Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills - (A Review of Chapters 1 and 2)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock M.D. has written a compelling book detailing the results of numerous studies of the effects of what he calls "excitotoxins" in the brain. "Excitotoxins," such as glutamate (Monosodium Glutamate, commonly called MSG) and Aspartate (such as the artificial sweetener, NutraSweet) are among the over seventy types of special amino acids present in the brain that are known to be largely present in most packaged processed foods available today.

Before precisely defining why they are named "excitotoxins," In Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, (Health Press, 1997) Dr. Blaylock leads the reader on a crash course of the brain in chapter 1. Most of this chapter can truthfully be skipped since the descriptions are very detailed and repeated again in subsequent chapters. However, with a brief overview of the parts of the brain (The Frontal Lobes, The Parietal Lobes, Occipital Lobes, Temporal Lobes, The brains interior paired nuclei, Brain Stem, Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus) and the neuron composition (Dendrite, Cell Body, Axon and Terminal Endings) we gain a great appreciation for the complexity and yet delicate operating balances within the human brain.

In chapter 1 Dr. Blaylock does inform us that the brain consumes 20% of the body's required oxygen and 25% of the body's required glucose for normal operations. Oddly enough, this is the one piece of information we need to remember for Chapter 3. The problem is that this tremendous need for oxygen and glucose circulating in the blood makes the brain vulnerable to ingested to toxins. In a section describing the "blood/brain barrier" we learn that this barrier the first line of defense the brain has against blood borne toxins and may actually leak under certain circumstances which presents another problem with ingesting these specific amino acids.

In chapter 2 we receive a review of Amino Acids. This is important since the "excitotoxins" are actually Amino Acids that are normally present in the brain. Dr. Blaylock gives a brief overview of amino acids and how they are the building blocks used to create proteins in a process called anabolism. Interestingly noted is collagen (the largest protein in the body) which contains 1500 amino acids.

Finally we are given a glimpse of what the potential problem is as Dr. Blaylock explains another function of amino acids. Apparently, in addition to being used to construct protein, some amino acids act as neurotransmitters. Glutamate, Aspartate and glycine are examples of these types of amino acids. Dr. Blaylock describes in detail the neurotransmitter firing process. He also points out that neuroscientists have discovered that glutamate is one of the most common neurotransmitters in the brain. Many areas of the brain contain extensive glutamate type neurons. Activation of cortical glutamate neurons in turn activate other neurons within the nuclei located deep within the brain.

These connections are important when examining the effects of excitatory amino acids (such as MSG) and the origins of neurological disease which are revealed in later chapters.

Over 35 Ways of Controlling Stress: Absolutely Necessary to Control Smoking and Weight!

* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The Wellness Journey".

* Use deep breathing exercises.

* Make an appointment for deep muscle massage.

* Tense up all parts of your body one at a time and let go and relax.

* Exercise with a brisk walk, hike, swim, bicycle, go to a gym or buy or rent your own equipment.

* Use self-hypnosis. Lie down and relax your body step by step. Remember a peaceful place in detail, using all your senses. Really be there in your imagination.

* Meditate: sit quietly, eyes closed. Slowly focus over and over on one word such as "calm", or "peace", or "relax".

* Talk to a friend, counsellor, minister, or physician. Follow your physician's advice!

* Change your diet: less salt, less sugar, less alcohol, less fat, less meat, less coffee; more fluids, fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and fish. Enjoy a balanced meal plan for proper nutrition.

* Listen to relaxing nature sound recordings, New Age or Classical music which induces slower, deeper breathing.

* Drive to a peaceful park, forest, beach, mountain or meadow.

* Take the day off or go on vacation.

* Phone your local hospital to find out when the next stress reduction class will be held.

* Start a new hobby such as painting, ceramics, sailing, tennis, yoga, etc.

* Be assertive, not aggressive. Take a self-assertion course at a school or university.

* Have a warm bath at 92 degrees F. with pleasant bath oil.

* Drink chamomile tea.

* See a foot reflexologist for better circulation.

* Listen to a comedy recording; watch a live comedy show or video.

* Stretch.

* Volunteer to help others for diversion; new activities; new friends. What will you have given during your lifetime?

* Change your daily routine, dress, route to work, furniture arrangement, etc.

* Set up a regular time to relax, a "relaxation break" instead of a coffee break.

* Change your attitude. Why does the same event bother some people, but not others? You don't always have to be right. You have a choice.

* Avoid over-scheduling yourself for too many tasks.

* Avoid "keeping up with the Joneses".

* Make a daily "to do" list to tackle items in order of priority.

* Don't spend $100 worth of energy for a 10-cent problem.

* Break down a major task into several small tasks.

* Delegate work to others.

* Set realistic goals.

* Give compliments and enjoy taking compliments.

* Never say, "I can't do this or that". You get what you think about.

* Make a list of tension reducers and things to do "to get outside of yourself".

* Make your personal and family life a priority over other demands.

* Balance work with play, proper diet, sleep, exercise and relaxation.

* Be thankful for your comfortable bed, friends, food, water, a chance to work, freedom, and many other blessings!

Are You Becoming a Landlord? Then Learn These Crucial Steps Now

Becoming a landlord can be highly rewarding and exciting but first you must know the right steps to make. Find out what you will need to become a successful rental owner property right now.

1. Advertise and Attract New Tenants to Your Rental Property

If you are just becoming a landlord and starting out with a vacant rental property, the first important thing is to find a tenant for it as soon as possible. Every day that your rental property goes without a tenant, you will be losing valuable rental income.

Effective and proven methods of netting new tenants include advertising in the local newspapers, putting up drive-by signs, word of market recommendations and hiring an experienced real estate agent to do it for you.

2. Screen All Your Potential Tenant Applicants Carefully

Every experienced landlord and property manager will agree that picking the right tenant for your property is vital if you want to avoid a world of trouble later on. What you will need are people who are able to pay you rent on time and stick to the terms of your rental agreement.

Firstly you should interview your tenant over the phone and have him fill up an application form so you can learn more about him. For those who make it past your first round, it's time to meet up so that you can show them around your rental property and observe them more closely.

It's also highly recommended that you run a credit check on someone before inking the rental property with him. His credit report will reveal whether he is likely to be a reliable rent-paying tenant.

3. Manage Your Tenants and Handle Any Problems and Disputes

Collecting rent from tenants is perhaps the most enjoyable part of being a landlord but you will have to arrange a convenient and effective way of collecting it. While cash and checks are the traditional and popular methods for collecting rent, nowadays you can also accept your rent online by PayPal.

Common and painful problems faced by landlords include late rent payments, property damages caused by neglect or abuse, conflicts with neighbours and illegal activities carried out on your rental property.

4. Repair and Maintain Your Rental Property in Habitable Condition

Becoming a landlord having to maintain your rental property in a livable condition according to the local health and safety standards. This means that learning to make simple repairs by yourself or knowing how to hire a reliable repairman to do it for you.

It's also important to know whether you or your tenant will be the one footing the repair bills. Never be misled into thinking that the landlord has to pay for everything. If the damage is caused by your tenant's neglect or abuse, he will be one forking out money. On the other hand, you will responsible for damages due to daily wear and tear.

5. Ending Your Lease Agreement and Evicting Tenants if Needed

Depending on your area's real estate laws and the type of tenancy that you have, ending your lease correctly is important for staying out of any potential disputes. You will generally have to give your tenant a written notice in advance if you want them out of your rental property.

Eviction is a nightmare that you will want to avoid when becoming a landlord but sometimes it's the only way out. The most common and valid reasons for evicting tenants include non-payment of rent and repeated breaching of rental agreement terms.

Spam Filtering Service - Are You Protected?

Are you worried about getting spam email? I sure am. But you can dramatically decrease your vulnerability by using a spam filtering service. This kind of service can provide you with email filtering spam solutions that keeps your inbox clean from unsolicited junk mail.

First, what is spam email? It may be described, as unethical mass emails of a commercial nature that has no valid email header information, no opt out method, performs involuntary tracking when opened or spreads viruses and spyware.

A spam filtering service can save you or your company money by delivering effective spam protection. You are able to buy new components, separate software or even complete systems that filters or blocks spam mail. This can save you or your company time and money. Make sure that the service is dedicated to providing quality and value to you with their services.

A spam filtering service can be like a technology partner. They work with you to ensure your future success in your online endeavors. They may also be able to provide you with custom designed software and technical advice. It stops junk mail from stealing your time and resources.

Spam filtering services have a knowledge of many products, software and virus problems which they may share with you. You cannot get that kind of advice easily. They work with small systems as well as highly complex environments. You get a good return on investment.

A spam filtering service can provide you with their hard won technical and business advice when it comes to spam protection. They also have practical knowledge of spam software, blockers and filters. You also have access to their anti-spam database and anti-spam services.

A spam filtering service may also provide you with a way in which to report suspected spam emails to them. They can then study it and add it to their database in order to block it. Usually you will need to have an account with the service before you are able to login and report suspected spam mail.

When you sign up for an account at a spam filtering service, be sure to read their privacy policy as well as the terms of service statement. If you have any questions, you may contact them and ask your question before joining. They will require some basic personal information to create your account and to provide a better service to you, the client.

Hackers and spammers are a constant threat to productivity. They try to exploit vulnerabilities and gaps in order to send their commercial messages or steal personal information by sending viruses to personal computers. Your spam filter needs to cope with a constantly evolving set of parameters and problems. You should implement steps and strategies for dealing with spam prevention before it becomes a liability to your email addresses or the company network.

Spam email and virus attacks have increased in volume and complexity during the past year or two. Individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes are looking for better spam protection. A specific approach is needed to protect yourself or your online business against the threat of unsolicited junk mail. A spam filtering service may provide you with the resources, options, technology, knowledge and anti-spam software to filter or block spam effectively.

A Compost Primer

Most gardeners and landscapers will agree almost unanimously that the single best thing you can do for your lawn is to add compost. Good, organic compost can remedy almost any problem you have with your soil. If you soil is too acidic, adding compost will help neutralize it and bring it back to a proper pH level. If your soil is too alkaline, ditto! Adding compost will help balance the alkalinity in the soil. If you live in an area with a lot of heavy clay, adding compost will help loosen and aerate the soil. If you live in a coastal or southern area with a lot of sand, adding compost will help bind it together. Soil lacking nutrients? Add compost to add new life to overworked soil.

So how do you make compost? It's easier than you can imagine and cheaper than anything else you will do. How cheap? How about free! All composting is, is the natural decomposition of organic matter. Walk through a dense forest and take a deep handful of soil from under your feet. Notice how black and rich it is. It didn't get that way from fertilizers or manure. It got that way from all the decomposing organic matter. A forest takes care of itself by recycling. It recycles every leaf, branch, berry, and bush. It does this quite simply. All the organic and living matter in the forest decomposes into compost which feeds the existing plants (and some animals!).

In the forest, when leaves fall from the trees, they all gather on the forest floor. In storms, branches may fall, as well as entire trees. This creates layers of organic matter on the forest floor. Eventually it rains adding fuel to the mixture. The rain aids the microbes that begin to eat the organic matter, eventually turning it into the rich, thick carpet you see on the forest floor. This compost feeds the living trees and other plants providing nutrients that rival the best fertilizers.

You can emulate the forest by creating your own compost. Avoid store bought compost, especially those made from manure. There's nothing natural about spreading rotted and decomposed cow feces on your lawn or garden. It's actually pretty gross! Especially considering the number of chemicals and steroids that are given to cattle and cows in the United States. If you must purchase or acquire compost from somewhere else, call your local municipal office. Many municipalities have their own composting facilities and they give away the compost to their residents for free! In our township, for example, all the leaves that are gathered in the fall from the local streets, are mulched up and composted in a huge field. In a year or two, once the leaves have thoroughly composted, we are permitted to haul away as much compost as we like! The only catch is that we must load it ourselves, but this is a small price to pay for free, organic mulch.

York Rental Holiday House or Luxury Hotels - Which Is Best to Enjoy the Historic City of York?

The main attractions of the Minster, Jorvik Viking Centre, National Railway museum are the familiar places of York and it now ranks in the top ten of European food and wine destinations, and little wonder with the huge number of traditional pubs, restaurants and of course its famous tea rooms on offer. These all contribute to making the tourism trade in York a booming business in these financially challenging times.

Although York itself as a place to visit could never be considered a cheap and cheerful place it does tend to attract visitors who are looking for a bit more than ice cream and amusement arcades. When comparing costs of accommodation in York to that of its neighbours on the East Coast which is just forty miles away, prices can be half the price you would expect to pay in York. It is of course a very different type of holiday and each has its own different attractions on offer.

It is a thriving industry for the city and provides much-needed employment with the added advantage it doesn't have to rely on the weather, thankfully. It is regarded as an all year-round place to visit, even in the middle of winter. There are so many indoor activities and attractions that the weather is not a factor. Of course the outdoor activities are all there it is just they are somewhat overlooked at times by the wealth of history York has to offer.

Because of the location of York on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire dales the outdoor pursuits are well catered for and whether it is walking, mountain biking, horse riding, climbing, abseiling, fishing it really does offer a great option for a family holiday, romantic break or adventure holiday. One of the other big attractions is the famous York Races when the number of visitors increase considerably and finding Accommodation in York at these times is worth planning well ahead for despite the growing number of places to stay in York.

The range of places to stay in York is as varied as are the things to do, from Luxury Hotels, small guest houses to Holiday Homes for Self Catering in York and everything in between to suit both budget and type of holiday accommodation you prefer. One of the rising trends for Holiday homes in Yorkshire is those looking for a higher standard of self-catering accommodation to match the Luxury Hotels in York. While many of the Hotels offer lots of facilities and style they cannot offer the privacy and intimacy leaving visitors feeling restricted and not as relaxed as they would be in their own private place.

The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan

Victoria McKernan has written a gripping tale of survival published by Alfred A. Knopf. It's April 1865, the Lynch farm has been devastated by fire and drought, the last survivors of the family are Aiden,15, and his sister Maddy, 13 and even though they made it through the winter, starvation is now inevitable.

Unlikely savior, Jefferson J. Jackson, arrives just as the last of the cornmeal mush is about to expire and offers a fighting chance of survival if Aiden will indenture himself as a logger. The orphans see a chance at a new life but that chance is 2,000 perilous miles away. Mr. Jackson agrees to ferry them across the country in his wagon train but before they leave cautions them, "Any way you can think up to die is out there waiting."

Aiden is wary but will do anything for his sister's survival and happiness and Maddy is anxious to see what life has in store for them. Their exploits naturally include new friends like the young Nez Perce boy, Tupic, educated in a mission school but now reunited with his tribe and Doc Carlos, who helps the wagon train avoid an epidemic of "the devil's paint".

Victoria McKernan portrays both the danger and beauty of the developing west and at the same time deftly depicts the orphans heartbreaking and hopeful adventure-filled story with exciting and dramatic characters. Besides "The Devil's Paintbox", Victoria McKernan has written "Shackelton's Stowaway", another young adult historical novel and four novels for adults. She lives in Washington, DC.

Make Professional Meetings Easier With Business Conference Calls

The world is developing at a very high rate. The speed with which business are being done is high and sometimes there is not even enough time to hold a seminar or a conference. So what can you do if you have a large organization with stakeholders all over the country or the world and are looking to hold a seminar or a conference?

The answer is pretty simple: a business conference call.

So what exactly is a business conference call?

In the simplest terms possible, this is when 2 or more people within the same organization would like to communicate or even hold a meeting which is live and they are able to see each other and even talk to each other but the 2 are in remote areas i.e. totally separate areas. This is done with the aid of internet connection and other telephony services and devices. This type of calling allows people to communicate live and see each other in the process. It allows various ones to communicate with each other via internet and phone. This service is common especially in very large organizations that have widespread branches across a country, continent or even the globe. The need to have stakeholders and/ or board members to live their places to go for a meeting is eliminated and in the process, transport costs are also eliminated. This is a much cheaper way of holding a conference or a seminar than flying people in from various parts of the world and accommodating them in hotels.

Below are different types of business conference calls that are offered:

- Basic: This is a way in which a group of people are got together to have a discussion without having any physical contact. It is useful for organizations that meet often. - Advanced: This incorporates the use of internet and web cameras. The participants can hear and see what is going on in the meeting without being physically in contact with each other. - Assisted: This is a way of conferencing in which there is a central person to organize the participants of the conferencing and will alert the participants when the meeting is to start and will also close the meeting. Most of the times, the person doing this is hired.

Why Our Site Was Removed From The ODP

Our website, Best Of The Home, has been listed in the Open Directory Project for over a year. Recently, I conducted a search of the ODP for my site, to update it, and found that it was no longer listed in any category.

I went to the ODP forums, http://www.resource-zone.com, to try to obtain information as to why this had happened. The editors and moderators of the forum informed me that websites that sell products via the drop-ship method do not get listed in the ODP, "because the content of these websites are not unique and the sites are just "order takers" for the wholesalers." ODP will gladly list the wholesalers if they meet the ODP guidelines.

The guidelines for a site to be listed in the ODP Shopping/Home and Garden/Furniture Category are listed below:

"Submission guidelines include that the web site itself actually be a means of selling the Furniture products. Thus, appropriate product images and descriptions, specific product pricing and a means of ordering from the web site itself are required to qualify as a "Shopping" site."

As you can see, the guidelines say nothing about the fact that if the website uses the dropship method that they will not be listed. Even the category descriptions, Sites which sell Furniture used in the home are listed in this category. Please note that web sites listed in this or any Furniture Shopping category must be the "means of selling" the furniture, and therefore must properly display and describe the products for sale, give specific prices and provide a means of ordering the product from the site itself." does not mention anything about dropship websites not being listed.

In our own case, our website meets all of the requirements above, we list the products for sale, we have pictures and descriptions of all the products we sell, give specific prices and provide a means of ordering the product on site, but since we do not design and manufacture the products we are considered a drop-shipper for the wholesaler.

The OPD, by their own admission, looks at dropship websites in this fashion, and these are direct quotes from some of the moderators on the forum,

"Let's call the real businesses "mom-and-pop businesses" and the other ... oh, I think "pseudonymous fright wigs for anonymous faceless giant corporations" pretty well covers the relevant facts."

"drop shippers are a variety of affiliate operation, they don't offer anything unique, and they act merely as an extension of the marketing department of the corporation they are affiliated with. Therefore we don't list 'em. Renting storage space in someone else's warehouse to store your own goods, using an independent courier to deliver, etc. don't make someone a drop shipper. But then again the independent distributor of mass market stuff is unlikely to make it in if we already have sites selling the same mass market stuff listed. Unique content is king. In addition, a site's placement in the directory is subject to change or deletion at any time at our sole discretion. "

"A drop-ship order taker isn't information, it is disinformation. "I claim to be doing this for money, but I won't tell you who actually does it." It's a lie, pure and simple..........That is just flat not honest. If it is not outright criminal fraud, still, the mere fact that society tolerates that kind of deception -- that shoppers aren't taught from birth to avoid it like an Ebola outbreak -- gives unlimited unquenchable opportunities for outright criminal fraud. No, there are surely thousands of genuine little shops out there, providing their own unique goods and services, and depending on the net to find customers. The Vstore spammers try to bury the real little guys in doorway spam. Who wouldn't sympathize with the little guys? Who WOULD sympathize with the bully with a thousand fright masks (each claiming to be a "little guy")?"

As you can see, the folks at the ODP do not think much of websites that use the dropship method of selling products, regardless if it a cost effective method for the website. It comes down to this, "if a company designs and manufactures something, then obviously they are offering both unique services and unique goods. Such a company has ample scope for creating a website containing an authoritative description of those goods and services, and that would indeed be listable." By their very nature sites which promote someone else's wares neat don't provide unique content, simply another way of purchasing the same thing."

If the ODP thinks otherwise then you are considered a drop shipper and will not get listed in the ODP.

My advice to all the websites out there that use the dropship method to sell products on your websites, even if your site is one of a kind, do not bother trying to get listed with the ODP, because you will not. If you're already listed, check periodically to see if your listing is still there and be thankful if it is, because if an ODP editor happens across it, chances are it will be deleted.