Midodrine, marketed under the brand name ProAmatine, is prescribed for patients with low blood pressure who become dizzy or faint when they stand up. It was approved in 1996, based on initial treatment results, with the caveat from the FDA that a follow-up study would be conducted to actually prove that there were long-term benefits. That study, it seems, was never done.

Now, I realize that the FDA can't be everywhere. But this oops didn't require physically visiting a manufacturer. It simply involved finding and using a viable method for follow-up. We used to call them 'tickler files' and, rather than rely on memory, would put a note or other reminder into the appropriate month/year folder.

On a monthly basis, the notes in the applicable folder would be reviewed for necessary action. It's manual - stone-knives-and-bear-skins, as we used to say - but at least things were looked at. Unlike the midodrine situation, which was able to fly under the radar for 14 years.

If that weren't bad enough, after the FDA determined that 1.) the study was not conducted as required, 2.) the medication, therefore, had not been proven effective, and 3.) the drug should be pulled from the market, pending completion of the mandatory study - they caved. Note to drug makers: "Okay, you 1.) didn't do the work, 2.) told your Mom you passed, anyway, and 3.) we really need to flunk you. But, hey, we'll go ahead and let you perform surgery. Just try to finish your training before you kill someone."

Just when I thought the FDA might be getting a clue.

Oh, and doggie breath?! That's really gotta go, too!

When I was a kid, my mom gave bones to our dog. He had pretty good teeth, but it still wasn't a very good idea. Bones, especially chicken bones, can break into sharp pieces. Those pieces can scratch the animal's mouth, throat, and esophagus; not to mention the very real risk of puncturing various parts of the digestive tract as they move through. Serious and dangerous problems that can easily be avoided.

Nylabone offers a natural product - Nubz, Edible Dental Dog Chews - designed to help clean teeth, reduce tartar, get rid of that icky doggie breath, and stimulate gum health. Nubz are made in the US with real chicken and without added sugar, salt and preservatives. Highly digestible, these treats are also gluten-free.

Like their owners, many dogs are sensitive to certain ingredients. And, to my mind, cereals (where gluten comes from) are just more filler that pets don't need. Sure it may keep the cost down, but how much grain does a carnivore really need in their diet? And, as a snack, it just seems like a bad idea.

What also impressed me was the size. Normally, we buy pet treats based on the size of our animals; the neighbor's Shih Tzu can't handle the same item you'd offer your Great Dane. With Nubz, a large bone can be broken down into smaller pieces - to suit everyone.

So, where do doggie parents find Nubz? That's easy - Costco, with a $3.50 coupon available to members in the monthly coupon book. But hurry - this offer is only valid from August 19th through September 12th, while supplies last.

Just imagine my surprise at reading Mental 'exercise' linked to faster dementia progression. Meaning that if you keep mentally active, dementia progresses more quickly? Well, not exactly.

The observational study which, by its very nature, cannot prove cause and effect, indicated that fewer subjects who were mentally active developed dementia and, those who did, did so later than those with less exercised brains. Now, that is what I would have expected to read. Not exactly what the headline states, is it?

However, as always, there is more to the story. Researchers were surprised to find that once the mental-exercisers started experiencing dementia and Alzheimer's symptoms, they did so at an 'advanced rate'. In other words, studies are beginning to question if the mind has a cognitive reserve.

Under this theory, the increased mental activity doesn't so much delay onset of symptoms as keep older adults from being impacted by them. When the dementia becomes apparent, it's at an advanced state or with a more rapid mental decline. I guess, that's what the headline was trying to say.

Nonetheless, the wording could have been just a tad more accurate. And, maybe, a little less sensational. Or maybe it's just me.

I have not got a clue! Is there a 'Skin Care for Dummies' out there?

To start, I need to get rid of the {unmentionable number of} years of neglect - meaning lots of dermabrasion. Also known as carefully sandpapering away the dead skin of a thousand lifetimes. Orbital sander notwithstanding, this is a fine line. As once you see bone you've, pretty much, gone too far.

Assuming I make it through Stage 1 without needing a transfusion and cheekbone reconstruction, I then have to find a way to nourish this (hopefully) new-found younger-looking skin. When my hands and feet turn into leather, I slather them with petroleum jelly, throw on clean white cotton socks and let the moisturizing begin.

Somehow I just don't think that's going to be a good recipe for my face. Not to mention - without a field of cotton, a gin, cards, spinning wheel, and a really big crochet hook - I am probably not gonna find a sock that big.

Frankly, after reading and researching all of the wondrous beauty products on the market, I'm leaning toward making my own skin care products. All-natural ingredients, designed to support what the skin does on its own. I've even found an intriguing book - written by a nutritionist/skin expert - that has a lot of information about how skin works and what it takes to keep it happy. Especially, after 40.

Years ago, when I still had reasonably healthy skin, I owned a book by Diane von Furstenberg that was filled with recipes for gentle, effective skin care. The ingredients were fairly inexpensive, easy to use, and did (as I recall) keep my skin looking healthy. Of course, at 20-something, that's probably not too difficult.

We'll see if the same process works 30 years later.

Cancer is a strange cell.
You can go along for years in remission
and then one day it pops its head up again.
Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure.

Prayer is a marvelous thing - trust me. When Mark was dying, people around the country started prayer circles on his behalf. Amazing things happened.

Those amazing things included the liver transplant that saved his life. They included support from places and people we didn't know - which kept our spirits and our hopes out of the basement. It could be considered miracles happening. I, personally, don't know.

I do know that the people around us made some major efforts to reach out and help. Emails, phone calls, an incredible collection of inspirational CDs from the sister of a friend. We were surrounded by love and support.

Recently, I was introduced (via the Internet) to Rachel Hunnicutt-Knight, a young lady - younger than my own children - who is battling cancer for the third time in her short life. Diagnosed with ALL at 14, she has done everything (as has her family) to have a reasonably normal life - school, work, marriage, family - while undergoing treatment.

After years of remission, the Big C came back recently. Not only came back, but settled in her bone marrow. The best, and only hope, is a transplant. Luckily Rachel has insurance through her job.

Unluckily, the co-pay for that transplant is $80,000! Seriously! 80K! as a co-pay! But that isn't carved in stone - it could be much higher.

If that weren't insulting enough, the co-pay (that could be any amount - starting at $80,000) - must be raised before the insurance company will consider paying for the bone marrow transplant. This $80K involves Rachel and/or her family paying all of the expenses for the donor - of which they have found (last I heard) 2 perfect matches.

Okay, that isn't the final insult, much as I wish it were.

Rachel is currently going through chemo - again - apparently another requirement before the transplant will be considered. No offense - okay, yes I'm offended - but at what point is the insurance company going to stop punishing this amazing young lady by insisting on chemotherapy, when they could be putting their money where it belongs?! - A possible cure!?

So, yes, pray for this family. Put all of your mental energy behind ensuring that the right things happen. But every day, there is a need for support and friendship and, for everyone who can to share. Visit Got-Marrow.org. I'm not asking that you give financially - but it would be tremendous if you could. Give of your heart. Encourage and support Rachel - who has been through this so many times, and still hasn't given up.

According to the US Population Clock, there are 310,069,018 (and counting) people in the United States. If everyone gave $0.01 - that's right a penny for everyone in the United States - we could raise enough to cover the co-pay. And maybe just enough to keep Rachel and her family financially safe.

Unlike the recently publicized scam artist who claimed to have cancer and personally went running around the Internet to get money from people - Rachel didn't start this campaign or ask for this help. A friend of the family - Rob Jones, my hero - saw the need and created a way for all of us to help.

So, what are you waiting for!?

First of all - hats off to MemoryStock.com! Free Shipping! that got here from Stockton, CA in about 48 hours. (Actually less, but I'm too lazy to calculate the exact time involved.) And the right part - the first time! Once I adjust my laptop's attitude, I am definitely going to order from them again.

Now for the bad news. I have an off-lease IBM ThinkPad R40e 2484-NU2 that we bought (okay, Frankie bought it) from a third-party on eBay. It's not the speediest of laptops and, in fact, came with only 384MB of RAM - of which, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) recognizes about 366MB. (I'd swear the description didn't mention this dearth of RAM, but then I'm old and forget things.)

For an oldie, moldie laptop - at least the RAM is upgradable to 1GB. Unfortunately, the BIOS doesn't know that. So, we (meaning me) need to update the BIOS. Easy, peasy - right!? {buzzer} Nope!

In order to update the BIOS, I need a solid A/C connection and a fully charged battery. Go on the A/C; no-go on the battery. It quit charging about 6 (or more) months ago. Since the A/C works and I never (okay, hardly ever) accidentally pull out the adapter plug - not an issue. Plus - have you priced laptop batteries lately!?!

Well, now it's an issue. In order to use the RAM we just bought, I have to purchase the replacement battery that I have been trying desperately not to need. If you follow JMark Afghans on Twitter, you may have noticed a Tweet that mentions "Visions of Laptop as Frisbee {film at 11}" recently.

All I can say? If this $30 memory upgrade gets any more expensive? I'm buyin' a hammer. A really big hammer. {film at 11:15}

I love to take my work home. A lot of people think that’s a bad thing, but I work in a lawn and garden center. So that means tending to my landscaping and taking home plants to fill it out.

Although I manage some construction materials that fall into the lawn and garden area, like fencing and stakes, I mainly work with caring for the plants. Our center specializes in some more exotic plant species that require a little more work than automated sprinklers that a lot of big chain lawn and garden carriers use to care for their plants.

That means I get to teach a lot of our customers about caring for these plants. When I was explaining to a young couple about some house plants that they were buying – they had never cared for plants before – I was having to ask them to repeat what they were saying several times because I couldn't understand them because of my hearing loss. It was a little embarrassing, so when I got off work that day I researched hearing aid packages and settled on one.

I now feel more comfortable working with my customers so I can focus on helping them learn to care for their plants instead of straining to hear them.

Because, unless you've got a great source for your major, what are the odds that you will ever look at that book again? And don't even get me started on the cost! I swear I paid less for food than books - and that was back in the 70s.

Apparently, the books can be rented - at 50% off the price of new books - online or at college bookstores operated by Barnes and Noble. Once the semester is over, they can be returned to the store or by mail, up to 10 days after finals. Now that is a deal!

CV Physiology.com Image

A clinical study of Enzyte, at Loyola University, showed that the supplement "causes electrical abnormalities in the heart" that could, in men with existing heart conditions, be fatal. The exact affect on the heart is prolongation of the Q-T interval, the time that it takes the heart to depolarize and repolarize. (For a clinical explanation, please click on the image.)

If I understand correctly, the heart beats and rests (in very simple terms) through each wave. During repolarization or resting, the heart fills with blood to be pulsed out to the body during the next depolarization or muscle contraction. When the pulse is too rapid, there is not enough 'rest' to sufficiently fill the heart with blood and the heart muscle becomes stressed from increased contraction (beating).

However, as Enzyte is reputed to do, extending the Q-T interval - again, if I understand correctly - would mean the amount of time that it takes the heart to contract, rest, and contract is longer. The electrical impulses from the heart through the body become fewer. Oxygenated blood is delivered less frequently and the heart muscle stays more relaxed.

Now, in my little non-medical mind, the risk is that the heart muscle becomes 'flabby' like any muscle that isn't used regularly. Over time, it doesn't want to contract as often as it did - decreasing blood flow and, potentially, developing an unhealthy rhythm as the muscle takes longer to respond to the chemical changes that tell it to "get to work!" Or I could have missed the boat completely.

Either way, anything that alters the electrical function of the heart - up or down - unless prescribed by a physician to correct an existing problem is something that needs a big rethink before blithely sticking it in the body.

It wasn't until I read that PETA had asked Miss Australia to not wear her boots (or sheep shrug) in the native costume portion of the pageant that I actually knew anything about Ugg boots. Or about mulesing. What a hideous practice!

According to the article, Ugg uses sheepskin harvested by Australian sheep ranchers through a process called mulesing. In brief, mulesing involves surgically removing strips of skin from the animals' buttocks. It is designed to prevent a condition called Fly Strike or Myasis.

Myasis is a condition where flies lay eggs in a living animal's body. The flies are attracted to open sores, excretions, and infected skin. In as little as 8 to 12 hours, maggots develop and feed on the animal. It is critical to keep skin clean, dry, and healthy, in order to avoid this problem. Fly strike is major problem in, but not limited to, sheep. The article above is directed at pet owners.

Apparently, due to their wrinkly skin, Merino sheep are most at risk for Myasis and the primary victims of this practice. PETA is urging everyone to not buy Merino wool, in order to discourage mulesing and encourage Australian sheep ranchers to raise a different breed. I think that's a tad overkill, personally.

I can see boycotting Ugg boots - and any apparel manufacturer who uses mulesed sheepskin. However, sheered wool, from Australia or anywhere, is not the issue for me. And blithely punishing Merino wool producers is a bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Want to take action? How about visiting the mulesing link (above) and sending a message to the Australian government? I did.

According to the article, 85% of clinical studies paid for by pharmaceutical companies have positive outcomes. By comparison, about 50% of drugs involved in government-funded studies and 61% of those in independently-funded studies have the same level of success. And that 85% is generating the information that shows up in journals and patient handbooks and physician guidelines.

That means manufacturers can easily market - to consumers and physicians - medications that don't work, don't work as well as claimed, or are downright dangerous -- all based on the results of these clinical studies. What are you going to trust, when the only information comes from someone who desperately needs everyone to buy the hype? Researching outside the pharmaceutical industry does little good, if the data originates with the drug manufacturers.

I was just reading, for example, about a warning letter issued on July 6th, to Jazz Pharmaceuticals, regarding fluvoxamine maleate, marketed as Luvox. According to the letter, the manufacturer of this treatment for OCD "omits and minimizes important risk information associated with Luvox CR and overstates the efficacy of Luvox CR" - in their patient brochure. So, not only doesn't it work as well as claimed {Shocking!}, Luvox's safety is also in question.

Think Jazz is alone? I seriously doubt it.

I learned - very quickly - that there are a lot of options when it comes to binoculars. A whole big bunch of options! Depending on what you want to pay, what you want to use them for, and whether you need a camera, wide-angle viewing, or are visiting the opera.

Since what we have has a camera and my mind was spinning with available choices, I decided to start there. And was lucky enough to find something well within my price range. Unfortunately, I started thinking about all those other options and that, although Mark had picked the camera binoculars then, he might prefer something else now.

It just never pays to think and shop. Now, I'm back to square one and have absolutely no idea what to get. {sigh}

From what I read, contaminated doesn't necessarily mean debris, dirt, or such. The term, in this case, seems to indicate supplements with ingredients that pose potentially serious health risks. Consumer Reports lists 12 specific 'natural' items whose "potential dangers include liver and kidney damage, heart rhythm disorders and unhealthy blood pressure levels."

Those ingredients, with a brief description, are:

1. Aconite: Aconitum is a genus of flowering plant whose species include monkshood and wolfsbane. Highly toxic, it is used - after extensive detoxification or in extremely small doses - in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Untreated, even small amounts may be fatal.
2. Bitter Orange: Commonly used in marmalades, an extract from this fruit and its peel has amphetamine metabolites similar to those in the banned ephedra. These metabolites can cause rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Reports have shown increased incidence of strokes and angina, lack of effectiveness in weight loss, and risks similar to those found in ephedra.
3. Chaparral: Larrea tridentata is a flowering plant also called creosote bush. Used by Native Americans to treat a variety of conditions, it may be safe in small amounts. However, FDA and Health Canada have confirmed reports of liver damage related to this supplement.
4. Colloidal Silver: A suspension of microscopic silver particles reputed to treat any number of diseases and conditions. Long-term use can lead to a condition called Argyria, where the silver salts deposit in the skin, eyes, and internal organs, turning the skin bluish-grey. In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration determined that there was no evidence to support therapeutic claims and the risks of silver toxicity and bacterial resistance to silver outweighed any value in trying an unproven therapy.
5. Coltsfoot: Tussilago farfara is a low, perennial herb originally used in the treatment of coughs and bronchial congestion. However, a study in Japan determined that the flowers, leaves, and roots of the plant contain a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, easily extracted in hot water, that is highly toxic to the liver. Even small doses are unhealthy and may have a cumulative effect.
6. Comfrey: Symphytum officinale, a perennial shrub native to Europe and parts of Asia, is used to treat wounds and inflammation associated with sprains and broken bones. However it, like Coltsfoot, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which have been proven damaging to the liver and possibly fatal. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany have banned oral products containing Comfrey.
7. Country Mallow: Sida cordifolia is a perennial subshrub native to India used, primarily, to treat respiratory ailments. Containing Ephedrine, the amphetamine-like alkaloid also found in ephedra, it may cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. Country Mallow is banned in the United States.
8. Germanium: Germanium is a naturally occurring element found in shittake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, pan fish, and tomato juice. Touted as a treatment for cancer, HIV and AIDS, and arthritis, supplements have proven toxic to the kidneys, liver, bone marrow, and nervous system. Even small doses, due to cumulative effects, have caused death.
9. Greater Celandine: Chelidonium majus, a member of the poppy family, is native to Europe and western Asia. Historically, it has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, gallstones, and toothache. Due to the presence of isoquinoline alkaloids, the plant is toxic even in moderate doses and has been implicated in liver damage.
10. Kava: Piper methysticum, a western Pacific crop with sedating properties, has been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Only the roots are used in traditional preparations. Some reports found that long-term use elevated liver enzymes and supplements, believed to contain stem peelings and leaves, have been shown to be toxic to the liver.
11. Lobelia: Lobelia inflata, a flowering plant also called Indian Tobacco, has historically been used by Native Americans to treat a variety of respiratory conditions. Believed to be similar to nicotine, it was often used as a nicotine substitute. Toxic in moderate to large doses, it can cause side effects from nausea to convulsions and coma.
12. Yohimbe: Pausinystalia yohimbe is an evergreen tree found in western Africa. Extracts from the bark were traditionally used to treat fever, coughs, leprosy, and as an aphrodisiac. However, the alkaloid yohimbine causes a dangerous rise in blood pressure and anxiety.

Although some of these products are banned, they are easily found online; imported from countries that allow their manufacture and use. As supplements are not regulated, it is impossible to know how much of any ingredient is in a preparation. Or, in the case of Kava, which part of the plant was used in manufacturing.

Herbalists and alternative medicine practitioners understand and believe in the effectiveness of herbs and extracts - when used properly. One web site I visited felt that Comfrey had been unfairly banned. She may be right; I'm no herbalist. And, while only the oral supplements are banned, there is concern that topical use could result in similar risks to the liver if improperly applied to broken skin.

Then, there are possible interactions - with OTC or prescription medications, or with one's diet. Obviously, combining Country Mallow or Bitter Orange with caffeine or caffeine-like products would increase the effects of both. For a serious coffee drinker (several cups per day), taking either of these supplements could elevate their heart rate and blood pressure to possibly dangerous levels.

For people who drink alcohol or smoke, the toxic affects of acetaminophen on the liver are already increased. Add an herb such as Greater Celandine or Coltsfoot or Yohimbe and the potential for liver damage is even greater. In someone who already has liver disease or impaired liver function, these combinations could have catastrophic outcomes.

It is possible, with the guidance of an expert in botanical or alternative medicine, to safely use herbs and extracts. The problem arises when products are thrown together, dumped on the Internet, and touted as treatments and cures - without clinical evidence or even accurate information as to what they contain. Risks outweigh benefits, so very many times.

The supplement information above is a brief overview of data found on a variety of Internet web sites. It is presented for informational purposes, only. As always, consult with a medical professional for complete information on any medication or supplement.

Paint in good condition, even today, does not require testing and removal as it isn't a health threat. But, if there is any question - before starting any remodeling or renovation projects - a good lead test kit would be a good first step. Testing the soil around an older home or apartment is never a bad idea either, according to the EPA.

Now that I think about it, these kits would probably work on painted toys and other risky items we've been reading about in the news. It isn't just the walls and window sills that could be toxic these days.

In a survey of 227 practicing magicians, only 7 of whom were women, the responses hardly seemed to belong in the 21st century. They spoke of hard-wired physical and mental differences, gender roles, and an innate female disinterest in power and technology. I found it shocking and more than a little disturbing.

A lack of female mentorship is not uncommon in fields labelled 'traditionally male' or 'technical' - engineering, medicine, science, law, architecture. But I would imagine that occurs more from a closed-off old-boy environment than a true lack of women's interest or ability in these areas. It's a little difficult to get into the club when no one will share the sekret handshake.

Then we have the rationale that women are right-brained and men are left-brained, therefore men are naturally more analytical and better at problem-solving. Gender differences are also 'responsible' for women being unable or unwilling to take on any endeavor requiring commanding or confrontational behavior. Women are, after all, 'designed' to nurture - not compete. Right?!

My response to that drivel? Have you ever upset your mom, wife, sister, or girlfriend? Trust me! We can command and confront!

Some of the more, shall we say, amusing answers? to paraphrase:

• Women have to perform more subtle magic; no one wants to see a woman saw a man in half or stab swords into a box.
• A female magician and her handsome male assistants wouldn't be as popular as a male magician and his pretty female assistants.
• It's too difficult to modify women's smaller clothing with pockets for hiding birds and other objects.
• A women's hands are too small to easily facilitate palming cards, etc.
• Being smaller, women are naturally better subjects for levitations and disappearing box illusions.
• Less solitary/more social, women are ill-suited to and disinterested in spending large amounts of 'alone-time' mastering magic.
• Women are 'sharers' and, therefore, likely to be guilt-ridden over maintaining the secrecy necessary in the world of magicians.
• Magical, mystical creatures ... "in and of themselves. The ability to create life from seemingly nothing is all a woman needs." (Okay, maybe that one isn't quite as amusing.)

The most upsetting justification given? The Salem-witch-trial, burned-at-the-stake (my phrasing) history of women and magic. Are we really expected to believe that women shy away from careers as magicians to avoid being associated with / accused of practicing witchcraft?

(As a sidebar, to debunk a myth or two: Although some witch hunts almost exclusively targeted women, men were accused and executed. In fact, in Russia, the majority of the victims were men. The term 'warlock' is a Hollywood construct; all accused of witchcraft, at the time, were called witches.)

These attitudes are a sad commentary on how gender discrimination survives and thrives in pockets of society. Judging by the comments that followed the article, inroads are being made. As always, strong intelligent women and men aren't buying the bull.

Pricey lung disease drugs have no benefit: study - describes how expensive treatments for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency¹ don't work. Treatment involves intravenous replacement of the missing protein, at a cost of approximately $150,000 per year. In two studies, lasting 2 and 3 years, no difference in lung disease or quality of life was found between the test group and the group which received placebos.

10,000-plus in U.S. die for lack of cancer screens: CDC - explains that even though more people are being screened for colon and breast cancers, thousands still die because they weren't screened and, one assumes, weren't treated. Additionally, those with health insurance are more likely to get the colonoscopy or mammogram. (Well, duh!?) I do find the last paragraph of the article quite telling:

"Currently, about 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the population, has no health insurance. A new healthcare law signed in March is projected to extend coverage to 32 million more Americans, mainly by requiring them to buy it."

Blood pressure goals for diabetics -- too tough? - was something that we needed to be aware of, with Mark's diabetes, and tendency to tachycardia and hypertension. I did a post about intensive treatment, back in March. Apparently, not much has changed. Intensive treatment to reduce blood pressure in diabetics seems to offer little benefit, but carries many risks from the medications and overly low blood sugar levels.

There were, however, some health benefits, according to another article.

Internet access is a privilege not a right for children, but with the new technology and free access to so much information it is also a good idea to have it right at hand. Since children are vulnerable to the whims of others it is also a good idea to make sure that you have control over what they are accessing via the satellite Internet West Virginia connection.

When we decided to install Wild Blue satellite Internet so that our daughter would be able to get the kind of information she needed for her school work we also installed some parental controls so that we would not have to worry so much about where she was going when browsing the net. With those controls we were also right there watching what she was doing by placing the computer in the family room where we could keep a close eye on her travels.

Prior to installing the Wild Blue wireless Internet to the computer we spent some time discussing what could happen while she was spending her time on the net. We cautioned her to be careful about what information she gave out about herself and where she lived. We also made sure that she knew she would give up her computer privileges if she disobeyed our instructions as to how she was allowed to use it. Over all it's been a good experience.

Just as I was developing sympathy for the person who would have to try this concoction, it was pointed out that someone would have to judge whether it worked. Ewwww! After smoking, eating raw garlic and extremely smelly cheese - the nasty breath was ready. An associate was chosen and the before-and-after sniffing began.

Braver than I, that's for sure. Although, you've got to wonder who this poor guy upset, because in another segment he was volunteered to judge the effectiveness of a stinky-feet remedy, also based on vodka. Frankly, the beer-goggles experiment looked like much more fun. And a lot less disgusting.

Oh - the vodka-based remedies did work. No better or worse than mouthwash and foot baths. But, according to one man's nose, they did do the job.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
~ First People - The Legends: Two Wolves

You can buy a person's time; you can buy their physical presence at a given place; you can even buy a measured number of their skilled muscular motions per hour.

But you cannot buy enthusiasm... you cannot buy loyalty. You cannot buy the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls.

You must earn these.
~ Clarence Francis

Back in the 1960s a NASA team doing work for the Apollo moon mission took the astronauts near Tuba City where the terrain of the Navajo Reservation looks very much like the Lunar surface.

Along with all the trucks and large vehicles, there were two large figures dressed in full Lunar spacesuits.

Nearby a Navajo sheep herder and his son were watching the strange creatures walk about, occasionally being tended by personnel. The two Navajo people were noticed and approached by the NASA personnel.

Since the man did not understand or speak English, his son asked for him what the strange creatures were and the NASA people told them that they are just men that are getting ready to go to the moon. The man became very excited and asked if he could send a message to the moon with the astronauts.

The NASA personnel thought this was a great idea so they rustled up a tape recorder. After the man gave them his message, they asked his son to translate. His son would not.

Later, they tried a few more people on the reservation to translate and every person they asked would chuckle and then refuse to translate. Finally, with cash in hand, someone translated the message, "Watch out for these guys, they come to take your land."
~ First People - The Legends: The Navajo and The Astronaut

Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth?

If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.

In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am.

The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.
~ C.S. Lewis, (Mere Christianity)

There's a great power in words, if you don't hitch too many of them together.
~ Josh Billings

Obviously, we can't afford our own personal on-call burly he-men home security team. But, with visions of gun-wielding thugs in ski-masks running through my head and my home, I had to find options. Home monitoring systems, like ADT, were my first thought.

Even though someone is always home, I knew we'd sleep better (okay, Frankie sleeps like the dead anyway) if we had someone/something 'guarding' our doors and windows. Then, the light bulb went on -- someone is always home -- and our broken window became a much bigger issue. Security packages under a dollar a day moved ADT way up the options list. (Oh, honnneeeey! I have an i-deee-aaaa!)

My "idea" notwithstanding, getting a few police security tips - in case we've been helping the bad guys - was my next step. Keeping doors and windows locked? Check! Of course, when the neighbor knocks on your door to tell you that your keys are in the lock (true story) turning that bolt on the inside isn't exactly the great we've-shut-'em-out-now moment it should be.

Less obvious? Etching a unique number, which can be registered with the local police department, on all high-end possessions. (My first husband engraved our valuables back when we rarely locked our doors. Smart man!) I was reminded the other day, something our maintenance man said, that we need to be a little more proactive protecting what we own.

Which leads to a must-do tip: keep an inventory list with pictures. The key is having one copy outside the home - with your insurance company, in a safety-deposit box - and one, preferably, in a fireproof box/safe at home. If it's only on the computer and the computer is stolen or crashes - there goes your list and your proof.

Document everything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. (Okay, not food in the fridge; but definitely the fridge.) If there is a problem, your insurance company can/will only cover what you can prove you lost/owned. Most policies have a lump-sum clothing reimbursement, so if you have expensive (leather, fur) items, get them on the list; as well as jewelry.

Computers, stereos, DVD players, beds, sofas, appliances - big things you stub your toes on - are obvious. But coffee makers, crock pots, pots and pans, air filters, vacuums, hair dryers, DVDs and CDs, lamps - to mention a few things - can add up to significant replacement cost if not included. (Wow, do I need to update my list!)

Living in an apartment, many of the security tips I found were beyond our control or simply not applicable. But this list from the Fort Worth, PD gave me a lot to think about. The dead bolt and strike plates on our front door, strength of the door frame, secondary locks on the windows, and - what started all of this - the quality of the windows themselves.

First, people with chronic pain - constant and debilitating, not the occasional sprain or backache - develop a tolerance for pain medications, especially opioids, over time. (That's one of the 'issues' with drugs like oxycodone and morphine.) Patients end up taking doses that could/would kill someone who has never used the medication before. Therefore, high amounts of fentanyl, for example, wouldn't necessarily be indicative of death-by-overdose in someone who has been on the medication for an extended period of time.

Second, some drugs (the aforementioned fentanyl, for one, and digoxin, a heart medication) are stored in the body's tissues - until death. At that time, they release into bodily fluids. This can make what may be a 'normal' dosage or acceptable levels appear lethal in post-mortem toxicology screens - or the reverse, depending upon from what part of the body the samples were taken.

Forensics is a relatively young science. It does not have the standards, protocols, and established methodologies found in other medical specialties, such as surgery or anesthesiology. In addition, "According to a 2009 report by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences: 'Rigorous and mandatory certification programs for forensic scientists are currently lacking'."

This doesn't mean that every forensic result, or scientist, should be dismissed as fraudulent, any more than they should be blindly worshipped as gospel truth. Life is not a CSI episode, where cases are resolved quickly and correctly. Real-life forensic science has a long, long way to go to reach the level of accuracy and respectability that fiction can serve up every week.

Personally, I think it's a journey worth taking.

First, I have to say that using the internet to take classes is perhaps not the most efficient way to learn. I used hughesnet to take my classes, which I have found to be far more reliable than other forms of internet because even the smallest outages can have a huge effect on the learning experience.

Otherwise, it was simply difficult to learn online. Lectures may seem long and boring, but in my opinion, people learn a lot more than they think during these lectures. Some of my classes tried to replace the lecture with online video, which did help, but in the end it is simply not the same thing. Other online classes simply gave up the lecture altogether, and learning was entirely based on the textbook. I don't think I will retain a single thing that I learned in those classes. Anyway, I would not recommend that people take online classes unless you have a really good satellite internet provider.

This is a guest post from Ashley Reingfield. Thanks girl!

The articles I read also noted that manufacturing of supplements, including vitamin and mineral products, has increasingly moved overseas - primarily to China. Even were it required, the FDA does not have the resources to inspect these facilities. Thanks to the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), products are considered safe -- until proven harmful; undoing the previous process whereby manufacturers were required to prove that their products did no harm before hitting the marketplace.

As Bottom Line Secrets pointed out earlier this year, this was a move in the wrong direction. Is it any wonder that the market has exploded, since 1994, with a supplement for every situation, condition, or imagined ill?

My readers know that I take issue with the outrageous claims and plain old bad-faith offerings from so many supplement-pushing websites. As an unregulated commodity, supplements are often no better than a billion dollar snake-oil industry. And, unless they claim to treat or cure a condition or illness, they can pretty much say anything to encourage consumers to hand over their hard-earned cash.

Now, I understand that not all manufacturers are out to pull one over on the public. There are companies, I'm sure, operating with the best of intentions. It's just that I have to question their ability to truly and honestly 'advise' consumers on the benefits - and, more importantly, the safe use - of products that rarely provide full disclosure.

It will be interesting to see what comes from today's Senate committee hearing.

Frankly, that makes me a little nervous. The average supplement is an unregulated crap-shoot, filled with ingredients that may be beneficial, possibly aren't, and could be (at the extreme end) dangerous. But prenatal vitamins effect two lives - for better or worse.

A pregnant woman has very specific needs, to ensure proper development of her baby and supporting her own system. Knowing what amounts of which vitamins and minerals are medically recommended makes getting the right supplement much easier. I don't know if there is much variance from product to product, but I certainly would prefer a checklist for comparison, if I were doing the shopping.

Guidelines exist and are fairly easy to find. Personally, I'd trust my doctor over the average this-is-what-you-should-buy website. At the very least, advice from a medical source (Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, and Mayo Clinic come to mind) - with no financial interest in a particular brand - is a good starting point.

Since it is a required part of the admission process to ABA-approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many others around the world, LSAT prep is critical. At a half day, this is not a quick quiz. And, from the sound of it, not an easy one, either.

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the test is five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Four of the sections are scored. A 35-minute writing sample, at the end, finishes the marathon event.

The make-up of these sections come from a pool of dozens of exams and thousands of questions, measuring reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. I cannot imagine sitting for the LSAT without a great deal of preparation. Especially when one considers the costs involved.

Not stressful enough? The LSAT cannot be taken more than three times in two years, and is only offered four times a year at designated testing sites. Hence, the urgent need to get it done, and done well, the first time.

Yes, law schools review all of an applicant's credentials when making a decision. But this standardized test, designed to measure critical reasoning skills, is considered a fairly accurate predictor of law school success. Naturally, it adds weight to an application, either for or against.

Preparation materials, courses, and advice are easy to find. They vary greatly in cost and value. One offers 100 classroom hours and access to about 6,000 questions for about $1,200. Another, at the same cost, offers 55 online hours and six full-length practice tests. A third, at far less, includes about 6,000 questions, 59 full-length prep tests, and a money-back guarantee.

It occurs to me that law school might be a lot easier than getting in. (Just kidding!)

What upsets me is the blithe disregard that some site owners have for readers' health and safety. They push pills and detox diets and cleansing rituals that - after reading just a few paragraphs - sound dangerous. Working my way through several posts - this is a blog, not a website per se - I couldn't find any recommendations that didn't scare the daylights out of me.

For those seeking diet and weight loss advice, please talk to your doctor. Or at least visit a site supported by an accredited medical institution, with physician-generated guidelines.

ADHD and pesticides, to start with, is not a new research topic. Studies have been done before, frequently focusing on the children of migrant farm workers who have a higher pesticide exposure risk. Correlations have been made between pre- and post-natal exposure to organophosphates, lower scores on the Bayley MDI¹, and higher incidence of PDD² diagnoses.

However, as other articles point out, this is the first study to look at "the effects of exposure in the population at large." It is, to date, the largest study of its kind - measuring the levels of pesticide byproducts in the urine of 1,139 children, aged 8 to 15. But, this is where I start having a small problem.

The samples were collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted annually by the CDC on about 5,000 people in 15 counties across the United States. Only one sample was collected from these specific participants. One sample, upon which all subsequent conclusions were based, with no follow-up.

Briefly, the study found that children with higher levels of pesticide byproducts in their urine were more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit problems. It does not say that pesticide exposure causes ADDs. It also cannot, due to the lack of subsequent sampling, verify that the urine levels may fluctuate, may have been a one-time elevation, or that non-ADD-diagnosed children also experienced periodic higher levels.

Nonetheless, the connection does make sense to me. Organophosphates work by attacking the nervous system of pests. It is believed that they interfere with the function of acetylcholinesterase³, which controls acetylcholine⁴ levels and prevents excessive firing of neurons.

It can, therefore, be extrapolated that inhibited acetylcholinesterase / excess acetylecholine can be expected to negatively impact motor skills, learning, memory, and mood. Obviously, further extended studies are needed.

¹ - The Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) is one-third of The Bayley Scales of Infant Development and "evaluates several types of abilities: sensory/perceptual acuities, discriminations, and response; acquisition of object constancy; memory learning and problem solving; vocalization and beginning of verbal communication; basis of abstract thinking; habituation; mental mapping; complex language; and mathematical concept formation." The other two scales measure motor skills and behavior. Together they are used to identify children who may be at risk for developmental delay.

² - NINDS (the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) defines Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) as "a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills." They include Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Rett's Syndrome.

³ - Acetylcholinesterase, according to MedicineNet.com, is "an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the synaptic cleft (the space between two nerve cells) so the next nerve impulse can be transmitted across the synaptic gap. Pesticides of the organophosphate and carbamate types act ... by inhibiting ... acetylcholinesterase."

⁴ - Chemistry Encyclopedia explains that Acetylecholine is a neurotransmitter involved in "skeletal muscle movement ... the regulation of smooth muscle and cardiac muscle ... learning, memory, and mood." For nerve signals to transfer from neuron to neuron or muscle cell, acetylecholine must diffuse; higher levels in neuromuscular junctions inhibits signal movement.

Don't purchase, unless you:

Oh, wait - there's only one consistent recommendation: rely on reviews! My problem with that is the questionable quality and tendency to simply reuse a manufacturer's hype. The only information the consumer receives is what the maker wants them to know - in order to encourage sales.

In all fairness, there are sites that write their own content. Some even seem to look at the products before they comment. A definite improvement over cookie-cutter, affiliate-driven, give-us-your-money websites.

However, as it is virtually impossible (or at least cost prohibitive) to access clinical trial results and professional articles, product information is still mostly 'borrowed' from company sites and other reviewers. At least the more honest provide valuable help, such as 'outing' auto-ship and you-open-it-you-bought-it product return scams.

We have, however, heard the stories. Usually they involve high-profile court cases, jail time, public humilitation, and a ban from contact with minors. Then, there are employees in New York schools.

One such teacher/molester, Francisco Olivares (Google it; the stories are all over), was employed in Queens. He married and impregnated (NOT in that order) a 16-year-old that he had (according to some reports) molested at age 13 while she was his student in math class. (Many weird math analogies come to mind, but I will spare my readers.)

Over the next 14 years, he is accused of molesting three other students. In two of the cases, he was charged and, due to a technicality, his conviction overturned. He's not alone; there are dozens of similar reports in New York schools.

What really riled me up was that - wait for it! - he's still on the payroll, kept away from students and earning in excess of $94,000 a year! As one report put it - Olivares, now 60, is being paid (handsomely, in my book) for NOT molesting students! And he's only one of over 600!

Attempts to get rid of him were, apparently, against state laws and - yup! - union rules. The department of education is settling for having him (and his 600+ 'friends') away from students. Hmmmm!?

I don't molest minors, which may immediately disqualify me. But - for $94,000 a year - I could be persuaded to continue my, abnormal by NY schools' standards, non-molesting behavior.

Now that I have your attention - sorry, it had to be done - if you have a Facebook account, you need to check your privacy settings. Go to: Account>> Privacy Settings>> Applications and Websites>> Instant Personalization Pilot Program. Now, read the information provided.

First problem: and I quote "These sites personalize your experience using your public Facebook information." If you haven't blocked access to your personal information, that is also included in your 'public Facebook information.' Right or wrong, I still don't like randomly connecting to a site that immediately updates their information to reflect my location. But that's me.

Second problem: The page claims that when you visit these (there are only 3, so far) partner sites, there are Facebook notifications at the top of the pages and ways to opt out. Well, not that I could find! I tried two of the three listed 'partners' and didn't get any notifications or opt-outs. (Having already changed my settings, that may have been the reason.)

Third problem: In faint, gray lettering, at the bottom of the page, Facebook 'quietly' mentions, and I quote, again:

Please keep in mind that if you opt out, your friends may still share public Facebook information about you to personalize their experience on these partner sites unless you block the application.

This explains why I received notice of this situation from a friend of mine. It doesn't matter what I do. If all of my friends don't block access, my information will still be available to these sites. And 3 today, could be 25 tomorrow, 75 the day after - if it pays for Facebook to offer access, what do you think they'll do?

This - in a nutshell - is what is wrong with Facebook. I can change all of my settings to protect what information I want to protect. Doesn't mean a hill of beans, as they say. Any one of my 'friends' can fail to protect my privacy by not choosing to protect their own.

Fourth and biggest problem: I did not get notice from Facebook that this was being done. And the default for this change, as usual, is share-everything-it's-okay, I-want-to-be-stalked-on-the-Internet.

This continued behavior by Facebook makes me wonder: Do I really need to be part of a social network that puts my private information at risk without notice or permission? In my case, what I share on FB is not much more or less than I share here and on my website. Not all of my Facebook friends are so public.

And, it bears repeating, not all of them are going to update their settings to protect themselves -- and their friends. It may be time to say "Enough, is enough, is too much."

The study, being given some exposure in the press, claims that parents, stressed out by their economic situation, are shaking the life out of their infants. "A team of researchers led by child-abuse expert Dr. Rachel Berger at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh reported a significant increase in cases of shaken-baby syndrome." according to Alice Park's article.

Is this an increase in SBS, or an increase in reporting? Are more parents losing their cool or are more CPS teams misdiagnosing the situation? The articles in the press seem to say parents are shaking their infants to death, out of stress.

The other school of thought is that CPS departments around the country, to whom questionable injuries are reported, are designating accidents as SBS, in order to justify their existence and continue their funding. Sites like kidjacked.com and fightcps.com claim that CPS departments are out of control. The truth probably falls somewhere in between - doesn't it always. Yet,

There is a story of a toddler who fell and hit her head on a table. Her mother took her to emergency and was reported to CPS. It took 2 years to have the case dismissed, according to the story, yet the parents were branded child-abusers and never got their kids back. Is this a true story, or one of those urban legend offerings, designed to fire up (my apologies) any idiot who'll jump on the band wagon?

It doesn't really matter what stories are true and what stories are fabricated. If nonsense is given front-page status, the wrong people will respond. And serious threats to our children will be buried in false truths.

They don't discuss that many creams, designed to fight wrinkles, contain ingredients that should not be used near the eyes. If you look at the caveat, don't-do-this, and we-recommend-against-this messages - which are not always easy to find - you'll see that the sites telling you to buy 'this' are not operating in anyone's best interest.

Virtually all of the sites that pop up in a search don't admit that. They simply want you to buy their affiliate's products. It takes investigation into ingredients to find out what's safe. And since the government doesn't require full disclosure, it is not an easy job.

Recently, I started looking into the safety and efficacy of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, formerly called Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, as an anti-wrinkle agent. Or, at least, I tried to. I'd have been happy to find any free, independent, science-based information about the topical use of any peptides in anti-aging creams and sera. But, as a non-professional, my access is very limited.

I did find information about an ongoing study of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 as a treatment of Blepharospasm, a condition caused by excessive contraction of the muscles that close the eye. The clinical trial explains that like botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the current treatment option, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 works to weaken the muscles. There is no information on safety.

One could presume that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) would not authorize an unsafe product for a clinical trial. Still, it would be nice to be able to access a broader range of information.

The laundry list of problems attributed to excessive sitting is long and scary: "hypertension, obesity, high blood triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar, regardless of weight." Early on, the article mentions lower back pain, numbness in the lower thigh, and depressed (my word) mood. None of these are good.

In a nutshell, the human body is not built to sit for extended periods of time. The natural S-curve of the spine morphs into a C-shape when sitting. This change also transfers weight-bearing from the hips, knees, and ankles to the spine and pelvis, adding stress to the disks in the back. Good or bad posture doesn't appear to make a difference.

Sadly, that's not the only issue. Walking - moving around, in general - uses the muscles that are built to support the body. These muscles are rich in enzymes that, when we're active, pull fat and cholesterol from the blood. They burn the fat and convert LDL to HDL.

After only a couple of hours, planted in a chair, "enzyme activity drops by 90% to 95%" and "healthy cholesterol plummets by 20%." Then, we get back to numbness and pain in the legs, back, and buttocks. All in all, sitting just isn't a healthy situation and there are those trying to redesign workers out of their seats.

Sure, I'd love to have a 'walking desk' - though typing might be a tad problematic, as would space and cost. As one commenter (a psychotherapist) pointed out - not everyone actually has alternatives.

I'm talking about a report, published yesterday, reversing the original opinion that halted a study into aggressive diabetes treatment and heart disease.

The study was expected to run for 6 years, but was halted in 2008 after only 3 years. It looked at what impact maintaining near-normal A1Cs through intensive treatment would have on heart disease in type 2 diabetics. Subjects in the aggressive treatment group were dying in higher numbers than in the control (normal treatment) group. The knee-jerk response was to stop the study: intensive A1C reduction is killing more people.

Now, after 2 years, researchers have evaluated the data and determined that it wasn't the aggressive therapy at all. Deaths have now been attributed to a lack of reduction in A1Cs; not the other way around. Subjects who successfully lowered their A1Cs were not at greater risk of dying.

Well, duh!? Then again, maybe it's only obvious in hindsight.

When I decided to write about the study, I went searching for the article and found a paper from 2005. In this earlier study at Ege University Medical School in Izmir, Turkey, researchers provided Vitamin E plus C or ursodeoxycholic acid¹ to two small, (28 and 29 subjects, respectively) randomized groups. The goal was to see if vitamin therapy was effective in normalizing liver enzymes.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition, characterized by a build-up of fat in the liver. In milder forms (steatosis), most patients have no symptoms. When the condition worsens (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), inflammation and scarring occur. Approximately 15% of NAFLD sufferers develop cirrhosis, inflammation and scarring so severe that the liver is unable to function.

As the name implies, NAFLD a form of liver disease that is not caused by abuse of alcohol. Currently there is no established, effective treatment for the disease. Hence the need to find therapies that will normalize liver enzymes and reduce fat accumulation in the liver.

The 2005 study found that, after 6 months of therapy, 63% of patients receiving vitamins and 55% of patients receiving ursodoxycholic acid had normal alanine aminotransferase² levels. Aspartate aminotransferase³ levels were significantly reduced in both groups. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase⁴ levels only decreased in the second group.

Published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, the latest study of 247 non-diabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis involved treatment with pioglitazone⁵ and Vitamin E-like placebo (80), Vitamin E and pioglitazone-like placebo (84), or the two placebos (83) for 96 weeks. (Pioglitazone was included, as there is evidence of insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD.)

At the end of the period, 34%, 43%, and 19% of participants (respectively) showed improvement; 48%, 51%, and 25% showed improvement or no worsening. ALT and AST levels dropped in the first two groups, as did fat levels and inflammation. However, the pioglitazone group gained more weight than the Vitamin E and placebo groups; 4.7 kg (10.36 lbs) at week 96 that did not reverse after therapy was stopped.

Both studies, not surprisingly, determined that Vitamin E therapy may benefit patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Which is great news.

Popping a magic pill runs the risk-gamut from a waste of time and money to downright dangerous. But, surgery is, well surgery; not a casual, "I have a couple of hours free, think I'll go have surgery" decision. It should always be offered, and considered, with sufficient details to allow an informed choice.

Three common options appeared in my searches: Gastric Banding, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy. With the exception of the last option, the names pretty much describe the procedures. With Banding, a band is placed around the stomach, creating a smaller pouch that holds less food; while a Bypass connects a small stomach pouch to a section of the small intestine, literally bypassing a portion.

Sleeve Gastrectomy, by name, is new to me. It involves stapling the stomach to create a smaller working area, approximately the size of a banana, then removing the rest of the stomach. That seems pretty frightening, from where I'm sitting. Actually removing most of the stomach!?

Admittedly, these are highly simplistic descriptions of some major surgical procedures. But, I was pleased to be able to find some straightforward information, without the hype associated with so many of the products I usually review. Still, these are operations that will temporarily and/or permanently alter the digestive system.

For anyone struggling with their weight, facing or dealing with obesity, options are important. And surgery is certainly an option. But the success rates are quite variable; the risks, quite real.

Learn all you can and talk to a trusted medical professional - at length. There should never be pressure or blind agreement on either side of the equation. Don't make a bad situation worse, by leaping before you look.

To start with, the intent is:

The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.

Great language, isn't it? Compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws. The intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement; the State of Arizona believes in working with the federal government to discourage and deter ... well, you get the idea.

The actual wording of the Senate Bill (as I understand it) seems fairly toothless in the areas that are causing the most protests. Let's start with (emphasis is mine):

Sec. 2., 11-1051, B. FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).

How is this different? No, really? It requires LAWFUL CONTACT which, to my mind, is about the same as if you can't pull them over for breaking the law, you can't just pull them over for ... the heck of it - just what exists now. Of course, I'm no civil rights attorney and this may be where Arizona is planning to seriously alter the rules of engagement.

Now, we add REASONABLE SUSPICION - the stumbling block for many, many laws. What is reasonable? Where is the line drawn?

The old joke involved yelling "Immigracion! Immigracion!" into a sweatshop or onion field and chasing down everyone who ran. Hardly practical or, probably, acceptable today.

There are many ways to assess whether someone is being less than truthful - failure to make eye contact, excessive blinking; certain nervous gestures are known to be common in people who are bending the truth. Now that the police can stop and question with impunity, would nervousness in any member of Arizona's Hispanic community be an indication of criminal behavior? Or simply a natural reaction to living under a badly-designed, poorly-focused microscope?

Then there is appearance. Personally, I don't know what illegal looks like. (Although, I must admit - after years of life in Colorado and Arizona - I do have an 'educated' opinion.) Anyone out there have a good description?! Something that can be applied - without error - to large portions of the population?! Didn't think so.

How, exactly, does the government plan to design rules for a REASONABLE ATTEMPT, WHEN PRACTICABLE, to determine immigration status? Could (read comment above) the language be a little more vague?! Doubt it!

Yet, Arizona law enforcement is now charged with developing a training program and implementing procedures that comply with this lovely wording, and don't completely trample the civil rights of legal citizens. Good luck with that! Bit of the "camel through the eye of a needle" probability, if you ask me.

Please understand, I believe that anyone who is living in this country illegally does not have the right to invoke / expect any of the rights and privileges afforded to their legal brethren, including: freedom of speech, right to assemble or bear arms or petition the government for redress, healthcare, education, etc., etc., etc. However, our government - federal, state, and local - is so busy trying to not offend these criminals or step on rights that the illegals haven't earned that there are no effective methods for dealing with their crimes.

In Governor Brewer's defense, it has been pointed out by many - including our President - that if Washington had done their job, the states wouldn't have to. Small comfort for those who might bear a passing resemblance to the 460,000 immigrants who choose to live illegally in our state.

* This link is a PDF file, requiring Adobe Reader. Download it here.

Alli works by disabling the enzyme, lipase, which breaks down fat in the digestive system. This allows undigested fat to pass through the intestines. Most weight loss occurs in the first 6 months of use and, once stopped, people tend to regain the lost weight.

One headline I found was accurate and humorous: Diet pill's icky side effects keep users honest. This is, pretty much, the bottom-line with Alli. You are not going to be able to 'fudge' your fat intake - at all. More than 15 grams, and Alli will punish you.

Aside from that obvious issue, there are many other reported problems. They range from respiratory infections and pain in the lower extremities, to headache and dizziness, to itching and dry skin, to clotting problems commonly seen in patients with liver disease. Across all bodily systems, an increase in edema - fluid retention and swelling - has been reported.

Obviously, limiting fat intake is a healthy choice - with or without a supplement. And a less fatty diet isn't going to make your skin itch, your lungs congest, or your feet swell.

I also noticed that there are even more products touting natural ingredients, which is actually a tad disconcerting. The implication being that natural is better and - worse yet - that natural is safe. Anyone who has ever tip-toed through the poison ivy knows that isn't necessarily true.

Taking anything in unknown amounts, over extended periods can be risky. And any product that claims one can (or should) lose 14 pounds in 7 days is not operating in the consumer's best interest. Rapid weight loss is dangerous.

A slow, steady loss of perhaps 2-3 pounds per week is not only safer, it will help ensure that the weight stays off by establishing healthy eating habits and (hopefully) a regular exercise regimen.

• The average American generates approximately 4.4 lbs/day, 56 tons/year of trash;
• Almost 1/3 of that trash is packaging;
  
  
• Nearly 900 Million trees are harvested annually to feed paper and pulp mills;
• Americans:
  • Consume 1/3 (33%) of the Earth's timber and paper:
  • Total less than 1/20 (< 5%) of the world's population;
• Paper and paper products comprise 37.5% of American waste;

Of those 900,000,000 trees felled each year, it appears that most are acquired through clearcutting in the Southern United States for processing by International Paper (IP), the largest paper manufacturer in the US and the world. With blatant disregard, wetlands are drained, endangered forests are logged, and natural woodlands are replaced with tree farms. Nurseries do not support indigenous life or replace lost ecosystems.

Many fast-food companies and large chains (Starbucks, McDonald's, Random House, WalMart), understand their responsibility and have begun instituting sustainable paper usage policies and programs. Others, like KFC and Yum! Brands, continue to drag their feet, showing no desire to increase use of PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging or reduce packaging or use products from sustainably managed forests.

International Paper has a large presence in the United States and the world and could, should they choose, adopt production strategies that would make them a leader in sustainable paper manufacturing. They could set the standard for all others to follow. So far, they have chosen to set the standard that should be avoided - at all costs.

The companies that continue to support IP by purchasing its paper products - and overpackaging their own goods - are as culpable as the manufacturer in the destruction of forest ecosystems. Trees and the air that they clean are not an infinite resource. Even replanting, as IP does (plantation-style), is insufficient to maintain fragile biomes and endemic species of flora and fauna.

It is time to address these issues at the sources - with petitions, letters, and consumer dollars. The links in this post offer a great starting point to make your voice heard. Please join me in saying: "Until I see you green, you're not seeing my 'green'."

• Alcohol Awareness Month
• Autism Awareness Month
• IBS Awareness Month
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• National Crime Victims Awareness Week ~ April 18-24, 2010
• National Donate Life Month ~ DonateLife.net
• National Parkinson's Awareness Month ~ Resolution Passed on March 26, 2010
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
• Stress Awareness Month
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• World Habitat Awareness Month [Can't find a dedicated link. :( ]

Go Orange for Animals

DonateLife.net

Puzzle Ribbon

And some of the (perhaps) more frivolous, but (nonetheless) not-to-be-missed days, as well:

• International Pooper Scooper Week ~ April 1-7, 2010
• International Twit Award Month
• Jazz Appreciation Month
• National Decorating Month
• National Humor Month
• National Scoop-the-Poop Week ~ April 25-May 1, 2010
• Straw Hat Month

So, I guess my month is pretty darn full: Throw on my Straw Hat, turn on some great Jazz, Decorate a Humorous Award for my favorite International Twit(s), and avoid the poop that hasn't been scooped. Gonna be a great time!

Hope your month is equally spectacular!

With many thanks to Brownielocks.com who offers amazing, validated holiday and observance information.

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RA treatment is not simple and is not the same as treatment for Osteoarthritis (OA). A class of drugs called DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) are effective at reducing RA symptoms - just like aspirin and other anti-inflammatories. But, where pain medications stop, DMARDs start; working to slow or stop joint damage.

These prescription medications are not available online. And the treatments / supplements found online are - at best - not effective. For example, studies have failed to prove that glucosamine offers any improvement in joint pain or function. Yet, glucosamine-containing supplements and products continue to be, for lack of a better term, pushed at online consumers.

Worse? Many items on these websites are not even designed to treat RA. But, that doesn't stop supplier affiliates. If a condition is even slightly arthritis-related, they publish their 'recommendation' and tout their product.

Then, there are the mystery pills.

As usual, these are the items that may be the most dangerous. One that I looked at contains a number of ingredients, usually found in homeopathic treatments. They are joint-specific and natural, and may offer relief at very specific dosage amounts. However, they are also quite possibly toxic at high levels and should not be used indiscriminately.

No arthritis medications / treatments should be taken arbitrarily. Even anti-inflammatories can have serious side-effects. Bottom line?

Leave arthritis treatment to the professionals.

With over 100 years experience, this is no here-today-gone-tomorrow operation. The programs are thorough and accredited. Northwestern knows what it takes to educate people and focus their programs on up-to-date, real-world requirements. No one is studying how it was done 30 years ago, but what is needed now.

Northwestern College also offers assistance with every step of the education process, from financial aid to flexible class scheduling. Being an online program, the interaction with professionals in the field is going to be much easier. Experts can quickly and easily support students - travel time and expense aren't a consideration.

Just reviewing the course topics is enough to inspire me to enroll. I'm especially interested in Criminology, and Criminal Law and Procedures. Homeland Security Law is another fascinating course title that I know would teach me a lot - and broaden my understanding of crime and the law.

Times are tough and crime is high. The demand for specialists in Criminal Justice is going to remain high, as well. This is something that, no matter where you live, you can do for yourself - and for your community.

Results of a new study, released yesterday and confirming information from other studies, indicate that smokers have a lower risk for developing Parkinson's disease. Now, don't go running out for a pack of smokes. There are a lot of factors to be considered in these results.

Although at least a pack a day was mentioned, it appears that how long someone smokes is more of a consideration than how much. Smoking less than 10 years resulted in a 4% lower risk to develop the disease. With 10 to 19 years showing a 22% reduction; 20 to 29 years, 36%; and 30 years or more, a whopping 40%.

Several questions arise from these results. Will smoking slow the disease? It appears it does not. In addition, it does not reduce the risk of death, once someone has it.

Are those more at risk for Parkinson's also more resistant to the addictive effects of smoking? They may be. When researchers looked at the "early smoking behavior" of the participants who developed Parkinson's, it was found they were "less likely to be smokers at a given age" and more likely to quit sooner.

Finally, what - exactly - is it, in the 4,000+ chemicals that come from cigarette smoking, that may block development of Parkinson's disease? Much more research will need to be done. Into those chemicals, and into alternatives that are less toxic.

So much of what we eat is a mystery, when you get right down to it. We're at the mercy of the growers. Or the manufacturers of the ingredients.

Do we really know what's in pre-packaged meals, sides, or mixes? Or where it comes from? With these product recalls, I found out that we don't have a clue.

Some companies have repeat problems. They are part of numerous recalls, because of their manufacturing practices. It's easy - if you keep an eye on the notices - to simply avoid their foods.

But, how do you avoid an ingredient, shipped to dozens of companies? Appearing in dozens of products? Invisible to even the most savvy consumer?

I don't think you can. And that's what scares me

• Climate change may extend allergy season: study ~ Genoa University team studied pollen counts, length of pollen seasons, and sensitivity to types of pollen in Italy's Bordighera region from 1981 to 2007.
• FDA panel backs Bristol transplant drug ~ Medical advisors urge approval, with strict patient registry and long-term data collection.
• Fish oil makers, drugstores, sued over supplements ~ Citing failure to alert consumers to PCBs found in tested fish-oil supplements, California non-profit and others bring suit against makers and sellers.
• Foodborne illness costs $152 billion annually ~ New study shows annual cost, due to contaminated food illness, much higher than previously reported.

Given my 'issues' with supplements and monitoring of product recalls, I expect many of these topics will show up in posts on this blog.

Through February 28, 2010:

• Johnny's Fine Foods ~ Recall ~ Johnny's French Dip Powdered Au Jus ~ Possible Salmonella
• American Pecan Co. ~ Recall ~ 1 lb. Bags of Pecan Pieces ~ Possible Salmonella
• Thumb Oilseed ~ Recall ~ Soy Grits and Flour ~ Possible Salmonella
• Wholesome Spice ~ Voluntary Recall ~ 25 Lb. Boxes Of Crushed Red Pepper ~ Possible Salmonella
• Trader Joe's Company ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella
• Lovin Oven LLC ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Health Valley® Organic Peanut Crunch, Dutch Apple and Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella
• Queseria Bendita ~ Recall ~ Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
• Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella

Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information, recommendations, and return details.