Do You Want Splenda With That? Or Aspartame? Cargo Trailer.

Sugar and insulin: the energy rush

"Like Pooh Bear and the honey jar, sweet treats are the comfort food of choice for most of us.

Usually we’ve had powerful emotional incentives set up in childhood — like getting a lollipop after a doctor’s visit — and most of us unconsciously associate sugar with love, pleasure, and reward. Why else would we call our dear ones “honey,” “sugar,” and “sweetie”?

There’s an equally strong biological urge here that’s hard-wired. We’re predisposed to seek out sugar when we can find it. After all, sugar (sucrose) is a carbohydrate. It’s metabolized directly into blood sugar, or glucose, which fuels our brain and muscles. The purer the source, the faster it gets into the bloodstream, bypassing much of the digestive process.

Eating sugar shoots our blood sugar levels up and triggers a spike in the hormone insulin, which is needed to prep our cells to absorb the sugar. If there are no other nutrients to sustain our blood sugar level, it crashes as quickly as it rises — and we crave another hit. This is how sugar addiction begins.

Another big difference between prehistoric times and now is that sugar back then came solely from complex natural sources that had other nutritional qualities, such as fruit, honey, bark, and leaves. And because naturally sweet food is seasonal, ripening with the sun in the summer or growing almost exclusively in warm climates, it was relatively rare in past times."

More at: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx

__________________

 

Avoiding sugar is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, but, instead of consuming a naturally low-sugar diet based on whole foods, some people are still trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Unfortunately, the belief that artificial sweeteners can allow you to have the best of both worlds is simply not based in reality. It's a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you're still consuming artificially sweetened foods, snacks and beverages because you think it'll help you manage your weight, please understand that you've been sorely misled.

In reality, "diet" foods and drinks ruin your body's ability to count calories, thus boosting your inclination to overindulge. This effect appears to be true for all artificial sweeteners.

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as acceptable and even preferred alternatives to sugar, which is at best confusing and at worst seriously damaging the health of those who listen to this well-intentioned but foolish advice.

Artificial Sweeteners INCREASE Your Risk of Obesity

Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that artificial sweeteners can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings, and stimulate fat storage and weight gain. In fact, diet sodas may actually double your risk of obesity!

How's that for being misled?

Studies have repeatedly shown that consuming artificial sweeteners may be ruining your ability to control your food intake and body weight. For example, I have listed the results of six studies on aspartame that found it increases hunger and body weight on my Aspartame Studies page, and research on other artificial sweeteners have come to the same conclusion.

It's thought that consuming artificial sweeteners breaks the inherent connection between a sweet taste and a high-calorie food, thereby changing your body's ability to regulate your intake of calories. The end result is that by consuming artificially sweetened foods and beverages, you end up gaining more body fat than if you were to eat the same foods sweetened with regular sugar!

But weight gain isn't the only health-harming side effect of these man-made chemical sweeteners.

Splenda Destroys Your Gut Flora

Different artificial sweeteners have been found to wreak havoc in a number of different ways. Aspartame, for example, has a long list of studies indicating its harmful effects, ranging from brain damage to pre-term delivery.

Splenda (sucralose) has been found to be particularly damaging to your intestines.

A study published in 2008 found that Splenda:

• Reduces the amount of good bacteria in your intestines by 50 percent
• Increases the pH level in your intestines, and
• Affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you're on certain medications like chemotherapy, or treatments for AIDS and certain heart conditions

They also found unmistakable evidence that Splenda is absorbed by fat, contrary to previous claims.

In response to this study, James Turner, chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health issued the following statement:

"The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose   *** pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label."

I agree. It's truly disturbing that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria, as these bacteria are absolutely vital for supporting your general health!  Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to consuming too many highly processed foods. This is why a high quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I highly recommend for most, if not all, people.

Believe me, if you continually destroy up to half of your gut flora by regularly consuming Splenda, then poor health is virtually guaranteed!

Splenda has Never Been Proven Safe for Human Consumption

Splenda was approved by the FDA as a tabletop- and general-purpose sweetener in processed foods in 1998. The FDA claims the approval was based on more than 110 animal and human safety studies. However, what they don't specify was that out of these 110 studies, only two were human studies, consisting of a combined total of 36 people, of which only 23 people actually ingested sucralose.

Additionally, the longest of these two human trials lasted only four days and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance!

Many people have sent me stories about their adverse reactions to Splenda, which are posted on my site. This list alone contains more people than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval!

The remainder of those 110-plus "safety studies" were done on animals, and they actually revealed plenty of problems, such as:

• Decreased red blood cells -- sign of anemia -- at levels above 1,500 mg/kg/day
• Increased male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses
• Enlarged and calcified kidneys (McNeil stated this is often seen with poorly absorbed substances and was of no toxicological significance. The FDA Final Rule agreed that these are findings that are common in aged female rats and are not significant.)
• Spontaneous abortions in nearly half the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group 
• A 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a 6 percent death rate in the control group 
• 

Common Side Effects of Splenda

The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption.

_______________________

 

***  "Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener. The majority of ingested sucralose is not broken down by the body and therefore it is non-caloric." 

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucralose

How it is Manufactured: Sucralose is produced by chlorinating sugar (sucrose). This involves chemically changing the structure of the sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups.

 

_______________________

 

And while we are on the subject of artificial sweeteners:

Who Makes Aspartame?... That's Right, MONSANTO!

NOTE - On the European Common Market Aspartame is banned for all children's products! 

"Why not in Canada and the USA?  Because Monsanto pays off the FDA, the American Medical Association, The American Dietetic and Diabetic Associations, Congressmen and Senators and virtually anyone who gets in the way, and in other countries too. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation caught them red handed and aired a program where Monsanto was trying to bribe a couple of Canadian Doctors at Health Canada.

Author Peter Sills writing in the Toronto Globe and Mail said, after a three and a half year court case against Monsanto, brought by railroad workers exposed to dioxin following a train derailment had ended and in which the jury awarded a $16 million in punitive damages against Monsanto, "The evidence of Monsanto executives at the trial portrayed a corporate culture where sales and profits were given a higher priority than the safety of products and it's workers. They (Monsanto) just didn't care about the health and safety of their workers.  Instead of trying to make things safer, they relied on intimidation and threatened layoffs to keep their employees working."  From:  http://www.aspartame.ca/page_a2a.html

________________

 

Effects of Aspartame

"Although there is still much debate concerning the damage caused by excess aspartate as a result of aspartame consumption, the FDA recognizes several neurological symptoms, including headaches, migraines, seizures, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech."  Read more: http://www.ehow.com/list_7380559_effects-aspartame.html

________________

 

Here is a list of the products that contain Aspartame. You will be surprised!

http://www.knowthelies.com/?q=node/2148

_________________

 

As of now, the only sweeteners deemed safe are Stevia, Xylitol, and Saccharin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharin

Many people, including me, find that Stevia leaves an aftertaste, so I stick to the last two.

________________

"That being said, some practitioners think saccharin in moderation is the best choice if you must have an artificially sweetened beverage or food product. It’s been around a relatively long time and seems to cause fewer problems than aspartame. I don’t argue with this recommendation, but I encourage you to find out as much as you can about any chemical before you ingest it."

From: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx

_________________

 

Yesterday:

Jay and I built the kitchen drawer that will be in the cargo trailer, so Ray can paint that, and more, when he gets here.  I have equipment for making, and squaring picture frames, so we used one on the drawer while the glue dries overnight.

We also put up one more piece of paneling.   We were going to put up another one, but found out that the 'deadwood' along the back did not allow access to the wiring for the rear running lights, so we had to take down the back ceiling panel and rectify that.   Everywhere there is a running light on the trailer, we are making access to the wires, so that we can get to them if needed.  We will make a removable 'chases', like a pieces of crown molding, to go all around the ceiling inside to cover the different wires for the trailer lights, 12v and 110v lights.   

 

The kind of locking latches that I wanted to use on the cabinets are pretty expensive, so I spent some time looking for alternatives, as we will need a bunch. 

 

It's going to change very soon, but wonders never cease, no AC needed for another day.

Cinco de Mayo. Spring Check-Up. RV Saving Tips. RV Fridge. RV Tips. Mercedes Toyhauler. Cargo Trailer. Kittens.

Picture: Mexican dancers in Phoenix symbolize the color, fun, and culture of Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

"Cinco de Mayo is an occasion of ethnic pride celebrated throughout Mexico and the United States. Cinco de Mayo marks a victorious battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico. There 4,000 brave Mexican soldiers triumphed over twice as many French fighters on May 5, 1862.
Today Cinco de Mayo is a joyous holiday celebrated with food, fun, parades, and plenty of cerveza or tequila. Typically held during the first week of May, Cinco de Mayo springtime events include carnivals, street fairs, and multi-day festivals across the U.S."

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in the USA at: http://honeymoons.about.com/od/exploremexico/a/cincodemayo.htm

____________________

RV Spring Shakedown Primer   Posted by RV Doctor   By Gary Bunzer

"As memories of a cold, long winter begin to wane, many of us get antsy for that first RV excursion of the season. Holed up all winter, we’ve been making travel plans, waiting for the trees to blossom, the birds to chirp and the campgrounds to open.

The majority of us readied our coaches last fall for storage; some fully winterized for colder temperatures. After each period of non-use, regardless if the RV was winterized for sub-freezing temperatures or simply stored in the driveway, every coach must be properly prepped for use prior to simply taking off down the highway. Many call this preparation process the “spring shakedown.” It involves a few detailed tasks, best addressed in a systematic manner, so nothing falls through the cracks. So block out a few days, gather a few maintenance supplies and get ready for another season of fun RV travel!

The following procedures are presented in a priority order that best assures nothing will be forgotten. They are also presented in bulleted format for a quick reference each season. Always have a pad and pencil on hand to note any item that needs attention. During comprehensive procedures like the spring shakedown, don’t rely solely on your memory.
Read the rest here: http://www.rvdoctor.com/2011/04/rv-spring-shakedown-primer.html
_____________________

The cost of a gallon of gasoline reach an all-time high this past week.

"No doubt it will cause some RVers to pull off the road for awhile and others to travel less.
Still, even with the high prices, there are some simple ways to stretch your RVing dollars:
 
1. The most obvious way is to drive slower. Stay in the right hand lane and take your time. You could pick up the equivalent of an extra mile for each gallon of fuel by simply slowing down. When you leave a stop sign, go easy on the pedal as you pick up speed.

2. Check your tires to be sure they are properly inflated. The simple act of rolling along on fully inflated tires will stretch your mileage, providing you with perhaps a couple of "free" gallons of fuel per tank.
 
3. Make sure your motorhome or tow vehicle's engine is tuned up. Check the air filter: A dirty one will decrease your mileage.

4. Don't travel with a full fresh water tank. It adds a lot of weight. Just take what you need and fill up when you reach your destination. Dump holding tanks before leaving your campground instead of carrying the weight with you.

5. Avoid driving into headwinds. Wait a few hours or maybe even a day for the winds to calm or even shift. On days with a good breeze at your back, drive extra miles to take advantage of nature's "push."

6. At RV parks, opt for the no-hookup option if you don't need major power -- you'll save a few dollars a night. And be sure to consult FreeCampgrounds.com <http://www.freecampgrounds.com/> for a big directory of places along the road where you can stay for free or less than $10. There are perhaps 100 small town city parks that will allow a free stay for a day or two, some with hookups included.

7. Save on camping fees by spending an occasional night with your RV in a Walmart parking lot: most stores allow a free stay.   Some other businesses, like Cracker Barrel, Lowes, Home Depot, allow a free overnight stop as well including many truck stops and casinos. But ask permission first.  RVers who travel to the Southwest each winter can save a bundle by "boondocking" on Bureau of Land Management's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) for up to seven months for less than a dollar a day.

8. Stay put in a reasonably priced campground an extra day or two: not burning any gas when you're not on the road. And instead of staying at a park for five days, stay seven to qualify for a money-saving weekly rate.

9. Instead of driving far away to camp, stay closer to home. The fuel needed to drive 30 miles to a campground will probably be only a few dollars more at today's prices than it did when it was half the price.

10. RVers who travel more than a few weeks a year should get a membership in Passport America <http://www.passportamerica.com/> . They can then camp for half price in more than 1,700 RV parks. Any avid RVer who doesn't take advantage of this inexpensive money-saving opportunity is throwing money away.

11. Good Sam Club members save 10 percent at most commercial campgrounds, making a membership pretty much required for RVers who stay in RV parks. The Escapees Club has its own parks throughout the country where members can boondock for free or hook up to utilities for peanuts. The club also published an annual directory of hundreds of RV parks that will offer a substantial discount to Escapee members. Of course, senior citizens -- typically defined as 60 or 65 years -- can camp for a discount at many state and federal facilities. An annual pass may be required in some areas.

12. If you're in the market for a new RV or tow vehicle, give priority to one that provides good gas mileage. And consider buying a pre-owned RV rather than a new one. You'll save big on the purchase price and those
savings will buy a lot of gas!

The price of gas will hopefully come down. In the meantime, for those of us who RV, there are ways to balance our budgets even with higher cost of fuel. It just takes some creativity."

_________________

From RV Now:  
What Is That White Plastic Strip On The Metal Fins Inside My Refrigerator?

  "I never thought much about that little strip of plastic
on the metal fins inside my refrigerator except when I tried to clean around it. It slides up and down on the fin and has a wire attached to it.

Turns out this little guy is a temperature sensor. It tells your
refrigerator to keep working or to relax for a while.
Ben Lukacek is a Master Certified RV Technician at Best Buy RV's and is doing the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) on our coach. He explained to me that if I want the refrigerator compartment to be cooler I can adjust the temperature by moving this plastic strip up on the metal fin. This way you are able to keep the temperature in your freezer constant while raising or lowering the temperature in your refrigerator compartment separately."

___________________

Short list of common RV "boo boos"

Every experienced RVer has at least one or two RVing moments he'd like to forget--or at least, not be reminded of by his or her "significant other." RV insurer Progressive did a survey of 1,000 RVers to ask about their boo-boos.
Here's the short list of dumb things RVers often do:
1. Driving off with steps extended.
2. Backing into a post or other "stationary object."
3. "Woops!" miscalculation on overhead or side clearance.
4. Improperly connecting tow lights.
5. Running out of fuel.

Down on the list, but certainly one that they'll never be left to forget: Driving away from an RV stop and leaving behind a member of the group. Typically those left behind were folks like spouses, pets, or grandparents. Do this one yourself? Don't feel bad, 20 of the respondents to the survey reported making this major gaff.
We often recommend pre-flight checklists for RVers, but obviously some of these boobers just don't fit on the list.
From: http://www.rvquicktips.com/2011/04/short-list-of-common-rv-boo-boos.html
______________

Mercedes puts new spin on RV "toy hauler"


Did you hear the one about the Mongolian millionaires?
They moved their money into Mercedes. Hey, literally!
If you want to go hunting in Mongolia, you should be prepared to face the elements, and a tricked out Mercedes Benz "Zetros" is your ticket.







Rather than calling this wonder-rig an RV, the owners (or maybe it's Mercedes) are referring to the fancy rig as a "living station."









Matters not either way, the investment of funds into outfitting this oft-used-by-military-types into a luxury rig for exploring the wilderness in comfort is obvious.






_____________________________

Yesterday:

Ray caulked the overlapping joins in the metal lined area for the cargo trailer's AC, and then applied the second coat of paint on some more of the cabinet doors and panels. 
Jay and I trimmed the outside of the AC vent, and as soon as Ray paints that, we can install the vent that hides the AC.  Then we cut more doors.   Now there are just two small ones, and one drawer to build.

One of the orphan kittens, Pal, has reached the goal of 2lb, so he can be neutered when I take them for their vet appointment on the 12th.   As for the girls, Pebbles is at 1-1/2 lb, and Precious is only 1-1/4 lb, so they might only get check-ups and their first shots when they get there. 
Precious seems to have Acrophobia, as she is very scared when she is picked up, and gets very 'clingy'.  She has been that way ever since I got them, so I wonder if she was dropped.  The lady who was trying to raise them on baby formula, does have small children.  Apart from that, she seems to have the sweetest personality.

This is more like April weather, as we haven't had to run the AC for several days.

Birds. Cockfighting in TX. Plight of Ducks/Geese. Male Baby Chicks. Shopping.

The basic issue is simple: "The question is not, can they reason?
Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?"
(Jeremy Bentham, philosopher and animal rights activist; 1748-1832.)
___________________

Close the Gaping Holes in Texas Law

"Although cockfighting is a felony in Texas, it is still legal to attend cockfights, and to own cockfighting birds and weapons. These loopholes make it impossible for law enforcement to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in cockfighting.

A bill has been introduced to close the loopholes in Texas' cockfighting law (S.B. 939). But we need your help.
Please make a brief, polite phone call to your state senator Senator Robert Nichols (512) 463-0103 . You can say: "I am your constituent and ask for support in closing the cockfighting loopholes in Texas."
Send a follow-up message after you call. Until Texas law prohibits ownership of cockfighting birds and weapons, roosters will continue to suffer needlessly for the sake of gambling and entertainment."


__________________________

So what's wrong with bread and crackers? What do waterfowl naturally eat?
"People derive great pleasure from taking their children to a local park that has ducks and geese and feeding them. These birds sometimes provide the only exposure to "wildlife" that many city kids ever experience and so it could be argued that the birds provide a service. But it is a disservice to feed them, especially when it is a steady diet of bread, crackers, chips, popcorn and the like.
They can literally starve to death if that is all they get to eat. Geese are vegetarians and need access to vegetation. Ducks are mainly vegetarian but they require some protein. Both will eat grains and corn.
You may see wild ducks and geese in a cornfield or wheat field after harvest; they are eating the raw, unprocessed product, a whole food. Along with grains they are getting grasses, shoots of weeds, worms, snails, and bugs.
In the water they tip to graze shallow areas for water plants, consuming small fish when they find them. Mallards "dabble" the surface of the water for bugs, mosquito larvae and floating vegetation. Birds fly to different areas for different foods, so they have a wide variety of foods, but plants and vegetation comprise most of their diet.

People mean well when they bring big bags of bread and crackers and it is difficult for them to understand that they are killing the birds with their kindness. Bread fills the birds up, swelling in their stomach, but providing no nutritional value. They feel "full" so they go and rest and eventually they become habitual beggars, subsisting on handouts and forgetting to eat their natural food. After all, that is way more work to find!

Another complicating factor is that the habitat becomes overcrowded and there actually may not be any natural food left. Yet the birds that can't fly can only go as far as they can walk. Stale bread from an occasional visitor may be their only meal."      From: http://www.upc-online.org/ducks/52004plight.htm
_________________

Another view of factory farming, Chicks 'ground alive' by poultry producer:

"Cheap eggs are not worth it."
"Thrown, dropped, mutilated, and ground-up alive. This is the disturbing reality faced by hundreds of thousands of chicks each day at the world's largest egg-laying breed hatchery Hy-Line International in Spencer, Iowa."

WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT - VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED

Video from: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/chicks-ground-alive-by-poultry-producer/story-e6frf7jo-1225769179445

This happens at most hatcheries, not just the one above.
Some of the petitions against this cruel treatment: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/680/155/948/
and: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/622/petition-to-encourage-willmar-poultry-inc-to-stop-its-cruel-hatcherpractices/  and: http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com/g-pinkpetition.asp
__________________

Yesterday: 
Ray did some more sanding, priming and painting to the doors and panels to be installed in the cargo trailer, while I went shopping for more supplies for him to use. 
It will be so good to get these doors and panels installed so I can post some pictures of our progress.  But first I have to decide on what type of hinges to buy!  Oh, forget that, I have bunches of them up in my attic, I will have to see what will work in the trailer.

It has been wonderful not to have to run the AC the last two days.