5 Ways to Remove Plastic (BPA) From Your Life

By Heather on September 17, 2008

The newest health concern is a study that bisphenol A-- or BPA may lead to diabetes and heart disease. Past animal studies have suggested reproductive and hormone-related problems from BPA.

The American Chemistry Council defends BPA saying that BPA is safe to continue using.

Just wait until Oprah does a show on this.

I find it interesting that after the report was published yesterday going on and on about the scares of BPA, today those reports are edited to stress that plastic products containing BPA is safe and to continue use.

OK, so perhaps plastic is safe to use, but for the rest of us who don't want to risk it and who want to save the environment in the process, here are some things we can do to limit our use of plastic.

  1. Choose waxed paper instead of plastic sandwich bags. You can even get sandwich bags that are made from waxed paper, but you do have to look.
  2. Avoid water in plastic bottles. Throw out your plastic water bottles and invest in some aluminum water bottles and a good water filter. Yes, they are expensive, but you will use them for the rest of your days.
  3. When freezing things, try to use butcher paper to wrap your food in instead of plastic freezer bags. (Check to insure that you have butcher paper that is not coated in plastic. The way you can tell is to take your fingernail and scrape. If you can scrape off wax, you'll know it is not plastic lined.)
  4. Make sure you buy baby food that is canned in cans or is stored in glass jars. Or, if you can spare the time and energy, make your own and can it.
  5. Buy your milk in paper or glass containers. Yes, you can still buy milk in glass containers. You'll notice that your milk actually tastes different if you buy milk in the paper jugs instead of the plastic ones. It's subtle, but you'll be surprised if you ever do drink milk out of the plastic.

Now, if you you must use plastic -- and sometimes there isn't a way to get around it -- avoid the plastics with the recycling number 7 on the bottom. The FDA states that these have a higher BPA content than the rest. Also, avoid warming your food in plastic as this releases more of the chemical into your food.

Popularity: 38% [?]

Posted in | Leave a response

Depressed People Can’t Concentrate — Duh.

By Heather on August 19, 2008

OK, I usually try to keep this blog fairly upbeat and not rant about things, but this study just made me shake my head.

I love when there is a study that states the obvious. In recent study by North Dakota graduate student Holly Dannewitz, it was determined -- big shocker here -- that

... depressed medication users performed worse on tests of concentration and scanning than people not on any medication at all.

Well no kidding. Anyone who has been depressed could tell you that one of the biggest hassles to deal with about depression is the fact that you're a space cadet. I know when I was depressed, couldn't think, I couldn't take care of myself, and frankly, I didn't give a damn about anything.

Not to mention the fact that the Mayo Clinic, states that one of the major symptoms of depression is 'trouble focusing and concentrating.'

Here's another thing to consider: were the people not on medication depressed? Or were they not depressed? The article doesn't say. If the control group were the non depressed then one has to consider that the DEPRESSION is causing the spaciness. But hey, I'm no doctor.

The test focused on people's behavior behind the wheel. Here's another folly with the test: most of the people who took the test were in their 20's. Not the best age to look for safe drivers, though better than looking for teenagers or those over 70.

One more thing about the study that disturbed me was the fact that the people were taking different types of medications. AND, some of those in the study were taking many different types of medication including medications that were not antidepressants.

[Those in the study] also could have been taking other medication in addition to antidepressants, and a couple of the study subjects were taking up to 10-12 medications, says Dannewitz.

Hmmm. Let's see. If you're drugged out of your mind, you might be a worse driver behind the wheel. There's a stretch.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Posted in | 2 Responses

My Experience with Acupunture

By Heather on July 28, 2008

This is me, all needled up for my acupuncture session. If you look closely, you can just see the one in my ear!
My first experience with acupuncture was about a year ago. I basically went in as a disbeliever, a skeptic. I now know this eastern treatment does work.

But let me tell you how I came up to the decision where I decided to go with acupuncture.

For a little over a year, I had been struggling with what is known as cubital tunnel syndrome. It is very similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, except that it starts in the elbows. As a web programmer, I often use the keyboard to type: in fact, it is not uncommon for me to type for 8 hours a day.

The pain in my forearms became so bad, that I could barely hold onto a fork to eat. In desperation, I went to a doctor that specialized in sports medicine. After about a month of tests, which included everything from x-rays to a $600 MRI that the insurance didn't tell me that wouldn't cover until after the MRI had been done (!), the doctors could find absolutely nothing wrong with my elbows or my arms. They gave me some arm braces and advised I start physical therapy as well as taking medicine to control the pain.

The medicine I took was to extra strength Aleve twice a day. Basically, it was enough that I was concerned about my liver and my stomach lining, even though the doctor said it was perfectly safe. I was also concerned that I would have to take medication forever.

I did physical therapy twice a week for about 6 months, and had little change. The next step the doctor said, was that I would have to get surgery on both elbows. At this point, I was desperate enough to even agree to it, however, I wanted to know that I did everything in my power to try and find a cure before I went to surgery.

This was how I came to try acupuncture. "Once it doesn't work," I thought,"Then I'll be ok with getting surgery."

Admittedly, I was really skeptical about the whole thing. I had expected to come into an office that looked more like a fortune teller's studio, complete with burning incense, red walls and wierd tinny sounding Chinese music playing in the background. I braced myself for the worst.

Not so. When I arrived at his office, I was pleasantly surprised to see that looked very similar to every other doctors office I've ever been to. Dr Kim looking like every other doctor I've ever seen, dressed in suit pants, a button-down shirt and a white lab coat. Thank God.

I filled up the necessary paperwork and stepped on the scale to take my weight and height. Then he asked to see my tongue, and told me that the state of the tongue held a lot of information about the health of the individual. We sat down to discuss my case, and he asked me how long I had had the problem. I told him I had my problem for over a year, and was concerned if he could help me. I asked him how long it would take, and figured it'd be at least a year of treatment. He said he could probably fix me in 6 to 12 sessions. "Yeah, right," I thought.

He explained to me that there are energy centers all over the body, and every energy center will affect every other energy enter. He showed me photographs of people who came in with large gaping wounds that had been healed only with acupuncture, and told me that even Cancer could be sent into remission, and insisted that all disease was due to the energy centers being disturbed.

I figured that I'd try this for 6 sessions. At $50 a session, it was a lot cheaper than the physical therapy and all the other stuff I tried, even when insurance paid their bit of it. If I felt absolutely no difference in 6 sessions, I'd give up on it.

I lay down on the table and he propped my arms up a little bit with towels. He told me not to be afraid, that the needles really wouldn't hurt. Since the needles are about the same diameter as a human hair, he said most people don't feel most of the needles going in or feel the needles after they are in the skin.

He was right: when he placed the needles in my shoulders and arms it only felt like someone was taking an ink pen and pressing up against my skin and tapping it. If they did hurt, it was only for a second or two and then the pain went away. I was relieved to know that this was not going to be a painful experience.

Then, he gently squeeze different parts of my ears between his thumb and forefinger and asked me to tell him if it hurt. He tried several places and I didn't feel anything. And then -- and I will never forget this -- he squeezed one part of my right ear and I screamed out in surprise: not only did my ear hurt where he squeezed it, but my left ring-finger toe felt like it had been shocked.

"How did you do that?" I asked.

"It's all connected," he replied.

'OK,' I thought, as he put needles in my ears, 'maybe this isn't a bunch of hippy dippy crap.'

He hooked me up to some electrical devices that would send pulses through the needles and into my arms. He told me not to move and then I lay there for 30 minutes while the machines did their work. And that was basically it. I didn't feel a significant difference in my arms, but then I didn't figure I would.

The next week we had the same routine. I got weighed, we talked about my case, he put the needles in and hooked me up to the machine. The day after this second session, however, there was a significant decrease in pain in my arms. I couldn't believe it. I had been working with traditional doctors for well over a year and they couldn't do anything and this man had taken away much of my pain in only two sessions. I was actually excited.

After five sessions, the pain in my arms was completely gone. And, the entire time that I had taken these treatments, I really didn't change any of my behaviors. I continued to type at my job.

I cannot say that one month of treatment has completely cured me, but I usually only have to go in for 'tuneups' about once every six months. But, it only takes two or three sessions and I'm back to being healthy again.

I am now a believer in the power of acupuncture. I wish I could explain this, but I can't. I went into this completely as a skeptic, and it worked better than any other treatment I've ever had. And, at $50 a session, it has been by far the best bang for the buck.

If you'd like to get an appointment with Dr. Bruce Kim he is located in Lewisville, TX near I-35 off of Hebron Parkway. His contact information is here:
Office: 972-315-1584
Mobile: 214-223-5588

Bruce Kim, L.Ac.
860 Hebron Parkway Suite #601
Lewisville Texas, 75057
Email: acubruce@gmail.com
http://www.acubruce.com

Popularity: 38% [?]

Posted in | 6 Responses

Pet Owners Tend to Be Happier, Healthier, Weigh Less

By Heather on April 3, 2008

CNN's Dr. Gupta has a new video out that reports that dog owners may have an edge in the battle of losing weight. A study done by Basset Healthcare in New York showed that people who walked their dogs not only lost more weight than those who did not have dogs to walk, but they were more likely to keep the extra weight off due to the fact they had a reason to continue the walking exercise.
a99e3544-eb91-4720-8a6a-d16d595740ff.jpg

Another article by BBC News shows that the companionship given by dogs or other pets makes people happier and less stressed overall. Studies show that pet owners tend to be healthier members of the population, having lower blood pressure and cholesterol than non pet owners. Many doctors believe the the stress relief may be one key factor for this trend.

Pets have also shown to have positive effects on those with serious illnesses such as cancer, and for older people who may live alone.

Pets also help young children to build their immune systems. A child who has grown up with a dog or cat is much less likely to have allergy problems as an adult.

I know from personal experience that when I got a dog, my depression seemed to lift. I think, more than anything, getting a dog helped me feel better from day to day. When I didn't feel like getting out of bed, I had my dog help me get up and out and actually get moving. And, my dog's love was always there, many times, he made me laugh, when nothing else seemed to work. I can honestly say that my dog is a big reason I am no longer depressed.

If you think getting a dog might help you, contact your local SPCA who can match you up with a dog or cat that will match your lifestyle. Much of the time, you can specify that you want a dog or cat that is already potty trained...much easier than working with a puppy if you've never owned an animal before. In addition, they can give you support through the first few months of living with a pet.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Posted in | Tagged | 2 Responses

Cowgirls Are Athletes

By Heather on April 1, 2008

I got a call from my old friends called me last night. We hadn't talked for a long while, so we shared a lot of news from our lives as well as laughing about some of the memories we had.

My friend was a championship bull rider of her high school. I was blown away when she showed me one day. She made it look easy. When I said I wanted to do it, she actually told me I probably shouldn't do it, that it took years of training before she had enough strength to ride bulls.

"Come on," I said. "It's not like cowboys are the athletic types."

She took of her shirt and showed me the most ripped female body I've ever seen and then explained to me what it *really* takes to ride a bull -- and for that matter -- be in the rodeo circuit at all.

  • An extremely strong, flexible back and shoulders: Part of the art of riding a bull requires a back that has the ability to take a lot of shock and be able to move freely. And, getting whipped around the way you do actually builds up muscle tissue.
  • Strong Arms and wrists for gripping the rope and moving for balance. You use all the muscles in your hands and forearms to grip.
  • A core and chest of steel Just as your back must be strong, your core must also be strong on the front of the body to handle the shock and jarring of the ride. Your core must be as strong as your back so your body isn't lopsided.
  • A sense of balance that rivals that of a gymnast When you're getting whipped around, knowing which way is up is a valuable skill.

How did my friend get in shape to do all this. Among other things, by tossing 80 pound alfalfa bales in the fall on her neighbor's horse farm.

When I was just out of college, my friend and I attended the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, and it really put my perspective of cowboys and cowgirls in a new light. Many people don't give them the credit for the athletes they really are. If you get a chance to see a large rodeo with professional cowboys and girls, it's worth seeing. Television just doesn't show you the amazing things these athletes can do.

This year, Wrangler is sponsoring the National Rodeo Finals in December. I remember, 10,000 years ago when I attended that there were no bad seats in the house, so whatever ticket you get is a good one. Here is a place to buy WNFR Tickets.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Posted in | Leave a response

Video on How To Perform a Self Breast Examination

By Heather on April 1, 2008

Everyone needs to know how to perform a self breast examination. It's something you need to do each month so you can monitor changes in your breasts. Sometimes, though, it helps to have a trusted friend or spouse help you with this as they can see changes you may not. The following video shows you to do a self breast exam and what changes to look for in your breasts.

Some people may find the following video to be inappropriate for children as it does show bare breasts.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Posted in | Leave a response

Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva Isn’t as Effective Without Vitamin D

By Heather on April 1, 2008

OK. I can't get enough of Vitamin D lately. I'm fascinated learning about it.

One of the questions I had with my doctor was to ask about Boniva. I had been taking it for years, and when my x-rays showed my bone density as improved enough that I no longer had osteoporosis my doctor pulled me off of it.

About a month ago, I went to my doctor and learned that my toe was cracked. I asked her if perhaps my osteoporosis was back. She told me that she wanted to get my Vitamin D levels back to normal before she put me back on Boniva. I asked what her thinking was, and she told me that even if I took Boniva (or any other Bisphosphonate such as Fosamax or Actonel), my body would only build weak bone. Without Vitamin D levels at a normal level, you're not really helping yourself.

As always, talk to you doctor about what is best for you, but you might want to ask to be tested for Vitamin D.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Posted in | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a response

Scientific American Article on Vitamin D

By Heather on April 1, 2008

My friend Trisha at Ideas for Women, pointed out a great article on Scientific American about Vitamin D. It's a little long -- 6 pages of small type -- so you might want to print it off.

The article goes into the new studies and developments scientists are finding out about this vitamin and it is much more important than originally thought.

For many years, Vitamin D was only thought to influence bone development. But recent studies have shown that Vitamin D -- or rather the lack of it -- is actually tied to cancers, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. It is showing that the recommended daily allowance needs to be re-evaluated.

The article starts with a historical use of the vitamin to treat rickets and tuberculosis. It then goes into a laymen's study of what Vitamin D actually is, how it is used in the body and what the different types are. It then talks about various studies that are being done.

I think one of the most interesting things about this Vitamin is that, while it is a fat soluble vitamin, it is difficult to overdose on it. A direct quote from the article

Toxic vitamin D overdose through supplementation is certainly possible, although it is generally seen when doses of 40,000 IU or more of D have been taken daily for an extended period. Sunshine-induced vitamin D toxicity has never been observed, however. To put this in perspective, an adult woman with white skin exposed to summer sun while wearing a bikini generates about 10,000 IU of vitamin D in 15 to 20 minutes. Longer exposures do not generate higher amounts of vitamin D, because UVB light also degrades the vitamin, preventing too much of it from building up in the skin.

It is definitely worth talking to your doctor to be tested for Vitamin D deficiency. All it takes is a simple blood test, and it is estimated that 40% of people are deficient. You are at particular risk if you are Asian, African American or Hispanic -- that is, people with more pigment in the skin.

See also: Are you Vitamin D Deficient?

Popularity: 8% [?]

Posted in | 1 Response

Save Money Buying Bulk Birthday Cards

By Heather on April 1, 2008

Women, particularly moms in general, have little time, and lots of friends to buy birthday cards for. If you think how many people you know off the top of your head, you probably know a lot more than you realize: the person who boards your dog, your children's teacher, the Sunday school lady who plays piano in your church group, the soccer coach, and just other moms in general. And all of them have birthdays.

As a mom, you've gotta stretch that dollar as far as you can. And birthday cards can get expensive. Think about it. Most cards these days cost around $3.50 to $4.00 apiece if you purchase them in a store. Not to mention the time it takes to pick them out, all while you've got kids running around you, or bored to death, or whining that they don't want to be in the store.

One easy to save money and to avoid the pain of the card store is to buy birthday cards in bulk online and store them until you need them. A tip: look for businesses that cater to other businesses to find the best deal on buying items in bulk.

Cards Direct has a great assortment pack of birthday cards that you can purchase that includes 5 designs of 10 cards each.
Birthday Cards
AND..here's the really cool part: you can personalize these cards however you want. So, you can get the return address pre-printed on the envelope to save you even more time. Because CardsDirect is a company that caters mostly to businesses, you can get such great deals on cards.

This kind of out-of-the-box thinking can save you some big dollars. Give it a try.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Posted in | Leave a response

Finding a Good Sports Bra

By Heather on March 31, 2008

This is a topic I think frustrates women so much. We all want to get in shape, but if your boobs bounce and hurt, it's just more trouble than it is worth. Finding a good sports bra is crucial.

After hunting around, I've found a good video that shows how a sports bra is supposed to fit. Now let me tell you, I know this video shows off a woman who has tiny little boobs and has no issue finding a sports bra. The video *is* good, however, in showing you how a bra should fit.

OK. What about women with BIG BOOBS?

OK, so skinny people have no issues finding bras, but what about the rest of the population? If you are larger than a C cup -- and most women are -- this skinny people type of bra doesn't work for you. I know many women who put on 2 bras hoping to cure the bounce problem.

The issue with wearing 2 bras is that you can't breathe. And you don't get that much more support. I actually saw a program on the Discovery channel that showed a scientist who studied nothing but sports bra design (who knew..?) and the best bra for the larger busted women actually had an underwire and looked something like this:

Notice there is an underwire and a seam through the cup. It's also got wide straps in the shoulders so the bra doesn't dig into you. Link to actual bra here.

I have to say, Freshpair.com is probably the best bra buying site I've ever found. They have more combinations of bra sizes than I've ever seen. Every combination from 30A to 52N. Their prices are a little on the expensive side, but if you can find a bra that fits, then it's worth it.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Posted in | Leave a response

« Previous PageNext Page »