Consideration of Pain in the Disability Determination Process

Your Feedback Is Needed!

The US Social Security Administration (SSA) is asking for input on how they determine pain in adult and child disability claims. Input is due by February 15th. It's a great opportunity as these guidelines have not been updated since the 1950's.

You can provide input and read more at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/17/2018-27169/consideration-of-pain-in-the-disability-determination-process.

Shyla the Supergecko

Soup Tips for January Soup Month

Here’s three quick ways to improve your soups during cold winter weather.

1. Use the slow cooker.
   The word “slow” may seem like the antithesis of “quick” but it’s not, not really. You can prep ingredients ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator or freezer in zip top bags, and dump them into your slow cooker as you dash out the door on a busy morning. The ingredients are up to you. Include one part liquid (broth, juice, water), one part protein (meat or meatless), one part starch (rice or potatoes or beans), and as many veggies as you can fit in the cooker. Don’t forget to switch it on as you leave for the day and your supper will await you that evening. Imagine coming home to the smell of a delicious hot stew!
   
2. Include leftovers.
   When planning meals, make them larger than necessary so you are sure to have leftovers. Leftover meats of all kinds go great in soups. So do grains (rice, couscous, barley) and pasta. Many grains and pastas will cook quickly in soups if you don’t have leftovers.
   And what about sad-looking leftover veggies? Puree them, and use the puree to thicken the soup broth base.
   
3. Doctor canned soups.
   Canned soups are notorious for adding to your sodium intake. Fight that by introducing additional low-sodium ingredients such as healthy cooked meats and fresh veggies until you have two servings. Not only will this bulk up the can of soup, but it will make it a lot healthier.
   

Tips: How to Eat Healthier in the New Year

• Avoid overly processed foods.  One way to tell:  ingredients you can’t pronounce.
• Skip prepared foods with more than five ingredients.  They are likely to be overly processed as well.
• Don’t believe the health claims on food packages.  Do the research to find out what’s true and what’s only advertising hype.
• A cartoon on the package is a sure sign the product is being marketed to children.  You’re an adult!  You don’t need that stuff.
• Shop the outside perimeter of the store for healthy less-processed foods.  Look higher and lower on shelves to find products that usually are the same as the popular brands on the eye-level shelves.

Positive Thinking to Achieve Healthy Lifestyle Goals

Whatever your reason for setting a goal that will lead you to a healthier lifestyle, positive thinking can help you get there.

Too often we think of the path to our goal as something negative.  For instance, if your goal is weight loss, you may be thinking of the desserts or snacks you will be giving up.  Instead, focus on the benefits of weight loss.  You will have lower cholesterol and better blood pressure readings; you will look and feel better.

If your goal is to stop smoking, instead of focusing on the nicotine cravings you are dealing with, think about gaining a longer and healthier life, having better smelling breath, and being able to taste the subtle flavors of foods.

Focusing on positive outcomes instead of thinking of what you are denying yourself will help you maintain your motivation and get you to your goal.