DAy 33: BPA Bisphenol: Used in Plastics and Liners of Cans...Why Going BPA Free is Important

I am in the middle of reading this book. It is written by two Canadian environmental visonaries.  Here is a blurb from the Penguin Publisher's website:

Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects our Health

Author:

Rick Smith

&

Bruce Lourie

'Why don't we experiment on ourselves?'
When leading environmentalists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie decided to tell the story of pollution in our modern world by using their own bodies as laboratories, they could not have known what they were about to discover.
They ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround us all the time, from mercury-laden tuna to flame-retardant chemicals in clothes and furniture, to toxins in plastics, toys, shampoos and deoderants.  The results of these experiments are both alarming and unexpected.
Slow Death by Rubber Duck exposes the extent to which we are being poisoned every day of our lives, both in our homes and our workplaces.  It tells the shocking story of corporate giants who manufacture these toxins, the government officials who let it happen and the effects on people across the globe.
Funny, thought-provoking and disturbing, Slow Death by Rubber Duck offers solutions for how we might be healthier, safer and more aware.  If you are concerned about the level of toxins in your body, care about the environment and want to understand the hidden threats already in your home, you must read this book.  You'll never look at a rubber duck in the same way again.
'This book is a powerful reminder that what we do to Mother Earth we directly do to ourselves.  Read it to see why we have to change the way we live and get off our destructive path.'  DAVID SUZUKI

In the Dr. Oz Show email newsletter which arrived in my inbox today, there is a piece about "Beating Bisphenol A (BPA)".  BPA has finally been labelled a toxin in Canada but in the USA it is still widely used in plastics and the liners of cans.  This chemical increases the risk of breast and prostrate cancer, obesity, infertility, diabetes and ADHD.  It is an endocrine disrupter alterning the hormones in our body.

BPA can be tested in your urine.  A recent study published in the journal of Environmental Health Perspective demonstrated that you can reduce your levels of BPA by not eating from canned products and by using a stainless steel water bottle. Getting rid of plastic food wrap, plastic dishes, baby sipper cups, plastic bottles, plastic cups and food containers and replacing them with glass or ceramic containers is also recommended.

Five San Franscisco families were served freshly prepared meals with minimal use of canned foods.  The 20 members of the families had their urine tested for BPA.  In 3 days, the BPA levels dropped by 66%.

I used to like the convenience of a grab and go plastic water bottle but I recently made the switch for all our family members in our household to stainless water bottles. 

Canada has outlawed BPA. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if dollar stores or other stores have products floating around with BPA products. 

This is an excellent time of the year for spring cleaning our households to get rid of any items with BPA.

Be BPA Free!

Day 32: Getting Your Financial House In Order the Dr. Oz Way

In the "YOU: Being Beautiful" book, Dr. Oz has a chapter entitled, "The Worry War: Solve Your Most Troubling Job and Money Issues".  In his Real Age email newsletter he has a piece this week about finances and stress.  The higher your money woes, the more likely you have health problems.

Humans are wired to live for today and not for tomorrow.  That's where many of us fall into trouble because we want to gratify our present needs without realizing that some short-term pain can lead to long-term gain.

Some tips from Dr. Oz:

Every time you get paid, take 10 percent of the check and put it into an emergency account. Not for retirement, not for bills and not for an impulsive purchase.  That money can come in useful if your roof leaks, your car dies or you need another major expenditure.

Best way to avoid getting into serious debt or even bankruptcy is to treat your financial matters with the same respect and regard as your physical health. 

Have open and honest discussions about money with your significant other.  One of the top reasons couples split up is over money issues that build up. You need to have financial check-ins with each other every now and then about short and long term goals, emergency plans and financial strategies to keep your bank account and marriage intact.

Write down all your expenditures whether they are a few cents or many dollars over the course of the month to track your spending. After a month, review your financial diary and decide if there are some things you can do without or cut back on.

As a parent who is saving for my childrens' university, paying for braces and living the life of a busy family with typical expenditures from clothing to food to entertainment to household expenses, car maintenance and gas......I know first hand the realities of keeping things in balance.

  As a former single parent, I put off vacations abroad and house renos so I could concentrate on paying my mortgage down.  As part of a blended family, I still ask myself before I make a purchase, do I really need this or is this a whim "want" purchase. 

Perhaps I am an anomaly but my car serves strictly as transportation so I don't need to worry about status quo.  Luckily as a teacher, I don't need corporate attire on a daily basis and I brown bag.  I don't wear make up and I don't have my ears pierced nor am I a bling type of woman.

I do have my spending side too. I like to eat out twice a week to give myself a break from being a slave in the kitchen.  I treat myself to a few new fashion accessories or articles of clothing every season although I strive to find timeless pieces that will be around for awhile.

Financial style is like one's personal fashion style. It says a lot about one's personality, occupation and philosophy of life. 

There is no right or wrong way to managing one's finances.  If your credit line is growing exponentially and your assets are being whittled away, it's time to get credit counselling help.  If you can sleep at night without creditors at your doorstep and feel confident that you are meeting your financial goals, you are on the right track.

Practical ideas when put into action can bring you peace of mind which in turn reaps benefits for your overall health.

Day 31: Judgement Day

One month into my year of living Dr. Oz and here is the verdict. 

I went to the Mexx store in the Toronto Eaton Centre, tried on skirts and I can wear a Size 12 now. I was able to do up the zipper and button easily. But, my behind hung out like a toasted marshmallow that was overdone, hanging by it's marshmallow threads on a campfire stick.  So I still have some room to shrink over the next 11 months.

Now time to get real and spill the beans. Today before I tried on skirts I had lunch at Tim Horton's ( a doughnut chain in Canada, splurging on a chicken salad sandwich, coffee and maple doughnut). 

However, the past month, about 85% of the time I have eaten healthy.

My struggle is related to making a daily commitment to exercise outside of being on my feet during my day job. 

In the morning (no matter how much pre-planning and organizing I do the night before from laying out my work clothes to packing lunches and thinking through what I am going to brown bag for lunch.....) I am still rushing around, stressing out somewhat to get out the door.

At night, I catch up on whatever dishes have been left in the sink, start dinner, clean up after dinner and then it's time with the kids, marking and .....see I am making excuses.  We all have at least thirty minutes where we are staring off in space, watching TV, surfing the net or doing something sedentary where we can exchange one activity for another.

My goal for month two is to literally "schedule" exercise time five days a week. By pencilling it in, I am more likely to honour it.  A few colleagues at work do yoga during lunch hour.  They've invited me to join and thus far, I haven't.

Weight Watchers, a diet program that Dr. Oz supports as he often has Weight Watchers leaders and clients on his program, recommends putting aside time in your "planner" or to do list that includes daily physical activity.  Also finding an exercise or walking buddy helps stick to your goal.

Time to make exercise a priority. 

Day 30: Four Things Dr. Oz Can't Live Without

 Dr. Oz quizzed his audience last week on his program to see if they could guess what four things he can't live without. 

Here is his personal list:

1. Walnuts

2. Yoga Mat

3. Steel Cut Oatmeal

4. Compression Underwear

Walnuts are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Dr. Oz suggests soaking them in water so that the walnuts soften up.  Omega 3 is great for keeping your brain, heart and skin healthy.  The Yoga Mat is to encourage exercising and stretching. Lower blood pressure helps reduce the risk of heart disease.  Steel Cut Oatmeal helps keep your cholesterol levels down.  Compression underwear helps circulate air, supports muscles and also generates heat so your muscles work harder when you exercise.

I invite my readers to post a comment and share their TOP FOUR  Healthy Things I"Can't Live" Without List.  It's your turn to share advice, be the expert and pass along any secrets you have that increase longevity and improve health.

Maija's Top Four List

1.  Omega 3  (See my blog entry for Day 17 "Go Fish" for info on the benefits of Omega 3)

2. Vitamin D (lots of research exploded on the health scene in 2008 regarding the correlation between Vitamin D and decreased rates of cancer)

3.  Silence (Dr. Oz reported in an issue of Oprah a few months back that excessive noise increases the risk of heart disease in women. Lots of people feel that they need the radio or TV on all the time, background noise. For some folks, it makes them feel less lonely. For others, it is habit.  Psychology research has shown that quiet moments every day help your brain rejuvenate, relax and your problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills improve if you have time without noisy distractions to think in peace)

4. Adequate Sleep (See my blog entry for Day 25: Why Having a Good Night's Sleep....)

I eagerly invite you the reader and fellow Dr. Ozzer to share your top four list for everyone. 

Let's discuss and discover what top four items are on your list to promote health.

Day 29: What Would YOU Do?

The piece below is taken from the ABC TV channel site about a new reality TV program, "What Would You Do?" It is on tonight (Friday April 15th at 9 p.m.).
 
Dr. Oz had the host of this new TV program on his program today.  Take a moment and read what I read when I googled the program info:
 
 
When people see a situation that cries out for action, do they step in, back away or just walk on by? Suppose you saw a friend's spouse cheating -- would you tell her? What if you saw a young girl being cruelly taunted by other girls - would you confront them? Using hidden cameras, ''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' sets up everyday scenarios and then captures people's reactions. Whether they're compelled to act or mind their own business, John Quinones reports on their split-second - and often surprising - decision-making process.
Scenarios include:

• Based on the real-life experiences of a devout Muslim woman living in west Texas, we find out what happens when a Muslim woman wearing a veil is denied service by the owner of a popular bakery. Who will come to her defense, and who will support the owner who wants to kick her out?
• Finding a parking space is a common inconvenience for many drivers, one that's often compounded when the only spot available is too small for the car. But what happens when ''Primetime's'' parker bulldozes her way in to the tight spot, hitting the car behind her? Does anyone intervene to prevent the damage?
• We all know adolescence can be tough and that teens can be cruel -- bullies even. But while ''bullying'' may be associated with boys, girls can be bullies too. Girls tend to assault their victims verbally, causing deeper, hidden wounds which can last longer than any playground punch. When ''Primetime'' creates a scenario where three girls verbally attack another girl in a park, what will people do when they walk by?
• Imagine being out to dinner one night when you notice a playful and flirtatious couple and, upon a closer look, notice that the man is your good friend's husband. The woman he's with is a complete stranger. Do you tell your friend?
• Boss with Bad Breath: Your boss has bad breath. Now you don't want to jeopardize your job- in fact you are trying to get ahead- but you can't take it anymore. What would you do?

''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' has won awards from the Chicago International Television Festival, as well as the Avon Foundation's 2006 Voice of Change Award for exposing ''injustice and wrongdoing against women, and bringing the message of domestic violence to the mainstream.'' According to a recent Columbia Journalism Review essay, ''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' is ''the flip side of reality TV... rather than show how people act in manufactured situations when they know they are being watched, they show us how people act when they don't.''

This reminds me of the adult board game Scruples which game out in the mid-eighties.  I remember playing it with pals in university. 

We have all been faced with real-life scenarios where we may be tempted to say something to a stranger, friend, colleague or family member but we keep our mouth shut. Or the opposite, we step in to a situation rather than "mind out own business".

Quinones tells the audience that most people don't intervene because they see it as the stranger's own, "personal or private family business".  He also says that if children grow up having their emotional needs met, they will demonstrate greater compassion, empathy and will stand up for others.

Emotional intelligence sets apart those who speak up for social justice versus those who are bystanders.

I tend to open my mouth more than keep it closed if I witness something disconcerting. Especially if I observe issue of inequity.  Or life or death.  I will offer first-aid if someone faints, falls or is injured. 

The situations where I struggle with are more the "grey" areas where social behaviour is concerned. 

Where one has to weigh out the pros and cons before speaking up.  Especially if the lines are bleary.

My advice is: trust your instinct.  Listen to your gut.  If your immediate response is to "jump in" then do so. If it is one of those delicate matters that is not life or death, listen to your heart.

Sitting on the sidelines or intervening.  Is one move better than the other? Or is it situation specific?

Day 28: Hummers or Smart Cars: What your Body Language Says About You

Good posture makes a signficant difference to how we breathe, whether or not we are pain free and our overall health.  Last night I went to the Ryerson University student Fashion show, Wanderlust, put on by Fashion Design students.  I was watching the male and female student volunteer models on the runway and it was interesting to see the difference in one's carriage depending on whether or not, the model held their head up high, walked with their back straight, looked straight ahead and walked briskly with their hands side to side.

All of the student evening wear designs for men and women were inventive and original.  The models who walked with the best posture really helped show off the creation they were wearing. 

 An aura of confidence is conveyed when someone walks with their head high, back straight, shoulders up and eyes forward.

Dr. Oz has a blog and on Jan. 11th, 2011, he compares the body language of men and women. Great analogy of how most men and women carry themselves on the street.  Men would be hummers and women would be smart cars. Women slope and show more timid bodily gestures as compared to men, who walk boldly. 

Dr. Oz says that changing our body language/posture can change our mood. 

So for all of you out there: Let's try an experiment. For the next 24 hours, walk with your head up high, back straight, shoulders up and arms swinging gracefully. Take proud steps and breathe deeply.  Smile. Sit straight rather than contorted. 

Let's see if our mood really is affected.

Today I have had one of those "hectic" days with students pulling at my dress hem with various needs, my own children sick or with their own woes while I am juggling a social engagement tonight with colleagues and the weekly big grocery shop.

I am feeling tired and not overly sociable.

I am right now going to sit up straight, hold my head high and then walk out with a healthy, brisk, model stride and a smile on my face.

Will this change as Dr. OZ suggests, make me go from feeling worn out to wonderful?

I will let you know at the end of the day tomorrow.  Here is to the next 24 hours of good posture and positive body language. 

And as I am planning to vote for the Green party this coming Ontario provincial election, my body posture will be eco friendly.

Hybrid of course!

Day 27: The Monthly Check In is Approaching....

On April 17th I am off to the Mexx store to try on skirts. It will be one month since I officially began living Dr. Oz.  Will I be a dress size smaller?  Have I improved my health?

I've been eating well.

I haven't been exercising regularly other than the bending, walking and stretching I do on my job as a teacher. When I came down with my chest cold a few weeks ago, I was so fatigued by the end of the day I gave up on doing the Dr. Oz work-outs. 

How has my cycling been going? 

My husband says my bike is like a piece of art. I haven't ridden it more than twice because I was battling my cold and had a hard time breathing as I was coughing so much.

I have to dust off my new bike, insert the Dr. Oz workout DVD and get my pedometer back on my hip.

Enough excuses.  The antibiotics worked, I am not coughing very much and I am back to my new/improved self.

I am getting stressed about my self-imposed monthly "skirt-in" (as opposed to weigh in).

 Although I have lost five lbs (I've kept it off despite not upping my fitness levels this past month), I am not sure I have lost inches.

How stressed are you? How do you tell if you are burnt out versus stressed out?

Dr. Oz has a stress test you can take on his Dr. Oz website.  On Monday's show he had a cardiologist as a guest who measured the stress levels of Dr. Oz and some of the audience members prior to the show taping.  Getting stuck in traffic, trying to fit everything in during the course of the day.....can elevate our stress levels. 

Even Dr. Oz became stressed at certain points throughout his day when he wore the measurement device.

The cardiologist said that a man's blood pressure goes down when he arrives home and gets in the door. A woman's blood pressure goes up. She is on her second shift. 

Burn out, is it the same as being stressed out.?

The difference is that when you are burnt out, your feelings of exhaustion, tension and anxiety are chronic and don't disappear.

Another specialist told the audience that it is important to differentiate to your physician how long you have had stress symptoms and how debilitating stress is on your health since the treatment will vary. 

Most of a woman's stress according to Dr. Oz's guest is relationship stress.

Women have an emotional reaction to stress whereas men have a physical reaction.

A cup of tea, massage, twenty minute walk, yoga class, break from cooking or house work or a weekend getaway can cure that everyday stress one experiences.

 The chronic stress that builds and takes a long-term toll on our emotional and physical health often requires intervention and sometimes medication. 

Cortisol levels goes up when one encounters everyday stress. 

The opposite happens when you are burnt out, the level of cortisol goes down.  A simple saliva test can determine your level of cortisol in your body if you are worried you are on the verge of burn-out.

More about burn out in a future post.