My physician of 25 years retired and, with a new doctor, I feel like I'm not sure we're communicating properly. Then I read a report in Consumer Reports ON HEALTH. Now I understand why I don't understand. Their survey shows that on an average, a patient gets little time to tell the doctor what's on his mind.

19 minutes spent waiting to see the doctor

16 minute spent face-to-face with a primary care doctor.

90 seconds to describe symptoms

23 seconds before the doctor interrupts

The report also states that doctors too often see communication as a one-way street where the doctor asks questions and then tells patients what to do. Often they form a conclusion too soon and don't deviate when additional symptoms are told. So what are you to do?

Make a list before you go. Take along a list of your complaints and current medications including dosage. If you don't understand, ask for an explanation. Repeat key points if the doctor interrupts…or be sure to go back to them. Take notes.

Be prepared. Do your homework on your disease/symptoms. Here are some sites

www.Mlanet.org/resouces/medspeak for medical terms and their acronyms.

www.mmm.medline.plus.gov. a medical encyclopedia, dictionary, and database of prescription and over-the-counter drugs

www.merck.com a guide to common diseases, surgical procedures, and other health issues.

www.Labtestonline.org. A list of laboratory tests and the terminology used for each.

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2. NEW PRODUCTS

Before the holidays, new products arrive at my door so often, it's hard to keep up. Here are some winners that may make excellent gifts…or treats for yourself.

FLAVORSWEET INSTEAD OF SUGAR

FlavorSweet is a crystal, like sugar, (not a powder) containing "Xylitol" a natural substance found in most fruits; it is also formed in the human body during normal metabolism. Because it is identical to the xylitol found in our bodies it does not have any side effects. The beautify of FlavorSweet is that it's a natural sweetener and comes in jars in 36 flavors. It's perfect for use in coffee, tea, on cereals…anywhere you need a touch of sweet. The product was developed by a pharmacist. It's quite remarkable; check it out at www.flavorsweet.com.

SENSEO COFFEE SYSTEM

Toss out the coffee can and the measuring spoon…even your old small coffeepot When you want a single cup of coffee the Senseo coffee system is a must!. The attractive Senseo unit uses coffee pods that are pre-measured for just the right flavoring in mild roast, medium roast and a decaffeinated blend. The unit lists for $69.95 but before the holidays there's a special for $49.95. The coffee pods are available at most grocery stores. 18 coffee pods sell for $3.99….much less than buying Starbuck's coffee.
The Senseo unit comes in 3 colors, blue, black or white. See it at www.senseo.com. Makes a great gift, and nice to have one for yourself when you want only a single cup of coffee.

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3. RECIPES IN SEASON

Holidays always bring out the best in recipes. We've been working on a new book, PUDDINGS AND SOUFFLÉS. I've included an easy pumpkin pudding and a carrot soufflé that can be used year around.

Both are quick and easy to make. The only kind of recipes I like…or have time for.

PRETTY PUMPKIN PUDDING

Use canned pumpkin year for a desert that is as healthy as it is pretty. It's easier to make than pumpkin pie; no crust, no baking and there may be more compliments.

1 pkg. (5.1-oz) package vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix

1 can (12-fl-oz) low fat evaporated milk (1-1/2-cups) or soy milk

1 can (15-oz) can 100% Pure Pumpkin (not pie pumpkin)

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 pint whipping cream whipped to soft peaks or substitute no fat whipped topping.

Beat instant pudding mix and according to package directions in large bowl; refrigerate for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until ready to serve. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serves 8.

CARROT SOUFFLÉ

Spectacular for a side dish or a buffet. Jno carrot grating required.

1 lb. cooked carrots (about 4 carrots).
3 eggs

1/4 cup sugar
3 tbs. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter, melted
Dash each of nutmeg and cinnamon

1/2 cup crushed cornflakes

Preheat oven to 350°. Puree the cooked carrots and eggs together in a food processor or blender. Add sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend well. Pour into buttered 1-1/2-qt soufflé dish. Top with crushed cornflakes. Bake for 40 minutes. Serves 8-10.

THANKSGIVING CRAFTS

When you're looking for ideas, one great site is the Better Homes & Gardens Magazine: www.BHG.com

Here you'll find recipes, but for the holidays, you'll also find several great do-it activities for you and your children. The best thing is that patterns and directions are free. There is always a photo, too, so you know what you're aiming for. Here are some offerings for Thanksgiving. Each has additional ideas; for instance, there are 15 ideas for napkin rings under the Festive Sites for napkins.

Pretty Places:

• Cattail Display

• Cranberry Lighting

• Fall Arrangements

• Festive Napkin Folding

• Place Cards

• Tabletop Turkey

Table Arrangements:

• Fall Barnwood Box Arrangement

• Fall Olive Jar Arrangement

• Fall Pear Centerpiece

• Fall Scented Potpourri Balls

Slide Shows:

• Easy Fall Decorating Projects

• Festive Thanksgiving Napkins

• Ideas for Fall Decorating

• Thanksgiving Fruit and Flower Centerpieces

• Thanksgiving Centerpiece Projects

• Thanksgiving Tabletop Crafts

• What's Hot for Fall Decor

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4. OLLA PODRIDA

TALKIN’ FIRST AID™ KIT

There's a growing concern over safety in the home and the workplace, While most people have some kind of first kits available, they wouldn't know what to if an injury occurred beyond a cut or a simple twisted ankle. The Talkin’ First Aid™ kit removes the guess work and provides the knowledge and guidance to help reduce the severity of an injury's outcome.

The Talkin’ First Aid™ kit organizes supplies with instructions into individually labeled
and color-coded packs for each type of injury. Audio instructions are delivered via a chip affixed to each of the injury instruction cards. A press of a button starts, stops, and pauses the audio instructions.

Scott Kappmeyer, Vice President—Safety & Health Programs, National Safety Council says,
"Our research has found that very few individuals retain first-aid training when faced with a medical emergency and most are unable to adequately provide assistance to an injured person. Through its combination of medical supplies and detailed written and verbal instructions, first-aid givers can be more effective and have confidence in the care they’re providing,”

DLH, Inc. has teamed with the National Safety Council (NSC) to offer this awesome technology. Kits will be available in early 2005. They will retail for $149.95. www.talkinfirstaid.com, or call 888-388-4854.

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5. BOOKS by Dona Z. Meilach for Yourself - For Gifts

Dona's Kitchen Kapers is an associate of Amazon Books. Using the link provided to one book, will take you to others when you request it by title or author. You will be returned to this page after checking their listings (I hope). There's a 20% to 30% saving per book. For the following books or those mentioned in the book reviews. Books bought thru AMAZON earn a small referral fee..all such fees will be donated to the American Cancer Association. :Log in with the URL below for all your AMAZON book purchases.

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1558672095/donaskitchenkapeA/

NEW*** THE BEST 50 BAR DRINKS*** $5.95

THE BEST 50 MARGARITAS 5.95

THE BEST 50 MARINADES AND DIPS 5.95

THE BEST 50 BRUSCHETTA $4.95

WRAPS AND ROLL-UPS $8.95

GOURMET GIFTS $8.95

MAKING YOUR OWN BISCOTTI and DUNKING DELIGHTS $14.00

THE BEST BAGELS ARE MADE AT HOME $8.95

And…

NEWEST---WOOD ART TODAY 155 pages, 502 photos, 59.95

ART JEWELRY TODAY 255 pages, 550 photos, $49.95

ARCHITECTURAL IRONWORK*** $49.95

The CONTEMPORARY BLACKSMITH 255 pages, 550 photos, $49.95

DECORATIVE & SCULPTURAL IRONWORK 2^nd edition. 300 pages, over 700 photos. $34.95

DIRECT METAL SCULPTURE – Revised Edition. Over 350 pages, 425 photos. $39.95

CONTEMPORARY STONE SCULPTURE 2^nd Edition.. 224 page, over 350 photos. $24.95

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7. Subscribe-Unsubscribe

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