“One, two, shhhh, she's
counting. Ariel runs, tiny legs waddling across pavement, her chubby
fingers barely able to grasp her daily Pepsi, she runs.
Poison in hand, smile on face, looking for hiding spots, three. Ariel
stops, she takes a sip. She's already consumed 1460 sodas in her
lifetime, she's 5. She runs, inhaling deeply as her lungs try to catch
up with her feet.
Kayla's 35, 4, 5, she counts the lights hanging from the hospital roof
as she's rushed to surgery, they flicker above her as she tries to
remember every memory she's ever had involving her feet, but her mind
won’t let her wander from this moment, this second, this flickering
light, a hush whisper, the last moment she'll have with her feet. She
blames it on her diabetes, as if this disease has a mind of its own.
Doctors blame it on the 4410 Pepsis she’s been drinking since childhood.
Little Ariel can barely spell, she's 6, and knows nothing about fructose
or dextrin but neither does Kayla. Beaten, living in a broken home, she
just keeps trying to find pieces of herself at the end of that bottle.
Ariel only knows the sizzle of bubbles, the aches she feels in her
tummy, the big words doctors use to describe her condition. They tell
her mom that her kidney's are failing, her blood sugar is too high, the
pain she feels that mommy can't fix because mommy's been surviving off
of ramen and sodas because mommy can barely afford to live.
Kayla sits back in her wheelchair trying to look over her stomach but
she can't. She can't see the stumps, the spaces where her feet used to
be, she can't see herself, when she looks at the reflection staring back
at her she's just a person she turned into but she can't stop, bottle
after bottle she can't stop, 6, 7. When Ariel turns 7 they see her dying
behind overstuffed teddy bears and deflated balloons, it was her
birthday. 8, 9, I've heard of death before, but I swear, there's
something foreign about the way it creeps to the lips of a 7-year-old,
10.
Every 10 seconds someone dies from diabetes, and in the time it's taken
me to recite this poem, 15 people will die.”
This haunting spoken word poem comes from The Bigger Picture, an
organization spreading diabetes awareness.
I cried when I watched this video. A frightening reality planted itself
in front of me as I remembered that my own grandmother had passed away
from diabetes almost 20 years ago. She spent her last years injecting
multiple daily insulin shots, in and out of a hospital bed 300 km away
from her hometown. I remember my mother telling me that nan used to
drink a lot of soda.
The implications of a disease are hard to fully grasp unless you or
someone you love has suffered through it. But even more horrifying than
my nan's sole story, is the fact that diabetes is a reality for millions
of people worldwide at this very moment. In America alone, over 29
million people were diagnosed with diabetes in 2012. It stands as the
7th leading cause of death in that country.
Think About The Sugar You Consume
According to these statistics, Americans consume close to 50 billion
liters of soda per year, which equates to about 216 liters, or about 57
gallons per person. That is a colossal amount of sugar. And not just any
sugar, but some of the worst we know of – fructose, in the form of high
fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Tragically, high fructose corn syrup, in the form of soda, has become
the number one source of calories in the United States, and it is very
clear that it is the primary cause of the obesity and diabetes epidemic.
Soda companies are masters at fooling customers and masking their
products as fun, cool and delicious. Take this commercial for example:
The “Thin Line” spoken poem not only exposes the hard reality about
diabetes, but it also raises attention around the specific
socio-economic demographic who are commonly affected by this disease,
“Nearly 1 in 2 children of color born in the year 2000 will get diabetes
in their lifetime.”
The truth is that most low-income families often end up spending what
little they have on these junk food products because they don't have
access to healthier options. The consequences are heartbreaking and
pretty terrifying. With the ever-increasing cost of living and declining
wages, more and more families are being forced into poverty as the
middle class is being eradicated.
It may seem like common sense for some to stray far away from
high-fructose corn syrup sodas, but a large majority of the population
are not properly educated on the implications of poor nutrition, a vast
percentage of these people being low-income families.
If someone you know consumes soda on a regular basis, be the one to
supply them with the facts they need to know. Soda is an empty, modified
can of death.
Raise your voice today and join the conversation about diabetes.
Oil pulling is an
ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves
the use of pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus,
and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat.
How To Oil Pull
The most effective oil pulling is done by placing around a tablespoon of
cold pressed organic sesame oil into the mouth and swishing the oil
around the mouth for approximately 10-15 minutes and then spitting it
out.
Other oils such as extra virgin cold pressed coconut, sunflower and
olive oil have been used, although sesame oil is considered one of the
best oils for this practice. It is recommended to alter oils every
couple of days to get the full benefit.
Putting high quality organic oils into the mouth has a multi-effect
outcome.
First, the oils mix with the saliva, turning it into a thin, white
liquid. Lipids in the oils begin to pull out toxins from the saliva. As
the oil is swished around the mouth, teeth, gums and tongue, the oil
continues to absorb toxins, and usually ends up turning thick and
viscous and white. Once the oil has reached this consistency, it is spit
out before the toxins are reabsorbed.
What Does Oil Pulling Do?
Multiple scientific studies show the efficacy of oil pulling therapy.
One study shows that oil pulling with sesame oil can boost overall oral
health. Specifically, using sesame oil as an oral health agent helps to
reduce the amount of S. mutans (germ) count in both teeth plaque and
mouth saliva. Scientists believe that the lipids in the oil both pull
out bacteria, as well as stop bacterial from sticking to the walls of
the oral cavity.
Oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a
soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an
emulsifier by nature. Most interesting is perhaps the ability of oil to
cleanse out harmful bacteria, as well as reduce fungal overgrowth. These
oils also possibly help in cellular restructuring, and are related to
the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs.
Additional benefits of oil pulling for oral health:
Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and
gingivitis
Prevention for bad breath
Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw
area
Benefits Beyond the Mouth?
Ancient Ayurvedic health practitioners believed that oil pulling could
reduce more than just diseases of the mouth and throat. Today, many
holistic practitioners tout its use for a variety of health concerns.
It is believed that these oils help the lymphatic system of the body as
harmful bacteria are removed and beneficial microflora are given with a
healthy environment to flourish. Because of this holistic perspective,
oil pulling has been used as a preventative health measure for many
other conditions.
Other possible benefits of oil pulling for overall health include:
Migraine headache relief
Correcting hormone imbalances
Reducing inflammation of arthritis
May help with gastro-enteritis
Aids in the reduction of eczema
May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
Helps support normal kidney function
May help reduce sinus congestion
Some people report improved vision
Helps reduce insomnia
Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
Aids in reducing pain
Reduces the symptoms of allergies
Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms
Scientific Studies on Sesame Oil & Oil Pulling
Sesame oil is particularly high in the antioxidantssesamol, sesamin, and
sesamolin. It also holds a high concentration of Vitamin E and
polyunsaturated fatty acids. These antioxidants have been found to stop
the absorption of negative forms of cholesterol in the liver. Multiple
studies have shown the antibacterial capacities of sesame oil. These
studies support the use of oil pulling in the prevention of dental
cavities and gingivitis.
A 2007 study looking into the effect of oil pulling (with sunflower oil)
on plaque and gingivitis on oral soft and hard tissues. Results found
that after 45 days of oil pulling, subjects showed a statistically
significant reduction in gingivitis.
Another study, conducted in 2008 found a “remarkable reduction in the
total count of bacteria” in the mouth, and an overall marked reduction
in susceptibility dental cavities. The antibacterial activity of sesame
oil was also studied and found to have an effect on the Streptococcus
mutans in the mouth.
In fact, these studies showed an overall reduction of bacteria from 10
to 33.4% in participants, and after 40 days of oil-pulling, participants
were found to show 20% in average reduction in oral bacteria. Moreover,
half of all participants in this case study showed a drastic reduction
in susceptibility to dental caries.
Easiest Way to Whiten your Teeth
Here is one more fantastic tip. Peel off to get whiter teeth with the
banana peel. Minerals found on the banana's inside show an incredible
effect on teeth. The magnesium, potassium and manganese soak up into
teeth and then whiten them. This methodology is extremely simple to be
followed. Simply rub the banana's inside, gently for two minutes, around
your teeth. Soon, you will be able to find that the bananas would
become yellow and your teeth white.
In the summer months
ants can be a real pest around the home and garden.
Here are some natural remedies using household ingredients to keep them
at bay.
Ants come into our homes in their search for food.
Apart from the obvious advice of covering food, clearing up spillages
and having garbage bins with lids here are some natural ways of beating
their advance without using any harsh chemicals. 1. Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar
Mix together an equal amount of powdered sugar (also called icing sugar)
and baking soda (formally called sodium bicarbonate). Place small
amounts against the walls or in other areas where you would not normally
walk but where you would normally see the ants. The ants will be
attracted to the sugar and will eat some of it and collect more to take
home to feed others, so all of them will get their share.
Powdered sugar is essential, larger grained sugar will not work. This is
because the sugar and baking soda powders are similar in size and, once
mixed together, the ants cannot separate the two items, so, as they eat
the sugar, they will also ingest the baking soda, which they would
otherwise avoid.
Once the ants eat the baking soda it will react with the formic acid in
their stomachs and cause gas. The bodies of ants are unlike humans and
they cannot eliminate gas so it will build up inside and eliminate them. 2. Vinegar
Classic vinegar is effective in getting rid of ants. Simply spray their
entry paths with vinegar and they will be repelled by the strong odor.
Include corners, counter tops, sinks and window ledges. Allow the
vinegar to dry.
Apple cider vinegar can be mixed in equal measures with water and spray
as before. This does not kill them but it will stop them returning.
Adding a few capfuls of vinegar to your floor cleaner on tiled floors
also helps in keeping them at bay.
A more fragrant option is to mix vinegar, dish detergent and a few drops
of peppermint oil. Usually spraying this once around the affected zones
should leave these areas ant free for a season.
3. Salt Or Pepper
Table salt is the one of the best and the cheapest way to get rid of
ants. Use ordinary table salt not health boosting Himalayan salt. Simply
boil water and add a fairly large amount salt to it, stirring until it
is dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle and spray where you usually see
the ants.
This also works with cayenne and ground black pepper.
4. Soap
Regular dishwashing detergents are very harmful to ants. The soap
components break down in waxy layers of the pests’ exoskeleton, causing
dehydration. Mix soap with water and spray it in the entry points.
5. Lemons
Lemon juice is the enemy of ants as the acid interferes with their
internal tracking capabilities. Either pure lemon juice can be sprayed
around the entry points, or mix some fresh lemon juice with water and
spray around the affected zones in your kitchen.
There are several household products that repel ants as opposed to
killing them. By using these at entry points you will create a repelling
barrier that they will not cross. These include :
cinnamon (both ground and in oil form)
chili powder
cayenne pepper
chalk
cornmeal
baby powder
black pepper
ground coffee
food grade diatomaceous earth
lavender and mint sachets in closets, drawers, pantry, etc. repel
ants
By trying one of these, or even a combination your home should be ant
free.
If you think others can benefit from this information please help others
see it by sharing with one of our social network sharing buttons below.
I have used my firefox browser for years without any problems. Few days all
the sites I go to give me the warning message that "This Connection is
Untrusted." I can no longer access email or any website i used to visit daily - nothing works. Even when I click that I understand the risks
and verify the certificate, I can still only get so far- but it's never
all the way to where I need to be.
i searched for solution for 2 days waiting replies from support and forums members
Until i found this solution in this very short video :)
so, i shared it here to all because it was very simple solution
Take a good look at your fingernails and you may notice subtle variations in the texture or color; white spots, a rosy tinge, rippling or bumps in the surface to mention a few. These imperfections may not look like much to you, but it’s more important than you might think to maintain healthy fingernails. That’s because to the trained eye, nails can provide valuable indications about your overall health.
Hold a hand level with your nose about a foot out from your face and scrutinize each one. Look at the grooves, curves, ridges and dips. Notice how thick or thin they are and if there are any stark differences. Are your nails are chipped or broken. Make a note of the color of the nail itself, the skin under it as well as the skin around the nail. You need to get into the habit of knowing your nails and any changes that can occur. Changes are a good indication of the onset of several health problems. Here are 8 of the most common nail issues: 1. RIDGES: Healthy nails should have no obvious ridge lines and should be virtually smooth to the naked eye. Ridges can indicate several health issues including:
•Inflammatory arthritis
•Iron deficiency
•Lupus (with red lines at the base of your nails)
Don’t ignore these ridges by using a nail buffer to smooth the surface – these are warnings to be noticed! 2. THICK NAILS: It is fairly obvious is you have a thickening of the nails and they can have several causes including:
•Thick/separated nails can indicate thyroid disease or psoriasis
•Thick/rough-surfaced nails can be a sign of fungal infection
•Unusually thick nails could be a symptom of a circulation problem
•Thick nails alone could even signal lung disease
Thickening is fairly easy to notice when it first appears but please note that allergic reactions to some medications manifest themselves as thick nails! 3. DISCOLORED NAILS: A healthy nail bed should be pink with a slight pinky white moon shape at the base. Streaks of any other stronger shades or colors can indicate health issues, as can nails that are tinged by other colors such as:
•Dark stripes towards the top of the nail are associated with aging and congestive heart failure
•Blueish tinge to the nails can be a sign of depleted oxygen levels in your blood
•Green nails are usually a sign of a bacterial infection
•White nails indicate liver disease, such as hepatitis
•Red streaks on the nail bed could be a warning of an infection of the heart valves
•Dull nails in general mean a deficiency of vitamins
Inspect your nails when they are clean and you should know when the color changes 4: PITTED NAILS: Sometimes small dips can just be the result of a bash to the hand in general, but sometimes more attention should be paid as they can be a symptom of:
•Zinc deficiency (usually the pit will form a line across the middle of the nailbed)
•Connective tissue disorder
•Psoriasis
•Alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder that results in hair loss
Learn the difference between an injury related imperfection which should not last too long, and a potential disease related imperfection which will not clear up. 5. DRY AND BRITTLE NAILS: Healthy nails should not require cuticle oil and moisturizers as they should maintain themselves. Excessively dry or brittle nails can be a sign of a hormonal balance problem or a bacterial infection.
•Thyroid disease can result in brittle, dry nails that also crack and split very easily
•Fungus can cause nails to become dry or even crumbly and is a common problem
Both these potential problems can be treated and the nails will return to good health once a full growing cycle has passed (hand nails grow at about 1 mm per week so on average the full life cycle of human nail is about 6 months). 6. CONCAVE OR SPOON SHAPED NAILS: What are known as ‘full spoon’ nails are very soft and curve upwards with the dip being pronounced enough to hold a drop or two of liquid. This usually is an indication of:
•Heart disease
•Iron deficiency (usually from anemia)
•Hypothyroidism
•Hemachromatosis, which is a liver disorder caused by the body absorbing too much iron
If medical intervention clears up the root cause then the nails will return to a normal healthy shape with time. 7. CLUBBED NAILS: This is when the skin around the nail bed can appear inflamed or unusually puffy. This can mean:
•Liver disease
•Lung disease, especially if you already have trouble breathing
•Inflammatory bowel disease
•AIDS
Most of these health issues will often have already given you other symptoms but the corresponding nail condition can help with diagnosis.
8. SPLIT NAILS: Often our nails split if we have injured them. But when no trauma has occured but the nail flakes away layer by layer it can be a result of several issues:
•Chronic malnutrition
•Deficiency of Vitamin C, folic acid or proteins
•Split nails together with a pitted nail bed can indicate psoriasis
Eating a healthy well balanced diet can eliminate many of these causes.
Obviously our fingernails will not be the only signs of these diseases, but they can provide confirmation or else the motivation to seek further medical attention.
Strong, healthy nails reflect a strong, healthy you. Share with anyone you know may need to pay attention to their nails.
