Creative Commons and The Unsigned Music Artist


  Creative Commons License and the Unsigned Music Artist are a good combination, By allowing the mass of the internet population to download,listen to and share your music you give your band exposure in numbers no radio station or promoter could ever get for you. Major record labels browse through the millions of creative commons music sites daily in search of talent. A large number of non commercial internet radio stations play Creative Commons Licensed Music which gives you and your band even more exposure.

  For more information about Creative Commons Licenses check out http://creativecommons.org
Want a place to put your Creative Commons Licensed. Music check out http://www.jamendo.com
Want to listen to a Internet Radio Station that plays C.C. Music go here http://www.rjbradio.com

Vitamin C for heart health and more


Vitamin C is a Antioxidant.  Works with and recycles vitamin E; Keeps blood vessels healthy; raises ‘good’ & lowers Lp(a) cholesterol; speeds up bowel, reduces length & severity of colds. Vitamin C — along with the amino acids proline and lysine — is essential for the formation of healthy collagen. Many vitamins and minerals act as catalysts to support the manufacture of proteins. In the case of collagen, however, vitamin C is actually used up as it combines with two amino acids — lysine and proline — to form pro-collagen. Pro-collagen is then used to manufacture one of several types of collagen found in different tissues throughout the body.
A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes. The same study found no benefit from daily doses of vitamin E, another antioxidant.

This study comes just days after a larger, eight-year clinical trial led by researchers at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital failed to show that vitamins C or E could cut the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

That trial does not necessarily close the books on the benefits of vitamin C for cardiovascular health, according to Gladys Block, UC Berkeley professor emeritus of epidemiology and public health nutrition and lead author of the study looking at vitamins C and E and their impact on CRP levels. She pointed out that the Brigham and Women’s Hospital study did not screen study participants for elevations in CRP – defined by the American Heart Association as 1 milligram per liter or greater – which is an important distinction in determining who might benefit from taking vitamin C.

The study led by Block, currently online and scheduled to appear in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, shows that for healthy, non-smoking adults with an elevated level of CRP, a daily dose of vitamin C lowered levels of the inflammation biomarker after two months compared with those who took a placebo. However, participants who did not start out with elevated CRP levels saw no benefit from vitamin C supplementation.

"This is an important distinction; treatment with vitamin C is ineffective in persons whose levels of CRP are less than 1 milligram per liter, but very effective for those with higher levels," said Block. "Grouping people with elevated CRP levels with those who have lower levels can mask the effects of vitamin C. Common sense suggests, and our study confirms, that biomarkers are only likely to be reduced if they are not already low."

A 10-year study from UCLA showed that in a population of more than 11,000 US adults aged 25-74, men who took 800 mg of vitamin C daily lived about six years longer than men who took only 60 mg of vitamin C daily. Even after controlling for smoking, education, race, diseases, and other factors affecting survival, higher vitamin C intake in men still predicted lower mortality. Increased vitamin C intake was likewise associated with greater longevity in women. Higher vitamin C intake reduced cardiovascular deaths by 42% in men and 25% in women.

Several recent studies suggest that ensuring optimal vitamin C status not only protects against cardiovascular disease, but also greatly lessens the risk of suffering a life-threatening heart attack.

For example, in a Finnish study of middle-aged men without evidence of pre-existing heart disease, men who were deficient in vitamin C were 3.5 times more likely to suffer heart attacks compared to those who were not deficient in the vitamin, even after adjusting for smoking and other pertinent risk factors. This led the researchers to propose that vitamin C deficiency, as assessed by low plasma concentration, is a risk factor for heart attack.
Also if used in combination with other antioxidants, such as vitamin E and flavonoids, vitamin C may combat the deteriorative effects of aging (such as wrinkles) caused by free-radical damage. It may also help you live longer. In one study, men who took more than 300 mg of vitamin C a day (from food and supplements) lived longer than men who consumed less than 50 mg a day.

Extra Terrestrials – Fact or Science Fiction


Extra Terrestrials are a favorite for Sci-Fi movies, books and other media. To have claimed to see one or being abducted by one is taboo and most who have claimed so are ridiculed or looked upon as mentally unstable. Of course with no actual contact proven to be authentic and little if no evidence of their actual existence we are to assume they are not fact. Now putting away the normal procedures of proof makes fact we move on to the chances of Extra terrestrials existing. Considering the amount of star just visible from our little blue planet called earth and how many planets that could be in orbit around these stars along with the very low chance of each star having a planet in the habitable zone it still leaves a good chance for another planet similar to earth. Though the conditions would have to be perfect for life to appear on such a planet but then you would think at least a few would have the right environment for life.

So one must conclude there should be at least a slight chance of life developing on another planet out there somewhere. According to scientists the milky way is one of the younger galaxies in the universe so there is also a chance that there could be intelligent life out there that probably be a bit more if not significantly more technologically advanced than us earthlings. More and likely if such a civilization existed they would be on a planet in another galaxy and probably too far away from us to visit unless they discovered a way to fold space or use worm holes. The present scientific beliefs would make one believe that such things are unlikely. But then we used to think the earth was flat and that earth was the center of the universe. As time and science progress we may find ways of traveling great distances in a instant. The worse case scenario is that any extra terrestrial would be no more than microbial life forms or some form of wildlife.

 

Peace
Verum Peto

My Thoughts on Soulmates


What is a soulmate exactly?

Well one definition is :

The one person who can always make you smile, who shares your hopes and dreams, who makes you whole. Folklore claims that when a soul descends to earth it splits in two, each half of the soul inhabiting a separate body. These two people are forever after ‘soulmates,’ and will never be complete until they find one another.

 
Another is:
A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet — a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time, you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness and happiness when you are around them. And when you are not around them, you are all that much more aware of the harshness of life, and how bonding with another person in this way is the most significant and satisfying thing you will experience in your lifetime. You are also all that much aware of the beauty in life, because you have been given a great gift and will always be thankful.
 
and then there is this one:
 
A soulmate is some one you have a very deep connection. It is not always easy explained. It is a meeting of mind, heart, body and soul on the highest of levels. Communication is at its easiest, as they understand you perfectly, and accept you completely with no judgments.
 
 
Though I do believe you can find a soulmate per se but I do not believe you would have a relationship without any problems. Even if you were two halves of one soul you’d have 2 different views. Being so you would have some arguments and difficulties. But being soulmates you would have the advantage of understanding the other half and a connection between you that would aid in resolving differences. More than likely you and your soulmate would be at different levels of development but in a kind of way that there would be a balance between you and your soulmate.

Do I believe in soulmates? Well i don’t know about believe but i sure hope there is such a thing for I haven’t found mine in this lifetime and doubt i will. And if she is out there I hope she has found happiness. Then yet i might be with my soulmate now and just haven’t opened up to it or she may have not either.

 
Well if there is such things as soulmates then i hope you all are blessed enough to find yours.
 
Peace
Verum Peto

A Great Roadblock to Happiness


  Live every day like it is the last, treat each person as a friend and forgive your enemies as if they were close family. Anger just consumes its source, Most people who stay angry and bitter usually suffer from high blood pressure and even high cholesterol some of the times. Anger eats away at your personality and takes away the time that you could be happy and the energy that you could be putting towards a better life. Forgiveness is the key to a healthier and happier you, Not only forgive others for their mistakes but also learn to forgive yourself. Self forgiveness allows you to free your mind from guilt, anger and fear. Those things tend to put allot of stress on the body and the mind.

  We all are humans (except for you Extra Terrestrials out there) and thus so we are prone to make mistakes sometimes even make the same one several times. Being prone to mistakes and designed to learn from them the human race has came along way since we first appeared on this planet. If it wasn’t for allot of the mistakes made by humans in the past we wouldn’t have made it this far. Some mistakes have brought us cures for diseases and technologies that may have never been found or at least would have taken us much longer to discover.

The point is that your mistakes can be more beneficial than they are troublesome. And mistakes are a natural fact of being a human. So why beat your self up over the mistakes you made or hate someone else for the same reason. That is Counterproductive and is also a great roadblock to both your happiness and the happiness of those around you. So learn to forgive yourself and others while trying to be a compassionate person. Learn from your mistakes and build on the lessons  that you have learned.

For wisdom is the knowledge you’ve gained from the lessons you have learned in your life.

 

Peace
Verum Peto

Rambling on about Cataclysms


  Why is it we seem to be self focused? The world according to ourselves is what matters it seems. We long for compassion and understanding but rarely show either to our fellow humans. Sadly most humans would loose their sense of morality if a great cataclysm where to befall our world. Though a few would still stand above the masses and be compassionate and or humane. Seems Society is only civilized in times of peace and normalcy. If food grows short or water supplies then we tend to go into survival mode and ignore the needs of others and look out only for ourselves and our loved ones.

Katrina in New Orleans showed both the dark side and the good side of mankind. Looting, hording and scamming happened but so did community co-operation along with some compassion towards each other. I guess their is hope for mankind in the end but there would be a struggle between the selfish power mongers and the compassionate community minded peoples. Lets just pray that the better qualities of mankind will prevail if a cataclysmic event were to befall our world.

Though I may come off a bit uncertain I really am optimistic about mankind and our ability to rise to the occasion when needed. My biggest worry is that if something cataclysmic were to happen we would have no type of authority and or infrastructure to sustain the population and we would see mass starvation and chaos. Our governments are not even close to being prepared for food shortages or severe droughts. I believe local governments should have plans for such emergencies along with state and federal government. Its the Citizens of the nations that financially support the governments and provide the labor to manufacture goods along with grow/raise the food. So the government should be looking out for the citizens well being.

  I also think each and every one of us also should be prepared for possible emergency situations by keeping water and extra dry goods and non perishables. Also would be a good idea to keep what medical supplies you can purchase on hand too. Though I am a pacifist i might go as far to say make sure you have a few weapons to protect you and your family. In times of crisis there always a few people who may want to hurt others.

Well Enough Said For Now

Peace to all

Healthy Pizza Recipe


 

For those parents who are forever seeking ways to feed their children healthy food, this will be a great solution you can add to your secret bag of tricks.  Every kid loves pizza and there is no reason they have to know just how healthy our pizza recipe is.  You know and that’s all that matters.  Besides being scrumptious, the whole family can build individual pizzas to their own liking, adding fun to health.  The more you can create associations of "tasty" and "fun" to healthy eating, the better.  Here is how you do it.

Crust
Putting the word "healthy" into pizza starts with the crust.  Most standard pizzas your kids are eating is full of nutritionally useless white  gluey flour.  Did you know that white flour spikes blood sugar faster than white sugar?  That makes white flour very addictive.  The fast alternative is using whole grain pita shells.  All grocery stores should carry them in the bread area.  They are a perfect size for making individual pizza masterpieces. Look for the thin ones, they have half the calories than the thick ones, 70 calories compared to about 150 calories. 

Now you may have to take some searching and reading the ingredients time to find better food for your family to eat.  But before you know it you will familiarize yourself with a whole new part of the grocery store.  It’s worth the effort.  If you cannot find the thin type of whole grain pita shells, don’t panic, the more common thicker ones will work just fine.  Just make sure they are whole grain. 

Pizza Sauce
Canned pizza sauce can be found on the shelf beside the spaghetti sauce.  Again, read the ingredients.  Try to find a brand that is not full of unpronounceable chemicals and oil, unless it is olive oil, preferably, extra virgin olive oil. 

If your really ambitious, you can always make your own pizza sauce.  Blend five Roma tomatoes with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and season with salt, garlic and Italian Spice, to taste.    To be honest, we just use the canned stuff.

Cheese
May I introduce you to goats cheese.  A goat’s digestive system is much closer to ours than a cow’s, therefore their milk is more digestible for humans.  And yes, you can buy mozzarella goats cheese.  If you don’t tell them nether will I.  The stuff tastes great!  There is also soy cheese, but again read the ingredients.  Just because it’s soy doesn’t mean it’s healthy. 

If you absolutely must use regular cheese, go easy on it.  Buy stronger tasting cheese, like cheddar so you can use less.  Parmesan is great too because a little goes a long way.

Toppings
Now we get to the fun stuff.  I am going to give you a list of great pizza toppings but I am sure you can think of many more.  You can put just about anything on pizza, creating a mélange of unique flavors and bright color.  You can dice your toppings large or small.  The rule of thumb is strong flavored toppings like onion, garlic and hot pepper should be diced finely, were tomato or mushroom can be sliced.

Here is our top ten list:
tomatoes
onions
black & green olives
mushrooms
pineapple
all types of peppers
soy pepperoni
broccoli
spinach
feta cheese

Building and Baking
Prepare all the toppings ahead of time .  Preheat oven to 450 Fahrenheit. Have the pitas laid out on cookie sheets, two will fit per sheet.  You can fit two sheets in your oven.  Allow the family to build their own pizza’s, ladies before gentlemen.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Expect demands for seconds!
Suggestions: I like a little cheese under and on top of my toppings, it helps hold the mountain together.

For more healthy recipes grab this cookbook  “Whole Foods & Healing Recipes – by:Ron Lagerquist”  from http://www.freedomyou.com/o.aspx

Debunking Agave Nectar and Caffeine Myths


Sorry Couldn’t Get the Video to embed Just Follow the Link

>> Debunking Agave Myth << msnbc video

Cooking Oils, Which are more Heart Healthy?


The cooking oils below are low in saturated fats and trans fats. Some have high concentration of monounsaturated fats such as olive oil. Use corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, soy oil or canola oil if you wish to fry foods as these oils have higher smoke point. It is best not to fry with olive oil as its has a low smoke point.

canola oil
flax seed oil
peanut oil
Olive Oil
safflower oil
corn oil
sunflower oil
soy oil

Heart Healthy Foods


Flax (Oil, Seed & Flour)
Fish
Nuts
Blueberries
Carrots
Oranges (Fruit & Juice)
Apples
Nuts
Olives (Both the Olive & The Oil)
Barley
Oats
Niacin (Not a food but a good Cholesterol Lowering Vitamin)
Grapes (Dark Red or Concord)(Fruit or Juice)

These are just a few of heart beneficial foods. Eating a diet rich in these foods can help lower cholesterol and enhance blood flow. Combine a good diet along with exercising 3 times a week for 30 minutes a day and you could reverse some of the effects of heart disease and lower your blood pressure along with cholesterol.