Archive for the ‘Health’ category

Newer Entries »

Getting by with a little help

December 8th, 2006

The other night as I was getting ready for bed, I put a Breathe Right strip on the bridge of my nose and thought about all the products we all use to help us survive from day to day. It would be nice to get by without the use of all these ointments, oils, gels, wraps, creams, tonics, and elixirs. Of course, Swedish Girl was busy applying Icy Hot (“icy to dull the pain, hot to relax it away”) to her mysteriously wounded foot at the same time. I’ve been putting off using Icy Hot for a long time now, but if I just dived in and bought the tubes and patches I need, then I’d keep that company in business.

I’ve become sort of like Joseph Merrick (the “Elephant Man”), in that my breathing is labored and heavy when I lie down. I suppose I should see my doctor about this, but I hate doctors. Instead, I’ll just factor a couple of boxes of Breathe Right strips into my budget every month and add another “getting by” aide to the list. What are some of your “getting by” aides? Besides the strips, I cannot go a day without mint lip balm. And now that the dry, frigid air of winter is upon us, I will be stocking up on skin lotion. And, of course, I’ll break down soon enough and start applying Icy Hot patches to various parts of my body. What about you?

3 comments »

Posted in Health, Life

No More Nog?

September 28th, 2006

It was good while it lasted. It all started yesterday with an innocent email mention, to some co-worker friends, that Starbucks is raising its prices in a week or so. That set off a string of emails that pissed all over my parade. I’ve mentioned my love for Starbucks’ egg nog lattes on The Diatribe more than once. I don’t even like that place in general. I’ll grab a cafe mocha (iced or hot) once in a while, but that’s it. However, come harvest time, when the days get colder and the nights get longer, I start thinking about finding the first local Starbucks selling ENLs.

Leave it to information hound and persistent party pooper Hardytrain to spoil my fun. Within moments of my mention of ENLs, he hit me right between the eyes with the (not so) nutritional information of my beloved ENL. It’s chock full of calories, fat calories, fat grams, saturated fat grams, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, and sugar. The only silver lining was that there appear to be no trans fats; I’m guessing that might be because trans fat is man-made and used primarily in fried or processed foods, whereas the ENL is all natural.

I was seriously bummed out. My pre-yesterday dream plans had me consuming an ENL per day (and I’m talking venti here) and sometimes two on Saturdays. Now I’m going to have to try to be responsible and stick to one or two per week. Either that, or I can stick to my original ENL consumption plan and just eat spinach every day. Wait…what? What’s that you say about spinach?

2 comments »

Posted in Health, Screwed

My Summer Treat

August 3rd, 2006

A few weeks back, while I was at the grocery store I stumbled upon a treat that I hadn’t had since I was a kid. They come 24 in a box, and they’re the simplest frozen treat you can find — Fla-Vor-Ice.

When I first brought them home, I’d have one or two a night.. but it’s become an out-of-control problem. I’m now up to 4,5,6 popsicles per night — especially with the latest heat wave that’s hit the New York area. I’ve practically worn a path between the couch and the freezer, during my many trips back and forth to get (yet another) popsicle.

The best thing about this, though, is that there’s nothing to these things. I used to have a bowl of Soy Ice Cream for dessert (450 Calories, 26g of Fat). Fla-Vor-Ice pops (even 6 of them) are still so much better for you than ice cream. These things are 25 calories per popsicle, and 0 grams of fat. What a nice treat!

Just the other night, MP asked me “Hey, why is it that every time I come into the kitchen, the scissors are out on the counter?” To this, I had no response — just a guilty smile. She eventually figured it out. But that’s how bad these things have gotten.

My only concern is that the last time I was at the store, they only had two boxes left. I should’ve bought both of them while I had the chance. I just hope that they still have them when I head back this on Sunday. If not, I might need to scour the city of Hoboken on a Fla-Vor-Ice rampage.

Now, if you’ll excuse me.. I’ve got to make another run to the kitchen.

1 comment »

Posted in Food, Health

Clean Teeth

June 29th, 2006

I forgot how nice it is to come back from the dentist. So many people are afraid or dislike the dentist, but I’m a pretty big fan. Nothing like coming home and running your tongue along those nice new pearly whites. Not to mention having your nightguard cleaned, I mean.. can it get any better?

It can.. all those great treats they give you. Floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste. I even got a tongue-scraper today (Miss Possible has always been an avid fan of the tongue scrapings, she’ll be so proud).

Besides trying to sell me on reconstructive jaw surgery to fix my underbite, the dentist was one of the best I’ve ever had. Using the latest technology, in-room televisions, and everyone was so incredibly pleasant. The hygenist even went to Northeastern and also just got engaged last month. Her only word of advice was to floss more (like all dentites), and went so far as to say that it’s so important to floss that I’d be better off cutting down my brushing to once a day and flossing once a day. Go figure.

The best part of it all, though, was that I have absolutely zero cavities, and the dentist himself said “You have really nice teeth.” So, now that everyone knows more about my teeth than you’ve ever wanted.. I’m gonna go have a glass of red wine.

4 comments »

Posted in Health

Smokin’ in the Boken

April 26th, 2006

On April 15, 2006 the State of New Jersey banned smoking from all bars and restaurants in the entire state. It’s the 11th state in the nation to impose such a ban, and let me tell you — we’re glad.

Coming from Boston just about a year ago, one thing I immediatley noticed was the number of smokers in the New York / New Jersey area. Maybe it has something to do with the youthfulness of Hoboken, but nearly every day on my way to work I would spot at least a half dozen individual smoking — not to mention that there’s a large contingent of employees at my company that smoke.

I know that my old roommate smoked, and a few other people in my circle of friends, however I feel as though I’m surrounded by more strangers that smoke cigareettes now as opposed to when I lived in the Boston area. Go figure. It’s strange, and maybe it’s all in my head — but at least it will no longer be in the bars.

1 comment »

Posted in Default, Health, Hoboken