Leslie Glass's Blog, page 423
November 14, 2017
How To Talk To Teens About A Parent’s Substance Use
Talking to teens about family substance use is difficult, whether a parent’s or sibling’s. Without the full understanding of what is happening to a loved one, however, we can’t further the process of healthy communication and healthy living. Family dysfunction can only thrive in silence.
By utilizing these guidelines, you can help your teen to understand and cope with the substance use disorder that is harming the family.
Step One: What To Talk About
Open up the subject by giving some basic information to cover the following subjects:
What is addiction
It doesn’t happen overnight. Explain the stages and disease process that occurs with increased use and how substances and alcohol affect brain function. Explaining basic addiction facts and how behavior changes, helps you to educate yourself. Talk with teens about family substance use as if it were cancer or any other progressive disease in an educated, non-judgmental manner. Education is the power to see that addictions are quite common, that you are not alone, and that you can help both the user and the rest of the family.
What are the consequences of addictions
Looking at common consequences helps to frame this information as a part of the addiction picture. This helps teens understand that consequences need to be provided for addictive behaviors, and that consequences are not punishment. Talking about consequences, like traffic accidents, falls, overdoses, arrests, getting fired, losing friends, and financial difficulties help to focus the substance users on their behavior and what must change.
What recovery opportunities are available
By looking at the hope of recovery for family substance use, adolescents can have a sense that much can be done to help the loved one who’s ready for treatment, or already in treatment. Discuss with them 12-step meetings, sponsors, other support groups, or individual or group counseling, intensive outpatient counseling, or inpatient treatment programs for the addict. Let them know that they can be a part of their own recovery through individual counseling, 12-step meetings, support groups, or family therapy that can occur with or without the addict present.
What specific information can be shared about partner’s or child’s addiction
Acknowledge what the kids have seen and experienced with family substance use (such as a parent coming home from work drunk, a sister getting expelled for getting caught smoking pot on her lunch hour). Do not keep these events secret because that maintains family dysfunction and in reality, your teen already has seen the behaviors and may know more than you do (especially about a sibling). However, there are some behaviors that may be inappropriate to talk about – healthy boundaries takes precedence over telling all. If you wonder about this, talk to a therapist about these boundaries.
Step Two: When to talk about family substance use
Talk when you are calm, when there is a quiet time with no distractions. During a fight or the aftermath of a fight is not a good time to rationally discuss the issues facing the family. Don’t lash out with information, for example, while you’re threatening the loved one, or the loved one is screaming back. Times of high drama are not ideal for family meetings. Also, be open any time the teen might want to discuss this, and perhaps set up times for safe talk.
Step Three: How to have the conversation
First of all be calm and listen. While this is a very difficult and painful subject, it needs to be addressed in a quiet and non-judgmental way. The whole family needs to feels safe exploring it. After the subject is raised, then you listen…listen…and listen some more. As always, the focus on inappropriate behaviors caused by substance use disorder that the partner or adolescent is demonstrating, not the person. This also includes a focus on how they family can aid in the recovery of the substance user (if appropriate) as well as recovery for the family itself.
Addictions are difficult but you can be a positive example for your teenager/s regarding empowering, healthy ways to help them cope as well as how to help your entire family to deal with difficult situations. Remember that taking action is a powerful way to help your teen to go beyond the struggles into embracing recovery.
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FDA warns on use of kratom to treat opioid addiction amid links to 36 deaths
Kratom is an unapproved substance touted as a treatment for depression, pain, anxiety and even opioid addiction. (iStock)
The FDA issued a public health advisory on Tuesday over the use of kratom, an unapproved botanical substance that originates from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The warning comes amid an increase in popularity in the U.S., where kratom is touted as a treatment for pain, anxiety, depression and even as an opioid alternative.
“It’s very troubling to the FDA that patients believe they can use kratom to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms,” said FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, in part. “There is no reliable evidence to support the use of kratom as a treatment for opioid use disorder. Patients addicted to opioids are using kratom without dependable instructions for use and more importantly, without consultation with a licensed health care provider about the product’s dangers, potential side effects or iterations with other drugs.”
The advisory warned that kratom produced similar effects to narcotics, carrying the risk of abuse, addiction and even death. The FDA noted a 10-fold increase in calls made to U.S. poison control centers regarding kratom from 2010 to 2015, and reports of 36 deaths linked to the substance.
“There have been reports of kratom being laced with other opioids like hydrocodone. The use of kratom is also associated with serious side effects like seizures, liver damage and withdrawal symptoms,” Gottlieb said.
Additionally, the FDA said it has identified kratom products on two import alerts, and is working to prevent shipments of the substance from entering the U.S., as well as detained hundreds of shipments at international mail facilities.
“We’ve learned a tragic lesson from the opioid crisis: that we must pay early attention to the potential for new products to cause addiction and we must take strong, decisive measures to intervene,” Gottlieb said. “From the outset, the FDA must use its authority to protect the public from addictive substances like kratom, both as part of our commitment to stemming the opioid epidemic and preventing another from taking hold.”
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FDA warns of the deadly herb kratom, citing 36 deaths
Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing last month on federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis. On Tuesday, the FDA issued a public health warning saying there was no evidence that the herb kratom was effective in treating opioid addictions. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The Food and Drug Administration Tuesday issued a strong warning to consumers to stay away from the herbal supplement kratom, saying regulators are aware of 36 deaths linked to products containing the substance.
Consumers are increasingly using the supplement, which comes from a plant in Southeast Asia, for pain, anxiety and depression, as well as symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Because it produces symptoms, such as euphoria, similar to opiates, it is also used recreationally. Proponents say it is a safe way to deal with chronic pain and other ailments, and some researchers are exploring its therapeutic potential, including helping people overcome addictions.
But in a statement, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said there is no “reliable evidence” to support the use of kratom as a treatment for opioid-use disorder, and that there are no other FDA-approved uses of kratom.
Rather, he said, evidence shows that the herb has similar effects to narcotics like opioids, “and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction and, in some cases, death.” He said that calls to U.S. poison control centers involving kratom increased 10-fold between 2010 and 2015, and that the herb is associated with side effects including seizures, liver damage and withdrawal symptoms.
Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration proposed banning the use of kratom. But the agency backtracked after public outcry and pressure from some members of Congress. It asked the FDA to expedite a scientific and medical evaluation and a recommendation for how to handle the compounds in kratom.
The herb is banned in several states, such as Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Wisconsin. Gottlieb said the FDA is treating kratom as an unapproved drug and also has taken action against kratom-containing dietary supplements. If the plant is useful in treating various conditions, it should go through the agency’s regular drug-approval process to provide it is safe and effective, he added.
Meanwhile, the FDA is working to prevent shipments of kratom from entering he country, he said.
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Codependent Offers Hot Cocoa To Make Amends
I’ve reached the point in recovery where I need to make amends. My husband thought this day would never come. He’s been waiting for over a decade for me to admit I was wrong, but before I address his concerns, I must make amends to one of my closest friends. I was actually in charge of caring for this girl for a number of years. To hold me accountable, I’m sharing this letter with you.
Dear Kay,
This is the hardest letter I’ll ever write. Where do I begin? How can I ask for your forgiveness when I know I don’t deserve it?
I’m Sorry For Calling You fat
I’m sorry I said you were ugly, and I don’t hate your nose, like I said so many times. When faced with a choice of praising you or being critical, I always criticized. If I tell you I love your hair, how it’s dark brown waves naturally wrap into beach-blown curls, will that begin to erase the hundreds of hurtful things I’ve said? Does it help that I think your cheerful smile is reminiscent of a younger Julia Roberts?
I Confess I May Have Lied About The Food I Served You
Ok, that’s still not true. I totally lied to you; I’m so ashamed. I completely dismissed your special dietary needs. That gluten-free blueberry pie wasn’t remotely gluten free. Neither were the gluten-free waffles. I feel awful, but gluten-free foods are so expensive. As I watched you eat those unhealthy foods, which were mildly toxic to you, I saw your health decline, yet I said nothing. In fact, I encouraged you. Not only did I dismiss your wishes, but I discounted your physician’s advice.
Even Worse I Stole Money From You
I knew you were building a savings account for emergencies, and I sabotaged your efforts. More than once, I took money from your grocery fund and treated my husband to Starbucks, or I bought a new toy for my son. Sometimes when I was tired, I borrowed a little here or there to eat out so I wouldn’t have to cook. Most of the time, I meant to pay you back, but that never happened. My irresponsibility often left you short on money for gas and food. Your nest egg is gone; your credit card is maxed; and you have nothing to show for it. I’ve cost you thousands over the years.
I Was Ruthless About Home Improvement Projects
Regarding our home-improvement “projects,” I didn’t give you enough time or money to complete them, yet I demanded perfection. I should’ve known laying tile was a skilled trade. Or that you really can’t cut hardwood flooring with a utility knife. I taunted you to the point of tears, and I was ruthless if you didn’t deliver.
I Forced You To Negotiate With The Evil One
Even though it should have been your husband’s job, I forced you to negotiate with your mother-in-law. But you were the only one selfless enough to keep peace. When I realized your happiness was worth more than appearing happy, it was too late. Above all, I regret talking you out of standing up to her. I don’t know why I stopped you. She was awful.
I Must Make Amends
The words, “I’m sorry,” are hollow and have little value; still, they need to be said. In the rooms of recovery, I’m learning to make living amends, so from now on, I’ll be putting you first. Your feelings and values are my top priority. If you say “No,” I’ll respect you. It will take time, but I will change, one day at a time. From now on, my love for you will match my actions.
Love, Pam
This Is A Letter To Me From Me
For years, I put everyone else first and was hardest on myself. Treating a child or a spouse like would be abusive, but self-abuse is difficult to see. In recovery, I’m learning self-care isn’t selfish, so I’ll be making living amends to me. I have books to read, nails to polish, and naps to take. Most importantly, I’m setting myself free from my self-imposed prison.
Gluten-Free, Easy on the Budget Hot Cocoa
A cup of milk
1 Tablespoon of baking cocoa
1 Tablespoon of sugar
½ teaspoon of vanilla
1 pinch of salt
Pour milk, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and salt into small sauce pan. Heat on medium, and whisk ingredients together. Whisking eliminates bitter clumps of cocoa and makes the milk frothy. Enjoy with a good book.
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Recovery Protects Everyone’s Family Rights
According to my Mother, my brother Ricky needs extra love and care because of his addiction. My family rights are ignored. She always favors what’s right for Ricky. In recovery, I learn I have rights too.
My birthday is on the 4th of July. Last night my Mom told me, “We can’t go to your favorite restaurant, El Taco Loco,” said my Mom, “because they serve beer. Ricky can’t go to restaurants that serve alcohol. Besides,” she added, “Ricky has a meeting on Tuesday nights. We’ll have to celebrate your birthday on Wednesday instead.”
I sound petty, but this isn’t an isolated incident. It’s just the latest in a series of injustices. When we were kids, I had very strict rules. Ricky didn’t. If I disobeyed, I faced harsh consequences. Ricky had “different” punishments because “You just can’t yell at Ricky.” Or “Spanking doesn’t work on Ricky.”
In our teenage years, I fixed dinner, did laundry, washed dishes, and mowed the yard. Ricky had no chores because he wouldn’t do them anyway. I had to pay my way through college. Ricky got bailed out of jail, and my parents paid for his rehab. Twice. Today, Ricky still lives at home with a built-in maid and babysitter, our Mom. Because she does so much for Ricky, she doesn’t have any or energy left to spend time with me and my son.
Ricky Isn’t The Problem
Who do I blame for all of these injustices? For many years, I despised Ricky. I was jealous and angry. When I learned that alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, affects the whole family, I saw more of the picture. My Dad’s drinking also contributed to our problems. For years, my Dad acted out under the influence. My Mom reacted. This became their dysfunctional dance. When Ricky and I came along, we learned their dance moves. These are the generational sins of alcoholism. Unfortunately, identifying the problem doesn’t undo the hurt.
When I came to recovery, I learned that addiction was a disease. I grew less angry at Ricky, but I became furious with Mom. Over time (many, many months), I grew to accept my painful past. I am working on forgiving my Mom. I learned that what happened, happened to me. It doesn’t define me.
I Have Rights Too
One of the best things I’ve learned in recovery is I am equal to Ricky. My Mom has always favored Ricky. Instead of rewarding the successful child, she rushes to the one in need. This speaks of her illness, not of my character. Recovery has given me a new family of trustworthy people who love me unconditionally. This helped heal many of my emotional hurts.
Family Rights Let Everyone Recover
Family healing doesn’t happen overnight. Ricky and I have both been in recovery for a few years, but progress is in recovery is slow. Recovery isn’t a magic 8-ball that delivers the answers to all family conflicts. How do we move forward in a healthy way when we are still working hard to overcome our dysfunctional habits? I’m proposing we adopt The Family Recovery Bill Of Rights. Each person has the right to:
Respect and compassion
Be safe from yelling
Have personal boundaries
Speak and express feelings
Take care of yourself
Ask for what you want
Follow a recovery program
Be trusted when trust is earned
Equal treatment for all
Your own safe space
These guidelines protect everyone’s best interest. If, or more likely, when Ricky, my Mom, and I disagree, I take a minute to review my rights. This document reminds me that I don’t have to lose just so Ricky can gain. I can brainstorm for win/win solutions. I can set boundaries to protect myself. I don’t have to blindly trust those who have hurt me. No one can change the past, but I can protect myself now and in the future. It gives me independence in a chemically dependent family.
Save
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Sex Addiction And Celebrities
Fox News’ Dr. Manny sits down with two psychologists to discuss what kind of help patients actually get at these expensive facilities and if they work.
As Hollywood’s sexual assault scandal widens with further accusations, reports have emerged that actor Kevin Spacey checked himself into The Meadows treatment facility in Wickenberg, Ariz., the same rehab center where movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is also allegedly seeking treatment.
But at $37,000 a month, what kind of help do patients actually get as these expensive facilities? Dr. Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist who has treated sex addicts, said many of these rehab centers treat sex addicts similar to how other addiction programs for alcoholism or drug abuse do.
“There’s a supportive treatment environment where you can be amongst other people who are having similar struggles. There’s group therapy, there’s individual therapy, there’s medication management. And it’s just like anything else, it works as good as you work,” Ludwig told Fox News.
In most facilities, inpatient sexual addiction treatment involves a 30- or 60-day stay in a gender-separate facility.
Programs often focus on separating the addict from their addiction or the people, places and things that trigger that addiction.
Psychologist Dr. Kathryn Smerling said identifying triggers can be a big and important step for recovery.
“They should constantly be examining their triggers. For example, if they struggle with internet porn, get a wall that blocks these sites or just cut your WiFi at home completely,” Smerling told Fox News.
The term “sex addiction,” which is also known as Hypersexual disorder, has been hotly debated over. Some experts don’t believe sex addiction exists in the same way as other addictions. In fact, a diagnosis of “sex addiction” has not been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Some specialists describe sex addiction as; a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts.
Specific criteria or symptoms for hypersexual disorder were proposed for the DSM-5 in 2010 and included (for a period of at least six months); recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors, which were not related to some other mental condition or substance abuse; A pattern of the person using sex as a response to depression, stress or other negative moods or states.
Smerling said there’s never just one cause for addiction.
“It’s usually a multitude of factors- biological, psychological, and social. There can be changes in the brain elicited by compulsion. Psychological risk for any addiction such as sex includes depression, anxiety, and being obsessive compulsive. Anyone who struggles with incredibly low self-esteem and seeks approval or childhood self-esteem that was never dealt with properly,” Smerling told Fox News.
According to The National Council on Sexual Addiction Compulsivity, 6 to 8 percent of Americans are sex addicts, which is about 18 to 24 million people.
“I know that Harvey Weinstein probably had a bunch of people that were covering for him, and same for Kevin spacey, but people who are ‘ordinary’ people who have sex addictions, often lay in bed and masturbate for days, they will go and get risky sex partners and all kinds of things that are not masked by other things,” Smerling added.
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FDA Approves Digital Pill That Tracks When Patients Take It
The system offers doctors an objective way to measure if patients are swallowing their pills on schedule, opening up a new avenue for monitoring medicine compliance that could be applied in other therapeutic areas. (iStock)
U.S. regulators have approved the first digital pill with an embedded sensor to track if patients are taking their medication properly, marking a significant step forward in the convergence of healthcare and technology.
The medicine is a version of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd’s established drug Abilify for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, containing a tracking device developed by Proteus Digital Health.
The system offers doctors an objective way to measure if patients are swallowing their pills on schedule, opening up a new avenue for monitoring medicine compliance that could be applied in other therapeutic areas.
Shares in Otsuka rose 2.5 percent on Tuesday after news of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late on Monday.
The FDA said that being able to track ingestion of medicines prescribed for mental illness may be useful “for some patients”, although the ability of the digital pill to improve patient compliance had not been proved.
“The FDA supports the development and use of new technology in prescription drugs and is committed to working with companies to understand how technology might benefit patients and prescribers,” said Mitchell Mathis of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The system works by sending a message from the pill’s sensor to a wearable patch, which then transmits the information to a mobile application so that patients can track the ingestion of the medication on their smartphone.
About the size of a grain of salt, the sensor has no battery or antenna and is activated when it gets wet from stomach juices. That completes a circuit between coatings of copper and magnesium on either side, generating a tiny electric charge.
In the longer term, such digital pills could also be used to manage patients with other complicated medicine routines, such as those suffering from diabetes or heart conditions.
Poor compliance with drug regimens is a common problem in many disease areas, especially when patients suffer from chronic conditions.
Proteus has been working on the pill tracking system for many years and the sensor used in Abilify MyCite was first cleared for use by the FDA in 2012.
The unlisted Californian company has attracted investments from several large healthcare companies, including Novartis AG, Medtronic Inc and St. Jude Medical Inc, as well as Otsuka.
Abilify MyCite is not approved to treat patients with dementia-related psychosis and contains a boxed warning alerting health care professionals that elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.
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Boston Medical Center Follows Up Opioid Patients After Discharge
In much the same way that staff in an inpatient hospital wouldn’t want to discharge a diabetic patient without access to insulin, leaders at Boston Medical Center have worked to initiate patients with opioid use disorders to medication before they exit the door.
The safety-net hospital’s Addiction Consult Service, established in July 2015, is staffed by an attending physician who is board-certified in addiction medicine and a nurse with addiction expertise. A study published in the August issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment helped to bolster the argument that initiating medications in an inpatient setting is a feasible strategy.
Zoe Weinstein, MD, director of the Addiction Consult Service, tells Addiction Professional that hospital leaders were compelled to move in this direction in part because studies that were conducted there had demonstrated that this strategy could be applied broadly. Since the period that was examined in the recently published study, the hospital has worked to give patients more rapid access to ongoing medication treatment in the critical time immediately after discharge.
“Our main discharge clinic for buprenorphine had been open only once a week,” says Weinstein. “Now we have the bridge clinic open Monday through Friday.”
Study parameters
The study examined the initial 26 weeks of the Addiction Consult Service’s activity, which consists of diagnosis, brief bedside counseling, initiation of medication treatment, and discharge planning. The outpatient clinical sites for post-discharge linkage included two Boston Medical Center clinics and three local methadone clinics operated by another organization.
Researchers examined patient engagement by calculating the percentage of patients who followed up at their first outpatient appointment after discharge and again at 30, 90 and 180 days post-discharge. A patient was classified as remaining in care if he/she had an active prescription for a medication to treat addiction and/or had notes in the clinic’s electronic medical record that indicated ongoing treatment.
The researchers reported that there were 337 consultations for Boston Medical Center patients in the first 26 weeks of the service. A total of 78% of these individuals had an opioid use disorder (by comparison, 37% had an alcohol use disorder and 28% had a cocaine use disorder). Among patients initiated on methadone, 76% visited the methadone clinic post-discharge, and engagement rates at 30, 90 and 180 days were 54%, 39% and 29%, respectively. Among patients initiated on buprenorphine, the corresponding percentages were somewhat lower (49% engagement immediately post discharge, and 39%, 27% and 18% at 30, 90 and 180 days).
Weinstein says there are several possible explanations for why engagement tends to be better among methadone patients, including that this could reflect properties of the drug itself. Selection bias in terms of who gets referred to which treatment also could be in play here, she says. In addition, the more structured setting of a methadone clinic can help to reduce attrition.
Naltrexone also was recommended for some patients, but it often could not be initiated in the hospital setting. One barrier here is that injectable naltrexone for opioid dependence does not tend to be on hospitals’ inpatient formularies, and that remains the case at Boston Medical Center, says Weinstein. Also, initiation of naltrexone can be hampered by the requirement that patients be opioid-free for several days before they can start on the antagonist medication.
Improving performance
The study paper concludes that while this research demonstrates the feasibility of inpatient initiation of medication treatment, “Effectively linking to and retaining patients in post-discharge addiction care remains a challenge and warrants further innovation and program development.” The expanded hours of the Boston Medical Center bridge clinic has served as one way to address that.
An advantage that the hospital had in establishing this inpatient service was its history of strong outpatient services. These transitional services are still rare at the inpatient level across the country, partly because of challenges encountered in linking to outpatient care. “You often have to go to an outside source,” Weinstein says.
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How to get enough protein, without meat
One of my son’s eighth-grade friends recently became a vegetarian. He joins the approximately 4 percent of youths in this country (up from 2 percent 10 years ago) who eat meatless. As much as my boys respect his choice and recognize his passion for the environment that spurred the decision, neither of them truly understands it.
Although my sons eat plenty of vegetables, their most requested dinners include sausage, pork or ground beef. In fact, their favorite meal is grilled pork tenderloin with bacon corn relish. We call it “pig on pig.” We eat it with loads of green vegetables and rotate fish, chicken and quinoa on other nights. But I won’t lie: I make it a lot.
The boys asked how their friend could put on enough muscle, possess enough energy or be such a good athlete without meat. I told them that meat can be very good for growing boys and athletes, as its protein helps to build muscle, repair tissue, provide energy and balance mood — but it is by no means necessary. If he’s eating enough vegetarian sources of protein, iron and B vitamins, their friend will perform just as well. In fact, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ position on vegetarian diets is that “well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”
There are many athletes who have risen to the top ranks of their sports while being meat-free, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova, football hero Joe Namath, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, Olympic track star Carl Lewis, baseball slugger Prince Fielder and tennis icon Venus Williams. Ins 2011, Venus Williams was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that caused her to step off the court for a period. She attributes her strong return to tennis to her mostly vegan diet and better lifestyle choices such as rest days. Ricky Williams told Men’s Journal that going meat-free “changed my game, and it changed my body. I had tons of energy.”
There is no doubt that meat provides protein, but so do beans, eggs, nuts, yogurt and even broccoli. The following non-meat foods contain plenty of protein:
●Nuts and seeds (4-10 grams per 1 ounce serving): walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, almond butter, hemp, chia and flax seeds.
●Beans and legumes (7-10 grams per half-cup): black beans, white beans, lentils, chickpeas, hummus and green peas.
●Grains (5-8 grams per cup): quinoa, brown rice, oats, millet and barley.
●Soy (9-16 grams per ½ cup): tofu, edamame and tempeh.
●Fruits and veggies such as avocado (4 grams per cup), dark leafy greens (about 5 grams per cup) and broccoli (4 grams per cup).
●Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) and eggs provide 6-9 grams of protein per serving.
●Here’s a surprise: raw cacao nibs provide 4 grams of protein (plus antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) per 1 ounce serving.
According to the Institute of Medicine, we should all consume between 10 percent and 35 percent of our daily calories from protein. This really is not that much and can be easily achieved with the non-meat foods listed above.
Babies: 10 grams a day.
School-age kids: 19-34 grams a day.
Teenage boys: 52 grams a day.
Teenage girls: 46 grams a day.
Adult men: 56 grams a day.
Adult women: 46 grams a day (more if pregnant or breast-feeding).
There are many benefits to eating a well-balanced vegetarian diet including cost savings, loads of fiber (which aids in digestion), less saturated fat (good for the heart), and a wider variety of vitamins and minerals proven to reduce diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Just last month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced a pilot program to bring meatless Mondays to 15 public schools. His isn’t the first city to take this approach; Baltimore, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Sacramento and many other towns have launched similar programs in an effort to reduce obesity and halt climate change.
De Blasio is onto something: People can reduce their carbon footprints by cutting back on meat just once a week. According to the United Nations, the meat industry generates nearly a fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide. And approximately 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into making a pound of beef, far surpassing the amount needed for vegetables and grains.
I don’t eat a lot of meat myself; in fact, my 13-year-old son loves to tease me for eating so many vegetables. If I say I’m hungry, he encourages me to roast the potted plant in our hallway. I am doing just fine, even though I eat more vegetarian proteins than “pig on pig,” and so will his newly vegetarian friend.
More from Lifestyle: 10 ways to prepare for a fall full of healthy eating We want kids to have healthy bones? It will take more than a milk mustache. Fatty acids lower your risk of heart disease. Without fish, you’re missing out. Kids’ books that inspire healthy eating — without sounding like lessons
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November 13, 2017
Take The Gratitude Challenge
What are you grateful for this season? Take the gratitude challenge for five days to love yourself and others more.One question we might ask ourselves is how appreciative we are about the many people in our lives–loved ones and friends. How much love do we show them. At the same time, many of us are suffering from the negative impact of addiction in our lives. How can we feel good about loved ones who cause us pain, even in the gratitude season. Acceptance helps us and them.
Over 100 years ago, philosopher William James, who happens to be the father of American psychology, wrote that ‘the deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.’
Attitude of Gratitude Challenge
Here’s the challenge: show your appreciation of those around you simply appreciating them, regardless the behavior they exhibit.When we take time to acknowledge the people in our lives, our world become richer with meaningful connection to those we love, helping them to feel good about who they are.
Take The Challenge
Begin by telling one person what you love and appreciate about them. Do it for five consecutive days By making gratitude and appreciation part of our daily ritual, we program ourselves to recognize the good in ourselves and others. We will therefore hardwire ourselves to have more positive feeling than negative ones. This really works.
Professor Robert A. Emmons, world-renowned expert on gratitude, has shown through extensive research that gratitude effectively increases happiness, confidence and all-around wellbeing. Share what you love about others and in the process, you will find out that you love and appreciate yourself more too.
Gratitude in Action
My family has a Thanksgiving ritual, we pass around cards and ask all who sit around our Thanksgiving table to write what they are grateful for this year. We found out that most years people are grateful for the same things: their family, spouse or lover, a new friend. Turns out, it’s the people in our lives and not the things we most grateful for.
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