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Produce, especially the veggie variety, is a dieter’s best friend. When people eat veggies with a meal, they consume a full 20 percent fewer calories overall — and still feel satisfied afterward, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals.

I know that all that chopping and cooking feels like a drag, but it’s easier than you think to work in five cups of the fresh stuff a day.

At breakfast, have a fruit “smush” made with a medley of fresh berries and yogurt (the lean protein fills me up). Then, at lunch, have a great big salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, peas or whatever your favorite veggies are. Add grilled chicken or another lean protein to hold off afternoon hunger.

Start dinner with a veggie-packed soup, like minestrone, and make a side dish that you love (I’m a big fan of steamed spinach with a little salt). I also love ratatouille (especially in summer), but if you don’t have time for that, heat up some frozen veggies and sprinkle them with Parmesan or lemon juice for an easy, delicious, healthy side. My favorite brand of frozen veggies is from Cascadian Farm.

Or consider making a whole meal out of veggies! Check out these great vegetarian dishes from a recent issue of SELF. I guarantee that the eggplant cannelloni will be a hit at the dinner table tonight.

NEW YORK - Having a big belly in your 40s can boost your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia decades later, a new study suggests.

It’s not just about your weight. While previous research has found evidence that obesity in middle age raises the chances of developing dementia later, the new work found a separate risk from storing a lot of fat in the abdomen. Even people who weren’t overweight were susceptible.

That abdominal fat, sometimes described as making people apple-shaped rather than pear-shaped, has already been linked to higher risk of developing diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

“Now we can add dementia to that,” said study author Rachel Whitmer of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.

She and others report the findings in Wednesday’s online issue of the journal Neurology.

The study involved 6,583 men and women who were ages 40 to 45 when they had checkups between 1964 and 1973. As part of the exam, their belly size was measured by using a caliper to find the distance between their backs and the surface of their upper abdomens. For the study, a distance of about 10 inches or more was considered high.

The researchers checked medical records to see who had developed Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia by an average of 36 years later. At that point the participants were ages 73 to 87. There were 1,049 cases.

Analysis found that compared to people in the study with normal body weight and a low belly measurement:

• Participants with normal body weight and high belly measurements were 89 percent more likely to have dementia.

• Overweight people were 82 percent more likely if they had a low belly measurement, but more than twice as likely if they had a high belly measurement.

• Obese people were 81 percent more likely if they had a low belly measurement, but more than three times as likely if they had a high measurement.

Whitmer said there’s no precise way to translate belly measurements into waist circumference. But most people have a sense of whether they have a big belly, she said. And if they do, the new study suggests they should get rid of it, she said.

It’s not clear why abdominal fat would promote dementia, but it may pump out substances that harm the brain, she said.

Dr. Jose Luchsinger of the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, who studies the connection between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease but didn’t participate in the new work, cautioned that such a study cannot prove abdominal fat promotes dementia.

But the study results are “highly plausible” and “I’m not surprised at all,” he said. High insulin levels might help explain them, he said.

Dr. Samuel Gandy, who chairs the medical and scientific advisory council of the Alzheimer’s Association, said the results fit in with previous work that indicates a person’s characteristics in middle age can affect the risk of dementia in later life.

And it’s another example of how traits associated with the risk of developing heart disease are also linked to later dementia, he said.

We are such an advanced and civilized nation that we are actually going backwards. Our lifestyles are so complicated and filled with so many to-dos that we have left the basic parts of survival behind us. So, here are a few daily tips to simplify, tune out, and perhaps live a little more like our natural selves.

1. Turn off the TV. I just had a baby 14 days ago and I could have just vegged out in front of the 500 channels available to me at the touch of a button. I was amazed at how quickly time flew when I got lost in the TV vortex. What about going outside and taking a walk? Or better yet talking to your partner or reading to one of your children?

2. Limit the time you spend online, another time sucker. You can sit down to answer email, and hit a gossip site. Before you know it, an hour has just flown by. Computers are a great tool, but we need to keep how much of a role they play in our lives in check.

3. Don’t nuke your food. We don’t need to go and light a fire to cook a meal, but how about avoiding the microwave? Do you ever ask yourself what’s in the food I’m eating? We are so civilized that we can’t even pronounce the stuff we are putting in our bodies. Simplify: veggies, fruit, protein, and a non-white starch.

4. Did cavemen drink soda and frozen juices? I know they taste great, and hit the spot, but when did we stop drinking water? Entire cities were established around a good water source. Why don’t we still think it’s important? All I’m suggesting is stop making the sugary drinks the means in which we hydrate (including diet, they fatten you up too). How about having them as a treat and drink water the rest of the time? By the way, your kids are picking up their habits from you.

5. Stop and take a deep breath. We are all in such a hurry: The traffic is jammed, little junior has nine after school activities he’s involved with, your cell is connected to your ear and we are on the go, go, go. Is it all necessary? Is there a way to simplify? If you can steal 5 to 30 minutes a day to just stop and meditate, or pray, do it. Think about what you are grateful for. What you dream of and want to achieve for yourself and your family, and take a few deep breathes. By the way, you are not a bad person if you say no once in a while.

6. Move. Part of being able to handle the intense pace of life is to be strong enough physically to deal with it. Forget thinking about exercise as a luxury that you don’t have time to get to. Start viewing physical wellness as a must, and a right that we all have in order to enjoy this life. In the old days you had to move to survive. Now we just hop in our car and make our way to the drive thru. I don’t believe that’s the way it was intended to work best for us. You ever see how beautifully liquid your kids are and how well they sleep after a day of playing outside at the park or beach? Now that is the way life was designed.

I know it’s impossible to simplify our modern day lives to the point of living in a log cabin, but we could learn something about ourselves from our primal roots. Do you ever just stop and wonder what it’s all about? What are we really rushing around like lunatics for? How come we are not making our health a priority and taking better care of ourselves?

Believe it or not, spring is mere days away (well, technically speaking, at least!). Now’s the time to start repairing any damage winter left behind so you’ll be positively glowing by the time summer vacation (and bikini season…) rolls around:

* Slough off a winter’s worth of dull, flaky skin with Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer. During colder months, dry skin types can become too sensitive for exfoliation; as temperatures rise and skin becomes less fragile, though, you’ll see dramatic results from removing dead skin cells. This non-abrasive product stimulates cell turnover with glycolic acid and contains moisturizing glycerin, making it suitable for dry or sensitive skin, and also includes glucosamine, an excellent hyaluronic acid-stimulating anti-aging ingredient.
* For oily types, though, the return of warm weather can spell trouble as their skin becomes even oilier. If you’d rather not pile on the powder - but don’t want to shine your way through spring and summer - check out OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel. Applied after your normal skin care products, and before any makeup, it controls oil for up to eight hours.
* Of course, very oily types who eschew moisturizers altogether run the risk of missing out on the valuable ingredients those products often contain. That’s why I love facial serums - they’re extremely lightweight, but offer a concentrated dose of skin-nourishing ingredients. Celazome Serum Vitae is particularly high in antioxidants and offers all the attendant benefits: It neutralizes free radicals to fight aging, reduces inflammation, and even helps repair the cellular damage that UV exposure can cause.
* As the sun starts shining more and the trees bloom once again, I always find myself particularly inspired to try natural, plant-based products. Korres Magnolia Cleansing Emulsion is a fabulous option. It contains aloe, calendula, and almond oil to soothe dry, sensitive skin (like mine!) - and none of the detergents that strip crucial lipids from the skin barrier.
* Ready to add a dose of fun and excitement to your daily routine? Philosophy’s The Alchemist is as transformative as its name suggests: It contains a pheromone that promises to improve your sense of well-being…and draw people to you. Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but you’ll never know it once you dab on a drop or two of this potion!

Wishing you great skin!

Despite the failure of studies to show any link between vaccines and autism, skeptics say a settlement in the case of 9-year-old Hannah Poling shows that they have been right.

When it comes to choosing a healthy breakfast cereal and loaf of bread, people are often confused.

Here’s my advice on what to look for in your grocery store and some of my favorite brand name recommendations. Please know I have absolutely NO financial connection or affiliation to ANY of the companies or brands that I mention.

Joy’s Guide to Buying Cereal and Bread
Ideally, your bread and breakfast cereal should be whole grain and low-calorie. The best tool for determining whether specific brands provide ample whole grains is to read their labels.

Check the food product’s ingredient list and ensure one of the first ingredients starts with the word “whole” or “oats.” Phrases without the word “whole,” like stoned wheat, cracked wheat, and enriched wheat flour do not guarantee the presence of whole grain.

When Choosing Bread: Choose brands that are whole grain and calorie-smart (no more than “80 calories” per slice for bread).

Some brands that fit the bill include: Arnold’s Carb Counting 100% whole wheat, Home Pride 100% whole wheat, Pepperidge Farm 100% whole wheat, Sara Lee Heart Healthy 100% whole wheat Classic, Sara Lee Soft and Smooth 100% whole wheat, and Weight Watchers 100% whole wheat.

When Choosing Cereal: Ensure the first ingredient is whole grain, then use my following guideline per ¾ - 1 cup serving:

120 calories or less
No more than 6 grams sugar
 At least 3+ grams fiber

Some brands I recommend include: Wheaties, Total, Kashi Heart to Heart, Kashi Go Lean, Life - original version only, MultiGrain Cheerios, Complete Bran Flakes, Barbara’s Cinnamon Puffins, Barbara’s Shredded Spoonfuls, Barbara’s Grain Shop and Special K-Protein Plus version.

Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases are inherited diseases of the central nervous system. These diseases have the same symptoms, though they are caused by mutations (changes) in different genes. A form of each disease affects babies and is fatal.What are the symptoms of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases?
Babies with the classic (infantile) forms of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases appear healthy at birth and seem to develop normally for the first few months of life. Symptoms generally appear by about 6 months of age when an apparently healthy baby gradually stops smiling, crawling, turning over and reaching out. The baby continues to lose skills gradually and eventually becomes blind, paralyzed and unaware of surroundings. Babies with Tay-Sachs disease usually die by age 5, and those with Sandhoff disease by age 3 (1, 2).

What causes the symptoms of these diseases?
Babies with classic Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases lack an enzyme (protein) called hexosaminidase. There are two versions of this enzyme, hex A and hex B. Babies with Tay-Sachs disease do not make hex A, and babies with Sandhoff do not make either hex A or hex B. A small number of babies with Tay-Sachs disease (AB variant) make both versions of the enzyme, but lack another protein that is needed for these enzymes to work properly.

Hexosaminidase is necessary for breaking down certain fatty substances (called GM2 gangliosides) in cells of the brain. Without this enzyme, these fatty substances build up and gradually destroy brain cells, until the entire central nervous system stops working.

Are there other forms of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases besides the classic type that affects babies?
There are also late-onset forms of these diseases, referred to as juvenile and adult-onset disease, depending on the nature of the symptoms and when they begin.

While babies with classic Tay-Sachs do not produce any hex A, individuals with the late-onset forms produce very small amounts of the enzyme. This is probably why their symptoms begin later in life and generally are milder than in the classic form.

Children with juvenile Tay-Sachs disease develop symptoms between 2 and 10 years of age that resemble those of the classic form (3). Although the course of the disease is slower, death generally occurs by age 15 (3).

Individuals with adult-onset Tay-Sachs disease (also called chronic Tay-Sachs disease) have far milder symptoms than children with the classic or juvenile forms. Symptoms usually begin between adolescence and the mid-30s, although they can begin in childhood (4). Affected individuals usually do not lose vision or hearing. Some individuals may have loss of certain mental abilities, including problems with memory and comprehension. Symptoms vary greatly in severity and can include slurred speech, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, tremors, unsteady gait and sometimes mental illness. Life expectancy is variable, and in some cases appears to be unaffected (4, 5).

Rare late-onset forms of Sandhoff disease appear to share many of these symptoms.

Is there any treatment for these diseases?
There is currently no treatment that will prevent these diseases from running their course. Affected children can only be made as comfortable as possible and given other supportive care.

Researchers are investigating whether stem cell transplants (sometimes called bone marrow transplants) could help babies with classic Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. Stem cells are immature blood cells that produce all other kinds of blood cells. Stem cells are obtained from umbilical cord blood or from the bone marrow of a donor. Unfortunately, stem cell transplantation has not yet been successful in stopping or reversing brain damage in Tay-Sachs or Sandhoff diseases, and this treatment poses a high risk of death in affected babies (6).

Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of drug treatments (including a drug called miglustat, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat a related disorder) in helping to reduce the build-up of fatty substances in brain cells in individuals with these diseases (7, 8).

Who is at risk for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases?
Tay-Sachs disease occurs most frequently in descendants of Central and Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jews. About 1 out of every 30 American Jews carries a mutation in the gene that codes for hex A (9). Some non-Jewish individuals of French-Canadian ancestry (from the St. Lawrence River Valley of Quebec) and members of the Cajun population in Louisiana are also at increased risk (9). Individuals in other ethnic groups in this country have about a 1 in 300 chance of carrying a mutation in this gene (9).

Sandhoff disease can occur in any ethnic group, though it is uncommon. Individuals not of Jewish ancestry are more likely to carry one of the gene mutations that causes Sandhoff disease than those of Jewish ancestry (1 in 600 vs. 1 in 1,000) (2).

How are the diseases transmitted?
All forms of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases are inherited. Tay-Sachs disease is caused by mutations in a gene on chromosome 15 that codes for hex A, while Sandhoff disease is caused by mutations in a gene on chromosome 5 that codes for hex B. Both diseases are passed on through parents who carry one of these mutations. A carrier does not have the illness. However, when two carriers become parents:

* There is a 25 percent (1-in-4) chance that any child they have will inherit a gene mutation from each parent and have the disease.
* There is a 25 percent chance (1-in-4) that the child will inherit the normal gene from each parent. The child will not have the disease and will not be a carrier.
* There is a 50 percent (2-in-4) chance that the child will inherit one normal and one abnormal gene. The child will not have the disease but will be a carrier like the parents.

If only one parent is a carrier, none of that person’s children can inherit the disease. However, each child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene mutation and being a carrier.

Carrier screening is commonly performed before or during pregnancy for adults in populations who are at risk for these disorders.

Can these diseases be diagnosed before birth?
Yes. Prenatal tests called amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can diagnose these diseases before birth. Amniocentesis usually is done between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. In this test, the doctor inserts a needle into the mother’s abdomen to take a sample of fluid that surrounds the fetus. The fluid contains fetal cells, which the lab tests to see if they contain hex A (when testing for Tay-Sachs) or hex A and hex B (when testing for Sandhoff).

CVS is generally done between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. In CVS, the doctor retrieves a sample of cells from the developing placenta either through a thin tube inserted through the vagina or by inserting a needle through the mother’s abdomen. The placenta contains cells that are genetically identical to those of the fetus, and these cells are examined for the presence of the enzyme.

If prenatal testing shows that only hex A is missing, the baby will have classic Tay-Sachs disease. If both hex A and hex B are missing, the baby will have classic Sandhoff disease. In a small number of cases, the doctor may recommend DNA-based genetic testing to look for known mutations in the hex A gene or hex B gene that cause the late-onset forms of the diseases. This type of test can determine whether the fetus has classic or a late-onset disease, and possibly how severely affected the child may be.

Some medical centers have begun offering genetic testing to carrier couples who undergo in vitro fertilization (a process in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized in the laboratory with her partner’s sperm). The embryos are tested for a genetic disease, and only healthy ones are implanted in the mother. This is called pre-implantation genetic testing.

How can people find out if they are carriers?
An individual can take a test that measures the amount of hexosaminidase in the blood. Tay-Sachs carriers have about half as much of hex A as noncarriers, but this is plenty for the carrier’s own needs. Similarly, carriers of Sandhoff disease have reduced but adequate amounts of both hex A and hex B.

A blood sample also can be used to perform DNA-based genetic testing for known mutations in the hex A or hex B genes.  This kind of testing may be recommended if the results of the carrier screening test are uncertain.

Where is carrier screening for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases available?
Carrier screening is available from a genetic services center or clinic. A health care provider can provide referrals to local sites where testing is available, as can the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association.

The genetic services center performs the carrier screening test that can determine whether one or both partners carry mutations that can cause these diseases. Trained genetic counselors will explain the test results so that individuals know whether or not their children will be at risk for the disease.

What research on Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases is being conducted by March of Dimes grantees?
March of Dimes grantees helped pinpoint mutations in the hex A gene that are responsible for late-onset forms of Tay-Sachs disease. Information about specific mutations leads to improved diagnosis and carrier screening for all forms of Tay-Sachs disease.

A recent grantee has been attempting to develop a drug treatment that may prevent the production of certain fatty substances that build up and impair brain cells in affected individuals. This approach eventually may help prevent the early deaths and loss of central nervous system function associated with Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases.

The Tropic of Cancer, or Northern tropic, is one of the nintey five minor circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the most northerly latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead at noon. This event occurs at the June solstice, when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun to its maximum extent.

The Tropic of Cancer currently lies 23° 26′ 22″ north of the Equator. North of this latitude are the subtropics and Northern Temperate Zone. The equivalent line of latitude south of the equator is called the Tropic of Capricorn, and the region between the two, centered on the Equator, is known as the Tropics.

The line is called Tropic of Cancer because when it was named the sun was in the location of the constellation of Cancer (Latin for crab) in the sky at the June solstice. However, due to the precession of the equinoxes, the sun is now in the location of the constellation of Taurus at the June solstice. The word “tropic” itself comes from the Greek tropos, meaning turn, referring to the fact that the sun appears to “turn back” at the solstices.

The position of the Tropic of Cancer is not fixed, but varies in a complex manner over time; see under circles of latitude for information.

Geography
Monument marking the Tropic of Cancer northeast of Villa de Cos, Zacatecas, Mexico.
Monument marking the Tropic of Cancer northeast of Villa de Cos, Zacatecas, Mexico.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the following countries (going east):

* United States of America Flag of the United StatesHawaii

sea area only, misses every island, passing between Nihoa and Necker Island

* Mexico Flag of Mexico just north of Mazatlan on the Pacific
* Bahamas Flag of the Bahamas - Exuma Islands and Long Island
* Western Sahara Flag of Western Sahara (claimed by Morocco)
* Mauritania Flag of Mauritania
* Mali Flag of Mali
* Algeria Flag of Algeria
* Niger Flag of Niger
* Libya Flag of Libya
* Chad Flag of Chad – Its northernmost point is defined by the Tropic of Cancer.
* Egypt Flag of Egypt
* Saudi Arabia Flag of Saudi Arabia
* United Arab Emirates Flag of the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi emirate only)
* Oman Flag of Oman
* India Flag of India
* Bangladesh Flag of Bangladesh
* Myanmar Flag of Burma
* People’s Republic of China Flag of the People’s Republic of China just north of Guangzhou, also known as Canton
* Republic of China (Taiwan) Flag of the Republic of China

Circumnavigation

According to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s rules, for a flight to compete for a round-the-world speed record, it must cover a distance no less than the length of the Tropic of Cancer as well as cross all meridians and end on the same airfield where it started. This length is set to be 36787.559 kilometres - a number implying a precision which does not exist, considering the variations of the tropic described above.

For an ordinary circumnavigation the rules are somewhat relaxed and the distance is set to a rounded value of 37000 kilometres.

DXM for beginners:

SWIM has been experimenting with dextromethorphan (DXM) lately, in order to lower his/her tolerance to opiates for his/her chipping habits. SWIM has found DXM to have a This is what I have to offer:

1) DXM is available in most cough/cold medicines, however only a select few are desirable mixtures for recreational use. Ideally, and most intelligently, one needs to find medicine containing only DXM. Look carefully at the Active ingredients list. THIS IS IMPERITAVE FOR ALL RECREATIONAL USE OF O-T-C AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Many brands mix Aspirin (acetaminophen) with the DXM. Other drugs are commonly mixed in. Stay clear of them, because they can cause extremely adverse effects including uncontrollable vomiting and even death. This should not be a surprise to those who use prescription opiates. Look for a brand that states the only active ingredient is DXM, it shouldn’t be too hard to find. Also, one can look at the alcohol content, for kicks (SWIM has found anywhere from 5%-11%). The syrups are more likely to contain pure DXM than the pill form. Make note of this.

2) Dosage: A good starting recreational dose is anywhere from 200-400mg of DXM. You can look at the box for dosage details. (SWIM has found a good dose to be 30mg DXM for 15ml of syrup. Try to get as high a dose per ml as possible — the stuff taste’s very strong!) You can spread your intake over a period of time or you can just take it all at once. SWIM has found that on an empty stomach some syrups can burn/upset the stomach. It has helped him/her to eat a little directly after dosing.

3) Effects: Onset takes roughly 30 minutes to begin to feel the effects. After this, onset becomes more rapid. By an hour after dosing, it becomes difficult to concentrate and SWIM begins to feel a little dizzy and disoriented. The experience can be described as disconnected, and slightly euphoric — almost out-of-body, in a way. Unlike opiates, SWIM has experienced a body buzz, but a much more shallow or hallow feeling one. Euphoria is less warm, but still fairly intense. Music and other stimulus are exaggerated greatly. SWIM has not found it difficult to interact with people and situations in a high state, but slightly more so and differently than opiates.

4) Taste? Yeah, it’s not a lie that cough syrup tastes like garbage. However, it’s better than the taste of opiate tea, or so says SWIM. He/she has found that having a good tasting tracer drink for immediately afterward to be very beneficial.

This about wraps up what SWIM has to say. Any questions can be answered.

DXM for beginners:

SWIM has been experimenting with dextromethorphan (DXM) lately, in order to lower his/her tolerance to opiates for his/her chipping habits. SWIM has found DXM to have a This is what I have to offer:

1) DXM is available in most cough/cold medicines, however only a select few are desirable mixtures for recreational use. Ideally, and most intelligently, one needs to find medicine containing only DXM. Look carefully at the Active ingredients list. THIS IS IMPERITAVE FOR ALL RECREATIONAL USE OF O-T-C AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Many brands mix Aspirin (acetaminophen) with the DXM. Other drugs are commonly mixed in. Stay clear of them, because they can cause extremely adverse effects including uncontrollable vomiting and even death. This should not be a surprise to those who use prescription opiates. Look for a brand that states the only active ingredient is DXM, it shouldn’t be too hard to find. Also, one can look at the alcohol content, for kicks (SWIM has found anywhere from 5%-11%). The syrups are more likely to contain pure DXM than the pill form. Make note of this.

2) Dosage: A good starting recreational dose is anywhere from 200-400mg of DXM. You can look at the box for dosage details. (SWIM has found a good dose to be 30mg DXM for 15ml of syrup. Try to get as high a dose per ml as possible — the stuff taste’s very strong!) You can spread your intake over a period of time or you can just take it all at once. SWIM has found that on an empty stomach some syrups can burn/upset the stomach. It has helped him/her to eat a little directly after dosing.

3) Effects: Onset takes roughly 30 minutes to begin to feel the effects. After this, onset becomes more rapid. By an hour after dosing, it becomes difficult to concentrate and SWIM begins to feel a little dizzy and disoriented. The experience can be described as disconnected, and slightly euphoric — almost out-of-body, in a way. Unlike opiates, SWIM has experienced a body buzz, but a much more shallow or hallow feeling one. Euphoria is less warm, but still fairly intense. Music and other stimulus are exaggerated greatly. SWIM has not found it difficult to interact with people and situations in a high state, but slightly more so and differently than opiates.

4) Taste? Yeah, it’s not a lie that cough syrup tastes like garbage. However, it’s better than the taste of opiate tea, or so says SWIM. He/she has found that having a good tasting tracer drink for immediately afterward to be very beneficial.

This about wraps up what SWIM has to say. Any questions can be answered.