Fresher...Longer

To keep those bouquets around for awhile, consider the following tips:

• Get flowers from a reliable source. Grocery stores may be convenient, but do not always have the freshest flowers.

• Strip away any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase--they produce bacteria that kills buds faster.

• Put a floral food such as Floralife or Chrysal into the water.

• Keep flowers in a cool spot. Avoid placing them next to air conditioners or anywhere with extreme temperature fluctuations.

• Change the water daily or every other day.

• Pluck out any wilting blossoms.
  

When flowers start to fade, cut down the stems and transfer the flowers to a shorter vase. This will help revive them.

Making Super Smoothies

I love making smoothies in the morning and am always on the lookout for new recipes. I enjoyed reading the following tips provided by Dr. Natasha Turner in her book, The Hormone Diet.

• Freeze your fruit. Peel and cut them up in pieces prior to freezing or add ice to your smoothies to make them refreshing.

• Blend the ingredients before adding the protein. Do not overblend the protein. Just lightly blend it to stir into your drink; otherwise you damage the protein molecules.

• Keep ground flaxseed in the freezer. If the shake tastes fishy, it is very likely the flaxseed has gone rancid.

• Add water or ice to thin out the smoothie. Do not add more juice or soy milk--it will increase the calorie content of the drink.

• To increase the fibre content of a smoothie, add 1-2 tablespoons of wheat or oat bran.
  

Dealing With Med Speak

Every profession has its own jargon. Medicine isn't any different, except that quality health care, and, sometimes even our lives could be affected. This is especially true when the diagnosis is an unexpected one and our emotions take over. It is so easy to become overwhelmed and confused.

Here are a few suggestions which can help you navigate the maze of Med-Speak.

• When meeting with a specialist or oncologist, ask a friend to accompany you and take notes. Or, bring a tape recorder with you. This will ensure that you do not miss any critical information or instructions.

• Do your homework. Visit reliable websites and read recent books about your condition.
  

• Bring a written listen of your questions, in order of priority.
  

• Ensure that all members of your health care team are aware of all conditions being treated and tests administered.

• Be honest. Share any not-so-healthy habits that could interfere with your treatments.
  

• Lost lab reports are common. It may be necessary to call and check with the lab, especially if more than one physician is involved in your care.

• Ask your doctor to slow down if the "med speak" gets out of hand.

• If you are uncomfortable with any aspects of your care, do not hesitate to get a second opinion.
  

A Bit of Humour

A Sunday school teacher was asking her students some questions after a series of lessons on God's omnipotence. She asked, "Is there anything God can't do?"

All was silent. The teacher was disappointed that they had missed the point of the lesson. Finally, one boy held up his hand. She sighed and asked, "Well, what do you think God can't do?"

The boy replied, "He can't please everybody."

Source: God Jokes

Getting Creative With Peanut Butter

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich was a staple in most of our lunch bags. But, there are so many other options available.

After spreading peanut butter on a slice of whole wheat bread, add...

• Bacon, apple, and alfalfa sprouts
• Bacon, lettuce, and tomato
• Banana, dates, and honey
• Banana, lettuce, ham, and bacon
• Currants and cashews
• Marshmallows and chocolate chips
• Onion and low-fat mayo
• Raisins and carrots
• Raisins and celery
• Raisins and sunflower seeds
• Sweet pickles and honey
• tomato and low-fat mayo
  

Better Sleep On A Budget

According to Dr. Natasha Turner, author of The Hormone Diet, poor sleep interferes with our hormonal balance, appetite control, and fat loss. And, lack of sleep also contributes to inflammation.

Consider the following tips:

• Make your room as dark as possible. You should not be able to see your hand in front of your face. Alarm clocks should be turned away and blackout curtains are recommended. Studies have shown that even a small amount of light can cause a decrease in melatonin levels, which affect the quality of sleep.

• If you go to the bathroom at night, keep the lights off or use a night light. Even brief exposure to light can shut down the melatonin production that is essential for a good night's sleep.
  

• Be aware of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the bedroom--they can disrupt the production of melatonin and could increase the risk of cancer. EMFs are emitted from digital alarm clocks and other electrical devices. These items should be kept at least three feet away from you.

• Choose comfortable, soothing bedding. Organic cotton linens that are free of harmful dyes and toxins are highly recommended. According to Dr. Turner, all-white bedding is very soothing and welcoming after a long day of sensory overload. Make sure that your bedding keeps you warm but doesn't overheat you. In the winter, use a light duvet; in the summer, a thin blanket with a sheet will suffice.

• Keep your bedroom cool but not cold. No matter how chilly the weather gets outside, your bedroom temperature should be no warmer than 21 degrees Celsius. The body needs to cool at night to ensure the proper release of melatonin. During the summer, be very careful with your air conditioner. Research has shown that over-air conditioning can cause weight gain.

• Avoid using a loud alarm clock. Waking up to the blaring wail of an alarm clock can be a shock to your body.
  

A Bit of Humour

Two little boys were best friends at church, but they both had a reputation for getting into trouble. One Sunday, one of the boys was sick and stayed home. The other boy went to church and was twice as bad as normal.

After church, the pastor grabbed him and asked in an angry voice, "Where's God?"

The little boy was frightened and didn't know what to say.

The pastor continued, "I want you to go home and think about it. I don't want you to come back until you can tell me where God is."

The boy went home and called his sick friend on the telephone. "Guess what," he said. "They've lost God, and they're trying to blame that one on us, too."

God Jokes