From Dr. Jay Kumar - How Nature Heals!
August 18, 2011

ALOHA FROM KAUAI! I hope that this article finds you all doing well and enjoying life as much as I am immersed in the majesty and beauty of Nature. Sitting on my lanai enjoying a balmy jasmine-scented evening while a stunning moon rises over the mountains and ocean, I'm intimately reminded of the powerful lessons that Nature offers us in our pursuit to heal and transform, both individually and collectively. So how exactly does Nature heal us?

To answer that question let's look at the power of human attention and human brain waves. Neuropsychology now believes that the human brain allows us to process two distinct types of attention. The first is a "voluntary or direct" attention that enables us to focus our thoughts and neural energy to tasks that require our direct concentration, e.g. writing this article or driving a car. The other type is an "involuntary or indirect" attention that our brain does with little or no effort, e.g. watching a sunset or meditating. Additionally, there are corresponding brain wavesassociated with these two types of attention. When our brains are engaged in voluntary, direct attention, beta waves tend to be predominant, versus the alpha waves when we experience involuntary, indirect attention. The two other brain waves, theta and delta, are predominant in sleep with theta waves occurring in deep-sleep and delta waves in REM dream-sleep.

In the growing medical field of psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI), there appears to be a correlation between the various brain waves with our health and wellbeing. When our brains are highly amped up in focused direct attention for long hours at a time, we live our day predominantly in a beta-wave state accompanied with the release of cortisol, the stress-hormone that eventually may lead to chronic anxiety, illness and disease. The good news is that involuntary, indirect attention produces the alpha-waves that produce serotonin, the neurotransmitter that enables us to become relaxed, calm, and centered when we're in stress.

While having our brain in beta-wave state is important, as it helps us to focus on daily tasks, unfortunately, many of us live a typical life with our brains disproportionately in the stressful beta-wave state and barely enough time in the healing and regenerative alpha-wave state. Unlike theta and delta waves that occur predominantly in sleep, the healing and regenerative properties of alpha waves are produced only when we are conscious and awake. When the alpha and beta waves are equally in balance throughout our waking day, we experience psycho-physiological coherence, a deep and profound state of integration of the body, mind, and brain. The longer we can remain in psycho-physiological coherence, the stronger our immune system becomes enabling us to be whole and healthy.

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From Tom Kraeutler - 10 Million Dollar Prize Winning Light Bulb Ready for Sale
August 18, 2011

With the expected phase out of incandescent bulbs beginning with the 100 watt bulb at the end of this year, competition is hot for a new wave of energy efficient light bulbs that delivers the shine without the ka-ching of high energy bills. And a competition with a 10 million dollar prize is exactly what the Department of Energy (DOE) launched to spur the innovation needed to make sure light bulb manufacturers were ready for the challenge.
The DOE just named Philips Lighting as the winner of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize in the 60-watt replacement bulb category. Also known as the L Prize, the competition challenged the lighting industry to develop energy-saving replacements for conventional light bulbs. The L Prize targets the 60-watt bulb because it is one of the most widely used types of light bulbs by consumers, representing roughly half of the domestic incandescent light bulb market.
Philips' winning product uses solid-state lighting technology, which utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of electrical filaments, plasma, or gas, and has the potential to use far less energy than other lighting technologies. Some of the features of the L Prize entry, such as a yellow phosphor cap that turns white when the bulb is lit, can also be found in Philips' AmbientLED line of products available now at Home Depot. We highlighted the12.5-watt AmbientLED A19 bulb available at The Home Depot in our Green Product Guide.
The L Prize-winning 10-watt LED bulb has a useful lifetime of more than 25,000 hours, compared with 1,000 to 3,000 hours for the 60-watt bulbs they are intended to replace. In fact, if every 60-watt incandescent bulb in the U.S. was replaced with Philips' winning 10-watt bulb, the nation would save about 35 terawatt-hours of electricity or $3.9 billion in one year and avoid 20 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
The winning Philips bulb, which successfully completed 18 months of intensive field, lab and product testing, could arrive in stores early next year.

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From Warren Eckstein - Pet insurance: A good deal? Or a rip off?
August 18, 2011

When it comes to our pets, my wife and I will spend whatever it takes to give them the best medical care possible. Like so many other people today, we consider them to be members of the family.
Our dog, Jack, has his own ophthalmologist. A few years ago, he needed a series of laser surgeries to treat a bacterial infection in his eyes. The bill came to $5,000.
Veterinary specialists can do some amazing things these days - from open heart surgery to cancer treatment - if you can afford the price tag.
A recent survey by the Associated Press found that a significant number of pet owners (41 percent) are extremely or somewhat worried they could not afford the medical bills for a sick cat or dog.
Is insurance the answer? When people ask me that question my answer is always the same: It depends. Buying pet insurance is both an economic and an emotional decision that needs to be based on your personal financial situation and what you're willing to pay for peace of mind.
"If you get the right policy, it can be an asset to the health care of that pet and have a significant impact on the bill that results from a visit in an emergency situation" says veterinarian Jean Maixner, co-owner of Animal Critical Care & Emergency Services in Seattle.
"Some people can't afford the treatment so they ask us to euthanize their pet. It's absolutely horrible," Dr. Maixner says. "If people had acquired pet insurance before the emergency occurred, they might have been able to move forward with some reasonable treatment to help their pet."
Consumer groups have a different take on pet insurance. Robert Krughoff, president of Checkbook.org, says "it doesn't make sense" in most cases.
"It's common to pay $300 a year or more for pet insurance. Over the life of a dog or cat that might be $5,000 or more. Most people are not going to have a big expense like that," he says.

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From Andrea Metcalf - Reinvent Your Routine
August 18, 2011

Sometimes you repeat the same exercise routine over and over without changing up your routine. This can lead to injury or lack of results. Fitness Coaches attack one move and show you three different ways to make your workout better.

The lat pull down is an age-tested exercise focusing on the large muscles under the arms and around the back. To start with a basic lat pull down. Adjust the weight stack and place your knees under the pad to securely keep them in place. Use a wide grip where your hands line up above your elbows as you pull the bar down just below the chin. Hold for 2 counts and slowly release the bar to starting position. Perform 15-20 repetitions.

Change it up:
Reverse Grip - Start with knees freely moving under the pad or release the knee pad completely. Use a narrow grip with palms facing the body and thumbs pointing outward. Pull the bar down just below the chin. Hold for 2 counts and slowly release the bar to starting position. Perform 15-20 repetitions.

Lean Large - To hit the full lat muscle group and take some focus off the bicep. Start with knees free under the pad and slightly lean back to a 45 degree angle. Use a wide grip where your hands line up above your elbows as you pull the bar down just below the chin. Hold for 2 counts and slowly release the bar to starting position. Perform 15-20 repetitions.


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From Tom Parsons - Airlines Protest Some Passenger Rights
August 18, 2011

The federal government is postponing some of the consumer protections scheduled to take effect later this month after airlines said they needed more time to implement the changes.
About half the protections will still take effect August 23 as planned. But the Department of Transportation agreed to delay a handful of changes until Jan. 24, 2012, most notably a requirement that airlines disclose the full cost of flights in online and print advertising.
The DOT said it is balancing the desire of consumer to have the changes "as soon as practical" with the capability of the airlines to comply.
In the meantime, Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines have filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals seeking to have many of the rules overturned, asserting that the DOT rules violate their rights.

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From Andrea Metcalf - We Choose To Climb Series 2
August 16, 2011

Profile: Venita Ray

Why are you climbing?
I love to be challenged physically. I believe this will be a transformational experience
I want to represent other HIV+ individuals. The mountain is symbolic to me that we can overcome anything.

What setbacks have you encountered in life?
I became a single-parent at age 15 and high school dropout. I went on be addicted to drugs and alcohol for 10 years. In 1985, I got sober at the age of 27 with the help of AA. My AA sponsor literally raised me and loved me back to health. She taught me to develop goals and work towards feeling good about myself. I wanted to become a better example for my daughter and sister and not continue the legacy of welfare and dependency. I went back to school at night to get my high school diploma at age 28 and went on to complete bachelors and law degrees in 10 years while working and raising my daughter.


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From Tom Kraeutler - Top Five Home Improvement Mistakes
August 16, 2011

Over the years, I've been asked hundreds of home improvement questions, and I've noticed that many are the result of the same mistakes. That's understandable. While home improvements can be both exciting and exhilarating, they're not something you do every day. Most projects travel down a long runway on the way to completion and pitfalls are sometimes too easy to avoid.
Here are five home improvement don'ts that are simple to steer around, guaranteeing your project will take flight:
Mistake #1: Painting Before Prepping
Paint offers one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform a space. And it seems so easy, right? Pick a color, open the can, dunk in a brush and you're good to go. This is why homeowners often skip the painting prep work.
Unfortunately, if surfaces aren't cleaned, patched, sanded and primed beforehand, disappointing results are sure to follow. Take the primer coat: Primer is the glue adhering paint to the wall, ensuring that the all-important top color goes on smoothly. Without it, your carefully chosen paint color will look uneven and begin to peel away from the walls, sending you back to the store for your second attempt.
One more thing: Before you choose a color, research the formulations and sheens that will work best for your space and always go for the highest quality you can buy. A top-of-the-line finish goes on beautifully, lasts longer and delivers the best return-on-investment over the long haul. Choosing the right finish for the project is also key. Semi-gloss looks great on trim but add anything with even the slightest sheen to a wall surface and you'll see every possible imperfection the next time sunlight gets cast across the surface. Choose a "washable" flat for walls, ceiling paint for ceilings (it actually drips less!) and the shine of your choosing for trim, cabinets or floors.

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From The Boomer Broads - talk to The Red Hat Society!
August 16, 2011

Two great forces coming together finally. The Boomer Broads talk with Debra Granich, CEO, and Emily Yost, Marketing Director of the Red Hat Society. The Red Hat girls give us an insight into what their organization is all about, and of course the Boomers give their two cents too.


Thank you to the Red Hat Society, Debra Granich, and Emily Yost for taking the time to talk to the Broads.

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From Tom Parsons - Earn Up To 50,000 Air Miles For Free
August 16, 2011

AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD HOLDERS: Earn Up To 50,000 Air Miles For Free
It may be possible to earn up to 50,000 American Express miles.
If you have an American Express Gold or Platinum and plan on adding on additional cardholders, you could get up to 10,000 miles for each one.
This offer is supposedly targeted to only certain cardholder but there have been reports that non-targeted cardholders able to take advantage of this deal.

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From Warren Eckstein - Las Vegas hotels warming up to pets as guests
August 16, 2011

When Mike Valles travels to Las Vegas for business several times a year, he brings his four buddies - Ivy, Harley, Honey and Cosby - with him.
Although small and well-behaved, they're not welcomed at many Las Vegas hotels. That's why Valles, who owns a chain of high-end furniture stores in Los Angeles, stays at the pet-friendly Rumor hotel.
"I was thrilled when I found out," said Valles, who - because his pets can come with him - is coming more often to Las Vegas. "I'm always thinking of my kids, my dogs, when planning for my trips."
Rumor, which hosts dog-friendly parties that combine DJs and cocktails with doggy costume contests and other canine performances, is among more than a dozen hotels in Las Vegas that began accommodating dogs in the past year, following a national trend among hotels to allow pets. These include the eight major resorts owned by Caesars Entertainment - cavernous, high-traffic buildings that have figured out creative ways to allow pets in rooms closest to outdoor "relief areas."
Most of Las Vegas' dog-friendly hotel policies are relatively new - and largely unadvertised.
Travelers can expect to see more dogs populating area hotels in the coming years, said Terri Baptiste, owner of Cupid's Pet Service in Las Vegas.
"This will take awhile to catch on. But as people find out, it's going to be huge," said Baptiste, who employs on-call dog sitters and walkers that work with area hotels.
The cost of bringing a pet to Las Vegas starts with the daily fees most hotels charge, usually at least $25. Many hotels also charge one-time cleaning fees of $100 to deep clean rooms, including shampooing carpets and furniture.
But hotels say welcoming pets is a matter of necessity, not the chance for more revenue.
The Travel Industry Association of America estimates at least 30 million people travel with their pets each year - a big market many hotels can't afford to ignore.
Rumor's owner, the Siegel Group, has adopted pet-friendly policies at all of the smaller hotels it has acquired in the valley, including the off-Strip hipster hangout Artisan and Gold Spike.
At Caesars Entertainment, the decision to welcome dogs came from a management strategy session, where higher-ups saw it as the sensible thing to do. Still, the idea didn't go down easy.
"People were nervous about what was going to happen," said Kevin Donnelly, director of hotel operations at Caesars Palace. "Would there be chaos? Would dogs be tearing up the furniture?"
Such concerns were overblown, as the dogs who stay with Caesars tend to be well-behaved and have not disrupted other guests, Donnelly said.
Dogs are welcome in some of the company's nicest rooms. Pet-friendly rooms are clustered together for ease of housekeeping and because people with pets seem more tolerant of others' animals. The pet-friendly rooms are located as close as possible to exits to avoid the need for pet owners to traipse through the casino with their dogs.

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