Saturday, June 4, 2011

Summer fun tips around water

OWNER OF PASS IT ON SPORTS (Kayaks)
SOUTHINGTON, CT (860.747.8833)

It’s summer and it gets hot--cool down on a river, lake, ocean or pool.
There are so many choices when it comes to playing in the water...

Safety issues should be addressed initially in making decisions about what type of play to participate in and if children are included.

For all types of water, life preservers and flotation devices are always recommended. If an adult or child cannot swim it is very important to purchase a preserver that will keep their head above water should they be rendered unconscious or fall in unexpectedly. There are many choices in life vests and some are specific to particular watersports such as jet ski’s, boating, canoeing or kayaking.

When choosing a preserver, proper fit is the first consideration or it will not work properly. The preserver must fit the weight and chest size of the wearer. Do not let price steer you away from the right preserver. Be sure to buy a preserver that is specific to the intended use or will allow multiple uses for the wearer.
Prices and styles of preservers and flotation devices vary greatly.
While an experienced sailor or power boater may want one of the high mobility style automatic inflator designs costing up to $250 for their uses,
a recreational user flotation vest can be purchased for $35- $85 for adults. The life vest will give the user years of use with proper care.
With the proper guidance in purchasing a vest, price comfort and quality can make your swimming, boating, canoeing or kayaking experience much more enjoyable and safe.
It is your life that is at risk should the flotation device be necessary and that decision is made long before the potential need could occur. Non-swimmers should put on a preserver prior to /or immediately when boarding a boat or watercraft or near a pool. If it is possible, put it on when you are on the dock. Adults and children need to use caution when boarding any watercraft so as not to tip or scare non-swimmers on a dock or in a boat or canoe.

Most importantly be sure to balance yourself when entering and exiting any boat. Most tip-overs occur while entering and exiting a watercraft. Balance is critical to prevent accidents and spills into the water unexpectedly.
On floating docks, stability is a concern depending on the numbers of persons on the docks and a wake from either boats or the ocean.

If you have never owned a boat and don’t want to spend a lot of money to have fun in water, there are many inexpensive ways to do just that. Hopefully the information below will guide you to a proper fit for your needs and comfort level.

Swimming in a town pool or a friend’s pool is probably the least expensive way to cool down in the summer other than running under your lawn sprinkler.
Caution should be exercised with non-swimmers if there is a deep end of the pool that would be over their head if they jumped in. Most in ground pools have a 8’-9’ deep end for divers. If a pool has a slide and the child can’t swim, be sure the preserver fits properly and the slide extends over the edge of the pool into the shallow part of the pool usually 3’ deep. An adult needs to be positioned in the water of the shallow end for children unfamiliar with the pool even if they are swimmers. Until a child can safely navigate the steps up the slide and feels comfortable landing in the water, it is a good idea for a lifeguard or responsible adult to stay in the shallow end to catch the child should they lose their balance or come down head first by mistake. When a child goes under water there is no sound and no warning. It is silent! Never leave any child unattended by any body of water. An adult or responsible person needs to keep their eyes on them at all times. This cannot be emphasized enough.

Another fairly inexpensive option for many teens and adults of all ages is a kayak or canoe. They can be purchased for less than $350 and be used for many years. Many people choose kayaks instead of canoes because of ease of use and weight factors. Most recreational kayaks and canoes can be easily handled with almost no instruction. Canoes are typically a bit longer and heavier unless you purchase more expensive lightweight styles.
Canoes offer storage and moving about space in them. Most recently, manufacturers are making fishing kayaks for anglers that offer all the advantages of a lightweight boat with storage without the disadvantages of larger heavier canoes or boats. All these things can be done by a recreational canoer/ kayaker with a little planning and information about the location they will be paddling in.

There are many options for kayaks that make even the beginner look like a regular user. There are kayaks that are for all types of general recreational use in both a sit-in style and sit-on-top design.
They each have advantages and drawbacks depending on your intended use.

A sit-on-top kayak is a wonderful choice if you do not need storage on your boat. They can be used in rivers, oceans, back bays, lakes, and most bodies of water except very fast white water conditions (of which there is very little in Connecticut).
Many elderly persons who have never kayaked before are choosing this style for exercise and recreational use, and teens like them because they can play around with them in the water and they can’t sink it even if it is used like a surfboard.

Some of the advantages of a Sit-On-Top Kayak:
*ease of entry (no cockpit to wiggle into)
*cannot sink, (they are self bailing)
* should you want to take a swim while in transit, you can easily climb back into your kayak again and continue paddling.
*adjustable laydown option on seatback--sunbathe for a while
*built in foot braces
*built in flotation
*very stable for beginners-difficult to tip over
*lightweight-easy to transport smaller units especially (34lbs)
Disadvantages are:
*no storage compartments
*no protection from elements (cold weather, rain, sun, etc)

While sit-in style kayaks can be used in rivers, oceans, back bays, lakes, and most bodies of water except very fast white water conditions as well,
sometimes storage capacity is desired.

The advantages of sit-in kayaks are:
*storage capacity (one or two compartments)
*some have dry storage compartments
*protection from cold weather, rain, or sun
*ability to use year round with a skirt (optional accessories)
*lightweight-easy to transport smaller units (34lbs)
*drain plug to empty water in hull
*comfortable seating
*built in adjustable foot braces on most models
*built in flotation
Disadvantages are:
* no ability to exit and enter easily unless on shore-will fill up with water and have to be brought to land to empty boat out (it will usually not sink)
*heavy to move about if left upright and it rains (cockpit covers are available)
*less stable than wider models

While these are certainly not all the options available to have “fun in the water” they are easily doable by most children, teens and adults.
The kayak information in this article are specific to the Pelican models I am most familiar with and are general in nature to most kayaks by other manufacturers, however there are features that vary greatly depending on the company. If you have not considered kayaks because of the familiar Eskimo roll and white water styles featured for years, you might want to check out the newest rage in watersports--Kayaking!!!
Whatever your choices for water recreation, remember to think safety first and enjoy the rest of the summer--Fall and winter are right around the corner....

Monday, May 2, 2011

Reset Your Metabolism

How to “Reset Your Metabolism” forever.

As we age your metabolism slows down; because of that the aging process begins with your hair, skin & body...... function including unstable sugar levels high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and most importantly unhealthy and dangerous weight gain.
Dr. Donald Layman, the father of metabolism with over 90 peer papers and studies helped develop a patented system called Metaboliq.
Metaboliq system is about improving your body’s ability to function and achieve optimal health. Weight loss will occur, but many other aspects of your health will also improve.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and is a critical component to your success in the system.
Most people get this meal wrong by eating too many carbs. It’s important to remember that your food
choices each morning will determine if your body will store or burn fat. In addition, your breakfast choices
help determine whether you’ll feel hungry or satisfied, tired or energized. Even if you’re on the go, you can
still get the nutrients and fuel your body needs to energize itself.

There is more to weight loss than losing weight. It is more about keeping and building muscle tone while
losing extra fat, especially belly fat.

The most important meal of the day (breakfast) sets the tone for the rest of the day. When the body is
satisfied and functioning at optimum levels, it will give you the energy to perform your daily tasks and enhance brain function as well.
Learn to train your body to burn fat.
Breakfast can start the day at almost any time, but the first meal determines the timing for all other meals. Eating regularly keeps your metabolism going and gives you the energy you need, while preventing you from over-indulging at any one meal.
It is based on the concept of macrobalance—eating the right proportions of high-quality proteins, smart carbohydrates and intelligent portions
of friendly fats. Getting these portions correctly balanced will forever stabilize your blood sugar, reduce
typical energy crashes, eliminate cravings and halt hunger pangs.**
Your body is an amazing bio-machine that requires fuel to run. Although it has the ability to extract energy
from a large variety of foods or “fuels,” the diet choices you make have a major impact on how well your
body operates. Unfortunately, most of us are working against ourselves by relying far too much on foods
high in carbohydrates, which do allow our bodies to survive, but not thrive in a healthy manner. Our bodies
are not designed for carbohydrates to be a primary source of fuel in the long-term.

In fact, carbohydrate-rich diets have some significant unintended negative health consequences:
» They often create a hyper-insulin response leading to large blood sugar fluctuations—creating cravings, crashes and hypoglycemia.
» They cause our bodies to store fat continuously.
» They increase inflammatory conditions that lead to chronic health diseases.
» They may lead to syndrome X and early diabetes, and that’s just the beginning.

Your body’s ideal macrobalance blend—the vital balance of carbs, fats and proteins create and maintain
your best health. Using the principles of Dr. Layman’s findings, the right system will help you rapidly achieve your macrobalance requirements and ultimately allow your body to rapidly re-establish its healthy baseline, reset your internal metabolic program and restart your physiological functioning.

While it’s not just about weight loss, it’s absolutely critical you lose the right weight—weight from fat and not from active tissues like muscles or organs. Many programs achieve dramatic weight loss, but it’s not healthy
or sustainable. Often times dramatic weight loss is simply water weight or even muscle deterioration. The Metaboliq system is about improving your body’s ability to function and achieve optimal health.
Weight loss will occur, but many other aspects of your health will also improve.
Fluids are an important part of weight control, and water is always the best choice. All other fluids must be used carefully. Often the body confuses the signals for hunger with the signals for thirst. This can lead to
eating excess calories when really your body wants fluids. Likewise, the body often mistakes fluids like soda, juice and coffee for food, which stimulates the processes of digestion. If you drink these fluids at non- meal times, you will likely become hungry within 30 to 45 minutes. This often leads to snacking and additional unwanted calories.Drinks like coffee and soda (sugar-free or not) should be restricted to 30 minutes before or after meals. Do not have coffee or a soda for a mid-morning pick-me-up. It will make you hungry. You may ask, “But what about my morning coffee or tea?” That first mug of coffee is something you will have to decide for yourself.
It is strongly recommend you eliminate soda because of the sweet taste, and limit yourself to tea or coffee during weight loss. Again, whatever you choose to drink besides water should be restricted to 30 minutes before or after meals, never earlier or later. Physical activity is an essential part of your daily routine. Remember to walk and stretch every day. The key to exercise is consistent daily participation. Exercise is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, so make the commitment to establish time each day to do some physical activity. The good news is every little bit helps. Thirty minutes each day can have a big impact on your long-term goals. Taking three 10 minute walks is the same as a half hour walk and will make the same impact on your overall health benefits.
Ten minutes of stretching in the morning and a couple of 10 minute walks will work as well. Remember, a lifetime of good health is always worth the investment of time and effort. Exercise is an essential ingredient for anti-aging and pain-free living.
It is never too late to make a commitment to your good health. Let’s take care of your body...otherwise,-------WHERE WILL YOU LIVE?

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Too Heavy to Exercise

T h i n k Y o u r e J u s t T o o H e a v y t o E x e r c i s e ? T h i n k A g a i n

T h e r e a r e s o m a n y p e o p l e o u t t h e r e w h o t h i n k t h e y a r e j u s t t o o b i g t o e x e r c i s e . T h i n k a g a i n b e c a u s e s i m p l y , y o u r e n o t . Y o u t o o c a n m o v e y o u r b o d y . I m n o t g o i n g t o s u g a r c o a t t h i n g s h e r e , o r t e l l y o u t h a t s t a r t i n g a n d s t i c k i n g t o a n e f f e c t i v e e x e r c i s e p l a n w i l l b e e a s y o r f u n . T h e f a c t i s t h a t i f y o u r e v e r y o v e r w e i g h t a n d o u t o f s h a p e , y o u r e l i k e l y g o i n g t o f a c e s o m e o b s t a c l e s b o t h p h y s i c a l l y a n d m e n t a l l y t h a t w i l l c h a l l e n g e y o u i n e v e r y p o s s i b l e w a y . I a m c u r r e n t l y t r a i n i n g i n d i v i d u a l s w e i g h i n g i n a t 4 0 0 - 5 0 0 + p o u n d s , a n d a l l o f t h e m w i l l t e l l y o u h o w h a r d t h i s i s b u t h o w m u c h f u n i t c a n b e t o o .

T h e s e o b s t a c l e s a r e n o t j u s t o b s t a c l e s t o e x e r c i s e t h e y a r e t h e s a m e c h a l l e n g e s t h a t s t a n d b e t w e e n y o u a n d t h e l i f e y o u w a n t f o r y o u r s e l f . I f y o u c a n f i n d a w a y t o m e e t t h e s e c h a l l e n g e s h e a d - o n n o w , b y b e i n g s u c c e s s f u l a t m a k i n g e x e r c i s e a p a r t o f y o u r d a i l y l i f e , y o u l l h a v e s e l f - m a n a g e m e n t s k i l l s a n d t h e c o n f i d e n c e y o u n e e d t o h a n d l e j u s t a b o u t a n y t h i n g e l s e l i f e m i g h t t h r o w a t y o u . E x e r c i s e c a n h e l p y o u s h e d p o u n d s , a n d a l o t o f o t h e r u n w a n t e d b a g g a g e a s w e l l .

Y o u m a y h a v e p h y s i c a l p r o b l e m s , r a n g i n g f r o m m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n s t h a t i m p o s e u n a v o i d a b l e l i m i t a t i o n s o n w h a t y o u c a n d o , t o t h e t y p i c a l a f t e r - e f f e c t s o f y e a r s o f o b e s i t y a n d a s e d e n t a r y l i f e s t y l e , s u c h a s c h r o n i c i n f l e x i b i l i t y , w e a k n e s s , a n d m u s c l e p a i n . T h e s e p r o b l e m s m a y r u l e o u t o n e k i n d o f e x e r c i s e o r a n o t h e r . B u t i t w o u l d b e u n u s u a l i f t h e r e w e r e t r u l y n o t h i n g y o u c a n d o . T h e f i r s t s t e p h e r e i s t o s o r t o u t w h a t r e a l l y c a n t b e d o n e ( o r c h a n g e d ) f r o m w h a t c a n . T h a t b e g i n s w i t h a v i s i t t o t h e d o c t o r , t o g e t a m e d i c a l l y a p p r o v e d e x e r c i s e p r e s c r i p t i o n , t e l l i n g y o u w h a t y o u c a n a n d c a n t d o . H e r e a r e a f e w e x a m p l e s o f w h a t y o u m a y b e a b l e t o d o :

C h a i r e x e r c i s e s a l l o w y o u t o d o m a n y s t r e n g t h a n d s t r e t c h i n g e x e r c i s e s t h a t o t h e r w i s e w o u l d h a v e t o b e d o n e o n t h e f l o o r o r s t a n d i n g . T h i s a l l o w s y o u t o g e t t h r o u g h a w h o l e r o u t i n e t h a t w o u l d h a v e l e f t y o u e x h a u s t e d o r w o r s e i f y o u w e r e s t a n d i n g u p t h e w h o l e t i m e .

Y o u c a n t a k e a w a t e r a e r o b i c s c l a s s a n d / o r d o y o u r w a l k i n g i n a s w i m m i n g p o o l ( w i t h p l e n t y o f o t h e r p e o p l e w h o a r e n t e x a c t l y f o n d o f w e a r i n g s w i m s u i t s ) , o r y o u c a n u s e a w a l k e r .

T h e m a i n i d e a i s t o s t a r t w h e r e y o u a r e r i g h t n o w , a n d a d a p t e x e r c i s e s t o y o u r n e e d s a n d c a p a c i t i e s , i n s t e a d o f t r y i n g ( a n d o f t e n f a i l i n g ) t o u s e e x e r c i s e s t h a t a r e n t r i g h t f o r y o u a t t h i s s t a g e . Y o u l l f i n d t h a t p l e n t y o f v e r y e f f e c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e s t o t r a d i t i o n a l e x e r c i s e s a r e a l r e a d y a v a i l a b l e .

B u t , i f t h e n e c e s s i t y o f s t a r t i n g s o m e t h i n g y o u d o n t r e a l l y w a n t t o d o i s t h e b a d n e w s , t h e r e i s a l o t m o r e g o o d n e w s h e r e . Y o u r b o d y w i l l s t a r t r e s p o n d i n g p o s i t i v e l y t o e x e r c i s e v e r y q u i c k l y . T h a t t w o m i n u t e s y o u c a n d o o n t h e e l l i p t i c a l m a c h i n e t o d a y w i l l p r o b a b l y t u r n i n t o 1 0 m i n u t e s i n a c o u p l e w e e k s , a n d 2 0 m i n u t e s w i t h i n a c o u p l e o f m o n t h s . T h e 1 0 0 c a l o r i e s y o u b u r n e d w i l l b e c o m e 3 0 0 j u s t a s q u i c k l y , w i t h m o r e t o c o m e . ( Y o u d o n t h a v e t o w o r k s u p e r h a r d t o g e t t h e r e s u l t s y o u r e l o o k i n g f o r . O n e o f t h e p r i m a r y w a y s y o u r b o d y a d a p t s t o e x e r c i s e i s b y d o i n g t h e s a m e e x e r c i s e , b u t u s i n g l e s s e f f o r t a n d e n e r g y . T h i s m e a n s t h a t w o r k i n g a t a d e s i r a b l e l e v e l o f i n t e n s i t y w i l l v e r y q u i c k l y s t a r t f e e l i n g e a s i e r e v e n t h o u g h y o u a r e a c t u a l l y d o i n g m o r e w o r k t h a n w h e n y o u f i r s t s t a r t e d . I n t e c h n i c a l t e r m s , t h i s i s c a l l e d g e t t i n g i n s h a p e , w h i c h y o u v e p r o b a b l y h e a r d o f a n d m a y b e e v e n e x p e r i e n c e d o n c e o r t w i c e y o u r s e l f . T h e f i r s t f e w t i m e s y o u e l e v a t e y o u r h e a r t r a t e w h e r e i t n e e d s t o b e , y o u m a y f e e l l i k e t h i s i s m o r e t h a n y o u c a n o r w a n t t o e n d u r e o n a r e g u l a r b a s i s . B u t t h a t d o e s n t m a t t e r , s i m p l y b e c a u s e t h a t s n o t w h a t y o u h a v e t o d o . ( A s y o u r e a d t h i s , y o u r e o n l y a f e w e x e r c i s e s e s s i o n s a w a y f r o m b e i n g a b l e t o w o r k o u t c o m f o r t a b l y a t t h e m o d e r a t e l e v e l o f a e r o b i c e x e r c i s e r e q u i r e d t o b u r n s i g n i f i c a n t a m o u n t s o f f a t , r e d u c e m a n y r i s k f a c t o r s f o r c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e a n d p r o d u c e p o s i t i v e b r a i n - c h e m i s t r y c h a n g e s f o r y o u r e m o t i o n a l a n d p h y s i c a l w e l l - b e i n g . T h e h e a v i e r y o u a r e , t h e m o r e c a l o r i e s y o u w i l l b u r n . N o w i s t h e t i m e t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f o n e o f t h e f e w p e r k s t h a t c o m e w i t h h a v i n g s o m e e x t r a p o u n d s t o m o v e a r o u n d .

K e e p a B e f o r e - D u r i n g - A f t e r E x e r c i s e J o u r n a l
T h i s i s a v e r y s i m p l e a n d b a s i c j o u r n a l , i n w h i c h y o u k e e p t r a c k o f t h r e e t h i n g s f o r e a c h o f y o u r e x e r c i s e s e s s i o n s : (

1 . H o w y o u r e f e e l i n g a n d w h a t y o u r e t h i n k i n g , a s y o u a r e g e t t i n g r e a d y f o r y o u r e x e r c i s e s e s s i o n . W r i t e d o w n a n y t h o u g h t s y o u r e h a v i n g a b o u t w o r k i n g o u t e s p e c i a l l y n e g a t i v e o n e s . I f y o u d e c i d e t o s k i p e x e r c i s e , m a k e s u r e y o u w r i t e t h a t , a l o n g w i t h t h e r e a s o n , a n d h o w y o u f e e l a b o u t y o u r d e c i s i o n . T h i s d o e s n t n e e d t o b e a n y m o r e c o m p l i c a t e d t h a n s i m p l y n o t i n g f a c t u a l o b s e r v a t i o n s . D O N T t r y t o p s y c h o a n a l y z e y o u r s e l f o r l e c t u r e y o u r s e l f a b o u t w h a t y o u d i d w r o n g . (
2 . D e s c r i b e e x a c t l y w h a t y o u d i d d u r i n g y o u r w o r k o u t : t i m e s p e n t , a c t i v i t y , d i s t a n c e / a m o u n t , h e a r t r a t e , h o w y o u f e l t p h y s i c a l l y a t t h e b e g i n n i n g , d u r i n g , a n d a f t e r t h e s e s s i o n a g a i n , j u s t t h e s i m p l e f a c t s . (
3 . N o t e a n y c h a n g e s o r i m p r o v e m e n t s f r o m y o u r l a s t s e s s i o n . D i d y o u w a l k f u r t h e r o r l o n g e r ? D i d s w i m m i n g f e e l e a s i e r o r h a r d e r ? W e r e y o u m o r e o r l e s s t i r e d , s o r e o r s t r o n g ? D i d t h e s e s s i o n l e a v e y o u f e e l i n g p o s i t i v e , i n v i g o r a t e d , a n d g l a d y o u d i d i t o r d o y o u w i s h y o u h a d l i s t e n e d t o t h a t l i t t l e v o i c e t e l l i n g y o u t o s t a y o n t h e c o u c h ?

O n c e e v e r y w e e k ( o r a s o f t e n a s y o u f i n d h e l p f u l ) , s p e n d s o m e t i m e l o o k i n g o v e r y o u r r e c e n t j o u r n a l e n t r i e s . C h e c k y o u r p h y s i c a l p r o g r e s s , l o o k f o r p a t t e r n s i n y o u r p h y s i c a l , e m o t i o n a l , a n d p s y c h o l o g i c a l r e s p o n s e s t o t h e e x e r c i s e , a n d t r y t o d r a w s o m e c o n c l u s i o n s f o r y o u r s e l f , b a s e d o n y o u r r e c o r d e d e x p e r i e n c e . ( ( T h i s j o u r n a l c a n d o s e v e r a l v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s f o r y o u . I t c a n h e l p y o u m a k e s u r e y o u r e e x e r c i s i n g s a f e l y a n d a t a n e f f e c t i v e l e v e l o f i n t e n s i t y . I f y o u r e a l w a y s s o r e , r a r e l y f e e l i n v i g o r a t e d a n d r e f r e s h e d ; o r i f y o u a r e n t i m p r o v i n g r e g u l a r l y , o r e x p e r i e n c i n g a n y m e n t a l o r e m o t i o n a l b e n e f i t s , y o u r e p r o b a b l y e i t h e r w o r k i n g t o o h a r d o r n o t h a r d e n o u g h , a n d n e e d t o a d j u s t t h i n g s a c c o r d i n g l y . Y o u c a n u s e y o u r j o u r n a l t o t r a c k a n d c o m p a r e y o u r a d j u s t m e n t s t o s e e w h a t a c t u a l l y w o r k s f o r y o u . ( ( A n d m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y , y o u r e c r e a t i n g s o m e t h i n g y o u c a n t u r n t o o v e r a n d o v e r a g a i n w h e n y o u a r e n t f e e l i n g m o t i v a t e d t o e x e r c i s e . A l l t h e e x p e r t a d v i c e a n d t h e o r y i n t h e w o r l d c a n t c o n v i n c e y o u o f t h e b e n e f i t s o f e x e r c i s i n g t h e w a y y o u r o w n t e s t i m o n y c a n . S o , n e x t t i m e y o u d o n t f e e l l i k e e x e r c i s i n g , j u s t p u l l o u t y o u r j o u r n a l a n d l e t y o u r s e l f b e p e r s u a d e d b y y o u r f a v o r i t e e x p e r t y o u r s e l f .

A b o v e a l l , d o n t m a k e i t e a s y t o t a l k y o u r s e l f o u t o f s t a r t i n g a n e x e r c i s e p r o g r a m b y g e t t i n g c o n f u s e d a b o u t t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a c h a l l e n g e a n d a n i n s u r m o u n t a b l e o b s t a c l e . T h o s e u n d e f e a t a b l e o b s t a c l e s a r e r e a l l y p r e t t y f e w a n d f a r b e t w e e n a n d n o t s o h a r d t o w o r k a r o u n d i f y o u w a n t i t t o b e t h a t w a y . D O N T G i v e U p . Y o u r e w o r t h i t .

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Weight Loss made easy..

Start with the Qore System to regulate your digestion and clear you body of toxins. Helps boost your immune system also. then add in the Metaboliq system with shakes, boost, protein bars and resist. Fat loss is 2-3 lbs or more a week, body shifts composition too.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

fight the regualtion of supplements petition

I do not want ANY FDA regulation changes to supplements.
Supplements have saved me from illness most of my life. Legal drugs have killed more people than any supplements have and the current regulations do not lessen that fact. If supplements are required to go through the same approval process as drug companies do, millions of people will not be able to utilize the health benefits that they are used for. Even if there are some supplements that do not do all they say on the label, at least they do NOT KILL people when used. To try to regulate this is not SAFETY--It is PROHIBITION!
I disagree with this bill and ANY bill that tries to limit my access to supplements. This will put supplements into a black market category if it passes.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Winter Fun in New England

Having FUN with WINTER (sports)

By Shirley Bloethe

OWNER OF PASS-IT-ON SPORTS

1273 Queen St (on the Plainville Line)

SOUTHINGTON, CT

860.747.8833



It’s going to be getting colder and the snow will fly--sometimes a lot and sometime a little. But with winter around the corner, how do you plan activities that most of the family and just about anyone can do?


Does the family want to get involved in winter outdoor activities? What is there to do???

Let’s start with the really simple and fun things with very little or no cost other than warm clothes and mittens!


When the snow flies and it is deep enough to play outside, it is so enjoyable for all ages to make snow angels (lay in the snow and move your arms up and down and get up carefully to see your angel ). Snow forts in the front or back yard are a great activity everyone can participate in. Be sure to have waterproof pants and gloves or mittens for everyone.

Remember a hat will keep the heat in your body and keep you warm even if you get your clothing wet.


Other activities that will cost a few dollars are tobogganing, skiing, and snowboarding. And if you have a couple thousand dollars to spend there is always snowmobiling.

Ice skating on ponds and rinks in many towns in Connecticut is available when it has been cold enough for long enough. Ice fishing and snowshoeing are fairly inexpensive and enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts. There are many trails that are made for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the state forests. New England has many ski areas with groomed trails for cross country skiing which is much less expensive than downhill skiing. The equipment and ticket price is considerably less also. Some golf courses allow cross country skiing on their property also.


The above activities all require some kind of appropriate clothing and /or equipment.


Beginning with clothing, you want to get the best you can afford for the activity you are planning. There is quite a difference in quality of not only materials, but workmanship in different brands of winter and outdoor clothing and boots. Be sure to compare apples to apples when checking prices either online or by phone.


The less expensive snow pants or ski suits will usually be water resistant but not waterproof unless it says so on the label. There are many great lightweight materials on the market today that are waterproof as well.

It is helpful if you have a plan for the activity and can also use the item(s) for more than one sport or activity.


Many jackets, pants, sets or one piece units can be used for multiple activities. I wear my ski suit for sledding, skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling. Wearing layers under your jacket and pants is always a good idea as well. I bring along extra gloves, and mittens whenever I am out just in case it gets very warm or very cold while participating in that activity.

A neck warmer, hat and goggles in my carry bag for extreme temperature changes has made it possible to continue skiing even when the sun went down and the wind kicked up.

If feet or hands get chilled because of these conditions, be sure to have heat treat packets with you. They last for 5-6 hours once the bag is activated and are made for inside your boots or gloves to keep your extremities warm for extended periods of time. They are inexpensive ($2-3) for a pack. Get a few and keep them in the car for the winter in case of a breakdown.


Specific clothing for snowboarding is waterproof and quite warm since boarders are on the snow more than skiers. Many good quality snowboard clothing manufacturers use lightweight breathable and waterproof materials for their products. Ski clothing is always water resistant, but not always waterproof, so read the labels to be sure of what you are purchasing and that it is consistent with what you are paying for.


Ice skates and the materials they are made of make a difference in how well they will fit and form to the foot and also how warm your feet will be while skating, especially if it is outdoors on a pond.

Leather and special linings in higher quality skates provide the best fit and warmth. For adults (and children taking lessons), this is the type of skate to purchase. If you get vinyl skates, they will not “give” form to the foot and tend to allow the cold to get to the toes much quicker. Wearing two pairs of socks will not combat this problem. The feet and toes will have restricted movement and will get colder than if you wear just one good pair of socks appropriate for skating. It is important to get skates that fit properly. If the skate is too big or too small, the feet will get cold quickly.

A proper fit allows the toes to move about slightly in the skate so that blood can circulate, but not too much that the feet are sliding in the skate.


When ice fishing, warm boots and spiked crampons are the ideal resource to get you on the lake where you want to be. If there is lots of snow, you may prefer snowshoes to facilitate easier movement to your destination.

Here again, the heat packets are a good idea to pack with your gear. Socks that “wick” away the moisture in a warm boot are going to keep your feet warm and comfortable all day. This activity can make the entire body cold very quickly and extra layers of clothing is recommended. Be sure to bring or wear a hat too. Special gloves with a mitten overlay work very well and keep the hands warm while allowing the ability to work on gear when needed.


Tobogganing and sledding are great fun and can be enjoyed by the whole family from 6 months to 60. Getting up the hill is the hardest part. Be sure to wear the hats, mittens and warm clothing. Some toboggans have cushions and that makes the ride much smoother. Be sure to watch out for trees!!!


This promises to be a snowy winter and like a good boy scout, it is good to be prepared. Start looking for winter clothing and gear early for the best selection and pricing. Many consignment and closeout shops have their stock in before the big retailers even start advertising. So, make a list, see what no longer fits, and start before it gets cold and you will have an affordable and enjoyable winter with all the appropriate clothing and equipment for the entire family.

Happy Wintering!!!

Shirley Bloethe--owner

Pass It On Sports

www.passitonsports.com

email: info@passitonsports.com