Q: Most people don't get the recommended amount of fiber in their diets. A diet rich in fiber, especially soluble fiber, is important for balancing HDL and LDL cholesterol. Eat whole grains and beans such as: Oats Bran Barley Bean (navy, kidney, lentils, garbanzos) Whole grain pasta and bread Eat 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Fresh produce is high in fiber which will lower LDL and help you maintain your cholesterol. Apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits are all good options to add to your diet. To get the healthy protein that won't raise your cholesterol, eat soybeans and soy products, as well as lean meats and fresh seafood. Good sources of lean protein include: Soy products such as tofu and soy milk Seafood such as salmon Skinless poultry Omega-3 fatty acids can improve the balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and reduce triglycerides, so try to eat them every day. Some foods that are high in omega-3s include: Fish Flax and flaxseed oil Chia seeds Walnuts These fats will increase your LDL levels which could raise your overall cholesterol. Foods that include trans fats will raise your triglycerides and reduce your HDL. To maintain balanced cholesterol levels, avoid eating: Red meat or fatty cuts of meat Fried foods Butter and margarine Baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and pastries Whole-fat dairy and eggs Oils such as palm oil and cocoa butter Research shows that fenugreek seed supplements are effective at maintaining normal blood cholesterol and that aged garlic extracts lower cholesterol levels. If you do decide to add a supplement, follow your doctor's dosage recommendations. If you're concerned you're not getting enough soluble fiber, ask your doctor about adding a fiber supplement.
A: Consume 20 to 35 grams (1.2oz) of fiber every day. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Eat lean proteins and seafood throughout the week. Add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid foods high in saturated or trans fats. Ask your doctor about taking a supplement to maintain your cholesterol.

Q: Alcohol affects the brain and can lead to blackouts and memory loss. Avoid arguing with your parent if they are drunk as this can make situations frustrating. Your parent may say things they wouldn't normally say and upset you, then later not remember saying anything. If you're upset with your parent while they are drunk, remove yourself from the situation. Say, "Let's not discuss this now. I'm going to leave and we can talk tomorrow." Some alcoholics believe that alcoholism is a disease that cannot be cured, but it can with proper treatment and a committed individual. They may claim that they have no control, but they do still have choices. Don't allow your parent to manipulate you by claiming they're just sick or by blaming you for relapses. People who suffer from addiction may hide behind illness to control the behavior of those who want to help them. This enables them to continue doing what they've been doing. You may want your parent to be a part of your life and your children's lives, yet not want to place yourself in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation. Create some boundaries for yourself and your family and discuss them with your parent. For example, tell your parent that you will leave or ask your parent to leave if they are drunk or acting belligerently. If your parent relies on you to handle legal problems, say that you will no longer fill that role. Choose boundaries that help you feel safe and that protect your family. If you feel like your parent jeopardizes your children's safety, say that they are not allowed to babysit for the children or to drink in your home under any circumstance. Avoid interacting with your parent while they are drunk. Make all family gatherings alcohol-free. If your parent tends to drink at a certain time of day, avoid visits or phone calls after a certain time. You cannot stop your parent from drinking. Often, people make promises to quit, but it's up to your parent to follow through on that decision. You may feel hopeful about your parent changing then feel let down when the pattern of alcohol abuse continues. Your parent can only stop when they are ready. You can talk to your parent about how their drinking affects you. State your feelings and perhaps describe a particular incident that worried you and that had clear and visible consequences. Go with your parent to visit the doctor. During the appointment, ask the physician whether there are any unsafe drug interactions with medications your parent takes and alcohol. Many elderly people take daily medications, which can be dangerous if mixed with alcohol. For example, alcohol and aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines, alcohol and antihistamines can cause increased drowsiness, and pain killers paired with alcohol can cause liver damage.
A: Recognize the immediate effects of alcohol. Avoid blame shifting. Create respectful boundaries with your parent. Approach your parent realistically. Ask about medication interactions.

Q: If you want to grow grapes on an arbor, you will need to follow the same transplanting and first year steps you would follow for standard grape vines grown on a trellis or fence. Grow one grapevine per post. If you have a two post arbor, grow two vines, training each one on a separate post. Grow four vines if you have four posts, or six vines if you have six posts. Allow the main trunk to grow to the top of your post during the first year. Tie or secure it to the post as it grows. During the first winter, cut down the main trunk to a bud just above the top of the post. Allow any lateral side canes to grow on top of the arbor. Lateral side canes growing below the top of the arbor should be pruned down to trunk level. Any cane that produced fruit during the previous growing season should be cut off completely. While these old canes can remain on the vine without causing disease or damage, keeping them on the vine will cause dense shade to form with little to no fruit. You should also remove any weak, thin, or diseased canes, even if they have not yet produced fruit. Select one to three healthy, used canes from each vine and trim them down to two or three buds instead of cutting them off completely. Canes that developed during the previous growing season should be kept, but you will need to cut them back to only five or six buds. Ideally, the canes on your arbor should be spaced 2 to 3 feet (60 to 91 cm) apart by the time you finish pruning. After your first two or three years, you should have a well-established set of vines that can fill in the arbor top by the end of your growing season without becoming hopelessly tangled.
A:
Follow the same initial steps. Allow branches to grow along the top. Remove used canes. Leave several renewal canes. Cut back the remaining canes.