The body exists within and builds itself to a critical blueprint - a type of body consciousness mental image - that defines its space, shape, structure, and function. Our quest, if we want to live long and prosper, is to rid ourselves of all interferences to this automatic building process while providing the raw material that the body needs.
What are some of those interferences? The best essay that I've seen that provides a detailed answer is the Health Aspect of Integrity. Here are some of the interferences that you will find:
1. Mal-nutrition
2. Injury
3. A mental image of the injury that is superimposed over the blueprint.
4. Composite bodies built through decision and self-image.
5. Suicide by invalidating the body's integrity over time (as with cancer).
The problem with many of these interferences is the fact that we are not aware of it as it is happening. We are lost in the stories of our lives. If we can get out of that story long enough to become aware of how life works, we can see the connections between our lives and the environments that we live in.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The North Lawndale Greening Committee Annual Garden Tour
Come and join us on our annual garden tour and potluck on Saturday, August 1, 2009.
TOUR STARTS: August 1, 2009
Time: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M Tour/ 12:30 P.M. to 2 P.M. Potluck
Leaving from: Douglass Park Library
3353 W. 13th Street, Chicago, IL
13th at Homan Ave
Join us and bring a potluck dish! Your tax deductible donations are accepted.
Dr. Shemuel Israel, President Doretha Penn, Secretary
drsbisrael@ameritech.net
TOUR STARTS: August 1, 2009
Time: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M Tour/ 12:30 P.M. to 2 P.M. Potluck
Leaving from: Douglass Park Library
3353 W. 13th Street, Chicago, IL
13th at Homan Ave
Join us and bring a potluck dish! Your tax deductible donations are accepted.
Dr. Shemuel Israel, President Doretha Penn, Secretary
drsbisrael@ameritech.net
Betty Swan Community Arboretum Opening
On July 18, community greening partners, the North Lawndale Greening Committee, Openlands, and NeighborSpace participated in the opening ceremony for the Betty Swan Community Arboretum. The Betty Swan Community Arboretum is a living laboratory in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood where residents, students, and Treekeepers learn about and practice caring for city trees. This arboretum was previously the Arthington Community Garden created by Betty Swan, a resident leader of the 3800 W. Arthington block. Redesigning the garden into a tree park was the idea of Glenda Daniel, a staff member of Openlands, and Velma Johnson, our hardworking president of the Greening Committee who died unexpectedly in October 2008. Openlands and the North Lawndale Greening Committee met with the community and design students from the Illinois Institute of Technolgy on April 21, 2007 to examine designs and to hear ideas for making the arboretum a teacher education center as well as an outdoor tree museum and park.
The ceremony was attended by North Lawndale residents, members of the North Lawndale Greening Committee, Openlands' Community Greening Director Glenda Daniel and Executive Director Gerald Adelmann, NeighborSpace Executive Director Ben Helphand, the family of Velma Johnson, the family of Betty Swan, the Neighborhood Youth Garden Corp and Crewleaders, Scott Mehaffrey, Landscape Architect for the Mayor's office, Treekeeper Jim DeHorn, Edith Makra, Community Tree Advocate from the Morton Arboretum, Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner of the Department of Environment, and other community greening supporters.
As president of the North Lawndale Greening Committee, I accepted a Morton Arboretum Arbor Day watering can presented by Edith Makra of the Morton Arboretum.
Friday, June 26, 2009
SALT OF THE EARTH
By William C, Douglass, MD
When it comes to public watchdog groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest, their advice is hit or miss. This time around, they're way off.
CSPI is now blaming fast food and chain restaurants for the deaths of thousands of Americans every year. The cause? High sodium content. Their solution? More government regulations.
As you know, this is where I draw the line.
CSPI researchers checked out 17 well-known restaurant chains and found what they consider to be "dangerous" levels of sodium in more than 85 percent of the meals on the various menus.
"Who knows how many Americans have been pushed prematurely into their graves thanks to sodium levels like those found in Olive Garden, Chili's, and Red Lobster," says Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the CSPI. "These chains are sabotaging the food supply. They should cut back and give consumers the freedom to decide for themselves how much salt they want."
Hold on a minute. Are the restaurants FORCING the consumers to eat all this salt? Are the waiters force-feeding you biscuits and lobster tails? Last I checked, you were still Master of your Meal Plan. You could still choose when, where, and what you eat. And I, for one, would like to keep it that way.
Johns Hopkins University geriatrician Dr. Mel Daly says the danger is that "many elderly eat frequently at these restaurants because of the convenience and cost," and are subjecting themselves to blood pressure spikes and heart failure.
Here we go again. In the name of "protecting the public," the CPSI is ready to hand your dietary rights over to Uncle Sam. It's crazy to think that the government could one day tell you what you can and can't eat -- but that's exactly what these types of organizations are proposing.
Jacobson said, "Getting the food and restaurant industry to use less salt would be one way Obama administration could help prevent chronic disease and make health coverage more affordable."
Maybe he's right: after all, who in their right mind would eat at a restaurant that's run as poorly as our government?
How much salt is too much?
In light of stories like this one, I know you're probably wondering how much salt is too much. Well, it depends on who you ask.
According to government recommendations, most people should limit their daily intake to 2,300 mg of sodium per day. And if you have certain health problems -- or if you're not a spring chicken anymore -- you should have no more than 1,500 mg per day.
I'm not one for breaking out the calculator to regulate how much of this or that I should eat. Eating was never meant to be that complicated. So here's a good rule of thumb: If it's a pre-packaged, processed food, chances are its sodium content is through the roof. It has to be in order to extend the shelf life. Don't waste you money -- or your health -- on this junk food.
Restaurant foods aren't much better. Meals like the Admiral's Feast at Red Lobster, served with a Caesar salad, lobster-topped mashed potatoes, a cheddar biscuit and a lemonade totaled 7,106 mg of sodium. That one meal amounts to three to four days' worth of sodium in one sitting.
Is this excessive and unhealthy? You bet it is. That still doesn't mean we should call in the troops to regulate how much salt these organizations can legally put into their food.
But there's one thing everyone is overlooking in all this mess. Sodium is actually good for you. In fact, it's a vital mineral in the human diet. It is the main component of the body's extracellular fluids and carries nutrients to and from cells. Sodium also causes the body to retain water that is needed to perform numerous chemical processes, maintains blood pH, and helps regulate muscle, nerve, and stomach functions.
The only salt worthy of consumption is sea salt from a clean seabed. The salt will not be the snow-white variety you're used to. The one source I trust is The Grain and Salt Society. Check them out online at www.Celtic-Seasalt.com.
Using salty language to rant against the anti-salt folks,
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Gift of Love
This is one of my favorite articles. It is one of those pieces of writing that provide its reader with a sense direction regarding love and gifts from the heart. When it is consumed, digested, and assimilated, it is of immense value. So here it is, with permission from its author, Don Fey.
Love is a gift one person wishes to give to another.
Love exists only as a gift.
To want love is to desire; to expect or be dependent on love is to require.
Love may be desired, but not required; for then it becomes obligation and duty.
Anything you do for or with another person can be an act of love or an act of duty.
Every act of love contributes to us, increasing our inner resource.
Every act of duty takes from us, decreasing our inner resource.
For every act of love received, two acts of love may be given.
For every act of duty required, two less acts of love may be given.
Greater requirements and expectations preclude the possibility of love.
Lesser requirements and expectations enhance the possibility of love.
When a person is mature enough to experience and appreciate a love relationship, they respect, protect, and support it, filling the needs by choice - acts of love.
When a person is too immature to appreciate a love relationship, they proclaim love, but they use and abuse it; filling the needs only to meet or create obligation - acts of duty.
The quality of support one contributes reflects the maturity of the person and the value of the relationship to them.
Love is not given in expectation of reward, but it is given as a gift of value.
The value of love is in its beneficial effect on another person's life
Love which is neither appreciated nor used beneficially is thrown away, and can provide no value.
That action is a reflection of the recipients' inability to accept, appreciate or utilize the love given; not a statement of the value of the gift.
If you continually throw love away, you will begin to doubt your love has value.
If you doubt your love has value, you will begin to doubt that you have value.
If you doubt that you have value, you are in danger of losing your most valuable possession, yourself... the source of all you give, and all you are or ever will be.
When you give a gift to a person who requires nothing, they will see a gift, and feel appreciated. They respond and thank you, and you feel appreciated. You both win.
When you give a gift to a person who believes it's owed to them, they see a payment.
You are supporting the illusion which cripples them, and they are unable to feel appreciation for you. You both lose.
The only difference is the recipients' perspective. You cannot change that.
To know love , we must learn...
To give and receive acts of love - not acts of duty.
To measure love by what is given - not what is expected.
To recognize and respect our personal value.
To select a recipient mature enough to appreciate your gift of love.
Mr. Don Fey is a teacher, counselor, and author in the field of self improvement. He teaches a system know as Personal Success Technology. This article is reprinted with permission. Copyright 1983 Don Fey & PS Technologies, Inc.
The Gift of Love
by Don Fey
by Don Fey
Love is a gift one person wishes to give to another.
Love exists only as a gift.
To want love is to desire; to expect or be dependent on love is to require.
Love may be desired, but not required; for then it becomes obligation and duty.
Anything you do for or with another person can be an act of love or an act of duty.
Every act of love contributes to us, increasing our inner resource.
Every act of duty takes from us, decreasing our inner resource.
For every act of love received, two acts of love may be given.
For every act of duty required, two less acts of love may be given.
Greater requirements and expectations preclude the possibility of love.
Lesser requirements and expectations enhance the possibility of love.
When a person is mature enough to experience and appreciate a love relationship, they respect, protect, and support it, filling the needs by choice - acts of love.
When a person is too immature to appreciate a love relationship, they proclaim love, but they use and abuse it; filling the needs only to meet or create obligation - acts of duty.
The quality of support one contributes reflects the maturity of the person and the value of the relationship to them.
Love is not given in expectation of reward, but it is given as a gift of value.
The value of love is in its beneficial effect on another person's life
Love which is neither appreciated nor used beneficially is thrown away, and can provide no value.
That action is a reflection of the recipients' inability to accept, appreciate or utilize the love given; not a statement of the value of the gift.
If you continually throw love away, you will begin to doubt your love has value.
If you doubt your love has value, you will begin to doubt that you have value.
If you doubt that you have value, you are in danger of losing your most valuable possession, yourself... the source of all you give, and all you are or ever will be.
When you give a gift to a person who requires nothing, they will see a gift, and feel appreciated. They respond and thank you, and you feel appreciated. You both win.
When you give a gift to a person who believes it's owed to them, they see a payment.
You are supporting the illusion which cripples them, and they are unable to feel appreciation for you. You both lose.
The only difference is the recipients' perspective. You cannot change that.
To know love , we must learn...
To give and receive acts of love - not acts of duty.
To measure love by what is given - not what is expected.
To recognize and respect our personal value.
To select a recipient mature enough to appreciate your gift of love.
Mr. Don Fey is a teacher, counselor, and author in the field of self improvement. He teaches a system know as Personal Success Technology. This article is reprinted with permission. Copyright 1983 Don Fey & PS Technologies, Inc.
Maintaining Health is Best Way to Keep Costs Down
Following are four ways that I can help you or someone you know. This information is for your examination and consideration:
A Functional Medical Approach to Balanced Blood Sugar
Not sure if you are pre-diabetic? Do you want to know if you are and make some changes to prevent it?
Are you diabetic or know someone who is? Would you like to prevent or reverse some of the worst complication of diabetes? Some of those complications include blindness, amputations, nerve damage, kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke.
You may request our comprehensive questionnaire to begin the process. Your first appointment will be set after you return the questionnaire and a copy of all your medical records. At this first appointment I will provide you with a evaluation report which will include my recommendations for the next step.
Massage and massage training for couples
Every day, our nervous system continuously responds to stresses and traumas and results in painfully overworked muscles that are sore from constant contractions. When your muscles get tight they do not return to their original position. These contractions become so deeply involuntary that we forget how to move about freely. You cannot intentionally use muscles that you cannot feel. The result of all of this is stiffness, soreness, aches, pains, and a restricted range of motion. Our approach to massage is to stretch, strengthen, and balance your overworked muscles with the goal of retraining the nervous system and reconditioning the body.
Each year, billions of pounds of toxic chemicals are released into our environment. Our bodies have to detoxify and remove these new chemicals through our organs of detoxification. These substances are in our food, water, and air. If you've ever worked around high concentrations of these chemicals - such as in a beauty salon, bus terminal, dry cleaners, textile mill, manufacturing plant, cleaning service, or conventional agriculture - you are likely to carry an especially high load of them. If you use the common household cleansers and use pesticides, you are exposed to these toxins frequently. These substances have been linked to numerous health problems, including endometriosis, autoimmune conditions, hormonal irregularities, and cancer.
We have a 21 day functional detoxification program that not only helps you decrease the toxic load to your body and mind, it helps in three other ways. It assists and improves the liver's ability to chemically alter the toxins; it restores physiological function to your cells, your organs, and your tissues; and it addresses the nutrient density in the food that must be available to produce the energy necessary for detoxification.
Are you toxic? Take the test. Then send me a copy. I will score it, evaluate it, and let you know whether you need to detoxify or not. Click here to get a copy of the detox questionnaire.
In addition, it would be very helpful if you filled out an environmental influences questionnaire. Remember, the most affordable healthcare is based on what you do to regenerate your body every day. Detoxification is one of the most effective tools of healing.
A Functional Medical Approach to Balanced Blood Sugar
Not sure if you are pre-diabetic? Do you want to know if you are and make some changes to prevent it?
Are you diabetic or know someone who is? Would you like to prevent or reverse some of the worst complication of diabetes? Some of those complications include blindness, amputations, nerve damage, kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke.
You may request our comprehensive questionnaire to begin the process. Your first appointment will be set after you return the questionnaire and a copy of all your medical records. At this first appointment I will provide you with a evaluation report which will include my recommendations for the next step.
Massage and massage training for couples
Every day, our nervous system continuously responds to stresses and traumas and results in painfully overworked muscles that are sore from constant contractions. When your muscles get tight they do not return to their original position. These contractions become so deeply involuntary that we forget how to move about freely. You cannot intentionally use muscles that you cannot feel. The result of all of this is stiffness, soreness, aches, pains, and a restricted range of motion. Our approach to massage is to stretch, strengthen, and balance your overworked muscles with the goal of retraining the nervous system and reconditioning the body.
Eliminating Unresolved Emotional Issues
Why is it important to heal old hurts?
When it comes to intense emotional pain, out of sight is not out of mind. That which is unhealed and harbored hurts us, limits us, dis-empowers us, lowers self esteem, fuels overreactions, weakens our resistance to physical illiness, diminishes our quality of life, contaminates our peace of mind, inhibits our capacity to love, and blocks our ability to succeed in many endeavors.
We have a technique that is capable of extracting the negative emotional residue of painful experiences out of the mind-body system. When the emotional charge is gone, the old experiences will cease to have power over you.
So that we can demonstrate how this can work for you, the first session is complimentary. All sessions are confidential.
Each year, billions of pounds of toxic chemicals are released into our environment. Our bodies have to detoxify and remove these new chemicals through our organs of detoxification. These substances are in our food, water, and air. If you've ever worked around high concentrations of these chemicals - such as in a beauty salon, bus terminal, dry cleaners, textile mill, manufacturing plant, cleaning service, or conventional agriculture - you are likely to carry an especially high load of them. If you use the common household cleansers and use pesticides, you are exposed to these toxins frequently. These substances have been linked to numerous health problems, including endometriosis, autoimmune conditions, hormonal irregularities, and cancer.
We have a 21 day functional detoxification program that not only helps you decrease the toxic load to your body and mind, it helps in three other ways. It assists and improves the liver's ability to chemically alter the toxins; it restores physiological function to your cells, your organs, and your tissues; and it addresses the nutrient density in the food that must be available to produce the energy necessary for detoxification.
Are you toxic? Take the test. Then send me a copy. I will score it, evaluate it, and let you know whether you need to detoxify or not. Click here to get a copy of the detox questionnaire.
In addition, it would be very helpful if you filled out an environmental influences questionnaire. Remember, the most affordable healthcare is based on what you do to regenerate your body every day. Detoxification is one of the most effective tools of healing.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Chewing on the Concept of Vested Interest
I've been parsing the concept of vested interest. The definition of parse that I'm using means "to examine in a minute way." In other words, to parse something is to analyze it critically. I wanted to understand how the concept of vested interest has been working or not working in my life and in the life of others.
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines vested interest as "a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement, or action especially for selfish ends." We all have a stake in maintaining or influencing something in our lives. One area of critical concern is our relationships.
Most relationships begin with a friendship that is built on a foundation of trust. During a friendship we make an emotional investment in the other person. Making that investment means getting out of oneself long enough to know, experience, and value the other person. The same concept works in business, in work, in marriage, and in parenting. In my own life, I believe that I have a stake in maintaining those relationships in which I've made an emotional investment.
So what do I do? I invest my time and energy in getting to know what's important to the other person. Because I want the best for others, I do whatever I can to bring that about. My friends and acquaintances often let me know that they feel understood and valued as a result of our connection. One of my strengths is my ability to look out for the other person's interest as well as my own.
There are boundaries though. The first law of success is personal responsibility. It says that every individual is responsible to and for themselves. Each of us is responsible for whatever we say and do. We are responsible for goes in and out of our mouths. We are responsible for the ideas and concepts that we accept from others. Even though I want the best for others, getting involved in relationships where an individual has not made the decision to depend on him or herself for his or her economic security is a waste of time.
Well, help me chew on this concept. Let's continue to break it into its component parts. It can be digested and assimilated easier this way.
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines vested interest as "a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement, or action especially for selfish ends." We all have a stake in maintaining or influencing something in our lives. One area of critical concern is our relationships.
Most relationships begin with a friendship that is built on a foundation of trust. During a friendship we make an emotional investment in the other person. Making that investment means getting out of oneself long enough to know, experience, and value the other person. The same concept works in business, in work, in marriage, and in parenting. In my own life, I believe that I have a stake in maintaining those relationships in which I've made an emotional investment.
So what do I do? I invest my time and energy in getting to know what's important to the other person. Because I want the best for others, I do whatever I can to bring that about. My friends and acquaintances often let me know that they feel understood and valued as a result of our connection. One of my strengths is my ability to look out for the other person's interest as well as my own.
There are boundaries though. The first law of success is personal responsibility. It says that every individual is responsible to and for themselves. Each of us is responsible for whatever we say and do. We are responsible for goes in and out of our mouths. We are responsible for the ideas and concepts that we accept from others. Even though I want the best for others, getting involved in relationships where an individual has not made the decision to depend on him or herself for his or her economic security is a waste of time.
Well, help me chew on this concept. Let's continue to break it into its component parts. It can be digested and assimilated easier this way.
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