Aspartame by any other name is still Toxic

Aspartame renamed to avoid the stigma. Check it out here:

上帝的神奇藥物God's Amazing Pharmacy

I received this from a friend. I am trying to track down the original citation for it. If anyone knows, please comment so that I can give a proper reference.

上帝的神奇藥物God's Amazing Pharmacy
It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh、made dry land、planted a garden、and made animals and fish、long before making man.
據說上帝在造出人類之前，首先將鹹水與淡水分離，造了陸地、在花園裏種上各種花草、造了各種動物和魚類…

To ensure healthful living、God left us some clues as to which foods we should eat to keep specific parts of our body healthy!為了確保健康的生活，上帝留給我們一些線索來告訴我們該吃什麼食物以對我們身體的一些部位有益。We call this God's Amazing Pharmacy.我們稱之為上帝的神奇藥物

A sliced carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil、iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye. And yes、science now confirms that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to our eyes. 切片的胡蘿蔔看起來像人的眼睛。瞳孔、虹膜和放射的線條，看起來完全就是人的眼睛。科學也的確證明胡蘿蔔能大大促進血液向眼部的流動、改善眼部功能。

The tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. Research shows that tomatoes are loaded with lycopine、a wonderful heart and blood food.
番茄是紅色的有四個心房。心臟也是紅色的有四個心房。所有的研究都告訴我們番茄裏充滿了茄紅素，事實上它也是能淨化心臟和血液的食物。

Grapes hang in a cluster resembling the shape of the heart. An individual grape looks like a blood cell and research today shows that grapes are a wonderful heart and blood vitalizing food. 葡萄一串一串在一起形成心臟的形狀。每一顆葡萄看起來都像一個血液細胞，現代科學研究也都證明葡萄能極大增強心臟和血液的活力。

A walnut looks like a little brain、with left and right hemispheres、upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on a walnut are like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
核桃看起來像小小的腦，有左、右半球和上大腦、下小腦。連它上面的褶皺看起來也很像新皮質。現在我們知道核桃能為大腦多提供三打以上的神經傳導.

Kidney beans help heal and maintain kidney function and、yes、they look exactly like the human kidneys. 菜豆能治腎並幫助維持腎功能，而且它們看起來確實很像人的腎。

Celery、bok choy、and rhubarb look like bones. These foods target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet、the body pulls it from the bones、making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
芹菜、白菜、大黃葉柄看起來就像是人的骨頭。這些食物具有增強骨質的功效。骨頭含有23%的鈉，這些食物也含有23%的鈉。如果你從日常飲食中攝取不到足夠的鈉，身體就會從骨骼中吸收，從而使骨骼變弱。這些食物可補充身體對骨骼的需求。

Avocados、eggplant and pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female、and they look just like these organs. Research today shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week、it balances her hormones、helps shed unwanted birth weight、and helps prevent cervical cancers. How profound is this? It takes nine (9)
months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.... There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
酪梨,茄子,梨具有改善女性子宮和子宮頸的功能，使之保持健康，它們看起來確實就像這些器官（子宮和子宮頸）。現在的研究證明，如果一個女人每週能吃一個酪梨，就可以調節荷爾蒙、甩掉贅肉，並且預防宮頸癌。那麼這當中究竟多少奧妙？一個酪梨從開花到瓜熟蒂落需要整整九個月的時間。它們都含有超過14，000多種以上的化學營養物質（現代科學只對其中的141種做過研究並命名）。

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
無花果裏面長滿了子並且是兩兩掛在一起生長。無花果可以促進男性精子的流動，並能增加精子數量，同時還能治癒男性不育。

Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. 紅薯形狀像胰腺，可以調節糖尿病患者的血糖指數。

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries 橄欖有助於改善卵巢功能、保持卵巢健康。

Oranges、grapefruits、and other citrus fruits look like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. 橘子,葡萄柚和其他種類的柑橘看起來就像女性的乳腺，事實上它們有助於保持乳房的健康，促進淋巴液進出乳房。

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion、garlic、also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
洋蔥看起來就像是人體細胞。現代研究表明洋蔥可以幫助所有人體細胞清除廢物。它們還可以導致眼淚流出沖刷眼睛的上皮細胞。它的同伴大蒜也有助於從體內清除廢物和對人體有危害的輻射。

acupuncture new jersey

Stop Deceptive Labeling of "Naturally Raised" Meats

I came across this news item from the Organic Consumers Association.
---------------------
Alert: Stop Deceptive Labeling of "Naturally Raised" Meats
Consumer polls indicate the average person imagines meat labeled "Naturally Raised" comes from animals that spent their drug-free lives freely roaming the fields of a family farmer, eating wild flora and fauna, and being (at least somewhat) humanely slaughtered. In fact a 2007 Consumer Reports survey shows 83% of consumers assume such labeling means “it came from an animal raised in a natural environment.” In stark contrast, the USDA, under pressure from big agribusiness, has released a standard for "Naturally Raised" meats that is so weak it would apply to a cloned animal raised in the confines of a factory farm. The public comment period on this labeling standard only lasts until January 28, so take action now before this type of labeling becomes as ubiquitous as corporate lobbyists on Capitol Hill.
Learn more and take action:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=22287

Aspartame Documentary

Sweet Misery - A Poisoned World.avi

1 hr 29 min 41 sec - May 26, 2007
Average rating: (318 ratings)
Description: Excellent documentary showing how dangerous artificial sweetner Aspartame is. From its history, to its effects this video is enough to shock anyone into really looking at there food labels next time they shop. Aspartame is a toxic food that came into the world as an investment By Donald Rumsfeld, while ignoring the deadly effects the tests showed. Take a good look at this video, it could save lives.

"Year of Sagely Living"

The mark of the superior physician has traditionally been a high degree of cultivation. Eastern medicines have long held the scholar-warrior-physician as the benchmark for all doctors to aspire to. In this day and age, the scholar-physicians are few and far between. But there are a growing number of practitioners of Chinese medicine who seek to strive towards this ideal and see the importance of resurrecting this tradition.

The "Year of Sagely Living" is the brainchild of my good friend Brandt (Abdallah) Stickley (see Even Unto China) and Eric Grey (see Deepest Health) and I am fortunate to be involved in this at its inception. The idea is that over the course of the next year (beginning today) we make the commitment to cultivate the skills (academic, clinical, spiritual, etc.) of the superior physician. A syllabus of sorts has been created (see below) that will help guide the process. January 1st marks the beginning of scholarship and study. Each month will have a unique theme based on a synergy with the energies of each season and time of year. Excerpted below is the syllabus from Deepest Health.

January - Gall Bladder, Zi 子 (Rat): Scholarship/Study: This category will contain practices to develop us into true scholars in the Confucian/neo-Confucian tradition. Why this pairing? The seasonal energy is still in winter, a contemplative mood prevails, but the Yang is rising. Similar to this, we can see scholarly pursuits as ACTIVE passivity. One generally sits still, but one’s mind is hard at work.

February - Liver, Chou 丑 (Ox): Strategy/Business: This category will contain practices in the realm of business development and strategic planning in the professional world. Why this pairing? The Liver is the general of the body, so has a natural affinity for this kind of activity.

March - Lung, Yin 寅 (Tiger)- Activity/Rest: This category will contain practices having to do with appropriate cycles of rest and activity in daily life - for instance, appropriate waking times throughout the seasons. Why this pairing? This earthly branch and the essence of the Lung Zang is all about peaceful tension between opposites, like the time of the year associated with both. Further, being mindful of our need for balance between rest and activity is great preparation for the often overactive spring/summer energy.

April - Large Intestine, Mao 卯 (Rabbit) - Care of the planet/consumption: This category will contain practices that develop us into compassionate and sane consumers, while helping to develop our deep relationship with the natural world. Why this pairing? April is a time when we can see the beauty of nature all around us, so is a great time to contemplate our dependence on it and responsibility towards it. Also, the negative side of LI/Rabbit is a tendency to run rough-shod over the needs and wants of others, these practices will seek to counterbalance this.

May - Stomach, Chen 晨 (Dragon): Physical cultivation: This category will contain practices that help us to shape our physical bodies into ideal vehicles for the transmission of healing energy. Why this pairing? The natural world has exploded into full splendor and the weather in the Northern hemisphere will be warm enough in most places to warrant moving around outside. The ST is an Earth organ and is related to the flesh of the body, which we will be building with these practices. Think also of the dragon and its association with martial arts and other physical cultivation practices.

June - Spleen, Si 巳 (Snake)- Food choices - This category works in tandem with the previous one to help maintain the physical form of the body in an optimal way. Why this pairing? June is actually a great time to do fasting or other food restriction activities because most of us don’t feel any great desire to eat excessively in the summer heat. Further, reducing the burden on digestion will help us to focus on absorbing the pure Yang energy so abundantly available in June.
July - Heart, Wu 午 (Horse) - Community building/charity - This category speaks to our need to be an integral and contributing member of a number of communities. It also involves the practice of compassion in a world where inequality is the norm. Why this pairing? The summer is a wonderful time to participate in community-oriented projects! Also, the Heart and Fire (the Heart’s element) are about intimacy, about connection to Spirit — both of which are well represented in the idea behind this category.

August - Small Intestine, Wei 未 (Sheep)- Ethical Behavior - This category will include practices not covered in other categories that have some ethical dimension. These practices are likely to be very individual and defined by a person’s background, spiritual/religious practice and culture. For example, practicing “Right Speech” through abstinence from cursing. Why this pairing? The Fu (hollow, Yang) organs are said to transmit the essence of their associated Zang (solid, Yin) organs. SI exemplifies this relationship in its devotion to sacrifice as a way to manifest the Heart’s mandate of connection to Spirit in the purest sense. Also because many of the “ethical behavior” practices we discussed are somewhat prohibitive, it resonates with the descent into metal energy that the earthly branch Wei represents.

September - Bladder, Shen 申 (Monkey)- Arts/Aesthetics: This category involves the use of our creative faculties - particularly as they pertain to the arts associated with Chinese medicine, such as calligraphy. Why this pairing? These activities are Yin within Yang - they are still, yet active - like scholarship. More importantly is the symbolism of 申. One of the meanings of this character is to stretch, and the oracle bones show it as two hands pulling something in opposite directions. We might think about this as the intercourse between Heaven and Earth, the Human Being in the middle being the substrate that is stretched between those two poles. I think Art facilitates this threefold communication.

October - Kidney, You 酉 (Rooster/owl): Chinese medicine specific skills: This category includes the refinement of Chinese medicine related skills, such as hand techniques in acupuncture. For those not in the field, you might look into developing skills that will help you in your work. Why this pairing? The Kidney is often said to be the root of all skill and expertise. Also, with the cool calm energy of autumn, one can become focused enough to substantially increase specific skills.

November - Pericardium, Xu 戌: Relationships: This category will involve practices that help us develop more mature and meaningful relationships with others. Why this pairing? Pericardium is frequently said to mediate intimate relationships. One interesting symbolic note is the association of the earthly branch Xu, which means - essentially - weapon. This speaks on many levels to me. For instance, we must be careful to avoid violence in relationships, on whatever level. Also, relationships are a bit like handling weapons — if you’re not careful and mindful, it can come back to bite you. Finally, the late fall and winter are good times for relationship oriented activity, given that most of us desire to stay at home with family and friends as the weather cools.

December - Triple Burner, Hai 亥: Spiritual cultivation: Although we will be looking at spiritual dimensions of all kinds of activity throughout the year, this month we will give it special attention. These practices will probably be quite individual, but there may be some shared goals - such as having a daily meditation practice. Why this pairing? I’ve always learned about TB as being the mysterious “in between,” the mover between worlds, the ultimate stillness. What a metaphor for spiritual practice!

While all these categories are areas that many of us are already cultivating to various degrees, the syllabus will allow a renewed commitment and strengthened focus on a monthly basis. Each of us involved will also share our experiences online on our respective blogs.

To assist in this endeavor, I will also institute some ground rules. As I have been ongoingly engaged in studying pulse diagnosis and writing about it, I am committed to publishing articles regularly on this topic and have an agreement to publish a series with the Chinese Medicine Times. (The first article can be found here.) I also have plans with others to publish a video lecture on the same topic.

As I have recently begun a PhD program in Classical Chinese medicine, I also commit to studying the video lectures at least twice weekly and integrating the information into my practice.

I have been involved in martial arts since the age of 8, however, the demands of raising a family and running a busy practice have sidelined that passion for approximately 5 years. In November I have once again begun the study and practice of tai ji quan and commit to regular practice and qi cultivation.

I also have the unique opportunity of a close personal relationship with Lama Doctor Tsewang Ngodrup Rinpoche (see Rangnang Ogminling Bendirya Kunphen Ling) a gifted spiritual teacher and traditional Tibetan doctor. I have begun private classes with Him in Tibetan medicine and will continue to pursue this avenue of cultivation. My Buddhist practice is tied in with this study, and my commitment to bring this spirituality into my practice and life in a more authentic way is strengthened.

I also dedicate uninterrupted time to spend with my wife and three children. So often the busy days pass with squeezing in work and family time, the two often commingled into the same block of time. I will make separate time for work and for family, the latter being more active and involved.

More to come....

What's In Your Fish?

This article is a must read if you or your loved ones eat fish. Get it here.

USDA at it again

USDA PROPOSES RULE UNDERMINING ORGANICS AND SMALL FARMS
The USDA is accepting public comments until December 3 on a new proposed rule that would force small farms growing green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, to put into place industrial-style sterilization measures that reduce biodiversity and soil fertility. The proposal follows in the wake of the USDA's recent controversial crackdown on raw almonds, continued interference with raw milk production, and bans on the sale of locally produced organic meat directly to consumers. The proposed rules basically cover up the fact that e-coli 0157H contamination in lettuce and spinach crops comes from feedlot or industrial livestock-contaminated irrigation waters or contamination in large processing plants. The rule limits hedgerows, and other non-crop vegetation commonly found on and around small organic and sustainable farms. In addition, although every organic farmer knows that healthy soil is literally alive with multiple types of healthy bacteria, the rules also discourage the development of beneficial microbial life in the soil. Send a message to the USDA today:
Learn more and take action: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8679.cfm


Take action now at http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=21743&t=

Coca Cola and Chinese Medicine? I don't think so!

Big pockets are constantly trying to cash in on alternative medicine. This is another attempt. Check out the following link. Imagine how difficult it will be for this Center (owned by Coca Cola) to conclude from its research and tell the world how dangerous Coca Cola is to one's health. This is such an egregious conflict of interest and attempt to misappropriate and co-opt Chinese medicine. I suppose we'll start hearing soon how healthy aspartame and splenda are with the new Coca Cola funded research. There is a lot of truth to Sun Tzu's words: Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer. I guess Coca Cola has been studying.....

Do We Really Know What Makes Us Healthy?

A very important article to read. You can access it here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/magazine/16epidemiology-t.html?ex=1190606400&en=6f2433873fafc89c&ei=5070&emc=eta1

America Runs on Dunkin

Each time this commercial comes on t.v. I comment to my wife how frustrating it is to see these foods/drinks being promoted. Yesterday she said, "but it's true, America does run on Dunkin." Seems so basic, but it is remarkable how an entire population can be persuaded to consume food and drink that is so detrimental to one's health. And one cannot blame those eating and drinking these products as there is no voice out there that highlights these issues on any large scale. An incredible shame. We live in a society where the norm is to drink multiple cups of coffee daily (often iced coffee, even worse!), live on fast food, microwaved, denatured, preserved garbage. But the companies that spend billions on advertising include, Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. They control the information being disseminated. The average person who doesn't think to question the relationship to what he/she is eating, how it is prepared, etc. to his/her health really doesn't stand a chance. It's a full-time job keeping up. But the cost is too large not to. A real predicament. The huge price for living in a society that values business more than health. Take a look at the following link from Dr. Stickley's blog on what people across the world eat in a week. Notice the difference between the industrialized and non-industrialized menus. Check it out here.

U.S. Farm Bill Not Just About Farming

On his blog, my friend, Dr. Stickley, links to an eye-opening article on the little-known facts behind the U.S. farm bill and the enormous influence that this bill has on our health and nutrition, but more surprisingly, our schools, the environment and national and global politics, immigration and poverty. I wish I could say that I was shocked by it.

Check it out here.

Cloned Animal Products Soon to be on Grocery Shelves

I came across this interesting alert and thought you might be interested. It's from the Organic Consumers Association:

CITIZEN COMMENTS NEEDED
FDA APPROVES FOOD FROM CLONED ANIMALS
Despite a September survey found that 64% of Americans are repulsed by the idea of eating food from cloned animals, the FDA announced this week that milk, eggs and meat from cloned animals will soon be allowed on the market. Ignoring a number of disturbing studies suggesting potential human health hazards, Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine said "that meat and milk from cattle, swine and goat clones is as safe to eat as the food we eat every day." Consumer, food safety, and animal welfare groups have condemned the announcement, pointing out that animal cloning is inherently unpredictable and hazardous, and that the practice of cloning has led to a high number of cruel and painful deformities in the experimental animals' offspring. Recognizing that requiring labels on cloned food would lead to a massive boycott by consumers, FDA bowed to industry lobbyists by stating that there likely will be no required labeling of food products containing ingredients from cloned animals. The FDA's controversial proposed regulations in the Federal Register will now be followed by a three month public comment period. The OCA is calling on health and humane-minded consumers across the nation to stop this outrageous and hazardous regulation from coming into force as federal law.
Take action here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/rd/clones.htm


Take action now at http://www.democracyinaction.org/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6433&t=

Vitamin D

Interesting information on Vitamin D. Meant to be read in conjunction with the prior post and articles on cod liver oil.

The Miracle of Vitamin D

Cod Liver Oil

While I know that this may not be news to many of you, the health benefits of cod liver oil is staggering. After reading more about this superfood recently, I am compelled to link to some interesting articles on its uses and benefits. To name just a few conditions cod liver oil has been used for:

heart disease (and can actually repair damage to the lining of the arteries)
cancers
osteoporosis
obesity
hypertension
diabetes
improving brain function for learning disabilities
allergies
asthma
manic-depression
bipolar disorder
arthritis
colitis
skin health

Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood
The Yin and Yang of Cod Liver Oil

How red do you like your meat?

I just came across this video. Take a look here.

Reduce your calories and live longer!

The relationship between calorie restriction and longevity is a sound one. My friend, Dr. Stickley, has posted on this subject. You can access his article here. Also read my comment and check out the links to some interesting articles and facts behind this practice.

Splenda far from Splendid

The amount of food products containing Splenda and other sugar substitutes like aspartame and the sugar alcohols is increasing exponentially. Being marketed as a "healthy" alternative to refined sugars is, yet another example, of the vast amounts of misinformation out there. And while refined sugars are a significant problem ubiquitous in our culture, Splenda, aspartame and the like are equally problematic and toxic. Please see the following links for some of the facts regarding these chemicals.

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/
http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/
http://www.mercola.com/2003/nov/8/splenda_dangers.htm
http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/splenda-adverse.txt
http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/3/sucralose_dangers.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/3/sucralose_testimonials.htm

But yet, they continue to be ever-present in a vast number of foods at our local groceries. Even companies like Weight Watchers recommend these products as weight loss, low calorie substitutes. But can we really be surprised about that when this company gives the following recipe for a fruit cobbler.

1 bag frozen blueberries
1 bag frozen raspberries
sprinkle yellow cake batter on top
1 bottle of diet sprite/pepsi/7-up

Very scary, indeed.

The Skinny on Butterfat and Raw Milk

So many natural health foods have been co-opted, denatured and 'preserved' for the profit of the large food conglomerates. They have even manipulated some of the labeling (organic) that allows health-minded individuals to identify those healthy foods. One of the most egregious examples is raw milk, which has been villainized over the past 75 years and claimed to be a health threat. Nothing could be further from the truth. For some facts on the health benefits of this food, see the following links.

http://www.karlloren.com/aajonus/p15.htm
http://www.realmilk.com/raw.html
http://www.rejoiceinlife.com/feedback/rawMilkTest.php