My aunt began loosing her hair at the nape of her neck, it began to expand and expand. She was diagnosed with alopecia and began getting cortisone shots injected into her skull, this seemed to not work and you could see her confidence depleting, luckily she found  a treatment called DCP which worked wonderfully for her. I suggest anyone with alopecia try it.

My cousin treats cancer patients with radiation therapy, she told me the other day over brunch, that many of her patients find the loss of hair and physical changes that come with some treatments the most disheartening while dealing with cancer. Research shows that depression that comes with loss of hair for Cancer patients, isn’t because of vanity but because it is hair loss is a silent indicator and reminder of “being unhealthy”.

Hair is something that is a major concern to those who are aging, individuals who loose hair because of illness, or even healthy individuals with thin hair. Hair is a sign of health.

Here are some tips on how to keep your hair thick & shiny for as long as possible!

1. Brush your hair before washing it. This way you’ll remove any dirt from your hair.

2. Massage your scalp gently massage will boost your circulation.

3. Shampoo. Nobody can tell you how often you have to shampoo your hair. When you feel your hair is dirty, wash it gentle, with a shampoo that works on your hair. Read the page about how to choose the right shampoo for more.

4.Always Moisturize your hair

5.Rinse Best way to rinse your hair is by using vinegar, if possible apple vinegar. Rinsing helps your hair shine.

6.Water Try to use mildly cold water. Finish, if possible, with cold water, this will close the cuticles.

7.Drying your hair Let your hair dry naturally. Squeeze the water, and then use a towel to blot your hair. This way you’ll have a moisturized, healthy hair.

8.Hairbrush Do not use a hairbrush until your hair is dry; the wet hair can be easily damaged. Avoid plastic hairbrushes; hair will probably end up in knots

9.Hair styling Try to avoid curling irons and hair-dryers to prevent hair damage. Also, avoid heat and prolonged exposure to sunlight.

SOUP:

1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes

3 plus large green onions

1 large can of beef broth (no fat)

1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)

1 bunch of celery

2 cans green beans

2 lbs. Carrots

2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.

DRINKS:

Unsweetened juices

Tea (also herbal)

Coffee

Cranberry juice

Skim milk

Water, water, water

DAY ONE

Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

DAY TWO

All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don’t eat any fruits through today.

DAY THREE

Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.

DAY FOUR

Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.

DAY FIVE

Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SIX

Beef and veggies, eat to your heart’s content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SEVEN

Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

Some people who are subject to heat stroke easily are:

1. The Elderly

2. People who are working out vigorously or exercise for long periods of time.

3. People taking certain medications, for example medications for mental health.

If you fall under one of these categories or even do not fall under one of these categories it is IMPARATIVE to follow some of the following steps to keep cool and stay healthy during these extremely hot months.

1. Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices

even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Avoid

alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.

2. Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat

when possible. If you must go outside, stay

in the shade as much as possible and plan

to go out early in the morning or evening

when it is cooler and smog levels may not

be as high as in the afternoon. Wear a hat.

3. Go to air conditioned or cool places such

as shopping malls, libraries, community

Wear loose fitting, light clothing.

4. Keep lights off or turned down low.

Take a cool bath or shower periodically or

cool down with cool, wet towels.

5. Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.

6. Avoid intense or moderately intense

physical activity.

7. Never leave a child in a parked car or

asleep in direct sunlight.

8. Fans alone may not provide enough cooling

when the temperature is high.

9. Consult your doctor or pharmacist

regarding the side effects of your

medications.

For more advice on how to beat the heat and places to spend time during these extremely hot months remember to visit the Government of Canada Website.

I decided to see WHAT exactly attracted mosquito’s and I found some obviously evident things, and some very random facts that I hope will help you all in your quest to stay mosquitoe free!

Things that Attract Mosquitoes:

Body heat

Circulating blood in animals and humans radiates body heat. As mosquitoes have sophisticated heat sensors, they follow body heat and exhaled gases and fly to their target. The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito.

Moisture

During breathing people also exhale water vapor and perspiration is produced during active movement. Even small amounts of water will attract mosquitoes as it could mean possible blood source or possible breading site.

Movement

Mosquitoes can see their victims from within 30 feet by locating the changes in waves of light around them, caused by moving objects.

Color

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so wearing dark is not the best thing if you want to avoid being bitten. Dark foliage is another attractant.

Sound
Although some of mosquito trap manufacturers state that they use mosquito attracting or repelling sounds, scientists have proven there is no particular sound frequency that would be interesting to mosquitoes.

Beer Drinkers

There was recently an article on yahoo which stated that mosquitoes are attracted to beer drinkers due to the fact that beer heats the body, in a test it was proven that mosquitoes were attracted to the beer drinkers over any other type of aloholic beverages

The Smell of Stinky Socks

Yes, this isn’t a joke.  Today on ABC it stated that “Scientists say that stinky feet and socks can be added to the list of factors that attract mosquitoes to feed off human blood. One African scientist is now using that bit of research to help fight malaria in Tanzania by creating traps that give off chemically replicated smelly foot odors, hoping to lure the bloodsuckers that carry the disease to their hosts.”

So for all of you who want to stay away from mosquitoes, remember to stand still, stay cold, drink anything but beer, and make sure your feet are clean!

In the summer we tend to drink alcohol then in the winter months. Sitting on the dock at the cottage with a beer, or enjoying a bottle of wine with friends in the backyard, living in Canada, we tend to take advantage of the couple months of warm weather we have by treating every evening like an all inclusive vacation. But remember, everything in moderation!

Facts About Beer & Wine:

Did you know,

- That’s because it’s difficult for your body to use alcohol calories for energy that those calories usually get turned into fat

- A gram of alcohol is worth 7 calories, compared with a gram of protein or carbohydrate, worth 4 calories each.

- One glass of white wine is almost 200 calories!

- A light beer ranges 100 calories with approximately 5grams of Carbs!

- A average beer ranges between 150-250 Calories!

Remember to drink in moderation, keep your cool with a glass of water and if you’re drinking beer, go light!

Wine is always a great treat and one glass of red wine can really be beneficial to the body. Yet over consumption of wine can lead to generous weight gain that you won’t be feeling to “summery” about.

And if you tend to drink a lot one night, as hung over as you are the next day, TRY TO WORK OUT! Weight loss is like math, calories in vs. calories out.

And remember to always drink responsibly!

Happy Wednesday!

My father had to assure her that these viruses were infact not contagious for humans, and that they were computer viruses.

The times are changing, this morning on A NEWS, they stated that 60% of the internet dating community is over the age of 55.  There is a certain taboo around the younger generation about dating online, yet for the older generations who are widowed, or divorced, online dating is a community of people of whom they can connect worldwide. On A News, they stated that this is a direct reflection of seniors being taught how to use the internet.

This intrigued me as The Best Part & Best Part Productions actually has a side project called “Cyber-Seniors” a program in which students teach seniors how to use the internet, and build a connection with these seniors.

I myself go in on Tuesday’s and meet with some of the seniors, who have never ending questions about facebook, and twitter and things that are talked about on the news. Although at first the internet, e-mail, and social networking is confusing to them it becomes so fascinating once they begin to understand and there is so much available to them from shopping to meeting new friends and connecting with family.

The internet is a great place for these seniors to begin their journey in learning. If you know a senior who would like to be connected with a student who you think would benefit from our program we’d love to hear from you at info@cyber-seniors.ca. Please also check out our Cyber Seniors Website & Facebook Page.

Please leave your comments, do you think that Seniors using the Internet could be sociologically benefical and open up a new hobbie or interest? Let us know! We’d love your feedback!

Polenta for the Summer

POLENTAS UNASSUMING BEST FRIENDS!

CHEESE & POLENTA PARMESANO:

Sauce, and Cheese, Chicken is not the only Parmesano you can enjoy, melt cheese on your polenta using the barbeque, then place the sauce on top and VOILA! Polenta Parmesano, a perfect replacement for vegetarians!

RIBS:

Mix your polenta with ribs, one of my fathers and uncles from Italy’s favorites, what my grandmother does is makes the ribs separately in a broth, she then melts her favorite cheese, (We’re from Friuli so our favorite cheese is Friulian Cheese) and then places the ribs on top for serving. This is a delicious meal and perfect as a replacement for bread at any summer barbeque.

GRILLED VEGETABLES:

Grill Vegetables and Polenta on the Barbeque, this will make for a great light summer snack.

POLENTA LASAGNA:

Replace Noodles with Polenta to make a delicious Polenta Lasagna.

Does Anyone else have any cool ways to make Polenta? Let us know!

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Endermologie:

Endermologie uses rollers that often feel like deep tissue massage, over problem areas of the skin. At the same time, suction is used to redistribute the skin and remove dimpling. Those opting for endermologie usually need about 14 to 28 sessions of about 45 minutes each to see results and must also have monthly treatments afterwards to maintain the smooth skin look.

Drink Tons of Water:

Water isn’t only good for cellulite reduction, but it is necessary for weight loss and staying healthy, the affects of water on cellulite is huge. Your body is made up of about 60% water. According to the Mayo Clinic, water is essential for the functioning of every system in your body. It keeps your ear, nose and throat tissues moist, carries nutrients to your cells, and helps flush toxins from your vital organs. Even mild dehydration can force your body to try to hydrate itself by robbing water from your blood cells. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, this can make your blood thick and “sludgy”, forcing your heart to work harder just to maintain vital functions.
Drinking plenty of water, at least 8 glasses, approximately 8 ounces each, keeps your systems functioning at peak performance with enough energy left over to flush out waste and stored toxins; including fat, and therefore cellulite.

Excersize:

When it comes to cellulite, you really need to focus on problem areas, and cardio. It is always good to start your workout with cardio, either bike, or a jog. From there to reduce cellulite it is always working on the problem areas with strength training to create muscle and tone.

Lotions:

There are many lotions on the market that say that they reduce cellulite, these lotions are great coupled with exercise and the other steps mentioned above. I find personally that using coco butter on the problem area really helps to not only diminish cellulite but really masks the look of it for a quick fix.

Does anyone else have any cellulite tips? Have you tried a great product that works?
We would love to hear your opinions!