Hail Aspartame! / Diet Drinks Kill

I have been avoiding aspartame at all costs since it's emergence as the wonder diet solution. My Mom fell in love with it. But it gave me instant painful migraines and even the powder used to test TB mask fit would trouble me for hours. I was told that my allergy is not possible, but even when I'm unaware that it has been added I get tremendous pain after ingesting a small amount.

So I was not surprised to hear it can cause you to gain weight. Almost any unnatural substance can cause your body to change it's structures to deal with it. But natural sugar can make you gain weight faster. Now I read all over that it is a poison and slowly kills thousands. That it is directly linked to brain cancer, MS and systemic Lupus.

Well, I have avoided it like the plague and I had a brain tumor removed this year, and am being tested for the others. So I know it wasn't the 'cause' for me. Our society is a bit scare crazy. Everything causes cancer anymore. But really, just breathing shortens your life span, should we stop doing that too?

While I appreciate that aspartame is not great, I do not believe diet drinks are killing anyone. Maybe obesity is offing Americans at alarming rates, but we can't really blame soda plants for that. Marketing people? Hmm, well that would mean it's their fault for telling us what to do and we are blameless because we did as we were told. Which always makes me hear my Mom's voice; "if they jumped off a bridge..."

The truth? You can never take anything as fact. Yo must ALWAYS research it and make your own decisions. Just as I CHOOSE to avoid aspartame, I do not avoid diet drinks because of fear. I also choose to eat less processed foods, and try to store things in BPA free containers. I don't do this always, but as often as possible.

Why? Because I have seen a 10 year old water bottle distorted and yet intact. Because I was given aluminum cups of Koo-laid as a child, and because it's an easy thing to avoid. I believe that it breaks down, very slowly. And I choose to stay away from cans because it reminds me of that metallic taste I hated as a kid.  My choice. Not because of marketing propaganda.

Which makes me think of Hitler. I know, WAY huge leap! I have been watching History channel again. What amazes me is not what we did not know, but that so many questions were never asked. The people that GAVE him the power to do heinous crimes in their name were unaware of the evil he was plotting. He spread lies like we share supper bowl commercials.

Why am I even thinking of this? Because it just proves that you must ALWAYS ferret out your own information! This goes for anywhere you find yourself. I truly believe this. Not that I want my children to be cynical, and ever un-trusting, but I do want them to be informed and confident. We have a generation of children that have watched their parents lay back and reap the rewards of their own parents labors and truth gathering.

I do not intend on giving my children their education. I plan on teaching them. One of my  toughest lessons was learning to ask the right questions, and finding where to go for accurate answers. But once you find an answer the hard way, you'll never forget it. That's simple brain physiology. But don't take my word for it!

InBox Inspiration

You know those forwarded messages that you get hundreds of in your email inbox? Try reading a few now and then, because most are sent with powerfully positive intentions and could well be exactly what you needed to uplift your spirits that day.

I'm usually not one for forwarding, but I do read what my friends felt pressed to send me. And this one I'm about to share here you may have seen before. It does have an air of familiarity about it, so I'm sure this is not the first time it's been passed around, but I want our daughters to be sure they know they are not alone in one universal 'fault' we women share. And I want our sons to be able to recognize and appreciate the divine differences in our sexes.

The following is as it was sent to me and not my words;

Women have strengths that amaze men....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give..

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, 
 
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.  

As women we are made as nurturers and it so easy to forget to pause and refresh our own spirit and mind. I remember the first time someone told me about taking care of myself first and I struggled with feelings like that was selfishness, or it just felt strange. But then I came across the scripture stating to daily renew your mind, and it came to me that this just may be the key.

As women we seldom think of our own needs until we are exhausted beyond normal. Yet, by daily refreshing and renewing our focus, we can avoid the crash. It sounds simple because it is.

Face it ladies, we are just wired differently than the guys. I recall a study regarding women and men and brain waves. A group of men and women were shown images of what society deems attractive men and women while studying brain patterns. The women had activity in their brains equally for both sexes, where the men only reacted to an attractive female. But, before you roll your eyes and tell me you could have predicted that, hear me out.

We ladies see beauty in so much more than our balancing counterpart men. So take my other favorite scripture from Phillippians (4:8) and train your thoughts to meditate on positive things, not all the potential negatives you see around you. Take in the view while calming your active mind. If if your view is not at all soothing, try a photo, a sound, or simply sitting quietly with your eyes closed.

When is the last time you truly tasted that favorite morning beverage or treat? I mean really tasted it! Eyes closed, smelling that aroma, savoring the first splash of colors, smells, and taste as it travels across your tongue. In the shower, take a pause and look down. Watch the water flowing off you into the drain and away. Imagine that water as carrying any thought, feeling, emotion, or worry away with it and breathe deeply.

Sound a little too much for you? You'd be surprised how the mind reacts to these very simple and relatively time free actions. You have more time in your day for yourself than you realize if you clear out all the static and worry. Remember to be amazed at the little things daily by resetting your focus and watch your energy and self giving grow!

Want a boost with imagery? Today in my art blog I posted a beautiful scene that is completely nature at it's most manicured and well tended. Maybe it will inspire awe for you. Go There Now.