If you see a person who is blind appearing to be in need of assistance:
Not all vision is 2020 – February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) awareness month.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 years of age and older in the United States. What is AMD really like and what does vision typically look like with this condition? Watch this brief video to find out!
Thinking about lunch? Here’s a tasty recipe from this week’s Healthy Options Class:
‘Creamy’ Tuna Casserole with Peas
★★★★★
Pasta & Noodles, VLA
Servings: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS: 6 ounces uncooked no-yolk whole wheategg noodles, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 cup finely chopped onion, 1 cup thinly sliced celery, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 cups 1% low-fat milk, 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed; 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dry mustard (such as Colman’s), 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 (5-ounce) can solid white albacore tuna packed in water, drained and broken into chunks, 1/4 cup whole-wheat panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), 1.5 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup)
EQUIPMENT:
Electric skillet and baking pan OR large ovenproof skillet, measuring spoons and cups, Vegetable chopper, Can opener, Colander, Lemon squeezer, Grater for lemon peel, Scissors
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat broiler to low. Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add noodles; cook 3 minutes or until al dente. Drain.
Heat electric skillet OR 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add oil and butter; swirl until butter melts. Add onion and celery; sauté 6 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle flour over pan; cook 45 seconds. Add milk, stirring constantly. Stir in peas and next 7 ingredients (through tuna).
IF USING OVEN-PROOF SKILLET: Remove pan from heat; gently stir in noodles. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and cheese over top. Broil 2 minutes or until topping is lightly browned.
IF USING ELECTRIC SKILLET: Remove pan from heat; gently stir in noodles. Transfer mixture into greased baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and cheese over top. Broil 2 minutes or until topping is lightly browned.
★★★★★
Our Healthy Options class meets once weekly as part of the Health & Wellness Program with the goal of teaching our students safe ways of finding their way around a kitchen, along with learning and trying healthier food choices. Find out more about our programs by emailing our Program Manager, Linda Groszew at lgroszew@vlanj.org.
When you finish a conversation with a person who is blind, let them know when you are leaving. It’s embarrassing to realize one is talking to him- or herself.
Help them orient themselves in a room also – tell them which way a speaker, stage or podium is so they can face the speaker rather than the nearest amplifier or surface that reflects the sound.
Have you or a friend or loved one lost a significant amount of eye sight? Would you like to connect with others who have gone through similar life experiences and learn skills for maintaining your independence? Reach out to Linda Groszew, our Program Director, by emailing her at lgroszew@vlanj.org or by calling 973-627-0055 ext. 1312.
Some businesses in our community go above and beyond with their kindness. One of those is ShopRite – every week, they donate baked goods to our students for breakfast. Thank you!
Pictured (from left):
ShopRite of Parsippany Store Manager Frank Sblendorio, VLANJ student Ed Larson, and Pauly Maresits, Bakery Manager.
Ever fallen asleep with your contact lenses in? 👁️👁️
The Center for Disease Control reports that this is the most common offense for contact lens users. But what’s so bad about it anyway?
Eyes, like the rest of our bodies, need oxygen to survive, and if you have lenses in for an extended period of time, your cornea – the outer surface of your eye – doesn’t get to breathe. Without oxygen, your corneas will get larger and swell up. This is called keratitis, which means your eyes’ physiology is being damaged or altered.
This inflammation causes small gaps to start to appear across the surface of the eyes and bacteria will start to make its way through those gaps to invade the cornea.
In most cases, this leads to eye infections. In worst case scenario, it can rob you of your eye sight.
Moreover, you can damage your cornea by trying to pick out dried out lenses, and develop other long-term problems that can eventually lead to loss of sight.
Why risk it? Keep your eyes safe & take those contacts out at night.