Friday, September 12, 2008 Could smoking trees balance the budget? POST A COMMENT 'News today of the U.S. accusing the Venezuelan government of aiding drug traffickers -- ('giving Colombian gang-leaders guns & helping move the drugs)... 'kinda points to the pink-elephant in the room -- 'might be time to legalize some drugs? -- Wouldn't that disarm the criminal traffickers lock on such dirty-biznesses? 'Not sure if a blanket legalization of all street drugs is the answer -- ('but really now, isn't Weed a harmless herb??)... 'and there's no denying that our war-on-illegal-drugs is full of corrupt-sloppy-politically motivated agendas... 'from the futile efforts by the Drug Enforcement Agency, 'locking up stupid people for their victimless crimes...to reinforcing the gangs and mafia outfits that live-and-die off of street drugs; 'I'd much prefer a government gang running shit, over the violent gangs populating our streets. All while the real white collar criminals, those legal-drug companies, swim in billions off of medicating us with another useless pill we really don't need. I'm generalizing here, and over simplifying the answers, I know. There's no denying the fact that legalizing some street drugs would give the U.S. a $50 billion boost to the economy; 'not to mention relaxing the burden on our maxed-out-prison-system since -- 'about 2 million people in the U.S. are arrested for drug offenses each year...' Popular Science points out how folks -- 'have long appreciated smoking trees for its seemingly magical effects on mind and body. The fact that it is illegal (at least in the United States), has never stopped people from partaking in a little herbal refreshment.' Experts agree -- 'marijuana alleviates the pain of those afflicted with glaucoma...'But even since the 1950s, scientists have recognized, and pushed for, the antibacterial properties of Cannabis sativa.' 'A team of scientists...tested the five most common cannabinoids and found each one to be effective against several common multiresistant bacterial strains....the team also suggested that cannabinoids may be even more useful in fighting off bacterial diseases.' I'm no economic expert, but doesn't it does sounds like a win win for a slumping economy to tax defenseless crimes -- (the very same way we tax cigarettes and alcohol). I'm here to say: smoke 'em if you got 'em... Via MSN Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, brain-power, Business-101, drug bust, drugs, economy, medicated nation posted by Henry Cruz at 1:34 PM Sunday, August 24, 2008 Cut the fat-guessing POST A COMMENT 'Headed back into the gym last week, so I'm also back to sorting threw the latest fitness-trends. Every expert just about agrees that not all of us have the same body type... In terms of diets, I been kinda hugging the border of the Mediterranean Sea, or what's called the Mediterranean Diet -- (those folks near the Mediterranean sea have a low incident of heart disease, chronic diseases, and cancer, and the highest adult life-expectancy rate, which works for me). Here's the basic things about fat, the Mediterranean diet does contains 40% of total daily calories from fat. But, there is such a good thing as 'good fats. Olive oil, a staple of a Mediterranean diet, is a monosaturated fatty acid and counteracts animal fats. This type of fat does not raise blood cholesterol levels and is an excellent source of antioxidants. Monounsaturated fats are, in fact, required for the body in order to function effectively. Another staples in that diet is fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, something that most people do not get enough of. I also eat lean pork and chicken breast, and rarely do I eat red meat... 'Speaking of fat, I read today about potentially -- pill popping your fat-away (for those really lazy people): 'Scientists discovered a protein that can promote the burning of body fat. "Mice injected with a protein called BMP7 increased their production of "good" brown fat cells, while keeping their levels of the normal white fat cells constant. Fat is a crucial part of the body's regulation of metabolism and body temperature. There are two types of fat cell with different functions: the well-known white fat cells, which store energy and contribute to obesity, and lesser-known brown fat cells that burn calories to generate body heat." "As we learn more about the controls of brown fat development, medical interventions to increase energy expenditure by brown fat inducing agents, such as BMP7, may provide hope to these individuals in losing weight and preventing the metabolic disorders associated with obesity," offers the head researcher. I haven't reached that level of lazyness...yet...but... 'Sounds sorta like the perks of the Mediterranean diet; which instead of counting calories, focuses on food selections. In general, Mediterranean style means eating food slowly and savoring the taste of the food. MEDITERRANEAN DIET-101 *High consumption of olive oil. *High consumption of fruit, legumes, and vegetables. *High consumption of grains, pasta, rice, bulgar, couscous, beans, nuts and seeds. *High consumption of garlic. Garlic lowers your cholesterol level and protects you against cancer. *Moderate consumption of grilled and steamed fish. *Low consumption of lean red meat and lean pork. *Low consumption of eggs and dairy products. *Low consumption of red wine. *Regular exercise is an important part of the Mediterranean lifestyle. - GUIDELINES FOR EATING THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY Plan your meals a week ahead. Try to include a wide variety of foods in your menu plan. *Replace butter and other fat with extra virgin olive oil in cooking and baking. Season your olive oil with garlic and/or herbs and spices. *Instead of dessert, eat a plateful of fresh fruit. *Eat lots of whole grains and beans. *Replace white potatoes with sweet potatoes. *Eat meals full of color! Add a variety of vegetables by eating salads and soups. *Limit processed foods. *Add fish to your diet twice a week and cut down on red meat. *Drink lots of water, never sugar-sweetened sodas. Source: Guardian U.K. Labels: drugs, Exercise, Healthy Foods, HungryForChange.com, News Trends, Obesity, Well-Balanced Life, Whole Foods posted by Henry Cruz at 2:48 PM Sunday, May 25, 2008 Growing up pharming... POST A COMMENT Might be time to say no to a world of "pampers," -- and that endless supply of happiness...or as my Dad would say: Man-up to the real world out there. Talking about a new survey that suggests "15 percent of high school seniors" are using prescription drugs (such as amphetamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, and nonheroin opiates like Vicodin and OxyContin) -- "to get high" -- and those numbers are getting larger, and younger...forming "teen pharming parties." -- to share their pills. Know thy child. "Parents are and continue to be the most influential purveyors of information on topics of great importance," says one expert. "Peers are more influential with what kids wear and where they go." Nothing wrong with reiterating "the values of the household." -- but taking it further and "knowing your kids' friends and their parents" -- and their availability to drugs... yeah, you want to give sense of space and individuality...however, "Parental monitoring is important for kids of all ages" One writer suggests teens are way too coddled - (read article) Offering a trend in the way today's kids are becoming more "insensitive" -- because parents are babying teens, and keeping all negative comments to a minimum...showering them in a non-stop "happy hour." No surprise then, those young adults now expect the same treatment from the real world...a world full of happy-hugs...without taking any real-responsibilities for their own actions. Above happiness, should be a solid foundation on "how-to-handle adversity" - (and how their actions effects others around them). Source: U.S. News, Greenwich Time Labels: drugs, News Trends, teens posted by Henry Cruz at 1:00 PM Friday, May 16, 2008 There's a pill for that POST A COMMENT A new Study shows half of Americans are pill-popping their lives away: high blood pressure, depression, heart, obesity, diabetes and cholesterol, sexual dysfunction, whatever your itch... there's a pill out there for you...if not, one is most certainly in the works... Wonder-in 'bout the black man's struggle in white America... 'got ya covered: 'Scientist are working on making skin color -- (or even hair color) -- easier to swallow, -- in a pill. This rise in a easy-fix-medicated-nation has a lot to-do with the relentless pharmaceutical ads, reminding us how better life could be...by popping one down -- (while making them rich)...Any of this sound familar? You've seen those commercials, upbeat music...'sun shinning, dog’s wagging tail...ah, Life is so much better after you "take that blue little pill." - “not” I'm not a doctor, and I know that some of those pills out there improve our lifespan... however, I'm also pretty versed in the laws of the mean streets on New York; and this isn't unlike street-drug-pushers'...'getting us hooked on things we think will make our life better...quick fixes that you might be able to solve by eating the right foods, and exercising. 'ever notice pharmaceutical companies rarely invest those billions of dollars towards finding a real "cure" -- (there's no money in cures)! Like most pushers it's so much better to give that temporary fix -- (to temporarily forget what worries you). Source: CBS News Labels: drugs, medicated nation, pills, prescriptions posted by Henry Cruz at 7:08 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . 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