozarks early, there are pumpkin spice products in the grocery stores to prove it. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to present you with a few healthy fall treat recipes we found online. In this spirit of being healthy this fall, stick to your annual routine of getting a checkup and call the Central Ozarks Medical Center clinic nearest to you. The locations and phone numbers are listed at the end of this blog.

3 Healthy Fall Treats

Source: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55596/healthy-apple-chips-recipe/

Apple Chips

INGREDIENTS
2 apples, thinly sliced
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 200°F.
Place apple slices into a bowl and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Toss to combine.
Place a cooling rack onto a baking sheet. Lay apple slices onto the baking sheet so that no apples overlap. Cook for 2-3 hours, flipping apples halfway through.
Bake until dried out but still pliable. Serve.

Source: https://www.blessthismessplease.com/honey-roasted-pumpkin-seeds-cinnamon/

Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Cinnamon

Ingredients
2 cups raw fresh pumpkin seeds, washed and pumpkin goop picked off
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If your pumpkin seeds are wet from washing, dry them a bit on a clean dish towel or on paper towels. Place the pumpkin seeds in a medium bowl.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, oil or coconut oil, and honey. Microwave until the butter melts and the honey is runny. Pour the honey mixture over the pumpkin seeds and stir. Add the cinnamon and stir again.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over both ends. Dump the pumpkin seeds into the middle of the paper and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the seeds and honey are a deep golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes.

When the seeds are roasted, remove from the oven and stir again. Stir a few times as they cool to keep them from sticking in one big lump. Enjoy the seeds once they are cool enough to eat. Store uncovered for up to one week.

Source: https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2017/08/22/healthy-pumpkin-spice-latte-ice-cream/

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream

Ingredients
1 cup (2440g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie mix!)
1 cup (240mL) 2% milk
1 ½ tsp instant coffee granules
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp vanilla stevia
½ tsp xanthan gum
generous ¾ tsp homemade pumpkin pie spice (see Notes)
¼ tsp salt

Instructions
The night before you plan on making your ice cream, place the bowl of an electric ice cream maker in the freezer. Freeze for at least 12-16 hours.

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute or until frothy and the instant coffee has fully dissolved.

Working quickly, remove the ice cream maker bowl from the freezer. Place it on the ice cream maker base, attach the paddle and the lid, and turn it on. With the ice cream maker turning, pour in the milk mixture. Let the ice cream maker churn for 15-20 minutes or until the ice cream is frozen and has reached your desired consistency. For the best texture and taste, serve your ice cream immediately.

Stay Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center

Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the healthcare status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller and Pulaski Counties. We work toward this goal one step at a time. One part of being healthier is eating healthier. Our belief is that it is not just what we do here at our Mid Missouri health clinics, but how we do it that makes all the difference. For information on the different health services we provide, visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

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For Appointments Call
573.765.5141 -- Richland
573.302.7490 -- Osage Beach
573.346.4446 -- Camdenton
573.317.9200 -- Stone Castle
573.765.2510 -- Dental

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Benefits of Packing Your Child's Lunch

Summer vacation is over and school is back in session. From getting the essential school supplies, new clothes, and tennis shoes it's time to get organized for a great school year. Every time the new school year comes back around, you probably ponder whether you should pack your child's lunch or pay for school lunches this year. In some cases, your child may be asking you if he or she can start bringing their lunch from home. Even if it takes you extra time in the morning or evening, there are several benefits to packing their lunch this year. Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to provide you with the benefits of packing your child's lunch this year, along with a few ideas to keep it healthy and convenient.

You Control Their Nutrition

One of the major benefits of packing your child's lunch is that you control what your child is eating. When you pack their lunch you ensure that they are getting the proper nutrients that are crucial for physical and mental development. A nutritious lunch is key for learning and focusing in the classroom. If you have a picky eater on your hand and they don't like the school lunch that is provided, you risk them getting enough to eat which can be a learning distraction in the afternoons.

Start Healthy Habits Early

In addition to packing a healthy nutritious lunch, providing your child with a packed lunch teaches them healthy habits early. Starting healthy habits early on can reduce the risks of childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. If you pack your child a healthy lunch, you are instilling healthy eating habits early that will hopefully result in a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

Cost Effective

Often packing a homemade lunch is more cost effective than buying school lunch. With planning, price checking, and buying in bulk packing their lunch is the cheaper options. Here are a few tips for keeping costs down.

Buy a variety of vegetables and divide them up in sandwich bags for the entire week.
Purchase seasonal fruit that is on sale.
Always look at the sale ad and purchase fruits and vegetables that are on sale. Not only will you save money, but it will also give your child variety every week.

Healthy Lunch Ideas

When it comes to packing a healthy lunch, choose a variety of colors and textures that appeal to kids. Finger foods work well for easy eating at lunchtime. Check out a few convenient and nutritious lunches we found online.

Source: https://familymaven.io/kidsactivities/recipes/15-back-to-school-lunch-ideas-RchOWFnvnUWeyP9azdqxmA/

Lunch #1

Apples with walnuts
Turkey rolls
Sliced cucumbers
Strawberries & Blueberries

Lunch #2

Hummus with carrots
Grilled Chicken strips
Red grapes

Lunch #3

Ham & Spinach Pinwheel (wrapped in a flour tortilla)
Carrots
Banana chips
Orange

Lunch #4

Pepperoni wrapped in Turkey
Apples with cinnamon
Pistachios (or their favorite type of nut)
Red Grapes

Lunch #5

Cheese & Crackers
Turkey rolls
Apple slices
Applesauce or Chocolate Pudding

Annual Checkups at Central Ozarks Medical Center

The start of the school year is a great time to take your child for an annual checkup. Have you established your primary health care provider at the Lake of the Ozarks? Central Ozarks Medical Centers has a team of doctors at the Lake of the Ozarks that are here to ensure the health and well being of your child. Annual checkups are a great way to promote and maintain the overall health and wellbeing of your child. Schedule your annual checkup with Central Ozarks Medical Center today!

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Friday, August 17, 2018

5 Back-to-School Health Tips

It's that time again. Your kids are going back to school. Whether this is your kid's first year of kindergarten or they are starting the fourth grade - you can implement some healthy tips for your children as they go back to school. If you are looking for a doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks to give your child his or her back to school shots, check out Central Ozarks Medical Center.

5 Back-to-School Health Tips

1. Make sure your child gets the RIGHT amount of sleep.

Your child is back in school and should be well rested for all of the activities and knowledge they are about to soak up.

2. Encourage your kids to wash their hands.

Germs are everywhere, even in school. There are fun ways to get your kids to wash their hand, such as having them sing the Alphabet song while they are washing your hands. That way you can help make sure they wash their hand for a long enough time.

3. Check your kid's backpack for comfort.

When your kids are back in school they may be carrying heavy textbooks in their backpacks every day. That can be very hard on their back if the weight isn't distributed right. Make sure that they wear their backpack with both straps over their shoulders.

4. Educate your kids on avoiding head lice.

Teach your kids about the dangers of head lice and how they can easily spread. Tell them to avoid:

Sharing helmets during sports activities
Borrowing someone else's hairbrush at school
Borrowing a friend's hat

5. Teach your children good hygiene.

Your kid is going back to school and will be around other children. You probably don't want them to feel embarrassed because they didn't practice good hygiene, so make sure they know how to do so. Here are a few tips:

Teach them to wash their hair at least once every two or three.
Teach them to bathe regularly.
Teach them to brush their teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
Depending on the age of your child, if they have begun puberty, you may have them start wearing deodorant.
Teach them to brush their hair every day.

Establish Your Family Doctor at Central Ozarks Medical Center

Our Family Practice Providers are often referred to as Primary Care Providers or Primary Healthcare Providers. Central Ozarks Medical Center Primary Care Providers see patients of all ages for a variety of illnesses, injuries, and ailments. If you are either looking for a new family doctor or you are a new family and are looking to establish your first family doctor, give one of our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. You will find their phone numbers below.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Friday, August 10, 2018

5 Things You May Not Know About Fall Allergies

Fall is coming quick and technically starts September 22nd. Who's excited for fall this year? With all the fun fall-themed events, beautiful, colorful trees, and Halloween - what's not to love? The answer here is fall allergies. Fall allergies are no fun and if you find yourself experiencing symptoms you should see a doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks. Call Central Ozarks Medical Center to make an appointment. Keep reading for a few things you may not know about fall allergies.

5 Things You May Not Know About Fall Allergies

1. Back to school allergens are a real thing.
Children can be exposed to chalk dust and classroom pets which also can be allergens that take place in the fall. Talk to your children and help them to know what triggers their allergies so they can avoid suffering from allergies this fall.

2. It's possible to have both spring and fall allergies.
There are people who unfortunately get both spring and fall allergies, however, the severity of the symptoms and how often you get them may change from season to season.

3. Cold symptoms shouldn't last more than 5-7 days.
Cold symptoms and allergy symptoms can be very similar. However, if your symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, irritated eyes, scratchy throat, or headaches, persist longer than 5-7 days then it is likely they have been caused by some sort of allergen versus being cold related.

4. Weed pollen counts are highest between 5 and 10 a.m.
So be sure to keep this in mind in the mornings as you go outside to head to work or take your children to school.

5. Raking leaves can stir pollen and mold into the air and trigger allergy symptoms.
You still shouldn't let your leaves pile up because it can cause landscaping issues, just have someone who isn't as fall allergy sensitive rake the leaves, keeping this in mind.

Fight Fall Allergies with Central Ozarks Medical Center

Our friendly staff knows those fall allergies are no fun for anyone and we don't want them to ruin your Halloween or fall fun. Central Ozarks Medical Center has been providing quality healthcare in Central Missouri since 1979. Our staff members are committed to leading the way to healthier communities and helping people beat their fall allergies is part of that. Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the healthcare status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller and Pulaski Counties. Our belief is that it is not just what we do here at Central Ozarks Medical Center, but how we do it that makes all the difference. To make an appointment at one of our health clinics in Central Missouri, call one of the phone number listed below.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Friday, August 3, 2018

August is National Wellness Month!

August is National Wellness Month! Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks would like to spread the word and in honor of this special month, give you a few tips for practicing good wellness. One of which is to have a good doctor you can trust, if you are looking for a new doctor, give Central Ozarks Medical Center a call. In the spirit of National Wellness month, keep reading for a few stress relief tips.

Stress Relief Foods

Spinach
Spinach is known to contain folate, which produces dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that can tell your brain to essentially, "be happy."

Oatmeal
Aside from oatmeal already being a comfort food, it contains complex carbs, which can be digested slowly and not cause your blood sugar to spike.

Dark Chocolate
According to Health, dark chocolate can lower your stress hormones and antioxidants contained within dark chocolate can cause the walls of your blood vessels to relax, which can lower your blood pressure.

Turkey Breast
Turkey contains an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, which is a chemical that can make you feel happier.

Avocado
Avoid stress eating, by eating this superfood. While you don't want to overeat it, avocados can cause make you feel more full. Check out this great recipe for avocado toast we found online:

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mashed-avocado-toasts-recipe-2009592

Mashed Avocado Toast

Ingredients

1 ripe avocado
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Sea salt
2 slices whole-grain bread, toasted
Red pepper flakes
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Directions

Cut the avocado in half, remove pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lemon juice and sea salt, to taste. Mash the ingredients together with a fork, keeping the texture slightly chunky.

Spread half the mash onto each piece of toast and garnish with some red pepper flakes and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

Stress Relief Techniques

Listen to music.
Put on some soothing music and calm your self. Just take a few minutes to sit down and listen to some of your favorite songs. Your stress level can lower, leaving you more relaxed and ready to be productive.

Focus on your breathing.
If you are feeling stress at work, take a quick break to breathe deeply for about 5 minutes. Really focus on the process of your breathing and nothing else.

Go for a walk.
Exercising can help your body to release endorphins, making you feel happier. If you are at work feeling stressed, take a quick walk around the building or down the block and back.

Reduce Stress with Central Ozarks Medical Center

Beyond having excellent, Board Certified Providers, several recent studies have found that patients who regularly use community health centers, like Central Ozarks Medical Center, have lower total annual healthcare costs when compared to patients who use other primary care providers, such as HMOs, hospital outpatient units or private physicians. High healthcare bills can be stressful all on their own. On an average, these studies show that the cost associated with using a community health center is 22% to 33% less expensive than using other healthcare models. In addition to the savings is the quality of care and concern our providers at the Lake of the Ozarks will offer to you during each visit. With highly trained support staff, Central Ozarks Medical Center Providers can focus on only you and your health. Call one of our clinics listed below for your next appointment.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare