List of Power Thoughts

Courtesy of Joyce Meyer

I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ.

God loves me unconditionally!

I will not live in fear.

I am difficult to offend.

I love people and I enjoy helping them.

I trust God completely; there is no need to worry!

I am content and emotionally stable.

God meets all my needs abundantly.

I pursue peace with God, myself, and others.

I live in the present and enjoy each moment.

I put God first in my life.

Turmeric - Health Benefits

Herb to Know: Turmeric

By Gina DeBacker, assistant editor
Turmeric
• Genus: Curcuma longa
• Also known as the golden spice or Indian saffron
• Zones 7 to 10
• Try These: Treat Arthritis With These Products
Many Indian brides anoint their skin with a sacred golden spice the night before their wedding to capture a natural glow. This treasured spice is the herbaceous turmeric, well-known for its vibrant color and abundant healing powers.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the gingerroot, or Zingiberaceae, family, thrives in hot, moist climates such as China, South Africa and India, and grows 3 to 5 feet high. It’s a perennial plant with orange-red blossoms resembling lilies.
Although its flowers are stunning, its rhizome, or underground stem, is what attracts the most attention. When dried and ground, its rhizome yields a sharp yellow powder known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent properties. It is also used in an array of Indian dishes, curry being the most popular. It is not as pungent as ginger but emits a sweet aromatic note.

Health Benefits

Call turmeric a jack-of-all-trades—it’s one of the most versatile of all herbal healers. “It’s my favorite herb,” says K.P. Khalsa, the formulating herbalist for Yogi Tea. Khalsa describes it as a medium-strength herb with virtually no side effects. It is a popular stomach soother; an excellent skin food, treating myriad skin conditions, such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis; tames oxidation; and relieves pain. In fact, as little as 1/4 teaspoon a day has measurable healing effects. Just be cautious that it doesn’t stain your hands yellow with its strong dyeing effects.
Many herbal experts consider turmeric to be the most useful herb in the world, according to Prashanti de Jager, author of Turmeric: The Ayurvedic Spice of Life (Pioneer Imprints, 2010). Although it is most commonly used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, modern research is fascinated with its healing properties. A search for turmeric on PubMed, the database of the National Institutes of Health, produces 1,755 studies.
Most recently, researchers have been analyzing its anti-cancer effects. Results are still early, but evidence suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may help prevent, control or kill several types of cancer, including breast, colon, prostate and skin. One 2009 study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, showed that curcumin starts to kill esophageal cancer cells within only 24 hours of treatment.
Curcumin may also prevent the onset of dementia. Studies suggest that people who eat curry two to three times a week have a lower risk. It may protect the brain against beta-amyloid, a protein that is toxic to brain cells. Clinical trials are still underway, so be on the lookout for more information.
To benefit from turmeric’s healing effects, incorporate this aromatic spice in your cooking; use 1 gram per day in capsule form; or try a standardized extract. Talk to your health-care provider before taking any herbs or supplements.

Try This!

Treat arthritis with this traditional Ayurvedic drink known as Golden Milk. Mix 1⁄4 cup turmeric powder with 1⁄2 cup water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until a thick paste is formed, then store in the refrigerator. To make the drink, mix 1 cup milk with 1 teaspoon almond oil, 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric paste and honey to taste. Stir on low heat and bring just to a boil. Blend to make a foamy beverage.

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The Power to End Strokes

Take 2 to Save 2 is a great new initiative from the American Stroke Association and Power To End Stroke. It's simple, take two minutes to learn life saving information and share it with others. I wanted to share it with you because I care about you and want to make sure you are aware of the devastating effects of heart disease and stroke. Visit www.powertoendstroke.org/take2 to learn more, and then send special health messages to people you care about.
It just might save their lives. You have the Power.

Have a Powerful Day

Information provided by

Nancy Mathea Grayson, Ph.D.

Senior Regional Director of Health Equity

American Heart Association SouthWest Affiliate 2227 E. Skelly Drive
Tulsa, OK 74105
918.712.4013
918.745.2043 nancy.grayson@heart.org

Tobacco Prevention Links

Links:

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/index.htm

http://www.ok.gov/tset/Programs/Helpline.html

http://www.ok.gov/stopswithme/documents/8071-TSET-AIResGuide2010-F.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/pathways/pdfs/pathways.pdf

http://women.americanlegacy.org/includes/pdfs/facts.pdf

http://www.ok.gov/breatheeasyok/documents/Secondhand%20Smoke-What%20It%20Means%20To%20You.pdf

http://www.ok.gov/stopswithme/documents/Facts%20on%20Hookah.pdf

http://www.ok.gov/stopswithme/documents/8927%20TSET%20TobaccoFactSheet%20F.pdf

Information provided by Alicia D. Smith, MPH

Tobacco Use Prevention Outreach Coordinator

Public Health Promotion

921 N.E. 23rd Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405.425.4328 Office

Alicia_Smith@occhd.org

Quick Tips for Men-When Seeing Your Doctor

Research has shown that patients who have good relationships with their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care—and to have better results. Here are some tips to help you and your doctor become partners in improving your health care.

The single most important way you can stay healthy is to be an active member of your own health care team. One way to get high-quality health care is to find and use information and take an active role in all of the decisions made about your care.

This information will help you when talking with your doctor

Give Information. Don't Wait to Be Asked!

• You know important things about your symptoms and your health history. Tell your doctor what you think he or she needs to know.
• It is important to tell your doctor personal information—even if it makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
• Bring a "health history" list with you, and keep it up to date. You might want to make a copy of the form for each member of your family.
• Always bring any medicines you are taking, or a list of those medicines (include when and how often you take them) and what strength. Talk about any allergies or reactions you have had to your medicines.
• Tell your doctor about any herbal products you use or alternative medicines or treatments you receive.
• Bring other medical information, such as x-ray films, test results, and medical records.

Get Information

• Ask questions. If you don't, your doctor may think you understand everything that was said.
• Write down your questions before your visit. List the most important ones first to make sure they get asked and answered.
• You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions. This person can also help you understand and/or remember the answers.
• Ask your doctor to draw pictures if that might help to explain something.
• Take notes.
• Some doctors do not mind if you bring a tape recorder to help you remember things. But always ask first.
• Let your doctor know if you need more time. If there is not time that day, perhaps you can speak to a nurse or physician assistant on staff. Or, ask if you can call later to speak with someone.
• Ask if your doctor has washed his or her hands before starting to examine you. Research shows that handwashing can prevent the spread of infections. If you're uncomfortable asking this question directly, you might ask, "I've noticed that some doctors and nurses wash their hands or wear gloves before touching people. Why is that?"

Take Information Home

• Ask for written instructions.
• Your doctor also may have brochures and audio tapes and videotapes that can help you. If not, ask how you can get such materials.

Once You Leave the Doctor's Office, Follow Up

• If you have questions, call.
• If your symptoms get worse, or if you have problems with your medicine, call.
• If you had tests and do not hear from your doctor, call for your test results.
• If your doctor said you need to have certain tests, make appointments at the lab or other offices to get them done.
• If your doctor said you should see a specialist, make an appointment.

Remember, quality matters, especially when it comes to your health. For more on health care quality and materials to help you make health care decisions, go to Choosing Quality Care.

AHRQ Publication No. 01-0040a
Current as of May 2002

Quick Tips—When Talking with Your Doctor. AHRQ Publication No. 01-0040a, May 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/doctalk.htm

Healthy Men-Get the Preventive Tests You Need

Screening tests can find diseases early, when they’re easiest to treat. Talk to your doctor about which preventive medical tests you need to stay healthy.

Body Mass Index
Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight. It is used to screen for obesity. You can find your BMI by visiting http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi.

Cholesterol
Once you turn 35 (or once you turn 20 if you have risk factors like diabetes, history of heart disease, tobacco use, high blood pressure, or BMI of 30 or over), have your cholesterol checked regularly. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.

Blood Pressure
Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. High blood pressure increases your chance of getting heart or kidney disease and for having a stroke. If you have high blood pressure, you may need medication to control it.

Cardiovascular Disease
Beginning at age 45 and through age 79, ask your doctor if you should take aspirin every day to help lower your risk of a heart attack. How much aspirin you should take depends on your age, your health, and your lifestyle.

Colorectal Cancer
Beginning at age 50 and through age 75, get tested for colorectal cancer. You and your doctor can decide which test is best. How often you'll have the test depends on which test you choose. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be tested before you turn 50.

Other Cancers
Ask your doctor if you should be tested for prostate, lung, oral, skin, or other cancers.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV
Your doctor may recommend screening for HIV if you:

• Have sex with men.
• Had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
• Have used injected drugs.
• Pay for sex or have sex partners who do.
• Have past or current sex partners who are infected with HIV.
• Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.

Depression
If you have felt "down" or hopeless during the past 2 weeks or you have had little interest in doing things you usually enjoy, talk to your doctor about depression. Depression is a treatable illness.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in your lifetime, ask your doctor to screen you for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your stomach that can burst without warning.

Diabetes
If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80, ask your doctor to test you for diabetes. Diabetes, or high blood sugar, can cause problems with your heart, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts.

Tobacco Use
If you smoke or use tobacco, talk to your doctor about quitting. For tips on how to quit, go to http://www.smokefree.gov/ or call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW.

Healing

I Embody Radiant Health & Vitality

The Human body is complex and beautiful. Every cell, tissue and organ is a masterpiece of divine engineering.

Speak life: During my daily activities, my body protects, repairs, regenerates and revitalizes. It is a gift, worthy of my love and care. I stem any negative thoughts about my physical self and embrace a deep sense of gratitude for my body. I see that my body is blessed with the power and strength of God. I praise and give thanks for the divine life flowing through me. As I see my body for the miraculous vessel and vehicle that it is, I experience greater fitness and health. I think health. I talk health. I see health expressing. I am the embodiment of radiant health and vitality.  

Daily Word-2010