Protein powder can be added to drinks. This increase their total calories while upping your protein, which can help you gain weight healthily if you have cancer. Go for nutritionally based powders (scandishake, enshake, calshake) and protein-specific powders (maxipro, protifar) over energy powders. You can add a teaspoon of protein powder to virtually any drink, from milk to juice to a soft drink. Most protein powders are tasteless, so they won't cause the drink to taste any different. However, you may notice a slight change in texture. You can make nutritious, high calorie smoothies by mixing milk or yogurt with an array of fruits and vegetables in a blender. Experiment with portions and ingredients until you find something that tastes good to you. You can also buy ready made smoothies at many supermarkets. Try to have a drink that contains calories with meals instead of simple water. Go for something somewhat nutritious, however. Sugary beverages, like soft drinks, can be bad for cancer patients. Instead, go for whole milk, juice without added sugar, or a low sugar sports drink like Gatorade. If your appetite is low, consider replacing one meal with a liquid supplement. While it's best to eat solid foods, if that's not possible for you try a liquid supplement. Some meal replacement smoothies are actually manufactured specifically for cancer patients. Your doctor can write you a prescription for liquid meals you can take on days you're too ill to eat. You can also buy over-the-counter meal replacement smoothies. However, you should still ask your doctor about what types would be best for you given your medical history. Smoothies can come in different flavors, like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Many people dislike the taste but you can try adding a natural sweetener like honey.

Summary: Add protein powders to drinks. Make your own smoothies. Drink something with calories with meals. Use liquid supplements when your appetite is low.

Monitor your skin for changes that might indicate a callus is forming. Look for discolored or yellow skin that feels harder. Use moisturizing cream or lotion to refresh the skin and keep it healthy. You can always visit a doctor, dermatologist, or podiatrist for a thorough examination if you want confirmation. In most cases, regularly moisturizing a callus or corn before it forms is the best way to keep the skin from drying out. If you keep developing calluses or corns from a specific hobby or activity, reduce how often you do it. For example, if you keep getting calluses after playing the guitar for a long period of time, simply limit yourself to 10- to 15-minute playing sessions. If you work with your hands and can't avoid the physical labor, get yourself a pair of comfy gloves. Many people develop calluses on their feet when their shoes don't fit. Since calluses are the skin's response to pressure or friction, you need to remove the source of the pressure or friction. Get shoes with enough room for your feet to breathe a little. If you aren't sure what size you should wear, go to a shoe store and ask for the clerk to size your feet. When your shoes fit correctly, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely. Try on shoes before you buy them. Sometimes, the fit will be different depending on the manufacturer, so pay attention to how the shoe feels on your foot, not the size marked on the box. Wear gloves, socks and properly fitting shoes to protect your skin from calluses. Don't walk around barefoot, as this increases the potential for callus formation. Orthopedic inserts are footpads specifically designed to ease the amount of pressure and friction your feet are exposed to. They are fantastic as they keep the callused area raised and cushioned, hence reducing friction by avoiding contact with footwear. They won't get rid of existing calluses, but they will help to prevent new ones from forming. If you want some fancy custom inserts, visit a podiatrist to get a set made specifically for your feet!

Summary: Examine your skin regularly for calluses and moisturize as needed. Cut back on the activity that's causing the calluses. Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly. Protect your skin from calluses by wearing gloves, socks, and shoes. Use orthopedic inserts to limit friction from your shoes.

The potentially intense wind and sunlight will make stronger plants a better candidate for rooftop gardens. Seedlings with these qualities will be more likely to survive the first year. Add shade or windbreakers if you plan to add more fragile plants. Ornamental grasses, honeysuckles, and magnolias all do well in hot, sunny weather. Make sure you regularly water your plants, even those that are drought-resistant. Plants originating from your state or climate will attract native fauna, like birds and butterflies. They will also adapt more easily to your garden than non-native plants. If harsh winds or heat hits, your plants will be much more likely to survive. Decorate the garden with bird- or butterfly feeders to attract more animals. Ask your local nursery which plants are native to your area for your options. Large plants will weigh down your roof and leave less room for other decor. Small, ornamental trees and shrubs do well in rooftop gardens when protected with windbreakers and placed in stable containers. Add 2 to 4 trees or shrubs at most to conserve space. Trim your trees' roots every few years to keep them at a manageable size. Examples of ornamental trees and shrubs include: Dogwood, Japanese Lilac Tree, Crabapple, Star Magnolia, and Jack Dwarf Flowering Pear. Plants with large, supple leaves tend to get shredded by the high winds on rooftop gardens. They are also more likely to suffer winter-burn during the colder seasons. Smaller-leaved plants or pines thrive particularly well on rooftops.
Summary: Look for drought and heat-tolerant plants. Buy plants native to your area. Choose ornamental trees and shrubs. Shy away from large-leaf plants.