The Neighborhood


contact us \| about us \| web site

in the spotlight
	Cancer insurance — helping your family & finances

heads up on health
	Biking to a better you
	Coping with spring allergies
	The surprising truth about onions

life lines — home, family and finance
	Don’t go shopping hungry
	Tips on keeping food fresh
	Now you've heard everything — fun facts about presidents

mark the date
	Interesting monthly observances

Bike Your Way
to Feeling Better

Just because you’re not a kid any more doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy biking. It has many health and environmental benefits. With spring not far off, why not make plans now to do some biking. You'll:

Improve cardiovascular fitness

Build endurance and strength

Improve balance and flexibility

Burn calories

Unlike many forms of exercise, biking is not hard on your joints. If you don’t have a bike, check out thrift stores, garage sales ... or rent one near a bike trail.

Learn more at www.bicyclinginfo.org.

Top

Sources

How often do you go biking?

		Daily
		Couple times a month
		Rarely or Never

Email us your thoughts

Allergens Are Here

How do you know when spring has arrived? Unfortunately, millions of Americans know spring is here when they give a hearty sneeze to clear their nasal passages of pollen and mold spores being released from blooming plants.

Sidetrack spring sneezing with these tips:

Wear a disposable dust mask when house cleaning or working outside

Don’t open windows and do use air purifiers

Wash bedding once a week to remove dust mites

Shower before bed to remove pollen

Stay inside when the pollen count is high (normally in the mornings)

Top

Sources

The Surprising Truth About Onions

What’s high in vitamin C, fiber and potassium, stimulates insulin production and reduces the symptoms of asthma? It’s not a high-priced drug — but the onion.

With roots going back thousands of years, the onion has played an important role flavoring food and fortifying diets worldwide. As early as the sixth century B.C., the onion was used to heal the heart, eyes, joints and digestion. The ancient Greeks relied on onions to enhance performance in the Olympic games.

Today, science says to make onions part of our diets, as they can help prevent cancer and reduce heart disease symptoms. So remember, what onions do for your health far outweigh what they do to your breath!

Top

Sources

Cancer Insurance — Helping Protect Your Family & Finances

Cancer can be scary. In addition to the obvious health concerns, people also worry about the impact the disease can have on their family, friends and finances. But you should consider carefully before buying any type of cancer coverage. It is a big decision that may require time and research on your part.

Why Should You Consider Cancer Insurance?
The main reason people buy cancer insurance is to help relieve the financial burden cancer often brings. It can allow you to focus on what’s really important — getting well and living your life.

To learn more about cancer insurance, read on ...

Hungry Shoppers Spend More

We all know it's bad to go grocery shopping when we are hungry (we end up buying way more than we need!), but did you know any kind of shopping while you're hungry is a bad idea?

Evidence suggests hungry shoppers are more likely to make purchases (particularly on high-priced items) than shoppers with a full stomach. Scientists discovered stimulating the appetites of shoppers with the scent of baked goods encouraged them to buy more, even on a limited budget. That means if you're thinking about food, you are more likely to buy things you don't need.

So if your stomach is growling before you head out to shop, fill up with a healthy snack. You could end up saving money!

Top

Sources

Keep Food Fresh

The tomatoes at the store looked so red and juicy, you just had to have them for your spaghetti sauce. You got them home and put them in your vegetable bin. But by the next day they looked more ready for the trash than the table!

The key to keeping groceries fresh is storing them correctly:

Keep meats and poultry in the coldest part of the refrigerator (the lower the better)

Store most fruits and veggies in the refrigerator up to a week

Put potatoes, onions and garlic in a dark, cool and dry place; once cut, refrigerate in an airtight container

Store coffee in a sealed container (never in the freezer or refrigerator)

Keep all spices and herbs in tightly closed containers away from heat (not near the stove)

Remember, only purchase what you plan to use in a reasonable time. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for more food preservation tips.

Top

Sources

Now You’ve Heard Everything!

You’re probably familiar with the odd habits and demands of some celebrities, but what about U.S. Presidents? Just because you’re the President doesn’t mean you can’t have a quirk or two!

In honor of President's Day on February 16, ponder the peculiarities of some Presidents:

Married wife three months after meeting her — George W. Bush

Slept 10–11 hours a day and took an afternoon nap — Calvin Coolidge

Liked to skinny dip in the Potomac River before dawn — John Quincy Adams

Loved to play poker and gambled away a set of White House china — Warren G. Harding

Wore suits that he custom-tailored himself — Andrew Johnson

Could write in Greek with one hand while writing in Latin with the other — James Garfield

Top

Sources

Quote:

“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”

— H.G. Wells, novelist

Call toll-free:
1-800-228-9100

Click:
PhysiciansMutual.com

Write:
Physicians Mutual
P.O. Box 3313
Omaha, NE 68103-0313

Meet:
Enter your ZIP Code to find a friendly, local representative/ agent near you.

March

Eat Right in March

March is National Nutrition Month! Take a few moments to think about what you are eating and how you can improve it. This event is sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association and is designed to encourage Americans to focus on the importance of making informed food choices. Learn more about eating healthy.

April

Help Prevent Cancer in April

April is National Cancer Control Month — a time to focus on screening, preventing and curing this disease. We all know cancer can affect all ages and walks of life. Learn more about it and what you can do to help our nation fight this killer.

May

Learn How to Stop those Aches and Pains in May

Arthritis Awareness Month is this May. Promoted by the Arthritis Foundation, this observance is designed to increase awareness of arthritis, its treatments and the medications involved. Arthritis Walks will be held throughout the country to raise money and get people moving to help beat this disease. Why not start a team in your area? Learn more or get involved.

Sources

	Find a Product \| Service \| Contact Us About Us \| Careers \| Agents \| Privacy Policy
Unsubscribe from The Neighborhood \| Visit our Senior Resource Center ©Physicians Mutual®, 2008. All rights reserved. Physicians Mutual Insurance Company • Physicians Life Insurance Company 2600 Dodge Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68131 Please note that our products are not available in all states. This Web site is not intended for use outside the United States. PMUA-ENEWS_A (02/01/2009)