ourdoodah

by Cindy Stiteler

HARDLY!!! The US ranks 37. There are 36 countries with better health care and I believe it.

My daughter-in-law was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in January of 2009 after complaining of chronic abdominal cramping. Her GP ordered a scan and found a nodule on her thyroid which turned out to be cancerous He did not refer her to an endocrinologist but sent her to a general surgeon who removed her whole thyroid gland. Then she fell through the cracks in Denver. Thanks to family intervention, she was finally treated with a radiation pill to remove any leftover cancerous tissue 7-8 weeks after surgery. (the norm is 4-6 weeks) Because she went so long with out a thyroid gland or meds, she became extremely loopy. Her boss (and doctors) apparently didn’t understand what the lack of a thyroid or thyroid meds does to a person, and she was working 10-12 hours a day when she should have been home. She was finally given temporary disability after the pill and met her radiation oncologist who was amazed she had yet to see an endocrinologist. FINALLY, in September she was referred to an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid cancer.
She lost her job the day she went back to work in May. Due to the radiation treatment and 2 follow up scans, she went several more weeks without meds. She had a very difficult time with her 3 year old and an equally hard time trying to apply for jobs while on unemployment. Her husband dealt with a loopy emotional wife as well as he could during all these months.
Today, 11 months after diagnosis, she is finally getting back to her normal self. I believe that if her GP had referred her to a specialist from the start, she would still have her good paying job and would have recovered much sooner. She is just now feeling well enough to schedule interviews for a new job.

Last year a friend in Taos got sick with what she thought was the flu. It got so bad that she couldn’t keep water down. She drove herself to the ER in Taos, NM and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. She stayed there for 6 days, seeing a different doctor each day, still not keeping any food or liquids down. The next day a doctor gave her Imodium D, which finally helped her. She realized she could have tried that at home and decided to check herself out of the hospital. Before she left, a doctor drew a line around the IV site infection and said to call if the redness spread. She’ll never return to that hospital. We all try to avoid that hospital in Taos.

Another Denver friend came to Taos last week to visit her parents. She’d been recovering from pneumonia . She ended up in our Taos hospital with complications from the pneumonia. The staff in Taos said she would receive better care in Denver so they sent her via ambulance all the way back. The Denver doctors found a spot on her lungs but couldn’t quit figure it out so they said they would send her home and “watch” the spot for a few weeks.

What is going on here? The amount of insurance paid out from these three people was enormous. GOOD health care? I think not.

What have I learned? Do your own research or get a friend or family member to help. Don’t let your GP treat cancer. Get a second or third opinion. Get a health care advocate if possible.
Get your immune system up to speed.

by Jane Odin
In the late ‘90s I attended a Lakota sweat lodge at least once a week for several years.  The experiences were memorable and I was saddened when they were no longer held. Given my positive experiences I can’t imagine circumstances like those described in the news regarding $9000 a person sweats resulting in the death of 2 people and hospitalization of many others.  James Arthur Ray, one of the authors of the well known New Age book “The Secret”, was the leader of the group and in attendance at the sweat.  It is reported online he constructed the lodge out of tarps and plastic. Why would anyone use off-gassing tarps and plastic to cover a tightly enclosed area that gets hot as fire.  Sweat lodges are supposed to be healing environments; tarps off-gas BPA, phythalate and other toxins with gusto when heated.

I never paid dollars to attend a sweat. I brought food for the later-meal and tobacco for the Lakota leader. But James Arthur Ray didn’t get paid with choke cherries and watermelon - he cleaned up on this event ….$495,000 - given 55 attendants at $9,000 each. Is my math right? Imagine that – half a million and he couldn’t afford appropriate covering for the sweat lodge frame. Given my experiences with 12 in attendance I can’t imagine a lodge with 55 people stuffed inside. It was obviously a money maker and had nothing to do with physical healing and/or spiritual enlightenment.  Not surprising in these days of New Age capitalism. The industry term for these New Age gatherings is “Large Group Awareness Trainings.” Never went to one. Not interested in large group consciousness raising.

To enter a sweat lodge one must bend down to walk through a flapped door and remain in the bent over position until seated. With 55 people in a circle around a pit of hot rocks it would be very difficult to climb over everyone to get out in case of an emergency.  When a traditional Lakota ceremony is conducted the ritual goes through several distinct stages with more rocks brought in throughout from an outdoor fire. The fiery rocks are transported on pitchforks – it’s sometimes a little tricky moving them through the door. A person unfamiliar with the ritual might find it difficult to choose the appropriate moment to leave.

From time to time one is breathing fire. This happens when water is poured on the rocks and fiercely hot steam fills the lodge. Throughout my first experience I kept hoping my clothes wouldn’t catch on fire.  But I never felt bad physically – during or after the ceremony  - and I never saw anyone get sick in any fashion. Since so many folks were hospitalized at this recent event in Sedona I would imagine some kind of toxic fumes were released from the tarps or something else. There is something wrong with this picture.

To my knowledge and experience each sweat has a purpose and the temperature in the sweat is determined by the purpose. For example, if the focus-person has a life threatening illness the leader may use 50 to 70 rocks and the more the rocks the hotter the sweat. The rocks are increased throughout the sweat until the  target number is reached.   The circumstances don’t seem appropriate for a large number of rocks to have been used in the Sedona event.

The leader of the ceremonies in Taos was a Lakota speaking Sioux raised at Pine Ridge to follow a lineage of medicine men.  The attendees were primarily Indians from different tribes from all over the southwest.  The drum was passed around the circle and songs in the languages of the Ute, Comanche,  Pueblo and Sioux singers were sprinkled throughout ceremonies that were not advertised and never attended by tourists or casual observers.  Every week town folks could see smoke from a large, hidden fire rising in the middle of town and that was the extent of general knowledge.  No one involved was in the money making business. I was deeply blessed and honored to be there.

Post  Script

And now a third person has died and local law enforcement is said to be examining the materials covering the sweat lodge. Well it’s about time! They should also be interested in knowing the seating arrangements such as who was closer to the entrance to the lodge and who was seated at the back.

by Cindy Stiteler

WHERE IS THE COMPASSION AND TIMELY HELP?

How many times a week do we hear that “America is the greatest          and richest country in the world”? If you are among the growing      number of thousands of people that have lost their homes due to  foreclosure, become homeless, penniless without any FUTURE            means of shelter or financial support to look forward to, the above      quote becomes meaningless.

STARTING AT THE BEGINNING IN NEW MEXICO

My 57 year old cousin arrived from California to my New Mexico  residence at the end of May with only those belongings she could      stuff  in her car. She lost her house in October 2008 due to foreclosure.  She  lived in her car until January 1, 2009 when a friend of a friend    invited her  to his residence in Nevada where he would give her a room    in his house  and would pay her to care for his granddaughter and  mother. It turned  out to be a household with abusive behavior where she was never paid and was hit by the mother on  numerous occasions.  There were drugs also being used in this house. With the help of a disability attorney,  she applied for food  stamps and SSI. She had been diagnosed with paranoia  and severe depression by a therapist recommended  by the state. She also has degenerative spine disease. She did receive food stamps for March and April 2009.  She was turned down for disability in April 2009 . The reason was she had “assets  worth $326,000.00 which  was the house she no longer owned. The attorney couldn’t figure out her house had been foreclosed on? He  quit the case after the denial. After She arrived at my home at the end of May, I gave her my guest house to  live in as my tenant had just moved out. I asked an appraiser friend to do a title search which took a few  minutes. I sent the title search which proved she had no assets, along with a letter to the Social Security  office in Nevada. Surprisingly, they called me and said they would reopen the case and send it to New  Mexico. This didn’t help as we had to start all over with every agency. We put in an application for Section 8  housing assistance and were told there was a 9-12 month waiting list. They won’t even approve my guest  house until she is approved. This seems like a waste of time and money.

THE JOKE OF HEALTH CARE

Shortly after arriving in New Mexico, she ended up at the ER to deal with the spine and back pain. We were there 31/2 hours after arriving at 7:30 am. The doctor saw her for less than 5 minutes, gave her a prescription for 15 pain pills  and depression pills. They cost over $100.00 due to her lack of insurance, which I  paid for. She was never told or offered indigent services. She was billed for the whole amount of $260.00.

THERE ARE CARING PEOPLE OUT THERE

The ER referred her to a medical group who would help her with her ongoing health problems. She was turned away after being told they were not a “free medical clinic.” I then called a low income clinic 20 miles north of here. This doctor was compassionate and truly cared about her physical and mental condition.

He ordered blood tests and back we went to the hospital where she was again refused treatment. After discussion with the head of the department, they said they would do the tests if we proved she had applied for NM low income insurance. Back we went to Human Services, where we were told the form would do us no good. I said, “please, just give us a copy” which they finally did. We went back to the hospital where they finally did the blood tests. Again, no mention of how to apply for indigent funds. They sent her a bill in full. That good caring doctor only billed her after she received medicaid.

HAVING  FUN WITH MENTAL HEALTH

On the second day after her arrival in New Mexico we went into the offices of Mental Health to get an appointment for her to be evaluated. We were treated rudely and after a brief interview to see who she needed an appointment with, they demanded money. She had none and explained this to them. They finally set her up for an intake evaluation. On July 14, 2009 she was diagnosed with Major Depression Disorder, recurrent, with Psychotic features. The report also goes on to say she is severely disabled due to her current diagnosis and condition. They recommended weekly therapy and monthly psychiatric appointments. She is compliant with all their recommendations.  She finally received the medications she needed to deal with this diagnosis, which I paid for since, without insurance, they were very expensive. On August 1st she was approved for Medicaid and was finally able to afford her prescriptions.

HAVING MORE FUN WITH SOCIAL SECURITY

A social security employee comes to our Human Services Department twice a month so our first appointment was local. The nice gentleman only took down information as he had no access to a computer. I called him back in a week and he said they were still waiting for paperwork from Nevada.

We made several more calls through the months of June and July getting frustrated by talking to yet a new person every time who didn’t know who was doing what. I finally asked a woman in the Albuquerque office who was who and she kindly explained that she was only working on the medical side of the equation and Santa Fe was working on the financial side. At last, a little clarity. Through due diligence of many phone calls, faxes and more forms to fill out, she was approved for SSI beginning October 1, 2009. She will get back payments from February 2009 deducting her 1st 2 payments from the state of New Mexico for August and September 2009. All in all it took 5 months of almost full time work to stay on top of the process. There are still little bumps in the road. The SSI office sent us a letter received today approving a payment to her attorney from Nevada. I called and said they should have a letter in their file from the attorney who stated he was removing himself from the case after my cousin was denied in Nevada. This important piece of information had been misfiled and thank goodness we caught it before the money was sent to him. Hopefully they will send her the back payments in full in a couple of days.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

I had absolutely no idea how difficult this process would be. There needs to be an advocate for every person needing assistance such as my cousin. She has been trying since 2006 and just couldn’t do all the forms and produce all the necessary documents by herself. Then she hired an attorney who couldn’t figure out a 1099A showing she lost her house in October 2008.

We need more compassion in this country.  Why not spend a tiny bit of stimulus money on more  staff for these state and federal offices? I can see why we have so many homeless people. Why do the homeless have to wait a year for assistance? Especially when, in this instance, I have a guest house available? Below is a list I found on a Colorado web site that helps with food for the needy. We should apply it to all forms of assistance.  It stated that in Denver, about 65% of eligible folks don’t apply for food stamps.

MORE CAN BE DONE TO CONNECT ELIGIBLE PEOPLE WITH BENEFITS.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOOD STAMPS MUST REMAIN A FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, FOOD STAMP AGENCIES CAN MAKE IT EASIER FOR HOUSEHOLDS TO SIGN UP, INCLUDING ALLOWING THEM TO APPLY OVER THE TELEPHONE AND ON THE INTERNET AND ENCOURAGE PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION AND IMPROVE CONSUMER ACCESS.

AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, BROAD COALITIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS SHOULD CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO ASSESS BARRIERS AND CREATE OUTREACH PROJECTS THAT CAN GET APPLICATION INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY WORK, GO TO SCHOOL, SEEK HEALTH CARE, AND SHOP.  MANY FARMERS MARKETS ARE NOW ACCEPTING FOOD STAMP CARDS, INCREASING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FRESH PRODUCE AND HELPING TO SUPPORT LOCAL AGRICULTURE.

AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.  INDIVIDUALS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SHARING INFORMATION ON FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER NUTRITION PROGRAMS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILIES.

AMEN

by Jane Odin

If you’re thinking about getting a video camera there’s a bunch of things to consider before plunking down big bucks or small bucks for that matter. There are some raging problems with the overall performance of the newest cameras in terms of both file uploads and high definition downloads. The images in the camera may be great but if you can’t do anything with them - so what.

First of all there’s little point in having a High Definition (HD) camcorder unless you want to view video clips on a HDTV or computer screen period. Currently the technology isn’t advanced enough to run HD on YouTube or on any other web site. YouTube compresses the video into standard definition. And forget about trying to email HD. Even a brief clip will be monstrously enormous – much too large to travel by email. These are just a few of the problems with the newest cameras.

The average videographer wants to put clips on YouTube. In which case look for a camera that is YouTube ready. Otherwise you might run into problems with incompatible formats and codexs. When YouTube has too much to deal with in terms of conversions the upload time can go into hours. It can become complicated particularly with the very newest AVCHD formats. Complicated means things don’t work the way they are supposed to work and the “experts” are giving contradictory advice.

A camera that does not come “bundled with software” may be preferred - if such a camera exists.  I haven’t found one yet. According to a Canon rep all the newest Canons come bundled (burdened) with either Pixola or Corel software. Find out the overall intention of the software in the camera under consideration. For example Pixola told me their software doesn’t support uploads to YouTube or the web. She also stated the software would not be compatible with a separate video editing program such as Adobe Elements 7.

Interesting!  The outside of the Adobe Premiere Elements 7 box says the program handles the AVCHD formats which are identified on the Elements CD as .m2ts, .mts and .m2t. My camera is stated to use .mts but Elements would not touch it. The message of incompatibility kept popping up when I tried to move the Canon HG 20 clip into the software. And yes, I tried every way possible to accomplish this task

I researched the problem online.  This “expert” advice said success with AVCHD formats called for additional hardware and software to enable codex conversions.  And it’s noted that hard-drive cameras have problems with altitude above 6000 feet and temperature extremes.  They also feel an Apple computer is perferred to accomplish all the conversions.  It was all too, too much for me so I returned the camera.

Research the various bundled software that comes with camcorders. I couldn’t find a good review and many said the camera could not be used successfully with other editing programs such as Adobe Elements. Also check out how the software functions in PC formats such as XP and Vista. Of course, if rough looking, unedited footage is cool then you’re in business….as you will learn from reviews of bundled software.

On the other hand if you are looking for a camcorder with optical image stabilization, optical zoom, night viewing, easy YouTube upload and available to external editing software GOOD LUCK! Should you know of such a rarity - be sure and let us know. I’ll be waiting to hear from a camcorder-techie before I purchase another camera. That is for certain!

It would be a good idea for the industry to create standard formats on all camcorders for uploading into YouTube, editing programs and various websites . Other technologies have accomplished this feat or one would need different driving instructions for every auto made etc. Whatever the case it sure would be great if all camcorders had easy access to YouTube. In the meantime it’s an important consideration in the purchase of a camcorder.

by Cindy Stiteler

Thinking of getting tattooed ?

The practice or art of tattooing has been around for thousands of years. Tattooing instruments have been discovered at several archaeological sites dating back to the Upper Paleolithic Period. (10000BC to 38000 BC). Original tribal tattoo inks were made from dyes from the natural environment, often soot. The world’s oldest tattoo, dating back 5300 years, was found in 1991 on Ozti, the Tyrolean Iceman. He sports 57 tattoos consisting of parallel and intersecting lines. Some believe the bar code like marks found on or near acupuncture points were therapeutic and not decorative.

Historically, tattoos produced a mark of royalty, religious devotion, manhood, warrior status, love, slave ownership,  convict status etc. The recent surge in tattoos in this country can be seen in numerous works of art from the” basic” heart, MOM, ankle butterfly to elaborate full body art. There are several TV shows dedicated to the art. Tattooing is no longer for the margins of society. Approximately 1/6 of all Americans sport some form of tattoo.

A tattoo is created by piercing the skin with a needle or sharp object and embedding a pigment mixed with a carrier into the dermis. The carrier is usually a form of alcohol. It’s purpose is to keep the pigment evenly distributed in a fluid solution to inhibit the growth of pathogens, prevent pigment clumping and aid application to the skin. Alcohol also makes the skin more permeable allowing more chemicals to cross into the bloodstream.

Pigments are incredibly varied and  may contain many substances such as metallic salts, oxides, sulphides,selenides and plastics. Some pigments that contain metal ores can leave metal filaments under the skin.   Some say  hospitals have refused MRI’s to heavily tattooed individuals because the procedure may heat up the metal filaments causing extreme burning under the skin. Some manufacturers are now making organic tattoo inks but it is still not known if they are any safer than metal based inks. Some tattooists are reluctant to use them because they don’t stay in the skin as long as metal based inks..

A study done  in Europe  found that many of the chemicals used in permanent tattoo inks were originally intended for use in writing, auto parts and printer inks.  Tattooists either mix their own ink ingredients or use predispersed  or premixed inks. Since tattoo inks are not regulated, the ingredients  need not be disclosed. According to the FDA website, they have not traditionally regulated tattoo inks because of other public health priorities and previous lack of evidence. Tattooing is sometimes regulated by state and local authorities. From 2003-2006, the FDA did report more than 150 complaints of skin irritation tied to “permanent cosmetic” tattoos.

Complications do arise including but not limited to the following:

Infections, allergies which may appear years after the original tattoo, granulomas (nodules that form when the body perceives foreign material), keloids (scars that grow beyond normal boundaries).

Hepatitus B & C. Some doctors claim that Hep C is twice as prevalent in people receiving tattoos than in injection drug users.

Other blood born diseases such as AIDs, tetanus, TB and syphilis. The first case of syphilis from being tattooed was reported in 1853. NewYork City outlawed the “deadly tattoo” from 1961 to 1977.

If you are thinking of getting a tattoo, do your research. Go to a reputable tattooist who has been in business long enough to have many healthy satisfied customers. Ask about ink ingredients. Make sure your tattooist is passionate about sterile tools and equipment. Talk to tattooed people about their experiences. Get inked and make it extraordinary!

For more interesting historic facts check out: /www.nmm.ac.uk/explore/sea-and-ships/facts/ships-and-seafarers/amazing-facts-about-tattoos

by Jane Odin

Judging from wide-spread chem trails aloft around the world one must conclude aerosoling the sky is a top priority for governments world-wide. (They have their reasons.) Among other things, chemtrails generate  (+) ions creating an imbalance in the ratio between (+) and (-) ions.  We are living in a sea of (+) ions which is incredibly hazardous to mental stability and general health. To understand this brief opening statement please read “How Aerosol Chemtrails Affect Atmospheric Ions” at http://ion_effects.tripod.com/

It’s interesting to note that the U.S. military protects soldiers from (+) ions with passive negative ion generator patches sewn into the collars of uniforms. The patches create ambient negative ionic environments around the individual soldiers so they can function with normal cognition and future health in situations of high (+) ion saturation.  http://www.hyperstealth.com/ECU/index.html

It is believed (+) ions are ‘serotonin releasers’ and produce ‘serotonin syndrome’. This complicated syndrome creates a wide variety of serious effects, determined by ones individual weaknesses. You can read about the symptoms and effects of this neurohormone here: http://ion_effects.tripod.com/

Although the passive (-) ion generators used by the military are not available for civilians there are other options for the rest of us. I use the Mini Mate negative ion generator from Clean Air Services. It’s worn around the neck. I tend to wear it most in the house when sitting in the middle of a bunch of (+) generators such as computer, tv etc. I also wear it on super-bad chemtrail days. The following links show some  alternatives to the military patch.

http://www.negativeiongenerators.com/portableairpurifier.html

http://www.megabrainpower.com/chionizer.htm

http://www.cleanairservices.com.au/air_purifiers_mini-mate-as-150mm.htm

http://purelyproducts.com/products/ionic-lifestyle/ionic-lifestyle-for-home.aspx. You definitely want to check this out.

Give links a careful read and you will have a a better understanding of the chemtrail situation.  If you find the info is valid, take action in terms of emails and conversation – a little each day. But don’t ignore it like a friend who says, “I can’t do anything about it so I don’t want to know about it. Please spare me the details.” This statement reminds me of the Germans living within ½ mile of Buchenwald who said they had no idea what was going on down the road. The details of this type of mentality are documented in “They Thought They Were Free” by Milton Mayer. http://www.lightwatcher.com/chemtrails/patents.html

http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/peterr/photos/chemtrails/chemtrails.html.

Ignore is the root of ignorance. Registering protest against atrocities does have far reaching impact.  Europeans have been able to impede the flow of GMO products and toxic plastics into their countries by word of mouth and visible protest. Silence and apathy never generate change. In the meantime check out the idea of wearing a negative ion generator, particularly if you have symptoms of ‘serotonin syndrome’.

For more topics of a similar nature just google: “chem trails positive ions”

by Cindy Stiteler

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP GOES WHERE NO SWEETENER  HAS GONE BEFORE

I was having lunch with my business partner recently and she was eating one of those “lean something” meals composed of chicken, rice and broccoli. I asked to see the ingredient list and we were both shocked to find that high fructose corn syrup was the 2nd ingredient.

WHAT IS HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP ?

HFCS is produced by processing corn starch (most corn is genetically modified today) to yield glucose and then processing this glucose to produce a high percentage of fructose. As simple as it sounds, it really is complicated. Three different enzymes are needed to break down cornstarch which is composed of chains of glucose molecules of almost infinite length into the simple sugars glucose and fructose. According to a food technology expert, two of these enzymes used, alpha amylase and glucose isomerase, are genetically modified to make them more stable. Simply put, it is a chemical process.

WHY IS IT IN 40-50% OF ALL SUPERMARKET PRODUCTS ?

It is cheap to food producers because the Federal Government subsidizes corn and puts tariffs and quotas on importing regular sugar making that more expensive. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) increases shelf life and decreases freezer burn. It helps bread brown faster. The sweeter the food, the more people buy. HFCS is in pickles, ketchup, salad dressings, lunch meats, protein bars, children’s vitamins, packaged roast beef and just about every other item that is boxed, canned or packaged as well as most fast food.

WHY IS IT HARMFUL ?

Because HFCS is metabolized by the liver directly, the fructose does not cause the pancreas to release insulin the way it normally should and fructose converts to fat more easily than any other type of sugar. Many experts agree that this is a main factor in America’s growing obesity rates. Soft drinks sweetened with HFCS are 10 times richer in harmful carbonyl compounds which are already elevated in people with diabetes and are blamed for causing complications such as foot ulcers and eye and nerve damage.

Compared to the 1970s, the average American today consumes more than 100 times the amount of HFCS mostly because of the insidious placement in so many food products.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ?

Read labels on all food products.

Restrict your consumption of fast foods and processed foods.

Restrict all sugar consumption.

Eat more organic fruits and vegetables.

Exercise to burn fat.

Restrict food that comes in cans, boxes, jars and packages.

Ask your natural grocer not to carry foods containing HFCS.

Become aware of the deleterious effects of all processed items that make some big corporations rich at the expense of our health.

Read all of our blogs.

Check out the following video and book list:

Seeds of Destruction: The Hidden Agenda of Genetic Manipulation

Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World

Researchers find “coincidental” link between HFCS and obesity.(high fructose corn syrup)(Brief Article): An article from: Food & Drink Weekly

High Fructose Corn Syrup and the Fibromyalgia Connection: Fibromyalgia Recovery Handbook

by Jane Odin

NOTHING IS FREE
Dad drummed into my head nothing is free and I believed him. But somehow that wisdom faded when I found so called “free” anti-wrinkle skin cream samples on the internet. Great! I thought the free-offer was made because the cream was so outrageously expensive a demonstration was called for. Not so! Unknowingly, I ordered 2 different free samples and suffered the same consequence with both – with slight variations.

As soon as they have your charge card # - they gotcha. The charge covers mailing of the sample but when the bill arrived – ooph’s – they charged the cost of the product. The worse is yet to come: I called Master Card and learned the cream company had already charged for a 2nd shipment and the price had gone up $25. At this point I was out $125 for  free sample products.

I immediately canceled my master card, filed a complaint and tried contacting the company by phone – what a joke. All three numbers were answered by a promotional recording and my first email was never answered. When the second, unrequested shipment arrived I mailed it back along with the original “free sample” and sent out a 2nd email explaining my action. My 2nd email was not friendly. I explained my state of mind and threatened to post on every consumer advocacy site. I heard from the company within 24 hours with the update: the charges would be removed.

Unfortunately, I had ordered a 2nd free sample on that fateful afternoon. It arrived in an enormous box with a future bill and instructions. The bill for $180 is all I saw. The instructions said to try the enclosed products and return by a two week deadline or the full amount would be charged to my account. I returned the stuff the next day, grateful my charge-card # had already been changed.

It’s impossible to log off the scam site without shutting down the computer.
This has occurred with every “free sample” site experienced – new windows continue popping up. It’s maddening!

Also, experience says to avoid products hawked in TV infomercials. The inferior quality is guaranteed to dissatisfy. It took several experiences to learn this lesson. And trust me………..no real estate course will teach you how to purchase a house for $300 or make $15,000 a month as an internet entrepreneur. (No I didn’t go for that scam or any of the weight loss deals. There is usually a whole lot hidden in the small print details, harder to attain via TV ads. Instead type the name of the product ie “Video Professor” in the Google search box. This route will access the detailed material.

Recently I was looking for a safe, free DVD on selling on eBay. The relevant sites looked suspicious, having many of the characteristics of the scam sites, so I checked out “terms of agreement” which detailed seven days are given to refuse the product after which a monthly fee would begin etc. Be sure and read “use agreements” and “charges and billing” before giving a charge card number.

When you run across scams and shams offers go to consumer affairs.com,  submit a complaint form and check out scam alerts. Most recently the Federal Trade Commission is involved in the settlement of deceptive advertising claims regarding weight loss supplements. So there is hope in this arena.

Nothing is free is always a good mantra and particularly so in these troubling times. Of course it doesn’t hold true for banks, or mega corporations. For these good old boys – it’s up, up and away with zillions in give-a-ways without over-sight, guidelines or restrictions. But for the rest of us – nothing is free.

The Savvy Consumer: How to Avoid Scams and Ripoffs That Cost You Time and Money (Capital Ideas)

Eyes on the Ball: How to Identify and Avoid ‘Scam Programs’ on the Net

Don’t Get Burned on EBay: How to Avoid Scams and Escape Bad Deals

by Jane Odin

Beware Fire Retardants

(It is helpful to read Beware Plastics article first.)

I’m removing nasty toxins from my home. My nasties come in the forms of plastics, brominated fire retardants (BFRs) and nylon, stain-resistant area-carpets. One of the items was with me for decades, causing a friend to remark: “Don’t you think you’re over-reacting? The damage is done.” Funny nobody felt that way when I quit smoking after 45 years of contaminating myself and the universe.

No, I don’t think I’m over-reacting and neither do my little dogs whose respiratory problems/allergies seem to have improved. I keep discovering things to remove - like the office chair - because it is made of foam and foam off-gasses more with age. Soon I’ll have an empty house. Why would I go to these extremes? Just knowing the potential of these nightmare chemicals instills abhorrence for everything they inhabit.

*Phthalates*

My body load of phthalates is probably higher because of an enormous, vinyl covered, over stuffed chair. It is a true beauty given by my 2nd husband. Appearance is not always reality and the reality here: the PVC “beauty” is off-gassing phthalates. It has to go.

Don’t have any Tupperware to throw out. It always looked too, too alien. Unfortunately I had no clue various plastic wraps and plastic food-containers off-gas phthalate. Now that I know, it’s hard to purchase anything but fresh foods, given that my local organic grocer stores bulk goods in a slotted rack of BPA leaching #7 plastic and fish and cheese are wrapped in phthalates. Paying big bucks for organic produce laced throughout with BPA and Phthalates is demoralizing. I might as well shop at the local Super Save. Not really.

Stain-resistant chemicals

Bonita’s asthma should improve with removal of the cheap, Wal-mart area rugs treated with stain-resistance chemicals. I didn’t know. Content tags rarely tell the whole story. The tags on the rugs said 100% nylon period. Guess what – most nylon rugs are treated with super toxic levels of stain-resistance chemicals such as isocyanate, silane and polyurethanes. These are truly nasty chems. Isocyanate is extremely reactive and harmful to living tissue. It causes asthma. Silane is highly flammable and causes respiratory system damage. Nylon is made from petrochemicals, with all that implies.

BFRs

My small hearth-rug is so fire resistant I can put a flaming log on it and not a mite of damage occurs. Ahgga! Gone, without mercy. No wonder the Chihuahua has allergies. Brominated fire retardants (PBDE, HBCD, TBBPA) are unregulated and considered more toxic than PCBs. Less was known about PCB’s when banned than is now known about fire retardants found in the dust of every home and business tested. BFR neurotoxins are used in infant/toddler sleepwear, bedding, mattresses, fire retardant fabric, TVs, computers, textiles, electronics and foam furniture.

PBDE and other BFRs are added to plastics, in particular hard polystyrene, polyurethane foam, epoxy resins and usually constitute up to 30% of the final product. The BFRs are mixed with polymers as plastics are being made. Problem: they don’t bind chemically and off-gas continuously from the final product.

BFRs are bioaccumulative, meaning they continue to buildup in the body over a life time. In minute doses BFRs impair attention, learning, memory and behavior in lab animals. In humans - thyroid, liver, fetal brain development and respiratory systems are under direct attack; no wonder childhood asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is at epidemic levels with one in 13 children wheezing through life. For the bromine atom – it’s all in a day’s work.

Therefore: get rid of products containing BFRs and keep floors dust-free where infants and toddlers crawl and play. Contrary to some misinformation, BFR in the form of Deca is widely used commercially in the U.S. http://www.ewg.org/reports/inthedust Alternative products are available. Phone manufacturers and ask questions before a new purchase. When they say the information is proprietary tell them you are chemically sensitive and need to know the kind of fire proofing and stain resistance used.

Wall to wall carpet is one of the more toxic products on the market. A recent true story points this out. A small terrier in Georgia was suffering from extreme, unmanageable allergies. He had been furless for over a year. Several months after carpets were removed throughout the house, the fur began to return and now the terrie is fully recovered. If you know of stories of this nature please share them with us.

Researchers with detection devices claim the source of most BFR in homes is TV sets. They suggest keeping screens and areas around and under TV very clean, in a manner that doesn’t spread dust. Be sure TV is off when cleaning the entire set with a damp cloth. You will be amazed at the blackness on the cloth. The concluding remarks of an article on “Toxic Dust Devils” in 1/09 BARK magazine states “Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.”

Speaking of vacuums I must recommend the amazing vacuum just purchased for $69.00 via amazon.com: Hoover Widepath Tempo Allergen Filtration. It may be the best deal I’ve ever gotten. The suction is is remarkable on bare floors, rugs/carpets and the design is most functional. Be sure and check it out. No charge for delivery. While at Amazon.com you might also check out: “How To Grow Fresh Air” about houseplants that purify the environment.

Scan the internet links for some of the terms and phrases in this article and be amazed at how EPA and similar government agencies have failed us. Europe has already banned Deca and other persistant flame retardants. Our desire for “change” could have been supported by appointing Robert Kennedy Jr. director of the EPA. Meanwhile, cleanliness is next to…… life- support.

Be sure to watch the video below.

Websites for alternative products:

*http://www.healthylegacy.org/resources.cfm?refid=100431*

*http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up*

*http://www.thenaturalbedstore.com/*

*http://crystalbabyorganics.com/index.pmg/rd-1?sid=baca00d92edf3d82e81d140cbf43280f*

*http://www.ecobedroom.com/*

*http://www.green-furniture.com/*

*http://www.greenhome.com/products/kitchen/*

*

by Jane Odin

(Preventative Medicine in Townsend Letter)

We have learned to actively participate in maintaining good health by using alternative methods of diagnosis and treatment. We don’t gobble down pharmaceuticals or blindly follow the directives of Dr.So& So. Who can afford it? And who has the courage to embrace a system of medicine responsible for preventable death from medical error being the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. amounting to 238,337 preventable deaths ’04 through ‘06 ? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408085458.htm

Preventative medicine is the way to go - with endless resources and disciplines to inform every decision. The fantastic journal: “Townsend Letter (TL) - The Examiner of Alternative Medicine” contains details of research on natural/herbal therapies for both preventative measures and specific diseases. Their website features a free archive and is worth the visit. Meanwhile look at the items below and you may find something you’ve been looking for.

TL, P. 47, 4/08 issue, the reader learns details regarding Vitamin D’s success at reducing cancers of the colon and rectum. According to the National Cancer Institute high blood levels of vitamin D produced a 72% reduction in risk of dying from colorectal cancer. 2004 statistics found 53,580 men and women died of colorectal cancer. If 72% were prevented, over 37,000 lives would be saved. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/

The national media hasn’t covered the need for greater exposure to sunlight and vitamin D for people with a family history of colorectal cancer. According to TL: “the reaction of the media to the study revealed in a stark way their deeply ingrained prejudice against nutritional solutions to cancer.” But big pharm funded tv media did push the AMA decision for all of us to maintain healthy hearts by taking statin drugs, including children 8 years and older. http://xtendlife.squarespace.com/warren_matthews_blog/2008/7/14/statin-drugs-for-childrena-disgrace.html Read about side effects of statins and wonder how the AMA can ethically recommend statins to everyone. Soon high cholesterol will not be a requirement for statin prescriptions. The 3/08 issue of TL has two good articles on statins: “Statin Dangers” and “Statins and Cancer.” An overview of the risks and benefits of statin drugs is available at www.medicine.ucsd.edu/SES/index

On P.91 of the same issue, “Autism and Vitamin D” concludes sun avoidance is being taken too far and adequate vitamin D levels must be restored “in the hope that vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and nootropic properties will modify autism’s clinical course.” Keep in mind that low Vitamin D3 can feed the development of both osteoporosis and an overworked parathyroid.

“Healing with Electromedicine and Sound Therapies” on P.102 of the same issue discusses the following energetics devices used in various techniques: Rife, PERL, Pulsed Technologies, TENS, Tennant Biomodulator, ONDAMED, LazrPulsr 4X. I loved the authors summary in which the electromagnetic biologic function of all living things is defined by frequency both incoming and outgoing. Understanding our electrochemical natures gives evidence of why cell towers and all forms of microwave transmissions can be cell changing experiences.

Here is a list of some super helpful information found in TL issues. Each listing is brief & incomplete but with enough info for the reader to follow up on the internet and experience the benifits of both alternative and complimentary medicine.
• When considering the risk-benefit ratio of the new HPV vaccine recommended for teenage girls, folic acid supplementation might offer a low cost, low risk alternative.
• Omega 3 fatty acids – fish oil – improves anxiety in drug abusers.
• Over-cooking brassica vegetables destroys the glucosinolate known to protect against certain cancers.
• The natural anti-aging adaptogens I found interesting: carnosine, SAMe or TMG,
CoQH-CF(www.allergyresearchgroup.com) ECE(brown algae), Omega 6, dandelion, ganoderma, schisandra, rhodiola, resveratrol and L Carnitine. The actions of these adaptogens can be found on P.91, July 08. Details on reseveratrol describe it as “potent and versatile” with the “ability to upregulate or downregulate cell death.”
• P 117, 7/08 has advice for dog parents. Three 40 mg tablets of Ginkgo extract has
a significant effect on 79% of elderly dogs suffering from age related behavioral
disturbances such as disorientation, listlessness, anxiousness, aggressive behavior
and low vitality.
• Ecklonia Cava Extract (ECE) is a brown sea algae considered more potent as a
Super antioxidant than EGCG from green tea.3/08, P80
• 1200 mg of turmeric a day for a month clears up psoriasis, followed by 400mg for another month and the psoriasis didn’t return. 10/08, p41
• “The Health Detective’s 456 Most Powerful Healing Secrets” reviewed in 3/08 TL, P111 is a dynamite book of alternative medicines.