nrt vibrant health

must see video about swine flu and vaccines

2009-10-15T15:03:00.002-05:00

Although I don't agree with each of the alternative listed ways to protect yourself without the flu vaccine, most of them are pretty good - and certainly much, much better than getting the vaccine itself. Some of the comments listed at the bottom of the site page (below the video link) are informative, as well.

The 16 minute video just makes me shake my head - even if you only have time to watch/listen to the first few minutes, take the time. I had no idea the swine flu was around in 1976, too.

Click here for the CBS "60 MINUTES" documentary on the swine flu epidemic of 1976 in the U.S. It went on air only once and was never shown again.

dr. graham: another foodnsport article

2009-07-18T19:32:00.002-05:00

Interview with Kathleen Leonard - 80/10/10 Raw Vegan (811rv), runner/cyclist/triathlete

when to use herbs for humans and pets

2009-07-07T08:55:00.002-05:00

Herbs for Animals: Principles of Herbalism
November 23rd, 2008 by PetSage
by Gregory L. Tilford, Herbalist

As an herbalist who finds himself entrenched in an unprecedented and very exciting “herbal revolution”, I also find myself frustrated when I think of how many people I see using medicinal plants as allopathic medicines, and how many people haven’t realized the power of herbs because they have failed to break away from conventional standards of thinking. After all, goldenseal can be used like any other antibiotic to bypass the immune system; to directly counter an infection. Senna, aloe, turkey rhubarb, and cascara can be used as a laxative remedy to relieve the symptoms of constipation without regard to underlying causes. Echinacea will act to strengthen the immune system and curb a reoccuring viral infection without addressing the real reasons for reoccurance. But in using herbs this way, what do we really accomplish? What sets herbs apart from mainstream medicines when employed this way? Answer: Not much!
In fact, many of the best known herbs have gained their notoriety through their use as pharmaceuticals designed with purely symptomatic purposes in mind. Cascara sagrada, aloe, and senna remain on the ingredient lists of several popular brands of laxatives; while wild cherry bark and horehound still serve to suppress coughs. And although they are undeniably useful this way, their use in this capacity only addresses the symptoms of disease, and falls far short of a curative solution. In holistic medicine “dis-ease” is not viewed in the central focus of the healing effort… the whole individual is. From an herbalist’s perspective, disease is viewed as an imbalance which is occurring in an otherwise healthy body; the therapeutic goal being to identify what caused the disease in the first place, correct the imbalance, then prevent it from occurring again. This perspective differs quite dramatically from mainstream western medicine, which concentrates on reactionary practices to suppress the uncomfortable symptoms of disease. In the “allopathic” modality of medicine, we don’t take aspirin to address the underlying cause of a headache… we use it to relieve uncomfortable symptoms; usually without regard to the whole picture. If taken into a holistic perspective, we would investigate the headache as a systemic imbalance; the cause would be identified and adjustments would be made in diet, lifestyle, or whatever is necessary to regain proper systemic balance.

The key to accessing the full potential of herbal medicine rests in how well we can embrace the holistic perspective of healing. For most of us this means putting old predispositions aside, revving up some imagination, and engaging in some good’ol open-minded observation. First we must learn to recognize good health, then we must learn to recognize changes. In holistic medicine, “good health” is viewed as “the maintenance of proper balance” within a complex, finely tuned, intricately related unification of all which comprises a living body. Here we must recognize that all elements of the mind, body, and spirit must be at optimum levels of co-operation, and we must realize that if any element of the collective whole fails at its job, an imbalance (dis-ease) will result. To accomplish this, a proactive approach toward health and well-being is an absolute necessity; and proper diet is needed as the primary foundation from which to base our holistic efforts.

Nutrition: the Foundation of Health
The body requires fuel and building materials in order to function as Nature designed it, and proper natural function is exactly what the herbalist wishes to maintain. Herbal therapies are pointless in absence of proper nutrition. Herbs will not substitute for systemic dysfunction which is due to malnutrition. Just like us, animals need raw, unprocessed foods that are rich in a diversity of live enzymes and nutrients, and a diet comprised solely of canned food or dried kibble cannot provide such a diversity… no matter how good it is. Learn to feed your animals a natural diet, supplemented with a good quality commercial food. Then and only then, herbs can be used to assist the fuction of well-fed organs. Remember… good nutrition is the first step in achieving a state of healthy balance… without it, the body is already dis-eased.

Using Herbs Naturally
Eliminating a symptom, or even a disease, is only a small segment of the holistic picture… in order to achieve a balanced state of health, we must first identify and confront the underlying causes . For instance, in the case of chronic constipation we know that a digestive dysfunction is occuring which is altering the body’s efficient elimination of waste. In viewing how the body is supposed to work, we see that efficient waste elimination is contingent upon a delicately balanced cooperation between the salivary glands, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and intestines… if any of these organs aren’t working efficiently, then a digestive disorder will occur. In the case of constipation, we must first look to the liver and gallbladder, which are responsible for the production and release of the digestive chemicals essential in the break down and assimilation of solid food. Next we must ask, “If it’s a liver disorder, then what’s causing it?”… usually it’s diet, and nutritional adjustments are all that are necessary to regain systemic balance. But sometimes the body may require a “stimulatory boost”, and this where we open the herbal medicine chest. In this case we might choose dandelion: an herb which will gently stimulate the production and release of bile and digestive enzymes. This in turn will assist the digestive tract at its job of breaking down food materials into waste products which can be easily eliminated. It is easy to see that if we had confronted constipation without regard to the underlying cause (unbalanced diet) and had simply softened the stool with an herbal laxative, we would have done nothing toward achieving a long term solution.

Herbs are naturally designed to work with body functions, not against them. For instance, antibiotics essentially bypass (and often destroy) the body’s natural immune system while achieving their goals through microscopic assassination. Echinacea on the other hand, stimulates natural auto-immune responses while leaving the immune system intact. The natural immune system then works more efficiently at what it is designed to do… it enables the body to heal itself through complex mechanisms that modern science has barely begun to understand.
A healthy, well-balanced body doesn’t get sick; it maintains itself through the efficiency of its own, mind-boggling health care system. To do this, it must first be properly fed and supplemented with what it needs in times of crisis. This is where herbs come in… as complimentary aids to body function.

Wild animals have an instinctive ability to use herbs … even domesticated animals retain part of this ability. Dogs eat grass; my cat nibbles aloe on occasion (although she obviously dislikes it). Humans on the other hand, often get caught up in less than thoughtful reasoning… and as a result, we often find ourselves chasing our tails with symptomatic, short term solutions to the long term health care issues.

The basis of what we have learned about herbs was been gained through human observations of animals in the wild. Our dogs, cats, birds, and their predesessors are the true herbalists and teachers… the least we can do is return their favors by giving them what they inherently need.
But first… we must learn to use herbs as they do.

© Copyright 1996

king's firecrackers - must see to believe!

2009-06-11T12:09:00.003-05:00

Here's what the email said that was forwarded to me:

"These are the King's Firecrackers: 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from around Cincinnati, OH.

When you think it's finished, it isn't. Keep watching until the little white ball at the bottom reaches the end of the line. Put speakers on."

I noticed there were several clips, so there might be one with a view that you like better.

curing autism? new to me!

2009-06-11T11:52:00.002-05:00

So the date for this speaker has passed (June 5), but it would be interesting to hear what he has to say. I've provided the blurb from Whole Foods Market's Cooking Classes (where it was originally listed) below, but you can click here for additional information I found on him and his grass roots tour.

Friday, June 5th
Autism Grass Roots Tour: Recovery is Possible!
6:30 p.m. FREE!
Attend this free seminar to hear Raun K. Kaufman, CEO of The Autism Treatment Center of America, share the story of his recovery from autism. Learn all of this and more: Where to begin after a diagnosis, what to add to existing treatments, biomedical treatments, educational and play therapies, enzyme supplementation, and sensory integration. This is event is proudly sponsored by Enzymedica and the Autism Treatment Center of America.

dr. graham's faq: 811rv

2009-06-07T14:32:00.002-05:00

Fantastic FAQ on raw/living foods and 80/10/10 rv (811rv). Huh? Click here to find out!

dr. graham: foodnsport article

2009-06-05T16:59:00.002-05:00

Interview with Michael Arnstein - 80/10/10 Raw Vegan (811rv), marathon runner

excerpt on exercise from june 2009 hippocrates e-newsletter

2009-06-01T16:06:00.004-05:00

Detoxify with Exercise
by Brian Clement (Hippocrates Health Institute)

A good way to keep your body free of congestion is by vigorous daily exercise. Unless you are active, your body deteriorates very quickly. The fact that your body contains more than 700 muscles is an undeniable indication of the fact that your body is created to be active. Many people habitually fall into the trap of inactivity, thereby experiencing the catch-22 vicious cycle, whereby one avoids exercise because he is grossly out of shape, while the reason that one is out of shape is that he does no exercise!

You must be determined and motivated to exercise daily, thereby eradicating the restrictions — physical, mental and emotional, that result from inactivity. Sluggishness of body, thought and feeling is manifested as a pervasive internal stagnation that constrains most of the organs to function at only a percentage of their capacity, which inevitably results in a toxic accumulation. An improper diet and lack of exercise constitute a potentially-literally-deadly combination.
When you exercise vigorously, you are giving your body a thorough house cleaning. Among the important functions of your bloodstream, three are particularly-health-promoting and very much benefited by exercise.

The bloodstream carries nutrients that are extracted from the food that you eat to every cell in your body. Exercise facilitates the journey of these nutrients to their destination while, at the same time, generating enormous amounts of oxygen in the bloodstream. The intensely-oxygenated blood helps the nutrients that constitute our fuel to be burned more completely when they reach the cell. It might be more-than-figuratively said that exercise helps to feed our cells.

The bloodstream is also the corporeal sanitation-department, eliminating the residue that remains after the food/fuel has been burned. Every microscopic cell is akin to a tiny oven in which low-level combustion occurs. And, since the body must eliminate large amounts of residue and toxic waste daily, only an unimpeded bloodstream that is powered by vigorous exercise can do the job thoroughly.

An unimpeded bloodstream obviously keeps the veins and arteries open, because it inhibits the accumulation of cholesterol on the inside walls of these channels. Exercise helps to maintain our internal cleanliness and, when arteries and veins are clear of obstructions, blood-pressure is normal. Exercise strengthens the heart, and a strong heart works at a slower but more efficient pace. The more one learns how the body functions, the more one can understand the importance of exercise.

dance story i wrote on 5/19/00

2009-05-31T20:10:00.001-05:00

While practicing, often times dancers unintenially injure their partners. It's bound to happen sooner or later. (Usually, a lot.) Sometimes it's an elbow to the jaw on a turn or a stomp to the foot during a fancy step, but regardless, you either take a few moments frozen in stunned agony or you grab the affected area, grimace, and jump around.

My favorite story comes from a late night practice session for a Swing routine. We were diligently plotting throught a step combination when something got out of sync, and I stepped on my partner's foot.

He was counting out loud, marking the rhythm. He clenched his teeth, making a sound intead of the number three, drawing it out, and kept right on going with the rest of the beats like nothing happened: "One . . . two . . . eeeh-eeeh-eeeh . . . four."

I had looked at him right at this moment already starting to proffer my apology, but the look on his face combined with the counting made me sit down and wipe the tears of laughter away. Talk about focus!

genetically modified foods (gmo) - do you know the hazards?

2009-05-31T15:42:00.002-05:00

article: The Truth is Out on Genetically Modified Foods - And it's not Pretty

do you really still believe in flu vaccines?

2009-05-31T15:38:00.003-05:00

If you did not have any suspicions before now. . . .

article: Why the Flu Vaccine Doesn't Work

wedding dance

2009-05-31T14:54:00.003-05:00

Way too much fun not to post! (Wait for it.)

Wedding Dance

putting healthcare in the hands of the people

2009-05-25T17:09:00.006-05:00

If you are at all concerned about healthcare and/or health insurance in the U.S., PLEASE read the following proposed alternative: http://www.healthrevolutionpetition.org/citizensincharge.html.

If you like what you’ve read, please read the petition referencing the above information here: http://healthrevolutionpetition.org/. If you agree, sign the petition. If you really agree, pass it on.

Mike Adams, the main writer, has a wealth of information on his sites http://www.naturalnews.com/, http://www.truthpublishing.com/, http://www.healingfoodreference.com/.

Take charge of your health, because no one else will!

now that's what i'm talking about!

2009-05-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

Flawless. Oh, yeah - gotta dance!

what a blessing to hear

2009-05-23T14:54:00.001-05:00

Susan Boyle. Need I say more? Lovely.

naturalnews.com: cartoon

2009-05-18T12:13:00.003-05:00

click here for article

naturalnews.com cartoon

2009-05-18T12:08:00.005-05:00

click here for article

2009-05-14T09:37:00.002-05:00

"H1N1 influenza is not a hoax. But the way it's being reported by health authorities and the mainstream media certainly is. The scam in all this is what they leave out of the stories -- the fact that human beings live among a huge natural medicine chest of anti-viral drugs found in every city park, every forest, every swamp and every open field." read entire article here or search for the original source article here

cool class: vermicomposting

2009-04-30T12:17:00.004-05:00

If BADSEED offers this class again . . . please go! It is definitely a good class for the urban dweller who is unable to keep a compost pile outside. Although the amount of food "waste" that I can feed my wormies is minimal, I will be able to reap the harvest of their efforts nonetheless!

Wednesday, May 6th (6-8 PM)

VERMICOMPOSTING: Compact System for the Urban Dwelling
Join Bridging the Gap's Becki Weber and learn the awesome art of Vermicomposting. Students will learn how and why to compost with worms and how to use the finished product in their garden, landscaping, or potted plants. Students will each build their own complete worm bin (a compact and odorless unit perfect for indoor urban spaces) ready to take home and conquer all those delicious food scraps and organic materials. Becki will provide all tools and supplies including bedding and red wiggler worms to start a 10 gallon worm bin.

Cost:

$30 - bring your own container
(If you have a container you would like to re-use it should be opaque and only 10 to 18 inches deep - similar to a 10 gallon Rubbermaid container. It can be either wooden or plastic. A lid is great but not required.)

$36 – includes container with lid

The class is held at the BADSEED storefront in downtown KC:

1909 McGee
Kansas City, MO 64108

To officially sign-up you must download a registration form from the website (www.badseedfarm.com) and send it in with payment.

no space at home for dance lessons?

2009-04-20T20:50:00.015-05:00

BAILE! a mobile dance studio . . . bringing Salsa dance to you! email

No problem!

Keep in mind that lessons can be taught on:

hardwood floors.
hard carpet.
concrete.
tile areas.

Think about the space you have in your:

kitchen.
basement.
spare room.
dining room.
living room.
garage.

Or what about on your patio, balcony, or driveway?

Need a larger space? Think about using a free location, such as a gym, community center, church, school, or clubhouse.

(All lessons taught in the Kansas City area.)

salsa dance lessons

2009-04-20T20:18:00.015-05:00

BAILE! a mobile dance studio . . . bringing Salsa dance to you! email

PRIVATE LESSONS are great for fine-tuning steps you have learned in a group class or for receiving the individual, one-on-one attention sometimes needed to accelerate the learning process. They are also perfect for the beginning dancer who wants to learn a few basic moves before going out dancing socially.

Private Lesson Rates - 1 HOUR
1 person/1 couple - $ 75

PRIVATE GROUP LESSONS work well for dancers who want to learn as part of a social gathering. They are also a more cost-effective way to learn. Get a group of friends together and have fun!

Private Group Lesson Rates - 1 HOUR
2 couples - $ 120
3 couples - $ 140
Small Group (10 to 18 people) - $ 180
Large Group (19+ people) - $ 10 per person

(All lessons taught in the Kansas City area.)

benefits of dance

2009-04-20T19:58:00.013-05:00

BAILE! A mobile dance studio . . . bringing Salsa dance to you! email

Have you ever thought of the benefits that dancing can bring to you?

balance
coordination
sense of well-being
exercise/fitness
rhythm
movement
cultural awareness
challenge to learn something new
sense of accomplishment
respect for opposite gender
communication
dedicated time together for couples
meet new people

(All lessons taught in the Kansas City area.)

quote

2009-04-14T12:08:00.006-05:00

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what it is that makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs are men and women who have come alive. -- Harold Thurman Whitman, philosopher