Kinetic PT - November 2021

Kinetic PT - November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021

847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com

The Sad Tale of an Amateur Baker I’ll Never Make This Pie Mistake Again!

A few weeks ago, one of my friends clued me into the fact that the first Thursday in November is National Men Make Dinner Day, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I guess the idea is to get us lazy guys out from in front of the TV and into the kitchen, but I’m not sure Emilie would want that in our house! The truth is that I’m a bit of a whirlwind behind the stove. I might be the world’s messiest cook. Every time I make dinner — which happens less now than before we had kids but does still happen — I leave at least four bowls and seven spoons behind. Emilie is nice enough to help me clean up my disaster zone, but I think sometimes she wishes she had just made the food herself. Years and years ago, I actually did the majority of the cooking because I worked closer to home than Emilie did. It almost always went well other than the mess, with one notable exception: the time I tried to bake Emilie a birthday pie. I’d never made a pie before that moment. A burst of inspiration convinced me to put together a Tollhouse-type dessert filled with almonds and melted chocolate chips. But I made a rookie mistake. When I put the pie in to bake, I

didn’t add a baking sheet under it. The next thing I knew, the pie had overflowed and our smoke alarms were going off like crazy! I opened every window in the house to try and get the smoke out, and after a lot of flailing around, I finally got the alarms to shut off. Of course, that was the moment when Emilie walked in through the door and told me she had heard the alarms from a block away! Our oven was a mess of burned goo, but at least the pie tasted good. I learn from my mistakes, and I know that I’ll never make that same one again. But these days, I stick to cooking my best dishes: two- egg omelettes, all things grilled, and our deep-fried Thanksgiving turkey. Omelets are probably my favorite dish to cook on a weekend morning. I’ve mastered the art of making them to order in a pan. Emilie usually goes for a vegetarian omelette while the boys and I are quite happy to stuff ours with ham and cheese. Of course, this time of year, the turkey is top of mind. When I say I deep-fry it, I don’t mean I drop a frozen bird into a vat of frying oil and burn our deck down. We have the safest fryer you can imagine — it’s even made

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by Butterball! I always make our Thanksgiving bird in it because it doesn’t take long and the turkey comes out delicious every time. The only downside of the fryer is that it’s a pain to clean up. Fortunately, thanks to all of my “man making dinner” experiences, the one thing I know how to do really, really well is clean up a messy kitchen! Wishing you a delicious and tasty Thanksgiving (no matter who cooks it), –Mike Ulmer

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BUT ARE THEY HELPFUL? Fidget Toys Are Here to Stay

Fidget spinners may be so 2017, but fidget toys (or “fidgets”) are here to stay. While fidget toys are relatively new, the idea of fidgeting isn’t. Clicking your pen, tapping your foot, twirling your hair, and biting your nails are just some examples of fidgeting that you might already engage in. So, why do we fidget — and is it a good or bad thing? Scientists don’t completely understand why people fidget, but many theories point to its potential effects on concentration. Proponents of this idea suggest that people tend to fidget when they are trying to concentrate on something that is either too boring or too challenging. Fidgeting while bored may help you keep your attention up, while fidgeting when overly challenged may help you focus and relax.

One case study showed that students had a 10% increase in academic scores when using fidget toys as opposed to without. Even more impressive, students with ADHD showed a 27% increase in scores when allowed to fidget. Anecdotal evidence from both children and adults with ADHD supports the idea that fidgeting boosts attention and improves memory retention. One of the biggest complaints about fidgeting is that it can be distracting to others. It’s important to know the time and place for your preferred fidget and to find alternatives that won’t be disruptive. No one wants to hear repeated clicking noises (unless they’re the one doing the clicking), but fidget toys with joysticks, sliders, soft buttons, and other quiet options can be a big help.

Fidgeting can also be disruptive to the person fidgeting if you choose an overly complicated or visual toy. If you’re paying more attention to the fidget than whatever you’re trying to concentrate on, it’s time to put the toy away. This is why fidget spinners have been banned in so many schools and why most other fidget toys are very simple, quiet, and tactile-based. If you have a tendency to fidget in your daily life, a fidget toy might be right for you. There are many options available for purchase, and many people like to buy several to determine which works best for them. Who knows, one just might help you stay alert during that conference call!

Testimonials

“My experience with Kinetic has been awesome, especially with my therapist Amanda. She has taught me how to control my arthritis back pain with exercise techniques. I can now walk longer, I can stand up from sitting with no problem, and I can turn over in bed without pain. My balance is so much better. Everyone at Kinetic is so friendly, and they make you feel so welcome. Thank you!” –Diana Gonzales

“When I came here, I was stiff as a board. I have severe arthritis in my back. Emery helped me through therapy and exercises to loosen up, and, therefore, I became more limber and am able to cope with movements like standing and walking. Thanks Emery and Kinetic staff.” –Robert Kries

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3 EASY WAYS TO EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

1. DO MORE LOW-IMPACT PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. Exercising with arthritis is a delicate balance. You can aggravate the condition by not moving enough or by doing high-impact activities like running. To set your body up for success, try to get in about two and a half hours of low-impact activity per week, like walking, biking, or swimming. 2. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGIES. You may not need to lose weight, but for some people, sustainable weight loss can help them manage arthritis by reducing the pressure on their joints. To find out if this could help you, talk to your doctor. 3. TAKE A SELF-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP. The CDC recommends everyone with arthritis enroll in a Chronic Disease Self-Management

If your hands, wrists, elbows, knees, or ankles have been aching, there’s a good chance the winter cold is aggravating your arthritis. The bad news is that this degenerative condition is incredibly common and impacts more than 22% of American adults. Older women in particular often have to deal with the pain, stiffness, and swollen joints arthritis causes. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to treat arthritis, ranging from home remedies to one-on-one visits with a physical therapist. It’s smart to be skeptical of home remedies and miracle pills as a general rule, but there are a few at-home treatments for arthritis that even the Centers for Disease Control recommends. If you’re struggling with arthritis symptoms, the agency suggests three methods.

Sudoku Call us today at 847-515-8970 to book an appointment and find sustained relief. Our team here at Kinetic Physical Therapy Specialists can help treat the arthritis in your hands, shoulders, neck, hips, knees, ankles, and more. Program (CDSMP) to learn how to manage their symptoms. These classes often cost less than $50 and can be done in person or online. Visit CDC.gov/Arthritis/Interventions/ Self_Manage.htm to find a meeting near you. None of these steps is an arthritis cure, but trying one or more of them should help ease your pain and make going about your day easier. If you’re still struggling to do normal activities after trying these tricks, though, it’s time to turn to the experts!

BAKED CORNBREAD AND CHORIZO STUFFING

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

INGREDIENTS • 1 lb Mexican chorizo • 1 white onion, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 celery rib, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup chicken stock • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing • Cilantro, for garnish • Cotija cheese, for garnish

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com

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INSIDE The Sad Tale of an Amateur Baker PAGE 1

How to Make Fidgeting Work for You PAGE 2

Testimonials PAGE 2

Ease Your Arthritis Pain With These Methods PAGE 3

Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing PAGE 3

Why You Should Visit New England for Thanksgiving PAGE 4

Last year, travel restrictions kept many families from gathering together in their homes for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, it appears that people will be able to travel freely to most locations. While a “destination Thanksgiving” might not be something you’ve ever considered, for some families, it can mean the perfect blend of quality fun and family time in an exciting new city. So, why not take advantage and bring your family to visit New England, the part of the country where Thanksgiving began? If you need more reasons than just the origin of a famous holiday, consider the scenery. If you’ve never visited New England in the fall, it’s something that every person should do at least once in their lives. The variety of colors on display

As for what you could do when you’re in New England for your Thanksgiving weekend, there are a few popular destinations you just have to see for yourself. First and foremost among these are the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. When you visit, you’ll be transported back in time to one of the earliest settlements in the United States, where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared the first Thanksgiving dinner. Other fun destinations in that immediate area also include wandering the quaint historic downtowns of Ipswich, Sturbridge, or several other colonial era towns. You can also find tons of fun shopping destinations in Beverly, Massachusetts. If you want your experience to be a little more rural, you can travel out to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, or Woodstock, Vermont, to experience a true traditional Thanksgiving celebration at Billings Farm and Museum. Even though your family might not be used to traveling for Thanksgiving, how many opportunities will you have to visit Thanksgiving’s birthplace during the season? It’s the kind of vacation you don’t want to miss!

in the trees throughout the quaint downtowns and nearby forests

is completely unique to that part of the country. There’s

a reason that “visiting Boston in the fall” has

become not only a popular vacation but also part of the American lexicon as well.

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