Q: Sometimes the people you're closest to simply don't realize that you feel underappreciated. If this person is someone you care about, start by giving them the benefit of the doubt and asking to have an open, honest conversation. Outline why you think they've been ungrateful, and give them a chance to answer. Try to use "I" statements instead of casting blame. For example, you could say "I feel like you take for granted how often I help you with work projects, even though we don't work for the same company." Your tone should be firm, but open. Your friend or family member may be more receptive to your concerns if you frame them as your feelings instead of accusations. Give them a chance to address your feelings and apologize, if they feel it is necessary. Remember that no one is obligated to apologize. Give your friend or family member the chance, but understand that they may not do so. If they don't, it's your choice as to whether you want to continue addressing the issue or move past it. It's not always easy but it's important to consider the other person's perspective in a situation, even when you feel certain you are right. Try to see if there are moments where you have been demanding or ungrateful, too. You could also try to see if there are other factors outside of you that are influencing the other person's attitude. If, for example, your friend is going through a rough breakup and seems rude or needy, their attitude has nothing to do with you. They are just struggling with difficult emotions. As they heal, though, their ungrateful habits will fade and they will appreciate that you were there for them. If you feel someone in your life is taking advantage of you, outline clear boundaries letting them know what you are and are not willing to do for them. Then, hold fast on those boundaries. It may feel difficult at first, but staying firm on your personal limits is ultimately the best way to break their reliance on you. If you are the only person in your house who does the dishes, for instance, let your roommates know that moving forward you will only be cleaning the dishes you dirty. They will be accountable for their own mess. If you're dealing with someone who is consistently ungrateful or overly negative no matter what you do, think about limiting their role in your life. Decide what, if any, role you want that person to play in your world, and limit them to that role. Say, for example, you have a friend who constantly demands your time to do things they want to do or navigate their emotional problems, but who is unwilling to return the favor. You may choose to limit that friend to someone you only see in groups, so that you don't have to handle their emotional burden on your own. You may also decide that you're happier not maintaining that friendship. A person who demands your time and effort but who shows no consideration or appreciation for your efforts can become a toxic force if you let them.
A: Have an honest discussion about your feelings. Look at things from their point of view. Set up boundaries that state what you will and won't do. Cut ties with the person if they are constantly negative.

Q: Vegetables are an important food group to prevent a variety of diseases and cancers. However, red, yellow and orange vegetables have high levels of vitamins and antioxidants that can help keep your colon healthy. What makes these vegetables that particular color are the vitamins and antioxidants that are found in them. Red, yellow and orange vegetables are particularly high in an antioxidant known as beta carotene which is an orange/red color. This antioxidant is often associated with Vitamin A as it is a precursor to becoming Vitamin A in your body. Adequate intakes are also associated with a decreased rate of colon cancer. Include a one cup serving of any of these colored vegetables. You can try: red, yellow and orange bell peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash and carrots. Another group of foods that can help protect your colon and resist the formation of polyps are folate-rich foods. Luckily, folate can be found in a wide variety of foods. Studies have shown that an intake of 400 IU of folate every day can help prevent the formation of polyps but also helps prevent colon cancer as well. 400 IU of folate is easily consumed if you eat a balanced diet and focus on folate-rich foods. Specific foods that are high in folate include: fortified breakfast cereals, spinach, black-eyed peas, asparagus, broccoli, green peas, whole wheat bread and peanuts. Calcium is another commonly found mineral that has been shown to prevent the formation of colon polyps. Including regular servings of foods high in calcium can help protect your colon. One study in particular showed that those people who consumed 1200 mg of calcium daily (which you can get from three servings of calcium-rich foods), had a 20% less recurrence of cancerous colon polyps. Calcium is found most commonly in dairy foods. You can have milk, yogurt, kefir, cheese or cottage cheese to get in an adequate serving of calcium. In addition, calcium is found in other plant-based foods outside of the dairy group. Almonds, broccoli, dark greens, and fortified orange juice or soy milk offer another source of calcium. Some foods contain a certain type of fat called omega-3 fats. Often known as heart healthy fats, these fats are also beneficial to your colon. Studies have shown that omega-3 fats help maintain and even improve cell health in the colon. Include regular servings of healthy fats to help prevent colon polyps. Healthy fats are found in a wide variety of foods. Include a serving of these foods daily to help protect your colon and prevent the formation of polyps. Include foods like: avocado, olive oil, olives, salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, walnuts and flaxseeds. Many studies have shown the benefits of green tea in preventing polyps and colon cancer. Try swapping out your morning coffee for a cup of green tea or drink a cup or two of decaffeinated green tea after dinner. Although water is not a specific food or a nutrient, it's essential to overall health. Specifically, studies have shown that a lack of adequate water can lead to dehydration and polyp formation in your colon. When you don't drink adequate amounts of fluids, your body will harvest free water from other areas - like your stool or other cells. This causes dehydration and constipation. Decreased bowel transit time and the concentration of carcinogenic compounds that are found in cells can increase your risk for the growth of cancerous polyps. Health professionals recommend drinking about 64 oz or 8 glasses of water everyday. However, you may need to increase your water intake to prevent constipation.
A:
Focus on red, yellow and orange vegetables. Include folate-rich foods. Consume calcium-rich foods. Focus on healthy fats. Drink green tea. Drink more water.