Everyday Hints

Amazing Plant Facts & Reasons to buy a Plant Today

According to a two-year study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert them into breathable air.

Within 24 hours, some plants can remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air.

Depending on the species, one plant can provide effective cleaning for every 100 square feet of space. For example, between 15 and 20 golden pothos and spider plants can refresh the air in an average 1,800 square-foot home.

Plants work equally well in homes, offices, and factories, as long as their requirements for sunlight, water, and soil are met.

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline can answer your food safety questions

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline can answer your food safety questions. This toll-free telephone service, which began July 1, 1985, helps prevent foodborne illness 
Call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at:

1-888-MPHotline
1-888-674-6854
Or send Email to:
mphotline.fsis@usda.gov

The Hotline is staffed by food safety specialists with backgrounds in home economics, nutrition, and food technology.

Reduce Fat Intake - Substitute Applesauce for Oil

You may substitute up to 50% applesauce or fruit puree in place of oil when you bake to reduce fat content

Pill Bottle Tips

If you have difficulty seeing the the little alignment arrows on your pill bottles and their lids, paint them with red nail polish or use a sharpie pen to mark the arrows.

Also, ask your pharmacist for a few extra non-child proof bottles to keep around the house for your non-prescription pills.

Tips on keeping your New Years Resolutions

Here are some tips and guidelines to keeping those New Years resolutions.

Plan ahead
Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives.

Outline your plan
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk.

Be realistic
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite food again because it bothers your IBD could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.

Make a "pro" and "con" list
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.

Talk about it
Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a friend who shares your New Year's resolution and motivate each other.

Reward yourself
This doesn't mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. If you've been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, perhaps your reward could be going to a movie with a friend.

Track your progress
Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, say, focus on losing that first 5. Keeping a food diary or a symptom journal may help you stay on track.

Don't beat yourself up
Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.

Stick to it
Experts say it takes about 30 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time.

Keep trying
If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's resolution" any time of year.

Source: Successco.com

Outsmart Your sweet Tooth

This year you’re determined to gracefully decline your mother-in-law’s pumpkin pie . . . and her chocolate meringue . . . and her pecan!  The trick -  Fill up on cherry tomatoes before dinner.  These veggies are alkaline, which means they shift the body’s pH from acidic toward neutral.  And since an overly acidic body yearns for sweets by the baker’s dozen, a tomato snack will help curb cravings.  So passing on dessert will be, well, as easy as pie!