Fun Facts

So, you are sick or you have a medical condition. Do you take what your doctor prescribes or do you try natural remedies, also known as homeopathic medicine?

What is your condition?

If you have a cold or the flu, trying natural remedies is fine and probably better than taking prescribed medications such as antibiotics because your body will become resistant to antibiotics which is not a good thing when you really need them.

If you have a lower respiratory infection, you can try natural remedies but since it can turn into pneumonia, you want to be careful and seek a doctor’s attention if needed.

If you have slightly high blood pressure, you might want to try natural remedies to see if you can control it. If you have exceedingly high blood pressure, I would go with the prescription.

If you have high cholesterol, try natural remedies like eating oatmeal. If you cannot control your cholesterol, then it is time for a prescription.

If you have HIV or AIDS, you will want to take the prescriptions that are available. You may want to try natural remedies, too, as long as they do not contraindicate with your medications.

If you have depression, try natural remedies first, like walking or talking with someone.

Depression has been proven to be a chemical disorder of the brain, so you may get to a point where a prescription is needed. That does not mean you have to stop your natural remedies. The two in combination are probably your best bet.

If you have cancer, prescriptions are the way to go. Unfortunately, you may get to the point where they are ineffective or have too many dissatisfying side effects. Then try natural remedies.
So what is a prescription?

A prescription is anything that is prescribed or ordered by your doctor. It is usually a medication or a treatment but it can also be a service or an over-the-counter product. Your doctor may prescribe counseling, for example. It is not a suggestion but an order. Or your doctor may prescribe a hand and wrist glove, to help with arthritis, that you can buy over-the-counter. Again, it is not a suggestion but an order.

So what is a natural remedy?

A natural remedy is anything that is “natural” and remedies the situation. It is not always a cure. It may just make the problem more bearable.

A natural remedy may be something you take, such as a vitamin. It may be something that someone makes in the form of food, such as oatmeal. Or it may be something that you drink, such as Echinacea tea.

A natural remedy can also be something you do. Sleeping, walking, talking, getting more sunlight, or helping others (to get your mind off your problems).

Which do you choose?

Only you can answer that question. You have to look at the severity of your problem. If it is something you think you can handle on your own, try a natural remedy. There are plenty of books on the subject. If it is out of your control, seek the education of your doctor and follow his or her directions.

ThisOrThat natural remedies, Prescriptions

You have taken a lot of pictures to hold on to memories. Now what is the best way to keep those memories safe and even share those memories with others?

Most people use a photo album of some nature. There are many types of photo albums with many different layouts. All of them will keep your pictures safe. Some photo albums have a place under the picture where you can write a comment. These are great for sharing your photo album with others and also to help you remember what you were thinking when that moment in time occurred. You can write about the photo or make a fun quip; anything that you want, but you have limited space. These are the best types of photo albums because they help to bring your photos alive.

Photo albums also do not take much time to put together. You just slip your photos in and you are done. If you are writing something, it may take a little more time, but not much. If you have duplicate photos, you can put more than one photo in each slip usually. Some photo albums even have a place for you to put your negatives.

A scrapbook takes much more time, and is also much more expensive, but you are able to tell a story with your pictures which makes sharing your pictures with someone else a much more enjoyable experience. First you have to pick your topic which is easy if you just went on a trip or celebrated a special occasion with family or friends. Then it is time to go to the craft store or a specialty scrap booking store. I find that a craft store like Michael’s or JoAnn’s is best.

You want to pick out a scrap book that will fit your pictures the best. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. The next thing you want is paper. I find that getting a mixture of colors is best versus the personalized scrap paper. It is easier to make it your own. You can get bright colors, pastel colors, or neutral colors. Think about what you are doing your scrap book on and that will determine what color paper you will want to use. Then it is time to buy pens. I suggest a package of different colored pens with a fine tip point on one end and a brush point on the other end. I would also suggest buying one silver pen and one gold pen. Then you want to buy paper frames for your pictures. You may also want to buy scissors with different cutting edges and special punch outs.

Once you have your supplies, you are ready to put your scrap book together. You do not need to buy a book that tells you how to do it. Make it from your heart. Each photo you use should have special meaning. You can use as many layers as you want and write as much or as little as you want. When you are done, you will have something you can treasure forever.

ThisOrThat photo album, scrapbook

It is Saturday night. Do you rent a comedy or drama? Well, let us look at some situations.

You are a single guy, a bachelor we may say. I am guessing you are going to opt for the comedy. You want something to lift your spirits. Being alone on a Saturday night is not much fun for anyone. You will want something with a little adventure, nothing that borders on the family type.

You are a guy on your first date. You want to impress your girl. You will want to get a drama. It shows that you are not afraid of being intimate. Do not go for a tear jerker; that is not what you want. You want something that has couples in it, shadowing what you are doing. Your girl will appreciate you for it.

You are a married couple who just got through some bad times. Get the comedy. Add some levity to your situation. Get something with couples and singles, something having to do with relationships. Maybe you will get some tips.

You are a girl or woman getting over a break up. Get the drama – get a tear-jerker. Tears have been shown to release chemicals in the brain that help you to think more clearly. Maybe you will be able to see your situation in a different light.

You are some gals getting together for a girls’ night out. Go for the drama, something about women. You will be able to relate to it and it may bring on some interesting conversation after the movie is over.

You are some guys getting together for a guys’ night out. Get a comedy. Something that is a bit rank. You will have a lot of laughs and bond in your hysteria.

You are some kids getting together for a sleep over. Get the comedy. Get something that has kids in it so that you will be able to relate to it. It does not have to be family-oriented but should not be something rank. Enjoy the laughs and share your favorite parts after the movie and laugh some more.

You are an elderly couple looking for memories. Get the drama, something that is set in a different time. You will be transported to another time that shares the same difficulties that you may have experienced in your life. Compare notes after the movie about how you would have handled the situation or share memories of times that you have been through.

You are a young couple looking for a good time. Get the comedy – something about relationships. Enjoy how the couples get through their situations and maybe learn a tip or two for your future.

You are a single woman looking for answers to your relationship problems. Get the drama – something with couples in it. Maybe you will find your answers in the movie. If nothing else, you will clear your mind with a good cry.

No matter what your situation, a comedy offers levity and a drama offers a new look on your problems.

ThisOrThat comedy, drama