Kefir and yogurt can both offer health benefits because of the beneficial bacteria they contain.

However, kefir may be the better choice, as it has a wider variety of microorganisms.

Kefir and yogurt are both cultured foods that commonly come from dairy products. That said, nondairy alternatives of both foods are now widely available.

This article looks at the differences between kefir and yogurt, their health benefits and nutritional value, how to use them, and whether or not they have any side effects.

Kefir and yogurt have a similar sour, fermented taste, but there are many differences between them.

These differences include:

For centuries, people have made kefir using kefir grains and cows milk. It is also possible to make it with goat or sheep milk. Kefir grains resemble tiny cauliflower florets.

Manufacturers add the grains to the milk to ferment it, then they remove them. The remaining product is kefir. The grains are reusable in the next batch.

They can also make kefir dairy-free, by fermenting the grains with water or coconut water and sugar.

On the other hand, commercial producers make yogurt by heating a yogurt mix, then cooling it and adding the helpful bacteria.

Current standard procedures and regulations for yogurt production require the addition of both Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus as the starter culture.

This is the best starter culture due to the symbiotic relationship between the two species.

Both kefir and yogurt can help populate the gut with good bacteria. The difference is that kefir contains a wider variety of bacteria, and it also contains beneficial yeasts.

Two of the most common beneficial yeasts in kefir are Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces unisporus.

According to research, kefir may:

However, the variation in microorganisms in each batch make it difficult to verify the health effects of different products.

Yogurt often contains the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Probiotics are bacteria that can be beneficial to a persons health. Kefir also contains probiotics, as well as yeasts.

Research suggests that probiotics may help treat or prevent:

It is important for probiotics to survive the acidic environment in the gut. The authors of a 2017 review suggest that if Bifidobacterium strains are in fermented products such as kefir and yogurt, they should be acid resistant.

A 2019 study of people with metabolic syndrome who drank kefir for 12 weeks found some favorable changes to their gut bacteria.

However, the authors suggest that research into the probiotic potential of the fermented drink is limited at the moment.

Yogurt, low fat yogurt, and fat-free yogurt contain at least 3.25% milk fat, between 0.5% and 2% milk fat, and less than 0.5% milk fat, respectively.

Plain low fat yogurt and plain low fat kefir have similar nutritional values. The table below shows these values per 100 grams (g) of the product:

Both products also contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

There are also many different flavored products on the market that might contain high amounts of added sugars.

For example, one study that evaluated dairy products including kefir and yogurt in Poland found that 71% of products exceeded the permissible sugar content set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ready-to-eat kefir and yogurt are widely available in supermarkets. People with a lactose intolerance and those who wish to avoid dairy can try an alternative made with soy, coconut, or oats.

Some people who are intolerant to lactose are often able to consume fermented dairy products such as yogurt and kefir safely. This is because the process of fermentation reduces the lactose content.

A person can make their own yogurt or kefir at home using starter cultures. There are many sources and suppliers available online.

Once a person has fermented the milk or other liquid using kefir grains, they strain it and remove the grains. They can then use them again to start the next batch. This can be a cost effective way of maintaining a supply of kefir.

People can eat or drink kefir and yogurt as it is. They can also add the products to smoothies or breakfast cereals. It is vital not to heat kefir or yogurt, as this process can destroy the beneficial bacteria.

People should always keep fermented dairy products in the fridge and not use them after the expiry date on the packaging.

Fermented foods such as kefir and yogurt contain high levels of a substance called histamine.

Some people are intolerant to histamine and can experience symptoms such as:

If a person knows that they are intolerant to histamine, or if they have any of the symptoms of intolerance, it may be best for them to avoid yogurt and kefir.

Some people can experience gas and bloating when they first consume foods that contain probiotics. These tend to subside once the persons gut gets used to the new foods. It can help to introduce these foods gradually.

Fermented foods may have an effect on the immune system, so people who are taking immune-modulating drugs and those who have compromised immune systems should speak to a doctor before trying new products.

Sometimes, fermented foods are responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning. According to the authors of one 2019 review, manufacturers can help prevent these outbreaks by ensuring the products acidity.

Kefir and yogurt can be healthful additions to a persons diet. Kefir may have more health benefits than yogurt due to the wider variety of bacteria and yeasts it contains.

People have the choice of buying convenient products in stores or making their own kefir or yogurt at home, which can be rewarding and more cost effective.

Over time, the production of yogurt and other cultured dairy foods has evolved from basic procedures to more controlled processes. Advances in scientific understanding of bacteria and the human microbiome mean that companies can develop new products to benefit peoples health.

A person who is trying fermented foods for the first time should do so gradually to decrease the risk of any side effects.

People with a health condition and those taking immune-modulating medication should speak to a doctor first.

More here:
Kefir vs. yogurt: Benefits, nutrition, and more - Medical News Today

As we march further into the new year (and, arguably, into the new decade), there are a few things I think we can safely do without. Here are three nutrition myths that I believed, or maybe wanted to believe, at the start of the decadeand why Im leaving them behind.

Remember superfoods? Anything with a high antioxidant score was supposed to be especially good for you. The buzzwords have changed, but the concept has not: We keep hearing that the flavonoids in coffee or red wine, for example, make a food particularly healthful.

But these ideas tend to come from studies that look at one food component in isolationoften in lab studies that are miles away from any relevance to humans. Like, ok, if you extract one chemical from red wine and give it to mice, maybe the mice have slightly lower levels of inflammation-related biomarkers in their blood. So? That doesnt mean that a human being with a habit of drinking red wine is going to be healthier than a human who doesnt drink at all.

We dont eat nutrients, we eat foods; and we dont only eat foods, we live rich lives involving hundreds of things to eat and hundreds of considerations besides what might possibly reduce levels of a certain blood chemical.

Eat your vegetables, get a variety of foods, you know the drill. If youre debating whether to eat these berries versus those berries, youre wasting your time.

Keto and other low-carb diets have undulated in popularity. Remember Atkins? Its induction phase was basically a strict keto diet, and it dates back to the 1970s.

At the beginning of this decade, there was still a possibility that a ketogenic dietone that is low enough in carbs to produce a certain blood chemistrywas doing something special to our metabolism. But since then, weve seen some rigorous studies that test that hypothesis, and they find that theres no biochemical advantage to low-carb diets, nor to any diet in particular.

All diets seem to work equally well (or equally badly, to be honestmost everyone regains the weight they lose in the long run) as long as they restrict calories by about the same amount. So what really matters is choosing a way of eating that you can stick to, whether thats low fat or low carb or anything else.

Im convinced that meal timing only became a thing because people are looking for an easy thing to optimise. Maybe you have trouble eating the right amount and type of food, but at least you can get the timing down. Or perhaps you want to prove to yourself that youre serious about your workouts, so you take the time to plan out the perfect post-workout shake.

Just as low-fat and low-carb diets seem to work equally well, theres no solid evidence that intermittent fasting is better or worse than many small meals a day. If you like breakfast, you can eat it; if you dont, skipping it is fine.

While there is some evidence that meal timing around a workout matters, its effect is small compared to the basics of what youre eating and how much. If you cant get 30 grams of protein immediately after a workout, its not like your muscles will shrivel up and die. (I distinctly remember watching the clock after the gym to make sure I got my shake in the supposed 30-minute window.) It turns out that the window to get that protein is probably several hours long. So most of will be fine to just plan our workout to fall between mealslunch and dinner, say, or breakfast and second breakfastrather than sweating any specific timing.

Read the rest here:
Stop Believing These Nutrition Myths - Lifehacker Australia

Posted February 07, 2020 06:26:02

A researcher is doing society and the environment a solid by figuring out if dog poo can be composted for use in growing our fruit and vegetables.

While cow, horse and sheep manure have long been friends of the garden, the canine equivalent has been public enemy 'number two'.

Dog faeces is regarded as unsafe to throw into the compost because it contains a bunch of bacteria, which can carry diseases and viruses that can make us sick.

But disposing of it often in plastic bags is creating a growing environmental issue that is worrying CQ University PhD candidate and dog owner Emily Bryson.

She has taken on the unenviable task of seeing if dog poo can be composted and used for garden fertiliser on the plants we eventually eat.

"I'm looking at whether you can compost it in such a way that disinfects the pathogens and then we can use that compost in a really beneficial way," Ms Bryson said.

"We've been using different animals' manure in our garden forever and they have pathogens in their poo, but nobody's studied dog poo before."

So, wearing a body suit similar to what you might approach asbestos in, she is.

It is not just that dogs are carnivores that can make their faeces dangerous.

"We use pig manure in farming and they're definitely carnivores," Ms Bryson said.

"If you feed a dog a certain type of diet, there's evidence they can have a higher count of salmonella coming out in their poo, so it's something to be aware of."

To figure out exactly what pathogens need to be broken down, she has created a potentially very smelly backyard trial.

She has started collecting samples from a doggy day care facility to get a cross section of samples from different breeds.

To keep a lid on the smell, Ms Bryson has been mixing sawdust in to the compost and said, after a week, the offensive odour had gone.

While some council areas will allow dog owners to put their animals' droppings in a green waste or FOGO (food organics garden organics) bin, this can change depending on where you live.

Ms Bryson suspects much of the waste ends up being disposed of in a way that harms the environment.

"Dog waste is one of those things people don't know what to do with," she said.

"I was looking at the habits of people around me and they use plastic bags and put them into bins that go to landfill.

"I can put the dog poo in the green waste bin and that goes to an industrial composter, but there are a lot of people in regional areas who don't have access to that."

Ms Bryson is calling on the public to fill out a survey to help her find out how much dog faeces they are disposing of, how they do it, and whether their dogs are given preventative medication for intestinal worms.

Topics:recycling-and-waste-management,animal-welfare,animals-and-nature,animals,horticulture,academic-research,wollongong-2500,rockhampton-4700,central-queensland-university-4701

Read this article:
Researcher takes on unenviable task of finding out if dog poo can be safely used in our gardens - ABC News

Jehovahs Witness Beliefs on Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Jehovahs Witness believe in one true and Almighty God, named Jehovah, who is the Creator of the universe. There are over 8 million Witnesses worldwide. Many more attend meetings or Bible study programs, but to be an official member you must be actively preaching the word of Jehovah. Congregations are overseen by a body of elders, or spiritually mature men who take the lead and care for the members so they may do Gods will. A Governing Body compromised of a small group of mature Christians oversees the direction for Jehovahs Witness worldwide by formulating doctrines, managing publications, and administering donated assets. Jehovahs Witnesses believe the Bible is Gods inspired message to humans and therefore, it is interpreted literally and used as the final authority for all beliefs.

You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.This is the most important commandment of all. (Matthew 22:37-38)

Jehovahs Witnesses recognize three big problems that appeal to the weaknesses of the flesh: Alcoholism, smoking, and masturbation (also known as self-abuse). The modern secular world makes it difficult to overcome these temptations with alcohol and cigarettes being advertised, pornography that is easy to access, and drug use becoming more common. Fortunately, these weaknesses can be overcome with treatment that includes medical supervision, Bible study, prayer, and trusting congregational members for moral support. The congregation of Jehovahs Witness encourages drug and alcohol rehab for those struggling to maintain a clean, sober, faithful life.

Alcohol can be used as an aid for relaxation and bring pleasure to some; however, it can pose both physical and moral dangers. The Bible warns against drunkenness, which can lead to being expelled from the congregation or barred from the Kingdom. Jehovahs Witness believe you can drink moderately and still have a serious fault, so it is best to abstain from drinking completely. The congregation recognizes that certain people are predisposed to alcoholism due to genetics, but anyone is able to overcome substance abuse with enough will power and faith in God. Spiritual immaturity can make it more difficult to overcome alcohol addiction, so it is important for Jehovahs Witnesses to follow Biblical standards and seek help from the congregation. For treatment and recovery to be successful, the following help is needed:

First, a person must be safely detoxed from alcohol. Sometimes, this requires hospitalization so alcohol-related health problems and withdrawal can be treated.

Learn about alcohol abuse and become aware of and accept all logical reasons to abstain. Knowledge is important to help in a lifelong battle to maintain sobriety.

One must learn to live comfortably with themselves and others.

Its important to learn to cope with anxiety and other negative feelings that may lead to drinking.

Alcoholism leads to hopelessness and fear but faith in God and his word can help inspire hope, confidence, and trust.

Depending on a persons dependency to alcohol, they may require intensive treatment at a rehabilitation facility or recovery program. Rehab centers have staff from many disciplines including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and trained social workers. Usually, a person will go through a thorough education process to learn about alcoholism and how to accept it. Jehovahs Witnesses also believe there is a relationship between the risk of alcohol addiction and nutrition, so building up physical health through proper eating habits can help a person with alcohol cravings.

In addition to medical detoxification and following a healthy diet, Jehovahs Witnesses believe group therapy sessions can help a person learn to cope emotionally without resorting to alcohol. Those struggling with alcohol abuse are encouraged to seek someone knowledgeable and sympathetic, such as a congregation member who has been in the same shoes. Peer-support can inspire hope and lets the alcoholic know that they, too, can recover.

The Bible does not mention the use of tobacco, marijuana, or other commonly abused substances. However, it does contain principles that show that God does not approve of unhealthy and unclean habits such as smoking or drug use. Jehovahs Witness believe in the following principles:

Life is a gift from God, so you should not do anything that would shorten your life, such as smoking.

Substance abuse can harm those who love us and tear families apart. In addition, secondhand smoke from cigarettes can subject all those around to the same diseases that smokers suffer from.

Smoking is unnatural and incompatible with being holy or, clean and pure. Tobacco users intentionally consume toxins that seriously harm their body.

A person who is abusing drugs cannot fully control their mind, and many become dependent. The mind begins to focus on how to obtain and use drugs instead of upbuilding thoughts that serve God.

The Bible states that to please God, you must obey secular authorities. In many places, the law strictly prohibits the use of certain drugs.

Jehovahs Witnesses believe that Gods wants us to be free, not only from practices that harm our body but also from those that corrupt the sprit. As a person grows in appreciation and respect for Jehovah, they recognize that they cannot give God their best while remaining enslaved to a harmful habit. Following Bible principles will not always be easy, but the Jehovahs Witness congregation believes that when a person is moved by their strong love for God, obedience is not a burden.

Dont waste another second. Enter your number to receive a callfrom a compassionate treatment expert.

Contact a treatment expert at (855) 826-4464

Jehovahs Witnesses recognize the importance of detoxing and going through rehabilitation but believe there is a high chance of relapse if the persons energy is not redirected towards something positive. There are four divinely aids that can help you overcome addiction:

If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, studying the Bible with Jehovahs Witnesses and attending Christian meetings can help you acquire the strength to overcome any habit that does not please God. Jehovahs Witness have a deep respect for the gift of life and abstain from activities that can shorten your life, damage your health, or harm the people around you. Call an addiction specialist to learn more about treatment options.

Read more:
Jehovah's Witness Drug and Alcohol Rehab - Addiction Center

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discusstimely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network it's easy and free.Just fill out the query form to get started:http://prn.to/queryform

EXPERTALERTS

MEDIA JOBS

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

-------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPERTALERTS:

[Please note: the following query was previously sent with an incorrect contact email. The correct email is below.]Reducing Marketing Costs Through AutomationGlenn CowardPresident & CEOCapabilitySource"CMOs who have grown accustomed to generous budgets face new challenges in the new decade. Following a long span of year-over-year increases, designated dollars for marketing initiatives are down. This comes at a time of dire need for more, not fewer, resources, as marketing executives are tasked with advancing digital technology innovation, or MarTech, within their organizations. They know they must lead digital transformation and boost efficiency, but they lack a plan and the talent to make it happen. This frustration of feeling between a rock and a hard place impacts relationships with CEOs and CFOs, creates stress among poorly skilled, overworked and disengaged team members, while leading to reckless technology investments that no one can rally around. To right the ship, savvy CMOs are adopting marketing operations capabilities and prioritizing stakeholder alignment specifically with Finance, Legal and Compliance, and Sales as key components of their 2020."Glenn Coward is an expert in digital transformation within the industries of financial services, technology, insurance, entertainment, retail and health care.Website: http://www.capabilitysource.comContact: Michele McMurry, m@mcmurrycommunications.com

3 Inspirational Business Tips for "Women Who Have It All"Adriana Monique AlvarezFounder, AuthorAMA Publishing & Business Consulting"1) Refuse to feel sorry for yourself: Women entrepreneurs naturally tend to hold ourselves to a higher standard of excellence. We're driven and we're motivated and, the flip side or shadow side to this is that sometimes we can also be very hard on ourselves when things go wrong. Maybe you just lost a contract. Maybe you feel like you've hit a wall. Maybe you have a nightmare client. Maybe you lost money on a project. Whatever it is you're struggling with, remember to refuse to feel sorry for yourself. Instead, affirm to yourself, 'I am figuring this out. I am learning this, minute by minute. I am smart and capable, and the solution is coming to me.' Walk away from whatever it is that's challenging you, take a deep breath, have a nap, go for a walk, play with your kids, take your pet out, get out in nature completely distract yourself.One of the best things you can do when you're facing a challenge is laugh. When you really hit a wall, watch standup comedians, watch a comedy film, play a silly game anything that helps lighten the mood and causes you to relax and unwind. The best solutions show up when you aren't trying, when you least expect it. Solutions often come to me in a dream, when I'm playing with my kids, when I'm watching a movie, and so on. The more you can relax, the faster the solutions are going to come to you. 2) Remember to celebrate your successes: Our tendency is often to postpone celebration, to wait until something "really big" or meaningful happens before celebrating. Forget it! I tell my clients to celebrate everything every little bit of money they earn, every new client, ever win. Most of us spend the vast majority of our time going for a particular goal, but then very little time celebrating once we achieve it. This eventually leads to burnout! If there's not enough of a reward at the end of that journey, we begin to fight ourselves and self-sabotage.Think about where you were in your life and in your business one year ago, five years ago, or even ten years ago. How far have you come? How much have you grown? Take that into account. Take a victory lap. Write down your successes or put them in a video. Share them with friends, family, clients, and colleagues. Give yourself a pat on the back and take the time to celebrate. And, for any goals you're currently working towards, write down exactly how you will celebrate when you achieve it. 3) Name and claim your magic: When you get hired at someone else's company, they assign you responsibilities and a title. When you're an entrepreneur, you have to be willing to do that for yourself. No one else is going to declare your brilliance, identify and praise your gifts, or give a title to what you do until you do. Once you do, you give the people that work with you and interact with you the opportunity to reflect and repeat back to you what you have claimed for yourself.Give yourself a title that is fit for the divine woman that you are. Then, make sure that you make public declarations about who you are, the work that you do, the gifts you possess, and the capabilities you have. What you say about yourself determines how others will respond and react to you, as well as their willingness to see you as the leader and go-to person for them."Adriana Monique Alvarez is a third-generation entrepreneur and the founder of AMA Publishing & Business Consulting. She is the author of "Success Redefined: Travel, Motherhood, and Being the Boss" and co-author of "She Made It Happen: 15 Inspiring Stories from Female Entrepreneurs Around the World." Having served more than 1,000 clients, Adriana helps successful women who seem to "have it all" create more meaningful, impactful, and financially lucrative businesses.She spent much of her twenties volunteering in orphanages around the world, learning to speak Albanian from her time spent working with the children there. Adriana loves to cook and enjoys living what she teaches: being a rock star businesswoman and the breadwinner for her family while also being a great wife and mother. To learn more, visitwww.AdrianaMoniqueAlvarez.com.Online Press Kit: AdrianaMoniqueAlvarez.OnlinePressKit247.comWebsite: http://www.AdrianaMoniqueAlvarez.comContact: Anita Jakab Kovacs, ibookinterviews2@gmail.com

5 Secrets to Vibrant HealthKristin Grayce McGaryLAc., MAc., CFMP, CST-T, CLPKristin Grayce McGary"1) Build your blood: Healthy blood is very important for a healthy life. Many things in the blood can be subclinical, going undetected for years as they cause you to feel tired and have other bothersome symptoms. Getting every aspect of your blood back on track can make a huge difference in your energy levels. 2) Detox: You may be surprised to learn that something in your environment may be the cause. Environmental toxins, chemicals, plastic residues, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, radiation, and heavy metals may be causing some of those mysterious symptoms. 3) Identify energy zappers: Stimulants like caffeine and sugar are huge energy zappers and they completely throw off your blood sugar balance. Avoiding stimulants and alcohol and balancing your blood sugar can help you get your energy back. 4) Balance your immune system: Your gut is the seat of your immune system, and healing it will help bring balance to your immune function. 5) Food is medicine: The food you eat may be zapping your energy! Conversely, you may be avoiding or ignoring foods that can give you lasting energy. To a large degree, your diet/nutritional plan dictates your energy level."Health and lifestyle expert Kristin Grayce McGary (LAc., MAc., CFMP, CST-T, CLP) is an internationally recognized author and speaker. She is an authority on autoimmunity, functional blood chemistry analysis, thyroid and gut health, pain alleviation, family wellness, extreme exhaustion, resolving blocks to healing, and food as medicine. She specializes in integrating mind, body, and spirit in healthcare through a uniquely individualized approach.Offering more than two decades of education, clinical experience, and wisdom to her patients, Kristin Grayce seamlessly weaves together dozens of modalities to compassionately meet people where they are and guide them to vibrant health. Renowned for her health detective work, she helps successful high achievers under stress take the guesswork out of healthcare. She works to resolve patients' root imbalances, helping them to regain lasting energy, live optimal vitality, revitalize, and reconnect to their most brilliant self so they can fulfill their life's mission and share their gifts with the world.Kristin Grayce is the author of"Holistic Keto for Gut Health: A Program for Resetting your Metabolism"(January 2020) and"Know Your Blood, Know Your Health: Prevent Disease and Enjoy vibrant health Through Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis"(April 2020). She is a dancer, athlete, guitar player, singer, gardener, and grandmother, and she is fluent in American Sign Language.Her extensive health and wellness credentials include a degree from the University of Arizona with a focus on rehabilitation and special education and a minor in biology; Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) National Board Certification; master's degree in acupuncture from Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; nationally licensed acupuncturist (NCCAOM); state licensed acupuncturist in Arizona and Colorado; homeopathy training; functional medicine certification from Functional Medicine University; advanced CranioSacral Therapy certification from Upledger Institute; level 3 training in the life-changing Bruno's Brain Technique from Bruno Chikly Institute; neural therapy, perineural injection therapy, and homeopuncture training; Reiki Master certification; LifeLine Technique certification (and former instructor); Sound Healing training; Cacao Ceremony creator and leader; Kambo Ceremony facilitator; movement/embodiment facilitator; level 1 Integral Coach (Ken Wilber's work); and biological medicine studies with famous physicians such as Dr. Thomas Rau.Kristin Grayce is Nationally board certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), a member of the Arizona Society of Oriental Medicine & Acupuncture (AZSOMA), the Acupuncture Association of Colorado, the Colorado Safe Acupuncture Association, and the North American Academy of Neural Therapy. Learn more atwww.KristinGrayceMcGary.com.Online Press Kit: https://kristingraycemcgary.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: http://www.KristinGrayceMcGary.comContact: Anita Jakab Kovacs, ibookinterviews2@gmail.com

5 Ways Home-Based Execs Can Organize Their OfficeDarla DeMorrowFounder, certified professional organizer (CPO)HeartWork Organizing, LLC"1) Close down browser tabs and apps: Keeping apps and tabs open is like leaving an electrical circuit open just in case. It drains brain resources. Every time you glance at that open tab, you briefly think, "I have to get back to that," and there's the possibility of being distracted. When you finish the work on a subject or task, close the tab. This goes 10x for social media like Facebook and Snapchat. 2) Keep a tickler file to organize your desk: This is a simple 12-folder system (usually hanging folders work best) that operates very much like a wall calendar but for physical papers and other small to-do items (like the Girl Scout patches that you mean to sew onto your daughter's sash but not today). Put items into the appropriate file that alerts you to when you need to see the item again, or when you mean to tackle that work. Weekly, review this month's folder and accomplish what you can. Monthly, move the folder to the back of the drawer like you would flip the pages of a wall calendar. You'll always have stuff to do, you'll never have to dig in piles for it, and you can keep a neat hanging file desk organizer safely on your desk in lieu of messy piles. 3) Use file cabinets the way they were designed to work: Almost everyone owns a file cabinet but 50 percent of the file cabinets I come across are either empty or stuffed with piles. Neither state works very well. Create a functional file system with hanging file folders and a dark pen. You can get fancier with interior files, a label maker, color on your tabs or folders, and section markers, but these additions aren't necessary to achieve the essential step of simply getting more organized.4) Map out your desktop: Want an easy and fun way to remind yourself what belongs on your desktop and what's just passing through on its way to somewhere else? Buy some contact paper, clear off your desk, then lay the contact paper over the bare desktop. Now, thoughtfully place the essential desktop items exactly where you want them. Next, take a pen and outline the base of these items on the contact paper. Lift each item and write its name inside its outline. Now even if you have a completely crazy day in the office, you can easily reset without thinking about it. 5) Get rid of annoying receipts: If you operate your entire business from a single business-only credit card, then you can have your accounting program (QuickBooks Online, Xero, Wave, etc.) download your statements directly from your bank. Stop paying cash for things. Stop writing checks. Stop trying to scan your receipts. Stop mixing your business expenses with your personal bank accounts. Use a single credit or debit card for business expenses from now on."Darla DeMorrow is a certified professional organizer (CPO), decorator, speaker, and founder of HeartWork Organizing, LLC, based in Wayne, PA. Her mission is to help people achieve a sense of peace and purpose. She is the author of several inspiring books on getting organized, including "The Pregnant Entrepreneur," "Organizing Your Kitchen with SORT and Succeed," and "Organizing Your Home with SORT and Succeed." Her newest book is "The Upbeat, Organized Home Office" (January 2020).Darla holds a master's degree in business administration from Temple University. She is an active member of NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) at both the national level and locally within the Greater Philadelphia chapter. Darla is a certified photo organizer with the Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO). She is a one-day staging professional and a member of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). She is a certified Color With No Regrets consultant, using a client-centered approach to provide beautiful, scientifically-based color selections. Darla is also a Certified Evernote Consultant. She is constantly honing her skills to provide her clients the best in organizing and design.Darla is the host of Organizing Elephants, a local access television show. She is a former member of the volunteer fire department ambulance crew, an avid reader and podcast listener, and the rescuer of a homeless Siamese cat. Darla speaks French and enjoys traveling to France whenever she can.When not redesigning client spaces, you will often find Darla working on her own home which she shares with her husband and two young daughters. To learn more, visitwww.HeartWorkOrg.com.Online Press Kit: https://darlademorrow.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: http://www.HeartWorkOrg.comContact: Anita Jakab Kovacs, ibookinterviews2@gmail.com

3 Tips to Beat Adult Onset DoldrumsVeronica VargasFounderShaboo Prints"1) Reconnect With Your Happy Place: We've all felt it; our happy place is real. It's that feeling of being in a space and time where we are safe, inspired, joyful, and lit up inside. Think of what gives you the most joy in life, then carve out some time for it. If possible, share your joy with others and revel in your happy places together! If you have trouble thinking of something joyful, watch positive YouTube movies of animals or nature, or listen to your favorite music and feel the uplift! 2) Go from Imagination to Action: Expanding into a more alive way of being begins with using the power of imagination. Use your imagination to envision where, who, and how you want to be, then let your imagination serve as your inspiration to act. Use imagination as paving stones leading from possibility to probability. 3) Play, Play, Play!: One of the best ways to do steps 1 and 2 above is to play! As adults, society has conditioned us to be serious and productive and responsible. Play isn't something that is often expected or encouraged. So, we have to shrug off those norms and create it for ourselves! Color in a coloring book. Play a game with a friend. Buy yourself some fun sunglasses, and if you're bold, get a large clown tie. Do something fun or silly or artistic for its own sake. The more you practice the art of play, the more frequently you'll visit your happy place and the more natural it will feel to use your imagination as inspiration for your life."Veronica Vargas was a creative and whimsical child, but after decades of conformity she found herself struggling with dissatisfaction and a deep longing for fulfillment. In her forties, she returned to her childhood passions drawing, writing, and playing and established Shaboo Prints, a boutique lifestyle brand designing positive, feel-good products. Today, Veronica uses "imaginovation" to innovate feel-good products that expand the boundaries of possibility. She considers herself a social expressionist and entrepreneur on a mission to return millions of adults back to a wondrous world full of potential, play, and a knowing that expressing their real self is the whole point i.e., finding their happy place!An expert on play, imagination, and creativity, Veronica partnered with software company iGreet in 2019 to open windows into imaginative worlds and expand the experience of Shaboo's physical products with augmented reality.Veronica received her bachelor's degree from California State University Fullerton and her master's degree from Woodbury University. A breast cancer survivor, she loves reading, people-watching, being with family, traveling, connecting with friends, health, cooking and baking, creative writing, and doodling. Leading by example, Veronica is living a fulfilled life and sharing her mission-driven business in hopes of inspiring others to tap into their own happy place where they are free to live big and play hard. She resides in Pasadena, CA. Visitwww.ShabooPrints.com.Online Press Kit: https://veronicavargas.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: http://www.ShabooPrints.comContact: Michelle Tennant Nicholson, Michelle@PublicityResults.com

Fake "Self-Love" Is So Played. Here's What We Really Need.Jessica BaumLMHC, FounderRelationship Institute of Palm Beach"The concept of self-love is totally played out. We're giving our power away and not filling ourselves up in truly meaningful ways. Next time you think about a need for self-love or self-care, try thinking about the concept of becoming Self-Full instead. It's about doing the hard work of showing up for yourself and shifting your ways of interacting with your partner and others in your life so that you are prioritizing your needs, or at least making them equal to those of others. That's how you attract a healthier partnership. That's how you stop the constant drain and resulting resentment of being the only giver in your relationships."Jessica Baum, LMHC is the founder of Relationship Institute of Palm Beach and creator of the Self-Full method a therapeutic path to personal wellness and freedom from codependence. Jessica holds an undergraduate degree from Fordham University and a master's degree in mental health counseling from South University.As a certified addiction specialist, her focuses are chemical abuse, codependency, and anxiety. She is also a certified Imago Therapist, bringing her compassionate and effective relationship counseling experience to families, couples, and family programs within addiction treatment centers. Jessica has extensive training in psychodrama and experiential therapy, and is additionally skilled in cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy. Her training also includes EMDR and Post Induction Therapy, and she has a wealth of experience supporting trauma patients.Jessica's own personal core belief is centered around the importance of connection, both to oneself and the outside world. She believes the crux of most personal struggles can be attributed to a lack of true understanding and personal connection, and that it is this sense of disconnection that ultimately leads to pain. Jessica founded the Relationship Institute of Palm Beach to help heal, foster happiness, and restore hope in the individuals and families she works with. Learn more at http://www.RelationshipsPB.comandwww.JessicaBaumLMHC.com.Online Press Kit: https://jessicabaum.onlinepresskit247.comWebsites: http://www.RelationshipsPB.comandwww.JessicaBaumLMHC.comContact: Anita Jakab Kovacs, ibookinterviews2@gmail.com

3 Tips to Clear Away Clutter (and Stress)Tina NicoleCEO, Creative DirectorNathan Anthony Furniture"1) Clear the Surfaces: First and foremost, tackle your surfaces. Have flyers and mail piling up on the kitchen counter? Shred them. Kids' toys all over the great room? Designate a play-bin in a hallway closet and toss old stuff every six months. All surfaces should be free of stuff. This way you see the room, the shapes, and lighting. Allow the mind to be peaceful and uninterrupted when you step into the room. 2) One in, One out: Colleen Madsen's "One in, One out" philosophy is golden: for every item that comes into your home something else should go out. Many of us buy things we do not need on impulse. By following the one-in, one-out philosophy, you are not only omitting the possibility of impulse buying, but you are also limiting the volume of potential clutter in your home. 3) Keep it Simple: Pared down accent furniture, simple silhouettes, and soothing art makes for a clean and peaceful room. Less is more in a minimalist world, so stick to decorating and owning items that are essential to the decor, not extra to the decor. We are true believers that you can live a meaningful life with less."Tina Nicole is an award-winning LA furniture designer, creative entrepreneur, and author. Her new art book and memoir, "DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT," combines striking art with Tina's personal story of persevering through struggles to achieve international acclaim. A visually stunning memoir, it encourages readers to find inspiration in the beauty around them and forge the life of their dreams.Tina is Creative Director and CEO of Nathan Anthony Furniture, a company she and her husband Khai Mai founded in 2005 Their mission is to create beautiful, unforgettable furnishings that light up the room; delight the hearts of others with new fabrications, sculptured shapes and artful touches; excel at craftsmanship and construction; operate from a space of love and gratitude; and craft responsibly in Southern California.Tina holds a Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola Law School, a Bachelor's Degree in English from UCLA, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Merchandise Marketing Management from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Burbank Youth Vocal Arts Foundation. Memberships include The California Bar Association, Female Founders Collective, Women's Leadership Development Network (WithIt), The International Society of Furniture Designers and The Sustainable Furnishings Council. In her free time she enjoys travel, window shopping, visiting museums and cathedrals, live theater, beach cruising, working out, poetry, writing, dancing, painting, and creating things. Her volunteer work includes the performing arts program at Burbank High School, and delivering or cooking food for Ascenicia: Lifting People out of Homeless, Glendale, CA. She lives with her husband and son in Burbank. Learn more atwww.lovenathananthony.com.Online Press Kit: https://tinanicole.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: http://www.lovenathananthony.comContact: Klaudia Simon, ibookinterviews@gmail.com

4 Ways to Fight Climate ChangeDr. Anita SanchezAuthor, transformational leadership consultantDr. Anita Sanchez"1) Own It: Own the situation at both the micro and macro levels. The way we treat our world reflects the way we treat ourselves. 2) Acknowledge Finger Pointing: We are quick to blame "evil" multinational corporations, greedy politicians, powerful media interests, and more. These entities could not exist, though, if we were not complicit. They thrive on our fear, division, despair, lethargy, and judgment.3) Connect From the Heart: Reconnect with each other and with the cycles of the natural world, including the movement of weather conditions and plant and animal behavior. Most of all, though, we must reconnect with our true selves. When we honor the spirit that resides within us, this will be reflected in our external world. It starts and ends with love. 4) Get Into Collective Action: Wisdom keepers and scientists are sharing many ways that we can make an impact through collective action.Our families, churches, communities, and businesses can work in concert with our natural ecological systems as well as with technology and scientific solutions. By cooperating with nature and with each other, we can create a thriving way of life for us, for our children, and for the offspring of all living things on Earth."Anita Sanchez, Ph.D., Aztec and Mexican-American, is a transformational leadership consultant, speaker, coach and author of the international bestselling book, "The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times," available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook from Simon & Schuster. She bridges indigenous teachings with the latest science to inspire and equip women and men to enjoy meaningful, empowered lives and careers. With four decades of experience coaching and training executives and their teams in dozens of Fortune 500 companies, governmental groups and non-governmental agencies, Anita is an established leader in global organizational change initiatives. She is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council with luminaries such as Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson and John Gray, as well as the Association of Transformational Leaders, the Evolutionary Business Council, and serves on the Boards of the Bioneers organization and the Pachamama Alliance. Anita holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Development from the University of Colorado, Denver. She resides in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO with her husband and youngest son. For more information and to download the free song that is based on the book, visitwww.FourSacredGifts.com. For information on Anita's diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias training, see consulting websitewww.SanchezTennis.com.Online Press Kit: http://anitasanchez.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: http://www.FourSacredGifts.comand http://www.SanchezTennis.comContact: Klaudia Simon, ibookinterviews@gmail.com

3 Mindfulness Tips for a Happier RelationshipJulie PotikerAuthor, Mindfulness TeacherMindful Methods for Life"1) Practice gratitude in your relationship: Turn your mindful attention towards all you are grateful for about your partner. What about them makes you smile most?2) Share your gratitude with your partner: This can be a conversation, a card, a letter, a song, a drawing express your gratitude to them however it feels best to you! Let your partner know that you see what's amazing about them. You can do this to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or holiday, or special event or even better just for the heck of it! We all know how wonderful it feels to be acknowledged lovingly just for love's sake. 3) Transform challenges with Loving Kindness: Challenges and frustrations are a normal part of life with a partner, but they don't have to be so overwhelming when they arise. Next time you're faced with one of these moments, try the practice of Loving Kindness. Loving Kindness softens the situation and creates more space for compassion. Here are some examples of Loving Kindness mantras you can try. You can also create your own. Experiment with switching "you" for "I" and "we" and see how that feels.You are loved. May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you live with ease. May you be loved and appreciated. May you be valued. May you be kind. May all beings be safe and free from suffering."Author and mindfulness expert Julie Potiker is an attorney who began her serious study and investigation of mindfulness after graduating from the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at the University of California, San Diego. She was trained by Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer and UCSD as a Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She went on to study with Rick Hanson, becoming a graduate of his Positive Neuroplasticity Training Professional Course. Potiker also completed Bren Brown's Living Brave Semester. Now, she shares these and other mindfulness techniques with the world through her Mindful Methods for Life trainings and her new book: "Life Falls Apart, but You Don't Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm In the Midst of Chaos." She holds a B.G.S. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from George Washington University. For more information, visitwww.MindfulMethodsForLife.com.Online Press Kit: http://www.JuliePotiker.OnlinePressKit247.comWebsite: http://www.MindfulMethodsForLife.comContact: Jennifer Thomas, jennifer.wasabi10@gmail.com

****************MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board:https://www.cisionjobs.com/jobs/united-states/

*****************OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line atprofnetalerts@cision.com

****************PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire.

To contact ProfNet: profnet@profnet.com or 800-776-3638, ext. 1

Visit link:
ProfNet Expert Alerts Available on Reducing Marketing Costs Through Automation, 3 Inspirational Business Tips for "Women Who Have It All", 5...

U.S. astronaut Christina Koch reacts shortly after the landing of the Russian Soyuz MS-13 space capsule about 150 km ( 80 miles) south-east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.  |  Photo Credit: AP

NASA astronaut Christina Koch created history on Thursday by returning safely to Earth after spending nearly 11 months in space. By spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station, the 41-year-old American undertook the longest continuous spaceflight ever by a female astronaut.

Last week she had said she was looking forward to earthly pleasures such as the the feeling of wind on my face. She took off from Earth on 12 Marcy 2019, and her stint on the space station bettered the previous record set by a female astronaut -- fellow American Peggy Whitson.

Koch, who has specialised in the development of space science instruments, is an electric engineer from North Carolina. She touched down on the Kazakh steppe along with fellow astronauts Luca Parmitano and Alexander Skvortsov.

By pushing themselves physically and mentally, astronauts like Koch provide vital clues to researchers, as space agencies and private companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX plan more ambitious missions including the big one to Mars.

Space exploration might sound super exciting, but space comes with severe, even life-threatening challenges. For one, you are exposed to high radiation levels that can potentially cause cancer. Your diet is heavy in freeze-dried intake, according to NASA, which is not exactly what the doctor would recommend as being 'healthy' back on Earth.

To keep bones and muscles from wasting away a strict exercise regimen is mandatory. Because of lower gravity, muscles and bones tend to weaken since they are no longer supporting the weight of the body.

Another noticeable symptom is that the eyes of the astronauts suffer from what is known as neuro-ocular syndrome caused by a swollen optic nerve head.

Radiation is a massive problem because there is no atmosphere to filter out the harmful rays. The mission to Mars will have to take this into consideration as radiation on the Red Planet is believed to be eight times than that of the Earth.

Spaceflight also changes an astronauts brain structure and function.

A study by the Medical University of South Carolinashowed significant structural changes in the brain after long-duration missions to space.

Another study, published in JAMA Neurology, has shown that the brain changes in ways similar to ageing -- but faster.

When it comes to mental health issues in space travel, however, these are still poorly understood. NASA has so far not reported behavioural changes after long space missions. But the challenge of remaining cut off from family and friendsand in darkened isolation for years -- and what that does to the mind -- is something NASA is studying as it plans future missions.

In April last year, NASA shared the results of a landmark study on twin astronauts, and the results were sobering to say the least. The study found that the effects of space travel on the human body are profound.

The study involved two real-life twins Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly both astronauts -- who were separated from each other on March 27, 2015. While Scott lived on the International Space Station, his twin brother Mark lived on Earth. Scott returned to Earth a year later on 1 March 2016.

The detailed study showed that long-term space missions such as the one to Mars will cause major changes to an astronauts cognitive performance, metabolism and genetics. Worse, the changes could last long after the astronaut has returned to Earth.

By the end of Scott Kellys mission, there were clear signs of damaged DNA andcognitive decline. Even after returning to Earth, these effects persisted for several months.

Christina Kochs 11 months in space will provide researchers more such clues about what the great leap into the unfathomable unknown that is space does to the human body and mind.

The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way represent those of Times Network.

Go here to see the original:
NASA astronaut Christina Koch returns to Earth after 328 days What space travel does to the body and mind - Times Now