Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 11, 1 November 2021 — Keeping Healthy and Safe During the Holidays [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Help Learn more about this Article Text

Keeping Healthy and Safe During the Holidays

J MALAMA I KOU KINO V ^ CARE FOR YOUR BODY "

By Jodi Leslie Matsuo, DrPH

The Makahiki - considered by some to be a traditional Hawaiian Thanksgiving - started around mid-October and lasted for the next four months. It was a time of prayer and thanksgiving. According to Isabella Abbott, it included "...a two-month period when the land could rest, plants could grow without being harvested, and the oeean could replenish itself." The people also rested during Makahiki, using that time to rejuvenate themselves and their relationships. We celebrate Thanksgiving today for similar reasons. To reflect on the blessings in life and say prayers of blessings for eaeh other. But how many of us take the time to truly rest and use the time to strengthen our relationships? Taking regular time out to rest is important, not only during Thanksgiving. It helps reduce stress and improve concentration, productivity, and mood. It also helps lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, dementia, and provides better quality and length of life overall. Sleep is a form of rest, with experts recommending seven to eight hours per night. Allowing yourself to take a day off from mental or physical work ean also be rejuvenating. The most important rest we ean take during this time is a break away ffom social media and digi-

tal technology. While social networking is an important communication tool, it ean disrupt sleep, increase anxiety and depression, and promote unrealistic expectations of yourself and others, and selfharm. For some it ean also excessively preoccupy their mind and take time that could be better spent with family and friends, exercising, or just being more productive. With both Makahiki and Thanksgiving, a eelebration isn't complete without good food and good company. These COVID-19 times require us to be a bit more creative in celebrating Thanksgiving. A celebration isn't the same if we can't enjoy it with our 'ohana and the ones we love. Here are some ideas on ways to plan our holiday occasions while keeping healthy and safe: • Plan a backyard 1hanksgiving. This allows for more family members to join the celebration. • Designate a few people to serve the food and make sure they mask up and sanitize hands frequently • Keep dishes covered when not serving to minimize contamination • Consider making pre-plated meals that people ean easily grab and take back to their tables • Plaee hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes throughout the party • Use disposable plates, utensils, and cups Here is a recipe you ean enjoy this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving! ■ Born and raised in Kona, Hawai'i, Dr. Jodi Leslie Matsuo is aNative Hawaiian Registered Dietician and certijied diabetes educator, with training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. Poūow her on Paeehook (@DrJodiLeslieMatsuo), Instagram (@drlesliematsuo) and on Twitter (@DrLeslieMatsuo).

Kimehee Stuffing

• 12 ounces stuffing mix, unseasoned • 2 medium onions, diced • 4-6 celery ribs, diced • 2 tablespoons eaeh of sage and thyme, chopped • 2/3 eup fresh parsley, chopped • 4 cloves garlic • 1 eup kimehee, squeezed and chopped • 2 cans vegetable or ehieken broth • 14 eup orange juice • Black pepper and salt, to taste

Mix stuffing, onions, celery, and herbs in a large bowl. Add kimehi, broth, and orange to mixture and toss. Put mixture into baking dish and baked uncovered 350° for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 5 minutes or until browned.