briefly, what i learned about acl injuries

Long story short, I stupidly injured my knee riding my bike on sunday, and this is what I found about ACL injuries. 1.) Only those with complete tears need to have surgery, otherwise physical therapy should do the trick 2.) Even If the ACL is completely torn, surgery is not always required. Age and level of activity play an important role in deciding whether surgery is necessary. 3.) A younger more active person would significantly benefit from having ACL surgery as it will allow them to return to normal activity. 4.)When the ACL is torn, it is not technically repaired as the ends of the ligament cannot be reattached. Instead, the ACL is reconstructed by creating a new ligament. 5.)Most people return to sports within 4 months after surgery. -Tyler

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Posted in: culture,health

editorial: how much sleep is the right amount?

For the past few weeks I have been getting about 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night and the following day I would feel pretty crappy, so it made me raise the question, can one get too much sleep? To keep this article short, the answer is yes. Studies show that too much sleep can lead to heart disease, fatigue, and many other problems. Studies also show that people who get more than 8 hours of sleep a night actually live shorter lives. Scientists have found that adults who get between 6.5 and 7.5 hours of sleep a night live the longest. All that I have ever been told is that I need 8 or more hours of sleep per night, but new studies are now showing different than that, proving that less sleep is ok. Now it is important to note that this study was conducted for adults. Keep in mind that a consistent sleep schedule is just as important as how much sleep you get. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will help you feel so much more energized in the morning and throughout the day.

Source: A TDN Original

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Posted in: culture,health

meditation is a heart healthy way to relax. surprised? no.

I was a teenager when I was first introduced to the concept of meditation. At the time, as a typical teenager, I really didn't get it, didn't practice it much. Sports, school and friends took up most of my time and thoughts. But about 10 years ago I took meditation up in earnest, I am now a daily practitioner of transcendental meditation. Despite my hectic schedule, I always manage to carve out at least one 20 minute session each day, though twice a day is preferable. I have experienced so many benefits since making it a part of my daily routine. Meditation really helps me focus better, I'm calmer, my memory has improved, and so has my personal sense of inner peace and motivation.

Recently, though, I found out something amazing about meditation -- not only does it help mental health, but also physical health. Studies performed on people who practice transcendental meditation have shown that it can reduce pain better than morphine, treat depression, and also reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke by half. I never imagined at first that such a simple thing as relaxing your mind and body for a small portion of the day could lead to such staggering heart-and-soul-healthy benefits. New benefits to heart health are being discovered in the simplest techniques, and meditation is one that I strongly recommend to my friends, family and Harboring Hearts beneficiaries.

It's well documented that stress is a high factor in heart disease and related complications -- if you know anyone at risk of heart disease, tell them to look into meditation as a form of preventative care. With information and some lessons on all the varieties of meditation that there are out there, we can help everyone lead calmer and more focused lives.

The best part about meditation is that anyone can do it. It doesn't require any level of physical ability -- just a desire and willingness to strive for inner peace. The different styles of meditation are such that each person can choose a style that suits him or her best, whether it's visualization, mantra chanting, listening to soothing music or a combination.

Transcendental Meditation was specifically made popular in the 1950s and 60s by The Beatles -- George Harrison was a devout Buddhist, and introduced the practice to his band-mates. Since then, countless celebrities have taken to practicing meditation of all different types. Generally, they say it releases creative energy, and helps them steer clear of the "tabloid" lifestyle.

This may seem like just another time commitment each day to sit quietly and clear one's mind, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Imagine greater efficiency and productivity throughout your day -- the twenty to forty minutes would not be a loss, but a profound gain.

So try at least one 20 minute session every day for a week. Trust me -- once you feel how much it helps, you'll be very glad you started.

Source: Huffington Post

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Posted in: culture,health

cell phone use may be a cancer risk after all

A bunch of experts convened by the World Health Organization have decided that cellphones might pose a risk of brain cancer in humans.

The finding that cellphones are a possible carcinogen is a bit of surprise. Only last year, a WHO-organized study of cellphone risks that was the largest conducted to date found scant evidence to support a link between cellphones and brain cancers.

But a group of 31 experts from 14 countries conducted a review of the scientific literature and determined that the evidence, though limited, could support a connection between cellphone use and brain tumors — cancerous gliomas and acoustic neuromas, which are noncancerous. (A summary of the findings is described in this press release.)


The evidence didn't support a link between the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellphones with other cancers.

And, it should be pointed out that the group, working under the auspices of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, didn't put a number on the increased risk. "The evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support a conclusion," said a statement by Dr. Jonathan Samet, a University of Southern California epidemiologist who chaired the panel of experts. "There could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk."

Cellphones got labeled as risk level "2B" in the IARC system, a designation that covers a long list of chemicals, including gasoline and lead, as well as the occupational hazard that comes with being a firefighter.

The findings by the cancer experts will be evaluated by WHO and health agencies in individual countries.

The full review will be published in the July 1 issue of the medical journal The Lancet Oncology and will be available online in a few days, the WHO's IARC said.

Source: NPR

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Posted in: culture,electronics,health

weekday vegetarian: aloo kofta - fried potato balls

Here is the second of the recipes that I promised you in my post on saag aloo yesterday. I inadvertently added more lemon juice to the potatoes than the recipe called for, so they were a bit more piquant than intended, but we all agreed that it didn't matter at all, they were still really delicious.
This takes a bit of time to make because you have to boil the potatoes and then cook them with the spices and allow it to cool to room temperature. I made them in the early afternoon and then went on to do other things, but you could certainly make the potato mixture the night before if you like. Once the potatoes are cool the actual frying takes very little time at all.

This recipe is from The New York Times, April 25, 2011.

Aloo Kofta

2 medium potatoes, peeled (to yield 2 cups cooked and mashed)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus 3 cups or as needed for deep frying
1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped seeded Thai bird chili, optional
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, optional
Salt to taste

1. Place the potatoes in a medium saucepan, and add cold water to cover by an inch. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash with a fork.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine 1 tablespoon oil, ginger, garlic, chili, and chili flakes. Sauté until ginger and garlic are golden brown. Add mashed potatoes, turmeric, cornstarch, lemon juice and cilantro. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt to taste.

3. Remove potatoes from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil to a deep fryer or wok to 350 degrees.

4. Make 16 balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, from the potato mixture. Working in batches if necessary, fry balls until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels, and serve hot.

Source: treehugger

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Posted in: culture,health

10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It

By: zenhabits.net

1. Greet the day. I love being able to get up, and greet a wonderful new day. I suggest creating a morning ritual that includes saying thanks for your blessings. I’m inspired by the Dalai Lama, who said, ” Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can.’ “
2. Amazing start. I used to start my day by jumping out of bed, late as usual, and rushing to get myself and the kids ready, and rushing to drop them to school and come in to work late. I would walk into work, looking rumpled and barely awake, grumpy and behind everyone else. Not a great start to your day. Now, I have a renewing morning ritual, I’ve gotten so much done before 8 a.m., my kids are early and so am I, and by the time everyone else gets in to work, I’ve already gotten a head start. There is no better way to start off your day than to wake early, in my experience.
3. Quietude. No kids yelling, no babies crying, no soccer balls, no cars, no television noise. The early morning hours are so peaceful, so quiet. It’s my favorite time of day. I truly enjoy that time of peace, that time to myself, when I can think, when I can read, when I can breathe.
4. Sunrise. People who wake late miss one of the greatest feats of nature, repeated in full stereovision each and every day — the rise of the sun. I love how the day slowly gets brighter, when the midnight blue turns to lighter blue, when the brilliant colors start to seep into the sky, when nature is painted in incredible colors. I like doing my early morning run during this time, and I look up at the sky as I run and say to the world, “What a glorious day!” Really. I really do that. Corny, I know.
5. Breakfast. Rise early and you actually have time for breakfast. I’m told it’s one of the most important meals of the day. Without breakfast, your body is running on fumes until you are so hungry at lunchtime that you eat whatever unhealthy thing you can find. The fattier and sugarier, the betterier. But eat breakfast, and you are sated until later. Plus, eating breakfast while reading my book and drinking my coffee in the quiet of the morning is eminently more enjoyable than scarfing something down on the way to work, or at your desk.

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Posted in: health

Lincoln Wants you to Bike to Work in May

The city and the bicycling community are encouraging residents to participate in Bike to Work Week, May 17-21.
A kickoff event, Bike to Work, Lincoln! is May 14. Bikers can join local celebrities at 7:30 a.m. at one of four locations and bike as a group to Centennial Mall:
Peter Pan Park, 32nd and Y streets.
Champions Club, Stadium Drive.
Lincoln Children's Zoo, 27th and B streets.
Salt Creek Levee Trail, west end of A Street viaduct.
A rally at 8 a.m. on Centennial Mall outside the State Office Building will feature refreshments, exhibits and drawings for prizes.
Helmets are required. The rain date for Bike to

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