From the office of Howard K Hill, New Haven Funeral Home:

One of the big contributing factors to blood pressure is stress, which can cause it to rise. The long term effect of stress on BP is not known. Trying to manage stress through breathing techniques seems to have no effect on raising or lowering it, but, some techniques have been known to have other benefits, like promoting better feelings and helping to control binge eating. This helps to decrease your blood pressure a bit.

It is known that blood pressure will increase when you have emotional or physical stress. If you are constantly stressed, your body may keep a very, unhealthy responsiveness level which is high, and creates an artificial state of blood pressure that is high.

Exercise can cause stress, but exercise helps your body to be able to control physical stress in short spurts like what happens when you exercise. Chronic stress doesn’t have any positive benefits on your circulatory system. It can raise your tendency to get sick. Stress is a big part of our everyday lives and its not easy to control how much stress life throws at us without affecting our everyday habits.

How can you help control stress? Many people do the following to try to deal with stress:
1. Eating.
2. Drinking Alcohol.
3. Smoking Cigarettes.

These are all contributing factors to an increase in blood pressure. Undergoing exercise routines may help you manage your stress and help you cut down on bad habits. If this doesn’t help you, finding a counselor to help you through your changes could help.

What affects does stress put on your heart? Stress applies negative effects on your cardiovascular system. Chronic stress can make your blood pressure run high, atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attack, and several more cardiovascular system problems.

Remember that stress is a causative factor of high blood pressure in individuals. Even small stress amounts can cause blood vessels to get smaller. Researchers are working to unlock the complexities related to high blood pressure, stress, and the cardiovascular system. Several researches have proven the fact that high blood pressure is often related to stress.

Contemporary researches have shown that high blood pressure influences the probablity of a perosn to get stroke. The study conducted in June 2003 shows that stroke is a resultant event between severe stress that is caused by changes in blood pressure. Danish studies report these findings; they discovered that middle ages men who reported a high level of stress were twice a likely to suffer from a severe stroke compared to men who reported they had low stress levels. One extra incident of stress a week completely doubled the risk for a person to have stroke events.

Atherosclerosis happens when plaque, cholesterol and fat deposits accumulate and block the blood vessels of the cardiovascular system . Arteries become thickened when this happens. If Arthrosclerosis affects blood vessels leading to the heart, the illness is called Coronary Artery Disease. Smoking, high blood pressure, Diabetes and cholesterol are all vital risk factors for getting heightened blood pressure. Stress might also be a leading cause. An Ohio State University research uncovered that stress slows your metabolism of triglycerides, which is a type of fat that isconnected to Cardiovascular System Disorders, including heart attacks. With slowing the metabolism of triglycerides, stress makes the fat remain in the blood longer. This is a factor that might speed up the process of Atherosclerosis development.

Certain relaxation techniques can aid in lowering the effect stress will put on your Cardiovascular System. Researchers have noticed that breathing exercises or meditation have helped to control high blood pressure, and might even show an effect of prevention. The development of Atherosclerosis can also be put off by relaxation techniques. Meditation on a regular basis, breathing exercises, and others have been known to help lower the level of oxidative chemicals in the blood, which turns around and lowers the risk of Atherosclerosis and by this maintains your blood pressure to within a normal limit.

Helping your child succeed in school may be as easy as sitting down for a family meal. From better grades to improved health, nutrition and social skills, family meals help children succeed in school and life. With time-saving tools like a meal planner, shopping-list generator and a new Back-to-School 30-Minute Family Meals cookbook on MealsMatter.org, family meals don’t have to be elaborate or time consuming to be beneficial.

This week, enjoy a family meal of Tangy BBQ Pizza, Orange Glazed Carrots and Berry Perfect Parfaits. Each recipe is ready to eat in 30 minutes or less so family meals can fit in even the most hectic schedule. Other featured recipes this week, including Green Chili Chicken Soup, Chocolate Monkey drink, Creamy Broccoli and Fish Bake and Kid Pleasin’ Chili can also be found in the new Back-to-School 30-Minute Family Meals online cookbook at MealsMatter.org.

"Family Meals Matter" features recipes selected by registered dietitians from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at our free online nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter (www.MealsMatter.org), sponsored by Dairy Council of California.

FEATURED FAMILY MEAL

Tangy BBQ Pizza

• Dough and cheese ingredients
• 12 -14-inch pizza crust
• 2 cups (8 ounces) California Monterey Jack or California Cheddar, shredded
• Pizza Pantry Ingredients
• 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce
• 2 cups cooked chicken, beef or pork, shredded or cubed
• 1 cup canned tomatoes, diced and drained

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spread barbecue sauce on partially baked crust. Arrange meat and tomatoes evenly over the sauce. Sprinkle cheese evenly over pizza.

Bake about 15 minutes, or until cheese has melted and the crust is crisp and golden.

Cook’s notes: Makes 1 pizza. Nutrient analysis based on 8 servings.

Variations:

Hickory Double Cheese Pizza

If you love hickory flavor, this is your pizza. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded California Mozzarella and 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions onto partially baked crust. Toss cooked chicken, beef or pork (shredded or cubed) with 1/2 cup hickory smoked barbecue sauce and spread over Mozzarella. Add tomatoes and sprinkle 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar and an extra drizzle of hickory sauce over all.

Barbecue Chile Pizza

This variation assumes a lively Southwestern accent. Mix one 4-ounce can chopped green chilies drained (finely minced) with 1/4 cup bottle barbecue sauce. Mix cooked chicken, beef or pork (shredded or cubed) in sauce mixture and spread on crust. Add 1 cup fresh or frozen corn and tomatoes. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack or Cheddar.

Orange Glazed Carrots

• 1 pound baby carrots
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt and pepper (optional)

Preparation

Place carrots in a shallow sauce pan and cover with water. Boil until tender. Drain.

Return carrots to sauce pan, pour juice over top, mix well to coat all carrots. Simmer 5 minutes.

Stir brown sugar, butter, salt, and pepper (optional) into carrots. Cook until butter and sugar melts.

Drain and serve.

Cook’s notes: After draining and ready to serve I sometimes add a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Berry Perfect Parfaits

• 1/4 cup water, divided
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup fresh blueberries, divided
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 1/8 teaspoon grated lime rind
• 1/2 pound fresh peaches
• 1-1/2 cups raspberry frozen yogurt

Preparation

Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch; stir well and set aside.

Combine remaining 3 tablespoons water, 3/4 cup blueberries, and next 3 ingredients in a saucepan; bring to boil. Add cornstarch mixture, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/4 cup blueberries. Spoon into a bowl; cover and chill.

To serve, peel and cube peaches to equal 1 cup. Spoon 2 tablespoons blueberry mixture into a 12-ounce parfait glass; top with 1/4 cup raspberry frozen yogurt, 2 tablespoons peaches, 2 tablespoons raspberry frozen yogurt, 2 tablespoons blueberry mixture and 2 tablespoons peaches. Repeat procedure with remaining ingredients.

SHOPPING LIST

(Includes ingredients to make at least four servings of each featured family meal recipe)

TANGY BBQ PIZZA

• 12-14" pizza crust
• 2 cups (8 ounces) California Monterey Jack or California Cheddar, shredded
• 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce
• 2 cups cooked chicken, beef or pork, shredded or cubed
• 1 cup canned tomatoes, diced and drained

ORANGE GLAZED CARROTS

• 1 pound baby carrots
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt and pepper (optional)

BERRY PERFECT PARFAITS

• 1/4 cup water, divided
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup fresh blueberries, divided
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 1/8 teaspoon grated lime rind
• 1/2 pound fresh peaches
• 1 1/2 cups raspberry frozen yogurt

" As always we are proud of our community and families we are honored to serve. If you have any questions about our services or are in need please feel free to contact Howard K Funeral Home to know everything you need to know about funerals and funeral services. Howard K. Hill Funeral Services has had the privilege of serving families in communities such as Suffield CT, Meriden CT, Hartford CT, New Haven CT, Bloomfield CT, Windsor CT and Hamden CT. We would like the honor to serve you too. Call us at (203) 551-9639 or visit our blog at:http://connecticutfuneralhomeblog.com/ "

source:

(c) 2010, Dairy Council of California, MealsMatter.org.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

As many people hit middle age they often start to notice that their memory and mental clarity are not what they used to be.  We suddenly can’t remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old acquaintance’s name, or the name of an old band we used to love.  As the brain fades, we euphemistically refer to these occurrences as "senior moments".

While seemingly innocent, this loss of mental focus can potentially have a detrimental impact on our professional, social, and personal wellbeing.

It happens to most of us, but is it inevitable?

Neuroscientists are increasingly showing that there’s actually a lot that can be done.  It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can significantly improve our basic cognitive functions.   Thinking is essentially a process of making neural connections in the brain.  To a certain extent, our ability to excel in making the neural connections that drive intelligence is inherited.  However, because these connections are made through effort and practice, scientists believe that intelligence can expand and fluctuate according to mental effort.

Now, a new San Francisco web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first "brain training program" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness.  Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts in neuroscience and cognitive psychology from Stanford University.

Lumosity, is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills.  That’s because they have integrated these exercises into a web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills.  The program keeps track of your progress and provides detailed feedback on your performance and improvement.  Most importantly, it constantly modifies and enhances the games you play to build on the strengths you are developing - much like an effective exercise routine requires you to increase resistance and vary your muscle use.

Does It Work?

Apparently it does. In randomized, controlled clinical trials Lumosity was shown to significantly improve basic cognitive functions. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34% after using Lumosity for 6 weeks, significantly greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program.

The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, etc., increased alertness and awareness, elevated mood and better concentration at work or while driving.

While many of the games at Lumosity are free, a modest subscription fee is required to use the full program over the long term.

However, Lumosity is currently offering a free trial of their program to new users so that you can see how well it works before you decide to subscribe.  The trial is completely free (no credit card required) and the company believes the results will speak for themselves.

Click here to try for yourself.

Source: thinkbeauty

This article sponsored by Lumosity.com Copyright ThinkBeauty.com 2010

MONTPELIER, Vt. —A new national report says adult obesity rates in New England are lower than in most other areas of the country, but are rising.

The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report that among the six New England states, Connecticut scored best. Twenty-one-point-four percent of Connecticut adults were obese, second lowest to Colorado’s 19.1.

The second lowest obesity rate in New England was in Massachusetts, at 21.7 percent, followed by Vermont’s 22.8 percent, Rhode Island’s 22.9 percent, New Hampshire’s 25.4 and Maine’s 25.8. Obesity rates in all six states were up from last year.

Ten of the 11 most obese states in the country were in the South, with Mississippi topping the list at 33.8 percent of adults rated obese.

Source: ctnow
Photo: Ben Kimball

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Can wine really improve our health and increase longevity? Scientists are beginning to say "Yes!" Supposing that the theory is true — which wines give us the most bang for the buck?

Researchers have found that red wines rich in flavonoids are best for our health. Flavonoids are best known for their antioxidant qualities and help the body resist such maladies as allergens, viruses and carcinogens.

Red wines also contain anxioxidants, which help the body resist cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir contain the highest concentrations of antioxidants and flavonoids.

Other red wines such as Merlots and red zinfandels contain fewer flavonoids, but more than most white wines. So, the best bet for drinking wine for our health is to stick to the dryer red wines.  Just because wine contains components that are central to good health doesn’t give us a free rein to get plastered every night. Don’t overdo it — but adding a glass of wine to your daily diet can definitely make a difference to our health.

Paracelsus, the noted 16th-century Swiss physician wrote, "Wine is a food, a medicine and a poison - it’s just a question of dose." As with almost any food or drink, wine consumed in large doses can be a detriment to our health.

Most health officials agree that one or two four-ounce glasses of wine per day can be beneficial to men, while women should limit their consumption to one four ounce serving per day.

Cardiovascular expert, Professor Roger Corder, has spent years studying the evidence of health benefits from red wine. In his new book, "The Wine Diet," he says he is convinced that most of us should include red wine in our every day lifestyle.

Corder discovered what he eventually labeled the "French Paradox." Specifically, he wondered why the French have a lower rate of heart disease despite the fact that their diet was extremely rich in fats. He concentrated his research on the southwest portion of France, where life expectancy seemed to be highest.

Professor Corder discovered that the region produces very tannic local wines, which contain the highest procyanidin (antioxidant) content of any wines, worldwide. This led him to further research on the amazing medical benefits of red wine.

While wine may not be man’s ultimate elixir or fountain of youth, it certainly behooves us to consider adding a glass of wine or two to our daily diet - and raise a "toast" to our continued good health.          

Source:howlifeworks.com

Source-
http://www.ctnow.com

Scientists have long marveled how some people in certain countries live remarkably long, healthy lives while we, in the west, suffer from high rates of chronic diseases and other health problems.

Computer analysis has enabled researchers to determine which populations are the healthiest and live the longest and analyze what these populations have in common.

The results point to one key factor; diet. The healthiest groups eat certain foods in much higher quantities - these foods have come to be called super foods.

Common problems such as lack of energy, poor skin and hair, and dramatic mood swings as well as serious problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers can also now be traced to poor nutrition.

Scientists have analyzed the super foods that these healthy populations eat and found they contain hundreds of micro-nutrient compounds, vitamins and antioxidants. A growing body of research from laboratory and human studies suggests that these nutrients work best in concert with each other, or synergistically.

Bottom line: Giving your body the right micronutrients in the right combination can make a huge difference to how long you live, how much energy you have, how often you get sick and even whether you get certain types of cancer or heart disease.

The problem of course is that we all live busy complicated lives. In a world of processed food and limited time, it is unrealistic to think we can eat the optimum diet including all of these super foods.

Enter San Diego, CA based www.superfoodsrx.com. This new company has addressed this problem by developing a daily nutritional supplement designed to provide the same mix of super-nutrients that are found in the so called super foods.

Dr. Steven Pratt is the developer of this remarkable nutritional system. A best selling author of nutrition and longevity books, Dr. Pratt also consults for top athletes and is a senior staff member at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California.

Just how remarkable is the supplement. Dr Pratt commented, “The nutrients and antioxidants we use in SuperFoodsRx have been shown to decrease symptoms of fatigue and to increase the effectiveness of dieting by helping to reduce the appetite and boost metabolism. They have also been linked to a lower incidence of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. There are several key micro-nutrients we included that can help to improve your complexion and strengthen hair and nails and the premium omega 3 found in SuperFoodsRx has been proven to reduce stress and mood-swings and improve memory and focus.”

SuperFoodsRx is currently offering a free trial of their supplement system. You can learn more about the free trial offer at www.superfoodsrx.com

Ok, ok, I admit it. I, too, spend countless minutes hours on YouTube surfing videos. Earlier today, I was looking for a video about procrastination as part of my research on how it prevents you from achieving your life goals.

The thing with procrastination is that you HARDLY ever deliberately choose it, right? I mean, you have your To Do list right in front of you, yet somehow, someway, things just don’t get done. Well, the video below is, for me, a perfect way of illustrating how procrastination prevents you from achieving your goals.

Learn and enjoy!

Life is short. Everybody knows this. And yet, look around you. Do you see a lot of TRULY happy people? What about you? Can you honestly say that you are living the life you want?

If not, whatever your age and wherever you are in your life right now, take a pause and re-evaluate your actions and your goals. Remember, life is short.

Steps to Living the Life You Want

Why is it that as we grow older, we tend to lose focus on what it is that will truly make us happy? I remember an episode on House M.D. where a renowned female doctor (now patient) who was spearheading cancer research simply quit and turned to what made HER happy… cooking.

How many of us have the guts to do this?

Note though that you don’t have to completely go ‘cold turkey’ on your current life (unless you REALLY don’t like what you’re doing right now). For many people, our day-to-day tasks and jobs do provide some form of happiness. But what’s to stop us from improving or enhancing our lives to be happy?

Firstly, go ahead and evaluate what will really make you happy now. Do you want to quit your job and go into, say, organic farming? Or do you want to keep you day job and do organic farming on the side? There are no limits. Figure out what makes you happy and go for it.

If finding the answer(s) to the above is not exactly flowing to you, ask yourself this question: what am I passionate about? Discover what will make you WANT to jump out of bed every morning and pursue that goal.

Try not to make too many concessions every day. You may not notice it but we tend to negotiate and compromise about everything daily. Do your best to be aware of this and stop the cycle.

You see, everyday, we are asked to act, say or do things that we may not be in agreement with. All this will eventually lie heavy on your shoulders until it becomes a burden you can’t carry anymore, making you unhappy. So sometimes it’s not even about quitting your job that will make you happy but just ignoring negative people who take advantage of you at work.

The moral lesson is simple really: life is too short to waste on things that do not contribute to your happiness. Make yourself your priority and everything will fall into place.

‘Tis the season for making resolutions…that are fizzled out, filed away, and forgotten by the first week of February.

The things we want to change—bad habits such as smoking, overeating, or buying things we don’t need—are like icebergs. That’s why New Year’s resolutions fail: They only attack the part of the problem that lies above the surface.

We can’t just dump a bad habit as if it were a throwaway bottle or a worn-out appliance. To make a lasting change in any significant area of our life, we need to understand the complex pattern of behavior that the habit is rooted in—all the underlying thought processes and choices that feed and sustain a bad habit in spite of our best intentions.

Every New Year presents the opportunity to discover one of life’s simple truths: As long as our underlying priorities remain the same, our heartfelt resolutions are doomed to fail, no matter how noble, sincere, or urgent they sound.

The secret to a happier, healthier life

Joyful, abundant living has nothing to do with New Year’s resolutions. It’s a result of understanding

1. Why resistance to change keeps us from achieving our potential
2. How to overcome the fear of change
3. When to seek change, and why we should seek it

In our next three posts, we’ll take a closer look at these three key areas—together, they account for the 90% of the iceberg that’s below the surface.

In a nutshell, the secret to a happier, healthier life is to realize that you can choose to take charge of your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. Accepting responsibility for who you are is the first step in overcoming harmful habits and replacing them with healthy ones.

Share your story

When you get serious about making change the No. 1 priority in your life, your bad habits don’t stand a chance. Post a comment to tell us about a change you want to make in 2010.