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Steve Kovacs

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A Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Tip That Will Keep You Slim, Trim, and Guilt Free…Maybe

Posted Sunday, November 08, 2009 (3 hours 54 minutes ago.) Viewed 3 times.

If you are fortunate to be a part of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner this year, how in the world can you enjoy it and yet not get fat! There are many ways. Some ways take planning and assessing exactly what is available at your feast and then only eating the healthy stuff. Doesn't sound very Thanskgivingish does it? Others tell us to eat a breakfast and a light lunch before the big dinner. Makes sense; fill up before the good stuff. Yet others say to drink lots and lots of water before you eat. D rinking loads of water may certainly fill you up to the point of not overeating but this one seems like a sure way to ruin a fine meal. I say; unless you have a health issue and you need to watch your diet closely, don't do any of these things.

If you are one of the lucky ones in the United States who will be eating an opulent Thanksgiving dinner this year, take thanks and enjoy it. You can drink tons of water anytime. You also can eat "only healthy" some other day. Gluttony is never a good thing but enjoying every lit bit of what your Thanksgiving bounty has to offer IS a good thing.

One of the best ways to keep at a healthy weight, no matter what some complicated diet programs say is to eat in moderation and utilize portion control. This is simple yet not so easy for many of us. I have always had problems with portion control. I often struggle at it but it works for me and I keep at a pretty good weight. The good news with portion control is that on those occasions where there is plenty of great food on the table I can have a little of it all. Sounds selfish and I suppose it is but what can I say; I love food. Again, I remind myself not to go overboard and I usually do not.

I read where a nutritionist said an average Thanksgiving dinner eaten in moderation is around 2,000 calories. That number makes sense to me and for a holiday dinner that comes around once a year it is not excessive. However, for me, if I did not remind myself to practice portion control, I could easily quadruple that caloric intake. It is so easy to just eat and eat and eat.

Many of us will be fortunate to have plenty of great food in front of us this year. If you want to enjoy the dinner and keep a handle on your weight and health eat everything your heart desires, just do not eat too much of it.

What if you overeat? Join the club, who hasn't. If you happen to eat an extra serving of turkey smothered with gravy, walk around the block after dinner. If you happen to lose your self-control and eat an extra piece of everything, walk around the block and keep walking until daylight. Who knows it may be one of those holidays where I lose portion control too, and if that's the case, you may see me walking right next to you. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Six Dead Bodies Found In Home--Manhunt Leads to Arrest of Convicted Sex Offender

Posted Sunday, November 01, 2009 (7 days 2 hours ago.) Viewed 881 times.

Police originally went to convicted rapist and registered sex offender Anthony Sowell's home to serve a warrant for rape and felonious assault. They did not find Sowell but they did find two dead bodies. The next day, they found a third body in a freshly dug grave in the basement and the remains of two more people in an upper floor of the home. Sex crime investigators also dug up a shallow grave in the backyard of the home, revealing the remains of a sixth body.

The police immediately started an intensive manhunt for Sowell, now a suspected serial killer. Thankfully, a tip to police that said he was walking near a police station paid off. The police quickly located and arrested Sowell.

Sowell, 50, is a registered sex offender who served 15 years in an Ohio penitentiary for rape. He was released from prison in 2005. He reportedly lived in the house with his uncle and aunt but no one has seen the relatives in awhile. According to local news reports one neighbor described him as being crazy and that, "Sometimes he would just go off if he didn't have his way".

Police say two of the bodies were those of women. Neighbors who have missing friends or relatives are worrying if the bodies are those of loved ones. The county coroner's office will compare medical and personal records from locals who have gone missing to those of the bodies found.

The area of Cleveland where the bodies were discovered has been hit hard by a harsh economy, challenging employment possibilities, and high crime rates. This tragedy adds to the woes to an area that has been swimming upstream for quite a while.

Questions linger in this case. First, is Sowell the man responsible for the six bodies in the home? Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Second, if he turns out to be the one responsible should he have been released from prison? Should he have been monitored more closely after his release from incarceration?

Outrageous crimes occur much too often and similar questions are asked repeatedly. I suppose there are no cookie cutter answers as every case is a little different. However, what about the terror of the people who were most likely killed in that home. And how about the fear, anxiety, and desperation of the friends and relatives of those who have gone missing while they wait to hear about the identification of the bodies?

Moreover, what about the people who worry about the next crazy crime that may hit them, their parents, children or friends? All these folks deserve answers to these questions. We should never give up trying to find them.

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Adults and Halloween Bring Costumes, Ghosts, Goblins, Fun, and the Economy a Boost

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (12 days 1 hour ago.) Viewed 1,567 times.

Everyone knows kids love Halloween. However, so do many adults. Approximately 50 percent of adults I know are going to some sort of Halloween party this year. They rent or make their own costumes ranging from the scary monster types to the sexy ones many women wear. It is a great night of diversion for many grown ups and the economy takes a healthy boost as well.

Experts estimate 50 percent of costume sales go to adults and many restaurants and clubs are hosting adult Halloween events not to mention the many private parties all across the US . The real big money maker for many establishments and retailers are alcohol sales and they go strong this time of year. Halloween will account over 5 billion dollars in general retail sales this year with a bulk of that going for adults.

I am not a Halloween lover, probably because I wore a uniform for twenty years and the last thing I want to do is wear a uniform or any thing resembling one for even one night. However, I get a kick out of adults getting into this holiday. There is something surreal about adults dressing up like a pirate or a sexy vampire. So much of life is, "so real" nowadays that it's nice to get away from it every now and then. Escapism and diversions are good sometimes.

If there is such a thing as ghosts or goblins, they have to be laughing their butts off watching millions of adults getting silly this time of year. I'll also be laughing as I watch a giant pumpkin, pirate, or monster drive their cars through traffic getting to their parties. There is nothing much funnier then seeing a giant pumpkin speeding through traffic, I'm serious!

As long as people do not drink too much and get behind a wheel, they should enjoy being a kid again for a day. Tomorrow will come soon enough, so I say enjoy!

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Suicide and the Elderly: Illness, Age and Lack of Hope

Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 (19 days 2 hours ago.) Viewed 1,892 times.

Older people are disproportionately likely to die by suicide. The highest percentages of those in the elderly category that commit suicide are those over 85 years old. I know a man who is nearing 90 years old and who lives a vibrant and active life. He runs a business, stays physically fit and lives life to the fullest. He has had some health issues throughout the years but has handled and controlled them well.

A few years ago, he was diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (AMD) which is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. Until recently, the illness has not caused significant problems with his vision. The disease is starting to significantly decrease his vision and it appears blindness may be looming for him. Couple this with the hearing loss and other aches and pains that go along with age and this man is considering suicide. He feels life has nothing good for him anymore. In addition, he does not want to be a burden to anyone.

This case is not an isolated one. Similar cases occur daily. Is suicide a viable option in this case? In my view, suicide is not an option for problem solving. The man who feels life has nothing good for him anymore is mistaken. Life as he knew it may change drastically; however, that change can be positive and even exciting.

As an example, I know another elderly man who is in his mid eighties, is hard of hearing, and is legally blind from (AMD). He also was active all his life and had a zest and passion for life that was contagious. When AMD started taking his vision, he became frustrated and depressed but not for long. He did everything he could to make the best with his lot in life. His wife helped him with tasks he had trouble doing himself. She got him interested in books on tape or compact disc. He reads, or in his case listens to books he never would have experienced if he had his vision. He enthusiastically tells me about some of the adventures he experiences through listening to the books. Sure, he is frustrated that he cannot do many of the things he used to do like driving, but he still has a zest for life. He believes God has a timetable for him and he is going to make the best of it.

The similarities between these two are that they both were active, had a zest for life and both have devastating effects from macular degeneration. What is the difference between the two? Why do they have such different views about their present lives? The major difference is that the latter is married and the former is a widower. That support makes a big difference. Other factors, such as general personality traits and upbringing more than likely play a factor in their different attitudes as well.

What should be done with the man who is considering killing himself? Some will say he has lived enough of a life; after all, he has lived well beyond the average life span for men. Some say leave him alone and let him do whatever he wants.

I say where there is life there is hope. Life can bring about surprisingly positive experiences into peoples lives during the darkest of times. My view is to help this man or others like him who may be considering suicide. I say do our best to help them see the positives that may yet exist no matter how old they may be. Helping them to live abundantly is part of being a human being and being part of the extended family called the human race.

*Here are some tips on how to help with elderly citizens who may be suicidal. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY101

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All Posts by Steve Kovacs

This & That With Kovacs

A Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Tip That Will Keep You Slim, Trim, and Guilt Free…Maybe

Six Dead Bodies Found In Home--Manhunt Leads to Arrest of Convicted Sex Offender

Adults and Halloween Bring Costumes, Ghosts, Goblins, Fun, and the Economy a Boost

Suicide and the Elderly: Illness, Age and Lack of Hope

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