All Posts in "Month: March 2019"

Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus that causes a distinctive rash and puts virtually everyone at risk, continues to appear in the news in Washington. Clark County, located in southern Washington, is experiencing a measles outbreak with 53 confirmed cases as of Feb. 14. One case has also been reported in King County.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Jan. 25.

Despite this outbreak, measles is still rare in the United States thanks to the large number of people who have been vaccinated against the virus and are protected.

Measles is spread through the air and causes fever, a runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. It’s a serious disease and can also cause problems such as diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia and permanent brain damage.

The measles virus can remain in the air for several hours, and is so contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that 90 percent of the people close to a person who has it will likely get sick, unless they are immune.

Although often described as a “childhood” disease, anyone can get sick from measles. According to the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC), all adults, including the 50-and-up age group, should talk to their healthcare professional about whether they might need a measles vaccination. CDC recommends that adults 19 years old to 65-plus get the vaccine unless they’re advised otherwise by a doctor.

Complications are more common in children under five and adults older than 20. Measles can be especially severe in people with weak immune systems.

In severe cases, measles can result in pneumonia, or cause other complications requiring hospitalization. Pregnant women who get measles are at a higher risk for premature labor, miscarriage and low-birth-weight babies.

Source MultiCare Health System

Contributing Author by — March 20, 2019 in Health & Fitness
A pick-and-eat-your own garden party

Make every meal a special event by bringing the garden to the table. Serve your favorite dishes made from homegrown ingredients. Then allow guests to add their own herbal seasonings right from the garden or container.

Start by growing the ingredients for your favorite recipes and beverages. Consider those, like tomatoes, that taste best fresh from the garden. Or create a salad bar by filling window boxes and raised beds with greens, hot peppers, and green onions. Just hand your guests a plate and let them create their own fresh salad.

Dress up the table or balcony with a few containers of herbs on your patio, deck or near the grill.  Use small herb containers as edible centerpieces. Just include a pair of garden scissors and allow your family and guests to season the meal to their taste.

Add a bit of color to your meal with edible flowers. Try nasturtium and daylily blossoms stuffed with cream cheese, calendula petals sprinkled on your salad, and mint leaves atop a slice of chocolate cake.

Include a few herbs and vegetables that can be blended, muddled or added to your favorite beverage. Use the hollow stems of lovage (a tall perennial plant) as a straw for your tomato juice or Bloody Mary.  You’ll enjoy the celery flavor this edible straw provides. Or pluck a few mint or rosemary leaves to flavor iced tea and lemonade. Just be sure the vegetables and flowers you select are free of pesticides. Remove the bitter tasting pollen from edible flowers.

Start your party preparation in the garden. Once you compile your list of favorites, prepare your garden and containers for a productive growing and entertaining season.

Harvest regularly to keep your plants looking good and producing. Cut the outer leaves of leaf lettuce when four to six inches tall and it will keep growing new leaves. Pick peppers and tomatoes when fully ripe, so the plant continues flowering and forming new fruit.

And dress up the table with a bouquet of your favorite garden flowers. Pick a few extras to send home with your guests and they’ll surely remember your special gathering filled with homegrown flavor and beauty.

Melinda Myers, who wrote this article, is a gardening expert who has written more than 20 books on the subject and also shared tips via DVDs, television and radio, and at www.melindamyers.com.

srmedia by — March 20, 2019 in Food, People
New home for thrift store, Celebrate Seniority

A ribbon-cutting ceremony helped volunteers and staff celebrate the grand opening of the new location for the MultiCare Grannies’ Attic Thrift Store and the MultiCare Celebrate Seniority Center in Puyallup.

They didn’t have to go far. The new spot is at 1004 E Main Ave., about half a mile from the previous location. The store and the center are now in adjoining suites, giving the center more space, officials said.

Grannie’s Attic is open weekdays and Saturday starting at 10 a.m. and also accepts donations. Its phone number is 253-697-7247. Celebrate Seniority is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be reached at 253-697-7385.

srmedia by — March 20, 2019 in News

State Rep. Kelly Chambers, whose professional background is in senior services, is in her first months as a newly elected Washington legislator.

Chambers and her husband, Jeff, own Visiting Angels, a business with locations in Washington and Oregon that provide in-home support for seniors and disableds

The lifelong resident of Pierce County was sworn in along with other new legislators as the 2019 session of the Legislature began officially Jan. 14. Chambers, a Republican who was elected last November in the 25th District (Puyallup, South Hill, Midland, Fife and Parkland), is serving on several committees in Olympia, including Health Care and Wellness.

“I am honored and humbled by the confidence my constituents have placed in me to bring their voice and priorities to Olympia,” said Chambers.

The 105-day legislative session for 2019 is scheduled to end April 28.

srmedia by — March 20, 2019 in News