The time to not act is now. We must assure these corporations that we will not fight against them, but instead, we will sacrifice our own livelihood so that they can continue to wipe with gold-leaf toilet paper and fly in exquisite private jets.
The decisions of insurance companies are always in the best interest of the patient. For instance, insurance companies can still deny care for battered women by qualifying domestic violence as a pre-existing condition. You see, insurance companies are simply offering ”tough love” by putting battered women into financial ruin so that they will leave their abusers.
And anyway, our last President assured us that we have the best health care system in the world. So, that must be true.
And if you are so cold-hearted that you don’t want to help these companies rake in record profits, then maybe this will convince you: Death panels are real. In fact, I’ve heard that all veterinarians will be required by the government to create a “Rest-Wing” in all clinics so that old people can be put-down as cheaply as possible (perhaps at the same time you’re getting your Labrador neutered).
Further, WWJD actually stands for, “Who Would Jesus Deny.” Caring for the sick, helping those with less material wealth… those are all attributes of the devil. Though these concepts were at the foundation of Jesus’ teachings, he didn’t mean for us to really do such crazy things! That would be a socialist sin. If Jesus were alive today, he’d be the CFO of Big Insurance, hosting MTV Cribs, flicking off anyone different than him and yelling at the underinsured, “Survival of the fittest suckas!”
So, just to summarize WWJD: Jesus would for sure deny the poor, the middle-class, the already sick, you (but not me) and well, obviously the immigrants. And you can bet that Jesus would be schmoozing with the big wigs on the U.S.S. Constitution (droppin anchor next to Noah).
So, I think I’ve made it pretty clear. We must protect the profits of the insurance companies. If we don’t, we will have to spend less of our income on healthcare and receive better care. It’s a frightening concept.
Here’s my sequel to an earlier post: Cell Phone and Cancer? Read the earlier post to see what all the fuss is about.
So, can cell phones increase cancer risk? Unfortunately, there’s still no concrete answer.
Previous research studies used to assure the safety of cell phones were based on only three years of cell phone use. Cell phones have now been around much longer and long-term use is beginning to reveal some health/safety concerns. Long-term studies now reveal that cell phone use for 10 or more years may increase the risk for conditions like glioma (a brain tumor that is often malignant), acoustic neuroma (a type of benign brain tumor) and benign parotid gland tumors.
Recent studies have also linked cell phone radiation to increased risk for migraines, vertigo and behavioral problems in children (based on children who use cell phones and mothers who used cell phones during pregnancy). It is believed that children absorb significantly more radiation than adults, so it’s possible that cell phone use may have more serious health consequences for children.
EWG has also created a fantastic database indicating the radiation emitted by particular cell phone models. Visit the site and search for your phone. I was peeved to discover that the Blackberry Curve (the phone Charlie and my mom have) and my Palm Treo made the Top 10 Worst Phones list. Awesome.
Even though I have the world’s most dangerous phone, I’m not freaking out. In my earlier post, I listed a few easy changes to make that can reduce radiation exposure (use speaker phone, talk less, don’t use a blue-tooth, keep the phone at distance, etc.). When my silly provider gives me my next deal on a phone, I will definitely be switching over to a phone from the Top 10 Best list (lowest radiation).
Additionally, I’ve committed to not using my phone in the car– perhaps, in part because emitted radiation is more powerful when in a moving vehicle– but, mainly because driving and talking on the phone is WAY more dangerous than duct taping my Palm Treo to my head for 10 years. And regarding texting in the car… well that’s just like daring God to strike you down.
And how about your phone? Where did it fall on the list? Will you be making any changes in your cell phone use?
Healthy, locally sourced school lunches benefit us all. Children receive better nutrition (which reduces their risk for many behavioral, emotional and physical issues), parents will have healthier and happier children (that means less stress) and our local agricultural communities can be supported (which means less toxic chemicals will be sprayed over our land).
If cleaning up our kids’ lunches sounds good to you, then take action and sign the petition. If you need more convincing that school lunches are, shall we say, lacking, then take the School Junk Food Quiz. The quiz will test your nutrition IQ versus the USDA. Prepare to be shocked.
And be sure to check out the Farm to School program– it’s a national movement working hard to bring more local and healthy foods to school lunch trays.
If you are involved with a school that has initiated a Farm to School program (maybe you have a child at a particpating school or work for the school, etc.) please share your experiences/opinions below!
Positive Aging is made up of healthy eating, frequent exercise, self-study, an optimistic attitude and so much more. This concept reminds me that I have responsibility for my own health. I can’t live my life abusing my body and mind and be surprised by later illnesses. I can’t plead “why me?” or expect a doctor to fix damage that took me many years to do.
Yet, even after many years of attack, the body and mind are amazingly strong and resilient. They can often clean up, fix up and make shiny the areas that have been neglected or abused. So, no matter the damage, no matter the years, it’s never to late to start some healthy behaviors.
After so many of these, I still get my first day jitters. I spend way too much time the night before organizing my highlighters, pens, textbooks and notebooks. Sometimes, I even purchase new folders (back in the day my folders featured Lisa Frank animations, then I graduated to athletes and TV shows, now it’s peace signs and pictures of fruits and vegetables). And yeah, I still pick out my first day outfit.
Classes have been good– so far– it looks like I’ll be graduating in May! However, I am working on my application for a PhD program. So, if they accept me, I’ll be in for another four years or so. Send me some good vibes for acceptance… I’ll need it! I get nervous that the application committee will visit Wellness Gossip and think, “Yikes. This girl looks like trouble.” I’ll find out in spring if they are ready for me…
Speaking of Wellness Gossip: I anticipate getting back to posting as much as I can. I love the opportunity to share my thoughts and have others contribute through comments and emails. I am passionate about exploring wellness through many different perspectives and philosophies. Which is why I appreciate the wisdom that so many of you bring! We are all experts of our own wellness and can share amazing experiences and opinions. So, don’t be shy, comment more!
In a few months, I will be adding many features to WG. Podcasts and video posts will be two of these changes. So, here is my question:
What do you want to gossip about?
If you have questions about different integrative treatment options (e.g., “What is Auricular therapy?”), suggestions for post topics or other wellness questions, I encourage you to email me at: aimee@wellnessgossip.com. Additionally, if you have any suggestions for changes to WG (format, features, whatev) please let me know.
And truly, thanks so much for visiting the site. It’s nice to know that I’m not always talking to myself.
Money-driven medicine vs. YOUR health. Which do you support?
I had the opportunity to see the documentary, Money-Driven Medicinea few months ago. It is a candid portrait of our sick-care system, ahem, I mean health care system. I encourage you to visit the film’s website and watch a few more clips. Most of all, I encourage you to host a screening of the film with your friends, neighbors, business, school, etc. (sooner the better). Click here to purchase the DVD for screening.
If you live near Minneapolis, here’s an event you don’t want to miss:
September 26, 2009. 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
A day of yoga, food, fashion, and fun to celebrate life and healthy living! All proceeds go towards education and outreach to cancer patients and survivors. Be prepared to practice yoga with the Twin Cities finest yoginis. Bring your mat, water, and towel. Come for all events or just part of the day. The Twin Cities most unique fundraiser of the year. Good cause, good fun, good Karma!
Nora Byrne is guiding the morning yoga class for the event; such a treat because she is an absolutely amazing teacher. Also, Joel and Jason Herd will be providing live music during the class. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to take one of Nora’s classes that Joel and Jason provided live music for. It was hands-down the best yoga class I’ve ever taken- the live music added such a powerful dimension. The event will also highlight one of my favorite yoga designers: Swami Baby.
The sandwich makes no attempts to be seen as healthy. It is fried chicken, stacked with two strips of fried bacon, draped with two types of cheese, ladled with some secret sauce and sealed with another serving of fried chicken.
KFC has not released the nutrition facts of the sandwich, but I added up the stats from the individual items and came up with the following score: 1250 calories, 62 grams of fat. Pretty amazing that you can ingest something like 1200 calories without an ounce of quality nutrients.
So, will you be trying a Double Down in the future? Ooh, and one more question: Do you think selling a sandwich like this to an already-obese America is ethical?
Here’s the ad that ABC and NBC have decided not to broadcast nationally:
Yeesh. Smart move. This ad is beyond help. Seriously, if you’re gonna make an ad that tries to discredit something, at least use some credible sources…
Evidence A: “Medicare as we know it will no longer exist.” The ad cites Heritage.org for the quote. It’s important to know that the Heritage Foundation gets a nice chunk of change from pharmaceutical, chemical and medical companies.
Evidence B: “Explicitly limiting patient access to treatments.” The quote comes from this opinion article published in the WSJ. I’ll be honest, I have no idea who the author is… is she really a credible source?
Evidence C: “Government health plans always ration care.” This quote can also be found in the opinion section of the WSJ. The author of this piece is businessman, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. Apparently, Dr. Gottlieb is also a practicing physician, but I just don’t see how he has time for medicine while he’s playing house with so many drug and medical companies. Here are just a few of Dr. Gottlieb’s conflicts of interest (scroll down just a bit to the article, “Did the New England Journal of Medicine Really Commit “Journalistic Malpractice”? And Who Says So?”).
Wow. If I ever cited an opinion article from the WSJ in my academic work, most of my profs would knock me down a full letter grade. Don’t get me wrong, citizen voices are extremely important, but they shouldn’t be positioned in a TV commercial as if they are scientific facts.
What do you think? Is this ad credible? Further, do you think this ad would influence the beliefs of viewers?
I hope that you will watch the film above and then share it with everyone on your contact list. The information in this film is vital to the health of our children.
Consider:
The current US Health Care System is failing babies and families before, during and after birth.
Our [U.S.] infant mortality ranking is 42nd on the world stage which means 41 countries have better statistics. This places us right in the middle of the following countries: Guam, Cuba, Croatia and Belarus, with over double the infant deaths compared to the top 10 countries of the world. (CIA World Factbook). Our astronomically high African American infant mortality rate at 16 deaths per 1,000 is similar to countries such as Malaysia and the West Bank. Not only are babies dying needlessly, but the ones who survive this failing system are also often adversely affected by unnecessary procedures and separation from mother and family.
“Consumers should be outraged that most of the shrimp served in the United States is produced in polluted, artificial ponds along the coasts of Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador and other tropical countries,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “Popcorn shrimp at an all-you-can-eat buffet may seem like a bargain, but industrially produced shrimp comes with costs to our heath, our environment and our communities.”
So, what’s the big deal? Well… the average American eats almost 4 pounds of shrimp per year. That’s more than tuna. And considering that 80% of the shrimp consumed in the U.S. is imported, consumers should be aware that these imported critters are full of chemicals and bacterias that have been associated with neurological damage, allergies and other adverse health conditions.
The video you are about to watch is from Real Time with Bill Maher.Dana Gould takes over this segment and raises an interesting question about health reform (BTW, my apologies if the naughty word in the video offends you)…
The event is open to the community. Here are the details:
“This is not just a movement. It’s well beyond that. It’s a good foods revolution,”
Will Allen, Growing Power, Inc. Executive Director.
EVENT: Will Allen of Growing Power, Inc. Reception & Fundraiser
WHERE: Little Earth of United Tribes Neighborhood Early Learning Center (NELC Building) at 2438–18th Avenue South in Minneapolis
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19 / 6-8pm
The public is invited to a reception with Will Allen (Founder & Executive Director of Growing Power, Inc in Milwaukee) at Little Earth of United Tribes on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Join Will Allen, the Little Earth of United Tribes community and the Women’s Environmental Institute for a reception to kick off the Urban Farm Project at Little Earth. The event will include a food justice presentation from Will Allen, plus a tour of the project.
Food provided by Jenny Breen of Good Life Catering, Tracy Singleton of Birchwood Cafe’, and Michelle Gayer of Salty Tart, in collaboration with Little Earth cooks. Special thanks to Coastal Seafoods and Native Harvest.
Invited guests include: Kevin Leecy, Tribal Chair of Bois Forte Band of Chippewa & Chair of Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and other Tribal Leaders; Megan O’Hara of Homegrown Minneapolis; Ninth Ward City Council Member Gary Schiff & Sixth Ward Council Member Robert Lilligren.
The ticket price for this event is $50.00. For details & to reserve a ticket click on Will Allen Little Earth Reception on the upper left hand side of the home page.
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