Maxy sez : How to Treat Low Blood Sugar Effectively

It’s important for those with type 2 diabetes to watch for signs of hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, and to know what to do if they occur.

By Margaret O'Malley        Medically Reviewed by Kelly Kennedy, RD
Hypoglycemic symptoms are important clues that you have low blood glucose.

An episode of hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, comes on very suddenly. It can happen during or after strenuous exercise, or when you delay a meal. Most people with type 2 diabetes learn to recognize their hypoglycemic symptoms. These include:
Sweating
Weakness
Anxiety
Trembling
Fast heartbeat
Inability to think straight
Irritability
Grouchiness
Hunger
Headache
Sleepiness
Hypoglycemic episodes can also happen while you are asleep. Symptoms include:
Crying out or having nightmares
Waking up to find your pajamas or sheets are damp from perspiration
Feeling tired, irritable, or confused after you wake up
What to Do if Your Blood Sugar Is Low

If you think your blood glucose may be too low, check your level using your testing equipment. If your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dL, then you are probably having a hypoglycemic reaction.

Hypoglycemia is usually mild and can be treated quickly and easily by eating or drinking a small amount of glucose-rich food. Always carry something to eat in case a hypoglycemic episode happens, such as sugar or glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candy. Ask your doctor or certified diabetes educator (CDE) for suggestions about the best form of emergency glucose to have on hand for your particular situation.

A Catholic Nun Perfectly Explains the Major Hypocrisy of the "Pro-Life" Argument

A Catholic nun's explanation of the term "pro-life" from 2004 is resurfacing after recent antiabortion events. On PBS's Now With Bill Moyers, Sister Joan Chittister explained why being against abortion doesn't mean you're pro-life.
Here's the full quote:

"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is."

Chittister's position is not only informed by her faith, but also her academic experience: she's written over 50 books and has multiple degrees (including a doctorate).
The crux of Chittister's point is that there's a difference between advocating for birth and advocating for that child's entire life. If antiabortion proponents are truly "pro-life," then those same legislators would not argue for defunding programs like those that provide school lunches or health care. Man who oppose abortion also oppose access to contraceptives. Antiabortion congressmen have consistently also advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides women with birth control options.

Liberals have pointed to Chittister's quote as an argument for the social benefits that Republicans hope to limit without providing feasible options for women if they cannot obtain abortions.

Food for Thought : Alcohol and Cigarettes: Hypertension Risk Factors to Avoid

You can't always prevent high blood pressure, but giving up smoking and moderating your alcohol consumption can help.

By Diana Rodriguez    
Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

People who smoke and drink should be concerned about their cardiovascular health. Both habits increase the risk of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The effects of smoking and drinking on hypertension are well-known — both can have dramatic affects on heart health and blood pressure levels. So whether you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have hypertension risk factors, it's time to do something about those risk factors you can control.

Smoking and High Blood Pressure

Smoking causes an immediate spike in blood pressure and can raise systolic blood pressure levels by as much as 4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The nicotine in tobacco products spur the nervous system to release chemicals that can constrict blood vessels and contribute to high blood pressure.
Smoking also causes long-term damage to blood vessels, so beyond the hypertension risk, this habit further increases the chance of developing problems like stroke, heart disease, and heart attack. The combination of smoking and hypertension puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event compared to non-smokers with hypertension.

Drinking and High Blood Pressure

To keep blood pressure in check and prevent health problems, it's best to drink alcohol moderately. That means no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men. If you cut back on alcohol consumption, research shows that you may be able to lower systolic blood pressure levels by as many as 3 mm Hg..

Quitting and Cutting Back

Here are some tips to help you stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake:

Commit to quit. Set a date and sign a contract, if necessary, with yourself and maybe a witness, in order to stop smoking. Get rid of all of your tobacco supplies — cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, anything related to smoking — and check with your doctor about trying a nicotine patch or gum. 

Avoid triggers. Do you find yourself craving a smoke while watching TV, after eating, or during a phone conversation? Then keep yourself busy and avoid those triggers. Take a walk after meals instead of watching TV or get an after-dinner cappuccino at a coffeehouse instead of visiting a bar.
Fill your time. Treat yourself to a fun activity that will take your mind off smoking and drinking — see a movie, go shopping, sightsee, or pick up a new hobby to occupy your time and give you a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.

Make alcohol a limited indulgence. Instead of settling in on the couch with a six-pack or a bottle of wine, limit yourself to one drink (two for men) per day. Be sure to remember serving sizes — a serving of wine is 5 ounces; a serving of beer is 12 ounces; and a serving of liquor is 1.5 ounces.
Recognize the signs of dependence. If you have a difficult time limiting alcohol, you might need outside support. When alcohol starts affecting work, school, or relationships, it's time to seek professional help. Support groups can help, but a detoxification program (complete withdrawal from alcohol use) and rehabilitation may be necessary if you are a heavy drinker.
You can't always prevent high blood pressure, but you can control hypertension risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol.

A proud grand-poppa              G.

Utah Republican argues against equal pay for women: It’s ‘bad for families’ and society

The Washington Post

In a letter criticizing a bill that addresses pay gap in the workforce, a Utah Republican said that men have traditionally earned more than women and, citing “simple economics,” argued that things should stay that way.
James Green’s letter to the editor, published in two local publications earlier this week, immediately prompted such outrage that within two days, Green had written an apology and resigned from his post as vice chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party.
Green said in his letter, published Wednesday by the Park Record and the Wasatch Wave, that men make more than women because they’re “the primary breadwinners” of their families, and paying women equally would somehow ruin the makeup of a traditional family where “the Mother” remains at home raising children.
“If businesses are forced to pay women the same as male earnings, that means they will have to reduce the pay for the men they employ, simple economics,” Green wrote. “If that happens, then men will have an even more difficult time earning enough to support their families, which will mean more Mothers will be forced to leave the home (where they may prefer to be) to join the workforce to make up the difference.”
In a letter criticizing a bill that addresses pay gap in the workforce, a Utah Republican said that men have traditionally earned more than women and, citing “simple economics,” argued that things should stay that way.
James Green’s letter to the editor, published in two local publications earlier this week, immediately prompted such outrage that within two days, Green had written an apology and resigned from his post as vice chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party.
Green said in his letter, published Wednesday by the Park Record and the Wasatch Wave, that men make more than women because they’re “the primary breadwinners” of their families, and paying women equally would somehow ruin the makeup of a traditional family where “the Mother” remains at home raising children.
“If businesses are forced to pay women the same as male earnings, that means they will have to reduce the pay for the men they employ, simple economics,” Green wrote. “If that happens, then men will have an even more difficult time earning enough to support their families, which will mean more Mothers will be forced to leave the home (where they may prefer to be) to join the workforce to make up the difference.”
And having more women in the workforce would create competition for jobs, “even men’s jobs,” Green wrote. That will, in turn, lower the pay for all jobs and force “more and more Mothers” into the workforce, he argued.
That’s “bad for families and thus for all of society,” Green wrote. “It’s a vicious cycle that only gets worse the more equality of pay is forced upon us. It’s a situation of well-meaning intentions, but negative unintended consequences.”
Green’s comments were directed at Senate Bill 210, which would make changes to laws related to employee pay in the state. The bill, authored by state Sen. Jacob Anderegg, a fellow Utah Republican, would commission a study on whether there’s a pay gap between male and female workers in the state. It would require certain employers to adopt a uniform criteria that will be used to determine whether someone should get a raise based on performance, and would create a pay index that states the average pay range for each occupation based on years of experience.

SB 210 was introduced on Monday. Shortly after its publication, Green’s letter was met with a sharp response. State Rep. Tim Quinn, a Republican who represents Utah’s 54th district, which includes Wasatch County, denounced the comments and distanced himself from Green. Wasatch County, with a population of a little more than 29,000, is located about 100 miles outside of Salt Lake City.
“I am shocked and appalled to learn how James Green feels about equal pay for women. I don’t know where this belief came from,” Quinn said in a statement, according to Fox affiliate KSTU. “I do not subscribe publicly or privately to the words or the spirit behind these words, thoughts or ideas. Of course, the Wasatch County Republican Party and I are for equal pay and rights for all people.”
The Utah Women’s Coalition, which supports SB 210, took to social media with its criticism of Green’s comments.
“Are we really having this conversation in 2017?” asked a Facebook post sharing a local story about Green.
The coalition’s Stephanie Pitcher told Fox affiliate KSTU that the bluntness of Green’s remarks were “very disappointing” and contradicts the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as anti-discrimination provisions in state law.
“He was very straightforward and blunt about his thoughts on women in the workforce and that was really surprising, but the first thing I noticed was a very open recognition that there is a pay disparity between men and women,” Pitcher told KSTU of Green.
Green did not return a call from The Washington Post on Saturday. But he told KSTU that he has been in “hot water” since his letter was published.
“You wouldn’t believe the hateful, vile comments and messages I’ve received," adding that he decided to resign from his position as vice chair of the Wasatch County GOP because he “didn’t want to hurt the party,” which he said was getting blamed for his comments.

Green then wrote a second letter saying his comments are not representative of the Wasatch County GOP or the Republican Party in general and apologizing to those who have been offended.
“I want to clarify that the main focus of my letter was to express that I don’t feel the government should be dictating to private establishments what they must do in regard to employment, hiring, or wages,” Green wrote. “There was no offense intended toward Women, whatsoever. And yet some took it that way. To those who were offended, I profusely apologize. I sincerely did not mean to do that.”
He also said he values women’s contributions in the workforce, and that he was only pointing out the “historical reasons for pay disparity.”
“While I worked my fingers to the bone (with numerous extra side jobs) so my Wife could say in the home and raise our two Sons, who are now both Physician/Surgeons (plus one also has a Law Degree), I realize not everyone is so fortunate,” Green wrote.
A spokeswoman for the Utah GOP said on Friday afternoon that Green had resigned. Efforts to reach the Utah GOP on Saturday were unsuccessful.

Women in Utah make 71 cents for every dollar paid to men for the same occupation, according to the National Women’s Law Center. That’s lower than the national average, which is 80 cents for every dollar paid to men. Black and Latina women in the state make 56 cents and 47 cents for every dollar paid to white men, respectively, according to the center. Both numbers are below the national averages: 63 cents for black women and 54 cents for Latina women.
Politicians have repeatedly pointed out that women make less than men. But as The Post’s Glenn Kessler pointed out last year, the specific number on the pay difference is an overused “factoid” that has become a major talking point for Democrats but fails to capture some of the nuances in the workforce.
Although few experts dispute the existence of a pay gap, that number does not take into account differences in life choices between men and women — such as women tending to leave the workforce when they have children, Kessler wrote.

Maxy sez : How Type 2 Diabetes Can Change Over Time

By Madeline R. Vann, MPH Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD
Even when you work hard to control type 2 diabetes, the progression of the condition will likely require adjusting medications and lifestyle over time. Here’s what you may expect.

You probably already know that type 2 diabetes can cause long-term damage if you don’t control it, but it’s also important to understand that even well-controlled diabetes progresses over time — meaning you may have to adjust your treatment plan more than once.

The key to learning about the progression of diabetes is to understand the role of your pancreas, which produces insulin. For people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make any insulin, so they must take it through injections. With type 2, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells don’t respond to it adequately, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This means that the body has trouble moving sugar from the blood into cells to be used for energy. Diet, exercise, and medication, if prescribed, can all help those with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and help their bodies use insulin made by the pancreas, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

If blood sugar levels remain high, the ADA says, you may be at risk for such diabetes complications as vision loss, heart disease, nerve damage, foot or leg amputation, and kidney disease. However, proper diabetes management can help prevent or delay the onset of these complications.

How Your Diabetes Treatment Plan Might Change
Over time, your medications, diet, and exercise goals may need to be adjusted. “Initially the pancreas produces extra insulin to make up for insulin resistance, but in most people, the pancreas eventually is unable to make the extra insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal,” says Marc Jaffe, MD, a San Francisco endocrinologist in practice with Kaiser Permanente in Northern California.

After a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, your doctor will set blood sugar goals for you, recommend lifestyle changes, and perhaps prescribe oral medications such as metformin to help manage blood sugar levels, Dr. Jaffe says. “Because type 2 diabetes usually progresses over time, even people who don’t need medications at first are likely to need medications eventually,” he notes.

The next step in diabetes management, if these strategies aren’t working, is to change or add medication or add insulin, according to the 2014 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, published in the January 2014 issue of Diabetes Care. Your blood sugar goals might also be adjusted, based on your overall health and history with diabetes control, according to the guidelines. For some people who are obese, bariatric surgery might also be an option.

The guidelines also note that because many people with type 2 diabetes will eventually need insulin, insulin therapy should not be feared or viewed as meaning that you’ve failed at managing your diabetes.

“This is a progression of the disease and not to be thought of as something that you caused,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, a certified diabetes educator in Franklin, New Jersey, and author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies.

Tailoring Your Diabetes Treatment as You Age
Not only does diabetes itself progress, Palinski-Wade points out, but your body also changes over time. For example, you may experience complications from diabetes, like nerve pain, or develop osteoarthritis, which could make exercise more challenging, she notes. Those kinds of changes in your body would lead to adjustments in your diabetes management plan.

Because of the way diabetes progresses as people age, the ADA, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics came together in June 2015 to publish a joint statement recommending that doctors give people with diabetes a referral to see a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator at least once a year to fine-tune their management plans, including diet and exercise. It’s also a good idea to see a diabetes educator any time you’re facing a new challenge that’s getting in the way of your self-management, such as when you’re diagnosed with another health condition or have physical limitations. Research published in 2014 in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy also emphasizes that a personalized approach to diabetes nutrition with realistic goals that meet the individual’s lifestyle is an important part of diabetes treatment.

Coping With Type 2 Diabetes Progression
Even though type 2 diabetes is progressive and you will likely need to make adjustments to your management and treatment plans, you can take steps to cope with the changes:

Eat healthfully. Your diet should be individualized, but people with diabetes can also benefit from Palinski-Wade’s advice to “focus on filling your plate halfway with plant-based foods such as vegetables at all meals.” She also urges people to learn to read labels and understand portion sizes — skills that will serve you well throughout your life.
Aim for a healthy weight. Losing weight can improve your diabetes control; the ADA's 2014 guidelines for self-management suggest that many people with diabetes can benefit from losing at least a small amount of weight. Check with your doctor for a specific recommendation for you.
Check your blood sugar. “As diabetes progresses, people may need to start checking or increase the frequency of checking their blood sugar levels, especially when blood sugar levels are high or low, hard to control, or in people who take insulin,” says Jaffe. Talk with a certified diabetes educator about the testing strategies that would work best for you.
Be active. A mix of aerobic activity and resistance training helps to improve insulin sensitivity, which means your body uses insulin more efficiently, according to the ADA guidelines.
It can be challenging to live with a chronic condition, but taking care of yourself each day and checking in with your doctor and diabetes educator regularly can help you stay on top of your diabetes management.

Food for Thought : 6 Secret Ways to Keep Produce from Going Bad

By Brianna Steinhilber
 1 . Keep Produce Out of the Garbage Bin
One of the most common excuses for not eating a healthy diet is the cost. And while stocking up on fresh produce and whole foods is an investment, it’s often the amount we waste that causes us to feel like we’re throwing away money. Luckily, there are some tried-and-true-tips to keep your healthy ingredients fresher, longer. Say goodbye to limp lettuce, moldy mushrooms, and sprouting potatoes: Here’s how to keep six common ingredients from going rotten – and to ensure you put every last penny’s worth of that grocery bill to good use!
                                                         2 . Problem: Mushy Bananas

Solution: Wrap tops of bananas in plastic wrap.
A handful of fruits emit ethylene gas to ripen themselves — and bananas are one of them. If you know you won’t be able to eat the entire bunch within a few days, simply wrap the stems (where most of the gas is released) tightly in plastic wrap. This helps reduce the amount of ethylene emitted, slowing the ripening process and keeping the fruit fresh for a longer period of time. The gas also causes other fruits and veggies to ripen more quickly, so this trick will help prevent nearby produce from going bad as well. Like bananas, cantaloupe, nectarines, pears, plums, and tomatoes also emit ethylene gas and should be stored away from other produce.
3 . Problem: Rubbery Celery

Solution: Wrap in aluminum foil and store in the fridge.
Celery is one of those veggies that can quickly go from crisp and crunchy to rubbery and tasteless, but you can lengthen the life of this vegetable by taking a few extra minutes to store it properly. After separating, washing, and drying the stalks, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This keeps the air out and moisture in, but still allows the ethylene gas to escape (as opposed to plastic bags, which trap it in), slowing the ripening process and keeping the veggie fresh for up to a few weeks.
                                                4 . Problem: Limp Lettuce

Solution: Line the bottom of your refrigerator’s crisper drawer with paper towels.
We all grab big heads of leafy lettuce with the intention of serving up light, healthy salads for summer dinners, but a few days go by and suddenly those crisp leaves become limp and soggy. To lengthen the shelf life of leafy greens as well as other produce in your fridge, line the crisper drawer with paper towels. Moisture in the fridge is what causes most fruits and veggies to lose their crisp texture and start to soften and go bad. By lining your fridge’s veggie drawer, you’ll absorb excess moisture and keep fresh produce crunchy for an extended period of time.
5 . Problem: Moldy Berries

Solution: Wash berries in a vinegar bath before refrigerating. 
As we enter the summer months, shelves packed with delicious, vibrantly colored berries line the produce aisle. With blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries now in season, the low prices make it tempting to pick up a large container — but if you don’t gobble them down quickly, berries can quickly soften and begin to mold. To extend their shelf life, rinse the berries in a vinegar bath (one part vinegar to three parts water), then rinse again with just water to remove any vinegar taste. Once dry, place the berries back in their container and store in the fridge. The vinegar kills bacteria on the berries, which helps prevent mold growth and keeps them fresher, longer.
                                            6 . Problem: Sprouting Potatoes

Solution: Throw an apple in with your potatoes.
A big bag of russet potatoes can be a lifesaver on busy weekdays. The starchy vegetable can quickly be turned into a baked potato, French fries, or morning hash browns to feed a hungry family. The downside of keeping a large bag on hand is that potatoes stored for an extended period of time begin to sprout. Keep your spuds ready-to-eat by storing in a cool, dry place, as sunlight and moisture encourage sprouting. Another trick: Throw an apple in with the potatoes. While scientists have mixed opinions about whether this kitchen hack actually rings true, many experimenters claim that adding an apple to the bag does indeed delay the sprouting of potatoes, adding weeks to their shelf life. Give it a try yourself and you be the judge.
7 . Problem: Slimy Mushrooms

Solution: Keep mushrooms in a paper bag, not plastic.

Mushrooms are a delicious, hearty ingredient to use in everything from a chopped salad to a morning omelet to a stir-fry, but nothing is more unappetizing than reaching in for the vegetable and pulling out a slimy, mushy mess. To keep mushrooms meaty and fresh for as long as possible, it’s all about how you store them in your kitchen. When we get veggies home, it’s a habit to reach for plastic bags, but for mushrooms, paper should be your go-to. Plastic traps in moisture that causes mushrooms to mildew; opting for paper allows the vegetable to breathe and for moisture to escape, slowing the rate at which they begin to decay .

A proud grand-poppa               G.

Eat and Lose Weight: 10 Foods That Help in Losing Weight

With so many quick weight loss programs and weight loss tips around it’s sometimes hard to know where to start when it comes to eating healthy and losing weight. A natural weight loss remedy that doesn’t require a person to follow a detailed plan or buy expensive prepackaged foods is usually the best. There are several basic foods that will not only help improve our overall health, but also help us lose weight at the same time. The following are 10 foods that people can eat to help lose weight more quickly.

Yogurt

Yogurt is full of probiotics, a particular type of bacteria that may help limit the amount of fat that your body absorbs. Make sure to choose a yogurt that says “live active cultures” on the container. Probiotics are good bacteria that helps get rid of the bad stuff in your intestinal tract. The amino acids in yogurt help burn fat while the calcium tells your fat cells to get rid of cortisol, which is a hormone that may cause belly fat to increase.With so many different types of yogurts on the market to choose from it’s important to know what you’re getting. Some yogurts, especially flavored ones, are loaded with sugar. Make sure to pick a plain yogurt that doesn’t have any added sweeteners or sugars. Greek yogurts are usually a good choice as well.

Apples

Apples are truly a super food. They provide the body with fiber that will help you feel fuller longer and will therefore fight cravings and help with weight loss. Make sure to eat the apple and not applesauce or juices. Chewing crunchy foods is always better for losing weight. Chewing will send a signal to your brain that you’re actually eating something solid. This helps your body to feel full faster.

Some studies have shown that while all apples are healthy, eating the Granny Smith apples can give specific benefits when it comes to losing weight. These types of apples seem to contribute to an increase in the kinds of bacteria in the intestinal tract that help people stay lean.

Cabbage

Eating cabbage for rapid weight loss was made famous back when the cabbage soup diet was first being promoted. It’s not necessary, however, to mix cabbage with a lot of other items and make it into a soup to receive the benefits of eating this healthy vegetable. Cabbage is one of those foods that supposedly takes more energy to digest than the calories taken in. Whether that’s true or not, there are many great reasons to eat cabbage. It’s high in antioxidants, including vitamin C. It’s also high in fiber to keep you staying full for longer periods of time. Cabbage also contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Cabbage can be prepared lots of different ways so you won’t get tired of eating it as quickly as some other foods. A half cup of cabbage is only 17 calories when it’s boiled. If that sounds too bland, cut it up and eat it in a vinegar cole slaw. Fried cabbage is delicious. Make sure to fry it in healthy, low fat oils and cooking sprays. Cabbage can also be eaten in a stir-fry or made into a roll with meat and rice.

Eggs

Eating foods high in protein is a great way to burn fat, and especially those types of proteins found in eggs. Protein in egg yolks can stimulate the release of a hormone called glucagon. This hormone can help burn fat, in particular belly fat. Some studies have even found that people who eat eggs don’t have any higher cholesterol than those who ate bagels regularly.

Eggs can be prepared in so many ways that eating this super food is a fast way to lose weight. Whether scrambled, poached, or in an omelet filled with veggies, eggs can be cooked in a number of ways. Hard boiled eggs can be prepared ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and then eaten as a healthy snack whenever cravings hit. The other great thing about eggs is that compared to most sources of protein they are relatively inexpensive.

Salsa

Salsa is technically several foods mixed together but it can aid in weight loss in so many ways that it’s worth mentioning. The primary ingredients in most salsas include tomatoes, onions, and some type of peppers. Each of these veggies is loaded with a variety of nutrients and are great for losing weight. Salsa is also water based, which is healthy and keeps you full.

The important thing about eating salsa is to make sure and dump the greasy chips and pair this healthy snack with other great options. Use salsa on salads and veggies instead of high calorie dressing. Salsa is also a great topper on most types of meat, especially chicken. Salsa is relatively easy to prepare, can be stored in the fridge for several days, and goes with a variety of foods.

Black Beans

Black beans are full of protein and fiber, keeping you from getting hungry too soon after eating. They will also help keep your digestive system healthy and working efficiently while achieving weight loss. Because of the dark color, black beans contain what is called flavonoids. Some research suggests that flavonoids help reduce stomach fat.

Some people may fear eating beans because of gas. But the more you eat beans the more your body becomes accustomed to this type of food and gas may become less of a problem. If eating plain black beans doesn’t sound appetizing, there are plenty of ways to incorporate them into your diet. They can be put in soups, dips, and made into healthy black bean burgers. Overall, black beans are great for losing weight, your health, and they’re easy on your wallet.

Grapefruit

Eating grapefruit is not a new concept. Many of the “lose weight programs” through the years have contained grapefruit as one of the prime foods to be eaten. But the reason why is that it works! Grapefruit is almost 90 percent water, meaning it helps you feel full quicker. Grapefruit can also help lower insulin, which increases fat storage in our bodies.

A great way to incorporate grapefruit into your daily diet is to cut one in half every morning and eat each half before a meal. The red and pink grapefruits also have beta carotene which is good at fighting off disease. A half a grapefruit is only about 52 calories and it doesn’t contain any cholesterol. If you find simply eating a grapefruit by itself too tart, there are lots of ways to eat this nutritious and low calorie food. Grapefruit can be mixed with other fruits in a fruit salad, made into a smoothie, and even be part of salsa.

Lettuce

Lettuce has gotten a bad rap in recent years with some claiming that there aren’t many nutrients in lettuce. But that all depends on what type of lettuce you choose. There are several different types of lettuce that can be used in a variety of ways. Romaine lettuce provides vitamin B, Manganese, and folic acid. Generally, dark green and purple lettuce will provide the highest level of nutrients.

Lettuce is one of the lowest calorie foods that you can eat. This means you can eat a lot of lettuce, stock up on a lot of nutrients and still not gain weight. Lettuce is also the type of food that goes well with a lot of other foods. Not only great as a salad, lettuce goes with fruit, cottage cheese, chicken, beef, and even peanut butter.

Quinoa

Several years ago many people hadn’t even heard of quinoa, now it’s a great way to lose weight easy. Quinoa is low calorie and full of nutrients. One serving of cooked quinoa is around 180 calories. It has a low glycemic index which means it won’t spike blood sugar. Quinoa is full of protein, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

This gluten free grain can be eaten with a variety of other foods including vegetables, salads, and even fruit. Quinoa can also be made into protein and energy bars that are not only healthy but delicious to eat. Almond bars, cooked into lentil burgers, and made into smoothies are just a few of the ways to enjoy quinoa and lose weight.

Dark Chocolate

When asking, “How can I lose weight?” don’t forget to include dark chocolate. The secret to indulging in dark chocolate while receiving all the good benefits is to make sure not to overindulge. Taking a few bites of this delicious treat every now and then can help slow the digestive process and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.

Dark chocolate contains less added sugar than other types of chocolate and has healthy fats that can help keep metabolism up. It can also help curb cravings for other sweets that may not be as healthy. Some Swiss scientists have even found that dark chocolate can limit the metabolic effects of being stressed.

Gold Plated Old Family Retainer

Ceelo Green wore a bizarre costume to the Grammys ( no one is really sure why) but he seemed to fit right into the Trump Tower penthouse as a gold plated butler. And why not, when you observe everything else in the place is gold plated or gilded??

A clever tweeter did the editing.

Blame social media, video games for behavior problems in school, educators say

Growing up in the social media age is doing more harm than good, according to a school counsellor on the northeast Avalon. Boyd Perry said having access to a limitless world of information can be beneficial to learning, but many young kids are not equipped to handle the flood of information they are getting through their screens.

"Young people have more access and more information. We automatically think that's a good thing," said Perry.

"They aren't yet ready … to develop a critical way of analyzing the information they are getting."

During CBC's education forum, Inside the Classroom, featuring 30 educators from across the province, several teachers and counsellors raised issues about social media, video games, and their impact on student behaviors.

"A lot of the problems we have in school are because of social media," said Joe Santos, a high school teacher on the northeast Avalon.

"There's very few students now in schools that don't have some kind of device they can communicate with."

Students are speaking behind each other's backs and sometimes making sinister plans in total silence — out of earshot from intervening teachers.

Santos said some of the issues they've encountered range from settling scores with violence, to making drug deals, all arranged quietly through the use of cell phones in school.

Technology raised concerns with other teachers as well, who spoke of students coming to class zonked after long nights of video gaming.

"They're too tired to learn," said Kimberly Fifield, an elementary school teacher on the northeast Avalon.

"They could fall asleep in class, they could become agitated, they're more irritable. They're just unable to focus on what you're trying to teach them in the run of a day."

According to Santos, attendance rates go down after the release of a highly anticipated video game, as his students stay up all night to finish the game. The long hours spent playing video games, sometimes graphic and violent, can have an impact over time, said Angela Wilmott, a school counsellor in central Newfoundland.

"If you're role playing war games for hours every day, it has an impact in how your brain is working and how you're dealing with stress and anxiety," she said.

While there is some scientific debate over the impact of video game addiction, several studies have linked playing for excessive hours with issues like depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder. Whether gaming is causing the disorders, or is simply an outlet for kids with those disorders, is unproven.

Video games could also be partially responsible for the language kids are using, Wilmott said. Kids play interactive games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, where their online teammates and opponents could be adults. Wilmott said she worries about the kids being exposed to vulgar language through those interactions.

"That's becoming much more common," she said. 

"To see that now in primary, elementary… Where are those kids going to be in Grade 11?"

It's a question Perry also ponders, as he sees students at his school being consumed by technology.

"We see that shift [to the social media age] and think they are so much more exposed to things, but they are not ready to handle the sorts of things they are exposed to," he said.

 I think many parents are in agreement that the information and technology over-load our kids are subject to has as many negative as positive influences. It may confuse and skew children's judgement when they don't have the time necessary to process and absorb information at their own pace.  Most of the video games are too mature or violent and take children too far away from reality while they play. I think they can confuse or mingle the real world with the cyber world. I also feel we are stealing some of their childhood by not letting them just be kids for the brief time they are allotted. By flooding their minds with adult information are we not stealing the wonder and magic of being a child and the wonder of self discovery???

Meet Trumpgator, a perfect mascot for the Donald

An orange-coloured alligator has appeared in South Carolina. Photo from Facebook

An unusually orange alligator spotted in South Carolina is making waves on social media for a complexion that many have compared to U.S. President Donald Trump. Nicknamed the “Trumpagator” by local residents, the rust-colored reptile was spotted sunning itself near a pond in the city of Hanahan. Numerous commenters on the Facebook page, where photos of the gator first appeared, have speculated on the origin of its eye-catching appearance.

The reptile is thought to have possibly been covered in a coat of dried clay, However, closer inspection of the reptile revealed the odd color is at least skin deep. One Twitter user playfully theorized that perhaps the gator may have “used too much self-tanner?!?!”

According to Kent A. Vliet, an alligator biologist at the University of Florida, it’s very likely that the gator won’t remain that peculiar colour for the foreseeable future.

“I have no doubt that animal is stained somehow,” he told Post and Courier. “He’s the colour of rust. ” He may have rested or resided in a pool of industrial chemicals, spilled into the waterways. Perhaps he made his home near decomposing vehicles or manmade materials also dumped into waterways, as is often the case with our careless disregard for rivers and lakes.

So rather than an odd genetic defect, Vilet theorizes that there’s an environmental explanation for the alligator’s tan-coloured appearance that should eventually fade.

But the obvious explanation is that he is a Republican alligator who is here to  mentor and guide the 'Great Orange One' residing in the White House.

Maxy sez : 4 Top Diabetes Diet Myths Exposed

By Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or even if you’ve had diabetes for a long time, you may be confused about how to eat to manage your blood glucose levels. It seems that everyone has an opinion, and many of these opinions contradict each other.

So what are you to believe? And what truly works at helping you keep your glucose levels in a healthy range?

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest diabetes diet myths, why they don’t work, and what actually will.

Myth No. 1: If You Have Diabetes, You Must Avoid All Sugar

The Truth: A lot of sugar isn’t good for anyone’s diet, regardless of whether you have diabetes or not. But just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that sugar and sweets are entirely off limits. All carbohydrates, including simple sugars as well as complex carbohydrates, are broken down into glucose during digestion. This glucose is then used as energy in your cells. Because all forms of carbohydrates break down into glucose and therefore raise your blood glucose levels, you need to monitor your total carbohydrate intake — especially what you eat within one sitting — for optimal glucose management.

Although you must be careful not to overeat carbohydrates at one sitting, you can still indulge in a few sweet treats on occasion. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk are the best choices for everyone due to their rich nutrient and fiber content. But as long as you keep portions under control, you can still enjoy foods containing simple sugars (such as cookies) in moderation without spiking your glucose levels. Keep in mind, though, that when it comes to simple sugars, moderation is key for everyone — not just people with diabetes.

Myth No. 2: All White Foods Are Bad for People With Type 2 Diabetes

The Truth: When you think of white foods, what comes to mind? White flour, white sugar, and white bread? What about white potatoes, cauliflower, and onions? Are all of these white foods bad for glucose levels? Definitely not! Sure, some white foods are highly processed, such as enriched flour and sugar. But just because a food is white in appearance doesn’t mean it will be rapidly converted into glucose in the body and spike your levels. In fact, white vegetables such as cauliflower and onions are excellent for blood sugar control because they’re very high in fiber, and low in both calories and carbohydrates.

White potatoes get a bad rap as well. It’s true that sweet potatoes are digested more slowly and prompt a smaller elevation in glucose levels after eating than their paler counterparts, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid white potatoes altogether if you have diabetes. In moderation and as part of a balanced meal — with vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats — you can enjoy white potatoes as your starch and still maintain healthy glucose levels.

Myth No. 3: The Only Way to Lower Glucose Levels and Body Weight Is to Follow a Low- or No-Carb Diet

The Truth: If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel as if everyone around you is telling you to steer clear of all sources of carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates are found in everything from fruit to bread to milk and even vegetables, you may feel as though there’s nothing left to eat. But the good news is that you can actually still eat carbs. Managing diabetes is about keeping your glucose levels in a healthy range. Glucose levels that are too high can damage your body, but very low levels can be dangerous as well. Eating carbohydrates as part of a well-balanced diet will help you keep your levels within a healthy range.

Instead of avoiding carbohydrates, focus instead on choosing the healthiest types.  Space your carbohydrate intake out throughout the day by balancing your plate with carbs, lean protein, and healthy fat at each meal. A balanced diet will not only help you achieve optimal glucose levels — it will also improve your overall health.

Myth No. 4: Sugar-Free Foods Won’t Impact Blood Sugar Levels

The Truth: Sugar-free doesn’t necessarily equal carbohydrate-free. Many foods marketed as sugar-free have replaced sugar with sugar alcohols, which provide fewer calories and make less of an impact on glucose levels than regular sugar — but can still elevate glucose levels if you consume them in large amounts. In addition, bread-based sugar-free foods, such as sugar-free desserts, are typically rich in carbohydrates from sources such as flour and grains. It’s essential to read labels carefully on sugar-free foods: In particular, look at the total grams of carbohydrates, not just grams of sugar. If you focus only on the marketing claims such as “sugar-free,” you may struggle to lower your glucose levels without knowing why.

As you can see, there are many diet myths surrounding diabetes. But managing your glucose levels doesn’t have to be complicated. A balanced diet rich in whole foods and limited in processed foods and simple sugars — the same diet that we should all follow, regardless of whether or not we have diabetes — can help you keep your glucose levels in a healthy range.

Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, is a nationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert who has contributed to national media outlets such as  The Doctors, and the Chicago Tribune. She serves as a media spokesperson, nutrition consultant, and speaker. Erin is the author of multiple publications, including Belly Fat Diet For Dummies and the 2-Day Diabetes Diet, and coauthor of the Flat Belly Cookbook For Dummies. She specializes in the areas of diabetes, adult and child weight management, sports nutrition, and cardiovascular disease. 

Food for Thought : Mistakes to Avoid With Heart Medications

If you're taking any kind of medicine for heart disease, you're probably taking it for life — so you need to learn to take it safely. Here are tips for avoiding common pitfalls.

By Diana Rodriguez
Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
Taking heart medications isn’t easy. You'll likely have to remember multiple pills and specific instructions for each. But these medications, when taken correctly, can help manage or prevent heart disease, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and generally keep you healthy for years to come.

You probably know this. But you also need to know that if you take your medicines    incorrectly, not only can heart disease and related health problems progress, but you may start to feel sick — from progressing heart disease, drug interactions, or a side effect from your heart medications.

Taking Heart Medications Correctly

It may seem simpler to just swallow all your pills at once whenever you think about it. But there's definitely a method to taking heart medications to maximize their effectiveness against your health problems and minimize their side effects.

Here are some ways to prevent some of the most common mistakes people make when taking heart medications:

1 .  Make a list of your medications. Taking multiple drugs increases the risk of drug interactions. Keeping a complete list of all the medications that you take — and showing it to all your doctors at every visit — can help reduce the likelihood of any new medication interacting with ones that you are already taking.
2 .  Make a habit of taking your medications as directed, every day. It can be easy to forget to take your heart medication — but it can also be very serious to your health. Find a way to make remembering to take your heart medication easier, by doing it along with a daily activity like eating a meal or brushing your teeth. You can also group your medications in a daily pillbox, set an alarm on your watch or cell phone, or ask for reminders from your spouse.
3 .  Don't stop taking your medications unless your doctor tells you to. When you start feeling like yourself again, and when your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers improve, that doesn’t mean you're off the hook for your heart medication. Unless your doctor tells you to, never stop taking your heart medication or change the frequency with which you take it.
4 .  Get all your drugs at one pharmacy. Your pharmacist can help you keep track of your medications and spot any possible drug interactions. He can also help you identify any side effects that might be stemming from your heart medications. Rather than traveling all over town to several different pharmacies, fill all your prescriptions in one place to help you manage your medications better.5 . Don't forget your refills. Stay on top of how much medicine you have left, and refill  prescriptions promptly. Don't wait until you run out, as you might not be able to get to the pharmacy and may miss a dose.
5 .  Be aware of possible side effects. Heart medications can cause some side effects, so it's important to know what they are so that you can be on the lookout. If you suddenly notice yourself feeling a little dizzy, coughing more often, or feeling a little nauseated, it could be caused by your heart medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what side effects are common, and speak with them if you start experiencing problems. Sometimes taking a medicine in the evening can avoid side effects related to dizziness — ask your doctor if this would be safe to do.
Avoiding Side Effects
Most side effects aren't serious, but they can be bothersome. The most important thing that you can do to prevent side effects is to take your medications exactly as your doctor prescribed them. Your pharmacist can also give you some suggestions on taking your medications — for instance, one medication may need to be taken with a lot of water, while another may need to be taken along with a meal to prevent an upset stomach, while another should not be taken with other medications.

Remember that list of medications you wrote down? You might want to write down the side effects — and how to handle them — on it, as well.

You should also remember to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbs that you take. Those could cause side effects from a drug interaction. Check with a health care professional before you take any other medications in conjunction with your heart medications — even simple cough and cold medicines.

A proud grand-poppa                G.

Flight attendant saves girl from human trafficking

Shelia Fedrick

When Shelia Fedrick saw a disheveled girl sitting beside an older, well-dressed man on her flight, she was concerned. The teenager "looked like she had been through pure hell", the flight attendant told NBC, and the man would not let her speak to the girl.

Ms Fedrick left a note for the girl in the plane's toilet - enabling the girl to explain that she needed help.
It turned out the girl was a human trafficking victim - and Ms Fedrick's instincts had helped to save her. The pilot was able to inform the police, who were waiting when the plane landed.

The 2011 incident on Alaska Airlines was reported in US media this week, as charity Airline Ambassadors seeks to train airline staff in ways to combat human trafficking.
Airline Ambassadors' website says a trafficking victim may appear afraid of uniformed security, unsure of their destination and nervous. They may also provide scripted answers, and be wearing clothing unsuitable for their destination.
Traffickers, meanwhile, might answer questions for the victim, observe the victim persistently, and may not know their name or personal information, Airline Ambassadors added.
Nancy Rivard, the founder of the organization, told NBC: "We tell people not to try to rescue because you can endanger the victim and yourself."
Instead, Airline Ambassadors tell flight attendants not to confront anyone or display unusual concern or alarm, but to get the pilot to radio the upcoming airport.
In Ms Fedrick's case, she managed to communicate discreetly with the girl after whispering to her to go to the plane toilet.
She left a note on the mirror for the teenager, who "wrote on the note she needed help", Ms Fedrick told NBC.
The girl is now attending college, and has stayed in touch with Ms Fedrick.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 7,572 trafficking cases were reported in the US in 2016.
Why don't you tackle this problem Mr Trump ???

Quenn Elizabeth's Saphire Jubilee ...65 years on the throne



Do we need a new word for vagina that our little girls would be comfortable with ??

The subject came up in discussion with other women, when I mentioned the Swedish social worker, Anna Kosztovics, who thinks we should have a nice nick-name for vagina, just for little girls. We don't have one in our lexicon, you know.

There are a few other names for vagina that are very rude, lewd, pornographic and disrespectful and I won't repeat them ... and they were invented by men.

Little girls seem a bit embarrassed to use the medical term in conversation. So they need some cute nicknames that they can say without embarrassment. 

Boys have dozens of euphemistic names for their penises like willy, dinkle, winkie, peepee, weenie, ding dong, weewee, pecker, twig and berries, nuts and bolts, Johnson etc. ... Geez Louise, there were dozens more than I expected when I looked it up. And toddlers and kindergartners can feel comfortable saying most of them. When they are a bit older they learn the word penis quick enough.

Little girls are even more modest and we tried to come up with a simple nick-name for girls like the Swedish lady did. Our family always called it a gigi. The ladies I spoke to like the name 'twinkle' as in the English version video below. We want a name that might be adopted into the Anglo-American lexicon. Other choices were veegee, tinkie, ginny. My male friend suggested "hoo ha" and we sent him out of the room.

I think there may  be names used in local idioms that others may not have heard of.

It's not a trivial matter as my husband suggested because all the slang terms for vagina are obscene, crude and insulting. We want our little girls to be proud of what they have. Ideas??

They made a handy English version for us to use, if we so wish. The Swedes are very open about nudity, sex and bodily functions with their children.

Maxy sez : Tired All the Time? It Could Be Your Diabetes

 Fatigue in people with diabetes is often attributed to blood sugar fluctuations, but stress and emotional concerns can be major contributors. Learn coping strategies that can help boost energy and mood.

By Beth W. Orenstein           Medically Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

If you’re coping with diabetes and feel wiped out all the time – the kind of fatigue that isn’t helped by eating or getting a little extra sleep – your doctor might tell you that your blood sugar levels are to blame. But new research shows that the duo of diabetes and fatigue could have other causes. In a study published in The Diabetes Educator, researchers Cynthia Fritschi, RN, PhD, and Laurie Quinn, RN, PhD, of the University of Illinois College of Nursing, found that stress, depression, body mass index (BMI), and lack of physical activity can all be significant contributors to fatigue in people with diabetes.
The study looked at 83 women ages 40 to 65 with type 2 diabetes. The women completed questionnaires about their health, fatigue levels, diabetes symptoms, depression, emotional distress, physical activity, and how they were managing and coping with diabetes. Some of the women wore a continuous glucose monitor for three days to assess the changes in their glucose (blood sugar) levels.

The researchers found no relationship between the women’s fatigue level and their blood sugar control. Fasting blood sugar, glucose fluctuations over the study period, and A1C, which measures average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months, did not predict how tired the women reported feeling. “It appears that other factors – such as being overweight, getting little physical activity, and having higher levels of distress – could be causing their fatigue,” Fritschi says.

Diabetes and fatigue can set up a Catch-22, Fritschi adds. “One of the key strategies for taking care of diabetes is exercise, yet people with diabetes can be too tired to exercise," she says. If you’re also depressed, you’re even less likely to have the energy to take other steps needed to manage diabetes, such as preparing healthy meals and monitoring your blood sugar. “I think there are definitely quality of life issues that come with diabetes and fatigue,” Fritschi says.

Coping With Diabetes and Fatigue
Take a proactive approach to dealing with fatigue by addressing your symptoms and concerns with your health care providers and support team.

· Give specifics. When talking to your doctor about how you feel, don’t just say, “I’m tired all the time.” Tell your doctor that 'I’m too tired to go for a walk or go grocery shopping,' ” Fritschi says. Let your doctor know that your exhaustion is preventing you from doing activities that are important to keeping you healthy.

· Keep a journal. How many times do you get up at night to go to the bathroom? Are you skipping meals because you’re too tired to stand and prepare them? Make detailed notes on these issues and use your journal to talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about concerns that make living with diabetes harder for you.

· Work with a therapist. Managing diabetes is a 24/7 commitment. That alone can cause you to feel anxious, stressed, and depressed. And, in turn, depression can lead to fatigue and a lack of energy, Fritschi says. If you feel burdened and depressed by your diabetes, consider getting professional help. A therapist who is trained in treating depression can help you improve your mental health. Ask your doctor or diabetes  caregiver