**Energy Boosting Food when You're Tired

From the EAP newsletter at work, “EAP Sentry” article "Tired: Try These Energy-Boosting Foods" and my reaction:
 Food I will actually try:
Dark Leafy Greens: A little spinach or Swiss chard in a salad is always nice. I also like the bitter taste of dandelion leaves. The list also suggests topping your sandwich with leafy greens. That is an idea.
Nuts: I love nuts and eat them regularly. However I could be even more regular. I keep walnuts in my desk at work, but only eat them for a snack if I am really hungry.
Oatmeal: This is something I do not eat enough of. The suggestion is to add cinnamon or blueberries. I am more an apples, brown sugar and raspberries kind of a person.

Food I don’t think I will try
Red Peppers: Plain Peppers are not my thing. I do not like this as part of the salad plate. However I like peppers in an omelet, or on a steak sandwich, or in fajitas or stir-fry.

**Pollution and Baby Deaths

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602605/Advocates-question-whether-baby-deaths-in-Vernal-are-linked-to-pollution.html

Here is an article which asks an interesting question.  Could pollution due to oil and gas production and exploration have a correlation to infant deaths.  After the community of Vernal, Utah has seen fifteen infant deaths over the past year, they are wondering if there may be some explanation or cause.  However in the Vernal area they have been producing energy for many years.  Is there some change in the amount or the type of chemicals used in production which could explain a change in infant mortality.
As mentioned in this article, they have an hypothesis, but no data yet to support the theory.  That is what comes next.  They will have difficulty controlling for other factors, but hopefully there research will be helpful.

**What Would You Do if You Knew that I Want to Commit Suicide

This is the front, and an inside page to this pamphlet in Spanish. What would you do if you knew I was thinking of suicide?  This pamphlet answers this question with three answers.
1) First recognize the signs.  The pamphlet explains that recognizing signs of suicide can be difficult.  If you have a sense something is wrong, go with your feelings.
This our clues to look for:
Talking about suicide or wanting to die
Feeling without hope, desperate or trapped
Giving away possessions
Rage or anger
Increase in consumption of alcohol or drugs
Distancing self from others
Feeling anxious or agitated
Change in sleep pattern
Sudden changes in humor
Feeling useless

2)  Second is to communicate, to talk; to ask "Are you thinking of suicide"  This pamphlet suggests starting the conversation.  Mention the things you have observed, the things that are worrying you.  Ask are you thinking of suicide, listen.

3) Look for help.  This pamphlet suggests
911 for emergency situations,
  for advice and direction
http://elsuicidioesprevenible.org/
The national hotline is

1 (800) 273 8255

**Sleep and Aging: Everyday Health

http://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/insomnia/tips/seniors-dont-take-sleep-woes-lying-down.aspx

I cannot say I do not have a sleep problem.  I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, but falling asleep has never been a big issue for me; although I have had a few notes when I couldn't sleep.  Sleep issues may  be a part of aging.  This article offers some good advice.  For one, it is not helpful to sit in bed stewing about it if you can't get to sleep.  Better to get up and do something boring until you feel drowsy.  Some of the other ideas are pretty self explanatory, but still important. No caffeine and alcohol before bed, try not to exercise just before going to bed, try relaxation and skip naps.

**Addictions: What is the Cost?

I do not claim myself to be an expert on addiction, but I have seen enough of the effects of addiction to say that the cost is too high.  I work in the mental health field, and addiction seems to haunt those with mental illness.  I have seen the effect of all types of addiction, alcohol, methamphetamine, heroine, PCP, cocaine, pain killers, cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs.  I have seen addictions to caffeine, or food.  I carry over 80 pounds too many.  I have also seen the results of sexual addiction.  When I worked the graveyard shift, I received calls from those with sexual addictions.  This might be the hardest addiction of all.  My son Mark and his band As December Leaves, put into music their view of addiction.  It is a very appealing song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AawBczU6FrY

**Sedentary Life and Avoiding Blood Clots: From Everyday Health

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/long-flight-bed-rest-easy-exercises-prevent-blood-clots/?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20140504
I have always been worried about blood clots.  I have coworkers who have developed them from excessive sitting, and no one sits more than me during the day.  I have the eight hours at work, but then I add at least four hours daily in the train.  I really needed this article.
This article provides some exercises to help in the prevention of blood clots.  I particularly appreciate ideas of exercises while at your desk, and I will be incorporating some of them into my routine.  This will be along with some exercises I do to keep the circulation in my arms.  Foot pumps, ankle circles, shoulder rolls and leg raises seem pretty easy.  However, it is important to walk as frequently as possible.

**Don’t Get Stuck on Blaming

Some ideas I gleaned from an article in the “EAP Sentry,” the Santa Clara County EAP newsletter
Don’t Get Stuck on Blaming
Blame keeps us from addressing issues, and improving ourselves.   All of us have been wronged at sometime in our life.  However “Repeated focus on how we have been wronged keeps us stuck in resentment and inaction.” 
In my case, I could focus on how I have been wronged genetically, with the short and stocky gene.  However, short and stocky would be fine, but I am on the short and fat side, or the obese side.  Which leads me to say, how screwed up the obesity chart is, but again that would not be focusing on anything I can do anything about. 
Some of the suggestions this article presents which I like are:
Forgiveness: If we can find ways to forgive others, we can move forward.  Forgiveness ultimately involves compassion and understanding.  This includes forgiving others as well as ourselves for being stuck.
Become Stronger: Become stronger physically, emotionally and socially through exercise, medication, religious or spiritual practice, engrossing hobbies, volunteer work and counseling.
Support network: Cultivate a support network of caring friends and family. 
Responsibility: Take responsibility for our own actions without blaming others.