Asthma and You

There are different ways to cope with asthma especially if you have bouts of it. By this time you’ve already been diagnosed with having it and see your doctor regularly, taking any medications that may be prescribed and having a personal plan writing down what aggravates your situation. Once you do that make sure you stay away from those triggers.

Signs of an Asthma Attack

·         Coughing

·         Wheezing

·         Shortness of breath

What You Can Do

·     Make sure you use allergen-proof covers on your mattresses and pillows. If you have dust mites,   wash your sheets weekly in water above 130F and make sure the humidity inside your house is below 50% using a dehumidifier.

·    All of us love our pets, however they’re NOT allowed in your bedroom; that means no sleeping on the bed. Sorry Boo and Morris time you started sleeping elsewhere. Do you rather have your 4 legged friends sleeping with you or an asthma attack?

·    Get rid of your carpets or vacuum twice a week with a cleaner that’s equipped with an HEPA air filter. I know many people love their carpeting but they have to make sure to vacuum. I’ve noticed more people getting rid of them and putting wooden floors instead.

·    Fix all of your leaks and get rid of water that’s on the bottom of your planters, which adds to mold and makes things worse. Don’t forget to look inside your bathtub where the caulk is and under the standing mat; mold just loves to live there. I usually use Clorox and let it sit on the mold until I get rid of it then I rinse with cold water.

·    If the weather is extremely hot or humid you’re better off staying inside especially during ozone alerts. If you have to go out make sure you have your air conditioner on or go to a place that has one. This is especially important for those who live in states where it’s hot and humid all year round.

·    A person isn’t going to stop exercising but you’re better off doing it indoors and this goes for hot and cold weather. For those of us who have been to the gym have you ever noticed how cold it is and the fans are always going even though the air conditioner is on? There’s a reason for that. Everyone’s perspiring at the same time; just smell those lockers at the end of your workout.

·    Pay attention to the mold and pollen count, if it’s too high stay inside.

·    Make sure you let your child’s teacher know if he or she suffers from asthma and during those days where it’s hot and children love to go out for recess, tell the teacher you rather you child stay inside. Please supply the school nurse with Albuterol or any other medication your child may have to take.

·    Another thing that helps the environment is an air purifier so it wouldn’t hurt to invest in one. You’re not only doing it for the child or person that suffers from asthma, but for the entire family.

Asthma is a serious condition and if not treated can be extremely dangerous. Anyone who suffers from it needs to take the necessary precautions to ensure their health and those they love.

http://www.airnow.gov/

Brushing Your Teeth and Your Heart

All of us have heard that people should brush their teeth to avoid having bad breath such as halitosis but what really goes beyond this? For starters it’s amazing to learn that many people have admitted not brushing their teeth frequently and it’s even startling to see shows such as The Bachelor/Bachelorette kiss one person after another without thinking anything about it. This last season we saw 2 individuals that said they were dentists and I couldn’t believe they could be so careless with their behavior. When it comes to health I don’t care if it’s in the name of love. People have to start being more responsible.

Studies show that a person should brush their teeth twice a day to prevent cardiovascular disease. It also shows that people who brush less frequently are prone to being at a higher risk. What’s exactly behind brushing? When you have poor oral hygiene it can lead to gum disease /gingivitis, which can cause inflammation which contributes to heart disease. Researchers have found fibrinogen and C-reactive protein in the blood of people who didn’t brush frequently.

Dentists recommend you change your toothbrush every 3 months and that’s something I do. I hope all of us have gotten into that habit. When you go to the store to get a new toothbrush have you noticed there are toothbrushes with indicators that show you when it’s time to get a new one?

Many people say that’s just because they want to make money and it’s really not, the bristles in the brush start wearing down and they don’t clean as well as they did in the beginning so if you get a haircut every month  it doesn’t hurt to change your toothbrush every 3 months.

Something else a person should be aware of is brushing your tongue. Have you ever noticed people who open their mouth and their tongue is white? That’s disgusting. When you brush your teeth you should brush your tongue as well and scrape any food that may be on it. We don’t want to scrape too hard but you need to scrape it clean.

I want to bring in another factor of good oral hygiene and that’s flossing. There are a lot of people that don’t floss and they’re bold enough to say it, but they don’t realize why it’s important to floss. I guess if they think they brush their teeth twice a day that’s enough but when you floss you’re actually getting rid of any food that may be stuck between your teeth. If you don’t floss you have yesterday’s meal and today’s in between and you’ve eaten that as well; it affects your heart because what you eat has to do with your heart. You thought today’s meal was deliciously, yesterday’s is also a part of today’s; something to seriously think about.

After you’re through brushing and flossing, finish off with Listerine Antiseptic rinse or a good mouth wash and you’re all set. That’s a must as part of your oral hygiene.

We have to be aware that not only brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing helps to prevent cardiovascular disease but the diet we have as well as your habits; we certainly don’t want to kiss every person we meet like the  Bachelor without even knowing who they are and their lifestyle. You’ll be defeating the purpose. In keeping your teeth healthy remember your heart.

Studying Abroad

School has already started for a lot of children and many parents are anxious that their son or daughter is at an out-of-state university. For those who decided to study abroad, the following suggestions will definitely come in handy.

It may be a scary feeling to be by yourself in another state but be prepared to adapt and learn as much as possible to your circumstances; always keeping a positive outlook on things.  If you’ve decided to go to school in another country than it would be wise if you learned the culture, after all you may find it interesting to share some of your own and that way both can learn from each other.

It’s normal to be homesick especially if this is the first time you go off on your own and it’s okay to talk to the other person about how you’re feeling, don’t be embarrassed all of us go through that. However, try your best to get into your routine and environment. Keeping in touch with your family is a must but too many calls can hinder your adjustment to your new place.

If you’re living with a host family respect their rules and abide by them, do your chores so that they will see that who they have living under their roof is an exemplary person and one they can trust. If for some reason a misunderstanding occurs be sure to talk things out in a calm and reasonable manner.

Safety Tips

·    Keep your passport and money in a safe place

·    Make photocopies of your passport, entry ticket, return ticket and other important papers; send copies to your parents as well

·    Always have with you telephone numbers of parents or friends at home and of your host family

·    Maintain a good conduct with members of the opposite sex at the host family home, school, work or other places; it will definitely reflect well on you

·    Learn basic words and phrases in that language

·    Get a medical checkup before leaving and if you take medication have an adequate supply

Going to school and learning a different culture is all part of growing up especially when you’re not in familiar surroundings, but if you make the best of it, you will have fond memories to hold on to and guide you along the way.

That’s Entertainment

The other day I was watching TV enjoying the voice of Jackie Evancho from Pittsburgh. If you haven’t heard about her you will; that child whose only 10 years old was on “America’s Got Talent.” I knew when I first heard her she was going to be a hit and she took off.

The story behind her is quite unique; when her parents took her to see “The Phantom of the Opera” that changed everything. There was something about the songs that made her sing them over and over throughout the house. I’ve seen the performance live and can tell you the songs are breathtaking, so to have Jackie who as it is has a beautiful voice sing; it must’ve been quite special. When her parents noticed her voice she started to enter different competitions; she came in second place to a 20 year old opera singer.  Grammy winning producer David Foster took one look at her when she won a regional competition and liked what he saw. Afterwards she sang as he played the piano.

Despite having auditioned twice for “America’s Got Talent” and having been rejected, her parents submitted a YouTube audition; she won the most fan votes; that’s what got her on. They couldn’t pass her by after what they had seen. That just goes to show perseverance pays off.

What I enjoy most about Jackie is her poise; though she knows she has a beautiful voice, she’s not conceited and is extremely modest. This child has embraced classical music which is rare when it comes to children, you would think they go for pop, but that’s not the case with her and the reason is because it really allows her to show her emotions.  Her rendition of Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro” is something to listen to and take in.

Her parents are doing an exceptional job in raising Jackie and they don’t forget that despite her talent, she’s still a child and does things any other child would do with her friends.

http://www.jackieevancho.com/us/home

A Disorder That Has a Name

All of us suffer from it. At one time or another we’ve had to give a speech or speak in front of an audience and our hand freezes, we get tongue tied and start sweating, our heart beats fast, hands tremble and we almost feel like we’re going to throw up or have a heart attack.  It’s more than just being shy. What’s going on?

Social Anxiety

You’re having an anxiety attack and aren’t alone. The truth is it’s the third most common psychiatric disorder; 1 out of 8 Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder. However, there’s good news, this condition is treatable so if you had lost hope, sit back and continue reading. It may not happen overnight but with the right kind of treatment, you can get better. You’ll be confident to know that you can control your anxiety and live the way you want.

Signs and Symptoms

o   Fear of a situation where you have to meet others and be scrutinized by them

o   Intense anxiety of being in the presence of others

o   Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, shaking, trembling, tense muscles, shaky voice, stuttering, dry mouth or a fast heart beat

o   Panic attacks

o   Repeated attacks of intense fear

o   Feeling something terrible is going to happen

o   Free of public speaking, giving a speech, going on a date or talking to your boss

o   Standing up for yourself

What Causes Social Anxiety?

It can start as early as childhood and sometimes runs in families, especially when you have close relatives like parents and children. Maybe you experienced something traumatic that scarred you and though it’s not something welcoming, it’s not biased when it comes to men and women; they can both suffer from it.

 Social anxiety disorder is also related to an imbalance of a chemical called serotonin that transports signals between nerve cells in your brain. It’s interesting to know that this same chemical has been linked to other mood and anxiety disorders.

Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is talk therapy that teaches people to react differently to situations that trigger their symptoms

Social skills training where you rehearse problematic situations (role playing) where the person learns how to make eye contact, talk louder and slower, greet people, say good-bye, respond to requests, ask for favors and handle criticism. They’re shown to be assertive, not aggressive or passive. In other words not be a push over or someone they can walk over; by knowing what to do the person will have less anxiety.  Keeping a diary of your progress is extremely important. It doesn’t matter if you fall short, keep going.

Something to keep in mind is that people who have this anxiety tend to use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and cope with their problem. This is NEVER a good thing to do. What may help short-term can become a long-term problem.

Recovery

o   Never let others discourage or make you feel ashamed

o   Learn as much as you can about social anxiety disorder

o   Seek others support; join a group with those who have the same problem

o   Be active in how you’re doing, talk to your doctor

o   Have a goal, no matter how small it may be, whether it’s to speak in front of a group or raise your hand

Always remember, no matter how long it takes, you’ll succeed.

You Are What You Eat

The other day I went to the store and was waiting in the deli line and there was a heavy set man that was ordering all kinds of things, not to mention things that weren’t healthy for him. When I looked inside his cart it was full of things he really shouldn’t be buying because it conflicted with a good diet.

I ordered low sodium turkey and went on my way but I thought about him later that day. People don’t realize the processed food they take into their body or the junk food they eat. All of these fast food places are exactly that, fast. After a while you’re hungry because the nutrient it gives you isn’t doing anything for you; they’re loaded with sodium and fat; studies show that they’re also addictive making the person want to eat that again and again; more than once a week if they usually hit fast food. Another thing that’s extremely bad is sodas. All of that sugar going into your system is doing a number on you and will have consequences sooner or later.

Stop and Think

• When you go out to eat, do you really know the type of oil they use to make the food?
• Are restaurants using leftover food and reheating, or are they making it fresh when you order?
• How clean are the utensils?
• Does every employee really wash their hands?
• Do they use gloves to handle your food or their hands?
• Have you seen the program “Hell’s Kitchen” and think of the restaurants you go?
• How about preparing your own lunch the night before and taking it to work?
• Prepare your own coffee and put some ice in it, isn’t that what you pay at McDonald’s?
• How much would you save if you cooked your food and knew what goes in it?
• Would you be surprised if you wrote down everything you spent at a restaurant or fast food place in the last month?

Whenever I’ve seen “The Biggest Loser” I know they didn’t get like that overnight. A lot has to dowith what they eat and how much. The same goes with everyone that’s heavy. Unless you have some kind of a health problem such as an overactive thyroid, you’re eating a lot of things you shouldn’t; if you really want to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle; today’s the day to start.

Every Child Is Special

Let’s face it every parent considers their children to be special, I don’t care how mischievous they may be; when they act up you may hear them make excuses for them, but the reality is that some children have special needs and require more care than others.

When we wonder what causes special needs children it usually has a lot to do with genes, injuries at birth, early brain infections, dietary deficiency, as well as drug, alcohol or some type of chemical exposure.

Women who are pregnant shouldn’t risk their child’s health by engaging in behavior that can damage the developing fetus. And if you want to have a healthy child, you fair better in having a mate that doesn’t have a background of schizophrenia or other genetic problem; now there’s genetic testing that a couple can have, to find out if they carry such gene. That’s not always easy and love sometimes takes over.

Sometimes women who get pregnant later in life have children with Down syndrome. Even though all of us want our children to be healthy and happy, these children bring their own gift to the family. I usually admire them when I see one, no matter how old they get, they have an innocence they don’t lose like you may see with other children.

How You Can Help

Inform yourself as a Parent  – Gather as much information about your child’s disability, services that are available, and things you can do to help your child to the fullest extent possible; don’t forget to be maintain a positive outlook. It may be hard at first but the more you put it in practice, the easier it will be.   

 

Step Up To The Plate - As a friend or someone who cares about the family, spend some time with their child. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about their situation and to the child, but at their level not as if you were talking to a baby.

Be Empathetic - Be aware there are challenges the family faces when dealing with a special needs child. Invite them over along with their child. If they have other children do things with them and don’t exclude them. Parents usually give so much time to one child they wind up feeling guilty if they’re neglecting others.  

Parents sometimes worry their child is suffering; though it may seem like that, they’re not. A special needs child is happy around others and enjoys their company; they also enjoy music and sports; with the Special Olympics you see them run and have a smile on their face along with their friends.

As long as they’re doing something that makes them happy, that’s what matters, thus parents are proud of their child’s accomplishments, because every task that takes place was like climbing a mountain.

Independence

A special needs child will grow up to be an adult. Parents do their part to help them not be so dependent on them. However, something to remember is to maintain a balance between how much independence you give them and assistance, you don’t want to get frustrated or have them give up. When you do this, the child who will become an adult who will realize that he/she can do things on their own even if it takes longer than it would for others.

All children are special and those with special needs are no less.

Blood Pressure

A person has never stopped to think about it, but their heart will beat about 100,000 times today. In the process that’s 100,000 times your blood pressure, if it’s high, can damage the tiny blood vessels that lead to your eyes, heart, brain and kidneys.

When your heart beats, it literally pumps blood through your body’s blood vessels; blood pressure is the force required to move your blood throughout your body. If that force is too great that can damage the vessels and restrict your blood to your organs. If not managed, when you have high blood pressure it can result in serious health problems.

Have you ever heard the saying, "You are what you eat?" Well your organs are as good as the blood vessels that feed them;, that's the reason why it's important to maintain the right amount of blood pressure.

A normal blood pressure reading for adults is 120/80. High blood pressure medication is usually recommended when the numbers are above 140/90. However, every individual is different and only your doctor can determine what’s best. Something to remember is that blood pressure is emotive, if you go to the doctor and your blood pressure is high you may be nervous, wait a while and have it taken again.

If you’re in pain because you’ve been injured, your blood pressure will also go up; that’s the body’s way of reacting to the shock your body received.  Sometimes a person who’s thin has high blood pressure and you’d think only those that are heavy are at risk, but that’s not necessarily true. Your age and family history has a lot to do with it.

Ways to Control It

·         I can’t stress enough the importance of diet and exercise.

·         Eliminate salt from your food and use herbs instead.

·         Have a hobby that brings you some kind of satisfaction and tranquility.

·         Meditate; focus on bettering yourself and your life.

·         Get a pet. Have you ever looked at how tranquil a cat moves? It closes its eyes as if it doesn’t have a care in the world, or a dog how it lays down and enjoys just being in the moment? If you can’t afford or have time for a cat or dog, how about putting a bowl with some fish in it?

I’ve had dogs, a cat and also an aquarium as a hobby, and there are times I just sit and stare at the fish swim in their own world; the feeling I’m left is extremely soothing. When you do little things you’d be surprised how far they go.

Diabetes and Your Feet

For those with diabetes you always hear how important it is to take care of your feet. If you don’t do that you’re at a risk of developing an infection that can lead to having your limbs cut off.

Why this occurs

1.   Diabetes reduces blood flow to your feet depriving them of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to blisters, sores and cuts that don’t heal as fast.

2.   The diabetic nerve damaged called peripheral neuropathy causes numbness in your feet and when you can’t feel cuts or blisters, you’re prone to sores and infections; when left untreated, it leads to amputation.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are elastic stockings that are tighter at your foot and become less constricting as they reach your knee. Their sole purpose is to put pressure on your leg muscles and push blood back to your heart. Oftentimes you’ll see patients in the hospital who can’t get out of bed wear them, to avoid developing blood clots. They’re also used for chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, lymphedema and post-phlebitic syndrome.

Diabetic Socks

Since diabetes raises your blood sugar level which can increase the risk of foot ulcers, the socks are made to control moisture which can reduce the risk of infection, and are made without seams or wrinkle-prone material to reduce pressure and blistering; loose tops constrict less and improve flow.

When you think of diabetic socks you probably think they look strange or a lot different from others, however they come in different styles from low-cut to mid-calf. Even though diabetic socks come in different colors, white is the choice that’s recommended because if a person has open wounds or sores, and sensation more than likely you’ll be able to notice that easier than with colored ones.

Ways to Protect Your Feet

·         Check both feet daily – Look at them carefully every day, checking between all of your toes. If you can’t physically do this yourself, ask a family member or friend to do it.

·         Wash with warm water, not hot -  Wash your feet everyday but avoid soaking too long because sores have a hard time healing. Don’t forget to dry your feet and do it gently, even between your toes.

·         Wear shoes that fit - Shoes that don’t fit properly can cause blisters that may get infected and never heal. Before you invest in a pair, check for rough seams or sharp edges that can hurt your feet. Don’t forget to break them in slowly.

·         Don’t go barefoot. – Always wear shoes or slippers along with socks. Manmade shoe materials along with plastics or leather can irritate your feet leading to sores or blisters.

·         Avoid Nerve damage – Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your feet or different sensations, like pain, tingling, numbness or pins and needles.

·         Apply lotion – Your feet may be cracked because of high glucose levels and cracked skin means it’s easier for bacteria to get under your skin and harder for infections to heal. Use lotion on a daily basis but maintain your feet dry. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed to avoid ingrown toenails. If needed, use a pumice stone after you shower to softly file corns and calluses.

·         Exercise – Swimming, yoga, cycling and tai chi are minor impact exercises for your feet that you can enjoy.

·         Take care of your bunions, corns and hammertoes – Bunions are bumps on the knuckle of your toe, corns are spots of rough skin and hammertoes can be a result of muscle weakness caused by nerve damage. Shoes aren’t going to fit comfortably if you suffer from them, but a podiatrist can fix whichever problem ails you so make sure you take care of it before it continues making your life miserable.

·         Considered orthotics? – Shoe inserts called orthotics support your feet if you have nerve pain, damage or your muscles have become weak. If your pain or weakness reaches a point where it’s unbearable to walk, a foot brace or orthopedic shoes might help. Again, your podiatrist is the best one to make that recommendation.

·         Control your blood sugar –The higher the number the worse you’re going to be, especially if you have diabetes so you really want to make sure to keep the numbers down. With diet, exercise and medication if needed, you’ll be able to do that.

A person should never disregard taking care of their feet, after all, if it weren’t because of them, you wouldn’t be able to get around, so take good care of them and make the most of your life.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Today many people enjoy sun bathing or laying hours in the sun only to get that golden tan, but what turns starts out as something minor becomes an obsession that has consequences. Even though light-skinned people are more prone to exposure to the sun and its damaging effects, dark-skinned people also have to protect themselves against sunburn for fear of developing skin cancer.

Sun Exposure                                                                                                              

A person also risks damaging their eyes and immune system, unfortunately these problems don’t surface years after the damage’s already been done. The level of UV (ultraviolet) radiations is higher the closer you get to the equator so if you live in the Tropics or subtropics or are thinking about going to these places on vacation you need to be careful and limit your exposure to the sun.

When you hear about cataracts, people usually associate that with aging but did you know that as many as 15 million people are blind because of cataract and they’re one of the long-term effects of exposure to UV radiation. The reality is that up to 20 percent of cataracts are caused or worsened by chronic sun exposure.

Skin and Sun

On a yearly basis one third of skin cancers are diagnosed and 130,000 new cases of melanoma, which is the most dangerous form. To top that off, two and three million new cases of other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, occur. Sadly 66,000 people die each year as a result of skin cancer.

When you get sunburn your skin is automatically damaged. The UV radiations kill most of the cells in the outer layer of your skin and damages deeper layers. Any golden tan that someone may admire is the change in the person’s skin color and realistically is not beauty but damage. Cancer can take place when damage occurs to the DNA of the person’s genes that control the growth and division of skin cells. Sunlight which alters the skin’s texture weakens its elasticity and brings on premature wrinkling, sagging and bruising. That’s why you see so many, who sun bathe, look years older than what they really are.

When the skin takes in too much UV radiation, it affects a person’s immune system by reducing the body’s ability to defend itself against diseases. Even having moderate exposure to the sun can increase the risk of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infections. These include recurrent eruptions of cold sores, or herpes simplex.

Ways to Protect Yourself 

·         Limit your exposure during the hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the UV radiation is high.

·         Stay in the shade.

·         Cover your arms and legs with tightly woven or loose fitting clothes.

·         Wear a hat to protect your eyes, ears, face, and back of neck.

·         Use sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB, which are categories of ultraviolet light.

·         Use sunscreen, applying every two hours with sun protection of at least 15.

·         Avoid tanning parlors.

·         Protect your children whose skin is delicate.

·         Never fall asleep in the sun.

·         If you develop a mole, freckle, or a spot you’re concerned with, check with your doctor.

Do your best and enjoy sunny days without complicating your health.



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Acai the Superfruit

The other day when I went shopping I passed by a woman who was talking about Acai. She caught my attention because anything that has to do with health I’m interested in. After I learned about it I noticed there were little cups of it and I took one and drank it. Though it was bitter, I must say I enjoyed its taste.

I learned a lot about a fruit I’d never heard of. For starters the correct way to pronounce it is (ah sah ee), it’s not Akai like I was told many people call it. Though the pronunciation has nothing to do with the health benefits, I just thought I would throw that in.

What is Acai?

Acai is an inch long purple fruit that comes from the acai palm tree, native to Central and South America. I guess that’s the reason why I had never heard from it. When I looked at the package, it said, made in Brazil.

The acai berry is rich in antioxidants because it contains substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids. This berry helps prevent diseases caused by stress, heart disease and even cancer. Studies also show that eating berries on a daily basis lowers your blood pressure and raises good cholesterol.

Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids that help against stress. They also protect your cells. Harmful byproducts are produced in your system and by eating a diet rich in antioxidants it may combat aging and the disease process by neutralizing these free radicals. Foods that are rich in anthocyanins such as blueberries, red grapes, red wine, and acai are strong in color.

What are the health benefits of acai berries?          

There are some studies that show that acai’s pulp is very high in antioxidants, more than cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry, however people still question how valid this may be, but we must remember that anything that has antioxidants is good for you because of the wear and tear your system may receive that antioxidants prevent or stop.

Acai and Weight Loss?

Every day we learn more about foods that help you lose weight. There are little studies done about the benefit of eating acai when it comes to weight loss but research does support having a diet rich in antioxidants and when it comes to this, acai is no stranger. Including berries in our diet along with other fruits is a good way to manage your weight along with exercising.

Does Acai have any side effects?

Nowadays many people have allergies or some type of hypersensitivity to foods or berries, if you happen to be one them you may want to avoid acai altogether or eat it in moderation, other than that it’s safe to eat.

How do you eat Acai?

When I bought Acai, it came in a frozen plastic package that was puree. I put some in the mixer, added, apple juice, cantaloupe pieces and yogurt, and then I blended it into a smoothie. You can also have it as a sorbet. I enjoyed its taste and whatever fruit you decide to add, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it also.

Today I am totally into acai and make smoothies all the time. I experiment adding different pieces of fruit to the puree and am never disappointed with the way it tastes. Though it's quite bitter, I'm sure once people try it several times this acquired taste is one people will enjoy having as part of their day because of its health benefits. 

The Simplest Things

I always wonder why people have to go out of their way to have some fun or enjoy a weekend. Believe it or not the simplest things go a long way and are quite meaningful for everyone. Here are some I recommend all of us do.

1.  Go for a walk and take in everything you see. Don’t just pass by trees and flowers but really look at them and let the sun and peace of the moment bathe your very being.

2.   Take pictures of anything that captures your attention especially nature, when you develop them you’ll be proud of what you see.

3.  Play your CDs and not at a volume that’s going to bring the house down and have neighbors complain, but one where you’ll be able to listen to each word and appreciate its meaning.

4.  Singing is not just for the shower. Sing anywhere you want and you’ll notice the change that comes over you.

5.  Pick up an instrument and start learning, not only is it a wonderful way to express yourself but you’re also growing in knowledge by learning something new.

6.  Make your own meals, and if you don’t know how to cook there are many good shows that teach you. The program "Create" always has someone that gives you recipes where you learn how to make meals from different cultures.

7. Have a candle-light dinner with your mate or light the candles for yourself and enjoy the meal you prepared. Who said you couldn’t make the table look nice even if it’s just for you?

8. Enjoy a book and I’m not talking about Kindle. Go to the library and take one out and when you cuddle up to read, you’ll be glad you’re turning pages and not having technology do it for you.

9. Get together with your friends and play board games. Remember the days of monopoly when so many would play hours on end? It’s time to bring that back and laugh to see who beats who.

10.   Learn a hobby or another language. You hear many people talk 2, 3 and 4 languages and you’re impressed, why not learn one yourself? And when you see something someone made, you admire the talent behind it, time to learn a hobby because everyone has talent, it’s there waiting.

11.   Instead of standing in line when you go see a movie, watch one at home. Nowadays everyone has a DVD, so make some popcorn and sit in front of your TV.

12.  Do nothing at all. Don’t answer calls, go online or run around taking care of errands, just sit back and do whatever you choose. You deserve it, after all you’re important.