Early Spring in the Northwest

Time flies when winter forgets to arrive. At least it has stopped raining for a bit, but it is very damp and cold. Not any fun to be outside. We did get out yesterday. MDH was working on the new front entry deck and digging up plants and replanting them. I was pretty much fussing around and behind him. Poor guy. This is a very heavy and back-breaking job. I don't need to add to his workload. The concrete pavers are looking great. We're very happy our son told us about these things.

We are very happy that we took responsibility for our health a few years ago. Regardless of how this "sick care" thing turns out, we don't plan on being totally dependent on the pharmaceutically driven, allopathic medical system. I was watching the new show on TV by Jamie Oliver showing people in West Virginia that the food they were eating and feeding their children was causing their health problems. They were portrayed as being clueless. Seems incredible to me. But I guess some people do live on frozen stuff that can be microwaved, eaten, and wrappers thrown in the garbage, all in 10-15 mins, while sitting in front of the TV. "Why is my child overweight and why does he have diabetes?" DUH!!!

The latest VitD report has found more evidence that low vitamin D levels are very much correlated to heart disease and hypertension, along with all the other chronic illnesses previously mentioned. I felt bad for Jamie Oliver. He can work to change the eating habits of all of these people, but he is not allowed to talk about nutients that are crucial to health. He can only talk about healthy food. Which after looking at the people on the program, I'm guessing any improvement in their eating habits, will be an improvement in their health...at least I hope so.

Spring is definitely in full swing here. The early rhodies are already fading and dropping blooms. The neighborhood is very colorful again. Love all the color! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival should really be going on now instead of starting the middle of April. I understand the organizers are a bit concerned that the tulips will be mostly done by the time the actual festival starts! Oh Well...happens every now and then. They say that March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb. Not this year. Just the opposite! Makes for interesting news!

As we all know I'm not the most computer literate person that ever lived, so actually finding out about "skype" and talking on it has been a new and fun experience. Our son and MDH have got theirs hooked up now. It's quite an experience to talk to someone and see them at the same time. I know people have been doing this for a while now, but not me. Our son put the Monitor down low so the 11 month old could see. It was fun to watch her realize that those people were talking to her sister and daddy and she could talk too. She got the "hang" of it pretty quickly and our son said she even said Grandma. Wishful thinking? Maybe? It was fun anyway! Hope spring is popping out in all of your neighborhoods! Enjoy!

Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven

Troubles? Who's Got Troubles?

Tonight, while watching the local news, I was reminded of the old adage that "We can always find someone who is worse off then me." A story, about a local boy whose face was almost completely devoured by a flesh eating bacteria, was aired. I remember when this happened... about four years ago now. This little boy almost didn't make it. He's had many surgeries and will require many more. He has a very good attitude about his scars. He and his family are all very thankful to God for this miracle. The Dr's. are even amazed at his recovery! Yes, my "troubles" can't even be called "troubles" compared to theirs. God is Good!!!

I have been reading, but until today, nothing interested me enough to share. Yes, my favorite subject...VitD.

A study was published today that said children who were given 1200IU/day of vitD3 were about 10% less likely to get the flu than the group given a placebo. That seems a little insignificant to me. Some countries are suggesting a minimum supplementation of 2000IU/day from age 2. I wonder if the outcome of the study would have shown a larger percentage difference with a larger dosage. The study also said that children who were asthmatic had 6 times more attacks than children who had supplementation. I have read, also this last month, that the overall death rate from all illnesses could be cut by 7% with a national adherence to supplementation of VitD. Such an easy and inexpensive thing to do.

Well, the weather is supposed to be mild again this weekend so maybe I can get some more "spring" work done in the greenhouse!

Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven