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This Could Save A Life!

Take 5 minutes to go read an article I have found and maybe save your life. Do you or someone you love suffer from heart disease,blood pressure problems, arthritis, high cholesterol, allergies?

This page tells in a simple language how and why we should balance omega 6 and omega 3 ’s in our diet.

This basic information may save your life and is really an easy process. Take time now to read now this important supplement, or why eating the right combination of a few highly available foods will combat most common ailments like arthritis, heart disease and cancer.

Even allergy sufferers will benefit. The author has proven it true in his life and has devoted much research to simplify the information.

Take this few minutes now for a healthier you tomorrow.here for life saving omega 6 and omega 3 information:

We all know how brain cancer, and heart disease is on the rise. Just recently, I’ve known 2 people to be diagnosed with brain cancer. I can’t help but think we are eating ourselves to death. That’s scarey because we can do something about it - but most of us don’t.

Stop and think! We are what we eat and many times the doctor won’t tell you simple changes make all the difference. Is it money? Is it because they are in bed with the pharmaceuticals? I don’t know but I know science gives us answers and it’s not always found in the prescription bottle.

However, do not I repeat do not stop taking any medication. This information is all about what we eat. I hope you read the article about omega 6 and omega 3, or find even more nutritional information and Live long and well my friends.

This original post by Marisue Alsobrook also appears at hubpages.

Knock Knock, Who’s There?

On any given day, are you rushing here and there, frustrated as you run errands and get family tasks completed? We’re all so busy that we find ourselves forced to do many things at once just to make progress with our daily life’s “do it now” list. “Hurry, hurry, hurry” is the chant in our head.

Seems like I’m never digging in one pile that I don’t think I should be diggin’ in another. If follows that I often end up with only pieces of things done, kind of like being an almost millionaire…well, I could be, except being poor takes all my time.

We’re all there. It’s not easy working 50 - 60 hour weeks or more, just to pay rent, utilities, and shop for clothing for the kids, paying $4.00 bucks a gallon for gas to get to where you need to be; who knows what’s next.

Oh, I know “Europe Shmurup’s” been paying that and more for years, blah, blah, blah. I get it. They also get a lot of bang for their buck, with socialized medicine, lots of paid vacation and sick leave, and government subsidies, so let’s not cry them a river yet. I’m not bitter, but this is America not Europe and we can gripe about these increases puh-lease!!

I understand the world economy is a-changin’ (largely due to bad decisions decades ago and currently by those who have more power than you and I) but, I don’t intend to quietly purchase a bike to get around. I LIKE my car and they will take it away from me kicking and screaming along with my energy burning HD TV and don’t touch that remote. Remember, I’m SPOILED.

Having said that, I want to talk about where our minds are. And, just for the record, I’m all about multi-tasking. During most of my parenting life, I was a parent of more than 6 in the house at one time; held more than one job, attended college classes in the wee hours of the morning, and was appointed the family ambassador as I carried on 4 conversations at once while answering the phone; emptying the dishwasher; wiping snotty noses; cooking dinner and settling teen disagreements as I skillfully dodged mysterious flying objects.

I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan with the best of ‘em.

So, I can too walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. If you could picture yourself in all of the above, then you and I walk the same road.

However, driving to a new assignment at work this morning brought to mind that we, as neighbors, seem to be lacking in concentration skills

Being nosey, I noticed a car on my right, that had been behind me and was now flyin’ high towards the upcoming red light. Having reached it ahead of me by about 10 seconds, I’m sure the young woman was satisfied she was making great progress. Paying great homage to multi-tasking, she had her head down and was either texting on her cell phone or dialing a 120 digit phone number.

The light turned green and I forged ahead by 20 yards, determined to not to be left behind. However, she was not as skilled at multi-tasking as she might have been because she lagged behind, head bent towards the phone in her lap.

The cars behind her laid on their horns; and once again, the race to the next red light was on. I was ahead, driving contentedly, when all of a sudden she passed me at great speed, still texting, and swerved into my lane missing me by at least 2 feet so where was the harm, right?

Being the patient person I am, I refrained from blowing the horn. But, I started thinking: lately, it seems to be really hard to get anyone’s attention. Either nothing is important or everything’s important, I’m not sure which, but

Here’s where I’m at:

Could I Have Your Attention, Please!

• If you’re at a red light putting on your make up or texting to your lover, Please Don’t!
• If you’re the cashier TOTALLY ignoring me while talking to your fellow employee as I’m waiting to prepay for the four dollar a gallon or more gasoline, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person walking around in the store talking via the blue tooth that I don’t notice at first and think you’re either talking to me or are a crazy person, causing me to creatively dodge you, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person driving next to me, and are so focused with your cell phone conversation or partner in the car that you don’t notice that I’m on the road, PLEASE DO.
• If you’re the server and forget I’m needing water or my ticket, because you’re discussing with a co-worker your argument with your date the night before, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person I’m trying to reach by phone, in a department store, but are so busy with stocking and walking at a snail’s pace, PLEASE PICK UP THE PHONE.
• If YOU’RE the person who’s been at the department store as a clerk for the last 5 years but still can’t tell me where the toilet paper is or the Advil after I did a very creative dance to get your attention, PLEASE LEARN YOUR STORE and pay attention to me.
• If you’re the person sitting at the counter as I walk up to you in an office where I have to be at the moment, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE AND CAN YOU GIVE ME A SMILE!! I hate waiting 5 minutes and then being treated like I just interrupted you while you were having sex. I’m the customer, remember what that is?
• If you happen to be the doctor that I took time out of my day to go find out what’s wrong with me, PLEASE DON’T leave me in your little tiny claustrophobic room for 3 hours!
• If you are the salesman, the secretary, the hostess-with-the-most-est, the teacher, the mom who’s child has just said “mommy” over and over for 10 minutes without so much as a glance from you, if you are my spouse, someone’s spouse, someone’s friend or lover, CAN WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE!

I fear we have lost the art to pay attention, to stop what we’re doing for the moment, to listen, to connect, to really tune in and get the job done, the quality job - done right the first time.

It’s rubbing off on me…last night the dog had to bark to get his bone, I said “Huh?” to my husband probably 6 times before I really took the time to hear him, and I ignored the cell phone as it rang (which is probably ok), even my cat tapped me on the shoulder for a hug.

To heighten my fear of losing my mind even more, I have a book on tape that I have now tried for 5 times to complete. I still can’t tell you what it’s about. As soon as the voice speaks in my ear I’m out like a light or in la la land, fighting great battles, slaying dragons, or maybe shopping, or writing that next great hub.

I just can’t seem to pay attention, but puh-lease deliver me from being as distracted as those around me. Nope. Not me, surely not me.

Hello, is anyone there? Can we please just have a little concentration?

I’ve lost you already, you went to sleep didn’t you?

This original content from Marisue Alsobrook also posted at hubpages.

by Marisue Alsobrook (This original piece is also posted at hubpages)

I'm mad and fed up, so read at your own risk!

I'm on my soap box today! Gas is up, groceries are up, everything is on the rise and the "experts" in the economy say we're spoiled and need to cut back!! O' that's a solution.

We're NOT SPOILED

I'm sick of being told we need to cut back and that America is spoiled. I guess it's better if we're more like the "world?" It's my fault that I need to get to work, need gas in the car, food on the table, and want to see a movie once in a while? Oh yeah, baby I'm living way past my means.

Someone's starving, somewhere so I need to give up my car to drive to the store and ride a bike. Of course! What was I thinking!

What in the "world" are they talking about? Because some other country doesn't live like we do doesn't make us automatically spoiled.

Why does America have food, fuel, housing, roads? We "have" because people here worked for "it." We became what we are because we PRODUCED! Production doesn't make you spoiled; it shows you're smart.

Collectively, we have more because we produce more.

Stop telling me I'm spoiled and I should just cut back so the TRULY spoiled - BIG OIL COMPANIES - can keep THEIR riches, enjoy their yachts, big tax breaks, government subsidies, AND "spoiled" style of living.

Even so, if they make, they can spend it - that's the American Dream. However, I'm living the nightmare that is supporting their Dream, so it's a little lopsided. Yet, THEY tell the rest of us: we're "spoiled;" Inferring our expectation of being able to pay for the drive to work is not realistic, we should walk or ride a bike.

Better yet, give the job to the alien who needs one because his country does not produce, keeping all the riches for themselves.

What's wrong with you? You expect food on the grocery shelves; gasoline at the gas station; milk less than $4 bucks a gallon (about the price of gas)? Why, you spoiled person, you. After all, some people in third world countries are going hungry. I'm not unsympathetic, honest, — read on…

So, how does my starving as well, help them? Doesn't it make more sense to keep me working, with money in my pocket, so I can share my wealth and contribute to programs that help them?

I'm all for using wind (even hot air), and solar energy. I'm all for learning to go green. I'm completely supportive of using our own oil and cutting back on foreign anything.

I'm even willing to pay more for American made products instead of what China ships in…so, you big companies that utilize foreign labor, I have a suggestion!

WHY DON'T YOU CUT BACK? You're so spoiled with all that cheap labor, why don't you sacrifice some money and bring jobs back to Americans? Where's YOUR loyalty to our country and way of life? How many SUV's, yachts, foreign money accounts do YOU own?

America is a land of productivity. We grow our food, we drill our oil, we fish our rivers, we build our houses and roads, we WORK. There is no sin in producing.

It is not spoiled to invent, learn, explore the universe, or buy yachts. It is wrong when we do so at the expense of common sense and decency; enslaving those who produce so those who hire the workers can enjoy luxuries.

That mind set reeks of Land Owners telling their share croppers who slaved away so they could have steaks, to "eat bread and quit wanting so much; shut up; be glad you've got a job; look at all that I do for you by allowing you to work on my farm."

Why is it called "foreign aid" to give billions to other countries; yet it's socialism if we help our own people??? Well, give me a little socialism, please, with cream and sugar on it, if it helps take the homeless off the street and stops me from becoming one of them. Don't enslave me and then try to sell me the idea I want too much!

Don't imply because I want what's fair and right, as I work, that I want too much and am spoiled. Don't tell me to "cut back" while you spend.

Let all those who work, spend. Let all those who have, give. Let's all invent. Let's all go green. Let's all re-cycle and do the things that will keep our planet healthy.

Let's cut back on waste, not milk; cut back on foreign oil drilling, not domestic; cut back on gas profits, not gasoline to get to work and as much pleasure as we desire and can afford.

We're being told we can't go to movies, shop, and spend our time and money as we wish because we just want too much. Just "Cut back, America!" Quit expecting the gasoline to be fairly priced, the grocery shelves full, the enjoyment of life to be yours.

I say "Talk Back, America!" and Talk Loudly. Tell our congressmen we mean business, OUR business. We want it back. We want our oil companies to quit receiving government subsidies when they have record profits. THEY need to cut back.

We want our men and women home from Iraq. It's a civil problem, it's THEIR problem, we can help them in advice, engineering, inventions - Hey, I know…they can buy products from US! What a novel idea….they can use their own oil to pay for their own growth. They can spill their own blood to solve their own problems, we did.

Just because Bush decided to change their government, doesn't mean we have to throw good money after bad. It needs to be over.

Man, will I ever be glad when we've got a fresh start with a new President, but it's not enough. We have to write a simple letter and let our representatives know we want our lifestyle not to be threatened by the truly spoiled and greedy.

It is not spoiled to want to feed and clothe your family, or take that vacation. Our ancestors worked hard to get us where we are, and though we may be wasteful, we are not spoiled by wanting a good life.

Let's work, and expect to get paid a good wage for our productivity.

You want to be motivated to Talk Back? Picture Cheney saying right into the camera "so?" when he was told Americans did not approve of an extention of the war.

"SO????" At that moment, I wished for "smack-a-vision." How dare he discount our opinion, our heart? How dare he, an elected official, have such disrespect for the voice of Americans?

Talk Back America!

Write your Congressman and express yourself. It's easy.

This article will post soon, please feel free to read others in the list to the right.   bookmark this site for this article….Marisue

by Marisue Alsobrook

Introduction:  If we're not in control of most of our happiness and attitude, then who is?  We CAN change how we think and react to life.  We CANNOT always control what life gives us.  Our hope, lies in our own thoughts and actions.  And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln,  "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." The quote about Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorites and has gotten me through many stages of my life.  We are much more powerful than we believe.  We are in control and take charge of our moods and lives.  Let's keep our self-talk positive!

Happy As You Want to Be -  Is Happy As You Can Be

Are you as happy as you want to be?  You can be happier!  Almost everyone has heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to all those who hear this tune. Bobby McFerrin's simple message surely made a lot of people happy by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is desirable by all, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Change

I've read that "The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change."   In our life, we have the power to make the necessary changes to increase our level of happiness,  if we want to.  Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that this too will pass; we can change our reaction; and maybe we can even change some of what is happening to us.

Connection to a Significant Group

Our connection to a Significant Group or social network or relationship is essential to our happiness.  People are different, but our basic needs are the same.  We may have different levels of needs, but the connections that keep us mentally healthy and physically safe are the same.  How we interact with others in a group strengthens our connections.  The absence of contact with groups that are SIGNIFICANT to us can cause us to become decreasingly happy, increasingly depressed and withdrawn.  While some people need other people in differing degrees, we all need people with whom we can establish common bonds. 

To "fit in" and form lasting connections with others, to find our "Significant Group" (church, club, hobby, co-workers) we should make efforts to:

·         Accept people for who or what they are

·         Avoid clashes, constant arguments

·         Step out of some of our resentments and biases, without comprising reasonable personal standards and values.   

·         Understand differing points of view

·         Respect differences - Respecting differences from ourselves and others helps improve our level of socialization; helping us to be a person others want to be around

Connection to a Source of Joy 

Happiness may mean different things to each of us, but we all need joy.   What is your joy?  A person?  A job?  Many things? 

At the risk of over-simplifying,  to be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person.  Abraham Lincoln observed that most people, most of the time, can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook is to be.  If we keep it simple, we can choose to be happy.

2 Simple Tips for Choosing Happiness:

1.       Possess  Gratitude:  Being grateful will give you a great attitude.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Make a list; add to it daily, maybe forever.  See if you can name something different everyday-  it's a life changing habit to form. 

Examples of things for which to be grateful:

·         Thank the driver for bringing you home safely - soberness is a must

·         Thank the cook for a wonderful dinner - the labor of others gives us rest

·         Thank the person who opens the door for you- small, insignificant unless we think about the random act of kindness

·         Be grateful for fresh air - sweet smelling and precious

·         Be grateful for freedom - priceless gift, often paid for by strangers

·         Be grateful for mail delivery - Contact!

·         Be grateful for opportunities to help others – Service to others keeps us grateful and humble (the Brittany’s’ of the world would be less “fitful” if they were actively engaged helping others! – …”Where much is given, much is expected.”)

·         Be grateful for trash pick up - Aren't you glad someone does it?

·         Be grateful for family - even those who drive you a little crazy

·         Be grateful for pay day - every job at least keeps the roof over your head, no small thing as you see homeless around you

·         Be grateful for your pets - how sweet to hug your loved dog or cat, etc

·         Be grateful for those who keep you safe - law enforcement, soldiers, government

·         Be grateful for your health - maybe this means thinking of the health problems you DON'T have, rather than those you do

·         Be grateful for your Faith - A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.

·         Be grateful for the opportunity to work hard.  A sense of accomplishment brings tremendous personal satisfaction, giving us a feeling of being competent.  Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel are worthy of your time.

·         Be grateful for Time - Manage it! Time is invaluable and too important to waste.  Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill.  These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.   When you do more with your time, you’ll be happier.

·         Be grateful for Laughter -  Laugh and laugh heartily everyday.  Pass it on!

·         Be grateful for the opportunity to learn.  Learning is a joyful exercise.  Talk About Excitement!  Try to learn something new everyday.  Learning also makes us expand and broaden our “world view”’ which tends to shrink as we age.

·         Be grateful for movement!  Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive!

·          

     2.  Decide to expose yourself less to the things that give you stress:

·         News -  Less is More.  Some people just can't start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting or ending the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.

·         Annoying friends, co-workers, and acquaintances – don’t  spend a lot of time with people who bring you down.  (We can complain on our own without any help.)

·         Less exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places. Think safety, pleasure, health and peace.

Express yourself!  If you like, say it and say it often!  You will soon find that it feels better to compliment rather than complain.  Do you have genuine  affection for those around you?  Enjoy that friendship and passionate interest in others!  The people around you need it.  They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger or frustrations from letting others know how much you think of them; how much you care.   Instead, spend time finding  healthy ways of expressing  your feelings.  Remember, I said  “…healthy ways.”   Think:  Do No Harm.   

What else is important to you?  Don’t put it off, procrastination adds to your stress.  Do it now, you and those you love are worth it.

By Marisue Alsobrook

Introduction:  Laughter is a natural stress reliever, and we all need more of that!  Stress stops us from enjoying the healthy benefits of small laughter.  You’ve seen those jolly people that seem to laugh every few moments.  It’s good for you!  Even though deep laughter releases the most endorphins, the small frequent giggles and laughs give relief all during the day.  Read this and relax by laughing; aim for several times a day.   I know it seems silly to “make” yourself laugh, but in the beginning, you'll have to put forth the effort.   We get out of the habit and then have to learn again!  I've been there.  Breathe, relax, and let the giggles begin!  I bet you’ll feel better. 

Finding the Funny

Finding the funny in life is easier than we think.  We're just out of the habit.  Life is and I think meant to be way more funny than we allow it to be; laughter is natural.  Just watch a puppy, watch a baby, watch a toddler, watch yourself!  Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being serious that we miss opportunities to relax with laughter. 

Laughter is Healing

Laughter is healing and is a natural stress reliever.  Stop and think.  When was the last time you really laughed out loud?  While uncontrollable laughter in a moment can be very healing, so can many smaller bursts of laughing, chuckling and giggling.  What makes you laugh?  Once we’re out of the habit, seeing the funny is harder and takes practice.  Bring it back!  You’ll feel so much more relaxed.  Thinking positive and chuckling throughout the day will lighten your load and even make those around you laugh.  It’s contagious!

Have you ever stood by someone who’s laughing, and found yourself beginning to laugh as well, even though you have no clue as to what was funny?  This strange physical response is common, like yawning.  Watch someone yawn and then try not to.  Your mouth will start the motion sometimes by just thinking of the yawn.  My jaws are aching to stretch even now. 

Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, (like during prayer at Church) but if we're honest,  we'll admit that we’ve all had those strange moments of wanting to laugh at the time when we think we shouldn’t.   

On a particularly stressful day, I remember my father sitting down to dinner, and offering prayer by confusing his normal opening sentence of “Heavenly Father we thank Thee for this day” to “Heavenly Days, Father.”  We all were so stressed from the day that when he said that we started with a small giggle that turned into crying and laughing at the same time until we couldn’t even see.  Afterwards, giggles followed throughout the meal and we all felt better. 

Don’t you think that in today’s world we could use a little laughter to lighten an overly-serious situation?  The most memorable business meetings, family gatherings, (intimate moments?) and even funerals I've ever attended included bust-a-gut moments.   When nerves and sadness bring about laughter, we often feel guilty.   Yet, giving into these inclinations can relieve our knotted muscles, our frowning faces, and aching hearts. 

Laughter is Contagious

A friend recently told me that years ago, during a two-week silent meditation retreat,  she  got the giggles.  She felt terrible as everyone around her was really serious and somber, but something struck here as so funny  They were supposed to meditate  for five hours straight,  but she couldn’t get started from the laughter that just erupted as she looked around at all the participants sitting so straight with such serious facial expressions.  

Then, to make matters worse,  she heard a "KLUNK!" from across the room.  She turned her head just in time to see that one of her retreat buddies had fallen asleep and landed with his head against the wall. Momentarily unnerved, he quickly straightened up, closed his eyes and put on his best meditator’s face.   She laughed harder.   She  managed to stifle the first few giggles, but then they started escaping in little bursts.   She tried the coughing technique, hoping to disguise her snorts as expectoration, but she  wasn't fooling anyone. 

Pretty soon, she saw others looking her way. Several were shaking with the effort to hold in their giggles.   Gradually, the whole room was shaking with silent laughter and some began to choke and giggle out loud.  It wasn’t that funny, but it began to be hilarious.  No one seemed able to stop.  The more they tried, the louder the laughter became.   Soon,  almost everyone in the room had caught the desire to laugh.  After a few moments, who cared?  No one knew why they were laughing but it continued until they were all exhausted.

So much for meditation. 

Those in charge of the retreat just let the moment flow.  After all, the point of the retreat was to relieve stress and no matter the tool, it was working.  Who knew?

Laughter is Medicine

Laughter is the BEST medicine.   Get rid of all that excess baggage!  Are you overloaded with feelings of stress and strife, grief, resentment? Just let it go.  Laugh until you cry.   It may cause a disturbance, but isn't ignoring what's happening around us the same kind of thing that gets us into trouble back in the Real World?  We ignore the funny and take on the horrible.  Why?  Why do we get so caught up in what’s bad, and fear the laughter and good feelings?  Are we afraid of being happy?  Maybe. 

We go about our lives, obsessing, worrying, fretting, crying, being angry, wishing things were better, and moving mindlessly towards more and more stress.   See life as experience.  What are we here for?  To gain material goods and lose the minutes of our lives?  Are we losing joy by failing to notice the wonder, joy, beauty and silliness of that which is all around us?

Well, I'm all for taking time to laugh. Give me a giggling neighbor, co-worker, friend over a sour puss “get-‘er-done” guy every time. The greatest mentors–in business, education, and personal success–are those who encourage us to invite laughter into our lives whenever it pops up.  Time to laugh?  “Get-‘er-done!”  Let it rip! 

Open your eyes to the silliness around you, and laugh out loud.  It's ok.  It's good for your heart in every way.  I hear you!   

by Marisue Alsobrook 

Introduction: I believe that stress accounts for most of our attitude problems, most of our foul moods, lack of sleep, road rage, and illnesses.  We can reduce and elminate much of our stress, through many different behaviors.  By changing what we eat, adding regular exercise even in small amounts of time, adding some fun and learning to relax even if just for a few minutes each day, we will live a healthier, safer life. 

In my research, I've discovered what we eat can improve our lives considerably.  Consider the following information and remember: we must put to use what we learn to get the benefits. 

How To Use Diet To Reduce Your Stress  

The Challenge  

You don’t need me to tell you how pervasive stress is in our modern lives. In part, this is due to our chosen life styles and some stress is just unavoidable.  LIFE carries with it the envitable stress and challenges, for everyone.

Good News 

There is good news!  We can improve our lives!  The choice is ours; "Who knew?"  There are steps we can take, decisions we can make, that will make a dramatic difference in our energy and help us to "feel good" most of the time!  One element of our life styles that is likely to be making matters worse, is our diet.  We are what we eat, and that's scarey.   What are we putting in our mouths?  Do you find yourself eating fast food, making spur of the moment choices when you're under pressure?   Most of us tend to save time by eating food that actually increases our stress and may even fuel an addiction to stress.

Think Positively 

Stop!  Don't be discouraged and picture yourself having to eat broccoli every meal.  Instead, picture a rainbow.  You have a rainbow of choices when it comes to eating.  When shopping try substituting the salty, the sweet, the "white" with "color." 

Choose:

• Colorful vegetables, any and all that you like
• Oats
• Nuts
• Beans, dried and fresh
• Fruit, dried, fresh, frozen
• Sweet Potatoes instead of white as often as you can; or white without the unhealthy fat use;
• Oils; Olive, coconut; even nutty ones

Think "no added refined sugar" and shop away! Simply delicious changes and choices are ahead of you!  Diet changes can be achieved very easily with a little thought.  You may not have to change all of what you eat immediately; every small change will help you feel better.  However, if you are experiencing pain and sleep loss, then you might want to consider making more dramatic changes, the sooner the better! 

Are you a heart attack waiting to happen?   I think it stands to reason that the healthier you eat, the healthier you will live.  Less stress is best!  

Ask yourself the following Stress Questions:  

1. Do you frequently or continuously complain of any of the following?  

• Tiredness
• Fatigue
• Exhaustion
• Lethargy & Apathy
• Poor concentration
• Lack of motivation

2. Do you seek relief from the worst effects of stress and regain energy by:

• Eating sugary foods?
• Drinking coffee or tea?
• Smoking a cigarette?
• Do you have a High Stress job?
• Do you have a High Stress Hobby?

3.  Do you freqently "crash" on the couch? 

If you answered yes to several of these questions, you are probably addicted to stress, and changes in your diet are essential for you.   

Basic Stress Chemistry  

Whenever we perceive a situation that needs urgent and immediate action, our adrenal glands begin to make adrenalin.  Almost immediately, our heart is pounding, our muscles tense, our eyes dilate, our breathing changes, our blood thickens and glucose is pumping like crazy: so much glucose that we could run a mile. 

The glucose is produced by breaking down the glycogen that is contained in our muscles and liver. Getting it from our blood is achieved by hormones, produced by the pancreas. These are insulin and glucagon. The insulin, with another chemical, this time from the liver, facilitates the movement to the cells of the body, while glucagon is used to top up the blood sugar levels if these fall too low.  

This process of preparing us for "fight or flight" uses up a lot of energy.  We might wonder where the extra energy comes from, especially if we were feeling tired immediately before the event to which we are reacting.  The answer is that energy is diverted away from the body’s normal functions of maintenance and repair.  

Thus, so long as we are feeling stressed, our digestion, rejuvenation and cleansing functions are turned off.  No wonder people who are continuously stressed look old before their time.

Chronic Stress

Things are even worse than this for people who suffer from chronic stress. Consider the unnecessary aging involved in the process if the pituitary, the adrenals, the pancreas and the liver pump out chemicals continuously to control blood sugar that we don’t need.  

In short, the process wears our bodies out. This Blood Sugar Saga uses up our energy, as our bodies are constantly fueling the stress, leaving little or none left over for normal functions.   

Stress Symptoms 

• We lose concentration,
• Become easily confused,
• Make silly mistakes,
• Fall asleep after lunch,
• Become irritable,
• Find it hard to sleep at night,
• Don’t want to wake in the morning,
• Sweat more than normal, 
• Suffer from headaches.

Sound familiar?  Are you turning to stimulants such as:  

• tea,
• coffee,
• cola drinks,
• sweets
• cigarettes,
• over-stimulating movies, music or sports
• excessive talking, shopping, sleeping, not sleeping,
• dangerous hobbies

Those who are not fussy about keeping within the law may seek their buzz from  

• amphetamines,
• crack,
• cocaine,
• crime

Then, to make matters worse, the use of stimulants to regain energy tends to lead to a demand for relaxants, such as  

• alcohol,
• sleeping pills,
• tranquillizers

Reason tells us that no one can live like this for long without experiencing burn-out.  Even during much deserved time off, we find ourselves cramming as though we were studying for a test.  Your brain and habits are telling you to "run; rush; hurry; stay up late; party!" 

Stress is never far away.  Even our vacations are stressful!  Are you craving excitement?   Do you find that lying on the beach is not enough to provide the buzz that is needed?   Do you crash on the weekends, almost feeling sick?  Is it remotely possible that stress has become a habit for you? 

The Formula for Balance 

In order to maximize your energy resources and avoid burning out, follow these guidelines: 

• Eat slow-releasing carbohydrates (such as fruit and nuts), but not fast-releasing carbohydrates (such as sugar, white bread, white pasta).  
• Check that you are taking in all essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.  Get them naturally by eating plenty of fruit, nuts and vegetables.  Take supplements, but investigate and choose ones that are easily absorbed - check with your physician or nutritionist if you are unsure. 
• Avoid taking stimulants (e.g. coffee and tea) and depressants (e.g. alcohol.)  

This doesn’t mean that you can never break these rules – unstressed people can safely eat a few sweets and drink wine, in moderation - but if you are addicted to stress or just badly stressed you should break the old habits.  Then, add a few sweet choices with caution and eyes (not mouth) wide open!

When you change to healthy eating, you will find that you are better able to face stressful events. You will then be giving yourself a consistent supply of energy.  Adopting this approach both helps to break the cycle of energy-consuming behaviour (the Blood Sugar Saga) and creates energy to overcome the mental habits that result in our reaction to stress in the first place.  

Warning  

If you give up tea and coffee and other stimulants, sugar and chocolate, and you begin to suffer headaches, loss of concentration, tiredness or nausea, this is evidence enough of addiction.  You are suffering withdrawal symptoms.  Stick to your plan and these unpleasant side effects will pass.  If you prefer, taper off stimulants by cutting down one day at a time.  You might feel a little worse in the beginning, but soon, you'll be buzzing from good, healthy energy.

As always, check with your physician before making major changes to diet, exercise, or taking supplements.  Get the green signal from them and then enjoy a new way to eat, feel good, and look bright and healthy! 

by Marisue Alsobrook

Are You Parenting in the Fast Food Lane?  Do you find that your parenting time seems Hit and Miss?  These 5 Parenting Basics can keep your family from melting down from busy schedules, stress, and life's daily trials.

Introduction: No one is any busier than a working parent, unless it's a single working parent.  With our desire to give quality time to our children or spouse, we may be tempted to leave a few other  parenting tasks out, as we try to get everything done.  It's hard.  After parenting my own 3 boys and over 250 foster children over the last 18 years, I have seen the poor and painful results of shortcut parenting.  With regret, I've walked those steps sometimes myself; we all have.

I'm not blaming parents, entirely.   Pressures in life today are enormous.  It's easy to slip into electronic babysitting, by letting games, tv, computers, and movies take the place of "us"  as we rush around trying to put the house in order, do the laundry, pay the bills or steal a moment to breathe. 

Quality Time

Fast food is frequently the meal for the night as moms, dads, or single parents fight exhaustion.  Conversation with our kids can be described as murmuring moments; before we realize it, night has fallen and our time with them was spent fussing to get them to sleep.  Quality time?  Hardly.

We want to do better, our desires are good.  We can make huge differences with our famililes if we take time now to plan ahead and make some decisions about our routine and our life.  I've discovered that a few routine basic parenting or family behaviors can be the shield that keeps kids protected from the world and anchors them by helping them to feel loved and important.  These basics can fend off what attacks their values and beliefs at school, in the next door neighbor's house, or in our own living rooms from computers and television. 

Using these few basic principles designed around the family can keep you and your children balanced.  Of course, you can always add more parenting anchors, as you think of them and have time, but these steps can be lasting connections for you, your children and your spouse.

Busy Parents' Basics Begin Here:

      1.  Create a Positive Wake Up Routine.

This is enormously important for toddlers to teens.  If you have to wake up 30 minutes or an hour earlier to get yourself going, do it.  When your kids are getting up, it's so important for you to already be dressed, have something on the table that's good to eat, and be in a good mood and focused on them.  Helping the kids with their morning is your main game in that moment.  It's about them, you as a family, and it's vital to the success of the day.  No shortcuts, got it?

It's that important.  How we start the day, how we go out that door, sticks to us like glue.  If you have toddlers, begin your days by gently waking them up, smiling with them, and feeding them a nutritious breakfast.  

Remember the Pillsbury commercials and the jingle "Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven…?"  It's true.  My mother could get us up in a flash when we smelled her cinnamon biscuits.  My mouth waters, thinking about it. 

Take the time to create a pleasant atmosphere, be organized, and use music or a nature tv program running in the background to help set the mood.  Starting happy routines now will create much smoother mornings for the teens years, I promise you. 

Many children in our home came from families who had screaming beginnings and endings to the day.  I remember one toddler who always woke up crying.  It set our whole family's nerves on edge.  No telling what they were remembering, but who wants to listen to a screaming two-year old every morning?

We began to change that behavior when we started waking her up gently with little back pats, her sippy cup of milk, and soft music.  I would literally go into her room, start a cd for babies and turn on a dim light.  Then, in about 10 minutes, I would go in with a sippy cup of slightly cool milk.  Next, I would give her little comforting comments, and soft back pats.  Gradually, she would sit up, wipe her face with the warm wash cloth I had handy, and come into the kitchen with a small smile. 

Early habits are memories that shape kid's personalities.  As foster parents, it was very difficult to re-mold these little people who had such rough starts.  Being an example of happiness in the morning is not easy but it's a must.   Attitudes for the day begin early, at home.  Kids do what they see.  Making great effort now, will save you many heartaches in the years ahead.

I know there were mornings I yelled at my own kids when they were grumpy teens and as they got out of the car and faced the mental and sometimes physical "war zone" in the halls of middle school, my heart would sink as I realized what was in their head as they left my side.  There were times when I would go back to school, bringing them a special lunch treat, apologize and tell them briefly what they meant to me with a look or a hug.  Make a decision to keep patience and positive words in your attitude and mouth as you interact with your children in the mornings. 

      2.  If you're a working parent, when you come in the door, leave your work thoughts in the car. 

Focus on kids, dinner, home.  In that order.  Talk to them, sit down with them like you have all the time in the world.  Even if you get back up in 5 minutes or so, the act of actually sitting down says  "I'm here.  You're here.  Let's chat."  Asking "How was your day?" or "Tell me about your day." is powerful.  If it's part of your routine, they will participate more and more as time goes on.  Then, if you're pressed for time, move the conversation into the kitchen while you prepare dinner, soliciting their help.  This family time is a strong anchor in life's storms. 

Our house was full of kids and many conversations were going at once around mealtime.  Our goal was to keep it light, so if anyone brought up something deeper than light in the conversation, we'd ask them to help us to remember to hear "the rest of the story" later in the evening.  A couple of things to keep in mind is to not let any one person dominate the flow of conversation; focus on just being together and getting dinner on the table. 

Chores were never ending, dividing up the work is a must, but don't be distracted by just chore conversation.  We need to know about their thoughts, their day, their ideas.  How many times have horrible things happened to our young people, and parents say "I had no idea he/she was thinking that."  Talk and listen.  Save your own tasks for later in the evening.  Sorry, no parenting shortcuts just because you work and have less time.  Crisis can strike quickly.

I know most families seem to eat on foot anymore, and if that must be what happens in order to get to after school events, see if you can at least have one or two sit down meals a week.  Some families  choose to do Saturday lunches together or Thursday evenings.  If sports is demanding so much of your time that you can't eat together even once, something needs to change.  No matter what, make it happen at least once a week.  Even if you're grabbing food and eating it in the car, try to make it the time when you're listening to the kids.  They need to know that they have your attention in the evenings, at least for an hour or two.

      3.  End the day with a positive feeling. 

Create a "going to your room routine" for the kids.  Even my big ol' strappin' boys knew we expected that evening hug, kiss on the cheek and them naming at least one positive thing about the day.  Sometimes, if we forgot, they would come back into our room saying "oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, the best thing about today was ….coming home."  or "The best thing about today was getting out of my last class."   What they resisted in the beginning, eventually became what they needed to do to end their day. 

Keep it simple, and keep it positive, and keep it happening.  Simple, positive routines can erase a lot of pain.

      4.  Use the weekends to build connections for the coming week (and YEARS.)

By that, I mean, resist temptation to crash on the weekends, sleep too much or too little, or be too focused on your own schedule.  Plan ahead.  Letting the kids attend their parties, sports, or sleep-overs basically unsupervised because you're tired or busy is a ticket to disaster.  Trouble can occur quickly with our teens and younger children.  Their need for "parent time" is great, so again, if you have to get up early to complete your tasks, do it.  NO shortcuts on weekend time. 

Now, that doesn't mean you can't get your things done, but plan it so that you've talked to the kids; watched a movie with them; met their friends; understand their plans, and are awake enough to have clear, enforced curfews. 

I remember scarey things happened when my husband and I were distracted by our own schedules.  Teens can get into trouble in a heart beat if our attention is on something else.  It bears repeating, "Parents, think ahead!"  You can avoid many troubled, heartbreaking moments by adopting an "If I do this, they'll do that" mentality. 

Sometimes my kids would complain "You are so suspicious.  You don't trust me."  My reply would always and predictably be "That's why I qualified for this great paying parenting job."  I had no sympathy for their complaints about my double checking or saying "what if."  As parents, we have to know.  Will you leave your kids to "chance?"  Absolutely not. 

      5.  Teach by Example. 

Think about how you look to your children.  Be the kind of parent you really want to be, regardless of how they are behaving in the moment.  We shouldn't react to their rudeness, returning comment for comment.  Be the adult.  Be someone you are truly proud of, and they will respond.  Much of how we parent today, is not rewarded until many tomorrows.  Time passes much more quickly than you think, and one day, they are gone from the home and you are left with the echos of yesterday.

Yes, You can!

These 5 tips will put you on a good, strong path.  Beginning the day well, giving kids your full attention at the start and at the end, with good conversation around eating times can anchor you during stormy times, storms you might not even see coming.  More and more families are experiencing tough times, from budget strains, health issues, and negative influences on our kids, we've got to fight back.  Preparation is key; it's worth the effort.  Put on the armor of togetherness.  Families are Forever.