Rather

“I would rather go through life sober believing I am an alcoholic; [then] go through life drunk trying to convince myself that I am not.” (self.stopdrinking)

If you are planning to kick the habit of alcoholic abuse, then it is definitely a tough (but wise) decision. Alcoholic abuse takes more than just strong will power to get rid of. You can rely on natural home remedies to quit drinking alcohol (in order to overcome this harmful habit).

It is a well-known fact that alcoholic abuse is not good for your health. It causes several long term health problems like liver damage, cirrhosis, kidney problem, pancreatitis, heart disease, anxiety disorder, impotence, and reduced immunity. High sugar content in alcoholic beverages increases the risk of becoming obese.

It causes short term issues such as headache, insomnia, diarrhea, lack of coordination and judgment, and malnutrition. The abuse affects your social life because it allows irritability and violent behavior.  Alcohol abuse gives rise to a number of social problems like job loss, family member separation, domestic violence, and divorce. It becomes imperative to quit alcohol abuse as soon as possible. There are many home remedies for abuse which include the following:

1.   Apples: Apples have been an age old remedy to cure abuse. Apples not only remove the toxins caused due to alcohol consumption, but also reduce the urge to consume hard alcohol.

 

2.   Balanced Diet: A balanced diet, which encompasses all essential nutrients from vegetables, cereals, whole grains, nuts, and sprouts is beneficial. Avoid eating too much white flour, strong condiments, meat, and sugar. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate exercise and a balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. "Alcoholism: the DISEASE that makes you too selfish to see the havoc you created and care about the people you shattered"-anonymous

 

3.   Bitter Gourd: Drink some bitter gourd juice mixed with buttermilk every morning to curb abuse. The juices obtained from the leaves of bitter gourd are a good cure for alcohol abuse. In addition, bitter gourd juice has the capacity to repair damaged liver cells.

4.   Celery: Celery is an excellent home remedy against abuse, because the juice obtained from celery makes alcoholics sober. It must be mixed with water and consumed daily for over a month for best results.

 

5.   Dandelion: This is another popular home remedy for alcoholism, which enables you to reduce the ill effects of alcoholism, along with rejuvenating the liver tissues. Dandelion also facilities the normal production of bile and stimulates its flow. It contains the polysaccharide insulin, which enhances the body’s immunity and the production of white blood cells.

 

 

6.   Dates: Dates are easily accessible, and are quite effective in curing alcoholic abuse. Rubbed dates in water consumed daily can significantly improve the abuse symptoms of people suffering from this disorder.

 

7.   Evening Primrose: Many herbs (such as evening primrose} are time-tested home remedies to prevent abuse. The oil extracted from the seeds of evening primrose can greatly reduce the cravings for alcohol.

 

8.   Fruit Juices: Include lots of fruit juice in your diet, because it can control the craving for consuming hard alcohol.

 

9.   Ginseng: Both American and Asian ginseng can easily break down the alcohol in your body, and flush out the toxins. Ginseng can reduce the rate of alcohol absorption in your stomach.

 

 

10.       Grapes: Grapes are one of the most popular and effective home remedies for controlling alcoholic abuse. Whenever you feel like having a drink of alcohol, drink a glass of grape juice or eat a few grapes instead. Since grapes contain the purest form of an alcohol-making agent in them, they serve as a great alternative for alcoholics.

 

 Grapes are rich in potassium, which helps to maintain an alkaline blood balance, along with stimulating the kidneys. Grapes have astonishing cleansing power in removing toxins from the liver, and they are said to reduce the chances of cancer.

 

11.       Licorice Root: This is a powerful antioxidant and antibody stimulator, which improves the overall functioning of the respiratory and liver functions. It is used as an effective home remedy in fighting alcoholic abuse.

 

 Licorice root is regarded as an important herb for treating kidney ailments, and is also recommended for the liver and respiratory tract.  Licorice root’s antioxidant, antiviral, and antibody-stimulating properties make it a liver protector and a detoxifier.

 

12.       Milk Thistle: This herb is an excellent home remedy for treating liver diseases caused by alcoholism. This herb enhances liver functions, along with repairing the damage caused to the liver.

 

More popular as a liver tonic, milk thistle has the active ingredient of Silymarin, which can repair the damage caused by alcohol or drug abuse, hepatitis, and other toxins.

 

13.       Raw Almonds: These are useful in reducing an abuse to alcohol.

 

14.       Salami: Eat a salami and butter sandwich on Ciabatta bread, which will absorb a significant amount of alcohol from the body.

 

 15.       Skullcap: This herb is commonly used to manage the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism.

 “I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me spiritually and financially.” (Denzel Washington) [i]

"Alcoholism: the DISEASE that makes you too selfish to see the havoc you created and care about the people you shattered"-anonymous

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[i] Sources used:

·        “15 Surprising Home Remedies for Abuse to Alcohol” (https://www.organicfacts.net/alcohol-abuse.html)

·        “Home Remedies to Quit Drinking” (http://www.speedyremedies.com/home-remedies-to-quit-drinking.html)

 

 

A Vision

“A different language is a different vision of life.” (Federico Fellini)

Science shows that learning a second language can help you solve problems more critically, focus more intensely, and even keep your brain alert as you age. That's not even mentioning the practical benefits in life of being able to talk to more people and travel more widely.

 

While the benefits of learning another language are clear, it's also correct that gaining proficiency requires a lot of work. Unless you have an ear for languages or a survival level need to learn quickly, it's entirely possible to study a language for more than a decade without becoming fluent. How can you avoid this fate? Here are some language learning tips that may help:

1.   Accept that you're going to say many wrong things: In my opinion this is the single most important piece of language learning advice you can ever get. Take it to heart. Ask anyone who's lived abroad and they'll have absolutely mortifying language mess ups to share. You cannot avoid these stumbles without also avoiding learning. Figure out pronunciation patterns. All Latin-based languages will have similar pronunciation patterns based on Latin words. For instance, any word that ends in “-tion” in English will almost always end in “-ción” in Spanish and “-ção” in Portuguese.

English-speakers are notorious for simply adding “-o” “-e” or “-a” to the end of English words to say Spanish words they don’t know. But stereotypes aside, it’s surprising how often it’s correct. There will be a lot of ambiguity and miscommunication. Fact of the matter is that for many, many words, the translations are not direct.

Nuanced conversations over important matters will likely require double the effort to nail down the exact meaning for each person than it would between two native speakers. No matter how good you are in your new language, you’re not likely to have a complete grasp over the slight intuitive differences between each word, phrase or idiom that a native speaker does without living in the country for years.

2.   Communication is essential:  An hour of conversation (with corrections and a dictionary for reference) is as good as five hours in a classroom and ten hours with a language course by yourself. There are a few reasons for this. The first is motivation. I don’t care how cool your study guide is. You’re going to be far more invested and motivated to communicate with a live person in front of you than a book or audio program on your computer.

The second reason is that language is something that needs to be processed not memorized. I’m no expert on language learning, but in my experience with memorizing flashcards does not compare to being forced to use words in conversation.

I believe the reason is that our minds place more priority on memories which involve actual human and social experiences. You’re able to understand far more than you speak. Once you’re able to speak and listen without thinking about it, you’ll begin to actually think in the foreign language itself without effort.

3.   Concentration of study is better than length of learning: This means an intensive course of four hours a day for a week beats one hour a week for twenty weeks by a long shot. It's better to allot a particular period of your life even if it's only one to two weeks. Go at it one hundred percent, than to half do it over the course of months or years.

This is one reason why so many people take language classes in school and never remember anything. It’s because they only study three to four hours per week, and often the classes are separated by multiple days. Language requires a lot of repetition, a lot of reference experiences, and a consistent investment.

4.   Keep practicing in your head: Challenge yourself to think in the new language. We all have monologues running in our head, and typically they run in our native tongue. You can continue to practice and construct sentences and fake conversations in your head in a new language. This sort of visualization leads to much easier conversations when you actually have them. It rapidly builds new skills in the new language.

 You can begin to think about how you would describe your job and explain why you’re in the foreign country in the new language. Those questions will come up and you’ll be ready to answer them.

5.   One-on-one tutoring is the best and most efficient use of time: If you have the money, getting a tutor, and sitting with them for a few hours every day is the fastest way to learn a new language." One-on-one tutoring is the best and most efficient use of time. It’s also usually the most expensive use of time, depending on the language and country.

 

6.   Start with the one hundred most common words: This is common sense but totally bears repeating. Not all vocabulary is made the same. Some gives you a better return on investment than other. Start with the one hundred most common words, and then make sentences with them over and over again.

 

 Learn just enough grammar to do this, and feel comfortable with all of them. Focus on becoming conversational. One hundred words in any language account for 50% of all spoken communication. The most common 1,000 words account for 80% of all spoken communication. The most common 3,000 words account for 99% of communication. In other words, there are some serious diminishing returns from learning more vocabulary.

 

 The basic grammar should get you speaking fundamental sentences within a matter of days. Once you’re able to joke consistently in the new language, that’s a pretty good sign that it’s time to expand your vocabulary out. Use audio and online courses for the first one hundred words and basic grammar. After that they should only be used for reference and nothing more.

“Learning a foreign language, and the culture that goes with it, is one of the most useful things we can do to broaden the empathy and imaginative sympathy and cultural outlook of children.” (Michael Gove) [i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “22 Tips for Learning A Foreign Language” by Mark Manson

·        “5 Tricks to Learn a Foreign Language Way Faster” by Jessica Stillman

 

Topic suggested by my daughter, Allena Kinker

 

 

The Harvest

“If you think you can fool God, you are only fooling yourselves. You will harvest what you plant. If you live to satisfy your sinful self, the harvest you will get from that will be eternal death. But if you live to please the Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, ERV)

The universal law of cause and effect states that for every effect there is a definite cause, and for every cause there is a definite effect. Your thoughts, behaviors and actions create specific actions that make your life as you know it. If you are not happy with the life you have made, then you must change the causes that created them in the first place. Change your actions, and you alter your life. Transform your thoughts, and you will build a brand new destiny.

“I am a person who lives my life based on intention. I don’t do anything without intention because intention determines the outcome of your life. It’s like cause and effect.” (Oprah Winfrey)

Causes are the decisions we make and the actions we take on a daily basis. Whether our decisions seem small and rather insignificant, or whether they are significant and transformational in nature, does not matter. Each and every decision we have made and action we have taken has set events into motion creating predictable and specific effects that we are now experiencing in our lives. Here are three ways you can get more of out of life:

1.   Determine cause and effect relationships: If you want a specific outcome in your life, identify the specific things you will need to do in order to get the results that you want. You need to have a proper understanding of yourself, and how you work with the knowledge of your belief systems.   Knowing this information about yourself will go a long way in assisting you to properly understand and use the Law of Cause and Effect.

2.   Persevere: If you take action and do the things that others have done, eventually you’ll end up with the same results. It’s a Universal Law. It works every single time. It’s going to take some time to change your current situation. The truth is that it’s taken you a lifetime to get into the position in which you now find yourself. It’s going to take some time to get out.

“God’s Law of Cause and Effect: Your rewards in life will always be equal to the amount and quality of service rendered, in the long run.”  (Denis Waitley)

Success takes time. If it doesn’t seem to be working immediately, don’t give up. Stay focused, and find out your causes to ensure you are doing the right things. Tweak your approach if necessary so you can eventually get the desired results you want.

3.   Take massive action: The first step in taking massive action is to first make the decision to focus on, and do the things that other successful people have done. Remember, to have what most people don’t. You must do what most people won’t.  Half the battle is taking action.

The thing that stops most people from living the life of their dreams is just beginning.  The start is what stops most people. If you have to, fake it until you make it for real. Sometimes taking action just means believing that you can be, do and have whatever your heart desires.

“The recognition of the law of the cause and effect (also known as karma) is a fundamental key to understand how you’ve created your world, with actions of your body, speech and mind. When you truly understand karma, then you realize you are responsible for everything in your life. It is incredibly empowering to know that your future is in your hands.” (Keanu Reeves)[i]

Actual flier was to benefit the Columbus Metropolitan Library on Wednesday, October 18, 2017

  

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[i] Sources used:

·        “The Universal Law of Cause and Effect and its Affect on Your Life” by Adam Sicinski

·        “Understanding and Applying the Law of Cause and Effect!” by Hiram Pagan

 

Inspired by a flier from Chipotle Mexican Grill.

What Are You?

“You are what you eat. So don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake.” (Anonymous)

Potassium has many important functions in the body. It’s a critical mineral in the body for maintaining a healthy function of cells, tissues, and organs. Potassium also conducts electricity (electrolyte) along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium in the human body. Heart, digestive, and muscular function rely on this key nutrient. The following signs of potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) are clues that you’re not getting enough of potassium:

1. Abdominal cramping and/or bloating
2. Acne
3. Constipation
4. Depression
5. Edema
6. Excess water consumption
7. Fainting due to low blood pressure
8. Fatigue
9. Heart palpitations (irregular heart beat)
10. Insomnia
11. Mental impairment
12. Nausea or vomiting
13. Nervousness
14. Numbness and/or tingling
15. Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles

”Less than 2% of Americans achieve even the recommended minimum adequate intake of potassium, due primarily to inadequate plant food intake.” (Michael Greger)

The following foods are potassium-rich (with serving size needed):

·        Acorn Squash (1/2 cup, cubed)

·        Avocado (1 medium)

·        Banana (1 medium)

·        Coconut Water (1 cup)

·        Date (1 piece)

·        Halibut (3oz)

·        Kiwi (1 medium)

·        Molasses (1 tablespoon)

·        Orange (1 medium)

·        Orange Juice (6oz)

·        Potato (1 medium with skin)

·        Prune Juice (6oz)

·        Raisins (1/2 cup)

·        Spinach (1/2 cup cooked)

·        White Beans (1 cup)

“Sugar actually steals minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium from your body.”  (Kevin Passero)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “15 Signs of Potassium Deficiency” by Catherine

·        “Hypokalemia” from Wikipedia

Topic inspired by my wife, Bobbi Kinker.

Decide Now

“Don't be eye candy. Be soul food.” (Inspirationalquotesmagazine.com)

Most of us have childhood memories of our favorite candies. Starburst is a popular chewy fruit-flavored candy that many people's favorite. It has been around for a long time. Did you know these facts?

·        According to the Starburst website, starburst.com, "This classic candy is rumored to have inspired the pop art movement."

·        Starburst's slogan is "Starburst: a pack of contradictions."

·        Starbursts were created in 1971 in the United Kingdom, and were originally called Opal Fruits. Five years later they entered the U.S. under the name we know them as now.

·        Starbursts contain real fruit juice and are a source of vitamin C.

·        Packs come in flavors such as Original, Tropical, Sour and Favereds (strawberry, fruit punch, watermelon, and cherry all together in one pack.).

·        Each Starburst is about the size of a cubic inch. It takes 30 million packs of Starbursts to go from New York to Los Angeles.

Almost anything in life has a lesson to teach you if you pay attention. This includes Starburst Fruit Chews:

1.   Develop the ability to delay gratification. In this day and age, it’ll be a challenge since instantaneous distractions and rewards are all around. Decide, focus, and persevere.

 

2.   Create rewards for yourself for when you achieve a goal. Commit to not giving in until you do achieve it. The level of reward should match the level of effort it takes for each achievement.

 

Start small, and then work your way up. If you train yourself to put sustained focus towards larger, more fulfilling achievements, your life will never end up just being a fist full of empty candy wrappers.

 

  “When you’re stressed you eat ice cream, chocolate and sweets. Do you want to know why? Because stressed spelled backwards is dessert.” (Sweetcafeblog)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “Fun Facts about Starburst Candy” by Leaf TV Editor

·        “Valuable Life Lessons I Learned in the Candy Aisle at 7-Eleven” by Blake Mallen