SUNDAY WORD PUZZLE from NPR! By adding 2 same letters to each 5-letter word to make a new 7-letter word!

I'm going to give you two five-letter words. Put two letters after the first one and the same two letters before the second one to complete two seven-letter words.

 Ex. TRACT  CHARD   --> TRACTOR, ORCHARD

 

    1.   AGAIN    RANGE

    2.   SHELL    QUIRE

    3.   DIVER    LATIN

    4.   BREAD   EATER

    5.   ALBUM  GROSS

    6.   CHIME   THOLE

    7.   FINES    ASIDE

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  against, strange

    2.  shellac, acquire

    3.  diverge, gelatin

    4.  breadth, theater

    5.  albumen, engross

    6.  Chimera, rathole

    7.  finesse, seaside

Office Idioms

Are you happy in your field of work? Living in the age of uncertainty, quite a few of us feel concerned or queasy about tomorrow. However, keep your head up, take a deep breath, and dream of a rosy path that could be in store for you at your work place somewhere down the road.

Today, let us go over some office idioms!

  

    1.  career cushioning: Also known as “quite quitting”. Lining up future job opportunities while still employed at one’s current job. For instance, career cushioning refers to looking for a new job, including developing new skills, browsing job listings, and applying for new jobs.

 

    2.  back-room boys: People who do important work but aren't visible to general public

 

    3.  blank check/cheque: Complete freedom of action or control

 

    4.  to cave in: to agree to something you didn't want to accept previously and stop arguing or resisting (especially when people put pressure on you to stop)

 

    5.  dead end job: a job where there is no chance of promotion

 

    6.  the eleventh hour: the last minute     

 

    7.  golden handshake: large amount paid as an incentive for early retirement 

 

    8.  to test the water: to try something out to see if it works or not

 

    9.  the writing on the wall:       clear signs that something bad is about to happen

 

    10. to touch base (with someone): to make a brief contact to discuss something

 

 

 

Are you ready to use what you’ve learned in the following sentences?

    1.   Everyone in my department is smelling something fishy going on between Ted and Joey. They all see the __________________ on the wall that the two guys will soon be in big trouble.

 

    2.   Loren was blamed by his coworkers for being too cautious with every new project, because he prefers to test the _____________ before diving right into the task.

 

    3.   I know you’ve been taking Jason under your wing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he deserves to be given a ______________ check in every step of the serious decision-making process.

 

    4.   I thought Michael must have been pushed to stay silent about the secret deal made under the table. It was so strange to see him _____________ in all at once.

 

    5.   Harry hates it when his team wait until the _________________ before making    it to the deadline.

 

    6.   I believe it’s time you quit this dead _________ job. It will get you nowhere in the end.

 

    7.   Quite often times, we see a lot of _____________________ boys feeling frustrated at work when their tremendous amount of efforts and time were underestimated or even snatched by sly colleagues.

 

    8.   They were not offered severance pay or a golden _______________ when they left the company.

 

    9.   Laura feels that none of her contribution or devotion made to this company has been truly respected. That’s why she’s been doing some quiet career __________________.

 

    10. Mr. Blizard just wanted to quickly __________  ________ with you. Did you get an email about the meeting?

 

 

Answer Keys  

    1.  the writing

    2.  water

    3.  blank  

    4.  cave

    5.  the 11^th hour

    6.  end

    7.  back-room

    8.  handshake

    9.  cushioning

    10. touch base

Time to play the latest Sunday Word Puzzle from NPR! Find the places that rhyme with given words!

Every answer is a two-word name of a place in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world where you might visit. I'll give you rhymes for the two words. You name the places.

Ex. Right Spouse  -->  WHITE HOUSE

 

 1.  Ski Vest (hint: Florida)

    2.   Greater Stake (hint: Oregon)

    3.   Call Sheet (hint: New York)

 

All the rest answers are located in foreign countries outside of the U.S.

 

    4.   Rifle Power

    5.   Pig Pen

    6.   Rock Cress (hint: Scotland)

    7.   Dead Air

    8.   Eight Ball

    9.   Tape Down

    10. Fourth Hole   (hint: only a small number of people have been here)

 

 

 

 

Answer Keys

1.  Key West

2.  Crater Lake

3.  Wall Street

4.  Eiffel Tower

5.  Big Ben

6.  Lock Ness

7.  Red Square

8.  Great Wall

9.  Cape Town

10.            North Pole

The DOG DAYS of SUMMER

The dog days of summer last from July 3 to August 11. What are the Dog Days of Summer exactly? What do they have to do with dogs? The ancient origins of this common phrase might surprise you.

 

The term “Dog Days” traditionally refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of 1. ____________ (meaning a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water), bad luck, unrest, when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat! Today, the phrase doesn’t conjure up such bad imagery. Instead, the Dog Days are associated purely the time of summer’s peak temperatures and humidity.

 

This period of sweltering weather coincide with the year’s 2. hel__________ (meaning “at sun rise) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris – the “Greater Dog” – which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris. Not including our own Sun, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. Since Sirius is one star in a group of stars that form the constellation Canis Major, meaning “Great Dog”, it comes as no surprise that the nickname of this big, bold star became “the Dog Star.”

 

In ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome, it was believed that the dawn rising of Sirius in mid-to-late summer contributed to the extreme weather of the season. In other words, the “combined heat” of super bright Sirius and our 3. _________ was thought to be the cause of summer’s sweltering temperatures. The name “Sirius” even stems from the Ancient Greek seirios, meaning 4. _______________.

 

For the ancient Egyptians, the dawn rising of Sirius also coincide with the

5. __________ River’s flood season. They used the star as a watchdog for that event.

 

The exact dates of the Dog Days can vary from source to source, and because they are traditionally tied to the dawn rising of Sirius, they have changed over time. However, most sources agree that the Dog Days occur in mid-to-late summer, which is considered to be the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the Summer 6. ____________ in late June, which also tends to be the beginning of the worst summer’s heat.

 

Old timers believed that rainfall on the Dog Days was a bad omen, as foretold in this verse:

Dog Days bright and clear

Indicate a happy year;

But when accompanied by rain,

For better times, our hope are vain.

 

*** Source from The Old Farmer's Almanac 2024

Answer Keys

    1.  drought

    2.  heliacal

    3.  Sun

    4.  scorching

    5.  Nile

    6.  Solstice

Health Series #22. Cabbage

It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

#22. CABBAGE

Today’s healthy ingredient for your wholesome daily meals is cabbage! Are you willing to invite cabbage to the table every day? While cabbage may look like leafy greens such as lettuce, it actually belongs to the Brassica genus of vegetables (i.e., 1. cru______________ vegetables), which includes broccoli, radishes, and 2. Brussels _________________. It comes in a variety of shapes and colors, including red, purple, white, and green, and its leaves can be either crinkled or smooth.

 

The humble cabbage is truly a powerhouse of nutrition. With its rich reserves of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it supports overall health and wellness in many ways.    Whether it's immune, digestive or 3. anti- in____________ benefits, cabbage steps up to the plate. 4. Sulfo________, kaempferol, and other antioxidants found in this remarkable group of plants are likely responsible for their 5. anti-in___________________ effect.

5. Vitamin ______, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that serves many important roles in the body. For example, it’s needed to make collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen gives structure and flexibility to the skin and is critical for the proper functioning of the bones, muscles, and blood vessels. Furthermore, this vitamin in cabbage works to protect the body from damage caused by 6. free ______________, which has been associated with many chronic conditions, including cancer.

If you want to improve your digestive health, cabbage is a great option. This crunchy vegetable is full of gut-friendly insoluble 7. __________________ , a type of carbohydrate that can’t be broken down in the intestines, which helps keep the digestive system healthy by adding bulk to stool and promoting regular bowel movements, because insoluble 8. _____________ increases the number of gut friendly species like Bifidobacteria and

 

According to studies, there is a link between eating purple cabbage (that contains high pigments like anthocyanins) reduced risk of 9. ____________ disease because a higher intake of flavonoids was associated with a significantly reduced blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels.

 

Lastly, Cabbage is a terrific source of 10. vitamin _____, which is a key nutrient, functioning to act as a cofactor for enzymes for clotting the blood. Without this vitamin, the blood would lose its ability to clot properly, which would lead to excessive bleeding.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  cruciferous

    2.  sprouts

    3.  inflammatory

    4.  sulforaphane

    5.  inflammatory

    6.  free radicals

    7.  fiber

    8.  fiber

    9.  heart

    10. Vt K

 

 

 **source from https://www.eatingwell.com/health-benefits-of-cabbage-8557536 & healthline.com

 

Acrostic poem using CABBAGE by Jean J. Lee

 

Collagen is a “must” constituent in your body

Amplified by Vt C in Cabbage

Benevolent vegetable in your fridge

Blessing for your gut

Abdominous days are gone

Green or purple layers of leaves

Empty out your gut in happiness

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

SANTA ANA TUSTIN COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

Time to Play the NPR Sunday Puzzle! Find the 2-word name or phrases with the initials A & C!

An A.C. puzzle to beat the heat from the NPR Sunday Puzzle!

Every answer today is a familiar two-word phrase or name with the initials A.C.

 

Ex. Summer cooler  -->  AIR CONDITIONER

 

    1.   Type of electricity

    2.   Something that rings to wake you up in the morning    

    3.   LAX for Los Angeles International or LGA for La Guardia

    4.   Color prism for Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," e.g.

    5.   Ship from which military jets take off

    6.   Mystery writer who created Miss Marple

    7.   Gangster known as "Scarface"

    8.   Longtime host of "Masterpiece Theatre"

    9.   French playwright who wrote "The Plague"

    10. Annual yachting competition

11. Closest star system to Earth

12. What Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren each wrote

13. Container that sprays a mist

14. Signal that danger is over

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Alternate Current

    2.  Alarm Clock

    3.  Airport Code

    4.  Album Covers

    5.  Aircraft Carrier

    6.  Agatha Christie

    7.  Al Capone

    8.  Alistair Cooke

    9.  Albert Camus

    10. America’s Cup

11. Alpha Centauri

12. Advice Columns

13. Aerosol Can

14. All Clear

Health Series #21. Corn Silk (Tea)

It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

#21.  CORN SILK

In Asian countries, corn silk has traditionally been used as an important medicine. Native Americans were also making the best use of the long shiny fibers at the top of an ordinary ear of corn as treatments for diseases. It can potentially provide major antioxidant benefits and function as a 1. diu_____. Some claim it helps with energy, and some claim2. ______-depressant properties. The most popular way of enjoying corn silk is steeping it as tea. But ultimately it is used for its antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects.

 

What are the health benefits of corn silk?

The properties of corn silk may make it a good treatment for high 1.___________  ___________. It helps flush excess fluids from the body, and it acts as a 2. diu___________ that is a supplement or medicine that helps to rid the body of water and salt/sodium. 3. So___________ helps to get water out of the body and decreases fluid in the arteries and veins, thus reducing 4. ____________  _______________.

 

Elevation of 5. _______________ levels in diabetics has been shown to be a property of corn silk tea. The infused tea may help to keep blood sugars level in people with diabetes. It prevents major fluctuations in blood sugar readings throughout the day. Blood sugar levels should stay in the target range to help eliminate the risk of long-term health problems like 6. ______ loss, heart disease, or 7. k____________ disease. Level insulin and blood sugar levels also help to improve your mood and your energy.

Some studies have shown corn silk extract reduced levels of bad cholesterol called 8. __________. It also increases good cholesterol, or 9. _________. Two different types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol in between the cells.

 

Corn silk tea's properties may help with inflammation in the arms, legs, and joints of the body. Traditionally, corn silk tea has been used as a treatment for 10. arth______________ (i.e., the inflammation of joints) and 11.______ut (i.e., a type of arthritis additionally burdened by heat, swelling, and crystalline deposits in the joint).

 

In a study, 12. Intra-_____________ pressure (i.e., IOP, meaning eye pressure) was reduced in hypertensive patients when given levels of corn silk extract. This was caused by the diuretic properties of elevated potassium levels in corn silk supplementation in high doses.

 

In case you feel some irritation or a slight burning sensation while making number one, you take a urine test to see if it is UTI. It is a common condition that you experience when 13. bac___________ invade and grow in the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, and most UTIs affect the bladder or urethra. In a study, the water extracted from corn silk showed antioxidant properties that can be used to treat swelling and gout, 14. ___________ stones, cystitis, prostatitis, and nephritis.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  diuretic

    2.  anti-depressant

    3.  blood pressure

    4.  diuretic

    5.  insulin 

    6.  vision

    7. kidney

    8. LDL

    9.  HDL    

    10.  Arthritis

    11.  Gout

    12.   Intraocular

    13.   Bacteria

    14.    Kidney

 

*source from medicinenet.com

 

Acrostic poem using CORN SILK by Jean J. Lee

Connoisseurs of herbal teas

Obliged to be sipping a cup of stigma maydis

Rainmakers in the ancient native Americans

Nascent state of medicinal use

Saintly hues and aroma seem so healing

Idyllic painting on the wall shows

Lighthearted farmers enjoying this aromatic tea

Kempt fields full of new crops of corns

 

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy