The Protector

Do You Watch Marilyn! and Read BC Homes Magazine?

2012-01-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you tuned in to the Marilyn Dennis Show on CTV? Possibly, with a lot of people, with so many people working one or more jobs nowdays, not as much as you normally would, but remember you can also follow the show on-line at CTV.ca

And it is not a bad idea to tune in once in a while if you're a homeowner but she does have a wealth of information (even for guys) about daily problems -- such as the interview she had last week with a home renovation expert.

He passed on a number of tips about how to select a reputable renovation company such as remembering to ask to speak to the latest customers the company worked for I believe, and also the need for you to keep control of the expenditures.

While the show is obviously designed mainly for a female audience many of the topics will interest both husband and wife.

It definitely wouldn't hurt to tune in once in a while.

Another good source of ideas on ways to protect your investment in your home is BC Homes magazine. The latest issue I saw had a very interesting piece on working with home inspectors and exactly what you can expect from their services if you are thinking of buying a new home.

This is a bi-monthly magazine but you can also contact an on-line version of the magazine.

The Web site editors have raised an important question for homeowners incudentally and that is: "Are B.C. homes built to withstand an earthquake such as the one which recently hit Japan?

You can find more information on this and other building and renvoation topics at www.bchomesmagazine.com

Are You Concerned About The Electromagnetic Field?

2012-01-23T17:36:00.000-08:00

Are you concerned about this field -- created by not only power transmission lines, but also appliances and apparently even things like cell phones?

If you are get hold of HANS, the Health Action Network to find out when their next conference on potential dangers will be

There phone number is 604-435-0512 and the web site is: www.hans.org.

They do have a conference schedule for January 25, 2012, but all seats are taken for this one -- unless somebody cancels, but if there is enough interest they will schedule another one so why not give them a call?

Want To Be Brave?

2012-01-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

Who do you want to be like -- Captain Francesco Schetino, the disgraced Captain of the sinking Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy or the Italian Coast Guard Captain Gregaria De Falco who ordered the Costa Concordia Captain to return to his ship to aid passengers?

Simple eh?

But, if you would to be like Falco in a similar situations you had better watch your company according to psychology professor Sam Sommers of Tufts University.

He warns, "We may like to think that that we would play the part of the Good Samaritan in situations like this, but the reality may not be so simple.

"Our behaviours and attitudes change, depending on our surroundings and the company we keep."

Makes sense. Remember that old adage about, "Bird of a feather..."?

For more information on this topic and Sommers new book see the January 19, Globe and Mail and the article, "Hero or coward? It all depends on the situation" by Wency Leung

The Third Alternative

2012-01-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

The 3rd Alternative! Now that is an intriguing title isn't it?

It is actually the title of a new book by Steven R. Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and while I have been able to buy it yet I have read the cover copy and seems to focus on large scale problem solving by putting personal prejudices -- whether they are personal, cultural, religious, or political aside and getting together to focus attention on solving the many problems we face in many different theatres in the world.

If it is like his previous book I will a "good read" choc full of priceless ideas on solving personal and larger problems from Covey's unique perspective. Remember that book?

To quote the copy on the back cover: "Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal professional problems. With penetrating insights sand pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity -- principles that give us the security to adapt to change, and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates."

Price Smart stores here in Port Coquitlam, B.C. carries his new book, The 3RD Alternative so I would imagine if you have about $30.00 you can find a copy in any of the book stores such as Indigo or Chapters. I'll be getting my copy soon!

Your Personality Controls Your Weight?

2012-01-19T10:22:00.000-08:00

Can your personality control your weight? that is the claim of neuroscientist Angelina Sutin , as reported by Rose Pastore in the November 2011 edition of Psychologist Today, in her feature, "Weighty Personalities."

In the feature Pastore writes that different personalities such as impulsiveness, which makes it hard to plan ahead and resists temptation; antagonism, which causes high levels of the hormone cortisol which is associated with weight gain are big culprits in weight control problems says Angelina Putin who has studied this personality traits and weight problems for over 50 years.

According to this feature two other traits: neuroticism, low-conscientiousness, and depression are often the causes of wild fluctuations in weight and when you consider these it all seems quite likely -- take the definition of neurosis for example: "a mental disorder producing hysteria, anxiety, depression or obsessive behaviour,"

Unless victims of these traits can find a way to change these traits they could be a "recipe for a lifetime of weight fluctuations" as Pastore writes.

There are things that impulsive, antagonistic type people can do, however, says Angelina Putin. "Weight -loss programs should be designed around personality types,....Buying healthful groceries, having set meal times, and planning ahead help with weight management," she says.

And remember, if you really want to you can change your personality, either through the help of reputable self-help programs or professional help.

For more information see the article by Rose Pastore in the November/December 2011 Psychology Today.

Be True To Your Beliefs

2011-12-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

I often think about the words of a friend of mine who said, " Be true to your beliefs --especially if you believe that the route to success and happiness in life is strive to help others and you will reach your goals as you help others to reach theirs.

When you you also reflect on the efforts of so many people around the world to help others you realize just how true this is.

A perfect example of this is a lady who after she was assaulted by a doctor while confined to a hospital emergency ward went on to help hundreds of other victims of the health care system through a patient advocacy group.

Although she is normally a very soft, loving person she was like a real Canadian wolverine while fighting the protect other victims and help them to find justice.

If You Have High Blood Pressure Take A Look At This Video!

2011-12-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

Stop. If don't have to take that high blood pressure pill right now don't take another one until you have seen this video by Scott Mumby MD.

According to Mumby taking high blood blood pressure pills might do nothing for your blood pressure. Might not lengthen your days at all.

For more information clock on clock on www.scottmumbywellness.com and then follow the directions to bring up the link to "The Great High Blood Pressure Hoax".

Mumby says, " As an alternative to potentially harmful drugs, you will learn about inexpensive, food, supplements and other natural remedies [on his video] the drug companies try to keep you from knowing about that can safely get to the root of high blood pressure and cure it for good."

It is definitely worthwhile taking a look at this.

Are We Being Told The Truth About Smart Meters?

2011-12-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

The controversy about the installation of Smart Meters by B. C. Hydro continues. Their experts insist there is little no danger with a lot of advantages for everybody

Other experts disagree claiming that these meters which release RF radiation are threatening the health of thousands of adults and children.

Who is telling the truth? The article, "Smart Meters: What are the Risks?" by Jim Waugh in the winter 2011/2012 edition of Health Action presents some sobering information as well as references to more material on You Tube as well as the Citizens for Safe Technology at their web site www.citizensfor safetechnology.org to help help you decide

Protect Yourself From Lung Disease!

2011-12-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

If you're one of Canada's baby boomers (35 years or older) your lungs could at at risk of lung disease or COPD.

According to a special information feature in the Nov. 15, 2011 edition of The Globe and Mail one in four of Canadians in this age group could be a risk of this disease. This finding was originally published in the British medical journal The Lancet.

According to the newspaper article the study found that "the average 35 year-old woman is more than three times as likely to get COPD than breast cancer during her lifetime and the average 35-year-old man is at three times greater risk of developing COPD than prostate cancer."

Two of the most promising protections against this disease according to the article are to give up smoking to exercise regularly as well as to follow their doctor's advice regarding vaccination for flu and pneumonia.

For more information see the feature "One in four baby boomers at risk for COPD in the Globe and Mail in the Globe Life section.

Navigational Listening-- Use It!

2011-12-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Learning the skills of navigational listening when somebody is talking to you can help you to quickly analyze what the other person is trying to tell you.

Needless to say this can protect you from a lot of trouble --especially nowadays when it comes to financial issues.

For more information on this critical skill click on www.creatingwe.com

Combating Osteoarthritis

2011-12-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

That is the title of the feature article in the November Alive by Sara Henderson ND and she points out , in addition to ways to fight it, that some 50 percent of persons over the age of 50 suffer from this health problem.

She also highlights some effective non pharmaceutical treatments, which of course only mask symptoms. These are Glucosamine/Chrondroitin, Type II Collagen and Eggshell Membrane.

As she says these, especially, are all promising non-pharmaceutical optins for treating and managing osteoarthrthritis -- which is often made worse by other pharmaceutical medications for treating asthma and pulmonary lung disease.

For more information check out this interesting and informative article. And then, remember what my old swim coach used to tell me, "If you only read about it, but don't master the swim strokes you are still going to drown."

The same thing is true with health care knowledge.

Thwarting Surveillance Operatives

2011-11-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

If you're concerned about the possibility that some business competitors ( or other persons) might be following you or some of your staff there are things you can do to detect and thwart such efforts.

One thing is to check your tail lights once in a while. If anybody wants to tail you especially at night or during the early hours they might resort to things like drilling a small hole in one (or all ) of your tail lights.

Such a small hole will create a white beacon that others can use to track your vehicle much easier -- especially at night.

In addition to this nasty little trick surveillance operatives to track your movements through GPS devices. So it would not hurt to have your vehicle or vehicles checked periodically for any signs of this on your vehicle or vehicles.

In addition to these two checks, when actually driving around stay aware of your surroundings and aware of any other vehicles that seem to be staying the same distance behind your for long periods of time for no apparent reason.

If you do notice any pull aside in a calm manner to let the other vehicle pass and get a picture of the vehicle with license number (and a picture of the driver if possible) as it passes you.

Create A Picture of That Person!

2011-11-29T21:01:00.000-08:00

One of the best ways the average citizen can help to fight crime is to create vivid descriptions for the police; all too often they fail at this however.

I heard of one bank manager who distorted her description of the bank robber so badly that when the police finally caught the man they had a man who was the complete opposite of the bank manager's description.

Having a rifle pointed at your head can do things like that to you, but your skills at painting accurate pictures of criminals can be developed with a little practice.

Like anything else it is just like learning to ride a bicycle. The first few attempts you're pretty wobbly -- but with practice you can get better.

One of these ways to build this skills is to make it a habit to try and create a mental picture of that man or woman who just passed you on the sidewalk. How tall was he ? What was her hair style?

You won't be able to do this with everyone you meeting of course but whenever you can observe people discretely as they approach and pass (don't stare at or make eye contact with the person)
and you will get better and better at being able to recreate images of people.

This is a skill they could make you a valuable crime fighter one day.

And of course if you have artistic skills and are able to recreate this person in a sketch it would be even better.

Don't Get Too Excited About Medical Claims

2011-11-25T20:25:00.000-08:00

No! Don't get too excited about the claims of medical scientists when they boast of their great advances in medical science and how through the unerring power of science are going create a race of people that scoffs at the idea of living a mere 100 years.

In her book Writing Well Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D. have created a pretty accurate picture medical science progress as a whole (There have of course been some individual marvelous and beneficial medical accomplishments).

Here is how she described "The Short History of Medicine":

2000 B.C. Here, eat this root.

1000 A.D. That root is heathen. Here, say this
prayer.

1850 A.D. That prayer is superstition. Here,
Drink this potion.

1940 A. D. That potion is snake oil. Here, take
this pill.

1985 A. D. This pill is ineffective. Here, take
this antibiotic.

2000 A. D. This antibiotic is artificial. Here,
take this root.

So, the best way to increase your longevity is to eat nutritious food and get plenty of exercise. Ask Dr. Oz.

A Guide to Defeating Stalkers or Surveillance Operatives

2011-11-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Like to idea or not in this day and age many of us are being watched, stalked and attacked in some way -- either invading our privacy or in extreme cases kidnapping or killing us.

Frequently such things begin with a simple stake out that you need to become good at detecting to protect your privacy or life.

In addition to courses you can take through security training institututes or on-line there are some books out there that can help you master this art of surveillance countermeasures.

One of these books is published by ACM IV Security Services is called just that: Surveillance Countermeasures. And it contains such practical advice as the following excerpt from page 51:

"As the Principal) [the person being watched] leaves an area that he has assessed as a possible location for an opposition surveillance stakeout, he should observe for vehicles or individuals meeting the profile of those employing stakeout tactics. He should be familiar with vehicles that are normally in the area of the possible stakeout and be able to identify those that appear alien and do not blend with others in the area for whatever reason. The Principal should discreetly note the license numbers of any suspicious vehicles when possible."

The book is full of information like this and while some of it --even much of it might not apply to the average person it does contain invaluable life for everyone.

For more information about this publication contact Paladin Press, Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder Colorado, 80301 USA, www.coloradopress.com

We're Walking A Thin Salt Line According To This Study

2011-11-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

According to a recent new article thestar.com while you shouldn't be adding extra salt to the average meal you don't want to cut it out completely. According to study quoted in this article while too much salt is a killer -- so is too little!

The study was conducted by a Dr. Martin O'Donnell, as associate clinical professor of medicine sat McMaster University in Hamilton On.

Don't grab that salt shaker if you are on a sodium restricted diet, because the doctors involved in this study still warn that too much salt leads to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

But they say so can cutting out sodium or salt completely.

In the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dr. O'Donnell said, "We did find that too little salt was associated with an increased risk" of cardiovascular disease as well.

For more information click on thestar.com Nov 22, 2011. This article appeared just 1 hour and 25 minutes ago.

Escape from Alzheimer's!

2011-11-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

There is a way to find relief from Alzheimer's symptoms using coconut oil therapy.

If you or anyone you know if suffering from his dreaded disease get hold of the Health Action Network in Vancouver, BC and they can help you get in touch with doctors offering this therapy.

Siegfried Gursche, MH wrote an article in the FAll 2010 Health Action magazine titled, "Coconut Oil for Alzheimer's Disease" in which she quotes a Dr. Mary Newport who used this therapy to try and help her husband.

According to Newport , "Between four sand 10 months after treatment began," he had his life back with many of the symptoms gone.

According to the article Dr. Richard L. Veech of the National Institutes of Health discovered that the coconut oil provides brain neurons with ketone bodies which are able to substitute for the glucose which brain neurons normally use to function but can no longer absorb properly.

If you want more information on this contact Health Action Network Society at : editorial@hans.org.

You could save somebody from this devastating disease.

Work In The Dark

2011-11-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

Get used to working in the dark! The best can navigate their side in almost total darkness.

If you are a security officer alone on a construction or other site making use of the quickly fading sunlight to accustom your eyes to seeing in the dark and then practice making much of your patrol in the dark CAN help you to do your job more efficient and safely.

I've know guards to make a habit of flashing their spotlights around just to let possible intruders know there is a guard on duty. That's fine and no doubt discourages many intruders.

But remember that if you're dealing with a person or a group determined to get into your site let's them know exactly where you are -- making it easier to either get around you -- or ambush you.

So practice "dark navigation whenever possible". Be like the old Indian fighters in the Wild West who used darkness to their advantage.

Intruders do. You should do it too. You might not use this all the time because sites and situations vary greatly but it is an invaluable security technique to perfect.

If you're not good at it now remember that it just like learning to ride a bicycle. It will get easier and easier and you won't regret having this skill.

Use The Power of Your Mind

2011-11-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Two interesting articles highlight how we can do this.

The first article "You are what you think" Hazel Morley, a learning and development coach from the U. K. reminds us that we are not always able to control the circumstances thrown at us in life -- but we can control our thinking in response to those circumstances. He says, " Whatever your approach to the challenges life throws at you its how you think about what happens to you, not the even or circumstances itself that makes the difference."

And there is a lot of truth in that. There are numerous cases of people who have confronted and beaten things like cancer with a positive frame of mind.

It is not always easy to to do but with practice you can do it he insists.

A good point!

The other article, " A Slew" by Stephanie Booth in the November 2011 edition of Psychology Today warns that some of us are not paranoid or skeptical enough in our relationships with others while others live in an almost total state of paranoia.

Although she does not describe it exactly this way -- some paranoia, or skepticism is healthful because there are a lot of harmful people out there as you can see from the number of people who are ripped off by skim artists or who go missing or who are murdered after meeting somebody new.

But it can be a very thin line you are walking along in life. It all depends on the circumstances you find yourself in or the context of your life.

Ton Buzan in his book Head Strong also reminds us that our mind, especially our subconscious mind does not just add one thought to another, but multiplies so it is critical what thoughts you let stay in your mind. Positive thoughts, once meditated on for a while begin to multiply until you have a whole string of positive thoughts filling hour mind -- but so do bad or negative thoughts. So according to Buzan so we need to be vigilant about what we think about.

So, if you have drifted into that constant state of paranoia where you think everybody you meet is out to get you it is time to do a reality check or seek help before you become completely mentally crippled.

Whatever your circumstances the magazine article is a very interesting read and this particular edition of the magazine also contains some interesting articles on things like procrastination, defying age well.

It wouldn't hurt to check it out.

Protect Yourself and Enjoy a Delicious Meal

2011-11-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

The typical Canadian breakfast is often bacon and eggs. Delicious, but hard on the arteries and your heart if you indulge yourself too often.

Now, thought, there is a delicious alternative to that fatty bacon -- plantin -- the cousin the to bannanna found in many large supermarkets as well as smaller produce stores -- especially those that cater to an Asian market.

Just buy them ripe( green they are as hard as rocks and seem to take ages to ripen lying in your home cupboard. Then simply cut them in strips, cook them in a good grade olive oil and serve along with eggs, tomatoes etc. Delicious -- and also very healthful. Why not try it?

Learn Self Defense!

2011-11-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

The latest murder in Armstrong British Columbia is a sure warning that more people should be enrolling in self-defense courses such as the ones offered at: www.multipliedforce.com

Instructors at the school connected with this site will teach you and your family the realities of street attacks and how to defend yourself against them.

Check it out. Martial arts schools are good, but they don't generally prepare you for the realities of savage attacks in the street with more emphasis, often, on competitive techniques which might not be enough to protect you or your loved ones out on the street.

There is a world of different between most competitive martial arts techniques (although some are the same or similar) and self defense techniques

Check it out and enroll in a course that are sure will help you to survive on the street. A good self defense can quickly teach you techniques to survive sudden attacks such as the one the young lady in Armstrong B.C. faced and escape to safety.

That is what you want first. You can go on to learn competitive martial arts techniques after this -- often in the same school that teaches you mixed martial arts and the self-defense course.

The organization I mentioned is just one of many. Professional security companies such as Securiguard out here in Vancouver, B.C. also offer the public self-defense courses. Some schools also offer courses on CD's an on-line to teach you --the basic theories -- of self defense.

Remember you need to practice all of this though. So find a good school.

Watch Those Little Library Bugs

2011-11-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

As if we didn't have enough threats to our security and well-being in the world -- but we bedbugs that are starting to infest books have recently added to that.

A recent newspaper story in the Vancouver Sun, on Thursday October 20, reported " Bedbugs found at second library branch"

It turns out that the invasion was relatively minor and the library staff has responded quickly by calling in extermination companies and treating books with a special heat treatment that kills that nasty litter critters that cause varying allergic reactions to their bites in susceptible persons.

Although this problem was minor it is a reminder that bedbugs and cockroaches can come home with us in our clothing as well as in paper bags and boxes that we have picked up in stores.

So it is always a good idea to check for such things when you return from shopping or some other building you suspect could be infected.

We once helped somebody move out of a cockroach infected apartment and although we thought we had been careful in checking our shoes and clothing after we escaped from the infected building and left our clothes outside for the night after arriving home we still encountered the odd cockroach in our own house for weeks.

And it takes only one to create a full-blown home invasion force withing a few weeks. So double check those shopping bags and even library books -- you just never know.

The book infestation is really rate -- so don't let it turn you off going to the library. It is just that it doesn't hurt to check. (I once found a $10.00 folded up into one of the books I brought home from the library.)

Remember -- Strictly in Moderation

2011-11-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Strictly in moderation. That is the latest warning from medical researchers when it comes to alcohol.

We have heard a lot lately about the health benefits of wines -- and even liquor. And the latest edition of Taste mgazine which you can pick up in your local liquor store in here presents some very tempting liquor and food combination don't go overboard; according to the latest studies as reported on CTV's National News on Tuesday, Nov 1, 2011 women especially should be careful not to as new research shows that women having 14 drinks in a weeks raises their breast cancer risks by some 51%

Even a few drinks in a week creates some danger but the risk does grow from about 1.5 per up to that alarming 51% with each drink that she takes.

I don't know who did this study, but the idea of drinking in moderation -- for everyone -- is a good idea at all times. Focus more on that delicious looking food this holiday season.

Make Sure You Have A Will!

2011-11-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

A stark reminder of the importance of having a will -- was driven home recently while working a chap who is now trying to find any surviving family members in another land before the local Public Trustee grabs the estate of a friend who recently died unexpectedly.

Many people (myself included) try to push the thought of dying away off in the shadows -- as far away as possible, but that can be a little risky as shown by this experience. His friend never thought he would died and so put off the idea of making a will until the last moment when doctors told him that he was not going to make -- that he was going to die within in days.

Although he hurriedly decided to leave his estate worth over $8,000,000 in property -- to a big aid organization. The local Public Trustee tried to claim that this will was written under duress and tried to have it declared void.

What the final outcome will be I'm not sure, but I do know that if this friend had taken the time to think things through he very likely would have written a will that left a least a portion of his estate to another organization that he was associated with -- and that they could have done a lot of good with it.

So, don't leave something like this to the last minute. There are far too many cases where people do and the Public Trustee here in B.C. steps in and take control of the estate -- which can mean big legal battles for surviving family members.

Take The Time To Hear Properly.

2011-10-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ancient King Solomon had some very valuable advice for everyone to keep in mind -- especially when communicating or dealing with other persons -- which is just about all the time.

Thousands of years ago he warned his officials and others that, "When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears [it] that is foolishness on his part and ]often] a humiliation [in the end]"

How many times do we fall into the trap of making a critical decisions about somebody or something before we have properly listened to and analyzed what they have said [or somebody has said about them]?

And how many times have responded in ways that hurt emotionally) somebody needless because of it?

I know I've been guilty of this on occasion -- so Solomon's advice is good to keep in mind -- and follow in business and social settings. It protects critical relationships!