Dr. Douglass echoes the very sentiment my Mother had: if you don’t close the lid before you flush, you’re inviting all sorts of bacteria to be present on your toothbrush, your hair brush and most every surface. So be a sweetie, put down the seatie!
Turns out the ladies had this one right all along — you should put the toilet seat and lid down, and do it BEFORE you flush.
Flushing with the lid up can send a nearly invisible cloud of bacteria-laced potty water out of the toilet and across the room, turning your bathroom into a giant petri dish.
And now, a series of experiments confirms that these tainted toilet droplets can harbor one of the nastiest gut bacteria of all: the Clostridium difficile responsible for diarrhea and other serious and even deadly stomach infections.
Tests carried out at Britain’s Leeds Teaching Hospital found that water particles with C.diff from infected guts can rise about 10 inches from an open toilet during the flush, and then land on the toilet seat and other nearby surfaces.
The study in the International Journal of Hospital Infection found an average of 47 C.diff-contaminated water droplets on and near the toilet seat– and they remained there for up to 90 minutes after the flush.
That’s plenty bad when it’s your own bacteria — but at least it’s your own bacteria. Think about how much worse it is for the next person to use the toilet… and how much worse it could be if YOU’RE that next person.
And if you think that’s bad, other studies have found that these invisible clouds of germy poo water can travel up to eight feet from the toilet — sending nasty fecal coliforms and other disease-causing bacteria straight to your toothbrush.
Try not to think about that next time you brush your teeth.
Stress, oh the havoc it wreaks. It can cause serious damage to your health, body, and skin. Unfortunately, stress is unavoidable and overtime can cause frown lines while also making you look older, tired, angry, upset, worn out and can exacerbate rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. The affects of stress are detrimental to every aspect of your being. Maintain healthy skin while relieving the tension from your face with some simple lifestyle changes. Yes, stress is a part of life but it doesn’t have to show in your face.
Exercise does a body good as well as your skin. Exercising relieves tension in your body while facial exercise programs are facial magic when it comes to getting rid of the stress in your face. These exercises will pull the anxiety out of your muscles helping your skin look younger and smoother.Light therapy drenches your skin and mind in pure relaxation. Red LED light therapy has the ability to soak into your skin where the light wavelengths heal and repair damage. Light therapy helps your stress slip away while working wonders on your skin.
Listening to a hypnosis mp3 is a powerful way to let go of any stress in your life. It’s a powerful tool that can help you get into a state of deep relaxation. By simply listening to an mp3 or CD you can erase the tension while empowering yourself to improve other areas of your life.Pamper yourself with home facials which will help you relax and will help your skin look more beautiful. Place a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender, in a bowl filled with hot water. Drape a towel over your head and let the steam carry the relaxing and beneficial properties into your skin.
Consider adding yoga or meditation into your life. These two powerful activities will dramatically help balance your body and mind while giving you the opportunity to relax and escape your worries for a little while. Stress is all around us and it’s up to you to do things to release some of the tension from your life, body, spirit, and face. Taking the stress out of your face will help smooth out your frown lines, give you more healthy looking skin, and lift your spirits.
The Ageless Sisters would like to thank today’s guest, Rosie Battista for sharing her success story about losing weight and gaining confidence. She is passionate about beautiful natural whole foods and real about the transformations that can be attained by changing your diet and your relationship with food. Listen to the show to learn more about Rosie Battista.
Rosie says, "READ My Story of how I went from THEN to NOW… A “Fat Feeling, Frumpy, Fifty Year Old” to a “Fabulous, Focused, Confident Fifty Year Young Woman…"
Well, Jackie and I have seen her in person and she is a slim, vibrant woman with a sweet heart. Her lifestyle adjustments can create a sexy, healthy body without starving or spending hours in the gym. Check out her blog - Sleepingnakedafter40.com for up to the moment information about this dynamic gal.
Yay! A clean, disinfected surface using odorless peroxide. We’ve been using peroxide for countertops, bathrooms, sinks and more for years here. It’s very affordable and doesn’t have a use by date.
Here’s another one from the “everything old is new again” file: Plain old hydrogen peroxide is about to make a big-time comeback.
Hospitals have spent billions fighting the germs and superbugs responsible for some 100,000 deaths each year due to infections people acquire AFTER they’re admitted.
But while the strongest meds and harshest chemical cleaners have proven to be no match against these bugs, the real answer has been right under our noses all along: hydrogen peroxide (H202).
Now, scientists have mixed H202 with ozone to form a gas that can penetrate every nook and cranny in a room and kill every germ — and sterilize every instrument — in an hour flat.
As a bonus, the peroxide-ozone blend even kills that “other” bug infesting hospitals and nursing homes: bed bugs. (Naturally, the hotel industry is even more eager to get its hands on this stuff than the hospital business.)
The gassed-up H202 has the potential to be a game-changer — but only if hospitals actually USE the stuff. If they start cutting corners or simply don’t want to take each room out of commission for an hour between patients, we’ll be right back to square one — and 100,000 deaths a year is only the beginning.
After I read this article, I contacted our cosmetic manufacturer to get his take on what he had read. Even though it was a costly endeavor, we have diligently removed parabens from most of our products when we reformulated them. I believe it was the right decision.
Our manufacturer’s response: The article clearly states that no causal relationship has been shown to exist between parabens and breast cancer. The Personal Products Council and other consumer safety groups have also stated that there is no link between parabens and breast cancer. If you look at the sidebar you will also see that parabens are used to preserve foods and medicines and are naturally found in some foods including Blueberries. To detect the presence of parabens in the deeper tissues of the body, one could surmise that it is more likely to be present as the result of ingestion than from topical use. I was under the impression that the issue of parabens and breast cancer had been put to rest some time ago.
Growing up as a very active athlete in the Southern California area one of my favorite teams to watch was the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team. I even had the privilege of attending a week long basketball camp on the campus hosted by the UCLA coaching staff. I remember when I was there the way people at UCLA would speak of Coach John Wooden, he was held in such high esteem by all. He was revered, loved, respected and admired, and not just as a coach, but as a man.
As I grew up my father would buy me books to read that showcased great coaches and athletes, and focused on their attitudes, beliefs, and determination to give their best everyday. As I read the books about John Wooden it was so clear that he was not just a basketball coach, he was a life coach. To his players, to his family, to his friends, and to all of us that want to learn from his lessons.
Thus in this article I want to highlight some of those great life lessons that Coach John Wooden passed along to us during his lifetime.
-Time lost is time lost. It’s gone forever. Thus, people should always do their best. If they can work twice as hard tomorrow, then they should have worked twice as hard today, because that would have been their best. Catching up leaves no room for them to do their best tomorrow. Those who are putting off and then working twice as hard later are just cheating themselves from being their best tomorrow.
-Try to read and learn something new every day. Stay on top of, and ahead of your game, so that you can operate to the best of your abilities. Do the best you can with what you have. Don’t stand still. Always try to move forward. Keep learning so you can function as well as you are capable of functioning. Then whatever comes out of that comes out of that, and will be a by-product of always striving to be the best you can be.
-“Love” is the greatest word in our language. When we have love, many of our problems disappear. We can give without loving, but we can’t love without giving.
-Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life. People don’t spend enough time with their families. They get caught up in material things, thinking those make up life. Don’t allow the lesser values to raise havoc on your family.
-God is far greater than I am and to see that I must accept His actions, even if I do not understand them at the time.
-There is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness.
-There is a verse by Henry Van Dyke that John Wooden always carried with him on a note card: “Four things a man must learn to do, If he would make his life more true: To think without confusion clearly, To love his fellow-man sincerely, To act from honest motives purely, To trust in God and Heaven securely.”
-On the other side of his note card was the seven point creed his Dad had taught him to live by: “1. Be true to yourself. 2. Help others. 3. Make each day your masterpiece. 4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible. 5. Make friendship a fine art. 6. Build a shelter against a rainy day. 7. Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.”
-“Balance” is one of the most important parts of life. We must always keep things in perspective so that we can maintain emotional control.
-John Wooden’s formula for success: “Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal. Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Don’t make excuses.”
-If you never lie, you’ll never have to remember what you said.
-Never stop trying to do what’s right. And don’t do the right thing to earn favor with God or anyone else, do it because it is the right thing to do.
-Doing our best really does define success. Never try to be better than somebody else. Always learn from others and never cease trying to be the best you can be.
-The most important profession in the world is parenting. The second is teaching, and everyone is a teacher to someone.
-The more concerned we become over the things we can’t control, the less we will do with the things we can control. Abraham Lincoln said “We’d all be much happier if we magnified our blessings rather than our disappointments.”
-A leader’s most powerful ally is his or her own example. There is hypocrisy to the phrase “Do as I say, not as I do.” You should refuse to make demands on others that you are not willing to live out in your own life. Leadership from a hypocrisy undermines respect, and if people don’t respect you, they won’t willingly follow you.
-You must have the drive to develop your abilities and become the best you can be so that you’ll be ready. You must be prepared when your chance comes. Because if you are not primed, you will miss your opportunity. You have to think as if you are going to get one shot, so you must be ready.
-Find your Olympic spirit of competition, but for the sake of competition, not for the outcome of winning and losing. Put your sights on the desire to excel, not on the outcome. Be fiercely competitive, however the best competition is against yourself – to become better.
-It is more blessed to give than to receive. There is always great joy in learning that something you’ve said or done has been meaningful to another, especially when you do it without any thought of receiving anything in return. Your gift doesn’t have to be material as a smile, a nod, a pat on the back all warms the heart.
-Don’t use foul or abusive language. Make your words be an encouragement to those who hear them to be good and helpful.
-Don’t consider yourself superior to anyone else, but never feel inferior.
-Always keep your word. “Later’s”, “until’s”, “if’s” and “when’s” are really nothing more than “but’s” – don’t let yours keep you from keeping your promises.
-We shouldn’t compare ourselves to others. We get in trouble when we start trying to measure up to someone else. We should focus on striving to become the best we are capable of becoming.
-Happiness comes from the things that cannot be taken away from you. Appreciate the things that last, especially faith, family and friends.
-Never encourage anyone to pray for a win. Our prayers should not be directed to the scores on the boards. That seems way too selfish. Honor God by doing your best, controlling your emotions, and asking for protection.
-God hears all of our prayers and answers them, but sometimes the right answer is No.
-There is a wonderful axiom about the three things most people really want out of life: happiness, freedom and peace of mind. Interestingly, these things are usually attained when we give them away.
-The smallest good deed is better than the best intention. Lots of people talk it, but they don’t walk it. You should always try to act upon your intentions.
-Your individual strength of character will shape how you react to both praise and criticism. If you let either one affect you, it will affect you adversely.
-No matter how tall you might be, don’t ever look down on anyone.
-Be thankful for what you have. Be appreciative. Don’t ever think “why did this happen to me?” but instead count your blessings every day.
-Wake up each day and tell yourself “this is going to be a good day!”
-You can’t antagonize people and then expect to get positive results.
-Criticism and correction differ, especially when it comes to methods and motives. Criticism puts someone down. Correction means I want to help. Be slow to correct and quick to commend. No one likes correction, but we learn from it. If we commend before we correct, the person will accept the correction better. And don’t ever give correction in a way where the other loses face. Only make corrections after you have proved to the individual that you highly value them, because if they know you care the correction won’t be seen as a judgment.
-If we listen to others, they will be more apt to listen to us.
-If we are ever through learning, then we are through. You either have to go forward or you’ll go backward. Learn as if you are going to live forever, but you ought to live as if you’re going to die tomorrow.
-The worst thing you can do for the ones you love are the things they could and should do for themselves. If people are hungry, give them fish. But after they have eaten, teach them how to fish. Don’t keep giving them fish. That makes them dependent on you for their food. It’s never good to take away anyone’s independence.
-Failure is not fatal, but failure to change can be.
-The person who is afraid to risk failure seldom has to face success.
-You are never a failure if you gave it your all, unless you blame others for your mistakes. When you place blame, you’re making excuses; when you’re making excuses, you can’t evaluate yourself; and without self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.
-Time spent getting even would be better spent getting ahead.
-Harboring thoughts of revenge is a bad thing. Forgiveness is much better. We can choose to forgive. When we do that, it sets us free.
-It would be a dull monotonous world if we all agreed on everything, but we should never be disagreeable just because we disagree.
-Lastly; “Success is peace of mind as a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming – in all areas of life.”
These are words to live by. Words to be studied and more importantly applied in your life. These lessons will not only help you live a more fulfilled, happy life but all those around you as well. The more we can learn from the examples Coach John Wooden gave us, the more we can become teachers in our own right.
(NaturalNews) Last week, I declared 2012 the “Year of Consciousness” for NaturalNews (http://www.naturalnews.com/034554_c…) and pointed out that the ultimate solution to ending tyranny, wars, corporate deception and environmental destruction is to upgrade our consciousness rather than “killing our enemies.” This announcement was greatly appreciated by NaturalNews readers, who for the most part have a very positive outlook on 2012 and beyond.
But there was something missing from the announcement: How do we achieve higher consciousness?
And I don’t mean burning a roomful of candles, chanting mantras for seven years and mastering the art of transcendental meditation (which takes a lifetime or more). That’s not practical for most people in the real world today. What we need is a practical way to upgrade our consciousness right now, here in 2012, in our own living rooms.
That’s what this article is about: Five practical ways to raise your level of consciousness starting right now. (I’m also publishing a follow-up article listing things to avoid that crush your consciousness.) For this article, by the way, “raising your consciousness” means expanding your awareness of reality, expanding your connection with other human beings and living systems, and deepening your sense of free will, liberty and being the master of your own destiny through applied decisions and actions. It is not just a “sense of self” but also a heightened sense of how your actions impact the world around you.
Here are the five steps:
#1 – Spend more time in direct contact with nature Want to boost your conscious awareness? Turn off the TV, ditch the X-Box, and go hiking in a state park somewhere. Go trail running. Plant a garden. Or just take your dog for a walk!
Spending time in nature heightens your senses, opens your heart and expands your sense of connection with who you are and the miracle of creation. So make an effort to spend more time in nature, and if you can manage it, move to a farm or ranch where you can actually live in nature.
#2 – Eat more high-vibration living foods and superfoods Raising your consciousness means raising your nutritional standards, too. You’re never going to attain a high level of self awareness if your brain is running on junk food, chemical preservatives and artificial colors. Those are things, in fact, that destroy awareness and cognitive function.
The highest-vibration foods you can get for awareness expansion are wild-crafted foods you go out and find yourself (in a forest, a field, etc.). The second highest foods are those you grow yourself, usually in a home garden or a sprouting machine.
After years of studying and teaching nutrition, the pattern is obvious: People who live on low-vibration foods (junk foods, fast foods and processed foods) have diminished consciousness and impaired cognitive function. They tend to have narrow, selfish minds and are incapable of assessing information from a wide perspective. They live on microwaveable dinners, they drink diet soda, and they vote for whatever political candidate the media tells them to. They are, in essence, “zombies” who operate more as brainwashed consumers than conscious human beings.
The junk food poisoning of our modern world is one of the most astonishing un-reported stories of our generation. I plan to cover it more here on NaturalNews, by the way, to reveal the links between the junk food supply and the downfall of complex civilization. For now, focus your effort on increasing your consumption of high-vibration foods, meaning living foods, sprouted foods, wild-crafted foods and home-grown foods.
#3 – Clean your clutter to clear your mind Is your house a jumble of clutter? Do you have so much junk stacked up everywhere that you only have a narrow pathway through it all from your bedroom to your kitchen? The more clutter you have in your home or office, the more cluttered your mind tends to be. Eliminating that clutter is key to finding some peace in your own home.
I’ve struggled with this, by the way. The situation becomes even more complex when you practice preparedness food storage like I do. As the boxes, cans and other gear stacks up, it’s not easy to get it all put away in an organized manner. The thing I’ve found that works best is a heavy-duty steel shelving unit (purchased at a local hardware store) combined with high-quality storage bins like these made by Akro-Mills: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…
I use Post-It tape (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…) and a permanent marker to write labels on these bins. The tape is sticky enough to stay put, but easy to pull off if you ever want to change the label. My bins are labeled with titles like: Flashlights, Batteries, Compass & Navigation, First Aid and so on.
#4 – Observe your decisions as if you were your own life coach Instead of just making decisions and taking actions from your own first-person point of view — I want a cookie, I feel happy, I feel angry, I need a job — zoom out and take the greater perspective of being your own life coach.
In other words, view your actions and decisions as if you were your own consultant. If you have a particular outcome you would like to achieve in life, ask your inner consultant how that might be reasonably achieved.
For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds of body weight, improve your skin and experience a better sex life, your consultant might give you a reasonable course of action involving dietary strategies, daily exercise, and a reduction of stress. But when you view your life from your own (first-person) eyes, it’s tempting to say, “I want to eat a pizza,” or “I don’t feel like exercising.” That’s why letting your consultant have a say in your life is a wise strategy.
In terms of consciousness, the mere act of invoking your inner consultant is, all by itself, a meta-level advancement in your perspective (and therefore, consciousness). To be able to observe your own actions from the perspective of an outside consultant is a necessary step to grokking the world through the eyes and hearts of other living creatures. It is the gateway to empathy, in other words, and empathy is the gateway to lasting peace.
War can only be waged from the perspective of “I” that lacks the greater awareness of connectedness among all living things. “I shoot you” is the mantra of modern warfare, and yet all by itself, the statement is illogical from a higher perspective because “you” and “I” are bound together in non-material ways that transcend our material bodies. Read more in my article on consciousness: http://www.naturalnews.com/034554_c…
#5 – Increase your commitment to spiritual practice No matter what your particular spiritual practices, deepening your commitment to spiritual awakening will automatically raise your level of consciousness. Whether you go to an organized church or simply practice your own personal form of spirituality, enhancing your commitment to that practice will reap rewards beyond the material.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you have to go to church to be considered spiritual, by the way. If God is everywhere, then he’s also in your living room. A church may be beneficial in many ways, but it does not have a monopoly on connecting with the spiritual realm.
For some people, a “spiritual practice” may consist solely of meditation or even taking a vow of silence. The point of such exercises is to turn your attention inward, to better know your inner self as a step toward connecting with your “higher self” (or spirit or soul or even God), which is both divine and non-material. Regardless of the particular terminology or spiritual practices you prefer, deepening them will have a profound impact on your level of consciousness awareness in day-to-day living.
Remember, we are more than material beings. And there is much more out there than the crude matter into which we typically find ourselves entwined. If you are not spending some time each week exploring the bigger questions of consciousness, philosophy, life and the after-life, then you are missing out on the most important part of having a conscious mind in the first place.
In summary Got all that? Here are the five practical steps again:
#1) Spend more time in nature. #2) Consume more high-vibration foods. #3) Clean your clutter. #4) View your life as if you were your own life coach. #5) Deepen your commitment to spiritual practice (even if it’s just a few minutes a week).
These five steps are simple but powerful, and they will dramatically alter (and improve) your experience of life.
I am writing today to recommend her absolutely incredible book that just came out in paperback. This book has such a powerful love-life impact that 14 luminaries from Dr. Christiane Northrup to Arielle Ford are raving about it. I am speaking of Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor’s Guide to Lasting Love by bestselling author, Dr. Diana Kirschner. This revolutionary guide has had an enormous effect on all those who have read it.
John Gray, himself, puts it this way: Dr. Diana understands the mysteries of committed passionate love. There’s nothing like hearing it from a Pro who walks the talk and even shares her own personal journey. Follow Dr. Diana’s lasting love program and you’ll go from casual to committed and deliriously-in-love.
Learn how to deepen any relationship—if you have been dating two months, on & off for 10 years, married, or in any relationship where you feel uncertain or afraid that it is ending. Even if your partner has cheated. Sealing the Deal shows you exactly how to handle your love problems and create a deeply fulfilling relationship–your own happiest-ever-after.
Now it is possible AT ANY AGE to feel chosen, secure, cherished and appreciated by The One you really want. To transform a painful relationship and the anxiety of an unknown romantic future into a committed forever love.
In this COMPREHENSIVE, STEP-BY-STEP guide Dr. Diana will introduce you to dozens of women of ALL AGES who have found the love that is their heart’s calling. And more importantly, she will show you exactly how to create love that is just right for you.
Buy Sealing the DealTODAY and receive INSTANT free gifts to get you started RIGHT NOW building a lifetime of passionate lasting love: Dr. Diana’s 3 E-Reports and two hour-long interviews in which she reveals her personal secrets & simple can’t-miss tips of relationship success & a private URL with exclusive relationship advice for over 40’s. Plus over 30 amazing gifts from Evan Marc Katz, Dr. Judith Orloff & many more world famous experts, that together are like one great personal growth course costing thousands of dollars–just for the price of one book!
“Diana Kirschner’s work is life-changing, love-affirming, and wonderfully effective.” ~Christiane Northrup, MD, author of The Secret Pleasures of Menopause & Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
The Ageless Sisters would like to thank January Jones for her insights on whining. Her tips are useful for men and women of all ages using humor and hope. Tune in to find out how to cure the whiner deep within.
January Jones is the author of Thou Shalt Not Whine….The Eleventh Commandment published by Beaufort Books. Her book reached #1 at amazon.com. Ms. Jones is a speaker, radio personality, cruise ship speaker, a reality TV golfer and a humorist in the tradition of Erma Bombeck. January has done over 500 radio and TV interviews promoting her theories on life with humor and hope.
January Jones is a Spokeswoman and Director of Public Relations for Successimo.com
Ms. Jones was the owner-manager of The Thousand Oaks Racquet Club in Thousand Oaks, CA. for 20 years. January attended the University of Detroit and is a recipient of The Irwin Award and the RTIR Quantum Leap Award. She is an honorary Naval Aviator on U. S. S. Carl Vinson and the recipient of the Earl Warren Medal from the United States Government.
Closing the toilet seat before flushing has long been suggested by those who know germs can travel at a very fast rate of speed…who wants filth on their toothbrush, washcloths or anything else that is sitting atop a vanity? Close the lid before flushing!
It may seem like a subject ripe for toilet humour – but whether you close the lavatory lid before you flush could have an impact on the spread of disease, according to an expert.
Professor Mark Wilcox, Clinical Director of Microbiology at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said leaving the lid up can allow a cloud of bacteria to explode into the air, settling on nearby surfaces.
Sanitary: Leaving the toilet seat up allows the spread of germs.
This increases the risk of viruses like the winter vomiting bug of transmitting to another person.
‘It is very clear from our work that the lid is there for a reason,’ Professor Wilcox told Mail Online.
Professor Wilcox and colleagues from Leeds University conducted a study to see how using a toilet lid could affect the spread of disease, specifically in hospitals.
They used a sterilised toilet cubicle and created a ‘diarrhoea effect’ in the bowl using stool samples that had been infected with the hospital superbug C. difficile.
The norovirus (left) is thought to be spread by odourised droplets, like those found on the filter paper during the tests (right)
Professor Wilcox said: ‘We then put vegetable colour dye in the water bowl, lifted the lid and put cling film over the toilet seat. After we flushed the toilet we found it sprayed a large amount. By placing the film onto filter paper we found that the toilet could spray up to 50 droplets per flush.’
They noted that many hospital toilets don’t have lids – ironically in an attempt to stop cross-contamination from handling a lid.
The professor said that although it was unlikely that keeping the lid up would be a ‘huge’ health hazard, their findings suggested patients with a superbug should at least have a dedicated toilet.
He added that their research also had wider implications, telling the Mail Online: ‘It would be prudent if there is a lid to put it down after flushing.
‘This contains smells and droplets that can become aerolised. Some bugs spread more easily to surfaces this way and the norovirus is thought to be one of them.
‘Our advice – put down the lid if it’s there and wash your hands afterwards.’
Kids love to mimic their parents — at least until they figure out how incredibly lame we are. But during those early years, nothing seems more fascinating than whatever it is mom and dad do all day.
In fact, whether or not you realize it, your kid is probably watching you so closely, she could slip into your heels and be Mommy for a Day without skipping a beat. Much like this adorable 6-year-old girl, Lulu, who clearly knows exactly what her mom does all day and how to do it …
Lulu is especially precocious when it comes to such grown-up duties as groaning at her computer screen in exasperation, snapping at her assistant, and sitting down at the end of a long day in front of the TV with a reduced calorie frozen dinner and a glass of wine:
Avocados are rich in vitamins A, C, and E and are full of other nutrients like potassium. They contain folate, monosaturated fats and antioxidants. Regular consumption of avocados helps us in many ways. Here are just 10 of them.
1. The monosaturated fats in avocados not only help in reducing LDL cholesterol but are also good for the heart. Avocado also lowers the triglycerides in the blood and thus is useful for diabetic patients.
2. Avocado contains 30% more potassium than banana. The high potassium content helps in regulating blood pressure and prevents circulatory diseases.
3. Avocados are good for pregnant women since the high folate content in them helps in the development of brain and other tissues of the baby. The B6 vitamin in these fruits may help in reducing nausea that is associated with pregnancy.
4. Avocado contains carotenoid lutein. Lutein keeps the eyes safe from oxidative stress, macular degeneration, and cataracts.
5. Avocados have numerous phytonutrients which not only prevent prostate cancer but also repair the damaged cells.
6. Many studies have shown that avocado can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells without damaging the healthy cells. The oleic acid in this fruit is effective in preventing breast cancer.
7. It is a powerhouse of vitamin E which protects our skin from free radicals.
8. Avocado is very effective in stopping bad breath. It also reduces the risk of oral cancer.
9. Being rich in antioxidants, avocado is helpful in preventing aging symptoms. The glutathione in avocado boosts immune systems, slows the aging process, and encourages a healthy nervous system.
10. The nutrients and enzymes in avocado soothes the condition of inflamed mucous lining in the stomach and small intestines. It also improves the body’s ability to absorb carotenoids and nutrients.
Olive oil comes from olives. Sesame seed oil comes from sesame seeds.
But what is a canola? Canola is actually a made-up word for a genetically modified product.
Canola stands for “Canadian oil low acid.” It’s (sadly) a Canadian invention and subsidized by the government. The subsidies make it very cheap to use, so almost all processed or packaged foods contain canola oil. Be sure to read the ingredients. Here’s why you should:
THE SCOOP ON CANOLA
Canola oil is developed from the rapeseed plant, which is part of the mustard family of plants. These oils have long been used for industrial purposes (in candles, lipsticks, soaps, inks, lubricants, and biofuels). It’s an industrial oil, not a food.
Rapeseed oil is the source behind mustard gas, and on its own it causes emphysema, respiratory distress, anemia, constipation, irritability, and blindness. But through the beauty of genetic modification, we now sell it as an edible oil.
The claim is that canola is safe to use because through modification it is no longer rapeseed but “canola.” Except… canola is just genetically modified rapeseed. It has been marketed as a wonder oil that is low in saturated fats with a beneficial omega-3 fatty acid profile. It is recognized by the American Dietetic Association and the American Heart Association based on the belief that the absence of saturated fats alone makes it healthy.
It is now believed that rapeseed has a cumulative effect, taking almost 10 years before symptoms begin to manifest. One possible effect of long-term use is the destruction of the protective coating surrounding nerves called the myelin sheath. This is like having raw, open wires in the body. Some symptoms include:
-tremors and shaking -uncoordination when walking or writing -slurred speech -deterioration of memory and thinking processes -fuzzy or low audio levels -difficulty urinating/incontinence -breathing problems/short of breath -nervous breakdown -numbness and tingling in extremities -heart problems/arrhythmia
From a nutritional perspective, canola oil has been found to deplete Vitamin E. It has a tendency to inhibit proper metabolism of foods and normal enzyme function. It also depresses the immune system.
THE SCOOP ON GMOs
Today, 72% of all products from the United States are genetically modified. The top 3 genetically modified foods are:
1. canola 2. corn 3. soy
Not too far behind them are potatoes, tomatoes, sweet peppers, peanuts, and sunflower.
Companies that commonly use genetic modification are:
When an attempt was made for new legislation to force the labeling of genetically modified products in grocery stores, the three companies of Kellogg’s, Monsanto, and DuPont spent $55 millions to fight it and eventually won. It is not mandatory for companies to let the consumers know when they have used genetic modification. Which is why today I refuse to use a Kellogg’s product (very corn-based). Produce that is genetically modified is sometimes identified by a 5-digit number on its sticker that starts with an 8. But not always.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GMOs ON HUMANS
1. Toxicity
Apparently they have GMO Christmas trees that glow in the dark. Slightly cool, but kind of disturbing. They can also make pigs glow in the dark by injecting them with jellyfish.
2. Allergic reactions
Our bodies were not built to recognize and consume GMOs. They are foreign substances in our digestive system and in our bloodstream.
3. Antibiotic resistance
Many plants are engineered to become resistant. We consume those same toxins and may in turn develop resistances.
4. Cancer
GMOs are an offense to our cells. They depress our immune system and may allow for the onset of cancer.
5. Immuno-suppresion
Our immune system doesn’t recognize GMOs. It works to expel them from our bodies as soon as possible, and has less time to work towards our general well being.
Besides the above, GMOs have a negative effect on nature. It upsets the balance of the earth, harms wild plants, and disturbs the life cycle of wild animals.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Since learning the above, I’ve made some changes. They’re small, but I feel good about them.
I don’t buy or use anything that contains canola. I don’t buy or use any Kellogg’s products. I look at the produce stickers on my fruits and vegetables. Just in case. I stay away from processed foods, as they are most likely GMO. GMOs are a big scary topic. But even without labeling, most of us can incorporate small changes to eat more naturally.
New York Times reporter Benedict Carey referred to tears in a piece as “emotional perspiration.” Given that I sweat a lot and hate deodorant, I suppose it makes sense that I weep often. But I’m not going to apologize for that, because after a good cry, I always feel cleansed, like my heart and mind just rubbed each other’s backs in a warm bath.
In his intriguing article, “The Miracle of Tears”, from which I’ve borrowed some of the research for this post, author Jerry Bergman writes: “Tears are just one of many miracles which work so well that we taken them for granted every day.” Here, then, are seven ways tears and the phenomenon we call “crying” heal us physiologically, psychologically, and spiritually.
1. Tears help us see.
Starting with the most basic function of tears, they enable us to see. Literally. Tears not only lubricate our eyeballs and eyelids, they also prevent dehydration of our various mucous membranes. No lubrication, no eyesight. Writes Bergman: “Without tears, life would be drastically different for humans — in the short run enormously uncomfortable, and in the long run eyesight would be blocked out altogether.
2. Tears kill bacteria.
No need for Clorox wipes. We’ve got tears! Our own antibacterial and antiviral agent working for us, fighting off all the germs we pick up on community computers, shopping carts, public sinks, and all those places the nasty little guys make their homes and procreate. Tears contain lysozyme, a fluid that the germ-a-phobic dreams about in her sleep, because it can kill 90 to 95 percent of all bacteria in just five to 10 minutes! Which translates, I’m guessing, to three months’ worth of colds and stomach viruses.
3. Tears remove toxins.
Biochemist William Frey, who has been researching tears for as long as I’ve been searching for sanity, found in one study that emotional tears–those formed in distress or grief–contained more toxic byproducts than tears of irritation (think onion peeling). Are tears toxic then? No! They actually remove toxins from our body that build up courtesy of stress. They are like a natural therapy or massage session, but they cost a lot less!
4. Crying can elevate mood.
Do you know what your manganese level is? No, neither do I. But chances are that you will feel better if it’s lower because overexposure to manganese can cause bad stuff: anxiety, nervousness, irritability, fatigue, aggression, emotional disturbance and the rest of the feelings that live inside my happy head rent-free. The act of crying can lower a person’s manganese level. And just like with the toxins I mentioned in my last point, emotional tears contain 24 percent higher albumin protein concentration — responsible for transporting many small molecules (which has to be a good thing, right?) — than irritation tears.
5. Crying lowers stress.
Tears really are like perspiration in that exercising and crying both relieve stress. For real. In his article, Bergman explains that tears remove some of the chemicals built up in the body from stress, like the endorphin leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin, the hormone I overproduce because of my pituitary tumor that affects my mood and stress tolerance. The opposite is true too. Bergman writes, “Suppressing tears increases stress levels, and contributes to diseases aggravated by stress, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and peptic ulcers.
6. Tears build community.
In her “Science Digest” article, writer Ashley Montagu argued that crying not only contributes to good health, but it also builds community. I know what you’re thinking: “Well, yeah, but not the right kind of community. I mean, I might ask the woman bawling her eyes out behind me in church what’s wrong or if I can help her, but I’m certainly not going to invite her to dinner.”
I beg to differ. As a prolific crier, especially on video, I always come away astounded by the comments … the resounding support of people I know all that well, and the level of intimacy exchanged among them. Read for yourselves some of the comments on both my self-esteem video and my recent death and dying video and you’ll appreciate my point. Tears help communication and foster community.
7. Tears release feelings.
Even if you haven’t just been through something traumatic or are severely depressed, the average Jo goes through his day accumulating conflicts and resentments. Sometimes they gather inside the limbic system of the brain and in certain corners of the heart. Crying is cathartic. It lets the devils out. Before they wreak all kind of havoc with the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Writes John Bradshaw in his bestseller Home Coming: “All these feelings need to be felt. We need to stomp and storm; to sob and cry; to perspire and tremble.” Amen, Brother Bradford!
About the Author
Therese J. Borchard is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes plus The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit.
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