Learn to Read Medication Boxes, Part 2

So let's begin on this journey again. Last time we discussed something important, changing our mindset when it comes to medicine purchases. We need to think in terms of buying an ingredient instead of buying a name. Today we are going to start looking at boxes.  Most times, over-the-counter (OTC) boxes have a few sides that are dedicated to cramming as much information into the space as possible.  Or, it seems that way at least.

If you have a brand name box, on the front of the package you'll see its brand name. In this instance, we see the name Advil®. Notice that below the name Advil® is the active ingredient, ibuprofen. That active ingredient is what is responsible for helping reduce fever and inflammation. If you rotate the box, you will also find the name of the active ingredient at the beginning of the Drug Facts section. As you will see further below, the ingredient in not Advil®, rather, the ingredient again is ibuprofen.

This is not an endorsement of a particular store brand.

Now I know there's a lot of tiny print in the Drug Facts section. It can be overwhelming to look at. However, there's a lot of important information found here. Don't worry, we'll go through it slowly together. The different sections found in the Drug Facts section are:

 

-Active Ingredient

-Uses

-Warnings

-Directions

-Other Information

-Inactive Ingredients

So let's take a closer look at the Active Ingredient portion.  It starts out saying "Active Ingredient (in each caplet)." Just that little amount of information already tells me something. It gives me a dose amount/serving-size - 1 caplet. Let's go a bit further. Next is says "Ibuprofen 200mg (NSAID)" Therefore, when you ingest 1 caplet, you have just taken 200mg of ibuprofen.

Notice how after the (NSAID)* there is a *. This * means that the manufacturer has something extra to say, like a definition, about that sentence or word. We need to find another * on the box to see what it means. As it happens, the next line says *nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. We found the second *! Therefore, that * after (NSAID)* is saying that NSAID stands for *NonSteroidalAnti-Inflammatory Drug.

Let's look at a another example of this on the front of the box. After "100 Coated Caplets" there is another *. That star means we have more information somewhere on the box about what a caplet is. Very conveniently, it happens to have the matching single star right below it saying Capsule-Shaped Tablets. It's a definition saying what a "Caplet" is. Let's say the box said 100 Coated Caplets***. See how there's three stars? Well, then you'd look somewhere on the box for *** to see what additional information the company is trying to relay.

There's one other piece of information that the Active Ingredient section will give - the purpose of the ingredient. In the example above, the purpose next to ibuprofen is pain reliever/fever reducer. In other words, it is telling you what the ingredient does. 

Whew! That was a lot of information in such a tiny space!  Great job keeping up though. These steps will make you an informed consumer, something that I think is very important. Know what you are putting into your body and what it will do for you. Next time, we'll examine more areas of the box.

Questions?  Leave a comment below if anything is unclear so far. 

Got Darts? Protect Your Wall.

We'll revisit medicine boxes later next week...

It seems that whenever the hubby leaves town on business, I get so many more projects done than normal (love you babe!).  You see, after his long hour and a half commute home, most times we just want to have dinner, "chillax," and catch each other up on our day.  So with all the time in the world on my day off, I set to work.

I am dangerous with darts in hand.  Dangerously bad.  

My walls fear me because they have no idea where my inconsistent aim will go.  Drywall or wood-trim?  All are fair game in this struggle to hit the mark.  For this reason, I've been meaning to nail up an extra layer of wood or drywall so I won't keep damaging the existing surface.  I have to say, it turned out pretty well too.  My goal was to go to Home Depot and not spend too much for this job.  We're trying to stick to a tight budget for the next few months, so every dollar counts.  After all was said and done, I didn't spend a dime doing this fix!  I had all the materials I needed lurking out in the garage.

When we bought our home, the former owners left behind a large sheet of drywall.  For over a year it has been sitting in a garage corner.  Little did I know that it was waiting there to be drug out and put to use.  My first task was to learn how to cut drywall.  It was really easy too.  All I needed was a box cutter, tape measure, and long yard stick (broom did well in my case).  Then, for the rest of the job I used nails, spackle, fine grain sander, and paint.

1.Mark needed measurement on one side of drywall.  Score drywall with boxcutter using a yard stick (broom in my case) as a guide.

2.Place object underneath drywall.

3.Gently bend along scored line.

4.Cut other side of paper surface.  Tah dah! You just cut drywall!

5.Nail drywall to surface.  Make sure you locate the wall studs so your nails grab onto more to carry the weight of a heavier dart board.  Spackle nail holes and sides of drywall that were cut.  Allow to dry.  Lightly sand.

6. Paint.

7.Hang dart board and have fun!

Before I hung this dart board, we had a cheap board from x-mart on the wall.  The darts were very light and flew everywhere.  After using my fabulous Discover Rewards to purchase a nicer board, I noticed that heavier, metal darts are the way to go.  They remain true to your aim so much better.  If I'd have switched to the new darts earlier, I probably would have saved my walls a few holes.  However, now my walls are prepared for any throw that may come their way.

Learn to Read Medication Boxes, Part 1

I kept debating about what my next post should be about.  What I finally decided on surrounds a topic that I run into on a daily basis....how to read a medication box.  I want to begin to teach you something important.  When you walk into the pharmacy and ask for Tylenol®, what you are buying is a name brand.  What I want you to start thinking about, rather, is buying an ingredient.  

There are only a select number of prescription medications that require consistency when sticking to a brand or generic product - thyroid supplementation, seizure, and some heart medications to name a few.  Buying a generic medication is not like buying off-brand Oreo's, where you don't know what quality you are going to get.  

Why should I trust generic medications?  Well, straight from the FDA website, "To gain FDA approval, a generic drug must:

·         Contain the same active ingredients as the innovator drug (inactive ingredients may vary)
·         Be identical in strength, dosage form, and route of administration
·         Have the same use indications
·         Be bioequivalent
·         Meet the same batch requirements for identity, strength, purity, and quality
·         Be manufactured under the same strict standards of FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations required for innovator products.*"

Bioequivalent means that a generic drug is identical to a brand name drug “in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use.*”

For example, ibuprofen is an active ingredient used for inflammation, pain, and fever.  It has multiple brand names like Advil® and Motrin®.  In my medicine cabinet, I have plain old ibuprofen, no fancy name brands.  I know that when I buy any ibuprofen over-the-counter, it's going to contain the same amount of active ingredient and work the same way as the ibuprofen in the Advil and Motrin.  Why? Because ibuprofen is ibuprofen is ibuprofen...it's the same ingredient no matter how you package it.  Some companies may give an ingredient a cool name and put it in a box with pretty colors, but if the ingredient is the same as a store-brand version, why pay more for something that works just as well?

This is not an endorsement of a particular store brand.  It simply happens to be the  bottle of ibuprofen I currently have in my medicine cabinet.

Why then does my doctor recommend a brand name over-the-counter medication at my office visit?  Well, name brands are easy to remember.  Companies have done a lot of marketing research beforehand on what names stick in people's minds.  It's a lot easier for a doctor to recommend a name like Allegra® (uh-lay-gruh) than have to train patients how to ask for its generic fexofenadine (fex-oh-fen-uh-deen) in the pharmacy.  Allegra® is a whole lot easier to spell on a piece of paper too :)  If you have a name brand medicine in your cabinet, take out the box and look at it.  Somewhere next to or below the title will be smaller print saying what the active ingredient is, or it should say that at least.  So, below the word Allegra, you'll find the word fexofenadine, the active ingredient.  Once you locate what the active ingredient is, you can compare store-brand boxes around it to find a comparable generic version.

I find it easier for patients to remember what I'm saying if I don't overwhelm them with too much information.  So, I'm going to keep these lessons short so you can absorb the information as it comes.  The one main point to take away from today's lesson is:

Generic medications will work just as well as brand name medications.  The FDA requires it.

*Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers. FDA website. 11 October 2012.  http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/questionsanswers/ucm100100.htm

Basic H2: Cheaper Than Vinegar Water

One of my primary instincts is to ask, "How much is it going to cost me?"  With my detail-oriented tendencies, balancing the budget for our home comes naturally.  In an effort to manage our income wisely, I'm always looking for ways to save a dime or dollar.  I used to think I was being super thrifty and all- natural by using a spray bottle of vinegar mixed with water.  But lo and behold, I’ve found an even better deal than Grandma’s vinegar cleaner  - Shaklee's Basic H2®.

No longer do I have to worry about clipping coupons for window or all-purpose cleaners.  My supplies are so cost effective that it'd be silly to think otherwise.  In addition to being easy on my wallet, I can rest assured that Basic H2 is totally natural and perfect for homes with children and pets.  Like most cleaning solutions that give off strong fumes that can affect the respiratory system, Basic H2 is fume free and pharmacist approved from yours truly :)

So you want the proof?  I’m happy to give it.  Let’s compare the cost savings of a few cleaning brands. 

Comparison of All-Purpose Cleaners

That’s right, the Basic H2® cleaning concentrate makes 384 bottles of all-purpose cleaner!  If I wanted to purchase the same amount of vinegar to make the same amount of all-purpose cleaner, I’d have to spend almost $40.  What’s even crazier is that if I wanted to buy enough 409 All Purpose Cleaner, I’d have to spend near $708!

According to the product bulletin, “many all-purpose cleaners may contain toxins that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Synthetic solvents may cause hormone disruptions. Organic solvents such as butyl cellosolve are neurotoxins and nasal irritants. Another toxin, morpholine, can cause liver or kidney damage. Glass cleaners contain ammonia,a poison that can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory system.”  Basic H2 contains none of these.

As showcased on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Shaklee’s Get Clean product line offers powerfully clean alternatives without harmful toxins and fumes.  It is a natural and nontoxic dirt fighting cleaner.  

It was even a part of Oprah’s “favorite things.”

So, in addition to the cost of the cleaning products you buy, have you ever put thought into what chemicals you are bringing into your household?  Especially if you have young children, please consider the fumes that commercial cleaners create within the home.  Please, consider making your household a cleaner and safer place to live.  

You can order here.

Product Brief. 17 September 2012. http://member.myshaklee.com.
White Vinegar and 409 Prices, accessed 17 September 2012. shop.mywebgrocer.com/shop. 

Using Vinegar as an All Purpose Cleaner. www.cleaningwithvinegar.com

Take Just A Moment

Earlier this summer, I made a goal for myself.  That goal was to "become bolder."  What I failed to do though, was decide what that meant or would look like.  Some of my girlfriends asked me at the end of the summer if I had reached my goal.  Because of my lack of planning, it was hard for me to answer.  I love to plan and organize, but for some reason I chose to change something about myself without allowing for further direction.  I made a statement.  I thought of a change I wanted to make.  I did not truly set a goal though.  I did not define the goal.

By nature I'm an introvert.  Being a "people person" is not my forte.  Actively getting to know other individuals has been a lifelong lesson with skills that I am constantly trying to sharpen.  I am curious about many things but cautious to give details about myself.  Maybe that's why I want to be "bolder"....to allow others to see what I truly care about.  

So why did I fail to plan ?  Good question.  I plan for trips and I see the result of the trip...fabulous restaurants, interesting activities, and amazing memories.  Our most recent trip was to go to NYC.  If you've never been, it's at least a once-in-your lifetime must-do trip!  I need to change my mindset though.  Working in a retail pharmacy, there's so many "things" you have to do, calls to make, prescriptions to follow-up on, that it becomes very easy to never focus on one task for too long.  This repetitious action of jumping from one topic to another creates the five blog entries I've started but never finished.

In a way, this blog is a constant exercise.  It forces me to sit and think and write.  Researching answers to health questions allows me to revisit old topics.  A New Leaf on Life is a way for me to realize what I love and care about most so that I can put myself out there and become bolder.  My mom's life story circles around "finding your passion and doing everything you can to realize your goals".  By typing each post, I am discovering what I care about and what intrigues me.  

This blog is my goal.  Through it I am becoming bolder, no longer as afraid to show others who I am.  I can learn.  I can teach.  I can do.  

Take a moment for yourself to just think.  When is the last time you made a goal for yourself?  Was it that New Year's resolution nine months ago?  You can make changes any day of the year!  If you do make a goal though, envision what that means, and plan for the change.  Remember, every day is a chance to turn a new leaf  :)

Ice Cream vs. Frozen Dairy Dessert

I love ice cream.  If I had to make my own sunday it would be many things chocolate and caramel.  I'm a lover of Cold Stone's Germanchokolatekake concoction in a delicious waffle cone that tempts me the moment I come within smelling distance.  However, there's a new treat in my life that I almost gravitate to more (notice almost).  Frozen yogurt shops.  I love the frozen yogurt shops where you choose all your toppings, as many that can fit on your cup.  The tangy "original" or strawberry or chocolate flavors topped with fresh berries and granola leave my sweet tooth satisfied and my waist line a little more relieved.  So good!

Well, onto the topic of today's discussion though.  What does your so-called ice cream container say?  Is it labeled ice cream? Light ice cream?  Frozen dairy dessert?  What's frozen dairy dessert though?  Well, it's a dairy product where "there is not enough cream in the product to allow the manufacturer to label the product as ice cream." (Tracy)  I searched to find the legal definition of "frozen dairy dessert" within the Code of Federal Regulations but came up with only definitions of ice cream.  If anyone can help me sort through the legal jargon and find the definitions within our federal regulations I'd appreciate it.  

Legal Definition of Ice Cream

Nova Scotia Definition of Frozen Dairy Dessert

Someone close to me, let's call her Tracy, has worked in the food ingredient/preservatives business for many years.  "Food ingredients and preservatives are necessary for food safety and wellness.  They inhibit the growth of microorganisms and bacteria that would be harmful to humans should they remain unchecked in food.   It is when food ingredients and preservatives are used to manipulate the food for the purpose of cost savings and marketing where I start to alter my purchasing habits."

 I remember at a family birthday party she told me that the only ice cream she'll eat is the kind that completely melts into a puddle.  "The cheaper the ice cream, the more likely it is to contain stabilizers that hold the ice cream’s shape even as it thaws, to have fillers that provide aeration, products that allow them to reduce the cream levels which gives a cost savings, and then products to counteract the reduction in cream by providing a creamy mouth feel."  Creamy mouth feel you say?  Is that what I'm purchasing?  Enough cream in the container to resemble ice cream but additional ingredients to make my taste buds feel like there's creaminess?  That idea makes me feel a little cheated.

My task at hand: to see how ice cream melts.

Now, before I go any further, let me say something upfront.  I am not advocating that any of the ingredients to be mentioned in the studied desserts are harmful to one's health.  I am not an expert on food safety, preservatives, and other ingredients found in "ice cream."  All we will see are my observations and opinions over the melting of various ice cream versions.  So, let's see how ice creams melts then.

I went to the store and grabbed an all-natural Harris Teeter container, a "light ice cream" Edy's container, and "frozen dairy dessert" from Breyer's.  Yes, I just said Breyer's!  I thought of all ice cream brands, Breyer's was the staple of all things natural dairy....so wrong, so disappointed....

I took 4 scoops out of each container and placed them on a plate to melt.  Breyer's is left, Edy's is center, and Harris Teeter is on the right.  After about an hour and a half, the scoops had melted and I proceeded to take a video.  Please excuse my first attempt at making a video.  It's not my forte :)

If you have an ice cream container marked "frozen dairy dessert," I dare you to leave it out overnight and see if you like what you see in the morning.  I left out my container before tossing it.  A friend came over before I could throw it out and she wasn't too thrilled either after seeing what was left.

After searching my nearby grocery stores, I know that Food Lion and Harris Teeter both contain store-brand ice cream flavors that are all-natural.  I can read all the ingredients and feel good about what I'm buying.  It may cost a dollar more, but if you look for sales sometimes you can find even better deals than buying "brand names."  For example, a few weeks ago Harris Teeter ran a "Buy 2, Get 3 Free" deal.  Let's just say I stocked up.

Happy ice cream eating!


Extra Creamy Chocolate Nutrtition Facts.  6 September 2012. http://www.breyers.com/product/detail/113847/extra-creamy-chocolate
Slow Churned Chocolate. Nurtional Information. 6 September 2012. http://www.edys.com/SlowChurned/Flavor/2312
Southern Milk Chocolate. Ingredients on Container. 6 September 2012.

Zippity Zip Ties

I've discovered an amazing home fix-it tool....zip ties.  All kinds of colors and sizes available with endless possibilities of uses.  I was in search of a way to fix my tomato plants.  The branches were becoming so top heavy that they were starting to topple over!  However, once I fixed my plants, I found so many more ways to use them.  I even fixed two sets of curtain blinds!  So let's take a look at just a few ways to use these fabulous bits of plastic.

My tomato plant branches can now hold the weight of the tomatoes that are growing.

Our doggie door on the screen door was hanging on by a thread.  Now it's repaired and ready for paws to run through it.

This is the first set of blinds that was repaired.  Looks normal right?  The top left hand corner of blinds were slanting down because the threading broke.  See pictures below of how the second set of curtains was repaired.

O-H-I-O

We have our flag flying high for football season.  Yes, I know it's backwards from this view.

Ok, so how exactly was I able to fix my blinds.  I'll do a step-by-step account of how to do it.  If you ever have this problem, spend $2 at Home Depot instead of a whole lot more buying new ones like I almost did. (I apologize in advance for the slightly dark photos)  Here's how it goes...                     

                                                         Before                                               

                                     

So there is a thread that loops inside the box at the top of blinds, held together by a metal piece.  Well, the metal piece snapped and the threat broke in two.  I placed one zip tie on each thread end and tightened it to create a little knot.

   

 

 

After each of the ends had a zip tie attached, both ends were threaded up through the holes in the box (or whatever houses the "nuts and bolts" of the blinds.  There is an opening on the top side of the box too, so the zip ties can be guided up through it.  Pull both strands tight enough so that the blinds are level again.  Then, loop a third zip tie around each of the knots. Tighten, snip the excess ends off, and voilà!  Now your curtains are back to normal.  The best part is you saved yourself a ton of time and money and no one would know the difference.  Hooray for learning to be a handy wife at home!
    
    

After all is said and done, you have a repaired curtain that looks like nothing ever happened.

                                   
             

Glucosamine But Hold the Chondroitin, Please.

"Well, I've been having this pain in my knees for a while, especially when I run.  What can I take to make my joints feel better?"

This is a very, very common question that comes my way.  What a'do about joint pain.  It can affect more than just knees as well - hips, elbows, any joint that is worked consistently.  My Love was unlucky enough to tear every ligament and tendon in his knee freshman year of college.  Years later, he still feels the pain when he plays basketball.  He takes a glucosamine supplement.  

Now, there is conflicting evidence saying whether or not glucosamine supplements are truly beneficial.  However, it has shown to be safe.  So, if it's safe to take, why not try it?  Before we go any further though, let's decipher all these ingredients you might see mentioned in joint health supplements.  

Glucosamine:  Building block for proteoglycans for synthesis of cartilage and synovial fluid.    

Chondroitin:  Found in joint cartilage and synovial fluid.  It is like big cinder blocks used to build a house.   

HLA:  Also known as hyaluronic Acid.  It is found in the synovial joint fluid.

MSM: Also known as methyl sulfonyl methane.  It acts as a source of sulfate to help build cartilage.

5-Loxin:  Extract of Boswellia serrata thought to affect an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a precursor of inflammatory processes.  ****Note that not all Boswellia extracts are the same as this marketed extract.  

Whew!  Now we know what's in all these different products like Osteo Bi-Flex®, Schiff® Move Free, Nature Made® Tripple Flex.  But, I mentioned to "hold the chondroitin."  Why is that?  Well, it's been shown that chondroitin may affect the absorption of glucosamine.  If I was going to chose a glucosamine product, I'd try to look for one without the chondroitin then.

Now, as you'll get to know me, I like to try to make healthier choices for my family by using natural products (when possible).  When it comes to joints, there actually is a product that's preservative-free and chondroitin-free. It contains a special Boswellia extract for better absorption...Shaklee's New Advanced Joint Health Complex.  It's also shellfish-free, completely vegetarian friendly, and has been shown to out-do its competition.

So, I hope you've learned a little something reading this.  At least next time you walk through a grocery store or pharmacy you'll know a little more about what's on those boxes.  After all, the best way to a healthier self is a better informed self.

New Advanced Joint Health Complex found here.

*Baker, et al. Analgesic control and functional outcome after knee arthroscopy: results of a randomized double-blinded trial comparing a hyaluronic acid supplement with bupivacaine. Clin J Sport Med. 2012 Mar;22(2):109-15.

*Cohen, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of a topical cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and camphor for osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol. 2003 Mar;30(3):523-8.
*Lee, et al. Effect of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate on the osteoarthritis progression: a meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2010 Jan;30(3):357-63. Epub 2009 Jun 21.

*Messier, et al. Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Nov;15(11):1256-66. Epub 2007 Jun 11.

*"MSM." 2 August 2012. http://www.msmguide.com/

*Nguyen, et al. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of the effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride on temporomandibular joint disorders: a pilot study. Cranio. 2001 Apr;19(2):130-9.

*"Origin - Boswellia Serrata."  2 August 2012. http://5-loxin.com/?page=origin

*Product Bulletin. New Advanced Joint Health Complex.  Shaklee Corporation. http://www.shaklee.net/pws/library/products/20281_jointhealthbulletin.pdf

*Sawitzke, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 Aug;69(8):1459-64. Epub 2010 Jun 4.

A Dying Wish to Bless Another

Every now and then, we all need a little uplifting.  Work and life and responsibilities get in the way.  We get stressed and discouraged and lose sight of a bigger picture.  I'm blessed in so many ways to have an amazing  husband, family, and friends to encourage me when I feel like I'm losing my grip, to strengthen me when I'm weak, and to heal me when I break.  Strangers can even have just as much of an impact with a single act of kindness.  It can be a nice word or action...something tying us together in a moment of selflessness that touches both our lives and lifts our spirits more than we think possible.

Some of you may have heard this story already.  I'm a listener of The Kane Show here in DC and heard this on my way to work one morning.  As a former waitress it particularly touched me because I remember how special it was to receive a large tip from a customer out of blue.  In this case, one family's tragedy became a blessing that will keep on giving.  Earlier this month, a young man named Aaron Collins passed away.  His dying wish in his will was to have his family enjoy pizza and tip their waitress $500.  What an amazing person he must have been...

And the second person to be blessed...

After spending a couple months on an oncology (cancer) rotation for school at Walter Reed, I promised myself that whenever I thought life was getting too hard, to remember those soldiers fighting to live each day.  Lately, I've forgotten that.  I've forgotten that my challenges are small in comparison to others.  What I face will only make me stronger.  I have my health and the love of others to get me through each day.  What I need to remember though, is that as long as I am alive, there is always time to bless someone whether I know them or not.  

*The family of Aaron Collins have created a website and are collecting donations.  As long as they continue to receive funds, they will continue to give to others.  For details visit aaroncollins.org

Melatonin, Magnesium, and Sleep

Sleep.  Sometimes a good night's sleep is the best thing in the world.  But what happens when you constantly suffer from tossing and turning?  Well, how old is your mattress?  My Love and I splurged and upgraded our mattress a few years ago to a Tempur-pedic.  Best. Decision. Ever.

Today, my thoughts on sleep are a little different.  This was inspired by a question from my uncle.  Normally I wouldn't broadcast my health question answers to the public, but whoever reads this blog will soon become something similar to family.  I suppose some individuals will become something akin to a web-family.  Please know that anything health-related has been researched before-hand, but is not inclusive of all research available.  There would simply be too much to fit into a short blog if everything about a topic was covered.  I will do the best I can to attach sources to assist you in personal research if the subject catches your attention.

Okay, so onto the subject of sleep again. My uncle recently heard on a radio talk show that taking magnesium along with melatonin helps you sleep better at night.  Now, melatonin is a chemical that naturally occurs in the brain to regulate our sleep cycles.  I generally recommend it for individuals who expect a lot of jet lag while traveling or if someone has insomnia (problems falling asleep).  The new part to this equation is magnesium.

There was a study published in January 2011 that has sparked a lot of conversation around taking magnesium with melatonin to assist individuals with sleep.  The study seen here took place in a long-term care facility in Italy.  There were two groups; one group received 5mg melatonin, 225mg magnesium, and 11.25mg zinc an hour before bedtime, and the other group received a placebo.  The results of the study showed "statistically significant" differences between the two groups.  In the science community that means there was measurable and meaningful difference between the results of both groups.  The group that took the magnesium, melatonin, and zinc had an easier time falling asleep, an over-all better night's sleep, less of a "hangover" feeling when they woke up, and were more alert the following morning.

Based on this study, I would have no problem recommending that a patient try adding magnesium to melatonin to help assist falling asleep.  It is important to recognize though, this study does not compare melatonin and magnesium against melatonin by itself.  If the study compared those two groups together, we'd have a better idea if magnesium truly offers a substantial benefit to sleep.  Whatever the case, if you suffer from problems falling alseep, adding on magnesium may offer some help.

***Melatonin, magnesium, and zinc supplements are not for everyone.  They should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions or currently take specific medications.  Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication or supplement.***


Sources
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Jan;59(1):82-90. doi 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03232.x.
"Melatonin." MedlinePlus. 18 July 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/940.html
"Magnesium in Diet." MedlinePlus. 18 July 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm

A cold summer drink

Today I had the motivation to go out for a run with the doggy.  Lately it's been hard to get into the habit of it especially with the hot muggy heat.  I know that once I step outside the house, the sweat will quickly start.  Then, once I get on the trail I know my red-furried friend will start pulling me along instead of keeping pace with me.  To my surprise though, the heat or dehydration or lack of endurance (most likely the latter) got to her and me a lot quicker than expected.  My hopes for a 3 mile run quickly became a 2.5 mile jog, most of which I feel like I walked. But the effort was there, right?  So on my walk back home in the hot sun, I took the dog off the leash in an open field and watched her run over to the distant shady trees only to immediately plop to the ground in exhaustion.  Then I started thinking, "If I wanted refreshment, like the shade, what would I want?"  Well, at a time like that there's nothing better than an ice cold glass of water.  Even better than that though, is knowing that I'm going home to filled pitcher of filtered refreshment.

Yes, it's good to get out and exercise, but what are you putting back into your body?  If you use Brita® then their filters only remove around 6 heavy metals and chemicals, Pur® filters remove over 20, but my carbon-filter? Wait for it....56 industrial pollutants, environmental pollutants and heavy metals, including 99% of lead!!  Click here for an abbreviated version of the proof.  And yes, I did call Brita® and confirm this sadness.  So, what amazing brand is this you might ask?  Well, you're not going to find it in stores.  My water filters come from the nation's leading natural nutrition company, Shaklee.  The filters are made with sustainable coconut shell carbon and have the capacity to filter almost double the amount of water as most competitor filters (80 gallons vs. 40 gallons.)  Shaklee's Get Clean® water pitchers give me more satisfaction knowing that the glass of water I pour after an attempt at exercise is much cleaner than what it was before coming out of the faucet.  

What if you already have a Brita® or Pur® water filter system?  No problem!  Shaklee's Get Clean® water filters are made to be compatible with Brita® and Pur® pitchers.  If you'd like to have cleaner water too, all you need to do is purchase the replacement carbon-filters from Shaklee and be on your way to enjoying a better filtered glass of water at the end of your workout. 


For more information about these wonderful pitchers and filters, see the product bulletin.


What about ordering?  If you'd like to see more, visit my personal Shaklee website. 

Fresh Pizza

I've been growing a mini herb garden and attempted to use it for the first time tonight.  I have a little planter that I started parsley, cilantro, and basil in, thinking that I'd use the fresh little plants more than I have.  Tonight was the beginning.  We created freshly made pizzas with my basil.  From the help of my hubby, DJ (former Dominoes pizza-maker extraordinaire), we crafted two homemade pizzas that I'd be thrilled to try again and share with friends.  We purchased raw pizza dough from our local Harris Teeter and baked it before topping with our ingredients.  

1st pizza:

Pesto sauce

grilled chicken with Cajun seasoning

sun-dried tomatoes (on half)

fresh tomatoes, chopped

fresh mozzarella cheese

spinach

fresh basil, chopped

2nd pizza:

Marinara sauce

grilled chicken with Cajun seasoning

pepperoni (on half)

green pepper, grilled

sun-dried tomatoes (on half)

fresh tomatoes, chopped

fresh smoked mozzarella

Smoked Mozzarella

Prepping the dough

Both were so delicious that for seconds we always had to get a piece of each!

So it begins

Growing up, surprises both good and bad were always followed by "oh for Pete's safe," "oh my stars," "for goodness gracious."  My husband never grew up with these sayings, so to him they're funny sounding.  To me, it's a constant reminder of where I came from.  Now, the latter of the phrases is actually one by which I try to live.  Goodness - it can mean so many things! Kindness, forgiving, wholesome, nutritious, sweet, eye-catching, etc....  Gracious -hospitality, putting others first, gift-giving, whole-heartedness, etc...  Not sure if the last is an actual word according to spell check, but you get my drift.  So, thus begins my exploration to find additional pictures, recipes, blogs, phrases, ideas, and reports related to exploring goodness and graciousness.  Let's see what we find!