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Get your car road-trip ready

(NC)—You've got your tunes, you've packed snacks and you've programmed the GPS. You might be road-trip ready, but after battling the winter weather, is your vehicle?

During the warmer months, we tend to spend more time in our cars. According to Statistics Canada, drivers average 86.7 billion kilometres between July and September, the busiest quarter of the year. So it's not difficult to see that getting your car ready for these summer conditions is crucial for accident prevention and optimal fuel economy.

“Most of us take steps to prepare our cars for winter, but doing the same for summer driving is just as critical,” said Mauro Convertini, an insurance expert from Aviva Canada. “Before embarking on a road-trip, drivers should take a few moments to make sure their car is ready to roam the summer streets.”

Convertini recommends the following:

• Check your tires: Use all-season tires and maintain your tire pressure, as both will improve your vehicle's fuel economy in warmer weather.

• Get rain ready: Replace your windshield wipers, which may be cracked or torn from ice, snow, salt and extreme temperatures.

• Check air conditioning: There's nothing worse than losing your air conditioning on a hot sunny day. You could have an issue if it can't produce or preserve temperatures that are 10 degrees Celsius below the outside air.

• Cool your car: Sitting in traffic on a hot day is tough on your car's cooling system. Ask your mechanic to check your coolant levels at the start of the season.

• Fight salt damage: Replacing a salt-clogged air filter gets you more kilometres per litre.

With these tips in mind, you will be ready for your next road adventure. More information is available from your insurance broker or online at avivacanada.com.

www.newscanada.com

Advisories are critical if you have a food allergy

(NC)—If you, or someone in your family has allergies, you know that eating the wrong food can lead to symptoms such as hives or cramps. Those with severe allergies could even experience a life-threatening reaction.

There are strict federal regulations requiring allergen labelling for all food sold in Canada, whether it's produced domestically or imported. Pre-packaged foods that contain any of the 10 most common allergens must be clearly labelled with a warning. The 10 most common allergens are:

1. eggs

2. milk

3. mustard

4. peanuts

5. seafood (fish, crustaceans, shellfish)

6. sesame

7. soy

8. sulphites

9. tree nuts

10. wheat

Sometimes a product that contains undeclared allergens does end up on store shelves. When that happens, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issues a public warning advising consumers with allergies not to eat the product.

If you have allergy concerns, it's important to stay informed about food recalls and public warnings by signing up at HealthyCanadians.gc.ca, to receive e-mail notifications from the CFIA. The site is also a valuable resource for all food safety information.

www.newscanada.com

Avoid Flu, Stick to Winter-Wellness Routine

(NewsUSA) – Most of us can’t survive the winter without falling prey to at least one virus, infection or zealous set of cold germs. The phrase “winter wellness” sometimes seems like an oxymoron.
After all, staying indoors in a closed air system makes people more susceptible to certain germs. Winter’s affection for cold, dry air means germs will stay airborne longer. Just like adding layers of hats and scarves, we must add layers of immune support to bolster our defenses.
For many families, the flu vaccine is a viable option, but don’t take any chances. Fortify your body’s immune system by making smart dietary choices, too.
To keep your family healthy through the winter cold/flu season, use the following advice to keep the sniffles at bay.

Keep vitamins, minerals and supplements on hand.
In addition to vitamin C, zinc, echinacea and fish oil are all proven to strengthen immunity. If natural herbs and roots aren’t cutting it, use reliable flu medicine like products from Rexall. For over 100 years, Rexall products have been working to keep families healthy during cold/flu season.
Rexall products are available at more than 10,000 Dollar General locations, making them affordable to all kinds of families. Learn more at www.dollargeneral.com.

Stock kitchen with immune-system boosters.
A healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to help the body fend off illness, but you have to know what you’re looking for. Green tea helps fight viruses, especially if combined with anti-inflammatories like ginger. The more vitamin C, the merrier, so get your daily serving(s) of orange juice. Add cashews for healthy fats and extra antioxidants. Other edible flu-fighters include mushrooms, red peppers, sweet potatoes, garlic, whole grains and beans.

Common sense is king.
Common sense rules for hygiene are twice as important during cold weather. Be extra diligent about the basics — i.e., cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and carefully wash your hands often. Remember, the more tired or worn out you feel, the longer your immune system will take to respond. So, get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.

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Engineers as Entrepreneurs

(NewsUSA) – Engineers have given the world many of the great innovations we live by today — Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford, just to mention some household names.But did you know what else each of those great engineers did to realize success? They founded great enterprises to support the potential of their engineering innovations.The great American tradition of engineers-as-entrepreneurs continues today. Young, ambitious visionaries are still coming forward, stoked with ideas and the savvy to bring these ideas to life by bringing them to market. Sometimes they’ve conceived a previously undreamt-of way to improve some aspect of life we all face every day. Sometimes they’ve dreamed of making life just a little bit easier for people in far-flung or disadvantaged parts of the world. Sometimes they’re figuring out how to make modern life greener and cleaner for everyone.Ecovative Design LLC, Green Island, N.Y., is a great example of this tradition in operation today. Ecovative was founded by Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre in 2006. They met at an Inventor’s Studio course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy N.Y., where they created and eventually patented a mushroom-based insulation then called Greensulate, using agricultural waste and the growth properties of mushrooms to grow packing material that functions like traditional Styrofoam but biodegrades harmlessly.Another leading engineer-entrepreneur today is Amos Winter, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Winter is the creator of the Leveraged Freedom Chair, an ingenious improvement on traditional wheelchair design that takes advantage of levers and easily sourced bike parts to overcome the problems that have prevented traditional wheelchairs from succeeding in the unpaved, hilly and muddy regions of the developing world.Besides obvious brilliance, ambition and drive, what unites young visionaries like Bayer, McIntyre and Winter?One thing they all have in common is that they received an early boost by bringing their visions and plans to the Innovation Showcase, or iShow. Sponsored byASME, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, the iShow is a competition for early-career engineer-entrepreneurs from all over the world. Bayer, McIntyre and Winter are not just brilliant — they’re iShow Winners.For more information, visit www.asme.org.


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3 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Read

(NewsUSA) – The number of children who read digitally is on the rise, according to a report called “The Children’s Digital Book Market: The future looks bright.” In both the U.S. and Canada, e-book sales for children have increased substantially for some companies. No matter how you may feel about digital books, this is great news.
More kids reading is always good news — especially when reading achievement levels are so abysmal. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress says that only one-third of all students entering high school are proficient in reading.
It’s no secret that children who read tend to be more successful in school. Reading helps instill an interest in learning, exercises the brain and improves concentration, critical thinking and vocabulary.
“As a parent of three, I’m constantly looking for new ways to encourage the love of reading in my kids. At the same time, I am also trying to manage the amount of time that they spend on electronics and in front of screens,” said Michael Tamblyn, Chief Content Officer of Kobo Inc., an e-reading service. “Even with a range of ages, they have all found books they like, so the e-readers in our house are now filled with Percy Jackson, Emily Windsnap and Geronimo Stilton.”
Use the following tips to encourage youngsters to read more and enjoy it.
1. Read to children as much as possible. This may seem obvious, but reading to your kids helps them develop their own interest in books. Read to them at all ages, as babies, toddlers, young kids and pre-teens. Discover what types of books they prefer, carve out reading time and then teach them to make time for it, too.
2. Consider using an e-reader. These days, kids tend to be more technologically advanced than their parents. Use that to your advantage, and give your child an e-reader with a digital library.
For instance, the Kobo Mini eReader is lightweight, portable and perfect for first-time
readers — The Huffington Post says it’s lighter than this week’s issue of The New Yorker. The Kobo Mini (www.kobo.com/kobomini) also has a touch-screen and Wi-Fi, so young readers can look up unfamiliar words, make notes on the page and access free books.
“E-readers, like Mini, let them have instant access to their favorite stories without the distractions that other devices provide,” says Tamblyn.
3. Read all kinds of materials. Books aren’t the only way to encourage reading. Depending on your child’s interests, find related comic books, graphic novels, magazines, poetry, recipes, board games with reading cards and movies with subtitles. Get creative!


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Talking Books Aid Visually Impaired, Physically Disabled

Whether for escape, enlightenment, or pure joy, books allow us to connect to other places and times. Fortunately for the millions of Americans who have impaired vision or a physical disability, there are braille and talking books from NLS.

NLS is the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, part of the Library of Congress. Established in 1931, the organization’s mission is to enrich the lives of its patrons by offering them books, magazines, music scores, and other materials in audio and braille at no charge. Unlike traditional audiobooks that are provided at public libraries or sold at retail bookstores, audiobooks offered by NLS are unabridged, extensive and diverse, and are designed specifically for people who are unable to read regular print.

NLS provides its services to any U.S. resident or U.S. citizen living abroad who is blind, has low vision, or has a physical disability that makes it difficult to hold a book. Thousands of bestsellers, classics, biographies, nonfiction works, and more can be downloaded from the Internet or ordered for home delivery through a nationwide network of cooperating libraries.

Those with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, loss of the use of their arms or hands, or prolonged weakness can access the NLS collection. So, too, can people with temporary limitations resulting from strokes or accidents.

Now avid readers like San Francisco resident Ivana Kirola, 38, who suffers from cerebral palsy, can continue to satisfy their interests, which for Kirola range from politics, to travel, to music.

“I really appreciate the services from NLS,” Kirola says. “They help me in my daily life, in understanding people and keeping up to date with the news. My favorite part of NLS is the widened horizons that reading audiobooks gives to me.”

Along with her love of books, Kirola attends a yoga class at the San Francisco Library—one of  NLS’s regional partners.

“The thing that has helped me is to remain persistent in what I would like to experience,” says Kirola. “Sometimes what you need is elusive, but it’s important not to give up. There are solutions for everything, but sometimes it takes persistence to find out what they are.”

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No Shelf Required With E-Readers at Your Fingertips

With hectic schedules ruling the day, people often underestimate the importance of taking time to relax and recharge—even if for only a few minutes.

To that point, why not do so with a good book? Whether you’re curled up on the couch after work or simply on your lunch break, eReading companies such as Kobo have enough options to keep you interested—and relaxed.

No matter what age you are, there’s something for everyone’s taste or preference.

The 20s can be fraught with stress and tension. You’ve left the comfort of home, so now what? Consider books that will help direct you on your own path. There is “How to Be Interesting” by Jessica Hagy and “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now” by Meg Jay.

The 30s might have you pondering marriage and family, in which case, “Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential” by Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Mark S. Lowenthal might be informative and invaluable reads. For a mind-candy read that’s sure to entertain, try “Bridget Jones’s Diary” by Helen Fielding.

By their 40s, people are looking for a little romance or a thrill. Books such as “Inferno” by Dan Brown, or “Committed” by Elizabeth Gilbert may have just the appeal you’re looking for.

In your 50s, the kids are (hopefully) out of the house, and you now have time to read and travel. To that end, “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova and “Live By Night” by Dennis Lehane could be the thing to toss in your suitcase.

The 60s, or Golden Years, mean retirement and the ability to enjoy the things you love most. Whether it’s spending time with family, keeping fit, or curling up with a good book, there is “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter or “Paris” by Edward Rutherfurd.

As well as offering instant access to millions of titles online, digital reading companies offer a cornucopia of eReading device options and free reading apps for most smartphones and tablets, making it easy to expand your “just read” list. Whatever your age—young or old, married or single—books are a source of entertainment, escape and inspiration, but most of all, enjoyment.

Learn more at www.kobo.com/ereaders.

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What Is Micro-Clustered Water and Why You Should Be Drinking It

(NewsUSA) – It is the most taken-for-granted natural resource we have — and we use and abuse it until we don’t have it. Some tend to think of it as our birthright, while others think of it as a gift. It is water, and it is turning out to be more complex than once thought.
To understand this necessary component to life, we must understand its chemical properties and how it works in and with our bodies.
The water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom to form the oft-quoted H20 molecule. However, what you may not know is that water comes in clusters of molecules (rather than single molecules), and tap water contains very large clusters of up to 13 molecules. It is as if 13 groups of water are essentially holding hands.
What this means for your body is that you will feel fuller longer after drinking a glass of tap water, because of the amount of water molecules that need to be processed for hydration.
However, if you drink micro-clustered water, or water that contains only five or six molecule clusters, the water will be that much more hydrating, soluble and permeating for the cells and the body. In essence, it’s a system that delivers wetter water so that more of the nutrients will be absorbed into the cells at a faster rate.
Sound confusing? Think of micro-clustered water as a handful of Bb’s compared to a softball. If you throw the softball at a chain-link fence, it won’t pass through. However, if you throw the Bb’s at the fence, they pass through seamlessly. Micro-clustered water is like that. It permeates your cells much like the Bb’s through the fence, hydrating your body within seconds of drinking, leaving you less bloated and more completely hydrated.
By drinking water that contains fewer molecules, or micro-clustered, alkaline, ionized water such as Alkame Water, you can hydrate your body more quickly and effectively, enhance energy levels, improve your overall aerobic capacity and health and prevent premature aging. Additionally, antioxidants are a benefit of micro-clustering, which have been proven to boost the immune system.
The benefits of clustered water were upheld by an independent study conducted by the Chinese Health Care Science and Technology Society, which found that 60 percent of people who drank clustered water had their cellular hydration level increase tenfold.
For more information on micro-clustered water and the health benefits it can provide, visitwww.alkamewater.com.


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Are We Tending to Our Children’s Garden of Hope?

NewsUSA) – Spring is in the air. During these months of renewal and growth, ask yourself whether you are doing all you can to help a child in need. Are you helping to plant the seeds of success in children less fortunate; those who perhaps are lingering in foster care because they were abused or neglected?

The findings from a National Online Harris Poll commissioned by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association show that 87 percent of Americans believe improving foster care should be a national priority. The poll also found that although the community deems the issue important, 83 percent of adults polled know little or nothing about the experiences of children in foster care. Despite their lack of awareness of foster care, 73 percent of adults surveyed agree that they have the potential to positively influence the lives of foster children.

“These are people we — and our foster youth — so desperately need,” said National CASA CEO Michael Piraino. “We know that when a CASA volunteer is involved, children are 95 percent less likely to re-enter the foster care system. There are people out there who are willing to help, they just don’t know how.”

When asked what foster children want, they say it’s simple — “We just want someone to be there to listen. We trust people who are willing to listen to us.”

“African-American children represent 32 percent of America’s 510,000 children in foster care but only 15 percent of the general population. Not only are these children disproportionately overrepresented in foster care, but once in the foster care system, children of color tend to receive fewer services, stay in care longer and generally have worse outcomes than white children,” said Ernestine S. Gray, National CASA Board president and Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Judge in New Orleans.

To learn about volunteering, visit www.nationalcasa.org. You can also call 1-888-805-8457. Today, more than 950 CASA/GAL offices operate in 49 states, with more than 59,000 men and women serving as CASA/GAL volunteers.

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African-Americans at Higher Risk for Stroke

NewsUSA) – Each year, more than 780,000 Americans suffer a stroke. It is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. African-Americans suffer more severe strokes than white Americans, and tend to have a higher rate of risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking.

Many people do not know the symptoms or what to do when they witness someone having a stroke. The following information is provided to you by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

“For African-Americans, stroke is more common and more deadly — even in young and middle-aged adults — than for any other ethnic or racial group in the country. It is critical to recognize the symptoms of a stroke, call 9-1-1, and get to a hospital quickly,” said Salina Waddy, M.D., program director, Office of Minority Health and Research, NINDS. “The good news is that treatments are available that can save people’s lives and improve their chances for successful recovery.”

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or if bleeding occurs in or around the brain. Brain cells die when deprived of oxygen and nutrients provided by blood. Because a stroke injures the brain, if you are having a stroke, you may not realize what is happening. But to a bystander the signs of a stroke are distinct:

* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)

* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination

* Sudden severe headache with no known cause

In treating a stroke, every minute counts. Treatments are available that greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke. But you need to arrive at the hospital within 60 minutes after symptoms start in order to receive some treatments. Knowing the symptoms of a stroke, making note of the time of the first stroke symptom, and getting to the hospital quickly can help you act in time to save yourself — or someone you know — from serious long-term disability.

Making changes in your lifestyle can help prevent stroke. The NINDS, part of the National Institutes of Health, is dedicated to research and education on the causes, treatments and prevention of stroke. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, family history of stroke, high cholesterol, and being overweight. Talk to your doctor and let him or her know about the concerns you may have about the risk factors of stroke. Find out your risks and take action.

More information on stroke, including how to reduce risk factors, is available in the NINDS materials. Order free materials by calling 1-800-352-9424 or by visiting www.stroke.nih.gov.

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Three Tips to Avoid Heartburn

Most people who have eaten a spicy meal have experienced heartburn – but for many, the problem may be much more frequent than the occasional bout of indigestion. Frequent heartburn can also be a symptom of a more serious problem called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Acid reflux is caused by the regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, which connects the mouth and stomach. The symptoms of GERD include burning chest pain, regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing and excessive clearing of the throat.
When GERD is not treated, serious complications can occur. If you are constantly reaching for the antacids at the end of the day, the following tips may help:
1.    Don’t lie down after eating. When you lie down, it’s easier for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, particularly when you go to bed with a full stomach. Make sure to wait at least three to four hours after eating before going to bed, and try raising the head of your bed.
2.    Cut out problem foods. Chocolate, peppermint, tomato sauce, and fatty and spicy foods have all been proven to exacerbate the symptoms of heartburn. Making a point to eat smaller meals will also help curb potential heartburn problems.
3.    Avoid smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol. Using tobacco and ingesting alcohol reduce the pressure on the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, permitting acid reflux to occur.
GERD has a physical cause and may not be improved by lifestyle factors alone. If you are using over-the-counter medications two or more times a week or are still having symptoms on prescription or other medicines, you need to see your doctor. Persistent symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux should not be ignored.
For more information about GERD, visit www.acg.gi.org.

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Have You Seen America’s Hidden Third World?

When Americans imagine communities with dilapidated homes, barefoot children and starving adults, they might picture Third World countries. But over 23 million U.S. residents live in deep rural poverty.
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson launched his War on Poverty from Appalachia, a 1,000-mile stretch that goes from southern New York to northeast Mississippi. Although some communities have seen improvement since the 1960s, the economic boom of the 1990s did little to improve living conditions.
Appalachian unemployment and earnings rates still fall below the national average. Some areas still lack water and plumbing systems. While Appalachians can often afford their own homes – coal companies built houses, then sold them cheaply when they moved into new areas – few people can afford their upkeep.
Americans Helping Americans (AHA), a nonprofit organization that runs several relief projects in Appalachia, reports seeing homes without adequate roofs, walls and floors.
People moved into Appalachia when the coal mining industry thrived, but most coal mines have since moved West. Only 2 percent of Appalachia’s workforce still mines, and they face job-related health risks. Most people work in low-paid, unskilled sectors, where salaries cannot support living costs.
For children, rural poverty proves especially heartbreaking. Many Appalachian children grow up without adequate food, shelter or healthcare –  one in five Appalachian children grow up in poverty. And few doctors work in Appalachia, few residents have insurance or the means to pay medical fees. Simple toys prove beyond many families’ means – paying for home repairs or dental visits seems impossible.
For Appalachian children, simple donations, from teddy bears and blankets to school supplies and Christmas dinners, help encourage confidence and personal pride. AHA’s Bare Feet Program takes children to stores, where they can choose and buy their own shoes, just like any other child.
AHA also helps supply food and blankets, utilities and home repairs to struggling Appalachian families. Appalachians suffer a poorer standard of living than most Americans, but relief work can help families emerge from the nation’s hidden Third World. For more information, visit www.helpingamericans.org.


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Will a Return to Traditional Values Save Our Economy?

The American economy is deeply mired in a financial dilemma, and the waters have begun to smell a little stagnant. Despite statements issued by White House budget director Jack Lew that progress is being made, citizens haven’t been given much reason to have faith in their government. Americans don’t know where to look for solutions when their representatives can’t see past chunks of red and blue.

In a time when many people point to advanced technology for answers, some experts are encouraging Americans to reconnect with the philosophies of their forefathers. Modern society has produced conveniences and amenities alongside challenges and apathy. This probing issue is the focus of conservative columnist, television and radio host and political activist Armstrong William’s  latest book.

In his new book, “Reawakening Virtues: Restoring What Makes America Great,” Williams shares his personal point of view – “a set of fundamental moral guidelines are necessary to get us through and beyond these hard times.”

“America has a great chance to come out of this current recession and restore its role as the world’s beacon of light. I truly believe that. But if we’re not careful in how we think and act from this point forward, we could easily lose it all,” says Williams. “So the question I ask in my latest book is ‘How do we get beyond the impasse and move toward a new harvest season?’”

Williams encourages his readers to return to virtues like faith, social justice, personal accountability and enlightened compassion. Principles based on America’s founding fathers, such as a return to basic capitalism, the importance of saving and returning to morality, family and God, are analyzed for their merits – now lost amidst confusion about the national debt.

“Although my fundamental values haven’t changed, my perspective has broadened. I communicate with more empathy and compassion than I may have in the past. And above all, I do not delve into partisan politics,” explains Williams.

To learn more about Williams’ ideas, visit New Chapter Publisher or purchase the book atAmazon.

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Audiobook Service Helps Blind Vets Recover Independence

In December 1967, a young soldier lay in a hospital bed after sustaining severe eye injuries from a land mine in Vietnam. Tom Miller, now executive director of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) in Washington, D.C., was blind, and his mind raced over all of the things he’d never be able to enjoy again. “I’ve spent the past 44-plus years erasing that list, or finding new things I can do.”

Miller says he owes many thanks to thetalking-book program of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), part of the Library of Congress.

“The program is a godsend,” he says.

Veterans—and any U.S. resident or citizen living abroad—are eligible to become NLS readers if they are blind, have low vision or have an illness or disability that prevents them from handling a book or printed material.

According to a 2011 report by the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, 16 percent of the wounded soldiers evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan battle zones have suffered eye injuries—the highest rate of eye injuries since the Civil War. In response—and in support—NLS works with BVA rehabilitation staff, military hospitals and rehabilitation centers to offer digital talking-book players to eligible members of the military. The digital players are designed for easy use by those who can no longer read or handle printed materials. NLS director Karen Keninger says the hospital program is the most effective way to guarantee that blinded and disabled veterans who need access to books will have it.

Audiobooks and players are delivered to NLS readers by mail at no charge through more than 100 cooperating state and local libraries. NLS readers have access to bestsellers, biographies, self-help books, magazines and more.  Plus, those with access to the Internet can download audiobooks and magazines using the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), the NLS online delivery system.

NLS’s convenient system allows Miller to devour 60 to 75 titles a month. Miller recalls how much he enjoyed the first NLS talking book he read: “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote. In rehab, he ran back and forth to his room between classes to finish the book.

People who lose their sight may think their life is over, but it’s not, Miller says. The talking books and magazines that NLS provides are one way blind and visually impaired individuals can stay engaged with the world. “You have access to so many different titles, and you’re only a phone call away from cooperative libraries,” he says. “It reopens an aspect of your life you thought was lost forever.”

Learn more or sign up for the talking-book program at www.loc.gov/nls or call 1-888-NLS-READ.

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Resources to Help Family Caregivers

Every day, many Americans find themselves in an unexpected new role. They become a family caregiver for a loved one suffering from chronic pain.

Experts estimate that chronic pain affects millions of Americans. Pain can interfere with daily activities, causing patients to lean heavily on family and friends.

Providing care for a loved one experiencing chronic pain presents challenges, such as making sure your loved one reports pain to his or her healthcare provider. Even with chronic diseases and conditions, pain should be taken seriously by doctors and physicians.

Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of the National Family Caregivers Association, vouches for appropriate care because each person feels pain differently. Although it is a physical sensation, perceptions of pain are influenced by social, cultural and psychological factors. It can be difficult to make sure your loved one’s pain is evaluated appropriately.

However, there’s little information and few resources available to help family caregivers cope with these problems. The National Family Caregivers Association has teamed up with the pain management education program Partners Against Pain to create Caregiver Cornerstones, a program providing information, encouragement and tools to family members. The four Caregiver Cornerstones are:

1.    Learning about pain management. Taking an active role in helping to manage a loved one’s pain may help you feel more useful and worry less.

2.    Caring for a person with pain. This includes making sure that patients receive proper assessment and follow their treatment plans.

3.    Caring for yourself. Being a family caregiver can be a demanding job. Allow others to help provide a support system.

4.    Advocating for all people in pain. The Cornerstones program strives to raise awareness about the importance of access to effective pain care. Learn more about Caregiver Cornerstones at www.partnersagainstpain.com.

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4 Food Truths and Myths Go Head-to-Head

In our information-loaded world, it’s difficult to know what’s true and what isn’t—especially when it comes to food choices.

In many case, people are basing their assumptions on either pure myth or the latest diet fad. A perfect example is: Gluten is bad for you. Listening to these ever-changing “rules,” however, can be risky.

“Food myths are dangerous because they can deprive you of the benefits of a healthy diet,” says Tara Gidus, MS, R.D., who’s the team dietician for basketball’s Orlando Magic.

The following are a few myths that deserve to be debunked:

 MYTH: All yogurt is good for you. If you smother anything with enough sugary fruits and toppings, it’s no longer a snack, but dessert.

 MYTH: Fresh veggies are more nutritious than frozen or canned. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic’s Melissa Joy Dobbins, veggies and fruits “are canned as soon as they’re picked so they’re at peak nutrition.”

There’s also research showing that ◊canned tomatoes [www.hunts.com]◊, in particular, contain more of the heart disease-protective carotenoid pigment lycopene than fresh ones. Since statistics indicate that adding tomatoes to your diet is related to increased consumption of healthy vegetables of all kinds (just ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture why), maybe we should all consider stocking up on cans of, say, Hunt’s tomatoes (www.hunts.com).

    MYTH: Gluten-free diets are healthier. Like trends before them, chalk this up to another diet fad. Without even really knowing what gluten is (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye), people assume that the 99 percent of Americans who do not have celiac disease should also avoid it.

The problem is that such whole-grain foods happen to be rich in vitamin B, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and fiber, and may even help lower the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. That explains, says Peter H.R. Green, the director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in an interview with WebMD, that going gluten-free “isn’t something anyone should do casually.”

    MYTH: Eggs are bad for your heart. Eggs have long enjoyed a bad rap and a renaissance in equal amounts. According to the Harvard Medical School, the only large study that addressed the issue found “no connection between the two.” However, egg yolks do contain cholesterol, calories, and fat. So, for a lean and healthier option, discard the yolk or switch to pourable egg whites-only altogether, such as Egg Beaters (www.eggbeaters.com)

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