A Tale of Headaches, Insomnia, Jitteriness, and Irritability: No More Caffeine for Me

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I finally have to concede defeat. I've made up my mind -- no more caffeine for me. I love my morning cup of tea, no matter which blend I choose, but the subsequent headaches and bouts of insomnia that materialize are just too much for my constitution.

A little about caffeine

According to WebMD, not only is caffeine a chemical, but it is found in many products, not the least of which are coffee, tea, guarana, mate, and cola. People consume caffeine for many reasons: to increase mental alertness, help with low blood pressure, and, unbelievably, even to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), just to name a few.

Side effects

Even with my self-defined conservative dosage of one cup a day of tea my body just doesn't seem to be able to withstand the side effects. Many people report no problems at this level, but I can always tell when the caffeine is leaving my system and I'm going through withdrawal because I then get terrible headaches, sometimes just common ones and other times blinding migraines. While I am under its influence I can without fail always count on being jittery and irritable. In addition, my one cup of tea early in the a.m. can cause me to lie awake, staring at the ceiling all night long.

Not a good choice

Even the Mayo Clinic acknowledges that caffeine may not be the best of choices for folks who are caffeine sensitive or who take certain medications which may interact negatively with it. If you have no ill effects from a moderate caffeine use, then I'm sincerely happy for you. My mileage though has unhappily varied, so after this last ceremonious cup I'm done with it forever.

I scoured the Web to see if there might be a workaround that would allow me to still have my beloved tea (aside from choosing a decaffeinated variety, of course), but though hope may spring eternal, none was found.

At this point, I've come to the conclusion that the healthiest energy boost is that which comes from clean eating and exercise. And a natural consequence of these two good habits is more restful sleep, no headaches, and a natural elevation of mood.

Good night, good night, my dear sweet cup of tea. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Now on to find my new morning beverage replacement …

Sources:
WebMD.com
MayoClinic.org
Personal experience

*Photo: Raheel Shahid via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/06/2014 (no longer published there).]

Tips for Owning a Turtle

5 Ways to Keep Your Turtle Healthy and Happy

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Congratulations, new turtle owner! Turtles have walked the earth for over 200 million years. Who would have thought that a reptile with such ancient lineage would be considered one of the most popular known pets today? According to Petsmart, a major retailer specializing in the sale and care of pets, turtles have sharp eyesight, an acute sense of smell, and they make fascinating four-legged companions.

As your turtle settles in, there are five ways that you can ensure that he lives a long and happy life:

1. Keep him fed. Turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal food. As most humans like veggies, salads, and steak, turtles enjoy green leafy vegetables and bugs, most notably crickets and worms. Veterinary experts also recommend that you add commercially prepared turtle pellets. These can be easily purchased at any reputable pet store. Feed them and make sure that you remove any uneaten food daily. Also consider asking your pet retailer about any supplements that your turtle might need.
2. Make sure he gets plenty of water. All living organisms known to man need water to survive. Always make sure that your turtle has lots of fresh clean water, both for swimming and to drink.
3. Keep his habitat clean. Do a full thorough cleaning of your turtle tank and change the filter every two to three weeks minimum. Do periodic checks for rotting food and feces and remove them promptly.
4. Ensure that he has good heating and lighting sources. As reptiles, turtles need consistent lighting sources to thrive and heating elements to help them maintain their body temperature. Your pet supply store will offer you many options for this. Take your time and choose the best bulbs and heating sources for the habitat that you're constructing for your pet. Avoid direct sunlight.
5. Make certain that his environment is free of predators at all times. Turtles have many natural predators, i.e. cats, dogs, raccoons, some types of birds, snakes, etc. Never leave your turtle unsupervised in an area where these types of predators may lurk.

Turtles typically tend to have long life spans, so accidents withstanding, If you follow the above tips your turtle should provide you many years of entertainment and fun. You might even be tempted to expand your turtle family as you become more of an expert at providing your pet's necessary love and care.

*Photo: Henry Tseng via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/07/2014 (no longer published there).]

Shirley Temple: How She Impacted My Life as a Young Child

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I know that I'm dating myself here, but folks of my era grew up watching -- and loving -- Shirley Temple, the bubbly child actress famously known for her signature baby-doll curls. You can still find a rerun or two of movies in which she starred from time to time, and in them you can plainly see why she was considered a national treasure.

Watching Shirley Temple movies got me through a difficult stage of my childhood. I was skinny beyond belief, had bad skin, and wore braces. Yep, the struggle was real. Lol. I felt awkward around my peers and lacked self-confidence. When I watched one of her movies though I let my imagination take me back to a different time period and would lose myself in her singing and dance routines. I could see and hear myself singing "On a Good Ship Lollipop" and everything would be alright.

I loved Shirley Temple so much that for many years I insisted that my Mother style my hair just like hers for each Sunday service and especially on Easter.

For the few of you who might not have been as enmeshed in television movies as I was, Shirley Temple was born in 1928 and was the most famous and highest paid child star of her time with multiple movie credits on her resume. She reached the height of her acting career during the Great Depression and she was frequently used as an icon for positivity and hope during the challenges of that period.

Temple won an Academy award for her rendition of the aforementioned "On a Good Ship Lollipop" in the 1930s.

The young actress took on additional acting roles as a young adult, none of which were as popular as the roles which she played as a child.

Unlike many child stars, Temple went on to live a full and productive life. She later married and became known as Shirley Temple Black.

In an unforeseen twist, the actress entered politics later in her adulthood and was appointed a United States diplomat to the United Nations. Her career in public service stretched across a significant span of her life.

Temple was a natural dancer as a child and most of her movies showcased her singing and dancing abilities.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt nicknamed her "Little Miss Miracle," unofficially dubbing her as the country's primary morale booster during the Great Depression, even going so far as to say that as long as we had Shirley Temple that we would be all right.

Black died of natural causes on February 10, 2014 at the ripe old age of 85. She left an impressive legacy of achievements in both her personal and professional life to carry on her name.

For as long as I live I'll always remember how second only to reading her movies were the vehicle through which my imagination grew as I pretended that I was living the life of the many characters that she played.

Source:
Biography.com

*Photo: Michael L. Kaufmann via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/08/2014 (no longer published there).]

What is the Peace Corps? And Five Facts You May or May Not Know

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

You've probably seen them on TV and in the movies, but what do you really know about the Peace Corps? These volunteers are truly unsung heroes, giving sacrificial service on behalf of their country, fostering good will, and promoting understanding wherever they go. As previously implied, most folks don't have an accurate understanding of the scope of what they're all about.

Here are a few facts that you may or may not know:

Founding

The Peace Corps was founded in the early 1960s as the result of a challenge made by Senator John F. Kennedy to students at the University of Michigan to rise to a mission of service by living and working in developing countries.

Mission

According to PeaceCorps.org, the organization has a three-fold mission which has remained in place since the very beginning of its history:

"1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans."

Organization

The Peace Corps is a federal agency. Their primary focus is on "world peace and friendship," according to official statements published by the agency.

Service

Peace Corps volunteers work for sustainable change in the host countries which request their technical assistance in seven major areas: Education, health, environment, community economic development, youth in development, and other areas as needed/identified. Peace Corps volunteers are the United States' unofficial ambassadors to the world abroad. Through their service to other countries they build lasting and significant relationships, foster a positive image of America, and create global understanding between residents of their host country and the United States.

Volunteers

Peace Corps volunteers generally serve for two years following their initial training. During the span of the organization's history volunteers have served in the Philippines more than in any other country.

Although the Peace Corps rarely receives a lot of publicity, the quiet work that it does behind the scenes is an essential service that not only benefits the host countries that it serves, but the home country-the United States of America-that it represents.

Kudos to the many volunteers who have made their time of service to the Corps not just about carrying out a job well done, but about a lifestyle of working to ensure that the world is constantly evolving into a better place.

Source:  
PeaceCorps.org

*Photo: Todd via Flickr.com

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/20/2014 (no longer published there).]

Infused Water

Good for Your Health

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Infused water, or detox water, as it's sometimes commonly called, is all the rage now, and for good reason. It's delicious, easy to make, and has wonderful nutritive benefits.

Simply put, infused water is made by slicing select fruits and veggies (and sometimes herbs) into water and letting it stand, or infuse, anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. Much of the vitamin content of the fruits and veggies seeps into the water and you receive the health value when you drink it.

There are many recipes available for making infused water, and you're only limited by your creativity in terms of the fruit and veggie combinations that you put together. Some choose their ingredients based on the nutritional value of each fruit and vegetable; others choose based on the taste that they're seeking to achieve.

The most popular infused water recipes use lemons as a staple ingredient. The very first well-publicized notion of infused water was promoted by Prevention Magazine as a component of the Flat Belly Diet. Branded as "Sassy Water," the recipe for Sassy Water quickly went viral all over the Web.

Anecdotal evidence reveals that infused water encourages:

• Increased water consumption, thereby keeping one more hydrated
• Helps with detox
• Decreases stomach bloating and
• Facilitates weight loss in general

Some of my favorite infused water combinations are:

Lemon/cucumber
Lemon/cucumber/mint
Lemon/cucumber/lime
Lemon/cucumber/lime/orange/apple
Watermelon/lemon/mint

In terms of proportions, I just eyeball the amounts of each fruit and vegetable used based on the size of the pitcher, again, using lemon as the predominant ingredient.

Dr. Oz has promoted infused water in the past and believes strongly that it offers multiple health benefits to all who drink it. He also has a number of recipes with specific nutritional benefits associated with each fruit or vegetable used.

With the increase in popularity of infused water also comes an increase in the manufacture and sales of a variety of infusion pitchers and infusion water bottles. These items have a small vented cylinder that attaches to the top of the container in which the user can place her chosen fruits and vegetables for infusion. The advantage to using infusion pitchers and water bottles is that the fruits and vegetables can easily be removed from the container simply by removing the cylinder so that they don't overinfuse into the water, causing bitterness.

As summertime approaches, I heartily recommend that you try infused water for yourself. It's a great alternative to the sugary, expensive, and chemical-laden vitamin waters that you buy from the supermarket and it's a great way to stay hydrated with a minimal amount of fuss.


*Photo: Rachel B. Lane

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/18/2014 (no longer published there).]

Seven Groomsmen Gift Ideas

Last Minute Tips

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

So your wedding day is fast approaching. The hall has been reserved, the caterer has been booked, and your bride has purchased the gown of her dreams. The only problem is that you still haven't chosen the gifts for your groomsmen.

No need to panic. A quick search on Amazon.com reveals seven great gift ideas in a wide price range that may help you take your stress level down a notch and earn you the reputation of the groom of the year:

1. Stainless Steel Groomsman Flask. Price: Around $40. This has an 8-oz. capacity and can be engraved. It's elegant, understated, and sensible. A great gift for the man about town.
2. Credit Card Wallet-Sized Bottle Opener. Price: Around $6. This item is priced for the prudent wedding budget and is sure to make a hit. It's practical and can be used in a variety of settings.
3. Engravable Pocket Knife with 9 Tools. Price: Around $13. What man doesn't appreciate a functional pocket knife? It's not just the dream of male childhood, but the ready utensil of he-man manhood.
4. Stainless Steel Blocking RFID Travel Wallet. Price: Around $20. Do any of your groomsmen travel? With the rise in identity theft it's more important than ever to protect the contents of one's wallet, and this one easily fits the bill. Holds both credit cards and business cards. Comes with a lifetime guarantee.
5. Personalized Engraved Silver-Plated Money Clip. Price: Around $2.99. Another item priced just right that still makes a great functional gift.
6. Invicta 18-K Rose Gold-Plated and Stainless Steel Watch. Price: Around $70. Elegant, sophisticated, and sure to create a long-lasting memory of your special day. Second, minute, and hour subdials and even shows the date.
7. Iron Man Gold Tone Cuff Links. Price: Around $30. Comes in a variety of styles, so you can tailor each set to each groomsman's personality. Very stylish and sure to impress.

By using Amazon.com to make your purchases you won't have to leave your home or office or fight insane shopping crowds. With Prime shipping your gifts can arrive at your doorstep in two days or less, and you can even elect to have Amazon wrap them for you. It can't get any easier than this.

Now that you've crossed this very important item from your To-Do List you can sit back, breathe a little, and anticipate the great memories that will be created on your wedding day.

Congratulations!

*Photo: Andrew Turner via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/01/2014 (no longer published there).]

How to Use Glide to Keep in Contact with Family and Friends

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I love technology! The more it evolves, the more developers find creative ways to use it to enable us to stay connected with those that we love. One of my favorite apps is Glide. Glide is a great app to use to stay in contact with family and friends through the use of video messages.

Glide is very simple to install. iPhone users can download it from iTunes and Android users, like me, can get it straight from the Play Store. It can be downloaded on both smartphones and tablets, depending on your preference.

Since starting to use Glide I've been able to do a better job of staying connected with those that I love. As a freelance writer, my hours can sometimes make it difficult for me to stay in contact as I prefer staying up late at night to write and create. This means that by far and large I keep 'vampire hours' -- sleeping during the day. With Glide I can just open the app, hit the Record button, and it will video record the message that I want to send.

You can use Glide to record messages for either individuals or groups. My family members and I have been able to plan entire family get-togethers efficiently just by using this app despite how busy each of us are.

I also use Glide to send little thinking of you messages to my nieces, nephews, and godchildren. I like to send them consistent words of encouragement to help them stay on track with their studies and just to let them know that they are loved and thought about.

The thing that sets Glide apart from other video chatting apps is that the other party doesn't have to be present in real time for you to record and send your message. It follows the same basic principle as texting, only you're sending a video message instead of a text. The receiving party can view and respond at their leisure. No pressure. No trying to coordinate times to meet online.

I'm also trying to come up with a way to use Glide in my business to keep in touch with my clients or provide updates to them. The only challenge is that in working from home I'm not always dressed at my best, and I'm sure that clients don't consider PJs and head scarves professional business attire.

If you love technology too and are looking for new and creative ways to stay in contact with your own family and friends, then give Glide a try. I guarantee that you'll be hooked from your very first recording.

Sources:
Google Play Store
Glide
Personal experience

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/22/2014 (no longer published there).]