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Five Simple Ways to be Good to Your Heart
Heart health can make a huge difference in your quality of life. It can determine whether you’re able to do the things you want to do and be as active as you would like, or not. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we want your quality of life to be the best it can be, and we also know that prevention goes a long way. So, we thought we would share with you a few positive habits you might consider that would be good for your heart. If you are interested in some practical, simple steps you can take to maintain or improve your heart health, we have ideas for you in this blog.
Move More
Exercise plays a huge role in your heart health. If you can make a habit to get even mild to moderate exercise several days a week, that is a great start! If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods, be sure to get up and move around every couple of hours. Just standing up and taking a walk around the office is better than sitting in the same position all day, every day. If you forget, set a reminder on your phone until it becomes a regular habit.
Consider Your Calories
Your heart works harder if you are carrying extra weight. One simple change you can make that will cut out a lot of daily calories is to avoid sugary drinks. Switching to water is even better. If you can be thoughtful and limit the amount of juice, sweetened coffee, soda, sweet tea, etc., you will be doing your heart a favor. The same goes for alcohol consumption as well.
Use Less Salt
Most Americans consume nearly twice the amount of salt that is recommended by the American Heart Association. Doing this over a long period of time can lead to everything from high blood pressure to weaker bones, to edema, and other problems. Eating less processed food, choosing fresh or frozen vegetables over canned vegetables, opting for lightly salted instead of regular salted options, and skipping the table salt are all ways to be good to your heart.
Be Mindful of Stress
We know it is impossible to avoid stress, but when you know you are dealing with a lot of stress it is important to take even a small amount of time to de-stress. Taking a short walk, sitting in the sunshine, playing with your pet, or doing something you enjoy can reset your mind and allow you to get through your day with a little less negative energy. It is worth taking the effort and can actually help you be more productive than if you just try to soldier on.
Rest Well
Another way to help your heart health is to have a good sleep schedule. 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night for young and middle-aged adults is about right. We know there are things that can make that difficult but try to set it for a target as a way to take care of your heart.
Our specialists and primary care physicians in mid-Missouri care about your heart health. If you have any concerns or would just like to get a checkup to make sure your heart is in tip-top shape, please call us today. We have locations all over the Lake of the Ozarks area and mobile units if you have trouble getting transportation to one of our health clinics in mid-Missouri. If you would like to hear more in the future about health tips and other announcements from COMC, be sure to follow us on social media using the links below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Healthy and Easy Chicken Recipes for You to Try
Are you always looking for delicious new dishes to fix for your family? As primary care providers in central Missouri, we know it can be a challenge to come up with new and healthy dishes to feed your family. So, we thought we would share a couple of healthy but easy recipes for some chicken dishes that your family will love … one for the kids and one for the adults. If you’d like to try out some tasty new dishes, keep reading this blog!
LEMON CHICKEN
This Lemon Chicken is coated in your flour of choice, quickly pan-seared until crispy, and then drizzled with the best ever lemon butter sauce. It is a 30-minute restaurant-quality lemon chicken recipe that is perfect for a weeknight!
Ingredients for Healthy Buttery Lemon Chicken Recipe
Literally just 6 ingredients, besides oil, salt, and pepper, and 30 minutes separate you and the best lemon chicken! Please see more variations in the tips section below.
Chicken: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are the default. Thighs will work and depending on their size, you might or not have to cut them thinner and cook longer. Chicken tenders are great too!
Flour: Any flour works. I used almond flour for a healthy lemon chicken variation. It did crisp up in oil on the non-stick skillet. It might soak more oil than a regular one though, so be sure to use a non-stick skillet.
Lemon: The amount of lemon depends on how tart you like your lemon chicken. Not sure? Start with less. I always use 1 tbsp when baking lemon muffins or lemon bread, so I did the same for chicken.
Butter and oil: I use olive oil for searing chicken and butter is to “sweeten” the sauce and offset the lemon tartness.
Chicken stock: Low sodium chicken stock/broth creates volume for the sauce. Worst case scenario, you can use water. I would not use a lot of white wine if any, because we have acidic lemon here.
Garlic, salt, and pepper: Garlic sauteed in a bit of butter is always a good idea for any sauce.
How to Make Lemon Chicken
Our easy lemon chicken breast recipe is healthy, fast, and uber delicious. The key is having chicken sliced, dredging station prepped and garlic minced before you begin to fry chicken cutlets. After that, it is literally 15 minutes until lemon chicken dinner is ready!
Prep chicken: Slice chicken breasts into thin cutlets lengthwise. This step eliminates messy pounding, however, you can do that as well if you like really thin cutlets.
Season chicken: Sprinkle with salt and pepper generously on both sides. That’s all lemon chicken breasts need for seasoning now because it will be coated in the best lemon buttery sauce later.
Pan sear chicken: Pre-heat ceramic non-stick skillet until hot and oil sizzles. Dredge each cutlet in flour, then pan sear for about 4-5 minutes per side. You can pack them tightly and add a bit more oil as the chicken soaks it up. Add a bit of butter and garlic and saute until fragrant.
Deglaze: Add stock, lemon juice and zest, and more butter. Let the mixture boil for 2 minutes to make a luscious sauce.
Pour lemon butter sauce over chicken and that is all to scrumptious best lemon chicken recipe in the world!
Oven-Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
It couldn’t be easier to get these homemade chicken strips on the table! Let’s go through it step by step.
Preheat – Preheat the oven to 400F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Set up – Set out three medium bowls. In the first bowl combine the white flour, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. In the second bowl combine the whisked egg and minced garlic, stir. In the third bowl combine the basil, paprika, Panko, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
Bread- Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the panko mixture making sure to evenly coat each piece.
Bake – Place the tenders on the sheet pan leaving enough room between each tender and bake for 15 minutes before flipping and baking for another 5 to 8 minutes or until the temperature reaches 165F.
Serve – Remove from the oven and allow the tenders to rest for 5 minutes. Grab your favorite dipping sauce and serve!
Bon Apetit from Central Ozarks Medical Center!
We hope you enjoy trying these recipes, and that they are a hit with your family. Was just a little bit of a twist, it’s possible to make some traditional dishes very healthy and easy to make. As medical care providers in the Lake of the Ozarks area, we believe that healthy eating goes a long way. We also feel that whenever you’re able to provide a little variety, it’s easier to get your family to go along. So, if you enjoy these recipes I would like to hear more, along with other tips on how to live and stay healthy, please follow us on social media. We have easy links to our social media channels below. If you are looking for a primary care physician in Richland or a family doctor in Camdenton or Osage Beach, give us a call to schedule your appointment. Numbers for all our clinics are at the bottom of our home page.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Looking for a New OB at the Lake of the Ozarks? 5 Things to Think About.
Finding an OB that listens and relates to you can really make you feel more confident and comfortable throughout your pregnancy. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we know how important it is to have a good OB, so we thought we would share some perspectives from our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks on things to think about when deciding on your new OB in mid-Missouri. To learn some helpful things to ask and think about, just keep reading this blog.
1) Experience
It’s good to ask about a doctor’s experience before deciding to make them your OB. The difference between someone that is just starting their career and someone that has decades of experience can affect how comfortable you are with them, especially if you have any difficulties. Don’t be afraid to ask about an OB’s experience or how long they’ve been practicing. You have every right to choose someone who has the level of expertise you want to guide you through your entire pregnancy.
2) Location
You will have a lot of doctor’s appointments during your pregnancy and after your new baby is born. So, ask yourself at the OB you are considering is within a reasonable driving distance for you to make regular appointments to. You will be making that drive throughout every season and will want to keep that in mind especially if you are considering an OB that is some distance from you.
3) Scheduling Options
If you work during the week and do not want to have to take off work for every single doctor’s appointment, you might want to ask your OB if they accept appointments on evenings, weekends, or outside of business hours. Often, moms prefer to save their time off for after they have the baby. So, the answer to this question may have an impact on which OB at the Lake of the Ozarks is best for you. It’s also a good idea to ask how long it usually takes to get an appointment.
4) Availability
If this is your first pregnancy, access to your doctor can be super important. You may have a lot of questions throughout your pregnancy, and you won’t want to have to wait till your next office visit each time to get the answer. Sometimes it’s hard to remember all of your questions when you’re at your office visit, so it’s important to know if you’ll be able to access your OB in-between visits. Inquire if your doctor can be reached by phone as well as when or how often it is OK to reach out to them.
5) Insurance
When it comes to medical care of any kind, cost can be critical. Our mid-Missouri health clinics are all about making sure people have access to quality healthcare regardless of their financial situation or insurance status. We use a sliding fee scale based on family size and income, and we DO NOT refuse patients for having no insurance. If you are concerned that paying for healthcare may be a difficulty for you, we encourage you to call and ask to speak to one of our community health workers to see how they can help.
Our mid-Missouri healthcare providers want your pregnancy and delivery to be a wonderful experience! We know that your OB can make a big difference and we want the whole process to be as pleasant and stress-free as possible. We are very focused on keeping you informed, answering all your questions, and being partners with you throughout your pregnancy. We don’t just want to guide you through your pregnancy and delivery, we want to see the continued good health of you and your baby. Call one of our clinics to schedule an appointment to see an OB near you today. You can find the phone number for each location by going to http://www.centralozarks.org/ and scrolling to the bottom. Be sure to follow us on social media to hear more news and announcements and helpful information about healthcare in mid-Missouri. We are proud to provide high-quality healthcare to the communities we serve, and we truly believe that it’s not just what we do, but how we do it that matters.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Services You May Not Know We Offer at COMC
As a part of our mission to improve the healthcare status of the citizens in the communities we serve, Central Ozarks Medical Center knows that access to quality healthcare is absolutely necessary. That is why we are proud to offer a comprehensive list of primary and preventative healthcare services in central Missouri regardless of a patient’s insurance status. We never want finances or lack of insurance to be a roadblock to receiving quality healthcare, and we truly believe that it is not just what we do but how we do it that matters. That being said, we may have a few services that we offer that you have not heard of before. So, in today’s blog, we wanted to talk about three of those services and how they may be helpful to you and your health care progress, especially if you deal with chronic conditions. If you’d like to learn more, just keep reading!
Community Health Workers
COMC Community Health Workers (CHW’s) are part of the Population Health Team and provide insurance assistance to patients by determining eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, and other insurance types. In addition, CHW’s work with patients affected by other social determinants of health besides insurance, including food insecurity, transportation, medication cost and so much more. The main purpose of our Community Health Workers is to look for ways to remove obstacles between patients and their access to health care services because of finances or other circumstances.
Chronic Care Management (CCM)
CCM is a care management initiative designed to support COMC patients with Medicare. Many of the diagnoses above apply to this program as well and allow patients the opportunity to access 20 minutes a month or more with a nurse or care team member participating on their care plan. At COMC, our goal is to make sure each of our patients has the right help to ensure the best health outcomes possible.
Primary Care Health Home (PCHH)
A Medicaid-funded initiative to provide comprehensive case management to patients struggling with chronic health conditions. COMC Nurse Care Managers at each of our locations provide clinical care management that can help with managing chronic conditions between provider appointments. The COMC PCHH team includes the provider, nurses, nurse care manager, care coordinator, and you, the patient.
Diabetes
Asthma
COPD
Hypertension
Hyperlipidemia
ADHD
Obesity
Tobacco use
Anxiety
Depression
Developmental Disabilities
If you qualify for PCHH, your Medicaid or Managed care will cover the cost of the program.
COMC – Providing Comprehensive Services for ALL Our Citizens
If you are needing any of the services we just described, please call us today. We will be happy to help you get scheduled with one of our healthcare providers in mid-Missouri. To find our phone number, just go to www.Centralozarks.org and scroll to the bottom. You’ll see each of our locations as well as contact information. If you would like to hear more about what we do, helpful health tips, and other healthcare services at the Lake of the Ozarks, don’t forget to follow us on social media! We have links to our channels listed below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Helping Your Kids Learn Good Dental Care Habits
Learning proper oral care at a young age can really set a child up for success. The dental care your child receives will make a huge difference in their oral development and their overall health. The earlier they learn good habits and routines, the better their teeth will develop, and the better foundation of habits they will have to follow them through life. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, it is our goal to help parents and kids learn how to establish excellent routines for oral care from the beginning. If you would like to hear some easy tips on how to get your child on board with great dental care habits, we have some to share with you in today’s blog.
Picking the Right Toothbrush
Whether you pick an electrical or manual toothbrush, choosing a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles is important for several reasons. A smaller brush will allow your child to reach their back teeth more easily, and the soft bristles can be more effective and prevent the damage that hard bristles can potentially cause. In addition, kids’ toothbrushes come in fun shapes and colors to make it more interesting and personalized for your child. That can get them more excited when it is time to brush their teeth each day.
Daily Hygiene
Throughout the day, food and plaque can build up on your child’s teeth. If left on the surface of the teeth, it can lead to decay of the tooth enamel. If the tooth enamel is penetrated, it can be painful for your child and damaging to his or her teeth. That is why removing the food and daily plaque buildup with proper brushing twice a day and flossing once a day it’s so essential for your child’s oral care.
Eating Habits That Help
Some foods are harder on your child’s teeth than others. Foods with a lot of sugar and those that are more acidic can be more damaging to your child’s teeth. Sticky candies and food can be particularly bad. Sugary foods should be considered more of a treat than a daily part of your child’s diet. As you teach your child about good nutrition and how it is important for their overall health, teach them the importance of healthy snacks and food options for their teeth as well. Then show them how tasty those foods can be by serving them for their afterschool and summertime snacks.
Have Regular Check-Ups
Routine dental checkups are essential when it comes to monitoring your child’s oral health. It is recommended to have a checkup every six months. This will not only help you spot any problems that may occur early, but it also allows your child to become comfortable going to the dentist and develop a relationship with your dental provider. Your dentist in mid-Missouri also has the opportunity to reinforce what you’re teaching your child about good oral health and daily routines.
Have Fun Together
The more fun you make the whole process of establishing good oral healthcare habits, the more your child will be attracted to the idea of taking care of their teeth. Let them get involved with making their own snacks and play with creating different shapes and characters. Sing songs or play music while they brush their teeth to teach them how long they should spend doing it. Make a competition on who remembers to brush their teeth and floss without being asked. Get excited about going to the dentist and help your child look forward to seeing him or her again!
We Support You!
Dental care providers in central Missouri applaud you for working with your child at an early age to teach him or her good dental hygiene. We are here to support you and take care of all your dental care needs. We provide family dental services in Camdenton, Richland, and Eldon Missouri as well as dentures and restorative services. You can find contact information for each location at http://www.centralozarks.org/ by scrolling to the bottom of our homepage. Reach out to schedule a dental appointment for your child at one of our dental clinics in Eldon, Richland, or Camdenton. Keep up the good work helping your child have a clean and healthy smile!
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Dental Services – Part of Comprehensive Health Care at COMC
At Central Ozarks Medical Center we care about your overall health. That includes your dental health. Dental health has an impact on your overall health more than people realize. Just the importance of dental hygiene cannot be underestimated. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and having regular checkups at your dentist, are all a part of maintaining your dental health. We know that poor dental health can lead to other health issues as well, and that is just another reason we consider it essential to provide quality dental and healthcare services to all of our clients regardless of their insurance status. If you are in need of a dentist at the Lake of the Ozarks, we invite you to read this blog to learn about all of our services and how to book your appointment.
Dental Services through Affordable and Compassionate Care
Our mission is to maintain healthy and beautiful smiles and to provide the highest quality dental care to keep your smile looking and functioning at its best. Our dental team is here to serve the local community with state-of-the-art facilities providing a wide variety of services whether a routine cleaning, urgent care, or anything in-between; we are your one stop source for oral care for your whole family. As your dental offices serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller County communities, we provide skillful, attentive, and highly individualized care for all of our patients, at any age.
We provide a comprehensive range of dental services, by skilled and compassionate professional dentists and staff. Our doors are open to welcome patients of all ages to our practice. We accept all private/commercial insurances such as United Concordia. If you do not have insurance, we can still assist you.
Our comprehensive list of services include:
• Cleaning, Examinations, and X-rays
• Extractions
• Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges
• Partials and Dentures
• Pregnancy dental health
• Pediatric and teens
• Limited same-day services
Mobile Dental Unit
Our Mobile Dental Clinic offers dental care and oral health awareness to school districts located within Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller counties. We also reach out to assist patients that would otherwise have to travel a long distance to reach a dentist and those located in isolated, rural communities.
How to Book Your Appointment
You can book your appointment with ease by calling the location of your choice using the numbers below. You can also click here to go to our website.
Central Ozarks Medical Center is proud to be your resource for dental healthcare in central Missouri along with medical and mental health care services as well. It is our mission to improve access to quality healthcare for the residents in Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller County. Our dental providers in mid-Missouri are ready and able to serve you. Any time you would like to book an appointment for health, behavioral health, and dental health care services in central Missouri, you can find our contact information for all of our locations at the bottom of every page on our website. If you are interested in hearing more news and information about mental, dental, and health care services in the Lake of the Ozarks area, be sure to follow us on social media using the links below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Healthier Valentine’s Day Treats That are Easy to Make!
It is a rare person that doesn’t love getting chocolate and sweets for Valentine’s Day. But so many of us have a goal of getting healthier and don’t want to wreck that goal in celebration of love. However, we still want to celebrate! Central Ozarks Medical Center understands, and we want to help! So we have four easy recipes for some tasty treats you can have with your valentine this year that won’t leave you feeling like you have blown your health goals. If you are interested in some healthier options for some tasty Valentine’s Day snacks, we think you will love this blog.
ZIPPY SHRIMP SKEWERS
Ingredients
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons canola oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
3/4 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Directions
In a large shallow dish, combine the first 7 ingredients; add shrimp. Turn to coat; cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
Drain and discard marinade. Thread shrimp onto 6 metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill, uncovered, on a lightly oiled rack over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until shrimp turn pink, 2-3 minutes on each side.
Nutrition Facts
1 skewer: 57 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 199mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat.
SPICY ALMONDS
Ingredients
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg white, room temperature
2-1/2 cups unblanched almonds
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In another small bowl, whisk egg white until foamy. Add almonds; toss to coat. Sprinkle with spice mixture; toss to coat. Spread in a single layer in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Spread on waxed paper to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
1/4 cup: 230 calories, 20g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 293mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein
BLACK BEAN BROWNIES
Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
Place the beans, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, and oil in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Add eggs, brown sugar, cocoa, vanilla, baking powder, and salt; cover and process until smooth.
Transfer to a parchment-lined 8-in. square baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Nutrition Facts
1 brownie: 167 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
BLUE CHEESE-STUFFED STRAWBERRIES
Ingredients
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
16 large fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans, toasted
Directions
Place vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in blue cheese. Remove stems and scoop out centers from strawberries; fill each with about 2 teaspoons cheese mixture. Sprinkle pecans over filling, pressing lightly. Chill until serving. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition Facts
1 stuffed strawberry: 36 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fat.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Central Ozarks Medical Center!
We hope you’re excited about trying at least one of these four recipes with your sweetheart. We found them all on www.tasteofhome.com and thought they would be appealing to anyone who is counting calories, fat content, or just trying to look out for their health. Our health clinics in mid-Missouri are dedicated to helping to improve the health of citizens in the communities we serve. Our health care providers in central Missouri are here to help you reach your health goals and support your efforts. For all your dental, mental, and health care needs in the Lake of the Ozarks area, reach out to us anytime. The contact information for all our locations is provided on our website. To stay informed with all our latest news and health-related information, don’t forget to follow us on social media. We have links to our channels listed below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Instilling Healthy Eating Habits in Your Kids
We hear it all the time. The struggle is real when it comes to helping kids eat healthily and develop good habits. But good eating habits, when learned early in life, can last a lifetime and create such a health benefit that it is worth the effort. But there are some ways to make it more fun to instill healthy eating habits in your kids, and hopefully less of a battle. At Central Ozarks Medical Center our mission is to improve the overall health of the citizens in the communities we serve, especially children. So today’s blog is dedicated to five ways to help your child learn some healthy eating habits at a young age.
1) Get them involved.
The more kids are involved in what they eat, often, the less resistant they are. If a kid is told what to eat, and never feels like they have a choice, it can become a power struggle that has nothing to do with the food in front of them. That is why several of our tips today will be about how to let your child feel like they have more of a choice. In the process, they can also develop a sense of responsibility and understanding about the foods they eat and how to choose wisely.
2) Let them choose the menu.
When we say let them choose the menu, we don’t mean give them a choice of anything in the world that they want to eat. But give them a choice of three different (healthy) entrée options and let them decide which one they would like the most. That way they don’t feel like they have to resist someone imposing a decision on them because they are part of the decision. You still have input, and even better you can have a conversation about why they chose that dish and the benefits of each dish. This is where you have an opportunity to teach about things like fiber, raw fruits, and vegetables, whole foods, good and bad fats, etc.
3) Have them help with the shopping.
Bring your kids along with you to the grocery store! Let them see the ingredients that go in the dish, select the best looking fruits or vegetables for the dish, and even get a feel for what things cost. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids how to compare prices, how to look for quality, the difference between regular vegetables and organic vegetables, and also how to read labels! These are all skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives.
4) Teach them how to cook.
This is where it really all comes together and gives kids a sense of independence and an excitement for learning. When you take the ingredients they chose for the meal they selected, and you teach them how to prepare and cook that meal with you walking along right beside them, it can completely change how that meal feels to your kid when it comes to dinner time. That meal represents time spent together, bonding, learning, and a feeling of independence. In reality, they only had a “choice” between three different meals, but they participated in every step along the way. So they are invested in the final product, and less resistant to enjoying it. Best of all, they’ll have the confidence of knowing how to cook that meal for themselves or someone else, for the rest of their lives.
5) Grow a garden.
If you want to take it to a whole new level, think about growing a garden with your child. The same level of investment and bonding and growth and learning that we talked about just in helping to select and cook a meal, can be exponential when the child is actually helping to produce the food they are selecting, cooking, and eating. For them to understand exactly where the food in the grocery store comes from and how it is grown can totally change how they feel about eating produce. You can even save on your grocery bill and know you are getting a clean and healthy vegetable from your garden.
Have fun with your kid!
Every one of these tips is really an invitation to have fun and interact with your child. The bonus is by focusing on these activities, you can potentially help shape their eating habits and the way they feel about food for life. Even if you can’t do all five, it is still valuable to do what you can. Because every little bit can help make your child feel more invested and less resistant. As a parent, you’re doing great to help in any way you can to instill healthy eating habits for your child. We encourage you to keep at it and have FUN with it! Always remember that small steps added up can create big change! For all of your mental, dental, and health care service providers in central Missouri and Lake of the Ozarks, browse our website at http://www.centralozarks.org/ to see how we can serve you. To hear all of our latest tips and information about health care in mid-Missouri, we invite you to follow us on social media! We have our links below for your convenience.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Making a Difference – How a Career In Healthcare Could Be a Great Fit For You!
As providers of medical, dental, and behavioral health care services in mid-Missouri, the staff members at Central Ozarks Medical Center know first-hand how rewarding it is to work in the health care industry. We make a difference in the lives of people every single day in our clinics in Osage Beach, Camdenton, and Richland as we work to improve the overall health of the communities we serve. No matter their position, every single staff member contributes and has an impact, and we are grateful to each and every one of them for choosing to work in the field of health care. If you are compelled to make a difference in the lives of others and are driven by a desire to help people, you may find a career in health care in central Missouri to be a perfect choice for you. We know we are glad we made that choice and thought we would share just a few reasons why in today’s blog.
Enjoy the challenge
A career in healthcare is anything but boring. No two days are the same, and being able to think quickly on your feet is generally a must. People who enjoy problem-solving and overcoming obstacles usually find work in the healthcare field compelling and interesting. In addition, the healthcare field is constantly changing. So in the years that you will be working in that career, there will always be something to learn and something new to overcome.
Have choices
A career in healthcare can look like many different things. It’s not just doctors and nurses that help our healthcare system thrive. We also need clerical staff, custodians, cooks, maintenance people, and much more! No matter your skillset or education level, there’s probably a position in the healthcare field that is a great fit for you.
Be in demand
The need for healthcare workers is increasing at a very fast rate, and will only continue to do so as the baby boomers age and require more care. When you have a career in healthcare, you have skills that can be taken anywhere. While we don’t always know from year to year what challenges the healthcare industry will face, what we do know is that there will always be a high demand for quality medical care. Considering there are jobs for every level of education, incredible and consistent growth in the industry, a diverse array of jobs available with different schedules to choose from, it is understandable why a career in health care can be an attractive choice.
Competitive salary
Positions in the healthcare field tend to pay competitive wages. The more education and certifications you have, the higher your earning potential may be. You also may be in a good position to get help paying for your education when you choose to go into healthcare. Companies usually know education creates a more highly skilled workforce, and that is so valuable to them they are willing to help you pay for it.
Make a difference
With a variety of jobs available in the health care field, people choose to work in health care for different reasons. But one thing that seems to consistently be true is that people choose a career in health care because they are drawn to helping people and making a difference in the lives of others. Helping to improve the quality of someone’s life, or literally saving lives, can become a calling even more than a profession. It is definitely a rewarding feeling to know what an impact you’re having on people who are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Plus, your impact has ripple effects. It extends to the families and loved ones of your patients, and to the community as a whole when the work you do contributes to improving the quality of health of everyone in our communities.
Could a Career In Health Care Be for You?
Working in the healthcare industry is a highly respected and well-paid career choice. But by far, the most common reason that people choose a career in healthcare it’s because of the rewarding feeling they have from making a difference and helping other people. If you have a heart to help other people and are looking for a way to make a difference in the world, a career in healthcare may be just the right choice. To get a feel for just a few of the jobs that are commonly open, check out the careers tab on the COMC website to see a long list of available jobs in health care in mid-Missouri. If you not only have a passion for helping people but you also are driven with a desire to see everyone have access to quality healthcare regardless of insurance status, then a career at Central Ozarks Medical Center may be even better. Our whole mission is to make sure that everyone in our community has access to quality healthcare and to thereby improve the health of all of our communities. It’s not just what we do, but how we do it that makes the difference. If you’d like to be a part of a dynamic team that cares, reach out to us, we would love to meet you and help you on your journey! If you’d like to hear more news and health tips, be sure to follow us on social media. The links to our channels are below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
Could Play Therapy be an Answer to Helping Your Child?
As part of our commitment to improving the quality of health of citizens in all the communities we serve, Central Ozarks Medical Center is also dedicated to providing behavioral and mental health services in mid-Missouri. We know that one size does not fit all, and we offer a variety of therapies to our patients to allow them to choose the one that is the best fit for them. One of those therapies that we offer for children, is called play therapy. Instead of having sessions in a clinical office type setting, play therapy is conducted in a safe and therapeutic playroom and can be very effective in helping children to express things they are unable or unwilling to articulate verbally. If you are interested in learning more about play therapy in central Missouri, how it works, and how it may benefit your child or a child you know, we encourage you to read on!
What is play therapy like?
Play therapy is all about creating an environment where the child feels safe and comfortable and does not have a lot of rules or restrictions. The therapist will focus mostly on observing the child and how the child plays. The therapist may be non-directive and simply observe the child and how he or she plays, reacts, or solves problems. Or the therapist may offer a little bit of input and direction to help produce results more quickly. The therapist may switch back-and-forth between directive and non-directive. From his or her observations, the therapist is able to make some assessments or interpretations that can give insight into the child’s feelings and experiences and then offer potential coping techniques, interventions, or therapies.
How are toys used?
The toys available to the child may include stuffed animals or perhaps a dollhouse filled with figures like mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc. Play therapy may include crafts like drawing or painting as well. In this environment, the child feels free to play as they wish, without fear of doing something wrong or getting in trouble. As the child feels safer, he or she is able to demonstrate things like abuse or anger in the way they play with the dolls and have them interact. Much of this can be beyond their cognitive ability to articulate but can be observed by a play therapist. As issues are identified through these observations, the therapist can then help teach the child healthier ways to express their feelings, better ways to solve problems and frustrations, and even learn more about interpersonal relationships and how people should be treated.
When is play therapy helpful?
Play therapy can be very effective for children who have witnessed trauma, natural disaster, violence or abuse, and those with behavioral disorders, depression, and anger. Play therapy can also be helpful for those on the autism spectrum, those with attention deficit disorder, and much more. When a child is having challenges and is unable to articulate or express what they are feeling, it’s a good idea to ask about play therapy. Your behavioral health care specialist in central Missouri will be able to guide you as to whether play therapy is likely to be effective for your child.
At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we care about your mental health, and we want to offer resources for people of all ages. Play therapy is one of the great options we offer for behavioral and mental health therapy in mid-Missouri. It is just one of many therapies offered at our clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks and surrounding areas. If you would like to see some of the other therapies we offer, you can go to www.centralozarks.org and scroll down our home page, then click on Behavioral Health. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. If you are interested in staying up with all our latest announcements and helpful health tips, be sure to follow us on social media using the links below.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
Serving Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties. Coming soon to serve Morgan County.
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