Take Preventative Action

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States, according to the American Medical Association.

The following is good information to follow even if you don’t live in the state of California. Better to be safe than sorry.

New California Safety Law Requirements (effective July 1, 2011):
• All existing single-family homes that contain a fossil fuel burning heater
or appliance, fireplace or an attached garage must install carbon monoxide alarms.
• CO Alarms must be installed outside of sleeping areas and on every level of a dwelling, including a basement.
• CO alarms must be either battery-powered or plug-in.

What Is Kefir and Why Is It Good For You?

I recently received Kefir from my brother and his wife who has been taking it for over a month.He wanted the rest of the family to try it, too. Why would he want us to try it?

Water Kefir (what I received) looks like a crystal with a jelly-like texture. I was told that it is good to drink it’s water or eat it as is. I tried some Kefir grains, and it was tasteless. Kefir is a bacteria that eats sugar, and is good to have after consuming high sugar foods.

I had to do some research, and found out that Kefir was recommended in the 17 Day Diet, which has been widely received by millions of people. So, It must be good.Read more...

Happy Mother's Day!

Free Shipping on any order of $50 or more at verabradley.com! Valid Sunday, May 8, 2011.

Mother's Day is Coming! Maybe I'll get something for myself?

New Promo.

We got such a great response for the New Balance Shoes contest that we have decided to post more deals as they come available.  Remember when you see them, they are only for a limited time only.
Deal of the day 4/21 King Duvet $27.99, save 70%

Your Chance To Win

3 New Balance shoes giveaway, only today!!

The Benefits of Exercise

We're all getting older. We need to continually exercise to maintain our mental and physical health.Exercise is shown to benefit dementia patients. See video.

Asthma Season

Yes it is. I have asthma and it is usually pretty good during the rest of the year. Unfortunately, now it is springtime, everything is affecting me.  Any type of perfume or smell that is strong really affects me. I have to cover my nose. Cannot be around if someone is mowing the lawn or spraying fertilizer or weed killer outside. Once I start coughing, it continues on until I can take a deep breath, and grab my inhaler.  I especially have a hard time breathing at night.

Did you know that the bedroom is the best place to put an Air Filtration System (a.k.a. air purifier)? It is due to the amount of dead skin cells we shed, and  the close proximity to mold and mildew from the bathroom.

We only have one,  HEPA Air Filtration System – it is usually in the family room. Now I bring it in the bedroom at night.  It really helps.  I hope that someday I could have more than one so that I don’t have to bring it back to the family room during the day.

We have two indoor cats, and one indoor dog. It’s hard to believe I am allergic to cats. I think I must be getting immune to them. I use to sneeze all the time. The filtration system definitely helps.  I can’t help being around them. The good thing- none of the animals are allowed in my bedroom.

If you only have one filtration system, be sure to start it up at least an hour before retiring. I needed the air cleaned out or I could not sleep.(FYI: We do not have Central Air Conditioning in our home. Your indoor air may not be as bad as ours, and turning on the A.C. may be all you need to cleanse the air.)

Want to feel better? Eating Soup has also helped me a lot. I love the warm goodness going down my throat. Today I had another bowl of homemade Turkey Soup, yes, I made it myself. Roasted the turkey in my NuWave Oven and made the leftovers into soup. I love meals that can be made over. I have grown to love garlic and onions, and use them in many of my recipes. Garlic and onions help to protect against cardiovascular disease, respiratory concerns, diabetes, and a variety of cancers.

Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/onions-garlic.shtml#ixzz1JLKgutYV

Sometimes You Have To Get Fighting MAD

Today I went to my parent's house to help with my dad's speech. He had a stroke last year. I visit him at least once a week to get him motivated to say something instead of just using body language to communicate.  He wasn't wanting to communicate with me at all.  I kept pushing and then, he said, "I don't want to talk, I'm tired!" He also said he wasn't hungry and didn't mind if he skipped lunch.  That was a lot for him to say. He was talking in complete sentences. I was impressed.

Needless to say, I didn't stay long. He took a nap. He did a lot of talking in just a short amount of time, and he got rewarded with sleep. I get mad too when I procrastinate and can't take it anymore. I end up cramming things in at the last minute (writing a newsletter, doing dishes, laundry, etc.). Of course it would be nice if everything always worked out in a timely manner. But life does get in the way with interruptions...

The bottom line, don't be lazy.  Get fighting mad at the things that are hindering you from going forward. Don't let them pile up and keep you from your goals.   You miss out on the little rewards along the way if you keep ignoring what needs to be done.  I know, been there, done that. No fun.

You May Need To Change Your Springtime Habits

Ask Yourself The Following:

Are you using a sponge to wipe up everything? Did you know that the kitchen is the dirtiest room in the house? It’s easy to grab a sponge and mop up messes as you go along, but wait. You may be cross contaminating everything with the sponge.

  

Here are some helpful tips from Phillip Tierno, author of The Secret Life Of Germs.

* Dip sponges in a solution of bleach and water before using with a different surface. This prevents cross-contamination with each surface (counter tops, refrigerator, appliance cutting board, sink, etc.). Here are safer alternatives to bleach and water. Click here

*Be sure to let sponge air-dry. Dryness kills off organisms.

*Prevent bacteria build-up by putting a little water in a dish, and then, put sponge on top. Microwave for 1-2 minutes to boil water. The heat will distribute throughout the sponge and kill the bacteria. Recommended each week.

Where are your gloves? Look at your hands are they dry and cracked? It may be time to invest in some work gloves.  One for the kitchen, bathroom, and outdoors.  You only have one set of hands, protect them.

When cleaning- Are you overwhelmed by fumes? You may want to check the label on the cleaner, and choose a safer alternative.  Here is a link to health and safety information on household products. Click here. Did you know that vinegar and water works just as well as ammonia and water?

Do you see a blast of dust every time you turn on the vacuum? It may be time for a new vacuum cleaner. Look for a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Unlike those in conventional vacuums, HEPA filters are able to retain the small particles and prevent them from passing through and contaminating the air that you breathe in your home.

Are you planning on barbecuing the same way you grew up to love? Unfortunately, barbecuing meat creates the cancer-causing compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). PAH forms when fat drips from the meat onto the hot grill, catches fire, and produces smoke. HCAs form when meat is cooked at a high temperature.
  
Michael Thun, MD, who is the vice president for epidemiology and surveillance research with the American Cancer Society has the answer. He says, “Limiting your outdoor cooking, using tin foil, or microwaving the meat first is a sensible precaution. Wrapping  meat in foil with holes poked in it allows fat to drip off, but limits the amount of fat that hits the flames and comes back onto the meat. Also, some of the excess fat can be eliminated by first microwaving meat and choosing cuts of meat that are leaner.”

Are your windows open? Sounds good, but it may be best, left shut. It is due to the combination of seasonal allergies and poor air quality of many cities throughout the U.S. According to a recent report by the American Lung Association, 60% of Americans are breathing unhealthy air. It was also found that the pollution inside our homes may be worse than outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to our country. Bacteria, molds, mildew, tobacco smoke, viruses, animal dander, house dust mites, and pollen are among the most common household pollutants.

What to do -Shut the windows and run the air conditioner. All air-conditioning systems have a filter that protects the mechanical equipment and keeps them clean of debris. Pollen and mold spores that have made their way indoors will be run through the air-conditioning system and taken out of the air as they go through the duct work, but unfortunately much like with the vacuum cleaner, these filters can only capture the largest particles. Air purification systems intended to remove the inhalible particles, which are very small, exist on the market and some are very effective. They may also be worth the investment. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that cleaner air might add as much as five months to a person's life.

Are there things that you could change?   Jot down the changes you plan on making, and how you will do them. Share what you learned with others. The more we share, the healthier we will be together.

Brain Games

I spent yesterday playing games on my computer. I found 6 that I thought you might like. These are fun, yet challenging, addicting, too. The thing that makes it challenging is that all of these are timed games, so you have to be quick in doing the required tasks. Health isn't just about looking good.  We need to work out our brains, too. Challenge yourself to beat your own score. You will find a link to all of the games on the Subscriber's page.
Or, if you have not subscribed yet.  Here are two of my favorites  to test out:  The Life Of Brain  and Geo-genius U.S.A.. Let me know what types of games you like.  I may add more in the future?

Faith Diet Weekly Audio Program

The Faith Diet Series is here to motivate you and inspire you to lose weight, get healthy and develop a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Bring your bible and journal book to take notes and get ready for success with wellness counselor, Bonnie Michelle. She has lost 120 pounds naturally on her own and now she's ready to help you too. Click here.

MP3 Download

I just added a widget in the side bar, so that you can listen to a clip, and download Christian Music. Listening to Christian Music has uplifted me, and helped me through tough times. Remember that you are not alone, prayer and faith in God has the power to change things. It may not change your circumstance, but it could change your perspective on things so that you can handle what life brings you. Take a listen to some of the top MP3 songs. You may be surprised at how Christian Music, and faith in Jesus Christ could change your life!

Guidelines To Safe Food Handling

Soon spring will be here! That means picnics, and eating lots of food.  Proper  food handling is very important and should not be ignored especially  when entertaining with family and friends. Therefore, heed these recommendations. Click here.

12 Tips To Help You Get The Sleep You Need

With the warmer weather now, it is tempting to stay up, and not get the sleep that your body needs. Sleep is important for your physical and emotional health.  Sleep helps to keep your immune system strong.  It also can help your mood and make you feel less stressed.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and depression.  Getting the proper amount of sleep is an essential aspect of chronic disease prevention.  You need a good night sleep. Read more...

Ready To Get Healthy?

Be prepared you may think that your mind and body will be geared up for getting healthy, but that is not always the case.  For instance, do you know what you are going to change, and how you are going to do it? What are your contingency plans if you miss a morning at the gym?

Start Now, and Plan Ahead    Continued here..

Featured Recipe Reviews

We hope that you have enjoyed each Weekly Featured Recipe. We would love to get your feedback.  Positive or negative. Did it meet your dietary needs?  Please feel free to post your cooking tips, revisions, or alternative recipes here for us all.  The more feedback we get, the better for everyone.  Thank you.