#454 – Nearing Hearing Loss?

I wear hearing aids, which are not any fun, nor do they fully replicate the sounds that I have lost. They’re also expensive, and they require maintenance. It’s so much easier not to have to use them.

I was at an HOOM event, where I met Rahim Ghanbari, an audiologist who works in North Vancouver. We had a brief discussion about the excessive volume that one encounters in public spaces, such as restaurants, malls and swimming pools. I expressed my concern that the volume was exceeding recommended allowances, going so far as to threaten to wander around with a decibel reader, if I could rent one.

“There’s no need to rent one,” said Rahim. “Just check out an app called Decibel 10th.”

I did, and I installed it. I’ve used it a few times, and I’m not surprised by the readings.

Why not use your decibel reader to see if you agree with the title of this show on CBC’s Q: Are restaurants too noisy?

The Wisequacks, two doctors who impart medical information with humour, have written iPods Are Music To Your Ears. I particularly like the blade of grass analogy that is used to explain how the hair cells in the inner ear are impacted by noise.

In case this post has you clamouring for more, here is Mike Goldsmith on the History of Noise.

What would your answer be to this question that was asked on CBC’s Spark: We Asked the Question: Noise?

Finally, on Hear! Hear!, I equate stress and hearing loss on this guest post I wrote for U.K.-based, Gloveman Supplies Ltd.

#453 – Debriding Garlic Cloves

There have been days that have gone by when I felt like something was missing. Then, I realized that I hadn’t had garlic. You see, I come from a long line of garlic-lovers, so it’s a must-have in our kitchen.

My husband is the official garlic squisher in our household, but I usually help by prepping the cloves.

Below, is the Garlic Peeler, which is basically a cylindrically-shaped rubber mat.

It’s not as effective, but you can also cut a large square from that grip-type shelf liner.

Here’s another trick, which I have yet to try. They assure you that you can peel a head of garlic in less than 10 seconds by using two bowls. Note: if you’re flaring, the whacking and the shaking may pose a problem.

Related post: Garlic: The Bulk Squeeze.

#452 – Readers’ Roundup of Resources 6

The village that cares to raise a child is the same one that helps build a community of care in the blogosphere.

Below, you’ll see some of the comments my lovely readers have cared to share on A Rheumful of Tips (ART).

On Au Revoir, Not Adieu, Pay It Forward has shared a success story with the use of natural treatments.

Deb reinforces the value of using an electric pepper mill on Gadget Tuesday Giveaway – Rotato, Potato, Beets… .

On A Leg To Stand On, Beth Havey reminds us about “comfortable function”.

Not exactly the Hokey Pokey, but Annette offers up a suggestion that improves balance, but also creates different neural connections on A Leg To Stand On.

When I read the inspirational responses to the question I asked in my giveaway, Tea(se) Your Taste Buds + a Giveaway, I immediately felt that sense of awe and ahhhh. Perhaps you will, too.

Lene is a font of information, and I’m glad she splashed some on Walk and Roll and on Over-Package This!

On Tea(se) Your Taste Buds + a Giveaway, Dorlee has a good alternate use for tea.

RA Cellist reminds us to keep our pets safe on Therapy Dog?

If you want to know more about what the ART villagers are offering, please check out Readers’ Roundup of Resources 1 to 5.

It’s giveaway time! All you have to do to enter is to answer one question on A giveaway for another piece of the address your stress puzzle. Stress – it’s in you to change.

#451 – Radishes lead to nutritional data

There they were – bright red globes of radishes that enticed me to drop them into the shopping basket.

When I got home, I wondered about the nutritional value of radishes, so I did a Google search. I landed on this page – Self Nutrition Data, which allows you to search for a particular food item. In addition to the regular nutrition facts, it also gives you a Glycemic Index (G.I.) rating and an Inflammation Factor.

In case you want to know, radishes are mildly anti-inflammatory.

Have you entered my giveaway for a copy of Manage Your Stress?