Blog
A discussion of many diverse topics within the realm of Alternative Medicine and Healthy Living, some of which include: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Eastern Nutrition, Pulse Diagnosis, Psychology and Bodymind Medicine, Aromatherapy, Philosophy, Spirituality, Buddhism, Meditation and Family.
2008: May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan
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More on Sleep
Back in January I wrote a post on "Sleeping your way to being thin." It detailed the benefits of sleep on metabolism and on health in general. Just today I read an article in Acupuncture Today that echoed and expanded on the themes in that post. Please see the link below.
Acupuncture Today article
Tuesday 06th of May 2008 10:27:56 PM | Comments
Call for Letters: Raw Milk
In May, there will be a hearing on the legalization of raw milk in NJ. Long overdue. If those interested could send a letter in favor of legal raw milk it would go a long way. Please mail 4 copies of the letters to:
Judith Mudrak
58 Cranberry Run
Southampton, NJ 08088
Here is a sample letter that can be adapted by anyone:
Re: Legalize Raw Milk
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is intended to express my deep concern and belief in a very important area of health and nutrition, namely the dairy industry and the availability of raw milk.
The health benefits of raw milk far out weigh that of pasteurized milk and an increasing number of studies are confirming this fact, a fact that has been well-known since the inception of pasteurization. An historical look at pasteurization reveals that the purpose of this technique was to aid the dairy industry and small farmers in their ability to make milk accessible to the general public. Pasteurization was intended to be a short-term solution until the technology was available to allow raw milk to be sold inter-state.
However, like most things, money seems to be a determining factor in decision-making. Once the industry realized how much money was to be made by selling pasteurized milk, another alternative was never pursued. The ability of big business dairy farmers to have milk sit in vats for days on end putrifying with harmful bacteria only to be pasteurized and allowed to be sold wound up being the norm. But the time has now come to allow the individual to decide the kind of food/milk/dairy it would like to consume rather than big business or governmental agencies.
Pasteurized milk due to the loss of enzymes and probiotics cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, skin rashes, colic in infants, osteoporosis, increased tooth decay, arthritis and a host of other serious and chronic ailments. In fact, many prominent doctors believe that pasteurized dairy is a key factor in the formation of many cancers.
More and more studies are showing that raw milk is by far healthier than pasteurized/homogenized and that any health risks are far outweighed by the health benefits. The Mayo Clinic has undertaken a RAW MILK CURE to treat diseases. It has been used throughout the ages to treat an endless variety of illnesses. And until the big milk companies became involved, raw milk was widely accepted as a healthy, affordable food available to rich and poor.
By studying the history of pasteurizing milk, one comes to understand how big business has put money in to the pockets of legislators who will support their interests, not the interests and health of the citizens they represent. Please do not prove yourself to be one of these legislators.
Let’s put our focus toward maintaining healthy cows, producing healthy raw milk, who are allowed to graze on pasture – not on subsidizing big farms that own cows who can barely stand, never see grass, and are in pain due to all the hormones and antibiotics that are being pumped in to them – and by those very companies who want to suppress any facts which support the health benefits of raw milk.
Please help to expand our rights to buy raw milk. The health of all of our families, and countless others, depends on it.
Sincerely
Thursday 24th of April 2008 02:58:54 PM | Comments
A Boy Can Change the World
My son has embarked on a new project: he has entered the world of blogging. Most days he will create blog posts with the intention of teaching and inspiring others to change the world. His topics will be on conservation, recycling, respect for nature and the environment and simplifying. If I were you, I'd bookmark it and check it out regularly.
Ben Saves The World blog
Saturday 12th of April 2008 01:23:43 PM | Comments
Therapeutic Relationship
The ultimate aim of Chinese medicine is to treat the individual and the cause(s) of disease by distinguishing the individual from his or her illness. It seeks to understand and treat with respect for each patient as a cornerstone of therapy. This therapeutic relationship has myriad forms and like all of Chinese medicine is tailored to each person uniquely.
What distinguishes this from other systems of medicine is the relationship that is created and fostered between patient and practitioner which serves as the foundation for the initiation of the healing process. This is not a one-way street and requires cooperation by both parties.
First, the physician counsels the patient regarding the relationship between particular behavioral patterns (including diet, exercise, sex, etc.) and the illness in question, and then treatment assists and supports the body's own healing forces. A physician's job is to return physiology to normal. His effectiveness depends entirely on the accuracy of the diagnosis, on the wisdom of the counseling, on the patient's willingness to change, and on the correct choice of treatment modalities for the rebalancing of the body's physiology.-Dr. Leon Hammer
Nobody denies that assuming responsibility for oneself is the ultimate in growth and development. The physician must identify the energy leaks, and the patient must seal them by changing his lifestyle. It is, however, only one step and cannot be taken until the organism and person are strong enough. This strengthening is a collaborative process and must often begin with help from an outside source. Chinese medicine provides this outside source in many ways.-Dr. Leon Hammer
As health practitioners we are of value to the people who consult us only if we can offer them something significantly different from the usual response. Of course, we recognize and acknowledge the negative in all its destructiveness. However:
We are needed for our ability to recognize the positive quest for contact beneath the negative emotions and behavior.......
This is the beginning of a 'new experience' with someone who is reliably more concerned with finding, and responding to, the positive rather than the negative in them; with someone nourishing rather than condemning; with someone capable of putting, at least temporarily, another person's needs ahead of his or her own.
Only as we allow a 'new experience' and provide a new model can our contact with our patients be a truly healing, growing, therapeutic experience.-Dr. Leon Hammer
Sunday 06th of April 2008 10:15:08 PM | Comments
chinese medicine acupuncture therapeutic relationship alternative medicine Leon Hammer humanistic psychology
Tell Leaders To Support Tibet
On Monday, thousands of people in 84 cities worldwide marched for justice for Tibet--and delivered the 1.5 million-signature Avaaz petition to Chinese embassies and consulates around the globe. (Click below for photos.) Avaaz staff have engaged with Chinese diplomats in New York and London, delivering the petition and urging action. And a growing chorus of world leaders is joining the call.
China is on the fence--indicating an openness to talks with the Dalai Lama, while at the same time pressuring other governments to support its continuing crackdown. Each day, more leaders declare their stance. It's time to redouble our efforts--click below to send a personal message to your head of state, urging support for dialogue with the Dalai Lama--and check out the photo gallery from Monday's day of action!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet
Together, we've built an unprecedented wave of global pressure. The Avaaz petition is one of the biggest and fastest-growing global online petitions on any topic in history; since it launched on March 18, it has been signed by 100,000 people per day--an average of more than 4,000 per hour, day and night.
Politicians understand that there is power in numbers. We need to show them that they have more to gain by listening to their own people--and heeding the cry for help from Tibet--than by giving China a pass in the lead-up to the Olympic Games.
We're privileged to be alive at a time when people anywhere can reach out and support people everywhere--instantly. If we have the power to make things better, we have a responsibility to act. Thanks for what you've done so far, for the people of Tibet and for a more humane world for all.
With hope,
Ben, Ricken, Graziela, Galit, Paul, Iain, Pascal, and the Avaaz team
PS--Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:
"China softens Dalai Lama stand" -- Wen Jiabao calling for dialogue
http://www.telegraphindia.com
Dalai Lama expresses appreciation for world reaction, appeals for continued support; also sends appeal to the Chinese people:
http://dalailama.com/news.221
http://dalailama.com/news.220
China announcing support from governments around the world:
http://news.xinhuanet.com
Leaders across Europe and Asia starting to back dialogue as the way forward:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi
Chinese Prime Minister attacks "Dalai clique", leaves door open for talks:
http://news.xinhuanet.com
Other Chinese signals:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes
Tuesday 22nd of April 2008 01:47:12 PM | Comments
April: Charity of the Month
The Center for Acupuncture has chosen it's first charity. In light of current events, we have decided to donate to the International Campaign for Tibet. Information on this organization can be found on its website as well as a list of some of their projects and its mission.
Thursday 17th of April 2008 09:41:27 AM | Comments
Tibet charitable donations charity Save Tibet International Campaign for Tibet Center for Acupuncture Gives Back
Center for Acupuncture Gives Back
The Center for Acupuncture is pleased to announce its new charitable donation policy. Each month, beginning in April, the Center for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in Westfield, New Jersey will choose a different charity and donate $1 from each treatment in its busiest week of the month to said charity.
The Center for Acupuncture will post in its offices and website/blog information about each charity that it chooses. Final decisions about the charities chosen will be made by myself and my wife, Ann, but we strongly encourage patients and anyone so inclined to let their recommendations be known. We plan on choosing from local, national and international charities.
Information on our first charity is coming soon......
Wednesday 26th of March 2008 01:33:01 PM | Comments
charitable donations charity Center for Acupuncture Gives Back
Petition for Tibet
Stand With Tibet
Dear friends,
After decades of repression under Chinese rule, the Tibetan people's frustrations have burst onto the streets in protests and riots. With the spotlight of the upcoming Olympic Games now on China, Tibetans are crying out to the world for change.
The Chinese government has said that the protesters who have not yet surrendered "will be punished". Its leaders are right now considering a crucial choice between escalating brutality or dialogue that could determine the future of Tibet, and China.
We can affect this historic choice--China does care about its international reputation. China's President Hu Jintao needs to hear that the 'Made in China' brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention--and we need it in the next 48 hours.
The Tibetan Nobel peace prize winner and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama has called for restraint and dialogue: he needs the world's people to support him. Click below now to sign the petition--and tell absolutely everyone you can right away--our goal is 1 million voices united for Tibet:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet
China's economy is totally dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China, respected as a leading world power. China is also a very diverse country with a brutal past and has reason to be concerned about its stability -- some of Tibet's rioters killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the greatest danger to Chinese stability and development comes from hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from Tibetans who seek dialogue and reform.
We will deliver our petition directly to Chinese officials in London, New York, and Beijing, but it must be a massive number before we deliver the petition. Please forward this email to your address book with a note explaining to your friends why this is important, or use our tell-a-friend tool to email your address book--it will come up after you sign the petition.
The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally their moment to speak--we must help them be heard.
With hope and respect,
Ricken, Iain, Graziela, Paul, Galit, Pascal, Milena, Ben and the whole Avaaz team
PS - It has been suggested that the Chinese government may block the Avaaz website as a result of this email, and thousands of Avaaz members in China will no longer be able to participate in our community. A poll of Avaaz members over the weekend showed that over 80% of us believed it was still important to act on Tibet despite this terrible potential loss to our community, if we thought we could make a difference. If we are blocked, Avaaz will help maintain the campaign for internet freedom for all Chinese people, so that our members in China can one day rejoin our community.
Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:
BBC News: UN Calls for Restraint in Tibet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi
Human Right Watch: China Restrain from Violently Attacking Protesters - http://hrw.org/english/docs
Associated Press: Tibet Unrest Sparks Global Reaction - http://ap.google.com/article
New York Times: China Takes Steps to Thwart Reporting on Tibet Protests - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03
------------------------------
ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.
Tuesday 25th of March 2008 09:09:11 PM | Comments
More Organic Bytes....
TOXIC SOUP OF PLASTIC TWICE THE SIZE OF U.S. FORMS IN OCEAN
The University of Hawaii is set to launch an expedition with the goal of confirming a new trash "continent" in the Pacific Ocean. A vast expanse of floating trash has been collecting in the Pacific Ocean into a mass that scientists are now referring to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The thick mass of plastic soup, located approximately 500 miles east of California, is now reported to be twice the size of the Unites States. The collection of debris comes as no surprise to experts in this area. According to a recent report from the UN Environment Programme, on a global level, each square mile of ocean water contains an average of 46,000 pieces of floating garbage.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers
Thursday 20th of March 2008 12:29:40 PM | Comments
News Alerts from the Organic Consumers Association
CONSUMER ALERT:
CANCER-CAUSING INGREDIENT FOUND IN LEADING "ORGANIC" & "NATURAL" PERSONAL CARE PRODCUTS
A newly released study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and overseen by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman (author of The Safe Shopper's Bible), revealed the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane in leading shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care and household cleaning products claiming to be "natural" or "organic". The study results, to be released this weekend at the Natural Products Expo in California, are already sending shockwaves through the "organic" and "natural" body care industry. Laboratory tests showed that products certified under the USDA National Organic Program DID NOT contain this toxin, but most of the best selling personal care products claiming to be "organic" (but not USDA certified) contained the cancer-causing ingredient. All leading self-proclaimed "organic" brands have at least a few individual "certified organic" ingredients, but for most of these top-selling brands, the product, as a whole, is not USDA organic certified, thereby allowing the presence of synthetic toxins. Similar studies have revealed the presence of this toxin in conventional personal care products, but this is the first study indicating the presence in misleadingly labeled "organic" and "natural" products.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers
| CONSUMER TIP OF THE WEEK: HOW TO AVOID 1,4-DIOXANE IN YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
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| | QUICK RELATED BLIP: INDUSTRY IGNORES CONSUMER CONCERNS & CREATES BOGUS "OASIS" ORGANIC STANDARD A new "organic" standard for personal care products has been created exclusively by conventional industry members like Estee Lauder (owner of Aveda), Loreal and Hain (Jason, Avalon), without any input or comment period from organic consumers, organic farmers or personal care companies who have achieved USDA National Organic Program certification for the majority of their products. The OASIS standard allows a product to be labeled outright as “Organic” (rather than “Made with Organic Specified Ingredients”) even if it contains hydrogenated and sulfated cleansing ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate made from conventional agricultural material grown with synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, and preserved with synthetic petrochemical preservatives like Ethylhexylglycerin and Phenoxyethanol. As always, the OCA recommends consumers look for personal care products certified under the USDA National Organic Program. Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers |
our work fighting for the rights of organic farmers and organic consumers!
http://www.organicconsumers
Thursday 20th of March 2008 12:30:39 PM | Comments
healthcare products toxicity environment 4-Dioxane 1 organic consumers