Berry fruity

Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries: take your pick. They’re all full of disease-fighting phytochemicals, which can help to reduce the risk of several types of cancers. Buy extras – organic is best, because non-organic berries are heavily sprayed with pesticides – and freeze them: Berries frozen at peak ripeness have higher nutritional value than the ones shipped north in the winter.

They may look pretty small but have a huge purpose to be in our weekly grocery bag. You might want to have them as well in juice blend or in flavored yogurt.

Lost (in you)

This Vancouver native heartthrob would be my latest favorite male artist. I was caught and trapped by his – having colds - kind of a voice. His songs make me feel love still lingers no matter how muddy the atmosphere is - giving an assurance I’m not lost or alone. (lol)

You may want to catch him in his third studio album, Call Me Irresponsible. And discover Michael's favorite love songs that make him weak in the knees as he talks about it in Chatelaine (Canada’s Women’s) magazine, November issue, in stores now.

Health myths: true or false?

My mother doesn’t allow me to read in dim light or in lying position, not to take bath during first two days of monthly period or carry heavy things and so many more beliefs. But I never listened because I have reasons too.

Pondering now on how my old folks stuck and lived their myths I want to admit that it’s a justification why they live longer. Because I still have two living grandmother proof in their 90’s who are much alive with their health myths.

Our olds tend to live on their beliefs and our generation keeps seeking for a scientific explanation to outlive those things and do live the present. But then whatever maybe our beliefs or myths if we think is good for us then I don’t find any reason to argue.

Here is some health myths listed by the British Medical Journal after their study that we often get it wrong. Our favorites from Chatelaine:

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day: INCORRECT. A 1945 article suggested that a “suitable allowance” of water for adults is 2.5 litres a day, but the next sentence in the article noted that much of it is already contained in the food we eat.

Reading in dim light ruins your eye sight: FALSE. Bad lighting makes it hard to focus, causes you to blink less and leads to dry eyes. So reading in dim light may be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t cause permanent damage.

We use only 10 percent of our brains: DEAD WRONG. “Numerous types of brain imaging studies show that no area of the brain is completely silent or inactive,” wrote the study authors.

Changes in our job

It would be different when you started working with a boss who is definitely tight to rules; all in his mind is to end up with a high production in a day. Chatting for a while with your neighbor just to break the intense tak-tak of the keyboard when caught you will be punish. The more when he hears you talking or laughing out loud in the hallway, expect him to come in your desk and simply ask what you are working on for the day. When known that you are about to finish your duty before the deadline, you‘ll be given another enormous load until you can’t almost breathe to catch the day of submission. He never even mind had you stretch a smile of relief nor take a break to the comfort room. All he is is morosely irritable.

A year after the boss was replaced by not so strict one but fairly good at work. We can already relax our hands with a deep breathe without any hesitation. And open to frequently going to the washroom with a stop to the canteen to refresh.

Yes there is a big change in the working environment but as you were being trained/used to fast moving nature to being lax you’ll get bored most especially unproductive.

Changes come in different ways and gives distinct lessons too.

Changes in our job might be in a good package but usually comes worse. You might want considering these 6 tips for coping with change at work from Chatelaine:

Brace yourself. Like it or not, change is coming.

Get the facts. If your manager hasn’t told you everything you need to know, initiate the conversation. Ask what the changes mean for you. You need to know how you can prepare for what’s coming.

Wallow - for a minute. That’s perfectly normal. In fact, it’s the first step to coping with change. So allow yourself a little self-pity and anger.

Talk about the changes. Just try not to vent at the office. Open up to your partner, a friend or even a professional therapist.

Fake it until you make it. Put on a happy face and get a couple of quick successes under your belt to boost your confidence.

Think positive. Change can be a good thing; it can open up new opportunities for your career. But make sure you’re getting something out of it. If you think the change will be negative, break out the classified ads. Being proactive will keep you from feeling victimized.

Whether it’s a new cubicle or a new boss, today's offices are a place of constant evolution. It doesn’t have to be the end of the world. - dawn calleja