According to the American Lung Association, poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases (like asthma). And according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it can increase a person’s risk of developing pneumonia and even heart disease.

Here’s a few ideas and suggestions to counteract that wintertime stuffiness:

Consider plants-Not only can they clean and purify interior air, they also provide aesthetic beauty and appeal to any home. Plants help remove benzene (an irritant that causes headache, nausea and blurred vision, among other things), formaldehyde (another irritant that causes watery eyes and wheezing), other toxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are unhealthy to breathe.

Aloe and Gerber daisies are great choices, for example (be sure to provide plenty of sunlight for these plants).

Bathe your pets regularly during the winter-Because they’re also spending more time indoors, there’s going to be more buildup of fur and pet dander (the skin flakes in an animal’s fur or hair that can set off allergic reactions). You may want to wash down any animal bedding in hot water weekly as well.

When weather’s permitting, open the windows; if possible, also crack them open whenever cleaning the house (consider using just soap and water to clean up when feasible). After cooking a big meal, turn on the kitchen exhaust fan to allow fresh air in.

After using the vacuum cleaner, take out the mop and a bucket of water, and go over the floors to scoop up any lingering dust (if you have time for this).

Ban indoor smoking-This habit drastically reduces indoor air quality (even putting nonsmokers at risk); did you know that cigarette smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals? And be careful with wood-burning stoves, fireplaces (built-up soot and smoke), incense and lighted candles (not only built-up pollution, but possible allergies).

Sources: “These Plants Can Improve Indoor Air Quality”-Fall Home-The Vindicator, September 27, 2014, “How to improve indoor air quality in winter”-Metro Creative Services, Home Improvement-The Vindicator, September 19, 2015 and “Improve indoor air quality as winter approaches” by MetroServices, Valley Homes-The (Sunday) Vindicator,Nov. 17, 2013

Help with the Turkey

To ease the stress of getting your turkey from the pan to the cutting board, consider the Poultry Lifter from Oxo-specially designed for turkeys (retails for $10; available at Bed Bath & Beyond).

Once the turkey’s out of the oven, let it rest for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to an hour (also “tent” it with aluminum foil). The Chicago Cutlery grooved plastic board is an excellent cutting board that has a trench to catch any juices (available at Target for $19).

The Butterball Turkey Talk Line (1-800-288-8372) is just one of several options for holiday cooking assistance:

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is open from 8 am.-2 pm. (Eastern Standard Time) on Thanksgiving Day, and the Reynolds Turkey Tips Line will be open 24 hours through Dec. 31st at 800-745-4000.

And it’s not just turkey; you can also get help preparing cranberries (Ocean Spray Consumer Helpline at 1-800-662-3263, 9 am.-4 pm. (Eastern Standard Time) on Thanksgiving Day and with putting together leftovers at Campbell´s Soups Holiday Leftovers Hotline at 1 888 453 3868, Nov. 27-Dec. 31.

Day-After Recipe

Here’s a very fast and easy, delicious day-after-Thanksgiving meal:

Turkey Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

Cooked turkey

Cooked broccoli florets

Macaroni and cheese mix (or homemade)

Just stir some cooked turkey and cooked broccoli florets into some mac and cheese. Put into a baking dish. Then bake at 375 degrees until heated through.

Did You Know That…..

856 million pounds of cranberries are grown in the U.S. each year (besides being so darn delicious, cranberries are quite healthy: They’re packed with antioxidants and have cancer-fighting benefits).

A breakfastarian is a person who likes eating breakfast any time of the day (at least 90 percent eat brinner-breakfast for dinner). In response to this  burgeoning trend, several fast-food places and many restaurants have begun offering all-day breakfast items.

New Products

Would you believe there are now Turkey & Gravy flavored potato chips from Boulder Canyon? They’re only 140 calories and actually taste like the real deal.

Baileys Coffee Creamers has a Frosted Vanilla Cookie flavor that’s only 25 calories per serving.

Cranberry Creme Brulee by Lifeway offers 11 grams of protein and 12 probiotics in a 140-calorie serving (consisting of kefir, a nutrient-packed yogurt that’s also drinkable).

These items are available at most major grocery stores and big-box retailers.

Letting the Kids Help

They can:

• Tear up the lettuce for salads
• peel any potatoes, apples, etc.
• fold napkins
• set the table
• roll out pie dough and/or cut them into shapes
• arrange and set out snack and appetizer trays

The Capon–A Turkey Alternative

Smaller than a turkey but larger than a broiler chicken, a capon is a delicious “other choice” for many. A mid-size one ranges from 6-9 pounds and provides about 1 pound of meat for each person. And they’re easy to roast and carve. For a holiday main meal, capons can be served with practically any type of stuffing (or dressing), vegetable or rice side dish or any combination of all the aforementioned!

Dessert: Quick Red Velvet Cake (recipe by Jeanne Jones, from the Heloise column-Nov. 8, 1995)

Ingredients

1 yellow cake mix

5 eggs

One-half cup oil

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 ounces red food coloring

Mix following the package directions and add the buttermilk, cocoa and food coloring. Cook according to the cake box instructions.

Sources: First Bite section and “Day-After Dinner Winners”-Relish, Nov. 2015, Live Better Now section, Season’s Eatings section-Spry Living, Nov. 2015, “Kids’ Stuff” by Katie Workman-Relish, Nov. 2014, “More than a hen”-Associated Press-TheVindicator, Nov. 16, 1994 and Wapsie Produce Co. and Heloise-The Vindicator, Nov. 8, 1995