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IPod Therapy for Stroke & Alzheimer's Patients

IPods Not only for Teens

FROM WALL STREET JOURNAL: One of the raps on iPods is that users tend to close themselves off from other people and retreat into their own private world.

But with stroke and dementia patients, iPods and other MP3 players are having just the opposite effect.

Music Therapy Reaches Patients

IPod music therapy reaches patients in a new way and decades of research support its validity.

Music from a person's teenage years seems to be especially evocative of memories, for reasons not well understood.

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Wisdom of the North: Canada's Hero Tommy Douglas -- Health Care Reform

by Nancy Mehegan

Lumberjacks Lead the Way in Health Care Reform?

Many Americans have an image of Canada, of a quaint, Old World place lacking vitality and energy.  Mounties, lumberjacks and maple syrup...  And yet in health care compassion these "lumberjacks" have soared far beyond their giant southern neighbor.

In America, Town Hall meetings on health care reform erupt in ugly confrontations.

A number of the confrontations have become violent, or at least threatening. Perhaps we need an Action Hero to lead the way, like Kiefer Sutherland, "Jack Bauer" in the TV program "24"?

Why did I mention Kiefer?  He is the grandson of the Canadian health care reform pioneer, Tommy Douglas.

A Doctor's Kindness

Who was Tommy Douglas? He was the social democratic premier of Saskatchewan.  As a young man he avoided losing his leg because a doctor agreed to treat him for free. Douglas pushed through  - universal, free health insurance - in Saskatchewan, which was later adopted by the national government in 1966.

Was it Easy?  NO!

The doctors in Saskatchewan went on strike for 23 days, refusing to treat patients. Their arguments were the same ones: Most people already have health insurance, the government has no business regulating the private marketplace, etc.

The doctors lost, and the rest is history. Canada has free medical care. It's not a perfect system -  - but it must look attractive to the tens of millions of Americans who have no health coverage at all.

As the famous (Hollywood) Canadian Mountie Sargeant Preston said to his trusty dog, "Well, King, this case is closed!"

"Well, King, America needs health care reform!!  Case closed."

Gluten Free Restaurant List --- I Am in Heaven!

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.  It causes some people serious health problems, including depression.  It "sets the stage" for autoimmune diseases and causes Celia disease.  Potatoes and rice are allowed in a gluten-free diet.  A list is now available of gluten-free restaurants:

Find a Gluten-Free Restaurant

Find by Zip Code

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Gluten-Free Awareness Program  (GFRAP)  -- Gluten-Free Restaurant  Feedback

The Heights Bistro and Bar, Yorktown, NY
(February, 2009) The Heights is my go-to restaurant living in Yorktown. It's where we do all of our family birthdays, but last night was just a laid back night of dinner at the bar. I always get the same thing because I just love the tarragon vinaigrette with the apricots and almonds. Yummy! Karen

Bistango, New York, NY
(January, 2009) This restaurant is so great. The food is excellent and was enjoyed by the non-celiacs in my party as well as myself, "a GF person" The staff were extremely nice. Ask for the gluten free menu. Susan

Mama’s Restaurant and Café Baci - Hackettstown, NJ
(Nov 2008) Mama's Restaurant and Cafe Baci is continually adding new items to their already extensive GF menu. The food is good, it is safe, the choices are fantastic, and they are now offering GF products for sale. Thanks to all at Mama's. -Terri

Burton’s Grill of Hingham, Hingham, MA
(January, 2009) Wonderful taste even better than original with batter (calamari_. The restaurant was very accommodating and willing to work with me (which is often NOT the case). Carol

Golden Wok, Ardsley, NY
(April, 2009) Our thanks to the Westchester NY group for finding the Golden Wok [875 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, NY, 100502, (914)-693-2110]. We ate there last Sunday and were amazed at the number of items on their dedicated GF menu and the quality of the food. It was wonderful to be able to choose from over 100 items and the menu was as diverse as a typical Chinese restaurant menu. Thanks for making my kids' day! Sara

Bistango, New York, NY
(Jan 2009) The food was AMAZING! The place was just renovated and it is a great ambiance. The owner is very personable and nice. A great dining experience! -Stacy Candle 79 - NY
(August, 2008) Feast is the right word! I told my daughter, Kailey, Order whatever you want for yourself and me, and we shared. It was all delicious, beautifully presented, and no belly aches! An unusual collection of tasty foods with caring staff in a lovely environment. -Eric

Carrabba’s Italian Grill - FL
(May, 2008) Our 5th visit since eating GF. This was the best experience so far. Our server was familiar with the situation. We will be eating at Carrabba's again soon. We had been dining there weekly until my husband needed to be on a GF diet. We were so pleased to find out Carrabba's offered that. -Joanne

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