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YOUR HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE
December 2002
http://www.healthyperspective.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Christmas is Almost Here - Help! (tips for last minute solutions)
Healthy Perspective in the News
-Spirituality Improves Overall Health
-Diabetics Attending Church Fare Better
-Go Nuts Against Diabetes!
-Last Minute Gift Ideas
-Healthy Tip - Intimate Gift Ideas
-Free AIM Membership
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CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE - HELP!
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TIPS FOR LAST MINUTE SOLUTIONS
Christmas is upon us! Of course that's not news to you, but did the Season just kind of creep up on you again? You're not alone!
"But," you say, "this happened last year too!" Of course it did! But that's not the point. Here's a scenario with a solution:
PROBLEM: You ordered a wonderful gift (online or through a mail order catalog) for someone special but you fear it won't arrive by Christmas.
SOLUTION: If you ordered online, print out a picture of the gift. If you ordered through a catalog, cut out the picture. Now take the picture, put it in a gift box or bag, and make it the prettiest gift under the tree! Include a note explaining that the "real thing" will be arriving soon.
This little trick works for gifts that are ungainly or hard to wrap as well. One year, family members bought me a guitar. Ingeniously, they wrapped a guitar pick in a jewelry box. As I unwrapped my "jewelry," one family member slipped off and retrieved the cherished instrument from its hiding place. As I was gaping with disbelief at the piece of plastic in the jewelry box, I was presented with a beautiful beribboned guitar!
We sincerely hope this little tip helps relieve some of your gift-giving stress.
Looking back on "Your Healthy Perspective" past Christmas issues, I was reminded of other Christmas Season stress relievers. If the Holidays are beginning to "close in on you," take a peek at "Quick Tips for Last Minute Holiday Stress" and "Ho Ho Ho from Diddums" at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchivevol2.html. You may also want to check out "For a Healthy Holiday Season" at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchivevol1.html.
And if you're really stuck for some last minute gift ideas, check out the article by that name near the end of this newsletter.
(Also be sure to check out Healthy Holiday Recipes at http://www.healthyperspective.com/holidayrecipes.html.)
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HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE IN THE NEWS
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Spirituality Improves Overall Health
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We love to find stories like this! Once again, scientists have "discovered" what we already know in our hearts.
According to an article at the "Christian Medical and Dental Associations" website:
The American Geriatrics Society, in Spring 2002 reported that according to a Johns Hopkins study, "people who have a good spiritual life are better equipped to deal with disease and disability than less spiritual people."
The article continues:
"Researchers evaluated 77 patients age 30 or older who had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for at least two years. Their goal was to assess the patients' perceptions of their well-being and the severity of their disease, and compare these perceptions to their spiritual well-being. They concluded that the more spiritual patients, or those who had 'the capacity to stand outside of his/her immediate sense of time and place and to view life from a larger, more detached perspective,' were happier and felt better about their general health."
David Stevens, MD notes:
"It is good to see data confirming what each of [us] has seen with patients in our own practices. Though a strong spiritual life helps in coping with disease, we must avoid reducing God to a prescription, a means to the end of a good coping mechanism. People do not need general 'spirituality,' a belief in any one of a smorgasbord of religions. They don't need us to dispense a little spirituality. They need a Savior who can reconcile them to God and transform their life. As Christian doctors, we need to introduce patients to Christ and help believers to strengthen their faith during difficult times. It is our standard of 'real care.'"
Amen, Dr. Stevens!
http://cmdahome.org/?CONTEXT=art&cat=208&art=1594&BISKIT=535743541&controlfield=subject&unitid=6666#BC_unit6666
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Diabetics Attending Church Fare Better
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"Diabetes Care" reported in July that diabetics who regularly attend religious services attain more normal levels of C-Reactive Protein (a substance released by the liver in reaction to inflammation of blood vessels). The study lists several explanations for this, such as stress reduction, enhancement of immune system, ability to deal with stress or overcome depression, better support system, and avoidance of excessive use of nicotine, alcohol and drugs.
King, Dana, et al. "C-Reactive Protein, Diabetes, and Attendance at Religious Services." Diabetes Care. Vol. 25 No. 7. July 2002.
We know church attendance is good for the soul, but it's good for the body as well!
Commenting on this study, Curtis Harris, MD, states:
"Knowing that God is in control of the world, and that our salvation is assured through our Lord Jesus Christ is both a reason to rejoice and to simply relax when life's troubles come. Christians in general have a healthier lifestyle, both emotionally and physically. This study is one of many that looks at objective evidence of that fact...."
Thank you, Dr. Harris.
http://cmdahome.org/?CONTEXT=art&cat=208&art=1594&BISKIT=535743541&controlfield=subject&unitid=6666#BC_unit6666
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Go Nuts Against Diabetes
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Reuters Health reported on November 27, "The amount of nuts consumed each week is inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in women." The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The study followed nearly 84,000 American female nurses, aged 34 to 59, over a 16 year period. Women who ate 1 oz. of nuts at least five times per week lowered their diabetes risk by 27 percent compared to women who never or rarely ate nuts. Women who ate 1 oz. of nuts one to four times a week had a 16 percent lower risk, even when they had other diabetes risk factors! Previous studies have indicated that nut consumption is associated with with lower heart disease risk as well.
The unsaturated fats found in nuts may improve the body's ability to use insulin and regulate blood pressure. As adding calories to the diet makes weight gain more likely (raising the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease), the study's authors caution that nut consumption should replace refined foods and meat in the diet.
JAMA 2002;288:2554-2560.
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LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS
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Your gift shopping isn't finished but you shudder at the thought of crowded stores, traffic, and parking (or lack thereof!)? Here are some great ideas. We hope this helps!
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Sharper Image
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
The Sharper Image is offering a FREE upgrade to 2-day express shipping on all online orders through December 21st. That means you can order as late as 10:00 a.m. PT on December 21 and still have your gifts arrive in time for Christmas-at no additional cost!
Here are some other Sharper Image goodies found at the above link:
1) FREE Shipping on everything in the Ready-To-Go Gifts category.
2) 15% off your first order when you register.
3) 50% off 8x18 Sliding Binocular.
4) 50% off Winemaker's Collection.
5) Purchase a Sharper Image Online Gift Certificate and you'll go from "late" to "great" as quick as email. Online Gift Certificates can be purchased - without any sales tax or shipping charges - in 10 denominations ranging from $25 to $500. They arrive via email with your personal greeting and are redeemable at Sharper Image's Web site!
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Walmart
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
How about an Online Shopping Card? No shipping charges, and your gift will be sent out by email to your recipient within a few hours of placing your order, What could be quicker and easier? And best of all - they get to choose a gift they really love! Place your order by noon Dec. 24 (PT) to ensure Christmas Eve delivery.
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Gardener's Supply Company
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
The 15 percent off $50 sale is on until 12-24. And check out their Secret Santa Sale (up to 80 percent off some of their most popular Holiday gift items!). And they're taking orders up to 12-23 for Christmas delivery!
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Coldwater Creek
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
Place your order before midnight EST 12-22 to ensure arrival by Christmas - at no extra charge!
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Harry and David
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
It's never too late to let someone know you're thinking about them. But if it's too late for your gift to get there on time, send a special Gift e-Nouncement to let them know it's on the way!
Gift e-Nouncement is a new personalized way to announce your gift online - and it's absolutely FREE! Once you submit your order, you'll have the option to create your customized Gift e-Nouncement (similar to an online greeting card). Your Gift e-Nouncement card contains a picture and description of the gift you're sending (unless you want to keep it secret) and your personalized message.
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Jackson & Perkins
http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
Order by Dec. 20 and receive an upgrade to Express Delivery.
Send a Gift e-Nouncement at Jackson & Perkins online! (See Harry and David above for Gift e-Nouncement specifics.)
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See other last minute details and bargains at these and other stores at http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html. Also, you'll want to check back at this address later for big post-Holiday savings! (Another benefit of being a "Your Healthy Perspective" reader!)
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HEALTHY TIP
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INTIMATE GIFT IDEAS
Here's a last minute tip that's sure to please: giftwrap a promise and put it under the tree! Write a lovenote to your sweetheart with a coupon attached for free massages (by YOU of course!). Or create a gift certificate for a romantic date (be specific and creative). You could even make a coupon book with redeemable features such as dinners out, weekend getaways, and other goodies you know your loved one will enjoy. If you have a special friend or relative with small children, a personally created book with free babysitting coupons would be a much appreciated gift. Use your imagination and have fun!
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FREE AIM MEMBERSHIP
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The AIM Company, maker of superior whole food supplements, is offering membership FREE through the end of 2002! This is a wonderful opportunity to get top quality supplements at wholesale cost and a host of other benefits as well. For details, contact us at membership@healthyperspective.com.
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"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives...
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."
2 Peter 3:3-5, 9-11, 13-14 (NIV)
Enjoy the Holidays as we celebrate the First Coming and anticipate His Second Coming!
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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The material in this file is provided for informational purposes only. We do not prescribe nor diagnose. If you use the information in this file without the approval of a health professional, you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional right, but the author(s) assume no responsibility.
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Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Clarence Russell. All rights reserved. As long as this file is left intact, permission is granted for use on web sites or in newsgroups or mailing lists.