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01 NOV

Wintertime Fitness

Winter is coming, and we are packing on the pounds. But surely our bodies are physiologically preprogrammed to pad on added insulation in the winter, right? Sorry, but no… not unless you are a hibernating bear.

While cold winter weather does produce a slowing of our body’s metabolism to compensate for the dramatic shift in temperatures, it is not nearly as profound as in other mammals, such as woodchucks or bears. Interestingly, recent clinical studies do suggest that we have “circannual cycles,” meaning cyclical changes in blood chemistry, hormone secretion, brain activity, and appetite. These circannual rhythms appear to relate to changes in the length of daylight and darkness, causing seasonal deviations.

Surviving the Happiest Time of the Year

Every year I eagerly anticipate Christmas. But then I remember how much there is to do! Decorations. Gifts. Church and school programs. Parties. Pictures. New clothes. Caroling. Baking and cooking. Family get-togethers.

If you’re wondering how to get it all accomplished and still enjoy the holiday, try these time, energy, and sanity savers I’ve discovered to help you have a truly Merry Christmas this year.

1. Plan ahead.
You smart ones did this year’s shopping at last year’s after-holiday sales. However, even if the rest of us don’t get around to it until after Thanksgiving, there’s still plenty of time to find some great bargains.

01 NOV

The Sounds of Healing

Betsey Carle never autographs napkins, wears sequined gowns, or takes tips.

One day while Carle was on the job an elderly hospice patient with faltering memory gave her a snippet of a lyric from an old song he longed to hear but could not place.

Carle searched her songbooks for four months to finally identify and sing “When It’s Springtime in the Rockies” while strumming her guitar.

“The music made a difference,” Carle says. “Many people in that age group remember the song. They mouth the words. And because music is tied into emotion, cognition, and memory in the brain, it takes them back to a more normal time,” she says. “That’s healing.”
Read more about The Sounds of Healing …

01 NOV

Mushrooms

There are more than 14,000 types of mushrooms. About 3,000 of those are edible, and 700 have known medicinal properties. Here’s an up close look at this surprisingly healthy food.
Mushrooms are well known for their taste, texture, and versatility. During cooking the flavor normally intensifies, so they are a savory addition to anything from soups and salads to sandwiches and pizza. In fact, mushroom extracts are increasingly being added to food supplements and health beverages.
Read more about Mushrooms …

01 NOV

Melaleuca

Nature

Tea tree oil is produced by steam distillation of the leaves and shoots of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, an amazing wonder that grows to about 20 feet in height. Melaleuca flourishes along the northern-eastern coastal lowlands of New South Wales in Australia and possesses a characteristic flaky, paper-thin, white bark. The oil from melaleuca (tea tree oil) is pale yellow and boasts a fresh camphoraceous odor, similar to that of eucalyptus oil.

Tea tree oil or “melaleuca oil” should not be confused with oils obtained from other melaleuca species such as cajeputl, kanuka, or manuka oils.
Traditionally, tea tree oil has been used to treat skin ailments such as burns, bruises, cuts, abrasions, swellings, insect bites and stings, ringworm, acne, and rosacea. Eastern Australia’s indigenous people used crushed leaves of the tea tree as a traditional medicine to combat coughs and colds. They also utilized the leaves to treat wounds and skin ailments, and to make an infusion to battle sore throats.
Melaleuca appeared on the medicinal radar screen years ago when researchers in Australia discovered that tea tree oil had an antiseptic activity far more potent than the commonly used germicide, carbolic acid. Australian soldiers included tea tree oil in their first aid kits as a disinfectant during World War II.
Read more about Melaleuca …

01 NOV

Echinacea

To enhance immune function

Echinacea (pronounced eK-i-NAY-sha) is the top-selling herbal supplement in the United States today, accounting for almost 10 percent of herbal sales. Its principal use is for the treatment of colds and upper respiratory tract infections. Its popularity stems from the fact that it has minimal side effects compared with the various cold medications on the market. Echinacea is also valued for its reported ability to enhance immune function.

There are nine varieties of echinacea indigenous to North America that grow in the Midwest and central plains. These members of the daisy family have dark cone-shaped flower heads, with radiating petals that are mostly colored shades of rose, pink, or purple. The roots of echinacea are harvested in the autumn after the plants have gone to seed. The fresh above-the-ground parts are usually harvested at blooming time.
Read more about Echinacea …

04 OCT

2009 Vibrant Life 5K Fun Run and Walk

A record 217 runners and walkers completed the Vibrant Life 5K Cross-country run/walk on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Here are the award winners, followed by the times of all the participants. AWARDS LIST FEMALE OVERALL RESULTS 1 Blayke Hall 204 WV 23:06 MALE OVERALL RESULTS 1 Sam Jones 17 225 18:00 MALE MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS […]

12 SEP

Pasta and Beans on Greens

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. shell-shaped pasta, dry
1 T. olive oil
2 T. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 t. oregano
6 c. mixed salad greens
1/2 c. canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 plum tomatoes, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1/4 c. sliced black olives
1/2 c. fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 c. soy cheese, fresh and grated

01 SEP

Lemon Vinaigrette with Flax Oil

Ingredients: Prep Time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 cup; 16 servings Cost Per Serving: $0.20 Difficulty Level: Easy A good salad dressing provides valuable nutrients and inspires you to eat more vegetables. This reduced-fat dressing boosts your intake of omega-3 fats. The distinctive flavor of the flax oil is muted by the extra-virgin olive oil, making […]

01 SEP

Broccoli Supreme Salad

Ingredients: Prep Time: 20 minutes Yield: 12 (½ -cup) servings Cost per Serving: $0.40 Difficulty Level: Easy This make-ahead salad offers a surprisingly tasty fusion of flavors and textures that makes eating raw broccoli more fun. You can replace part of the broccoli with ¼-inch slices of broccoli stems, cauliflower florets, or shredded carrots. 2/3 […]