Mental Attitude: Family Gatherings? If your family fights, or going home for the holidays triggers bad memories, you can cope. Don't expect the worst. Focus on catching up with a cousin or enjoying your favorite dish. Make a plan. Have a trusted relative ready to spring you from bad conversations. Set a time limit. Stop by for just 15 minutes. Or, if you can't bear to go, just RSVP "no". Mental health America
Health Alert: Why Canned Soups Can Be Dangerous to Your Health. The food processing world is reeling right now after a shocking new series of tests released by Consumer Reports revealed many leading brands of canned food contain BPA, a toxic chemical linked to health risks including reproductive abnormalities, neurological effects, heightened risk of breast and prostrate cancers, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems. BPA is used in the lining of cans and the toxin leaches from the lining into the food. A couple of servings of canned food can exceed scientific limits on daily exposure for children. The federal government is currently studying the dangers of BPA and advocates are calling for the FDA to ban the use of BPA in food and beverage packaging by the end of the year. Consumer Reports, Nov. 2009
Diet: Start Your Day With Whole Grains. A bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal has benefits that last all day. The fiber and complex carbohydrates in the whole grains help you feel fuller for longer, so you'll be less tempted to overeat at lunch. They also help reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol and can be an important part of your weight loss strategy. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec. 2004
Exercise: How to Start an Exercise Program. Start Slowly. Most people do too much when they start exercising. It's OK to break up your exercise into segments. Even small quantities of exercise add up to big benefits. Begin with 10-15 minute chunks of activity, several times daily. Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain - What Increases Your Risk? Try this simple test: place your hand wide open on your friend's lower back. Have them simulate a variety of activities from dish washing to brushing their teeth. You will feel the back tightening immediately. Most people are in that position all day long. These "activities of daily living" cause most low back pain.
Wellness/Prevention: Vinegar Health Benefits. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels by 4%-6%. A study of rats found vinegar could lower high blood pressure. A study found people who ate oil and vinegar dressing on salads 5-6 times a week had lower rates of heart disease. For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study found those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who ate just the bread.European journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005
