December/2012
Issue: 12
  
In This Issue
Holiday Quiz
Holiday Gift Ideas
Excursions
Safety Tips
Did You Know?

Holiday Cheer

 

This month we offer a holiday quiz, some healthful gift ideas, a wonderful excursion, safety tips, and the answer to an often asked question. 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

John A. Schmidt, Jr., MD

Internist
         

Holiday Quiz 

 

Here are some memory teasers to remind you of pleasant holiday sentiments including joy, love, mystery, and generosity!

 

Yes,_____________, there is a _________________.  (Virgina, Santa Claus; as written in the September 21, 1897, edition of The (New York) Sun.  Read it and you will always answer "Yes" when asked if you believe.

 

"Can you still hear the silver bell?" is the famous query from which favorite animated movie? (The Polar Express)

 

Lionel Barrymore played the villainous Mr. Potter in this Frank Capra Holiday Classic. (Its a Wonderful Life!)

 

From what film does the following exchange originate? Eleanor: "How dear of you to let me out of prison." Henry II: "Its only for the holidays. Would you rather have me or the mistletoe?" Hint: Anthony Hopkin's film debut (The Lion in Winter, 1968).

 

An old man goes to Church on Christmas Eve to hear his granddaughter sing in the choir because he is forbidden to speak to her. (Home Alone I)

 

Letters from the United States Post Office prove that there is a Santa Claus. (Miracle on 34th Street)

 

Cindy Lou Who melts the frozen heart of a notorious and very green thief. (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

 

"It's fruitcake weather!!" ushered in the holiday season every year for this famous American writer. (Truman Capote, author of A Christmas Memory)

 

A successful song and dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont Inn of their former commanding general.  The movie features one of Irving Berlin's most famous songs as crooned by Bing Crosby. (A White Christmas)

 

"He's not heavy father. He's my brother." were the words that inspired this parish priest who believed that "There are no bad boys.  There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking." (Father Flanagan, founder of Boys and Girls Town in Omaha, Nebraska)

 

The exquisitely beautiful music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky has made this ballet an essential part of every dance company's repertoire. (The Nutcracker)

 

Come up with your own list to share with friends and relatives this season!

Holiday Gift ideas with your Health in Mind

 

Try a pair of SmartWool Phd outdoor socks and you will never wear slippers again!! Available online and outdoor sporting goods stores.

 

Roller skates and In-line Skates with helmet and knee pads, new or used, can be the entree to an enjoyable year round activity.

 

Convert fat into muscle and monitor your progress with The Omron Hand Held Athlete Body Fat Analyzer, inexpensive and available on-line.

 

Fitbit The One™ is a great stocking stuffer that monitors your steps and distance, calories burned, stairs climbed, sleep quality, and more.  Available on-line.

 

His and her gym memberships and trainers to make 2013 your slimmest, fittest yet.  The programs at WOW, YMCA, and Atlantic Club are among Dr. Schmidt's top pics.  As always, stretch beforehand and afterwards and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts!

 

A Polar® Heart Monitor helps you gauge your cardiac fitness and interfaces with most aerobic machines in modern gyms.

 

A Concept 2® Rower, new or used, is a compact machine with a wonderful digital display that will prepare women and men for on-the-water rowing at Navasink River Rowing and other unisex rowing clubs that are springing up around New Jersey. Give this to an eighth grader so they can row in High School and compete for an athletic scholarship to Navy or one of the other Eastern Sprint universities.

 

Weight Watchers® continues to top the charts for healthy dieting.  A subscription can be life changing and life sustaining.

 

Scuba diving is a wonderful activity.  Begin your training indoors this winter and become a certified open water diver!  PADI offers great courses and has bases at most warm water resort locations.  Dr. Schmidt and his family are PADI certified.  This is a safe and surprisingly inexpensive alternative/complement to skiing vacations.

 

Learn to Sail!  (Not sale, Virginia!)  Offshore Sailing School offers courses for most pocketbooks!

      

Excursions

 

Longwood Gardens Christmas in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a bit of a drive but easily worth the trip. Nothing, not even the essential trees at Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art can compete!

 

Stay at the landmark PSFS building, now a Loews, in downtown Philadelphia and watch the Macy's Christmas Light Show in the Christmas Court of the old John Wanamaker building next door. Visit the nearby Reading Terminal Market for a corned beef sandwich, Bassett's Ice Cream, and other dietary indiscretions and then review the gift suggestions above.

    
Safety Tips 

 

Don't Drink and Drive.  Volunteer as a Designated Driver.  Remember, Friends don't let friends drive drunk!  Be respectful of Law Enforcement working to keep us safe.

 

Yes, your mother was right!  "All things in moderation!!"

 

Holidays can also be a melancholy time especially when loved ones are overseas, ill or deceased. Remember theCorporal Works of Mercy this season, especially as we struggle to recover from Superstorm Sandy, and don't be afraid to tell friends and loved ones (and Dr. Schmidt!) if you are feeling blue.  Dr. Schmidt can help!

John A. Schmidt Jr., M.D.
John A. Schmidt Jr., MD 
 
One of the leading Internists in Monmouth County now offers his patients Medical Home Services
 
Did You Know?

A number of gentleman have asked if testosterone improves the activity of sildenafil (Viagra®).  A recent article in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that the answer is NO.
John A. Schmidt Jr., MD
Meaningful Medicine in Your Medical Home
709 Seventh Avenue
Belmar, NJ 07719
Phone:  732-282-8166  .  Fax:  732-280-0147 .  E-Mail:  JohnSchmidt@SchmidtMD.com 
Disclaimer: The articles in Healthy Living are for general information only and are not medical advice.
Discuss all medical concerns and treatment options with your physician.