Adventures in Every Day

Family movie night tonight and a free movie!

2012-02-24T15:33:00.000-05:00

We love our family movie night! Tonight we're watching Puss in Boots from DreamWorks. Anyone seen it?

We used to get our DVD's from Netflix, but after their rate hike, we've been enjoying RedBox. They have a nice selection that is kept up to date with the new movies and very convenient. Now we can rent 8 movies during the month for the price of the one DVD at a time Netflix plan. We used to misplace the DVD from Netflix and not get to watch it for a while until it resurfaced. Now, we rent, watch, and return. More movie viewing; less clutter! :)

The kiosk can look a bit intimidating, but the touch screen walks you through everything. After you choose your movie, it spits it out for you like a vending machine. When you return the movie, you tell it you're returning and put the movie back in the slot. Easy peasy! You can even look up the available rentals online before leaving home, reserve a movie, and pick it up later. And they have a smart phone app that will let you search and reserve movies on the go (or from your car if it's raining/snowing).

You should try it out. If you click on my link and it's your first time renting online, they'll give you a free one-night online rental credit. And I'll get a free rental each time you rent via my link during the program, thus helping my family have more family together time and movie nights. :)

Let me know what you think about RedBox and Puss in Boots!

Blessings in your Adventure,

Disclosure

It would have gone much differently...

2012-02-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

The kids and I were driving home Friday after dark. I had the green light all the way into a normally busy intersection, so I continued through. The opposite traffic was all going straight. As I reached the middle of the intersection, I saw a large truck turn toward me. Me, in a tiny tan Toyota with my 3 precious kids, saw a LARGE dark green MONSTER headed right at the driver's side of our car. They were turning into us! I did my best to swerve away from them and then turned to come around so I wouldn't hit the cars waiting to go through the other direction. (I'm sure they were hoping I didn't get hit either!) I stopped right next to a light pole and felt a thump from the back driver's side. The other driver didn't stop -- kept right on going! -- so I pulled out of the intersection to not block traffic and got out to check the car. I did't see anything by the street light, so I decided to keep going after leading the kids in a "Thank you, Jesus!" A couple of the kids were having panic attacks (the 4 of us were badly hit by another car in 2007). One kid said he was laughing on the inside, but I'm pretty sure that was from my "Need for Speed" driving. :) We mused that the bump we felt was our angel absorbing the impact for us. So so thankful for that angel!

We got most of the way to my parents' house and were going up a steep hill in a very dark section of road in the woods, and the car all of a sudden stops accelerating. I know there were turnouts behind us where I could safely pull off, so I rolled back down the hill but overshot the turnoff since I don't have headlights behind me. (Whose idea was that? :D ) So I think, let's try going forward a bit, and it went right up the hill! Again, thank you, Jesus!

Of course, by this time the kids in the back seat are complaining of wobbling like the tires will fall off... So at the top of the hill I pull over again and use my cell phone as a light to see the tires. Still not seeing anything, we continue to, and finally arrive at, my parents' house.

My wonderful Dad comes to give the car the once-over and all we find is a cracked mud flap and a dark green swipe on the back driver side quarter panel. Again, thank you, Jesus!

Without that angel and God's loving protection, the evening would have gone much differently.

This picture will be going in our Memorial Album along with the story. When we need a reminder of God's protection, we can read the story and remember.

Jump over to A Place Called Simplicity by clicking the picture below to read other Memorial Box Monday stories...

"For what You have done I will always praise you in the presence of Your faithful people. And I will hope in Your name, for Your name is good."

Psalm 52:9

My blog-friend, Linny's, explanation of the Memorial Box:

In the Old Testament God told the Isrealites to remember what He had done. He told them to gather a pile of stones {each representing one of the 12 tribes of Isreal} and to pile them up. Then whenever they would pass by with their children they were to tell the story of the Faithfulness of God. They were to tell the stories over and over and over and over. And then to tell their children's children....and on and on.

We, like the Isrealites can be so doggone forgetful. Life suddenly sends a curve ball our way and instantly we are frantic, wringing our hands and crying out, "Oh.my.gracious! What is going to happen now? Please God don't you see this happening to me? Where are you now? Are you gonna' leave me high and dry?"

BUT if we have a Memorial Box {or something like it} and are diligently working to remember His constant faithfulness, when that curve ball comes, we can say, "Oh! Wait! Lord you were faithful when such-n-such happened, and then 'that' happened and you were faithful again, and oh yes, there was that time as well...I see your faithfulness, I will rest and trust you - again."

Buried under dishes

2012-02-19T22:54:00.000-05:00

So... for the past 3 months (has it been that long??) We've lived like this (or worse)...

The dishwasher broke. Again. And this time, about a month into "life without a dishwasher" I fell and hurt my knee. Really hurt it. Like, can't walk on it. Immobilizer, crutches, sit-down-with-your-leg-up, ouch. After a month of that, I've graduated to a patellar brace that bends and being able to walk short distances without crutches. And I can stand up longer. Hence, I've been able to wash more dishes. :) My kids and hubby did a great job while I was completely down. But the dishes seem to keep multiplying!

I remembered what we did 4 years ago the last time our dishwasher broke. So we did it again. And the kids were actually happy to see it back! Now my counters are clean! (And my PDD/Aspergers child cleaned and rearranged all the appliances. But that's another story...) Now it looks more like this:

Each family member has their own section, with a place card, to store their cup, bowl, plate, knife, spoon, and fork. They have to wash them before they can use it again. All the other dishes are stacked under the counter. I'm not sure why you would really need more than 1 place setting per person in your family until you have company over, so maybe we'll keep it this way! Of course, it won't solve the entire problem (that would take everyone washing their dishes right away), but it certainly will help!

Blessings in your Adventure,

Happy National Chocolate Cake Day!

2012-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

Image by Marshall Astor - Food Fetishist via Flickr

You bet I'll be celebrating!

Check out some recipes here.

Blessings in your Adventure,

Urgent -- Please pray for Noah

2012-01-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

His mom posted a basic outline of his history/condition here http://www.prayingfornoah.com/2012/01/noah-101.html so that people understand better how to pray.

And please click the image above to see the latest on his condition. You can also sign up to receive his mom's blog updates by mail so that you know how to pray each day.

Please share:

No Blue, Green, Red and Yellow

2012-01-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaWe really try to limit artificial colors, flavors, etc in our foods. Partly we do this because we've seen the difference these things make on behavior (mine, growing up, and my kids'). We also do this because I don't like the idea of eating something made from petroleum. Call me crazy.... We used to think that kids were "allergic" to the colors. Maybe not so?

More than 90% of food colorings now in use are synthetic. According to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), “nine synthetic food dyes, mostly petroleum-derived, are U.S.-approved for use in foods under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act of 1938 (FD&C). [Down from roughly 80 at the turn of the 20th century.] (Pigments from natural sources are exempt from FDA certification.) Over the last three decades, repeated studies have concluded that modest doses of synthetic colors added to foods can provoke hyperactivity and other disturbed behavior in children. The effect—contrary to popular conception—is not allergic; it does not appear more commonly in allergy-prone or ‘atopic’ children.”

Glass Harp Music: Sugar Plum Fairy

2011-12-26T12:52:00.000-05:00

Another musical piece for your enjoyment...

Blessings in your Adventure,

Glass Harp Music: Canon in D

2011-12-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I love this! So many similarities to handbells. Please turn your speakers up and enjoy...

Blessings in your Adventure,

The fountain of youth

2011-12-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

The fountain of youth? Possibly... David Sinclair's research on resveratrol shows that it can slow down the aging process and improve health.

After researching resveratrol in his company, Sirtris, David Sinclair worked with Shaklee to create Vivix with great results! It can help protect & repair cellular DNA, enhance immunity, and improve brain, heart, and join health.

Learn more here

Parenting

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Can anyone relate?

see more Historic LOL

Blessings in your Adventure,

Tummy quiz

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000-05:00

TMI? Maybe. I won't ask you to share your results. ;) Take this quiz and then check out these shelf-stable pre- and pro-biotics in our store. We love them!

This bacterial overgrowth screening quiz asks about the most common signs and symptoms of small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

Keep in mind that other conditions can also cause these symptoms and that it is important to consult a health professional for a diagnosis.

You can begin the quiz below. A higher score suggests a greater likelihood of bacterial overgrowth. Having the signs, symptoms, and lifestyle factors in this bacterial overgrowth screening quiz should prompt a discussion with an alternative medicine practitioner to see if further evaluation needs to be done. Be aware that most conventionally-trained doctors may not recognize this condition.

Read more and take the quiz: Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Screening Quiz from About.com

Pesticides link to ADHD

2011-11-28T07:30:00.001-05:00

Study Links Pesticides to ADHD

The study examined more than 1,100 children, 150 of which were previously diagnosed as ADHD. The findings, published in Pediatrics, revealed that around 94% of children examined had detectable levels of organophosphate pesticides in their urine. Children with higher levels of residue had increased chances of ADHD.
...
Previous studies have linked ADHD and attention deficit disorder to exposure to food additives, lead and phthalates. Which, or which combination, is the real culprit? Dr. Philip Landrigan, a 2010 Heart of Green Award winner, is trying to find the cause of autism, adhd, obesity and other chronic childhood illnesses through the ambitious Children's Health Study.

Read more: The Daily Green

Related articles

Pesticides and Parkinson's

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

People with Parkinson's disease have significantly higher blood levels of a particular pesticide than healthy people or those with Alzheimer's disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

"There's been a link between pesticide use and Parkinson's disease for a long time, but never a specific pesticide," said Dr. Dwight German, professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern and a senior author of the paper. "This is particularly important because the disease is not diagnosed until after significant nerve damage has occurred. A test for this risk factor might allow for early detection and protective treatment."

Read the whole article

It is very important to remember that kids and animals react to pesticides much more than adults due to their smaller body size. Here is a resource to help you find alternatives to pesticides.

Asthma/Allergies = Reduced Risk of Cancer

2011-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Image by Martin LaBar via FlickrAnd now some good news for those of use with chronic allergies and asthma!

Source: Archives of Environmental Occupational Health and American Journal of Epidemiology

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by bronchoconstriction that is reversible, airway inflammation resulting from edema in the lining of the bronchial tubes, and increased airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli. Symptoms usually occur during the first five years of life in 65 percent of the patients. A key feature of the disease is a hyper-responsiveness of the airways to various triggering stimuli, which causes the airways to react to irritation with severe bronchospasm and inflammation, resulting in symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, and tachycardia. Researchers are finding that gene mutation may increase asthma risk. They are also finding that a lack of H. pylori in children increases their risk of developing asthma.

If you have an allergy, your body's immune system has been programmed to treat a particular substance in food or the environment as an enemy. Defending us against harmful substances is part of the immune system's job. With allergies, the immune system reacts to a substance that, for the non-allergic person, is completely harmless. Allergens can be environmental, chemical, or food-based. Hay fever, for example, is an allergic reaction to pollen. Why do some people have hay fever, while everyone else can breathe in pollen particles with no problem? Because the immune system in the hay fever sufferer sets an allergic reaction in response to pollen molecules that come in contact with sinus passages.

Based on the findings of two recent studies, it appears that people suffering from allergies or asthma are much less likely to develop certain cancers. One study, conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, included 1,582 women with ovarian cancer and two control groups which included 4,744 women with upper limb bone fracture and 21,380 women diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. The results revealed that asthma sufferers were 30 percent less likely to develop ovarian cancer than non-asthmatics.¹

A second study sought to determine whether allergies could be protective against certain cancers, which included leukemia. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of associations between atopy/allergies, asthma, eczema, hay fever, and hives and childhood/adolescent leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using ten case-controlled studies. The results from the meta analysis revealed that children with allergies to airborne substances were 40 percent less likely to develop leukemia than other children.² The researchers suggest that since allergies and asthma boost the immune system it may offer some protective benefit in warding off more serious illnesses like cancer.

¹Elmasri WM, Tran TH, Mulla ZD. A case-control study of asthma and ovarian cancer. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2010;65(2):101-5.

²Linabery AM, Jurek AM, Duval S, et al. The association between atopy and childhood/adolescent leukemia: a meta-analysis. Am J Epidemiol. 2010;17(7):749-64.

Article found here: Shaklee.com Health Sciences

Nitrates = Not Nutrition

2011-11-11T17:30:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Eating cured meats containing nitrates may also double your risk for lung disease. Researchers in a Columbia University Medical Center study found that those eating cured meats containing nitrate more than 14 times a month nearly doubled their risk of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), including bronchitis and emphysema. than those who did not. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US.

Study author, David C. Park states that “The nitrate reacts with the lung tissues, cracking elastin and stiffening collagen, causing the lungs to age”.

Children are particularly at risk with dangerous nitrite levels. These compounds have been found to be associated with cancers of the stomach, brain, bladder, and leukemia. One study cites that children who eat more than 12 hot dogs per month have almost 10x the likelihood of developing childhood leukemia.

To be on the safe side,e people should opt for nitrate free meats that do not include sodium nitrate or potassium nitrates. When consuming foods containing nitrates, drink orange juice or something which contains Vitamin C, as it limits the nitrates from converting to nitrite in your stomach.

Read the whole article at Nutrition-To-Wellness

Taking care of yourself when you are stressed

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

With the holidays coming up, this is a great reminder.

Taking care of yourself when you are stressed by Gina Conroy at examiner.com

It’s also important to take care of yourself physically through exercise and proper nutrition. Becky Long, nutrition consultant with the Shaklee Corporation says, when you are stressed your body produces adrenaline to help handle the crisis. “This adrenaline rush helps you through the immediate problem, but causes depletion of several nutrients. The nutrients used up during stress are B-complex, Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. By adding supplements you can counteract many of the effects of stress on your body,” said Long.

“If stress continues over long periods of time, the immune system is weakened, you get sick more often and may be irritable,” explained Long. During stress your body also produces another hormone called cortisol, which can damage every organ and affect long-term health. “Our Stress Relief Complex has been designed to help blunt cortisol production.” It promotes calmness at the same time allowing you "to be more alert and concentrate during times of stress".

Mindy's note: Long term stress also leads to Adrenal Fatigue or Exhaustion.

DIY Health Care Reform

2011-11-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

This came out last year in one of the newsletters I receive. It was good then, and I still love it now! :) Enjoy!

Food For Thought

DIY Health Care Reform
By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Dear Friends,

Like it or not, health care reform has passed into law in the United States. I don't know about you, but the debate/fighting and demonizing really got on my last nerves. I found it stressful to even watch news reports on it anymore. But that isn't what this Food for Thought is about.

I am of the opinion that true "health care reform" happens in your grocery store, not the drug store or in hospitals. Taking care of the only body you will ever own is a huge responsibility and, needless to say, so many folks just don't take it seriously.

Eating the right food is less obvious than obeying the speed limit, wearing your seatbelts, quit smoking and bungee jumping, right? I mean those things are pretty obvious.

But the fact is your odds of living a long and healthy life are dramatically impaired by what you eat and what you don't eat. The old adage is correct; you are what you eat. And I would take it a step further--your food choices are a direct reflection of whether you value your health or not. I know some people aren't going to like me for saying it, but it's not my opinion, it is fact: 147 billion dollars are spent every year on obesity-related illness. This figure has gone up 37% since the late 90's.

I want to be an agent for change, to use a term I'm not too fond of. But I don't know what else to call it, so agent for change is it. I have some ideas that I believe could help folks have their own DIY Health Care Reform. In fact, I believe it could be revolutionary if taken seriously.

Here then are my 10 ideas for DIY Health Care Reform that you can implement before Congress reconvenes!

Skip the sodas, diet and otherwise and drink water.
Eat foods in their natural form--potatoes instead of potato chips or French fries.
Buy from the local farmer/rancher and support your community.
Eat foods that don't do drugs (ie: no hormones, antibiotics in your food)
Make soup and eat it. Studies show soup eaters eat more veggies and weigh less.
Make dessert a very special occasion. It's not special if you have it all the time.
Learn to cook.
Grow a veggie garden and do it organically.
Avoid fake foods; margarine isn't butter, it's just a few molecules away from plastic.
If it comes in a box with cartoons, with 2 inches of unpronounceable ingredients on the side and a huge advertising campaign, you don't want it.

I could probably come up with 10 more!

Taking personal responsibility for the food you eat is the first step to good health. Good health isn't a crap shoot for most people; it's an intentional way of living to help maintain and protect the body God gave you.

I'm going to leave it at that. No guilt trip necessary; just get serious people. This is your LIFE we're talking about.

Love,

Leanne Ely, your Dinner Diva
www.savingdinner.com get a free menu when you sign up for our newsletter!
Watch this week's new webisode, www.savingdinner.tv

The dangerous smell

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-04:00

Image by l.wilcoxen via FlickrWhen I talk to people about the small changes they can make in their homes for better health, this handout is frequently asked for. It is such an eye-opener.

The Toxic Danger of Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets

By B. Williams

Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who "forgot to ad the fabric softener" was actually doing herself and her family a favor.

Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. And chances are that the staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.

Laundry

Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:

* Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
* Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
* Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
* Limonene: Known carcinogen
* A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
* Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
* Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
* Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
* Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
* Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?

The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.

In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.

Are "Soft" Clothes Worth It?

Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment. Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:

* Central nervous system disorders
* Headaches
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Dizziness
* Blood pressure reduction
* Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
* Pancreatic cancer

Baby Fabric

Soften Your Clothes Safely With These Tips

Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk. There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:

* Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric
* Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to rinse to soften fabric and eliminate cling
* Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals

It's likely that fabric softeners and dryer sheets aren't the only toxic products in your home. Many household products that consumers regard as safe are also full of toxic chemicals. Our past articles on PEG Compounds in Cosmetics and Phenols in Common Household Cleansers are two of the all-time most popular articles on SixWise.com and will make you more aware of the pervasiveness of harmful chemicals that can be eliminated from your home.

From the FREE SixWise.com e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read newsletter with original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete wellness.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Toxic-Danger-of-Fabric-Softener-and-Dryer-Sheets&id=16953

Try using these Shaklee laundry products, instead. You can find them in our store.

Blessings in your Adventure,

Music a 'mega-vitamin' for the brain

2011-10-30T07:30:00.000-04:00

Read the full story at: CNN

LONDON, England (CNN) -- When Nina Temple was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2000, then aged 44, she quickly became depressed, barely venturing out of her house as she struggled to come to terms with living with the chronic condition.

Sing for Joy is a choir made up of sufferers of neurological conditions plus friends, family and carers.

"I was thinking of all the things which I wished I'd done with my life and I wouldn't be able to do. And then I started thinking about all the things that I still actually could do and singing was one of those," Temple told CNN.

Along with a fellow Parkinson's sufferer, Temple decided, on a whim, to form a choir. The pair placed notices in doctor's surgeries inviting others to join them and advertised for a singing teacher.

By 2003, with the help of funding from the Parkinson's Disease Society, the resulting ensemble "Sing For Joy" was up and running, rehearsing weekly and soon graduating to public performances.

The group now consists of around two dozen singers, including sufferers of Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, others recovering from conditions including stroke or cancer, plus their carers, family and friends. Led by acclaimed jazz performer Carol Grimes, the group's genre-defying repertoire ranges from Cole Porter classics to ethnic punk. Watch Sing for Joy perform »

"It's quite easy to get overwhelmed by the disease and having something that you do every week that makes you forget all your troubles and keeps you from feeling isolated is a great pleasure," says Temple.

But singing also has physical and neurological benefits for the choir's members. A common symptom of Parkinson's disease and similar conditions is voice loss and each week the group begins its rehearsals with vocal exercises worked out with speech therapists.

"All neurological conditions affect the throat because it has so many muscles," says Sarah Benton, another choir member with multiple sclerosis. "So singing, which makes you lift up your body and expand your lungs, is perfect for neurological diseases."

While "Sing for Joy's" DIY-style music therapy has provided obvious social, mental and physical benefits for its members, there is a growing body of clinical evidence suggesting that music can play a key role in aiding recovery or helping sufferers cope with a broad range of brain-based conditions.

Doctor Wendy Magee, International Fellow in Music Therapy at London's Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation, describes music as a "mega-vitamin for the brain," capable of influencing and improving motor function, communication and even cognition.

"When neural pathways are damaged for one particular function such as language, musical neural pathways are actually much more complex and much more widespread within the brain," Magee told CNN.

"Music seems to find re-routed paths and that is why it is such a useful tool in terms of helping people with different kinds of brain damage because it can help to find new pathways in terms of brain functioning."

Researchers in Finland have demonstrated that listening to music for several hours a day can enhance the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

In another study, stroke patients who were taught to play the piano or drums made speedier progress in their general recovery than patients who received only traditional therapy.

At Colorado State University, researchers have used musical and rhythmic cues as an effective tool to improve the movement and balance of Parkinson's disease sufferers and those with other degenerative diseases.

Melodic Intonation Therapy, in which musical exercises are used to improve speech, has proved an effective treatment for patients with aphasia, a disorder that results from damage to portions of the brain responsible for language.

Musical memories also seem to be more resilient to neural degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia, enabling therapists to use familiar tunes to cue memories which might otherwise have been lost.

One American World War II veteran whose dementia was so severe he couldn't remember his own name and would barely acknowledge his own wife was brought alive through ballroom dancing and the music of Frank Sinatra, the sufferer still able to lead his wife through the foxtrot as if it was the 1940s.

The power of music to enhance moods and emotions has long been harnessed by psychologists, but, as Dr. Lauren Stewart, director of a recently established course in Music, Mind and Brain at Goldsmiths University of London told CNN, "recent advances in neuroscience and brain imaging technology are now radically transforming conventional music therapy into a more rigorous and research-based clinical practice."

Professor Michael Thaut of Colorado State University's Center for Biomedical Research in Music, who has helped pioneer a new research-based approach known as Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), says recent developments amount to a "paradigm shift."

"Therapists in all fields have been doing things for decades; now they're trying to figure out the research to support their work," Thaut told CNN. "NMT started as a science and now it's turning into a clinical field. And that's very exciting."

For now NMT remains on the fringes of standard neurological rehabilitation. But Magee believes its application and a general move away from psychoanalytical approaches dominant in the past, could bring music therapy towards the mainstream and make it an ever more effective tool.

"We are now starting to see the evidence for why we see things work. That also means we can fine tune what we do because we understand more about the neurological processing behind it," she said.

"But we're still at the point where we need to build the evidence base and translate that evidence base into practice so we can convince funders that music therapy is an important part of rehab practice."

For the members of Sing For Joy however, the proof of the therapeutic power of music is already self-evident. "There is something about coming together and making a communal sound," said Sarah Benton. "There is nothing like it and it's wonderful."

Sing For Joy perform at London's TUC Congress Centre on Saturday, June 6. For more details see the group's Web site or MySpace page.

A moment in time...

2011-10-29T17:30:00.000-04:00

Image by Greenmonster via Flickr... in the life of a child with PDD/Asperger's and sensory issues:

His hair was bothering him, so he started cutting it himself. With sewing scissors. At 8:30 pm, I was using the clippers on the lowest setting to make the bald spots less noticable. And he still really, really wants to be bald.

I'm not crazy about him being completely bald, so we compromised. I'm researching how to (successfully) do a high and tight.

And the Adventure continues... :)

Blessings in your Adventure,

Statue of Liberty Cams on Statue of Liberty Day

2011-10-28T18:30:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

This is cool:

EarthCam - Statue of Liberty Cams:

"Live from the Golden Torch

Lady Liberty Enlightening the World Wide Web"

'via Blog this'

Missing autistic boy, Robert Wood Jr, found alive!!

2011-10-28T17:30:00.001-04:00

10/28/11 2:00pm -- Robert Wood, Jr. found alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://t.co/IUzvJg5z Thank you, Jesus!

Quote from the Press Conference Friday afternoon (possibly from the Hanover County Sheriff's Office ):

NO ONE ON THE TEAM EVER GAVE UP. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THERE WERE SOME TIMES THAT YOU JUST TODAY REACH DOWN AND FIND THAT FAITH THAT YOU WERE GOING TO FIND HIM AND WHETHER IT'S APPROPRIATE OR NOT FOR EVERYONE THERE IS A GOD -- HE LISTENS TO PRAYER.

Amen!

Original post

Plastic ID Codes & what they mean

2011-10-28T07:30:00.001-04:00

I've been looking for a list like this that tells me the not-so-good and the better plastics. Yea Ideal Bite! Thanks for the list!

Safer plastics:

#1 - PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) - water and mouthwash bottles, cups, peanut butter jars, and TV dinner trays; not known to leach any toxic by-products.

#2 - HDPE (high-density polyethylene) - butter tubs, milk jugs, juice, household cleaner, and shampoo bottles; also low risk of leaching.

#4 - LDPE (low-density polyethylene) - squeezable bottles; you probably won't encounter many 4s, as LDPE is usually used for bags, but it also has a low risk of leaching.

#5 - PP (polypropylene) - straws, yogurt containers, syrup, ketchup, and medicine bottles; low risk of leaching.

Not so much:

#3 - PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - cooking oil bottles, food packaging, and plastic wrap; some 3s can leach phthalates, which can cause reproductive abnormalities.

#6 - PS (polystyrene) - egg cartons, meat trays, and Stryofoam; when heated, some 6s can release styrene, a suspected carcinogen.

#7 - Other - gallon-size water bottles, and baby bottles; some 7s are safe, but some are polycarbonates and may leach BPA (linked to enlarged male breasts, earlier puberty in girls, and cancer).

Blessings in your Adventure,

FOUND ALIVE!! Autistic boy still missing in VA

2011-10-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

10/28/11 2:00pm -- Robert Wood, Jr. found alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://t.co/IUzvJg5z Thank you, Jesus!

10/28/11 update: Still searching

Are you in the area around VA? I'm not sure why this hasn't been picked up by national media yet...

Please spread the word and keep an eye out for this boy. 9 year old Robbie is autistic and non-verbal, so he can't ask for help. If he's on foot, he may still be in the area, but if he's been picked up by someone, we all need to keep our eyes open even outside VA!

Authorities in Hanover county continued to search without success overnight for 9-year-old Robert Wood Jr., an autistic boy who disappeared Sunday while on a walk with relatives.

Read more: 1,500 show up to help search for lost autistic boy

Please spread the word:

Blessings in your Adventure,

9 Ingredients to avoid in processed foods

2011-10-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

A great list of common ingredients and possible side effects. Although it isn't always easy to stay away from them these days, we work to eliminate these from our diet, and can tell the difference.

Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, these ingredients are some of the most highly processed and least healthy of all:

Ingredient Why it is Used Why it is Bad

Artificial Colors

Chemical compounds made from coal-tar derivatives to enhance color.

Linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity and headaches.

Artificial Flavorings

Cheap chemical mixtures that mimic natural flavors.

Linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity and asthma

Can affect enzymes, RNA and thyroid.

Artificial Sweeteners

(Acesulfame-K, Aspartame, Equal®, NutraSweet®, Saccharin, Sweet’n Low®, Sucralose, Splenda® & Sorbitol)

Highly-processed, chemically-derived, zero-calorie sweeteners found in diet foods and diet products to reduce calories per serving.

Can negatively impact metabolism

Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness hallucinations and headaches.

Benzoate Preservatives

(BHT, BHA, TBHQ)

Compounds that preserve fats and prevent them from becoming rancid.

May result in hyperactivity, angiodema, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors and urticaria

Can affect estrogen balance and levels.

Brominated Vegetable Oil

(BVO)

Chemical that boosts flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks.

Increases triglycerides and cholesterol

Can damage liver, testicles, thyroid, heart and kidneys.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

(HFCS)

Cheap alternative to cane and beet sugar

Sustains freshness in baked goods

Blends easily in beverages to maintain sweetness.

May predispose the body to turn fructose into fat

Increases risk for Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer

Isn’t easily metabolized by the liver.

MSG

(Monosodium Glutamate)

Flavor enhancer in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soups and other foods.

May stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty in breathing.

Olestra

An indigestible fat substitute used primarily in foods that are fried and baked.

Inhibits absorption of some nutrients

Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding and incontinence.

Shortening, Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils

(Palm, Soybean and others)

Industrially created fats used in more than 40,000 food products in the U.S.

Cheaper than most other oils.

Contain high levels of trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to risk of heart disease.

Ingredient	Why it is Used	Why it is Bad
Artificial Colors	Chemical compounds made from coal-tar derivatives to enhance color.	Linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity and headaches.
Artificial Flavorings	Cheap chemical mixtures that mimic natural flavors.	Linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity and asthma Can affect enzymes, RNA and thyroid.
Artificial Sweeteners (Acesulfame-K, Aspartame, Equal®, NutraSweet®, Saccharin, Sweet’n Low®, Sucralose, Splenda® & Sorbitol)	Highly-processed, chemically-derived, zero-calorie sweeteners found in diet foods and diet products to reduce calories per serving.	Can negatively impact metabolism Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness hallucinations and headaches.
Benzoate Preservatives (BHT, BHA, TBHQ)	Compounds that preserve fats and prevent them from becoming rancid.	May result in hyperactivity, angiodema, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors and urticaria Can affect estrogen balance and levels.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)	Chemical that boosts flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks.	Increases triglycerides and cholesterol Can damage liver, testicles, thyroid, heart and kidneys.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)	Cheap alternative to cane and beet sugar Sustains freshness in baked goods Blends easily in beverages to maintain sweetness.	May predispose the body to turn fructose into fat Increases risk for Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer Isn’t easily metabolized by the liver.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)	Flavor enhancer in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soups and other foods.	May stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty in breathing.
Olestra	An indigestible fat substitute used primarily in foods that are fried and baked.	Inhibits absorption of some nutrients Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding and incontinence.
Shortening, Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Palm, Soybean and others)	Industrially created fats used in more than 40,000 food products in the U.S. Cheaper than most other oils.	Contain high levels of trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to risk of heart disease.

Read more: 9 Ingredients to avoid in processed foods - Healthy Living on Shine

Looking at "Olestra"... Does anyone else remember "Oleo" the margarine spread? I remember my Grammy talking about "Oleo." Now that I read that... ewwww. If we only knew then, what we know now...