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

March 2012

While doing research to write Good Health! I often come across some interesting health conditions. Here are a few I think all women should be aware of . . .

Bleachorexia -- The quest for a dazzlingly white smile has lead to this new addiction. White teeth are associated with beauty, youth, confidence and good health. That probably explains why tooth whitening is the number one cosmetic dental procedure in the US. It sounds harmless but when tooth whitening becomes an obsession it can lead to bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, blue-white almost see through teeth and even capped teeth. I was surprised to learn that tooth bleaching gels are not regulated by the FDA. So be safe and consult your dental professional before starting an over the counter treatment, use a brand you can trust and make sure you wait at least 6 months between treatments.

Nomophobia -- The younger you are the more likely you are to suffer anxiety and stress when you can’t locate your phone, when your phone is out of battery life or if you lose cell phone coverage. According to a British study, loneliness, boredom and insecurity are some of the triggers that lead to the development of nomophobia. Sixty six percent of study respondents were afflicted and it was women 18 to 24 years old who were the most likely to be “unnerved by cell phone separation.” And it’s no wonder after I recently saw an ad for the Droid Razor Max where a young woman says, “If I could use my phone all day I would definitely feel more powerful.” Really? Maybe this gal should be whitening her teeth.

Vagagony -- The Internet credits Kelly Ripa for bringing this word to our urban dictionary. Vagagony is that uncomfortable feeling a woman gets between her legs after a spinning class. Sure you could probably wear padded exercise shorts while spinning but aren’t most women exercising to remove unwanted padding from their shorts?

And finally, don’t let chromatophobia - the fear of the color green - prevent you from enjoying St. Patrick’s Day. Make the time to be good to you by considering yourself lucky. People who believe in good luck are more optimistic and more satisfied with their lives.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day & Good Health!

Terry

"May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future."
~Irish Blessing

February 2012

What would you say if I told you that 22% of the fish Consumer Reports tested were mislabeled? And it’s not only Consumer Reports that has studied the problem of fraudulent fish in the seafood industry. University of Washington - Tacoma researchers reported that more than 38% of restaurant samples they tested were farm-raised or a cheaper fish substitution -- diners ordered red snapper but were served ocean perch. The bait and switch doesn’t end there. Sole is frequently being switched for farm-raised Sutchi catfish from Vietnam where the seafood industry uses drugs not approved in the U.S. and grouper is being switched for tilefish that’s been known to contain dangerously high levels mercury. In Minnesota, that walleye dinner you enjoyed last weekend might actually have been a zander dinner. According to ABC News correspondent Elizabeth Leamy, “a third of seafood sold in the U.S. is mislabeled as one type when it's actually something else, even something cheaper.”

Sushi lovers . . . you need to be extra careful. Escolar, a succulent white fish known to cause stomach cramps, vomiting and anal leakage was substituted for “white tuna” in a 100% of the samples collected in a Boston Globe investigation. It’s difficult to distinguish between real fish and fake fish. It’s so difficult that even some experts cannot detect the difference without the aid of DNA testing. Americans spend 80 billion dollars a year on fish and 84% of that fish comes from overseas. Today only 2% of the fish sold in the U.S. is screened and less than .001% is tested for fraud. With any luck FDA officials with make good on their promise to do more to police against fake fish. Until then buyer beware. Never buy cheap fish, buy only from a reputable market and buy the whole fish when possible. What has this world come to when the only way to be sure what’s for dinner is to test the DNA of the food on your plate?

Today we know far more about breast cancer than we did because of research funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Over the past 30 years Komen has invested approximately $2 billion dollars for research, advocacy, education and support services for women. No matter your stance on Planned Parenthood funding I hope you continue to support Susan G. Komen for a Cure. Women in the U. S. and around the world have benefited from the work of this organization. I am one of those women . . . you are too.

Make the time to be good to you by locking lips with your valentine. A serious French kissing session stimulates the production of saliva and washes away bacteria helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Chewing sugar-free gum works too but it’s not as much fun.

Happy Valentine’s Day & Good Health!

Terry

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

~Ingrid Bergman