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GROWW E-Mail Newsletter |
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14 May 2003 |
Circulation:
433 |
Volume
1, Number 7 |
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Editor ·
Pat Sirni Associate Editor ·
Margot Hill Newsletter Staff ·
Angela Dyer ·
Lori Petersen GROWW Officers ·
Anne D’Ambrosio, Executive
Director GROWW Staff ·
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Pat Sirni, Grief Recovery Room Manager ·
Rachel Frank, Message Board Manager ·
Phil D’Ambrosio, Director
of Security |
Message from the Executive Director - Anne D’Ambrosio Well,
all, May has arrived, time sure flies huh!
Spring has finally arrived for all you folks that live in the cold
weather climate. Last month I wrote
about the change of season, now you all know what I meant, it’s a time for
rebirth. While
we do become friends here at GROWW, I would like to remind everyone we try to
keep GROWW as safe as possible, but there are some things that you really
need to remember. First and foremost,
don’t give out your phone number or address unless you have spent a lot of
time talking to someone in chat. You
are the only one that can really protect yourself. We have
had many new friends join us lately and I’d like to say WELCOME, we are glad
you found us but so sorry you need us.
How did you find us? Word of
mouth, from a support group, a hospital, your funeral home? Since
the chat rooms are paid for thru April 2004, my goal is to now get tons of
brochures made and get them passed out to Funeral Homes, Hospitals and
Hospice. As soon as we can get those
done, I will be looking for volunteers to pass them out, don’t hide from me. The
gathering in Meet Your Host - Cindy, Room Manager of Tender Angel Our
host for this month is Cindy, Room Manager of Tender Angels, for those who are widowed and under age
50. Cindy,
a resident of For the
past two years, Cindy has been working full time as a technician in an
optometrist’s office. Her job and her
hours volunteering for GROWW do not leave her extra time for hobbies, but she
does enjoy dancing and music. It was
16 months after Donald’s death before Cindy found GROWW. As with so many of us, Cindy found great
comfort here and learned that she wasn’t alone in what she was feeling. She says “A lot of my overcoming the pain
was accepting the fact that there was nothing I could do to change what had
happened. I knew I had to show that I
could do this and make Don proud of me.
Of course, I took my one step forward and three steps back many times
through the past 4 years. I decided I
was living for me and for now…. I chose to be content within myself to fill
my time with what makes me feel good.
I have so much to be grateful for and my GROWW family is at the top of
the list”. Cindy’s
positive outlook has brought her to a place of contentment with life. She
feels that she is ready to add some happiness to someone else’s life and is
currently dating a widower. She says
“We both understand what the other has been through,
our lost loves are alive within us. We
both cherish each and every memory of our lost loves. We talk freely and openly about them. It is more the four of us than it is two…..
what a great feeling”. Message from the Director of Branches - Well we have made it to May 2003. Yes the
May flowers are blooming, but along with the May flowers some of us have
experienced the death of a parent. May is a clear reminder that mom
and/or dad is no longer with you. Isn't it
funny how we sometimes take for granted Mother's Day and Father's Day UNTIL
they are no longer with us. Some people have
very fond memories of mom and dad, while for others it brings up very
painful memories and maybe even the shoulda, woulda, coulda feelings we all
can have. Whatever the memories for you, GROWW offers you a unique
opportunity to talk with other adults who have experienced the death of
a parent and/or grandparent in our room called Guiding Angels. Guiding
Angels can be accessed through our Chat Index and Site Map.
There meeting times are Wednesday 8 PM to 9 PM EST and Thursday 9 PM to 10 PM
EST. You will find great hosts in this room, who like you have experienced the death of a parent. Make it a point to check out GROWW, you will be
amazed at all we have to offer. We really do work very hard to make
this the place where comfort and understanding is felt by all. As many
regular members know and you will too, GROWW has a way of becoming an
addiction, but I must say a good one. We really do become friends with
one common bond. The death of a loved one. I encourage you to
come often, whether it is to send an email to heaven, post on our message
boards or just read them, to see all different things within GROWW, such
as our gatherings, or to chat with a friend. OK so one more thing I would like to
mention. As a member of the Guest
Columnist - Kyra Grief
and Illness Kelly
Parish - "Kyra" I started coming to GROWW on I tell people I know,
acquaintances who have lost relatives, and people I have just met about
GROWW. The reason for that is simple, GROWW has helped me through all of this, not just
my grief but my illness as well. I may
never have met you face to face, but it does not mean that I cannot love you
and your words and sympathize and care -- I can and do. Please let everyone you know in on what I
call the "best kept secret in the world" -- GROWW. You never know how much it could help, or
whose life it might save. Phil’s Corner - Phil D’Ambrosio With the
warm weather soon to be upon us many of us will be taking trips to see the
kids, grandkids and I know attending one of the many GROWW gatherings
somewhere around our Great Country or even abroad. I thought I might suggest some of the more
natural dietary supplements recommended by Lynn Laboranti,
M.S., R.D, a registered dietician,
who gives accredited lectures to medical professionals, distributors and
consumers on herbal/supplement research and development, specific products
and related health issues. She suggests adding the following health staples
to any road warrior’s travel bag: Fight
Motion Sickness: Boat, plane or car travel leaves many feeling nauseous.
Traditional medications have side effects such as dry mouth and drowsiness.
To feel better naturally, Laboranti suggests adults
take between 0.5 - 2 grams of Ginger 30 minutes before travel departure for
smooth sailing, flying or driving. Avoid Counting Sheep: For a good night’s sleep, Valerian root or
Melatonin, a natural hormone, may help promote pleasant dreams for even the
most restless traveler. Laboranti cautions against
driving or operating heavy equipment when taking Valerian root and cautions
pregnant mothers, people with severe allergies or certain autoimmune or
cancerous diseases against taking Melatonin. She recommends adults take 200
mg of Valerian root in standardized extract form or 1000 mg of it in whole
herb form at least an hour before bed. For Melatonin, Laboranti
recommends 3 mg a day, one to two hours before bedtime. Maintain
a Balanced Diet: Whether eating at odd times or dining on unknown foods,
traveling can tip the scales of a well-balanced diet. To receive all the
vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy diet, Laboranti
suggests taking multivitamins on the road. While never a substitute for
meals, multivitamins always help to maintain a well-balanced diet, whether in
Frankenmuth or The Pokies. Pump
Up Your Immune System: The re-circulated air of planes, trains and
automobiles can be stale and unhealthful. To pass through these environments
unscathed, Laboranti suggests taking between
250-500 mg of vitamin C two to three times daily. Vitamin C is a powerful
antioxidant that may keep you healthy by neutralizing free radicals and
boosting the immune system. Bring
Health With You: Used for centuries, studies show that Echinacea may help
boost the immune system. Echinacea may even be used as a support for healthy
lungs. Laboranti recommends a daily dosage of 250
mg for the standardized extract form or 1400 mg in whole herb form, but for
no longer than eight weeks at a time. Also, if you have allergies, (e.g., if
you are allergic to ragweed or related plants), Laboranti
strongly advises checking with your physician first before taking Echinacea. Keep
Energy Levels High: To keep the weariness of constant travel at bay, Laboranti recommends road warriors supplement their diets
with B-complex vitamins. Among other energy-boosting benefits, the thiamine,
niacin, riboflavin, B-6, pantothenic acid, folate, B-12 and biotin in a B-complex supplement help to
maintain the health of the nerves and eyes, which are among the first things
to go when traveling. Laboranti recommends taking
such a well-balanced B-complex supplement daily. Arm
Yourself For New Environments: Along with the new sights we encounter on
our travels, new climates can also make a trip go sour. Clinical studies show
that daily amounts of vitamin A may boost the body’s immune function. Vitamin
A has also been shown to help the body maintain lung, mouth and throat
tissue. Laboranti recommends adults take between
3,000 to 6,000 I.U.’s of
vitamin A each day, in addition to a healthy diet and other antioxidants such
as vitamin E and vitamin C. Note: The new DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for
Vitamin A is 2,300 I.U. for women and 3,000 I.U. for men. This number
represents the minimum daily recommendation with an upper limit of 10,000
I.U. Say
Goodbye to Sour Stomach: One way to spoil an otherwise great vacation is to
suffer the wrath of unfamiliar foods on the stomach. To enjoy the local fare
without worrying about the body’s response, take Acidophilus before, during
and after your travels and keep things as regular as the day you left. Laboranti recommends taking 500 million live cells twice
a day. Energize
to Maximize Your Travels: For an active traveler who is on the go from dawn
until dusk, Ginseng may help maintain physical stamina. Clinical studies show
that ginseng may invigorate and fortify in times of fatigue, can lower stress
and may increase energy levels. Laboranti suggests
adults take 250 mg in standardized extract form or 1,000 mg in whole herb
form daily. However, she strongly
advises people with abnormal blood pressure, taking anti-depressants, or
taking insulin or diabetic medication, to speak with a health care
practitioner before using this product. Make A Pit Stop at the Doctor’s Office: There may be certain vaccinations or other
preparations required before traveling abroad. Play it safe and make sure to
check with your physician before departing. Some doctors and/or clinics
specialize in travel medicine. Take advantage of these services to better
ensure a safe and healthy trip. While at the doctors office ask him if any of
these natural remedies would conflict with any meds you may be taking at the
time. |
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GROWW, INC.© Judy Divers 501(c)(3) Non-Profit EIN: 59-3445877 |
Recipes From Members Submitted
by Lucy Here's
a delicious Recipe for the newsletter.
This is requested very often at our church fellowships. Hope you can use it. Crock
Pot Pizza 1
(12 oz. pkg.) wide egg noodles 1
1/2 pounds ground beef 1/4
cup chopped onions 2
jars (28 oz. each) spaghetti sauce 1
jar (4 1/2 oz.) sliced mushrooms (drained) 1
1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning 1
Pkg. (3 1/2 oz.) sliced pepperoni (halved) 3
cups (12 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese 3
cups (12 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese Cook
meat, onions, sauce, mushrooms and seasoning together. Cook egg noodles and drain. In
crock pot, layer 1/3 noodles, then sauce, pepperoni, and then cheeses. Start another layer until you have about 3
layers. Cook
on medium to high (300 degrees) for about 3 to 4 hours. Enjoy! (This
can be done in the oven also at 300 degrees, using a large, shallow baking
pan about, (3 " deep), and cook until cheese is melted and begins to
brown on top.) If you would like to
submit a recipe for publication in this newsletter, please send your
submission to newsletter@groww.org To unsubscribe to this email click reply with
UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. For
questions about this Newsletter or to submit an article, email newsletter@groww.org |
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