Christmas Newsletter 2014
Tips for Turkey without Tears!
Every Christmas we hear tales of woe about people putting their backs out whilst taking the turkey out of the oven.
The problem is that all morning you have been either sitting talking or bending over, playing with new toys with your children or grandchildren or you have been standing on your feet talking to friends. You then need to get the turkey out of the oven but you are wearing your best clothes!
You bend down to take the heavy, hot roasting tin out of the oven but you don’t hold it close to you like we have taught you to lift because you are trying to keep your clothes clean so you are holding it at arm’s length. Suddenly you feel a tweak in your back muscles and that’s the rest of Christmas marred by back pain!
How can you avoid this happening?
- Get someone else to take the turkey out of the oven
- Wear an apron- this means you can hold the turkey close to you while you lift.
- Spoon the hot fat out of the roasting tin before lifting it so you don’t get hot fat down you.
- Have a clear surface close-by to put the turkey down onto and avoid twisting while you do.
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight as though you are a weight lifter. Pull your shoulders back and brace your abdominal muscles before lifting. Hold the turkey as close to you as is safe, then focus on your leg muscles while you lift.Enjoy your Christmas dinner, and make sure someone else does the dishes for you!