Coping With Stress January 28, 2010

 

We all know this feeling!

 

                                                                                                                 Even though stress is an inevitable part of life, we can learn to find a balance between stressors and coping skills.  There are many ways to deal with stress in healthy ways such as positive self-talk, meditation, yoga, and tai chi.

            Positive Self-Talk (Affirmations)

Patterns of negative or positive self-talk usually begin in childhood.  Self-talk helps decide how the body will react to stress.  Positive self-talk can lower the amount of perceived stress while boosting self-esteem, productivity, and even the immune system.   Positive affirmations are a tool to reprogram the unconscious mind from negative thinking to positive.  Most of us have a constant chatter of internal dialogue.  We may as well make it positive!  The first step to developing positive self-talk is noticing thought patterns, as the first step toward change is to become more aware of the problem.  Journal writing is an effective tool for examining inner processes.  The next step is to replace negative thoughts with a neutral or positive statement.

            Meditation

Being in the present moment = less stress!  How do we stop our minds from jumping from thought to thought, usually about the future or past? Try meditation.  “Meditation is no longer just for the groovy folk” was a recent headline in U.S. News & World Report.   I love that!  Breath watching, Zen, transcendental, walking, mindfulness, mantra, and spiritual are all forms of meditation.  Breathing exercises are simple forms of meditation that can be practiced anywhere and involve anything from counting to just observing the breath.  The more you do it, the easier it gets.   “Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders,” Dr. Andrew Weil.  Click here to learn three simple breathing exercises.   

            Yoga 

  

Yoga Class with University of Memphis students in Switzerland

 

The practice of yoga dates back thousands of years.  The word yoga in Sanskrit has many translations including: to join, unite, or integrate the body and mind. Anyone can practice yoga.  You don’t have to be flexible or spiritual.  It is not a religion and involves no creed or fixed set of beliefs.  Yoga has great potential for alleviating stress.  With its quiet, precise movements, yoga draws focus away from a busy, chaotic day and more on the calming moment as one moves the body through poses that require balance and concentration.  Other health benefits may include: increased flexibility; weight loss; balance; coping with cancer; reduction of caregiver stress and fatigue associated with Alzheimer’s; and management of chronic health conditions such as asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, low back pain, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis of the knees, and memory problems.   

            Tai Chi

Tai chi is ”meditation in motion” as it promotes serenity through gentle movements while connecting the mind and body.  Tai chi was developed in ancient China for self-defense and evolved into a graceful form of exercise that’s now used in the West for stress reduction and to help with a variety of other health conditions.  During tai chi, one focuses on movement and breathing.  This combination creates a state of relaxation and calm.  Stress, anxiety and tension melt away as focus turns to the present.  Effects may last well after the tai chi session.   Other possible benefits of tai chi include: reducing anxiety and depression, improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength; reducing falls in older adults; improving sleep quality; lowering blood pressure; improving cardiovascular fitness in older adults; relieving chronic pain; increasing energy, endurance and agility; and improving overall feelings of well-being.

My Favorite Natural Food Snacks December 17, 2009

These are in no certain order, and you may notice a pattern here.  I live to eat and love to snack!!

Coconut Water   

Nature’s perfect sports drink!  I got introduced to coconut water (not to be confused with coconut milk) at a farmers’ market in LA.  For $2 – $3, a nice person will hack open a coconut, stick a straw in it, and off you go.  Coconut water is the liquid you hear when you shake a coconut.  It is loaded with electrolytes, low in sugar, and is out of this world refreshing.  Coconut water is available in natural foods stores packaged in tetra paks (like soymilk containers).

Organic Apples and Pears

Did you know there are hundreds of varieties of apples?  There’s a taste for everyone.  My favorite apple varieties are Macintosh, Jazz, and Fuji.  Apples and pears make great snacks as they are portable and fairly durable.  Both are high in fiber and yummy.  Gently press the flesh of a pear near the stem to test ripeness.  I buy them hard as rock and let them ripen on the counter in a paper sack.  It is important to choose organic apples and pears as they are on the Environmental Working Group’s dirty dozen list.  

Fresh Local Blueberries (in the summer) and Frozen, Wild Organic Blueberries (in the winter)

Blueberries are one of the top fruit sources of antioxidants.  Cancer prevention and a treat!  Raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are also excellent sources of antioxidants, and berries have a good amount of fiber.  Wild blueberries are a bit smaller and more tart than conventionally grown ones.  Thank goodness that berries freeze well, as I’m thinking we’re simply out of luck with other summer fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe.

Organic Raw Walnuts

Walnuts are excellent sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  Toss a plastic baggie of them in your bag or purse to keep you away from the vending machine.  Prices on nuts are often better in the bulk bins at a natural foods store.  (Then you don’t pay for the packaging.)  Look for a sale and stock up.  Nuts stay fresh longer when kept in the freezer.  Be careful with your serving size because although walnuts contain essential and good fat, it’s still fat.  Too much of it can make you fat!  :-) 

Organic Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is really creamy and a lot thicker than regular yogurt.  It has almost as much protein as chicken!  I buy fat-free plain and add honey and walnuts if I’m feeling frisky.  Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium and contains probiotics.  Probiotics are the good guys that keep your digestive tract in tip-top shape.  Regular consumption of yogurt can prevent yeast infections, which is especially important if you take a round of antibiotics.

Empathy in Relationships: Why Bother? December 9, 2009

“Yes, I’m just a soul whose intentions are good.  Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”  -The Animals

                                                                                                                                                       What is empathy?  Merriam-Webster defines it as, “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another…”  Why is empathy so important?  According to Dr. Jane Bolton, empathy is lifeblood, because it gives us vitality.  A basic human need is to be seen, heard and recognized for who we are.  Not for how someone would like us to be. Not for how someone is trying to get us to be.  But for who we are inside: our feelings, thoughts, desires, and dreams.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

I can hear you now.

 

From a counseling perspective, giving advice is counterproductive.  How does this translate in friendships or relationships with significant others?  Short of an outright intervention for some sort of drug addiction, is there a place for correcting your friends or lover?  The answer (although hard to swallow) is – no.  If you’ve ever been the recipient of unsolicited advice, then you know how pointless and irritating it can be.  Instead, we can cultivate the art of listening (and not the kind of listening where you’re so busy planning what to say next that you don’t hear what the other person is saying.)                                                                                                                                                                                                        

A difficult thing to remember in romantic relationships, especially ones that start later in adulthood, is that your partner may have different ways of doing things than you do.  Chances are, they’ve gotten through life pretty well thus far without someone there to tell them how to do it.  Their way may not be the most efficient or effective, but it is their way.  To expect someone to completely acquiesce to another’s way of doing things is unfair and unrealistic.  And just to keep things interesting; research indicates that women have more empathy in relationships than men.  No big surprise there!                                                                                                                                                                              

I found the following in a book, Close Relationships: Key Readings in Social Psychology: 

“To understand all is to forgive all.”  – French Proverb       

“To understand all is to forgive nothing.”  — English Epigram                                                                                                                                                                                              

The first quotation suggests that empathy and understanding are good for relationships.  If each partner fully comprehends the other’s thoughts, feelings, hopes, fears, intentions, and desires, there is no offense that cannot be forgiven.  Whereas the second quotation implies that empathy and understanding can be bad for relationships.  If each partner fully comprehends the other’s point of view and experience, there is no offense that can ever be forgiven.

 So which one is it? And what does this have to do with health?  Research shows that married people are happier, and people with many close friends are less likely to be depressed.  In modern society, we are all so “connected” through cell phones, texting, Facebook, and everything else, but we are increasingly disconnected from actual human interaction.

“I have come to believe that empathy, more than any other human faculty, is the key to loving relationships and the antidote to the loneliness, fear, anxiety, and despair that affect the lives of so many people, ” writes Arthur Ciaramicoli in The Power of Empathy.                                                                              

I have a professor who is convinced that most adults are not inherently different from the people they were as children.  Think about yourself.  Were you the kind of child that organized your toys or mobilized all the kids in the neighborhood?  Were you rebellious against authority?  Were you independent and insistent on doing things yourself or were you shy and reserved? Are you very different now?                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

As we go through life and inevitably deal with other adults who are difficult or just simply different than we are – practicing patience and empathy, as we would with children, has the potential to make interpersonal interaction and our relationships more enjoyable.

Body Image, The Media, Women and Children December 4, 2009

I consistently struggle with my weight.  Although it may not be obvious to an outside observer, it is a constant in my life.  In recent years, my education level about health has improved dramatically.  I could bore you to tears rattling off tidbits about nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention, and wellness in general. 

With all of this knowledge, I am now much smarter with my self-criticisms:  I ditched the scale long ago in favor of the much more intelligent measuring tape.  The scale does not take into account changes in body composition.  One might lose fat and gain muscle while body weight stays the same or even increases.  Measurements (like waist and hip) reflect changes much faster than relying on a scale.  Have I just exchanged one obsession for another?  In light of the fact that I can accurately tell you what my waist measures on any given day, the answer is a resounding, “Yes.”

Could this be a factor in why I was drawn to the field of health promotion?  A colleague once told me that, in his experience, most professionals in the wellness and fitness industries suffer from some sort of body image issue.  I find it to be true in my experience as well.  Issues range from body dysmorphic disorder and exercise addiction  to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

 

How do body image issues begin?  Consider how many media images we are exposed to on a daily basis.  Even before the internet, media images from television and magazines were in our lives basically from birth.  What a potential for influence!

We are constantly inundated with images of the “thin ideal” for females, which has become more and more thin since the 1950’s and increasingly unrealistic.  The messages and images that focus on the value of appearances and thinness for females have a significant negative impact on body satisfaction, weight preoccupation, eating patterns, and the emotional well-being of women.  Research has demonstrated that the media contributes to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.  

 

Sun-Maid Girl Before

 

(Even the Sun-Maid Raisins girl appears to have breast implants.)  

                                                                              Adults must take responsibility for teaching children healthy habits.  An excellent way to do so is by setting a good example of healthy eating and exercise.  The media is very powerful; however, it is not the only factor. Behavior of parents and family values play an important role in shaping children’s development. 

Sun-Maid Girl After

 

It is impossible to completely shield our children from media images, but it is imperative to talk to them and explain the difference between reality and the unattainable Photoshopped celebrities on magazine covers.  Communicating about body image and promoting self-esteem are just as important as talking about sex, drugs, and alcohol.

Vaccines and Dandy: A Shot of Confusion-Part 2 December 3, 2009

“Just a Ball of Confusion, that’s what the world is today, hey”             -Temptations

[Note: This post is a continuation. Scroll down the page for part 1 or click here.]

 

I had just been told to leave my newly adopted dog, Dandy, at the vet to receive fluids for his diagnosed distemper and to wait and see.  (And that he would probably only make it a few days.)  This was the best treatment that allopathic medicine could offer me?  No thanks.  Instead, I took him home and nursed him back to health myself using every available resource I could find.  A vet that included holistic modalities in his practice helped me choose which vitamins, herbs, and homeopathic remedies to administer to help Dandy’s body fight the distemper.  In the vet’s experience, dogs can become sick from the very vaccines that are meant to protect them.  Dandy was extremely ill when he received his vaccinations at the shelter, but vaccine protocols state that sick animals should never be vaccinated. 

Dandy at the Grand Canyon

 

On a subsequent visit to the vet clinic after Dandy’s recovery, the staff decided that the distemper test must have been a false positive as there was no way he could have gotten well using holistic care.  So, I guess all of his terrifying symptoms were false positives as well?  I don’t think so.

This post is not meant to be a tirade against allopathic medicine.  I personally favor an integrative approach to health care, one that combines allopathic & holistic modalities.  If I am involved in a car accident, by all means take me to the ER!  But what about chronic conditions like arthritis or skin issues like eczema?  In my opinion, nutrition and the plants, that God put on this earth to help us, are often the best medicine.  But I digress.

The real point of this post is to explore the confusion that surrounds vaccines.  After all that with Dandy, how could I possibly consider more vaccinations?!  He currently only receives the Rabies vaccine, as that is the law.  However, not vaccinating creates problems of its own.  With an unvaccinated pet or child, one might find themselves in the same state of panic that I described in part 1 of this story, “It must be parvo.  He doesn’t get the booster shot.  That stray had parvo, and now he’s throwing up.  I don’t know what to do.  I’ll die if anything happens to him!”   Although I go to great lengths to protect Dandy from sick animals (I groom him myself, never board him, and use a mobile vet clinic), sometimes he gets exposed to disease. 

Did anyone see that propaganda-laden episode of Law and Order: SVU entitled “Selfish” with Hillary Duff that vilified mothers that don’t vaccinate?  From a public health standpoint, vaccines are imperative for preventing epidemics.  I shudder when I consider the horrors of polio and what it must have been like to live in fear that it might strike one of your children.  

But from an individual standpoint, making decisions about the myriad of commonly administered vaccines is a bit more difficult. The number of vaccines a child receives before 2 years of age has increased dramatically in the last 30 years.  The controversy about side effects such as the link between the MMR shot and autism abound.  However, there are more choices available than: full vaccination or none at all.  Generation Rescue provides information on choices regarding vaccines and options.    Alternative vaccination schedules for children, such as the one by Dr. Donald Miller, limit the number of vaccines given and adjust the schedule timeframe. 

At this point, can we go more than five minutes without hearing something about the swine flu or the H1N1 vaccine debate?  Although the occurrence of side effects may be low, there are some horrific stories out there.  One young Washington Redskins cheerleader went from training for a half-marathon to being severely and permanently disabled after receiving a flu shot.   An informative article about the potential risks associated with the flu vaccine is, “Should You Get a Flu Shot,” by Dr. Claudia Anrig.      

We could go all day discussing the cost/benefits analysis of each individual vaccine. Good news is we live in a free country where decisions about vaccinations are left mostly up to the individual instead of a compulsory mandate from the government.

What do you think?  Do your children/pets receive all the recommended vaccinations?  How about you?  Do you regularly get the seasonal flu shot?  Are you also getting the H1N1 vaccination?

Wellness: American v. Swiss December 3, 2009

This summer I had the opportunity (with the help of a scholarship) to attend a Nutrition, Wellness, and Health Promotion course in Switzerland.  It was a fantastic learning experience that illuminated major differences between Switzerland and the United States.  Many aspects of nutrition, wellness, and health practices differ between the two countries in ways that can sometimes seem quite counterintuitive.

 The United States is the country with the highest rate of obesity.  The most recent health statistics show that an alarming 30.6% of the U.S. population is obese.  Compare that to only 7.7% of the Swiss population that is obese.  Switzerland is ranked number 27, whereas the U.S. is ranked number 1.  What accounts for such a drastic difference?  Contributing risk factors such as low physical activity and over consumption of processed foods may be to blame.  Even the fast-paced American lifestyle may play a part in the obesity epidemic.  Lack of sleep is associated with obesity due to its effect of decreasing leptin, increasing ghrelin, and compromising insulin sensitivity.  Overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to abdominal fat deposits, which is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.  It seems that it is all connected.     

While visiting different parts of Switzerland, including cities and rural areas, it became quickly apparent how much more active people are than in the U.S.  Americans, however, spend the majority of their time in behaviors that expend very little energy.  The main difference that I noticed was that people walked not just for exercise or pleasure, but for the sheer purpose of transportation.  Is this due to availability of public transportation, lack of cars, or something else?  Maybe it is just ubiquitous to the Swiss culture like the children coming home from school for lunch.  From an American perspective it appears that life is a bit slower in Switzerland with good results.

In the U.S. everyone seems to always be on a diet.  Billions of dollars per year are spent on the industry in this country even though the constant focus on “diets” and deprivation is not making us healthier as a whole.  This is quite a contrast to the ever-present bread, cheese, and wine in Switzerland.  It is not uncommon to see patrons enjoying a beer with their lunch or chocolate for dessert.  In fact, the per capita intake of chocolate in Switzerland is twenty-two pounds per person.

(in front of the food museum) Love the fork!

 

The Alimentarium Food Museum in Vevey had an intriguing display of what a typical Swiss adult male diet looks like.  It is very heavy on bread and dairy with not a lot of water and contained more than one serving of alcohol, but portions appeared to be significantly smaller than American sizes with several small meals and snacks spread throughout the day.

A glaring difference was the limited amount of processed foods consumed.  Although the Swiss diet is heavy on foods like cheese and bread that we tend to vilify in the U.S., the items are fresh with minimal processing.  Bread is baked daily and available in every corner market.  Fresh produce and organic cheeses even appear at the gas station.  Genetically modified ingredients (GMO) are banned in Switzerland.  In the U.S. manufacturers are not even required to label the inclusion of these ingredients on products. 

It is interesting to note the lower incidence of alcohol related problems in Switzerland.  The availability of public transportation may be a factor in less impaired driving, but also the differences in culture should be considered.  Alcohol is

part of everyday life in Switzerland.  Although the legal drinking age is 16 for beer and wine and 18 for spirits, our guide, Sabine, informed us that children are allowed to sip wine and other alcoholic beverages at home from a very young age.  Binge drinking is not a regular occurrence as alcohol is viewed by most young people as “no big deal.”

Availability of holistic modalities differs vastly between the two countries.  In a one square block in Lucerne, I passed an acupuncture clinic, a homeopathy practitioner, a chiropractic office, and two pilates studios.  At least in urban areas, accessibility is not a problem as one could walk or take public transportation to utilize these services.  Unique facilites that combine a physical therapy clinic with a pilates studio are quite common.  And it doesn’t hurt that health insurance covers all or partial cost of treatment, as well as class fees for yoga and pilates.  Insurance even covers rehabilitation time at thermal baths and spas.  Therapy can last for many weeks and includes on-site accommodations.  In the U.S., these facilities are typically reserved only for the ultra-rich.  Others cannot afford to patronize them regularly.          

Yoga break in the Alps

 

Health insurance is federally mandated in Switzerland but is apparently very pricey.  A couple, that owns a physical therapy clinic/pilates studio, mentioned that their rates were increasing dramatically in the coming year.  I wonder how this compares to what small business owners are experiencing here in the U.S?  An ever increasing number of people in this country go without insurance for reasons including it not being offered by their employer or not being able to afford the premiums.  I have been without health insurance since I was laid off from my job last summer.    

I wonder how these up-front costs associated with a universal healthcare system that provides accessibility to preventive care compare to the overarching costs of treating lifestyle-induced diseases, especially in the uninsured.  Would it actually cost less in the long term?  Would help from insurance on class costs be an incentive for people to attend more physical activity sessions and participate in more preventive care? 

Switzerland is one of the most expensive places I have ever visited.  It is home to two of the priciest in the world: Geneva and Zurich.  Most people rent their place of residence as the taxes on houses are very high.  When asked who owns the houses, our guide Sabine replied, “Some rich people.”  With outrageous prices and low home ownership, why do the Swiss rank higher than Americans in level of happiness?   This is in direct contradiction to the “American dream,” where home ownership is viewed as a status symbol and proof of a successful life.  The idea “American dream” as proof of happiness may now need to shift, especially in light of the current housing market crisis and epidemic of lifestyle-induced diseases in this country. 

Americans could benefit greatly from learning about Swiss culture and adopting some Swiss health practices.  As sedentary behaviors are linked to many adverse health outcomes, it is not surprising that the U.S. population experiences alarming rates of type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.  Concepts such as living a life that is bit slower to counteract stress, enjoying food without overindulging, and making physical activity a part of everyday life, could improve quality of life here as well as lower risk factors associated with many illnesses.

Diabetes Prevention November 11, 2009

I am at a loss on how to make talking about diabetes fun.  About the only fun thing I can come up with is that your life will be more fun if you don’t get it.  Pricking a finger to test your blood sugar = no fun.  I used to lock my mother out of the house/car/whatever was handy when it was time to go get my weekly allergy shot.  And have you seen the small syringe that is used for allergy shots?  Not a big deal, except that I find the thought of ANY sharp object coming at me terrifying!          

When I was in elementary school, I thought the diabetic kids were lucky because they got breaks from class time for “snacks.”  I don’t mean just peanut butter crackers or yogurt.  We’re talking about whole sandwiches.  Little did I realize that they were also taking insulin injections.  As much as I love to eat, a sandwich will never be worth a shot.  A pinch perhaps, but not a shot.

At that time, most children and adolescents that were diabetic had what was then called juvenile-onset diabetes.  We now call this type I.  Today there are many young people who develop type II (formerly called adult-onset diabetes). What’s the difference?

Recipe for developing type II diabetes

 

Type II diabetes is mainly a lifestyle-induced disease where the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or makes a lot but becomes “insulin resistant.”  Translation: prevention is possible and up to you.

Type I is an autoimmune disorder where the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas are attacked and ultimately destroyed.  Type I diabetics depend on insulin injections.

Note: Developing diabetes will probably not help you look like this.

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is currently no way to prevent the disease.  I am not okay with that as children with a family history of type I are much more likely to develop diabetes in their lifetime.  What if you or your partner is diabetic?  My significant other says, “In the 20+ years that I have been type 1, the needles have gotten shorter and thinner, finger prickers less painful, and test trips use less blood, but not once have I been taught any options to prevent this from happening to my future kids.  And I can’t imagine anyone with this disease who would not be willing to explore any alternative that could help keep their children from going through what they have gone through.”             

Promising new research indicates that immune intervention at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes may prevent or reverse autoimmunity.  The goal is to preserve or restore function of the beta cells that make insulin.  However, conflicting results exist in clinical trials of the various agents used in regard to long-term safety and efficacy.  One ethical concern in the research is the cost of suppressing the immune systems of children (while attempting prevention) versus the quality of life and life expectancy provided by insulin replacement therapy.             

Some holistic practitioners believe there are ways to lower a child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes by protecting the immune system and preventing inflammation.  Although the following alternative therapies are not evidence-based through research, they may be worth exploring for children with a family history.

 

HOLISTIC TIPS FOR PREVENTING TYPE I DIABETES

1    Avoid giving the child cow’s milk or other dairy products as these can trigger an

      allergic response.  Breastfeed and then give a dairy substitute such as fortified

      rice milk.

2   Avoid giving the child products containing gluten.  Gluten can trigger celiac

     disease  and is found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley as well as many

     processed foods. Gluten-free grains include buckwheat, millet, and cornmeal.

3   Avoid exposing the child to environmental toxins that can weaken the immune

     system.  Use non-toxic cleaners in the home.

4   Limit the child’s consumption of nitrosamines, carcinogenic compounds found in

     cured meats such as hot dogs.

5   Insure that the child consumes adequate amounts of probiotics and vitamin D.                                                                                                                                                                     

There is also a third type of the disease called gestational diabetes.  It occurs during pregnancy and can cause complications as well as increases the risk of the development of diabetes later in life in both the mother and child. Three to eight percent of expecting mothers develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.      

Prevention is the best course of action for diabetes.  Statistics about the disease are quite alarming.  According to the American Diabetes Association, if current trends continue, one in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.  For minorities, the prediction is one in two.  Please read below for diabetes tips.

 

TIPS FOR PREVENTING TYPE II DIABETES FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

1   Exercise regularly by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days.

2   Follow a healthy eating plan containing ample amounts of fiber.  Eat more whole

     grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes.  Reduce fat and calorie intake.

3   Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.  If you are overweight, set a long-term

     goal of losing 5 to 7 percent of your total body weight.

4   Lower blood pressure and cholesterol or maintain healthy levels.

 

TIPS ABOUT GESTATIONAL DIABETES

1   Avoid gaining excessive weight during pregnancy.  The recommended healthy

     weight gain for most women is 25- 35 pounds.

2   Breastfeeding lowers the baby’s risk for developing type II diabetes later in

     life even if the mother experienced gestational diabetes.

3   If you already have diabetes before the pregnancy, be sure to closely monitor  

     and control your blood sugar levels.

Breast milk: Nature's Perfect Formula

Vaccines and Dandy: A Shot of Confusion- Part 1 October 13, 2009

 

“Just a Ball of Confusion, that’s what the world is today, hey”             -Temptations

 

“It must be parvo.  He doesn’t get the booster shot.  That stray had parvo, and now he’s throwing up.  I don’t know what to do.  I’ll die if anything happens to him!”            -Me, yesterday

The saying goes that cats have 9 lives, but my friend, Dandy, must have at least 20.   When visiting the animal shelter in Memphis 8 years ago, I knew immediately that he was the one.  Although shivering, wet, and coughing, he ran up to the gate of his pen and began licking me through it and was literally bouncing with affection.  His violent cough turned out to be kennel cough (bordatella), but he received many vaccinations before they would let me take him home.  Vaccine protocols say that sick animals should never be vaccinated.

The animal shelter in Memphis is not the most inviting environment to look for a furry friend, because unlike the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, animals will not get a chance at life if they are not adopted- sometimes after only 3 days.  Although I do not know the beginning of Dandy’s journey to the shelter, I do know the end.  There was a pair of women in Fayette County, TN, that were supposedly taking in stray animals to “help” them.  The TV news insinuated that these women were mentally ill and eventually some neighbors called the authorities.  A horrific scene waited: many dogs and cats and even a horse were being severely neglected and abused.  The dogs were kept locked in kennels in a garage where they were sleeping in and eating their own feces.

How can an animal endure such a horrendous life but continue to be open and willing to give as a pet and a friend?  Children that are abused often grow up to be abusers themselves, yet here’s Dandy, so mistreated, so sick and still so full of love.  Animals are actually very resilient and adaptable and have an amazing ability to be mindful and in the present.  Too bad we all can’t effortlessly let go of the past!  Then maybe I could stop listening to Tolle’s A New Earth in my car over and over…  :-)

At the time I found Dandy, there was a saint of a woman going to the shelter daily taking pictures of all the animals and posting them on her personal website along with their scheduled “date to go out.”  It is estimated that approximately 3.7 million animals were euthanized in the nation’s shelters in 2008.  Bob Barker was really on to something when he urged us after the showcase showdown to, “Help control the pet population.  Have your pet spayed or neutered.” 

I saw the cutest little face on that saint of a women’s website, went to sleep that night, and dreamed that I adopted him and called him, “Dandy”.  The name comes from my Papa’s (my grandfather’s) affectionate expression to animals, “He’s a dandy.”   It turned out to be the perfect name, as he appeared to be a purebred, miniature chocolate poodle.  A male poodle personifies the interpretation of a dandy, a fancy dressed man.  

Dandy was so dirty and matted that when I took him to the groomer, he ended up with staples over a hip because his skin tore when they attempted to cut his hair.  Very soon after arriving home, Dandy’s health began quickly deteriorating.  He became listless and violently ill and began exhibiting symptoms of both distemper and parvo.  He tested positive for distemper at the vet where I was told there was no treatment and that my only option was to leave him to receive fluids and most likely die.  Of course, I did not take this for an answer.  Instead, I scooped him up and took him home.

To be continued…

Healthy Balance of Fun and Sun October 2, 2009

They always say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  It’s like the chick on Pulp Fiction says, “They talk a lot, don’t they?”  Yes they do.  I intended to have this blog up and running at least a month ago.  Then life happened (along with an unanticipated slow learning curve on the technology front).  So thank you very much for reading my work in progress.  I am getting the hang of tweeting and hope to be quite the blogger, too. 

Moving right along… I wonder if they are the ones who made up the rule about not wearing white after Labor Day?  And where exactly did they live?  I’m guessing somewhere cold.  But what if you’re a bride?  On the beach even?!  Then you have a double whammy- white dress and shoes!  That is why this sudden crisp, cool air we’re having in Memphis is shocking after the warm, sunny week I spent at the beach for the wedding festivities of close friends.  

And what a beautiful wedding it was!  I mean we’re talking rainbows during the ceremony and a raw oyster bar at the reception nice.  They even had a low-country boil on the sand for the rehearsal dinner.  We were all barefoot and lovin’ it!  If she had listened to them, what color would she have worn?  And you know they say, “to stay out of the sun!” 

But I can’t think of many better ways to spend a day than lying in a beach chair wearing a cute bathing suit surrounded by friends while some cold ones chill in the cooler.  So now what am I supposed to do with this tan?  I hate to hide it under long pants and a jacket after all the hard work I did to get it.  I know, I know.  It hasn’t been politically correct for quite some time to love a tan.  But old habits die hard!  Ever since sunscreen went mainstream, I’ve wondered: “If it’s so bad for you to get in the sun, why do people look so healthy with a little color in their cheeks?”  Don’t get me wrong.  I always knew that sunscreen existed.  I just never really used it much growing up.  I now use it religiously, but have been struggling with the idea of totally giving up the sun.  But I certainly do not want Skin Cancer like they’re always telling us!!  

Recently the tide seems to be shifting a bit with the sun advice.  Have you heard the reports they have in the media about health problems resulting from Vitamin D Deficiency due to lack of sunlight?  How confusing!  What’s a blonde to do?  

Maybe it’s just a question of balance?  I once knew a lady who was a frequent customer in a health food store where I worked.  She went for the Fat-Free craze whole hog.  I mean she really completely quit eating fat.  What was the most obvious result of her following their advice?  A perfect body?  Hell no!  She said she ended up having her gall bladder removed. 

Health advice from the experts is just like daily life: it’s always changing.  I hope this blog is an opportunity to wade through the murky waters of health advice using common sense as a life preserver.  Do you have any stories from the trenches of wayward results from trying to be healthy?