Portion Distortion

Portion distortion: Know how much you're eating

I took the test and failed it miserably. The super sized bagel was the only one I got correct. I have been working out quite faithfully and loosing inches but no weight in a year. Over the weekend by daughter-in-law was being very conscious about her calories intake and when I asked her why, she said weight watchers. She is concerned about gaining the newlywed pounds. I was shocked when we started going over portion size and calories count. One of the things that shocked me was the points in a Quizno salad. I just had one of their little salads and thought it was very healthy. Wrong is was equal to 27 points. 2 points over my allotted average for the day. Since I failed the Portion distortion quiz I am concerned that my lack of weight loss despite daily exercise has to do with portion size. So this week I started looking at portion size and mindless nibbling. I will keep you posted.

The Price of Gas

The price of gas at my local gas station is now 4.29 a gallon for premium. I had 40 dollars in cash last week when I pulled into a local station and the fill up was just about 9 gallons. Have I altered my driving? Yes! I try to cluster my errands. My husband and I carpool to our workout. When I can, I walk in my community. To compensate for the increased price I brew my own coffee at home and pack my lunch. The increase cost in food has not effect us much since our two big guy eaters have moved out. We have noticed that our kids do come over on Sundays for dinner.

Forever Stampa

I though my husband was kidding when he said he purchased $500 in stamps. Since we run a small business from the home and I do not pay all the bills on line we do have to mail items. As of May 12 2008 the price of stamps goes up yet again by 1 cent. So I checked on line and sure enough the Forever stamp is inflation proof.

Seven Vaccines You Need

Immunizations are not just for infants and children. Research has shown that some immunizations people received as infants and young children wear off, putting adults at risk for childhood illnesses. Whooping cough or pertussis can be prevented by getting a Tdap booster. Even if you have had chickenpox there is an increased risk for shingles after age 60. There is a shingles vaccine: Zostavax. If as an adult you should also check to see if you have had measles, mumps and rubella. You can have titers drawn to verify if you have had these childhood diseases in the past. If your titers do not verify you have not had the disease you need a MMR immunization. Remember to get you annual flu vaccine especially if you are into travel in groups or cruises. Don't forget Hepatitis A and B. To see complete article: Seven vaccines you need.

Germs on the keyboard

What's Dirtier than a toilet? Interesting heading for a computer photo. I have said this for years. I hate when I have to use one of the communal university computers. I am always wondering who's hands have been there before me and where the hands have been before they touched the computer keys. Being in the medical profession I am a compulsive hand washer. Just last week there was an article in one of my journals on the spread of germs in schools via computer labs. Since little hands are notable dirty! I do not touch the key boards on unless I absolutely have to. So a note to all you computer nerds. WASH YOUR HANDS before and after you use a communal computer.

Blogging can be group therapy

I have not blogged in a bit. Life has been quite hectic. Now that I am on my summer academic schedule I will have a little more time for blogging. I did read an article this morning on blogging as therapy. I am hardly at the point of desperation as the young woman mentioned in the article, but I must admit that my blog site is a method of communicating my thought to the one or two people that may read my postings. So much to talk about so little time. The Obama /Clinton race is heating up. I am re-landscaping my backyard. The economy is stagnant. The stock market dropped 208 points today. Keep posted for thoughts about all of the above from the reluctant boomer.