06.13.08
Have You Heard About Freecycling?
Check out this article from msnbc.com that gives you 10 tips to becoming a freecycler.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24880313/wid/18298287/?GT1=45002
06.09.08
What to Do About Rising Gas Prices
What to Do About Rising Gas Prices
By Wendy Stewart
As many of you noticed, the national average of the price of gas has passed $4 per gallon. For some of us, this is no surprise, but for others, it has caused them to take a second look at their driving habits.
I’m not going to be the bringer of gloom and doom and try to blame SUVs for it or the government or anyone else. Someone I heard this morning actually blames the US Postal Service because they deliver the mail 6 days per week instead of 5. And UPS has instructed their drivers to make fewer left hand turns in order to decrease the amount of driving they do.
Beyond all of that, each of us has to decide what action, if any, we want to take in response to this. You don’t have to protest. You probably don’t have to sell your car.
What you should do is pay attention to the way the media and financial “experts” report the story and make predictions, then decide for yourself what is best for you.
If you are interested in other ways to get on with your life without a car, you will want to check out How to Live Well Without Owning a Car by Chris Ballish. I picked up the book last year and it has some very eye-opening information about the economic and lifestyle consequences of owning a car.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think about the current gas prices and if you plan on changing because of it.
06.08.08
When the Temperature Rises, Stay Safe
When the Temperature Rises, Take Extra Care
By Wendy Stewart
If you live on the East Coast like I do, you may be experiencing very high levels humidity combined with high temperatures.
Because of this combination, most people would be well advised to take their activities inside. If you have asthma, like me, or allergies, you definitely don’t want to be exercising in the middle of the day. You are just asking for trouble as it will be harder for you to breathe efficiently, making you rely more heavily on your medications.
To combat this, make sure you keep up with what the weather alerts are for your area and what the air quality is. Even if you don’t have any medical issues that put in a sensitive group, the heat and humidity will still put you in danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
When doing activities outside in the heat, you will want to make sure that you are shielded from the sun as much as possible. Also, make sure that you are replenishing fluids with both water and a sports drink to avoid dehydration.
If you, or someone else, stops sweating, get out of the sun and into a cooler place. Make sure to give water slowly and watch out for worsening symptoms. If someone collapses, make sure to get them to a cool place immediately and call 911. Also, when in doubt as to whether you or someone else is in medical danger from the heat, call 911. Better to be safe.
With all of this in mind, you don’t have to stop exercising outside just because summer is coming. What you will want to do, based on your schedule, is workout early in the morning or as the sun is setting. The morning workout is preferable because it hasn’t gotten hot and humid yet and you’ll get your workout in for the day. But, do what fits in your schedule.
Above all, be safe and only exercise outside when it is safe to do so.
For more information on what to do in extreme heat, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/
Until next time…
06.07.08
Giving Blood and Staying Healthy
Giving Blood and Staying Healthy
By Wendy Stewart
Yesterday I gave blood. No big deal. I was in an out and off to work quickly. Everyone at the American Red Cross center was nice and they gave me plenty to eat and drink. As a matter of fact, I even got a t-shirt that says “superhero” and a kitchen apron that reads “Kiss the Donor.” So, if for nothing else, it was worth that much!
In any case, if you’ve never given blood before, they check to make sure you are eligible to donate and then also check your iron levels.
No big deal as I passed with flying colors.
But when you’re done there’s still a couple of things you have to be careful about. I highlight this because as fitness professionals, fitness enthusiasts, or just generous people who give blood, it’s important to follow these instructions.
First of all, if you get sick after donation, make sure to call the number on the sheet provided.
Second, you are given instructions on drinking more fluids and avoiding heavy lifting. Now for some of us, this is the hardest instruction.
My brother wants piggyback rides, I have boxes to carry out of the classroom, stairs to climb, and it’s almost summer. Given all of that, I should have been more careful with my activities yesterday.
I only know that I wasn’t as careful because today, I suffered from one too many spells of dizziness. I thought it was low blood sugar, but then I remembered my low fluid intake and everything I did yesterday. I could kick myself for not being more careful, but, lesson learned and, as I’m writing this, I’m lounging in my ultra-cool futon and drinking plenty of fluids (not to mention the fact that it’s 100 degrees out today).
So, I leave you with 2 thoughts:
1. Give blood, because they really do need it
2. Always follow the instructions after blood donation!
Until next time…
