March, 2021 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership
Why We Celebrate National Doctors’ Day
When it comes to medical questions and emergencies, who is that we turn to for answers? Who is it that we turn to for the reassurance we so desperately need that everything is going to be okay? Doctors. Doctors are the ones on the frontlines when it comes to protecting us from and educating us about illnesses and various medical conditions. With the outbreak of the Coronavirus last year, several have had their lives upended. From having businesses close, to people losing their jobs, to tragically losing loved ones, COVID-19 has certainly made life more challenging. Thankfully, we’ve had doctors to help those who have fallen ill. Today is Doctors’ Day, a day where we show our appreciation for physicians all across the country who help save lives every day.
Little was known about this particular virus for a long time. A rush to find effective vaccines to combat the virus were implemented almost immediately. Thanks to the courageous efforts of scientists, researchers, and doctors, vaccines were and still are being distributed to people all over the country.
Doctors’ Day was first observed all the way back in 1933, in Winder, Georgia. It was originally meant to honor the efforts of Dr. Crawford W. Long, the first doctor to use ether anesthesia on a patient.
Doctors’ Day has been observed every year on March 30th, dating back to 1933. It was celebrated for many years before it became a legal holiday on March 30, 1958, when the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution that commemorates Doctors’ Day and on October 30, 1990, President Bush signed the legislature after it was approved by both the House and the Senate.
Other countries around the world have been celebrating the achievements of medical professionals and advancements in medical technology, science, and care for a long time. For example, Spain, Cuba, and Argentina all celebrate on December 3rd in order to pay respects to Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, who was responsible for identifying mosquitos as the root cause of yellow fever.
We are extremely thankful for all of the doctors, surgeons, nurses, and physicians who work tirelessly every day to keep all of us safe!
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How to Get a Healthy Lawn In Spring
Winter weather has the potential to cause serious damage to our lawns. Frigid temperatures reek havoc on grass, plants, and flowers. With spring comes warmer weather and conditions in which lawns and foliage can really flourish if properly tended to. Caring for your lawn in spring is not difficult and regular attention to your lawn may prove to be exactly what your lawn needs in order to be in tip-top shape throughout the season. Your lawn may just end up being the envy of the neighborhood.
If you want to have an immaculate lawn for spring, follow these easy, important steps:
Tune up your lawn mower: Everything from changing the oil, air filter and spark plug, making sure that your mower is clean will ensure that it is functioning properly.
Spend some time raking: When it comes to preparing your lawn for new growth, the first step you should take is to rake. Raking helps break up something called thatch: the layer of dead turfgrass lying between the healthy vegetation of the grass above and the root system and soil underneath. If this layer becomes too thick, it can pose problems for your grass.
In addition to raking in the fall, do not become complacent and ignore your lawn in the spring time. In fact, because winter weather can cause so many damage to your lawn, it is especially important to rake in the spring in order to remove all of the dead blades of grass from the winter. Another benefit of raking is that it may help to prevent something snow mold, which is a lawn disease that makes it extremely difficult for new, healthy grass to penetrate the diseased areas. Raking can fix this.
Get a Lawn Aerator. A lawn aerator creates openings in the turf which allows both water and air to get through the soil and reach the grassroots. It is important to note that spring may not be the ideal time to do this because aeration holes provide a perfect opportunity for weeds to grow. You don’t want to spend your spring cleaning up all of those weeds that could potentially damage your lawn.
Assess your Soil
Grass likes a neutral pH level. So, if you ever see moss coating the ground, it may be a sign of acidic soil which can be neutralized by adding ground limestone. This process does take some time as the liming holds gradually.
Overseeding
If your lawn has a lot of bare patches due to consistent heavy traffic, it may be in need of grass seed. Grass seed will help your grass grow more efficiently. Once you pour seed over existing grass, apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Once the grass germinates (typically after 5 weeks), apply quick-release nitrogen fertilizer.
Fertilize
Although it is important to fertilize, you want to be careful when you do it. Too much fertilizer in spring may lead to disease and problems with weeds. Many lawn experts recommend a lighter feeding in the spring and a heavier feed in the fall.
Apply Postemergent Herbicides (Or Pull Weeds)
If you do not want to spend a lot of time and energy pulling weeds, consider applying a postemergent herbicide to kill your weeds. It is more effective to use one for broadleaf weeds. Do this in the fall rather than the spring. However, reaching down to the root of the problem by weeding may prove to be more effective long-term.
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Ways to Exercise Outside This Spring
The COVID-19 pandemic has been doing its best to uproot any semblance of normality in our everyday lives. As the weather gets warmer, all of us have an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the wonders of mother nature: the hot sun illuminating the sky and warming our bodies. It is up to us to take advantage of the nice weather and remove ourselves from the confines of our homes that have become something we so desperately want to escape from. If you want to appreciate what mother nature has to offer in spring, here are some ways you can get into better shape while being outdoors.
- Instead of using a treadmill, step outside and go for a jog in the park.
Working out indoors using a treadmill was found to be less enjoyable than moving the workout outside. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air!
2. Join a sports league.
The pandemic may have some of us feeling extremely isolated. With warm weather comes the start of intramural sports leagues that provide people with an opportunity to exercise, but even more importantly, human beings are social creatures and long to be around others. This is natural. Sports leagues provide that much needed chance to be around our peers and socialize. From these social events could come life-long friendships.
3. Ride Your Bike to Work
This one is greatly going to depend on where you live and how far your commute is, but choosing to ride your bike to work instead of driving is a great way to get some exercise in. We all have busy schedules and busy lives and this could be an opportunity for us to improve our overall health. If you find that your commute to work is too long for you to use a bike, you can still find paths around your area that may be suitable for your needs.
4. Become a Volunteer
Are you interested in helping to build houses? Or maybe you love dogs and would love an opportunity to be a dog walker at an animal shelter nearby. Whatever your interests, all it takes is a little proactiveness and research to find great volunteer opportunities in your area. Not only will you be helping people in your community, you will probably feel great about doing something in service of someone else.
5.Go to the beach
Did you know that it takes more energy to run on a beach than it does to run on a track? Don’t let this deter you. Swimming in the ocean is another great way to get some exercise while enjoying the sunlight. It may also be possible to join a beach volleyball team. Especially during these trying times, this is a great way to break away from feelings of isolation and to finally become social again.
6.Find an Outdoor Fitness Class
Not everyone is going to take a liking to following YouTube exercise videos at home. Typically, you are by yourself and the whole idea here is to get outside and finally enjoy the nice weather. Whether it is yoga or pilates you are into, or maybe it is something else, call up a friend and sign up for an outdoor exercise class
7.Just get outside
Step outside and look around. Do you enjoy going to the park? If you find a park bench, use it to practice your push-ups. You can also practice stretching. You do not necessarily need weights or expensive exercise equipment to get into the best shape of your life. Get creative. You can do it!
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What You Should Keep In Your Car In the Event of An Emergency
Are you the type of person who has a car filled with clutter? Maybe you have items scattered all over your car in different areas. Or maybe you have a trunk filled with items it would take you a week to organize. In the event of an emergency, there are a number of essential items you will want to have stored in your car. What are they?
You can buy various emergency kits that contain different items. Here’s what we recommend in terms of what you should keep in your car in case something unexpected happens that leaves you stranded.
- Spare tire
- Tire inflater & sealer
- Jumper cables
- Your car’s owner’s manual
- A tire pressure gauge
- Repair contact information
Not everyone is going to face the same challenges when it comes to their car. If you are the type of person that spends a considerable amount of time in your car, your needs may be slightly different from others. If you think you fall into this category, consider keeping the following items in your car just in case disaster strikes.
Safety Supplies: First-Aid Kit, Flashlight, Matches (or another tool you can use to start a fire)
Energy bars or MREs – energy bars are great to give you a quick boost if you have been stranded for a while. We understand you most likely are not going to find yourself in a military situation, but MREs (meals ready to eat) only need hot water to be ready for your consumption. If you are facing dire straits, these are an option for you.
Water bottles – It is recommended that men drink about15.5 cups of water every day (3.7 liters). It is recommended that women drink about 11.5 cups of water per day (2.7 liters). When it comes to storing water in your car, be careful not to store water in plastic bottles in hot temperatures as the chemicals in the plastic may seep into the water leaving it unsafe to drink. Glass bottles or gallon jugs are a better option.
For Winter Emergencies
- Ice scraper
- Blanket
In addition to the items mentioned above, you may consider keeping these other items handy:
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Pen and notepad
- Umbrella
- Emergency cash
- A change of clothes
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer
- A portable phone charger
Emergencies can occur at a moment's notice and it is important to be prepared.
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