Buffalo Trace District Health Department will be hosting a COVID-19 and flu clinic on December 10th, 2022. The clinic will be at the Mason County Health Department from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. To make an appointment please go to our website and click "Make an Appointment" or call 606-564-9447 to schedule one.

1. Stay Up to Date With COVID-19 Vaccines

2. Traveling for the Holidays?

·      Prepare your car for the winter and keep an emergency kit with you

·      Get a good night’s sleep

·      Be sure everyone has their seatbelt's on

·      Put the phone down

3. Decorate Safely

·      Keep potentially poisonous plants mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis – away from children.

·      Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights.

·      Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

·      Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them.

4. Watch Out for Fire-Starters

·      Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children

·      Always use a screen on the fireplace when a fire is burning

·      Turkey fryers- Be alert to the dangers when frying the turkey

·      Check and clean the chimney and fireplaces area at least once a year

5. Food Poisoning is No Joke

·      Wash your hand, frequently when handling food

·      Keep raw meat away from other foods

·      Use separate cutting boards

·      Use a food thermometer to make sure everything is cooked to a safe temperature

6. It's Better to Give Safely

·      Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards

·      Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets

·      When giving scooters or other riding toys be sure to also give them safety gear as well

You'll Need

• Salt
• 1 lb. green beans
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 cup of low-sodium beef or chicken stock
• 1 cup 1% milk
• Black pepper to taste
• 1⁄2 cup panko breadcrumbs, tossed with 1 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Season with salt and cook the green beans for about 3 minutes, until crisp-tender.
3. Drain and run cold water over the beans to help stop the cooking.
4. Preheat the oven to 475 ̊F.
5. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
6. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions are very soft and translucent.
7. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
8. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then add the stock and milk, whisking to help prevent lumps from forming.
9. Add the green beans and simmer for about 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and clings to the vegetables.
10. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
11. Pour the green beans into an 8" × 8" casserole dish and top with the breadcrumbs.
12. Place on the middle rack and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Recipe adapted from Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe — Eat This Not That

A big thank you to Debbie Nolder, RN for coming in to help the clinic. She has been coming in to work clinic this fall, as well as helping with vaccines and other duties since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Debbie has been a nurse for many years and has a wide range of experiences to be able to offer. 

Please join us in congratulating Linda Stahl-Applegate, one of our clinic nurses, on the birth of her new baby girl. Linda has worked with the health department for almost 3 years. She and her husband, Kendrick Applegate, also have another daughter at home to help welcome the new addition.