We all know that too much liquid, or anything containing caffeine, are no-nos in the hours before bedtime. But according to an article published on the AARP website, some other common foods also might be robbing you of a peaceful night’s sleep. To help ensure sweet dreams, and fewer nighttime trips to the bathroom, consider eliminating these foods from your evening menu.

1. Celery

Celery and other foods with a high water content, including cucumbers, watermelon and radishes, have the same effect on the body as a big glass of water at bedtime. They are natural diuretics that may cause you to wake in the middle of the night with a full bladder.

1. Tomatoes 

Blame it on the tyramine - an amino acid that triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a stimulant that boosts brain activity and delays sleep. Other tyramine-rich foods include eggplant, soy sauce, red wine and aged cheeses, such as brie and Stilton.

1. Cheese pizza

Foods high in fat, including fried foods, take longer to digest and can cause discomfort that interferes with sleep. They can also reduce the effectiveness of some medications taken at night, says Alon Avidan, a neurologist and director of UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center.

1. Alcohol

Although a nightcap or a glass of wine before bed may help you doze off quicker, it disrupts sleep later in the night and robs you of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Lack of REM sleep harms concentration, memory and motor skills.

1. Black-bean chili

Beans are hard to digest, so stomach-rumbling gas pains could keep you from a good night's sleep if you enjoy this dish too close to bedtime, says Helen Rasmussen, a research nutritionist at Tufts University.

1. Dark chocolate

A small piece of dark chocolate each day helps keep your heart healthy — but don't nibble it right before you go to bed. Like coffee, tea and hot cocoa, dark chocolate contains caffeine.

1. Candy

A sweet treat before bed can cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then fall rapidly as the body releases insulin to bring them under control. You may fall asleep easily, but these fluctuations make it difficult to stay asleep.

1. Spicy foods

A taco liberally sprinkled with hot sauce may set your taste buds tingling, but eating it within a few hours of lights-out can set you up for a bad case of heartburn and a restless night. 

1. Steak

Foods high in protein and marbled fats, such as steak and roast beef, are slow to digest. If your body is busy digesting food, there's more of a chance that you'll have a restless night.

1. Broccoli

It is packed with nutrition, but this vegetable’s slow-to-digest fiber will keep your body working hard into the night. Broccoli and its relatives, including cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, also contain an indigestible sugar that will produce large amounts of gas, which can mean a noisy night for you and your roommate.

In general, avoid eating a heavy meal within three hours of bedtime. By waiting at least three hours after dinner to hit the hay, you give your body time to digest. With its work done for the day, a body with a relatively empty stomach can instead concentrate on getting a good, restful night’s sleep.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a snack before bed. Readers Digest published a list of 16 healthy choices that can actually help your body prepare for sleep, and help you get the shuteye you need. 

The list includes walnuts, cereal and cherry juice.

For the magazine’s complete list of sleep-inducing foods, and the science behind why they work, click here.

Source: AARP.org
Reader’s Digest

(630) 323-7231
[email protected]

Home Remodeling and Repair

Since 1970, S&W Home Improvements,inc. has been providing quality workmanship at unbeatable prices to homes and businesses in Chicago’s West suburbs.We listen to what you want and make suggestions that will enhance your remodeling project. Estimates are free and we will break down an estimate to show you where your money is being spent. We treat your home as if it was our own. If we don't do the work you need done, we will refer you to someone who does, so never hesitate to call S&W for any remodeling needs you may have. We also do "Honey Do List" so you can email me with all the little things you need fixed. Remember, "if a company offers you "Free Labor", your paying way to much for material"!

Phone: 630-887-9649
Email: [email protected]
www.sw4siding.com

Don’t get me wrong. Nobody loves technology more than I do. Well, I guess there are some, but what I mean is I am excited about the possibilities and the future growth that seems to pick up speed every day. I’m always trying to learn more and keep up with what’s happening in the digital world. Hey, my business is all wrapped up in the cyber world.

But, at our core, we are tribal beings. Business, like life itself, is about relationships. Yes, it’s about the product. Nobody’s going to want an inferior product. But everybody knows that, so most business people are pretty sure whatever it is they are offering is worth having. So, then, it really does become all about the connection. One of the best ways to do that is through storytelling. People are drawn to stories. Facebook is a perfect example of that. Stories on Facebook that “go viral” are the stories that touch the heart, make us feel better about mankind, make us feel better about ourselves. This one happens to be my favorite, and I so hope it is true, but even if it’s not, it sums up what I think about dogs. Capitán my hero. Stories you share about your customers are a great way to make your visitors realize that you are tuned in to people, not just sales.

You can share your successes. Reviews or testimonials do a great job of “keeping it real”. Do I have to say, they need to be authentic? What’s even more effective? Video testimonials, of course.

Use social media. After all, people put the social in social media. There are some concrete things you can do on social media that engage other people and get folks to know you on the business and personal level.

• Ask for pictures/share pictures.
• Reply to any comments you are fortunate enough to get.
• Profile the folks you work with.
• Publish a contest.
• Host surveys and questionnaires.
• Support a charity or a cause, just because it’s the right thing to do. Get your customers involved.

The main thing to remember is that making your customer the most important member of your business team will anchor your business exactly where it should be anchored.

✔Be yourself.

✔Act like a human being…that’s what you are.

✔ Engage, involve, go the extra mile.

We are all making an H2H connection each day. The times when I get this humanizing thing right, are the times when I realize why I am in this business. AMG is a H2H endeavor...helping people share their stories using video and other digital media with their businesses.

For any video needs, contact Alkaye Media, 630/971-8700. A proud member of www.platinumnetworkingassociates.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE for those Medicare eligible:

2014 Open enrollment is October 15 to December 7 for January 1 effective dates. You have your choice of Medicare Supplement with Part D Prescription Drug Plan OR you can choose/change to a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan…MAPD. Either way, you only make a one year commitment. During the first year of trying the MAPD option, you can go back to regular Medicare Supplement and Part D Plans at any time.

You now have options of different network models for the MAPD plans with premiums ranging from $0/month to over $100/month.

I have various insurance company choices for Medicare Supplement.

CALL NOW!!! Or use the Express Link below where you can review the plans and decide which one will work for you. On the opening page, go to the left and click on “View Medicare Plans”. I can be on the same page on my computer so call for any assistance. 630-495-2901

Express Link:

Thank you,
Russ Caforio
630-495-2901

 Certified for State and Federal Individual and Group Medical, Medicare Supplement, Part D Prescription Drug and MAPD Plans.

1. Is the Sump Pump securely plugged in & operating?

2. Do you have a Battery Back-up Sump and is it ready?

3. Is the drain connected properly & no visual leaks?

4. Is there any debris in the area that could block or clog the hose?

5. Sump Pump should discharge minimally 6' away from the home.

6. Sump Pumps should be checked 2 times per year minimally.

7. Inspection of the Check Valve on Sump Pump is just as important.

 
"One Call Does It All"


Lynn Caruso | S&D Prime Maintenance, Inc.

Phone: 800-660-6028 | Fax: 630-268-2578 1415 W. Fullerton Avenue Addison, Illinois 60101

[email protected] | www.sdprimemtce.com

Ten Grout Medic locations across the country will participate in a fundraising drive coinciding with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

PRLog - Oct. 1, 2014 - SOUTHLAKE, Texas -- For ten participating Grout Medic locations, each job in October will be an opportunity to do what they do best while also supporting a great cause. Throughout National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every grout and tile cleaning, repair, sealing, color sealing, or tile replacement job booked at the participating locations will generate $5 in funding for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

This marks the second year in a row that the Grout Medic franchise worked to support the cause of breast cancer research. Last year’s efforts were highly successful in raising money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year, participating locations grew from five to ten, which met the company’s goal of doubling their efforts.

“This year, we have even greater participation, which will provide more opportunities to bring awareness and allow us to raise even more money for this worthwhile cause,” said Ron Bandyk, owner of the Grout Medic’s West/Southwest Chicagoland branch.

The participating owners and locations are:

Harold and Jesus Barrios – Southern Denver/Denver Metro, CO

Steve Steffey - El Paso County, CO

Suzanne Minnich – West Columbus, OH

Cesar Gonzalez – Northeast Tarrant County, TX

Mike Glenn – Omaha, NE

Ron Bandyk – West/Southwest Chicagoland, IL

Al Peters – Monmouth/Middlesex Counties, NJ

Bruce and Andrea Schierwagen – Northern Colorado/Denver North, CO

Betty Borges and Harry Weinhofer – Palm Beach/Boca Raton/Fort Lauderdale, FL

Donna Smith – San Diego Metro, FL

Throughout October, the Grout Medic team also will don special pink shirts in the hopes of increasing their fundraising efforts and raising awareness.

”Almost everyone knows of a family member, friend, or coworker who has been touched by this disease,” said Bandyk, whose sister-in-law has been diagnosed with breast cancer. “Over the past several years, efforts to raise awareness have been gaining steam and statistics show that survival rates are improving. These improvements are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment resulting from additional research.  We hope to, in some small way, further this effort.”

The BCRF has been recognized as one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the United States. Charity Navigator, a charity rating service, has consistently given BCRF four out of four stars in annual reviews since 2002. The foundation has been found to directly use $0.91 of every dollar received to forward breast cancer awareness and research.

For more information about this month’s fundraising efforts, grout and tile cleaning, or any of the services offered by the Grout Medic, call 1-866-994-7688 or visit www.thegroutmedic.com.