The Saturday Evening Post articles from January 2007

The Saturday Evening Post archives from January 2007

More Hesburgh.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... "Christmas at Las Cruces" by Father Theodore M. Hesburgh [Nov./ Dec. '06] was one of the best. He looks the part of a great Roman Catholic priest. The Pope should make him one of the cardinals. I would like to read the life and times of...

Body donation.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I have just recently completed paperwork for my remains to be sent to the University of Florida College of Medicine. Also I totally support stein cell research for medical purposes. not for cloning. Oh yes. I was born August 13, 1925, have...

Too much health?(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... In response to the letter by Walter Williams wanting to read more fictional stuff in the Post, and not worrying about his health: What sane person would not be concerned about their health? If he wants to read fictional stuff, let him go to the...

Consider this.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Re: "'Where's the Water?" Andrea Neal, page 60, Saturday Evening Post. Nov./Dec. 2006: The water is in swimming pools, luxurious landscapes, koi ponds, and housescapes. These were noticeably absent in Neal's informative article. Also...

The youngest post boy.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I have read with interest your many letters from old Post delivery boys, and I believe I hold a record in that regard as possibly the youngest Post boy ever. When I was about one year old. my brother Alan used to take me with him while he sold...

Lysine dosage.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... In the Nov./Dec. issue of The Saturday Evening Post, I read the answer to Ann Robinson's query on how much L-lysine to take to avoid fever blisters but was astonished at the answer! All through childhood and my teen years, I had horrid...

Alexander Botts fans.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Just the other day, and for no impetus I can put my finger on, Alexander Botts came to mind! And then the Sept./ Oct. issue arrived, and there on page 84 was "Botts Runs for His Life." At any rate, thanks for the Post. again. I am a Post...

Restless legs and burning feet.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I read in The Saturday Evening Post the letter from Jackie Willis, whose husband is troubled with burning feet. I was also having burning feet that kept me awake at night. My doctor prescribed gabapentin 100 rag. One capsule at bedtime. I no...

Ray Millholland's son.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... A few days ago I found myself in the erstwhile Northwestern Station in Chicago without anything to read other than the passing parade and a chunk of time on my hands before my train. I stopped at a magazine stand and was almost immediately...

Yams are yams.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Yams are not sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are not yams! Two different things--don't show your ignorance. Pauline Lindsay Conneaut, Ohio Editor's note: A true yam (Dioscorea genus) is a tuber originating in Africa. Sweet potatoes...

Tapping the benefits of green tea.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Is a cup of green tea a positive step toward living a long, healthy life? The answer is a resounding yes, according to a new study from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. The research team found that adults who drank at least five cups of the...

Saving time does save lives.(automated external defibrillator)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... At O'Hare Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers process thousands of international travelers to this country. But last spring, CBP officers went beyond the call of duty using CPR and a shock from an AED to save the life of...

Get the lead out.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Blood lead levels generally considered "safe" actually may be associated with an increased risk of death from many causes, including cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart...

Headaches and heart disease.(Women's Wellness)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Women who see sparkling zigzag lines or lose vision before a migraine attack may be at particular risk of future cardiovascular problems. Although no one yet knows why, Harvard researcher Dr. Tobias Kurth and his team say participants in the...

New shot for shingles.(Women's Wellness)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Guidelines released in late October by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that adults 60 and older be given the recently approved shingles vaccine called Zostavax. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for...

Promising option for pelvic pain.(Women's Wellness)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A new study shows that Botox therapy may reduce pressure and help relieve chronic lower abdominal pain in women with pelvic floor spasms. Compared with placebo shots, injecting Botox into pelvic floor muscles was linked to a significant...

Better ways to fix fractures.(Women's Wellness)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Statistics predict that one in six women over the age of 55 will suffer a wrist fracture in their lifetime. Conventional casting is not perfect: as many as 70 percent of repaired wrist fractures slip apart and wrist movement is limited for up...

Tennis with an attitude.(Women's Wellness)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A new group fitness activity combines the traditional sport of tennis with a high-energy cardiovascular workout. During a Cardio Tennis session, certified instructors lead participants through short cycles of high intensity activity and periods...

New weapon for optimal control.(DIABETES Update)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The FDA recently approved a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes. Januvia is the first diabetes treatment in an emerging class of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors that enhance the body's ability to lower elevated blood sugars. The oral agent is...

Get your Z' s.(DIABETES Update)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Poor sleep quality is often associated with reduced control of blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, according to a report from the University of Chicago. The recent findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, highlight an...

Don't forget the magnesium.(DIABETES Update)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... In a study of 4,637 young adults (ages 18 to 30) enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, researchers found that the more magnesium a person consumed, the less likely he or she was to develop metabolic...

Scallop, spinach & tomato saute.(Recipe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... SCALLOP, SPINACH & TOMATO SAUTE (Makes 4 servings) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound bay or sea scallops, halved 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 3 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped 10 ounces fresh spinach,...

Garrison Keillor.(Post People)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A new bookstore in town may not be big news, but it is when the St. Paul, Minnesota, proprietor happens to be Garrison Keillor. The longtime host of the popular "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show and star of a recent movie by the same name...

Mia Hamm.(Post People)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Soccer superstar Mia Hamm led the American women's soccer team to a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Today, she's squaring off with an even greater challenge--childhood obesity. "We're trying to empower kids and give them a new...

Bill Cosby.(Post People)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Veteran comedian Bill Cosby is known for his contagious wit and warmth, onstage and off. For Cosby, humor is good medicine. "You can turn painful situations around through laughter," the comedian said. "If you can find humor in anything,...

Andy Roddick.(Post People)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Armed with an explosive serve and powerful forehand, tennis ace Andy Roddick recently netted an appointment to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "It's a great honor to be recognized in this way. When I was in school,...

Team Montana tackling hypertension: even though he made a career out of handling pressure, Joe Montana found himself among the 65 million Americans coping with hypertension.(Recipe)
January 1, 2007... Certainly, NFL Hall-of-Famer and Notre Dame's "Comeback Kid" Joe Montana needs no introduction. The legendary quarterback guided the San Francisco 49ers to a remarkable four Super Bowl victories. Today, Montana faces his fiercest...

Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.(LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD)
January 1, 2007... Take a Walk Challenge yourself to make fitness a priority. Is your library, grocery store, or pharmacy across town or a block away? Before jumping in your car, ask if driving is really necessary. Consider walking to do errands within a...

Poor Richard speaks: the wit and wisdom of Benjamin Franklin: his enduring wisdom leads us to a higher appreciation of his genius.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A Change of Fortune hurts a wise Man no more than a Change of the Moon. Mad Kings and mad Bulls are not to be held by treaties and packthread. When Knaves betray each other, one can scarce be blamed or the other pitied. He that...

Stainless living from Martha Stewart.(Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home)(Book review)
January 1, 2007... Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home by Martha Stewart 752 pages Clarkson Potter, $45.00 Are your bed springs squeaky? Does a moldy odor emanate from your automatic washer? Is...

Making scams scram: there are many surprising ways we can be deceived--when we are buying a car, lying in a hospital bed, sending a check in the mail, or even standing in a checkout line.(Book review)
January 1, 2007... Scam Proof Your Life by Sid Kirchheimer 336 pages, Sterling Publishing, $19.95 "Nothing is more common on earth than to deceive and be deceived," said the 18th century German author Johann Seume. Seume would feel fight at home in today's...

When Sally turned 60: with two Oscars to her credit and a hit TV show on her hands, Sally Field is too busy to be sidelined by a troubling diagnosis. We caught up with the energetic star on the eve of her Big 6-0.(Interview)
January 1, 2007... Depending on your age, your favorite Sally Field role might date back to 1965 and "Gidget," the teenage surfer whose antics always landed her in hot water. A gidget, fans learned, was a girl who wasn't very tall but wasn't a midget. Get it?...

Crawling: the doctor's prescription for improving academic achievement not only sounded crazy, it was crazy, but it worked.
January 1, 2007... I shuffled along the linoleum tiles wrenching my neck to get a glance at the clock as I crawled past the open kitchen door. The clock was carved from a solid block of wood, stained a dark glazed brown, and shaped to resemble my home state of...

OMEGA-3: Rx for heart health: for a meal high in omega-3 fatty acids, savor the healthy, delicious flavor and texture of wild salmon.(Recipe)
January 1, 2007... Healthy Heart Recipes The findings are in: Eating more omega-3 fatty acids may help save your life. In study after study, the evidence for the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids continues to mount. Recently, researchers at Harvard School of...

The graying of the health club: health club demographics are shifting to the senior set, as research demonstrates that fitness is a lifelong habit that needs to be ramped up, not cut back, in retirement.
January 1, 2007... Twice a week around lunchtime, you'll find Barbara Pratt at a health club, working out with other women 45 and older. Pratt falls on the far end of the spectrum. She's 84 but doesn't look it. In fact, if you glance around her exercise class,...

Post editors' picks ...
January 1, 2007... For the next issue, Post readers are invited to send in entries for the funniest greeting card, funniest print advertisement, and the funniest cartoon. The overall funniest entry will receive a $100 prize, and recognition from Post humor...

Lightning strikes twice: while being celebrated for the introduction of lithotripsy to America, Dr. Christian Chaussy was delighted with Dr. Beurt SerVaas's enthusiasm for HIFU.(high intensity focused ultrasound)
January 1, 2007... In 1984, patients with kidney stones faced few options; the patient could eventually pass the stone or face invasive surgery--both excruciatingly painful choices. Fortunately, a young German urologist named Christian Chaussy was pioneering the...

Our brush with the movies.(The American Illustrators Hall of Fame)
January 1, 2007... Cinema is a form of art, although differences do exist as to which films fall into that celebrated category. Our Post illustrators had their own take on the movies. For them the real art existed not in the sound and fury on the screen, but in...

Secrets to optimum health: presenting the latest health findings on living better and longevity, Dr. Weil taps the best of traditional and alterative medicine: an interview with Dr. Andrew Weil.(Interview)
January 1, 2007... In the field of complementary therapies, Dr. Andrew Weil is perhaps the most visible advocate, devoting the past 30 years to sharing the principles of integrative medicine with patients and students alike. Director of the Program in Integrative...

The ounce of prevention: an excerpt from Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being.
January 1, 2007... Your body has grown and developed according to the genetic instructions acquired from your parents and contained within every cell. As scientists continue to identify the products and functions of our genes--the sequencing of the human genome...

"Hot" news for dieters?(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Foods so hot they make you sweat may be useful in fighting the battle of the bulge, according to a recent scientific study. Spices such as chili peppers, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and cumin have the ability to boost heat...

Eggs for the eyes.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... People at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) might want to consider adding an egg to their diet each day. Egg yolks are a rich source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which studies show can reduce the risk for AMD. ...

Brain food.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Eating three portions of green leafy, yellow and cruciferous vegetables every day probably won't make you more brilliant, but it may significantly slow down the decline in cognitive function that starts around age 40. A recent six-year...

Reed's premium ginger beer.(Products in Focus: Drinks to Your Health)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Soft drinks aren't usually healthful, but this small batch-brewed ginger beer is a delicious exception. Inspired by an authentic Jamaican recipe and flavored with fresh ginger root (now being studied for its healthful properties), it is...

Naked juices.(Products in Focus: Drinks to Your Health)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... For about the same price as a tall coffee at Starbucks, you can get a pound (two servings) of antioxidant-rich fruit in these amazing drinks. Combinations include apple, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and banana in Green Machine; pomegranates,...

Sambazon Acai juice.(Products in Focus: Drinks to Your Health)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Juice of the Amazon Acai (ah-sah-ee) palm berry has an exotic berry flavor with a hint of chocolate and an antioxidant profile twice that of blueberries. Brazilian world-class athletes include the high-fiber, high-protein berries in their...

Drugs and side effects.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)
January 1, 2007... Reader: In your column in the Sept./ Oct. SEP about a person controlling their systolic BP, it mentioned the person taking quinine for cramps from the diuretic. One of the drugs mentioned was Norvasc. A few years ago I was taking Norvasc and...

Heart attack advice.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)
January 1, 2007... Reader: I would like your opinion of some advice circulating on the Internet about what to do if you are driving alone and start experiencing severe chest pain about five miles from the nearest hospital. The article goes on to say that victims...

On cholesterol, thyroid, and bones.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)
January 1, 2007... Reader: I was recently informed that I have very high cholesterol. (I believe the total was 321.) I am now taking pravastatin to try to lower it. I am 72 years old, weigh about 127 lbs., and try to stick to a reasonable diet and get some...

Giving the dog his due.(Column)
January 1, 2007... "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."--Will Rogers Everyone knows the dog is man's best friend. is or her many attributes have been recorded over time in the warm reflections of a host of...

As seen in the headlines.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... 1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says 2. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers 3. Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted 4. Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents 5. Drunk Gets Nine Months...

Tobacco targets youth: Tobacco companies looking for lucrative new markets are targeting kids with smokeless products, suggesting the tobacco products are "safer"--nothing is farther from the truth.(SPEAKING OUT)
January 1, 2007... Taboka is just another in a long line of "new" tobacco products from Philip Morris since it was founded in 1881. Both Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds are feeling the erosion of market share in cigarettes and rushing to fill the void with products...

The post picks classic films.(Magnificent Obsession, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit)(Movie review)
January 1, 2007... "Pictures are for entertainment," Samuel Goldwyn said. "Messages should be delivered by Western Union." The famous movie mogul's sentiments notwithstanding, filmmakers have long plied us with moral messages in the process of entertaining...

Lessons from the Dalai Lama: can humans live longer and better?
January 1, 2007... How do we stretch the boundaries of our knowledge on aging?. Bring together revolutionary figures in longevity research with renowned Tibetan scholars and stir with the Dalai Lama until novel insights bubble to the surface. Columbia...

Bipolar disorder: on the brink of discovery: researchers investigating the genetics of bipolar I disorder report an exciting new study and ask for your help: an interview with Dr. John Nurnberger.(Interview)
January 1, 2007... After many years of struggling to identify the genetics of major psychiatric disorders, researchers are reporting major progress in identifying areas involved in bipolar disorder. The findings will hopefully lead to innovative therapies for...

You be the judge.(Mervin)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Mervin, an inventive individual, devised an electric baby-bottle warmer that could be plugged into an automobile dashboard like a cigarette lighter. He did a brisk and profitable business until the federal government demanded that he pay an...

Where do you think you are?
January 1, 2007... East, West, North, or South, each of the areas above appears on the map of a single state or province. Can you identify these locations? If you find the game too easy (but you won't), try to guess theme. (Theme: Towns with Cold in the name)...

The perfect squelch.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... When wealthy Mrs. Swerton first came to his store, the polite old village grocer thought she must have been too busy to stop for lunch. For as she shopped, she steadily sampled cookies, grapes, plums, and even an open box of candy that was on...

Better vision after cataract surgery.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
January 1, 2007... People with cataracts now have a viable new option--an implanted lens that clears their vision and reduces or eliminates their need to wear corrective glasses. We recently heard from Carol O'Connor, who underwent cataract surgery with the...

Hip protectors.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I would like to know where I can get gel-filled clothing, pads and accessories that protect hips, arms and legs in case of a fall. I do not think it should be necessary to contact a healthcare provider to get the above. I...

Kegel exercises for men and women.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, You have mentioned "Kegel exercises" in your magazine. Will you please tell me how these are done? Thank you. Mrs. K. Sannes North Augusta, South Carolina Kegel exercises help strengthen pelvic muscles to...

Paralysis of diaphragm.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I am a 71-year-old female. Ten years ago I was told I have a paralyzed diaphragm on my left side and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). My doctor doesn't know why the diaphragm quit working. How rare is this?...

Blood tests 101.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I get so confused looking at my blood test results. In particular, could you please help me understand what a "risk" test is? Elizabeth Morrison Cincinnati, Ohio It's a good idea to request a copy of your lab...

Ginger tea recipe.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Recipe)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, In your Sept./Oct. 2006 Medical Mailbox, a reader reports that drinking ginger tea helps control her acid reflux and blood sugar levels. How much ginger is used to make the tea? Martha Bobo Pine Bluff, Arizona...

Good news for "wet" macular degeneration.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have good news to share about a subject dear to my heart--macular degeneration, wet type. In March 2006, my eyes seemed to tire easily while reading. Blinking repeatedly, I looked across the room and discovered a dark...

Radiation risks.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have a question about radiation implants for prostate cancer. Can these radiation implants destroy the muscles and nerves in the rectum and colon? Your reply to this question will be sincerely appreciated. Milton...

Proton therapy for prostate cancer.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, What is the recovery rate for proton radiation therapy for prostate cancer? There are a few facilities offering this, including a hospital in Loma Linda, California. Why isn't it accepted throughout the country? I would...

Help for hair-pulling.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have a nine-year-old granddaughter who has been diagnosed with "trichotillomania." She pulls her long hair out little by little. I had never heard of this disease, and it took a couple months to realize what was...

Unusual asthma trigger.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I think I have developed an allergy to computer printer toner or ink. Others might be suffering from this problem because they don't know what is making them sick. My doctors said I was on my way to chronic lung disease...

Blue light and eye health.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas: I am interested in purchasing the BlueMax Lamp as advertised in your magazine. However, I remember a Medical Mailbox article about blue light and eye problems. Is the BlueMax Lamp a source of the same blue light that has...

Bell's palsy.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, My husband showed signs of 7th cranial nerve paralysis--Bell's palsy--in January 2006. He had the one-sided smile, droopy eyelid and smooth forehead on the left side. He has been seen by his primary physician, his...

Added weight.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, Regarding the woman whose husband was upset that she wouldn't let him put his arm on her while she slept (Nov./Dec. 2006 Medical Mailbox): the most likely explanation is that she is reacting to the added weight on her...

From the pharmacy.(Januvia, Lipitor, Rozerem)
January 1, 2007... Editor's Note: Pharmacists are an integral, and sometimes untapped, part of the healthcare maintenance team. If you have a question about medications, write to: Cara Acklin, Pharm.D.; From the Pharmacy; 1100 Waterway Blvd.; Indianapolis, IN...

The Tomcat's pajamas.(POST SCRIPTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A man called his wife at home: "Honey, I have been asked by my boss to go along on a Canadian fishing trip. We'll be gone for a week, a good opportunity to help me get that promotion. Please pack my clothes, rod and reel, tackle box, and my new...

Field of opportunity.(POST SCRIPTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A prisoner in jail received a letter from his wife: "Dear Husband: I have decided to plant some lettuce in the back garden. When is the best time to plant them?" The prisoner, knowing that the prison guards read all mail, replied in a...

The daily regimen.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2007... The Daily Regimen Seniors must stay very fit. They exercise a lot, Running back and forth To pick up items they forgot.

Headed for home.(POST SCRIPTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Two old men had been best friends for years, and they were both in their early 90s when one of them suddenly fell deathly ill. His friend came to visit him on his deathbed, and they started reminiscing about their long friendship. The...

Where's Grandma?(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2007... Where's Grandma? In the dim and distant past When the tempo wasn't fast Grandma used to rock and knit Crochet, read, and babysit. In those days of gracious living Grandma was the one for giving When the...

Feeling the bite.(POST SCRIPTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A minister given to spoonerisms was conducting the funeral of a woman whose sole claim to fame was the publication of a slender volume called Campfire Verses. Working himself up in the eulogy, he enthused, "And we will not soon forget her...

Perilous crossing.(POST SCRIPTS)
January 1, 2007... In time of peril, the believer fingers his cross, but an atheist can only cross his fingers.