Smells That Boost Your Health

Certain scents can help memory, mood, energy.

Did you know that the human sense of smell can identify thousands of aromas and is 10,000 times more precise than our sense of taste?  
   We have millions of smell receptors in our noses. When they detect a scent, they shoot the information to the olfactory bulb—a pea-size cluster in the brain, which sorts the signals and relays them to the limbic system. This primitive part of the brain governs many memories and emotions; some of our most basic behaviors—feeding, fighting, or fleeing; as well as pleasure, and maybe even addiction. Because of their close proximity, the neurological controls for these behaviors often become entangled.
It also explains how odor can help lower stress levels, improve mental and physical performance, ease pain.

Sleep More Deeply
Sniff: Lavender
     There's a reason people have been filling pillows with lavender flowers for centuries: Earlier research demonstrated that lavender increases deep slow-wave sleep, and recent studies from England and Korea show that the flower also helps people with mild insomnia.
     Try this: Spritz your bedpost with lavender essence just before bed.

To Resist a Snack Attack
Sniff: Green Apple or Another Favorite Scent
     A fragrance you love can help manage cravings, according Alan Hirsch, MD, founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. In one study, Hirsch gave overweight people banana, green apple, and peppermint to sniff when they felt a craving; they lost more weight than nonsniffers.
     Try this: Keep a bottle of a favorite scent handy throughout the day and try sniffing instead of snacking.

To Calm Down
Sniff: Orange or Lavender
     In an Austrian study, researchers wafted the smell of oranges before some participants and lavender before others. The two groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer, compared with participants who were exposed to no fragrance at all.
     Try this: Add a few drops of either oil to a room diffuser and use in your office on stressful days.

To Learn Something New
Sniff: Rosemary
     Next time a presentation or new software program drives you crazy, think of Shakespeare’s poor Ophelia. After Hamlet made her nuts, she toddled around the castle picking rosemary, muttering, "That's for remembrance." Researchers at the University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom found she was on to something. After exposure to rosemary oil, 48 college students outperformed a control group on memory tests and felt more alert throughout.
     Try this: Buy a plant or two for your windowsill, so you can pluck a branch to smell while you're studying or memorizing something for work.

To Fight Pain
Sniff: Lavender or Peppermint
     Looking for ways to use less pain medication, doctors at New York University Medical Center exposed patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery to lavender oil (applied to the anesthesiology face masks they wore during surgery). Those patients required substantially less morphine and needed fewer analgesics afterward. Peppermint helps too. After a review of several studies, a Wheeling Jesuit University researcher concluded that it can ease headache pain, and German headache researchers report that the brisk smell is as effective as acetaminophen.
     Try this: Next time you have a headache, inhale the scent from a handkerchief sprinkled with a few drops of lavender or peppermint.

To Crank Up Your Workout
Sniff: Peppermint
     In a study at Wheeling Jesuit University, peppermint vapors gave college basketball players more motivation, energy, speed, and confidence. Some athletes use peppermint inhalers, and at one time Reebok even built a peppermint smell into some sports bras.
     Try this: When you're flagging during your power walk, take an invigorating breath from the Peak Performance Sports Inhaler with peppermint vapors.

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Six Healthy Habits That Can Make You Sick

Dr. Erika Schwartz, Medical Director of Cinergy Health is here to tell us not to get too carried away with our healthy habits.
     As a society, we are constantly striving to lead healthier, happier lives. But with these efforts, we sometimes run the risk of going too far. As a rule of thumb, any extreme is unhealthy, but rarely are we made aware of the "cons" of healthy habits, instead led to think any good thing is better if done as often as possible.

Not so fast...  Here are some examples of healthy habits that can backfire when done in excess:

1. Over-exercising
     Your body and mind do not need more than three to four days a week of 30 to 45 minutes of cardio activity. Cardio/aerobic exercises should be done every other day alternating with yoga, Pilate's, walking, and weight training on the off days.
     Hiking, swimming, tennis, golf, team sports and a simple variation in exercise over the course of the week, month, and season is the best way to stay lean, toned, and energized.

2. Staying out of the sun
     Our bodies need vitamin D to stay strong by making healthy bones and ward off illness by boosting our immune system. The only way to get vitamin D into our system is via sun exposure.
     Don't make yourself overly neurotic about sunscreen. If you are going to the pool or beach or participating in outdoor sports that involve more than 20 minutes of sun exposure, slather on the SPF 30, but if you are simply doing your daily errands outdoors, enjoy the feeling the sun on your skin.
     The only part of your body that should always be protected is the face.

3. Using antibacterial soaps and gels
     Antibacterial soaps and gels are good to carry in your purse or car, but becoming obsessed with the sanitizing they promise could weaken your body's ability to fight off "good bacteria."
     Washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds will do the trick.

4. Sleeping
     The average person needs eight full hours of undisturbed sleep at night. If you are regularly getting fewer or more than nine hours sleep, you are not doing yourself much good.
     Human beings are not built to think, process, or function optimally on more or less than seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Not to mention too little or too much sleep is bad for our skin and causes bloating, overeating, confusion, and depression.

5. Relying on air conditioning
     While air conditioning feels great on a hot, humid summer day, don't sit and breathe in cold recycled air all day and night long. The air may contain bacteria and germs and certainly all kinds of particles of dust.
     Every few hours, turn the air off, open the windows, go for a walk outside and breathe in the fresh air--don't forget to wash your air conditioning filters with warm water and soap and let them air-dry every month you're using them.
     And if you work in an office building where windows never open, bring a sweater to keep your core temperature warm and get out of the office at least for lunch and a mid-afternoon break.

6. Eating organic food
     While organic foods--such as fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods--tend to be expensive, the real problem is that they can still be heavily processed. Make sure to read the labels of the food you are purchasing carefully even if you are buying them from the health food store.
     Foods don't need to be "organic" to be healthy. Stick with labels that have simple and few ingredients, and a low amount of natural sugars (like honey, turbinado sugar, cane sugar), sodium, and processed carbohydrates.

By Therese J. Borchard

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Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

Myths About Baldness

     Nearly two out of every three men will begin balding by the time they're 60. Most don't part with their part willingly--American males collectively spend $1 billion a year trying to hang onto those locks. And while there's no cure for a shiny scalp, there are a lot of supposed causes that men worry about more than they need to.

     Recent research suggests that the most common type of hair loss, male pattern baldness, can be triggered by faulty hair-making progenitor cells in the scalp. Researchers long believed that men whose hair progressively thins--starting with a receding hairline, and then stretching to the crown--lacked a sufficient number of these cells. Rather, it appears that the cells are merely unable to complete their normal development and mature to a fully-functioning state. That finding, published last month in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could help researchers develop a treatment that reactivates and restores the malfunctioning cells.

     Other potential contributors to hair loss include illness, age, genetics, and even primping habits. Meanwhile, a flurry of myths contribute to men's anxiety, if not to baldness itself. "I get athletes who think helmets caused their hair to fall out, and men who say it's because their mothers rubbed their heads with black tar soap," says dermatologist Gary Hitzig, author of Help and Hope for Hair Loss. Neither helmets nor soap are at fault, he says. And more blame may get heaped on mothers than they deserve.


U.S. News gets to the bottom of nine common beliefs about hair loss. Here's the bald truth:

Myth: Hair loss is passed down from your mother's side.
Not entirely true. While the primary baldness gene is on the X chromosome, which men get only from their mothers, other factors are also in play. The hereditary factor is slightly more dominant on the woman's side, but research suggests that men who have a bald father are more likely to develop male pattern baldness than those who don't.

Myth: If you're balding, you're old.
On the contrary, hair loss can strike in the teens and is common among 20- and 30-year-olds. The earlier it begins, the more severe it will likely become.

Myth: Wearing a hat strains hair follicles, causing hair to fall out. Good news for men who rely on caps to cover their shiny crowns: They're not causing any harm. Dirty hats can, however, lead to a scalp infection, which in turn accelerates hair loss, so either make sure yours is clean or rotate frequently.

Myth: Trauma can cause hair loss.
True--with a catch. Physical or emotional stress "will never cause you to lose hair you wouldn't have lost anyway," Hitzig says. "If the hair is not meant to be lost, it will grow back." That said, it can accelerate balding. Rapid shifts in weight--whether pounds are gained or lost--can also contribute to the likelihood of hair loss.

Myth: Treatments like Propecia and Rogaine can prevent hair loss.
True. "Propecia is probably the most important advance in hair loss therapy in the last several decades," says Neil Sadick, a clinical professor in the department of dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical College. That prescription pill, which reduces levels of a hormone that shrinks hair follicles, works best in younger people whose hair is just beginning to thin. In addition to stalling the process, about one-third of men on Propecia will see some hair regrowth. But it's not the only option: Rogaine (also known as minoxidil), a topical treatment applied directly to the scalp, also helps slow hair loss. But both drugs come with drawbacks. Propecia can reduce libido, or sex drive, in men, while Rogaine must be applied twice daily and can irritate the scalp.

Myth: If you want to hang onto your hair, stay away from gel and hairspray.
No need to forgo the products--they don't cause balding, and neither does shampoo, washing your hair frequently, or dandruff. But some men tease their hair and use curling irons, which could speed up the process. "It's the over-mechanical utilization of hair that can be problematic," Sadick says.

Myth: Exposure to the sun encourages balding.
Not true. Tanning beds also don't have an effect.

Myth: Loading up on carbohydrates can lead to hair loss.
Carbohydrates and red meat provide nutrients that are helpful for maintaining a full head of hair, says Wilma Bergfeld, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Bergfeld's past research suggests that iron deficiency may be closely linked to hair loss. Treatment--like taking iron supplements--could restore growth.


By Angela Haupt, US News

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The Importance of Hand Written Notes and Why It's Good to Send Them

Personally, I love the whole act: Selecting the stationery, sitting down to gather my thoughts of gratitude, writing them down, addressing and mailing the envelope. Every time I drop a hand-written note in the mail, I get a thrill because I know it will brighten the recipient’s day, like it did mine.

People often lament doing what is best for them- like eating well and exercising. Writing a hand-written thank you note is no different. Many regard it as a burden. But what may seem like another chore to check off your list can actually make you really happy.

Feeling and showing gratitude in a thoughtful and deliberate way will lead to more good things in your life, and more reasons to be thankful. When you sit down to write a note on pretty stationery that reflects your style, you honor and celebrate the good that has come into your life, and lay the groundwork for more to come your way.

When the note is received, your thoughtfulness and appreciation will brighten their day, and probably inspire them to continue to do give in the way that made you grateful in the first place. See how this fabulous cycle is a win-win?

The most common and appropriate occasions to send a hand-written note are upon receiving a gift or favor, and notes on congratulations and condolences. It is always lovely to send a note to your host for an evening or weekend, as well as after an interview. And there is always the sweetest occasion- none at all!

Once you see the benefits and power of a simple thank you note, it will shift from being that pesky chore at the bottom of your list to a joyous activity you will look forward to.

To get started:
1. Buy a small box of blank note cards to have on hand, or splurge on fabulous personalized stationery.
2. Focus on the good things in your life. Who has gone out of their way for you? Celebrated your successes? Bought you something special? Picked you up when you were having a hard day?
3. When you sit down to write the note, keep it simple. The act of writing and sending the note in this email-saturated world is half the message itself.
4. To give a little oomph, include a photo you know the recipient would enjoy as a token of your appreciation.
~ By Nicole Braun Carrasco

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Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

How 11 U.S. Presidents Began Their Careers

1. George Washington
Before he became the first president of the United States, George Washington was a surveyor. Surveyors measure land, air space and water, explain what it looks like or how much is there, and then put those facts into legal documents. Washington was the official surveyor for his county in 1749, which allowed him to purchase his first piece of land in western Virginia. ("Washington: A Life," by Ron Chernow.)

2. John Adams
John Adams, the second U.S. president, was expected to become a minister, but he wasn't sure he wanted to take that career path. After teaching for a few years, Adams decided to become a lawyer and was admitted to the bar in 1758. ("John Adams: A Life," by John E. Ferling.)

3. Thomas Jefferson
Before taking office as the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was somewhat of a jack of all trades. Growing up, he studied history, science, math, metaphysics and philosophy, in addition to several languages. As a result, he was recognized as a horticulturist, political leader, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, musician and inventor. He also founded the University of Virginia. ("Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography," by Merrill D. Peterson.)

4. Abraham Lincoln
After a brief stint as owner of a general store in 1832, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was the postmaster for the area in which he lived. After that, he taught himself to become the county surveyor. Then he became a lawyer, another self-taught profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1837. ("Lincoln," by David Herbert Donald.)

5. Andrew Johnson
Before his career in politics, Andrew Johnson worked as an apprentice tailor for his mother while in his adolescent years. He eventually left his apprenticeship and found work as a tailor in South Carolina and Tennessee. He became the 17th president of the United States in 1865. (Encyclopedia Britannica and "Labor of Innocents: Forced Apprenticeship in North Carolina, 1715 - 1919," by Karin Zipf.)

6. James Garfield
James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, dabbled in education before entering the second-shortest presidential term in 1881. He was a preacher for about a year at a Christian church when he decided to try his hand as principal of a high school in New York. When another applicant got the job, he became an instructor at the Eclectic Institute, where he taught classical languages and then was made principal. ("Garfield," by Allan Peskin.)

7. William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was in the legal field before his presidency in 1908. After passing the bar, Taft was the assistant prosecutor for his county in Ohio. In 1882, he was selected as local collector of internal revenue (IRS, anyone?). A few years later, he was appointed a judge on the Ohio Superior Court and then in 1890, President Benjamin Harrison appointed him solicitor general of the United States, otherwise known as the person who represents the government before the Supreme Court. ("William Howard Taft" by the National Park Service and "William Howard Taft" by Walter Hertz, Unitarian Universalist Historical Society.)

8. Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson also got his start in education. After receiving his Ph.D., he was a visiting lecturer at Cornell University in 1886, but wasn't offered a full-time gig. He landed teaching jobs at Bryn Mawr College (1885-1888) and Wesleyan University (1888-1890), where he coached the football team. Wilson was also the president of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910 and was elected president in 1912. ("Wilson, Woodrow," by Arthur S. Link.)

9. Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover graduated in 1895 with a degree in geology. He served as a geologist and mining engineer while searching the Western Australian gold fields in 1897. After being appointed mine manager at 23, he mined the Sons of Gwalia gold mine, and also the Big Bell, Cue, Leonora, Menzies and Coolgardie mines. He continued his mining and engineering career until 1908, when he became an independent mining consultant. He was elected to office in 1928. (Gwalia Historic Site and "Hoover's Gold," from Australian Broadcasting Corp.)

10. Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was an actor before taking office as the 40th U.S. president in 1981. He starred in more than 50 movies, was president of the Screen Actors Guild, and was a spokesman for General Electric, which is when he got his start in politics. Before that, Reagan was a sports broadcaster at the University of Iowa, where he was paid $10 per game. He became a radio announcer before working as an announcer for the Chicago Cubs. He received his contract with Warner Brothers in 1937. ("Actor, Governor, President, Icon," by Lou Cannon, The Washington Post).

11. Barack Obama
Current U.S. President Barack Obama had several jobs before being elected as the first African-American president in 2008. Obama worked for three years as director of the Developing Communities Project, a church-based community organization in Chicago. He also worked as a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation, a community-organizing institute in Chicago. ("Who's Who in America, 2008," Karen Chassie.)

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Speedy Weeknight Dinners

These beat-the-clock recipes use smart shortcuts to make a gourmet-tasting meal in minutes!  ~ By Laraine Perri

Tortellini with Mushrooms
Total Time: 25 minutes
Halve 1 pound mixed mushrooms (such as regular white mushrooms and stemmed shiitakes). Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms until golden, about 8 minutes. Add 4 teaspoons minced garlic and 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme to mushrooms and cook 1 minute. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1/2 cup Madeira or dry sherry, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Cook 9 ounces fresh cheese tortellini per package directions. Add pasta to warm mushrooms and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with grated or shaved Parmesan, if desired. 4 servings

Mu Shu Chicken
Total Time: 20 minutes
Whisk 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons each dry sherry and hoisin in a small bowl. Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon each minced fresh ginger and garlic and stir-fry 1 minute. Add a 14-ounce bag coleslaw mix and 1/2 cup chopped scallions and stir-fry until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Add 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken and soy sauce mixture. Toss until heated through. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil. Serve wrapped in eight 6" flour tortillas, warmed in the microwave, and, if desired, additional hoisin for spreading on the tortillas and chopped scallions for sprinkling over the filling. 4 servings

Roasted Salmon With Mustard-Dill Glaze
Total Time: 20 minutes
Heat oven to 400°F. In a small dish, combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon each grainy mustard and chopped dill, 1 1/2 teaspoons dark brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Put four 4-ounce, center-cut salmon fillets on a foil-lined baking sheet. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper and spread mayonnaise mixture over top of fillets. Roast until just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. 4 servings

Spicy Shrimp Marinara With Feta
Total Time: 20 minutes
Heat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes. Stir 30 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons white wine and stir until almost evaporated. Add 1 1/2 cups jarred marinara sauce and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Let simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1 pound large shrimp, peeled. Crumble 2 ounces feta (about 1/2 cup) over top. Bake until shrimp are just cooked through, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. 4 servings

Maple-Lemon Skirt Steak
Total Time: 25 minutes
Whisk 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a minced garlic clove in a small saucepan. Season 1 pound skirt steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and set aside. Heat a lightly oiled grill pan or heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook steak to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Meanwhile, bring maple-lemon mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Let simmer 1 minute. Cut steak into thin slices across the grain and drizzle with sauce. 4 servings

Chicken Reuben Quesadillas
Total Time: 30 minutes
Heat oven to 425°F. Brush a baking sheet lightly with canola oil. Put four 8" flour tortillas on a work surface. Spread 1/3 cup bottled Russian dressing on tortillas. Using a total of 6 ounces reduced-fat Swiss, 1 c drained low-sodium sauerkraut, and 6 ounces sliced lower-sodium deli chicken breast, cover half of each tortilla. Fold other half over the filling and put on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops and edges with 1 teaspoon canola oil and bake 10 minutes. Flip the quesadillas, transfer to a cutting board, and let rest 5 minutes. Cut each into 3 wedges. 4 servings

Antipasto Pizza
Total Time: 20 minutes
Heat oven to 450°F. Spread 3 tablespoons prepared sun-dried tomato pesto over a 12" thin-crust pizza (such as Boboli), leaving a 1/2 " border. Top with 3 ounces (about 1 cup) shredded provolone; 3 ounces jarred roasted red peppers, thinly sliced; 6 ounces marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped; and 5 pitted and halved kalamata olives. Bake on the top rack until crust is crisp, about 10 minutes. Cut 3 slices salami into strips and scatter over the finished pizza. Cut into 8 wedges. 4 servings

Bon Apetite!

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Ideas To Help Sell Your Home

As we prepare a home to go up for sale, there are certain things we can do that make BIG differences in obtaining a buyer:

~ Pricing - Find out what the home is worth. In today's market, buyers are looking for good value for their money. You will benefit from pricing the home reasonably.

~ Light - Showing a well lit home makes it look large and spacious. Clean drapes or take them down, clean windows and lampshades, increase the wattage in the light bulbs and trim trees and shrubs outside to allow more light in.

~ Closets - By emptying your closets to half full, you show there is ample space. Storage is a major concern for buyers. To see a closet half empty and organized gives the impression of more storage room.

~ Remove Personal Belongings - Give the buyer the benefit of imagining their own items in the home by taking your items out. Take down family pictures, plaques with sayings and knick knacks.

~ Pets - Not all buyers are pet lovers. Discreetly hide the food and water bowls, litter boxes and clean pet fur off of everything. Get rid of pet smells or pet stains on carpeting or flooring. If you have an Open House planned, take your pets out of the house for the day.

~ Kitchen - This is the most important room and one that can make or break a potential sale. Neutral colored walls help give a blank canvas to the buyer, to put their own colors in the room. Take away counter clutter. Buy one high end appliance to give the effect that everything is high end.

~ Updating - A complete makeover on your home is not necessary. Little subtle changes go a long way. Fix leaky faucets, change or clean drapes, clean grout, paint, replace cabinet hardware.

~ Show Ready - Have your home always ready to show. Keep it tidy, clean and uncluttered.

~ First Impression: Outside - As one is looking at your home the moment they pull in front of it, this is the first impression that cannot be repeated. Many times, the buyer has already made an opinion of the home before opening the front door. Spruce up the shrubs, put out colorful flowers, sweep walkways, clean the exterior of the home and clean the driveway.

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The Meaning of the Flag Draped Coffin

Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals.

Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased's next of kin, friend or specified associate, according to the Maine Military Funerals Honor Program. Qualified veterans may receive only one burial flag.

At military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776.

 

The honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the Flag 13 times.  Here is what each fold signifies:

• The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
• The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. 
• The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.  
• The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.  
• The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'
• The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
• The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.
• The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
• The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
• The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.
• The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
• The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nation’s motto, 'In God We Trust.

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9 Things That Make Seasonal Allergies Worse

If you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer (60 million of Americans are), you probably already have a few tricks to avoid triggers, like not running outside when pollen counts are sky-high or keeping the windows closed and blasting the AC. But you may not know about these less obvious factors that can make symptoms worse.

1. Stressful work deadlines
In a 2008 experiment, researchers at Ohio State University College of Medicine found that allergy sufferers had more symptoms after they took an anxiety-inducing test, compared with when they performed a task that did not make them tense. Stress hormones may stimulate the production of IgE, blood proteins that cause allergic reactions, says study author Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD. If you’re under stress, get enough sleep. A sleep deficit can worsen both allergy symptoms and stress, she says.

2. An extra glass of wine with dinner
Alcohol can raise the risk of perennial allergic rhinitis by 3% for every additional alcoholic beverage consumed each week, Danish researchers found. One potential reason: Bacteria and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines, chemicals that cause telltale allergy symptoms like stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Avoid alcohol when your symptoms are acting up, says Richard F. Lockey, MD, director of the division of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

3. Waiting too long to take meds
Medications that block histamines work best before you’re even exposed to allergens, says allergist James Sublett, MD, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Start medication a couple of weeks before the season commences or before you’ll be around allergens (if you react to grass, before a golf game, for example).

4. A not-hot-enough washing machine
If you find yourself sniffling in bed, crank your washing machine to the hottest setting. In a South Korean study, laundering cotton sheets at 140°F killed 100% of dust mites, while a warm 104°F wash destroyed just 6.5%. A machine's "sanitize" setting is likely hot enough; check the manual if your model lacks this option. Some units heat water internally, but others use what flows through the pipes, so you may need to boost your water heater. (Caution: This temp can scald in 5 seconds.)

5. Houseplants that make you sneeze
Your innocent orchid could bring tears to your eyes. More than 75% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to at least one common houseplant, found a Belgian study. Allergens in plant sap can diffuse into the air and set off your sniffling. Though any potted greens can be trouble, researchers found that ficus, yucca, ivy, palm, orchid, and fern varieties are most irritating to allergy-prone people.

6. Skipping medication in the evening
One time not to forget your allergy med? Before bed—so the medication will be circulating in your bloodstream early the next day. Symptoms such as sneezing, weepy eyes, and runny nose peak in the morning, says Richard J. Martin, MD, chair of the department of medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Choose regular (instead of nondrowsy formulas) for extra help falling asleep promptly.

7. Water workouts in an indoor pool
Chlorine-filled lap lanes can wreak havoc on your system. Used to disinfect, chlorine is highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. And a recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that teens who log more than 100 hours in a chlorinated pool have a 3 to 7 times higher risk of developing hay fever, compared with swimmers who dunk in chlorine-free pools.

To reap the benefits of your water workout without wheezing and sneezing, consider wearing a mask or goggles when swimming to protect your eyes from chlorine's temporarily irritating effects. Try to swim in outdoor pools, where the gas is more readily dispersed, instead of indoor ones, and avoid swimming in chlorinated pools daily.

8. Friends who smoke
Cigarettes—with their numerous toxic chemicals and irritants—are nasty for everyone, but allergy sufferers may be especially sensitive, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. In fact, one Japanese study of teenage students found that more than 80% of those who came from homes where family members smoked heavily showed signs of nasal allergies.

Even if you don’t hang around smoky bars or other areas, particles on the clothing of smoking friends or coworkers can pollute the air in your home or office.

9. Showering in the AM only
Hay fever sufferers would benefit from a quick rinse as soon as they get home from work or after being outside for a while, says allergist Stanley Fineman, MD, a physician at the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic. That’s because hidden pollen particles can get trapped on your body, hair, clothes, and shoes—continuing to trigger symptoms after you’ve returned indoors.

If you’re prone to pollen allergies, slip off your shoes, throw your clothes in the hamper, and shower as soon as you get home to avoid dragging particles all over your home.

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

St. Valentine's Day

An aray of quotes in honor of this holiday of love:

"A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
'Til you give it away.
~ Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music, "You Are Sixteen (Reprise)"

"The richest love is that which submits to the arbitration of time."
~ Lawrence Durrell

"To love another person is to see the face of God."  ~  Les Miserables

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ... " ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” 
~  Dr. Seuss

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." 
~  Author Unknown

"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs." 
~  William Shakespeare

"Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all."
~  St. Augustine

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love..."  ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13
 
"A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it."  
~  Frank A. Clark

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
~  Rose Franken

"Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction."
~  Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

"You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without." 
~  Unknown

"Love: The irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." 
~  Robert Frost

"Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!"
~  Thomas Hood

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

Pet Therapy

Pet therapy is the use of pets providing love, healing, and recovery to those with emotional and physical ailments. Studies continuously show they lower blood pressure, increase relaxation levels, ease stress, improve moods, and extend life expectancy. The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patients - people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally ill.

The reasons are quite simple. Animals provide a constant source of unconditional, nonjudgmental love, compassion and affection. Pets can shift our attention beyond ourselves, helping one feel part of a larger world. They bring out our nurturing instinct and make us feel unconditionally accepted. Unlike people, it’s just easier to be ourselves around pets.

Whether you own your pet or are visited by a pet, it provides therapy.

When one has their own pet that is their companion and the light of their daily life, they are known to live longer. They “hang on” when faced with terminal illnesses because they don’t want to leave their pet; they are concerned with how their pet will be taken care of should they not be there. They may feel their pet needs them. A study conducted at UCLA found that dog owners required much less medical care for stress-induced aches and pains than non-dog owners. In fact, the presence of a pet was found to give higher boost to the survival rate than having a spouse or friends!

It is possible that people who own pets may have different personality traits than those who do not. Research has found that complex, varied, and interesting daily activity is the strongest social predictor of longevity. Pet ownership may affect people physiologically through the soothing and relaxing effect of touch. And speechless communication with a pet, or simply watching a cat or fish, may produce a relaxation response with little demand on the patient.

There are agencies that provide pet visits to hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. As even one agency can reach several different facilities in a day, thousands of patients or residents are touched with the warmth and caring this kind of program provides. Bringing a pet into a nursing home or hospital can boost peoples' moods and enhance their social interaction. When visits are scheduled for the same day and time routinely, the residents do come to look forward to their time with the pet!
The kind of pet does not matter to get the therapeutic benefit. It could be a dog, a cat, parakeet, a gold fish or anything else.What does matter is that the animal is of interest to you. Petting a dog, watching a kitten tumble, or watching the hypnotic explorations of fish can be an antidote to a foul mood or a frazzling day.

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

"Just for Today 21 - 30" Resolutions (Part 3)

Day 21: Just for today, I resolve to spend some time with my family. My colleague, Dr. Jim Burns, speaks often about how the breathless pace we live life is breaking families apart. So today, give your family the gift of your presence. This doesn't have to be complicated. Just make some space in this day to be with your family in both body and attention. Play a game together, take a walk, have a conversation, go somewhere, make a memory. Both you and your family will benefit from it.

Day 22: Just for today, I resolve to be kind. Simply put, being kind involves living out Jesus' words, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12) Just for today, treat others the way you would want to be treated in similar circumstances, at home, at work, at school, and with everyone you come in contact with. This might not be easy, as we can often react negatively towards those who are not acting in kindness to us. But remember, Jesus doesn't call us to treat others as they treat us. And, keep in mind that you don't often know everything that is going on in someone else's life and why they act the way they do. So, to the best of your ability, today give others the benefit of the doubt, and respond kindly.

Day 23: Just for today, I resolve to give someone a choice. Life can begin to weigh us down when we feel we have no choices. Today, lighten someone else's load by finding a way to offer them a choice. Perhaps it's offering your child a choice between several chores around the house. Or, possibly offering a coworker, peer, or subordinate a choice between tasks. Maybe, it's simply asking your spouse what they'd like to watch on television this evening.

Day 24: Just for today, I resolve to make someone laugh. This is a corollary to Day 17. Sure, this day is likely to be filled with serious and important issues to face. Still, we all need to experience the gift of laughter, and the accompanying lightening of heart, from time to time. Your mission today is to make someone else laugh. Not known for your sense of humor? Find a (wholesome) joke that you like and share it with someone. The fact that you aren't known as a funny person will likely make the other person laugh even more.

Day 25: Just for today, I resolve to do something nice for someone I know outside of my own family. Identify one person you'll be in contact with today, and think of a way to do something nice for them. This shouldn't be difficult, even though it may be unexpected. It can be as easy as picking up a cup of coffee for a friend or a coworker. Be creative and help to make someone else's day.

Day 26: Just for today, I resolve to say "thank you." This is another of the often-overlooked common courtesies that used to be a part of polite society. It's not likely that most of us are ungrateful for what others do on our behalf. We just don't seem to express gratitude, as freely as once may have been the norm. Today, resolve to communicate your thanks to everyone who does something for you—from the barista who serves your morning mocha to your spouse who ran that errand for you on his or her lunch break. Trust me, the gesture will be appreciated. "Thank you" is a surprisingly powerful phrase.

Day 27: Just for today, I resolve to pay someone a complement. Similar to saying thank you, a complement is a powerful way to encourage someone, but it goes beyond something they've done for you personally and highlights some action or characteristic in them that you admire. This may take some work on your part, but perhaps not. Do you admire the way a coworker handles pressure? Let him or her know. Do you admire the way your daughter serves others without being asked? Let her know. Do you admire the way your spouse makes parenting your kids look so easy? Let her or him know.

Day 28: Just for today, I resolve to do something relaxing. Chances are you live a full and busy life. When was the last time you did something relaxing that you enjoy? Perhaps it has been a long time. Regardless, today take at least a few moments to relieve the stress and pressure that seem so constant in your life. Grab a cup of coffee with a friend; take a walk on the beach, read a chapter of a book. Do something that serves to relax you, if only for a brief period.

Day 29: Just for today, I resolve to do something nice for a complete stranger. You don't have to go overboard here. A kind act on behalf of a stranger reminds us that we are part of the community of humanity. We will never know the stories, pleasures or pains of those people we walk by day in and day out. But, most likely, their lives, at least at their core, are very similar to yours. They yearn, they hurt, and they love, just like you. So just for today, why not reach out to someone and be reminded that as one person among many, you are part of something bigger than yourself and your family. Open a door for someone. Pay a toll for the person in the car behind you. Help pick up papers that someone drops on the street. Remember, Jesus' words: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Day 30: Just for today, I resolve to do something out of the ordinary. It was Henry David Thoreau who wrote, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." I don't admire Thoreau as a theologian, but I think he largely got it right in this quote. I believe a large number of people, perhaps even you, get bogged down in the routines of life. I have nothing against routines, except when they become our master. Much can be said about the righteousness of living a careful, responsible life before God. But, this is not at issue for me in this resolution. My fear is that the life Jesus lived and died to give us ("I came that they may have life and have it to the full." John 10:10) can get lost in the devotion to safety and routine. I'm not advocating going out today to partake in some "extreme" thrill sport. I'm simply encouraging you to do something outside of your normal routine, to experience life outside the lines you've drawn, to provide yourself with the opportunity to "sing your song." How? Only you can decide for sure, but maybe it's as simple as taking the long way home from school or work to gain a new perspective on the world right around you that otherwise goes unnoticed. Perhaps it involves preparing a dinner from another culture for your family. And maybe, just maybe, it is taking that bungee jump that you've always wanted to try, but has always seemed so "unlike you."

By Jim Liebelt

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

"Just for Today 11 - 20 " Resolutions (Part 2)

Day 11: Just for today, I resolve to say, "I love you" to someone. It's really not hard, and if you try, you really can find the moment it takes to say it, email it, text it or show it. There are few sayings more powerful in the life of another than these three little words.

 
Day 12: Just for today, I resolve not to demand the last word. Today's resolution is a simple exercise in the discipline of deference. Many of us seek to have the last word…on everything! Since I'm not a psychologist, I can't explain all of the possible reasons why so many of us feel and act this way. But today, just for today, when some non-life-or-death issue arises and you feel that pressure to provide the last word on the subject, decide not to do it. You might in fact, be right on the issue at hand. Still, just defer. Just this once. It's likely that you'll find the world doesn't unravel immediately after all, and it might relieve some of the pressure you feel to keep it from spinning apart.

Day 13: Just for today, I resolve to make the most of today. This will mean different things to different people. Only you have an accurate idea of what things you take for granted, how you skim at work, or in your relationships, or even with yourself. Find something today, anything, to just squeeze a little more out of this day. Take a pass on watching television tonight and invest in a project, hobby, a good book, or a conversation. Stay a bit longer at the office water cooler to listen to your coworker's story about her sick father. Linger a bit longer when you kiss your spouse this evening. You may find that some very simple things can add a lot of meaning to your day.

Day 14: Just for today, I resolve to learn something new. It's the information age! There's no shortage of opportunity to learn something new, and hopefully something that can enrich your life or at least your knowledge about the world around you. So today, take some time to skim a newspaper or magazine, watch an informative television program or online video, or just browse an interesting website.

Day 15: Just for today, I resolve to eat a food I enjoy. Life is too short to completely abstain from eating all foods you enjoy. Even if you are in the midst of an attempt to lose some weight after the holiday season, the common advice is to treat yourself to something you find yummy (in moderation, of course) once in awhile. It's amazing how something as little as eating a food you enjoy can really perk up your day! Bon Appetite!

Day 16: Just for today, I resolve to say, "Please". The word "please" is an often overlooked common courtesy these days, and especially within the family. We can easily slip into taking our family members for granted, and so (intentionally or unintentionally) assume that others are at our beck and call. So just for today, add the polite request to your vocabulary, whether at home, school, or work. It doesn't cost anything, and your action just might motivate others to do the same.

Day 17: Just for today, I resolve to laugh. We can all benefit from laughing more than we do. Life is so darned serious, yes? Many of us are too busy, live too complicated lives, or are in the midst of painful life situations, which makes laughter a rare occurrence. Just for today, add laughter to your to-do list. Take a few moments to remember a good joke, watch a comedy, or look up a short funny video online. Remember, it is said that laughter is the best medicine.

Day 18: Just for today, I resolve to do something unusually nice for a family member. You probably do a lot of nice things for your family already. If you are a parent, much of your life might be centered on doing nice things for your children and spouse. But just for today, identify one uncharacteristic way to do something nice for a family member. Take out the garbage, bring in the newspaper, give up the remote control, do someone else's normal chore. Do it joyfully as a way of demonstrating your love for that person.

Day 19: Just for today, I resolve to forgive myself. We are our own worst critics. No one else on earth knows as well as you do just how far you fall short of God's ideals and your own ideals, as well. Just for today, give yourself a break. Think of one of your shortcomings, confess it to God (He forgives!) and grant yourself the same forgiveness that God demonstrates to you. Maybe you do need to make some life changes to overcome this shortcoming or weakness in the future. Think through a plan of action. But, give up wallowing in the mud over the past, look to the future instead, and live in freedom as a forgiven child of God.

Day 20: Just for today, I resolve to sleep in. We live in a culture of sleep deprived people. Statistically, it's likely you are one of the many who don't get enough sleep. If you are at all like me, getting some extra sleep may only amount to 10 minutes, but take whatever time your family and your own body allows you. For some, it might mean taking a rare nap in the afternoon, or after dinner. Do whatever works for you. Your body will thank you for it!

By Jim Liebelt

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.

"Just for Today 1 - 10" Resolutions (Part 1)

Never mind the "New Year's Resolutions" that fall by the wayside within the first days/weeks/month of the year.  Here are some resolutions one can take a day at a time!

Day 1: Just for today, I resolve to pray. This doesn't have to be difficult. Sometime during the day, just say a short prayer. Thank God for something, or praise God for something, or tell God you love Him, or confess something to Him, or ask Him for something, or ask Him for something for someone other than yourself. Just try one of these things. Or, if you feel like it - do all of the above.

Day 2: Just for today, I resolve to prepare. We all have something on the horizon that will benefit from some advance preparation. Not many of us are good at this, but the time invested in preparation usually pays off when the time to act on that something arrives. Today, look ahead to that future event, deadline, or project and take some time to prepare.

Day 3: Just for today, I resolve to appreciate the world around me. Take a moment or two to smell the roses, or look at the blue sky (or clouds, or rain, or snow, ocean, mountains, trees… you get the picture) and let the beauty in the world and of life roll over you.

Day 4: Just for today, I resolve to save money. No, you don't have to put away money for your retirement or actually put money into a bank account. Simply pass on spending money on something you normally would pay for today. Skip the afternoon Starbucks run, or pack a lunch or snack from home instead of purchasing them. If you'd like, set aside the money you save today for something—or someone—else.

Day 5: Just for today, I resolve to forgive someone. Okay, this doesn't mean that today you have to forgive the person for the worst wrongdoing that's ever been committed against you (but it would be a good day for this.) But, we routinely suffer minor offenses against us, so think of one and in your heart and soul, forgive the person who committed the offense. It's good for you to exercise the same forgiveness that God has demonstrated toward you. If it makes sense, tell the offending person that you forgive them.

Day 6: Just for today, I resolve not to compare myself to anyone else. The temptation always exists, doesn't it? Yet, playing the comparison game is never good for us. We can always find someone who appears to have more, better, easier... well, you get the picture. It's important to remember that we'll always lose when we compare what we know to be true about ourselves with what we don't know for sure about others.

Day 7: Just for today, I resolve to create some warmth in my home. It's been said that home is where we go when we're tired of being nice. Sadly, this is too often true. Everyone at home wins when we do our part to create a warm and loving atmosphere at home. Today, try some kind words, engage, pay attention (be a good listener), show appropriate physical contact (a kiss, a hug, a touch), encourage, and lighten up.

Day 8: Just for today, I resolve to exercise. Today, do yourself and your family some good by getting some exercise. This can be as simple as going outside for a brisk walk. You don't have to go overboard here. In fact, if you haven't been getting regular exercise, don't go overboard! If at all possible, exercise by doing something you enjoy. If you find all exercise tedious, try listening to music, an audiobook, a radio broadcast or a podcast while exercising.

Day 9: Just for today, I resolve to read from the Bible. No length requirements and no reading plan here. Today, just take some moments to read something from God's word. Read a verse, passage, chapter, or book, something familiar and cherished, or investigate a portion of Scripture you have never read. Whatever you do here, it will be good for your life and your soul (See Psalm 119:105). Up the ante: memorize a verse or short passage of Scripture (see Psalm 119:11).

Day 10: Just for today, I resolve to eat less. This may not apply to you, but most Americans eat more food than they need. When was the last time you consciously thought about having a smaller portion for a meal, or passing on seconds, dessert, or that late night snack? It is possible to eat less than you normally do. Try it, just for today. If you get hungry along the way, use it as a spiritual reminder that Jesus is the "Bread of Life"—the source of satisfaction for our hungry souls. Up the ante: If you are in good health, try fasting for one meal, 12-hours, or an entire day. (Don't skip the fluids!)

By Jim Liebelt

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.