Scanning Obituaries
Who knew? I certainly didn’t, and yet I find that I’m not alone. AdventureMan does it, too, and other friends. One friend says she thinks she scans the obituaries to celebrate the fact that she is still alive. That may be it for most of us, but in addition, I find that there are people living among us with amazing histories, and we don’t even know. Sometimes when you read an obit, you can tell that the person wrote it himself or herself, and what that person considered important in his/her life. Sometimes the obituary is not very loving.
Southern newspapers, in my experience, are much richer in extraordinary detail that newspapers in bigger cities, like Seattle. In bigger cities, only the rich and famous or notorious get much space; it may be that the space is far more expensive in the bigger cities, or that families are less willing to shell out from the estate for the bigger coverage. Southerners value family, and history; it’s a part of the culture.
Yesterday, when I took the Pensacola News Journal in to AdventureMan, I had circled something in one of the obituaries, knowing that he, like me, only reads them now and then. I didn’t want him to miss this line:
(Name) was a Past Mighty Chosen One of the Zelica Daughters of Mokanna, Ladies Auxiliary to the Grotto.
Holy smokes! I thought it might be one of the Mardi Gras Krewe things, but AdventureMan googled, and discovered that is a Masonic offshoot, and their larger groups are called Cauldrons. (!)
In America of the early 1900’s, social affiliation groups were important. People belonged to religious groups like Knights of Columbus, Ladies of the Church, etc, quasi-religious groups like Masons and Shriners, and social groups like the Elks and Moose and Lions Club. Some groups still exist, and are still going strong, like Rotary Club, and special interest groups. In Pensacola, there is a Tea Party AND a Coffee Party. There is a Philipino-American Republican Club. When people gather together regularly to share something in common, they can form a group. All of these groups help people be connected in their communities and in their lives, and help people to look after one another.
I belonged to a group once that called ourselves the Aqua-Babes. To be perfectly honest, we might not be total babes, but hey – it’s our group, we can call ourselves what we want, right?
But oh, my, to be a Mighty Chosen One . . .
Happy Two Years Old
I remember when they were called the Terrible Twos . . . but, at two, our little Happy Toddler is a delight:
He is so delighted to be able to communicate. We can hear him in his car seat, practicing his pronunciation, so people will understand what he says. Two weeks ago, he was patiently trying to communicate something to us, and we thought he was asking about the garbage can, but he was asking about his car blanket. Now “car blanket” is clear, and daily he gathers more and more vocabulary. “Stuck!” he chortles! “Bubbles!” “Tractor!” “Door OPEN!”
We laugh with glee to see his delight at our comprehension.
There are other times he cracks us up. “What color is this?” we ask, and he says “Lello,” but he isn’t even looking. He doesn’t really care much what color it is. If we say “no, it isn’t yellow” he might say “red” or “geen” or “boo” but he isn’t looking and he doesn’t care. The-Grandmother-who-lives-on-color hopes that this is just a passing phase, and that one day he will care whether it is carmine or flaming or blood or cherry or claret . . .
He walks boldly, he runs exuberantly, he skips, he dances, he climbs; he is a very all-boy boy. He has a dignity all his own, and a confidence that he is greatly loved. We thank God for this little grandson.
A Sucker Born Every Minute
It just must be that time of the year . . . here is today’s scam e-mail. Please feel free to contact the sender and screw with him:
We are delighted to inform you that your e-mail address has won you the sum of
Ђ350,000.00 Euros from the Patricia Wood Award Foundation. For your payment, You
are requested to contact Dr.Eduardo Pablo with the details:1. Name: 2. Age: 3.
Address: 4. Phone Number: Through her Email: segurosagenciad19@hotmail.com and
For More Info Call Tel:+34-622-646-594
Scam Letter for Today . . .
Scam Letter
You know how I hate lying and deception, sneaking and peeping, all manner of pretending rather than keeping it real. I have a real thing about scams, and I want to pour the light of day on each and every one of them, so that the vulnerable will be forewarned.
This is a letter I got this week. Many times, I won’t even open junk mail, just throw it away, but this one looked like it MIGHT be official, even though my gut told me it wasn’t:
Looks a little like a W-2 form, doesn’t it, or something governmental?
Inside:
Still looks official, doesn’t it, but it isn’t a government form, it’s a form telling me (using my name) that this is my FINAL notification that I have to claim the two round-trip tickets on any American airline that I have won.
In a separate attachment is this “flight coupon”:
I passed it along to AdventureMan, in case he wanted to call the number and mess with them a little, but neither of us really wanted to waste the time – or to give them any idea what our phone number is: we hate scam phone calls, too. Yes, it is a scam, even if it may not be an illegal scam, it is a deception and not what it appears to be. SCAM!
Houston CC: Qatar Unable to Credit Coursework?
TThe western universities in Qatar have fought long and hard to have accountability and enforced standards . . . and there are always challenges. Here is a hilarious article about one such newer university facing significant challenges (thanks, John! )
Faulty planning may be to blame for HCC Qatar campus’s problems
By Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle
Updated 09:01 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012
As top officials at Houston Community College were collecting awards and publishing papers about their international ventures last year, their effort in Qatar was struggling with disagreements over accreditation, high faculty turnover and growing worries that the dean hired by the Qataris to lead the effort was working against them.
The problems, detailed in emails and internal documents obtained through a public records request, raise questions about whether HCC was prepared for the ambitious foreign undertaking.
The dean chosen by the Qatari government was replaced in November by a veteran HCC employee, Butch Herrod, as part of an administrative overhaul. Enrollment has reached 750 students, less than two years after HCC signed an agreement with the Qatari government to create that nation’s first community college.
But students have not received HCC credits for their classes there – a cornerstone of the promises made when the partnership was announced – and for now it appears unlikely their coursework will transfer to the six U.S. universities with operations in Qatar. After months of student protests, a deal signed last month will allow graduates of the new community college to enroll in Qatar University.
Things were so bad last spring an HCC administrator in Qatar wrote HCC Chancellor Mary Spangler that Community College of Qatar, or CCQ, had become known as “the Crazy College of Qatar.”
From the beginning, Spangler said the Qatar contract was a way to earn money as state funding dropped and property tax revenues remained flat. HCC records indicate the college has collected $640,034 from the deal; it projects a profit of $4.6 million by 2015, slightly more than expected.
Deputy Chancellor Art Tyler said in a recent interview that things now are running smoothly, and that misunderstandings are unavoidable in any international operation.
“The world is not exactly flat,” he said. “It may have gotten smaller over the years, thanks to technology, but when you’re dealing with people, with communities, you can’t know everything.”
Women taught separately
Among the things HCC didn’t know until just before classes began in September 2010: The Qatari government decided male and female students would be educated separately, contrary to the five-year, $45 million contract, which called for coeducational classes.
Former employees say that was just one of the surprises when they arrived in Qatar, ranging from delays in getting textbooks to worries over their exit visas.
“Things did not go smoothly at all,” said Randi Perlman, hired to teach English to Arabic-speaking students. “There were a lot of issues that came up … that I think didn’t need to happen.”
Overseas campuses
With more than 70,000 students, HCC is one of the nation’s largest community college systems, offering lower division academic classes and workforce training.
Over the past decade, it has become increasingly involved in international ventures, as well, with projects in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Qatar.
Tyler said Qatar, located on the Persian Gulf, is a natural match for a Houston institution: energy industry ties, Qatar Airlines’ nonstop flights and the presence of the Qatar Consulate here. Six U.S. universities have campuses there, including Texas A&M.
The Methodist Hospital System has an office in the United Arab Emirates and is helping to build an ambulatory care center in the capital city of Doha.
Visa requirement
The first wave of HCC faculty and staff discovered after being hired – in some cases, after arriving in Doha – that their visas required them to get permission before leaving the country.
“That seemed to me to be a human-rights violation,” said Jan McNeil, a veteran English teacher who had previously worked in Singapore.
HCC offered interviews with three employees who worked in Qatar last year, all of whom said the visas posed no problem.
David Ross, chairman of the English as a second language and English departments in Qatar, said the system worked but acknowledged the six-day window to use the visas made timing tricky and the lack of multiple exit visas – standard for U.S. employees of American universities and companies there – provoked anxiety.
Internal emails also detail delays in preparing apartments for the expatriate employees, paying tuition at schools for their children and complaints about spotty Internet service.
“That whole piece of helping faculty and staff feel at home … was a challenge,” Tyler said.
‘A matter of learning’
Perlman, who now teaches at Texas A&M in College Station, attributed many of the challenges to poor planning, including hiring administrators – many of whom transferred from Houston – without experience working in a foreign country.
“You need people on the ground there, to help you get things done,” said Perlman. “They didn’t have that.”
Mark Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M’s Qatar campus and a member of an interim board appointed last fall to govern CCQ, said missteps are to be expected.
“Watching HCC help get the community college established, some of the bumps are similar to what I’ve seen the other branch campuses (in Qatar) experience,” he said. “It’s a matter of learning how to do things in a different part of the world.”
Little control at top
But former employees and internal documents suggest HCC’s biggest problem came from a contract that authorized the Qatari government to hire the school’s chief academic official, giving HCC little control over decisions at the top.
Judith Hansen was hired by Qatar’s Supreme Education Council and served as dean until late last year.
Tyler declined to discuss the circumstances that led to Hansen’s departure in November.
Hansen, who had been forced out of the president’s job at Southwestern Oregon Community College in 2008 following three no-confidence votes by faculty and staff groups, did not respond to requests for comment.
But she was at the center of disputes over accreditation and whether CCQ could change HCC’s curriculum or claim it as its own.
She insisted on independence in an email to Tyler last winter: “The request for no assistance with (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation means there is no need for HCC to be concerned about CCQ organizational chart,” she wrote.
‘Crazy College of Qatar’
Not so fast, Spangler said after Tyler passed on the message.
“We will not accept this response,” the HCC chancellor wrote to Tyler. “She is not calling the shots.”
Cheryl Sterling, an HCC administrator now in Qatar, wrote Tyler and Spangler last spring after Tyler acknowledged no HCC credit would be awarded for the spring 2011 semester.
“If students do not receive HCC credits this Spring, we will have a major crisis (all out war),” she wrote. “The Dean has held several forums assuring them of credits. … we are known as CCQ, the Crazy College of Qatar.”
At about the same time, faculty members issued a “no confidence” vote against Hansen.
John Moretta, a faculty member now in Qatar, was in contact with Spangler before the vote.
“She avoids me because she knows … that I know what she is doing is in direct contravention of so many HCC policies,” he wrote of Hansen. “Should we proceed with the faculty-senate vote of no confidence? … Please advise.”
Spangler replied the same day.
“The short answer is yes, and we didn’t have this conversation,” she told him.
Snake Troubles My Sleep
I was sleeping soundly, and suddenly I would be awake, hearing footsteps, the sneaking kind, like you don’t want to be heard. AdventureMan is snoring softly, so I know it is not him. Once the adrenaline stops coursing through my veins, and I calm, I remember that the weather is unseasonably warm for February and I have turned on my overhead fan, and somewhere, it must be a piece of paper rustling just a little, now and then, as the fan-induced breeze hits it.
In the morning, I laugh. I’m working on a project which includes a snake. In order to get the snake movement just right, I had to make a paper template, which is now hanging over a rod in my office. The faint rustling was the paper snake. Guess I’d better move that snake to where it can’t do any harm.
“Sitting is the new Smoking”
“Sitting is the new smoking, you know?” said my good friend. No. No, I didn’t know, but it sort of doesn’t come to a surprise. What comes as a surprise learning the specific – that every hour watching TV shortens your life by 22 minutes. Whoa!
This is from the Bottom Line Daily Health News:
Shocking Stats on How TV Shortens Your Life
You know that vegging out in front of the boob tube isn’t good for you. But have you heard about a disturbing new study from Australia suggesting that TV’s negative effects on life span are even worse than you probably imagined?
For the study, researchers analyzed data from an observational survey of more than 11,000 people ages 25 and older that began in 1999, cross-referencing against mortality figures for 2008.Findings: People who spent a lifetime average of six hours per day watching television died 4.8 years sooner, on average, than people who watched no TV. Also, every single hour of TV viewed after age 25 reduced the average viewer’s life expectancy by 22 minutes!
Explanation: It is an indirect link, according to study leader J. Lennert Veerman, MD, PhD, MPH, of the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland in Australia. The more time a person spends watching television, the less time she (or he) has for healthy behaviors proven to promote longevity, such as exercising and socializing. Also, Dr. Veerman noted, while researchers in this study adjusted for the effects of diet quality and waist circumference, other studies show that TV viewing typically is associated with a worse diet.
Bottom line: TV’s harmful effects on longevity may be comparable to the effects of major chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity—a fact worth remembering next time you are tempted to turn on the tube.
Source: J. Lennert Veerman, MD, PhD, MPH, is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Burden of Disease and Cost-Effectiveness in the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland in Australia, and leader of a study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The Best Foods You can Eat
I wish I could publish this exactly as sent by my friend, Hayfa. It is a beautiful article!
The 40 Best Age-Erasing Superfoods
By: The editors of Men’s Health
The latest science on the musclebuilding,
brain-enhancing, wrinkleerasing,
heart-strengthening,
bone-protecting, immunityboosting,
and inflammationfighting
foods you should be
eating every day.
1. Almonds
These energy-rich snacks lower bad
cholesterol, thanks to plant sterols, and
benefit diabetics by lowering blood sugar.
They’re also rich in amino acids, which
bolster testosterone levels and muscle
growth. Almonds are also stuffed with
vitamin E, which helps defend against sun
damage. In a study, volunteers who
consumed 14 milligrams of the vitamin
(about 20 almonds) per day and then were
exposed to UV light burned less than those
who took none. And because vitamin E is
an antioxidant, it also works to keep your
arteries free of dangerous free radicals.
Low levels of vitamin E are also associated
with poor memory performance and cognitive decline, says dietitian Sari Greaves of New York
Presbyterian Hospital–Cornell.
2. Flaxseeds
Rich in protein and fiber, these little
seeds offer a payload of omega-3 fatty
acids, which erase spots and iron out
fine lines in the skin. The British Journal
of Nutrition reported that participants in
one study who downed about half a
teaspoon of omega-3s daily in 6 weeks
experienced significantly less irritation
and redness, along with better-hydrated skin. A recent study of people with high cholesterol
(greater than 240 mg/dL) compared statin treatment with eating 20 grams of flaxseed a day. After
60 days, those eating flaxseed did just as well as those on statins. Try sprinkling ground flaxseed
on oatmeal, yogurt, and salads.
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3. Tomatoes
There are two things you need to know
about tomatoes: red are the best,
because they’re packed with more of
the antioxidant lycopene; and
processed tomatoes are just as potent
as fresh ones, because it’s easier for
the body to absorb the lycopene.
Studies show that a diet rich in
lycopene can decrease your risk of
bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery
disease, and help eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. “Cooked tomatoes
and tomato paste work best,” says celebrity trainer Gunnar Petersen.
4. Sweet Potatoes
Often confused with yams, these
tubers are one of the healthiest foods
on the planet. In addition to
countering the effects of secondhand
smoke and preventing diabetes,
sweet potatoes contain glutathione,
an antioxidant that can enhance
nutrient metabolism and immunesystem
health, as well as protect
against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, liver
disease, cystic fibrosis, HIV, cancer, heart attack, and stroke. What’s more, they’re also loaded
with vitamin C, which smoothes out wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen. A recent
study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that volunteers who consumed 4
milligrams of C (about half a small sweet potato) daily for 3 years decreased the appearance of
wrinkles by 11 percent.
5. Spinach
It may be green and leafy, but spinach—a
renowned muscle builder—is also the ultimate
man food. The heart-health equivalent of a firstballot
Hall of Famer, spinach is replete with the
essential minerals potassium and magnesium,
and it’s one of the top sources of lutein, an
antioxidant that may help prevent clogged
arteries. Plus its vitamins and nutrients can
bolster bone-mineral density, attack prostate
cancer cells, reduce the risk of skin tumors, fight
colon cancer, and, last but not least, increase
blood flow to the penis. “Popeye was on to
something,” says Susan Bowerman, assistant director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the
University of California at Los Angeles.
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6. Rosemary
The carnosic acid found in this spice has
been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice
by 40 percent, according to a study
published in the Journal of
Neurochemistry. Carnosic acid appears to
set off a process that shields brain cells
from free-radical damage, which can
worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also
protect against degenerative diseases like
Alzheimer’s and the general effects of
aging.
7. Wild Salmon
A 4-ounce serving of salmon has
approximately 2,000 milligrams of
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),
omega-3 fatty acids that serve as
oil for the brain’s hardware by
helping nerve cells communicate
with one another. Thirty-five percent
of your brain consists of fatty acids
like these, but they can decline as
the years stack up. A 2008 University of Cincinnati study, for instance, found that the brain tissue
of 65- to 80-year-olds contained 22 percent less DHA than the brain tissue of 29- to 35-year-olds.
“If you want to keep your wits about you as you age, start consuming omega-3s now,” says
William Harris, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at the University of South Dakota. Why is wild so
important? Because farmed fish, which are fattened with soy, can be as high in inflammatory
omega-6 fats as a cheeseburger. If in doubt, opt for sockeye salmon, which can’t be farmed and
is always wild. Aim for at least two servings a week, says dietitian Joan Salge Blake, author of
Nutrition and You.
8. Blueberries
“This potent little fruit can help prevent
a range of diseases from cancer to
heart disease,” says Ryan Andrews,
the director of research at Precision
Nutrition, in Toronto, Canada. Think of
blueberries as anti-rust for your gray
matter, too. Besides being rich in fiber
and vitamins A and C, they’re also
packed with antioxidants—only açai,
an Amazonian berry, contains more—
that neutralize the free radicals that cause neuronal misfires. Eat a cup a day, and opt for wild
blueberries whenever possible, as they contain 26 percent more antioxidants than cultivated
varieties.
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9. Green Tea
Green tea releases catechin, an antioxidant with proven anti-inflammatory and anticancer
properties. Research found that drinking 2 to 6 cups a day not only helps prevent skin cancer but
might also reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sunexposed
skin. Other studies show that green tea—infused with another antioxidant called
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—can boost
your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk
of most types of cancer.
10. Dark Chocolate
Flavonoids, a natural nutrient in cocoa, improve
blood flow in the brain, which helps boost
cognitive function. Plus dark chocolate contains
a tannin called procyanidin, which is also found
in red wine, that can keep your arteries flexible
and your blood pressure low. It helps on the outside, too. In a study from the Journal of Nutrition,
women who drank cocoa fortified with a chocolate bar’s worth of flavonols had better skin texture
and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who drank significantly fewer flavonols. Indulge in
1 ounce a day to get all the benefits, says dietitian Sari Greaves of New York Presbyterian
Hospital–Cornell.
11. Tuna
Your favorite deli sandwich has a little secret:
Selenium. This nutrient helps preserve elastin, a
protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. The
antioxidant is also believed to buffer against the sun
(it stops free radicals created by UV exposure from
damaging cells). Tuna is also a great source of
protein, contains no trans fat, and a 3-ounce serving
of chunk light contains 11 mg of heart-healthy niacin, which has been shown to help lower
cholesterol and help your body process fat. University of Rochester researchers determined that
niacin raises HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and lowers triglycerides more than most statins
alone.
12. Carrots
Think of carrots as orange wonder wands—
good for the eyeballs, and good for clearing up
breakouts. No magic here, though, just plenty of
vitamin A, which prevents overproduction of
cells in the skin’s outer layer. That means fewer
dead cells to combine with sebum and clog
pores. They’re also spiked with carotenoids—
fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as
a reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
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13. Dried Plums
Also known as prunes, these dark shrivelers
are rich in copper and boron, both of which
can help prevent osteoporosis. “They also
contain a fiber called inulin, which, when
broken down by intestinal bacteria, makes
for a more acidic environment in the
digestive tract,” says Bowerman. “That, in
turn, facilitates calcium absorption.”
14. Whole Grains
Whole grains—oatmeal, wheat flour, barley,
brown rice—are high in fiber, which calms
inflamed tissues while keeping the heart
strong, the colon healthy, and the brain fueled.
Whole grains can be loaded with carbs, but
the release of those sugars is slowed by the
fiber, and because they can pack as much as
10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they
also deliver steady muscle-building energy.
But not all breads and crackers advertised as “whole grain” are the real deal. “Read the label,”
says Lynn Grieger, an online health, food, and fitness coach. “Those that aren’t whole grain can
be high in fat, which increases inflammation.”
15. Red Wine
Swimming in resveratrol—a natural compound that
lowers LDL, raises HDL, and prevents blood clots—red
wine can truly be a lifesaver. A recent review in
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, for
instance, suggests that resveratrol may prevent or delay
the onset of chronic disease. But limit your intake to two
drinks a day. According to a study of 6,000 patients in the
Journal of the American Medical Association, you’re 97
percent more likely to reach your 85th birthday if you
keep your daily alcohol consumption to fewer than three
drinks. Vin rouge is also a rich source of flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect the lining of
blood vessels in your heart, and may make you less likely to die of cardiovascular disease,
according to Japanese researchers.
16. Yogurt
Various cultures claim yogurt as their own
creation, but the 2,000-year-old food’s health
benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns
hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that
serve as reinforcements to the battalions of
Page | 6
beneficial bacteria in your body, which keep your digestive tract healthy and your immune system
in top form, and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic, though, so make
sure the label says “live and active cultures.”
17. Avocado
Chock full of monounsaturated fat, avocados
deliver a double-barreled blast to LDL
cholesterol (the bad kind). They are also rich in
folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that helps
lower the levels of homocysteine, an amino
acid that can hinder the flow of blood through
blood vessels. Eat a 1/4 cup twice a week,
says Greaves.
18. Walnuts
Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon,
loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols
than red wine, and packing half as much musclebuilding
protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like
a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts
combine only one or two of these features, not all
three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or
seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack.
19. Turmeric
Curcumin, the polyphenol that gives turmeric
its tang and yellow hue, has anticancer
properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and
tumor-fighting activities known in nutritionspeak
as anti-angiogenesis. Researchers at
UCLA have also found that it helps deter the
accumulation of amyloid plaques in the
brain, tiny blockages that may cause
Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric’s prevalence
in India, the researchers suggest, may help explain why so few of the country’s senior citizens
have the disease, whereas the statistic is close to 13 percent in the United States, according to
the Alzheimer’s Association. One tip: Pair it with pepper in curries. “Adding black pepper to
turmeric or turmeric-spiced food enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 1,000 times, due to black
pepper’s hot property called piperine,” says nutritionist Stacy Kennedy of the Dana Farber
Cancer Institute.
20. Black Beans
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People who eat one 3-ounce serving of black beans a day decrease their risk of heart attack by
38 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition. And while other beans are also good
for your heart, none can boost your brainpower like black beans. That’s because they’re full of
anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. They’re
also packed with superstar nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, folate, magnesium, B
vitamins, potassium, and fiber.
21. Apples
An apple a day reduces swelling of all kinds, thanks to quercetin, a flavonoid also found in the
skin of red onions. Quercetin reduces the risk of allergies, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,
and prostate and lung cancers. If given the choice, opt
for Red Delicious. They contain the most inflammationfighting
antioxidants.
22. Alaskan King Crab
High in protein
and low in fat,
the sweet flesh of the king crab is spiked with zinc—a
whopping 7 milligrams per 3.5-ounce serving. “Zinc is
an antioxidant, but more important, it helps support
healthy bone mass and immune function,” says
Bowerman.
23. Pomegranates
The juice from the biblical fruit of many seeds
can reduce your risk of most cancers, thanks to
polyphenols called ellagitannins, which give the
fruit its color. In fact, a recent study at UCLA
found that pomegranate juice slows the growth
of prostate cancer cells by a factor of six.
24. Pak Choy
This crunchy cruciferous vegetable is more than the
filler that goes with shrimp in brown sauce. “Bok
choy is rich in bone-building calcium, as well as
vitamins A and C, folic acid, iron, beta-carotene,
and potassium,” says celebrity trainer Teddy Bass.
Potassium keeps your muscles and nerves in check
while lowering your blood pressure, and research
suggests that beta-carotene can reduce the risk of both lung and bladder cancers, as well as
macular degeneration.
Page | 8
25. Oysters
Shellfish, in general, is an excellent source of zinc, calcium,
copper, iodine, iron, potassium, and selenium. “But the creamy
flesh of oysters stands apart for its ability to elevate testosterone
levels and protect against prostate cancer,” says Bass.
26. Broccoli
One cup of
broccoli contains a hearty dose of calcium, as
well as manganese, potassium, phosphorus,
magnesium, and iron. And that’s in addition to
its high concentration of vitamins—including A,
C, and K—and the phytonutrient sulforaphane,
which studies at Johns Hopkins University
suggest has powerful anticancer properties.
27. Kiwis
Like bananas, this fuzzy fruit is high in bone-protecting
potassium. “They’re also rich in vitamin C and lutein, a
carotenoid that can help reduce the risk of heart disease,” says
Bowerman. “I try to eat at least one or two a week after
exercising.” Freeze them for a refreshing energy kick, but don’t
peel the skin: It’s edible and packed with nutrients.
28. Olive Oil
The extra-virgin variety is rich in beneficial monounsaturated
fats. “Its fatty acids and polyphenols reduce inflammation in
cells and joints,” says Grieger. A study in the journal Nature
found that it’s as effective as Advil at reducing inflammation.
“Have 2 tablespoons a day,” says Bowerman.
29. Leeks
“Leeks can support sexual functioning and reduce
the risk of prostate cancer,” says Michael
Dansinger, M.D., an assistant professor of
medicine and an obesity researcher at Tufts–New
England Medical Center, in Boston. “Chop the
green part of a medium leek into thin ribbons and
add it to soups, sautés, and salads as often as
possible.” These scallionlike cousins of garlic and onions are also packed with bone-bolstering
thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium, and they’re also rich in folic acid, a B vitamin that
studies have shown to lower levels of the artery-damaging amino acid homocystein in the blood.
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30. Artichokes
Lauded for centuries as an aphrodisiac, this fiber-rich
plant contains more bone-building magnesium and
potassium than any other vegetable. Its leaves are
also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols—antioxidants
that can cut the risk of stroke—and vitamin C, which
helps maintain the immune system. “Eat them as often
as you can,” says Bowerman. Ripe ones feel heavy
for their size and squeak when squeezed.
31.
Chili
Peppers
“Chilis stimulate the metabolism, act as a natural
blood thinner, and help release endorphins,” says
Petersen. Plus, they’re a great way to add flavor
to food without increasing fat or calorie content.
Chilis are also rich in beta-carotene, which turns
into vitamin A in the blood and fights infections,
as well as capsaicin, which inhibits neuropeptides (chemicals that cause inflammation). A recent
study in the journal Cancer Research found that hot peppers even have anti-prostate-cancer
properties. All this from half a chili pepper (or 1 tablespoon of chili flakes) every day.
32. Ginger
Contrary to popular belief, ginger—a piquant addition to so
many Asian dishes—isn’t a root, it’s a stem, which means it
contains living compounds that improve your health. Chief
among them is gingerol, a cancer suppressor that studies
have shown to be particularly effective against that of the
colon. Chop ginger or grind it fresh and add it to soymarinated
fish or chicken as often as you can. The more
you can handle, the better.
33. Cinnamon
Known for making desserts sweet and Indian food complex,
cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that inhibit blood clotting and
bacterial growth (including the bad-breath variety). “Studies
also suggest that it may help stabilize blood sugar, reducing
the risk of type 2 diabetes,” says dietitian Nancy Clark, author
of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook. “What’s more, it
may help reduce bad cholesterol. Try half a teaspoon a day in
yogurt or oatmeal.”
Page | 10
34. Eggs
Those who have eggs for
breakfast lose 65 percent more
weight than those who down a
bagel breakfast with the same
number of calories, according
to a study in the International
Journal of Obesity. Eat the
yolk, too. Recent studies have proved that the fat in the yellow part is important to keep you
satiated, and the benefits of its minerals and nutrients outweigh its cholesterol effect.
35. Figs
Packed with potassium, manganese, and antioxidants, this
fruit also helps support proper pH levels in the body, making
it more difficult for pathogens to invade, says Petersen.
Plus, the fiber in figs can lower insulin and blood-sugar
levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and metabolic
syndrome. Select figs with dark skins (they contain more
nutrients) and eat them alone or add them to trail mix.
36. Grass-Fed Beef
Nothing beats pure protein when it comes to building
muscle. The problem with most store-bought beef, however,
is that the
majority of
cattle are
grain fed, which gives their meat a relatively high
ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. That, in
turn, contributes to inflammation. The fatty acids
in grass-fed beef, on the other hand, are skewed
toward the omega-3 variety. Such beef also
contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which
studies have shown help reduce belly fat and
build lean muscle.
37. Mushrooms
Delicious when added to brown rice, reiki, shiitake, and
maitake mushrooms are rich in the antioxidant ergothioneine,
which protects cells from abnormal growth and replication. “In
short, they reduce the risk of cancer,” says Bowerman, who
recommends half a cup once or twice a week. “Cooking them
in red wine, which contains resveratrol, magnifies their
immunity-boosting power.”
Page | 11
38. Pineapples
With its potent mix of vitamins, antioxidants,
and enzymes—in particular, bromelain—
pineapple is an all-body anti-inflammation
cocktail. It also protects against colon cancer,
arthritis, and macular degeneration, says
Grieger. (If only the “colada” part of the
equation were as healthy.) Have half a cup,
two or three times a week.
39. Fruit or Vegetable Juice
Raise a glass of the good stuff. In a 2006
University of South Florida study, people who
drank three or more 4-ounce glasses of fruit or
vegetable juice each week were 76 percent less likely
to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank
less. The high levels of polyphenols—antioxidants
found in fruits and vegetables—may protect brain
cells from the damage that may be caused by the
disease, says study author Amy Borenstein, Ph.D.
40. Bing Cherries
Research by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture shows that eating about 35 bing
cherries a day can lower the risk of tendinitis,
bursitis, arthritis, and gout, says Bowerman.
Studies also suggest that they reduce the risk
of chronic diseases and metabolic syndrome.
Woman Hits Four Cars, One at a Time, in Pensacola
We love driving in Pensacola. Most of the time, traffic is laid back and courteous. Exceptions like this are rare – no license, no insurance, fleeing the scene of an accident, all her children suffering head injuries in the FOUR separate hits – this woman should not be on the road.. From today’s PNJ Online:
A woman’s alleged attempt at a hit-and-run backfired when she hit three other cars while trying to flee, said eyewitnesses Friday.
About 2:30 p.m., authorities responded to a four-car accident with injuries at Fairfield Drive and Palafox Street, but the number of people injured and the severity of those injuries has not been released.
The incident began at the turning lane at Davis Highway and Fairfield Drive when a woman in a minivan containing three small children bumped an Orkin Man’s truck, witnesses said.
The man, Scott Stricker, said the woman took a look at the truck, said it looked untouched and that she was going to leave. Stricker told her that his company has a policy to pull over and call in any kind of traffic incident.
He said the woman told him that she would pull over just a little ahead, but as he pulled over, she skirted around him and turned down Fairfield.
“She jetted around me,” Stricker said.
While driving down Fairfield, the woman ended up hitting three other cars.
“I heard a hit, I heard another hit and I heard a third hit, and I came flying out of the office,” said Jan Prentice, who works at an advertising agency on Fairfield Drive.
Prentice said the woman told her that she was afraid of going to jail because she wasn’t driving with a valid driver’s license, and she didn’t have insurance.
Prentice said the woman had injuries and that her three small children in the van appeared to have head injuries and were taken to a hospital. It is not clear how many people were injured in the accidents.
Trooper St. Clair of the Florida Highway Patrol said that the incident was a four-car pileup, but that more information will be confirmed by a release that should be sent out later today.
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