What is the longest one syllable word in the English language?
Screeched.
What is the longest one syllable word in the English language?
Screeched.
Alzheimer’s Disease International estimates that over 135 million people around the world will suffer from dementia by the year 2050, and are concerned of a looming global epidemic. How can you ensure you are doing the best for your brain in the hopes of preventing dementia? The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada has a fantastic website that outlines the signs and symptoms of dementia, how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s, and how to keep your brain fit through regular brain exercise and a healthy diet.
We know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, however, it is also the most rushed. Smoothies have become the new fad in trying to get some quick but necessary nutrients in the morning. The following information from eatingwell.com provides numerous delicious, simple and fast smoothie recipes that are great for people on the run!
Eatingwell.com: Quick and Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Happy New Year! For many of us, this is when we take time to reflect on the previous year, and set Resolutions or Goals for the year ahead. However, significant research highlights that many people who set resolutions or goals for the year end up abandoning these before the end of January. Why does this happen and how can you ensure the positive changes you wish to make come to fruition? This article from the Huffington Post discusses why many often fail at achieving their New Years’ Resolutions and provides helpful tips on how to set reasonable and attainable goals.
The Huffington Post: This Is Why You Can Never Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
I just received my Costco Online catalogue. I was not surprised to see that the first 10 pages were dedicated to fitness equipment, health products, and weight loss supplements. Why? Because it is January – the time when many people make new commitments for the year. According to Web Pro News, weight loss is the most common resolution people make, but ironically this is also the one goal most will fail to achieve.
Weight loss as a goal makes sense – excessive weight is unhealthy and can make even regular tasks like walking, using stairs, and completing home tasks challenging. I remember when I was pregnant with my twins. I gained 50 pounds – all out front much like older men that seem to carry their excessive weight in their bellies. Towards the end of my pregnancy I remember feeling the extra weight when I tried to hike, carry my kids, or just get out of a chair or car. After I had my twins and essentially lost 40 pounds of baby and “stuff” in 8 minutes, I got up from the delivery table and said to my husband “I feel so svelte! Look, I can bend, twist, turn, I can breathe!” He laughed because I am sure my flabby baby belly still made me look like I was carrying something. Anyway, the point was – over 9 months of accumulating weight my body had adapted and I had forgotten what it was like to be thin again, including how much harder things are when you are carrying weight in places where weight does not belong.
Fortunately for me, I have always been athletic and have good genes (my goal is to always weigh less than my dad – I gave up on weighing less than my mom in Grade 7). But I also have a strong work ethic and even stronger willpower. Many years ago I committed to karate with the goal of getting my black belt by 35. Then, I picked up an Oxygen Magazine and committed to getting my body fat percentage to a level of elite athleticism. This required me to start “eating clean” and as such I no longer consume (99% of the time) refined sugar, white grains or carbs, or red meat. I only drink tea and water. Boring, I know. But the point is, I took 8 years to get to the point I am at and the small adjustments I made along the way have resulted in my success. Weight loss, or any resolution, is not going to happen overnight. Here are 10 tips to remember:
All the best in 2014 and may all your resolutions, goals, wishes (or whatever you call them) become your reality this year.
On the twelfth day of inspiration my OT gave to me:
Clara Hughes, a Canadian Olympic athlete in both the summer and winter games for cycling and speed skating. She set world records by becoming the first Olympic athlete to win medals at both the summer and winter games. Clara is an inspiration to the world not only for her athletic accomplishments, but as a spokesperson about depression issues from which she suffers. Hughes uses her struggles with depression to help others and to help combat fight the stigma involved with mental health. This year Clara began annual bike rides across the country in order to raise awareness about mental health.
On the eleventh day of inspiration my OT gave to me:
The heart-warming story of a father hearing his daughter sing for the first time. Because of an innovative new hearing device, Ken Stehle deaf for over 50 years, was finally able to hear his daughter Ashley’s beautiful singing voice during a special solo performance dedicated to him.
On the tenth day of inspiration my OT gave to me:
An amazing story of brotherly love; Conner and Cayden Long. Conner, age 9 wanted to bond with his seven year old brother Cayden who suffers from hypertonic cerebral palsy, a condition rendering him unable to speak or walk. Their brotherly bond was strengthened by competing in triathlons together as a team. Though they often finish last they share an amazing bond and were named Sports Illustrated “SportsKids of the Year” for 2012.
On the ninth day of inspiration my OT gave to me:
Michael Sirota. Michael is a decorated black belt (look through his bio) and is giving the gift of martial arts to people with disabilities through his inclusive martial arts program in Richmond BC. (http://www.sirotasalchymy.com/)
On the eighth day of inspiration my OT gave to me:
The Tutu project. The story of a loving husband supporting his wife through breast cancer treatment. Bob Carey started taking photos of himself in a pink tutu as a way to bring a smile to the face of his wife Linda while she was undergoing chemotherapy. What started small has grown into “The Tutu Project” and Bobs photos have helped thousands of women suffering from breast cancer find something to smile and laugh about. Bob Carey and his pink tutu are truly an inspiration across the world.