It’s Summer!

Wow! Summer’s here, schools out and vacation schedules full. We all need to make sure we are extra dilgent watching out for bike riders, motorcyclists and children playing. This newsletter includes articles providing summer health tips.. Also what would “The Insider” be without a healthy recipe?!

Company News

The new Corporate Office is just about finished and ready for occupation. We are extremely excited and pleased how the project has progressed., We will soon be expanding the yard by taking down the hillside. Once that is complete, we should have enough room for our units to turn around and will no longer back across Washington Street.

Safety Steve has been busy promoting safety while bringing J & S Transport to center stage as the leader in Safety for our Industry. He renewed his accreditation as a Certified Director of Safety (CDS) with the North American Transportation Management Institute.. Steve had to submit a portfolio to the Accreditation Board for review and approval. Safety Steve was elected Chairman of the National Tank Truck Carrier Association Safety and Security Council, East Region during a meeting in Denver, CO this past June. Steve was also made Chairman, Massachusetts Truck Driving Championship Committee for 2014.

Amanda Hamel graduated from Salem State University receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, with a concentration in Accounting. Amanda is now setting her sights on Graduate School.. Will we soon have an MBA’er in our midst?!

Summer brings fun but health risks as well

No doubt about it; Summer means breaking out the lawn mower to handle the lawn we worked so hard on over the Spring. Did you know that lawn mowers cause a significant amount of injury to users? The National Safety Council reports that more than 234,000 people received medical treatment for lawn mower related injuries in 2012. They polled the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery to identify precautions to help reduce the risk of injury. They are:

➢ Use a lawn mower with a control that stops the blade if the handle is released
➢ Remove stones, toys and other objects from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects
➢ Kids should be at least 12 years old before operating a push mower and 16 years old before operating a riding mower
➢ Wear polycarbonate protective eyewear while operating the mower
➢ Do not allow children as passengers on riding lawn mowers, and keep them out of the yard while mowing
➢ Drive up and down slopes, not across, to prevent mower rollover
➢ Use a stick or broom handle – not your hands – to clear debris from the mower

When you are outside mowing the lawn or doing yardwork, keep in mind that overexposure to the sun can damage the skin and could cause skin cancer. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash are possible when you become overexerted in the heat. NSC recommends you:

➢ Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep your head and face cool. This will also provide added protection from damaging sun exposure. Baseball caps provide little protection except to the face. A hat should protect the neck, face and ears
➢ Wear a long-sleeved shirt at all times. It should be light colored and loose fitting except when working around machinery
➢ Carry a source of water with you. Take drinks frequently – every 15 minutes
➢ Take frequent breaks in the shade or in a cool environment during the hottest times of the day
➢ Someone suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke should be moved to a cool environment., offered sips of water, if conscious, and provided with attention from emergency medical personnel
➢ Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15. Make sure children are also adequately protected.

Ibuprofen and Risk of Heart Attack
Researchers in Oxford, England have released a study showing high doses of ibuprofen or similar painkillers (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) where a daily dose of 2,400 milligrams increased the risk of heart attack, stroke or death by one-third. This type of painkiller was also associated with double the risk of heart failure and a higher chance of gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers. These researchers noted that the risk was higher among people with underlying risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure or cholesterol. They suggest people talk with their primary care physicians before taking these medications.

Healthy Choices

Pasta with grilled chicken, white beans and mushrooms

Ingredients
o 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, each 4 ounces
o 1 tablespoon olive oil
o 1/2 cup chopped white onion
o 1 cup sliced mushrooms
o 1 cup white beans, cooked
o 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
o 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
o 12 ounces uncooked rotelle pasta
o 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
o Ground black pepper, to taste

Directions
Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.
Grill or broil the chicken until browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes each side. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the white beans, garlic, basil and grilled chicken strips. Keep warm.
Fill a large pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (tender), 10 to 12 minutes, or according to the package directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
Return the pasta to the pot and add the chicken mixture. Toss to mix evenly.
Divide the pasta among the plates. Garnish each with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 408 Sodium 122 mg
Total fat 7 g Total carbohydrate 58 g
Saturated fat 2 g Dietary fiber 5 g
Monounsaturated fat 3 g Protein 28 g
Cholesterol 37 mg