After Thanksgiving update

Hello everyone!
I am happy to report we are all stuffed, rested and ready to rock the week! Barbara tells me she will be traveling and so will Cindy. Krystal and I will hold down the home front. I am still getting with everyone on the insurance. I realize the deadline is Sunday so call Krystal if you haven't heard from me.

My adorable twins are cuter and sweeter than ever! Made the long road trip worth it!

If you need meds call Krystal so we can get that handled pronto....
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Happy Thanksgiving!

May each of you have a wonderful day surrounded by family, friends and food! I am thankful to call each of you friend!

As you know, I am actually on vacation, unplugged and relaxing for the first time in a long while.

Have a great day, stay safe and warm. OIB staff will be back to work on Monday.
Until then,
Dr. Janet

Holiday plans

Hello everyone,
What a whirlwind week! I think the earliest I was home each night was 9. By this morning, I could hardly wait to get that cup of coffee and sit! For a few hours it was just me and the recliner. At noon I was back in the swing and stayed very busy. Tomorrow the blind bus will be rolling to Paragould which is always a fun time but a long day! We will be at 7th and Meuller, enjoying that wonderful WiFi!

After that, I am off to hug babies.....I can't wait! Barbara, Cindy, Krystal and I are all off this week to enjoy our families. I hope you will take time to do the same.
Stay safe, healthy and above all thankful!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Interesting.....

These food waste statistics will make you think twice about what you throw out 

Published November 19, 2014 FoxNews.co

Americans throw out 30 percent of their food.  As Americans prepare to sit down at the dinner table and give thanks this holiday, it's a good time to note the growing problem of global food waste. Last month, National Geographic reported some startling statistics about how much food is wasted each year. 

The average American family of four tosses over 1,160 pounds of food a year -- from scraps, to spills and spoilage. That's 1.2 million calories-enough to provide one person over 3,200 calories of food a day. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, roughly between 30 to 40 percent of the food supply is wasted. Globally the problem is magnified. Industrialized nations like the U.S. and U.K. waste 1.5 trillion pounds annually-- an amount almost equal to the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, a division of the United Nations. 

In the U.S., food is largest "single source of waste," filling up more space than plastic or paper, reports NPR . In 2012, America produced 35 million tons of food waste, according the Environmental Protection Agency's most recent figures. 

All this waste is costing us between $162 and $165 billion annually. "It's so cheap to buy food [that] we just look at it as a given, that it will always be there - 'I can go buy more tomorrow,' " Dan Nickey, associate director of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center , told NPR. "Zero food waste would be ideal, but that's not reality, OK? he says. "If you're in your kitchen and a water pipe bursts in your kitchen, you're not going to stop and think, 'How can I use this water in a socially and environmentally responsible manner? No, you're going to stop and turn the water off. And that's what we need to do first. Adding to the problem are issues like confusing food labels, such as "sale by dates" and "best if used by" --which are not food safety dates, but rather suggested times put on by manufacturers when the food is best to be eaten. 

Also, consumers used to perfect looking fruits and vegetables, reject discolored or misshapen produce. These typically don't get shipped to the grocer and get thrown out on the farm, or if they do make it the store, they get tossed because they won't sell. "Forty to 50 percent of food waste comes from consumers, and 50 to 60 percent from businesses," Ashley Zanolli of the Environmental Protection Agency told NPR. She recently initiated a program Food: Too Good to Waste to teach consumers here how to be more efficient with how they buy and use food. The program aims to conquer mental and physical barriers that contribute to food waste. One part of the program stipulates that families must measure how much food they are actually wasting to be realistic about their needs. Zanolli thinks a big part of the problem stems from individuals blaming others. "It's their brother-in-law who wastes so much food, or, oh, my gosh, their neighbor down the street," she said. "And unlike recycling, where you can create some peer pressure by noticing whether your neighbor has their blue bin down at the end of the driveway, it's a little different with household behaviors. 

Thanksgiving facts

Things you probably didn't know about the pilgrims 

By Randi Roberts 

Published November 19, 2014 

We usually think of the Pilgrims as British exiles who sailed to the North America and settled in Massachusetts. But the truth is a bit more complicated than that; the original Pilgrims were 35 members of the radical Puritan faction of the Church of England called the English Separatist Church, which illegally broke away from the rest of the Church in 1607. The group originally settled in the Netherlands, where the laws were much more lenient. There, the Separatists suffered economic difficulties and feared the loss of their English language and culture. This inspired their voyage to the New World, a new home where they would be free to practice their religion and way of life. 

In September of 1620, they joined a London stock company to finance their trip aboard the Mayflower, a three-masted merchant ship headed across the Atlantic. They intended to settle in an area near the Hudson River, part of the Virginia colony, but because of stormy seas, the Mayflower eventually anchored over two months later in what would soon be called Plymouth Harbor, in what is now Massachusetts. That first winter was extremely harsh, but., things began looking up for them with the aid of Squanto (also known as Tisquantum), a Native American of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been captured by early explorers in 1605 and taken to England, where he learned the language. Captain John Smith brought him back to New England in 1614, and it was Squanto who taught the Pilgrims about the land, where to hunt, and how to plant corn, which became an essential crop. The Pilgrims are perhaps best known for the celebration of the harvest that shared with their Native American neighbors: Thanksgiving. But there is more to the Pilgrims than the Mayflower, religious persecution, and that first Thanksgiving.

 Here are some little-known facts about the Pilgrims that you might want to dish out at the Thanksgiving table this year. 

1.  Thanksgiving is a holiday for which old, traditional recipes make an appearance, and cookbooks are out in full force. The Pilgrims also used cookbooks, as evidenced by several "recipe books" from the period. These books provide insight into cooking at that time. The most famous may be Gervase Markham's The English Housewife, which was first published in 1615. 

2.  Thanks to Squanto, the Pilgrims were successfully able to plant corn and it became an extremely important crop for the settlers. However, they probably called it "Indian corn" or "turkey wheat. In the English of the period, the word corn meant, rye, barley, oats, or other grains. 

3.  It's interesting to note that in a Pilgrim household, while the adults sat down to dinner, the children waited on them. We are sure parents would love to go back to that arrangement. 

4.  The Pilgrims may have originally been Puritans, but they weren't puritanical when it came to alcohol. Their primary beverage was beer, even for the kids. The Pilgrims believed that water was contaminated and often made people sick, which was probably true in a time before reliable water filtration or purification. Beer's distillation process killed most parasites and bacteria, making the brew safer to sip.

 5.  That initial Thanksgiving, in 1621, was a three-day celebration of the first successful harvest, bringing together Pilgrims, Native Americans, and a bounty of food. The meal included venison, a large number of turkeys and waterfowl, cod, and bass - plus the harvest, which consisted of wheat, corn, barley, and perhaps peas. On top of that, there were foods native to the area, like clams, mussels, lobster, eel, ground nuts, acorns, black walnuts, chestnuts, squashes, and beans, along with fruits and berries such as strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and gooseberries that were growing wild. Now that's a feast! 

6.   Sickness was a constant threat to the Pilgrims. Scurvy, a nasty disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, was high on the list. Lemon juice was taken to help prevent scurvy. Talk about an immune boost.

 7.  The Mayflower didn't land in Plymouth first. Before their departure, the Pilgrims were hoping to sail for the mouth of the Hudson River, just north of present-day New York City. Unfortunately, bad weather did not allow this. After 65 difficult days at sea, the Mayflower first landed at the tip of Cape Cod, in what is now Provincetown. The rapidly approaching winter and dwindling supplies stymied their second attempt for the Hudson, and eventually forced the Pilgrims to continue across Cape Cod Bay. They finally stopped at Plymouth, which became their new home. 

Cranberries

Cranberries: Not just for Thanksgiving 

By Chris Kilham 

Published November 19, 2014 FoxNews.com 

Of the many purported super-foods, one that originates from North America is the cranberry. Grown in bogs, cranberries are harvested in late fall, just in time for Thanksgiving and other holiday dinners. But this berry has virtues that go far beyond the pretty red blob on the plate wedged between mashed potatoes and stuffing. A favorite food of Native Americans, cranberries were eaten fresh, juiced, cooked into other foods, or dried and eaten for energy. One favorite food included cranberries and crushed nuts (often acorns) in animal fat. When traveling long distances, such a snack provided concentrated energy. 

During harvest, most cranberries are picked using the wet method. The bogs in which cranberry bushes grow are flooded, and then tractors roll through them with beaters that shake the berries off of the bushes. The berries float to the surface of the water. From there they are raked together on the water's surface, and sucked up into trucks using vacuum hoses. 

We know a lot more about cranberries than was known hundreds of years ago. The berries, which may appear red, white or pink depending on their stage of ripeness at time of harvest, contain a variety of beneficial compounds. One of the compounds often given special attention are PACs, or proanthocyanidins. These are not only potent antioxidants, but possess the capacity to cause the formation of new, healthy collagen, which is a key agent in tissue. The production of collagen is basically a youth-enhancing effect, helping to keep internal organs and skin more youthful. Additionally, cranberries contain alpha-terpineol, which is both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The berries contain the cancer-fighter benzaldehyde, glucose-modifying chlorogenic acids, and lutein, which enhances vision and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, cranberries are rich in the nutrient quercetin, which improves heart health, fights cancer, inhibits aging of cells, and reduces inflammation. 

In terms of health benefits, cranberries are more concentrated in good-for-you compounds than broccoli, spinach, raspberries, strawberries and almost all other fruits and vegetables. The is what makes cranberries legitimate super-foods. From a therapeutic standpoint, cranberries are beneficial for treating and preventing urinary tract infections. Cranberries do not kill bacteria in the urinary tract, but they do prevent the bacteria from attaching to urinary tract walls. This anti-adhesion effect means that the bacteria can't colonize, and wind up flushed out of the body during urination. A more recent benefit of cranberries concerns night-time urination. In one study, men who took a concentrate of cranberry urinated fewer times at night. This is due to increased thoroughness of urination, or more complete voiding. For those who get up at night, this can reduce the number of times, thus aiding a night's sleep. 

Cranberries are great eaten fresh, though many people find them too tart on their own. They are excellent when blended with orange juice and bananas in a smoothie. Dried cranberries make excellent snacks. But look for dried cranberries (organic whenever possible) sweetened with apple juice instead of sugar, for fewer calories. Another excellent way to eat cranberries is to add the whole berry sauce to plain yogurt, for a fruity treat that is excellent for breakfast. You can buy fresh cranberries and store them in the refrigerator for up to two months. In the freezer they will keep fresh all winter long. You don't need to thaw them out to toss a handful into a smoothie. 

It's time for cranberries to move out of the shadow of Thanksgiving, into the bright light of everyday enjoyment. Native, good for you, and packed with protective properties, cranberries deserve a broader role in the American diet. 

Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide. His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at MedicineHunter.com . 

Happy Hump Day

Good morning all,
What a busy and hectic week! Barbara, Cindy and I are chasing our tails this week! I am doing insurance visits every night this week.  If you need my assistance, please call Krystal to get on the list! I am also scheduling clients with Dr. Boehm for diabetic issues. Let us know if you need an appointment or assistance with your insulin.

Barbara is traveling North and has a huge technology event planned later this week.

Cindy is doing home visits and lots of phone calls.

If you need us, just call.
Dr. Janet

Diabetes info

Understanding diabetes and busting myths 

By Dr. Jorge Rodriguez 

Published November 16, 2014 

It is very fitting that November is Diabetes Awareness Month, since it deals with a subject that is currently affecting almost 100 million Americans. In my new book, "The Diabetes Solution," I decided to tackle this important issue, not only because of how many Americans are affected but because in the United States over 200,000 people die unnecessarily from complications of diabetes every year. The sad truth is the Type 2 Diabetes is not only treatable; it is curable. 

Simply speaking, diabetes is when the body cannot use the carbohydrates we eat. Instead of using them as the vital energy our organs need, these sugars just stay floating around our blood, causing damage to many organs, including the eyes, the nerves, the kidneys and our hearts, just to mention a few. Some people cannot make any insulin, which is the protein necessary to use carbohydrates as fuel. These people have Type 1 Diabetes. However, over 90 percent of all diabetics are Type 2 Diabetics. The greatest cause of Type 2 Diabetes is being overweight and as the number of overweight Americans increases, so does the number of Type 2 diabetics. Even though diabetes is more common in Hispanics and African-Americans, our doctors should test us all for diabetes, because whether it runs in our family or not we are all susceptible. The earlier you diagnose it, the easier it is to treat and the less organ damage that occurs. 

It is essential to know the truth about treating diabetes, not the myths. This knowledge is power. For example, in order to treat diabetes you don't have to avoid carbohydrates. On the contrary, you need them for energy. What is important is to know which are the right carbohydrates to eat and when to eat them. Your body is an engine and you need carbohydrates throughout the whole day. But you need the carbohydrates that have fiber associated with them, such as unrefined flour and fresh fruit. 

There are other important misconceptions about what you should eat if you are diabetic. For example, artificial sweeteners are actually something that should be avoided if you are diabetic. You need natural energy, not chemicals. In "The Diabetes Solution," I along with my colleague, registered dietician and cookbook author, Susan Wyler, have devised a very simple system called the Blood Sugar Budget. Much like other successful programs to manage your weight, we have assigned points to all the different food groups. The difference in our point system is that you MUST consume all your daily points. Less is not better here. Believe it or not, you will not only control your diabetes, but also probably lose weight in the process. Treating diabetes doesn't have to be scary, difficult or full of sacrifice; it just requires a little knowledge. 

Jorge E. Rodriguez, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist who received his medical degree from the University of Miami. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, and his fellowship in gastroenterology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Rodriguez has established himself as a leader in HIV treatment and intestinal diseases. He has appeared as an expert medical commentator on CNN News, Good Morning America Health, The Doctors, and The View. He is an MDVIP-affiliated physician and has had an internal medicine practice in Newport Beach, California, since 1988. Click for more at DrJorge.com. 

Happy Monday

Good chilly morning to all,
Like all the other children, I jumped up to check the weather! The adult side of my brain is thankful the roads are in good shape; however, the five year old side wanted a snow day!
Remember that Helen and I are doing home visits on insurance beginning tonight. If you need a visit please call Krystal at 501-664-7100. It is important to check your rates for next year. Some plans are increasing significantly.
Have a great day, stay safe, warm and dry.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Insurance info

good Sunday evening all,
Sorry for the late post but I spent the day with my number one son! That always trumps work or blog in my world.
I have read, reread, and studied the insurance information. My advice.....don't get sick!
However, it appears for our folks the Humana plans are probably the best coverage for the least amount of money.
I will be seeing and or calling everyone this week so get that dreaded list of prescriptions ready for me.
Take care and be well until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Saturday plans

Good morning everyone,
The travelers are off to Hot Springs Village this morning! Fortunately, I don't see ice or snow out my window. Hope everyone has a great day. Stay warm and be prepared for bad weather tomorrow evening. I am not the weather person but it sounds like a great opportunity for an ice storm!
Take care and stay warm!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Great but depressing article about sugar

Can't lose weight? Cut down on natural and added sugars 

By Julie Revelant Published November 13, 2014 FoxNews.com 

The holiday season is right around the corner and as you grab that pumpkin spice latte, indulge in some pecan pie or bake batches of cookies, how much are you really paying attention to the amount of sugar you're eating? Sure, they're short-lived treats so you give yourself permission to enjoy them. Yet what may surprise you is that it's not just sugar-laden desserts that we should be cutting back on. Experts say all types of sugar, whether they're natural or added, can affect our waistlines and our health. 

Read on to find out how sugar can make you sick, the surprising foods sugar sneaks into, and how you can still make it a part of a healthy diet. 

Non-nutritive vs. nutritive sweeteners 

Despite the fact that they're natural and are often touted as healthy alternatives to table sugar, non-nutritive sugars like honey and agave fall into this category because they contain only calories. Nutritive sugars, however, like fructose and lactose, are natural and have calories, but they also have some nutritional benefit. For example, fruit has fructose and vitamin C and milk has lactose as well as protein and calcium. "If the sweetener comes with vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need for healthy growth, those we really don't have to worry so much about," said Libby Mills, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Sugar overload The USDA estimates the average American eats 76.7 pounds of sugar each year. According to a report by AND, the average adult in the U.S. consumes 14.6 percent of their calories from added sugars alone. What's more, a recent report in the journal Obesity Society found the amount of added sugars we're eating has increased by about 30 percent over the last three decades. Whether it's natural, nutritive, or added, experts say we're just plain eating too much. "The biggest problem with sugar is that we're eating less table sugar than ever, but we're eating more sugar overall," said JJ Virgin, celebrity nutritionist and author of "The Sugar Impact Diet. "We pulled the fat out of food, put the sugar in place of it and now we've created a nation of sugar addicts," she said. "Sugar is a drug, it's the biggest drug we have. 

How sugar affects health 

Although more people are making better choices, nearly 35 percent of adults are obese, and sugar is partly to blame. A diet high in sugar is also linked to prediabetes, diabetes, osteoarthritis, stroke and heart disease. In fact, a study published earlier this year in JAMA Internal Medicine found that those who have diets high in sugar are more likely to die from heart disease even if they're not overweight. Sugar causes inflammation, which is also your body's way of healing an injury, such as a cut or a cold. Yet it's the chronic inflammation caused by poor diet, lack of exercise and environmental factors over time that can add up to big health problems. Inflammation has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease and signs of aging. A high-sugar diet can lead to insulin resistance, and in turn has been shown to drive development of cancer. Even if you don't have diabetes but you have a high fasting blood sugar, you have an increased risk for dementia, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found. 

Eating too much sugar is also the cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects 19 percent of people, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Experts expect incidence of the disease to rise. Yet it's not just disease that sugar's to blame for. "It's the daily hit to your energy levels, your focus, your GI tract, your immune system and to your self confidence," Virgin said. 

Sneaky sugars 

There are more than 55 names for sugar, which can make it hard to find on food labels. Processed foods are one of the biggest sources and about 80 percent contain added sugar. Soda is a no-brainer, but sweetened energy drinks are traps too. "It sets you up for a blood sugar roller coaster and it can leave you bottomed out," Mills said. Sugar also shows up in surprising places and we're none the wiser. Whole wheat bread-a seemingly healthy choice- can actually raise your blood sugar more than table sugar. Gluten-free breads are no better since they often use rice flour, potato starch and fruit juice concentrate. Manufacturers can add fruit juice concentrate to a product and use the "no sugar added" claim. Fat-free salad dressings, marinara sauce, peanut butter, rice cakes have sneaky sugars too. Many yogurts even have more sugar than ice cream. "There's a ton of confusion as to what is a good, healthy choice and what's not," Virgin said. 

Burn fat, not sugar 

Eating by the glycemic index can be beneficial, but one of the drawbacks is that fruit is considered low on the scale because it doesn't raise blood sugar. Unlike other types of sugar, fructose goes straight to the liver because it's the only organ that can metabolize it. So if you eat a small amount of fructose, it gets converted into glucose and is stored as glycogen so you'll have carbohydrates for energy. But since there's a limited amount of room in the liver, if you're constantly eating fructose, the liver turns it into fat. So instead of burning fat, you're burning sugar. "Ultimately you want to make sugar from carbohydrates, you don't want to mainline sugar," Virgin said. 

Sugar makes life sweeter 

Cutting down on sugar is a good choice, but completely banning it from your diet? Not so much. The more you tell yourself you can't, the more you'll crave. "Sugar can be a part of a healthy eating plan," Mills said. In March, the World Health Organization released new recommendations stating that no more than 5 percent of our daily caloric intake, or 25 grams a day, should be from added sugars. The FDA has also proposed including added sugar amounts to food labels. Yet paying attention to other sources of sugar is key, too. A good start is to read labels and gradually reduce the amount of sugar you're eating. Eating regularly, and including protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats at every meal will keep your blood sugar on an even keel and make you feel satisfied. Cut back on caffeine, or at the very least, be aware if drinking coffee makes you crave sweets. "If food is information, you want to make sure that what you're doing is telling your body to use steady, sustained energy and be able to burn off stored fat," Virgin said. If you really want that piece of dark chocolate, go for it, but eat it slowly. "If you allow yourself to appreciate the texture, the nuances, and the flavor, and let it linger over your tongue, after two or three bites you'll get the craving taken care of," Mills said. 

Julie Revelant is a freelance writer and copywriter specializing in parenting, health, healthcare, nutrition, food and women's issues. She's also a mom of two. Learn more about Julie at  revelantwriting.com . 

Great recipe from Dorothy Jo

Pineapple Pie
8 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup Splenda
1can pineapple tidbits drained.
Soften cream cheese in microwave in a microwave safe bowl until very soft.
Then in a large bowl mix all ingredients together and pour into graham cracker crest and let sit in refrigerator over night. Enjoy

I had snow this morning! Did you?

6 ways to combat the health effects of cold weather

 By Elizabeth Renter 

Published November 12, 2014 

Cold weather isn't likely to make you sick, but it can still impact your health. Knowing the potential dangers of cold weather can increase your chances of staying healthy this autumn and winter- and combatting increased risks of contracting the common cold to developing depression during those shorter, chillier days. Misconceptions about how cold weather affects our health are common. If you recall your mother cautioning you about catching "your death of cold" as you bounded into the snow without a coat, you've heard them firsthand. "The truth lies in how the weather affects colds after you're infected," says Dr. LeeAnna Lyne from Susquehanna Health Medical Group in Pennsylvania.

 Cold weather causes decreased blood flow in the nose, ears, hands, etc., to keep the heart and brain protected. This causes dryness and a decreased ability of the nose to filter pathogens like viruses," making you vulnerable and aggravating already-present symptoms. But the common cold isn't the only thing you have to worry about in colder months. Indoor allergies, seasonal affective disorder, and even heart attacks are concerns this time of year. 

How can you stay healthy?

 1. Practice cleanliness and good hygiene. Wash your hands often and thoroughly; Lyne recommends you scrub for at least 20 seconds to wash away germs. She also recommends you steer clear of sick friends and family when they are contagious and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes to prevent the spread of pathogens you may have picked up on a doorknob or countertop. Because indoor allergies can be particularly troublesome in a stuffy house that's been closed up for the season, make sure you frequently vacuum using a HEPA filter, wash bedding regularly and change your furnace filters often.

  2. Dress for the conditions. While stepping outside without your coat or with wet hair won't give you instant pneumonia (sorry, Mom), it can stress your immune system or worsen existing symptoms. Dressing warmly protects you from this increased susceptibility and from the risks of frostbite and hypothermia if you become stranded in a storm, for instance.

 3. Stay fit year-round. When it's cold and the weather is bad, you're less likely to exercise. Paired with holiday foods and drinks, you have a recipe for weight gain, not to mention stiff muscles and the pains that go with inactivity. Staying in peak condition year-round through moderate exercise also ensures your immune system is ready to fight off illness when it attacks.

 4. If you're feeling depressed, talk to someone. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a real form of depression that worsens during autumn and winter, and usually subsides in the spring. According to the American Psychiatric Association, it's linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain triggered by a lack of sunshine and shorter days. Fortunately, it's treatable. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms- especially if they are disrupting your daily life or you are having suicidal thoughts. 

 5. Get outside when you can. Don't use temperatures alone as an excuse to stay in. Bundle up and get outside. Not only does outdoor activity boost your physical health- upping your daily exercise, increasing Vitamin D levels and even speeding injury and illness recovery times- but research shows spending more time in nature can provide mental benefits too like reducing stress, boosting self-esteem and improving overall psychological well-being. 

6. For your heart's sake, take it easy. "Many of us are not conditioned for the rigors of handling the fluffy white stuff," says Lyne. "If you haven't exerted yourself all year and then go shovel a heavy, 8-inch snowfall, your heart is definitely strained simply due to working harder. As a matter of fact, cardiac death rates peak in wintertime. While the reasons for this seasonal peak aren't completely understood, it's believed that the physiological effects of colder temperatures paired with overexertion may play a role. If you're not in optimal health, ask for help when it's time to scoop the walk, and even if you're fit, it's wise to take frequent breaks.

 As the seasons change, so should our methods of staying healthy. Taking a few preventive steps may allow you to enjoy hot drinks by the fireplace or a brisk day at the football stadium without a box of tissues at your side. 

Can we think ourselves thin??

Emotions can be fattening 

By Tanya Zuckerbrot 

Published November 11, 2014 

Upset, anxiety, boredom, and restlessness all are common triggers for impulsive eating that can lead to weight gain. Here are some ways to preempt an emotional binge and keep the urge to comfort eat in check: 

Stick to regular mealtimes 

Since hunger can set up cravings, eat satisfying meals and snacks and stick to regular eating patterns. Hit "pause Interrupt rather than act on a craving by phoning a friend, taking a walk, or tackling a project that will leave you feeling good. Tune out temptation 

Turn a blind eye (and nose) to tempting foods that you know are off-limits. Ban them from your home, desk, car, and handbag. 

Snack smarter 

Satisfy the essence of a craving with something sensible. Tortilla chips are crunchy and salty, but deep-frying loads them with fat. Get the same taste sensation with whole grain pita bread, cut into wedges, lightly sprayed with cooking spray, sprinkled with salt or dried herbs, and toasted crispy brown. 

Visualize success 

Imagine yourself as the confident, healthy and in-control person you want to be. Think positively and pat yourself on the back when you take control and avert a binge. 

For more tips on healthy eating, drinking and losing weight, and for delicious high fiber meal plans and recipes, check out my latest book, The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear - with Fiber! Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD , is a registered dietitian in New York City and the author of two bestselling diet books: The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear - with fiber and The F-Factor Diet.

Apple security threat

Apple iOS bug lets fake apps sneak onto iPhones, iPads The vulnerability affects roughly 95 percent of all Apple mobile devices currently in use, according to a new report. by Nick Statt @nickstatt November 10, 2014 

Apple's mobile devices have a new security threat: fake apps that can steal log-in data and other sensitive information. 

Want to hack an iPhone? There's an app for that. Hackers have a new way to break into Apple mobile devices using Web pages, text messages and emails to fool users into downloading fake apps that can leak their information, according to a new report from cybersecurity company FireEye. There's no evidence hackers have started doing this in the US, but FireEye said a vulnerability in Apple's iOS mobile operating system means fake apps, which may be designed to look like your bank or email program, can replace genuine apps installed though Apple's App Store. Once installed, the apps could gain access to personal information and send it back to hackers without users' knowledge in what FireEye is calling a "Masque Attack. 

Apple has long touted the security of its desktop and smartphone software against competing offerings such as Google's Android. However, this vulnerability is the latest in a growing list of chinks in iOS's security, and could cause users to become wary of the company's products. FireEye said the vulnerability affects all Apple mobile devices running iOS 7 or later. That means roughly 95 percent of all Apple mobile devices currently in use. Apple sold 51.6 million iPhones and iPads in the three months ended in September alone. 

This is the second time researchers have raised concerns about Apple's security in as many weeks. Last week, security firm Palo Alto Networks described a new attack it discovered, allowing unapproved apps downloaded from the Internet could infect iPhones when plugged into Mac computers. The attack, called "WireLurker," was first recognized in China and is based on the same vulnerability FireEye disclosed Monday. FireEye told Apple in July about the issue and went public Monday after Palo Alto Networks detailed its discovery last week. "We consider it urgent to let the public know, since there could be existing attacks that haven't been found by security vendors," FireEye wrote. Apple said in a statement last week that it was aware of the vulnerability Palo Alto Networks had discovered, and was working on a fix. "As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources," the company said. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about this new type of attack. 

Medicare info

the dreaded subject: insurance

I am scheduling home visits and nightly appointments. If you need assistance, please call me. Otherwise, your rates may increase substantially! Some are going up over 50% .  I don't want you in that mess....we would be passing the hat!!!
Part D insurance is critical, let's talk.  Call me anytime before 9 p.m.  Y'all know I go to bed early so I can rise and shine about 3:30 with a cup of coffee....
Have a list of your current prescriptions and we will go from there!
Take care, stay well and hug somebody
Dr. Janet

Center event update

whew....we survived! We had a great day and large turnout. We had so many people I didn't get around to hug everyone. If I missed you, sorry! It was great to see Rowena out and looking fantastic!
We had so much fun, food and fellowship that I needed a nap!
I will be calling everyone this week about insurance, so have your medication list ready.
Take care...until tomorrow
Dr. Janet

Extending health

Drugmakers look to push the boundaries of old age 

Published November 06, 2014 Reuters 

ZURICH - Google's ambition to defy the limits of ageing has fired up interest in the field, drawing in drug companies who are already quietly pioneering research, despite the regulatory and clinical hurdles that remain. In September life-science company Calico, which was set up by Google last year to investigate the aging process, joined with U.S. drugmaker AbbVie in committing an initial $250 million apiece to developing cures for age-related diseases. 

Away from the limelight, however, Switzerland's Novartis and Denmark's Novo Nordisk are already testing new roles for existing drugs, which could keep people alive for longer, as they look to cater to the ever larger numbers living into their 80s and beyond. "Everybody now is talking about the aging population and how to have a healthy old age," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Chief Science Officer at Novo Nordisk. By 2020 people aged 60 and older will outnumber children younger than five for the first time in history, according to a paper published in the Lancet medical journal on Thursday. But with greater age comes a bigger burden of disease. At least 300 million people will suffer from diabetes by 2025, the World Health Organization estimates, while the global number of dementia sufferers is expected to triple to 135 million by 2050. The goal is not to create some "elixir of life" pill to help people live ever longer, but rather to maximize healthy lifespan and reduce the period of end-of-life sickness and dependency. Alex Zhavoronkov, chief executive of Baltimore-based biotech company Insilico Medicine, believes shifting healthcare spending from treatment to prevention will be central to this. "Instead of trying to keep a person alive for another three to six months and essentially bankrupting healthcare systems, it might make sense to introduce drugs that prevent the onset of age-related diseases and aging itself," he said. 

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER Research into anti-ageing drugs has historically received little attention from Big Pharma, given the difficulties of running clinical trials to prove such an effect. Moreover, companies have been deterred by regulators in the United States and Europe who will only approve medicines for specific illnesses and not for something as broad as aging, which is not in itself defined as a treatable disease. Despite these obstacles, Novartis has completed a successful pilot trial examining its cancer drug everolimus as a potential treatment to reverse immunosenescence, or the gradual deterioration of the immune system that occurs with age and is a major cause of disease and death. Encouraged by studies showing that the closely related drug rapamycin extended the lifespan of worms, flies and mice, Novartis looked for ways to assess whether everolimus could have a similar effect in humans. The hurdles were high. Aging is a gradual, decades-long process making it impractical to assess directly in clinical trials. "For aging you have to pick a target system that can be investigated in months or years, not decades," said Novartis's head of research Mark Fishman. The company's work-around is to focus on immunosenescence. It gave 218 people aged over 65 a six-week course of everolimus followed by a regular flu vaccine after two weeks. Results showed that taking the drug improved the immune system response by more than 20 percent compared to placebo, potentially opening the door to use it as a treatment to increase the efficacy of vaccines and help stave off the infections associated with old age. While Fishman stresses the research is still early-stage, Novartis's work highlights the growing interest in aging as a biological process that can be manipulated, treated and delayed.

 OLD DRUGS, NEW PURPOSE Given the regulatory barriers, experts believe re-purposing existing treatments in new indications will likely be the fastest way to get drugs with an anti-ageing benefit to market, since these medicines have already been proven safe. A study published in the journal Neuropharmacology this week found lixisenatide, a drug sold as Lyxumia by Sanofi to treat type 2 diabetes, could slow nerve cell damage in mice with some of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Other diabetes drugs may have a similar effect. Imperial College London is currently recruiting around 200 patients with mild Alzheimer's for a study with Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug liraglutide, or Victoza. "It would be fantastic if we were able to take a safe and simple type 2 diabetes medicine and use that in Alzheimer's," said Novo's Thomsen. The results are due in two to three years and if there is a significant benefit to cognition Novo Nordisk would consider conducting a pivotal clinical trial, he added. The Danish company, which is the world's biggest maker of insulin, is also working with academics at the University of Oxford, the Karolinska Institute and the University of Copenhagen on a new project looking at healthy aging. Its interest in the field has a scientific logic, since some of the genes that researchers are now exploring as factors in healthy aging have links to the body's insulin pathways. 

Thanksgiving Celebration

Happy Friday friends!
Saturday is our annual Thanksgiving event at the Center. Krystal is off tomorrow (Friday) so  you need to let Barbara or I know if you need a ride. We will have plenty of food, I am only worried about those who need transportation. If you do need a ride, call Barbara at 590-6461 or myself at 529-0106.

We will make sure you are picked up.

See you Saturday for Ms. Helen's fantastic meal....
Dr. Janet

Good ideas

Foods to keep in your freezer pantry at all times 

By Gabriella Vigoreaux 

Imagine a world where you could eat something different for dinner every night of the week without having to start a meal from scratch each time. A reality where, say, seemingly time-consuming dishes like homemade pizza, could actually be ready in minutes. The key to this wonderful existence where every night is a different culinary adventure lies in your freezer. And, no, we're not talking about frozen burritos and DiGiorno's, guys. 

Here are things you might not think to keep in your freezer but definitely should. 

1.  Shredded cheese 

That good hunk of cheese leftover from one of these recipes which inevitably seems to go moldy before you can even eat it all doesn't have to go bad. Next time you have leftovers, shred the remainder of the cheese, freeze it in a plastic bag, and thaw it out in just a few minutes as you need it. 

2.  Nuts 

The freezer actually makes nuts last longer because it keeps the oils in them from going rancid. If you buy your nuts in bulk, only keep out what you think you will eat soon and freeze the rest. They thaw really quickly on your kitchen counter and you can always have them on hand for pestos, salads, baking, or snacking. 

3.  Cooked grains 

We're going to go ahead and make a bold statement right now: You should probably always cook more grains than you think you need. Cooked rice is one of the best things you can have in your freezer and you'll be so happy to come home after a long day and know that you don't have to wait 30 minutes to cook a new batch. Just store it in a freezer-proof container and add a couple tablespoons of water to a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl to heat it back up again. 

4.  Sliced bread 

Having sliced bread in your freezer is the best thing since sliced bread--no really. Just pop it in the oven or toaster and make yourself a sandwich. Or something trendy like avocado toast. 

5.  Puff pastry 

Frozen puff pastry is a lifesaver for the last minute host/hostess. You can transform into an impressive and insanely delicious appetizer, main, or dessert in (almost) no time. 

Good read!

Tips for a non-toxic home By Chris Kilham Published November 05, 2014 FoxNews.com

 Most often when people think of living healthier lives, they focus on food and exercise. That's a smart idea, as what we eat and drink, and how we keep ourselves fit, play important roles in overall wellness. But what we breathe, rub against and come in contact with in our homes can also have a significant effect on how we feel. We spend a lot of time in our homes, apartments, condominiums or wherever we live, and so the environment inside can influence our well-being in a significant manner. And while entire books have been written on living a less toxic lifestyle, here are a few important tips that are easy to follow. 

Water is essential to life, and our bodies are composed of more than 70 percent water. The quality and purity of water matter greatly And while water resources in the U.S. are generally sanitary, we also know that many sources of municipal drinking water can contain residues of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial pollutants. To reduce or eliminate this kind of unwanted contamination, water filtration is your best bet. A home water filter will give you pure water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water, and without toxic residues from plastic bottles. There are many fine brands of water filters, from state of the art triple-stage filters (carbon block, silver oxide and thin membrane), to counter-top filters, like Britta, that also eliminate any unwanted compounds in water. Cleaning products are high on the list of changeable items that can make an immediate difference in the safety of your home. Most commercial laundry detergents contain surfactants that can irritate skin and cause topical allergic reactions, as well as fragrances derived from petrochemicals that can contribute to respiratory problems in sensitive people. Natural brands of dish detergents, home cleaning agents and laundry detergents such as Ecover, Seventh Generation and others contain enzyme cleaning agents which are highly effective, in addition to natural surfactants, and typically no fragrance. If you have sensitive skin or respiratory sensitivities, these slightly more expensive products will make your home experience easier. Fresh air is often neglected in the home. No matter where you live or who you are, unless you have smoke from an industrial facility blowing directly at your dwelling (in which case you are well advised to move), keep a window or two open if only a little bit. This will improve oxygen circulation, keep carbon dioxide low, reduce odors, and help to move out any gases from cooking or toxins from synthetic fabrics. Speaking of fabrics, carpet fiber, which is largely plastic, is a source of significant gases that can irritate breathing and contribute to allergies. If you are going to carpet your home or use rugs, try wool, sisal, cotton, or other un-treated natural fabrics instead of commercial carpeting that may appear natural but isn't. Lastly, consider natural paints and coatings. No paint is good to breathe, but natural brands such as Livos will do an excellent job of covering walls and other surfaces without emitting dangerous petrochemical toxins. These products do cost more than popular brands, but how often do you paint your walls? They are smarter, healthier options. Admittedly, there are hundreds of other decisions you can make and choices available to create a safer, healthier living environment. But checking off the recommendations above is a substantial start. Treat your home as an extension of your body. Keep it non-toxic, and you may discover that you feel better all around. 

Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide. His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at MedicineHunter.com . 

High Definition phone calls

Mobile Tech Verizon and AT&T aim to support HD Voice calls between networks in 2015. 

By Chris Welch. 

Most people still don't know the joy of placing an HD Voice call from their smartphone, but Verizon and AT&T say they're working together to change that. Today both carriers announced that they expect to reach VoLTE (voice over LTE) interoperability sometime in 2015. Those are the two biggest wireless providers in the United States, so once support's there, a whole lot of consumers will quickly start experiencing the huge leap in quality that comes with HD calls. HD Voice routes calls over each carrier's 4G LTE technology to achieve clearer, better conversations. Verizon and AT&T are laying the groundwork with a focus on calls, but video calling and richer messaging are also part of their longer-term plans. "Interoperability among VoLTE service providers in the United States and around the world will create a better and richer mobile experience for customers," the companies  said in a joint statement . Engineers from both companies have already been conducting lab tests to get the high-quality calls up and running, and next they'll be trying some real world tests out in the field. Customers can expect to see interoperability sometime in 2015, but neither company is getting more specific than that on a timeframe. Only certain phones support VoLTE features right now: on Verizon, those include the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, and LG's G2. Hopefully by the time the carriers deliver on their promise, that device lineup will be much bigger on both sides. Verizon has  already rolled out VoLTE services nationwide , but HD Voice calls on AT&T currently remain limited to select markets. Both carriers say they hope to offer similar interoperability with other US providers in the future. 

Mom was right....leftovers are good for you!

Why leftover pasta is actually good for you 

By Michael Y. Park 

Published October 30, 2014 

 Your parents knew that leftovers were economical. Your foodie friends know that leftovers sometimes taste better than they did the day before. But now there's yet another reason to love that day-old pasta living in your Tupperware: It may be less fattening than freshly made. Testing out a theory about how pasta affects blood-glucose levels in people, a BBC show called Trust Me, I'm a Doctor conducted a test to see whether a sudden intake of carbohydrates like pasta would make body chemistry act differently depending on how cool it was. The show gathered a group of volunteers and, over several days, fed them hot, freshly cooked pasta with a garlic-tomato sauce; the same pasta and sauce after it had spent the night in the fridge; and, finally, the pasta and sauce again, but reheated from the fridge. They then had their blood glucose tested.

The thinking was that the leftovers might trick the body into thinking they're healthier than they are. The simple sugars from easily processed carbs like hot pasta, potatoes, and cake cause a rise in the body's blood-glucose levels, which the body naturally reacts to with an influx of insulin to bring the blood glucose levels down again swiftly. That peak and sudden drop has a tendency to make you hungry again, because even though your blood glucose is at its normal levels, you're experiencing a relative downturn compared to what it was just a few minutes ago, and want more sugar to achieve those highs.

 Because hot pasta that's been cooled forms "resistant starches" that make them harder to break down into simple sugars (meaning fewer calories), the show wanted to test to see whether leftover pasta would indeed result in less of that drastic up and down in blood sugars that could be so dietarily disastrous. And the show did, in fact, find that there was less of a spike and drop in people who ate cold leftover pasta. But the really interesting thing was that it found that the people who ate the reheated leftover pasta had the least significant blood-glucose spike of all-a whopping 50 percent less than the spike experienced by those who ate the freshly made stuff. 

 A University of Surrey scientist is going to continue the leftovers study with funding from Diabetes U.K. "It's something that could simply and easily improve health," Dr. Chris van Tulleken, who coordinated the experiment for the show, told the BBC. "We can convert a carb-loaded meal into a more healthy fiber-loaded one instead without changing a single ingredient, just the temperature. In other words, our leftovers could be healthier for us than the original meal.