ONE HEART TO LIVE

5 heart-healthy snacks By Patricia Bannan Published November 28, 2015.  

 

Although deaths from heart disease have dropped in recent years , it's still the leading cause of death of Americans, for both men and woman. The good news is that we now know more than ever about how to prevent cardiovascular disease, which includes both strokes and heart attacks. One thing that's clear: your diet and lifestyle (such as exercising more) can make a huge difference in the quality of your ticker. When it comes to diet, making heart-healthy snack choices is more important than ever. While the average American eats roughly the same amount of food during meals as they did in the 1970s, the number of calories from between-meal noshing has increased to 580 calories per day, or about one-quarter of our total calorie intake.  be sure to have these heart-healthy foods on hand to keep your ticker strong for decades to come. Apples As the age old adage goes: "An apple a day keeps the doctor way. This may be true when it comes to your cardiologist. In the Iowa Women's Health Study, which has been tracking more than 34,000 women for nearly 20 years, apples were associated with a lower risk of death from both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. There are several components of apples that may contribute to their heart-protective benefits. Apples provide pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help lower "bad" (LDL) cholesterol levels. In addition, apples provide a number of strong antioxidant compounds (such as quercetin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin) that have been shown to inhibit inflammation and reduce oxidative stress that can lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular problems. Apples also provide a good amount of another antioxidant, vitamin C. While all apples have been shown to deliver heart-protective nutrients, red delicious provide the highest amount of antioxidants. Popcorn Not just for the movie theater, popcorn makes a smart snack. This whole grain delivers polyphenols, an antioxidant linked to improving heart health. In fact, research at the University of Scranton shows that gram for gram, popcorn has three times more polyphenols than kidney beans, which is the highest vegetable polyphenol choice. To make this snack truly heart healthy, hold the added butter and salt and avoid certain microwavable popcorn bags. According to the FDA, many popcorn bags contain especially high levels of PFOAs (perfluorooctanoic acid) - a chemical found in things like nonstick cookware and food wrappers, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease. To ensure you get the heart-healthy benefits you intend, pop your own popcorn or buy pre-popped bags free from PFOAs. Season yourself with olive oil and fresh herbs or spices, like rosemary or cayenne pepper. 

WHAT DO I DO WITH THOSE LEFTOVERS

Holiday party leftovers: What to keep and what to toss Published November 27, 2015.  

Holiday parties are always packed with lots of good foods. But if you're playing the role of hostess this year, it could also mean lots of leftovers. Before you pack up the containers, beware that there are some foods that should be thrown out and not saved. We got this email from a viewer: Dear Dr. Manny, I recently hosted a holiday party at my house and have a ton of leftovers. Are there any appetizers that I might be able to save without the risk of getting sick? Thanks, Tonya Contrary to what most people think, you cannot tell if a food is safe to eat just by looking at it and smelling it. In fact, illness-causing bacteria can grow in foods within two hours if you don't refrigerate them. "When food is left out for long periods of time, bacteria will quickly grow and could cause a food-borne illness; some can be as serious as kidney failure,” said Jacqueline Gomes , a registered dietitian and owner of CKO Kickboxing in New Jersey. "Storing leftovers within the two-hour window will help increase their lifespan. Gomes said although it may be tempting to save all your party leftovers in the fridge, there are some important timelines to keep in mind: Leftovers shelf life: Crackers: up to the sell by date. Deli meats: 3-5 days Deviled eggs and mini meatballs: 4-5 days Dips and shellfish: 2-3 days max. Hard Cheeses: 3-4 weeks Raw Veggies: 4 days Soft cheeses: 1 week Reheating leftovers properly is just as important. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leftovers should be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food before consuming.  

UPDATE FROM THANKSGIVING WEEK

Greetings all!

Hope everyone had their fill of turkey and completed their Christmas shopping from the comfort of the easy chair--I did! We have exciting news about our OIB project. I am delighted to announce a new partnership with the Arkansas advocacy groups supporting blindness and vision loss.

Mrs. Terry Sheeler is the State President for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Ms. Sandy Edwards is the State President for the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Both are phenomenal organizations which support advocacy efforts at the state and national level.These women have agreed to assist clients in our program by connecting folks to necessary resources. If you have a technical question, need to know where to buy bump dots, or just need a ear for venting, please reach out to these organizations. These folks are volunteering their time and knowledge!

Our goal is to identify ALL clients who are eligible for our program. As everyone knows, there are not enough hours in the day or dollars in program to meet the needs. Let's all band together and work toward a common goal. I am happy to have the assistance of these two great organizations and encourage you to support them in their advocacy efforts.

Contact information is;

Sandy Edward (ACB) phone: 501-753-5029

Terry Sheeler (NFB) phone:   479-582-0091 or 479-841-6081

As always, please feel free to contact WSB staff, Barbara, Cindy or I for assistance. Thanks again to Bob and Johnye for their help with this blog. Without them, I would never sleep!

Until tomorrow,

Dr. Janet

EVERYDAY SHOULD BE THANKSGIVING

Thank you -- it's as simple as that It's as simple as that  

I glanced around my office this morning and realized that, if I have a decorating motif in this messy place, it must revolve around words. They're everywhere. On one shelf is a small plaque that says, "My greatest blessings call me Mom. Another one says, "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Above my computer, a square stone has these words etched into it: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (I read that one a few thousand times when I'm on deadline and staring at a blank page.) On another shelf is a sign that says, "If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother told you. (One guess on who gave me that little decorative reminder.) Last, but definitely not least, there's also a bright blue metal sign bearing a picture of Snoopy wearing sunglasses issuing this one simple command: "Be cool. (That beagle is full of sound advice.) Maybe an office full of books and quotes isn't surprising for someone who makes her living tapping away at a keyboard. But that's not the reason I'm drawn to them. The reason has everything to do with power. Whoever made up that ridiculous chant that says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" was faking it. I don't know a single person who doesn't remember at least half a dozen times when words have hurt. They leave bruises on the inside, and nothing can stain our memories faster or more effectively than words. If you've managed to get this far in life without suffering a few internal word wounds, you're luckier than most of us. On the flip side is the reality that words can also work wonders. They can set us free from secrets. They can soothe shattered feelings and save or solidify a relationship. They can make us laugh, and they can build us up and help us be brave. Most people might say the three most powerful words in the English language are "I love you. But for me, the most powerful phrase is even shorter: "Thank you. Because a "thank you" is born of love and shares the proof of love, and who among us doesn't need that? During this Thanksgiving season, I know I'll never be able to say enough thank yous to equal the blessings in my life, but I sure hope I'm never too lazy to try. When I see my family and friends, what I hope they feel most from me is my deep appreciation for them and the love that fuels it.

GIVING THANKS ON THANKSGIVING

Today is Thanksgiving.  We hope you will enjoy a day with friends, family, and lots of food.  If you are traveling we hope you will have a safe trip.  We all have many things to be thankful for.  Be sure to take some time today to reflect on them and express your thanks to God for we are a very blessed people.

Until tomorrow

Bob and Johnye

 

WINTER IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR WAISTLINE

Forget the winter blues, beware the winter munchies By Dr. Manny Alvarez Published November 23, 2015.  

My wife says that she always knows when we will have a very cold winter. The way she determines this is by noticing the animals - especially squirrels and foxes - will start eating more and fatten themselves up before the full force of winter comes. Of course, my wife comes from the forests in Sweden, so she had a lot of time on her hands observing animals. However, there is a lot of truth to that. But does this fattening up process also apply to humans? The answer is 'Yes. We tend to eat more in the cold weather months.  Studies have been done to test this, and one in particular tracked people who ate season to season. It turned out that as the winter days wore on, people were consuming more calories. Of course, this increase in calorie intake makes us ideal candidates to gain weight during the winter and fall prey to all the advertising for summer diets and getting in shape for beach season. However, I do have a theory that has a little bit more to do with the way our brains function in the winter. Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter season, which can significantly affect your mood increasing feelings of sadness, depression or even lethargy. All of these feelings can act as a trigger, leading some folks to compulsive eating. Whether or not we're storing fat for the winter or have some primitive impulse to eat more, we need to pay better attention to what we're eating. Because if you started your winter with a few extra pounds like me, it's time to start cutting back. 

CUTTING COST WITHOUT CUTTING CORNERS

How to do Thanksgiving on a budget Published November 23, 2015 .   

 

Be honest, Thanksgiving is expensive. From the turkey to its trimmings and everything in between, celebrating our nation's most cherished holiday can be taxing on our bank accounts. While you want nothing more than to make Thanksgiving special for your family and loved ones, sometimes there's a fine line between cutting costs and hosting the perfect holiday dinner. We feel your pain, so we're here to help you determine where that line is and help you host Thanksgiving on a mindful and easy budget. Keeping your costs down doesn't have to mean settling for inferior products or limited quantities, though, and we spoke to contributing writer David Bakke at Money Crashers Personal Finance about easy and creative tips that will help you be frugal this Thanksgiving. Bakke and the team at Money Crashers are constantly thinking of ways to save when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, and they shared some of their ideas with us. These tips are simple, and they're all about planning and cooking smart. For example, while it might save you money to make most things from scratch, you'll also cut some dollars by knowing when to buy canned or frozen foods, too, so be smart when you're shopping and pay attention to price tags. Hosting Thanksgiving on a budget is also about knowing how to take charge, like deciding what your guests will drink rather than wasting money on  things that no one wants, and asking family to pitch in and bring over a side dish or two. Thanksgiving doesn't have to deplete your bank account, and you'll see that with smart planning and a head start, you'll be thankful for Thanksgiving this time around. 1.  Go Potluck  Making your Thanksgiving feast a potluck affair is one of the best ways to save. Potlucks are entirely acceptable and they give guests a chance to show off their epicurean prowess. Just keep a running list of who's bringing what so you don't end up with duplicate dishes or missing entire courses. 2.  Feature Fresh Alternatives  You can save time in the kitchen, or you can save money. It's a tough decision. If you decide to go the latter route, skip the pre-cut cheese and veggie tray and prepare your own. The same concept applies to any dish, appetizer, or dessert you plan to serve. Accept the inevitability of kitchen time (you agreed to host, remember?) and have fun with it. Invite friends or family over to help if doing all the prep and cooking alone is intimidating. Or prepare dishes in advance to save time on the big day and money. 3.  But Know When to Go Canned or Frozen  While you're certainly cutting some dollars from your bill by creating the crudité platter yourself, there's also sound reason for buying some canned and frozen foods for your Thanksgiving dinner, too. Just because everyone's gone organic these days doesn't mean that fresh is always better. Frozen foods are actually healthier than most of the fresh varieties on the stand, and usually cheaper, too. 4.  Reduce Your Grocery Bill by Spending It in Increments  It's never too early to start planning for Thanksgiving - seriously - and that goes for grocery shopping, as well. One of Bakke's tips is to start making your grocery trips weeks or even months in advance. Pay attention to sales that are going on and collect coupons. You'll be capitalizing on great deals that may not occur during the holiday season, and you'll cut down your spending by doing it in increments rather than all at once. 5.  Don't Make It Complicated  We know - the way Ina Garten put together that sausage and sage cornbread stuffing in her beautiful kitchen in East Hampton, N.Y., was so inspiring, but that doesn't mean you have to do it exactly the same way, and at the same price. Take inspiration from recipes that you find but don't get bogged down by the specifics of them if they're going to rack up the grocery bill. Make smart choices, like instead of buying fresh sage, use the dried jar you have in your pantry, and maybe your mashed potatoes don't need that truffle oil. 

AREN'T PETS THE GREATEST

4 ways your pet makes your life better Published November 21, 2015. 

Just as human friends can make you happy in the deepest ways, so too can the furry variety, research shows. "One of my earliest studies found that dog owners are as emotionally close to their dogs as they are to their closest family member," said Sandra Barker, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University and director of the university's Center for Human-Animal Interaction. While your sister might not be pleased to hear that, it's good to know that pet ownership has many benefits-like the ones here.  1. They keep your stress in check When your dog starts wagging his tail, it's hard to obsess about that pile of work you just left on your desk. In fact, in one of Barker's studies, her team had people complete a stressful task, then measured their brain waves, blood pressure, heart rate, salivary cortisol and self-reported stress after 30 minutes with their own dog or a therapy dog. "We saw a consistent pattern of stress reduction across all measures," Barker said. "Other researchers have found reduced stress in owners interacting with their dogs after stressful tasks, compared with interacting with friends and spouses. 2. They get you moving Especially if you have a pup. "Dogs require at least 30 minutes of exercise a day," said Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention, "and that just so happens to be about how many minutes humans need, too. Dog owners are 34 percent more likely to meet federal guidelines for exercise, according to a 2011 study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. And exercise is a proven mood booster: In a Norwegian study, people who exercised had better mental health than those who were sedentary. Another study suggested that walking briskly for 30 minutes could have a significant impact on mild to moderate depression symptoms.  3. They combat loneliness In the age of FOMO, having a pet to keep you company can prevent that "Am I the only one who doesn't have plans tonight? feeling. "Researchers have found a reduction in loneliness in pet-owning women living alone, while others have seen reduced loneliness in nursing home residents after animal-assisted activities," Barker said. But then, if you're an animal lover, you don't need us to tell you about that comfort you get when you're working late into the night and your cat cozies up by your side, or when your dog gleefully greets you after a long, solitary commute. 4. They boost your confidence Sure, getting a promotion at work can give your self-image a lift-but so can owning a dog. According to one study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, dog owners scored higher in certain well-being categories, including self-esteem, than nonowners. "Because pets can decrease loneliness, anxiety and depression, there's a good chance dog owners will feel more self-assured," explained Barker. The same authors also found that when faced with social rejection, dog owners were better able to stay upbeat-and keep negative feelings at bay.  GO FISH... TO FEEL JOYFUL Not a cat or dog person? You can still get happiness perks by owning a fish (or three). Scientists at the National Marine Aquarium in England discovered that looking at an aquarium improved people's moods-and that the more fish they added, the more those folks' heart rates fell. 

THINGS TO HELP WITH HOLIDAY INDIGESTION

Dealing with indigestion during the holidays By Amie Valpone Published November 21, 2015. 

Homemade Turkey Thanksgiving Dinner with Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, and Corn During the holiday season, my clients are always complaining about bloating, gas and indigestion as well as heart burn, and they can't seem to understand why. By focusing on supporting your body by giving it a little extra love with some enzymes and eating clean whole foods, your body won't have to work as hard to digest your food (and you won't end up tired after you eat)-I know you know that feeling of feeling full and exhausted after the holiday buffet! By eating clean whole foods -- and a few raw fruits and veggies or sprouted nuts, seeds and whole grains, which are full of enzymes -- you'll notice dramatic improvements in your digestion. This time of the year everyone is busy and stressed out with holiday parties and family gatherings. We end up eating more decadent, heavy and rich foods that often leave many of us with a stomach ache. Before Christmas, we're running around buying holiday gifts and often snacking on unhealthy foods or reaching for a meal in the food court of the mall, which leaves many people feeling awful just a few hours later. Eating clean, whole foods and getting to the root cause of your belly issues is the only way to ensure you'll fingure out what the problem is without blindly taking a band-aid approach to cover up your symptoms. I personally spent the first 20 years of my life covering up stomach pain symptoms- not knowing why I was bloated or uncomfortable after eating. Once I started to look at the bigger picture as to what was going on inside my stomach, I realized I was lacking enough of the right enzymes to help my poor, little body break down my food. I can still remember my doctor giving me a bottle of enzymes and feeling like a million bucks -- without bloating -- as soon as I started taking them. Now, I take enzymes with my meals every day and take them with me when I travel and eat out in restaurants because it's not worth forgetting about them and then have to deal with bloating or being uncomfortable for the rest of the day. Whether you have heartburn, bloating or gas, you can work with your doctor to figure out what's going on inside and help support your body by breaking down those foods as soon as you bite into them. Occasional heartburn goes hand in hand with indigestion. When we don't have enough digestive enzymes to break down our food, it begins to ferment in the digestive tract, generating all sorts of uncomfortable reactions, like gas, bloating, etc. This can happen with anything we eat, but it especially happens with those who suffer from food intolerances, or enzyme deficiencies, such as gluten, dairy, casein, etc. These individuals, myself included, don't have enough of, or the right enzymes to break down the food that they consume, and negative reactions result. Here are a few tips to help with your digestion during the holiday season.  Chew your food well. The enzymes in your mouth start your digestion process; chew at least 20-30 times before you swallow. I know this can be hard to do but try to be mindful!  Reach for Fiber. High fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are great for digestion and keeps everything moving smoothly.  Know your Triggers. Tomatoes bother you? Dairy make you bloated? Know what foods bother you and make you feel bloated and tired. Remove those foods and see how you feel.         Try water with lemon. Drink water with fresh lemon and lime to see if that helps. Eating clean whole foods (whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, organic proteins such as beans, legumes, chicken, turkey) and supplementing with a general digestive enzyme like Enzymedica's Digest Gold , you can help your body break down your meal and actually feel amazing after you eat. If food intolerance is a challenge, which it has been for me for years, remove the problem food from your lifestyle and ask your doctor about Digest Spectrum which is targeted against all of the major problem foods such as gluten, dairy, casein, etc. Of course, for strict heartburn, Acid Soothe offers an all-natural alternative to some of the other solutions on the market. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new supplements. 

DO YOU NEED TTO WASH YOUR SHEETS

Here's why you probably need to wash your sheets right now By Michael Harthorne Published November 19, 2015.  

No one likes washing and changing their sheets, but what's the bare minimum you can get away with when freshening up your linens? University of Washington professor Dr. Marilyn Roberts tells Yahoo people should wash their sheets once per week "as long as there's no bodily secretions or any potential risk factors. And oh, what risk factors there are. Roberts says sheets should be changed immediately if any of the following gross things hit the bed: urine, diarrhea, fecal spray, vomit, or drainage from an ear infection. Sweaty sleepers may also want to change their sheets more often to ensure they're drying properly, as bacteria grows more quickly in warmer, moister environments. In case that wasn't enough to scare you, Yahoo reports some skin infections can jump from people to sheets and back to people. Good Housekeeping also pushes the preference for weekly washing-two weeks, max - because of all the "germs, sweat, and body oils" that accumulate. (Bonus advice: A common mistake is overdrying sheets, causing them to shrink, it notes.) Roberts says people who are obese, swimmers, or elderly-along with anyone else more prone to skin infections than the general population-should pay closer attention to the cleanliness of their sheets. And, of course, even well-washed pets aren't making sheets any cleaner. "Pets should be pets-they should have their own bed because they can be a reservoir for human diseases. GQ makes it unanimous in pushing the once-a-week advice, because "there's no point in diligently washing your clothes if you're sleeping in dirty sheets at the end of the day. 

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR THANKSGIVING BIRD

The ultimate guide for buying a Thanksgiving turkey By Janet Rausa Fuller Published November 19, 2015.       

It's that time. Farmers' markets and butcher shops have started taking orders for Thanksgiving turkeys and soon enough-like next week-you'll start seeing fresh turkeys at the supermarket. If you've been tapped for turkey duty this year, the chatter in your brain might start to sound something like this: Fresh, frozen, or fancy heritage bird? How big should I go? And when should I buy this thing? Stop the madness and the Googling. We're here to help you through the biggest food purchase for the biggest food holiday of the year (no pressure, though). 1.  Fresh or frozen?  There is no difference in quality between a fresh and frozen turkey. The difference is in the way the birds leave the processing plant, according to the National Turkey Federation. Frozen turkeys are flash-frozen right after packaging to 0 degrees (or colder). More perishable fresh turkeys are "deep-chilled"-but never below 26 degrees. The "fresh" label can by law only be used on a turkey that's never dipped below that 26-degree threshold. In other words, previously frozen birds can't be thawed and sold as fresh. 2.  Super birds from the supermarket.  A lot of supermarket birds come with a "self-basting" or "basted" label. This means they've been injected with a solution of broth, stock or water, melted butter, spices, and other flavorings like wine, juice or maple syrup. The label will list the ingredients and the amount of added solution, which the USDA says can be no more than 3 percent of the total weight of the turkey. "Some think it adds to the flavor," said Dr. Jesse Grimes, a professor and extension turkey specialist at North Carolina State University's Department of Poultry Science. It's also a moisture factor: it boosts the "succulence" of the meat and results in a darker, crispier bird because the solution is directed right under the skin, the Turkey Federation says. Birds labeled "kosher" have been slaughtered and processed under rabbinical supervision-and they come pre-brined, which lessens the chance of a dried-out bird. USDA certified organic turkeys were raised on organic, pesticide-free feed, with access to the outdoors (though how much time they spend outside isn't clearly defined). "Free range" means the birds were "allowed access to the outside," but that's as far as the USDA defines it, so again, there's no telling how much time the turkeys actually got to spend out there. "Natural," according to the USDA, just means turkeys were minimally processed with no artificial ingredients or colors added. It's basically a meaningless term. One more thing Grimes points out that applies to all turkeys: It's illegal to give them hormones. If you're concerned about antibiotics, keep an eye out for "antibiotic-free" or "raised without antibiotics" on the label. 3.  Down on the farm.  If you buy your turkey at the farmers' market or directly from a farmer, there's a good chance it's a pastured or heritage bird-or both. It also was probably raised according to organic principles, though it may not have the USDA organic seal. A heritage turkey signifies specific breeds of turkey dating back generations-the heirloom tomatoes of the turkey world, if you will, said Epicurious' Mindy Fox. A pastured, or pasture-raised, turkey was raised primarily outside on open pasture. (Still, there's no legal definition for "pastured," which differs from "free range.") So pastured birds and heritage birds aren't one and same, but they're similar in some ways. Both heritage and pastured turkeys tend to be slower growing, smaller, older, and leaner that conventional birds, Grimes said. Heritage turkeys have larger legs and thighs and smaller breasts than commercial birds, and richer, gamier-tasting meat, Fox said. Some say pastured birds are more flavorful, too. "Flavor can come from what the birds are eating," Grimes said. With either type of leaner bird, Mindy suggests adjusting your cooking approach. Amp up the fat around the breast meat to retain moisture, for example, by slathering softened butter under the skin or placing a layer of bacon strips over the breasts (this technique is called barding) before roasting. You could also pull the bird from the oven at 160°F-before it hits the USDA-recommended 165°F-and tent the turkey with foil, which will allow for carry-over cooking without drying it out. Or, she said, consider braising instead of roasting 4.  When to buy the bird.  If you're buying from a farmer, order it now. These turkeys often come frozen but also are delivered fresh, with pickup very close to Thanksgiving Day. Specialty butcher shops typically take orders for fresh turkeys, with a similar pickup window. If you're buying fresh from the supermarket, check with your store about its supply. Ideally, you'll want to buy it as close to Thanksgiving as possible. If you buy earlier than that and you're not certain your fridge is cold enough (time for a thermometer check-it should be no warmer than 40 degrees in there), store the turkey in the freezer. And if you're buying frozen, buy it now or soon. Just give yourself enough time for thawing-24 hours for every four pounds of meat, Johnson said.

DOES BLACK FRIDAY REALLY SAVE YOU GREEN

Here's why you shouldn't go to the store on Black Friday Stores want you to believe you can get a great deal on the day after Thanksgiving, but is it better to stay at home? by Sarah Mitroff November 18, 2015.  

Black Friday looms like a dark cloud over the malls. The US ( and UK ) shopping holiday is a cash cow for retailers, a sporting event for deal hunters, and a stressful day for most shoppers. What was once the start of the holiday shopping season has become a mess of traffic jams, long lines and ravaged stores. Every year, it's looking better to just stay at home, and that might be the smartest move. Let's take a look at the arguments for not heading to the stores on Black Friday. Avoid the crowds of Black Friday and shop online instead.  1. Stores offer the same sales online Though Black Friday started as a brick-and-mortar store shopping holiday, many stores now offer the same sales online. You can do all of your shopping in your pajamas and not miss out on the sales. Mobile shopping is also getting more popular as an alternative to going out. Adobe's annual holiday shopping forecast report predicts that 51 percent of purchases on Thanksgiving will come from mobile phones, likely made while recovering from a food coma on the couch. The catch is that not all items are available online, so you'll need to do your homework first to plot out what you want to buy and where you can get it. Here's a glance at how to shop at some of the biggest US retailers: Staples' Black Friday deals are available online starting Thursday. Best Buy's Black Friday deals are available online starting Thursday and will reveal exclusive doorbusters on Thanksgiving. Target will offer its Black Friday deals online, and there's free shipping with no required minimum purchase now through December 25. Walmart's Black Friday sales begin online on Thursday at 3:01 a.m.  PT. GameStop's sales are available online on Black Friday through Sunday November 29. Kohl's is starting its Black Friday deals early online on Monday November 23. Macy's Black Friday sale starts online on Thursday, and there's free shipping with a $50 purchase. 2. Black Friday shopping is madness (and possibly dangerous) Getting up early or not going to bed at all; lining up outside waiting for a store to open; fighting other shoppers for the last Xbox bundle. Black Friday might save you some money, but you lose in the process. First, going out to shop is inefficient, because you have to go from store to store, braving packed parking lots, traffic and overcrowded malls. Second, despite stores' best safety efforts, people still get hurt during Black Friday fights -- just search for "black friday fights" in your favorite search engine to get a taste. People have also been shot, stabbed and trampled to death, all in the name of a deal. Yes, the odds of something bad happening to you are low, but the day has ended badly for some individuals in years past. At best, Black Friday is a stressful day of mobs of people and headaches; at worst, it could land you in the ER. Staying at home keeps you away from it all.  Don't be tempted by low prices on stuff you wouldn't otherwise buy.  3. It's no longer a one-day affair Thanksgiving shopping is not just confined to Black Friday anymore, as more retailers are offering deals in the week leading up to Turkey Day and the week following. As you can see above, some stores are starting their sales on Thanksgiving or earlier. While you can sometimes get a great deal on Black Friday, you can also start shopping now and still snag a sale. You might also want to wait for Cyber Monday, where retailers offer online exclusive sales. It's becoming one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and you don't even have to wait in a line. The bottom line is that Black Friday is less important than it's been in years' past, so don't feel the pressure to get your shopping done on that one day. 4. Deals aren't always the best you can buy Don't fall prey to enticing low prices on stuff you wouldn't otherwise buy. Many big-ticket doorbusters are for subpar products that you'd overlook any other day. TVs are notorious for this, for example, Target's TV doorbusters include several low-end TVs from Westinghouse and Element. They are cheap in price and quality, so you're better off saving your money for a much better model that's not on sale during Black Friday. Also look out for items that are bundled with a gift card but aren't actually on sale. If you aren't already in the market to buy the item that comes with gift card, don't let the extra sway you into spending money on something that's not really a deal. My CNET colleague Lori Grunin explains why not all deals are worth it , especially since retailers like to compare the discount to the MSRP, even when the item sells for less than that price regularly. Do your homework before you go out to the store to see if the sale on that camera or Blu-ray player is actually worth it, or if you can get it cheaper elsewhere. Enlarge Image Doorbusters aren't always the best buys, and you can sometimes shop online for them instead. Best Buy 5. Even doorbusters are a mixed bag Doorbusters -- low-priced items with a limited quantity -- are sometimes worth heading out for if -- and only if -- you are both ready to wait in long lines and you accept that you may not get what you want. Even then, these items aren't always the best deals around, and you can get something better online. For example, Target is offering an Xbox One bundle with Gears of War for $299, plus a $60 gift card, but over on Dell's website you can get a similar bundle with an Xbox One, Gears of War, Fallout 4, plus an extra Xbox controller for $299. If you want that deal, it's an online exclusive starting at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. . While Best Buy is offering several good doorbusters, such as up to $125 off certain models of the Apple iPad Air 2, and two Chromecasts for $50, you'll be able to shop those sales on Thanksgiving, without even leaving your couch. . Of course, if you're one of those people who thinks camping in line at Walmart at 4 a.m. for a $59 Fitbit Flex is a great excuse for holiday fun, more power to you. I'll be home in bed, four hours away from a leisurely wake-up followed by some light shopping -- accomplished from the comfort of my laptop keyboard. . 

MAKING GOOD CHOCOLATE BETTER

Hershey kisses artificial flavors goodbye in some chocolates Published November 16, 2015.

The candy company says its milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses and bars are now being made with flavor from real vanilla instead of an artificial flavor. (AP) Hershey wants to keep the ingredients list on two of its famous chocolates short and sweet. The candy company said this week that its milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses and bars are now being made with flavor from real vanilla instead of an artificial flavor. The change is the first part of The Hershey Co. s previously announced plans to use simpler ingredients. Many food companies are removing artificial flavors, colors and ingredients to please consumers demanding less processed foods. Hershey said the updated chocolates started shipping a few weeks ago and are at stores - or will be - as they restock their shelves. Customers will see "natural flavor" on the ingredients list instead of vanillin, the artificial ingredient that used to give the chocolates their vanilla flavor. Lactose, a sugar in milk, will also be removed from both chocolates. Hershey has also banished PGPR, which makes chocolate flow better in a manufacturing plant, from the bars. Instead, it is adding more cocoa butter to produce the right texture. The Kisses did not have PGPR. In February, the Hershey, Pennsylvania-based company announced it would be going through its products to simplify ingredients, a process that could take years. 

BRING ON THE BACON

5 reasons you don't really need to swear off bacon By   Published November 16, 2015. 

Good news, everyone: Despite all the panic and fear-mongering that's been swirling around everyone's favorite smoky foodstuff, bacon isn't going to kill you. And you don't need to completely ban it from your diet. Really. Here's what you actually need to know about bacon and cancer, plus how to indulge your craving for the beloved crispy pork strips in a smarter way. 1. Your actual risk for getting cancer from bacon is pretty small. ?  Just because bacon was placed in the same class of carcinogens as cigarettes doesn't actually mean that the two are equally dangerous. Far from it. The World Health Organization ranks carcinogens based on the amount of available evidence linking a substance to cancer- not the amount that the substance actually ups your cancer risk .  In other words, there are a lot of studies out there that demonstrate eating bacon can increase your odds for getting colon cancer. Apparently, it's about the same number of studies that connect cigarettes to cancer. But out of 100,000 regular bacon eaters, only 120 will actually get colon cancer because of it, says Columbia University oncologist and cancer epidemiologist Dr. Alfred Neugut, PhD. To put that into perspective, out of 100,000 regular smokers, about 1,000 will end up getting lung cancer. "The evidence has now gotten to be enough so you can say with some definitiveness [that bacon can cause cancer]," Neugut said. "But the actual risk is trivial. If bacon disappeared from America's kitchens, you wouldn't notice a difference in colon cancer rates. 2. And you probably aren't even eating enough bacon to begin with. Are you chowing down on five strips of bacon every day? Because that's the amount that the WHO says raises your colon cancer risk by 18 percent. Which means that if you're the kind of person who has a couple strips of bacon once or twice a week at brunch or in a BLT, your risk for getting colon cancer is a lot lower. "I wouldn't say you should eat 10 tons of bacon at every meal. But if you enjoy it in moderation, it's fine," Neugut said.  3. You can buy cleaner bacon. Let's get something straight: There's no such thing as truly nitrate- or nitrite-free bacon. "When [an organic or natural bacon label] says nitrate- or nitrite-free, it means that they're not using synthetic nitrates. Instead, they use celery salt," said Stefanie Sacks.   And while the EPA says that all types of nitrates/nitrites are linked to cancer, Sacks doesn't believe that every nitrate/nitrite is equally awful. "I'd much rather have my nitrates from celery than from a synthetic source. But they're still highly processed and you should eat them in moderation," she said. But even if natural nitrates are only marginally better for you than synthetic ones, picking organic-or even grass-fed-bacon is still a cleaner choice. Both are free of nasty antibiotics and hormones, while grass-fed has the added benefit of coming from a pig that wasn't raised on corn or soy. 4. You can cook it cleaner, too. Charring bacon (or any meat) increases its amount of heterocyclic amines-a group of carcinogenic chemicals that are formed when the amino acids in animal protein are burned. Instead of crisping up your strips in a superhot pan, you can always cook them in the microwave-where they're less likely to burn or char-instead. It won't turn your bacon into a health food, but it will make it a little less bad for you.  5. The WHO never said that bacon would kill you or that you had to stop eating it anyway. ? After the org realized that its initial announcement had resulted in mass chaos, the WHO took the opportunity to clarify its message. In a statement released late last week, it said, "The latest...review does not ask people to stop eating processed meats but indicates that reducing consumption of these products can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. So there you go. Bacon cheeseburger, anyone? 

IT'S COMING AND THE SOONER THE BETTER

Ford revs up self-driving cars in simulated city At Mcity, autonomous cars can learn to drive before facing the real world. This could help Ford speed up production of such vehicles. by Lance Whitney @ / November 13, 2015.  

Ford tests a self-driving vehicle in a simulated city. Ford Motor Company Ford has begun testing a self-driving car in a simulation designed to work like a real city. On Friday, the company said it's the first automaker to test autonomous cars in Mcity . Part of the University of Michigan's Mobility Transformation Center, Mcity is a simulated real-world urban environment set up to test self-driving vehicles as a way to speed up their development. The 32-acre test facility opened its doors in July and is funded in part by automotive and tech companies. Testing self-driving cars is a tricky business. Operating them in a test facility doesn't expose them to all the challenges and hazards of actual cities and roads. At the same time, testers out in everyday traffic are likely to be overcautious and are limited to a certain speeds, which means the technology doesn't get a full workout. A look at Mcity, a test site for self-driving... 1 - 5 of 8 Next Prev Ford said it's been testing autonomous vehicles for more than 10 years. The company faces competition from other automakers such as Toyota, Audi, Nissan and Tesla as well as tech players such as Google. The goal among several companies is to get self-driving vehicles on the road by 2020. Facing the simulated hazards at Mcity is one way for Ford and other automakers are trying to reach that timeframe. At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, the automaker announced its Ford Smart Mobility Plan , which includes its current lineup of semi-autonomous vehicles and future fully autonomous vehicles. Ford's present semi-autonomous vehicles offer such features as lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist, traffic sign recognition and rain-sensing wipers.  . In this fake city, cars learn to talk to each other Ford: Our cars will give you control of your driver data Self-driving cars will rule the roads in 2030, says Internet of Things visionary The road to fully autonomous cars is paved with challenges though, hence the need for a facility like Mcity. Mcity confronts cars with everything from simulated pedestrians to stop signs that are faded and covered with graffiti. Autonomous cars also have to face such complications as roundabouts, train tracks, traffic signals and a road section made of a see-through metal grille. Other challenges include streetlights, crosswalks, lane delineators, curb cuts, bike lanes, trees, hydrants, sidewalks, traffic control devices and even construction barriers. . To navigate the streets at Mcity, Ford uses its Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle , which is outfitted with front-facing cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and four Lidar sensors and real-time 3D maps of the car's surrounding area. The car also employs algorithms to predict where other vehicles and pedestrians might move. At Mcity, the autonomous research vehicle has tested its ability to handle a variety of surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, simulated brick and dirt. . "The goal of Mcity is that we get a scaling factor," Ryan Eustice, University of Michigan associate professor and principal investigator in Ford's research collaboration with the university, said in a press release. "Every mile driven there can represent 10, 100 or 1,000 miles of on-road driving in terms of our ability to pack in the occurrences of difficult events." .

SAY IT ISN'T SO!

6 reasons you're going to get a cold By Sarah Klein Published November 13, 2015. 

The easiest way to stay healthy this cold and flu season is to stop doing the same old silly things that landed you stuffed up and coughing under the covers last year. C'mon, you know better! You probably even know what you did wrong, but...you're still doing it. Call us a nag if you must, but here's how we'd really like you to get your act together. ( The Power Nutrient Solution is the first-ever plan that tackles the root cause of virtually every major ailment and health condition today.) You're washing your hands like a toddler. If you do some kind of quick-splashing thing in the sink followed by an "all done! , you brought this cold on yourself. Wash like an adult and you can cut your risk of getting sick by 16 percent. That means lathering up with running water and soap (can't believe we really had to say that) for at least 20 seconds. When you're nowhere near a sink, a 60 percent alcohol hand sanitizer is a good runner up, according to the CDC. If you're not a doctor, nurse, or currently visiting one, there are 5 major moments to make sure your hands are clean, says Jim Arbogast, PhD, vice president of hygiene sciences and public health advancements for skin health and hygiene company GOJO Industries. Those critical times are: 1. before caring for someone who's already sick 2. after you leave that person's cold-infested bedroom 3. before preparing food 4. after preparing food 5. before you eat that delicious food you just prepared (  But don't forget you're exposed to germs basically all the time, and a few other times that also probably warrant a wash include after touching subway poles, escalator handrails, and even restaurant menus, Arbogast says.  You're absentmindedly touching your face again. The problem with the germs you accumulate on your hands is that you're likely to give them a free ticket right where they want to go: in. "It's a behavior that's hard to change," Arbogast says about us chronic face touchers. "You probably have potentially illness-causing micro-organisms"-meaning, germs-"on your fingers, and if you touch mucous membranes"-meaning your eyes, nose, and mouth-"they can transfer from your fingers into your bloodstream. Skin is your suit of armor against those bugs; when you so cavalierly touch your eyes, nose and mouth, you're essentially laying out a welcome mat. (Check out the 10 worst germ hot spots you touch every day .) You still think sleep is for the weak.? In a recent study, people who logged fewer than 6 hours of sleep a night were 4 times more likely to catch a cold than people who slept for 7 or more hours. Getting less than 5 hours was even worse, with a 4.5 times higher risk of colds. Spare us the excuses for why you just can't find the time for more sleep-that next episode on Netflix will still be there tomorrow. Make this year the one where you finally commit to 7 hours a night.  You tolerate employees who show up to your office sick. Remember the last time you came to work sneezing and barely got anything done? You know you're less productive at the office when you're under the weather, but you also put other people's health at risk, too. And fast: After just 4 hours, germs from one sick employee can be found on more than half of all communal areas in an office and on a quarter of all employees' hands, according to a 2014 study. So a) stop doing it yourself and b) stop encouraging it. Ask how you can lighten the load of your sick employees or co-workers and send them packing. (While we're on the topic, can we talk about how the United States is the only developed country without a federal law for paid sick days?!) You're still shaking hands. ? Again with the touching. Greeting someone is a perfect opportunity to transmit germs from their filthy fingers to yours, which, as we've discussed earlier, you're then probably going to put near your own face. Yes, you can pick up the occasional bug from someone who sneezes near you, Arbogast says, but it's kinda rare. "Around 80% of illnesses are transmitted by hands," he says. Go for a high five or a fist bump (if you're cool enough to pull it off): They exchange only half as many bacteria as an old-fashioned shake. Or fib a little if you must: "I have a cold I don't want you to catch" will make you sound like the compassionate one, not a conniving cold-avoider, when you leave a hand-shaker hanging. You're running on empty. A hectic day here and there won't doom you to sniffledom, but if you're constantly, chronically stressed it starts to take a physical toll on your immune system, making you less likely to be able to fight off all the germs around you. In fact, in one study, the most stressed folks had about twice the amount of colds than the least stressed people.  But find ways to give yourself a break , even if they're tiny, like listening to your favorite song during a frazzled afternoon or pausing to reflect on what you're grateful for, even if today it's just coffee. 

IF YOU GOOF BREAKFAST YOU MIGHT GROW YOUR GUT

4 breakfast mistakes that might be making you gain weight By Cynthia Sass, ,  Published November 12, 2015. 

Breakfast kick starts your metabolism for the day, so you don't want to mess that up. Here are the top four breakfast mistakes I see, plus how to fix each one. The mistake: you skip it to save calories Forgoing breakfast may seem like a calorie-saver, but it can actually be a fat trap. Researchers at Imperial College London found that when people went without an a.m. meal, their brain reward centers lit up when they were shown images of high-calorie foods. That means turning down treats becomes harder, and you're likely to make up for the missed calories (and then some) with junkier choices later in the day, when it's tougher to burn them off.  The makeover: Commit to eating something every morning. If time is an issue, stash a healthy energy bar containing fruit in your bag. The mistake: you turn to high-carb foods for energy Grabbing a blueberry muffin with your coffee may not seem so bad, but a typical bakery muffin packs more added sugar than you should have for the entire day-a staggering 44 grams. According to the American Heart Association, women should top out at about 24 grams of added sugar daily (that's 6 teaspoons' worth). The makeover: You don't have to completely avoid sugar if you need a jolt to get going. Chop up one tasting square of dark chocolate and mix it into your oatmeal. (I use this trick in my overnight oats recipe, at right.) Also, make fruit your friend: Blend up a smoothie or fold fruit into yogurt or oatmeal. You can also top toast with mashed avocado or almond butter, then slices of fresh figs or pears.  The mistake: you're eating healthy but missing produce Only 8 percent of Americans eat the recommended amount of fruit each day (2 'cup's, for a moderately active woman) and just 6 percent hit the mark for veggies (3 'cup's), according to a report from Produce for Better Health Foundation. So even if you have a nutritious egg-on whole-wheat sandwich in the morning, not fitting in some produce may keep you from reaching the daily goal. The makeover: Get at least one serving at breakfast by grabbing a piece of fruit before you head out the door. For more, add vegetables to an omelet or put greens in a smoothie..  The mistake: your breakfast is too skimpy Being pressed for time is one of the main reasons women don't eat enough in the morning. But the expression "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper" holds up. Researchers in Israel found that overweight women who ate more calories at breakfast and fewer at dinner lost more weight and had greater waistline reductions than those who flipped the numbers, even when total daily calories were the same. The makeover: Aim for a combo of lean protein, healthy fat and good carbs in every breakfast. Instead of just yogurt, add in nuts and fruit. Bottom line: If you work normal hours, your dinner should never pack twice as many calories as breakfast. 

GIVING CAN REALLY BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

The power of giving: Finding a longer, happier and healthier life By Lindsay Carlton Published November 12, 2015. 

As kids, we're taught that "It's better to give than to receive," a lifelong lesson meant to convey good morals and generosity. But how much truth is really behind the old saying? Is giving really better for the giver? Dr. Manny Alvarez. , sat down with Jenny Santi, a philanthropy advisor and author of the new book, "The Giving Way to Happiness," to discuss the ups and downs of giving and the health benefits that come with it. "We should give in such a way that not only changes the world and improves the lives of people that we're trying to help--- but also in such a way that makes us feel happier, more fulfilled and gives us a sense of fun," Santi said.  "There's definitely science to what we keep hearing, that it's in giving that we receive," Santi said. In her book, she references work by neuroscientist Jordan Grafman, who led a study in the mid-2000s that showed how the brain produces a pleasurable response when an individual gives. "For example, [it's] through fMRI technology that we now know that there are two brain reward systems that are activated when we are giving or when we are volunteering-- these are exactly the same parts of the brain that light up when we think of food and sex," Santi said. fMRI scanning works by highlighting blood flow in different parts of the brain, making it easier to see which areas of the brain are engaged during various tasks. In a study from Carnegie Mellon University, researchers found that adults over age 50 who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers. Over the years, science has discovered the following health benefits associated with giving and/or volunteering: - Greater long-term happiness - Lower blood pressure - Increased self-esteem - Less anxiety and depression - Increased longevity For eight years, Santi worked as a philanthropy adviser to some of the world's wealthiest companies and individuals, helping some clients channel investments of up to $15 million. Throughout her book, she shares some of her personal experiences with clients like Goldie Hawn and Christy Turlington. Santi also worked with supermodel Petra Nemcova, who survived the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed her fiancé in 2004. Two years after the tsunami, Nemcova founded the Happy Heart Fund, a charity that helps rebuild schools that have been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. "She said she [could] heal faster- emotionally and physically- when she did volunteering after the tsunami," Santi said. "You can have an impact on many lives and you can bring joy to the lives of others," Nemcova recalled in the book. "There's a selfish element in it, really. When we make someone happy, we become even happier. When it comes to figuring out what kind of giving is right for you, Santi advised finding something about which you are passionate. "It's our passion that should be the foundation of our giving - Jenny Santi "You should choose not just what is good for the world, but also what is good for you-- what resonates deeply with you, what is it that makes you tick, what is it that ticks you off? It's our passion that should be the foundation of our giving," she said. Technology and social media has helped make giving easier for people. Today, donating to a wide range of charities is just a click away. "Peer-to-peer requesting of donations via social media and email has created an ease and immediacy for giving that simply didn't exist before," Lisa Tomasi, Founder and CEO of YouGiveGoods said.  "From the simplicity of the "text to donate" to the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, social media and technology have brought causes to light to a population of people who may have not considered donating before and has made it simple to donate online. But with all these new ways to give, donors may run into the phenomenon known as compassion fatigue, when givers feel stressed out or taken advantage of. "I've heard so many non-profit workers who find themselves burnt out. When you're constantly dealing with charities it can be very cheerless at some point, especially when you're dealing with very difficult issues such as animal abuse or cancer--- constantly dealing with that can really drain you and you can get disenchanted as a donor," Santi explained. To avoid compassion fatigue, people should find more hands-on opportunities to experience the good outcomes of their work, Santi said. "Get to know who you are helping. For example, I asked a woman who was running an orphanage, 'How do you protect yourself, most people would get depressed? and she said, 'I'm hands on, I spend time with these kids, I listen to their stories, but I see their smiles and see how they speak to me and how they love me-- and that keeps me going. 

CAN CRAVINGS REALLY BE CONTROLLED

Suffering from self-destructive food cravings? Stop them cold in their tracks By Tanya Zuckerbrot published November 10, 2015.  

 

Food cravings sometimes are a warning that the body lacks an essential nutrient, but more often than not, perceived food cravings are simply a response to an emotional trigger, the most common being anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and boredom. Instead of allowing food cravings to control you, take control of them by practicing these 5 simple tips: 1. Prevent cravings by keeping junk food out of sight Eat a healthy meal or snack that includes both fiber and lean protein before grocery shopping and you will be less tempted to make unhealthy impulse purchases in the first place. Have those foods already made their way into your home? Place them at the back of the freezer or on the highest shelves, and leave healthy snacks like fruit, vegetables or high fiber crackers on the counter top. Studies show that people who keep healthy food items on their counter weigh an average of 10 pounds less than those who kept less healthy items on the counter like sugary cereal and soda. 2. Think through it first Before indulging a food craving, ask yourself if you are hungry. Has it been more than 3 hours since your last meal? If not, it is unlikely that you are experiencing physiological hunger and instead are responding to an emotion. Are you tired? If you are sleep deprived, your fatigue may be confused with a need for food to increase energy levels. Instead, try a small 'cup' of coffee. The caffeine will improve your alertness and energy without taking a toll on your calorie bank. Ask yourself how you will feel if you give in to a craving. If guilt or disappointment pops into your head, that craving is an emotion in disguise, not true hunger. 3. Hydrate The symptoms of dehydration are the same as those for low blood sugar, which may confuse your body to signal a need for food when it really just needs water. Drink a large, cold refreshing glass of water before noshing down on any foods. You will likely find that the craving has subsided. 4. Establish a 15-minute rule When a craving strikes, go for a walk, call a friend or family member, write in a journal, brush your teeth, read a non-work related magazine or book - anything that engages you in 15 minutes of unrelated activity. If the craving still lingers, take three bites of whatever it is you crave then place it out of sight and out of reach. 5. Listen to upbeat music The hormone serotonin, which is released by the body in response to sugar, causes a fleeting sense of happiness. Instead of relying on chocolate for that happiness, fix turn up some upbeat tunes and, even better, dance around to burn calories while shaking off that craving. Don't let food cravings ruin your healthy diet. Knowing how feelings and emotions can affect eating behaviors may help you save hundreds of calories a day, and several pounds of excess weight a year. 

VETERANS DAY

Today is Veteran’s Day.  Our country is blessed to have a dedicated military force.  They are commited to protecting us and our nation from forces that wish us harm.  We owe them a great debt of gratitude.  If you have a veteran that is a friend or family member, be sure to express your appreciation to them on this their special day.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SERVE OR HAVE SERVED IN THE PASSED

 

NOW HOW MUCH DID YOU SAY THAT WAS FOR EACH COOKIE

Girl Scout cookies are about to get more expensive Published November 06, 2015.  

The Girl Scouts announced Thursday that a box of cookies will now go for $5 a pop, an increase of 25 percent from the current $4 a box. (AP) Those Thin Mints are about to thin out your wallet. After eight years of holding prices steady, The Girl Scouts announced Thursday that a box of cookies will now go for $5 a pop, an increase of 25 percent from the current $4 a box. "The No. 1 factor was us hearing feedback from adult volunteers that girls had such a great experience selling cookies, but they weren't earning enough money from them," said Jan Goldstein, chief marketing officer at Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, told the Today Show. At $4 a box, Girl Scout troops receive an average of 62 cents per box, but with the increase, they'll be able to take in an average of 90 cents per box, according Goldstein. The move is not across the board. Each of the Girl Scouts' 112 local councils will set prices individually and the hike will only be in effect for Girl Scouts in the greater Los Angeles area, San Diego, Hawaiii, and Eastern Massachusetts. But that hasn't tempered the disappointment being expressed on social media. I guess I've got to start selling my organs to be able to afford Girl Scout cookies,! - Nicole (@Nicole_Tweetss) November 6, 2015 WHAT??? 5.00 A BOX FOR GIRL SCOUT Cookies OH NO maria (@yvette2525 November 6, 2015 So Girl Scout cookies r suppose to be raised to $5.. that's cray.. but I'm still going to buy me some thin mints anyways. - Melissa Sandusky (@melissasaur) November 5, 2015 Making it a little easier to swallow is that $5 for a box of cookies is still below the cost of many speciality cookie brands. 

TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO AMAZE

Supersized scanner helps researchers explore the body and hunt down disease Published November 06, 2015.  

 

When they were kids, Simon Cherry and Ramsey Badawi both wanted to be astronomers, unlocking mysteries in far off galaxies. That didn't work out for them. The pair still plan on unlocking mysteries but this time inside the human body. They've received a $15.5 million grant to build the world's first full body PET scanner. Unlike X-Rays and MRI's that image structure in the body. Positron emission tomography, or PET, images function on a molecular level. "We are able to say something about what the cells in the body are doing," said Simon Cherry a professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis. "How actively they are metabolizing, for example, or how quickly they are dividing. So taking cancer for example that could be tremendously powerful to see when you give a drug whether that shuts down the metabolism of a tumor," he added. The new scanner is called 'Explorer' and sets it apart is its size. Current PET scanners are only able to image parts of the body. This new device will be able to image the whole body in one go. "If you think about it really no organ in the body acts on it own," said Ramsey Badawi, a professor of radiology at UC Davis. "We are actually a system, a system of organs and all of the organs interact with each other. And we have never really been able to interrogate that with imaging before and now we are going to be able to look at that and that is tremendously exciting and it opens up a bunch of science that we really don't know where that is going to lead, actually," he added. What it could lead to is better and safer drugs, as well as more targeted diagnostic treatment for diseases, thanks to the unprecedented blueprint of the body this scanner could potentially provide. 

HOW TO GUARD AGAINST FREEZER BURN

How to deal with freezer burn By Janet Rausa Fuller Published November 04, 2015.  

Hey, you there, standing with the freezer door ajar, rifling through half-opened bags of frozen corn and plastic-wrapped hot dogs, swiping a spoonful from that pint of gelato and not bothering to press the lid back on... please stop. Or do you like freezer burn? Sometimes, freezer burn happens through no fault of our own. You might come across it when shopping for groceries, the result of food that wasn't properly wrapped or stored. But at home, it's preventable. Here's how to spot it and what you can do about it. 1.  What is it?  Freezer burn is dehydration on the surface of frozen food due to air exposure. The telltale signs are whitish splotches-ice crystals-on the food itself. Meat or fish might look discolored or dry in spots. 2.  Will it make me sick?  No. Freezer burn is moisture loss. It isn't a pathogen and has nothing to do with food safety, just food quality. But when it happens to otherwise perfectly fine food, it's a bummer. "It's not going to taste good," said Laura Barr, a nutrition and wellness educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Freezer burn also robs food of texture and nutritional value, Barr said. So while the USDA suggests cutting off the affected portions before or after cooking, you might have to chalk it up to a total loss depending on how badly freezer-burned your food is. 3.  Shop smarter.  What you buy at the store is in packaging that's designed to prevent freezer burn. Frozen meat will stay freezer burn-free on average between three to six months and for up to a year under ideal conditions, Barr said. Still, be on the lookout for those whitish spots or any nicks or tears in the wrapping, and choose the latest expiration or "best by" dates you see. For something like frozen vegetables where you can't see what's inside, press the bag to feel whether the food is separated (good) or in a big ball (not good). "If things are kind of stuck together, usually that means it's lost temperature control and so it thaws and refreezes and sticks together," Barr said. 4.  Avoid it at home.  Air is the enemy. Act accordingly. With fresh meat, it's a good idea to portion it out in freezer-safe bags labeled with the date before freezing. Similarly, with frozen bags of produce, once you've opened them, transfer the contents to freezer bags or airtight containers. In either case, squeeze as much of the air out of the storage container as possible. Your freezer, by the way, should be at 0 degrees. Use a kitchen thermometer to check. (While you're at it, check your fridge; it should be 40 degrees or below.) 

Holiday Feast update

Good afternoon all,
Happy to report that we had a good turnout for our wonderful meal! The WSB staff did a great job cooking and serving ham and turkey to our group. It was nice to see everyone and once again, if you need help with Medicare or Insurance issues, please let me know as soon as possible. The enrollment period ends early December
Dr. Janet

GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE-GOOD AND BAD

Your pillow is as germy as a toilet seat Published November 03, 2015. . 

They're just germs to us, but scientists find microbes nothing short of miraculous - the keys to human health. In fact, the American Museum of Natural History is devoting an entire exhibit to bacteria, "The Secret World Inside You," opening Saturday. "Some bacteria are actually good for you. They're the first line of defense against dangerous bacteria," says the show's co-curator, microbiologist Susan Perkins. "Where we once saw microbes as enemies to combat, we now understand that most are actually allies. Here are a few facts that may dazzle or disgust you. Or both. 1. You have more bacteria on one of your hands than there are people on this planet - more than 7 billion bacterial cells on each. And since our right and left hands do different things, they have different kinds of bacteria. 2. You'll never dream what your pillowcase shares with your toilet seat. "They both touch cheeks," Perkins explains, "and since both cheeks are slightly dry, they [harbor] similar bacteria. That bacteria isn't harmful, she adds.

SUGAR FREE GUM COULD KILL YOUR DOG

Sweetener in gum is causing surge in accidental dog poisonings Published November 03, 2015. 

)) Tonia Cox had no idea that a sweetener in sugarless chewing gum could nearly kill Murphy Jo, her family's dog. Ms. Cox, of Charlotte, N.C., came home to find that the labradoodle had knocked her son's Ice Breakers gum off the counter and ingested about 20 pieces. The dog began vomiting and later became lethargic. A local animal hospital diagnosed liver failure. "They told me to bring my kids in to say goodbye to her," said Ms. Cox. "We all held her and cried. Three blood-plasma transfusions later, Murphy Jo pulled through. Bills for the incident late last year came to more than $5,000. The culprit: xylitol, a sugar substitute increasingly used by food manufacturers. It has been deemed safe for humans but is extremely harmful to dogs-roughly 100 times as toxic as milk chocolate, a more widely known hazard, experts say. The sweetener is causing a surge in accidental dog poisonings, some fatal, according to animal poison-control centers. "We've seen a dramatic increase" in xylitol calls, said Dr. Ahna Brutlag, senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline. Her center has had 2,800 calls about known or suspected xylitol ingestion so far this year, up from 300 in 2009. Dr. Brutlag said xylitol has become one of the most dangerous food-related poisons her staff deals with. "There are still a lot of dog owners who have never heard of xylitol, nor do they understand that something this benign, an ordinary sweetener, could be toxic to pets. There are no comprehensive data on how many pets die from eating xylitol. Some affected pet owners are calling for warning labels on products containing xylitol, and an Oregon pet-safety group is organizing online petitions seeking such moves. But some pet-poisoning experts think that isn't realistic, and say educating dog owners is the best way to tackle the issue. 

HAVE AN OVERACTIVE SWEET TOOTH?

Quiz: Are you addicted to sugar? By Marygrace Taylor:  published, November 02, 2015. 

Is your relationship with sugar pretty much fine, totally out of whack, or somewhere in between (say, "it's complicated")? Our throwback-style quiz-devised with the help of registered dietician Ilyse Schapiro-will help you figure out the answer.  Without Actually Eating Sugar 1. How often do you eat or drink sugary foods or beverages (including ones made with no-calorie sweeteners)? A) Once or twice a month, at most. I'm not big on sweets. B) I'll have dessert a couple of times per week, but I rarely drink regular or diet soda. C) Pretty much every day. 2. What's your typical breakfast like? A) Scrambled eggs with vegetables, avocado toast, or even last night's leftovers. B) Greek yogurt, oatmeal with fruit, or a smoothie. C) Sugary cereal, a muffin, or a breakfast cookie.  3. How much sugar or sweetener do you usually add to your coffee? A) None. B) A teaspoon or one packet. C) Two teaspoons or two packets. At least. 4. How often do you go out of your way to get something sugary-like stopping at the store just to buy candy? A) Almost never. B) Every once in a while, if I get a crazy craving for something. C) Often-like, at least once a week. 5. Do you ever eat sugary foods secretively? A) No. If I'm having dessert, it's part of a meal or an event with others. B) A couple of times a year I definitely feel like polishing off a pint of ice cream on the couch by myself. C) I usually wait to eat dessert until I'm alone, so I can really chow down without anyone judging me.  6. Do you hide sugary foods to eat them later? A) No. Why would I do that? B) Not usually. But if I know there's only one more piece of Aunt Milly's amazing pie left, I might rearrange a few things in the fridge to make it harder for anyone else to find. C) Yup, I have a stash of my favorites to enjoy when I'm by myself. 7. Do you ever feel powerless in front of sugary foods or foods made with refined flour, like white bread? A) Rarely. It's just not my thing. B) Maybe once in a while, if I'm starving. But usually I can have one or two cookies and stop. C) Yes. Usually once I start eating stuff like that, it's really hard to stop. Even when I'm already full. 8. While indulging, do you ever tell yourself that this is the "last time" you'll ever eat like this? A) No. B) I tried once or twice in the past to cut out sugar, but I realized it wouldn't work in the long run. C) I tell myself that a lot, and end up feeling bad when I don't follow through.  OK! Now it's time to add up your score. If you got... Mostly As: You may be immortal. You're definitely not addicted to sugar. In fact, it sounds like you're practically immune to the sweet stuff altogether, which makes us wonder if you're even human. What's your secret? Mostly Bs: You and sugar are a-okay. Congratulations! It sounds like you have a healthy relationship with sugar. You enjoy sweet stuff when you're in the mood, but dessert doesn't rule your life. So don't try to cut back-it might end up backfiring by making you feel deprived. "Treat yourself to one small thing per day. If you allow yourself that one treat, you won't feel like you're missing out and you'll be less likely to binge," says Schapiro. Mostly Cs: You're a sugar fiend. Addiction might be a strong word, but it sounds like you have an unhealthy relationship with sugar. Instead of trying to quit cold turkey, try working with a dietician to help you scale back on the sweet stuff gradually (like, by using just two packets in your coffee instead of three, or doing dessert three times a week instead of every night). "If you just cut it out, you'll be thinking about it constantly and it will run your life," says Schapiro. 

YOUR PHARMACIST HAS THE ANSWERS

6 important questions to ask your pharmacist By Elizabeth Renter Published November 01, 2015.  

There's a good chance you take at least one prescription drug- about 82 percent of American adults do, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There's also a good chance you pick up that medication without asking the pharmacist any questions. You may want to reconsider. According to a study published in the medical journal JAMA , some 700,000 emergency room visits each year are attributed to misuse of prescription drugs. Many of them could have been prevented, either by the patient or a member of his medical team, according to the Institute of Medicine . Arming yourself with information about your medication and how to take it is essential. One way to get that information is by asking your pharmacist the right questions. "A pharmacist's primary concern is the health of their patients, and safe use of their medications is of paramount importance," says Sophia De Monte, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association and pharmacy manager at Costco in Nesconset, New York. "No question is stupid or trivial. When you pick up your prescription, make sure the medication literature is attached to the bag. While reading all of this material can be a chore, it will serve as a great backup to the answers you get from your pharmacist. Also, note any warnings and stickers placed on the medication bottle itself. Then get ready to pick your pharmacist's brain.  What Your Pharmacist Should Know About You First, there are a few things your pharmacist needs to know about you. If you've been going to the same pharmacy for years, this information should be part of your record. Even if you're well known at your drugstore, double-check that they have the following on file: ? Other medications you're taking ? Allergies ? Dietary restrictions ? Up-to-date insurance information More than likely, the pharmacist will initiate a conversation with you about any new medications or changes in your prescription drug regimen. But in case she doesn't, come prepared with these questions: 1. "When should I take it? Your medication may need to be taken at a very specific time, on a full or empty stomach or with a certain number of hours between doses. Failure to follow this guidance could lessen its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. 2. "What are the side effects? Side effects can range from mild, such as an upset stomach, to potentially life threatening, and some side effects are more common than others. When asking your pharmacist about potential effects, ask how likely it is that you'll experience them. This is also a good time to ask about serious adverse effect- those that would warrant medical attention. 3. "Are there other medications or supplements that I should steer clear of? The chemical makeup of a drug can make it dangerous to combine with other medications or supplements. In a 2008 study, researchers found one in 25 older adults were at risk of a "major drug-drug interaction. Inform your pharmacist of all the medications and supplements you take, whether they're daily vitamins, anti-inflammatories for aches and pains or over-the-counter cold medicine.  4. "Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid? In addition to drug interactions, you should ask whether your medicine could interact with your food or drink. Alcohol is often mentioned as off limits on the side of prescription bottles, but there may be additional things you should avoid. Some drugs can cause problems when taken with caffeine, and diuretics can cause problems for people who eat foods that are high in potassium , for example. 5. "What should I do if I miss a dose? It's easy to forget to take your medicine, or to get sidetracked and remember it hours later. The advice on when to take a missed dose varies by medication. Some drugs must be taken at certain times of day, or with a certain number of hours between doses. Ask this question to minimize the risk that your missed dose (or the makeup dose) will interfere with your treatment.  6. "How long should I take it? Some drugs need to be taken indefinitely and will come with refills and, possibly, a need for regular check-ins with your doctor. Others, like antibiotics, are taken for a set period. Regardless, failing to take them as long as directed could have serious consequences. In the case of antibiotics, for instance, quitting your medication early because you're feeling better could lead to antibiotic resistance.  Your path to good health doesn't end when you leave the doctor's office; your pharmacist plays an important role too. Take advantage of his or her knowledge by asking questions that can keep you safe and well. 

HAS YOUR SLEEP GONE TO THE DOGS

Is your pet wrecking your sleep? By Leslie Barrie Published October 31, 2015.  

We hate to break it to you, but Spot may be depriving you of shut-eye, big-time. According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, 18 percent of pet owners felt that their animal disturbed their slumber. But the actual numbers are likely higher. "I think many people don't want to admit that their cat or dog interrupts their sleep, because they're intensely loyal to their animals," said study co-author Dr. Lois Krahn, a professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorder Center. "But putting up with poor sleep just because you love your pet can negatively affect things like your mood, memory and, in extreme cases, even your heart.  Fidgety, noisy pets-who toss, turn, lick and scratch in bed-can keep you from falling or staying asleep, the same way a snoring husband can. Even if you're not consciously waking up, your dog or cat could be causing "microarousals," or mini wake-ups, throughout the night, which also disrupt your sleep cycle, noted Krahn. And that can leave you constantly tired (and confused as to why). Sound familiar? Then it's time for tough love. "People ask me what to do about a cat or dog who hurts their sleep, but when I tell them to kick him out of their bedroom, they'll say, 'Oh, I can't do that-it will traumatize my pet,'" said Dr. Meir Kryger, a professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine. Good news: "If you go about it the right way, your pet probably won't mind," said Ellen Lindell, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Use these pointers to relocate your pet and get a doggone good night's sleep.  Retrain your pet Keep your dog from curling up by buying him his own plush bed and rewarding him with treats and scratches when he rests there at any time of the day, Lindell said. Then, at night, move his bed next to yours, and reach down and pet him so he knows he's being a good pup. If your dog is too loud to be so nearby, get a gate you can put in your door that allows him to see in but blocks him from entering the room. As for cats, they love having lots of warm, soft sleeping options, so you may simply need to provide yours with more.  Teach a new family member good habits "It's easier to create and enforce rules early on than after bad habits develop," Lindell said. For dogs, consider crate training from the start-many pups see their crate as a safe den for sleep. Place the crate outside your room so his scratching and licking won't wake you. New cat owners should create lots of comfortable sleeping spaces-and get your kitty to use them by keeping the bedroom door closed at night. 

THIS IS NOT MADE UP ABOUT MAKE-UP

Chemicals in cosmetics: Is organic the safer way to go? By Lindsay Carlton Published October 29, 2015.  

It's no secret that most women wear makeup every day. A product that was first used by ancient Egyptians is now a multibillion dollar cosmetic industry. However, a growing concern over the safety of certain makeup ingredients has created a new view on our favorite beauty products. "I decided to switch over to organic makeup about halfway through my modeling career," Anna Lisa Wagner, a Ford model, said.  "There is a lot of makeup out there that has toxins in them and it can really be detrimental to your health or even just your image. Many environmental safety groups encourage consumers to stop using cosmetic products that contain chemical ingredients like parabens and phalates, claiming that they are linked to adverse health effects like cancer and birth defects. But while these accusations sound alarming, not all experts agree. "[For] the groups that say organic is better and they point to the dangers of the other products, it's often based on studies that weren't published or are taking things out of context," Dr. Doris Day , a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center said.  "The studies that I've seen that claim things like parabens are harmful or cause breast cancer, there's nothing substantiated from those. Parabens are used in many cosmetics as preservatives to help prevent bacteria from growing in the product. A 2004 study by biochemist Philippa Darbre has been widely cited for linking parabens to cancer. However, the small study was discredited by many toxicologists and cancer research organizations. The American Cancer Society issued a statement saying, "the study did not show that parabens caused or contributed to breast cancer development- it only showed that they were there.