Low Sodium, High Omega-3 Cholesterol-Fighting Fish Recipes

I was surprised to read last year in U.S. News and World Reports that the DASH diet, for hypertensive people, was voted best all-around eating plan. I knew high levels of sodium caused health problems, but I never connected salt to weight gain. Since reading this, I've been rethinking my cooking and meal plan. I've never been a big salt consumer, but I realized that even my reduced sodium intake was too much. I've also been trying to serve more fish to boost omega-3 fatty acids and good HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Here are some low-salt fish recipes and tips. Low Sodium, High Omega-3 Cholesterol-Fighting Fish Recipes 

How I'm Rethinking My Negative (and Unhealthy) OCD Thinking

I've struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for, well, as long as I can remember. For me, OCD manifests itself as a compulsive need to outperform and overdo. It's not that I think I could ever be superior to others--quite the opposite. My OCD stems from nagging feelings of inferiority and failure. I compulsively set myself to impossible tasks at which I fail. In the self-fulfilling vicious circle which is OCD, my sense of failure is reinforced. To break the cycle, I'm changing how I think about myself. Here are some new ideas I'm learning.  How I'm Rethinking My Negative (and Unhealthy) OCD Thinking

How I Lowered LDL Cholesterol and Boosted Good Cholesterol without Drugs

Two years ago, I had blood work done as follow-up to a gynecological visit. I'd given birth to two stillborn babies and had put on quite a lot of weight. The purpose of the blood work was to track down possible issues related to weight gain. Tests showed elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and too-low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Both of these conditions pose problems, reports the American Heart Association. My physician said that if I couldn't reduce the bad LDL-C and up my good HDL-C, I'd have to start medication. I took that as a challenge. Using a strategy of diet, exercise and supplements, I got the numbers where they needed to be (and was able to say "told you so" to the doc--aren't I petty?)  How I Lowered LDL Cholesterol and Boosted Good Cholesterol with Diet

How to parent teens through relationship drama without going crazy

As a mom, I'm generally confident handling childhood hurdles--potty-training, picky eaters, night frights--bring 'em on. There's one issue that shakes my equanimity--teen relationship drama. Whether they're boyfriend-girlfriend connections or same-gender friendships, teenage relationships are often fraught with drama and drenched in anxiety. Frankly, I'd rather beard a lion in its den than deal with drama. Even the term sets my teeth on edge. Disagreeable as they are, relationship problems are part of life. After four kids (and a lot of trial and error), I've assembled some thoughts for parents on helping kids navigate peer relationships.  How to parent teens through relationship drama without going crazy - Yahoo! Shine

Lower Michigan Drought Affects Plants, Air Quality

 For several months, Michigan has been experiencing drought conditions across much of the lower part of the state. The dry spell is exacting its toll in plant damage, air quality concerns and wildfire concerns. Here's a look at Michigan's 2012 drought and some of its impacts. The U.S Drought Monitor shows that in the Lower Peninsula, most of southern Michigan is in moderate drought with a portion of severe drought along the Michigan-Indiana border.  Lower Michigan Drought Affects Plants, Air Quality

Al Anon--What the Stinking Thinking of Addiction Looks Like

One mistake we make in health care is to separate emotional/mental health issues from physical health issues. Last time I checked my mind and spirit were housed in my body. Physical health affects mental health and vice versa. And behavior is an outward manifestation of inward processes (aka thoughts and feelings). To be truly healthy, we've got to get our thoughts, actions and feelings working together on the same page.

Addictive behavior is driven by distorted emotions stemming from unhealthy thoughts. In his recovery manual "Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception," Abraham J. Twerski says these thoughts are sometimes called "stinking thinking" (coined in Alcoholics Anonymous). Stinking thinking doesn't always go away just because an addict quits. Alanon says real recovery means identifying dysfunctional thoughts and replacing them with healthier ones. Here are some examples of sick things addicts tell themselves.
 What the Stinking Thinking of Addiction Looks Like 

Al Anon Recovery--How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Heals Negative Thoughts, Depression

I wouldn't say depression and I are friends, but we're definitely old acquaintances. I've tried different therapies to treat my depression. Counseling, journaling, herbal treatments, antidepressant medications, self-help books-each has helped me in some way. The best treatment I've found is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), also called Rational Emotive therapy. The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) says CBT is a collection of techniques which seeks to root out the distorted thinking that causes unhealthy behavior. How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Heals Negative Thoughts, Depression