Saturday, November 10, 2007

There are no "accidents" .. but here's mine.

On Sunday afternoon, , as I was building this page, I decided to go to the kitchen and get something to eat. Unbeknownst to me, Eva had just mopped the floor, and as I stepped on it - down I went! Under the floor tiles, it's concrete. "High energy impact" were the surgeon's later words.

I landed on my right thigh/hip, and as I lay on the floor, I had the sense that something fundamental was wrong. With help from Eva, I edged/ crawled/butt-slid into the living room - a little journey that took over an hour. After another 2 hours trying to convince myself that this was nothing serious, we called 911.

The X-ray showed a femur broken in two places. At the time of writing this, it's 9 weeks later. Attached to my right femur I have a good sized chunk of titanium and 8 screws (see picture). It's healing in record time but I'm still hobbling a little.

Now to a man that knows there's no such thing as "accidents", and who thinks that he's sort of got things cruising along OK, manifesting a broken leg was a wake-up call. After getting past the "how stupid" bit, I was forced to take a serious look at what I was creating (or rather not creating).

Truth is I was creating by default. I had allowed myself to be operating in "should" mode - even in the building of this web site. During the first weeks, I came to see that there had been a sort of quiet tension that sat with me through my day, and it was such a fixture - it was so "normal" - that it was invisible.

All sorts of good things have come from this. My physical therapist got turned on to Abraham-Hicks, and there have been lots of friends providing support. Most importantly, I'm now renewed in my enthusiasm for daily quiet time to create. For a while in the '90s, I was heavily into meditation - quieting the mind to the point of no thought. Now I'm more into visualization - getting to the point where the creation I'm seeking is in my mind and body - without qualification.

I always know when I'm there. It's a high. My body twitches and moves - but it's delicious. Sometimes I get there in 10 minutes. Sometimes it takes an hour. Sometimes I can't get there at all, but now I'm sufficiently aware that I miss it. I notice that familiar old tension starting to appear. Then it's time to stop and go do something else. It's more important for me than ever to feel good.

My good friend Wendy Yellen has been taking me through some eidetic imagery. If you don't know what that is, she's building a web site www.EideticLifeCoach.com - you can read all about it there. She's had me visualizing the "accident" many times over. It's a fascinating process in which I was able to eventually recall all sorts of details about it - the smell of the wax as I approached the kitchen, the feel of the carpet giving way to hard floor, the fall itself being slow enough that I could see it instead of "one instant upright, the next - down". Then the image changed. Tupelo joined me - sat on my shoulder on the walk to the kitchen. We noticed the floor, joked about it and no accident happened.

The upshot of all of this is - I'm healing phenomenally quickly, I'm now creating with certainty, and I know it sounds weird, but Tupelo and I have become close friends - and that's as real as it gets. Good lessons learned.

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Develop Muscle Strength With Yoga

Many of our modern drugs have harsh side-affects and cost the "earth", so the next time you come down with a cold or the flu or cause of anxiety, why not try a gentle alternative that costs next to nothing? Instead of immediately forking over large amounts of money for over-the-counter drugs, go to the kitchen cupboard and see what you can find to relieve your symptoms including cause of anxiety. Here are some helpful hints for cause of anxiety … A simple hot compress applied to the face is very soothing to those throbbing aches and pains of a blocked sinus, while a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief can provide welcome relief for similar conditions. While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. And be sure to cuddle-up in bed when you have a cold, as it will make the body sweat out the germs. Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient. Melt the honey in a little hot water for ease of mixing. A smear of Vaseline or petroleum jelly will do wonders for those sore lips and nose that often accompany a cold. A 'streaming cold' where the nose and eyes water profusely, can respond to drinking onion water. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. Half an onion on the bedside table also alleviates cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep. People prone to catarrh may find that chewing the buds from a pine or larch throughout the day will clear up their condition in just a few days. Do you suffer from sore eyes? If your eyes are sore from lengthy exposure to the sun, try beating the white of an egg and then spread it over a cloth and bandage the eyes with it. Leave the preparation on overnight. Soft cheese (quark) is also a good remedy for this condition. For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem. Vinegar can be rather horrible to take, but who cares! The problem is more horrible. Vinegar can usually be found in most people's cupboards, so you don't need to worry about finding someone to run to the shop for you in an emergency. Sleepless? Instead of reaching for sleeping pills, which can quickly become addictive, try this: Drink only caffeine free tea or coffee starting late in the afternoon.. Go to bed earlier rather than later, as being overtired tends to keep people awake. Make sure the bedroom is dark and quiet. Use only pure wool or cotton sheets and blankets. Polyester materials can cause sweat and make you thirsty (if your child constantly asks for water throughout the night, this could be the reason). And don't watch those scary movies just before retiring! If you still can't sleep, make a tea of lemongrass or drink a nightcap of herbal tea containing chamomile. It's easy to grow lemongrass in your garden or start a flower pot on the balcony for ease of picking. Simply steep a handful in boiling water for five minutes. Honey may be added for a sweetener. Of course there will be times when you do need modern drugs, so if these simple remedies don't have the required affect, be sure to see a health care professional.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

A World of Fun in Prince George's County

The county's 485-square-mile expanse is rich with hiking trails, bicycle paths and hundreds of byways ideal for taking long, slow walks or brisk rides to stir the heart rate. For swimmers, there are opportunities to be in the water 12 months a year, whether for classes or recreational swimming. Those who like ball sports will find gyms where they can join a pickup basketball game or sign up their kids for instructional leagues. The more unusual sports, such as aqua kickboxing, street hockey, ice skating, archery and skeet shooting, are also readily available.

Activities include First Tee Youth Golf and "Bubblers" swimming for young children; organized scrapbooking; floral and interior design for homemakers; African aerobics and Tae Bo for the very athletically inclined; and, for the elderly, weight training and "Magic for Grandparents," offered at the Langley Park Senior Center.

Craig Kellstrom, public affairs specialist for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Department of Parks and Recreation, said that the county aims to have something for everyone, which is the slogan of the department.

"We have too many things to offer for you to stay inside your house," he said. "We have such a variety of recreational offerings that there is virtually something for everyone."

The county has a total of 40 recreation centers, 13 in the northern area, which stretches roughly from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to the Montgomery County line, and from the District line to Howard County; 13 in the central area, which runs from the parkway to just below Central Avenue; and 14 centers in the southern area.

There are also four special senior centers: the Camp Springs Senior Center, the Cora B. Wood Senior Center in Brentwood, the Langley Park Senior Center in Hyattsville and the Evelyn Cole Senior Center in Seat Pleasant. These centers specialize in programs for older residents, such as aqua arthritis exercises and deep-water aerobics for those 55 and older, and beginning piano, golf and tennis for those 60 and older.

The parks and recreation department's programs have been honored five times by the National Sports Foundation with the National Gold Medal award between 1977 and 2003, Kellstrom said. The award is given to agencies in recognition of "parks and recreation management at its best," he said.

"It has to do with the types of facilities we have, how they are managed, the variety of programming -- the diversified programs that we offer," Kellstrom said. "It was just the overall picture of how Park and Planning operates its programs, facilities and the recreational opportunities offered to the public."

More than 102,500 people registered for at least one Park and Planning program last year, Kellstrom said. Enrollment increased after the agency implemented automated registration last year with its SMARTlink program. The county mails out catalogs with new offerings three times a year, in May, August and December. Offerings are also detailed on Park and Planning's Web site, www.pgparks.com.

Officials said that swimming is among the most popular activities.

"The pools are very well attended, both the seasonal pools and, in the offseason, the indoor pools," Kellstrom said. The indoor pools include the Allentown Fitness and Splash Park in Fort Washington, which also has an outdoor pool; the Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex in Laurel; the Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool in Chillum; the Glenarden-based Theresa Banks Complex, which has a heated 25-yard pool with a wave-generating machine; the Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, which also has a nifty aquatics area with a water slide and fountains; and the Bickford Natatorium at Prince George's Community College in Largo.

The outdoor pools include the Ellen Linson Swimming Pool in College Park, the Glenn Dale Splash Park, the J. Franklyn Bourne Memorial Pool in Seat Pleasant, the Hamilton Pool in Hyattsville, the Lane Manor Splash Park in Hyattsville and the North Barnaby Pool in Oxon Hill.

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Saturday, November 3, 2007

The Brain 101

The human brain. It's spongy to the touch, weighs about three pounds and looks kind of like a head of cauliflower. Want to know more? Read on.

Some parts of the brain, including the cerebellum and brain stem, are quite primitive. They help us coordinate our movements and control basic survival functions like breathing.

And then there's the cerebrum-the biggest and most evolved part of the brain. It controls the body's conscious experiences and voluntary movements. It allows us to feel, think and create. And to receive, store and retrieve memories. In short, it makes us human.

Imagine you have a brain in your hand and slice it down the middle. What you're left with are the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex. Each of the hemispheres contains four lobes: the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. These lobes are specialized to do certain things. For example, the frontal lobe specializes in decision making, while the occipital lobe specializes in vision. In addition to the lobes, there are deeper structures in the brain like the limbic system, which is important to long-term memory. (You can roll your mouse over the picture of the brain above to find out more about the parts of the brain.)


Neurons


Every part of the brain-and the rest of the nervous system, for that matter-contain neurons (more than 100 billion of them in all). Neurons are nerve cells with some very special properties. Each one has dendrites that gather information transmitted from other cells, and an axon that transmits information to other cells. The average neuron communicates with between 1000 and 10,000 other cells.

Neurons don't touch when they communicate. Instead, they secrete chemical molecules called neurotransmitters that ferry nerve impulses across the tiny gaps, or synapses, to other neurons. How many neurotransmitters are secreted is important. If many are secreted, the message travels very strongly. If few are secreted, the message is weak.

The information that your neurons transmit comes from many sources. Let's use a finger touch as an example. When you touch something with your finger, nerve impulses immediately "fire" from your finger, to your brain. These impulses travel from one neuron to the next astonishingly quickly. Once in the brain, the information contained in these impulses is deciphered, with the result that you can identify what you touched.

Here's a simple example:

Say you touch something without looking at it. Your brain will check: Was what you touched cold? hot? wet? soft? hard? slick? rough? and so on. These answers will enable it to compare features of what you touched with things you have touched in the past: water, skin, glue, metal, sand, bananas, tree bark, whatever. It will use these comparisons to determine what it most likely touched.
.) So the next time you touch something, "snake" will be on the list of things your brain compares to.
.)


Glial Cells


More numerous-but less glamorous-than neurons are the brain's glial cells, also called glia. About 90% of the cells in the brain are glial cells. (There are probably more than one trillion of them in the average human brain!) Glial cells might be thought of as servants to the neurons-they make myelin to protect neurons and speed transmission, dispose of dead neurons, provide nutrition for neurons, repair injured neurons, and support neurons in many other ways. About the only they don't do is ferry impulses around.


Brain Functions


These parts of the brain work together to perform every function that make our lives our own-they enable us to speak our native language, play the guitar, dance the cha-cha, love our families, remember our childhood, and much, much more.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Tips for Choosing Sears Exercise Equipment

The Sears company has offered customers with top quality merchandise for ages. You may already know that Sears offers a wide variety of home appliances and tools. But did you know that Sears also offers exercise equipment? If you're looking to get in shape, you can't go wrong with Sears exercise equipment. There are treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, home gyms and so much more. Check out our picks for the best exercise equipment for the basic home gym user:

New Balance 1400 Treadmill -- This fantastic treadmill offers you all the benefits of a gym quality treadmill in a space saving design. If you don't have a lot of room for equipment, you'll love that this treadmill easily folds up for storage in a closet or under a bed. The speed of this treadmill can be adjusted up to 10 mph and the incline can be modified up to 12 percent. Preset program keys make for easy adjustments, and the EZ Care Deck Access Port means cleaning and maintenance is a snap!

Magnetic Recumbent Bike -- Hop on the recumbent bike craze and get an effective workout at a nice price! For only around $279 you can own one of these fantastic recumbent bikes. Eight levels of magnetic resistance and adjustable tension makes it easy to get the perfect workout for your fitness level and goals.

Eclipse 2100HRA Cross Trainer -- In only 20 minutes a day, you can tone your entire body using this great elliptical machine. You'll burn as many calories as you would with a brisk jog, except you won't suffer the strain to your knees and joints. This trainer offers magnetic resistance, ten fantastic presets and a variety of attractive features that makes it an ideal choice for anyone who wants a safe and effective cardiovascular workout.

Integrity 3000 Air Rower -- Air resistance is the key to this remarkable yet affordable exercise machine. Strengthen your arms, shoulders, back and chest while receiving a great aerobic workout using the power of air. Offered for approximately $229, it's a great way to get the exercise you need at a price you can afford.

There are many more pieces of Sears exercise equipment you can purchase for your home gym. With the trusted Sears name, you can rest assured that you'll get great quality, value and customer support.

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Monday, October 29, 2007

A Guide to the Best Home Exercise Equipment

You might already know that exercise is important for good health. It's recommended that everyone get at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week. Strength and flexibility training are also highly recommended as well. While there are lots of gyms all around the world that allow you to get a great workout using state of the art machines. But maybe you don't want to go to a gym. Luckily, there's great equipment you can use at home. Here's a brief guide to some of the best home exercise equipment available:

Bowflex Home Gym -- There are several different models of Bowflex home gyms from which you can choose, such as the Xtreme, Ultimate and Blaze. Regardless of which model you go with, you're guaranteed a home gym that works every part of your body with gym quality exercises and even a cardiovascular rowing machine. With a Bowflex, you won't need to invest in anything further, because your entire home gym is contained in one efficient machine!

NordicTrack C 2200 Treadmill -- If it's a treadmill you're seeking, then you should definitely check out this offering from NordicTrack. This model comes with a Solaris illumination console, 1-Step speed and incline control, pulse sensor, odometer and much more. The NordicTrack C 2200 is one of the finest treadmills on the market today for any home gym user.

Nautilus EV716 Pro Series Elliptical -- For the serious home gym user, there's the Nautilus EV716 Pro Series elliptical machine. This machine gives you an incredible cardiovascular workout that's easy on the joints and takes only a few minutes. A plethora of settings and customizations makes it simple to get the perfect workout for you in the comfort of your own home.

Edge 491 Recumbent Bike -- When choosing an exercise bike, it's wise to go with a recumbent model to protect the knees and back. With this recumbent bike, you get a fully programmable bike with friction-free magnetic resistance. With a built in hand pulse, you can monitor your pulse rate while you're cycling. There are lots of additional features like water bottle holder and towel holder that make this bike a pleasure to use.

The best home exercise equipment can be a hard thing to determine. There are so many amazing pieces of equipment from respected names worldwide, it's best to simply choose a machine that suits your needs from a name you trust. Most pieces of exercise equipment come with satisfaction guarantees, giving you an opportunity to try the equipment and return it for a refund if it's not right for you.

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Friday, October 26, 2007

Cranberry Juice For Cavities: Be Careful Of What You re Buying

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Cranberry Juice For Cavities: Be Careful Of What You're Buying


Information from the University of Rochester shows a compound in the cranberry has promise in fighting tooth decay.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRISTOW, Virginia / PR FREE

University of Rochester researchers have published information indicating the cranberry may be effective in preventing tooth decay. The research focuses on the inhibiting effect of compounds found in cranberries against a key bacterium blamed in the formation of cavities.

"Scientists believe one of the main ways cranberries prevent urinary tract infections is by inhibiting the adherence of pathogens on the surface of the bladder," said Dr. Michel Koo, an oral biologist and food scientist at the university's medical center. "Perhaps the same is true in the mouth, where bacteria use adhesion molecules to hold onto teeth."

This is good news for people seeking natural ways to support their bodies, but it is important to understand the contents of cranberry juice before making a purchase. Most cranberry juice is cranberry-flavored apple juice, and sometimes it is also mixed with grape juice. Other ingredients may even include high-fructose corn syrup or cranberry concentrate.

While drinking apple and grape juices is a dietary improvement for many, juices made with so much processed sugar are little more than cranberry-flavored juices. Such juices rarely contain significant amounts of the compounds which make cranberries useful in preventing tooth decay and instead contain large amounts of the compounds that cause tooth decay.

Purer forms of cranberry juice have a very strong flavor. Some people can develop a taste for unsweetened cranberries while others can only handle cranberries when blended with juice. Avoid juices sweetened with processed sugars and diluted with juices as these are often the sugars that lead to cavities.

Further research is necessary before cranberries can be promoted as a preventative for tooth decay. However, other sugars such as Xylose are already used in "sugarless gums" because of their proven ability to inhibit bacterial development on the surface of teeth. Such gums are called sugarless because they do not have sucrose and glucose which are the sugars associated with cavities.

Cranberries have also been shown to have beneficial effects for chronic urinary tract infections. The compound believed to be responsible for this is a simple monosaccharide sugar called Mannose. Identified in Harpers Biochemistry as one of eight sugars necessary for normal cellular function, Mannose has also been shown to prevent bacterial infection and development.

These necessary monosaccharide sugars can all be found in a single dietary supplement. It also contains the other sugars identified in Harpers Biochemistry, based of their importance in biological functions. This can provide a more convenient choice for people wishing to improve their diets by increasing their nutrient intake while limiting the intake of food compounds which are not beneficial to good health.

Dave Saunders is a certified nutrition and health educator and the host of a weekly telephone

presentation on nutrition. Free nutrition tips are available by registering for his newsletter and announcements list at http://www.glycoboy.com.

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