Category Archives: Health & Medical

Weight Loss Tips & Strategies

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{1} Ban the word “diet” from your vocabulary
Diets are temporary, the word implies you’ll go off it at some point rather than developing healthy habits you can maintain throughout your life. Plus “diet” is such a motivation-killer thanks to its many negative connotations (hunger and deprivation, to name just two). Focus on the positive aspects of eating healthfully, such as feeling more energetic.

{2} Don’t make it all about dress size
Yes, wanting to fit into your skinny jeans can inspire you to slim down, but you’re more likely to succeed if you think beyond the superficial. Meaningful goals like setting a good example for your kids or avoid­ing a health problem that runs in your family are more motivating and will make it easier for you to resist temptation. Write your goals down and refer to the list often to reinforce your determination.

{3} Be realistic
Forget everything the weight-loss infomercials tell you: Dropping a dress size in a matter of days is pure fantasy. Trying to lose too much too quickly will frustrate you, and you’ll be more likely to give up on your weight-loss plan when it doesn’t happen. Aiming to shed a pound a week is more realistic. Better yet, don’t just focus on the scale. Create easily attainable mini-goals like using skim milk in your coffee instead of half-and-half. Meeting them will help you feel successful and excited to make more healthy changes.

{3} Don’t indulge a craving the minute it strikes
It will probably go away in 15 to 20 minutes (we’re serious!). Distract your­self while you wait out a yearning for cookies by drinking a glass of water, playing a game on the computer or tak­ing a walk. Or simply picture anything other than cookies. In a recent study conducted at Flinders University, in Australia, volunteers who had been experiencing food cravings reported that those cravings eased after they were asked to think about nonfood images and aromas.

{4} Avoid peer pressure
You’ve probably heard that women are more likely to overindulge when they eat with other women. To avoid social dining sabotage on girls’ night out, check the restaurant’s menu on its website (or look it up on menupages .com) and make a healthy meal choice ahead of time. Picture yourself saying your order and asking the waiter for water with lemon instead of soda. Placing your order first helps, too—once you’ve asked for the grilled chicken salad with dressing on the side, you won’t be as easily swayed by a pal who orders mac and cheese.

{5} Ditch the put-downs
Negative beliefs like “I have no will­power” or “I’ll always be this heavy” can easily become self-fulfilling prophecies. (Needless to say, they won’t do much for you in the motiva­tion department, either.) The good news is that positive self-labels can also influence reality. People who describe themselves as being healthy eaters report consuming more fruits and vegetables and fewer unhealthy foods, according to a study con­ducted at the University of Ottawa. Think it, be it—there’s no easier weight-loss strategy than that!

Winter Storm & Extreme Cold: Preparation For Disaster

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Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

  • Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
  • Sand to improve traction
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

Prepare your home and family

  • Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
  • Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
  • Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
  • Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
  • Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow – or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Prepare your car

  • Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
    • Antifreeze levels – ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
    • Battery and ignition system – should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
    • Brakes – check for wear and fluid levels.
    • Exhaust system – check for leaks and crimped pipes andrepair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
    • Fuel and air filters – replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
    • Heater and defroster – ensure they work properly.
    • Lights and flashing hazard lights – check for serviceability.
    • Oil – check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
    • Thermostat – ensure it works properly.
    • Windshield wiper equipment – repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
  • Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
  • Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
  • Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
    • a shovel
    • windshield scraper and small broom
    • flashlight
    • battery powered radio
    • extra batteries
    • water
    • snack food
    • matches
    • extra hats, socks and mittens
    • First aid kit with pocket knife
    • Necessary medications
    • blanket(s)
    • tow chain or rope
    • road salt and sand
    • booster cables
    • emergency flares
    • fluorescent distress flag

Dress for the Weather

  • Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
  • Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Poison Ivy, Poison oak, Poison Summac

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Well, I am getting over my worse case of poison ivy I have ever had. I have never experienced much more than a mild traveling rash that goes away in a few days. This time however it has covered my body and literally made me go nuts from the constant scratching and itching. So I thought I would gather information to help others who are going through an experience themselves.

Itch Relief

-Calamine and Caladryl lotions are essential for drying and relief from the itching.

-Take repeated hot showers and spray directly on the itchiest places… the hotter the better and the hotter the longer your itch will subside when you are done. This seems to release the antihistimine your body produces that make you itchy and or confuse your nerve endings from an itch to a burn. But it does give valuable releif and you should make sure you do it especially before you go to bed.

-Benadryl.. this timeless medication will help the itch from the inside out.

-Aloe Vera gives a soothing relief that is instantly cooling and will help rehydrate your skin from its very dry condition after you treat your skin with everything else. You can find this in the sunscreen area… it is usually a green (hair gel) type of product.

Medical Treatments

-Pregnisone – this has been the lifesafer I have been waiting for… two days in and it is almost over for me…. but some have reported that their is no benefit from it for them. It is a timed steroid perscibed with a certain number of pills for a certain number of days then another amount of pills for the next few days and so on. it is meant to tapper you off of it because this is a potent steroid.

-Cortizone shots seem to be a hit and miss depending upon your doctor who is treating you and the severity of your rash. My doctor said that pregnisone was strong enough medication with the other medications I am already on and she wouldn’t give me the shot and pregnisone so I had to choose.

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Poison Sumac

The pictures above are typical pictures but you should know that the coloring, size of leave and thickness of the branches can change from one part of the country to another and also from spring to fall which may bring yellow and red shades to the leaves.