DO YOU DRINK DIET DRINKS?

Switching to diet soda probably won't help you cut calories By Amanda MacMillan Published December 29, 2016. 

Ditching sugary drinks is a smart move for your health, not to mention your waistline-an average can of soda packs in about 150 calories and 39 grams of sugar (that's over 9 teaspoons). Switching to diet may not help your calorie-cutting efforts much, though: A new study suggests that at the end of the day, you'll probably still consume the same number of total calories overall. Scientists are still learning exactly how are bodies and brains react to calorie-free sweeteners. To test the effects of different different sweeteners on processes like appetite and blood sugar, scientists from Singapore conducted a small study involving 30 young men. On each day of the experiment, the men were served breakfast and, a few hours later, given a beverage to tide them over until their next meal. The beverages were sweetened with either sugar, the artificial sweetener aspartame, the plant-based sweetener Stevia, or a sweetener derived from the monk fruit plant.  The trial had a randomized, crossover design, meaning that each participant was given a different beverage on each of the four study days. At lunch, the men were told to eat until they felt full. Then they took home food journals, to record what they ate for the rest of the day. The study's results were surprising. Even though the sugar-sweetened beverage contained about 250 calories (65 grams of sugar, about what's in a 20-ounce soda or juice) and the others were calorie-free, that didn't affect the total number of calories the men consumed all day long. It turns out men who had zero-calorie drinks ate slightly more at lunch than those who'd had a sugar-sweetened one. This balanced out their total energy intake, so that when daily calorie counts were grouped by beverage, they all averaged about 2,300. (How much the men ate the rest of the day, after they left the study site, didn't seem to be affected by which drink they had.)  "The energy 'saved' from replacing sugar with non-nutritive sweetener was fully compensated for at subsequent meals," said lead author Siew Ling Tey, a former research fellow at Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, and Research.  It's also worth noting that the "diet" drinkers did not indulge to excess. While they did report feeling slightly hungrier before lunch than those who drank the sugary drink, they only ate enough extra to make up for the drink's lack of calories-and they didn't keep overeating for the rest of the day. The researchers also took blood samples before and after lunch to test participants' blood glucose and insulin responses. While the sugar-sweetened beverage led to larger spikes in both measures within an hour after drinking it, those who drank the calorie-free beverage experienced larger spikes after lunch. Over the entire three-hour testing period, total glucose change was about the same for all four beverages.  These findings may appear to contradict a recent review in which swapping sugary drinks for artificially sweetened ones did lead people to consume less calories overall, and lose weight, over time. But both studies can agree on one thing: that using calorie-free sweeteners didn't lead to over-consumption-at least not over the person's normal calorie amount. And, the authors write, if people switch from sugar to calorie-free alternatives without adjusting their eating behavior to compensate (consciously or subconsciously), it is likely they'd reduce their calorie intake, and may eventually lose weight. Their findings show that this may be easier said than done, however, and may involve paying closer attention to meal choices, portion sizes, and snacking behaviors. Keep that in mind next time you're looking for something to quench your thirst. And remember, there's always water or unsweetened tea-natural, healthy hydration choices that won't add calories or mess with your mind. 

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY THESE

Sweet Potato Pie  

Ingredients: 1 1/4 'cup's sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 'cup's mashed cooked sweet potatoes (You may use canned sweet potatoes if you wish.) 1 unbaked deep-dish pie crust 

Topping: 1/3 'cup' butter 1/3 'cup' all-purpose flour 1/2 'cup' packed brown sugar 1/2 'cup' shredded coconut 1/2 'cup' chopped pecans 

Method: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Blend sugar and spices in large mixing bowl and set aside. Beat eggs in medium mixing bowl. Add milk and vanilla. Combine with sugar mixture. Stir in potatoes, beat until smooth. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 350 degrees, bake for 30 minutes. While the pie continues to bake, mix topping ingredients together. Spoon topping over pie; bake an additional ten to fifteen minutes.

Egg Casserole  

Ingredients: 12 to 16 slices of bread 8 eggs (you can use Eggbeaters) 2 'cup's of milk 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 pound grated cheddar cheese 1 pound of Jimmy Dean pork sausage (cooked and drained), or you can use 2 'cup's of cubed ham 1/2 'cup' of melted butter 

Method: Remove crust from bread and cut each slice in half (vertically). Cover bottom of a nine-by-thirteen-inch Pyrex dish with one layer of bread. Pour drained sausage (or ham) over bread, then cover with grated cheese, then cover with another layer of bread. Beat eggs, salt, milk, and butter. Pour very slowly over entire casserole, being sure to get in between everything. Refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered, at 375 degrees for forty to fifty minutes, until golden brown. 

JUST A LITTLE HUMOR

The Christmas Kiss 

Shortly before Christmas, a business man was anxious to get home. The business trip had been grueling and he was not in a particularly good mood. The airport loudspeakers blared Christmas carols he was tired of hearing. He thought their decorations were tacky. The worst decoration, he thought, was the plastic mistletoe hung over the luggage scale. Being in a grumpy mood, he said to the woman at the counter, "You know, even if I weren't married, I wouldn't kiss you." "That's not what it's there for," said the attendant. "It's so your can kiss your luggage goodbye." 

Just Wondering... 

We had cured ham for Christmas dinner. We all wondered what illness it was cured of. 

Q&A 

Q: What do we have in December that we don't have in any other month? 

     A: The letter "D"! 

Q: What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in a hotel lobby? 

     A: Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer! 

Wearing Out 

Three little boys were bragging about how tough they were."I'm so tough," said the first boy, "that I can wear out a pair of shoes in a week." "Well," said the second little boy, "I'm so tough, I can wear out a pair of jeans in a day." "That's nothing," said the third boy. "When my parents take me to see my grandma and grandpa, I can wear them out in a hour!" 

After Christmas 

Christmas was finally over and the pastor's wife dropped into an easy chair saying, "Boy, am I ever tired." Her husband looked over at her and said, "I had to conduct two special services last night and three today, and I gave a total of five sermons. Why are YOU so tired?" "Dear," she replied, "I had to listen to all of them."

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN ONLINE SHOPPING REVIEWS

13 Things Savvy Shoppers Look for in Online Reviews BY CHARLOTTE HILTON ANDERSEN.  

If you rely on online reviews to decide which products to buy, beware: Nearly 30 percent are phony, planted by companies to boost their sales or tank their competitors' rankings. To avoid getting scammed, watch for these warning signs. 1. A Sketchy Reviewer Profile On most sites, you can see a ­reviewer's past reviews by clicking on the username. Be wary if someone has only one review, reviews only one type of product (say, diet pills), leaves only very positive reviews, or reviews products from only one company. 2. Signs of Compensation One clear clue a reviewer got paid is that the bio page shows many similar reviews of comparable products. Some even admit getting a gift card or receiving the product for free in return for the review. 3. Too Much Detail Fake reviews, especially for health products, often spout a long list of claims, "facts," or marketing-speak. 4. Too Little Detail On the flip side, bulk fake reviews rely on generalities so they can be copied to different products. 5. First-Person Pronouns It may seem counterintuitive, but Cornell University researchers found that fake reviews are often peppered with I or my to make them seem more personal. Real people use a wider variety of nouns and adjectives. 6. Alternative Product Placement To spot fakes written by competitors, watch for negative reviews that include high praise for a specific alternative, with a link to their "preferred" product. 7. One-Star and Five-Star Reviews Read reviews in the middle. Fake reviewers often love it or hate it, but real people will often be more measured. 8. Super Short Reviews Paid shills aim to get a product's overall grade as high as possible as quickly as possible, so they'll hit the five-star button and type something quick like "Great service! 9. Review Clusters Fake reviewers often inundate a new product with reviews to generate buzz. A huge red flag is if all the five-star reviews were written within 24 hours or if there are clusters of reviews between periods of inactivity. 10. Word Repetition To make it easier for people to review their products, companies often provide text to reviewers that they can cut and paste. 11. Entire Brand Names Real reviewers won't bother to type out the entire name of a product. But fraudsters will include the company name, make, and model to get better search engine optimization. 12. A Turnaround in Attitude Reviewers swear they came in ready to hate a product but changed their minds based on its sheer awesomeness. But how likely is it that people would buy products they thought they would hate? 13. Too! Many! Exclamation! Points!!! Real reviewers use a variety of punctuation, whereas fake reviews rely heavily on extreme praise peppered with exclamation points and emojis. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May the true gift of Christmas be yours this Christmas season

 

MERRY

     CHRISTMAS

A FEW THOUGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

She's Been Told 

A minister, visiting a family's home near Christmas time, sees a beautiful Nativity set. He asks an adorable tot, "Do you know what this is?" She replies, "Yes, it's breakable." 

It's Science! 

Research has determined that the shelf life of fruitcake is longer than that of the shelf. 

Christmas Quotations 

• When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions —give off the greatest glow of happiness. — Bob Hope
• Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas. — Johnny Carson
• The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart. — Helen Keller
• There has been only one Christmas — the rest are anniversaries. — W.J. Cameron
• Celebrating Christmas without Christ is like celebrating George Washington's birthday without mentioning the first president. — James N. Watkins

Point To Ponder 

"A thousand times in history a baby has become a king, but only once in history did a King become a baby." (Author unknown)

WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU AND WHAT'S NOT

The 13 biggest nutrition discoveries of 2016 By Anthea Levi Published December 20, 2016.  

The truth about nutrition is always in flux. One day coffee is a carcinogen, the next it's a potent antioxidant. Carbs used to be the devil, now (the right kinds) are the staple of a well-balanced diet. What's healthy seems to change regularly, and 2016 was no exception, which is why we're looking back at the biggest nutrition discoveries of the year. To recap: Remember how we all suffered from serious false hope when butter was said to be healthy? (That is, until another study quickly squashed that dream and confirmed that saturated fats have been and always will be bad for us...sigh). Or that time we gasped when we learned that in addition to being ineffective, dietary supplements may be flat-out fatal? How about the happy dance we did when our nut butter obsession was deemed a-ok? In case you missed these important health moments, we've rounded them up for you. Read on for the Cliff's Notes versions of the biggest nutrition lessons we learned in 2016. It's confirmed: saturated fat really is bad Butter lovers went bananas when science (momentarily) said saturated fats are healthier than they've been made out to be. Update: They aren't. A second study confirmed that we were actually right all along-and saturated fats are definitely not a superfood. The research, published in The British Medical Journal, found that a reduced intake of saturated fats can lower one's risk of coronary heart disease, while swapping in unsaturated fats (from good-for-you sources like vegetable-based oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, and seafood) actually works to boost heart health. Luckily, topping your toast with avocado instead of butter isn't the worst sacrifice (and we have the delicious avocado toast recipes to prove it). (Some) fats keep you slim Research from the University of Barcelona in Spain found that eating the right type of fat could help keep you at a healthy weight. The study, which looked at more than 7,400 men and women with type 2 diabetes or high heart risk, assigned participants to three different eating plans: one group ate a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, another ate a Mediterranean diet rich in nuts, and a third ate a low-fat diet that skipped dietary fats altogether. The outcome? The olive oil eaters lost the most weight over the course of the five-year study, even more than those who followed the low-fat diet. So go ahead and eat (good) fat to get skinny.  A Japanese diet is advised That all-you-can eat sushi buffet sounds like a pretty good idea right now. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that Japanese people who closely followed their national food guidelines-lots of rice, veggies, fish, meat, and soybean products-had a 15% lower mortality rate than their peers who didn't adhere as strictly to the classic Japanese diet. Pulses keep pounds off Without making any other efforts to slim down, people who added three-quarters of a 'cup' of pulses (think: peas, lentils, chickpeas or beans) to their diet every day for six weeks lost .75 pounds, according to a review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this year. Eat beans, lose weight, repeat. Try these bean recipes to get started. Carbs could be linked to some cancers You don't have to go cold turkey on carbs, but do know this: A recent study found that a diet high on the glycemic index-that is, one that's full of refined carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to spike-may be associated with a greater risk of lung cancer, even among non-smokers. The good news is that you'd need to eat a lot of the stuff to put yourself in danger, said Health's contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, RD, in a previous interview: "The reality is that no, eating one bagel isn't as bad for you as smoking a cigarette. However, having one for breakfast several days a week is not a great idea for a number of nutritional reasons. To protect yourself against lung cancer and other chronic diseases linked to dietary choices (like type 2 diabetes and heart disease), Sass recommends opting for healthier carb sources, like pulses, starchy veggies, and whole grains instead.  You should watch what you eat-literally What you see is what you eat, according to recent research from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. The 2016 study found that women who kept packaged foods and sugary drinks on their kitchen counters weighed up to 26 pounds more than those who didn't. What's more, women who had a bowl of fruit out were shown to weigh almost 13 pounds fewer than those who didn't. Expert tip: Keep health-boosting bites within reach and stash splurges far out of sight if you're trying to stick to a slim-down plan. Honey has a hitch We learned the not-so-sweet truth about honey this year, and we weren't thrilled about it. The sticky stuff has long been thought of as an all-natural, antioxidant-rich alternative to traditional sugar, but research published in The Journal of Nutrition showed otherwise. In fact, the study suggested that honey sparks the same responses as both white cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, raising peoples' blood sugar, insulin, weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure post-consumption. The bottom line: All sugar is sugar, so practice moderation no matter what form of the sweet substance you're snacking on. If you're nuts about your health, eat them Well this is nutty. An analysis of 29 studies about nut-eaters and their health outcomes found that the benefits of eating the good fat-packed snack are abundant. That is, people who ate a handful of nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts-you name it) every day had a 30% lower likelihood of having heart disease than their peers whose diets were nut-free. And that's not all. Those who regularly noshed on nuts had a 15% lower risk of cancer, as well as a 22% lower risk of premature death. Does that mean we can feel less bad about spooning PB straight from the jar now? You should add insects to your diet (yes, really) Forget green juice; bugs may be the new "it" food. Why? When researchers in the UK and China teamed up to study the nutritional content of insects, they found that creepy crawlers actually offered more nutrients than steak. In particular, grasshopper, cricket, mealworm, and buffalo worm samples were all shown to have a higher concentration of calcium, copper, zinc, and magnesium than a sample of sirloin. Plus, all of the insects had higher iron solubility than steak, meaning the body was better able to absorb and use the critical mineral when it consumed it from bugs rather than beef. Burger, meet bug-sandwich.  You don't actually need to drink 8 glasses of H2O every day We've all been told that drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day is the key to staying healthy and hydrated, but new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States says it's not totally necessary. For one, the amount of fluids we need daily depends on all kinds of shifting factors. Plus, the researchers found that people felt it was three times harder to swallow a small amount of water after they'd consumed a liter of the liquid in comparison to when they actually felt thirsty post-exercise. The takeaway? The body knows what it needs when it comes to water intake, hence the "swallowing inhibition" mechanism observed in the study. Instead of religiously counting your 'cup's, read up on the real causes of dehydration, and simply sip when you feel thirsty. Be even more sparing with salt Here's one more reason to skip the chips in aisle five: A 25-year study released in October found that upping your salt intake even the tiniest bit (i.e. by less than a half teaspoon each day) could increase your risk of premature death by 12%. Yikes. Nix these surprisingly salty foods from your diet, and add flavor to your food with these sodium-free herbs and spices instead. Eat more plant protein to live longer Research from the Massachusetts General Hospital showed that those who consumed a large quantity of animal protein-especially if they ate more processed red meat than fish or poultry-had a higher risk of premature death than the average person. If that isn't enough to convince you to pick salmon over sausage, get this: Individuals who ate more plant-based proteins (from foods like breads, cereals, pastas, beans, nuts, and legumes) had a lower risk of premature death than the average person. To be fair, the link between meat-eating and early death was bolstered by other unhealthy habits, like heavy drinking or inadequate physical activity (when carnivores lacked these lifestyle factors, the diet-death link disappeared). Still, a diet high in processed meats isn't advised for anyone. Ditch the bacon and load up on beans instead.  The dangers of dietary supplements are real Just because something's sold in a health food store doesn't mean it's good for you. An article published in Consumer Reports this summer found that tons of dietary supplements are contaminated with dangerous bacteria and ingredients that may cause scary health outcomes from vomiting and nausea to liver damage and heart problems. Though the report highlighted 15 concerning ingredients that are commonly found in the pills (including seemingly benign substances, like green tea extract powder), it's best to keep your guard up around all supplements, since they tend to be mislabeled and unregulated. 

ARE YOU DEALING WITH GRIEF THIS TIME OF YEAR

How to cope with grief during the holidays By Deborah Derman, Published December 21, 2016.  

It's that time of year again-the holidays. Lights, gifts, celebrations, and parties surround us, filling many people with warmth and joy. Yet, there are many people who are grieving the loss of a loved one at this time of year.  The holiday season, which should be filled with comfort and joy, is instead shadowed by sadness and pain. How do we get through the holidays when our hearts are heavy, and our feelings of grief and loss seem to overwhelm us? Here are some suggestions for making the season bearable, lighter, and even joyous. Spend some time alone Reminisce. Remember the times that you had together. Consider writing a letter to your loved one, or start to write a journal. A quiet, contemplative activity such as reading or coloring (pick up my new coloring book, Colors of Loss and Healing ), can be calming and healing. Go for a walk. Listen to music. Do not try to run from feelings of sadness; give yourself time to mourn. It is also important to spend time with family and friends This can be particularly challenging for the grieving person, but it is very important to engage socially with others. Accept invitations to be with others. Participate in that family dinner. Drive yourself so that you can make a graceful exit if you feel that you need to leave. Pat yourself on the back for at least trying to get out a bit. These are all the little steps back into life that each grieving person must try to do. Keep your stress to a minimum If you don't have the energy to decorate your house or cook for the entire family, know that it's perfectly fine to modify your efforts. Grieving is exhausting, and taking care of yourself should be a priority. Modifying and scaling back makes good sense.  Surround yourself with kind and compassionate people Grief is an injury, and you want to be with people who understand that you are going through a difficult time. It can be very helpful to join a grief support group at this time which can provide you with emotional support. Grief counseling on an individual basis can also be very helpful. Create a new ritual in memory of your loved one This can be as simple as lighting a memorial candle in your home, or can involve participating in a charitable event in honor of your loved one. Some families volunteer to serve dinners to the homeless, others collect needed items for families in need. Whatever you decide, find the time to give back. It is very healing both for yourself and for others.  Above all, have faith in yourself that you can get through these difficult times The human heart has a great capacity to heal, and know that you, too, will move forward in your life, sustained by love and memory.

IF YOU'RE HAPPY WITH YOUR SPOUSE ALL WILL BEWELL IN YOUR HOUSE

Happiness of spouse related to good health, survey finds. 

Research studies have found that mental well-being -- feeling happy and satisfied -- is closely linked to good physical health. But a new study published in Health Psychology suggests that physical health is also linked to the happiness of one's husband or wife. Researchers used data from a survey of 1,981 heterosexual couples, a nationwide sample of Americans older than 50 whose happiness had been assessed periodically since 1992 using well-validated scales. They also completed regular questionnaires on physical health. A person's good health was independently associated with the happiness of the spouse. Consistently, people with an unhappy partner had more physical impairments, engaged in less exercise and rated their overall health worse than those who had a happy partner. The lead author, Dr. William J. Chopik, an assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University, said that a happy spouse provided social support and encouraged subjects to eat a healthful diet and to get exercise, all of which contribute to good health. "This speaks to the power of our close relationships," Chopik continued. "We've known for a long time that when we surround ourselves with happy people, we're happier. "But now we know that it not only makes us happier, but healthier as well. 

BETTER SHAKE THAT CHRISTMAS TREE

The crazy number of insects that could be hiding in your Christmas tree By Rebecca Straus Published December 19, 2016.  )  

 

Last December, one of my best friends sent out a desperate group text calling for moral support when her freshly decorated Christmas tree suddenly exploded with tiny baby praying mantises ( here's what you need to know about creepy praying mantises ). This is a friend who, I must add, really, really hates bugs. Soon the baby mantises were all over her apartment and her Christmas cheer had dissolved into anxiety as she tried to vacuum them all up and dragged the tree to the curb. Not exactly the jolliest way to kick off the holiday season.  In the hopes that no one else has to go through this type of Christmas horror, I got in touch with Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., an entomologist for the family of pest control brands Ehrlich, Western Exterminator, and Presto-X, to find out which insects are the most likely to be hiding in Christmas trees and the safest ways to get rid of them. There are a handful of insects that make their homes in pine trees-the most common include aphids, adelgids, scales, bark beetles, psocids, and mites (from abandoned bird nests)-and some, like praying mantises, lay their eggs on tree branches. The reason you aren't likely to notice the little buggers right away is that the insects go dormant for winter. "As soon as you bring the tree indoors and warm them up, they spring right back to life," Troyano explains. Or in the case of praying mantis eggs, they hatch. The good news? None of these insects will cause an infestation in your home, and they're completely harmless...though a major invasion might take a toll on your sanity.  Troy ano's best advice for keeping unwanted bugs out of your house is to give your tree a good, old-fashioned shake before you bring it inside to dislodge any unwanted visitors. Some Christmas tree lots have mechanical shakers and do the job for you, but your muscle power will be effective, too. Then check the tree over carefully using a flashlight and remove any egg masses or bird nests that you find. Under no circumstances should you spray your tree with an insecticide. Aside from being harmful to you and your family (especially when applied inexpertly), an aerosol insecticide will make your tree extremely flammable. Phase two of Operation Insect-Free Tree is to keep the vacuum handy. If you suck up the dead needles under the tree regularly, you should also catch any rogue insects. For larger issues that slip past you, as in my friend's case, the vacuum is still your best line of defense for getting rid of pests quickly. "Most stowaways die pretty quickly as they are 'outdoor' pests, and the indoor environment combined with lack of food will kill them," Troyano explains. That means you don't need to worry about pests multiplying or causing a lasting infestation that would require you to call an exterminator. Troyano adds that insects tend to "jump ship" when their host plant dies, so a tree that's been sitting on a lot for a week is less likely to be harboring pests than one you just cut yourself at the local Christmas tree farm. Trees shipped from warmer climates may have higher pest activity, as well. If you've never had a pest problem with your tree in the past, these steps may seem unnecessary. But you never know when the baby mantises will strike, so make Christmas tree shaking a part of your annual holiday traditions.

 

BETTER HURRY

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?  Better hurry, time is running out.  Only 5 days left.  If you haven't sent your wish list to Santa yet, you may need to send it by email.  Happy shopping.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Retired Person's Perspective 

 

1. I'm not saying let's go kill all the stupid people. I'm just saying let's remove all the warning labels and let the problem work itself out. 

2. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People move out of the way much faster now. 

3. You can tell a lot about a woman's mood just by her hands. If they are holding a gun, she's probably very unhappy. 

4. You know that tingly little feeling you get when you really like someone you've just met? That's common sense leaving your body. 

5. I don't like making plans for the day. Because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around in the courtroom. 

6. I didn't make it to the gym today. That makes 1,500 days in a row. 

7. I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning. 

8. Dear paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers: If you find one, what's your plan? 

9. Everyone has a right to be stupid. Politicians just abuse the privilege. 

Old age is not as bad as I thought. It's a good feeling when you just don't give a hoot anymore and you feel happy just to wake up in the morning.

SOMETHING FOR THOSE WHO KNOW EVERYTHING

Think you know everything? Did you know...

  A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. 

A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue. 

A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours. 

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. 

A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a

second. 

A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. A snail can sleep for three years. 

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer. 

All 50 states are listed across the top of the

Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill. 

Almonds are a member of the peach family. 

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. 

Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear

until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age. 

Butterflies taste with their feet. 

Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds. Dogs only have about 10. 

"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt". 

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history

not to have a full moon. 

In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated. 

If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction. 

If you are an average American, in your whole life,

you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights. 

It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors. 

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable. 

No word in the English language rhymes with month,

orange, silver, or purple. 

On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over

the Parliament building is an American flag. 

Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but

our nose and ears never stop growing. 

Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite. 

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated. 

"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only

the left hand; lollipop" with your right. 

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing. 

The Bible does not say there were three wise men; it

only says there were three gifts. 

The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for

each gallon of diesel that it burns. 

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked

by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket. 

The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the

lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet. 

The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls

froze completely solid. 

The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the

same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes). 

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. 

There are more chickens than people in the world. 

There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. 

There are two words in the English language that

have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious." 

There's no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones ChewablesVitamins. 

Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. 

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made

using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. 

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance. 

Women blink nearly twice as much as men. 

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus

every two weeks; otherwise it will digest itself. 

Here's a few questions that you might use to impress your friends!

1. Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.' When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a bank that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

2. Q: Did you ever wonder why dimes, quarters and half dollars have notches, while pennies and nickels do not?

A: The US Mint began putting notches on the edges of coins containing gold and silver to discourage holders from shaving off small quantities of the precious metals. Dimes, quarters and half dollars are notched because they used to contain silver. Pennies and nickels aren't notched because the metals they contain are not valuable enough to shave.

3. Q: Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

4. Q: Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

5. Q: Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

6. Q: Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

A: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would then just touch or clink the host's glass with his own.

7. Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?

A: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and stage lighting by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theater, performers on stage 'in the limelight' were seen by the audience to be the center of attention.

8. Q: Why do ships and aircraft in trouble use 'mayday' as their call for help?

A: This comes from the French word m'aidez - meaning 'help me' –and is pronounced 'mayday.'

9. Q: Why is someone who is feeling great 'on cloud nine'?

A: Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.

10. Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

A: In France , where tennis first became popular, a big, round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US , Americans pronounced it 'love.'

11. Q: In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

A: When Mary, later Queen of Scots, went to France as a young girl (for education & survival), Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scot game 'golf.' So he had the first golf course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when she returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into 'caddie.

WHAT DO YOU EAT FOR STRESS

Foods to combat holiday stress By Patricia Bannan Published December 10, 2016.  

From travel plans to last-minute shopping, the end of year brings a busy calendar that can lead to stress in the kitchen and beyond. If you're trying to eat a balanced diet, extra activities coupled with an abundance of holiday sweets can make it seem impossible to keep up with your healthful habits. While there is definitely room to enjoy your holiday favorites in moderation, be sure to stock your kitchen with these time-saving foods for some seasonal stress relief. Citrus Fruits: It might seem like the only trees of the season are covered in ornaments, but citrus fruits have their best showing in the winter months. Packed with vitamin C, everything from grapefruits to clementines are delicious and affordable this time of year. A powerful antioxidant, studies show that vitamin C can help reduce stress levels and offer immune-boosting qualities. Citrus fruits make quick fiber-filled snacks, as well as tasty additions to salads to add bright colors and a kick of sweetness without a lot of calories. Sweet Potatoes: Not just a Thanksgiving staple, this root vegetable is a smart thing to keep on hand throughout the holiday season. Packed with beta-carotene, vitamin B-6, potassium, and fiber, these root vegetables will satisfy an urge for a carb craving in a nutritious way. For a quick meal, give a sweet potato a good scrub, poke with a fork, and microwave until cooked through. Top with some salt, pepper, and Greek yogurt for a low-stress dinner with plenty of fiber and protein. If you want to include in your big holiday meal, prep and cook your sweet potatoes a day ahead to save yourself some stress-and time-when you're busy with the main feast. Canned Fish: Canned tuna, salmon and sardines offer a no-cook protein option for a nutritious meal when you're pressed for time. In addition to protein, fish contains B vitamins and iron, and is one of the only natural sources of omega-3s fatty acids, which appear to be important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help with blood flow and reduce inflammation, both of which are compromised during times of heightened stress. Just one serving of Bumble Bee Omega-3 albacore tuna contains 500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. To help reach the recommended 2 to 3 servings of fish a week, make a kid-friendly tuna sandwich with diced red and green apples for some holiday flair, or go for a hearty tuna nicoise salad that's refined enough to serve holiday guests. Pistachios: For a more mindful snack option this holiday season, keep pistachios on hand. A Pennsylvania State University study showed that during times of stress, pistachios helped lower blood pressure and heart rate in a sample of adults with elevated cholesterol. In addition, in-shell pistachios take longer to eat, and may encourage snackers to slow down and be more conscious of what they've eaten. A preliminary behavioral eating study found that in-shell snackers ate 41 percent fewer calories than those who snacked on shelled nuts. A good source of protein and fiber, pistachios can help stabilize blood sugar levels for sustained energy, as well as offer a festive green color that's perfect for the season. Oatmeal: A popular comfort food, oatmeal provides complex carbohydrates, which produce the feel-good chemical serotonin in the brain, shown to help calm the signs of stress. Plus, it's a "sticks to your ribs" kind of grain. Beta-glucan, the type of soluble fiber found in oatmeal, has been shown to promote a feeling of fullness more so than other whole grains. In addition to holding off hunger longer, studies have shown that kids who eat oatmeal for breakfast stay sharper throughout the morning. Make a batch of the steel-cut variety on the weekend, store it in the fridge, and heat it up on busy mornings. Meal Delivery: For a truly stress-free option, have healthy foods delivered to your doorstep. From pre-packed meals delivered upon request, to full meal plans for the entire week, meal delivery services are becoming more and more popular. Making healthy cooking easier for everyone, companies like HelloFresh provide seasonal farm fresh ingredients with recipe cards that are simple, easy-to-follow, and take no more than 30 minutes to make. Plus they have a full-time registered dietitian on staff to make sure your meals are nutritionally balanced. At about $10 per person per meal, you can choose from weekly menus and most importantly - take the stress out of: "What's for dinner? 

IS THIS YOUR EXCUSE

The main reason people avoid the dentist isn't fear By Michael Harthorne Published December 09, 2016.  

The biggest reason people skip out on going to the dentist isn't fear or inconvenience; it's cost.  A study published this month in Health Affairs found people are more likely to forego dental health because of cost than any other type of health care. And that's a problem because avoiding dental care can have other health repercussions down the road, according to Health Central.  The study found that 13% of working-age adults don't go to the dentist because of the cost. And nearly 25% of low-income adults are dissuaded from the dentist by cost. Cost is more than three times more likely than fear to be the reason people skip the dentist. In fact, cost is the main reason for not seeing a dentist even among people who have private dental insurance. Study author Marko Vujicic points to maximum benefit limits and high co-pays in most dental coverage as the culprit. "Anything beyond checkups, like getting a cavity filled or a root canal and a crown, you're looking right away at 20% to 50% coinsurance," he says. Fillings can cost more than $600 and crowns more than $1,400. In 2015, 40% of dental care costs were paid out of pocket; that's compared to just 11% of total health care costs. "It seems like medical insurance is doing a better job at protecting consumers from financial hardship than dental insurance," Vujicic says. The study shows it may be time for dental insurance to move away from a "pay per procedure" model. 

RECIPES FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER

Recipes on a budget. 

Cheese Logs 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded One small package chopped pecans Garlic salt to taste Chili powder or paprika Mix the cheeses, nuts and garlic salt together by hand, then form into logs. The number of logs depends on the sizes made, but one mix can easily make 5 or 6 fairly small ones. Sprinkle chili powder and paprika onto a piece of foil (or you can just use one or the other of those powders) and roll your log in that for the outer coating. 

Christmas Cranberry Pineapple Punch 3 'cup's (24 ounces) pineapple juice, chilled 3 'cup's (24 ounces) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled 4 'cup's ginger ale 1/2 'cup' fresh or frozen cranberries 1/2 lime, thinly sliced In a large pitcher or punch bowl, stir together pineapple juice, cranberry juice and ginger ale. Add ice, sliced lime and cranberries. Stir gently to combine, and serve. --

OUR POLICE AT THEIR BEST

Arkansas police officers help hang Christmas lights on disabled person's home Published December 07, 2016.  

Residents in an Arkansas town are applauding local police officers for a generous act that helped a fellow citizen enjoy the holiday season. Officers from the Centerton Police Department helped the unidentified person hang their Christmas lights after Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards put a call out for assistance on Facebook.  "It is an important part of Christmas to me," the resident told Edwards. "I have only one eave that needs a sliding aluminum ladder, which I do not have. When several local police officers responded, Edwards expressed his gratitude.  "Thanks for giving back to the community, and thanks for a job well done," Edwards said. On Facebook, the Centerton Police Department shared four photos of the officers stringing the lights on the resident's home, along with the following caption: "Some days it's not just about writing tickets and taking people to jail," Centerton police said on Facebook. "Community policing is a major need in this day and age, and we believe even the smallest acts can leave lasting effects! 

FINAL REMINDER

Time to Check Your Health Insurance 

 

Why is now a good time to take a closer look at your health care needs and options?

 

2017 Open Enrollment November 1, 2016 open enrollment begins   December 15, 2016 enroll before this date to have coverage January 1, 2017   January 31, 2017 open enrollment ends

If you're uninsured or looking for more affordable health insurance, the “open enrollment” period is the time to visit healthcare.gov or your state’s exchange. During “open enrollment”, private health insurance options can be reviewed and coverage can be purchased. People with low and moderate incomes may be able to get financial help to pay for health insurance coverage. Assistance to pay for premiums and other cost-sharing may be available for individuals and families, depending on which plan is purchased. If you get health insurance through your employer, Medicaid or Medicare, you are not eligible for this assistance. You can also sign up for insurance outside of the open enrollment period, if you lost your job, married, divorced or had a baby. 

 

You may enroll in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at any time, year round.Certain requirements must be met to qualify for these public programs. Medicaid provides long-term services and supports to people with disabilities.

 

Do you already have health insurance through the Marketplace? 

 

It is also important to update your income and household information in the Marketplace to make sure you get the assistance that is available.

 

• This is a good time to check your health insurance coverage and see if it still meets your healthcare needs.

• You may enroll in a different plan each year or you will be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan or a similar one by December 15, 2016.

• If a new plan does not cover your providers or services, seek more information about transition rights.

• You should carefully read all health insurance notices and updates.

 

Why should you check your coverage?

 

• Even if you like your current health plan, new plans may be available and premiums or cost sharing may have changed since last year.

• Even if your income has not changed, you could be eligible for more financial assistance.

• If your income has increased, updating your information with the Marketplace will help avoid paying future penalties.

 

If you have a disability or a health condition, pay attention to details or possible changes: 

 

• Are a broad range of health care providers included in the health plan’s network of providers?

• Are there enough medical specialists in the network to meet your needs?

• Are needed medications included in the plan’s list of covered drugs?

• Is there adequate access to non-clinical, disability-specific services and supports?

• Does the plan have service limits, such as caps or limits on the number of office visits for therapy services?

• Are mental health services covered to the same extent that other “physical” health benefits are covered?

 

Are you or your family members uninsured?

 

Most individuals will be able to get health insurance coverage regardless of pre-existing health conditions or prior denial of coverage. Interested individuals can go online, enter information and review insurance options. Information on monthly premiums, deductible costs, doctors, hospitals and which drugs are covered by a plan should be available. Enrollment is limited to individuals who live in the United States, are U.S. citizens, nationals, or non-citizens who are lawfully present, and not currently incarcerated.

 

If you have not signed up for an insurance plan, it is important to note that you may be subject to a fee for not having health care coverage. If you or your dependents do not have insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage for tax year 2016, you may have to pay either 2.5 percent of your household income with a maximum of what the national average premium is for a bronze plan, or a flat fee of $695 per uncovered adult and $347.50 per child under 18, with a maximum of $2085 -- whichever is higher.

 

Where to get help?

 

Purchasing health insurance can be complicated. If you or your family member needs assistance with understanding the options, healthcare.govcan help. This website has information about seeking assistance in local communities, explanations of health insurance terms, enrollment information, assistance with out-of-pocket cost estimation and much more. There is also a 24-hour phone line for consumer assistance at 1-800-318-2596 to call for help.

 

In addition, each state has health insurance “navigators” to assist individuals with enrollment in health insurance plans. Individual health plan information should be available in late October 2016 on the website. If you would like more information on specific topics, the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative(http://www.nationaldisabilitynavigator.org/) has a comprehensive set of materials available on disability issues and the Affordable Care Act.

 

Website:  www.healthcare.gov

 

Phone:  1-800-318-2596 (Available 24/7 with access to 150 languages)

 

TTY:   1-855-889-4325

 

In-Person Assistance Resources: localhelp.healthcare.gov

1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1200 • Washington, DC  20036 • PH 202/783-2229 •FAX 202/534-3731 • Info@c-c-d.org • www.c-c-d.org