http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/health/23placebo.html
The above article discusses a recent survey that says that over half of American doctors prescribe placebos to their patients. These placebos vary from headache medicine to vitamin pills to antibiotics and sedatives. I am not sure I would call a sedative or an antibiotic a placebo. However, the point is they are giving their patient something.
The article goes on to, in my opinion, castigate the doctors. I see it differently. We should know our bodies, but we are a "microwave nation", always wanting the quick fix. I have absolutely no issue with a doctor giving a person a vitamin in order to help them help themselve. I am more disgusted that the individual thinks they need a pill to get well.
So what are your opinions? Is the doctor at fault for giving them something or is the patient at fault for wanting a pill to get better.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weekend update
The only problem with beautiful fall weekends is that it means winter is coming. This weekend was one of those beautiful fall weekends that just make me happy. I started off the weekend by making my chili. The first cool Saturday of the fall I make my chili and watch college football. I was a total bum yesterday, but it felt good and the chili was delicious. Oh, and my Dawgs beat Vandy too.
Today was much more productive. I started the day off with a nice 5.5 mile run with my running buddy. It was still pretty cool and the wind was blowing about 15 mph out of the north, but it was crisp and the hills and miles passed quickly. When I got home the bride was laying on the couch with a funny look on her face. It turned out she had started the selfing cleaning function on the stove and a fire had developed in the oven. I had just missed the firemen. :) I had never really given it much thought, but the reason that an oven door locks during the self cleaning function is that if a fire develops then it starve it's self of oxygen. Good to know.
We then went to Pentagon City to update our cell phones. We saw a sale on glasses and we each got new glasses. I typically just my glasses at night after I take my contacts out. I haven't seen this good through glasses in years. The rest of the day was taken up with cleaning the house, grocery shopping and finally catching up on email. I am ready for bed.
Today was much more productive. I started the day off with a nice 5.5 mile run with my running buddy. It was still pretty cool and the wind was blowing about 15 mph out of the north, but it was crisp and the hills and miles passed quickly. When I got home the bride was laying on the couch with a funny look on her face. It turned out she had started the selfing cleaning function on the stove and a fire had developed in the oven. I had just missed the firemen. :) I had never really given it much thought, but the reason that an oven door locks during the self cleaning function is that if a fire develops then it starve it's self of oxygen. Good to know.
We then went to Pentagon City to update our cell phones. We saw a sale on glasses and we each got new glasses. I typically just my glasses at night after I take my contacts out. I haven't seen this good through glasses in years. The rest of the day was taken up with cleaning the house, grocery shopping and finally catching up on email. I am ready for bed.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday Funny--Udderly Funny
This is funny AND true.
WATERBURY, VT. — Mooove over, Holsteins. PETA wants world-famous Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to tap nursing moms, rather than cows, for the milk used in its ice cream.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking the ice cream maker to begin using breast milk in its products instead of cow's milk, saying it would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.
The idea got a cool reception Thursday from Ben & Jerry's officials, the company's customers and even La Leche League International, the world's oldest breast-feeding support organization, which promotes the practice — for babies, anyway.
PETA wrote a letter to company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on Tuesday, telling them cow's milk is hazardous and that milking them is cruel.
"If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers — and cows — would reap the benefits," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of the animal rights advocacy group.
She said dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and obesity.
Ashley Byrne, a campaign coordinator for PETA, acknowledged the implausibility of substituting breast milk for cow's milk, but said it's no stranger than humans consuming the milk of another species.
"We're aware this idea is somewhat absurd, and that putting it into practice is a stretch. At the time same, it's pretty absurd for us to be drinking the milk of cows," she said.
It takes about 12 pounds — or 1 1/2 gallons of milk — to make a gallon of ice cream.
Ben & Jerry's, which gets its milk exclusively from Vermont cows, won't say how much milk it uses or how much ice cream it sells.
As a standardized product under federal regulations, ice cream must be made with milk from healthy cows. Ice cream made from goat's milk, for example, would have to be labeled as such.
Presumably, so would mother's milk ice cream.
To Ben & Jerry's, the idea is udderly ridiculous.
"We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," spokesman Sean Greenwood said in an e-mail. He didn't respond to requests for an interview.
Leon Berthiaume, general manager of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, which provides milk products to Ben & Jerry's, called the dairy products "among the safest in the world."
Cow's milk and mother's milk aren't interchangeable, according to La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse, who says breast milk is a dynamic substance that's different with each woman and each child and might have difficulty being processed into ice cream.
Then there's the question of who would provide the milk, and whether they'd be paid.
WATERBURY, VT. — Mooove over, Holsteins. PETA wants world-famous Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to tap nursing moms, rather than cows, for the milk used in its ice cream.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking the ice cream maker to begin using breast milk in its products instead of cow's milk, saying it would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.
The idea got a cool reception Thursday from Ben & Jerry's officials, the company's customers and even La Leche League International, the world's oldest breast-feeding support organization, which promotes the practice — for babies, anyway.
PETA wrote a letter to company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on Tuesday, telling them cow's milk is hazardous and that milking them is cruel.
"If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers — and cows — would reap the benefits," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of the animal rights advocacy group.
She said dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and obesity.
Ashley Byrne, a campaign coordinator for PETA, acknowledged the implausibility of substituting breast milk for cow's milk, but said it's no stranger than humans consuming the milk of another species.
"We're aware this idea is somewhat absurd, and that putting it into practice is a stretch. At the time same, it's pretty absurd for us to be drinking the milk of cows," she said.
It takes about 12 pounds — or 1 1/2 gallons of milk — to make a gallon of ice cream.
Ben & Jerry's, which gets its milk exclusively from Vermont cows, won't say how much milk it uses or how much ice cream it sells.
As a standardized product under federal regulations, ice cream must be made with milk from healthy cows. Ice cream made from goat's milk, for example, would have to be labeled as such.
Presumably, so would mother's milk ice cream.
To Ben & Jerry's, the idea is udderly ridiculous.
"We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," spokesman Sean Greenwood said in an e-mail. He didn't respond to requests for an interview.
Leon Berthiaume, general manager of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, which provides milk products to Ben & Jerry's, called the dairy products "among the safest in the world."
Cow's milk and mother's milk aren't interchangeable, according to La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse, who says breast milk is a dynamic substance that's different with each woman and each child and might have difficulty being processed into ice cream.
Then there's the question of who would provide the milk, and whether they'd be paid.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Motivation
What motivates someone? Is it fame, fear, family, money, challenge? Something else?
I was reading some posts earlier today, Ironmakeover, and one of her posts was concerning motivation prior to and during a race. I have a different type of motivation that interests me. What causes us to do triathlons, or jump from airplanes, or rock climb, etc. So here is my story.
First of all if you can't tell I am a male. Young males tend to do things that border on dangerous, but we considerate that to be fun (for you moms and dads under 40ish--let your kids get hurt. They will learn important lessons about pushing the limit--not to mention first aid). The freedom to roam and explore as a kid is probably what motivated me to push myself--that and I was scared. I don't like to be scared. When something scares me I tend to gravitate toward it. Once you learn about it, it is not as scary.
I was never a big kid but I was the first one to be able to jump my bike over whatever objects we could find. I tried to make a parachute out of a sheet and jump off the storage building. I used a hollow aluminum tube and a piece of rope to make a "slide for life" off my parents balcony (that did not work too well, the stake pulled out of the ground and went crashing 15 feet to the stone patio).
As I got older, I did other crazy stuff. I joined the army, jumped out of planes, climbed mountains--life was a big rush. Then it ended. I came back from living live on the edge and settled into a more 9-5 routine. I got BORED and FAT. So I decided to take up triathlons.
I did my first triathlon at age 17 or so when I was lifeguard, but I don't really count that one. I did not do another one until age 35. So to sum up my motivation for triathlons--boredom and body fat!!! Seriously, the drive to stay fit and live a healthy lifestyle is very important. The excitement of the unknown in each race fuels that need for adreline.
So what is your story!!!
I was reading some posts earlier today, Ironmakeover, and one of her posts was concerning motivation prior to and during a race. I have a different type of motivation that interests me. What causes us to do triathlons, or jump from airplanes, or rock climb, etc. So here is my story.
First of all if you can't tell I am a male. Young males tend to do things that border on dangerous, but we considerate that to be fun (for you moms and dads under 40ish--let your kids get hurt. They will learn important lessons about pushing the limit--not to mention first aid). The freedom to roam and explore as a kid is probably what motivated me to push myself--that and I was scared. I don't like to be scared. When something scares me I tend to gravitate toward it. Once you learn about it, it is not as scary.
I was never a big kid but I was the first one to be able to jump my bike over whatever objects we could find. I tried to make a parachute out of a sheet and jump off the storage building. I used a hollow aluminum tube and a piece of rope to make a "slide for life" off my parents balcony (that did not work too well, the stake pulled out of the ground and went crashing 15 feet to the stone patio).
As I got older, I did other crazy stuff. I joined the army, jumped out of planes, climbed mountains--life was a big rush. Then it ended. I came back from living live on the edge and settled into a more 9-5 routine. I got BORED and FAT. So I decided to take up triathlons.
I did my first triathlon at age 17 or so when I was lifeguard, but I don't really count that one. I did not do another one until age 35. So to sum up my motivation for triathlons--boredom and body fat!!! Seriously, the drive to stay fit and live a healthy lifestyle is very important. The excitement of the unknown in each race fuels that need for adreline.
So what is your story!!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Odds and Ends
Am I the only one who feels better when I get in a good workout prior to heading off to work? JB and I did about 5.5 miles this morning. It was a hot and sticky morning today not at all like the prelude to fall we have been experiencing. The only problem with fall is that it means winter is right around the corner. Give me hot weather any day of the week.
I started a new project at work. I am back at an organization that I left about a year ago. This project is in a totally different capacity with a different client. So far it the work is interesting, the client is reasonable, and I don't have to pay for parking. The down side is that I am currently using an aircard to connect to the net. It is SLOW and I keep losing my VPN connection to my company's network.
The wife is making lemon chicken for dinner this evening. This is one of my favorite dinners. Luckily, we started a bottle of wine last night and we need to use it up tonight. :)
I really wondered how people with somewhat of an education and over 22 years of age could have messed up with their mortages. I figured they were just looking for a excuse, so as not to blame themselves for the mess they made. I was sitting at my desk this morning when a I overhead a conversation by two women. One was explaining the benefits of an adjustable rate mortage, but at the same time complaining about how much her payments where now. I really had to control myself and not laugh out loud at her stupidity. That would be like me complaining about how hot the bath water is, but all I have flowing into the tub is hot water--DUH!! Here's your sign.
I just three lemon creme sandwich cookies. Make that four.
I started a new project at work. I am back at an organization that I left about a year ago. This project is in a totally different capacity with a different client. So far it the work is interesting, the client is reasonable, and I don't have to pay for parking. The down side is that I am currently using an aircard to connect to the net. It is SLOW and I keep losing my VPN connection to my company's network.
The wife is making lemon chicken for dinner this evening. This is one of my favorite dinners. Luckily, we started a bottle of wine last night and we need to use it up tonight. :)
I really wondered how people with somewhat of an education and over 22 years of age could have messed up with their mortages. I figured they were just looking for a excuse, so as not to blame themselves for the mess they made. I was sitting at my desk this morning when a I overhead a conversation by two women. One was explaining the benefits of an adjustable rate mortage, but at the same time complaining about how much her payments where now. I really had to control myself and not laugh out loud at her stupidity. That would be like me complaining about how hot the bath water is, but all I have flowing into the tub is hot water--DUH!! Here's your sign.
I just three lemon creme sandwich cookies. Make that four.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Learning New Things
This past week I was at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for the Army's Pre Command Course (even though I took command in June). I was not exactly looking forward to a week of death by powerpoint, but the change of scenery and getting out of the office for a week was nice.
The class overall was very professionally run and with the exception of a couple of blocks of instruction it turned out to be an informative week. I was not able to get in the work outs that I had wanted to due to the length of the class day and/or the rainy weather. After you have been in the military for a few years, you typically learn more from your classmates than you do from the course of instruction. This week was no exception.
The Saturday prior to departure, I took the Army Physical Fitness Test and I was rather disappointed in my run. I did 70 pushups and 70 situps (I could have done more, but I wanted to save something for the run and I was WAY over the minimun). My two mile run was 15:18 which worked out to be a 7:39 mile. I was really hoping to run the two miles in about 14 minutes. However, that did not work out.
This past weekend I was able to get in two different runs. My running partner and I did about 4.5 miles both yesterday morning and again today. Tomorrow it is back in the pool and then Wednesday we are shooting for the hill work out. I am glad to be back and getting my ass back in gear. I will try to catch up with my reading and comments through out the week.
The class overall was very professionally run and with the exception of a couple of blocks of instruction it turned out to be an informative week. I was not able to get in the work outs that I had wanted to due to the length of the class day and/or the rainy weather. After you have been in the military for a few years, you typically learn more from your classmates than you do from the course of instruction. This week was no exception.
The Saturday prior to departure, I took the Army Physical Fitness Test and I was rather disappointed in my run. I did 70 pushups and 70 situps (I could have done more, but I wanted to save something for the run and I was WAY over the minimun). My two mile run was 15:18 which worked out to be a 7:39 mile. I was really hoping to run the two miles in about 14 minutes. However, that did not work out.
This past weekend I was able to get in two different runs. My running partner and I did about 4.5 miles both yesterday morning and again today. Tomorrow it is back in the pool and then Wednesday we are shooting for the hill work out. I am glad to be back and getting my ass back in gear. I will try to catch up with my reading and comments through out the week.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Off to the Mid West
I am off tomorrow morning for La Crosse, WI. I have a week long commanders' course at beautiful Fort McCoy. I hope to get in some runs and I will keep you posted.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Memory
The last two mornings as I was working out I had all these great thoughts as to what my post would be. However, I can't remember a damn one of them. I have come to the conclusion that good ideas while working out are a lot like good ideas you have in your dreams. They are brilliant, amazing, world changing ideas that never see the light of day. WTF!!!
So my charge to my loyal readers is simple:
1. Does this ever happen to you.
2. Other than carry a note pad with you or next to the bed what do you do to remember.
3 If you have ever remember any of your brilliant, amazing, world changing ideas what were they?
So my charge to my loyal readers is simple:
1. Does this ever happen to you.
2. Other than carry a note pad with you or next to the bed what do you do to remember.
3 If you have ever remember any of your brilliant, amazing, world changing ideas what were they?
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