All Posts - Blogs - The City of Shamballa Social Network

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 6, 2011 at 10:00am

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy
http://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU

Some wonderful Recipes for potato dishes

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 6, 2011 at 9:44am

Kerala Potato CurryYou will need3 tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil2 large onions, finely chopped1 cinnamon stickSeeds from 8 cardamom podsBay leaf5cm chunk root ginger, peeled and very finely chopped2 green chillies, halved, deseeded and finely chopped4-5 plum tomatoes, chopped500g potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes400ml coconut milkSalt and pepper50ml full-fat milk (optional)2 tbsp chopped corianderMethod1. Heat the oil in a medium-sized saucepan and sauté the onions over a medium heat, until they are soft and golden. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom, bay leaf, ginger and chilli, and cook for another three minutes or so, then add the tomatoes and cook for another four minutes, stirring from time to time.2. Add the potatoes and the coconut milk, season and cook for 15 minutes over a medium heat, until the potato is completely tender. Judge whether you want the dish to be soupy or thick – if you want it to be soupy, then add the milk. If you add more milk, adjust the seasoning.3. Scatter with the coriander and serve. lessPommes AnnaYou will need500g large potatoes40g butter250g onions, peeled and thinly sliced75g beef dripping125g mature Cheddar cheese, gratedSea salt and freshly ground black pepperMethod1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes on a mandolin, or the slicer on the side of a cheese grater. Melt the butter in a pan and gently cook the onions over a medium heat for about 10 minutes until they soften.2. Heat half of the dripping in a heavy-based frying pan (preferably ovenproof and ideally non-stick). Remove from the heat and arrange a layer of the sliced potatoes in the pan, then build up layers of onions, cheese and potatoes, seasoning them and finishing with a layer of potatoes.3. Return the pan to a medium heat and fry until the bottom layer begins to colour. Put the rest of the dripping on top of the potatoes then put the pan into the oven. (If your frying pan isn't ovenproof, then slide the potato cake on to a baking tray.)4. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown, increasing the temperature to 220oC/425oF/gas mark 7, for the last 10 minutes to brown the top. Loosen the sides of the cake with a palette knife and carefully invert on to a warm plate to serve. lessPotato Cubes with Crispy Bacon and Herb GremolataYou will need650g small baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes4 tbsp chopped mixed herbs, such as tarragon, parsley and chivesZest of ½ lemon100g fresh white breadcrumbs2 egg whites, lightly beaten125g smoked bacon, chopped into small pieces3 tbsp vegetable oilSalt and freshly ground black pepperMethod1. Place the potatoes in a pan, cover with cold water, then add a little salt and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are almost but not quite cooked. Drain in a colander and cool slightly.2. Mix together the herbs, lemon zest and breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper. Season the potatoes, then dip them in the beaten egg whites and coat in the herb crumbs.3. Heat a dry frying pan, add the bacon and fry for two to three minutes, until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm. Add the oil to the pan, then add the potatoes and fry until golden all over. Return the bacon to the pan, toss with the potatoes and serve immediately.Tip: Always use your own fresh white breadcrumbs rather than buying the commercial variety that look and taste like sawdust. To make your own, simply place the bread (crusts removed) in a food processor or blender and blitz to a fine texture. LessPotato Fontina Cheese and Thyme PizzaYou will need120g small waxy potatoes2 white pitta breads, opened and separated into 4 halvesOlive oil80g fontina or taleggio cheese1 tbsp fresh thyme leavesSea saltMethod1. Cook the potatoes (no need to peel them), until just al dente.2. While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Place the pitta breads rough-side up on a baking tray and brush the top of each – right to the edges – with a little olive oil.3. Cut the cheese into thin slices and lay over the breads. Then, slice the potatoes, as finely as you can, into rounds, and divide evenly between the pizzas. Scatter with thyme and a little salt, then bake in the oven for 10 minutes, until they’re golden and crispy.Allow to cool on a rack before servingPotato GratinYou will need750g potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward)300ml whipping cream1 whole garlic bulbSmall bunch fresh thyme, tied100g Gruyère, gratedCrushed sea salt and freshly ground black pepperMethod1. Peel the potatoes and, using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice them very thinly. Cut the garlic bulb in half horizontally.2. Pour the cream into a large non-stick frying pan. Add the garlic and thyme. Warm the cream over a low heat. Add the potatoes, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer, over a low heat, uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are soft but still have a little bite.3. Preheat the grill to high. Remove the halved garlic bulb and the thyme from the pan. Season well with crushed sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the cream and potatoes into a 24cm square gratin dish. Sprinkle over the grated Gruyère and grill under a high heat for two to three minutes until the Gruyère is melted, golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for two minutes before serving.TIP: If you’re not a vegetarian, you could add cooked smoked bacon lardons to the gratin before you grill itRosemary and Parmesan Baked Chunky ChipsYou will need4 large potatoes weighing about 200-250g each5-6 tbsp olive oil2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed2 tbsp rosemary leaves3 tbsp freshly grated parmesanMethod1. Preheat the oven to 200˚C / 390°F / gas mark 6.2. Halve the potatoes then cut each half into six or seven chunky chips. Place them in a pan of cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for three to four minutes then drain in a colander.3. Heat the olive oil in a roasting tray in the oven then add the potatoes, garlic and rosemary, season and roast for about 45 minutes, turning them a couple times during cooking, or until the potatoes are crisp and cooked through.4. Scatter over the parmesan and return to the oven for about 10 -12 minutesRosemary and Parmesan Baked Chunky ChipsYou will need4 large potatoes weighing about 200-250g each5-6 tbsp olive oil2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed2 tbsp rosemary leaves3 tbsp freshly grated parmesanMethod1. Preheat the oven to 200˚C / 390°F / gas mark 6.2. Halve the potatoes then cut each half into six or seven chunky chips. Place them in a pan of cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for three to four minutes then drain in a colander.3. Heat the olive oil in a roasting tray in the oven then add the potatoes, garlic and rosemary, season and roast for about 45 minutes, turning them a couple times during cooking, or until the potatoes are crisp and cooked through.4. Scatter over the parmesan and return to the oven for about 10 -12 minutesSavoyard Potato, Leek and Gruyere GratinYou will need300g leeks60g butter800g waxy potatoes, peeled200g gruyère cheese, gratedSalt and pepper400ml chicken stockMethod1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Remove the tough, darker leaves from the leeks and trim the top and bottom. Cut into thin rings and rinse well.2. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan and sweat the leeks, covered, until soft – for about 15 minutes. Add a tiny splash of water every so often, to make sure the leeks don’t burn. Butter a gratin dish (preferably a cast-iron one that conducts heat well).3. Slice the potatoes finely, using a mandolin or a very sharp knife, and place in the gratin dish in layers, alternating with the leeks and cheese. Season the vegetables well as you go along. Finish with a layer of potatoes in neat, overlapping slices. Sprinkle with cheese.4. Heat the chicken stock and pour over the vegetables. Bake for an hour, or until the potatoes are tender and the liquid has been absorbed. If the top gets too dark, cover it with foil.Tip: To prepare as a main course, add sautéed bacon and serve with a saladSaffron Potatoes with Onions and ChorizoYou will need900g small waxy potatoes3 onionsFreshly ground black pepper200ml good chicken stockGenerous pinch saffron strands250g chorizo, skin removed and cut into slices about 3mm thick1 tbsp chopped flatleaf parsley or corianderMethod1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Halve the potatoes lengthways and put into a shallow ovenproof dish. (Use a dish where the potatoes and onions can lie snugly together in a single layer, close to, but not on top of, each other.) Halve the onions, cut each half into four wedges and add these to the dish, too. Season.2. Heat the chicken stock and add it to the saffron. Stir to dissolve, then pour over the vegetables. Put into the oven and cook for 45 minutes, gently stirring the vegetables every so often. Add the chorizo halfway through the cooking time – you don’t need to do anything to it.3. When the cooking time is up, the vegetables should be tender and the stock should be absorbed (it’s fine if there is still a bit of liquid – you just don’t want a soup). Scatter with your chosen herbs and serve.Mark Hix’s Welsh onion cakeIf you are roasting a joint, I would strongly recommend you finish cooking it on top of the onion cake, so the juices are absorbed into the potatoes and onions.Serves: 4-6Preparation Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutesYou will need800g large potatoes, thinly sliced100g butter, melted, plus extra for brushing500g onions, slicedSalt and freshly ground black pepperMethod1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Wash the potatoes briefly in water and dry them on a tea towel or kitchen paper. Put them in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and mix with the melted butter.2. Butter a shallow ovenproof serving dish and layer the potatoes and onions alternately, beginning with a layer of potatoes on the bottom and finishing with a neat layer of overlapped potatoes on top.3. Brush the top with a little butter, then cover with foil or a lid, and bake for one hour. Remove the foil, brush with a little more butter and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, to allow them to brown.Recipe, Mark Hix. Photograph, Richard Jung. Food styling, Linda Tubby. Prop styling, Roisin Nield.

The Law of Free Will

Posted by Chris Comish on October 4, 2011 at 4:00pm

“It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”

~Invictus, William Ernest Henley

Generalities about Free Will, Destiny and Karma

Many people at one point or another in their lives stop to ask if they really have free will or if everything that happens during their lives is just some type of interface with destiny. Some even question if we have free will at all. The answer to these questions is: yes, we do have free will.

What many fail to realize is that every human being, and even certain sentient animals, came to life equipped with Free Will; what varies is the degree one can express and live their Free Will.

Inexorably, Free Will is intimately related to the Law of Karma: you are responsible for the ripples resulting from your acts. The Law of Karma is not a punitive law, but it is a law of balance. This is the reason it is known as the Law of Cause and Effect. Mankind has the right to a degree of Free Will, through the choosing of its actions and concrete realizations, contributing greatly in the shaping of its destiny. In one way, the destiny of someone is nothing more than the resultant summary of one’s work, actions and thoughts during a life time, under the auspicious care of Karma.

On another hand, we may pause to explain a concept that may seem a bit complex at first. This is the Dharmic side of Destiny. Just as everyone takes upon a physical existence in this lifetime and receives the right of Free Will, so to do they also receive a Dharma. While the notion of Dharma involves the idea of life purpose and Divine mission, it also expresses itself as retribution and freedom. When one reaches a point where one is able to live deeply the design of their Dharma, one would have balanced one’s karma enough to be able to upgrade the level of consciousness and awareness, therefore allowing the individual to expand the degree of Free Will.

There is a close relationship between the expansion of one’s consciousness and the expansion of the individual Free Will. It does not mean that other individuals, with a reduced level of awareness and consciousness, will be impeded to exercise what they think they have the right to do. It means that there will be accumulation of Karma that, in one way or another and at some point in time, will have to come to be balanced. This is part of a greater Cosmic Law, the Law of Evolution.

“Men have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget it.
You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
You are responsible for your rose…”

~The Little Prince

It is necessary step for humans to evolve to be in contact with duality and to experience themselves as a Divine part of God, gathering the results of experiences in the realms of Good and Evil. It is only through this experience that one can work towards expansion of consciousness.

The right to choose allows us to act our Free Will in the world, but does not give anyone the right to violate any cosmic law, or anyone’s right to exist and act. Every law corresponds to an action and a reaction; exercising Free Will undermining or depriving others of theirs will undoubtedly result in balancing consequences.

In this way, we see that the concept of Free Will does not damage or invalidate the idea of Destiny. Instead, it complements it; since we are the builders of our life plan and Masters of our Destiny. We have the right to choose how our earthly paths will be traced and we will also have the chance to enact the Divine part of our life existence and realize in full our Dharmic program.

Undoubtedly, the higher the development of consciousness and understanding of the works of the immutable laws that maintain the balance of the Universe, the easier is to understand these concepts and to free yourself from the traps of duality. Once this level is reached, the Soul also will have conquered Karma and its effects, and therefore graduate from Earth School.

This is the Path of Self-realization.

Source: http://humanityhealing.net/2011/06/the-law-of-free-will/

Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics, Toiletries and Household cleaners

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 3, 2011 at 12:55pm

Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics, Toiletries and Household cleanersThe US has the worst record in the industrialized world for regulating toxic chemicals.Courtesy of our Corporate owned government and Congress, the federal agencies Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have exposed Americans to the highest risk from endocrine disruptors, found in most commercial cleaning and beauty products.These chemicals mimic the effect of estrogen and other hormones in the human body. Many epidemiologists believe they are linked to the current epidemic of breast cancer, premature puberty, and both male and female infertility. Much evidence links other synthetic chemical to the phenomenal increase in cancer that occurred with the “Better Things for Better Living…Through Chemistry.” (DuPont slogan in 1935) revolution that took place after World War II. Cancer was an extremely rare condition in young and middle aged population prior to the chemical revolution.Besides the current epidemic of childhood and young adult cancers , an asthma epidemic in children, linked to the use of commercial household cleaners during pregnancy is extremely alarming.

Food chemicals, pesticides residues are also a serious danger to your health and when considering the compounded and synergetic effects with all other chemicals ingested and used daily from birth, our home environment and health are incredible toxic. The FDA and EPA required these dangerous chemicals to be experimented on millions and millions of animals who suffered agonizing lives and deaths in the pretense of consumer safety, and the FDA and the EPA reviewed the negative reports of these chemicals over and over again in redundant studies, and still the agencies ignored the evidence and gave the corporations the go ahead.See list of Food chemical additives and Pesticide residues on food.Your government does not care about your health.Mr Obama following the steps of George H.W. Bush appointed a GMO proponent as Secretary of Agriculture and a former Monsanto executive to head food safety : action which may implicate you personally in millions of cancer cases and thousands of deaths worldwide. The chemical and biotech giant Monsanto has a documented legacy of greed, death, poverty and illness –from the creation (and subsequent cover-up) of Agent Orange and the spread of PCBs to Bovine Growth Hormone and patents on genetically modified seeds.The health and pharmaceutical industries do not care about your health. In fact, you bad health is quite profitable. Most of the companies, like Monsanto, Bayer, DuPont,Dow and their subsidiaries that research, develop and manufacture the chemicals and the pesticides also manufacture the pharmaceutical drugs.The phthalates and bisphenyl-A found in plastic water bottles, pacifiers, and baby toys has been pretty well publicized. These compounds function as synthetic estrogens can cause breast cancer, premature puberty, and low sperm counts in men.Shampoos, hand and body lotions, deodorants, toothpaste and sunscreen contain preservatives that function as estrogen disruptors. The US bans only eight of these compounds while the EU bans 1,000. The harm they cause to individuals, children and pets is compounded when they are flushed down the drain and accumulate in our waterways. Studies reveal that hundreds of these toxic chemicals have shown up in the blood and breast milk of third world and arctic populations who have otherwise never used these products.One of the worst offender is the paraben class of compounds (methyparaben or Paba) used as preservative in nearly all toiletries. The second most common is triclosan, found in most anti-bacterial products.Toxic Skin ProductsLess publicized are potentially toxic “nanosized” particles present in many popular sunscreens and so called “natural” mineral foundations.Nanoparticle containing skin products are strictly regulated in the EU France ” with laws requiring safety testing and mandatory product labeling as a minimum -” and an outright ban in some places.But the FDA, which has known for nearly a decade that many common sunscreens contain ingredients that accelerate the growth of skin cancer cells, refuses to act on this information.Nanoparticles are absorbed into the blood stream through skin damaged through eczema or psoriasis, a major health concern as mineral foundations are specifically marketed to women to conceal unsightly dermatitis. In addition, mineral foundation powders are often accidentally inhaled into the lungs during application. Moreover preliminary evidence suggests that nanoparticles can even penetrate healthy skin.The potentially hazardous nanoparticles in sunscreen are nanosized zinc oxide and nanosized titanium dioxide. Because there is no scientific data a whatsoever regarding “safe” level of exposure, any absorption is worrying. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been shown (in very small concentrations) to kill brain stem cells in mice; damage colon cells; and play some role in the development of autism, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s – as well as crossing the placenta and potentially harming the developing fetus. Nano-titanium has been shown to cause cell and DNA damage (both directly and indirectly by increasing circulating free radicals).Not only are these substances totally unregulated in the US , but due to lax labeling laws, 80 percent of sunscreens that claim to contain no nanoparticles are found to contain them.Hair DyesPhenylenediamine (PPD) – present in over two-third of chemical hair dyes and by far the most toxic. Linked (in animals) to damage of the immune and nervous system, skin, liver and kidneys. Banned in France , Germany , and Sweden and use “restricted” in CanadaResorcinal - classified by the European Union as a harmful skin and eye irritant and dangerous to the environment.Ammonia – irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory system (can cause asthma).Persulfates - irritant to skin, lungs (can cause asthma), and eyes.Peroxide – potential toxic effects on eyes, nervous and respiratory (can cause asthma) system. Can cause DNA damage, possibly leading to cancer. Banned in cosmetic use in Japan and use “restricted” in Canada .Lead acetate- lead has well known damaging effects on the brain and nervous system.4-ABP- linked to cancerMany “natural hair dyes still contain some PPD, only less.Resources below for safe brands and a cosmetics database:http://www.nochemicalcosmetics.com/http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com (http://www.ewg.org)Dangerous Chemicals in household cleanersAir fresheners- Usually contain methoxychlor, pesticide that accumulates in fat cells, as well as formaldehyde, a highly toxic known carcinogen, and phenol, a common culprit in contact allergies.Carpet and Upholstery shampoo- commonly contain perchlorethylene, a known carcinogen and ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages.Dishwasher Detergents- (number one cause of household poisoning) most contain highly concentrated dry form of chlorine, which leaves a residue on dishes that accumulates with each washing and is absorbed into hot food.Furniture polish- contain petroleum distillates, which can cause skin and lung cancer and nitrobenzene, linked with low sperm counts, anemia and liver, kidney, lung and eye damage.Laundry detergents Residues can remain on clothes and dishes and are release in the water supply.Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS or anionic surfactants) – release carcinogenic and reproductive toxins into environment during production.Petroleum distillates (aka napthas) – linked to cancer, lung damage and inflammation (can cause asthma) and damage to mucous membranes.Phenols – linked with damage to nervous system, heart, blood vessels, lungs (can cause asthma) and kidneys.Nonyl phenol ethoxylate - endocrine disruptor banded in Europe, owing to link to breast cancer, premature puberty and low sperm counts.Optical brighteners (convert UV light wavelengths into visible light, making clothes appear whiter without making them cleaner) – toxic to fish and can cause allergic reactions when exposed skin is later exposed to sunlight.Phosphates (banned in many states) – contribute to water “dead zones” by stimulating algae growth that depletes oxygen needed for fish and other animal life.Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) - highly toxic chemical which reacts with organic materials in the environment to form carcinogenic and toxic compounds that can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.EDTA (ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate)- chelating agent that biodegrades poorly and can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals in the environment allowing them to enter the food chain.Oven Cleaners - Contain highly toxic and corrosive lye and ammonia with fumes that can damage the respiratory system especially of children and pets and leaves residues always once the oven is turned on.Toilet bowl cleaners - Contain hydrochloric acid, a highly corrosive irritant which can damage eyes, skins, liver and kidneys and Hydrochloric bleach, a corrosive irritant that can damage eyes, skin and respiratory tract.http://peopleforethicalliving.com/toxic-chemicals-cosmetic-home/

Happy Grandparent’s day!

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:35pm

Happy Grandparent’s day!

Grandma and Grandpa are important to families in so many ways: they are there to support and guide their grandchildren, share their wisdom and most importantly, spoil their grandkids with treats all the time! (Ahem.)

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day both get their fair bit of attention, but what about Grandparents’ day?

Well you should know that October 2nd 2011 is their day for recognition and Grandparent’s day has been celebrated in the U.S since 1978. Now we’re recognising the day in the UK, too.

In honour of the older, wiser generation, take a look at this adorable, yet hilarious video of Bruce and Esther Huffman.

The pair accidentally recorded themselves, while trying to figure out how to take pictures using Esther’s new laptop. Their granddaughter posted the clip online and the video went viral.

Don’t miss the moment at 1:50, when naughty grandpa tries to get a little playful with his 70-year-old wife.

Epic win/fail - grandparents an webcam

http://youtu.be/L67_P1xSGb8

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford - Stars who hated each other on set

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:34pm

Stars who hated each other on setBette Davis and Joan CrawfordThe granddaddy of Hollywood feuds - Bette Davis and Joan Crawford absolutely loathed one another.While filming ‘What Happened to Baby Jane?’, Davis actually kicked Crawford in the scene when she pushed her down the stairs.In return, when Bette had to drag Joan off her bed, Joan put on a weighted diver's belt underneath her costume, making her heavier to drag.Naturally, the duo also pitched in with some a-grade bitching. Discussing Davis' hair, Crawford said: “I don't understand these Poodle cuts on elderly women”. Davis retorted by saying Crawford was “single handedly responsible for the syphilis outbreak in America.” Meow.

Roasted Vegetable Salsa

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:33pm

Roasted Vegetable SalsaBy The Gluten Free GoddessWebMD Recipe from Foodily.comWhy buy jarred salsa when making your own is so easy? This is a mild and flavorful salsa recipe perfect for those who find fiery fare a tad too harsh. This mild salsa is delicious on grilled fish- or grilled anything, for that matter.Ingredients1 pint (2 cups) of baby plum/grape tomatoes, halved1 red pepper, cored, seeded, cut into thick strips1 red or sweet onion, peeled, cut into chunks5-6 garlic clovesExtra virgin olive oil, as neededSea salt, to taste3/4 cup corn kernels1 14-oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chiles1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, to taste1/2 teaspoon ground cuminA squeeze of organic raw agave syrup, to taste2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantroInstructionsCombine in a bowl and toss:1 pint (2 cups) of baby plum/grape tomatoes, halved1 red pepper, cored, seeded, cut into thick strips1 red or sweet onion, peeled, cut into chunks5-6 garlic clovesExtra virgin olive oil, as neededSea salt, to tasteYou'll also need:3/4 cup corn kernels1 14-oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chiles1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, to taste1/2 teaspoon ground cuminA squeeze of organic raw agave syrup, to taste2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantroPreheat the oven to 425 degrees F.Arrange the tossed veggies on a baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some room for the corn; add the corn to the baking sheet in one section.Roast the veggies in the top third of the oven until the veggies get tender and edges get nicely browned- anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a grill you could grill your veggies instead of roasting.Spoon the roasted veggies- sans the corn- into a food processor bowl; add the canned tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, cumin and a drizzle of agave. Cover and pulse a few times to achieve the consistency and texture you prefer. Don't puree it- keep some texture.Pour the salsa into a storage container; stir in the roasted corn and cilantro. Taste test and adjust the seasoning to your liking.Cover and chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to co-mingle. Co-mingling is good.Serving Ideas:Serve as a dip with tortilla chips or yummy Brown Rice Chips.Serve as a condiment with grilled fish, chicken, rice, enchiladas, tacos, you name it.Serve as a fresh uncooked sauce for pasta or polenta.Nutritional Information Per ServingTotal Servings: 6Calories: 39Carbohydrates: 7.7gCholesterol: 0mgFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0gFiber: 2.0gSodium: 198mgProtein: 1.7gFor more recipes go to Foodily.comFind more WebMD recipes on the Recipe Finder

18 Embarrassing Beauty Questions – and Answers

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:32pm

18 Embarrassing Beauty Questions – and AnswersThe Brain FreezeOh no, not again! Another frozen treat, another brain freeze. “Ice cream headaches” happen when something cold touches nerves in the roof of the mouth, triggering blood vessels in the front of your head to swell. This rapid swelling causes the familiar, jabbing pain of a brain freeze. An easy solution? Try eating ice cream or other cold foods more slowly to avoid getting a headache.Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)Sure, it’s a mood killer, but this problem is very common and happens to completely healthy people. While it can occur on the face, sweating is usually worse on the palms, soles, and in the armpits. Treatment may include aluminum chloride antiperspirants, Botox injections, oral medications, mild electrical currents, or even surgery.VertigoWhoa! If it feels like the room’s moving when it’s not, it could be vertigo. Sometimes caused by inner ear problems or nerve damage, vertigo can last minutes, even hours. To distinguish vertigo from dizziness, there must be a feeling of motion; other symptoms that may occur include hearing loss, ear discomfort, and unusual eye movements. Treating vertigo depends on the cause.Arm or Leg Goes to SleepEver get that dull feeling in your arm or leg like it’s asleep? This temporary and harmless sensation is caused by constant pressure on nerves, leaving them unable to transmit messages to your brain. The cure is simple: change positions. As feeling starts to come back to the area, you may experience tingling (“pins and needles”) for a little while. Chronic tingling indicates a more serious underlying condition that should be evaluated.HiccupsHiccups are an uncontrollable contraction of the diaphragm (the breathing muscle under the lungs). Eating too much or too fast, overdoing alcohol, or swallowing air can all cause the hiccups. They usually go away on their own, but you can try remedies like holding your breath, quickly drinking water, and breathing in a bag to help hasten hiccups away.Tonsil StonesAlthough those bad smelling lumps can be uncomfortable, tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths) are generally harmless. Hanging out in the tonsil pockets, they form when bacteria and debris get trapped, forming a hard piece of matter and a bad taste in your throat. You can remove small stones with a swab, but if they’re not bothering you, no treatment is necessary.Ear PoppingWe’ve all yawned on a plane trip to “pop” our ears. What we’re doing is equalizing the pressure between the inside and the outside of our eardrum as the altitude changes. That “pop” means a tube connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat has opened, relieving pressure. To help, you can also close your mouth, hold your nose, and blow gently; or try chewing gum or yawning.Charley HorseThis startling muscle spasm can last a few seconds, even several minutes. Dehydration, muscle overuse, nerve irritation, and low levels of certain minerals -- like potassium and calcium -- can be culprits. Walk around to relieve the pain, or shake your leg and stretch the muscle. If cramps persist, see your doctor.Ear Wax BuildupKeep fingers and cotton swabs out of your ear canals. Earwax helps fight infection, keeps ears clean, and our bodies naturally get rid of excess earwax through the ear opening. Problems like impaction often start when we try to clean our ears with a swab or another object. Impaction symptoms include pain, itching, ringing of the ears, or hearing loss. Your doctor can remove excess ear wax with irrigation or manual removal.Black Hairy TongueNo, this isn’t something from a creature feature. Black hairy tongue occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long (instead of shedding), and bacteria grow on them. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, some mouthwashes, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and certain medications can play a role. To help, brush your teeth and tongue twice a day, use a tongue scraper, and avoid aggravating factors.Eye TwitchingEyelid spasms are unpredictable, bothersome, and harmless. Eye twitching can be caused by stress, fatigue, eyestrain, caffeine, and dry eyes, though more serious twitching may be caused by neurological disorders, like Tourette’s syndrome. Eyelid spasms usually go away on their own, but if they are severe, Botox injections may be recommended.Overdevelopment of Male BreastsGynecomastia is usually caused by normal changes in hormone levels at birth, puberty, and later in life. For newborns and boys, the ratio of estrogens (female hormones) to androgens (male hormones) balances out in time. It’s also seen in men as they age, often related to certain medications, liver or kidney problems, or tumors. A physician’s evaluation can get at the root cause, but by itself, the condition is usually harmless.Dark Circles Under the EyesGot raccoon eyes? People blame age or fatigue for these dark circles and they’re right. Lack of sleep makes your skin pale, emphasizing the dark circles, while age means thinner skin around the eyes, making it easier to see any discoloration. Allergies can also lead to dark circles, and heredity plays a role as well.Excessive Hair GrowthFew women enjoy excess hair on their face and body, but while hirsutism can be embarrassing, it’s generally harmless. Hirsutism affects about 5% of women. It may be genetic or caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by an excess of androgens (male hormones) In rare cases, hirsutism is caused by hormone-secreting tumors. Treatment depends on the cause and can include bleaching, electrolysis, hormone therapies, and laser hair removal.Seen here is Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 - July 13, 1954).Discolored NailsCurious about color changes in your nails? About 50% of nail problems are caused by fungal infections. Greenish nails may come from pseudomonas bacteria and are easily treated with antibiotics. Yellowish nails are often a sign of fungus. And red, purple, or black under nails may be caused by blood resulting from injury. Changes can also be related to medical treatments or signal a more serious condition. Unsure? Get those nails checked!Red Nose From RosaceaRosacea often causes red patches on the sensitive skin of the face. In rare cases the nose becomes thickened and bumpy, a condition called rhinophyma. This is more common in men than women, and genetics do play a role. Treatments at this stage can include lasers and other light therapies, dermabrasion, and electrocautery.Seen here is comedian W.C. Fields, whose red, bulbous nose is characteristic of advanced rosacea.Canker SoresCanker sores are small ulcers inside the mouth. They are also called aphthous ulcers. Unlike cold sores, which appear as painful, small blisters and are very contagious, canker sores are not caused by a virus. Certain foods or nutritional deficiencies may trigger a canker sore, as can emotional stress and a mouth injury. When needed, treatments include topical medication and mouthwash solutions.

Tongue Problem Basics

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:31pm

Tongue Problem BasicsThough often hailed as "the strongest muscle in the body," the tongue is actually made up of a group of muscles that allow us to taste food, swallow, and talk. A healthy tongue is pink and covered with small nodules called papillae.Because you use your tongue constantly, it can be frustrating and uncomfortable when you experience tongue problems, including discoloration and soreness. There are a variety of causes for a number of common tongue symptoms. Fortunately, the majority of tongue problems are not serious and most can be resolved quickly.In some instances, however, a discolored or painful tongue can indicate more serious conditions, including vitamin deficiencies, AIDS, or oral cancer. For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice if you experience any ongoing problems with your tongue.What Causes a White Tongue?There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including:• Leukoplakia. This condition causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively. That, in turn, leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue. Although not dangerous on its own, leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer. So it is important for your dentist to determine the cause of white patches on your tongue. Leukoplakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated and is often found in people who use tobacco products.• Oral thrush. Also known as candidiasis, oral thrush is a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. The condition results in white patches that are often cottage cheese-like in consistency on the surfaces of the mouth and tongue. Oral thrush is most commonly seen in infants and the elderly, especially denture wearers, or in people with compromised immune systems. People with diabetes and people taking inhaled steroids for asthma or lung disease can also get thrush. Oral thrush is more likely to occur after the use of antibiotics, which may kill the "good" bacteria in the mouth. Eating plain yogurt with live and active cultures may help restore the proper fauna in your mouth. Additionally, medications may be used to combat the infection.• Oral lichen planus. If you have a network of raised white lines on your tongue that has a lace-like appearance, you may be suffering from oral lichen planus. Doctors are often unable to determine the cause of this condition, which often resolves on its own. Practicing proper dental hygiene, avoiding tobacco, and limiting your consumption of foods that cause irritation to your mouth may helpful.What Causes a Red or Strawberry Tongue?There are multiple factors that can cause a normally pink tongue to turn red. In some instances, the tongue may even take on the appearance of a strawberry with enlarged, red taste buds dotting the surface. Possible causes include:• Vitamin deficiencies. Deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B-12 may cause your tongue to take on a reddish appearance.• Geographic tongue. This condition, also known as benign migratory glossitis, is named for the map-like pattern of reddish spots that develop on the surface of the tongue. At times, these patches have a white border around them and their location on the tongue may shift over time. Though usually harmless, you should check with your dentist to investigate red patches that last longer than two weeks. Once the dentist has determined that the redness is a result of geographic tongue, no further treatment is necessary. If the condition makes your tongue sore or uncomfortable, you may be prescribed topical medications to alleviate discomfort.• Scarlet fever. People suffering from this streptococcal infection may develop a strawberry tongue. Be sure to contact a doctor immediately if you have a high fever and red tongue. Antibiotic treatment is necessary for scarlet fever.• Kawasaki syndrome. This disease, usually seen in children under the age of five, affects the blood vessels in the body and can cause strawberry tongue. During the acute phase of illness, children often run an extremely high fever and may also have redness and swelling in the hands and feet.What Causes Black Hairy Tongue?Though incredibly disconcerting in appearance, a black, hairy tongue is typically nothing serious. The small bumps on the surface of your tongue, called papillae, grow throughout your lifetime. In some people, the papillae become excessively long, rather than being worn down by daily activities. That makes them more likely to harbor bacteria. When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black and the overgrown papillae appear hair-like.This condition is not particularly common and is most likely to occur in people who do not practice good dental hygiene. People who are on antibiotics or receiving chemotherapy and people with diabetes may be more likely to have a black hairy tongue.What Causes a Sore or Bumpy Tongue?There are many things that can make your tongue to become sore or cause painful bumps to form, including:• Trauma. Accidentally biting your tongue or scalding it on something straight out of the oven can result in a sore tongue until the damage heals. Grinding or clenching the teeth can also irritate the sides of the tongue and cause it to become painful.• Smoking. Smoking excessively can irritate your tongue and make it sore.• Canker sores. Many people will develop these mouth ulcers on the tongue at some point in their life. The cause is unknown, although they can be worse during periods of heightened stress.• Burning tongue syndrome. Some post-menopausal women develop this syndrome, which makes the tongue feel as if it has been burned.• Enlarged papillae. If one or more of your taste buds becomes inflamed or irritated, it can swell and form a painful bump on your tongue.• Certain medical conditions. Medical conditions, including diabetes and anemia, can have a sore tongue as a symptom.• Oral cancer. Though most sore tongues are nothing to worry about, you should consult a doctor if you have a lump or sore on your tongue that doesn't go away within a week or two. Many oral cancers don't hurt in the early stages, so don't assume a lack of pain means nothing is wrong.

Why Vegetarianism Will Not Save the World

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:30pm

Why Vegetarianism Will Not Save the WorldPosted By Dr. Mercola | September 28 2011By Dr. MercolaMany vegans and vegetarians choose not to eat meat and/or animal products because they believe it is the morally superior, environmentally friendly choice. But this theory is being put to the test by the book The Vegetarian Myth, written by ex-vegan Lierre Keith.In it she argues that saving the planet and ending the suffering found in factory farms can not be achieved by refusing to eat animals, it can only be achieved by boycotting modern agricultural practices, which Keith calls "the most destructive thing that people have done to the planet."Have Vegans and Vegetarians Been Led Astray?The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization released a report in 2006 titled Livestock's Role in Climate Change and Air Pollution. In it, they estimated that 18 percent of the world's man-made greenhouse-gas emissions are produced by livestock. This information was heralded by vegetarians and environmentalists alike as proof that eating meat was bad not only for you, but for the entire planet.But, it's important to realize that this detrimental effect comes from modern farming practices, not from cows being raised naturally as they were designed to be. The differences between the two are so vast, you're really talking about two different animals, and two separate industries with entirely different farming practices and environmental impact.Keith states:" … the first mistake is in assuming that factory farming—a practice that is barely fifty years old—is the only way to raise animals. Their [vegetarians'] calculations on energy used, calories consumed, humans unfed, are all based on the notion that animals eat grain.You can feed grain to animals, but it is not the diet for which they were designed. Grain didn't exist until humans domesticated annual grasses, at most 12,000 years ago, while aurochs, the wild progenitors of the domestic cow, were around for two million years before that. For most of human history, browsers and grazers haven't been in competition with humans. They ate what we couldn't eat—cellulose—and turned it into what we could—protein and fat. Grain will dramatically increase the growth rate of beef cattle (there's a reason for the expression "cornfed") and the milk production of dairy cows. It will also kill them.The delicate bacterial balance of a cow's rumen will go acid and turn septic. Chickens get fatty liver disease if fed grain exclusively, and they don't need any grain to survive. Sheep and goats, also ruminants, should really never touch the stuff."The carbon footprint of conventional farming is mainly due to the unnatural feed that these animals are given, which requires lots of fossil fuels. Many don't think about this, but fossil fuels are used in everything from the fertilizers and pesticides that are sprayed onto the crop to the transportation of the feed.Grass does not require fossil fuels to grow (rotating pastures does the job instead), and other health-harming practices, such as injecting the livestock with hormones and antibiotics, are also not allowed in organic farming. What it boils down to is this: it's easy to argue against factory-farms and other products of the corrupted agricultural system, but the argument becomes much more muddled, incorrect even, when you try to apply it to farming in the traditional sense of the word.Is Modern Agriculture the Ultimate Animal Abuse?There are those vegetarians and vegans who are morally opposed to killing animals for food, which appears to be one of the more regularly used arguments for adopting this lifestyle. However, Keith makes an interesting point, which is that any food that is the product of modern-day farming -- even a soy burger -- is exacting a toll on life itself, including that of animals.Keith writes:"Specifically, agriculture is biotic cleansing. It requires taking over entire living communities and clearing them away, then planting the land for just humans. All of that is a long way of saying "extinction." None of us can live without a place to live, without habitat. An activity that has destroyed 98% of most animals' habitat can hardly be claimed to be animal-friendly."And as for the environment, modern-day agriculture -- not just the factory farms but also the monocultures of genetically modified corn and soy -- is one of the biggest enemies out there, pilfering the land and its resources. But we sit back and accept it because, after all, it's where we get our food. But there is nothing sustainable about vegetarian foods that come from this agricultural system.As Keith expands:"You take a piece of land and you clear every living thing off it–and I mean down to the bacteria. That's what agriculture is. … Besides the mass extinction, it's inherently unsustainable. When you remove the perennial polyculture -- the grassland or the forest -- the soil is exposed and it dies. It turns to desert ultimately.Northern Africa once fed the Roman Empire. Iraq was forests so thick that sunlight never touched the ground–no one in their right mind would call it the "Fertile Crescent" now. The dust storms in China are so bad that the soil is literally blowing across the Pacific Ocean and over the continent until it hits the Rocky Mountains, where it's causing asthma in children in Denver.The planet has been skinned alive. And the only reason we have not hit complete collapse is because we've been eating fossil fuel since 1950. This is not a plan with a future … The truth is that agriculture is the most destructive thing humans have done to the planet, and more of the same won't save us. The truth is that agriculture requires the wholesale destruction of entire ecosystems."What about the Health Effects? Is Being Vegan or Vegetarian Healthy?Like many, I tried a mostly vegetarian diet in the mid-80's (based on the theories presented in Fit for Life) because I thought it would improve my health.Unfortunately it didn't.After a few weeks of eating fruit for breakfast, as the book advised, I was stunned to discover my fasting triglycerides had skyrocketed from below 100 to nearly 3,000! Clearly this diet was NOT right for me and was rapidly causing damage to my body. So, I had to reevaluate.From a clinical standpoint, I believe virtually everyone benefits from some animal protein. This doesn't have to be meat, necessarily, as there are other healthy animal proteins like raw organic dairy and organic free-range eggs. The evidence suggests that raw organic milk is actually one of the healthiest options as it has the highest biologic value and utilization of any protein.Many who hold strict vegetarian views still hold up The China Study as the authoritative "proof" that eating meat is harmful. In case you're not familiar with it, this book makes a radical case against eating animal protein at all, by linking it to all manner of ill health, including cancer.However, it's important to realize two things:1. The China study was an observational study. Correlations deduced from an observational study do not -- in fact, cannot -- prove causation. All you can really do with data from an observational study is form a hypothesis, which must then be tested in randomized, controlled trials, to ferret out the truth about whether or not x actually causes y.2. In many cases, the data (presented in arduous detail in the book Diet, Life-Style and Mortality in China) do not show statistically significant correlations between animal protein consumption and disease such as cancer at all.On the contrary, it would seem that sugar and carbohydrates are correlated with cancer -- not animal protein. In addition, the data indicate that fat is negatively correlated with cancer mortality, which again contradicts the claim that meat is harmful.Another interesting take on whether or not people are meant to eat meat is the Paelo Diet, which is based upon scientific research examining the types and quantities of foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate. During the Paleolithic period, which spans to 12,000 years ago, people ate primarily vegetables, fruit, nuts, roots and meat, so the foundation of the Paleo Diet is lean meat, including ostrich and bison as well as organ meats, seafood, fresh fruit and non-starchy vegetables -- from as close to naturally raised sources as possible.If you are sincerely objective and honest in seeking to understand what diet is best for you it will be important to trust your body to guide you. It is my recommendation to abandon any previously held convictions you might have about food and instead carefully listen to your body as you experiment with different food ratios and including or excluding animal foods.If Modern-Day Agriculture Doesn't Work, What Does?All of the "advances" that modern agriculture has given us have essentially created a food system that is completely unsustainable and dependent on monoculture, or growing very large fields of the same crop. The U.S. government has encouraged this system by subsidizing only certain crops like corn, wheat, rice and soy, while making it much less desirable for farmers to grow vegetables like broccoli or Swiss chard.While monoculture is efficient and excellent for increasing production, it also depletes the soil and is extremely vulnerable to pests. The only way that monoculture can be successful, in fact, is with the application of large amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.The end result is cheap calories, and lots of them, but largely in the form of genetically modified corn and soy, and loaded with chemical residues. This, in turn, is fueling a growing number of health epidemics, from obesity and type 2 diabetes to cancer and heart disease. Quite simply, producing food on a massive scale at the lowest price possible has taken precedence over obeying natural laws.So, in terms of sustainability and saving the world, the real "battle" that needs to be fought is not one of meat-eaters vs. vegetarians, it's one of agriculture as an industry vs. agriculture the way nature intended.Please understand that industrial agriculture lobbyists wield incredible power in Congress; however they cannot dictate which food you choose to buy for your family. So please do your health and the environment a favor and support the small family farms in your area who are embracing the environment, not destroying it.If you can, look for farms that use permaculture.The word itself comes from "permanent agriculture" and "permanent culture," and at its foundation is developing agricultural and other systems that are interconnected and dependent on one another. In other words, they mimic the natural ecologies found in nature. The focus is not on any one element of the system, rather the focus is on the relationships between animals, plants, insects, soil, water and habitat -- and how to use these relationships to create synergistic, self-supporting ecosystems.On a small-scale version, if you compost your food waste and use it to fertilize your own vegetable patch, you are engaging in permaculture. On a wide scale, small farmers are increasingly allowing animals to live in their natural habitats, eating their natural diets, thereby raising healthier foods and dramatically reducing their footprint on the environment.So, whenever possible, support your own health and the livelihood of the farmers out there who are trying to do things the right way. Here are two excellent resources you can use to find them:

Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners? This Study Will Surprise You

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:29pm

Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners? This Study Will Surprise You...Posted By Dr. Mercola | September 20 2011By Dr. MercolaFor those of you who are aware of the health dangers posed by artificial sweeteners and dutifully avoid them, the featured study findings may come as a shocking surprise...Researchers have found that the artificial sweetener sucralose (Splenda) is a widespread contaminant in waste water, surface water, and ground water. In a recent test, water samples from 19 U.S. drinking water treatment plants serving more than 28 million people were analyzed for sucralose. The sweetener was found to be present in:• The source water of 15 out of 19 of drinking water treatment plants tested• The finished water of 13 out of 17 plants, and• In 8 out of 12 water distribution systemsThe average amounts of sucralose in source water and finished water was 440 ng/L and 350 ng/L respectively.According to the study:"Further, in the subset of [drinking water treatment plants] with distribution system water sampled, the compound was found to persist regardless of the presence of residual chlorine or chloramines ... The results of this study confirm that sucralose [is] an indicator compound ... for the presence of other recalcitrant compounds in finished drinking water".Recalcitrant compounds are organic or synthetic compounds that resist being broken down by chemical processes, such as those employed by water treatment facilities. This is troublesome, particularly as sucralose can be quite detrimental to human health, and the contamination appears to be very widespread in US water supplies.Sucralose Destroys Healthy BacteriaThree years ago, an animal study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health reported that sucralose:• Reduced the amount of good bacteria in the animals' intestines by 50 percent• Increased the pH level in the intestines• Contributed to increases in body weight, and• Affected P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected. In terms of human health, this P-gp effect could result in medications used in chemotherapy, AIDS treatment and treatments for heart conditions being shunted back into your intestines, rather than being absorbed• Is absorbed by fat cells (contrary to previous claims)The fact that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria is truly disturbing as these help maintain your body's overall balance of friendly versus unfriendly micro-organisms, and support your overall immunity and general health.Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to choosing highly processed foods, which is why a high-quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I recommend for nearly everyone. And now we discover that this artificial sweetener also contaminates a majority of US municipal water supplies as well...Splenda has NEVER Been Proven Safe for Human ConsumptionDid you know that only two human trials on sucralose were completed and published prior to the FDA approving Splenda for human consumption? And these two trials included a total of 36 human subjects. Worse yet, the longest running trial lasted only four days, and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance. As for determining the absorption of Splenda into the human body, a mere eight men were studied. Based on that singular human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of and regarded as "safe" for the entire human population!This is a potentially devastating mistake, as some groups are far more susceptible to adverse effects than others, such as infants, the elderly, and the chronically ill.You've probably heard the claims that the FDA has reviewed over 100 studies on Splenda and are satisfied that it's a safe product, but what you don't hear is that most of those studies were on animals, and that they actually revealed plenty of problems!For example, some of these studies revealed: • Decreased red blood cells -- sign of anemia -- at levels above 1,500 mg/kg/day• Increased male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses• Enlarged and calcified kidneys• Spontaneous abortions in nearly half the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group• A 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a six percent death rate in the control groupIt May be Made from Sugar, But it's Nothing Like it...Don't let the name fool you. Sucralose is NOT some magical calorie-free sugar, despite Splenda's famous slogan, "Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar." It is in fact a chlorinated artificial sweetener cooked up in a factory, and scores of consumers have testified to its devastating effects. It does start off as a sugar molecule—to which three chlorine molecules are added. At the end of the patented process, the chemical composition of the sugar has been altered to the point that it's actually closer to DDT and Agent Orange than sugar.This type of "sugar" molecule does not occur anywhere in nature, and therefore your body cannot properly metabolize it. This is why Splenda is advertised as having "zero calories"—because your body cannot digest or metabolize it. Essentially, it passes right through you. Or at least that's the claim. However, according to the available research, between 11-27 percent of sucralose is in fact absorbed into your digestive system, and according to the study mentioned above, it is also absorbed into your fat cells.The question then becomes, just what kind of impact might a DDT- or Agent Orange-like molecule have on your health?Furthermore, few people realize that only about one percent of that packet of Splenda is actually sucralose. The remaining 99 percent is maltodextrin—a type of sugar! Each packet actually has four calories, but because the amount of sugar is less than one gram, they get away with saying it has "no calories" due to a loophole in the labeling law.Common Side Effects of SucraloseJust like other artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame), sucralose can wreak havoc on your health. The personal testimonials on my site alone, submitted by people who have suffered adverse reactions to Splenda, surpass the number of people that were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval. The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com also lists consumer complaints from Splenda consumption.Some of the most common symptoms, usually noticed within a 24-hour period following consumption of Splenda products, include:Gastrointestinal problems: bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea Seizures Blurred vision Blood sugar increasesHeadaches and migraines Dizziness Allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat Weight gainAllergic skin reactions: Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives Breathing problems: wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing Heart palpitations or flutteringJoint pains and aches Bloodshot, itchy, swollen, or watery eyes Anxiety or sensation of being "spaced-out" DepressionHow is Splenda Ending up in Drinking Water?Well, its presence in water supplies may very well be a sign of just how prevalent its use is, because as revealed in that one absorption study, sucralose is expelled in urine and feces pretty much unaltered... I'm not sure which is more concerning, the thought that so many people use and excrete Splenda that it's becoming a drinking water contamination hazard, or that sucralose is so persistent—so difficult to break down that it can pass right through your body, and go through chemical water treatment, and STILL be present to have another go through the system of another unsuspecting person having a drink of water!The other issue to remember is that many researchers believe sucralose has an element of fat solubility so you wind up storing some of it in your fat; certainly more if you are drinking ever increasing concentrations in your tap water. Remember this chemical is in the same class as DDT and Agent Orange, and we have NO long term toxicity studies done on this as they were not required.Avoiding sugar is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, but, instead of consuming a naturally low-sugar diet based on whole foods, some people are still trying to have their cake and eat it too. Unfortunately, the belief that artificial sweeteners can allow you to have the best of both worlds is a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you're still consuming artificially sweetened foods, snacks and beverages because you think it'll help you manage your weight, please understand that you've been sorely misled.In reality, "diet" foods and drinks destroy your body's ability to count calories and actually promote weight gain. For example, drinking diet sodas has been found to double your risk of obesity! Complicating matters further, artificial sweeteners also appear to be highly addictive. It's important to understand that sugar cravings is typically a sign that your body needs fuel. Using artificial sweeteners will NOT trick your body into thinking it has had its fill. Instead, artificial sweeteners can increase sweet cravings because your body didn't get the energy boost it was expecting from that sweet taste.If you're determined to sweeten your foods and beverages, I urge you to consider using stevia extract—a safe and natural sweet herb. Avoid stevia-based sweeteners like Truvia and PureVia however, as these do not contain the whole stevia plant, which may compromise its safety.How to Remove Splenda From Your Drinking WaterRemember that Splenda is not the only contaminant in your water supply. There are loads of drugs in your water that wind up there the same way Splenda does. A reverse osmosis system will not only remove Splenda but nearly every other drug and contaminant from your water. A carbon filter will also work to remove Splenda and other contaminants but it is not quite as effective and will require you to reduce the rate of flow through the filter media. The more carbon you have that contacts the water, the more effective it will be.

Cancer is Fungus 2 of 2

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:28pm

Cancer is Fungus 1 of 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQuODiMlUscCancer is Fungus 2 of 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-C8VvF3RsA prominent Italian oncologist explains his view that cancer is fungus and can be easily treated. Fascinating viewing.For more, see Dr. Mercola's site.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/art...

Boost Your Metabolism, Curb Cancer, and Slash Blood Sugar with this Easy Culinary Trick

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:26pm

Boost Your Metabolism, Curb Cancer, and Slash Blood Sugar with this Easy Culinary TrickPosted By Dr. Mercola | April 04 2011 | 195,066viewsHerbs are not only great in meals for spice and added flavor but are key to the nutritional density in the foods you eat. Herbs can protect you against diseases, clear toxins from your body, and provide you with vitamins and minerals.Here are some examples of such, from a list of nine assembled by Planet Green:BasilBasil provides Vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Loaded with flavonoids, basil helps prevent cell damage from radiation and oxygen.GingerTreat nausea and an upset stomach with ginger; prevent and treat the common cold with its antiviral components.FenugreekThis Mediterranean herb is good for menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, cholesterol, and diabetes.Flat Leaf ParsleyParsley is renowned for containing high levels of antioxidants and is full of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that help balance cholesterol and ward off constipation.TurmericThe Cork Cancer Research Centre's test results show that turmeric can kill gullet cancer cells in 24 hours!Dr. Mercola's Comments:Believe it or not, but common herbs and spices are actually some of the healthiest foods on the planet—topping the list of high ORAC value foods—so you can easily boost the nutritional value of your meal simply by spicing it up a bit. ORAC is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing harmful free radicals.So, every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie.The Secret Powers of Herbs and SpicesBut scoring high on the ORAC isn't the only reason why herbs and spices pack such a powerful punch. They're also very dense in other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and because of their nutrient density, they're also thermogenic, meaning they naturally increase your metabolism.Additionally, herbs and spices have medicinal properties. This should come as no surprise considering they've been used as medicine for thousands of years prior to the advent of modern medicine that focuses on synthetic drugs in lieu of these natural counterparts.Lastly, spices can "upgrade" your meal by reducing toxic compounds created during the cooking process. A study published last year discovered that adding an antioxidant-rich spice blend to meat prior to cooking reduced the level of malondialdehyde (a chemical marker for oxidation) in the meat by 71 percent and levels in participants' urine by 49 percent.The researchers used a blend of:Cloves Cinnamon Oregano RosemaryGinger Black pepper Paprika Garlic powderYou can easily recreate this simply by mixing the dry spices together and rubbing them onto the meat before you quickly sear it, or add them to your marinade.You can also help prevent the formation of toxic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) by adding blueberries or cherries to your burgers. HCAs form when food is cooked at high temperatures, and they're linked to cancer. In terms of HCA, the worst part of the meat is the blackened section, which is why you should always avoid charring your meat, and never eat blackened sections.Which Herbs and Spices are the Most Potent Disease Preventers?Each spice has a unique set of health benefits to offer, but one study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods, found a direct correlation between the antioxidant phenol content of many extracts of spices and herbs, and their ability to inhibit glycation and the formation of AGE compounds, making them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging.According to this study, the top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:1. Cloves (ground)2. Cinnamon (ground)3. Jamaican allspice (ground)4. Apple pie spice (mixture)5. Oregano (ground)6. Pumpkin pie spice (mixture)7. Marjoram8. Sage9. ThymeGourmet Italian spiceSelecting Spices for Their Medicinal BenefitsAs a general rule, you really can't go wrong when using herbs and spices and I recommend allowing your taste buds to dictate your choices when cooking. However, you can also choose spices based on their medicinal benefits.Here are some examples of herbs and spices that you may want to consider incorporating more of into your diet to achieve a certain aim:To boost your immune system:Licorice: Buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by your adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.Turmeric: a general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity.Turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants.Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods -- herbs and other compounds.Oregano: The active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant.To reduce inflammation, and treat inflammatory and infectious conditions:Turmeric: Its potent anti-inflammatory properties come from curcumin -- the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-orange color, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects. There are an estimated three to five grams of curcumin in 100 grams of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been implicated in inflammation.Cloves: One of the most potent anti-inflammatories with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Beneficial against muscle pains from injuries, arthritis and rheumatism. It also contains eugenol and its mild anesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches, gum pain and sore throats. Also offers relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, and eliminates intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria.Nutmeg: A study in the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering found that nutmeg extract has antibacterial activity that can significantly reduce certain strains of E. coli. Nutmeg is also beneficial for joint pain and gout, and nutmeg oil has been traditionally used to treat toothaches. ** Please note that nutmeg contains volatile oils comprised of alkyl benzene derivatives, terpenes and myristic acid. The spice has a long history of abuse; taking too much nutmeg (one to three nuts; in some cases less) can cause side effects such as nausea, hallucinations, swelling and shock.Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and helps protect against bacteria and fungi. Also eliminates intestinal gas and relaxes and soothes your intestinal tract, while boosting your immune system. Can also protect against atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL).Peppermint: Traditionally used to sooth the digestive tract; a study published in the journal BMJ in 2008 found peppermint oil may even be beneficial in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Also known to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, and can help relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma.Cinnamon: A powerful antimicrobial agent that also enhances your antioxidant defenses. It's been found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria. Its anti-inflammatory compounds help relieve pain and stiffness of muscles and joints due to arthritis. Also helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease.To boost mental health and/or reduce anxiety:Nutmeg: According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, an extract of nutmeg seeds elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice; in some doses comparable in potency to the antidepressants imipramine and fluoxetine. In fact, reducing anxiety and treating insomnia are two ailments that nutmeg has been traditionally used for.Natural salt: According to a 2008 study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, salt may be a natural mood-elevating substance. Sodium deficiency can induce behavioral changes such as reduced motivation, fatigue, and feelings of depression. However, it's important to understand that common table salt and the salt used in processed foods is the highly processed variety, and NOT at all the same as the natural salt your body needs to perform its vital functions, including the maintenance of proper brain function. So when adding salt to your meal, make sure you're using a natural unprocessed salt, such as Himalayan salt.Turmeric—A Potent Cancer-Fighter!A couple of spices deserve further review; one of which is turmeric. It was already mentioned twice above, both as an immune booster and potent anti-inflammatory. But perhaps its greatest value lies in its anti-cancer potential.In India where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers -- colon, breast, prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower. In fact, prostate cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in U.S. men, is rare in India and this is attributed, in part, to the curcumin in turmeric.Dr. William LaValley from Austin Texas is one of the top natural medicine cancer physicians I know and he recently shared this important information with me.Interestingly, curcumin—the active ingredient in turmeric—actually has the most evidence based literature backing up its anti-cancer claims of any other nutrient!Numerous studies have looked into this potential cancer-fighting link, with promising results. For instance, curcumin has been found to:Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor, as well as inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells already existingHelp your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your bodyDecrease inflammationEnhance liver functionInhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formationPrevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth (known as anti-angiogenesis)Curcumin affects over 100 different pathways once it gets into a cell. Interestingly, this also applies to the metabolite of curcumin and its derivatives, which also have anti-cancer properties. According to researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, curcumin blocks a key biological pathway needed for development of melanoma and other cancers.The spice actually stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide by shutting down nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a powerful protein known to induce abnormal inflammatory response that leads to an assortment of disorders such as arthritis and cancer.Best of all, curcumin appears to be safe in the treatment of all cancers!To get the full benefits that curcumin has to offer, you will want to look for a turmeric extract with at least 95 percent curcuminoids that contains only 100 percent certified organic ingredients.The formula should be free of fillers, additives and excipients (a substance added to the supplement as a processing or stability aid), and the manufacturer should use safe production practices at all stages: planting, cultivation, selective harvesting, and then producing and packaging the final product.For further details on how to use curcumin, please see this previous article.Cinnamon—An Excellent Choice for DiabeticsThe other spice I want to review further is cinnamon, simply because of its potential benefits against diabetes, which is a problem of epidemic proportions in the US.Researchers have investigated the "insulin-like" effects of cinnamon for a number of years now, and it keeps proving it's a viable contender in the fight against diabetes.Among this spice's most impressive health benefits is its impact on blood sugar and ability to improve glucose control. For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In another earlier study, cinnamon was found to increase glucose metabolism 20-fold!Interestingly, cinnamon lowers your blood sugar by acting on several different levels, including:• Slowing the emptying of your stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals• Improving the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin• Enhancing your antioxidant defenses. A study published in 2009 stated that "polyphenols from cinnamon could be of special interest in people that are overweight with impaired fasting glucose since they might act both as insulin sensitizers and antioxidants." Yet another bioflavanoid compound called proanthocyanidin may alter the activity of insulin signaling in your fat cells.Researchers have suggested people with diabetes may see improvements by adding 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to their food, and I see no reason not to give this a try if you enjoy cinnamon (along with doing the other essentials to improve diabetes, including eliminating fructose and grains from your diet and exercising daily).Clearly, adding ample amounts of cinnamon to your diet is an incredibly inexpensive and great tasting tool for diabetics, and the likelihood of this food causing any long-term complications is very small.Go Ahead, Spice Up Your Life!All these benefits give you ample reasons to be adventurous in adding spices to your meals, and to be generous in the amounts you use. It will be worth it for the flavor enhancement alone, and the boost it will give your health is the icing on the cake!For helpful recipes, see PlanetGreen's article, which offers cooking advice for many of the herbs and spices mentioned here.

Unlock the Benefits of Cayenne Pepper in Your Spice Rack

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:25pm

Unlock the Benefits of Cayenne Pepper in Your Spice RackDanica CollinsThe benefits of cayenne pepper might actually be of greater value to your health as a staple in your medicine cabinet rather than in your spice rack.The cayenne pepper, or Capiscum annum, derives its proper name from a Greek word meaning “to bite,” a clear allusion to the pungent properties of the plant and its seeds.However, it’s the many medicinal benefits of cayenne pepper that earned it the nickname “The King of Herbs”.Many people think of this spicy little beauty as just a delicious way to boost the flavor of their cooking, but the health benefits of cayenne pepper is a valuable medical tool with a wide range of uses.According to a combination of herbal lore and medical research, cayenne pepper benefits may:• Ease congestion• Aid in weight reduction• Prevent tooth decay• Support digestion• Heal ulcers• Stop hemorrhaging• Relieve infection• Cure arthritis• Numb pain• Clean the blood• Regulate blood pressure• Lower cholesterol• Nourish the heartPart of the logic behind the many herbal applications of capsicum is that it is a catalyst, and can be used to enhance the effects of other treatments. Little is known about the pharmacological activities of capsicum in humans, but it is abundantly clear that capsicum is a stimulant. In fact, it has been called “the purest and most certain stimulant in the herbal materia medica.”The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 23 ed., 1943, states that “Capsicum is a powerful local stimulant, producing, when swallowed, a sense of heat in the stomach, and a general glow over the body without narcotic effect.”Chili peppers have long reigned over the canon of folk medicine. Archeological remains show that capsicum was a dietary staple in Mexico 9,000 years ago. In Indonesia, capsicum is used as a traditional remedy for gonorrhea. In central Africa, it’s used as a calming, stress-relieving tonic. In Hawaii, it’s used for backaches, rheumatism, and swollen feet.Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits: Treating Heart ConditionsSome reports even suggest that capsicum, one of the benefits of cayenne pepper can prevent heart attacks. One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 1979 found that capsicum contained the most natural vitamin E — often used to treat heart conditions — of all the edible plants analyzed by the research team.In a fresh, ripe pepper, the researchers measured 3-10mg/.100gs, meaning capsicum can be considered a significant dietary source of vitamin E.Additionally, the form of vitamin E found in capsicum is an especially stable one, which makes it particularly well-suited for medical applications.Recently, capsicum research has been centered on the pepper’s potential viability as a cancer treatment. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, capsaicin (the same component of the cayenne that makes the peppers so peppery) causes cancer cells to commit apoptosis. In plain language, that means that capsaicin causes cancer cells to kill themselves.This claim comes from a study done by a team of researchers from the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, along with colleagues from UCLA. The researchers discovered that the capsaicin component of the cayenne pepper caused human prostate cells to undergo programmed cell death.As exciting as these results are, the Association has been careful to emphasize that more studies need to be done before it’s clear how capsaicin can be used in treating humans.The benefits of cayenne pepper range from cancer to our daily health needs. Another promising line of research is the use of capsicum as an important aid to weight reduction. Studies done over the last 30 years indicate that capsicum has enormous potential for promoting fat loss.A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that capsicum has been successfully used to increase the loss of abdominal fat for overweight or obese individuals.Other studies indicate that capsicum can help those looking to shed pounds by:• Normalizing insulin and glucose levels• Boosting energy• Increasing metabolic speed• Suppressing hunger• Promoting satiety (the feeling of fullness)Those last 2 items — suppressing hunger and promoting satiety — can be strengthened if you also consume green tea regularly as a part of your weight management strategy.There are just as many good ways to work capsicum into your diet as there are good reasons. If you like spice, go for the peppers themselves — the options for using peppers in cooking are endless! If your mouth can’t take the heat, there are a number of good quality supplements available that won’t leave your tongue tingling.

Herbal Arthritis Remedies: Using Frankincense Can Help Diminish Pain

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:24pm

Herbal Arthritis Remedies: Using Frankincense Can Help Diminish PainDanica CollinsA sacred oil from India is found as one of a little known herbal arthritis remedies and has been shown to treat osteoarthritis and alleviate joint pain as effectively as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has been used in the Middle East for religious rituals and healing for thousands of years. The herb is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic.Recently, European and American medical professionals have begun to confirm the tremendous health benefits of frankincense, and are increasingly incorporating it into clinical practice.Speedy Relief from Arthritis PainOne the most promising applications for frankincense is in treatment of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis and a major culprit behind knee and hip pain.Osteoarthritis is caused by a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This painful and often debilitating condition affects 28% of adults over age 45 and 37% of adults over age 65 in the United States.Studies show that herbal arthritis remedies such as an enriched frankincense extract could significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis within 1 week!One trial, led by Siba Raychaudhuri of the University of California, Davis, investigated the effects of 30% AKBA (3-0-acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a concentrated version of one of the active ingredients in frankincense.According to Raychaudhuri, “AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that [frankincense] enriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.”Herbal Arthritis Remedies: An Herb Fit For a KingPractitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in India have used frankincense for centuries. They call the herb Gaja-bhaksha or Sallaki Guggul, and have used the gum resin to treat everything from fevers to…respiratory diseases…diarrhea…leprosy…dysentery…ringworm…and heart conditions.Pliny the Elder, commander of the early Roman Empire and author, naturalist, and philosopher, mentioned frankincense as an antidote for hemlock poisoning. The ancient Egyptian elite used it in rejuvenating facial treatments. However, its most famous historical use is as a precious gift given to kings and other nobles.Frankincense is also used ceremonially by several religious denominations.Its sweet, earthy aroma stimulates and elevates the mind. It’s said to be a helpful aid for:• Visualization• Improving your spiritual connection• Centering the self• Recovering from emotional trauma• Overcoming stress and despairHow Frankincense Targets ArthritisResearchers believe that frankincense’s medicinal properties come from boswellic acids. Boswellic acids have proven anti-inflammatory abilities, and may be useful for the treatment of conditions such as:• Bursitis• Tendonitis• Rheumatoid arthritisAs mentioned above, boswellic acids are also very powerful against osteoarthritis.Additionally, preliminary research indicates that boswellic acids may actually protect your cartilage from damage and deterioration before it occurs.In June 2011, Dr. Emma Blain and Professor Vic Duance of Cardiff University, with Dr. Ahmed Ali of the Compton Group, spoke to the media about the benefits of frankincense for alleviating arthritis pain.The team believes that an extract of a rare species of frankincense–Boswellia frereana–blocks the generation of molecules that degenerate and inflame cartilage tissue. Their work so far has focused on “whether and how these extracts can help relieve the inflammation that causes the pain.”Ending Inflammation Without the Side EffectsBoswellic acid appears to reduce inflammation in a way similar to mainstream non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which make up approximately half of all drugs used to treat pain.Unfortunately, long-term use of NSAIDs–as for a chronic condition like arthritis–often results in irritation and even ulceration of the stomach.Dr. Raychaudhuri noted, “The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for effective herbal arthritis remedies and safe alternative treatment.”It seems frankincense is a wonderful candidate for that position! Considering the negative side effects associated with mainstream osteoarthritis treatments, it becomes even more appealing.A recent study in India found that compared to the common osteoarthritis drug Ketoprophan, frankincense is:• Less toxic• More beneficial• More potentHerbal Arthritis Remedies: How to Use FrankincenseNatural health experts recommend taking a 400mg dose standardized to contain 37.5% boswellic acids, saying that this dose can be taken up to 3 times daily. And even though this herb has shown the potential to reduce pain in as little as a week, results may not always be immediate.Therefore, most practitioners advise using frankincense consistently for at least 8 weeks before deciding whether or not it’s working for you.Side effects at the 400mg dose are rare, but in some instances, individuals have had mild allergic reactions or some gastrointestinal distress.Experts advise that pregnant woman should not take frankincense and its safety for young children, nursing women, and those with severe liver or kidney disease is unknown at this time.

Miraculous Essential Miracle Prevents Cancer and Treats Magnesium Deficiency

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:23pm

Miraculous Essential Miracle Prevents Cancer and Treats Magnesium DeficiencyDanica Collins

If you’ve ever experienced aches and pains … that rundown feeling … or any other low-grade symptoms that you (or your doctor) can’t explain, it might be a signal that you have a magnesium deficiency.  

Magnesium deficiency is a dangerous condition that has been recognized since around 1971. That’s when Dr. Edmund B. Fink of the West Virginia University’s School of Medicine identified magnesium deficiency as a common and often undetected ailment.

  
Contrary to popular belief, magnesium is the most common mineral deficient in the American diet — not calcium. According to many health practitioners, without sufficient magnesium, the body degenerates rapidly, ages prematurely and accumulates toxins and acid residues.  

Initial symptoms can be subtle. Since most magnesium is stored in the tissues, the first signs may be leg cramps, foot pain, or muscle twitches.

Other symptoms of magnesium deficiency can gradually develop, including, but not limited to:

• Low Energy
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Restless legs, Muscle Twitches
• PMS and Hormonal Imbalance
• Poor Sleep
• Muscle Tension and Cramps
• Abnormal Heart Rhythms
• Headaches
• Anxiousness
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Kidney Stones

Chronic deficiency can produce long-term damage and even be fatal. Meanwhile, replenishing magnesium levels provides innumerable health benefits.

“Magnesium may be the most under-rated mineral in human nutrition,” says Mike Adams, health editor of Natural News. “It’s not only pivotal in preventing heart disease, it also prevents diabetes by helping the body properly regulate sugar metabolism.

There are perhaps a thousand benefits for magnesium in the human body, and yet most people are magnesium deficient!”

Can Magnesium Deficiency Cause Cancer?  

Some leading researchers say it can indeed cause cancer. “Of the minerals inside the cell, all are vitally important, but magnesium has a role that permits perpetuity of function, and the lack of it will impact a cell’s efficiency and duration of its useful life,” says Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, author of Obesity, Cancer & Depression: Their Common Cause & Natural Cure. “Magnesium deficiency in the body is a very serious unrecognized problem.”   

Researchers point to a wealth of studies showing a link between magnesium deficiency and cancer:

• A Polish study concluded that inadequate magnesium is an important risk factor in predisposing individuals to leukemia.

• Other researchers found that 46% of the patients admitted to an intensive care unit in a tertiary cancer center presented as deficient in magnesium (hypomagnesemia).

• Animal studies show that magnesium deficiency has caused lymphopoietic neoplasms in young rats.

• Researchers from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota concluded that diets rich in magnesium reduced the occurrence of colon cancer. A previous study from Sweden reported that women with the highest magnesium intake had a 40% lower risk of developing the cancer than those with the lowest intake.

• Several studies have shown an increased cancer rate in regions with low magnesium levels in soil and drinking water. In Egypt, the cancer rate was only about 10% of that in Europe and America. Among the rural fellah (peasants and agricultural laborers), it was practically non-existent. These cancer-free populations have an extremely high magnesium intake of 2.5 to 3g — which is 10 times more than in most Western countries.

• The School of Public Health at the Kaohsiung Medical College in Taiwan found that magnesium exerts a protective effect against gastric cancer, but only for the group with the highest magnesium levels.

Why Magnesium Pills and Powders Are Not the Answer  to Magnesium Deficiency  
Supplementing magnesium has not always been easy. In the past, large, hard-to-swallow pills were the norm. These pills were cheap but could not be properly digested or absorbed by the body, thereby leaving a load of unused magnesium for the kidneys and liver to process and excrete. While the body’s magnesium levels remained nearly unchanged, the functioning of the liver and kidneys was threatened.  

Powdered magnesium supplements gained popularity over the last decade, providing better absorption. But for many people, too-quick absorption causes a laxative effect that ironically results in further magnesium loss.
  
The most superior form of magnesium supplementation is thought to be a very convenient and effective transdermal spray. These sprays are applied to high-circulation areas on the skin, allowing for easy absorption into the bloodstream. Transdermal magnesium can help your body maintain optimal magnesium levels — without the drawbacks of other supplement forms — because your body only absorbs the magnesium it needs.

Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., author of The Magnesium Miracle, describes the unique benefits of topical magnesium chloride oil: “It’s not actually an oil at all, but a super saturated solution of magnesium chloride. Magnesium oil can be sprayed or rubbed on the body, and is readily absorbed through the skin. It helps to greatly increase the amount of magnesium in body tissues and overcomes the problems that some people have with loose stools when they try to take enough magnesium to meet their needs.”

How to Choose a Topical Magnesium Product That Delivers Therapeutic Effects  

Not all types of magnesium, no matter what form of the supplement, deliver the same recognizable benefits. For example, the most common form of magnesium sold in pharmacies and grocery stores — magnesium oxide — has been shown to have as low as a 4% absorption rate. Similarly, transdermal magnesium can vary widely in quality and absorbability.   

The best lab-certified pure topical magnesium is made from a Dead Sea extract and contains magnesium chloride hexahydrate.   

This is the only form of magnesium that can be accurately measured in liquid form.
It’s the form most commonly used in hospitals and patient-care facilities where exact doses are needed. Because magnesium chloride hexahydrate comes from a liquid (most easily used by the body), it is bioavailable and readily accepted by your body.  

Not surprisingly, however, very few companies go to the necessary lengths to provide the ultra-pure food/pharmaceutical grade magnesium chloride in a form that is easy to use, effective, and available without prescription.   

In fact, there is only one publicly available product that contains magnesium chloride hexahydrate in an ultra-purified water solution. This means your body is supplied with the maximum amount of magnesium possible … and you are provided with all the benefits of this life supporting, ultra-energy nutrient.

Find out how easy it is for you to raise your magnesium levels, and consequently improve your health … recharge your energy levels … reduce aches and pains … and prevent cancer … using the only transdermal magnesium product with ultra-pure food/pharmaceutical grade magnesium chloride.

Why Was This Ancient Spice Given to Slaves Building the Pyramids?

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:22pm

Why Was This Ancient Spice Given to Slaves Building the Pyramids?
Posted By Dr. Mercola | September 28 2011

Garlic has a truly astonishing number of health benefits. Green Med Info has assembled studies that list more than 150 beneficial effects that garlic can have on your health.

The studies show that garlic:• Inhibits cholesterol accumulation

• Reduces risk for heart attack and stroke
• May be effective against drug-resistant bacteria
• Lessens cadmium-induced liver damage
• May have protective effects against cancer

According to one of the studies linked on the site, garlic may also help fight multi-drug resistant tuberculosis:

"Alternate medicine practices with plant extracts including garlic should be considered to decrease the burden of drug resistance and cost in the management of diseases. The use of garlic against MDR-TB [multi-drug resistant tuberculosis] may be of great importance regarding public health."

Saffron is another spice making headlines, as there is increasing evidence to suggest that it may be an effective means of managing Alzheimer's disease. A study found that saffron had an effect similar to the drug donepezil in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's after 22 weeks -- and had fewer side effects.

Another study found that dietary supplementation with vitamin E and folic acid, as well as ALA, DHA, and GPC, could aid in decreasing oxidative stress in mouse brains.
According to FYI Living:

"... [T]his reveals that such dietary supplementation also helps improve cognitive performance in the normal mice. This study is a significant step towards development of newer preventive nutritional therapies in the elderly who are susceptible to cognitive decline and related diseases such as Alzheimer's. It also enables an understanding of the involvement of oxidative stress and other molecular mechanisms that lead to age-related loss of cognitive abilities."

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you want a simple way to increase the disease-fighting power of your meals, be generous with your use of high-quality herbs and spices. There is no shortage of research showing that these foods are among the healthiest you can consume, and the best part is they taste wonderful and are relatively inexpensive, so they're a "secret weapon" that just about everyone can take advantage of.

When it comes to using herbs and spices, you really can't go wrong as long as you choose those that appeal to you and "agree" with you. But I want to highlight two in specific that are showing great therapeutic promise, one that you're already familiar with -- garlic -- and one that you may not be -- saffron.

Garlic: One of Nature's Most Impressive Foods

Garlic has been treasured for its medicinal properties for centuries. In ancient times, Greek and Roman soldiers ate garlic before going off to war, and it was reportedly given to the slaves who built the Egyptian pyramids in order to enhance their strength and endurance.

It also happens to be one of the most heavily researched plant foods around. At GreenMedInfo you can find 133 studies involving 153 different conditions that garlic may benefit. Among them:

Atherosclerosis High blood pressure Cancer Gallstones
Ear infections Mercury poisoning Diabetes Low immune function
MRSA High triglycerides Candidiasis Ulcerative colitis
Wound healing Stroke Heart attack Bacterial infections

As you can see from the wide range of conditions it impacts, garlic exerts its benefits on multiple levels, offering anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties. It's thought that much of garlic's therapeutic effect comes from its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, which are also what give it its characteristic smell.

An Infection-Fighting, Heart-Protective, Cancer-Preventive Powerhouse

Researchers have revealed that as allicin digests in your body it produces sulfenic acid, a compound that reacts faster with dangerous free radicals than any other known compound. This is one of the reasons why I named garlic as one of the top seven anti-aging foods you can consume.

Garlic is also a triple threat against infections, offering antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Not only is it effective at killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, but it also fights yeast infections, viruses and parasites.

Garlic also helps relax and enlarge the blood vessels in your body, improving blood flow, especially to your heart. This can help prevent conditions like high blood pressure and life-threatening events such as a heart attack or stroke. Garlic also inhibits the formation of plaques in your arteries, and prevents cholesterol from becoming oxidized, a condition that may contribute to heart disease.

This powerhouse food is also known to help increase your protection against at least five forms of cancer: breast, colon, ovarian, prostate and esophageal. In one study, the more often participants ate vegetables from the allium family, particularly garlic and onions, the lower their risk of certain cancers became. Part of this effect may be due to garlic's ability to increase tissue activities of phase II detoxification enzymes, which are necessary to help your body excrete chemicals and other toxins.

Interestingly, the allicin in garlic is so powerful it has even been found to help weight loss in rats fed a fructose-rich diet -- which is virtually guaranteed to make most people gain weight. Animals being fed only the fructose-rich diet gained weight, but those whose diets were supplemented with allicin did not, and some even lost weight. Of course, this does not mean you can eat all the fructose you want and then eat a couple of cloves of garlic and expect to lose weight … but it does give you an idea of just how far-reaching garlic's benefits appear to be.

The Healthiest Way to Eat Garlic

In many cases, eating whole foods is a far better approach to taking a supplement, and in the case of garlic this is especially true. Typically, garlic must be crushed or chopped in order to stimulate the process that converts alliin into the beneficial allicin. Once the garlic is cut, the active compound loses potency rapidly and will all but disappear within about an hour of chopping.

So the best way to eat garlic is to take a whole, fresh clove, chop it, smash it or press it, wait a few minutes for the reaction to occur, and then eat it. If you use jarred, powdered, or dried garlic, you will not get all the benefits that fresh garlic has to offer.

Saffron: An Important Spice for Brain Health?

The other spice that deserves attention, but is far less well known in the United States than garlic, is saffron. Saffron comes from the flower of the crocus plant (it's actually the plant's dried stigma) has a reddish thread-like appearance, and is a rich source of carotenoid antioxidants.

Used since ancient times for a variety of medicinal purposes (saffron is known for its immune-boosting power, among others), in the modern day it is widely used in Persian, European, Indian and Turkish cooking, both for its unique sweet, grassy flavor and its ability to add vibrant yellow-orange color to foods.

There are quite a few studies that reveal saffron's beneficial properties, and one of the most recent showed promise for treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. In a 22-week, double-blind study of patients with Alzheimer's, a saffron supplement worked as well as the drug donepezil (brand name Aricept), but with significantly less vomiting experienced among the saffron group.

The researchers noted:

"This phase II study provides preliminary evidence of a possible therapeutic effect of saffron extract in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease."
It is becoming increasingly clear that supplementing your diet with foods and supplements rich in a variety of compounds, such as vitamin E, folic acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-lipoic acid), may help reduce oxidative stress and delay the progression of age-related cognitive decline. And it appears saffron is no exception.

Separate research has shown saffron to help prevent and treat dementia, and inhibit platelet aggregation (which can lead to blood clots) and lipid peroxidation (which causes cell damage). It's also known to have chemopreventive properties against cancer, which are also strongly associated with the common saffron alternative turmeric (which is often referred to as Indian saffron). While in China, Marco Polo in 1280 AD recorded information on turmeric in his diary:

"There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell and the color, and yet it is not really saffron."

So, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (an old world spice) in Europe for over 700 years, and this spice has been found to have many of the same health advantages, including showing promise for Alzheimer's.

If you've never tried saffron, the reason may be because it's earned the moniker "most expensive spice in the world." There are only three stigmas in each crocus flower, and it reportedly takes 80,000 flowers (about the number of plants on one acre of land) to produce one pound of saffron. Turmeric is much easier to come by and is also much less expensive, while offering many of the same potential health benefits, as well as the same characteristic yellow color. You can learn more about turmeric, or "Indian saffron," here.

There's Good Reason to "Spice" Up Your Life

Herbs and spices have very low calorie content, they're relatively inexpensive, and they're a great way to turbo-boost the natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power of your diet. All these benefits, and the ones noted above, give you ample reasons to be adventurous in adding spices to your meals, and to be generous in the amounts you use. It will be worth it for the flavor enhancement alone, and the boost it will give your health is the icing on the cake.

There's obviously much more to herbs and spices than the garlic, saffron and turmeric mentioned in this article … you can get more information on healing herbs, including how to select spices for their medicinal benefits, here.

Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:21pm

Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent
by Matt Jabs

When we first set out to make our own homemade laundry detergent we thought it would be difficult and time consuming, boy were we wrong! It was actually incredibly fast, easy, and inexpensive. Now, years after making our first batch, thousands of others have tried it and loved the results.

Note: This soap/detergent works in all HE front-load washers… read more below.

Homemade powder soap required only 3 simple ingredients & took around 5 minutes to create, in respect of opportunity cost I abandoned my original idea of brewing a liquid detergent and set my sights on creating the powder variety. What follows is my own personal pictorial tutorial to making homemade powder laundry detergent. Enjoy!

Soap/Detergent cost breakdown & savings

Prior to making our own, we were using Arm & Hammer liquid detergent. Here is the breakdown in cost analysis:

Note: you only need to use 1 tablespoon of this homemade detergent per load, although you can use 1 – 2 scoops for heavily soiled loads)

• Arm & Hammer® liquid 100 ounce detergent – $6.79 – 32 loads = $0.21 per load
• Tide® with Bleach powder 267 ounce detergent – $20.32 – 95 loads = $0.21 per load
• Jabs Homemade powder 32 ounce detergent – $2.98 – 64 loads = $0.05 per load

As you can see, whether I compare against traditional store bought liquid or powder, I am saving $0.16 per load!

There are also many other benefits of homemade products aside from cost savings.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS
I purchased all these ingredients at my local grocery store:

• 1 – 55 ounce box of Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda = $3.99
• 1 – 76 ounce box of 20 Mule Team® Borax = $4.99
• 1 – 10 pack of 4.5 ounce bars of Ivory® Bar Soap (**note** you can use cheaper soap, I actually had this on hand already. Use whatever tickles your fancy – Other brands of commonly used bar soaps include Pure & Natural®, Fels-Naptha® and/or ZOTE®. Both ZOTE® and Fels-Naptha® are made for and sold as “laundry bar soap.”)
All items were found in the laundry isle.

A SIMPLE RECIPE
Each batch yields approximately 32 ounces (between 32-64 loads based on how many Tbsp used per load).

• 1 bar of shaved bar soap (Ivory, ZOTE, Fels-Naptha)
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and enjoy the results! That’s it folks…seems too good to be true, but it is true indeed!

Regarding High Efficiency (HE) Front-Load Washers
HE front-load washers require “special soap” for one reason alone – low suds. Because they use less water, they require soap that is less sudsy. The good news is, this homemade detergent is VERY low suds. The ”special” HE detergent is just another advertising mechanism to push consumers to buy “special soap” for unnecessarily high prices.

Regardless of your washer type, just make your own in confidence, here’s how.

THE MAKING OF A BATCH

1. Start with these ingredients & utensils:

2. Shave 1 bar of soap. I used a simple hand grater:

3. My shaved bar looked like this:

4. Add 1 cup of borax:

5. Add 1 cup of washing soda:

6. Stir thoroughly:

>

7. Continue stirring thoroughly:

8. Stirring is complete when you have a powder like this:

9. 2 batches of this recipe fit perfectly into a 32 ounce yogurt container:

10. I wanted to use my trusty black Sharpie, but my wife LOVES her some label maker!

When you do a load use 1 tablespoon of detergent per load (you can also use 1 – 2 scoops for heavily soiled loads).

There you have it folks!
Simple, easy, fast, & efficient homemade laundry detergent.

What are you waiting for? Go get the ingredients & make yours today!

Recycling hotel soap to save lives

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:20pm

Recycling hotel soap to save lives
By Ebonne Ruffins, CNN
June 16, 2011

Atlanta (CNN) -- That bar of soap you used once or twice during your last hotel stay might now be helping poor children fight disease.

Derreck Kayongo and his Atlanta-based Global Soap Project collect used hotel soap from across the United States. Instead of ending up in landfills, the soaps are cleaned and reprocessed for shipment to impoverished nations such as Haiti, Uganda, Kenya and Swaziland.

"I was shocked just to know how much (soap) at the end of the day was thrown away," Kayongo said. Each year, hundreds of millions of soap bars are discarded in North America alone. "Are we really throwing away that much soap at the expense of other people who don't have anything? It just doesn't sound right."

Kayongo, a Uganda native, thought of the idea in the early 1990s, when he first arrived to the U.S. and stayed at a hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He noticed that his bathroom was replenished with new soap bars every day, even though they were only slightly used.

"I tried to return the new soap to the concierge since I thought they were charging me for it," Kayongo said. "When I was told it was just hotel policy to provide new soap every day, I couldn't believe it."
Kayongo called his father -- a former soap maker in Uganda -- and shared the experience.

Derreck Kayongo, a Uganda native, started the Global Soap Project in 2009.

"My dad said people in America can afford to throw it away. But I just started to think, 'What if we took some of this soap and recycled it, made brand new soap from it and then sent it home to people who couldn't afford soap?' "

For Kayongo, collecting soap is "a first line of defense" mission to combat child-mortality around the world.

Each year, more than 2 million children die from diarrheal illness -- the approximate population of San Antonio, Texas. According to the World Health Organization, these deaths occur almost exclusively among toddlers living in low-income countries.

"The issue is not the availability of soap. The issue is cost," Kayongo said. "Make $1 a day, and soap costs 25 cents. I'm not a good mathematician, but I'm telling you I'm not going to spend that 25 cents on a bar of soap. I'm going to buy sugar. I'm going to buy medicine. I'm going to do all the things I think are keeping me alive.

"When you fall sick because you didn't wash up your hands, it's more expensive to go to the hospital to get treated. And that's where the problem begins and people end up dying."

Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2011 CNN Heroes

Kayongo, 41, is familiar with the stress that poverty and displacement can create. Almost 30 years ago, he fled Uganda with his parents because of the mass torture and killings by former Ugandan military dictator Idi Amin, he said.

Witnessing the devastation of his homeland shaped Kayongo's mission and still haunts him today.
Are we really throwing away that much soap at the expense of other people who don't have anything?
--CNN Hero Derreck Kayongo

"It's a long-term grieving process that sort of never ends," he said. "As a child coming from school, passing dead bodies for 10 solid years -- 'It's not cool,' as my son would put it. It's not good. A lot of my friends were orphaned, and I was lucky."

Kayongo and his parents fled to Kenya, where he would visit friends and family in refugee camps and struggle to survive -- sometimes without basic necessities.

"We lost everything," Kayongo said. "We didn't live in the camps, but we sacrificed a lot. The people worse off lived in the camps. Soap was so hard to come by, even completely nonexistent sometimes. People were getting so sick simply because they couldn't wash their hands."

Kayongo transitioned from the tough life of a refugee to become a college graduate, a U.S. citizen and a field coordinator for CARE International, a private humanitarian aid organization. But he has not forgotten his roots -- or the fact that many refugees in Africa continue to lack access to basic sanitation.

"As a new immigrant and a new citizen to this country, I feel very blessed to be here," he said. "But it's important, as Africans living in the Diaspora, that we don't forget what we can do to help people back at home. It's not good enough for us to complain about what other people aren't doing for us. It's important that we all band together, think of an idea and pursue it."

With the support of his wife, local friends and Atlanta-based hotels, Kayongo began his Global Soap Project in 2009.

So far, 300 hotels nationwide have joined the collection effort, generating 100 tons of soap. Some participating hotels even donate high-end soaps such as Bvlgari, which retails up to $27 for a single bar.

Web extra: CNN Hero Derreck Kayongo
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2011/06/17/cnnheroes.kayongo.extra.cnn

Volunteers across the U.S. collect the hotel soaps and ship them to the group's warehouse in Atlanta. On Saturdays, Atlanta volunteers assemble there to clean, reprocess and package the bars.

"We do not mix the soaps because they come with different pH systems, different characters, smells and colors," Kayongo said. "We sanitize them first, then heat them at very high temperatures, chill them and cut them into final bars. It's a very simple process, but a lot of work."

A batch of soap bars is only released for shipment once one of its samples has been tested for pathogens and deemed safe by a third-party laboratory. The Global Soap Project then works with partner organizations to ship and distribute the soap directly to people who need it -- for free.

To date, the Global Soap Project has provided more than 100,000 bars of soap for communities in nine countries.

Kenya Relief is one organization that has benefited. Last summer, Kayongo personally delivered 5,000 bars of soap to Kenya Relief's Brittney's Home of Grace orphanage.

"When we were distributing the soap, I could sense that there was a lot of excitement, joy, a lot of happiness," said Kayongo, whose work was recently recognized by the Atlanta City Council, which declared May 15 as Global Soap Project Day in Atlanta.

"It's a reminder again of that sense of decency. They have (someone) who knows about their situation, and is willing to come and visit them ... to come and say, 'We are sorry ... We're here to help.' "

Want to get involved? Check out the Global Soap Project website at www.globalsoap.org and see how to help.

Dead Sea Scrolls!

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:18pm

Dead Sea Scrolls!

Back in 1947 a young Bedouin goat herder made the initial and fantastic discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls!

Found in caves 13 miles east of Jerusalem and hidden in 11 caves they have been called the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times.

Dating back 2000 years and written mostly on animal skin parchments, they include not only the oldest known surviving copies of the bible but also non-biblical documents that offer insights into life and religion in ancient Jerusalem, including the birth of Christianity.

The last words of Joseph, Judah, Levi, Naphtali, and Amram (the father of Moses) are written down in the Scrolls.

Before now, only a small handful of scholars and archeologists have ever viewed the scrolls, but now anyone around the world can view, read and interact with five digitized Dead Sea Scrolls on their computer!

http://youtu.be/5rYj_0foJYA

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.