E-Newsletter

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

When Snowmaggedon hits...

When snowmaggedon hits, just don't make it worse by shoveling.

The 4,000 souls who live in Hancock, Michigan probably know to get their snowblowers out before winter drops the usual 200 inches on them.   But those in less flaky climes, when a storm drops six inches of snow, are probably going to get out a snow shovel one morning.

Think first.  Just don't shovel snow if you are 45 or over.

According to Popular Science, shoveling snow isn't mere exercise. It is uniquely challenging to the heart, causing blood pressure to rise and oxygen to drop. In addition, it is done in the cold, which means an increased chance of heart blood vessel constriction.

Don't imagine you are protected because you are a jogger or runner.  The demands put on the heart while shoveling snow are much higher than with those activities. Still, it is better to be in shape than out of shape when you shovel snow.

If you absolutely must shovel snow, then follow these guidelines:

1. Warm up with some light stretching and movement.
2. Don't smoke!  You are going to need all the oxygen your body can get.
3. Eat lightly before shoveling. Large meals put a strain on your heart.
4. Dress in layers.
5. Plan to stop shoveling frequently. Go in and get warm.
6. Push the snow, don't lift it.
7. If you must lift snow, at least use a small shovel. Those wide shovels are best for pushing. Use a small, steel shovel. Don't constantly try to throw snow. Instead, turn small amounts over in a pile.
8. Don't drink alcohol before or after shoveling.
9. Consider buying a snow blower instead.

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Feeling Chilly: How the Body Weathers Winter

Suddenly in February, the day turns sunny.  It's 50 degrees and it feels marvelous. Turn down the heat! Go for a walk!  So why does 50 degrees feel so chilly in October?
    
Physiologists say the body adjusts to increasing cold over time.  In October, our bodies just haven't adjusted to the temperature drop, according to the Wall Street Journal.  The human body has two main ways to cope with chills when the temperature drops.

The first is to constrict blood vessels. This pushes warm blood to the body's core. That's when your arms and legs could start to feel colder.

The second way is to shiver. That's when you turn up the heat 10 degrees. Humans, it turns out, have continuously invented ways to cope with cold by changing their environment -- turning up heat sources, staying near those heat sources, and adding layers of clothing. Interestingly, humans who constantly experience cold temperatures, like native people in the Arctic, just don't feel as cold as others.

Fish industry workers, whose hands are in cold water for hours, have been found to have warmer hands than other people. The physiological explanation is that blood vessels don't constrict so much after long-term exposure. So those people really  are warmer.  But if you aren't an Eskimo and you do need thick, fuzzy socks all  the time, there could be a medical explanation.

The first medical explanation is probably obvious: Aging makes people colder. Circulation decreases, the blood vessel walls lose elasticity and the fat layer thins. Well,  sometimes.   Also the body's metabolic responses to cold can be slower.

According to the Journals of Gerontology reported in 2011 that older people on average had a body temperature .3 degrees lower than younger people.  All of which leads  us to what we already know: We have got to buy that sherpa blanket.

When feeling cold is a symptom

Feeling cold is normal during the winter or as we age, but sometimes it can be a  symptom of other problems of even a side effect of medicine.

Medical causes of coldness:   - Hypertension. - Diabetes. - Thyroid conditions. - High cholesterol.

Pharmaceutical causes: - Beta blockers that decrease heart rate (and circulation to hands and feet).
- Calcium channel blockers, used to treat hypertension.

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Delicious Recipe: Cranberry Orange Baked French Toast Casserole

Cranberries and oranges have long been a part of many family Christmas traditions and they are still a fun way to inject a little history into the celebration.

According to The Kitchen, for instance, oranges have been used as special treats for centuries. Great-grandparents today might be able to tell stories of the Great Depression and the incredible gift of sweet oranges on Christmas Day.

According to Colonial Williamsburg, meanwhile, cranberries were often used during the holidays because their bright red color was the perfect addition to decorations. It was common to see them strung alongside popcorn on Christmas trees. Slow to spoil, cranberries keep well throughout the winter season and will likely be available for many holiday treats.

Here is a recipe, courtesy of the Taste and Tell blog, that incorporates both oranges and cranberries into a delicious breakfast casserole that is perfect to make ahead. Pop it in the oven on Christmas morning to avoid the hassle of extra prep on a day already full of festivities and activity.

Cranberry Orange Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
divided 1 (1 lb) loaf white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups milk
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon orange extract powdered sugar

Serving and Cooking Directions:

1. Pour the melted butter evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cranberries over the top of the brown sugar. Add the cubed bread to the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cranberries over the top.

2. In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and orange extract (if using), and beat lightly to combine. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread in the baking dish. Press the bread down into the liquid mixture if needed to make sure all of the bread is soaked. Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight, at least 8 hours.

3. Bring the dish out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the casserole, still covered, for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is browned and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, another 15-20 minutes.

4. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve topped with powdered sugar.

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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