Monday, November 5, 2012
just a brief message
Hey everyone!! I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween :-) It's finally November and the holidays are quickly approaching! Just a reminder to go out and vote tomorrow: "Nobody will ever deprive the American people the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting" - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Monday, October 29, 2012
Adoption: medical history & preventive measures
Last night I was watching a rerun of Breaking Amish. Sabrina, who was adopted and raised as a Mennonite hired a detective to find her birth parents when she broke away to New York. After some digging, the detective she hired found out that her mother had passed away a few years ago, but her father was still alive and received his contact information. She traveled to meet him and got to meet her grandmother, too.
This got me thinking about a guy I know personally and his struggles with being adopted. Personally, I think adoption is such a great thing and it truly shows a real act of selflessness by the birth parents. I could only imagine how hard it would be to come to the decision to put a child up for adoption. However, I think people ultimately choose that route in order to give their child his or her best chance.
Children of adoption have a tendency to feel like a black sheep or feeling like they don't fit in. It doesn't so much have anything to do with the love or acceptance they are receiving but more to do with them processing being adopted and trying to figure out who they are and where they come from. It can often times feel like you're all alone even when you're surrounded by so much love. As adopted children get older and become adult, I think it gets harder for them.
Their focus begins to change into more important concerns. In the case of the guy I know, I'm referring to health and medical history. In the state he was born and raised, medical history was not disclosed in his files because it was a closed adoption. This is unfortunate because if he had been four years later, he would have likely been able to receive this important information. Not knowing any family medical history is a scary thing. You have no idea if cancer runs in the family, and if so, what types and what ages were they diagnosed, the list goes on.
Everyone needs to get regular health screenings to take preventive measures, eat balanced meals, and exercise regularly. However, with adoptive children with no history they need to be even more proactive when it comes to their overall health. Of course you could have extensive medical tests done but insurance will likely not cover it and it is extremely costly. There is a lot to consider, too. If they choose to start a family, they have no idea if they are caring a gene that they will being passing on.
All many adopted children with no medical history can do is get a thorough health screening and start recording their own records and get screened for things earlier than when it's typically recommended. It's better to be safe than sorry. Also, try to hire an investigator to see if anything can be found. It's always worth a shot. However, some may not want to do that for whatever reason and that's fine, too. My main suggestion though is to keep your weigh down, eat healthier than you do now, and exercise because this is going to greatly reduce potential health risks.
This got me thinking about a guy I know personally and his struggles with being adopted. Personally, I think adoption is such a great thing and it truly shows a real act of selflessness by the birth parents. I could only imagine how hard it would be to come to the decision to put a child up for adoption. However, I think people ultimately choose that route in order to give their child his or her best chance.
Children of adoption have a tendency to feel like a black sheep or feeling like they don't fit in. It doesn't so much have anything to do with the love or acceptance they are receiving but more to do with them processing being adopted and trying to figure out who they are and where they come from. It can often times feel like you're all alone even when you're surrounded by so much love. As adopted children get older and become adult, I think it gets harder for them.
Their focus begins to change into more important concerns. In the case of the guy I know, I'm referring to health and medical history. In the state he was born and raised, medical history was not disclosed in his files because it was a closed adoption. This is unfortunate because if he had been four years later, he would have likely been able to receive this important information. Not knowing any family medical history is a scary thing. You have no idea if cancer runs in the family, and if so, what types and what ages were they diagnosed, the list goes on.
Everyone needs to get regular health screenings to take preventive measures, eat balanced meals, and exercise regularly. However, with adoptive children with no history they need to be even more proactive when it comes to their overall health. Of course you could have extensive medical tests done but insurance will likely not cover it and it is extremely costly. There is a lot to consider, too. If they choose to start a family, they have no idea if they are caring a gene that they will being passing on.
All many adopted children with no medical history can do is get a thorough health screening and start recording their own records and get screened for things earlier than when it's typically recommended. It's better to be safe than sorry. Also, try to hire an investigator to see if anything can be found. It's always worth a shot. However, some may not want to do that for whatever reason and that's fine, too. My main suggestion though is to keep your weigh down, eat healthier than you do now, and exercise because this is going to greatly reduce potential health risks.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Heart Disease-- the widow maker: lower your risk
On Dr. Oz, yesterday, he had Rosie O'Donnell and her wife as his guests. They were discussing her heart attack and risk factors that lead to heart disease: sedentary
lifestyle, smoking, stress, body fat, cholesterol, etc. Heart Disease is the number one killer for both men and women and is also referred to as the widow maker. Also, he
mentioned that if a person weighs just 20lbs more than they did in high school
that their chances for getting heart disease is 50% higher. That is alarming! In order to live a healthier life and lower risks for heart disease, you have to start making changes now. It's important to make changes now instead of holding off until your health is in jeopardy.
So many Americans, in particular, are either overweight or obese; it's an epidemic. It's so easy to fall into the traps of grabbing fast food, indulging on desserts, splurging on Starbucks drinks, and sitting on couch to play videos or watch television. All of these things are fine, in moderation. However, many tend to do these things in access. Cutting out these changes can be overwhelming. I think it's best to start incorporating small changes and gradually work yourself up. The last thing you want to do is push yourself into making too many changes all at one time. Don't be intimidated by change; change is the only constant in life.
My suggestion, like I mentioned in my previous article: Meal Planning, is to think about everything that you consume each day and try to find 500 calories to eliminate. By doing so you're able to lose a pound a week. Also, try making simple substitutions. Instead of buying white bread or pasta, buy whole wheat bread and pasta. You can still have things you want just get the healthier version. Also, try eliminating processed foods and start looking at the ingredients list on the back of food labels. Try to avoid things with high-fructose corn syrup, and things that seem unnecessary in there. For example, if you're going to buy canned beans for chili, look at a few different cans and read the ingredients list; some will contain extra ingredients that simply are not needed--sugars, salts, food dyes, etc. Try to get the ones that have the least additives and that are the least processed.
Another suggestion I have for lowering risks is to start going on walks a few times a week. Going on walks is going to get you off the couch and is going help ease any stress or anxiety that you may be having; in addition, you can lower your chances for depression, arthritis, dementia, and diabetes. If you're able to walk for just 20 minutes a day everyday, you can lose seven pounds of body fat a year. Furthermore, you will improve your balance, blood pressure and circulation, bone mass and leg strength. Walking actually burns more body fat than jogging! Do you want to go on a walk yet?!
Try to make changes now, and your body will thank you. Don't let heart disease effect you or your loved ones. As always, I'm not a medical or health and fitness expert. However, if you have any questions or need suggestions, just let me know? I might have an answer :-)
So many Americans, in particular, are either overweight or obese; it's an epidemic. It's so easy to fall into the traps of grabbing fast food, indulging on desserts, splurging on Starbucks drinks, and sitting on couch to play videos or watch television. All of these things are fine, in moderation. However, many tend to do these things in access. Cutting out these changes can be overwhelming. I think it's best to start incorporating small changes and gradually work yourself up. The last thing you want to do is push yourself into making too many changes all at one time. Don't be intimidated by change; change is the only constant in life.
My suggestion, like I mentioned in my previous article: Meal Planning, is to think about everything that you consume each day and try to find 500 calories to eliminate. By doing so you're able to lose a pound a week. Also, try making simple substitutions. Instead of buying white bread or pasta, buy whole wheat bread and pasta. You can still have things you want just get the healthier version. Also, try eliminating processed foods and start looking at the ingredients list on the back of food labels. Try to avoid things with high-fructose corn syrup, and things that seem unnecessary in there. For example, if you're going to buy canned beans for chili, look at a few different cans and read the ingredients list; some will contain extra ingredients that simply are not needed--sugars, salts, food dyes, etc. Try to get the ones that have the least additives and that are the least processed.
Another suggestion I have for lowering risks is to start going on walks a few times a week. Going on walks is going to get you off the couch and is going help ease any stress or anxiety that you may be having; in addition, you can lower your chances for depression, arthritis, dementia, and diabetes. If you're able to walk for just 20 minutes a day everyday, you can lose seven pounds of body fat a year. Furthermore, you will improve your balance, blood pressure and circulation, bone mass and leg strength. Walking actually burns more body fat than jogging! Do you want to go on a walk yet?!
Try to make changes now, and your body will thank you. Don't let heart disease effect you or your loved ones. As always, I'm not a medical or health and fitness expert. However, if you have any questions or need suggestions, just let me know? I might have an answer :-)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Meal Planning
In order to start living a healthier lifestyle, I recommend weekly/bi-weekly meal planning. I know for some people it's hard to plan a week or two worth of meals. I suggest starting off with plan for three days and gradually work yourself up. Not only do I eat healthier this way, but I also save more money. Who doesn't want to save money?! There is nothing worse that walking out of a grocery store having spent more money than you anticipated. Additionally, you end up just grabbing a whole bunch of things that sound good and you don't even have enough ingredients to complete meals.
When planning my meals, I like to make sure that I have a variety of foods to satisfy any hungry craving I may have. For example, in a week I plan a different genre each night: Mexican, Italian, American, Asian, etc. In addition, make sure to try to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables with each meal. If the cost is too much or not in season, frozen is always better than canned. By meal planning you are more likely to consume fewer calories. Take the time to think how you currently eat and then think how you can cut out 500 calories each day...pop, breakfast pastries, cookies, candy, etc. If you're able to cut out just 500 calories a day, you will be able to lose a pound a week. I know that may not seem like a lot but it adds up and starts motivation to something more.
I'm in no way a food or weight loss expert but I know what has worked for me. If you need any meal suggestions, recommendations, or recipes, just let me know. I'm more than happy to share :-)
When planning my meals, I like to make sure that I have a variety of foods to satisfy any hungry craving I may have. For example, in a week I plan a different genre each night: Mexican, Italian, American, Asian, etc. In addition, make sure to try to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables with each meal. If the cost is too much or not in season, frozen is always better than canned. By meal planning you are more likely to consume fewer calories. Take the time to think how you currently eat and then think how you can cut out 500 calories each day...pop, breakfast pastries, cookies, candy, etc. If you're able to cut out just 500 calories a day, you will be able to lose a pound a week. I know that may not seem like a lot but it adds up and starts motivation to something more.
I'm in no way a food or weight loss expert but I know what has worked for me. If you need any meal suggestions, recommendations, or recipes, just let me know. I'm more than happy to share :-)
Self Discovery: be the best you
I've always been a high strung person, letting my stress and anxiety get the best of me. Unfortunately, after years of allowing this to happen and not doing anything to change it, I recently "hit rock bottom" and lost some important people in my life. Of course, this is not good for my stress and anxiety. However, it allowed me an opportunity to finally work on me and coping with my emotions. Sometimes it takes a really good fall to know where you stand. I think for some people, at least in my case, you have to be stripped of everything to realize everything that you had. If I could go back, I would have been more patient and not let my stress and anxiety ruin it all. Life doesn't have a rewind button though. So what is a person to do?
For me, I found several outlets to focus on me and eliminating my stress and anxiety: writing, positive thinking, and focusing on health and fitness. I think the most beneficial outlet I found, was writing. Hint's my blog title, "Writing is Proving to be Therapeutic". The one person, more than any other, that you can be most honest with is yourself. Through writing, I have been able to search deep in myself to find where these issues came from and why I felt the need to lash out at those around me. I won't go into all those details of my self discovery. My point is that writing can greatly help in seeing the bigger picture and letting your emotions go.
When you feel bad about yourself and your insecurities, weaknesses, or shortcomings, you are projecting that to others. In order to live a fulfilling life, you have to have a positive outlet in order to survive. Who wants to be around a person who is always jaded and brings those around them down; unfortunately, I was that type of person. I see what I did and feel so disappointed in myself. That was not the type of person I wanted to be. Through writing, I was able to discover these weaknesses and start to find myself again. Everyday, is a new beginning and another opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Starting off each day with that motto, in my head, has helped me let go of the negative energy I used to carry around for so long. I've learned that all you can do is take the past mistakes and not let them define you; learn from mistakes, grow, and don't forget what it taught you. Having a positive outlook on life is going to build confidence, strengthen you, and bring success.
Lastly, focus on you and your overall health and fitness. With my insecurities, stress, and anxiety, I felt so overwhelmed with life, in general, that I was just barely living each day. I found the best thing I could do for my mind, body, and soul, was to focus my time and energy on something that would better every aspect of my life. I've found spending time going on walks, jogging, and biking to relieve a lot of stress and tension I was feeling. I feel more refreshed. My stress and anxiety is declining because I'm finding new ways to release it. Stress and anxiety is a huge burden, and I don't want it in my live or in lives of those I love most. Additionally, I always had relatively healthy eating habits but I've decided to dedicated more time into an even healthier food lifestyle.
When you are able to take a step back and look at your life, you see so much about yourself. Of course, I still miss the live I had and people in it, but I don't have any control over that. I can only hope that one day that the people I lost can give me another opportunity to prove that I'm changing and growing. I feel like by the time I get the opportunity to be in their life, they will see how much I have changed and can contribute to bettering their life, too. One can hope. The way I see it is, we all make mistakes, and hopefully, one day, they will see how far I've come. In the mean time, just keep focusing on you and bettering yourself each day and let the stress and anxiety go. Focus your energy on what really matters, in order to truly live.
For me, I found several outlets to focus on me and eliminating my stress and anxiety: writing, positive thinking, and focusing on health and fitness. I think the most beneficial outlet I found, was writing. Hint's my blog title, "Writing is Proving to be Therapeutic". The one person, more than any other, that you can be most honest with is yourself. Through writing, I have been able to search deep in myself to find where these issues came from and why I felt the need to lash out at those around me. I won't go into all those details of my self discovery. My point is that writing can greatly help in seeing the bigger picture and letting your emotions go.
When you feel bad about yourself and your insecurities, weaknesses, or shortcomings, you are projecting that to others. In order to live a fulfilling life, you have to have a positive outlet in order to survive. Who wants to be around a person who is always jaded and brings those around them down; unfortunately, I was that type of person. I see what I did and feel so disappointed in myself. That was not the type of person I wanted to be. Through writing, I was able to discover these weaknesses and start to find myself again. Everyday, is a new beginning and another opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Starting off each day with that motto, in my head, has helped me let go of the negative energy I used to carry around for so long. I've learned that all you can do is take the past mistakes and not let them define you; learn from mistakes, grow, and don't forget what it taught you. Having a positive outlook on life is going to build confidence, strengthen you, and bring success.
Lastly, focus on you and your overall health and fitness. With my insecurities, stress, and anxiety, I felt so overwhelmed with life, in general, that I was just barely living each day. I found the best thing I could do for my mind, body, and soul, was to focus my time and energy on something that would better every aspect of my life. I've found spending time going on walks, jogging, and biking to relieve a lot of stress and tension I was feeling. I feel more refreshed. My stress and anxiety is declining because I'm finding new ways to release it. Stress and anxiety is a huge burden, and I don't want it in my live or in lives of those I love most. Additionally, I always had relatively healthy eating habits but I've decided to dedicated more time into an even healthier food lifestyle.
When you are able to take a step back and look at your life, you see so much about yourself. Of course, I still miss the live I had and people in it, but I don't have any control over that. I can only hope that one day that the people I lost can give me another opportunity to prove that I'm changing and growing. I feel like by the time I get the opportunity to be in their life, they will see how much I have changed and can contribute to bettering their life, too. One can hope. The way I see it is, we all make mistakes, and hopefully, one day, they will see how far I've come. In the mean time, just keep focusing on you and bettering yourself each day and let the stress and anxiety go. Focus your energy on what really matters, in order to truly live.
Welcome!
Hey! Welcome. I'm new to the blogging world but have been wanting to do this for at least a year or two but just never got motivated enough to start. I've had a lot more time on my hands, recently, and writing seems to be a good way to sort my thoughts and take my mind off of this things (hints the name of my blog)! My goal is to write at least a couple times a week :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)