Author Zohour Almandil creates collection of multifaceted poetry

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Author Zohour Almandil has always believed that when it comes to human relationships, sincere and heartfelt feelings is the fastest route to another person's heart. This was the reason she has written down her own feelings. "Confession" (published by Xlibris UK) shares her own emotions with the world.

"Confession" is a bold and concrete attempt that has broken the silence of long-repressed emotions, a silence that has long been hanging over an aspiring poetess in a masculine-dominated society. It is a book that valiantly refuses to hold back or conceal genuine emotions. This book shows the author's own perceptions on society and life in general. It is also a way to vent her feelings of frustration and covers a myriad of themes such as contemplation, passion and indulgence in on-and-off vain attempts of forgetfulness.

This book takes an in-depth look into the soul of a true poetess who refuses to follow the constraints of society and freely speaks her mind.

"Confession"

By Zohour Almandil

Hardcover | 6x9 in | 118 pages | ISBN 9781499089646

Softcover | 6x9 in | 118 pages | ISBN 9781499089622

E-Book | 118 pages | ISBN 9781499089639

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Zohour Almandil lived her childhood in Riyadh and then went with her family to many Arab countries where she learned a lot about other cultures. This has nurtured her instinct as an artist , poet and writer.

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Creates Secure Choice Savings Program for Private Sector Employees  

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to create the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program. The program establishes the option of an individual retirement plan for more than two million Illinois private sector employees who currently do not have access to any retirement plan at work. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all Illinois workers are protected and treated fairly.  

"For many people across Illinois, retirement planning is often a matter of too little, too late," Governor Quinn said. "Without an adequate retirement savings plan, many people are forced to spend their later years scraping to get by with just Social Security. This legislation protects millions of private sector employees in Illinois who work hard but do not have the option of a retirement plan through their employer."

Senate Bill 2758, sponsored by State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Skokie) and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), establishes the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program. The program creates a simple individual retirement savings option through a 3 percent payroll deduction for private sector employees whose employer does not offer a retirement plan besides Social Security. Employers that have been in business for at least two years and employ 25 or more employees are required participate. Employees can opt-out of the program, or contribute more or less than the default 3 percent. 

"The opportunity to save using a Secure Choice account will prevent many seniors from facing appalling choices ? whether to buy food or medication, for example, or whether to live in poverty or continue working despite declining health," Senator Biss said. "Neither employers nor the state will incur any financial risk for these portable accounts, and small business groups welcome Secure Choice because it will boost their ability to compete with larger companies for the best new hires."

"Several million Illinois workers don't have a retirement savings plan at work. While Social Security was never intended to be the only source of income for retirees, for far too many, it's all they have," Leader Currie said. "The Secure Choice Savings Program encourages workers to save, which will provide them greater financially stability in retirement."

The funds will be overseen by a seven member Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board, which will select a private firm to manage the money. The state will not have access to the funds as the investments are pooled as private property of the workers outside of the state treasury.  

The Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law, the Illinois Asset Building Group and the Woodstock Institute report that 2.5 million people in Illinois currently lack access to a retirement plan. Without proper retirement savings, retirees are often forced to rely on Social Security when they can no longer work. The savings from Social Security are often not adequate to sustain families, often forcing retirees into a dependent lifestyle.

The program will provide workers an opportunity to secure a safe retirement and give more businesses the opportunity to offer a retirement savings program at no cost to the company. The program will be self-sustaining at no additional cost to the state with the exception of start-up administrative costs.

The new law is effective June 1, 2015 and implementation must be complete within two years.

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Exercise is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes but can affect blood sugar levels, so be sure to consult with your doctor before you get started.

There are so many ways to get exercise, from walking and hiking to swimming, biking, tennis, or even ballroom dancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five days a week.

Whatever you decide to do, it's important to consult with your doctor before you begin. Exercise is a great way to lose weight and maintain a healthy heart. But it also impacts your blood-glucose levels because it increases your energy demands, so you need to monitor how your body will respond.

Get in the Pool

Your community or club pool can be a great place to start your exercise routine. Swimming is excellent aerobic exercise because it gets both your upper and lower body moving. And if you're overweight, it can feel great to spend time in a pool, where buoyancy makes it easier to move. Some ideas:

• Dive in with a group. Try water aerobics, swimming laps with friends, or even a little water volleyball.
• Use a kickboard for extra lift in the water, especially if you are a less-than-confident lap swimmer.
• Work on increasing your time spent swimming. Each time you visit the pool, swim a bit more, resting as needed. To steadily improve your aerobic fitness, swim three times a week.

However you decide to fit swimming into your life, be sure to test your blood-glucose levels before and after you exercise and adjust the intensity of your routine if it is getting too high. And never swim alone.

Climb Back on Your Bike

Biking can provide many health benefits, but be sure that your equipment and your course are safe ones. As with any form of exercise, monitor your blood glucose before and after, and be sure to carry a form of quick-acting glucose to eat if you need it during your ride ? such as sugar or glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candy. Ask your doctor or certified diabetes educator (CDE) for suggestions about the best form of emergency glucose to have on hand. A few considerations:

• Inspect your bike to make sure it's in good condition before you set off. Check the brakes and the chain, and be sure the tires are correctly inflated.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Be sure to stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water with you on your bike ride, and remember to drink it.
• Wear a medical-alert bracelet or necklace that will inform others of your health condition should there be an emergency.

(Feeling ambitious? Become a "Red Rider" by signing up for the ADA's Tour de Cure, an annual fundraiser with some 80 events in 43 states.)

Exercise and Your Blood Sugar

Studies show that the positive effects of exercise on blood sugar drops 72 hours after you've finished your activity, so instead of trying to get in your exercise once a week ? on a weekend, for example ? you should spread out your activities throughout the week. Studies also show that people who want to receive health benefits from aerobic exercise should work out for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. But you don't have to work out in 30-minute blocks; three brisk 10-minute walks spaced out through the day will also do the trick.

So what's happening when you exercise? Your body uses the glucose in your blood to provide energy to your cells. As a result, your levels can go down as you exercise. You don't want it to go dangerously low, though, so you may need to pause and have a snack during or immediately after your activity. This is something you'll learn with experience.

Whether it's walking, riding a bike, exercising at home, going to a gym, or taking part in a class, physical activity affects your blood glucose: So it's important ? especially in the beginning ? to test your level before and after exercising. It's also a good idea to have a snack handy in case your blood glucose falls too low. For every 35 minutes of exercise you engage in, plan to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates to avoid low blood-glucose episodes.

You can keep track of your workouts (and see your improvement over time) by using the activity tracking tool on Everyday Health's Calorie Counter tool.

Next step: Dining Out Guide

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities
3707 Eastern Avenue
Davenport, IA 52807
563-359-0816

Unitarian Universalist of the Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807 is hosting a year-long "Exploring World Religions" class. The class is free and open to the public. Come as you can, miss when you need to. Each session will be 6:30-8 p.m. Schedule is as follows:

Monday, January 19 - Introduction & Hinduism, Part I

Monday, February 16 - Hinduism, Part II

Monday, March 16 - Judaism, Part I

Monday, April 20 - Judaism, Part II

Monday, May 18 - Asian & African

Monday, June 15 - Islam, Part I

Monday, July 20 - Islam, Part II

Monday, August 17 - Native American & Earth-based

Monday, September 21 - Buddhism, Part I

Monday, October 19 - Buddhism, Part II

Monday, November 16 - Christianity, Part I

Monday, December 21 - Christianity, Part II, and Conclusion

Please email the UUCQC office at office@uucqc.org, call us at 563-359-0816 or visit our website, UUCQC.org for more information.