What does Christmas mean?

 Wellness Wednesday~
December 19, 2012


 To many it has morphed into this mortal thing that demands we buy millions of dollars of stuff for people who (to a degree) feel a sense of entitlement to those gifts because they are inundated by the media with images of the next best thing.
My family and I celebrate Christmas thanking our Creator for having sacrificed so much that we may live on this earth and that he has a plan for each and every one of us. Start feeling this Christmas spirit by doing the following:
Volunteering: Find some place that you can give of your time that will bring others peace or joy, maybe at a nursing home; many do not have visitors and feel alone.
Take time to enjoy and share the holiday season: My family and I felt the joy when we encountered neighborhood carolers at our front door last week!
Give some home baked goodies to an elderly neighbor and sit down to visit with them
Smile: There are so many grumpy shoppers and cashiers that when you smile at them they almost fall over with surprise!
Find the peace for the Reason for this Season, the celebration of a savior being born.
With the tragedy that happened last week, we need to hold our children tighter, tell them that we love them more often. Remember, it not always the quantity of time we give to one another, but the quality. “There may be a feeling that life is too short and they are motivated to change whatever situation we are in In a life-threatening situation, people are motivated to reevaluate their lives, their goals, their futures and their priorities,” says Catherine L. Cohan of Penn State University, who studied how 1989’s Hurricane Hugo and 9/11 impacted relationships.
Let’s cease this Christmas holiday as an opportunity to put things behind us and move forward loving our family; many will be missing a loved on this Christmas day.


Praise God for salvation and have a very Merry Christmas!

General Pet Care Tips for the Winter

Brrrr—its cold outside…Well it’s going to be! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips. Kindness is the best care for animals during the winter months. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees F., the pet should be moved indoors. If an animal is shivering or refuses to play, this generally means that he or she is too cold. This animal should be brought indoors. Winter is a difficult time for pets. Outdoor animals need extra care in order to cope with the cold weather. Special attention should also be paid to older animals, young puppies and animals with short coats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends following these top 10 tips to protect your pet(s):

 

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed.

Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. . I personally lost my dog years ago to this tragic. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

If you take some precautions, you and your pet can have a fabulous time taking in the icicles, the snow banks, and the warm, glowing fire at the end of the day.

 You may contact Nancy Larson @ my.heatlhiswealth@comcast.net

General Pet Care Tips for the Winter

Brrrr—its cold outside…Well it’s going to be! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips. Kindness is the best care for animals during the winter months. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees F., the pet should be moved indoors. If an animal is shivering or refuses to play, this generally means that he or she is too cold. This animal should be brought indoors. Winter is a difficult time for pets. Outdoor animals need extra care in order to cope with the cold weather. Special attention should also be paid to older animals, young puppies and animals with short coats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends following these top 10 tips to protect your pet(s):

 

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed.

Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. . I personally lost my dog years ago to this tragic. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

If you take some precautions, you and your pet can have a fabulous time taking in the icicles, the snow banks, and the warm, glowing fire at the end of the day.

 You may contact Nancy Larson @ my.heatlhiswealth@comcast.net

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
November 28, 2013

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe.  It is caused by damage to the lungs over many years, usually from smoking COPD is often a mix of two diseases; chronic bronchitis & Emphysema. According to Wikipedia, worldwide, COPD ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in 1990. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity. COPD gets worse over time. You can’t undo the damage to your lungs, but you can take steps to prevent more damage and feel better. I myself have battled with bronchitis for many years and find myself breathless sometimes when I take the stairs at work. Even though I have not been diagnosed with the disease, I feel that I have many of the systems. Anyone who has COPD understands the importance of listening to your body and to know your limits. Medline Plus suggests a few tips you can to make breathing easier:

·         Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to prevent or slow damage to your lungs—it is never too late to stop smoking. 

·         Avoid conditions that may irritate your lungs, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, smog, cold dry air, hot humid air, or high altitudes.

·         Take rest breaks. Schedule short rest breaks during household chores and other activities. An occupational or physical therapist can help you find ways to do everyday activities with less effort.

·         Stay as active as possible, and get regular exercise. Try to do activities and exercises that build muscle strength and help your cardiovascular system if you get out of breath, wait until your breathing returns to normal before continuing.

·         Eat well

Eat Good nutrition is important to keep up your strength and health. Problems with muscle weakness and weight loss are common in people with severe COPD. People with COPD who are very underweight, especially those with emphysema, are at higher risk of early death than are people with COPD who have a normal weight.

·         Seek education and support Treating more than the disease and its symptoms is very important. You also need educating yourself and your family about COPD and your treatment program helps you and your family copes with your lung disease.

·         A support network of family, friends, and health professionals. Learning that you have a disease that may shorten your life can trigger depression or grieving. Anxiety can make your symptoms worse and can trigger flare-ups or make them last longer. Support from family and friends can reduce anxiety and stress and make it easier to live with COPD.

·         Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor. If you use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), be sure you know how to use it properly. A self-reward system, such as a night out to eat after staying on your medicine and exercise schedule for a week, can help keep you motivated.

·         Your treatment plan. Following a treatment plan will make you feel better and less likely to become depressed.

·         Discuss pulmonary rehabilitation with your doctor.

Hearing you have COPD can be incredibly tough, but it’s far from a helpless situation. Starting today, you can learn ways to improve your breathing and slow the progression of the disease! Re-read this article and get started breathing better!

contact Nancy Larson at my.healthiswealth@comcast.net 

Happy “THANKS”giving

What are you most THANKFUL for this Thanksgiving? Research shows, there are benefits to giving thanks – not just gratitude for what we have, but expressing gratitude to those who bless us. Consider the benefits below, and then set out to write a “gratitude letter,” or verbally tell that special person what they mean to you.  This could be a new holiday tradition that empowers you to impact someone who deserves your heartfelt appreciation. What does gratitude do for you?

• It boosts your immune system.

College students who kept gratitude journals for three weeks were less likely than their peers to catch colds or flu. Many Facebook friends have been writing daily thankfulness this November, keep it up… it helps you put things into perspective.

• It strengthens relationships.

Expressing gratitude to the people in your life leaves them feeling appreciated. This past weekend my husband gave me the weekend off! HE took care of all the daily responsibilities and more…he wanted me to feel special and important to him, and I DID! Everyone wants to feel acknowledged for the good they contribute. Gratitude and adoration promotes goodwill and inspires more of it.

My husband and I had to ask ourselves…how long since we have thanked the teacher who puts up with our children? When is the last time we thanked our parents for loving and nurturing us through those sick days as a child? How long since we have thanked the kid who delivers our newspaper in all kinds of weather, or the mailman?

We are quick to criticize, but so slow to give praise where it is deserved. But why should we take time to thank these people? Noticing what’s good in your life keeps you from over-focusing on what you think is not so good. Whenever you begin to feel down, ask yourself, “What can I be grateful for? Or “who am I grateful for?

I challenge you to create a new gratitude ritual that will strengthen bonds and relationships: It’s called the “attitude of gratitude.” Try doing it this Thanksgiving over your holiday dinner – get the whole family involved. Start with choosing someone you are grateful for. Who in your life has impacted you, believed in you, or helped you in ways that cause your heart to overflow with appreciation? Now share you gratitude for them; maybe they are sitting at the table with you…

 

I am thankful for my parents, Bill & Martha Holland who gave me life.

 

 May you have a blessed holiday~