Pope Faces Serious Health Concerns as Holy Land Trip Begins

As Pope Francis begins a trip to the Holy Land on Saturday with a rigorous schedule that could be challenging even for the healthiest person, Vatican insiders are raising questions about the pontiff's health.

Some in the Holy See are beginning to openly discuss concerns about Francis' condition and asking if the Holy Father is overtaxing himself.

Less than two years into his papacy, the 77-year-old Pope has been on a remarkable whirlwind of activity that a man half his age might find difficult to keep up with.

But close observers are noting that the Pope's physical body may be failing to keep up with his youthful energy and vigor, especially considering he only has one fully functioning lung.

That's odd, I didn't win - well, I did win $4

DES MOINES, Iowa - Lottery officials say nobody has won the Powerball jackpot and the top prize will now increase to about $425 million for the next drawing, the largest jackpot ever for the game.

Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer said sales were strong over the holiday week for Saturday's drawing, which was estimated at $325 million before the numbers were picked. That was the fourth-largest jackpot in the game's history.

Neubauer says the jackpot for Wednesday's drawing could go even higher than the estimated $425 million because sales pick up in the days before record drawings.

The previous top Powerball prize was $365 million, won in 2006 by a ConAgra Foods Workers in Lincoln, Neb.

The Powerball numbers for Saturday were 22-32-37-44-50, and the Powerball was 34.

An answer to some questions - about being 80

A number of people have asked about my health, at 80. First, I am old. Things happen because of that. At times, my hands are shaky. There are times I try to do to much and have to remind myself how old I am. There are things associated with old age that cannot be anticipated or changed, they happen.

I have tried to watch my diet. I am not entirely convinced that exercise is essential, some, yes. I like the common sense approach, "You don't make a car last longer by driving it." I have taken over many of the household chores. I do the dishes, keep the kitchen clean, vacuum and stay active that way. 

Some basic things I do. If I see something on the carpet or the floor, I slowly stoop over and pick it up and take it to the trash, even little pieces. I probably do that 100 times a day, good exercise. I exercise my neck when sitting, turn to the left and to the right. I exercise my hands when sitting down. I have a rubber ball and a spring apparatus. I DILIGENTLY try to always be aware of where I am, what I'm doing, and try to NOT put myself in a position where I could lose balance and fall. Something can happen in the blink of an eyelash, I try to control those situations.

We have tried to eat "healthy." Not just a sales pitch, in my case, it is working fairly well. I have always been around 200, now in the 180's and hope to go down another 10 to the 170 range. I am finding the less weight I carry around to more energy I have. We have been trying to follow this philosophy and it seems to be working. No guarantees, just check out THIS SITE and see what you think.

I think one of the greatest contributors has been cutting down on salt and sugar. My wife is on a low salt diet and we are both on low sugar. I keep cooked linguine in the fridge in water all the time. Also keep leftover meats, chicken, pork, etc, and generally have mushrooms and fresh veggies on hand.

In my skillet, some olive oil, saute whatever, mushrooms, meat, veggies, whatever, let them cook well. Then add the drained cooked linguine and when about heated, add plenty of Alfredo sauce, which I generally buy at the store. I have made it sometimes.

I let all that heat in my "green" skillet, tossing regularly. When done, pour in a bowl, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, a great meal. I generally fix individually rather than for the both of us, we both don't like the same things.

I also get about six months use out of my razor, when done, shake dry and put in a cup of oil, I use olive oil which I keep in a cup by the sink. I change razors every six months whether it needs it or not.

Check out this cookbook though, there are some really great, tasty and healthy recipes in it.

Egg and Capsicum Salad

Egg and Capsicum Salad

Ingredients

2 boiled eggs, diced

2 bacon eyes, diced

1 tbs oil

½ green capsicum, diced

¼ cup parsley, chopped

1 tbs mayonnaise

1 cup mixed salad leaves

Instructions

Place oil and bacon in a frying pan on medium heat and cook until bacon has started to crisp. 

Remove excess oil and place bacon into a mixing bowl along with boiled eggs, capsicum, parsley

and mayonnaise. Combine well.

To serve, place salad leaves on a plate and top with egg and capsicum mixture.

FOR MORE DELICIOUS, HEALTHY RECIPES

Why don't we DO what we know is best?

Good example. My wife is just kinda getting back on her feet, so to speak, from her recent attack by her Defibrillator, which went off 40 times in a day. It had to be re-installed.

Yesterday, she had a Doctors appointment, still getting dizzy a lot, water retention, etc. And, we had a friend who was having a serious operation at the same hospital. So, we spent the afternoon at the hospital and her Doctor's Office, which is at the hospital.

Then, we left, I knew my wife was tired, so I decided to take her home, and then I would go to the store. She is on a low sodium diet, so dinner choices are few. We decided on baked cauliflower drizzled in olive oil with a lot of fresh garlic and pasta with  cheese, all items I could get. At the last minute, she added fruit, so, I decided, we both would go to the store and shop. In and out quick, self checkout.

Shopping went well, only two items left to scan, I turn around, Marilyn is lying on the floor. Passed out and dropped to the floor. The Meijer's folks were great. One was an EMT, she knew what to do. She decided to call 911 and have the squad come. They did, concern about her arm, as well as her health, so they took her to the hospital.

Bottom line, broken arm, between the left elbow and her shoulder. Nothing to do but put it in a sling and give her pain pills, probably  only five or six weeks though.We slept on the couch last night, sitting up.

The GOLDEN YEARS, beware of them.

Is sea salt better for you than table salt?

Why are manufacturers suddenly advertising that their products are made with sea salt? Is it any healthier than other salt?

Have you noticed that more snacks are being seasoned with sea salt and manufacturers are proudly announcing that information on the front of food packaging?

Consumers are also concerned about salt, or sodium. A high intake of sodium can lead to health problems. Many processed and packaged foods contain high levels of sodium to help preserve them and to make them more palatable. Some food manufacturers have begun voluntarily lowering the amount of sodium in their foods. New York City has tried to encourage restaurants and food manufacturers to reduce sodium in foods. It’s clear that health officials and consumers are concerned about sodium in food.

According to the Mayo Clinic, both table salt and sea salt “have the same basic nutritional value, despite the fact that sea salt is often marketed as a more natural and healthy alternative.” They contain equal amounts of sodium chloride, what we usually refer to as simply sodium, by weight. One gram of sea salt and one gram of table salt have the same amount of sodium.