Food for Thought : What Your Pee Is Telling You

By Everyday Health Guest Columnist

By Troy Sukkarieh, MD, Special to Everyday Health
Troy Sukkarieh, MD is a board-certified urologic surgeon with fellowship training in robotics and advanced laparoscopic surgery. He is on staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, New Jersey, where he also maintains a private practice.

There is no perfect urine. Your quality and quantity of your urine can change based on your health and lifestyle. However, it’s important to know what is normal for you. This way, you can relay any serious or bothersome changes to your doctor.

Urine has been a useful diagnostic tool since the beginning of medicine. The color, density, smell, and frequency of your urine can reveal useful information about your health. It can also tell if you are properly hydrated, taking medication or vitamins, or have an infection.

What Color Is the Right Color for Urine?

If you don’t see any color, you might be drinking too much water or coffee. Deeper shades of yellow and amber can indicate that you are dehydrated. The color of urine can range from completely clear to gold, and can include unusual colors like red and blue.

Here are some clues about what different urine colors may indicate:

1 .  Blue-green urine may be the result of certain medications such as laxatives, chemotherapy drugs, or vitamins. If you aren’t taking any of these meds, and you continue to see this color for more than a few days, call your doctor to discuss.
2 .  Bright yellow or orange urine can indicate you’ve consumed a lot of vitamin C, carrots, beets, or other foods in the orange family. Some medications can turn your urine this color as well.
3 .  Dark orange or brown urine is cause for concern. This may mean you have bile in your urine or a problem with your liver.
Pink or red urine can simply indicate you’ve eaten red-tinted food. On a more serious note, this can also be a sign of blood in your urine. Bloody urine may indicate internal injury, kidney issues, or cancer.
5 .  Cloudy urine has been found to suggest the presence of phosphates, which can be a precursor to kidney stones. Cloudiness can also indicate an infection. If cloudiness worsens and you experience burning or urgency, make sure to see a doctor.

You May Be Able to Smell a Health Issue

Most of the time, if you are healthy and well hydrated, your urine will not have a strong smell. But these odors may spell trouble:

1 .  Foul smell. The bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) can produce a foul smell. Symptoms of a UTI include burning during urination, fever, chills, and back pain. If you have a urinary infection, you will need to be prescribed an antibiotic.
2 .  Sweet smell.  Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of diabetes or liver disease.
3 .  Musty smell. Certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine as well.
4 .  Keep in mind that consuming certain foods and beverages — coffee and asparagus in particular — can give urine a stronger smell as well, which is completely normal.

You Have to Go NOW, or You Have to Go Often

Most people take bathroom breaks about six to eight times a day, depending on how much they drink. If you’re constantly feeling the urge to go (without drinking any extra fluids), the frequency of urination can indicate an overactive bladder, urinary tract infection, interstitial cystitis (painful urination without an infection), or diabetes.

Urgency means you need to go right away, have difficulty holding it in, and wake up several times during the night to use the bathroom. For men, urgency and frequency, could be symptoms of a bladder problem or, more commonly, an enlarged prostate — known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, through which urine leaves the body. As the gland grows bigger, it can press on the urethra and cause a variety of changes in urination.

Some men assume drinking less water will lessen urgency and frequency, but dehydration can cause urinary issues as well. BPH can also cause incomplete emptying of your bladder, so you still feel like you have to go again minutes later. This isn’t a medical condition to be ignored, and it typically won’t go away on its own.

Increased frequency and urgency in women may be a symptom of an infection, kidney stones, or a more serious condition.

The Importance of a Tried-and-True Urinalysis

You can learn a lot about what’s going on inside your body by looking at your urine. For example, blood in your urine can indicate a significant health issue, and it isn’t always visible to the human eye. You may need a urinalysis to find it. The same can be said for the volume of sugar in your urine, which could indicate an increased risk of diabetes.

Only a proper urinalysis, one taken at your doctor’s office or medical lab, can accurately diagnose potential medical issues like these.

We’re all tempted to roll our eyes when the doctor hands us a plastic cup, requesting a urine sample. But that sample can provide a number of important insights regarding your health. It’s one of the easiest — and most valuable — tests you can undergo every year, regardless of your age or medical history.

A proud grand-poppa                 G.

mmMaxy sez :Diabetes-Friendly Meals the Whole Family Will Love

You can modify family favorites without sacrificing taste. The whole crew will benefit from healthier eating.

By Beth W. Orenstein | Medically reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

When Mom or Dad is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you might think that cooking for the family is going to become a huge hassle because you’ll need to make two versions of every meal. Not so, said Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, LDN, CDE, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The same smart ingredients used in dishes for a diabetes meal plan will benefit every family member, and no one has to be the wiser.

The two pillars of a diabetes meal plan are controlling carbs (foods that easily convert to sugar) and eating heart healthy, Dobbins said. “We all can benefit from controlling portions, and we’re all at risk for heart disease,” she pointed out. If your kids grow up eating healthy, they’ll develop good habits that can last them a lifetime.

These culinary adaptations will satisfy the needs of the family member with type 2 diabetes, and no one else will even notice that they’re eating lower-carb meals or feel they’re missing out:
Cook with oil, not butter. Solid animal fats, like butter and lard, are high in saturated fat. Use healthier vegetable fats like canola and olive oil, but use them sparingly. Fat is high in calories, so using less can help you keep your weight in check.

Bake and broil. Bake, broil, or grill lean proteins like chicken and fish rather than dredging them in flour or breadcrumbs and frying. You’ll also want to skip heavy toppings like cream sauces and gravies. Add flavor to proteins with zesty spice rubs instead; they’ll be just as tasty and a lot more diabetes-friendly and heart healthy, Dobbins said.

Eat more fish. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating seafood two to three times a week. Steamed, poached and microwaved fillets are especially diabetes-friendly because they don’t require extra fat for cooking. If your family loves pasta, try serving sautéed shrimp or scallops over a small serving of whole grain noodles with mixed vegetables.

Lose the (beef) fat. If your family enjoys an occasional steak or roast, you don’t have to strike it from your grocery list completely. But for better health for everyone, choose leaner cuts of beef such as round, sirloin, and flank steak. Avoid cuts with white   white marbling, which is streaks of fat, and trim any visible fat from the cuts you do buy.

Need a burger fix? If you’re buying ground beef, look for labels that say it’s at least 90 percent lean. Better yet, substitute ground turkey to make tacos, meatballs, chili, and meatloaf into heart-smart meals.

Don’t be piggy. You can keep pork on the menu by choosing leaner Canadian bacon instead of fatty bacon and making boneless ham, pork tenderloin, boneless loin roast,  or center-cut loin chops instead of fatty ribs. “A lot of pork is very lean,” Dobbins said. You’ll still want to limit saltier cuts like Canadian bacon and ham to avoid eating too much sodium.

Substitute low-fat dairy. Using low-fat dairy in place of full-fat is an easy way to instantly trim major calories and saturated fat. When a recipe calls for whole milk, simply substitute 1 or 2 percent. Instead of full fat cheese, use a low-fat fat variety. You can use luxuriously thick non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt in many recipes that call for sour cream. If you’re worried about getting push back from tough critics at the dinner table, start by substituting just half of the dairy called for in a recipe with the low-fat version. If your family doesn’t notice (or gradually adjusts), you may eventually be able to substitute all of it.

Choose whole grains. Whole grains have been shown to help stabilize blood sugar, Dobbins said, and they have a nice, nutty flavor. Substitute brown rice for white rice in recipes and as a side dish. Opt for whole grain breads and pastas over those made from refined white flour. Another health perk: Whole grains are rich in fiber, which reduces risk for heart disease and helps fill you up so you eat less.

Sneak in more vegetables. Most vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, along with health-boosting vitamins. When following recipes, double the amount of non-starchy vegetables like peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli called for in soups and casseroles. Add sliced veggies to pasta sauce, and make the sauce tomato, not cream, based. When you pick up pizza for the gang, order it with  vegetables only, like broccoli and mushrooms, rather than fatty, salty meat toppings.

Up the bean count. Beans are a diabetes super food. They’re high in fiber and protein, so they fill you up and keep you fuller longer. You can add canned beans to salads, soups, and casseroles. Or, take a break from your favorite beef or turkey chili and try a vegetable bean version instead. Beans do have carbs – roughly 15 grams for 1/3 to 1/2 cup of beans, so make sure you include them if you count carbs.

Reduce sugar in recipes. Family members don’t have to give up their favorite sweets after mom or dad is diagnosed with diabetes. You can leave out a third of the sugar in most recipes without affecting taste or texture. The savings are substantial: in a recipe that originally calls for 2 cups of sugar, trimming 2/3 cup will slash more than 500 calories and well over 100 grams sugar. Pull back on the sweet stuff and exercise portion control, and everyone can enjoy a sampling and not feel deprived.

Serve smaller portions. Our portion sizes have grown dramaticallyServe smaller portions. Our portion sizes have grown dramatically over the years, so cutting back is a smart idea for everyone. Serve family favorites – just be sure everyone eats one serving, not two or three. No matter how healthy the food, if you eat too much, you’ll gain weight, Dobbins said.

A Meal Plan That Works for the Entire Family

“A diabetes diet is a healthy diet that everyone should be following,” Dobbins said. It’s not as restrictive as many people might think and, with some smart substitutions and portion control, you and your family can sit down together to great meals that are a far cry from bland, boring “health food.”

Funny Owls ... For Man

Some people in Canada have owls as pets. I don't think you are allowed to in the USA. They are birds of prey and the very large ones can be dangerous. But the small ones like barn owls can be tamed and they are very cute. I wouldn't want one because you have to feed them live mice. I would end up keeping the mice as pets too. Enjoy



Chicken and Rice with Fresh Chorizo

2          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4          links fresh chorizo or hot Italian sausage
4          whole chicken legs
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2           garlic cloves, minced
1           medium red onion, coarsely chopped
1           red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2       teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4      cup dry white wine
1          28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
6          cups chicken stock
1-1/2   cups long-grain rice
1          cup frozen peas, thawed
3          scallions, coarsely chopped
2           tablespoons chopped cilantro
1          jalapeño, seeded and minced

1 . In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the chorizo, cover and cook over moderate heat, turning once, until richly browned and just cooked through, 10 minutes; transfer to a plate. Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper and add them to the casserole, skin side down. Cook over moderately high heat until browned, 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to the plate with the chorizo.

2 .  Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the casserole. Add the garlic, onion and bell pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 minutes. Add the turmeric and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the wine and boil over high heat until almost evaporated, 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Return the chorizo and chicken to the casserole along with any accumulated juices. Simmer over low heat until   the chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.

3 .  In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until coated with oil. Stir in 5 cups of the chicken cooking liquid into the rice. Cover partially and cook over moderately low heat, stirring often, until the rice is just tender and has absorbed most of the cooking liquid, about 25 minutes. Stir in the peas, scallions, cilantro and jalapeño and warm over low heat. Season with salt and pepper.

4 .  Cut each chorizo link into 3 pieces and return them to the casserole. Gently reheat the chicken and chorizo. Spoon the rice onto large plates and top with the chorizo pieces and chicken. Spoon some of the remaining cooking liquid on top and serve.
PAIRING :
The jalapeño and chorizo in this dish give it a kick of heat; tannins in red wine will intensify that, so choose a wine that's low in tannin, like Pinot Noir.
Heart  healthy

My Back Yard

The rains came and melted all the snow and our stream flooded

See how fast the water is flowing. And it is quite deep. You can hear Brian calling Mika. If she fell in she would probably be washed away. In the summer  when the water was high and fast, after a storm, the children used to get on inner-tubes and ride the rapids .

Food for Thought :Midlife Sex Myths That Sabotage Your Love Life

 By Sandra Gordon

Have Satisfying Sex at Any Age
When you hear the words “sex ed,” you probably think of teaching children about the birds and the bees. But women’s health experts say that there’s a lot that you can still learn about your sexual health, whether you’ve been part of a committed couple for decades, are single, divorced, or dating. Myths about things such as desire and orgasms can linger from your younger years, and new issues can crop up as you or your partner enter menopause or contend with other health concerns. One of the biggest misconceptions: Age will sour your sex life. “Many women in midlife say the quality of sex is better than ever because they know themselves and what pleases them, and they feel an intimacy and connection with their partner that’s unique to this stage of life,” says Barb DePree, MD, director of Women’s Midlife Services at Holland Hospital, in Holland, Michigan, and founder of middlesexmd.com. Beyond that, here are common sex myths that doctors hear all the time — and the truth about how to have a satisfying sex life at any age or stage.

Myth: Menopause Steals Your Sex Drive

During perimenopause and menopause, levels of the sex drive-boosting hormones estrogen and testosterone do decrease, so you probably won’t feel in the mood as often as you did in your twenties or thirties when a woman’s sexual desire is at its peak. But don’t expect your libido to take a complete nosedive either. In fact, since sex drive is partly psychological, the opposite may be true. “Some women find that their libido increases when the kids are out of the house and after menopause when they don’t have to worry about getting pregnant,” says Margorie Gass, MD, executive director of the North American Menopause Society. Sex drive is such a personal thing, and you have to go with your gut for what feels normal for you. If you’ve noticed a big dip lately, talk to your gynecologist about it, because a decrease in sex drive has been linked to a number of serious health problems, from depression to type 2 diabetes.

                               Myth: Men Always Want Sex

If he’s not that into sex lately, don’t assume that he’s just not into you. All men experience some degree of “male menopause” — a combination of aging, decreased circulation, and lower testosterone levels that can affect a man’s sexual desire, arousal, endurance, and emotional health, says Steven Lindheim, MD, professor of reproductive endocrinology at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to normal aging, something else could be affecting him physically or emotionally, such as stress, side effects of certain medications, and health concerns such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Suggest that he see a doctor to rule out medical and emotional issues. You might say something like, “Honey, you haven’t seen a doctor in a while. It’s definitely time for a check-up to make sure everything is okay.” Then, use touch or a glance to help him get your drift without bruising his ego. Also, as they get older, most men need more stimulation, either visual or tactile, to achieve an erection. Keep an open mind and consider expanding your usual repertoire to experiment with new positions, toys, lingerie, and more.

Myth: Sex After Menopause Hurts Too Much to Feel Good

As many as 50 percent of postmenopausal women experience vaginal atrophy, a condition in which tissue becomes thin and dry as a result of lower hormone levels, according to a 2010 study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. It can make penetration so painful that you don’t want to have sex, but there's still a lot you can do to make intercourse appealing. “I’ve had patients come in complaining of a low sex drive when, in fact, the problem is vaginal atrophy and pain with intercourse,” says Alan Altman, MD, president of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, in Aspen, Colorado. Women who don’t have sex regularly are most susceptible to vaginal atrophy because sex boosts blood flow to the vagina to help maintain healthy tissue. Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers or a prescription estrogen cream can rejuvenate the vagina to make sex feel good again. Moisturizers are applied a few times a week to alleviate dryness; however, most lubricants are for immediate use right before intercourse. Whatever you do, don’t “lube” with Vaseline or mineral oil, which actually dry out the vagina. If topical estrogen, a vaginal moisturizer, and lubricant don’t help, ask your doctor if oral hormone therapy is a good option for you.

Myth: I'm Not Capable of Having Orgasms

While about 25 percent of women frequently report issues having orgasms, fewer than 5 percent are actually physically unable to, according to Dr. DePree, so don’t be too quick to count yourself among them. Even if you’ve never been able to climax in the past, that doesn’t mean you can’t aim for the big “O” now. “Some couples have never really developed the art of foreplay, which is especially important to help women orgasm during sex,” says DePree. Or maybe the foreplay you enjoyed as newlyweds has fallen by the wayside over the years, as you’ve had to squeeze sex into your hectic schedules. But it’s never too late to tell your partner that you need to spend more time on foreplay (more kissing, more breast fondling, and more direct stimulation of the clitoris, which is the orgasm golden ticket for many women). If you’ve only recently begun to miss out on orgasms, decreasing levels of testosterone, which affects libido, fantasy, and orgasm, may be a factor. There’s no FDA-approved testosterone product for women just yet but some physicians, including DePree, prescribe low levels of testosterone off-label to their female patients for this reason.

Myth: Once You Use a Vibrator, You Can't Orgasm Without It

Using a vibrator can help you orgasm more easily, but it won’t keep you from responding during regular (vibrator-free) intercourse, says Carol Queen, PhD, the staff sexologist for Good Vibrations in San Francisco. So don’t be afraid to use one on your own or think that it’s only for friskier “cougars,” which is another common myth. In fact, more than 50 percent of American women (age 40 on average) use vibrators, according to a 2009 University of Indiana study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. If you think bringing one into the bedroom would intimidate your man, consider this: A separate University of Indiana study published in the same journal found that 45 percent of men have used one, too, especially with female partners. Not only can it spice up sex with your mate; if you’re between partners, a vibrator or self-stimulation can help you enjoy sexual pleasure and maintain a healthy vagina by maintaining circulation to the area. Fortunately with online shopping, vibrators are easier than ever to buy in the privacy of your own home.

                                    Myth: Condoms Are for Teenagers

Grown-ups need protection, too. If you’re a single woman or are dating again after divorce, you should always keep some condoms in your purse and nightstand drawer, and insist that your partner wear one. Even if pregnancy is no longer a concern — and remember, you can still get pregnant as long as you get a period, even if it’s irregular — you need to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS. According to the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, which documented the condom use of nearly 6,000 people ages 14 to 94, adults over age 40 have the lowest rates of condom use. “It’s a generation who grew up before the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” says Michael Reece, PhD, director for the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University in Bloomington, who helped conduct the study. “They associate condom use with preventing pregnancy, not protecting themselves against STDs." But the number of men and women over age 50 with HIV is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Condoms have come a long way since you were a teen, in terms of texture, shape, and lubricant (both inside and outside the condom). “Spend a little time on condom Web sites

A proud grand-poppa                  G.

Chicken Amaretto Superb

We like chicken and we have to include a lot of it in my husband's diet since he is a heart patient. So we have to find many and varied ways to serve it so we don't all get bored to death. This recipe is always a hit.

^INGREDIENTS

     1/4 cup flour
    1 teaspoon salt
     fresh ground pepper (you don't need too much)     
     2 teaspoons paprika
     2 teaspoons garlic powder
     6 chicken breasts ( skinless and boneless)
     3 -4 tablespoons oil (or as needed)
     3 tablespoons butter
     1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
     1⁄2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
     1⁄4 cup water
      2⁄3 cup Amaretto

DIRECTIONS

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
3. Roll/coat the chicken in the flour mixture.
4. Saute chicken in oil until golden brown and transfer to a greased casserole dish.
5. In the same skillet, increase the heat to med-high and melt butter.
6. Add in Dijon mustard, orange juice concentrate, water and Amaretto; stir constantly until liquid is reduced.
7. Pour the sauce over chicken.
8. Bake covered for 35-40 minutes. Serves six

 Easy recipe to follow and a very tasty dish to serve your family. We like it  with  mashed potatoes and veggies or rice pilaf but pasta would compliment it also. Bask in the compliments.