What I Learned In 2012

For the past couple years now I have written a post sharing what I learned in the previous year and how it changed me or relates to how I will go forward in life. As I was thinking over the past year I realized it would be harder in 2012 than previously. So much has happened from major disappointments to shock, to joy. Trying to pick the biggest lesson from the year was difficult for me but I think I can sum it up to say that no matter what happens around you to stay strong and confident that the best is yet to come. Don't worry, I will spare you a lengthy melodrama or too many cheesy remarks. 
Hope is a powerful thing, always believe that your life can be improved. Whether it's your mental or physical health, happiness, or dealing with a tragedy, we must learn to take it in stride. Know yourself and process your emotions. Reach forward either by focusing on the future and what you're going to change or do, or reach out to others. No matter what is happening there is always someone going through something worse. There is always someone with less blessings, less family, less money, etc. All we have to do is remember the victims or Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy to understand this. 

We need to strive for peace, always. Whether it's local or abroad. A small or a large scale. Little things can make a big difference. No matter how chaotic things get in our lives, don't forget the big picture. It's worth working towards!
And lastly, I have learned to recognize those that are true friends. This past year, more than ever, I have appreciated those who stand with me and beside me. Those who have made me laugh in spite of tears, pray through the tears, and be to thankful through the tears. Those who have put me first when I needed it. Those who have read my blog hahaha even when there is nothing worth reading! Those who have tested my new recipes a.k.a. experiments. :) Those who I have spent so much time with and made so many memories with that I hope I never forget. Shows, concerts, dinners, movies, or just sitting and talking. 
I hope that everyone has at least one friend in their lives that they can list these things about, that they can count on. I know I have more than one and for that I am eternally grateful.
I am looking forward to an awesome 2013 and I truly wish you all the best that life has to offer!!
As always, thanks for reading and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 



And if you're really interested, here's look back at one of the last posts of 2010 and 2011:

2010 
2011

2012 ADA Walk for a Cure!

It's that time of year again!! I am so excited to have been a part of all the strides that have been made since I first became an advocate in 2010. THANK YOU to all those who have supported in the past by walking and/or donating!! I appreciate it so much! Every little bit helps in the fight! Raising awareness is so important! Not only is diabetes a life-altering disease, it is a life-threatening disease as well. Diabetes is more deadly than breast cancer and AIDS combined! That is huge! But we can ALL get involved in some way.

Please support me this year as I join others on September 23rd, 2012 to walk for a cure! All proceeds go to diabetes research. Thanks in advance for your help!


Click here to partner with me in the 2012 ADA Step Out: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=5227937&pg=personal&fr_id=8373&et=JQe_q0NkKXHzxoyn2seZJg

Until There's a Cure

Cancer treatment, statistics, and results from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America website:

http://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-statistics.cfm

This is a great site that answers questions directly and honestly, including the quality of life and speed at which each type of cancer will progress.

Learn more about cancer and find out about local cancer resources in your area by visiting the American Cancer Society's site:

http://www.cancer.org/

This is the Orlando Sentinel website and it offers a multitude of great articles covering statistics, latest news, and research on the prevention of cancer:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/sns-health-cancer-gallery,0,1493801.storygallery

The CafePress online gift shop is a great way to purchase cancer awareness items, including t-shirts, mugs, throws, posters, pins, stationary, and so much more!

http://shop.cafepress.com/cancer-awareness

2012 Alert Day

Today is the 24th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, this is held on the 4th Tuesday of every March! It is the day when every American is asked to take the diabetes risk test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. The reason for this is that people are often diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes years after it has settled into their system, it is a disease that you can be walking around with for a long time before you even realize it. Unfortunately, if that happens the major symptoms have already developed and harmed the body. It's a disease but it is treatable.

Please follow this link to take the online test now:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/

It is fast (only a few simple questions), easy, and free!

In America there are 26 million adults and children with Type 2 Diabetes. Don't wait for it to be too late.

New Year's Resolutions

Like many well-intentioned highly motivated and enthused new year resolutioners, I set a pretty lofty goal for myself at the start of 2012. Of course, like probably 95% of American women, I decided that this would be the year that I get rid of my "wobbly bits" (thank you Bridget Jones for making it OK to say that) and just live a healthier lifestyle. Not a big deal, I was going to achieve this by simply doing two things.
Nothing carbonated.
No fast food.
So, as I sit here on February 13th. The day before Valentine's Day. Debating whether or not to get back on Facebook and read a few more of the Anti-Love posts from depressed people and drinking my carbonated "Go Ape" energy drink. I am pleased with myself.
Although obviously I have not kept 100% to my goals I have, for the most part been keeping my resolution. Except for an occasional cup of chili from Wendy's and Polar Pop from Circle K or Red Bull, I've kept away. Granted, there will always be cravings, slip ups, and downright rebellions, all-in-all I think it's going to be a great year. By summer I plan to be off the sauce completely.
We'll see.

How Are You Doing With Your New Year's Resolution?
	Completely changed person, held to my goal 100%
	A few slip-ups but overall I've been doing well
	50%
	I've long let go of any hope of sticking to a resolution.
	I never make New Year's resolutions.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Health Care Reform Act's 3.8% Tax - Know Your Facts

"The PPACA creates a new Code Section 1411, which will generally impose a 3.8 percent tax on the lesser of "net investment income" or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a "threshold amount" (generally, $250,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return, $125,000 for married taxpayers filing a separate return and $200,000 in all other cases). Net investment income generally means the excess of (i) interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, income from passive activities, income from trading financial instruments and commodities, and gain from the disposition of certain non-business property, over (ii) allowable deductions properly allocable to such income. In determining the amount of net investment income, special rules apply with respect to dispositions of equity interests in certain partnerships and S corporations, and to distributions from certain qualified plans. This additional tax applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012"

A lot of people have been talking, emailing, and warning each other about this part of the health care reform bill that passed seemingly, unnoticed. Today, I was "informed" via email that this was a "ploy to steal billions from unsuspecting homeowners". It is commonly explained as a sales tax but that is not correct, the best way to describe it would be a tax on profit. Basically, if you sell your home for a profit of more than $250,000.00 you will be required to pay a tax of 3.8%. The amount is $500,000.00 for couples selling a home. In reality, only a small percentage of Americans will be affected by this. The question then is, do you think it is right to be penalized for making a high profit.
Personally, I know that this tax will never apply to me however, I am able to look past myself and do believe that it is wrong. Based on the idea that no one should have to owe the government for making a large profit on their $400,000.00 home. However, this is not a perfect world and America is in a financial crisis. I do believe that compromises have to be made for sure and yes, certainly it is easy to say that those in the upper class should pay more than anyone else simply because, they can. Last time I checked though, they already do. So how far are we as a people willing to let that go? This was not something that was "snuck in", the America people have not had the "wool pulled over their eyes" by President Obama, this was open to the public and could have been discovered and researched by all. The problem is, no one thinks of that. No one cares until they are unhappy with something that effects them and then they decide to depict and study things. If even then, most of the time people never research things on their own, they simply hear about it from one of their friends and react how they are told based on the half-facts they were given. I'm sure we have all been guilty of that at one time or another, myself included.
I believe the majority of America needs to wake up and stop complaining about things after the fact. Actually research a candidate, bill, or issue for yourself before forming an opinion or making a decision, or God forbid, voting.
These are confusing times and we can't make decisions based on what we have been taught or what sounds good on the surface.


Learn about the Health Care Reform Bill:

http://www.healthreform.gov/index1.html

http://www.healthcare.gov/

Read the President's budget for the 2012 fiscal year:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/

"Top 10 Pros and Cons" of the Health Care Reform Bill:

http://healthcarereform.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=003725

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

http://ppaca.com/


Quote taken from the "Boulder Real Estate Blog" (http://www.boulder-buzz.com/health-care-bill-and-real-estate-tax/). Sources include Eons.com, (http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/2208705-REal-Estate-Sales-Tax?page=1), CNNMoney.com, (http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/22/news/economy/medicare_tax_increase/index.htm), sorry FOX fans... and, Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=IP:US&sid=a70ouHuhCn5Y).

2012 - Year of the Dragon

Everyone around me knows that I have been PUMPED for 2012! Super excited and ready for a great year, I am over 2011!
Usually I check up on the new year Chinese horoscope. It started a couple years ago at work as a joke that we would all see what each year had "in store" for us and then it stuck! Well, this year I should have skipped the quirky tradition.
There are four areas that you can read a prediction on:

Career
Love
Money
Health
The first three were so-so, no big promises or gleams of optimism. Rather bleak in fact. Mostly they just said to play it safe, not take chances, and "follow the guidance of the Dragon" blah, blah, blah...
Then I got to the last category.

"Health: There is an Unlucky Star showing in health area. That's a sign of injury. Therefore, Horse people need to pay attention the safety at work, to drive carefully on the road and to avoid conflict with strangers. Also, if Horse people have physical fights with others or do dangerous sports (like mountain climbing, car racing, diving, ski or even riskier activities), it might cause a bloody injury. Some fortunetellers suggest that doing a blood donation or teeth cleaning will help people escape accidents or injuries. Also, Horse people shouldn't ignore their health in 2012. Otherwise, a hospital door is opening for you."

So..I guess I'll be staying home in 2012.

TP the Seat!!

Some call it, "nesting".
Some call it, "paranoid".
Some call it, "unnecessary" and "silly", but for me, it is not even a question.

Some people only toilet paper the seat when at a rest stop or a port-a-potty so they don't understand why I do it all the time, even at work or in a restaurant, "Don't you know they clean it??" Um, yes. I do, (although the standard of "clean" is sometimes questionable depending on where you are...), I just have a problem putting my butt where someone else just had theirs.

I guess I'm just weird like that.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month!

Follow the link below to see how you can turn your Facebook page purple on Sept 21st to help raise awareness!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fwam&h=9AQDgxnQvAQDOBNBPBTQgjThc2pqYpTyjPxHtgLhq7oaMOw

Join the tee shirt design challenge by going to the site below!

http://atrium.threadless.com/wam/

Alzheimer's -

5.4 = the millions of people who have Alzheimer's.
183 = the billions of dollars in annual costs.
6th = the rank of Alzheimer's in leading causes of death.
14.9 = the millions of unpaid caregivers.

Every little bit helps! Click the link below to donate or join a walk near you!

http://alz.org/index.asp

2011 A.D.A. Walk

The 2011 diabetes walk will be held at Hudson Springs Park on September 10th! Click the link below to register for the walk or help sponsor me or another participant that day!

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/ClevelandArea?px=5227937&pg=personal&fr_id=7847

The IOCDF:

The link below is for the International O.C.D. Foundation. Founded in 1986 with a goal to help people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as well as their families. They are a non-profit organization and not only are they designed to help those with O.C.D. but also related disorders.

That is why I am writing about them, they are set up to help those with Asperger's Disorder and Autism, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Psychotic Disorders/Schizophrenia, as well as Tourette Syndrome. This is an organization truly helping many!

http://www.ocfoundation.org/

Recently they held their 18th annual conference that per the website, "Gives people with OCD, their families, researchers and treatment providers the chance to share their personal experiences and learn beside one another during more than 100 presentations."
They also address the topic of Behavior Therapy Training, (http://www.ocfoundation.org/BTTI.aspx), and the shortage of therapists trained in the behavioral treatment of OCD.

About Reformers Unanimous

Previously on my blog I have written about A.A. and gave other links to support groups for all types of things so it is only appropriate that I would share this one as well! A lot of churches have started this ministry, (including the one that Brandon's family goes to in Streetsboro, OH!), as an outreach program and I know more and more people who have benefited from it and have found the strength and help to turn their lives around. There are other great programs and support groups out there but the difference with RU is that it is a FAITH based program.
According to their website, "Reformers Unanimous is a revolutionary addiction recovery program developed from over a decade of experience working with hundreds of thousands of addicts through local churches. Renowned addiction experts Steve Curington, and Dr. Paul Kingsbury have produced a program that uses a unique spiritual approach to develop lifelong sobriety. If you have tried everything else, and are looking for something that "just works" then this program is for you."
It is so encouraging that such a great program has grown so much and helped so many, "What had started as a humble, Friday night Bible study with 4 regular attendees quickly exploded into meetings with more than 300 people from throughout the community. As word spread, other churches began to inquire about this ministry at North Love Baptist Church. The National Ministry of RU was quickly launched, and shortly after that, the International Ministry was born. Today, there are more than 680 chapters throughout the nation and 12 foreign countries. In these chapters, the curriculum developed by Steve Curington and the Reformers Unanimous Staff is used to great effect. Reformers Unanimous boasts an 82% success rate among the graduates of its discipleship course. The program has proven to be so effective for one very important reason—it takes people from lives of addiction and places them into God’s intended support group, the local church. Here the addict becomes firmly fixed in the ways of a healthy and godly lifestyle and forsakes his former ways for the abundant Christian life that proves to be so much more rewarding. This method is as close to infallible as possible because it is 100% Bible-based. It follows the doctrine that Jesus Christ is the only 'Way, Truth, and Life.' "

I have included the link below! I really want to get the word out on this program since I know it has helped so many. Whatever addiction has a hold of your life RU may be able to help you through it! Another great thing about RU is that the family members are welcome at all the meetings.
Also from the RU site, here are a some signs of addiction:
"The addict will, as already mentioned, often make your life miserable. They are self-centered and extremely manipulative. They lie without even thinking about it. They even, at times, believe the lies they are telling you. Addicts can often be suspicious and paranoid. They can, on occasion, hallucinate and believe that their hallucinations are reality. They accuse people of conspiring against them. They accuse their spouse of unfaithfulness. This is all done in an attempt to deflect attention from them and their issue. They deny the obvious. They do not show up for work, and then they get angry and blame the boss when they are fired. They steal from their family, and when they are confronted about the issue they get offended. They say one thing and do another. They contradict themselves in word and action. When the truth comes out, and they are confronted with it, they become angry and blame others for what transpired. While they are actively on the drug they feel that they are invincible and that they will never get caught. If they have children, they inevitably end up neglecting them or even abusing them. You see, the addict is caught up in his own little world, and he becomes incapable of caring about anything but his drug."

http://www.reformu.com/

Coming Our Way!

Get ready! Recent headline from the Denver Post:

"Health Plans' Tab to Soar."

Stats from the story (premium increases from employers to cover additional health care costs):

60% - Increase employee premium for family coverage.
57% - Increase employee premium for individual coverage.
50% - Increase deductibles.
29% - Increase employee maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

Be prepared now for more of your income going to copays and out-of-pockets.

Check out some of the sites below:

The Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/
From a Pharmacist's Viewpoint: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/10/prweb4714094.htm
Tracking Healthcare Reform (the Washington Post):
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/
Opposing Views:
http://www.opposingviews.com/tags/health-care-reform
"Good Health Care Reform Means Less Government":
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/good-health-care-reform-means-less-government
"The Politics of Reform" - Washington Post Poll:
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=7910801&page=1
Articles on Health Care Reform:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/topics/healthcarereform.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/health_care_reform.html
http://www.healthcarereform.com/healthcarereformarticles/
Los Angeles Times - Articles About Healthcare Reform:
http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/health-care-reform
Debate & Research:
http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Topics/HealthCareReform/
Top 10 Facts to Know About Health Care Reform:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/mar/18/top-10-facts-know-about-health-care-reform/

The above links are for articles from both sides of the issue.
As well as not wanting to be completely biased towards one side.. :p
I believe that knowledge is power and regardless of your stance, you should be aware of the opposing side and why you beleive as you do.

If anyone knows of any other great or helpful sites - please let me know!

Why I Like Morning Workouts...

People always tell you that after a workout they feel "refreshed", "youthful", & "empowered" .

FYI: They Lie.

In truth, you feel "exhausted", "old", & "very out-of-shape"

That's just if I could put it into my own words based on my own experience...
HOWEVER - there is no feeling better than at the end of the day, knowing that even if you did nothing else... you went to the gym.

You got up, got dressed, drove somewhere, and you were sweating. These all add up to one great accomplishment: DISCIPLINE.

I find the hardest part is getting out of bed. Getting dressed. and leaving my house while the rest of the world is sleeping.

After that: it's all down-hill.

That burst of energy you get when you arrive back at home, bright-faced and ready for whatever work challenges come your way, makes it all worth it. You may feel sluggish, run-down, and down-right disgusting from the amount of sweat you are releasing while during the work-out, it's the AFTER feelings that make it worth it.

So later, when you're at work and people come in complaining about their lack of sleep b/c they stayed up till four playing solitaire, "farmville", "yoville" or any other kind of "ville" on the computer or b/c they had to leave early to get gas, breakfast, or a coffee fix on their way to work - you can smile b/c you've been up for hours already & actually accomplished something. Its like you have a head start on the day!

When you get home after work you can relax guiltless b/c you showed your true commitment to being healthy. (or for getting rid of the extra weight from that box of doughnuts you ate last week) ...(or *cough* loaf of bread if you're me...)

Nothing beats it. It clears your head, helps you gather your thoughts, lets you get a game-plan for the day, and best of all - you're not battling the teeny-boppers for a treadmill after work...

Also, I find it a fantastic release.

;)

Simple Ways to Prevent H1N1

These are from Dr. Vinay Goyal a MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist & Thyroid Specialist) with clinical experience of over 20 years. For those who did not get these via email, please read! Some are no-brainers (vitamin C and hand washing) but I didn't think of cleaning out my nose! ;D

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

With the weather changing here in Ohio it is esp. important that we do these! Wishing everyone a happy and HEALTHY fall!! :)

A.D.A. Website

What's going on at work...
September 12th I will be walking in the 2009 Step Out Diabetes Walk held by the American Diabetes Association (A.D.A.)
Diabetes is a growing disease in America and we still don't know what exactly causes it! (although genetics and environment seem to play a part)
Just wanted to share the link for the website! If you have or know someone who has diabetes it is full of great resources! Also gives information for people who may have diabetes in the future due to their family history!

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geusASCqBKoQYAAtlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEybmUzb29vBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y5NDVfNzM-/SIG=11c623cr4/EXP=1252088722/**http%3a//www.diabetes.org/


The walk is held rain or shine so let's hope for the sun to be out!!! ;p