Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Utah soldier killed trying to save comrade in Afghanistan

This is an article that was emailed to me from my sister, he was her friend and trained with her. I just wanted to dedicate this article to those who had lost someone.

 

 

Utah soldier killed trying to save comrade in Afghanistan


Written by: Dan Metcalf Jr.

Reported by: Kelli O'Hara
Reported by: Annie Cutler
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large
Updated: 10/15 3:21 am
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A soldier from Utah has been killed in Afghanistan.

ABC 4 News has learned that 19-year-old Jordan Byrd was killed while trying to save a fallen comrade during a gun battle, according to family members.

Byrd's family says Jordan joined the U.S. Army and became a medic in order to pay for medical school.

According to Byrd's family, Jordan was trying to assist a soldier who had been shot by a sniper, and used his body as a shield to protect a member of his unit.

Byrd's wife recently gave birth to the couple's son. A month ago, doctors induced labor only two days before Jordan deployed to Afghanistan.

Byrd spent some of his childhood in Dugway, Utah.

He is the fourth Utah soldier to die in Afghanistan since August 2010.

Capt. Ellery R. Wallace  was killed August 29th, Sgt. Aaron K. Kramer was killed on September 16th, Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Wagstaff was killed on September 21st.

The Governor sent his condolences through a statement that says, "We are saddened to learn of the death of another young Utah soldier serving his country overseas. Private First Class Byrd has paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and our American way of life, and for that he will never be forgotten.”

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Acupuncture

How can it help?

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It works to restore the flow and balance to the qi (energy) in the body. Tiny needles are inserted along meridian lines to help achieve this. Acupuncture is believed by some to be effective in treating the symptoms of STDs and improving  immunity. Results of a recent research trial show that acupuncture can help to heal herpes lesions and reduce recurrence of the infection.

Here's the link:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/alternative-therapy-STDs.html

This is a sensitive topic and I thought it was interesting how Acupuncture can help the STD symptoms. Above is a bit of info on STDs and Acupuncture.

Here's an interesting article on Acupuncture and HIV, could it be that Acupuncture and naturopathic medicine will be the next big thing?

How TCM Works for the HIV Patient

So it works great. But how does it work? Chinese medicine can appear to be mystery. Behind the needles, smoking moxa sticks, and funky-smelling herbs that comprise the typical TCM experience is a complex philosophy that explains relationships between organs, blood, and Qi flow. All theories and diagnoses in this medical tradition, however, follow a very simple premise: that health is a balance or harmony of forces and properties in the body, and ill health a disharmony.
Disharmony can be caused by outside forces, such as cold or wind, and inside forces, such as emotions. But ancient texts also describe the existence of pestilences, called li qi or yi qi. These are diseases from the outside world, but they different from the usual suspects; they’re the external “evils” of wind, cold, heat, dampness, and dryness.
A pestilence is highly infectious and can bring about an epidemic. Since TCM understands epidemics, that knowledge and protocol can be brought to bear on one of the most devastating pandemics of our time, AIDS.

TCM vs. HIV

A small number of acupuncturists have been studying the AIDS virus and developing a TCM diagnosis for the disease since the health crisis first began. Misha Cohen, O.M.D., L.Ac, describes the specific diagnosis of HIV/AIDS as invasion by toxic heat pestilence, which eventually causes spleen/stomach deficiency inside the body. Once the body is depleted by the disease’s attack on the spleen and stomach, the disease can progress to cause additional disharmonies, such as liver Qi stagnation and blood deficiency.
Each individual will have a unique response to the AIDS virus, and different disharmonies will develop in each person. One AIDS patient might develop Kaposi’s sarcoma, for instance, while another might experience anemia or peripheral neuropathy. The versatility built into treatments — there are hundreds of acupuncture points to choose from and endless point combinations possible — ensures a targeted treatment that is tailored to each patient’s health needs.
How do Western HIV/AIDS doctors view the role of acupuncturists in treating AIDS patients? Charles describes his Western doctor as being very open to acupuncture — in fact, his doctor was the one that referred him to an acupuncturist. Andre’s doctor doesn’ comment when Andre describes his TCM involvement, and Andre senses that his doctor might not value TCM. However, both men find it easy to work both East and West into their lives. They regularly check in with their Western doctors to monitor the virus, and their acupuncturists are well versed in Western medicines and protocol for HIV/AIDS. In the view of many in the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS, Western and TCM doctors working in collaboration provide the best care to patients battling one of the most devastating health problems in recent history.
It is thought that more than 1 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Acupuncture has the potential to enrich the health and quality of life of their lives. 


 Society have been studying this disease for decades and resulted unsuccessful in finding a cure to date. Now that Acupuncture is such a rapidly growing medical practice, it's getting some attention in the STD and AIDS/HIV department. This oriental medical practice was mocked and judged as a trickery for a very long time but is now a respected form of medicine and medical practice. Why is that so? I personally believe that it was because of the malpractice cases of western medicine and the deadly side effects of prescription drugs. 

Surprisingly, Acupuncture has started to join forces with the western medicine in hospitals across the country. Who knows? Maybe in the future, there will be Acupuncture hospitals and pharmacies dedicated to herbal medicines. All I know is, that's why I'm in college and that, my friend, will come true one day. Just watch me.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

MAKE OVER

Couple of days ago, I hurt my arm which caused me to take a bunch of pills and gave a whole lot of time to think. After I started to think, I've realized that I'm not writing about the things I want to write about.

I have always wanted to write about the two things that I'm passionate about; acupuncture and oriental medicine and writing. The mysteries behind acupuncture are endless and writing always enables people to communicate. My main goal in life was to discover new ways of pursuing healthy lifestyles that are not heavily dependent on prescription drugs. Personally, prescription drugs do not agree with my insides and makes me queasy. Herbal medicine on the other hand has helped me a lot over the years from stomach pains to tonsillitis. I don't believe that herbal medicine conquers western medicine, I believe that many people will benefit more from both medicines. I want to create a new form of herbal medicine that has the same healing effect and that's better tasting for those of us who are not big fans of the herbal taste. Which is why I have a strong desire to study herbal medicine and nutrition.

So I've had an epiphany, the Secret Garden has always been a place where readers can unwind and vent about their day or their problems. A place where the readers can relate to my writing in some way. Then I thought  that I've always wanted to write about how new perspectives can change people's lives. So I decided that it's about time the Secret Garden has gotten a makeover. I shall write about alternative medicine and my experiences with it. I've worked for an acupuncturist so I know what kind of things I would like to introduce to the readers and it won't always be about that. It'll be about anything and everything that has to do with mind, body, health and positive influences.

So now, the Secret Garden has a purpose and become a symbol of positive knowledge that's waiting for everyone to stroll on in to see the enchantments that's lying within.    

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Savory Snack-age to Satisfy the Sweet Suspire

 

It has come to our attention that not many college students have the time to decide which cereal has the least amount of calories or what brand of frozen dinners are the leaner choice for a midnight snack. Times like these is when nutrition facts on the back of packaged food products come in real handy. Here's the list of five sinful store bought snacks that will satisfy the guilty cravings without the guilt.

    5. Fruity Snacks
They are petite, mobile and incredibly chewy with an aura of fruity goodness glowing all around the packaging. Although the fruity snacks do not have a large amount of calories it's always a wise judgment to read the box before purchasing. Try Market Pantry's Fruit Snacks in mixed fruit flavors, they have 0 grams of fat, saturated fat, trans fat and only 80 calories per pouch, plus, the gummy fruits have 100% daily recommended values of Vitamin C.

4.Cereal Bar
Who said cereals were only meant for breakfasts? Try Kellogg's Special K Bar in blueberry and strawberry flavor. Each bar is filled with 90 calories, 1.5 grams in fat and 1 gram of saturated fat. Take it on the go to munch on during classes and it'll fill the body's nutrients to boost your brainpower!
Source: www.nutritiondata.self.com

    3. Juice
It's not only for kids, Capri Sun 100% Juice is a spill-free juice drink with only 80 calories in each juice pouch and absolutely zero grams of fat. However, fruit punch and apple are the only flavors that are only 80 calories but the other flavors: berry, grape and citrus are 90-100 calories per pouch. As a kick, try sticking it in the freezer for 3 hours to turn it into a frozen treat.
Sources: brands.kraftfoods.com/caprisun/default.aspx

2. Ice Cream Bars
There's nothing like chilling out with a classic ice cream bar in front of the television, snuggled up in a fleece blanket. This probably isn't the most healthiest thing to do on a Sunday night but it can magically become a wise choice with North Star's Healthy Wise Fudge Bars. Each fudge bar is 40 calories with 3 grams of sugar and no fat. Did you get that? ZERO FAT AND 40 CALORIES! Every box has 12 fudge bars and just enough to go around the room with your fellow snuggle mates.
Source: www.northstarfrozentreats.com

    1. Cookies
Who doesn't love cookies? It's sweet and doughy bites are something that we all can't get enough of. Murray's Sugar Free Chocolate Bites are tasty and not so heavy on the thighs. Murray's cookies come in 6 pouches per box and 80 calories per pouch. It's total fat levels are 2.5 grams and 3 grams of dietary fiber.
Source: www.murraysugarfree.com

So, sit back and hang loose with these 5 impeccably scrumptious treats that leave you feeling blissful and not obligated to hit the gym right away. 


This is a health story I've wrote for my health column for SMU. I just wanted to share it and it hasn't been edited. 

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Secret

Basically, in life we always desire things that we don't need and things that we only want because others have. But look here! This mystical book and documentary has me believing that whatever I want; I can get. This bizarre and beautiful "law of attraction" is what our mind and heart attracts into our lives.



The more I kept thinking about it, I could totally agree with what it was telling me. Whatever we keep thinking about, constantly thinking about, we attract. If I kept thinking about donuts then eventually, I'll get myself some donuts. If I kept thinking about negative things, I'll bring myself down therefore only attract negative situations because I'll be putting myself in my own mess. It's kind of like how a drug addict behaves. Once the drug addict get a hit, he feels relief and the feeling of satisfaction when he lets out his anger. So evidently, he's going to want more. 

Honestly, from personal experience I can confidently say that this thing, this "law of attraction" really works. I've always wanted to get off of the island and experience new environments that were totally different from home. I did that.


I wanted to attend college in the states, somewhere that was totally different from home. I did that.


I wanted to get back into cheer. I did that.


I wanted to merge my two extremely opposite career goals. I did that.


Nothing is impossible. For God's sake, we went to the moon right?


Get out there and engulf the world. See what you need to see, do what you need to do. Dreams are there so we can fulfill them and we only have a short amount of time here on Earth so why not suck every bit of happiness and enchantment out of it? 


Don't talk about it, just do it. 

I've always thought that we have such big obligations that kept us from doing what we wanted to do. So many of my friends have had babies at a young age and those who were 4.0 GPA students ended up living in a broken down shack with their baby daddies. That's why I always thought that it's impossible for us as human beings to truly live because we can't live and fully experience life without being tied down.

But that's when I was wrong. 

We have truly lived when we have seen everything that our little hearts most desired.  We don't have to lose ourselves along the way. It's so short and precious. 

There's nothing else left but to live