Link between sleep patterns and breast cancer.

Nightly News | Aired on June 23, 2012

Link between sleep, breast cancer?

Hundreds of thousands of women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. NBC’s Dr. Nancy Snyderman has the story.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/47934588#47934588

A healthy option to make for thanksgiving.

Turkey Veggie Tray

Ingredients
Romaine or leaf lettuce
1 cucumber, sliced
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
2 bags baby carrots
2 black beansToothpicks
1/3 celery stalk

Directions

1) Slice the bell peppers crosswise & then cut each circle in half. Cut one 1/2" piece off of one of the red pepper slices & set aside (this will be used for the face). Set aside the bottom part of the peppers for the turkey's body.

2) For the feathers: Cover a platter (a round one works well) with the leaves of lettuce. To make the turkey's feathers, start with forming a circle with the cucumber slices towards the bottom of the platter. Above the cucumbers, form a semi-circle with the red peppers, then the yellow peppers, then the green peppers. Place the baby carrots vertically above the last row of peppers.

3) To make the turkey's body & face: Break two toothpicks in half. Put two of the toothpicks where the eyes will go. Push the black beans onto the toothpick making sure that the toothpick doesn't go all the way through. Cut a triangle out of the leftover bottom from the yellow pepper. Attach with a toothpick below the eyes. Attach the reserved red pepper piece to the left of the yellow pepper "beak".

4) For the legs: Cut the piece of celery in half lengthwise. On each piece, carefully slice lengthwise from the end of the celery piece to almost the center. Do this twice on each piece. Place the celery in ice water & place in the refrigerator until the ends curl. When curled, nestle the un-curled end under the cucumbers.

Great Tips for Dealing with Grief

http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/10-tips-for-coping-with-grief-during-the-holidays/human-behavior-grief/

10 tips for coping with grief during the holidays

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Stone Hearth News

CLEVELAND, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The glitz and glitter in the stores, special traditions and get-togethers with family and friends make the holidays a time of anticipation and joy.  However, holidays can act as a trigger for those who are grieving the death of a loved one. While some people want to ignore the holidays altogether, some want to continue traditions.  What can one do?
Diane Snyder Cowan, the director of Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center, Hospice of the Western Reserve, offers the following tips:

1. Recognize that the holidays may not be the same and you may feel intense feelings of grief. Try not to isolate yourself
2. Talk with family members and friends about your feelings and share stories about your loved one.
3. Plan ahead so you can be prepared when invited to holiday get-togethers. People who are grieving often do not have the emotional or physical energy to celebrate the holidays as have they done in the past. Let others know when you are not up to attending a gathering.
4. Consider honoring your loved one through a commemorative ritual. This can be as simple as lighting a candle in his or her honor, visiting a place that holds special meaning, or baking a favorite holiday dish.
5. Do what you want to do, not what you feel you should do.
6. Surround yourself with those who are supportive and understanding.
7. Allow someone else to do the baking, cooking and decorating this year.
8. If you go to an event, take your own car so that you can leave when you choose.
9. Shop using catalogs or the Internet or don’t shop at all this year.
10. Do something for others: volunteer at a soup kitchen or bake and deliver muffins to a homebound neighbor.

“There is no calendar for grief. Give yourself permission and time to grieve,” Snyder Cowan said. “The first year, things may seem surreal. You may still be in a fog. The second or third holiday season can be just as difficult as your new reality sets in. Be kind and gentle to yourself.  Honor your time to grieve.”

Cooking Healthy at Home

From INShapeIndiana.org:

Staying Healthy by Cooking at Home It may seem that every hour of the day is filled with something from our to-do list.  Why not sit down and take a breath while enjoying a home-cooked meal? The following tips will help you decide what foods belong on a healthy plate and ways to reduce sodium and add flavor to your cooking, as well as tips to get your kids involved.    What's on the menu? If you're trying to decide what to have for dinner, remember these MyPlate recommendations: Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make half your grain whole grains. Vary your proteins. Don't forget the dairy. Jill Video Now that you know what foods make up a healthy meal, what are some better ways to prepare it at home? Try to reduce the amount of sodium in your meals by purchasing ingredients that are labeled "low-sodium," "reduced sodium" or "no salt added."  If you want to add salt, use kosher salt. Kosher salt has no preservatives, and you can easily add a pinch as you're cooking. For more flavor, add spices, herbs, garlic, pepper, vinegar or lemon juice to your foods. You can use balsamic vinegar to create a sweet reduction to top salads or chicken. Get everyone involved in the process. If you have kids at home, involve them in meal planning and preparation. Let the kids pick what's on the menu one night a week. Ask them to help with preparing the meal. Kids can wash vegetables, pour and mix ingredients, and set the table. Make the local farmers market a weekly family outing or plant an edible garden. By involving your kids in the kitchen, you enhance their appreciation for cooking and educate them about menu planning and healthy eating.   Meet Jill. See how one Hoosier was able to incorporate these and other useful tips into her kitchen.  Jill, a single mother, had trouble finding time to cook a healthy meal for her and her son. Dr. Emily Frank, a physician and trained chef, visited Jill at home and helped her and her son prepare a meal using a few key healthy ingredients.

Hate Broccoli But Want to Get Its Healthy Effects?

Try this to get your or your kids broccoli down!

http://www.realage.com/food/how-to-get-finicky-kids-and-adults-to-happily-eat-more-broccoli?eid=1010661775&memberid=50451301&cbr=pru_pr

See the bottom of that page to click on ways to get other healthy foods down in yummier ways.