More ups than downs

Tea provides a wide variety of benefits

Hey there, it’s me, Kathy. How was your week? I had a good week. I had my ups and downs like everyone else. The only thing that was really hurting was my wrist and my toe — other than that it was not too bad.

To the woman who wrote and told me she had made a bunch of knitted knockers for the hospital, I put your letter away with your phone number. Now I don’t know where it is so could you drop them off at the hospital?

Go to the second floor to the chemo unit and give them to any of the nurses or ask for the cancer navigator Bonnie and they will help you.

Thank you so much for knitting them for us — they are so comfortable to wear.

Did you know that wearing lipstick reduces the risk of lip cancer by 50 per cent? It’s believed to be the reason that men get lip cancer more then woman.

Ultraviolet light is a trigger for lip cancer and by applying lipstick, whether it contains a SPF or not, you block the exposure. Men can use lip balm because it does the same thing.

Just by drinking a cup of tea, you’re lowering your blood pressure and fighting off cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and wrinkles.

It has only lately been revealed to have remarkable antiaging powers. It’s packed with flavonoids that are disease-fighting compounds that reduce the damaging effects of free radicals on your body’s cells.

Tea contains a potent variety called catechins that have been shown to be more powerful than vitamins C and E in testing.

But that is just one of tea’s nearly 4,000 phytochemicals that are thought to work synergistically to fight disease.

Tea should be made with freshly boiled water but not boiling water (boiling water can reduce the antioxidant).

So let the water sit in the pot for a minute before putting your tea ball in. Allow it to steep for about five minutes to bring out its catechins. Adding milk will not affect the health benefits. I went to the tea shop in town recently to get some tea to help my granddaughter get over her stomach pain and he suggested caramel rooibos. It helps with the stomach. It worked. I had a happy girl. Don’t look up diseases on the internet because it will scare you to death. All the symptoms are almost the same and you are sure to say “oh my god, that’s what I have.”

My granddaughter looked up some symptoms and that was it, she said she was going to die soon. I told her what I always told the kids — go to the bathroom you will be fine and sure enough they were. If you aren’t feeling well go to your doctor not the internet. They will have more knowledge and know you better then the internet so don’t scare yourself.

I have never used the internet for any of my illnesses. I always waited to see my doctor.

The weather has been great this week. I know we are all complaining about the heat but it won’t be long that we will be wishing it was here.

Remember to drink lots of water and make sure our elderly are drinking lots of water too. That’s another thing tea does. It will cool you down in the summer as well as warm you up in the winter. It was nice to meet all the new people who stopped me in town and in stores to say they like my column, thank you very much. I have a friend going through a cancer operation this week. I need you to send prayers her way and good vibes. Weight wise, I’m staying the same.

Janet is feeling better. Her and dad were over this week to help with the flea market.

Tip of the week: Eat the fruits that are in season now and notice the difference between fresh and shipped. Have a good week folks. It’s time to read that book you were saving for beach season.