A letter to the New President and New Congress

I found this and thought I would publish it

A letter to the new president and Congress

I want my country back. I want America back. I don’t care which party or candidate wins as long as you do the following.

Please bring back the system of checks and balances. There is a reason for it to be there. The Legislative, Executive and Judicial branch are there for a reason. Don’t undo it. We won’t allow it. No more secrets please.

The media is no longer the fourth power in America. Don’t privatize the internet. The truth will eventually set us free. The corporations which own our so called mainstream media can do as they like. The people will eventually find the truth. It will just take longer.

Get rid of torture in any form. It does not work and it trashes our American values.

When you want to win the war on terror, besides weapons you must use soft diplomacy. Let me remind you what the Marshall plan did for American and the world in World War 2. Bring it back. Hatred breeds more hatred. We are not safer. We need allies and we need to understand why people do what they do besides a simplistic “They hate us because we are free”

I don’t care how you figure it out. We need access to health care. We need for people to become responsible for their own health as well. Quit pandering to the pharmaceutical, insurance companies and hospital corporations. Let’s focus on health, not medicine, Prevention, not treatment once and for all.

Global warming is not a HOAX. It is real . Let’s do something about it. Commit to alternative fuels that don’t hurt the environment either. Build rail. Make fuel efficient cars. Sign international treaties that hold everyone accountable, including China and India. We are all interconnected.

We need immigrants and we also need a safe border. We can stop scapegoating by comprehensive reform. Come up with a bipartisan plan. They would not be here if we didn’t have jobs for them.

Why are you allowing our banks to trick consumers into getting more credit cards than they need or loans they can’t pay? Wake up and then wake us up!

In the past 30 years, the gap between rich and poor has gotten bigger and bigger. No great country can thrive without a middle class. Figure out how to close that gap or we’ll become a second rate country.

Move away from an economy based on war. We don’t want it and we can’t afford it.


We the people are the government too and eventually we wake up and we’ll kick you out if you keep messing up our nation.

Quit using fear to do whatever you want. What we have to fear is fear itself. This worked for a while but we are tired of it. Don’t use it anymore.

Quit lying. Tell the truth. Sooner or later we’ll find out. We just don’t want millions of people dead in the process. Don’t forget. We don’t want any more secrets, lies, and fear in your speeches. We want the truth as painful as it is because it will set us free.

The only way American can get back on her feet again is to unite, among party lines, racial lines, cultural lines. We are Americans and we are a great nation because when we finally get fed up. We act. We are fed up. Wake up Mr. President and Congress. Wake up.


ANONYMOUS

Living Smart music on "You Tube"/Spitzer scandal

We can finally hear it and see it on You Tube click here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=STafkoKUWTc
We shot this at the ARTERY an incredible art space you should check out to expand your soul and horizons.
www.arteryhouston.org
Mark Larsen runs the place and it is the most incredible greek theatre in town. They host musicians and artists from all ethnic backgrounds and music genres. I am proud to have performed there on the last concert of at least, last year!
I am still working on Season 4 of Living Smart and remember it launches on April 6th at 3pm with one of my favorite Jungian analysts (if not the best in the nation) James Hollis PhD who discusses how we create a life worth living and worthy of our soul. He's a genius and I love learning from him.
On to current news. It is all over the news, the tintillating prostitution story about the Governor of New York Elliot Spitzer and who we now know, the siren prostitute Kristen! I don't want to waste my time on this because everyone will talk it to death. I do want to share this. I think we must all think about his family, have compassion for them. He has two teenage daughters and a wife who are suffering silently in the limelight. I don't point fingers because I am not God but I wish the media didn't plaster the images of the call girl all over the place. It also made me think about what tends to happen in our society a lot and we seldom take into consideration in the media and in our lives. It has to do with having affairs, or starting new marriages or relationships even while we are married. Have you noticed at least for celebrities that the ex wife, or ex husband or "ex" children dissappear from their lives, as if they didn't exist? It is as if all that counts is the present. What I want to leave you with is this. Any time you start a new relationship, think how it will affect who you left behind and bless them for they too were an important part of your life and forgetting all about it will not make it right. "ex"'s need love too!!!

Why you should vote today? March 5th 2008

Believe it or not. I am an independent voter. I have voted for Republicans and Democrats alike because I vote for the person, not the party. Iam constantly stereotyped as a liberal because I work for PBS but that is just too simplitic. I am like most Americans, IN THE MIDDLE. I don't believe in absolutes. I call myself a politcal cynic. After leaving a country for political reasons (Argentina) I don't believe in politicians generally speaking. There are exceptions. I think Bill White has done a good job in Houston but nationally, I don't like the job Congress or the President have done in the past 8 years.
I feel strongly that as Americans we are at a crossroad. We can either continue the path we have been on or we can demand real change. (I don't mean the rhetorical change we hear from all candidates) I mean real change. I have my opinion about what real change means.
I would like to see an economy that is market driven but socially just. This means we hold banks, mortgage companies, financial advisors etc. accountable and we take responsability for bad decisions ourselves. For instance, if you don't have the money don't buy it. period. Seventy percent of Americans are in debt. I don't think spending money and just consuming is the solution. Let's look at the future of this country. Would it be smarter to stop spending on a war that seems to have no end? Should we leave or Stay in Iraq until the situation is stable? Should we not change the way we consume oil? If the war was in fact fought for oil, what behaviors have we as Americans changed to stop our eternal dependence on oil?
What about health care? Can our politicians really break away from the pharmaceutical, hospital and insurance lobbysts? Do you realize, our politicians depend on their money to win elections? Do we understand that we need campaign finance reform to change a system that depends on big money to get elected? What is our responsability for our health? Do you realize food manufacturers may be advertising food that is just plain and simple toxic? Why don't we focus on prevention as a nation, because it is not a smart business decision? Please. Let's not forget, in my view, people are more important than the almighty dollar. We have to learn about nutrition so that when we get older, we won't get diabetes, or heart disease or high blood pressure.
Finally another issue is of course immigration. I will be doing a town meeting on April 24th on the subject here at HoustonPBS at 7pm. If this is an issue that really concerns us, then let's look at a comprehensive immigration reform. Getting emotional about the issue does not lead to solutions. Deporting people who have been living here for years is not the answer. What is economically, socially feasible? Every candidate has his or her views on all these subjects. Listen to them, ask questions and then VOTE..If you don't vote this election, you can't complain. We have to start standing up for what we believe without fear. We have to have the courage to cast a vote and hanle the consequences. We can no longer be an apathetic nation. If we are to be a great nation. WE MUST VOTE!!!

The law of attraction

If you have not heard about this law of attraction. Read up on the "Secret" movie. Everyone was excited about it and it was all over the news. I find it a bit funny since I have always read in the the bible " ask and you shall receive." We all hear about this, why don't we believe it?
I have been engaged in creative manifesting for a while. That is, I ask for something, usually write it down and believe it will become true if I am in aligment with the divine. In other words if I am asking for something that is for everyone's benefit, including my own.
Some people find this hoakie and silly. I find it has changed my thought patterns and way of life.
I have especially used it for very important things such as my mother's health when she was in a coma, or something simple like passing an exam, or avoiding an illness! My take on this is I would rather live my life asking for what I want and believing I am going to get it than using my own negative conscious mind telling me I can't have it or I shouldn't or it's impossible etc. You know what I mean. We all have that pestering little voice inside, usually a negative voice, tearing us apart, destroying our dreams and denying us happiness.
Why am I writing about this? Well my friend producer Connie Hill just won the independent film Spirit Award. This is like an Oscar but for independent films. Connie gave up her full time job to shoot this film for 5 weeks in Gonzalez Texas (just feel the HEAT) When she first started working on this film which she did for FREE, she had no idea one day she would be getting an award from Meg Ryan but that is exactly what she got. Connie wasn't so sure that she could win as producer for the film. By the way look out for it. It is called "August Evening" so I kept telling her to manifest it. Imagine going up on stage, getting the award and what you are going to say. It was hard work for me to convince her but I told her. What have you got to lose? Imagine the best, picture it and it will happen. I have told you before I believe in miracles. You do understand that winning anything like an Oscar and major national Emmys is very difficult and almost karmic. It depends on so many factors you don't have much control over. For instance, what other movies you are competing with, whether that subject matter is chic or the new actor on the scene is attractive..etc. etc..It does not take away from how real talented you are or your film is but frankly winning one of these unless you are Meryl Streep. IS HARD.
The fact that she won makes me believe in dreams. She had a dream and she went after it. I will do the same. I will manifest and believe my dream will come true. I will attract what I want. Do I believe in the law of attraction? you better believe it!!!

The story of stuff, Trash in the pacific and what you can do

I would like to invite you to view the video http://www.storyofstuff.com/

It's only 20 minutes and what it can teach you can change your life. I learned about it while I was at the Rothko Chapel event with Diana Petrochelli who spoke about sustainability and what's wrong with the way we are living.



By the way , the turnout was great and we learned a lot. Rothko chapel and the United Nations Houston chapter helpes us organize it along with many environmental community groups.



I also got some information that really upset me. It has to do with trash in the pacific ocean the size of a continent. This is true and don't let anyone deny it.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/05/6856/



so being a person who wants to find solutions. I decided to share with you this info from the story of stuff website.



WHAT CAN WE DO? LITTE AND BIG THINGS YOU CAN DO

1. Power down! A great deal of the resources we use and the waste we create is in the energy we consume. Look for opportunities in your life to significantly reduce energy use: drive less, fly less, turn off lights, buy local seasonal food (food takes energy to grow, package, store and transport), wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, use a clothesline instead of a dryer, vacation closer to home, buy used or borrow things before buying new, recycle. All these things save energy and save you money. And, if you can switch to alternative energy by supporting a company that sells green energy to the grid or by installing solar panels on your home, bravo!
Waste less. Per capita waste production in the U.S. just keeps growing. There are hundreds of opportunities each day to nurture a Zero Waste culture in your home, school, workplace, church, community. This takes developing new habits which soon become second nature. Use both sides of the paper, carry your own mugs and shopping bags, get printer cartridges refilled instead of replaced, compost food scraps, avoid bottled water and other over packaged products, upgrade computers rather than buying new ones, repair and mend rather than replace….the list is endless! The more we visibly engage in re-use over wasting, the more we cultivate a new cultural norm, or actually, reclaim an old one!



2. Talk to everyone about these issues. At school, your neighbors, in line at the supermarket, on the bus…A student once asked Cesar Chavez how he organized. He said, “First, I talk to one person. Then I talk to another person.” “No,” said the student, “how do you organize?” Chavez answered, “First I talk to one person. Then I talk to another person.” You get the point. Talking about these issues raises awareness, builds community and can inspire others to action.
Make Your Voice Heard. Write letters to the editor and submit articles to local press. In the last two years, and especially with Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the media has been forced to write about Climate Change. As individuals, we can influence the media to better represent other important issues as well. Letters to the editor are a great way to help newspaper readers make connections they might not make without your help. Also local papers are often willing to print book and film reviews, interviews and articles by community members. Let’s get the issues we care about in the news.



3. DeTox your body, DeTox your home, and DeTox the Economy. Many of today’s consumer products – from children’s pajamas to lipstick – contain toxic chemical additives that simply aren’t necessary. Research online (for example, http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) before you buy to be sure you’re not inadvertently introducing toxics into your home and body. Then tell your friends about toxics in consumer products. Together, ask the businesses why they’re using toxic chemicals without any warning labels. And ask your elected officials why they are permitting this practice. The European Union has adopted strong policies that require toxics to be removed from many products. So, while our electronic gadgets and cosmetics have toxics in them, people in Europe can buy the same things toxics-free. Let’s demand the same thing here. Getting the toxics out of production at the source is the best way to ensure they don’t get into any home and body.



4. Unplug (the TV and internet) and Plug In (the community). The average person in the U.S. watches T.V. over 4 hours a day. Four hours per day filled with messages about stuff we should buy. That is four hours a day that could be spent with family, friends and in our community. On-line activism is a good start, but spending time in face-to-face civic or community activities strengthens the community and many studies show that a stronger community is a source of social and logistical support, greater security and happiness. A strong community is also critical to having a strong, active democracy.



5.Park your car and walk…and when necessary MARCH! Car-centric land use policies and life styles lead to more greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel extraction, conversion of agricultural and wildlands to roads and parking lots. Driving less and walking more is good for the climate, the planet, your health, and your wallet. But sometimes we don’t have an option to leave the car home because of inadequate bike lanes or public transportation options. Then, we may need to march, to join with others to demand sustainable transportation options. Throughout U.S. history, peaceful non-violent marches have played a powerful role in raising awareness about issues, mobilizing people, and sending messages to decision makers.



6. Change your lightbulbs…and then, change your paradigm. Changing lightbulbs is quick and easy. Energy efficient lightbulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than conventional ones. That’s a no-brainer. But changing lightbulbs is just tinkering at the margins of a fundamentally flawed system unless we also change our paradigm. A paradigm is a collection of assumptions, concepts, beliefs and values that together make up a community’s way of viewing reality. Our current paradigm dictates that more stuff is better, that infinite economic growth is desirable and possible, and that pollution is the price of progress. To really turn things around, we need to nurture a different paradigm based on the values of sustainability, justice, health, and community.



7.Recycle your trash…and, recycle your elected officials. Recycling saves energy and reduces both waste and the pressure to harvest and mine new stuff. Unfortunately, many cities still don’t have adequate recycling systems in place. In that case you can usually find some recycling options in the phone book to start recycling while you’re pressuring your local government to support recycling city-wide. Also, many products – for example, most electronics - are designed not to be recycled or contain toxics so recycling is hazardous. In these cases, we need to lobby government to prohibit toxics in consumer products and to enact Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, as is happening in Europe. EPR is a policy which holds producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, so that electronics company who use toxics in their products, have to take them back. That is a great incentive for them to get the toxics out!



8. Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used, and most importantly, Buy Less. Shopping is not the solution to the environmental problems we currently face because the real changes we need just aren’t for sale in even the greenest shop. But, when we do shop, we should ensure our dollars support businesses that protect the environment and worker rights. Look beyond vague claims on packages like “all natural” to find hard facts. Is it organic? Is it free of super-toxic PVC plastic? When you can, buy local products from local stores, which keeps more of our hard earned money in the community. Buying used items keeps them out of the trash and avoids the upstream waste created during extraction and production. But, buying less may be the best option of all. Less pollution. Less Waste. Less time working to pay for the stuff. Sometimes, less really is more.

Rothko Chapel This Monday night at 7:30pm and my Optimum Health Experience

Friends be sure you attend the Global Warming Seminar at the Rothko Chapel Monday night at 7:30pm with my friend and Living Smart guest Diana Petrochelli. Reception follows and the event is free!

Also I wanted to post this response from someone I met at Optimum Health Institute who actually said it like it is. I did detox there and I have kept the weight off so I have to agree with what he said about his experience at OHI.

"You seem to see it as a punishment, or a "diet" that "deprives" you of the things you really want.
This is really interesting, in light of your discussion of addiction.
You can see your addiction to food, right ? ("I'm a foodie..")
Raw Food, cleansing, meditation, is not deprivation, but is an incredible gift, an opportunity to regain yourself, to live for yourself, to find true health, to be WELL, and to let go of the self-defeating labels and habits, and brainwashing.
You were "grumpy" at OHI because you were DE TOXING.
It was the poisons coming out - not your supposed "hunger."
You did not lose "water weight." This is more of the brainwashing.
You drank gallons of water at OHI, right ?
What you lost was poison, toxins, old decaying fecal matter, garbage.
As soon as you went back to garbage, you gained weight.

Take a step back and look at the big picture.
If you want to live, you can.
If you want to die, you can do that too.
Your choice.

We are back in California.
We are about 75% raw.
Me more than Laurie. (I am an addictive/compulsive Dude - and get "into" things :-) )
Sometimes I really need some egg whites- when my body tells me that I need a protein dose. I listen.
But I have actually lost some weight since returning, though that is not my intent.
I feel incredibly good. Light, strong, aware, awake, and full of energy.
I can lift the same weights at the gym as before. I can do all the same Yoga asanas- so I have not lost any strength or flexibility.
I am better on the cardio equipt.

We were given a gift at OHI.
We need to accept it and embrace it --

Love,

DR

Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Special Evening with Diana Petrochelli, Consultant & Grassroots Permaculturist

Hosted by Patricia Gras - Houston PBS/Channel 8 "Living Smart"

Monday, February 4th 2008 - 7:30 PM

Join us at The Rothko Chapel for an evening of dialogue and storytelling about how to combat climate change from the grass roots as well as the top down. Diana Petrochelli will share her adventures of designing an ecologically sustainable community in Argentina and Equatorial Guinea in Africa that teaches people how to build natural homes, grow their own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater and build community.

Diana Petrochelli is the Director and one of the founders of Corporate Sustainability Resources Inc, and is at the forefront of grassroots movements to combat climate change and create a new mindset in our society. Her work explores the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.

The evening will be hosted by Patricia Gras, seasoned international journalist and host of Houston PBS Living Smart with Patricia Gras. This event is part of a series of educational and community events held in conjunction with PBS Frontline, "Heat", which will air in April. (*Source: United Nations Association-Houston Chapter e-mail 2/04/08 - Climate Change & Sustainable Development: A Pragmatic & Spiritual Approach)

About UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION – HOUSTON

The United Nations Association-Houston is the local chapter of the national non-profit organization UNA-USA, a membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, including teaching students about international affairs through Model UN programs, clearing minefields in formerly war-torn nations, and providing school-based support for children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. In addition, its policy and advocacy programs stress the importance of nations working together and the need for United States leadership in the United Nations.

www.UNAHouston.org

Addiction and the Janis Joplin play

On season 4 of Living Smart, I will be hosting a show on the science of addiction. I chose this topic because I lost a family member to an addiction. He was a sweet man with a terrible disease which eventually took his life. At the time we knew little except that maybe he did not try hard enough to quit, or that he needed twelve steps or to find God. I believe all these things are important, your will, religion and faith, but as time passes I realize there is so much more science behind this than we know and that this needs to be treated like a medical disease. New pet scans show us where the problem is in the brain and what sort of treatments can work best. Dr. Tom Kosten, a psychiatrist from Baylor College of Medicine is leading the research on a cocaine vaccine. He will be my guest. Addiction vaccines work the same way as traditional vaccines use to treat diseases. They zero in on addictive chemicals that people snort, shoot or swallow. When injected the vaccine triggers the immune system to develop antibodies. The next time the drug is ingested, the antibodies will latch onto it and preventing it from getting into the brain. IF these vaccines work, it could change the lives of millions.

LAST NIGHT I SAW THE PLAY LOVE JANIS at the Alley..about the life of Janis Joplin. I knew little of Joplin because I was not raised here and by the time we moved back to the USA, she was already gone. I was not too keen on her music, precisely because I always identified it with drug addiction and that is what my family member used to listen to Joplin, and acid rock.

I enjoyed the play because it reminded me how tragic drug addiction was and is for so many. Do you realize three great artists, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hedrix and Jim Morrison died at age 27 of drug overdoses? Why? In this play they don't discuss too much why Janis died. She was, like the other two, a victim of her time. In the 60's doing drugs seemed cool and if you were an artist, the thing to do. As soon as these incredible and revolutionary performers died, other artists started paying attention to drug abuse. Unfortunately for Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison it was too late.

I didn't know why Janis was so great but I learned it last night. She has a very unique voice, talent and passion. She also broke through racist ideas that blacks should only sing "black" music and white folks, should just sing "white" music. She was the first to mix blues with rock and roll. She stood up against racism in her town of Port Arthur and she actually learned to think critically and sing passionately.

I can say I discovered last night why Joplin was great. I had heard "me and Bobby McGee" in the past and her unique rendition of "Summertime" but what I really loved about this performer is that she was true to her art. As always the Alley does incredible work. The band was awesome, the performer qhite good. It is almost impossible I would think to be like Joplin..there is only one Joplin but she did a great job. I have to be a bit critical of the accents the actresses playing Joplin were doing. They sure didn't sound like Texas girls but they did a great job portraying an incredible and never forgotten artist.

What you can do about Global Warming

Recently I attended the Pachamama alliance seminar. They gave out a lot of material but the one I liked the most was this one. It shares what we all can do to make life better for ourselves and the planet, my mother earth, my "pachamama" Please take your time to read it.

• Relationship with self:

o Breathe deeply
o Read one page of something that inspires you
o Attend a religious or spiritual group that is new to you
o Play with crayons
o Stretch your body
o Write down your dreams
o Take a nap
o Listen to someone older than you
o Hug a tree
o Write down three things you are grateful for
o Do nothing for one minute
o Build a fort with blankets- remember to play
o Don’t answer the phone
o Study shamanic journeying techniques
o Display photos that represent the Dream that you want to inspire your life
o Write an answer to the statement “what is the purpose of my life?”
o Watch films, programs, and read books that inspire you
o Create spaces for authentic rituals in your life, such as giving thanks before meals
o Several times during thee day stop, relax for a moment and breathe
o Don’t read your email for one day
o Enjoy what you have
o Keep a dream journal
o Smile at yourself in the mirror
o Take care about what you put in your mind and heart

• Relationship with others/ community:

o Investigate several organizations that are doing something consistent with the Dream you want to have in your community, and get involved with one of them
o Contact you local elementary school and investigate opportunities to volunteer there (e.g., story reading programs)
o Mentor a child
o Form a support group with other participants in your “Awakening the Dreamer” Symposium that will meet monthly and talk about your daily practices, or take action together
o Investigate local churches that might share your spiritual and ecological visions and become involved there
o Turn off your television unless it is being actively watched, or give it up altogether for a period
o Create authentic rituals in your family- blessing at beginnings of meals, family reflection time, appropriate coming of age rituals, birthday rituals
o Establish a “game night” for your family and/or friends on some regular basis
o Have a family meeting where your family talks about whether the day-to-day life you create together does or does not support the Dream that each of you want to have, and what you can do about
o Join or create a shamanic group to support all aspects of awakening the dreamer and changing the Dream
o Invite your neighbors to have a pot luck together 3-4 times a year, with rotating hosts
o Investigate a neighborhood project that might bring your neighbors together in a common goal, for example: planting trees on the street, improving a local playground, preparing a list of basic contact information and map of utility cut-offs for all homes as part of earthquake neighborhood preparednesssmile as you walk down the street
o Dream with friends

• Relationship with the Dream

o Reduce, reuse, recycle. Investigate ecological organizations that help preserve and protect indigenous cultures and support them or volunteer for them
o Vote
o Engage in environmentally conscious policies.
o During a time period that you choose, buy only things you truly need.
o Choose a number of times that each week you will choose to carpool, bicycle, take public transportation or walk instead of driving your own car
o Investigate “one earth” methods of transportation, heating, and refrigeration, at home and work
o Take a test about your contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions based on your lifestyle and educate yourself what possible changes to your lifestyle
o Examine the roles of information technologies in your life
o Experiment with establishing a new or different “baseline” in your relationship with food- for instance, fast one day a month, skip lunch one day a week, eat only when you are strongly hungry one day a week, eat no meat one day a week
o Read a book about the day-to-day life of a different indigenous culture and consider what it reveals about your culture and its life
o Read alternative news sources regularly

• Relationship with the Earth
o Spend five minutes outside each day
o Plant an organic garden
o Find a houseplant you like and learn how to nurture it carefully and with awareness
o Volunteer with local organizations that clean up the environment
o Design, plant or landscape your yard so that it reflects your appreciation for and awareness of nature
o Display pictures or objects from nature that inspire you
o Pay attention to the natural measures of time and the movement of the earth and the moon
o Enroll your neighbors in planting trees in front of the homes on your street
o Plan a hike outdoors with your friends, family or some support group
o Buy a reusable water bottle
o Tell your favorite magazine to use recycled paper
o Take public transportation instead of driving
o Stop junk mail
o Promote local farmers
o Make consumption choices that encourage and support good behavior from private industries so they improve their environmental practices
o Investigate and get involved in the Fair Trade movement
o Investigate local farmer’s markets, or other means of using locally-grown food wherever available and/or using organically-grown food when possible
o Remove and safely dispose of toxic cleaning products, paints, carpets, etc.
o Read labels on food and household products before purchasing them and purchase biodegradable, toxin-free products
o Support your local healthy food store
o Reduce your consumption of processed foods
o Eliminate spraying pesticides on lawns, plants and gardens
o Learn about energy efficient appliance
o Learn about renewable building materials and energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal)
o When purchasing furniture find out if it was produced sustainably
o Test drive a hybrid car and consider it for your next purchase
o Want less

George Bernard Shaw and why we should care

A few months ago, I attended the Pachamama Alliance Awakening the dreamer, changing the dream seminar. I learned a lot but one of the things that stayed with me was a poem by George Bernard Shaw so I would like to share it with you.

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose, recognized by yourself as a mighty one, the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world wll not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief cancle to me. it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment. and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

George Bernard Shaw

P.S. I agree with everything he says!

Living Smart taping this January Who is coming up?

It is that time of the year again! I am taping my Living Smart season 4 shows. I am truly excited. Visible Changes will be doing my hair and I have 5 different make up artists. Awesome Make up and Hair stylist Michael Demarse is coming back for a few days. Caruggi's is loaning me their stylish and fun clothes, and my wardrobe consultant Sam Gershen keeps me on a leash when it comes to picking outfits. She does truly know what looks great!!! The topics this time around are quite challenging. People ask me all the time. How do you pick your topics? My answer is that I think and meditate a lot about it and then I focus on what is going on and what I feel we all need answers to. Last year we saw the massacre at Virginia Tech, from then on we have had a few shootouts. This makes me sick and I wonder what we can do to prevent it so I started out with Dr. Anthony Green PhD. He specializes in school violence prevention and guess what? His AT RISK kids score over 95% in their TAKS test once he gets through working with them. What are his secrets? You'll find out what he does to make them pay attention and stay on track. Of course last year global warming was a big topic and so I invited a pioneer in green architecture LaVerne Williams and a permaculturist with projects around the world Diana Petrochelli.

Shame researcher Dr. Brene Brown taught me a lot about shame and how it affects all other emotions. Dr. Tom Kosten, an addiction researcher and psychiatrist has a lot to say about what we need to know about addiction and how to properly treat it. (The sciene of addiction is the topic because now we know full well how addiction works and thus can find viable solutions.
I couldn't do another season without a discussion on happiness. I found out the happiest man on the planet is a buddist monk, but he lives in Tibet so I found one here in our backyard. He is an amazing, wise and kind man, Master Jian Xiao Shih.

It breaks my heart to see so many people in debt so I invited Manisha Thakor who is an expert in financial literacy. I liked her book because it was simple, to the point and she makes it understandable.

After so much conflict in our society over the war in Iraq, I decided to invite Dr. Garth Jowett to teach us a bit about media literacy. Who are we to believe when the right and left wingers try to convince us their way is the truth. It pains me there are no qualms about lying anymore or distorting the truth so he'll walk us throught the maze of information we get on a daily basis.

We couldn't do a season without talking to the best legal expert in town. The people's lawyer Richard Alderman is not only a great lawyer and teacher, he is a also a very nice and generous man. I really enjoyed meeting his family and asking him for legal advise.

Dr. Jamey Summerfield is a very bright naturopath. I find her extremely interesting because she has studied so many different things and applies it all to her patients. She is a chemical engineer, a nutritionist, a medical massage therapist an emergency technician etc and knows a heck of a lot about fatigue which happens to be a huge problem in our society.

Dr. James Hollis is one of the brightest men I have ever met. He is a world reknowned jungian analyst. Every time he speaks I listen and learn. His book on finding your own path is absolutely amazing. Author and philanthropist, Barbara Elliott is a lovely person and has been working all her life to help others. She will teach us a lot about compassion and making the right choices in philanthropy.

Adele Gorody has been a wonderful advisor to me as I attempt to care for my parents. She will discuss the very important topic of caregiving. Millions in America will be faced with this reality and just like retirement, many of us are not ready for it. We will get some tips on making life easier for ourselves and our loved ones. She has lots of experience and is the Director of the very unique senior guidance directory.

I do hope you watch. We will be launching the season in April We are still airing Season 3. In the next few weeks you will learn about addiction to sugars and flours, depression in women, healing at risk young men, and overcoming addiction so stay tuned on Sundays at 3pm. All of you who watch. Thank you. Many blessings!

Optimum health institute and the new year!

I did it! I spent a week at the Optimum health institute in Bastrop Texas and guess what? I came back a new person. The institute's goal is to help your mind, body and spirit through a deep cleansing and detox program. For me, it was quite difficult. I am a "foodie" and this week was all about juicing, wheatgrass, rejuvenac, prayer, hugs, meditation and excercise. The last thing on your mind is the food you are going to eat that day because ....well...there isn't much of it.! You are there to detox, not to eat wonderful, tasty meals. Now I know how movie stars lose weight quickly and the healthy way. I would call my experience, surviving a very nutritious starvation plan. I loved the people I met, and most importantly the transformation I saw in myself and others. We all had more energy, felt happier, calmer and many times just plain exhausted and grumpy. (I was the one who was grumpy, I get that way when I am hungry!) Many people come with serious health issues. I came with a serious life issues. I couldn't lose weight. I was highly stressed and I wanted a spiritual awakening. When I came home I had lost 9 pounds, mostly water weight I assume since I gained back half the weight in a few days even though I was eating very healthy meals upon my return. However, I am ready to now take on the world. I am ready to face the challenges of the new year and thrive as a human being on this very shaky planet! I can now truly say I am capable of doing anything. I know understand to some extent what it is like to be hungry for long periods of time. I thought about the millions of people in the world who go to bed hungry. For me, this was temporary. I can't imagine what it is like living that way. I am so lucky and so grateful I have something nutritious to eat.
The "smart" people who attend the wellness retreat continue a raw food diet which is the optimum for health. I, on the other hand, chose to continue being a "foodie" just a "smarter" foodie. What a great, difficult but life affirming experience!

Merry Christmas and Media Consolidation!

I wish all of you a Merry, joyful, peaceful, warm and loving Christmas. Forget the presents and remember the loving. Don't forget to hug as many people as you can. Give them the cheapest and most exclusive present YOUR SMILE AND YOUR WARMTH. Be kind, try not to lose your temper, meditate and just be grateful, grateful, grateful!!!

Okay now why media consolidation? Cause the FCC is at it again. They want to let the only 5 big corporations gobble up more airwaves. Please do something about it if you care for our nation and our democracy. Do you like what news media consolidation has done to us? Think about Iraq, Katrina and all the lies you have been told by people who appear to be journalists but are ADVOCATES of something! Here is an article I wrote a while back for an international newspaper but before you read it, Please go to

www.stopmediaconsolidation. com


By Patricia Gras

The freedom of the press gives journalists the right to be honest, fair and courageous in gathering and interpreting information. However, many people are criticising the American press for no longer doing their job.

According to a survey of 300 journalists by the Pew Research Center and the Columbia Journalism Review, about a quarter surveyed said they avoided newsworthy stories or softened the tone of their stories to benefit the interests of their news organisations. Forty-one per cent said they practiced either one or both of these practices routinely.

Six companies now control almost all of the radio and television stations and newspapers, allowing them to be able to dictate what Americans hear as news. Those six companies have become huge conglomerates by combining different media types under their roof. A good example to this is CBS which is owned by Viacom. Viacom owns television stations in 36 American cities, along with MTV, BET, UPN, Nickelodeon, VH1, Showtime and TNN. Viacom also owns well over 100 radio stations in 40 cities. They own Simon and Schuster, which publishes books.

Those large companies reach different types of viewers and have the chance to spread their editorial budgets across several different media, so that the same journalist can report for a media firm's newspaper, website, broadcast TV station, cable TV channel and radio station.

As a result when covering a news story the perspectives are limited and the diversity of expression is gone. Viewers do not see different points of views from different journalists as they should from a media that is free and versatile. The internet only accelerates the combination process. It provides much of the incentive for firms to become large conglomerates because it offers tremendous cost savings compared to firms with a smaller arsenal of media properties.

Former assistant district attorney for New York City, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently interviewed on Houston PBS TV, says, "The news departments have become corporate profit centres". Television news has now become an avenue for entertainment and not information. Kennedy says the stations no longer have an obligation to the public, it is to their shareholders and that obligation is met by increasing viewership -- "appealing to the lowest common denominator".

Robert McChensney author of The problem of the Media says that corporate cutbacks have allowed commercialism to penetrate journalism and the pressure to shape stories to suit advertisers is obvious. "Commercialism also pushes journalists to make content directed at demographics considered desirable by media owner and big ticket advertisers. The notion of journalism as a public service institution aimed at the entire population has vanished".

The enormity of the problem of our media today can be best viewed by looking at the decrease in the number of the big media companies in US. Ben H Bagdikian, author of The Media Monopoly, gives an insight into the numbers: "In 1983, fifty corporations dominated most of every mass medium and the biggest media merger in history was a $340 million deal. In 1987, the fifty companies had shrunk to twenty nine...In 1990, the twenty nine had shrunk to twenty three...In 1997, the biggest firms numbered ten and involved the $19 billion Disney-ABC deal, at the time the biggest media merger ever... In 2000 AOL Time Warner's $350 billion merged corporation was more than 1,000 times larger (than the biggest deal of 1983)".

Congressman Bernard Sanders said in a 2005 floor statement to the House leader, "I am increasingly alarmed by the culture of censorship that seems to be developing in this country. This censorship is being conducted by the corporate owners of our increasingly consolidated, less diverse, media. And it is being done by the government. This result is an insidious chill of free expression on our airwaves".

The goal of a journalist is to tell the story of the diversity of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so. Many unpopular stories are never broadcast. Whether it is the news director, the head of the company or in the case of wartime, the United States military, journalists are being censored. During the Iraqi War in 2003, journalists were allowed to be embedded with the United States military units so the real story of war could be told.

However, according to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the military had strict rules for these journalists. The media in Iraq were to be briefed as to what information may not be broadcast because of its sensitivity to military operations. For security reasons, commanders were allowed to impose news embargos and temporarily block communication transmissions.

There is much criticism of the way the media has portrayed the war in Iraq. Robert Scheer of Los Angeles Times says: "The media has been sucker-punched completely by this administration". John Burns of the New York Times says, "We failed the American public by being insufficiently critical about elements of the administration's plan to go to war".

Whether it is the giant conglomerates or the United States military, or themselves, many journalists face censorship in some form.

Living Smart dec 16 at 3pm, and my wellness retreat

We are working on our membership drive. Be patient, Pledge and then enjoy the program! This means the Living Smart show does not start up until December 16th at 3pm. So you can watch it every Sunday at 3pm.
I am getting ready for the holidays, which usually means shopping and for me that means stress. I never know what to get and I wonder if I am giving the right gift etc, so this year I have decided to dissappear to never never land. I am going to a silent wellness retreat, so instead of shopping I will be drinking wheat grass, praying, meditating, reading a heck of a lot and sleeping. Does that sound appealing or what? I am preparing for a random miracle. Maybe this time, I will remember everything I read. I won't have to talk on the phone all day (which I really don't like) I won't have to answer e mails, (a necessary evil) and I won't have to schedule lunches, coffee or dinner with anyone. I will love my friends and family from afar, spend time alone and reflect. (How boring) Actually I am looking forward to it because next year will be a year of wonderful surprises. I already feel it. Wonderful things are coming my way. I will finish my 4th Living Smart season which is not too bad considering it took me 11 years to get my own show again. I plan to learn a lot more about the web, start studying my forgotten languages and hooking up with new mentors. I do believe its important to write things down so I will have time to do that. I hope you will too. I think goals and dreams are like the maps we need to get to our destination. I believe in impossible dreams, so I will just write some impossible goals, but just watch me. Next year I will be a size 8, however impossible that sounds!

Reflections but NOT by George Carlin/HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I sent this last week but it was not WRITTEN BY GEORGE CARLIN. Several friends told me it was actually written by a Pastor Moore. To me it didn't matter who wrote it because the reflection would touch anyone's heart who is conscious about what is going on in our world. However I wanted to let you know.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes . These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cos t a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR..
I have so much to be grateful for this year. Last year I was in a hospital waiting for my mother to come out of her coma. It was a horrible experience and one I would not wish upon anyone. The story has a happy ending. Three weeks later, She woke up, survived and today is walking around being my mother again. (Telling me what to wear, how to do my hair and to stop eating so much!) Every time I see her I just thank God she is alive. I am so lucky to get her back. The truth is we don't think about these things until it is too late. Now every time I see her I hug and kiss her and thank God he gave her back to me another day. What a gift.
The other day I went to my first silent retreat ever! It was tough..I think the main reason was that every time I have time to think, I don't usually think positive thoughts. What we were told is that we must learn to be GRATEFUL. The truth is happy people tend to be more grateful. Now I make it a practice every morning to thank God for at least 10 things. It does put my life into perspective.
So my best thanksgiving ever is this year. I got my mother back. Everything else for that day won't matter. My heart is just not big enough to fit the gratitude I feel. I hope you will find something to be grateful for, even if it is very painful.
so I wish you a day of gratitude! Cheers and don't eat too much.


This Friday november 29th at 1pm Laury Adams discusses why social security is unfair to women and what you can do about it.

Reflections by George Carlin and Living Smart and social security

We get so much "stuff" on e mail, a lot of it useless but yesterday I received two e mails that really touched me. One was on a cell phone salesman who wanted to be an opera singer. The judges were rude to him but when he began to sing, the audience and the judges were shocked. There was not a dry eye in the room. The man was very humble yet a giant. It was beautiful to watch.

Then I read this reflection by George Carlin (the comedian) who recently lost his wife. He said things I have felt for so many years but could not express so eloquently. Sometimes it takes a lot of pain to wake up our creative juices.

Please read it and I am sure you will see what I mean.

RELECTIONS BY GEORGE CARLIN

The paradox of our time in history is that we have TALLER buildings but SHORTER tempers, WIDER Freeways ,but NARROWER viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes . These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; SPEND TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Wow..that's all I can say
This Sunday November 16th while I am on a retreat. Watch Laury Adams at 3pm to learn about social security and women. The advise she shares will amaze you and save you money!

Living Smart, Joy of Living and the power of prayer

Living Smart continues this Sunday November 4th at 3pm with Sehba Sarwar of Voices Breaking Boundaries. In my 20 years doing television features, I find the people who do the most work are the most passionate. Sehba is quite driven and she has chosen to work with children and bring the best out of them. She is one of the quiet/yet loud heroes I get to feature on Living Smart.

A few days ago I had to talk to a group of women at MD Anderson hospital. Strangely enough, my father was getting his six month cancer check up the same day and my mom who was actually pregnant with me when she worked at MD Anderson 4 decades ago, came with me. I had chosen to speak about the joy of living because I have a poster in my office that reminds me to enjoy the joy of life (La Joie de Vivre)every day.
I enjoyed telling women what brings me joy but I also felt I needed to be honest and share that suffering is part of life too and that despite all the challenges we face in life, particularly at our age, we must still soldier on and work hard to be happy but most importantly to find "meaning" in life. What is contradictory in my life is that to find meaning I have had to suffer. The more pain I have felt in my life, the more I appreciate what makes me happy. I no longer take for granted that my mother is alive for instance. Why? Well, after sitting 15 hour days for 3 weeks next to her while she was in a coma, I have learned that every time I see her now, I am so grateful to God for giving her back to me. I feel great joy when I think about it.

Yesterday after the speech which ended with my favorite song. (I sang La Vie En Rose) I went over to the next building and found out that my dad's cancer had come back. I am very sad as I write this but it also brings me great joy that I have such strong faith in god and the power of prayer and the love of family and friends that I feel peace.

Like many Americans, I feel a lot of stress, so I have chosen to start spending more time relaxing, meditating and praying. I have for now quit playing music. My last concert will be Saturday November 10th at the Artery. I don't know if I will every play again. I do hope I will but for now, my mind, my soul and my voice will take a break. You should consider doing the same and finding out what brings you joy. Then repeating that activity as much as you can!

Living Smart , and No more Victims with Marilyn Gambrell

LIVING SMART

Living Smart season 3 started last weekend on October 21st with Eliza Duncan. This Sunday John Sage will be featured again at 3pm. I really loved hanging out with John Sage of Bridges to Life. He taught me to stand up for what is right but also to have compassion. He lost his sister in a brutal murder. After suffering from depression, and a year of prayer, he realized he wanted to start a program in prison to understand why inmates do what they do and for them to understand how victim's families feel about their actions. His program has been so successful the recidivism rate for prisoners he and his volunteers work with has gone from the general 60 percent to less than 10 percent. He is an amazing man who chose a positive way to respond to a horrible situation. This Sunday October 29th at 3pm on Ch. 8.

I want to share another story about Living Smart which gives me the incentive to fight to keep the show on the air. On season 2 I interviewed Marilyn Gambrell of No More Victims. The organization takes care of children of incarcerated parents. These children have been raped, neglected, abandoned, starved, etc. Their problems are innumerable. Marilyn has become a surrogate mother for these children. When I met her, Marilyn felt very little hope she could do much with the little monies she was getting so I connected her with my favorite charity. Cherish Our children International. This past Sunday I attended a fundraiser organized for No more Victims and played drums along with 400 other drummers to raise money for the children. We raised over 36,000! Miracles happen. Since Marilyn met Cherish our children they have raised a lot more than that and the children will be getting a new home, a new community garden and many other activities to help them cope with the myriad of problems they face.

MUSIC

November 10th at the ARTERY will be my last concert this year. I have decided to take a break from music for a while so I can rest. I have been quite stressed lately and I need to spend more time taking care of myself. I hope you will all come. I have no idea when I will take up music again.

Soul Pain and what I can do about it

Yesterday I met someone going through a divorce and today, I met someone else who shared his pain after his divorce. Since I have never gone through this, all I could say is. It takes time, but from my own personal experience, suffering does not go away after a breakup, it only gets more "maneagable."
I am reading a book called Creating a Life by James Hollis. He will be on my Living Smart season 4 and I would like to share some of the paragraphs that help me deal with my own soul pain after things don't work out the way I want them to.
"The temptation to live on the surface of life is clear enough. When we are pulled deeply into something, even love, it hurts and opens us up to great suffering. But the willingness to open to depth is the chief way in which dignity and purpose return to life.

Then I read "When we embrace the anxiety attendant upon our condition, we open to the power of the divine."

My friend's response to me after reading it to him was. "That is just too deep for me" In a way I understood his response, right after a breakup, the last thing I wanted to read was why suffering is good for me!!! Now that time has passed. I am a better person because I can actually recognize soul pain when I meet someone. I have learned compassion and that is not easy to learn.

Living Smart, Caregiving Townmeeting and Music!

For 10 years, I have been doing stories or documentaries on obesity and why we are overweight and it still amazes me most of us still don't get it. That's why the show on addiction to sugars and flours is so important. It will air on HoustonPBS on Sunday October 14th at 3pm.

When I first did the story on addiction to sugars and flours years ago, I too became aware of what I was drinking and eating. For instance I used to think fruit juices were healthy. Well if you don't add sugar to them they generally are. It's called juicing! However what we usually get in the store has tons of sugar or worse, corn syrup! This is not healthy. I stopped drinking any drink with sugar in it and I have been doing that ever since. Although I am not thin, I feel it has helped me maintain my weight for years.

The other addiction is to processed foods with flour. This includes breads, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, bagels etc. Believe it or not, I hardly eat bread for this reason and I stay away from cakes, cookies and desserts. Okay, not always! but most of the time. The question we try to answer in this program is whether these types of foods, that have sugars and flours are addictive. In my opinion they are. Many disagree but what I will say. We would do much better without them. With the growth of processed foods, we have become fatter and sicker. That is a fact.

Season 3 of Living Smart begins again with the show on Alcohol and substance abuse addiction on October 21st at 3pm. Most of us are affected by addiction. We have friends or family who have the disease. The challenge is to prevent it or better yet learn what is available today. The science of addiction which I will cover in Living Smart's next season shows us there are so many new medications and vaccines in the works, there will be more hope for effective treatments in the future.

Last saturday I worked on a town meeting on caregiving. This was a very important program for me. I am a baby boomer with older parents! My family is facing all the issues we should talk about with our folks. Do you know what your parents want? Do you know if they have a will, a power of attorney or medical directive? Fortunately my parents were smart enough to visit a lawyer years ago. For now they have chosen to retire abroad in part to save money. I find this difficult but understandable with the cost of health care in our nation. The fact is we have focused on treatment and not on prevention in America and this is becoming so expensive many are going abroad for healthcare. Most seniors in America don't have long term care insurance and don't realize how expensive care can be in the end of life. This is sad. It is essential that each family really think about these issues before it is too late.

The CAREGIVING TOWN MEETING will air on Thursday October 25th at 8:30pm and Sunday October 29th at 4pm. I really find this show very useful for many of us with older parents and relatives. You will learn every aspect of caregiving you need to know. In the long run, this show can save you a lot of money and headaches.

MUSIC NEWS

To keep my sanity I am still performing with my duo "Las Latin Chicks” We play at Mi Pueblito on Thursday nights at 7:30pm until 10pm. Mi Pueblito is on Richomd between Fondren and Gessner..(NOT THE OTHER PUEBLITO close to Montrose)

On October 13th we'll play at Salento in Rice Village.

Also write on your calendar about Our November 10th concert at the ARTERY. We will be playing a whole new repertoire with Quartus.

My parent's golden anniversary and My class of 90

This weekend my whole family celebrates my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. We are all very excited, especially because we almost lost my mother last year. People are coming from all over the planet and there is a festive atmosphere we are all enjoying. I am so grateful my parents chose to stay committed to each other despite their very serious differences. Today, I just read there are more single people in america than married people. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, our society often looks down on people who aren't in a relationship or unmarried. This seems strange to me since staying married seems unlikely in today's world. Are we asking too much of ourselves to stay with one person for 50, 60, 80 years? This is a good question to ask before you get married or choose to have children. Undoubtedly, children do better when both parents GET ALONG!!

Anyways, I am happy to be one of the few "children" on the planet whose parents are still married! and happy about it. Having said that, I want to share another happy occurrence in my life. This week, those of us in the class of 1990 at Columbia University's Journalism masters program started to connect. One person started the chain, then we all chimed in. It was so fabulous to just see everyone in digital photos. Most who responded have beautiful children and great careers. One of my friends at school now has two beautiful boys and has left her "career" behind and shared she was embarrassed to show up at the school reunions because she was no longer working. I smiled and told her I understood perfectly because I am embarrassed that I didn't have children! Then I laughed at how ridiculous we are, putting these expectations on ourselves. I am so proud of my friend, for she apparently is a great "soccer" mom and has even started her own business. Who cares if at one point she worked in a high powered television network, She's happy now and that's all that matters, at least that is how I feel about it.

She made me think about how we see ourselves and how we view success or failure in life. It was refreshing to hear someone struggling with the same issues that come up, especially for women. Do we women have to do it all, meaning career, husband, children? and if we don't are we ashamed? I say the key is that you know your authentic self. Unfortunately this usually takes a bit of suffering and bad choices, but hey, life was not meant to be fair or easy and we have it preety good here in the United States of America. I say live it up. Enjoy what you do and forget about what other people think. Find out what makes you happy and then go for it!

Miracles Happen

I have a bumper sticker that says miracles happen. I have always believed this. However, since I am human, I have to remind myself with my bumper sticker. Last year, my mother flew to Argentina and when she arrived, she had caught pneumonia on the plane. Don't panic. My mother's immune system was down. It is not that common to catch it but more likely for someone like my mother who is a heart patient. She then fell into a coma for three and a half weeks. I flew down south and lived in the hospital for 15 hours a day. I prayed and asked all my friends around the world to pray for my mother. I have no doubt in the power of prayer. I have friends of every religion in the book. I love my friends and I believe there are different paths to God. I respect them all. As a christian I knew who I prayed to but asked my friends to pray whichever way they knew and I always repeated to them, miracles happen.

It was a miracle my mother survived. It took her months to get back to normal and she lost 30 pounds, but in her late 70's, surviving such an ordeal I believe required prayer and voila...a miracle! I am now asking my friends to pray for me. I can't share with you the challenge I face, but I promise to share it with you next year in February. It is not easy to believe in miracles so I belive I am being tested. I don't mind. I love God and I believe the outcome will be for everyone's highest good, including mine!
Remember happiness is not about what we want, but being grateful for what we already have and God knows I am grateful for every blessing that comes my way.
The schedule for Living Smart has changed again due to the War documentary by Ken Burns. Please watch again on October 14th. The show on addiction to sugars and flours will be very interesting. I truly believe if we take sugars and flours out of our diet we would be a lot healthier.
Don't forget miracles happen and cutting down sugars and flours is a miracle for me but I believe I can do it!

Request for testimonials feedback, suggestions and ideas

The next three weeks I will be doing a "pseudo" focus group on Living Smart with viewers who watch the show. If you are reading this blog you probably have seen a show or two. I ask that you share your testimonials if you have any. That is if the show has impacted you or someone you know in any way. If you would like to watch one now. You can go to video google and type "living Smart." There are plenty of shows that you can watch. I received a lot of feedback particularly for coping with Lyme last season. I got a lot of letters and e mails also for the Dan Phillips show. This gives me hope. It means more viewers are paying attention to recycling.

I also would love suggestions and feedback. We can' please everyone but we do LISTEN to everyone so feel free to share your ideas with us on topics you would like to learn more about.

I am still playing music at Mi Pueblito on Thursdays at 7:30pm. It is located on Richmond between fondren and gessner. I would love to see you there!

Living Smart on hiatus until Sept 30th, Music and Global Warming

In september we have another drive to raise much needed funds for our station. We recently had layoffs and this year we have to work hard to get funding for our programming. As you all know, everything is more expensive and all these disasters happening around us are affecting us as well.

As for Living Smart, We will air the addiction to sugars and flours program on Sept 30th at 3pm. I loved this show because it reminds us that sugars and flours are not exactly foods we should eat without thinking! Some can be addictive. I remember when I first learned about nutrition, I had no idea that fruit juices were not so healthy for you. Why is that? They add sugar to them. If you "juice" that is another story, but when you buy it from a plastic carton. BEWARE! Find out how much sugar or corn syrup they add to it. Then, I suggest you drink in moderation.


September is an important month for us since we will be airing the controversial documentary on World War 2 by Ken Burns.
The Latino community was upset and rightly so that Mr. Burns had not included any Latinos in the documentary. As a Latina, I knew half a million hispanics had served in World War two so, I too felt we needed to be included. Fortunately, Burns and PBS listened and now Hector Galan, has produced extra material including Latinos. As we say in spanish "El que no llora no mama" or the "squeakie wheel gets the grease" In this case it was a matter of fairness and doing what is right in my humble opinion.

Last night I watched the 11th hour. I also attended the Pachamama symposium on global warming and what we can do about it. I was quite disturbed. I know some people still believe Global warming is a hoax and we exaggerate but my question is "What if" what they were saying was true. I believe it is, but for those who don't. What if all this rain we have in Houston (which has not happened in decades) is due to climate change caused by human consumption and dependence on oil? I will be doing a show on this, but my approach is not to "criticize and malign corporations but to collaborate for change" We can not change what we are doing if we don't work together to find a solution. Our nation is already broken up into too many political camps who don't listen to each other. They tend to insult, malign, and belittle each other. I am so tired of our lack of leadership and that goes for both parties. I truly believe in grassroots efforts. It is we the people who will change the course away from our own destruction. As a native american elder said, the planet has eternity to survive and heal, we, humans do not.!

I don't expect politicians to do it but we must demand more from them. There are things we can do on our own. Check the pachamama alliance and the website on the 11th hour for ideas. We certainly need to start doing something on our own and quit pointing fingers. I for one have started asking myself every time I buy something. Do I really need this? three times. I am getting richer because of it.!!!!

We should also buy local foods. This will avoid so much dependence on oil because it cuts down on transporation costs. Last but not least, spend time in nature. Enjoy it. We can no be separated from it. It is not healthy. Forget the virtual..Get the real stuff. Smell the flour, touch the rain, walk on the beach, look at tree.
Many blessings.

Music, Food addiction and depression in women

I like to start with happy topics so I also want to share that as I keep on performing at Mi Pueblito every thursday, I will also be playing with Las Latin Chicks on Saturdays Sept 1 and 15th at Salento Cafe on Rice Bvd at 8pm.
This Sunday 26th, John Fain will discuss vitamins and supplements. I realize how confusing this can all be and that is why I invited him. At one point I was taking 25 different supplements and vitamins a day, then I met with a naturopath who told me my body couldn't digest all of them. At the time I was struggling with some liver and gall bladder problems. I am now still taking a lot of supplements, but these are not synthetic like most of those sold in health food stores.
As I rehabilitate from knee surgery, my lower back is starting to act up. Please if you know of a great back pain specialist let me know. I am looking for a good one.
I am excited about the show on depression and women. Surely, a lot of us got a wake up call with the Andrea Yates case. She suffered from post partum psychosis which is very different from depression, yet it did start a much needed conversation about post partum depression. The truth is women do not need to suffer needlessly and if you or someone you know feels depressed longer than a week after a baby, Please get help. The mental health association is a good place to start. If your doctor does not bring it up, don't blame it on him or her. They are not getting much education about it in medical school.
That show with the compassionate and knowleagable Laurel Spence will air on Sept 23rd after our membership drive. By the way, we do need community support as always. Recently we had lay offs.
On Sept 30th a topic I feel very passionate about is food addiction. I do believe we can become addicted to some foods and my own eating rule is not to eat anything out of a box. Yes, I know it sounds drastic, but I have stopped eating processed foods and it has really helped my health and weight to say the least! In a few months we'll have a better understanding of obesity in America when we learn many are addicted to sugars and flowers.
Right now I am working on a story on shame. This is for season 4. This was one of the most moving stories I have ever done. We all suffer from shame at some point of another. Is it human nature to feel at times inadequate? I know I do sometimes. What about our desire to feel loved and wanted? Surely, that is normal and universal but what if we fail in a relationship? What if we don't get along with our parents or our co workers? What does that mean? What if we are not like "other" people? We don't fit in. These are questions we all tend to have in our lives. How we answer them and how we cope will define how happy or content we are. In many cases, especially women struggle with the thought that to have value or to feel fulfilled, they must be loved by a man. Why is it we humans depend on others to love us to love ourselves so many times? These are questions I would like answered when I talk to shame researcher Dr. Brene Brown in Season 4 of Living Smart.

Living Smart on hitaus, and music concerts

Dear friends: Our show with Gracie Cavnar on childhood obesity and John Fain on foods and supplements will have to wait until August 19th at 3pm and August 26 also at 3pm respectively (Both shows will re air on the following thursdays at 1:30pm)
We will have a much needed membership drive in August.

While the show is on hiatus, I am busy with my music and working on season 4 of Living Smart. I am also playing with my duo every thursday at Mi Pueblito and August 24th at 8pm we'll be at Salento Cafe in the village. I am also truly excited about a special concert at the Artery on November 10th. I will have a new repertoire with my band Quartus and some new original songs. We wrote the theme song for Living Smart a few years back and it has worked very well for the upbeat, positive uplifting message of the show.

In Season 4, the topics I will be covering will be
Dealing with shame
The science of addiction
Cultivating Happiness
Financial Literacy for Women and Teens
Protecting yourself from identity theft and other legal quagmires
Preventing youth violence
Naturopathy, healing and why we are tired all the time
Taking care of your parents
Developing critical thinking skills and media literacy
Creating your own path for fullfillment
Green architecture
Sustainability and what you can do
Learning compassion and revitalizing communities

As I am meeting with potential donors to Living Smat I get asked why I do this so I thought I would share with you why I feel so strongly about Living Smart. First of all I have to agree with Ralph!

Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

My wish is that Living Smart brings life resources to our viewers, in a fun, succinct and innovative way. It is about the quiet heroes, the pioneers, the activists. Those outstanding professionals who have made a difference in our lives. What drives them is a commitment to leave this world better than they received it. They are of different colors, religions and cultures. American heroes whose values are similar for they each have a burning desire to help others, improve the quality of life by sharing life skills for a better future. They all specialize in different fields and are passionate about their work, their commitments and others.
Their goal is to empower others in different areas of life. They provide information and results not often covered in mainstream media and have made admirable contributions that have been given little notoriety.
These are the unsung heroes who are featured in Living Smart.

Keep watching. Take care and Keep Living Smart, it is much easier than Living Dumb!



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Living smart and my music

Recently we aired programs on building with recycled materials and Effective Living. This week Hitaji Aziz of KPFT radio who's been hosting a show for 25 years, talked about her male audience and how she tries to help me who have been wounded spiritually and psychologically. These three shows have hit a nerve. Thousands more watched Living Smart. Dan Phillips of the Phoenix Commotion is trying to move his concept of building with recycled materials to Houston. I spent a few days in Huntsville looking at his houses and it was the most amazing architecture I have ever seen. He is basically taking landfill "trash" and making art and creative architecture. He is also doing it for people who can't afford even low cost housing. Dan and his wife are people who truly make a difference in other people's lives. I do hope the city of Houston works with him to begin recycling major city landfills.

Sister Elizabeth Mozina of the Cenacle, a retreat house in Houston also brought great response form our viewers. I love the Cenacle and what it does for people. It is a place where I often find inner peace and even wisdom! Her course on Effective Living also changed my life. I just had to share a bit of what I had learned in years of going to the Cenacle.

Hitaji Aziz, who has lived a difficult life, has the most street smarts, or call it wisdom, of anyone I have ever known. She knows pain, shame and depression. She understands it and most importantly feels compassion and empathy for victims who are also victimizers. I wanted her to teach us how to stop the cycle of pain, shame and violence. Her words are powerful and her story life affirming. She is Living Smart!!!

I would also like to share I have started playing music with a duo as well as my band. This allows me more flexibility and forces me to learn many new songs! We are playing at a Colombian Restaurant, Mi Pueblito on Richmond and Gessner every Thursday at 7:30pm. We have a lot of fun and people seem to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and food. We will also be playing on August 24th at Salento Cafe at 8pm. Salento is on Rice at Rice Village.

Thanks to all of you who have called and written us. It means the world to us here at HoustonPBS. To me, it means that by watching these extraordinary guests YOU TOO ARE LIVING SMART!!! Be happy.

Effective Living and Soccer

Many years ago, I went to the Cenacle for a retreat. Someone had suggested I attend the Effective Living Seminar with Sister Elizabeth Mozina, so I did. It transformed my life. The affirmations that I learned I was able to apply to different areas of my life. Over the years I took advanced courses and went to the Cenacle several times to recharge my "spiritual batteries." One of my favorite blessings when I would return to the Cenacle were Sister's big hugs and the stillness of the surroundings. Every time I go the the Cenacle in fact, I can't help but appreciate what it offers, a time to be alone, a time to be quiet and reflect, a time to be with my higher power. There, I simply feel safe. I do hope you enjoyed Sister's 6 main affirmations on the show. Believe me it is a great way to start changing your life if you so desire.

Lately I also wanted to share one of my many passions. Besides playing music which is my "night hobby" I love watching men play soccer! In Argentina, where my parents are from, soccer is a like a religion. You have to show up on Sundays no matter what! Right now Argentina is in the finals for the Copa America. I do hope we win but fortunately over time, I have gotten less upset about losing (if that were to happen) I have learned to love international sports as a way to unite people. Every time I have been to a world cup, which happens every 4 years around the world, I can't help but feel a lot of conflict could be resolved in the world by just playing a match and watching the best team win. I have sat in coffee shops around the world dancing Brazilian zambas, Chilean Cuecas or American disco after a match just because we felt like celebrating what we have in common. I am already making plans for some dancing this weekend!

Living Smart, Summer Escapes and Music

Hello there:
I got a lot of calls from you about the social security show. I can't repeat this often enough. Knowledge is power and in this case also "Money". For more information on what you really need to know about social security, e mail
lauadams@aol.com and also check the social security website www.ssa.gov. I also wanted to share with you HoustonPBS escapes.

Summer E-scapes is in a full swing again and we were able to secure very cool prizes. Odds to win one of these prizes are great.

So, I wanted to ask all of you to promote this any way you can…forward it to friends, post it in your blogs…etc.
Below is the message that will be going out to all our members. Feel free to forward it on.

The shortcut URL to get to the proper page is www.houstonpbs.org/escape

I am now working hard on my fourth season of Living Smart. Producing all the video reports and preparing for future topics. We'll be covering credit card debt relief and why we need to teach our children to SAVE MONEY! We'll also find out how to protect ourselves from identity theft. There will be a lot of discussion about the environment and simple steps to save energy. I also just attended an addiction conference in Quebec Canada and will be producing a show on the science of addiction and what's new to treat drug abuse.

This season we are still covering fabulous topics, such as "Effective Living" with Sister Mozina on July 15th, Dan Phillips who builds low income homes with recycled materials on July 22nd, Hitaji Aziz who knows a lot about healing young men and how to talk to them(July 29th) Gracie Cavnar teaches us about childhood nutrition Augst 5th) John Fain about supplements and vitamins,(Aug 12th) Laurel Spence shares her experience with post partum depression August 19th) and Joan Ifland shows us how we can become addicted to sugars and flours.(August 26th)

I continue to play my drums and a bit of guitar with my bands and will probably playing at a cafe soon with a duo. I will let you know when I have dates and places.

Remember to be grateful for all your blessings!

Diets don't work so now what do I do?

Dr. Robert Moore will be my Living smart guest on June 23rd at 3pm and thursday June 28th at 1:30pm. He's not only very handsome but extremely fit and happy as well. There is a secret to this..and he knows it..so I tried to find out and you'll have to watch the show to get the permanent weight loss tips I learned from him.
All my life I have done every diet on the book and I still I have not been able to shed those extra 10 to 15 pounds that of course would make me look just right (or better yet, how I want to look) I think if I took notes on what I did during the many hours of my life I have spent talking about dieting, food, cravings, dinners, lunches etc. It would probably be half or more of my life. I LOVE TO EAT...Did you hear that? I JUST LOVE IT! and there is not one type of food I dislike, except maybe ants, dogs or crickets. ( yes, some people still do eat those) Thus my dilemma. Every time I eat something I shouldn't to keep my weight down which is almost everything I like..chocolates, sweets, crepes, french bread, fried rice etc etc, one voice tells me "Patti you got to live life!! the other yells at me "Don't do it..Here you go again, giving in to the delicious temptation." What will determine how much I weigh in the future is which voice I decide to hear.
That is why I really enjoyed talking to Dr. Moore. He made it sound so easy and sensible. He does excercise a lot, I will give him that but I don't have to look like him or a hollywood star? I just need to look.....well....perfect!!! He insists we need to understand our bodies work like machines. Whatever we put in will affect how the machine works. He, as I am, is concerned about obesity. How did we get this far? After three documentaries on the topic I have to say it has mostly to do with what we eat and we must as Americans, start thinking about what we put in our machine and it has to start with children.
Did you know if a child is obese before the age of 18, he or she will most likely be overweight the rest of his or her lives? In some countries obesity in children is considered child abuse. Personally I would have to look at each case with a number of experts to decide that but as adults we do have a responsibility to inform ourselves about what we are putting into our children's mouths.
If you think carefully, what we eat will determine our health in the long run. I invite you to watch Dr. Moore. Okay, I'll be nice and share one tip...You must eat every two hours..What..you'll have to watch to find out!

Living Smart behind the scenes & weight loss issues)

I am in the research phase of Living Smart season four production. I am truly excited about the potential guests. Some of the topics I want to cover are shame, consumer legal rights, the art of happiness, critical thinking skills, natural medicine and many others. It is however a difficult process. I may pick some guests and topics but our diligent committee decides what is best to fulfill the mission and goals of our program. Our season three will begin airing on May 13th at 3pm on Sundays (repeat on thursdays at 1:30pm) below you will find more details on what we will be covering. One of my favorite topics always is permanent weight loss and you will find four of the guests from season 3 will enlighten us about this topic. Joan Ifland discusses why addiction to sugars and flours may be the reason why we are so overweight as a nation. Dr. Robert Moore discusses tips on permanent weight loss. Gracie Cavnar coaches parents on how to keep children eating healthy foods and John Fain, the pioneer of the natural foods movement in Houston also teaches us the advantages of organic foods. You can check the schedule below to see when they are airing, or check our website www.houstonpbs.org/livingsmart

From: "Norberto Loeda "[mailto:norloeda@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 5:45
Mi comentario es ácido y realista... a pesar que muchísima gente no lo vea asi yo creo que (como el tema del Social Security y de los Sistemas de Salud) el problema se comenzaría analizar sin tantas presiones como la de la poderosísima de la "Rifle
Asociation" y los fabricantes de armas, cuando les tocara vivir personalmente y en carne propia los efectos de la liberalidad para la compra de armas (conste que no le deseo al hijo de puta mas reventado que se dedique al contrabando de armas que ningún miembro de ssu familia se convierta en víctima de la facilidad que los intereses creados promueven a la sombra de la constitución y la libertad) en forma significatica en cuanto a número de casos... aunque el caradurismo es rampante sino hacer memoria de lo sucedido al Vice-Presidente.
Yo creo que el que defiende el derecho de portar armas es porque piensa usarlas (el tipo de blanco es irrelevante... hasta que es un pet, un amigo o un familiar suyo.). Será muy contitucional pero yo creo que si tenemos la libertad de hablar y además de portar armas, estamos corriendo el riesgo que estas sean el punto final de una discusión acalorada.

Eso de que las armas no son culpables sino quien las dispara, para mi es una idiotez injustificable a partir que la pretenden justificar con el derecho a defenderse y protegerse... by the way ¿Ese no es el motto de la Policía? "To Protect and Serve" ... si es así ¿para que carajo gastan el dinero en ella?.. mantengamos el revolver al cinto tipo Wild West, hagamos el panegírico de la "gun culture" ... y luego quejémonos cuando los delincuentes y locos en sus desatinos y desvaríos se vuelven "happy triggers" y asesinan por nimiedades que hasta parece que lo hicieran como deporte. Perdón, el padre del Presidente ... ex-Presidente a su vez ...¿No es miembro de la "Rifle Asociation"?

Pongamos la bandera a media asta, pues masacraron a 31 jóvenes -y alguno no tanto- pero ninguno directamente culpable de los desvaríos del asesino envuelto en este caso... y luego de pasado el período de luto... ¿que tal si la ponemos de la mitad para abajo del asta para honrar un poco no ya los jóvenes sino a los niños que mueren en el mundo sin haber tenido siquiera la oportunidad de ir ni a la la escuela primaria inmersos en violencias desatadas por personas que se supone estan en capacidad de dirigir ...y ojo que no estoy hablando solamente de los que estan en puestos políticos, sino de los que son aán peores que ellos, me refiero a los que mueven los hilos por detrás del poder (que usualmente tienen el poder real) y manipulan las circustancias y los intereses económicos y geopolíticos que desembocan en conflictos armados "for the sake of the interest (add )".

El problema, comienza con la violencia en si y a esta no se la disipa con armas sino con ideas y acciones concretas. ¡Coño! ¿Es que no sirvió el ejemplo de Ghandi?He dicho.

Virginia Tech and the massacre

I am saddened once again about these sorts of shootings in our schools. Why do they happen? Is it a reflection of our culture or some crazy individuals, very different from us? Do we all have
a proclivity to do something like this to ourselves or to others in a time of desperation? I don't know the answer. What I'd like to know is where this young man got his guns. Where did all the shooters in the past 20 years get their guns. Why did they have semiautomatic weapons. What are they for? Aren't they to fight wars? I would think you would not want a weapon like that if you were a real hunter. I don't know enough to judge if I am for or against the availability of guns. There are good arguments on both sides. However, I am concerned that we will allow this to become a "normal" feature of our culture. Gun shootings in our schools every other month. Do we arm ourselves more as some believe we should (I have heard gun proponents say if a student had a gun, maybe this man would not have killed so many people) or do we make it harder for anyone to get a semiautomatic weapon? Apparently this young man had a history of strange behavior. I would like some answers. Where did he get his guns? and does it matter? What can we as a society do to stop these shootings?