IT IS OFFICIAL CITY OF OSHAWA MAYORAL RACE IS ON. ‘THE ESTABLISHMENT VS THE PEOPLE’

IT IS OFFICIAL 
CITY OF OSHAWA MAYORAL RACE IS ON. 
‘THE ESTABLISHMENT VS THE PEOPLE’
   Dear readers and fellow citizens.  It is with great honor and pleasure to announce my official candidacy of Mayor for the City of Oshawa.
I am a strong supporter of my community.  I believe that much like our city slogan goes,
“PREPARE TO BE AMAZED”.  We prepared long enough.  It is time to streamline this corporation and work in the best interest of our tax payers.   It is time to bring good paying jobs to Oshawa and assure that we keep GM and assist to encourage further developments.
I have served my community and will continue to serve once in office.   I am proud member and supporter of the  The Royal Legion Branch 43, Member since 2014.   Former Kiwanis Westmount (Oshawa)  Former Fundraising Chair 2015 .  Member of Kinsmen of Oshawa since 2015.  Former Rotary Club of Courtice  Member 2015 served as Secretary 2017 until 2018.  Proud MASON LOGE No 649 Oshawa Member 2016.
Former Courtice Lions Club, since Member 2015 appointed club (Director) and  Chair - Santa Clause Chair 2016 Committee. During the same time Chair - PR. Media Committee 2017 and Member of fundraising committee 2017 as well as Chair of Membership 2017.  Elected as  Vice President -2017-18
Proud member Moose Lodge 2132  Oshawa Lodge 2132/WOTM Chapter 1759 Member
Member 2015. Oshawa Naval Veterans Club Member Member 2015.   Proud member of WING 420 Member 2017.
There is no greater reward then that of serving your community.   To work for the betterment of society at large.  As your NEW Mayor I will assure you that the betterment of your life will be my priority.   Through partnerships with industry/trade/commerce/investors/developers.
Oshawa will be a better place.  Through the strengthening of relation with the Province and the Federal Government.   Oshawa will reap with rewards as many other municipalities enjoy today.   We may be been dormant but we are not forgotten.  It is time to awake the GIANT we are and become the exemplary community we all know we can become.
In 2018.  It is about wanting change.  We know the status idles progress. IDLE NO MORE.

Children and Grandchildren Headed for Liver transplants

Children and Grandchildren Headed for Liver transplants    
  Who hasn’t heard of the “Mayflower”, the ship that brought pilgrims to the U.S. in 1620? What is rarely known is that towards the end of that voyage, it was necessary to ration beer, and some pilgrims died as a result. In those days beer was safer to drink than water. It’s still a safe drink when used moderately, but excessive amounts can cause cirrhosis of the liver. And how many know that too much food can also cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in young people, and eventually require a liver transplant?
   Today, the worldwide epidemic of Type 2 diabetes is well known. But liver disease rarely gets headlines. Yet, according to the American Liver Foundation, and some experts, 10 percent of all children, particularly those with belly fat, and half of those who are obese, suffer from NAFLD. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who isn’t blind. Walk around   any super market and witness obesity in adults. Then see how often their children are obese. The end result is that children are now developing adult diseases because of too many calories.
The Gifford-Jones Law states that one medical problem often leads to another and another. In this situation, as fat builds up in the liver it becomes inflamed. Scarring occurs just as it does in alcoholic cirrhosis, and this may lead to either liver failure or malignancy.
 It’s ironic that excessive amounts of food can cause the same microscopic findings in the liver as alcohol. In fact, pathologists say that these changes are indistinguishable.
 It’s also tragic that experts predict it will not be too long before NAFLD will be the top cause of liver transplants. The next problem is there are not enough livers to supply the need. Moreover, we have already reached the point where our health care system is crying for more money.
 The good news is that if NAFLD if suspected before inflammation and scarring occurs, it can be reversed by weight loss.  But here’s the bad news. Doctors dealing with this problem say that children with NAFLD often return to the clinic heavier. And that only one in four loses a significant amount of weight.
 Moreover, the majority of children and adults with NAFLD go undiagnosed for years as it’s a slow silent killer. The only definitive diagnosis is by liver biopsy. A blood test of liver enzymes can identify those developing this condition. So we have to get over the idea that only alcohol causes liver damage. In fact, in the past, adult patients were thought to be lying when they denied consuming alcohol.
 Is there a possibility that North Americans will get smart, and finally realize what the number one killer is? I doubt it, as history shows the number of obese North Americans continues to increase year after year.  It’s often said that heart attack tops the list as the most frequent cause of death. But I’ve claimed for years it’s really obesity, as it leads to so many medical complications that shorten lives. The secret for longevity remains the same. Following a healthy lifestyle early in life and sticking with it. Too many attempt it unsuccessfully at the end of life. Add it all up, and it’s moderation throughout life that wins the day. Just consider alcohol. At least 20 studies show that moderate drinkers live longer than either teetotalers or alcoholics. Alcohol lowers blood cholesterol and decreases the risk of a fatal blood clot.
 So beer in moderation never killed anyone on the Mayflower, or anywhere else. In fact, beer contains no cholesterol, fat, triglycerides, sugar, and is low in sodium. It also contains vitamins, calcium for bones, potassium to lower blood pressure and magnesium to regulate the heart’s rhythm.
 The government doesn’t prevent the sale of cars because some idiots drive too fast. Yet ironically, and possibly criminally, it prohibits beer and liquor companies from stating that moderate drinking is a healthy habit.
My advice. Buy a bathroom scale and step on it every day. This will help to keep you a moderate consumer of food, alcohol, and exercise. But, if the scale continues to show increasing weight?
Need I say more?   
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Aging Gracefully

Aging Gracefully
    My husband is no longer interested in sex. I’m not sure if it’s sex or me. It’s probably a bit of both, but I believe it started with me gaining weight. We got together when he was 50 and I was 40. The first 15 years we had a great sex life. With menopause and the stress of my aging/dying parents, I gained 25 lbs. Slowly, I gained another 25.
Now, at 65, I find it difficult to lose even a couple of pounds. Little by little, my husband began to lose interest, and we haven’t had sex for about three years. He is 75, athletic and in good shape. At first, I thought perhaps there was someone else. I can’t get him to talk about it. He just laughs nervously and says, “Yes, we should be trying to have sex more often." But he never tries. He’s kind and loving but not physically affectionate, so contrary to the earlier years.
Five months ago, I got him to take a testosterone test. He was low. The urologist put him on hormone replacement. Three months later, down further. After two months of a new treatment, no difference. He is European and finds it hard to talk about feelings. I am totally frustrated, sad, hurt, angry (with myself over the weight) and getting all screwed up over this.
I don’t know if I want to hear why he doesn’t want sex with me anymore. If it’s because of weight, or I’m older and less attractive, I can’t do anything about that.
If it’s him with low testosterone and no solution, how does one live the rest of their life without sex or affection?
Callie
Callie, words mean stuff. You say your husband is loving, and you say without sex you aren’t getting affection. But you said he is loving. Do you mean he is nice? Do you mean other people think he is a great guy? What exactly do you mean?
He looks sheepish and says, we should try more often. That does not express blame. It’s as if he is saying, “You know, I’m 75, and things don’t work like they used to.”
It appears he has not alluded to this as your problem. What a gentleman. If he were less of a gentleman, he would put this all on you. “Stop thinking you are still smokin’ hot.” Then he could launch you on a quest to lose 50 lbs. Boy, if that wouldn’t be an outlet for your energies.
We are not machines. Why don’t the people we love get to age? At 75 he is exactly what anyone should expect, unless they read tabloid articles about men in their 70s making love like bunnies. He seems to be fine with your relationship. Perhaps he never mistook physical intimacy for love. Have you? You sort of blame yourself—I am overweight—but you also say, if he won’t have sex with me, how will I go on? That’s like saying, if he can’t have sex, I don’t know if I love him. You’re not reveling in the health he does have. Is there nothing else he does for you? He’s never been affectionate in the way you want. He’s aged, but he hasn’t changed. You have given yourself age concessions (I’m older and can’t lose weight now). Where are the concessions you make for him?
When seeking a relationship, the right thing to do is to find someone about whom we can say, I love everything he does, not I love everything he does for me.Wayne & Tamara
Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

IT IS FOURTH AND TEN...
WHAT DO WE DO?

   Well folks it appears that Oshawa is bankrupt!!!   Yes, you read it right.  Oshawa is bankrupt of leaders and true leadership.
Oshawa municipal government for the last 10 years has lost it’s service to taxpayers.  It has become nothing  but another corporation looking for ways to dig into your pocket.
An institution that was set forth for the people and elected by the people.  Today’s administration is broken.   Our taxes keep going up and no one seems to care. 
Look at what is happening in the race for Mayor of Oshawa.  So far the only candidate is Dan Carter.  A careered ‘YES MAN’.  Someone that until not to long ago lived in Whitby.
Since his election as councillor... what has he done for the city of Oshawa?    How has he better the life of tax payers?   The assumption he did nothing and now we are not only going to give him a pay raise but the responsibility of leadership?
Well, what is wrong with Oshawa voters.   We kept Diamond in office for years.  We kept Henry for two terms... and what do we have to show for it.
Are we the voters that ignorant of the facts?   Have we subliminally surrendered to popular thought.   We do not vote on merit or credentials.  Instead we vote on name recognition and a smile.
Has democracy failed.  Has it changed.  Is democracy broken?   How do you explain that no one is running against a candidate that clearly stand for the establishment and not the people of Oshawa at large?
I can’t stop shaking my head and hope that the God’s are looking down on us and send us a messiah.   We need a leader with a vision.  A leader with a back bone that is not afraid to take on the issue.  A leader  that will bring Oshawa back to the glory days.  A time when Oshawa proud meant something.   With the likes of Carter.  The City ‘GOOD OLD BOYS’ circle is complete.   Between the Chamber, Oshawa Golf Club, Durham Realtor Board and others of the same stature... run the city much like the many families in the U.S. ran New York.
Is it not time for real change.  Is it not time to take Oshawa back and assure that your children have a future.   For the past years administration after administration have dug us into debt.
Is it not time to dig out?   What do you think?

WE ARE ALMOST THERE...

As we head into the cut off for municipal election candidates, I just have to comment about the quality of candidates running across Durham. I am so pleased that the majority of them are running for the right reasons, to better their communities.

I have personally met with many of the candidates, not just the incumbents and we have a remarkable cultural and ethnic diverse group. This is just what Durham needs, but people from all walks of life together debating and making the decisions that will shape our communities for years to come.

While I am a 5th generation Durhamite, I welcome and love to hear why 1st generation Durhamite's choose our communities to call home. The same reason we live here as multi-generational is the reason they are building a
foundation here and wanting to preserve and protect their chosen home. To all the candidates, I truly say thank you for putting your name on the ballot to shape our Durham together.

This election we find many residents wanting a change mandate, indeed years of perpetual tax increases, 17 percent rise in violent crime calls, poor commuter service, areas of Durham being ignored will do that.

I implore the new candidates to stick to your beliefs and remember why you are running, for the betterment of your community. Indeed municipal staff are the experts, but you as a potential councillor will make the policy that directs the staff for years to come.

The Establishment vs The People By Joe Ingino

LogicBy Joe Ingino b.a.
Editor/Publisher

“I live a dream in a nightmare world”
  
The Establishment vs The People
   It appears that the municipal race for mayor of the City of Oshawa may come down to the establishment vs the people scenario.
As it stand there is only one candidate for the office of Mayor.  The candidate is Dan Carter an incumbent councillor.  If no one steps up.  Carter would win by default.   Is this what the city needs?   If anyone shows up of credible integrity.   The vote would be ‘The Establishment’ - meaning nothing will get done for another four years and you can bet your bottom dollar your property taxes will go up another 3 - 6% to pay off for the incompetence of true leadership.   Versus whom ever pops up to bring in new and innovative ideas to the table.
Can Oshawa afford another four years of nothing... I have a question for Dan Carter... What have you done to make this city a better place.  Did you do anything to lower taxes?  Did you do anything for the airport?  Did you do anything for the harbor?   Did you do anything for the struggling business of the downtown?   Did you do anything to attract new business and industry to Oshawa?  Did you do anything to improve the infrastructure of Oshawa?  Did you do anything to improve relationship between the public and city hall?  Did you do anything to improve our roads and highways?  But most importantly.  Did you do anything?  If so what?
The answer to the above questions are as obvious as the fact that under this administration has increased it’s over all debt by 100 million to close to 300 million.    They are as obvious as the fact that we keep loosing business every month in our core.    It is as obvious as the fact that the harbor still sits empty even after the Federal government gave the land to the city to develop... and now are possibly facing a fine for doing nothing to the tune of 10 million dollars.  And yes, their incompetence has you on the hook for the cash.   And Dan wants to be Mayor.
Really.  Are you deservant of a promotion for doing nothing?   Do we need another pretty boy in office as a token of leadership?  Or do we need someone with conviction.  Proven track record in the City and Durham Region.   Someone with a vision. Someone that knows the value of a hard earned dollar.  Someone that is one of you (us).  Do we  not need change.  Do we not need true leadership.  Do we not need to protect our future through the investments of industry and trade that want to come to Oshawa but Oshawa elect fail to see or seek the opportunities that other municipalities are benefiting from?
Is it not time for change.  NO TO THE ESTABLISHMENT.  YES TO THE PEOPLE.

DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE SURVEY By John Mutton

DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE SURVEY

By John Mutton

I would like to recap the recent findings of the Durham Regional Police Association survey with respect to why things must change at the Police Service and administration....

Pollara Survey

Survey response rate was 36% which is considered by Pollara to be "a very good, above average response rate for a membership survey" and is the same, or higher, than DRPA election turnout rates.

Paul Martin

- 52% of DRPA members believe that Chief Paul Martin should be removed from his current position as soon as possible

- 77% of members believe that Chief Paul Martin should not be re-appointed for another term, including 57% who strongly feel that way

- Only 10% believe Paul Martin should be reappointed

Reasons

- 30% Favouritism/promotion of inner circle/preferential treatment of senior officers/not held accountable/issues are covered up/nepotism

- 28% lacks skills/experience/incompetent/poor judgement/bad decisions/unprofessional/irresponsible -20% no connection/not engaged/out of touch/removed from membership/lost touch with membership

Stan MacLellan

- 80% of DRPA members feel that Stan MacLellan should be removed from his current position, and be replaced with a new CAO, as soon as possible. 67% strongly feel this way.

- Only 7% believe he should continue

Reasons

- 43% lack of leadership/inexperienced/incompetent/no knowledge of policing/not qualified/bad decisions/poor judgement/irresponsible/mismanagement

- 35% favouritism/preferential treatment/unfair promotions/people are not held accountable/hides abusive behaviour of friends/decisions are based on personal connections

- 24% has too much power & influence/interferes in issues that do not involve him/thinks he is 'untouchable'/sense of entitlement/abuses position

Police Services Board

- 66% of DRPA members express dissatisfaction with the Board's job performance overall

Overall Culture

Three-quarters of DRPA members believe that senior management exercises a culture of favouritism, were promotions are based on who you know rather than merit.

Just 3 in 10 believe that senior management treats them with respect and fairness.

Over the last three years, fully 70% of DRPA members report experiencing at least one instance of bullying or harassment.

- Only 21% filed a complaint; and just 13% of those who filed a complaint say it was addressed fairly within a reasonable timeframe

- 69% say that speaking up negatively affected their career, that the complaint was not addressed fairly nor within a reasonable time frame.

THE GOOD OLD BOY’S CLUB STRIKE AGAIN IN OSHAWA By Joe Ingino

THE GOOD OLD BOY’S CLUB STRIKE AGAIN
IN OSHAWA
   On June 28th, 2018 City of Oshawa council held a special meeting to nominate a candidate for the vacant spot left by Bob Chapman.   A sham of an attempt to appear that the process was fair and open to all.  In reality the decision had been made long before the nomination process was opened to the public.   I say this with liberty as the votes were overwhelmingly in favor of a former ‘GOOD OLD BOY’ Joe Kolodzie.   Joe Kolodzie served the city of Oshawa for years as  a councillor.  Logically he would be the logical candidate as he knows the system and has served in that position.... Then why have all these other candidates come forth and present before council when the decision had been already made behind closed doors?
More importantly why does City council need to fill the position for only 5 months to the next municipal election.  
The press release by the region read:
New member sworn in for Durham Regional Council
Whitby, Ontario – Today, City of Oshawa Regional Councillor Joe Kolodzie completed his Declaration of Office and became a member of Durham Regional Council.
Councillor Kolodzie fills the vacancy left by the resignation of City of Oshawa Regional Councillor Bob Chapman. Councillor Kolodzie was appointed to this role, by members of Oshawa City Council, during their June 28 meeting.
All this formality for what?   Is Joe really going to make such a big difference?   The answer is obvious.   Then why the waste of tax payers money?   Why have other possible candidate present before council?
Mind you.  Out of all the ones that came forth.  None showed any real qualifications to fill the vacant seat.
But that is not the point.  Why mislead the public to think that there is fairness and openness when in reality there is not?
Is this the democratic process?  Is this leadership?   I feel for all those that made a public presentation with interest.... their time was wasted.
I know some of you are chanting... Process Joe, Process.   Well, I personally am tired of policy, process and regulations.   All tools to keep us away  from the reality of governance.   All tools that keep us believing the system works when it fails us.
Oshawa is governed by the ‘Good Old Boys Club’.   Groups of men that are so insecure that bound together to watch each others back and group to stomp on any one that opposes them.
The rule of thumb, much like the former administration dealings with the former city auditor. ‘YOU ARE EITHER ON THE BUS... OR YOU GET RUN OVER BY IT’.
The good old boys is made up of members of the Oshawa Golf Club executive,  City council, Chamber of commerce and various local service groups.   Through the years this ban of untouchables have controlled from politics to who gets city contracts.
These socialites go around with their noses in the air in the shadows of collusion.    They call upon each other to manipulate agenda.   You dare oppose them.  They take up arms to denounce and persecute.
Joe Kolodzie nomination is a classic example of the ‘GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB’.   Joe was in before the meeting was held.   You doubt my word.  Look at what took place during the 2014Mayoral election in Oshawa.   The Chamber of commerce backed John Henry and when the chamber held their mayoral debate.  They only invited John Henry the incumbent and John Gray another ‘GOOD OLD BOY’ all others were not invited.   You still don’t believe me. 
Call the Chamber and ask who they are supporting for mayor in this election and you will note that they are in support of Dan Carter, another ‘GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB MEMBER’.  The real question here is... HAVE WE HAD ENOUGH OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB?  
YOU CAN VOTE THE STATUS QUO AND KEEP SEEING YOUR TAXES GO UP.
OR YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.   WHAT WILL YOU DO AT THE POLLS?

ARE YOU RUNNING? By Joe Ingino b.a.

ARE YOU RUNNING?
   The other day I was asked... Are you running for mayor this election?
  The only candidate so far is Dan Carter.    Dan Carter represents everything the establishment stand for.
Mr. Carter is the classic ‘YES MAN’ with an ability to go about making it look like he is doing a thousand things when in reality he is just afloat.
I posed a question to him on social media.  I asked.  What has he done for the people of Oshawa in his term in office?   He has yet to give me an answer that is not a bunch of pie in the sky rainbow and unicorns.
One thing I must give him credit for is the 3% property tax increase that we are all burdening.  He sat on his hands and did nothing to oppose it.    He must be given praise for also sitting back and doing nothing to pressure GM to bring more jobs to Oshawa.  Instead he jumped on the band wagon with Mayor Henry and ran around praising Costcos for bringing minimum wage jobs to Oshawa.  While the downtown core is forgotten.
I know one thing... that if I was to run.  I would run to improve the way the City of Oshawa does business.
Take for example.  Events come and go and no one at the City informs any of the local media.
One would think that would be priority one.    The City of Oshawa without the knowledge of tax payers keeps spending with little or no regret money they do not have.  On new equipment, consultants and much more.   
Did you know that the City of Oshawa owes the region close to 200 million dollars...
What is Carter planning on doing about that... the same thing he did as a councillor!!! NOTHING.
I know that if I was to be your new mayor.  I would make sure that GM bring back the jobs we have lost over the years.  I would work hard with GM the province and the federal government, not to mention the union to bring back the jobs lost.
I would assure that we develop our harbor.   That we finally take our harbor front back and turn it into a major tourist attraction.  That we put in there a world class marina and all at no cost to the taxpayers.   It can be done... It is being done in other municipalities... Why do we lack the vision and know how in Oshawa.  I tell you why.  Because we keep electing the wrong people. YES MEN were great during the small town mentality municipal government era.   Today, we need fresh thinkers.  Visionaries and people that are not afraid to take a chance.
The money for projects is out there.   The people wanting to come are there.   We just don’t have a City corporation that has a clue on how to attract them.
I know if I was elected.  I would turn around Oshawa’s downtown.  I personally have for the past four years been doing my part with the DOWNTOWN OSHAWA INGINO INITIATIVE.  I am sure most of you by know have seen the black signs with yellow letter proudly promoting our downtown core.  I know first hand what the needs of those merchants are.
1st.  I would any business owner that owns the building they are running their business from a 40% off property taxes.  This does not mean landlords that lease out units to businesses.
I would give each business owner in the core a 50% off their OPUC rates.   These discounts would be absorbed by the deduction of waste both at City Hall and the OPUC. 
Can it be done?  You better believe it.
For all the local service clubs I would put aside $50,000.   This money would go to any local service group that showed the most fundraising over a period of a year.  What this would do is bring back the community spirit.   It would get more members of the community involved in events that are taking place all across Oshawa.
To the Legion, Navy club, Wing 420 and other groups I would award $50,000 to the leading group that could show the most advancement over a year.   No one would be able to win it two consecutive years.
As your new mayor I would finally bring life to Oshawa’s airport.   For the past 20 years the airport has been under used.   In my new Oshawa I would turn our airport into a major training center.  From virtual reality environments.   To hands on.   I would encourage for executives to utilize our airport by giving special fuel discounts. 
You ask.. Oh yea.  Who is going to pay for the discounts.   The more you sell the more the price becomes negotiable.   The City of Oshawa spends 100 of thousands on legal matter if not millions and we can’t subsidize fuel at the airport to increase jobs and businesses.
Please.
What we have running our municipal government is not leadership but YESMANSHIP.  A bunch of good old boys that make it a  point to fly under the radar and do nothing in the hope of re-election.
As a City leader.  You can’t look at one or two aspects of your community.  You must address the whole.   We need to improve the way we do business.   We need to improve the way we treat our people and those interested in coming to Oshawa.
If I had a penny every time someone has complained about how Oshawa deal with tenders and permits.  I would have millions.
Yet, the people of Oshawa keeps voting the same time and time again.
Our Oshawa will incorporate all of us.  It will be an Oshawa as it should be. An inclusive Oshawa that is free and open to all.  Anyone with a concern or thought should be able to walk into the Mayors office and speak his/her mind.  Results should not be filtered through countless committees only to be shelved and ignored.
Our new Oshawa starts with your vote.

ITS A ZOO OUT THERE By John Mutton

ITS A ZOO OUT THERE
By John Mutton      
  This week I found out that the Clarington Council bought the Bowmanville Zoo. While the transaction only cost them 2 dollars, the process is quite concerning, let me elaborate:

The Bowmanville Zoo has nitrate levels from 110 years of animal feces all over the property and many buried animal carcasses. I remember my grandfather told me about working there in the late 1920's/30's and the amount of environmental contamination on the property.

Now let's keep in mind that this property has the Soper Creek running through it and is floodplain with no development potential other than the park/botanical gardens that Council want.

I also give you the facts that the quantified costs of 2 full time parks staff was not part of any business case as there was not a business case and why in hell did they not get a Phase 1 Environmental study for the approx 500k in clean up on these lands.

I am truly at a loss on this one. A park would be wonderful, but Clarington Council have once again not done due diligence that any possible homeowner would do. The cost of this park will never be totally quantified until the environmental and the staff are factored in as well as demolition of the buildings.

Clarington, do yourself a favour and hire an auditor general asap.

The Greatest Threat to Your Life

The Greatest Threat to Your Life
          Ask anyone, “What’s the greatest medical risk of dying?” and they’ll answer “Heart attack.” The correct answer is a blood clot (Thrombosis) that occurs in the heart, brain or legs.  Now, a shocking report in the health publication, “LifeExtension”, shows what can happen to our legs when we’re flying at 35,000 feet. So with an aging population, and increased air travel, what can be done to decrease the risk of a blood clot?
          Thrombosis can happen anytime and anywhere. But the greatest risk is a long air flight. This is when venous blood pools in the lower leg due to inactivity. But the extent of this threat has surprised researchers. Using ultrasound imaging they detected venous thrombosis in the lower legs in 5 to 7 percent of passengers, whose flights lasted 7 to 8 hours. But without symptoms, passengers were totally unaware of the presence of the thrombosis, or that it could kill them!
          Later, another study was done on a similar group of passengers. But they had been advised to use two natural remedies, nattokinase and pcynogenol, prior to and during the flight. In this case, ultrasound studies showed no evidence of thrombosis, and less swelling of the lower legs.
          Nattokinase is an enzyme made from the Japanese food, natto, prepared from fermented soybeans. It helps to thin the blood and prevent blood clots. Pcynogenol is extracted from the bark of a pine tree and helps to improve circulation.
          Patients who develop a thrombosis in the lower leg complain of pain in the calf, swelling, increased warmth, and possibly redness of the skin. If the clot travels to the lungs, or if there’s coronary thrombosis, there will be chest pain, shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate.
          So why do over one million North Americans develop thrombosis and pulmonary embolism every year? In 25 percent of cases the first symptom is death!
          Researchers say that inflammation plays a major role and that blood tests can help measure this risk. For instance, high homocysteine in the blood, obtained primarily from meat, can signal potential trouble. So can high C -reactive protein, a substance produced by the liver and immune cells. 
          So can patients decrease the risk of thrombosis during a flight and at other times? High homocysteine can be decreased by taking vitamin B 6 and B 12.
          But increased C-reactive protein requires a change in lifestyle. The first priority is to lose weight, if you’ve put on extra pounds. It also means following a daily exercise routine, tossing away cigarettes if you’re still smoking, purchasing fewer packaged foods loaded with sugar and salt, and consuming more fruits and vegetables.
          Researchers at the University of California and several other studies show that those taking just 1,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C daily lowers C-reactive protein by 25 percent. It’s not surprising this decreases the risk of thrombosis as studies also show that 2,000 mg of C with breakfast and at dinner decreases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries).
          Clinical studies also prove a safe natural remedy, Neo40, is essential for keeping endothelium (the inner most lining of blood vessels) healthy.  Endothelium produces nitric oxide (NO) which dilates arteries and lowers blood pressure. It also keeps tiny blood platelets from sticking together to form a thrombus. A daily tablet of Neo40 dissolved slowly in the mouth, produces NO, keeps the endothelium functioning well, blood flowing, and decreases the risk of thrombosis. (Neo40, Medi-C Plus, various brands of high dose vitamin C powder, and Assured Naturals Pcynogenol are all available in Health Food Stores).
          Nattokinase has been used for 1000 years in Japan. Several authorities I talked to consider it a safer natural remedy than other blood thinners. It can be obtained at Amazon. Nattokinase and Assured Pcynogenol should not be used by those using Aspirin and other blood thinners as this combination could cause serious bleeding.
       Since preventing a thrombosis can at times be a complicated matter, always ask your own doctor for advice. This is always the safest course since family doctors are aware of other medication that you are taking.
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The Gut-Brain Connection

The Gut-Brain Connection 

how good affects mood
Pay attention to how you feel after eating a meal. What is your body telling you? Listen carefully. Are you in a good mood or are you in a bad mood? Are you bloated, unmotivated, in pain, experiencing low energy? Well guess what, that’s your enteric nervous system talking. Your gut is actually referred to as your second brain because your enteric nervous system connects your gut to your brain, and provides feedback based on stress, (ie food intolerances, toxins, viruses, and bacteria. It does this through the ~100 million neurones it contains. (That’s more than the spinal cord!) Major neurotransmitters like serotonin**, dopamine, and norepinephrine are also made in the gut as well as endorphins which affect mood. The gut and brain are constantly sending and receiving impulses to each other.

So how can you improve mood with food choices? Obviously by eating foods that support gut health. This means eat foods that make you feel good (not just temporarily or in the moment), and choose foods that allow you to thrive and give you lasting energy. What does this look like? Gut supporting foods include fermented foods, like kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut which contain gut supporting bacteria, as well as eating an abundance of fruits and veggies containing prebiotic fibers that feed our probiotics. Lastly, ensuring you’re getting enough protein is essential because proteins provide amino acids necessary for serotonin production (our feel good neurotransmitter).

If you love these digestive tips and want to get your hands on more, head over to www.marissaliana.com and subscribe! I’m launching a FREE Digestive Healing Bible very soon and I’d love for you to enjoy!
Until next time,
Stay well.
Marissa

Final Goodbye

 Final Goodbye
   I have been friends with someone for five years. I always felt she was more attached to me than I was to her, but it never bothered me much. She is a sweet person, and we got along great.
Twenty months ago, her fiancé died suddenly. It was devastating for her and difficult for me. I was friends with both of them. For a long time, I was at her beck and call. If she needed to talk, come over or whatever, I was there for her.

Then about a year ago, two separate times, I overheard someone ask her if we were sisters. She said we were. I also heard someone ask her if we were roommates. Again, she said we were. Each time I set the record straight.
I took this as a sign she was feeling too close to me and decided to distance myself from her. I hoped once the year anniversary of his death passed, she would find some closure and wouldn’t need to lean on me for support.

As you may have guessed, that has not been the case. By being there for her so much, I feel I discouraged her from standing on her own two feet. Now her clingy ways are to the point where I resent her.

At first, I tried giving friendly hints when she called or emailed too much. I said things like, “Gee, I didn’t know we had an appointment.” But she ignored my hints. If I write anything remotely negative in my blog, she’ll check in saying she’s worried about me.
A month ago, at a party hosted by mutual friends, she followed me around all night. It doesn’t help that I don’t feel I can discuss this with others, because they all know about her ordeal and will think I am being insensitive. As it is, I feel guilty every time I think or feel negatively about her.
While I like her as a person and still want to be friends, this has been frustrating and stressful. Is there a way to resolve this situation without breaking a heart that’s already been broken?
Greta

Greta, in one episode of the TV series Midsomer Murders, detective Tom Barnaby says, “Too much grieving will disturb the dead.”
There can be too much of wreaths, flowers and memorial stones. Grieving can kill the griever. Grief needs to find the right place in your friend’s life and in yours. You lost a friend when he died. Being wrapped up in her grief is not letting you move on either.
We know a woman whose fiancé stepped into traffic and died 20 years ago. She celebrates the anniversary of his death each year, and she expects special consideration from those around her each time.

We cannot wallow in death. Grief needs to run its course and be put away. It is not a scab to be picked at. We want to live with hope. We want to take off the black. A party is a symbol of life, and at a party you were haunted by the specter of a person who is dead.

A classic pop song says you have to be cruel to be kind. That’s actually a line from Shakespeare. “I must be cruel, only to be kind: thus bad begins and worse remains behind.” A slow fade from your friend’s life would be a kindness to you both.
Wayne & Tamara
Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com