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To save America's health, we must end nutritional illiteracy among doctors, patients
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How Do Bumblebees Get Predators to Buzz Off?
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Farm Converts Cow Manure Into Electricity
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Supermarkets selling meat from animals fed GM crops
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How Do Bumblebees Get Predators to Buzz Off?
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Supermarkets selling meat from animals fed GM crops
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Updated: IRS says it wants its share of BP payments received by oil spill victims
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New Evidence That Drinking Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
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FDA panel recommends approval of first oral drug for multiple sclerosis
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Poor Health? Easier for Some to Blame Bad Genes Than Change Lifestyle
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As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather
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Study shows how radiation causes breast cancer
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Doctors are addicted to "every drug under the sun"
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Satellite tracking for the most dangerous psychiatric patients
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B.P, Halliburton and Transocean have unleashed Armageddon and now there is no stopping it.
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Should human genes be patented?

Recently, a federal judge issued a 152-page decision that invalidates seven patents that are related to the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The mutation of these two genes have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer but the company holding that patent also holds a monopoly on the testing for the genes keeping prices high and preventing women from getting confirmation from other laboratories.


The decision is more than likely to be appealed even though the representatives of Myriad Genetics, the company that holds the patent, has told it’s investors that “regardless of the results of the outcome of this particular lawsuit, it will not have a material adverse effect on the company.” Myriad Genetics, had asked the court to dismiss the case, claiming the very isolation of the DNA from the body “transforms” it thus rendering it able to be patented. The argument against gene patenting says that products of nature fall outside the realm of things that can be patented.

Presently, 20 percent of all human genes have been patented. With 20,000 to 25,000 of human genes being mapped and sequenced through the Human Genome Project, those are considered public domain, and not considered new and not able to be patented. To be able to patent a substance in nature it must somehow be altered or changed from its original form such as using part of or being synthesized or altered in a laboratory. Human genes must be specified as to a new use, such as a diagnostic test. This argument is an ethical one since many consider the human genome as being sacred even though humans share some 25 percent of their genes with chimpanzees.

Of course patents were put in place to protect the inventor and recover the costs related to research and discovery. Patents are for inventions that are “useful,” “novel” and “non obvious” and carry a description that enables the use for a stated purpose. It can be argued that if a company charges $3,000 for a diagnostic test, then the price of that test may prevent some patients from seeking medical testing. It may not only be an ethical question we are dealing with here as well as a question of greed. By allowing human genes to be patented, we may be guaranteeing commercial companies unreasonable profits.

During the Human Genome Project, thousand of genes were being patented some of those genes have been marketed and sold as products. Even though patents only last for a number of years, a 20-year monopoly seem too long when compared to the prevention of the health care needs of the general populace.


By  Renee Rotto

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GM lobby helped draw up crucial report on Britain's food supplies
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Chlorophyll blocks absorption of toxic carcinogens
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Fish Oil Given Intravenously to Patients in Intensive Care Has Many Benefits, Study Finds
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Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers
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WHY YOUR NEVER TOO OLD TO GET FIT

Attention seniors and couch potatoes. If you are feeling tired and out of shape it’s not too late to improve your health and get fit. Studies indicate, that no matter what your age or inactivity rate, your body will respond to a healthful lifestyle. So that being said, anyone can change his or her fitness level, however, fitness does not happen over night.

Even if you’ve been inactive for a period of time or have eaten foods that you know might not be the best choices, you can make positive changes that will make you more fit. Just remember, that you need to learn to walk before you can run. The first step is to make a plan.

Diet

A 20-year study of Rheses monkeys found that monkeys that consumed 30% fewer calories lived longer and developed less age related diseases. It has been hypothesized the same is true for humans.

Consuming fewer calories every day may be beneficial, but you want to get the most bang for your buck. You want to make sure your body has the right foods to replenish and repair. Eat from the food of life: natural foods in their natural state. That is, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. Try to consume less red meat and incorporate a meatless day into you week. Eat organic foods whenever possible, to diminish risks of pesticides and herbicides. If the goal is to shave of pounds, eat healthful foods in small quantities. Small meals with snacks, stabilizes metabolism and blood sugar levels. Be sure to drink plenty of water to flush away toxins and wastes.

Exercise

With fitness programs, the main thing to remember is to build up your stamina and endurance first. This is especially true when you have been inactive for a long period of time. When creating an exercise program, factors like osteoporosis, back problem, heart problem and blood pressure should be a consideration. Always check with you doctor if you have a concern about what exercises you can do. Remember you can modify you exercise workout to accommodate your abilities or how you feel that day.

Exercise can improve health impairments and even prevent some diseases. It can also improve our emotional state and mood. The key to a sensible workout program is, take it slow and keep it up. A balanced exercise program for any age should consist of three types of exercise: cardiovascular, resistance and stretching.

Cardiovascular

There are many types of aerobic exercise, however, low impact may be best for seniors or the fitness challenged. Walking and swimming are perfect exercises for a gentle workout. Strive for exercising aerobically 5 times a week with duration of 20-60 minutes.

Resistance

Resistance exercises utilize specific muscle groups in order to improve muscular strength and endurance. Resistance can be done using either external weight such as dumbbells, machines at your local gym or by utilizing your own body weight as the resistance force, as in pushups.
With resistance training your health and physical fitness will increase a lot quicker than with aerobic exercise alone. Adding resistance exercise builds muscle mass, which helps to burn fat and speeds up the metabolism.

Stretching

Stretching exercises elongate the muscles, helps with flexibility and decreases the risk of injury. Stretching should be done as part of the warm up and the cool down. Yoga and Tai Chi are excellent forms of stretching workouts.

Pay Attention To What Your Body Is Saying

You can improve your health and fitness at any age but you should pay attention to what your body is saying. Sure you can expect some aches and pains as you body adjusts to the new demands you place on it, but take it slow to build that fitness, without injury. If you listen carefully, your body will let you know which things are beneficial.

By  Renee Rotto

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Patents and the price of medical drugs

The patent protection for pharmaceutical drugs has increased substantially in recent years. What that means for consumers is higher prices for an extended period.


Risk Of Infringement

Drug patents were initially put into place to offset drug manufacturers costs and recoup their investments for research, clinical testing, packaging and marketing. By patenting a drug a company is guaranteed they will have no completion for their drug by other companies offering a generic of that drug until the patent expires.

In the 1980’s the length of patents were 15 years. Compare that to today’s length of 25 years, with varying periods regularly granted to pharmaceutical companies for further patents for things like new uses, changes in dosages and color or markings; and you have quite an extended monopoly.

Drug companies know that when their patent is over and generics of their product is allowed on the market, their prices must also come down, so they will do everything within their power to extend their patents. The expiration of a patent removes the monopoly of the patent holder, however, a new drug with significant changes to the compound could be patented.

On the other hand, a generic drug is produced and distributed without patent protection. A generic drug may still have a patent on the formulation but not its active ingredients. Generic drugs must contain the same active ingredients as the original to avoid more clinical trials. According to the FDA, generics are identical or within an acceptable bio equivalent range of the original name brand. When generic products become available, prices are substantially reduced for both the original name brand product as well as the generic because of the competition factor.

Patent lifetimes differ from country to country. According to Elaine Feuer, the author of “Innocent Casualties”, “Because the U.S. is the only major industrialized nation that does not regulate prices or profits of drug companies, prescription drugs generally cost 25% to 40% more than other countries.” In other words, drug companies rely on American sales to boost their profits while the same products are sold worldwide at cheaper prices. In fact, for many drugs, more than half of the revenue is from the United States alone.

Researching Only Profitable Substances

Even though an herb may treat or sometimes cure a disease, drug companies may not desire to research and market it. This is because, herbs, by their very nature cannot be patented. Since the profitability of herbs, vitamins and minerals does not exist, the public may remain largely ignorant of their benefits.

Although companies cannot patent natural plants in their whole form, they can patent the individual ingredients of plants. This is a laborious process since the plants components must be broken down and active ingredients must be isolated. At that point a drug company can say, they have “discovered” a new ingredient.

This system, although it would be profitable for the drug companies, has a downside. Many times an active ingredient does not work as well as the entire plant would have. Take the case of St. John’s Wart; the entire plant kills the AIDS virus in the test tube, while hypericum, the isolated ingredient does not.

As author Gary Null, of “AIDS: A Second Opinion” writes, “One report published in Fact Magazine speculates that the principle reason vitamin C is not commonly prescribed is that it is not as profitable as those syrups and pills your doctor dispenses.”

Patients and Bio Piracy

In 1993, the University of Mississippi Medical Center had a patent issued to them by the United States Patent Office on the use of turmeric for healing. Turmeric had been used for centuries in India as part of the traditional practices of Ayurvedic medicine. The overseas patenting of turmeric and products of the neem tree caused controversy in India as well as other nations. After it was proven that records had existed for the use of turmeric for centuries, the U.S. Patient and Trademark Office canceled its patient. This makes wonder just how far the drug companies will go to turn a profit.


By  Renee Rotto

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Short Sleep Increases Risk of Death and Over-Long Sleep Can Indicate Serious Illness
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Living in the Moment
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Dr. Andrew Weil Dishes on EWG's Toxic Dirty Dozen (Video)
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Natural Food: Organic Versus Non Organic

Is organic better than non organic? Organic food cost more but is it really healthier? There are arguments for both sides. Organically grown fruits and vegetables do not use man-made pesticides and herbicides and there are over 400 pesticides used in non-organic farming. Pesticides of course, are designed to kill living organisms. Modern agriculture techniques using pesticides and herbicides yield much larger crops using them, thus increasing their profits. These farmers tend to have very large farms, while organic farms tend to be family owned and operated. The costs of growing food non organically seem less expensive until you consider the costs borne by the taxpayer such as, federal subsides, regulation and testing of pesticides and the clean up and disposal of hazardous wastes. This is not to mention the effects on the environment. Even in remote areas of the earth scientist are noticing the impact of these toxic chemicals. Birds, wind, and water run off, are spreading them into our lakes, rivers and oceans. There is evidence that these toxins are in aquatic creatures, wildlife and humans.


How do these toxins make their way up the food chain to humans? Some is in the animals we consume because they graze on plants where run off has occurred, but some residue remains on the plants themselves. Even washing them, does not remove all residues. Some fruits and vegetables are more susceptible to this: with pesticides penetrating under the outer layers. The EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 30% of all insecticides, and 90% of all fungicides, as potentially cancer causing agents. The EPA approved many of these long before research linked them to cancer and other diseases.

Over 30 billion tons, of topsoil is eroded each year across the United States and Europe, due to non-organic methods of farming. This is due to the vast amount of areas where farmers plant the same crop year after year.

Organic farmers rotate crops and grow crops of “green manures” to conserve the soil and preserve nutrients. Green manures are plants like soy, and legumes, that when plowed under the soil, it is revitalized. These practices conserve the topsoil and ready it for another crop. Many organic farmers have livestock or chickens where they harness their output as well. They make use of natural fertilizers through composting. By integrating livestock and utilizing these natural manures, earthworms and other soil organisms can easily replenish the soil.

Even if organic food saves the earth and doesn’t poison us with toxins, is that enough to make it worth the extra cost? If you’re not sure consider this. Why are we eating fruits and vegetables for in the first place? It’s for a little thing called antioxidants. That’s the stuff that keeps us healthy enough to fight off those toxins. Could there be a difference in the amount of antioxidants between organic and non-organic foods. The answer turns out to be yes.

Flavonoids are phenolic compounds that have potent antioxidant activity within them. These are produced in plants in response to plant stressors, such as insects and competition for nutrients from other plants. “If an aphid is nibbling on a leaf, the plant produces phenolics to defend itself. Bitter or harsh phenolics guard the plant from these pests.” Says, Alyson Mitchell, PH.D and food scientist at the University of California. When pesticides are applied the need for the plant to produce phenolics is reduced and so are the antioxidants. “This explains why the level of antioxidants is much higher in organically grown foods.” Mitchell says.

Organic farmers do use natural fertilizers like manure. Some have come to question the safety of manure on crops due to the recent food recall of peanut products. Using manures as a fertilizer is a source of various bacteria’s like Ecoli. Those who are against organic farming contend that without pesticides a plant is virtually unprotected against fungi. Fungi are natural carcinogens. While it may be true that there are natural occurring carcinogens to be concern with, to any logical person, organic farming remains the obvious healthier choice.


By  Renee Rotto

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Do Prescription Drugs Cause Disease

Today Americans are losing trust in the pharmaceutical companies that make drugs and vaccines. People are even beginning to question the federal agencies that recommend them, due to the devastating side effects and diseases that they produce.


One only needs to watch television to become acquainted with the many so call side effects that prescription drugs have in store for their clients. Many times these side effects are much worse than the actual problem. The lists of scary prescription drugs is long and even the commercials tell you to contact you doctor to decide if this drug is right for you. Some commercials state that if you have been taken a certain drug and feel better, you should not stop.

Even worse than prescription drugs is the use of mandatory vaccinations. This is the case with the vaccine, Gardasil. Gardasil is a vaccine that is supposed to guard young girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina and anus. Several states have proposed requiring the vaccine be given to all schoolgirls entering the 6th grade. The fast track licensure of the vaccine and its universal use recommendation has launched a petition and issued a national press release calling on President Obama, his administration and congress to investigate Gardasil. One obvious question is why more than 10,000 reports of Gardasil-related reaction, injures and deaths being dismissed by federal health officials as “coincidence”.

Serious health problems such as stroke, blood clots, cardiac arrest, seizures, fainting, lupus and even death were associated with the vaccine Gardasil. Regardless of this, the maker of Gardasil, maintains a rather cavalier attitude towards these serious health problems and deaths. As of Sept. 1, 2009, 44 deaths in the U.S. have been reported among females who received Gardacil.

Other vaccines have also come into question in the past. Over the past 27 years the stories of deaths and brain damage that have been reported to the National Vaccine Information Center have not changed. A trusting parent takes a bright, healthy child to a doctor for a routine vaccination and that child is never the same again.

Prescription drugs can cause liver damage in several ways. Some drugs are directly injurious to the liver. Others are transformed by the liver, into chemicals that can be injurious to the liver. The toxicity of drugs is difficult to detect in early trials with only a few thousand patients. Many times toxicity will only surface after millions of patients begin to receive the drug after the drug is approved by the FDA and is on the market.

The huge profits made on drugs in this country may be one reason people have become skeptical about prescription drugs but it has also been suggested that the pharmaceutical industry may even be manufacturing new diseases to create drugs for. In fact, a group of doctors accused drug companies of inventing fictitious diseases to sell more prescription drugs. The Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK has accused drug companies of inventing fictitious diseases or exaggeration the severity of symptoms in order to boost their sales. Some of the over-hyped conditions include hypertension, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, anxiety and clinical depression. The college says that these diseases are inappropriately treated with drugs and that many of the physicians who have prescribed these drugs have financial ties with the pharmaceutical companies. In response, a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK actually said, ‘The Royal College of General Practitioners is suffering from argumentative disease and we have a drug for that.’

You can’t patient a disease so the next best thing is to patient the toxic chemical that you claim will treat the symptoms of that disease.
This is how Ritalin became popular. They invented a disease and gave it the name, “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”. Now many little kids take this drug, when in reality their only problem may just be too much sugar in their diet.
Of course the ultimate goal of the pharmaceutical industry is to legislate the existence of a disease so the law will order the mandatory use of their drugs. In that case if a parent disagrees or believes a drug is dangerous, the state can come in and take the child away or force the drug to be given. If this idea disturbs you or causes you to be depressed, don’t worry; the drug companies have antidepressants for you.

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How To Care For Plant Diseases Naturally

All plants get diseases. Organic farming methods combine the scientific knowledge of ecology, natural pesticides and practices to control these diseases. Concern about applying chemicals and pesticides on plants have sparked a new surge of organic farming methods. It’s cheap and easy to use these methods and good for the environment.


Fungi cause most garden diseases. There are more than 8,000 species of fungal pathogens that inhabit the above ground portion of the plant or are within the soil. Most any fungicide acts as a barrier between the pathogenic agents and the plant tissues and must be applied before new leaves or other susceptible pant parts appear. You can apply fungicides when the first sign of disease appears or when the weather conditions are favorable.

Most diseases infect plants through wounds caused by insects. Some of the best ways to prevent diseases infections is to use products that contain botanicals that kill insects as well as add minerals to prevent diseases. The best method for fighting disease is in preventing it in the first place.

Prevention methods:

* Avoid wet soggy soils, since they favor many root diseases.

* Rotate the crop, to deter the build up of plant specific diseases.

* Use only disease free seeds and transplants

* Maintain good soil tiling and fertility. Maintain a soil ph of 6.5 to 7.0. Lower levels of ph are more acid and disease of pathogens is favored in acidic soils.

* Don’t overcrowd plants. Thinning them out promotes air circulation and prevents humidity.

* Destroy or discard diseased plants or plant parts.

*Keep your garden free of debris that might harbor pathogens and snip off diseased spots as soon as they are noticed. Carry a small bag with you when inspecting your garden to get rid of infected plants of pests.

Generally speaking, if you plant your garden in well-drained soils and amend the soil annually with good quality compost, there will be a high population for beneficial bacteria in that soil. You can also purchase inoculated seeds or inoculate seed yourself. This prevents many pathogenic diseases.

Herbal oil sprays may also be effective against fungal pathogens. Essential oils such as made from basil, fenugreek, cumin, mint, clove and eucalyptus have been known to show success against fungal pathogens.

Soaps have been used for many years in organic farming. A few drops of dish detergent used in a spray bottle with water will protect against some insects. As with any treatment, it is important to test a small area of the plant first.

Oil sprays protect against fungi probably because it helps dispel the water that fungal diseases need to grow. Some oils like petroleum based can build up in your soil with repeated use.

Vegetable oils are biodegradable and should not cause any long-term problem for you garden. Salad and cooking oil are less disruptive to the environment and are readily available.

Baking soda is another not toxic substance that helps control pests and diseases. Mix together 1 ½ tablespoon baking soda,

1-tablespoon vegetable oil,

1-tablespoon dish detergent,

2-gallon water jug

Shake up and spray on plants. Be careful of flowers or blooms, and start with a test area.
Silica and Silicate salts have long used as sprays for organic gardens. These contain the extract of the common plant horsetail and protect against fungal diseases. Be cautioned that when using a silicate salts; they are strong alkaline substances.

Compost tea is a water extract of fermented compost. These teas are full of antibiotics microbial products and are beneficial microbes that compete with pathogens for nutrients. Compost tea can be used as a foliar spray or used undiluted tea on soil and roots. One type of commercial product that makes use of “friendly” microorganisms to fight diseases is Galltrol-A. There are many controls you can apply to fight diseases naturally, but it is advisable not to limit yourself to a single approach. Trying an approach as simple as a row of marigolds in with your vegetables is one such control. The trick is to experiment with what works best for your plants and test small areas first.


By  Renee Rotto

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Flower Arrangement

The art of flower arranging originated in Japan and was called, Ikebana, which mean ‘flowers kept alive’. The floral arrangement not only adds beauty and ambiance to your home, it is an expression of living nature. If you love flowers, you can easily create beautiful flower arrangements that express the multicolor blooms of nature and awaken the artist within.


You can make a floral arrangement from silk flowers, dried flowers or fresh flowers. Whatever type of flowers you choose will depend on where you intend to use them and your own personal preferences. Although silk flowers may be more durable, and dried flowers may last longer than fresh, nothing brings nature indoors like a fresh flower arrangements.

Selecting Flowers

Whether you grow you own, gather flowers from your nature walk or purchase a bouquet; choose flowers that are full of life. Look for flowers that are free insects and disease and have unbroken, clean stems. You will want to find flowers that have some buds that have not opened yet and flowers that remain firm when shaken. Select several colors you feel go with your décor or complement each other. It sometimes helps to look at a color wheel to find the opposite colors to provide contrast. For example, yellow is opposite of purple on the color wheel and look terrific together in an arrangement.

Extending Their Life

Since flowers are composed of 90% water, a continued water supply is imperative to the longevity of the flower. Water keeps flowers firm and fresh. To facilitate the maximum amount of water and nutrients trim stems on a bias angle while under running water. The temperature of the water you keep your flower arrangement in will also affect it longevity. Cold water tends to slow down development and adds to longevity.

Cut flowers require nutrients and floral preservatives to prolong their lives as well ingredients that inhabit the growth of bacteria. You can purchase floral preservatives or purchase green floral foam, which also contains preservatives that extend the flowers lives. Using floral foam is simple. Simply soak for five minutes and cut off a piece to fit close to the lip of your container.

Green floral foam also helps flowers stay put, however for additional support florist’s tape may also be necessary. Use florist’s tape to secure floral foam to the bottom of you container, running it up the sides inside the container. Finish securing the floral foam with an x on the top of the foam, which ends run over to the bottom of the container. You can also make a grid at the top of the container with florist’s tape. If you prefer, you can make a grid near the lip on the container with a piece of fashioned chicken wire. This will secure flowers to the their arranged position at the top as well as the bottom.

Containers

There are many types of containers to choose from. Almost any container can become a flower arrangement container. Anything from the traditional vase to the cookie jar will suffice. Consider where you will put your arrangement and the height and width of the arrangement. Containers need to be free of bacteria. Scrub with a mild solution of bleach water before and after each use.

Traditional Flower Arrangements

Vertical design use tall narrow containers. The distinctive thrust of the plant is vertical with only a few focal lines leading in other directions. Utilize plants such as cattails, gladiolus, iris, or delphinium. Place the focal material in place at the lip of the container and slightly above. Fill in around the lip with filler flowers and small leaves, like ivy.

Crescent arrangements are a segment of a circle that may resemble a new moon. Insert the focal flowers close to the low curve to achieve depth and balance. An asymmetrically balanced crescent is more appealing than symmetrical crescents.

Horizontal arrangements are usually used for centerpieces or long tables. Use a shallow container and position sprigs of line flowers to establish length. Insert your flowers in the middle so they droop over the contain lip. Taller horizontal arrangements may need a rectangular container. With tall horizontal arrangements, insert filler floral in the middle with the focal flowers at the bottom. Taller horizontal arrangements are made interesting by stacking the flowers and foliage by height from back to front, or tall to shorter.

Triangular arrangements can be equally balanced on each side or asymmetrical. The stem should radiate from the center and extend to outer edges. Place your smaller flowers and foliage along this focal line to reveal the extended edges. Use your deep colored or bright blooms near the center or slightly below to provide a focal point and add stability. With an asymmetrical triangle, you can design to the left or the right of the axis with either bare branches or a few flowers and leaves.

Oval arrangements look good from all sides. When designing these, try using a lazy Susan to turn you arrangement as you work. Choose your large blooms for the center and smaller flowers around the edges.

Oblique arrangements designs are dependent on dynamic balance. The main line is on an incline as it slants somewhere between the perpendicular to the horizontal. Place the heavier material near the axis, as this adds stability. It’s best to use a short footed or flat container for the oblique design for a good base.

Zigzag arrangements usually use only a small amount of plant material. Flowers arranged the focal area from where the line originates to where it travels. Many zigzag designs may begin with a single bare branch that nay closely resemble an abstract design.

Abstract arrangements use space, depth and may include areas of tension. Of course there are no rules set for abstracts and no limitations. Containers are usually non-traditional and left to the designer’s imagination. Exotic plants ore often used in abstract arrangements, such as bird of paradise or tropical flowers.
So there you have it. Now you can create you own fresh flower arrangements for any occasion. With just a few essentials you will be able to bring the beauty of nature into you home whenever you like.


By  Renee Rotto

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How energy healing affects your health

Energy medicine is used for holistic healing therapies. The practice of energy medicine dates back to at least 5,000 years. Energy healing focuses on the manipulation of the “life force”, to bring about balance and wellness.


Energy is all around us, of course this is no secret, but even a rock can store it. Everyday we are bombarded with energy from many sources. These are energies from many different sources such as; Infra Red waves, x- rays, radiation and radio waves to name a few. Our bodies are receiving stations for this energy and transmitters of energy too. We all have storage centers in our bodies that store energy and energy patterns. We can have stored energy from something that happened yesterday as well as many years ago. Some of these energy patterns can be happy memories as well as painful or sad memories. We store these memories throughout our lives.

Negative forms of energy can cause unbalances and block the free flow of energy. This leads to disease. Quantum Touch, another form of energy healing, is based on an individual’s ability to heal. As with many energy healing modalities, Quantum Touch, works on the concept that the body knows how to bring itself back to ultimate health. Deepak Chopra wrote, “In order for consciousness to affect matter, it must affect it at the quantum of subatomic level.” Einstein showed us that E=MC, which tells us that mass and energy are interchangeable. This means that both time and space are not absolute. That being said, then mass is nothing more than a form of energy. So if energy can exist as a solid matter or as a non-solid matter and can also change its form, then energy healing can be a way of balancing that energy.

There are many modalities for energy based therapy techniques. Some techniques involve practitioners using hands on while other involves non-touch treatments. Reike is an ancient laying on the hands healing technique
that uses the life force to heal imbalances within.

Energy healing can teach ways to balance you energy. Sometimes it involves the release of negative forms of energy or redirection positive energy. Ayerveda, (the traditional medical system of India) and traditional Chinese Medicine both view health as the free flow of energy. Opening up your energy channels can realign structures, balance organs and glands, reduce muscle pain, heal burns, accelerate healing from injuries and much more. Although Energy Healing is easy enough for a child to learn it is powerful enough to astound physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists. One main thing to remember with energy healing is that everyone has the innate ability to heal himself or herself. Energy healing teaches us to focus, amplify and direct that energy to heal.

By  Renee Rotto

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How to prepare a child for the death of a pet

The death of a family pet can be devastating to everyone but children are particularly venerable to the grief because of not understanding what is happening. When we explain the death of a pet we are actually explaining the circle of life. What ways we handle the subject may depend on our own personal beliefs and ultimately may determine how we handle the subject of death as a whole.


The Circle Of Life

When we explain the passing of a pet or for that matter the death of a loved one, a child should understand that death is a natural occurrence. It is only natural that everyone is young once, gets old and passes. Animals get sick and die and so do people. That’s why it’s important to take care of one’s self the best we can. We are here to make this life the best life we can live. Making the most of everyday and living life to the fullest are big concepts for children, but these ideas are easier to grasp as a story.

There are many good storybooks and movies to broach the subject and aid in the explanation of death to children. Preparing a child for the death of a pet can be done simply by explaining death in the simplest of terms. Maybe a bug on the sidewalk, or a plant that has died can be seen as simple examples. It is important to note that not all illness will result in death, but sometimes things cannot be healed. When this happens it may be said that it is, “their time.”

Remembering The Good Times

When a pet passes it is important to say that we can still remember the good times we spent together with our pet. Now the pet is not in pain or suffering so we should not feel sad for him. It is all right that we will miss him but he will always be in our heart and we will always remember him. Explain that when you miss him, just think of him running or playing and you can still be close to him.

A Memorial

It might be a good idea to have a memorial ceremony for your pet. This is where everyone in the family has some kind words to say about him. Everyone can speak about the times they will always remember about him and how much they will miss him. You might say, “You believe he is in a better place.” Or “Yes, Rover was a good dog and if any dog deserves to go to doggy heaven, Rover certainly does.”

Another Pet

Sometimes it helps to get another pet. Of course the new pet is not to be seen as a replacement for the lost pet but another to come share their life with the family. “Because our family is sad, we would like to have a new puppy come to live here.” Or, “This puppy needs a family and Rover told him about our family being sad and missing him so much, and asked him if he would come here and live with us.”

By  Renee Rotto

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EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

In a tough economy, everybody is looking for ways to save money. While everyone’s situation is different, there are some basic tips that anyone can benefit from. Here are a few things that I have learned. I hope they help.

The best way I’ve ever heard of, to save money, is the pay yourself first idea. When you get your check, before you pay anyone else take some amount out and stash it away. This is the money that you owe yourself, so pay yourself first for all your efforts. Then you can go about paying your bills and buying groceries, etcetera.

When it comes to buying groceries, make a list. Since a big chunk of money now seems to go for groceries, plan the whole week out in advance. Sure you can still throw in a few ‘treats’, but basically, stick to your list. This way you can control your health as well as your pocket book. You can also plan to brown bag your lunch too. Ordering lunch out at the office gets expensive. Another big expense seems to be the latté, why not make your own coffee? Over the course of a week, the savings will add up.

If you’re like me, you don’t enjoy having the same meal the next night. Unless you really have a taste for something, or plan to take it for lunch, you might not enjoy leftovers. I say freeze it, that way, when you in a rush sometime, you can have a quick meal. This works well with things like lasagna or chili.

Learn to be independent, and fix things yourself. When you live alone, you learn to do many things yourself. You can learn almost anything online these days. If you still don’t understand, there are places like, ‘the helpful hardware man’ that can help you. You would be surprised how helpful auto part stores can be found, or even your local library. This is all free advice.

Speaking of the library, save money on book and magazines by using your library card. You can also borrow DVD’s or CD’s for entertainment. They may not have the latest titles but they do carry many classics, and the price is right.

Another way to save money is the credit card reward program. If you pay you bill off each month, besides not paying any interest, you can also get cash back or other perks. I have a credit card that has been accumulating reward points that will soon give me $50 back. Since I have never paid any interest on it, I will actually make money on that card.

You can also save quite a bit of money shopping at consignment stores, flea markets and yard sales. If you’re a collector you may even discover some great finds. Some folks even make this a part time job. It’s fun and you can bump into some real bargains.

There is many more money saving ideas too, like avoiding the ATM, repairing your old car and consolidating debt; some money pits are obvious. For most people the money we spend comes out of our pockets in drizzles, hardly noticeable, until the end of the month. I would recommend keeping a journal of what you spend your money on everyday. Then you will know for sure, exactly who is getting your money, instead of you.



By  Renee Rotto

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