Cherries -- the fruit with the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food!  In case you didn't  know this, eating cherries or drinking cherry juice can really reduce joint inflammation. "Anthocyanins, the antioxidant in tart cherries that lead to their bright red color, are the compound that have been specifically linked to high antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation, at levels equal to common pain medications."  http://www.treehugger.com/health/new-study-says-tart-cherries-are-highest-anti-inflammatory-food-can-ease-joint-pain.html.

As mentioned earlier in this blog, I am one of the millions suffering from osteoarthritis.  Certainly eating healthy plant-based foods and getting a lot of exercise is beneficial, but eating cherries daily or drinking tart cherry juice twice a day can really reduce inflammation.  I have been experiencing severe joint pain this week (much worse than usual) and have taken anti-inflammatory medications.  I was still in considerable pain this morning and took two ibuprofen tablets.  I felt a little better thus decided to go grocery shopping.  While in the produce section, and having completely forgotten what I already knew about cherries (Dr. Oz calls tart cherry juice the "ultimate antioxidant"), I noticed that cherries were on sale thus I bought a pound.

By the time I got home I really ached and went to bed ... taking a small bowl of cherries with me.  I ate the cherries, took a brief nap and, when I got up, the pain had almost completely subsided.  In 2006, the USDA reported that eating cherries can reduce the inflammation of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer:  http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2006/060511.htm, and Medical News Today reported in 2009 that cherries relieve post-exercise muscle pain: 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/151881.php.

Hereafter, I intend to keep my refrigerator stocked with fresh cherries during the summer months and make tart cherry juice a staple the remainder of the year.  Eat more cherries! ♥



As we age, we become more concerned about memory loss.  I frequently write notes to myself or send myself emails and phone messages of things I need to remember later when I am at home. 

I have found a few free online memory assessment tests which you may take if you are concerned about memory loss.  The Alzheimer's Reading Room provides one fairly simple test:  http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/topic-test-your-memory-for-alzheimers.html.   The website states that "The research from this Alzheimer's memory test, Self-Administered Geocognitive Examination (SAGE), shows that four out of five people (80 percent) with memory issues will be detected by this test. Ninety-five percent (95) of people who are normal thinking (memory) will have normal SAGE scores."

The Working Memory Institute also provides one for adults and students which may be found here: http://www.workingmemory.com.au/free-emory-assessment-quiz/.  Fortunately, most of us just have occasional mild memory lapses which may be frustrating but are not cause for concern.  But, as mentioned previously in this blog, we need to continue to "use it or lose it."  By deciphering crossword puzzles, playing word games, brain teasers, card games, reading, learning a new skill or hobby, acquiring good sleeping habits, eating healthy and getting frequent exercise, we can fight further memory loss and dementia. ♥

As I mentioned several weeks ago, I love my smartphone and have it with me all the time.  Previously, I suggested several helpful smartphone apps and I have  a few more to add which have served me well.

My travels this past week required a change of planes twice on both the outbound and return flights.  I downloaded the Delta Airlines app (and American and United Airlines) in order to keep informed of all flight details, including layover time, specific gate departures and arrivals.  If you are on a WiFi flight, you can access the airline app enroute for free without having to purchase WiFi service.  Additionally, the apps show your frequent flyer number and up-to-date frequent flyer miles.  I find it so much easier than trying to obtain that information online from my laptop. 

I travel home on Thursday and the airline app provides me every bit of information I need and, if any of my return flights are delayed, it will keep me updated.   I can check in via the app and download mobile boarding passes if I wish.   JetBlue, Southwest, and many other airlines also have mobile apps; US Air does not as yet.

Traveling is such a hassle these days that I am all for anything that can make airline travel easier; these apps serve that purpose. ♥

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  I hope you know how special you are and how important you are in your child's life.  I was close with my dad.  His final words to me were, "You'll always be my favorite daughter."  (I have 4 brothers and was his only daughter!)  He has been gone almost 17 years and I still miss him.

There are too many men in this world who have fathered children who are not dads. A dad takes an active interest in his child's life, is a role model, and encourages his child into adulthood. 

To this day, when I hear Mike & the Mechanics song, "In the Living Years," I still get choked up.  "I wasn't there that morning when my father passed away.  I didn't get to tell him all the things I had to say."  My dad was ill for many years and there were many times when we thought we would lose him and I was at his bedside;  however, when his time came there was no family with him ... no one to squeeze his hand and say, "I love you, Dad."

If you are lucky enough to still have your dad, make sure he knows how much you love him.  And if you are a dad, treasure the moments you have with your children.  ♥

I will be heading to the Northwest early Wednesday morning to share in the celebration of my precious grandson's 3rd birthday.  Most of my friends became grandparents many  years before me, and I frequently spent days going shopping with them, watching them buy clothes and toys for their grandchildren.  I was so envious!
 

Being a grandmother and spending one-on-one time with my little grandson brings me so much joy.  He knows that my time is all his  when I visit and we have so much fun playing games, puzzles, dancing, coloring, reading books, etc.  He is already into Batman, Spiderman, and Star Wars and he told me in our recent video call that he will take me for a ride in his Batmobile when I am there.   (Yes, he has a vivid imagination!)

Grandmothers are entitled to bragging rights thus I have to brag that my little grandson is incredibly smart!  He soared through the toddler stage and is now a little person that I can have conversations with.

We grandmothers know how fleeting childhood is and just how precious these moments are.  Children grow up too fast, particularly in today's society, thus I want to make the most of every treasured moment.  You may not  be hearing from me for a couple of weeks  ... but know that I will be loving every minute I am away! ♥ 

Germs!  They're everywhere, they're everywhere!  I have had a relapse of the bad cold virus I had a few weeks ago which has led me to think of all the places where we are exposed to germs.  The gym (probably one of the easiest places to pick them up -- from weights, mats, bikes, any exercise equipment), the ATM, money, public restrooms (why do so few people wash their hands?), doorknobs (I recall that Howard Hughes was paranoid about putting his hands on a doorknob after washing them), computer mouse and keyboard, escalators, all forms of public transportation, shopping carts (I always wipe the handle before using), and especially in our own kitchens.

Garbage disposals harbor germs and bacteria, thus I often pour hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, or baking soda in the disposal and let it sit for awhile.    And sponges are the biggest culprits of harboring germs!  WebMD states that kitchen sponges are the number 1 source of germs in the whole house.  I usually replace sponges every couple of weeks.  To kill possible bacteria in the sponge in between replacement, I slightly wet the sponge, place it on top of a paper towel, and microwave it for 2 minutes.  Stay germ-free and stay well. ♥