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From An Outside Eye: The Suffering of Plague, and the Plague of Suffering

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:00:33 -0700

Here's a lesson on suffering from the OnSugar blog An Outside Eye.

In my last blog I went on and on about how, when I finally succumbed to the plague for the first time this season, I took pristine, unwavering, ferocious care of myself and immediately started to feel better.

But alas, that wasn't the end of the story.

On day two of my plague, I decided to brave leaving the house in order to go to my Buddhism class at Spirit Rock. I bundled up, made a thermos of hot herbal tea, turned the heat as high as it would go in the Subie, and off I went.

That night, our class was all about the First Noble Truth: There is suffering.

As I sat through the dharma talk, I got colder and colder, and sniffier and sniffier, and felt more and more like dying. The next morning, I woke up with amplified, exponential plague.

I totally get that suffering is optional.

I totally get that it's the story we create around our experience that causes suffering.

I totally get that, with practice, we can step back and disassociate ourselves from the suffering.

I know all these things in theory. But in practice it's a whole different story. I'm not sure if it's ironic or apropos that the morning after the dharma talk on suffering, I felt more suffering than I've ever felt in my life (yes, I'm exaggerating, obviously).

To find out what Joslyn learned about suffering continue reading.

Speak Up: How Do You Handle a Sick Co-Worker?

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:12 -0800

It's officially cold and flu season at Sugar HQ. While there are more desks than usual sitting empty - a telltale sign of a co-worker resting at home - I'm also surrounded by the sounds of my colleagues' coughs and sniffles. Not without blame, I'm part of this crew. In my defense, I did stay home through the worst of my cold and returned to the office today with only a slight cough.

A recent article in the Boston Globe explored the delicate balance of handling a sick co-worker and the best way to tell them to skedaddle when they're too sick to work. Working at the office won't do much to further their wellness, says the article, and of course the infected risk spreading their germs from cubicle to cubicle like a wildfire. In the time of the swine, no one wants to be sitting next to the person hacking up phlegm.

To find out how to tell a sick colleague to go home, read more.

How do you tell a dedicated employee to go home and rest, and ultimately do you say anything at all? The article suggests the polite approach: "‘It looks like you’re not feeling well, you really should be at home because that’s where you’re going to recover and recuperate. How can I help you wrap up what you’re doing so you can get home?’’’ But sometimes going home means no pay - what about those employees who cannot afford to take the time off? Do we just stock up on extra bottles of hand sanitizer and cross our fingers that we'll remain unscathed?

It still seems better for one employee to take a few days off then risk infecting the entire staff, but in every office environment you're bound to encounter people who don't feel comfortable missing work. If that's the case, the article suggests sending around "an e-mailed link to one of the many humorous videos floating across the Web that encourage good disease etiquette, such as coughing into the crook of the elbow and washing hands frequently." This doesn't seem like much of a solution, but it should brighten up the day of those feeling under the weather. Laughter is always good medicine in my book.

This article definitely raises a pertinent question: Would you be able to tell a sick co-worker to go home? How would you handle it? Please share your ideas with me in the comments section below.

Another Reason to Exercise: It Protects Against Swine Flu

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:30:56 -0800

The benefits of exercise seem to be neverending - among other things, it helps the brain function better, reduces stress, and is important for healthy heart function. But, if you need another reason to get out there and start moving, exercise may also protect against swine flu.

I've read that exercise helps boost the body's immune system and that doing some light cardio is good during a cold, so it made sense that it could also help protect against swine flu. But given how quickly the virus has spread, coupled with a shortage of the vaccine, I think any new advice is beneficial and should be taken seriously.

While there has not been a study on the benefits of exercise in relation to swine flu specifically, there have been numerous findings that show exercise boosts the immunity system and may protect against colds and seasonal flus.

“There is evidence that moderate exercise or physical activity can be beneficial in terms of reducing the incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract infections from all causes,” says Jeffrey Woods, a professor of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “And at least one report … has shown that exercise may be protective against influenza-associated [deaths] in the elderly.”

Because of these findings, some researchers feel comfortable suggesting that exercise may be a preventative measure against swine flu.

To hear why individuals who overtrain may be more prone to swine flu, read more.

Researchers stress that moderate activity is key in protecting yourself against respiratory infections such as swine flu. Overtraining and/or participating in "grueling endurance events such as marathons" can weaken the body's immune system and temporarily make individuals more susceptible to infection and injury - even more so than those who don't exercise at all.

But before you skip out on a vaccine for an hour on the treadmill, be aware that exercise is not a cure or a force field that will protect you from swine flu or even a cold on its own: "a third of people who develop serious complications from swine flu were perfectly healthy beforehand."

Exercise is however, another level of protection that we can give ourselves in addition to getting vaccinated, washing our hands, and eating healthy foods.

Wash Up! Clean Hands Quiz

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:30:35 -0800

With cold and flu and swine flu season upon us, it's imperative to get into the healthy habit of washing your hands. But this everyday activity has plenty of facts and fiction tied to it. Do you know your hand-washing facts? Take my quiz and see if you clean up.

Take the quiz

The Scoop: First H1N1 Cat Case Confirmed by AVMA

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Following last week's case in Oregon where vets confirmed the first H1N1 transmission between a human and a pet ferret, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has confirmed that a 13-year-old, indoor-only cat in Iowa in fact has swine flu.

While it's uncommon for flu viruses (like the H3N8 for dogs) to jump between species, doctors at Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine performed two sets of tests to find the feline was in fact infected. According to her owners, they had been sick with flu-like symptoms before noticing the cat was ill and, until recently, there was no reason to think cats could catch the 2009 swine flu. Kitty symptoms are primarily respiratory, which includes sneezing and teary eyes, as well as any unusual food refusal.

Get the CDC's tips for interacting with all pets (and people) when you read more.

As with humans, the CDC recommends:

Wash your hands frequently.
Cough or sneeze into elbows.
Discard any tissues out of reach of cats.
As hard as this is, be a little less affectionate with your animal (distance-wise) while you're ill.

Source: Flickr User theogeo

Do You Use Herbal Remedies?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:56 -0800

I ran into a friend this week who was on his way to an herbal medicine shop to bulk up on tinctures and teas because his wife is sick.

I've dabbled a little bit with herbal remedies - ginger for an upset stomach and echinacea for a cold - but not to the extent that he and his wife do. He said that for minor illnesses they only use herbal remedies, and that they're more effective than drugstore meds.

I'm still dubious about herbal remedies because the research is a bit spotty, but I think there may be some benefits to their use. What do you think of them? If you've had any experiences with using herbal remedies, share your thoughts in the comments section.

Yummy Links: From Katie Lee to Top Chef 7

partysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:15:43 -0700

Katie Lee admits that having the last name Joel helped her career get started.- New York Magazine
Black ravioli with pumpkin is the perfect Halloween dinner.- Saveur
Feeling sick? Start eating these flu-fighting foods.- The Epi-Log
Here are 10 creepy but festive Halloween recipes- Endless Simmer
An inside look at Ad Hoc at Home, Thomas Keller's new cookbook. - Eat Me Daily
Celebrate Fall by turning tortillas into leaf-shaped chips. - Eddie Ross
Singing and dancing in the grocery store is so much fun! - Serious Eats
Get a glimpse of the Top Chef season seven casting call. - 7x7

Garlic Does More Than Scare Away Vampires

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:30:23 -0700

I love garlic. I can't think of any savory meal where I don't use it, and I also take garlic supplements. It's something my doctor recommended because she believes it helps regulate digestion and ward off colds. Turns out she's right, at least about the preventing colds part.

A study followed two groups - one that took garlic supplements and another that took a placebo - and found that the garlic group came down with fewer colds, and recovered faster too. Researchers aren't exactly clear why it helps, but some suggest that allicin, a main component of the pungent vegetable, blocks enzymes that play a part in causing infections.

It's also not clear if garlic works after the onset of a cold, or if it needs to be taken as a preventative measure. Until more research comes in, I'll keep taking my supplements regularly.

Does Your Tot Have the Flu or a Cold?

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:18 -0700

Parents monitor their sick child's symptoms around the clock. Every sneeze, sniffle, and spike in temperature is noted. So how does mama know if her child is suffering from a pesky cold, the seasonal flu, or the H1N1 virus? Take the quiz to test your flu and cold smarts.

Question 1 of 7

Your child is complaining that his body hurts, but he can't pinpoint where or why. You suspect he is achy. Aches and pains are a symptom of __________.

Cold Water Works Just as Well

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:47:13 -0700

Germs are everywhere. Swine flu, regular flu, our homes, the gym - there's no escaping the little buggers. One of the best ways to protect yourself is still the easiest: wash those hands! If you're like me, you probably believe that the hotter the water, the better. Not so, says a recent study.

Conducted by scientists with the Joint Bank Group/Fund Health Services Department, the study looked at the bacteria levels of participants after they washed their hands in different water temperatures. The results showed no difference in levels between participants who washed their hands in hot water versus those who washed in cold. The scientists went on to say that tepid water is a better choice for hand washing because it's gentler on the skin and it's better for the environment.

I think it'll take me a little while to adjust to this change - something about washing my hands in hot water just feels safer. When you do wash up, though, make sure you always use soap and lather up for at least 30 seconds.