Health Blog and Health Product Reviews

We’ve all been there, at least in some form that complex and mystifying land of too many beverage choices and their accoutrements. While office jokes of the five-minute coffee order (”I’d like a double half-caff, three-fourths-skinny, dry mocha Rocha hazelnut, light whipped cream latte”) may be the first thing that comes to mind, the possibilities of tea variety and preparation are almost endless. Dallas, Houston, and the rest of Texas are the most familiar with black tea, demonstrated by their strong tradition of the sweetened, iced variety.

Tea’s health benefits are innumerable; infused with antioxidants, including the powerful catechins and ECGC, high quality teas are considered to be healthy, traditional beverages that, unlike coffee, can be safely enjoyed at will. Several studies show that drinking five or more cups of green tea a day actually reduces the risk of dying from many illnesses, including heart disease and stroke.

Now, that’s something your health insurance company will love. And that’s just one kind. Tea is actually the second most popular drink in the world next to water, and was enjoyed long before the modern era began. Texas and the rest of the Western world are slowly catching on to this.

I recently visited a tea house, which are starting to pop up in Austin, Houston, and other Texas cities. I was seeking simplicity, tired of waiting in line for that poor, anonymous office gopher to finish a ten-employee order that sounded more like a theater student’s warm-up exercise — or a very bad joke. This was a definitive error in judgment. While the experience was undeniably educational, my choices weren’t just varied, they were like looking into the endless spiral of time. The conversation with the clerk went something like this:

“I would like a nice cup of hot tea.”

“Uh, ok. What would you like?”

“Tea. I’d like a cup of tea. Oh, right. Well, what kind do you have?” (Mistake Number One.)

“Well,” she huffed, obviously a bit annoyed with such a novice. “We have most worldly varieties — black tea, red tea, green tea, yellow (Deep inhale.) “White tea, herbal tea, twig tea, fruit”

When did all this start sounding like a Dr. Seuss novel? “Uh uh, white. I’ll try white.”

“Chinese, I assume? How about a nice Bai Mu Dan?

“Sure.”

“Would you like milk? Soy? Rice? 2%? Whole?

“uh. No milk. Is there more than one kind of this, this Bai Mu Dan?” (Mistake Number Two).

“Well, sort of. Bai Mu Dan is a kind of white tea, but you can get it in different preparations, grades, and from several different provinces, although Fujian is the best. Would you like loose-leafed, pyramid-bagged, cold-pressed? Earthenware, glass, or porcelain tea pot? We can also do blends to make it half-caff or super-caff. Would you like honey, white sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, agave nectar”

My thoughts trailed off somewhere along the sweeteners, off to the barbecues of Texas — where tea was mostly simple. And iced.

“Or would you prefer an oxidized tea?”

“Uh”My half of this conversation was composed entirely too much of monosyllabic mutters. “How ’bout just a cup of black coffee?”

Don’t worry. It’s not as hard as it sounds. I finally settled on a Bai Hao Yinzhen — the highest grade of white tea — an earthenware teapot, no milks or sweeteners (please). I figured my health insurance company would be proud. Then I promptly returned home and fired up the Wi-Fi for a night of research. I simply would not be duped by the world of hot beverages.

It turns out tea is not just tea — even in Texas. In fact, “tea” is often not tea at all. To be considered genuine, the drink must be infused from at least one part of the plant Camellia sinensis, (of course informally known as the “tea plant”), usually the leaves. What Americans call “red tea,” for instance, is not really tea, but a brew made from the South African rooibos plant; herbal drinks, similarly, are considered infusions. There are four main types of true tea: white, green, oolong, and black, all classified according to how the Camellia sinensis is processed.

Because the leaves of the plant can begin to wilt and oxidize within hours, the stage at which this oxidation ceases determines the type of tea. This process is called “fermentation” in the industry, but is formally known as enzymatic oxidation. The further this progresses, the more chlorophyll breaks down, the more tannins are released, and the darker the tea leaves become. Enzymatic oxidation is stopped at any given stage by heating — either by steaming, or through a dry cooking method.

White tea is considered the least processed, as oxidation is immediately halted after picking. Due to this lack of “fermentation,” white tea retains high levels of catechins, and because only young leaves or new growth buds are chosen, also retain more of the natural caffeine. The plant may even be shielded from sunlight to prevent it from developing chlorophyll, both factors giving it a pale appearance.

As fewer young leaves are harvested, and the process is more sensitive, white teas — particularly the good ones — are correspondingly more expensive. This type of tea is considered a specialty of the Fujian province in China, and the most popular include Da Bai (Large White), Xiao Bai (Small White), Narcissus, and Chaicha.

Green tea is slightly oxidized, and is the most globally well-known next to black tea. It is ubiquitous in Japan, so much so that it is often referred to simply as “tea.” Green tea is either dried separately or rolled into pellets, which are later called “gunpowder” teas.

Green tea’s health benefits have taken over the media spotlight in recent years, and with good reason. The infusion has been used as a traditional medicine in Japan, India, China, and Taiwan for millennia — treating everything from digestive disorders to uncontrolled bleeding. In 1191, the Zen priest Eisai wrote what is roughly translated as The Book of Tea, describing how to recognize and grow the plant, as well as how to apply it medicinally. Modern claims on the positive effects of green tea include everything from increasing fat oxidation (thereby raising metabolism), to treating neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The word oolong means “black dragon,” and it is believed the tea is named after one or more legends surrounding the leaves. Oolong teas are considered semi-oxidized, the level of fermentation ranging from 10% to 70%. The Chinese know semi-oxidized teas collectively as “blue-green tea,” and oolong as specific types of these. The most famous are produced in the Wuyi Mountains of the Chinese Fujian Province and in the Central Mountains of Taiwan.

Black tea is fully oxidized, and ferments for anywhere between two weeks and one month. In China, the tea is referred to as “red tea,” due to the liquid’s reddish-brown hue, while Westerners call it “black tea” due to the color of the leaves usually used. Black tea is the most popular tea in South Asia and certain parts of Africa, and can keep for up to two years when properly stored.

Unblended black teas are classified much like wine — according to their estate, year, and flush (or time of year in which the leaves were harvested). All black teas (blended or single origin) are also grouped according to production method — orthodox or CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) — and further classified based on quality. For orthodox black teas, the Orange Pekoe System is used to judge quality, while CTC’s are evaluated according to other standards.

Considering humans have been tea drinkers for the better part of 5,000 years, a cursory glance at classification is just the beginning. When given the time, we Homo sapiens are inventive little creatures, and, over the millennia, have perfected elaborate systems for brewing, storing, serving, and preparing tea. Certain varieties are purported to fetch thousands of dollars a pound, and are well worth the cost. Better yet, they may even extend your life. And, really, who couldn’t use a cuppa’ with the grandkids?

Tea’s benefits include increased energy, better health, and possibly a longer life.

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

With a prescription for contact lenses in hand, it is possible to buy your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail. There are 75 million contact lens wearers worldwide and 31 million live in the U.S. alone. The choice of which of the contact lenses is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, not over the phone.

In the U.S. contact lenses marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard. Contact lens wearers are usually surprised and happy with the level of comfort the lenses provide.

Bifocal correction is possible with either soft or rigid lenses. Soft contact lenses are made of very soft, flexible plastics that allow for oxygen to pass through to the cornea. If you plan to wear lenses for more than 18 hours for the purpose of an eye color change, then buy colored soft lenses.

People who have good distance vision but will need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye. Soft lenses have the added benefit in that soft lenses are not as likely as rigid lenses to pop out or get foreign material like dust underneath them. Soft lenses also come as disposable products — used once and discarded, or as planned-replacement lenses.

Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be less expensive over the life of the lenses since they last longer than soft lenses. It is important for your eyes to have a rest, without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal. Rigid lenses do not absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands such as soap or lotion.

In some of the models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance. There are also some rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear.

Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the brand you ordered, the name of the lens, the power, sphere, cylinder, if any, axis, if any, diameter base curve, and peripheral curves, if any. Always buy from a reputable company. You can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription in hand. You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, or on the Internet, or from an optical store or a warehouse club.

Rebates might be available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam. Focus on the value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really just looking for the best value. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and what’s best for your eye health.

Before you buy online, check to see if there are any testimonials on the online supplier’s website. When you place your order make sure your lenses are available and not out of stock, because you’ll need them right away. Be aware of attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want.

Microorganisms may be present in distilled water, so always use commercial sterile saline solutions if you plan to use enzyme tablets in water for any disinfections. Getting a proper fit is essential. Contact lenses that are poorly fitted can lead to eyesores, eye inflammation, and eye abrasions. Don’t wear lenses any longer than prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed.

Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye doctor because they will wear out as time goes by. One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper care of the lens; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection’s symptoms are very similar to those of corneal ulcers. The FDA has approved extended-wear lenses for use up to seven days before they are removed for cleaning; but there are risks with use of extended-wear lenses – even for one night.

If you are looking for cheap contact lenses, you may find that cheap materials or other ways of cutting costs will affect the quality you want for your precious eyes. No matter which lenses your doctor prescribes, be sure to ask for written instructions and follow them very carefully. Remember to use only contact lenses that are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eye doctor.

For more information on color contact lenses and where to buy discount contact lenses visit http://www.VisionNurse.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s popular website which offers tips, advice and resources, including information on LASIK eye surgery, sunglasses, eyeglasses and affordable quality contact lenses

Until eighteen months ago Jason Ludwick’s life was dominated by what he could not do. He was in and out of hospital and living on a cocktail of expensive drugs to try and keep his failing heart functioning. Then, like hundreds of others he went to Thailand for adult stem cell therapy to get real help for heart disease.

Jason Ludwick aged 34 from West Bloomfield, Michigan, counts himself a lucky man. Born with an atrial septal defect, by the time he was 15 he had a pacemaker; by 21 he was diagnosed as having cardiomyopathy and by 25 he had a defibrillator in place and an ejection fraction of just 8-10 percent. Heart failure dominated and restricted his life until he received adult stem cell therapy. Now he says that with training he could do a triathlon.

While his schoolmates ran and played sports, Jason’s life was dominated by his illness and his failing heart ensured he did not run or play any contact sports. He was in and out of hospital and living on a cocktail of expensive drugs. His kidneys bled, his liver swelled, he suffered from asthma and he found it difficult to throw off a common cold. Despite all this, Jason tried to live as normally as possible although his heart was steadily failing.

His mother searched for help after he was removed from a heart transplant list. He was then left only with medications, some of which had unpleasant side-effects and he felt constantly tired and depressed as he went back and forth to specialists having his medications reviewed. And then his mother read about adult stem cell therapy.

Just one month after his adult stem cell therapy, Jason knew his life was going to change, “My heart was beating better, more rhythmically, and I had more energy,” he said. “After six months I was up and flying, feeling 100 percent different. I could mow the lawns, take walks, ride a bike with my kids, lift weights – do whatever I liked,” he said. “I’m always on the go with our fifth child on the way and always busy as a full-time parent.”

Jason has always enjoyed a huge level of support from his family and friends, but is very happy to spend time advising other cardiomyopathy sufferers of the power of positive thinking. “Always try to be positive,” he counsels. “There is hope. Take care of your diet and help get the word out that adult stem cell therapy is worth getting done. It’s nothing like what you would have thought.”

Hundreds of people suffering from end-stage heart failure, cardiomyopathy or coronary heart disease, who have been amazed at the results of adult stem cells and the clinical outcomes. Those being told they are without any treatment options now have the choice of staying at home to await death or to join the 75-plus percent who will enjoy a longer life characterized by greater energy and far fewer symptoms.

Adult stem cell therapy is proving a lifeline to all those heart patients who are sick of being sick, or who do not wish their lives to be characterized by restricted activity, low energy, pain, cost and brevity. The trend will continue to grow as more and more people become aware that they cannot be harmed by a therapy that uses their own adult stem cells and that the procedures are straightforward, effective and performed in world-class hospitals by skilled, often eminent, heart specialists. Most encouraging clinical outcomes are being supported by research findings as well as by patient report. If Jason gets the time to train and does a triathlon, the world will sit up and take notice.

Jon Bradshaw writes constantly about the next to miraculous effects of adult stem cells. Theravitae’s Vescell adult stem cells the new frontier of regenerative medicine. They offer a return to a more active, longer and healthier life to patients who have heart disease or PAD. They are derived from the patient’s own blood so cannot be rejected by the body.

Here are a few simple things that you can learn that will allow you to calm down and relax. Take Deep Breaths: Breathe from your diaphragm. When you breathe from your chest, it won’t relax you like deep breathing will. Picture in your mind your breath coming up from way down in your abdominal area.

Slowly repeat a calming word or phrase such as “relax,” “take it easy”, “it’s ok.” Repeat the word or phrase to yourself while breathing deeply.

Imagery can help to relax you. Visualize a relaxing experience. You can think of something that is a memory of a fun and relaxing time you had – like at a beach. If you can’t think of a memory, use your imagination.

Try doing yoga-like exercises that relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer.

Practice these techniques on a daily basis, so they become second nature to you. Then you will be able to use them automatically when you’re in a situation that may make you angry.

Change the Way You Think

People who express anger often tend to curse, swear or speak in highly emotional ways. This response reflects the way they think. When you become angry your thoughts can tend to become overly dramatic.

Try replacing these dramatic thoughts with more rational ones. An example may be instead of saying: “This is just unbelievably terrible. It’s a disaster,” you might think this instead: “It’s an upsetting situation and it’s certainly understandable that I am upset, but it’s not the end of the world. I can deal with this. My getting angry is not going to solve this problem. I need to stay calm and think rationally in order to find a solution.” Be aware of using words like “never” or “always” when you are talking or thinking about yourself or others. This leads to negative thinking and is counterproductive and usually not accurate.

Words like these can also fuel your anger and alienate others around you who might otherwise want to help you to come up with a solution. In situations where you are upset, having others around who sympathize with you and can help you to solve the situation is preferable to alienating others and scaring them away.

Expressing anger in a non-productive manner is not going to solve the problem and it is not going to make you feel better about the situation or about yourself. Expressing anger in an uncontrolled manner may make you feel worse about yourself and the situation. You could even make the situation worse during your outburst.

Thinking the situation through in a logical manner can defeat feelings of anger. Anger, even when it is understandable and justified can easily become irrational, uncontrolled, and unproductive if not contained and redirected.

Unpleasant situations happen to all of us. Who hasn’t been ill-treated by a consumer-related incidence? It happens, and while in the midst of situations like these; keeping your cool and staying in control, will assure that you will have the best outcome possible.

One good strategy to master is – Problem Solving

Taking positive steps to coming up with a solution to what is upsetting you can help to make you feel better:

1. Analyze what the problem is by identifying all participants and events that created the problem

2. Gather information regarding the subject of the problem

3. Understand the dynamics involved from all angles.

4. Brain-storm all possible solutions and scenarios or consequences.

5. Make a plan of action and a goal as to when to accomplish your solution.

Not all problems have solutions despite our hope that they do. Sometimes all we can do is learn how to cope with the situation in a healthy, positive manner; if a solution is not possible.

Another good strategy is to be able to listen well and to communicate with all parties involved in the event or situation. Take the time to really hear what others are saying. Others who are involved can help you to understand the problem better. Having the ability to be able to communicate both your feelings and your thoughts on the matter will allow you to express your feelings in a constructive manner.

Try not to get defensive if others criticize what you say. Not everyone agrees with everyone else. We as individuals will naturally have different opinions. A discussion is only a discussion if all parties remain in control and can actively listen to what others are saying without judging too quickly.

A little bit of humor can diffuse a potentially explosive situation at times. Being able to laugh at yourself can at times help to make you feel better about something that may otherwise have upset you. We’ve all made mistakes, right? It happens, it can’t be undone, and sometimes the best thing we can do is say “wow that was a dumb thing to do, but it happened and I’ll just fix it and laugh at my clumsiness.”

Give yourself a break from the rigors of life. Working too hard can make us grumpy and more easily prone to bouts of anger. Make sure you schedule some personal time for rest and relaxation.

Use these strategies for controlling your anger. Check out some anger management books from your local library for some more great strategies.

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Anger Management.