Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.

Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.

Winterize your home.

Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.

Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.

Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.

Check your heating systems.

Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.

Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.

Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.

Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.

Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.

Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries regularly.

Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation.

Get your car ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.

Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires

Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.

Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. Include

blankets;

food and water;

booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);

compass and maps;

flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;

first-aid kit; and

plastic bags (for sanitation).

Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.

Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.

Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:

Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;

extra batteries;

first-aid kit and extra medicine;

baby items; and

cat litter or sand for icy walkways.

Many people spend time outdoors in the winter working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.

Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.

Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.

Be aware of the wind chill factor.

Work slowly when doing outside chores.

Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.

Carry a cell phone.

Protect your family from carbon monoxide.

Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.

Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.

Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911.

When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.

Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories.

If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.

Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car.

Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away, but continue to move arms and legs.

Stay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna, turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is running), and raising the hood when snow stops falling.

Run the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour.

Keep a downwind window open.

Make sure the tailpipe is not blocked.

Above all, be prepared to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink.

No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.

Also regarding health lets look at what most people do in the WINTER as opposed to the SUMMER (hot weather):

Winter weight gain isn’t just an urban myth. Research has shown that most of us could gain around a pound (half a kilo) during the winter months. That may not sound like much, but over the course of a decade, it can add up.

“There’s good evidence that people put on weight over the winter,” says dietitian Sian Porter. “The more overweight you are, the more you tend to put on. And the most worrying aspect of this seasonal weight gain is that the pounds tend to stay on. People don’t seem to lose the extra weight.”

The three main reasons that people put on weight in the winter are lack of physical activity, comfort eating and over-indulging at Christmas.

Cold weather and shorter days make it harder to exercise outdoors, so it’s　easy not to　do any exercise over winter. If you’re not outside as much, there’s more time and temptation to reach into the kitchen cupboard for　high-calorie sweet snacks, such as biscuits and cakes.

Then of course there are　the festivities that surround Christmas. “What used to be a couple of days of parties and over-eating now seems, for some, to be　six weeks of over-doing it,” says Porter.

So what’s the solution? Here are　four simple ways to avoid winter weight gain.

1. Stock up your kitchen cupboards

Keep your store cupboard stocked with staples such as cans of tomatoes, spices, beans and pulses, dried wholewheat pasta, wholewheat cereals, noodles, couscous and dried fruit. Keep some extra bread in the freezer if there’s space. That way, you’ll be able to　create a　quick and nutritious evening meal, such as a lentil or vegetable soup or stew, at short notice. You’ll save money and avoid the temptation to order a high-calorie takeaway.

2.　Exercise more

When the outside temperature drops, it’s easy to give up on outdoor exercise.　In winter, we　stop doing　calorie-burning outdoor activities like short walks and gardening. But reducing the amount of physical activity you do is one of the biggest contributors to winter weight gain.

Cold weather and shorter days don’t mean you have to abandon exercise completely. Instead, rearrange your schedule to fit in what you can. You don’t need formal exercise to burn calories.

A brisk walk can be revitalising after being indoors with the central heating on, and it’ll also help boost your　circulation. Put on some warm clothes and jog around the neighbourhood or start a snowball fight with the kids. Most leisure centres have heated swimming pools and indoor tennis and badminton courts. If you’d rather stay at home, buy some dance or workout DVDs, and always walk up the stairs at work rather than using the lift. “These little things can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding that pound of weight gain over winter,” says Porter.

3. Drink smart

It’s important to consume hot drinks throughout winter as it will help you keep warm. However, some hot beverages are high in calories. Milky, syrupy coffee shop drinks and hot chocolate with whipped cream　can add a lot of calories to your diet. A Starbucks　medium caffe mocha, for instance,　contains more than 360 calories. Stick to regular coffee or tea, or ask for your drink to be “skinny” (made with skimmed milk). Also,  limit your alcohol intake as much as possible.

4. Get your winter greens

Eating a wide variety of foods ensures you get a range of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Don’t get stuck eating the same food every day.

Look out for root vegetables,　such as　swedes, parsnips and turnips, and winter veggies such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale and artichokes. They’re filling as well as nutritious so will help you to　resist a second helping of trifle.

5. Get the FLU VACCINE!\

Ways you can create a winter wellness plan that works for you:

that works for you.

1. Bring out the crock pot! Emphasis slow cooked, warm, moist meals this season. Soups are a perfect match for the cold, dry days.

2. We gravitate toward richer foods in the winter for good reason — we need to stay warm, lubricated and healthy.　 Allow yourself to indulge in high quality dairy, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, organic meats, and healthy fats — you can feel satisfied without jumping on the sugar train.

3. With the increase in heavier foods, be sure to increase spices and foods that help keep digestion lively. Many of these foods and spices have the added benefit of boosting your immune system because they are antibacterial. Try adding dark leafy greens, berries, garlic, onions, ginger, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon to your recipes whenever you can.

4. Pay attention if your skin feels tighter these days; you may need to switch to a hardier natural moisturizer like cocoa butter.

5. Use humidifiers to keep the air you are breathing moist.

6. If you use a neti pot to help keep your sinuses clear,  swab your inner noise with a q-tip dabbed in coconut oil or olive oil when you are done to be sure you don’t over dry that area.

7.　 Be proactive about preventing ear infections.　 Warm up garlic oil (sold in natural health food stores) to body temperature and put a dropper full into each ear canal.

8. We breathe a lot more indoor air in the winter, so be especially careful to keep it clean and free of toxins. Rotate an air purifier into different rooms.

9. Let indoor green plants help keep your air clean and fresh.

10. Diffuse essential oils to increase the negative ion count in your air (shown to help mitigate the effects of seasonal affective disorder).

11. Prioritize sleep and follow the sun’s lead. As the days get shorter, shift your sleep routine toward going to bed earlier and to allow your body more hours to rest and repair.

Photo by Lynn Lin

12. Keep physically active during the winter to bolster mental health and physical immunity.

13. If you are a walker or runner, invest in a set of cold weather workout clothes so your can keep up your routine as the temperature dips.

14. Shift to indoor activities : yoga, stretching, dance, toning and aerobics can all be done via a DVD in your living room.

15. Join a gym or group workout class to keep connected and accountable to getting your workout in.

16. Get social! Stay connected to others, even as your activities shift more and more indoors. Join a moms’ group or book club that meets regularly.

17. Replace outdoor kid’s outings with indoor ones, like book time at the library or trips to the museum.

18. Strengthen your body’s defenses by keeping your gut healthy.　 Consume foods that have natural probiotics (like yogurt, kefir, miso soup, cultured vegetables, sauerkraut), or take a high quality supplement.

19. If you take fish oil supplements, shift to cod liver oil supplements for the winter. These have the added benefit of vitamin A and D (great for months when our access to vitamin D producing sunshine is limited).

20. Finally, make a Feel Good menu specifically for winter. Take a moment to brainstorm all the things you can do in winter that you enjoy, that feel indulgent, and that make you happy. Keep this list posted and draw from it to make your days more special and when you need a little extra pampering.

Need a little help in understanding or knowing how to diet healthy, balance rest with exercise and living healthy habits on a routine schedule with treating yourself now and than to treats than go to healthyusa.tsfl.com and learn through Dr. Anderson and through a health coach on how to reach this goal without starving.  Take a peek you may just like what you see and you make all the choices of what to do and what to eat.  Hope to hear from you.  Stay healthy this winter!

“The lack of snow in areas where snow usually falls is NOT a good thing. The reasons are Farmers need snow, plain and simple; if agricultural shortages, the end result is often that the prices for food will rise.  Its a natural part of the ecological cycle.”

EnviroDad.com (an environmentalist blog)

I think you will enjoy life better and you will enjoy other people much better by following this rule.   “Never hear what people think of you. Instead, hear what they are feeling and needing at the moment they’re expressing those thoughts.”

Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. (October 6, 1934 – February 7, 2015 was an American psychologist, mediator, author and teacher).

The holiday Hanukkah is right here and Christmas with the New Year right around the corner, and it’s the time of year that we have to pay close attention to what is going on around us. Immediately following Thanksgiving the Christmas tunes started playing in the stores to match the display of holiday decorations, lights, Christmas trees and gift sets that all seem to miraculously appear overnight. For many of us, the holiday season can be very stressful with the demands of shopping, decorating, planning parties and the lack of money to spend on all these festivities may add up to distraction and anxiety. Predators are very busy this time of year, and they are ready to pounce on anyone who is simultaneously carrying a million shopping bags while searching for car keys and talking on the cell phone.  Well by now we are all set for the holiday, so that is one good positive note in decreasing the stress.  We are all guilty of befalling into the the mad hustle and bustle of the holidays with little focus on anything else. The downturn of the economy, high real unemployment rates, and very politically polarized as a nation which has fueled a negative influence on communities across the nation. That is exactly why a politically polarized nation is not good since there is no agreement with each other;  just look at the news alone.  Violent crimes, especially against innocent people, are on the rise, and the desperation of the times is only going to help influence the numbers to go up which has in NYC besides many other areas.
The following tips from the Los Angeles Police Department Crime Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

• Dress casually and comfortably.

• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

• Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.

• Always carry your Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.

• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
•  Keep cash in your front pocket.

• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.

• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.

• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

What I am thinking of Christmas is its a time when many people get depressed and stressed, unfortunately. People also drink more. So maybe there are more accidents waiting to happen. Just a caution to keep your defensive driving skills a little sharper perhaps.

When visiting with family and extended it can be stressful and a lot of times people wonder what the distant Aunt or in-law or brother etc… is thinking.  A good rule of thumb is never assume or wonder what the other family person is thinking.

If you want to enjoy your life, particularly during high stress situations, I would strongly recommend you never hear what another person thinks.

I think you will enjoy life better and you will enjoy other people much better by following this rule.   “Never hear what people think of you. Instead, hear what they are feeling and needing at the moment they’re expressing those thoughts.”   words of wisdom by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.

“People tend to consume much more fat, salt, sugar, and alcohol during the holiday season,”.   “Also, people tend to be less active due to the cooler weather. Overindulgence of food and alcohol along with inactivity raises the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These risk factors combined increase your chances of having congestive heart failure, a stroke, or even a heart attack.”

Roberto Wayhs, MD, chief of cardiology at Methodist Charlton Medical Center.

“Have pumpkin pie instead of pecan pie. Even with a dollop of whipped cream, you’ll cut calories and sugar by at least a third. 2- Break physical activity up into smaller chunks so it fits into your schedule, like walking 10 minutes several times a day.  3- Schedule some “me” time every day—a nap, dog walk, or hot bath to get energy back for the next celebration.”.

CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention

“Toys are supposed to be fun and are an important part of any child’s development. But each year just under 200,000 of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries under 5.”

kidshealth.org

“Even though there is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, there is a wide range of treatment options available.  Regarding Ulcerative Colitis, fortunately, there is a wide range of treatment options available that can help control ulcerative colitis (UC) as long as you stay on your treatment as prescribed.”

Chron’s and Colitis Foundation