SheSue Experience

How many times have you heard that if you eat at night, you will put on more weight? We hear about how the metabolism slows so that you don’t burn as many calories. Some say that the calories you eat late at night turn to fat.

The simple truth is, no matter when you eat, the calories you take in must equal the calories you expand.

So go ahead and eat at night, just don’t overdo it.

I am not, nor have I ever been a fan of Nintendo or any computer gaming. It was not allowed in my home when my kids were growing up. Playing video or computer games does not create social situations. Instead gaming creates very lonely people who have no real-world experiences.

Now I have further proof that gaming is not good for anybody. It’s called Nintentinitis or Wiitis caused by repetitive stress injuries due to playing computer, video or Wii games. Okay there are few serious injuries, but physicians in sports medicine are seeing a rise in strains and swelling related to the use of these popular games.

If you must play these silly, waste of time games; give yourself plenty of room, play the game properly and take plenty of breaks. OR you could get out and have a social life!

I have always been one of those unfortunate ones who attracts mosquitoes. My mother always told me it was because I was so sweet! Hah! All I knew was that while others around me had a bite or two, I spent days scratching what seemed like hundreds of bites.

A couple of years ago I discovered garlic as a seasoning when I decided to cut down on salt. Now I love garlic and eat it just about every day. I hadn’t really thought about the old wives tale about garlic warding off mosquitoes until last summer. I was hiking around Crater Lake with my daughter. While she wound up with many bites including some huge ones, I was virtually bite free. Naturally I figured it was the garlic.

After doing some research, I question my decision. There have been lots of studies, but none were conclusive. It is known that mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale, our body heat and the chemicals in sweat like lactic acid. Apparently some people just emit more of these odors than others.

Me, I’m sticking to the garlic.

I have not had a drink in about 30 years, but studies about the benefits of red wine are starting to change my mind. The one benefit that hits the spot for me is the stress reduction benefit. I am one of those who wears my stress on the inside. I have tried the tips of hitting pillows or screaming into a pillow. That just makes me more upset. So perhaps an occasional glass of red wine will help.

What is it about red wine that holds all these health benefits? Let’s take a look at the different diseases:

Coronary Heart Disease – is the number one killer in the United States. One of the most common causes is hardening of the arteries which decreases the body’s oxygen supply. This happens as a result of the build-up of lipoproteins (cholesterol) in the arterial walls resulting in the loss of elasticity. In red grape’s skin are flavonoids which help reduce bad cholesterol and build up good cholesterol.

Cancer - Red wine contains antioxidant compounds that carry anti-cancer properties. Research shows that red wine helps reduce ovarian, prostate and lung cancers. Unfortunately, the studies also show that the wine increases breast, esophagus, colon and stomach cancers. In this case, the benefits are controversial.

Stress – The simple relaxing effect of a glass of wine is shown to reduce stress. Stress is a factor in a wide variety of diseases and ailments.

Food Poisoning/Ulcers – Alcohol’s ability to stimulate gastric acid secretions in the stomach creates an environment where germs and bacteria cannot survive. Studies have shown that during a salmonella outbreak, those who drank wine with their meal had fewer outbreaks of the disease.

So grab a glass of red wine, but just one. What’s your favorite?

Now that spring is finally peeking around the corner, many are anxious to get outside and rev up their fitness routine. There are a ton of fitness programs out there, in print, in class or on video or DVD. How many of you have tried a program only to quit a couple of weeks later. Over and over? The trick? Keep trying them until you find one you are ready to stick with. And get some variety. While I walk every day during lunch, my evening program changes daily. This variety allows muscles to heal in between workouts and keeps the program fresh. I alternate between weight training, pilates, aerobics and elliptical rider.

Here are some myths to watch out for when you’re choosing your program.

When choosing a fitness program, be sure it includes some strength training. This builds your core muscles which will help your posture, make you less likely to get an injury, and improve your overall workout. Most important, get started.

Historically, studies have claimed that IQ lowers among siblings with decreasing age. According to the research, this was because of the increasing strain on parents’ time, energy and resources. Other studies claimed that because the firstborn was only around adults, they tended to mature faster.

However, more recent studies have proven these theories wrong. Instead, your intelligent relies more on your family environment and genetics. Some research says that only children tend to be more success oriented as they were raised in an adult environment. Children from larger families tend to be more successful in social situations.

For more information on the subject of birth order, check out this article from Little Tree.