Emeli Sande` She has a wonderful voice.  Enjoy her!

Foods for better health

No sugar
No aspartame
No dairy
No eggs
No gluten
Reduce red meat consumption
Reduce saturated fats

Fats:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Rich in Omega-3 & Omega-6 oils

Sweeteners:
Stevia, honey, coconut sugar (limit all sweeteners though)

Nuts and seeds:
Almonds, Cashews, Pecans, Pistachios, & Walnuts. Chia seeds (black and white), salba seeds, sesame seeds & flaxseeds

Protein that is OK:
Chicken & Turkey (white meat) and oily fish

Substitutes for diary:
All nut milks, rice milk & some coconut milk

All fruits are OK (reduce fruit consumption as too much fruit means too much fructose consumption)
All vegetables are OK. Concentrate on greens, colored vegetables and also make sure you use sulfur-rich greens (dark green leafy vegetables)

Grains that are OK (Gluten-free ONLY):
Quinoa (high protein grain)
Rice (whole grain brown rice is best, but other is OK)
Oatmeal (certified gluten-free)
Corn (so tortillas are OK as long as you make sure the corn used is not genetically modified)

DREAMS

Are you where you thought you would be after you graduated from college or even high school?  Some people make drastic decisions and even bad choices and somehow their lives have spiraled out of control and there seems to be no hope in sight.  Living with a disability has been challenging for me and sometimes for my immediate family members.  Did I make a choice that led to this debilitating condition?  There is no known cure for MS.  There are drugs to help with the symptoms but that's it.  I have been able to keep a positive outlook most days.  But then there are those days where "the bear eats me" as they say.  Some of my friends and I have often asked ourselves what could we have done differently to have a life that is happier or more fulfilling?  Or maybe this is the path that we must take in order to get to the life that we want.  It may not be within the time frame that we hoped but it will arrive.  It will arrive..

Life

This month I have lost 2 classmates to blameless crimes.  It was just their time to go.  People prayed for me because of my illness and it seems like I have outlived quite a few people.  When we are teenagers we feel as though we are invincible and we will live forever.  Losing classmates like this makes us reevaluate our lives and our way of thinking.  The small things are not as important as we make them out to be.  Even the fact that we may not feel as though our lives are moving in the right direction.  At least it's moving.  As long as you have breath you can make a difference.  It's not over until we are gathered around you saying how great you WERE.  Until then, make us realize how great you ARE.

Vicci Martinez

She is an awesome singer.  One of my favorites.  She reminds me of Melissa Etheridge.

The Rules of Engagement

Someone once told me I needed to right a rule book for dating and relationships.  So far I have come up with 12 rules or just important factors.

1. You cannot make someone be someplace that they don't want to be.  Ladies, men know what they want.  They may not want to be with you.  We all have experienced a situation where we were hungry and had a taste for something but we were not quite sure what it was until we happened upon it or if someone else mentioned it.  The same rules apply.  He will know what he wants when she stumbles upon him.  A relationship should not be forced.  Both parties should be willing participants.  
2. To ensure you receive the right people in your life, you must say aloud "Please bring me the one I need."  Asking for what you need versus what you want will allow you to have the one who compliments your personality and character.  Trying to get what you want could possibly give you a beautiful mate that becomes a headache because you don't know what's best for you.  The Universe does.  God wants you to be happy and ask him for help.  He will send you the best person for you.
3. You should be able to effectively communicate.  If you don't know how, hold off on trying to date until you learn.  There are plenty of books available to assist you.  People aren't mind readers.  You have to teach people how to treat you.  Make sure you learn how to listen to your partner and be open to receive whatever they are communicating to you.  They are just as nervous and scared as you are so be patient.  Treat others as you want to be treated.
4.  When you first meet a person you are actually meeting their agent.  In a few months the real person will surface.  Observe their home and family.  How do they treat and communicate with their family members?  What are their parents like?  All the information is there, you just have to pay attention.  No matter what, if you are around someone long enough, the real person will always surface.  You can't suppress your true self for long.  Most of us spend more time on our cars and clothes than we do trying to understand our mates.  People want security, love and appreciation.  Take the time to learn about the one you love.  You may end up in a much happier home.
5. Don't become a dog just because someone didn't meet your expectations.  If you quit then you'll never be able to win.  You can't demand more from a person than you are willing to give.
6. Being in a relationship is like having a job.  You have to show up ready to work and have a positive attitude.  You get out of it what you put in it.
7. It's great for your mate to have bonding time with their friends.  This is important.  Find something that you like to do and allow them their male/female bonding time.  If you try to deprive them of anything, they may rebel and/or resent you.  Exercise trust.  If you don't trust them then let them go.  Period.
8. If you don't enjoy your own company, no one else will either.
9. There's a difference between wanting someone and not wanting to be alone.  Make sure you recognize the difference.
10. You can't expect men to think just like women.  If they did then they would be women and not men.  We are different and we need to embrace our differences.
11. Before you lay down with a man/woman, ask yourself "Would I want this person to be the mother/father of my children?"  If it takes you too long to answer, get dressed.  Because you could be stuck with this person for life. 
12. A broken heart will mend and become strong enough to hold your TRUE love.

I hope this helps

The Killing

I came across an advertisement for this TV show and something told me to check into it.  I searched through my On Demand and there were only 3 episodes from Season 2.  My quest to find the first season led me to "Letmewatchthis.com" but some of the videos were missing.  I let my mouse do the clicking and ended up at "free-tv-video-online.me"  they had clear videos of the entire first season and up to date videos of the second season.  So I took a day to indulge and I must say that I am in love with this show!  Joel Kinnaman who is a Swedish actor, does a wonderful job of portraying Det. Holder.  The show is from a Danish crime fighting series and it makes me think of Mystic River, The Wire and Luther all mixed into one.  If you need something to watch on Sunday nights, this is a mystery that will keep you guessing.

Prometheus

I can usually find something enjoyable in any movie.  Today was not one of those times.  I went to see Prometheus and I must say this is the worst movie I've seen this year.  The cast was very dry and it was trying too hard to be Alien.  Idris as we all know is from England and has a British accent.  In this movie he dropped the accent and somehow adopted a southern cowboy type of dialect.  I just shook my head.  Maybe I was expecting too much from this movie.  What a waste!

The effects of choices...

We all have problems.  Some can be so overwhelming that we feel there is no way out.  Then out of nowhere comes our strength and perseverance.  Our friends and family members serves as angels and help us weather the storms.  But for some of us, the problems take on a life of their own.  We hear about it on the news in the form of mass shootings in our schools and people taking hostages because they can't cope with life.  They feel hopeless and desperate.  What really happens is this; your actions have the ability to affect at least 6 people around you whether good or bad.  We are all connected.  We have to start making good choices in our lives and teach our children how to be considerate adults.  If what you do can possibly affect so many people then why not try to affect them positively instead of negatively?  Think about it.....

Larry Crowne

I finally got a chance to watch the movie Larry Crowne and I must say there was a wonderful message in this movie.  Just because you think things are okay in your life and you seem happy, doesn't mean that this is how our life should be.  Larry was forced into a situation and he was a little apprehensive and somewhat of a 'fish out of water' but he managed to adapt and he even made new friends.  His life became better.  He learned to take a chance so that he can reach his full potential.  We should all take a good look at our lives and see if we have reached our full potential.  I bet there is more to be learned...

Family Secrets

Every family has things that happened in their past that haunts them.  It may keep them from moving forward and also holding them back emotionally.  When you are finally able to let go and share the pain, you feel a sense of relief and you are able to heal.  We are all plagued by something.  Tell someone so your blessings can begin to flow.

Spasticity Management

Spasticity is a disorder of the sensorimotor system characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyper excitability of the stretch reflex.

It is one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome, along with released flexor reflexes, weakness, and loss of dexterity.

Spasticity is the hyper tonicity in the muscle group. It can be defined as an initial catch or resistance felt by the examiner when rapid passive movements are performed.

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In an upper motor neuron syndrome, the alpha motor neuron pool becomes hyper excitable at the segmental level.

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Spasticity occurs because the inhibition normally provided by the suppressor areas of the brain is not present.

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Brain lesions disrupt the linkages and upset the balance between suppressor and facility areas of the brain.

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The major consequence of the disruption of the balance is the excess facilitation of gamma motor neurons resulting in hypersensitive muscle spindles. This results in hyperactive phasic stretch reflexes ,hyperactive tonic reflexes, and clonus.

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Spasticity caused by spinal cord lesions is often marked by a slow increase in excitation and over activity of both flexors and extensors with reactions possibly occurring many segments away from the stimulus.

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Cerebral lesions often cause rapid build-up of excitation with a bias toward involvement of antigravity muscles.

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Chronic spasticity can lead to changes in the rheological properties of the involved and neighboring muscles.

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The abnormal joint positioning, postures, and unequal distribution of muscle activity imposed by spasticity can produce profound and lasting changes in joints and muscles.

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Stiffness, contracture, atrophy, and fibrosis may interact with pathological regulatory mechanisms to prevent normal control of limb position and movement.

Wishing

Have you ever wished really hard for something and you would just about sell your soul in order to get it?  Were you upset when the wish didn't come true?  Were you upset when it did?  We have to be very careful about what we ask for.  Because we just might get it.

I heard that someone I know was a deadbeat dad.  I always thought he was so attractive and I really wanted to get close to him but it never happened.  Now I know why and I'm glad it didn't.  Everything isn't meant for everyone.  Someone was watching over me so next time I will be more careful about what I wish for.

Autism

1 in 88 children will develop autism.  If this isn't an example of "there's something in the water" then I don't know what is!

Baseball

I attended my nephews baseball game this evening and I have to say the parents can be brutal.  Tucker High School has a good squad and there was one parent who didn't seem to like the fact that someone was cheering a little louder than she was.  She even had the nerve to use the word 'rude'!  I was being belligerent to match her belligerence! LOL  I have heard rumors about parents getting into confrontations during the games and they all come from this school.  Wow!  I hope it helps their children become professional athletes because they were yelling like their life depended on it.  Fortunately we won 9-6.  

INJUSTICE

I am so troubled by the death of Trayvon Martin.  He was a 17 year old student returning to his relatives home from the corner store.  George Zimmerman, a self appointed neighborhood watch captain, pursued Trayvon assuming he was a threat to his neighborhood.  When George called 911 they told him NOT to pursue Trayvon but instead Zimmerman continued to follow him.  They got into a confrontation and Zimmerman shot Trayvon and killed him.  There was a 911 call from a neighbor who witnessed the commotion and suddenly shots were fired.  Trayvon was yelling "help me", and George fired again.  No one was able to help him because they viewed Zimmerman as being the threat now since he had a gun.  A life is now lost because someone who wants to be a cop so badly that he has lost touch with reality.  To add insult to injury, George Zimmerman is a free man and has not been formally charged.  He is crying self defense.  This is about to get real ugly if justice is not served.  People have come together for this young man because an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!

Walmart

I can't be the only one who gets caught in the Walmart vortex.  You know what happens.  There's an item you need and somehow your cart is full when you reach the register.  Well all I needed was 2 white shirts and ended up spending almost $70!  Sheer madness.  But who can resist the cool t-shirts in the mens section? LOL

Friends

I have recently become acquainted with a man who lives in Syria.  It has given me a chance to learn how the other half of the world lives.  There are son many things that we see on the news that has been tainted to make it seem as though the rest of the world is uncivilized.  That all they do is fight and they are all terrorist.  This is so untrue.  Just as they would have us believe that all of Africa is a jungle.  They never show us the city life and how Africa has modernized areas just like we do. 

I was so happy to learn about his life and beliefs.  He hates terrorist just like we do.  He wants his country to be at peace.  That will never happen as long as they have something that we can't do without.  

Miami Vice

If you were in high school during the 80's like me, then you probably watched Miami Vice on Friday nights.  It was a right of passage.  Miami Vice was the first television show to incorporate music in the show.  Since MTV had their hand in it you know it was going to be a trend setter.  No one realized the impact it would have on our generation. And if you never heard of Phil Collins before 1985, you definitely know who he is now thanks in part to this show. Centric airs the show at 8am EST and since I'm not awake during that time my DVR records it for me.  Amazon sells the complete set of 5 seasons.  It is on my wishlist! 

We need to remake this show.  Who would make a good Crockett? Tubbs?  Stay tuned!

KONY 2012

When things like this happen in the world we have to act,  So many people do nothing because they feel as though this will not affect them.  It's happening in another country so why worry about it.  I'll tell you why.  If this man continues to kill and get away with it, eventually he will broaden his horizon.  And that horizon may be you or your children.  No one is safe as long as he is around.  Joseph Kony must be stopped!

The benefits of Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen contains the male gametes of plants found as small dust pellets in the stamen of flowers. It is gathered from pollen gathering bees with a device placed at the entrance of the hive designed to collect the material from their legs.

It has been called nature's perfect food, and is rich in vitamins. It contains almost all known minerals, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids. It is a combination of the material of every plant that bees collect pollen from, along with digestive enzymes.

It is a fashionable nutritional supplement that builds the immune system and provides energy for the entire body. It contains 35% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins. It is high in B-complex and vitamins A, C, D, and E. It also contains lecithin, beta-carotene, selenium.

This combination of elements make it an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Clinical tests have shown that it has an immunizing effect, enhances vitality, and can counteract the effects of radiation and chemical toxins.

Used as an immune system builder, it is believed to have the ability to correct body chemistry and treat unhealthy conditions. It is thought to have the ability to remove poisons and toxic materials from the body.

Bee pollen is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and stimulates immunological responses, and has been shown to be helpful for nausea, sleep disorders, and urinary and rectal disorders following radiation treatment.

Athletes often use this supplement to help increase their strength, endurance, energy and speed. It aids the body in recovering from exercise, returning breathing and heart rate to normal, and improves endurance for repeated exercise sessions. It can also provide energy, stamina and strength, as well as improve mental and physical reactions.

It can relieve brain fatigue and improve alertness, increasing your ability for intense concentration, and enable longer periods of work without becoming tired.

Many people with allergies have found relief by taking the supplement. It reduces the production of histamine which can cause allergic responses such as hay fever and pet allergies. Bee Pollen can strengthen the respiratory system and provide protein that helps the body build a natural defense against allergic responses.

It has an effect on blood pressure and sexual function as well. Individuals who suffer from low blood pressure can be subject to deficiencies in the sex glands. The supplement increases blood pressure when taken with kelp, and may increase hormone levels and sexual stamina.

Weight loss also may occur as lecithin increases the rate at which calories are burned and stabilizes poor body metabolism. It aids in the digestive process and the absorption of nutrients. It may also relieve anemia, cerebral hemorrhage, colitis and constipation.

Bullies

Some people may feel like bullying doesn't effect them.  That your child is well adjusted and seems to be rather popular.  Maybe they are on the football team or head cheerleader.  You won't have to worry about bullies.  You're wrong.

If someone is being bullied in your child's school, he or she may decide they have had enough.  Since no one will help them, they will take matters into their own hands.  They bring a gun to school and just start shooting the first person they see.  What if that so called person is your child?  Now an innocent life has been snuffed out because we feel if it isn't happening directly to us then it won't affect us.  We need to teach our children respect.  Respect for themselves, and respect for other people.

 I remember seeing the 'popular kids' in high school shunning those they felt were beneath them.  Some of them have children who are now being bullied. I guess this is what they call "Chicken's coming home to roost."

No matter how much we try to avoid the perils in life, if we don't fix it, then we too shall fall victim.


Much Love
JD

Judgement

It's amazing how much we all subconsciously judge each other.  I'm always telling kids not to exclude people from their circle just because of how they look or dress.  Now they have friends from all walks of life.  I have also been a culprit of judgement in my younger days and now I see just how wrong I was.  This is not a license to let any Tom, Dick or Harry into your life but just think about who you're judging and what if that were you.

Writing assignment

I'm currently working on a writing project.  The title is "If it weren't impossible I'd..."  For some reason this is killing me.  I'm going with a boxing theme in which I am boxing all the incurable diseases of the world.  Since there is currently no known cure for my own disease, I figure this is the only way to beat it.  In the ring.  We will see how it turns out and I will be sure to post it.

Hello

Good Afternoon,  I hope that you find what I have to say interesting as well as informative.  Have a beautiful day!

Love Always,

JD