Have fun at the outlet malls on Black Friday? McDonalds Outlet Store Opens

Happy Holidays from Rick and Julia. We we very careful to stay away form all the Black Friday hype and enjoyed the long weekend with our family and friends. Thursday with the kids and neighbors, yesterday with Julia's sister for lunch and a movie, Old Dogs. Today is Sunday light. A trip to the organic veggie stand and then to Soquel for breakfast. Please enjoy todays' post. I found this funny article and just had to share. I'm still laughing and hope you will too!

'Not Quite Perfect' McDonald's Opens In Illinois Outlet Mall

GURNEE, IL—Hungry shoppers at the Gurnee Mills outlet mall can now get a name-brand lunch at a bargain-basement price, thanks to the Monday opening of McDonald's first "Not Quite Perfect" outlet store, offering imperfect and irregular items from the fast-food giant's menu.

Enlarge Image The new outlet store.

"It's true that consistency is part of what makes McDonald's the leader in the fast-food industry, but so is good value," said Brian Landers, manager of the McDonald's outlet. "When customers see the low, low prices, they're more than willing to give our Six-Piece Quarter Pounders and Fish McGriddles a try. The food's a little different at this McDonald's, but it's really very close." Continued Landers: "Now, who's ready for factory seconds?!"
Located next to a Levi's outlet store offering mis-stitched and off-season apparel, the McDonald's outlet will be the destination for all products that do not meet the strict requirements of the restaurant's 30,000 regular stores worldwide.
"McDonald's prides itself on having exacting standards for its products," Landers said. "But throwing away all-carrot Salad Shakers, parallelogram-shaped hash browns, and McRibNuggets seemed so wasteful. With more of our customers struggling to make ends meet, we knew people would appreciate the opportunity to buy these slightly irregular products at irresistibly low prices."
In addition to factory mistakes, the outlet will offer items that were tested in limited markets but never received a wide release.
"We had a warehouse full of meat patties made in the shape of our golden-arch logo," Landers said. "A young, quickly fired executive thought it would be a good idea to make an 'M'-shaped burger, but it was expensive to produce, and depending where you took a bite, you had a very good chance of getting no beef. Plus, who's going to open up a burger just to look at the oddly shaped meat patty? Now, we're thawing them out and serving them up for only 30 cents apiece."
Landers said that, while a number of customers have been wary, the prices are so astounding that "people always come back for more."
"I've seen more than one person approach our firm-serve cones with skepticism," Landers said. "But at 20 cents each, we can hardly keep them in stock."
Landers added, "Once they get over the mental block after eating a flash-frozen pyramid of vanilla ice cream, customers realize they just can't beat these prices."
The outlet store, at 32,000 square feet, is the largest McDonald's in the world. In addition to serving irregular meal items, the outlet store houses irregular McDonald's decor.

Enlarge Image A $1.99 value meal available at the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's.

"These aren't the traditional McDonald's color schemes," Landers said, gesturing to chairs and tables in puce, mottled gray, and army green. "And while some customers make comments about our posters—a printer placed a black child's head on top of a white, elderly cashier's body—well, I think they look very nice once you get used to them." The outlet also features a shop that sells irregular McDonald's products like boxes of frozen foot-long fries and bags of unsweetened orange-drink syrup.
"The bulk-foods section of the shop hasn't caught on as well as we'd hoped," Landers said. "We think that may be in part a question of functionality. Our 10-gallon buckets of McRib sauce, for example, are reasonably priced, but most people don't have condiment pumps at home. Of course, even those who do are sometimes disappointed to find relish inside."
The outlet's PlayPlace features not-quite-perfect McDonaldland icons.
"Parents worry about our ball pit, but those triangular balls meet Illinois minimum-safety requirements," Landers said. "What we've really gotten complaints about are the statues of the McDonaldland characters. Ronald McDonald's eyes were put in wrong so he's looking in two different directions, our Grimace is pink, and for some reason, the Hamburglar has no teeth."
In spite of the few complaints, most outlet patrons say the bargain prices are well worth enduring the irregular food.
"It's not like the meat's tainted," said Mack Vesper, a longtime McDonald's customer. "A Quarter Pounder on a half-size seedless bun tastes just as good. And, while the gray Shamrock Shake took some getting used to, once you realize that you're getting all the flavor at an eighth of the price, you adapt. Besides, who looks at the color of the shake once you start drinking it?"
Some customers said the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's is not for them.
"I'll never take my children there again," said Anita Sibakis, mother of three. "They opened up the Happy Meal and there were headless Mulan figurines in there. It scared the bejesus out my youngest."

Is Natural, Organic? Is Organic, Natural? Are you being ripped off?

Conversations From the Corner Office
-Posted by Rick Irrgang
11.25.09

Thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving feast on Thursday bought my attention to a neat little article from the Health Freedom Alliance. We go out of our way to consume organic products at home. What you read below might make you wonder if our food producers are on our side or not. I know Whole Foods has been bashed in the past for "creatively" mis-lableing food. Don't think conspiracy, think greed and hoping we don't get to know all the facts. Todays post has some interesting facts. I hope you enjoy this post.
If you would like to know about what we do to help protect our family, write to:
rick@livesafeandhealthy.net
-Rick and Julia Irrgang

Food company giant Dean Foods got caught trying to fool customers into thinking the Silk brand soy milk they produced was organic. At one point up until early 2009 the milk was made with organic soybeans. But then Dean Foods switched to conventional soybeans which most of the time are grown with pesticides. But somehow they forgot to mention this to anyone. They kept the same bar codes on the milk cartons and kept the label the same, only quietly switching the word “organic” with “natural.” And of course they kept the price the same. Because the bar codes were kept the same even some retail grocery stores were just as fooled as the consumer. Said one store owner. “We don’t want to be part of customer deception.” It appears that consumers need to be more careful then ever in distinguishing between organic and natural labels. (NaturalNews) Until early 2009, Silk brand soy milk was made using organic soybeans. But earlier this year, Dean Foods (owner of the Silk brand) quietly switched to conventional soybeans, which are often grown with pesticides. But they kept the same UPC bar codes on their products, and they kept the product label virtually the same, only replacing the word “organic” with “natural” in a way that was barely noticeable. They also kept the price the same, charging consumers “organic” prices for a product that was now suddenly made with conventionally-grown soybeans.
Many retailers and consumers never noticed the bait-and-switch tactic, so they kept buying Silk, thinking it was still organic. The shift on the product label from “organic” to “natural” wasn’t well understood by consumers, either. Many consumers continue to think that the term “natural” is basically the same as “organic,” when in fact they are almost opposites. The term “natural” is entirely unregulated, and almost anything can be claimed to be “natural” even when it’s sprayed with pesticides or treated with other chemicals.
This bait-and-switch ploy continued throughout 2009 until a few watchdog organizations started to catch on to the covert switch. In late October, the Cornucopia Institute (www.Cornucopia.org) accused Target stores of misleading consumers by advertising Silk products using the old “organic” labeling even though the product being sold in stores was not organic. Cornucopia’s Mark Kastel accused Target and Dean Foods for “blurring the line between organic and natural,” thereby confusing consumers while boosting profits from the more lucrative sales of non-organic products sold at organic prices. (http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/10/o…)
Meanwhile, a Sunflower health food store in Texas also found itself caught up in the bait-and-switch tactic. It had been reordering Silk for months, thinking the product was still organic. But now, after discovering the scam, the store posts a hand-written sign in front of the Silk products, warning consumers with this message: “Silk is no longer organic.”
“We don’t want to be part of customer deception,” said the store owner in a Star-Telegram interview.
According to that same story, food retailers in California, Delaware and Texas were also duped by Silk’s bait-and-switch scheme, only discovering the switch to conventional soybeans months after the switch was covertly made. Dean Foods, you see, never bothered to tell retailers they had switched from organic to conventionally-grown soybeans. They just quietly made the switch but kept the same box design and UPC codes, perhaps hoping no one would notice. And the ploy worked!
“Dean has only added to the marketplace confusion between ‘natural’ and ‘organic,’ as they definitely do not mean the same thing, and ‘natural’ requires no verification whatsoever,” said Consumer Reports senior scientist Urvashi Rangan (see Star-Telegram article link below).
Labeling deception
Dean Foods is one of the big food giants that serves processed, factory-made foods and beverages to the American people. It’s the parent company of Horizon Organic, the so-called “organic” milk maker that’s been caught up in a web of deception exposed by the Organic Consumers Association

Dangers of Bisphenol A/BPA in Plastic Bottles, Well Established

Conversations from the Corner Office
-Posted by Rick Irrgang
It's been a few days since my last post. I was thinking about plastic bottles today. Why?.... Because 2 million of them find their way to U.S. Landfills every hour. EVERY HOUR!!!
Most of them have dangerous chemicals leaching from them and most the nasties find their way to the human body. Julia and I have a simple, yet effective way to help you stop throwing the bottles away. Want to learn more? Give us a call at 928-830-2251
-Rick and Julia Irrgang
 
Dangers of Bisphenol A/BPA Well Established Three recent studies fuel criticism already scorching the FDA for its failure to respond to the petition by AAHF/ANH-USA regarding exposure of children to bisphenol A/BPA. Research by the University of Rochester, published in the Journal of Andrology, found that males exposed to phthalates — found in dental sealants, composite fillings, soft plastic water bottles, baby bottles, vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains — suffer a reduction in testosterone, feminizing their behavior. Male babies exposed to high levels of these chemicals, used to soften plastic, are much less likely to play typical boys’ games as they mature.

A study funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that Chinese factory workers exposed to huge amounts of BPA have significant risk of increased sexual dysfunction. The five-year study, the first designed specifically to test the effects of BPA on humans, discovered that workers exposed to BPA had four times the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times the risk of ejaculation difficulty.

Consumer Reports funded a study confirming that BPA leaches into the food in nearly all metal containers (these cans are lined in soft plastic), even those cans marked “BPA-free” or “Organic.”

The FDA, which earlier had declared BPA safe for all uses, is now reconsidering. A new recommendation is expected as early as Dec.1, 2009.

Lead in Lipstick?

Conversations from the corner office:
- Rick Irrgang


A few days have gone by since posting to the blog. Sort of a mental slump for lack of better words. Julia reminded me today how grateful we should be that we use the safest personal care products on the planet. That prompted us to post an interesting article about lipstick.
We are outraged by this and hope you will be too. If we can't reach them (the cosmetic industry) by voice, we certainly can with our wallet. Show them you care by switching brands to one that is safe for you and your family.
If you would like to know more about safe cosmetics and personal care products, email me at rick@livesafeandhealthy.net

Lead in Lipstick

Lead in lipstick? Turns out, the ur­ban legend is true. In October 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 popular brands of lipsticks at an independent lab for lead content. The results: 61 percent of lipsticks contained lead, with levels ranging up to 0.65 parts per million. Lead-contaminated brands included L'Oreal, Cover Girl and even a $24 tube of Dior Addict. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration promised it would conduct an investigation, but dragged its feet in doing so. It took nearly two years, pressure from consumers and a letter from three U.S. Senators, but in 2009 the FDA released a follow-up study that found lead in all samples of lipstick it tested, at levels ranging from 0.09 to 3.06 ppm – levels four times higher than the levels found in the Campaign study. No Safe Dose The recent science indicates there is no safe level of lead exposure. “Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,” according to Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice. “Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development,” according to Dr. Sean Palfrey, a professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston University and the medical director of Boston's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. “Since recent science suggests that there is truly no safe lead exposure for children and pregnant women, it is disturbing that manufacturers are allowed to continue to sell lead-containing lipsticks." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states: “No safe blood lead level has been identified.” The agency suggests avoiding all sources of lead exposure, including lead-containing cosmetics. (Read CDC's lead exposure prevention tips.) Status Update The FDA released a follow-up study in 2009 that found much higher levels of lead in lipstick than reported by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in 2007. A state bill to ban lead from lipstick passed the California Senate in 2008, but died after a massive industry lobby effort. What You Can Do Because lead is a contaminant not listed on lipstick ingredient labels, it's next to impossible for consumers to avoid. But don't let that dissuade you from doing something: E-mail, call or write to the companies that make your favorite lipstick shades and tell them that lead-free products are important to you. Send friends and family an e-card letting them know about this issue. Sign our petition for safe cosmetics.

Neways and Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide

Conversations from the corner office:
by Rick Irrgang.
If you'd like to know more about this, please email me at rick@livesafeandhealthy.net

Neways stays ahead with leading products and technology. Today I'd like to share some great information about a few of Neways products.
Eliminator, Radicate and Radiance ToothPaste.
Let's start with a brief tutorial about the star of the show, Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide:
Enjoy, Rick and Julia Irrgang

STABILIZED CHLORINE DIOXIDE


There is a lot of interest in Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorine Dioxide lately and that interest has inspired a multitude of questions, like:

"Is there a difference between Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorine Dioxide?"

"What is the difference between Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorine Dioxide?"

"How safe is Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide?"

"How does Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide work if it is "stabilized?"

"How long will Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide keep?"

"Is Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide corrosive?"

"Which oral/dental and household products contain Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide?"

So, here we endeavor to provide some answers.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide differs from Chlorine Dioxide and is very safe. Chlorine Dioxide is a gas. Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide (SCD or Stabilized ClO2, and also known as Anthium Dioxide and Sodium Chlorite) is a salt form in solution with bicarbonate.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is activated when it encounters microbes or bacteria. Neways’ Research & Development staff has performed several tests on substances that activate SCD. Bacteria themselves activate SCD, although slower than acids and other inorganic substances. After a person consumes a meal high in sugars and starches, invisible bacteria on the tooth surfaces and gums begin to feed on residual food particles. As the bacteria work, they secrete potent acids that dissolve the hard calcium and phosphate mineral matrix of the tooth enamel. These bacteria also produce metabolic enzymes that break down the connective tissues and gums. Without proper oral hygiene, these bacteria leave unhealthy cavities and stains, as well as, inflamed and bleeding gums. In addition to causing tooth decay, these same bacteria are responsible for the production of volatile sulfur compounds. Volatile sulfur compounds are byproducts of the bacterial fermentation of food residue and are one of the major sources of bad breath.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is registered with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as an excellent bactericide, fungicide and antimicrobial agent. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) have approved use of Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide in food processing plants for sanitizing and controlling bacteria and mold.

To make Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorine Dioxide is taken and manufactured in a liquid state with the pH on the base side. Then various Sodium Carbonate complexes are added into the formulation. These complexes link up with and bond on the Chlorine Dioxide to stabilize it. It changes from an aggressive unstable material, to one that is extremely mild, very stable, and yet has all the desirable features that Chlorine Dioxide possesses.

Chlorine Dioxide is an unstable aggressive material that can damage mucus membranes in the mouth.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is very safe in comparison with other disinfectants. Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is so safe that the EPA rates its toxicity level the same as water. It will not damage gums, even if they have been cut. It has no effect on fillings and possesses no harmful properties that a dentist should worry about. On the contrary, it is very effective on keeping the mouth extremely clean.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide was first developed to be used on cankers. So for soft delicate tissues where there may be problems with bacteria or other microbials, Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is a superb product. It also breaks down the food films so that these organisms don't have anything to feed upon and grow and multiply. This would be very important when you look at potential infections.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is safe in storage and use, and carries no hazardous label on personal care products. It is a latent form of Chlorine Dioxide which permits controlled release under conditions of use.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES

pH 7.5+.2
Stability shelf-life exceeds one year
Solubility completely miscible with water
Corrosion non-corrosive to metals in dilution normally used
Toxicity non-toxic 0 rating (EPA rating scale 0-4)

NEWAYS' SUPERIOR STABILIZED CHLORINE DIOXIDE PRODUCTS:

Eliminator® Mouthwash, not a "cover-up," but an odor eliminator and freshener...with more uses than just a mouthwash. UltraShine Radiance® Toothpaste, working to protect and remineralize tooth enamel for cleaner, whiter appearing teeth.

Radiance® Toothpaste, cleans the teeth and gums with stabilized chlorine dioxide which helps eliminate bacterial growth and tooth decay.

Radicate, big cleaning power for the most demanding projects in the home, office, car or hospital, yet gentle and safe enough to use on children's toys, bottles and pacifiers.

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND COMMENTS:

Question: What is the difference between Eliminator® and Radicate (other than the word, "mouthwash")?

Answer: Radicate has Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide and water. Eliminator® has a peppermint oil added as a flavor. Eliminator® is better suited (concentration-wise, etc.) for use with the body, where Radicate is more useful as a cleanser and deodorizer.

Question: Why is there a warning on the Radicate? I thought Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide was safe to put in the mouth and on the skin?

Answer: Because we are marketing Radicate as a cleaning product, federal regulations require that we have certain warnings on the label whether they apply or not. In looking at an MSDS for Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, I notice that there is no health hazard mentioned for topical use, and only “mild irritation” for the eyes and “gastric discomfort” is mentioned for eye contact and ingestion of a 100% concentration of the chemical.

Question: What is the difference between Stabilized Anthium Dioxide (CLO2) and Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2)?

Answer: Anthium Dioxide is exactly the same as Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide. Anthium Dioxide is a trade name for this. Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide is the actual chemical name. Regardless, the chemical formula is still exactly the same (ie. CLO2).

"Stabilized chlorine dioxide," the same ingredient in Eliminator® and Radicate, is a highly effective disinfectant. In this CNN article note that a gas form of chlorine dioxide is being used to clean up anthrax exposure.

Recognizing Utah’s most outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations, Neways Inc. won the "Best of State" medal for merchandising - Personal Care Products & Cosmetics.

--Utah's Best Of State awards.

"I've looked at hundreds of company's cosmetics, personal care products and dietary supplements. Usually, in spite of all the hype, I am disappointed. But Neways is different. They are producing truly safe and healthy formulas that we rank among the best in the world today. Indeed, they're the only network marketing company doing so. I give 110% support to Neways. You can't do better than offering the Neways' formulas. They're great for the world, for the environment, and for your body and home. What a great way to make a living! You really will profit, both materially and spiritually from your Neways association and involvement.

--David Steinman, Co-author of The Safe Shopper's Bible, and The Breast Cancer Prevention Program, chairman of Citizens for Health, publisher of 3 of the largest, most popular health letters in the US: "The Doctor's Prescription for Healthy Living," "Pharmacist's Choice" and "The Doctor's Oral Enzyme Health Letter."

"Neways has pioneered and succeeded in providing consumers with cosmetics and toiletries free of cancer-causing and harmful ingredients and contaminants. I warmly congratulate them on their accomplishments."

--Dr. Samuel Epstein, founder of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and author of The Safe Shopper's Bible, The Politics of Cancer and The Politics of Cancer Revisited

National Organic Standards Board Votes to Crack Down on Labeling Fraud

Conversations from the corner office:

It's never to late:
As an avid Neways product distributor and user, I'm happy we don't have to read labels. For 20 years, Neways has stood on the firm ground of honesty and integrity in label and in content. www.livesafeandhealthy.net.
For the rest, its good to know that things are changing for the better, or at least we hope.
Posted by Rick and Julia Irrgang
Nov. 13th 2009

Alert Updates of the Week

National Organic Standards Board Votes to Crack Down on Labeling Fraud

Victory on Organic Body Care and Cosmetics Products

In a milestone victory after years of work by the OCA and the organic community to demand an end to blatant labeling fraud in the organic marketplace the National Organic Standards Board voted 12 to 1 at their November 2009 meeting to direct the USDA National Organic Program to enforce the law for organic personal care products - just as they do for organic food. This means that shampoos, body care products, and cosmetics that claim to be organic but are not certified would be forced to drop their organic label and advertising claims, or else reformulate their products (getting rid of petrochemicals and problematic synthetic ingredients) to meet "USDA Organic" or "made with organic ingredients" standards.
The Organic Consumers Association is initiating a letter-writing campaign asking the USDA to take quick action on the NOSB recommendation. While we wait for the USDA to begin enforcement actions, we're calling on consumers to boycott fake, falsely labeled organic body care brands, and instead to buy only USDA certified organic products.

LEARN MORE AND TAKE ACTION

Will Anyone in Their Right Mind Actually Buy Into These Three New Vaccines?

Posted by: Rick and Julia Irrgang
November 12. Maybe I should of posted this on Friday the 13th

A storm has erupted over the announcement last month that an experimental AIDS vaccine tested in Thailand proved modestly effective. It was billed as a major scientific advance — the long-awaited hard evidence that it is possible to inoculate people against AIDS. But now the trial has been called into question in a way that is overblown and possibly destructive.
But this isn’t the first time the efficacy and safety of a vaccine has been called into question. The government recently announced that $10 million of stimulus money would be used to fund a phase 3 clinical trial of a promising anti-smoking vaccine produced by Nabi Pharmaceuticals of Rockville, Md. However, another company working on a similar vaccine has not been so successful.
Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. said this week that a trial of its nicotine vaccine had failed to reduce smoking behaviors. The study, which is continuing, involved 200 smokers who were motivated to quit. The researchers found that the vaccine, designed to bind nicotine in the blood and prevent it from reaching the brain, was safe and well tolerated. But apparently it did not stimulate high enough levels of antibodies to produce the desired response.
The moment evidence was found that obesity may be linked to a virus, opportunistic drug company researchers dove into developing an “obesity vaccine.” Now researchers say their obesity vaccine could be ready for market in five years. Searching for genetic clues to the obesity epidemic, in the hopes of developing a vaccine against it, is not the answer.

Sources:

  New York Times October 18, 2009

  New York Sun August 21, 2007

  Los Angeles Times October 6, 2009

  Bloomberg September 28, 2009

  PreventDisease.com September 29, 2009

The Health Care Bill.

Did anyone bring the Vasoline? Bend over and open your wallet.
Just in from the AAHF

The House has Passed Its Healthcare Legislation by the Narrowest of Margins. What is and what isn’t in a bill that is nearly 2000 pages and weighs nearly 20 pounds?

The heft of the bill and its unveiling shortly before the vote testify to the deal-making behind the scenes. As the New York Times says: “The medical industry grumbles, but it stands to gain”.   It has become clear to consumers that everyone’s interest but theirs are being leveraged through the federal legislature. No wonder Congress’s own healthcare is exempt from the bill.

Former NY Lt. Governor Betsy McCaughey has been reading the bill’s fine print. She reports in a Wall Street Journal article:  “While the bill will slash Medicare funding, it will also direct billions of dollars to numerous inner-city social work groups with vague standards of accountability.”  What are these groups supposed to do with the billions? Counsel people about the new Federal system?

McCaughey goes on: Section 223 of HR 3962 requires an individual making $44,000 before taxes to pay 17% of his pre-tax income for mandated insurance. Higher earners will be required to pay 20%. How these mandates differ from taxes escapes us, and they are big mandates hitting the middle class.

Section 202 also takes away your freedom to choose. You are required to enroll in a “qualified plan,” The government defines what qualified means and will have lots of help on this from special interests. Natural health and integrative medicine do not have much clout in Congress.

If you have a business to make a living for you and those you employ, section 412 states you must pay 72.5% of the cost for your staff or incur a 8% payroll tax.

Section 222 provides Medicare recipients the “right” to language translation services at all times without co-pay.  What about the rights of those who pay taxes to pay for all this?

Section 1302 moves Medicare away from fee for service to a strict managed care model. Section 1158-60 says that Medicare will stop paying more in expensive places. The payment in New York will not be higher than in rural areas.

Other sections require doctors to share your private records with numerous other parties.

The healthcare debate now moves to the Senate. We will keep you posted and ask for your help in shaping that vote.

November 10, 2009

Skip the Non-Stick

Tip 6: Skip the non-stick

Non-stick cookware has been popular because, well, it's non-stick -- very convenient to use and clean. But it also emits toxic fumes when overheated. Environmental Working Group recommends that you choose safer cookware to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic particles when you let that non-stick pan get a little too hot. And who doesn't do that occasionally?

• Why you should skip the non-stick
• What safer cookware to choose
• How to cook with non-stick if you're 'stuck' with it
• Other ways people are exposed to PFCs, and how to avoid them

WHY YOU SHOULD SKIP THE NON-STICK
Non-stick surfaces are aluminum pans coated with a synthetic called polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, a DuPont brand trademark. Learn more about Teflon and its perfluorinated chemical “family” (PFC’s) in our chemical dictionary.
Toxic fumes from the Teflon chemical are released from pots and pans at high temperatures, potentially killing pet birds and causing people to exhibit flu-like symptoms (called "Teflon Flu" or, as scientists describe it, "Polymer fume fever"). Ingesting particles that flake off scratched non-stick cookware isn't toxic because solid PTFE flakes are inert.
Manufacturers' labels often warn consumers to avoid high heat when cooking on Teflon. But EWG-commissioned tests conducted in 2003 showed that in just two to five minutes on a conventional stove top, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces could exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases.
See a graphic of what happens at to Teflon at various temperatures.

Health dangers: When you breathe kitchen air polluted with fumes from overheated Teflon, you're at risk for developing flu-like symptoms (yes, "Teflon flu"). The long-term effects of routine exposure to Teflon fumes, and from Teflon flu itself, have not been adequately studied.

PFCs have been found in nearly all Americans tested by federal public health officials. Chemicals from this family are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defense against disease.


Environmental hazards: Manufacturing PFCs and the consumer products that contain them poses great risks to the environment and wildlife. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says PFCs present "persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity properties to an extraordinary degree."

SAFER POTS, PANS AND BAKEWARE ARE READILY AVAILABLE
While there are a growing number of new cookware options on the market, we don't know enough about them to know if they're safe -- even if they're advertised as "green" or "not non-stick." We continue to recommend cast iron and stainless steel cookware as safer options for stove-top cooking, and oven-safe glass for baking. These safer pans might be a little harder to clean, but your health is worth it.

Stainless steel is a terrific alternative to a non-stick cooking surface. Most chefs agree that stainless steel browns foods better than non-stick surfaces.

Cast iron remains a great alternative to non-stick cooking surfaces. Lodge, America's oldest family-owned cookware manufacturer, refers to its cookware as "natural non-stick." Cast iron is extremely durable and can be pre-heated to temperatures that will brown meat and will withstand oven temperatures well above what is considered safe for non-stick pans.

HOW TO COOK WITH NON-STICK IF YOU'RE 'STUCK' WITH IT

• Never preheat nonstick cookware at high heat -- empty pans can rapidly reach high temperatures. Heat at the lowest temperature possible to cook your food safely.
• Don't put nonstick cookware in an oven hotter than 500 degrees.
• Use an exhaust fan over the stove.
• Keep pet birds out of the kitchen -- the fumes from an overheated pan can kill a bird in seconds. Learn more here.
• Skip the self-cleaning function on your oven. It cleans by heating to high temperatures, which can release toxic fumes from non-stick interior oven parts.
• Choose a safer alternative when buying new cookware.

OTHER WAYS PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO PFCS, AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
PFCs are ubiquitous -- both in and out of the kitchen. They are widely used as water, stain and grease repellents for food wrap, carpeting, furniture, and clothing. They keep food from sticking to pots and pans, repel stains on furniture and rugs, and make the rain roll off raincoats.
If you want to avoid PFCs in more places than your cookware, download our Guide to PFCs to reduce your exposures further.
LEARN MORE about our Healthy Home Tip series and sign up to get the monthly tips in your inbox.

The Power of Gratitude

Wouldn't it be great of all the email you get would be as good as this?
Are you grateful? I know that at times, we can loose the appreciation of what we have. I just had this great article delivered to my inBox and thought you all you enjoy this as much as I did.
I am grateful for Richard to be able to write this at a time when we need it the most.
- Rick and Julia

The Power of Gratitude
Posted By: Richard B. Brooke
Date Posted: November 3, 2009
 
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s an American tradition; the day we give thanks for all we have. Thanks for the things, the conditions and the people we may take completely for granted the other 364 days of the year.
What I love most about Thanksgiving is the purity of it.
Notice how we don’t buy each other gifts. You know, the gifts we must make sure are at least as good as the ones we think we will receive. The gifts we cannot afford. The gifts we end up paying for, many months after the holiday has passed.
Notice how it does not matter what religion we practice. Anyone can celebrate Thanksgiving. It is the holiday that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Kind of like how our forefathers envisioned us as a country.
Notice how there aren’t any goofball, make-believe characters that we have morphed into being the icon of Thanksgiving. Not even the turkey has taken on any meaning, other than food for our feast. Now I don’t have anything against Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. They are great fairy tales for kids. They just don’t have anything to do with Christianity, nor does spending billions of borrowed dollars to celebrate these characters.
Gratitude carries such amazing power. Gratitude instantly reshapes our over-amped ambitions, competitiveness and rat-race mentality. Gratitude heals many wounds and every relationship, when we give it a chance.
If you want to give someone a gift that will really make a difference — a gift that they will remember and likely keep forever — write them a letter about how much you appreciate them, love them and cherish them. Tell them the specific things they do and who they are that is such a gift to you. It is free, but priceless.
Today I am reminded of, and celebrate, those qualities of my life for which I am thankful. I share them with you here so that you will perhaps make a list of your own. Carry them in your heart all year, and all your years to come are guaranteed to be more peaceful, loving and abundant.
I am thankful for:
My health … for without it, nothing else matters much. This is the area of my life I still take for granted, and I do make improvements every year.
My lover, wife and life partner Christine … who inspires in me a love like I have only imagined. She makes me want to be a better man.
My friends … you know, the ones who do not have a vested interest in any conditions; they are just my friends. Period. No matter what, they are always there and always will be.
My experiences … some extraordinary, some frightful. Some I am happy to have out of the way, so I do not have to go through them in the future. They have given me great empathy, some wisdom, and have fed my infinite curiosity about life and people and places.
My financial freedom … which gives me so many things. Freedom to pursue my passions: flying, poker, real estate, personal development, exploring, business. The peace of mind that we will never be homeless, forced to take a meaningless job, or be in a position to not take care of each other.
My associates … so much of my freedom and peace of mind comes from the loyalty, gratitude and commitment of the people with whom I work: sales leaders; office staff; corporate leaders and customers. I vow never to take any of them or their efforts for granted, for without them … well, I would just have to start over. No fun.
My country … what extraordinary good fortune for most of us that we live in Canada or the U.S. As selfish, immature and twisted as some of our country’s political, business and religious leaders are, we still are the place where people die every day in an attempt to come here.
People will die this week in pursuit of the level of religious freedom we enjoy; in pursuit of this economic opportunity; in pursuit of our Bill of Rights. They will give their lives attempting to cross our borders or cross an ocean to freedom. They will pay a king’s ransom and risk their lives just for a shot at the life we take for granted.
And yes, 2009 will go down as a year when we all got a reality check. When the Universe (or God or whomever) slapped us down for being so lazy, irresponsible and greedy. The year when we maxed out our global Visa card so badly that our credit limit was slashed, trashing our grandiose lifestyle. Our overheated economic growth of the last decade was not due to our productivity or ingenuity, but rather the virtually unlimited credit for everything from cars, to clothes, to twice the house we really could afford. Let it be a lesson to us. We need a more "pay-as-we-go" lifestyle.
Several years ago, I hopped a plane for Havana, Cuba, and spent a week wandering the streets of the old district. The city looks like the ornate parts of San Francisco, but with the lights turned out about 1956. There has been no maintenance of the infrastructure since then. The plumbing does not work anymore. Water is pumped from trucks to tanks on the rooftops; sewage drains into the streets. Electricity, when it does work, is hand-strung from dwelling to dwelling. People live in almost cave-like condos they have carved out of the rubble. I met a lady who lived in a room as small as our bathroom. She had lived and raised her family there since 1958, with the same refrigerator. How many of us have the same anything from 1958?
People in Cuba are so scared of Fidel and Raúl, they lower their heads and whisper at midnight in their own homes when you ask about them. Many Cubans have made a run across the sea to Florida. Some of those I met on my trip did not make it when they fled. For every day at sea, they get a year in prison. Prison in Cuba is so bad, the manliest of men could not speak to me about it.
Cuba is 90 miles off our coast. In a fun boat they could be here in less than an hour. They occasionally get to read our magazines or catch a radio broadcast, but other than that they are living on dreams … the dream of one day living in the USA or, better yet, of having America come back to them.
If you are thankful for nothing else this day, be thankful you live where you do. Any of us could have easily been born 90 miles south of the wrong border.
Thanksgiving.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this day was the most celebrated day in our year? Celebrated by us truly giving thanks, saying thank you and meaning thank you.
I do thank each of you for the part you play in my life. Without you, it would be maybe a little or maybe a lot different. I love it just the way it is.
www.RichardBrooke.com

Eliminator from Neways, it's just not a Mouth Wash

Eliminator it's not just a Mouthwash


I was thinking of a blog subject today and one of our great products came to mind. With all the colds and germs floating around these day, what better product could you ask for than Eliminator from Neways?
Please take a moment a read some of the suggested uses of this versatile product. 
Try these alternative uses for Eliminator - Pour into a spray bottle for easy application.

• Pet Accidents: For pet accidents on rugs or furniture - Blot excess wetness and clean as normal. Saturate cleaned area with Eliminator spray and let dry. For rugs, spray directly on rug or pour Eliminator directly into shampoo unit. Use Eliminator as a rinse and let dry.

• Kitchen Area: Counters, stove, tables, chairs. Eliminator disinfects and kill the bacteria.

• Pet Cages: When cleaning tanks and cages, wash out heavy deposits first. Then spray inside well with Eliminator and let stand 5-10 minutes. Let Eliminator dry on its' own for best results.

• Air/Car Freshener: To use as an air freshener, spray area 10-15 minutes before company arrives to freshen up any room. Also use Eliminator to freshen up stale smoke odors in cars by spraying carpets, head liners and seats.

• Toner/Skin Refresher: Spray skin lightly with Eliminator, or apply with cotton and let dry. On hot days, use chilled Eliminator for a refreshed feeling.

• Sunburn: Keep a chilled bottle of Eliminator in the refrigerator or cooler. Spray on sunburned areas for a soothing and cooling effect. Apply Wrinkle Garde and Skin Enhancer as soon as you realize you have been burned.

• Onion Odors on Hands/Cutting Boards: Spray hands/board - let dry.

• Fruits and Vegetables: Keep your fruits and veggies fresher, longer. Before storing, wash and then spray with Eliminator.

• Sick Room: Spray areas that come in contact with patient such as telephones, bedding, vomits, urine accidents, food trays, commode, etc.

• Vaporizers/Mist Units: Add 2-4 tablespoons of Eliminator to the water unit. Before storing, spray and clean with Eliminator. Let air dry and store.

• Air Condition Filters: After cleaning the filter, spray with Eliminator for reuse. Don't rinse.

• Thermos bottles: Wash out and spray with Eliminator. Let dry. Eliminator will take away stale tastes and smells. Spray before storing.

• Baby Bottles: Mothers that use plastic bottles for juice and milk can keep their bottles fresher longer. First wash the bottles normally, then spray with Eliminator and let stand 10 minutes, then rinse. Eliminator removes sour odors, taste, and disinfects.

• Refrigerator/Freezer Odors: First clean out old, stale food and then spray refrigerator walls, drawer and shelving.

• Trash Compactor Odors: When changing the bag, spray Eliminator generously throughout the garbage collection area. Let dry.

• Canning Jars/Storage Containers: Wash containers/jars and let dry. Spray with Eliminator before storing.

• Plastic Juice Containers: Wash well and spray with Eliminator letting it stand for 10 minutes, rinse.

• Toys: Eliminator will keep toys sanitary and clean smelling. Spray with Eliminator and let dry.

• Shower Curtains: Spray curtains generously. Eliminator will deter mildew and odors. Existing mildew must be sprayed with bleach to remove it.

• Boat Cushions/Outdoor Furniture: Spray well with Eliminator to prevent mildew and smells.

• Luggage: Refresh interior of all types of luggage and bags with Eliminator. Prevents stale packing odors.

• Head Odors: Children tend to perspire through their head. First wash the hair with Ultimate Shampoo. Then spray the hair with Eliminator and comb.

• Car Sickness: When traveling with children who tend to get car sick, take your spray bottle and a roll of paper towels. Clean up any excess vomits and spray area well. Also be sure to wash the child using Eliminator. Lingering odors tend to make things worse.

• Poison Ivy/Oak: Spray affected areas - will soothe the itch when chilled.

• Toilet Training: Spray walls and floor around toilet and bowl. Spray potty chairs. For maximum disinfecting power, clean areas regularly with Guardian.

• Foot Odor: After showering, spray feet with Eliminator and let dry. Also spray inside of shoes and let dry.

• Beard Blemishes/Rash: First wash area with Refresh Bath & Shower Gel. Spray with Eliminator and rub into beard area gently.

• Stale Mouth Freshener: Pour Eliminator into a small spray bottle. Your breath will be kissing sweet. Great for smokers.

• For Acne Over 30: Massage Eliminator over clean face. Let it dry completely. Make sure Eliminator is completely dry. Eliminator may neutralize the effects of all other products. Eliminator is very powerful, yet very sage. After Eliminator is completely dry, use Barrier Cream lightly and/or Bio-Mist. Apply small amount of Imperfection Lotion on each blemish.

• Thin Hair: Wash your hair with 2nd Chance Shampoo. Towel dry. Pour several drops of Eliminator over scalp. Massage in well. May use a heating cap or hot towel for 10 minutes. Hot towel will take excessive conditioner off the hair and put it onto the scalp where it belongs.

• Bad Breath? Of course, Eliminator works great as a mouthwash! Not only for you but for your PETS too! Simply add it to their drinking water! Use it at night with Radiance Toothpaste, and No more morning breath. The list can go on and on, use your own imagination.