The first cases of MRSA in pets was discovered just five years ago, though it seemed to be limited to therapy dogs who were exposed to health care workers and patients on a consistent basis, and fell into the belief that illnesses jump from humans to pets, and not vice versa. However, in more recent studies it’s been found that animals store the infection in their bodies, though a healthy dog or cat can usually rid themselves of it in a matter of weeks. The infection can be passed on to people through open wounds, and is more likely to happen if the person is bitten by an infected pet.

During some recent research, Elizabeth A. Scott at the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston swabbed surfaces in 35 homes and found that the overwhelming common denominator in the houses that tested positive were the households with cats, and were eight times more likely to have the germ present.

I can’t seem to find further info on these cat households — are the chances this high because the households they studied have indoor-outdoor cats? Or did they look at just indoor-only cat households? Did the owners themselves work in the health care industry? Were there small kids or immunocomprised people present as well? I think the 38.4 million cat households in the U.S. might be worth doing a little more research for!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Cat Owners More Likely to Have MRSA?

I liked the drinks, once I got used to the tang of Acai. It tastes like a combination between grape and cranberry, but stronger and thicker. Acai is a superfruit and very high in antioxidants and vitamins.

I’ve been using their new Daily Wellness Shot for a couple of weeks now. One shot – a 1 ounce serving – contains 100% of the recommended daily amount of ORAC. ORAC helps to protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are able to enter the body through pollution and certain foods. They are believed to be a huge factor in aging. A daily dose of ORAC helps to defend your body against the free radicals.

Zola’s Acai Daily Wellness Shot works on the body in the following ways:

*Supports your Immune System
*Promotes a healthier heart
*Fights aging
*Boosts Energy and Stamina

I’m not sure if I’m more well, it’s not easy to measure something like that, but I figure that boosting my immunity cannot hurt. Taking a shot of the Zola Acai Daily Wellness is easy and it tastes pretty good, too.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

For Your Health – Zola Acai Wellness Shots

I am excited to announce that Zestra is hosting a giveaway with Blisstree to offer readers the opportunity to try out this new product for free.  Zestra uses natural botanical oils and is applied to a woman’s body to increase sensitivity with a fabulous warming sensation called the Zestra Rush.  Clinical trials have shown that women using Zestra have had a significant increase in their level of sexual satisfaction when asked to quantify their experience before and after using the product on a linear scale from 1 to 10.

If you are curious about Zestra and interested in taking steps to increase your sexual well-being, this is a chance for you to try something new.  Zestra is giving 25 Blisstree readers a free package that includes two packets of the product.  In order to enter the giveaway all you have to do is send an email to zestraforblisstree@gmail.com and say that you would like to experience the Zestra Rush.  The first 25 readers to send an email will win!

If you want to learn more about Zestra or how to order the product, please visit their website at www.zestra.com.  You can also leave comments here if you have any questions and we can have a professional answer them!

Thank you to Zestra for offering Blisstree readers this wonderful opportunity!

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Experience the Zestra Rush Giveaway

Zestra is a new product made from natural botanical oils that is applied on a woman’s body to increase sexual satisfaction.  I wanted to hear a little more about how Zestra works, so I conducted an interview with Dr. Michael Krychman, MDCM about the product.  Dr. Krychman is the medical director for Sexual Medicine in Newport Beach, CA and formerly served as Co-Director of Sexual Medicine at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  He has experience studying sexual dysfunction in cancer and non-cancer patients.

Q:  I understand that Zestra is made from natural botanical oils.  Can you explain how it affects a woman’s body once it is applied?  How would it affect other parts of the body?

A:  The oil is topically applied and most women can expect a pleasant tingly or warming sensation within 3-5 minutes—this has been coined the Zestra Rush™!!! Women should apply the oil to the mons, clitoris, labia or outer areas of the vagina.  In clinical situations, I have also suggested some women apply it to the breast and nipple area—sometimes nipple and breast sensation can be diminished so the use of Zestra can also be helpful. Rarely, for some women, this feeling may result in a temporary feeling of discomfort, but it can be washed off simply with soap and water.

Q:  How is sexual satsifaction measured in a woman?

A:  Sexual satisfaction can be measured in a variety of ways—patients can either self report the strength of orgasm/latency (time to orgasm), their overall improved sexual function and of course sexual domains like arousal and desire can be measured by objective questionnaires which are typically used in the research setting.  Very often in the clinical setting, health care providers will ask patients to personally rate their satisfaction on a linear scale, e.g. 1=bad, 10 = great, since sexuality is so individual and unique satisfaction is also something that is personally measured.  In my clinical experience when patients try Zestra they move up on the scale towards the “great” level. Women who said their orgasms were weak are now reporting improvement, and they also report decreased time to achieve orgasm.  Overall, in the clinical scenario and with my patients it’s been shown to be helpful.

Q:  If a woman has success with Zestra, does it increase the possibility that she will have sexual satisfaction without the product?

A:  Zestra can enhance the sexual experience and promote wellness in the relationship; it can be used as an add-on to sexual activity.  Certainly sexual happiness and sexual satisfaction as well as intimacy and love are dynamic complex interactions for the couple—women’s sexual improvement can directly and indirectly affect a variety of facets in her overall health and functioning.

Q:  What are the benefits, besides happiness, of sexual satisfaction in a woman?

A:  Improved sexual function and positive intimate relationships have been linked to improvements in overall health, wellness, decreased disease, decreased medication requirements, lowered stress and decreased chronic medical disease.  Those who have some positive sexual connections and increased intimacy can expect to live longer happier lives—sexual hormones can boost immunity, promote longevity and in some cases have been linked with lowered rates of depression and anxiety.

Q:  Are there any side effects to using Zestra?

A:  Using Zestra has been demonstrated to be safe in clinical trials. No serious side effects have been reported, but as stated above, some women may find the tingly or warming sensation discomforting.  Zestra should not be used if you have any active infection, genital infection or local irritation.

You can visit Zestra’s website at Zestra for more information about how to order.

Post from: Blisstree

Zestra Helps Women Find Sexual Satisfaction

“Crafting and art has kept me sane,” she said, in spite of her left hand sometimes experiencing pain. 

I’d imagine her crafting also keeps her hands more agile, even though she does have some pain.  I know this was true of my grandmother.

Nanny’s hands were curled and crippled with arthritis in her later years.  However, she insisted on keeping them busy with snapping beans, shucking peas, mending clothes, stitching quilts, making doll clothes, and crocheting rag rugs.  I recall sitting beside her learning these tasks and recall her misshapen hands busy as she told me stories.

Image: sxc.hu

My daughter, who found quilting a stress reliever during her husband’s illness, experienced a serious illness herself last year.  As she recovered, but still was weak, she found inspiration through her quilt art and her quilting friends.

How have crafts inspired and aided you?

Post from: Blisstree

Arts & Crafts Increase Agility

Image:sxc.hu

 In addition to giving you something to concentrate on when your thoughts could delve into darkness, crafts and related arts may bring you together with others in your field.  This helps you find new directions and boost your spirits. 

 I’ve found working with my hands a great diversion over the years.  The actual task of quilting, scrapbooking, crocheting and other crafts is relaxing.  Often you can take your work with you.

 My daughter began her serious venture into quiltmaking when her husband was seriously ill.  The small hand projects were easy to tote along to hospitals and waiting rooms.

 If you can begin to earn income through your crafts to help with the family budget during times of budget crunches, this also helps alleviate the stress of life.

How have arts and crafts helped you through tough times?

Post from: Blisstree

Crafts Good for Mental Health

My experience in Cancun earlier in the week was consistent with these numbers, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the occupancy rate plunge even lower.

High schools were reopening the day after I left, and the lower schools were scheduled to reopen next week.  The city seems to be getting a handle on things, and slowly starting to return to everyday life.

Sadly, the echo effect that the swine flu will have on the Mexican economy will last long past the reopening of the schools.

If you’d like to hear more of my thoughts about traveling to Mexico, especially my recent experience in Cancun, I was interviewed by Addison Schonland, from the IAG Group (an aviation consulting firm) and you can listen to the IAG podcast.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Blisstree

Mexico Hotel Occupancy Drops

Finding caregiver support groups in your area, or online, can be a challenge.  Here are a few suggestions.

Check out the following places in your community to see if they have a support group or know of any:

• Home health agencies
• Senior Center
• Local Hospital
• Local Nursing homes
• State Alzheimer’s Association
• State Department of the Elderly or Family Services
• Others caring for elderly parents or spouses

If there is nothing in your community, the groups meet when you’re at work, or you live too far from an organized community, you might want to check out online support groups.  Also, by reading blogs about Alzheimer’s caregiving and leaving comments that the blogger and other readers might answer, you’ll feel more connected with the caregiver community and not so alone.

What suggestions do you have? Are there particular caregiver groups/organizations you find particularly helpful.

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Caregiver Support Groups

The following evidence is known as “anecdotal” which means it will affect some people, but not others, according to Kelly O’Connor, R.D., L.D.N.

Citrus fruits, tomatoes, while full of healthy vitamin C are also full of acid. This can irritate conditions such as urinary incontinence and over-active bladder. Spicy foods can do the same thing, so watch the jalapenos.

Water is good because it flushes bacteria out of your system. Alkaline foods like pears or bananas are goodbecause the balance an overly acidic system. Broccoli is good and is considered a cancer-fighter. Other members of the cruciferous family including brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower may help, too. Eat ‘em up. Good stuff.

Yogurt with acidophilus helps to fight toxins in the bladder and look for plain rather than flavored, because sugar is no hero to your bladder. It promotes the growth of bacteris and can lead to urinary tract infections. Artificial sweeteners aren’t a good substitute, because they are like acidic or spicy foods, they can increase the symptoms of overactive bladder.

Cranberry juice. Everyone knows this one, right? But just how does Cranberry promote better urinary tract health?  It’s the hippuric acid, which keeps bacteria off of the walls of the urethra.

Coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes. None of these are good. The coffee and alcohol act as a diuretic, flushing out the good stuff. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of bladder cancer - it doubles it. If you smoke, please quit.

For more information, please click here to read the entire article.

Image credit: All Posters.com

Post from: Blisstree

Happiness Is A Healthy Bladder

Image: sxc.hu

Chrysty tells us that if you make her laugh, she’ll do business with you. So perhaps this is a good tip to keep in mind if you’re in a craft (or any other) business.  She also mentions how laughter is good for health, stress relief and your life in general.

I know when my mother had Alzheimer’s, laughter helped my husband, Mother and me get through this difficult time.  When Mother commented, “We don’t laugh enough,” I realized that, even though this was a serious illness, we needed to take time for humor.

How are you incorporating laughter into your life and business?

Let me know if , when you take Chrysty’s advice and laugh with your customers, you have more success.

Post from: Blisstree

Laughter is Good for Your Craft Business