Healthy Existence intersects Opportunity

Weight Loss (on hiatus)

2008-05-20T18:47:00.005-05:00

Well... Lets me see if I can make a nice little excuse up. How about the winter cool has been long in leaving the area. The bike has been breaking down, broken spokes being the main culprit.

Anyway, I have gained some weight back. I refuse to weigh myself until after I have been back in the saddle for at least 10 straight days of riding. Then I'll report what my weight has done.

I have also been inconsistent with the weight loss supplements and doing bad snacking. What can I say other than I just don't really have any excuses. Oh well ... I'll be back on track soon!

For general information on a great weight loss program (when adhered to) - check it out here.

weigth loss, part III (or OMG and WOW!)

2007-09-01T15:08:00.000-05:00

OMG. Got on the scale and I am now down to 195 pounds from a high of 220. 25 pounds of loss over a very reasonable (8 month) period of time. And I feel great. WOW!

The September 2007 Scientific American magazine - Special Issue: "Diet, Health and the Food Supply" is dedicated to the question of feast and famine worldwide and the paradox of obesity and malnutrition. Very interesting and informative series of articles. One of the articles mentions the concept of setting, as your ultimate weight goal, the (healthy) weight one was at the age of 20. For me, that was 165. By this accounting, I need to go another 30 pounds. I can do that easily if I keep this nutrition program up. It is really working well - and I feel really good at the same time.

For general information on this program check it out here.

weight loss, part II

2007-07-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I have lost ~20 pounds since early March - about 24 weeks ago. I did not meet my goal of more weight loss than this. But, then again, I have a legitimate excuse (if such things are allowed to explain lack of weight loss ;-)

Anyway, I was counting on getting a lot more bike riding in this summer. Turns out my knee spazzed on me and then my bike needed a serious operation. All told I lost about 3 weeks of riding time. But I am back up on the bike and feeling good again!

I have every reason to believe that my weight loss program is working. And this is a program that I think is sustainable and will actually have a lasting effect! I highly recommend it. For general information on this program check it out here.

Omega-3 fatty acids key to cell health

2007-07-15T09:27:00.000-05:00

It is always nice when the "main stream" media catches up with what many of us have known for a long time. Anyway, here is an interesting story with (conveniently) the same title as this entry. It starts out with this lead:

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The name sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, but omega-3 fatty acids are a necessary part of our diet. "Every cell in the body requires omega-3 to function normally," says Dr. Andrew Stoll, author of "The Omega-3 Connection." "They are a class of fats, good fats that are actually as essential as vitamins to our health."

My point in bringing this to your attention is not only for the importance of it. It is also to back up the idea that you never know what your getting today, i.e. the poison with the pill. Quoting again:

While certain fish are loaded with omega-3 and protein, they also contain some mercury, dioxins and PCBs. "It's a difficult situation to balance out," explains Stoll. "You need to eat some fish to be healthy, but if you eat too much fish, you're putting yourself at risk. ... So most Americans just can't eat enough fish to get omega-3 in their diet."

Consider the manufacturer and quality of the omega-3 your about to ingest and consider this product as your choice for your omega-3 supply.

Please join in on Earth Day festivities on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007

2007-04-21T13:10:00.000-05:00

You are not doing anything that day anyway, right? Good! Then why don't you join us on Capitol Hill. Or perhaps better, find an Earth Day local activity in your community and join it!

The more people the merrier. And the more the politicians will listen. Do the planet, your children and yourself a favor - join us!

Find out more by clicking on the banner above.

Serious concerns raised over Monsanto GM maize variety

2007-03-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, we know not what we do. I think it is better to air on the side of safety. In this case, it is apparent that GM corn, developed to express certain toxins, may not be so good for us. Quoting from the title article - "MON863 is a transgenic maize genetically modified to express the Bt-toxin (Cry3Bb1) which enables the plant to be insect repellent against the corn rootworm pest." Thats great. The toxin prevents rootworm pest. But apparently this modification also allows for some other disease causing agent to take hold. Damages rats big time. Not sure it'll ever be proven OK for humans.

Can't prove a negative. That is a fact. So when we mess with the complexities of nature, we can't really prove we have not caused some other problem which was unforeseen. Evolution had plenty of time to naturally get it all right. By defying time and mother natures evolution, we take risks that may not be worth it. Maybe the Monsanto's of the world need to spend more time exploring how to sick nature on itself. For instance, lady bugs love mites right? So, maybe more time spent using what nature has already provided would be better than inventing some new nature we cannot be sure of.

I'm going to avoid any GM products, if that is even possible, until I know more about this. But, more broadly, I ask the question: "Why would anyone consume food which is known to contain toxins proven harmful to other life forms?". We have proven to ourselves, time and time again, that toxins are toxins. Why consume them? And if we are going to do so, certainly moderation is key.

If I can possibly ingest something that is completely natural and free of our "wise" influence, I am going to do it. And I am going to try to avoid that which is clearly suspect!

13 pounds lost in 6 weeks, so far...

2007-03-10T07:38:00.000-05:00

Well I decided I need to lose 35-50 pounds. And I am starting to achieve my goal. Without a lot of effort. Just a lot of consistency. So far, in 6 weeks, I have lost 13 pounds. At this rate and the cycling season almost here again, I figure I can hit my goal by June!

I'm just substituting one kind of (not so good for you) food with a well known, scientifically designed and balanced food. I use it for breakfast and lunch, every day. The shakes, snack bars and tea actually taste VERY good. So I don't feel like I am eating plastic or nasty food! I eat a regular but smart meal for dinner. When I drink the shakes, I NEVER feel hungry for several hours after. This stuff really works. And, I am maintaining muscle tone. I am losing just the fat. This is great!!

For general information on this program check it out here.

an inconvenient truth has won an Oscar

2007-02-26T09:29:00.000-05:00

Al Gore's documentary, "an inconvenient truth" has won a well deserved Oscar. Perhaps now more people will pay attention to the reality of global warming - and take on the urgency of doing something about it now! Click on Mr. Gore to read up more on this!

political will is a renewable resource

2007-02-24T08:40:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to watching "an inconvenient truth" - and it was was much more informative than I had thought it would be. While some of it seems, especially at the beginning, to be a little self serving ... it simply turns out that what Al Gore is really doing with the vignettes from his own personal life is that he is just reinforcing his points - with "an inconvenient truth". IMPRESSIVE & VERY INFORMATIVE!! Something everyone ought to take to heart and act on ... if only for our children's sake!

Click on the image to learn more!

Part II (some statements to consider)

2006-12-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

I recently received the cleaning starter kit. While I have quite a lot of experience with individual home products, I have found the kit to be very complete and very useful. Well worth the money considering the savings to be had. Some statements to consider:

We believe in cleaners that don't leave behind more toxins than they're supposed to clean.
We believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice powerful convictions for powerful cleansers. And vice a versa.
We believe in a kitchen floor that supports the 3-second rule.
We believe in being impossibly idealistic about how clean our earth has to be.
We believe that by letting you add the water, we subtract the landfill.
We believe home should be the safest place in the whole world.
We believe you should be able to walk around in white socks.

Is now the time to examine newly improved non-toxic cleaners? Cleaners which are safe, powerful, super-economical, earth friendly household products which come with a money-back guarantee. For more information, click here

Click here for more information.

how many trees should I plant?

2006-10-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here is really a cool site to determine how much impact your daily life has on the environment. The site figures out the number of trees required to balance the amount of carbon-dioxide created by your daily activities. Pretty cool! Just click on the image to see the site. And then plant some trees!!

Note that this campaign is being run by a major corporation in an effort to get 1,000,000 trees planted. Check out their progress here.

Cleaning products which are safe for you, your home and your planet!

2006-08-29T12:54:00.000-05:00

These products have always been good for you (and everyone else), for your home and to the planet. Some points to consider:

Do you have children? Pets?
Do you care about the environment?
Do you have concern for toxins in some household products?

Perhaps now is the time to examine newly improved non-toxic cleaners: safe, powerful, super-economical, earth friendly household products which come with a money-back guarantee.

Say hello to a terrific wieght management program and goodbye to fat...

2006-08-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

Say hello to a terrific weight management program. If you are tired of the weight loss yo-yo, why don't you check out a new approach to weight loss? By leveraging the natural amino acid leucine, lose fat and not muscle! And stay out of the world of the weight loss yo-yo.

For more information on this weight loss revolution, click the image above. And checkout the science of this here.

Nutraceuticals World magazine and nutrition

2006-07-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

I doubt you have ever read the subject magazine. But perhaps you have. Anyway, this magazine is "Serving the dietary supplement, functional food and nutritional beverage industry". But why am I telling you this?

Well, I was looking at a copy of it that my scientist brother has a subscription to. And I noticed a section in the magazine dedicated to new products introduced which would be of interest to "Nutraceuticals World" subscribers and to the public. 17 newly introduced products that you and I, average consumers, might have an interest in. Concentrated fruit products designed to deliver 100% RDA of vitamin C and be the equivalent of one or two fruit servings. Probiotic yogurt which is supposed to reduce intestinal transit time. Ingestible sun protection to complement topical sun protection. Yogurt with Omega-3 micro-capsules designed to provide increased heart attention and protection. Fruit flavored calcium water designed to taste good and provide 45% RDA of Calcium per liter. And list continues on!

My point in all this is that industry has noticed a void in the American diet. And an opportunity to fill that void. And I guess they figure there is more profit in food that provides some measurable additional benefit. And I suppose they are right. And having all of those choices is also certainly a good thing.

My own opinion is that this just fractures the marketplace and adds more confusion to the choices that consumers must make in pursuit of a healthy existence. Personally, I am much more comfortable taking a well engineered and manufactured product suite which guarantees a certain supplemental delivery. THIS, rather than the alternative of shopping and counting endlessly to be sure I get everything I need on a daily basis. (Or worse yet, doing nothing to supplement my diet at all).

For more information, link to here.

Is food less nutritious than it used to be?

2006-06-08T08:11:00.000-05:00

It seems so, based on what I recently read - that, in fact, there are even more reasons to supplement our diets with vitamins, protein and minerals. This need to supplement is driven mostly by our efforts to improve the world around us and our success in doing so.

We humans seem to like to trade improvements in our lives, today, for future "make works projects", as I am fond of saying. By this I mean, for instance, that the ability to increase crops yields stems partly from crop cycle time improvements whose consequence is to yield less in nutrient levels. And for instance, the use of increased pesticides and fertilizers which "help" the plant by lowering the levels of nutrients it needs to generate on its' own behalf - nutrients which we have come to rely on during our own evolution. So we "make work" by trying to figure out what has gone wrong with our diet - and how we can improve it.

Here is an excellent article titled "The Observer | Food monthly | Is food less nutritious than it used to be? Andre Purvis investigates" on this very subject matter. It is dated Sunday May 15, 2005, but still very relevant.

For more information on how to best supplement your own dietary needs, link to here.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) Tables

2006-06-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

Did you ever wonder where those numbers come from that say how much of a certain substance your body needs in order to operate well? Well, let me see if I can inform just a bit.

The National Academy, to quote their site at http://www.nationalacademies.org, states the following: "The National Academies perform an unparalleled public service by bringing together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public.

Four organizations comprise the Academies: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council.".

Within the "Institutes of Medicine" (IOM - http://www.iom.edu), the "Food and Nutrition Board" runs a project known as the "Dietary Reference Intakes". Anyway, as a result of the efforts of the board, we are honored to have guidance, in the form of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA's). It is important to note that doctors, biologists and nutritionists lend their considerable expertise to this effort. With the accumulation of additional scientific knowledge, RDA's are adjusted and substances added to the list of important biological nutrients.

My whole point in all of this is that real science stands behind the determination of adequate nutritional support in our diets. Also, as I alluded to in an earlier blog, we don't live in a nutritional nirvana. Most of us SHOULD be supplementing our diets simply due to the fact that we don't really eat enough of what we should.

For more information on how to satisfy your RDA requirements, visit here. For a complete set of DRI tables with more data than you can shake a stick at, look here. A PDF with the latest DRI numbers is here.

Interferon (You Are Under Attack! Part II)

2006-06-01T13:10:00.000-05:00

The following is an excerpt is from a great website (www.naturalinterferon.com) that discusses what interferon is and how it works.

"The immune system serves as your body's natural shield against infection. A wondrously complex and multi-layered system, it was designed to protect you from potential invaders, including viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Your immune system is also able to recognize dangerous changes in your cells and destroy these potential pre-cancerous cells. Part of this protection includes the production of interferon.

Interferon is activated by the immune system when a virus attacks a cell. Interferon serves two important functions. It signals neighboring cells and triggers their resistance mechanisms, and it activates other immune cells that kill invading pathogens. Interferon is essential to the immune system and helps protect us from the daily exposure to millions of germs that can lead to serious infection."

For more information and a great flash video addressing Interferon and the role it plays in our daily lives, link to here. Purchase a product based on natural interferon here, a product which has the distinction of boosting your own natural interferon levels.

criteria to determine efficacy of health supplements

2006-05-25T08:41:00.000-05:00

With so much hype around wellness products, and with so many varieties of supplements glutting the market, here's something you may want to file for reference: a list of criteria to help you determine the efficacy of a company's products. See the link to the list in PDF format right below.

This isn't to "knock" other companies; everyone does the best they can. It is just a way to steer past hype and cut to objective, measurable standards by which companies can be scrutinized in today's highly competitive supplement market. This company shines, and upon examination of the criteria, is virtually incomparable.

Health is priceless, and there is just too much confusion around wellness products, to not be clear on why we've chosen a particular brand. Over the years we've seen dozens of companies enter the lucrative supplement industry, and vanish. There's a reason - actually, lots of reasons - why they have remained at the absolute cutting edge of quality and research.

The first portion of the message provides "objective" criteria, while the second portion consists of testimonials from health professionals. Here is the list. Please feel free to be in touch if you have questions about any of this.

100% guaranteed!

2006-05-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

If you don't experience the desired results from a nutritional, personal care, or household product, you may return the unused portion for a 100% refund. In addition to a money-back guarantee, we offer:

100% guarantee that the ingredients listed on the label are in the product

100% guarantee of quality-controlled product formulations that ensure product safety, purity, reliability, and product performance

100% guarantee that we use the finest quality ingredients available

So how can you possibly go wrong trying our products? You can return an empty bottle if you are unsatisfied, we believe in our products so much! Link to here to read the entire guarantee.

Benefits, Part I - Thanks to those little pills

2006-05-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

The following paragraphs are quoted verbatim from a travel blog entry (see 'On to Santa Fe' blog link in the right gutter) discussing the efficacy of these supplements. It is so nice to hear when someone (especially your own brother) so obviously benefits from a product recommendation. Clearly, the the products did exactly what they were supposed to - and they helped Doug gain control over the digestive difficulties he cites. Separately, Doug is also taking supplements for a healthy heart. His next checkup will almost certainly reveal benefits from this regimen as well!

Thanks to those little pills
Last time I said that I needed to be well for my travels. Who wants to be sick? Anyhow, for the past few months I have been suffering with acid indigestion, acid reflux and intestinal upset. I tried all kinds of OTC (over the counter) meds (medicines) such as Zantac (ranitidine) and Pepcid AC to counter the overwhelming quantity of hydrochloric acid being produced. I also experimented with diet changes. The Zantac worked but once I stopped using it the reflux returned within a few days. Why not visit the doctor? Well, I decided that I could figure this out on my own. He/she would more than likely say, "Take two Zantac and call me in the morning" And, I have to spend $100 for this?

It was during a talk with my youngest brother, Chris, that he suggested that I look into some of the formulas that Shaklee offered. I did some research and decided to try the following combination of nutrients:

Omega 3 (OmegaGuard), Optiflora (prebiotic and probiotic, separately), EZ-Gest (a combination of digestive enzymes), Nutriferon, CoQHeart and Cholesterol Regulation Complex. FYI click on the 'Healthy MLM' link in the left gutter.

Within a few days of taking each of these tabs I was feeling some relief and by week's end I was feeling so much better. No more reflux, no more bloating and no more intestinal cramping.

Now, the question is, which of these little pills did the trick or was it a combination? I guess a scientific study is in order. It will take too much time to check each of them so perhaps I should group them according to action and remove these from the list of pills I swallow and see if those awful symptoms reappear. I have 3 months to do this so here goes!

commitment versus hesitancy

2006-05-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

Below is a profound commentary on commitment versus hesitancy. This whole writing is often attributed to Goethe. But as you will see, it is really Murray, who in turn does quote Goethe!

Until one is committed by William H. Murray (from his book "The Scottish Himalayan Expedition"):

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Murray continues: I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

Wow! Commitment will get me everything. Hesitancy will get me nothing. What do you believe? Are you ready for commitment? Why don't you find out here.

Magnesium is magnificent!

2006-05-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

To quote Wikipedia, "Organic magnesium is important in both plant and animal life. Chlorophylls are magnesium-centered porphyrins. The adult daily nutritional requirement, which is affected by various factors including sex, weight and size, is 300-400 mg/day. Many enzymes require the presence of magnesium ions for their catalytic action, especially enzymes utilizing ATP. Inadequate magnesium intake frequently causes muscle spasms, and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders and osteoporosis. Acute deficiency is rare.

The DRI upper tolerated limit for supplemental magnesium is 350 mg/day. The most common symptom of excess magnesium is diarrhea. Infants should not be given magnesium supplements."

Magnesium is a pretty important dietary element! It is definitely important to get an adequate supply of it. The single most easily found food source for magnesium is dark leafy greens, like spinach. But do you eat your spinach every day? I doubt it. Most of us don't. Does your normal vitamin regimen include enough magnesium? Possibly, but most likely not. Perhaps your diet and vitamins taken together provide enough magnesium? Maybe!

Anyway, if you believe you might be participating in a shortage of magnesium intake, link to here.

The Fatman Walking finally arrives in NYC

2006-05-10T07:54:00.000-05:00

Steve Vaught arrived yesterday and crossed the GW bridge into NYC, finally ending his more than 1 year walk across America. Surprisingly, there were fewer people to greet him than I would have otherwise thought would be present. I guess the bridge authorities succeeded in limiting the crowd (for the stated reason of public safety).

Steve appeared on the Today show with Katie Couric at ~ 7:30am this morning. What I thought interesting was Steve's comment to the effect that one has to live "in the moment" rather than in the past or for the future. He stated that the 15-20 problems he perceived that he had at the beginning of the "trip" were in fact just things that he needed to get over. And that in fact what he needed to do was to just get on with his life. Profoundly simple!

Congratulations Steve on a great trip. And thanks for bringing out the good in everyone you encountered!

The Fatman Walking, Steve Vaught, nears NYC

2006-05-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

If you have never heard of Steve Vaught and his walk across America, "Where have you been?". Checkout the scoop at his website, which I have linked to in the gutter on the right side of this blog. Note that Steve is now arriving NYC May 9th and I believe he is scheduled to be on the Today Show the following morning. Check it out!

UPDATE FROM Steve's website: "NEW YORK CITY TODAY!!! - If you want to show your support of Steve by walking into New York city with him, then please meet at the George Washington Bridge pedestrian walkway, today, May 9th, at 5:30 pm."

Anyway, I am writing this entry because I believe everyone concerned with weight management ought to have at their disposal all of the possible information and choices in order to make informed decisions on their health. This link provides one such very valuable source of information.

Also, please check my earlier posting here.

2005 Water Quality Report

2006-05-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

So I just received my latest water bill from our beloved water company. And in the envelope I found a stuffer by the same title as this blog entry. Then I thought to myself: "I think I'll read this report from beginning to end (2 sided legal paper with fairly fine print). It will make good fodder for this blog". And indeed it does.

The report is fairly coherent and comprehensible.

But what struck me was that some water quality samplings quoted were from as far back in time as the year 2000. I suppose this means there is no obligation to test our water sources continuously.

In the category of Disinfectants & Disinfectant Byproducts, I was also struck by the use of averages to keep the (average) readings across all test wells below a maximum contaminant level (MCL). So, for instance, in at least one site (since they give a range of detections for all samples), the levels of haloacetic acid exceeded the MCL. The question I have for you is: "Was that your source of water that was sampled?". And why, in this case, was the "Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)" a value of not applicable (NA)? Isn't it entirely applicable to know what this value would be when using a substance purposefully in the process of chlorination?

I was also struck by the use of this same "technique" to disguise what must be a problem with "DCPA acid metabolites" and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane in the category of "Organic compounds". How do "they" sleep at night? And what about testing for all of those other organics not even on the tested list? There are thousands you know.

Then there is the Radon measure (picoCuries per liter). A statement made in a footnote was "The average concentration for Radon during 2005 was below 100 pCi/L. The highest level observed was 2,700 pCi/L in a groundwater supply." Again, was that your water supply? Should we even be drinking water with Radon at those levels? I don't think you can even filter Radon gas out of the water supply, can you?

Anyway, I know I don't trust my tap water for direct ingestion. Do you trust yours? Is a filter something you might want to consider? Anyway, for more information and possible solutions, link to here.

You Are Under Attack!

2006-04-29T15:57:00.000-05:00

And not by the Martians ;-) Rather, by all of the neat little things which are invisible to us, which mother nature (with mostly unintentional help from mankind) has seen fit to invent.

Every day you breathe, eat, touch, and share millions of dangerous microbes that infest your surroundings. These invisible substances pose an undeniable health threat. We do have natural defenses. And an immune system that works well enough ... most of the time ... thanks to our own natural interferon. But, the smaller our world becomes, the more our immune systems must work to keep ahead of the "things" that mother nature has been "dreaming up" for us!

For more information and solutions relating to this vital subject matter, link to here.

Earth Day 2006

2006-04-19T07:45:00.000-05:00

Earth Day is upon us once again. And not soon enough in my book. I think every day should be Earth Day 8-).

This is a day to remind ourselves how beautiful mother nature truly is. How carefully the world around us is so balanced. And how easily that balance can be upset. And why we ought to care about that balance. And very importantly, what we can each do individually to right the imbalances.

We can each act in a positive way to respect and show tribute to mother nature. Act this Earth Day to better your world. Your children's world. Our world. Do the right thing this Earth Day. And all the days thereafter as well! For more information on Earth Day, link to here.

Turn Over A New Leaf

2006-04-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

Contact me here for more information.

weight management

2006-04-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

Did you know that 66% of adults in America are considered overweight. I never would have thought the number would be so high. And nearly 33% of adults in America are considered to be obese. These numbers are from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the 2003-2004 time frame.

Loss of weight is a subject many of us struggle with - me included. And many people are actually doing something about their weight. Perhaps you have heard of "The Fat Man Walking" and his journey across America on foot? His name is Steve Vaught and you can read about his journey across America here. And what a journey he is having - with one of his objectives being to lose the pounds he has put on in his life. A courageous story indeed!

We have all heard the many things we can do to lose the weight that we don't want. The obvious one is to eat less. And to eat more of the things that are good for you. And to eat less of the things that are so good - and yet so bad! And to get the proper exercise. And to drink more water not less. All the obvious things that are so easy to identify and yet so hard, for so many of us, to act upon consistently and with an intention to reach our goal.

Beyond all of these obvious things lie the not so obvious things. Proper nutrition is especially important when going about the task of weight management. My company has a whole set of products which address the nutritional aspect of wait management. But we distinguish ourselves from the competition through our rigorous scientific research, product quality and proven efficacy.

For more information about this group of products, please visit here.

opportunity costs

2006-04-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

As an MLM opportunity, we offer revenue sharing that is the best in the industry. You are simply not going to find a better MLM company out there, anywhere!

Note that there is an opportunity cost of not starting the process of setting up a royalty income stream today. The longer you wait, the further out your independence from the man lies. You have heard the much overused exultation "If only I had done things differently..." right?

Nobody will tell you that you are going to build an MLM business with huge royalty overnight. If someone does tell you that, they are lying. But what is possible is to begin the process toward wealth today. I can show you tried and true methods for achieving your wealth and independence starting today. And these methods are just mechanical. These methods are NOT difficult. There is actually NO selling involved. It is just tried and true marketing techniques that are easy for any of us. They simply need to be taught.

Today is the opportunity. For more information, please link to here.

Health product value proposition, Part II

2006-03-28T11:56:00.000-05:00

Taking quality vitamins and minerals is part of every good health regimen. But please don't believe it should end there. Let's not forget our heart. And about maintaining a strong immune system. And keeping a healthy level of all essential proteins in our systems. Utilize a nutrition pack of health & wellness products and you can only help your way to a better tomorrow!

Modern diets introduce too much cholesterol, fats, and carbs. So anything we can do to balance that is good. Like eating instant protein made fron non-GMO soy. Perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Cholesterol and lactose free. High in calcium and low in fat! All the amino acids your body needs, including the nine that our bodies cannot even make. Check here for a most excellent protein soy mix.

Anything we can do to boost our immune systems is a good thing. SARS. Bird Flu. You name it, it is here. Boosting our own bodies interferon production is essential in our ever smaller world. Check out the perfect solution to boosting your immunity.

And let's not forget to take care of our heart. Heart disease is still the number one killer of men and women in the country. For a small investment, you can raise your levels of omega-3 fatty acids - compounds which has been shown to retain normal blood pressure and triglycleride levels. Check here for one path to a healthier heart.

a toxic brew, NOT

2006-03-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

I have a solution to the problems presented in my earlier post depicting a "skull and crossbones"! A post which discusses the toxic brew we sometimes find ourselves in. The solution is so simple it defies logic. You don't have to live in a world where "stinky gets the job".

Rather than walking down the aisle for cleaning products, at your local grocery store, why not utilize time proven products which are completely environmentally friendly and which totally work. Disinfectants. Cleaners. Laundry soap. Industrial grade products. All meant for your home. Meant to be used in a household with little ones present. Made by the first company to be declared "Environmentally Climate Neutral".

To find out about how to eliminate the "Toxic Brew" in you home, link to here.

I certainly hope that the woman who is the object of that CBC investigative report discovers what I know.

better water saves you $186 per year

2006-03-24T15:23:00.001-05:00

In the USA, the amount of water used for drinking and cooking is 3 gallons per person per day. This statistic, from US EPA Department of Drinking Water seems VERY high. For purposes of this discussion, I am going to say that the amount a normal person drinks is 3/4 of a gallon per day or 270 gallons per year.

One option is to drink tap water. The costs for this method are around zero based on modern municipal water rates. But, YUCK, the municipal water in many places in America just tastes terrible. It can smell really bad too. (New Yorkers have go it made in this regard)! So, at least for me, this is not an option.

Another option is to buy bottled water. If I bought "Poland Springs" bottled water for 93 cents per gallon, which I can from Sams Club, it would cost $250 per year. For a family of 4, this would be an astounding $1,000 per year, just for drinking water. WOW!

And the third option is to make my own. If I bought a water filtration system, the cost of the filters would be 24 cents per gallon or $64 per year. For a family of four, this comes to $256 per year for drinking water. Much more reasonable.

Since most bottled water actually comes from municipal sources, why pay to have someone bottle and filter water for you? Just make your own and save a lot of money! For more information, link to here.

what kind of MLM purchases are there?

2006-03-23T14:11:00.000-05:00

There are actually 3 kinds of purchases (contribution gears), when you examine the components of the sales revenue stream in MLM.

The first one is the getting started and exploratory kinds of purchases each new member is likely to be making. This could itself, in a large group adding members regularly, be significant. But it is NOT the focus of our endeavors.

The seconds kind of component is regular repeat business. This is the real machine that generates much of the cash flow. These are the loyal, repeat purchase members in the group. These are most excellent kinds of members to have because they are the bread and butter of the business! And they are builders, actively bringing new members into their group.

Not to be overlooked is the last component of purchases - made by retail customers who are interested in making purchases ocassionally, but not interested in the network marketing aspect of this opportunity. But these are also sales that contribute to cash flow and which are still valuable to us.

So as you can see, the cash from sales is like a gearworks. Each gear or component contributes, in a predictable manner, to the overall cash flow machine you are building.

For more information, link to here.

how do I make money in MLM?

2006-03-22T15:42:00.000-05:00

The easy answer is that you make it from what you yourself consume personally plus whatever the contribution that your group makes through their individual consumption. What follows is a clarification of this simple answer. By the way, since MLM plans vary, this description of MLM compensation is generic and leaves out specific details!

First off, note that I talked about individual consumption. Consumption and therefore the cash flow from sales is driven by individual demand and need. There is no minimum individual consumption that needs to happen. However, for members actively building a business, a nominal minimum purchase may be required (say $100) - designed mostly to encourage active participation in product use and therefore in the product knowledge base.

Second, note that a group will consist of you and all of the people that join your group, down to infinity. That can be MANY people in a large group. Each person in this group will contribute to your group volume. For those members in your personal group that develop into business leaders, your reach into that group extends four levels.

So, as you can see, larger revenue only comes from having more active participants in your group. Note that it is quite possible that someone in my own group, whom I might even have brought in, could make more money than I do! That is cool. What this says is that your income is only limited by how hard you work at it. MLM is a very fair model for equitably sharing income streams.

For more information, link to here.

a toxic brew

2006-03-21T07:54:00.000-05:00

Have you ever used products that supposedly clean, kill germs and deodorize all at once? Like chlorine products? Did you ever wonder why they stink? Do you believe that because they stink, this means they must be good at doing what it is claimed that they do?

Well, what they really are is toxic! Bad for you! Bad for the environment! Worst of all, bad for your children! Your babies - your progeny!

Children are especially vulnerable because their various biosystems are still under construction. They are still developing their bodies. Those young organs and cells are not adapted and resistant to the things that we are throwing into children's environments. Worse, few studies have been done to monitor the effects of known toxins on children.

Not to mention all the exposures we impose on ourselves to chemicals whose safety is completely unknown - because these chemicals have never been tested at all. Why, I ask, would anyone in their right mind expose themselves to compounds which clearly our senses tell us are bad? We have senses for a reason. Nature developed our senses - especially our smell - to help us avoid things which are just not right and which we should avoid.

And what do we do? We buy clorox, AGAIN, when we run out! Why? Many of these products have these warning labels with all sorts of do's and dont's. Like do not use if you have heart problems or disease. WHAT?

Nature tell us something is wrong by allowing us to recognize a stench. And our body responds by noting the stench (that is until we are so inculturated to the stink that we no longer smell it). The label has warnings about the toxicity. Some labels often have a skull and crossbones. Warnings to use in the open air. These are all messages that say "this is dangerous and please take heed"! And yet we use them like it is OK to use!

Why do we do this consistently? Habit I suppose. Well, I know there are alternatives that I hope you take the time to ask me about.

Please understand that I do not believe all chemicals are bad. We are actually made of chemicals. We need chemicals to live. Chemicals are good. We need them. We just do not need toxic chemicals - used in a manner which is clearly detrimental - in their manufacturing, in their use, and in their disposal. We just need to use chemicals in a smart way.

I just discovered a really great article and video clip talking about the toxic sea that we seem to have immersed ourselves in. It is a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation investigative report titled a toxic brew. Please check it out. To find out more about supremely good alternatives to these toxic chemicals, link to here.

MLM just isn't that hard folks...

2006-03-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

Why does everyone want to refer to MLM based opportunities as business?

It is nothing like business. Business means inventory. It means employees. It means hiring and firing those employees. It means forecasting ( which is just a fancy word for guessing). It means phone systems. It means computers. It means office space, furniture rental, equipment leases. It means an IT staff along with their sweet attitudes - like Nick Burns, the computer guy on SNL! It means customer service and all the fun which that can imply. It means commuting to your job through traffic you can't stand to be shadowed by a boss that knows less than your dog ;-) BTW, that wasn't a reference to 'Office Space'! And the list goes on...

I am not for an instant saying there is no place for business. Clearly there is. I'm just saying that MLM is NOT about business. It is about the product. It is about the people you network with. It is about the camaraderie. It is about you and the team that you build.

The product is key. It has to be EXCELLENT to be believed in. It has to CONSUMABLE so it results in repeat belief. And when I say belief, it is a religion. You have to actually believe in the product. And you actually have to use it. And then one just needs to talk about it like it actually 'suffers' from efficacy and usefulness! The enthusiasm of your own experience will be clear to your group. And be the fuel they consume. But what is really cool about MLM is that no one individual has to consume any more than what they need to or want to! It can be a lot or just a little.

What is also key is the telling of the story of your product usage to your group. And telling your prospective builders the story of why they are not building a business. That in fact it is a dialog they are working towards. That it is in fact network marketing. That it is a conversation about the virtues of pursuing and using only good products. And then the subsequent telling to others all about their product experiences.

If you have ever experienced 'water cooler' conversations (while working at a business) - and we all have - haven't you, many times in those conversations, told the story of that great new product you just discovered? Well, that is all that MLM is about. Having many water cooler conversations about products that are great!

What is so hard about that?

For more information, link to here.

Climate Neutral Manufacturing

2006-03-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

It is really cool to think about the world we live in; and how it could be better if every manufacturer of goods took it upon themselves to make sure that their manufacturing was done in a climate neutral manner.

If corporations decided that it was in their best interest to be declared "climate neutral" by an independent certifying body, I believe the whole pollution thing might just go away (mostly).

So why would a corporation adopt such an "expensive" attitude? They might do it because it is the right thing to do. They might do it because their leadership was visionary. They might do it because in the long run, such an "attitude" would pay for itself. Or maybe all of the above!

However, it does seem like the MOST powerful motivator might be the customer themselves. Maybe the customer only wants to buy stuff from a responsible corporation. Maybe if a corporation is seen as responsible by the customer, the customer will buy regularly from that company. Well, isn't that a profound and ingenious thought! I thought so ;-)

You certainly don't have to look very far for evidence of what happens to unthinking corporations. Like GM, for instance. What is it with them? Can they really believe that selling and promoting Hummers the way they do is good corporate behavior that will result in long term gain? HELLO!!! The world is eventually going to run out of oil, and they are busy pushing more consumption. How silly is that? And why do they persist in pushing more horsepower under the hood? Again, more gas consumption - not in everyones long term interests at all, including their own employees! DUH.... Their irresponsibility is paying off in spades, isn't it? They could turn it around could they not not? Sure. They could begin by setting a corporate goal of eventually becoming climate neutral, beginning with their own products! When they do, I'll consider buying a GM auto, but NEVER until then!

What does this have to do with a 'Healthy MLM' experience? Well, it has to do with it by the fact that I try to do the right thing and buy my consumable products from a climate neutral company. And every month, I try to find more reasons to buy a broader range of my consumables from them. Because it is the right thing to do, on many accounts! For my children's future environmental experience. For my mental well being. For my health. For the lower costs of the products. And for a more pleasant world of the future.

For more information, link to here.

Health product value proposition

2006-03-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

So when does it make sense to pay a premium for a product? Does it make sense to spend $1.00 per day for a full RDA of vitamins - product which is tested to pharmaceutical grade standards? Or to spend say 33¢ a day on brand-x vitamins with unknown testing and unproven efficacy?

The answer is certainly clear for me. For only $1.00 per day, I can be certain that I am getting a proven product that has been tested innumerable times and in innumerable ways to a pharmaceutical quality standard.

As opposed to store bought brand-x vitamins that have more binder than actual substance; and which are manufactured to standards which are based solely on meeting some businessman’s short term profit target.

Often, one of the burdens of being a publicly traded corporation is a requirement that arbitrary (and usually excessive) growth targets are met in a bid to please stockholders and investors. And todays health and nutrition industry is a huge opportunity to make lots of money. SO, unfortunately, some corporations in this industry are more interested in the short term profits to be made from us “baby boomers” than in the health and well being of these same customers.

This is why I choose to ingest quality products from a quality company at what appears to be a premium. But is it really a premium if the product is effective? And which actually works for me? I don’t think so. I believe I am actually receiving more for my money. That is a value proposition!

For more information, link to here.

You’re not going to get rich as quick...

2006-03-13T00:10:00.000-05:00

Thursday, March 9, 2006

You may not get rich quickly like all of those internet websites suggest that you can. Many of these schemes look to be about collecting names of prospects for sale to people trying to build legitimate businesses needing prospects to build their business. This is just indirection and collecting money where likely none should be expended. Inefficient to say the least!

It isn’t that it is impossible to get rich quickly. Many people have done that. It isn’t that it is illegal or bad business. It is just the simple fact that you must put in effort to get reward. Simple physics. You cannot get any “energy out” without putting “energy in”. It is as simple as this.

The effort in the case of these get rich quick schemes is to put up money or pay some set of fees to get started. And then to pay to participate for each increment. And there is no substance to what is being sold. It is not some tangible thing such as a health product that is consumable and which results in repeat business. It is a one shot income hit for every person you manage to snag. There is no sustainable repeat business occurring for each person with whom you succeed in establishing a relationship with.

These schemes, unfortunately, foster attacks against and give a bad name to legitimate network marketing organizations.

Please do not be deceived into thinking legitimate network marketing is some scheme benefiting only the established individual. Network marketing is actually the fairest business model out there for building and growing a marketplace. It is fair because, unlike conventional corporate organizations, all parties in true network marketing play on the same even field and have the same exact opportunity. In fact, in all true network marketing organizations, there are MANY cases where participants brought into a group end up making far more money than the person who brought them in.

This is because in legitimate network marketing, each group only typically reaches 3-5 layers deep. And so the sharing of the profits only reaches that deep. So if I bring you into my group and you go zillionaire on me, I will benefit - BUT my topmost up-line will not benefit from your efforts.

You can become wealthy if you put the right effort into the right kind of a business.

For more information, link to here.

The Longevity Gene?

2006-03-13T00:06:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

I recently read an article in Scientific American titled “Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity Genes”. It was a terrific article which essentially states that the same genes which control survival during stressful periods are likely a factor in improving health and prolonging it. This group of genes known as “sirtuins” (after the SIR2 aging gene) control cell growth, stress response, stress resistance, metabolism, etc.

I am blown away by the complexity of life. I am even more blown away by the ability for scientists to put the puzzle together and explain the different processes that govern life. But truly it is a marvel that we have figured out so much about how genes work and the ways by which they interact and control our every moment.

According to the article, a significant factor in longevity is known to be reduced caloric intake. Apparently the same pathways that handle the stress of lowered food intake also prolong cellular life. Pretty cool! Now if only I could act on this ;-)

Anyway, I got into this to make the point that a factor in increasing the length of human life might be for people to reduce their caloric intake. And as a part of any strategy to reduce caloric intake people should probably eat more nutritious foods. And supplement that good food with vitamins and minerals of proven quality. Just something to think about.

For more information, link to here.

Clean water, you say?

2006-03-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

Friday, March 3, 2006

Apparently there is a divide between accepted standards for drinking water and actual fact as to what your drinking water contains. It isn’t so much what is tested for as much as it is what isn’t tested for.

Your public water source provider is obligated to test for certain compounds and are expected to be within both state and federal guidelines. And most of the water providers are in compliance. And that is a good thing! And it is certainly good that there are standards that are adhered to.

Bottled water providers have a much lower standard to which they must adhere, based on FDA standards, and NOT EPA standards. Did you know that? That bottled water you drink is quite often based on municipal water sources, i.e. the tap folks! Did you know that?? You are also paying anywhere from 25 to 10,000 times for bottled water as you are for municipal water. WOW!

The list of what is NOT tested for is of course a very long list. The EPA is always looking at the official list for additions and revisions of contaminants to be tested for. There is the list of known problem contaminants which are in a constant state of revision and discussion. Eventually they make THE list. Then there is the list of suspect contaminants which have no hope of making the official list until enough evidence is developed and pressures applied. Then of course there is the list of compounds not known to be a problem today along with the compounds we haven’t even thought up or anticipated.

What I am leading to is this. The only way to be certain about what it is that you are drinking is to filter your own water (from a known and tested municipal water source)using methods and filters that have met published test results. That way you will be closer to having a really pure water source available for your consumption.

For more information, link to here.

Network Marketing can be explained...

2006-03-12T23:41:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

I know a great way to explain network marketing using some presentation tools I ran across. With these tools, the business purpose behind network marketing (multi-level marketing, aka MLM) can be made crystal clear. Once I saw this set of presentations, I knew that the MLM business model is the only way to go. Surely one of the best ways to true wealth and prosperity!

Click here to visit my website and also the links to this very excellent professional explanation of network marketing and the concepts behind why the wealthy are so.

As the engraving above implies, network marketing is like Archimedes with a lever! To quote Archimedes: “Give me a place to stand and I will move the Earth”. And so it is with Network Marketing. It is about the intelligent use of leverage.

Osteoporosis... it's about more then calcium!

2006-03-12T23:05:00.000-05:00

Thursday, February 23, 2006

(Here is a “pamphlet” on Osteoporosis which I thought I would just put here as food for thought. Thanks Carol!)

Did you know there is one nutritional supplement you can take to...
• improve the appearance of skin and hair
• reduce blood pressure
• reduce the risk of heart attack
• aid in the prevention of arthritis
• lower cholesterol
• reduce blood clot formation
• helps normal brain function
• and much, much more...

Women have a greater lifetime risk of bone fracture than developing breast cancer!
Osteoporosis, it's a debilitating disease. And it affects women as well as men! Most astounding... Americans have the highest intake of Calcium, yet they have the highest rate of osteoporosis! Obviously, osteoporosis prevention is not just a Calcium issue alone... there's much more you need to know to help prevent osteoporosis!

Up to 80% of us are deficient in this vital nutrient. Are you one of them?
Do you suffer from...
• Anxiety and Panic Attacks
• Asthma
• Blood Clots
• Bowel Disease
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Migraine Headaches
• Insomnia
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Osteoporosis
• Tooth Decay
Then you may indeed be suffering from a Calcium deficiency!

For more information, link to here.

Kinds of Health & Wellness products

2006-03-12T22:54:00.000-05:00

So while thinking about the right MLM company to hang out with, I discovered one whose product offerings encompass all of the following areas.

• Cosmetics
• Food/Gourmet Items
• Hair care/Hair Accessories
• Health/Fitness/Wellness
• Home care
• Nutritional Supplements
• Personal Care
• Skin care
• Water Treatment Systems
• Weight Management

I think that this is significant because it means that the number of people interested in the company will be more significant because of this broad product spectrum.

For more information, link to here.

Welcome to my world...

2006-03-12T22:28:00.000-05:00

While thinking about all of the new business ideas I want to try out in the coming months & years, I decided to setup my own personal website. Welcome! (Eventually this site will be the gateway to all of the business ideas that I am pursuing.)

Hopefully this will also be the shortest of all my blog entries. For more information, link to here.