E-Newsletter

Savings / Safety Tips for October 2018 from All Safety Products, Inc.

Stay healthy and sleep well working shifts

Shift work can be hard on a body. From the social and family isolation of second shift (about 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.) to the sleep deprivation inherent in third shift (about 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.)

According to the University of Wisconsin, sleep and nutrition are problems of shift work.  Analyzing data from shift workers, researchers found 23.6 percent of shift workers had insomnia, versus 16.3 percent of 9-to-5 workers.  More than 50 percent of shift workers reported inadequate sleep and 31.8 percent reported sleepiness.

The same study found that nutrition was an issue; nearly half of shift workers  are overweight, compared to 35 percent of 9-to-5 workers.   Still, sometimes shift work is unavoidable, especially in nursing, firefighting, policing, and factory work.  But shift workers can stay healthier by following some guidelines.

First, sleep must be a non-negotiable priority.  Establish a sleep schedule and stick to it.   According to Charmane Eastman, PhD, researcher at the Biological Rhythms Research Lab at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center, shift workers can reset their circadian sleep rhythm for better sleep.  Arrive home (about 7 a.m.)

Manage light:  The key idea is coming home to semi-darkness and moving to darkness. On bright summer mornings when you are driving home, use sunglasses, especially blue blockers. Use blackout curtains throughout the house and soft lighting as you arrive home.

Sleep: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.   Plan to be in bed an hour after you arrive home. One thing you don't want to do is expose yourself to light before bed. Darken your bedroom.  If a sliver of light is unavoidable, try a sleeping mask. Use a fan on low or a white noise generator to soften ambient sounds.

Wake: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.     Now you need at least 15 minutes of sunlight. Have breakfast. Shower.  Take on the day: 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.   Do errands, manage kids' schedules, exercise, do household chores.  Lunch: 9 p.m.     Avoid sugars and breads. Emphasize protein.

Work: 11 p.m.   If your work allows, use a light therapy box to simulate daylight.  Last cup of coffee: 3 a.m.  Dinner: 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.   On days off, try sleeping from 3 a.m. to noon. Eat meals earlier.
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A Nap before Work for Shift Workers

To increase alertness, shift workers could consider a short nap before work.  According to circadian.com, the nap should be no longer than 30 minutes.

Longer naps can result in grogginess. Even if you can't fall asleep in 30 minutes, just resting with your eyes closed can help.   One trick for napping: Drink a caffeinated beverage immediately before your nap.  This way you wake up more alert.

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Delicious Recipe: Cilantro pesto with roasted cashews

Tucked into Mexican salsas and guacamoles is the fresh, citrusy flavor of cilantro, a favorite all over the world. A favorite, that is, except for a group of people  who are literally genetically disinclined to like it.

Strangely, this herb tastes soapy or even rotten to certain people.  According to recent research at Cornell University, this is because the OR6A2 gene in the human body affects how the olfactory receptors handle the high levels of aldehydes contained in the herb. Folks with this gene have an aversion to cilantro.     

Cilantro comes from the coriander plant, all parts of which are edible. Only the leaves make up the herb called cilantro. The plant produces dried fruits, known as coriander seeds, that are used as a spice. A native of Iran, coriander grows wild in Western Asia and Southern Europe. It has been cultivated for thousands of years. A half liter of coriander was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, proving that the ancient Egyptians grew the herb.

The Greeks were known to have used coriander since 2000 BC, based on archeological finds. The oldest find of dried coriander was in a cave in Israel dating to 6000  BC.  

Here is a fresh take on a pesto recipe that substitutes cilantro for the basil that is traditionally used along with roasted cashews, compliments of ShowMeTheYummy.com

Cilantro pesto with roasted cashews

Ingredients:
2 cups of packed cilantro
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of unsalted, roasted cashews (4-8 minutes in a 300 degree oven)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/3-2/3 cup of olive oil (you may substitute oil of your choice)
Salt to taste

Instructions:
1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until smooth.
2. Scrape down the sides and pulse again.
3. With the processor running, add the oil slowly until desired consistency has been reached.
4. Add salt to taste, combine with pulse, and serve with crackers, chips, pasta,  etc.
5. Store covered in the refrigerator.

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About All Safety Products
We are all about trying to save you money when we are able to.  It is our shipping policy to only charge you the actual shipping costs.  Sometimes there is a shipping error on our website.  We do review all orders for accuracy and pleasantly surprise our customers when we notify them of an adjustment in their favor. We make money  on products, not shipping!

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All Safety Products, www.allsafetyproducts.com, P.O. Box 6353, Lakewood, CA 90714