April 2012

On April 11, 2002 I sent out my first Good Health! email message. It was a short reminder message sent to a small group of female friends and family members encouraging them to check themselves for signs of cancer. Fast-forward 10 years. Today I’m a middle aged, mid-western mother and housewife who writes a monthly blog about women’s health that is being read by women all over the world. It was my mother’s struggle with breast cancer that initially inspired me. With the encouragement of the men in my life I have written 120 Good Health! messages on a wide range of women’s health topics including cancer detection & prevention, childbirth, exercise, diet & nutrition and my personal favorite -- the health dangers of thong underwear. I have shared my personal health struggles with you and many of you have shared your stories with me. There have been a few typos over the years but no regrets. I am not doing this to increase my Klout Score. I am doing this with the sincere hope that the women who read Good Health! will be reminded to make the time to safe guard their health. To those of you who subscribe to Good Health! . . . Thank you for reading my ramblings. I am honored by your continued interest and motivated by your comments.

So this month, what would you think if I told you eating popcorn could help you prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s? I know it sounds crazy but popcorn is packed with ferulic acid. Ferulic Acid is an antioxidant also found in beans, rice, corn, wheat, barley and many other grains. And the really crazy part, according to a study out of the University of Scranton, one serving of popcorn has more antioxidants than a day’s worth of fruits and vegetables. The hull is where you find all the good stuff, not in the fluffy white part. If you are looking for the perfect snack food it may just be popcorn. There are approximately 31 calories in one cup of air-popped popcorn. Of course popcorn should not replace broccoli and spinach in your diet but it should replace the potato chips. Just remember to consume responsibly -- air-popped, without added butter and of course in moderation.

Make the time to be good to you --- stop and smell the daffodils. Daffodils aren’t really known for their incredible aroma but researchers have discovered people who are grateful for the simple things in life are more satisfied with their lives. Not because they ignore the bad stuff. Grateful people are just better at appreciating the good stuff. This month I’m grateful for daffodils and you!

Good Health!

Terry

“I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.”
-Nancy Willard