Tuesday, June 30, 2009
BofA
Bank of America (like all banks!) is so annoying. I think they changed my account type to charge me a monthly maintenance fee on my checking account, but I don't know for certain. This Advantage fee showed up and the rep says it is waived for all these balance requirements that I do not (have never) maintained. I'm not paying $20/month for an account that allows the bank to have access to my money! And I'm not keeping lots of money in the bank. I got the account type changed to Access, which has all the features I thought I had, including maintenance fee waiver for direct deposit and savings account fee waiver for monthly transfer. It really sucks that we have to constantly be vigilant about new fees and charges on accounts. If I didn't have auto-pay on so many things, I would change accounts. But that's how they keep us....
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Climate Change Climate Change
WSJ article http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
Opinion article states that the number of climate change skeptics is increasing. A lot of scientists worldwide disagree with the UN reports. Politicians worldwide are backing off expensive, economy changing policies until more proof is gathered. The EPA is not using current evidence, some say in order to promote the green initiatives. Interestingly, the 60s generation of "Question Authority" is swallowing Al Gore's science hook, line, and sinker.
"The collapse of the "consensus" has been driven by reality. The inconvenient truth is that the earth's temperatures have flat-lined since 2001, despite growing concentrations of C02. Peer-reviewed research has debunked doomsday scenarios about the polar ice caps, hurricanes, malaria, extinctions, rising oceans. A global financial crisis has politicians taking a harder look at the science that would require them to hamstring their economies to rein in carbon."
Dr. Ian Plimer, a well-known Australian geologist, earlier this year published "Heaven and Earth," a damning critique of the "evidence" underpinning man-made global warming. Paul Sheehan, a noted Australian columnist -- and ardent global warming believer -- in April humbly pronounced it "an evidence-based attack on conformity and orthodoxy, including my own, and a reminder to respect informed dissent and beware of ideology subverting evidence." Australian polls have shown a sharp uptick in public skepticism; the press is back to questioning scientific dogma; blogs are having a field day.
Why has it changed from global warming to climate change anyway?
Opinion article states that the number of climate change skeptics is increasing. A lot of scientists worldwide disagree with the UN reports. Politicians worldwide are backing off expensive, economy changing policies until more proof is gathered. The EPA is not using current evidence, some say in order to promote the green initiatives. Interestingly, the 60s generation of "Question Authority" is swallowing Al Gore's science hook, line, and sinker.
"The collapse of the "consensus" has been driven by reality. The inconvenient truth is that the earth's temperatures have flat-lined since 2001, despite growing concentrations of C02. Peer-reviewed research has debunked doomsday scenarios about the polar ice caps, hurricanes, malaria, extinctions, rising oceans. A global financial crisis has politicians taking a harder look at the science that would require them to hamstring their economies to rein in carbon."
Dr. Ian Plimer, a well-known Australian geologist, earlier this year published "Heaven and Earth," a damning critique of the "evidence" underpinning man-made global warming. Paul Sheehan, a noted Australian columnist -- and ardent global warming believer -- in April humbly pronounced it "an evidence-based attack on conformity and orthodoxy, including my own, and a reminder to respect informed dissent and beware of ideology subverting evidence." Australian polls have shown a sharp uptick in public skepticism; the press is back to questioning scientific dogma; blogs are having a field day.
Why has it changed from global warming to climate change anyway?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Health Care
I get a newsletter from Elements of Health, a place I went for a short time for chiropractic care (the only chiropractor I have seen that would even touch me, but also said he couldn't help my problem after a few sessions.) I love this: (excerpted and summarized in some parts)
"The current health care crisis is the result of a lie. That lie is that you will be healthy if you get the right health care. The current crisis has developed because of the emphasis on treatment of disease and the lack of preventing disease. Ultimately, the most powerful, predictable, and cost-effective solutions for the current health care crisis won't come from a restructured health care delivery system; it will come from us taking responsibility for ourselves through practicing self-care.
Since health has no inherent value, the only manifest value associated with health comes from the utility of possessing good health. The degree that you possess health is the degree to which you are able to do and experience what you want in life. The quality of your health directly related to the quality of your life.
Being healthy is a sound financial investment. It keeps the money that you would otherwise spend on health care, surgery, and drugs in your pocket to spend. Ultimately, self-care leads to a greater overall effect on long-term health outcomes than health care, regardless of the quality, and at far less cost.
The author suggests that primary care should be free and easily accessible, connected to public health programs. This would lead to a decreased need for secondary care, although not eliminating it; private insurance would be used for secondary care.
For additional information on self-care, see the newsletter at http://www.theelementsofhealth.com/The_Elements_of_Health/Newsletter_files/Health_Care_in_Crisis_-_Part_III.pdf
There are two previous articles; this is Part III of a series but can be read alone.
The part of self-care that I think most of us should be doing and probably aren't is "being present and doing nothing." My PT asked me about six months ago to do this daily for 5 minutes, and it is very difficult to turn everything off and do this. This not the time to go through your mental to-do list! I continue trying to be....
"The current health care crisis is the result of a lie. That lie is that you will be healthy if you get the right health care. The current crisis has developed because of the emphasis on treatment of disease and the lack of preventing disease. Ultimately, the most powerful, predictable, and cost-effective solutions for the current health care crisis won't come from a restructured health care delivery system; it will come from us taking responsibility for ourselves through practicing self-care.
Since health has no inherent value, the only manifest value associated with health comes from the utility of possessing good health. The degree that you possess health is the degree to which you are able to do and experience what you want in life. The quality of your health directly related to the quality of your life.
Being healthy is a sound financial investment. It keeps the money that you would otherwise spend on health care, surgery, and drugs in your pocket to spend. Ultimately, self-care leads to a greater overall effect on long-term health outcomes than health care, regardless of the quality, and at far less cost.
The author suggests that primary care should be free and easily accessible, connected to public health programs. This would lead to a decreased need for secondary care, although not eliminating it; private insurance would be used for secondary care.
For additional information on self-care, see the newsletter at http://www.theelementsofhealth.com/The_Elements_of_Health/Newsletter_files/Health_Care_in_Crisis_-_Part_III.pdf
There are two previous articles; this is Part III of a series but can be read alone.
The part of self-care that I think most of us should be doing and probably aren't is "being present and doing nothing." My PT asked me about six months ago to do this daily for 5 minutes, and it is very difficult to turn everything off and do this. This not the time to go through your mental to-do list! I continue trying to be....
Vet visit
Kachina and Jill went to the vet today for their annual checkup. Kachina is now 8.2 pounds, so she has gained a little weight since her thyroid procedure. She has to go back in August for lab work. Jill was 13.6 pounds, so she also gained weight. I'm going to have to make her exercise more! She also has cavities so it was recommended that she have her teeth cleaned and at least one pulled. It's a lot of money but I think I have to get it done. At least she's not in pain.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Propane accident
A co-worker (K) and a previous co-worker (J) were injured in an accident this past weekend. They were at K's house and they noticed a gassy smell from her grill. J told her not to check it, to step away, and at that time, it exploded. K has first degree burns on her face and arm. J is still in the hospital for second degree burns but he is expected to be released in the next day or two.
I did not know this, but apparently these accidents happen due to the heat here in Phoenix causing the tubing to deteriorate on grill equipment. Check your equipment at least annually to prevent any accidents!
I did not know this, but apparently these accidents happen due to the heat here in Phoenix causing the tubing to deteriorate on grill equipment. Check your equipment at least annually to prevent any accidents!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Anti-food?
With all the "documentaries" and books about the food industry, agriculture and farming, the obesity "epidemic" and fast-food, I found this opinion article to be an interesting point of view.
The author essentially raises the issue: why are we making food a political issue when so many worldwide (yes, even in the USA) are going hungry? We have reached 1 billion worldwide that are not getting enough to eat. We live in a great country where we have the resources and freedom to eat what and how much we want and many of us (okay, most of us!) choose to eat things that we know we "shouldn't." Having said that, I'm more concerned with the amount of food we throw away and waste, for various reasons, notably large portion sizes at restaurants and purchasing groceries with good intentions but no plan. Rather than politicizing food, maybe more effort could be spent on wellness plans as part of the "overhaul" of the health care system.
Since I personally can afford to eat what I want to eat, I feel it is somewhat my duty to eat better quality food to help bring the prices down for others over time. Yes, I am idealistic, but one person does make a difference. :)
The author essentially raises the issue: why are we making food a political issue when so many worldwide (yes, even in the USA) are going hungry? We have reached 1 billion worldwide that are not getting enough to eat. We live in a great country where we have the resources and freedom to eat what and how much we want and many of us (okay, most of us!) choose to eat things that we know we "shouldn't." Having said that, I'm more concerned with the amount of food we throw away and waste, for various reasons, notably large portion sizes at restaurants and purchasing groceries with good intentions but no plan. Rather than politicizing food, maybe more effort could be spent on wellness plans as part of the "overhaul" of the health care system.
Since I personally can afford to eat what I want to eat, I feel it is somewhat my duty to eat better quality food to help bring the prices down for others over time. Yes, I am idealistic, but one person does make a difference. :)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cattle and climate change
Letters, from the Independent (UK)
Ill-informed celebs blame my cattle for climate change
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
After checking my organic sheep and cattle this morning, listening to curlews and skylarks wheeling over their nests in the pastures my livestock maintain and watching the bumblebees working over the hay meadows which provide their winter fodder, I opened my Independent and choked on my porridge ("McCartney urges 'meat-free days' to tackle climate change, 15 June)
Here were a bunch of ill-informed, gas-guzzling, jet-setting "celebrities", who probably fly more often to New York or LA than I drive my low-emissions car to the local market town, attacking what I do. What prize patsies they make for the coal, power and aviation industries in passing the blame for global warming from fossil fuels to the eating of beef and lamb. We should be more discerning about the quality and sourcing of all our food. It is fundamentally dishonest to take the world's most shocking examples of deforestation, factory farming and water and energy inputs, then to imply that all meat is produced by means of a hypothetical mix of all of these unacceptable methods.
In reality over half of the UK's farmland is unsuitable for cropping, so centuries of pastoral farming are to a huge degree responsible for our finest landscapes and for locking up millions of tons of carbon in our grassland.
It is the rapid acceleration of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels which poses a threat to the planet. In contrast, emissions from our cattle and sheep have been falling as their numbers have dwindled in recent decades.
I am serious about climate change, but because I am not a "celeb" I can only act locally by, for example, heating my home entirely with fallen wood I have cut myself, using a 100 per cent renewable electricity supplier and taking, at most, one (short-haul) flight per year. Whether through ignorance or cynicism, those promoting "Meat-free Monday" are abusing their high profiles while ignoring their own massive carbon footprints. They are reducing this critical issue to a dishonest farce.
Aidan Harrison
Rothbury, Northumberland
Ill-informed celebs blame my cattle for climate change
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
After checking my organic sheep and cattle this morning, listening to curlews and skylarks wheeling over their nests in the pastures my livestock maintain and watching the bumblebees working over the hay meadows which provide their winter fodder, I opened my Independent and choked on my porridge ("McCartney urges 'meat-free days' to tackle climate change, 15 June)
Here were a bunch of ill-informed, gas-guzzling, jet-setting "celebrities", who probably fly more often to New York or LA than I drive my low-emissions car to the local market town, attacking what I do. What prize patsies they make for the coal, power and aviation industries in passing the blame for global warming from fossil fuels to the eating of beef and lamb. We should be more discerning about the quality and sourcing of all our food. It is fundamentally dishonest to take the world's most shocking examples of deforestation, factory farming and water and energy inputs, then to imply that all meat is produced by means of a hypothetical mix of all of these unacceptable methods.
In reality over half of the UK's farmland is unsuitable for cropping, so centuries of pastoral farming are to a huge degree responsible for our finest landscapes and for locking up millions of tons of carbon in our grassland.
It is the rapid acceleration of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels which poses a threat to the planet. In contrast, emissions from our cattle and sheep have been falling as their numbers have dwindled in recent decades.
I am serious about climate change, but because I am not a "celeb" I can only act locally by, for example, heating my home entirely with fallen wood I have cut myself, using a 100 per cent renewable electricity supplier and taking, at most, one (short-haul) flight per year. Whether through ignorance or cynicism, those promoting "Meat-free Monday" are abusing their high profiles while ignoring their own massive carbon footprints. They are reducing this critical issue to a dishonest farce.
Aidan Harrison
Rothbury, Northumberland
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Do as I say, not as I do....
Apparently, Ingrid Newkirk is promoting her new book (PLEASE don't buy it or support her royal craziness in any way.)
An article in the New York Post June 16, 2009 states:
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk didn't always fight for animal rights. In "The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights," Newkirk writes: "There was nothing I loved more than my fur jacket. In my 20s, I was eating my way through the animal kingdom, and what I didn't eat I wore." She saw the light after visiting an animal shelter and eventually founded the animal rights' group, in 1980.
Best comment: The ex-smoker is always the most zealous foe of tobacco use.
An article in the New York Post June 16, 2009 states:
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk didn't always fight for animal rights. In "The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights," Newkirk writes: "There was nothing I loved more than my fur jacket. In my 20s, I was eating my way through the animal kingdom, and what I didn't eat I wore." She saw the light after visiting an animal shelter and eventually founded the animal rights' group, in 1980.
Best comment: The ex-smoker is always the most zealous foe of tobacco use.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Trial update
Yesterday, I had a lot of itching on my lower legs. I took a few Benadryl throughout the day. Today, I finally have no itching. If I wasn't hungover, I'd feel pretty good now! (I have to stop drinking margaritas with Ryan...)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Trial day 5
Today started at 10 (after I went to pick up my car) and went till about 3:30. They had a lot of trouble getting blood from me, but the IV was still open. I had a lot of itching and welts throughout the day. My nose also hurts, like I ran into something kind of. The other participant had similar reactions. I was also lightheaded at the end when they were taking the last blood draw. I got the chills and was taken outside to walk and thaw. I am going in for blood draws 6 times in the next two weeks.
I left and went to get a Jamba Juice to help my upset stomach, then went home and went to sleep. I went scrapbooking; Heather drove since I'm popping Benadryls. I had welts everywhere, even my butt, but the itching finally subsided and I got some stuff done.
The researchers advised against going to any children's birthday parties for a while since my immune system was just rebooted. I should not eat sushi for a couple of months either. I hope my reboot works!
I left and went to get a Jamba Juice to help my upset stomach, then went home and went to sleep. I went scrapbooking; Heather drove since I'm popping Benadryls. I had welts everywhere, even my butt, but the itching finally subsided and I got some stuff done.
The researchers advised against going to any children's birthday parties for a while since my immune system was just rebooted. I should not eat sushi for a couple of months either. I hope my reboot works!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Trial day 4
I could not go to sleep last night. I was so energized yesterday; Mike even commented I was doing "too much" but I never have the energy to get so much done, so I wanted to take advantage of it. We went to bed early and I just laid there trying to clear my mind. It was racing--I made lists (Troy, the other participant, brought a list of his movies yesterday, so I mentally made my top 100 movie list), then planned out articles for my company newsletter, then mentally wrote an email to my clients and talked to the Director about it, then tried planning my presentation for next week and my to-do list that is getting really backed up with me out of the office. I went to the bathroom around 1:30 just because I was awake, got a drink, and finally was asleep, maybe around 2. I got up a little after 6 and I barely feel tired. Mike's sure it's the steroids so I should get back to "normal" since yesterday was the last day of the Solymedrol.
I woke up itching, bumps all over my arms, some on my torso, a good amount on the upper legs. I'm trying not to itch. I have some leftover anti-itch gel from the last time I was eaten by mosquitoes, so I'm trying to use it but the bottle is not cooperating very well. I don't think it's helping anyway. I'm waiting for the benadryl to kick in.
Today went fairly well, got done around 1. Since I didn't sleep well last night, I crashed and burned when I got home. I went to sleep for 2-3 hours. One more day!
I woke up itching, bumps all over my arms, some on my torso, a good amount on the upper legs. I'm trying not to itch. I have some leftover anti-itch gel from the last time I was eaten by mosquitoes, so I'm trying to use it but the bottle is not cooperating very well. I don't think it's helping anyway. I'm waiting for the benadryl to kick in.
Today went fairly well, got done around 1. Since I didn't sleep well last night, I crashed and burned when I got home. I went to sleep for 2-3 hours. One more day!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
VSWC June Grayline
The new edition has been published. It includes a few upcoming dog events, Valley of the Sun Weimaraner news, information about HSUS and PETA, FDA approval of Pfizer's Canine Cancer drug, and a little agility humor. If you are not on the newsletter list and would like to be, email your request. You can also find the newsletter on the club website each month (usually) at http://www.vswc.weimaraner.com/.
Vet visit
I got Cassi into the vet this afternoon. Dr Clinton looked at her lump on the butt/hip area, felt it was a fatty tumor (benign, she has others, can be removed if she is under anesthetic for something else) but it's deep enough that examining it or taking a biopsy will be difficult.
The eye was a little inflamed but mostly normal by then. (Like when you get to the mechanic and your car won't make "that" sound.) She said that the coming and going of the eye symptoms is not consistent with Horner syndrome, but without seeing it, she can't say that it is something else. We discussed next time, not giving the eye drops so maybe it won't go away so quickly, and getting Cassi into an ophthalmologist.
Teka also went for her rabies and parvo shots. I took them by my office briefly to socialize while I sent a fax.
The eye was a little inflamed but mostly normal by then. (Like when you get to the mechanic and your car won't make "that" sound.) She said that the coming and going of the eye symptoms is not consistent with Horner syndrome, but without seeing it, she can't say that it is something else. We discussed next time, not giving the eye drops so maybe it won't go away so quickly, and getting Cassi into an ophthalmologist.
Teka also went for her rabies and parvo shots. I took them by my office briefly to socialize while I sent a fax.
Trial day 3
This morning, I felt better than I have in a long time. I started my Solymedrol drip and got the metallic tasting mouth pretty much right away, then moved on to the trial drug.
Notable things for today: they had more trouble drawing blood, still from the right arm, seem to be developing scar tissue on the "best" vein. The IV catheter is still holding open though. They increased the drip rate, so I was there from 9 to about 1:30.
I developed a rash around the time I went home. I documented it with the research staff and took a benadryl. It was like little welts or mosquito bites, on my arms, upper legs, chest and stomach. It is common and only causes concern if it turns into an allergic reaction--throat closing, unable to breathe. It went away now but I'm still a little itchy (that's how it started actually). The one benadryl I've been taking in the morning hasn't made me sleepy, but that second one did seem to hit me more. They will decrease my drip time tomorrow.
Today, I was given my care packet. It includes 2009 and 2010 calendars that are marked with all my follow up blood tests, doctor visits, and survey dates for ongoing monitoring. In addition, there was a patient guide discussing all of the potential side effects and resources and a family guide. We scanned in the family guide in case anyone wants to review it. There are some yucky photos on one side.
The research staff said I am not a guinea pig; they don't use that word--I am a participant. I have all kinds of holes and bruises, so I'm going with guinea pig. Is lab rat any better?!
Notable things for today: they had more trouble drawing blood, still from the right arm, seem to be developing scar tissue on the "best" vein. The IV catheter is still holding open though. They increased the drip rate, so I was there from 9 to about 1:30.
I developed a rash around the time I went home. I documented it with the research staff and took a benadryl. It was like little welts or mosquito bites, on my arms, upper legs, chest and stomach. It is common and only causes concern if it turns into an allergic reaction--throat closing, unable to breathe. It went away now but I'm still a little itchy (that's how it started actually). The one benadryl I've been taking in the morning hasn't made me sleepy, but that second one did seem to hit me more. They will decrease my drip time tomorrow.
Today, I was given my care packet. It includes 2009 and 2010 calendars that are marked with all my follow up blood tests, doctor visits, and survey dates for ongoing monitoring. In addition, there was a patient guide discussing all of the potential side effects and resources and a family guide. We scanned in the family guide in case anyone wants to review it. There are some yucky photos on one side.
The research staff said I am not a guinea pig; they don't use that word--I am a participant. I have all kinds of holes and bruises, so I'm going with guinea pig. Is lab rat any better?!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Trial day 2
Today started at 9 a.m. and ended just after 3 I think. My IV stayed open so it didn't have to be redone--yay! An hour of Solymedrol and then the Alumtuzamab. I felt a lot better today than yesterday and even felt up to going to dinner with the work folks. I still had the metallic taste in my mouth all day, especially after drinking water, but I have to keep hydrated in case she has to find another vein. I'm eating salty food for that reason too. She told me to try hard candy to help.
Cassi's Horner Syndrome returns
Cassi was fine this morning. Tonight she has the droopy right eye. I made Mike take a photo this time. It doesn't seem to be bothering her; she is running around like normal. But there is some eye goop. I gave her some eye drops from last time. I wonder if it is related to the bump that appeared a few days ago on her butt/hip area. I'll try to get her into the vet to confirm when I take Teka for her rabies shot. Apparently Mike thinks I'm sitting at home all week and have nothing else to do.
Monday, June 8, 2009
First day of Trial
I got to the office at 9 a.m. and met the other person getting the treatment. Then Dr. Gitt did the exam and Elana started the process. She had a lot of trouble with my IV. The first one went in my left hand, and she took blood from it first. It clotted so she had to re-do the IV, so she tried another spot in the left hand and then in the right hand. Neither worked, so Dr. Gitt looked at it with her and recommended near my left wrist, while saying that if this didn't work, they would send me home and reschedule. (Panic!) It managed to work--whew! She started the steroid Solumethrethol (sp?) and when that was complete, then the Alumtuzumab. The steroid took about an hour and created a metallic taste in my mouth (yep, still got it.)
I was done around 4:00 and then they ran a little saline through. They left the needle in but disconnected me. Hopefully it can be used again tomorrow so they don't have to poke around again. They learned to take blood from the elbow pit where I have a better vein, but apparently I have small veins, and the elbow can't be used for IV because the arm can't be bent. I took some snacks for the day but really didn't eat lunch, so I tried to eat when I left but it tasted too weird. Also, I had a raging headache, probably about 2/3 of the day. I was trying to read for work, and it felt like that headache I get when I read in a car. When I got home, I went to bed with my headache and chills. I woke up a couple hours later feeling better and had a little dinner and talked to Christie.
Tomorrow should be slightly shorter as I don't have the doctor exam, but the rest is the same.
I was done around 4:00 and then they ran a little saline through. They left the needle in but disconnected me. Hopefully it can be used again tomorrow so they don't have to poke around again. They learned to take blood from the elbow pit where I have a better vein, but apparently I have small veins, and the elbow can't be used for IV because the arm can't be bent. I took some snacks for the day but really didn't eat lunch, so I tried to eat when I left but it tasted too weird. Also, I had a raging headache, probably about 2/3 of the day. I was trying to read for work, and it felt like that headache I get when I read in a car. When I got home, I went to bed with my headache and chills. I woke up a couple hours later feeling better and had a little dinner and talked to Christie.
Tomorrow should be slightly shorter as I don't have the doctor exam, but the rest is the same.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Teka is a Champion
Ginny took Teka to the Flagstaff Dog Show this weekend. Today, Teka was Best of Winners, finishing her Championship title. CH Mehagian's Perfect Teknique SH CGC will still answer to Teka, Tekastrophy, and Teka-roo. :) Now I can start trialing her in Agility. I better get in a lot better shape by the fall if I'm going to run two dogs on Agility Trial weekends!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Big Green Lies
I saw a program on FLN called Big Green Lies. I missed the very beginning with the intros, so I'm not sure who the guy was but the counterpart was Sara Snow who has a healthful living program. Here's what they covered.
The air quality inside your house is better than the air quality outside.
Using a VOC meter, they measured various parts of LA, CA. The best reading was behind a city bus. (LA has natural gas buses.) The worst reading was a nail salon. The average outdoor area (even with that visible smog) was about half the level in the houses they tested. Clean freaks actually had higher rates than others because of the spray products they use, so look for "no VOCs" on cleaners and avoid using sprays like air deodorants and personal products.
Cloth diapers (reusable cotton) are better for the environment than disposable diapers (DD).
The average kid uses 8,000 diapers. The diaper service they spoke with said "Would you wear paper diapers?" By laundering, save trees, crude oil, and space in landfills. The flip side is that DD account for just over 2% of the trash sent to landfills each year. A home that launders uses 27% more energy than those using DD. By sending out for service, diapers are recycled with others, which some may find distasteful. (Would you wear someone else's underwear?) The verdict on total environmental impact was a tie, depending on the location. Look at the specific area to see if landfills are busting at the seams or drought is the bigger problem.
Everyone should go out right now and buy a hybrid.
Hybrids have gas and electric motors and a nickel plated battery, including a fuse that can kill you if you touch it without proper safety training. The next generation is the electric propulsion car but the only commercially available brand is over $100k sports car, so it's not for everyone. It never sees a gas station and charges 3 hours, able to go up to 250 miles. The verdict was that everyone should use what they have and make it more efficient. If every car got 30-35 mpg (20% better mileage) we allegedly would need no fuel from the Middle East. So drive cars longer and smarter!
Organic food is better than conventional food in every way.
Grass fed cows do not typically receive growth hormones or antibiotics, and unlike factory farms, do not typically stand in their own waste, rather having more area to move around and graze. The verdict was that organic does taste better, but conventional was half the price, so most consumers should consider doing some of both. Produce with thick skins can be conventional--avocados, oranges, bananas.
(Side note: with careful shopping, a lot of organics can be purchased for about the same as conventional--check the ads, buy seasonally, and check out your local farmer's market.)
Shutting off your car's A/C (and rolling down windows) saves gasoline.
Using A/C reduces fuel efficiency about 1 mile per gallon or 4%. The difference is clearer on later model cars, made in the last 10 years. Older cars are less fuel efficient all around and it makes much less of a difference if the windows are up or down and the A/C is used.
(Side note: if you live in Phoenix, please use your A/C in the summer. Your co-workers do not want to be smelling that.)
The air quality inside your house is better than the air quality outside.
Using a VOC meter, they measured various parts of LA, CA. The best reading was behind a city bus. (LA has natural gas buses.) The worst reading was a nail salon. The average outdoor area (even with that visible smog) was about half the level in the houses they tested. Clean freaks actually had higher rates than others because of the spray products they use, so look for "no VOCs" on cleaners and avoid using sprays like air deodorants and personal products.
Cloth diapers (reusable cotton) are better for the environment than disposable diapers (DD).
The average kid uses 8,000 diapers. The diaper service they spoke with said "Would you wear paper diapers?" By laundering, save trees, crude oil, and space in landfills. The flip side is that DD account for just over 2% of the trash sent to landfills each year. A home that launders uses 27% more energy than those using DD. By sending out for service, diapers are recycled with others, which some may find distasteful. (Would you wear someone else's underwear?) The verdict on total environmental impact was a tie, depending on the location. Look at the specific area to see if landfills are busting at the seams or drought is the bigger problem.
Everyone should go out right now and buy a hybrid.
Hybrids have gas and electric motors and a nickel plated battery, including a fuse that can kill you if you touch it without proper safety training. The next generation is the electric propulsion car but the only commercially available brand is over $100k sports car, so it's not for everyone. It never sees a gas station and charges 3 hours, able to go up to 250 miles. The verdict was that everyone should use what they have and make it more efficient. If every car got 30-35 mpg (20% better mileage) we allegedly would need no fuel from the Middle East. So drive cars longer and smarter!
Organic food is better than conventional food in every way.
Grass fed cows do not typically receive growth hormones or antibiotics, and unlike factory farms, do not typically stand in their own waste, rather having more area to move around and graze. The verdict was that organic does taste better, but conventional was half the price, so most consumers should consider doing some of both. Produce with thick skins can be conventional--avocados, oranges, bananas.
(Side note: with careful shopping, a lot of organics can be purchased for about the same as conventional--check the ads, buy seasonally, and check out your local farmer's market.)
Shutting off your car's A/C (and rolling down windows) saves gasoline.
Using A/C reduces fuel efficiency about 1 mile per gallon or 4%. The difference is clearer on later model cars, made in the last 10 years. Older cars are less fuel efficient all around and it makes much less of a difference if the windows are up or down and the A/C is used.
(Side note: if you live in Phoenix, please use your A/C in the summer. Your co-workers do not want to be smelling that.)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
MS Drug Trial
I sent this as part of an email to my co-workers to explain my upcoming absence:
I am participating in a Phase III MS drug trial for Alemtuzumab (Campath). The standard MS treatment consists of self-injections, which I have been doing since 2005. By participating in the trial, I won't have to inject myself for the next two years; however, I have 5 days of IVs now with another 3 days next year. Previous phases of Alemtuzumab trials have shown very promising results relative to current treatments. This drug is already approved for use in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and T-cell lymphoma, so this is kind of like an off-label use trial, i.e. using an FDA approved drug for a different use. I am very lucky to have very mild symptoms, though you probably wouldn't want to see pictures of my brain and spine. (Yes, I have a brain! I have MRI photos on CD to prove it!) Since this treatment essentially reboots the immune system, if you are sick, stay home or at least stay away from me.
I have an appointment each day next week at 9 a.m.
I am participating in a Phase III MS drug trial for Alemtuzumab (Campath). The standard MS treatment consists of self-injections, which I have been doing since 2005. By participating in the trial, I won't have to inject myself for the next two years; however, I have 5 days of IVs now with another 3 days next year. Previous phases of Alemtuzumab trials have shown very promising results relative to current treatments. This drug is already approved for use in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and T-cell lymphoma, so this is kind of like an off-label use trial, i.e. using an FDA approved drug for a different use. I am very lucky to have very mild symptoms, though you probably wouldn't want to see pictures of my brain and spine. (Yes, I have a brain! I have MRI photos on CD to prove it!) Since this treatment essentially reboots the immune system, if you are sick, stay home or at least stay away from me.
I have an appointment each day next week at 9 a.m.
Quinoa
Quinoa (keen-wah) was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, being secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%), making it a healthful choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source.[3] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. (From Wikipedia)
Photos and recipes:
http://www.npr.org/templates/
http://www.epicurious.com/
http://allrecipes.com/Search/
You can find quinoa in your grocery store, usually with the rice, and it cooks like (non-instant) rice. You can find it already cooked and seasoned at stores like Whole Foods.
Natures Garden Delivered
I used to participate in a Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) Program. It was pretty neat; I would take my own bag and pick up my "portion" every Tuesday evening on my way home. The great things about it were that everything was fresh and local, if you didn't want your portion of something, you could put it in the trade bin and take something someone else left, and I had the opportunity to try a lot of foods I wouldn't have otherwise. The downsides were that payment was made for a certain time period (8 weeks I think), it was not in a convenient location for me, and some of the (undesired) items were repeated often. If you couldn't pick up your portion, it was donated to the food bank. Check out Crooked Sky Farms or other CSA programs.
When that didn't work for my schedule anymore, I started hitting the farmers markets. Unfortunately, most are on Friday, when I'm at work, or on Saturday, when I'm just too busy and/or tired. However, there is a FM on Wednesday's at lunchtime near my work at 20th St and Camelback. I love going but during the summer, a lot of the vendors pack it up, understandably.
Then I heard about Bountiful Basket, which is a similar concept to the CSA but the pickups are all on Saturday morning at various valley locations. Everyone that participates likes it. But as I mentioned, Saturday mornings are hard for me to commit to, and you have to "order" by Wednesday.
So, when I heard about a delivery service, I checked it out. Nature's Garden Delivered http://az.naturesgardendelivered.com/ delivers fresh organic fruits and vegetables, either weekly or every other week. My delivery comes before I wake up, so I unload my box before I head to work. They pick up the previous box and cold packs when they deliver the next one. The website allows me to put my preferences, and a few days before delivery, I can see what I'm getting and swap out if I don't want something. I can also add additional items from their list. I get the "tiny" box, which runs about $26, and in my opinion, is totally worth it. I know some people are looking for the best deal, but I'm looking for the best value. I want to support local (and local-ish) and organic farmers over industrial farming any chance I can, especially if the prices are competitive.
The "tiny" box I got this week included: 3 apples, 1 lb bananas, 1 lb carrots, 1 cucumber, 1 red leaf lettuce, one mango, 2 onions, 2 peaches, 2 plums, 3/4 lb red potatoes, and two tomatoes. If that doesn't sound like a lot, think about how much produce most people ACTUALLY eat (not what they buy) each week, and remember that I am the only person in my house that eats 90% of that. I find that I am really eating most of this in a week! I think I'm eating more produce than normal because I know another delivery is coming next week.
When that didn't work for my schedule anymore, I started hitting the farmers markets. Unfortunately, most are on Friday, when I'm at work, or on Saturday, when I'm just too busy and/or tired. However, there is a FM on Wednesday's at lunchtime near my work at 20th St and Camelback. I love going but during the summer, a lot of the vendors pack it up, understandably.
Then I heard about Bountiful Basket, which is a similar concept to the CSA but the pickups are all on Saturday morning at various valley locations. Everyone that participates likes it. But as I mentioned, Saturday mornings are hard for me to commit to, and you have to "order" by Wednesday.
So, when I heard about a delivery service, I checked it out. Nature's Garden Delivered http://az.naturesgardendelivered.com/ delivers fresh organic fruits and vegetables, either weekly or every other week. My delivery comes before I wake up, so I unload my box before I head to work. They pick up the previous box and cold packs when they deliver the next one. The website allows me to put my preferences, and a few days before delivery, I can see what I'm getting and swap out if I don't want something. I can also add additional items from their list. I get the "tiny" box, which runs about $26, and in my opinion, is totally worth it. I know some people are looking for the best deal, but I'm looking for the best value. I want to support local (and local-ish) and organic farmers over industrial farming any chance I can, especially if the prices are competitive.
The "tiny" box I got this week included: 3 apples, 1 lb bananas, 1 lb carrots, 1 cucumber, 1 red leaf lettuce, one mango, 2 onions, 2 peaches, 2 plums, 3/4 lb red potatoes, and two tomatoes. If that doesn't sound like a lot, think about how much produce most people ACTUALLY eat (not what they buy) each week, and remember that I am the only person in my house that eats 90% of that. I find that I am really eating most of this in a week! I think I'm eating more produce than normal because I know another delivery is coming next week.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Blog v. Journal
At work, I've become the "green" person. I started and maintain our recycling program, tease people for doing things that are not green (printing one sided when unnecessary), and have started writing "Green Tip$" for our e-newsletter. (That started with the past edition which is available on my work website.)
In addition, I heard yesterday from a co-worker that I've become an interesting person to talk to about healthy food. He suggested that I should have a blog; I told him I have one but it's not just about that, it's all kinds of stuff. He thought it would only be dog stuff! Since our company blocks blogs and I don't know that I censor myself quite enough, I'm not sure whether this is something I should/can share with co-workers. When I explained that my blog is whatever I find interesting, primarily health, dogs, and news, he said that it sounded like a journal. I thought that was interesting because that is exactly why I started my blog. I was told by my Physical Therapist that I need to journal. (He's the one who also told me to do my breathing exercises without distractions like TV and that it counts as exercise.)
I think this has come about from a sum of: (I'll do another post for the *'d items to clarify)
In addition, I heard yesterday from a co-worker that I've become an interesting person to talk to about healthy food. He suggested that I should have a blog; I told him I have one but it's not just about that, it's all kinds of stuff. He thought it would only be dog stuff! Since our company blocks blogs and I don't know that I censor myself quite enough, I'm not sure whether this is something I should/can share with co-workers. When I explained that my blog is whatever I find interesting, primarily health, dogs, and news, he said that it sounded like a journal. I thought that was interesting because that is exactly why I started my blog. I was told by my Physical Therapist that I need to journal. (He's the one who also told me to do my breathing exercises without distractions like TV and that it counts as exercise.)
I think this has come about from a sum of: (I'll do another post for the *'d items to clarify)
- my owning, lending and discussing two of the Eat This, Not That! series
- my participation in and discussion of Community Sponsored Agriculture programs
- my taking several co-workers to the Wednesday lunchtime Farmer's Market at 20th St and Camelback (between Arby's and Trader Joe's)
- my current purchase of Nature's Garden Delivered services and products*
- my campaign against company sponsored soda and bottled water
- my eating quinoa salad at lunch and discussing it, following up with an email, which converted at least one person to try and like it*
Hungry Girl
I get emails from a website called Hungry Girl. While I can't use all her tips, sometimes I run across something interesting. Did you know: calorie counts on menus, packaged foods, etc., are often underestimated. Packaged foods are allowed to be 20% off in their nutritional information, and menu stats are only approximations.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Trial is a go!
I just found out that I'm in the trial group! I will not have to give myself shots for at least the next two years! I have an appointment (baseline skills test) on Thursday and they will give me all the rest of the details then. I start the IV treatment Monday and I'll be done in a week. I hope it doesn't hit me hard. I have a major project I have to get finished for work in the next week.
I'm so excited, I can't believe that I'm so giddy about more poking and prodding!
I'm so excited, I can't believe that I'm so giddy about more poking and prodding!
Grape Nuts
An article in the WSJ yesterday was about Post Grape Nuts Cereal. I like to read these things online to see the comments made by the lovers and the haters. The only hater with something interesting to say: Reminds me of that Saturday Night Live skit about a cereal named Quarry--"good because it's mined, and full of minerals".
The factory in California that makes Grape Nuts makes bread loaves that are then made into Grape Nuts, so Grape Nuts are not grapes or nuts, but rather wheat bread!
The comments talked about uses for Grape Nuts, including the obvious cold cereal with fruit. (Strawberries and/or bananas are my favorites, thought someone suggested mixing with Cheerios.) Several people eat it hot like oatmeal. Eat with buttered toast and orange juice to drink. Use as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or pudding. Use like breadcrumbs in meat loaf or in batters like pancakes. Try grinding it into a fine powder, saute with a little butter, add cinnamon and brown sugar and you got a topping, turning pancakes into crumbcake. Someone said saute with butter and vegetables; not sure I'll try that one.
Surprisingly, no one commented on Kashi's version of Grape Nuts, although several comments said the generic version is not as good--I agree. One mentioned that Grape Nuts may have lost consumers to the organics.
Although there is speculation about "grape sugar" and the nutty flavor involved in the origins of the name, this was my favorite comment:
When my daughter, now 31, was 3 or 4 years old, we shared Grape Nuts as our favorite cereal. She asked me why it was called Grape Nuts, & I responded I didn't know -- it didn't have grapes or nuts in its ingredients. She asked if she could ask "the cereal people." So we wrote them a letter (yes, that was before the Internet), & she checked the mail box every day, waiting for her answer. Someone from Post took the time to answer that little girl, & told her that the cereal inventor thought it tasted nutty & that the dough, as it was rising & baking, formed into "clusters" of bubbles on top that looked like clusters of grapes. Whether that was the true answer or not, it was certainly official, coming on the Post letterhead, & for many years, it was among my daughter's most prized letters. When her own children were young, she told them the story & they were suitably impressed! Hope Grape Nuts sticks around for their children, too.
As a Grape Nut lover, I also liked these comments:
I was happily eating my morning Grape Nuts when I came upon this article and could not help smiling. The real point is that you either are a Grape Nuts fan or you are not. Then I got to the end of the article where it was stated that the revenues are very low at $80M a year. Wow, have we gotten jaded re success of a product! The writer may have been hanging around GM folks too long. Imagine that someone can say a product is dying with a revenue of $80M! Clearly we Grape Nuts lovers need to stick together! :)
Grape Nuts are delicious, almost magically so.
My favorite Grape Nuts slogan from years past is "Are you good enough for Grape-Nuts?"
Grape Nuts hearken back to a day when simplicity rules.
The factory in California that makes Grape Nuts makes bread loaves that are then made into Grape Nuts, so Grape Nuts are not grapes or nuts, but rather wheat bread!
The comments talked about uses for Grape Nuts, including the obvious cold cereal with fruit. (Strawberries and/or bananas are my favorites, thought someone suggested mixing with Cheerios.) Several people eat it hot like oatmeal. Eat with buttered toast and orange juice to drink. Use as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or pudding. Use like breadcrumbs in meat loaf or in batters like pancakes. Try grinding it into a fine powder, saute with a little butter, add cinnamon and brown sugar and you got a topping, turning pancakes into crumbcake. Someone said saute with butter and vegetables; not sure I'll try that one.
Surprisingly, no one commented on Kashi's version of Grape Nuts, although several comments said the generic version is not as good--I agree. One mentioned that Grape Nuts may have lost consumers to the organics.
Although there is speculation about "grape sugar" and the nutty flavor involved in the origins of the name, this was my favorite comment:
When my daughter, now 31, was 3 or 4 years old, we shared Grape Nuts as our favorite cereal. She asked me why it was called Grape Nuts, & I responded I didn't know -- it didn't have grapes or nuts in its ingredients. She asked if she could ask "the cereal people." So we wrote them a letter (yes, that was before the Internet), & she checked the mail box every day, waiting for her answer. Someone from Post took the time to answer that little girl, & told her that the cereal inventor thought it tasted nutty & that the dough, as it was rising & baking, formed into "clusters" of bubbles on top that looked like clusters of grapes. Whether that was the true answer or not, it was certainly official, coming on the Post letterhead, & for many years, it was among my daughter's most prized letters. When her own children were young, she told them the story & they were suitably impressed! Hope Grape Nuts sticks around for their children, too.
As a Grape Nut lover, I also liked these comments:
I was happily eating my morning Grape Nuts when I came upon this article and could not help smiling. The real point is that you either are a Grape Nuts fan or you are not. Then I got to the end of the article where it was stated that the revenues are very low at $80M a year. Wow, have we gotten jaded re success of a product! The writer may have been hanging around GM folks too long. Imagine that someone can say a product is dying with a revenue of $80M! Clearly we Grape Nuts lovers need to stick together! :)
Grape Nuts are delicious, almost magically so.
My favorite Grape Nuts slogan from years past is "Are you good enough for Grape-Nuts?"
Grape Nuts hearken back to a day when simplicity rules.
Daily Oliver
I've added Daily Oliver to my blogs list. I re-found this site that posts a daily photo. These are Canadians living in France posting photos of their Weimaraners. (The older is Oliver.) So handsome!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Acupuncture
I went to a group acupuncture session that I heard about on my ASU Alumni Linked In group. It was not painful and I really only felt one of the 8 needles. I don't know that it did anything for me, but I'm open to trying anything at this point. I might try it again, but I think you have to do several sessions to get any real results, and I'm not sure I want to make that commitment yet since I don't get it!
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