Live Better Now September 2008

The Sweet Life
You don’t often read about doughnuts in a health magazine, except in rants about the dangers of sweets. But the quote at right captures perfectly what we want to accomplish with Spry. It’s too easy to think about all the things we aren’t doing for our health. Why not celebrate what we are doing, and gather ideas and inspiration to keep us moving forward? Now, that’s the kind of “doughnut” sure to make life sweeter.
Lisa Delaney, Editor

✱ note to self: get some sleep
Can’t manage to quiet your buzzing brain when you turn off the light at night? Here’s something better than counting sheep: Keep a “purge page” on your bedside table, and list all your dilemmas and to-dos before hitting the sack, suggests sleep researcher Kathryn Lee of the University of California San Francisco. Writing down what keeps you up can help get you to dreamland faster.
—Valerie Kramer Davis

✱ the spice that snuffs out pain
Eating a teaspoon of fresh ginger each day may ease aching joints, says Dr. Richard H. Blau, director of the Arthritis Institute of Long Island and author of the new book, The Arthritis Doctor’s 28-Day Formula for Pain-Free Living. The active chemical in the spice, gingerol, acts as an anti-inflammatory by helping block compounds that cause pain. For delicious ways to add ginger to your diet, check out our recipes at spryliving.com/recipes.
—VKD

✱ the decorating tip that could make you healthier
A bowl of lemons may not be just a no-fuss way to add flair to a room—it could bring you better health, according to the ancient practice of Feng Shui. Place five lemons in an earth-friendly bowl, and put it in the center of your home or as close to it as possible. “This symbolizes your intention to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible,” says Ellen Whitehurst, author of Make This Your Lucky Day: Fun and Easy Feng Shui Secrets to Success, Romance, Health, and Harmony. This doesn’t mean you can skip your annual physical—but at the very least, you’ll get a cheap centerpiece out of the deal.

“As you wander through life, whatever your goal, keep your eyes on the doughnut, and not upon the hole.”­­­
M.J. Ryan