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Archive for the ‘Health and Wellness’ Category

Save Your Neck and Shoulders With a Document Holder

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, Workplace Wellness, tagged , , , , , on May 13, 2011| 1 Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Massage therapists see many people with neck and shoulder pain. In the U.S., a large proportion of people either work at a computer all day. A pain pattern I see commonly from those that place their keyboards far away from the edge of the desk and set papers in front of them on the desk before the keyboard. Then they lean far over the paper to type. This can result in tight and painful muscles in the middle of the back.

An easy and inexpensive fix for this is to buy a document holder and use it to stand your papers or books upright, at a slight angle so that you can see your documents and still have your keyboard closer to you as you type. I’ve provided a list of the best document stands I could find on Amazon below.

Jasmine Book Stand (Bookstand / Bookstands / Holder / Cookbook / Music)

$29.99 at Amazon click here.

Amazon reviewers say:

• This book stand is so amazing! As a graduate student, it has made all the difference in the world with my reading and research. It makes it much easier to take notes; it can accommodate quite thick books; it is very sturdy; and, it is a great size. My reading and note taking are happening with greater ease and speed. This is a wonderful product! C roberts

• I have degenerative disc disease in my cervical spine and I can hold my head in only one direction for longer than 5 minutes–straight ahead. I am a student and have a lot of reading to do. This bookstand has saved me a lot of pain and discomfort, allowing me to maintain good posture while I study. I highly recommend this product to anyone with neck pain.  j hunter

• I purchased this stand to hold thick textbooks, and it is exactly what I wanted. As an added benefit, I also use it to hold my computer tablet. Now I’m considering getting another one.  Sydney

• I’m a nursing student, and I got this stand because I was getting neck aches from studying so much. This stand put a prompt end to that! It is sturdy, easy to use, and it works well at my computer desk for my online class. I can easily set my book at a 45 degree angle to my computer screen and a bit to the side, and I can see the screen, the textbook, and have my binder open in front of my screen to follow along during a lecture. It is lightweight and stores fairly flat, too. I love it!  R H May

• I use this bookstand in front of my computer at work to hold file folders while I type letters and reports, etc. It’s excellent for this. Some of the files can be a little thick and heavy; this book stand holds up. It’s made much better than the one I had before that was made from plastic and had bent under the weight of the files over time. I don’t see that happening with this stand. I do wish the tray was slightly deeper to hold even thicker files (or books), but overall I’m very happy with it. In spite of its strength, it is very light weight, but a little bulky if you plan to carry it around with you a lot. I would definitely recommend this book stand to my family and friends.  SS

• This is a steal for $30. The best part is the smooth surface finish and the solid feel of the assembly. The main hinge assembly is made of black plastic, but it is very rigid and the screws are metal. Another great feature is that the stand folds up flat so that you can put it in a backpack or a large notebook bag. I went to the library today and whipped it out onto a desk. The clips that hold the pages in place are nice too: firm enough to keep the pages down but not too strong so as to be a nuisance when turning pages. I’m definitely recommending this to all my friends who are students or who are serious readers.  Mpay

Fellowes Kopy-Aid Black Letter Copyholder (11053)

$24.88 at Amazon, click here.

I like this stand because its affordable and because it’s metal, it is most likely easier to write on if you need to take notes.

Amazon reviewers say:

• Top of the line document holder. I use the Fellowes Kopy-Aid both at home and work. I’d be lost without it. I do accounting and bookkeeping entries and nothing beats the moveable magnetic line guide. I highly recommend the Fellowes Kopy-Aid. J. Ferrero “MontanaJoe”

• I purchased this after my plastic on broke for the second time. It is very stable and won’t be likely to break or turn over like the ones I have used previously. I like the way the magnetic line guide fits at the side. Easy to use on one sheet or 20 semi-rumpled sheets. Patricia Adcock

• This item was pretty sturdy and help avoid a stiff neck when copying something. It was delivered on time and in good condition. The price is right. Edgardo P. Yamsuan

Portabook Message Board and Multifunctional Book and Laptop Stand (Light Gray)

Price on Amazon $12.99 click here.

Amazon reviewers say:

• This is the 4th or 5th Portabook I’ve purchased. I recommend them to massage clients and give them to friends and family. The Portabook is lightweight and easy to pack into a backpack along with laptop. It holds books, papers and lap taps easily. A set of coated rubber bands holds large books or a laptop keyboard in place. Using the Portabook relieves neck and shoulder pain caused by looking down at papers and books. It can also be used to hold a laptop at an angle that is easier to viewing the screen. However, it’s best to plug-in an extended keyboard in this setup or you ave to type with your arms up to your shoulders!

We only broke one Portabook after 2 years of constant use. For such an inexpensive and lightweight product 2 years of use is pretty good. I highly recommend the Portabook if you want an easy way to hold books and papers at an angle while you read. Wellness Woman

Roberts 732310000 Book Holder

$35.25 at Amazon click here.

Fellowes Flex Arm Weighted Base Copyholder Platinum/Graphite

$26.23 at Amazon, click here.

I am leery of this stand but it does offer the flexibility of allowing you to position your document where its easiest for you to view. the down side is that the stand takes up a lot of room and that these types of arms tend to be flimsy and break often as noted by Amazon reviewers.

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Your Children’s Friends Have More Influence on Their Fitness Than You Think!

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, tagged , , on May 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Hiking and biking is more fun with new friends!

Parents do have influence on their children. But peer pressure can be a big factor in how your children relate to their own health, diet and fitness needs. According to Russell Jago, Ph.D., in his research study,  Better with a Buddy: Influence of Best Friends on Children’s Physical Activity in the Feb. 2011 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, boys who have active friends spend more time participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than those with inactive best friends. The study also found that girls who frequently engage in physical activity with their best friends have higher levels of physical activity. Boys and girls who take part in physical activity with their best friends, at home or in the neighborhood where they live, tend to have in higher levels of physical activity.

The Better with a Buddy study examined how the physical activity of self-identified best friends were associated with the physical activity of 10-to-11-year-old children in Bristol. Their research showed that girls played with their best friends in a physical activity five or more times per week ended up with nine more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day than those who were active with their best friend once a week or less. Girls who were played actively with their best friends at home or in their neighborhoods had six more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day than those who were only active with their best friends at school. At the same time, boys who were active with their best friend at home or in the neighborhood had 11 more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than those who were just active with their best friends at school. The boys in the study averaged 42 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. The girls averaged 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, these analyses indicate that having best friends who are active and active outside of school can make significant contributions to children’s physical activity levels.

The study findings suggest that parents and schools should encourage children to take part in physical activity with their best friends.

Who is Russell Jago?

Russell Jago, Ph.D.

Russell Jago, Ph.D., a Reader in Exercise, Nutrition & Health in the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University of Bristol in the U.K. His research focuses on children’s physical activity and behavioral interventions to increase physical activity and prevent childhood obesity.

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Clarifying Legal Issues for Massage and Chiropractic in Illinois

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on May 2, 2011| 9 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently, I had a reader post a questions about an earlier post I had written regarding massage and chiropractic issues in Illinois. While trying to answer her questions, I found out much more about the legislation that governs the use of unlicensed personnel to perform massage in chiropractic offices.  I thought it might be useful to others if I wrote it out in a post versus burying it in a comment, so read on…

In my mind, having a non massage therapist receptionist perform a massage, whether or not the chiropractor is in the same office, is unethical, even if it were legal in Illinois. However, there other stipulations that restrict the use of a receptionist and office manager from performing massage in a chiropractic office. And specifically, in Illinois, unlicensed people may not practice massage on new patients outside the office setting even if the chiropractor is present.

Let me give another example of how this law can be broken and how unlicensed, untrained people can be giving massages out in public. Last fall, I volunteered at a charity event performing massage with the understanding that my company would be the only massage providers at this event. I bought signs for our booth (which set me back quite a bit), contracted with a massage therapist to work the event with me (because I don’t expect other massage therapists to work for free to promote my business) and made it to the event to locate our booth. And what did I find? A chiropractor was setting up massage chairs in our booth and had a young lady in tow to help him give massages. I was uncomfortable with having people I don’t know giving massages under my company’s banner, but at that point the event had already started. So we welcomed the chiropractor and his staff person and got to know them better.

We had spoken to the chiropractor about our frustrations with the law regarding chiropractors hiring unlicensed people to perform massage.  I asked the young lady if she was a licensed massage therapist and she said “No.” My fellow massage therapist and I were shocked and concerned that she would be giving massages in our booth. The young lady said “Well, I’ve been in enough locker rooms and have seen people get massage to know what I am doing.” With that as her rationale for being able to provide massage, and the chiropractor mumbling something about his other massage therapist not being available that day, she started massaging people. Soon she was massaging children under 18 years old. Granted, the chiropractor was standing right next to her the entire time. But would you want your kids or loved ones to be given a massage by someone who’s main claim to her abilities was seeing other people get massages in a rehab room? I wouldn’t. Was the chiropractor violating the law? Yes. Was she? Yes, as well. And if she hurt someone or even gave them a bad massage, it was my name on the banner people would associate her with. I did not know then that they were not obeying the law. Now that I know I would have handled the situation differently.

So if you are hosting a charity event or getting a massage at such an event, make sure you ask if the massage therapist is licensed, especially if they are part of a chiropractor’s booth. I have to wonder too if a chiropractor is using unlicensed people illegally to give massages, could I trust him or her in other areas of my care?

I pasted the relevant text of the relevant law below. Note that although the text says physicians, chiropractors are included as physicians in this act. My clarifications are given in brackets.

(225 ILCS 60/54.2)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)
Sec. 54.2. Physician delegation of authority. [Which also includes chiropractors]
(a) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the delegation of patient care tasks or duties by a physician, to a licensed practical nurse, a registered professional nurse, or other licensed person practicing within the scope of his or her individual licensing Act. Delegation by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches to physician assistants or advanced practice nurses is also addressed in Section 54.5 of this Act. No physician may delegate any patient care task or duty that is statutorily or by rule mandated to be performed by a physician.
(b) In an office or practice setting[so only in the office, not at health fairs or at charity events to market the practice] and within a physician‑patient relationship, [which means, within the context of an existing patient/physician relationship, not to market new clients] a physician may delegate patient care tasks or duties to an unlicensed person who possesses appropriate training and experience provided a health care professional [which in this case would either be training by the chiropractor OR licensed massage therapist], who is practicing within the scope of such licensed professional’s individual licensing Act, is on site to provide assistance [so the licensed massage therapist must be on site to provide assistance unless the chiropractor is trained to give massages].
(c) Any such patient care task or duty delegated to a licensed or unlicensed person must be within the scope of practice, education, training, or experience of the delegating physician and within the context of a physician‑patient relationship. [Again, the massage given must be within the scope of practice of the chiropractor/and or licensed massage therapist on site AND must be within an existing physician-patient relationships, not for marketing purposes or for new patients]
(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affect referrals for professional services required by law.
(e) The Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules concerning a physician’s delegation, including but not limited to, the use of light emitting devices for patient care or treatment.
(Source: P.A. 96‑618, eff. 1‑1‑10.)

The link to the final law is here.

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Demand to Be Healthy-Tap Your Inner Hero May 2-8th, 2011

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, tagged , , , , , on April 27, 2011| 1 Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

May 2-8 is Demand Healthy Week. What does that mean?

Tap your inner hero for health and show your support for an active, healthy American culture by participating in ACTIVE Life’s Demand Healthy Week. Throughout Demand Healthy Week, ACTIVE Life challenges you to create, share and log “Moments, Groups and Projects for Health” . These projects can be simply preparing a healthy meal, organizing a recurring walk or bike ride with friends or coworkers, or participating in community events such as a clean-up day or working in a community garden. It’s easy and free to participate in Demand Healthy Week. The Demand Healthy Week website has all the tools you’ll need to take action. Click here for more info.

More details from the Demand Healthy Week website:

History of Demand Healthy Week

On May 5, 2010, ACTIVE Life asked people and places across the country to show their support for healthy, active lifestyles by creating and sharing Moments of physical activity (Move), healthy eating (Fuel) and personal and environmental health (Honor). We called this day-long initiative Make the Movement Day (MMD) , and the end results demonstrated the powerful effects of what can happen when an energetic and committed community works together.

By the end of the day, nearly 90,000 healthy Moments had been organized and shared in 43 states. MMD participants of all ages took part in healthy, active Moments like school-wide health marches, healthy office picnics and community-wide run/walks. And, for one incredible day we were unified in our mission to build healthier communities.

Despite the success of Make the Movement Day, unhealthy living continues to be an epidemic in America, manifested in ballooning obesity rates, soaring health care costs, and the overabundance of unhealthy people, places, products and policies.

What are other people doing to show their healthy lifestyles? For a list of other healthy demander’s and a description of their healthy Moments, Groups and Projects, click here. And for a list of supporters of Demand Healthy Week, including the American College of Sports Medicine, click here.

About ACTIVE Life

ACTIVE Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing the national movement for healthy change in America. They envision and are committed to establishing an American culture which values, demands and supports healthy for all. They believe that it’s time to demand that healthy be the norm in our country, and  hope you’ll demonstrate your support by participating in Demand Healthy Week.

To learn more about ACTIVE Life and our programs and initiatives, click here.

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Learn How Your Child’s Young Minds Develops in the First Five Years of Life

Posted in Health and Wellness, Wellness for Parents, tagged , , , on April 20, 2011| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Are you a new parent or a parent of a young child? Do you ever wonder what is going on in your child’s mind? One book recommended by some Montessori schools can tell you more about your child’s brain development and inner world: What’s Going on in There?: How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life by Lise Eliot.

Amazon reviewers summed the book up better than Publisher’s Weekly so I am reposting excerpts of some of the top reviews of this book.

One Amazon reviewer provides an overview of the book contents:

How the brain is developed
Prenatal risk factors
The special benefits of breast milk for brain development
What newborns can hear
Infant walkers don’t help infants walk
How to encourage a baby’s motor development
Stress, attachment, and brain development
How the brain store memories?
Language in the 1st eighteen months
The role of genes
The role of environment

The chapters in the book include:
Chapter 1 Nature or Nurture? It’s All in the Brain
Chapter 2 The Basic Biology of Brain Development
Chapter 3 Prenatal Influences on the Developing Brain
Chapter 4 How Birth Affects the Brain
Chapter 5 The Importance of Touch
Chapter 6 Why Babies Love to be Bounced: The Precocious Sense of Balance and Motion
Chapter 7 The Early World of Smell
Chapter 8 Taste, Milk, and the Origins of Food Preference
Chapter 9 Wiring Up the Visual Brain
Chapter 10 How Hearing Evolves
Chapter 11 Motor Milestones
Chapter 12 Social Emotional Growth
Chapter 13 The Emergence of Memory
Chapter 14 Language and the Developing Brain
Chapter 15 How Intelligence Grows in the Brain
Chapter 16 Nature, Nurture, and Sex Differences in Intellectual Development
Chapter 17 How to Raise a Smarter Child

Audry’s (who is an ex-reference librarian and ex-reference librarian who reads and reviews adult and children’s fiction) writes in her Amazon  review that “Subtitled ‘How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life’ and written by a neuroscientist mother of three, this book benefits as much from its organization as the material it presents. Research, supplemented with anecdotes, is divided into chapters based on sense or function and then detailed chronologically within each section…This is one of those books you should write in — underline, highlight, take notes — because if you are indeed interested in using this information to understand your child’s progressive developmental changes, you will be referring to it often. The author presents a lot of research material in accessible language and style, but the book is dense and is not a day-to-day how-to guide. You will not read about colic or how to tell a cold from the flu, but you will learn why your four-month old prefers a little salt in her mashed potatoes or why most of us can’t recall anything that happened before we were three-and-a-half years old. Because there is a lot of information, this is not one of the easiest books you will ever read, but it is eminently worthwhile. The author not only synopsizes a lot of research for us, but also defines the limits of research and/or those issues which are still under debate or not yet fully understood, and discusses the evolutionary implications of various developmental changes.”

To read more or to order the book on Amazon, click this link. Costs about $13.60 for the paperback. About $20 for the hardcover.

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Nurturing Your Children’s Nature with Experiences in Nature!

Posted in Health and Wellness, Nature and Stress, tagged , , , , , on April 18, 2011| 1 Comment »

Cover of "Last Child in the Woods: Saving...

Cover via Amazon

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

While I study psychology in my masters program, one thing really has become clear–the importance of early childhood experiences on our future mental health.   I am not yet a graduate and am in no position to give psychological advice beyond my coaching credentials. However, I have found a wealth of info about early childhood and the role of experiencing nature in development in the Earth Easy blog. If you have children, or even if you don’t but are interested in nature and psychology, click on any of the links tot he articles below and enjoy!

Clearing a Path to Nature

by Richard Louv
The disengagement of children from nature has begun to alarm some of America’s more thoughtful naturalists, scientists, and environmentalists. For the full article, click here.
Richard Louv is the author of several books about children and community, including, The Web of Life: Weaving the Values that Sustain Us (Conari Press), Fly-Fishing for Sharks: An American Journey (Simon & Schuster), and the national bestseller Last Child in the Woods.

The Real Cost of ‘Virtual Nature’

by Brenda Scott Royce
Can robotic replicas and digital imagery inspire children to a love of nature? For the full article, click here.

How to get your child excited about nature

By Greg Seaman
Children are born with an innate curiosity about the natural world around them. How can we help them satisfy it? For the full article, click here.

Spending time in nature, a natural remedy for ADHD

By The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, reported in Scienceblog
Children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) should spend some quality time outdoors when they are not in school, according to a nationwide study.

Leave No Child Inside

By Richard Louv
… we must pass on to our children the joy and value of playing outside in nature. For the full article, click here.

Our Psychic Connections to Nature

by David Bollier
The despoliation of nature is tantamount to despoiling our mental habitat as well. To read the full article, click here.

David Bollier is the editor of OntheCommons.org, an activist and writer about the commons, and author of Silent Theft, Brand Name Bullies and Viral Spiral.

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Where to Find Great Info on Eating Right!

Posted in Health and Wellness, Nutrition, tagged , , , , on April 10, 2011| 4 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Where can you find free information about nutrition and healthy eating? Try the American Dietetic Association here. The ADA link to info for the general public is here.

 

What Is the American Dietetic Association (ADA)?

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.  It’s tough to know how to make feed your family and yourself. There is a wealth of conflicting info on line about the best eating and physical activity habits. ADA can help you in your search for answers. Registered dietitians (RDs) are the food and nutrition experts and provide the information on the site. ADA articles and recommendations are based on evidence based practices backed up by research in the field.

I like the ADA site because it’s easy to navigate, has great suggestions and is backed by evidence based practices.

 

Fresh fruit

A sample of some of the great info on the ADA’s Eat Right site:

 

Nutritious Family Meals Made Easy

Breakfast Basics for Busy Families

Healthy Weight Loss Description and Guides

How to Eat Healthy When Eating Out

Food Allergies and intolerance

The Benefits of Organic Foods

Check it out and see if the ADA site has helpful info for you and your family!

 

 

 

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Learn to Balance Nutrition and Exercise with Chicago’s NSC…Gotta Run!! Club

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, tagged , , , on April 4, 2011| 1 Comment »

lakefront joggers

Image by reallyboring via Flickr

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently I came across a nutritionist’s website that I really like. The nutritionist, Jennier Vimbor, has banded together with fitness experts to create a combo nutrition education and exercise club called NCS..gotta run!! This club incorporates nutrition and exercise into a weekly meeting format. Our Nutritionists, weekly speakers and guests will demonstrate how to balance your nutritional needs with your fitness needs. Each member receives individualized recommendations from Nutritionists/Dietitians, Trainers and others in order to continue to move forward to reach your goals.

Here is what you receive if you join the NSC…Gotta Run Club:

1. Every week you will keep a food & activity journal, then submit the information prior to each meeting.

2. A Registered Dietitian (RD) will evaluate your intake/output and provide personalized recommendations.

3. Each week we’ll start off or end with a different 15 – 30 minute clinic regarding nutrition information, correct shoe fit, stretching, rehydrating, Pilates & Yoga, and Massage Therapy.

4. Get out there and run or walk at your pace for 15 – 60 minutes along Chicago’s beautiful Lakefront Trail., depending on your goals. Pacers will be out there with us in order to provide consistency, advice and encouragement.

5. Safety is of great importance. No member will walk/run alone. There’s a match for everyone.

6. Return to suite to pick up your belongs.

7. Q&A with our Healthcare Professionals, if interested.

8. Enjoy complimentary snacks & beverages.

Schedule

6-Week Sessions
Session A is Closed
Session B: Mon, Jun 6 – Jul 18
Session C: Mon, Aug 1 – Sep 12
Session D: October 18th – November 22nd

When: Every Monday, 6 – 8 pm
(doors open at 5:45 pm)

Where: the Fine Arts Building
410 South Michigan Avenue, Suite #306, Chicago, IL 60605

Cost: $150 ($25 per session for the whole package)

Registration: Sign up for NCS…Gotta Run!! Club  here.

NCS Founder: NCS…Gotta Run Club was created by Jennifer Vimbor, MS, RD, LDN, CDN in 2003 to promote optimal nutrition, health & wellness. Her website is the ChicagoNutritionist here.

Jennifer received her Master’s Degree (MS) from Columbia University in New York City. She is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN) and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN), as well as certified in Food afety from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

NCS philosophy: nutrition plays a significant role in your life. You really are what you eat. The foods you choose influence your healthy and well-being. Foods are selected for many reasons (pleasure, emotions, traditions, and associations as well as nourishment). The challenge is to find a balanced regimen that works for your lifestyle.

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How Do You Make Sure Your Water is Safe?

Posted in Health and Wellness, tagged , , , , on March 28, 2011| 2 Comments »

Brita traveling filter bottle!

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently we were wondering just how well our Brita filtered water protects us from lead, chlorine and parasites. I went looking for info and found that Brita filers do a pretty good job of protecting us from most contaminants. Check out Brita’s FAQ section for info on what each type of Brita filter removes. (Brita sells faucet filters as well as those ubiquitous pictures you see in many refrigerators. For info on what the Brita Faucet filters remove, click here.) AND, to learn about your very own Brita bottle to go for $9.99, click here. (Available at Bed Bath and Beyond and a host of other retailers. Click here for the list of stores that carry the to go filter bottle.) But is Brita the best filter for you? How do you know?  I did some digging and found out what before you can select a filter you need to know what you types of pollutants may be in your water.

What Kind of Water Filter Do You Need?

The Natural Resource Defense Council is a decent source for info on what each type of water filter protects you from. The NRDC recommends that before you shop for a water filter, you find out what type of contaminants you may be exposed to. To find out what’s in your water, ask your water utility for a copy of their annual water quality report.

In Chicago, that would be the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago (MWRDC,), link here. If you want to know more about how our overall water is processed, click here for a description of how water is treated and processed before it gets to your home. For water quality reports current up through 2008, click here. If you want to tour any of the local water reclamation and treatment plants, go to this link for info on how to proceed.

For information on current Chemicals of Concern and Endocrine Disruptors reports from the MWRDC, click here for a list of reports available.

But what about the pipes in your house or apartment? Even if the water coming to you from the city is relatively “safe,” what happens when that water goes through old pipes or copper pipes that have been soldered with lead? Can lead leak into your water? You betcha. How do you know if its’ a health hazard to you or your kids? NRDC recommends that you test your tap water for lead contamination. If you have young kids, are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant it’s even more important to check your water for lead, since lead levels can vary enormously from house to house.

Check out the NRDC website and their list of different types of filtering systems and what they filter here.

For info on when to test your water and what typical water inspection tests cost, click on this link to InspectAPedia  here. Make sure the testing lab is licensed by the state!

What does a water inspection test cost? InspectAPedia says that if you are moving into a home and are testing water for the first time, use a more extensive test packages typically cost $200. to $300.If that test detects no problems,  follow-up testing of your water supply annually, using a less costly minimum screen for bacteria or coliform bacteria, typically costing less than $50.

What is the NDRC?

An environmental action group, which uses the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists in addition to the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.

What is InspectAPedia?

An online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice – illustrated, detailed, in-depth research on finding, diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects, energy conservation, & indoor environmental hazards.

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Outdoor Adventure Awaits You With The Adventure Journal!

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nature and Stress, tagged , , , , , on March 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Adventure Journal is a pretty cool magazine that shows outdoor adventure enthusiasts the latest in gear, events, people and culture and travel. It’s tagline is “the deeper you get, the deeper you get.” The web design is clean, well-organized and super easy to navigate and read. Even if you are not that big of an outdoor adventurer, it’s well worth checking out if only for the pics!

The brainchild of writer, photographer, and editor, Steve Casimiro, Adventure Journal was founded in 2008 and seems to be going strong. Read more about the rest of the staff at Adventure Journal here.

 

Image from Adventure Journal

With a host of highly talented writers and photographers, this magazine has some amazing pics. Checkout the print store for some of the most amazing outdoor adventure pics you can find! Link here.

Here are some samples of the site’s latest info on Adventure Journal:
• New National Forest Rule Is Better — But It Lacks A Spine by Judith Lewis. Read it here.

• Watch the video of the BBC’s expensive camouflaged-as-snow-and-ice cameras, which were destroyed by inquisitive polar bears during production of “Polar Bear – Spy on the Ice”in this post here.

• An Argument for Wilderness, by Wallace Stegner written by Steve Casimiro, link here.

• In the Gear section of the magazine, check out the Otter Smartphone case giveaway, a review on Freerider shoes, info on the Cyclotrope and a review of the new Specialized Road bike  here.

• And bonus section of the site is the link to about 50+ related blogs, sites and gear blogs. Go to the bottom of the web page and check out he links here.

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