Originally Posted by ASB65

And what exactly did that "reform" amount to anyway? Last time I checked I was still fighting with my insurance company to get them to pay for medicine my son needs...Just another form of legislation that was hijacked by the lobbyist and big corporations (in this case the insurance and pharmaceutical companies).

I hear you. I have always said that it was a give away to the insurance industry. The promise of a health care for all was sabotaged by those lobbyists you mentioned.

My selfish reason for wanting it to stay in place is so those of us with pre-existing conditions can buy insurance. Otherwise, one major hospitalization can wipe out a person's entire savings.

Originally Posted by ASB65

And what exactly did that "reform" amount to anyway? Last time I checked I was still fighting with my insurance company to get them to pay for medicine my son needs...Just another form of legislation that was hijacked by the lobbyist and big corporations (in this case the insurance and pharmaceutical companies).

This health care reform was an example of how many Democrats are also bought and paid for by large corporations. So many of them rail against the insurance industry and yet gave them one of the greatest legislative gifts they could have ever dreamed of asking for.

Still, it could be possible that the next wave of outrage over the health care system could be the tactics of the insurance companies and that will be ripe for reform when the legislative environment is favorable. As OWS is demonstrating, there is a lot of anger over huge corporations putting profits over people, and their unwillingness to leave *any* potential profit on the table no matter how much misery they inflict on their customers and employees. These things never seem to happen quickly enough, and being in a 4T kinda sucks, but it is what it is and, as discussed in another thread, at least maybe the regeneracy has arrived or is around the corner.

People - you are not getting health CARE from any insurance company. You are getting insurance. Insurance is a bet between you and the insurance company over whether you will get sick or not. As in any other form of betting, the odds are rigged in favor of the house.

If you want health CARE, your best bets are either a doctor who takes cash and will give you a discount for sparing the clinic the burden of insurance company paperwork, or else have a national (or state or city or county) health service; or both.

I repeat: a national health service is probably your best bet. Let the screams of "Socialism" and the British horror stories begin.

Originally Posted by The Grey Badger

People - you are not getting health CARE from any insurance company. You are getting insurance. Insurance is a bet between you and the insurance company over whether you will get sick or not. As in any other form of betting, the odds are rigged in favor of the house.

If you want health CARE, your best bets are either a doctor who takes cash and will give you a discount for sparing the clinic the burden of insurance company paperwork, or else have a national (or state or city or county) health service; or both.

I repeat: a national health service is probably your best bet. Let the screams of "Socialism" and the British horror stories begin.

Your absolutely correct. But then, I'm just one of those socialist hippies.

Originally Posted by The Grey Badger

People - you are not getting health CARE from any insurance company. You are getting insurance. Insurance is a bet between you and the insurance company over whether you will get sick or not. As in any other form of betting, the odds are rigged in favor of the house.

If you want health CARE, your best bets are either a doctor who takes cash and will give you a discount for sparing the clinic the burden of insurance company paperwork, or else have a national (or state or city or county) health service; or both.

I repeat: a national health service is probably your best bet. Let the screams of "Socialism" and the British horror stories begin.

I couldn't agree with this more. It is morally wrong for something this basic to survival to be a profit-making industry, and it is even more immoral for insurance companies to cherry pick who they will or will not ensure based on how much "risk" they present to their bottom line. As a person who works for this industry, I can't even begin to tell you how many people are refused coverage or their claims denied for "pre-existing conditions" (even though they are paying jacked up premiums that cost more than their mortgages). In the end, many of these people are paying for absolutely nothing, and of course the way the game is rigged, those most in need of healthcare are the least likely to get coverage. Health insurance is nothing but a huge scam that makes huge profits off the misery of others.

Our healthcare system, like every other industry, is based on greed and greed alone. This is incredibly wrong and immoral and needs to be replaced with SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE, just Europe and Canada have.

Originally Posted by LateBoomer

I couldn't agree with this more. It is morally wrong for something this basic to survival to be a profit-making industry, and it is even more immoral for insurance companies to cherry pick who they will or will not ensure based on how much "risk" they present to their bottom line. As a person who works for this industry, I can't even begin to tell you how many people are refused coverage or their claims denied for "pre-existing conditions" (even though they are paying jacked up premiums that cost more than their mortgages). In the end, many of these people are paying for absolutely nothing, and of course the way the game is rigged, those most in need of healthcare are the least likely to get coverage. Health insurance is nothing but a huge scam that makes huge profits off the misery of others.

Our healthcare system, like every other industry, is based on greed and greed alone. This is incredibly wrong and immoral and needs to be replaced with SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE, just Europe and Canada have.

Earlier this week I was talking to a friend of mine from Scotland. She is 60 years old and moved to the US about 10 or 15 years ago. So she spent most of her life in Scotland. She said she just doesn't understand why people in America are so opposed to government run health care. She feels the health care system in the UK is far more superior to what we have in America...And I don't know for certain, but I'm willing to bet most people living countries that do have socialized medicine probably feel that way.

I also have another close friend who's parents lived in Canada. A year ago her father died of a long term illness. She said to me, I'm so thankful that in addition to dealing with the emotional stress of my father's condition, we didn't have to fight with insurance companies in order for him to get the care he needed.

Originally Posted by The Rani

Amazing and inspiring (as opposed to preachy) story of a guy who cured his own autoimmune disease with a 60 day juice detox.
Available for free on hulu right now:

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Official Trailer

Rani, my wife and I loved this doc and I am on day two of juicing!

A word of caution. When people are selling their product with the message that they can "cure", be aware that many things cannot be cured, such as diabetes and many other auto immune diseases.

One of my main concerns with this drink is that it can pull very desperate people in, who are desperately searching for cures for their illness. Can diet and exercise help, it sure can, but rarely, if ever, cures.

One very sad thing too often happens with the promises of people wanting to sell something, is that it verges on blaming the victim if their disease isn't cured. Many auto-immune diseases are inherited and no amount of any product is going to cure that illness.

Originally Posted by Deb C

A word of caution. When people are selling their product with the message that they can "cure", be aware that many things cannot be cured, such as diabetes and many other auto immune diseases.

One of my main concerns with this drink is that it can pull very desperate people in, who are desperately searching for cures for their illness. Can diet and exercise help, it sure can, but rarely, if ever, cures.

One very sad thing too often happens with the promises of people wanting to sell something, is that it verges on blaming the victim if their disease isn't cured. Many auto-immune diseases are inherited and no amount of any product is going to cure that illness.

Yeah, he doesn't push it or direct us to a link were we have to purchase something.

If anything, I'm my wife's guinea pig (she's not doing it because she's still feeding Josiah) and she's always trying to come up with her own concoctions. Plus I'm only doing a 2 week challenge and thankfully have nothing that desperately needs to get cured.

It would be awesome if it helped me get off allergy medicine because I hate taking pills, the natural stuff isn't strong enough and the neti pot creates a gross mess.

I tell you though, this is definitely better then the short fast I have done in the past. I do expect a head ache and mood swing by friday.

This is the outfit that took such good care of me when I was diagnosed with cancer.

Originally Posted by Deb C

A word of caution. When people are selling their product with the message that they can "cure", be aware that many things cannot be cured, such as diabetes and many other auto immune diseases.

One of my main concerns with this drink is that it can pull very desperate people in, who are desperately searching for cures for their illness. Can diet and exercise help, it sure can, but rarely, if ever, cures.

One very sad thing too often happens with the promises of people wanting to sell something, is that it verges on blaming the victim if their disease isn't cured. Many auto-immune diseases are inherited and no amount of any product is going to cure that illness.

This is something close to what I did about 7,8 years ago before I think it became chic. Except, I did it for nearly a year and still ate one whole foods meal a day, but of course without the meat, refined sugars or gluten. It completely reversed all diabetic symptoms and of course the weight loss was staggering. I think the trick is that you wanna live and you become so fixated on that image that nothing distracts you. It's certainly not for everyone. That's why it seems like a test, a challenge -- do this for something-something days. Obviously if you can't last the something-something days, it's not for you. But if time goes by and you are focused and above all enjoying yourself, you turn around and someone says, "Is that you?" And you think, "Did I miss something?" Very cool. And very empowering.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by summer in the fall

This is something close to what I did about 7,8 years ago before I think it became chic. Except, I did it for nearly a year and still ate one whole foods meal a day, but of course without the meat, refined sugars or gluten. It completely reversed all diabetic symptoms and of course the weight loss was staggering. I think the trick is that you wanna live and you become so fixated on that image that nothing distracts you. It's certainly not for everyone. That's why it seems like a test, a challenge -- do this for something-something days. Obviously if you can't last the something-something days, it's not for you. But if time goes by and you are focused and above all enjoying yourself, you turn around and someone says, "Is that you?" And you think, "Did I miss something?" Very cool. And very empowering.

Cheers.

Yea, I agree with you stance.

The last thing I try to do is preach to my friends about something that works for me. For the most part, I do this type of stuff in silence because these plans always create instant resistance from some folks.

Originally Posted by summer in the fall

This is something close to what I did about 7,8 years ago before I think it became chic. Except, I did it for nearly a year and still ate one whole foods meal a day, but of course without the meat, refined sugars or gluten. It completely reversed all diabetic symptoms and of course the weight loss was staggering. I think the trick is that you wanna live and you become so fixated on that image that nothing distracts you. It's certainly not for everyone. That's why it seems like a test, a challenge -- do this for something-something days. Obviously if you can't last the something-something days, it's not for you. But if time goes by and you are focused and above all enjoying yourself, you turn around and someone says, "Is that you?" And you think, "Did I miss something?" Very cool. And very empowering.

Cheers.

How can you guys go an entire day on just one meal? I get a hunger headache after a few hours without eating.

Originally Posted by millennialX

Yeah, he doesn't push it or direct us to a link were we have to purchase something.

If anything, I'm my wife's guinea pig (she's not doing it because she's still feeding Josiah) and she's always trying to come up with her own concoctions. Plus I'm only doing a 2 week challenge and thankfully have nothing that desperately needs to get cured.

It would be awesome if it helped me get off allergy medicine because I hate taking pills, the natural stuff isn't strong enough and the neti pot creates a gross mess.

I tell you though, this is definitely better then the short fast I have done in the past. I do expect a head ache and mood swing by friday.

Ryen, have you tried natural honey harvested from your area? It's like taking allergy shots, only without the needles. I have found that it works wonders.

Count us forewarned about your withdrawals. I'll tip toe around your posts around that time.

Originally Posted by The Wonkette

How can you guys go an entire day on just one meal? I get a hunger headache after a few hours without eating.

I would think it might screw up the metabolizm in a big way.

If your metabolism is screwed up anyway from the good 'ol American diet and you can really keep it up for a long period of time and you feel better, it may not be something anyone can nay-say out of hand. Although there are laws of averages, human bodies as well as their psychologies, etc., are unique. As SITF points out "It's certainly not for everyone." But it's something to think about and evaluate as an individual if we pay attention to our own bodies. We make choices. But then we have to live with them.

My B-I-L has devised his own food plan. I will preface this by saying that he was very high up in the pharmaceutical industry as a bio-statitician and knows a great deal about drugs. And believes we should do whatever we can to stay off them. Dude knows side-effects. About 4 years ago (he was 54-55) he had to have a bunch of stents put in. This was partly genetic as his father had a heart attack at about the same age. Clearly, some of it was lifestyle. He also is a classic Type A personality. His cholesterol was sky high among other things.

A little context. I've discussed in other posts that my sister, his wife, died in 1997 and he raised his children, then 7, 13 and 15. As a high-powered executive on his way to the top who adored her (and deeply acknowledges that she made his career rise possible) he retired shortly after her death as he could not continue that career at that level while raising young children and he could afford to retire. Although he was wealthy, emotionally his life was difficult.

And he gained weight. And he lived high on the hog in some ways. In the past year, he's lost 30 lbs and bikes about 5-10 miles a day as a 58-year-old man with big old stents in his heart. He eats oatmeal in the morning, a snack of grains and fruit at midday, takes a few supplements and eats hearty at dinner but excludes refined carbs and sugars. He is not a vegetarian but restricts his eating of red meat to once a month. He researched the hell out of it as he does with everything. He no longer takes statins. He wasn't that big on statins anyway and has consulted many people on the side effects but in his case recognized their temporary necessity. His LDL cholesterol has plummeted. He still enjoys his wine. I listen to him because dude knows the research. He writes the research. He knows the bs. There are some things I disagree with him on, but he is way, way ahead of most practicing doctors on this one.

Originally Posted by annla899

If your metabolism is screwed up anyway from the good 'ol American diet and you can really keep it up for a long period of time and you feel better, it may not be something anyone can nay-say out of hand. Although there are laws of averages, human bodies as well as their psychologies, etc., are unique. As SITF points out "It's certainly not for everyone." But it's something to think about and evaluate as an individual if we pay attention to our own bodies. We make choices. But then we have to live with them.

My B-I-L has devised his own food plan. I will preface this by saying that he was very high up in the pharmaceutical industry as a bio-statitician and knows a great deal about drugs. And believes we should do whatever we can to stay off them. Dude knows side-effects. About 4 years ago (he was 54-55) he had to have a bunch of stents put in. This was partly genetic as his father had a heart attack at about the same age. Clearly, some of it was lifestyle. He also is a classic Type A personality. His cholesterol was sky high among other things.

A little context. I've discussed in other posts that my sister, his wife, died in 1997 and he raised his children, then 7, 13 and 15. As a high-powered executive on his way to the top who adored her (and deeply acknowledges that she made his career rise possible) he retired shortly after her death as he could not continue that career at that level while raising young children and he could afford to retire. Although he was wealthy, emotionally his life was difficult.

And he gained weight. And he lived high on the hog in some ways. In the past year, he's lost 30 lbs and bikes about 5-10 miles a day as a 58-year-old man with big old stents in his heart. He eats oatmeal in the morning, a snack of grains and fruit at midday, takes a few supplements and eats hearty at dinner but excludes refined carbs and sugars. He is not a vegetarian but restricts his eating of red meat to once a month. He researched the hell out of it as he does with everything. He no longer takes statins. He wasn't that big on statins anyway and has consulted many people on the side effects but in his case recognized their temporary necessity. His LDL cholesterol has plummeted. He still enjoys his wine. I listen to him because dude knows the research. He writes the research. He knows the bs. There are some things I disagree with him on, but he is way, way ahead of most practicing doctors on this one.

Kudos to him! It appears that he had a much needed lifestyle change. That's the hard thing to do isn't it?

After I was diagnosed with an incurable auto-immune disease, I went on a similar lifestyle change. I still don't eat much, if any, red meat. It has helped to keep my illness at safe levels but it is not a cure. The hardest part for me is the "NO SUGAR." It doesn't take much for me to cave when I come face to face with a chocolate sundae. It's also easier for me to stray from the healthy eating when I am stressed or too busy.

Thanks for sharing your brother-in-law's story. It sure encourages me to get back on the healthy path.

Originally Posted by millennialX

Yea, I agree with you stance.

The last thing I try to do is preach to my friends about something that works for me. For the most part, I do this type of stuff in silence because these plans always create instant resistance from some folks.

You learn it the hard way. I remember when it started to get really noticeable. When people would ask, to avoid the reactions I would say, "Oh I just eat nuts and berries and twigs." They'd laugh and leave me alone.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by summer in the fall

You learn it the hard way. I remember when it started to get really noticeable. When people would ask, to avoid the reactions I would say, "Oh I just eat nuts and berries and twigs." They'd laugh and leave me alone.

Cheers.

For a while there was a cereal brand that I swear was just like eating twigs! Nothing wrong with twigs. These were just processed twigs.

I suspect that the idea that early humans were great hunters is way out of whack. We probably ate carrion left over from better hunters and mostly ate nuts, berries, twigs and bugs. The latter being why we like crunchy things like cheetos.

Originally Posted by annla899

For a while there was a cereal brand that I swear was just like eating twigs! Nothing wrong with twigs. These were just processed twigs.

You mean Grapenuts?

I suspect that the idea that early humans were great hunters is way out of whack. We probably ate carrion left over from better hunters and mostly ate nuts, berries, twigs and bugs. The latter being why we like crunchy things like cheetos.

Oh I don't wanna eat like my pre-ancestral ancestors. There's a reason why they're not here anymore. Sorry, but I got a pet peeve with evolutionary psychology.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by summer in the fall

You mean Grapenuts?



Oh I don't wanna eat like my pre-ancestral ancestors. There's a reason why they're not here anymore. Sorry, but I got a pet peeve with evolutionary psychology.

Cheers.

I do, too. But I do think it's funny that eating bugs/liking crunch is a speculation. Just like my carrion post. As you note, we do live longer and healthier lives than our hominid ancestors. And we are mostly better off for it.

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Originally Posted by annla899

For a while there was a cereal brand that I swear was just like eating twigs! Nothing wrong with twigs. These were just processed twigs.

I know that cereal you describe--dry, tasteless, dark brown and shaped like little twigs. I'm pretty sure you're describing All-Bran, not Grape-Nuts. Blargh.

Originally Posted by Deb C

Ryen, have you tried natural honey harvested from your area? It's like taking allergy shots, only without the needles. I have found that it works wonders.

Count us forewarned about your withdrawals. I'll tip toe around your posts around that time.

Oh yes! I forgot how that worked last year. Natural honey and bee pollen. Although the bee pollen actually made me feel worse the first day and then I got used to it. Thanks for the reminder!