Beyond Words

I want to preface this blog by saying I do not like going to the grocery store, I’m not one of those who enjoys cooking or experimenting with different foods, and I’m the first to admit that if I ever win the lottery one of the first things I’ll treat myself to is a personal chef who will cook for me and shop for me. Okay, I said it, I own it, and now I’m writing about it. Grocery shopping that is. Say what?

On a girls getaway over the weekend the recent grand opening of a ginormous HMart Asian Grocery was the topic of conversation. Word on the street was that it’s good, it’s different, and it’s HUGE. The store encompasses nearly 70,000 square feet…that’s bigger than a football field…and took over the space formerly occupied by Sports Authority AND Bed, Bath & Beyond. When I hear these numbers, it’s beyond me how anyone isn’t overwhelmed just walking into the place. I’ve yet to do so.

But, a person’s grocery store is a special and personal place, as I came to find out when we moved just a little more than a year ago. Even I, a self-confirmed non-liker of grocery shopping, missed my former grocery store! I longed for it and am only now warming up to my new one. Think about it; there are few things in life as daunting as doing major shopping in a grocery store you’re unfamiliar with. It can take twice as long and be three times as frustrating.

Grocery stores are big business. Annual sales hover around $7 billion and the industry employs nearly 5 million Americans. And as HMart demonstrates, big stores are not uncommon with just over 40,000 square feet being the median grocery store size. That’s a lot of crackers and cucumbers! In fact, the number of products found in an average grocer in 1975 was a mere 9,000. Today that number is nearly 40,000. I’m pretty sure half of those items are just toothpaste and cleaning supply choices. Good night. What ever happened to simple toothpaste and a do-it-all disinfecting cleaner?  But I digress.

Still, all is not well in the industry. Classic brick-and-mortar supermarkets are facing super competition from the likes of Amazon and in-home meal kit delivery services. So what are they doing to adapt to growing competition, unique millennial shopping habits, changing technology, and finicky consumer demands? They’re strategizing how to get you in their stores and changing up traditional product placement on shelves.

It’s all about keeping customers coming in and getting those customers to spend more. Consumer psychology research is in full force and has revealed many a trick of the trade. It all starts right as you enter the store: carts are big enough to fit enough food for a family of, I don’t know, say 20? Once inside, you’re often greeted by fun and festive seasonal items that put you in a good mood and are most likely adjacent to the produce department. After filling your cart with kale and zucchini spirals, the thought is you will feel healthy and good about yourself as you make your way to the more non-healthy aisles. This is where you’ll find cereal boxes and chips placed on lower shelves so they are eye-level, which attracts attention, and the placing of previously “middle aisle” products in the prime supermarket real estate of the perimeter. Traditionally the place to find produce, meats, and dairy products, some stores are now placing boxed items and even paper products on the outer rim aisles. The coveted front-of-store end caps and checkout aisle shelves are also being used in unique ways not previously seen.

Combo shopping is also in full force. Think all those “buy spaghetti sauce and get the spaghetti and parmesan cheese for free” offers as well as the clever mix of dinner kits sold alongside cake mixes and other dessert options. Even if it’s not a healthy choice, nothing says “buy me now” like “buy one get three free” or “great value deal.” Grocery stores are also partnering with food brands in “trade spending” promotions to encourage purchases. For example, Kellogg’s recently ran a program that placed its boxes of cereal in the produce section. Genius!

Companies like Coca-Cola work feverously to determine the best ways to position their products even in the less-popular center aisles and work with stores on shelving arrangements and prominence. Clustering products is also aimed at getting your attention and money. This type of displaying may involve placing products commonly used by senior citizens or new moms in one convenient area.

Americans spent about $150 on food per week and one in 10 say they spend more than $300. Millennials are a huge target audience for the food and grocery industry, as their average weekly food spending is more than that of older adults and their tastes tend to be more pricey and particular.

These young adults, my daughter included, spend most of their hard-earned money at the likes of Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and other natural food stores and they shop often as they prefer to buy only what they need and buy fresh. Your basic chains like HEB, Kroger, and Randall’s have had to keep up and have upped their organic and ethnic options but how they sell is becoming as important as what they sell.

When you think about it, the younger generation is all about their phones and healthy eating, so why not marry the two? She said yes in that many chains are now accepting Apple Pay and other mobile payment options. One service that is sure to boom allows shoppers to scan items with a mobile app as they shop and then pay through a self-checkout and maybe even through the app itself. Sold!

Online shopping, delivery services, and curb-side pickup are growing trends and everyone seems to be on board, with Amazon buying Whole Foods and Target buying Shipt. It’s no wonder, as online grocery spending is expected to reach 20 percent of the market and pass the $100 billion mark in the coming years. The $2.2 billion meal kits market, such as those offered by the likes of Plated and Blue Apron, is also expected to continue growing with some estimates projecting a 30 percent increase for the ready-to-make meals market that delivers to customers’ doorsteps.

Don’t count out your neighborhood grocers just yet though. They still have a firm grasp on the market and are primed to be not only your local food market, but special events locales as well. Dining areas and food courts, like those found in that spanking new HMart, are welcoming customers with events like coffee nights and wine tastings. Shoppers are encouraged to stop at various stations throughout the store to taste samples while listening to live music, resulting in their store being more inviting and a place where they can actually have fun.

Surprisingly I have yet to try any of the delivery, curbside, or meal kits options. Yes, I’m not a lover of grocery shopping but I’m also a bit OCD and like what I like. I find the idea of selecting items for someone else to purchase for me and then having to be home for the delivery as overwhelming and stressful and just doing it myself. For now I’ll just continue placing my reusable grocery bags onto a cart, checking things off my handwritten list (I still have not warmed up to any grocery list app), and hope I don’t forget anything.

Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t kidding when he said we were going to have six more weeks of winter. The east coast continues to get snow, the south is under water, and even the sunny southwest is cloudy and gray. Enough already! Don’t get me wrong, I love a little bit of winter and winter clothes, but this year’s temperatures are enough to make all of us long for some warm beaches and hot weather.

In fact, many of you may be planning Spring Break and summer vacays, but if you’re looking at Caribbean islands, you may want to do your research. Hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria caused major damage to numerous locales and some are still in the midst of recovery, which means they might not be the best places to plop your tourism dollars in just yet. It’s really a sad situation, as the winter months are the busiest time for tourism in the Caribbean but this year many resorts remain closed. so, whether you “Cuh-RIB-ee-un” or “Care-uh-BEE-un,” you will want to do your research.

In a nutshell, the hardest hit islands and those still in recovery mode are: Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten/St. Martin, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John).

Those that were outside the paths of the storms or suffered little or no damage include: Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Martinique, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Here’s a rundown of where some of the popular islands that suffered damage stand today tourism wise and a map for reference:

Anguilla

All beaches are back to normal but some big resorts are still in the process of opening. Phone and internet service have been restored to most parts of the island, as has water service. The main issue Anguilla is still facing is lack of power.

Antigua

Antigua was largely undamaged during the hurricanes, but its sister island Barbuda was devasted, where 95 percent of properties suffered significant damage. In Antigua, the airport and all resorts are open and were minimally affected by Irma.

Bahamas

Southern islands of this island nation suffered severe damage, but all major tourism centers were minimally impacted and are operating as usual.

British Virgin Islands

Like Anguilla, power remains a problem in the British VI but airports are open even though the islands have less than half the number of hotel rooms they had before the hurricanes.  The main tourist islands of Tortola and Virgin Gordo were severely damaged and last I checked a curfew remains in effect from 8 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Dominica

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is still in the recovery phase of rebuilding after being overwhelmed by the storms. Water, electricity, and mobile phone service are still being restored to many parts of the island although most roadways have been cleared of debris. Many locals are still living in shelters, more than 35 percent of the island’s treasured dive sites were damaged, and the island’s vegetation and infrastructure were both heavily damaged.

Puerto Rico

Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused nearly $100 billion worth of damage to Puerto Rico but today the airport and cruise ports are open and some hotels are taking reservations, although most of them are still operating on generator power only.  Power is still an issue for around 75 percent of the population, and even those with electricity suffer frequent power failures. In addition, nearly 26 percent are without running water.

St. Barts

Electricity has pretty much been restored island-wide, as has internet service. The airport is open for commercial flights but the popular Eden Rock is not scheduled to reopen until sometime this summer.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

The Dutch side of this twin-nation island lost more than 70 percent of its hotel inventory but nearly 50 percent of it is back and the airport is open. What suffered major damage on St. Maarten were the island’s nature and environment, as well as the beaches. Water quality is also still being addressed. On the French side of St. Martin, recovery is still in full gear after what local leaders called the worst natural disaster in their history. Hotels are expected to reopen this spring, as are many restaurants.

Turks and Caicos

Some resorts reported damage after Irma and conducted cancellations, but all are now open and power, electricity, and water are on and back to normal.

U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John)

These islands were particularly hard hit by the storms, with St. Thomas and St. John feeling the hardest brunt. Hurricane Irma pummeled the islands as a Category 5 storm, with wind gusts as high as 225 miles per hour. Two weeks later, Hurricane Maria, another Category 5 storm, slammed into them and was followed by weeks of rain.

Throughout the Virgin Islands, many small and mid-size hotels have reopened, as have villas and time shares. But, nearly three-quarters of hotel rooms remain out of commission and some are still housing relief workers. The islands’ famous and popular large resorts took the worst damage and many remain closed. Frenchman’s Reef is the largest resort on St. Thomas and the islands’ second largest employer but owners have an uncertain timetable for reopening. It’s estimated 80 percent of St. Thomas’ grape trees were uprooted and its coconut palms suffered a 70 percent loss. On St. John, the Westin has cancelled all reservations through 2018.

That being said, power is mostly back, cruise ship ports are in good shape, restaurants and shops are open, and direct flights to and from the mainland U.S. are slowly coming back.

The best advice? Check with a travel expert or contact local tourism officials in any destination you are considering. Also ask around both personally and online. There are many travel sites where travelers can post updates and advice and nothing is as solid as first-hand knowledge from friends and family.

Until then, hunker down, stay warm and dry, and dream of your toes in the sand and an umbrella drink in your hand.

Happy “Year of the Dog!” In my world, every year is a year of the dog but now it’s official. Yesterday was the Chinese New Year, which rang in the Year of the Dog. This dog lover couldn’t be happier.

Truth be told, it’s not really a year to celebrate pets or man’s best friend, it’s actually the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Each Chinese New Year brings with it an animal for that year and celebrations are held for two weeks or more. According to Asian astrology, your birth year and the animal it represents determines your personality traits. On last year’s Chinese New Year I had a dinner party and collected my friends’ traits according to their year of birth. It was so much fun!

As for years of dogs, there are actually five types for different Chinese New Years, with 2018 being the Earth Dog. Anyone born in an Earth Dog year is predicted to be communicative, serious, determined, and responsible. A few famous people who were born in a Year of the Dog are Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Elvis Presley, and President Trump.

This year is the first Earth Day year since 1958 but someone born in any dog year is said to be sincere, honest, and loyal. They rarely abandon family, friends, or workplaces; are good at helping others; but may be a bit worried and anxious inside. Hmmmm…sounds a lot like actual dogs, right?

Still not convinced? Here’s a test: put your dog and your wife/husband in the trunk of your car, return, and see which one is happy to see you. Pretty sure it will be the one with a tail.

Dogs are amazing animals. Here are just a few fun facts about my favorite four-legged animals:

• Dogs are healers. Simply caring for a dog can reduce anxiety, brighten a mood and reduce stress.

• One study showed that within 10 minutes of looking into a dog’s eyes or petting a dog, the brain gets neurochemical bursts of oxytocin, prolactin, dopamine and endorphins, all chemicals that make us happy and relax us.

• Other studies suggest that living with a dog reduces the symptoms and severity of depression and also boosts one’s immune system, reduces blood pressure, and lowers heart rates.

• A British hospital actually “prescribes” a dog for patients who have suffered heart attacks and has found the chances of a second heart attack in them dropped 400 percent!

• A study published by “Pediatrics” journal found that children who live with dogs during their first year of life got sick less often than kids from dog-less homes. The research revealed that the dirt and microbes brought in the house by Fido actually bolster helpful bacteria in a child’s immune system.

• Babies who live with dogs are 31 percent more likely to be in good health than those who don’t, 44 percent less likely to develop ear infections, and 29 percent less likely to need antibiotics during their first year of life.

• Owning a dog is known to help you better maintain an active lifestyle and retain a healthy weight.  Dog owners are said to be both emotionally and physically healthier and have lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Dogs are said to be able to see things we cannot, as my friend can attest to following the deaths of her mom and dad. Her dog, she says, would look up in their bedroom and stare for minutes as if something or someone was up there. There are many similar reports of dogs doing this.

• It is said that when a dog sees its owner its brain secretes the same substances ours do when we are in love. In short, your dog is truly in love with you!

We are all still reeling from the horrific school shooting in Florida last Wednesday and the arguments over gun control and mental health care are in full force, but perhaps an Ohio high school and a Houston non-profit have a partial solution. The two are participating in programs aimed at improving school safety by “employing” dogs that can detect guns and drugs in classrooms, hallways, and parking lots. Granted, this may not have stopped the Valentine’s Day shooting, but many experts say just knowing there are enforcements and measures in place to stop crime is sometimes enough to deter it.

Two other very interesting programs are an innovative one that pairs dogs with anxious witnesses called to testify in court hearings and trials and another one that provides service dogs in a school for students on the autism spectrum or have mood or neurological disorders or ADHD. These dogs can tell right away if someone is nervous and are trained to calm those nerves. It’s truly miraculous and I’ve seen it firsthand.

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” Ben Williams

As a supporter of and volunteer at The Dog Alliance, I’ve seen autistic kids relax during learning activities simply by having a dog nearby to pet and I’ve witnessed veterans suffering from PTSD do the same through the fabulous “Hounds for Heroes” program.

These types of therapy and service dogs are nothing new. Seeing eye dogs have been around forever, firefighters once used Dalmatians to protect their trucks and “sound” an alarm, and police officers still use dogs in a variety of ways.  A dog’s ability to either engage a person or relax one also makes them perfect for disaster relief and servicemen and women are uniquely attached to their “war dogs.” Even Florence Nightingale recommended small pets for the chronically ill.

What is new is the plethora of service, therapy, and emotional support dogs…and make no mistake they are all different.

Service animals are not considered pets,  are legally defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act, and are trained to meet the disability-related needs of their handlers who have disabilities. Federal laws protect the rights of these individuals in public places. Think seeing-eye dogs, guide dogs, and any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for their owner.

Therapy animals are not legally defined by federal law but some states have laws describing them. Usually they are the personal pets of their handlers and work with volunteers to provide therapeutic benefits in a variety of settings. They are usually not service animals but sometimes have dual roles as both. Think dogs in libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Emotional support animals have come under recent scrutiny thanks to an airline passenger who recently showed up for a flight with a peacock for emotional support. Boarding was denied and resulted in several airlines tightening the rules regarding flying with emotional support animals. One airline reported that the number of comfort animals has jumped 75 percent in just the last year and they have seen a big increase in animal-related incidents.

In general, emotional support animals have no legal definition, are considered pets, and are not protected under the ADA.

All of these dogs love their owners and more than likely possess the attributes associated with someone born during this current Year of the Dog. When it all comes down to it, it’s really all about love, loyalty, and helping others. In this dog eat dog world, here’s hoping the Year of the Dog brings more of all of those to each of us.

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What is a superhero?

When asked that question, many would say perhaps Superman or Wonder Woman. Maybe even Batman or Spiderman. They are part of Marvel and DC Comics “Super Heroes” of screen and lore, but are they really super or heroes?

Tampa Bay Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy posed a similar question in his post for “the Players’ Tribune” when he asked, “Is Batman a superhero?” The crowd roars, “Of course he is” and although McCoy agreed and noted Batman is his superhero of choice, it might not be for the reasons you’d think.

We all know that Superman can fly and has super-human strength and that Spiderman can scale walls and buildings, but McCoy appreciates the fact that Batman doesn’t really have any superpowers. What? Holy Batmobile Robin, this must be the work of the Joker.

But it’s not. And it’s why Batman is his favorite.

Unlike most superheroes, Batman doesn’t possess any superpowers and relies instead on his mind. As McCoy wrote, “His greatest attribute is that he’s highly intelligent. He’s just a regular dude who always finds a way to get the job done.” Those abilities are what McCoy respects and strives to emulate in play on the field and life off it.

It got me thinking.

If Batman can qualify as a superhero without any true superpowers, what about the rest of us? What else can qualify as super human abilities? Who else can we consider superheroes?

What about the bus driver who gets your kids to school safely every day?

What about the pipe layers whose work ensures you get clean water by merely turning on a tap?

And how about the engineers who finagle stop lights? Their handiwork sees to it that vehicles stop and go at the right times.

And yet, society tends to make superheroes out of  famous but often undeserving athletes, movie stars, musicians, and TV personalities. “Oprah is my hero,” you heard again and again recently. “I want to be like Tom Brady young boys think coast-to-coast. That’s all well and good, Oprah has done some amazing things and Brady is the greatest ever, but do they qualify as superheroes? Probably not.

Kids love superheroes though…real and fictional. And that’s okay. They need heroes and they need imagination. I tell my little preschoolers to catch their sneezes and coughs in their elbows by bringing around their superhero capes. It works every time. Who doesn’t want to be a superhero and have a cape?

I’m currently obsessed with the song “Something Just Like This” by the Chainsmokers and at first hearing was immediately attracted to the lines “I’m not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts, some super hero” that are included in the lyrics:

I’ve been reading books of old

The legends and the myths

Achilles and his gold

Hercules and his gifts

Spiderman’s control

And Batman with his fists

And clearly I don’t see myself upon that list

But she said, where’d you wanna go?

How much you wanna risk?

I’m not looking for somebody

With some superhuman gifts

Some superhero

Some fairytale bliss

Just something I can turn to

Somebody I can kiss

That’s probably what we all look for in our super heroes: someone we can turn to, not some fairytale bliss.

Someone I regularly turn to is God, and I would venture to say Jesus is indeed a superhero; perhaps the superest of super heroes.

I also rely on my family and friends for support and inspiration and I consider all of them superheroes. None of them have superpowers; they are merely super people in my eyes.

My mom is a superhero. Raised by her grandparents, she widowed at age 52 and yet somehow managed to pay my out-of-state tuition. She’s not perfect, but she’s heroic.

Doctors…good doctors…may not have “super powers” per se, but they have healing powers and in many cases are super heroes. Same with teachers and fire fighters.

Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes and vary from person to person. Someone I consider worth admiring someone else may detest and vice versa. But maybe it shouldn’t be so much who we consider heroic, but what we consider heroic attributes.

Take for example Captain Marvel. I had no idea that his “Shazam” was actually an acronym and a call for the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. How cool would that be, to merely shout something and you gain a truckload of formidable traits?

Depending on who you are or where you are in your life, you might give a shout out for intellect, health, wealth, will, strength, endurance, patience, acceptance, wisdom, or serenity. Society needs superpower science and technology, but don’t we also need love and peace and superheroes who promote them?

My mind is constantly reeling…it only sleeps when I sleep…so I greatly admire those who are centered and calm. I also hold in high esteem anyone who is in good physical shape (because I’m not) and someone who appreciates a good laugh (because I do too.)

Couldn’t agree more, and even if I don’t agree with your reasoning, I appreciate your conviction and the fact that you stand for something. I also respect someone who is a deep thinker and can engage in interesting conversations. I’m a voracious reader and researcher but I also tend to overthink things, so “going with your gut” is a trait I relish and work on.

In the end, what is anything super without faith and hope? We hope for the best and hope all goes well. We’re constantly hoping for a cure and holding out hope against hope.

It’s my hope that maybe we all take a cue from Batman and start using our brains in heroic ways to keep hope alive. I’m no Wonder Woman, but it might just make a powerful difference.

A month or so ago our dog and house sitter noticed I always have a mason jar full of Swedish Fish on my kitchen counter. He came in one day and said “I bought you some and didn’t even realize they came in different colors!” He, like many, assumed the popular red version is all there is but they also come in green, yellow, and orange. He also assumed the different colors tasted the same. I immediately said “No way! The yellows are lemon; the greens are lime, etc., etc.” End of story.

Until Sunday.

On the way to see a local musical production, friends and I were having lunch when one of them said she recently heard that gummy bears may be different colors but not necessarily different flavors. What? Blasphemy! This gummy candy lover couldn’t believe her ears and neither could the rest of the crowd. You see, we love our gummies so much that one of these sweet friends always brings sweet little snack bags of sweet gummy candies to enjoy during the show.

I personally love all gummy candy. Swedish Fish. Gummy Bears. Dots. Jujy Fruits. Fruit Slices. Spice Gum Drops. Jelly Beans…but only the original ones…not Jelly Bellies. I love jelly candies so much I give them up for Lent every year. So, you can imagine the horror and curiosity levels when I heard their flavors might be poser flavors!

Apparently it’s all related to how color affects not only moods and productivity, but also what flavor we think we taste. An orange gummy candy? Well of course its flavor is orange. Purple? Hello, grape. But what about red? It could be a number of flavors but most commonly cherry, strawberry, or maybe watermelon.  The same goes for drinks and other flavored items. An orange drink tastes like orange. A purple lollipop is grape flavored. But could a green gummy be cherry flavored or even the same flavor as a purple one? That’s the story. That’s the mystery. And I’m on it fellow gummy gurus.

Scientists and researchers are also on it and are analyzing how our five senses affect each other. Our eyes see yellow so our tongue tastes lemon. But, one researcher told Ashlie Stevens of WFPL in Louisville, Kentucky that he gave students a row of clear beverages that had fruit flavoring in them and asked them to differentiate the flavors. No problem, they aced the test. But, when he added food coloring to those drinks that didn’t match the flavor, he found they said the orange drink tasted like orange even though the flavoring may have been grape. The color of their beverage totally impacted what flavor they thought they were drinking. So have gummy candy manufacturers been doing this all along?

Apparently Skittles has, as the little round candies have different fragrances and different colors, but they all taste the same. Skittles execs admit this though so they really aren’t hiding anything. On the other hand, Haribo gummy bears, the leader in the world of gummy bears, promise their product has five flavors: lemon, orange, pineapple, raspberry, and strawberry. And Haribo should know. The German company made the first gummy candy in 1922 and currently operates 15 factories that produce more than 100 million gummy bears every day. But, if you venture away from more “high-end” and name brand gummy candies, you’ll discover that you get what you pay for, as less different colored candies in less expensive versions often all taste the same, regardless of color.

Okay, but what about my beloved Swedish Fish? Say it ain’t so Malaco! Developed by the Swedish candy producer Malaco in the late 1950s for the U.S. market, Swedish Fish company execs swear the flavor of their fish-shaped gummies vary by color. I think they do, but if given a blindfolded test, I’m not sure I could tell the yellow from the green.

Funny you should ask because John and I did such a test in a lab known as my kitchen and my friends and I did one as we sat waiting for the play to start. Granted, neither of these consisted of professional hypothesis testing, but they were fun and a bit conclusive. John had me blindly taste Swedish Fish (twist my arm!), sometime different colors; sometimes the same color in a row. We concluded that the flavors of Swedish Fish vary by color but I couldn’t necessarily taste lemon with the yellow, lime with the green, etc. They all tasted different but how they tasted didn’t scream their corresponding color. So there’s that.

For the Haribo and Lifesavers blind taste test in another lab called a theatre, I closed my eyes and ate one gummy bear. Then another. Then another. The first two tasted similar but the third one was different. I did the same with the Lifesaver Gummies in the bag. We decided that the gummy Lifesavers definitely have different flavors although you can’t always pinpoint exactly what flavor it is but that the flavor variation of the gummy bears was much more subtle.

One candy whose flavor is often debated is the red Swedish Fish. Some say it’s cherry, others call out raspberry, and still many think it’s fruit punch or black currant. One popular theory is that they taste very similar to lingonberries, which are used in Nordic and Baltic cuisines. No one knows for sure and no one is telling.  We do know for sure  that the flavor of a red Swedish Fish, whatever it may be, is unique and specific only to it and that it’s texture is a bit different than the others. You might also be interested in learning that each Swedish Fish candy has “Swedish” on it and that they are vegan and 100 percent animal cruelty-free. I knew I loved them!

So I leave you knowing a little bit about how our five senses intermix when it comes to taste and that Haribo, Swedish Fish, and Lifesaver Gummies all have different colors with different flavors. I can also personally attest that fruit slice candies and spice gum drops all have different flavors, as do Jelly Beans. None of it is scientific on my part, but it was sure fun conducting the tests. Just to be sure, you might want to test some yourself and while you do, have a gummy for me. Sweet!

The toasts have been made and the cheers have been said. Champagne corks were popped on New Year’s and hot toddys were enjoyed over the holidays. Don’t’ get me wrong, I love a nice glass of wine or Bailey’s on the rocks, but a new year brings with it new goals so why not make one of them to drink up on beverages that are healthy, some in ways you never expected?

H2Oooooohhhh

Yep, we all know drinking water all day every day has so many benefits but it can also be something we tend to forget about drinking. But don’t.

Chew on this: your brain is 90 percent water and your body is 70 percent. On top of that, most of your blood and cells are water-based. Drinking water increases energy, relieves fatigue, promotes weight loss, flushes out toxins, improves your complexion, helps with digestion, and boosts your immune system.

How do you know if you’re drinking enough water? One thing to consider is the color of your urine. If it’s mostly clear, you’re probably good to go…and go you will! Something else to consider is how many people worldwide don’t have regular, if any, access to good clean drinking water and consider it a luxury. How easy we have it to simply turn on the faucet or visit any retail outlet and, voila, water. Clear and clean water. If nothing else, drink it daily in honor of those who would love to. Just saying.

Most experts recommend drinking 64 ounces a day. If that sounds like a lot of water and possibly undoable for you, spice it up with berries, mint, lemons, or limes. Me? I honestly don’t keep a running tab on how much water I drink each day, but I always have a bottle of water with me wherever I go, I always keep a big glass of water in my kitchen, and I always take a bottle with me to bed. I love water!

Aloe Water

We all know that an aloe plant is the best way to relieve burn pain, but the juice made from the tropical plant goes way beyond topical. Aloe Vera juice or water are both great ways to hydrate and they have major anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve heartburn, digestion issues, constipation, and improve liver function. They’re also packed with nutrients like vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid.

The hydration qualities of aloe juice or water are also beneficial to the outside of your body, including your skin. A rich source of antioxidants, aloe can heal and cleanse the skin and may help reduce acne and other skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis.

I prefer aloe water but aloe juice also has a mild flavor. I especially like the pulp, but then again I’m an orange juice with pulp drinker. If you can’t stomach drinking it solo, consider adding it to smoothies and shakes. Just make sure to choose purified and decolorized versions of both.

Coconut Water

Another popular water choice today is coconut water. I haven’t jumped full-blown onto the coconut water train, but it has millions of devotees of its powerful nutritional punch of electrolytes, phosphorous, calcium, and loads of potassium. All of these make it a great post-workout beverage as it’s said to replenish and refuel aching bodies and muscles. Again, if you don’t like drinking it on its own, mix it with plain yogurt and some fruit for a nutritional and yummy smoothie.

HIGH TEA

Unfortunately I’m not talking the southern tradition of sweet tea, which I do love. I’m talking green tea and other healthy herbal teas.

Green tea is reportedly so good for you that some researchers says it’s the healthiest thing you can drink. It’s all about the catechins and polyphenols. Catechins are is antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Polyphenols give tea its anti-inflammatory qualities and anti-carcinogenic effects. Green tea has also been shown to improve blood flow, help keep blood sugar levels stable in people with diabetes, lower cholesterol, and prevent some heart-related issues like high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

Tea, especially green, may also help with weight loss. Yes, it has zero calories but its combination of caffeine and catechins speeds up your metabolism and increases the number of calories you burn from fat.

What’s good for the body is also good for the mind.

Green tea also contains I-thianine, an amino acid that may help increase the frequency of alpha waves in the brain. The result? Increased feelings of relaxation and a calmness of mind and spirit.

I love bottled green tea for on the go and for lunch, but the best and healthiest way to drink it is to opt for hot, caffeinated , and unsweetened versions. Here’s why: much of green tea’s heart healthy benefits get destroyed during the decaffeination process and a cup of hot tea is much more relaxing than a cool bottled version while you’re out and about.

If you’re an old-school “I love to brew my tea in a teapot” person, more power to you, as the longer tea steeps the more catechins you consume from it. But, there are so many quick and easy ways to make a hot cup of tea today there’s really no excuse not to. I also enjoy a hot cup of peppermint tea to cure what ails my belly and some chamomile to help me sleep better. Whatever method and whatever flavor you choose, enjoy!

DOES A BODY GOOD

My name is Carla and I’m a milk drinker. Pure, whole, regular ole milk. I drink it every night with dinner and I’m not ashamed to say it. My 87-year-old mom has drank it all her life (and is known to put half-and-half in her coffee!) and is healthier than most 30-year-olds, so I look to her for proof that milk is not a four letter word. Yes I’m aware of the hormone issue and the almond and soy revolution, but for now, I’m sticking with cow’s milk. Except…I did recently discover chocolate almond milk and I’m sold!

“Milk does a body good” says the ad campaign, but all milks are not created equal. There’s that little issue of hormones in cow’s milk, so many physicians and nutritionists recommend plant-based milks like soy milk instead. With so many people today having dairy allergies and being lactose-intolerant, it’s good there are multiple milk options. But, if you don’t opt for cow’s milk, keep in mind that you may need to supplement potassium, protein, and riboflavin in your diet.

In addition to its signature calcium, whole milk from a cow also contains vitamins B1, C,  and D; as well as niacin and folate. It also contains minerals that boost the body’s bone formation and enzyme functions. The Mayo Clinic says everyone needs calcium for bone health and to help your heart, muscles and nerves function optimally and milk is an excellent source of it. Kids who don’t get enough calcium may not reach their full adult height, and adults may have low bone mass, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis. In addition to possible harmful hormones, cow’s milk also contains saturated fat, so nutrition experts and The American Heart Association both recommend nonfat versions.

Soy milk provides an option for those who are allergic to dairy, are lactose intolerant, or just aren’t crazy about the taste of dairy milk. Soy is low in fat, rich in protein, and offers healthy B-complex vitamins. It’s also low in saturated fat but avoid the common added sugars and reach instead for unsweetened soy milk.

Almond milk is naturally sweet and silky and has a nutty taste of, well, almonds. But, it’s low in calories and chock full of minerals and vitamins like D, E and A, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and phosphorous. Perhaps best of all is that the fat in almond milk is heart-healthy because it contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which research suggests can protect against coronary heart disease. Like soy milk however, almond milk often contains added sugars so it’s best to get unsweetened or “light” varieties. Pretty sure my chocolate almond milk does not qualify for this.

When comparing cow’s, soy, and almond milk based on calories and saturated fat, they are all pretty even. An eight ounce serving of nonfat cow’s milk has 90 calories and 0 saturated fat, the same serving of soy milk boasts 110 calories a .5 saturated fat, and an equal serving of almond milk has 60 calories and 0 saturated fat.

COFFEE BREAK

It’s no secret that coffee is hot…as in in your cup and in society in general. Whether you prefer a plain black cup of java or a non-fat sugar free soy latte, you know just where to buy it and just how to make it. But, did you know that coffee has antioxidants that may help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and that it’s the country’s number one source of antioxidants? The number one source. Who knew, right?

Research also suggests that a daily eight ounce cup or two of either caffeinated or decaf coffee protects against heart disease and stroke. By regularly drinking a cup of joe you may just reduce the risk of having calcium in your coronary arteries, which is a sign of vessels hardening and narrowing and can ultimately cause heart attacks. Coffee consumption is also linked with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and a lower incidence of death in general. With coffee shops on every corner and coffee taking up entire grocery store aisles, it’s no wonder we drink coffee not only in the morning, but all day long. Maybe this is a good thing, as those who drink three to five cups a day get the biggest benefits. I’ll take one to go please…and make it grande!

So raise your glasses to water, milk, tea, and coffee and say “cheers” to a healthy and hydrated 2018!

Drink up!

Webster defines “epiphany” as an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. You know, “I was driving to work and had an epiphany that I need to take next week off.”

In Christianity, today is the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the visit of the Magi, or the Three Kings, to the infant Jesus. It is customary to have you home blessed today and in some cultures, to jump into freezing cold water. (Does my New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge count?!) It also traditionally ends the Christmas season.

The Three Kings followed a star to find the Christ child and in his homily yesterday, Pope Francis asked “what star have we chosen to follow in our lives?”

Tough one, right?

The world tells us to follow the money and strive for success and power. I don’t necessarily strive for power but I do want to be considered successful in whatever I do. Sadly, I also often follow the wrong “stars” and as Pope Francis reminded us, “Some stars may be bright, but do not point the way.”

Hello Hollywood.

Hello sports.

Hello music.

Hello politics.

Think about it, the Three Kings were just that, kings, but they knew there was a king of all kings born and they actually brought Him gifts. I’ve always used this idea, that Jesus got three gifts, as reason why Kristen to this day only gets three gifts each Christmas. But for the rest of the year, what gifts am I striving for and what gifts am I giving to others? What stars am I following?

Thank you Einstein. Well said. As I recently blogged, we are a restless bunch and calm is often what we strive for, but how do we get there? I’m no math person, but I agree that when things aren’t adding up in your life, start subtracting. Start following the right stars.

First of all, eliminate junk from your life and things that tear you down rather than build you up. You know what and who they are. If you’re not sure, what do you think about most? That, my friends, is your treasure, your heart, and the star you are following. If it’s junk and if it tears you down, peace out. Get rid of it. Remind yourself that some people are so poor, all they have is money.

You may also want to ask yourself:

“What will I be remembered for?”

“Whom do I envy?”

“What do I lie about?”

“What will I do today that will make me proud in a year?”

The answers may be hard to admit or address, but they reveal what stars you follow and what presents you give.

The Pope went on to instruct us not to thirst for arrogance and riches, but instead hunger for humility and helping the poor. As you do so, you just might become the star in someone else’s life and will discover the epiphany of following the right star. Lead the way. Shine bright.

Let’s just say me and “squib kicks” don’t get along. My Sooners should have never done one at the end of the Rose Bowl first half last Monday and my hubby’s Buffalo Bills probably should have during their game against the Tennessee Titans back in January 2000. But enough of my bitterness, it’s time for some cheering and who better to lead us than Buffalo Bills fans. You know, those die-hard and hearty people who will do this for their team…

Call ‘em crazy, but as impressive as that is, what Bills fans are doing right now is even more impressive. They are making a difference in kids’ lives $17 at a time.

Do what?

Yep, it’s true and is the story nightly news is covering and is revealing the hearts of Buffalo in a year when the NFL could use all the positivity it can get.

Lemme explain.

The Bills had not been to the NFL playoffs in 17 years, the longest drought going into the season. The last time they were there, it was that game against the Titans, now infamously known as the “Music City Miracle.”

Buffalo had taken the lead with a field goal that put them ahead 16-15 with 16 seconds left in the game. But, instead of kicking perhaps a squib kick to run out the clock (the hair on my arms is actually rising right now), Steve Christie kicked it away and the rest is NFL history and infamy. Tennessee ran the ball back for a TD and won the game 22-16. The Bills haven’t sniffed the playoffs since.

Until now.

Thanks in part to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Granted, the Bills did their part by beating a team they cannot stand, the Miami Dolphins, in an early game last Sunday. Ironically the score, 22-16, was the same score as the Music City Miracle. Only this time the Bills were on the winning end. But they weren’t safe yet. They desperately needed another team to lose and that team was the Baltimore Ravens who were playing the Bengals. With a win, the Ravens would take the last playoff spot. With a win, the Bengals would go home anyway. The Ravens had everything to win and the Bengals had nothing to win. And the Ravens had the lead as time wound down.

This is where the magic happened. On fourth down and with 53 seconds left in the game, Bengal QB Andy Dalton threw a game-winning TD to receiver Tyler Boyd and just like that the Ravens were out and the Bills were in. For the first time in 17 years.

Soon after the immediate celebrations ended, Bills fans everywhere did something that is just as impressive as Dalton’s pass: they started donating to his AJD Foundation, which benefits seriously ill and physically challenged kids and their families en masse. They were that grateful for his heroics and they wanted to show it.

The story gets better.

They donated $17 apiece, you know in honor of those 17 years. And in living up to Buffalo’s “City of Good Neighbors” slogan, to date those $17 donations…more than 14,000 of them…have totaled over $300,000. Even Dalton is amazed and Tweeted his appreciation.

“Buffalo fans are a class act. They’re helping out a good cause. It’s been fun to see the reaction that we’ve gotten from them.”

I can say first-hand that yes, Bills fans are a class act. They are loyal to a fault and some of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve met. In the middle of their team’s glory, they are thinking of others even with tongues firmly planted in cheeks. And they are not done. Donations keep rolling in and they’ve also started rolling in to Boyd’s YouCaring page that offers recreational football leagues for kids in Pittsburgh. That number is now over $50,000.

“Thank you to the Bills entire fan base,” Boyd Tweeted out. “What great people you are. We have reached our goal!”

Dalton and his wife have since purchased five billboards in the Buffalo area, thanking the fans for their support and #billieve is trending. Nothing could make me happier (okay, maybe one thing, but again, breathe out the bitterness, breathe in the Bills) and this is a girl who watched those Bills lose four Super Bowls in a row. Yeah, this family knows all about football letdowns but still, if you’re a Bills fan, you always billieve.

You also love your wings, so what better way then to also thank the Bengals with some wings?

As promised, those wings are on their way. 1,440 of them. Personally I think it should have been 1,700 but who’s counting?

Now the Bills are off to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC Wildcard game. I’ll be thinking of all those Bills fans as I eat wings, root against my beloved Dede Westbrook, and hope the Bills win 22-16 or by at least 17 points. It would only be fitting.

Let’s go, Buffalo.

I’ve been known to throw down a four letter word every now and then and I definitely have my go-to one. I’m pretty certain I’m not alone. Stub your toe? Let it rip. The car behind you doesn’t let you in? Verbal road rage ensues. My team throws an interception? Locker room talk at its finest.

F-bombs and potty talk notwithstanding, I’ve discovered there’s another four letter word that has me twisting and shouting: MORE. Yep, the word “more” my friends, is a certified four letter word. And it’s stressing me out.

It’s something society throws in our face. You should work more. Make more. Do more. Achieve more. Succeed more. Post more. Want more. Buy more. Exercise more.

Yes, I long to be that girl who wants to exercise more, but I also want to laugh more. Share more. Enjoy more.

Tis the season for more, but often not in a good way. This is the time of year we inevitably spend more and want more. We do more and go more. We make ourselves crazy trying to achieve more and perfect more.

More presents to buy and more packages to mail.

More parties to attend and more outfits to purchase.

More gifts to make and more cookies to bake.

More decorations to put out and lights to hang.

More internet sales and social media posts.

More time to spend on things I seem to not have time to spend on.

It kinda makes me BLUE and results in another four letter word: BUSY.

I don’t like busy. It doesn’t inspire or impress me. It makes me unsettled.

Still, I do want more.

More time to relax.

More down time.

More time to reflect.

More money to donate.

More friends to share with.

More family members nearby.

I also desire more HELP and more TIME.

I crave more pure joy and way more simple CALM.

My body tells me I need more REST.

I could also use a lot more yoga. A four letter word that centers me.

I would also like more time to READ and to WALK.

Why do the holidays create more stress and less gratitude? Wouldn’t it be nice if we instead focused not on MORE but on another four letter word: LESS?

Less stress.

Less to do lists.

Less errands.

Less expectations.

Less noise.

To accomplish this, we need to implement yet another four letter word: STOP.

Stop the crazy.

Stop the self-induced pressure.

Stop trying too hard.

Stop keeping up.

Stop the madness.

If we must have more though, how about more LOVE?

I love that idea.

How about devoting more time to PRAY?

Answered prayers, right?

Ironically LOVE and PRAY are both four letter words and if practiced consistently, just may create that calm we all crave.

So, let’s let go of the musts and shoulds of our lives, if even for just a few moments each day, and focus instead on the reason for this season of more.

We don’t need more, we need to love more.

We need to appreciate more.

And we need to slow down more.

Can I get an AMEN?

Something about candy canes just makes me smile. I particularly love their red-and-white striped pattern as I love stripes, I love patterns, and I love me some red and white! I remember my mom hanging them on our Christmas tree and although I don’t follow her in that practice, I do have a festive vase of them sitting on my kitchen counter every Christmas. Funny thing though, I really don’t like to eat them. I just like to look at them. Maybe I should rethink this though, as peppermint like the kind found in candy canes, actually has some major health benefits.

Are you feeling stressed and anxious during the current and crazy holi-daze? Are you maybe drinking a little more alcohol than normal at Christmas parties? If you’ve said “yes” to any of this, you might also be suffering from a tension headache, commonly brought on by stress and alcohol consumption and oh so common during the holidays. Well, guess what? Peppermint can actually ease those tension headaches! Ahhhh…just breathe!

Yep, study after study show that rubbing a topical peppermint oil on your forehead and temples can reduce headache pain as well as any over-the-counter pain reliever. And it smells so good!

In addition to drinking and stressing more this time of year, you might also be eating more and perhaps even eating things you don’t normally consume. Maybe before you head out to another party or before opening that cookie jar, take a whiff of peppermint oil or even a candy cane as just smelling peppermint has been shown to curb cravings and appetites.

If you do enjoy a little feeding frenzy but then encounter a little rumblin’ in your tumblin’, no worries, as peppermint is also known to tame tummy aches. In fact, the mint can help with all types of stomach problems, including nausea, heartburn, menstrual cramps. and even irritable bowel syndrome. One Italian study found that IBS symptoms were significantly reduced among 75 percent of those who took peppermint oil capsules while an Australian study discovered that peppermint actually activates an anti-pain agent in the colon and soothes inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract.

Tis also the season for colds and flu, but before reaching for cold medicine to clear up your stuffy nose, reach for peppermint instead. Although it may not always open your nasal passages, it magically tricks your mind into thinking it has. The key is menthol, which peppermint is chalk-full of and is what makes all those over-the-counter meds smell so yummy and minty.

If you’re feeling aches and pains or if you’re exercising more to work off those candies and cookies you’ve been eating, you may be a little sore. Peppermint can help here to, as it has a cooling effect when topically applied for muscle ache, stiffness, and even nerve pain.

Another health benefit of peppermint is that it boosts concentration and has memory-enhancing properties. This is good news to all you students out there studying for finals and for anyone finalizing year-end budgets, reports, or simple “naughty or nice” lists. Peppermint scent can actually give someone a mental perk, resulting in greater alertness, increased motivation, and enhanced performance. So powerful is peppermint’s punch, that some schools have been known to out peppermint candy during test periods!

I pretty much swear by my Young Living peppermint oil and use it often. I massage it into inflamed or sore areas and joints to ease inflammation, arthritis symptoms, and tendonitis. I also rub it on my forehead, temples, sinuses, and neck for headache relief, respiratory issues, and general stiffness. If I’m feeling particularly stiff or achy, I might use another essential oil made specifically for injuries, but I always top it with peppermint because it smells so good! Its scent is also I regularly diffuse it.

Peppermint oil also boasts a high concentration of natural pesticides that help repel some insects, including pesky mosquitos. If you do get bit by something, rub some peppermint oil on the bite area to relieve itching.

Finally, let’s not forget about the plant’s cooking qualities and culinary uses. Fresh or dried peppermint, as well as peppermint extract, are common in herbal teas, ice cream, candy, jams and jellies, and many an alcoholic drink. A Moscow Mule or Mojito without mint? Nyet! You could say this is peppermint’s “in” season, as you find it in everything from peppermint Kisses to peppermint bark to peppermint room candles. Peppermint as an ingredient doesn’t’ stop in the kitchen though. It’s a main ingredient in many a chewing gum, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, and soap.

So why peppermint? No one really knows, other than it’s a natural plant full of natural benefits. Scientifically, peppermint is actually a hybrid mint, meaning it’s a cross between watermint and spearmint. It contains way more menthol than spearmint and enjoys widespread cultivation worldwide. Even in my mom’s flower beds in Santa Fe.

To this day I will pick a leaf off a peppermint plant and eat it, reminding me of doing so as a child. My mom always grew mint in our yard and would use it in her sun tea.

It’s actually easy to grow and will grow almost anywhere. It develops best moist places with part-sun to shade and a good supply of water. Being that it’s a hybrid, it’s typically sterile and doesn’t produce seeds. It grows “like a weed” though by spreading its branches, meaning each new plant grows from a fragment of the parent plant.

But back to the candy cane. Did you know the flavor of peppermint is similar to hyssop, which is also a member of the mint family and was used in biblical times for purification? The shape of the candy cane also religious undertones, as it was intentionally shaped to symbolize a shepherd’s crook, the very shepherds who were among those who witnessed the birth of Jesus and a reminder that like the Good Shepherd parable, Jesus protects us like His little lambs. The red and white colors of a candy cane are said to represent purity and love. And finally, what do you get when you turn a candy cane upside down? The letter J. Whose name starts with J? Jesus!

So there you have it. Candy Canes represent Christmas and they could very well have the healing qualities of peppermint. What’s not to love, right? Now where did I hide that peppermint bark?