Wednesday, September 30, 2015

EAT RIGHT-FEEL RIGHT


Is your diet making you depressed? Which foods to grab for a better mood By Dr. Jennifer Landa Published September 28, 2015.   

The role of eating is so vast in the modern lifestyle that the decision of what to eat is more complex than simply satisfying hunger. Your food choices influence your risk of disease, weight management, and athletic performance, as well as significantly impact your mental health. The right food choices can give you more energy, increase productivity, and boost your mood, while the wrong ones can leave you stressed and depressed. Ongoing research is finding that the typical American diet-rich in processed foods, high in sugar and saturated fat, and low in whole, fresh foods-contributes to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and tension. These mental health states are known to diminish energy, contribute to weight gain and raise the risk of disease. And the most recent studies are finding that the effects of these eating habits on mood can impact a broad range of age groups and life stages. A September 2015 study found that adolescent men experienced lower levels of testosterone within an hour of consuming a glucose and protein beverage. In previous studies, this has been observed in adult males as well. Low levels of testosterone are known to contribute to depression and irritability, meaning even one daily soda or a glass of orange juice with breakfast can mess with your mood and your health long term. Similar results were found among postmenopausal women in a June 2015 analysis, when women who consumed a diet with a high glycemic load-foods that raise blood glucose levels-were more likely to experience depression than those who chose low-GI foods. High-GI foods are sugary foods, pastas, white rice and breads-foods that can cause spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels. High-GI foods contribute to cravings and have low satiety factor. Low-GI foods, generally below 50 on the glycemic index, are rich in fiber to promote feeling fuller longer and do not induce substantial fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. 

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A MERRY HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE

A little boy went up to his mother and asked: 'Mon, where did my intelligence come from?'
The mother replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your father, cause I still have mine.' 
___________________________________________ 
 
'Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce Court Judge said, 'And I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,'
'That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and then I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.' 
___________________________________________
 
A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room, Took the husband aside, and said, 'I don't like the looks of your wife at all.'
'Me neither doc,' said the husband. 'But she's a great cook and really good with the kids.' 
___________________________________________
 
Two Reasons Why It's So Hard To Solve A Redneck Murder: 
1. The DNA all matches. 
2. There are no dental records. 
___________________________________________ 
 
A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, 'Can you tell me how long it'll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City ?' 
The agent replies, 'Just a minute.' 
'Thank you,' the blonde says, and hangs up.
 
___________________________________________ 
 
Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez.
'How was he killed?' asked one detective.
'With a golf gun,' the other detective replied.
'A golf gun! What is a golf gun?'
'I don't know. But it sure made a hole in Juan.' 
___________________________________________
 
Moe: 'My husbend got me to believe in religion.'
Joe: 'Really?'
Moe: 'Yeah. Until I married him I didn't believe in Hell.' 
___________________________________________ 
 
A man is recovering from surgery when the Surgical Nurse appears and asks him how he is feeling.
'I'm O. K. But I didn't like the four letter-word the doctor used in surgery,' he answered.
'What did he say,' asked the nurse.
'Oops!' 
___________________________________________ 
 
While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a display of bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so I sought my husband's advice. 
'What do you think?' I asked. 'Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?'
'Better get a bikini,' he replied. 'You'd never get it all in one.'
He's still in intensive care. 
___________________________________________ 
 
The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance... 
The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, guess she's there.'

Monday, September 28, 2015

YOU DECIDE-ARE YOU TOO BUSY

How I stopped being busy... and got a real life By Rachel Macy Stafford Published September 25, 2015.  
 
If you are anything like me, you can become quite skilled at putting off living. "When I get through this crazy month ... "When this project is behind me ... "When I am not so busy ... But once the month is over, the work project is finished, the "just a minute" has passed, and the urgent call has been returned, something else always comes up. Your "one more thing" has no end, causing life's best experiences to fall to the bottom of the priority list ... again. Busyness has become a badge of honor. But busyness leaves us unfulfilled. It does not illicit feelings of peace or contentment. It is not something we will reminisce about when we take our last breaths. I know I am not alone. We live in a culture of overwhelm and are living maxed out lives. We respond to messages and emails immediately (or at least feel like we have to). We attend social functions at the expense of family time. We say yes to committees and other commitments because we can't say no or because we mistakenly believe it will bring us acceptance or prestige. Busyness has become a badge of honor. But busyness leaves us unfulfilled. It does not illicit feelings of peace or contentment. It is not something we will reminisce about when we take our last breaths. At least that's how it was for me. Five years ago, my calendar had no white space. The pace of my life was a constant mad dash to a finish line that couldn't be reached. I gripped my phone tighter than the hands of my loved ones. I said yes to all requests from outside the home and no to important invitations from inside the home-invitations that involved playing, laughing, and memory making. I became too busy to see life slipping through my multi-tasking fingers, and it almost cost me everything I held dear. Thankfully, it wasn't beyond repair. When I realized I was letting my circumstances control me, instead of taking control of my circumstances, I knew I needed some strategies to help me get off the hamster wheel of busy, start being intentional with my time, focus, & energy, and invest in what matters most: One simple but powerful strategy I began using when I was at the height of my distracted, overcommitted, stressed-out life, was to begin asking myself the following three questions on a regular basis: 1. Does the amount of time and attention I currently offer to my family convey that they are a top priority in my life? (Five years ago, the answer was no.)? 2. Does my current schedule allow for time spent simply being all there with my loved ones? (Five years ago, the answer was no.)? 3. Do I have any extracurricular commitments or time-wasting distractions I could eliminate in order to spend a few minutes of special time each day with my child or spouse? Here, the answer was YES. There was a glimmer of hope! The answers to these three questions helped me realize something quite powerful: I could not control all the circumstances of my life, but I could control some. I could not let go of all my extracurricular commitments, but I could let go of some. I could not say no to every outside request asked of me, but I could say no to some. I could not rid myself of all modern day distractions, but I could choose to designate pockets of time in which to turn off the world and engage with the people who mattered most to me. And that's exactly what I did. I started small, but every time I turned off the worldly pressures, the daily distractions, and the societal expectations and turned toward my family, my heart felt like it was right where it was supposed to be. The more I chose my heart, and not what mattered to the rest of the world, the more I chose what mattered to me. I have stopped being busy. As a result, I am accomplishing the two things I really want with my life: be a joyful participant in my family's life, and share my writing gift with the world . For me, it started with a few simple questions that helped me understand how much I needed to stop being busy, so I could begin living the life I always wanted. 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sunday note

Hi everyone,
Remember Tech Tuesday's begin October 6.  If you are interested in learning more, having fun or just seeing what all the commotion is about, please call Shelly and sign up! Bring your iPad, phone or iPod.

Let her know if you will grab Links or need Mr. Earl.

Have a great week!
Dr. Janet

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET THE NEWEST IPHONE TO UPGRADE TO A GOOD ONE

Resales of year-old iPhones start heating up More customers are upgrading to the latest Apple smartphone every year, creating a bigger market for the previous year's models. Phones September 26, 2015.  
Apple's iPhone 6, even used ones, should continue to be a big draw for customers.  Want a year-old Apple iPhone on the cheap? Your chances of snagging one are now better than ever. More customers are moving to upgrade their smartphones more quickly, as US wireless carriers transition away from the two-year contract. That's creating a much bigger resale market for used iPhones that are just a year old.  “I think we're seeing an underlying trend that upgrade cycles are accelerating," said Sarah Welch, chief marketing office for Gazelle, a retailer specializing in electronics trade-ins. "There's much more variation now with how people purchase or lease their phones. Early upgrade programs from the major US carriers are encouraging this change in consumer behavior, with more people looking to move up to the latest models every year. Apple is also getting into the mix, unveiling this month the new iPhone Upgrade Program that lets users bump up to a new smartphone every year. These annual upgraders could benefit customers who are just as happy with used year-old iPhones. On eBay, Amazon, Gazelle, Glyde and other resale sites, used year-old models of the iPhone 6 cost roughly $300 to $500, depending on the model. A new iPhone 6 starts at $550 without a contract. The consumer shift toward speedier upgrades over the past two years could help Apple keep up demand for its latest phones. The iPhone now makes up two-thirds of the company's revenue, so maintaining interest for the devices is critical for the Cupertino, California, company. Enlarge Image eBay's data shows a big shift in year-old resales on its site from 2013 to 2015. eBay On eBay, year-old models accounted for 43 percent of US iPhone sales during the first half of September 2013, the time of year a new iPhone is usually announced. That figure rose to 50 percent in 2014 and 52 percent this year. Gazelle experienced a similar bump, with year-old trade-ins on its site rising from 28 percent during the same time in 2013 to 42 percent this year. These statistics, however, don't mean most people now upgrade every year. In fact, a whole other set of customers now appear to be holding onto their phones for longer, or buying used phones, as the motivation for them to upgrade every two years dies off, Welch said. So when is the best time to buy or sell a used model? Representatives from both eBay and Gazelle said that on their sites prices for year-old models face their steepest decline a few weeks before a new iPhone is announced. So, sellers should be warned of that big drop, even if many of them can't avoid it. For buyers, the most listings tend to hit eBay the days immediately after a new iPhone goes on sale publicly, which occurred Friday with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus . "We'll see tens of thousands of listings starting to add to our site on a daily basis," said Hal Lawton, eBay's senior vice president of North America. . That means the best selection and pricing for older models on the marketplace will likely be from Monday to Wednesday, said Vincent Payen, eBay's head of consumer selling. . So far, though, the resale market isn't offering many clues on how successful the new iPhone 6S will be. Still, the off-cycle "S" year, in which Apple adds some features but waits to do a major overhaul the year later, is expected to encourage fewer resales, Payen said. . 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

HOW DO YOU CONSUME POTATOES AND TOMATOES


Potatoes and tomatoes are more than half of veggie consumption in America Published September 23, 2015.  
 
Potatoes and tomatoes make up half of all the vegetables Americans eat-and are often eaten in the form of french fries and ketchup.  For some, french fries and ketchup are a favorite combination, but according to federal data, french fries and ketchup are America's favorite veggies. What, you say? French fries and ketchup aren't veggies. But researchers at the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service say potatoes and tomatoes make up half of all the vegetables Americans eat-and are often consumed in the form of french fries and ketchup or other processed foods. "Americans consume a lot of a certain two vegetables, instead of having a good variety," Jeanine Bentley, an analyst at the Department of Agriculture and author of a new report told NPR. In 2013, 115.6 pounds per person of white potatoes were available for Americans to eat - a whopping two-thirds of which were consumed in the form of french fries, potato chips and other frozen or processed potato products, the report indicated. The report stated that tomatoes accounted for 22 percent of the vegetable consumption, of which 65.9 pounds per person of tomatoes were processed in a variety of unhealthy ways - including canned tomatoes, tomato sauces, ketchups, or were used as an ingredient in processed stews and soups. "Researchers found that instead of eating vegetables in their simple, unadorned state, Americans often eat vegetables prepared in ways that add calories and sodium and remove dietary fiber," Bentley said. The upside is that people are eating a wider variety of vegetables than they were 40 years ago, and fresh lettuce was the third most consumed at 25.5 pounds per person, according to the report. But overwhelming, people keep coming back to the fat and sugar laden processed foods which health experts warn actually deprives people of a variety of nutrients. 

 

Friday, September 25, 2015

PUMPKIN TRIVIA THAT'S MORE THAN JUST PIE IN THE SKY


Surprising facts you didn't know about pumpkins By Angela Carlos Published September 23, 2015. 

While you sip on that pumpkin spice latte, consider these unusual pumpkin facts about your favorite fall produce. Maybe you want to know why pumpkins fit so effortlessly into sweet and savory dishes, like pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin pie. Perhaps you are curious about how early American settlers used this foreign gourd for cooking, or why we carve faces into pumpkins on Halloween. Pumpkins haven't always been as popular as they are today. In fact, pumpkins were hardly eaten by people for a considerable part of the 19th century. Hard to believe considering pumpkin spice seems take over our taste buds every fall season. No food is above a little help from pumpkin spice: Pumpkin flavored yogurt, coffee, candies, and even English muffins are cropping up on our supermarket shelves. This fall season while you snack on your artisanal pumpkin [insert food here]; consider the facts about this versatile, tasty treat to discover how pumpkins went from the bottom to the food chain to the top of fall food trends over the past several hundred years 1.  45 Different Varieties of Pumpkins  While the round orange pumpkin is the most recognizable pumpkin, pumpkins come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some of the cleverly named pumpkin varietals include, Halloween in Paris from France, Cinderella (the varietal cultivated by the Pilgrims), and Wee-Be-Little a miniature pumpkin varietal. 2.  Irish Jack-O-Lanterns  The tradition of carving pumpkins originated in Ireland. The Irish would carve jack-o-lanterns out of turnips to scare away evil spirits during the Celtic holiday Samhain, the night when spirits of the dead would walk the earth. 3.  October = Pumpkin Month  80 percent of the pumpkin crop in the U.S. is available during October. That is roughly 800 million pumpkins out of the 1 billion pumpkins grown in the U.S. each year. 4.  "Pumpkin Capital" of the World  Morton, Illinois is the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. Illinois is one of the largest producers of pumpkin in the United States with 90 to 95 percent of its crop being used for processed pumpkin foods. 5.  Pumpkin Seeds  Pumpkin seeds contain more protein than peanuts and are a wonderful roasted with spices or salt. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top of salads or eat as a snack on their own. 6.  Pumpkins are 90 Percent Water  Admittedly, this is less of a surprising fact when you consider that pumpkins come from the same family as the watermelon and cucumber. 

 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

GO AHEAD, HAVE THAT CUP OF JAVA


More evidence that coffee is safe for your heart By Sara Miller Published September 23, 2015.  

Coffee lovers, rejoice. There's more evidence that your morning mug won't harm your heart, according to a new study from Sweden. In the study , researchers found that drinking coffee was not associated with an increased risk of a condition called atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat, in either men or women. "This is largest prospective study to date on the association between coffee consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation . We find no evidence that high consumption of coffee increases the risk of atrial fibrillation," Susanna Larsson, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and lead author on the study, said in a statement. "This is important because it shows that people who like coffee can safely continue to consume it, at least in moderation, without the risk of developing this condition," Larsson said. The study comes on the heels of an earlier study from this year, which suggested that coffee may lower the risk of heart attacks . In the new study, the researchers looked at data from about 42,000 men and nearly 35,000 women who were participating in two long-running studies, the Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort. In 1997, all the participants filled out questionnaires that asked about their health and diet, including how many 'cup's of coffee they drank daily or weekly. During the 12-year follow-up period, the researchers used the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register to determine which patients developed atrial fibrillation. The researchers found no association between coffee consumption and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, though they did observe a slight increase in risk when they limited the analysis to men. However, this increase was not statistically significant (meaning it could have been due to chance).  "Whether men may be more sensitive to a high coffee or caffeine intake warrants further study.”  The researchers also did a meta-analysis, looking at six other studies on atrial fibrillation and coffee intake, which confirmed their results. The researchers cautioned that although coffee does not appear to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, it may increase risk for other types of irregular heartbeats. 

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

BUT I LIKE MY WATERMELLON COLD


Foods That Hate the Fridge Keep this produce fresher at room temperature BY KELSEY KLOSS   

WHOLE MELONS The fridge can cut the number of antioxidants in half. A USDA study found that watermelons at room temperature develop nearly double the levels of compounds like beta-carotene (which promotes healthy skin and eyesight), than refrigerated melons. Cool air stunts the antioxidant growth that occurs after harvest. Chill sliced melons to prevent bacterial growth. BASIL If this tropical plant is stored below 40°F, it turns black quickly. Keep on the counter in a shady place, and mimic placing flowers in a vase: Fill a glass with water and submerge the stems. Place a zip-top plastic bag over the top to allow the plant to breathe and stay moist. Potatoes Cold temperatures convert potato starch into sugar. This results in a gritty texture and slightly sweet flavor. Potatoes do best at 45°F (most refrigerators are set from 35°F to 38°F). Store them in a paper bag in the cool pantry-sunlight causes chlorophyll to accumulate, turning potatoes green and sometimes bitter. Onions These vegetables need air circulation to stay fresh. Store whole onions in a hole-punched paper bag in the pantry. Don't keep near potatoes; onions emit gas and moisture that can cause potatoes to spoil quickly. Refrigerate chopped onions. tomatoes Cool air alters chemical pathways in tomatoes, slowing those that contribute to fresh flavor and accelerating others that dull flavor. Store whole tomatoes on the counter for more delicious taste.

 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

IS IT OVER OR UNDER


Toilet Paper Debate: Solved BY BRANDON SPECKTOR  

It's an argument every persnickety homeowner has had: Should the end of the toilet paper hang over the top of the roll or be tucked underneath it? We may finally have an answer, courtesy of an 1891 patent by New York businessman Seth Wheeler. Credited by some as America's founding father of toilet paper, Wheeler patented the first perforated wipes in 1871 and launched his Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company in '77, two years before the Scott brothers debuted their blockbuster brand. Wheeler filed dozens of patents until the 1920s, including those for toilet paper crimped into ornamental patterns and disposable "bosom pads" meant to replace expensive corsets. But his greatest invention was the roll-and-handles design in 1891-a now-ubiquitous fixture whose patent illustration solved the "over/under" tissue issue before it even started. The answer,     , is "over"-no surprise to the estimated 70 percent of wipers who already prefer this position. Proponents say an "over" roll provides easier access to the free end of the toilet paper and minimizes the risk of knuckle-on-wall germ gathering. The vehement 30 percent in the "under" camp counter that their position gives a tidier appearance and makes paper less prone to pet attacks-concerns that Victorian homeowners probably overlooked after switching from aloe-infused hemp sheets to Wheeler's first perforated rolls. Does your tissue hang on the right side of history?

 

Monday, September 21, 2015

DID YOU KNOW


Regular soap is just as effective as anti-bacterial soap at getting rid of germs through hand washing, a new study finds. This is hardly the first study to find no difference between the two types of soap, but it is the first to test regular and anti-bacterial soaps against 20 strains of bacteria in a lab, the researchers said. The investigators also tested the soaps on people's dirty hands. In both the lab and the real-life trials, regular soap performed just as well as anti-bacterial soap, which contained the controversial chemical triclosan, according to the study from researchers in South Korea..  "This study shows that presence of antiseptic ingredients (in this case, triclosan) in soap does not always guarantee higher anti-microbial efficacy during hand washing," the study's senior author, Min-Suk Rhee, a researcher of food bioscience and technology at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, said.  The soaps used in the study were identical except for the triclosan, an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent developed in the early 1960s that is the most commonly used antiseptic ingredient in soap, the researchers said. Today, manufacturers add triclosan to an array of products, including toothpaste, shampoo, clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys, with the goal of reducing or preventing bacterial contamination and growth, the researchers said. However, triclosan has been linked to several negative effects on health. Research has tied it to antibiotic resistance among germs, and allergies and hormone disruption in people. One study even found that long-term exposure to triclosan might cause cancer in mice . In response to some of these downsides, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposal in 2013 that asked companies to prove that anti-microbial products were safe for people to use, and that these products were more effective than plain soap and water in preventing the spread of germs. To investigate, the researchers of the new study tested regular and anti-microbial soaps against a panel of bacteria, including Listeria , Salmonella and Staphylococcus , which were recommended for anti-microbial soap testing by the FDA. To recreate the conditions of a people washing their hands, the researchers exposed the bacteria for 20 seconds to one of two conditions: regular soap and soap with 0.3 percent triclosan , the maximum amount allowed by law. (Twenty seconds is length of time the FDA recommends people spend washing their hands.) The researchers conducted the experiment at two temperatures: room temperature (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius) and again at a warmer temperature (104 degrees F, or 40 degrees C). It's unclear why triclosan didn't outshine regular soap, but perhaps the substance needs more time to do its work, the researchers said. (Indeed, when the soap was left on the bacterial samples for 9 hours, it worked better than the regular soap, the investigators found.) It's also possible that ingredients in the soap hampered triclosan's anti-microbial abilities , the researchers said. In the second experiment, 16 healthy adult volunteers had their hands doused with bacteria ( Serratia marcescens ) and then washed their hands with either regular or anti-microbial soap in warm water for 30 seconds. Again, there was no significant difference between the soaps, the researchers found.  The results suggest that manufacturers should scale back claims that anti-bacterial soaps work better than regular soaps, Rhee said. "If the manufacturer would like to advertise the antiseptic efficacy of their products, they should supply scientific evidence to support the claims," Rhee said. It's encouraging that researchers are examining triclosan's effectiveness in soap, said Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases physician at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, who was not involved with the study. "There's a real issue of increasing antibiotic resistance that we're seeing across the country and across the world," Tosh said. "And a lot of this is related to unnecessary anti-microbial use . If soap with triclosan has harmful long-term effects, and if it performs no better than regular soap, "it makes us question why these products even exist," he said. :  

Sunday, September 20, 2015

GOOD CHICKEN BUT NOT SUCH A NICE GUY


7 things you didn't know about Colonel Sanders By Molly Dodd Published September 17, 2015.           

Most people are unaware that Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken was a real person. Harland Daniel Sanders, known as the face of the popular fried chicken company was indeed a real person. He was born in 1890 and was the chef behind the original, famous fried chicken. But there are plenty of other things you might not know about the Colonel that may surprise you. 1.  Colonel Sanders was not a military colonel  Colonel Sanders was a colonel, but not in the military sense. He was a Kentucky Colonel, which is an honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for an individual's contribution to the community, state or country. There are no duties or pay associated with the title. Other notable Kentucky Colonels are Muhammad Ali, Betty White, George Clooney, Ashley Judd, Johnny Depp, WKU's Kenny Perry and Elvis Presley. 2.  He lived a life full of failures  When Sanders was just 5 years old, his father came home from work with a fever and died later that day. Sanders' mother remarried to an abusive man and Sanders was forced to leave school in 7th grade to get away from him. As an adult he held a string of various jobs, some labor intensive, which he often got fired from, including as a fireman and an insurance salesman. He married, but later his wife left him after he was caught cheating and couldn't hold down a job. He later got a law degree, but then was fired on the job after getting into a fight with his own client. 3.  He sold his chicken at a gas station  Sanders had worked as a salesman in Kentucky for Michelin Tire Company, and lost his job in 1924 when Michelin closed their New Jersey manufacturing plant. Through this connection, the general manager of Standard Oil of Kentucky offered him the chance to run his very own service station in Nicolasville, KY. After this station closed in 1930 as a result of the Great Depression, Sanders was given a service station in North Corbin, KY, rent free, in return for paying them a percentage of the profits. Sanders served chicken, as well as country ham and steak out of the service station. 4.  He sold the business for $2 million  In 1964, Sanders had been so successful franchising his chicken that he decided he couldn't handle the amount of work. So he sold the business for $2 million and an annual $40,000 salary, to a group of investors. 5.  He would curse in his own restaurants KFC Once the business was sold, the owners kept Sanders on as the corporation's goodwill ambassador and he would travel around the country visiting different restaurants. If he didn't like what he saw or ate, he would let them know, often using profanity. Sanders was known for his swear-laced outbursts. He was also quoted as saying, "This is the worst fried chicken I've ever seen," and called the gravy, "sludge. 6.  He opened a competing restaurant.  So disgusted at the quality of the food at KFC after he sold the franchiese, Sanders decided to open a competing restaurant called "The Colonel's Lady" after his wife. KFC sued Sanders and won their case for $1 million dollars. Sanders sold the restaurant, which now still exists in Shelbyville, KY, but as "Claudia Sanders Dinner House. 7.  He died at age 90  In June of 1980, Sanders was diagnosed with acute leukemia and died the same year at Jewish Hospital in Loiusville, KY of pneumonia. Up until his death, Sanders still made appearances in his classic white suit and gotee. 

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Welcome Shelly!

I am proud to announce we have a new Administrative Assistant in our Older Blind Program. She is Shelly Atkins and can be reached at satkins@wsblind.org or (501) 664-7100 extension 233.

Shelly brings a wealth of information, technology experience and winning personality to our program.  Please call her to schedule your slot on Tech Tuesday's and make her feel welcome!

On a bitter note, Margaret called last evening to let us know that two of our very favorites in Northeast Arkansas are ill. Please keep Edward Pate and Jerry Phipps in your prayers. We wish them both comfort and peace. Both of these guys have been staunch supporters of our program.  Jerry was the first to comment on the blog and perks my day with positive comments. Ed and Sammye have become dear friends over the years.  Hugs to both and their families!

Until tomorrow,
Dr. janet

MEMORY PROBLEMS-LOW VITAMIN D MAY BE TO BLAME


Low vitamin D levels linked to faster memory loss in older adults Published September 14, 2015.   

Older adults with low vitamin D levels - and that accounts for most of them - may lose their memories and thinking abilities faster than those with normal vitamin D levels, researchers say. "We were not particularly surprised by our findings because there is a recent and growing literature on the associations between vitamin D status and risk of Alzheimer's disease/dementia, cognitive decline, and brain atrophy," Dr. Joshua W. Miller from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey said.  Miller and a team at University of California, Davis's Alzheimer's Disease Center looked at the association between blood levels of vitamin D and changes in memory and thinking ability in 318 adults over an average of five years. Participants were an average of 76 years old, and included 158 whites, 113 African Americans and 96 Hispanics. Past research has shown that fully half of the U.S. population over age 65 has insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D, and that non-whites are more likely to have levels that are too low, the authors point out. Previous studies have also linked low vitamin D levels to higher risk of dementia. Among people with cognitive impairment, an estimated 70 percent to 90 percent are insufficient in vitamin D.  In the new study, the researchers looked at blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), which is the form generated when the body converts vitamin D made in the skin in response to sunlight and consumed in foods like eggs, oily fish and milk. Circulating 25-OHD levels can only be measured by blood test, and current guidelines consider adequate levels to be in the range of 20 nanograms per milliliter of serum to 50 ng/mL. Insufficient is 12 to less than 20 ng/mL, and levels below 12 ng/mL are considered deficient. The study team found that more than 60 percent of the participants had low vitamin D levels, including more than a quarter who had vitamin D deficiency. African Americans were more than three times as likely and Hispanics were more than twice as likely as whites to have low vitamin D levels. Individuals with dementia had lower vitamin D levels (about 16.2 ng/mL) than those with mild cognitive impairment (average 20 ng/mL) or whose memory was normal (19.7 ng/mL), according to the results. Low vitamin D levels were also associated with significantly more difficulty with remembering general information (semantic memory), seeing the relationship between objects (visuospatial ability) and managing overall thinking processes (executive function). Over a period of just under five years, individuals with low vitamin D levels showed a more rapid decline in executive function and in the ability to remember their own past personal experiences (episodic memory). These rates of decline were similar for individuals who had normal brain function at the beginning of the study and for those who already had dementia or mild cognitive impairment. When the researchers adjusted for other cognitive risk factors, such as vascular disease, obesity and the presence of a gene variant associated with Alzheimer's disease risk, the link between low vitamin D and cognitive impairment remained. "Low vitamin D status is very common in older adults and is associated with accelerated rates of cognitive decline," Miller said. So far, he added, there have been no careful studies to determine whether taking vitamin D could slow or prevent memory loss, but he suggested measuring your vitamin D level to see whether you need more vitamin D. "There is a potential danger in consuming too much vitamin D as a supplement," Miller cautioned. "The upper tolerable level of daily intake (UL) for vitamin D established by the Institute for Medicine is 4000 IU/day for individuals age 9 years and older. Above this level, the risk of adverse health effects increases, with very high doses (10,000 IU/day or more) potentially causing damage to kidneys and other tissues. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 600 IU/day. 

 

Friday, September 18, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR U. S. CONSTITUTION

The United States Constitution.  
 
On September 17, 2015 our United States Constitution  reached the remarkable milestone of 228 years of incessant posterity. Happy Anniversary to our ingenious founders' masterpiece and America's most amazing blessing. Our nation is the genius of this humane and common sensed document, a social contract dedicated to the principles that all humans are created equal, that "free will" flourishes via protected freedoms and liberties, that our government and nation are bound, eternally, to the people, by the people and for the people, where justice and tranquility reign, and our Union as a people, is historically consecrated. This brilliant and concise social contract changed the landscapes for freedom like no other in history. With this Constitution's incredible opening sentence, its declaration of sovereignty, giving "we the people" ownership and supreme legal authority of this wealthy, powerful and boundless nation, is unadulterated genius. As wonderful as it is to own a home, land or even a car, how amazing is it to have part ownership of a nation, especially one as great as America? This ownership entitles us to glorious, life-altering freedoms that allow us "free will" and to live an unfettered life. Like the air that we breathe, few of us pay appropriate reverence to the Constitution's vital significance to our lives. These self-evident truths of the American way of life make our Constitution as relevant today as the day this contract was officially ratified and established in 1789. How blessed are we to be endowed with inalienable rights and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Yet, it would be disingenuous to discuss this incredible contract without acknowledging the dismissal and lack of appreciation of it by some of its sovereigns. This truth is a sad commentary not of our remarkable Constitution or our brilliant founding fathers, but for the shameful comfort zone of many Americans. Sadly, most Americans have never read this amazing document or understand what the preamble is, where it is and what it says or doesn't say. Thomas Paine wrote: "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Like the air that we breathe, few of us pay appropriate reverence to the Constitution's vital significance to our lives. So too is it true of our sacred Constitution and all the rights, liberties, protections and structures thereof, that "we the people" take for granted. Most of us today are far removed from the blood red in our flag, which reminds us forever of the loss of life and the incredible sacrifice made in the name of American freedom. Through it all, "we the people" must never forget whenever we hear "God bless America," for what is really meant by that sentiment is, "God bless our Constitution. It is certain, America and Americans would be completely different without our sacred constitutional contract. That is why our upcoming presidential elections are so important. Our president takes a sworn oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Our priceless Constitution must be preserved, protected and defended regardless of peril by our president. For "we the people" are entrusting him/her with our rights, our freedoms, our amazing way of life and the posterity of our people. Likewise, our president endures the heavy burden of retaining sacrosanct the beacon these freedoms and liberties represent to all human kind on planet Earth. So happy 228 th anniversary to our Constitution and thank God that "we the people" are blessed and privileged to own it. 

Thursday, September 17, 2015

JUST FOR LAUGHS

I was in the six item express lane at the store quietly fuming.Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, "So which six items would you like to buy?"
(Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?)
 
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Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbor and his wife were told there would be a 45 minute wait for a table. 
 
"Young man, we're both 90 years old," the husband said. "We may not have 45 minutes."
 
They were seated immediately.
 
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The reason politicians try so hard to get re-elected is that they would "hate" to have to make a living under the laws they have just passed.
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All eyes were on the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle. They reached the altar and the waiting groom. The bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand.
The guests in the front pews responded with ripples of laughter. Even the priest smiled broadly.
 
As her father gave her away in marriage, the bride gave him back his credit card.
 
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Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
 
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Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"
 
Artie said, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."
 
Eugene commented, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."
 
Al said, "I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!'"
 
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Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God.  Looking up, he asks the Lord. "God, what does a million years mean to you?"
 
The Lord replies, "A minute."
 
Smith asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"
 
The Lord replies, "A penny."
 
Smith asks, "Can I have a penny?"
 
The Lord replies, "In a minute."
 
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John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully, "Give me one last request, dear," he said.
 
"Of course, John," his wife said softly.
 
"Six months after I die," John said, "I want you to marry Bob."
 
"But I thought you hated Bob," she said..
 
With his last breath John said, "I do!"
 
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A man goes to see the Rabbi. "Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I    have to talk to you about it."
 
The Rabbi asked, "What's wrong?"
 
The man replied, "My wife is going to poison me."
 
The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asks, "How can that be?"
 
The man then pleads, "I'm telling you, I'm certain she's going to poison me.    What should I do?"
 
The Rabbi then offers, "Tell you what. Let me talk to her; I'll see what I can find out and I'll let you know."
 
A week later the Rabbi calls the man.
 
He says, "I spoke to your wife on the phone for three hours. You want my advice?"
 
The man said, "Yes" and the Rabbi replied, "Take the poison."
  
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I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.
 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

First Lutheran Group

all,
We had a lovely time at First Lutheran tonight. Great meal, fellowship and phenomenal music by our very own Johnye! Great fun seeing everyone and I was very impressed that Sharon told me she never misses a blog post! Woo-hoo Sharon, our number one fan!

Tech Tuesday's at the Center will begin October 6.  Meetings will be every Tuesday in October from 9-11 a.m. Please call the Center to register.

Have a great week!
Dr. Janet

BUTTER'S GOOD FOR MORE THAN EATING


Weird household uses for butter By Bridget Creel Published September 14, 2015.   

Have you ever tried convincing someone that butter is part of a healthy diet? He or she was probably skeptical, most likely because of news coverage that advances the idea that saturated fat, which is found in butter, is bad for your health. That may have been the general consensus several decades ago, but based on recent studies, it's widely agreed upon that butter can be a stepping stone on your journey toward a healthy lifestyle. The latest about butter shows that it can be consumed in moderation because it contains fat-soluble vitamins, which are key to maintaining a healthy weight. Butter is mainly composed of fat: 70 percent of butter is saturated fat, about 25 percent of butter is monounsaturated fat, and about 2.3 percent is polyunsaturated fat. Although butter does contain some trans fats, dairy trans fats are considered healthy, unlike trans fats from processed foods. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found in butter is associated with several health benefits - it may reduce the risk of cancer, promote weight loss, and improve cardiovascular health. The vitamin and mineral breakdown of butter demonstrates that it is a nutrient-dense food. It provides vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2, some of which have antioxidant properties that help with health problems. When choosing which butter to buy, opt for the grass-fed variety. Studies show that grass-fed butter has more nutrients than grain-fed butter in terms of healthy fat content, fat-soluble vitamins, and antioxidants. Now that you know its ok to consume butter in moderate quantities, check out some other handy uses for this common kitchen spread. 1.  Untangling Jewelry  When that dainty gold necklace gets knots in it, don't fret. Simply apply a little bit of butter to the knot and use a pin or needle to untangle the gold. Then wash with a little soapy water and voila! This worked wonders on a delicate gold chain my husband gave to me. 2.  Removing Tree Sap  We live in a pine forest, so sap on our clothing and the car windshield is a common occurrence. Apply a little bit of butter and then wash the affected area to remove sap. 3.  Removing Gum in Hair  A little bit of butter will remove even the toughest gum-entangled locks. My mother did this trick on my hair. And the butter is great as a conditioner, too! 4.  Cheese Preservative  Want that to keep that expensive cheese from getting moldy?  Adding a light coating of butter to the cut side of the cheese will keep the mold at bay and make it last longer in the fridge. Try this with soft and expensive cheeses so they don't go to waste. 

Monday, September 14, 2015

THE NEW I THINGS FROM APPLE


This was a beautiful and very pleasant weekend.  Hope you all enjoyed the cooler temps and the lower humidity making for a very comfortable time.

As many of you may know, Apple has released a new lineup of products including an iPad pro, an Apple Tv with a new operating system, and a new iPhone 6s and 6s plus.  There are several improvement to these items.  If you are interested in more details you may go to:


and watch the keynote for detailed information.  The new iPhone is now available for pre-order and should be in stores in a couple of weeks.  The new IOS 9 should be available on the 16th.

A good week to you all.

Until tomorrow

Bob and Johnye

              

Sunday, September 13, 2015

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET


Things you didn't know about Whole Foods By Dan Myers Published September 11, 2015.   

Love it or hate it, Whole Foods Market has become one of the best-known and most revolutionary food stores in America. But even if you refuse to shop for food anywhere else, we bet that there are some things you didn't know about this insanely popular chain. Like most companies, Whole Foods started off small. It was the brainchild of founders John Mackey and Renee Lawson, who in 1978 borrowed $45,000 to open a natural foods store in Austin. They called it SaferWay, a spoof of popular supermarket brand Safeway. In 1980 they merged with a health food shop called Clarksville Natural Grocery, and the resulting first Whole Foods Market opened September 20, 1980. The next several decades are a story of rapid expansion and increasing cultural influence. Whether Whole Foods inspired the current movement toward eating healthier and less processed foods or is simply piggybacking on it is up for debate, but you can't deny that the company plays a major role in the current conversation about what we put into our bodies. They were the first nationally certified organic grocer in the country; all their meat is antibiotic- and hormone-free, and animal welfare is a top priority; their private-label 365 products are free of artificial flavorings, colorings, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats; and nearly 4,800 products sold at Whole Foods are Non-GMO Project-verified. Whole Foods definitely came along at the right time, and today there are about 420 locations, with $12.9 billion in revenue (and $551 million in net income) in 2013. John Mackey is still with the company as CEO and is today one of the most influential voices in the organic food movement. A Fortune 500 company, it's also the 30th most productive retailer in the country in terms of revenue. Any way you slice it, it's clear that Whole Foods is on a roll. 1.  It Expanded Primarily by Acquiring Its Competitors  Like many companies that expand rapidly, Whole Foods swallowed up everything in its path. It purchased the Whole Food Company in 1988, and throughout the 1990s and 2000s acquired other natural food stores everywhere it went, including Wellspring Grocery in North Carolina, Bread & Circus in Massachusetts, Fresh Fields on the East Coast and in the Midwest, Mrs. Gooch's in Los Angeles, Merchant of Vino in Detroit, Bread of Life in Northern California and Florida, and Food For Thought in Northern California. 2.  The Founders Were Forced to Live at the First Store  Shortly after opening SaferWay, Mackey and Lawson were evicted from their home because they stored food products there. To save money, they decided to live at the store, which had no shower because it was zoned for commercial use. They bathed by using a shower hose attached to the dishwasher. 3.  The First Store Was Completely Destroyed a Year After It Opened  On May 25, 1981, a year after the first Whole Foods opened, it was completely destroyed when the most damaging flood in 70 years hit Austin. Four hundred thousand dollars' worth of inventory and equipment was ruined, and the company had no insurance. But customers, neighbors, staff members, investors, vendors, and even creditors pitched in to help get the store back on its feet, and it reopened less than a month later. 4.  It Has Struggled in the United Kingdom  The company opened its first full-sized U.K. store in 2007, three years after acquiring seven Fresh & Wild stores. By September 2008, however, three of the Fresh & Wilds had shut down, and due to financial troubles they weren't meeting profitability goals. Things are beginning to turn around, however: Today, there are nine Whole Foods locations in the U.K., the majority in London. 5.  Employees Aren't Allowed to Interfere with Shoplifters  While some locations hire security guards, many have no protections against shoplifters. The company has a "no heroes policy," so store employees are strictly forbidden from trying to stop shoplifters. 

 

Saturday, September 12, 2015

IN REMEMBRANCE

September 11 Anniversary: Remember, reflect, recommit By David Harris Published September 11, 2015.   (

Friday marked 14 years since 9/11, 2001. It's a time for remembrance . Nearly 3,000 people were murdered. Each loss creates an unfillable void. It's a time for reflection . Right after 9/11, we stood together as one. That sense of oneness led the American Jewish Commitee (AJC) to help rebuild the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church , which was destroyed that day. We must never lose that sense of common destiny. And it's a time for recommitment . We dare not falter in the defense of our country and its core values. On 9/11, we were attacked by radical Islamist forces not for a specific policy, but for who we are. Remember : In 1993, under a different president from a different party, there was another deadly terror attack on the Twin Towers. It's America - and what we stand for - that's been, and remains, the target. This week, as always, let's remember, reflect, and recommit. 

Friday, September 11, 2015

IS YOUR DIET FOOD REALLY DIET?

10 'healthy' foods that aren't really healthy By K. Aleisha Fetters Published September 10, 2015.  

 
The health foods aisle has a way of making guys fat-and unhealthy-and understandably pretty ticked off. After all, isn't munching on (nasty-tasting) health foods supposed to be good for you? If food manufacturers were really out to boost your health, yes. But their end goal isn't making consumers healthier. It's making money. And packaging foods as "healthy," "smart," and "natural" is an easy way to make a buck. Unfortunately, apart from suckering you into eating foods that really aren't any healthier than whatever it is you're trying to sub out, those healthy labels can make you overeat big time. In fact, in a 2015 Penn State study, researchers found that the more fitness-branded foods dieters bought, the more they ate and the less they exercised. So, potentially, your health-foods diet could pack more calories, fat, and ridiculously convoluted chemicals than your unhealthy diet ever did.  That's especially true if you are noshing on any of these 10 health foods that- sorry to break it to you- can torpedo your health. 1. Juices and Smoothies "Even though they're packed with healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, juices- even green ones- are loaded with sugar. Juicing extracts all of the fiber in fruits and vegetables that help you feel full and condenses a large amount of sugar in one small bottle that's too easy to drink in one sitting," says nutritionist Rania Batayneh, M.P.H., author of The One One One Diet: The Simple 1:1:1 Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss. If you're set on having a bottled juice or smoothie, first check the ingredients label and make sure it contains no more than 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving, says Kari Ikemoto, R.D., a registered dietitian with HealthCare Partners medical group in Southern California. Ideally, it should only contain one serving of fruit. The rest should be veggies.  2. Veggie Chips If your carrot chips are carrot chips and your parsnip chips are parsnip chips, that's one thing. But, more often than not, veggie chips are just potato chips with some veggie powder sprinkled in for coloring, Batayneh says. "Look at the ingredients panel if you want to see how much 'vegetable' your veggie chips actually contain: Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so whatever ingredients appear at the top of that list are the ones that make up the majority of the food. Also look at the calorie, fat, sodium, and carb counts. Many veggie chips are just as fattening as the potato chips you're likely trying to avoid. You can also make better, healthier (and better-tasting) veggie chips at home. Thinly slice beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes, drizzle them with olive oil, and bake them at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until they're crisp, Ikemoto says. Sprinkle them with herbs and spices for some extra flavor. 3. Gluten-Free Snacks "When you remove the gluten out of a food product, you're taking away the ingredient that provides that delicious, chewy texture in breads, muffins, cakes, pasta, and more. To make up for the loss of flavor and texture, food manufacturers often add in other fillers, including sugars, fats, and other chemical additives," Batayneh says. "Ultimately, your gluten-free snacks end up with more calories and sugars, and don't even taste as good! Sure, if you are gluten intolerant you shouldn't eat gluten-containing packaged foods. But every guy should shoot to remove all packaged foods, not just ones with gluten, from his diet.  4. Smart Cereals Far too often, "smart," "whole grain," "healthy" cereals aren't all that different than the sugary stuff you ate as a kid. Case in point: On average, foods displaying the yellow Whole Grain Stamp contain more sugar and calories than do whole-grain foods that don't sport the label, according to research from Harvard University. Instead of looking at the front of the box to make your selection, look at the back. The cereal should contain fewer than 10 grams of sugar per serving, at least 5 grams fiber per serving, and contain bran in the ingredients. "The fiber in bran has been shown to help reduce cholesterol, regulate blood sugars, and contain beneficial antioxidants. However, commercially produced fiber like resistant starch, polydextrose, indigestible dextrins, and inulin may not provide the same benefits of plant-based fibers like wheat and oat bran," Ikemoto says. 5. Protein Bars "Many protein bars contain as much sugar as a candy bar but with a few extra grams of protein. As a result, you're getting a few grams of protein- often from questionable sources- along with copious amounts of sugar, trans fats, and other fillers," Batayneh says. Get your protein from whole foods like eggs, meat, poultry, fish, beans, and legumes, even after a workout.  6. Quinoa Pasta Quinoa is, without question, an incredibly healthy food. It contains fewer carbs and sugars than regular pasta, and it's packed with protein and all of the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle. Unfortunately, many quinoa pastas contain more corn flour, a cheap gluten-free flour, than anything else. The result: It contains just as many calories, more carbs, and fewer grams of protein than if you just stuck with wheat pasta, Batayneh says. Before buying any quinoa pasta, flip over the box. Look for brands that contain one ingredient: quinoa flour. 7. Multigrain Bread "Multigrain breads only indicate that the bread contains multiple grains. It says nothing about their degree of refinement," Batayneh says. Refined grains have been extensively processed, and their bran and germ, the fiber-, vitamin-, and mineral-containing part of the grain, have been removed, leaving only simple carbs that spike your blood sugar and promote weight gain. "Look for breads that have some sort of whole grain- whole wheat, whole rye, whole oats-as their first ingredient. If it has multiple whole grains, that's great- just make sure they're whole so that you're getting as much fiber and as many vitamins and minerals as possible," she says.  8. Nut Butters Don't get us wrong; all nut butters aren't bad. A spoonful of peanut and almond butters can be easy ways to add protein and health fats into your day. But they can backfire big time. "Some nut butters, even those labeled as natural, contain added sugars or trans fats, harmful fats that increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol," Ikemoto says. Before you buy, make sure the only ingredient is nuts. And even if your nut butter doesn't contain additives, you still need to limit serving sizes. A single tablespoon contains nearly 100 calories.  9. Fruit-at-the-Bottom Yogurt Yogurt's healthy, fruit's healthy, so how does this one go wrong? With the spoonfuls of fruit-flavored syrup the fruit's floating in, Batayneh says. A typical six-ounce fruit-at-the-bottom yogurt container contains 29 grams of carbs and 24 grams of sugar. That's the equivalent of a candy bar. Opt for buying plain yogurt and adding fresh fruit. It'll take more time, but it won't make your blood-sugar levels plummet and you feel hungry 30 minutes later. 10. Pre-Prepared Salads "If it comes down to chicken nuggets or a prepackaged salad, the salad is most likely healthier, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily healthy," Batayneh says. Many prepackaged salads you'll find at restaurants, airport terminals, and supermarkets contain upwards of 1,000 calories. Meanwhile, the cheese, croutons, and meats pack a ton of sodium, which is used both as a preservative and to boost the salad's flavor. Unfortunately, many prepackaged salads don't come with ingredient or nutrition labels. If that's the case with whatever salad you're eying, don't buy it. Look for ingredient labels and make sure neither calories nor sodium is through the roof. Or, better yet, make your own salad.  

Thursday, September 10, 2015

HOW TO INSURE THAT YOU CAN SAVE MONEY EVEN WITH INSURANCE

7 tips for lowering your medical bills- even if you have health insurance By Elizabeth Renter Published September 09, 2015. 

 Having insurance may make it easier to get health care, but that doesn't always translate to medical bills you can afford. High deductibles, copayments and coinsurance mean some people are avoiding medical care altogether to save money. But regular medical care is important, and you shouldn't have to sacrifice your health to save money. By tackling your health care strategically, you may be able to avoid that tough decision. More than 90 percent of Americans have health insurance, leaving 29 million still without coverage, according to the latest data from the federal government. But in a 2014 Associated Press survey of insured adults, one in four said they were not confident they could afford care if they or someone in their family had an unexpected medical need. If you fear that a future medical expense may too steep, the following steps may help: 1. Find the right plan. Saving on health care begins with selecting the right insurance plan. Consider how much the monthly premium will cost, but don't choose your plan based on that factor alone. Instead, evaluate all of your options. A plan that trades lower premiums for higher out-of-pocket cost - like a high deductible health plan (HDHP)- may make sense for someone with relatively few expected medical needs. Someone with a chronic condition, however, could save more with a plan that has higher premiums and lower deductibles, copays and coinsurance, as he or she will be going to the doctor more often. Consider your medical needs for the coming year, and use them to estimate how much you'd spend with a few different plans. 2. Visit only in-network providers. Insurance plans contract with groups of doctors and facilities to form a network that offers lower rates for members. When you use providers within that network, your care is covered at a higher rate. If you venture outside, you'll have to pay more. For example, one visit to an in-network family doctor for acute illness could result in a $35 copay, with your insurance picking up the remainder. A visit to an out-of-network doctor for that same illness could cost about $150, or the entire billable cost. Always check your insurer's website and search for doctors under your specific plan's network. 3. Take advantage of FSA and HSA offerings. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can help you budget for medical expenses while providing tax benefits. If your employer offers one, sign up. When deciding how much to contribute, estimate your medical expenses for the year and go from there. If you have a deductible, set aside at least that much. A few important points: ? FSAs are- with few exceptions- "use it or lose it" accounts, so estimate your contribution carefully because if there are funds left at the end of the year, you may lose that money. ? HSAs are only available for people with qualifying high-deductible health plans. If you have such a plan, but your employer doesn't offer an HSA, you can open one yourself through an outside financial institution. ? Unlike FSAs, an HSA is your account and the balance can be carried over from year to year, and even follow you as you change jobs.  4. Know what's covered under free preventive care. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insured Americans are allowed certain free preventive services and screenings. These include immunizations and screenings for some types of cancer. Take advantage of this care because it can help you stay healthy and save you money.  5. Save on prescription drug costs. Prescription drugs can be a major expense, particularly if you need recurring prescriptions. Save on your medication costs by: ? Choosing generics over brand names whenever possible. ? Asking about a therapeutic alternative when your doctor recommends a brand name with no generic available. ? Asking your doctor for samples. ? Visiting the drug maker's website for coupons or patient assistance programs. ? Getting your medicine in larger doses and splitting the pills. ? Refilling multiple months at a time. A money-saving example: A one-month supply of the cholesterol drug Crestor could carry a $65 copay under some plans if a generic is not available. A one-month supply of Zocor- a different brand-name drug that treats the same condition- would cost $215, as insurance wouldn't cover the brand name because there is a generic available. The cost of a one-month supply of simvastatin, the generic version of Zocor: $15 copay.  6. Negotiate high medical bills. When you receive a medical bill, don't automatically accept the balance as the final amount due. Contact the provider's billing office to ask if they can reduce the cost. If the person on the phone won't offer to lower the bill, ask to speak with a supervisor. Also, ask if a monthly payment plan is possible to make the bill more manageable.  7. Carry lessons into the next year. You may find the plan you chose for this year wasn't the best for your situation. Make sure you learn from your experience and choose a more suitable plan during your next open enrollment period. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

ARE YOU AS OLD AS YOU ARE, OR AS OLD AS YOU FEEL

How old are you really? Genes reveal 'biological age' Published September 08, 2015.  
 
By reading a "signature" based on 150 of a person's genes, researchers can determine the individual's biological age, which may be different from his or her chronological age, according to a new study. Moreover, a person's biological age is a better measure for determining a person's health than is chronological age, these researchers say. In the study, people's biological age was more closely tied to their risk of age-related diseases, such as dementia and osteoporosis, than was their chronological age. "Most people accept that all 60-year olds are not the same," James Timmons, a professor of precision medicine at King's College in London and the lead author on the study, said in a statement. But a person's chronological age is still used to determine everything from the individual's insurance premiums to whether he or she needs certain medical procedures, he said. In the new study, published today (Sept. 8) in the journal Genome Biology, the researchers analyzed genetic material from healthy 65-year-olds, looking for genes that indicated the participants were staying healthy as they aged.  The scientists found 150 genes that they used to calculate what they called a person's "healthy age gene score. To verify that these scores did indeed track with people's health, the researchers tested out their method in a separate group of participants, who were all 70 years old. The scientists found that higher scores were indeed associated with better health, including better cognitive health. In particular, they found that patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had lower healthy age gene scores. "This provides strong evidence that dementia in humans could be called a type of 'accelerated aging' or 'failure to activate the healthy aging program,'" Timmons said. It's unclear, however, whether the healthy age gene score could be used to predict whether a person will develop Alzheimer's disease, the researchers wrote in the study. That's "the real Holy Grail," said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer's Association, who was not involved in the study, "a blood test that tells you 10 years in advance if you're going to have Alzheimer's. Still, the results of the study are valuable, .  The researchers were able to look at people who were all the same age, and determine who had healthy cognition and who didn't, he said. That means the test could help determine what genetic differences separate a 70-year old with Alzheimer's and a 70-year old without the disease, he said. Further researcher into those 150 genes may also give clues about what causes Alzheimer's, Fargo said. 

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

ARE YOU GETTING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PROTEIN


Monday, September 7, 2015

Happy Monday!

Good evening all,
Hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend.  Want to give a shoutout to Roy and Bride for supply us with a few smiles in the past few days. We can always use a little humor in our lives.

Have a great week and stay healthy.
Dr. Janet