Since I've been in Mexico, I've come to appreciate Day of the Dead traditions. It's truly a celebration of life and a time set aside to spend time with loved ones that are gone. I've participated several times. This year I probably won't go to the local cemetary because I don't know anyone there but I'm thinking of setting up a small altar in our courtyard for some people that I miss and think of often. I miss my mother a lot. She would, ofcourse, be horrified if she were alive and I told her what I was going to do. She was a strict Episcopalian and I'm pretty sure she would have thought this practice to be sacrilegious which is defined as:
"when the sacrilegious offence is verbal, it is called blasphemy. "Sacrilege" originates from the Latin sacer, sacred, and legere, to steal, as in Roman times it referred to the plundering of temples and graves. By the time of Cicero, sacrilege had adopted a more expansive meaning, including verbal offences against religion and undignified treatment of sacred objects".
I think this definition is a little harsh and conservative because the practice of celebrating and remembering important people in your life appeals to me in a huge way and it's a positive and happy event. When you go to the cemetary (Pantheon) on Day of the Dead, it is filled with people talking and laughing with their dead friends and relatives. You hear music and people stop by to visit. There are photographs, candy, sometimes beer and tequila,lights and beautiful altars. It's colorful and lots of fun which is as it should be. Many times there are vendors at the entrance to the Pantheon selling candles and religious items as well as food and drink. I went a few years ago with my friend, Elvira, to visit her father and we spent three hours there laughing, crying and talking. I think it helps us deal with the pain especially when it involves a young person or an unnatural death. It's part of the culture here just as it's in the culture to place a cross or monument on a road to mark the place of a traffic fatality.
Since we live in a predominantly American/Canadian town it is really tied in with Halloween. We've heard that we'll have trick or treaters and we have candy for them. It's going to be a big night because there are also two costume parties to go to. My understanding is that Halloween is the day to remember the children and the next day is to honor adults. For me, my little altar will be a stage for reflection and a time for me to spend some time thinking and talking to my mother and some other important people that are gone. I hope to make it a personal tradition from now on. I am looking forward to it. I'm thinking my mother will forgive me for any blasphemy committed.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Blogger Action Day
Am I worried about global warming? Yes, I am. I am a baby boomer and when we were growing up most people didn't give a thought to the environment. When I think about it now, I feel guilty. To be honest, I was too busy being a teenager and young adult to care; too wrapped up in my own life. Global warming and damage to our environment caused by humans was not on my radar. I'm ashamed to say that, but I just didn't have wisdom then. Now, our kids have so much information available to them that they do have wisdom. They have the ability to question practices that are bad for the environment.
I just learned last year that drinking purified water out of plastic bottles is bad. We should be using glass instead. I think that my awareness began when cigarettes came with a printed warning on the pack. I believe we are in serious trouble at this point and I get frustrated because a lot of people refuse to accept that we have to do everything we can to stop or reverse global warming. Books have even been written that support the idea that there is no such thing as global warming. I don't think anyone can dispute that there is climate change occurring; the ozone layer is in bad shape; even humans emit personal pollution which adds to the deterioration of our environment. Did you know that if you eat less red meat your personal pollution goes down? I know that sounds funny but it's true. That was news to me. If you look up "global warming" on Google you will get nearly 30,000,000 pieces of data. That's a lot. I have faith that those of us who have freedom, as we do in the United States, know that we are in serious trouble; we have done things to contribute to global warning, but we still have an opportunity to stop it, even reverse it (according to data that I have read). Typically, in the United States, we do go all out to right a wrong, but we still have a long way to go. My biggest concern is the other countries that are huge polluters. Naturally, China comes to mind first; even Hong Kong suffers from horrible pollution, but all of this is another story.
The point I want to make is this: if we all do something now, we can make a difference. I have faith that the younger generations in the United States have the information that my generation missed, and they are already taking action and so are we. We are building a home in San Carlos, Mexico right now. Bruce designed it and, together, we made a lot of "green" choices. In fact, we did everything we could afford to do. Our decision to go in that direction was reinforced when we moved to San Carlos last May. Our rental house is completely electric; no gas whatsoever. It's expensive and inconvenient, especially during the many summer storms that take the power out. We're going to try and produce over 10 kilowats of power using solar panels. That's not quite enough to be totally off the grid because of the need for air conditioning in the summer. We're also building a rain water collection system. Our calculations show that we will be able to store approximately 30,000 liters if our rainy season is normal. We will have three tinacos (cisterns) to store the water. We'll have a series of filter systems to get the water as clean and bacteria free as possible. To do all of this, we've had to cut back on other things in the house, but not drastically. Right now, solar is expensive, but it won't always be that way. One thing we're not cutting out is the pool and the heater will be solar powered. It's very cool here in the winter and I want to be able to use the pool year round. I wish we had made these choices years ago, but the important thing is that we can do it now and we are proud of the design of our new home. It makes us feel good to have a home that's not hurting the environment.
I just learned last year that drinking purified water out of plastic bottles is bad. We should be using glass instead. I think that my awareness began when cigarettes came with a printed warning on the pack. I believe we are in serious trouble at this point and I get frustrated because a lot of people refuse to accept that we have to do everything we can to stop or reverse global warming. Books have even been written that support the idea that there is no such thing as global warming. I don't think anyone can dispute that there is climate change occurring; the ozone layer is in bad shape; even humans emit personal pollution which adds to the deterioration of our environment. Did you know that if you eat less red meat your personal pollution goes down? I know that sounds funny but it's true. That was news to me. If you look up "global warming" on Google you will get nearly 30,000,000 pieces of data. That's a lot. I have faith that those of us who have freedom, as we do in the United States, know that we are in serious trouble; we have done things to contribute to global warning, but we still have an opportunity to stop it, even reverse it (according to data that I have read). Typically, in the United States, we do go all out to right a wrong, but we still have a long way to go. My biggest concern is the other countries that are huge polluters. Naturally, China comes to mind first; even Hong Kong suffers from horrible pollution, but all of this is another story.
The point I want to make is this: if we all do something now, we can make a difference. I have faith that the younger generations in the United States have the information that my generation missed, and they are already taking action and so are we. We are building a home in San Carlos, Mexico right now. Bruce designed it and, together, we made a lot of "green" choices. In fact, we did everything we could afford to do. Our decision to go in that direction was reinforced when we moved to San Carlos last May. Our rental house is completely electric; no gas whatsoever. It's expensive and inconvenient, especially during the many summer storms that take the power out. We're going to try and produce over 10 kilowats of power using solar panels. That's not quite enough to be totally off the grid because of the need for air conditioning in the summer. We're also building a rain water collection system. Our calculations show that we will be able to store approximately 30,000 liters if our rainy season is normal. We will have three tinacos (cisterns) to store the water. We'll have a series of filter systems to get the water as clean and bacteria free as possible. To do all of this, we've had to cut back on other things in the house, but not drastically. Right now, solar is expensive, but it won't always be that way. One thing we're not cutting out is the pool and the heater will be solar powered. It's very cool here in the winter and I want to be able to use the pool year round. I wish we had made these choices years ago, but the important thing is that we can do it now and we are proud of the design of our new home. It makes us feel good to have a home that's not hurting the environment.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine
I got the following information from a naturopath trained in eastern medicine that Bruce and I go to and I wanted to share what he told his patients about swine flu vaccine. We love this man and he is very smart. He has helped us in many ways.
What he says about vaccinations:
SWINE FLU – PANDEMIC
TO VACCINATE OR NOT TO VACCINATE
By Richard Smithee, M.T.O.M.
Understanding what you are dealing with is of paramount importance to you, your family, and your community. Everything you are hearing in the news is not necessarily the facts, and in fact, may be completely untrue.
First you need to understand what is meant by the term “PANDEMIC;” it simply means a disease affecting the majority of the population of a large region, or one that is epidemic at the same time in many different parts of the world[i] An “EPIDEMIC,” is a disease which becomes widespread in a particular place at a particular time.[ii] The word pandemic comes from the Greek work of Pandemos, which means “universal.” In this context obesity and diabetes are both pandemic.
Let’s take this a step further to the word “PANDEMONIUM:” a state of utter confusion and uproar. And then let’s include the word to “PANDER,” to give active encouragement (to someone or something that should not be encouraged); or to provide gratification (for someone or something that should not be gratified); someone who encourages the vices or weaknesses of another.[iii] Now let’s get down to the facts.
1. KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:
· 3,000 people a day worldwide die from malaria.
· 2,600 people a day in the U.S. die from preventable cardiovascular disease.[iv]
· 2,000 people a year in the U.S. die from taking aspirin.
· 38,000 children a day worldwide, die from starvation or preventable diseases.
· 40,000 people a year in the U.S. die from the common flu.
· 106,000 people a year in the U.S. die from taking prescription drugs, as prescribed.
· 2,216,000 people a year in the U.S. are hospitalized from taking prescription drugs as prescribed.[v]
· 552,000 people died in the U.S. from cancer in 2008, while 1.2 million were diagnosed with cancer.[vi]
· 75% of type II diabetics in the U.S. die from coronary events or stroke.[vii]
· In 1976 the Swine flu vaccine killed 25 in the U.S.
· 2003 the Bird flu killed 257 worldwide.
· 2004 lightning strikes and kills 1,170 people worldwide.
· 2009 the A(H1N1) Swine flu has killed 145 people worldwide through June 2009.[viii]
2. HISTORY OF FLUES AND VACCINES:
· 1918 the “Spanish flu” pandemic killed 20 million people worldwide. Today all H1N1 flu’s are descendants of the 1918 pandemic strain which mutates from year to year. This mutation process is why there is no vaccine available for this current hybrid flu strain.
· 1976 the “Swine flu” pandemic resulted in massive swine flu vaccinations leading to legal claims totaling $1.3 billion filed by thousands of victims who suffered paralysis from the vaccine. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths. Several hundred people developed crippling Guillain-Barre Syndrome and healthy 20 year-olds became paraplegics after receiving the vaccine. More people died from the Swine flu vaccine than the Swine flu.
· 2003 the H5N1 “Bird flu” virus; President Bush predicted 2 million American would die as a result of the bird flu, but in fact the death toll was 257 worldwide.
· “Bird flu” fears were raised again in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote a New York Times bestselling book, The Bird Flu Hoax, in which he claimed a massive fraud designed to instill fear, and create wind-fall profits for various investors, politicians and the pharmaceutical industry. Bush administration officials owned massive amounts of stock in the drug companies that sold the “antiviral drugs.” “A dangerous legal loophole still exists which allows members of Congress and high-powered executive branch appointees to exploit “insider” knowledge of the financial industry in order to turn personal profit.”[ix]
· 2009: as of June 12th, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) and 145 deaths in the entire world from this illness. The US has had 13,217 confirmed cases, and 27 deaths. Mexico has had 108 deaths. If you want the latest numbers go to “Google Maps’ Swine Flu Tracker” or go to “World Health Organization’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response.”
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SWINE FLU:
The A(H1N1) is this year’s version of the H1N1 virus.
Symptoms include;
ü coughing
ü runny nose and/or sore throat
ü fever of more than 100 F, (37c)
ü joint aches
ü lack of appetite
ü severe headache
ü vomiting and/or diarrhea
ü lethargy
This version has never been seen before in either human or animal. So - where did it come from?
4. LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT TAMIFLU AND SWINE FLU VACCINATIONS:
The following are excerpts from a newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola; “Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction?” and a newsletter by Jon Barron dated 8/03/2009; “Swine Flu – Midsummer Update.”
· Tamiflu, an antiviral drug – has been approved for treatment of uncomplicated influenza “type A” and “B” in children one year of age or older. It is also approved for use in adolescents and adults 13 years or older. Tamiflu can’t prevent the flu. It only lowers the viral load. It cannot prevent the spread of the disease, and it won’t stop illnesses that resemble the flu. It works by blocking a viral enzyme that helps the influenza virus invade cells in your respiratory tract.
· 20,000,000 doses of Tamiflu were bought by the U.S. government in October 2005, at a cost of $2 billion. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, (in the Bush administration) was the former president of Gilead Sciences the company that created Tamiflu along with Roche Pharmaceutical. Many political insiders of the Bush administration made millions in profits on this sale.[x]
· The manufacturer has confirmed that Tamiflu has a three year shelf life.
· Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recently passed the SLEP (Shelf Life Extension Program) that allows for this drug, which expired in June 2009, to now expire in May 2011. They have also waived their standards on improperly stored Relenza and Tamiflu and deemed them safe and effective for use . . . even in infants.[xi]
· The batch of Tamiflu your doctor may be prescribing may be expired, and/or may not have been properly stored.
· Common side effects of Tamiflu: (These are very similar to the flu symptoms, you’re trying to avoid.)
ü Nausea/vomiting
ü Diarrhea
ü Headache
ü Dizziness
ü Fatigue
ü Cough
Serious side effects of Tamiflu:
ü Convulsions
ü Delirium/Delusions
ü Brain infections (which have lead to 14 deaths in children and teens)
· Tamiflu has been banned in Japan for use in children since 2007.
· Tamiflu, if taken as directed, can only reduce the duration of your influenza symptoms by 1 to 1 ½ days, according to the official data.
· Flu experts have no idea if the current “seasonal flu vaccine” would offer any protection against this new exotic Swine flu A(H1N1).
· “Swine flu vaccine” has no proven effectiveness and has a history of causing crippling neurologic disease. These vaccines are preserved by using thimerosal mercury. Mercury is a known neurotoxin![xii]
· The new “A(H1N1) Swine Flu vaccine” which is due on line in October 2009, will have had no testing in clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness. The public will be the guinea pigs. The Secretary of Health, Kathleen Sebelius, recently signed into law a grant of immunity for pharmaceutical companies; making them immune from lawsuits in the event of any adverse reactions to the Swine flu vaccine.[xiii] Are you feeling more confident now?
POLITICS – POWER AND PROFIT
5. WHERE DID THIS MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL/HUMAN FLU STRAIN COME FROM?
The question arises – How could a mixed animal-human mutant occur? Could it happen naturally? And who would stand to gain the most and have the ability to create such a condition?
Dr. Mercola states “The American pharmaceutical company Baxter International (remember this name) was under investigation for distributing the deadly avian flu virus to 18 different countries as part of a seasonal flu vaccine shipment.” . . . Was it “a deliberate attempt to start a pandemic? Reports say such a “mistake” would be virtually impossible under the security protocols of that virus.”
“The “H5N1 Bird Flu virus” on its own is not very airborne. However, when combined with “seasonal flu viruses,” which are more easily spread, the effect could be a potent, airborne, deadly, biological weapon. If this batch of live bird flu mixed with the seasonal flu viruses had reached the public, it could have resulted in dire consequences.”
“While it is morally unthinkable that a drug company would knowingly contaminate flu vaccines with a deadly flu virus, it is certainly not impossible.” A top scientist with the United Nations believes that Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and the current A-(H1N1) swine flu virus are all genetically-manufactured as military biological warfare agents.[xiv]
The U.S. Army criminal investigators are looking into the possibility that disease samples are missing from bio-labs at Fort Detrick – the same Army research lab from which the 2001 anthrax strain was released.
And who do you think got the government contract to make the new A(H1N1) vaccine? Well who else – Baxter International! How is your confidence level now?
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
UNDERSTANDING HEALTH AND DISEASE – YOUR BEST OPTION!
1. THE “GERM THEORY” vs. THE “INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT THEORY:”
Louis Pasteur, 1822 – 1895, was one of the first microbiologists, he developed the vaccines for cholera, anthrax and rabies; also the process of pasteurization. He also developed the “Germ Theory.” He viewed the body as a sterile machine that will operate properly until a foreign agent “germ” is introduced. From this theory came the concept that specific microbes produce a specific disease. In an attempt to destroy these intruders antibiotics, vaccines and other medicines are used, because, (according to the theory) no microbes, no disease. It is believed by these advocates that health is restored only if there are no germs present that might cause disease.[xv]
In contrast, Claude Bernard (1813-1878), was the founder of modern experimental physiology and one of the most famous French scientists of all time. His focus was on the “milieu interieur” (internal environment) and taught that microbes could not produce disease unless the body’s internal environment was out of balance or toxic.
The body is made up of many billions of living cells, each one a separate, tiny, living organism which needs to be individually sustained. If each individual cell receives the nutrition and oxygen it needs and has its personal waste products removed, it will be healthy. And if every cell in the body is healthy, then it follows the entire body will be healthy too. Thus, TOTAL HEALTH CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY FIRST ATTENDING TO INNER HEALTH.
The purity of the internal environment therefore depends on the quality of the blood and lymph and the vigor of the circulation, the cleansing action of the lymph being as important as its nourishing action. And, in turn, the quality of the blood is dependent primarily on the efficiency of the liver and kidneys and the quality of the food and water from which the body makes new blood. The condition of perfectly balanced body chemistry is called “homeostasis”, a term coined by the physiologist Walter Cannon, MD, Sc.D, of Harvard University.
If there are any deficiencies in nutrition, if there exists any form of pollution, or if there is inadequate oxygen or poor circulation or organ malfunction, the interior environment will suffer. The most common and most serious form of degradation is toxemia caused by improper diet, which exists because of excesses and the denaturing effect of cooking and the inclusion of harmful substances such as salt, condiments, and refined sugar, etc.
Toxemia can occur, not only through improper diet but through stress, lack of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
Bernard’s theory was ignored for more than 50 years. Renowned microbiologist, Rene Debous said;
“Most microbial diseases are caused by organisms present in the body of a normal individual. They become the cause of disease when a disturbance arises which upsets the equilibrium of the body.”
The evidence is clear today that both Bernard and Debous were correct as evidenced by the almost universal presence of all kinds of bacteria and viruses in people who are not suffering from diseases.
Louis Pasteur, father of the Germ Theory of Disease, just before his death in 1895, said “Bernard was right, the germ is nothing, and the milieu (internal environment) is everything.”[xvi]
2. PREVENTION vs. TREATMENT (Health vs. Disease):
Based on the protocols discussed above; Prevention is the proper care of the body through diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress control. Maintaining homeostasis is the basis of healthcare prevention and treatment.
It is common knowledge among doctors that poor blood conditions accompany chronic diseases. When blood tests are made the blood is assessed for various chemical elements and a count is made of the red blood cells (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (leucocytes). A closer look of the blood under a microscope, reveals the blood is polluted and the red cells and blood platelets tend to stick together (aggregate), so the blood becomes sticky (high viscosity). The blood cannot carry oxygen properly and it cannot circulate properly. This may lead to increased blood pressure, and high platelet adhesion. The conventional medical training uses drugs to regulate blood pressure which does little or nothing to address the root problem of impurity and high viscosity of the blood. This then is the disease itself, and what they think is the disease is only a symptom of disturbed homeostasis. The more the blood deteriorates, the greater the number of microbes present, which then multiply not as the cause of the illness, but as a result of it.
Although medical drugs may sometimes provide relief from disease symptoms, in the long run they cause further deterioration of the interior environment which causes additional distress, the symptoms which are referred to as “side effects”. Then additional medicine is prescribed to counter the side effects, the vicious circle is complete. It is now recognized that iatrogenic disease (disease caused by medical treatment) is a major cause of death in the United States .[xvii]
Treatment protocol is treating a specific symptom once an ailment has occurred. A perfect example would be diabetes; through proper preventive care diabetes would not occur. A treatment protocol uses drugs to lower blood glucose and/or increase insulin production. Neither of which treats the underlying problem. By being proactive you can prevent or substantially reduce your risk of disease or infirmity.
3. WESTERN MEDICINE vs. EASTERN MEDICINE:
Traditional Western Medicine: The education, training, and protocol focuses on disease and symptoms and are highly dependent on specialists for various health problems, such as, cardiologist, oncologist, neurologist, etc. The treatment protocol is to reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as pain, inflammation, lowering blood pressure, etc. and rarely is directed at prevention or resolving the underlying problems. If you have a traumatic injury or need surgery this is the best treatment protocol once you have considered all your options and have been informed, and understand, the proposed treatment protocol, and the expected results.
Traditional Oriental Medicine: The education, training and protocol focuses on natural healthcare, prevention, wellness and balance. The word holistic refers to the treatment of the whole person; body, mind, spirit, and emotions. The main focus is on prevention, staying healthy and keeping the immune system strong. The proper food selection, drinking and bathing in pure water, breathing pure air, getting adequate exercise, relaxation, love, and having a positive mental attitude.
But most importantly are self empowerment, educating yourself on personal health goals and learning the tools on how to achieve vibrant health.
If you have a health challenge it is important to do everything you can to strengthen your body and your immune system and to remove toxins from your system. Understand all of your options! Will natural healthcare be the right approach for you? Consider trying the least invasive approach first, if possible. Or consider using both eastern and western protocols together to achieve your objectives.
4. PROTECT YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING NATURAL HEALTH PRINCIPALS:
Keep you immune system in optimal working order.
(a) Water is the single most important source of health. Your body is 70% water which is used for digestion and assimilation of food, it lubricates joints, lubricates the intestines to prevent constipation, flushes waste and toxins out of the body, reduces inflammation, regulates blood volume and blood pressure, facilitates breathing. The average person should drink 1 ½ to 2 liters of pure water daily.
(b) Vitamin D-3 is important and inexpensive, vitamin D is made naturally in the body when it is exposed to sunlight. But, because so many people are now avoiding the sun we have a major Vitamin D deficiency. Take 1000 IU of vitamin D-3 two to three times a day. Get natural sunlight directly on as much of your skin as possible for 15 to 20 minutes a day, preferably before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM when the sun is less intense. Do not use sun block or tanning lotion.
If you have flu like symptoms take up to 50,000 IU of vitamin D-3 for three days to treat the acute infection.
(c) Vitamin C 1000 mg take one, three times a day. If you begin feeling cold or flu symptoms increase this amount to 1000 mg every hour. If you begin to have diarrhea reduce the dosage until the diarrhea stops. If vitamin C upsets your stomach, you may want to buy a “buffered” form of vitamin C.
(d) Take a potent multivitamin and mineral supplement: Good quality, high potency supplements can help strengthen and protect your body and immune system. Get on, and stay on, a healthy nutritional program.
(e) Avoid sugar, processed foods and artificial sweeteners: Sugar decreases the immune system function almost immediately. One can of soda, can suppress your immune system by 50% for up to six hours. A strong immune system is the key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Read the food labels; ketchup is almost 30% sugar, fruit juices, cereals, even so called health foods are loaded with sugar. Other names for sugar are glucose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, modified corn syrup, grape juice. Sugar spikes insulin, contributes to obesity and diabetes, disturbs your hormone balance, leaches important minerals out of your system (especially calcium), can lead to food allergies, and increases your risk of cancer. Artificial sweeteners are toxic chemicals and may cause brain injury, tumors, senility and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
(f) Get enough rest: If you are tired or your body is overly fatigued it will be harder to fight off the flu. Be sure to get enough quality, restful sleep.
(g) Reduce your Stress Levels: If stress becomes overwhelming, your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illnesses. Stress weakens the immune system.
(h) Exercise: When you exercise, you increase your circulation and blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads.
(i) Take quality Omega-3 oil: Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like omega-3 oils found in fish oil, krill oil, flax oil, or extra virgin olive oil, these are crucial to maintaining your health. Avoid damaged Omega-6 oils which are found in trans fats and in processed foods, such as, French fries, and margarine; these fats can seriously damage your immune response.
(j) Wash your hands: Washing your hands will decrease the risk of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people.
(k) Eat garlic regularly: Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. Unlike antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use.
(l) Avoid hospitals and vaccinations: Stay away from hospitals unless you are having an emergency. Hospitals are prime breeding grounds for infections of all kinds, and could be one of the likeliest places you could be exposed to various infections. Vaccinations, when available, will not be tested with clinical trials, the public will be the test subjects. They may be ineffective and can lead to crippling paralysis like Guillain-Barre Syndrome or other serious side effects.
(m) Eat wholesome nutritional food; avoid eating in fast food restaurants, processed food, genetically modified food, micro waved food. As much as possible, eat fresh, live, locally grown foods. Imported foods (not locally grown) are gassed, sprayed and irradiated which kills all the natural enzymes. Commercially grown foods, like tomatoes, are picks several weeks before they are ripe. They may turn red, but they will never have the nutrients they lost by picking them too soon.
The following are excerpts by Dr. David Darbo from the book “Green Leaves of Barley – Nature’s Miracle Rejuvenator “by Dr. Mary Ruth Swope and David A. Darbo, M.D.
“I am NOT in any way criticizing the noble men and women who dedicate their lives to saving the lives of others. The hospitals in the U.S. are first-rate, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with skilled technicians, nurses and physicians.
In a medical emergency, there is nowhere on earth I’d rather be. It is necessary to act dramatically in crisis situations, and the medical profession is to be applauded for its skill in dealing with catastrophic illness. My hat is off to the established medical order within the context of crisis care. The problem is not how the medical system operates in its own context but how it fails to maintain health.”
For more information on the dangers of childhood vaccinations, sudden infant death syndrome, autism and other risk factors with vaccination, go to these web sites; www.wellnesschiro.com/physicians_group_end_mandatory_vaccines.htm and www.vaccinationdebate.com/web8.html.
...
What he says about vaccinations:
SWINE FLU – PANDEMIC
TO VACCINATE OR NOT TO VACCINATE
By Richard Smithee, M.T.O.M.
Understanding what you are dealing with is of paramount importance to you, your family, and your community. Everything you are hearing in the news is not necessarily the facts, and in fact, may be completely untrue.
First you need to understand what is meant by the term “PANDEMIC;” it simply means a disease affecting the majority of the population of a large region, or one that is epidemic at the same time in many different parts of the world[i] An “EPIDEMIC,” is a disease which becomes widespread in a particular place at a particular time.[ii] The word pandemic comes from the Greek work of Pandemos, which means “universal.” In this context obesity and diabetes are both pandemic.
Let’s take this a step further to the word “PANDEMONIUM:” a state of utter confusion and uproar. And then let’s include the word to “PANDER,” to give active encouragement (to someone or something that should not be encouraged); or to provide gratification (for someone or something that should not be gratified); someone who encourages the vices or weaknesses of another.[iii] Now let’s get down to the facts.
1. KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:
· 3,000 people a day worldwide die from malaria.
· 2,600 people a day in the U.S. die from preventable cardiovascular disease.[iv]
· 2,000 people a year in the U.S. die from taking aspirin.
· 38,000 children a day worldwide, die from starvation or preventable diseases.
· 40,000 people a year in the U.S. die from the common flu.
· 106,000 people a year in the U.S. die from taking prescription drugs, as prescribed.
· 2,216,000 people a year in the U.S. are hospitalized from taking prescription drugs as prescribed.[v]
· 552,000 people died in the U.S. from cancer in 2008, while 1.2 million were diagnosed with cancer.[vi]
· 75% of type II diabetics in the U.S. die from coronary events or stroke.[vii]
· In 1976 the Swine flu vaccine killed 25 in the U.S.
· 2003 the Bird flu killed 257 worldwide.
· 2004 lightning strikes and kills 1,170 people worldwide.
· 2009 the A(H1N1) Swine flu has killed 145 people worldwide through June 2009.[viii]
2. HISTORY OF FLUES AND VACCINES:
· 1918 the “Spanish flu” pandemic killed 20 million people worldwide. Today all H1N1 flu’s are descendants of the 1918 pandemic strain which mutates from year to year. This mutation process is why there is no vaccine available for this current hybrid flu strain.
· 1976 the “Swine flu” pandemic resulted in massive swine flu vaccinations leading to legal claims totaling $1.3 billion filed by thousands of victims who suffered paralysis from the vaccine. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths. Several hundred people developed crippling Guillain-Barre Syndrome and healthy 20 year-olds became paraplegics after receiving the vaccine. More people died from the Swine flu vaccine than the Swine flu.
· 2003 the H5N1 “Bird flu” virus; President Bush predicted 2 million American would die as a result of the bird flu, but in fact the death toll was 257 worldwide.
· “Bird flu” fears were raised again in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote a New York Times bestselling book, The Bird Flu Hoax, in which he claimed a massive fraud designed to instill fear, and create wind-fall profits for various investors, politicians and the pharmaceutical industry. Bush administration officials owned massive amounts of stock in the drug companies that sold the “antiviral drugs.” “A dangerous legal loophole still exists which allows members of Congress and high-powered executive branch appointees to exploit “insider” knowledge of the financial industry in order to turn personal profit.”[ix]
· 2009: as of June 12th, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) and 145 deaths in the entire world from this illness. The US has had 13,217 confirmed cases, and 27 deaths. Mexico has had 108 deaths. If you want the latest numbers go to “Google Maps’ Swine Flu Tracker” or go to “World Health Organization’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response.”
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SWINE FLU:
The A(H1N1) is this year’s version of the H1N1 virus.
Symptoms include;
ü coughing
ü runny nose and/or sore throat
ü fever of more than 100 F, (37c)
ü joint aches
ü lack of appetite
ü severe headache
ü vomiting and/or diarrhea
ü lethargy
This version has never been seen before in either human or animal. So - where did it come from?
4. LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT TAMIFLU AND SWINE FLU VACCINATIONS:
The following are excerpts from a newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola; “Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction?” and a newsletter by Jon Barron dated 8/03/2009; “Swine Flu – Midsummer Update.”
· Tamiflu, an antiviral drug – has been approved for treatment of uncomplicated influenza “type A” and “B” in children one year of age or older. It is also approved for use in adolescents and adults 13 years or older. Tamiflu can’t prevent the flu. It only lowers the viral load. It cannot prevent the spread of the disease, and it won’t stop illnesses that resemble the flu. It works by blocking a viral enzyme that helps the influenza virus invade cells in your respiratory tract.
· 20,000,000 doses of Tamiflu were bought by the U.S. government in October 2005, at a cost of $2 billion. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, (in the Bush administration) was the former president of Gilead Sciences the company that created Tamiflu along with Roche Pharmaceutical. Many political insiders of the Bush administration made millions in profits on this sale.[x]
· The manufacturer has confirmed that Tamiflu has a three year shelf life.
· Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recently passed the SLEP (Shelf Life Extension Program) that allows for this drug, which expired in June 2009, to now expire in May 2011. They have also waived their standards on improperly stored Relenza and Tamiflu and deemed them safe and effective for use . . . even in infants.[xi]
· The batch of Tamiflu your doctor may be prescribing may be expired, and/or may not have been properly stored.
· Common side effects of Tamiflu: (These are very similar to the flu symptoms, you’re trying to avoid.)
ü Nausea/vomiting
ü Diarrhea
ü Headache
ü Dizziness
ü Fatigue
ü Cough
Serious side effects of Tamiflu:
ü Convulsions
ü Delirium/Delusions
ü Brain infections (which have lead to 14 deaths in children and teens)
· Tamiflu has been banned in Japan for use in children since 2007.
· Tamiflu, if taken as directed, can only reduce the duration of your influenza symptoms by 1 to 1 ½ days, according to the official data.
· Flu experts have no idea if the current “seasonal flu vaccine” would offer any protection against this new exotic Swine flu A(H1N1).
· “Swine flu vaccine” has no proven effectiveness and has a history of causing crippling neurologic disease. These vaccines are preserved by using thimerosal mercury. Mercury is a known neurotoxin![xii]
· The new “A(H1N1) Swine Flu vaccine” which is due on line in October 2009, will have had no testing in clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness. The public will be the guinea pigs. The Secretary of Health, Kathleen Sebelius, recently signed into law a grant of immunity for pharmaceutical companies; making them immune from lawsuits in the event of any adverse reactions to the Swine flu vaccine.[xiii] Are you feeling more confident now?
POLITICS – POWER AND PROFIT
5. WHERE DID THIS MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL/HUMAN FLU STRAIN COME FROM?
The question arises – How could a mixed animal-human mutant occur? Could it happen naturally? And who would stand to gain the most and have the ability to create such a condition?
Dr. Mercola states “The American pharmaceutical company Baxter International (remember this name) was under investigation for distributing the deadly avian flu virus to 18 different countries as part of a seasonal flu vaccine shipment.” . . . Was it “a deliberate attempt to start a pandemic? Reports say such a “mistake” would be virtually impossible under the security protocols of that virus.”
“The “H5N1 Bird Flu virus” on its own is not very airborne. However, when combined with “seasonal flu viruses,” which are more easily spread, the effect could be a potent, airborne, deadly, biological weapon. If this batch of live bird flu mixed with the seasonal flu viruses had reached the public, it could have resulted in dire consequences.”
“While it is morally unthinkable that a drug company would knowingly contaminate flu vaccines with a deadly flu virus, it is certainly not impossible.” A top scientist with the United Nations believes that Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and the current A-(H1N1) swine flu virus are all genetically-manufactured as military biological warfare agents.[xiv]
The U.S. Army criminal investigators are looking into the possibility that disease samples are missing from bio-labs at Fort Detrick – the same Army research lab from which the 2001 anthrax strain was released.
And who do you think got the government contract to make the new A(H1N1) vaccine? Well who else – Baxter International! How is your confidence level now?
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
UNDERSTANDING HEALTH AND DISEASE – YOUR BEST OPTION!
1. THE “GERM THEORY” vs. THE “INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT THEORY:”
Louis Pasteur, 1822 – 1895, was one of the first microbiologists, he developed the vaccines for cholera, anthrax and rabies; also the process of pasteurization. He also developed the “Germ Theory.” He viewed the body as a sterile machine that will operate properly until a foreign agent “germ” is introduced. From this theory came the concept that specific microbes produce a specific disease. In an attempt to destroy these intruders antibiotics, vaccines and other medicines are used, because, (according to the theory) no microbes, no disease. It is believed by these advocates that health is restored only if there are no germs present that might cause disease.[xv]
In contrast, Claude Bernard (1813-1878), was the founder of modern experimental physiology and one of the most famous French scientists of all time. His focus was on the “milieu interieur” (internal environment) and taught that microbes could not produce disease unless the body’s internal environment was out of balance or toxic.
The body is made up of many billions of living cells, each one a separate, tiny, living organism which needs to be individually sustained. If each individual cell receives the nutrition and oxygen it needs and has its personal waste products removed, it will be healthy. And if every cell in the body is healthy, then it follows the entire body will be healthy too. Thus, TOTAL HEALTH CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY FIRST ATTENDING TO INNER HEALTH.
The purity of the internal environment therefore depends on the quality of the blood and lymph and the vigor of the circulation, the cleansing action of the lymph being as important as its nourishing action. And, in turn, the quality of the blood is dependent primarily on the efficiency of the liver and kidneys and the quality of the food and water from which the body makes new blood. The condition of perfectly balanced body chemistry is called “homeostasis”, a term coined by the physiologist Walter Cannon, MD, Sc.D, of Harvard University.
If there are any deficiencies in nutrition, if there exists any form of pollution, or if there is inadequate oxygen or poor circulation or organ malfunction, the interior environment will suffer. The most common and most serious form of degradation is toxemia caused by improper diet, which exists because of excesses and the denaturing effect of cooking and the inclusion of harmful substances such as salt, condiments, and refined sugar, etc.
Toxemia can occur, not only through improper diet but through stress, lack of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
Bernard’s theory was ignored for more than 50 years. Renowned microbiologist, Rene Debous said;
“Most microbial diseases are caused by organisms present in the body of a normal individual. They become the cause of disease when a disturbance arises which upsets the equilibrium of the body.”
The evidence is clear today that both Bernard and Debous were correct as evidenced by the almost universal presence of all kinds of bacteria and viruses in people who are not suffering from diseases.
Louis Pasteur, father of the Germ Theory of Disease, just before his death in 1895, said “Bernard was right, the germ is nothing, and the milieu (internal environment) is everything.”[xvi]
2. PREVENTION vs. TREATMENT (Health vs. Disease):
Based on the protocols discussed above; Prevention is the proper care of the body through diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress control. Maintaining homeostasis is the basis of healthcare prevention and treatment.
It is common knowledge among doctors that poor blood conditions accompany chronic diseases. When blood tests are made the blood is assessed for various chemical elements and a count is made of the red blood cells (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (leucocytes). A closer look of the blood under a microscope, reveals the blood is polluted and the red cells and blood platelets tend to stick together (aggregate), so the blood becomes sticky (high viscosity). The blood cannot carry oxygen properly and it cannot circulate properly. This may lead to increased blood pressure, and high platelet adhesion. The conventional medical training uses drugs to regulate blood pressure which does little or nothing to address the root problem of impurity and high viscosity of the blood. This then is the disease itself, and what they think is the disease is only a symptom of disturbed homeostasis. The more the blood deteriorates, the greater the number of microbes present, which then multiply not as the cause of the illness, but as a result of it.
Although medical drugs may sometimes provide relief from disease symptoms, in the long run they cause further deterioration of the interior environment which causes additional distress, the symptoms which are referred to as “side effects”. Then additional medicine is prescribed to counter the side effects, the vicious circle is complete. It is now recognized that iatrogenic disease (disease caused by medical treatment) is a major cause of death in the United States .[xvii]
Treatment protocol is treating a specific symptom once an ailment has occurred. A perfect example would be diabetes; through proper preventive care diabetes would not occur. A treatment protocol uses drugs to lower blood glucose and/or increase insulin production. Neither of which treats the underlying problem. By being proactive you can prevent or substantially reduce your risk of disease or infirmity.
3. WESTERN MEDICINE vs. EASTERN MEDICINE:
Traditional Western Medicine: The education, training, and protocol focuses on disease and symptoms and are highly dependent on specialists for various health problems, such as, cardiologist, oncologist, neurologist, etc. The treatment protocol is to reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as pain, inflammation, lowering blood pressure, etc. and rarely is directed at prevention or resolving the underlying problems. If you have a traumatic injury or need surgery this is the best treatment protocol once you have considered all your options and have been informed, and understand, the proposed treatment protocol, and the expected results.
Traditional Oriental Medicine: The education, training and protocol focuses on natural healthcare, prevention, wellness and balance. The word holistic refers to the treatment of the whole person; body, mind, spirit, and emotions. The main focus is on prevention, staying healthy and keeping the immune system strong. The proper food selection, drinking and bathing in pure water, breathing pure air, getting adequate exercise, relaxation, love, and having a positive mental attitude.
But most importantly are self empowerment, educating yourself on personal health goals and learning the tools on how to achieve vibrant health.
If you have a health challenge it is important to do everything you can to strengthen your body and your immune system and to remove toxins from your system. Understand all of your options! Will natural healthcare be the right approach for you? Consider trying the least invasive approach first, if possible. Or consider using both eastern and western protocols together to achieve your objectives.
4. PROTECT YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING NATURAL HEALTH PRINCIPALS:
Keep you immune system in optimal working order.
(a) Water is the single most important source of health. Your body is 70% water which is used for digestion and assimilation of food, it lubricates joints, lubricates the intestines to prevent constipation, flushes waste and toxins out of the body, reduces inflammation, regulates blood volume and blood pressure, facilitates breathing. The average person should drink 1 ½ to 2 liters of pure water daily.
(b) Vitamin D-3 is important and inexpensive, vitamin D is made naturally in the body when it is exposed to sunlight. But, because so many people are now avoiding the sun we have a major Vitamin D deficiency. Take 1000 IU of vitamin D-3 two to three times a day. Get natural sunlight directly on as much of your skin as possible for 15 to 20 minutes a day, preferably before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM when the sun is less intense. Do not use sun block or tanning lotion.
If you have flu like symptoms take up to 50,000 IU of vitamin D-3 for three days to treat the acute infection.
(c) Vitamin C 1000 mg take one, three times a day. If you begin feeling cold or flu symptoms increase this amount to 1000 mg every hour. If you begin to have diarrhea reduce the dosage until the diarrhea stops. If vitamin C upsets your stomach, you may want to buy a “buffered” form of vitamin C.
(d) Take a potent multivitamin and mineral supplement: Good quality, high potency supplements can help strengthen and protect your body and immune system. Get on, and stay on, a healthy nutritional program.
(e) Avoid sugar, processed foods and artificial sweeteners: Sugar decreases the immune system function almost immediately. One can of soda, can suppress your immune system by 50% for up to six hours. A strong immune system is the key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Read the food labels; ketchup is almost 30% sugar, fruit juices, cereals, even so called health foods are loaded with sugar. Other names for sugar are glucose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, modified corn syrup, grape juice. Sugar spikes insulin, contributes to obesity and diabetes, disturbs your hormone balance, leaches important minerals out of your system (especially calcium), can lead to food allergies, and increases your risk of cancer. Artificial sweeteners are toxic chemicals and may cause brain injury, tumors, senility and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
(f) Get enough rest: If you are tired or your body is overly fatigued it will be harder to fight off the flu. Be sure to get enough quality, restful sleep.
(g) Reduce your Stress Levels: If stress becomes overwhelming, your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illnesses. Stress weakens the immune system.
(h) Exercise: When you exercise, you increase your circulation and blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads.
(i) Take quality Omega-3 oil: Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like omega-3 oils found in fish oil, krill oil, flax oil, or extra virgin olive oil, these are crucial to maintaining your health. Avoid damaged Omega-6 oils which are found in trans fats and in processed foods, such as, French fries, and margarine; these fats can seriously damage your immune response.
(j) Wash your hands: Washing your hands will decrease the risk of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people.
(k) Eat garlic regularly: Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. Unlike antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use.
(l) Avoid hospitals and vaccinations: Stay away from hospitals unless you are having an emergency. Hospitals are prime breeding grounds for infections of all kinds, and could be one of the likeliest places you could be exposed to various infections. Vaccinations, when available, will not be tested with clinical trials, the public will be the test subjects. They may be ineffective and can lead to crippling paralysis like Guillain-Barre Syndrome or other serious side effects.
(m) Eat wholesome nutritional food; avoid eating in fast food restaurants, processed food, genetically modified food, micro waved food. As much as possible, eat fresh, live, locally grown foods. Imported foods (not locally grown) are gassed, sprayed and irradiated which kills all the natural enzymes. Commercially grown foods, like tomatoes, are picks several weeks before they are ripe. They may turn red, but they will never have the nutrients they lost by picking them too soon.
The following are excerpts by Dr. David Darbo from the book “Green Leaves of Barley – Nature’s Miracle Rejuvenator “by Dr. Mary Ruth Swope and David A. Darbo, M.D.
“I am NOT in any way criticizing the noble men and women who dedicate their lives to saving the lives of others. The hospitals in the U.S. are first-rate, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with skilled technicians, nurses and physicians.
In a medical emergency, there is nowhere on earth I’d rather be. It is necessary to act dramatically in crisis situations, and the medical profession is to be applauded for its skill in dealing with catastrophic illness. My hat is off to the established medical order within the context of crisis care. The problem is not how the medical system operates in its own context but how it fails to maintain health.”
For more information on the dangers of childhood vaccinations, sudden infant death syndrome, autism and other risk factors with vaccination, go to these web sites; www.wellnesschiro.com/physicians_group_end_mandatory_vaccines.htm and www.vaccinationdebate.com/web8.html.
...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Shopping Day in Guaymas
Yesterday was a great girls' day in Guaymas. If you look hard enough you can find everything that you need and the language barrier gets less daunting when you put yourself out there and just try to speak Spanish. I picked my friend, Kris, up at around 11:0o and we drove into Guaymas. One lane of the main bridge in and out of San Carlos has reopened so it's a lot easier to get through town. You have to pay close attention because the detours change a lot. I have found myself on the wrong side of the median numerous times. The last time it happened I had to run the jeep over the median, through the shrubs and over the curb. I had no choice and I didn't do any damage.
Our other partner, Bliss, was unavailable because she publishes a book every year at this time and yesterday they went to press. Kris is a yoga teacher and she needed color copies of her brochure to hand out around town. We found the print shop that had been recommended (don't ask me how we found it). We went in and asked for pricing. The guy who was helping us said he couldn't do less than one thousand copies and we said "ok, how much". He said it was $210 pesos for 1,000 copies. That's seemed very inexpensive. We did this all in Spanish and we thought it was pretty impressive on our part. Then Kris handed him the brochure and he said "oh, it's more for two or three colors". We then realized that we were in a real print shop where they do actual typesetting, like for a newspaper. I don't even know if those still exist in the U.S. We excused ourselves then but it still might be in the running because the next place quoted 6 pesos per color copy. That comes out to about 80 cents - so around $80 USD for one hundred copies. I don't know why it's so expensive and why there isn't a Kinko's around. Kris might go with black and white and then she could pretty much do it for free. In any case, it's fun to find little businesses here and talk to the local people. I love it. It reminds of how it must have been back in the old days or in a small town in the U.S. before big business took over (like Kinko's). It's one of the things I love most about Mexico.
I knew I wanted to get some fresh fish so we headed towards the water to a fish store that had been recommended to Kris. Generally, the best fish comes in early in the morning and it was already past noon so all they had were shrimp. It's the beginning of shrimp season and they had the biggest, most beautiful shrimp I've ever seen. However, we didn't need any. Both Kris and I had shrimp from our local guy who comes around and delivers. We continued on towards the marina and we passed a fish vendor with a stand right near where the fishing boats come in. He had beautiful fresh fish, scallops and fresh crab. I bought a nice whitefish that is white and firm and I'm hoping it will taste like mahi mahi. We both bought some crabmeat too. It is so inexpensive here. I'll make crab cakes tonight.
We stopped for lunch at a big palapa restaurant that is very popular. I can't wait to take Bruce there. We were there before comida so it was empty. I had a fish taco made with mahi mahi and Kris had a crab tostada. It was absolutely delicious and the bill came to $72 pesos (about $6 USD) for both of us. We were right across from the water so we had a great view. Guaymas has an interesting waterfront and a very nice marina. It is definitely a working waterfront, not a tourist place. Mexico has some government run marinas that are nice, kind of similar to the ones run by the Canadian government. They are always cheaper than private marinas and I've heard the ones on this coast are well run. After great lunch and great conversation we left for our last few errands. There's nothing better than being with good friends and talking about anything you want to talk about. I love having girlfriends to goof around with. I swear it doesn't matter how old or young you are. There's just nothing like it. I wanted to show Kris a part of the waterfront that I didn't think she had seen yet. I found it one day when I was lost in Guaymas by taking a wrong turn at a "Y". It takes you out to a kind of inlet that has tiny islands covered with cacti and on the shore are ponga boats that belong to the local fishermen. On the right side of the road there are some really lovely and expensive Mexican homes surrounded by the desert hills that are so common here. It's a really beautiful section of town.
Kris and I finally wound our way back to Soriana, one of the mega marts in Guaymas and did some shopping. Their produce is fresh and we can't find anything great in town right now. However, that has changed today because Tony has reopened. Although I can get everything I need from Tony, I'll continue to go into Guaymas for the fresh fish and crabmeat. It's a lot cheaper and it's fun to stop and talk to the fish guy. So...that was our day in the big city. It was a great day.
Our other partner, Bliss, was unavailable because she publishes a book every year at this time and yesterday they went to press. Kris is a yoga teacher and she needed color copies of her brochure to hand out around town. We found the print shop that had been recommended (don't ask me how we found it). We went in and asked for pricing. The guy who was helping us said he couldn't do less than one thousand copies and we said "ok, how much". He said it was $210 pesos for 1,000 copies. That's seemed very inexpensive. We did this all in Spanish and we thought it was pretty impressive on our part. Then Kris handed him the brochure and he said "oh, it's more for two or three colors". We then realized that we were in a real print shop where they do actual typesetting, like for a newspaper. I don't even know if those still exist in the U.S. We excused ourselves then but it still might be in the running because the next place quoted 6 pesos per color copy. That comes out to about 80 cents - so around $80 USD for one hundred copies. I don't know why it's so expensive and why there isn't a Kinko's around. Kris might go with black and white and then she could pretty much do it for free. In any case, it's fun to find little businesses here and talk to the local people. I love it. It reminds of how it must have been back in the old days or in a small town in the U.S. before big business took over (like Kinko's). It's one of the things I love most about Mexico.
I knew I wanted to get some fresh fish so we headed towards the water to a fish store that had been recommended to Kris. Generally, the best fish comes in early in the morning and it was already past noon so all they had were shrimp. It's the beginning of shrimp season and they had the biggest, most beautiful shrimp I've ever seen. However, we didn't need any. Both Kris and I had shrimp from our local guy who comes around and delivers. We continued on towards the marina and we passed a fish vendor with a stand right near where the fishing boats come in. He had beautiful fresh fish, scallops and fresh crab. I bought a nice whitefish that is white and firm and I'm hoping it will taste like mahi mahi. We both bought some crabmeat too. It is so inexpensive here. I'll make crab cakes tonight.
We stopped for lunch at a big palapa restaurant that is very popular. I can't wait to take Bruce there. We were there before comida so it was empty. I had a fish taco made with mahi mahi and Kris had a crab tostada. It was absolutely delicious and the bill came to $72 pesos (about $6 USD) for both of us. We were right across from the water so we had a great view. Guaymas has an interesting waterfront and a very nice marina. It is definitely a working waterfront, not a tourist place. Mexico has some government run marinas that are nice, kind of similar to the ones run by the Canadian government. They are always cheaper than private marinas and I've heard the ones on this coast are well run. After great lunch and great conversation we left for our last few errands. There's nothing better than being with good friends and talking about anything you want to talk about. I love having girlfriends to goof around with. I swear it doesn't matter how old or young you are. There's just nothing like it. I wanted to show Kris a part of the waterfront that I didn't think she had seen yet. I found it one day when I was lost in Guaymas by taking a wrong turn at a "Y". It takes you out to a kind of inlet that has tiny islands covered with cacti and on the shore are ponga boats that belong to the local fishermen. On the right side of the road there are some really lovely and expensive Mexican homes surrounded by the desert hills that are so common here. It's a really beautiful section of town.
Kris and I finally wound our way back to Soriana, one of the mega marts in Guaymas and did some shopping. Their produce is fresh and we can't find anything great in town right now. However, that has changed today because Tony has reopened. Although I can get everything I need from Tony, I'll continue to go into Guaymas for the fresh fish and crabmeat. It's a lot cheaper and it's fun to stop and talk to the fish guy. So...that was our day in the big city. It was a great day.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Since the hurricane, life has been busy. We were expecting another tropical depression yesterday but it dissipated and went south. However, we are getting rain and low clouds. I don't see anything on the satellite images that explains the persistent rain we are having today and that mystifies me greatly. It is very tropical out and little bugs are flying everywhere. One town nearby, San Jose, was evacuated yesterday due to the impending storm because most of the people that live there lost their homes in the hurricane and are either living outdoors or in makeshift tents. The biggest thing I've learned since the hurricane is that the outpouring of help from the local people and the expats has been overwhelming. I've never seen anything like it. There are hundreds of people helping in San Carlos alone. There's even a movement to help all of the animals. All of this makes me glad we moved here. Everyone who knows us, knows that this is our second hurricane of personal consequence. The first was Hurricane Kenna in 2002. Bruce and I lived on the beach two hours north or Puerto Vallarta at Playa Las Tortugas and we fled to Tepic one hour before the hurricane hit. We lost all of our belongings on the first floor of our house but we didn't lose the house. It took us months to dig out and oddly, there was not a lot of support in that area. Many people in San Blas and neighboring areas were left homeless and there was a significant loss of life. It wasn't easy to recover from that, but we did.
I know that every year there are weather events all over the world that are catastrophic. Still, I don't understand what is going on right now with all of the typhoons, tsunamis, hurricanes; as well as the basic human misery caused by other humans. It just feels like there is something bigger than us hitting us over and over again. When I look at all of the humanitarian efforts around the world I wonder why we can't have world peace. If you take insane and unfounded hatred out of the mix, prejudice, bigotry and the rest of the ugly emotions, we really could have peace in the world. I'm not religious but sometimes I wonder if the catastrophes that are coming often these days are sending us a message. We tried to do it in the 60's, but we were labelled hippies and potheads. I wonder if we could try it again without the drugs. I am not feeling the love around the world. I guess I'd better get off of this subject or I will drive myself and my friends crazy. Still, if we could all do a couple of good and unselfish things every day life would be better for everyone. I hope it's not too late.
The men of El Cobijo are doing well. They are safe for now and can stay at the ladies' retirement home in Guaymas for three more months. At the end of that time they want to live in Guaymas (the city next to us) where they can get out more easily and be closer to the public health facility and farmacias etc. At this point, we are using donation money to buy supplies for them each week; mostly meat and chicken. There's a great butcher shop called VillaReal and they kindly give us a 30 percent discount. We are still getting great donations for them. One of my neighbors brought down a 25 pound bag of pancake mix and diabetic syrup. They love pancakes! Kris and I also discovered the local dollar store where everything is under 12 pesos. If you like to shop like we do, this is a great find. It's like the typical US dollar store only more fun with more random items that make us smile. This week we're going to put some energy into finding a good Mexican book store. There's one man who loves to read anything and everything. He has lost a leg to diabetes and his other leg is losing circulation so he's not in good shape but he is very happy all the time. We love him. We're going to try to find out more about each one of the men and we'll have plenty of time to do that. The one lady that lives there from El Cobijo is pretty out of it, but when she's awake she sings Cielito Lindo.
One bad thing that is happening right now in Guaymas is that lots of people have gotten very sick since the hurricane and they think it's from just breathing in the air pollution that happened after the hurricane. One friend of ours was sick in bed for a week with terrible symptoms. A lot of folks are hospitalized with this. Thankfully, it seems temporary.
Our wonderful grocer, Tony, has not been in town since the hurricane. We know he's coming back but we don't know when. We are all realizing how much we depend on Tony. Kris and I have been to a couple of wholesale warehouses since we've been out looking for supplies for El Cobijo and we have discovered how much work it is for Tony to get the freshest vegetables, fruits and meats. He has to go each day early in the morning to get everything he needs. We really miss Tony. The other stores in San Carlos just don't put the effort into buying fresh fruits and vegetables and getting rid of stock when it starts going bad like Tony does. We've heard that some of his refrigerators and coolers were damaged in the hurricane so I'm sure he's getting them repaired. The snow birds will be back soon too and I don't think Tony had any kind of a vacation last summer. We'll celebrate when Tony reopens. Tony is really our rock and if you think about it he helps us be less dependent on Guaymas for staples. If he were to run for office I would vote for him.
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