Figs - A popular aphrodisiac with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. These crunchy sweet yet soft luscious fruit are known to build up sexual stamina because of the high amino acid content.

Garlic – Probably best not to eat this just before your Valentine’s date. However, garlic contains allicin, which is an active ingredient that increases blood flow to both your sexual organs, resulting in a stronger erection in guys and better orgasms for guys and girls.

Coffee for her - I normally am so against coffee but once in a while might be good for your sex life! Scientists discovered that coffee boosts the female libido. This works best for girls that don’t drink coffee regularly. Yay me!

Damiana Tea for him – Damiana tea contains a South American herb that will stimulate his nether regions. with an active ingredient called gonzalitosin. This induces a feeling of mild euphoria and a tingling sensation in the penis. So what if your man doesn’t drink tea, tell him about this and he’ll be saying, “put the kettle on. right. now.”

Cinnamon for him - Cakes and buns with cinnamon will actually repel my sweetie because he HATES cinnamon but usually (for normal guys) the smell of cinnamon is one of the most arousing smells for men. I’ve heard that the smell arouses the guy and sends that much needed blood flow to the penis.

St. John’s Wort – This herb really needs to be renamed because don’t most people NOT want to consume the wort of St. John? I don’t! Back to this herb. It’s commonly known to lift a sad mood, but did you know it can also do wonders for a lowly libido?

Ginkgo Biloba for him - Taking Ginkgo Biloba will boost the blood flow enough to help maintain an erection, if you’ve been having issues with that.

Gingseng - Ancient Asian secrets do not tell a lie. Gingseng enhances the libido now and has for more than 7,000 years. It gets blood flow to the genitals, as well as perking up your mental and physical energy.

Other aphrodisiacs: The following foods will get your body GOING: asparagus, cucumbers, onion, garlic, leeks, oysters, ginger, chives, scallion, black pepper, honey, cinnamon, avocado, cayenne pepper, carrots, cardamom, fennel, bananas, anise, horseradish and tumeric. Lastly, foods containing high concentrations of essential omega 3 fatty acids can boost your body’s sex drive.

Here’s a community forum, a virtual meeting place specifically for you and like-minded people. It’s an online gathering place for people living and/or working in France.

Everything you ever needed to know about massage is at this forum; you can discuss with others and you can put up classified ads, as well.

Do you have a specific ailment like migraines, bad knees, achy shoulders, etc? Then, find out if a certain kind of massage will remedy the problem.

Many different but relevant topics are discussed so check them out so you can feel better!

Massage Forum in France

Smile: [smahyl]  verb – to express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.

Why is it so hard for people to smile? Even if it’s a fake smile, researchers have proven that a smile, fake or not, will automatically boost your mood. Why? Humans associate emotions with phyiscal activity or contact. If you are walking around sluggish and angry, you emit a negative energy around you. So what do you think would happen if, let’s just say, you smile? Duh! Positive energy all around.

So, I have  a social experiment for everyone this month: smile at a stranger. Scenario: you’re taking your dog for his morning walk. You are about to cross paths with a someone you don’t know who is also walking their dog. For some people this is awkward so they look away, or may even whip out their cell phone to pretend to look busy (I may be guilty of this one). Try and fight these urges and just offer a quick and harmless smile. Chances are you will receive a smile back. Now was that so hard? Smiling is contagious, it takes little effort and it’s free! What’s better than a free gesture? A smile can turn someone’s bad day into a slightly happier one.

Don’t just think of this as helping others. Think of this as helping yourself. By smiling you are sending yourself the message that you are a positive individual. And remember, “smile and the whole world smiles with you.” You can thank me later.

Ahhh, the beginning of Spring. This time of season is so wonderfully refreshing! Everything and everyone starts to come out of hibernation; leaves start to grow on trees, flowers bloom and people start gardening. March usually marks the beginning of the gardening season. The weather is starting to warm up and the days are getting longer, which means more sunlight; perfect for planting. Gardening is a great way to know exactly where your fruits and vegetables are coming from, because let’s face it, who knows what kinds of chemicals and bacteria are on things these days. Plus, it’s a great hobby and stress reliever. There’s always a great fulfillment knowing that what you’re eating is what you just harvested from your own garden.

As fun as gardening in March is, not every vegetable or fruit should be planted now. Some should be planted as the weather gets warmer, depending on your location. March friendly vegetables and fruits consist mainly of; asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce (many types), onions, peppers, radishes, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries and tomatoes… just to name a few.

Now, I don’t know about you, but my thumb isn’t exactly green. In fact it’s at the total opposite spectrum. The only thing I can actually suggest is to go completely organic and start your own compost pile. Now that’s what I call knowing EXACTLY where your produce comes from!

So where does all of this extra salt come from? According to Heart Healthy Magazine, “Roughly 10 percent of the salt in our diet comes from the salt we add ourselves (the salt we season with while cooking or sprinkle at the table) and 10 percent is naturally occurring. The vast majority of salt—amounting to about 80 percent of daily intake—comes from processed foods. Salt is added to processed foods to achieve a (very salty) taste profile. In many situations adding salt is what makes cheap, un-tasty food palatable. Salt also is added for stability and preservation reasons. But the amount of salt added is clearly above and beyond what’s required for the safety and function of the food supply. The simple math leads to the conclusion that going easy with the salt shaker is hardly going to put a dent in the unhealthy amount of salt in the typical American diet. It’s also hard to trust our taste buds when salt is involved. Some foods taste quite salty because the salt is on the surface, while other sodium-saturated dishes don’t taste salty at all because other flavors and textures (namely, lots of fat and sugars) cover up the salt.”

You can add great flavor to any of your dishes without salt. Here are just a few suggestions and alternatives to your meals. Getting active is another great way to keep your heart strong. Grab some friends and head to the park. Not only is this a great way to get your heart pumping (safely and within your limits), but you can also catch up on the latest gossip, a great stress reliever! President Obama has proclaimed February as American Heart Month. February 5, 2010 was National Wear Red Day, I hope you all wore red to show your support. But wearing red to show your support is not limited to one day a year. Wear red and share your ideas and tips with everyone, everywhere.

Here’s the Q&A with Michael Pollan, Robert Kenner, Eric Schlosser and Elise Pearlstein:

How did this film initially come about?
Kenner: Eric Schlosser and I had been wanting to do a documentary version of his book, Fast Food Nation. And, for one reason or another, it didn’t happen. By the time Food, Inc. started to come together, we began talking and realized that all food has become like fast food, and all food is being created in the same manner as fast food.

How has fast food changed the food we buy at the supermarket?
Schlosser: The enormous buying power of the fast food industry helped to transform the entire food production system of the United States. So even when you purchase food at the supermarket, you’re likely to be getting products that came from factories, feedlots and suppliers that emerged to serve the fast food chains.

How many years did it take to do this film and what were the challenges?
Kenner: From when Eric and I began talking, about 6 or 7 years. The film itself about 2 ½ years. It has taken a lot longer than we expected because we were denied access to so many places.

Pearlstein: When Robby brought me into the project, he was adamant about wanting to hear all sides of the story, but it was nearly impossible to gain access onto industrial farms and into large food corporations. They just would not let us in. It felt like it would have been easier to penetrate the Pentagon than to get into a company that makes breakfast cereal. The legal challenges on this film were also unique. We found it necessary to consult with a first amendment lawyer throughout the entire filming process.

Who or what influenced your film?
Kenner: This film was really influenced by Eric Schlosser and Fast Food Nation, but then as we were progressing and had actually gotten funding, it became very influenced as well by Michael Pollan and his book Omnivore’s Dilemma.

And then, as we went out into the world, we became really incredibly influenced by a lot of the farmers we met.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?
Kenner: As we set out to find out how our food was made, I think the thing that really became most shocking is when we were talking to a woman, Barbara Kowalcyk, who had lost her son to eating a hamburger with E. coli, and she’s now dedicated her life to trying to make the food system safer. It’s the only way she can recover from the loss of her child. But when I asked her what she eats, she told me she couldn’t tell me because she would be sued if she answered.

Or we see Carol possibly losing her chicken farm … or we see Moe, a seed cleaner who’s just being sued for amounts that there’s no way he can pay, even though he’s not guilty of anything. Then we realized there’s something going on out there that supersedes foods. Our rights are being denied in ways that I had never imagined. And it was scary and shocking. And that was my biggest surprise.

So, what does our current industrialized food system say about our values as a nation?
Pollan: It says we value cheap, fast and easy when it comes to food like so many other things, and we have lost any connection to where our food comes from.

Kenner: I met a cattle rancher and he said, you know, we used to be scared of the Soviet Union or we used to think we were so much better than the Soviet Union because we had many places to buy things. And we had many choices. We thought if we were ever taken over, we’d be dominated where we’d have to buy one thing from one company, and how that’s not the American way. And he said you look around now, and there’s like one or two companies dominating everything in the food world. We’ve become what we were always terrified of.

And that just always haunted me – how could this happen in America? It seems very un-American that we would be so dominated, and then so intimidated by the companies that are dominating this marketplace.

How has the revolving door relationship between giant food companies and Washington affected the food industry?
Pearlstein: We discovered that the food industry has managed to shape a lot of laws in their favor. For example, massive factory farms are not considered real factories, so they are exempt from emissions standards that other factories face. A surprising degree of regulation is voluntary, not mandatory, which ends up favoring the industry.

What have been the consequences for the American consumer?
Kenner: Most American consumers think that we are being protected. But that is not the case. Right now the USDA does not have the authority to shut down a plant that is producing contaminated meat. The FDA and the USDA have had their inspectors cut back. And it’s for these companies now to self-police, and what we’ve found is, when there’s a financial interest involved, these companies would rather make the money and be sued than correct it. Self-policing has really just been a miserable failure. And I think that’s been really quite harmful to the American consumer and to the American worker.

Pearlstein: The food industry has succeeded in keeping some very important information about their products hidden from consumers. It’s outrageous that genetically modified foods don’t need to be labeled. Today more than 70% of processed foods in the supermarket are genetically modified and we have absolutely no way of knowing. Whatever your position, you should have the right to make informed choices, and we don’t. Now the FDA is contemplating whether or not to label meat and milk from cloned cows. It seems very basic that consumers should have the right to know if they’re eating a cloned steak.

Is it possible to feed a nation of millions without this kind of industrialized processing?
Pollan: Yes. There are alternative ways of producing food that could improve Americans’ health. Quality matters as much as quantity and yield is not the measure of a healthy food system. Quantity improves a population’s health up to a point; after that, quality and diversity matters more. And it’s wrong to assume that the industrialized food system is feeding everyone well or keeping the population healthy. It’s failing on both counts.

There is a section of the film that reveals how illegal immigrants are the faceless workers that help to bring food to our tables. Can you give us a profile of the average worker?
Schlosser: The typical farm worker is a young, Latino male who does not speak English and earns about $10,000 a year. The typical meatpacking worker has a similar background but earns about twice that amount. A very large proportion of the nation’s farm workers and meatpackers are illegal immigrants.

Why are there so many Spanish-speaking workers?
Kenner: The same thing that created obesity in this country, which is large productions of cheap corn, has put farmers out of work in foreign countries, whether it’s Mexico, Latin America or around the world. And those farmers can no longer grow food and compete with the U.S.’ subsidized food. So a lot of these farmers needed jobs and ended up coming into this country to work in our food production.

And they have been here for a number of years. But what’s happened is that we’ve decided that it’s no longer in the best interests of this country to have them here. But yet, these companies still need these people and they’re desperate, so they work out deals where they can have a few people arrested at a certain time so it doesn’t affect production. But it affects people’s lives. And these people are being deported, put in jail and sent away, but yet, the companies can go on and it really doesn’t affect their assembly line. And what happens is that they are replaced by other, desperate immigrant groups.

Could the American food industry exist without illegal immigrants?
Schlosser: The food industry would not only survive, but it would have a much more stable workforce. We would have much less rural poverty. And the annual food bill of the typical American family would barely increase. Doubling the hourly wage of every farm worker in this country might add $50 at most to a family’s annual food bill.

What are scientists doing to our food and is it about helping food companies’ bottom line or about feeding a growing population?
Schlosser: Some scientists are trying to produce foods that are healthier, easier to grow, and better for the environment. But most of the food scientists are trying to create things that will taste good and can be made cheaply without any regard to their social or environmental consequences.

I am not opposed to food science. What matters is how that science is used … and for whose benefit.

Can a person eat a healthy diet from things they buy in the supermarket if they are not buying organic? If so, how?
Pollan: Yes, the supermarkets still carry real food. The key is to shop the perimeter of the store and stay out of the middle where most of the processed food lurks.

How are low-income families impacted at the supermarket?
Kenner: Things are really stacked against low-income families in this country. There is a definite desire of the food companies to sell more product to these people because they have less time, they’re working really hard and they have fewer hours in their day to cook. And the fast food is very reasonably priced. Coke is selling for less than water. So when these things are happening, it’s easier for low-income families sometimes to just go in and have a quick meal if they don’t get home until 10 o’clock at night. At the moment, our food is unfairly priced towards bad food.

And, in the same way that tobacco companies went after low-income people because they were heavy users, food companies are going after low-income people because they can market to them, they can make it look very appealing.

What can low-income families do to eat healthier?
Schlosser: As much as possible, they can avoid cheap, processed foods and fast foods. It’s possible to eat well and inexpensively. But it takes more time and effort to do so, and that’s not easy when you’re working two jobs and trying to just to keep your head above water. The sad thing is that these cheap foods are ultimately much more expensive when you factor in the costs of all the health problems that come later.

Pollan: It’s possible to eat healthy food on a budget but it takes a greater investment of time. If you are willing to cook and plan ahead, you can eat local, sustainable food on a budget.

If someone wanted to get involved and help change the system, what would you suggest they do?
Pearlstein: I hope people will want to be more engaged in the process of eating and shopping for food. We have learned that there are a lot of different fronts to fight on this one, and people can see what most resonates with them. Maybe it’s really just “voting with their forks” – eating less meat, buying different food, buying from companies they feel good about, going to farmers markets.

People can try to find a CSA – community supported agriculture – where you buy a share in a farm and get local food all year. That really helps support farmers and you get fresh, seasonal food. On the local political level, people can work on food access issues, like getting more markets into low income communities, getting better lunch programs in schools, trying to get sodas out of schools. And on a national level, we’ve learned that reforming the Farm Bill would have a huge influence on our food system. It requires some education, but it is something we should care about.

What do you hope people take away from this film?
Schlosser: I hope it opens their eyes.

Kenner: That things can change in this country. It changed against the big tobacco companies. We have to influence the government and readjust these scales back into the interests of the consumer. We did it before, and we can do it again.

Pollan: A deeper knowledge of where their food comes from and a sense of outrage over how their food is being produced and a sense of hope and possibility of the alternatives springing up around the country. Food, Inc. is the most important and powerful film about our food system in a generation.

Get it at Amazon (It’s on sale right now for $9.99)

2.Get up and do something! Go for a walk and check out your neighborhood, window shop at the mall, take your dog for a jog at the park or join a gym and take advantage of their exercise classes. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you do, just get active. Get your heart pumping for at least 45 minutes each day.

3.Everyone needs time to wind down, especially after a stressful day. Find a hobby! Try learning to play a new instrument, cooking an unfamiliar dish, knitting, bird watching…etc. The possibilities are endless!

4.Laugh and smile! Laughing increases the levels of endorphins in your body making you less stressed and with a healthier immune system. Pop in a funny movie that will get you laughing in no time. Studies have shown that with just 15 minutes of laughter (even fake laughter) will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on weight. Ever heard of laughter yoga? Pretty interesting.

5.Be positive. Living your life with the, “Why me?” attitude will only weigh you down. Life is a beautiful and precious thing. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Instead of questioning yourself and your self worth, question what you can do to make it better? There is always room for improvement.

6.Cut out the toxins – smoking, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption.

7.Adopt a pet! I can’t think of another way to get active. Pets are wonderful and loyal companions and they will show you unconditional love 24/7. Plus, you will always have an excuse to get out of the house to take them for walk. It’s a win-win situation!

8.Avoid these 5 ingredients as much as possible.

9.Track your ticker! 8.6 million women die from heart disease each year, worldwide. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and follow a heart healthy diet. Just by reducing your sodium intake and exercising everyday, you are on your way to a healthier heart.

10.Get those ZzzZzz! Try to sleep 6-8 hours every night. Everyone is busy, but your body needs time to recharge. By getting the recommended hours of sleep you will feel refreshed and energized in the morning. This will set your mood for the whole day.

We like offering organic, edible gifts because we think people really appreciate them and it leaves us feeling good that we haven’t contributed much to the planet’s problems. A particularly insidious issue comes from plastic toys for children. Not only are they bad for the environment because yes, at some point, they will end up in a dump – but also they’ve found many of these plastic toys encumbered with Bisphenol A, a dangerous and unhealthy chemical found in many plastics. Why would anyone risk the health of little kids by giving them these hazardous chemicals?

Here’s an idea for kids. These colorful vanilla and sugar animal cookies are certified organic (all natural, no preservatives, nut-free) and just overall fun. They are a great alternative to gifting plastic toys, and are packaged in recycled boxes.

O r d e r   t h e s e   n o w

Designed by a former NASA engineer, Reeboks EasyTone running shoes were created to tone your butt, thighs and hamstrings by 28 percent. Unlike the MBT’s (the original ‘rocker style’ shoes) and Sketchers Shape-ups, the EasyTone’s are more streetwear ready and definitely don’t look like weird alien shoes. The soles of the shoes are basically two pod-like pads, one is on the heel, the other is on the ball. Having only two pads requires much stability and balance (two qualities that I have yet to master).

One of my favorite fashion blogs, Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle, did a three part review of the EasyTone’s:

“I’ve been wearing Reebok EasyTone sneakers for the past couple of weeks now– mainly on my weekend walks around the neighborhood and when I run errands, such as trips to the grocery store or Target. While I initially felt that my legs were a little more tired after walking in EasyTone sneakers than normal athletic sneakers, I can now confirm that the feeling intensified with more wear. There is definitely something going on with these new Reeboks!”

I think I know what I’m asking Santa for this year!

2-3 – 32oz. of fresh Sun Gold Tomatoes (or you can use my measurements, 2 large bowls HA!)
1 large white onion, chopped
2 sprigs of fresh oregano, de-spriged and chopped
5 or 6 or 7 or 8! cloves of fresh garlic, sliced or chopped (I LOVE garlic!)
a pinch of salt and pepper
2 tbsp. of EVOO
fresh parmigiano reggiano
4 qt. of water
2 qt. of ice cold water
your choice of pasta

Cook pasta according to the directions on the package, then drain. Bring 4 qt of water to a boil, add all tomatoes to the boiling water for a only couple minutes. Drain and immediately give them an ice cold water bath, then peel. The ice water helps the skins to peel off easier. Next, sauté the chopped onions in the EVOO. Cook until they are translucent and have a hint of brown. Combine the peeled tomatoes, garlic, onions, oregano, salt and pepper to the cooked onions and let simmer for 25-35 mins. During this time the Sun Golds will start to break down to a saucier consistancy. Serve hot with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano or any of your favorite type of cheese. Enjoy!

“…Artificial sweeteners like saccharin (Sweet’N Low), sucralose (Splenda) or aspartame (NutraSweet) are lab-created chemicals that are food-additives; they should not be considered “food.”

Some experts think that artificial sweeteners belong to a class of harmful chemicals called “excitotoxins” which can make brain cells fire like crazy, damaging or killing them. They can cause free radical damage in nerve cells. I wonder – if in time- we will find a connection between people who use excessive amounts of the pretty packets with those who experience conditions stemming from their head, for example, depression, panic attacks, seizures, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease and even manic depression.

I am particularly annoyed that many diabetes educators promote artificial sweeteners to people with diabetes, Why? Because some preliminary studies point to their detrimental effect on blood sugar and pancreatic function. Even more disturbing, a Duke University study has concluded these compounds may actually contribute to obesity, not weight loss!

The artificial sweetener story gets confusing because a few studies insist that human consumption is safe. So here is some research which explains why I shy away from non-natural sweeteners:

–A 2008 study published in Preventative Medicine concluded that, “Regular use of artificial sweeteners for 10 years or more was positively associated with urinary tract tumors.”

–In January 2009, the trial began for McNeil-PPC, Inc. versus the sugar industry. Makers of Splenda have to defend themselves against claims that they used false advertising or deceptive marketing campaigns in order to convince Americans that Splenda is natural and safe because it comes from sugar. (It may start out that way, but the end product does not occur in nature, hence the trouble.)

–A 2008 Duke University study published in The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health concluded that sucralose contributes to obesity, destroys your healthy camp of intestinal bacteria and may interfere with absorption of prescription drugs.

–A study by researchers at the University of Florida found that aspartame may increase the frequency of migraines by up to 50 percent.

–At higher temperatures, a compound in aspartame converts to formaldehyde and then to another chemical which could spark neurological symptoms that could be mistaken for multiple sclerosis. “

Source

1. Denny’s
2. Chili’s
3. Baskin-Robbins
4. Carl’s Jr.
5. Continue Reading

“The final implementation earlier this month of Turkey’s ban on smoking was hailed as a huge victory for public health. On billboards all around Istanbul, smiley-faced bubbles floated across clear blue skies alongside messages such as “Hello to a smoke-free Turkey.” But one environmental engineer says it will take more than banning cigarettes in enclosed spaces to truly clear the air.

While some have portrayed the ban as part of a broader anti-vice campaign by the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, Eylem Tuncaelli sees it more as a way for political leaders to avoid dealing with the country’s real air-pollution problems.

Industrial pollution causes cancer too
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to speak of smoke-free air space in Turkey,” Tuncaelli, the president of the Istanbul branch of the Environmental Engineers’ Chamber (ÇMO), told the media-advocacy group Bianet. “People are facing the risk of cancer even without being exposed to cigarette smoke.”

In Dilovası, an industrial city in the Marmara region, levels of air-borne toxins are 30 times higher than European Union standards, Tuncaelli said, adding that 32 percent of deaths in the area in recent years have been attributed to cancer.

300,000 tons of sulfur oxide
In the southwest city of Yatağan, a coal-fired power plant has spewed more than 300,000 tons of sulfur dioxide into the air since it opened in 1982. Environmentalists have called for the facility to be shut down.

Tuncaelli says environmental laws are often not enforced, allowing factories to get away with not controlling or filtering their emissions. Adds the engineer: “If the ‘smoke-free air space’ slogan is meant to be supported, it is much more important to reduce air pollution caused by the industry before banning cigarettes.” Via: “Smoke-free Air Space? What About Dilovası and Yatağan?”

source

“1. He makes snide jokes at your expense. Although boorish and rude, the occasional zinger isn’t an automatic ticket to the Abusers Hall of Fame.

But aiming poison barbs in your direction and then brushing it off – like “Can’t you take a joke?” – shows a lack of respect. “It’s a sign of emotional distancing, which can very quickly turn into abuse,” says Gilda Carle, Ph.D., (aka Dr. Gilda), an advice columnist on Match.com and author of He’s Not All That (Collins).

Emotional abuse can become physical with very little notice. Just ask Aimee, 41, of San Francisco, who was in an abusive relationship for eight years – while working at a battered women’s shelter! It was so subtle, says Aimee (whose name was changed to protect her privacy). “It went from unhealthy to pathological in such tiny increments that I accepted every little increment completely.”

By the time it crossed over into physical abuse, “I couldn’t name it. I was in absolute denial,” she says.

2. The relationship is on the fast track. He’s infatuated with you and is already talking commitment. But slow down. A light-speed lothario often has something to hide, says relationship therapist Joyce Morley-Ball, Ed.D. (aka Dr. Joyce).

If he’s quick to say “I love you” and soon makes plans for moving in, getting married and having a baby, he may be trying to lock up the relationship before you can see what he’s really about.

He knows you’re less likely to leave him after you get involved, she says.

3. Nothing is ever his fault. That speeding ticket? The cop had it in for him. The job he lost? The boss had a grudge against him. The promotion he didn’t get? The woman who did must have been sleeping with the boss. Maybe your guy has the worst luck ever. Or consider this: The man who never takes responsibility for any of his actions may be quick to blame you when he ultimately loses control of his temper – and his fists. “If you hadn’t done _____, I wouldn’t have hit you.”

If he can get you to believe it’s your fault, he’s off the hook in his mind. So take notice of his blame list – you could be next.

4. You’re always making excuses for his behavior. He’s tired. He had a hard week. He’s under a lot of pressure. He’s only like that when he’s had too much to drink. Sure, these excuses may explain the rare social gaffe and could, in fact, be true. But if you’re regularly trying to explain away rude, violent or disrespectful behavior, you could be emotionally abused.

“There’s this wall of denial that we put up when we’re in a relationship, and we all do it to some extent,” Sugg says. “But you shouldn’t have to explain away someone else’s behavior.”

It’s just like a slap in the face, she says. “How many of those slaps would you take?”

5. You bend over backward so he doesn’t get upset.
Are you walking on eggshells because of his hair-trigger temper that erupts for everything big (a blown deal) to small (his beer warm)?

See the other signs of abuse

“If you’re a Whole Foods shopper who occasionally peruses the market’s free pamphlets and brochures, you might know a thing or two about the dangers of irradiated food–at least, that’s where I learned about it. We hear a lot of talk about harmful ingredients: dyes, preservatives, trans fats, and HFCS, for instance, but little is mentioned about this equally harmful process that can alter the molecular composition of the food you eat, damaging valuable vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, all in the name of making said food safer.

During irradiation, food is exposed to ionizing radiation in an effort to destroy microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, or insects that could be dangerous if consumed by people. In addition to sanitizing our food, irradiation can also be used to prevent sprouting, delay ripening, or increase juice yield–in other words, messing with a fruit or vegetable’s natural life process or progression. How exactly does irradiation achieve all these things? By damaging the DNA of the food in question, basically stunting any growth.

Considering how much time and effort is spent attempting to halt or reverse DNA damage to our own cells, then, it’s ironic that … ”

Continue reading

1. Water. Filling up with water can suppress hunger and the more water you drink, the less you retain. I’m not recommending eight 8-ounce servings, I’m talking about a gallon a day! Drink that water!

2. Green Tea. You can drink it hot or iced, flavored or unflavored, caffeinated or decaffeinated. You can get little packets to add to your water bottle or you can get it in capsule form. No matter how you take it, green tea works! Green tea helps your body use more fat for energy. It isn’t a miracle drug, but a little weight loss along with the anti-cancer and heart disease prevention properties of green tea sure can do wonders for a person’s health!

3. Soup. This is a no-brainer. Eight ounces of soup vs. eight ounces of lasagna. Both will fill you up but that soup is guaranteed to have far fewer calories than the lasagna. Whether you start your meal with two glasses of water or a bowl of soup, you get the same result. You’ll feel full quickly and take in a whole lot fewer calories.

4. Grapefruit. Grapefruit has been shown to reduce insulin levels. If you are one of the many in the world today who are insulin resistant and your body is overloaded with insulin, try having half a grapefruit before each meal (halving a grapefruit!). As with green tea, you may not notice a miracle but the combination of the grapefruit and a healthy, low fat, lower calorie diet just might net some results.

5. Apples. Apples have plenty of fiber and that is just plain good for you. Nobody has proven why but the scent of apples has been said to have an appetite suppressing quality.

6. Broccoli. Broccoli is loaded with fiber and bodybuilders love it for its estrogen fighting properties. Estrogen, while being a very important hormone can just be a drag if we have too much of it. Estrogen helps us store fat for the next baby.

7. Low-Fat Yogurt. A low calorie diet with low fat dairy included seems to produce more weight loss than a low calorie diet without dairy. If you can’t have ice cream when you’re dieting, why not allow yourself some low fat yogurt as a treat?

8. Low-Fat Protein. Chicken breasts, turkey breasts, and lean cuts of beef and pork not only satisfy hunger but they can be readily used by your body to create more muscle or maintain the muscle you have. Muscle is a good thing in that it requires more calories per hour to maintain than fat (it burns fat) and it makes us look slimmer.

9. Oatmeal. Got fiber? Oatmeal will fill you up, stick to your ribs and give you body a much needed dose of fiber. Just stay away from the flavored instant oatmeal that is usually loaded with sugar. Buy the tub of Quaker Oats (it is much cheaper than packaged instant oatmeal) and try adding a fresh, chopped apple, some cinnamon and a bit of Splenda to it.

10. Jalapeno Peppers. Capsaicin is a chemical found in Jalapeno and cayenne peppers that causes the human body to release stress hormones and thereby boost metabolism. If a food makes you sweat, it is burning calories.

Incorporate any of these items into your daily nutrition plan and you’ll likely notice a difference in your weight loss efforts. After all, every little bit helps!

source

When DEET was used in studies by scientists at Duke University, prolonged topical use on rats resulted in their brain death. How does that translate into human topical use? The DEET industry has always questioned these studies but have clearly known that DEET has a negative effect on health.

Whatever the case and to simply play it safe, keep yourself and your family safe: Stay away from products containing DEET. It’s that logical.

Click here to see a slideshow featuring DEET-free products.

1. Continental – Safety First
Continental is proud of its PetSafe program, which has a 24-hour Live Animal Desk (1-800-575-3335) that tracks the pets from origin to destination. It’s pricier than other programs, but it’s climate-controlled, allows roomy carriers and has designated cargo staff. Travelers using PetSafe can even earn miles. The airline also allows small cats, dogs, pet rabbits and household birds to be carried in the cabin on most domestic flights for $125 each way.
Pets allowed in cabin: Small dogs, cats, rabbits and birds
Pets allowed as checked baggage: No
Pets allowed in cargo: Yes, all pets that are checked travel in climate-controlled cargo, not as checked baggage.

2. JetBlue Airways – Full-Service Pet Love
JetBlue really embraced pet-toting travelers when it launched JetPaws last summer. For no additional cost, JetBlue provides a pet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome e-mail and a free pet-travel guide. However, like other airlines, JetBlue has hiked its in-cabin pet charge: one-way fees range from $75 to $100.
Pets allowed in cabin: Small cats and dogs
Pets allowed as checked baggage: No
Pets allowed in cargo: No

3. Airtran – Budget-Friendly
Airtran won’t make you break the bank to fly with your pet beside you (well, technically, under your seat). It’s currently the least-expensive airline to fly with your small pet: just $69 each way.
Pets allowed in cabin: Small dogs, cats and birds
Pets allowed as checked baggage: No
Pets allowed in cargo: No

4. American Airlines – Zoo-Trusted
American Airlines’ animal-trained staff has assisted in transporting animals from popular zoos in cargo. While they only allow a limited number of pets in the cabin, they ask pet parents to make special notes for their animal companions flying in cargo and promise to abide by all requests.
Pets allowed in cabin: Small dogs and cats
Pets allowed as checked baggage: Yes, larger dogs and cats
Pets allowed in cargo: Yes

5. United Airlines – Non-Discriminating
United Airlines loves animals of all kinds. They accept small cats, dogs and birds in the cabin; rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as checked baggage and other animals including parrots, cockatiels and ferrets in United Cargo. (Shipping by cargo is for items, like some pets, that you can’t check as baggage. Your pet may or may not be on the aircraft with you.) Have a short-nosed dog that you can’t bring in the cabin? Check your date of flight; some breeds and mixes are not allowed in cargo or as checked baggage from June 1 through September 30 of each year.

Pets allowed in cabin: Small cats, dogs and birds
Pets allowed as checked baggage: Depends on the aircraft
Pets allowed in cargo: Yes; however, the type of animal allowed depends on destination and arrival locations
Petfinder.com is also excited about the up-and-coming Pet Airways, which is expected to launch this July. If it’s as top-notch as planned, it will have a nice spot in our 2010 ranking. [source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/07/09/5-most-friendly-airlines-to-pets/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/11/how-to-reduce-lung-cancer-risk-by-55/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/11/how-to-reduce-lung-cancer-risk-by-55/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 06:51:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=508 From naturalnews:

“A higher intake of vitamin E can cut the risk of lung cancer by more than half, researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has found.

In a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers used the National Cancer Institute’s Health Habits and History Questionnaire and Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess the dietary intakes of 1,088 lung cancer patients and 1,414 healthy participants. Participants were further surveyed about various lifestyle factors, including smoking.

The average age of the healthy participants was 60.8, while the average age of the lung cancer participants was 61.7.

Vitamin E occurs in two main groups, the tocopherols and tocotrienols. Each of these groups, in turn, contains four varieties, named alpha, beta, gamma and delta. For the current study, the researchers analyzed participants’ dietary tocopherol intake, dividing it up based on which form it occurred in.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare dietary intakes of the different forms of tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma and delta-tocopherol) and lung cancer risk,” the researchers wrote.

The researchers divided participants into groups based on intake of tocopherols in general and the four different varieties individually, then compared the rate of lung cancer between the groups.

Participants with the highest tocopherol intake were found to have a 55 percent lower risk of lung cancer than participants with the lowest intakes. The average intakes of the two groups were more than 12.95 milligrams per day and less than 6.68 milligrams per day, respectively.

A powerful protective correlation also showed up for alpha-tocopherol, with those consuming the most having a 53 percent lower risk of lung cancer than those with the lowest intake. The highest alpha-tocopherol intake averaged more than 7.73 milligrams per day, while the lowest averaged less than 4.13 milligrams per day.

Higher consumption of beta-, gamma- or delta-tocopherol alone, however, appeared to have no influence on cancer risk.

“We found consistent independent associations for increased dietary alpha-tocopherol intake and risk reduction but did not find independent associations for gamma-, beta- and delta-tocopherol in lung cancer risk,” the researchers wrote.

The European diet typically contains vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol, while the U.S. diet tends to contain it in the form of gamma-tocopherol. Vitamin pills contain mostly alpha-tocopherol.

The study was not designed to analyze by what mechanism tocopherols in general or alpha-tocopherol in particular might act to reduce cancer risk.

“Our data should be useful in stimulating additional epidemiologic and basic science research in the relationship of different forms of vitamin E and cancer,” the researchers wrote.

Foods high in vitamin E include asparagus, avocado, green leafy vegetables, nuts, olives, seeds and wheat germ. A variety of vegetable oils, including canola, corn, cottonseed, red palm, sunflower and soybean are also high in the vitamin.

The new study is not the first to link vitamin E with cancer protection. The vitamin is well known to function as an antioxidant, meaning that it plays an important role in removing particles known as free radicals from the body. These electrically charged molecules are believed to be responsible for some of the cell damage that leads to cancer, other diseases, and the symptoms of aging.”

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/11/how-to-reduce-lung-cancer-risk-by-55/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/09/researchers-find-the-real-reason-why-americans-are-fat/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/09/researchers-find-the-real-reason-why-americans-are-fat/#comments Sat, 09 May 2009 06:07:17 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=505 From scientificblogging:

“New research that uses an innovative approach to study, for the first time, the relative contributions of food and exercise habits to the development of the obesity epidemic has concluded that the rise in obesity in the United States since the 1970s was virtually all due to increased energy intake.

How much of the obesity epidemic has been caused by excess calorie intake and how much by reductions in physical activity has been long debated and while experts agree that making it easier for people to eat less and exercise more are both important for combating it, they debate where the public health focus should be.

A study presented on Friday at the European Congress on Obesity is the first to examine the question of the proportional contributions to the obesity epidemic by combining metabolic relationships, the laws of thermodynamics, epidemiological data and agricultural data.

“There have been a lot of assumptions that both reduced physical activity and increased energy intake have been major drivers of the obesity epidemic. Until now, nobody has proposed how to quantify their relative contributions to the rise in obesity since the 1970s. This study demonstrates that the weight gain in the American population seems to be virtually all explained by eating more calories. It appears that changes in physical activity played a minimal role,” said the study’s leader, Professor Boyd Swinburn, chair of population health and director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University in Australia….”

Read the full article

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/09/researchers-find-the-real-reason-why-americans-are-fat/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/08/all-about-so-called-healthy-food/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/08/all-about-so-called-healthy-food/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 09:52:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=502 From wsj:

“A lot of Americans think they’re eating a healthy diet these days. But it’s easy to be fooled by our assumptions and the ways that food manufacturers play on them.

Take chicken. The average American eats about 90 pounds of it a year, more than twice as much as in the 1970s, part of the switch to lower-fat, lower-cholesterol meat proteins. But roughly one-third of the fresh chicken sold in the U.S. is “plumped” with water, salt and sometimes a seaweed extract called carrageenan that helps it retain the added water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says chicken processed this way can still be labeled “all natural” or “100% natural” because those are all natural ingredients, even though they aren’t naturally found in chicken.

Producers must mention the added ingredients on the package — but the lettering can be small: just one-third the size of the largest letter in the product’s name. If you’re trying to watch your sodium to cut your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, it pays to check the Nutrition Facts label. Untreated chicken has about 45 to 60 mgs of sodium per four-ounce serving. So-called enhanced or “plumped” chicken has between 200 and 400 mgs of sodium per serving, almost as much as a serving of fast-food french fries.

Adding salt water became widespread when big discount stores began selling groceries and wanted to sell chicken at uniform weights and prices. Plumping packaged chicken helps even out the weight. But that means consumers are paying for added salt water at chicken prices — an estimated $2 billion worth every year, according to the Truthful Labeling Coalition, a group of chicken producers that don’t enhance their products.

Makers of enhanced chicken, including some of the biggest U.S. producers, say many consumers prefer it in blind taste tests and that it stays moister. Ray Atkinson, a spokesman for Pilgrim’s Pride, says the company sells both enhanced and unenhanced chicken because consumers ask for it. He also notes that even at 330 mg of sodium, the enhanced chicken qualifies for the American Heart Association’s mark of approval…..”

Read the whole article

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/08/all-about-so-called-healthy-food/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/06/treat-tinnitus-naturally/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/06/treat-tinnitus-naturally/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 10:15:51 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=499 First, what is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (pronounced /tɪˈnaɪtəs/ or /ˈtɪnɪtəs/, from the Latin word tinnītus meaning “ringing”) is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.

Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients it takes the form of a high pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, screaming, humming, or whistling sound, or as ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets” or “tree frogs” or “locusts“, tunes, songs, or beeping. It has also been described as a “wooshing” sound, as of wind or waves^,. Tinnitus can be intermittent or it can be continuous. In the latter case, this “phantom” sound can create great distress in the sufferer.

Tinnitus is not itself a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. Causes include ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, nose allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drain and cause wax build-up, and injury from loud noises. Tinnitus is also a side-effect of some oral medications, such as aspirin, and may also result from an abnormally low level of serotonin activity. It is also a classical side effect of Quinidine, a Class IA anti-arrhythmic. In many cases, however, no underlying physical cause can be identified.

The sound perceived may range from a quiet background noise to one that can be heard even over loud external sounds. The term “tinnitus” usually refers to more severe cases. Heller and Bergman (1953) conducted a study of 80 tinnitus-free university students placed in an anechoic chamber and found that 93% reported hearing a buzzing, pulsing or whistling sound. Cohort studies have demonstrated that damage to hearing (among other health effects) from unnatural levels of noise exposure is very widespread in industrialized countries.

Because tinnitus is often defined as a subjective phenomenon, it is difficult to measure using objective tests, such as by comparison with noise of known frequency and intensity, as in an audiometric test. The condition is often rated clinically on a simple scale from “slight” to “catastrophic” according to the practical difficulties it imposes, such as interference with sleep, quiet activities, and normal daily activities. For research purposes, the more elaborate Tinnitus Handicap Inventory is often used. (source: wikipedia)

How to Cure Tinnitus?

From newmediaexplorer:

“A high number of tinnitus sufferers are deficient in B-12, and Emily A. Kane, naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist, recommends a daily dose of 2,000 mcg of B-12 for one month, followed by a dose of 1,000 mcg daily, if needed. Studies indicate that nutritional supplements can reduce the severity and incidences of tinnitus. Dr. Michael Seidman, MD, Director of the Henry Ford Health System, Department of Otolaryngology, Tinnitus Clinic, in Bloomfield, Michigan, suggests a smorgasbord of antioxidant nutrients: vinpocetine, Ginkgo biloba, ipriflavone, arginine, alpha lipoic acid, zinc, vitamin A, n-acetylcysteine, magnesium, melatonin, Chinese herbs, B vitamins and garlic. Other sources list additional supplements;: vitamin E, C, zinc, and choline, to help with both tinnitus and hearing loss.

Many European doctors and a growing number of U.S. doctors use Ginkgo biloba to treat tinnitus, and a few good trials suggest that this herb may lower the perceived loudness. The advice is to use a Ginkgo product that contains 24% flavone glycosides or “standardized extract.” According to several health experts, the recommended dose varies from 120 to 240 mg daily of the standard Ginkgo in divided doses. Start with the lower dose, and if not effective, increase gradually to the higher dose. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow and nerve function, and is supposed to be quite effective for tinnitus when the cause is poor circulation, but use with caution if taking a blood thinner or if you have a blood disorder. After starting this regimen of Ginkgo, not only will your thinking be sharper within 3 to 10 days, but within 6 weeks your tinnitus should be relieved, says Dr. Kane. Once relief is obtained, lower the dose to a maintenance dose of 40 to 60 mg daily (also in divided doses during the day).”

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/05/06/treat-tinnitus-naturally/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/20/golf-essentials-golf-shoes/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/20/golf-essentials-golf-shoes/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:23:17 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=494 To keep fit and to take part in sports, many of my family members play golf and tennis, and while I did play tennis, I absolutely hated it. This is, most likely, because I was forced to play starting at the age of eight. It was in a sense required of me, which I resented for many years. I was expected to play in tournaments and in school and university tennis teams just like my siblings, but I did not enjoy it so broke away as soon as I could, to learn music. Ah yes, there has to be a black sheep in the family. Always. Anyway, golf was never shoved down my throat like tennis, and now I have a desire to learn how to play. There’s a half golf course not far from my office so I thought I could start with lessons there during work, after work. But before I jump into that, I want to be properly equipped with the correct apparel, gear and whatever else I need before I begin. My first purchase will be golf shoes so if you too, are looking for shoes, you might want to start here:

Golf Shoes

Expect more Golf Essential Gear soon.

Related: For Golfers talking about golf: Golf Empire

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/20/golf-essentials-golf-shoes/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/16/shoppers-guide-to-pesticides/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/16/shoppers-guide-to-pesticides/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:14:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=487 Why Should You Care About Pesticides?
The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood.

Scientists now know enough about the long-term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides.

What’s the Difference?
EWG research has found that people who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. The Guide helps consumers make informed choices to lower their dietary pesticide load.

Will Washing and Peeling Help?
Nearly all the studies used to create these lists assume that people rinse or peel fresh produce. Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate
pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse all produce and buy organic when possible.

How Was This Guide Developed?
EWG analysts have developed the Guide based on data from nearly
87,000 tests for pesticide residues in produce conducted between
2000 and 2007 and collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can find a detailed
description of the criteria EWG used to develop these rankings and
the complete list of fruits and vegetables tested at our dedicated
website, www.foodnews.org.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/16/shoppers-guide-to-pesticides/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/03/the-sad-truth-behind-winter-tomatoes/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/03/the-sad-truth-behind-winter-tomatoes/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:15:38 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=483 Tomatoes are good for you being packed with vitamins and essential nutrients but did you know that the tomatoes you eat during the winter months were probably picked by someone living in virtual slavery? It’s best to stick to a general rule: eat seasonally, eat locally.

Now, more about the politics of the price of tomatoes from gourmet.com:

“Driving from Naples, Florida, the nation’s second-wealthiest metropolitan area, to Immokalee takes less than an hour on a straight road. You pass houses that sell for an average of $1.4 million, shopping malls anchored by Tiffany’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, manicured golf courses. Eventually, gated communities with names like Monaco Beach Club and Imperial Golf Estates give way to modest ranches, and the highway shrivels from six lanes to two. Through the scruffy palmettos, you glimpse flat, sandy tomato fields shimmering in the broiling sun. Rounding a long curve, you enter Immokalee. The heart of town is a nine-block grid of dusty, potholed streets lined by boarded-up bars and bodegas, peeling shacks, and sagging, mildew-streaked house trailers. Mongrel dogs snooze in the shade, scrawny chickens peck in yards. Just off the main drag, vultures squabble over roadkill. Immokalee’s population is 70 percent Latino. Per capita income is only $8,500 a year. One third of the families in this city of nearly 25,000 live below the poverty line. Over one third of the children drop out before graduating from high school.
Immokalee is the tomato capital of the United States. Between December and May, as much as 90 percent of the fresh domestic tomatoes we eat come from south Florida, and Immokalee is home to one of the area’s largest communities of farmworkers. According to Douglas Molloy, the chief assistant U.S. attorney based in Fort Myers, Immokalee has another claim to fame: It is “ground zero for modern slavery.”

The beige stucco house at 209 South Seventh Street is remarkable only because it is in better repair than most Immokalee dwellings. For two and a half years, beginning in April 2005, Mariano Lucas Domingo, along with several other men, was held as a slave at that address. At first, the deal must have seemed reasonable. Lucas, a Guatemalan in his thirties, had slipped across the border to make money to send home for the care of an ailing parent. He expected to earn about $200 a week in the fields. Cesar Navarrete, then a 23-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, agreed to provide room and board at his family’s home on South Seventh Street and extend credit to cover the periods when there were no tomatoes to pick.

Lucas’s “room” turned out to be the back of a box truck in the junk-strewn yard, shared with two or three other workers. It lacked running water and a toilet, so occupants urinated and defecated in a corner. For that, Navarrete docked Lucas’s pay by $20 a week. According to court papers, he also charged Lucas for two meager meals a day: eggs, beans, rice, tortillas, and, occasionally, some sort of meat. Cold showers from a garden hose in the backyard were $5 each. Everything had a price. Lucas was soon $300 in debt. After a month of ten-hour workdays, he figured he should have paid that debt off.

But when Lucas—slightly built and standing less than five and a half feet tall—inquired about the balance, Navarrete threatened to beat him should he ever try to leave. Instead of providing an accounting, Navarrete took Lucas’s paychecks, cashed them, and randomly doled out pocket money, $20 some weeks, other weeks $50. Over the years, Navarrete and members of his extended family deprived Lucas of $55,000.

Taking a day off was not an option. If Lucas became ill or was too exhausted to work, he was kicked in the head, beaten, and locked in the back of the truck. Other members of Navarrete’s dozen-man crew were slashed with knives, tied to posts, and shackled in chains. On November 18, 2007, Lucas was again locked inside the truck. As dawn broke, he noticed a faint light shining through a hole in the roof. Jumping up, he secured a hand hold and punched himself through. He was free.

What happened at Navarrete’s home would have been horrific enough if it were an isolated case. Unfortunately, involuntary servitude—slavery—is alive and well in Florida. Since 1997, law-enforcement officials have freed more than 1,000 men and women in seven different cases. And those are only the instances that resulted in convictions. Frightened, undocumented, mistrustful of the police, and speaking little or no English, most slaves refuse to testify, which means their captors cannot be tried. “Unlike victims of other crimes, slaves don’t report themselves,” said Molloy, who was one of the prosecutors on the Navarrete case. “They hide from us in plain sight.”

And for what? Supermarket produce sections overflow with bins of perfect red-orange tomatoes even during the coldest months—never mind that they are all but tasteless. Large packers, which ship nearly $500 million worth of tomatoes annually to major restaurants and grocery retailers nationwide, own or lease the land upon which the workers toil. But the harvesting is often done by independent contractors called crew bosses, who bear responsibility for hiring and overseeing pickers. Said Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, “We abhor slavery and do everything we can to prevent it. We want to make sure that we always foster a work environment free from hazard, intimidation, harassment, and violence.” Growers, he said, cooperated with law-enforcement officers in the Navarette case…”

Read the rest of this article

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/03/03/the-sad-truth-behind-winter-tomatoes/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/how-to-travel-at-home/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/how-to-travel-at-home/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:37:47 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=480 There’s a wonderful post over at The Traveler’s Notebook about looking at the world where ever you happen to be, as if you’re traveling. It’s inspiring and encourages you to see things with a sense of hopeful awe.

“You know the feeling. You’re walking to the market, to the store, to meet a friend, all caught up in the plodding forward of your day…and then suddenly, you take notice of where you are. The light on a wall, the expressions on people’s faces, the feeling of the weather. A distinct sense of place creeps over you, and for a moment you feel like a traveler.

I love this feeling. It is a relief to me; ah, I haven’t forgotten what I learned on the road. How to be fully present in a place.

But it’s rare at home. We tend to get used to our surroundings pretty quickly, especially if they’re surroundings we’ve grown up in or lived in for years. And this familiarity isn’t all bad—our brains, freed up from paying acute attention to the unknown, can focus on other things—writing, school, relationships, work, projects.

And yet sometimes, the desire (Overwhelming! Insatiable! Get me on a freaking bus to Belize!) for that novelty and spark of travel is overwhelming. Sometimes a sense of …” Continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/how-to-travel-at-home/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/things-your-grocer-wont-tell-you/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/things-your-grocer-wont-tell-you/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:03:52 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=477 From rdliving:

“1. If you hate crowds and lines, shop at dinnertime (5 to 9 p.m.) or even later. Only 4 percent of shoppers hit the aisles between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Least-crowded day of the week? Wednesday.

2. Go ahead and reach way back for the fresh milk. Everybody does.

3. Coupons with a bar code are easy to scan. The other ones take an eternity. But if you’re willing to wait …

4. That star fruit has been here a lot longer than the broccoli. Familiar produce turns over more quickly than exotic things.

5. “The more products you see, the more you are likely to buy,” says Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat. “That’s why the aisles are so long and the milk is usually in the far corner.”

6. Like employees with a good attitude? Shop at chains that are employee-owned, suggest customer-satisfaction surveys. When employees have a stake in the profits, it shows in their attitude.

7. The “grazers” order food at the deli, eat it as they’re shopping, and get rid of the wrappers before they check out. We also call that stealing.
8. I’m not just selling groceries, I’m selling real estate. Look high and low-literally-for good values from smaller manufacturers who can’t afford to stock their products in the eye-level sweet spot.

9. We’re marketing to your kids too. That’s why we put the rainbow-colored cereals and other kiddie catnip at their eye level.

10. Be wary of “specials.” When people see signs with numbers-”8 for $10!” “Limit: 5 per customer”—they buy 30 to 100 percent more than they otherwise might have.

11. The baby formula is locked up because thieves resell it on the black market. Ditto for the cough and cold medications, smoking-cessation products, razor blades, and batteries.

12. Driving your Ferrari to the Piggly Wiggly and want to avoid shopping-cart dents? Park far, far away.

13. You’ll end up tossing 12 percent of what you buy.”

Read 16 more things your grocer hides from you

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/27/things-your-grocer-wont-tell-you/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/18/reasons-why-sugar-is-dangerous-for-you/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/18/reasons-why-sugar-is-dangerous-for-you/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:43:29 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=474 From rheumatic.org:

“1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.

2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.

3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.

4. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

5. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).

6. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.

7. Sugar reduces high density lipoproteins.

8. Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.

9 Sugar leads to cancer of the ovaries.

10. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.

11. Sugar causes copper deficiency.

12. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

13. Sugar can weaken eyesight.

14. Sugar raises the level of a neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

15. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

16. Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.

17. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.

18. Sugar malabsorption is frequent in patients with functional bowel disease.

19. Sugar can cause premature aging.

20. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.

21. Sugar can cause tooth decay.

22. Sugar contributes to obesity

23. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

24. Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

25. Sugar can cause arthritis.

26. Sugar can cause asthma.

27. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).

28. Sugar can cause gallstones.

29. Sugar can cause heart disease.

30. Sugar can cause appendicitis.

31. Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.

32. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.

33. Sugar can cause varicose veins.

34. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.

35. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

36. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

37. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.

38. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

39. Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol in the blood.

40. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.

41. Sugar can increase cholesterol.

42. Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.

43. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.

44. High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs)(Sugar bound non-enzymatically to protein)

45. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.

46. Sugar causes food allergies….”

Continued reading the 100 MORE reasons!

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/18/reasons-why-sugar-is-dangerous-for-you/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/16/corn-syrup-contains-mercury/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/16/corn-syrup-contains-mercury/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:55:36 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=469 Just in case you missed this important finding that mercury is found in corn syrup, here’s a little article from the washington post. However, even if corn syrup had NO mercury, it’s still remains to be an unhealthful choice. Sadly, it’s in practically everything processed. That should indicate that one should avoid it as much as possible.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

“Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply,” the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies, said in a prepared statement.

In the first study, published in current issue of Environmental Health, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS.

And in the second study, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), a non-profit watchdog group, found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was found most commonly in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.

But an organization representing the refiners is disputing the results published in Environmental Health….” continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/16/corn-syrup-contains-mercury/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/01/11-heart-healthy-foods/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/01/11-heart-healthy-foods/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:28:20 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=459 More and more people are finding themselves with heart disease, and it’s no longer just about older adults. Increasingly, and alarmingly, many kids and teens are reported to be having problems related to heart disease. Here are a few heart healthy foods that everyone should add to their diets, not just for heart healthiness, but for overall health. In all cases, stick with ORGANIC ingredients. Non-organic fruit and other items tend to have chemicals such as pesticides, flavor enhancers and dangerous heavy metals. Note: Always consult your health care provider first about a different diet if you are taking medicines or undergoing any treatments for health issues, particularly heart disease.

Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated fat, healthy fats. They help lower LDL cholesterol levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body. They allow for the absorption of other carotenoids, particularly beta carotene and lycopene, which are absolutely essential for heart health.

Berries – Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are full of anti-inflammatory ingredients, which reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. Berries in general are important for vascular health. Be sure to only choose organic berries, as non-organic fruit tend to contain dangerous amounts of pesticides, chemicals and other toxic ingredients.

Beans Fill up on fiber with chickpeas (garbanzo beans) lentils, kidney beans and blac, beans. They have lots of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and soluble fiber.

Nuts Walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts are all chock full of omega-3 fatty acids and mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Almonds are super rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts contain fiber, very important and a good source of healthy fat.”

Garlic contains allicin, which reacts with red blood cells and produces hydrogen sulphide. This relaxes the blood vessels, and keeps blood flowing easily.

Salmon is extremely rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is known to reduce blood pressure and keep clotting to a minimum. Salmon contains an ingredient called, carotenoid astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant. Important note: Choose wild salmon over farm raised salmon (or farm raised fish in general), which is proven to be packed with pesticides, insecticides and heavy metals.

Olive Oil is packed with monounsaturated fats. It has a tendency to lower bad LDL cholesterol and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. It’s best when used in salad dressings.

Oranges – Rich in Vitamin C, oranges protect arteries from free radicals, highly damaging molecules that cause our cells to oxidize. Oranges also contain folate, which processes the amino acid homocysteine in our bodies. Without folate, your risk of a heart attack is greater. Potassium in oranges play a key role in heart functions and muscle contractions. The calcium in oranges help maintain normal blood pressure, and magnesium helps your heart maintain a steady rhythm and normal blood pressure.

Spinach – helps keep your heart in top shape thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.

Flaxseeds – Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a little sprinkling of flaxseeds can be incredibly beneficial for your heart. Add it to yogurt or cereal for a healthy start in the morning.

Oatmeal is full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood is able to lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Choose coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties—which contain more fiber. Remember to add some flaxseeds and blueberries.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/02/01/11-heart-healthy-foods/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/28/make-your-own-clothes/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/28/make-your-own-clothes/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:33:28 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=455
Easily become an amazing seamstress with the Singer 7470 Computerized Sewing Machine with 1000+ Stitch. Make decorative stitches, seam, stitch and hem with the simple push a a button to select the stitch, width & length! Not to mention, 173 built in stitches, built in alphabet, hand look quilt stitch, stretch stitches ane more! Includes, LCD display which shows the stitch selected, settings and all your creative adjustments. The twin needle mode monitors warns you if the stitch width is too wide or if your needle is broken, making this machine exceptional! Accessories included: general purpose foot, satin special purpose (decorative sewing), one step buttonhole foot, zipper foot, blind hem foot. Warranty: 25 year limited warranty including 25 years parts, 5 year electronic and 1 year labor.

Find out more or get one of the most popular and well rated sewing machines for your home; click below:

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]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/28/make-your-own-clothes/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/26/ten-of-the-most-dangerous-foods/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/26/ten-of-the-most-dangerous-foods/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:53:08 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=448
From Sprig:

“We all love to eat, but the ugly reality is that some foods can make you sick. We’re not talking about salmonella here; none of what’s listed below should send you directly to the hospital with a debilitating illness, though Jeremy Piven recently claimed to have mercury sickness from a diet too rich in sushi. While the verdict is still out on Piven’s poisoning, certain foods, when eaten too frequently, can pose a very real health risk over time (especially if you are thinking of having a baby or if you are feeding a small child).

The dangers of these foods range from PCBs in certain fish, to large trace amounts of pesticides on fresh fruit and veggies. This past year, the National Institutes of Health even linked long-term pesticide exposure to diabetes. To avoid these health risks, we came up with a list of ten foods to beware, both for your health and for the health of the environment.

1. Farmed Salmon
Tim Fitzgerald, a scientist with the Oceans Program of the Environmental Defense Fund, says, “Salmon is the third most popular seafood in the US, so people are eating a lot of it and most of what they’re eating is farmed. As a result of the feed salmon are given, they are very high in PCBs and environmental contaminants. For reasons of health, the environment, and popularity with consumers, farmed salmon is at the top of the list of seafood to avoid.” The average dioxin level in farmed-raised salmon is 11 times higher than that in wild salmon .

2. Conventionally Grown Bell Peppers
Even though pesticides are present in most food at very small trace levels, their negative impact on health is well documented, and certain produce carries a greater risk. According to a report done by the Environmental Working Group, sweet bell peppers are the vegetable with the most pesticides detected on a single sample (as many as 11 were found on one sample). In addition, bell peppers are the vegetable with the most pesticides overall with 64 different pesticides found on samples. Better to buy organic and eliminate this risk.

3. Non-Organic Strawberries
In order to increase sweetness, some growers of non-organic strawberries are said to irrigate the plants with water laced with the artificial sweetener NutraSweet. And that luscious red color is caused by the fungicide captan, recognized by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen. Do you really want to eat something bathed in a chemical sweetener and doused with a likely cancer-causer? Probably not.

4. Chilean Sea Bass
Chilean sea bass, otherwise known as Patagonian toothfish, lives for a very long time and grows to a large size; both are automatic warning bells for being high in mercury. Fitzgerald says, “We have some pretty comprehensive data that Chilean sea bass are extraordinarily high in mercury and not something you want to eat very often. When you factor in the very serious environmental issues with illegal fishing and bycatch, it’s definitely a double whammy for us.”

“That said, we don’t want to give the impression that if you eat one piece of fish with mercury, you’re going to get mercury poisoning. But if you continually eat fish with a lot of mercury over an extended period of time, that’s when you’re going to see more serious issues like unexplainable fatigue, memory problems, and tingling or numbness in your extremities,” Fitzgerald says.

5. Non-Organic Peaches
Peaches aren’t just juicy and delicious, they’re magnets for pesticides, often topping the Organic Center’s consumer’s pocket guide for pesticide-riddled produce. The Center’s chief scientist Charles Benbrook says, “Peaches top the list because their skins get soft at the end of their season on the tree and the last pesticide spray can move right through that skin and get into the tissue of the fruit in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s easy to find peaches with ten different pesticide residues in them.”

Benbrook adds, “The last thing that we want to do is scrooge people from eating fresh fruits and vegetables. If anything, we want people to eat two to three more servings of produce a day. But the science is irrefutable. If the average family sought out organic versions of the top four fruits and vegetables they eat the most often, they could eliminate 90% of their overall pesticide exposure.”

6. Genetically Modified Corn
If you read Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the more shocking truths is the amount of corn found in the American diet. Corn is in everything from frozen yogurt to ketchup, from mayonnaise and mustard to hot dogs and vitamins. Unless specified as organic, the corn you’re ingesting is likely genetically modified. Genetically modified organisms have not been tested thoroughly enough for long-term consequences, but a series of studies has found significant health risks in animals tested, and an increase in certain allergies for humans.

7. Bluefin Tuna
Maybe it’s a good thing that not everyone has the luxury of eating a lot of toro at the sushi bar, because bluefin tuna is in grave danger from a population perspective. It’s also one of the more dangerous fish for mercury consumption, making it both a bad eco choice and a health risk for mercury exposure. Fitzgerald says, “The bluefin tuna is in such horrible shape right now. There are some populations that may go commercially extinct in the near future if we don’t ease up on the fishing.”

8. Industrially Farmed Chicken
While there has been much debate over chickens and hormones, there exists a great deal of misinformation. Poultry is not allowed to be given hormones in the United States, so while reports have existed for years that schoolchildren are experiencing early puberty due to excess hormones traced to chicken, there have not been enough studies done to prove this conclusively .

What we do know is that tests done by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy found arsenic in conventional chickens. Arsenic has been linked to cancer and contributes to other diseases including heart disease, diabetes and deterioration of mental faculties. In addition, a study conducted in 2002 for the Sierra Club and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy found multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria in brand-name poultry products . Scientists believe antibiotic use in animals raised for food contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria transferred to humans, mainly through contaminated food, resulting in drug-resistant infections. In order to avoid poultry that’s been dosed with antibiotics or given feed laced with arsenic, better to opt for an organic chicken at the grocery store.

9. Non-Organic Apples
“Apples come with a red flag based on the sheer amount of apples in our diet and the reliance of pesticides in humid parts of the country,” says Benbrook. Apple skins contain higher pesticide residues. Higher risk apples are grown in the humid mid-Atlantic states and Michigan: They use more pesticides than California, Oregon or Washington state. A lot of those pesticides seep into the skin of the apple, so it’s always good to peel it. Unfortunately, approximately 1/3 of the nutrients come off with the peel, according to Benbrook.

10. Cattle Treated With rBGH
The use of genetically engineered drug rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) is widespread among the cattle industry in the United States. Banned by all European nations and Canada, U.S. dairy farmers continue to use the synthetic hormone which escalates production of the cow’s own hormone ICF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). This hormone does not break down when humans consume milk from those cows and has been traced to higher risks of certain cancers, including breast cancer, and hormonal disorders. The only guarantee against ingesting these dangerous excess hormones is to buy milk labeled “no rBGH.” [source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/26/ten-of-the-most-dangerous-foods/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/24/guide-to-self-employment/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/24/guide-to-self-employment/#comments Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:18:41 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=445 From time:

“So you lost your job. Now what? As an employee, you had a daily routine, health insurance coverage, and a regular paycheck. You liked the security—while it lasted. And if you sometimes daydreamed about the freedom of working for yourself, leaving a full-time job never seemed worth the risk.

But now, laid off into a recession and the worst job market in decades—2.6 million Americans lost jobs in 2008, with 524,000 eliminated in December alone—you may be thinking self-employment sounds like the best path out of unemployment. Rather than try to land one of the few open jobs out there, maybe you could work as a freelancer or consultant, at least until the job market recovers. You’re in good company: There were nearly 9 million self-employed workers in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But if you’re among the thousands of unemployed now trying to go it alone, where do you start?

First, step back. Decide what your goals are and how freelancing will help you achieve them, says Pamela Slim, author of the Escape From Cubicle Nation blog and a forthcoming book of the same name. “It’s obviously very easy at the point of being laid off to really come from a position of fear and desperation,” she says. Thinking about long-term goals from the start will keep you grounded and help you determine how to proceed. Once you’re clear on your goals, Slim says, you should ask: “What are the specific skills, knowledge, money, resources, information, and contacts [you] need to bring that picture to life?”

Health Care

There are plenty of nuts-and-bolts concerns that can overwhelm first-time freelancers, especially those who suddenly lost steady jobs. Chief among them is health care. The health insurance system does not accommodate… “ continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/24/guide-to-self-employment/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/18/eight-stupid-things-george-bush-said-about-the-environment/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/18/eight-stupid-things-george-bush-said-about-the-environment/#comments Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:38:44 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=441 From alternet:

“Austin, Texas, Dec. 20, 2000: “Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it is a product that we can find in our neighborhoods.” (Source: Treehugger)

Washington, D.C. March 13, 2001: “There are some monuments where the land is so widespread, they just encompass as much as possible. And the integral part of the–the precious part, so to speak–I guess all land is precious, but the part that the people uniformly would not want to spoil, will not be despoiled. But there are parts of the monument lands where we can explore without affecting the overall environment.” (Source: Slate)

Washington, D.C., January 6, 2009: “The new steps I’ve announced today are the capstone of an eight-year commitment to strong environmental protection and conservation.” Check out this interesting graphic from the Natural Resources Defense Council illustrating the last eight years in environmental policy…

New Delhi, India, Mar. 2, 2006 “Obviously, nu-que-lar power is, uh, a renewable source of energy, and the less demand there is for non-renewable sources of energy, like fossil fuels, the better it off it is for the American people.” Well, he got the second part right, but nuclear energy produced from uranium is, uh, not renewable as far as we know… (Source: Treehugger)

Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005: “We’re spending money on clean coal technology. Do you realize we’ve got 250 million years of coal?” (Source: Slate)

Michigan, September 2000, explaining his energy policies: “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.” (Source: AP)

A Freudian slip made while addressing Australian Prime Minister John Howard at the APEC Summit, Sept. 7, 2007: “Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit.”

And a bonus: “[It's] time for the human race to enter the solar system.”

While we’re talking about W, let’s give him a little help to pack up his junk at the Whitehouse. He needs to clear out for Obama. Click here: Help Bush Pack

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/18/eight-stupid-things-george-bush-said-about-the-environment/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/15/forget-cereal-and-eat-a-healthy-breakfast-some-suggestions/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/15/forget-cereal-and-eat-a-healthy-breakfast-some-suggestions/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:31:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=435
I’ve written several posts about this but I can’t stress enough that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and as the most important meal of the day, it should be healthy. So, why do so many people eat commercial cereals? WHY? WHY people!?? Those of you who eat those mass made cereals, do me a favor, ok? Open the cereal box and stick your nose inside at the top. Now. Take a big SNIFF. Really think about what you’re smelling. To me, it doesn’t really even smell like food. At BEST, it smells like dried dog food. Guess what? There are many common ingredients in cereal and dog food. All that aside, just think about how you’re eating something that isn’t very healthy for you. No matter how many are vitamin fortified, forget about it. They HAVE been fortified but the processing kills most of the nutrients leaving you with nearly nothing. Why do you want to eat THAT for your most important meal? Anyway, here are my suggestions.

Don’t be a lazy bastard.
Gah, you might be thinking, you don’t have to be such a biatch. Sorry. I can’t help it when it comes to important things. So many people I know ALWAYS use the excuse, “I don’t have enough time in the morning to prepare anything, so we (or my kids) eat cereals or protein bars. It’s easy, fast and…” – let me finish that line for you, “CRAPPY FOR THEM.” You can’t argue with me; it’s true. Now, get a conscience and get caring about you and your kids’ health! I just can’t believe I have to tell you this.

Make a yummy nutritious meal for breakfast.
Ok if you HAVE to use that stupid, lame excuse of not having enough time in the morning, then prepare some things the night before so you have little to prepare the next day. Here’s one example (but DO search online for a variety of ideas) Make some whole wheat or multi-grain scones the night before, then in the morning eat them with organic almond butter and some organic jam. Or simply with fruit. Make a quick side of scrambled eggs and voila. Yummy and healthy meal.

Be more organized – Plan for the whole week and vary meals.
This also relates to the previous idea, “don’t be a lazy bastard.” If you plan for the week, your breakfast life will be smooth as peanut butter. During the weekends, plan your meals for every week day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something different every single day, depending on the tastes of you and your family members, but it should vary to an extent. This is important so your bodies receive a variety of nutrients instead of the very same ones day after day. For example, if you have kids love their home-made organic muesli, allow it Tuesday and Thursday one week, then for the next week allow it Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Vary the kinds of fruit and nuts you add to the muesli. Maybe once in a while add yogurt instead of whole, raw organic milk.

Make Pancakes better.
If you and your family likes pancakes once in a while, instead of using just white flour, add more hearty and healthy flours into the mix like whole wheat flour and buckwheat flour. Also, make sure if you do use white flour, that it is non-bleached and organic. Use organic ingredients as much as possible including eggs, sugar and milk.

Offer all kinds of different spreads for toast.If there’s a die-hard, “gotta have” toast in the a.m., offer different things to spread on it: Peanut butter, coconut butter, almond butter or other kinds of nut butters, tahini, organic butters and cream cheese, organic fruit and jams. Or something completely different: pickled herring, organic cheeses, a poached egg, veggies. How ’bout some organic maple syrup?

The organic tortilla is your friend for breakfast.
I’ve been recently been liking brown rice tortillas but there are many kinds that are good for your health. Tortillas are champions in convenience and you can put all kinds of things into them. Breakfast burritos, veggies and scrambled eggs, bean and cheese, fruity wraps…you will only be limited by your imagination. And if you run out of ideas, look online for more ideas! You don’t have to be alone in this breakfast dilemma.

Let smoothies rule.
There’s nothing more healthy than throwing some fruit, plain yogurt or juice into a blender and make a refreshing, scrumptious and satisfying smoothie. Add some flax seed meal into it and you may become addicted to this excellent meal in a glass. Make sure to vary fruit and ingredients for your smoothies!

Related: Why you shouldn’t eat popular breakfast cereals, More reasons to give up Cereal, especially Corn Flakes! Healthy Organic Breakfasts

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/15/forget-cereal-and-eat-a-healthy-breakfast-some-suggestions/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/13/give-up-on-your-workout-already-its-not-you-its-the-workout/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/13/give-up-on-your-workout-already-its-not-you-its-the-workout/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:15:34 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=426
^{Surfing might be right for you}

We’re just barely finishing the second week of the new year, and you’ve already gone off your workout. Have you given up completely? Will this be another new year’s resolution categorized as fail? Are you simply pushing forward the same ole resolution year after year because you can’t stick to the workout? Have I made you feel even worse than you already feel? Sorry ’bout that. I really don’t mean to do that because, in fact, I’m here to tell you that you probably gave up on your workout because it’s not the right workout. Really! It isn’t you; it’s the workout. Now, it’s time to figure out what will work for you.

Here’s an example: When I first started taking Tai Chi, I absolutely loved it (and still do) and knew I could stick to that for a long while. It is something that transcends me to another place, a place where I want to be day after day. It made sense in the deepest perspective and it was right for me. I took the class with my friend, Penny, who had the exact opposite reaction to it. She hated it so much, it was nearly torture. Actually, she’d remarked that she’d prefer torture to doing Tai Chi. She would rather have someone cut off her arm or stab her a million times or set her hair on fire than do Tai Chi. I was baffled. How could someone deeply hate something I deeply love so much?

But hey, I’m not one to dwell. I let it go. Tai Chi and Penny were not meant to be partners. End of discussion. And you should do the same if this happens to you. So, if you started your pilates or jazz dance or yoga or whatever you thought would help you keep a regular exercise regime and keep you fit and keep your weight at a manageable level – but gave up, don’t worry. You now need to find what’s best for you.

I don’t know what is best for you; only you and you alone know what is best for you. That said, if you try something and you cannot make a commitment to it, drop it! If you don’t find your “groove” or “flow” or “bliss,” forget about it. It’s as simple as that, BUT! don’t give up. Try other things until you find the right thing. Consider the following. If you can’t get into yoga or tai chi because you find it a little on the boring side or not active enough, try something like dance or aerobics or rock climbing or spinning or biking or hiking or skiing or surfing or soccer or swimming or basketball… Are you more of a mellow, steady and ready for mind and body challenges – kind of person? Maybe you will like martial arts, fencing, dancing the tango or ballroom dancing. Are you more of a social person? Try team sports, tennis, dance classes… You see where I’m going with this right?

There are LOTS of things to try, but it first helps to figure yourself out then go from there. If you get too bored running, obviously, don’t do that activity. If you love nature and being outdoors because it makes you feel more connected to the universe, by all means, partake in activities that involve nature. If you need to be alone have an intense workout incorporating mind, body and spirit, you will most likely be well matched with yoga, tai chi; maybe the Wii Fit is a good fit for you? The most important thing is to NOT give up.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/13/give-up-on-your-workout-already-its-not-you-its-the-workout/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/12/are-you-a-rejuvenile/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/12/are-you-a-rejuvenile/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:30:51 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=417
I just finished watching Weeds – Season Two, which is so excellent, by the way, and I noticed that in many scenes where people are reading books, you’ll see a book called, “Rejuvenile” by Christopher Noxon. It turns out that he is the husband of Weeds’ creator, Jenji Kohan.

Without a doubt, I am rejuvenile, not to mention too, that I have some weird connection with Weeds. There are just so many references that I can relate to, or that I already know about like the game “Carcassone,” which was incorporated into an episode. How many people even know or CARE about that? I know about it! And Dinah? They have free internet so I go there when I’m in town. Not too crazy about the food, however. Anyway, maybe it’s because I’m originally from L.A. that I simply see all of the stuff I grew up around. I haven’t lived in L.A. for a long time but it’s always fun to see my home town, a crazy wacko kooky village as it may be.

Back to Rejuvenile. Here’s an excerpt from Publishers Weekly: According to journalist Noxon, rejuveniles-adults who use childhood past-times as “a way of maintaining wonder, trust, and silliness in a world where these qualities are often in short supply”-are proliferating, and unlike other books on the topic of “kidults” (aka “twixters,” “boomerangers,” and “generation debt”), his book says this is largely good. Viewing the bright side of oft-bemoaned evidence showing increasing numbers of young adults living with parents and postponing marriage, Noxon has made an entertaining but incomplete read. In appropriately playful prose, he considers successful adults who play in rock n’ roll nursery rhyme cover bands, attend Disney World without kids, and happily plunk down 10 bucks to see Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie. Avoiding “The Downside of Now” until the end, Noxon almost admits that he isn’t telling the whole story of the rejuveniles: although it’s “nice to think of rejuveniles as freethinking romantics,” which he theretofore does, “it’s clear that outside forces also have a hand in shaping who rejuveniles are.” Those outside forces? Not crushing student loans, a stagnant job market or political age-bias, but “the media.” Of course, Noxon would probably just as soon leave worrying to grown-ups of the old school-he’ll be on the kickball field instead.

Want to get the book? Click the link below.

Rejuvenile: Kickball, Cartoons, Cupcakes, and the Reinvention of the American Grown-up

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/12/are-you-a-rejuvenile/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/08/ingredients-to-avoid-in-protein-bars/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/08/ingredients-to-avoid-in-protein-bars/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:42:45 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=410
From kitchentablemedicine.com:

“What are the 5 Most Harmful Ingredients Commonly Found in Nutrition Bars?

1. Trans fats are listed as “partially hydrogenated” oils in a packaged food’s ingredients list. Trans fats have been shown to increase total cholesterol and contribute to heart disease. They also spur inflammation, an over-activity of the immune system that has been implicated in heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

The good news is that as of January 1, 2006, trans fats are required by law to be enumerated in a food’s Nutrition Facts Panel. Despite ever increasing public awareness, however, trans fats still have a place on the FDA’s “GRAS” (generally regarded as safe) list so watch out for their continued use.

2. Fractionated Palm Kernel Oils are an increasingly popular ingredient in bars today. They are commonly used to help stiffen chocolate coatings that would otherwise not be solid a room temperature. This “fractionation” process dramatically raises the saturated fat content of the oil, and confers many of the same anti-melting shelf stability aspects of trans fats.

It appears that fractionated oils may be taking the place of trans fats in certain products, stepping in as public awareness about trans fats rises. While more research is needed to determine the extent of the health risks of fractionated oils, it’s clear that they confer a higher level of saturated fat and a poorer quality fat profile overall.

3. Sorbitol, Mannitol, & Maltitol are sweeteners known as sugar alcohols. Manufacturers of candies and many sports bars use sugar alcohols as a replacement for conventional sugar or high fructose corn syrup. These sugar alcohols taste sweet, but have less of an impact on blood sugar levels compared to traditional cane sugar. Unfortunately there are several myths and popular misconceptions surrounding sugar alcohols.

Myth 1: Sugar alcohols are calorie free. This is unfortunately false. The most commonly used sugar alcohols have between 50-75% of the calories per gram of table sugar.

Myth 2: Sugar Alcohols only slightly raise blood sugar. While it’s true that most sugar alcohols have a lower glycemic index (or effect on blood sugar) than traditional table sugar, the effect is hardly negligible.

Despite fewer calories per gram, Sugar alcohols can raise blood sugar anywhere from 50-100% of the amount expected from table sugar alone. This means that some sugar alcohols may contribute to blood sugar swings & crashes normally associated with “traditional” sugary snacks & treats.

Myth 3: Sugar alcohols have no side-effects. Untrue! Sugar alcohols are not fully digested and absorbed by the body, so some of the compounds remain in the gut and are allowed to pass to the colon; an area sugars are normally never allowed to enter.

These sugars can pull extra water into the colon via osmosis, leading to diarrhea and cramping. They can also be fermented by the bacteria that normally inhabit this area of the digestive tract, leading to increased flatulence. The “threshold” or amount required to produce this effect varies from person to person.

So, not all sugar alcohols are created equally.

4. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a high glycemic sweetener, equivalent to sucrose (table sugar) in the degree of sweetness and calories per gram. While the research is unclear about whether or not HFCS is more harmful to health…” continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/08/ingredients-to-avoid-in-protein-bars/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/04/whitening-teeth-naturally/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/04/whitening-teeth-naturally/#comments Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:26:54 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=405
While there are several products out in the market that claim to whiten your teeth, don’t you wonder if they are safe to use? Afterall, you ingest much of what is on them by the mere fact that they are inside your mouth. Do you know the chemicals in them? Do you know what kinds of health effects they can have on you? For me, I’d just rather avoid them, altogether. If you’d like to know about more natural ways to whiten your teeth, read below. These are home remedies that are safer and cheaper.

Walnut tree bark – rub walnut tree bark on your teeth. This helps remove stains from your teeth. This is one of the best teeth whitening cures.

Bicarbonate of soda – Brush your teeth with bicarbonate of soda just 5 minutes before brushing your teeth with normal toothpaste in the morning. You should see an improvement after several weeks.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide – Mix these together to form a toothpaste and efficiently brush your teeth regularly with this paste. It should remove all stains in a month.

Orange Peel Rub the inside of an orange peel (the white part) against your teeth and this should help in you teeth whitening treatment.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) – Brush your teeth every night with apple cider vinegar. This is known to be an effective home remedy for teeth whitening.

Strawberries – are considered natural remedy for teeth whitening. Rubbing the teeth with strawberries daily will remove all the stains. Remember to eat them because strawberries are also good for you.

Ash – Brushing your teeth with hard wood ash is also beneficial as it contains a teeth whitener – potassium hydroxide. It may not be the most tasty but it’s effective.

Your diet matters – Certain foods you eat help your teeth stay nice and white: celery, apples and carrots clean your teeth naturally by way of chewing vigorously, and other foods like lettuce, strawberries, lemons, broccoli and spinach prevent staining by either creating a sort of film that protects your teeth from stains or cleans them well.

Brush! – To prevent discoloration and permanent staining of your teeth brush after every meal.

Lemon juice and salt – Mix the two to create a paste and apply to yellowing spots on teeth. It’s been reported that this is one of themost effective home remedies for teeth whitening.

Avoid excessive consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, carbonated drinks and smoking to ensure your teeth will keep their shiny white glow.

Lemon – Dip your toothbrush in lemon juice and brush your teeth well. This is also effective home remedy for teeth whitening. And refreshing, too!

Nail Biting – Don’t do this. This damages your teeth, and it’s just a horrible habit overall.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/04/whitening-teeth-naturally/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/03/the-healing-powers-of-licorice/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/03/the-healing-powers-of-licorice/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:52:27 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=401
Since a very long time ago, licorice, which is a root (not an herb), has been popularly used for upper respiratory problems, sore throats, bronchitis, coughs, and excess catarrh. It has been known to soothe and reduce coughing, and its antiviral effectiveness is particularly good for mouth ulcers and cold sores.

The healing powers of licorice: a remedy for gastritis, peptic ulcers, and abdominal cramping. Some studies report that licorice can increase gastric juices by as much as twenty-five percent without changing the natural pH of the stomach, making licorice noteworthy for proper digestion.

Licorice also has an anti-inflammatory effect. This root is often added to formulas for chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritic and rheumatic complaints.

Notes: Always check with your health care provider if this is good for you. Licorice should not be used in excess or by people with diabetes, heart conditions or high blood pressure. Also please avoid licorice if you happen to be taking diuretics or using potassium supplements. Licorice has been known to have negative effects on estrogen-sensitive conditions, on thyroid hormone production, and it should not be combined with prescription corticosteroids.

Order Some Panda All Natural Soft Licorice

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/03/the-healing-powers-of-licorice/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/02/make-your-own-yogurt/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/02/make-your-own-yogurt/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:12:15 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=395
In my continuing effort to live more greenly, I’m happy to recommend another kitchen appliance that will help you not only make your own yogurt, but will also get you to be more environmentally friendly. How? You will not end up with hundreds, if not thousands of plastic yogurt cups that eventually end up in landfills. Make your own yogurt and you will be eating more healthy and you will be much kinder to the planet. But wait, the best part is that this yogurt maker makes yogurt by the quart, so you will not have to clean teeny individual yogurt cups, as with the other kinds of yogurt makers. I love this feature. Lastly, I recommend using organic, raw whole milk when making yogurt.

Get Your 1-Quart Yogurt Maker Now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2009/01/02/make-your-own-yogurt/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/31/diy-green-kid-safe-home-cleaning-products/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/31/diy-green-kid-safe-home-cleaning-products/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:55:44 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=392 From inhabitots:

“Why should you take the time to make homemade cleaners? Well, first of all, plenty of studies show that toxic, conventional cleaning supplies are bad for your health, your child’s health, and the planet’s health. See the following posts for more information…

* Expectant mamas should limit use of toxic household cleaning products
* Poisons Under Your Sink: Hidden Dangers of Cleaning Products
* How many cleaning supplies are under your sink that your child could safely drink?
* The Dangers of Home Cleaning Supplies

The above health issues are reason enough to make green cleaners, but just in case you need more reasons: homemade cleaners smell better, work just as well, cut down on packaging, and save you money. Lastly, this is a very simple green step you can take at home, yet the rewards are huge – cleaner indoor air quality and a healthy, happy family.

WHAT SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:

You need very few supplies to make homemade cleaning products. Most of the items you’ll need, you likely have around the house already…

1. A few plain old spray bottles. You can…” continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/31/diy-green-kid-safe-home-cleaning-products/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/30/what-happens-to-your-food-when-you-microwave-it/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/30/what-happens-to-your-food-when-you-microwave-it/#comments Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:40:10 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=389 From beyondhealth.com:

“More than 90% of homes in the US have a microwave oven. Builders routinely install these ovens in new homes and hardly a restaurant is without one. They are fast, convenient, economical, and ideally suited to the fast pace of modern lifestyles. There is only one problem with microwave ovens—they are extremely hazardous to your health. It is hard to conceive of any reasonable person who would eat microwaved foods if they understood the hazards. Obviously, very few people truly comprehend these hazards. And no one is rushing to educate them! Let’s have a look at some of the problems with this technology:

Microwaves, very short waves of electromagnetic energy, are just part of Mother Nature’s energy spectrum. This spectrum includes visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light along with radio waves, x-rays, and so forth. Microwaves are generated by the sun along with visible light and the other invisible parts of the spectrum. However, there is a big difference between what the sun generates and what is generated in a microwave oven. This difference is the result of the alternating current used to generate the oven microwaves.

Here is how microwaves cook food: All electromagnetic waves change from positive to negative with each cycle of the wave. Alternating current simply makes these cycles happen faster. Water molecules have a positive and a negative end. Because of this, when exposed to microwave energy, which is changing from positive to negative, the water molecules rotate. This is similar to making a pin rotate on a surface by using a magnet. Microwaves, generated by the alternating current in an oven, cause the water molecules in the food to rotate billions of times per second. This results in an enormous amount of friction among these molecules, thus causing the food to get hot.

It has been generally assumed that microwaved foods are safe to eat. In fact, the only concern of our regulators has been about the leakage of microwaves from the oven. Surprisingly, regulators have never questioned whether the microwaved foods themselves are safe.

In 1991, an early clue that microwaved food is not safe came to public attention in the form of a …” continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/30/what-happens-to-your-food-when-you-microwave-it/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/25/happy-holidays/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/25/happy-holidays/#comments Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:01:38 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=387

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/25/happy-holidays/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/22/the-murdered-white-house-it-guy/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/22/the-murdered-white-house-it-guy/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:59:24 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=382 You might have already heard about the recent story about the IT Guy being killed in a so-called plane accident. I’m not sure why people are saying it’s an accident; it so obviously was a hit, a murder, foul play, whatever you want to call it – and it should come out into the public for what it is: MURDER. If any of you think that it was an accident that Michael Connell, White House IT Guy, was killed just before having to testify against Karl Rove and the Bush administration, you are seriously naiive and in denial about the unscrupulous schemings by the current U.S. administration. Thankfully, they’ll be out the door in a few weeks.

Some info from at-Largely:

“Mike Connell set-up the alternate email and communications system for the White House. He was responsible for creating the system that hosted the infamous GWB43.com accounts that Karl Rove and others used. When asked by Congress to provide these emails, the White House said that they were destroyed. But in reality, what Connell is alleged to have done is move these files to other servers after having allegedly scrubbed the files from all “known” Karl Rove accounts.

In addition, I have reason to believe that the alternate accounts were used to communicate with US Attorneys involved in political prosecutions, like that of Don Siegelman. This is what I have been working on to prove for over a year. In fact, it was through following the Siegelman-Rove trail that I found evidence leading to Connell. That is how I became aware of him. Mike was getting ready to talk. He was frightened.”

Graham writes: “Unfortunately, he won’t get to talk. He died in a plane crash yesterday.”

[source]

So, while the evidence will not be unveiled by Mr. Connell, it does exist somewhere and others know it. Hmmmmm. Will there be more “ACCIDENTS”? What will happen next? Will anyone find thse emails? Let’s just say that evil has no limits and this will probably be swept under the rug, like many “accidents” involving the death of people JUST ABOUT TO TESTIFY. It’s sad, isn’t it? The Bush administration is a petty, deceitful, amoral, evil, murderous government, if ever I knew one.

This is murder, plain and simple – and this is truly a sad state of the world.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/22/the-murdered-white-house-it-guy/feed/ 5 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/19/14-foods-that-will-change-your-life/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/19/14-foods-that-will-change-your-life/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:21:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=377
For those of you interested in staying healthy and happy, here’s a must-read book, the super-bestselling book that’s enhancing America’s health. It’s a book that will help increase the longevity of anyone who reads it.

While some unfortunately uninformed people do not relate health to what they eat, the more informed and educated people know better. By eating the 14 super foods highlighted in Dr. Steven Pratt’s instant bestseller, you can actually stop the incremental deteriorations that lead to common ailments and diseases. Really. Don’t believe me? Try it and find out. What harm could it possibly do to give it a try? Here are the super foods to focus on and why:

* Beans — reduce obesity
* Blueberries — lower risk for cardiovascular disease
* Broccoli — lowers the incidence of cataracts and fights birth defects
* Oats — reduce the risk of type II diabetes
* Oranges — prevent strokes
* Pumpkin — lowers the risk of various cancers
* Wild salmon — lowers the risk of heart disease
* Soy — lowers cholesterol
* Spinach — decreases the chance of cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration
* Tea — helps prevent osteoporosis
* Tomatoes — raise the skin’s sun protection factor
* Turkey — helps build a strong immune system
* Walnuts — reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer

* Yogurt-promotes strong bones and a healthy heart

SuperFoods includes recipes created by Chef Michel Stroot of the Golden Door Spa and teaches you how to incorporate SuperFoods and their sidekicks into your diet. SuperFoods Rx is an indispensable guide to a healthy, long, and energetic life.

Read SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/19/14-foods-that-will-change-your-life/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/18/eat-organic-for-3-years/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/18/eat-organic-for-3-years/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:54:29 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=374 From the nyt:

“Fruits, vegetables and animals can be 100 percent organic. What about people?

In a fascinating experiment — on himself — Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician and author in Danville, Calif., decided to find out. For the last three years, Dr. Greene has eaten nothing but organic foods, whether he’s cooking at home, dining out or snacking on the road.

He chose three years as a goal because that was the amount of time it took to have a breeding animal certified organic by the Department of Agriculture. While food growers comply with organic regulations every day, Dr. Greene wondered whether a person could meet the same standards.

It hasn’t been easy.

“This isn’t a way of eating I could recommend to anybody else because it’s so far off the beaten food grid,” said Dr. Greene, 49, the founder of a popular Web site about children’s health, drgreene.com. “It was much more challenging than I thought it would be, and I thought it would be tough. There were definitely days where there was nothing I could find that was organic.”

Other writers have ventured off the traditional food grid, notably Barbara Kingsolver in “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” and Michael Pollan in “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” But what makes Dr. Greene’s experiment remarkable is the length of time he devoted to it, and his effort to incorporate organic eating into the routines of everyday living. His findings offer new insight into the challenges facing the organic food industry and those of us who want to patronize it.

Organic farmers don’t use conventional methods to fertilize the soil, control weeds and pests, or prevent disease in livestock.

Organic methods often lead to higher costs, and consumers can pay twice as much for organic foods as for conventional products. Last week, the financial advice Web site SmartMoney.com reported that to feed eight people an organic meal of traditional Thanksgiving foods, a shopper would pay $295.36 — a premium of $126.35, or 75 percent, over a nonorganic holiday spread.

To cut back on the cost of an organic diet, Dr. Greene said he had to cut back on meat. “Whenever you go up the food chain, the costs pile up,” he said. “If you don’t eat meat at every meal, if meat becomes more of a side dish than a centerpiece, you can fill the plate with healthy organic food for about the same price.”

Questions remain about whether organic foods are really better for you. The data are mixed. This fall, researchers from the University of Copenhagen reported on a two-year experiment in which they grew carrots, kale, peas, potatoes and apples using both organic and conventional growing methods. The researchers found that the growing methods made no difference in the nutrients in the crops or the levels of nutrients retained by rats that ate them, according to the study, published in The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

But other research suggests that organic foods do contain more of certain nutrients — almost twice as many, in the case of organic tomatoes studied for a 2007 report in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Dr. Greene said he was inspired to go all-organic after talking to a dairy farmer who noted that livestock got sick less after a switch to organic practices. He wondered if becoming 100 percent organic might improve his own health.

Three years later, he says he has more energy and wakes up earlier. As a pediatrician regularly exposed to sick children, he was accustomed to several illnesses a year. Now, he says, he is rarely ill. His urine is a brighter yellow, a sign that he is ingesting more vitamins and nutrients.

At home, he said, the organic routine was relatively easy. Organic food is widely available, not just at stores like Whole Foods but at traditional supermarkets. He also shopped at farmer’s markets and joined a local community-supported agriculture group, or C.S.A. Because he bought less meat, the costs tended to balance out. And his family (two of his four children still live at home) largely went along with the experiment.

On the road, though, life was more challenging. In corporate cafeterias and convenience stores, he looked for stickers that began with the number 9 to signify organic; stickers on conventionally grown produce begin with 4.

When dining out, he called ahead; high-end restaurants were willing to accommodate his all-organic request. He also found a few lines of organic backpacking food that he could carry with him.

Dr. Greene reached the three-year milestone in October, but his diet is still organic. He hasn’t decided whether to keep going full tilt or to ease up in the interest of cost and convenience. In his latest book, “Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care” (Jossey-Bass), he advocates a “strategic” approach, urging parents to insist on organic versions of a few main foods, like milk, potatoes, apples and baby food.

The biggest surprise of the whole experience, he says, was that many people still don’t know what “organic” means.

“It’s surprising to me how few people know that organic means without pesticides, antibiotics or hormones,” he said. “In stores or restaurants around the country, I would ask, ‘Do you have anything organic?’ Half the time they would say, ‘Do you mean vegetarian?’ ”” [source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/18/eat-organic-for-3-years/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/17/winter-gardening/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/17/winter-gardening/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:43:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=368 Who says you have have to wait until Spring to start your garden? Not me. Invest in this awesome greenhouse and you will be able to grow veggies and fruit during the colder months.
Extend the growing season! A heavy gauge extruded aluminum construction means optimal durability. Includes shelving from the left and right as you walk in, there’s plenty of room for vertical gardening, which means more floor space for larger plants. Vents on the sides and roof keep air flowing for optimal vegetable, flower, or herb yields throughout this spacious 8 by 12-foot vegetable paradise. Patented, push-and-click connectors offer super easy assembly in 2 to 4 hours, so you’ll be setup by lunch and potting plants under the greenhouse’s 7-foot-6-inch glass roof that afternoon. Double barn style doors ensure easy access for hauling plants in and out via wheelbarrow if necessary. The hinged doors require only a Philips head screwdriver and pliers for assembly Walls constructed with 4 mm twin polycarbonate panels ensure optimal durability. A powder-coated frame stands up to decades of rain, sun, and snow. Grow your own vegetables and plants 1 auto roof vent opener. The greenhouse requires no base or foundation for quick and easy setup on any level surface. The unit is covered by a manufacturer lifetime warranty on frame and a 12-year on warranty on the polycarbonate walls and roof. Find out more below.

Backyard Hobby Greenhouse, Green, 8 By 12 Feet

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/17/winter-gardening/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/11/safe-teething-toys-for-your-baby/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/11/safe-teething-toys-for-your-baby/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:42 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=363
How cute are these for baby?

Under the Nile products offer you an alternative to conventional apparel and toys, including these excellent teething toys for your baby. All the cotton is 100% Organic, 100% Egyptian. The natural cotton assures you that absolutely no pesticides or chemicals have been used through the entire production process. The products were created because of concern about the pollutants that our children are exposed to, which includes the clothes they wear. These items are safe, pesticide-free, comfortable and naturally dyed. Accessories such as buttons and zippers are made for organically friendly elements like wood, shell or nickel-free metals. The farm that grows our cotton and makes our apparel focuses on fair trade and provides a worldwide model community for organic agriculture along with a supportive work place. The fact that we use cotton grown in Egypt makes it even more extraordinary because of the extremely soft, gentle and durable features Egyptian cotton is known for.

Note: Machine wash and dry.

Order some teething toys for your baby now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/11/safe-teething-toys-for-your-baby/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/08/before-you-even-need-to-make-this-new-years-resolution-get-one-of-these/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/08/before-you-even-need-to-make-this-new-years-resolution-get-one-of-these/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:19:23 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=359

You WILL thank me for posting about this now!

About the Elliptical Trainer
Maximize your home workouts with the Schwinn 460 Elliptical Trainer, which features Schwinn’s exclusive V-Stride Technology that allows you to change stride lengths without manual adjustments or machine modifications. The 460 provides a complete lower-body workout: step to target calves and quads; walk to work your thighs and glutes, and run to lengthen your strides and engage all muscle groups.

Featuring a high-tech design, the Schwinn 460 includes 11 workout profiles built by the Nautilus Institute with instructional messages on utilizing stride lengths and foot/leg motions for maximized results. And the Schwinn Advantage workout system tracks results and programming for up to two users. You’ll get heart rate feedback via the HR grips on the static handlebars, and heart rate telemetry using the included chest strap.

The dynamic backlit touchscreen console displays workout and interval time, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance level, and course profile. Other features include an oversized water bottle holder (accommodates 4-inch bottle), adjustable cooling fan, and transport handle and non-skid wheels for easy storage.

Get this Schwinn Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer NOW

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/08/before-you-even-need-to-make-this-new-years-resolution-get-one-of-these/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/06/hungry-girl/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/06/hungry-girl/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:26:48 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=355
Just because you’re watching your waistline doesn’t mean you need to go hungry. Recipes from Hungry Girl–like the Fiber-Fried Chicken Strips featured below–feed your every craving without piling on the calories. What’s more, Lisa Lillien’s lighthearted love for food and fun shines through in every recipe, making it easy to follow her healthy example and even come up with your own simple calorie-saving shortcuts.

Though she freely admits she’s neither a nutritionist nor a doctor, more than 400,000 subscribers rely on author Lillien’s “Hungry Girl” e-newsletter for healthy eating tips. In this congenial compilation, most of which is new to the book, she gives dieters a breakfast-to-dinner approach to eating lighter with scores of easy to prepare dishes. Lillien’s recipes enlist low-cal substitutes for traditional ingredients; diet lemon-lime soda and sugar-free powdered lemonade drink mix, for example, go into her Magical Low Calorie Margarita. In some cases, such as her Rockin’ Restaurant Spinach Dip, Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla and Dan Good Chili, she approximates high-calorie dishes without sacrificing too much in terms of flavor or texture. Unfortunately, those are the exceptions-the Ice Creamless Banana Split and Cheery Chocolate Cheesecake Nuggets (which calls for diet hot cocoa mix, Splenda, fat free cream cheese and sugar free chocolate syrup) taste more like punishment than dessert. Salads are well represented, though few are served with any kind of dressing, and meat dishes can run sky high in sodium. Tips for smart eating at the office, holiday parties, trips and the movies are appreciated, but the book would have benefited from the input of a licensed nutritionist or dietician.

Get it now by clicking on the link below.

Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/06/hungry-girl/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/02/beware-of-contaminated-organic-chickens-and-other-meats/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/02/beware-of-contaminated-organic-chickens-and-other-meats/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:23:52 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=353 From naturalnews:

“Want to know what organic chickens are fed? If it’s soy meal from China — a cheap source of protein — it may also contain melamine.

That’s what happened with 300 tons of soy meal being fed to organic chicken in western France. Authorities discovered the soy meal contained an astonishing 50 times the maximum limit of melamine: 116mg per kg of soy meal.

This cheap Chinese soy meal was delivered to 127 “organic” chicken farms in France. Nobody yet knows how many organic chicken farms in the U.S., Canada, U.K. or Australia might also be feeding their chickens toxic levels of melamine.

This is part of the dangerous widening of the melamine scandal I predicted earlier today: Melamine contamination is now reaching into the meat supply, and it could even include organic meats such as beef, pork and chicken.

The truth is, nobody knows if meats sold in the U.S. are……..

Continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/02/beware-of-contaminated-organic-chickens-and-other-meats/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/01/cyber-monday/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/01/cyber-monday/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:21:25 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=351 It’s Cyber Monday, which is when online retailers offer awesome prices. This is the best time to stock up on your organic supplies that have a bit of a shelf life. For example, coconut oil and other stable oils for your kitchen or toiletries. Other things are dry goods like brown rice, whole wheat pasta and organic flours. I would also stock up on organic jams and jellies, spices, protein bars, vitamins – even things like toothpaste and other supplies you’ll need to take good care of yourself.

Don’t forget your self-help books, garden supplies and books, meditation/yoga DVDs, music and books, exercise equipment and kitchen appliances such as juicers, food processors and more. I’m sure you’ll find SOMETHING you need at a great price.

During this Cyber Monday, most online merchants offer free shipping too! Yay. Check out the deals by clicking below:

Organic and Health Related Products on Sale

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/12/01/cyber-monday/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/29/350/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/29/350/#comments Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:10:26 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/29/350/ You might be wondering why I’m featuring a shredder for this site. Does it fit into the theme of body mind spirit? YES. Shredders not only take care of your personal information on letters that need to be destroyed to keep private information from getting out, but the shreds and confetti from it can be recycled and thrown into your compost pile. I love this shredder for that. Just make sure the paper is compostable. When paper is shredded finely this way, it’s easier to break down, it adds a “brown” (dry) factor to the compost to balance out the “green” wet material. Hey, and if anything, it’s sort of fun. Here’s the product information below:

The innovative Fellowes SB-87CS with Safe Sense Technology features an active sensor that stops shredding immediately when paper entry is touched. Designed for frequent shredding needs, the Fellowes Powershred SB-87CS delivers a high level of performance that’s ideal for small business or home office use. This heavy-duty personal shredder reduces documents to higher security confetti particles, and shreds up to 15 sheets per pass, 50-100 times per day, for a total daily capacity as high as 1,500 sheets. Equipped with a 9-inch wide front feed paper entry, the SB-87CS easily accepts standard letter or legal-size documents. SB87CS shreds CDs in a designated safety slot and the durable steel cutters also accept credit cards, staples and small paper clips. Electronic auto start/stop ensures quick & easy automatic shredder operation. Shredder automatically shuts off and alerts operator when a jam occurs, door is ajar or 7-gallon pullout wastebasket is full. Sheet capacity gauge helps prevent paper jams. Door offers convenient holder for oil, manual and shredder bags. Cabinet-style stand includes casters for portable ease.

Note: You can also throw this into your kitty’s litter box for extra absorption.

Get your Fellowes Powershred Sheet Confetti Cut Shredder now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/29/350/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/24/the-self-healing-cookbook-whole-foods-to-balance-body-mind-and-moods/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/24/the-self-healing-cookbook-whole-foods-to-balance-body-mind-and-moods/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:43:42 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=343 This playful, user-friendly guide to macrobiotics has become a well-loved classic (over 180,000 copies sold). A favorite repeat seller in natural food stores and alternative health care clinics, it has been used a textbook for college classes in Holistic Health, and as a handbook for nutritional counselors training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.

Much more than recipes, The Self-Healing Cookbook gives fresh, heartwarming support to anyone aiming to prevent or recover from diet-related moods and health symptoms. A starter shopping list, food-mood charts, self-healer’s workbook, and healing foods glossary are included. Along with a wealth of wisdom on how to eat locally, think globally, cook with the seasons, lose weight naturally and nourish growing kids.

Word-of-mouth has carried this book to Great Britain, Canada, Singapore, Israel, and Australia. Over 21,000 copies have sold in the Japanese edition. In April, 2002, it will be published in Brazil, in a Portuguese edition. We’d love to hear from international readers where else it has found a home in your kitchens.

Get it now: The Self-Healing Cookbook: Whole Foods To Balance Body, Mind and Moods

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/24/the-self-healing-cookbook-whole-foods-to-balance-body-mind-and-moods/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/23/wooden-ergonomic-kneeling-posture-office-chair/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/23/wooden-ergonomic-kneeling-posture-office-chair/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:15:32 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=338 Yes, I admit this post is to help you get ready for the holidays. Start your shopping early and you will not be stuck in that absolutely crazy last minute crowd. You know what I’m talking about, right? It’s ugly, and you will be better off NOT being in that mess. Why not shop online? Search, order, receive, then all you have to do is wrap and deliver and…… voila! You’re done. You’ll be so happy and you can then just simply get into the spirit of the holiday – and I mean the joyous spirit, not the grump fest at the mall.

Phew. That said, here’s a gift idea for anyone wanting an ergonomic chair that will ultimately help their posture and avoid any kind of back problems. See what it looks like and found out more by clicking the link below:

Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Posture Office Chair

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/23/wooden-ergonomic-kneeling-posture-office-chair/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/18/seventh-generation-cleaning-products/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/18/seventh-generation-cleaning-products/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:37:34 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=334 Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner, and their other cleaning products effectively clean and degreases hard surfaces both inside and outside your home without producing harmful residues that are bad for you and the environment. Excellent for wet mopping, and made without any irritating scents or perfumes, the All Purpose Cleaner is tough on dirt and grease while being completely free of chlorine, ammonia, strong acids, and petroleum-based ingredients. All other cleaners extremely work well without the chemicals.

While you have a choice, why don’t you pick the safest option for the health of you and your family? Use toxic chemical-free products and never worry about getting poisoned by them. Buy Seventh Generation products now by clicking below:

Seventh Generation Products

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/18/seventh-generation-cleaning-products/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/17/green-tea-kombucha/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/17/green-tea-kombucha/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:27:43 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=326
Organic Green Tea Kombucha is based on an ancient remedy and offers a convenient form of kombucha designed for daily use. Legend has it that some 2,000 years ago, Kombucha originated in Russia, and from there it traveled to Japan.

Since then it has been used to detoxify the body, enhance the immune system, fight fatigue, and soothe an upset stomach. This special healing formula is made with organic green tea (camellia sinensis), which is organically grown and, unlike other green teas, has a delicate flavor with no bitterness.

Green Tea has excellent antioxidant properties. This tea contains a concentrated and purified extract of kombucha-pure, which is produced without the use of refined sugar or black tea, and is made from kombucha grown in a unique medium of 32 supporting Chinese herbs.

The recipe is complemented with organic spearmint, which can help to relax the body and aid digestion; organic licorice root, to support the adrenals and enhance the effects of other healing herbs; and dong quai root, a well-known tonic. Once the benefits of these ingredients are released by hot water, you are ready to enjoy a delicious, delightful and soothing cup of tea and one that is naturally rich in antioxidants and other health-supporting qualities.

Yogi Tea Defense, Green Tea Kombucha, Tea Bags, 16-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/17/green-tea-kombucha/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/16/beeswax-candles-are-better-for-your-health/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/16/beeswax-candles-are-better-for-your-health/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:16:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=322 Candles made of pure beeswax have well documented anti-allergic properties, and are known to even clean the air. Are you bothered by tree pollen, mold spores, or dust? These insidious particles are positively charged and conduct static electricity. Allergy sufferers are encouraged to close the windows of their house and light a pure beeswax candle. The all-natural wax emits negatively charged vapors that will IONIZE the air. Burning beeswax candles liberates the air of positively charged allergens as it emits negatively charged vapors into the atmosphere. You will feel better.

Regular paraffin candles are simply not good for you because they’re made from petroleum sludge. That doesn’t sound very good, does it? It isn’t. When you burn paraffin candles, which are most candles, it creates an indoor pollution because the candles are made of a sort of toxic chemical. In fact, the smoke that comes from a paraffin candle emits what is equivalent to diesel fumes!

Do yourself a favor and stick to safe, healthy, clean burning BEESWAX CANDLES. Click below to order some and see different kinds of bees wax candles:

Beeswax Candles

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/16/beeswax-candles-are-better-for-your-health/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/15/black-soap-is-the-new-black/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/15/black-soap-is-the-new-black/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:07:05 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=316 This is an awesome soap. First of all it’s cool looking, being all black. But it’s also an amazing cleanser too.

The bamboo carbon creates tons of thick lather and bubbles. The other ingredients seem to work great together as well. This soap leaves your skin feeling tight and very clean.

It’s great for allergies, psoriasis, dry or oily skin, and acne too. It’s highly recommend as a soap to use when you want a deep, thorough cleanse. Use it daily to deep-clean and rejuvenate your skin.

Best of all, there are no artificial colors, fragrances, or ingredients, it’s anti inflammatory, anti allergenic, anti bacterial, and anti viral.

Order some now by clicking below:

Black Therapy 9 Fine Quality Soap featuring Activated Bamboo Carbon

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/15/black-soap-is-the-new-black/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/14/bamboo-charcoal-for-a-healthful-environment/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/14/bamboo-charcoal-for-a-healthful-environment/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:06:22 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=312 Bamboo Charcoal is created using highly sustainable bamboo from the southern coast of Korea.

Some of the extraordinary and healthful benefits include Air and Water Purification, Deodorization, Electromagnetic Shielding, Humidity Regulation, and the Release of Negative Ions and FAR Infrared Radiation, all of which can improve the overall environment in your home and office.

Beautiful packaging makes this product a unique and distinctive addition to any decor. Features:

• AIR FILTRATION: Absorbs harmful chemicals and substances from the air.
• DEODORIZATION: Absorbs odors from around the house including bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, the fridge, laundry room, garage, basement, etc.
• RELAXATION: Releases negative ions that freshen the air and FAR infrared radiation that helps you relax, eases joint pain, and improves circulation.
• ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING: Many electrical appliances emit electromagnetic radiation that can raise your body temperature and cause backaches. Bamboo Charcoal absorbs this radiation, helping to improve the environment in your home and office.
• HUMIDITY REGULATION: Absorbs excess moisture in the air, and then releases moisture when the air becomes too dry, helping to regulate overall humidity levels in the room. Order some now by clicking the link below.

Bamboo Charcoal for a Healthful Environment in Your Home and Office

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/14/bamboo-charcoal-for-a-healthful-environment/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/05/congratulations-barack-obama/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/05/congratulations-barack-obama/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:47:38 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=310 And thank you, America for electing the best choice for a president who will make a positive change in the U.S. and the world.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/05/congratulations-barack-obama/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/04/alternative-cures-the-most-effective-natural-home-remedies-for-160-health-problems/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/04/alternative-cures-the-most-effective-natural-home-remedies-for-160-health-problems/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:29:13 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=307 Pick an ailment–any ailment–and chances are, Bill Gottlieb can succinctly crystallize the problem, propose its root cause, and describe a handful of nonmedical remedies for treatment. Creator and supervising editor of the bestselling Doctors Book of Home Remedies, this 25-year veteran of the health field draws from more than 300 alternative care practitioners (including holistic nutritionists, licensed acupuncturists, massage therapists, and the occasional swami) to present a thick textbook worthy of gracing the reference shelf of any family or health provider. Serious physical ailments like asthma, HIV and AIDS, stroke, and cancer receive equal attention with pesky afflictions like oily hair, acne, nightmares, and wrinkles. Mental health ailments, such as guilt, anxiety, grief, and shyness, also get their due. Gottlieb’s stance is not that individuals should shun their primary care physicians to rely solely on herbs, better nutrition, and other alternative paths. Rather, he seeks to educate readers on the biological effects of such practices and tinctures, to share their documented benefits in helpful detail. Each ailment receives a sidebar titled “Guide to Professional Care,” in which Gottlieb outlines symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention. Other sidebars highlight especially helpful treatment–from aromatherapy to meditation–for various troubles. Gottlieb provides an section on alternative healing where he elaborates on the process, benefits, and safety of each general treatment referred to in the book (from acupuncture to yoga therapy). Complete information, an engaging writing style, and visually appealing graphics make this encyclopedia-style book very easy to digest. Click the link below to get Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems now.

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/04/alternative-cures-the-most-effective-natural-home-remedies-for-160-health-problems/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/01/dont-let-your-kids-eat-contaminated-candy/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/01/dont-let-your-kids-eat-contaminated-candy/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:37:30 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=304
Did you hear about the melomine in candy and baby milk powder? A lot of the contaminated products have reached the U.S. as well, but the information has been covered up so as to not eclipse the elections. Please watch this video to find out more about what you need to look for. Don’t let your kids eat this poison. Kids have died, and many have kidney problems and other long term illnesses.

Watch the video now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/11/01/dont-let-your-kids-eat-contaminated-candy/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/28/does-pvc-plastic-exposure-change-babies-penises/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/28/does-pvc-plastic-exposure-change-babies-penises/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:12:11 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=301 PVC is bad in so many ways and I wish everyone would come to the same conclusion, then get rid of it.

From treehugger:

“Phthalates, the plasticizer used to make vinyl soft, have been known to be a gender-bender that has been shown to affect the masculinity of rats. Even the Bush Administration, not renowned for its defence of the public against the chemical companies, has banned it from childrens’ toys.

Now new research has found new evidence of “phthalate syndrome”- smaller penises, and undescended or incompletely descended testicles- in humans. Shanna Swan, director of the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology at the University of Rochester’s school of medicine, who led the research, says phthalates are “”probably reproductive toxins and should be eliminated from products gradually because we don’t need them.”

Chemical Industry dismisses threat

Of course the American Chemistry Council, representing the companies that make the chemical (Exxon Mobil, BASF, Ferro Corp., and Eastman Chemical) warns us to be “cautioned against over-interpreting any individual study.”

Screw that; among guys, penis size is serious stuff. Martin Mittelstaedt of the Globe and Mail writes:

“Scientists have been investigating the possible effects on boys of phthalates because rodent studies have shown the chemical has the peculiar ability to shorten the space between the anus and the genitalia in male mice exposed during fetal development. This space, known as anogenital distance or AGD, is normally about twice as long in young male mice than in females. For mice, AGD is considered a measure of masculinity and a way to determine the sex of the pups. Scientists are so confident of the effect that they’ve given the impact of the chemical on male rodents a name – phthalate syndrome.

Surveys of children have also found that …..”

Continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/28/does-pvc-plastic-exposure-change-babies-penises/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/27/some-voters-are-going-to-have-to-lose-their-homes-before-they-connect-the-dots/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/27/some-voters-are-going-to-have-to-lose-their-homes-before-they-connect-the-dots/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:42:41 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=296 “…Anybody who got whacked last week and still thinks McCain-Palin is going to lead us out of the swamp and not into a war with Iran is beyond persuasion in the English language. They’ll need to lose their homes and be out on the street in a cold hard rain before they connect the dots…”

Read the full article at alternet

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/27/some-voters-are-going-to-have-to-lose-their-homes-before-they-connect-the-dots/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/24/the-spiritual-gifts-of-travel-the-best-of-travelers-tales/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/24/the-spiritual-gifts-of-travel-the-best-of-travelers-tales/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:52:38 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=292
In this lively collection from an array of accomplished writers, readers meet an old woman who imparts an invaluable midnight message on a Greek island; brothers who heal old family wounds in Ireland; and travelers who awaken to the mystery of their souls in such disparate places as St. Peter’s in Rome and a dusty road in India. Contributors include Phil Cousineau, Kim Chernin, David Yeadon, Don George, and Jan Morris. The Spiritual Gifts of Travel reveals the myriad ways that travel renews the spirit. “The tales ring clear and loud with the universal need to travel the road toward self.” — Francesca de Grandis, author of Be a Goddess!

Read more about: The Spiritual Gifts of Travel: The Best of Travelers’ Tales

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/24/the-spiritual-gifts-of-travel-the-best-of-travelers-tales/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/19/shocking-information-about-breast-cancer-and-the-cancer-industry/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/19/shocking-information-about-breast-cancer-and-the-cancer-industry/#comments Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:46:53 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=289 Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I’d post the interesting and shockingly informative article from naturalnews:

“With Breast Cancer Awareness month fully upon us once again, retail stores have been invaded with everything pink, including “pink ribbon” candies and personal care products made with blatantly cancer-causing ingredients. Retail grocery stores like Safeway even hit up customers for donations at the cash register, promising to raise funds to find “the cure for cancer.”

Consumers of course, have virtually no idea where the funds they donate actually go, nor do they know the truths about breast cancer they’ll never be told by conventional cancer non-profit organizations. In this article, I’ll reveal ten important myths about breast cancer, and the truths that can save your life.

Myth #1: Breast Cancer is not preventable

The Truth: Up to 98% of breast cancer cases can be prevented through diet, nutritional supplements, sunshine and exercise

It’s true: Breast cancer can be almost entirely prevented through commonsense changes in diet, the addition of anti-cancer nutritional supplements, boosting vitamin D creation from sunlight, avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals in consumer products, pursuing regular exercise and eating a live foods diet.

The breast cancer industry — which depends on the continuation of cancer for its profits and employment — has so far refused to teach women even basic cancer prevention strategies (such as increasing the intake of vitamin D, which prevents 77% of all cancers). See: http://www.naturalnews.com/021892.html

Myth #2: Pink ribbon products are sold to raise money to support breast cancer victims.

The Truth: Nearly 100% of the funds are used to recruit more ……”

Continue reading

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/19/shocking-information-about-breast-cancer-and-the-cancer-industry/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/18/natural-ways-to-combat-asthma/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/18/natural-ways-to-combat-asthma/#comments Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:50:20 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=287 From natural remedies:

“The line of asthma treatment depends on the types of triggers, your sensitivity to them and the severity of asthma. The treatment includes both conventional asthma cure and natural remedies. In chronic asthma, your physician would generally recommend asthma inhalers for immediate use in asthma attacks. However, if you don’t have a chronic condition, there are some good alternative medicines for asthma that include herbal and homeopathic remedies. These are safe, effective and affordable, and worth a try. Let’s see what they are:
a. Foods or supplements:

Eating fruits and raw vegetables appear to improve asthma. And foods or supplements that contain magnesium, quercetin, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B6, are all beneficial for optimal lung health and to ward off asthma food allergy. Magnesium causes airway dilatation that counteracts asthma’s constriction. Foods rich in magnesium include red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, kiwi fruit, oranges, strawberries, potatoes, spinach, barley, almonds, to name a few. Quercetin’s antioxidant properties help to neutralize the damaging effects of pollution which can aggravate asthma.

Good sources of quercetin are green cabbage, cranberries, grapes, pears, apples, spinach, garlic, onions and grapefruit. Vitamin C also has a positive effect on bronchial function. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, tuna and trout, are helpful in reducing bronchial swelling and help in asthma prevention. Vitamin B6, contained in sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, tuna, salmon, pork, potatoes, turkey, chicken, etc., decreases wheezing and other bothersome causes of asthma.
b. Homeopathy:

According to a new research on homeopathic asthma medication, if patients are given exceedingly small homeopathic doses of the allergens, it can provide significant relief within the first week of treatment. However, the common homeopathic drugs in use are pulsatilla nigricans, carbo vegetabilis and phosphorus.
c. Acupuncture:

Lungs and overall immune system can be improved through the Chinese science of acupuncture. Acupuncture for asthma decreases the sensitivity to allergens, improves lung strength and reduces stress, proving a boon for asthma suffers. Many acupuncturists also use Chinese herbs to supplement the acupuncture treatments.
d. Yoga and meditation:

Since, stress can weaken the immune system and reduce body’s ability to ward off the asthma triggers, it needs to be addressed specifically. By adopting yoga you can improve circulation and reduce stress. Meditation can also lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Following these disciplines will help prevent stress and save you from increased sensitivity to triggers and severity of an asthma attack.

A strong body and strong immune system can certainly help reduce asthmatic symptoms and the frequency of asthmatic episodes. The good news is natural asthma remedies help you achieve this state. But, consult your physician, if you’re opting for the natural line of treatment. [source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/18/natural-ways-to-combat-asthma/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/16/prostate/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/16/prostate/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:01:24 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=283 Everything you ever wanted or needed to know about the prostate is here. Here’s a little sample:

“Definition

The prostate consists of 3 lobes which manufacture seminal fluid. The tube which empties the bladder passes over the middle lobe. In later life, the prostate gland often becomes enlarged and causes problems by closing off the exit of urine from the bladder. This urine retention often starts by a decrease in the force of the stream of urine leaving the body. Prostate blockage of the flow of urine because of infection or cancer can be very serious — even to the point of causing uremic poisoning within the body. The cause of enlargement of the prostate gland is the collection of mucus and sediment in the gland. Often the male hormones produced by the body are not enough to keep the prostate gland functioning well. The nitrates and nitrites in processed meats, hot dogs, baloney, and other cold cuts have a particularly important role in the formation of cancer of the prostate in the male.

Herbal Aids

General Instructions: Before (or instead of) arriving at the decision to submit to the knife and have the prostate gland surgically removed, may we offer the following suggestions: In any form of cell-deterioration, the Blood Stream Formula should be used to help clean up the blood stream. Of course the bowel must be cleared up first and foremost. Then, as a specific aid to the prostate area the following formula has aided in removing infection, sediment and the like. Male Urinary Tract: Dr. Christopher’s Prostate Formula, Cayenne, ginger, golden seal root, gravel root, juniper berries, parsley root or herb, uva ursi herb, and ginseng root. These capsules can be taken in the morning and at night, and they are best taken with parsley tea. Change the diet to the mucusless diet, and drink plenty of distilled water and fruit and vegetable juices. Cancerous tumors have a very difficult time growing when there is the presence of organic potassium in the body, so the tinctures of black walnut or elderberry or any other foods high in potassium can be helpful here, providing that the bowel is in good condition so that proper assimilation can take place. The Hormonal Changease: Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Hormone Formula will help the body produce the necessary hormones for proper functioning of the glands. It consists of Black cohosh, Sarsaparilla, ginseng, licorice, false unicorn, blessed thistle and squaw vine. Don’t worry if the formula contains estrogens as well as hormones. The body will select the substances it needs and will discard the rest in a natural formula such as this.

Gravel Root is used principally as a therapeutic agent for the urinary-genital areas, influencing the kidneys, liver, bladder, prostate gland and uterus. It relaxes moderately, stimulates, and tones the pelvic viscera and mucous membranes (helping to cast off any sediments that have settled on surfaces). It is good when used alone, or in combination with other herbs. Its popularity (note the name) has been due to its powerful solvent effect on stony deposits in the kidneys (here it can do the work alone, but its effects are improved with other herbal agents in combination). Gravel root is one of the greatest herbs to use for any kidney and urinary problem, and it is also great as a tonic and stimulant. As a nervine, it is reputed to influence the entire sympathetic nervous system.

Prostate Urinary Troubles: See formula using gravel root, marshmallow, parsley, juniper, lobelia, cayenne and golden seal.

Herbal Kidney Aid: See formula using cayenne, ginger, golden seal, gravel root, juniper berries, marshmallow, parsley and uva ursi. This will dissolve the stones that are in the kidneys, as well as clean out other sedimentation and infection in the prostate. Mix the powders and place in No. 2 capsules and take two morning and night.

Male Urinary Tract: Dr. Christopher’s Prostate Formula: (This is the same as in # 3 but already made into capsules). In case of malfunction we suggest this combination to help assist the male: cayenne, ginger, golden seal root, gravel root or queen of the meadow root, juniper berries, marshmallow root, parsley root or herb, uva ursi leaves. This will help dissolve the stones that are in the kidneys, as well as help clean out other sedimentation and infection in the prostate. Mix the powders and place in No. 0 capsules and take two or more morning and night, with parsley tea when possible….

Read the full article

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/16/prostate/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/08/read-this-article-if-you-care-about-the-us/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/08/read-this-article-if-you-care-about-the-us/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:48:13 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=280 An absolute MUST READ! Make Believe Maverick

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/08/read-this-article-if-you-care-about-the-us/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/01/support-breast-cancer-research/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/01/support-breast-cancer-research/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:26:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=276 Increasing awareness of breast cancer through education, research, community-based outreach programs and by providing mammograms for those in need, is of utmost importance. Do your part by supporting foundations, associations and other groups whose goals are to increase breast cancer research, which will lead to a better understanding of the disease and a better foundation to find a cure. Every time you purchase a participating product at Amazon, partial proceeds go to those people who need it the most. Please take the time to consider supporting breast cancer reasearch and THINK PINK.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/10/01/support-breast-cancer-research/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/30/what-to-do-with-all-those-apples/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/30/what-to-do-with-all-those-apples/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:18:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=271
It’s apple season and they’re everywhere now. What can you do with them besides making apple pie and apple sauce?? Quite a lot of things, you’ll be surprised to know. Apples are one of the most healthful fruit available so dig in and remember that the old saying of “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is true. But you don’t need to be bored with the same thing, there are so many different ways to eat apples!

Find out what you can do with all those apples

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/30/what-to-do-with-all-those-apples/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/22/need-a-laugh/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/22/need-a-laugh/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:48:59 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=267 With the U.S. banks and other financial institutions going to pot, it’s pretty depressing and hell, I just don’t want to think about it anymore. Take a break with me to stop thinking about the American decline of power, by watching a funny movie. There’s nothing better than escapism and lots of laughs to get away from the stresses of life. Check out these movies. You just can’t go wrong with this kooky guy.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/22/need-a-laugh/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/09/how-to-break-up-with-someone/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/09/how-to-break-up-with-someone/#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:19:05 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=263 Think about why you are breaking up with this person. If you are simply upset with your partner, you should consider talking about what upset you and focus on resolving it, rather than ending the relationship. But if this same issue has already been discussed, yet nothing changes and you keep feeling unsatisfied, hurt, or betrayed, then breaking up might be the only way to end the pattern. Your partner will ask you why you want out, and you should be prepared with answers. Before having “the talk” that ends the relationship, do your best to articulate the reasons you are breaking up. If you have trouble remembering examples during emotional discussions or arguments, write your reasons down in advance. It may help to talk this over with someone you trust, or with a counselor.

Plan out how long you are willing to spend breaking up. The actual conversation in which you break up with this person can last a lot longer than it should, especially if your partner is devastated or completely surprised by your decision. It’ll be much easier for you to stick to your guns if the conversation doesn’t drag out. Expect to spend at least one hour breaking up, and longer if the relationship lasted a year or more. You may even want to arrange an appointment with a friend in a neutral location so that you can say “I’m supposed to meet John/Jane at the restaurant in fifteen minutes, so I have to go now.”

Break up in person. It is easier to break up with someone if you don’t have to look the person in the eye, but it can also be interpreted as cruel and cowardly. Unless you are a long distance away and choose not to wait until you see the person again, don’t break up by phone, e-mail, or through an instant messenger system. And don’t even think about breaking up with someone by pulling a disappearing act, even if it’s just by suddenly eliminating contact with the person. The lack of closure can be psychologically damaging.

If you don’t live together, break the news at his/her home and in private. They’ll want to feel safe enough to respond emotionally–no one wants to be broken up with in public or near family and friends, and risk bursting into tears, or be forced to bottle up all those emotions. While you can break up with them at your place, making someone go home after getting news like that will be difficult, and could make them more bitter. If you are at your partner’s home, you can leave after you feel you’ve made your decision clear.

If you live together, breaking-up will be particularly problematic and stressful; you should have a place where you can stay until the person you’ve broken up with digests the big change. You can either move all of your stuff while they’re not home and then break up when they come home and notice, or break up and leave with some of your things with the intention to come back when things have calmed down to get the rest of your belongings. Either way will be very difficult for the other person, but only you know what’s best for your situation.

Break up calmly. If you say the dreaded words “We need to talk”, your partner will immediately know what’s going on, and that’s not a bad thing. You don’t want to blurt out “We need to break up” out of the blue, or worse, when you’re in an argument. You need to approach the whole thing calmly and peacefully, with a sense of resolution. Sit down with your partner and let him or her know that you’ve decided to end the relationship.
Expect any or all of the following reactions.

Questioning — He or she will want to know why, and whether there was anything he or she could have done to prevent the breakup. Answer the questions as honestly as possible.

Crying — The other person will likely be upset, and it will show. You can comfort him or her, but don’t allow yourself to be manipulated into changing your decision.
Arguing — He or she may dispute anything you’ve said during the breakup, including examples you used in your reasons for breaking up. Don’t get dragged into a fight, and don’t split hairs. Let your partner know that arguing isn’t going to change your decision.

Bargaining or Begging — He or she may offer to change, or to do things differently in order to preserve the relationship. If the person didn’t change when you’ve discussed your problems in the past, it is too late to expect him or her to truly change now.

Lashing Out — Whether it’s as simple as saying “You’ll never find anyone as good as me” or as scary as saying “I’ll make you regret this”, he or she is usually just trying to make himself or herself feel better. Threats of physical harm, however, are serious and should not be ignored. If you feel that your safety is at risk, stay calm and leave quickly.

Distance yourself. It’ll be difficult, but don’t call them, don’t go places where you know they frequent, and make yourself scarce. Take the time to reflect on your situation and learn more about yourself. Do all the things you’ve ever wanted to do, that you wouldn’t have done if you were still with this person. Now is the perfect time to focus on those missed opportunities. Your ex may try to get in touch, but wait a while (some people suggest six months) before resuming contact, if at all. You felt close to this person at one point in your life, and you will probably always have a soft spot for him or her, but it’s time for both of you to move on.

[source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/09/how-to-break-up-with-someone/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/07/why-are-bees-dying-the-reasons-weve-suspected-for-a-long-time/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/07/why-are-bees-dying-the-reasons-weve-suspected-for-a-long-time/#comments Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:27:18 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=260 From thedailygreen:

“… bees are still dying from symptoms that have been identified as Colony Collapse Disorder. Not many, yet. But this is when it starts. So let’s look at what’s going on.

Viruses
Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus was implicated early on, but so far it hasn’t moved past the ‘found in some samples’ role. Continuing greenhouse research, where individual honey bees are infected with the virus definitely shows that the pathogen kills bees. But so do a host of other viruses that were found in the initial samples. The jury is still out on IAPV, at least until newer studies are published.

Other researchers are studying viruses, some known, some not, but so far nothing concrete has turned up … or at least nothing that anybody is talking about. That’s the trouble with science … too often the information gets sat on until the results are published … not reviewed and given the green light but actually put on paper (or turned into electrons to grace your computer screen) and released. Some publishing outlets are quicker, some slower but all have the same criteria. So if there’s something out there we’ll just have to wait.

Pesticides
Some of the early work — simply collecting samples of bees, wax, larvae, and pollen — are finally coming to the top of the pile and the results, some of which have been explored here, have been eye-opening, and mostly downright scary. Beekeeper-applied chemicals to control varroa certainly are hugely evident in the samples collected … not unlike the termite chemicals, lawn chemicals, garden chemicals, pet chemicals, and all the rest that we walk in, swim in, eat, touch and absorb everyday in our homes, work and play. Pesticides, to no one’s surprise, are abundant in our lives and equally abundant in the lives of our honey bees.

One of the unknowns, or maybe-unknowns, are the effects that those well-publicized new pesticides are having. They have made international headlines and definitely can’t be overlooked. And advocacy group, Beyond Pesticides, commented recently on these, and said that two of the primary active ingredients of concern are clothianidin and imidacloprid, both in the neonicotinoid family of chemicals. They are systemic pesticides, meaning the chemical is incorporated into plant tissue and can therefore be present in pollen and nectar, which is of particular importance to bees. They also have long persistence in the soil and can be absorbed by multiple generations of crops, increasing the likelihood of exposure for bees. Meanwhile, the manufacturers claim the chemicals safe and have data to prove it. But others in France and Germany claim just the opposite and are doing everything in their power to rid the world of these new poisons, and in the U.S. the EPA stands in the middle … and may soon be standing in court defending their role in approving these chemicals for use.

Nutrition
But there’s more going on than just pesticides, though those are definitely destructive. Other discoveries came from those samples taken earlier. One surprise was the nutrition deficiencies that were discovered … some of the bees that were sampled definitely were not in the best health because they had not had enough good food to eat. That, too, is a management concept that beekeepers are already turning around. This summer smart beekeepers are making protein supplements available … some of the new diets are being explored, new diets have been concocted, and more diets are on the drawing board, so to speak, and for the most part all seem to have given our bees a boost. Almost anything is better than nothing, and good food can solve a lot of problems, whether it’s your diet, your child’s daily bread, or a honey bee’s ration. That there were so many bees in diet-deficiency seems at first odd, perhaps, but bees have slowly declined for several years, and monoculture agriculture has continued to increase during the same time.

But not only protein-deficiencies were evident … carbohydrates, too were found wanting. Not so much volume, but quality. Is high fructose corn syrup as bad, or good, for bees as it is, or isn’t for us? Some seem to think HFCS is evil incarnate, no matter who or what eats it. Others have shown that if the HFCS is made well, and then that quality preserved and protected it’s just fine. Meanwhile, some beekeepers are switching to plain old sugar … sucrose solution … and seem to see better results. But sugar costs more.

Other Diseases
The new disease … that Nosema cerane thing … isn’t anywhere near being solved either. What is it, how do you diagnose it, how do you treat it, when do you treat for it … all questions needing answers and nobody is looking it seems. Well, not quite. Researchers in Europe are studying this I understand … but again, nothing has been published … so bees die of a disease that we can’t treat. Is this CCD? Hmmmmm. Don’t know.

Which brings up the tired old song of research funding. I talked about the $4.1 million grant delivered recently, and I looked at the scientists receiving the money. One industry spokesperson (me) recently said, mostly in jest, that once that money was spread out over all the scientists, over all the years, each would receive about a buck and a half … That’s not quite true, but the concept shouldn’t be ignored. So far, USDA has been monumentally slow in getting things moving. They have a couple of large scale, actually profoundly practical studies going … funded by existing money, not the new money that was supposed to come down from the farm bill … at least so far. But this begs the question … if the money is being used for these studies, what isn’t getting done? Well, we don’t know, do we?

Colony Collapse Disorder hasn’t gone away. Beekeepers are harvesting honey, if they have some to harvest. They are beginning plans for moving south or west for wintering or pollination, and wondering if they again will have to scratch to get bees to meet pollination contract promises. Or is this the year it would be better to stay home? Honey prices are strong, moving is even more expensive this year, and all that stress … maybe home is where the honey bee is should get more attention.

But one more thing has come to light. Organization.

With all the noise made about lack of funding, one question keeps coming up … why aren’t beekeepers doing some of this funding? Why is it only the government that should do this? Good question.

Research Funding
And here’s the answer. There are four major funding sources within the beekeeping industry that have already made significant contributions to finding the answers to Colony Collapse Disorder. More — way more, actually — than government sources, and more is on the way. And if you are looking to help solve this critical problem and want to know how … stay tuned. We’ll open a whole set of doors and introduce you to the best of the beekeeping world.”

[source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/07/why-are-bees-dying-the-reasons-weve-suspected-for-a-long-time/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/06/alternatives-to-wheat-flour-for-gluten-free-recipes/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/06/alternatives-to-wheat-flour-for-gluten-free-recipes/#comments Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:07:35 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=257 Rice flour. This very fine-textured flour is made from polished white rice. Rice flour, brown: Because it contains the bran, brown rice flour contains more fibre than white rice flour.

Amaranth flour. Its milled from the seeds of the amaranth plant, this flour boasts a higher percentage of protein than most other grains, and has more fibre than wheat and rice. It is also higher in the amino acid lysine, which some food scientists believe makes it a more complete protein than flour made from other grains. Amaranth flour can be used in cookies, crackers, baking mixes, and cereals.

Arrowroot flour: The rootstalks of a tropical plant are the source of this flour, often used as a thickener for sauces and desserts; the finely powdered arrowroot turns completely clear when dissolved (giving gloss to sauces), and adds no starchy flavor. Because of its easy digestibility, it is also an used as an ingredient in cookies intended for infants and young children.

Barley flour: This mild-flavored flour made from barley grain contains some gluten.

Buckwheat flour: A common ingredient in pancake mixes, buckwheat flour is also used to make Japanese soba noodles. It is available in light, medium, and dark varieties (the dark flour boasts the strongest flavor), depending on the kind of buckwheat it is milled from. You can make your own buckwheat flour by processing whole white buckwheat groats in a blender or food processor.

Chestnut flour: This tan flour is made from chestnuts, the meaty, lowfat nuts that are often served as a vegetable. The flour is a little sweet and is traditionally used in Italian holiday desserts.

Chick-pea flour (also called chana, gram flour or besan): This protein-rich flour is made from dried chick-peas or chana dal. This flour is used commonly throughout India, and in parts of the Mediterranean as well, in pancakes, pizzas, dumplings, soups and stews.

Corn flour: This is made from whole cornmeal, ground to a floury consistency.

Cornstarch: This silky ingredient is made from only the endosperm (starchy part) of the corn kernel. Avoid wheaten cornflour. It is used to thicken sauces and to create baked goods with a particularly fine texture.

Gluten-free flour mix: Some health-food stores carry this three-grain mixture of rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour. It can be substituted for 100% of the wheat flour in many recipes.

Millet flour: This yellow flour is high in protein and easy to digest. It may make baked goods somewhat coarse-textured and dry. Substitute it for no more than one-fifth of the wheat flour in a recipe.

Oat flour: Milled from either the entire oat kernel or the endosperm only, oat flour is frequently used in ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. You can make your own to use in baking by grinding rolled oats in a food processor or blender (1-1/4 cups rolled oats will yield 1 cup oat flour).

Potato flour (potato starch): Steamed potatoes are dried and then ground to a powder to make this gluten-free flour, which is commonly used in baked goods for Jewish Passover (when wheat flour may not be used).

Quinoa flour: Higher in fat than wheat flour, quinoa flour makes baked goods more moist. You can make your own quinoa flour by processing whole quinoa in a blender; stop before the flour is too fine – it should be slightly coarse, like cornmeal.

Rye flour: In combination with wheat flour, rye flour, which contains some gluten, is most commonly used in breads. Rye can be used alone for a substantial-textured bread. Light, medium, and dark varieties (with dark having the strongest flavour) are available.

Sorghum flour: A staple grain in many parts of the world. Sorghum flour works well in breads when combined with bean flours.

Soy flour: Another useful alternative.

Tapioca flour: Milled from the dried starch of the cassava root, this flour thickens when heated with water and is often used to give body to puddings, fruit pie fillings, and soups. It can also be used in baking.

Water-chestnut flour (water-chestnut powder): This Asian ingredient is a fine, powdery starch that is used to thicken sauces (it can be substituted for cornstarch) and to coat foods before frying to give them a delicate, crisp coating.

[source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/06/alternatives-to-wheat-flour-for-gluten-free-recipes/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/05/the-surprising-truth-revealed-about-soy/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/05/the-surprising-truth-revealed-about-soy/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:48:40 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=250 How many of you out there grew up being told that soy is nutritious and good for you? Me too! Well, many years later this new information has been slowly revealed to the public, but still, most of the public does not know about it. What, for example?

You may be surprised to hear that:

- Soy is NOT a miracle food.
- Soy is NOT the answer to world hunger
- Soy is NOT a panacea
- Soy has NOT even been proven safe

Additionally, soy is linked to: malnutrition, digestive distress, infertility, birth defects, cancer, heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, heavy metal toxicities, cognitive decline, immune system breakdown and reproductive disorders. Are you alarmed yet?

You might be asking these questions: Why have we been lied to? What can I do about it now? What can I eat that is safe, healthful and nutritious? What can I feed my children without worrying about harmful substances? Don’t wonder anymore and find out more. Educate yourself for the sake of you and your loved ones.

People who would be interested in The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food: Americans at risk for cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and painful menopausal symptoms who wonder if it is true that soy might offer protection; environmentalists who are alarmed by the growing numbers of estrogens and estrogen mimickers in the environment and have begun to wonder about the phytoestrogens in soy; concerned parents who want to know whether soy formula is good for your infants and whether soy foods are good for your children; people suffering from diagnosed or as yet undiagnosed thyroid disease who fears that soy might be the cause; baby boomers who have heard that soy is the dietary fountain of youth; people afflicted with those diseases who wonder if soy might offer a cure; vegetarians who are not enjoying radiant good health and have begun questioning whether the “meat without a bone” is as good at taking care of their nutritional needs; Americans eating soy foods whether you like it or not; homemakers and dietitians who think the price is right but wonder how “the bean supreme” stacks up against meat nutritionally…

Find out more about Soy

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/05/the-surprising-truth-revealed-about-soy/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/04/make-your-own-compost-tumbler/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/04/make-your-own-compost-tumbler/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:18:53 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=248 After watching this video and learning how to make a compost bin that rotates…then actually making it yourself, you won’t have to worry about having all those extra veggies scraps that “go to waste” in the trashcan. After composting them, you’ll have excellent soil in 14 to 21 days for your garden. If you don’t have a garden, make one of these for someone with a garden! It would make an excellent gift for a gardener.

Watch the video

[via groovy green]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/04/make-your-own-compost-tumbler/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/02/learn-how-to-get-things-done/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/02/learn-how-to-get-things-done/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:02:09 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=245 From pickthebrain:

“Do you have trouble getting things done? Have you ever decided to do something that was important to you, but later found you just weren’t making any headway at all? If you’re having trouble completing tasks that you want to do, and which you know you’re capable of doing, you might considering using a technique called benchmarking.

A benchmark is nothing more than a certain level of output that you’re establishing as your bare minimum. When using benchmarking, what you want to do is decide what your daily benchmark will be for a particular task, and accept nothing less than hitting that benchmark consistently.

For a benchmark to be realistic, it should be well below the maximum that you’re capable of, and substantially less than what you really want to do. You want to have an idea of what you’d ideally like to accomplish each day, but if you fail to hit your targets, you want to be sure that you at least achieve a certain minimum standard. Shoot for your goal, but accept no less than your benchmark.

An Example of Using Benchmarks
Let’s say you have a book that you’ve been meaning to read. You know it’s a book that will be very helpful, so you really want to read it in a reasonable period of time. But it’s a really big book and it requires a lot of concentration to fully understand it, so you’ve been procrastinating, hoping that you’ll find the time to read it someday. Of course, that day never comes, and the book continues to collect dust every day. How can you use benchmarking to ensure that you stop making excuses and actually read the book?

First, decide what your goal will be, how many pages you would like to read each day. How about 100 pages? No, that’s too much because it’s a fantasy. You might read that much on the first sitting, but you know the book’s material is too complex and you won’t make the time to read that much consistently. How about 20 pages? OK, you decide that you can shoot for 20 pages a day. That’s your goal.

But it’s OK if you don’t always reach your goal. Sometimes, life gets in the way. Even though you’ll try to read 20 pages a day, some days you might not have the time or the energy to hit your goal. And that’s fine; you’re allowed to sometimes fall short of what you’d like to get done. But you decide to set a benchmark of reading 5 pages a day. No matter what, you’re going to read a minimum of 5 pages a day, every day, without fail.

That means that even if the kids have soccer practice, or you get a flat tire, or you get sick, or you have a huge argument with your boss, or whatever, you still have to read those 5 pages. Your benchmark of 5 pages is considerably less than your goal of 20 pages, but that’s because things are bound to come up once in a while, and you’ll need to have some flexibility to slow down. You’re still shooting for your goal each day, but you’ll accept no less than your benchmark, no matter what.

Read the rest

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/09/02/learn-how-to-get-things-done/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/29/picnic-recipes/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/29/picnic-recipes/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:21:51 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=243
The weather is still warm enough to go out and picnic so here are 101 recipes, so you won’t run out of ideas. There’s more to picnic than bbq chicken and potato salad. Really!

Check it out here.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/29/picnic-recipes/feed/ 1 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/superfood-rice-bran-has-arsenic-in-it/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/superfood-rice-bran-has-arsenic-in-it/#comments Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:11:21 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=237 From the newscientist:

Rice bran – a so-called “superfood” – might contain dangerous amounts of a natural poison.

A new study suggests that rice bran, the shavings left over after brown rice is polished to produce white rice grains, contains “inappropriate” levels of arsenic. Andrew Meharg at the University of Aberdeen, UK, and colleagues found that the levels of arsenic in rice bran products available on the internet and used in food-aid programmes funded by the US government would be illegal in China – the only country in the world to have standards for how much arsenic is permissible in food.

Meharg’s team are calling on the European Union and the US to follow China’s example and update food standards for arsenic.

Arsenic is a natural carcinogen, present in drinking water around the world including in Australia, the US and many developing countries.

In previous work, Meharg has shown that brown rice contains more arsenic than polished white rice (Environmental Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1021/es702212p).

Nutritional drink

In the new study, Meharg and colleagues purchased brown rice from China and Bangladesh and polished part of it in the same way that it would be to produce commercial white rice. They found that 1 kilogramme of brown rice contained on average 0.76 mg of arsenic in its toxic inorganic form. The rice also contained some non-toxic, organic arsenic. The polished white rice grains contained 0.56 mg inorganic arsenic per kg, whereas the rice bran contained 3.3 mg per kg on average.

On the surface, this appears to be good news: the bran shavings are usually discarded except in Japan, where they are used in traditional pickling recipes. But in recent years a number of rice-bran products have come onto US and European markets, mainly targeted at health-food consumers. They are labelled “superfoods”: the bran is high in antioxidants, vitamins, mineral nutrients and fibre. Producers say it is the largest wasted agricultural food resource on the planet, with 60 million metric tonnes of it discarded worldwide each year.

Some companies have produced a powdered version with a long shelf life at room temperature. Mixed with water, these “rice-bran solubles” make a nutritional drink and have been distributed as food aid to malnourished children in Malawi, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. There are plans to further expand the aid programmes in Latin America, India and the Caribbean.

Meharg and his colleagues purchased nine commercial rice-bran products online, including rice-bran solubles from NutraCea, a company that participates in food-aid programmes, and analysed their arsenic content. The products contained between 0.48 mg/kg and 1.16 mg/kg of inorganic arsenic. China recently updated its standards, and set the limit to 0.15 mg of inorganic arsenic per kg of food.

Risk analysis

“The arsenic concentrations reported are worrisome, but the risk assessment is complex,” says Philippe Grandjean, professor of environmental health at Harvard University’s School of Public Health.

Indeed, “safe” standards for arsenic intake are controversial. The risk of skin, lung, bladder and kidney cancer increases proportionally with arsenic intake, which has lead toxicologists to the conclusion that there is no “safe” limit. But risks must be weighed against the benefits gained from drinking water and eating certain foods that contain the poison.

NutraCea has carried out a pilot project distributing their rice-bran solubles to 67,000 pre-school children in Guatemala. They monitored the nutritional state of 150 children. Whereas at the beginning of the trial, 37% were deemed malnourished, that dropped to 5% after taking 15 g of the rice bran 5 days a week for 6 months. The project was funded by the US Agency for International Development USAID and the Christian Children’s Fund.

Marie Vahter, an environmental toxicologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden who has done extensive studies on the health effects of arsenic believes the nutritional benefits do not necessarily outweigh the risks, given the availability of other supplements. “Recent reports indicate increased fetal and infant mortality due to fairly low-level arsenic exposure via drinking water,” says Vahter. Arsenic also impairs brain development and impairs the body’s ability to repair DNA.

Unwanted substances

“Rice-bran solubles are not the only way of getting nutrients to malnourished children,” argues Meharg. “If aid agencies want to go down the bran solubles route why not wheat, oat or barely bran solubles. All these crops have ten times less total arsenic than rice and are just as nutrient rich.”

“One would expect dietary supplements to be virtually free of unwanted substances like arsenic, especially when aimed at children, who are particularly vulnerable to arsenic,” says Grandjean.

Drinking water limits on arsenic levels are more widespread than food limits, despite animal studies showing that the body does not distinguish between arsenic derived from food and from drink. Water limits tend to be based on the World Health Organization’s “provisional” guideline limit of 0.01 mg of arsenic per litre of drinking water – although the WHO itself admits that “based on health criteria” the guideline would be less than this. It says the value is restricted by measurement limitations, hence its provisional nature.

According to China’s standards, all of the rice-bran products tested by Meharg would be illegal. According to the UK’s 50-year-old standards, two of the nine products are safe – yet all can be purchased online in the UK. The US has no standards for arsenic levels in food, and has a limit of 0.01 mg/l in drinking water.

“We totally agree with the overall message that it is important to set standards for inorganic arsenic in our food,” comments Walter Goessler, an arsenic expert at the Karl-Franzens University in Austria.

“Rice-bran solubles are being produced by commercial companies who profit from this commodity,” says Meharg.

At the time of going to publication, NutraCea had not replied to New Scientist’s request for comment.

[source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/superfood-rice-bran-has-arsenic-in-it/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/pesticide-studies-reveal-why-bees-die/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/pesticide-studies-reveal-why-bees-die/#comments Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:26:27 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=234
I guess this is from the department of DUH! Of course, it’s better late than never…

From newsobserver:

“A Bayer CropScience pesticide is at the center of a legal battle for research data that could help explain what’s killing U.S. honeybees in large numbers.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal court, accuses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of hiding the honeybee data.

The Natural Resources Defense Council sued after the EPA missed a deadline to respond to a Freedom of Information request the council submitted July 17.

It’s not unheard of for federal regulators to take years to fulfill an FOIA request. But in the case of Bayer’s pesticide chlothianidine, the Natural Resources Defense Council decided to push hard.

“It’s an aggressive suit,” said the group’s spokesman, Josh Mogerman. “But in a scientific mystery that threatens the U.S. food supply, business as usual is not acceptable.”

Dale Kemery, an EPA spokesman, declined comment until the agency fully reviews the lawsuit.

John Boyne, a spokesman at Bayer CropScience’s U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park, said some of the data the Natural Resources Defense Council is seeking was published in a scientific journal a year ago.

“I don’t know why they filed the lawsuit,” Boyne said.

Chlothianidine is made to coat corn, sugar beets and sorghum seeds and protect them from pests. But the chemical has the potential to be very toxic for bees. Three months ago, German regulators banned chlothianidine and related chemicals after the family of pesticides was blamed for the destruction of about 11,000 bee colonies earlier this year.

The EPA approved the use of chlothianidine in 2003 on the condition that Bayer submit safety data, including how the use of the pesticide affects hives over the life of a honeybee.

“We met all the requirements of the conditional approval,” Bayer spokesman Boyne said. Results of a field study that monitored the long-term effects of chlothianidine on honeybees were published in the June 2007 Journal of Economic Entomology, Boyne added.

The NRDC thinks the data from that study might show whether chlothianidine plays a role in the sudden loss of millions of U.S. honeybee colonies.

The phenomenon, also known as colony collapse disorder, threatens a significant portion of the U.S. food supply. About one out of every three mouthfuls in the U.S. diet stems from crops pollinated by bees.”

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/23/pesticide-studies-reveal-why-bees-die/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/22/how-to-power-nap/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/22/how-to-power-nap/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:42:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=229
From wikihow:

“Whether you’re nodding off during the afternoon slump at the office, working a double or a night shift, or fighting drowsiness while driving, a power nap can make you more alert and productive[1] but only if you do it correctly. Scientists have been studying the power nap–when to take it, how to take it, what to take before you take it, and so on; their findings suggest that the following steps will help you get the most power out of a power nap.

Find a good place to nap.

Napping at work – A survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that about 30% of people are allowed to sleep at work, and some employers even provide a place for employees to nap.[2] If your place of employment isn’t nap-friendly, you can take a power nap in your car.

Napping on the road – If you’re driving, find a rest area to park in. Don’t park on the shoulder. Always turn off the car and put on the emergency brake. If it’s nighttime, park in a well-lit area with plenty of people around and lock all of your doors.

Turn off your mobile phone and any other potential distractions. If background noise is unavoidable and distracting, or if you suffer from tinnitus, putting on headphones with relaxing music may help.

If you’re sleeping during the day and find that bright light inhibits your ability to sleep, wear sunglasses or use an eye mask to simulate darkness.

Have caffeine right before you nap. This may sound counterintuitive since caffeine is a stimulant, but it won’t kick in immediately. The caffeine has to travel through your gastro-intestinal tract, giving you time to nap before it kicks in. Taking a “caffeine nap” in which 200mg of caffeine are consumed right before a 20-minute nap will not only improve your performance, but it’ll also lessen how sleepy you feel once you wake up.[3] Skip the caffeine, however, if it’s late in the afternoon–you’ll have a hard time falling asleep later–or if you’re trying to quit caffeine.

When you’re close to finishing your coffee (or your green tea, or your caffeine jello shot, etc.), set an alarm to go off in 15 minutes. If you’re one of those people who has a habit of pressing the “snooze” button and going right back to sleep, put your alarm across the room so that you have to get up to turn it off. Immediately after consuming the caffeine, close your eyes and relax.

Even if you can’t sleep, close your eyes and meditate. You might not be used to napping, but if you incorporate short bouts of sleep into a daily routine (taking a nap every day after lunch, for example) you can “train” your body to expect a nap during that time and you’ll have an easier time falling asleep.[4]

What you’re doing during a power nap is capturing the benefits of the first two of the five stages in the sleep cycle. These first two stages take place in the first twenty minutes. In addition to making you feel more rested and alert, the electrical signals in your nervous system strengthen the connection between neurons involved in muscle memory, making your brain work faster and more accurately.[5]

After 15 minutes, not only will your alarm go off, but caffeine will also kick in and help since it blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter that promotes fatigue.

Get up as soon as the alarm goes off. Sleeping for any longer than 20 minutes will be counterproductive. A half hour can lead to sleep inertia, making you feel sluggish and more tired than ever.[6]

Follow up with physical activity. Get your blood flowing with a few jumping jacks or push-ups, or a little bit of jogging in place.
Washing your face and exposing yourself to bright light (e.g. sunlight) can help you feel more awake as well.[3]

Remember that a power nap makes you more productive. Some people are reluctant to nap because it seems “lazy” but if that was the case, why would successful executives and athletes be power napping? Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were power nappers, as well.

Warnings
A power nap can only help so much. If you’re sleep-deprived, you need to make up for your sleep deficit before you can realize the full benefits of power napping.”

^{Sources and Citations
Wired Magazine – Original source of this article. Shared with permission.
http://www.sleepdex.org/caffeine-nap.htm – Research source for “caffeine nap”
↑ The effects of a 20 min nap in the mid-afternoon on mood, performance and EEG activity. Clin Neurophysiol. 2003 Dec;114(12):2268-78.
↑ http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-072208-nap-main,0,2745098.story
↑ 3.0 3.1 The alerting effects of caffeine, bright light and face washing after a short daytime nap. Clin Neurophysiol. 2003 Dec;114(12):2268-78.
↑ http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/power-of-napping-feature?page=3
↑ http://www.mensjournal.com/healthFitness/0601/napping_power.html
↑ http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-072208-nap-main,0,2745098.story}

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/22/how-to-power-nap/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/21/pollution-sucks/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/21/pollution-sucks/#comments Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:23:32 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=226 From popsi:

“Think smoking is bad for you? Try just breathing. Louisiana scientists have discovered a group of previously undetected air pollutants that when inhaled exposes the average person to 300 times more free radicals than that of one cigarette in a day.

Scientists have long suspected that free radicals from tobacco smoke can damage human cells and accelerate the progression of cancer or cardiovascular disease among other health-related problems. These free radicals, which are highly reactive compounds that form during the burning of fuels and photochemical processes, usually last for about a second and then disappear. However, the new class of pollutants is unlike atmospheric free radicals and can linger in the air for days or longer as well as travel far distances.

Scientists, who termed the air pollutants persistent free radicals (PFRs), say they form on fine airborne particles, usually the main culprit behind air pollution alerts in a lot of cities. Even worse are the particles with metals like copper and iron, which are more likely to persist. When inhaled, the lungs and other tissues absorb the PFRs, causing health effects similar to smoking. While more research is needed to tie PFRs to certain diseases, scientists believe this could explain why 10 to 15 percent of those diagnosed with lung cancers are non-smokers.” [Source]

What can you do with this information?
It can get you to think about finding a better and less polluted environment to live in. I know this is easier said than done, but think about your health, and the health of your kids and loved ones. Make it a goal to get away from the pollution!

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/21/pollution-sucks/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/20/8-tips-to-go-from-bad-breath-to-good-breathforever/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/20/8-tips-to-go-from-bad-breath-to-good-breathforever/#comments Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:25:59 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=223 From webmd:

“We’ve all found ourselves chatting with someone whose breath could easily wilt a flower. With more than 90 million people suffering from chronic bad breath (also called halitosis), that’s a lot of wilted flowers. If you (or someone you regularly smooch) has an attack of bad breath that even Altoids won’t fix, try these eight simple tips to fix the problem.

Don’t let your tongue become a dirty carpet.
Bad breath often strikes when people aren’t properly taking care of their oral health. The odor is usually caused by decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth. That’s why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don’t forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria.

A clean tongue goes a long way to warding off bad breath, says Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist in private practice in New York City. “Your tongue microscopically is like a shaggy carpet. There are millions of filaments on your tongue that trap tiny food particles and bacteria,” he says. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning your tongue using a toothbrush, the edge of a spoon, or a tongue cleaner. If you have any mouth guards or oral devices, make sure to clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

Mouthwash isn’t a bad idea, but it’s only a temporary fix. Granted, a little mouthwash comes in handy before a romantic dinner for two, but it masks the odor instead of tackling the source of your problem.

Chew gum like it’s going out of style.
Believe it or not, saliva is your best weapon against bad breath. That’s why dry mouth, often caused by certain medications or medical conditions, leads to odor problems. By washing away food particles and bacteria, saliva helps to eliminate odor, too.

If you’re wondering why your breath stinks in the morning, it’s largely because saliva production slows while you sleep, allowing particles and odor to linger longer. That’s where sugarless gum comes in handy, as chewing it will stimulate saliva production. Mints, on the other hand, don’t usually stimulate saliva production and only temporarily mask bad odor.

“When you chew gum it makes you salivate, and the more saliva you have in your mouth the fewer bacteria you have. It not only mechanically washes bacteria out, but we have antiseptic and enzymes in our saliva that kill bacteria,” says Wolner.

While anything that makes you salivate will improve your breath, a gum that is sweetened with xylitol is your best option. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that not only increases salvation but also works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth.

Choose cinnamon — it’s sweeter.
A recent study of the cinnamon-flavored gum Big Red found that cinnamon might have breath-odor fighting abilities. Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up, Wolner tells WebMD. In fact, he says, an ingredient in the flavoring appears to actually decrease the bacteria in your mouth. The only problem is that sugar gums are bad for your teeth, so stick to sugarless cinnamon-flavored gum instead….” Continued

Related: How to Tell Someone Their Breath Stinks!

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/20/8-tips-to-go-from-bad-breath-to-good-breathforever/feed/ 2 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/19/adult-obesity-rises-in-37-states/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/19/adult-obesity-rises-in-37-states/#comments Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:08:40 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=218 From businessweek:

“Despite the many public efforts to promote physical activity and good nutrition in recent years, despite the constant warnings about the obesity crisis, Americans just keep getting fatter. According to an annual state-by-state look at the problem, adult obesity rates increased in 37 states in the past year, and only the District of Columbia saw a decrease—down a mere 0.1%. More than 25% of adults are now obese in 28 states, up from 19 states last year.

In 1991 no state had an obesity rate above 20%. Today more than 20% of adults are obese in every state except Colorado, where the number stands at 18.4%, according to the survey by two nonprofits, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health. Mississippi, the worst performer of all 51 on the list (which includes the District of Columbia), stands at 31.7%. Similarly disturbing increases were found in the percentage of adults with Type 2 diabetes, a weight-related disease. The survey found higher incidence of diabetes in 26 states. Four states are above 10%…..” Read the rest

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/19/adult-obesity-rises-in-37-states/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/17/a-book-on-learning-to-live-self-sufficiently/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/17/a-book-on-learning-to-live-self-sufficiently/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:46:40 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=212 As a family that has abandoned the city and suburbs for the countryside, the very presence of a book like John Seymour’s “The Self-sufficient Life and How to Live It” is enough to inspire fits of joy. A perfect companion to works like Hemenway’s “Gaia’s Garden” and Mollison’s “Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual,” this book is a must for would-be urbanites fleeing the cities. Covering every topic relevant to self-sufficient, sustainable living and farm life, Seymour’s classic provides a great way to start a different life. An update from the venerable mid-Seventies edition of the book, this 2002 release is a fine improvement.

The book has quite a bit going for it:

1. Beautifully made, illustrated and laid-out, this book is meant to last and be used readily and often. Typical Dorling Kindersley quality.

2. An eye-friendly typeface and bright, semi-gloss pages make this easy reading.

3. The shear breadth of the information here is outstanding. Packed into 306 letter-sized pages are the following chapters:
*The Meaning of Self-Sufficiency
*Food from the Garden
*Food from Animals
*Food from the Fields
*Food from the Wild
*In the Dairy
*In the Kitchen
*Brewing & Wine-making
*Energy & Waste
*Crafts & Skills
*Things You Need to Know

4. Good specifics on all the categories of info listed above. You should be able to get started on your way to being people of the soil. Need to know how to kill, gut, and prepare your cattle? It’s in here. Got a hankering to get off the electrical grid altogether? Helpful windmill buying advice is here. Can’t tell rye from barley? You will after reading this book.

5. A helpful list of contacts and companies that can get you started on your dream are included.

This is a fine primer on self-sufficiency. Anyone looking to escape the rat race could hardly do better than to pick up a copy of “The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It.”

[source: amazon]

Get it now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/17/a-book-on-learning-to-live-self-sufficiently/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/14/10-ways-to-green-your-home/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/14/10-ways-to-green-your-home/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:18:59 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=207 Educate yourself on environmental subjects. You can do so by starting or joining an environmental group. This will keep you informed and sociable at the same time. You will surely meet like-minded, caring people and make new friends. Also watch DVDs and read up on books related to the environment and eco-living.

Compost your kitchen scraps and other waste. Even if you live in an apartment you can compost material and use the end product as soil for flower pots or herb planters. Take a look at these awesome composters that you can keep inside your home.

Reduce your water consumption. Instead of taking a bath, take a shower and limit yourself. Don’t linger in the shower or you’ll end up using more water than if you’d taken a bath! If you absolutely MUST take a bath, take them only once in a while, and don’t fill the tub as much.

Use energy-efficient appliances. Don’t go out and replace all of your appliances at the same time. Let them run their course and then properly dispose of them. Then, purchase energy efficient ones (graded A, B). If you feel you have to replace your appliances and they are still functioning properly, donate them to an organization that helps needy families. (i.e., Salvation Army, St. Vincent’s, Goodwill, or better yet, a very local group helping out others.)

Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Using poison-free products at home is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for you and your family’s health. Chemical cleaning products may clean your counters, floors, windows, tables, etc, like crazy, but they can harm you and damage the planet. Eco-friendly cleaning products can equally clean yet not harm anyone or anything.

Use phosphate-free laundry detergent. This is easy to do. Just replace your big-name-brand detergents that you’ve been loyal to forever, but cost a fortune, and replace them with environmentally sound detergents. Many people are now opting to use soap nuts.

Reduce energy consumption. These are so obvious but you do forget them more often than you should or like. Turn off lights in rooms no one is using. If you have a large home, only provide heat or cool to rooms that are actually being utilized. Use energy-efficient lightbulbs and solar power when possible.

Donate old items instead of trashing them. Some people go through items like they’re going out of style. Oh. Maybe they ARE going out of style but put those things to good use and donate old clothes, furniture and other items to people who need them. Another note: if you’d rather sell these items, go ahead and make a little cash on the side from e-bay or whereever. This is a great way to earn some money while getting rid of stuff.

Harvest your own rainwater if possible. Use the power of Mother Nature to water your yard, lawn, plants and vegetable garden if you have one. They are so easy to set up and the water will have no chemicals. Put up gutters on your house and/or garage with a large receptacle to harvest the water. This will lower your water bill, help you use less city water and have pure rainwater for the garden. These wooden rain barrels are pretty cool.

Properly dispose of toxic materials. These products should not be in your house. Period. Go through your house, garage, attic, basement and discard of leftover paints, paint removers, floor finishes, cleaners that are toxic to you, your house, your family AND people who come to your house.

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/14/10-ways-to-green-your-home/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/13/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-drink-a-coke/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/13/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-drink-a-coke/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:18:40 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=163
When you drink a coke, this is what happens…

From healthbot:

• In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
• 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment)
• 40 minutes………Read the rest
  

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/13/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-drink-a-coke/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/12/have-fun-and-play-a-game/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/12/have-fun-and-play-a-game/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:18:11 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=202
In your quest to live the best possible life ever, you can sometimes get a bit too serious, and when that happens…face it, you’re a big drag. Lighten up and lighten up your life and step away from some of your stress factors in your every day life – and play a game or two. Don’t spend hours upon hours glued to it, just spend a small break to have some fun, smile and laugh. There are lots of ways to do that but one method that is sometimes ignored is: playing games. I’ve picked Ancient Quest of Saqqarah because it looks beautiful, it has brain challenging yet fun games and the voices are very and overly melodramatic that they make me laugh. “Getttt ready….for…Super Shuffle!” It’s silly fun and worth a try, if anything else. Remember: you’re never too old (or young!) to have fun.

Download a free demo to try it out (PC)

Download a free demo to try it out (MAC)

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/12/have-fun-and-play-a-game/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/11/staying-fit-with-an-elliptical-trainer-during-the-winter/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/11/staying-fit-with-an-elliptical-trainer-during-the-winter/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:59:38 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=196 Sorry to remind you about the fall and winter coming up but it’s a good time to plan how you’ll try to stay fit during the months when the weather is so horrible out, that you don’t (or can’t) get into your car to go to the gym.

My best solution for this situation so far is this Elliptical Trainer, which I absolute adore and if I didn’t have it, I’d gain approximately 30 pounds during those harsh, cold winter months where all you want to do is eat comfort food. This way, you can eat your comfort food but work it off. And remember, exercise is a great way to fight depression, that can sometimes creep in your life during these months. Just eliminate that whole SADD process. How awesome is that?

More about Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers represent the next wave of advancement in low-impact cardiovascular exercise machines and continue to grow in popularity. By simulating motions experienced through walking, stepping, cycling, and skiing, elliptical machines allow for a smooth and fluid motion while building strength in the arms and legs. Similar to the exercise position for treadmills, elliptical trainers are used by standing in an upright position while holding the handrails of the machine. With elliptical trainers, however, your feet remain in the foot pedals throughout the exercise regimen and circulate in a smooth and seamless motion, resulting in little to no impact on the knees, back, and hips.

Elliptical trainers are compatible for all ages and fitness levels and allow you to select the difficulty level through the incline and intensity settings. Additionally, elliptical trainers allow you to determine the complexity of your workout based on your needs, all while listening to music, watching television, or reading a magazine while exercising in the comfort and safety of your own home.

Although different types of elliptical trainers offer an assortment of features, many of them include an array of challenging programs, forward and reverse directional movement, EKG grip pulse handles, a lightweight portable design with easy fold-up capability, and a monitor displaying calories burned, distance, speed, time, and heart rate. Other types of exercise machines, namely treadmills and bikes, offer excellent cardiovascular exercise and muscular training for the legs in a forward-motion exercise. Elliptical trainers take this to the next level by offering an upper and lower body workout with dual motion, challenging and diverse programs, and a low-impact exercise machine that won’t strain sensitive joints.

See photos and find out more about getting in shape

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/11/staying-fit-with-an-elliptical-trainer-during-the-winter/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/10/yo-yo-ma-and-bach/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/10/yo-yo-ma-and-bach/#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:36:57 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=194 There’s nothing more heavenly than combining two of the most brilliant and creative minds that ever existed. Yo Yo Ma is one of my very favorite cellists, and Bach, well, is Bach! You know, J.S.? If you’re not familiar with Bach or Yo Yo for that matter, check it out. You will probably become a fan of both. This is pure joy.

Listen to samples of this CD now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/10/yo-yo-ma-and-bach/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/e-coli-traced-to-whole-foods-beef-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/e-coli-traced-to-whole-foods-beef-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health/#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:07:24 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=190 From boston.com:

“Massachusetts health authorities are warning consumers not to eat ground beef bought from Whole Foods Markets over the last two months after seven infections have been linked to meat bought there, some after a national recall.

The state Department of Public Health today confirmed the seventh E. coli case linked to ground beef. The people who fell ill — five of whom were hospitalized — had all eaten ground beef from Whole Foods last month. Preliminary results indicate that the ground beef products were part of a nationwide recall of meat produced by Nebraska Beef Ltd. because of possible E. coli contamination.

“A review of records from Whole Foods indicates that some of the stores received product from the recall list,” the state said in a release. “At this time, it is not known why the food listed under the USDA recall was sold to the public after the recall date.”

In a statement, Whole Foods said it will “continue to work with state and federal authorities as this investigation progresses, and looks forward to providing its customers with the high quality products that they have come to expect.”

The products involved include ground beef and ground beef patties from the stores’ meat counters as well as packaged meat found in the stores’ cooler. Any meat bought between June 2 and August 6 should be thrown out, state officials said. Consumers should also check their freezers for meat they may have bought last month and frozen for later use.

E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Ground beef cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bacteria.” [source]

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/e-coli-traced-to-whole-foods-beef-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health-back-to-front-page-text-size-%e2%80%93-public-health/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/start-your-own-drumming-circle/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/start-your-own-drumming-circle/#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:49:09 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=186 What is a Drumming Circle?
It’s a musical gathering. However, it is much more than just the instruments and people beating on drums; it is also the shared experience of the drummers. The drums and drumming take the group to its final destination, a place where everyone has a voice and is empowered to use it, and where the creative spirit is shared by everyone in the circle.

Why take part in a Drumming Circle?
Drumming is a vehicle to express as well as to feel. It is exercise, nurturing, social support, bonding and spirituality, to intellectual stimulation, heightened understanding and enhanced capacity to cope with life’s challenges, the benefits of recreational music-making extend far beyond music. This type of music making ultimately affords unparalleled creative expression that unites and heals our bodies, minds and spirits.

Start Your Own Drumming Circle
World-renowned author offers tips to run a successful drum circle. As the popularity for drum circles continues to grow, the need for facilitators increases as well. Written by the foremost authority in this field, Arthur Hull offers his insights, plans and practical strategies to become a facilitator – regardless of your musical background or expertise. This can be used by social workers, store owners, human resource managers, church leaders, camp leaders, nursing home activity coordinators – for anyone who wants to unify a group that will enjoy the benefits of participating in this simple activity. It’s about leadership and communication. The book covers dozens of exercises, instrument suggestions, facilitator’s shorthand, interviews with successful facilitators, and even marketing tips on how to promote and expand your events. This is the complete rhythm event facilitation handbook from the expert.

Start a Drumming Circle Now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/09/start-your-own-drumming-circle/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/08/plan-right-now-to-protect-your-income/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/08/plan-right-now-to-protect-your-income/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:27:40 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=182 From businessweek:

“Digging into retirement accounts before retiring is a big no-no. Americans should heed two methods to safeguard savings: set aside a liquid cushion and buy disability insurance.

Concerned about being laid off this year? Hey, it’s a legitimate worry. David Wyss, chief economist for Standard & Poor’s, believes as many as 750,000 Americans will lose their jobs in 2008. That’s why financial planners always advise keeping at least six months’ worth of expenses in a liquid account, like a money-market—advice astonishingly few Americans take. Have you ever worried about becoming disabled? Surprisingly, few Americans have disability insurance either, another huge concern.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans will become disabled for one year or more before the age of 65, according to the Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart financial decisions. The number of workers who become disabled has risen by 35% since 2000, according to the Social Security Administration.

Because more Americans know of someone who has been affected by a disability, there is increasing concern about this issue. In fact, a recent survey by Berkshire Life Insurance found that 25% of Americans are worried about losing their jobs within the next six to 12 months because of weakening economic conditions, while 28% are concerned about losing their income because of an accident or illness that would make them unable to work.

The study also revealed that 41% of employees with 401(k) or similar retirement accounts would be willing to borrow from such accounts to cover lost income.

“Taking money from your retirement accounts before you retire is like robbing yourself to pay yourself,” says Larry Hazzard, a senior vice-president at Berkshire Life. “It’s generally not a good idea to stop contributions to your retirement accounts because you….” RRead the rest

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/08/plan-right-now-to-protect-your-income/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/07/planet-earth/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/07/planet-earth/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:34:46 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=178 By general consensus, Planet Earth (The complete series) has been deemed quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced. Following the success of The Blue Planet: Sea of Life, this astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you’ll ever experience from the comforts of your living room.

The premiere episode, “From Pole to Pole,” serves as a primer for things to come, placing the entire series in proper context and giving a general overview of what to expect from each individual episode. Without being overtly political, the series maintains a consistent and subtle emphasis on the urgent need for ongoing conservation, best illustrated by the plight of polar bears whose very behavior is changing (to accommodate life-threatening changes in their fast-melting habitat) in the wake of global warming–a phenomenon that this series appropriately presents as scientific fact.

With this harsh reality as subtext, the series proceeds to accentuate the positive, delivering a seemingly endless variety of natural wonders, from the spectacular mating displays of New Guinea’s various birds of paradise to a rare encounter with Siberia’s nearly-extinct Amur Leopards, of which only 30 remain in the wild.

With so many of Earth’s natural wonders on display, it’s only fitting that the final DVD in this 5-disc set is devoted to Planet Earth: The Future, a separate 3-part series in which a global array of experts is assembled to discuss issues of conservation, protection of delicate ecosystems, and the socio-economic benefits of understanding nature as a commodity that returns trillions of dollars in value at no cost to Earth’s human population.

At a time when the multiple threats of global warming should be obvious to all, let’s give Sir David the last word, from the closing of Planet Earth’s final episode: “We can now destroy or we can cherish–the choice is ours.”

Get Planet Earth now

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/07/planet-earth/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/06/philips-eco-tv/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/06/philips-eco-tv/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:51:58 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=175
This excellent HDTV by Philips uses less power than any 42-inch LCD I’ve seen. You’re able to dim the backlight–by up to five times peak brightness–in response to program material, which is a pretty nifty feature.

This is leading-edge, with an ultimate performance and energy efficiency with Philips’ Eco FlatTV that was named “Best in Show” in CNET’s “Best of CES” at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. A dimmable backlight and power saver mode can drive the power consumption of this set down to 75 watts, just a little more than a standard incandescent light bulb, and it has a standby mode power consumption of just. .15 watts. Combining that with a full HD 1080p display, Pixel Plus 3 HD engine and fantastic invisible sound makes this eco-friendly TV delivers powerful performance while helping conserve the future.

Read more about it here

]]> http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/06/philips-eco-tv/feed/ 0 http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/05/secrets-of-successful-entrepreneurs/ http://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/08/05/secrets-of-successful-entrepreneurs/#comments Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:06:06 +0000 cate http://www.dietmindspirit.org/?p=171 What is the difference between these millionaires and you? Not much. They are just like you except they have lots and lots of money. Can you, too? Answer: Yes.

From rd:

“When you think “millionaire,” what image comes to mind? For many of us, it’s a flashy Wall Street banker type who flies a private jet, collects cars and lives the kind of decadent lifestyle that would make Donald Trump proud.

But many modern millionaires live in middle-class neighborhoods, work full-time and shop in discount stores like the rest of us. What motivates them isn’t material possessions but the choices that money can bring: “For the rich, it’s not about getting more stuff. It’s about having the freedom to make almost any decision you want,” says T. Harv Eker, author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. Wealth means you can send your child to any school or quit a job you don’t like.
According to the Spectrem Wealth Study, an annual survey of America’s wealthy, there are more people living the good life than ever before—the number of millionaires nearly doubled in the last decade. And the rich are getting richer. To make it onto the Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans, a mere billionaire no longer makes the cut. This year you needed a net worth of at least $1.3 billion.

If more people are getting richer than ever, why shouldn’t you be one of them? Here, five people who have at least a million dollars in liquid assets share the secrets that helped them get there.

Set your sights on where you’re going
Twenty years ago, Jeff Harris hardly seemed on the road to wealth. He was a college dropout who struggled to support his wife, DeAnn, and three kids, working as a grocery store clerk and at a junkyard where he melted scrap metal alongside convicts. “At times we were so broke that we washed our clothes in the bathtub because we couldn’t afford the Laundromat.” Now he’s a 49-year-old investment advisor and multimillionaire in York, South Carolina.

There was one big reason Jeff pulled ahead of the pack: He always knew he’d be rich. The reality is that 80 percent of Americans worth at least $5 million grew up in middle-class or lesser households, just like Jeff.

Wanting to be wealthy is a crucial first step. Says Eker, “The biggest obstacle to wealth is fear. People are afraid to think big, but if you think small, you’ll only achieve small things.”

It all started for Jeff when he met a stockbroker at a Christmas party. “Talking to him, it felt like discovering fire,” he says. “I started reading books about investing during my breaks at the grocery store, and I began putting $25 a month in a mutual fund.” Next he taught a class at a local community college on investing. His students became his first clients, which led to his investment practice. “There were lots of struggles,” says Jeff, “but what got me through it was believing with all my heart that I would succeed.”

Educate yourself
When Steve Maxwell graduated from college, he had an engineering degree and a high-tech job—but he couldn’t balance his checkbook. “I took one finance class in college but dropped it to go on a ski trip,” says the 45-year-old father of three, who lives in Windsor, Colorado. “I actually had to go to my bank and ask them to teach me how to read my statement.”

One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don’t get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate. “It bothered me that I didn’t understand this stuff,” says Steve, “so I read books and magazines about money management and investing, and I asked every financial whiz I knew to explain things to me.”

He and his wife started applying the lessons: They made a point to live below their means. They never bought on impulse, always negotiated better deals (on their cars, cable bills, furniture) and stayed in their home long after they could afford a more expensive one. They also put 20 percent of their annual salary into investments.

Within ten years, they were millionaires, and people were coming to Steve for advice. “Someone would say, ‘I need to refinance my house—what should I do?’ A lot of times, I wouldn’t know the answer, but I’d go find it and learn something in the process,” he says.

In 2003, Steve quit his job to become part owner of a company that holds personal finance seminars for employees of corporations like Wal-Mart. He also started going to real estate investment seminars, and it’s paid off: He now owns $30 million worth of investment properties, including apartment complexes, a shopping mall and a quarry.

“I was an engineer who never thought this life was possible, but all it truly takes is a little self-education,” says Steve. “You can do anything once you understand the basics.”

Passion pays off
In 1995, Jill Blashack Strahan and her husband were barely making ends meet. Like so many of us, Jill was eager to discover her purpose, so she splurged on a session with a life coach. “When I told her my goal was to make $30,000 a year, she said I was setting the bar too low. I needed to focus on my passion, not on the paycheck.”

Jill, who lives with her son in Alexandria, Minnesota, owned a gift basket company and earned just $15,000 a year. She noticed when she let potential buyers taste the food items, the baskets sold like crazy. Jill thought, Why not sell the food directly to customers in a fun setting?
With $6,000 in savings, a bank loan and a friend’s investment, Jill started packaging gourmet foods in a backyard shed and selling them at taste-testing parties. It wasn’t easy. “I remember sitting outside one day, thinking we were three months behind on our house payment, I had two employees I couldn’t pay, and I ought to get a real job. But then I thought, No, this is your dream. Recommit and get to work.”

She stuck with it, even after her husband died three years later. “I live by the law of abundance, meaning that even when there are challenges in life, I look for the win-win,” she says.

The positive attitude worked: Jill’s backyard company, Tastefully Simple, is now a direct-sales business, with $120 million in sales last year. And Jill was named one of the top 25 female business owners in North America by Fast Company magazine.

According to research by Thomas J. Stanley, author of The Millionaire Mind, over 80 percent of millionaires say they never would have been successful if their vocation wasn’t something they cared about.

Grow your money
Most of us know the never-ending cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. “The fastest way to get out of that pattern is to make extra money for the specific purpose of reinvesting in yourself,” says Loral Langemeier, author of The Millionaire Maker. In other words, earmark some money for the sole purpose of investing it in a place where it will grow dramatically—like a business or real estate.

There are endless ways to make extra money for investing—you just have to be willing to do the work. “Everyone has a marketable skill,” says Langemeier. “When I started out, I had a tutoring business, seeing clients in the morning before work and on my lunch break.”

A little moonlighting cash really can grow into a million. Twenty-five years ago, Rick Sikorski dreamed of owning a personal training business. “I rented a tiny studio where I charged $15 an hour,” he says. When money started trickling in, he squirreled it away instead of spending it, putting it all back into the business. Rick’s 400-square-foot studio is now Fitness Together, a franchise based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with more than 360 locations worldwide. And he’s worth over $40 million.

When extra money rolls in, it’s easy to think, Now I can buy that new TV. But if you want to get rich, you need to pay yourself first, by putting money where it will work hard for you—whether that’s in your retirement fund, a side business or investments like real estate.

No guts, no glory
Last summer, Dave Lindahl footed the bill for 18 relatives at a fancy mansion in the Adirondacks. One night, his dad looked out at the scenery and joked, “I can’t believe we used to call you the black sheep!”

At 29, Dave was broke, living in a small apartment near Boston and wondering what to do after ten years in a local rock band. “I looked around and thought, If I don’t do something, I’ll be stuck here forever.”

He started a landscape company, buying his equipment on credit. When business literally froze over that winter, a banker friend asked if he’d like to renovate a foreclosed home. “I’m a terrible carpenter, but I needed the money, so I went to some free seminars at Home Depot and figured it out as I went,” he says.

After a few more renovations, it occurred to him: Why not buy the homes and sell them for profit? He took a risk and bought his first property. Using the proceeds, he bought another, and another. Twelve years later, he owns apartment buildings, worth $143 million, in eight states.

The Biggest Secret? Stop spending.
Every millionaire we spoke to has one thing in common: Not a single one spends needlessly. Real estate investor Dave Lindahl drives a Ford Explorer and says his middle-class neighbors would be shocked to learn how much he’s worth. Fitness mogul Rick Sikorski can’t fathom why anyone would buy bottled water. Steve Maxwell, the finance teacher, looked at a $1.5 million home but decided to buy one for half the price because “a house with double the cost wouldn’t give me double the enjoyment.”

It’s not a fluke: According to the 2007 Annual Survey of Affluence & Wealth in America, some of the richest people “spend their money with a middle-class mind-set.” They clip coupons, wait for sales and buy luxury items at a discount.

No kidding! Talk show host Tyra Banks calls herself the Queen of Cheap and keeps perfume samples from magazine ads in her purse for quick touch-ups.

Sara Blakely, founder of the $100 million shapewear company Spanx, gets her hair trimmed at Supercuts.

And Warren Buffett, the third richest person in the world, according to Forbes, lives in the same Omaha, Nebraska, home he bought four decades ago for $31,500.”

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