Adding Value by Dennis O'Hagan

Join the "ALLEN CHALLENGE" for a Healthier You...

Get ready to lose the weight and win a healthier new you!  

Although statistics may show that Americans are starting to lose some weight by eating a bit healthier than a decade ago, many people are still struggling to find the time and resources necessary to achieve their healthy weight.  Obesity is still #1 risk factor for inflammatory diseases including cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, chronic pain and cancer. 

Local Allen, TX acupuncturist Maya Crockett (http://NaikanAcupuncture.com) and husband Allen Judo/Jujitsu Center owner Tony Crockett (http://AllenJujitsu.com) are teaming up with other local small business owners and sponsoring a city-wide 12-week weight loss challenge starting January 2014.

Weight loss is much easier to achieve when people around you are also participating or being supportive at the same time. 

It is the collective "energy" that will help people day in and day out to stay committed in achieving their lifestyle changes. 

All you need to do to participate is register, pay the $25 entry fee ($5 will be donated to the Philippines Disaster Relief Fund and the rest goes toward cash prizes!) by January 9th, order the weigh-loss nutritional products (listed and explained on the website) and come to the Kick-off Party on 1/18/14 and start the challenge the very next day. 

Weekly team exercises will be offered at no additional cost as well as some tips and resources on what you should eat or avoid eating. 

*You do not have to live in Allen, TX or anywhere close in order to participate in this challenge.                        

Average weight loss on this challenge is 30-50lbs! The best part is, most will be able to keep it off, lose some more if necessary, feel great, have more energy and focus better throughout the day.  

So, what have you got to lose to participate besides the weight you've always wanted to lose?  Invite your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, and take on this challenge together.  Some will win cash prizes at the end but everyone will WIN the health and healthy lifestyle by LOSING!  

Come join us!

For more info;

http://GoAllen2014.com

http://facebook.com/GoAllen2014

Email: [email protected] 

Health Alert...

When you drink Rum over ice,

it can give you liver failure,

When you drink whiskey over ice,

it can give you heart problems,

When you drink Gin over ice,

it can give you brain problems.

Apparently, ice is really bad for you.

Warn all your friends...

Free flu vaccine for children available; adult doses for $10

Collin County Health Care will be offering free flu vaccinations for children and discounted flu shots for adults during National Influenza Week, Dec. 6-10.  Flu shots will be administered at 825 N. McDonald Street, Suite 130, in McKinney, from 7:30 -11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. all week.  Adult doses are $10 each, and cash or check is accepted.
 
The 2010–2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus (swine flu) that caused so much illness last season.
  
Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people. 
 
Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.  For more information regarding the flu please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/index.htm.

We all know that life can be stressful…here are a few stress reducing tips that might help!

ü  Relaxation - Make relaxation part of your everyday's routine. While at home or in the office, remember to do deep breathing and simple stretches. Take time to sooth your soul by drinking a cup of tea or just going out to the open to breathe in some fresh air can give you the ability to deal with stress more effectively.

ü  Laughter - Laughter is our body's built in stress-buster. Research has shown that laughter can help the body to release anxiety, aggression, fear and anger. In fact, laughing can decrease the stress hormones which are adrenaline, cortisol, epinephrine, dopac and allowing these stress hormones to return to their normal levels. If left uncontrolled, these stress hormones can constrict your blood vessels which will lead to hypertension and heart-related problems.

ü  Find a friend - Simply talk to your best friend about your problems and ask them to offer you words of encouragement as friends can provide the much needed social support. In addition, if you friend is humorous enough to joke with you and make you laugh out loud, all the better, as laughter is proven to reduce stress and tension.

ü  Get back to nature - Go out to the outdoors into the nature. Simply enjoy a relaxing day of out of doors which can help you to feel calmer and more balanced during your daily routine. A stroll down the park, cycling at the park or a day at the beach can be amazing stress reducer. In this intense heat, simply try to listen to a CD of nature sounds or just spend a few minutes in front of your sunny window.

ü  Make time to exercise regularly - Exercise can affect the energy level of your body and also tell your brain's chemistry to release beneficial hormones. In addition, exercising can also help you to let go of your tension and accumulated energy associated with stress and give you a healthy outlet to release your build-up feelings and energy. Exercise can give you a better mood which lasts for days, but regular exercise is the most uplifting.

ü  Positive thinking - Throughout the day, go through your thoughts and if you encounter any negative thoughts, try to reframe those thoughts in a positive way. Remember to always think positively and optimistically.

ü  Eating well -. Select food that are green and fresh as these food are the most beneficial to our body. With the right nourishment of healthy food, our body system will be able to fight stress in the long-term more efffectively.

ü  Do something that you like everyday - Each day, give yourself some time to indulge in something that you enjoy doing. It could be writing, reading, dancing, walking, gardening or simply just have a good chat on the phone with someone. Research has shown that by doing something that you enjoy everyday, it will improve your quality of life and frame of mind, and makes you better in combating and handling stress whenever it arises.

Sick at work

Cough-cough. Achoo. Ache. Sniffle. Few things are more uncomfortable than a summer cold at work. During the winter, people understand and expect to get sick or have colleagues who are sick. But in the summer, with the sun shining and everyone sporting a beach tan, it is particularly irritating to be sick. Somehow, summer colds generate less empathy. It doesn't seem to matter that germs know no seasons and are year-round nuisances.

Working when you're sick presents a two-fold problem. First, how do you perform well when your body hurts, your nose is running, or you have a sore throat? Second, how do you keep from spreading your illness to everyone else at work, coworkers and customers alike? Obviously, if you are very sick, you should stay home until you are well. But what if you just have a run-of-the-mill cold with minor discomforts... not so sick that you have to stay in bed, but not well either? How do you get through a workday when you feel blah?

Let's examine each issue. First, how do you do your best when you don't feel your best? Working when you are sick is tough... no doubt about it. Here are some tips to help you when you are sick at work.

1. First things first. Inform your boss and coworkers that you are under the weather. They will be more understanding about you productivity if they know you are feeling poorly.
2. If you have a job that can be done from home, ask if you can do your work from home for even part of the day. The less time you're at the office spreading germs, the better for everyone anyway.
3. Take over-the-counter medicines that are specifically for daytime use for your ailment. These medicines won't get rid of your symptoms, but they can provide enough relief to help you get through the day without making you feel drowsy.
4. Drink herbal tea (even if you're normally a coffee drinker). Most types of tea made from herbs instead of tea leaves are renowned for their medicinal properties. The tea will provide not only some caffeine to help boost your sagging energy level, but will also sooth your throat and provide some healing qualities.
5. If you're nursing a cold or virus, drink lots of other fluids too, especially water. Dehydration will make you feel more run down. Staying hydrated not only will help keep your energy level up, but will also help flush out toxins.
6. Don't plan to do anything taxing during your lunch break. Use that time to rest. You might even want to go outdoors if the sun is shining and absorb some Vitamin D for about 20 minutes.
7. If you have to put in a full day, break your work into manageable segments of 20-30 minutes and take short breaks to stretch, drink fluids, and pull yourself together. While the frequent breaks may appear to diminish your productivity, it will make it possible for you to make it through the full day instead of having to go home early.

None of these things will make you feel 'not sick' but they can help you make it through a sick day at work. 

If you're battling something mundane like a cold, here are some tips to ensure you don't spread your illness to everyone else.

1. Bring a box of disinfecting wipes with you to work. Wipe down any equipment you use (after you use it) that is used by others such as a copy machine, fax machine, or postage meter.
2. If your nose is running, keep a box of tissues nearby and place all used tissue in a plastic bag you can tie up at the end of the day. No need to get the cleaning staff sick either.
3. If you have a cough, wear clothing with at least ¾ sleeve and cough into your sleeve. That will keep you from spreading germs with your hands.
4. Wash your hands frequently. If you can't wash your hands, keep a bottle of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer at your desk and use a squirt each time you are walking away from your desk.
5. Do not use anyone else's phone or desk when you are sick with a cold or flu.
6. Be considerate and stay away from the company break room or kitchen, if you can. If you must go in there to get or warm up food, do what you must and leave as quickly as possible.

Last but not least, don't go to work if you answer yes to any of these questions:

1.   Am I contagious or running a fever?

2.   Am I so sick that I am unable to carry out my work duties?

3.   Will resting at home help my body overcome the illness much sooner?

4.   Am I taking medications that can impair my ability to think, work, operate machinery, or drive?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call in sick and spare everyone else from catching what you have. Calling in sick involves contacting your supervisor or HR director (don't be a coward and leave a message) as soon as possible and apologize for not being able to make it to work.

Pest Tips

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

The best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as:

·         Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for items outside the home that collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers.

·         Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters and animal watering pans at least twice a week.

·         Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.

·         Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes when going outside at night by using insect repellent.

·         Wear lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs during dawn or dusk, or in areas where mosquitoes are active.

10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Enjoy the holiday spirit without wrecking havoc on your waistline. Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday!

1. Exercise religiously
Regular physical activity throughout the holiday season will burn calories, tone your body and empower you to make smart food choices. Aim for 5 days each week and at least 30 minutes per session.

2. Recycle edible gifts
If you're watching your weight and can't resist the temptation of decadent sweet treats in the house, send them off! Recycle fruit cakes, date breads, chocolates and homemade cookies. You'll save your body thousands of unnecessary calories (and the generous gift giver will never know).

Tips for managing holiday parties

3. Never go to a party hungry
Eat something that will take the edge off your hunger and keep blood sugar levels steady -- you'll have better resolve at the party. The perfect pre-party snack should combine high quality, complex carbs with protein.
Three examples (each approximately 200 calories):
• Apple + 8 ounces nonfat plain or flavored yogurt
• One cup of lentil or bean soup
• 2 ounces turkey or ham piled on one slice whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato and mustard

4. Wear something fabulous and fitted
You're less apt to eat when you feel good about how you look (and of course, your clothing is snug).

5. Hang out with the talkers vs. the eaters
Eating is contagious. You don't want to surround yourself with people pigging out. Remember that a festive party is about great conversation and holiday spirit - not just food.

6. Easy on the hors d'oeuvres
Don't use up your calories at the beginning of a party. Select THREE of anything you want... and after that, stick with less caloric pickings (cold or grilled shrimp, chicken on a skewer, and crudités)

7. Load your plate with the right stuff
Fill half your plate with vegetables and divide the rest between protein and starch.

8. Eat slowly
Nutrition scientists at the University of Rhode Island recently found that slow eaters take in fewer calories at a meal than people who eat quickly.

9. Be selective with splurges - decide which special foods you really want and enjoy them. Go out of your way to skip the rest.

10. Alternate alcoholic drinks with club soda
Alcohol contains many calories, and also stimulates your appetite and reduces your willpower. If booze is a must, cut the calories in half and have more control over your food and actions by alternating each drink with a seltzer or mineral water (add a twist of lime or lemon).