November 2012

I’ve been potty trained for more than 50 years so imagine my surprise when I learned that I have been doing it wrong.  According to the people behind Squatty Potty “the squat position is the natural way to achieve easier and more complete elimination.”  It’s all about bathroom posture, reduced strain and decreased pressure in the anal and rectal veins by improving the anorectal angle.  Before I blogged on this topic I sought the opinion of a trusted medical professional – my brother, he’s a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  I somewhat expected him to tell me that Squatty Potty was just a gimmick.  But what he told me was that in his office there are retrainers that teach patients “to assist bowel evacuation with a stool in front of the toilet for their feet.”  Basically a Squatty Potty without a fancy design, fun name or high price.  Learn more about the squatting position and the Squatty Potty at http://www.squattypotty.com -- If you have trouble with constipation, hemorrhoids or are just looking to improve your colon health the Squatty Potty might be worth a try.

While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about other popular bathroom activities – texting, making/receiving phone calls and shopping.  In a recent survey 75% of respondents said they take their phone to the bathroom every time they go.  It’s not surprising that 91% of the people born between 1977 and 1993 are toilet tweeting but 65% of baby boomers admit to making calls from the porcelain throne.  Android users are most likely to use their phones in the bathroom, 22% of iPhone users have made an online purchase while in the bathroom and 19% of cell phone users have accidently dropped their phone in the toilet.  And while 92% of people surveyed claim they wash their hands after using the bathroom only 14% wash their cell phones.  That’s probably why an estimated 1 in 6 phones would test positive for fecal matter. You certainly don’t want to think about that the next time your dinner partner rests their cell phone on the table.

Take back your right to privacy in our increasingly busy lives. Make time to be good to you and make the bathroom a phone free zone.  

Happy Thanksgiving & Good Health!

Terry

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~Melody Beattie

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October 2012

The medical research community is closing in on the root causes of breast cancer and promising new drugs have been approved for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.  But unfortunately, breast cancer is still the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in U. S. women.  Before the end of this year 230,000 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis and way too many women will lose the fight.  I continue to believe that breast cancer awareness is your best defense against becoming a breast cancer statistic.  I am passionate about staying educated about the disease and spreading the awareness message.  Over the years I have read hundreds of articles about breast cancer;  it’s causes, prevention tips and treatments.  But it’s not often that I come across an article that is informative and concise.  So earlier this month when I read 25 Breast Cancer Myths Busted -- click here to read -- I knew I had to share it with you.  Please give it a read and educate yourself on the facts.  Don’t let the fear of a breast cancer diagnosis stop you from doing all you can to find it in it’s earliest and most treatable stage -- know your own body and see your doctor regularly.  We still don’t know why some women get breast cancer.  In fact, 70% of breast cancer patients have no known risk factors.  But we do know that early detection increases your options and the opportunity for a positive outcome.

How many of you have heard of Annie Hawkins-Turner, AKA Norma Stitz?  Norma holds the Guinness World Record for largest natural breasts in the world.  Norma’s bra size is 102 ZZZ.  Jaw dropping I know. Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to Google her.  Most of the well-endowed women complain about the limitations and discomfort of having large breasts. Not Norma. That's pretty incredible when you consider the fact that after spending years hating her breasts and the negative energy they brought to her life, Norma has vowed never to have reduction surgery. This 53 year old, former social worker is embracing the body God gave her.  And while she has made career choices few of us would make, I find it oddly refreshing that she is not letting other people define her.

Make the time to be good to you.  Take charge of your health and your life.  And remember that you are the only person qualified to write your story.

Good Health!

Terry

"Life has chapters.  If you don't like the one you're in, close it so you can start a new one."

~Fran Zone

Please let me know what you think about this month’s entry by leaving a comment.

September 2012

Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Oz are just some of the prominent health gurus high on hemp milk.  My first thought: Hemp milk, is that legal?  Then I learned that hemp milk is made from pulverized cannabis sativa seeds but does not contain THC, the stuff that makes marijuana so popular. So why should women drink hemp milk?  Because . . .

• It contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, the fatty acids needed for a healthy brain.

• It contains minerals -- magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, folic acid.  

• It contains 10 amino acids and vitamin A, E, D and B12.

• It is easy to digest and is tolerated by those with dairy, nut and soy allergies.

• It provides good nutrition for your hair, skin and nails.

• It is said to help prevent the pain of arthritis.

• It is trans fat-free and has no cholesterol. 

I was curious so I gave hemp milk a try.  Dr. Oz wouldn’t lead me astray would he?  It had a bit of a weird nutty flavor on it’s own.  But, after using it to make a smoothie I became a hemp milk fan.

The new cast of Dancing with the Stars All-Star Edition has been announced and I am looking forward to watching the show from my couch.  But, I really should be dancing.  No . . . not on the show, in my family room.  Of course dancing is a great strength, flexibility, balance and cardio workout but now there is increasing evidence to suggest dancing inhibits the onset of dementia.  According to medical experts when you dance you have to coordinate thought patterns and muscle response.  It doesn’t matter whether you are dancing the paso doble or the Macarena.  Just turn on the music and dance!

Make the time to be good to you and enjoy a hemp milk smoothie – they’re not just for hippies.

Good Health!

Terry

“Carson, you put the boy in flamboyant.”

~ Len Goodman to Carson Kressley on Dancing with the Stars Season 13