Mom's Buzzy Corner
 
Heart disease runs in my family so when I started having chest pains and difficulty of breathing years ago, I immediately sought medical help. And good thing I did because right after I got my ecg result, I found out that I have mitral valve prolapse or MVP - a valvular heart disease characterized by the displacement of an abnormally thickened mitral valve leaflet into the left atrium during systole. But thankfully, mine was classified as non-classic which means it carries a low risk of complications. I wasn't even put on medication but I was advised by my doctor to take a vacation leave from work so I can fully rest and regain my strength.
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Worried... 05/28/2011
 
I still don't understand why my friend had to take m-drol when he works out almost every day of the week. It's not like he is joining a body building contest so really, there's no need to rush things up.

M-drol, for those who is not familiar with it, is a pill that gives the body that extra boost to complete a hard workout. It also helps build large muscle mass and is commonly used by athletes and bodybuilders. It's comprised mainly of hormones and muscle building ingredient that is why it is not recommended for women.

Anyway, I already talked to my friend about it and I'm glad he appreciates my concern. I'm just worried because anything synthetic introduced to the body has side effects that will come out sooner or later.     
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Oh well... I caught the flu virus again. What's worst, the little boy got it too. I don't know why but this winter has been the "sickest" we got ever since we arrived here in Utah. I guess Mr. Flu knew that this might be our last winter here so he's giving us the VIP treatment. LOL!  
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I got so sad after reading the email my sister sent me the other day. It's about my Aunt Len. My sister relayed the news to me that Aunt Len was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Although we are not related by blood, but Aunt Len and her entire family had been a close friend of ours for as long as I can remember. And it really breaks my heart knowing that she's gravely ill. I'm not sure if an herbal colon cleanse product can still help her or if the doctor will allow her to take any alternative medicine while on cancer treatment but I know this one colon cleanser that really works and I am going to send her a bottle or two and see if it can help her in any way. And of course, I will be fervently praying for her complete healing    
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I had my annual OB checkup last week and I took the opportunity to ask my OB a couple of questions concerning our future plans for baby number two. I asked him if it is still possible for me to give birth naturally even after giving birth via C-Section the first time. The answer was yes! Dr. L told me that I have an 80% success rate since the C-section was done only because the baby was a footling breech and not because of any other serious complications. The only risk though is a ruptured uterus. But it is very unlikely to happen since my reproductive organs are perfectly healthy. Well, I'm not yet 100% sure if I will do it naturally this time around. I'll decide about it when baby no. 2 is already conceived. Hehe! But for now, I'll keep my OB's advice which is to drink folic acid or any kind of pre natal vitamins months before we try for baby no. 2. :)  
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10 body clues that you need more time for calm:

1. Weekend Headaches
A sudden drop in stress can prompt migraines, says Todd Schwedt, MD, director of the Washington University Headache Center. Stick closely to your weekday sleeping and eating schedule to minimize other triggers.

2. Awful period cramps
The most stressed-out women are more than twice as likely to experience painful cramps as those who are less tense, a Harvard study found. Researchers blame a stress-induced imbalance of hormones. Hitting the gym can soothe cramps and stress, research shows, by decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity.

3. An Achy Mouth
A sore jaw can be a sign of teeth grinding, which usually occurs during sleep and can be worsened by stress, says Matthew Messina, DDS, a consumer advisor to the American Dental Association. Ask your dentist about a nighttime mouth guard—up to 70% of people who use one reduce or stop grinding altogether.

4. Odd Dreams
Dreams usually get progressively more positive as you sleep, so you wake up in a better mood than you were in when you went to bed, says Rosalind Cartwright, PhD, an emeritus professor of psychology at Rush University Medical Center. But when you’re stressed, you wake up more often, disrupting this process and allowing unpleasant imagery to recur all night. Good sleep habits can help prevent this; aim for 7 to 8 hours a night, and avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.

5. Bleeding Gums
According to a Brazilian analysis of 14 past studies, stressed-out people have a higher risk of periodontal disease. Chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may impair the immune system and allow bacteria to invade the gums, say researchers. If you're working long hours and eating dinner at your desk, keep a toothbrush on hand. And "protect your mouth by exercising and sleeping more, which will help lower stress," says Preston Miller, DDS, past president of the American Academy of Periodontology.
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By Tracy Minkin and Brittani Renaud

1. Panera Bread
Over 1,230 locations nationwide (and in Canada)

This bakery-cafe-based eatery wowed our judges with a comprehensive menu of healthy choices for every meal. “Variety makes it easy for everyone to choose healthy,” praises registered dietitian and panelist Marisa Moore. What does that mean for you? For starters, you can pick from two whole-grain breads for your sandwich and have an apple with it instead of chips (though the chips are fine, too—they can be baked!). Half-size soups, salads, and sandwiches make it a cinch to control portion size. Also, most of the chicken is antibiotic- and hormone-free, a rarity for large chains.

Panera also won top honors for kid fare, dishing out RD-approved crowd-pleasers like squeezable organic yogurt, PB&J (with all-natural peanut butter), and grilled organic cheese on white whole-grain bread.

We love: Delicious, nutrient-packed combos like a half–Turkey Artichoke on focaccia bread with a bowl of black bean or garden vegetable soup.
Danger zone: Sticky buns and cheese danishes are on display at the counter.

2. Jason’s Deli
206 locations in the West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South

How did this up-and-comer snag second place? Largely because of its devotion to organic food: About one-fifth of all its ingredients are organic, from blue-corn tortilla chips and whole-wheat wraps to field greens and spinach. Plus, its creative salads—like the Nutty Mixed-Up Salad with organic field greens, grapes, chicken breast, feta cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, pumpkinseeds, raisins, and organic apples—make you actually want to order the greens.

Our judges applauded the portion-control option: Reduced sizes of, say, a stuffed baked potato, are $1 less. Jason’s menu also highlights ultrahealthy sandwiches and provides the nutitional info.

We love: Being able to build any sandwich on an organic whole-wheat wrap.
Danger zone: High-sodium counts on some sandwiches; if sodium is a concern, stick to the ultrahealthy choices.
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Heart Problem 10/16/2010
 
I have only seen ekg machines in movies and magazines but I never thought I would have a personal encounter with it. It was three years I go when I got hooked in that medical equipment to see if I have any heart problems. Because you see, heart disease runs in my dad's side of the family so when I started having chest pains and difficulty in breathing, I immediately went to see a cardiologist. And turns out, I have one but good thing it's not that serious. According to the test results, I am suffering from Mitral Valve Prolapse. It is a heart problem in which the valve that separates the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart does not close properly. I wasn't put into any treatment but my doctor prescribed Propranolol should my chest pains would recur. 
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Comfort Eater 10/15/2010
 
Comfort eating is the term used to describe eating for emotional reasons, in an attempt to 'feel better'. It has become such a common phenomenon that we regard it as perfectly normal. ~ Body Balance

Do you ever feel like pigging out every time you feel sad, upset, angry, stressed or anxious? If you do, then you're most likely a comfort eater. I, myself, is guilty of this phenomenon that's why I've been avoiding the scales lately. I don't want to find out how much weight I gained in the past few weeks because the more it will upset me. LOL! Kidding aside, there are steps that you can take to break this unhealthy habit. One is to identify your triggers so you can avoid it. Another one is to distract yourself by calling a friend or taking a walk.

There are plenty of tips and advices available online on how to overcome comfort eating. Just be resourceful  
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With hundreds or even thousands of supplement brands out there, I'm sure you are confused which ones to try. And you can't just rely on ads and publicity alone when making your decision because most of them are not true. That's why http://www.supplementcritic.com was launched to help consumers like you make the right decision. This website offers unbiased, independent and brutally-honest supplement reviews based on three key factors: effectiveness, speed of results, and value. So if you want to get the most out of your money, check out their website first before making any purchase.  
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