When Was Jesus Born? Part 1, 2 & 3. Why You Should Never Eat Pork.

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When Was Jesus Born? Part 1

Luke 1:5

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

“The Bible does not tell us exactly when Jesus Christ was born. The closest hint, found in this verse, seems to point to Christ’s birth in the fall of the year.

What’s the connection? Verse 36 shows that Jesus Christ was born about six months after John the Baptist was born. And John the Baptist would have been conceived nine months earlier (15 months before Christ’s birth), shortly after his father Zacharias had received a message from an angel while serving at the temple.

When did Zacharias serve at the temple? One source says he probably served one-week stints around mid-May and mid-November. (E.W. Bullinger uses the dates June 13-19.) King David had divided the priests into 24 courses, of which the division of Abijah was the eighth (1 Chronicles 24:10). These divisions each served a week at a time, so that each division served two weeks at the temple each year according to the sacred calendar, in addition to the festivals.

A number of commentators lean toward a May or June date for Zacharias’ meeting with Gabriel. Adding 15 months to that would put Jesus Christ’s birth in perhaps August or September. (If Zacharias met Gabriel around November or December, Christ’s birth would have been in perhaps February or March.)

Either way would not support a Dec. 25 birth date.”

From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/when-was-jesus-born-part-1/

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When Was Jesus Born? Part 2

Luke 2:1 

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

“The vast Roman Empire was a structured and expensive government, and this census was “organized to facilitate the collection of taxes” (NKJV Study Bible). In an agrarian society, both tithes and taxes were collected shortly after the fall harvest when the farmer would have sold his crop. Collecting taxes in the winter or any other time is not very effective.

Also, since such a census required people like Joseph to travel back to their ancestral home, it is unlikely the census would have been conducted in the winter time when travel was difficult. This is but one more hint in the text that Jesus Christ’s birth did not occur on Dec. 25. Though the Bible does not give an exact date for His birth, it seems clear that it could not have been in the winter.”

From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/when-was-jesus-born-part-2/

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When Was Jesus Born? Part 3

Luke 2:8 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

“One commentary states, “As these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, note on Luke 2:8).

The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary agrees: “These humble pastoral folk are out in the field at night with their flock—a feature of the story which would argue against the birth (of Christ) occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted it” (1971, note on Luke 2:4-7).

For more about why Jesus Christ’s birth could not have been Dec. 25 and how it came to be celebrated that day, see our article “Christmas: Should Christians Celebrate It?”” From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/when-was-jesus-born-part-3/

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Why You Should Never Eat Pork

9 reasons why you shouldn’t eat pork

“Sausages, bacon, and ham are all popular pork products. And with good reason: they’re delicious! There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a juicy bacon sandwich or enjoying a delicious plate of ham and eggs.

But as with most things that taste great, there’s a downside to eating pork. Pork is, in fact, one of the unhealthiest meats you can eat. In this article, we’re going to discuss why you should seriously consider cutting pork out of your diet altogether.

1. Pork contains parasites

One of the main reasons why you shouldn’t eat pork is because it contains parasites. These parasites can cause disease and even death in humans.

Some of the most common parasites found in pork include roundworms, tapeworms, and trichinosis. Trichinosis is a worm infection that can be passed on to humans from pigs. This infection can cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain. In severe cases, it can also lead to death.

While cooking pork may kill some of the parasites, it won’t remove all of them.

2. Pork may cause cancer

Another reason to avoid eating pork is that it may contribute to cancer. Pork products contain heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

These are both carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds that have been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancer, including stomach, colon, and pancreatic cancer.

3. Eating pork can lead to allergies

Some people are allergic to the protein found in pigs. These proteins include pork insulin and pork trypsinogen.

Pork insulin is similar to human insulin and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Pork trypsinogen is a protein that helps the pig digest its food. This protein has also been known to cause allergic reactions in humans.

4. Pig farming is harmful to the environment

Pig farming is one of the most damaging types of farming to the environment. Pigs produce large amounts of manure, which contains nitrogen and phosphorus.

These substances can pollute the air, water, and soil. In addition, pig farms often use large amounts of antibiotics, which can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These antibiotics tend to leach into the environment and can contaminate water sources and the earth.

5. Pigs are generally left in unsanitary conditions

Pigs are intelligent animals that can feel pain and suffering. Unfortunately, they’re often kept in unsanitary conditions on factory farms.

These farms confine pigs to small metal cages or pens. The floors of these pens are often slatted, so the waste falls through into a pit below. The pigs are cramped and have no room to move around or exercise.

The conditions on these farms are so bad that pigs often develop sores and ulcers. They also, believe it or not, suffer from anxiety, boredom, and depression.

6. Pigs eat other animals

There’s a somewhat unspoken rule that humans should avoid eating animals that eat other animals. Pigs are one of the few exceptions to this rule.

Pigs are omnivores, which means they’ll eat just about anything. This includes dead animals, feces, and even their own young. As a result, pigs can harbor all sorts of diseases and parasites.

Thus, whatever they eat, you end up eating too.”        From: https://whyyoushouldnever.com/why-you-should-never-eat-pork/

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Just like the saying:      You are what you eat, AND WHAT IT ATE!!

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What diseases do pigs carry?

“The diseases associated with swine include ringworm, erysipelas, leptospirosis, streptococcosis, campylobacterosis, salmonellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, balantidiasis, influenza, infection with pathogenic E. coli, and brucellosis.

Do pigs poop out of their hooves?

In addition to adapted digestive systems that support opportunistic scavenging, pigs can excrete excess toxins through their hooves. So, in the event that they do eat too much garbage, their bodies still have a back-up plan to rid the poison.

Can pig poop make you sick?

It is important to thoroughly wash hands after contact with pigs or their fecal material to avoid infection with diseases that can be spread via fecal-oral contact. Campylobacteriosis is an infection of the intestines caused by a bacterium called Campylobacter.

What happens if a pig bites you?

Pig bites are often severe with a high incidence of infection that is often polymicrobial with organisms including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp. (including Streptococcus suis), Haemophilus influenzae, Pasteurella, Actinobacillus and Flavobacterium species.

Why do pigs eat faeces?

Coprophagia is the term for an animal eating excrement—both their own and that of others. Most of them eat feces because it contains some undigested food—and thus vital nutrients—that would otherwise go to waste.  (Rabbits do this, too, that is why they are also an “unclean” meat.)

Do pigs have STDS?

They are responsible for a broad range of diseases in animals and humans. In pigs, Chlamydia suis, Chlamydia abortus, Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia psittaci have been isolated.”  From: https://yourwiseadvices.com/how-do-pigs-excrete-toxins/

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A Biblical Worldview. Do You Face Obstacles, Challenges or Hardships? 13 Reasons Why Eating Pork Is Bad For Your Health.

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A Biblical Worldview 

“I was recently introduced to a book about the state of religion in America. It’s titled: “American Worldview Inventory 2021-22: The Annual Report on the State of Worldview in the United States.” The author is George Barna of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. Barna is known for his surveys of the state of American religion. I was amazed while reading the book to find how the views of many claiming to be Christian, and holding a belief in the Bible, are really at odds with what the Bible teaches.  

Barna’s data reveals that 64% of those who profess to be Christian believe that all faiths are of equal value. This does not square with what the Bible teaches. Acts 4:12 says “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” It is very plain. Only in the name of Jesus Christ is there the hope of salvation. You cannot profess to be Christian and deny such specific teaching as this.   

Barna also discovered that no more than 6% of Americans hold a true biblical worldview. A worldview is the frame by which we view the world. To believe the Bible is the Word of God and to live by every Word of God is to live a life based on that book. The Bible must form the view of a Christian’s world. More than 90% of Americans hold a different view. The conclusion of this remarkable study shows that most professing Christians hold a combination of differing incompatible beliefs. The result is a set of beliefs that pose a threat to biblical truth.   

The Bible and biblical teaching have been de-emphasized and minimized out of our schools and out of our Christian lives. This results in what Scripture describes: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).    

Barna’s research reveals most Americans think of themselves as a Christian, and a majority still think that Christianity is “kind of” about the Bible. Though many Americans believe they have a “biblical worldview,” very few do. There is a large gulf between what people think the Bible says and what it really does say.

Does what you believe about the Bible square with what the Bible really teaches?

Does your worldview match with what Scripture reveals about the conditions of human nature, this present world and God’s solution for the problems we face every day? Developing such a view is your key to understanding why the world works as it does.

It's time to take another look at the Bible and to ensure you have a correct understanding of what is says. Our study guide, “How to Understand the Bible,” begins with a helpful chapter to begin forming a solid foundation of knowledge about this most important book. Read the introduction now: “Introduction: How to Understand the Bible.”     I encourage you to begin that study today.”  From: https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=72c729d811&u=1d04480cefc2e7c4492fe4a04&id=544da97e98

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Do you face obstacles, challenges or hardships that you feel you will never be able to overcome? 

“Is there a difficulty that seems impossible for you to solve, or have you suffered a misfortune you believe will be impossible to ever get past?

So did a young man named Todd Jones, and I want to share part of his story with you.  This is what he faced before he became a most famous voice.  Long before he became famous, Todd was just a young boy, born in Mississippi in 1931, of African, Cherokee, Choctaw and Irish descent. While he was still very young, his family moved all the way to Dublin, Michigan, where he grew up, went to school and later to college.

But life was difficult for Todd, because he had a problem, an obstacle, a serious hardship he had to face: Todd stuttered. I don’t mean just a little. Todd stuttered a LOT! It was so embarrassing and distressing to try to communicate with the spoken word that Todd became very withdrawn, and almost mute. He would attempt to speak only with family and a very few friends who were patient with his terrible stutter. In school he appeared to be withdrawn, sullen and almost never spoke.

However, Todd had a keen sense of observation, and he had a sharp mind. Since the spoken word eluded him, Todd turned to the written word, poetry in particular. He could memorize a poem with little effort, and enjoyed writing poetry as well. As a freshman at Dickerson High School, Todd was drawn to an English teacher by the name of Donald Crouch. Mr. Crouch cared for all his students, but he was especially drawn to Todd. He saw so much potential, and he wanted to find a way to draw out the gifts of this withdrawn and nearly mute young man. Mr. Crouch noticed Todd’s love of poetry, so one day he assigned his students the task of writing an original poem. The subject didn’t matter, so long as it was something they felt passionate about, and the poetry was original. Poetry was their homework that night.

During that time, as a way to help public health, the government began shipping truckloads of Florida citrus fruit to places like Michigan. When a crate of ruby red grapefruit arrived at Todd’s house, he thought it the most beautiful fruit he had ever tasted, and it inspired his poem: “Ode to a Grapefruit.” When Mr. Crouch handed the students’ poems back with grades and his comments, he held one back, and he did something most teachers today would never dare do: he put a young man on the spot. He called on Todd to come to the front and read his poem to the class.

Everyone was stunned. They knew how Todd stuttered. Why would Mr. Crouch do that? How painful would it be for everyone to suffer through Todd reading? Todd was gripped by a cold fear. How could his favorite teacher do something like this to him? When he didn’t move, Mr. Crouch challenged him before the class. “This poem is very good. In fact, I think it is too good to be yours. If it is your poem, prove it by reciting before the class.”   Todd sat accused of being a fraud! 

Now motivated more by anger than fear, Todd stood and recited his poem in a deep, strong voice just as he had written it—clear as a bell, without a single stutter!  Mr. Crouch had noticed when Todd recited poetry, his stutter vanished, and he wanted Todd to see that too. This was the first step in a process that changed Todd’s life. Before he graduated from high school, he joined both the debate team and drama. His new love of the spoken word and performing led him to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. His career, which spans more than seven decades, took off on Broadway in 1956 when he was cast as the lead in Shakespeare’s Othello. On stage and later on the silver screen his powerful and commanding voice came to be recognized the world over.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest stage and screen actors ever, he has won an Academy Award, three Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards, a Grammy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and he has been nominated an additional 18 times for the various awards. He is one of only a handful of actors in history who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards. But you don’t know him as Todd, because early in his career he changed his name to the one you probably do know—James Earl Jones. 

He overcame a debilitating stutter to share his voice with the world as the voice of the Star Wars villain Darth Vader, and as Mufasa in the animated movie The Lion King. Do you face challenges and difficulties that you feel you will never be able to get past?  James Earl Jones had Mr. Crouch to prod and help him along. But don’t forget, we also have a lot of people to help us too!

After writing what we often refer to as the “Faith Chapter” of Hebrews 11, the author encourages us with: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

The examples in Scripture, and those we know today, all serve to prod and encourage us to move beyond trials and challenges. Of our ultimate help, the very next verse says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”  We have the greatest power in the universe on our side, and He wants us to overcome and succeed!  The Father even allowed His Son to die so that we can repent, be forgiven and eventually be born into the family of God!

In Romans 8:31 Paul wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  What a loss it would have been if an English teacher, Mr. Crouch, had never taken the time to push James Earl Jones to overcome. What a loss it will be if we do not take advantage of all the help offered by our Father, to bring us into His Kingdom! What God has in mind for each of us is something far greater than just being a most famous voice.  Kind regards, and have a great week,   Tom Clark, for Life, Hope and Truth”

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13 Reasons Why Eating Pork Is Bad For Your Health

Here’s 13 reasons why eating pork is not good for your health:

1) A pig is a real garbage gut. It will consume anything, including urine, excrement, dirt, decaying animal flesh, maggots, or decaying vegetables. They will even consume the cancerous growths off different pigs or animals.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

2) The meat and fats of a pig absorbs toxins like a sponge. Their meat can be 30 times more toxic than beef or venison.

3) When consuming beef or venison, it takes 8 to 9 hours to digest the meat. so, what little toxins are in the meat are slowly placed into our system and can be filtered by the liver. But when pork is eaten, it takes most effective 4 hours to digest the meat. We thus get a much higher level of toxins within a shorter time.

4) Unlike other animals, a pig does not sweat or perspire. Perspiration is a means by which toxins are removed from the body. Since a pig does not sweat, the toxins remain within its body and in the meat.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

5) Pigs and swine are so toxic or poisonous that you could hardly ever kill them with strychnine or other poisons.

6) Farmers will frequently pen up pigs within a rattlesnake nest due to the fact that the pigs will eat the snakes, and if bitten they will not be harmed by the venom.

7) When a pig is butchered, worms and insects take to its flesh sooner and faster than to other animal’s flesh. In a few days the swine flesh is full of worms.

8) Swine and pigs have over a dozen parasites inside them, inclusive of tapeworms, flukes, worms, and trichinae. There is no safe temperature at which pork can be cooked to ensure that all these parasites, their cysts, and eggs will be killed.

9) Pig meat has a whole lot more fat than beef. A 3 oz T bone steak carries 8.5 grams of fat; a 3 oz pork chop contains 18 grams of fat. A 3 oz beef rib has 11.1 grams of fat; a 3 oz pork spare rib has 23.2 grams of fat.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

10) Cows have a complicated digestive system, having 4(four) stomachs. It thus takes over 24 hours to digest their vegetarian diet causing its food to be purified of toxins. In contrast, the swine’s one stomach takes approximately 4 hours to digest its foul eating regimen, turning its toxic food into flesh.

11) The swine contains about 30 diseases which can easily be passed to humans. This is why God commanded that we aren’t even to touch their carcass. (Leviticus 11:8).

12) The trichinae worm of the swine is microscopically small, and once ingested can lodge itself in our intestines, muscles, spinal cord or the brain. This results in the disease trichinosis. The signs and symptoms are sometimes lacking, however when present they are mistaken for other diseases, inclusive of typhoid, arthritis, rheumatism, gastritis, MS, meningitis, gall bladder trouble, fibromyalgia, or acute alcoholism.

13) The pig is so toxic/poisonous and filthy, that nature had to prepare him a sewer line or canal running down on each leg with an outlet in the bottom of the foot. Out of this hollow oozes pus and dirt, his body cannot pass into its system rapid enough. Some of this pus gets into the meat of the pig."

Leviticus 11 “Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ² “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: ³ Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. ⁴ Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is ^[a]unclean to you; ⁵ the ^[b]rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is ^[c]unclean to you; ⁶ the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁷ and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. ⁸ Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.” 

From: https://thepowerfulfacts.com/13-reasons-why-eating-pork-is-bad-for-your-health/

Here is what Joel Osteen says about it, YouTube:   “What Does the Bible Say About Eating Pork.”    https://youtu.be/9DLA_BRO4p4.  

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Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen. We Cannot Avoid Judging. Is Milk Good For Our Bones?

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Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

“Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Called and chosen for what? What is God’s calling? Are you sure you are among those who are called?

Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). What did He mean by that? This article will explore:

• “No one can come to Me unless …”
• The called must choose to put on a “wedding garment.”
• What is a calling from God?
• The parable of the sower describes God’s calling.
• How to interpret the parable of the sower.
• How is it possible to be called but not chosen?
• How early Church members responded to God’s calling.
• God is calling people in stages.
• What happens to people who aren’t called or chosen in their lifetime?
• Is God calling me?
• You can know if God is calling you.
• Responding to God’s calling is a lifelong commitment.

“No one can come to Me unless …”

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus explained, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws [calls or invites] him” (John 6:44).

Can you imagine your telephone’s caller ID displaying “God calling” when your phone rings? Of course, His calling is much more subtle than that, but it is just as real. Jesus was telling the assembled crowds that no one can come to Him—that is, no one can become a Christian—unless the Father first calls that person”

 CONTINUE READING        From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/christmas-is-it-really-glory-to-the-newborn-king

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We Cannot Avoid Judging.

Matthew 7:1-5

(1) "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

• New King James Version

“We cannot avoid judging. As the stock in trade of the mind, appraisals are inevitable. If we were witnesses to a flagrant violation of law in which innocent people were harmed, could we keep quiet because we are not to judge?

Does not Jesus command us to judge in verse 6? "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Do we not have to judge who are "dogs" or "swine"? Considering verse 15 ("Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"), do we not have to judge whether a man is a false minister? Do we not have to reject his teaching based on an appraisal of his fruits?

We must therefore take care to understand clearly what Jesus meant. He obviously did not mean we should not judge at all. Within the context of Luke 6:35-38, Jesus uses "Judge not, and you shall not be judged" to urge us to love our enemies, be merciful, forgiving, and generous. This very greatly modifies Matthew's account, showing that "Judge not . . ." is a warning against self-righteous severity, sharp-tongued criticism, and condemnation. Thus, it is not a command to be absolutely neutral and tolerant regarding moral issues, but a warning to be careful and loving when we judge. We can apply this admonishment to Romans 14:10-13 and James 4:11-12 as well.

There are practical reasons why Jesus would advise us about this. Of prime importance is that even though it is important that we judge rightly, it is even more important that we do not usurp the place of God! "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4).

Paul begins this letter to the Romans calling himself a servant of Jesus Christ. He reminds us that we are all His servants (verses 7-8). A servant does not have the same rights and responsibilities as a master. Though we are permitted the right of making an appraisal of conduct, we are not permitted the right of passing judgment upon a fellow servant. A fellow servant does not stand or fall at the bar of our judgment. The only judgment that matters is the judgment of our mutual Master. If He is satisfied or displeased, He will act in His good time and in His way. To usurp His responsibility is an act of sheer presumption.

This in no way means we cannot approach a brother to inquire about and understand his conduct so that we might know whether our appraisal is correct. Assuming that our intent in questioning him is for his good, why would we even approach him? Would it not be because our evaluation of his conduct had led us to conclude—yes, to judge—that he was in serious moral or spiritual trouble?”  From: https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/main/default/id/599/ver/NKJV/matthew-7-1-5.htm

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Is Milk Good For Our Bones?

"The galactose in milk may explain why milk consumption is associated with significantly higher risk of hip fractures, cancer, and premature death.

Milk is touted to build strong bones, but a compilation of all the best studies found no association between milk consumption and hip fracture risk, so drinking milk as an adult might not help bones. But what about in adolescence? Harvard researchers decided to put it to the test.

Studies have shown that greater milk consumption during childhood and adolescence contributes to peak bone mass, and is therefore expected to help avoid osteoporosis and bone fractures in later life. But that’s not what they found. Milk consumption during teenage years was not associated with a lower risk of hip fracture, and, if anything, milk consumption was associated with a borderline increase in fracture risk in men.

It appears that the extra boost in total body bone mineral density you get from getting extra calcium is lost within a few years, even if you keep the calcium supplementation up. This suggests a partial explanation for the long-standing enigma that hip fracture rates are highest in populations with the greatest milk consumption. Maybe an explanation why they’re not lower, but why would they be higher?

This enigma irked a Swedish research team, puzzled because studies again and again had shown a tendency of a higher risk of fracture with a higher intake of milk. Well, there is a rare birth defect called galactosemia, where babies are born without the enzymes needed to detoxify the galactose found in milk, so they end up with elevated levels of galactose in their blood, which can cause bone loss even as kids. So maybe, the Swedish researchers figured, even in normal people who can detoxify the stuff, it might not be good for the bones to be drinking it every day. And galactose doesn’t just hurt the bones.

That’s what scientists use to cause premature aging in lab animals They slip them a little galactose and you can shorten their lifespan, cause oxidative stress, inflammation, brain degeneration, just with the equivalent of one to two glasses of milk’s worth of galactose a day. We’re not rats, though—but given the high amount of galactose in milk, recommendations to increase milk intake for prevention of fractures could be a conceivable contradiction. So they decided to put it to the test, looking at milk intake and mortality, as well as fracture risk, to test their theory.

A hundred thousand men and women followed for up to 20 years; what did they find? Milk-drinking women had higher rates of death, more heart disease, and significantly more cancer for each glass of milk. Three glasses a day was associated with nearly twice the risk of death. And they had significantly more bone and hip fractures too.

Men in a separate study also had a higher rate of death with higher milk consumption, but at least they didn’t have higher fracture rates. So a dose-dependent higher rate of both mortality and fracture in women, and a higher rate of mortality in men with milk intake, but the opposite for other dairy products like soured milk and yogurt, which would go along with the galactose theory, since bacteria can ferment away some of the lactose. To prove it though, we need a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of milk intake on mortality and fractures. As the accompanying editorial pointed out, we better figure this out soon, as milk consumption is on the rise around the world.”

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Katie Schloer at: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-milk-good-for-our-bones/

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Deadly Ingredient In Breakfast. Deadly Influenza From Pigs. Joel Osteen Says Don't Eat Pork! Update.

 

Hi, I am late posting again, so much has been going on.

 

Chemical added to hot dogs, sausage and bacon now being developed by USDA as deadly bait that poisons wild hogs to death... and you're EATING it for breakfast!

NaturalNews) A preservative chemical that's routinely added to hot dogs, beef jerky, bacon and breakfast sausage is now being deployed by government researchers as a fatal bait to poison wild hogs to death. Development of the deadly hog poison is being pursued by none other than the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the same agency that legalizes the same toxic chemical to be used in processed meat products approved for human consumption.
The chemical, known as sodium nitrite, is a cancer-causing "color fixer" and meat preservative added to processed meat products to give them a pink hue that consumers mistake for being "fresh." When sodium nitrite combines with the hydrochloric acid (HCl) found in stomach acid, it forms cancer-causing nitrosamines. These nitrosamines go on to directly promote pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, brain tumors and other cancers throughout the body -- facts that I have been warning readers about for over a decade.

Sodium nitrite is the reason why processed meats drastically raise the risks of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/053556_wild_hog_bait_sodium_nitrite_processed_meat_additive.html#ixzz48oKjFF1k

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Influenza

“An Amazing Fact: Most people think the deadliest plague in history was the bubonic plague that killed two million victims a year. Actually, the deadliest plague occurred in the 20th century! And it started right here in the USA. It was the influenza of 1918 that hit right after World War I.

The war killed nine million men in four years, but this killer flu took at least 25 million lives in one year. In the first year, nearly 20 million cases were reported in the United States alone, accounting for almost one million deaths. That’s more than were killed during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War combined.
It all started on March 11, 1918, at Camp Funston, Kansas, when a company cook reported to the infirmary with typical flu symptoms. By noon, 107 soldiers were sick. Within two days, 522 people were sick, many gravely ill with severe pneumonia, the deadliest part of the sickness. Reports started coming in from other military bases.

Within a week, every state in the Union had been infected by this airborne killer. In two months it spread to South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The United States had the lowest death toll. But a large percentage of the Eskimo population was wiped out in Nome, Alaska. Eighty to 90 percent of the Samoan population was infected, many survivors dying from starvation, too weak to feed themselves. The disease seemed to peak within three weeks of entering a given city, then subsided. In the end, it’s estimated 25 to 35 million people died worldwide.

Eighteen months after the disease appeared, the flu bug vanished, leaving a mystery as to its source, until March 1997, when Armed Forces Institute of Pathology researchers found specimens that 1918 Army doctors had preserved. It appears the virus started from birds, passed to pigs, and then to humans. These are the deadliest of all viruses because when the hearty pig immune system kicks into action the virus is forced to mutate. Both the deadly Asian flu (1957) and the Hong Kong flu (1968) came from mutated pig viruses.

The scary part is that hog farms continue to breed pigs for food near populated areas. It could happen again! Perhaps this is one of the reasons God said people should not eat pigs. His laws are always intended to bless us.”
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Leviticus 11:7

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Joel Osteen says don't eat pork!

“If God wants us to eat anything we can stuff into our mouths, then why do you think He commended His people to only eat clean foods? And why make a distinction between clean and unclean animals that entered the ark?”

https://youtu.be/cVshUXgwyjs

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Update:

The new worker is working out very well, and we are getting some of the plumbing started, and some more of the double paned windows installed in the guest house, but it still isn’t livable.

There have been several investors looking at my house and guest house, as I would like to sell them both.  Then also I have been in touch with Estate Sale folks.

I have been busy cooking a bunch of fresh veggies that were given to me,  I mean a lot of them.  Tomatoes, cauliflower, green beans, carrots, and squash.  Some will have to be frozen for later.  Some were roasted for the church potluck, and they all went quickly.

The Bible readings the last couple of weeks have been Lev. 21:1-24:25, Exe. 44:15-31 and Math. 5:38-42 and the Teaching was about His Holy Temple one week.  Then Lev. 251-26:2, Jer. 32:6-27 and  Luke 4:16-21 and the Teaching was about Prophecies again.

Sometimes it is muggy and warm, and then sometimes it is just rainy days.

Nipping Puppy Biting in the Bud. Dog Training. Pets In Cold. Pig Abuse. Reasons Not To Eat Pork. Southern U.S. Border. Ferdinand And Imelda Marcos.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

Nipping Puppy Biting in the Bud

"It is often a challenge to convince a new enthusiastic puppy not to bite the hand that feeds him, pets him, and plays with him. Nipping and mouthing is a very common and very normal puppy behavior.

When puppies play with each other, they use their mouths, so they tend to do the same thing when they interact with people. This is rarely an aggressive behavior intended to harm you, but it can be a difficult habit to break without some good, practical tools in your “puppy training tool bag.”

The worst thing you can do is physically punish your pup for this natural behavior, although many people incorrectly do so.

Most normal puppy mouthiness just goes away on its own, regardless of how much or how little puppy parents do to stop it, once puppies acquire their adult teeth

Instead of punishment, the use of positive distraction and the encouragement of acceptable behavior are far better approaches, yielding much better results. This article is intended to help you manage puppy nipping effectively, while at the same time helping you build a good relationship with your puppy, based on trust rather than fear."    More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/08/13/nipping-puppy-biting-in-the-bud.aspx

and more at: http://raisinghealthydogs.com/how-to-nip-puppy-nipping-in-the-bud

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Don’t Make This Tragic Mistake When Your Dog Misbehaves

"This is a sickening, heart-wrenching story I’d rather not repeat, but there’s an important message in it, so I hope you’ll bear with me.

A one year-old dog was injured so severely by misuse of a choke collar that he had to be euthanized. The owner suspended the dog a few feet off the ground with a choke collar for a full minute as a disciplinary tactic. When the dog was lowered to the ground, he was panicked and ultimately lost consciousness.

An exam at the veterinary clinic where the dog was taken showed brain injury and severe brain swelling. The ultimate diagnosis was strangulation and the dog’s injuries were so severe he had to be euthanized.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in 5 Simple Steps

The goal is to use very small-sized treats (pea sized is good, and you can even use frozen peas if your dog seems to like them) and verbal praise and affection to encourage desired behaviors in your dog.

1. Come up with short, preferably one-word commands for the behaviors you want to teach your pet. Examples are Come, Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Off, etc. Make sure all members of your family consistently use exactly the same command for each behavior.
2. As soon as your dog performs the desired behavior, reward him immediately with a treat and verbal praise. Do this every time he responds appropriately to a command. You want him to connect the behavior he performed with the treat. This of course means you’ll need to have treats on you whenever you give your dog commands in the beginning.
3. Keep training sessions short and fun. You want your dog to associate good things with obeying your commands. You also want to use training time as an opportunity to deepen your bond with your pet.
4. Gradually back off the treats and use them only intermittently once your dog has learned a new behavior. Eventually they’ll no longer be necessary, but you should always reward your dog with verbal praise whenever he obeys a command.
5. Continue to use positive reinforcement to maintain the behaviors you desire. Reward-based training helps create a range of desirable behaviors in your pet, which builds mutual feelings of trust and confidence."

More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/12/27/dog-behavior-training.aspx

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Back to Basics: 10 Great Dog Training Tips

"Everyone realizes there’s a big difference between a well-mannered canine citizen and an unpredictable, out-of-control dog. But often dog owners develop bad training habits without realizing it, and are left feeling confused and concerned about their dog’s uncooperative behavior."  Article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/11/29/10-dog-training-tips.aspx

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10 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe in Cold Weather

"Depending on where you live, you’re bracing for another winter of ice, snow and frigid temperatures. But before we all find our own ways to weather the chill for the next few months, it’s a good time to remember the importance of keeping furry family members as safe, warm and comfortable as we are.

Cold weather can be just as hard on pets as it is on humans – especially for dogs and cats left outdoors for extended periods of time (which I never recommend). Pets left outdoors in cold weather can acquire a wide variety of injuries and illness, not the least of which are hypothermia and frostbite.

Here are some things you can do to keep the four-legged members of your family warm and safe:"  More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/12/20/cold-weather-pet-safety-tips.aspx

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Animal Abuse At Former Walmart Pork Supplier Caught On Camera at Tyson (GRAPHIC VIDEO)

"Walmart's meat suppliers have been under intense scrutiny for their treatment of animals, and this is the fourth undercover investigation regarding the chain's pork suppliers by the group. First very upsetting video, Hidden-camera footage from another farm  that supplies pork to the retailer was released last month that allegedly showed pigs confined to gestation crates and workers throwing piglets on their heads. 

Second video, very cruel and graphic. Be considerate and think twice before sharing." http://youtu.be/SArGyNusR_Y

More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/animal-abuse-walmart-pork-supplier_n_4312183.html

Please sign petition at: https://www.change.org/petitions/tell-tyson-to-stop-torturing-pigs

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From me:  I sometimes wonder if The Lord told us not to eat pork in Leviticus 11, because he knew how much the pigs would have to suffer to be in our food chain.  Apart from that:

"Every animal has its purpose. Scavengers, such as pigs, are designed to clean—not to be eaten by humans, only by other carnivorous animals.

A pig’s digestive system—unlike a cow’s—is not designed to filter toxins from its system. These toxins work their way through the pig and are deposited in the animal’s flesh—especially in its fat. The pig itself is actually able to sustain very high levels of toxins. As such, it can eat just about anything. In an effort to keep feed costs down, pig farmers will purchase garbage, such as rotting meat and vegetables, to feed them—and the pigs can be sustained with it. There is nothing in the pig’s digestive system, or the processing of the meat, that removes these toxins.

Some of the “cleaning” features of the pig are remarkable. One is located under its hooves. Often referred to as poison ducts or running sores, these “sores” act as a conduit for poisons to ooze from the pig’s body. This is one reason pigs can eat poisonous snakes that would kill other creatures and not be affected themselves. These ducts, however, will often become “plugged” from the amount of toxins pigs must excrete from their bodies. If this is the case, a farmer must quickly slaughter the pig and send it to market before it dies. Accordingly, the meat from such an animal is riddled with parasites and toxins.

The toxicity of the pig is not just limited to its meat and organs. Even its saliva can be horribly infectious. In fact, one disease, called “mad itch,” will cause a cow to rub all the skin from its mouth—to the point of killing itself. All that is required for cows to contract this disease is to come in contact with the residue of a pig’s saliva on shared food supplies!"  More at: http://realtruth.org/articles/263-apt.html

Even Joel Osteen has switched to turkey bacon:

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"A pig is a real garbage gut. It will eat anything including urine, excrement, dirt, decaying animal flesh, maggots, or decaying vegetables. They will even eat the cancerous growths off other pigs or animals.  The meat and fat of a pig absorbs toxins like a sponge. Their meat can be 30 times more toxic than beef or venison.

The pig is so poisonous and filthy, that nature had to prepare him a sewer line or canal running down each leg with an outlet in the bottom of the foot. Out of this hole oozes pus and filth his body cannot pass into its system fast enough. Some of this pus gets into the meat of the pig."  From: http://www.9jabook.com/forum/topics/15-things-you-should-know-about-pigs-their-meat

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On This Day:

Southern U.S. border established, Dec 30, 1853:

Territorial expansion of the United States, the Gadsden Purchase shown in red-orange.

The border between Mexico and the United States spans six Mexican states and four U.S. states, and has over twenty commercial railroad crossings.

"James Gadsden, the U.S. minister to Mexico, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the president of Mexico, sign the Gadsden Purchase in Mexico City. The treaty settled the dispute over the location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas, and established the final boundaries of the southern United States. For the price of $15 million, later reduced to $10 million, the United States acquired approximately 30,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona.

Jefferson Davis, the U.S. secretary of war under President Franklin Pierce, had sent Gadsden to negotiate with Santa Anna for the land, which was deemed by a group of political and industrial leaders to be a highly strategic location for the construction of the southern transcontinental railroad.

It was James Gadsden who was influential in the convention’s recommending a southern route for the proposed railroad, beginning in Texas and ending in San Diego or Mazatlán. Southerners hoped that such a route would ensure southern prosperity while opening the “West to southern influence and settlement.”"

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Marcos inaugurated,  Dec 30, 1965:

"Former Philippines Senate president Ferdinand Marcos is inaugurated president of the Southeast Asian archipelago nation. Marcos' regime would span 20 years and become increasingly authoritarian and corrupt.

After substantial evidence of Marcos' corruption emerged, including the looting of billions of dollars from the Philippine economy, Marcos and his wife were indicted by the U.S. government on embezzlement charges. After Ferdinand Marcos' death in 1989, Imelda was cleared of the charges, and she was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1991, where she unsuccessfully ran for the presidency the following year.

In 1993, Imelda Marcos was convicted of corruption by a Philippine court, but she avoided serving her 12-year prison sentence. In 1995, she was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1998, she unsuccessfully ran for president again and subsequently retired from political life."

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Imelda Marcos loses her collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes:

   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207353/Imelda-Marcos-legendary-3-000-plus-shoe-collection-destroyed-termites-floods-neglect.html

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Yesterday:

Jay came here and wanted to work on something, he was getting bored staying at home.

He won't wear his sling even though he is supposed to have a broken right arm, so he was able to cut some lattice with my lightweight circular saw, and we completed two sections of one of the cross fences yesterday.

Hazing Bison. Dogs For PTSD Vets. Tangled Whales. Adopt-A-Mutt. Pig Poop In National River? Pet Poisons. Seal's Whiskers. “U.S.A”. California.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

Give Yellowstone's Buffalo More Room to Roam

“Most of Yellowstone National Park is over 6,000 feet in elevation. As a result, deep snows during harsh winters force Yellowstone’s bison to lower elevations outside the boundaries of the park in search of food and shelter.

The bison remain at the lower elevations outside the park’s boundaries into the spring when they give birth to their calves.
And it is in spring when workers from Montana’s Department of Livestock start hazing bison back into the boundaries of Yellowstone with helicopters, four-wheelers and horses. This practice to try and prevent the bison from coming into contact with local livestock has been going on for more than a decade.

The hazing can be a real horror show—bison calves bawling as they search for their mothers; and even worse, calves suffering broken legs or other potentially fatal injuries in the mayhem.

In the coldest months of winter, sometimes thousands of bison migrate out of Yellowstone—largely to National Forest lands immediately outside of the park.

Then in the spring bison are hazed back into Yellowstone to address ranchers’ fears that the bison could transmit disease to domestic livestock. This hazing still occurs even though, most of the National Forest lands no longer have domestic cattle on them, and thus there is no risk of disease transmission.

It’s time to eliminate these out-of-date policies that compel agencies to haze bison back into Yellowstone Park every spring.
We have until September 13 to submit comments on behalf of bison to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Your voice is extremely important in this effort, as local livestock interests are strongly resisting any change in the status quo.”

Please speak up now to end this hazing of bison and help bison to roam year-round on lands adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. 

More at: http://online.nwf.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=142871.1&dlv_id=144998 

and one from the National Parks: https://secure.npca.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1125

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How Dogs Can Help Veterans Overcome PTSD

““I would constantly be scanning for who was going to come stab me from behind,” says Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist from San Joaquin, California. He was discharged in 2005 after serving in a heavy artillery quick-reaction force in South Baghdad. But fear, anxiety, depression and substance abuse swept into his life, and Soliz became one of 300,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

New research finds that "man's best friend" can be lifesavers for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”    Video: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/videos/How-Dogs-are-Replacing-Drugs-in-the-Treatment-of-PTSD.html#ooid=Z5dnk4NTo3AUO-ZgwUJ36PJ8OIElKneg

Article at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/How-Dogs-Can-Help-Veterans-Overcome-PTSD-160281185.html#

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Four-Legged Therapy for Military Veterans with PTSD

Fireworks are no fun for vets with PTSD

“Several hundred thousand U.S. military veterans are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) each year. It has been shown that many of the most distressing symptoms experienced by combat veterans can be eased by the presence of a specially trained therapy dog.

The Veterans Administration currently does not provide service dogs for vets with PTSD, unless they also have a vision, hearing or mobility problem.

Fortunately, there are organizations across the U.S. that have realized the enormous value of therapy dogs for PTSD sufferers and are raising money to provide more dogs to more U.S. military veterans.”  Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/08/26/therapy-dogs-m

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Protect Right Whales from Slow Death

“Every year right whales, humpback whales, and other endangered whales get tangled in heavy lines used in lobster and other commercial fisheries. Once entangled, they can drown or die slowly from wounds and infection.

Females and young right whales tend to die more frequently. These deaths threaten the species as right whales struggle to grow from a current population of only around 500 whales.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed restricting fisheries in times and areas where right whales are most at risk. Although they are proposing greater protections in some areas; they are also proposing to reduce protections in others. Please let the NMFS know it’s important to require changes in commercial fisheries to reduce deaths of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

TAKE ACTION
Please fill out the form below to tell the NMFS that although you support their proposal to restrict fishing gear, you do not agree that large areas of the East Coast should have exemption from this rule.”    https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6245

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A unique way to get people to adopt dogs.

“No one wanted abandoned mixed breed dogs until a rescue organization did something unique to help them.”

“Mutts are great! Just choose the correct size for you and you have a loyal companion.”

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6 Reasons to Go Mad for a Mutt

“Mutt… mongrel… Heinz 57… all-American. No matter what you call your mixed breed dog, he’s no less wonderful for his unknown ancestry. In fact, he may be the dog of your dreams…

1: You can pick your favorite size and color.

Mutts come in small, medium, large and XL sizes. They come with short, long, curly or wiry coats in every color. They have small ears that stand up, or big floppy, droopy ears. They come with long or short legs, and big fluffy tails, or no tail at all. Whatever you're looking for in a canine companion, you can find in a mixed breed dog.

 

2: You can find a mixed breed to fit your lifestyle.

You might be looking for a very friendly dog, or one who's security conscious. Perhaps you want a four-legged workout partner or a snuggler who enjoys long naps on the couch. Whatever your lifestyle, there's a dog out there who will fit right in.

 

3: You don't have to spend big bucks.

Animal shelter adoption fees are much more affordable than the cost of a purebred dog. (But keep in mind that every dog requires a nutritious diet, routine vet visits, obedience training, grooming supplies, bedding, a collar and leash, toys, and other odds and ends.)

 

4: Many mutts are great athletes.

If your mixed breed dog is healthy and active, he can compete and earn titles in agility, dock diving, flyball, canine disc, freestyle, lure coursing, obedience, rally and more.

 

5: You can DNA test your mixed breed dog.

 

Doggy DNA tests are growing in popularity as more pet owners realize the value of learning something about the breeds that make up their furry friend.

 

6: You're saving a life.

Mixed breed dogs account for about 75 percent of the U.S. shelter population, so adopting a homeless pet means one less animal languishing in the system or being euthanized.”

From: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/09/06/mixed-breed-dogs.aspx

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Keep Buffalo National River Pristine: Ask Cargill to Move C&H Pigs!

“A factory farm threatens to pollute the Buffalo, America’s First National River. Please ask Cargill to move C&H Farms, Inc. to a more appropriate location. This factory farm will produce over three million gallons of manure, litter, and wastewater each year. Don’t let waste ruin the Buffalo National River. Cargill is C&H Farm’s primary customer. Please ask Cargill to move C&H farms to a more appropriate location and protect the watershed of the Buffalo National River.” Learn More.

TAKE ACTION! Keep Buffalo National River Pristine, ask Cargill to move C&H pigs!

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Pet Poisons:

 

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A Seal's Amazing Whiskers

“God's creation is vast and varied.

Researchers in Germany have discovered that seals are able to detect prey by following the invisible trails left by fish in the water. Even in low visibility and murky water, seals use their whiskers as a locating device, picking up movement in the wake of prey up to 35 seconds after the fish have passed by.

Experts believe that all seals, and likely sea lions, share this ability. The role whiskers play in hunting is comparable to echolocation used by dolphins and whales. Seals may also use their whiskers to tell the size of the fish and speed at which their prey is traveling. (Richard Gray, "Seals Can Detect Underwater Wakes Left Behind by Fish," Telegraph.co.uk, June 20, 2010).

The creatures He designed are brilliant in their complexity, and their God-installed instincts are astounding.”   From: http://www.ucg.org/science/news-seals-amazing-whiskers/     Article by Amanda Stiver

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On This Day:

Congress renames the nation "United States of America", Sep 9, 1776:

“On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress formally declares the name of the new nation to be the "United States" of America. This replaced the term "United Colonies," which had been in general use.  Congress had created a country from a cluster of colonies and the nation's new name reflected that reality.”

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California becomes the 31st state in record time, Sep 9, 1850:

“Though it had only been a part of the United States for less than two years, California becomes the 31st state in the union (without ever even having been a territory) on this day in 1850.

Mexico had reluctantly ceded California and much of its northern territory to the United States in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,. When the Mexican diplomats signed the treaty, they pictured California as a region of sleepy mission towns with a tiny population of about 7,300-not a devastating loss to the Mexican empire. Their regret might have been much sharper had they known that gold had been discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, nine days before they signed the peace treaty. Suddenly, the greatest gold rush in history was on, and "forty-niners" began flooding into California chasing after the fist-sized gold nuggets rumored to be strewn about the ground just waiting to be picked up. California's population and wealth skyrocketed.

Most newly acquired regions of the U.S. went through long periods as territories before they had the 60,000 inhabitants needed to achieve statehood, and prior to the Gold Rush, emigration to California had been so slow that it would have been decades before the population reached that number. But with gold fever reaching epidemic proportions around the world, more than 60,000 people from around the globe came to California in 1849 alone.

Faced with such rapid growth, as well as a thorny congressional debate over the question of slavery in the new territories, Congress allowed California to jump straight to full statehood without ever passing through the formal territorial stage. After a rancorous debate between the slave-state and free-soil advocates, Congress finally accepted California as a free-labor state under the Compromise of 1850, beginning the state's long reign as the most powerful economic and political force in the far West.”

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Yesterday:

Misty didn’t want to go walkies with me when I went to get Jay.  I put her leash on her, but she didn’t want to be disturbed from her after-breakfast nap.  At her age, that’s OK if we take our walk later.

Ray painted some high places on the front porch entry, while I held the extension ladder, then Jay went up there with his long arms, and did the rest of it. Jay had hired ‘three men’ to level out the gravel ready for the metal carport.  Supposed to be ‘three men’ for one price.  Two teenage boys arrived.  We screwed some boards onto the existing posts, to hold the gravel in place. The boys worked hard smoothing out the gravel, and I hope it will be what is needed for the installation of the carport on Tuesday.

Gastro-Intestinal Issues? Severe Stomach Damage Caused by GMOs. Natural vs. Organic. Tips for Avoiding GMOs. Two Big Quakes Rock CA.

 

For “Foodie Friday”:

Are Your Gastro-Intestinal Issues Connected to GM Food?

“We are creatures of habit. Lets face it. We buy our snacks in fancy packages, and enjoy the carefully engineered delicious food, without thinking about it. Perhaps it is time to start connecting some dots.

In 1996, genetically modified (GM) crops entered human food and animal feed in increasing amounts after being commercially released into USA fields. The main products were corn and soy. In addition to those modified crops, and many others since then, GM mosquitoes have also been introduced into the ecosystem, without the consent of the people.

A recent study published in the peer reviewed ‘Journal of Organic Systems’ demonstrated that Pigs fed a GMO diet showed a higher rate of severe stomach inflammation than pigs fed a comparable non GMO diet.This finding was a result of a long-term toxicology study on pigs that were fed a combination of soy and GM maize (both genetically modified). Dr. Judy Carman, from the Institute of Health and Environmental Research, Australia led the study.

The significance of this 23 week study is that it reveals biological evidence linking GMO crops to significant harm. It showed that there was a 267% increase in stomach inflammation compared to the non GMO diets for the participating pigs. Surprisingly, males had an even higher increase (400%). 168 young pigs were involved in this study.

Other studies, that didn't make mainstream news, indicate a link between GMO food and severe organ damage, cancer, kidney damage, tumors and premature death. For example, it is not a secret that rats fed with GMO's grow disgusting tumors, again as shown by documented scientific published studies. Hello?

Where are the food regulators assessing GM crops to be ingested by animals or people? Where are the long-term negative harm studies from GM food or crops? What about the genetic pollution that spreads and creates unintended results? These are serious questions, without clear answers.

Do you have chills yet? How about pondering this connection?  The GM corn has an insecticide that works.  That 'special' insecticide is genetically grown into every GM corn kernel. Mmm. Sounds tasty. But, as each kernel damages the digestive system of the insects, that same insecticide stays inside the corn, which is turned into animal feed, or processed in your nachos (with corn chips), etc . What does that do to your digestive system?”  More at:   http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/are-your-gastro-intestinal-issues-connected-gm-food

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GMO feed turns pig stomachs to mush! Shocking photos reveal severe damage caused by GM soy and corn

“This pig stomach inflammation study suddenly provides yet more credible evidence that GMOs are unfit for human consumption and may be causing severe damage to the digestive systems of both humans and mammals.”

(NaturalNews) “If you have stomach problems or gastrointestinal problems, a new study led by Dr. Judy Carman may help explain why: pigs fed a diet of genetically engineered soy and corn showed a 267% increase in severe stomach inflammation compared to those fed non-GMO diets. (For the record, most autistic children are males, and nearly all of them have severe intestinal inflammation.)”   Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/040727_GMO_feed_severe_inflammation_pig_stomachs.html

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“Natural” and “Organic” brands, often t’aint so!

“You might be surprised to find out that many “natural” and “organic” brands are in fact owned by multi-billion-dollar corporations that are contributing hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars to defeat Proposition 37. These companies present themselves as small, family-run businesses and farms in order to gain your trust, but nothing could be further from the truth.

For example, Kashi is owned by Kellogg, and has contributed $612,000 to defeating Proposition 37. In 2011, The Cornucopia Institute published a study called Cereal Crimes, which revealed that the popular, “natural” Kashi GoLean cereal brand, unbeknownst to its customers, contains genetically engineered ingredients.

Another example is Silk soymilk, which carries the “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal on its products but is owned by the nation’s largest factory dairy, Dean Foods, which has contributed $253,000 to the effort to kill Prop 37.  Dean Foods also owns the Horizon Organic brand. Both Silk and Horizon profess to oppose GMOs, while their parent company does everything possible to water down organic certification standards and make sure genetically engineered foods (like rBGH milk) are never labeled.”

Original article at: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/how-to-help-stop-monsanto#ixzz2U3jE5uPv

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Natural vs. Organic Cereal

“Increasingly, organic products are forced to compete with products that claim to be “natural.”

There are no restrictions for foods labeled “natural” (very basic standards exist only for meat products). The term often constitutes nothing more than meaningless marketing hype promoted by corporate interests seeking to cash in on the consumer desire for food produced in a genuinely sustainable manner.

Unlike the organic label, no government agency, certification group or other independent entity fully defines the term “natural” on processed food packages or ensures that the claim has merit.

Natural" claims in the cereal and granola aisle mislead consumers. A new research study from The Cornucopia Institute indicates the "natural" claim is mostly meaningless marketing hype, in contrast to the USDA certified organic label which signifies the food was produced without genetically modified organisms (GMOs), toxic pesticides and other potentially dangerous synthetic inputs. Cornucopia and USDA research finds GMOs, and toxic pesticide residues, in "natural" cereal ingredients... and many "natural" brands are often priced higher than equivalent organic products.”

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Tips for Avoiding GMOs

“Avoiding GMOs can be a challenge given the fact that Monsanto continues to silence most any legislation looking to enforce the labeling of GMOs on a state-wide of nationwide level, however it is very possible. While the best option is searching for a high quality organic source sporting the USDA organic label, there are certainly alternatives to reduce your consumption of GMOS when it comes to non-organic food sources.”

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Take Action! Become One of the Millions Against Monsanto!

Sign Organic Consumers Association's Truth-in-Labeling Petition:  http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50865/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=8967

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On This Day:

Two big quakes rock California, Jun 28, 1992:

“Two of the strongest earthquakes ever to hit California strike the desert area east of Los Angeles on this day in 1992. Although the state sits upon the immense San Andreas fault line, relatively few major earthquakes have hit California in modern times. Two of the strongest, but not the deadliest, hit southern California on a single morning in the summer of 1992.

Just before 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning, a 7.3-magnitude quake struck in Landers, 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Because the Landers area is sparsely populated, damage was relatively minor given the intensity of the jolt. In Los Angeles, residents experienced rolling and shaking for nearly a minute. The tremors were also felt in Arizona, Las Vegas and as far away as Boise, Idaho.

Just over three hours later, a second 6.3-magnitude tremor hit in Big Bear, not too far from the original epicenter. This quake caused fires to break out and cost three people their lives. A chimney fell on a 3-year-old child and two people suffered fatal heart attacks. Between the two quakes, 400 people were injured and $92 million in damages were suffered. The physical damage was also significant. The quakes triggered landslides that wiped out roads and opened a 44-mile-long rupture in the earth, the biggest in California since the 1906 San Francisco quake.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to get Jay, and had our walk down there.  When we got back here, Ray did some painting, and Jay and I worked on the fence to the walkway going to my backyard.  The lattice gate is now hung, but we haven’t cut the top of the fence level yet.  We will do that when we are finished with the other fence, too.  We started on the cross fence between the two back yards, but it got too hot to do much more yesterday.