Sunday Thoughts and such

I got this picture in an from my mom and had to share it. I am big animal lover but my favorite animals are cats. I really like the Ragdolls, Hemilayans and the Siamese breeds. I also like the large breeds such as panthers, leopards, cheetahs, etc.

Just a few reminders for you ladies and gents out there:

* Please get your regular flu shot if you haven't already. Below is an email article sent to me:

This was sent to me as an email from a dear friend of my mom 's and thought I would share it with you all. Maybe these simple tips will prevent the nasty H1N1 virus from "visiting" you and your loved ones. The regular flu is bad enough...

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to knowThe only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to sto ck N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications)

.2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive, under $15.

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm

* Next Sunday (November 1st) ends daylight savings time. This is a great time to check the batteries in your fire/smoke/CO2 detectors. Also to check your emergency kit bags. The folks at FEMA have a great website for seting one up for members of your family. Their website is http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/evacuation.shtm. I am so thankful that my husband and I had one made for our family back in 2007 when the apartment builing we lived in was flooded. All we had to do was grab the bag and go.

Until tomorrow( Menu Plan Momday and Simple Woman's Daybook Day)

Denise and family