APPLES>ANTI-OXIDANTS>HEALTH>HAPPY LIFE
Mood:  hungry
Eat an apple a day! It can also be a pie, juice, jam or wine. They all are good for you in various degrees.

They help repair all the cells of the body. They help stop heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's and the countless varieties of disease that we put names to.

The research in the news today gives us a better picture of the truth our wise ones knew thousands of years ago!

The research team from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has shown that beta amyloid proteins can be seen repaired with the Pittsburgh Compound.

http://newsbureau.upmc.com/WPIC/CompoundBStudy2004.htm

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 21, 2004 - Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in collaboration with researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have laid the groundwork for a new era in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research by completing the first human study of a compound that, through positron emission tomography (PET), enables them to peer into the brains of people with the memory-stealing illness and see the telltale plaque deposits they believe are at the root of the disease.

Alzheimer's is a debilitating brain disease that affects memory and cognitive function in approximately 4 million Americans today and, if unchecked, will strike as many as 14 million during the next 50 years. The distinguishing factor between AD and other dementias is the formation of a protein substance called beta-amyloid, or amyloid plaque, that is believed to contribute to the death of brain cells.

Results of the study were chosen for rapid publication online in the early view section of Annals of Neurology.

According to the researchers, creation of the compound, dubbed Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB), is a significant development that may provide long-sought answers to questions of how the disease begins and grows, as well as contribute to a better understanding of how effective new drug therapies are at preventing, delaying or treating AD.

"PIB has given us a new tool to view the amount of amyloid in the brains of living Alzheimer's disease patients," said William E. Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and co-inventor of PIB. "Using PIB, we will likely be able to follow the progression of the disease and speed the development of promising new therapies aimed at halting the build-up of amyloid in the brain."

Alzheimer's disease, like stroke, is a significant cause of dementia in people over the age of 65. But unlike stroke, which begins with a single event, there is no way for doctors to pinpoint when the brains of people with AD begin to change, and this lack of knowledge is a real detriment when it comes to creating and testing therapies to prevent the illness.

The plaque deposits form in areas of the brain where memory and cognitive functions are carried out, while leaving areas responsible for motor functions alone. This means a person with AD can be cognitively helpless while being physically robust.

Actual visual inspection of amyloid in the brain has been the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of AD, and previously could only be done at autopsy. With PIB, the distribution of amyloid in the brains of living patients obtained with PET imaging corresponded well to that seen by pathologists at autopsy, said Dr. Klunk.

"The study clearly demonstrates that we now have a tool to detect one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease in the brains of living patients. Until now, this could only be shown at autopsy or by brain biopsy. This is a significant advance for Alzheimer research, and we look forward to the discovery of many possible uses for it, including aiding in the development of new Alzheimer therapies and possibly assisting in identifying those at high risk for the disease," said William Thies, Ph.D., vice president of Medical and Scientific Affairs for the Alzheimer's Association.

According to the researchers, future use of the compound in the diagnosis of AD is just one area likely to be influenced by the new PIB imaging technology.

"We're excited by the future prospects for Pittsburgh Compound B," said Chester A. Mathis, Ph.D., professor of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and co-inventor of PIB. "The ability to detect and quantify amyloid in the brain has the potential to impact several areas of Alzheimer's research, including the assessment of anti-amyloid treatments under development by many major pharmaceutical companies. PIB may allow us to study the very roots of AD by assessing the extent of amyloid deposition in people years before AD symptoms appear."

"For example," added Dr. Klunk, "we will be able to study families with a genetic makeup that leads to AD in half the family members at an early age, often in their 40's. Looking at these at-risk, presymptomatic subjects will show us if the plaques responsible for destroying the brain's ability to think and remember are present years before the first symptoms appear, or if they accumulate over a relatively short time period."

Knowing when the plaques begin to form is a key step in researching drugs that could have a real impact on the disease, said Dr. Klunk. "We will not only find out when plaques begin to form, we will be able to see directly if a medication is preventing or reversing plaque formation over the long term."

While the trial looked at a relatively small sample, 16 patients diagnosed with probable AD and nine control subjects, the results were highly significant. PET images showing PIB retention in the AD patients revealed PIB "stuck" to amyloid in areas of the brain known to contain these plaques, but not in areas of the brain where it is known that AD patients have low concentrations of plaques. PIB was not retained in the brains of eight of the nine control subjects, raising the possibility that the remaining control was starting to develop amyloid before any symptoms of dementia were apparent.

"These results are a very strong indicator of PIB's usefulness in providing quantitative information on amyloid deposits in the living brain," said Dr. Mathis.

In addition to Drs. Klunk and Mathis, the team included researchers from Uppsala University and PET Centre/Uppsala Imanet AB in Uppsala, Sweden; and the Karolinska Institute and Huddinge University, Stockholm, Sweden.

The study was supported by grants from the Alzheimer's Association, the National Institute on Aging, the Swedish Medical Research Council and the Stohnes Foundation. Brain tissue was provided through the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer Disease Research Center Brain Bank.

The anti-oxidants we get from fruits and vegitables help fight off disease in many ways. See this link for a very good description on what you can do to have a healthy life.

http://www.fi.edu/brain/health_topics.htm

Our Blessed Mother of Medjugorje
Each month on the 25th, Our Lady appears to the childern of Medjugorje to tell them how much God loves us and what we need to do to make this world a better place.

A Brief Overview of Events at Medjugorje

In the heart of Herzegovina, in the former Yugoslavia, there is a Croatian village of a thousand souls nestled between two hills, Krizevac and Podbrdo (the name "Medjugorje" means "between the mountains").The people, all hard-working country folk making their living from the soil, barely managed to survive by growing tobacco and grapes. Until recently they lived in a state of political repression under the eagle eye of the omnipresent Communist militia. The parish church was in the hands of the fiery Franciscan priest, Fr. Jozo Zovko.

On June 24, 1981, the Feast of St. John the Precursor, the village was thrown into turmoil by an extraordinary happening. A few teenagers were walking along the path by Podbrdo hill when they saw a shining silhouette of a lady holding a baby in her arms. The next day she returned and revealed her identity: "I am the Blessed Virgin Mary." The group of 6 visionaries was then formed definitively and consisted of Marija Pavlovic, Vicka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Ivanka Ivankovic, Ivan Dragicevic, and Jakov Colo.

Every day the Gospa (the Croatian word for Our Lady) reappeared, giving the children "messages" for themselves, for the parish, and for the world: messages of peace and the need for conversion and love in order to bring back to the Heart of God our poor humanity lost in darkness so far from the Lord! Since 1987 these messages have been given once a month. The Gospa also gives each visionary certain secrets which will be revealed through the intermediary of a priest chosen by the visionary, at a time the Gospa decides.

Father Jozo quickly came to believe in the apparitions for he saw Our Lady himself one day in the church. The Bishop of Mostar, Monsignor Zanic, at first believed too, but later was convinced that the whole thing had been cooked up by the Franciscans. A rift then developed which exists today.

In 1986 Monsignor Zanic provided Cardinal Ratzinger with a negative report on the apparitions, but the Cardinal removed Zanic from the case and gave the investigation over to a new Commission formed of Yugoslavian bishops with Monsignor Komarica (from Banja Luka) at its head. This Commission is open to further developments and has not concluded its investigations.

In April 1991 this Commission officially accepted Medjugorje as a place of prayer, and authorized it as a place of worship. Private pilgrimages are authorized there. On August 21, 1996, Doctor Navarro Valls, the spokesman for the Holy See, made explicit the position of Rome: "You cannot say people cannot go there until it has been proven false. This has not been said, so anyone can go if they want" (CNS Publication, August 21, 1996). "When Catholic faithful go anywhere, they are entitled to spiritual care, so the Church does not forbid priests to accompany lay-organized trips to Medjugorje in
Bosnia-Herzegovina," he added.

Since June 25, 1981, more than 20 million pilgrims have come to this little village to pray and experience conversion, making Medjugorje one of the most frequented sanctuaries in the entire world.

After September 11, 2001 the Blessed Mother spoke these words.

September 25, 2001

"Dear children!

Also today I call you to prayer, especially today when Satan wants war and hatred. I call you anew,
little children: pray and fast that God may give you peace.

Witness peace to every heart and be carriers of peace in this world without peace.

I am with you and intercede before God for each of you. And you do not be afraid because the one who prays is not afraid of evil and has no hatred in the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

OUR LADY`S MESSAGES FOR 2004

Message of January 25, 2004
Dear children! Also today I call you to pray. Pray, little children, in a special way for all those who have not come to know God's love. Pray that their hearts may open and draw closer to my heart and the Heart of my Son Jesus, so that we can transform them into people of peace and love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Message of February 25, 2004
Dear children! Also today, as never up to now, I call you to open your hearts to my messages. Little children, be those who draw souls to God and not those who distance them. I am with you and love you all with a special love. This is a time of penance and conversion. From the bottom of my heart, I call you to be mine with all your heart and then you will see that your God is great, because He will give you an abundance of blessings and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Message of March 25, 2004
Dear children! Also today, I call you to open yourselves to prayer. Especially now, in this time of grace, open your hearts, little children, and express your love to the Crucified. Only in this way, will you discover peace, and prayer will begin to flow from your heart into the world. Be an example, little children, and an incentive for the good. I am close to you and I love you all. Thank you for having responded to my call

Message of April 25, 2004
Dear children! Also today, I call you to live my messages even more strongly in humility and love so that the Holy Spirit may fill you with His grace and strength. Only in this way will you be witnesses of peace and forgiveness. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Message of May 25, 2004
Dear children! Also today, I urge you to consecrate yourselves to my Heart and to the Heart of my Son Jesus. Only in this way will you be mine more each day and you will inspire each other all the more to holiness. In this way joy will rule your hearts and you will be carriers of peace and love. Thank you for having responded to my In this way joy will rule your hearts and you will be carriers of peace and love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

http://www.medjugorje.org
http://xenon.stanford.edu/~marco/medjugorje/
http://www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

LIFE IS LEARNING
Life is all about learning how to learn the truth and finding extreme joy in it. There are many lessons in life that we can learn. Some would say that life is a training ground for the realities beyond this life. Many of the people who have had after death experiences tell about the levels beyond common reality.

Some of the alter states of consciousness that we can relate to are: paying attention, sleep, dreaming, hypnotic, ecstasy, and drug induced states of consciousness that can be referred to as the alpha, beta, delta, and theta levels of awareness.

Beta is our normal state of consciousness. Alpha is a more attentive state that is often produced by techniques like contemplation, meditation, prayer, yoga, tai chi, dance, song and many other creative activities.

Charles Tart mapped out many of these levels of consciousness and Barbara Brown attempted to show us how the "Body and Mind" work together and how to use these levels and aspects to do much more in life.

Howard Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences that categories eight types of intelligence: words, numbers, pictures, athletics, music, popularity, "selfish" (knowledge of self) and naturalistic. Others added over 120 aspects of intelligence. I recall that the aspects were contained within a 4*5*6 matrix of reasoning, remembering and will.

Here is a list of nine types of intelligence that scientists have made:
1. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence -- well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words
2. Mathematical-Logical Intelligence -- ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical or numerical patterns
3. Musical Intelligence -- ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timber
4. Visual-Spatial Intelligence -- capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence -- ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully
6. Interpersonal Intelligence -- capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations and desires of others.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence -- capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes
8. Naturalist Intelligence -- ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature
9. Existential Intelligence -- sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

The process of learning how to learn better is the key to a well rounded education. The traditional education keys upon various areas of intelligence like: reading, writing, arithmetic, arts and science.

Cognitive scientists have discovered many types of genius. Savants, eccentrics, prodigies, visionaries, and despots, all reflect aspects of the seven types of genius. Genius at illusion, war and spy-craft, physical performances, and even comedy are part of some of their list.

Medical experts, researchers and the geniuses themselves all comment or demonstrate aspects of genius that are astonishing and unexpected. One theory suggests that creativity is genetic, and thus, geniuses are indeed born, not made.

Galton examined the extended families of prominent geniuses in the arts, letters, and sciences, and "demonstrated" that mental illness tended to occur in branches of their family.

The popular culture's notion that geniuses were crazy certainly received support from the excesses of many of the Romantic artists of the 19th century, who had their share of obsessive, manic, and ecstatic behaviors.

They point out that people frequently underestimated Stalin's intellectual powers. They say that he ran the Soviet Union for three decades without ever having a secretary, a speech writer or any confidant. During that time he wrote thirteen volumes of published works, and two unpublished, all in long-hand.

Self-directed learning is essential in nurturing your own innate genius and maximizing your potential. It utilizes at least four aspects of genius: the desire to learn, a love of the task at hand, acquisition of deep knowledge of a subject area and expansion of mental literacy.

In developing an understanding of the person we need to look at every aspect of the individual. In many cases we look at the good and the ordinary qualities that we try to transform into unique assets.

Our model includes maximizing our potentialities and remembering to always be virtuous. The holistic model of human formation includes the physical, mental and spiritual aspects that we integrate and balance to transform our total self.

Most of what we know is embodied into our personality. It is by paying attention to our unconscious motivations that we become better able to learn from the past.

Most of our intelligence is hidden in untapped wisdom. Yet everyone is able to learn how to improve themselves by making it a constant practice. The more we pay attention to our strengths, the better able we are to transform our development.

The techniques that we use with physical development can also be used with mental and spiritual formation. All together they make up the total improvement team.

Learn from the authorities in each area and develop your own program of life long learning that includes both conscious and embodied wisdom to discover all that you can become.

WORKERS and JOBS

There are as many workers as there are jobs. All we have to do is match them up. There are even those ideal jobs for those who are motivated and creative enough to make them.

When we look at ourselves each day, we begin to see things that need to change and improve. This is the principle of the ideal and the pursuit of happiness.

Holistics draws upon the "golden rule" and the teachings of our Lord about seeking goodness and trusting in God to give us all that we need. Yet religion is alive and calls us to action, for no one will see heaven just by waiting for it to come to him.

One of the difficulties in the world is poverty. Many leaders attempted to discover how to break the poverty cycle. FDR is credited with bringing the US out of the great depression by having the government create jobs.

If we look at the job market today we would see where there are places that need workers, and places where there are too many workers. Yet the greatest area for growth is individual initiative for creating new jobs where there were none.

Yet many new jobs need capital to purchase raw materials to produce goods, or a place to start a business or sell services. Our lending institutions seem to be seriously out of balance. There is very little incentive to save and a very great temptation to have greater credit or way too many bills to pay.

Last night Charlie Rose interviewed Mohamad Yunus about the peoples bank he created.

Here is a site that tells you about his bank project to end poverty in the world:

http://www.charlierose.com/index.shtm

http://www.gfusa.org/

http://www.miamsi.com/yunus.html

http://www.entovation.com/gkp/berlin.htm

Keep Your PC Running Fast

There are a number of things you need to do to keep your computer running fast and secure.

You need to run maintenance utilities to keep it internally running smooth and security programs to protect it from the outside invasion.

Some of the maintenance programs can be found with these paths: Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools: (1)Disk Cleanup, (2)ScanDisk, (3)Disk Defragmenter, and >System Information: (4)Internet Explorer Repair.

The Security Programs you should be running are:
ones to (5)Block Hackers and Viruses, a (6)Firewall to prevent invasion, and a (7) Spyware stopper to keep your PC free from monitoring programs.

You need to (8)Keep your operating system updated with the latest patches to help it run better and to protect it from outside attacks.

You also need to run a good (9)Windows Washer, System File Checker and Registry Cleaner.

Finally, you also need to (10)Keep yourself informed of all the latest information to make it all work well.

Use Google.com to find the latest Freeware versions for these utilities and remember to completely remove those products that do not work any more.

Here are some examples of programs that work well: Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer.

Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer with other users.

Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system.

For advanced users, it allows you to fix registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations.

The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

Here are some examples of Shareware that I have tried: Registry Mechanic 2.1 - Registry Cleaner

Keep your Windows Registry clean and free of errors. Download Registry Mechanic to fix your registry and make your system faster and more stable.

In addition to Spybot - Search & Destroy, a few other free applications will keep your PC clean, mean, and ultra-sheen. The popular Ad-aware works well as a complement to Spybot, and these three additional fantastic, free tools offer invaluable detection and protection.

Hijack This
This simple detection software runs a fast scan of your system and lists all potential danger areas. To determine actual risk, you'll need to be a veteran PC user or post your scan results to one of the many help forums on the Web to determine if there could be trouble.

WinPatrol
Scotty the Watch Dog can be your PC's best friend, with a host of customizable controls for detecting malware on your system. WinPatrol's most valuable feature is its ability to alert you when a program tries to install itself--and to let you prevent it. It also lets you decide which programs automatically start up when you turn on your computer.

SpywareBlaster
The best medicine is prevention. For inoculating your computer against spyware infections, SpywareBlaster is a simple tool that's hard to beat. Start up the software, select the spyware and adware you want to block, and hit the Protect button. SpywareBlaster automatically updates its database to keep up with changing adware components.

Dreams - Do they have Meaning?

Every person on earth dreams every night - every mammal in fact. It follows then that something extremely important must be going on while we sleep and dream, yet in the industrialized world, the majority of people pay little attention to dreams, and sometimes shortchange themselves on sleep because it is perceived as lost time, or at best unproductive.

How astonishing that we generally ignore this third (and possibly far more) of ourselves. An appropriate analogy to the grandeur of this mass misunderstanding is the incredible inertia in the middle ages against the idea of earth being other than flat until repeated point-blank evidence like Galileo's observation of other planets and their moons and the journeys of Columbus' and other explorers across the ocean proved conclusively otherwise.

The challenge was that people's everyday experience contradicted the idea of a spherical earth because nobody had yet gained perspective from outside of the system. Airplanes and especially photographs from space were not yet available, so there was little first hand evidence of a new paradigm that was quite a great leap beyond the old. Fortunately, people eventually began to come around and the shift triggered an ensuing surge of exploration as the realization and acceptance finally dawned that our world really isn't flat after all.

Dreams, in the same way, encompass yet another entire dimension of experience, a world as yet unexplored by most, where a fascinating sphere of activity awaits investigation and possible harvest for greater fulfillment in waking life. The challenge is again the same -- common daily experience for the average person offers little proof of this other reality, let alone the possible value of this other dimension of experience, unless one can gain perspective from outside the 9 to 5 work day framework and scientific purely objective system.

Dream related mental skills such as dream recall or dream interpretation and information on subjects such as the meaning of nightmares or precognitive dreams isn't taught in our schools, and the majority of our parents knew or passed on little about the value of dreams as we grew up. So it's no big surprise that many adults remember few or no dreams, and even more rarely contemplate or set out to interpret the guidance and mine the jewels of creative inspiration hidden just below the surface of consciousness in dreams. Basically, nobody told us or showed us how dreams can be extremely practical.

The result of where this long-time trend of disregarding dreams has brought society is that the current misguided concepts about the value of dreams are not only crucial misunderstandings, but also represent and even bring about a lack of connection with the subconscious and our own deeper nature. This artificial rift may indirectly, or even rather directly be the source for many of our current personal, cultural and planetary social, political, and environmental challenges.

One solution towards rebalancing and integration on a personal and eventually a planetary level, is for each of us to realize and begin to investigate how our personal dreams, at very least, each night offer a direct means to explore inner reality and gain unique, undeniable experiences of deep personal value. Further, there is overwhelming evidence that they can be harvested to improve waking life, supporting Shakespeare's age-old claim by MacBeth that sleep and dreams are the "chief nourishers in life's feast". Dreams do indeed offer opportunities for fun, adventure, wish fulfillment, creativity, deep personal insight and healing -- and all this at no cost and with no line-ups!

see these links: http://www.dreams.ca
http://www.greatdreams.com

The Nervous System of the Mind
The Nervous System is linked to all the twelve systems of the body and is the closest system we have to the idea of the mind. The brain is the key organ of the mind; yet it works in close cooperation with the sensory and immune systems, for without sensory input and chemical translation the mind would be dumb.

The mind remembers everything the brain ever experienced. Every sight, sound, touch, smell and taste is remembered by the body.

There are over 100 billion brain cells and over 100 trillion cells in the body. Each brain cell is connected to 25 to 100 other brain cells, so it would not take too many to make up a brain word. There could be from 25^25^8 to 100^100^8 connections with just an eight cell layer. If we take the possible intelligence of all the neurons in any person, it would surpass all the intelligence in the universe. The connections of the brain would surpass the number of stars in the cosmos of over 200 billion galaxies each with over 200 billion stars +/- 50% (200^9*200^9)=~7*10^22 or about 7 sextrillion stars.

Although we learn less as we get older, our capacity for knowledge always increases. Our imaginations have dreamed of worlds that we have not yet experienced in physical reality, yet there are some that profess they have visited outer worlds and experienced what it would be like to live there. Many great leaders attempted to make the world into a utopia, yet all of them have failed. What can we learn form their mistakes?

It all starts with the individual and yet it is not solely the individuals' responsibility to make any relationship work. It takes two to have a friendship and many friendships to make a loving family. Without the knowledge of true love, everyone is lost. This is why theology is the mother of wisdom and a personal relationship with God is necessary.

Every religion leads us to God, yet every soul must seek God to get to know him better. We can seek him in school, on the job, in the world or in another's eyes; yet if we do not first go to the source of all knowledge, most of our life might be wasted.

Every person feels they know how successful they have been in life. Deep down inside, they know the truth. It is part of our divine design. Yet how can we learn from this wisdom, if we do not know how to use it?

There are many ways we can develop our mind. You are lucky if you have a computer to help you in this vital task. One way to begin is by using multiple search engines that rate, and summarizes its findings.

I remember finding a whole science of knowledge with very specific words for its courses. Yet becoming too academic would make us all philosophers who are very precise with their words.

Popular courses on self improvement have much to offer the student of life; yet all our knowledge has to be experienced for it to be affective. In other words, success makes success and only your unconscious mind knows if you are really truly great.

UTOPIA & UTOPIAN PHILOSOPHY

Summary of "The Ultimate Philosophy"

Every person has thought, at least once in their life, that it would be nice if there were no disease, no crime, no poverty, and/or for some other improvement in the Human condition. Since everyone has dreamed of a better world, it is fair to say that Humanity has a common dream. While no two humans are exactly the same, we are all of one race, the human race, and we all share the experience of life in an essentially identical carbon-based life-form structure. We all work for continuing survival while in this structure, and hope for a happy, safe, and good life for ourselves and for our loved ones. Therefore, everyone has a common desire for the best life attainable. "Utopia" is the word used to denote the best life attainable. Since each person has their own unique vision of Utopia, the only universally agreeable description of Utopia is, "the ability for each person to live in their own vision of paradise." Humanity should strive to obtain that ability.

Since humans consist of both a tangible physical state (body) and an intangible mental state (mind), the way to achieve Utopia is to find technologies and methods that fully satisfy both states of human existence. With the right new knowledge Humanity can solve any problem and achieve any desired result. History has shown that anytime humanity wants to learn how to do something, such as land a man on the moon, the answers can be found if money and resources are devoted to the cause. Therefore, we should be devoting more resources toward finding the knowledge that will allow each person to live as they desire.

Human DNA has been fully mapped and now it is just a matter of determining what each gene does so that we can manipulate the same to stop illness, increase intelligence, etc. Princeton University scientists have already genetically enhanced the intelligence of mice. Aged brains have been restored to youthful vigor in a gene therapy experiment with monkeys. Scientists have recently created a new life form in the laboratory by creating a new genetic pattern of a simple organism. Cloning capabilities are increasing. Computing capabilities are going ballistic, and artificial intelligence seems to be on the horizon. With robots, machines, computers, and other technologies beyond our current knowledge such as nanotechnology, we can have unlimited production capabilities. With genetic engineering, chemical manipulation, and future technologies we can enhance the mental state of existence. In sum, with the right new knowledge, humanity can have infinite provision for all tangible and intangible needs and wants for existence, and thereby have Utopia. If humanity recognized this reality, and devoted more resources toward knowledge, we could accelerate the pace at which we reach a better world.

The three basic ways of interacting with knowledge, are: 1) dissemination from accessing stored information, through teaching, or from other methods of communication; 2) use through actions based on awareness of knowledge; and 3) acquisition of new knowledge from research, through experience, or from other avenues of discovery. Humanity has achieved proficient methods for dissemination of knowledge, and simply needs to better utilize the same in order to facilitate the use of knowledge. The primary method for finding new knowledge is through research and development. Less than 2% of current global productivity is being devoted to research and development. Clearly Humanity could and should be investing more in its future.

Everyone makes a vote as to the type of world we have with their lifetime efforts, and the total of all human actions determines whether the world is like a heaven on earth or a living hell. Therefore, the pursuit of Utopia can be implemented through the consensus method. The consensus method simply involves putting a dream into words and spreading those words until a large enough consensus is created to cause positive action by society. Individually and collectively we must shine the light of knowledge on the darkness of ignorance, until we find our best. If we take such a path, at some point in the future, Humanity will have a heaven on earth, where everyone lives as they desire.

In sum, since everyone desires a good life, we should make the same a common goal, and devote some more resources toward finding the knowledge to make it a reality for all.

A simple plan to make a dream come true:
who = humans
what = best life
where = globally
why = self destiny
when = future
how = knowledge

http://users.erols.com/jonwill/

Chinese Multi Herb Formula
Chrysanthemum Flower (Ju Hua) - This flower of a special variety of Chrysanthemum is used in China to improve the circulation in the head and face and is thus traditionally used for headaches and sinus conditions. Since it has a cooling action, it is used to relieve red, swollen eyes such as that caused by smog and summer heat.

Mulberry Herb - It's availability of GABA lowers blood pressure, the phytosterol reduces cholesterol and deoxy-nojirimycin helps reducing blood sugar levels. Prevents you from a constipation without a laxative effect.

Dandelion Leaf - The root especially effects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. By acting to remove poisons from the body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.

Hawthorne Berry - European physicians often prescribe hawthorn as a substitute for digitalis, likely the most popular medicine for enhancing the contractility of a weakened heart.

Cocklebur Fruit - Opens the nasal passages, assists in dispersing breath, expels dampness, and relieves throat and nose itching.

Licorice Root - Helpful for gastric bleeding, prevention and for long term treatment of ulcers, and tissue rebuilding.

Angelica Root - Used to treat colds, indigestion, and rheumatism. The roots are liver and uterine stimulants.

Lycium Berry - A powerful antioxidant that contains 18 kinds of amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen), more beta carotene than carrots, and 500 times the amount of vitamin C by weight than oranges. It is loaded with vitamin B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E. It has been found effective in increasing white blood cells, protecting liver function, lowering cholesterol, relieving hyper-tension, helping strengthen the immune system while building muscle tissue and burning body fat.

Suan Zao Seed - Nourishes and calms the heart and is a major traditional herb for insomnia.

Ginseng Root - Increases resistance to the effects of stress and improves circulation and mental functioning. Health conditions contributed to be stress include increased acidity of the body chemistry, back pain, cancer, Crohn's disease (inflammation of the intestinal tract), depression, chronic diarrhea, digestive disorders, hair loss, headaches, hypertension or high blood pressure, impotence, insomnia, TMJ syndromes (jaw pain and clicking), nervous and anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive behaviors, various skin conditions, and finally, ulcers. Ginseng, whether it comes from Korea or Minnesota, is for people who have chronic fever, thirst, hot flashes, people who crave excess sweets and have excess hunger.

Chinese Asparagus Root - Chosen to strengthen the kidney and liver functions, improve vision and calm the nerves.

Walnut Fruit - Supports the digestive and glandular systems. Traditionally, black walnut hulls have been taken to enhance intestinal functioning, including soothing the lower intestinal tract and supporting the body's parasite-fighting efforts. Black Walnut is also high in iodine, and may help encourage glandular and thyroid health.

Longan Fruit - Used for the treatment of digestive problems, while Longan roots are known to promote the healing of bruises as well as breaking down phlegm for easier expulsion.

Codonopsis Root (Tang Shen) - Benefits the lungs and is helpful in treating chronic cough and shortness of breath.

Solomon's Seal Rhizome (Polyggonatum Multiflorum) - Rehydrates cells and prevents dehydration.

Dodder Seed - Dodder seed is considered to be a superior anti-aging herb and is used in vitality tonics to support the reproductive system.

Tangerine Peel - Regulates the digestion. Used for bloating, nausea and vomiting. Clears Phlegm.

Fo Ti Root - Can lower blood cholesterol levels, help prevent arteriosclerosis, reduce hypertension and lower incidence of coronary heart disease. Chinese medicine also indicates Fo-Ti as having anti-toxic, anti-swelling and tranquilizing properties as well as being useful for liver and spleen weakness, vertigo, scrofula, cancer, constipation and as a sedative for insomnia. Also recognized for having beneficial effects on fertility and other female functions involving ovulation.

Sesame Seed - Sesame seed benefits the body as a whole, especially the liver, kidney, spleen and stomach. Its high oil content lubricates the intestines and nourishes all the internal viscera. It also blackens one's hair, especially the black sesame. Hence, it is applied to white hair, habitual constipation, and insufficient lactation. Sesame oil is also helpful in treating intestinal worms like ascaris, tapeworm, etc.

Ligustrum Fruit - Boosts immunity and relieves stress.

Eclipta Herb - Used as a rejuvenative herb which supports the mind, nerves, eyes and hair. It is also traditionally used for liver disorders in both systems of medicine. Modern research has shown that in some ways certain constituents of Eclipta are superior to those of Milk Thistle in the protection of liver cells.

Cherokee Rose Fruit - A sour, cherry-like fruit that binds and contains the body's energies thus preserving resistant function.

Siegesbeckia Herb - In China it is used as a remedy for ague, rheumatism, and renal colic, used in Britain chiefly as a cure for ringworm in conjunction with glycerine and used in Mauritius Islands for syphilis, leprosy, and various skin diseases.

Eucommia Bark - A superb Yang Jing herb, used to strengthen the back (especially the lower back), skeleton, and joints (especially the knees and ankles). Eucommia is believed to confer strength and flexibility to the ligaments and tendons.

Ox Knee Root - Promotes blood circulation to regulate menstruation, nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens bones and muscles, induces diuresis to cure strangury (a painful discharge of urine, drop by drop) and conducts fire (blood) downward.

Honeysuckle Vine - Anti-inflammatory herb.

Sheng Di Root - Nourishes joints, tendons, ligaments and muscle.

Schisandra Fruit - Traditionally used for exhaustion, low libido, insomnia, and liver problems. In Chinese medicine they are also used to strengthen the kidneys and restore the fluid balance in the body.

Cistanche Root - To moisten the intestines and warm the womb.

China Root - Benefits spleen and for bloody dysentery.

Sweetflag Rhizome - It is widely employed in modern herbal medicine as an aromatic stimulant and mild tonic. In Ayurveda it is highly valued as a rejuvenator for the brain and nervous system and as a remedy for digestive disorders.

Anise Seed (Pimpinnella Anisum) - Used for flatulence, indigestion, infant colic, hiccup, coughs and bronchial catarrh.

Dipsacus Root - Strengthens the spleen and dries excessive internal dampness.

Chinese Senega Root - Support for relief of stress and nervous irritability.

Chinese Yam Root - Wild yam root has been used for hundreds of years to treat rheumatism and arthritis-like ailments. The discovery of steroidal glycosides (diosgenin) in the root validated this ancient practice.

Gui Yuan (Longan) - Regulates appetite, stimulates gastric juices and improves bowel function.

Lotus Seed (Sm Nelumbinis) - A mild sedative useful for alleviating nervousness and irritability.

Qian Shi Fruit (Sm Euryales) - Strengthens the spleen and kidneys respectively and relieves chronic loose stool that is a result of weakness in these organs.

Coicis Seed (Pearl Barley - Job's Tears) - It enters the spleen, stomach, lungs and large intestine to tonify these organs.

Echinacea Angustifolia (Angustifolia Root Extract) - First used by Native Americans as a remedy for skin wounds and snakebites. Today, the herb is highly regarded for its benefits in strengthening the immune system. Studies show echinacea to even help treat conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Iris Versicolor Extract (Blue Flag Root Extract) - The protector of the thymus gland, controller of immunity.

Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal Root Extract) - This herb contains berberine and other natural compounds having numerous health benefits. Taken at the first signs of respiratory problems, colds or flu, Goldenseal can help prevent further symptoms from developing.

Alfalfa - It is often used to aid digestion, help heal bone disorders and is often recommended as an anti-inflammatory.

Bee Pollen - Hailed as a cure all but one interesting point is that of the 28 minerals in the human body, most are considered essential. Bee pollen contains all 28 minerals...

Black Radish Root (Raphanus Sativus) - Black Radish is rich in vitamin C, which helps us fight infections and free radicals. Black radish also contains a variety of chemicals that increase the flow of bile which play an important role in the digestion process. Radish help maintain a healthy gallbladder. It also has an antibacterial effect on our digestive flora.

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum Officinale) - For centuries, dandelion root has been regarded as an effective, gentle laxative. The roots and leaves are used to treat liver conditions and to encourage normal digestion. All parts of the plant have high concentrations of vitamin A, and choline, a B vitamin that stimulates the liver.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero Root) - Siberian Ginseng Strengthens the adrenal and reproductive glands. Enhances immune function, promotes lung functioning and stimulates the appetite. Useful for bronchitis, circulatory problems, diabetes, infertility, lack of energy, and stress. Said to help ease withdrawl from cocaine, and to protect against the effects of radiation exposure. Used by athletes for overall body strengthening. May help improve drug or alcohol induced liver dysfunction in older adults.

Fringe Tree Root (Chionanthus Virginicus) - It is renown for their tonic effect on the liver and digestive system.

Garlic - Garlic helps to prevent cancer. It prevents the further growth of certain tumors while reducing the size of others.

Gentian Root (Gentiana Lutea) - For the pancreas, digestive organs, kidney, spleen, glands, jaundice and liver disorders.

Gota Kola - Brain food, memory, depression, vitality, senility.

Greater Celandine Herb (Chelidonium Majus) - Used to treat conditions of the liver and other conditions.

Green Beet Leaf (Beta Vulgaris) - Provide liver support for normal fat metabolism.

Green Pea Concentrate - Provides support for cardiovascular health.

Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus Oxyacantha) - It helps to increase the utilization of oxygen in the heart while increasing enzyme metabolism in the heart muscle.

Kola Nut - Good for sinus, phlegm, arthritis and strengthens the immune system. Helps the nervous system and increases brain power.

Korean Ginseng - This famously energizing herb has been found to improve abstract thinking, speed up reaction time, and boost resistance to viral infections.

Milk Thistle (Seed) - Milk thistle is a potent anti-oxidant, more potent than Vitamins C and E. This means it can counteract free radical damage that can cause degenerative diseases including cancer.

Muira Puama - Used for sex, menstrual cramps and PMS, and central nervous system disorders.

Nettles Leaf (Urtica Dioica) - In addition to its ability to have antihistamine-like effect, nettles tonify and firm inflamed tissues.

Parsley Leaf (Petroselinum Crispun) - Effective diuretic, also aids menstruation and eases colic pains.

Saw Palmetto Berries - Saw Palmetto is often mislabeled as a man's herb. While it certainly has many benefits on the prostate for men, it holds an important place in this formula for women. Traditionally considered a uterine tonic, long been used for painful menstruation, and ovarian pain and inflammation.

Yellow Dock - Stimulates liver bile, clear toxins, and are used for chronic skin disorders. They treat psoriasis and constipation.

Water Plantain Root - It supplements the spleen, benefits energy, converts excessive moisture, and promotes diuresis.

Shou Di Root (Rhemenia Root) - Helps in promoting blood circulation and improvement in vital energy.

Mint Leaf - An antioxidant that cleans the skin.

Cassia Tora Seed - Known for helping to lower blood cholesterol, uric acids and sugar levels, reduce kidney and gall stones, improve digestion, normalize blood pressure and dissolve blood clots.

http://www.donlemmon.com/img/herbs-ultimateherbal.JPG

Arthritis Recovery
http://www.macrobiotics.org/duvall.html

By Charles Duvall

In October 1994, when I awoke in the morning my right hand was "asleep", and I could not "wake" it up. This was the beginning of a very painful year. Within one week, both hands were numb, and becoming increasingly painful. By Christmas, the pain was so bad at night that I had to get up every hour and soak my hands in ice water to stop the pain. By then, both hands were stiff, and I could no longer make a grip with my fists.

In March 1995, my ankles began to stiffen, and I began to experience pain when walking. This stiffness quickly progressed to my feet, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders and by summer, I could not get out of bed without help. My knees would not straighten. I relied on hot showers to "wake-up" my body, but I became very weak, and unable to work more than several hours in the morning.

In early July, I met with a client from London, and went to dinner at a fancy local seaside restaurant to discuss a project in Mexico City. I ordered stuffed eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella, with a cream sauce, new potatoes, and a glass of red wine. I followed this with a flaming dessert of caramelized bananas with chocolate sauce.

We talked for several hours at our table. After the bill was paid, I pushed my chair back and quickly realized that my legs would not support my weight. I told everyone that my legs had "fallen asleep", and to walk on ahead of me. It took ten minutes before I could stand and walk slowly to the parking lot. I attributed my problem to sitting for such a long period.

Two weeks later, again I went out to dinner. This time I ordered a pizza with onions, eggplant, and garlic with double cheese, a bottle of beer, followed by a large slice of chocolate cake. After dinner, again my legs would not support me. This second experience was enough for me to finally make the connection between the food and my condition.

On August 1, I decided to eliminate sugar, dairy, and nightshade vegetables from my diet. I had been a vegetarian for five years, and frequently ate nightshades two or three times a day. Immediately, I began to lose weight, and did not have any more shocking after dinner experiences, although I continued to lose flexibility.

Finally, in September 1995, I gave in to taking the recommended drugs, as I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by a rheumatologist. I was prescribed one of about two hundred possible types of NSAIDS. If these were not strong enough, there were various stronger levels of drugs ranging form sulfa sulfates to cortisone, and even radiation therapy which could eventually be available to me should I need more relief in the future. My control over my condition was to become my choice of how many pills I required to relieve my condition.

The NSAIDS relieved the pain in my ankles, and I could walk more easily, but I still continued to loose my overall flexibility, and strength. I could work about four hours before collapsing on the sofa for the rest of the day and evening. I got a boost at 6pm when I popped the second pill. The rheumatologist had explained that the drugs would relieve the pain, but not prevent my condition from deteriorating further.

I was skeptical about taking drugs in the first place and suspicious about the connection of food because of my direct experiences. The literature of the Arthritis Foundation states that there is no scientific evidence of a connection between diet and arthritis, although some people have noticed effects from eating certain foods.

I decided to take a short vacation at Nags Head before leaving for a two week project in Mexico City in the end of September. I made a business phone call to Maine, and an old friend picked up the phone. She mentioned the Kushi Institute after hearing that I was experimenting with my diet. I immediately called and signed up for the Way to Health program on October 15, even though I was basically unfamiliar with macrobiotics. I had to explore a food related solution out of intuition and desperation.

On October 11, I had an appointment with my rheumatologist. She prescribed the next level of drugs, sulfa sulfates. I should take seven pills every day. I could eventually experiment with the dosage based on my needs. I somehow knew I would never fill the subscription.

One week later, at the Kushi Institute, I quickly realized that I was in the right healing place. The teachers immediately confirmed my suspicion that my condition was related to my diet. The teachers emphasized the relationship of lifestyle as a big factor as well.

After several days, I already felt the energy of the delicious balanced macrobiotic meals. I stopped taking the NSAIDS. I tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible in this concentrated week of study, cooking, exercise, and healing. Sharing experiences with other students and faculty was also a vital part of the week.

I realized that I was beginning a new way of thinking and living, but I never grasped how powerful and uplifting the process would become, and how it would begin to transform my daily life.

Slowly, my arthritis began to change. My joints started making cracking sounds, and become gradually more flexible. I utilized frequent ginger compresses on my ankles and knees. The swelling eventually subsided almost completely.

Initially, doing hot towel rubs in the morning and evening was physically difficult, but after three months became easier to perform, and has been very effective in increasing my vitality and circulation, and well as increasing flexibility and eliminating pain and stiffness in my shoulders and knees.

Daily Do-In exercises have also added strength and flexibility, as well as weekly Tai-chi classes. After three months of a macrobiotic diet, the exercises became more effective than in the beginning.

Recently, I discovered that chewing the food has a direct relationship to the stiffness in my joints, so I am now more focused on chewing every mouthful. Learning itself is a process, and takes patience. It was not possible to prepare every meal perfectly in the beginning, but gradually I overcame obstacles.

Now I am pretty proficient at getting breakfast prepared well, with rice, greens, and miso. It took effort and time to establish a consistent yet flexible process for preparing breakfast. Now, I am trying to improve my preparation of dinner.

In February, I turned forty years old. I have been practicing macrobiotics for four months. I still have good and bad days, but I am moving rapidly towards healing and balance.

Once the arthritis is behind me, I can move on to a continuous and on-going process of healing, transformation, and changes in my diet and lifestyle, and in my relationship to other people and the world, and with myself.

I look forward to returning to the Kushi Institute in Becket to continue to educate myself about macrobiotics and receive the support of others committed to health and healing.

Shortcut URL to this page: http://curezone.com/diseases/arthritis/testimonials/Arthritis_recovery_Charles_Duvall.htm