Is it better to be safe than sorry? When it comes to early screening and self-exams for breast cancer, the answer is simple: yes. When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced its new guidelines last week for routine screenings, I was alarmed by its position. Reports say that the task force recommends women establish baseline mammograms at age 50 instead of age 40, and follow up every two years rather than annually. And, it says breast self-exams do no good and women shouldn't be taught to do them. Say again, please?
Additionally, the task force is comprised of a “government panel of experts,” yet I read that not one of them is an oncologist, at least not as a listed specialty by the USPSTF published roster...
October is Vegetarian Awareness Month. Since some time in September, my boyfriend and I decided to cut meat from our diet. We started out for health and weight loss but have since discovered many reasons to eat less meat. We’ve also found it’s not as hard as we thought it would be. Actually, it was easier for him than for me, but surprisingly, I’m finding I crave meat less and less as each week passes.
Our meals now contain more fiber and whole grains, and we’re eating more fruits and vegetables. In the past, when I’ve been on specific “diets,” I found the thought of eating greens – again and again – would make me sick. However, this time it’s different because it’s a lifestyle change and our menus are more diverse than ever...
About two months ago, I purchased plane tickets for a one-week getaway to Mexico … Isla Mujeres to be exact. I would be flying to Cancun and taking the ferry to the small and beautiful island off the Pacific Coast.
My boyfriend would already be there for a week as he is taking a group of his students on a field trip to Cancun. What a great getaway to look forward to, right? Well …
Since I booked my flight, reports of drug wars began to inundate all media news. Murders, kidnappings, more murders. Border cities have become increasingly dangerous. Security efforts are on the rise. Visits to Mexico from President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised aid from the United States.
No worries, though. Cancun is safe. It’s a tourist city...
A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I decided to try the South Beach Diet, where for the first two weeks, all carbs are cut from your diet and then gradually allowed back in during phase 2. We were very excited with taking on this new “lifestyle” and even went so far to say food would be our new hobby – this, because, all we did was think about our next meal.
All went well the first seven days. As expected, pounds were melting off Tim a little too fast for my taste, but I kept up the pace the best I could with the metabolism I have. After the first week, however, you get a little tired of eating spoonfuls of peanut butter for snacks, eggs and turkey bacon every morning and at least two cups of vegetables for two meals a day...
When I decided I wanted to pursue a story on human trafficking, I'll admit I didn’t know much about it. I saw a blurb written in an email that was sent to me by the Gage Foundation in Fayetteville. It read there would be a talk on human trafficking at the United Church of Fayetteville. I continued to scan the rest of the email, but my eyes kept going back to that one small paragraph, of which I had to scroll up to get.
Why is this topic important to Fayetteville? How does it effect people who live in suburbia?
I met with Elisa Morales from Vera House a couple weeks later. After spending just 10 minutes with her, I could sense her deep commitment to the cause; her drive to help these people living such devastating lives. I realized this topic is not about us...
For the first time since high school, I went cross-country skiing. Highland Forest was our destination, and finding an easy trail was my sole intention.
Last year, I bought almost all the equipment I would need at the annual Manlius ski sale – I got ski boots and skis for about $60 if I remember correctly. It just took another year to buy myself some poles. Now I was ready to go. At last.
Saturday’s weather was perfect for outdoor activities. There were lots of people coming and going, and the trails weren’t overcrowded by any means...
While I know New York state is in a financial mess, I can’t help but think that some of the ideas our governor is proposing to get us back on track are absurd.
Mainly what bothers me are two of the more recent concepts to tax all sodas that aren’t diet, and to tax gym memberships.
He says the tax on regular sodas will help fight obesity. Wrong. Studies have shown that diet sodas can actually lead to obesity. All he need do is google the term “diet soda” to read up on the facts gathered over the last few years. Diet soda is not a health drink nor is it a cure for weight loss. Links found on mayoclinic.com, WebMD.com, getfitslowly.com and waterforlifeusa.com, all address health issues associated with drinking diet sodas and sodas in general...
