Maxy sez :8 Ways to Get Your Family On Board When You Have Diabetes

Supportive family members can help you manage your type 2 diabetes – and may even see their own health benefit as they help you make positive lifestyle changes.
By Everyday Health Editors
When you got your type 2 diabetes diagnosis, your family got a diagnosis, too — they are now the spouse, children, and parents of someone with a chronic condition. And that means their lives are going to change, as well. They will want to help you manage your diabetes and be there for you as you create your care plan and start changing your daily routines.

Your family and friends may be fearful about how your type 2 diabetes is going to affect you. Your spouse and your kids will worry about whether you are going to be all right. And they will feel anxious about how the changes in your life and routine will affect them as well.

Luckily, many of the changes you need to make — especially around food and exercise — can make your family healthier, too. Most Americans need to eat more healthfully and get more exercise. If your spouse and kids join you in undertaking healthy changes, they’ll feel better, too.
Here are some ways you and your loved ones can work together to manage type 2 diabetes as a team:

1 . Help your family understand factors that contribute to diabetes and how it’s managed and treated.
2 . Take them to meet your doctor or diabetes educator.
3 . Explain the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar as well as how they can help if you experience it.
4 . Describe how your eating schedule may be different, and share what you’re learning about proper portion sizes and better eating.
5 . If you need to test your blood sugar often or take medication or insulin on a regular basis, help them get familiar with the process and your schedule.
6 . Tell your family members about how their encouragement motivates you and is more helpful than if they nitpick your diet and exercise choices.
7 . Try new healthy foods or recipes together.
8 . Find activities you can enjoy together that get you moving.

Type 2 Diabetes Support for Your Family
Even so, remember that life with someone who is managing a chronic condition, particularly in the early days after a diagnosis, can be pretty stressful. There are many kinds of support available for the families of people with diabetes. A talk with your diabetes educator can be a good place to start identifying these resources. A visit to the American Diabetes Association can be useful too.

Predict the President

Predict the president

Who will win? Play our game to make your call

Would you leave your five year old home alone??

Would you leave your five year old on their own to run an errand?

How young is too young for a child to be left home alone? One mom has kicked off an online debate about that exact topic after asking other parents if it’s ok to leave a five-year-old at home on their own.

The mom took to a forum on the parenting to ask whether they thought it was acceptable for her friend to leave her daughter, five, alone in the house while her mother runs an errand.

“Leaving a child age 5 alone in house while running an errand taking 15 mins. This friend seems to do this a lot.,” the mom wrote under the title post ‘Neglect or just cr*p parenting?’

The writer went on to explain that though she hadn’t witnessed it directly she’d discovered her friend does this because she’d mentioned her little one was upset with her when she woke up from a nap to find herself on her own ... while mom was out running an errand.

“Was mortified when I first heard but thought probably it was a one off incident, as the mother's  husband was away, but  apparently it's a regular thing…I am increasingly concerned. Should I be.?”

The post seem to spark a debate about the dangers of leaving a child home alone. One responder said,“I’d be concerned. Hell would freeze over before I left my 5yo unattended like that - what if something happened to her while she was out? She could get hit by a bus for all she knew, and her child would be alone at home and frightened. It doesn’t bear thinking about,” one mom wrote.

“The thing is, the risks may be few but the outcome could possibly be catastrophic.  Why would you bother risking it? Your child gets distressed, wanders the streets, gets run over, all the way up to being kidnapped, burned to death in a fire etc,” added another.

But not everyone thought it was wrong to leave a five year old unattended. One lady commented, “I have a friend who does this, leaves her 2yr, 6yr, & 4yr alone while she pops out to shop down the road. People know their children and we need to remember there are children that young in other countries fending entirely for themselves. Neglect and abuse? No. Potentially negligent?? Yes."

One mom explained, “I used to leave my five year old for about 10 mins to do an errand. I’m not a neglectful parent. I would never have left her asleep to wake up on her own. I’d tell her where I was going and how long I’d be. She’s now still alive at 8 and I am happy to leave her for longer periods. She’s a sensible child.”

The post also sparked a debate among some of the commenters about whether leaving a child that age alone would be breaking the law? So what are the legalities surrounding leaving a child on their own? Though the law doesn’t seem to specify an age when you can leave a child on their own, in most places, it must be an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at even a slight risk.

What exactly are the laws governing this subject?  Some people don't have the sense they were born with and need rules and laws to guide them.

 I would definitely not leave a five year old alone in a house. They are curious and full of energy. They like to explore and learn. They might want to learn how a gas stove works or what a lighter or matches can do to the drapes. They may just experiment with painting the dog or shaving the cat. ( I had my dog painted and I only left the room for five minutes). But when I consider a low income single mother, I can see the problems she might have.

 Still, isn't a child the most precious gift we are ever given ? And isn't it a sacred trust to protect them with our lives if necessary?

Mom overdoses with baby in back seat

Police in Indiana say a 25-year-old woman was found passed out from an overdose with her baby in the back seat of the car. They released a picture of Erika Hurt as they found her on Saturday afternoon. She appears unresponsive behind the wheel of the vehicle and has a syringe in her hand in the photo. Town Marshal Matthew Tallent said Hurt's 10-month-old son was crying in the rear of the vehicle. Hurt was revived with Narcan and taken to the hospital, where she was arrested on charges of child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tallent said  child welfare officials were called to the scene and the baby was turned over to Hurt's mother. I hope they don't give that baby back to his mom any time soon.
He said  Hurt remains in custody on a probation violation. He didn't know if she had a lawyer. Authorities in Indiana release pictures of mom overdosed as an ‘educational tool’ to show effects of heroin.

This is not the first time parents have overdosed in a car with kids in the back seat There have been several cases. One theory is that the kids are locked in the car and therefore, can go unsupervised for a time. Whatever length of time it takes to come out of a drug induced stupor. What are you doing people? Setting an example for your children to follow?

The internet’s legit going insane over this picture of someone’s legs

What exactly do you see?

Remember the blue/black  dress that some people thought was blue and some thought was black?? Same deal here. People are going nuts trying to see what is really there. Most of them see shiny legs with almost a plastic sheen to them. And once you see that it's hard to unsee it . What you are really seeing is legs with a few strokes of white paint on them. Some of the viewers see that right away and can't see the shiny legs at all. Clever...Eh?

My Grandson Zach's first commercial professional film premiere

This past April was the world premiere of  Zach's film 'Dead Rush'! It played at the Canadian Film Fest and was a huge success.

Your Favorite Meat Loaf

This is the iconic, traditional meat loaf like your mom used to make (or that you wished your mom would make). Mix the ingredients gently, just until combined, and don't compact the meat when shaping the loaf for best results. For extra pizzazz, garnish with parsley.
 Serves 4 (serving size: 2 slices)        Total time: 57 Minutes

Cooking spray
1/2        cup chopped onion
6            tablespoons ketchup, divided
1/2       cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/4       cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1           teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4      teaspoon dried oregano
1/4      teaspoon salt
1/4      teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1           pound ground sirloin
1           large egg white

1.     Preheat oven to 350°.
2.     Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; cook 6 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Combine onion, 3 tablespoons ketchup, and remaining ingredients in a bowl, and gently stir just until combined.
3.     Place meat mixture on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; shape into an 8 x 4-inch loaf. Brush top of loaf with remaining 3 tablespoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into 8 slices.

Wine Pairing: 
Trivento, Amado Sur, Argentina  is a soft, malbec-based red blend with mild tannins, yet it's hearty enough to stand up to the flavorful meat loaf. The wine's ripe fruit and toasted oak match up with the combo of sweet ketchup and tangy-salty Worcestershire sauce. -
Heart Healthy

Dylan ... It's a Hard Rain's a Gonna Fall



Canadian physician objects to Donald Trump's glaring and apalling ignorance about abortion

Canadian physician debunks Donald Trump's glaring and obvious ignorance about abortion 

Dr. Wendy Norman  was disappointed, but not surprised as she listened to Donald Trump describe Hillary Clinton’s views on abortion. He said she advocates, “In the ninth month you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother just prior to the birth of the baby,” at the U.S. presidential debate on Wednesday. 
“The inaccuracies are glaring and obvious and they are akin to many inaccuracies we’ve heard from this particular candidate,” said Norman, a family physician and chair of Family Planning Public Health Research at the University of British Columbia.  
The terms “partial-birth abortion” and “late-term abortion,” which the moderator used in his question, are not medically accurate, Norman explained.
“The word ‘term’ refers to the time between 37 weeks and 42 weeks, when it’s safe and normal for a baby to be born. There are no abortions happening then … and abortions are not ‘birth’ processes,” she said.
What pro-life advocates call “partial-birth abortion” is a dilation and extraction  method. It’s one method of several — along with dilation and evacuation and inducing labour —  used in second-trimester abortions (13-27 weeks of pregnancy). Most commonly, it's done when there’s been a diagnosis of devastating or fatal birth defects and a full autopsy is needed or parents want a body to grieve over.
The procedure is perfectly legal in Canada, but banned in the U.S., with some exceptions.
“These are necessary procedures,” Norman said. “Women who are unfortunate enough to be faced with this decision at that (later) point in their pregnancy usually have a number of calamities.”
Cases with “something really devastating about the fetus” — like a skull with no brain growing — make up the majority, she said.
Rarely, the fetus is fine but the mother has faced “significant barriers to access care,” like severe domestic violence, incest, or being so young that the pregnancy was diagnosed late because the girl had “no idea what was happening to her,” Norman said.
Canada has gotten better at providing access to abortions in the second trimester over the past decade, she added, but there’s room to improve.
Access is limited in rural and remote areas. Easier access to medical abortion — such as by allowing pharmacists to dispense the abortion drug Mifegymiso — would reduce travel-related delays and ultimately the need for abortions later in pregnancy, Norman said.
In contrast to the United States, “Society in Canada has always supported the best health for women and families … we base policy and the provision of care upon the best evidence.” These decisions are scrupulously and very carefully made, the health and well being of the mother and her family being the first priority.
Mr Trump does more harm than good in this world. Be afraid.

Maxy sez : 6 Spices for a Type 2 Diabetes Diet

 Flavor With a Side of Diabetes Health

Who knew a diabetes diet could lead to fun exploration of your green thumb and your global palate? Type 2 diabetes cooking can be both tasty and healthy once you learn about the health benefits of certain spices. “Spices should take the place of sodium in your diet, and they have health benefits — they’re rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds,” says Juli Adelman, LD, CDE, with the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. “I encourage people with type 2 diabetes to grow their own herb gardens and boost up their spice racks.”

Many herbs, such as parsley, mint, and dill, pack a flavor punch that simply makes eating or drinking more pleasurable, while others could help with managing type 2 diabetes. Enjoy eating and growing herbs and spices; just don’t consider them a substitute for other type 2 diabetes treatment. “Moderation is key,” says Gustavo Ortega Jr., RD, with Kaiser Permanente 
in West Los Angeles. “The idea is to use spices as part of a balanced diet instead of as a supplement.”

Here are six spices that can make your diabetes-friendly meals more tasty and healthy.
                         Basil

“Basil has a lot of flavonoids and goes well with tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and mozzarella,” Adelman says. Eating plenty of basil may improve blood pressure control, according to a research roundup published in April 2014 in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. High blood pressure can be a concern with type 2 diabetes. Two of three people with diabetes have high blood pressure, according to the American Diabetes Association, so it might be worth growing a basil plant to enhance your meals.
                                                                         Cinnamon

“Cinnamon is an antioxidant that’s been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce fasting blood sugars,” says Ortega. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that can prevent or slow cell damage, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cinnamon’s ability to improve insulin sensitivity is highlighted in a review of plant-based compounds for people with diabetes. The review appeared in November 2014 in the International Journal of Molecular Science. Adelman suggests adding cinnamon to oatmeal or mixing it into chili and stew.
            Garlic

Garlic appears to be linked with lower fasting blood glucose levels, according to an analysis published in December 2015 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Adelman suggests including it in hummus, mashing cooked garlic into cauliflower, or adding cooked garlic to steamed spinach. Garlic may thin your blood or interact with medications, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before incorporating it into your diet. In general, always check with your doctor or a dietitian about your nutritional needs before making any changes to your diet, Ortega says.
                                                                        Rosemary

“Rosemary is an antioxidant and best when used with bell peppers, legumes, or cabbage,” Ortega says. It also goes well with fish and lean meats, like chicken breast. Rosemary is a hearty herb that you can grow and maintain in a pot or garden, and research suggests it may have anti-inflammatory and other beneficial properties.
                         Thyme

Tiny thyme leaves deliver strong flavor to roasts and sauces and go well in many dishes, from eggs to soups. Thyme is also rich in antioxidants, according to a laboratory study of the plant published in August 2015 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
                                                                          Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice often used in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes like curries. Turmeric may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels, according to research published in October 2014 in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Add turmeric to stir-fry, lentil soup, or sprinkle it into chicken or tuna salad (with yogurt instead of mayo as the base) for a zesty twist.

Baby tells mom " I love you"

Awesome hubby

(Facebook/Kate Douglas)

Scott Douglas works hard to provide for his family. And he admits that sometimes, there’s nothing better than “clocking off” and calling it a day. But for his wife Kate, a stay-at-home mom, there is no clocking off.

After noticing that she had had a particularly tough day, he penned an open letter to her on Facebook letting her know just how much he appreciates all the things that she does — and the Internet is totally smitten.

“I get home and see my beautiful wife worn out, tired, frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges of being a mum. Unlike me she has no set hour to clock off or rewarded with overtime or bonuses for all the extra work and effort she has put in during the day. She doesn’t accumulate sick leave, annual leave or long service, no weekly super or weekend, no looking forward to a public holiday to shorten her week.”

He explains what her day looks like, and how most days she probably doesn’t feel like she made a difference.

“When you see a bad day, I see an amazing women who never calls in sick, never quits, never turns her back on the hard days and who has the power to go to bed knowing it will happen all again tomorrow. You are an amazing and fabulous mother, even though it doesn’t seem like it, you are the greatest thing in these boys’ lives and we love you, for everything you do.”

Kate was so touched by the post that she shared it on popular mommy blogger Constance Hall’s Facebook page, where it’s been shared more than 10,000 times.
Many were touched by the gesture and some even shared their own struggles with being a stay at home mom.

“I’m a single mother to four children, I study full time (almost finished my graduate diploma in education!) and have my kids full time. This brought me to tears because my ex husband will never understand what I do, all on my own. To hear a simple thanks for raising our children on your own would make my day!” said Nicole ML.

“What a man! The fact that he not only shows his appreciation but manages to lift her up and help her feel worthwhile! Being a mum is the hardest job in the world but must be a bit easier knowing your husband notices and appreciate you,” shared Kate Bektas.

“I had a bad day with my 2 last week…my amazing husband walks in the door from a 10 hour day (we run our own business) took one look at me and took the kids for a walk down to the park so I could relax and gather myself! Made me appreciate him so much,” said Tamsyn Mogg.
Guys...tell her how much you appreciate her once in a while and take the kids out for ice-cream and a walk to the nearest playground. You will never regret it.

Love quizz

Personally, I thought the quiz was stupid. It was obvious what they wanted you to say.
But it might help someone I guess. It was amusing. They have other quizzes too.

Top 10 Turn-Offs for Women

There Are Traits We Love in Men. And Then There Are the Ones That Make Us Run

When it comes to the opposite sex, what gets your motor running — — and what makes you run for the hills? Here are the top 10 turn-offs for women, whether old or young, partnered up or single…

1. Being Ignored
One of the key ways most women judge how important they are to their partner is by how much attention they get from him when expressing concerns and opinions.

2. The Wannabe Big ShotWomen are appalled by men who talk a big game knowing they do not have the means to follow through. Almost every woman has encountered the guy standing at the bar, bragging intentionally-loud so that everyone can hear him. Or even worse, the guy who picks you up in a rented BMW, pretending he is the owner.

Men often convince themselves that all women are after the guys with the biggest and the best of everything. This becomes a motive for those men to paint colorful and fictitious pictures of themselves. But in reality, women find this behavior disgusting, so instead of making themselves attractive, these guys become female turn-offs.

3. Self-AdmirationSome women get dinner and a movie. Other women get dinner and an earful of self-admiration when they go out on a date with a guy.  “Let me tell you how great I am.” Men who waste women’s time by inviting them on dates so they can spend the evening glorifying themselves are truly a bore.

2. More Swagger than Substance Men who talk a big game but can’t follow through don’t rank high on the attractive meter. Almost every woman has met some guy at a bar who ends up loudly talking about his work/house/car/sports team so that everyone can hear him. Even worse, he’s the one who picks you up in a rented BMW, pretending he owns it.
Some men convince themselves that women want the guy with the biggest and the best of everything, so they paint colorful (and fictitious) pictures of themselves. But the wannabe big shot is actually a huge turn-off to most women.

4. Preoccupation with Sex Whether you’re on a first date or in a 10-year marriage, women don’t want to feel solely like sex objects.
Though it depends on the woman, when a relationship is new, a man would do best to hold off on sharing any sexually explicit stories (including past performances) and comments until he’s sure the woman he’s with is up for it.
Most women want to be caressed, complimented and otherwise shown affection and intimacy outside the bedroom too.

5. Straight-Up Chauvinism The path toward gender equality has improved a lot over the past decades, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still men who consider themselves the superior sex. Some, for example, have a belittling title for every woman. The cashier is “Little lady.” The waitress is “Darling.” And the bartender is “Sweet Cheeks.”
Whatever the chauvinist behavior, it almost never fails to be a turn-off for women.

6. Not Helping Out
Most women prefer to share the responsibilities of raising kids and running a household. Since the vast majority of women work outside the home, this is more a necessity than anything else.
So it’s a real turn-off for a woman if a man’s notion of who handles child-rearing and household chores is stuck in the 1950s.

7. Ogling Other Women
Men who stare at other women or are overly flirtatious with them may find themselves largely on their own.
Simply put, women like men who are respectful enough to pretend they don’t notice other women (even when they do).

8. Boorish Behavior
Women always prefer a gentleman. A woman expects a man who’s interested in her to approach her thoughtfully and respectfully.
So any guy who wants to attract women should aim to check the boorish behavior — using vulgar language, getting drunk or high, dominating conversations so no one else can get a word in, showboating — at the door.

9. Poor Grooming Habits While sweaty athletes and grungy rock stars may initially turn a woman on, getting closer to the body odors that accompany them is another story.
Beyond basic hygiene, women want more. Most men want sleek, gorgeous women, so it’s fair to assume women don’t want men with pot bellies, dirty fingernails, rumpled clothes and disheveled hair, right?

10. Bad Pickup Lines
A sense of humor is a great thing — when a guy is actually funny. A good pickup line will leave a woman with a lasting impression. But so many guys try too hard (sometimes with offensive pickup lines), and that’s a turn-off.

ARE YOU LISTENING GUYS??

If you’re a guy whose relationship is suffering and you don’t know why, consider these female turn-offs. They should give you some insight into how to do better to attract more women.

*Perfect Kodak moments .... For Robert

PHOTOS TAKEN AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT SECOND

Snack time for Donald Trump

An employer demands all of his female staff kiss him in a bizarre ritual called 'morning kisses'.

A Chinese company requires its female staff to give mandatory kisses to their employer each morning, in a bizarre move they say is being used to boost morale and maintain good employee relationships.
The Tongzhou District company, responsible for creating home brewing machinery, argues that the practice helps to unite and enhance the company’s corporate culture.
According to the employer, after witnessing the practice take place in the company’s American offices, he decided to bring the idea overseas.
His hope is that it will allow female and male employees to bond  "like fish and water," and yet, disturbingly, male employees have not been required to adopt the implementation.
Each morning, the female staff, making up half of the business's employees, must line up for half an hour at 9am in order to greet their boss.
Most workers have adopted the practice, while two who refused have since resigned from their positions with the company.
Social media went into meltdown after the video of the man kissing has staff was shared and it's not hard to understand why.



Canada sends love sympathy and support to our American cousins

 

The presidential campaign has exposed deep divides in American society and has left many in every political party anxious about the future. During this time of political tension, neighbors to the north have one thing to say: America is just great.
Some Canadians watching as American politics have hit rock bottom again and again in recent weeks decided that the United States needed a cross-border pep talk. Thus was born a social media campaign called “Tell America It’s Great,”  ( as opposed to "Make America great again") complete with a hashtag, a Twitter account and a series of YouTube videos.


It was the brainchild of the Garden Collective, a creative agency based in Toronto, and in the videos, a diverse and polite group of Canadians earnestly recite all the things they like about the United States.
“Sometimes friends just need to look out for each other,” Shari Walczak, a founder of the agency, said on Sunday.


“Hey, guys!” says one cheerful man in the campaign’s main video, which was filmed on webcams and smartphones. “We’re up here in Canada talking about how great you guys are down there, and we thought we’d just send you a little bit of love.”
His testimonial is followed by two dozen more Canadians warmly praising the United States for things like its diversity, its space program, rock 'n roll and for being the birthplace of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.
“You guys are genuinely great,” one woman on the video says. A second woman, sitting besides her, agrees: “You really are great .”


To a jaded American eye, this may all look like the most Canadian thing ever.
“I guess we are living up to our Canadian stereotype aren’t we?” Ms. Walczak said, laughing. “We have managed to personify the whole country with this one initiative!”
Ms. Walczak said she and her co-workers started the campaign as a labor of love — they are not using it to sell anything, she said — because they wanted to make a positive contribution to an election season that, has been downright depressing.
“Every morning we’d come together at work and there would inevitably be a discussion about another negative piece of news about the election,” she said. “We look at it through a Canadian lens, but all of us have friends, family and colleagues who live in America. We realized they’re immersed in it day-in and day-out and how awful that must feel.”


Over the weekend, many Canadians chimed in to cheer up their neighbors to the south by tweeting their favorite things about the United States. Ms. Walczak said the hashtag #TellAmericaItsGreat was intended as a play on Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.” They want Americans to know they are already great and have always been great. Don't be convinced by con men and spin doctors that America is sliding down a slippery slope to hell.


Canada and the United States have a unique relationship. They share the longest land border in the world, and their economies, societies, law enforcement and defense operations are deeply entwined. Over $1.8 billion a day changes hands in cross-border trade, and roughly 400,000 people travel between the two countries daily.
Those ties were further cemented last year with the election of Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister. The young and frequently shirtless liberal politician has become a symbol of a forward-looking nation, as well as a king among memes.


Of course, every four years American political partisans of one stripe or another swear they will move to Canada if the presidential candidate they oppose wins.
Mr. Trudeau has been gamely fielding questions about a potential flood of immigrants from the United States for months. In March, he told an audience at American University in Washington that he found the idea so "humorous." There is sometimes a trickle but never a flood. President Obama teased him on that visit about the frequency with which Americans threaten to decamp for Canada: “ But typically it turns out fine.”
Ms. Walczak said that our close relationship is one reason Canadians were watching American politics so closely. “Everything is so intertwined, we can’t help but realize that we’ll also be affected by the outcome of this election,” she said.
Another reason: an embarrassing twinge of recognition. The rise of Mr. Trump and the descent of the campaign into a spiral of scandals, sexual assault allegations and personal attacks reminded Torontonians of the city’s experience with Mayor Rob Ford, she said, “when everyone was laughing at us around the world.”
Mr. Ford, a conservative populist, was caught on video smoking crack cocaine in 2013 and later said the drug use happened “probably in one of my drunken stupors.” He died of cancer in March.


So, Canadians like Americans, but if they could vote (instead of just tweet) which candidate would they be more likely to choose?
“I am pretty sure most Canadians would vote for Hillary Clinton,” Ms. Walzcak said. “Our right-wing is like the Democrats".
“Some people have tweeted that they think Justin Trudeau would win the election as a write-in candidate, but we are not giving him up.”

Twin Babies Perform Irish Dance and It's 'HILARIOUS'

If you are having a bad day , then you have to watch this video . I guarantee it will cheer you right up !

During this video  you will see two adorable twins dancing to Irish music . How cute is this.

During this video , you will see two adorable twins dancing to Irish Music . How cute is this ?

What to expect ‘down there’ after menopause

Cathy Jones

When Cathy Jones had her daughter at age 40, the increased risk of pelvic floor issues made her pay much closer attention to what was going on down there. Now, 20 years later, the (This Hour has 22 Minutes) comedian is still focused on her lady bits, working material about menopause and even vaginal atrophy into her touring one-woman show, Stranger to Hard Work. She wants to deliver the message that, contrary to many cultural cues, there’s plenty to look forward to as a living, breathing, sexual woman in the later stages of life. She spoke with Chatelaine magazine while she was in Toronto.
 Part of the interview:
"A lot of people don’t want to talk about vaginas, but I’m right into it. I have a lot of friends who are heading into menopause — they’re looking at me, sweating from a hot flash, and they’re freaking out. I’m realizing, Oh my god! They’re coming through the portal!"
A portal to hell?
"No! One of the reasons I’m passionate about all this is it’s important to keep things going in terms of vaginal health. After menopause, the tissues of the vagina are lacking estrogen and they start to get dry and irritated. That leads people to say things like “I don’t even want to go to the doctor to get my pap smear,” because it’s painful. But it’s an incredibly important aspect of aging that I think a lot of women aren’t talking to their doctors about, and a lot of doctors aren’t talking to women about. People so often refer to “dried up older women” — it’s so insulting. The ease with which people talk about erectile dysfunction . . . nobody talks about anything that happens to women. They just sort of push them aside and move on to somebody younger so they don’t have to discuss it."
What are some misconceptions about menopause? Would you count ‘Oh, I’m just going to be dried up’ as one of them?
"It doesn’t have to be that way. Men’s testosterone goes down gradually, like that guy Sully landing that plane on the Hudson River. Finally, they’re like 116 years old and still trying to have a go at the nurse. And she’s like, “Wait til I get your catheter out!” It’s like men have always been characteristically still interested in sex in their 80s and 90s. But women don’t have to just grin and bear what happens when we get older."
So if the testosterone drop in men is like Sully’s plane landing, what’s the estrogen drop like for women? A meteor crash?
"It’s like one of those big rides at the fair where you suddenly go “Woaaah!” and are dropped down. You’re losing a lot of estrogen quickly and you’re going down hard. That’s why it’s a difficult passage for people, there’s all kinds of things going on in your mind."
Let’s talk silver linings — what’s there to look forward to?
"Sometimes you hear the saying “Every decade is better,” and you’re thinking “Wha? How’s that possible?” But it is better for me in my 60s, and I was so scared of reaching this age in my 40s. Knowing you’re not going to lose that connection of feeling aroused or healthy down there — that’s a really important thing to know. You may be changing, but you’re not losing a great deal."
How much can people expect to hear about vaginas when they come see your one-woman show?
"I want to say that when you’re talking to me, you’re talking about vaginas a lot. But seriously, just a bit. I just talk about how we shouldn’t let it go – I chastise the audience for starting to wear those funny glasses that women start wearing in their late 60s."
You mean like [22 Minutes character] Marg Delahunty wears?
"Yeah! Like plaid glasses and glasses that look like bowling ball material. Also the ones with chains hanging from the arms so they can be worn around the neck. They’re like glasses that say “Go away! There’s nothing to f–k here!” There’s no need to wear those funny glasses if you keep things going."
 And for gosh sakes don't start  dressing  like an old lady in flowery dresses and too much jewelry. Dress with style and a little pizazz and don't cut your hair into the obligatory hair helmet. Just keep it loose and casual.  Go to a spa and get a facial, manicure and pedi or just do it at home. A moderate amount of cosmetics is also good for the self image. If you still look good and sexy, you will feel good and sexy. And that is a promise.
A couple of good ways to keep things going down there:  See your doctor and find out if hormone therapy would be good for you. Also,  Estrogen vaginal cream is great for restoring dry sensitive tissue. If that tissue is healthy and plump, sexual intercourse  sounds much more interesting. Also get a pure unadulterated lubricant, without fragrances or chemicals that make you tingle. And use it every time you have intercourse so the friction does not cause inflammation or soreness.
 Get an exam to make sure your uterus is not prolapsing. This causes older women so many complications. In some serious cases of prolapsing uterus, there is relatively simple surgery. Do not delay if this is your problem. Delay can lead to dangerous and painful complications.

Pelvic prolapse: Why Kegels should be your new best friend:
That little leak when you cough is a sign that your pelvic floor needs strengthening. The muscles along the pelvic floor hold up organs like the bladder, uterus and colon, and need to be kept strong, just like other muscles in the body. If they become deconditioned, a variety of complications could occur — from organ prolapse to difficulty with bowel movements and urinary incontinence. Pelvic prolapse can be caused by pregnancies, age and good old gravity; also giving up on exercise.

Kegels — contract-and-release exercises you can do anywhere — are a good place to start. (To find the muscles, try stopping urination midstream. Those are the muscles you’re trying to engage.) Women of every age can do Kegels as a preventive exercise, and once you get the hang of them, you can do reps while you’re standing in line at the grocery store or at the bank machine. Eventually, you might be able to cough standing up without worry!

SISTER FRIENDS, It ain't over till it's over  .... and  you get to decide

Why are Canadians so damn funny ??

There are several things Canadians are known for. Beer, for one. Also bacon. Certainly maple syrup. And snow. And hockey. And for being resolutely, insufferably polite and apologetic.

But perhaps more than anything else, we are known for our comedy. Or more to the point, our wonderful comedic talent. No matter where I have travelled, people tell me Canadians have a terrific sense of humor and I have to agree.
We have literally  thousands of ex-pats or exports to the US, amazingly talented people, who after they gained success up here, decided to also make it 'down there'. Apparently, if you become successful in the USA then you have reached the zenith of your career and need go no further. After they have made it south of the border, many of them trickle back home, having proved themselves, at least by their own standards.

                   

Mike Myers is one of the comic stars to hail from Canada – though like many Canadian comics many people think he’s actually American

Once we’re safely ensconced in Hollywood, we tend to downplay our origins. I mean, why rock the boat? On finding out where some of these funny people come from, I have often heard Americans exclaim, "Gee, I had no idea he/she was Canadian".

Before the arrival of Brits who can feign American accents brilliantly, such as Hugh Laurie and Martin Freeman, Canadians were the primary covert fake Americans on TV and in movies.
But we don’t export all of our comedy. We save some for ourselves, like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) national news satire This Hour Has 20 Minutes, The Royal Canadian Air Farce, Corner Gas and Trailer Park Boys. CBC Radio is rife with comedy programming. We are masters of homegrown self-deprecation.
We are inundated by American culture, pouring across the border, but tend to observe and enjoy it and even embrace it, to a point, then toss it back across the border, very politely,  because down deep, we are not that alike.
Our national identity, if we have one, could be said to be low self-esteem, or at the very least chronic insecurity but also a very deep and abiding love for our country. We have no real ‘star system’ of our own because deep down we truly believe that, to quote Mike Myers, “We’re not worthy”.  None of which applies to French Canada, which avidly supports and celebrates its culture – particularly comedy. It is surely no coincidence that the world’s largest annual comedy festival is held in French-speaking Montreal, Quebec.
So what is it that makes us so hilarious?  Canadian humor is the art of observation

 We have gradually outgrown our deeply conservative nature but the insecure part is still very present.

A Canadian comic character actor whose name I’ve long since forgotten once said: “American humor is the art of overstatement, English humor is the art of understatement, and Canadian humor is the art of observation.”

John Candy was one of the many Canadian comedians who rose to prominence on SCTV, a Toronto-based sketch show (Credit: Getty Images)

Though many Canadian comedians defect to Hollywood, Canada has aired its own very popular comedy series on TV, such as Corner Gas (Credit: CTV)

Common wisdom has it that the Canadian sense of humor is borne out of the inherent isolation of our large and under-populated country. That and the weather. The prevailing image is of small groups of fur-wrapped Canucks, huddled together in some remote snowed-in hunting lodge, cracking wise and laughing their bums off in an effort to keep them warm.
And there may be some truth to that. Coming from a smaller community certainly gives one a unique comic perspective. SCTV’s greatest material came from the period they were working out of isolated Edmonton, Alberta, free from distraction and far away from the meddling interventions of network suits. Canadian comedy in its purest form, like maple syrup, is crafted primarily for one’s own enjoyment. 
SCTV is best known for its eerily accurate satire of US pop culture. Making fun of our neighbours to the south is something of a shared strength for Canadian comics. The most popular American comedy TV show in Canada right now is The Big Bang Theory, a US sitcom about outsiders. We can relate because, in a broader sense, we too are outsiders, on a national scale.

 
Trailer Park Boys was a hugely popular mockumentary programme on Canadian TV from 2001 to 2007 – it’s since been revived for Netflix (Credit: Netflix)

Although we are bombarded  by US culture, we have no real stake in it, aside from our exported talent. This puts us in a unique position to observe and ridicule, and get away scot-free.

We are funny in self-defence because we are ‘other’, and humor is inclusive. Ivan Reitman disagrees with this theory. And I guess he would know. Early on in his career, he produced two of the most successful comedies ever filmed, Animal House and the original Ghostbusters(which he also directed).
Yet Reitman also exemplifies the small-town theory: though he was raised in Toronto, he came of age at McMaster University in the mid-sized steel town of Hamilton, Ontario. So did Dave Thomas, who was born in the even smaller St Catherine’s. Eugene Levy and Marty Short were both born in Hamilton. John Candy and Jim Carrey are from tiny Newmarket; Mike Myers from suburban Scarborough.
But more than anything else, I think, our humor comes down to our communal self-consciousness. At the height of SCTV’s success as an export to US television, when movie offers were pouring in left and right, Thomas talked of walking the streets of LA and looking over his shoulder, convinced that at any moment someone was going to shout, “Hey you! You don’t belong here! Go back to Canada!”
And how Canadian is that, eh?