Archive for December, 2008

Please read- important!!

I don’t know how many of you are thinking of trying diet pills, but please read this article!  It’s always better to lose weight the natural way rather than wind up in the hospital!!

WASHINGTON – If you’re looking for a little help shedding extra pounds after the holidays, the government is warning you to stay away from nearly 30 weight-loss products that contain unlisted and possibly dangerous ingredients.

The pills are advertised as “natural” fat busters and have intriguing names like Imelda Perfect Slim and Zhen de Shou. Some are touted as new versions of “ancient remedies” from Asia.

They may promise an easy fix to weight problems, but the Food and Drug Administration on Monday said the concoctions contain unlisted ingredients, including high doses of a powerful anti-obesity drug, as well as a suspected carcinogen.

“When consumers are buying these products online, we’re telling them that if it sounds too good to be true, it is likely to be too good to be true,” said Michael Levy, an FDA lawyer who works on enforcement issues.

FDA lab testing found 28 dietary supplements that could land unsuspecting users in the emergency room. Most of the diet pills appear to be coming from China. They are mainly sold on the Internet.

Nearly all of the pills contain sibutramine, a powerful appetite suppressant that’s a chemical cousin of amphetamines. It can cause heart attacks, strokes and heart palpitations, especially in people with a history of high blood pressure or heart problems.

Sibutramine is also the chemical ingredient in the prescription drug Meridia, which is used to treat obesity. But FDA testing found that some of the diet pills contain nearly three times the recommended daily dose.

Several of the pills contain phenolphthalein, a chemical long used as a laxative, but which is now being withdrawn from the market because of cancer risks.

None of the supplements lists the dangerous ingredients on the label. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that can cause serious health consequences,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, head of the FDA’s drug evaluation center.

The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies, because they have not responded to requests for recalls.

The products are:

Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hours Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 8 Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

Also:

Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim 5x, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula, Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, TripleSlim, Zhen de Shou, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

Did you notice that it’s the 23rd already!

AAAHH!! Can’t believe it’s the 23rd- every year I say I’m going to slow down and really enjoy the season, and while I have enjoyed most of it (I missed some of it by being sick!) it has once again come too quickly! I’m sitting here at work thinking in a few days I won’t be listening to my Christmas music anymore! But I really can’t complain. We went from drowning in our debt and not being able to buy presents to being almost caught up on our bills and able to buy Mikayla 5 presents! We really have been blessed beyond measure…couldn’t ask for more. It has also allowed us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas this year, and guess what, it’s NOT presents! LOL While I do love giving them (and receiving too!) I have to remember to take time out and think on all I have been blessed with already, and then share that with others who are not as blessed. Lots of love to my buddies and fellow cats…may the joy of the season remain in your hearts all year long!

I am thankful for…

I know Thanksgiving is over this year, but I think we should be thankful for what we have all year round!  Here are some things I am thankful for today:

* My Savior, Jesus- He is the reason for this season and all others! 

* My family- God has blessed me with a family I don’t deserve!

* My home- despite the outrageous payments I am making on it to keep it from foreclosing!

* My job- it’s stressful at times, boring at others, but the fact is there are a lot of people out there that cannot find work so I am thankful I have a job.

* My friends & “other” family- includes my church friends, small group, and of course my buddies here.  Friends have become a very important part of my life over the last few years and I am so grateful for each one.

* My possessions- no I am not trying to be materialistic, but I am grateful to have a bed to sleep in,  a TV to watch, an oven to cook in, a washer & dryer to clean clothes, etc- you get the picture

* My pets- despite cleaning up after them, buying their expensive food, etc they are a joy and add laughter to my life

How about you?  What are you thankful for today?  It’s amazing how your trouble seem small in comparison to your blessings!