Holiday safety tips to avoid common injuries and illness – Mission Health Blog

To avoid injuries around the holidays, be sure to exercise caution while you’re cooking, decorating and driving.

Most of us look forward to the holidays and savor the memories they bring. However, not all holiday memories are happy ones, as emergency rooms see a rise in certain types of injuries during the holidays. Fortunately, the following holiday safety tips can help keep your holiday memories merry and bright!

Think twice before drinking

If your holiday celebration includes alcohol, be aware that adding any amount of alcohol increases the risk of accident or injury, no matter what activity you’re engaged in. Alcohol plays a role in more than 7% of all accidents. Even small amounts can have effects on your ability to think through your actions and take proper precautions. This is especially true when it comes to climbing ladders, cooking or driving motor vehicles.

Don’t decorate alone

You may be

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Sweet Potato & Caramelised Onion Salad

Introducing… your new favourite salad! Caramelised onions really elevate this dish to a whole new level of flavour. You can include any of your favourite root vegetables alongside crispy roasted sweet potato. Our top tip – arrange your salad with the dressing on the side, and dress once sitting down to eat to ensure freshness. 

Serves: 4-6, as a side 

Ingredients:

  • 1 (700g) large sweet potato, sliced on the round 
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt 
  • 2 red onions, finely sliced
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar, or brown sugar
  • 2 cups baby spinach leaves
  • ¼ bunch parsley, leaves & stems finely chopped
  • ½ cup (70g) toasted almonds, roughly chopped
  • 150g goat’s cheese, or feta, omit for dairy-free 

For the dressing:

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
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Nourishing JSHealth Bolognese – JSHealth

This is my go-to winter warming dinner that literally only takes 10-15 mins… Meet my nutritious bolognese that leaves you feeling so satisfied. You can serve the sauce with “zoodles” for a pasta alternative (these are simply zucchini spiralised into strips like spaghetti!), or any pasta of your choice. Sometimes I even mix it up and go for half zoodles and half pasta!

The hubbies LOVE this one – as well as the kiddies, so it’s a great all-rounder. Make extra – it’s divine as leftovers!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 red onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
400g (14.1oz) beef mince
200g (7.05) pasta of choice
1 400g (14.1oz) tin tomatoes
½ cup (110g) tomato passata
sea salt & black pepper, to taste
4 zucchini
20g (0.7oz) parmesan, shaved, to serve
¼ bunch basil, leaves picked, to serve

Method:

Heat the olive oil

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Brown Rice Slaw with Peanut Dressing

Meet my new JSHealth rainbow slaw! This fresh, crispy and colourful, Asian-inspired take on the traditional coleslaw will be your new go-to.

It’s the perfect salad to serve in a big bowl and share with family or friends. The nourishing brown rice and edamame provide a source of complex carbohydrates and protein to keep you energised and satisfied, whilst crunchy red apples add sweetness and freshness.

Try it… I think you’ll be converted too.

Serves: 3 as a main, or 4 as a side

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice
2 spring onions, green & white section finely chopped
1 cucumber, diced
1 capsicum, diced
⅛ purple cabbage, shredded & chopped, 2 cups chopped
¾ cup frozen edamame, prepared as per packed instructions
½ red apple, finely diced
1/3 cup peanuts

For the dressing

¼ cup smooth peanut butter
1 tbsp tamari
2 tsp sesame oil
1 garlic clove, crushed

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One Pan Mexican Rice – JSHealth

One pan, minimal prep and a whole lot of flavour! This is a budget-friendly vegetarian meal that is sure to be loved by the whole household.

For the cheese fans out there, add some grated on top when the rice is hot for a dose of melted goodness. Plant-based? Omit the sour cream or replace it with a vegan alternative. Of course, feel free to load on the vegan cheese or nutritional yeast too.

Serves: 3

Ingredients

· 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
· ½ red onion, finely diced
· 2 garlic cloves, minced
· 2 capsicum, sliced
· 1 400g (14.1oz) tin black beans, rinsed
· 1 cup frozen corn kernels
· 1 tbsp sweet paprika
· 2 tsp ground cumin
· 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed
· 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
· 1 400g (14.1oz) tin tomatoes

To serve

· ½ cup sour cream, or plant-based

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