Health and Fitness

Nearly everyone I know has been to a bar at some point in time. Going out and having a few drinks is a part of American culture. The only problem with that for some is that the bars can be smoky from cigarettes. A new law in Virginia aims to change that as citizens are no longer allowed to smoke in bars or restaurants.

There has been much debate over the bill. Some applaud the law as they want to drink in a smoke free environment. Others say that the law is driving away business and violates a person’s right to smoke. Personally, I don’t approve of smoking, but I think the rights of citizens to do so is more important.

A study done in Japan has shown that taking vitamin d on a regular basis in the winter can reduce the chances of having asthma attacks or catching a seasonal flu. The study was done by Dr. Mitsuyshi Urashima on a group of 167 schoolchildren. Half were given vitamin D3 supplements while the rest received placebos.

The study showed a marked drop in those children who would normally catch influenza A. the downside is that the vitamins had no effect on the influenza B strain. Doctors hope to use this information to help prevent those at risk to fend off the early spring flu. Those who wish to start their children on vitamin D should check with a doctor first.

Fast lunch does not have to mean fast food. I decided to stop by the local grocery store today instead of going to a drive through for a burger. The grocery has a deli that makes sandwiches to order, and they have a seafood counter that makes fresh sushi every day. I checked out the sushi and was able to get a box with 12 California Rolls for under $6. That’s the same price as a burger and fries, but it tastes better and it better for your health. So that’s my fast lunch today.

We had enough snow last night that all the schools have canceled class today. I decided to take a sick day and stay home, too. I think I am getting strep throat or something, and I just couldn’t get up this morning when the alarm rang. With no school, the office will be half empty as all kinds of secretaries and clerks needing to stay home with their kids. So I doubt anyone will even miss me today.

The kids across the street made themselves a couple of igloo forts and stored up a bunch of snowballs. The igloos weren’t very tall and didn’t offer much protection, the snowballs fell apart as they threw them, so they didn’t need much protection. It was kind of fun watching from the kitchen window as they ran around the yard pegging each other. Reminded me of being a kid and all the fights with my brother.