Who says pumpkin spice is only exciting in latte form?
Don’t just reserve pumpkin for pumpkin spice lattes and pie! These easy spice cookies are a great way to spread the pumpkin love throughout the entire season.
If you don’t have any aluminum-free baking powder in your cupboard, pick some up the next time you go shopping. Aluminum may pose potential risks to your health as a neurotoxin. While the dose of aluminum is what makes the poison, some studies show a relationship between aluminum that is stored in your body and neuro-disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease.) Limiting exposure to all metals is a protective measure we can take to optimize our health.
Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin puree, fresh or canned 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 cup vegan palm shortening or melted coconut oil 1 cup oat flour 1/2 cup almond flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Pinch sea salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix the pumpkin, syrup, applesauce, vanilla and shortening (or oil if using) in a large bowl. Alternatively, place in a blender and blend until combined.
In a separate medium bowl sift the oat flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices together.
Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix to combine. Then fold in the pecans and chocolate chips.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto a large baking pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all batter is used. Place baking pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until just slightly firm. Remove the cookies from the oven and serve warm or room temperature.
Store uneaten cookies in a sealed glass container at room temperature for two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Nutrition information (per serving)
Makes 3 dozen cookies
Calories: 43 Total fat: 2 g Saturated fat: 2 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Fiber: 1 g Protein: 1 g Carbohydrate: 5 g Sodium: 25 mg
One recent fitness trend is the #Stretching studio, providing assisted stretching sessions marketed as a way to improve flexibility & ease chronic pain. But you’re more likely to benefit from regular, moderate physical activity at home: https://bit.ly/359rz5a#HarvardHealth
The Good Fight: How Yoga is Being Used Within the Military
Spurred in part by the crushing opioid epidemic, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies have been spearheading efforts to manage and mitigate pain and mental health problems among active service members. Yoga, as it turns out, is one of the rising stars. While those in the trenches say there is a long way to go before yoga can be broadly and systemically deployed within the military, the foundation is being laid for using asana, meditation, and other holistic therapies to make military personnel more resilient.
Excess alcohol and substance use can cause temporary and permanent memory loss
What are blackouts and brownouts?
Blackouts involve complete memory loss caused by your brain’s inability to record new memories for a period of time due to the effects of excessive alcohol, substance misuse or some other condition.
But sometimes, auditory or visual cues can help a person piece together memories of what happened during a blackout. These cues could come in the form of texts, pictures or conversations with people who were present while you were blacked out. The medical term for blackouts is called transient loss of consciousness (TLOC).
The difference between a brownout and a blackout is that brownouts involve partial memory loss. With a brownout, you may be able to remember certain details from the period of time you were affected, but other portions of time can’t be recalled.
“The hippocampus is a part of your brain that takes our experiences and the awareness of all our senses and processes those into memories,” explains Dr. Streem. “It’s sensitive, and it’s the same part of the brain that deteriorates in people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Excessive alcohol use isn’t the only thing that can cause blackouts or brownouts. Substance misuse on its own or with alcohol can increase your likelihood of experiencing a blackout. Hypnotics or sedatives and benzodiazepines like flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol or roofies) can also lead to blackouts or brownouts.
There are other medical conditions that cause blackouts or brownouts, too, including:
“Anything that causes damage to the brain, whether temporary or permanent, can cause memory loss if the damage is in the right spot,” states Dr. Streem.
“When you’re passed out, you’re not awake. A blackout happens to someone who’s still conscious but they’re not coding any new memories,” explains Dr. Streem. “A person who has a blackout is still awake and they have some ability to think, but other parts of their brain may not be working well enough. Often, this is because of intoxication.”
Understanding these definitions and the difference between blackouts and passing out is incredibly important, as it may be difficult for other people to recognize someone is having a blackout because of their seemingly aware state.
How much alcohol can cause a blackout?
How much alcohol or substance use is needed to cause a blackout varies based on a person’s height, weight, sensitivity and assigned sex at birth.
“We know females absorb more alcohol in their bloodstream than males,” says Dr. Streem. “But for most people, it’s going to involve more than the legal blood alcohol limit. In almost all states in the U.S., the blood alcohol limit for driving is .08. Blackouts usually appear at blood alcohol levels that are twice the legal limit or higher.”
Studies have shown that young adults under the age of 25 are particularly vulnerable to experiencing blackouts. Additionally, blackouts may occur at far lower thresholds among younger populations. That’s largely because the parts of your brain responsible for decision-making aren’t fully matured until around age 25. Despite this, intentional binge drinking has been a common practice among young adults.
Regardless of age, recent studies show more frequent blackout experiences are related to an increase in memory lapse and cognitive difficulties even after alcohol misuse is corrected. This means that even after a blackout occurs, you can continue to experience memory loss and other difficulties recalling memories.
Blackout effects on your body
If you’re experiencing a blackout or brownout, you’re at higher risk for falling, injury and unwanted or unsafe sexual experiences. A person who is blacked out may also throw up while sleeping, which could lead to an increased risk of choking or suffocating.
It can be hard to determine when you’re going to have a blackout or brownout. But some signs it may be happening to you in the moment include:
Difficulty standing.
Nausea.
Lightheadedness.
Loss of vision or shrinking of your field of view.
Other signs of substance-related blackouts, specifically blackouts caused by sedatives, hypnotics or benzodiazepines, include:
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
Difficulty breathing.
Feeling drunk when you haven’t consumed alcohol or consumed less than your usual amount.
Sudden body temperature changes.
Sudden increase in dizziness, disorientation, loss of vision or difficulty speaking.
“Hypnotic drugs are prone to cause this kind of impairment and memory loss,” states Dr. Streem. “Sadly, people sometimes use them to take advantage of other people.”
Strategies for managing blackouts
A blackout ends when your body has absorbed the alcohol you consumed and your brain is able to make memories again. Sleep often helps this process along.
Alcohol is dehydrating by nature, so making sure you’re drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is important. Being aware of potential signs of intoxication can also be helpful in understanding your limitations.
But what if you end up having a blackout anyway?
“The experience of a blackout can sometimes be an opportunity to learn about our bodies and our brains, and what we can and can’t handle,” says Dr. Streem. “But the most important thing to do when you have a blackout is to try and piece together as best we can what happened and whether we were injured. It also might be necessary to try to assess whether you’ve been taken advantage of in some way.”
If you think you’ve been injured, sexually or physically assaulted, it’s important that you get medical attention immediately and talk to the police about everything you can remember.
Other measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of blackouts and brownouts and increase your own safety include:
Drinking with people you trust.
Pairing up with a close friend or group of friends and leaving together.
Not drinking on an empty stomach.
Not taking drinks from other people.
Opening containers yourself or watching your drink being poured.
Taking your drink with you when leaving a room.
Not drinking anything that tastes or smells odd.
Asking for help when you start to feel drunk or intoxicated.
“There’s no way to prevent a blackout or brownout from happening other than to stop consuming so much alcohol or other substances that cause them,” says Dr. Streem. “Beyond that, safety and general physical care can be very helpful in making sure this doesn’t happen to you.”
Excess alcohol and substance use can cause temporary and permanent memory loss
What are blackouts and brownouts?
Blackouts involve complete memory loss caused by your brain’s inability to record new memories for a period of time due to the effects of excessive alcohol, substance misuse or some other condition.
But sometimes, auditory or visual cues can help a person piece together memories of what happened during a blackout. These cues could come in the form of texts, pictures or conversations with people who were present while you were blacked out. The medical term for blackouts is called transient loss of consciousness (TLOC).
The difference between a brownout and a blackout is that brownouts involve partial memory loss. With a brownout, you may be able to remember certain details from the period of time you were affected, but other portions of time can’t be recalled.
“The hippocampus is a part of your brain that takes our experiences and the awareness of all our senses and processes those into memories,” explains Dr. Streem. “It’s sensitive, and it’s the same part of the brain that deteriorates in people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Excessive alcohol use isn’t the only thing that can cause blackouts or brownouts. Substance misuse on its own or with alcohol can increase your likelihood of experiencing a blackout. Hypnotics or sedatives and benzodiazepines like flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol or roofies) can also lead to blackouts or brownouts.
There are other medical conditions that cause blackouts or brownouts, too, including:
“Anything that causes damage to the brain, whether temporary or permanent, can cause memory loss if the damage is in the right spot,” states Dr. Streem.
“When you’re passed out, you’re not awake. A blackout happens to someone who’s still conscious but they’re not coding any new memories,” explains Dr. Streem. “A person who has a blackout is still awake and they have some ability to think, but other parts of their brain may not be working well enough. Often, this is because of intoxication.”
Understanding these definitions and the difference between blackouts and passing out is incredibly important, as it may be difficult for other people to recognize someone is having a blackout because of their seemingly aware state.
How much alcohol can cause a blackout?
How much alcohol or substance use is needed to cause a blackout varies based on a person’s height, weight, sensitivity and assigned sex at birth.
“We know females absorb more alcohol in their bloodstream than males,” says Dr. Streem. “But for most people, it’s going to involve more than the legal blood alcohol limit. In almost all states in the U.S., the blood alcohol limit for driving is .08. Blackouts usually appear at blood alcohol levels that are twice the legal limit or higher.”
Studies have shown that young adults under the age of 25 are particularly vulnerable to experiencing blackouts. Additionally, blackouts may occur at far lower thresholds among younger populations. That’s largely because the parts of your brain responsible for decision-making aren’t fully matured until around age 25. Despite this, intentional binge drinking has been a common practice among young adults.
Regardless of age, recent studies show more frequent blackout experiences are related to an increase in memory lapse and cognitive difficulties even after alcohol misuse is corrected. This means that even after a blackout occurs, you can continue to experience memory loss and other difficulties recalling memories.
Blackout effects on your body
If you’re experiencing a blackout or brownout, you’re at higher risk for falling, injury and unwanted or unsafe sexual experiences. A person who is blacked out may also throw up while sleeping, which could lead to an increased risk of choking or suffocating.
It can be hard to determine when you’re going to have a blackout or brownout. But some signs it may be happening to you in the moment include:
Difficulty standing.
Nausea.
Lightheadedness.
Loss of vision or shrinking of your field of view.
Other signs of substance-related blackouts, specifically blackouts caused by sedatives, hypnotics or benzodiazepines, include:
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
Difficulty breathing.
Feeling drunk when you haven’t consumed alcohol or consumed less than your usual amount.
Sudden body temperature changes.
Sudden increase in dizziness, disorientation, loss of vision or difficulty speaking.
“Hypnotic drugs are prone to cause this kind of impairment and memory loss,” states Dr. Streem. “Sadly, people sometimes use them to take advantage of other people.”
Strategies for managing blackouts
A blackout ends when your body has absorbed the alcohol you consumed and your brain is able to make memories again. Sleep often helps this process along.
Alcohol is dehydrating by nature, so making sure you’re drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is important. Being aware of potential signs of intoxication can also be helpful in understanding your limitations.
But what if you end up having a blackout anyway?
“The experience of a blackout can sometimes be an opportunity to learn about our bodies and our brains, and what we can and can’t handle,” says Dr. Streem. “But the most important thing to do when you have a blackout is to try and piece together as best we can what happened and whether we were injured. It also might be necessary to try to assess whether you’ve been taken advantage of in some way.”
If you think you’ve been injured, sexually or physically assaulted, it’s important that you get medical attention immediately and talk to the police about everything you can remember.
Other measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of blackouts and brownouts and increase your own safety include:
Drinking with people you trust.
Pairing up with a close friend or group of friends and leaving together.
Not drinking on an empty stomach.
Not taking drinks from other people.
Opening containers yourself or watching your drink being poured.
Taking your drink with you when leaving a room.
Not drinking anything that tastes or smells odd.
Asking for help when you start to feel drunk or intoxicated.
“There’s no way to prevent a blackout or brownout from happening other than to stop consuming so much alcohol or other substances that cause them,” says Dr. Streem. “Beyond that, safety and general physical care can be very helpful in making sure this doesn’t happen to you.”
Moderate-to-vigorous exercise appears to boost cardiorespiratory fitness, which quantifies how well the heart & lungs supply oxygen to the muscles. Higher CRF during midlife is linked to a lower risk of heart disease later: https://bit.ly/3rEwvXe#HarvardHealth
A baby who can self-soothe will fall asleep on their own and play calmly without your intervention. It’s a process, and a skill, that will help throughout their lives. Follow these tips to get started.
It’s naptime — thank goodness. But your baby isn’t having it. They cry. They fuss. So, you bounce them, rock them or even drive around town until they fall asleep.
It’s the question on the top of your mind (and you’re not alone): When — and how — will my baby learn to self-soothe and calm down without so much effort?
Pediatrician Matthew Badgett, MD, answers this important question, and shares ways to help your baby learn to self-soothe.
Why is self-soothing important?
When your baby self-soothes, they can calm down on their own and they:
Fall asleep without your help.
Fall back asleep if they wake up in the middle of a nap or during the night.
Sit or play calmly by themselves.
But self-soothing isn’t just for little ones. It’s an important skill throughout your life. Whether you realize it or not, you use your own self-soothing methods to feel better when you’re stressed or anxious.
“Self-soothing is a way of regulating your emotions,” Dr. Badgett explains. “Babies might suck their thumb or hold a stuffed animal. Adults might listen to music, take a walk or do yoga. The type of self-soothing you use changes throughout your life, but it’s a key part of your emotional health.”
When can my baby learn to self-soothe?
Every exhausted parent wants to know: When will my baby lie in their crib and drift off to sleep without my help? Or When can I put them in their bouncy seat for five minutes without screams of protest?
“In general, don’t try to teach your baby to self-soothe before they are 3 months old,” advises Dr. Badgett. “Newborns need you to help soothe them because they don’t have the ability to control their emotions. Learning emotional control is a process that takes years, so don’t expect too much from an infant or toddler.”
And self-soothing is a gradual process — not a switch you can flip. “Self-soothing is really co-soothing because the parent is still involved,” says Dr. Badgett. “Your baby plays a more active role in soothing, but you set them up for success. You figure out how your baby can calm down with less of your help.”
Self-soothing tips and techniques
If your baby is past the newborn stage but still cries relentlessly when you put them down, there is hope. These tips can help your baby gain self-soothing skills:
1. Meet your baby’s needs first
Before you assume that your baby is just cranky, review their list of needs. Your baby won’t be able to self-soothe if:
Their diaper is wet or soiled.
Their clothing is too hot or too cold for the environment.
There are too many distractions in the room, like a noisy TV or other children.
After you’ve ruled out those issues, move on to the next steps.
2. Set a schedule
Babies love routine. Try to put your baby to bed at the same time every day. Don’t skip naps or keep your baby up late. A schedule keeps them from becoming overtired — that’s when any hope of self-soothing goes out the window.
“If your baby goes to bed at the same times each day, their body clock will get used to it,” Dr. Badgett notes. “Then, they will start to feel sleepy right at naptime or bedtime. Babies that are drowsy, but not exhausted, are better able to fall asleep on their own.”
3. Use white noise
The sound of a fan or a white noise machine can be music to your baby’s ears. “Many babies prefer a steady sound over a perfectly quiet room,” Dr. Badgett says. “It helps drown out other sounds that could startle them, and it has a calming effect.”
Turn on the white noise machine when it’s bedtime. This can serve as a cue for your baby to learn when it’s time for dreamland.
4. Stay close without picking them up
After you place your baby in their crib or seat, don’t leave right away.
“If you give your baby some attention without holding them, they learn that being put down isn’t a bad thing,” Dr. Badgett explains. “Talk to them, or gently put your hand on their belly. After a few minutes, calmly leave the room.”
5. Try a pacifier
Pacifiers are a useful tool for babies under the age of 1. But use caution. It can be hard to take the paci away from a baby who can’t calm down without it.
“Pacifiers help young babies learn to self-soothe before they learn other techniques,” Dr. Badgett says. “But limit pacifier use to naptime and bedtime. Use them with other methods, like white noise and a consistent routine. That way, your baby won’t learn to rely on the pacifier alone.”
6. Wean them off feeding to sleep
It’s normal for young babies to fall asleep at the bottle or breast. But as your baby grows, they need to learn other ways to drift off.
“Don’t feed your older baby right at naptime with the sole purpose of getting them to sleep,” Dr. Badgett suggests. “They might end up overeating or relying on the nipple even when they’re already full.”
You can avoid the feed-to-sleep method if you:
Stop feeding if you see your baby getting sleepy.
Gently burp your baby to wake them up a little if they fell asleep feeding. Then, use the other self-soothing techniques to help them calm back down.
With a little persistence, perseverance and patience on your end, your little one could be self-soothing to sleep in no time.
Taking short breaks throughout the day is beneficial for your mental health. Cleveland Clinic Yoga Program Manager, Judi Bar, shares stretches you can do wherever you are. #NationalYogaMonthpic.twitter.com/hIdb9GQkQO
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