December Newsletter 2013
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Terrific Kwanza, and Serene Winter Solstice to you! I hope you enjoy your holiday season regardless of what is celebrated, or
how. Often I wish this huge holiday season was during the summer, when travel is less likely to be precarious. Ah well, this is what we have. Please be safe when venturing out. In my personal experience, I found that having an accident along the way can really dampen the joy of getting together.
“Life is short”… last month, at age ninety-five, my father-in-law Milton Steen passed away. Given his age, it was not unexpected. I apologize for the days the office had to be closed, and thank you for your understanding, patience and sympathies. He endured three open heart surgeries, and was able to enjoy a long, full life. His first surgery occurred when he was in his 60’s, and it prompted him to retire early. Living frugally, he and his wife of seventy-one years were able to travel all over the country. He outlived most of his WW2 Navy veteran friends. We found his old Navy foot locker and the uniforms still fit. Milton was a fine example of living a God-fearing, disciplined life. He consistently ate small portions, walked daily for thirty minutes, and after he retired added a short daily afternoon nap to his regimen. Between travels, he occupied his time volunteering. At the end, was he ready to go? Yes indeed; his funeral had already been planned and paid for. Even his obituary had been prepared since 1994. By the last days of October, he lay motionless in bed for eleven days, living out what were obviously his last days. As the end drew near,
his breathing became labored. While the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me played on the radio, with three of his children at his side, he opened his eyes wide, and then closed them forever. I share this sad experience to help remind us all to unite with those you love and tell them you love them while they can still hear you. And not just during the holidays, but any and every day. Forgive old offenses (maybe new ones, too) and move on with life and love. Even if it lasts ninety-five years, life is short. Solomon said, “It is like a breath”.
My holiday tips for good health… while Thanksgiving can actually be a low calorie meal (avoid stuffing, butter, sour cream, gravy, and pecan pie), Christmas can be quite different.
And Christmas parties in particular can be real trouble. As a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, the first thing I will direct you to is the vegetable platter of any and every party. The dip is usually full of fat (unless it is hummus), so limit your intake. When filling a party plate, heap on the vegetables and then choose only small, bite-sized portions of the less healthy offerings. Filling up on fiber and vitamin- rich vegetables will help you feel
full. ‘Tastes’ of the other goodies allow you to enjoy the fun and feel satisfied, but without eating too many calories. Drink a large glass of water before going to the party. After putting some food on a small plate, step away from the food and distract yourself from taking more. Enjoy other aspects of the party, like the people, music, and pretty decorations! My biggest tip, however, is for the day after the party. Eat less the next day,
allowing the digestive system to rest after such exertion. Get enough rest, and go to bed early when possible. Get outside during the day for even a ten minute walk. Allow yourself and others extra time, and most importantly, extra patience and understanding in order to avoid stress. Prioritize what is really important and get that done. That way, you already know what you can put off until later if necessary, without neglecting to get done what is most important to you. Simplify, appreciate, and enjoy.
About iodine… which I have been taking in a supplement called Iodoral, for about ten years. I recently read some interesting iodine facts on the insert that comes in the package. Iodine was one of the last essential elements included in the RDA system that was established in 1980, confirmed in 1989. The minimum needed to prevent goiter, extreme stupidity, and hypothyroidism was put in salt to insure everybody got some. During the early 1900’s the iodine solution Lugol was used for both low and above normal activity of the thyroid gland. Two drops provided 12.5 mg. Medical practitioners used it extensively, effectively and safely. Even as recently as 1995, the recommended daily intake was from .1 to .3 ml. The thyroid gland needs iodine in order to function properly. To control goiter in adolescent girls, the original study used 9 mg. of iodine daily. The optimal dose for physical and mental well-being has never been studied. Demographic studies of people living on mainland Japan say the average person eats 13.8 mg. of iodine, and they are among the healthiest people on the planet. They also have other strict eating habits, like no eating after 8PM. Japanese women have one of the lowest rates of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Low iodine intake has also been correlated to fibrocystic breast disease in several studies, with the smallest amount of iodine needed for control and prevention figured at .1mg/kg of body weight per day. For a fifty kilogram female (about 110 lbs.), the recommended daily
amount of iodine would be 5 mg. “Investigators are showing convincing evidence connecting inadequate iodine intake and breast cancer.” In the US, in the 1960’s, a slice of bread contained the full RDA of .15mg of iodine. At that time, the risk for breast cancer was one in twenty; while today it is one in eight. Currently, iodine has been replaced by bromine in the bread-making process. Bromine blocks thyroid function and may even interfere with the anti-cancer effects of iodine for the breast. Although there are many other
things we connect with increased risk of breast cancer, it is very interesting to think about. If
you are interested, we do sell the Iodoral product that contains this information. I take four per day to enhance the thyroid medication that I have been taking since I underwent an
extreme form of chemotherapy. Iodoral has 12.5 mg per pill. A natural source of iodine is kelp. The Icelandic Kelp I sell has .225 mg per pill. Remember the earthquake in Japan awhile back? There was a shortage of Iodoral after the Japanese nuclear power plant leaked
radiation. Exposure to radiation can burn out your thyroid so taking Iodine supplements helps. We had to back order the Iodoral because of increased demand. To get the quivalent of two Iodoral from the Kelp supplement I sell, I would have to take 112 pills a day. That
experience was an eye opener to say the least!
Holiday ideas for your feet… Recently during a stretching session with massage therapist (and our tenant), Christine Edstrom, RMT, she noticed my feet were cramping up. She then
massaged the tight spots in my feet and loosened up the joints of my feet way beyond anything I’d ever experienced before. She said that her work can also help with symptoms of Morton’s toe, as well as other musculoskeletal foot issues. This particular treatment felt
like more of a stretching session than a massage to ‘rub’ out the sore spots. If you think you might benefit from either massage or stretching, please consider giving Christine a call at (630) 873-9621.
