7 Days Stop Smoking Program

The first thing to do is set a date when you are going to stop smoking. Let’s start one week from today. That will give you plenty of time to practice with the weapons in your arsenal. Eight days from today, it will be the beginning of the end of your smoking habit.

Days 1 and 2

Examine your smoking behavior for the first two days. Every time you light up, ask yourself:

1. Why am I smoking this cigarette?
2. Would this be an easy one or a difficult one to do without?
3. If I did not smoke this cigarette, what would I do instead?

Day 3

Let’s get out and test your weapons today.

At least once today, use your weapons to shoot down the urge to smoke.

During the five minutes that it will take for the urge to pass, try out some of your arsenal. Try one, or all, or find a combination that works for you.

Day 4

Today is the big testing day. If you haven’t already tried it, skip those one or two cigarettes that you feel may be the toughest to give up in your daily routine. Pick the ones that you rated “difficult” during your monitoring period.
Remember, this is a practice period, and you must not get upset if you are unable to give up a difficult cigarette. You must practice and experiment with your different weapons to realize how you can be more effective.
If you found skipping that cigarette very hard or even failed in the end, review any factor that got in the way of your success. The most common causes of difficulty or failure that a potential quitter faces are:

Chemical properties of addiction

When you do not have that cigarette, you feel lousy. If you are a heavy smoker, a nicotine patch may help to relieve your bad feelings.

Social pressures

You may find yourself in a situation like, card game, party, coffee break during which you would normally smoke. It may help to let others know of your desire to stop smoking, and also your reasons to stop smoking.
Enlisting the aid of a non smoker to confide in may also help. Make sure that he or she is aware of your goals so that they do not say or do anything to instill a negative impact on your desire to stop smoking.
If you feel that you may not resist the social pressures of smoking, consider the option of giving up these social encounters for two or three weeks until the urge passes and you can be comfortable again.

Tension and negative emotion

A crisis occurs during your work or personal day, and one of the main reasons for you to smoke has been tension reduction. Try to deal with your negative emotions and use the tension reducing methods that we talked about earlier.
Get away from the area that the tension is associated with. Take a walk, or go to another room. You may also find that nicotine gum will give you enough tension relief to get through.

Days 5, 6, and 7

You are now heading down the home stretch. In the next three days, your goal is to come out of this week smoking half the cigarettes that you would normally smoke. If you started as a one pack a day smoker, cut back to ten cigarettes per day, or less.

The fewer the better

During days 5 and 6, set your goals toward achieving positive results on day 7. Maintain your smoking record during these three days, and continue to decrease your dependency on nicotine.

What do you do if you still have doubts? This is probably due to your chemical dependency on nicotine. It is a highly powerful drug, and many factors have been working together to make you dependent.

Discuss with your doctor about the feasibility of a patch or nicotine gum. Nicotine is the hook that has gotten you to smoke which carries the harmful effects to your body. With the help from the patch or the gum, you will have all he tools you need to successfully quit.

The nicotine patch or gum will give you a steady influx of nicotine into your system, which will be reduced slowly over a period of several weeks. Do not smoke while on the nicotine patch. You could experience a dangerous overdose of nicotine.

National Drug Take-Back Day

If you have expired, unused, or unneeded drugs in the house, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants to make it easier for you to dispose of them. Saturday, September 29th has been designated as National Drug Take-Back Day and sites throughout the United States have been designated to take your unwanted drugs for disposal. Drugs may be turned in at these sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Can

Health tips: Quality magnifiers can help sharpen low vision

When a patient is diagnosed with low vision, this means vision impairment that is not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. This vision loss can affect an individual’s independence and quality of life, but it doesn’t have to.

There are many tools available for these individuals to remain independent and continue to do things they enjoy — like reading, writing, crocheting, etc. Many people with low vision don’t know about the resources that are available to them.

Low vision aids keep getting better each year with newer technology. Quality low vision aids can only be purchased through low vision specialists and dealers. Magnifiers purchased from the local drugstore are meant for people with healthy eyes and good vision; these magnifiers only have a minimal amount of the power that low vision magnifiers provide.

A hand-held low vision magnifier comes with or without lights, with or without a base and in many different powers. Hand-held electronics that can be easily taken in a pocket or purse are great for viewing prices, reading a menu, writing checks and viewing books. These handy magnifiers have different contrast adjustments and a variety of powers.

Another option is a CCTV, which is a device for writing and reading that allows a much larger field of view than hand-held devices.

Lighting is another important factor in dealing with low vision. A good light directed onto what you are reading can improve what you are able to see.

If you have been diagnosed with low vision and are wondering which piece of equipment would be best for you, an evaluation with a low vision specialist is the right place to start. Always continue to have routine eye exams and monitor Amsler grids as instructed by your doctor. Call your eye care provider if you notice any changes in your vision.

Source  http://www.chieftain.com/health/health-tips-quality-magnifiers-can-help-sharpen-low-vision/article_ff53657e-06ca-11e2-b072-001a4bcf887a.html

Spinach

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea
Amaranthaceae

Popeye wasn’t kidding when he said eating spinach was his trick to being fit and strong. Spinach is one of the most nutrient filled foods in the world and has been in the food spotlight for the last few years thanks to baby spinach salads and creamy spinach dips.

What makes spinach so special is the number of amazing nutrients that it packs into its small leafy frame. Spinach is rich in vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B. It also has an abundance of folate, iron, calcium, zinc, protein, copper, magnesium, selenium and fiber. Spinach is similar to salmon in that it contains the amazing omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, it has lutein and many flavonoid compounds. With so many nutrients Popeye is starting to look like a smart guy! The healing properties of spinach are practically endless. Here are a few:

1. Flavonoid compounds make it effective in cancer prevention

2. Carotenoid compounds help maintain good prostate health

3. Vitamin K helps keep bones healthy and strong

4. Vitamins C and A help prevent heart attacks by cleaning up the free radicals in your blood stream

5. Promotes colon health

6. Protects against dangerous diseases like dementia

7. Helps brain function after a stroke

With so many healing attributes it’s no surprise that spinach has become a popular item at the dinner table. Baby spinach salads are the fad right now but there are many other ways to eat spinach. If you’re in a southern cooking mood you can try cooking creamed spinach or wet spinach, which is, similar to collard greens. If you want more of a lunchtime favorite try spinach on top of a chicken breast in a pita or use it to complement a fresh mozzarella and tomato salad.
Bonus Tip: spinach is best eaten raw for the maximum nutrient punch... if you cook it avoid doing so for too long as it can lose up to 50% of its mineral content.

NOTE: spinach has goitrogens which can inhibit thyroid function therefore we like to suggest to people experiencing hypothyroidism to limit its consumption, and to enjoy it cooked. As we said before not all people experiencing hypothyroidism respond the same way to goitrogenic foods. That is why weencourage these people to be very aware of the unique way their bodies respond and to eat with gusto and joy, never with fear!

Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil

Lavender, the common name of the genus Lavandula, is an herb closely related to rosemary, sage, and thyme. It is a summer flowering perennial shrub with flower colors that typically range from deep purple to pale blue, and also includes some pink, green, and white varieties. Lavender has been used for edicinal, cleansing, culinary, aromatic, horticultural,decorative, and other purposes for centuries. Today, lavender is xperiencing a resurgence of popularity, with its many uses ranging from fresh and dried floral arrangements to crafts and aromatherapy. Lavender oil is a staple of the cosmetics and industrial fragrance industries.

Lavender is one of history’s most celebrated and versatile essential oils. It is steam distilled from Lavandula angustifolia, a perennial, bushy shrub with a flowery top. Historically, Greeks used lavender as a perfume. The Romans used it in their baths for washing, for its cleansing qualities, and to deter insects.

The Egyptians used lavender as an ingredient in incense and perfume. Queen Elizabeth I used it in her tea to soothe tension. The many plant constituents in lavender essential oil contribute to a vast range of usage. Today, we use lavender as a tea and to cleanse, support normal sleep, ease occasional depressed moods, soothe sun-exposed skin, and reduce stress.

Lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and can be applied neat to the skin. The benefits of lavender essential oil are limitless, and modern research will continue to yield new and exciting uses for this amazing plant.

Benefits
1. Balances normal body functions
2. Supports normal sleep
3. Cleanses skin irritations
4. Soothes and relaxes the mind and body
5. Eases bodily tension and stress
6. Lavender has long been used to repel moths and to enhance the aroma of rooms, closets,and linens.                                                            
7. As a sedative and disinfectant, the medicinal uses of lavender are well known, and with modern trends toward herbal remedies, it is regaining popularity.
8. Those seeking a calming, relaxing influence and a break from hectic daily activities
9. Those looking for improved support for healthy skin
10. Those looking for a lift in mental acuity and concentration

Dietary: Add to food or rice milk as a dietary supplement.
Topical: Apply 2–4 drops topically to skin irritations, cuts, or as needed.
Aromatic: Diffuse up to 1 hour 3 times daily or inhale directly for aromatherapy
Inhaling lavender essential oil soothes and relaxes the bodyand mind.

French scientist Rene Gattefosse was the first modern scientist to document lavender’s more dramatic skin applications.
In ancient Greece, Pedanius Dioscorides, a physician, pharmacologist, and botanist, extolled the many
qualities and uses of lavender.

Cautions:
Keep out of reach of children. 
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a health professional prior to use. 

Sugary Facts

Sugary Facts

Sugar, like starch, is a carbohydrate.There are many different types of and names for sugar. For example sucrose or ‘table sugar’ is added to drinks, baked goods and confectionery. Fructose is naturally found in fruit and honey and lactose is naturally present in milk. Glucose is one of the simplest forms of sugar and is the basic building block of starch. Starch is the main form of carbohydrate found in bread, pasta, potatoes, rice,pulses, whole grains and cereals. Glucose is also the type of sugar that circulates in the blood, often referred to as ‘blood sugar’ or ‘blood glucose’, and provides the body with energy.

Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source and sugar is an important source of carbohydrates. Sugar also has an important role in providing flavour and texture to foods. As sugar contains calories but few nutrients, eating too much sugar and foods and drinks rich in added sugars, instead of other foods, may make your diet less nutritious.

The only health problem directly linked to sugar is tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth use sugars to produce tooth-damaging acid.Weight gain occurs when we eat more calories than we burn.  Sugary foods and drinks can only make us gain weight if overall we eat more calories than we use for energy. One level teaspoon of sugar (4g) contains 16 calories and as sugary foods (e.g. chocolate, cakes and biscuits) and drinks taste great and can be rich in calories, it is easy to eat too many calories from sugary products.  

Some research suggests that sugary drinks make it harder for us to regulate the overall amount of calories eaten and a regular intake may be a factor contributing to obesity in children,diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  However being overweight increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. People with a family history of diabetes are advised to enjoy a healthy diet and regular exercise to control their weight.

There is no evidence to suggest that low calorie sweeteners, such as saccharin, aspartame and sucralose, are bad for you.  All ingredients added to foods, including low calorie sweeteners, undergo rigorous safety testing before being approved safe for human consumption. Low calorie sweeteners provide a sweet taste to food but little or no calories and they are often used in products such as diet soft drinks, sugar free chewing gum and confectionery and yogurts.People with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic condition, need to restrict their intake of phenylalanine. This is an amino acid (a building block for protein) which is found naturally in many foods and as part of the sweetener aspartame.

A moderate amount of sugar can be eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet. The maximum recommended daily intake of sugars (excluding lactose) is approximately 60 grams per day (10% of our total calorie intake). This includes honey, table sugar and sugars in fruit juices and processed foods.

Many food labels provide information on the amount of sugar in foods but do not distinguish between
total sugars and added sugars. The nearer the sugar is to the start of the ingredients list, the greater the amount in the product. Traffic Light Labelling on some food and drink packaging provides a quick guide to the level of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar in foods and drinks.  A red light for sugar means a high sugar content, an amber light means it has medium sugar content and a green light means it is low in sugar.

A moderate amount of sugar can be eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet. The maximum recommended
daily intake of sugars (excluding lactose) is approximately 60 grams per day (10% of our total calorie intake). This includes honey, table sugar and sugars in fruit juices and processed foods.

Salmon - Health Benefits

Salmon - Health Benefits

Image Source: Wikipedia

Wild salmon is a favorite amongst bears in Alaska, and those bears are turning out to be some healthy beasts! Wild salmon is a fish loaded with nutrients that help keep the body healthy. And, it should be noted, that Salmon is the only fish on super food list.The others i'll post.
Salmon is loaded with vitamin B6, vitamin B3, vitamin B12, vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium and omega-3
fatty acids. It also contains a good amount of selenium, tryptophan and is high in protein.
Fatty acids are good for the body. That’s right .. not often do you see fatty and good in the same sentence. Fatty acids, specifically the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, are very beneficial to the body.
Wild caught fish, like salmon, are known to have high levels of omega-3s.
These fatty acids help prevent heart attacks, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and increase blood flow. Possibly the most beneficial aspect of eating foods with omega-3s is the reduction in the risk of stroke. Studies have shown that people who regularly eat salmon or other foods with large amounts of omega-3s have a 27% less chance of having a stroke.

Other benefits of omega-3 include:
1. improvement in insulin sensitivity in people with Type 2 diabetes
2. effective in combating dry eye disease
3. helps protect the body against cancer has been linked to lowering the chances of contracting Alzheimer’s or dementia from aging
4. known to aid in the prevention of sun damage to the skin ease menstrual pain and discomfort

As with any food you should try to get your salmon as fresh as possible. Also, you should look for wild
salmon instead of the farmed variety, which contains antibiotics and artificial additives, which gives it its pink color.Even though salmon is quite popular due to its health benefits fresh wild salmon, can be difficult to get during certain times of the year.

Salmon has a wonderful taste and can be enjoyed many different ways.
Here are some of our favourites:
Naturally smoked salmon tastes great with capers, onion rings,lemon and crackers
Try it with low-fat cream cheese and a whole wheat bagel
Add some grilled filets to the top of a tossed salad
Brush with a mix of soy sauce, ginger, garlic and dill and bake in the oven for a few minutes
Try a Napolitana sauce made with canned wild salmon and enjoy it with your favorite whole-wheat, kamut
or rice pasta.

If you like avocados try this: mash some avocado with a spoon and mix with onion; put it on slices of naturally smoked salmon and make a roll. Cut it and enjoy as healthy finger food.

Our only fish on the super food list provides an endless amount of nutrition. Be sure to get your fresh salmon before the bears catch them all and eat them up!