How to have power and confidence in dealing with people, a great book

How to have power and confidence in dealing with people is an amazing book and one of  the TEAM's top 5 books that help individuals improve their business and personal lives in a signifigant way.  I took the liberty of posting the key points of each chapter to help paint the big picture.  Hope it helps and inspires everyone.  Have a safe and blessed day!

Key bullet points from each chapter of the book, "How to have confidence and power in dealing with people.

Chapter 1

1. It is a proven fact that from 66 to 90 percent of all failures in the business world are failures in human relations.
2. So called personality problems such as timidity, shyness, and self-consciousness, are basically problems in dealing with people.
3. Learn the skills in dealing with people with confidence and you will automatically improve your own success and happiness.
4. Learn the underlying principles involved in dealing with people and you wont need gimmicks.

Chapter 2

1. We are all egoists.
2. We are all more interested in ourselves than in anything else in the world.
3. Every person you meet wants to feel important, and to amount to something.
4. There is a hunger in every human being for approval.
5. A hungry ego is a mean ego.
6. Satisfy the other persons hunger for self esteem and he automatically becomes more friendly
and likable.
7. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Psychologists now tell us that unless you do love yourself in
the sense of having some feeling of self esteem and self regard, it is impossible for you to feel friendly towards other people.
8. Help the other fellow like himself better and you make him easier to get along with.
9. People act or fail to act, largely to enhance their own ego.

Chapter 3

1. Don't be stingy in feeding the hunger for a feeling of importance.
2. Don't underestimate small courtesies such as being on time for an appointment. It is by such things that we acknowledge the importance of the other person. Unfortunately, we are often more courteous to strangers than to home folks. Try treating your family and friends with the same courtesy you show strangers
3. Remind yourself that other people are important, and your attitude will get across to the other person.
4, Start today, begin to notice other people more. Pay attention to a man or child and you make him feel important.
5. Don't lord it over other people or attempt to increase your own feeling of self importance by making other people feel small.

Chapter 4

1. Whether you realize it or not, you control the actions and attitudes of others by your own actions and attitudes.
2. Your own attitudes are reflected back to you from the other person almost as if you stood in front of a mirror.
3. Act or feel hostile and the other fellow reflects this hostility back to you. Shout at him and he is almost compelled to shout back. Act calmly and unemotionally and you turn away his anger before it gets started.
4. Act enthusiastic and you arouse the enthusiasm of the other person.
5. Act confidently and the other person has confidence in you.
6. Begin today deliberately to cultivate an enthusiastic attitude. Take a tip from Frank Bettinger, and act as if you were enthusiastic. Soon you will be enthusiastic.
7. Right now, begin deliberately to cultivate a confident manner. Don't mumble you words as if you were afraid to express them. Speak out. Watch your posture. A slumped figure signifies that you find the burdens of life too heavy for you to bear. A drooping head signifies that you are defeated by life. Hold your head up. Straighten up your shoulders.
8. Walk with a confident step as if you had somewhere important to go.

Chapter 5

1. In dealing with people, you yourself sound the keynote for the entire theme, when you begin the interview.
2. If you start off on a note of formality the meeting will be formal. Start off on a note of  friendliness and the meeting will be friendly. Set the stage for a business like discussion and it will be business like. Start on a note of apology and the other person will force you to play that theme all the way through.
3. When you meet someone for the first time, the impression you make then is very likely to be the keynote that will determine how he regards you for the rest of your life.
4. Other people tend to accept you at your own evaluation. If you think you are a nobody, you are practically asking other people to snub you.
5. One of the best means ever discovered for impressing the other fellow favorably is not to strive too hard to make an impression but to let him know that he is making a good impression on you.
6. People judge you not only by the opinion you hold of yourself but also by the opinions you hold on other things. your job, your company, even your competition.
7. Negative opinions create a negative atmosphere. Don't be a knocker, and don't be a sore head. The way, itself in which you ask things sets the stage or sounds the keynote for the other persons answer. Don't ask no questions if you want yes answers. Don't ask questions or issue instructions that imply you expect trouble. Why ask for trouble?

Chapter 6

Accept, Approve, Appreciate

1. Accept people as they are. Allow them to be themselves. Don't insist on anyone being perfect before you can like them.
2. Approve. Look for something to approve in the other person. It may be something small.  Let the person know you approve of that.
3. Appreciation. To appreciate means to raise in value as opposed to depreciate which means to lower in value. Treat other people as if they were valuable to you. Thank them and give them special treatment.

Chapter 7

1. Human relations often become deadlocked because each party is afraid to make the first move.
2. Don't wait for a sign from the other fellow. Assume that he is going to be friendly and act accordingly.
3. Assume the attitude that you wish the other person to take. Act as if you expected him to like you.
4. Take a chance that the other fellow will be friends. It is always a gamble but you will win 99 times for every time you lose. If you just bet on his being friendly. Refuse to take the chance and you lose every time.
5. Don't be an eager beaver. Don't be overly anxious. Don't knock yourself out trying to make the other fellow like you. Remember there is such a thing as being too charming and trying too hard.
6. Just relax and take for granted that other people do like you.
7. Use the magic of your smile to warm up the other fellow.
8. Starting today, begin to develop a genuine smile by practicing before your bathroom mirror.
You know what a real smile looks like when you see one. You mirror will tell you whether your smile is real or phony. Also, going through the motions of smiling will get you in the habit and actually make you feel more like smiling.

Chapter 8

1. Both success and happiness depend in large measure on our ability to express ourselves.
Therefore start today to study ways to improve your talk. Keep at it day after day.
2. Practice starting conversations with strangers by using the warm up technique of asking simple questions or making obvious observations.
3. TO be a good conversationalist, stop trying to be perfect and don't be afraid to be trite.
4. Nuggets and gems in conversation come only after you have dug a lot of low grade ore.
5. Ask questions to bring out interesting talk from others.
6. Use " me too" technique to identify yourself with the speaker and his interests.
7. Talk about yourself only when invited to do so by the other person.  If he wants to know about you, he will ask.
8. Use happy talk  Nobody likes a goomy gus or prophet of gloom and doom.  Keep your troubles to yourself.
9. Eliminate teasing, kidding,  and sarcasm from your conversation.
10. Encourage the other person to talk about himself. Talk about the other persons interests.
Chapter 9

1. The art of listening will make you rich.
2. Look at the person who is talking. Anybody worth listening to is worth looking at. It will also help you concentrate on what he is saying.
3. Appear deeply interested in what he or she is saying. If you agree nod your head. Respond to his cue, work with him.
4. Lean toward the person who is talking.
Chapter 10
1. Dealing with people you may not agree with.
2. Let him state his case.
3. Pause momentarily before you answer.
4. Don't insist on winning 100%
5. State your case moderately and accurately.
6. Speak thru third persons, Let the other person save face.

Chapter 11

1. If you want other people to help you, and go all out you must ask for their ideas as well as or their brawn.
2. Make the other fellow feel that your problem is their problem.
3. Use the principle of multiple management, giving each member of the team a voice in how the
team is to operate.
4. When you want someone to do you a favor make him a member of your team. Don't just say, how aboutputting in a good word for me. Say if you were in my shoes and wanted to get favorable attention how would you go about it?
5. Set up your own brain trust and make use of the ideas suggestions and advice of other people.
6. Be sure when you ask for advice you actually want advice. DON'T Ask for advice if you want sympathy or a pat on the back.

Chapter 12

1. Sincere praise miraculously releases energy in the other person, perks him up physically as well as giving his spirits a lift.
2. The person who is discouraging doing sloppy work or just hard to get along with is probably suffering from low self esteem. Praise can act as a wonder drug to give his self esteem a healthy shot in the arm change his behavior for the better.
3. Give others credit for what they do. Show your appreciation of what they have done by saying THANK YOU.
4. Be generous with kind statements. Gratitude is not a common thing. By being generous with gratitude, you make yourself a stand out.
5. Increase your own happiness and peace of mind by paying three sincere compliments each day.

Chapter 13

1. Criticism must be made in privacy
2. Preface criticism with a kind word or compliment.
3. Make the criticism the act, not the person
.4. Supply the answer.
5. Ask for cooperation, don't demand it.
6. One criticism to an offense.
7. Finish in a friendly fashion.

Chapter 14

KNOWLEDGE PLUS APPLICATION EQUALS SUCCESS!!
HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!

Author Chris Brady's Leadership Blog

Author Chris Brady's Leadership Blog

An Unfair Advantage by Robert Kiyosaki

Practice Kaizen

Continuous improvement—the Japanese call it kaizen—offers some of the best insurance for both your career and the organization. Kaizen (pronounced ky'zen) is the relentless quest for a better way, for higher quality craftsmanship. Think of it as the daily pursuit of perfection.

Kaizen keeps you reaching, stretching to outdo yesterday. The continuous improvements may come bit by bit. But enough of these small, incremental gains will eventually add up to a valuable competitive advantage. Also, if every employee constantly keeps an eye out for improvements, major innovations are more likely to occur. The spirit of kaizen can trigger dramatic breakthroughs.

PDCA- Plan, Do, Check and Adjust or Act.  Making corrections in your daily actions will yield the best results.  Make a plan, excute the plan, check the results and if necessary, take corrective action to acheive the result you want.

The dictionary definition is: Kaizen (改善?), Japanese for "improvement" or "change for the better", refers to philosophy or practices that focus upon continuous improvement of processes in manufacturing, engineering, supporting business processes, and management. It has been applied in healthcare,[1] psychotherapy,[2] life-coaching, government, banking, and many other industries.

When used in the business sense and applied to the workplace, kaizen refers to activities that continually improve all functions.  Kaizen was first implemented in several Japanese businesses after the Second World War, influenced in part by American business and quality management teachers who visited the country. It has since spread throughout the world[4] and is now being implemented in many other venues besides just business and productivity.


Some elements of kaizen are:

Teamwork, Personal discipline, Improved morale, Quality circles, Suggestions for improvement.

Practice Kaizen everyday and you will continue to acheive your goals and dreams.  Personal development is key.  Are you practicing Kaizen?

Future economic trends

Over the course of the last 100 years in our US economic history, there have been a series of booms and busts on record that helps to explain the current state of our economy . A great example of a boom and bust cycle would be the recent housing market debacle.  Whether this particular boom and bust was predictable or not remains questionable.  There were a few economists and smart investors that knew when to get in and get out because they understood the laws of S curve economics. Every new trend and/or product has a pre-knee stage, beginning stage, critical mass stage and lager or loser stage. There always seems to be the select few that are in the right place at the right time.  That is because they have the right information and financial intelligence to prosper within any given trend. 

Today, there are a select group of individuals, the 5% ers, that know what and when the next trends will be and how to capitalize on those trends.  One of driving forces behind the next trends are based on the baby boomers. The baby boomers, the people born between 1946-1964, have hit an age where they are just starting to retire and will continue to retire in massive waves over the next few years. Just as economists predicted many of the spending cycles and habits based on the baby boomer generation, they are able to predict the future of our economy based on the same data.

In the 1990's, the baby boomers reached their peak spending years, which helps to explain why the economy was experiencing an upswing. Now, with those same baby boomers on the fast track to retirement, we have only just begun to see a downward spiral in our economy. With approximately 310 million people in the USA, lets take a look at the breakdown:

If we look back to around 1926, approximately 47 million were alive, which ended up producing 78 million people born between 1946-1964. (its around 110 including illegals).  The baby boomers only had approximately 57 million children, which subsequently, 20 years later had 50 million children, then 40 million children 20 years after that.  There are approximately 18 million children currently under the age of 10.  If you do the math, our population has declined dramatically. The decline has and will continue to impact the economy as we move forward.

 I know there are a lot of other factors and variables that have contributed to the current state of our economy, (Government spending, etc) but lets focus on some facts about the baby boomers for a minute and see how this will affect us:

Size of the Boomer and Senior Markets:

78 million people were born between 1946 and 1964, which is defined as the baby boomer era (U.S. Census).

110 million baby boomers total if you combine illegals

The first baby boomer turned 60 on January 1, 2006.

An American turns 50 every 7 seconds-that's more than 12,500 people every day (U.S. Census).

As of 2009, 48 is the largest age group in the United States (U.S. Census).

By 2015, those aged 50 and older will represent 45% of the U.S. population (AARP).

By 2030, the 65-plus population will double to about 71.5 million, and by 2050 will grow to 86.7 million people (U.S. Census).

Wealth of Baby Boomers and Seniors:

78 million Americans who were 50 or older as of 2001 controlled 67% of the country's wealth, or $28 trillion (U.S. Census and Federal Reserve).

Households headed by someone in the 55-64 age group had a median net worth of $112,048 in 2000-15 times the $7,240 reported for the under 35 age group (U.S. Census and Federal Reserve).

The 50+ have $2.4 trillion in annual income, which accounts for 42% of all after-tax income (U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Adults 50 and older own 65% of the aggregate net worth of all U.S. households (U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Spending Habits of Adults 50+:

Adults 50+ account for an estimated $2 trillion in total expenditures for 2005.

This group has $2.3 trillion in disposable income.
Between now and 2010, the total spending for 50+ households will increase by over $900 billion.

By 2010, adults 45-years-old and older will out-spend younger adults by $1 trillion annually.

In 2004, people aged 50 and older spent an average of 47.6 percent of their family's budget on "nonessentials" (Bureau of Labor).
50% of baby boomers plan to buy a new home after retirement (Del Webb Survey).

As of January 2007, baby boomers are 27% more likely than any other generations to embark on a major home improvement or repair in the next 6 months (Consumer Intentions and Actions Study).

96 percent of baby boomers participate in word-of-mouth or viral marketing by passing product or service information on to friends (ThirdAge and JWT Boom).

Impact on the Economy ( some facts as told by a baby boomer )

We are amused when visitors ask what effect the boomers are having on the economy. Folks, in 2011, the economy IS the boomers! We represent the vast majority of the work force. There are 78 million of us; we ARE the economy. (That is not bragging; that is just a statistical reality.) The huge growth in the economy since the 90s is due, in large part, to 77 million of us working up to our peak earning and spending years.

What are we spending our money on? Other than Metallica CDs and movies aimed at 15 year-olds, whatever is being sold... we are buying it. What kind of cars are we buying? What kind are Detroit and Japan selling? We ARE the upper end of the automobile market. What explains the popularity of SUVs? Mostly, we do. Where do we go on vacation? Everywhere. How do we get there? Every way possible. Day care centers are thriving because boomers do not want to take care of the kids they produced. And their offspring think it is supposed to be that way. (Parents are not supposed to stay home and raise their children. Why, that's a terribly stupid idea, huh? That is what day care centers and the government is for.)

In the 50s, businesses focused on stuff for kids.... 30 million boomers... and still growing. Gerber (the baby food company) was huge in the 50s. Toys.... there was an enormous growth in the variety and quantity of toys. ("You can tell its Mattel; it's swell!") And TV, just coming into its own, focused heavily on kids' shows. Disneyland.... a 50s thing. (Disneyworld.... a 70s thing, paid more attention to history and thrill rides.... things of interest to young adult boomers.) The stylish cars of the 60s and 70s -- a direct response to the boomers.

The huge explosion in recreational vehicles in the 90s.... a direct response to empty-nest boomers.

The first half of the 21st century will see a huge explosion in stuff for aging boomers: active retirement communities and vacation homes, skin creams, tooth whitening goo, cosmetic surgery, lasik surgery, Depends, and, of course, the Hair Club for Men. The biggest expenditures will be in the wellness category.

As (relatively) old and aging as we are, we are still the largest age-related demographic.... "numbers too big to ignore." Now take these facts and understand that the housing market is dead for a reason and will remain dead for a long time. The economy is in trouble and thatÂ’s not hard to see. With millions of baby boomers retiring, and not enough children growing up to replace them fast enough, the economy will not see the boom that occurred in the 90's for a long time.

Some final facts and other tidbits of information contributing to our current and future economic crisis.

There are 310 Million Americans

82 Million Working Families

50 Million Americans on Welfare and Rising!

110 Million Working people

61% are living pay check to paycheck

78 Million are Baby Boomers

In less then 16 years they will exit the work force leaving 54 million ppl to replace them and they will pay for it all!

43% of Americans don’t have 10K in retirement

50% of Housing is owned by the banks

21% of Kids live below poverty and that’s increasing daily

62% of America lives paycheck to paycheck

4.28 Million new bankruptcy this year alone

929k new home foreclosures this year or 2900 per day

check out the USDEBTCLOCK.ORG; see for yourself

8.4 Million jobs are now over sea’s with no hope of returning, thousands of jobs leaving every month.

9.6% unemployment #’s will never return to work they had.

Why did I take the time to make note of all this? Gloom and doom? No. With the reality of what is coming and how the Government is handling everything, it is very scary to think about not having a plan B. We are helping America wake up and supply them with truth and wisdom. Every top economist, millionaire and leader we have involved ourselves with, sees the writing on the wall. This is the first time in economic history that a combination of all of these factors are going to hit.

There are always booms and busts and next bubble to burst is going to affect everyone, especially the hard working middle class citizens. We are in the eye of the storm. The good news is, there are always opportunities in a downturn and as we get educated, get better at who we are and leverage the information we receive from those who know what is coming, we can survive and thrive in the next several years. It is all about information. It is about embracing change. It is about understanding that we must dig our well before the well runs dry. There are no guarantees in life but its best to be prepared for a rainy day. It always rains. Its best to have a good umbrella!

Information age thinking

World renowned economist, Harry S. Dent, talks about the current state of our economy and a term called "quantatative easing", in this short video below. Mr. Dent has a great reputation for educating the public and making accurate predictions partly based on demographics, spending cycles and the mass retirements scheduled to occur over the next few years.

With the combination of upcoming retirements and massvie Government debt accumulation,  Dent believes that the current recession isn’t ending anytime soon. In fact, it’s just the beginning phase of a prolonged downturn that will be deeper and more severe than anything since we’ve experienced so far.

After reading Dent's books and watching his videos, something occured to me;  Many people, including myself at first, didn't believe in gloom and doom and that somehow, things always seem to work out.  But then I recalled that millions of people recently got caught 'with their pants down' and lost millions in the stock and housing market. I thought, if we knew then what we know now, things would have been different. Clearly, the right information helps to make the best decisions, especially in the information age.

This time, I believe accurate predictions are being made by the same individuals who predicted the previous crashes. For the first time in US History, we can see several bubbles getting bigger and bigger.  The question is, what do we do about it? Most economists like Robert Kiyosaki agree, there are some clearly defined choices everyone can make now to protect or shield us from the storm.  Everyone, no matter what job owns them, or what self employed jobs they own, or how financially secure they are, will be affected. 

Between Harry S Dent, Robert Kiyosaki and the top financial gurus and business leaders with TEAM, we have a great number of resources to choose from to help protect us from the upcoming storm.  Harry S Dent's website is http://www.hsdent.com/ There is an abundance of information on his site, should you be interested in learning more. I can also recommend Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Conspiracies of the rich, the 8 ways to make money".  What a great book.

 I know what we are doing to protect us from the storm.  The idea is to be aware of the current state of affairs, what is coming and then make some informative decisions. I had to humble myself over the last few years, get my head out of the sand and not just hope for the best. I had to take my financial future into my own hands. In any downturn economy, there are ways to prosper.  Even a small understanding of our tax structure and how a business can save you thousands of dollars a year, can make a huge difference.  As more people get educated, change their thinking, and understand that we are in a new age, the information age, their lives will improve.  We see it everyday in business.  The video below should be an eye opener and will hopefully encourge you to ask the right questions about where we are headed and what to do about it.



How to prosper in a downturn economy.. The great depression ahead.

Robert Kiyosaki- An unfair advantage

Robert Kiyosaki has a lifetime of experience teaching people how to think differently. His wisdom flys in the face of conventional wisdom and has helped millions of people change their lives through information and education.

Top 10 food additives to avoid

Food additives have been used for centuries to enhance the appearance and flavor of food and prolong shelf life. But do these food additives really “add” any value to your food?

Food additives find their way into our foods to help ease processing, packaging and storage. But how do we know what food additives is in that box of macaroni and cheese and why does it have such a long shelf life?

A typical American household spends about 90 percent of their food budget on processed foods, and are in doing so exposed to a plethora of artificial food additives, many of which can cause dire consequences to your health.

Some food additives are worse than others. Here’s a list of the top food additives to avoid:

1. Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame, (E951) more popularly known as Nutrasweet and Equal, is found in foods labeled "diet" or "sugar free". Aspartame is believed to be carcinogenic and accounts for more reports of adverse reactions than all other foods and food additives combined. It produces neurotoxic effects such as dizziness, headaches, mental confusion, migraines, and seizures. Avoid if you suffer from asthma, rhinitis (including hayfever), or urticaria (hives).Acesulfame-K, a relatively new artificial sweetener found in baking goods, gum and gelatin, has not been thoroughly tested and has been linked to kidney tumors.

Found in: diet or sugar free sodas, diet coke, coke zero, jello (and over gelatins), desserts, sugar free gum, drink mixes, baking goods, table top sweeteners, cereal, breathmints, pudding, kool-aid, ice tea, chewable vitamins, toothpaste

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly-refined artificial sweetener which has become the number one source of calories in America. It is found in almost all processed foods. HFCS packs on the pounds faster than any other ingredient, increases your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and contributes to the development of diabetes and tissue damage, among other harmful effects.

Found in: most processed foods, breads, candy, flavoured yogurts, salad dressings, canned vegetables, cereals

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / E621)

MSG is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and many restaurant foods. MSG is known as an excitotoxin, a substance which overexcites cells to the point of damage or death. Studies show that regular consumption of MSG may result in adverse side effects which include depression, disorientation, eye damage, fatigue, headaches, and obesity. MSG effects the neurological pathways of the brain and disengaged the "I'm full" function which explains the effects of weightgain

Found in: chinese food ( Chinese Restaurant Syndrome ) many snacks, chips, cookies, seasonings, most Campbell Soup products, frozen dinners , lunch meats

4. Trans fat

Trans fat is used to enhance and extend the shelf life of food products and is among the most dangerous substances that you can consume. Numerous studies show that trans fat increases LDL cholesterol levels while decreasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increases the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and strokes, and contributes to increased inflammation, diabetes and other health problems.
Found in: margarine, chips and crackers, baked goods, fast foods

5. Common Food Dyes

Studies show that artificial colorings which are found in soda, fruit juices and salad dressings, may contribute to behavioral problems in children and lead to a significant reduction in IQ. Animal studies have linked other food colorings to cancer. Watch out for these ones:
Blue #1 and Blue #2 (E-133)
Banned in Norway, Finland and France. May cause chromosomal damage
Found in: candy, cereal, soft drinks, sports drinks and pet foods
Red dye # 3 (also Red #40 – a more current dye) (E124)

Banned in 1990 after 8 years of debate from use in many foods and cosmetics. This dye continues to be on the market until supplies run out! Has been proven to cause thyroid cancer and chromosomal damage in laboratory animals, may also interfere with brain-nerve transmission
Found in: fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, cherry pie mix, ice cream, candy, bakery products and more!

Yellow #6 (E110) and Yellow Tartrazine (E102)
Banned in Norway and Sweden. Increases the number of kidney and adrenal gland tumors in laboratory animals, may cause chromosomal damage.

Found in: American cheese, macaroni and cheese, candy and carbonated beverages, lemonade and more!

6. Sodium sulphite (E221)

Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods. According to the FDA, approximately one in 100 people is sensitive to sulfites in food. The majority of these individuals are asthmatic, suggesting a link between asthma and sulfites. Individuals who are sulfite sensitive may experience headaches, breathing problems, and rashes. In severe cases, sulfites can actually cause death by closing down the airway altogether, leading to cardiac arrest.

Found in: Wine and dried fruit

7. Sodium nitrate/sodium nitrite

A common preservative usually added to processed meats like bacon, ham, hot dogs, and corned beef. Studies have linked sodium nitrate to various types of cancer.
Found in: cured meats such as bacon, ham and luncheon meat, hot dogs, anything smoked.

8. BHA and BHT (E320)

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT) are preservatives found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. This common preservative keeps foods from changing color, changing flavor or becoming rancid. Effects the neurological system of the brain, alters behavior and has potential to cause cancerBHA and BHT are oxidants which form cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body.

Found in: Potato chips, gum, cereal, frozen sausages, enriched rice, lard, shortening, candy, jello
9. Sulphur Dioxide (E220)

Sulphur additives are toxic and in the United States of America, the Federal Drugs Administration have prohibited their use on raw fruit and vegetables. Adverse reactions include: bronchial problems particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension (low blood pressure), flushing tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. It also destroys vitamins B1 and E. Not recommended for consumption by children. The International Labour Organization says to avoid E220 if you suffer from conjunctivitis, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, or cardiovascular disease.

Found in: beers, soft drinks, dried fruit, juices, cordials, wine, vinegar, and potato products.

10. Potassium Bromate

An additive used to increase volume in some white flour, breads, and rolls, potassium bromate is known to cause cancer in animals. Even small amounts in bread can create problems for humans.
Found in: Breads

Please print this out and take it with you shopping. Remember to read labels and shop as wholesome and organic as possible. The more whole, natural foods you eat, the better off you are - foods that do not contain preservatives, chemicals, fillers, artificial flavors or artificial colors.

Influence and Leadership

Quite often I post information and blog our thoughs on health and wellenss.  As the title of our blog is, " health, wealth and wisdom", it is always important to remember that all three of these categories work together and influence the other.  I was inspired to write this post because so many of our successful mentors and friends have been on a life long personal development journey,which has been one of the main keys to their success.

In 1936, Dale Carnegie made publishing history when he wrote his book, "How to win friends and Influence people".  To this day, his teachings has helped millions of people across the globle in the areas of personal development, leadership, business and relationships.  I wanted to list a few of his basic points here as a refresher.  Whether you are in business, an employee or in a relationship, these are great pointers.

-Avoid Arguments.

-You will get more in business with honey than vinegar so be friendly and gentle
-When you are wrong, admit it emphatically and move on
-When you begin a conversation with someone, even if it's an opponent, focus on the things you can agree on.
-Let the other person talk more than you do.  Listen carefully.
-Try honestly to see things from other people's perspective.
-Lead other people to the conclusion you want by making suggestions, but ultimately let a person feel the idea was his or hers.
-Believe people are inherently good and honest.
-When pointing out someone's mistakes, talk about them indirectly.
-Let other people maintain their pride.
-Use questions to lead people instead of giving direct orders.
-Lavish praise anytime you see an improvement.
-See the best in people and then they will rise to your expectation.
-Be supportive and make mistakes seem easy to correct.

For more information, I suggest everyone read Carnegie's book.  For those that have read it, I recommend you re-read it on a regular basis!  As one of my favorite leadership guru's Chris Brady is fond of saying, "you dont know what you dont know and some of what you know just aint so" and "What you do know, you are forgetting".  So, it's important to be reminded of this basic pointers and truisms to help further your journey in the areas of health, finances and relationships.  God Bless.

Tuesday's Show - November > The Official Web Site for Doug Kaufmann host of Know The Cause TV

Tuesday's Show - November > The Official Web Site for Doug Kaufmann host of Know The Cause TV


Awesome show!

The truth about Chemotherapy and the cancer industry

Its been said that the truth is neither positive or negative, its just the truth.  I couldn't agree more.  Ask yourself why the number of people diagnosed and treated for cancer has increased exponentially over the last 20 years.  Here is a link to some great information. As we become educated, the truth comes out.  It is worth reading!

The truth about chemotherapy and the cancer industry (comic)

Have a blessed day!

Ben and Tanya

The corn we eat is infested with fungi causing Major health issues

Read the article here:

The Corn We Eat is Infested with Mycotoxic Fungi

Seven of the most dangergous food ingredients to look out for in the groceries we buy..

Do you know which seven dangerous food ingredients to watch out for in your groceries? These are the "deadly seven," as I call them, and they can directly promote heart disease, migraines, obesity, outrageous food cravings, osteoporosis, diabetes and even birth defects.

The top three most dangerous ingredients I've found in my research are:

1) Sodium nitrite -- causes cancer, found in processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausage. Used to make meats appear red (a color fixer chemical).

2) Hydrogenated oils -- causes heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, general deterioration of cellular health, and much more. Found in cookies, crackers, margarine and many "manufactured" foods. Used to make oils stay in the food, extending shelf life. Sometimes also called "plastic fat."

3) Excitotoxins -- aspartame, monosodium glutamate and others (see below). These neurotoxic chemical additives directly harm nerve cells, over-exciting them to the point of cell death, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock. They're found in diet soda, canned soup, salad dressing, breakfast sausage and even many manufactured vegetarian foods. They're used to add flavor to over-processed, boring foods that have had the life cooked out of them.

Want to know more about the genuine dangers posed by toxic food ingredients and additives? I'll share more with you in this email, but first let me invite you to check out the tell-all book I've written on the subject: "Grocery Warning."
Grocery Warning exposes the truth that food companies will never admit to and the mainstream media will never print (because they receive advertising funds from food companies, of course!).

http://www.truthpublishing.com/GroceryWarning.html

It reveals, in shocking detail, exactly which ingredients compromise your health (and how they do it). Based on thousands of hours of research, and quotations from the top doctors, authors and nutritionists, Grocery Warning tells you the truth about foods and groceries that will empower you with life-changing information.

Did you know, for example, that:
Feeding children hot dogs increases their risk of brain cancer by 300%?

Strawberry yogurt, fruit punch and other red-looking grocery products are often colored with dead, ground-up cochineal beetles? The ingredient is called "carmine," and it's made from insects. It's listed right on the label of many of your favorite foods.

Food companies now "hide" MSG in safe-sounding ingredients like yeast extract or torula yeast?

Many Florida oranges are actually dipped in an artificial orange dye in order to make them more visually appealing? It's the same dye that's been banned for use in foods because of cancer risk.

Girl Scout cookies are still made with hydrogenated oils that contain trans fatty acids?

Many so-called "healthy" or vegetarian foods also contain the very same offending ingredients as conventional groceries?

Eating just one serving of processed meats each day increases your risk of pancreatic cancer by 67%?

One artificial color additive causes behavioral disorders in children? And that 80% of children diagnosed with ADHD can be outright cured of the condition in two weeks by avoiding certain ingredients?

The #1 ingredient in Slim Fast meal replacement shake (powder form) is sugar?

Some guacamole dips don't even contain avocado? Instead, they're made with hydrogenated soybean oil and artificial colors.

The truth about metabolic disruptors
Nearly all modern diseases are caused by what I call "metabolic disruptors." These are common ingredients, such as white flour and sugar, that prevent your body from healing. Unfortunately, metabolic disruptors are used in almost all commercially prepared foods, which means most products on your grocer's shelves contribute to poor health. But if you know what to look for, you can fill your cart with foods that will help you live a longer more vibrant life.

Questions to ask..
Which common ingredient has been shown to ravage the cardiovascular system and promote heart disease while destroying brain cells.

Why some popular beverages have been linked to blindness and seizures, dementia, Alzheimer's and behavioral disorders.

How a single food ingredient is killing more than 30,000 Americans each year and yet remains perfectly legal due to food industry politics and influence on federal regulators.

How food manufacturers alter natural fats and convert them into disease-promoting ingredients that ravage your health and make it virtually impossible to lose weight, no matter what you eat!

The one natural, alternative sweetener that has no calories, no blood sugar effects, no chemical toxicity, and tastes great!

What "homogenized" means on milk products and the shocking truth of how this artificial alteration of dairy fats poses a very real threat to your health.

How to reverse osteoporosis and other bone disorders through dietary and lifestyle changes that create high-density bones throughout your body.

The truth behind the margarine scam and how the food industry convinced an entire nation to eat disease-promoting margarine for decades, based on shoddy scientific evidence and political influence.

The one natural oil that's lacking from the diets of virtually all Americans, but can significantly improve brain function.

Why at least one prominent doctor is accusing the FDA of committing crimes against humanity for not protecting the public from the immediate health dangers posed by three different ingredients found in virtually every grocery store.

So how do food companies manage to hide excitotoxins and taste additives to their foods? It's easy: They just keep changing the words to confuse consumers. Once customers learned to avoid MSG / monosodium glutamate, the food companies started using yeast extract.

And now, two years after I started sounding the alarm on yeast extract, many companies have switched to "torula yeast," which accomplishes the same thing. Other hidden sources of MSG include:

. Autolyzed vegetable protein
. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
. Calcium caseinate
. Sodium caseinate
. Textured protein

The ingredients "stacking" trick

Food companies also use the ingredients stacking trick to intentionally leave you with the wrong impression about what's really in their food products.

For example, one company makes a nutrition bar that's absolutely loaded with sugar, but they way they've arranged the ingredients prevents sugar from appearing as the #1 ingredient. Instead, the first ingredient is rice. But looking down the label, you'll find all the following forms of sugar, all in the same nutrition bar:

. Sugar
. Sucrose
. High-fructose corn syrup
. Corn syrup solids
. Dextrose

Add all these up, and the #1 component in the bar is, indeed, sugar (or sugary substances). But the manufacturer has used ingredients stacking to make you think the top ingredient is actually rice.

It's a clever, dishonest technique used by food companies to lie with food labels.
Remember, the longer the ingredients label, the less healthy the food. Read those ingredients lists before buying foods, and if you discover chemical names that you can't pronounce, don't buy the food!

For more info, go here.... http://www.naturalnews.com/

Berries protect the brain in several ways

The 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society held this week in Boston was the site of a presentation by Shibu Poulose, PhD, of the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, of new findings for berries in protecting aging brains.

A reduction in the ability to protect oneself from inflammation and oxidative damage can result in degenerative brain diseases, as well as heart disease and other disorders, notes Dr Poulose. In previous research conducted by Dr Poulose and laboratory director James Joseph, PhD, aged rats given diets that contained 2 percent strawberry, blueberry or blackberry extract for two months experienced a reversal in the age-associated decline in nerve function and behavior that results in impairment of memory and learning. "The good news is that natural compounds called polyphenolics found in fruits, vegetables and nuts have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that may protect against age-associated decline," Dr Poulose remarked.

For the current research, the duo studied the brain's natural "house-cleaning" process, which involves autophagy by cells known as microglia. These cells remove and recycle toxic proteins that can interfere with brain function. "In aging, microglia fail to do their work, and debris builds up," Dr Poulose explained. "In addition, the microglia become over-activated and actually begin to damage healthy cells in the brain."

In experiments with cultured mouse cells, Dr Poulose found that blueberry and strawberry extracts inhibited a protein that interferes with autophagy. "The results strongly suggest that the benefits of both berries extend beyond the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to cellular toxic clearance through induction of autophagy in brain," concludes a written summary of the findings.

Dr Poulose commented that the study adds evidence to the benefits of consuming polyphenolic-rich foods, including berries and walnuts. "Our research suggests that the polyphenolics in berries have a rescuing effect," he stated. "They seem to restore the normal housekeeping function. These findings are the first to show these effects of berries."

Green Tea may significantly decrease chances of lung cancer

NaturalNews) Drinking at least a cup of green tea a day may significantly decrease a person's risk of lung cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers from Shan Medical University in Taiwan.

Cancer rates are significantly lower in Asia than in other parts of the world, and high consumption of green tea has been suggested as one of the potential explanations. Laboratory studies have suggested that the polyphenols in green tea can halt the growth of cancer cells, but the results of human studies have been mixed.

In the current study, researchers analyzed green tea consumption, smoking, genetic factors and lung cancer risk in more than 500 people. They found that among non-smokers, those who did not drink tea had five times the lung cancer risk of those who drank at least one cup per day. Among smokers, not drinking green tea was linked to 12 times the cancer risk of those who drank at least one cup per day.

A genetic analysis of all the study participants revealed that a specific variant of the gene known as IGF1 was associated with the correlation between higher tea consumption and lower cancer risk. Among those without this variant, green tea consumption had little effect on cancer risk. This could explain the inconsistent results of prior studies.

Health experts warned that whatever the benefits of green tea might be, they do not outweigh the danger posed by smoking.

"Smoking tobacco fills your lungs with around 80 cancer-causing chemicals," said Yinka Ebo of Cancer Research U.K. "Drinking green tea is not going to compensate for that. Unfortunately, it's not possible to make up for the harm caused by smoking by doing other things right like eating a healthy, balanced diet. The best thing a smoker can do to reduce their risk of lung cancer, and more than a dozen other cancer types, is to quit."

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8453628.stm.

Resveratrol suppresses inflammation in human trial

A report published online on June 9, 2010 in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals the finding of a trial conducted at Kaleida Health's Diabetes-Endocrinology Center of Western New York of an anti-inflammatory benefit for resveratrol.

"Resveratrol has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effect in vitro and in animal models," Husam Ghanim, PhD and colleagues write. "Resveratrol has also been shown to prolong life expectancy and to reduce the rate of aging in the yeast and lower animals like yeast, Caenorhabtidis elegans and Drosophila. Resveratrol actions are thought to be mediated by increased expression of sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), a gene associated with longevity."

Twenty healthy participants were randomized to receive Polygonum cuspidatum extract containing 40 milligrams resveratrol per day or a placebo for 6 weeks. Blood samples collected at the beginning at the trial and at 1, 3 and 6 weeks were analyzed for indices of oxidative and inflammatory stress in addition to other factors. "Since there are no data demonstrating the effect of resveratrol on oxidative and inflammatory stress in humans, we decided to determine if the compound reduces the level of oxidative and inflammatory stress," explained senior author Paresh Dandona, MD, PhD, who is a distinguished professor of medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo. "Several of the key mediators of insulin resistance also are pro-inflammatory, so we investigated the effect of resveratrol on their expression as well."

The research team found a reduction in reactive oxygen species, which are unstable molecules that provoke oxidative stress and inflammation, in participants who received resveratrol. The resveratrol group also experienced a decrease in the inflammation protein tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as inflammation markers interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, intranuclear binding of nuclear factor kappa-beta, the major pro-inflammatory cytokine, was suppressed. "These actions, demonstrated for the first time, in vivo, are consistent with potential anti-atherogenic and anti-aging effects," the authors write.

"The product we used has only 20 percent resveratrol, so it is possible that something else in the preparation is responsible for the positive effects," Dr Dandona noted. "These agents could be even more potent than resveratrol. Purer preparations now are available and we intend to test those."

Dr. Roland Cayer

In the last few weeks, I have been under the care of an amazing doctor in the Celebration area by the name of Dr. Roland Cayer.  It is a blessing to have found someone   so talented, well balanced, honest and last but not least, skilled enough to have made a huge difference in my overall health and well being.

Dr. Roland Cayer is a licensed Chiropractor and utilizes a unique approach to wellness that only a hand full of Doctors use in the entire Florida region.  Dr. Cayer uses a "whole person approach". This approach to wellness means looking for underlying causes of any disturbance or disruption (which may or may not be causing symptoms at the time) and make whatever interventions and lifestyle adjustments that would optimize the conditions for normal function.

Using this unique approach, Dr. Cayer is able to help you to accelerate and/or maintain your journey to good health.  As a Chiropractor with experience, Dr. Cayer is committed to promoting optimal health and well being of his patients.  The end results are what count and it is well worth it for me to "pay it forward" and share this information with everyone.

I encourage everyone who seeks pain relief, has specific medical issues/ health concers, or is simply interested in feeling better and being healthier, to go on Dr Cayer's website, and see what he has to offer.  His site alone is very informative and explains specifically what techniques he utilizes.

Dr. Cayer is a man of character and integrity and I recommend him highly. The theme of this blog has always been about wellness and I am very happy to share my experience and praise.  Here is Dr. Cayer's website and contact info.  God Bless,

Ben

Dr Roland Cayer http://threekingschiropractic.com/

660 Celebration Ave, Suite 120
Celebration, FL 34747
office: 321 939 3180
mobile: 407 376 3068

TKC.Roland@gmail.com

Blueberries protect against cardiovascular disease risk factors in metabolic syndrome patients

An article published online on July 21, 2010 in the Journal of Nutrition describes the outcome of a trial of obese men and women with metabolic syndrome which found a protective effect for blueberries against several cardiovascular disease risk factors. Metabolic syndrome is a group of factors that include reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, abdominal obesity, and greater oxidative stress and inflammation. Having several of these risk factors increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Researchers at Oklahoma State University randomized 4 men and 44 women to receive a beverage containing 50 grams freeze-dried blueberries (equivalent to 2.3 cups fresh blueberries) or an equivalent amount of water daily for 8 weeks. Weight, blood pressure, dietary assessments and blood sample analyses for various factors were conducted at the beginning of the study and at 4 and 8 weeks. Continue Reading

Resveratrol may prevent eye disease, blindness and Cardiovascular disease

(NaturalNews) Resveratrol -- a natural compound found in red wine, grapes, blueberries, peanuts and other plants -- has been found to promote longevity and health in a variety of ways. For example, scientists have found evidence it prevents heart disease, helps keep weight under control, normalizes cholesterol levels and may prevent diabetes (http://www.naturalnews.com/027420_r...). Now there's another benefit to add to this remarkable list of benefits: it could prevent some of the top causes of blindness.

Vision researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have documented that resveratrol stops out-of-control blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) in the eye. This discovery means resveratrol could preserve vision in three major blinding eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in Americans over 50); diabetic retinopathy, which causes vision loss in about 20 percent of people with diabetes; and retinopathy of prematurity which occurs when premature babies experience an obstruction of blood flow into the retina -- a condition that blinds 50,000 infants each year.

"A great deal of research has identified resveratrol as an anti-aging compound, and given our interest in age-related eye disease, we wanted to find out whether there was a link," Washington University retina specialist Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the study's senior investigator, said in a statement to the media. "There were reports on resveratrol's effects on blood vessels in other parts of the body, but there was no evidence that it had any effects within the eye."

So Dr. Apte's research team decided to test resveratrol on mice that develop abnormal blood vessels in the retina after laser treatment. Their findings, published in the July issue of the American Journal of Pathology, showed that when the rodents were given resveratrol, the phytochemical prevented the growth of abnormal blood vessels. In fact, abnormal blood vessels that already existed actually began to disappear.

When the scientists examined cells of the animals' blood vessels in the lab, they found a new pathway -- known as a eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2) regulated pathway -- that is behind resveratrol's eye-protective power.

"We have identified a novel pathway that could become a new target for therapies. And we believe the pathway may be involved both in age-related eye disease and in other diseases where angiogenesis plays a destructive role," Dr. Apte stated. "This could potentially be a preventive therapy in high-risk patients. And because it worked on existing, abnormal blood vessels in the animals, it may be a therapy that can be started after angiogenesis already is causing damage."

What's more, the resveratrol-mediated pathway Dr. Apte's laboratory has identified may be active not only in several blindness-causing eye diseases, but in cancers and atherosclerosis, as well. That means it might be possible to use resveratrol to not only protect and improve eyesight but to prevent cardiovascular disease and some types of malignancies, too, according to Dr. Apte.

Antioxidants improve insulin resistance and Diabetes

(NaturalNews) According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD), insulin resistance is a condition in which the pancreas eventually can't keep up with the body's demand for insulin (a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy). Eventually, an excess of glucose builds up in the bloodstream -- and that sets the stage for type 2 diabetes.

New research just presented at the Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, shows that natural antioxidants in the diet can be a powerful way to improve insulin resistance -- even in people who are obese and suffering from metabolic syndrome. A precursor of diabetes associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions (including high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels) that raise the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as diabetes.

"The beneficial effects of antioxidants are known, but we have revealed for the first time one of their biological bases of action -- improving hormonal action in obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome," lead researcher Antonio Mancini, MD, an endocrinology researcher at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, said in a statement to the media.

Read more here... A diet loaded with antioxidant rich foods improves insulin resistance

Leadership talk from an amazing friend and mentor, Claude Hamilton

Claude Hamilton is an amazing business and leadership guru who talks about what champions are made of in this quick video. We appreciate him so much for all the lives he has touched. He and his awesome wife Lana, are true servant leaders. Enjoy and God Bless. Ben

Study: Busy Social Life the Key to Beating Cancer

(NewsCore) - An active social life may help patients fight cancer with a new study linking the stress of relationships to reductions in the size of cancerous growths, The (London) Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

Experiments found that moving cancer-stricken mice from private lodgings into more spacious shared accommodation led to an average reduction in the size of tumors of 77 percent.

After three weeks, five percent of mice in the experiments showed no evidence of cancer. Matthew During, of Ohio State University, told The (London) Daily Telegraph the findings suggest cancer treatments should focus on living a "richer life, socially and physically" rather than minimizing stress.

"This paper really suggests if we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease, their social interactions and environment, we could realize a profound influence on cancer," he said. The findings differ to those of other recent studies that suggest high stress levels reduce the survival rate of cancer patients.

Although the points in this article may seem obvious, its worth sharing because sometimes its important to be reminded of the truths we already know.  As I continue to share and write blog articles, I know it has helped many based on the feedback I receive.

For me personally, I know that a life full of purpose, having solid relationships and a desire to make a difference in other people's lives, makes a huge difference in our health, both physically and emotionally.  What are you doing on a daily basis to flourish your relationships and accomplish your goals and dreams?  Once you know what you want, go after it with everything you got. 

Don't leave this earth with regrets.  As a result of your passions and your pursuit of excellence, using your God given talents, you will live a healthy, happy life. We are only here on this planet for a short blip in time. In the end, you only have one body, one mind and one soul.  Do everything you can to protect all three!  God Bless, Ben

Fungus, the cause of cancer?

Words of wisdom from Chris Brady.. He who Laughs, lasts

Here is a re-post from Chris Brady's blog:

http://www.chrisbrady.typepad.com/#


Leadership is about the influence one has with others. To gain that influence, one must be an effective performer, trustworthy, visionary, and a whole host of other things we described in Launching a Leadership Revolution. There are some "soft" side considerations, too. One of these, often ignored, is humor.

Both the ability to inspire mirth and the quickness with which one laughs are effective skills in gaining influence. Why? Because people like to be around those who are fun and make them laugh.

Below are ten ways to increase your ability to both appreciate humor and to contribute to the laughter:

1. Don't take yourself too seriously - the world is overstuffed with people puffed up with their own self-importance. Distance yourselves from these bores by taking everything seriously except yourself.

2. Have an attitude of gratitude - one of the things holding many people back from humor is their bad attitude. They are in too bad a mood to see the funny side of anything. You won't appreciate the subtly that is humor unless you are appreciative to begin with.

3. Make your foibles the subject matter - the most enjoyable people to be around are those who are able and quick to laugh at themselves. Conversely, the worst kind of people to be around are those who laugh at others.

4. Stay away from sarcasm - humor is dangerous, especially when it is biting or berating. Tread carefully, and especially when it comes to your "humor style." Sarcasm may be fun to dish out, but it is never enjoyable to receive.

5. Be good-hearted - one of the things most endearing about someone is their good heart. It comes through in everything they say. When people intrinsically feel that you mean no harm and are instead only interested in their well being, they will be unguarded around you and open to your every statement. This relaxed posture makes everything you say more funny.

6. Tell stories - some of the merriest moments occur naturally as we live our lives. Capture those moments in your mind in story form and save them for later. Being able to tell good, humorous stories is always a skill in demand.

7. Become a prodigious noticer - Mark Twain first coined that term, giving away the secret of his mirth. Comedy comes from noticing the small and subtle things about this life we share together. It is this prodigious noticing that will give you the stories to tell in #6.

8. Techniques - there are some skills that enhance humor, such as timing, delivery, facial expressions, dramatization, gestures, and the like. Over time and with practice, develop a style all your own.

9. Circular - bringing something back around into a conversation that occurred earlier can be hilarious. Watch for ways to apply earlier humor to new situations.
10. Be a good laugher - one of the keys to reducing tension in a room is to be a good laugher yourself. Laughter is actually contagious. Be quick to enjoy others and their stabs at humor and their own moods will lighten and be more prepared to receive your quips, as well.

I could go on all day here, but one final piece of advice about humor: know when to quit!

Energy Drinks and Palatinose, a new natural healthy energy source

Today, energy drinks play a vital role in everyone's busy and hectic lives. The main purpose of consuming energy drinks is to gain instant energy and also save time that is spent in having food. But there are some dangers involved in consuming certain energy drinks. Read on to know more about the dangers of energy drinks and some alternatives worth considering.

Energy drinks are actually soft drinks or simple beverages that claim to boost the energy levels of the consumer and speed up physical activities. Energy drinks are meant to improve the mental and physical abilities of an individual. Caffeine is the most common ingredient of many of the energy drinks. Other energy drink ingredients include carbonated waters, guarana, acai, ginseng and many more. Some energy drinks also contain added sugars and flavors. They also add niacin for a quick flush feeling that some compare to getting hot flashes.  Most give you nothing but stimulants and very little true energy.  Within a short time, most drinks wear off quickly and the consumer crashes.  What next?  Consume another!!!

Excess of it, say 2 bottles every day, would prove harmful for your health. Over 400 people a day go to the hospital with health issues due to certain energy drinks.Considering the dangers of energy drinks, it is time to think twice whether one should consume it.

There are alternatives however that have no artificial flavors, colors or sweetners. Here is a Doctor explaining what Palatinose is, a new energy source, and where you can find them. Watch the video!!!

http://video.o2mediainc.com/videolib/2010/BRND/beneo/

Cholesterol and the benefits of fruits and Plant Sterols

If one of our ancestors was alive today and we asked about what he ate in his day, it wouldn't be surprising to learn that most of the ancient men and women survived on plants - fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries. That is a healthy diet that our bodies have evolved on.

With the advent of industrial revolution and technology, humans started to lean more towards tasty food rather than healthy food. We have forgotten about eating natural fruits and vegetables with antioxidants and phytonutrients that have kept us healthy for ages.

As a result, we developed all sorts of diseases and problems. One of the major issues that have plagued our health is the presence of excess cholesterol in our body.

Good cholesterol is required for the processing of fat-soluble vitamins. However, the bad cholesterol that comes from the greasy oily fast food and microwave dinners we eat isn't really good for anything (no wonder it's known as bad cholesterol). People gorge themselves on these delicious but empty calories only to get a high level of triglycerides in their blood. This bad cholesterol and triglycerides team up and cause plaque deposits in the veins and arteries. This results in atherosclerosisis and many other problems.

Over time these deposits tend to break up and go to strategic locations in the cardiovascular system. The result? Heart disease, strokes, myocardial infarctions and many other cardiovascular problems. You name it, you got it! Then you have doctors prescribing a variety of statins that come with their own side effects and issues. So, all these modern day foods and medicines really make your body a battlefield of sorts! So, how do you get rid of all these problems?

Switching to some good plant sterols or "phytosterols" can help in reducing cholesterol in an effective way. What are really plant sterols? These are also known as phytosterols and form an integral part of the cellular membranes in plants. According to the recent researches, these sterols help in reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines that causes a reduction in cholesterol levels in the body.

A regular consumption of these phytosterols according to some studies can help in lowering the risk of heart diseases in the body. A recent study indicated that when a person consumes about two to three grams of plant sterol every day, a reduction of up to 15 percent is seen in the LDL cholesterol levels. Besides reducing the risk of heart related ailments, plant sterols also aid in preventing many kinds of cancers as well.

These sterols are beneficial for diabetics as well and help in reducing their blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol levels. There are many foods that contain these plant sterols like wheat germ, rice, and corn. Oils like peanut, soybean and olive oil are also rich in such sterols. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also rich sources of phytosterols.

Excess cholesterol can not only just kill us but also cause paralysis and strokes as well. Regular consumption of natural plant sterols or even supplements containing these sterols can help in preventing such problems!

This is your brain on fruit, any questions?

At one point or another in our lives, we have been told that fruits and vegetables are a necessary part of a well balanced and healthy diet which is essential to good health. Why is it that less than 17 percent of the population consumes 5-7 servings of fruits a day? Is it price? Is it inconvenience? Is it a lack of understanding of why fruit and vegetables are important? Maybe it is all of the above.

There is no question that our world has changed. The challenges we face today are much different than what our grandparents faced. Specifically, we now live in a world where fast food, prescription drugs, fast paced life styles dictate our health.

When your parents picked fruit off the tree in the back yard, it was the freshest, most delicious tasting fruit you probably ever had. Today, despite the Organic labels on fruit, we simply are not getting the same quality of fruit we used to. In fact, based on the method of harvesting fruit in our modern society, fruit is typically picked before reaching it's ripeness, thrown into a gas chamber and subjected to all kinds of herbicides, pesticides, and sprayed, thus modifying and compromising the nutritional properties of the fruit. All processed fruit are grown and cared for under perfect environmental conditions.

So, not only are we not typically consuming 5-7 servings of fruit a day, we are potentially consuming processed fruit that may even be harmful to you. Is it no wonder that cancer, disease and obesity are rampant in our society. So what are fruits and vegetable so important? In one word, Antioxidants.

Our bodies are rusting like a car. Fruit is like rustoleum. It prevents free radicals from causing harm to your cells. Over time, inflammation and oxidation stress causes health problems, rapid aging, disease and cancer. This doesn't happen overnight but it is accelerated by the life styles we live. Quality fruit is essential and is the only source of phytonutrients necessary to fight free radicals. Those are the facts.

Now, here is the reality. If we now know this or already knew this, then with this critical information, why are people not consuming enough fruits and vegetables? Even worse, quality fruits and vegetables? Fruit has a shelf life too. How is it possible to get the quality you need? The answer is that it is extremely difficult to do. When your parents told you to eat your fruits and vegetables years ago, they had the right idea and still do.

But, today, we are facing a battle against fast food, processed food, prescription drugs that deplete your body of proper nutrition, environmental conditions, stress, pollution and other health threats. Our bodies are so malnutrition that they simply cannot do what it was intended to do, which is repair itself and fight against disease and harmful oxidation. If you look at other cultures around the globe, you will find that disease and health issues are almost non existent.

The Price of success, By Chris Brady

Chris Brady, along with Orrin Woodward, our mentors, are ranked #25 and #8th most influential leaders and business gurus on the planet. We appreciate them so much as they tirelessly and selflessly lead the way towards everyone's success in personal development and business. They are amazing.

Breast cancer cells destroyed by peach and plum extracts

Breast cancer cells destroyed by peach and plum extracts

My sister Linda

I wanted to change gears a bit and share with everyone the memorial site i created for my sister who passed away from cancer a while ago.  She was my inspiration for starting this health blog and over the course of time i have received a lot of feedback from people who found this site useful and informative.

Sometimes, it is easy to get wrapped up in our daily endeavors and forget the things that are truly important.  I received a condolence from one of my sister's friends today.  As I sat back to read it and watch the memorial site, tears came to my eyes.  Times like this give me the courage to continue the fight to help and serve others who are in need of help, especially in the areas of health, finances and relationships.  Here is my sister's site should anyone want to see it.  God bless.

http://linda-lamori.last-memories.com/index.php

Pesticides tied to ADHD in children

According to an article written by Reuters Health, pesticides are once again a major topic of discussion.  Every day you hear something new on the health front and over time, I believe people become desensitized by the information they hear.  Ive heard some say, "just get used to it, thats the way it is"  Hmm, is this the right attitude?  Or, instead, should we get some new information, make some educated choices and not ignore what is clearly a trend in our health and environment? This is happening to all of us, not just our neighbors or others we read about! It is a silent, perhaps subtle, attack on our everyday life.  Most of the time, we know about it after it is too late.  Just look at all the people with cancer and disease.  It didnt happen overnight!

As I read the article below, i have no doubt that pesticides are dangerous as I have posted several articles about the hazards in our food.  My conclusion is that we must make sure our immune system is running at its peak. We cannot guarantee that the foods we eat are always safe but we can protect ourselves in other ways. Even after washing fruit, keep in mind that pesticides often seep into the fruit and even remain on the fruit due to the beautiful wax utilized to protect the fruit. 

So, high quality fruits are hard to come by, they often contain very little nutrition based on how they were processed and may even be dangerous if not washed properly.  Our body needs fruit to survive and it is one of the only sources of antioxidants required to protect us from oxidation.  There are great alternatives to protect ourselves.  Over time, doing the right thing helps us and doing the wrong thing hurts us.  It takes information, knowledge and action to live a long healthy life.  Isn't it worth it?  Here is the article below:

Researchers tracked the pesticides' breakdown products in children' urine and found those with high levels were almost twice as likely to develop ADHD as those with undetectable levels.The findings are based on data from the general U.S. population, meaning that exposure to the pesticides could be harmful even at levels commonly found in children's environment.

"There is growing concern that these pesticides may be related to ADHD," said researcher Marc Weisskopf of the Harvard School of Public Health, who worked on the study."What this paper specifically highlights is that this may be true even at low concentrations."

Organophosphates were originally developed for chemical warfare, and they are known to be toxic to the nervous system. There are about 40 organophosphate pesticides such as malathion registered in the United States, the researchers wrote in the journal Pediatrics.

Weisskopf said the compounds have been linked to behavioral symptoms common to ADHD -- for instance, impulsivity and attention problems -- but exactly how is not fully understood. Although the researchers had no way to determine the source of the breakdown products they found, Weisskopf said the most likely culprits were pesticides and insecticides used on produce and indoors.

Weisskopf and colleagues' sample included 1,139 children between 8 and 15 years. They interviewed the children's mothers, or another caretaker, and found that about one in 10 met the criteria for ADHD, which jibes with estimates for the general population.

After accounting for factors such as gender, age and race, they found the odds of having ADHD rose with the level of pesticide breakdown products. For a 10-fold increase in one class of those compounds, the odds of ADHD increased by more than half. And for the most common breakdown product, called dimethyl triophosphate, the odds of ADHD almost doubled in kids with above-average levels compared to those without detectable levels. That's a very strong association that, if true, is of very serious concern," said Weisskopf. "These are widely used pesticides."

Can Foods forestall aging?

Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high-ORAC value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain.

ORAC--short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity--measures the ability of foods, blood plasma, and just about any substance to subdue oxygen free radicals in the test tube.


Early evidence indicates that this antioxidant activity translates to animals, protecting cells and their components from oxidative damage. Getting plenty of the foods with a high-ORAC activity, such as spinach, strawberries, and blueberries, has so far:

raised the antioxidant power of human blood,

prevented some loss of long-term memory and learning ability in middle-aged rats,

maintained the ability of brain cells in middle-aged rats to respond to a chemical stimulus, and

protected rats' tiny blood vessels—capillaries—against oxygen damage.

These results have prompted Ronald L. Prior to suggest that "the ORAC measure may help define the dietary conditions needed to prevent tissue damage."

Prior is coordinating this research with Guohua (Howard) Cao, James Joseph, and Barbara Shukitt-Hale at the Boston center.

Science has long held that damage by oxygen free radicals is behind many of the maladies that come with aging, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. There's firm evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer and that a low intake raises risk. And recent evidence suggests that diminished brain function associated with aging and disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may be due to increased vulnerability to free radicals, says Joseph, a neuroscientist. 

READ REST HERE:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb99/aging0299.htm