School Calendar

Posted on May 15, 2021 by asgtc

THANK YOU
Werner Bendorf
and
Richard Fletcher
and the many Scouts
of Boy Scout Troop 17,
such as
Rev. Don Graves,
Billy Graves,
(ALWAYS in my Prayers),
Allen Bendorf,
Sid and Bruce Curry,
and so many others.
What a Blessing
your precious Lives
have been to
me.
You have given me,
and many more,
a Gift beyond compare.

“The clearest way into the Universe
is through a Forest Wilderness.”
– John Muir

Passing Through the Love of God

Our Sacred Home,
our World,
has never lost its warm, inviting atmosphere.
Your experience,
your journey to the Natural World
will make you feel
totally
at Home.

My Dear Friends,
Life matters in a different way
that is impossible to describe.
Somehow,
we can feel Happy
and deeply relaxed
and at Peace.
.
We need to be
reminded of all the precious Life
that may be wasted
without spending Time
Passing Through the Love of God,
while wandering down the Sacred Pathways
of His Beautiful, Natural World.
.
Being Mindful
of His Blessings,
found in the REAL World,
of His Beautiful Creations
in Nature,
can give us a True Awareness
of the Reason
for Being.

Yes,
we are here
for a Reason –
to Love
and be Loved.
.
To feel the precious Love
of God,
escape the man made confinements
that evolve into such madness,
and return to your Home,
to the Love expressed by God,
in His Warm Embrace –
found in every cloud above,
in every Leaf of every Tree,
in every Living Thing
that Loves Life,
like you
and me.

Life
has new meaning,
when one realizes the Wonder
that is our Creation
and the Beauty that surrounds us.

Your Sacred Time
spent wandering in the Cathedral
of God’s Forests,
helps to reflect upon His Divine Blessings
and give Thanks
for HIS Immeasurable Love. green and white leafed plants

Remember
who you are,
and you are –
deeply Loved
by God.

He will never forget
you.
.
He WILL help you.
Do not look
into the darkness
and fear the night.
Trust and Believe
in the Light.
The Light of God’s
Love,
will always shine
Bright.

Be glad
that our brief Lives
intertwine
and share precious moments
in little ways
that Truly matter.

“There is nothing wrong
with Living a simple Life”
– J.R.R Tolkein

The Spirit
of your precious Being
will find Happiness.
Stop Looking
in all the wrong places.

You will find Joy
in your Heart,
in the smiles
reflected from those
around you,
in the Beautiful Leaves
fluttering in the wind,
to be
cast upon the Sacred Ground
and in the Beautiful Clouds
cast into the air we breathe,
in places where
you Truly belong,
in the Hearts of others,
and in Prayer.

Let Love in.
Let the Light in.
Let your Heart in
to the precious Lives
of others
in need.

Love is
the Golden Gate
that opens into Paradise.
Love
casts out fear.
It is invincible.
There is no difficulty
that enough Love
will not conquer,
no affliction or infirmity
that enough
Love
will not Heal.

There is no door
that enough Love will not
open.

“God is Love,
and He that dwelleth
in Love
dwelleth in God
and God In Him”
– 1 John 4:16

We are Special
and we are Blessed.
Let us bow
to the Divine
within,
and Give Thanks
to the Lord.

Goodnight.

brown and white butterfly perched on green leaf in close up photography during daytime

An Effortless Way
to Improve Your Memory

By David Robson

A surprisingly potent technique can boost your short and long-term recall – and it appears to help everyone from students to Alzheimer’s patients.

This story is featured in BBC Future’s “Best of 2018” collection.
Discover more of our picks.

When trying to memorize new material, it’s easy to assume that the more work you put in, the better you will perform. Yet taking the occasional down time – to do literally nothing – may be exactly what you need. Just dim the lights, sit back, and enjoy 10-15 minutes of quiet contemplation, and you’ll find that your memory of the facts you have just learnt is far better than if you had attempted to use that moment more productively.

Although it’s already well known that we should pace our studies, new research suggests that we should aim for “minimal interference” during these breaks – deliberately avoiding any activity that could tamper with the delicate task of memory formation. So no running errands, checking your emails, or surfing the web on your smartphone. You really need to give your brain the chance for a complete recharge with no distractions.

An excuse to do nothing may seem like a perfect mnemonic technique for the lazy student, but this discovery may also offer some relief for people with amnesia and some forms of dementia, suggesting new ways to release a latent, previously unrecognized, capacity to learn and remember.

A simple technique could boost our short and long-term memory.

The remarkable memory-boosting benefits of undisturbed rest were first documented in 1900 by the German psychologist Georg Elias Muller and his student Alfons Pilzecker. In one of their many experiments on memory consolidation, Muller and Pilzecker first asked their participants to learn a list of meaningless syllables. Following a short study period, half the group were immediately given a second list to learn – while the rest were given a six-minute break before continuing.

When tested one-and-a-half-hours later, the two groups showed strikingly different patterns of recall. The participants given the break remembered nearly 50% of their list, compared to an average of 28% for the group who had been given no time to recharge their mental batteries. The finding suggested that our memory for new information is especially fragile just after it has first been encoded, making it more susceptible to interference from new information.

Although a handful of other psychologists occasionally returned to the finding, it was only in the early 2000s that the broader implications of it started to become known, with a pioneering study by Sergio Della Sala at the University of Edinburgh and Nelson Cowan at the University of Missouri.

We could all do with fewer distractions in our lives.

The team was interested in discovering whether reduced interference might improve the memories of people who had suffered a neurological injury, such as a stroke. Using a similar set-up to Muller and Pilzecker’s original study, they presented their participants with lists of 15 words and tested them 10 minutes later. In some trials, the participants remained busy with some standard cognitive tests; in others, they were asked to lie in a darkened room and avoid falling asleep.

It seems to benefit young and old people alike

The impact of the small intervention was more profound than anyone might have believed. Although the two most severely amnesic patients showed no benefit, the others tripled the number of words they could remember – from 14% to 49%, placing them almost within the range of healthy people with no neurological damage.

The next results were even more impressive. The participants were asked to listen to some stories and answer questions an hour later. Without the chance to rest, they could recall just 7% of the facts in the story; with the rest, this jumped to 79% – an astronomical 11-fold increase in the information they retained.

The researchers also found a similar, though less pronounced, benefit for healthy participants in each case, boosting recall between 10 and 30%.

Della Sala and Cowan’s former student, Michaela Dewar at Heriot-Watt University, has now led several follow-up studies, replicating the finding in many different contexts. In healthy participants, they have found that these short periods of rest can also improve our spatial memories, for instance – helping participants to recall the location of different landmarks in a virtual reality environment. Crucially, this advantage lingers a week after the original learning task, and it seems to benefit young and old people alike. And besides the stroke survivors, they have also found similar benefits for people in the earlier, milder stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Our memory for new information is especially fragile just after it has been encoded.

In each case, the researchers simply asked the participants to sit in a dim, quiet room, without their mobile phones or similar distractions. “We don’t give them any specific instructions with regards to what they should or shouldn’t do while resting,” Dewar says. “But questionnaires completed at the end of our experiments suggest that most people simply let their minds wander.”

Even then, we should be careful not to exert ourselves too hard as we daydream. In one study, for instance, participants were asked to imagine a past or future event during their break, which appeared to reduce their later recall of the newly learnt material. So it may be safest to avoid any concerted mental effort during our down time.

The exact mechanism is still unknown, though some clues come from a growing understanding of memory formation. It is now well accepted that once memories are initially encoded, they pass through a period of consolidation that cements them in long-term storage. This was once thought to happen primarily during sleep, with heightened communication between the hippocampus – where memories are first formed – and the cortex, a process that may build and strengthen the new neural connections that are necessary for later recall.

The brain might use downtime to cement what it has recently learnt.

This heightened nocturnal activity may be the reason that we often learn things better just before bed. But in line with Dewar’s work, a 2010 study by Lila Davachi at New York University, found that it was not limited to sleep, and similar neural activity occurs during periods of wakeful rest, too. In the study, participants were first asked to memorise pairs of pictures – matching a face to an object or scene – and then allowed to lie back and let their minds wander for a short period. Sure enough, she found increased communication between the hippocampus and areas of the visual cortex during their rest. Crucially, people who showed a greater increase in connectivity between these areas were the ones who remembered more of the task, she says.

Perhaps the brain takes any potential down time to cement what it has recently learnt – and reducing extra stimulation at this time may ease that process. It would seem that neurological damage may render the brain especially vulnerable to that interference after learning a new memory, which is why the period of rest proved to be particularly potent for stroke survivors and people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Other psychologists are excited about the research. “The effect is quite consistent across studies now in a range of experiments and memory tasks,” says Aidan Horner at the University of York. “It’s fascinating.” Horner agrees that it could potentially offer new ways to help individuals with impairments to function.

Scheduling regular periods of rest could help us all hold onto new memories.

Practically speaking, he points out that it may be difficult to schedule enough periods of rest to increase their overall daily recall. But he thinks it could still be valuable to help a patient learn important new information – such as learning the name and face of a new carer. “Perhaps a short period of wakeful rest after that would increase the chances that they would remember that person, and therefore feel more comfortable with them later on.” Dewar tells me that she is aware of one patient who seems to have benefitted from using a short rest to learn the name of their grandchild, though she emphasises that it is only anecdotal evidence.

Thomas Baguley at Nottingham Trent University in the UK is also cautiously optimistic. He points out that some Alzheimer’s patients are already advised to engage in mindfulness techniques to alleviate stress and improve overall well-being. “Some [of these] interventions may also promote wakeful rest and it is worth exploring whether they work in part because of reducing interference,” he says, though it may be difficult to implement in people with severe dementia, he says.

Beyond the clinical benefits for these patients, Baguley and Horner both agree that scheduling regular periods of rest, without distraction, could help us all hold onto new material a little more firmly. After all, for many students, the 10-30% improvements recorded in these studies could mark the difference between a grade or two. “I can imagine you could embed these 10-15 minute breaks within a revision period,” says Horner, “and that might be a useful way of making small improvements to your ability to remember later on.”

In the age of information overload, it’s worth remembering that our smartphones aren’t the only thing that needs a regular recharge. Our minds clearly do too.

David Robson is a freelance writer based in London. He is @d_a_robson on Twitter.

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There is
no gulf that enough Love will not bridge;
no wall that enough Love will nit throw down;
no sin that enough Love will not redeem!
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble,
how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle,
how great the mistake;
a sufficient realization of Love will Dissolve it All!
If only You could Love enough
You would Be The Happiest and The Most Powerful Being
In The World!
– Emmey Fox

Aerial Photo of Mountain Surrounded by Fog

OUR Children Are Dying From ADHD Drugs! WAKE UP! / Coffee May Stave Off Depression / Good Friday and Easter Monday are Holidays

Posted on March 25, 2018 by asgtc

Come on Folks! Wake UP!

OUR Children are dying
from ADHD Drugs!

Sadly,
the deaths of many children
has remained suppressed
for so long because there is
a tremendous amount of
money and profit at $take.

Between 1990 and 2000 there were 186 deaths
from methylphenidate (Ritalin)
reported to the FDA MedWatch program,
a voluntary reporting scheme,
the numbers of which represent
no more than 10 to 20%
of the actual incidence.

We need to expose
the health risks, dangers, deaths
and suicides
that are a direct result
of administering Ritalin
and other psychiatric drugs to children.
read more

Does Ritalin Increase Cancer Risk in Children?

Research is raising concerns about the drug Ritalin,
suggesting that children who take it
may have an increased risk of
cancer.

Ten year old Harry Hucknall’s death resulted from two ‘mind-altering’ drugs that had been prescribed by a psychiatrist. read more

ALL of the children
included in a University of Texas study experienced
an increase in chromosome abnormalities
just three months after starting Ritalin.

Chromosome damage has been linked
to heightened cancer risk
and to other health problems.

Lead researcher Randa A. El-Zein, MD, PhD, and colleagues
found a THREEFOLD increase
in the level of chromosomal damage
in the samples taken after the children
were started on Ritalin.
read more

Several animal studies have also suggested
a link between Ritalin use
and cancer.

Chemicals for ADD and ADHD?

Something is wrong,
but not with your precious child.

God, in His Wisdom,
has never created a child
He did not deeply Love.
The concern you express for your child
is part of that abiding Love.

Matthew was a teenager
who had been on Ritalin for seven years.
His death certificate reads:
“Death caused from long-term use
of methylphenidate (Ritalin).”
read more

Please consult with your physician
and ask him or her to remove your child
from all the harmful chemicals
that will create more and more issues
as time passes.
The research that is readily available
has led to the conclusion
that no child should be subjected
to the long term effects
of these substances.
And very few longitudinal studies
have been conducted.

I do NOT wonder
Why $ $ $ $.

Another boy named Matthew had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. And like an estimated 2.5 million other children in the United States, he was taking medication for the condition.

Matthew took his pill that morning with a glass of water. He was later found after he had collapsed on the bathroom floor. read more

Please
type the name of your child’s prescription(s)
combined with two more words,
“________ and cancer“,
and read the results.
Yes,
you will be horrified.

The Drug Enforcement Administration
had classified Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
as a Schedule II drug,
comparable to Cocaine.

Methylphenidate is also one of the top ten
abused prescription drugs.
Ritalin causes constriction of veins and arteries,
causing the heart to work overtime
and inevitably leading to damage
to the organ itself.

Eleven year old Stephanie Hall’s teacher suggested that she be tested for ADD. Stephanie’s Death was caused From Ritalin used to treat ADHD. read more

It is a violation of parent’s rights
when they are not told of the unscientific nature
of so-called disorders such as ADHD
or the risks of the treatments
involving drugs like Ritalin.

Did you know that by labeling your child
with ADHD,
you are actually labeling them
with a mental illness?

Did you know that a child
taking psycho-tropic, psycho-stimulant drugs
like Ritalin after the age of 12
is ineligible for military service?

Why?
What do they know
that we do not know?

Did you know that the subjective checklists
that are being used as criteria for diagnosis
are very similar to the checklists used to determine
Gifted and Talented Children?

These two checklists are almost
identical.

Ten year-old Shaina Dunkle was diagnosed with ADHD by her school psychologist. Her death was caused from Desipramine used to treat ADHD.

My Dear Friends,
bright children are not passive players
in the game of Life.
They are active.
Such activity is a NATURAL by-product
of high intelligence.

Get on your knees
and Thank God
you have NORMAL, intelligent
and yes, ACTIVE children.
What a Blessing!

Did you know that there are studies
such as the Berkeley Study
that contend that Ritalin and other stimulants
further raise the risk of drug abuse?
Ritalin makes the brain more susceptible
to the addictive power of cocaine
and doubles the risk of abuse.

Come on Folks!
Wake UP!

flowers -2

What needs to change
is the academic environment.
It needs to allow for normal active children.

Hyperactive children simply
do not exist.

Most boys are highly active
and for a good reason.
It relates to the survival of the species.
Think about it!

And common LOGIC dictates what is so apparent:
WE ARE A PART OF NATURE
NOT APART FROM NATURE.

Your child is acting normal!
Put him or her outside in the fresh air
with God’s bountiful sunshine
and allow for activity.

Take advantage of the high activity level
and enroll your child in a great sports program.
Wear him or her out on the soccer field
or playing a ball game like baseball
or camping out with a Scout Troop, etc., etc. etc.
Instead of drugging up your kid,
set him up for recognition for his athletic ability.
Take advantage of the GIFT
of being a healthy active HUMAN being.

Don’t bury your loved one in an early grave
because you lack the courage
to say NO!

Don’t just say it,
shout “NO”!

There is Beauty in Courage.
There is no need to water the flowers
you place on the grave of your precious child
with your tears.
Tears should be shed only for
joy.

INVITE the uninformed person
who insisted your child become a lab rat
to take the drug instead.
Yes, insist they go on the drug first.
Look into their horrified eyes when they scream,
“What?”

bix 2

If YOU are not a strong advocate for your child, NO ONE WILL BE. That is why God gave you HIS Child – to shelter the deeply loved from the storms of Life, to protect, to Honor, to serve, and LOVE above all things on this Earth.

And
Love my Friend,
is Courage.

Please take the time to research these substances and have your precious son or daughter removed from them. I would also change my physician. If he or she has taken the convenient and profitable way to medically treat your family, then he or she needs to be removed from service.

Obviously,
the good Doctor has not researched the topic
to the degree enough to reach a compassionate,
reliably informed and reasonable conclusion.

The qualifications of physicians also follow,
like everything else in life,
the bell-shaped curve of probability.
Some are at the lower end of expectations
relative to the awareness of what they do.
Some will write a prescription for anything.
Just be sure to pay the bill
on your way out.

Motor vehicle accidents
claimed 40,100 deaths in 2017,
almost the same as in 2016 when 40,327
were reported.
But, in recent years,
there has been an annual average
of about 400,000 drug related deaths
and serious injuries in a hospital
that could have been prevented (those we know about).

Research estimates up to 440,000 Americans
are dying annually from preventable hospital errors.
This puts medical errors as the
third leading cause of death
in the United States.
read more

Which leads me to conclude
that the most dangerous place in this country
is not on America’s highways,
but in the doctor’s waiting room.

Like Jesus said,
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Some truly do not know.

Your
instinctive and abiding Love for your child
allows for insight into what is happening.
Please follow your instincts.
God has given them to you for a reason.
And that reason always points
to His abundant Love for you
and your child.

Your child is perfection,
as are all of God’s children.

Please remove your children from all substances
that tarnish the Will of God.
What is truly needed
is the abundant Love of our Lord
that flows through you.

That is all your children
will ever need.

Goodnight.

Drinking coffee
may stave off depression.
A study of some 50,000 female nurses in the US
over a period of ten years suggests that women
who drank 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day
reduced their risk of depression by 15%
compared with those who drank one cup or less.
And those who drank four cups or more
had a 20% risk reduction.
– read more here

IMPORTANT DATES
March 30 & April 2 (Fri. & Mon.) Good Friday-Easter Monday Holidays
May 1                                             Tuition Balance Due for 2018-19
May 22- 25                                     Adventure Trip (Waco, Texas)
May 25                                            Last Day of Semester

Important dates are posted each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.:
William’s Weblog at andersonschool.net

Lyrics/songs texts/paintings
are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Website Design by Alexander Anderson
© Copyright 1995-2018 The Anderson Private School. All Rights Reserved

Joy Is Your Birthright / Stage West Theater / Classes Resume Sept. 5

Posted on June 21, 2017 by asgtc

Dedicated
to our much Loved
Friend, Teacher, Mentor
and
Director of Shakespeare Productions
George X Rodriguez.

You are an
Treasured Inspiration
to everyone.

Thank You

There are so very, very many
apparent
examples of God’s intervention
and His Love for us.
And
our Love
for one another,
is among them.

Philosophy
determines the course
of each person’s Life.

There is nothing
more significant or important
in the entire Universe,
than the conscious Life
of an individual Human Being.

Nothing
is more important.

Declare your own reality.

Existence itself
has NO meaning,
NO value,
without your conscious
FREEDOM
to declare your own reality,
in a World
filled with illusions.

What is the purpose of existence?

Our search for meaning in Life
has resulted in
deep philosophical and Theological
introspection.

Throughout our History,
the meaning of Life was derived from
contemplation and inquiry
about existence and consciousness,
and
the pursuit of happiness.

And of ALL founding documents
crafted to establish countries
throughout the entire World,
the pursuit of happiness,
is mentioned ONLY in
the United States Constitution.

Other countries
are built upon cornerstones of viscous battle,
inflated ego, narrowly defined nationality,
cultural bias, religion, language, and territory.

Search for meaning.

But America is the exception.
Our foundation
is Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of happiness.
It appears in the very first sentence
of our Declaration of Independence.

America is the only place
on Earth or in History
created to be both free and at liberty
and with a joyful purpose.
America is guided by
a Sacred Purpose.
We,
individually and personally,
decide on any pathway
that we choose.

Freedom.

The covenants, conventions, protocols,
compacts, constitutions and concordances
of all other Nations
are NOT crafted to find
Happiness.
.
But Joy
is your Constitutional Birthright.
.
Yes,
the United States of America is the first

– and only –
Nation founded to be
Happy.
.
My Dear Friends,
this is but another example
of God’s intervention
and of His Love for us.
The most brilliant people,
the truly Gifted of this Nation,
Prayed for the Guidance of God
and crafted our Constitution
with a deep and abiding
compassion
for every generation to come.
.
Our search for the meaning
of Life,
inexorably leads us
to the Love of God,
and our Love
for each other.

A world filled with illusions.

“I know there’s something much more.
Something even non-believers can believe in.

I believe in Love,
Alfie
Without true Love we just exist,
Alfie
Until you find the Love you’ve missed,
You’re nothing,
Alfie.

When you walk
let your Heart lead the way,
And you’ll find Love
any day.”
– Burt Bacharach, Hal David

There’s something much more.

Existence itself
has NO meaning,
NO value,
without your conscious
FREEDOM
to Love Life,
Cherish Liberty
and
pursue happiness.

God Loves You.
And so did the
Founding Fathers of the
United States of America.

May God Bless You.
.
And God Bless
America.

Thank You Lord.

And THANK YOU
VETERANS OF AMERICA
and your precious Families.
THEY
paid for our Freedom.

Goodnight.

Nothing is more important than your happiness.

About Stage West

Stage West
is a professional theater company operating under agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the professional union of theatrical actors and stage managers in the United States. For over 38 years, Stage West has been praised for its excellence, producing 265 shows, including 244 plays and 21 musicals.

Stage West has graciously hosted the
annual William Shakespeare productions
of the Anderson Private School.

Stage West has risen from modest, storefront beginnings to a highly-respected place among American regional theatres. Over the years, the theatre has produced a wide range of works – classic American and world drama, Shakespeare, Shaw, contemporary Broadway plays and musicals, as well as new works by aspiring playwrights, including 12 world premieres.

Stage West’s goal is to broaden and intensify the theatrical experience for patrons with consistently excellent acting, directing and plays. Through this, the company nurtures the artistic growth of area actors, directors, designers, playwrights and musicians.

Dana Schultes

Thank you
Dana Schultes, Executive Producer
and the wonderful staff
of Stage West Theater
for all that you do
to benefit our school
and our community.

Please visit the website of
Stage West Theater
(click here)
to read more
and view the 2016-17 Season.

Thank you.

FREEDOM to declare your own reality.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research.
Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit,
educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts/paintings are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Creating Reality /

Posted on May 21, 2017 by asgtc

“Learning is the beginning of wealth.
Searching and learning is
where the Miracle process all begins.
The great breakthrough in your life
comes when you realize it,
that you can learn anything you need
to learn to accomplish any goal
that you set for yourself.
This means there are no limits
on what you can be,
have or do.”

– Albert Einstein

Hope is resurrected.

Disquieted by doubt,
we seek answers
to questions we seemingly cannot
formulate,
and guidance from those
we do not yet know exist.
Searching,
ever searching,
we find ourselves
slipping deeper and deeper
into dark despair.
Not knowing
the why
or where.

But we exist,
in dimensions unaware,
now and forever,
here
and everywhere.
The beat
our Heart
is felt
by everyone,
in our every moment
on Earth.
Such is the Nature
of God’s
Love.

Yes,
we are One,
and so very much
more.

Hope
is resurrected
in our fragile Hearts
from Great Truths
that have come from
Above,
from the deep Wellspring of
Eternal Love
found in the Sacred
and Precious Word
of God.

Bring your wandering
Heart Home,
to Him.
Home
is where your Heart
longs to live.

“I fear no foe,
with Thee at hand to Bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still,
if Thou abide with me.”

– Henry F. Lyte, Will H. Monk

We never escape
the consequences of our actions.
The hardships and suffering that exists today
seem ever present,
because of our very narrow view
of Human purpose,
of our reason for Being.

My Dear Friends,
the highest form
of intelligence
that exists this day
and evermore,
is Love.
And you are its Embodiment.
You are the Manifestation
of its Being.

And as vast and complex
as is the Universe of Worlds,
YOU
are so much more.
For their reality
is the Creation
of your mind
and Heart
through the Will
of God,
the Father you come from,
not through.

Trust
is the fundamental process
for creating reality.

TRUST
in the Voice of One
who told you the Truth,
long, long ago.

Then Jesus told them,
“I tell you the TRUTH,
if you have Faith and don’t doubt,
you can do things like this and much more.
YOU
can even say to this mountain,
‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and it WILL happen.“
– Matthew 21:21

Yes!
Jesus knew the TRUTH.
And now,
just now,
science is confirming
what He knew,
and wanted to convey
to YOU.
Reality is centered
in your mind and Heart.
YOU
have the God given ability
to create the World
around you.
Through your Faith
in God,
and in yourself,
you can do anything.

Please click on the link below:
The Role of Trusting in the Process of Creating Reality

If you see the importance of Trust,
of Faith,
YOU can now take the next step forward.
You can create the reality
of your Life,
the Life you desire
and long for others.

More vast and complex than the World outside of you.

The Essence of your “Being”
was Created pure, good, and Eternal,
and more vast and complex
than the World outside of you.

The Intelligence of your Love
can reveal the True inner Nature
of God’s Divine Love.
And your Love
can truly fill the many lives
around you,
and fill the World
with Beauty.

Fill the World with Beauty.

When YOU respond
with Love and Compassion,
by advising those around you
to return to the Beautiful Moral Standards
and the uplifting Principles
taught in the Precious Word of God,
you have sown the Wind,
and prevented our Children
from reaping the
whirlwind.

“Whoever is wise,
let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right,
and the righteous will walk in them.
But transgressors will stumble in them.”
– Hosea 14:9

My Dear Friends,
it is not enough
to fight for survival,
to endure day by day.
It is far more important to enjoy it,
to truly live this Life
while you can.

Breathe deep the sweet air
of compassion
and forgiveness.
The precious stillness
found sitting quietly
and waiting for you,
can be filled
with the sweet victory
found only in
Prayer.

And your Heart
may truly be found
only within
the Being
of another.

Goodnight.

“According to the current doctrines of mysticoscientism, we human animals are really and actually nothing but “organic patterns of nodular energy composed of collocations of infinitesimal points oscillating on the multi-dimensional coordinates of the space-time continuum.”
– Edward Abbey

The Potter’s Wheel / Seven Ways to Experience More Joy / Thank You: Stage West Theater

Posted on May 17, 2017 by asgtc

“O LORD,
Thou art our Father;
we are the clay,
and thou our Potter;
and we all are the work
of Thy Hand.”
– Isaiah 64:8

Round like a circle
ever spinning.
Infinite Love
Created you
and me.
When Sunlight never was,
and darkness
was ever to be,
the Light of God’s Love
penetrated all,
and from
the Potter’s Wheel
was Lovingly crafted
the beautiful Dream
we are.

Our footprints
found their way
into the sand.
And rings
found a Rainbow
to fall upon.

Like tide born
ripples,
spread upon the shores
of time,
we question
over and over again,
the moment of our
birth.

To whom
do we belong?

And the Autumn Leaves
of Life,
drifting past
so very many days that were,
make us suddenly
aware:
there is more
to Life
than can be seen,
more
to Love
than in a
Dream.
And the lessons
learned
found in-between:
include Forgiveness
God implores.
For now
quickly becomes nevermore
the moment
to explore.

There is more to Life than can be seen.

And in this now,
our Friends in science say,
The Divine Book was right,
we are made
of Clay.
read more

“And the LORD God
formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life;

and man became
a living Soul.”
– Genesis 2:7
.
We never know
the value
of this moment in time,
until it becomes
the treasure
of a memory.

And then,
God calls your
name,
to take you Home.
He wants
to take you there.
To where
there is no end,
and the deep
Mystery of Love
is kept
by perpetual Prayer.

He
hears your voice,
feels you falling
through the breeze,
like the Leaves
of Autumn trees,
into His arms,
a Harvest of
Dreams.

The Promise
of God,
is to Love you
and never
let you go.

And in times
of doubt,
when you feel
you do not
know,
the Prayer
you secretly hold in your
Heart,
will show you
the way.
For your Father
truly longs to hear
you say:
I Love you.
I need you.
In my Heart,
I want you
to stay,

We have been Blessed.

My Friend,
during all this
Time,
you knew the
Way.
And the Path
is Beautiful,
and straight
and near.
It points directly
to your
Heart.

From this
Moment,
Life
can begin.
From this
Moment,
you
have been Blessed.
But this Moment
is all
that is left,
to Live
and Love
and let your Heart
take flight,
and accept your Gift
from Above

Yes,
we have been
Blessed,
with the Gift
of this Moment.

And
it shall not last
long.

Goodnight.

You have been Blessed.

Seven Ways to Experience More Joy
by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander
read more

James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander share their principles for building more joy into your daily experience.

Editor’s note: “Joy is not for just the lucky few,” says James Baraz, a longtime meditation teacher and cofounder of the renowned Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, Calif. “It’s a choice anyone can make.” Each year since 2003, Baraz has taught a 10-month course, both online and at the center, called “Awakening Joy.” Its goal: to help participants increase their daily quotient of positive feelings.

The material is based on universal, nondenominational principles that draw on both Buddhist philosophy and on contemporary neuroscientific studies that show we can deliberately incline our minds toward greater happiness. The seven suggestions that follow will give you a glimpse of his joyful prescription and help you understand how to put it to work in your own life.

1. Imagine Happiness
Any activity, when performed repetitively, changes the structure of the brain. But even repeatedly imagining an activity has an impact on neural structure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School demonstrated this with an experiment where they asked one group to play a five-finger exercise on the piano over the course of a week. A comparison group was asked to merely imagine moving their fingers to play the same exercise. Though actively playing the exercise had a greater impact on brain structure than imagining it, by the end of the week, the same region of the brain in both groups had been significantly affected.

Each day, deliberately imagine yourself happy. Picture yourself in a situation with people you really like, or engaged in an activity that gives you a lot of pleasure. By actively imagining feelings of happiness or recalling happy experiences, you can help to encourage changes in your brain that will predispose you to creating more real-life joy in your daily experiences.

2. Memorize Happiness in Your Body
Even though the brain is strongly inclined to notice and retain negative experiences over positive ones (that’s our protective survival instinct at work), you can help level the playing field by strengthening your neurological happiness circuits. Whenever you’re experiencing a moment of joy or contentment — walking, listening to music, being kind, feeling grateful — don’t miss it! Pause to notice the feelings in your body and the state of your mind. Do you feel warmth in your chest? Does your mind feel light and open?

Now consciously intensify that sensation. Some psychologists call this “memorizing” the feeling. Either way, you are causing the same neural circuits to fire repeatedly, thereby strengthening them. Psychologist Rick Hanson calls this “taking in the good.”

“As with any positive state of mind,” Hanson says, “if you can develop a strong ‘sense memory’ of the experience, you can reactivate it deliberately when you want to.”

3. Reframe Your Fate Positively
Countless studies have shown the effects of gratitude exercises on positive outlook. One study conducted by positive psychologist Martin Seligman asked participants who considered themselves severely depressed to write down three good things that happened to them each day for 15 days. Ninety-four percent of subjects reported a decrease in depression, while 92 percent said their happiness had increased.

Because experiencing and expressing appreciation has such a demonstrable effect, we highly recommend course participants keep a daily list of things they’re grateful for.

Here’s another exercise that can incline the mind to gratitude even during unpleasant moments: Choose a task or situation in your life that feels like an obligatory burden. Try changing your “I have to” story to an “I get to” story, and see if you arrive at a different perspective. “Now I get to take out the garbage” could create an opportunity to feel grateful for your working legs, or your trash pickup service — instead of just feeling annoyed.

4. Strategically Diffuse Worry
Worry and rumination are chronic joy-killers, but they’re easy habits of mind for many. This excerpt of a March 2000 conversation between the Dalai Lama and a group of neuroscientists and scholars suggests a useful technique for heading off anxious episodes. The speaker is Matthieu Ricard, PhD, a geneticist and Buddhist monk:

“The basic way to intervene [when a troubling thought arises is to use a technique] called ‘staring back.’ When a thought arises, [instead of reacting] we need to watch it and look back at its source. . . . As we stare at it, its apparent solidity begins to melt away, and that thought will vanish without giving birth to a chain of thoughts. The point is not to try and block the arising of thoughts — this is not possible anyway — but not to let them invade our mind. We need to do this again and again because we are not used to dealing with thoughts in this way. . . . Finally a time will come when thoughts come and go like a bird passing through the sky, without leaving a trace.”

5. Experience the Bliss of Blamelessness
When we’re stuck in resentment, self-condemnation or guilt, our capacity for joy is severely limited. Everyone makes mistakes, so it’s important that we learn how to let go of blame — for others and for ourselves.

Resentment consumes energy, even when we’re entitled to it. If you’re trying to let go of blame toward someone else, try becoming curious about a hurtful experience, instead of taking it personally. Taking a more impersonal view of disappointments can reveal their hidden gifts.

When you’re trying to break the habit of self-recriminating thought, focus instead on how you want to feel. Rather than dwelling on a mistake, recall the pleasant feeling you have when you choose wisely or accomplish something successfully, and let that feeling be your guide.

It can take several months for neural circuits to consolidate fully in support of new habits of mind, so be vigilant. You are wiring your brain to fully experience happiness instead of just relief at avoiding error.

6. Let Go of Feeling Busy
One of the primary obstacles to joy is the feeling of being too busy. Even if we can’t pare down our schedules, it doesn’t mean we can’t feel happiness, peace or even joy in the midst of our busyness.

During intensely scheduled periods, try giving yourself “mini-breaks.” Take a brief moment between tasks and obligations to pause, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and feel what it’s like to be “outside of time.”

Even if you’ve just dashed down the hall at work from one meeting to another, stop for a few seconds before you open that next door. Close your eyes, let your body relax, take a breath, and come back to yourself. You may find yourself feeling substantially less harried and more capable of dealing calmly and consciously with whatever unfolds next.

7. Seek the Good in Others
There are a lot of reasons to feel joy observing other people — if we’re looking for the best in them. Seeing the goodness in someone else brings something real, alive and uplifting out of him or her. It allows trust to develop between people who scarcely know each other. And it allows you to truly enjoy your interactions with others without getting hung up on what you don’t like.

Try this: For one week, take on the practice of looking for the good in everyone you come in contact with. See in each person the desire to be safe, accepted, happy and loved. Even if you know someone’s shortcomings, keep looking for the positive qualities — creativity, humor, a caring heart, intelligence — any and all positive qualities you might admire. Notice what effect this has on how you feel toward others and on your interactions with them. Notice the effect it has on your state of mind. And enjoy it.

Our Shakespeare Production:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
was a beautiful success.

Our sincere gratitude to our marvelous Director
George X Rodriguez.
What a tremendous undertaking!

THANK YOU:
Dana Schultes
and the marvelous staff
of Stage West Theater,
Nick Meagher,
Virginia Rodrigues,
The Rodrigues Family,
Kayla Stone,
Michelle Smeller,
Nathan Pedneault,
Mac Cooper,
Christy Flanigan,
Alden Collins
and many others.

“Parents who overemphasize
achievement
are more likely to have kids
with high levels of depression, anxiety,
and substance abuse
compared to other kids.”
– Eric Barker

IMPORTANT DATES:
May 22 – 26 Adventure Trip
May 26 Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

“When our strengths
are exhibited at extremes,
they become our weakness.”
– Merrick Roserberg

Into the Rare / A World Without Cancer: Is Prevention the Cure? / Friday: at School (Shakespeare)

Posted on May 9, 2017 by asgtc

Out of the common place.
Into the rare.
How we ascend
from where,
in dark despair,
we are placed
in harm’s way,
can become
a Miraculous moment,
a truly Sacred day.

For
when we Pray,
the Song our Heart sings,
is music
to the Mind of God.
Yes,
my Friend,
He is listening,
patiently awaiting
the sound of your
Heart,
to beat in time
with His.

A Miraculous moment, a truly Sacred day.

As I survey
all that I see,
I am finally free.
The Presence that surrounds me,
Magnificent and Beautiful to behold,
if the Truth be told,
is the Existence of God.
He enters all that you are,
is all you can be.
Let Him lift you up,
from where you are,
to Horizons
only now
you will see.

“Oh Lord, my God
When I in awesome wonder
Considered all the worlds
Thy Hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy art throughout the Universe displayed.
Then sings my Soul,
my Savior God to Thee
“How great Thou art,
how great Thou art!”
– Carl G. Boberg / Stuart K. Hine

Enveloped
by the Perpetual Light of Love,
Absolute Beauty
in its purest Perfection,
YOU
become One
with all the cherished
Reborn.

And
suffering and sorrow
need be no more.

The Perpetual Light of Love.

God’s Purpose
can be revealed,
not to you –
but to your Heart,
in the warmth
of His Glorious Light,
the Light
of His Precious Love.

Let our Father
keep you safe
in the warmth
of His Loving Embrace,
and fill your precious Soul
with His Abundant
Grace.

Trust in Him.

Let anguish and hate
vanish like shadows at
dawn.
Do not wait
until you perish,
to rest in Peace
and feel Embraced
by Love
Pure and Chaste.

Like shadows at dawn.

The innocence
of your Heart
need not
be slain by the blindness
of the night,
from never knowing
what is good,
what is right.
From all that’s dark,
peals out an Everlasting Song.
For in the dark and bitter cold
of things,
one can always hear
a song that someone sings.
This Song
is a Sacred Thing,
Born of Colors
in Rainbow rings,
clear
and penetrating
like the Robin sings.

The journey
to God in Prayer
is Glorious & exciting.
Cast your lonely eyes
to Heaven Above.
I invite you on this Journey.
Let your Prayers
float up to Heaven,
surrounded by Angels
singing in Paradise.

The warmth of His Glorious Light.

Rejoice.

Meet
yourself
along the Way.
And as you journey
the road of Life,
know the end of that road
is nearer than ever.
Find Peace
in knowing the Song
your Life sings
can put your mind to rest,
make you at ease.

“O what Peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God
in Prayer.”
– Joseph M. Scriven
In 1855 he wrote a poem called
“Pray Without Ceasing” to comfort his ailing mother.
This poem was later set to music by
Charles Coverse and retitled
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

May the Perpetual Light
of God’s Love
Shine upon you.
Rest In Peace,
until
you Rest in
Peace.

Goodnight.

Magnificent and Beautiful to behold.

A World Without Cancer: Is Prevention the Cure?
read more

Author

Max Macaluso

(TMFMassimo)

Max is the Technology, Biopharma & Health Care Bureau Chief at Fool.com. Prior to joining the Fool, he completed a PhD in chemistry at the University of Cambridge and an MBA at the College des Ingenieurs.

In the following interview, Dr. Margaret I. Cuomo, author of the book A World Without Cancer, discusses the importance of cancer prevention with Motley Fool health care analyst Max Macaluso.

Macaluso: Dr. Cuomo is the author of the new book, A World Without Cancer, and she’s also the daughter of our former Governor Cuomo, and the sister of our current Governor Cuomo.

It’s been about 40 years – actually more than 40 years – since 1971, when the war on cancer was declared by President Richard Nixon. In that time, we’ve spent over $90 billion on cancer research, and yet we are still seeing cancer incidence rates rise.

We haven’t come as far as you’d think we should have, for that amount of time and money spent, so I said to myself, with all the horrific effects of cancer on the lives of my patients, friends, and family, it was time to delve into the subject and give it a fresh perspective.

Macaluso: In your book you talk a lot about the misconceptions of cancer prevention. What do you think the top misconception is today?

Cuomo: I think most people, even people who are quite knowledgeable, think that cancer is an inevitability. “No matter what I do, I’m going to get cancer. Either I’ll inherit it, or I’ll grow old enough and I’ll get cancer just because I’ve grown old.”

That’s clearly not the case. We know that over 50% of all cancers are preventable. Attention to diet, exercise, limiting alcohol, ending smoking, protecting our skin from the sun, and taking vitamin D all contribute to a cancer-free life and the environmental toxins that are in our midst can be eliminated, or at least limited so that they don’t raise our risk of cancer.

Macaluso: What are some of the specific things we’re not paying enough attention to when it comes to prevention? Let’s start with diet.

Cuomo: OK, diet. You know the old expression, “You are what you eat.” To a large extent, that’s very true. A plant-based diet is what nearly all the experts say is not only the healthiest in terms of preventing heart disease and diabetes, but also reducing our risk for cancer.

If you look at your plate, your daily plate, two-thirds of it should be fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, or even a whole grain pasta – and then a very small amount of lean protein like fish or chicken, and a minimal amount of red meat. That is the cancer prevention diet, but it also, as I say, decreases your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Limiting alcohol – that means you really can’t afford to go out once a week and binge. They say no more than one drink a day of alcohol – that includes wine – for a woman and no more than two for a man, and it may be even less than that, but certainly you want to watch your alcohol intake.

Macaluso: I can tell you, after reading your book I definitely modified my diet. I’m drinking more green tea and a lot more vegetables.

Cuomo: Excellent. Green tea has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

Macaluso: Let’s shift the discussion from diet to environmental factors.

Cuomo: Yes, environment; very important. In fact, the United Nations just issued a report last week, that the World Health Organization was involved in as well, in which it said that there are so many of the so-called “endocrine disrupting chemicals,” such as BPA, which are in our plastic water bottles, other beverages, also food containers, the lining of the cans of food, soup – a can of soup, a can of beans – etc. Even a cashier receipt can have BPA.

Parabens – are in everything from facial wash to shampoo, toothpaste – these are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. What does that mean?

That means they modify the development of hormones in our body. They affect our endocrine system, which has been linked to cancers of the breast, prostate, thyroid, and others. Also linked to obesity and diabetes, and they even drew a link to autism.

For all those reasons we want to rid our products, our personal care products at the very least, of these harmful chemicals, so there is good news on that note.

Macaluso: In your book, you talk a lot about BPAs and all the things in consumer packaging. I understand that Johnson & Johnson is leading the charge in making a commitment to rid their products of these chemicals. Can you speak a little bit about that?

Cuomo: Yes. I applaud Johnson & Johnson. They are the first major consumer products company in the United States to voluntarily commit to removing all harmful chemicals from their personal care products.

I would like to see other major companies, like Procter & Gamble and Colgate and L’Oreal follow the good example of Johnson & Johnson. Why should consumers be at risk for washing their face or brushing their teeth?

Macaluso: Excellent point. Going along with that, are there any other companies focused on organic products or specific foods, that you might applaud?

Cuomo: Yes. I am happy to share with you, in terms of being BPA-free in all of their food packaging materials, the Hain Celestial Group. First of all, they’re the market leader in organic products, I’ve learned, and they include products such as Arrowhead Mills, Health Valley, Earth’s Best baby food, Walnut Acres juices, DeBoles pasta, Imagine sauces and soups.

They have made a commitment to BPA-free in all of their food packaging, cans, etc., and they also are very conscious in terms of sustainability for their packaging materials, so big applause for Hain Celestial Group.

Also, Whole Foods 365 brands, many of their brands are BPA-free, Trader Joe’s, and Eden Foods are some that come to mind.

Macaluso: Is there anything that consumers can do, or do we just have to wait for these companies to change their practices?

Cuomo: What you can do as an educated consumer is to read the labels. Certainly, if you don’t see “BPA free,” you have to question, “Does this packaging material contain BPA?”

In terms of your personal care products, read the labels. If you see anything with “paraben” in it – that means methylparaben, butylparaben – anything that has that phrase, “paraben,” avoid it completely. Also another word, difficult to pronounce, phthalates, another endocrine disruptor.

Basically, Max, anything you can’t pronounce you would be wise to stay away from it.

Macaluso: Yeah, I think that’s a good rule of thumb. Let’s talk a little bit about obesity. I think a lot of people might not realize that obesity is linked to certain types of cancers.

Cuomo: Yes. Obesity is linked to quite a few cancers. Scientists have pointed to the fact that breast cancer and colon cancer are definitely linked to obesity, but there are many other cancers that are as well.

What do we want to do? How do we avoid this epidemic? Do you realize, in the past 30 years the rate of obesity among children has tripled, and it has doubled for adults? Everyone agrees we have an epidemic. What do we do about it?

It’s all about education, isn’t it? We have to start with our very youngest children, teaching them what is a healthful diet. It’s not a bag of chips at every meal. It’s not a can of soda at every meal. If children don’t have the tools, the strategies, how can we expect them to eat healthfully?

Often times, what children learn in school in terms of vegetables and a plant-based diet, they will take home and they will be the teachers for their parents and caregivers. Isn’t that a wonderful thing?

I really feel education is the key here.

Macaluso: Once again, focused more on prevention than treatments.

Cuomo: Prevention is so important.

Macaluso: Let’s talk about tobacco products a little bit. Not all smokers get lung cancer, but it is a major risk factor.

Cuomo: Tobacco is a scourge and as you say, certainly we’ve proven that it causes lung cancer but it causes many other cancers as well; cancers of the digestive tract, even pancreas and bladder, have been linked to smoking.

What do we do? Well, years ago there was something called the Master Settlement Agreement, where all of the tobacco companies agreed to contribute billions of dollars to a fund that would later be given to the states with the intention that those funds be used for tobacco cessation programs and other tobacco elimination programs.

However, as I understand it the law is that the money goes to the states, but the states are not compelled to use it for that purpose. In these economically trying times, states are using it for infrastructure, they’re using it for a lot of other reasons.

We have to get back to preserving that money for tobacco cessation. Right now we have an increasing trend in smoking among adolescents, and among people of low education and low income.

Again, the burden of their illnesses is going to impact all of us. It doesn’t only impact the person who is going to be unfortunate enough to get lung cancer; it affects our health care costs, and we all absorb that, so it behooves all of us to make sure those funds are used properly.

Macaluso: Let’s shift the conversation from prevention to treatment. Your book does talk about some major successes in medicine, in the treatment of cancer. One in particular is Novartis’ Gleevec. This is a treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia.

What I was wondering, reading your book, was why haven’t we been able to replicate the success of Gleevec and chronic myeloid leukemia with other types of cancer, namely solid tumors?

Cuomo: That’s a very astute question. Chronic myeloid or myelogenous leukemia, CML, is based on a single genetic mutation. This terrible disease is actually a very simple disease, unlike breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer – these more common cancers – which are several orders of magnitude more complicated than that.

Therefore, Gleevec can attack CML and effectively cure it because it’s a very simple disease. Breast, prostate, lung cancer, are all much more complicated and it’s not as easy to treat them with a single chemotherapeutic agent or a monoclonal antibody, and that’s what Gleevec is.

Cuomo: prevention is the most effective strategy we have for ridding ourselves of cancer, and yet we devote so little time and attention to it.

My agenda is not to draw attention away from treatment. Again, there will always be patients who require treatment, and they should have it. What I am saying is that we have the intellectual resources and the financial capability to achieve both.

The National Cancer Prevention Institute would do just that. It would be based on a collaborative focused effort divided into teams, each team addressing a specific cancer type, and it would draw from many disciplines.

It would be a trans-disciplinary approach, including epidemiology, cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, engineering, pharmaceuticals, even urban planning; everything you need to decrease cancer incidence.

I don’t see that happening right now, and a lot of people that have been studying this for a long time feel it is time now to do this kind of approach, the way we did for the moonshot and for the Human Genome Project, both of which took a collaborative effort which had team science at its core. That’s what we should use for the prevention of cancer.

Macaluso: Dr. Cuomo, recently there was an Institute of Medicine report that addressed cancer care. Can you speak a little bit about that?

Cuomo: Yes. I was very pleased to see some experts in the country, such as Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, Dr. Peter Bach, contribute to this workshop last October. They just issued a report from the Institute of Medicine addressing the question, “How do we contain cancer costs and what can we be doing better?”

Some of the key points were, what should a cancer therapy do? How do we assess its effectiveness and its value?

Well, it should increase our overall survival. It should increase the patient’s survival. It should increase the patient’s quality of life, while at the same time it should have very few side effects – certainly not life-threatening side effects or side effects that degrade that quality of life – and it should contain costs. It should not be an unsustainable cost.

I thought that was a very good way of focusing attention on the question of how do we end the spiral of cancer care cost in America.

Macaluso: Thank you very much. Once again, Dr. Margaret Cuomo, author of the book A World Without Cancer.

IMPORTANT DATES:
May 12 (Friday)   At School all day (preparation for Shakespeare Play)
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 17 Tuesday – NO SCHOOL – a day of rest for a job well done!
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

Horizons only now you will see.

Love Surrounds Us / Heart Healthy Diet / Friday: At School

Posted on May 2, 2017 by asgtc

The Miracle of Life blossoms into Beauty.

Thoughts of love
surround us.
And all around us,
in every moment
of every day,
with every beat
of every Heart,
the Miracle of Life
blossoms
into Beauty that
WE
can behold.

The Eternal Light
of Love
chases away the last vestige
of the dark
of night.
And we come to see
evermore,
the wonder of our Birth
into Hope,
into Love
and Life,
and into the
Light.

“All
things become visible
when they are exposed by the Light,
for everything that becomes visible
is Light.”
– Ephesians 5:13

We are remote
from the possibility
of comprehension.
But the Human Heart
can
take pleasure and delight
in the magic and the wonder
and the mystery
that is this
Life.

A Many Splendored Thing.

Life
is at best,
but a brief journey
through Seasons
that come and go,
the passage
through which
few
are ever fully aware,
ever really know.

Yes.
Seasons come
and then they go,
and we are here
and gone.
Your smile,
faint in the glow
of beautiful memory,
much like
your Life,
seemingly long,
glimmering like a Rainbow,
but lasting
like the Dawn.

Glimmering like a Rainbow.

But the Miracle
of this Life
lies in the Mystery
of the Clear Eternal Light,
that when you Pray,
will find you
and guide you,
and never
let you lose
your way.

“This is the message
we have heard from him
and proclaim to you,
that God is light
and in him is no darkness
at all.”
– John 1:5

Let us
Dream the Dream,
and keep on
Living
to Walk
in the Beautiful
Light of God’s
abundant Love.

Lasting like the Dawn.

Yes,
the tides of fortune
are awash and aplenty
upon our shores.
And the initial Life
of material existence
is filled with illusion.

“Our concept of Beauty
suggests a greater Meaning
in a Universe capable of producing beings
that not only appreciate Beauty
but strive to achieve greater and greater Beauty.
You are made to think, know, and create like God,
because God wanted to share
that experience of Being
with some other than Himself.”
– Sarah Capello

But deeper
than the Ocean
is God’s Love
for you.

I Pray
you will come to see
the Peace and Hope
and the everlasting Joy
such knowing
will bring.

God’s Love
is truly
a Many Splendored
Thing.

Goodnight.

Let us dream the dream.

Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
read more

Ready to start your heart-healthy diet? Here are eight tips to get you started.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Although you might know that eating certain foods can increase your heart disease risk, it’s often tough to change your eating habits. Whether you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt or you simply want to fine-tune your diet, here are eight heart-healthy diet tips. Once you know which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit, you’ll be on your way toward a heart-healthy diet.

1. Control your portion size

How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Overloading your plate, taking seconds and eating until you feel stuffed can lead to eating more calories than you should. Portions served in restaurants are often more than anyone needs.

Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions. Eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods. This strategy can shape up your diet as well as your heart and waistline.

Keep track of the number of servings you eat. A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such as cups, ounces or pieces. For example, one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup, or about the size of a hockey puck. A serving of meat, fish or chicken is about 2 to 3 ounces, or about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. Judging serving size is a learned skill. You may need to use measuring cups and spoons or a scale until you’re comfortable with your judgment.

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits

Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.

Featuring vegetables and fruits in your diet can be easy. Keep vegetables washed and cut in your refrigerator for quick snacks. Keep fruit in a bowl in your kitchen so that you’ll remember to eat it. Choose recipes that have vegetables or fruits as the main ingredients, such as vegetable stir-fry or fresh fruit mixed into salads.

Fruits and vegetables to choose	Fruits and vegetables to limit
Fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits Low-sodium canned vegetables Canned fruit packed in juice or water	Coconut Vegetables with creamy sauces Fried or breaded vegetables Canned fruit packed in heavy syrup Frozen fruit with sugar added

3. Select whole grains

Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. You can increase the amount of whole grains in a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions for refined grain products. Or be adventuresome and try a new whole grain, such as whole-grain farro, quinoa or barley.

Grain products to choose	Grain products to limit or avoid
Whole-wheat flour Whole-grain bread, preferably 100% whole-wheat bread or 100% whole-grain bread High-fiber cereal with 5 g or more of fiber in a serving Whole grains such as brown rice, barley and buckwheat (kasha) Whole-grain pasta Oatmeal (steel-cut or regular)	White, refined flour White bread Muffins Frozen waffles Corn bread Doughnuts Biscuits Quick breads Cakes Pies Egg noodles Buttered popcorn High-fat snack crackers

4. Limit unhealthy fats

Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for how much fat to include in a heart-healthy diet:

Type of fat	Recommendation
Saturated fat	Less than 7% of your total daily calories, or less than 14 g of saturated fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet
Trans fat	Less than 1% of your total daily calories, or less than 2 g of trans fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

The best way to reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet is to limit the amount of solid fats — butter, margarine and shortening — you add to food when cooking and serving. You can also reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet by trimming fat off your meat or choosing lean meats with less than 10 percent fat.

You can also use low – fat substitutions when possible for a heart – healthy diet. For example, top your baked potato with low-sodium salsa or low-fat yogurt rather than butter, or use sliced whole fruit or low-sugar fruit spread on your toast instead of margarine.

You may also want to check the food labels of some cookies, crackers and chips. Many of these snacks — even those labeled “reduced fat” — may be made with oils containing trans fats. One clue that a food has some trans fat in it is the phrase “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredient list.

When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats, found in certain fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories.

An easy way to add healthy fat (and fiber) to your diet is ground flaxseed. Flaxseeds are small brown seeds that are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have found that flaxseeds may help lower cholesterol in some people. You can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor and stir a teaspoon of them into yogurt, applesauce or hot cereal.

Fats to choose	Fats to limit
Olive oil Canola oil Vegetable and nut oils Margarine, trans fat free Cholesterol-lowering margarine, such as Benecol, Promise Activ or Smart Balance Nuts, seeds Avocados	Butter Lard Bacon fat Gravy Cream sauce Nondairy creamers Hydrogenated margarine and shortening Cocoa butter, found in chocolate Coconut, palm, cottonseed and palm-kernel oils

5. Choose low-fat protein sources

Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs are some of your best sources of protein. But be careful to choose lower fat options, such as skim milk rather than whole milk and skinless chicken breasts rather than fried chicken patties.

Fish is another good alternative to high-fat meats. And certain types of fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood fats called triglycerides. You’ll find the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Other sources are flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil.

Legumes — beans, peas and lentils — also are good sources of protein and contain less fat and no cholesterol, making them good substitutes for meat. Substituting plant protein for animal protein — for example, a soy or bean burger for a hamburger — will reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.

Proteins to choose	Proteins to limit or avoid
Low-fat dairy products such as skim or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt and cheese Eggs Fish, especially fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon Skinless poultry Legumes Soybeans and soy products, such as soy burgers and tofu Lean ground meats	Full-fat milk and other dairy products Organ meats, such as liver Fatty and marbled meats Spareribs Hot dogs and sausages Bacon Fried or breaded meats

6. Reduce the sodium in your food

Eating a lot of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reducing sodium is an important part of a heart-healthy diet. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

Healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day (about a teaspoon of salt)
People age 51 or older, African-Americans, and people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease have no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day

Although reducing the amount of salt you add to food at the table or while cooking is a good first step, much of the salt you eat comes from canned or processed foods, such as soups and frozen dinners. Eating fresh foods and making your own soups and stews can reduce the amount of salt you eat.

If you like the convenience of canned soups and prepared meals, look for ones with reduced sodium. Be wary of foods that claim to be lower in sodium because they are seasoned with sea salt instead of regular table salt — sea salt has the same nutritional value as regular salt.

Another way to reduce the amount of salt you eat is to choose your condiments carefully. Many condiments are available in reduced-sodium versions, and salt substitutes can add flavor to your food with less sodium.

Low-salt items to choose	High-salt items to avoid
Herbs and spices Salt substitutes Reduced-salt canned soups or prepared meals Reduced-salt versions of condiments, such as reduced-salt soy sauce and reduced-salt ketchup	Table salt Canned soups and prepared foods, such as frozen dinners Tomato juice Soy sauce

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

You know what foods to feature in your heart-healthy diet and which ones to limit. Now it’s time to put your plans into action.

Create daily menus using the six strategies listed above. When selecting foods for each meal and snack, emphasize vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Choose lean protein sources and healthy fats, and limit salty foods. Watch your portion sizes and add variety to your menu choices.

For example, if you have grilled salmon one evening, try a black-bean burger the next night. This helps ensure that you’ll get all of the nutrients your body needs. Variety also makes your meals and snacks more interesting.

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. A candy bar or handful of potato chips won’t derail your heart-healthy diet. But don’t let it turn into an excuse for giving up on your healthy eating plan. If overindulgence is the exception, rather than the rule, you’ll balance things out over the long term. What’s important is that you eat healthy foods most of the time.

Incorporate these eight tips into your life, and you’ll find that heart-healthy eating is both doable and enjoyable. With planning and a few simple substitutions, you can eat with your heart in mind.

Friday:

We will meet at school
on Friday
from 8:30 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m.
and work with our Director,
George Rodriguez,
on our upcoming
Shakespeare production.

IMPORTANT DATES:

May 5                 At School (Play rehearsal)
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

The magic and the wonder and the mystery that is this Life.

A Song Begins to Form / Surprising Mental Benefits of Clean Eating / Friday: at School (Shakespeare Rehearsal)

Posted on April 18, 2017 by asgtc

“Nighttime sharpens,
Heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs,
And wakes imagination
Silently the senses
Abandon their defenses

Slowly, gently
Night unfurls it’s Splendor
Grasp it, sense it
Tremulous and tender.”
– Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart,
Richard Henry, Zachary Stilgoe

Remembering my precious “Kirby”.

There’s a whisper in the dark,
as Life comes to be
unafraid
to pierce the night
with imagination
and Love
and Light.
Unfolding in our dreams
we come to be,
where it seems,
there is no end
to what we can see.

Then a song begins to form
from deeply felt memories
that once were we,
echoing Love’s harmony
and joined in endless
flight
heard throughout the World
of our awareness,
on this precious
night.

And intoned we hear,
we shall never be alone,
as Hearts beat as one,
and again we find Love,
joined by cherished voices from the past,
and a deep Abiding Love
from Above.

“Oh Great Spirit,
Whose Voice I hear in the winds,
And whose Breath gives life to all the world,
hear me!
I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in Beauty,
and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength,
not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy –
myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when Life fades,
as the fading sunset
my Spirit
may come to you without shame.”
– Native American Prayer
listen here

Such is
the Miracle of Love,
that it goes
on and on and on.
Not through time,
that may have never really existed,
or space,
not without end,
but through
Grace,
Everlasting to Everlasting.
Such is the Precious Love of
God.

“Grace, amazing Grace,
takes the powerful nature of Love
to the next level.
Grace is the width, and depth, and breadth of Love
reaching out, rippling across the ponds of time
to reach into the Hearts
of the lost and searching.
Grace is the freeing element of Love.”
– Antwuan Malone
read more

I am rendered silent
when trying to fathom
the “Grace” of God’s Love.
How great is the Love of our Father?
Were we to spend our entire Life
trying to comprehend,
we could never grasp
its depth.

“Yea,
I have Loved thee
with an everlasting Love;
therefore with Loving kindness
have I drawn thee.”
– Jeremiah 31:3

Day after day
God’s Love
rises like the Dawn,
and always shines
upon you and me.

And through the dark of night
voices from the past
keep calling,
until
the Light of Dawn
chases away
every whisper
of our remembrances and imaginings
that begged to stay.

Annie and Alex, ages 8 and 5 (1992)

Old friends they are,
the rocks I tread upon –
I kick out from
under my bare feet.
Familiar they are,
these old friends
as comforting as the
ground,
belonging to me
as I to them.

My memory
seemingly seeps from the
Sacred soil
and back into me,
giving me
a sense of Peace,
finding some comfort
here.

The silence is my teacher.
The calming air I breathe,
I find warm and inviting
and free.
Under the comforting warmth
of a beautiful spreading Tree,
I look to the Heavens
through the flickering,
whispering leaves.

This Sacred Place
I can never leave –
It never left me.
I belong here,
beneath the beautiful
canopy
of God’s Eternal Love.
What God provides
in Nature,
nurtures me.
It steals my Heart,
and leaves my Spirit
free.

I Pray
you will find
God’s Love
hidden deep within
the Forest
of your Heart.

“There is One Ultimate Loving Energy
that is present in all that exists.
You may call it whatever you are comfortable with:
God, Spirit, Source, the Great I Am, Allah, Yahweh, etc.
This is not a personality outside of us,
but rather a Presence within each of us.
We are inherently Spiritual Beings
having a Human experience.
We live in an abundant, unlimited Universe
and within us lies all the Wisdom, Love and Power
needed to create full, Joyous
prosperous lives.”
– Rev. Lee Wolak
Agape Center For Spiritual Living

Such moments
as I am with my Mother,
Nature,
truly magnify
the Miracle of Life
in me.

Goodnight

What God provides in Nature, nurtures me.

“Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers.
The future’s in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change.
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change
Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past forever.”
– Klaus Meine
listen here

The Surprising Benefits of Clean Eating

by Matthew Solan
read more

Eating unprocessed food is a great way to improve your overall diet, but proponents say it can also do great things for your mental health.

Erica learned the hard way how food affects her physical and mental health. Ten years ago, she worked in the high-pressure, go-go-go TV industry. Meals were devoured in minutes. Drinking two cans of Coke a day was the norm.

The work stress became overwhelming, and she soon left. But it wasn’t until later that she made the connection between what she ate and how it made her feel.

“I was not happy and my job at that time was no longer rewarding,” she says, “but I came to understand how my eating habits and choices had contributed to that.”

Erica realized that her food choices had aggravated her episodes of stress – and, conversely, that her stress had contributed to poor food choices.

“When I adopted a clean eating diet, where I cut out the processed and comfort foods, I immediately noticed a change not only in my mood, but how I reacted when things went wrong,” Erica says.

“No longer was my instinct to reach for the chips, soda, or ice cream.”

Less packaged, more whole

The term “clean eating” is trendy nowadays.

An entire magazine is devoted to the subject. From TV chef Curtis Stone and Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey to actresses Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba, a slew of personalities and celebrities swear by clean eating.

But what does it mean exactly?

“Without all the excess sugar from processed foods and dairy, I had much less of the mental ups and downs that can happen when faced with daily stress.”

“There are a lot of different interpretations, and no one fixed definition,” says

Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD, a registered dietitian and consultant with Fresh Start Nutrition in Toronto.

“But generally, it refers to eating less processed foods and more whole foods.”

That means food in its natural or near-natural state, with minimal or no added chemicals, additives, or refined sugar. Ideally, what you eat should not be processed, or minimally processed, allowing it to retain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.

One way to approach clean eating is to skip anything that comes in a box, can, or similar packaging.

But there are exceptions.

“For instance, beans come in cans that may add a little extra salt for flavor and preservation, but they are still beans, which are a nutritious whole food,” Fergusson notes.

You can ID processed foods as those that undergo changes from their natural state: think instant oatmeal instead of steel-cut oats, or French fries instead of whole potatoes.

Sound simple?

For the most part, it is.

“Clean eating encourages eating more of the right kind of foods without thinking about low-fat, low-calorie, or low-carb,” says Fergusson.

If you follow a particular eating plan – including a vegetarian, vegan or Paleo diet – you can still incorporate clean eating into your regimen. Just make a point to avoid processed staples.

For instance, vegetarians may enjoy frozen veggie burgers, but they don’t meet the guidelines of clean eating. Vegans may opt for soy cheese, but that’s often made with additives and preservatives.

Food-mood connection

Clean eating can have a positive impact on your mood. Indeed, research is beginning to demonstrate how our food choices – not just what we eat, but what we don’t eat – can influence how we think and feel.

The scientific connection between our brain and food is an intertwining path, but here’s an abbreviated version:

When you get stressed, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode, releasing the hormones adrenal and cortisol to combat the stressful event. This reaction typically suppresses our appetite.

If stress persists, however, and you find yourself in a constant state of worry, anxiety, or prolonged exposure to stressful situations, these hormones overload the body and cause heightened inflammation and negative emotions.

“The worse someone feels, the more likely they will seek comfort,” explains Eva Selhub, MD, author of the books Your Health Destiny, The Love Response and Your Brain on Nature.

“Food can act as that comfort, which is why we call foods high in fat and sugar ‘comfort foods.’”

While it can make people feel better in the short term, comfort food serves only as a temporary fix, Selhub warns.

“You find yourself craving more feel-good foods to help fight the stress,” she says. “High amounts of these trans fats and high-sugar foods can further flame inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which creates more mental fog and depression.”

Healthy diet, enhanced mood

While your diet can contribute to stress, it may also control how your brain responds to them.

That’s why the goal of clean eating is to eliminate unhealthy “feel-good” food and replace it with natural choices that can actually promote greater brain health.

Studies have found that people who follow the Mediterranean diet, for example – which includes plenty of whole vegetables and fruits, unprocessed grains, fish, and other seafood – have a 25%-35% lower risk of depression compared with those who follow a typical “Western” diet high in processed and refined foods.

One reason that a diet abundant in natural-state foods benefits your brain and mood is that these foods contain high amounts of antioxidants, which have been shown to not only soothe inflammation and oxidative stress but help prevent it in the first place.

A “sweeter” outlook, naturally

If you battle unhealthy cravings as part of your stress, clean eating is a way to break free from your dependence.

Taylor, co-owner of St. Pete Strength and Conditioning in Florida, turned to clean eating when he became more dedicated to his weight-training regimen.

His approach: stick with foods close to their natural state, which helped eliminate high amounts of refined sugar in his diet.

Taylor says he noticed an almost instant change for the better.

“I’m detailed-oriented, I sweat the small stuff, and I get stressed easily. But the clean eating helps me stay more focused and not get sidetracked with distractions.”

Taylor pointed to cutting out sugar, a feeder of inflammation, as the main factor for his improved outlook.

“Without all the excess sugar from processed foods and dairy, I have much less of the mental ups and downs that can happen when faced with daily stress. I’m much better able to go with the flow,” he says.

Another advantage to clean eating is that it can expand your palate, so you’re not always stuck in a food rut.

“Clean eating encourages eating more of the right kind of foods without thinking about low-fat, low-calorie, or low-carb.”

“Clean eating is more about what you can have rather than what you can’t have,” says Rebecca Katz, MS, author of The Healthy Mind Cookbook.

“You’ll discover that when you eliminate a lot of processed ingredients, you’ll add more fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats that can turn into Technicolor meals full of bright greens, reds, and yellows.”

For her part, Erica discovered the many wonders of kale through clean eating.

“I learned that it was such a nutrient-rich food, and there were many ways to use it,” she says. “I use it in my breakfast smoothie, on lunchtime sandwiches, and as a side dish for dinner.”

Keep in mind that clean eating is designed to be flexible, so your healthy efforts will not collapse if you take a day off. If anything, the mental benefits of clean eating make it easier to rebound without guilt or stress.

“Now if I slip up, even over a few days, I’m aware of it and can more easily get back on track,” says Erica. “I don’t stress about it. That’s what’s so great about making positive change – it stays with you.”

Tips to Get Started

Here are some tips for making the move into clean eating:

Begin with breakfast. It’s a smaller meal and easier to prepare. Replace processed cereal with oatmeal, or a smoothie made with almond milk, greens, and frozen fruit.

Plan your meals. Organize and prep your meals for the week over the weekend. Have your fruits and vegetables chopped and stored in a container ready to go. It’s easier to reach into the fridge and grab what you need than to feel overwhelmed trying to prepare an entire meal from scratch.

Make a sweep of your kitchen. Get rid of processed foods lurking in your cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer. “This frees up space for you to add healthier alternatives that make cooking much more efficient,” says Katz.

Examples of “Clean Eating” Foods

The focus of clean eating is to consume more whole foods in their natural state and to avoid heavily processed foods.

When in doubt, read the label. “The ingredient list should be short and recognizable,” says Katz. “If you can’t say them, don’t eat them.”

Avoid anything with chemical-sounding names or phrases like “artificial coloring” and “flavors.” Here are a few examples of food staples that make up clean eating, according to Katz:

Healthy fats such as olive oil, grass-fed butter, and coconut oil
Fresh fruits – or canned, frozen, or dried fruit with no added sugar
Fresh vegetables – or canned or frozen vegetables with no added sauces or salt
Nuts like almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts
Organic or vegetarian eggs
Unrefined grains, like whole-grain wheat bread and pasta, non-microwave popcorn, steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, and whole-wheat flour
Canned beans and legumes with little or no added salt (rinsing can reduce sodium by 35%)
Plain yogurt
Plain nut butters
Unsweetened almond or cashew milk
Organic or grass-fed meat, including beef and chicken
Fresh or frozen fish, including Pacific cod, salmon, and tilapia
Herbs and spices such as turmeric, basil, rosemary, cinnamon, and ginger

Cooking Tip

How you prepare your food can also help you eat clean. Stick with flash-cook methods like stir-frying and steaming, which lock in more vitamins and minerals. Avoid high-fat cooking techniques, like deep frying or stewing your food in animal or vegetable fats.

“Hold on to what is good,
even if it’s a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
even if it’s a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
even if it’s easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
even if I’ve gone away from you.”
– Pueblo Indian Prayer

Beneath the beautiful canopy of God’s Eternal Love.

IMPORTANT DATES:

April 28             Scarborough Renaissance Festival (Weather permitting)
May 1                TUITION DUE for 2017-18
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

More Fragile Than We Think / Affirmative Prayer / Friday: At School (Shakespeare Production)

Posted on March 27, 2017 by asgtc

“Love is a fruit
in season at all times,
and within reach
of every hand.”
– Mother Teresa

Slowly, gently, soft as early morning Light

Unbeknown
to the population at large,
Suicide
is the second leading cause of death
for college students.

The Word “Love” is Inadequate / Robert Lotman / Spring Break This Week

Posted on March 11, 2017 by asgtc

There is Beauty
all around you,
even unto a singular
drop of water
reflecting the World
at large.

Just as you
reflect
ALL the Love that abounds
all around.

“Listen to each drop of rain
whispering secrets in vain.
Frantically searching for someone to hear
their story before they hit ground.
Please don’t let go.
Can’t we stay for a while?
It’s just to hard to say goodbye.
Listen to the rain.

I stand alone in the storm.
Suddenly,
sweet words take hold.
(Listen listen)
Hurry,
they say
for you haven’t much time.
Open your eyes
to the Love around you.
You may feel you’re alone.
But I’m here still with you.
You can do what you dream.
Just remember
to listen to the rain.”
– Amy Lee

Reflecting the World.

My Friends,
your smile
is reflected in another,
who smiled at
You.
Your laughter
was alive before you,
in the birth
of awareness,
in the magnificence
of our predicament,
in the delight
of our Humanity,
in celebration of our
perfect imperfections.

“In one drop of water
are found all the secrets
of all the oceans;
in one aspect of You
are found ALL the aspects
of Existence.”
– Kahlil Gibran

God
is in Love
with YOU.
How
could it not be?
He created you.
He cherishes you.
His Son
died for you.

The World reflect
dances like silver,
mirrored in the waters
of every lake
and stream,
in every drop of water,
in the Hope
of every
Dream.

Yes,
there is Beauty
ALL around.
And
the greatest Beauty,
the most magnificent of all,
is to be found in
YOU.

“Know
that it is the waves of Love
that turn the Wheels of Heaven.
Without Love,
NOTHING in the world would have Life.
With one Rose
you can buy hundreds of Rose gardens.
Where, for one seed
you get a whole wilderness?
For one weak breath,
the Divine Wind?”
– Rumi

The history of ALL mankind.

Buried
deep within the DNA
of every person,
lies the History
of ALL Mankind.

A new Universe
has been discovered –
inside each of over
one trillion Human cells,
It harbors information systems
more complex than anything
ever designed by Humanity’s
very best minds.

“DNA is like
a software program,
only MUCH more complex
than anything we’ve ever devised.”
– Bill Gates

The information in our DNA
is equivalent to a dozen SETS
of The Encyclopaedia Britannica –
more than 384 volumes
of highly detailed information
that would fill 48 feet
of library shelves!
And
it is contained in a space
only two millionths of one millimeter
thick.

“You are not a drop
in the Ocean.
You are
the entire Ocean
in a drop.”
– Rumi

“He
who saves a single Life,
saves the world
entire.”
– The Talmud

My Friends,
you are far more Miraculous
than anything
you can possibly imagine.

Yes,
there is magic
in the moment
that you meet
YOU.

Incomprehensible
as we may be,
indescribable as we are
ever reaching to see,
we are still searching
to be,
understood.

“You formed my inward parts,
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You,
for I am fearfully and WONDERFULLY made.
My frame was not hidden from You,
when I was made in secret,
and skillfully wrought.”
– Psalms 139:13-15

In our virtuous quest,
we may come
one day
to rest
our weary minds.
For the Wisdom of the ages
lies within easy
reach –
within the Pages
of the Holy Bible.

“Every being exists
in intimate relation with other beings
and in constant exchange of gifts with each other.
But this relationship is BEYOND pragmatic use.
It is rather a mutual sharing of existence
in the Grand Venture
of the Universe itself.”
– Thomas Berry

The word “Love” is inadequate.

It’s hard to say
that I’d rather stay awake
when I’m asleep,
‘Cause everything
is NEVER
as it seems.”
– Adam R. Young

Search your Heart
in still, quiet moments
of what is left
of your brief Life.
Find the purpose
God desires,
for what you have left
to give.

It is far different
than you have imagined.
It is
larger than yourself.
It will last for Eternity.
It is
in the brevity of Life
and in the simplicity of language:
Love.

“The Universe
spills through our dreams.
The future belongs
to the most compelling story.
Even the word “Love”
is inadequate to define
the Force that wove
the fabric of
space-time.”
– Drew Dellinger

Acceptance
of God’s Love
is a gently journey.

Goodnight.

May I highly recommend:
Robert Lotman,
Lotman Consultation Services
He is a Registered Sanitarian and Health Inspector.
I have known Robert for many years and truly admired
and respected him. He is now retired and has the time
to help others. He can assist with the following:

Safety Inspections
Environmental Inspections:
Foster Homes
Adoption Home Inspections
Daycare Inspections
Swimming Pool Inspections
Food Handler Training
Certified Pool Operator Training and
Food Service Consultations.
Robert is State Certified for Food Handler Classes,
Registered Sanitarian and
* Certified Pool Operator Instructor.

According to the World Health Organization,
drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death
in the world,
with 372,000 drowning deaths reported annually.

The Centers for Disease Control
reports that here in the United States,
on average, 3,536 people died from drowning annually
from 2005 to 2014, which equates to 10 deaths each day.
Then there are the thousands of others who suffer swimming pool-related injuries each year.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
reports that an average of 4,900 people
received emergency care for injuries
suffered in a swimming pools or spas each year
in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Swimming Pool Drowning Deaths and Kids

It’s an unbelievable statistic: According to the CDC,
drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death
for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
And according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
390 deaths a year on average
are attributed to drowning
in a swimming pool or at a spa in the U.S.

My Friends,
let’s take the extra precaution
of having our swimming environments inspected.
The Life you save may be the one you
cherish most in this World.

I know you will enjoy working with Robert Lotman.
The Anderson Private School
has truly benefited from his expertise.
Robert may be reached at 817-946-5952 or
robertlotman@sbcglobal.net.

There is Beauty all around you,

IMPORTANT DATES:
April 7               Tour of Fire Station and Fire Academy
April 14 & 17 (Friday and Monday) Good Friday and Easter Holidays
April 28             Scarborough Renaissance Festival (Weather permitting)
May 1                TUITION DUE for 2017-18
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

William's Weblog – Anderson Private School for the Gifted, Talented and Creative

e-Updates from andersonschool.net

Tag Archives: Stage West Theater

Passing Through the Love of God / An Effortless Way to Improve Memory / School Calendar

It seems to benefit young and old people alike

OUR Children Are Dying From ADHD Drugs! WAKE UP! / Coffee May Stave Off Depression / Good Friday and Easter Monday are Holidays

Joy Is Your Birthright / Stage West Theater / Classes Resume Sept. 5

About Stage West

Creating Reality /

The Potter’s Wheel / Seven Ways to Experience More Joy / Thank You: Stage West Theater

Into the Rare / A World Without Cancer: Is Prevention the Cure? / Friday: at School (Shakespeare)

Author

Love Surrounds Us / Heart Healthy Diet / Friday: At School

Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
read more

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits

3. Select whole grains

4. Limit unhealthy fats

5. Choose low-fat protein sources

6. Reduce the sodium in your food

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

A Song Begins to Form / Surprising Mental Benefits of Clean Eating / Friday: at School (Shakespeare Rehearsal)

More Fragile Than We Think / Affirmative Prayer / Friday: At School (Shakespeare Production)

The Word “Love” is Inadequate / Robert Lotman / Spring Break This Week

It seems to benefit young and old people alike

About Stage West

Author

Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease read more

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits

3. Select whole grains

4. Limit unhealthy fats

5. Choose low-fat protein sources

6. Reduce the sodium in your food

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
read more