New York Health Care Workers Told "Vaccinate or be Terminated". Albany Workers Protest, What Can You Do?

See my dad in his wheelchair with the green hat?  We all stand at my daughter's birthday party and he sits... because of a vaccination!

I am sitting here at my computer in disbelief as I just heard on the news that NY state has apparently given health care workers until November 30th to get the Flu vaccine or be terminated.  I am sorry, where is that again...AMERICA?  Listen folks if this illegal mandate goes unchallenged and unchanged, you WILL be next!

The state has already announced that the H1N1 shot will be next for the NY health care workers.  You know what happenned in 1976 when the Swine Flu vaccination was pushed by Washington and did not quite hit the mark?  By 1979, 4,000 people had made claims of damages against the government with 2/3 of them being for neurological illness or death. This time around the US Government is embarking upon an unprecedented Swine Flu vaccine symptom tracking system.

I am all too familiar with the damage that a vaccination can do to a person.

My father received a Hep-B vaccine and within a couple of weeks was fighting for his life from a neurological disease called Guillain Barre.  This disease quickly turned into the chronic form of GB called Chronic Demyelinating Inflammatory Polyneuropathy.  The government has compensated him for his illness which they agreed was caused by the vaccination but no amount of compensation will ever fix our lives or his.

My dad who taught me to slow dance won't ever dance with me again.  He is confined to a wheelchair now.

I have chosen, each time with much worry and prayer, to vaccinate my three girls for the greater good of our world.  I am considering the Flu vaccine this year but at this point, I have decided not vaccinate my family against Swine Flu.  I STILL HAVE A CHOICE, HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN NY DO NOT!  Can you imagine being given this ultimatum?

You just might be given the same ultimatum if we do not support those protesting this mandate. Albany, New York health care workers are protesting today and we need to give them our support.

Please email your local Representatives, the Vice President and President HERE and tell them you support the Albany, NY protestors and will never stand for forced vaccination!!!!!

Environmental Noise - WHY ARE TV ADS SO LOUD?

 ARE TV ADS TOO LOUD?

Did you catch this article in the Parade section of your Sunday paper?  It caught my eye because when I do watch television that is not of the 4-twelve year old genre it is usually Fox News in the evenings.  I will be relaxing with my computer or hubby or both and all of a sudden I get my head blasted off by a commercial when Sean Hannity stops talking.

Now some of you may know what I am talking about if any of you still watch the boob tube.  It seems that over the last few years commercials have gone off the charts loud.   Or maybe it is just me who has gone of the charts old with little things that annoy me.

According to the Parade article,"

“It’s enough to blast you off the sofa when some of these ads come on,” says Rep. Anna Eshoo (D., Calif.). “It’s a source of irritation to people when they’re relaxing in their own home. For decades, there have been complaints and investigations by the FCC, but nothing has ever been done about it.” Eshoo recently introduced the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act. If passed, it would require the FCC to set new limits on the volume of commercials."

Apparently the new TV's have a special feature that gets rid of the commercial loudness problem.  The TV in our bedroom is only two years old and I don't recall it having any easy way to turn off or turn down the volume of commercials.  Plus, people should not be forced to go out and buy a new TV to get rid of this  bullsh*t noise eh?  

This just p*sses me off to no end.  It's like the advertisers are pushing their way into my quiet little haven of solace whether I want them to or not.  

I support the CALM Act and will keep you posted as to whether or not it passes. 

Anyone else bothered by this?

What is the Environmental Health of Your Neighborhood? Find Out Here!

  
Last week the Associated Press released a new report on the water quality in schools in the United States.  It seems that water in about 100 school districts and 2,250 schools breached federal safety standards.  California, which has the highest number of schools in the country, had the highest level of violations at 612.  Ohio came in second with 451 violations followed by Maine with 417, Connecticut with 318 and Indiana with 289.

According to the AP article, "Many of the same toxins could also be found in water at homes, offices and businesses. But the contaminants are especially dangerous to children, who drink more water per pound than adults and are more vulnerable to the effects of many hazardous substances."

"The most frequently cited contaminant was coliform bacteria, followed by lead and copper, arsenic and nitrates."

This is even more of a reason for all of you moms,dads, grandmas and grandpas out there to buy  filtration systems for your homes (at least use a Brita water filtration pitcher you can pick up almost anywhere) and fill a reusable stainless steel container for them each morning.  You can find safe water bottles HERE with free shipping and a ton of cool designs they will love.

Reading about water quality at schools made me wonder about the quality of water and other environmental factors in my area.  Haven't you ever wondered about the environmental health of your neighborhood?  What exactly are the cancer risks?  How is your water quality?  What are the radon or ozone levels?  Well now you can check out the environmental health of the water (and get tons more important environmental info) in your area by using the widget above from the EPA.

Pretty cool widget.  Hope you find it useful and interesting.

I Just Received the "Bad Mommy of the Year Award"!

Hi all!  How is your Friday going?  Mine is great although I had no idea my little Hay-Jay had no school today until 8am and I just noticed that she has just about consumed an ENTIRE bag of Veggie Chips in like 10 minutes.  So other than getting the "Bad Mommy of the Year Award" things are great. 

A little concerned about the direction Health Care reform is going...which way is that anyway?  Seems like I get so many double messages that I have a hard time sorting it all out.  I  can tell you that even though we pay like $11,000.00 a year for ours, I certainly do not want to be forced into a public option EVER.  It is sad that people are uninsured and judging from my husband's chosen profession (he is VP of a commercial construction company), these days we could easily be one of those uninsured...but there has to be a better way than more Socialized Medicine. 

I know of families making higher incomes than ours who choose to go without so they can have other things that are much more fun than paying for health insurance.  Should we force them into a plan or penalize them for not taking part?  I say we just let them die. 

Seriosuly I do not think that.  The questions are complex and the answers are varied but this plan makes me uncomfortable.  Like the millionaire actors who are bashing the rich for getting richer.  Gimme a break.  Isn't that what we all want...success so we can help others as we help ourselves? 

Anyway, enough of my Friday morning rant.  I came across a great site for those of you who are always emailing me with questions about organic personal care products.  The site is SaffronRouge and they have a super little chat button in the upper right corner of their website which gives you the opportunity to "speak" with one of their organic beauty advisers.  Pretty cool so take advantage of it and let me know how it works out for you. 

Please remember that beauty is not only skin deep...the products we use go much further into our system and  may even get into our developing babies.  Babies are born pre-polluted with as many as 287 industrial chemicals in their bodies when they enter the world. 

Take care and think about what you are spending your hard-earned cash on and how those purchases affect your health and the health of our environment.  Don't forget to check out Environmental Booty for all that is eco...a great place to shop for the Holidays or everyday.

Off to do my new workout. 

Peace and Love - Shane

Warm Up with an Eco-Smart Winter!

GREEN FIREPLACE...
WARM UP WITH AN ECO-SMART WINTER

September 22nd, 2009 marks the autumnal equinox – the official first day of autumn. The morning was marked with a heavy blanket of fog over the city streets and a crisp thin veil of ice on the windows.

Fall is officially here, and not a moment too soon after an incredibly scorching summer. Shifting gears, any eco-savvy person knows that a whole new set of rules come into play once the season begins its cold long descent into winter.

While normally aware of Mother Nature inspired do’s and don’ts, I have to admit my guilty winter pleasure has to be the fireplace. Fireplaces are a terrible eco-gremlin, not only using burning natural resources, but release smoke and fumes into your home and atmosphere. Fortunately, there are a few things we can do to make sure our fireplace use is as green as possible.

Play Tetris and Increase Brain Size...but is it Good for You?

FOR KIDS: A brain-boosting video game -
A new study suggests that playing Tetris builds gray matter
By Stephen Ornes with Science News.


Fitting together differently shaped blocks in Tetris changes the brain, a new study finds.

In the video game Tetris, players try to pack as many shapes as possible into a small space. According to a new study, that’s not all they’re doing: Scientists found a connection between playing Tetris and the size of part of the brain.
It sounds like a joke, but the study uses serious science. A team of three researchers from Canada and the United States scanned the brains of 15 adolescent girls, aged 12-15, who played Tetris. The scans showed that after 3 months of playing the block-stacking game, gray matter in the girls’ brains was thicker. (Gray matter is the wrinkly mixture of brain cells and blood vessels responsible for processing information in the brain.) Part of the thicker gray matter was in a region of the brain near the top of the head. This area, called the parietal lobe, is believed to be responsible for collecting information from the senses.
The study shows that “brain structure is much more dynamic than had been appreciated,” says Richard Haier of the University of California, Irvine, one of the three scientists behind the study. Haier says they studied girls’ brains because they typically spend less time playing video games than boys.
For comparison, the scientists also scanned the brains of 11 girls who had not been playing Tetris. They found no increase in the thickness of those girls’ gray matter—suggesting that certain parts of the game-playing girls’ brains grew because the girls had played the video game.
The researchers didn’t stop there—they also did real-time brain scans of girls while they were playing Tetris. For those scans, they used a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI. An fMRI tracks how blood moves through the brain, and allows scientists to see which brain areas are being used.
These scans showed that in the brains of girls who played Tetris for three months, some parts of the brain were being used less. The scientists don’t know why. Haier suggests that the drop in activity may be due to the brain actually working more efficiently than before. “We’re not sure, but we think the brain is learning which areas not to use,” Haier says. “As you learn the game, it becomes more automatic.”
The parts of the brain that got bigger over the course of three months were not the same parts of the brain that were being used less. This comparison hints that bigger is not always better: Just because a part of the brain gets bigger doesn’t mean that it’s working more efficiently.
Understanding how the brain works is not easy, says Haier. The scientists don’t know if the brain changes due to Tetris will help a person learn new skills or have better memory. “We know Tetris changes the brain,” Haier says. “We don’t know if it’s good for you.”

Peramivir - Researchers Say New Intravenous Drug Works for the Flu - New Swine Flu Info

updated 1:45 p.m. ET, Mon., Sept . 14, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - Researchers delivered a double dose of good news Sunday in the fight against flu: successful tests of what could become the first new flu medicine in a decade, and the strongest evidence yet that such drugs save lives, not just shorten illness.
A single intravenous dose of the experimental drug, peramivir, cleared up flu symptoms as well as five days of Tamiflu pills did, a large study in Asia found. An IV treatment is badly needed because many sick people can't swallow pills and because illness hinders the body's ability to absorb oral medicines.
Several other studies showed the value of treatment with Tamiflu. In one study of hundreds of people stricken with bird flu around the world, half of those given Tamiflu survived, while nearly 90 percent of those not given flu medicines died. Other research showed Tamiflu improved survival from regular seasonal flu, too.
"There has been an accumulation of evidence over time that the antiviral drugs can save lives," and the new studies confirm that hope, said Nancy Cox, flu chief at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Results were reported Sunday at an American Society for Microbiology conference in California. It is the first big meeting of infectious disease specialists since the new H1N1 swine flu emerged in April. Treatment options are getting huge attention because it will take a month or more for people to get swine flu vaccine and have time to develop immunity from the shot.
In the meantime, reports are streaming in that swine flu is causing havoc in children and young adults.
"After about a week of schools being back in, we've seen a tremendous rise in cases," Dr. Jonathan McCullers, an infectious diseases specialist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, said at the conference.
In recent weeks, at least 12 children and teens in his city have needed intensive care, including five with no previously known health problems. Some required breathing machines and other life support. One died, and another has developed resistance to Tamiflu, he said.
Swine flu now accounts for most flu cases in the United States. More than 1 million Americans have been infected and nearly 600 have died from it, the CDC estimates.
Treatment with Tamiflu or a similar drug, Relenza, is recommended for anyone hospitalized with flulike symptoms or at high risk of complications. The drugs should be started within two days of first symptoms, and they shorten illness by about a day. With the drugs in limited supply, and worries about resistance developing to them, new medicines are desperately needed.
Peramivir (purr-AM-uh-veer) was tested in nearly 1,100 people with seasonal flu last winter in Asia. They were given either Tamiflu pills for five days or a single infusion of 300 or 600 milligrams of peramivir.
Symptoms cleared in about 78 hours and 81 hours with lower and higher doses of peramivir, respectively, and in 82 hours with Tamiflu. Adverse drug reactions were less common with peramivir, said study leader Dr. Shigeru Kohno of Nagasaki University in Japan.
The fact peramivir is not a pill like Tamiflu or an inhaled drug like Relenza makes it less convenient yet "very promising" and valuable medically, Cox said.
"You can get it into the blood, into the lungs, where infection is occurring," she explained.
Others were cautious.
"I'm very enthusiastic about peramivir for hospitalized patients," but it was compared in a season when many flu cases were at least somewhat resistant to Tamiflu, said Dr. Frederick Hayden, a virus expert at the University of Virginia and a World Health Organization flu consultant.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Birmingham, Alabama, is developing peramivir with Japan-based Shionogi & Co. The U.S. government gave a major grant for its development, and officials have been discussing stockpiling the drug as part of flu pandemic preparedness plans.
Click for related content
Sebelius: Swine flu shots could be ready in OctoberFlu already widespread, nearly all swine variety
Tamiflu, made by Swiss-based Roche Holding AG, and Relenza, made by British-based GlaxoSmithKline, came on the market in 1999. Most people who get swine flu don't need them, but these drugs can help save the severely ill, studies sponsored by Tamiflu's maker suggest.
The first results from a registry of 215 human cases of bird flu around the world show that nearly 90 percent of patients who did not receive Tamiflu or any other antiviral medicine died, compared with only half of those given Tamiflu treatment.
"The earlier it starts, the better," said study leader Dr. Stephen Toovey, a Roche consultant and former employee now at Royal Free and University College of Medicine in London. "Even as far out as eight days after symptom onset, there is still benefit."
Others looked at Tamiflu for ordinary seasonal flu:
Researchers at six hospitals in Toronto monitored 238 intensive care patients during three recent flu seasons. Seventy percent were found to have flu, and one-fourth died within 15 days of diagnosis. Patients were nearly three times more likely to survive if treated with Tamiflu, even though very few of them got it soon after symptoms appeared, said Dr. Allison McGeer of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
About half of 760 people with confirmed flu cases at two hospitals in Hong Kong in 2007 and 2008 were started on Tamiflu within two days. Only 4 percent of them died in the hospital versus 6 percent of those not given an antiviral drug, said Dr. Nelson Lee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

YEAH! Obama team seeks eco-friendly coffee cups and water bottles

Published on UPI.com : March. 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- White House officials said despite the eco-benefits of the coffee cups used by the previous administration, they are seeking an even greener alternative.
Christine Glunz, a spokeswoman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said President Barack Obama's administration is seeking to replace the current paper cups, which were adopted seven years ago and feature a biodegradable coating of insulation, with something even more environmentally friendly, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.
"We're currently reviewing other cups that might offer those same benefits but have a higher percentage of biodegradability," Glunz said.
She said officials are also seeking alternatives to the plastic bottles or water supplied to White House meetings.
"We're also taking steps to minimize the use of plastic bottles," she said.

Who knew?

For more information on how to turn your organization's logo green go to Environmental Booty.

Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy

Do you muster every ounce of energy you have just to lift your limbs out of bed, experience a daily afternoon crash that only lifts with a caffeine boost, or feel a general sense of fatigue throughout the day? According to research, you are not alone. Fatigue is the second most common complaint to doctors in North America.

Unfortunately, many people turn to caffeine to boost their energy levels. That approach provides short-lived energy at best. At worst, it may cause damage to your body in the form of caffeine addiction, blood sugar fluctuations and adrenal gland depletion that makes you more vulnerable to stress. Since caffeine continues to work for about 12 hours, that afternoon coffee may leave you lying awake counting sheep when you are ready to sleep.

Nature offers many energy-enhancers. Some of the best include: bee pollen, royal jelly extract, Siberian ginseng, spirulina, gotu kola, ho shou wu, and cayenne.

1. Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen is touted as a source of perpetual youth in many of the world’s great books, including the Talmud, Bible, Koran, scrolls of the ancient Orient, Greece, Rome, Russia, the Middle East. Ancient Greek athletes ate bee pollen regularly to increase their strength and vitality. More recently, the USDA discovered that bee pollen even has anti-cancer properties.

Bee pollen is packed with 22 amino acids, natural antibiotic factors, DNA/RNA (the genetic coding of plants), 18 enzymes (to aid digestion and other bodily functions), glucosides (natural sources of energy in the body), plant hormones, 27 minerals and at least 16 vitamins, it is no surprise that it increases energy and vitality. Avoid bee pollen if you suffer pollen allergies or if you are allergic to bees.

2. Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is the natural result when bees combine honey and pollen. It is a powerhouse of B-complex vitamins. It also contains many other vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes, 18 amino acids, and natural antibacterial and antibiotic substances. It has traditionally been used to address bronchial asthma, pancreatitis, liver disease, insomnia, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, bone fractures, immune problems, and skin disorders, but royal jelly is also effective for increasing energy.

3. Siberian Ginseng
As the name suggests, Siberian ginseng originates in Siberia. It also grows in Japan, China, and Korea and parts of Canada. It has been used medicinally for at least two thousand years. Siberian ginseng is one of only a handful of herbs that is an adaptogen, which means that it works to normalize bodily functions. It inhibits the adrenal stress response and works as an immune stimulant, particularly for fighting the effects of stress and depression. It aids the liver in detoxifying harmful toxins, including chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Siberian ginseng also stimulates the activity of several immune system components: B and T cells, making it excellent for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other viral infections. Athletes around the world use Siberian ginseng as a training aid because of its reputed ability to increase resistance to stress, increase performance, bolster the immune system during workouts, and reduce fatigue. But it also helps strengthen energy levels over time.

4. Spirulina
The Aztec people knew a good thing when they saw it. They discovered spirulina, a single-celled algae that they called tecuitlatl and soon made it a staple of their diet. It is high in usable protein, a great source of Vitamin B12 (often called the “energy vitamin”), 8 minerals and many vitamins, including 7 types of vitamin A precursors known as carotenoids. It is also packed with chlorophyll, the green pigment that gives spirulina its colour and its blood purification properties. And, of course, it boosts energy levels.

5. Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is an herb that contains many nutrients and healing phytochemicals. As one of the primary energy herbs used by herbalists, gotu kola lessens fatigue and depression without the effects of caffeine. Actually, unlike caffeine that may keep you awake into the evenings, gotu kola actually helps improve sleep at night.

6. Ho Shou Wu
Also known as fo-ti or ho she wu, the root of this native Chinese vine is a powerful tonic to increase energy and maintain youthful vigor, while still having a calming effect. It contains a natural form of lecithin that helps lessen arterial plaque and lower blood pressure. In laboratory studies, ho shou wu effectively reduced blood cholesterol and triglycerides, and even prevented cholesterol from forming in test animals.

7. Cayenne
Cayenne works to boost energy by improving circulation. It is also effective to help ward off colds, sinus infections, and sore throats. It even helps reduce pain and inflammation.

As with all herbal medicines, it is best to consult with a skilled health professional prior to starting any herbal or nutritional supplements. This article is provided for educational purposes only.


Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc, ROHP, RNCP is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.

What's Wrong with Bottled Water? Tapped the Movie - a Must See for Everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Pick up your Peace logo stainless steel water bottle HERE for just $4.99!!!

Use Your iPhone to Get and Stay Healthy with these Green Apps

A fellow blogger sent me an email about a new post she put together for folks with iPhones. This is very cool and there are 50 different apps to help guide you in your quest for health.

You can check it out HERE.

Swine Flu Emergency Warning Signs

Here in Orange County, Florida the Swine Flu is widespread. My twelve year old daughter comes home every day from school and tells me the name of the latest friend with Swine Flu. My 9 year old has asthma, which is one of the high risk medical conditions associated with the Swine Flu, and I began wondering what symptoms to look for in order to take care of her effectively if she were to get sick. Plus I wonder if my 4 year old would be able to fully tell me if she was feeling sick. I mean my goodness just in the last month all of my girls have had sore throats, coughs, diarrhea, headaches...would I know what a Swine Flu emergency would look like?

Ways to Stay Healthy with Hectic Back to School Lifestyles

Sometimes we need a reminder of what is important and how to keep it healthy in our hectic lives. Back to basics...

Open Your Eyes and Meet Your Sugar

I am not against sugar. I love the stuff and I hate artificial sweeteners. Still, there are important things to remember when you are making your food and drink choices throughout the day or making choices for your kids. Children learn what they live and your choices are setting healthy or unhealthy eating patterns they will carry with them for life.

There is considerable information that tells us that sugars leave you more susceptible to
cancer.

"There is now substantial evidence that environmental factors-especially dietary-play a prominent role in the etiology
of colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It has long been known that a high intake of sucrose is a prominent, distinguishing feature of the high-risk."

There are even recent studies which point to sugars contributing to acne. We all know how sugar contributes to obesity and diabetes and I bet most parents out there (regardless of the research) can tell you that too much sugar makes their kids wack out...but how much is too much? Do you really know how much sugar you are taking in when you are making your food choices every day?

My father sent me the following photos via email with the message to, "Stay well & sugar-free (or diminished)." I am not sure where these photos originated or I would certainly give him or her credit. These are visuals that are hard to ignore.

Barack and Michelle Obama's White House Garden Update