Soap for Christmas
Well I just made some homemade soap for the first time. It was actually quite simple. I have to admit though I did do it the easy way with the melt and pour mixes. After researching many recipes on the internet I decide for my first experience of making soap I just wasn't ready to experiment with Lye, also I'm not really sure where purchase it yet. So I went to the craft store and bought goat milk and shea butter soap making kits. Then I added lavender leaves that I grew in my garden, some oatmeal powder, a touch of honey, and some lavender essential oil. I poured it into molds and let it cool for a couple of hours. It turned out wonderfully. I think I will continue to make my own soap but maybe by next year I will be brave enough to make it from scratch with Lye. For now I'm just going to have fun experimenting with new scents.
Healthy children, healthy adults
We all want our children to be healthy and grow to be healthy adults, however the trends are pointing to the contrary. According to Purcell, (2008) over the past 25 years the number of Canadian children who are overweight has doubled, and obesity among Canadian children has tripled. There has also been a steady increase in cardiovascular related disease and type 2 diabetes among children. Purell, further suggests that the ‘obesegenic environment’ that we live in is mostly responsible, and the government needs to take stronger regulatory action in order to protect our children from the effects obesity will have on their future.
According to Colman, (2001) Ontario spends 97.4% of its health-care budget on the treatment of illness/disease leaving only 2.6% for disease prevention and health promotion. Like smoking, obesity has been proven to be a huge contributing factor to disease and mortality, and like smoking it is preventable.We need the government to step up to the plate and stop the advertisements aimed at children (i.e. unhealthy food, and sedentary promoting products). This may make children's television less appealing (wow I think I see a chain reaction here). Remember what the government did with cigarette advertisements? They banned it.
Unfortunately our children are in for a bleak future if something isn’t done to stop these trends. Overweight and obese children tend to become overweight and obese adults. This will cause a huge strain on our health-care system as well as the economy. I for one don’t see these issues as being fault of the individual. It's not the child's fault and it's not their parents fault even though parents have the most say in what their children eat. I believe it is more of a political issue. With fast food on every corner and junk food advertisement continually bombarding us, it makes it very difficult to teach children that these foods are not so healthy. There is also the matter of expense; take bread for example, the more inexpensive bread products are those with the least nutritional value, and bread isn't the only food product that has this issue. Furthermore, some families simply can not afford to purchase the healthier foods and they rely on foods that will satisfy hunger for the least amount of dollars.
Personally, I would like to know whose crazy idea was it anyway to allow vending machines in the schools in the first place? I would like to see more funding for the schools in the way of extracurricular activities and health education; and never mind trying to figure out what to put in the vending machines to replace the unhealthy choices, just get rid of the vending machines altogether!!
I firmly believe the government needs to start spending money now on health promotion and disease prevention in order to save money on the future costs of health-care. There seems to be lots of talk over the last few years about these initiatives but, I have seen little action.
According to Colman, (2001) Ontario spends 97.4% of its health-care budget on the treatment of illness/disease leaving only 2.6% for disease prevention and health promotion. Like smoking, obesity has been proven to be a huge contributing factor to disease and mortality, and like smoking it is preventable.We need the government to step up to the plate and stop the advertisements aimed at children (i.e. unhealthy food, and sedentary promoting products). This may make children's television less appealing (wow I think I see a chain reaction here). Remember what the government did with cigarette advertisements? They banned it.
Unfortunately our children are in for a bleak future if something isn’t done to stop these trends. Overweight and obese children tend to become overweight and obese adults. This will cause a huge strain on our health-care system as well as the economy. I for one don’t see these issues as being fault of the individual. It's not the child's fault and it's not their parents fault even though parents have the most say in what their children eat. I believe it is more of a political issue. With fast food on every corner and junk food advertisement continually bombarding us, it makes it very difficult to teach children that these foods are not so healthy. There is also the matter of expense; take bread for example, the more inexpensive bread products are those with the least nutritional value, and bread isn't the only food product that has this issue. Furthermore, some families simply can not afford to purchase the healthier foods and they rely on foods that will satisfy hunger for the least amount of dollars.
Personally, I would like to know whose crazy idea was it anyway to allow vending machines in the schools in the first place? I would like to see more funding for the schools in the way of extracurricular activities and health education; and never mind trying to figure out what to put in the vending machines to replace the unhealthy choices, just get rid of the vending machines altogether!!
I firmly believe the government needs to start spending money now on health promotion and disease prevention in order to save money on the future costs of health-care. There seems to be lots of talk over the last few years about these initiatives but, I have seen little action.
Healthy lifestyle, healthy diet
Living a healthy lifestyle can be difficult these days. I struggle with it regularly, but I am consciously aware of my unhealthy practices, I think this in itself is a good thing. As a result my dietary habits on most days are more healthy than not. In my opinion a person’s diet is extremely important to their overall health. Obesity is on the rise in Canada and around the world. There are so many non-nutritious choices that are often less expensive than the more nutritious ones, and more often than not double and triple the normal portion size. It’s no wonder Canada’s waist is expanding. On the other side of the coin we have the oodles of weight loss diets, pills, drinks, exercise equipment, you name it!!!! Its a million dollar industry; and for the most part a huge scam. I look at it this way, what did Grandma and Grandpa have to eat, drink, entertain, and exercise. One thing for sure obesity was uncommon, and diabetes mellitus in children was rare if not unheard of. I think turning back the clock to Grandma and Grandpa’s day is the most effective way to healthy eating. So these are the rules I try to abide by.
1. I grow my own vegetables as much as I’m able to reduce my pesticide intake and it is also eco friendly because it only travels from my backyard to my table, it’s also great exercise and learning experience from year to year
2. I buy local food as much as possible and in season
3. I try to preserve as much as possible, the internet is a great resource and teacher
4. I shop the outside aisle in the grocery store, stay away from precooked products
5. I read labels and compare
6. If it’s convenient it is most likely unhealthy
7. I eat whole fruit instead of drink fruit juice
8. If it’s white it probably has been stripped of nutrients (flour, sugar, rice etc.)
9. I ask myself "What did Grandma and Grandpa eat?"
10. I walk to the store for small items and take the stairs almost always
Still Smoking
Ok to make a long story short, I am smoking again. I tried to use the newest quit smoking drug on the market (Champix) and the side-effects were absolutely not worth it. When this drug had a chance to build up in my system (6-weeks) combined with a normal dose of PMS; I became an angry-crazy-woman. So, I quit quitting and took back my sanity.
I have always felt that a nurse should be a role model of health, healthy lifestyle etc. Isn’t this what we preach to our patient’s? I was told once by one of my favorite instructors during my LPN program that nurses are preventative (sterile procedure) and doctors are curative (don’t care if the wound gets infected, that’s what antibiotics are for). In keeping with this theory a nurse’s role is to help people prevent those diseases that are preventable. We know the risk factors most common in numerous preventable conditions and we teach them to others, patients, family etc.
Ok, this is what I’m getting at, if I am in a profession of prevention, Healthy lifestyle etc. Then what the heck am I doing smoking? Yes, every time I smoke a cigarette I feel like I am not only letting myself and my family down, but I am also letting my profession down. How can I be a part of teaching healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation while I continue to smoke?
I know I’m not the only nurse that smokes, there are still many of us out there; but in my experience we are a dying breed. I know a lot of ex-smoker nurses. HOORAY for them. I take my hat off to them because this is something that I am really really struggling with.
I took a look at some literature.I discovered a recent article about nurses in Turkey who smoke it states that more than half of the nurses in Turkey are smokers, WOW!!! I was not able to find any research on nurses in Canada who smoke, but I’m sure the statistic are not nearly as high. Like I suggested the article stated “nurses have a special opportunity to influence the health of people. The nurse should act as a role model by not smoking....Nurses are strongly encouraged to provide people information about the hazards of tobacco and strategies for avoiding tobacco use.”(Kutlu, 2008)
I plan to devote a portion of my blogging to Smoking Cessation, as it is something I am struggling with and the more information I have the better. Maybe if I bombard myself with anti-smoking info I will finally quit. (I’ve been smoking for over 24 years and I will quit!!!)
You’re welcome to check out any of the links I include on my site and also if you come across a great link let me know so I can add it.
My final statement to anyone who takes the time to read this is IF YOU SMOKE QUIT, IF YOU DON’T PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T START!!!!! And to all nurses please help to educate people on the HAZARDS of smoking.
Kutulu, R. (2008). Evaluation of the frequency and factors affecting smoking among nurses. Gulhane Tip Dergisi. 50 65-70 Retrieved October 31, 2008 from www.gulhanemedicaljournal.org/ pdf.php3?id=413 -
I have always felt that a nurse should be a role model of health, healthy lifestyle etc. Isn’t this what we preach to our patient’s? I was told once by one of my favorite instructors during my LPN program that nurses are preventative (sterile procedure) and doctors are curative (don’t care if the wound gets infected, that’s what antibiotics are for). In keeping with this theory a nurse’s role is to help people prevent those diseases that are preventable. We know the risk factors most common in numerous preventable conditions and we teach them to others, patients, family etc.
Ok, this is what I’m getting at, if I am in a profession of prevention, Healthy lifestyle etc. Then what the heck am I doing smoking? Yes, every time I smoke a cigarette I feel like I am not only letting myself and my family down, but I am also letting my profession down. How can I be a part of teaching healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation while I continue to smoke?
I know I’m not the only nurse that smokes, there are still many of us out there; but in my experience we are a dying breed. I know a lot of ex-smoker nurses. HOORAY for them. I take my hat off to them because this is something that I am really really struggling with.
I took a look at some literature.I discovered a recent article about nurses in Turkey who smoke it states that more than half of the nurses in Turkey are smokers, WOW!!! I was not able to find any research on nurses in Canada who smoke, but I’m sure the statistic are not nearly as high. Like I suggested the article stated “nurses have a special opportunity to influence the health of people. The nurse should act as a role model by not smoking....Nurses are strongly encouraged to provide people information about the hazards of tobacco and strategies for avoiding tobacco use.”(Kutlu, 2008)
I plan to devote a portion of my blogging to Smoking Cessation, as it is something I am struggling with and the more information I have the better. Maybe if I bombard myself with anti-smoking info I will finally quit. (I’ve been smoking for over 24 years and I will quit!!!)
You’re welcome to check out any of the links I include on my site and also if you come across a great link let me know so I can add it.
My final statement to anyone who takes the time to read this is IF YOU SMOKE QUIT, IF YOU DON’T PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T START!!!!! And to all nurses please help to educate people on the HAZARDS of smoking.
Kutulu, R. (2008). Evaluation of the frequency and factors affecting smoking among nurses. Gulhane Tip Dergisi. 50 65-70 Retrieved October 31, 2008 from www.gulhanemedicaljournal.org/ pdf.php3?id=413 -
Intruduction from a new blogger
I am a nurse and current nursing student, trying to juggle full-time work and part-time school. I have many interests, far more than I actually have the time for.
I am new to blogging and all it entails, however I am very excited as this may be an opportunity for me to develop some of my interests in a less time consuming manner.
I am a believer in the promotion of healthy lifestyle, and disease PREVENTION. (OK I’m still trying to find my way.) I just QUIT SMOKING!!!!! HELP!!!!
(I am having a tough time, but I know I can do it!!!!!)
I’m an outdoors person. I love camping, fishing, hiking and canoeing.
My back yard is a huge vegetable garden (another full-time job)
I preserve much of what I grow and I love to cook and try new things.
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