Hormone Levels

Human growth hormone deficiencies are real. They happen when children don't produce enough or after removal of the pituitary gland in young adults. At that point, injections - prescribed and administered by a physician - are a logical next step.

However, the natural decline in hormone production associated with aging is not a deficiency. It does not need to be reversed. And attempting to do so may actually be detrimental.

Studies have shown (in animals and humans) that individuals who naturally produce more hGH are more likely to die at a younger age. While animals with disorders that suppressed production of growth hormones experienced a longer lifespan. The body knows when it needs growth hormones and it knows when it doesn't.

Who am I to argue with Mother Nature?

Muscle Mass

The natural production of growth hormone in our youth is designed to build muscles to support our growing skeletal system. (One reason doctors don't like to see teens on fasting diets - it messes with muscle development at a critical time in their lives.) Which brings me to the other heavily touted 'benefit' of hGH supplementation - increased muscle mass.

A small, brief study involving several men over age 61 did show an increase in muscle mass in some of the men. But - and this is a big BUT - there was no corresponding increase in muscle strength. Just what we all need, big biceps and the inability to lift a coffee cup. Ooh yeah! Sign me up!

Supplements

Then, there's the safety and effectiveness of supplements. As an unregulated industry, manufacturers can say (almost) anything about their products without fear of reprisal. Unless, and until, they claim to treat or cure specific conditions or disorders, it's all legal.

This is the group telling you that their products are safe. These are the people who say "Lose 10 pounds in 7 days!" or "Look 10 years younger in just 2 weeks!" They don't care that growth hormone supplements are absorbed in the digestive tract and have absolutely no effect on hormone levels. As long as they make their money, it's not their problem.

Add to that - there is no way to know exactly what's in each happy little pill. Sure, the bottle has a list of ingredients. But - without regulation - manufacturers can (and do) throw anything they like in there, in any amounts. (How many supplements have been recalled lately because they contained illegal prescription drugs?)

Bottom Line?

Ponce de Leon spent his entire life searching for the fountain of youth. He never found it - because it doesn't exist.

If these products did what they claim - it would be all over the 6 o'clock news. Reputable retailers would be lining their shelves (and their pockets). And this miracle cure wouldn't have to sneak into the country in crates marked "Made in China."

And getting odder.

Usually, doing a search for random phrases will hit the source pages for a product. Not with this one. I used testimonials and ended up with a completely different product. The ingredients list, however, led me to another which-product-is-which dilemma.

From more than one 'review' site:
Product 'N' ingredients include 5% benzoyl peroxide, 2% salicylic acid, and 0.1% sulfur, water, shea butter, glycerin, Stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, PEG-100 stearate, jojoba oil, stearyl alcohol, walnuts shells, cocamidopropyl betaine, potassium cocoate, fragrance, allantoin, avocado oil, propylene glycol, hydrated magnesium, aluminum silicate, xanthan gum, citracidal, acai, soy protein, algae complex, flax seed oil, alfalfa powdered extract, azelaic acid, barley, buckwheat, malt, primrose extract, glycolic acid, hydrolyzed wheat protein, lavender oil, rosemary extract, sweet orange oil, tea tree oil, vitamin A palmitate, garlic, cayenne pepper, DMAE, and lactobacillus acidophilus.

Product 'M' ingredients include 5% benzoyl peroxide, 2% salicylic acid, and 0.1% sulfur, water, shea butter, glycerin, Stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, PEG-100 stearate, jojoba oil, stearyl alcohol, walnuts shells, cocamidopropyl betaine, potassium cocoate, fragrance, allantoin, avocado oil, propylene glycol, hydrated magnesium, aluminum silicate, xanthan gum, citracidal, acai, soy protein, algae complex, flax seed oil, alfalfa powdered extract, azelaic acid, barley, buckwheat, malt, primrose extract, glycolic acid, hydrolyzed wheat protein, lavender oil, rosemary extract, sweet orange oil, tea tree oil, vitamin A palmitate, garlic, cayenne pepper, DMAE, and lactobacillus acidophilus.

Again, none of the review sites had product images for either item. But - and this rather surprised me - I did manage to find the main site for Product 'M' . Little did I know, the surprises were just beginning.

All of the pages I looked at had no content. Even the home page is just one giant image file with a supposed video and formatted paragraphs still containing the filler Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, text. Looking closely under the 'video,' I noticed bottles of acne products - Proactiv acne products. See? Odd!

Certainly the order page would give more information about Product 'M' , right? Not so much. Clicking on 'Buy Now' took me to a shopping cart containing one bottle of Acnexia - the Product 'A'  from my post earlier this month.

I am officially, totally, completely, and utterly done with this mess. Except to strongly suggest that ordering acne treatment online epitomizes the term crap shoot. (Heavy emphasis on the crap.)

Of course, most of our utility knives are dollar-store specials. Who knew that they come with cutting guides - a guard that keeps the blade at the same depth, all the way around the box? (It also keeps the blade away from your fingers.)

The safety knives? Incredible. You can extend the blade to, for example, open a box. Once you pull the knife away from the edge, the blade retracts - even if you have the slider pushed forward.

All in all, I got quite an education. And if you've ever sliced your fingers, trying to get into that blister pack, this may be just what you need, too.

I have been reading (voraciously) a great column on creators.com that offers ideas for living below your means. Among other things, this is a lifestyle of paying off debt, using cash not credit, and getting the Best Buy possible - on everything.

This is not learning to live without, but learning to choose wisely. About giving up bad financial habits and, to borrow an overused phrase, thinking outside the box.

Credit: acobox.com

I have always believed you should never pay full price, never buy retail, when there are so many other options. Why do you think Black Friday is such a huge shopping day? Everyone loves a great deal.

Who wants to pay $400.00 for a desktop CPU when it's available for $190.00 - with free shipping? Not me. And, certainly, not you. Right?

What about 3 sets of iPhone earphones for, not $30.00, but less than $7.00? You've now got stocking stuffers for three iPhone users for just over $2.00 each. Brilliant!

Other holiday shopping tricks? Start picking things up as early as possible. You can take advantage of sales, spend a little here and a little there, and avoid paying full price in a panic to get something under (or on) the tree.

Set a budget and stick to it. Look at how much money you can afford to spend - realistically afford. Put aside for food, gifts, and decorations. When the money is gone, you're done. Period. No credit cards allowed.

I can't say it enough: Shop early -- and shop smart! Your bank account will thank you. And you might just find that your stress level is much, much lower this year.

Origins of Haiti Cholera

Before the recent outbreak, the CDC indicated cholera was unlikely to occur in Haiti because there was no cholera bacteria there. That bears repeating - No Cholera Bacteria in Haiti. In addition, most relief workers were from places where cholera was not a threat.

Over 3 days (October 9, 12, and 16), new troops deployed to a U.N. peacekeepers base, rumored to have an incredible stench and waste leaking into the nearby waterway. On October 20, Haiti radio announced that 19 people - living at the mouth of the Artibonite River - had died. Within 24 hours, cholera was confirmed as the cause of death.

That U.N. base? It's manned by troops from Nepal, where cholera outbreaks (yup, more than one) happened over the summer. And where 75% of the population, though contagious, show no symptoms of cholera.

That smell? The septic system:

"... when the AP visited on Oct. 27, a tank was clearly overflowing. The back of the base smelled like a toilet had exploded. Reeking, dark liquid flowed out of a broken pipe, toward the river, from next to what the soldiers said were latrines. U.N. military police were taking samples in clear jars with sky-blue U.N. lids, clearly horrified.

"At the shovel-dug waste pits across the street sat yellow-brown pools of feces where ducks and pigs swam in the overflow. The path to the river ran straight downhill."

The investigation continues.

Lead and Cadmium in Novelty Glasses

Once again, novelty glasses have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead and/or cadmium. Imported from China and sold at the Warner Brothers Studio store, one set of glasses were found to have a lead content of 16 to 30.2 percent. Designated as collectibles for adults (by the importer), therein lies the controversy.

Lead is not regulated in products for adults. The health risk is for children whose developing nervous systems are endangered by exposure to lead. However, these glasses are sold next to kids' t-shirts by Warner Brothers and touted as "a perfect way to serve cold drinks to your children or guests" by another online retailer.

Over at Coca-Cola, a set of novelty glasses that were designed to look like the manufacturer's soft drink cans have come under fire. The all-red Coke glasses leached cadmium from external decorations during testing by the Associated Press. Unlike lead, which is only regulated in products for children, cadmium exposure harms adults and children equally and is strictly limited in products, as well as the workplace.

Both companies have agreed to recall these new glasses.

Kids' ER Visits Down

It's been three years since the voluntary recall of cough and cold medications marketed to kids two and younger. Two years since withdrawal of the same medications for children aged four and under. Since then, the incidence of emergency room treatment for overdose and adverse reactions, in children under 2, has been cut in half; 2,790 before withdrawal compared to 1,248 after.

However, 75% of those treated were not given medication by parents. They 'got into it' while unsupervised; the same percentage of 'self-medication' seen pre-recall. Researchers say it is also possible that adverse events remained high because parents were giving their youngsters adult medications, as the versions for children are no longer available.

Please remember, mom and dad - 1.) Kids under 4 do not benefit from cough and cold medications; they do, however, suffer serious reactions. 2.) Don't give more than an age-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever relief; and only for a high fever. 3.) Use a bulb syringe to remove mucus, saline nose drops to keep breathing passages open, and a vaporizer for congestion. 4.) Don't spare the fluids.

Never give adult medications - in any amount - to a child. Children do not process medications in the same way that adults process them; a sedative can make them 'hyper' and a stimulant, lethargic. Do not give aspirin or products containing aspirin to anyone under the age of 19, due to the risk of developing Reyes Syndrome.

Children of Divorce and Stroke Risk

These results were presented, today, at the 63rd Annual GSA Scientific Meeting.

Researchers reviewed information compiled in a 2005 survey performed by Statistics Canada. Data collected from 13,134 respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, looked at how many were children of divorce and how many had experienced a stroke. Just over 10% had divorced parents and almost 2.0% had experienced a stroke, at some point in their lives. This, according to reports, indicates a 2.2 times greater risk of stroke for children of divorce.

My concerns: 1.) Stroke statistics were not included (in any story I could find) for participants whose parents were not divorced. 2.) These 'children' experienced their parents' divorce more than 50 years ago, when divorces were more rare, the shame was much greater, and trauma (perhaps) more severe. 3.) The findings have not been peer-reviewed or published.

No, children do not want their parents to get divorced - ever. It is a stressful situation for everyone. But it is not the same. Society does not shun the divorced; children are not tormented because they come from a 'broken' home.

There is no reason to believe that children of divorce in 2010 will be forever scarred and permanently stressed by the change in their family dynamic. At least, for those children, I certainly hope they aren't.

Results of a recent study confirm that moms' mealtime tactics are tied to kids' eating habits. But, oddly enough, it may be in the reverse direction. It isn't necessarily what moms do that creates the problems. Just as likely, moms become pushy and controlling in response to what the kids are eating or not eating at the table and perceptions of the child's weight.

Mothers who think their child may be too thin, may start forcing more time at the table or larger portions that must be finished. When the child is believed to be overweight, moms may strictly limit calories or foods that are perceived as unhealthy. In both cases, children tend to rebel - refusing to eat or overeating at every opportunity.

All I know, from personal experience, is that the more I was forced, the more I didn't want to eat. Probably why I weighed 120lbs (or less) and was nearly 6 feet tall as a high school senior. And why, to this day, I am seriously resistant to "You have to eat."

It may be a control issue, where what and how much we eat is the only part of our lives where we have absolute control. Or we may simply be stubborn souls who hate being told what to do. Either way, conflict at meal time is seriously bad for everyone's digestion.

The review was for chromium, a mineral that we need in small amounts and get from foods like broccoli, potatoes, grape juice, garlic, and orange juice. It is believed to help combat insulin resistance, which is a contributing factor for development of type 2 diabetes. Although, according to the National Institutes of Health, research is inconclusive.

What caught my attention was in the conclusion: not recommending a diet pill whose main ingredient is chromium. It's a valid theory, since there is also no conclusive research that the effect on blood sugar also contributes to weight loss. So, good review, right? Yes and no.

You see, the number-two weight loss pill on the site was something that contained 500mcg of chromium as the main ingredient.

Groceries

With all due respect to the SSDCoLA fairy, things are more expensive this year. And - are you listening, fairy? - food is a valid part of the cost of living. As in, no food - no living.

Crankiness aside, there are ways to live within one's means and not starve. My first suggestion - don't hate me - is a small, separate freezer. (Unless you have a huge freezer section in your fridge; and I mean huge.) That way, as sales and cash flow permit, you can stock up on specials.

Meats

We don't - under any circumstances - pay full asking price for anything down the meat aisle. Some months we eat a lot of chicken; some months pork. Occasionally, we get a deal on beef.

Our store, a local Kroger affiliate, has a lovely section with 'Manager's Special' bargains. As you might expect, these are (undoubtedly) a day or so past the sell-by date. They are also perfectly edible and cost one-third, or less, of the original price.

The only caveat being they need to be cooked right away or immediately frozen. (They will not last long in the fridge. Period.) Would I still buy them if my budget were a little more ... flexible? Absolutely. Wasting money is wasting money, no matter how much is sitting in the bank.

A guideline for whether the price is 'acceptable'? The closer you can get to $1.00 per serving (not per pound), the better. If I can buy 4 boneless, lean, center-cut loin chops for about $4.00, I'm happy. (See 'Manager's Special'.) In today's economy, 4 of the same for $8.00 is probably still a good deal; but I don't have to like it.

Produce

This is a little trickier, but still doable.

First, buy in season. Yes, you can get melons in the dead of winter and apples in February. But they were shipped in from outside your area and will cost you dearly.

Second, use that freezer. Most everything (lettuce, watermelon, citrus, and cucumbers excluded) will freeze beautifully, if you do it right. Personally, I am of the opinion that if you can buy it frozen at the store - you can freeze it yourself. (But then I've made my own preserves, baked my own bread, and dabbled in dill pickles. I could be biassed.) Another caveat : frozen carrot or celery sticks will probably not be snackable when thawed.

Lastly, you would not believe how long those (aforementioned) celery and carrot sticks will last in the refrigerator - with proper care. We immediately wash our carrots and celery, then cut into three-inch pieces. Those pieces are then put into inexpensive zippered bags and - this is really important - sealed airtight. Squeeze - all - the - air - out. We've had them last, beautifully, for weeks and weeks.

Oh, and the carrots? Another option is cleaning, cutting, and putting them (covered with water) into a small plastic container with a tight-sealing lid. If the kids get into the carrot sticks a lot (good for you and them, by the way) this eliminates the worry over resealing the bag.

Dairy

Nothing in this category is (to my understanding) freezable. However:

Low-fat milk is often cheaper than whole milk. It also has fewer calories and is lower in sodium, without giving up calcium. Where we shop, milk is milk. (In my youth, I drank milk straight from the cow - my uncle loved to 'shoot' calcium at us! So, I'm not fond of low-fat. And, since I rarely drink milk, I'm not worried about the calories and sodium.)

Cottage cheese and sour cream are - as far as I've noticed - the same quality, regardless of the name on the label. Although I did notice yesterday that the low-fat had more carbs than the regular. (Guess which one we took home.)

Yogurt, from our experience, is often better in generic or store-brands. The added sugar in so many name-brands is positively ridiculous. Our store carries a 'CarbMaster' version that has only 3gms of sugar/carbs. And - most importantly - tastes great, lower price, still has real fruit.

Eggs - ooh, fun stuff. (First, how is something that has nothing to do with milk considered dairy? {sigh}) You really can't freeze 'em. So, if there's a great deal (I just got 2 18-packs for $3.00), how do you make sure you're not poisoning your family by the time you eat all of them? Easy. Rumor has it they are good in the fridge for 4-5 weeks. If there's any doubt, get a bowl of cold water and gently drop in an egg. The more it floats, the older it is. (If it's doing the backstroke across the bowl - capture on video for YouTube, then RUN!)

Cheese is my favorite dairy product. So many varieties, so little time. (Never pay full price, by the way.) Like our carrot and celery sticks, air is the mortal enemy. Once you see a spec of mold on the outside, it's already taken over. Cost-wise? It's all trial and error. Some store brands are just as good as name brands; some are - supremely - worse. (Our store-brands are comparable at less than half the price and much less salty.)

Bakery

We don't buy much in the bakery aisle. Mark just can't (as much as he wants them) have the carbs.

Nonetheless - Egads! I can buy a loaf of wheat bread at the corner store for $2.59, or I can buy a loaf of wheat bread at my grocery store for $0.88. The same with hot dog and hamburger buns. The carb and fiber numbers are pretty much the same. Often the sodium is lower in the generic/store brands. So, hmmm, let's see. One loaf for $2.59 or 3 loaves for (just a bit more than) the same price?

Ideally? I'll go back to baking my own bread, rolls, and (shhh, don't tell) doughnuts. It's cheaper and I know what I'm eating.

Everything Else

This is huge - literally the rest of the store - so, I think we should dedicate an entire post to the rest of the shopping trip. Agreed?

From where I sit, it all comes down to rights. And realistic expectations.

Authors

An author has every right to throw words on pages and pay to have them bound together in something resembling a book. That's what we like to call freedom of speech. Even if that speech is spurious and specious; claiming a value and honesty that doesn't stand up to closer inspection.

However, the expectation that anyone has the right to sell (or demand that others sell) those bound musings wherever and whenever they please is a different story. Especially, when one is musing about a subject that is, to put it mildly, polarizing. In other words, Christopher Hitchens or Edmund Cooper have every right to write what they choose; expecting a shelf at the local Christian book store is unrealistic.

Businesses

Amazon, or any business, has the legal right to choose what it will and will not offer for sale. "We reserve the right to refuse service ... " in action. That business also has a basic right to not support or give the appearance of supporting illegal activities. Or, they can throw up their hands and cry "We are not the morality police."

Businesses also know that they aren't going to please all of the people all of the time. If they take controversial positions or offer products that offend, they should expect people to complain or refuse to patronize their store. If they don't see that, they are deluding themselves.

Consumers

Then, there's the public. We, as consumers, have the right to purchase what we want, without prejudice or judgement. (I must add - within the limits of the law.) At the same time, we have the right to not be assaulted by personally objectionable material while trying to find a gift for our grandchild or spouse - from a mainstream business.

Therein lies the problem. What I consider objectionable may not coincide with my neighbor's opinion. And vice versa. To exaggerate, just a bit, that is how censorship begins - and, frequently, snowballs into out-of-control loss of basic rights. Expecting everyone to kowtow to my beliefs (or yours) is unrealistic.

Bottom Line

It is, to say the least, quite a balancing act.

Everyone has the right to live their life as they see fit, as long as they don't keep anyone else from exercising that exact same right. And as long as their lifestyle choices harm no one. No one has to eat broccoli, just because I like it; and you'll never get me to touch organ meat - never.

I can practice religious or atheistic beliefs; eat lots (and lots) of meat or nothing with a face; sing the praises of heavy metal or opera. I can be a technophile or a Luddite. Someone - I promise - will disagree with whatever position I take. Strongly and vocally, in all likelihood.

But, and this is where the balance tilts away from individual liberties, when a behavior or lifestyle or belief system (or personal choice) is, by its very nature, guaranteed to cause emotional or physical harm to another living being - it is not a protected freedom. No one has the right to rape another person or beat them or lock them in a basement for years on end. Or burn down their home or steal their car or intentionally cause them harm.

Nor, in my humble opinion, do they have the right to support or glorify such behavior. I would expect the same hue and cry over something titled "How to Beat Your Spouse, Discreetly" or "Arson For Fun and Profit: What To Do When the Neighbors Won't Move". But, hey that's just me: a non-religious, steak-loving, opera-neutral geek.

It couldn't be easier. Simply visit http://www.facebook.com/kmart or http://www.facebook.com/sears fan pages. Select the eGift Cards tab and follow the steps.

The beauty is this isn't just for Facebook friends. You can use this application to send a virtual gift card to anyone you know. All you need is their email address.

In denominations from $5.00 to $25.00, it sounds like a great idea to me. What about you?

From the news release and Dogwood Alliance:

Today, GP is stepping away from business-as-usual forestry practices, announcing boldly to the world its new policies to end purchasing wood from endangered forests and from any new plantations established at the expense of over 90 Million acres of natural hardwood forests. Going beyond words on a piece of paper, over the past 2 years, GP, working with Dogwood and NRDC has mapped 600,000 acres of endangered forests and special areas in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal eco-region.

“No other U.S. company has demonstrated this level of initiative in mapping unique forests across such a broad region,” said Debbie Hammel, NRDC Senior Resource Specialist. “Through this process, GP has proven that—by harnessing scientific advances and seeking conservation guidance—corporations can help protect unique places without sacrificing profitability.”

Personally, I find it ridiculous that any company (ahem ... International Paper? Are you listening?) would put whole eco-systems in danger when - as Georgia-Pacific is proving - environmental responsibility doesn't mean losing money. And the customers of IP are no better. If KFC and Yum! Brands (to name two) were to demand a change, maybe IP would man-up and do the right thing.

For me? I'm going to start voting with my wallet. Support Georgia-Pacific brands.

A little background: The study involved 4,000 adults, born to mothers who were enrolled between 1959 and 1966. Researchers collected data on the mothers' smoking habits during pregnancy. In 1999, when they were 33 through 40, a review was done of the offsprings' health and criminal records.

It was determined that when the mothers smoked at least a pack (20+ cigarettes) per day during pregnancy, their kids were 30% more likely to have a criminal record. Additionally, those same children were deemed more likely to repeat offend. Did I mention anti-smoking clap-trap?!

Well, maybe and maybe not. Even the researchers admit that they are unable to definitively prove causality - that smoking mothers give birth to future criminals more frequently than non-smoking mothers. At most, they suggest that heavy maternal smoking may present a risk factor. That I can accept.

On the other hand, which is what damaged my 'mad,' maternal smoking has been linked to smaller birth weights and other health issues in kids. Studies on animals suggest that nicotine has a negative effect on the developing brain, especially neurotransmitters. In turn, neurotransmitter malfunction is considered a factor in some disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, and OCD.^[1]

So, if we want to extrapolate:

1. Maternal smoking exposes the fetus' developing brain to nicotine.
2. Nicotine exposure has been shown to negatively impact developing neurotransmitters in the brain.
3. Neurotransmitter problems may contribute to development of certain mental health conditions.
4. Persons with some mental health disorders are more likely to engage in criminal behaviors.
5. Therefore, ergo, and towit - maternal smoking contributes to criminal behaviors in their offspring.

It's a reasonable conclusion, given presumed truths. And, honestly, just one more reason to not smoke.

1. "Information About Mental Illness and the Brain." The Science of Mental Illness. National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health. Web. 15 November 2010. <http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/mental/guide/info-mental-a.htm>

I can - vividly - remember the first time I had dinner with my soon-to-be in-laws. (Wow, have a hyphen!) It was, shall we say, an education? Luckily, my fiancé and his parents were amazing people who were happy to help me learn.

Before you get all - "They should have accepted you the way you were!" upset - I was 19, poorly socialized, and hungry to be taught what I saw as 'proper manners.' Gracious behavior, if you prefer.

It's entirely possible that I would have picked up some of this information, because (as I say) I was desperate to learn. I did a lot of reading and observing. But, spending time with people who lived the behaviors I wanted to emulate made it a lot easier.

I have to admire these universities who are starting to realize that students need skills beyond the core of their major to survive in the real world. Information they may not be exposed to at home. It is simply logical that the more tools we have, the more comfortable we (and those around us) will be with life's social challenges.

What to do you think? Valid studies or waste of time?

First, let's look at DRIs for sodium. From ages 9 to 50, regardless of gender, the range runs 1,500mg to 2,300mg per day. The lower end being preferred intake levels; the upper end being the maximum daily intake believed to be safe.

Granted, none of these meals touch a Double Whopper with cheese: 1,061 calories, 68g fat (28g sat.), 58g protein, 61g carbs, 6g fiber, and 1,544mg sodium. Or a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese: 734 calories, 45g fat (18g sat.), 47g protein, 40g carbs, 3g fiber, and 1,333mg sodium. Although a couple try to come close.

There's a Mayan Chicken Salad that sounds absolutely delicious: slow-cooked chicken over brown rice and topped with field-greens; but - Calories 510; Fat 13g (sat 3g); Protein 27g; Carbohydrate 72g; Fiber 4g; Sodium 870mg - the carbs and sodium are pretty high. For me, allowed 1,600 calories per day and low blood pressure, this would be about a third and that's not bad. For Mark, who is a sodium-sensitive slightly-hypertensive diabetic, it wouldn't be the best choice.

The Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, Calories 400; Fat 20g (sat 3.5g); Protein 31g; Carbohydrate 31g; Fiber 3g; Sodium 810 mg, has high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives in the reduced-sugar dressing. Not so great. Although, it does have lower carbs, fat, and sodium than my favorite Southwest Chicken Salad at 501 calories, 22g fat (6g sat.), 28g protein, 51g carbs, 7g fiber, and 1,259mg sodium.

I'm gonna miss that salad.

In Arizona, no one leaves the house without fluids. It's simply too hot and the risk of dehydration too great. Finding a way to compensate is important to all of us. Without, hopefully, breaking the bank.

Yes, you'll have to get the unit and reusable water bottles - one-time expenses and frequently (at least out here) on sale. Our first unit lasted almost 10 years, which works out to about $3.00/year. And we have some terrific travel mugs, the kind with no handles, that I got on sale for something like $3.00/each at the corner store.

Think about it. Where in the world can you buy a one-liter bottle of water for a nickel? (Even on sale at my local store, the best I could find was about 12 1/2 cents per bottle.) Or a gallon for seventeen cents?

And you're not adding to the ever increasing mounds of garbage piling up all over our planet. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Turn It Off

It may seem obvious, until you've followed a teenager or absent-minded spouse around the house, flicking off switches. I used to come home and find every light in the place on - with my ex sitting in front of the TV, oblivious to the world. Once he started paying the electric bill, he got over that one right quick!

The rule became, simply: "If you turned it on, going in; turn it off, going out." The cats didn't care if the bathroom was dark. And they could certainly hit the bed without benefit of light.

We probably cut the bill by a good 30% after he started paying attention. The downside? Three of the four cats loved to pounce on unsuspecting feet from the relative anonymity of a dark hallway. Still, peroxide and band-aids were cheaper than the electricity.

Don't Turn It On

This was my personal contribution to the ever-growing electric bill. I habitually had the television on for 'company' or background noise. Silence really bothered me.

It, admittedly, took some adjusting. But with the help of a small radio that I centrally located on top of the fridge, I could have my 'company' and not hammer the electric bill. I even sang along and seriously confused the cats!

You've never lived until you have a cat want to look into your mouth to see where that gawd-awful sound is coming from. {sigh} Everybody's a critic!

Better Bulbs

Currently, we have two lamps and a wall fixture in the living room; a fluorescent unit in the kitchen; a ceiling fan and bedside lamp in the bedroom; and a bathroom fixture with enough wattage to give you a tan. Seriously! The thing actually heats up the whole bathroom!

But mostly, we use little strategically placed nightlights. There's one each in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. They use very little electricity and provide enough light for most purposes.

The rest of the fixtures (bathroom tanning salon, notwithstanding) have CFLs. While these bulbs are more expensive than standard incandescent bulbs, they (as I'm sure you know) last a long time and use a lot less electricity. (60 watts vs. approximately 18 watts, depending on the bulb, for the same amount of light.) We buy a bunch at a time, either at the local dollar store or the corner drug store, when they're on sale.

I'm going to look for some that will fit the bathroom fixture. Before my retinas (retinae?) are completely fried.

Appliances

Refrigerator/Freezer

One thing we noticed, living in a small apartment, is how often the refrigerator turns on. Since apartment complexes don't always go for the latest energy-efficient appliances, it's a safe bet that this puppy is an electricity hog. But, that's easily dealt with.

Ours has a single control for fridge and freezer. Starting just above the middle of the range (1-9 in this case), we adjusted the setting slightly warmer. Keeping a close eye on food in the freezer and milk in the fridge, we continued adjusting over several days, making certain everything stayed frozen, or good and cold without freezing.

Ideally, a freezer/fridge thermometer should be used to verify the temps are no higher than 0° and 35°, respectively. (Do the same for a chest or upright freezer.) Otherwise bacteria continue to grow and you run the risk of food poisoning or simply ruining the food.

Dishwasher

We don't have a dishwashing machine. {sigh} If you do, and I'm pretty sure I hate you, there are ways to reduce power usage. Don't run partial loads. It takes just as much electricity to run a half-empty dishwasher as it does a full one, and you'll be running it more often.

Use a shorter cycle, if your machine has one. There's a huge difference between light load and blast-the-teflon-off-the-pans. Run the dishwasher at night, when rates tend to be lower.

Don't use the dry cycle, if you can avoid it. Letting the dishes air-dry overnight uses, on average, about 1,000 fewer watts. And if you don't have a dishwasher that heats the water, don't get one. They use about 3,000 more watts of electricity per load.

Clothes Washer

Obviously, an EnergyStar-rated appliance is the best bet, with front-loading washers beating out top-loaders. If your budget looks like our budget, trading up is probably not an immediate option. Other than replacing what you have, there are a number of things that will help with these two meter spinners.

Use the coolest water temperature you can. Most of the power needed to wash a load of clothes goes into heating the water. No matter what the wash temp, I always rinse in cold water. Adding a cup of vinegar to the final rinse helps get the soap out, eliminating the need for an extra rinse cycle.

Unless clothes are absolutely walk-to-the-machine-on-their-own filthy, try a shorter cycle. From what I can tell with our machine, most of the time spent (per load) is waiting for the darn thing to fill up. But anything that reduces the power consumption, while still getting the clothes clean (kinda the point, huh?) is good.

Clothes Dryer

When it comes to drying clothes, you're really talking the electricity grabber of the pair. Ideally, hanging everything to dry (like my mom and grandma always did) is the best option. Zero energy use! We don't have the space to do that, so a clothes dryer is a necessity.

With that said, don't overload the dryer. Our apartment-sized dryer is, oddly enough, a little smaller than our washer. To compensate, I don't throw in a whole load. By putting in a few items, pulling out the dry and adding the damp, it actually takes less time to get everything dry enough. (I also try to hang the jeans or towels, etc. that are waiting their turn, so the air starts drying them for me.)

Which leads me to another energy saver. Anything that ends up on a hanger, in my opinion, doesn't have to be dry as dust. As long as clothes aren't crammed and jammed together, the circulating air in the closet will finish drying things before there's a risk of mildew. And overdrying actually contributes to excessive wrinkling in a lot of fabrics.

Unplug It

This one's a toughy, for us. We have a lot of electronics and small appliances. Even when they're not in use, many are still drawing some electricity. (My cell phone actually tells me to unplug the charger when charging is complete to save electricity. Cheeky brat!)

Not everything that plugs into the wall, mind you. But, anything with a clock or always-on light uses power all the time. Just less when it's only sitting there looking pretty. (Mr. Electricity explains it in much better detail than I can.)

Almost all of our 'stuff' is plugged into a surge protector. I have been considering routinely turning off the strips when we shut down for the night. Unfortunately, I'll probably have a few meltdowns when the coffee pot fails to turn on in the morning. (I'm not at my best and brightest when I first wake up.)

Don't Heat/Cool It All

If you wandered over to visit Mr. Electricity, you've noticed that - far and away - the biggest energy hogs are heaters and coolers. That furnace or A/C unit will make the meter spin like a whirling dervish. It's actually rather scary!

We don't heat or cool every room, all the time. During the day, only the living room vent is open; at night, only the bedroom. And keeping the thermostat below toasty or above frigid makes a huge difference.

If you have a bigger place than we do (not difficult to imagine), space heaters and ceiling fans use a lot less power. Just make sure the heaters are off, if you're not in the room. And watch the kids around them. Of course, a few well-placed afghans to throw over your legs or across your shoulders, as well as on the bed at night, keep you nice and cozy without any electricity at all.

(Aw, come on! You knew I was gonna go there!)

With an emphasis on "Ohh, yummy!" - Eilenberger Bakery is a great place to start. It's hard to go wrong with a company that has been doing this since 1898. (I'm hiding this page from Mark, who is a died-in-the-wool chocolate and fruitcake junkie.)

And homemade goodies that don't involve destruction of my itty-bitty kitchen? Marvelous!

Okay, I'm a citrus junkie! I confess! Lemons and limes, oranges and grapefruits! Ohh, and tangerines and tangelos! The tart and sweet "Ohh, yummy!" in my life.

The average store sells fruit that was harvested long before it was ripe, in order to (hopefully) have it appear ripe when it hits that store. Wouldn't you love better?!

We're heading into the biggest travel time of the year - Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's stressful enough, battling crowds and dealing with airport security; why pay more than you have to? The earlier you book, the better. But many great last minute deals are available, too.

Check out the possibilities and take a little of the angst out of your holidays.

With everything more expensive today than it was yesterday, knowing where to turn and what to do can be daunting.

May I suggest turning down the heat and turning up the warmth - with a cozy, comfy, one-of-a-kind Afghan? When going out is too expensive, why not cuddle up on the couch and pop in your favorite DVD? A big bowl of popcorn and you're all set.

Don't wait for Christmas - order now. Remember 15% of every Afghan order goes to help Rachel Hunnicutt-Knight. What better gift to give this year?

Whether they are all from the same manufacturer is anyone's guess. (They hide their registration information.) But the lists of ingredients, taken directly from each 'official' site, say a great deal:

Site Z

• 'Z' Ingredients:
  Purified Water, Organic Aloe Vera, (20%), Herbal Extract containing White Willow, Licorice Root, Calendula, Comfrey, Rosemary, Walnut Shell (exfoliant), MSM (Bio Available Sulfur), Redmond Clay, Vegetable Glycerin, Oat Flour, Jojoba Oil, Tea, Xanthan, Avocado Oil, Carbomer, Tea Tree Oil, GermAll Plus preservative, essential oils of Lavender and Bergamot, Hyaluronic Acid. Grapefruit seed extract, Idebenone, DMAE, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Silk Peptides, Glucosamine HCL, Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), Camelia Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Amaranth Oil, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin A Retinol Palmitate

Site P

• 'P' Ingredients:
  Purified Water, Organic Aloe Vera, (20%), Herbal Extract containing White Willow, Licorice Root, Calendula, Comfrey, Rosemary, Walnut Shell (exfoliant), MSM (Bio Available Sulfur), Redmond Clay, Vegetable Glycerin, Oat Flour, Jojoba Oil, Tea, Xanthan, Avocado Oil, Carbomer, Tea Tree Oil, GermAll Plus preservative, essential oils of Lavender and Bergamot, Hyaluronic Acid. Grapefruit seed extract, Idebenone, DMAE, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Silk Peptides, Glucosamine HCL, Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), Camelia Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Amaranth Oil, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin A Retinol Palmitate

Site A

• The full list of 'A' Ingredients:
  Purified Water, Organic Aloe Vera, (20%), Herbal Extract containing White Willow, Licorice Root, Calendula, Comfrey, Rosemary, Walnut Shell (exfoliant), MSM (Bio Available Sulfur), Redmond Clay, Vegetable Glycerin, Oat Flour, Jojoba Oil, Tea, Xanthan, Avocado Oil, Carbomer, Tea Tree Oil, GermAll Plus preservative, essential oils of Lavender and Bergamot, Hyaluronic Acid. Grapefruit seed extract, Idebenone, DMAE, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Silk Peptides, Glucosamine HCL, Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), Camelia Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Amaranth Oil, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin A Retinol Palmitate

The fact that these ingredient lists are - word for word, including odd punctuation - identical, leads one to believe that the products have to come from the same company. Which isn't necessarily illegal, just incredibly misleading. And, with no way to know exactly how much of what is in them, worthy of some skepticism.

Through a 'testimonial' site for Product 'P' (as well as a couple of complaint sites), I found company information: Experimental Nutrition Research (ENR), LLC 8345 Reseda Blvd Ste 204 Northridge, CA 91324-5951 818-885-8722. (Some sites place them, previously, in Los Angeles or North Carolina.) Product 'Z' shares this distributor / maker, according to comments on the complaint site. I cannot connect Product 'A' to ENR, but it's new and there don't seem to be any complaints. Yet.

Calories

In a nutshell, the Twinkie-diet worked for the professor because he was cutting calories. With the exception of water and air, (and plain tea and coffee) everything we put into our bodies provides some type of 'calorie.' Good or bad isn't really the point of this discussion.

We need calories to feed our cells; to make muscles work and organs function. But how hungry are those cells? Just how many calories do we need?

Calorie Needs - by Age & Activity

Based on 2005 USDA/HHS guidelines, Estimated Calorie Requirements:
For adult females (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,000 to 2,400 calories; ages 31-50, 1,800 to 2,200 calories; and ages 51+, 1,600 to 2,000-2,200 calories.
For adult males (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,400 to 3,000 calories; ages 31-50, 2,200 to 2,800-3,000 calories; and ages 51+, 2,000 to 2,400-2,800 calories.

Okay. I'm female, 51+, and fairly sedentary - so my requirements are estimated at about 1,600 calories/day. But does this make sense? Is this a good number?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW)

General guidelines are just that, general. In my opinion, to be of real use they need to be a bit more fine-tuned. Let's start by seeing what my ideal weight is. From there, we can look at what calories I need to maintain / achieve that weight.

Published by the American Diabetes Association in 1964, The Hamwi Formulas only look at height and body frame:
For men: 106 lb for the first 5 ft; 6 lb for each inch over 5 ft
For women: 100 lb for the first 5 ft; 5 lb for each inch over 5 ft
Small frames: subtract 10%
Large frames: add 10%

For me, 6-feet tall and 'small-boned', that's 100 + 60 - 16 (10%) = 144 IBW. Admittedly, I haven't been measured recently and, at my age, am probably a little shorter than that. But, it's a ballpark number that seems to be fairly consistent with when I feel my best.

Calorie Needs - by Weight & Activity

Based on my age, the USDA/HHS chart puts my calorie needs at 1,600/day. According to Dr. Hamwi, my 'ideal' weight is 144 pounds. Do those two numbers correspond? There are a few ways to find out.

• Standard calculations say:
  Sedentary or Obese = IBW x 10
  Low Activity or 55+ = IBW x 13
  Moderate Activity = IBW x 15
  Strenuous Activity = IBW x 18

  For me: 144 x 13 = 1,872 seems high; 144 x 10 = 1,440 seems low. Maybe split the difference at 1,656 calories/day?

• A two step process: calculating BMR and applying an activity-based formula is a little more involved.
  1. This BMR calculator shows for me (53yo, female, 6 ft, 144 lbs) a BMR of 1,370. This means that I, without getting out of bed or raising my heartrate, will (theoretically) burn 1,370 calories/day just being alive. (Here's the BMR formula, if you want to calculate manually.)
  2. Once you have your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), applying the Harris Benedict Equation tells you how many calories you can consume, per day, to maintain your IBW at your activity level:
     Sedentary (little or no exercise) = BMR x 1.2
     Lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) = BMR x 1.375
     Moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) = BMR x 1.55
     Very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) = BMR x 1.725
     Extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) = BMR x 1.9
     

  Taking my BMR and the formula gives me 1,370 x 1.2 = 1,644 calories/day to achieve or maintain my Ideal Body Weight of 144 lbs.

---

Conclusion

General or specific, these guidelines, calculators, and formulae seem to pretty much agree. Given that they use different types of information to draw their conclusions, that's rather amazing. It appears, regardless of method, that I should be taking in about 1,630 calories per day ((1,600 + 1,656 + 1644) / 3 = 1,633.33) if I want to reach my ideal weight.

Unfortunately, it also looks as though I'm about six pounds away from that ideal. Could be much worse; in fact, I fully expected it to be. But we still have the holidays to survive and I love Christmas cookies and candies. {sigh}

What do I do now? One calorie, two calorie, three calorie, ... oh, my.

If I were to pick one dream vacation spot, given the time of year, I would have to head to Frankenmuth, Michigan. With a year-round Christmas wonderland, amazing crafts shops, fudge and cheese to die for, and the best family-style fried chicken dinner I have ever eaten, this is my perfect pre-holiday destination. A touch of Bavaria - no passport required.

Of course, riding a gondola through the streets of Venice, dining my way through New Orleans, exploring the pyramids of Giza, eating everything and anything in Paris and Rome, connecting with my genetic roots in Sweden and Norway, avoiding haggis in Scotland, and experiencing paella done perfectly in Spain are also on my not-so-short list of dream trips.

Hmmm?! I sense a pattern here.

Apparently, rather than by air or sea or land, I travel by food. Transportation from flavor to flavor to incredible flavor. Scents of amazing herbs, spices, meats, and ... sauces. Oh, my stars! The sauces!

{deep breath}

A new social network, Twitter Travellers, let's me indulge in culinary wanderings - without leaving my recliner - and helps me plan for actual trips. With information from people who've been there, I can learn about places I know (Sydney), as well as those I don't (Ugljan). There are forums, photos, videos, and blogs about travelling - the good and the bad.

Industry experts and seasoned travelers point out the pitfalls of visiting certain areas or certain travel options. Apparently, taking a train in the UK on Sunday is an extremely bad idea; extremely bad. (Although the tweets are amusing, the trips don't seem to be quite as entertaining.)

What caught my interest was the information, what kept it was the flexibility of my personal page. I can choose from dozens and dozens of apps, add my travel photos (naturally), join groups and discussions, and read daily travel news. In fact, there's so much to do, it's going to take a while to explore it all. Just like a great holiday.

I know that there are tons of travel sites, all over the Internet. There are tons of every kind of site, all over the Internet. But, I can't say that I've seen a network dedicated to travelling that was quite this much fun.

* While this post is related to the SheBlogs.org contest, my opinions are my own. No payment was offered or received.

David Cassidy & DUI

The basic story is: David Cassidy arrested for DUI, swears he wasn't drunk. Okay, that's pretty much what everyone who has ever been pulled over for erratic driving swears. "Honesht, offisher. {hic}"

Of course, the fact that he blew a 0.139 and 0.141 (not sure about the order of the two tests) would seem to indicate more than "a glass of wine with lunch and a pain pill a few hours later." Then there's the half-empty bottle of bourbon in the back seat. Coincidence?

Keith Olbermann & Campaign Donations

This one is a tad trickier: Keith Olbermann Suspended From MSNBC for contributing money to three Democratic candidates. My initial reaction was - "So, what?!" His money; his choices.

But, this is where it gets tricky. NBC has a policy that employees cannot work on or contribute to political campaigns, without express permission from the news division president. I doubt this is a new policy, although the story I read didn't say. That means, Olbermann broke the rules.

Did he err so grievously that indefinite suspension, without pay, is a balanced response? NBC didn't react when Joe Scarborough donated to a Republican candidate in 2006. Or at least they didn't react publicly. They may have privately slapped his wrist; who knows?

Seems excessive, to me. Although (see? that 'tricky' thing again), as Keith makes a habit of pointing fingers, perhaps he should be more careful to keep his own hands clean. Thoughts?

Homeowners & Fed Tax Credit

Remember that tax credit the government offered to first-time home buyers, starting in 2008? Well, Surprise! the Feds want it back! Not all of it, mind you; and not all at once.

However, if you took advantage of the credit in 2008, pony up kiddos! Starting with 2010 tax returns, due in April 2011, people who bought their first house that year have to start giving the money back. Oh, the government is giving you 15 years to pay it back; but pay it back - you must.

The law was changed for 2009 and 2010, so - unless you sell your house or move out - you shouldn't have to return the credit for those years. (Check the IRS website for complete details.) Once again - if the politicos are giving something with one hand, they've probably already figured out how to take it away with the other.

Toys & Product Recalls

Always good advice, the CPSC reminds shoppers to check the product recall notices before scooping up great deals on toys. With the troubling economy, more and more people turn to thrift shops and online auction sites for savings on holiday shopping. There's where the potential problems arise.

While it is illegal to sell or resell recalled products, that doesn't mean they can't be found in second-hand stores or on personal web pages and sell-your-stuff-here sites like Craigslist or eBay. That bargain is no bargain if it's defective or dangerous.

Me & Psychology

One last, "Huh?!" for the day. How - exactly - does one get on a mailing list for a university? I know, someone somewhere bought a list. But seriously, this one is a huge disconnect:

Today, I received (by snail mail) an information package from Argosy University - to my real name, not my business or any of the 'nicks' I use all over the web. If that weren't weird enough, and it almost was, the information was on their Doctor of Psychology program. Again, seriously?!

I could probably see it, if they wanted me to sign up for therapy. (Unraveling the whys and wherefores of my second marriage alone would take years.) But, I'm pretty sure encouraging the inmates to sign up to run the asylum can't ever end well - for anyone.

And, with that said, have a great weekend. Stay safe and stay sane.

TV / Internet / Phone

For us, this is an area over which we have virtually no control. Our cable and Internet are included in our rent. We aren't allowed landline phone service.

TV Service

There are two basic options for TV service: satellite and cable. If you live in an apartment, you probably aren't going to have the ability to put up a dish. That leaves cable. The only way to reduce this expense is to cut back on the number and type of channels.

Packages vary, often dramatically. A good place to start pruning is premium channels. Yes, having those movies coming right into your living room every month is wonderful. But, they are expensive and services like Netflix may fill the gap at a much lower rate.

And you have to ask (okay, I have to ask) - do you really need 300 channels? Really? To save $30.00 / month, couldn't the family survive with ... say ... 200?

Internet

Like TV service, there are a couple of options here: cable and DSL. The adjustments for Internet connection service come in terms of connection speeds. Typically, that can be 1.5 Mbps, 7 Mbps, or 12 Mbps.

From most providers, cable is slower and DSL is more expensive. The speed you need depends on your activities. Watching movies (since we're trimming premium TV channels) and some online games are going to require better speeds.

Back when we had our own service, mid-range speeds worked pretty well for our purposes. And, through our ISP, were dramatically cheaper.

Phone

This is where I get a little cranky with some companies. Often they don't offer a decent bundle package that doesn't include landline phone service. Probably because most of them are primarily phone companies.

With that said, if you're currently paying for cell phones, how important is a landline to you? If you make lots of local calls, you may be able to get by with a cheaper option. However, the per-minute charges for long distance are going to add a variable that means your bill will never be the same and could - periodically - be quite expensive.

If you can get your company to work with you, it might be beneficial to do without this additional expense.

TV / Internet / Phone Summary

Thanks to the DTV conversion, almost everyone needs some sort of cable/satellite TV service. As always, the question is how much? The same goes for Internet service. If you have a computer, you need to connect - somehow.

Before you pay another big bill, really look at your options. It isn't too difficult to find great deals, as long as you understand what you need and what you can do without.

Asbestos and the Navy

Not surprisingly, veterans (especially Navy vets) make up a large percentage of those with asbestos-related illnesses and cancers. A fire at sea is a frightening thing - death by fire or in the ocean. Therefore, due to its fire-resistant properties, virtually every part of a Navy vessel contained asbestos.

There literally was no safe place onboard. While some rooms were more heavily treated, asbestos was in the pipes and the pipes ran everywhere. Those who worked in shipyards and dry docks, repairing and refitting the ships, had the greatest exposure.

Asbestos Products

While lead in house paint was banned and is rarely an exposure risk in the 21st century, there is no way of knowing how many buildings still contain asbestos insulation. In addition, asbestos was frequently added to cement. That treated cement was used in thousands of public works projects and uncounted building structures.

For years, manufacturers added asbestos to thicken textured paints. Construction products, from wallboard to adhesives, benefitted from the improved strength and insulation. The variety of items to which this inexpensive mineral was added boggles the mind.

As does the fact that, to this day, there are consumer products that can - legally - contain traces of asbestos.

Prognosis

To my mind, as long as asbestos continues to be mined and allowed into even one product, consumers and workers will continue to develop asbestos-related illnesses. And lawsuits against irresponsible companies will keep lawyers in court.

I also found, looking back at last November, that I was writing about protecting grizzlies, cell phones taking offense and hiding, hand dryers and H1N1, cheesecake recipes, and a myriad of other odd musings.

Revisiting previous posts may seem silly. But, honestly? What better way to see what topics were most important, how life was treating us, and whether my 'voice' has changed over time? That last one may be the most important.

It helps me see where software and/or processes might be impeding my spontaneity and creativity. Where my work focuses too much on how it looks, rather than what I want to say. I've run across a couple of posts from more than a year ago that, I felt, were incredibly well-written. Perhaps better than some of the more recent articles.

That gives me a lot to think about. And inspires me to get my new 2011 calendars and start planning an exciting new year of articles and posts - pointing my energies in the right direction. Have you started thinking about the new year; plans for 2011?

Looking at the search results shows that, for the information superhighway, weight is synonymous with weight loss. (Well, except for the site that calculates what you'd weigh on Venus or Mars.) The message is that everyone looking for weight information is interested in the latest greatest pills, potions, and plans to get skinny.

Frankly, as the artist intended, neither silhouette is a healthy ideal. But one shape is routinely reviled; while the other is draped in designer rags and celebrated as 'beauty.' Society tells the woman on the left that she won't be happy, loved, or beautiful until she looks like the woman on the right. Horse hockey!

Companies and websites prey on our innate desire to fit in, to be accepted, and to be considered attractive. But there is a huge difference between wanting the 'right' jeans or the 'cool' cell phone and trying to starve down to a BMI of 0. (A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.)

It's that balance that we've lost sight of. In my case, at almost 6 feet tall and (most days) about 150 pounds, I'm considered well within the healthy range. In fact, I could gain 25 pounds and still be 'technically' healthy. My small frame couldn't carry the extra weight, but it would still be considered a 'good' weight.

I don't think that anyone's goal should be to emulate a small percentage of the population that lives an unnatural existence, in the spotlight of popular culture. We need to learn how healthy looks and feels - it's different from person to person. And we need to revise what is, and isn't, beautiful.

When we can love ourselves and each other honestly, in all our shapes and sizes, perhaps we won't need to comfort ourselves with food. Or starve to death to find acceptance.

Of course, when you get right down to it - which is not an easy thing - the individual ingredients in Lipofuze are not, necessarily, that bad. It's that everyone and their brother are jumping on the bandwagon; hoping to make a fortune from people who believe that losing 5-10 pounds per week is healthy. With apologies to T.S. Eliot: "I tell you once, and once again ... veracity's not there!"

There are no quick fixes or overnight miracles. To truly and safely lose weight takes willpower and self-control, diet changes and exercise -- and time. The snake oil salesmen count on our impatience and our vehement denial that we're emulating Bustopher Jones.

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Learn about this disease and the amazing caregivers who give so much. For 2010, The Shriver Report offers a look into the effect on women as caregivers, advocates, and sufferers of this disease. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's and 60% of unpaid caregivers are women. In simple numbers, 10,000,000 (ten million) women are dealing with this disease.

American Diabetes Month

"This November, the American Diabetes Association is asking: How will you Stop Diabetes®? The future is in your hands." Diabetes.org offers fact sheets, newsletter inserts, posters, and contests to help share information and inspire involvement in the battle to find a cure for this potentially deadly disease. Unless you're diabetic or living with one, you have no idea how difficult daily life can become. And how desperately a cure is needed.

Christmas Seals Month

If you're like me, this one was a little ... "Huh?" Christmas  Seals? in November? Well, it does make sense, when you look at the history. Begun in 1904 as an effort to raise funds for victims of tuberculosis, the American Lung Association adopted the use of Christmas Seals in 1927. They have been the main source of donations ever since. Donations that fund research into cures for respiratory diseases and offer financial assistance for patients.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Back when my kids were toddlers, I had a friend whose middle child had - to put it mildly - health problems. The petit mal seizures that began about the same time that she started school were probably the worst. This year, the Epilepsy Foundation is asking everyone to "Get Seizure Smart" with information on types of seizures and, most importantly, first aid. Something my friend could have used 25+ years ago.

National Hospice Month

Since 1978, the United States has honored the work of the hospice and palliative care community; something that meant very little to me until 2004. Denied a transplant by the VA medical center in Portland, Mark was (basically) sent home to die in May of that year. I will never be able to adequately describe what Hospice of the Valley did for us in those dark days.

Hospice isn't just about supporting the terminally ill. Although 1.56 million people were helped by hospice and palliative care organizations in 2009. It's about supporting and helping the caregivers and loved ones, as well. An effort that deserves our help.

While you're admiring the fall colors, digging out that pumpkin pie recipe, and picking sides for the Turkey-Bowl games (Detroit used to be a great bet; Dallas was known to lose), won't you take a moment and lend a hand where it is so desperately needed? You don't have to give money (this is a difficult time for many of us), but you can share information and teach others, who can teach others, who can - if we're all blessed this year - help find a cure.