Archive for December, 2007

Tips to Staying Thin & Fit (Without Starving)

Monday, December 31st, 2007

By Natasha O Maybe you’re trying to lose weight but don’t know how. Or perhaps you are at your ideal weight and want some ideas on how to maintain your figure. This list may (or may not) help.This is coming from somebody who has been thin (and athletic) ALL her life. Don’t get me wrong, I must have been blessed with some skinny genes - I take after my lanky father. However, I STILL believe that what & how I do & eat is key. Instead of telling you what YOU should do, I will make a list of my own habits and explain how I think it helps. Keep in mind, most of these I do naturally (i.e. I don’t try at all, it’s just the way my body works). I always eat breakfast. This stimulates metabolism for the day, it regulates your eating cycle (I do believe that breakfast, lunch, and dinner is there for a reason), etc. I never starve myself. If I’m hungry, then I EAT! Your body is obviously telling you something, & we all know that the body will horde more calories from your meal the hungrier you are, so you should eat. I don’t overeat. What’s the point? So I can get heartburn or gas or not be able to do anything after I leave the table? Just stop when you are full. Watch your portions. (related to #3) Keep in mind portions have grown drastically over the last 20-30 years, so that a “regular”-sized meal in a restaurant is basically 3 meals in 1. Seriously. I have to share or just get an appetizer with a dessert or something. It’s ridiculous. If you are eating a whole ‘restaurant’ appetizer, entree, and dessert, you are most likely overeating by a lot. (this doesn’t apply to super-huge male athletes, though, I guess; nor does this apply to those nice expensive restaurants with mini-courses) I always eat AT THE TABLE. Not standing up. Not walking. Not while riding the bus or the train. I sit down and eat, and I concentrate on my food only. Be conscious of what you put in your mouth!!! I never eat before going to bed. Or lay down after eating. The best thing to do is something active for a while right after eating (which is known to decrease the number of calories absorbed by the meal). Do you know how SUMO WRESTLERS gain weight??? By eating and then sleeping, which stretches out their stomachs, so that when they wake up they’re even hungrier so they do the process all over again!!!! So try not to follow that regimen.;) I never drink soda, diet or regular, and I can’t stand fake juices. If the juice is not 100% from FRUIT, why drink it? I drink water all day. I only have 1 caffeine drink per day, in the MORNING, and that is ALL. What’s the use of more caffeine? One cup of coffee or tea in the morning is all you need to get on with your day. I never eat fast food. Unless it’s Chinese (and something healthy from their menu…watch out!) I bring my own meal to work. Not only does it save you money, but you actually know what you’re putting into your body! For example, I’ll have a simple sandwich with chips & water. And trailmix as a snack. When I get hungry and need to snack, I try to eat natural (i.e. NOT processed), like trailmix, crackers with dip, fruit, yoghurt, a mini-bagel with something, etc. I avoid processed foods in general, especially fakes (like corn syrup or ‘enriched’ or hydrogenated) & perservatives. I only buy and cook with olive oil. It is a healthy oil that helps lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. I really never use any other oil. I know it’s more expensive, but it’s worth it, and you can use it for dressings. When I shop for food, I ALWAYS check the back!!!! Please, please, please, check the ingredients before you buy. Be an educated shopper, especially when it comes to what you put IN your body! If you don’t buy junk food, you can’t eat junk food. We all know that as soon as you buy it, you know it’s there, and you eat it, almost immediately, so just don’t buy it! Instead, buy chocolate chips so you can make fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies when you are really in need of some sweets, or have pure cocoa to make a hot chocolate or homemade brownies instead. If you bake instead of buy, you’ll be eating REAL food, and not a bunch of fake sugars with preservatives. And you can bake little bits at a time, for instance a couple cookies in the toaster oven (works great), or a few cupcakes instead of a whole pie or pan of brownies. I eat CHOCOLATE whenever I need it. And that seems to be a lot. (I prefer the not-so-sweet, more real cocoa ones). I eat meat. I eat a lot of peanut butter. I guess my body wants the protein (but it’s also a good source of Vitamin E). I have always loved rich foods (vs. my mother who prefers salty like chips & pistachios). In any case, I believe that these rich foods HELP keep a person thin. My hypothesis is this: rich foods fill you up without taking up a lot of space in your stomach. Therefore, the next time you eat, your stomach will have shrunk, and you will not need to eat as much. I prefer rich foods that are not overly sweet like your nearest restaurant chain’s chocoloate mud pie, so please don’t go and pig out on that stuff - I’m sure that can’t do your body good. I avoid greasy foods. I just don’t like it. Oil running down your chin, dripping on your fingers…what is great about that??? If you can’t take a sip of water without smearing your glass, then you know something’s wrong. I try to exercise 15-30 min at least 3 times a week. (this is just UPKEEP for me, though I’d like to get back into aerobic shape again). I mix it up with Yoga (I used to do martial arts, so the stretching thing is great), dancing, targeted exercises I have learned (& some I’ve developed) along the way, and jumping rope (if I get around to it). The key is to do something YOU LIKE, and there’s billions of choices out there nowadays. I take the stairs. (unless it’s more than 3-5 flights) — the idea is, just to stay ACTIVE as much as possible. Walk or bike instead of driving. Use your legs. Use your arms (carry stuff instead of pushing a cart or getting help you don’t need). And so on…. If I eat too much, I shit (excuse my french) it out. (okay, this is not something I choose to do, it just happens!) Besides gaining weight, this is a sure-fire way to know if you are eating too much. In any case, if you can live on 1500 calories a day and stay at 120lbs (for instance), you should NOT eat 3000 calories, EVEN IF you don’t gain weight!!!! First of all, you may think that if you eat more you should gain weight (if you are exercising the same) - but this is not always the case. Your body often levels out at some ‘ideal’ or ‘natural’ weight for you, so that all those extra calories are wasted. Not only are you wasting money on food, but you’re putting your body to extra work in trying to sort it all through your system. This is why people who live on less calories probably actually LIVE LONGER. I don’t watch too much TV. I grew up with one television in the household, kept in a separate “tv room”, so I had to make a special effort to “go & watch tv”. I can’t stand to leave the tv on in the background, either. No matter what, even the commercials make you stare at it. Then you slowly become a zombie, mesmerized by a screen…it’s all BAD. Just make a date & time to watch your favorite shows, and then TURN IT OFF! I much prefer to leave the radio on all day instead. Music keeps me going… So that’s the list for now. I may add more when I notice something else. Remember, these are basically natural to me. For you it may be different, you may have to retrain your body. After a couple weeks, though, you’ll see that your body will be telling you what it really needs…and it better not be cheeseburger + fries + soda! Original Article: http://www.tashazo.com/2006/11/tips-to-stay-thin/ Website: http://www.tashazo.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natasha_O http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-to-Staying-Thin-and-Fit-(Without-Starving)&id=451880 cheap phentermine without prescription pharmacy that sells phentermine purchase phentermine without prescription buy phentermine fast

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Sunday, December 30th, 2007

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Are You a Gourmet?

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

By Emma Snow What exactly does it mean to be a gourmet? Does watching public television cooking shows on Saturday morning while folding the laundry count? How about being fascinated with Julia Child and having all of her cookbooks on your Amazon wish list? Knowing what zest, garam marsala and charcuterie mean, does this qualify you as being a gourmet? Where did the term come from and what exactly does it mean? A gourmet is someone with a discriminating palate who is savvy when it comes to fine food and drink. The word comes from the French word groumet which defines a person in charge of the wines at a meal. While this definition is a start, most people think they have a discriminating palate, but discriminating between a Big Mac and a Whopper probably doesn’t count. What exactly are gourmets discriminating about? Who decides what is and isn’t gourmet? From my research, I have come up with three things that qualify a person to call themselves a gourmet. While not an exhaustive list, qualifying in each of these three categories is a good indication that you can call yourself a gourmet. If you still don’t own a blender because you are saving up for a Waring or refuse to brown your bagels in anything other than a Dualit toaster, you are good in the first category of gourmet, knowing your equipment. Note that I don’t say you need to own this equipment to be a gourmet, just know what it is and have a sincere desire to own it all someday, like when you win the lottery and can actually afford it. A few of the necessities in a gourmet kitchen include a Cuisinart food processor, Emilie Henry bakers, All-Clad pots and pans, Viking range, SubZero built in refrigerator, Kitchenaid mixer, Espressione espresso machine, Wusthof knives, and a Polder thermometer and timer. You will also need to include fine china, silver cutlery and beautiful table linens. Doing some calculations from the Williams Sonoma site (which should be one of your favorite places to shop), a fully equipped gourmet kitchen including service for 8 would come to over $25,000.00 This figure doesn’t even start to cover the many food items you should have. That brings us to our next category, food. Do you know terms such as foie gras, sevruga, gravlax, fleur de sel, truffles (not the chocolate kind) and herbes de provence? Have you ever eaten any of them? If you can answer yes to most of these, you are a definite gourmet. A good gourmet kitchen will be stocked with the finest wines, caviars, cheeses, produce, meats, breads and pastries. It will also have multitudes of herbs and spices as well as liqueurs and natural extracts. Hundreds of volumes of cookbooks are also a necessity and must include authors such as Jacques Pepin, Simone Beck, James Beard and of course, Julia. The last area that defines a gourmet is drive. This means wanting to constantly learn more about fine foods and wines. Taking vacations to France and Italy are a start as well as visiting wineries, fish markets and farmers markets everywhere you go. Food should be an obsession, not just a past time. Magazines such as Saveur, Cuisine, Cook’s Illustrated, Fine Cooking, Gourmet and Bon Appetit should dot the landscape of your home. You should also have a strong desire to take cooking classes and cooking vacations and your ultimate dream would be to one day attend “Le Cordon Bleu” cooking school in Paris. Yes, knowing French is a strong plus. If you can say you qualify in even two of these categories, I would say you are a budding gourmet. Three would mean you are definitely a gourmet. Now that you have qualified yourself as such, don’t hesitate to share it with others. Remember, however, that they may want you to actually cook something for them since they assume all gourmets can cook. This, however, was not one of the qualifying factors, so don’t feel pressured if actually using your gourmet items scares you. Instead invite them to a gourmet restaurant and correct their pronunciations of items on the menu. Knowing the equipment, understanding the names and tastes of the foods and having the desire to cook someday is all you need to be a gourmet. Besides, who has time to cook when you are so busy learning to be a gourmet? Copyright 2006 Emma Snow Emma Snow is a gourmet and freelance writer. Writing for Gourmet Living http://www.gourmet-living.com and BBQ Shop http://www.bbq-shop.net . Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Snow http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-a-Gourmet?&id=258191 pharmacy phentermine 37.5 buy cheap phentermine 37.5 buy phentermine from canada purchase phentermine

Chiropractic Schools - Then and Now

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

By C. Bailey-Lloyd What a difference a day makes…or in the case of chiropractics, more than a century. Chiropractic schools have gone through an evolutionary process beginning with their founder Daniel David Palmer, who in 1897 founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Because chiropractic care was very controversial at the time, many practicing chiropractors were actually prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. Back then (and still today) a chiropractic education was based much on Palmer’s research of medical journals. Palmer wanted to discover the root of all disease. It was through his desire and work that he theorized that 95 percent of all disease is caused by a subluxated vertebra. At that time, chiropractic was often confused with medicine. Authorities finally acknowledged chiropractic as a separate profession to that of medicine. And Palmer’s chiropractic school flourished. Since that time, the social climate has evolved into an even higher approval of the field. One of the first known cases of chiropractic treatment Palmer administered was on a deaf man who had injured his back nearly two decades in the past. Making an adjustment to his vertebra, Palmer successfully restored the man’s hearing! Thus began the chiropractic school of thought. Palmer’s son and apprentice integrated X-rays into the practice of chiropractic to distinguish the differences between traditional medicine and chiropractic. By using X-rays, chiropractic schools today can enable practicing chiropractors to identify bone disease and to demonstrate the anatomy to productively administer precision adjustments to the spine. Oftentimes, general chiropractic studies will include some forms of massage and massage therapy, or even acupuncture. Chiropractic is still not always accepted as an effective treatment in today’s mainstream medicine. Chiropractic schools aim to change that mode of thinking. While independent trials and other research demonstrate chiropractic to be as good, if not better, than traditional medicine, radiologists commonly deny the proof of “subluxations.” This issue proves to be equally as difficult for chiropractor researchers to effectively convince other medical professionals. More recently, in 1996, the General Medical Council and the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK offered their advocacy to chiropractic specifically for back conditions. Rich in history, chiropractic schools today instruct students in not only the elementary roots of chiropractic, but the art of chiropractic treatment. Because all U.S. states and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet the education and examination requirement established by the state, students who desire a career in chiropractic should carefully examine chiropractic schools for curriculum and requirements. Palmer’s chiropractic school, which was established in the late 1800s, has definitely branched out into several regions. Today, students can opt to attend numerous accredited chiropractic schools and programs in the United States. In most cases, students who wish to attend a chiropractic school are required to have a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate studies in biology, English, chemistry, psychology, and physics prior to enrollment. The future chiropractor will gain clinical experience in geriatrics, nutrition, orthopedics, neurology, laboratory and physical diagnosis, and several other associated studies. Successful graduates who have met all educational requirements will be granted a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. Those who have completed their chiropractic education can go on to rewarding careers where they may earn as much as $118,000 annually. To learn more about Chiropractic Schools and additional learning programs, we invite you to visit our Natural Healing Directory to find more in-depth information and resources. Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com. Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active. C. Bailey-Lloyd is a former staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find Acupuncture Schools and Massage Schools, as well as Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Natural Healing Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Bailey-Lloyd http://EzineArticles.com/?Chiropractic-Schools—Then-and-Now&id=284838 phentermine online orders phentermine pills no prescription buy cheap phentermine without prescription mexican pharmacy phentermine

Weight Management Through Spa Therapies

Friday, December 28th, 2007

By Ashish Bhattacharya Introduction There has been much importance placed upon the fitness quotient of a person in modern times. With individuals leading sedentary and stressed lives, our fit-as-a-fiddle forefathers have given way to obese descendants, who could not care less for their couch potato image. Body weight has been on an exponential rise inflicting adults and kids alike. Weight reduction on everybodys mind Earlier considered to be the Americans forte, obesity has now afflicted a tremendous number of people continents and countries no bar. Surveys reveal shocking figures of people fighting obesity to gain more control on their lives. But, the icing on the cake is that, people have become aware of their bodies and plan to take action to have more control on it. This has seen the weights tilting towards fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Suddenly every Tom, Dick and Harry is concerned about weight management. Little wonder then, that weight reduction has gained the top most priority in hoi pollois to-do lists worldwide. Generic populace is frenziedly trying out any method that remotely promises to speed up weight loss. Myriad diets, astonishing exercise routines and the like have all become a part of our daily parlance. Moreover, people are now willing to experiment in order to lose weight and are jumping at any alternative, even if it is not tried and tested. Weight management and spas Spas have been known to people as healing centers where alternative therapies cure myriad ailments. Taking a holistic approach, spas can cure in a gentle way, targeting the root cause of the ailment, instead of merely suppressing the symptoms. Though weight reduction through spa treatments seemed to be far fetched a few years ago, people have now started realizing their importance off late. And who can deny a treatment that along with targeting the extra flab, also equally relaxes and comforts you. With spa therapies converging the best of therapies from all ancient cultures, there is no dearth of therapies that target obesity. But here, we will discuss in detail the effect of two therapies on body weight body wrap therapy and acupuncture therapy. These are known to have both a physical and holistic effect on the patient. Body wrap We are what we eat. And now-a-days, with the advent of junk foods, we are unconsciously torturing our systems no end. Excess consumption of alcohol, caffeine, sugar or salt infests the body with toxins that accumulate over a period. These are harmful in that they are the root of acne, skin disorders, and fat depositions under the tissue. A body wrap detoxifies the body of these deadly toxins, within a few sittings, to accelerate metabolism and lose weight real fast. The therapy comprises of wrapping the body in bandages that are soaked in essential oils or solutions. It starts with the therapist measuring various parts of your body, after which, the body is tightly wrapped in bandages to squeeze it to the maximum possible extent. These cloth bandages are soaked in essential oils or solutions. Light exercises of the bandaged body are then performed, which speeds up the release of toxins form the body. The therapist encourages you to drink large amounts of water before, during, and after exercising, since it is believed that water rids the body of unwanted toxins. After the procedure is over, the therapist will again measure body parts to check the amount of inches lost during the procedure. Repeatedly subjecting the body to this therapy will help you lose weight. Many claim to have lost more than 6 inches within a single session of body wrap. While many day spas offer this procedure with costs ranging between $110 and $150, there are also home versions available at a cheaper rate. Also, most spas offer discounts if you choose a multiple wrap offer. Maximum benefit can be extracted from a body wrap in one or two sessions per week, though it can also be performed twice in a single day. Acupuncture Acupuncture, a five thousand year old healing therapy developed in China has lately become the toast of the spa industry, particularly after its benefits in weight management and weight control were discovered. The west had not even heard of acupuncture, leave alone acupuncture weight loss, till recently. And when it did, it looked askance at acupuncture, a procedure wherein the skin of the patient is punctured using extremely thin needles. The west did not understand this eastern concept of healing, and was initially also a bit apprehensive to embrace this treatment. But, now that it has brought home this concept, there is no looking back, and weight loss through acupuncture is fast gaining acceptance. The treatment focuses on activating endorphins, the happiness hormones of the body. These endorphins curtail your desire to overeat, by getting released in the body. Thus the therapy targets the cravings instead of directly targeting weight. The therapy essentially starts with the pressure points, the most important one situated just behind the ear. Though our body consists of about a thousand pressure points all to cure various ailments, the weight loss point lies behind the ears. The therapist first inserts five needles at specific points behind your ears. Four of these points are directly connected to the lungs, liver, kidneys and the nervous system, while the fifth one is for relaxation. The stimulation of specific organs releases endorphins to begin the weight loss process, which in turn, target the binges that are experienced by a compulsive eater. The procedure either decreases or completely does away with the craving for carbohydrates, thus decreasing your appetite. Acupuncture improves the function of two nuroendocrine pathways that regulate metabolism, to aid weight reduction. It mainly performs the functions of lowering weight, insulin levels, body fat, and lipid levels. Hence it is effective not only in losing body fat, but also keeping it off. Conclusion With the whole world going gaga over these alternative procedures to successfully control body fat, there sure is no harm in trying it out for the first time. Ashish Bhattacharya is an exponent of oriental and alternative medicine. Armed with a degree in East Asian Therapies from China, he has worked in an Ayurvedic spa resort in Mauritius, and is an expert in spa reservation. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashish_Bhattacharya http://EzineArticles.com/?Weight-Management-Through-Spa-Therapies&id=473635 buy phentermine online ky phentermine online without a perscription phentermine online no prescription needed phentermine 37.5 mg without a prescription

Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement: Part Two

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

By Jack Kettler Part Two continued The Christians duty of paying taxes even extends to de facto rulers. If Hodge is correct, then the jurisdictional argument stands in direct conflict with Scripture at this point. Renowned commentator, John Murray, adds his substantial theological influence to the question concerning whom the powers that be refer to: The powers that be refer to the de facto magistrates.13 Christians especially should think twice before dismissing the insights of these exegetes whose reputations are well known and beyond dispute. If we are to pay taxes to de facto magistrates, how much more should we be careful to pay taxes to those representatives properly elected? De facto rulers may even be those rulers who emerge after a revolution. As will be shown, there has been a radical revolution from within in this country. In truth, failure to pay taxes is rebellion towards God which will result in His judgment (Romans 13:2). It also needs to be noted that the passages in Romans 13:1,2,5 control the proper interpretation and the recipients of taxes in Romans 13:7. There is not a hint anywhere in the writings of the apostle Paul, that believers were to resist Roman taxation. In his commentary on the Westminster Confession Of Faith, G.I. Williamson makes the following observations: But the Scripture teaches us that civil government comes from God, and that it has authority by the will of God with or without the consent of the governed. This clearly implies that the Christian is to regard the de facto government of any particular country in which he may reside as de jure.14 Does this mean that the Christian must submit to any command from government? Or course not! Williamson explains our duties and the biblical exemptions from unlawful commands: (1) We ought always to obey the lawful commands of our government. We are in any and every instance to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1). (2) We must always obey God rather than man when there is a conflict between the two (Acts 5:29). We must obey God rather than men. (3) We may resist actively as well as passively if that be necessary to obedience to God. When a civil authority becomes a terror to good works rather than evil, we believe that Christians have the right of active self defense (of life and property) by sanction of law (Ps. 82:4, Prov. 24:11,12 etc.). 15 A popular misinterpretation of Romans 13:1-7 says that if the government is not executing wrath against evildoers, (Romans 13:4) then the Christian is under no obligation to pay taxes to such a government. Proponents of this viewpoint seem to be implying that unless the standard of Romans 13:4 is met substantially, then the government in power has abrogated its authority and individuals are free to disobey laws of their choosing. Abortion is cited as proof that our government is not executing wrath against evildoers. In this case, it is true. However, the government is largely still executing wrath against evildoers. For example, criminals are still being prosecuted for theft, public drunkenness, rape, perjury, and murder to name a few. The law system in America still, in many ways, reflects the influence of biblical teaching. Roman law did not reflect any biblical influence. What about taxes that go for unjust expenditures? Some tax protestors have attempted to use a moral argument to justify not paying taxes. They say that some of the tax monies go for immoral purposes and they in good conscience cannot pay taxes of this nature. Is the Christian obligated to pay these types of taxes? Is this type of argument valid? Haldane addresses this question: Some persons make a distinction between general and particular taxes, and refuse to pay taxes levied for particular purposes, when these purposes are believed to be bad. But there is nothing that will render it unlawful to pay a particular or specific tax, that will not equally apply to a general tax, any part of which it is believed is to be applied to a bad use. Why are we not accountable for the application of every part of a general tax? Because we have no control over it, and our approbation of it when we pay it is not implied. The same consideration exempts us from any share of responsibility respecting the sinful application of a specific tax.16 If the moral argument were valid then Christians would never be able to pay any taxes. Haldane correctly points out that not paying specific taxes does not solve the problem. There is always a portion of general taxes that go for immoral purposes. How would the Christian ever decide how much of his general taxes to withhold? Withholding just some taxes is not the solution. Why? Because a portion of the remainder that was paid would still go to unjust expenditures. If you paid only one dollar a portion would still subsidize something evil. If this type of moral argument were valid no Christian could ever pay taxes. In addition, what is intolerable for one Christian would be tolerable to another. It would be difficult to escape subjectivism. And furthermore, placing veto power in the hands of the individual is a form of human autonomy. Would non-believers have this same right to determine which laws they will obey and the ones that will be ignored? If so, what are some of the implications for society? Societies built upon human autonomy are characterized by lawlessness or they become brutal tyrannies. Rushdoony, in his book Christianity And The State has referred to the tax protest movement. What Rushdoony says in this book has relevance to the moral arguments advanced by tax protestors for refusing to pay taxes: Third, we do have Donatism with reference to the state today in such movements as the tax revolt.17 Donatism was a perfectionist heresy. People did not want to participate in the sin of the state, so they did not pay taxes. This approach is fundamentally the same as monasticism. Becoming a monk or hermit was a way to escape the evils of the world. The tax protestors attempt to escape the sins of the state has led to some unintended consequences, namely, the further empowerment of the socialists and pagans who are left in control. When those who believe that government is the solution are left in power, the results are always more government, i.e., higher taxes and more regulations. The modern day tax protestors are becoming culturally ineffectual and irrelevant. By dropping out of society the tax protestor is surrendering cultural ground to the sinful state. Christianity, properly understood, engages culture at every level. Escapism is not the hallmark of Christianity. The righteous man battles against false arguments and does not flee in the face of trouble. See II Corinthians 10:4,5. What kind of rulers do we have today? Do we still have a constitutional republic? If not, can our leaders be considered part of a de facto government? M. Stanton Evans tells us the reality of what has happened in our country: For the plain reality is that the Constitution as originally adopted, and expounded in The Federalist, is no longer with us; the forms and titles remain, there are still entities called states, and there are divisions of administrative function. But the system of limited powers that was supposed to be the palladium of our freedoms has been consigned these fifty years and more to the dustbin of forgotten doctrines.18 Evans analysis is sad but true. The Constitution, for all practical purposes, is a forgotten document. The Constitution is supposed to function, as chains that will hold down the power of the federal government. Constitutionally speaking, the current federal government is a de facto government. There has been a revolutionary judicial takeover from within. This revolution has taken place largely with the consent of those governed. As said earlier the courts are using a different mindset or world view when interpreting the constitution today In light of this, what should the Christians attitude towards government be? Should we submit to the laws of the present-day government? We read in 1 Peter 2:13,14: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme, Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him… It is significant that at this point in history, Christians and Jews did not have their own independent nations with a king. This indicates that this command transcends history and is relevant today. In 1 Peter 3:1 we learn that the purpose of subjection is to be a witness for Christ that non-believers may be won by our lifestyle. The early Christian apologists were able to say that Christians were the best citizens. It may be necessary to obey unjust laws for the Lord’s sake. For the Christian, the commands of Scripture transcend the arguments for not paying taxes. What is our ultimate authority, Scripture or the arguments and examples of abuse cited by tax protestors? Is it possible to begin using mistaken arguments and outside sources to interpret the Bible? It certainly is, and this has always been a problem that Christians have had to be on guard against. The issue is, which authority will guide our actions? Many modern tax protestors and patriots quote from Patrick Henry’s speeches. What they do not seem to realize is that Henry gave his speeches to the Virginia State Legislature. He was an elected representative of the people. To use portions of Henry’s speeches to justify actions that go around, or by-pass our elected representatives is to misunderstand him completely. Acting independent of our representatives is the way of anarchy. This is what I fear is the rule governing the actions of many modern patriots and tax protestors. Neglecting to work with and through our elected representatives is the heart of the problem with the tax protest movement. The War for Independence was the culmination of a long process. At length, our legislators called us to take up arms against a power that had abrogated its authority. The War Between the States was similar. The great leaders of the South led their people in a heroic constitutionally justified action against the dangerous abuse of constitutional principles by the North. It is a fact that the North won the war. Because of this the North determined the new direction of the country. The victor in war is always able to impose the terms of victory. The victor writes the history of the war for succeeding generations. During the bitter Reconstruction, the North imposed its will upon the South, e.g., the Fourteenth Amendment. The Norths victory has had serious constitutional consequences for our original form of government. The Norths victory set the stage for the uninterrupted growth of the federal government. The Sixteenth Amendment is the funding mechanism for the federal governments expansion. Some individuals in the tax protest and patriot movements have actually discussed the eventuality of various forms of civil revolt. Civil disobedience is only appropriate when the state, through its laws, prohibits Christians from obeying God. If Congress passed a law forbidding tithing to churches, the Christian must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29) because tithing is an act of worship. The book In Defense Of Liberty Against Tyrants was one of the most popular books in America during the time of the War for Independence. This book lays out the biblical conditions that must exist before private individuals can lawfully resist the civil government with the force of arms. The author argues that it is the civil magistrate who must spearhead the resistance against tyranny, before private individuals can justify the use of armed force against an unlawful government. The author explains it like this: What shall then private men do, if the king will constrain them to serve idols? If the magistrates, or if the magistrates of the place, where these particulars dwell, do oppose these proceedings of the king, let them in Gods name obey their leaders, and employ all their means (as in the service of God) to aid the holy and commendable enterprises of those who oppose themselves lawfully against his wicked intention. 19 The two examples in the above paragraphs concerning the Civil War and the War for Independence are instances where this pattern of resistance against tyranny was followed. This approach is consistent with our covenantal obligations. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that individuals do not have the right to defend themselves against an unwarranted attack by tyrannical government agents. When facing life and freedom threatening situations, fleeing is best when options permit. The lethal use of force to defend oneself and family may be justified depending upon the circumstances. Today we have a number of representatives who are calling for the present tax system to be completely scrapped. Let us seize the opportunities that are before us. We must act biblically for change through our representatives. Though we may not agree with our present representatives, they are, by a vote of the people, our representatives. Let us use some of our energy to educate members of Congress and state legislators who can repeal bad amendments and return us to the way of freedom. Biblically speaking it can be argued that it is the magistrate who protects us from tyranny. This is because it is the magistrate who is the God appointed ruler. God providentially appoints the rulers, who are in ideal circumstances elected by us. It is past time to support freedom-loving representatives who will repeal unjust laws and cut the funding of government schools and other unconstitutional freedom eroding agencies. We must not forget the example of the apostle Paul and the implications that this holds for us. The apostle Paul paid taxes that were oppressive and unjust and did not drop out of the system of his day. Paul recognized that the civil government was a divinely created institution. In fact, he went so far as to say in Acts 25:10, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat where I ought to be judged. Paul recognized the Roman government as legitimate in spite of its corruption. How many tax protestors today could say this? Paul was not capitulating to tyranny: he was working within the system by appealing to his Roman citizenship as a tool. Like Paul, consider the example of Azariah, the chief priest who opposed King Uzziah: It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord.Go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast trespassed….II Chron. 26:18. The example of Azariah should inspire Christians to speak out against government corruption. Azariah did not flee in the face of government wickedness. If Christians are to be the salt and light of society then running for public office may be necessary. Kevin Swanson, author of The Second Mayflower, is an example of a Christian who is trying to be a solution. Kevin has run for governor of the State of Colorado and the U.S. Senate. His campaigns have resulted in opportunities for himself and his church to talk about godly principles for government. Elected representatives are in a unique position to change oppressive tax laws. Dropping out of society makes it extremely difficult to educate politicians, or anyone else. Leaving the system allows socialists and other non-believers to win by default. As Christian reconstructionists we know this is exactly what has happened when the church, influenced by dispensationalism, teaches their people that Christians have no responsibilities in the areas of culture. The consequence of this theology is that many Christians withdraw from society. Dispensationalism is a new system of interpreting the Bible, which began in the early nineteenth century. The theology of this system assigns to the church a roll of fulfilling heavenly purposes only, the saving of souls, waiting for the rapture, trying to figure out the identity of the anti-Christ, eating and retreating, other unworldly activities, etc. When tax protestors drop out of society, this may very well be a secular counterpart to the dispensational disengagement from society. Ideas have consequences. If the ideas are false, the consequences can be disastrous. By repudiating a number of mistaken theologies and strategies we can get back on track so that government excesses and abuses can be corrected. Dropping out of the system will make us culturally irrelevant. Besides, short-term solutions ultimately fail. We are in a war of ideas. We need to change peoples minds, their world view. It will not be an easy task, but one that can be accomplished. This will take dedication and preparation on our part for a long-term battle. If we remain unwavering, then our childrens children will again taste the freedom of our forefathers. Christ calls us to disciple the nations in Matt. 28:18-20. We are given a cultural mandate in Genesis 1:26-28, which is carried out through the Great Commission. We can accomplish the task of reclaiming our freedoms through teaching and preaching the whole counsel of God. We must have patience and apply wisdom. Flash in the pan activism accomplishes nothing of lasting value. Flash in the pan activists usually end up becoming apathetic beer drinkers. It has been said that we must think generationally. We must see that our fight to regain freedom is a long-term multi-generation battle. Our children will see positive change as a result of our allegiance to the cause of freedom. It is interesting to note that many tax protestors who claim to be Christian have in many cases been led astray by a pessimistic, dispensational eschatology (a view of history, which believes in the ultimate defeat of Gods people). Fallacious belief systems have serious, culturally debilitating consequences. Our lives must be built upon the solid Rock that is Christ. The gospel will triumph in history (Dan. 2:34,35; Matt. 13:31-33). The belief in either Christian or materialistic evolutionary origins determines how we live. Likewise, those obsessed with the end times can suffer a cultural paralysis, which prevents a meaningful contribution towards building a Christian society. Origins and eschatology can be either positive or negative. The Christian must carefully consider Scripture before taking action. To be contiued…. Endnotes Part two 13. John Murray, The Epistle To The Romans, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1982), p. 150. 14. G.I. Williamson, The Westminster Confession Of Faith, (Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1964), p. 241. 15. Williamson, p. 241, 242. 16. Haldane, p. 587. 17. Rushdoony, Christianity And The State, (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1986), p. 108. 18. M. Stanton Evans, The Theme Is Freedom, (Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, 1994), p. 267. 19. Junius Brutus, A Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants, (Edmonton, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books, Reprinted from the 1689 translation, 1989), p. 46. Mr. Kettler is an ordained Presbyterian Elder and the owner of Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read. He has worked in corporate America for over 25 years and is now realizing his dreams as a successful home business entrepreneur. Mr. Kettler can be reached through his business site at: http://www.internationalhomebusinessonline.com. Permission is hereby granted to reprint this article as long as my web site is retained in the biographical information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Kettler http://EzineArticles.com/?Rebuilding-Society-and-The-Tax-Protest-Movement:-Part-Two&id=26923 phetermine diet pills phentermine 37.5 no prior prescription phentermine com online phentermine online us

Moral Difference Between Human Beings And Animals

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

By Sharon White The ways in which we treat humans are extremely different to the ways in which we treat animals. For example, we eat other animals, we wear certain animal fur and skin, we put animals down when we feel it is necessary, we test and experiment on animals for scientific use, and the list goes on. However, it could be argued that these are not deliberate moral differences, but a result of what is considered socially acceptable in Western contemporary society. The thought of eating human flesh is regarded as ‘disgusting’, as is the thought of feeling sexually attracted to an animal. However, this may not be a moral concern, defined by reason, but a reflection of social norms and values. Certain behaviour is socially accepted with in society because it is known as the norm, and the thought of eating other human clashes with this norm, and therefore is rejected, but not necessarily because it is morally wrong. For example, other cultures with contrasting norms and values, such as certain native tribes, choose to include cannibalism within their lifestyle and do not view it to be ‘morally wrong’ because it is socially accepted. To treat a human being in the same way as one would an animal, would not be socially accepted. For example, in 1996 an article was published in the Evening Standard telling the story of a “two-year-old boy who can only bark and whimper after being kept in a kennel with his parents’ dog for most of his life”. This is undoubtedly viewed to be ‘morally wrong’, however a large percentage of the country treats their pets in this way without giving it a second thought. This point alone suggests a very important moral difference between the way we treat human beings compared to the way we treat other animals, emphasizing the different moral standards we place on both. The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com. Sharon White has many years of a vast experience in Essay Writing writing and custom essays writing consulting. Get free Samples of essays and courseworks. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_White http://EzineArticles.com/?Moral-Difference-Between-Human-Beings-And-Animals&id=298405 without prescription tramadol order ultram pill buy domain online 199mb com tramadol tramadol without prescription cheap

Start Saving For Love

Monday, December 24th, 2007

By James Sniechowski Rather than limiting romance to things like expecting flowers or hoping she’ll seduce you aftet dinner, you can find romance almost anywhere when you look for it. Actually, anything that bonds your loving partnership more fully is a measure of real romance. Yet all too often, rather than joining forces, both people vie for superiority, wrangle for control, spend most of their time trying to get more, more and ever more! And it’s too often money that’s used to divide and conquer rather than unite and prosper. Instead, what if you started saving money, even if it’s only “play money” at first? Then you can use your joint efforts to support your desire for more fun and enhance the love you share. One of our fun joint ventures is the “Helens’ Spring-Off” savings account we started before we were married. Both of our mothers’ names are Helen. We wanted a cash account for fun stuff — to spring off into lighter activities. So we got a big jug and we throw in our loose change, coins we find on the street, miscellaneous checks — like residuals from our old tv and movie work (the checks are often of the $14.86 variety!), birthday money and other odds and ends. We even toss in the difference between the regular price and the sale price for stuff we get at a bargain but would have paid the full amount if we had to. We love seeing the money add up and we both enjoy contributing! We also relish the trips we take, or the fun antique we find while traveling — paid for with our play money in our Helens account! If saving money together isn’t a fun idea, what fun venture can you create that you will both enjoy doing together — something that benefits each of you AND your relationship? Maybe you’ll become a work-out team and every time one of you doesn’t adhere to the schedule, then that person has to ????? — what? Make sure the “punishment” is as endearing as you can. There’s no limit to the team efforts you can create that will both increase your intimacy, and also improve the future of your life together. Enjoy! Judith Sherven and James Sniechowski share the secret of life-long romance. Be sure to get your copy of their Free 1 hour teleseminar “Keeping Romance Alive,” and find out how. Just go to ==>http://www.judithandjim.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Sniechowski http://EzineArticles.com/?Start-Saving-For-Love&id=113999 ultram no prescription needed buy information tramadol discount pharmacy purchase ultram pay pal buy ultram

Seven Healing Wonders of the Calendula Flower

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Catherine Potin The Calendula flower is a very bright orange flower. From the family of the Marigold plant and can grow in pots, window boxes or outside in the garden. Calendulas love the sun and are very easy to care for. Plant preferably around April, you can harvest the flowers from early summer to late fall depending of your location. Originally grown in Egypt on the border of the Nile, it was already used before Cleopatras time for its healing properties. Healers from the Meditterranee and the Middle East utilize the whole flower for different medicines. (Skin, digestive system, wounds, vascular problems just to name a few.) The easiest way to take advantage of all the properties of this wonderful plant is to harvest the whole flower and separate the petals before placing them in a flat basket. Actually you might use any natural container as long as the petals can breathe. Cover with a clean cloth and let dry for a few days in a warm dark place. As any medicine herbs they need to dry in the dark to keep their healing properties. Store in a glass dark jar preferably or away from the light in a cool place. Then just use the petals, as you need them. 1 Sun damaged Skin Infuse the Calendula petals with carrier oil at very low heat for about 8 hours in double boiler so you do not burn the oil. Strain the petals in cheesecloth and keep aside. Add the infused carrier oil with equal amount of Carrot seed oil and Apricot Kernel oil. Most recommended carrier oils are: jojoba oil, grape seed oil, wheat germ oil, and hemp oil. 2 Soothing and Relaxing Bath Take the cheese clothes with the Calendula petals from the above recipe and put them in your warm bath. It will soothe and heal your skin. It is particularly efficient for dry and itchy skin. For a more relaxing moment, add a few Lavender essential oil drops and light a scented candle. The bright orange color of the flower will also bring some sun to your soul during the long winter blues. 3 Moisturizer for Dry Skin Use the carrier oil infused with the Calendula petals as a daily moisturizer for your body. Keep in a cold place or even in the fridge.Another way to create a nice moisturizer for the body is to use olive oil. Add the petals to an organic cold pressed olive oil, in a dark glass jar and let it sit for 12 to 15 days. You will know it is ready because of the dark orange color. Use a cheesecloth to drain the oil before using it. With olive oil it is better to add a little bit of Vitamin E before storing to naturally preserve the moisturizer. Be aware that if you keep it in the fridge, the olive oil will solidify. You actually can use the same process with any kind of oil you would like: Avocado oil, coconut oil, almond oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil and the oils listed above are the most common carrier oil.Again you can keep the cheese clothe with the Calendula petals and use it in your bath. If you do not have use for it right away, place the cheese clothe in a close container in the fridge. It will keep for at least 2 to 3 weeks. 4 Healing Wounds The medicinal properties of Calendula are very complex and well research. I just want to pass on a few of Grandma recipes. The following are an alternative to commercial antiseptics and ointments. I always have a little jar of Calendula oil at my house in my first aid kit. I have found that applying a little bit of Calendula Oil on scratches, cold sores, light cuts, bruises and burns have worked very well for me, my dog and the kids. 5 Calendula Tincture 1 cup of petals mixed with vodka and distilled water: 2 part vodka, 1 part water until the petals are covered. Seal it off with saran wrap. Let it sit in a warm dark place for 6 to 8 weeks. Strain the petals and put the tincture in a dark glass jar.Take 3 or 4 drops in a 1 oz glass of water for digestive problems and gastro intestinal upsets. 6 TeaInfuse the dry leaves with boiling water to make a wonderful natural tea. Very good for sluggish liver and upset stomach.You can mix with nettle leaves or fresh mint leaves for a different taste and more healing properties. 7 In Cooking a Great Alternative to Saffron Rich in vitamin C, it is a great add on to salads, soups, and pasta or rice dishes. Nice colorful finishing touch for your dish, the petals are pleasing to the eye and the palate as well as healing for the digestive system. When you cook your rice or your sauces with a few petals, they will naturally turn to yellow or orange. It is easy to plant Calendula seeds. They prefer a light well drained soil with full exposure to the sun. If you were going to use the flowers and the petals for consumption, I would recommend buying organic seeds. This plant reseeds easily so all you have to do is let a few flowers go to seeds for your next year harvest. It is important to collect your Calendula flowers when the flower is wide open and healthy. This is when all of the healing properties are their peak. Plant around April and you can harvest until late in the fall. If you do not have a garden, planting the seeds in window boxes will work very well to. Catherine Potin invites you to http://www.best-of-natural-skin-care.com an information site about natural and organic skin care. How to choose and purchase natural and organic skin care and personal products. Natural and organic anti aging products and other resources to take care of your skin, body and hair naturally. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Potin http://EzineArticles.com/?Seven-Healing-Wonders-of-the-Calendula-Flower&id=141948 order tramadol cheap no prescription buy ultram online hoodia diet pill buy tramadol now cheap order prescription tramadol

Building Self-Esteem: The Magic of Art

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Rivky Shimon The most phenomenal aspect of art is how it builds character. In more ways than one, it can actually help you know more about yourself and it can help you feel better about yourself as well. It is not widely discussed or even widely known, but art actually builds great self-esteem. When you are looking at a canvas, it is blank. It has nothing on it. What you are about to accomplish is the transformation from nothing to something special. Thats creation at its best. But, many individuals dont know they have that in them. They have to look deep within themselves to find the courage it takes to start an art project. No, it shouldnt be scary and it shouldnt take any courage. It should be something inspirational that drives a person to creativity. But, what happens is sort of like stage fright. Holding yourself back has a huge impact on your self-esteem. The more you hold yourself back, the less you feel you can accomplish. It really damages your beliefs in yourself. Thats why art builds self-esteem. Your mind might start out as blank as that canvas staring back at you, but the ideas will come. You get a glimpse of your art project and you begin to form an idea. You focus on it and you hone in on it. I like to think of it as torque. When you use torque, it is a precision motion. You have to find the exact torque. Focus, hone in, torque are all the same descriptors I like to use for bringing your artwork to the canvas. The more you torque it, the clearer it gets. You see it develop right in front of you. Now instead of looking at a blank canvas, you are looking at the actual start of something. It still may not look like much. But, youve just got started. Your work is becoming. The more you work it, the more it becomes. Your artwork is taking form and you are no longer hesitant about approaching your canvas. In fact, if this is a project that is taking several days, it is all you think about. You work. You run errands. You make dinner and you do what you have to do every day to get everything out of your way just so you have time for your artwork. It is in the back of your brain all day and you cant wait to get in front of your canvas and make things happen. Your self-esteem is no longer questioning your ability to achieve. It is now wondering what you are going to do next. This is healing for your self-esteem. This is what youve needed to know about yourself all along. You finish your project. You step back and look at it. You have never felt this good in all your life. The only problem you have at this point is the feeling that it is over. Thats a strong emotion, slightly depressing. But, it is easy to pass because you can begin a new project. Then you feel overwhelmed again. You feel lost again until you have a subject. But then, you are back to work battling through the thought processes and making a new piece of art come to life. Thats the process and it makes you stronger every time. There are so many byproducts to the practice of art. Therapeutic, enlightening, productive, the benefits of art will always be a long and distinguished list that more people ought to notice. When a person lacks self-esteem, put a brush in their hand and point them to the canvas. Its far more effective than years of therapy. An internationally known artist as well as a mother of six, Rivky Shimon founded Rivky’s Art Workshop in New York. Rivkys step-by-step method for teaching children how to create and enjoy art has earned high praise from students, teachers and parents alike. Through her new training series, Rivky plans to teach artists from across the country how to duplicate her success. Not only to ensure that art education remains a vital part of every childs life, but also to enforce the reality that “The Rivky Method” tm works the same magic for adults as well. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rivky_Shimon http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-Self-Esteem:-The-Magic-of-Art&id=419415 pharmacy order tramadol buy tramadol online without a prescription buy generic tramadol by mail buy tramadol online