Welcome to the end of another wonderful semester! Whatever your winter break plans, know you have earned some rest and relaxation. So instead of stressing about what to bring to that ugly sweater party or holiday dinner, why not let us do the work for you and recommend a few simple, healthy recipes?
If you really want to impress your hosts/guests, look no further than this Roasted Fennel with Charred Tomatoes, Olives, and Pecorino. This simple recipe requires just a single dish (I suggest a sheet pan), so clean up is a cinch. If you want to make it a bit more substantial, add mild Italian sausages and some chunks of ciabatta to the mix!
Looking for something even easier? This Lemon Green Bean Almondine is a sure hit, and you can prep everything the night before. The bright, acidic lemon is a lovely counterpoint to all the rich, creamy foods we usually serve during the winter.
This Winter Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad is the lunch you need to hold you over until the holiday party spread. If you’re worried about how to remove pomegranate seeds without making a mess, have no fear! All you need to do is score four lines in the pomegranate to quarter it, then submerge it in a bowl of water while you pull it apart and remove the seeds. The pith will float, while the seeds sink. Just remove the pith and drain the seeds. Voilà! A mess-free way of de-seeding a pomegranate.
Last but not least, a delicious host gift. Everyone brings wine, candles, and cookies, but you’ll stand out with this homemade Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark. You can trade out the pistachios for just about any other kind of topping – different nuts and seeds, your favorite candy, shattered peppermints, coconut flakes, dried fruit. Mix and match whatever sounds good. I suggest sticking with the original, and adding a sprinkle of good chili powder if your hosts are fans of spicy food!
Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year!
The TOXNET database is retiring on December 16, 2019. Much of TOXNET's information will remain accessible and will be incorporated into other resources including PubChem, PubMed, and NCBI's Bookshelf:
PubChem will incorporate the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), ChemIDPlus, and the Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System (CCRIS); the CCRIS includes information from 1985-2011 and is no longer updated.
PubMed will incorporate information from TOXLINE, the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Database (DART)
In addition to its full-text library, AccessMedicine offers resources to support study and learning. To complement its already robust collection of drug information, multimedia materials, cases, and study tools, AccessMedicine has introduced several new features including:
Auscultation Classroom - six heart sound modules have been released and 20 additional modules will fall during the first several months of 2020. Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic Stenosis with Regurgitation, Innocent Murmur, Normal Heart Sounds, S3 Gallop, and S4 Gallop are already available.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), an onset of depressive symptoms during winter months, affects an estimate of .4%-2.9% of the population. The causes of SAD are still unclear, however everything from genetics to diminished light may play a factor. While its seasonal nature means SAD symptoms abate in the Spring, that doesn’t mean you have to slog through the winter with symptoms like loss of interest, hypersomnia, or irritability. There are many treatments available, from light therapy to antidepressants.
Pjrek et al. (2019) conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring the efficacy of bright light therapy (BLT) as a treatment for SAD. Their review found that these trials proved BLT an effective treatment for SAD, though these trials included smaller sample sizes and larger clinical trials would be preferable.
If you want to try BLT at home, The Cut published a list of the 6 best light therapy lamps available on Amazon. They range in price from $65 to $230 for a large floor lamp. The Strategist from New York Magazine also published their list of recommendations, and it includes two pairs of light therapy glasses! Light therapy glasses work just like light therapy lamps, but are more compact and portable.
How can you talk with patients about vaccines? How can you address vaccine hesitancy, combat myths and misinformation, and save lives?
Himmelfarb Library recently added Let's Talk Vaccines: A Clinician's Guide to Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Saving Lives to our online and print collections. Let's Talk Vaccines covers everything from the science of vaccine safety to the psychology of risk communication. It includes real-life examples and thoughtful, evidence-based techniques that will help patients understand vaccines and make informed decisions.
Let's Talk Vaccines is useful to primary care providers, pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and public health advocates. The book provides an excellent framework for how to approach difficult discussions, with the goal of improving the health of each patient as well as the community at large. The book uses a patient-centered approach to
Directly address the increasing trend of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children, including the history and psychology of the anti-vaccine movement.
Examine the issues underlying vaccine hesitancy, answering the common questions and concerns that vaccine-hesitant patients may raise during office visits.
Help you dispel myths and fears that many patients have, with particular attention paid to misinformation and skepticism on social media.
Cover the anti-vaccine movement’s assertions about autism, autoimmune illnesses and allergies, toxic ingredients, overwhelming the immune system, conspiracies, and more – bringing you up to date with the most common issues and effective approaches to the vaccine discussion.
Provide practical tips on approaching the vaccine-hesitant parent and how anti-vaccine patients change their minds, with a focus on remaining a positive partner in your patients’ care and finding greater success in your vaccination efforts
Let's Talk Vaccines is available online from both on- and off-campus locations. Himmelfarb Library's print copy is currently available on the New Book Shelf (QR189 .L37 2020) and is available for checkout.
It's beginning to feel a lot like winter! With shorter daylight hours, and constant holiday get-togethers that offer an abundance of sweets and treats, it can be a challenge to find the motivation to stick with an exercise routine. We all know how appealing a treadmill is after that eighth cookie right?
This year, why not spice up your fitness routine with some alternative exercise activities? Trying something new can help keep you engaged and excited about burning those holiday calories. Take a break from studying at Himmelfarb, and try one of these five fun alternatives to hitting the gym that many of us avoid during this time of year:
Flying Trapeze
Did you ever dream of running away to the circus when you were a kid? You can make that dream a reality without actually having to leave DC. Take a flying trapeze class at Trapeze School New York Washington DC (TSNY DC). You’ll get to work on conditioning, body awareness, timing, trust, relaxation, and build self confidence all while flying through the air! You may even see the familiar face of a Himmelfarb librarian in class!
Ruth Bueter, Himmelfarb Librarian, with a Set Gazelle Catch on the flying trapeze!
If flying trapeze isn’t up your alley, TSNY DC offers a variety of other circus classes to choose from including: silks, static trapeze, trampoline, lyra, spanish web, and even juggling! As an added bonus, you get to exercise in a real circus tent! TSNY is located at Navy Yard DC and is accessible via Metro.
2. Dancing at Glen Echo Park
If you’d rather keep your feet firmly on the ground, put on your dancing shoes and head to Glen Echo Park for an evening of dancing. Glen Echo offers a variety of dance opportunities including contra, ballroom, blues, salsa, swing, tango, and waltz. Dances are open to the public and no experience is needed. An introductory lesson is provided before the dance begins. Most dances include live music. Find a dance event that suits your musical tastes and dancing interest on the dance calendar! Keep an eye out for another familiar Himmelfarb librarian who has been known to cut a rug from time to time at the Glen Echo dances!
3. Indoor Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a great total body workout. Indoor climbing is a great alternative to traditional rock climbing during the cold weather months, and a great introduction to the sport for those new to climbing. Not only is rock climbing a great workout for your muscles, it’s also a fantastic mental workout to strategize your route to the top. DC area indoor rock climbing opportunities include: Vertical Rock Indoor Climbing Center (Manassas, VA), Sport Rock (Alexandria & Sterling, VA), Earth Treks (Columbia, MD; Crystal City, VA; Rockville, MD), and Climb YMCA (Cardozo neighborhood of DC).
4. Ice Skating
Ice skating can be a great way to get some exercise during the winter months. Not only does ice skating work numerous muscle groups, it’s a lot of fun and can be enjoyed with friends and family. DC has numerous outdoor skating rinks to enjoy this winter including: the Washington Harbour Ice Rink on the Georgetown Waterfront, the Wharf Ice Rink at The Wharf, Canal Park Ice Skating in Navy Yard, and the Sculpture Garden Ice Rink on the National Mall between the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art.
5. Holiday Light Walking or Running Tour
Want to get in the holiday spirit while logging those steps on your fitness tracker? Go for a walk through local holiday light displays like Zoo Lights, Enchant at Nationals Park, or Georgetown Glow. Or take a walking or running tour of DC Christmas trees. Notable trees to include on your tour could include: the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, and the Canadian Embassy Christmas Tree. While you’re on The Ellipse, be sure to check out the National Menorah. If you’d prefer to get those steps in while staying warm and cozy indoors, consider checking out the holiday train and plant-based recreations of landmarks at the U.S. Botanic Garden's Season’s Greedings exhibit. Or head to Union Station to see the Christmas tree and wreaths, followed by the indoor tree at the Library of Congress.
Want more ideas for spicing up your winter fitness routine? Why not try running snow sprints, going for a winter hike with a local hiking club, taking advantage of an indoor swimming pool at the Lerner Health & Wellness Center or one of DC’s indoor city pools, cross-country skiing, or escaping the cold with a hot yoga class? Or if you just need a study break during those long hours of studying at Himmelfarb, take advantage of our exercise equipment and board games. There are so many unique ways to stay fit during this time of year. Find one that you enjoy and add it to your winter routine this year!
Himmelfarb’s Humanities and Health Collection is much more than a leisure reading collection. These books can provide insight into the lives and experiences of those who have been sick and those who provide care.
Himmelfarb Library selectively acquires books in the Literature in Medicine genre for its Humanities and Health Collection. The collection is located on the first floor of the library, near the information desk and includes more than 200 titles that can be checked out for up to 9 weeks.
Here’s a sampling of a few of the titles available:
Himmelfarb Library provides clinical apps for free download! DynaMed, Lexicomp and Epocrates Plus (premium) provide clinical information including up to the minute disease and drug information. All three apps provide access to information whether or not you have WiFi or data access at your point of need.
For each app, download the free app from the iTunes store or Google Play, and then follow the instructions on Himmelfarb Library's App Shelf in order to connect your app to Himmelfarb's subscription.
If you prefer not to install the app, you can access these resources via 24/7 web access from Himmelfarb Library's webpage. DynaMed and Epocrates Plus are mobile-optimized so will display well whether you're accessing these information tools on your cell phone, a tablet, or computer.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Abate (leabate@gwu.edu).
How can you talk with patients about vaccines? How can you address vaccine hesitancy, combat myths and misinformation, and save lives?
Himmelfarb Library
