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Here is a great article from Michelle Brown I hope you love!

Catch her here.

Thanks Michelle!!!

The 25 Surprisingly Germiest Places you Encounter Everyday

Whether germs, bacteria, or straight out viruses, they can be found everywhere in common daily life. Most are harmless, but some can actually cause anything from a runny nose to a life threatening infection. Below are the top 25 most common places you can find germs and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Sponges and rags. When you wipe down a dish or counter, you’re really just transferring bacteria from one place to another. Those who don’t regularly wash or throw out these items can amass an enormous amount of germs. Try using disposable wipes whenever necessary and make sure to wash your hands after touching these items.

2. Cutting boards. These can be especially dangerous when used for cutting different types of food. Salmonella, ecoli, and other viruses are commonly transmitted this way. Raw meats, poultry, fish, etc. should never be cut on the same board and they should be washed thoroughly before used again.

3. Airplane bathroom. No one is surprised that an airplane bathroom makes for one of the dirtiest places you can encounter. Although they do get cleaned, the volume of passengers using and reusing them can be staggering and lead to many germs. Toilet seat covers, soap, and caution are advised when using.

4. Kitchen surfaces. Just because the countertop looks clean doesn’t mean it is. Viruses and bacteria are invisible to the human eye, and must be dealt with using an antibacterial cleaner. Make sure to do the faucet, sink, and knobs as they can also be harmful.

5. Doorknobs. Hands can contain the most germs on the outside of the human body and when you touch a doorknob, you touch the hand of everyone who was there before you. Make sure to wash your hands after touching a public doorknob and regularly clean your own with antibacterial spray.

6. Toothbrushes. When you brush several times a day, you transfer plaque, bacteria, and more to your toothbrush. Make sure to replace it every three months for your health, along with the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth.

7. Shared phones. Whether a land line or cell, this is one of the most common ways to get germs from hands to mouth. Many cleaners are safe to use on electronic devices, and be sure to thoroughly clean the mouthpiece, as this is the germiest part.

8. Washer and dryers. Even those who stay away from public laundromats can still host a load of germs in their own machines. Most clothes are cleaned in cold or warm water and without bleach, which fails to kill the germs. These germs are also transferred when moved into the dryer. Whenever possible, use hot water on your clothes, or try running some bleach through an empty cycle.

9. Money. You never know where it came from, who touched it, and what they did with it, but people rarely wash before touching money. This makes it all the more essential to wash after you handle it to combat possible bacteria, drugs, and even fecal matter.

10. Purses. Setting a purse on the ground is on of the most common ways to pick up and spread germs. Leave your purse on your shoulder, hang on a chair or hook, or set it down on a purse or table to avoid this common germy place. If possible, have your purse cleaned regularly.

11. Wallets. Men also have something to fear in what they carry around. Money is often carried here and keeping it in your pocket only adds to an ideal temperature for germ breeding. Try removing unused items or taking it to a cleaner.

12. Buttons. Not the kind used on shirts, but the kind on ATM’s, soda machines, elevators, or any public facility, especially outdoor ones. Rain, common usage, and the lack of regular maintenance makes these buttons a hot spot for germ activity. Make sure to wash or use antibacterial gel after touching these.

13. The car. According to this study, the average automobile can play host to hundreds of bacteria, some of which can be dangerous. They are found on the seats, shift knob, door handle, trunk, and more. The dirtiest part was found to be the carpet in the trunk, so make sure to wash after handling bags of groceries or anything else that might have touched it.

14. The remote. Often used, but rarely cleaned, this object can be full of germs, especially if you have kids constantly grabbing for it. Make sure to use extra caution when handling a public remote, such as in a hotel or hospital.

15. Water fountain. Yet another argument for bottled water. The constant use, occasional cleanings, and standing water make these an ideal place to transfer germs, bacteria, and viruses. If you must use one, try putting a handkerchief or sleeve when pressing the button and don’t touch with anything else.

16. The gym. With lots of sweaty people using the same weights, machines, and facilities, this is a common breeding ground for germs.  Surprisingly, some of the least common areas for germs are the toilet seats. The most common:

17. Yoga mats. Do you go to a class or gym that offers mats for stretching or yoga? You might want to rethink using them. According to this study, these mats are a common way to acquire athlete’s foot or plantar warts. Often used by sweaty patrons wearing thin clothes, avoid contamination by wiping them down with disinfecting wipes or bringing your own.

18. Shopping carts. This item involves three of the most common ways to spread germs: hands, faces, and foods. With kids chomping on the handles, adults who have just touched cars and door handles before touching the cart, and foods of varying type and age, shopping carts can gather a wide variety of germs. Thisstudy reviewed and listed some of the most common germs found on shopping carts. Many stores have antibacterial wipes available by the carts, so be sure to use them.

19. The candy bowl. Have one of these at your office? Then take care when choosing a candy. Others have been there before you, sifted through, and the jar is often replenished, yet seldom cleaned.

20. The classroom. Especially those containing young children. They put their hands on everything, then put their hands on everything else. Teachers should constantly clean hands, items, and show the children how to wash. Parents might want to get their kids to use antibacterial gel when the school day is over.

21. The gas station. Those pump handles get used dozens of times a day, are located outdoors, and are rarely cleaned. Stations with standing water on a hot day are also likely to have germs. If the pump has a lever, use it to minimize contact with the handle and be sure to take advantage of the many stations that offer antibacterial gel.

22. The lemon in your water. Or any drink garnish. They are often touched by various restaurant or bar personnel who have most likely touched the items of every patron they have served. This study found that 53 out of 76 lemons contained germs or bacteria.

23. The menu. Unless you see the hostess wash down each menu as she gets it, chances are yours wasn’t cleaned before you got it. If it is a paper menu, it has never been cleaned and contains the germs of every person who has touched it. Keep germs from spreading by keeping the menu away from plates, silverware, or glasses.

24. Your shower curtain. Vinyl, cloth, and other curtains don’t just contain soap scum. Bacteria and germs can also breed there, and the constant influx of hot water doesn’t help. Get some antibacterial spray to clean the ones you can, and wash the cloth ones at least once a month.

25. The vacuum. With hidden brushes, bags, and filters, germs can find many places to hide on a vacuum. Thanks to the food that is sucked into it, bacteria can survive for a long time inside these cleaning machines. An easy solution is to change the bags and remove the brushes and filters for a quick cleaning.

All though these 25 places and others come into contact every day, not all of them are bad. According to Philip Tierno, out of the 60,000 germs you can come into contact with, only one to two percent are actually dangerous. The lesson here is to panic less and wash more

Beginning January 16, 2010 at 12:01 am the process will begin.  (to be honest, it will be ready to go before midnight, so begin looking early)!! Tonight!!!

Our video will be listed on www.monavieonthemove.com by the name EMV I get A Kick Out Of You.  All 18 videos will be placed on one page.  The video with the most views at the end of two weeks will be crowned the winner. Please help us get lots of views and make us a winner. There are 3 prizes.
First is a Smart Car
Second is a trip to Brazil and
Third is a $1000.00

Here is how to access it:

Directions for finding the Video on monavie on the move

1. Go to http://www.monavieonthemove.com/
2. Go to the Left Side of the screen
3. Click on: Click here to watch the MonaVie EMV You Tube Videos
4. Scroll down to Video 16 and click on it to watch.

Get all your friends and relatives to view it too.
We need all the votes we can get.
Thanks for your support we really do appreciate it.

Chuck and Gayle

From:
Bobby S. Briggs, MSgt, USAF
823 ESFS/SFOC
Flight Sergeant
BAGHDAD AB, IRAQ

My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not.
My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4
Cervical cancer. Her chances for survival are very slim. She was
pregnant
with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3 Months; and now
we
know why. This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone
you
know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed,
the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit ‘forward.’
Please do it and don’t delete this. Your prayer can, and perhaps will,
save her life. Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the
HEALING of CINDY HOGMAN And the removal of all cancer from her body, so
she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the
wonderful mother to our 5-year-old son Michael. The power of Prayer is
unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the
next
few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea.
This is only a request for your help. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing! No
words
can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together.
Regards, Cindy’s husband -
Gary

Thank you, and please send it to the far reaches of our world!

This is a beautiful story…. It makes you understand that things happen for a reason and that there truly is a God watching over each and everyone of us.

A brand new pastor and his wife, were newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn. They arrived in early October excited about their opportunities.  When they saw their church, it was  very run down and needed  much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service  on Christmas Eve.  They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.  On December 19 a  terrible tempest – a driving  rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.  On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.  His heart sank when he saw that the roof had  leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the  sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned  the mess on the floor,  and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.   On the way he noticed that a local business was  having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in.  One of the items was a beautiful,  handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth  with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front  wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older  woman running from the opposite direction was  trying to catch the bus.. She missed it. The pastor  invited her to wait in the warm church for  the next bus 45 minutes later.  She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor  could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and  it covered up the entire problem area.  Then he noticed the woman walking down the center  aisle. Her face was like a sheet.. ‘Pastor,’  she asked, ‘where did you get that tablecloth?’  The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there..they were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria. The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the tablecloth. The  woman explained that before the war she and  her husband were well-to-do people in Austria   When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.  Her husband was going to follow her the next week.  He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.  The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;  but she made the pastor keep it for the church.  The pastor insisted on driving her home, that  was the least he could do. She lived on the other  side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas  Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the  pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized  from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the  pews and stare, and he pastor wondered why he wasn’t leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on  the front wall because it was identical to one  that his wife had made years ago when  they lived in Austria before the war and how  could there be two tablecloths so much alike.  He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was  supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and  put in a prison.. He never saw his wife or his home  again all the 35 years in between. The pastor asked him if he would allow him to  take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor  had taken the woman three days earlier.  He helped the man climb the three flights of  stairs to the woman’s apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas  reunion he could ever imagine.

True Story – submitted by Pastor Rob Reid

Who says God does not work in mysterious ways?

I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His  promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares you know He will see us through.So when the road you’re traveling on seems difficult at best.. Just remember I’m here praying and God will do the rest.

Father, God, bless all my friends and family in whatever it is that you know they may be needing this day! May their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power and HEALTH!!!!! as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you.

Amen

Our Zumba class starts with a warm-up session, then breaks into the main session and ends with a nice slow cool down. The hour just flies by. Annie, our instructor does different routines each time, so it is never boring and each class is fresh and fun. Zumba mixes it up with body sculpting movements and dance steps from cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip hop, mambo, rumba, flamenco and calypso. Zumba targets many areas of the body such as your legs, arms, glutes, abdominals and the heart. The routines are a mix of aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that help to tone and sculpt the body.  Zumba is wonderful for your mind, body and attitude.

Zumba originated in Columbia, South America in the 90′s. The creator, Alberto “Beto” Perez, was a fitness instructor in Miami. One day he forgot his regular music for class. He took the Latin music tapes from his car and improvised with some dance steps for his class that day. Everyone loved it and the rest is history.  It Is and has been a great success.

I found a few You Tube videos of Zumba classes, but since Annie is our instructor and even though this is not the best video for clarity, I thought you might enjoy it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvPOpLr9TaM[/youtube]

You can see for yourself Zumba is loaded with lots of red-hot dance steps, great Latin music that keeps you moving and grooving and even shaking the weight off. It is really bunches of fun. If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it.  If you live in Siena the classes are Monday and Friday mornings at 8:00 AM. Yep, 8:00 AM.  It starts your day out right and you will be looking forward to the next class. Remember to bring a towel and lots of water. You will do some sweating!

Zumba Zumba Zumba

When it comes to staying young, a mind-lift beats a face-lift anyday.  ~Marty Bucella

Mental and emotional health is extremely important to healthy aging and maintaining your youth. Depression, stress and anxiety can affect your ability to recover from illness.  Spiritual, mental and physical aspects of life all influence longevity.  Living a healthy lifestyle and learning new things can keep your brain functioning optimally. A healthy mind is part of a healthy body. If you are in a good state of mind you are better able to make the best decisions for yourself about your lifestyle and your health. Longevity depends on a healthy brain and attitude. One of the most important things you can do as you age is to maintain a healthy sharp brain.

There are many things you can do to keep your mind healthy and sharp and in peak condition.  Did you know many of these things are also key to maintaining a healthy body as well?

• Reduce the stress in your life. Stress can damage the brain.
Relax, meditate and treat yourself once in a while. Managing
the stress in your life improves your memory, makes you less
sensitive to pain and more able to cope.

•  Practice the art of positive thinking. Develop a positive attitude
about yourself and the world around you. To ensure longevity
in the brain keep a positive sense of purpose and a healthy
optimism.

“Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are
famous preservers of youthful looks.”
Charles Dickens

• Take time to do the things you enjoy. Pursue leisure activities.
Read books and magazines, take a walk, play golf, knit with a
friend, enjoy a movie together. Leisure activities can reduce the
risk or delay the onset of dementia.

• Stay in touch with family and friends. Staying connected and being active helps us to live longer and retain mental sharpness. Build strong social networks to help the brain tolerate told age. Lonely individuals are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Volunteer and donate your time to something worthy. It allows you to use your brain and try new things.  It is intellectually stimulating and you meet new people.
Several studies have found that people who volunteer live longer than those who do not.

• Get enough sleep.  Getting enough sleep increases your
concentration and is critical for memory and information
processing.  Sleep is when your brain sharpens new skills and
solves problems.

• If you feel depressed or anxious get help from a professional.
Depression is one of the most common conditions seniors
face.

• Free your mind and body of harmful drugs and alcohol. Stop
smoking and cut down on alcohol consumption.

• Use your mental muscles, working out your brain strengthens
neuronal pathways and builds new ones. Train your brain to
improve memory skills, reasoning and visualization efficiency.
Active learning through out your life will keep your brain
healthy later in years.

• Get regular exercise it is the best way to improve brain health,
improve memory, concentration and abstract thinking. Exercise
increases blood flow to the brain, which nourishes the brain
cells and allows them to function more efficiently. Certain areas
of the brain shrink as we age. Walking can reverse this affect. A
University of Illinois study of adults ages 60-80 revealed that
walker’s brains looked 2-3 years younger than others their
age. Walk everyday!

• Eat nutritiously to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and age-
related cognitive decline. Remember what you eat can affect how you think.

A man is not old as long as he is seeking something.  ~Jean
Rostand

Some of the myths about aging and the brain are just not true. We can all acquire new knowledge, sharpen our skills and learn new tricks no matter what our age. Learning new things can help maintain mental functions and sharpen your mind. Researchers have learned that our older brains are quite capable of learning new things. We continue to learn as we age and we gain wisdom. Older people learn things just as well as younger people.  It may take a bit more time or effort but, yes, you can teach “an old dog new tricks”.

Do a crossword puzzle, Play a game, take on a new hobby, study a language, take a college course about a passion of yours, learn a new sport, learn how to play an instrument, take dancing lessons or cozy up with a good book. Reading keeps your mind sharp for life and provides an intellectual boost, especially when reading great literature. Research believes that people who read develop a brainpower reservoir that may lessen the risk of dementia.

All of these new experiences help stimulate the area of the brain that produces dopamine.  Dopamine is a chemical involved in memory and learning.  Learning and doing new things builds brain mass and increases your mental agility. Don’t be afraid of challenging and expanding your horizons with fresh and new
activities. You do not have to excel in your new pursuits to reap the many benefits.

I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now.  ~Author
Unknown

Contrary to popular belief the brain does not lose brain cells everyday, rather it grows new brain cells and reshapes itself through the experiences you encounter and the learning you do. As you challenge your brain, new brain cells sprout and the brain carves a new neural pathway keeping the brain vital and sharp.  When stimulated by new activities the brain is capable of regeneration.

One of the major keys to defying your age is staying mentally active and sharpening your brain. Get out there and train your brain for longevity. You will be glad you did and smarter for it!

First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful.     Norman Vincent Peale

Be Wonderful Everyone!  Happy Anti-aging!

Chuck and Gayle

Dictionary

lone.ly
adjective ( -lier , -liest )
sad because one has no friends or company : lonely old people whose families do not care for them.

• without companions; solitary : passing long lonely hours looking onto the street.

• (of a place) unfrequented and remote : a lonely stretch of country lane.

Thesaurus
lonely
adjective
1 I felt very lonely isolated, alone, lonesome, friendless, with no one to turn to, forsaken, abandoned, rejected, unloved, unwanted, outcast; gloomy, sad, depressed, desolate, forlorn, cheerless, down, blue. antonym popular.
2 the lonely life of a writer solitary, unaccompanied, lone, by oneself/itself, companionless. antonym sociable.
3 a lonely road deserted, uninhabited, unfrequented, unpopulated, desolate, isolated, remote, out of the way, secluded, off the beaten track/path, in the back of beyond, godforsaken; informal in the middle of nowhere. antonym populous, crowded.

Over and over again we have heard that social isolation is unhealthy for people of all ages. It can lead to depression, dementia and all sorts of other complications related to stress. Bottom line is that good friends are good for your health. It is never too late to make new friends or reconnect with old friends. Strong supportive friendships help you to maintain your happiness and self worth. The physical health benefits of socializing are equal to those of physical exercise. Good physical health and healthy eating count too, but it is the feeling of being worthwhile and loved that leads to a longer life. Social interaction is responsible for the results. Not only do strong social connections help you live longer, they also aid in better intellectual performance. You have to agree being healthier, smarter, and living longer are great benefits. Add to those a circle of new friends and your investment in socializing has paid off well.

One of the most difficult challenges for seniors is maintaining or finding relationships with people from their generation who share their interests, experiences and hobbies. This peer interaction is quite essential for a healthy retirement and aging. Whether you are retired or not, there are many things you can do to prevent loneliness and make connections with others. “People Do Need People”. Making connections can be as easy as joining a group with interests that match your own. Joining a gym, a walking group, computer club, book club, car club, Bible class or sewing group for examples, provide the social interaction that is key to your good health. Involvement in your church or synagogue, interacting with family and neighbors, and volunteering in your community all create socializing opportunities to meet and make new friends. People teach us new things about life and prevent us from being depressed. Focus on others and you will find less time to feel sorry for yourself. Get out of the house and enjoy life. You will not feel lonely very long and you will have fun doing it.

Many seniors find that going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week is great therapy for loneliness or the blues. Here at Siena where we live seniors and boomers are in great supply. Siena is a 55 or over community. Our gym is always filled with people. Often you will find small groups or couples stopping to chat, catch up on what’s new or provide a little advice. Sometimes it is merely a friendly wave to acknowledge you as a friend. It gives us a chance to interact with others, maintain friendships and start new ones in a relaxed atmosphere. None of us lose sight of the real reason we are there, to get in our physical exercise.Most of our conversations are short or before or after we finish our routines. Going to the gym 3-5 times a week gets people out of their homes where they might be all alone and feeling sorry for themselves which can lead to depression.

Getting to the gym allows for some socialization, provides purpose and physical exercise. The gym offers small group classes for Yoga, body sculpting and aerobics. These are all great ways to stay connected as well as providing some motivation for the day. A lot of our senior friends go to the gym for rehabilitative reasons or are recovering from an illness or loss of a loved one. As they connect with others they find compassion and understanding and can share experiences. This allows them to verbalize their concerns, which helps to alleviate the sorrow or pain that may be affecting their lives. Good times too can be shared as new and closer friendships are made. Laughing and humor help us to feel good and suppress depression. Often we discover someone who is from the same hometown or state, has the same hobby, or has taken a vacation to a place we have visited. Common interests tend to bond us together. Many of us look forward to connecting with our fellow “gym rats”. Our loneliness is diminished when we have someone to interact with and something to look forward to on a daily basis. It is important for our mental health to feel a part of this type of a community or group no matter how involved we become.

Friends are the shoulder to lean on, the confidants, advisors, supporters, motivators or companions for a variety of activities that help maintain your happiness. Having a network of friends promotes positive mental health and keeps unhealthy stressful situations in perspective. Sharing with others can multiply your joys and divide your sorrows. People who become involved and are connected with others give living a purpose. Socializing is your lifeline, friends are your lifesavers. Everyone needs to feel loved and supported. We are social creatures and feel better when we are with other people. Not only do strong social connections help you live longer, they also aid in better intellectual performance. You have to agree being healthier, smarter, and living longer are great benefits. Add to those a circle of new friends and your investment in socializing has paid off well.

Get out their folks, make friends, reconnect with old friends, learn something new, volunteer or get to know your neighbors. The payoff to your physical health, mental health and spirit is wonderful. You will feel like a new person and add a few years to your life in the process. “The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” -Allan K. Chalmers-

Happy Anti-aging Everyone!

Chuck and Gayle