717 Comments
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The Imaginary Hobgoblin's avatar

Ho Ho's and Ding Dongs. I thought you were talking about Democrats for a second there. Boy, you take a little time off and the senses get dull. As a side note - and this is no joke - at the grocery store I noticed a pancake syrup that was brazenly touted as "Butter Rich." Just below it in small letters a disclaimer read: "Contains no butter."

Nowadays, even the terms "organic," grass fed," "pasture-raised," "raised-by-pastors," "cage free," "free range," "rage against the machine," "orange yolks," "cave dwelling," "hand picked," "real chocolate," "cheese product," etc...are totally ambiguous....so named to fake you out. What the hell is soy milk? Who's milking almonds and oats? Who even knew it was possible? Seems like nimble, exacting, painstaking work for teeny weeny circus people.

Addendum: Here's a chortle worthy recipe from "Farm Rich.": SAUSAGE STUFFED BISCUITS, 14oz

Pay particular attention to where the term "sausage" first makes its appearance.

DOUGH: BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, PALM OIL, LEAVENING (SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), BUTTERMILK POWDER, DEXTROSE, SALT, ASCORBIC ACID, WATER, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOYBEAN OIL, BUTTER FLAVOR (WATER, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, LESS THAN 0.1% SODIUM BENZOATE ADDED TO PROTECT FLAVOR, NATURAL MIXED TOCOPHEROLS, A NATURAL SOURCE OF VITAMIN E USED TO PROTECT FRESHNESS), YEAST, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, ASCORBIC ACID, FILLING: WHOLE EGGS, CORN STARCH, SALT, CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, COLOR ADDED, POTATO STARCH AND POWDERED CELLULOSE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING, NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR), SAUSAGE CRUMBLES (PORK, WATER, SALT, SPICES, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, FLAVORINGS). CONTAINS: MILK, EGGS, WHEAT. CONTAINS A BIOENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENT.

I'm sort of a stickler for truth in advertising, but I don't suppose christening this as: Palm Oil Stuffed Bleached Dough or Sodium Aluminum Phosphate Enriched Buttermilk Powder Biscuits would do much for sales.

Craig Kisciras's avatar

For verification of your Ho Ho and Ding Dong comment, go and "treat" your self to Sandy Cortez's pathetic imitation of a "statesman" at the Munich Conference. How the Euroweenies did not fall down laughing while listening to her prattle on like a silly teenager is a mystery. Her "answer" on the Taiwan question was the clincher.

William Bogert's avatar

Idiots...elect idiots.

Fla Mom's avatar

Or the cowboy one! She's descended from the Spaniards who brought cattle to the Americas, but she doesn't know they did that.

Reelin’ In The Fears's avatar

Absent Operational Cortex couldn’t find Taiwan on a map.

Linda Whitney's avatar

"Absent Operational Cortex" is priceless, Reelin'! If AOC was not cute (to cover for her idiocy) we wouldn’t have to put up with her. Heaven help us all.

Craig Kisciras's avatar

A horse walked into a bar. Bartender said, "Why the long face, AOC?"

Jimmy Gleeson's avatar

Are Euroweenies their version of an American staple?

Janet's avatar

High school. No, grade school. Maybe I’m out of touch at my age. Day care.

Monterey's avatar

At this point I don't listen to anything she says, after she said last year that Elon Musk was "stupid". Need I say more?

David Clark's avatar

She only said that because he wants to date her.šŸ˜‚

JT's avatar

Yes, AOC’s attempt to establish her ā€œinternational bona fidesā€ was stunning! It would be fodder for any ā€œlegitimateā€ comedian…(i.e. anyone who isn’t an obvious D shill) and will almost certainly signal the ignominious end of that vapid wannabe’s political aspirations (anywhere other than New York, that is). In that sense, her performance was an astounding success!

The Great Resist's avatar

I don’t know. Never underestimate the Dems’ and their captured media’s ability to elevate a babbling idiot to national prominence. They ran The Kackler as their last Presidential candidate, and she came way too darned close to winning. Bullet dodged (for now).

Bard Joseph's avatar

Mayor Mandami won in NYC over Gen z opposition to genocide.

Could be a winning platform

Robird's avatar

Not sure the cadre that vote for AOC and her comrades care a whit about the Munich Security Conference.

In fact, except for the wonderful presentation by SOS Rubio, it seemed to be basically a dud.

AOC voters are attuned to the performative aspects of events rather than the substantive factors.

John Wygertz's avatar

She was every bit as competent as Kamala on the European stage, and Kamala almost won. Don't count her out.

shayne's avatar

This is why we need to buy organic ingredients and do what our parents (silent generation) and grandparents did, cook from scratch.

Queen Hotchibobo's avatar

Since it can be ā€œorganicā€ and contain canola oil, I’m not sure that’s a sufficient restriction.

I hate it that I can’t go to the grocery store and buy ingredients without getting poison. Sour cream isn’t just sour cream. Cottage cheese isn’t just cottage cheese. Flour isn’t just flour. Salt isn’t just salt.

It’s beyond tiresome.

Jackieone's avatar

Daisy brand cottage cheese and sour cream are the real deal! Just sayin 😁

Beth's avatar

And there's a company called azure, that delivers to your neighborhood. They purport to have all actual organic and natural products. See if you can find it near you. I drive down the block once a month and pick up my order off of a huge semi truck. I'm in arizona.

Karmy's avatar

https://www.azurestandard.com/ Here is the link to Azure Standard.

Constitution Rules's avatar

Thanks. Wasn't at my computer! I love that company, and you can get together with neighbors to arrange for delivery near you. Great products, including mason jars for canning, fresh eggs and meat, vegetables grown without chemicals.

Queen Hotchibobo's avatar

That’s the brand I buy and for exactly that reason. But I used to buy what was on sale. šŸ’ø

John of Oregon Fame's avatar

Where have I heard that before: "The brand I trust"?

David Clark's avatar

Elmer’s White Glue is also good for you. We consumed large quantities of it in school in the late 50’s and early 60’s and not only was it safe but you got 15% of your daily protein intake. Now if it were only Halal or Kosher.

John A George's avatar

Recently discovered 90% of cheese on the market contains GMO rennent (genetically modified fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC)). Yum!

Melissa S's avatar

Do you know how we can tell whether the rennet is made by Pfizer or not?

Kathleen Janoski's avatar

I would just assume if the label reads "microbial rennet or enzymes" that it is probably made by Pfizer.

The DailyMail link I posted really shook me up.

Loretta's avatar

Only 90%???

I can only find 2 cheeses in Trader Joe's that have animal rennet

Sliced Gouda cheese (not TJ brand)

Parmesan (refrigerated)...I think there are multiple options. Only 1 of them has animal rennet.

Every now and then they'll have specialty cheeses with animal rennet. But the "usuals" not so much. Read the labels carefully.

We have a MOM's organic store nearby. Best eggs at good-enough prices. Yet not a single cheese has animal rennet. Read the labels carefully!

Maha's avatar

The Parmesano Reggiano, all the Manchego from Spain, the Iberico, the Dutch gouda, and select British cheeses were made with animal rennet. Are they now labeled otherwise? (Haven't been in a TJs in over a year.)

cat's avatar

The grated Parmigiano Reggiano from Trader Joe's is marked on its container as having animal rennet. It doesn't have sawdust like the Kraft junk either...

Kathleen Janoski's avatar

I switched to only buying Trader Joe's sliced Gouda after reading the labels on the rest of their cheeses.

David Clark's avatar

Anyone know if Spam is good for you? I like the ingredient ā€œmechanically separated chicken partsā€. And what in the world is ā€œImitation Vienna Sausagesā€? Why would you imitate them?

shayne's avatar

I buy English made or Aussie made cheese. But I don't eat very much. We also have a small local cheese maker in Alma, KS. Their cheese is freaking awesome.

Amy Winans's avatar

You are a lucky duck! Wish we had a local cheesemaker!

shayne's avatar

We are really fortunate, Amy. They've been around for many decades.

Patti's avatar

I remember my brother teaching me about labels. If it’s an industry standard it doesn’t not have to be on the label that was back in 2002.

Milk has so much sugar. A fried could not figure out why her daughter was wired and at 2-5 addicted to milk. Always had a sippy cup of the crap. I told her about the sugar content.

We order our flour from Canada. Still limit use.

I agree the process to go to the store is exhausting! Try to do whole foods. All the meat from ranchers. Salmon and halibut from my fisherman family members. Eggs from my sister who LOVES her chickens. It’s a whole network

Matt L.'s avatar

The crime is that the poor and middle classes in our great land do not have the resources to eat healthy. They walk into budget grocery store and are surrounded by sales for ultra processed before they can reach the more expensive produce or meat aisle.

shayne's avatar

I buy meat from a ranch in Northern California. You're fortunate to have fishermen in your family. I won't touch any fish in the supermarkets. I also have hens, and supply my family.

Loretta's avatar

And you can find (see cheese rennet sub-conversation above) animal rennet cheese in their fresh cheese section. If you don't want to read the labels, just ask behind the counter. Mine has people working that know their stuff.

Of course, the price is insane. So I only go to their cheese department for very special occasions.

Maha's avatar

Safe eating has become a research project, and a major expense. It is one our future selves will appreciate, however.

glenn's avatar

It’s beyond infuriating that canola oil became ubiquitous in organic foods, especially restaurants, even ā€œorganic farm to tableā€ establishments. This oil was originally designed as a solvent, and is great for cleaning brushes used in oil painting. That’s how I first learned about it. In art classes. Now it’s in everything we eat because it’s cheap.

SD Scott's avatar

Probably federally subsidized.

cat's avatar

Similar to fluoride that some municipals have added to drinking water -- it's basically repurposing a toxic waste.

glenn's avatar

Yes. Since most canola oil comes from Canada, where businesses are only profitable via subsidies.

Tobyanne's avatar

Try butter…it doesn’t even melt…must be completely manufactured and it says ā€˜organic’ .

shayne's avatar

I buy Irish butter when it's on sale, and stock up.

shayne's avatar

I buy actual raw organic ingredients. Fruit, veg, meat (when my garden is asleep over winter) and everything else. I shop at Natural Grocers and Aldi, and I read labels like a mad woman. I buy flour from an organic mill in Ill. I really try hard to find the best ingredients. It's a chore, but well worth it.

cat's avatar

Yep, and many times, you need a good pair of šŸ‘€ to catch all the tiny print.

Karmy's avatar

This is why milling your own flour is important because industrial flour has been destroyed by processing which removes all the nutrients then they add in chemicals go replace the nutrients that they removed.

Demeisen's avatar

Yes. I am assuming you are using the term organic inclusively, like stuff that isn't labled "OrganicTM" but is actually food a person from 100 yrs ago would recognize. Like a carrot from the backyard.

Rickytikki's avatar

Bacon, sausage, beef all straight off the animals. Like it used to be done.

Matt L.'s avatar

And we need it, the B12 you get from animals helps greatly to stave off dementia.

Bard Joseph's avatar

That's crazy

Got data.

kittynana's avatar

@Shayne- Organic isn't regulated. Anyone can call their product organic. You have to be careful.

rolandttg's avatar

It is regulated, but poorly, and the industry is constantly trying to water it down more. Best plan is know your source, know how they process food, and buy local. Organic is less important than that

shayne's avatar

I follow, Organic Consumers Association. They are fantastic for information about organic issues. I get emails from them about all the legislation, farmers, food industry companies. They are awesome.

Organic Consumers Association <campaigns@organicconsumers.org>

Mary Mc's avatar

Not sure if it's changed but some years ago, it would cost a farmer $10k to be able to call their products "organic". Many couldn't afford that but grew things according to organic standards. The called their products "organically grown" Most were more than happy to allow you to see how they gardened. Sad that in order to "prove" their methods... they had to pay all that money.

Carolyn's avatar

I look for non GMO..I have read that organic doesn't mean what it used to..

Karmy's avatar

"Unfortunately, a non-GMO claim is not reliable because there are no clear rules for using the claim nor a consistent way of verifying it. However, The Non-GMO Project is a nonprofit organization that has developed a verification system backed by frequent testing of ingredients that could be genetically modified for consumers who wish to avoid them. For a product to display the ā€œNon-GMO Project Verifiedā€ seal, the food must contain no or minimal (less than 0.9 percent) genetically modified or engineered organisms. Manufacturers must work with independent certification companies who verify that the product meets the Non-GMO Project’s standards."

https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/food-labels-101-what-organic-all-natural-non-gmo-and-grass-fed-really-mean

glenn's avatar
1hEdited

Cooking from scratch is the only way to know what’s in your food. Because I’m on a very restricted diet, I’ve been at this for 10 years. Organic labeled ā€œfoodsā€ that come in a can, box or bottle need special scrutiny. Watch out for natural flavors, canola oil and citric acid (a nasty ingredient that has nothing to do to do with citrus). I grind my own flour as well, and buy no mixes for any reason. I can whip up a gluten free chocolate cake from scratch in 20 min.

If starting out, this is overwhelming and will feel like a pain in the butt, and yet like everything, skills and knowledge build over time and it gets easier and faster to make meals. The end result is you get to control what is in your body. Eating out is another challenge. Canola oil is used widely, even in ā€œorganicā€ ā€œfarm to marketā€ restaurants. Once you start cooking from scratch, change your lifestyle, eating out will drop off a cliff because eating what you make is way better.

MJ's avatar

Always enjoyed meals at Grama's house.

AJF's avatar

shayne, I still grow, and put a away a lot of the food I eat. Also we have a local co-op that buys much of what they sell from local farmers and businesses. I am very fortunate:)

AJF's avatar

shayne, and read labels;)

Peter's avatar

When will anyone hold the groceries to task, they are not innocent bystanders. Looking at you Kroger & WalMart.

FLGenX's avatar

You too Publix!!

CaliforniaLost's avatar

Oh, I don't know. Every time I see "grss fed" now, I think the product was made by a connoisseur of marijuana.

Juju's avatar

In one of my Keto groups a couple years ago someone shared an advertisement for a new agriculture machine being marketed to ā€œgrass-finishedā€ farms. It mows fields of fresh grass right next to the warehouses holding animals and then dumps it into troughs for the caged animals to eat. šŸ™„šŸ¤¦šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļøšŸ¤¦šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Because nothing says natural like spending millions of dollars replacing the lawn mowers mother nature gave to us for free, all stuck in cages. Plus, the very act of natural animal grazing has amazing effects on both the animal meat/products and the farmland. It was the most hilarious and ignorant ad I’ve ever seen. ā€œGrass finished!ā€ SMH

Jimmy Gleeson's avatar

Wouldn't that be grass smoked?

CaliforniaLost's avatar

The kids are all about the edibles these days

Skeptic's avatar

That would be grass infused.

shayne's avatar

If it's mowed it might be gasoline infused.

SHug's avatar
3hEdited

here's an expert "nut milker" for your enjoyment!

https://youtu.be/Imue7RLNGos?si=kbX6WQ-157e4Sbcy

Juju's avatar

I’m dying laughing! ā€œThe almond nip, they have twoā€ 🤣🤣🤣🤣 and ā€œI had to go to the almond farm to be able to teach other peopleā€

And the little stool. 🤣🤣🤣 I can’t stop laughing.

Sue Rosenthal's avatar

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚! Laughed out loud! On the days I don't get that from the newsletter, a commenter can usually be counted on! Thank you!!!!

ZuZu’s Petals's avatar

That was hilarious. šŸ˜„šŸ˜„

John of Oregon Fame's avatar

SHug, that is hilarious. Thanks for lightening up my day.

shayne's avatar

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚

LMWC's avatar

Solar ā€œfarmsā€. Not a thing ā€œfarmā€ about them, aside from the fact they are being put on farmland all over. Zoned as ā€œagricultureā€ in many states.

Vet nor's avatar

And ironically making the land inhospitable to farming, as it makes it dry and hotter.

Aegeandreams's avatar

Loaded with seed oils, propylene glycol, bioengineered ingredients. Nuff said.

kittynana's avatar

@HobGob- Rage Against The Machine. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, people don't read labels the way they should and many times people that Do read them don't understand WHAT they're reading.

rolandttg's avatar

That is just it. If you don't understand what it is , it's not food

Merry McIntyre's avatar

Then there is the buzz about human remains in the food supply. How are they labeled? With the person(s) name(s)?? Maybe it’s time to become breatharians. Oh, wait! The air is poisoned too! Beam me up, Scottie!!!

Margot Wooster's avatar

It's all just too much. I have to tune out and trust in Jesus.

The Imaginary Hobgoblin's avatar

Oxygen is highly overrated.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Indeed. It is the negative electric charge that it Carries to the body.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Only in ICE prisons. Incinerators are included.

Tonya's avatar

And this is the kind of stuff they feed patients in hospitals

Essay33's avatar

When my late daughter was in the hospital "recovering" from cancer surgery, the food options were horrific. Loaded with sugar and chemicals. They had her limited to a tiny handful of things all with sugar as the first ingredient. Sugar feeds cancer cells. The beginning of my total distrust of hospitals and the medical industry.

Tonya's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Avoid hospitals.

Better to die at home

After doing your research.

shayne's avatar

It's so utterly shocking. And so important to pass this information on to the following generations.

Freebird's avatar

Help me out here, I’m behind the times on food technology… does Bioengineered food ingredient mean ze bugs?

Queen Hotchibobo's avatar

It means the chemicals are bred into the product. For example, potatoes, the first approved bioengineered food, was gene altered to include a bacteria that killed potato beetles that ate the potatoes.

They did years of research to prove it didn’t affect the people that ate the potatoes…oh, wait. That didn’t happen. We’re the guinea pigs.

Kathleen Janoski's avatar

Carmine as an ingredient are bugs.

Used for food coloring. It was on the ingredient label of Tillamook's beef jerky.

SD Scott's avatar

Anything red is bugs.

Acheta powder is beetles. Or was it grasshoppers?

SD Scott's avatar

🤮

I believe there are coded names for beetles etc most people don’t know what these ingredients are.

shayne's avatar

I remember my mum using cochineal to colour the icing on cakes. That's a wee bug. It's been used as a red dye for a very long time.

SadieJay's avatar

Ah yes. Cheese 'enzymes' brought to you by Pfizer. The cheese with real rennet is usually a hard cheese. As soon as this information came out publicly about Pfizer enzymes in cheese there was a listeria outbreak recall in pecorino Romano cheese that used real rennet. Imagine that!!

shayne's avatar

Their evil knows no bounds.

Amy Winans's avatar

Why does milk now last a month according to its expiration date? I will be 70 at the end of this month and I will NEVER get used to that, nor will I keep milk that long! WUT?

shayne's avatar

Yeah, I remember milk in glass bottles that went off in 5 days. There's a family owned dairy by Junction City, KS, that still provides milk in class bottles with cream at the top. Not cheap but well worth every penny. Even when it sours it's still nice in my coffee.

Peter GL's avatar
3hEdited

Yikes! Though I normally wouldn't buy it. I would assume that the "stuffing" ought to be high up on ingredient list, not near the bottom

Lisa Runquist's avatar

You mean AT the bottom. There appears to be more aluminum in the sausage stuffed biscuits than there is sausage.

SD Scott's avatar

Eeeeuwww šŸ˜–

Crash Pile's avatar

Really they should be putting more of the tocopherols in their products. Especially the mixed natural ones, from right off the farm.

Words Beyond Me-Janice Powell's avatar

āœļøāœļøāœļø

But as for us, we will bless the LORD

From this time forth and forever.

Praise the LORD!

— Psalm 115:18

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

— Colossians 1:28

NAS95

āœļøāœļøāœļø

Politico Phil's avatar

Janice, you are doing yoeman's work.

Words Beyond Me-Janice Powell's avatar

<looks up "yeoman"> šŸ˜€

Thanks for the encouragement, Phil.

Margot Wooster's avatar

yeoman service:

efficient or useful help in need

Yes! Thanks Janice for your faithfulness in posting Scripture here. Have been praying for you and loving your "My Jesus" book!

Words Beyond Me-Janice Powell's avatar

Thanks for telling me that, Margot! I hope your Amazon copy was good. PM me your address and I'll send you a bookmark.

Franklin O'Kanu's avatar

There’s really only four causes of diseases: toxic exposure, nutritional deficiency, electromagnetic radiation, and chronic stress.

When MAHA can remove all the fallacies and get us down to eliminate these 4 causes, we will really be healthy again.

Right now our current medical system is a profit machine for big pharma. This needs to stop: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/why-youre-a-healthcare-customer-not

Dr Linda's avatar
4hEdited

Yes

Decrease your cortisol!!

Hugely increased by stress. It is necessary but not constantly overreactive.

Austin the Pug-puppy's avatar

PLEASE.....tell me how to do that, Dr.!!! My cortisol has been "not constantly overreactive" for over 15 years....LOL! I have not been able to find a doctor.....of ANY persuasion......who can effective advise on how to lower it so I can sleep!

Dr Linda's avatar
4hEdited

Deliberate, rhythmic breathing. It’s called Pranayama in the yoga tradition. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated or expensive. Mindful breathing

Austin the Pug-puppy's avatar

I started diaphragm breathing after I had a full-body Thermogram (it was spectacular!). She found I had a frozen diaphragm. Not sure if it's the same type of breathing but I'll look into it. My gut biome has improved along with circulation and less frozen diaphragm, but, sadly, after 3 1/2 months, still NOT sleeping. Did 80+ reps last night...but..... up at 1 and 3am.....ugh!

Just started a new brand of probiotics (link below) and am hoping they will help.....eventually.

https://www.customprobiotics.com/multi-strain-probiotics-custom-probiotics/

Dena's avatar

Look into how our hormones work during sleep. Around 3 am is when cortisol is moving, kind of explains why so many wake around 3 am. Taking magnesium glycinate before bed can help. Also a bit of almond butter & a small handful of walnuts (protein) no blue light. There’s a Substack named ā€œVictorā€ that goes into detail how hormones affect everything. Very interesting.

John of Oregon Fame's avatar

Dena, almong butter? How about almond milk. Here's how to make it fres at home.

https://youtu.be/Imue7RLNGos?si=ibTGhn-jo7ag-Rm8

Susan Seas's avatar

A naturopath told me to eat a hard boiled egg before bed, that waking at 2-3 is most likely blood sugar drop.

Juju's avatar

Or a new puppy needing to relieve itself, like clockwork. I was finally getting uninterrupted sleep before we got her. 🤣 now my internal clock wakes me right at 3 am every morning. Lol

Bard Joseph's avatar

Good time for sodium bicarbonate for perfect ph.

FH's avatar

Austin, I have shared this with many to good effect, do with as you please. First the ā€œhelpā€ then the background.

If you don’t have one, procure for very little cost, a hot water bottle. When you retire for sleep, fill it with very warm water, make sure it won’t leak, and position it against the lower part of the small of your back. I have always had to be on my side, then sort of roll over onto it so kind of still on my side yet keeping it against my back, where I think my kidneys are. Try this for several nights. It has always worked for me.

Background: during an extraordinarily stressful period I had been seeing an acupuncturist who helped me so much. I was sleep deprived and completely unable to sleep through a night.

This LAc explained that in Chinese medicine, the adrenals - which apparently sit just ā€œinsideā€ the kidneys - were not known. The remedy was developed thinking the kidneys were overly stressed. Moist heat is important, not an electrified source.

In addition to the diaphragmatic/rhythmic breathing, this may help calm your adrenals, which in our world, are often over-active.

Let us know, okay?

SD Scott's avatar

Standard Process Drenamin

FH's avatar

I forgot to mention another thing I stumbled upon during that sleep-deprived time: wrapping something warm around my neck, especially the nape.

Aegeandreams's avatar

Have you tried the sleep App called Calm yet?

Melissa S's avatar

A really interesting book is "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" by James Nestor. https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/B082FPZC4H/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

J. Lincoln's avatar

You are correct. Precisely.

KCrail's avatar

I learned this breathing trick to lower cortisol. It’s simple and it works. Inhale deeply to 4 counts, hold briefly then exhale to a 6-count. Repeat this seven times. It lowers your cortisol…. You can visualize exhaling negativity and inhaling white light, or whatever works for you. You’ll be all right!

rolandttg's avatar

I do a 4 count in, 7 count hold, 8 count exhale. The key is the exhale should be double the inhale count.

KCrail's avatar

Ok agree the exhale is the key, the technique I shared is specific to cortisol reduction. There are many breathing exercises that are hugely beneficial.

Aegeandreams's avatar

Yoga practice, Tai Chi and breathing techniques learned in both disciplines helps tremendously as well.

J. Lincoln's avatar

Mindful breathing, it works.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Removes nitrogen.

That is what chiropractors do with "adjustments".

kittynana's avatar

@Bard- AND they get the blood flowing to the region to help facilitate healing

Guy White's avatar

Considering your Pug-puppy handle… this is meant with humor but is also supported by science… no matter what kind of day you’re having, studies have shown that watching a Golden Retriever eating a carrot can reduce your stress level by up to 92%. It only takes a few seconds, give it a try…

https://fb.watch/FiZwCfTB7j/?fs=e

Tracy's avatar

I don't know why but watching and hearing animals eat makes me happy and I have a sensitivity to certain noises. Humans, not so much. Actually, humans in general raise my cortisol levels. 😁 animals can do no wrong in my opinion.

Ruth's avatar

I've found that tons of adults as well as kids get really good results with primitive reflex integration. Think programs like Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training. Bal-a-Vis-X is lesser known but lots of fun. Acupressure points help too.

Here's a trick that's not one of those, but drops cortisol nicely by essentially teaching your back of your body to relax (and helps the vagus nerve too). I call it the Parentheses exercise:

Look to your left, as far as you're comfortable. Pretend there's a parentheses there, and have your eyes slowly trace up and down it. No, slower than that. Use a finger if that's difficult, so you can watch the finger do the tracing. See if you can find a place -- or multiple places -- where it seems to skip or stick, or you feel somewhat different, and then back up an inch or two. Take a deep breath, and go much more slowly yet over that. Do that for a few minutes, or until you feel yourself relaxing quite a bit. Then repeat on the other side.

Great for going to sleep, when your body won't relax.

Leskunque Lepew's avatar

Yoga....meditation....breathing..

Make time for yourself.

P Flournoy's avatar

Meditation on scripture works best

Quiltlady's avatar

I like to recite Psalm 23. The words to the Hymn "To God Be the Glory" works too.

luluweaver's avatar

Like your name a lot!

rolandttg's avatar

1. Practice gratitude. Every day. All day. Even for the small things in life like making a traffic light. Be grateful for whatever awful things happen to you that could have been more awful.

2. Make a good night's sleep a priority.

3. Exercise regularly.

4. Get rid of shame, guilt , fear, and hate. Trust me, I know this is the hardest one, and I 'm not there yet, but I work on it every single day. The hardest one for me is learning to forgive people who have wronged me.

That's it. You don't need a doctor or any expert to tell you. That is the blueprint for lowering cortisol. . Dr. Linda's breathing advice is sound to ground yourself after you (invariably) become upset, angry fearful, etc. Remember your vagus never too, and look up ways to use it to calm yourself.

Margot Wooster's avatar

The only way to fix #4 is Jesus. We feel guilty because we ARE guilty, because all have sinned against the holy God. He alone can wash it away.

SD Scott's avatar

Old Covenant to New Covenant.

Franklin O'Kanu's avatar

Hey Austin - have you tried meditation? Prayer? Journaling? These things usually take all the pressure off the mind which then decreases stress, then cortisol. Don't know if any of those have been options yet or not

Austin the Pug-puppy's avatar

Yes, but thank you. I even learned how to do Neurofeedback. Most of the time it helps me get BACK to sleep.

The journaling was a colossal failure. I don't recommend telling anyone who has a key to your house that you do this.

SD Scott's avatar

Try this prayer to reverse generational curses:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59c2b2a77131a52b1df7dfe0/t/69150575522710008d3c10e7/1762985333757/Anton_Prayer.pdf

It may help your sleep (depending on the cause of your trouble) - it will definitely benefit your peace of mind!

FH's avatar

And then when you don’t want the journals anymore…

Susan Seas's avatar

Ditto, the silent one will take me out eventually. Always hear how not enough sleep causes X y Z … stress X y Z … I’m in trouble 🄓

robren72's avatar

Lots of good advice here, but I'll add the supplement that really changed my life: Integrative Theraputics Cortisol Manager. Take two per night, two hours before bedtime for two weeks (or until you can sleep normally again) and then cut back to one. I've been using it for years. I get mine from Amazon, it's cheaper to buy the 90 tablets ($68 vs $25 for 30 tablets). Prior to that, my bedtime moved around the clock constantly because of my chronic insomnia- never knew when I'd be awake. I'm one of the weird people who get MORE wound up when trying to meditate.

Juju's avatar
2hEdited

Ok - I suffered from severe insomnia for over two decades. Much of it was triggered by family tragedy, or so I thought. I learned I had hyperparathyroidism, and flew to Tampa to the best surgeons in the world for it. They removed 3 large parathyroid tumors. Insomnia is a common side effect of the disease and I lived with it untreated for over a decade.

But, my insomnia was only half cured by the surgery. Over a decade of conditioning was difficult to change. I did all the mindfulness/prayer/breathing exercises, and used every calming app ever made. No help. I made my bedroom ice cold and deep dark, no devices in the room or an hour before bedtime. Still didn’t help enough.

Then I discovered a combination that really worked for me. I take natural sleep aids along with lipsomal melatonin. The sleep aids I alternate each night the kind so I don’t grow resistant to any: Alteril, Calms Forte, Valerian Root, and my favorite Nature Made Sleep Longer. They all help me be able to fall asleep faster and earlier, but it didn’t last throughout the night beyond a few hours. So I added Life Extension Liquid Melatonin. It was the perfect winning combination. I’ve been getting good long stretches of healing sleep every night and I can get back to sleep rather easily if I wake early.

They say you shouldn’t have more than 5mg melatonin but that was never effective for me. My magic amount is 15mg. Five mg from the sleep aid, and 10mg from the drops.

kara's avatar

In addition to all these great suggestions, you might try "Cortisol Manager," a supplement made by Integrative Therapeutics. My DO/functional med dr. put us on it about 10 years ago and it has really helped. You take one or two tablets at night.

Gloria Magee's avatar

Look into grounding/earthing. The best place to start is a book by Clinton Ober, ā€˜ā€™Earthing The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!’ It contains one study after another. The products from his store, Earthing.com, are researched extensively, the benefits are innumerable!

Daphosill's avatar

Minerals imbalance...check out book...Cure your fatigue by Morley Robbins. Magnesium, copper and iron need to be in correct balance. Many of us suffer adrenal fatigue due to stress and depleted foods and diets far from what grandparents ate. It's a process to heal. Nourishing and nesting. Letting your body know its safe and you will provide stability helps.

Joanie Higgs's avatar

Watch this hour-long documentary and see if it doesn't de-stress and uplift you. This self-help tool works like a damn: https://youtu.be/CADTkM1aoP8

SHug's avatar

@Austin, have you been scanned for a pituitary tumor? My niece just had a large one removed. The neurosurgeon told her that about 3 out of 5 people actually have them, but don't even know it unless/until it causes extremely high cortisol levels. They got all the tumor, but now she has to "come down" from the months of high cortisol so they have her on step down steroids for a bit. I'll be sharing all the tips listed here with her.

Bard Joseph's avatar

What's cortisol.

Sounds like a drug is needed.

kittynana's avatar

@Bard- it's a hormone the body releases when under stress. It can also contribute to weight gain because your body wants fat stores to keep up with the stress.

kittynana's avatar

@Dr.- Here's an interesting question in regards to your comment: CAN cortisol be reduced? What if we had childhoods where we were constantly on guard and our brains are wired for flight or fight more than the average person's?

Dr Linda's avatar

I have recently been reminded of the importance of circadian biology through this writer.

https://zaidkdahhaj.substack.com/p/modern-eye-care-through-a-circadian?publication_id=1244072&post_id=187462392&isFreemail=true&r=12bubw&triedRedirect=true

Cortisol & melatonin are wired into us.

It’s not a new field but has become more sophisticated. I am going to take some classes .

Sherry 1's avatar

How DOES one lower their cortisol???

On an island's avatar

Cuddle your cat 😻

Tonya's avatar

Especially when it is purring

Juju's avatar

Or get a new warm puppy. I hit the jackpot with our newest, she LOVES to wrap her entire body around mine throughout the night, molding perfectly around my neck or hips or legs - but usually my neck. It’s dreamy

Ned B.'s avatar

I've used ashwagandha for several months now with a noticeable reduction in my stress levels.

Ashwagandha is a potent Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb that helps the body manage stress, significantly reducing anxiety and cortisol levels. It is commonly used to improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive function, boost physical strength/recovery, and potentially increase testosterone in men.

Juju's avatar

A good combo is Ashwaghanda/L-Theanine

Dr Linda's avatar

Several good examples above

Lynx Economicus's avatar

Go no contact/strangers with the toxic people in your life.

SD Scott's avatar

Standard Process Drenamin can help.

5-HTP helps some people.

Dee Garrison's avatar

Oops, hit send by mistake. That was number 1.

#2 drink water with salt/electrolytes asap upon waking.

#3 move gently, like a slow relaxing walk before coffee.

#4 get sunlight into your eyes before any man made light.

I think it is working. I’ve listened to several podcasts suggesting this approach.

Dee Garrison's avatar

In the AM no blue light for 90 min.

Synickel's avatar

And increased by caffeine intake.

Aegeandreams's avatar

Those 4 sound like personal responsibility needs to play a part, first and foremost, not expecting and relying solely on MAHA. Independent accountability.

Franklin O'Kanu's avatar

Agreed— and this is the point: health is a personal choice and should not be dictated out to anyone else

Aegeandreams's avatar

Are you implying MAHA is dictating?

rolandttg's avatar

100 % right. You must have at least 3 of those 4, and you will probably have all 4, to get cancer, or probably any disease

CHop's avatar

What about bacteria, fungus and mold? (All which I believe have been weaponized)

Franklin O'Kanu's avatar

Great question and there’s so much work that shows how these are helpful in certain situations. But unless they fall into toxic exposure, bacteria, mold, etc has beneficial properties - a lot more than I can speak too but that’s a high level overview

shayne's avatar
3hEdited

When I used to ask my father silly questions, he always answered.... Why is a mouse when it spins? The higher it goes the fewer.

You have just been Jimmy-ed. šŸ˜‚

Ranbo's avatar

A simple solution is for Congress or the FDA to immediately adopt Europe’s 400 acceptable ingredients and drop our 10,000. However nothing simple or logical occurs quickly in D.C.

Renea Buchholz's avatar

No logic. While they harass raw milk drinkers… pour out gallons of it when they catch it being transported. They allow poison in foods. Reminds me of the tax money they want from me, while shoveling billions of dollars to early learing centers. Make it make sense!

ViaVeritasVita's avatar

As I have just finished my third mug of raw whole grass-fed Jersey milk with some coffee in it..... (FamilyCow in Chambersburg for any Pa residents reading--they have a delivery schedule around the commonwealth)

Aegeandreams's avatar

There was recently a recall on raw mild with Listeria. Press when gaga over it. The bottom line was to stop drinking raw milk. Same propaganda, different day, all hail raw milk!

Kathleen Janoski's avatar

Yet, the covid DeathVax is still on the market.

Aegeandreams's avatar

but most have caught on not to get it, that is the good news.

CHop's avatar

Big Dairy doesn't want raw milk to catch on so that they can continue their sloppy practices and extended shelf life. It's not about health, it about big business saving money and cutting competition.

Jeff C's avatar
4hEdited

We had a ten paragraph post a week or two ago from some industry shill defending Roundup (glyphosate) and heavy metals in foods. It was the typical dazzle them with sciencey-sounding BS propaganda, i.e. you people are too stupid to understand "the science" and there's actually nothing wrong with eating poisoned manufactured food. Thankfully, several people called him out.

Unfortunately this is what we are up against. The processed food industry is hopelessly corrupt and the masses have been propagandized for so long that they will believe almost anything. Yes, Lucky Charms is good for kids, the TV told me so!! Praise God for what RFK Jr is doing, but the government isn't going to save us. It takes that individual realization that eating real food (as our ancestors did) is infinitely healthier than eating slop made in a factory and sold in a box.

Seems obvious but that slop has been deliberately designed to be addictive, and it is *hard* to stop. I've fallen off the wagon many time myself. Fortunately real food tastes really good which helps bring me back.

Susan Seas's avatar

My husband has started reading the ingredients list. (He always thought I was crazy for doing so) He now understands there is nothing ā€œnatural ā€œ in ā€œnatural flavoringā€

My friend has told me for years she doesn’t want to know and now texts me constantly asking ā€œis this bad??) 😁

rolandttg's avatar

When I see anything labeled "natural, ", I immediately move on. It is code for don't buy it. Natural on a label means (this is really crap, aka dog crap is natural, as is snake venom and vomit) but we think you will still buy it if it says natural.

Tiny basket of deplorable's avatar

There is an app for your friend. It’s called Yuka

J. Lincoln's avatar

I am old enough to remember the full-page, full colour adverts declaring "nine out of ten NY doctors recommend Kool cigarets, or "I'd walk a mile for a Camel"....and on and on.

CitizenA's avatar

After being demonized as unhealthy didn’t the cigarette industry switch to buying food producing factories - having their scientists research how to make food addictive to the consumer (with no consideration to the health of the public)? The love of money is the root of all evil once again.

rolandttg's avatar

If people have time to face F their phone every waking minute, they have time to look at food labels. If you can't pronounce it, see a seed oil, see natural sweetener (they rebranded high fructose corn syrup) , or it does not sound like food, don't buy it. See any one of those, put it back and stop reading.

Susan Seas's avatar

Yep we have the power to put them out of business. See Bud Light šŸ˜‚

SD Scott's avatar

But government subsidies.

KBB's avatar

Are you referring to the same Congress that subsidizes ultra processed food by paying for it with SNAP benefits? I was at the local farmers and crafts market this weekend and the cotton candy booth had a sign that they accept SNAP. God help us.

Taiga Rohrer's avatar

Actually it is entirely logical what happens in DC, the problem is it is evil and corrupt, anything can be done to the plebes for the right amount of money and power...

John of Oregon Fame's avatar

Taiga, you nailed it!

Bard Joseph's avatar

Campaign lobbying will dry up.

Dave aka Geezermann's avatar

People still watch 60 Minutes? I loved watching them when they began in the late 60's. At what point did they become the propaganda machine for the deep state?

I do hope Trump has plans to help us all financially this year so we can all share in the big celebration of our Republic. Happy Presidents Day.

Dan (100% All in MAGA)'s avatar

re: "In 1958, Congress created the GRAS classification to exempt common household ingredients like salt and vinegar from full FDA review. Seems logical, but as usual, they mangled the good intentions; the language was too broad."

Not buying the "good intentions" piece - otherwise they would have locked it down from the get go - I'm certain the legislation was made broad intentional in order to let big food do what they did. And Im certain the "legislators" were paid well by big food to do it.

Oh, and to answer your question, no, I do not watch 60 minutes and haven't for years. They are as crooked as big food and "our" corrupt congress.

Kennedy is doing magnificent work, following Trump's lead, for the American people.

Hey Childers, "evacutory aperture"? Excellent! I will be remembering that one for future uses.

william howard's avatar

next up - seed oils

Peter Schott's avatar

I'd more likely chalk GRAS up to "laziness" - though there were likely some "good intentions" there as well. That whole "high trust" vs "low trust" thing. Written for a high trust, moral society where people understood that "salt" or "rice" would be in that list. Taken advantage of by low-trust people and companies. It's quite likely that the initial authors really didn't expect big food companies to do what they did - I think this is slightly before the food companies _got_ really big and started donating to the AHA and such to demonize fat and promote grains/sugars.

Dan (100% All in MAGA)'s avatar

Big food and big gov have been screwing the American people for decades, we are only just beginning to understand the magnitude of the screwing, thanks to President Trump and his team.

Ellen's avatar

Remember it's now Bari Weiss at CBS. I haven't watched 60 mins in 20 years, at least.

Johnny-O's avatar

Good luck with "help" considering Trump has surrounded himself with economic vultures of wealth - not creators of wealth.

Valerie's avatar

Glad to see you back with your always-negative takes. Such a refreshing change from Jeff’s optimism. šŸ˜‚

Conservative Contrarian's avatar

I get the impression J-O is positive Trump has surrounded himself with economic vultures of wealth - not creators of wealth. 🤠

Johnny-O's avatar

Sorry if reality hurts. We need wealth creators in office, not wealth extractors.

kittynana's avatar

@Johhny- we're just extracting from those who owe us. Bigly.

Johnny-O's avatar

People seem overly confident...I'll believe it when I see it. The government is currently spending more money than pre-DOGE, but I doubt many here are aware of this.

Franklin O'Kanu's avatar

Agreed - There's no economic help that won't come at a steep price. The problem is to deep, decades long, and is enriched with monetary policy from the 1913 that needs to change. This is why the debt is rising and the dollar is falling: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/the-great-theft

Bard Joseph's avatar

"Now time grows short. History will not allow the people of Shem additional centuries, or even decades, to come to their senses and realize what is going on. Just as they have been victims of massacres and genocides for centuries, the people of Shem now face the determination of the Canaanites to exterminate them utterly and finally. a goal they hope to achieve by the end of the millenium."

The Curse of Canaan

Eustace Mullins 1987

Dave aka Geezermann's avatar

Bard - surely you know that most of us are descendants of Shem, not just Judah. It is not "history", but Yahweh who will bring final judgement on his people for rejecting him.

Juju's avatar
2hEdited

We used to love 60 minutes too. They were so interesting and eye opening when they did real, unbiased journalism untouched by lobbyists and advertisers. It’s been near 20 years since we were regular watchers. They became so corrupt and foul I can’t bring myself to turn it on again. I know Bari Weiss is supposed to be turning CBS around, but that’s a big ugly tank to move even an inch. It may take years before anyone can really trust them again. Maybe a name change is in order, just a tweak: ā€œYour Traditional 60 Minutesā€. The Trad 60

Dave aka Geezermann's avatar

Love that. Yes, I haven't watched them in years.

Aegeandreams's avatar

stopped watching that a long time ago bc of their fanatic leftism.

Bard Joseph's avatar

From the Gulag planned by ICE.

Paging Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

Ellen's avatar

Really, it kinda chilled me too.

SuezCanal's avatar

What gulag offered medical and dental care, a law library, and someplace to recreate? And sent people somewhere (home or the country of their choosing, just not the US) within a given period? Solzhenitsyn was 8 years in a camp.

Julie crosson's avatar

This is all on Biden’s failure

Aegeandreams's avatar

Go for the Gulag, we need a bigger boat for all the illegals.

sunsandwind's avatar

Keep in mind that those ICE warehouses could be used by another administration to house the future equivalent of Covid dissidents or freedom loving truckers. It's a two edged sword. I'm all for deporting people who ought not be in the country. However, that's a lot of money for a relatively short-term project.

Jeff C's avatar

Yes but it doesn't matter, we have to do it.

Don't fall into the logical trap that we cannot act today because our actions *might* be used against us in the future. Plenty of bad-faith actors use this technique to ensure nothing can ever change. Otherwise smart people fall for it without thinking through the logical implications.

sunsandwind's avatar

True. We always need to be aware of the possibilities, though. No government is completely good. Awareness and holding all leadership to account is as good as it gets.

Julie crosson's avatar

WE need to stop the ā€œprocessingā€ of illegals- then wouldn’t need the space - just round them up - put on bus and head south the way they came- gone!!

Neil Kellen's avatar

Yep. And a Democrat administration would not hesitate to use it that way.

Bard Joseph's avatar

What's a Democrat?

J. Lincoln's avatar

A democrat is anyone who cannot describe what a woman is (or isn't).

Aegeandreams's avatar

A literal demon.

Gym+Fritz's avatar

$38,300,000,000.00 - that’s about the same amount of money that a stadium full of Somalians in Minnesota can scam over a 4-year Biden presidential term!

RunningLogic's avatar

It’s a very important project though and even with that money being spent, it will save more money especially in the long term.

Richard Whitney's avatar

The Patriot Act was only supposed to last for 5 years.

Mrs. RW

Cherie's avatar

I 100% agree with this and thought the same thing when I read how much they are spending on this

for what should be a temporary problem, since not as many sneaking over the boarder now. I don’t trust the Dems but also do not trust people in power- especially on the heels of all of the Epstein info being released!

Joanie Higgs's avatar

Yes; sunsand. Yay for ousting the criminals but once they're all gone, who'll those prisons be used for next. Perish the thought.

Tim R's avatar

Yep! These look a lot like the concentration camps the Australians used for jab refusers.

Juju's avatar

It’s not a short-term project. That was the point of the news

sunsandwind's avatar

If on-going deportation and tighter borders is happening, at some point there won't be a need for massive holding facilities for illegals. My point is that if they exist, they can be used to detain anyone.

Juju's avatar

Or … they get dismantled and repurposed as distribution warehouses when no longer needed. šŸ™„ We have to stop fearing doing what’s necessary because of all the potential ā€œwhat ifsā€. You can spin ANYTHING into a what if scenario to make it negative.

CHop's avatar

I thought the same thing. They ran an Event 201 style simulation in Europe. This time it wad a virus from pigs with polio-type effects hitting mostly children.

James Goodrich's avatar

Jeff Childers, I posted this on Saturday. Your essay that day pointed out just some of the good things that Trump has made happen. Trump was certainly betrayed a thousand times and got stronger from it, my point. Knowing you obviously owe me nothing, but I’d love a response, would you rather a comment like mine not be posted? If you would be so kind to answer, I would honor whatever you say. Is my comment a positive or a negative to your sub stack? People have the choice not to read JG’s posts. Here’s my comment from Saturday.

Positive Saturday Comment

Always think the troubles we face can become a blessing, just look at the positives happening these days.

40 years ago I built a garage on my property to run my business out of. A few years later a couple of guys, broke in and stole all of my tools. It was a strange feeling going into that empty building and coming to the realization that people were in my shop the night before, stole all of my equipment and basically shut my business down.

It didn’t take long to realize quitting, was not going to happen. Slowly I bought new tools. Little by little I began to secure my property and the building. Eventually I made my shop a very difficult place to break in to. The thieves had made me stronger.

Many times there are people in your life that help you move forward. I’ve had friends help me, I’ve had neighbors help me, one who did my bookkeeping God rest her soul, and of coarse my family has been there for me. But this enemy helped me in a different way. They made me strong, more resolute. The people that robbed me gave me a drive to better secure my property and my equipment. To this day I still better protect my livelihood. In a way my enemies were a blessing.

God puts all kinds of people in our path. At times it can be people that are against us. David would never have reached the throne without Goliath. Sometimes God will put enemies in our life to keep us stirred up. He’ll allow critiques, doubters discourages, even some haters so when you feel tired, think you want to give up, you’ll keep pressing forward shaking it off, not because you feel like it, but because you don’t want the enemy to think they stopped you. Many times God will use your enemies to push you to success, put you in a position of promotion. (Just like Trump, added apologies).

Psalm 23:5 says ā€˜God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemy; He anoints my head with oil; my cup overflowsā€. So many times our enemies turn into powerful blessings. They sometimes can direct our life into a more successful path. We may not like it as it’s happening, it may not feel good at the time, but sometimes our biggest detractors can be our best motivators.

Judas was ordained to betray Jesus. At the time it seemed like a bad break. But if he hadn’t betrayed Jesus there wouldn’t have been a crusifiction, without the cross there wouldn’t have been a resurection, without the resurrection we wouldn’t have redemption, no salvation. So the man that betrayed Jesus, the person that sold him for 30 pieces of silver, was just as critical a part of his destiny if not more so than the others.

Sometimes we shouldn’t complain about the person that betrayed us. If they walked away they didn’t set you back they set you up for the fullness of your destiny. It may not have been fair, but if God allowed it, it was a step towards your fate, it inevitably was to bring you favor.

Happy Optimistic Valentines Day! J.Goodrich

John 12:46 Jesus said ā€œI have come into the world as the light, so that no one that believes in me should stay in darknessā€.

ViaVeritasVita's avatar

That's very helpful, James Goodrich. I have had many reasons to consider, with unfortunate (?) frequency, two verses--paraphrased, "Those whom God loves, He chastises" and "For I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for ill"

nik's avatar

Love the perspective on Psalms 23 , good food for thought.

I’m not JC , but I’ve enjoyed your comments JG . Bless your day šŸ™

RunningLogic's avatar

Great post, and a timely reminder!

Richard Whitney's avatar

Thank you for writing that.

Mrs. RW

Valerie's avatar

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently the coffee study wasn’t a very well-done study. I mean, I’m going to keep drinking mine just to be on the safe side, but it probably doesn’t really decrease risk of dementia, or we cant really know at any rate.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sensiblemed/p/coffee-is-great-but-it-does-not-prevent?r=z2cc5&utm_medium=ios

Dr Linda's avatar

As one of the commenters said: I am in my second cup, not taking any chances.

Good post

Valerie's avatar

He’s a pretty good follow.

Dr Linda's avatar

Another very wordy guy, though.

william howard's avatar

and from a podcast on brain food - honey and cinnamon are good for your brain - so now my coffee comes with honey and cinnamon - oh & btw 3 or more cups/day extends life span as well

Matt's avatar

If anything the caffeine opens the blood vessels. And if you have high blood pressure, doctors tell you to drop the coffee while turning you into a (preferably) pharama experiment

NAB's avatar

Caffeine is actually a vasoconstrictor which can lead to increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and (in my case), irregular heart beats. It's a similar response to adrenaline.

Matt's avatar

"Caffeine acts as a complex vascular modulator, typically causing transient vasoconstriction (narrowing) of blood vessels, which can temporarily increase blood pressure and vascular resistance. While it often constricts peripheral vessels, it can simultaneously cause vasodilation (widening) in specific areas like the brain, helping alleviate headaches. Moderate intake is generally safe and potentially protective, but high doses may increase risks of arrhythmias."

kittynana's avatar

@Matt- actually, the caffeine constricts the blood vessels. Migraines happen because of dilated blood vessels. Caffeine helps with that.

Matt's avatar

ICYMI

Caffeine acts as a complex vascular modulator, typically causing transient vasoconstriction (narrowing) of blood vessels, which can temporarily increase blood pressure and vascular resistance. While it often constricts peripheral vessels, it can simultaneously cause vasodilation (widening) in specific areas like the brain, helping alleviate headaches. Moderate intake is generally safe and potentially protective, but high doses may increase risks of arrhythmias."

Aegeandreams's avatar

And wonder if they spray the coffee trees with roundup?

NAB's avatar

I like the Sensible Med people. They are all about the evidence.

Valerie's avatar

Agreed! Even if sometimes I can’t follow the articles, lol.

NAB's avatar

And this makes me feel better because I have extreme caffeine sensitivity and there is no way I could drink that much caffeinated coffee :)

Jeff S's avatar

Don't believe everything you read, my father used to tell me.

Tom's avatar

Don't believe everything Jeff S' father tells you.

I read that once.

Right here.

Just now.

Jeff S's avatar

Hahaha. "Knuckles" would agree.

KBB's avatar
3hEdited

But your father didn't have the internet. You can believe everything you read on the internet, right? Right?

ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Reading your last two words and seeing a certain meme...

RunningLogic's avatar

It seems to me that there have been previous studies with the same conclusion though?

Carolyn's avatar

Actually I read the study weeks ago and it looked pretty good. Dementia probably is caused by the same crap put in foods...ultra processed has caused much more harm than obesity

Susan G's avatar

I caught Alex's tweets, and was surprised. I read Jeff's summary, and was surprised. I am unsurprised by your comment, and skeptical of this study, particularly after reading the Sensible Medicine article you so kindly linked. I'm going to continue drinking both coffee and tea, because I enjoy them, and also continue being skeptical of these types of studies.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Sponsored by the Coffee trust.$$

Jpeach's avatar

As a former Ho Ho’s and Ding Dong addict (decades ago), I celebrate RFK Jr. and CBS for saving current and future addicts. Little Debbie has been warned.

Tom's avatar

"Big Deborah."

St. Alia the Knife's avatar

Tom, I actually laughed out loud when I read this. We have several family members named Deborah, most of whom are quite petite. When we became aware of the "Little Debbie" brand, my brother started calling one of the Deborahs, "Little Debbie Honey Buns"! Thank you for the laugh this morning!

Mrs. "the Knife"

Jeff S's avatar

Deborah XXL.

Guy White's avatar

OMG the hostess lineup was part of every home packed school lunch as a kid. Not to mention all the sugar-laden cereals and ā€œpastriesā€ and other junk we had. What were our parents thinking? Sure we liked them, they were feeding an addiction we didn’t know we had! It’s a miracle my brothers and I didn’t become diabetics or struggle with obesity as we easily could have. I still tend to reach for sugary treats but it’s more controllable now, aided by education and knowledge. We’ve learned a lot and committed to much healthier choices now. Looking back on those daily bad decisions, I have to thank God for His protection.

Jeff S's avatar

In NY, we ate Drake's Cakes: Yodels, Ring Dings, Devil Dogs, and Coffee Cakes.

J. Lincoln's avatar

...steaks at Tad's, oatmeal at the Automat. Cheesecake at Lindy's, anything at the Russian Tearoom.

Jeff S's avatar

I always liked the Carnegie Deli. Remember the Horn & Hardart (on the southeast corner of 42nd Street and Third Avenue)? It closed in 1991.

NoVA mom's avatar

Yum - coffee cakes!

Jpeach's avatar

Lots of Tastycakes in the MidAtlantic.

Jeff S's avatar

We used to tease a college basketball buddy from Virginia about being a "Tastykake All American." He didn't think it was funny. Hahaha.

Jpeach's avatar

I was a TK Butterscotch Krimpet addict too. I’m lucky to be alive.

Jeff S's avatar

These human bodies are amazing machines.

Jacquijacq's avatar

Don’t forget Scooter Pies and BOSCO in our milk!

Jeff S's avatar

My brother loved Scooter Pies and Yoo-Hoo!

cat's avatar

My Ding Dongs had foil on the outside. That makes me prehistoric in age 🤣

Liz LaSorte's avatar

So we are spending a lot of tax payer money, even though the national debt continues to grow, for America’s birthday party celebrating 250 years of freedom?

If we were truly a free country, I wouldn't be FORCED to have to pay $$ from my paycheck for Medicare. I haven’t encountered Medicare yet, but will in a few years and I remember it with my mom’s healthcare, and it was a pain.

The doctors I want to see as a primary (naturopath) are not even covered in my health coverage, so I have to pay out of pocket, even though I pay premiums out of each paycheck. That's not freedom.

While I believe Western medicine is good for emergency care, it’s not good for preventative b/c too many doctors could care less about the Hippocratic Oath now and will First Do Harm: https://lizlasorte.substack.com/p/first-do-no-harm

JustANobody's avatar

We live paycheck to paycheck, husband will get SS starting in May. Been on Medicare two years since he turned 65. He has to pay monthly premiums and they take out Medicare from his paycheck. Double whammy. So we cannot afford for him to retire either. It's such at messed up system. He is 67 now. I cannot find a way to save. We already do not have " Extras"! He makes decent money but only entitled to half his monthly earnings.Whole thing seems rigged and unfair

Liz LaSorte's avatar

I hear ya. I have always lived pay check to pay check too, and of course when we get older, we will need to see doctors more often. This is so messed up!

JustANobody's avatar

Luckily.. Not me In my 60's. No ailments or meds Knock on wood. Hope you are in good health. Cheers!

Pat Wetzel's avatar

You might want to rethink that a bit.

Liz LaSorte's avatar

I already did decades ago and that's why I exercise religiously and eat real, healthy food - that probably has some pesticide residue left behind if not grown in my garden.

But, sometimes we might need to see the doctor for unpreventable illnesses. And, I should not be forced to choose from a list of government approved doctors, esp. after I had no choice but to pay into medicare.

We are not free!

Jeff S's avatar

It's not health care. It's the Road to Ruin.

Juju's avatar

I agree with you on the healthcare, but I think Trump is raising money for the celebration. I don’t think the majority of it is being paid by the taxpayer.

And before I ever complain about the cost of a birthday party, I want every fraudster in MN and CA and IL etc etc to return every cent they stole from us. A milestone birthday celebration is a drop in the bucket compared to what those crooks stole.

Liz LaSorte's avatar

Yes, it is a drop in

the bucket in the big picture.

IDK how to get that money back, but an easy way to never let it happen again would be to have the rich fund charities like they used to, and the feds could get back into doing what the function of the federal government should be - protecting us, not taking care of us. It would not be that difficult: https://open.substack.com/pub/lizlasorte/p/let-the-rich-fund-charity-again?r=76q58&utm_medium=ios

And I know of a way to

Aegeandreams's avatar

Have you looked into moving to a socialized country that offer the medical you want Liz? That may be a better option for you. I know 2 people that have done this and are very happy they made the move.

Liz LaSorte's avatar

Your friends must have expendable money to do that. And if they made their money the old fashioned way, good on them, but only someone with expendable money would think that way.

Most of us struggling to stay in the middle class do not think that way, b/c we simply do not have it, not because we are not frugal, but because we were forced to pay most of EU's NATO bill so they could treat their citizens to "affordable" health care, let alone all the other welfare we are FORCED to pay.

We are not free; that's the point.

Aegeandreams's avatar

We are the freest in the world! I celebrate it. We are blessed to live in this country although it would be much improved without the demons in skin suits called democrats.

Liz LaSorte's avatar

I understand your sentiment, and I thought that myself until I realized what really happened in 1787 and that Brutus predicted all the corruption in our government (from the uni-party - not just the dems) because he understood human nature and read history. If interested, here's my take on Brutus: https://lizlasorte.substack.com/p/brutus-was-right-about-everything?r=76q58

We the People did not keep our constitutional repubic, as Franklin predicted.

I want my children to enjoy the American dream, and their children, and so on, as I'm sure you do as well. But, if we don't see our reality and face it, it will only get worse. And I believe if I was truly free, I wouldn't be forced to pay for medicare - that I have no faith in along with a number of issues.

Aegeandreams's avatar

All we needed was to look to the Bible for corruption, Brutus was not really needed in that respect. And, nothing is free in life, there is always a compromise or trade-off in some way and yet the American Dream is still achievable by many.

Carolyn's avatar

You need to realize that America has been subsidizing that socialist healthcare..now that is going to change..the people who have to wait months for treatments or surgery may not agree it is so great.

shayne's avatar

"Not the green growing stuff your miniature schnauzer eats outside to aid his digestion, then comes back in and throws up on your favorite throw rug." This sounds personal.... šŸ˜‚šŸ¤£šŸ˜‚

RunningLogic's avatar

I was thinking the same šŸ˜†

CitizenA's avatar

Thank you for the laugh Shayne. Not only does it sound personal (to Jeff) … but relatable to many dog owners. šŸ•

Austin the Pug-puppy's avatar

Is all the crap sprayed in the sky considered "GRAS?"

Connie Lemmincakes's avatar

ā€œSo there you go! Drink your coffee, read your C&C, smile, and rest easy knowing that both activities are now scientifically associated with improved cognitive outcomes.ā€ āœ…āœ…

Flippin’ Jersey's avatar

And what will become of the ICE detention facilities when Trump’s term is over? Who wants to bet they’ll be ā€œwelcoming centersā€ where millions of ā€œnew Americansā€ will be introduced to their new entitlements and set forth into the community?

Teresa Parmenter's avatar

Or reeducation camps - I don’t even like writing this

Susan Seas's avatar

Me either, it terrified me. Now I tell myself we would be in good company šŸ˜…

Flippin’ Jersey's avatar

I share the same concern…kind of. I will never allow anyone I know to be put into any type of camp.

Aegeandreams's avatar

How about democrat demonic worship instruction camps or democrat propaganda camps.

Bard Joseph's avatar

Like Stalinist Russia.

william howard's avatar

well removing the democrats largest voting base will help republicans stay in power - now if we could only figure out how to stop dead people from voting democrat

Jacquijacq's avatar

And if we could only figure out how to get the Republicans to not be RINOs

Dr Jen | Syringa Wellness's avatar

Or dissident centers if the party in control changes. 😬 šŸ¤”

Bard Joseph's avatar

Only one party. The Trotskyites in control.

Valerie's avatar

I have to say… the picture is a distribution center, not a warehouse. I’ve learned the difference because about 20 of them have been built across from the entrance to my neighborhood over the last 3 years. And no, I’m not pissed. It’s way better than putting in 10k apartments and the attendant traffic. The distribution centers will mostly add traffic to the 2 freeways, not local roads.

Susan Seas's avatar

IMO these were planned before when we were supposed to be locked at home for 10 years and that was the way we would get anything those plans were changed, but the plans to build were still moving forward. ?? Maybe they think for future use? And now I’m hoping they’re just bought by ice.

Valerie's avatar

Either that or all the trillions printed during Covid had to go somewhere. I guess we should be grateful that these are actually buildings and not more fake business or NGOs funneling cash back to the democrat party through act blue.

Flippin’ Jersey's avatar

They are going up all over the US and to what end? How much crap is there to ā€œdistributeā€? It seems ridiculous, but investors don’t generally waste money, unlike government.

Valerie's avatar

One of them is a MACY’s distribution center. They’re still around? Who is ordering from them?

Aegeandreams's avatar

I do once in awhile.

cat's avatar

Macy's adds those perfume blowcards to everything they ship. Maybe they have a warehouse full of those blowcards. I don't like smelling like an old lady so quit buying from Macy's.

Richard Whitney's avatar

I'm pretty sure that "distribution center" is a new name for warehouse.

Also, "fulfillment center" which they apparently got straight from Disney

Mrs. RW

Bard Joseph's avatar

We sure dont want to deport them. They can be new ICE recruits.

Juju's avatar

Maybe once all the illegals have been returned to their home countries, the facilities can be used for the new asylums we need for all the deranged, unhinged, murderous progressives.

Valerie's avatar

Oooh good thought

Aegeandreams's avatar

well they are getting better taken care of in these new facilities than many Americans and our tax dollars paying for their medical/dental needs. I call BS to that.

Bard Joseph's avatar

To house victims of the next imagined plandemic.

Queen Hotchibobo's avatar

JD will use them to finish exporting invaders.

Queen Hotchibobo's avatar

JD will use them to finish exporting invaders.

Ned B.'s avatar

Alex Jones called it Prison Planet.

shayne's avatar

I thought the same.

Dr Linda's avatar
4hEdited

ā€œThe scientists were surprised— and a little embarrassed.ā€

That’s how we used to do scientific research. Ask a question and observe the answer. THEN ask more Questions.

Maureen ODH's avatar

Yes! Dr Linda… exactly what my microbiology and clinical psychology professors always insisted… ā€œ Ask a question and observe the answer. THEN ask more Questionsā€ … and… ā€œyour research doesn’t start with designing questions nor ends tabulating answer's, but in continuing to test the results with ever more defining questionsā€

Bard Joseph's avatar

And the source of funding

Dr Linda's avatar

That is the tricky part.

Neil Kellen's avatar

For decades, Dems have been degrading the brand "USA", and Trump understands why it must be renewed and how to renew it. It's about damn time. Dems better get on the "Proud of the US" train, or be delivered to the train station.

Bard Joseph's avatar

We will need new train rails to the concentration camps.