Insanity Is Relative

Meditation Helps Lower Truancy and Suspensions in School

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 04:54:00 +0000

Video: Dream Big in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:10:00 +0000

Video: Symphony of Science - The Quantum World

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000

VIDEO: Change for A Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:57:00 +0000

VIDEO: "Living Without Money" Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Amazing to see these ideas come from all over the globe. Please also visit their website at www.livingwithoutmoney.org

Living Without Money - trailer from Without Money on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

VIDEO: Tapping World Summit - How to Tap

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:19:00 +0000

Thanks Dad for sharing this simplified and short version of tapping that is easy to do!

David Wilcock: Occupy Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:43:00 +0000

Highway or Low

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Apologies as I am not sure who to give credit for this poem to, however with the changes we are seeing in the world, it felt appropriate to share...

HIGHWAY or LOW
To every man there openeth, A way, and ways, and a way,
And the high soul climbs the high way, And the low soul gropes the low,
And in between, on the misty flats, The rest drift to and fro.
But to every man there openeth, A highway, and a low.
And every man decideth, The way his soul shall go.

Antioxidants in Coffee...

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:31:00 +0000

The following article is a reprint from the October 2011 Northshore Naturopathic Clinic newsletter. Article written by Irene Hayton.

More information can be found at Dr Jon Matsen's website: www.eatingalive.com

I found this article especially compelling as I just stopped drinking coffee due to taking homeopathic remedies. I used to drink one cup per day and thought that was fine. However, what you do every day is more important than what you do once in a while. Now I am a chai addict. But my anxiety and stress levels are much more manageable! I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.

Health Tip by Irene Hayton
Antioxidants in Coffee

If you are a patient at the Northshore Naturopathic Clinic and/or if you’ve ever read any of Dr. Matsen’s books, you most likely know that one of the dietary changes that we recommend on the Eating Alive Program is to avoid drinking coffee. I’ve noticed that in the media lately there are numerous articles about how coffee is so good for us because it contains antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your cells from the oxidative damage of free radicals, which are toxic by-products of chemical reactions that take place in your body every day.

So, does the fact that coffee contains antioxidants make it okay to drink it? This is a question that patients sometimes ask and the answer we give is “No.” Other than antioxidants, coffee does not contain nutrients your body needs and instead can have adverse health effects.

One of the reasons most people drink coffee is for the boost in energy that it gives because caffeine causes an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate, and it causes a temporary surge in blood sugar. Unfortunately, this surge is eventually followed by a blood sugar crash due to an increase in insulin production, leading to cravings for more coffee or other stimulants. This roller-coaster effect puts incredible stress on the body, especially the liver, pancreas, and adrenals. And increased insulin levels can cause your body to store fat.

The caffeine in coffee stimulates the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol, by the adrenal glands. Excess cortisol can have many negative effects on the body. Cortisol activates fat cells to store fat, especially in the abdominal area. This effect combined with the fat-storing effect of excess insulin, as mentioned above, can make it difficult to lose weight for those who are trying to do so. Chronically elevated levels of cortisol can also: compromise your sleep and immune system; increase blood pressure and cholesterol; contribute to mood imbalances; put stress on your liver; and can cause your adrenals to wear out, affecting their ability to produce cortisol and other hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA.

Caffeine can also cause urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals and it can inhibit the absorption of some nutrients.

Coffee is acidic and it increases the secretion of stomach acid, which can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as heartburn and reflux, for some people. For those with ulcers, caffeine can aggravate the situation.

Decaf coffee isn’t necessarily a better choice. It still contains some caffeine as well as the acids and oils that naturally occur in coffee, which can cause digestive and liver problems. And many brands of decaf coffee are processed with toxic solvents which can leave a residue in the final product.

So if you want to increase your antioxidant levels, there are far healthier ways to do so other than drinking coffee. All fruits and vegetables, as well as green tea, contain antioxidants, so increase your consumption of these instead. For more information on the antioxidants in plants, see Dr. Matsen’s Monthly Comment for December 2003, titled “Plants as Allies.”

Reprinted with permission from the Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, with thanks!

Occupy Non-Violence

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Image courtesy of the AP showing 84-year-old Dorli Rainey,
a retired schoolteacher, being helped after receiving a blast of
pepper-spray by Seattle police on October 15.

I cannot think of a more appropriate time for the title of this blog to be relevant. Looking at the violence against peaceful protestors this past week seems like complete insanity. There are many opinions about what the purpose of these Occupy groups are, but to me the common thread is that "We The People" are fed up with being stolen from and lied to. Especially by the "people" who are supposedly elected officials that represent The People.

Protests are not new, but this movement does not seem to be going away. And if you subscribe to Naomi Wolf Guardian article, The Shocking Truth About the Crackdown on Occupy, then you can see why it is extremely important to the top minority that this all go away. As with most major conflicts, it comes down to money.

Naomi writes of asking what do Occupiers want, and one of the three main answers she is given is...

"No 3 was the most clarifying: draft laws against the little-known loophole that currently allows members of Congress to pass legislation affecting Delaware-based corporations in which they themselves are investors.

When I saw this list – and especially the last agenda item – the scales fell from my eyes. Of course, these unarmed people would be having the shit kicked out of them."

Other articles have debated many points in her article, down to whether or not President Obama authorized DHS funds to support mayors in these brutally violent crackdowns. The very fact that this is happening at all tells me that the message is an important one for The People and a very dangerous one for The Few.

In one of the videos on AlterNets, Caught on Camera, 10 Shockingly Violent Police Assaults on Occupy Protestors, you see NYC police officer actually smiling at the violence. I found this shocking, especially considering what that city has gone through in 2001, to now see the very force that is suppose to protect it's people (in fact is being PAID by NYC tax payers to work for THEM), turning on them violently.

The thought that I could not shake came up during one of the videos of people trying to help someone being beaten, who were then beaten themselves. What would happen if the policemen dragged a woman out into the street and began to rape her. It's a dark thought, but there it is. A brutal violent act, no? More brutal or violent than getting pepper spray at point-blank in the mouth? More violent than beating someone as they are walking away? Maybe. Maybe more people would run in and try to stop it, rather than just shouting "shame on you", which I did like. But this kind of barbaric behavior is reminiscent of the "rape and plunder" days. I can't help but think in my mind as I hear the protestors chant "We are people" that They Don't Care.

Image captured by The Oregonian in Portland on November 17.

So. That being said. What can be done? The only thing I can think of is non-participation. This means to me that if my vote is my dollar, then I choose who to support. And who to not support. But this no longer seems like enough. Especially when I am obligated to pay taxes (and that's another topic all together) which pay for the forces that are holding up the systems that are basically raping the American people. (And let's not kid ourselves in thinking other Western countries are much better off).

Do we take to the streets? Do we head for the hills? Do we hold compassion and peace collectively in our hearts and hope that is enough? Do we step out of the systems that are designed to enslave us, and not fear the consequences? I don't want to wait and see anymore. I am ready to stand up and say "ENOUGH!"

VIDEO: If Dr Seuss Met Eckhart Tolle (Oh,The Places Your Ego Will Go!)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 20:09:00 +0000

Watch the movie "Food Matters" for free!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Click here to register to watch the entire film for free!

Why Are We All Working So Hard By Ourselves?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:07:00 +0000

So I'm folding laundry and listening to the hum of my dishwasher and washing machine and I couldn't help but wonder (SJP style)...

How did "they" do it all before these inventions!? It's almost 9pm already and there's no way I would have time to take three loads of laundry to the creek!?!

Plus it's dark outside.

Then it came to me. "They" used to live in a community and all share the work. Women would carry water, do washing and cooking, build fires and homes, all together with their fellow women and children.

The next thought that came to me was in the form of an image. This image showed me all these houses lined up, with women (and some men too) all doing the same work only a smaller amount of each. Every house did their cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and child rearing. But for their family only.

Does it really take that much more time and energy to cook for eight than it does to cook for four?

Does it take longer to create something bigger? Or is the creation process the same, regardless of what you are creating?

With that in mind, I reflected on a quote that was in my inbox this morning:

This is an example of "Notes From The Universe" from Mike Dooly's website:

Do you want to know why I have an issue, Andrea, with compromising, economizing, and settling for less?

I have to work just as hard whether the bar has been lowered or raised. Yeah, "Poor Baby..."

~The Universe

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones!®

Andrea, dream even BIGGER.

So the question for me is, why do we continue to be compartmentalized (google says it's a word!) within our four walls, probably living next door to people who are all doing exactly the same work as us?

Where is the community?

And with that in mind, back to my laundry. I am sure it hasn't folded itself!

*photo courtesy of ebaumsworld.com

To the People Who Are Enforcing These Laws... PLEASE WAKE UP!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:26:00 +0000

Farmageddon, The Movie:

Farmageddon - Movie Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.

VIDEO: "Where's the Octopus?"

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:51:00 +0000

"What makes a marine biologist scream...?" You will find out by watching this video from Science Friday.

I have to admit, I screamed too! Nature is amazing!

Buy this Honda CR-V and Help Support Alaina Giordano!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:24:00 +0000

"Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!" Little Boy Gives Inspirational Speech VIDEO

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:57:00 +0000

This little boy shares his success at learning to ride a bike! So sweet!

Thought Provoking Question of the Day...

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Why do we spend so much money on "The War on Drugs", when people basically want to feel good, and when they feel bad, some use drugs to kill the pain? Why don't we, instead, look for options to help people feel better so they don't NEED to use the drugs, rather than throw them in jail to punish them for trying to numb the pain...?

Alaina Giordano on The Today Show

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" Season 2 Starts Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:41:00 +0000

The Daily Show - Jamie Oliver
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Can You Hear the Horses...? 'Cause here they come!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:18:00 +0000

Merry Christmas from All of Us in Tulsa! #JibJab

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:50:00 +0000

Gaypocalypse Now - Video from 12/02/10 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:37:00 +0000

I ♥ Jon Stewart!

Embedded video did not stick! So here is the link...

The Daily Show: December 2nd: Gaypocalypse Now

Danny MacAskill: "Way Back Home" Video

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Reed) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 01:23:00 +0000

This amazing video shows beautiful scenery and breath-taking bike tricks! I don't really want to call them 'tricks' but am stumped for a better word. If anyone finds the download to the second song please let me know, as I found the first one on iTunes and they are both beautiful! Shame it is sponsored by Redbull, but either way, a great watch. Inspiring!