Give a gift to the Earth this season by incorporating some eco-friendly habits into your favorite holiday traditions.
Dec 2008If the material excesses of this holiday season have ever distressed you personally, or seemed somehow contrary to what the season means to you, they likely seem so more than ever this year, now that the movement toward “green living” is progressing around the country and around the world. What better time, then, to “go green,” if you haven’t already? After all, the philosophies of green living fit so naturally with the traditional meaning of Christmas as a time for expressing love to others and extending compassion to those in need, and many faith-based groups are encouraging green living throughout the year. In its emphasis on environmental protection, gr Read More...
Decorate Your Heart for Christmas
Dec 2008The Christmas cards we receive speak of love, peace and kindness for all creatures everywhere. We open each card, read the message inside and smile at the names of friends and family we may not hear from often. The holidays are a time for joy and warmth, good cheer and wishes for happiness. It is also a time to look carefully at our heart and its contents, to take stock of what is stored there. Perhaps it may be time to throw out a few things.
It may be that we have not received a card from Cousin Janie or our old friends from college. Should we strike them from our list? What about the Carringtons, who were so friendly until we loaned them that money and then we Read More...
Play it Safe When Purchasing Toys
Dec 2008Local parents still wary despite legislation passed to protect children from lead-tainted toys.
While local parents are pleased with a new federal bill that bans lead from toys, most remain cautious when purchasing products for their little ones.
In August, President George W. Bush signed the law, which prohibits lead, beyond minute levels, in merchandise made for children under 12 years of age. The measure follows numerous reports within the last year of toys made in China that contained excessive levels of lead—prompting popular toy companies Mattel, Fisher-Price, and Toys “R” Us, among others, to recall scores of products.
Lead poses seriou Read More...
Don't Skate on Thin Ice: With Holiday Health Hazards
Dec 2008Even though Hampton Roads doesn't usually have any snow or ice to speak of in December, it may be tempting to skate on thin ice, at least figuratively, when it comes to guarding against common holiday health hazards. Those of us at the Health Journal want all of our readers to have a safe and healthy holiday season. So grab some eggnog, put your feet up and check this list (twice!) as a reminder of potential pitfalls to avoid during what can be a healthy and joyful time of year.
Ho-ho-hum?
Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads, many of us feel just plain miserable during the holidays. According to the Mayo Clinic (a not-for-profit me Read More...
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Fitness
What's "In," What's "Out"
Fitness fads may come and go, but a strong and lean physique never goes out of style. Here's a sneak peek at what will make the grade for fitness in 2009 versus what former crazes are safe to shelve.
What's "In,"
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Fitness Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Well, it's that time of year again—the holiday shopping season. Have you thought about what to give those people on your "impossible-to-shop-for" list? Instead of another necktie for your dad or cashmere socks for your sist Read More...
Kettlebells Make a Comeback
A Kettlebell is a cast-iron weight that resembles a cannonball attached to a handle so it can be swung. For centuries in Russia, Olympic athletes and the military have practiced a form of training, known as "girya," using thi Read More...
Wii Fit: Not Just for Your Christmas List
Physical therapy offices are catching wind of "Wiihab" as a tool for patient rehabilitation.
With the holiday season right around the corner, the Wii Fit game system by Nintendo is likely to be on nearly every family's wis Read More...
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Local Beat
"Why I Give Thanks..."
In the past two issues Health Journal asked readers to share their reasons for being thankful this holiday season, and here is what they had to say:
We found this story of Christmas miracles, submitted by Kathleen S Read More...
Treating Disease: Colonists Relied on Natural Remedies to Cure Ailments
Though some of the illnesses and diseases that plagued the American Colonists of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as malaria and smallpox, still threaten parts of the world, medical treatments for many of those conditions ha Read More...
Shhhhhhhhh!
Best-selling author Dr. Harvey Karp, often dubbed "the Baby Whisperer," recently shared his baby-calming tips—known as the 5 S's—with Hampton Roads Parents.
We hear them in the elementary schools and movie theatres acr Read More...
A Place to Call Home
St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, Virginia's only long-term care facility for pediatric patients age 21 and under, provides a safe haven for children from all over the state who have severe physical and intellectual disa Read More...