Stretching Exercises for Golfers and Everyone Else

Why watch Augusta from the couch? Stand up & Feel the Stretch!

 

Yes, boost golf strength, flexibility and DISTANCE... all with a simple device that can be used anywhere. Take advice from Hal Sutton, Travis Fulton, Gerry James, Dave Norman, Dr. Rob Rotella, Lauren Thompson, and Matt Ginella... all of them sing the praises of MISIG.   Perhaps it's time you learned to... Feel The Stretch!   Oh yeah... and these everyday golfers have plenty to say about the MISIG:   Bob G. Afton, NY "Everyone.....Everyone, should have your product! I could not be more satisfied with any golf equipment that I have ever purchased." Christina L. Ft Myers, FL "I have bought a lot of training aids but this is by far the best one." Chris J. Jacksonville, FL " I am 46 years old...I have to say this is the best training aid I have purchased." Chuck S. Dubuque, IA "Just want you to know, this is actually the only golf training device I have continued to use regularly once the newness wore off." What will you say about it? Click here to learn more...   Save $32 + Free Shipping with promo code DISTANCE at website!     Copyright © 2020 FeelTheStretch.com Most Important Stretch in Golf | 1739 Farwell Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018-3826    www.feelthestretch.com

Freeing up storage on Mac Book Pro

 My Mac Book Pro has only 120 GB of operating memory. At about 7 GB of free space, I started getting error messages indicating I couldn't perform operations. The first signal was that I couldn't download a system update.

I'm not an experience Mac user. My first task was to find out how much space I actually had. I hoped to download things I wanted to archive to an external drive. The operation was frequently halted because of my lack of operating space. I went to the System Preferences. In the search function, I wrote "storage."

The search directed me to Apple ID. Under Apple ID is iCloud Storage. The major part of the usage was Photos and Videos. These were all on my computer. Wrongly I assumed that iCloud storage was affecting my system operations. I deleted the iCloud photos. I got a signal that I had a month to download all the photos from iCloud before they were permanently deleted. And now I don't know how to turn back the clock and reverse my mistake. iCloud takes up very little of the space on the actual computer.

So then I went searching further. I was directed to right click on the Macintosh HD in the left column in Finder  and open up Get Info. There I found the actual memory I have on my computer. 

I searched further and found these instructions. Open the Apple menu, then select About This Mac. Click the Storage tab in the toolbar to see how much disk space you have available. 

I looked under Apps and found that the bigger user of space was Box, which I use for work. All my Box documents were present on my computer as well as in the cloud. Since I can access the cloud through a browser, I decided this would be the firs place to attack. 

I tried to drag the Box app to the Trash and also right click to delete. A message said Box was open and that I had to quit Box before deleting it. 

To Quit Box Drive on a Mac

1. Navigate to the search menu by going to the menu bar and clicking the Box icon.
• Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Option + Cmd + space.
2. Click the gear icon, and from the list that displays click Quit.
3. Follow the prompts to close any open files and confirm that you are quitting.

I also found instructions on how to logout of Box, which would also quit Box. 

To log out on a Mac:

1. Navigate to the search menu by going to the menu bar and clicking the Box icon.
   • • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Option + Cmd + space.
2. Click the gear icon, and from the list that displays click Log Out.  

To insure that Box is completely removed. 

1. Quit Box Drive
2. Run the uninstaller script:
   • Launch Terminal.
   • Type the following and press Enter:

     /Library/Application\ Support/Box/uninstall_box_drive

You do not see your password as you enter it. Just press ENTER when have finished typing it in.

I had now freed up enough space for the Mac to perform its operations. 

I was now free to attack the problem another way.  Apps were taking up 17.53 GB. Documents in green 13.97 GB. Mail in blue 8.29 GB. Music creation 2.39. Messages 2.01 GB. Podcasts 1.7 GB. System in light grey 11.32 GB. Other in dark grey at 44.7 GB was taking up the most space. I found Other is mostly Cache.

Here is an article I found about freeing up Cache space. 

How to find and remove files from the 'Other' storage category on your Mac

 

Christmas tree sales are telling a holly, jolly economic story

Business News Christmas tree sales are telling a holly, jolly economic story Tree retailers are having a spirited season this year, as Americans staying closer to home due to the coronavirus pandemic are turning the holiday spirit up a notch.  Traffic and sales this year to tree outlets have been anything but ho-ho-hum. Merchants are reporting a big season this year that started early and has continued to accelerate into the early part of December.  If consumers are planning on being Grinches this, you certainly can't tell it by tree activity.  "People have the time at home this year. They're traveling less, of course, so they're at home and they really want something to spark their mood because of the Covid stress that everybody's under," said Doug Hundley, seasonal spokesman for the National Christmas Tree Association. "The Christmas spirit is a big force this time of year, and people know that the more they put into it, the more they get out of it."  Tree sales are up 29% this so far in 2020, according to a survey of retailers done by Evercore ISI. There's also evidence that people are getting larger trees and buying more home decorations. Copyright © 2020 newsfrombussines.com, All rights reserved.

Get on with your life

Free speech is under attack, says Dave Rubin, but the best thing we can do to combat it, is get on with our lives. 

He said he was so addicted to social media - and so anxious about what was happening in the world around him - that he caught a case of FOMO (fear of missing out). He attacked the disease head on and gave it up cold turkey. He locked his cellphone in a safe.  

I just finished listening to Dave Rubin's "Don't Burn This Book: Thinking for yourself in an Age of Unreason." In the last few minutes of the book, he gives some sage advice. This is a summary with some of my own words added. 

• No TV in the bedroom. 
• Keep the phone in another room when you go to bed.
• At a certain time every day cut off social media.
• When you go out to dinner, stack all the cell phones in the middle of the table. The first one who picks up their cell phone pays the bill. (At my son's home at the dinner table anyone who looks at their phone has to do dishes.)
• Take a one-week break from News and the social media two times a year.
• Vacation the month of August with no news.
• Unfollow people who are offensive.
• Ration online use.
• Renew friendships from pre-Internet times.
• Introduce yourself to neighbors.
• Appreciate your family.
• Host a holiday in your home.
• Get a sense of humor. 
• Be diplomatic. Don't voice your opinion on everything.

By getting rid social media, Dave Ruben says he became more present in his life.

Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet – Bring a Bit of Sunshine and Nutrition into Your Food Plan this Winter

 

 

As the days darken and we head into the depths of winter, there is a diet which can bring a bit of nutritional sunshine to your gut - the Mediterranean Diet?

 

Charlotte Harrison, Nutritionist, Spoon Guru (www.Spoon.Guru), AI food technology start-up that developed a unique food search & discovery engine to cater for individuals with specific dietary food requirements or health objectives, explains why the Mediterranean Diet is one we should all be incorporating into our weekly winter meal plans.

 

Characterizing the Mediterranean Diet

 

The Mediterranean diet is based on foods naturally found in countries like Italy, Greece and Spain which lie around the Mediterranean Sea. Obviously each of these countries have fairly different flavors but there are common features which can be combined to bring some sunshine into your nutrition all year round. 

 

From sunny Greek dishes like grilled seafood and Greek salad, to Italian pesto, pasta and grains such as polenta, and popular rice dishes like risotto and arancini, Spanish tapas like patatas bravas, olives, jamón, gambas al ajillo, and gazpacho, to robust classic French dishes such as Bouillabaisse, coq au vin and salade niçoise, all represent great Mediterranean flavors and all contain  substantial fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals, grains, fish and unsaturated fats such as olive oil. 

 

 

 

How do you make your diet more Mediterranean?

 

·        Fats - instead of using saturated fats like butter or coconut oil, use a Mediterranean oil such as olive oil. This simple change is important, as saturated fats increase the LDL's (bad cholesterol) in the blood which, if raised for a long time, can clog arteries which can lead to heart disease.

 

·        Eating lots of fruits and vegetables - you can't go wrong with eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Not only does a diet varied in fruits and vegetables supply you with pretty much all the nutrients you need, but also contains portions of fibre which keeps your bowels healthy and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. 

 

·        Less meat - A lot of Mediterranean meals tend to focus on vegetables and legumes instead of protein sources like red meat. An ideal meal is one with many different vegetables, not only does this make a colorful plate but also a highly nutritious meal.

 

·        More fish - the 'standard' Mediterranean diet contains a fair amount of fish. Obviously countries by the sea tend to eat more fish due to its availability and cheap price. There are two main types of fish, oily and white. Oily fish includes sardines, salmon, trout and mackerel, with white fish being cod, haddock, plaice and red mullet, to name a few. Each type of fish contains different health benefits:

o   Oily fish contains a high amount of omega 3's and vitamin D. Some oily fish (e.g. whitebait) you can eat the bones, this also contains sources of calcium and phosphorus, which keeps our bones strong. 

o   White fish is lower in fat making them a healthier alternative to some red or processed meat choices. Some species of white fish can also be a good source of omega 3 such as sea bream or halibut. 

 

·        Starchy foods - Mediterranean diets tend to contain a lot of starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta and bread. A lot of classic starchy, high carbohydrate foods tend to get a bad reputation, however swapping a fried chip for a boiled, unpeeled new potato can make up a really healthy meal. Also try swapping your regular white bread and pastas for whole grain or seeded varieties. 

 

Vegetarians and the Mediterranean Diet

 

Due to this region's focus on fresh produce and pulses, the Mediterranean diet can be vegetarian. In fact, for the seven weeks leading up to Easter, the food traditionally eaten by the Greek Orthodox community is nearly all vegan. 

 

Because the countries border the Mediterranean Sea, there can be quite a lot of fish and shellfish in the diet however if you don't eat fish then you can substitute the fish for some other options. 

 

Fish contains a high amount of omega's and vitamin D. Plant-based foods which contain these important nutrients include hemp, flax and chia seeds, walnuts, and kidney beans, all of which can be substituted in your vegetarian Mediterranean diet. Shellfish are low in fat and a great source of selenium, zinc, iodine and copper. Good plant-based alternatives in the diet would be:

 

·        Selenium: whole grains and milk, as well as Brazil nuts. 

·        Zinc: beans, nuts and whole grains. 

·        Iodine: good sources include eggs, milk, and kelp seaweed. Seaweed contains quite a lot of iodine so you don't need to eat too much in order to get the iodine.

·        Copper: shiitake mushrooms, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.

 

The Pros of the Mediterranean Diet

 

·        The Mediterranean diet puts emphasis on fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, all of which are extremely good for you. Most fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins A, C, folate, fibre and potassium. 

 

·        High fruit and vegetables means that your gut gets looked after! Pretty much all contain a high amount of fibre which your gut loves. 

 

·        You'll reach 1 of your 5 a day in no time. This is a government guideline which suggests you should be having 5 different portions of fruit and vegetables in a day. With emphasis on plants in the Mediterranean diet, there'll be no issues with reaching your daily target and you may even eat more plants!

 

·        Limits the consumption of processed and high sugar/ salt foods. In time, a reduction of these foods can really benefit your heart health, blood health and gut. 

 

·        Saturated fat consumption is low - there is more of an emphasis on unsaturated fatty acids, which comes from plant based oils, such as olive. Having a diet low in saturated fat can help the body lower the levels of LDL's (bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL's (good cholesterol). 

 

·        It's tasty! There are so many meals to choose from so I'm sure you'll find at least one which you'll love. 

 

The Cons of the Mediterranean Diet

 

·        As there are no specific guidelines to follow, it can be tricky to make those choices and swaps without knowing everything about the diet. For some people it can be difficult to know what's best.

 

·        It can be time consuming - a lot of meals can take time to make. For example paella, it can take some time to let all the flavors come in and rice to cook, but the wait will be worth it.

 

·        Managing allergies around the diet can also be tricky. For example, if you are vegetarian and have a nut allergy, it may take more planning to get certain nutrients like zinc or selenium. 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Overall the Mediterranean diet is a tasty, non-restrictive diet which the whole family can enjoy. It's not only a great way to try new foods and really get those nutrients up, it's also very beneficial for heart health, gut health and blood health. 

 

ENDS

 

For interviews or other nutrition advice for upcoming articles, please contact:    Ken Hooper, Cherish PR, 07812098092, ken.hooper@cherishpr.com

 

 

Charlotte Harrison, ANutr

Nutritionist Spoon Guru

Charlotte graduated from University of Roehampton (UK) with a Bachelor of Science – BS, Health & Nutrition in 2018.  She holds a license and certification from the Association for Nutrition.  She also holds a certificate in Food Health & Safety Level 2 from the Food Standards Agency.

 

About Spoon Guru

Established in 2015, Spoon Guru is a London-based AI food technology start-up that has developed a unique food search & discovery engine to cater for individuals with specific dietary food requirements or health objectives. A world leading end-to-end solution, Spoon Guru combines AI and machine learning with nutritional expertise to enable food retailers to deliver a highly personalised experience tailored to each consumer, based on their distinct and unique dietary, health and wellness needs. The platform processes billions of data points on a daily basis and analyses every ingredient as well as its nutritional value to allocate the appropriate dietary tags to each product or recipe, enabling large and unstructured data sets to be easily searched and accurately filtered to deliver relevant choices. 

64% of the world's population now actively exclude foodstuffs from their diet (Nielsen). 72% of US consumers say finding healthy food is difficult whilst a staggering 76% of consumers have unintentionally consumed food that's restricted from their diets. 

 

Spoon Guru enables retailers such as Tesco in the UK, Albert Heijn in the Netherlands, and Woolworths in Australia and New Zealand to cater for shoppers' distinct and unique dietary needs – increasing the choice of foods available, whilst minimising the effort to find them. 

 

Spoon Guru received a number of accolades including the Retail Week Customer Innovation Award for its partnership with Tesco, the Retail Technology Game Changer Award at the World Retail Awards, and the founders were presented with the Retail & E-Commerce Tech Founder of the Year at the 2018 BMW i UK Tech Founder Awards. In the US, Spoon Guru was chosen as a 2019 Red Herring Top 100 North America winner. The company was also presented the Personalised Nutrition Initiative accolade at the Nutraingredients awards, and awarded a Gold Stevie by the American Business Awards® in the category of Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year.

Research about masks

MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski blasted Republicans and President Donald Trump on the topic of face masks, and became so enraged that she declared she is "done being polite." She blamed Trump and his administration for killing people by the tens of thousands. (The Blaze, Dec. 5, 2020)

So what is the research about masks and COVID safety?

Reiss and Bhakdi (2020) stated: "There is simply a lack of clear evidence that people who are not ill or who are not providing care to a patient should wear a mask to reduce influenza or COVID-19 transmission (130). We are not aware of any single scientifically sound and undisputed article that would contradict the following: 

1) There is no scientific evidence that symptom-free people without cough or fever spread the disease. 

2) Simple masks do not and cannot stop the virus. 

3) Masks do not and cannot protect from infection.

4) Non-medical face masks have very low filter efficiency (131) 

5) Cotton surgical masks can be associated with a higher risk of penetration of microorganisms (penetration 97%). Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection (132). 

Since the government enforced the use of masks, many elderly people believed that they were safe while wearing them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Wearing a mask can entail serious health hazards, especially for people with pulmonary disease and cardiac insufficiency, for patients with anxiety and panic disorders and of course for children. Even the WHO originally stated that general wearing of masks did not serve any purpose (133)."

Quoted from: Reiss, Karina; Bhakdi, Sucharit. (2020). Corona, False Alarm? (p. 55-56). Chelsea Green Publishing. Kindle Edition. 

References:

(130)  Using Face Masks in the Community (Stockholm: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2020), https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-use-face-masks-community.pdf. 

(131)  Samy Rengasamy, Benjamin Eimer, and Ronald E. Shaffer, “Simple Respiratory Protection—Evaluation of the Filtration Performance of Cloth Masks and Common Fabric Materials Against 20–1000 nm Size Particles,” Annals of Occupational Hygiene 54, no. 7 (October 2010): 789–98, https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/meq044. 

(132)  C. Raina MacIntyre et al., “A Cluster Randomised Trial of Cloth Masks Compared with Medical Masks in Healthcare Workers,” BMJ Open 5, no. 4 (2015): e006577, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006577. 

(133)  “Advice on the Use of Masks in the Context of COVID-19,” World Health Organization, June 5, 2020, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak.

States with fewest restrictions

 While all states have at least partially reopened non-essential businesses that were closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. is still far from a full reopening. Many states have put a temporary pause on moving to the next stage of reopening, or have even reversed course and closed certain businesses again due to surges in the disease. In order to determine the states with the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 17 key metrics. Our data set ranges from whether restaurants are opened to whether the state has required face masks in public and workplace temperature screenings. Read on for the state ranking, additional insight from a panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

Source: WalletHub

States with the Fewest COVID-19 Restrictions

Overall Rank	State	Total Score
1	South Dakota	83.93
2	Idaho	81.40
3	Utah	80.09
4	Oklahoma	75.89
5	Iowa	75.48
6	Wisconsin	70.71
7	Wyoming	70.42
8	Missouri	69.64
9	North Dakota	69.52
10	Arkansas	68.16
11	Florida	67.86
12	Alaska	66.85
13	Georgia	66.79
14	Alabama	63.39
15	Indiana	62.38
16	Ohio	61.96
17	Kansas	60.60
18	Tennessee	60.42
19	South Carolina	59.08
20	Nevada	57.92
21	Nebraska	57.59
22	Mississippi	57.32
23	Illinois	49.91
24	Maryland	48.10
25	Louisiana	47.02
26	New Hampshire	44.94
27	West Virginia	41.76
28	Montana	41.67
29	Rhode Island	39.05
30	Michigan	39.02
31	Delaware	38.72
32	Minnesota	38.45
33	North Carolina	38.33
34	New Mexico	37.71
35	Texas	37.68
36	Washington	37.53
37	Kentucky	35.77
38	New York	35.54
39	Connecticut	34.88
40	Virginia	34.82
41	Vermont	34.76
42	Pennsylvania	34.17
43	District of Columbia	33.93
44	Oregon	32.92
45	Arizona	30.98
46	Colorado	30.71
47	New Jersey	29.85
48	Maine	29.35
49	Massachusetts	24.88
50	California	21.73
51	Hawaii	17.92

Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday, October 5, 2020.