Monday Club 21st October

One of our own Monday Club members, David Hirst, gave more information about the “Message in a Bottle” scheme and reminded everyone that they can get their bottle from BHC in Whithorn.

Members then listened to Paula Muir, a local Dental Health Practitioner, talk about all aspects of Dental Health.  This was followed by a lively question and answer session with Paula advising on the best type of tooth brush, care of gums, what to do about stale breath and how long to soak false teeth.  Some interesting facts were revealed, and everyone agreed that no matter what our age, good dental health is a must.

Dental health Info.

The next meeting on 4 November will feature inexpensive flower arranging and Christmas card making, as well as an informal evaluation of the Club.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Congrats to all the volunteers who were successful in passing their ReHIS Elementary Food Hygiene examination last week. This was 2 intensive days of study followed by an exam. By obtaining this qualification, this will enable all the volunteers to assist in food handling over the next few years.
WELL DONE!!

Message in a Bottle

This is a system operated through the Scottish Ambulance Service, where you keep vital health information and contact details in a plastic bottle, which you keep in the fridge.  If you need emergency treatment, this vital information will help treat you, and can travel to hospital with you. Bottles are available from Health Centres, GPs, Libraries and also BHC here in Whithorn.  We are delighted to note that this system, which operates across Dumfries and Galloway and other parts of Scotland, was the brainchild of a local person, and was funded by our local Lions Club.

http://www.scottishambulance.com/WhatWeDo/messagebottle.aspx

Chronic Pain Focus Group

At present, people who live in Scotland requiring specialist care for chronic pain need to travel to Bath.  However, there are discussions underway for developing specialist chronic pain management services in Scotland. 

If you or someone you care for is affected by chronic pain, you have an opportunity to take part in one of these discussions on Wednesday 23 October 11 am - 2 pm in  Dumfries.   Free transport is available, lunch included.  Please contact Karen at BHC for more information.

5000 VIEWS!!!

It was great to see that yesterday, Thursday 3rd October, we had our 5,000th view of the blog page.

So proud of our "Blogmeister" Luke for setting up and maintaining the information available to you all.

Keep viewing folks, more exciting stuff to come this year!!

Self Management Course

Do you believe in serendipity?  I had one of those wonderful moments this week!  I went along to a talk on self management at a fringe event at the brilliant Wigtown Book Festival on Monday, only to discover that it was being delivered by one of the key contributors to self management strategy and training in Scotland, and who now lives in the Machars.  Susan Douglas-Scott was  talking about her own experience of living with a long term condition, and  also encouraging people to attend the Arthritis Care 'Joint Approach' self management training.  Only that morning I had been making enquiries about organising this training for some of our members - co-incidence or what?  Susan's talk explored some the themes of the training, including activity and exercise,  finance, understanding your symptoms and pain management.  Please contact us if you would like more details about this type of event, which is for anyone living with a long term condition, not just arthritis.

Karen Barbour

Healthy Cooking – Young Carers Group

On Tuesday evening, 1^st October, BHC Machars were invited to offer a Healthy Cooking Activity to the young carers groups in Newton Stewart.

Both groups watched a demo on how to prepare and cook a quick Chicken Fried Rice dish at a fraction of the cost compared to take-away food. They were also advised on how not to waste food, but to use what was available in the house rather than to buy additional food. 

They then cooked themselves, and all showed great skills.

They described their efforts as “Brilliant and tasty!”

Try the recipe yourself!

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients

Chicken Breast Strips

50grm long grained rice (cooked & cooled)

Small pieces of onion, peppers, peas, sweetcorn,

garlic & ginger and any other vegetables

5 spice powder

Drop of soy sauce

Method

Cut vegetables into small pieces (about 1cm).

Cut garlic and ginger into very small pieces.

Heat oil and cook chicken for 2 minutes, add vegetables, cook for further 3 minutes adding the soy sauce and 5 spice powder near the end of this time.

Add cooked rice and cook until hot. Serve and eat!!

ENJOY!!!