Bridget's Healthy Things

Shake It Out

2011-08-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick way to get rid of sodium.

The Other Food Gap

2011-03-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

The conscientious do not all, always and only swear by the cook top or the oven. We like our snacks here and there and fast and fancy choices. We want ideas when broiled chicken breast gets boring cooked over 1,000 ways. When we have consumed our mercury limit of fish and seafood products. When we have vegged out and gone purine, tyramine, and whatever other amine free--just because.

Sometimes Cheetos is the cure for a grumbling stomach that doesn't want to participate in perfect dieting, always. The so called bad stuff is out there, and there's plenty of it. I remember someone asking my father years ago if all that popcorn he ate (and would solicit me to pop in a large 3 gallon tin) gave him indigestion. His reply was "I'll have indigestion if I don't eat it." Go figure. It's the type of reality that puts all that scientific perfection to shame. Eat right. Fine. But what is eating right? I am all for it. There is a range in which we must all keep within for optimal health. There are also times when white bread, white rice and other white stuff is the best thing for you.

When viscous lidocaine is the only thing that can cure that awful pain, you will understand this, if you haven't already. It didn't take a few GI cocktails for me to recognize this. I love to joke with my gentleman friend about it, when I need one. I tell him I went out for cocktails last night. He'll respond something like, "With whom?!" I would reply, "Oh, a doctor, but he/she didn't have any. He was sober the whole time." We laugh. He has learned now, that when I sometimes I tell him I have been having a lot of dates lately, I mean those soft oblong sweet dried fruits. Seriously, I can get into digestive troubles even being a careful eater and being particular about sanitation. Every now and then, I will experience gastro-enteritis or some awful trapped gases. Then it's to the E.R. for a gastro intestinal cocktail of Lidocaine and Dilantin. I always said I had a backward body. It got me to thinking more on how we promote health and good nutrition. Good realistic health promotion requires the total picture.

People need to know more than how many servings of this, or that, they should eat per day. They need to know what to eat when and with what. I am beginning to believe nutrition should be part of a core curriculum from elementary school, through the end of high school. There is that much to be learned. It is that important. I also believe people are obese because they have too efficient digestive systems. A cast iron stomach is both a blessing and a curse.

I work very hard to keep the extra weight off, but I have to admit my digestive system helps me out a lot. From time to time I have to consume puree'd foods. I have always had digestive issues from as early as I can remember. I often have to regroup and restrategize my eating habits. A lover of brown rice, whole grain breads, and vegetables, I sometimes have mixed feelings when I am forced to eat white bread or white rice. It is on one hand a step backwards and on the other hand, a license to savor a particular type of meat or sandwich, as only it can be appreciated; on white bread or with white rice. Really, hotdogs work best that way and so do hamburgers on some white yeast type bread or a butter crust roll. (And if my digestive system is troubling me, why on earth should I eat a hotdog- must culpable of causing indigestion--lean or not?) This is exactly my point.

We need to learn more about food incompatibilities, not simply for the sake of flavor but what can be eaten with what and what should be eaten when. There is a lot to learn. Beans and fruit in the same meal are a gaseous disaster. One doctor contends that you should only eat fruit on an empty stomach. There are other foods that should only be eaten at certain times. There are vitamin and mineral supplements that should be taken only with food, never mind medicines. I still believe our lack of success in dieting and health comes from the lack of incentive, due to lack of physical symptomology. For persons such as me, dietary imbalances are noted and felt immediately with gastric upset. This lack of gastric upset for some, may lead to putting off eating better.

I do have enough motivation to remain healthy, such that I would probably maintain a decent weight, were there no trouble with my digestion. I am sure that others do as well, digestive problems or not. The weight may creep upon me from time to time, but more slowly. Each time it does, I know what to do and how to buckle down. For those more vulnerable to overeating, the combination of will power issues, emotional factors and lack of immediate symptoms, may be the reasons we see programs such as "Body and Soul for Churches", and other nutritionally based government initiatives on the 'not performing' list.

Getting back to my complaining, and my first point, there is another issue. I walked around my grocery store wondering if there was any hope for a stomach like mine. I couldn't find any good junk food. I don't think one should live ones live never daring to eat any prepared foods. Manufacturers must make prepared better. I can think of a million reasons why one would want or need to eat prepared food. I can also think of as many reasons why one should avoid them. I like to cook a few meals ahead to freeze, for those times when I can't think of what to cook, or do not feel well enough to cook. If I cannot do this ahead of time, I would like to think I can pick up something that is already prepared, that won't make me regret I did.

Hope seems to fade when you realize that the obesity problem may be driven by not only manufacturers who know we will consume anything, but by those who can consume anything. I can't even seem to find a decent 30 cent bag of Cheetos for a one time fix, that doesn't have some flamin' hot ingredients. I cannot get away from pepper! Pepper here, pepper there jalapenos, chipotle and habaneras everywhere. (Hence a quality Prepared Foods Desert.)

If I had the power to create a law I would make a no band-wagon decree. I would create a store where one could buy food without hydrogenated oils, hot ingredients, excesses of the current popular antioxidant in everything. There would be foods without the excess iron and vitamins I prefer to take on my own and that had products that were (as though some miracle), both low sodium and low fat at the same time. Foods would not contain monosodium glutamate, sulfites or nitrate. You would not be charged absorbitant fees for what was not included in the product. Lower sugar and salt would mean a lower cost.

Light Side Recipes

2011-03-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome Spring With a Few New Spins On Old Recipes

Some people never throw anything away. I am that way with recipe ideas. When I whip up something in the kitchen, no matter how complex or simplistic, I have a handy recipe card on my refrigerator I can reach for to write down the results of any of my palatable, culinary whims. I like to save the recipes I make, so I don't forget about them in the future when I have tired of them, or haven't made them in a while. It's also a good idea to do this as our original idea can evolve into something totally different over time. I also like to think of recipes as discoveries, for like anything else you will find something similar already out there. Many people given the same tools, will come upon similar ideas.

If you are a cole slaw fan, but cannot have the cabbage, here is a nice light and healthful recipe for you.

JICAMA SLAW

1 medium sized Jicama peeled and cut into large chunks

1 medium tomato

20 baby carrots (or half a small bag)

2 Tablespoons Kraft Sandwich spread preferrably a low fat version

Parsley to taste (for just for a spot of green, aesthetic interest)

1/2 tsp celery seed

Juice of half a small lemon

2 Tbs sugar (optional)

Peel the Jicama. (I like to peel by dousing it with boiling water, which makes it easier to peel). Cut into chuncks and place in food processor

Add carrots to food processor (I used about half of a small bag of baby carrots.)

Cut tomato into quarters and add to processor. Pulse on med to high settings checking to be sure all ingredients are chopped evenly. Use a wooden spoon to redistribute ingredients or any large pieces that were missed.

Remove ingredients to a medium sized container and add all remaining ingredients.

Let flavors blend in the refridgerator and enjoy in about one half hour.

Process until minced, not too finely. Use as you would cole slaw.

Hint: A touch of nutmeg will add a zestier flavor.

If cabbage is not a problem for you, here is another recipe that may be enjoyed hot or cold.

WARM OR COLD CABBAGE SPROUTS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

This dish can be served as a hot or cool bruchetta or deli style salad.

Cook or steam a pot full of cabbage sprouts until just tender using the following :

(Add the following ingredients to taste, being sure to keep the sodium content at a minimum)

Chicken powder about 1Tbs (Encore brand powdered chicken bullion)
Molly McButter about 1Tbs
1 Tsp Lemon Pepper (a low sodium and not so peppery brand)
Onion powder (about a teaspoon)
Enough cabbage sprouts to fill a four quart pot.
Just enough water to steam about 2 cups cabbage sprouts
One-2 Tbs Olive Oil

Let cool. Strain out juices and set aside. Chop in food processor with six to eight sun dried tomatoes, about one-two tablespoons of olive oil.

Return the cabbage to a pot, with 1/4 cup of juices, cover and heat on low until very tender. You may need to add more juice, but do so a little at a time so as not to make soggy or over cook. Sprinkle with Romano cheese until steamy and melted. Remove from heat.

Serve hot or let cool and serve as a cold deli style salad. Good accompaniment to a light pasta salad, garlic bread, or spread it on a sandwich. Save the remaining juice from the cabbage to use as part of a cooking sauce for tortelini or some other pasta dish.

2011-02-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Lighter On the Trail

Thin out your trail mix in a healthy way. Trail mix is good but too much of a good thing well, can go overboard.

One neat idea is to add chex mix (the low fat type) with your trail mix. This will reduce your serving size of nuts.

Chex has a chex mix that has 60% lower fat than its regular mix but unfortunately, it is made with hydrogenated oils. You may want to find some brand of light bite-sized crackers as a substitute. You can also make your own cracker, by baking pita chips seasoned with your favorite herbs and olive oil.

Cheesey Secrets

The secret to getting cheese flavor without the extra fat is to make sure to use either low fat cheese sticks that are tolerable flavor-wise, or try a neat little trick in the video below to use in your recipes.

Otherwise choose aged cheese (you may want to limit these due to tyramine content which should be avoided if you are taking MOA's). Aged cheeses have stronger flavors, so that you can use less and get a powerful punch of cheese flavor.

The salt should be negligible, since you will be using such a small amount. Buy shredded, or shred or shave it yourself and distribute it thinly and evenly throughout your dish. It can be mixed with a lower fat cheese to boost up the flavor.

If you are using MOA's ask your doctor about eating aged cheeses. Foods such as aged cheeses and fermented foods contain tyramines which may cause interactions with such drugs.

Will You Give In, Or Give Up?

2011-02-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

To Herb or Not To Herb? Natural. Synthetic. Quasi-Natural. In our search for natural alternatives to medicines, do we eventually end up back where we started? Is chemical alteration the only reasonable alternative?

When we think of health food, health food store products we expect higher quality, higher standards and products superior to those in most retail stores. Many of us shop health food stores for natural alternatives to drugs, or other remedies.

For some it's simply a place that carries what you cannot find elsewhere, such as royal jelly and old standards that were pushed off the store shelves by trendy items. However you become a health food store patron, your journey may inevitably end up something like this:

You try to solve a health issue or search for a product to avoid an ingredient that is prolific in retail products. Somewhere in a health food store you may find the active ingredient in it's natural form. You may find a product organic, unprocessed or minimally processed.

Item found, you are ecstatic, but maybe not so much at the price. The price may be justification of the peace of mind you feel knowing a carcinogen issue is avoided, or that you are at least not contributing to the possibility of disease or aggravation of an ailment. You use your product religiously and find more things you can fit into your budget.

One day while at the counter buying your organic oil or apples, you realize that you still consume store made apple pies, apple sauces even though they may not contain sugar and cook with other oils that were processed. Your lotion has oils that are not organic. If you eat out at restaurants, who knows?

Good Reasons To Give In
2 Examples

1. You discover rice bran an think you can use it like wheat germ and sprinkle it here and there. You drink spring water later to find out that both may have unacceptable levels of arsenic. Then you realize what all that processing was all about. Some products simply cannot stand alone as they are. Processing is a fact of life. Nature offers us good and bad. Some of the bad is right there on the natural isle, in its natural form right alongside of other safer natural and manufactured products. Sometimes there is no safe natural alternative.

2. Chlorella is another such product. This algae once thought to be a miracle vitamin and protein packed anti-carcinogen food source in its natural statem is not digestible by humans due to its cell wall. Conventional processing rendered it inert. Cracking the cell wall requires human manipulation to realize its nutritional benefits. Mercury free fish oils man only be available by purification. Whole raw milk may present parasites.

We live in a time and age where processing is necessary, to offset what has been tainted by manufacturing farming and industrialization. Perhaps there was a time when one could consume raw milk safely, or certain foods unpasteurized without a threat to health. Today animals are living under different conditions, many in veritable ghettos and the threats to their health are the same that humans experience, from over crowding and under nourishment.

Finding safe alternatives to household cleaners presents its own challenges. If you can tolerate the smell of vinegar safe products are a no brainer. Beyond tolerating the scent, albeit covered with some essential oils, there is another issue. The acetic acid in vinegar is caustic. Spraying vinegar may not be the best method for your lungs. Following it too closely with a spray of peroxide, may create a noxious chemical combination. What's the alternative to the alternative? You can continue your effort by adding the ingredients to a gelling agent, that can be decanted from a squeeze bottle, opt out of using a spray bottle, or you can let a manufacturer do it. Which is right back where you started. But that's okay.

Process or Outcome Oriented?

Who has entered this path simply to avoid the middleman? Avoiding the middle man makes sense when we can do it better, cheaper, more safely, or when we just want the satisfaction of doing it ourselves. If none of that matters and there is an acceptable product, go for it. Which is what I did. I found my answer in Method products. Perhaps I can still make it myself with some type of alcohol and thymol, a derivative of thyme.

Method Anti-Bac has an EPA number, which means it can compete with those other anti-microbials, yet its active ingredient is derived from thyme, the price is right and to spray bottle looks stylish. I can't argue with that. That's not giving in, its working smart. Here is one case where the convenience is justified.

You Can Give In Without Giving Up

Once we have balanced it all out in our minds, if we don't give it all up to futility, we can continue our efforts toward more biologically and environmentally safe, friendly products, because it matters. The journey may be discouraging. When we make a few steps forwards there is always newer research, or other reasons we are pushed back. It is easy to give up. There are countless reasons and examples why we would feel this way. One last example here is in skin care.

For all of their praises, cocoa and shea butters are solid at room temperature. A very popular dermatologist, who lectures about skin care and has a product line of his own, once said to never use oils on your skin, that are solid at room temperature. What goes on from without, enters within. Although they may make your skin feel soft, the saturated fats are still to be avoided even as a topical application. Yet people have been using cocoa butter, petroleum products for decades and aren't dead yet. Perhaps its a matter of degree. While saturated fats may not be good for us, our bodies need them in small amounts in order to build tissues and for biological functions. The issue is simply what amounts are best to use and using this distributed throughout another medium. In other words, not using the product straight, but diluted.

The moral of this story in brief:

Control the things we can and do the best we can with what we cannot control.

2011-02-23T09:37:00.001-08:00

Grain Based Fiber Aids In Longevity, Says Recent Study

Lowered risk from cardiovascular disease, infectious and respiratory diseases is how you may benefit from a diet featuring grain fiber. Diets featuring fiber from grains, rather than vegetables showed a relationship to increased health and longevity in both men and women. According to a joint study conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the AARP, "Dietary fiber from grains, but not from other sources, was significantly inversely related to total and cause-specific death in both men and women".

In this case it is not a matter of soluble fibers (which become gelatinous and are fermentable in the intestines) versus insoluble fiber (which help to increase bulk and ease elimination) as both vegetables and grains can be sources of soluble and insoluble fibers.

The significance of this study is that it can relate cause specific death to fiber intake and specific types of fiber. Previous studies were limited in the participant numbers, and amount of fiber consumed.

The study found that longevity in both men and women increase by fiber intake but cancer reduction was higher for men than for women. Fiber from vegetables and beans does play a part in reducing death from many disease sources and total [causes] of death, but there is a weak relationship. Fiber from fruits did not show a relationship to total deaths.

Many studies do show that fiber in general can lower you risk of death from heart disease and cancer, but a diet featuring more grain fiber, plays a most significant part in that reduction as well as reduction in death from infectious and respiratory diseases.

Bridget's Grainy Sandwich Wrap

Here's a simple to make carry-it-with-you sandwich wrap

One slice of Light Flatout Brand Bread (flat bread)

1tsp Kraft Free Thousand Island Salad Dressing

1tsp low fat Ceasar salad dressing

Basil (about 1/4 tsp or to taste

Dill Weed (1/4 tsp or to taste)

Shredded iceburg lettuce or Artisan brand lettuce

3 Roma tomato slices

2 slices Uncle Ralph's Turkey Loaf (or substitute a low fat/ low sodium turkey or chicken breast)

1 tbs shredded cheese (mozzarella and cheddar blend)

1 2 tsp shredded Asiago

1tsp Olive oil

3 slices of avocado

Place the dollops of dressing on the flat bread with the olive oil. Blend with fork or spreader, then distribute evenly over bread.

Working on the left 2/3s of the bread:

Sprinkle on basil and dill, then cheese. Place two slices of Uncle Ralph's on one end of bread and stagger one above the other and staggering slightly horizontally.

Spread shredded lettuce across the bread, then top with slices of Roma tomato. (Slice the Roma tomato across, then cut the slices in half so that you have about six pieces thinly sliced.

Roll sandwich firmly from left to right. Wrap in butcher paper or large paper towel to hold bottom together. Enjoy

Of Passions and Purpose

2010-12-31T23:30:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I use to hate New Years resolutions. I still really don't make them. I just rather do what I need to do. The years have taught me it's not really about the resolution, it's what resolutions are about-- beginning with a purpose.

What will be your purpose in the coming year? One tried and true verse is that without a vision people perish. Yes, that's a bible verse. Have you ever known someone or a situation where there was no plan and everything was winged? How did it go? Actually it can sometimes go quite well. Some of us work better without the stress of planning or the anxiety of the anticipation. Sometimes we like to feel free and unstressed embrace spontaneity and the ability to improvise. Balance provides that we are able to do this. Some would never risk a thing without a plan. Whatever thing we do spontaneously there was some foundation for its creation. Plan or not, we must still have passion. Passion is what lights up our spirit and passion can both give birth to and be born of purpose.

The worse time of my life or of anyone's life I have witnessed was one where the ability to plan was stripped from them. Without the ability to plan there is no vision. No need of a hope or desire or a dream. That is a destitute state of being. That is why Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech is so historically important. apart from the issue of racial parity. What is man without hope or a dream?

Many trite an expression has summed up the solution. In that trite spirit come hell or high water, begin your year with your plan. Start your day with your dream. Hope for the best though expecting less but do hope, do dream, do dare.

Each day is a new opportunity to work toward that dream. Though I am not one for New Years resolutions, I was impressed once by a Johnny Cash song and have made it a sort of motto when things seem insurmountable. "One Piece At A Time", was a song about a man working in an auto plant who wanted something he could not obtain. He could not afford the very car he built. How he obtained it was not the point (as I would never advocate smuggling). The message there, was the little steps he took to create the dream. Every day, step by step is closer to our dream. If we do not reach it, there is satisfaction in working toward it. Put as much passion into it as you can.

Many years ago people would tell me of the good things that would come in my life. I did not believe them. I rejected their belief because they did not have the vision for my life that I had. I know what faith is. It is believing in what cannot be seen. Maybe it is the belief enough to have a purpose or maybe it is purpose. I called it 'acting as though'. Acting as though is being oblivious to the fact that you can not, to nay-sayers and that insurmountable thing before you. It is living as though you have a right to believe whether or not you are being treated as though you are worth another person's time or faith. Purpose is a God given and inalienable right. Your very existence is a purpose. Today for me faith is not only a thing hoped for, it is an indisputable truth. Unconditionally love your passion if the world does not give it back and then some day... If not, perhaps the purpose was the very effort itself or the greater thing it can lead to.

Faith is a blind road that takes us to the things we don't know we want. It takes us to a place we didn't know we'd like better. That is why purpose and faith are important. While we are busy judging whether we got what we wanted, we forgot we didn't really know what there is to want. In walking in faith there is no disappointment or unanswered dreams.

Warm Idea: Asymmetrical Scarf

2010-11-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Easy To Crochet or Knit

2010-10-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

The Big 4

Have You Been Tested?

A reminder to keep your health screenings current.

Part of being healthy is prevention. Having regular check-ups and

medical tests can prevent chronic illness in the future, or help us to

manage what is on the way. View the video reminder below.

Tips For Dactylitis: Video

2010-09-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Dactylitis associated with sickle cell anemia can be first observed in children by the age of 2 years old. It is characterized by swelling of the digits in the hands and feet. Along with the swelling there may often be pain, burning and intense itching. The hands, and feet may be red. For most, this does not continue into adulthood. For some it does. Click to Read Full Article

September Is National Sickle Cell Disease Month

2010-09-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Support A Healthy Environment

What is very important to maintaining health? Maintaining a healthy environment. This is even more important for persons with chronic illnesses. Below are some tips for keeping yourself healthy by minimizing exposure to environmental factors. This is news everyone can use. Look for upcoming articles specific to for sickle cell anemia and important links.

Support H.R. 5786 Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010

Is It In The Hair?

Another reason to support H.R. 5786 (which will create transparency in chemical labeling in cosmetics and require pre-market approval/testing of ingredients) is 2 Nitro PPD. It is the ingredient in teflon that causes cancer and is found in so called 'black henna', temporary tattoos, and black hair dyes. Some manufactures make a safe black henna (which is not really henna, but derived from the leaves of the indigo plant). Read the facts about this chemical in the following PDF

Download Reprint from the Canadian Medical Association Journal

BPA Not Only In Plastics

According to the Environmental Working Group another major source of BPA (Bisphenol A) besides plastic is from your retailer. Bishpenol A is a source of xenoestrogen, compounds made in industry that have the same effect on the body as estrogens. BPA is found in plastics, the lining of cans and even the paper that your retailer prints its receipts on. Xenoestrogens have been linked to premature sex development in children, feminizing effects in males, increased cancer risk, diabetes and behavioral problems due to their estrogen like effects. The estrogen effect can be compounded in women.

Major retailers' receipts can contain 250 - 1,000 times more BPA than plastic and cans.

According to EWG, concerning BPA levels in those receipts, the major players are:

McDonalds
CVS
KFC
Whole Foods
Walmart
Safeway
U.S. Postal Service

Risks of Compact Florescent Lights

If you are using those environmentally friendly (although they contain mercury), compact florescent light bulbs, here are some tips for safe handing and safe exposure. You may want to limit your exposure to them if you have a disorder that causes you UV light sensitivity.

A UK study (by the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency) recommends a distance greater than one foot for safe use and limiting your exposure time to no more than 1 hour at the distance of under one foot. CFLs are generally considered a low UV risk as they emit low amounts of ultra violet light. Still they do. So if that night stand bears a CFL burning lamp, you may want to push it a bit further away from your bedside.

Butterfingers Beware

Here's how to safely clean up the mess if one breaks. Never vacuum or sweep up the broken glass or mercury. Throw away items that came in contact with it including clothes. Do not wash in a machine or put down the drain or toilet. All the precautions are online on the EPA website and can be downloaded in a PDF. This is a very important document for anyone using these light bulbs.

link: Cleaning Up A Broken CFL PDF

link: What Never To Do

Cell Phone Shields

Half a decade since the FTC sued companies claiming to have the safe fix for cell phone users, they are at it again. Many products have resurfaced claiming to limit radiation exposure to cell phones users. Perhaps some never went away but the language is more tech-y and sophisticated. Many companies lay claims to integration of quantum physics and scientifically based research. The FCC still contends these companies have no real proof their equipment works.

Speaking of Improving Products

Xylitol is Back.

It is pleasing to see its return in products such as Tic Tac Chill, a sugar free tic tac product. Xylitol is for the mouth, what cranberries are to the urinary track. It can impede (some studies claim reverse) tooth decay, and prevent certain germs from sticking in the mouth/ throat area. Hope to see more use of this sweetener in gums and breath mints.

Temperature Settings In Public Places

2010-08-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

Are retail stores and public places 'over' air conditioned?

If you are feeling the chill, click the video.

In the never ending quest to stay warm, I searched for other opinions and

literature on temperature settings in public places. Most of what I found was

concerning the workplace environment. Despite this, all manner of professionals

(from lawyers planning mediation meeting places, to event planners and designers)

must consider thermal comfort when planning their projects.

Literature suggests cool settings are necessary to prevent the escape of

volatile organic compounds in the environment. At higher temperatures

textiles, painted surfaces, treated wood can emit odors and compounds that

may affect our health. Maybe we should not be using them.

Some even consider that other organic compounds (body odors) be part of the decision

making process, when considering where to set the thermostat.

Some authors do not agree that excessive cooling is necessary

for computers and electronics.

Most workplace guidance suggest that the real deciding factor is whether people post complaints about temperature. Which means the majority rule. I rather like the formula

Majority + energy factors (within reasonable limits) + risks and benefits to individual health and well being.

It is not always simply comfort, but what may limit one's access or allow access.

Credit is due to the author as this song was playing on my itunes when I recorded this video

Natural Encounters, New England Sunrise ("Seaside Bicycle Ride"). As I have already published

this am giving credit to the authors. (No contact information is available currently).

CDC TV - Put Your Hands Together.

2010-01-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

Something that cannot be emphasized enough. Strangely enough there are still people who do not believe this.
Watch and listen to the stats.

Side note:
Now we have to remember what we might transfer to others in a hug, or that gentle touch on the sleeve (elbow germs!).
... wearing something other than our hearts on our sleeves.

CDC TV - Put Your Hands Together.: "CDC Video Player. Flash Player 9 is required.
CDC Video Player.
Flash Player 9 is required."

Antioxidant Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

2010-01-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

Can antioxidants help with Sickle Cell Anemia? Studies show that alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine (a form of the amino acid l-carnitine) are helpful in other conditions where inflammation is a factor.

If you have a child age 14 or under, participants are being accepted to assess whether antioxidant therapy can reduce inflammation (and symptoms) in children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Contact Information

Use this identifier Number: NCT01054768

Contact: Rona Osmani

510-428-3885 ext 82237

rosmani@mail.cho.org

The location of the study is in Oakland California. See the address below:


Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland	Recruiting
Oakland, California, United States, 94609

About acetyl l-carnitine:
A form of l-carnitine which is synthesized in the liver and kidneys
About apha lipoic acid (ALA):
A a fatty acid / antioxidant certain form of ALA can help the body to recycle other antioxidants

Why is This Man Sniffing A Dress?

2010-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

It's actually a dress that could save your life. (When working) it detects carbon dioxide changes in the atmosphere and lights up.

I shot this video back in 2005 at the Wired Next Fest. It details use of electronics in clothing. I am not sure if nanotechnology was involved here, but the dresses are are electronic. Unfortunately, they were not working so well at the time of this video. The background noise is a bit loud.
.

Warmer, Textured Leggins

2009-11-07T22:32:00.000-08:00

Here are a few examples of warmer textured leggin's

made from your old sweaters.

Beyond Sweaters

2009-10-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

A few ideas for extra warmth for any time of year. A series of videos so that you can easily make it yourself from your old clothing. Make leggins, leg wamers, arm warmers, stoles and shrugs from your old sweaters with no sewing or minimal sewing.

Warm Ideas: Introduction

2009-10-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

A few ideas for extra warmth for any time of year.
A series of videos so that you can easily make it yourself
from existing clothing.

Warm Ideas: Capelets

2009-10-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Sew a quick cape-let from an old sweater.

Warm Ideas: For Shoulders

2009-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Here are warm ideas for shoulders and arms. You can easily knit or crochet

should warmers to be worn over sweaters or under a coat for extra warmth.

In the video are examples of a stole, a sleeveless shrug, and arm warmers.

Warm Ideas: Leg Warmers

2009-10-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Warm Ideas

Here are warm ideas for legs. No sew leg warmers from old sweaters.