puff Tuesday 14th

Good article from WebPro News
Will social networking become a main way to communicate
during emergencies in the future? Let us know

Japan’s Earthquake Shows The Strength of Social Networking
John Vinson | Staff Writer

Social networks become preferred lines of communication during Japan earthquake.

In the US, we can only imagine the devastation which occurred in Japan, and continues to occur as reports roll in concerning higher death tolls and more people missing. One of the scariest factors many don't consider when an event like this occurs is how the avenues of communication shut down.

Telephone lines are reported to be down for most of Japan, and getting a hold of loved ones is a difficult task to undertake. As reports surface, messages from Facebook and Twitter provide the latest news. Doing a bit of research shows how the human spirit can be found within the social media platforms.

puff Monday March 14th

*Let* Them Pull It Over Your Eyes --
Wool Is Your Best Choice
When it comes to treating yourself to the best bedding possible � and thus the most optimal sleep experience � I fully recommend wool.

Wool provides the perfect four-season comfort no matter where you live. That's because wool is naturally thermo-regulating � it's insulating in the cold, and cool and breathable when it's warm.
With wool, you're assured that you'll never be too hot or too cold.

Wool breathes naturally. When compared to other natural fibers as well as synthetics such as polyester, you'll discover that wool offers unmatched breathability and comfort.
Wool is hypoallergenic, so when encased in all-natural cotton coverings, people with even the most sensitive skin, including those with fibromyalgia, can enjoy the soothing benefits.
Wool is a sustainable, ecologically-friendly resource. Unlike the impact of harvesting other natural bedding materials such as down, sheep continue to live long healthy, happy lives.
Plus, since wool is naturally flame-resistant, you can always feel safe knowing that you and your loved ones will always be safe. Even if you hold a match to wool, it will self extinguish in moments.
In addition, wool has an unmatched natural resilience � holding its crimp and loft longer than any other filling.
And, since wool regulates your body's temperature, you never sweat AND since it wicks away moisture and dries extremely quickly, it naturally doesn't provide an environment for dust mites to live in.
The benefits of wool are wound up in its natural scientific properties�

The Science of Wool:
A Good Night's Sleep Is Closer than You Think
In recent studies, wool has been proven to outperform both synthetics and down. Dramatic results demonstrated that wool bedding such as comforters and pillows:

Breathes more naturally than any comparable synthetics, so you reduce the thermal stress on your body AND avoid creating a hospitable environment for dust mites�
Increases the length of your REM sleep � meaning you benefit more deeply from this vitally important stage of sleep every night�
Helps create the most optimal body temperature � the body gets to a comfortable sleeping temperature more quickly and stays there longer.
And, if that weren't enough, recent studies have shown that the resting heart rate of people who sleep under wool versus those who use synthetics is 20 beats per minute less � creating a more restorative sleep experience from beginning to end.

But, before you rush to the store, you must know that not just any wool will do for your comforters and pillows�

Don't Be Fooled�
All Wool Is NOT Created Equal.
"Wool is wool, right?"

Wrong! Just as with any other fabric, natural or synthetic, there are good options and not-so-good options. Plus, there's a wide range of quality. Just as you discovered with down and other types of bedding, not all wool is created equal.

To make sure you are getting all the benefits you need from your comforter and pillows, it's critical that you know exactly how the wool has been handled, treated, and processed. For starters, you'll want to find an all-natural 100% handpicked virgin wool that has not been treated with any harmful chemicals or additives.

Many wool producers use a process called carbonization to clean their wool. This process uses sulfuric acid to remove naturally-occurring vegetable matter that gets knotted up in a sheep's wool.

As you can imagine, sulfuric acid can present real problems for people with skin or air sensitivities.

You want to find wool that has undergone an all-natural cleaning process. Optimally, that cleaning process would only use biodegradable soaps. Not only does choosing wool that's been naturally cleaned avoid the possible ill effects of carbonization, but it makes sure you get wool that has its natural lanolin intact.

Lanolin is a natural oil found in wool that gives it its soft and supple character. Harsh treatments like carbonization and sulfuric acid strips away the wool's natural lanolin content leaving it rough and coarse.

Where can you find all-natural, handpicked 100% virgin wool that has not been treated with chemicals or additives?

100% American Wool
Your Smart Choice for Comfort & Sleep
I want you to have the best sleep possible.

That뭩 why I scoured the world to find the best quality wool comforters, pillows and mattress pads for you.

Made in a traditional Midwestern woolen mill that's been in constant operation since 1894, our pillows, comforters (and even dog beds) offer you what I believe to be the undisputed best in excellence and value.

Using the exact same simple and all-natural techniques for over 100 years, the mill creates some of the world's finest bedding using all locally-sourced and hand-selected wool.

Unlike other wool bedding, ours:

Uses only the best grade of wool for pillows and comforters. With three main grades of wool � fine, coarse, and medium � it's important you make sure you choose a medium grade for your bedding.
Fine is great for clothing and coarse is ideal for items such as rugs. But, medium grade is perfect for warmth, loft, durability and comfort.
Uses all-natural cotton coverings to guarantee superior quality through and through.
Uses locally produced wool. Rather than importing wool from overseas, the mill believes in supporting local ranchers and farmers.
In addition, our comforters are hand tied every nine inches. Other natural materials such as down never seem to be where you want them. Over time, they'll slowly migrate to the edges of your comforter and pillows or ball up in odd locations.
Because the wool in 100% American Wool doesn't migrate, you can be assured that the wool � and the warmth and comfort � will always be where you need it when you need it.

Is never treated with harmful chemical processes like carbonization and sulfuric acid.
Plus, the mill we get our wool from is one of the only mills in America that does not use spinning oil on its equipment. Spinning oil is used to prevent the potentially dangerous static electricity build up on the machinery that cleans and cards wool. The problem is that spinning oil makes wool tacky.
Our mill uses a special traditional technique that naturally keeps the humidity in our processing rooms at 80% - with such high humidity there is never a need for oil because there is no static electricity build up � and the mill has been running some of these machines since it opened in the late 1800s.

As you can quickly see, our wool comforters, pillows, mattress pads and dog beds not only offer you the sleep support you want, but every one is backed by a rich tradition of excellence that you really deserve.

Now, make the right choice to sleep like a baby. I guarantee...

Your Body Will Thank You
When it comes to optimal comfort, health and the highest quality sleep, it's vitally important you take the time to create a welcoming and relaxing sleep environment.

To assure yourself of the best and most restorative sleep possible, do yourself a favor and choose wool. With the potential dangers of synthetics and the shortcoming of other natural materials like down, there simply is no better all-natural solution than wool.

When you experience the unmatched benefits of sleeping under a 100% handpicked virgin wool comforter and rest your head on a soft and supple wool pillow encased in all-natural cotton, you'll finally know what a good night's sleep really feels like.

From your very first night, you'll sleep soundly with the peace of mind, four-season every-moment comfort and sensuous full-body enjoyment that can only come from wool.

Treat Yourself to Your Best Sleep Ever � Today�
I cannot stress enough how important quality and quantity sleep is to your optimal health. Unless your sleep is perfect each and every night, now is the time to take this simple step toward your best sleep ever, and the tremendous benefits it offers you.

The investment is miniscule compared to the costs and hazards of fatigue from sleepless nights.

Why wait for a better night's sleep? Get your sleep solution today.

And while you're at it, remember a wool pet bed for your devoted 4-legged friend.

Friday March 11th

The eyes have it.
How Your Eyes Can Predict Disease Posted By Dr. Mercola | March 01 2011 | 16,252 views Share93
Email to a friend : 92
PreviousNextYour eyes are a unique window into health. Yahoo Health has assembled a list of 14 things your eyes can tell you about your entire body. Here are some of them:

Disappearing eyebrows

When the outer third of your eyebrow starts to disappear on its own, this is a common sign of thyroid disease.

A stye that won't go away

If it doesn't clear up in three months, or keeps recurring in the same location, it could be a rare cancer called sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Burning eyes, blurry vision while using a computer

This is the result of "computer vision syndrome" (CVS). The eyestrain is partly caused by the lack of contrast on a computer screen, and the extra work involved in focusing on pixels.

A small blind spot in your vision, with shimmering lights or a wavy line

A migraine aura produces this disturbed vision. It may or may not be accompanied by a headache.

Whites of the eye turned yellowish

This is known as jaundice. It appears in either newborns with immature liver function, or adults with problems of the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts.

Eyes that seem to bulge

The most common cause of protruding eyes is hyperthyroidism, which is overactivity of the thyroid gland.

Sudden double vision, dim vision, or loss of vision

These are the visual warning signs of stroke.

Blurred vision in a diabetic

Diabetics are at increased risk for several eye problems, but the most common is diabetic retinopathy, in which diabetes affects the circulatory system of the eye. It's the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

For the rest of the list, click on the link below.
Sources:
Yahoo Health February 3, 2011



Dr. Mercola's Comments:


Your eyesight is one of your most precious senses but it's easy to take the gift of sight for granted, until it starts to fail. Unfortunately, one of the leading causes of blindness in American adults is a side effect of diabetes. This is disconcerting when you consider that today, nearly 1 in 4 Americans are either pre-diabetic or diabetic.

The increased use of computers and video display terminals (VDTs) at home and work has also led to an increase in vision problems due to eye strain.

Is Poor Vision Inevitable as You Age?
No, it's not.

But our modern lifestyles can contribute to poor vision if you're not careful. Fortunately, there are many actions you can take to support your eye health. Studies show people over age 60 may need even more support in the form of well-chosen nutritional supplements. You may also need additional vision support if:

◦You smoke
◦You're obese
◦You're diabetic
◦You spend a lot of time staring at a computer
Below, I'll review a number of protective strategies, including nutritional support, but first, can your eyes really tell you something about your overall state of health?

Iridology—Your Eyes as the Mirrors of Your Health?
The Yahoo Health article above brings up several interesting correlations between your eyes and your overall health by hinting at potential underlying health problems. Iridology, or iridodiagnosis, which is the study of the iris of your eye, is yet another technique in that same vein, used by some alternative health practitioners.

This theory goes back to the mid-17th Century, but iridology has yet to be recognized by mainstream medicine. In fact, the majority of medical professionals scoff at the idea.

The basic theory behind this technique is that various characteristics, such as patterns and colors, in specific zones of your iris can provide information about your systemic health. This is done by carefully examining your iris and matching it to iris charts. Using these charts, an iridologist can help identify systems and organs in your body that may be inflamed, or over- or underactive. It cannot, however, diagnose specific diseases—all it can do, at best, is give an indication of your systemic strengths or weaknesses.

Still, this information may be helpful under some circumstances.

Keep in mind however, that iridology practitioners are not legally required to be licensed or certified in the US or Canada, so if you decide to give it a try, I'd recommend you locate an iridologist who is also a licensed medical practitioner.

Natural, Common-Sense Strategies to Help Protect Healthy Vision
Before we get into specific nutritional factors that specifically benefit your eyes, it's important to address some of the lifestyle basics that can impact your vision. Natural, common-sense strategies that will help protect your vision as you age include:

1.Quit smoking. Smoking increases free radical production throughout your body, and puts you at risk for less-than-optimal health in many ways, including the risk of decreased vision.
2.Care for your cardiovascular system. High blood pressure can cause damage to the miniscule blood vessels on your retina, obstructing free blood flow.


One of the primary ways to maintain optimal blood pressure is to avoid fructose. Research by Dr. Richard Johnson, chief of the division of kidney disease and hypertension at the University of Colorado, shows that consuming 74 grams or more per day of fructose (equal to 2.5 sugary drinks) increases your risk of having blood pressure levels of 160/100 mmHg by 77 percent!

3.Normalize your blood sugar. Excessive sugar in your blood can pull fluid from the lens of your eye, affecting your ability to focus. And, it can damage the blood vessels in your retina, also obstructing blood flow.
4.Eat plenty of fresh dark green leafy vegetables, especially kale. Studies have shown that a diet rich in dark leafy greens helps support eye health. And that those with the highest consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables, especially ones rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, had increased vision health.
5.Get plenty of healthy omega-3 fat. A study published in the August 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids was protective of your healthy vision. Unfortunately, due to widespread pollution and fish farming, fish is no longer an ideal source for omega-3 fats unless you can verify its purity. My favorite alternative is krill oil, which also contains astaxanthin. This potent antioxidant also has specific benefits for your eyes, which I'll discuss below.
6.Avoid trans fats. A diet high in trans fat appears to contribute to macular degeneration by interfering with omega-3 fats in your body. Trans fat is found in many processed foods and baked goods, including margarine, shortening, fried foods like French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts, cookies, pastries and crackers. So, to protect your eyes, avoid trans fats like the plague.
7.Avoid aspartame. Vision problems is one of the many acute symptoms of aspartame poisoning.
Antioxidants—Your Greatest Allies for Healthy Eyes
The job of an antioxidant compound is to neutralize dangerous free radicals in your body, including your eyes. A few of the antioxidants that have been shown to be of particular benefit to your eyes include:

•Lutein
•Zeaxanthin
•Black currant anthocyanins
•Astaxanthin
Here, I will discuss lutein and astaxanthin in particular as they are potent allies in the prevention of eye problems.

Lutein Helps Protect Your Central Vision
The first two, lutein and zeaxanthin, are found in high concentrations in the macula lutea, and are believed to serve two primary roles:

1.To absorb excess photon energy, and
2.To quench free-radicals before they damage the lipid membranes
The highest concentration of lutein in your eyes is in your macula – the tiny central part of your retina responsible for straight-ahead and detailed vision. More specifically, lutein is found in the macular pigment, and is known for helping to protect your central vision.

Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid, found in green leafy vegetables, as well as yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.

Lutein Content of Foods
Food Mg / serving
Kale (raw) 26.5 / 1 cup
Kale (cooked) 23.7 / 1 cup
Spinach (cooked) 20.4 / 1 cup
Collards (cooked) 14.6 / 1 cup
Turnip greens (cooked) 12.2 / 1 cup
Green peas (cooked) 4.1 / 1 cup
Spinach (raw) 3.7 / 1 cup
Corn (cooked) 1.5 / 1 cup
Broccoli (raw) 1.3 / 1 cup
Romaine lettuce (raw) 1.1 / 1 cup
Green beans (cooked) 0.9 / 1 cup
Broccoli (cooked) 0.8 / 1/2 cup
Papaya (raw) 0.3 / 1 large
Egg 0.2 / 1 large
Orange (raw) 0.2 / 1 large
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory. 2005. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20 (2007), Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=12354500

Astaxanthin—Powerful Protection Against Two Leading Forms of Blindness
Although zeaxanthin and lutein do provide benefits to your eyes, science is now revealing that astaxanthin is really the ULTIMATE carotenoid for eye health, and the prevention of blindness.

It's a much more powerful antioxidant than both lutein and zeaxanthin, and has been found to have protective benefits against a number of eye-related problems, including:

•Cataracts
•Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
•Diabetic retinopathy
•Glaucoma
•Retinal arterial occlusion
•Venous occlusion
•Cystoid macular edema
•Inflammatory eye diseases (i.e., retinitis, iritis, keratitis, and scleritis)
Astaxanthin also helps maintain appropriate eye pressure levels that are already within the normal range, and supports your eyes' energy levels and visual acuity.

As you can see, this list includes three of the leading causes of blindness in the US: macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, which makes this antioxidant all the more important.

As mentioned earlier, krill oil is a great source of both healthy omega-3 fat and astaxanthin, but there are also other astaxanthin supplements on the market that are specifically formulated to support optimal eye health.

If you are going to give astaxanthin a try, I recommend starting with 2 to 4 mg per day. If you are on a krill oil supplement, take that into consideration; different krill products have different concentrations of astaxanthin, so check your label. Our krill product has 0.5 mg in a daily dose.

Final Thoughts
Your eyes are now subjected to much higher levels of oxidation than our ancestors experienced. Not only are there more contaminants in today's environment, but the depletion of our ozone layer is causing more intense sunlight than ever before, which directly exposes your eyes and skin to more free radicals.

In addition, as you age, your body loses some of its ability to produce the high levels of antioxidants it needs to counter the everyday assault on your tissues and organs by pollution, contaminants in food and water, household chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs, and high levels of stress.

Therefore, anything you can do to protect your eyes from these assaults will reduce your risk for developing macular degeneration and other diseases, and antioxidants that cross your blood-brain-retinal barrier—such as astaxanthin—to reach the inner eye are crucial to protect you from increasing numbers of free radicals as you age.