Monday, September 13, 2010

LIFE HERE AND THERE

Life on Earth is all about, helping out each other,
To find the good in everyone, parents, sisters, brothers.
Expanding on to church and school, we can always spare a smile,
And even add a word of cheer, or chat a little while.

Volunteering time to help, those with special needs,
A few hours given here and there, show your spiritual creed.
Adopt a needy family and help them on their way.
Encouragement and caring words cheers them through their day.

We are here to practice truth, text book for Heavenly school,
Saint John in Revelation, helps teach the Golden Rule.
The University of Heaven, text book to study life,
Through the ages violence proved, wars only add more strife.

Earth life is such a fragile thing, the soul goes on forever,
A time on Earth to learn and grow, then go back to the giver.
Another place as Heavenly guides, cheer each growing soul,
To learn of truth, then practice it, then write another scroll.

Recorded in your Book of Life, Within - your soul tells all,
A different space, another place as you answer new life’s call,
Your soul goes on forever as, windows open for your view,
You may face a wilderness, and agree it’s best for you.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED HELP

Summer days flew by with speed upon the wings of time,
No work was found for student needs, tuition funds to find.
Here’s help to meet this urgent need, no interest for use time,
Then write down terms to repay now, should layoff days you find.

Upon a paper write the words, terms for this friendly loan,
To help a relative in need and set the payback tone.
The urgent need for doctors here and eager minds to learn,
Called for help to meet this need, - good wages too are earned.

Write this down, your own needs may rise - their parents work full time,
Your working years for three years past now will come to mind.
My doctor says, “I like your poetry, so write - publish in your Blog today,
Your legacy of life on Earth helps other’s future ways.”

Money bears the “filthy lucre” charge for some uncertain ones,
And “root of evil’s frightening charge” from other voices come.
But money is an instrument that, like a stringed guitar,
When tuned and played in rhythmic tones, brings joy to near and far.

But when obtained improperly sends notes in strange discord,
Yet used through time for right design, brings pleasure and reward.
So when its true perspective blends in balance through life’s whole,
This instrument of help and love aids body, mind and soul.

The last two verses I copied from my book, “In Touch.”

Monday, September 6, 2010

DRUG RELATED DEATHS ON THE RISE

According to a 2010 analysis from the nonprofit Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received 19,551 reports of deaths linked to prescription and over the counter drugs last year, a 14 percent increase compared with 2008. Six of the most deaths in the ISMP report are listed below. If you have taken any of them, do not stop on your own but ask your doctor if they are safe for you.

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) Used for Type 2 diabetes – It increases the risk of heart failure, bone fracture, heart attacks and stroke. It is involved in 1,354 deaths.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) and acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Vicodin and generic.) Used for pain and involved in 635 deaths. It is often implicated to intentional overdoses Even modest overdoses can cause severe or fatal liver damage. Some people take higher doses, increasing the risk of liver damage from the actaminophen.

Digoxin (Digitek, and generic). It is used for Atrial fibrillation, for severe pain 506 deaths. Even small doses can be fatal. Batches of digtek (no longer available) and in 2008 and 2009 because the pills were too strong.

Fentanyl (Duragesic, Fentora, and generic used for severe pain, causing 397 deaths. A powerful narcotic, linked to accidental and intentional overdoses and abuse.

Oxycodone (oxycontin and generic used for severe pain causing 251 deaths. It is a powerful narcotic linked to accidental and intentional overdoses and abuse.

Quetiapine (seroquel) Used for Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia causing 248 deaths. It increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, especially when taken at high doses.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

TALKING TEETH

But are we listening to what our teeth are telling us? Researchers in Britain found that people who brushed their teeth just once a day had a 30 percent increased risk of heart disease compared with those who brushed twice a day.

Diseased gums can contribute to systemic inflammation, which appears to damage the lining of the arteries. In fact, people in the study who brushed less often had higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

BEST FOR BREAKFAST

According to Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., M.P.H., R.D., a physician and nutrition consultant in Sarasota, Fla., “Breakfast gets the brain going, that’s because breakfast swiftly replenishes the blood’s circulating level of glucose, which is depleted overnight and serves as the brain’s most immediate source of energy. It boosts your energy and improves your cognition, memory and problem solving skills.”

Besides providing a mental and physical jump-start, breakfast is a nutritional cornerstone for the rest of you day. Milk provides high levels of calcium, protein and usually vitamin D (if it is fortified). Have breakfast within the first hour or two of waking. Aim to get 20 to 25 percent of your total daily calories from the meal, including a mix of protein, complex carbohydrates that contribute various vitamins, plus folic acid which may protect against bone loss and colon cancer. Otherwise you may reach for less-healthy options later in the day when you are too hungry to eat sensibly. Heart-healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds and fatty fish, like salmon. Avoid transfats found in hydrogenated vegetable oil. Whole grain cold cereal, especially if mixed with low-fat yogurt is best. That will keep you fuller than a meal of just carbs. A University of Massachusetts study found out that people who often ate out in the morning were more likely to be obese than those who didn’t.

Key nutrients like vitamin C, B12 and folic acid are often in fortified cereals. To find the safe upper limits go to http://www.iom.edu/ and search for “DRI tables.”