White Bean Chicken Chili Patty Urbanowitz 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoon olive oil Two 15-ounce cans Cannellini or white beans, drained 2 tablespoons flour... 4 cups diced, cooked chicken or turkey 1 cup corn One 4.5-ounce can diced green chilies Two 14.5-ounce cans chicken broth 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon oregano Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper   Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat until onion is tender. Puree one can of drained beans and set aside. Stir the flour into the onion mixture and cook for one minute. Add chicken, corn, chilies, broth, cumin, chili powder, oregano, beans, reserved bean puree, and one cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Makes about twelve 1-cup servings   Per Serving: Calories 169; Protein 16 g; Fat 7 g; Carbs 10 g; Sugar 1 g; Sodium 309 mg     Magic Power Aphrodisiac Coffee www.goodlovincafe.com By Dr. David W. Powers   Dr. David W. Powers is the lead Cultural Architect at Powers Court Enterprises and Ocean Breeze Awnings & More. You can find him online at www.drdavidpowers.com. He used the Magic Power Coffee and loved the results. So did his wife.   I joined the Facebook fan page for an Atlanta coffee shop a short time back. I join a lot of coffee-related pages. It’s a great way to keep up with the current coffee trends and meet “authentic” coffee drinkers all over the world. Kaydene Morgan contacted me through the group and asked if I’d ever heard of Magic Power Coffee. I hadn’t.             There are a lot of coffee-centric health supplement products out there. I’ve often seen them advertised as weight loss products. This is the first time I’ve seen one that is said to have sex enhancement properties. That’s right, sex enhancing coffee. It is advertised as the world’s first aphrodisiac beverage. The website actually states that “it’s like someone dropped two Viagra in a Starbucks latte!”             Morgan sent me some samples to try out and review. Thankfully, my wife was eager to help me review them. I did wonder though, prior to trying the samples, just how much I should reveal about the efficacy of the product and my testing. So I don’t reveal any of the seedy details in a family-oriented magazine, I think I’ll err on the side of caution and mainly just talk about the facts. For the seedy details, you can check out the video of my testing at…just kidding.             There are some really interesting effects used in the results section on the website. I’ll just list a few of the adjectives and let your imagination fill in the rest- harder, increased, more, greater, powerful, and multiple are just a few. The list has columns for both men and women, so don’t think this is like most other supplements for men only. It’s an equal opportunity provider.             I tried the coffee two ways. First, I tried it simply as the instant coffee mix by itself. It is premixed with creamer and sweetener so it tasted as good as any store brand instant coffee I’ve had. I’ve never been much for the taste of instant coffee, but it wasn’t too bad. If you drink instant, you won’t notice the difference. The second time I tried it, I mixed it in with some fresh ground Tanzanian beans and drank it that way.             Aside from instant coffee, the mix is supplemented with herbal goodies. Horny goat weed is the primary supplement. The name alone suggests it usefulness. It has been known the world over as a cure for sexual impotence and used to increase fertility. The active ingredient is actually the same one in Viagra. Goji berries are also used. They are known primarily for their enhancement of immune system function and as a whole body harmonizer. Imagine having all your body systems working together in sync and you’ll understand the main use of the goji berry in Chinese medicine. The last primary ingredient is ginseng. Think about it, if the coffee works, you’ll need the increased energy.             The Magic Power Coffee is not just a product. Like many popular nutritional supplements, it’s also part of a multi-level marketing company that you could sign up for as well. I didn’t check out the compensation plan very much, as I was mainly checking out the product. There is plenty of information on the website though, if this is something you might be interested in as well. Like many products, if you plan on using it regularly, it’s usually cheaper to join and use your membership to buy your own personal stash.             For me, I would definitely say that the product worked. I like the fact that its properties are supposed to be helpful for both men and women. Aside from regular use (which would be best case scenario), I could see this product being very useful for big nights like a regular date night, your anniversary, birthday, or every Wednesday. Whatever works best for you.             Check out the website at www.goodlovincafe.com. If you’re interested, give Morgan a call or send her an e-mail. I’m sure she’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Visit http://coffeescholar.wordpress.com to read an interactive copy of this article with hyperlinks.

The Children's Health Minute

 

Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. In Georgia alone, two out of every five third-graders are

either overweight or obese.

Children who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders and low self-esteem. Here are a few tips to help keep your child healthy:

Give your child water instead of sweetened beverages, such as juices, sodas or sports drinks. These drinks are higher in calories and lower in nutrients, and can lead to weight gain. Offer your child a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Let him decide which ones he wants to eat. Set an example by eating healthy foods, too. Schedule meals and snacks at regular times every day because kids do better with a routine. Turn off the TV during meals and snacks to avoid distractions.

Limit TV, video game and computer use to less than two hours a day. These activities often replace physical activity and can lead to snacking. Instead, encourage your child to bike, swim and play outdoors.

For more information, go to www.choa.org.

 

8 Steps to Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions, This Year!

By Elizabeth Jason

 

Step 1

    When you set a goal or resolution, the first thing you have to do is make it measurable. Do you want to lose weight? How much? How about 5 pounds a month. That’s not only measurable, but realistic. Ok, you’ve set a realistic and measurable goal and you’ve written it down.

On to Step 2

    Do you make a legal pad full of resolutions each year? Go through that list and prioritize the top 5 things that you need to do. You have a better chance of working on 5 things than you do 40 things. Doing these 5 things well, beats doing many things poorly or not at all.

Now, Step 3

    As per step one, you wrote down your resolutions. Did you post them on the refrigerator, or did you put them where you can see them each day and work on them? I frequently put my resolutions in the front of my journal and

review them daily.

On to Step 4

     Make sure your friends and family know about your resolutions. There is truly strength in numbers. Perhaps your

goal to exercise could include a friend who needs more physical activity. If your goal is to be more organized, you

definitely need the help of family!

Here’s Step 5

    Start immediately. Make sure you have the material things that you need to start your resolutions. Do you need a

new scale, exercise equipment, gym membership, have you made your doctor’s appointments that you need to make, have you bought the storage bins for organizing that closet, have you contacted the school that you wish to attend to finish that degree or start another one? Write a list of what you need to help you with your goal.

You’re up to Step 6

    You may need to stay away from people that are hindering your goals. Do you have friends that encourage you to

eat poorly because they do.  Are coworkers trying to get you to have one more cigarette. You will need to be strong,

and maybe be firm in letting them know you’re serious about your changes. Be aware of people that try to keep you

from being your best!

Now Step 7

    Are you rewarding yourself along the way. The saying “Success has it’s own rewards” is true.

    Seeing your closets organized is rewarding. You save time by being able to find your clothes in the morning. No more cigarettes have you breathing better, no more coughing fits. Your clothes that you can find are getting looser because you’re eating better and exercising.  You can see the rewards of your hard work!

Finally Step 8

    As you go through your original list and achieve your goals, you can add new ones. Go through all the steps again with these newly added resolutions and you will have the same success you had with the others

     Keep in mind, that starting the new year with new goals is great! But it’s never too late to start positive behavior.

 

Credit Corner

Fast Cash Comes At A Cost

By Theresa Ross

 

Every year around this time people are getting ready to file their taxes or at least getting the information together for someone to prepare them for you. Tax preparation offices spring into life most of them heralding “instant refunds”, “bring in your last pay stubs and we’ll prepare your taxes for you.”  “Instant” cash can be a tempting proposition; however, before you go rushing into a tax preparation office with your W-2’s in hand, you may want to consider the following:

    • Instant refunds might be more appropriately named “instant loans”. On average consumers spend nearly one billion dollars annually in order to receive tax refund cash. Many tax preparation companies can charge excessive fess just to prepare, file and hand you your money on the spot.  These are typically called Refund Anticipation Loans. And they are just that - loans. You are borrowing money again, your “anticipated”  (being the key word) tax refund and it does come with a price. Why would you want to pay high fees and interest on money that already belongs to you? You are lining someone else’s pocket with YOUR hard - earned money. Sounds ridiculous I know - but it happens all the time. People will pay these fees just to get the money instantly instead of looking into filing possibly with AARP or VITA ( Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Programs). These program can often prepare your taxes, - for free -  e-file them and the money can be into your bank account in most cases within 2 weeks. You have waited 12 months for this

money, what is another 2 weeks to be able to get ALL of it back?  Contact your local library’s for times and dates

of these types of free tax preparations.

    •   There are also some tax preparation companies that market and collaborate with companies to offer “instant refunds” to be applied toward purchases. 

    Avoiding the need for instant gratification means that you will have more money in your pocket to do the things that you need to do or just may want to do. So please take the time this tax season to think about how much money you

may spend just to get your refund back earlier than most. 

    On a separate note - when you do get your tax money back please consider putting a certain percentage or amount into a savings account or a Certificate of Deposit so that you will also have money later in the year.

 

Is Bad Breath Plaguing Your Life?

By Dr. Jeffrey W. Horowitz

 

Do you ever happen to notice people backing away from you when you begin to speak? If the answer is yes, the reason may be due to Halitosis, better known as bad breath.  Although the thought of having bad breath may seem like an embarrassing issue, you do not suffer alone. Over 90 million Americans are plagued by this condition. Yes, it’s embarrassing, but its causes could be a sign of other health problems and should not go ignored.

    The majority of Halitosis problems are usually associated with gum disease or sulfurous compounds produced by oral bacteria. Other factors which may result in bad breath include conditions such as dry mouth, gastric problems, systemic disease, sinus or tonsillar infections and diet.  Regardless of the cause, thanks to modern science, the condition is easier

to diagnose and treat today than ever before.  Let’s take a moment to explore each of the possible causes.

    When a patient presents with a complaint of bad breath, the first question we as practitioners must ask is, “Does this patient have gum disease?” One of the most obvious symptoms of gum disease is halitosis. Afflicting nearly seven out of ten Americans, gum disease involves bone loss or inflammation of the gums, resulting in “pocketing” around the teeth. These pockets occur where the gums become swollen or detached from the teeth and are a perfect place for anaerobic (non – oxygen dependant) bacteria to live, as there is no oxygen present in these spaces.  These bacteria can and will produce a foul odor. A dental examination can determine if you have gum disease. If it is determined that gum disease exists, efforts can be made to rid the mouth of the harmful bacteria through professional cleanings. This must be accomplished by a dentist or hygienist because cleaning deep beneath the gum line is impossible to do with a standard toothbrush.

    Once gum disease has been ruled out, careful consideration of the medical history must be made, as there are numerous systemic factors which may lead to Halitosis. Conditions such as Diabetes, kidney, or liver disease can all lead

to Ketosis, which is characterized by a malodor with a “fruity” scent. Infections of the tonsils, sinus cavities and upper respiratory tract will cause bad breath characterized by sudden onset and improvement as the infection clears. Gastric problems such as acid reflux may also  contribute to bad breath, which will also improve with medical treatment. If you

are plagued by halitosis, be aware that this could be a sign of a medical disorder and should not be ignored.

    So what role do food and diet play in this picture? Obviously some of the foods that we eat are going to contribute to malodor.  This happens when our food is absorbed into the bloodstream and transferred into the lungs where it is expelled when we exhale. Some foods such as onions and garlic are rich in sulfur which, as you will continually read, is a major

factor in halitosis. These odors can be covered up temporarily by brushing, flossing, and using mouth rinses, but will not completely disappear for about 72 hours when the food is completely digested and eliminated. Diets rich in protein and lacking carbohydrates will cause excess ketones in the blood, leading to ketosis as mentioned in the above paragraph. Likewise, fasting or skipping meals will lead to metabolic changes that will also cause bad breath.

    In a second manner, food can contribute to bad breath when you don’t brush and floss on a daily basis. The food particles left to collect between the teeth, under the gums, and on the tongue begin to rot and are eventually broken

down into bacterial plaque.  These bacteria produce large amounts of sulfurous compounds and subsequent bad breath.

At least two minutes of brushing twice daily is imperative in helping to rid the mouth of these bacteria. However, 30% of the surfaces of our teeth cannot be reached with a toothbrush. Dental floss is a crucial tool to use as a means of getting rid of the bacterial build up between the teeth. It is also crucial that you use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to cleanse your tongue as approximately 50% of the bacteria in our mouths live on our tongue. This is one of the primary factors in treating halitosis not related to any of the aforementioned factors. It is an amazing fact that many cultures

have been practicing tongue scraping routinely, for a long time, while we here in the United States have overlooked this primary source of reducing bacterial levels in the mouth. Tongue scrapers can be purchased at most drug stores.

    Another condition, which creates a perfect environment for sulfur producing bacteria to thrive, is a dry mouth. We

count on saliva to aid in washing away these bacteria and to neutralize the ph of our mouths. When there is an

nadequate saliva flow, these sulfurous compounds remain in the mouth emitting a foul smell. A typical example of this is what many people refer to as morning breath. When we sleep, the amount of saliva flow that our body produces is reduced. Of course there are a variety of other factors that also cause dry mouth: dieting, mouth breathing, alcohol use, and the use of many different medications. Whatever the cause, drinking water will help you to wash these bacteria down while at the same time stimulating saliva flow.

    If you find that you’ve done your very best job at trying to rid your mouth of bad breath, yet the problem persists,

visit your dentist. He or she will be able to assist you in determining the underlying cause and can be helpful in eliminating

it.

It is also important that you maintain your oral health through regular professional cleanings at least twice yearly. This will raise your awareness of oral problems before substantial damage occurs. Work hard at practicing oral home care by brushing and flossing twice daily.  And most importantly, don’t forget the significance of cleaning your tongue to alleviate odor as the majority of sulfurous compounds are harbored within the tongue. Always drink plenty of water to stimulate salivary flow, rinse, and flush out unwanted bacteria. If you wear dentures or removable appliances, clean them

thoroughly on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to use non-alcohol containing mouth rinses, sugarless gum, or mints to

freshen your breath, but be aware that these products simply cover up bad breath and the underlying cause should be addressed. The very best breath freshening products to use contain chlorine dioxide, which do not simply mask, but neutralize these odor-causing sulfur compounds. The American Dental Association suggests that you ask your dentist

which products are best for your needs, as they are trained in dental school about the causes of Halitosis and will be the best in determining the treatment that you need.

    Dr Horowitz is a 1991 graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine and completed

a General practice residency at the Mountainside Hospital In Montclair, N.J. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry as well as a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, and

The American Dental Association.

He is the founder and dentist at the

Carolina Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry at

1515 9th Ave., Conway, S.C.

 He can be contacted at (843) 248-3843

or via the practice website.

 www.carolinacosmeticdental.com.

 

 SIDS Awareness

In an effort to educate parents and caregivers on sleep safety for baby, October was designated as SIDS

(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Month. One of the leading educators in the area of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is Halo Innovations, a company started by a SIDS dad who utilized his engineering expertise to study infant sleep and to develop products that help parents create a safe sleep environment for baby.  Today, this small Minnesota company works with over 350 hospitals nationwide where the Halo SleepSack wearable blanket is utilized both in hospital

as well as in take home programs to encourage parents to practice safe sleep at home.

 

 Ten simple safe sleep tips for all who care for baby:

 

Back is Best for Baby's Safest Sleep...

Place your baby to sleep on his or her back at naptime and night time

Use a safety approved crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress

Remove all soft bedding and toys from your baby's sleep area (this includes loose blankets, bumpers and positioners)

Use a SleepSack™ wearable blanket to replace loose blankets in your baby's crib

DO NOT put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (sofas, chairs, water beds, quilts, sheep skins, etc.)

Room sharing is safer than bed sharing

DO NOT dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep room temperature between 68-72 degrees fahrenheit

DO NOT let anyone smoke around your baby or be in a room where someone has recently smoked

Educate relatives, baby sitters and other caregivers about these important safety tips

Tummy time is important for babies while they are awake and being supervised. Place

your baby on his or her tummy for playtime to help strengthen their upper body muscles

 

 

 

 Fire Prevention

Submitted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Install Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including the basement. 

• Make sure smoke alarms are installed in all sleeping areas and outside all sleeping areas.

• Test your smoke alarms monthly.

• Check manufacturer's instructions for battery replacement requirements.

• Replace the alarms every ten years.

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Maintain Your Heating Equipment

• Have your furnace inspected by a professional technician annually and change the filter every year.

• Supplemental heaters (space heaters, for example), should be unplugged or turned off while your family is asleep.

• Move supplemental heaters at least 3 feet away from bedding, curtains, furniture and other flammables.

• Do not burn anything but logs in your fireplace. Put a screen on your fireplace to protect the room from sparks. Once a year, have your chimney cleaned and inspected.

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 Electrical Safety

• Adding extension cords or adaptors to outlets can overload circuits and cause fire.

• Don't run extension cords under rugs, over sharp objects, or behind radiators.

• Replace or repair worn or frayed appliance cords and extension cords.

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Kitchen Fire Prevention

• Keep towels, paper, and clothing away from the burners on the stove.

• Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it.

• Use only microwave safe containers in your microwave.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking.

• If there is a grease fire, put a lid on it. Turn off the burner and let it cool.  Water will make it spread

www.choa.org