Holiday Grief

I've seen alot of posts on facebook from people who are grieving the loss of loved ones during this holiday season. This is the time of year when people feel the absence of lossed loved ones the most. I know for me anRecd my family, it has been very hard since we lost my mom 6 years ago. Since then I've lost an aunt, 2 great aunts and my dad. I went through all the stages of grief. At first, I'd only heard of the five stages... shock/denial, anger, bargaining, guilt and depression/reflection/lonliness. Then I learned there are a few more stages - what is termed the "upward turn". The are reconstruction/working through, acceptance and hope.

This year, I realize that I've worked throught it and am in the acceptance and hope stage. I took a while to get here! I feel for those who have new losses and those who have not yet reached the upward turn. But me? I'm celebrating this year! I'm celebrating that the loved ones that I've lost lived full lives they had love, and they've made the transition that we all have to make at some point in time. I just hope that when I leave this earth, I will have made a positive impact somewhere...

Shopping...It's changed with the times.

I’ve always been a shopper. I get it honestly. As a child, my mom and aunts would drag me along on day long shopping ventures from one end of the city to the next…looking for bargains. Sometimes we’d end up back at the first store to purchase the items after comparing prices. I’ve passed it down to my daughters. Tired of all the running around, they discovered on line shopping a few years ago. I was still set in my ways and couldn’t even imagine shopping online but my daughters seemed to be addicted to it. I still liked the rush of going to the mall. I thought technology took away the thrill of shopping. Then I realized that more often than not I’d find myself leaving the mall frustrated that they didn’t have what I wanted in my size. I’d wasted gas and time just to leave empty handed.

So, apprehensively, I began to explore cyber shopping…
I didn’t like it at all. I couldn’t feel the fabrics. I couldn’t try things on the make sure they fit right; especially shoes. I have to be sure my shoes fit right and are comfortable and I sure couldn't do that with online shopping. Then I’d have to pay for my merchandise and wait for it to be shipped. Nope. I didn’t think this was for me. But I guessed it was no different from my mom catalog shopping from Spiegel’s, so I took a chance. Last Christmas, I too became hooked! After exploring, I began to find great prices. Still apprehensive (because I couldn’t feel or see the actual product first) I started ordering…and haven’t stopped since! I’ve ordered coats, jewelry, cd’s clothes AND SHOES; and to date have not been disappointed! I find great values at reasonable prices and often shipping is free or discounted.

So, in this modern age of technology, I do most of my shopping online now. Oh, I still go to the malls. There’s just something about the mall that’s nostalgic and soothing for me. I browse, check prices, then go home, get online and compare. Most times I find a better deal online and that’s the best part about shopping…finding a bargain!

Fashion for Medical Professionals

You know you’re a fashionista when…

You’re in the hospital after suffering what appeared to be a mini stroke and all you can think about is how bland the nurses and staff look in their blue scrubs. While having tests done and an MRI, you notice how very ugly and ill-fitting those blue caps are! You’re thinking how you would hate to come to work every day looking like everyone else!
Yes, its times like these when you know you are a true fashionista!

And I have three daughters who are just like me. All of them have worked in professions where they were required to wear scrubs and we would shop and search for different patterns and styles so that they could still make their fashion statement while doing their jobs. It was hard to find fashionable scrubs that were high quality. Most of the “cute” scrubs were low quality and didn’t last long. Come to think of it, the not-so-cute scrubs weren’t very high quality either.

I asked some of my friends who work in the medical profession how they feel about their work uniforms. They say they don’t really think too much about it. That’s their uniform and they love their profession and while working aren’t too concerned about fashion, but they do like scrubs made of quality fabric.
If I worked in the medical profession, I would probably be more concerned with saving lives, but would like to wear high quality garments that are a bit fashionable while doing so.

7 Reasons Kale Is the New Beef

Written by Jill Ettinger

Like the saying goes, the only constant is change. We may resist it all we want, but Time and its inevitable evolution of everything in its path is unaffected by our attempts to stop it. The resulting trajectory of humanity's nascent ascent appears to be positioning itself to sweep us into progressive new times, especially where our food choices are concerned, as nearly 7 billion people are now standing on the little scraps of land that we share with some 55 billion rather large animals raised for food each year. (As another famous saying goes: This town ain't big enough for the both of us.) So, beef (and all factory-farmed meat) may be going from rib-eye to relic as we transition to a greener world… literally—as in leafy, green vegetables.

Environmentalists cite meat production as one of the biggest contributors to global warming, and the USDA's new food pyramid (MyPlate) suggests the healthiest choice is making vegetables and fruit the biggest part of every meal by reducing consumption of animal proteins. Kale is far more nutritious than other leafy greens, but these seven reasons why it is such an important futurefood may just surprise you.

1. Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is the number one cause of arthritis, heart disease and a number of autoimmune diseases, and is triggered by the consumption of animal products. Kale is an incredibly effective anti-inflammatory food, potentially preventing and even reversing these illnesses.

2. Iron: Despite the myth that vegetarians are anemic, the number of non-vegetarians with iron-deficiencies is on the rise. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef.

3. Calcium: Dairy and beef both contain calcium, but the U.S. still has some of the highest rates of bone loss and osteoporosis in the world. Kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy.

4. Fiber: Like protein, fiber is a macronutrient, which means we need it every day. But many Americans don't eat nearly enough and the deficiency is linked to heart disease, digestive disorders and cancer. Protein-rich foods, like meat, contain little to no fiber. One serving of kale not only contains 5 percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber, but it also provides 2 grams of protein.

5. Omega fatty acids: Essential Omega fats play an important role in our health, unlike the saturated fats in meat. A serving of kale contains 121 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 92.4 mg of omega-6 fatty acids.

6. Immunity: Superbugs and bacteria are a serious risk to our health. Many of these come as a result of factory farm meat, eggs and dairy products. Kale is an incredibly rich source of immune-boosting carotenoid and flavanoid antioxidants including vitamins A and C.

7. Sustainable: Kale grows to maturity in 55 to 60 days versus a cow raised for beef for an average of 18-24 months. Kale can grow in most climates and is relatively easy and low impact to grow at home or on a farm. To raise one pound of beef requires 16 pounds of grain, 11 times as much fossil fuel and more than 2,400 gallons of water.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Sources:

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/meat-wastes-natural-resources.aspx

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2461/2

http://www.irondisorders.org/iron-deficiency-anemia

http://www.ellenskitchen.com/faqs/calcium.html

Surprise Visit

Written by my friend Anita Glenn

It was a very quiet Tuesday morning and I was very productive cleaning and preparing for a very busy weekend. To my surprise, my niece called and said she was swinging by for an impromptu visit. I immediately threw together some items for a great lunch, brewed some coffee and set out to catch up with her. She arrived all cheery and chatty and we enjoyed each other’s company over a hot meal on a cold afternoon. She filled me in on her college plans and how grueling moving out was going to be and I sat there wondering where all the years had went. We were both full and tired so we made ourselves cozy on the sofa and flipped on DIRECTV and settled in for a long leisurely afternoon. All motivation was out the window for the rest of the day and we were both content with that. We watched a movie together and I couldn’t remember the last time I had done that in the middle of the afternoon. I suggested she visit more often so I would have an excuse to catch up on some blockbusters.

Senior Moments

Have you ever had a “senior moment”? You know, times when you can’tremember where you put your keys, and find them in the lock. Or when you can’t find your eyeglasses and they’re on top of your head or hanging around your neck? I don’t know about you, but I find myself having more and more of these “senior moments” every day…and I’m ONLY 47 years old!

I have three daughters and a 1-year old granddaughter. The other day, I called her all three of my daughters names before I got to her name. Sometimes when I’m driving, I know my destination, but find myself going in the wrong direction. My poor kids…if I can’t find something in my house, especially make-up, perfume or jewelry, I’m calling them up accusing them of taking things, then an hour later I find it and have to call them back to apologize! And, I never hear the end of it! And my cell phone? Please! I always forget that thing. People ask me why I even have one because I never answer it. That’s because I don’t know where it is half the time!!! And it’s not that I’m disorganized or sloppy; just a little forgetful.

I find myself paying more and more attention to advertisements and infomercials about memory enhancements. However, I am not one who likes taking pills, and probably would forget to take them daily anyway. But I do remember to eat every day and I try to eat healthy. So when I discovered Dr. Victor Marchione’s article about the healing effects of food in his monthly Food Doctor newsletter and His latest special report revealing 12 Brain-Boosting Super Foods that can sharpen mental clarity, I couldn’t wait to read it! What I discovered is that, by eating foods that are easily found in any supermarket, I can overcome my senior moments!

Take a look for yourself. Even if you haven’t experienced any “senior moments” yet, by starting to eat the right foods, maybe you won’t ever experience them!

Bah Humbug!

People get depressed during the holidays for various reasons. Some get depressed because they miss loved ones that have passed on. Some get depressed because of economical restraints making them unable to participate in the commercialism of the season. I found myself getting depressed last week. I miss my many family members who have passed on. I’m unemployed and unable to shop for the season. But then I had to talk to myself and reflect on all of the good that is going on in my life. I have food clothing and shelter. I’m still able to pay my bills on time. I have plenty of family and friends who are still here that I can share and celebrated the reason for the season with.

I am fortunate to be able to talk myself out of my depression. I often get my blessings by helping others. I helped distribute food to low-income people with a church in my neighborhood a few weeks ago. I was shocked to see how many homeless people there are, in just one section of the city of Philadelphia, PA. These people weren’t on drugs, they weren’t uneducated. They were/are victims of the plundering economic situation that is affecting the whole world. There are not enough shelters to hold the homeless. Many are living out of their cars with their families. But these people were kind. They were happy to be among the land of the living. Their spirits were surprisingly high! They were still giving God praises, in the midst of their hard times.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. I am truly blessed. Those people felt I was a blessing to them because I was helping to distribute food, but the truth is that they were a blessing to me!

Now when those feelings of depression try to sneak up on me, I think of that mother with 3 kids, living in her car. I think of that intelligent, college educated man who lives on the streets. I think of them and those who are in similar situations and how can I possibly get depressed?

Yes, I miss my mom tremendously…especially around Christmas time. No, I won’t be shopping and getting sucked up into the commercialism of the season. I always complained about that anyway, so this year I really don’t have to do it because I can’t. But guess what? I can crochet’ and I have a bunch of yarn to make some hats and scarves with. I can bake cookies and just be kind to others. It really isn’t about buying expensive gifts and wrapping them with decorative paper and bows. It’s about love. LOVE is the greatest gift of all.