Road Trip!!!

   Tomorrow morning I'm leaving on a road trip with some very old friends.  Very old...as in length of time I've known them. Well, he's kind of old, but she's just a young women, like myself :)
   Anyway... they're driving half way across the country to visit relatives.  Knowing our son lives in London,  they kindly asked if either my husband and/or I would like to join them? They would drop us off in London and then pick us up on the return trip. 
   My husband is unable to make the trip but I've jumped at the chance!!   Road trips are my favourite mode of travel.  I know, I know...it does take forever to get anywhere, however, if my timeline is flexible and I'm not in a hurry I love to drive be chauffeured!!
   Amazing scenery, many book chapters to be read, maps to follow...I love charting our progress (... that's not normal is it?), magazines to flip through, long meaningful talks, naps to take, (this is why I can't drive), lists to make (I feel this may be another abnormality),  snacks, and many, many, many cups of coffee ....I love road trips!!!


Monica

STROKE - Anatomy of the brain, part 2

To be able to understand what happens to our bodies in the event of a stroke, we must first begin to understand the brain.

If you missed my last post, STROKE - Anatomy of the Brain, part 1, you can find it here.

In my last post I talked about how the brain is divided into three areas, the brain stem,  cerebellum and cerebrum.  How the cerebrum is made of two halves or hemispheres and each hemisphere is divided into portions called lobes.

Today, I'm going to go into a little more detail on the brain's hemispheres and lobes.  

Right hemisphere

• The right side of the brain controls artistic functions such as music, awareness of art and insight. It also controls the ability to understand spatial relations, recognize faces and focus your attention on something. People with a stroke on the right side may have trouble with these functions.

Left hemisphere

• The left side of the brain is responsible for scientific function, such as the ability to work with numbers (mathematical skills) and reasoning. It also is largely responsible for the ability to understand spoken language and the written word.

The lobes

The entire cerebrum is made up of two layers. The outermost layer is called entire cerebral cortex (gray matter).   The cortex is deeply wrinkled and three of the deepest folds are used to artificially divide the hemispheres into four distinct areas or lobes.

• Frontal lobe: In each hemisphere, the frontal lobe is responsible for movement (motor functions). A stroke in the right side of the frontal lobe will affect your ability to move the left side of your body, and vice versa.
• Parietal lobe: Behind the frontal lobe lies the parietal lobe. It is concerned mainly with sensory activities, such as receiving and interpreting information from all parts of the body. A stroke to the parietal lobes in the right hemisphere can cause agnosia, which means you can feel, see and hear, but may not be able to understand what you are perceiving. In other cases, a condition called neglect may develop. People with neglect have many sensory problems on the stroke-involved side of the body. As a result, they may ignore everything on that side.
• Temporal lobe: The temporal lobe controls hearing and memory and is also involved with auditory perception. Strokes in the temporal lobe of the dominant hemisphere (usually the left hemisphere) can cause a speech disorder known as Wernickes aphasia. Memories are stored in the inner part of the temporal lobe. Unless both the left and right lobes are damaged, memory loss after stroke is usually only temporary.
• Occipital lobe: The occipital lobe lies at the back of the head and is responsible for vision. A stroke in the left occipital lobe may result in losing the right side of your vision. Damage to the right occipital lobe can cause vision loss on your left side. In both cases, the eyes are functioning normally and the problem lies with the brain's ability to process information from the eyes.

Over several Wednesdays I will offer information on the following - 

• Anatomy of the brain √
• Ischemic stroke - next Wednesday
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
• Hemorragic stroke
• Stroke in children (Paediatric stroke)
• Effects of a stroke

 All information contained in this post was obtained, with permission, from the Heart and Stroke Foundation  website. Please visit their site for more information.

Monica
Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.

I'm the host of tonight's Book Club meeting...help!!!

I'm taking a short break (aka "procrastinating")  from my frantic cooking and cleaning!! House is pretty well set to go, just a couple more little things to do.
Wine is chilling...the most important task of the day.  I still have to get the hors d'oeuvre tray together, I've decided to do an antipasto platter with some cheeses, meats, roasted garlic, vegetables and a nice loaf of olive bread and a crusty baguette. For dessert, (in our group we just do appetizer and dessert), a new recipe...I know, what am I thinking, but we're all good friends!!
The dessert is called "Death by Chocolate" and it's a bundt cake...well, if you have to go, it may as well be by chocolate!!  I also know how it acquired that name.  My eyes, damn them, wandered down the recipe and were instantly fixed on the calorie count and grams of fat per slice.  I would tell you the sinful details, but then I'd have to kill you...by feeding you a piece of this cake, of course!!
  
Do you belong to a book group?
Who's in it?
What do you do as far as "hosting" duties go?
How often do you meet?
I'd love to hear how other groups function so tell me all the details!!


Well, things aren't going to get done with me procrastinating at the computer, so back to the cooking and cleaning I go!! 

Monica

~ WINNER ~ Rafflecopter Round-Up

• ×1Win a trio of stunning 5x7 prints, courtesy of Oak Lawn Images.

PICK THE WINNERSANNOUNCED! (UNDO)

• 68 Nicole Mezquita Follow @oaklawnlady on Twitter
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Results powered by Random.org

Congratulations to Nicole and thank-you to everyone who took the time to enter!
Monica

WINNERS

• Three prize packs, each one consisting of two x 12oz bags of Reunion Island, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Costa Rica coffee and one Stainless Steel Travel mug.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Entry #731955nurse

Entry #79nicolthepickle

Entry #18Denise Glazier

results powered by Random.org

Congratulations to the lucky winners and thank-you to everyone who took the time to enter!


Monica

Living Green, One Tip at a Time - (a weekly feature)

Tip # 26

Buy Local....

...it's that wonderful time of the year when all the markets and roadside stands are bursting with fresh produce! Support your community growers by creating a Saturday morning family adventure by visiting your local markets, farm stands and u-picks.
In fact, in about 10 minutes,  my sister and I are heading off to a local farmers market and then on to a market called "Harvesting the Arts".  Should be a fun day!!
Do you like to shop at local farmers markets?

Monica

I'm So Confused!!!

I don't know what's wrong with me this week, I'm feeling all "dazed and confused".

   I have to apologize,  I completely missed my weekly Wednesday post, and in it's place, put my Saturday post???? What's with that?? 
   Wednesday should have been part two of "Anatomy of the Brain"...(just when my brain appears to be completely absent...that's quite ironic isn't it!!)
   I've rescheduled Saturday's post to it's correct day and hopefully, if my brain co-operates, I'll be back on track on this coming Wednesday with the missed post - Part 2 of  "Anatomy of the Brain".

Phew...now I need a nap...




Monica

~ CLOSED ~ Rafflecopter Round-Up - CANADA and Continental USA

Be sure to follow our hosts Makobi Scribe  and Simply Stacie  

Win a trio of stunning 5x7 prints, courtesy of Oak Lawn  Images

Kathy, and her husband Bob, operate a home based business called Oak Lawn Images.  They sell individually crafted greeting cards and prints.  The stunning works of art in her portfolio are all images, taken by Kathy, of the scenic New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island areas.
Oak Lawn Images has very generously donated this trio of 5x7 photographs.  This enchanting collection will be won by a very lucky reader of Older Mommy, Still Yummy!!


Driftwood - New River Beach - NB

Rocks, Sand and Rugged Shore -  Bay of Fundy, NB

Algae Covered Post - Bay of Fundy, NB

Buy It - 

To view the complete Oak Lawn Images collection or to order your own photos or greeting cards, visit Kathy at her Oak Lawn Images  Blog or Facebook site.

Monica

(If you are new to Rafflecopter, click here for a 45 sec. tutorial on how to enter.)

Rainforest Alliance Week is September 19th - 23rd

Small Actions = Big Changes

Help support a healthier planet.  During Rainforest Alliance Week  and beyond take even one small step toward sustainability.  Choose coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, paper and furniture that features the green frog seal.  Be sure to tell friends, family and everyone you know to follow the frog!!

The Rainforest Alliance uses the power of markets to stop the major drivers of deforestation and environmental destruction: timber extraction, agricultural expansion, cattle ranching and tourism.  They work to ensure millions of acres of working forests, farms, ranch lands and hotel properties are managed according to rigorous sustainability standards.  And by linking those businesses to conscientious consumers, who identify their goods and services through the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal and Rainforest Alliance Verified™ mark, they demonstrate that sustainable practices can help businesses thrive in the modern economy.
The information contained in this post was obtained from -

• Rainforest Alliance
• The Frog Blog

You can follow Rainforest Alliance on -  

• Facebook 
• Twitter

Just one of the many ways Reunion Island Coffee is celebrating Rainforest Alliance Week is by sponsoring a great giveaway with 3 winners!!  You can enter here.  Good-luck!!

Monica

~ CLOSED ~ Reunion Island Coffee, Review and Giveaway

Anyone who knows me can attest to my great love for coffee. We always grind our own beans and make a 14 cup pot to start our day. Yes, you read that correctly, 14 cups!!  However, I don't drink it all, my husband works from home and I share it with him!

Reunion Island Coffee  is celebrating Rainforest Alliance Week,  September 19-23, 2011. To help promote awareness and to share in the festivities I recently tested their Rainforest Alliance Certified, Costa Rica, La Hilda Estate, whole bean coffee.  

For information on Rainforest Alliance Certified products, please watch this short video.

When my review package arrived, as soon as I opened the box, I could smell the delicious coffee aroma.  I was already looking forward to the next morning when I could taste this heavenly smelling coffee. 
I always try to be environmentaly conscious and supporting sustainable farming is just one way to help our planet thrive. 
Reunion Island has a similar philosophy and they searched for a coffee that would meet their flavour and quality preferences while being sustainably farmed  They found that coffee at the La Hilda Estate in Costa Rica`s Central Valley region.  This Rainforest Alliance Certified farm benefits from rich volcanic soil, high altitude and four generations of coffee growing experience.
I am not a coffee connoisseur by any means, but the resulting coffee is clean and balanced. When I took my first sip I could taste honey and a slight nutty flavour, the coffee left no after-taste, just a crisp sweetness. 

If you are looking for a great cup of medium bodied coffee, look no further, this is the coffee for you!

 My review package...love the coffee and have already used the travel mug several times!

BUY IT - 

To purchase any of their amazing coffees, teas or general merchandise,  visit the Reunion Island website and use the code word "yummy" for free shipping on purchases over $19.00

WIN IT - 

The very kind people at Reunion Island are giving away three prize packs,  just like my review package, pictured above.  Each one consisting of - 

• two x 12oz bags of Reunion Island, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Costa Rica coffee
• one Stainless Steel Travel mug.  

AND if that wasn't amazing enough...

Reunion Island is also giving away a BUNN My Café to one lucky Facebook fan this month, so be sure to join their page soon, you don't want to miss this!! 
MANDATORY ENTRY -
Visit the Reunion Island website and tell me, in the comment section below this form,  about something you learned or a product you would love to try.  (Excluding the product I reviewed)   

Read more »

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"

I'm watching E.T. on Bravo, this is undoubtedly one of my favourite movies of all time.   Wow, I just checked to see when it was released and I can hardly believe it's almost 30 years old!

 In case you're from another planet and have never seen this amazing movie, here are the details.   It is a 1982 film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas (as Elliott), Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore (as an adorable little pre-schooler) and Peter Coyote.  It tells the story of Elliot, a boy who befriends a stranded extraterrestrial, who he calls E.T..  Elliott and his brother and sister try to help the extraterrestrial return home while keeping him hidden from their mother and the government employees who are searching for him. 

Who could ever forget E.T first saying "ELL...I...OTT"  or his heartbreaking "ET...phone...home!"
Awhhh....I love this movie and it brings back such great memories!!


Monica

Living Green, One Tip at a Time - (a weekly feature)

Tip # 25


I feel I've reached a bit of a "green tips" milestone, with this being week number 25.  So, in honour of this, I'm offering a green tip in a little different format and presenting a short (1 min. 48sec.) video I found while on You Tube.  It's titled,  How To Go Green and Save Some Green At the Same Time... hope you enjoy!

Monica

A walk in the woods

My sister and I just returned from a brisk hike on Matthew's Brook Trail, located here in Quispamsis, NB. 
It is such a beautiful, dare I say it, "fall-like" day.  The sun is shining and there is a definite chill in the air. 
While walking we were marvelling at the "flora and fauna".  We saw squirrels, heard lots of birds chirping, there were signs of deer having munched on some fallen apples, we saw several types of mushrooms (I would love to know if they are edible), lots of mosses and ferns, fir trees, spruce trees, fragrant cedar trees, apple trees and many varieties of wild flowers.  Yes, we even saw quite a few magnificently coloured leaves that had fallen from maple, ash and birch trees. 
The calendar may still read summer, however, the surroundings are reading fall.
We didn't have a camera with us, so I've "borrowed" these two pictures from my sister over at Oak Lawn Images...they weren't taken this morning but they do portray the feel of the day!

Next time we go for a walk,  I'll ask her to bring her camera, then I can show you exactly how pretty it is!
What is it like where you live? 
Are there any signs of the approaching autumn?


Monica

~ CLOSED ~ "Confessions of a Catholic Cop", Review and Giveaway

I have to be honest;  I was a little hesitant about doing this review.  I'm more of a history, biography, "top 10 book club” type of girl.  When I saw the cover, I tried to get my husband to read it and do the review, I thought it was more his type of book.  He told me I, “had agreed to do the review and had an obligation to the author and publisher”, and even though I’m stubborn and reluctant to admit this, he was absolutely correct. 

Let me reiterate, that which has been said a thousand times ...you can’t judge a book by its cover!  Confessions of a Catholic Cop is a white knuckled, first-rate mystery. Thomas Fitzsimmons, the author and an ex-New York City police officer takes you on a journey through the shadows of the gritty New York Bronx.  You meet a wide variety of characters from high powered NY executives to local thugs, and corrupt cops to sketchy bar owners.

The story follows an honest Bronx cop, who moonlights as a supporting character on Law and Order, and his very disturbed partner, as they try to solve a string of mysterious arsons. Clue after clue brings them closer to what they suspect is a huge cover-up. The action is non-stop and the mystery propels you deeper and deeper.

This book does contain strong language and violence; however, it is necessary to relay an authentic story.  In general, this book was a fascinating read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling mystery. 

BUY IT - 

You can purchase this book online or from most major book retailers. The best bargain is the Kindle/Nook editions. 

WIN IT -

One lucky reader will win "Confessions of a Catholic Cop" in their choice of eBook or hard copy.

MANDATORY ENTRY - 

Visit here and then in the comment section, below this Rafflecopter entry form, tell me something you learned about Thomas Fitzsimmons.  Let me know you did this using the Rafflecopter form below.

Read more »

STROKE - Anatomy of the brain

To be able to understand what happens to our bodies in the event of a stroke, we must first begin to understand the brain.

If you missed my first post on STROKE, you can find it HERE

What is the brain?

Different parts of the brain control different functions. When someone has a stroke, the functions that are affected depend upon which area of the brain was damaged and how much damage occurred. Learning what the different parts of the brain do can help you understand why the effects of stroke can be so different among different people.

What are the parts of the brain?

The brain is divided into three areas, the brain stem, cerebellum and cerebrum:

Brain Stem

The brain stem sits at the base of the brain and connects to the top of your spine. It maintains important body functions such as breathing, swallowing, digestion, eye movement and your heartbeat. Strokes in the brain stem are often fatal, but when they are not, they affect many of these functions.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located at the bottom of the brain, at the back of your head. It is attached to the back of the brain stem, and looks like a miniature brain. It helps control some automatic responses and behaviours, simple movements such as picking up a small object, and more complicated tasks such as balancing. A stroke in this part of the brain could cause a lack of coordination, clumsiness, shaking or other movement disorders.

Cerebrum

Also known as the "thinking brain," the cerebrum is the main, bulky part of your brain. This is where thinking and muscle control occurs. The cerebrum is made of two halves or hemispheres. Each hemisphere is divided into portions called lobes.

Usually, one of these hemispheres is slightly more developed and is called the dominant side. The dominant side is where written and spoken language is organized. In almost all of us, the left hemisphere is dominant even if you are right handed. Because the nervous system is set up in a cross-over design, the right side of your brain controls the left side of your body, and vice versa.

Over the next several weeks I will offer information on the following - 

• Anatomy of the brain...continued - next Wednesday
• Ischemic stroke
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
• Hemorragic stroke
• Stroke in children (Paediatric stroke)
• Effects of a stroke

 All information contained in this post was obtained, with permission, from the Heart and Stroke Foundation  website. Please visit their site for more information.

Monica
Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.