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Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Princess Health and April 26th, 2016 100% Chance. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 26th, 2016 100% Chance. Princessiccia

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April 26th, 2016 100% Chance

Today was one of those days that refused to stop. Part of my job is doing on-air weather coverage when storms threaten our listening area. The forecast this morning was calling for a 100% chance of severe storms. In several ways, the reaction to the forecast was unprecedented. We had school districts in our state closed by the threat. Cancellations of community activities came into our studios right and left throughout the day. Everyone was convinced, this would be the worst storm outbreak in a very long time. It wasn't good for some in this region. However, for the most part, our area was spared the worst. The added studio duties called for a sixteen hour day for me.

I planned well, made sure I had what I needed when I needed it--I leaned on coffee a little to help keep me alert and made it through, very well. I stayed connected with a couple of support buddies, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar and I exceeded my water goal by 8oz. I'm calling it a successful day.

I'm letting the Tweets take it the rest of the way! It's time to sleep. The alarm is set for 4:30am, morning show at 6am. Luckily, no severe weather for our area in tomorrow's forecast!

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:




































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and More than 100 at SOAR Substance Abuse Roundtable committed to work on prevention and treatment efforts in region. Princessiccia

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

More than 100 people attended the Shaping Our Appalachian Region Substance Abuse Roundtable April 7 to learn about current research and emerging opportunities associated with substance abuse and intravenous drug use in region, according to a SOAR news release.

SOAR is a bipartisan effort to revitalize and diversify the economy in Kentucky's 54 Appalachian counties. It has advisory councils for each of its 10 areas of focus, one of which is community health and wellness.

That council's chair, former state health commissioner Dr. William Hacker, facilitated the roundtable at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

As part of the solutions-driven discussion, Susan Zepeda, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, told the attendees that it is important to ask the right questions when gathering information about drug abuse to accurately depict what is going on in the region.

�When you ask people if they have a problem with prescription drugs they, of course, say no,� Zepeda said. �When you ask them if they know someone, like a family member or friend, that answer is very different.�

The group also discussed the importance of getting accurate data about substance abuse and overdose into the right hands to make progress on these issues.

�We want to get data into the hands of legislators and those who can do something about prescription-drug overdose,� said Dana Quesinberry, public-health-policy and program evaluator for the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Kentucky. �Sitting in a repository, it doesn�t do anything for anyone.�

The roundtable members also discussed needle-exchange programs, authorized under the state's 2015 anti-heroin law. The program is meant to slow the spread of HIV and hepatis C, which are commonly spread by sharing of needles among intravenous drug users.

�We�ve seen a switch from using pills as an opioid to using intravenous methods,� said Greg Lee, the HIV/AIDS continuing-education program director for the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Clark County Health Director Scott Lockard said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a "wake-up call" with its report identifying 54 Kentucky counties as being among the 220 most vulnerable in the nation for the rapid spread of HIV and hepatitis C infection among intravenous drug users. Most of the counties, and eight of the top 10, were Appalachian.

"We are potentially on the leading edge of one of the biggest public health crises to hit our state," Lockard said in an e-mail to Kentucky Health News. "It will take a combined effort across sectors to prevent an HIV outbreak in the SOAR region such as the one that occurred in Scott County, Indiana," just north of Louisville.

Although many Kentucky county officials are talking about needle-exchange programs, so far only Louisville and Lexington and the counties of Boyd, Carter, Clark, Elliott, Franklin, Grant, Harrison, Jessamine, Knox, Pendleton and Pike are either operating or have approved such programs. Of these, Boyd, Carter, Clark, Elliott, Knox and Pike are part of SOAR.

The news release noted that participants left the discussion with a commitment to continue the conversation and to build a strategic plan to address substance abuse issues in the region, with a focus on clinical practices, health systems, drug screenings and other best practices.

Monday, 25 April 2016

Princess Health and April 25th, 2016 Beautiful Harmony. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 25th, 2016 Beautiful Harmony. Princessiccia

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April 25th, 2016 Beautiful Harmony

It was the last ten minutes of my radio show when I noticed guests making their way into our studio lobby. Did I miss a scheduled interview? I didn't think so-- and what's this? They're carrying boxes! Just then, I realized--it was the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery crew, a good client of ours, bringing edible gifts!! And they brought them directly into the KPNC studio, loading the counter with pies and muffins until the thick smell of sugar filled the room.

Years ago, I would have quietly grabbed one of the pies and put it aside for a private rendezvous, later--away from any possible witnesses, when I could devour until pleasure transformed into discomfort.

I didn't do that today. The peace, clarity, balance and stability my plan, with its abstinence from refined sugar, provides--is worth more to me than any expertly crafted pie or muffin, or several.

And these were seriously works of art (check out the Live-Tweet Photos below). And I can appreciate that part of it--and I can joyously decline partaking while feeling happy for the others who excitedly scooped up the bakery compliments.

I'm so grateful that I've reached a point in my abstinence where a situation like this isn't much of a threat. BUT--that doesn't mean I don't take precautions.

One of the things I embrace each day is this: My continued success is NEVER a guaranteed thing. I do not use the word "never" when I talk about my continued abstinence from refined sugar. I simply say, I hope and pray I never go back there. Okay, so maybe I do use the word "never," but in a very different way. There's no question about how refined sugar affects me. I'm fully aware--yet, I'm never beyond relapse. So, I do what might seem to be little things that bring big support. 

I share the situation. The below tweets concerning this kind circumstance (and it was a very kind and generous gesture--and it was well received) might seem like simple, somewhat casual, slightly serious--slightly humorous, tweets--but on a deeper level, it was my way of sharing the situation. I also texted a support buddy--not to say, "I'm in trouble," because I didn't feel that way--it was to simply share the situation. And those acts of sharing create an even stronger resolve, in beautiful harmony with my plan.

Within fifteen minutes the studio was clear of the bakery items. A couple of pies were immediately delivered to clients in close proximity, the rest were claimed by colleagues planning to surprise their families with an amazing dessert.

I made my way upstairs for a mid-morning coffee and a banana with 16g natural peanut butter. I love the coffee even more when it's coupled with peanut butter!
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After a full day at the studio, I made my way to the store to grab a few ingredients for tonight's dinner plans. I made it home in time to seize a very controlled forty-five minute nap before jumping up and getting on the Monday night teleconference support group I co-facilitate with Life Coach Gerri and Kathleen Miles.

Then, it was time to try another recipe from Joy Bauer's newest book!

I decided on the fettuccine alfredo!  

The picture in the below dinner Tweet doesn't do it justice! Every bite was cheesy delicious. Oh my-- easy-easy-easy, and incredibly delicious.

I live alone, so, most of the time I cook for just me. I cut the recipe into fourths and it was more than enough for one. I also added 4.4oz of chicken and 2oz sliced mushrooms.

I allowed the sauce to thicken a little too much-- I think the picture would have had more color otherwise. I didn't completely "nail it," but still, the flavors were alive with every bite!

The calorie count of the dish without the chicken and mushrooms added was 452, 88 calories over the recipe nutrition information. I attribute this to using 3oz pasta--remembering that I quartered the recipe--instead of one fifth, per the recipe breakdown.

Adding the chicken and mushrooms brought the entire meal in at just under 600 calories--fitting nicely in my weight maintenance calorie budget.

I chose this recipe for a reason. If you're a regular reader of this blog and/or you follow the Tweet stream, you know I occasionally prepare a similar dish using whole grain pasta, mixed veggies, mushrooms and sometimes chicken, other times just vegetables. Every time I've prepared it, I've always used the heavily processed jar of reduced calorie alfredo. Of course I scan the ingredients list for "sugar" or any synonyms of refined sugar--but still, I'm never really satisfied with the long list of things I can't pronounce in the ingredients list.

Now--I'll never need to buy another jar of heavily processed reduced calorie alfredo sauce, ever again! Thank you, Joy!

And seriously, this super-simple recipe using real ingredients tastes much better than any jar stuff I've tried! It's a keeper--and now I've added another item to the variety of my available choices!

The parmesan, the creaminess and flavor of the cream cheese/milk base, and the sea salt/back pepper---oh my...it made for a fantastic dinner experience!
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I'm caught up with shipping outstanding orders of Transformation Road and mp3 unabridged audio editions. If you've been patiently waiting for yours, thank you! All three of you will be receiving your copies within two days! :)

I sincerely appreciate everyone who has ordered copies of my book lately in various e-reader formats, the Audible.com audio version and in paperback via various booksellers, and mostly Amazon.com. I've always offered a way for you to order directly from me instead of these options--but now, temporarily, that direct option via my website is unavailable while transformationroad.com undergoes a total reconstruction. In the meantime, you can still order a copy directly from me by simply emailing your request to transformation.road@gmail.com. When you do, I'll email you an invoice and ship your copy! And by the way--the unabridged audio version mp3 disc with free shipping anywhere in the world, is still available as a complimentary gift with your donation of at least $20 to the DDWL! You can find the donation link in the upper left hand corner on the web version of this blog.

I finished up tonight by staying in with an excellent body weight strength training routine in my living room. It took all of twelve minutes to get in a very nice, focused workout. It's getting more and more difficult to justify not doing this--when it takes so little time.

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:










































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Princess Health and Levels of suspected 'hormone disruptors' in teen girls dropped after they switched to products that didn't contain them . Princessiccia

Princess Health and Levels of suspected 'hormone disruptors' in teen girls dropped after they switched to products that didn't contain them . Princessiccia

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A recent study found that after three days of not using personal-care products that contain "problematic substances," the levels of chemicals that potentially disrupt hormones in the bodies of teenage girls dropped, Environmental Working Group Vice Preisdent Alex Formuzis writes for its Enviroblog.

The study, led by Kim Harley of the Center for Environmental Research and Children�s Health at the University of California-Berkeley, asked 100 Latina girls between 14 and 18 years old to not use personal-care products such as cosmetics, shampoos and soaps, for three days and instead to only use products free of the suspected hormone disruptors: phthalates, parabens and triclosan. The girls, all volunteers, were given products that did not contain these chemicals.

After three days, the teens' urine tests showed a 44 percent decrease in the levels of methyl and propyl parapen, preservatives widely used in cosmetics, shampoos and skin lotions; a 35 percent decrease in triclosan, a commonly used antibacterial chemical that has been linked to the disruption of thyroid and reproductive hormones; and a 27 percent decrease in mono-ethyl phthalates, a common industrial plasticizer found in some nail polishes and fragrances.

�Techniques available to consumers, such as choosing personal care products that are labeled to be free of phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and oxybenzone, can reduce personal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals,� the study authors wrote. �Our study did not test for the presence of these chemicals, but simply used techniques available to the average consumer: reading labels and investigating product safety through web-based databases.�

The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, notes that the study shows that "consumers may be able to reduce exposures to these chemicals by seeking out commercially available products with lower levels of these chemicals."

However, Formuzis pointed out that the federal Food and Drug Administration has "virtually no authority" over this industry and notes that this study helps to, "underscores the need to regulate the personal care products industry."

Legislation by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), proposes to do just that.

"The Feinstein-Collins Personal Care Products Safety Act would give the FDA tools for ensuring the safety of personal care products as strong as those that regulate food and drugs," Formuzis writes. The bill would require the FDA to investigate the safety of five cosmetics ingredients and contaminants yearly; cosmetic makers would have to register their manufacturing facilities,disclose their ingredients, report health incidents related to their products, and label their products with disclosures and warnings as needed; and it would allow the FDA the authority to recall dangerous products.

Formuzis reports that "some of the corporations backing the Feinstein-Collins bill include Revlon, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, L�Oreal, California Baby and the industry trade organization, the Personal Care Products Council."

Sunday, 24 April 2016

Princess Health and April 24th, 2016 Fantastic Experience. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 24th, 2016 Fantastic Experience. Princessiccia

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April 24th, 2016 Fantastic Experience

Today started early for travel a little over an hour away. I met a good friend of mine, Dave May, for our dual speaking engagement. This was a concept presentation where we weaved our stories together, focusing on the spiritual, mental and emotional elements of transformation. We incorporated sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, Dave's ventriloquism and I think it's safe to say, some improvisation! This was our first time to do anything like this together. It was a fantastic experience! We plan on refining the program and doing more of these type events. A big thank you to Bartlesville First Church for having us!
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We developed the program together mostly via phone, with one in person run through yesterday.

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I was determined to spend some time with Noah this weekend--even if just dinner and a trip to the park, and that's exactly what we did tonight. We invited Irene (aka Nana) and Allen along for the adventure! It was a wonderful way to wrap up an amazing day.

I maintained the integrity of my calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my water goal by 32oz. I had a decent calorie burn simply from my activity level, so I made the call to make today a rest day from a workout--except of course, for the #morningdeal.

I'm hitting the pillow exceptionally early for me. And that's a great thing. I'm super-tired.

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:
































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and Zika update: Local anti-mosquito action needed; McConnell, Rogers at center of debate over Obama's request for more funds. Princessiccia

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Mosquitoes can carry Zika. (NPR photo)
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

While all 388 Zika virus cases confirmed in the continental U.S., including six in Kentucky, have been in people who were infected abroad and then returned to the states, a health official said on "Fox News Sunday" that it is likely the U.S. will have its own outbreak.

"It is likely we will have what is called a local outbreak," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Diane Bartz reports for Reuters.

Fauci said he did not expect a large number of people to become ill: "We're talking about scores of cases, dozens of cases, at most."

Dr. Ardis Hoven, infectious disease specialist for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, agreed and said the potential exists for Kentucky to have a local outbreak.

"I think it would be unreasonable for us to assume that we would not be at risk," she said in a telephone interview. "So therefore, we have to plan accordingly."

Hoven said mosquito control in the state is a "top priority," but said the bulk of this will have to happen at a local level.

She encouraged Kentuckians to talk about mosquito prevention with their friends and family and ask themselves, "What can I do in my community, in my yard, on my street to prevent mosquitoes from hatching and infecting those around me?"

Zika virus prevention strategy: Dress, Defend and Drain
The state has adopted a "3 D" approach to decrease the risk of infection by mosquitoes: Dress in light-colored long sleeved shirts and pants; Defend against mosquitoes with approved insect repellents; and Drain all standing water.

"If we can control mosquitoes in our region, we will go a long way to minimize the potential risk from infected mosquitoes," Hoven said.

The World Health Organization declared Zika a global health emergency in February. Those who have traveled to affected areas, such as Central and South America, are at the highest risk of contracting the virus, which is spread primarily by infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It can also be spread through sexual intercourse. Aedes aegypti can be found in about 30 U.S. states, including Kentucky.

Zika virus is especially dangerous to pregnant women because it has been linked to thousands of cases of microcephaly, a condition where the infants head is smaller than normal, as well as other severe fetal brain defects, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state health department has reported that one of the confirmed Zika cases in the state is a pregnant woman.

The CDC is investigating the link between Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its nerves. And Fauci said there could be other neurological conditions caused by Zika that affect adults, Bartz reports.

"There are only individual case reports of significant neurological damage to people, not just the fetuses, but an adult that would get infected. Things that they call meningoencephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and the covering around the brain, spinal cord damage due to what we call myelitis," Fauci said. "So far they look unusual, but at least we've seen them and that's concerning."

Common symptoms of the virus are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes, with symptoms lasting for about a week, though many with the virus have no symptoms. Currently there is no vaccine for Zika.

Funding to fight Zika held up in Congress

In February, President Obama asked Congress for an additional $1.9 billion in emergency funds to fight the Zika virus, including funds to develop a vaccine. This is in addition to $589 million in previously appropriated funds that have already been transferred to the effort.

That money should last through Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year, but "There's going to need to be additional money, I don't think there's any doubt about that," Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who chairs the House health appropriations subcommittee, told Susan Cornwell of Reuters April 13.

Top senators from both parties said "they are getting close to a deal to provide at least some emergency funding to fight the Zika virus, making it likely that the Senate will move ahead on the issue without waiting for the House," David Nather writes for STAT, an online health journal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said at a news conference April 19 that congressional Republicans were working with the administration on the funding details, Peter Sullivan reports for The Hill.

�We're working with them on it to figure out exactly the right amount of money,� McConnell said at a press conference. �You know, how is it going to be spent? And I don't think, in the end, there will be any opposition to addressing what we think is going to be a fairly significant public health crisis."

Nevertheless, House Republicans kept saying they don't have enough information to approve the request.

On April 20, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., said the Obama administration �continues to delay response efforts by refusing to provide basic budgetary information to Congress on their Zika funding request. This includes not answering our most basic question: �What is needed, right now, over the next 5 months in fiscal year 2016, to fight this disease?� In the absence of this information, the House Appropriations Committee will work with our colleagues in the House and the Senate to make our own determinations on what is needed and when, and to provide the funding that we believe is necessary and responsible.�

Five days earlier, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Republicans have all the information they need to move forward, ABC reports. He said, �They've had ample opportunity to collect information, to ask questions of senior administration officials, to read letters, to read the legislative proposal that was put forward by the administration.� 

Saturday, 23 April 2016

Princess Health and April 23rd, 2016 We're Not Alone. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 23rd, 2016 We're Not Alone. Princessiccia

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April 23rd, 2016 We're Not Alone

I've spent a lot of time today preparing for tomorrow's speaking event. If you're near Bartlesville, Oklahoma tomorrow, join us at Bartlesville First Church-4715 Price Road at 1pm! It's not a church service, it's a special event--and of course, it's free. This speaking engagement is very different from any other I've done. I've teamed up with a good friend of mine who has nearly thirty years recovery/sobriety from drugs and alcohol. We share the stage almost the entire time, weaving our stories together piece by piece--finding parallels, highlighting epiphanies and sharing a powerful story of hope that transcends weight or sobriety issues. We also share practical ways anyone can apply these transformative perspectives in their own lives. I can't wait to see how this unfolds in front of an audience.

I'm keeping tonight's edition short. The alarm is set alarmingly early!! But before I go...

Big thank yous to a few people who emailed me about the last few blog posts and how those perspectives resonated deeply. You know who you are. Thank you for sharing with me. I'm honored. I write what I write, explore what I explore and share what I share, to help me better understand, me. And when someone expresses how these explorations helped them better understand themselves--wow, it's a huge bonus and seriously, I can't even articulate the level of fulfillment--the absolute joy that comes with feeling, in some way, this very real--open and honest thing is helping someone else...it's simply the greatest feeling.

I've said it/written it time and time again--our methods of weight loss might be different, our life history might be worlds apart, our circumstances couldn't be more different--- and still, we can relate on the the deepest, most transformative levels, like you wouldn't believe. I think that speaks to the universal truth of it all. Because truth is truth, it doesn't change, everything around it can change--but the truth stands strong right in the middle. And in this we find community and we discover, these feelings, these struggles--they're not unique to any one of us. And in this, we realize, we're not alone, ever. 

I did get to see my little Noah briefly this afternoon. I plan on seeing him more tomorrow evening. He got a haircut today and by golly, I didn't think it was possible, but that kiddo is even more adorable with his new cut!

Letting the Tweets take it the rest of the way...

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:


































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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