The Gift of Christmas

 

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The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty.     UAdd a Note 

Let us all make this year’s Christmas season a time of rejoicing and celebration, a time when we acknowledge the miracle that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world! 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Can We See the Christ?", Liahona, Dec. 2010, 4–6

Thanksgiving

 

President Monson has a gift that enables him to touch your soul in a way that makes you feel the Holy Spirit and makes you do better. "A grateful heart... comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives". Thank you President Monson.
http://new.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks to Almighty God for a bountiful harvest. This religious origin is now primarily identified as thanksgiving in general.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Healthy Tree

When gathering with friends and family around the table for Thanksgiving, be sure to take the time to give thanks and show how grateful you are for everything you have. If you do it every November day, you could transforming negative thoughts into positive by focusing on how much there is to be thankful for. Here is a fun way to do it with flair!
This is a great way for your family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Have all your friends and family members add 'leaves' to your tree as they visit over the holidays.


Materials Needed:

• Tree branch without leaves attached
• Clay Pot or Glass Jar
• Pebbles
• Colored cut out of leaves in fall colors
• Pen or marker
• Ribbon, Yarn, or Raffia
• Hole Puncher

Instructions:
1. "Plant" tree branch in colorful planter.
2. Keep a basket full of blank colorful autumn leaves and markers next to your tree branch. On each leaf, a person should write something they are thankful for each November day.
3. Encourage each guest to pick a leaf, write what they are thankful for on the leaf, and hang it on the tree. This will make a beautiful centerpiece for your table or accent piece in another high-traffic area of your home.
4. Share the completed thankful tree during Thanksgiving dinner. Encourage each guest to share their own submission by going around the table.
5. Later, collage the leaves into your Thanksgiving album as an after dinner activity. Everyone, especially children, will enjoy looking back over the years and reading what they were thankful for.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Halloween Health and Safety Tips

For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.


Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!

http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/





Healthy Snack
Looking for a Halloween night snack that's both healthy and festive? This skeletal array fits the bill, no bones about it -- just assorted fresh vegetables and a bowl of dip arranged in the shape of a spooky cat.

Ingredients

• Black Bean Dip
• ASSORTED VEGETABLES OF YOUR CHOICE, SUCH AS
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini

Instructions
Arrange vegetables in the shape of a cat, as shown.

Black Bean Dip
This versatile recipe works as either a dip or a spread and has a light, addictive flavor. Serve it with the Easy Pita Chips, baked tortilla chips, or cut-up vegetables. Along with a small bag of carrots and celery, it is a favorite for school lunches.
Ingredients

• 1 15.5-ounce can black beans
• 1/3 cup medium-hot salsa, 1 tablespoon for garnish (optional)
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, plus extra for garnish (optional)
• 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• l small garlic clove, minced Instructions
• Drain and rinse the black beans, setting aside l tablespoon for garnish.

Combine the black beans, salsa, cilantro leaves, lemon juice, and garlic in a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Garnish with the black beans and, if you like, cilantro leaves or salsa. Makes 1 1/4 cups and serves 4 to 6. (Note: If you use this as a dip with veggies to replace the Asparagus Salad, double the recipe.)

Easy Halloween Costume Ideas
These easy homemade costume ideas can be put together in a matter of minutes, and don't need a long list of materials. Even if you don't have a lot of time to prepare for Halloween this year, you can still whip up one of these fun and easy costume ideas!

http://fun.familyeducation.com/halloween-costume/halloween/33351.html  
ttp://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-kids-costumes/

Fall Health Tips

Autumn is the time of maturity and harvest. You don’t need the calendar to tell that the season is changing. The air becomes a bit crisper, and the leaves change. Everything slows down, and the days shorten. You can feel it on the cooler weather especially at night and the great amount of falling leaves everywhere. Finally, autumn is here. Make sure you've got a jacket with you and cover your neck to avoid colds and flu's - the wind has a way of overcoming the immune system. Being known as the flu season, we all need to be more careful with our health to avoid getting ill. Make sure you're eating well and your digestion is good, because that's the root of your immune system strength.

This Fall season follow these tips to help you and yours stay in top health and be your best during the seasonal and all year long:

• Flu Shots - Check with your doctor or your local public health department to find out when the annual flu shot is available. If your doctor can give you the shot in the office combine it with a check-up. If your doctor does not give the shot check on local events for flu shot administration. You may also want to get a pneumonia shot also. Remember that the flu shot is recommended for all adults, especially those with a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that makes them more at risk for the serious complications of the flu.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Exercise - Exercise is important all through the year, but can help you get in shape for the winter months. If you exercise by walking outdoors, it may be time to locate other places you can walk that are protected from harsh winter weather. Indoor shopping malls are great places to walk and often have walkers clubs that offer discounts. With the days getting colder, take a few extra minutes to warm up your body and stretch your muscles before you exercise. Also wear a handkerchief around your nose and mouth if it's really cold to warm up the air before it enters your lungs. 
• Diet - Add all the fall vegetables to your diet. Many of the root vegetables are in season now and are an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.
• Drink More Water – You can experience dehydration even during the winter. Dry central heat robs your body and skin of vital moisture. If you keep hydrated your mucous membranes also stay hydrated, working much more effectively to filter our disease causing organisms.
• Sunscreen – Yes, even in the fall and winter months you should be thinking about sunscreen. If you're a skier, don't forget your sunscreen. The snow reflects the sun's rays and can quickly burn your skin. Don't let the cold temperatures fool you.
• Second-Hand Smoke - Watch out for the effects of second-hand smoke. During cold weather, you may find yourself behind closed doors and windows with a smoker. Avoid inhaling smoke and check your home for proper ventilation.
• Hats and Gloves - Wear a hat and gloves when you go outside. The hat keeps warmth from escaping through the top of your head—a major source of body heat loss. And the gloves help prevent painful frostbite.

Also, be aware of Fall allergies. Late summer and early fall bring on another season that triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor molds become plentiful in the fall in gutters, soil, vegetation, rotting wood and fallen leaves. You can reduce your exposure to Fall allergens. For example, avoid being outdoors in the morning hours between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m. when pollen dispersal is peaking; avoid lots and fields where ragweed grows; shower and wash hair immediately after coming in from outside activities, and especially before going to bed; keep the windows and doors of your home and car closed.

Remember that making sure your vitamin D level and vitamin C levels are adequate or higher, drinking adequate fluids, using good hand washing technique, getting good sleep, getting good nutrition - all are safer way s to stay flu free.

Here are a few more suggestions to take into consideration so that you can enjoy what this time of year has to offer.

• Enjoy the year's most beautiful season -In many parts of the United States, autumn is a near-sacred season, with its warm, sunny days, cool evenings and postcard perfect colors. Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, and playing golf and tennis.
• In many parts of the country, autumn is synonymous with the apple harvest. Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, inhibiting the growth of dangerous plaques along blood vessel walls, and dietary fiber, apples are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed any time of day.

Remember, it is important to do what you can to stay healthy all year long and now is the time to focus on how to stay healthy and well during the approaching Fall and Winter months.

Major Medical Expenses

Ten ways to reduce health care costs
Good consumers take the time to understand the products and services they are buying. Whether you are talking about buying a house, car or health care, the quality and value of your purchase should be an important consideration. In the case of health care, higher cost does not necessarily mean better quality. Health care costs can vary greatly depending on type of procedure, where the care is provided (emergency room, outpatient clinic or doctor’s office), and where you live and receive care.  

The following are 10 ways to reduce your health care costs while adding value to the quality of your health. 

1. Take good care of yourself. Eight out of 10 health problems are treated at home. By doing a good job of self-care you can reduce your health care costs.
2. Practice self-examination and get appropriate health screening. Work out a schedule for preventive health screening that is appropriate for your age and gender with your health care provider.
3. Become aware of the health risks of different lifestyle choices like alcohol and drug use, home and driver safety, and eating habits. The riskier your lifestyle the more likely you are to have health problems.
4. Know what your medical benefits cover. You need to know what your benefits are before you can use them appropriately. If you have a managed care plan know about the plan’s grievance procedure and use it if you don’t feel you are getting adequate care.
5. Take an active role in health care decision making. Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor. Making sure that your doctor understands your expectations and needs can result in a more effective treatment plan.
6. Ask your doctor about every prescribed medication and medical test. Also ask what will happen if you choose not to take a drug or have a test. Every test and drug has some risk involved. Your doctor may be able to suggest an alternative that is less risky.
7. Avoid hospitalization whenever possible. More than half of all health care costs are for hospitalizations. Consider outpatient services or same-day surgery. Find out if there are alternatives to surgery.
8. Save the emergency room for emergencies. It can be two to three times more costly to receive services in an emergency room than in a doctor’s office.
9. Check your hospital and doctor bills carefully. Billing errors are made. Notify your hospital and health plan promptly when errors are found.
10. Avoid defensive medicine. Defensive medicine refers to tests and services performed primarily to protect physicians from possible malpractice suits. Ask lots of questions about why the tests are being done, if they are really necessary and what your options are. You may decide to take a more conservative approach.

http://missourifamilies.org/features/healtharticles/health38.htm

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine
Chiropractic is a health care approach that focuses on the relationship between the body's structure—mainly the spine—and its functioning. Although practitioners may use a variety of treatment approaches, they primarily perform adjustments to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Chart of Effects of Spinal Misalignments

The benefits of chiropractic care for your health are numerous.
Some of the many benefits include pain relief in your joints, back, or head. Others may include increased mobility, performance, balance, coordination or energy. Our Creator God has given us all the power of health within our own bodies enabling your body to heal itself. It is not normal or healthy to have chronic pain or even the occasional cold or headache. A person can be unhealthy without any symptoms whatsoever. For example, 35% of all heart attacks happen without any prior symptoms or warning signs. Were those 35% healthy the day before their heart attack?

How Does Chiropractic Care Enhance Your Immune System?

Since its inception, chiropractic has asserted that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all equally and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders. The immune system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system. For example, nerve cell endings in the skin and white blood cells of the immune system are in intimate contact, and chemicals secreted by the nerves can shut down immune system cells nearby.
Chiropractic corrects spinal abnormalities called vertebral subluxations that result in interference of the nervous system by placing pressure on nerves. Since the nervous system controls all functions of the body, including the immune system, chiropractic care can have a positive effect on immune function.
During an immune response, the brain and the immune system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body. If the Nervous System is not functioning properly, then the Immune System cannot function at 100%, thus the body becomes fertile ground for bacteria, viruses and illness.

Children who have regular Chiropractic adjustments have fewer colds, ear infections and flu. "People who receive regular chiropractic adjustments have immune system competency that is 200% greater than those who don't." (Dr. Ron Pero. New York Preventative Medicine Institute and Environmental Health at NYU)
Even though you are not sick, your body may be acquiring misalignments of the spine (subluxations) that are interfering with your nervous system and thus your immune system. Regular chiropractic check-ups can help you to maintain a healthy immune system and stave off illnesses or allergies. A chiropractic adjustment will restore the balance of your nervous system and restore the flow of energy and information throughout the body, thus validating one of the great benefits of chiropractic care!

Nutrition & Exercise

Nutrition and Diet

The Word of Wisdom contains the Lord’s outline of the kinds of food that provide good nutrition.

Balanced nutrition includes drinking plenty of clean water and regularly eating foods from each of six food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, meat and beans, and oils. These foods contain six kinds of nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. A person should regularly eat or drink enough of all of these nutrients to grow and remain healthy. (See Nutrition Calculations.) For infant nutrition, mother’s milk itself provides an ideal balance of nutrients, with the gradual introduction of solid foods after four to six months of age.

If a variety from all food groups is eaten regularly, it is not usually necessary to take supplements. Even carefully chosen vegetarian diets that include dairy products or eggs can be quite sufficient. But if little or no animal products are eaten, then grains must be eaten with legumes (beans, peas, peanuts, and lentils), nuts, and seeds to provide balanced protein.

http://www.providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,9073-1,00.html 

What’s the difference between a portion and a serving?

A “portion” is how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package, or in your own kitchen. A “serving” size is the amount of food listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts. Sometimes, the portion size and serving size match; sometimes they do not. Keep in mind that the serving size on the Nutrition Facts is not a recommended amount of food to eat. It is a quick way of letting you know the calories and nutrients in a certain amount of food.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nutrition Facts information is printed on most packaged foods. It tells you how many calories and how much fat, carbohydrate, sodium, and other nutrients are available in one serving of food. Most packaged foods contain more than a single serving. The serving sizes that appear on food labels are based on FDA-established lists of foods. (For more information, see www.cfsan.fda.gov.)

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/just_enough.htm

Helping Your Overweight Child

Healthy eating and physical activity habits are key to your child’s well-being. Eating too much and exercising too little may lead to overweight and related health problems that may follow children into their adult years. You can take an active role to help your child—and your whole family—learn healthy eating and physical activity habits that last a lifetime.
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm
Parents... Splash Into a Healthy Summer With These Ideas

Exercise and Fitness

Exercising physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual abilities is required to not only maintain but also improve them. Without exercise, these abilities diminish. Furthermore, fitness in one area can strongly influence fitness in another. For example, improving physical fitness enhances mental, emotional, and even spiritual acuity.

Specific exercises are designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. But every exercise must be tailored to meet a person’s individual requirements, such as age. Where weight bearing is a problem, water exercises are helpful. Chair and desk exercises are useful for those who spend long hours in a sitting position. There are many exercises and activities like these that are inexpensive and can fit the budget of almost anyone.

http://www.providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,8949-1,00.html

Walking A Step in the Right Direction
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active. You can do it almost anywhere and at any time. Walking is also inexpensive–all you need is a pair of shoes with sturdy heel support.
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/walking.htm