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General Discussion / Re: From the Dept. of: I can't believe it's free!
« on: March 25, 2008, 12:48:18 AM »
Certainly is a great site. I've had it in my collection of bookmarks for at least a year.
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Philosophy / Re: Why Europeans conquered the world
« on: March 25, 2008, 12:47:10 AM »
We'll agree to disagree then. I certainly don't subscribe to most of those ideas.
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General Discussion / Re: One more reason why tobacco is bad for you, that you might not have known
« on: March 25, 2008, 12:45:23 AM »
You misconstrued my hatred of the media using victims for ratings as something to do with science. For the most part I do find science useful and accurate but I am not so naive as to think it gets it right all of the time. As for my religious beliefs, leave them well alone as I did not draw on them for this at all.
My argument is still sound, regardless of the phrasings you didn't like. I'm sorry if it rubs some of you the wrong way, but I will never accept excuses for shirking personal responsibility. 99% of people are the way they are because they choose to be like that. And I'm not talking base physical traits, I'm talking things that you can change if you want to. I'm a little surprised some of you want to defend them so much. Being lazy is too easy hence why most people choose the path of mediocrity.
My argument is still sound, regardless of the phrasings you didn't like. I'm sorry if it rubs some of you the wrong way, but I will never accept excuses for shirking personal responsibility. 99% of people are the way they are because they choose to be like that. And I'm not talking base physical traits, I'm talking things that you can change if you want to. I'm a little surprised some of you want to defend them so much. Being lazy is too easy hence why most people choose the path of mediocrity.
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General Discussion / Re: One more reason why tobacco is bad for you, that you might not have known
« on: March 24, 2008, 04:08:43 PM »I don't want to ruffle any feathers here Seeker as I understand where you're coming from. I just think some of your comments were a bit harsh as lot of us have different lifestyles that contribute to our weaknesses be it addiction to smoking or some other substance.
No feathers ruffled Madison.
I can sometimes deliver my opinion a bit forcefully and it's common fact people do get bent out of shape when they are told they are wrong directly like that. I'll try to be a bit more tactful, although it's not my strong suit. 
Quote from: Madison
Unfortunately, some of us do succumb much easier to addiction than others due to our genetic makeup or some of us simply end up not caring enough about ourselves or our future. Its destructive and sad to see but I don't think all smokers out there are smoking out of ignorance. They've simply given up on themselves and don't care of the consequences of their actions that they've chosen to put upon themselves.
Regardless of what science likes to dribble, I do not and never will accept genetics as an excuse for bad behaviour and choices. People like to jump on genetics as the latest excuse in a long list of excuses for being unable to do something. I think the way we are raised has a much more profound impact on these things, and that is something that should be looked at closely. Regarding the self esteem issues of many people, I feel that is indeed an area for concern and they do definitely need help to overcome the issues holding them back in their lives. But they need true help, something that will break through the issues and actually deal with them so they can move on. Too often the "help" merely masks over the cause by treating the symptoms, hence the drug co's stranglehold on the health industry. This kind of treatment is pointless as the underlying issue(s) are still there and continue to come up throughout their entire lives. We really have to change how we as a society treat psychological issues.
I also HATE, let me say that again, HATE, how the media and society as a whole perpetuate being a victim as a good thing. You simply have to turn on a news or current affair program to see someone crying about something. Victims sell just as well as sex and the worse their plight the better. Please don't mistake this as me hating people who have problems. We all have problems and they do hurt and are hard to deal with. I understand that and I've been there myself many times. But what I hate is how instead of encouraging growth and overcoming of these things, society and the media prop the victim up and encourage them to stay a victim. It's much easier to feel good about yourself for feeling sorry for a victim then it is to help that victim overcome the cause of the problem. They know this, and they sell it to us for profit and ratings.
Quote from: Madison
On the other hand, I'm certainly not saying that you or anyone else should be in any way subjected to it at all. I'm more of the mind that everybody deals with things differently be it addiction to calm themselves (not to say thats right) or some other form thats less detrimental to their health.
I think all addiction is a dangerous thing (true addiction that is). Smoking is one of the worse simply because of it's ability to affect everyone around you, having one or two beers won't usually cause bad effects to yourself or anyone around you, but a single cigarette 20 meters away and I can smell it. If I can smell it I'm breathing it. I believe we should have compassion for our fellow humans and I completely understand that addiction is a very hard thing to break, being trapped in one myself for over 2 years. However, I feel that too many people pass the buck these days. It seems to never be their own fault for anything that happens to them. If we are to believe what people say and do in general, then we are all adult sized children who can't help but do bad since we have no self control or will power and it's always someone else's fault that we did it anyway. To me that's a pathetic way to live and a total cop out. Sympathy for being a victim is more appealing for a lot of people then overcoming something, it's always much easier to just keep on doing the same rather then try to instigate true personal growth and change. Some good old fashioned personal responsibility wouldn't go astray.
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Philosophy / Re: Why Europeans conquered the world
« on: March 24, 2008, 06:30:41 AM »
I think some of this was behind it, but I feel we can't completely discredit ingenuity and ambition (also greed I suspect) as large contributing factors also. One more thing too, I personally do not feel badly about it and don't see it as a negative in itself. How they went about doing things wasn't always right of course.
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Advice Column / Re: rock lifting
« on: March 23, 2008, 06:06:01 PM »
Believe it or not, good old chin-ups (with hands facing toward you) are one of the best exercises around for biceps, as well as the obvious and massive benefits for your entire back and shoulder structure.
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Advice Column / Re: rock lifting
« on: March 23, 2008, 07:49:39 AM »
One good and "functional" biceps curl type movement is cradling something heavy in your arms and carrying it for distance. Farmers carrying sacks and cavemen carrying a carcass come to mind. They actually do this exact thing in the Worlds Strongest Man competitions and it's either a big rock or steel shield type thing.
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Add some photos! / Re: Humorous Images
« on: March 23, 2008, 03:22:31 AM »
Unfortunately yes. The recommendation of 6-12 serves of breads and cereals is just ridiculous. Mmmm diabetes....it's what's for lunch.
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General Discussion / How much to buy the Heart Foundation Tick? $330,000 apparently.
« on: March 22, 2008, 11:15:10 PM »
Well it seems in this day and age nothing is sacred as integrity and honesty go out the window for a quick buck.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/330000-buys-tick-of-approval/2007/02/05/1170524026024.html
I never took much heed of the Heart Foundation Tick before anyway as I have always trusted my own investigations and research rather then blindly following what I am told. But now that this has happened, I rate them amongst the corporations and not as fighters for the good fight of the public like they once used to be. The article may read like McDonalds is doing a good thing, but if you look closer and think about it all it proves is that the Heart Foundation has bowed to the almighty dollar. Remember that McDonalds commercial some time ago with a "nutritionist" backing their products? This is just the next step. Yes indeed, money does buy everything in this world it seems.
I'm not too fearful for people on this website, after all they are here because they seek the truth and are intelligent enough to do their own research. I do however hold grave concerns for the "average Joe" who will buy into the Heart Foundation Tick mentality no matter what they start slapping it on. My concern for this is compounded by the fact that I myself had heart surgery as a child for congenital heart defects. I have strived most of my life, adult life in particular, to keep healthy and fit. I do have a vested interest given my history, but everyone has a heart that they need to keep healthy so in fact we all have a vested interest here.
My advice, as always, is to be vigilant and do your own research and trust your own findings in all matters relating to health and food.
Always ask the questions:
Where does this food or product come from? (Is that nasty chemical pumped chicken or did it come from the local organic farmer?)
Who is funding the research? (It's hardly a surprise that dairy funded research shows only positives whereas smaller non-mainstream independents show many negatives along side the positive claims.)
Who is making these claims and what is their interest in this? (Why would a company say their product is unhealthy? Simple, they wouldn't, even if it is.)
Is the person giving you advice knowledgeable and do they live what they preach? (How many fat, unfit, chain smoking medical staff have you seen outside the local hospital? Why would you listen to that for health advice?)
Self empowerment through knowledge and understanding followed up by action in your own life is the single biggest thing you can do toward improving the situation.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/330000-buys-tick-of-approval/2007/02/05/1170524026024.html
I never took much heed of the Heart Foundation Tick before anyway as I have always trusted my own investigations and research rather then blindly following what I am told. But now that this has happened, I rate them amongst the corporations and not as fighters for the good fight of the public like they once used to be. The article may read like McDonalds is doing a good thing, but if you look closer and think about it all it proves is that the Heart Foundation has bowed to the almighty dollar. Remember that McDonalds commercial some time ago with a "nutritionist" backing their products? This is just the next step. Yes indeed, money does buy everything in this world it seems.
I'm not too fearful for people on this website, after all they are here because they seek the truth and are intelligent enough to do their own research. I do however hold grave concerns for the "average Joe" who will buy into the Heart Foundation Tick mentality no matter what they start slapping it on. My concern for this is compounded by the fact that I myself had heart surgery as a child for congenital heart defects. I have strived most of my life, adult life in particular, to keep healthy and fit. I do have a vested interest given my history, but everyone has a heart that they need to keep healthy so in fact we all have a vested interest here.
My advice, as always, is to be vigilant and do your own research and trust your own findings in all matters relating to health and food.
Always ask the questions:
Where does this food or product come from? (Is that nasty chemical pumped chicken or did it come from the local organic farmer?)
Who is funding the research? (It's hardly a surprise that dairy funded research shows only positives whereas smaller non-mainstream independents show many negatives along side the positive claims.)
Who is making these claims and what is their interest in this? (Why would a company say their product is unhealthy? Simple, they wouldn't, even if it is.)
Is the person giving you advice knowledgeable and do they live what they preach? (How many fat, unfit, chain smoking medical staff have you seen outside the local hospital? Why would you listen to that for health advice?)
Self empowerment through knowledge and understanding followed up by action in your own life is the single biggest thing you can do toward improving the situation.
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Add some photos! / Humorous Images
« on: March 22, 2008, 10:47:05 PM »
A thread for humorous images relating to health. Feel free to post any you find or create.
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Food & Diet / Re: salt
« on: March 22, 2008, 09:26:51 PM »
Hi Brandy and welcome to the site. I hope you find it to be as valuable a resource as I have.
Let's get to your questions shall we?
If you eat a well balanced diet with a lot of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat/fish you won't be missing out at all nutritionally if you don't have rice. In fact, if most people gave up their excessive rice and breads intake in favour of more fresh raw fruit and vegetables they would be a LOT healthier for it.
Unfortunately I can't give as straight forward an answer to this one. I think there is some merit in salt in the diet and I do indeed find myself craving it a little after a hard days work in the yard with a lot of sweating, which as you may know leeches salts and minerals out of your body. It's also interesting to note that animals naturally will lick salt in the wild sometimes. Ever seen a horse get stuck into a salt lick or had a dog lick your sweaty leg with great enthusiasm?
It's a fact we do need salt, but in our modern processed goods world we are getting many multiple times the doses needed, which is indeed bad for your health. In fact the amounts we need are so small that it's almost a certainty you are getting it from your diet no matter what you choose to eat. My wife and I like to have a pinch of salt in a glass of water after a particularly hot and sweaty day in the garden. Also we do add a small amount to some cooking. The salt we use is pure sea salt from a reputable company. We try to avoid any and all packaged goods, which by default means you will be avoiding the huge quantities of salt that is crammed into most things these days.
Hope that gives you some ideas to help. And again, welcome aboard!
Let's get to your questions shall we?
Quote from: brandy
1. I noticed on one post that it was thought to be okay to add brown rice in later stages of the diet. My problem is that I tend to overeat rice, so I think I would like to just eliminate it from my diet altogether. Will I be missing out nutritionally if I do this?
If you eat a well balanced diet with a lot of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat/fish you won't be missing out at all nutritionally if you don't have rice. In fact, if most people gave up their excessive rice and breads intake in favour of more fresh raw fruit and vegetables they would be a LOT healthier for it.
Quote from: brandy
2. Salt - I love it - and I just bought some great curry pastes that are all natural, except that they do contain salt. Sites like the one by Cordain (Paleo Diet) say to stay totally away from it. Can anyone tell me their experiences with salt - and whether salt really is a no-no? One good thing: I have found that dulse flakes (seaweed) add a great salt-like flavor without all the sodium. But I do love these curry pastes - as well as some great un-sweetened, but highly salted fish sauce I recently bought. Do I really have to give salt up for optimum health? If the answer is yes, I'll do it.
Unfortunately I can't give as straight forward an answer to this one. I think there is some merit in salt in the diet and I do indeed find myself craving it a little after a hard days work in the yard with a lot of sweating, which as you may know leeches salts and minerals out of your body. It's also interesting to note that animals naturally will lick salt in the wild sometimes. Ever seen a horse get stuck into a salt lick or had a dog lick your sweaty leg with great enthusiasm?
It's a fact we do need salt, but in our modern processed goods world we are getting many multiple times the doses needed, which is indeed bad for your health. In fact the amounts we need are so small that it's almost a certainty you are getting it from your diet no matter what you choose to eat. My wife and I like to have a pinch of salt in a glass of water after a particularly hot and sweaty day in the garden. Also we do add a small amount to some cooking. The salt we use is pure sea salt from a reputable company. We try to avoid any and all packaged goods, which by default means you will be avoiding the huge quantities of salt that is crammed into most things these days.
Hope that gives you some ideas to help. And again, welcome aboard!
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General Discussion / Re: Monogamy - is it biologically natural?
« on: March 22, 2008, 05:47:18 PM »
Er...no comment. God has made it very clear as far as I am concerned.
God has made it very clear as far as I am concerned.
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Advice Column / Re: rock lifting
« on: March 22, 2008, 05:45:38 PM »
My personal opinion on why the sit-up trumps the crunch is simply how I have observed it in daily life, especially young children. How often in the real world do you crunch up so your shoulders are a few inches off the ground, hold that position for a second, then lie back down? Yet curling up is a normal part of just getting up off the ground. I don't like the kind of sit-ups where you hold your back straight and lever at the hips though, I think curling up like a crunch until you are fully upright is much less strain and also seems to be how we naturally sit up if you aren't thinking about actually doing it for exercise.
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Philosophy / Re: What's wrong with modern humanity - add yours.
« on: March 22, 2008, 05:37:01 PM »
Don't worry Matt, my last post was my final one on this matter and regardless of this one issue I think Gary will still be a valuable contributing member here. He obviously is a smart and caring individual which is always welcome in my opinion. I just wanted to explain my position, in a short and basic summary, since it was completely misread originally. Consider it finished. 
I love how people here, for the most part, really encourage open discussion and rational sharing of thoughts and ideas. And even more importantly, proactive solutions to these problems instead of just talk,talk,talk with nothing much else. This website espouses this philosophy and that's a rare thing given the state of most online forums. The TOS is a very good idea and I think it can do nothing but help keep things running smoothly and minimise the potential for confusion on what is acceptable or not.
I love how people here, for the most part, really encourage open discussion and rational sharing of thoughts and ideas. And even more importantly, proactive solutions to these problems instead of just talk,talk,talk with nothing much else. This website espouses this philosophy and that's a rare thing given the state of most online forums. The TOS is a very good idea and I think it can do nothing but help keep things running smoothly and minimise the potential for confusion on what is acceptable or not.
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Advice Column / Re: All I need?
« on: March 22, 2008, 12:42:02 AM »
Art has some interesting information. I find his website to be another worth visiting on a regular basis right alongside Caveman Power for information pertaining to our past training and dietary regiment.
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General Discussion / Re: Obesity debates in television news
« on: March 22, 2008, 12:14:13 AM »I think somebody should invent an exercise bike that provides household electricity.
Even though it wouldn't save a great deal of resources or cash, it could provide an incentive for people to do more exercise. Because effectively, they would be exercising for money
It's more of a reality then you think! It's only a matter of time before it makes it's way into household gym equipment.
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/03/08/human-powered-gyms-in-hong-kong/
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Philosophy / Re: What's wrong with modern humanity - add yours.
« on: March 22, 2008, 12:10:03 AM »
You did not offend me. I assure you it would take more then someone disagreeing with me to cause offence. As I already said, you have assumed many things that are false regarding my position on these matters. I thought it was fairly self explanatory in my initial post but I guess not.
I am well aware of many conspiracies going around. I have read in detail the many 911, Port Arthur, Iraq Oil, W.H.O, U.N, and other various conspiracy possibilities. I do keep abreast of these things. I will not, however, let them rule my life. Nor am I sticking my head in the sand just because I choose to not actively harangue people into believing and disbelieving the same things as myself.
I made no claim that all conspiracy theorists were deluded or nutters. You have done that all on your own. You can't possibly be so ignorant as to think none of them are though right? I did however state I am unsure which conspiracies are definite truth and which are merely the ravings of a deluded mind. It had no bearing on a large group of people or otherwise.
I have been polite and courteous to you. I request the same in return and perhaps a little bit of rational thinking and consideration before jumping to conclusions that are wildly off base.
I am well aware of many conspiracies going around. I have read in detail the many 911, Port Arthur, Iraq Oil, W.H.O, U.N, and other various conspiracy possibilities. I do keep abreast of these things. I will not, however, let them rule my life. Nor am I sticking my head in the sand just because I choose to not actively harangue people into believing and disbelieving the same things as myself.
I made no claim that all conspiracy theorists were deluded or nutters. You have done that all on your own. You can't possibly be so ignorant as to think none of them are though right? I did however state I am unsure which conspiracies are definite truth and which are merely the ravings of a deluded mind. It had no bearing on a large group of people or otherwise.
I have been polite and courteous to you. I request the same in return and perhaps a little bit of rational thinking and consideration before jumping to conclusions that are wildly off base.
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Advice Column / Re: rock lifting
« on: March 21, 2008, 03:20:36 PM »
Welcome aboard! Always great to see another face. 
Bending at the waist to pick things up is quite normal for lighter weights. Of course squatting with a straight back to lift heavy items is definitely wise advice. You sound like you have things worked out already from a common sense point of view as these questions have crossed your mind. I'm sure Matt will chime in with some further details about his program so I'll leave that to him if any more information is needed.
Bending at the waist to pick things up is quite normal for lighter weights. Of course squatting with a straight back to lift heavy items is definitely wise advice. You sound like you have things worked out already from a common sense point of view as these questions have crossed your mind. I'm sure Matt will chime in with some further details about his program so I'll leave that to him if any more information is needed.
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Philosophy / Re: What's wrong with modern humanity - add yours.
« on: March 21, 2008, 04:07:13 AM »
Please forgive me, you have completely misunderstood my post and jumped to conclusions that were never intended. You have assumed many incorrect things about my beliefs and how I act regarding them. I shall try to write more articulately in future.
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General Discussion / Re: How to be a human being, without money.
« on: March 20, 2008, 02:44:04 PM »
Those are both good ones. It's basically different takes on the biblical view of Godly contentment and not contentment through man-made "things".
I have my own version that I like to use:
The less you need to be happy, the happier you will be.
I have my own version that I like to use:
The less you need to be happy, the happier you will be.
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General Discussion / Re: Obesity debates in television news
« on: March 20, 2008, 02:05:55 PM »
It all makes me mad, truth be told. As per usual the quick fix medical and pharmaceutical solutions are being touted ahead of anything requiring effort, work and discipline. Is it any wonder we are crumbling as a society? Don't worry though, I hear they are making a pill to fix that too.
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General Discussion / Re: The revolution - is it coming?
« on: March 20, 2008, 02:01:20 PM »
Some good ideas there Matt.
With regard to the oil issue, unfortunately we apparently can't help ourselves and are too lazy to want to develop real viable alternatives. Scientists just recently figured out they could get oil out of coal so the planet might have sufficient oil for another 600 years yet. Given the pollution it causes I think we are cutting our own throats. The only way this new discovery could be a good thing is if we use it as a reprieve while we develop new green alternatives. I just don't see us doing that though, I think we'll use it as a false sense of security and think we are cool again with oil since we have a whole lot more of it again.
With regard to the oil issue, unfortunately we apparently can't help ourselves and are too lazy to want to develop real viable alternatives. Scientists just recently figured out they could get oil out of coal so the planet might have sufficient oil for another 600 years yet. Given the pollution it causes I think we are cutting our own throats. The only way this new discovery could be a good thing is if we use it as a reprieve while we develop new green alternatives. I just don't see us doing that though, I think we'll use it as a false sense of security and think we are cool again with oil since we have a whole lot more of it again.
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Food & Diet / Re: lightheaded
« on: March 19, 2008, 04:02:48 PM »By the way, Phanatic touched on a good point - it's never a bad idea to get a check up with a registered doctor, I know that some of them are merely drug dealers etc etc, but they can at least tell you if you have any previous conditions that may need special attention whilst doing the diet.
I second that. There are a lot of rubbish doctors around, especially in Australia these days it seems. But I highly recommend finding a good one and forming a good relationship with them. My current doctor has been my doctor since my early teens. He has been spending more then the last 10 years learning and developing holistic, Chinese and natural healing knowledge and certifications to go alongside his western medical training. A truly outstanding doctor who actively encourages natural solutions and bed rest instead of drugs except in the most extreme cases where they are basically the only choice. He actively discourages modern medicines for the most part and has even imported natural products that the TGA has not approved for patients. Needless to say, I'll be holding onto him for as long as he continues to practice.
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Food & Diet / Re: vegetarians
« on: March 19, 2008, 03:52:44 PM »Unless they are fermented, like asian cultures traditionally do (soy beans were mainly for making condiments) they contain phytoestrogens that may act as real estrogens in estrogen sensitive people's bodies.
Indeed, and they do a lot more nasty things on top of that. Even the traditionally fermented ones were of limited use, unlike what the Soy industry wants us all to think. Historically Soy was actually use almost exclusively as a rotational crop for resting plots as the root system is very good at holding nitrogen, etc and was ploughed back into the soil before the real crop was planted. The Asians hardly ever actually ate it, except when literally nothing else was available (ie: the starving poor during food famines in China). It really isn't the long and historically well used food source it's made out to be.
I have a very simple view of diet these days and it goes something like this; Could we eat it before we developed processing methods (excluding fire)? If the answer is no, such as Soy which is highly toxic in it's raw state, then it has no place in a regular diet as far as I am concerned. This is certainly easier said then done, and I fail often with my own rules (I do love my coffee), but the thinking behind it is rational and logical to me. It just seems like common sense actually.
Thinking "this is highly toxic but if we do bizarre processing to it then we can consume it" just seems so stupid in hindsight.