Caring For Our Home Planet

Humans are 200,000 years old, living in a 4 billion year old home. In the last 50 years, we have managed to drastically change this home through development; more than in all of the years before that. The changes have been at a great cost. We have been depleting what Mother Earth has provided by destroying a natural, delicate balance.

Development is a good thing but, it must be done consciously and responsibly, otherwise what will be the cost? What will await us in the future?

What are we willing to do now to halt the inevitable, catastrophic changes that will occur if we continue our mindless living on Earth. This is a collective effort and millions have started to make a difference. Follow the link to become informed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDmOt-vIL8

Very Personal

I have had my share of displacing events, especially in the last 6 months. Its just been occurring to me in the past few days how these events are so prominent in my brain. Yet, when these issues resolve themselves, they are easily forgotten. It seems that we hold on to the negatives or 'lacks' in our lives thus attracting more lack. So, we create a cycle of more negatives and lacks.

It has been hard for me to grasp the concept that there actually is an abundance in my life. So I have started tallying those moments where when one door has been shut, two have been opened. I have become more aware of how my life has been opening like a blooming flower.This reflection has helped me to deal with any setbacks that present themselves and not let fear govern. Instead of despairing on what to do next, I just have to listen and trust that I already have answers because God has provided us all with this knowledge. I actually have much to be grateful for so, I need only to continue harvesting those feelings, continue to receive my spiritual wealth, and share with all.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) dominates as a sweetener in many of our food products today. Derived from corn, it has been used since the 1970’s. It is added in tomato sauces, salad dressings, jams, chocolate syrups, yogurts, beverages, cereal bars, breads, cakes and snacks, etc. It is cheaper to produce because of the high corn yield by farmers. It has been a very popular additive in our foods and so has its correlation to damaging health.

HFCS has been linked to:

- Interference with the absorption of some minerals
- Playing a role in elevated cholesterol levels
- Increase in triglyceride levels (the liver produces it in order to
metabolize it)
- Interference of white blood cells
- Diabetes
- Interference of metabolism of amino acids
- Diarrhea
- Aging (through oxidative damage to cells)
- Mineral loss especially copper where HFCS effects are greater in its
decreased levels
- Obesity

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 76, glucose is metabolized in every cell in the body but all fructose must be metabolized in the liver, thus the production of triglycerides.

And to add insult to injury many brand name foods have been found to contain mercury. Mercury is present in mercury-contaminated caustic soda and hydrochloride; used to manufacture HFCS.

It is true that table sugar (sucrose) has its adverse health effects but HFCS goes through high levels of processing and uses genetically modified enzymes.

We are addicted to sugar. We have the power to influence how manufactures process foods. If more people protest having imperfect additives (HFCS for one) and less sugar added to our foods and we decide not to buy them, manufacturers will listen. I inadvertently have also been consuming enough of the product. Although I don’t purchase juices that contain HFCS, I never thought to look at the whole wheat bread, tomato sauces, and some other products that I use. So, I have switched brands and am more scrupulous on reading ingredient labels. I have also started informing manufacturers why I am no longer using their products.

Feel Superior to No One

Release your need to feel superior by seeing the unfolding of Spirit in everyone. Don’t assess others on the basis of their appearance, achievements, and possessions. It’s an old saw, but is nonetheless true: We are all equal in the eyes of God.

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Gratitude Journal Entries

Sometimes we aren't aware of all the little but great things that happen to us day by day. We expect magnificent incidents to be worthy of gratefulness. But all of the little things are just equally important and deserving of recognition.

I keep meaning to start a gratitude journal and just never get around to it. Since I haven't started one I tell myself that in the meantime I will make mental notes but then I slip. In the day to day events, I forget to take notice of all of the things that I should be grateful for. That is, until something makes me take notice again. I believe in the journal because it makes you more conscious, as it forces you to reflect.

I thought that I would make a quick entry on my blog of a few things that I am grateful about. Of course, I could have easily made a longer list but for readers' sake, I will only post some.

- had an extra charge (partial) on my internet bill because I switched to a bundle package, I called my provider, the charge was reversed.

- not having to pay my electric bill for a couple of months because I overpaid.

- made 2 phone calls and the outcome was positive, I obtained the information needed.

- both incidences above, the representatives were very pleasant and helpful

(It is always a nice experience to deal with people who are helpful and polite.)

- Cely (daughter) texting me: "luv u".

- getting a hug from Cely when I arrived home yesterday.

- Tara (dog) always being happy when I arrive home.

- getting a clean bill of health from the vet for Alaima (other cat).

- getting a discount on Linthia's (cat) medication and once again, the pharmacist was very nice.

- being able to afford Linthia's medication.

- a moment of sitting down and enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

- Dad thinking about me and making a quick visit to bring me food.

Are you grateful for the little things?

Our Temples

It is perplexing to see how we strive to decorate ourselves. How about striving to maintain the system that keeps us going.

Sometimes we are willing to spend top dollars to look good in top brand name fashions, or get the fabulous haircut, or maintain the manicure every few weeks. When it comes to paying top dollars to see a doctor or dentist, we yell.

I am not saying that we shouldn't look good, it is perfectly reasonable. I am saying that we should also take care of ourselves and do the necessary to do so.

Why can't we take a moment and envision what our temples might look like inside because of neglect. We might engage in drinking excess alcohol, taking recreational drugs, smoking, not exercising, eating junk food, not seeing a doctor on a regular basis, not getting enough sleep.

We need to realize that we are beautiful creatures inside and out, and inside and out we must take care of ourselves.

Let's be kind to ourselves.

The Need for Water in Our Bodies

Water-The substance whose chemical composition is made up of 2 molecules of hydrogen and 1 of oxygen. It covers about 70% of the earth. Our bodies are made of about 70% of it (depending on sex, age, etc.) not to mention how much animals and plants contain. It is so vital that life would not exist without it.

In our bodies, water helps to carry nutrients and oxygen in the bloodstream, it lubricates joints, regulates the body's temperature, and assists in removal of wastes. It also maintains our skin supple. It is present in every part of our bodies; brain, skin, muscles, internal organs, bloodstream, cells...

It is lost through perspiration, urination, bowel movements and even breathing! The lungs expel 2-4 cups per day. It is important to replenish this precious substance. The body can survive for about 3 months without food but only for about 3 weeks without water.

A depletion of water in the body can affect our physical performance and thinking ability. Some symptoms are headaches, constipation, fatigue, and lightheadedness. Lack of water can aggravate colds if you have one. Urine should be odorless and pale yellow. We should not rely on the feeling of thirst to gauge the need for water. We can be dehydrated already by the time we feel thirsty and the elderly lose some ability to gauge the need for water.

How much water we need varies. If we have healthy diets that includes an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables (6-9 servings per day) and limit intake of coffee and soda, we need less than the person who doesn't practice a healthy lifestyle. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water and coffee and soda act as diuretics. The 6-9 servings might seem like a large amount of fruits and vegetables but it is really easy to include in our diets. If you make a smoothie that contains 3 servings of fruits, or add fruits to your cereal or oatmeal or juice vegetables and fruits, you will easily achieve these recommended servings.

The best rule of thumb is for men to drink to have an intake of about 12 cups, women 8 cups and children about 4 cups (depending on age). Men need more water because they have more lean muscle and lean muscle contains more water than fat.

It is possible to drink to much where the natural sodium in the bloodstream gets diluted but this is rare.

So I'll drink to my health and yours.