Pharma Plays Musical Chairs: Weigh Loss Drug w/ Psychiatric Side Effects Remarketed to Diabetics

--body + mind + spirit--

Millions of overweight people will tell you, the fight with fat is really something that "mess with your head." These days, that statement might be prove to be all too true. A new class of weight loss treatment called rimonabant is marketed by companies such a Merck & Co, as well as Sanofi-Aventis and is under fire for disrupting wiring in the brain in several research studies.

The rimonabant drugs sold under brand names such as Acomplia in Europe or Zimulti in the U.S, apparently suppresses the appetite by blocking cannabinoid receptors in the brain (apparently it's the same brain mechanism that makes people hungry when they smoke marijuana). The problem that researchers found in studies is that cannabinoid receptors also regulate signals between neurons - that when effected by the use of these drugs effected plasticity. In short the brain failed to respond properly, by failing to "rewire" when necessary,

The study, based at MIT, involved testing of learning in the visual cortex of a mouse. This is the part of the brain that processes information gathered from what they see. Their experiments tested how well the animals adapted if one eye was closed. The researchers did not use rimonabant in the study. Instead, they used a chemical analog or copy -- in this case a drug available for laboratory use known as AM 251.When they gave the mice AM 251 to block their cannabinoid receptors, the animals still behaved as if both eyes were open. This suggested the visual cortex was not adapting as it should.

The finding is the latest blow for rimonabant, which once was predicted to be a multibillion-dollar seller. A study last month of the drug in obese heart patients found that an astounding 40 percent of patients who took the drug developed psychiatric problems. And in a past study, one in eight patients dropped out of the study due to sever psychiatric side effects.

So what does Sanofi have to say of the barrage of findings, you might wonder. Last month the drugmaker said it still believes Acomplia can be a winner and reiterated plans to submit the drug worldwide - this time as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in 2009. I guess those diabetics have stronger mental compositions then those over-weight folks...go figure.


(Sources: Reuters, Washington Post, Wired)

The Courage to Rethink Everything...as a Starting Point in Sustainability

--Feature: "Sustainable Soul w/Rebecca Hecking"--

May is in full bloom where I live in northwest Pennsylvania. The long, cold winter feels like a distant memory. The roadsides are looking (mostly) litter-free from the annual Earth Day cleanup frenzy. This year, some local third-graders made signs with slogans like “Do Your Part to Help Earth! Recycle! ” or “Don’t Litter! Save the Earth!”. These are posted strategically at intersections throughout town. Their efforts are sweet and I won’t argue with teaching third graders not to litter, but I can’t help feeling a sense of the surreal when I see them posted nearby the local big box store or just yards away from a formerly wooded lot recently cleared to make way for yet another retail outlet. Somehow I sense that the effort needed to “save the earth” might be just a little more intense and lifestyle-changing.

May is also the time around here when the planting season begins in earnest. It won’t be long before Amish farmers will hitch up their horses and plow the fields. Kids will present their mothers with pots full of newly sprouted marigold seedlings for Mother’s Day. Seeds are magical things: tiny little treasure chests of DNA, full of potential. It is nothing short of astonishing to compare a seed with the resultant fully mature plant. When seeds are planted, their task is to soak up water, swell, then burst through the seed coat sending roots down and delicate green shoots up, growing like mad. Most of the time this process works without a hitch, but sometimes the seed gets too much water and rots without ever breaking through the seed coat.

Sprouting is a supreme act of courage. Breaking free of limitations. Risking radical transformation. Stretching toward the unknown. Sometimes it feels easier to just stay inside one’s seed coat.

It seems appropriate that those third graders should post “Save the Earth!” signs right around the time when seeds are planted and nature is waking up and showing us by example the process of profound, transformative change. It is as though every tree, every seed, every flower and blade of grass are all screaming in unison, “WAKE UP! CHANGE! GROW! DON’T JUST SIT THERE AND ROT!!!” Do we hear them?

The deep, systemic changes needed to accomplish our given task of “Save the Earth!!” involve every aspect of our taken-for-granted thought processes. Can we start valuing intact ecosystems, instead of counting worth only by quarterly profit statements? Can we recognize the creative power of a sprouting seed and value it more highly than the destructive power of a nuclear weapon? Can we open our eyes to the fact that in the end, we who live richly in the developed world are not inherently more worthy of life and happiness than the most destitute and desperate who struggle at the edge of survival? Can we abandon the unfathomable arrogance that declares the American lifestyle as “non-negotiable” even in the face of global ecological collapse?

These are huge questions, and may seem a little “heavy” in an article that mentions third graders and Amish farmers. But that’s precisely the point. We no longer have the luxury of looking at a seedling without being struck to our heart’s core with its profound courageous beauty. We must find within ourselves the love and courage to re-think everything. Look at a child. Look at a tree. Open your heart. Question everything. Don’t just sit inside your seed coat and rot.

Rebecca Hecking is an Eco-spiritual writer with a BS in chemistry and an MA in cultural/equity studies. She plans to spend her summer evenings in a white wicker rocking chair on her front porch where she will sip lemonade and ponder the possibilities of a “Sustainable Soul” book proposal.

In Defense of the Sun: A Look at Benefits for Body and Soul

--Feature: "Heart of Healing w/Dr.Christopher Fischer, ND"--

As a Naturopathic Doctor I have a strong well taught belief that there is an innate healing power in nature. So, it is difficult for me to accept all the constant warnings about sun exposure as gospel. What I do know after living four years in Seattle, WA that when that sun peaked out from behind those clouds in late July-August, I couldn’t help but feel invigorated and better than I had felt in months.

Several research studies have shown various health benefits from sunlight(UV) exposure:

• Increases in Serotonin and decreases in Melatonin resulting in increased mood.

• The Increases in the active form of Vitamin D which not only helps protect bone density but is being studied for its anti-cancer benefits.

• Increased Absorption of Calcium by the intestines

• Decreases blood sugar levels in diabetics.

• Increased metabolism by increasing thyroid activity.

• Decreases the pain and inflammation from arthritis.

• Lowering Blood Pressure and improving heart efficiency.

• Lowering of cholesterol.

Now with all that said I am not advocating sunbathing, tanning machines, or forgetting your sun block. What I am proposing is that as I had believed to be true, limited exposure (10-15min), before or after peak sun hours (10am-4pm) can have its benefits for some people. Like any other disease, those with a personal or family history of skin cancer should be more very diligent at protecting themselves as there is evidence of genetic factors which predispose to skin cancer.

With our depleting ozone layer, and escalating environmental pollutants there may not be much time left to enjoy the health benefits of the sun both physical and emotional.

Do not be one of the statistics who ignore the power of the sun, overexpose and place yourself at risk. Use an UVA and UVB blocking moisturizer daily to protect yourself against peak hour exposure. Above all be responsible, as with most things too much of a good thing…….(you know the rest).


Christopher Fischer is a Naturopathic Physician and is the President of Natural Health Specialist in East Northport New York. He received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University.

He frequently lectures on Naturopathic Medicine and natural healing, and has been a contributing expert for American Spa Magazine, Creations Magazine, The Northport Observer as well as the Natural Health Show on METRO TV (NY). He is the proud father of two boys and resides in East Northport New York.

For more information see Christopher Fischer's site at www.webndny.com

Designed For Disease: New Study Links Retail Development To Disease

--body + mind + spirit--

A new groundbreaking study "Designed for Disease: The Link Between Local Food Environments and Obesity and Diabetes" was recently released, proving a direct correlation between where you live and your risk for obesity or diabetes. The study, a collaboration between the California Center for Public Health and Advocacy (CCPHA), PolicyLink, and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, examined the correlation between 40,000 Californians and the mix of retail food outlets and retail outlets near their home. The key finding was that individuals who resided in areas filled with fast food stores but few grocery or produce outlets had a significantly higher risk of suffering from Obesity and Diabetes.

The study also created a "Retail Food Environment Index," (RFEI) which is determined by dividing the total number of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores by the total number of grocery stores (including supermarkets) and produce vendors (including produce stores and farmers’ markets) within a given radius around the person’s home address. According to a 2007 study, "Searching for Healthy Food," California has more than four times as many fast-food restaurants and convenience stores as supermarkets and produce vendors. This new study elaborated on the 2007 study, by linking health to environments;

"The study found a strong and direct relationship between the RFEI of the area in which someone lives and their likelihood of being obese or having diabetes. California adults living in high RFEI areas (RFEI of 5.0 or higher) had a 20 percent higher prevalence of obesity and a 23 percent higher prevalence of diabetes than their counterparts living in RFEI areas of 3.0 or lower. A higher RFEI was associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes for people living in lower-income and higher-income communities alike. The highest rates of obesity and diabetes are among people who live in lower-income and higher RFEI communities. This relationship between RFEI and obesity and diabetes rates was found to hold true regardless of household income, race/ethnicity, age, gender, or physical activity levels of respondents."

The researchers of the study set forth several recommendations, including;

• Increase in access to healthy foods by providing incentives for retail development and improvement

• Promote retail innovations, including smaller scale markets selling healthy foods

• Implement zoning designed to limit fast food restaurants in overbudened communities

• Require menu labeling

This study also points to another interesting and noteworthy consumer dynamic. American's are simply so used to having what they want and need available at their finger tips, that going to the corner store becomes the only solution even if what it offers, is nothing good for your or your family. The price of inconvenience is perceived higher than the value of what you actually attain. Clearly incentives and policies need to be put in place to encourage healthy food business' and discourage the prevalence of fast food in certain regions, but also one can not overlook the importance of personal accountability.

This "need for speed" in the consumer experience - weather through drive through eateries, microwaveable dinners, or popping instant fix medicines (even when not entirely necessary) is all part of the same dynamic...the quick fix of modern life. We have gotten away from accepting the idea of investing time in process in common every day experiences. Even buying, cooking and eating food has become a high speed game.

Beyond just education in what is healthy eating, we need an education in healthy living - and this will have to involve slowing down, in many parts of our life. We will have to redesign our value system between how fast we get something...and what we are actually getting. In all the rush and need for convenience what are we ultimately buying, and what time are we ultimately giving away ? Perhaps our environments are not only "designed for disease" (as the study points out)...perhaps in some cases - so are our ideas.


(Source: California Center for Public Health Advocacy)

The Healthy Side of Sick: Embracing Germs for the Health of It

--Feature" Life w/Fyfe: Confessions of a Holistic Mom"--

I may be behind the times here, but I just became aware that Band-Aid makes a bandage with an antibiotic ointment placed on the pad. While this may seem like an incredibly convenient solution for some mothers, I am dismayed at this decision, one made likely in response to the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection that have become very common in recent months.

As a mother, I am extremely sympathetic to the tragedies in which children died of complications of MRSA, and I am horrified at the thought of any child succumbing to such a virulent infection. However, I don't think that continued overuse of antibiotics will help the situation. 15 years ago when I lived in Denmark I had a conversation with my general practitioner, who was refusing my request for antibiotics for a sinus infection. "Americans are overusing antibiotics with grave consequences for the entire world," he told me in a very serious voice. And while I resented his refusal to give me the help I requested, his words stuck with me, and actually started me on my journey toward holistic health.

It can be argued that we've become obsessed with germs evidenced by the vast array of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. When I'm concerned about catching some bug from a sneezing neighbor, I remind myself that getting sick occasionally is a natural part of being healthy, and that allowing our bodies to experience the natural cycles of sickness and recovery only strengthens the immune system. Have we made our bodies less resistant to infection by continually coming to the rescue with antibiotics? I have my opinion, but I don't know for sure. But I do know that we've made bad bacteria stronger by forcing them to adapt to stronger and stronger antibiotics.

I was at a recent social event at my church when my daughter cut her finger. Someone made sure to bring a bandage right away and mentioned that it is necessary to keep out any dangerous bacteria. I wondered if it were possible to keep out any bacteria with a simple bandage. I wasn't worried about a MRSA infection, but clearly my well-intentioned friend was.

I considered the "barrier" approach to infection, in which one believes that bacteria must be eliminated at every possible entry point, and the "terrain" approach to infection, in which one believes that one limits risks to infection by strengthening the body. So far, the latter has worked for us, and while I can't prove it works, I do know that it feels better psychologically to live with this belief. Rather than fearing the unseen, I accept that I have good and bad bacteria around and in me at all times, and it's part of my job to eat foods that keep the bacteria in balance. Accepting the good and making peace with the bad -- it's a philosophy that makes sense on a lot of levels.


Lisa Fyfe is a contributing columnist for The Lohasian. Her column, “Life with Fyfe: Confessions of a Holistic Mom” delivers a perspective on the everyday life of a modern holistic mom, as well as provides an insider look into best strategies for natural health and healing for the whole family.

Lisa is a Reiki Master, and an expert in Essential Oil Healing, and has spent the last several years extensively researching traditional diet and nutrition, with a focus on “whole,” locally grown and raised natural foods. She is a married mother of two children, Sophie and Max. Lisa approaches mothering as her highest calling, and believes that all mothers are natural healers and enjoys helping mothers (and others) help their children through the use of a variety of natural modalities.

To Reach Lisa, Email Here at lisafyfe (at) verizon.net

Harvard Links Optimism to Health and Longevity

--body + mind + spirit--

Looking for a reason to be optimistic about life - how about good health ? According to a new study published in Harvard Men's Health Watch, men with an optimistic outlook actually enjoy better health and a longer life. The study came across the following findings:

• Optimistic coronary bypass patients were only half as likely as pessimists to require re-hospitalization.

• Highly pessimistic men were three times more likely to develop hypertension.

• People with positive emotions had lower blood pressures.

• In one study, the most pessimistic men were more than twice as likely to develop heart disease compared with the most optimistic.

The researchers believe that optimism in and of itself has biological benefits such as lowering stress hormones and inflammation. In addition those with a more positive outlook will lead longer and healthier lives due to stronger social support networks and the pursuit of better medical care. But scientists also note that although optimism is healthy for everyone - it might be easier for some more than others, and even note a hereditary link. They believe that it is possible that the same genes that predispose people to optimism may predispose them to health and longevity.

Regardless if its easy or not to see that cup half full....do it anyway, it might keep you living longer!

New Research Shows Tree Lined Streets Are Good For Your Kids Health

--body + mind + spirit--

Need another reason to conserve or plant more tree's ? How about the health of your kids. A new Columbia University study suggests that children living on tree lined streets have lower rates of asthma. The researchers found that asthma in kids aged four or five fell by 25% for every 343 trees per square kilometer.

Some experts believe that children who are exposed to fewer microbes in early life are at an increased risk of asthma because their immune systems do not get the practice they need at fighting infection.Therefore, if a tree-lined street encourages outside play, it might help reduce the risk of asthma by maximizing the odds that children will be exposed to microbes. However, trees are also a source of pollen, which may potentially exacerbate asthma symptoms in vulnerable children. Lead researcher Dr Gina Lovasi admitted the effect of trees was far from clear.

She said: "There may be something else healthful about the areas that had more trees. For example, trees could be more abundant in areas that are well maintained in other ways."

Good news for New Yorkers reading this news, as the city intends to a whopping one million extra trees in the next decade. Whereas it may remain unclear on why exactly the trees are good for preventing asthma, we are happy to add it as another potential benefit to greening our world.


(Source: BBC)

The Spiritual Lessons of the Environmental Crises

--Feature: "The Conscious Life w/Dr. Jennifer Howard"--

In the area where I live, we had a Living Green Expo this past weekend, and it caused me to wonder about some things in a fresh way. There were many interesting and entertaining exhibits in the booths that lined the pathways, along with a lineup of speakers, of which I was one. Among the exhibits could be found book sellers, alternative health care methods and products, eco-friendly constructions products, healthy cooking and an assortment of wholistic magazines and news papers.

What does it really mean to live a green lifestyle? Some folks think in terms of solar rooftop panels, composting, recycling and other important concrete applications. Since my predilection is to think in terms of psychology and spirituality, I found my wonderings going in another direction. What does living a green lifestyle look like from a larger frame of reference?

We could say that living a green lifestyle is a commitment to living a life with more awareness of how we are affecting the planet we live on. Why do we bother? One impetus is having the foresight to notice that the choices we make now are part of our personal survival, as well as human survival and survival of the earth. Understanding this allows us to see that everything and everyone is connected. From the most practical earth-bound reasoning, this has been proven to be true. Not only are we affected by the actions of people in our communities, but how the pollution from one area of the world brings about changes in another part of the world. Something happens in one part of the world, which compromises life and nature great distances away. Therefore, we learn that every action we take does affect the earth and other people as well. That is humbling and at the same time empowering. We can’t just hide any more. It is time to wake up and take our rightful place on the planet.

Not only are we connected in the most physical sense, but we are connected in many other ways. Studies in the fields of psychology, spirituality and quantum physics all tell us that from the most concrete of levels of living to the most profound levels of consciousness, we are connected. If we think about this for a moment, we can see that our thoughts, feelings and actions have power and consequences. The choices we make in life influence how our life goes and influences the lives of other’s.

Let’s think for a moment. What would it be like if we made choices that reflected the concept that everything is connected? What might be different in our lives if we really knew that what we thought, felt and did affected others? We might be different. What would it look like if we knew that we are empowered to live a richer, fuller, more compassionate life? Compassion toward ourselves not only makes us kinder to others but also kinder to the planet.

Many of us don’t realize we can make these choices. We tend to give in and give up too quickly. We don’t take good enough care of our bodies, minds or spirits. We might think that we don’t matter, so nothing about us matters. We think we can’t make a difference with what we say or do. Most of us live our lives without being conscious of the full spectrum of possibilities in these choices. We forget, don’t take the time or don’t realize that we have what it takes to create a life that brings others, the planet and ourselves into more harmony. We do have what it takes. Let’s celebrate that!

This week allow yourself to ponder this question: What are the choices you could make, large or small, which would reflect the concept that everything is connected? Notice those choices and see if you can put a few into action.


Jennifer Howard, Ph.D. is an internationally known psychotherapist, Integrated Kabbalistic Healer®, life coach, educator, and author. She maintains private practices and is co-founder of the Healing Path Center with offices in New York City and Huntington, L.I., New York, as well as an extensive phone practice.

As a licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Howard brings together 24 years of experience, extensive training and expertise in mind-body psychology, meditation, and a variety of the healing arts. Dr. Howard has been frequently seen as an expert and featured guest, on national television shows including, The Maury Povich Show, Turning Point, America’s Talking, Rolanda, Charles Perez and others. Before becoming a psychotherapist, Howard was a professional actress and dancer. She is also the author of "Changes That Last", publication date to be announced.

For more information on Dr Howard, or to reach her directly, go to her SITE

Inside the 120 Year Old Toxic History of BPA

--body + mind + spirit--

Last weeks news of Canada's outright ban on BPA from baby bottles finally set the wheels in motion this week, for major retailers to take a stand against the toxic chemical. This week both Toys R Us (that also owns Babies R Us) and Wal Mart have committed to phase out all baby bottles and other baby feeding products containing BPA by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council still maintains that products with BPA are safe and that "consumer product bans are not supported by science."

"The weight of scientific evidence, as assessed by Health Canada and other agencies around the world, provides reassurance that consumers can continue to safely use products made from bisphenol A," stated Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., of the American Chemistry Council's Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group. "Consumer products made from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, including products for infants and children, are accepted as safe for use, and used, around the world."

But while the BPA Group is claiming safety, the 120 year old history of the chemicals - speaks otherwise. In fact, after the invention of BPA by chemists in 1891, toxicity links were found as early as the 1930's. Even in the 1930's scientists discovered that BPA was actually an artificial estrogen. Its use as a pharmaceutical hormone was precluded by the invention of another synthetic chemical, DES, with even more potent estrogenic properties. DES was later taken off the market when it was linked to reproductive cancers in girls born to mothers taking DES during pregnancy. In retrospect, this was clearly an early warning signal for the similar toxic properties confirmed for BPA many years later

By the 1940's BPA was used in plastics and since then has managed to stay "beneath the regulatory radar" and evade accountability through heavy politicking. One particularly critical moment in time, in 1976, the BPA slipped through the regulatory fingers when Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act. This act was the first law to regulate industrial chemicals. BPA was one of the 62,000 chemicals "grandfathered in" - and presumed safe by the EPA with no evaluation of the evidence.

What proceeded for the three decades was a clear evasion of accountability and responsibility on the dangers of the substance to the public. Here are some time line highlights (which you can get in full on the Environmental Working Group Site)

• 1982: Government assessment of BPA toxicity holds no regulatory weight.

• 1988: EPA's safety standard for BPA is up to 25 times higher than harmful levels.

• March 13, 1996: First FDA assessment of Americans' exposures to BPA. (A memorandum from FDA technical staff estimate that through contaminated canned food, adults are exposed to 11 micrograms of BPA daily, while infants are exposed to 7 micrograms per day)

• March 1997: Studies show BPA to be toxic at levels that are in people (Over the next 11 years the body of literature on low-dose BPA toxicity will grow to include more than 100 publications linking BPA to breast and prostate damage, early puberty, behavioral problems, and other effects at levels up to 25 times lower than EPA's "safe" dose.)

• November 1997: Government tests reveal BPA contamination in infant formula.

• May 1999: BPA found to leach from baby bottles.

• May 1999: FDA publicly asserts the safety of BPA for bottle-fed infants, ignoring emerging evidence of low-dose BPA toxicity

• October 1999: Scientist from the University of Missouri report in the Journal Nature that exposure to BPA hastens puberty in female mice.

• 2002: Study finds brain and behavioral effects from BPA exposure

• 2003: BPA to be evaluated for risks to people, spearhead by the National Institute of Health (NIH). NIH hires an industry contractor to lead the assessment, Sciences International (SI).

• 2003-2006: Industry consultant conducts initial BPA assessment, hand picks gov't advisory panel. (15 Hand picked scientists serve on the expert government advisory panel and are charged with reviewing SI's assessments and making recommendations on BPA toxicity, but they deliberately exclude from the panel all scientists who have significant expertise in BPA, because of concerns that expertise may inject bias into the evaluation process)

• December 2006: Report by industry consultant and advisory panel tows industry line - "BPA is safe."(Report largely written by SI)

• First half of 2007: Industry influence on BPA science is revealed, Agency fires contractor

• Entire Second half of 2007: Government panel ignores low-dose BPA toxicity in favor of industry studies, BPA experts warn of health risks.

• Late 2007, Early 2008 - FDA and infant formula manufacturers' positions on safety of BPA for babies come under fire, Congress investigates (April 4, 2008: Congress again demands that FDA reveal the basis of its assertions that BPA is safe)

• Spring 2008 - Government finds BPA poses risks to humans, Wal-Mart and other retailers pull BPA products from shelves (by April April 16, 2008: Congress calls on FDA to reassess its safety standards for BPA based on new concerns over health risks)

Will other retailers follow suit? Will a 120 year history of feeding this toxic chemical to the population come to an end? The final chapter on this sad saga has yet to be written. For now, be smart, stay safe and be informed on the plastic based products you are buying. Take the initiative and research what you purchase...the information universe is literally at your fingertips.

(Sources: Environmental Working Group, Consumer Reports, Washington Post)

Measuring Well-Being: A New Happines Index Aims to Quantify Your Inner Life

--body + mind + spirit--

Feeling happy today ? Loving life ? Well, according to researchers you are in good company - that is, if you see the glass half full versus half empty.

According to a new massive survey half of Americans are actually happy and fulfilled. The survey was conducted as an attempt to measure the nation's general welfare. The researchers behind the survey wanted to design an index much like the Dow Jones Average - except instead of portraying the health of the stock market...it would portray the health of the "emotional market."

The Index actually has a name, "The Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index" and is based thus far on over 100,000 people. Researchers imagine that their findings, which can be broken down by occupation, commute time and exercise habits, will help employers better understand what they can do to create happier and healthier workers. Another application they suggest is that the data could even be used to compare health and happiness by ZIP code, creating a sort of "measuring stick" for future generations of politicians. So how does a study work that is meant to be used by everyone from employers to politician to hopefully make us happier ? What is the sophisticated technology behind this new index? Well, apparently its a bunch of questions.

Pollsters asked people to imagine where they would put themselves on a ladder with 10 steps. Those said they were on step seven or above are listed as thriving. Those at four or below are suffering. In between are the strugglers. I wonder about this study though...I mean ask any given person that you know really well how happy they are one day to the next, and for many the answer greatly varies. A squabble with a spouse, a teething infant up all night, an unreasonable employer, a shift in monthly hormones, really bad weather, or a particularly bad traffic jam can shift one's perception, if even for a short time - on the general state of their happiness. 100,000 people is a whole lot of people, but I wonder if they watched everything from how much caffeine, sugar and sleep they had, or inquired on the experience they had with their kids or lovers that morning.

Besides the questionable methodology and results of the study, I ask why do we need the study at all ? Our TV viewing habits are watched by Nielsen, our web surfing behavior is monitored by countless software, our subway riding patterns are monitored on our metro-cards, our purchasing behavior is monitored by our credit cards, and so on, and so on, and so on. But with all this data on what we do, when we do it, and how we do it - are business and political leaders actually able to provide us with a more efficient, easy or pleasant daily experience ? Some claim that this data mining is there to protect us, but from what? In all the years I have been monitored - what scare have I really evaded thanks to the data that I provided to the forces that be? I don't buy it. But I think someone else does. Information is a commodity - even if its true value only exists in perception.

One scientist, a Princeton University professor named Kahneman, commented on the new happiness index,

"You're getting details about what it's like to live in this country. What is the experience of the weekend? What is the experience of the weekday for someone who is sick and has to go to work in the morning? We are going to learn a great deal about what are the determinants of actual happiness."

Great, I say - and then what? Happiness is not something delivered like an egg roll to your front door. It's a daily and even momentary pursuit. Nothing that industry will try to sell you will bring you happiness, and no policy no matter how much it will improve that standing of your life will guarantee happiness either. There are happy and sad sick, healthy, rich, poor, fat, thin etc etc people. It's not what they have in their life that defines their happiness - its how they define what they have in their life that defines their happiness.

Index or no index, happiness is up to you - to define, to cultivate and ultimately to measure for yourself.

Plastic Industry Gets Slapped: Canada Bans BPA Plastics Due to Health Hazards

--body + mind + spirit--

Plastic has gone from being the industrial worlds salvation to the object often identified with its demise. From its negative impact to the environment, to its links to any number of diseases ranging from neurological damage to cancer; plastics are the new suspect substance on everyones' list. Canada has just decided to step up and set some hard line regulations for the plastic industry that will hopefully create a ripple effect worldwide.

Representatives have recently announced that Canada intends to list bisphenol A (BPA) as toxic, a designation that would essentially allow a ban on the manufacture, import, or sale of polycarbonate baby bottles. Polycarbonate is a type of shatter-resistant plastic made with BPA, dominating the North American baby bottle market. Baby food manufacturers will also be told to reduce the amount of BPA in resins lining the inside of infant formula cans, according to Federal Minister of Health Tony Clement. Canada would be the first country to ban BPA.

The American Chemistry Council, an industry association that represents BPA manufactures, has funded two studies used by both the European Union and the United States to support the position that BPA does not pose a health threat. But many studies have already shown that BPA mimics estrogen and has been linked to early onset of puberty, declining sperm counts, and even cancer, including just two weeks ago, findings by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) which said that there is "some concern" for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children from bisphenol A (BPA). The announcement by the NTP has "inspired" the FDA to launch a new review of BPA, but qualified the development by telling consumers that they should not stop using products with BPA.

As news of Canada's announcement broke, Wal-Mart ceased selling polycarbonate bottles and the manufacturer of Nalgene water bottles. Nalgene said it would switch to alternative plastics in response to consumer demand, which might include the demand of one particular California based consumer who is suing the company for knowingly selling their product with the dangerous BPA substance. Canada's designation of BPA's as a toxic substance could be declared as early as October, but the ban will probably not take full effect for a year.

For now, for some of us at least, there is a whole new love affair with good old fashioned glass. Stay tuned...the BPA saga promises more twists and turns..just this week the dental industry stepped up an announced concern over BPA in sealants and dental fillings...yet another reason to brush before bed time.

The Pleasure Kill Pill: Pharma's Answer to Addiction Linked to Suicide

--body + mind + spirit--

"Risk of Depression Dims Hopes For Anti-Addiction Pills" read the head line in AP yesterday. The medication of focus is Chantix and apparently works by blocking pleasure centers in the brain that provide the feel good response from eating or smoking. But now studies are finding that the drug is working all too well, and seems to be blocking pleasure from everything - causing severe depression and suicidal behavior in cases across the nation. Two other drugs recently have had similar problems.

Rimbonabant, an obesity pill sold in Europe was also linked to higher rates of depression in a study last month. Even though the evidence was clear, its maker Sanofi-Aventis SA is still pushing and remains optimistic that it will win approval in the U.S. Then there is Taranabant, a similar type of pill as Rimbonant and Chantix, which also became linked to high rates of depression just last month - its maker, Merck & Co decided to stop testing at middle and high doses to circumvent the findings. New drugs continue to hit the market claiming safety, with disclaimers for anyone with a "known history of depression."

Researchers are becoming disillusioned with the whole approach of these medications as a pleasure blocker as they can't differentiate between blocking the joy of one pleasure over another (removing the joy of a greasy burger or a cigarette will also remove the joys of a sunset or the smile of a child). But is this really a startling finding for researchers ? Are we suppose to believe that this aspect of the reaction of these medications was not taken into consideration before they hit the market ? To add insult to injury, the manufacturers of the medication are defending the medications putting blame elsewhere for the increased depressions and suicidal tendencies.Vice president, Dr. Ponni Subbiah, said nicotine withdrawal and even quitting smoking can cause mood swings and depression.

"It is hard to know what is causing what," she said. "We know that smokers are at higher risk of suicide than non-smokers, and heavy smokers are at higher risk than lighter smokers."

And Sanofi (the maker of obesity drug Rimonabant) now tells doctors to avoid giving the drug to people with a history of depression, said a company vice president, Dr. Douglas Greene. Another loophole the for a multi billion dollar industry to embrace. Mr. Green, not to sound too obvious, but why avoid those with diagnosed depression if there are no serious risks for complications ? And what specifically do you have to offer for the millions who have not been "officially diagnosed with depression" and take your medication ? And by the way, last question, are you offering free screenings by chance for all potential customers of your drug ?

The bigger issue here is that we are treating humans with conditions that are in most cases ultimately behavioral. There is no definitive data that shows overeating or smoking as a product of genetics. Yes, addiction runs in families, but the dysfunctional behavior that is rampant in families with addicts influences the next generation of addicts. Addiction is certainly inherited, but not necessarily genetically - as much as behaviorally. It is also shown that families with no college education produce kids who have less of a chance going to college, and women who have children as teenagers out of wedlock have a stronger likelihood of having children who will do the same. We inherit our predisposition to higher education, probably much in the same way as we inherit our predisposition to smoking, overeating or even drug use.

If we invested the same hundreds of millions of dollars into programs researching why we as a nation are eating, smoking and drugging our way out of our underlying issues, we might actually "cure" some of those problems instead of numbing and dumbing them down. Even if Chantix and the like didn't cause depression and suicide, it would still cause another equally dangerous condition...a new addiction - to those medications. All Chantix and other similar drugs are doing is playing musical chairs with addiction, and in the process pulling money being funneled into one pot into another (from millions spent by addicts on cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs - to legal drugs such as Chantix).

The pain, emptiness and chaos that plagues people who turn to any form of addictive behavior is the disease that needs the cure - not the "side effect addictive behavior. " Unfortunately no pill can cure a spiritual and/or emotional crises - this is the hard work of man/woman - it is the path they must walk. All that industry and government can offer in these scenarios is easy (and cheap/free) access to programs to help individual get on those paths, and stay on those paths. Until we stop buying into these quick fixes, we will continue to get cheap and dangerous manufactured promises from industries profiting from our suffering. Instead of numbing down - we need to start waking up and taking accountability for our conditions..regardless of how hard those pills might be to swallow.



(Based on findings in a story in Associated Press)

Can Fake Grass Kill? Astro Turf Goes Under Investigation

--trends + business + politics--

It's sort of a perfect metaphor to hit the headlines on Earth Day - "Fake Grass Kills." O.K well maybe that's not the headline that inspired this post, but it might as well have been.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into health hazards associated with the lead content in artificial turf installed at schools, parks and stadiums across the country. Of course, to no surprise, the artificial turf industry denied its products are dangerous.

Jon Pritchett, chief executive of General Sports Venue, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based licensee of AstroTurf products in the United States, said the company's tests have shown a low risk of exposure to lead.

"Obviously, we take very seriously any concerns about the safety of our products, and this is no exception," Pritchett said.

More industry experts were quick to chime in, such as Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council. According to Doyle, the lead in the product is fixed in place in the nylon and does not leach out, and thus poses no health risk. He also said that in recent years, manufacturers have begun offering lead-free nylon surfaces.

"In the 40 years that synthetic sports turf has been in use in the United States and around the world, not one person has ever reported any ill effects related to the material composition of the fibers," he said.

The United States has about 3,500 synthetic playing fields made of various materials, including nylon and polyethylene, and about 800 are installed each year at schools, colleges, parks and stadiums, according to the industry's Synthetic Turf Council. Pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the turf green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used.

I wonder how long it will take for us to realize that age and wear is not something that needs to be synthetically modified. Weather its toxic vinyl on our houses that stands the test of time to look perfect with each passing decade, or a or face injected to artificial"perfection" with chemicals we dare not ingest otherwise or a ball park sprayed so green it would shame Alpine fields...we can't expect anything in life or nature to look or be perfect without the infusion of some highly imperfect ( and all too often, simply toxic) element.

As long as we don't embrace the nature cycles and wear of life, headlines such as these will continue to persist and both shock or puzzle readers.

Healing and Soothing Effects of Herbs and Essential Oils

--Feature: "Life w/Fyfe: Confessions of a Holistic Mom"--

Someone recently asked me about the difference between essential oils and herbs, and it got me thinking about what really appeals to me about aromatherapy. Essential oils are sort of instantaneous and sensual, and I feel a response immediately even if the result I’m looking for takes place over the next few hours or days.

Herbs are food, and for that reason, I love to use them to support health, as well. They feel more gradual to me, and never seem intense, although people who use herbs tell me that they can evoke a powerful response, I’ve only used them in very gradual doses, in teas, like peach leaf and raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. They taste good, feel supportive and are very helpful. Essential oils can be intense and need to be diluted when using with children, but their power appeals to me, and there is a sensual and physical phenomenon that occurs when I use them that I find very appealing. The scent of an essential oil can fill a room in moments and I find the energy changes immediately. They are at once calming and focusing. They are complex and alive and the fragrance changes the closer it gets to the nose.

For years I used to wear perfume. As a teenage girl I used Love’s Baby Soft, and Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific. Now, when I walk through a mall and I smell the synthetic fragrances, I get a slight headache. And when I smell someone wearing perfume it smells flat to me. The fragrance never changes no matter how long the wearer has it on. That never happens with essential oils. When it is first applied the fragrance is very strong, but it immediately begins evaporating, and changing. If attention is paid to the various notes, the complexity can be compared to the many flavors found in good wine. So, even when we’re all healthy and happy, I simply enjoy the way they smell.



Lisa Fyfe is a contributing columnist for The Lohasian. Her column, “Life with Fyfe: Confessions of a Holistic Mom” delivers a perspective on the everyday life of a modern holistic mom, as well as provides an insider look into best strategies for natural health and healing for the whole family.

Lisa is a Reiki Master, and an expert in Essential Oil Healing, and has spent the last several years extensively researching traditional diet and nutrition, with a focus on “whole,” locally grown and raised natural foods. She is a married mother of two children, Sophie and Max. Lisa approaches mothering as her highest calling, and believes that all mothers are natural healers and enjoys helping mothers (and others) help their children through the use of a variety of natural modalities.

To Reach Lisa, Email Here at lisafyfe (at) verizon.net

Scientific Inquiry Into the Spirit: Dalai Lama Speaks at World Renowned Mayo Clinic

--body + mind + spirit--

There were was a time-not too long ago, where the stuff of science and spirituality was much like church and state (at best). These days it seems like science has taken hold of spirituality hoping to quantify both its origins and its benefits. Weather it is exploration into the nature of the "God particle" or studies into benefits of Tai Chi on Diabetes, or research into Meditation and it's curative powers on any number of health conditions, spirituality and science have become the new bedfellows. Perhaps nothing is more telling than a private meeting happening today in Rochester Minn.

The meeting is a private event at the world renowned Mayo Clinic and is for employees only - featuring none other than the Dalai Lama himself, side by side on a panel with Mayo Clinic CEO Glenn Forbes and author and psychologist Daniel Goldman. The esteemed panel will head up a discussion on meditation, lead by no doubt one the worlds leading on the subject. The Mayo clinic has been outspoken on the benefits of spiritual practice. It will be exciting to see the outcome of this interesting event (not to mention hopefully a You Tube video in the days to come !)

For more information on the Mayo Clinics perspective on the benefits of spirituality, go to their SITE.

Spiritual Nourishment: How to Feed Your Soul in a Busy World

--Feature: "The Conscious Path w/Dr.Jennifer Howard"--

We are all bombarded by the outside world with endless numbers of things vying for our attention and our time. There are so many distractions. Many of us go from place to place trying to figure out how to get everything we want and need done.

From hundreds of television channels, endless Web sites and endless interesting blogs to the every day life duties on our “to do,” “to know” and “to see” list, it never feels done. And besides, if we are being conscious, we have our physical body demands with preparing good food and getting our daily exercise. We also must attend to our jobs, our house, our children, and our relationships. Then there are all the cultural requirements of keeping up with what is deemed important.

With all these different agendas, how do we fit it all in? We become more conscious of how we spend our time. We know from the deepest reaches, time is endless. We also know from our day-to-day living, time can seem to evaporate. Most of us can say we are not sure where time goes. Sometimes we are not spending it as wisely as we could. In our ordinary consciousness, there are 24 hours in a day. How do we choose to spend our precious time?

By becoming more aware of our choices around time, we can empower ourselves. We can choose to feed the deeper part of ourselves. Feeding our soul can become part of our daily agenda. We can make more conscious choices. Take a moment to tune in and ask what is truly needed. What does this deeper self need for personal growth and spiritual growth in order to integrate our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves? Sometimes it only takes a minute to tune in and give ourselves soul food. We could choose to read some inspirational material while we are on the exercise bike, listen to helpful tapes while we cook, take five minutes a day to journal and ten minutes a day to start a meditation practice. What stops us from our soul’s longing? Often it’s the choices we make about what appears to us as life demands and distractions that catch us.

Let’s allow ourselves to be more mindful of how we are consumed by all that life throws at us. We can ask ourselves:

• How are we distracted?

• What choices are we making around time?

• How can we make choices that come into greater alignment with our life’s purpose?

Our true-selves are calling us. It’s up to us to turn away from all of life’s distractions and just take a moment of time to listen.


Jennifer Howard, Ph.D. is an internationally known psychotherapist, Integrated Kabbalistic Healer®, life coach, educator, and author. She maintains private practices and is co-founder of the Healing Path Center with offices in New York City and Huntington, L.I., New York, as well as an extensive phone practice.

As a licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Howard brings together 24 years of experience, extensive training and expertise in mind-body psychology, meditation, and a variety of the healing arts. Dr. Howard has been frequently seen as an expert and featured guest, on national television shows including, The Maury Povich Show, Turning Point, America’s Talking, Rolanda, Charles Perez and others. Before becoming a psychotherapist, Howard was a professional actress and dancer. Her book "Changes That Last", publication date to be announced.

For more information on Dr Howard, or to reach her directly, go to her SITE

Lifestyle as the Fountain of Youth: Insights on Slowing the Aging Process

--Feature: "Heart of Healing w/Christopher Fischer, ND"--

At least once a day, a patient or two or three ask, “What is the newest best thing to slow the aging process?” The short answer is….Live a healthy life…

So what does it mean to live a healthy life? There are no magic supplements for those of us without disease who want to remain young and vibrant. So what do we do? How do we prevent the deterioration we associate with old age?

Prevention:

• Get regular testing: Blood chemistry, Electrolytes, Mineral levels, Hormone levels, GI profile, Prostate, Cancer Markers, and Stress Test. The sooner you find something, the sooner you can prevent any damages.

• Overhaul the diet. Frequent small portions, balance of the food groups. Organic whenever possible.

• Live a healthy lifestyle. Don’t sit in front of the TV all day. Exercise regularly and add healthy activities like hiking, biking, walking, and swimming etc.

• Supplement only what you need. A good quality multi-vitamin with extra anti-oxidants, Digestive enzymes, and Probiotics.

• Detox, Detox, Detox. Perhaps most important in our toxic world. Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Skin, all need a tune up with each change of season. Herbal Medicines, Hydrotherapy, Fresh Juicing, all help these eliminatory organs protect the body from cell breakdown.

So when the next best thing promises the fountain of youth. Don’t believe it. Youth is not as much a product of age as it is a product of lifestyle. Our bodies carry the sum total of how well or poorly we care for them. So don’t wait for some futuristic miracle that may never come, start now. Create healthy habits now, test regularly, detoxify seasonally, and live a youth-full life no matter what your age.


Christopher Fischer is a Naturopathic Physician and is the President of Natural Health Specialist in East Northport New York. He received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University.

He frequently lectures on Naturopathic Medicine and natural healing, and has been a contributing expert for American Spa Magazine, Creations Magazine, The Northport Observer as well as the Natural Health Show on METRO TV (NY). He is the proud father of two boys and resides in East Northport New York.

For more information see Christopher Fischer's site at www.webndny.com

Thoreau, Gandhi and Buddha...Environmentalist Ideals Before it Got Trendy

--Feature: "Greener Days w/ Geoffrey Paul Gordon"--

Henry David Thoreau wrote the great green self-help guide, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, published in 1848. The essays are a catalogue of the sustainable lifestyle and an ode to an austere but rich coexistence with Nature. He advised on economy, nature, morality, solitude and living the good life against the tide of modernization. He was by many measures an extremist of the pioneering sort, even for the middle of the nineteenth century. He didn’t stray from the path that led from his cottage dwelling to the nearby water lest he leave a footprint larger than was necessary.

Thoreau owned very few things and managed his humble means with a Spartan frugality. He hated as gossip what most people called news and the blowing of the distant railroad whistle interrupted his reveries and sounded to his Romantic ear like the harbinger of more and louder intrusions to come. Boy, was he was right. Thoreau’s Walden Pond experiment lasted two years and two months. He dropped off the ‘grid’ of his day, then came back with a renewed sense of hope that humanity could find its way towards a new, more humane and natural style of living within the environment while affecting it as little as possible. Through his essays, this great naturalist writer left us a map that cannot become outdated.

Most people reading this simply cannot make wholesale radical changes in their lives. Some don’t need to (though they’re likely trying to perfect and disseminate their best eco-friendly practices). And many are in the process of retraining themselves, taking small steps in a common direction towards cleaner, smarter, more forward thinking and better living We cannot move to Walden Pond, but we can bless ourselves with alternatives that curb our current impact. Gandhi’s teachings that prescribed self-sufficient communities extend Thoreau’s ideal to a model for more populous places, but the ethical principles of mutual respect for fellow creatures and common respect for the land unite the eastern and western traditions. Legend has it that Buddha uttered on his deathbed the last of his sage advice: “Keep living diligently.”



Geoffrey Paul Gordon grew up in New York City and attended the Ethical Culture Schools, Columbia University and New York Universities. He is an award-winning playwright and has been teaching in the Arts and Humanities since 1980. Geoffrey is a junior partner in Greener Days (founded by his wife, Sara Gordon), a New York based coaching and consulting firm helping companies and individuals "go green."

Perspectives on Family Wellness: The Many Benefits of Yoga For Kids

--body + mind + spirit--

Our children have been born in an age where for many days are jam packed with full schedules including long days at school, heavy loads of homework and often too many extracurricular activities. It is critical that families incorporate activities and practices for kids that help them regenerate and center, to keep their health and spirit in tact. The ancient practice of yoga is an excellent option for children to generate improved well being through better health, increased energy and stamina and a deeper connection to their inner spirit.

Yoga is the right kind of exercise for children as it is gentle, non-competitive and works not only the entire body but also the mind and spirit. Children of all ages and physical abilities can participate.

Here is a partial list of the many benefits of yoga for children.


BENEFITS OF YOGA

• It teaches children about their body in a fun manner. Yoga songs and asanas (stretching exercises) are approachable and fun for kids.
• It helps negate the effects of the competitive life (and it's negative long-term effects)
  
• It helps children to relax, concentrate and focus.
• It builds stamina, stability and balance.
• It helps improve digestion, elimination of toxins and circulation.
• It strengthens the musculature of the body, elongates the spine
  
• Children who practice yoga have a good posture.
• Specific postures help relieve gas and constipation.
• It improves breathing habits through pranayam.
• It develops speech skills through the use of singing and chanting.
• It improves sleeping patterns.
• It improves memory and develops effective concentration skills.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of yoga for kids is that it teaches them the benefits, and gives the experience, of enjoying a wellness based activity that also touches their spirit. It asks the child to slow down, breath and listen to their inner selves - pulling them out of the mad rush of the world. This early influence can have lasting results inspiring a healthier lifestyle as a child matures.

The best way to integrate yoga practice into a child's life is to start early in a mommy and me program. Otherwise seek out programs that specialize in teaching children specifically; adapting yoga practice to their abilities, specific developmental stages, and attention spans. Be sure to ask about an instructors experience in dealing with children, and sit in on the first class or two.

Once a child begins a yoga practice, support them by practicing with them, and share in the enriching experience of parent-child yoga.

How Not To Buy Into Being Too Fat, Too Thin, Too Old, Too Bald or Too Anything Anymore

--.op-Ed--

This week the FDA announced a couple of recalls that sparked attention. First there was a seizure of more than $100,000 worth of unapproved drugs marketed as "natural supplements" under the names "Shangai Regular""Shangai Ultra" "Super Shangai""naturale Super Plus, and Lady Shangai." These little magic pills were designed to apparently treat erectile disfunction, impotency and to provide sexual "enhancement." But according to the FDA these products offered more in terms of dangerous side effects, then potency effects. Earlier in the week the FDA also seized nearly $1.3 Million of illeagal dietary supplements that were marketed and distributed on-line and in retail stores under the names "Methyl 1-D," "Methyl 1-D XL," and "Formadrol Extreme XL." This particular potent brew was sold to body builders. It got me wondering how did our culture that also spends a whopping $1.7 Billion on Viagra and over $50 million a day on weight loss products, get so dissatisfied with ourselves, and when did this become the stuff of pop culture?

What stuck out for me about the recalls was not so much that the drugs were unapproved but that there was a significant market to buy them. On the one hand we are never thin enough, muscular enough, virile enough or young enough, while on the other - there is always some perceived ideal, that is always "out there" - conveniently within reach of a new product that's for sale. The message is - you can buy peace of mind in a bottle, a pill or a surgical procedure. I mean, what would happen to countless industries if we just gave ourselves some peace; came to terms with our less than trim thighs, and receding hairlines, and developing "character line?" What if we looked at our shifting hormones and our changing libidos as evolutions instead of inadequacies in our super-sexed society ? What would happen if we just...well...gave ourselves a break?

A lot seems to be blamed on media. Skinny celebrities in tabloids, and waifish models in fashion mags supposedly dictating what we come to believe about ourselves. Frankly, I'm not so sure about that. Its easy to point fingers and offer blame. We blame that we get fat as a country because of processed foods, and our kids are stressed because of the violence on T.V, and our girls are dying of eating disorders because of the fashion industry, but in truth - its our values, and those we instill in our kids, that dictate what we choose to buy in principal and in reality. Call me the unrelenting optimist but I believe in free will, human intelligence, and our ability to differentiate right from wrong. Video game manufacturers serve a demand, just as much as tabloid publications, and "sexual enhancement" supplement manufacturers. We are the demand. Maybe the problem is less with how we are marketed to, but in how willing we are to be active in the process of discerning the messages being marketed. Maybe we are not so much dumb and easy to influence, as lazy and complacent.

I'm all for self development and feeling and looking your best. But true growth and vitality is the stuff of process, both internal and external...neither of which, ultimately can be delivered in a pill. Next time you look in your mirror and don't celebrate what you see, or head into your wallet to buy into the fountain of youth and perfection...take a break, go easy, give yourself some peace..and save a buck or two in the process. Ask yourself what idea you are buying into and does that idea celebrate who you are, or condemn who you are ? Be less critical of yourself and more critical of the criticism. Perhaps you are not "too anything"...other than..too willing to be too tough on yourself.