-Healthy Perspective in the News
    -The common cold - facts and fallacies
    -Caffeine consumption and bone loss in older women

-Healthy Recipe
    - Eggless "Egg Salad"

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SCARY TIMES
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Turn on the t.v., open the newspaper, listen to the radio:  "Anthrax found in another location; more test positive...."  "It's not IF bioterrorism will occur; it's WHEN...."  "Smallpox suspected as next bioterrorism threat; Iraq may have stockpiles...."  "Vaccines and drugs in short supply; U.S. not ready for full-scale bioterrorism attack...."

Not very reassuring, is it?  But we are finding an interesting phenomenon occurring.  Even as the horrific headlines seek to outdo each other as they vie for our attention, our citizens are maintaining a calm demeanor and continuing with "life as usual."  People everywhere are banding together, to help each other and to pray.  On this front, the terrorists are defeated already - we refuse to be terrorized!

We must continue to separate the hype from the realistic warnings.  Our media has a little tendency to, in an attempt to garner better ratings, shall we say, overstate some of the issues.  And then there are those who seek to profit from our plight; selling "survival supplies" and hawking devices they say will protect us, all at exorbitant prices.  Did you know that you can purchase what looks like a clear plastic tent, large enough to hold a small family, made to be set up in the family's living room, for about $2,000.00?  This device is supposed to shield the family from chemical or biological warfare, as they sit in this bubble - and they can still operate the family's t.v. on the other side of the tent with their remote control!  Sounds good, but most experts interviewed agree this particular device wouldn't do the trick.  Some of these items being sold may be helpful, but scare tactics are always despicable.

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Protection in these times (cont.)
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In last month's newsletter, we talked about what we can do to protect ourselves and those around us.  Ultimately, only God can truly protect us, and prayer is the mightiest weapon we have.  We also talked about some practical preparedness ideas.  We would like to expand a bit on the subject this month.

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Anthrax and children
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If you are a parent or grandparent, or you simply love children (that would include us all) the children are foremost on your mind.  In an article on children and anthrax risk at http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/10/10.24/20011023publ005.html, Dr. Steve Berman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, cautions parents that inappropriate antibiotic use by either parents or children "raises the risk that the entire family will be colonized by a resistant infection." He also emphasizes that simple measures such as hand washing can "prevent anthrax by just washing away the spores."  The American Academy of Pediatrics has some solid, mainstream advice for protecting your children from anthrax risk on their web site at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/anthraxqa.htm.

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Immune System Protection
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In last month's newsletter, we made the following statement, "By building up our immune systems, we are less vulnerable to the ravages of chemical or biological attack.  Gailon Totheroh, health writer for CBN, did an excellent piece... about this very subject.  He suggested some simple and practical ways to build our immune systems for our protection."  We are happy to report that you may read his article, entitled, "How to Boost Your Immune System Against Bioterror" at http://www.cbn.com/CC/article/0,,PTID2546|CHID101291|CIID887014,00.html.

In this piece, Mr. Totheroh suggests using garlic*, oregano**, antioxidants*** (including natural vitamin E), magnesium****, and turmeric***** as natural but powerful immune system enhancers.  There is another excellent piece, "Nutrition vs. Biowarfare," on this same web site at http://www.cbn.com/cc/article/0,,PTID2546|CHID101291|CIID887230,00.html.  It includes articles by renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD, and medical journalist, Bill Sardi.

*Raw garlic is a good source, as are garlic supplements.  You may read about AIM's excellent garlic supplement at http://www.healthyperspective.com/bearpawgarlic.html.

**Bill Sardi suggests a just introduced oregano product called Oregacin (tm).  We're not sure where this is available yet, but we'll do some looking around.  (If you know where to find this product, please drop us an email and let us know.)

***Dr. Russell Blaylock particularly suggests alpha-lipoic acid as an antioxidant.  AIM's product, Proancynol 2000 (tm) is a combination of alpha-lipoic acid, green tea, grape seed extract, and other powerful antioxidants.  You may read more about this product at http://www.healthyperspective.com/immuno.html.

****Magnesium may be found in such foods as whole grains (buckwheat, whole wheat, barley, oats), seeds and nuts (raw sunflower seeds are excellent), legumes (navy beans, black beans, pintos, soy beans, etc.), tomatoes, lima beans, spinach and other leafy greens, beets, artichokes, and okra [according to data provided by the USDA].  It can also be found in supplement form.  AIM has several supplements which supply magnesium:
      BarleyLife (tm) (http://www.healthyperspective.com/barleylife.html),
      Cell Wellness Restorer (tm) (http://www.healthyperspective.com/cwr.html),
      RediBeets (tm) (http://www.healthyperspective.com/redibeets.html),

*****Turmeric, a food seasoning, is sometimes referred to as "the poor man's saffron."  One of our favorite recipes, Eggless "Egg Salad" contains turmeric.  We have shared this recipe with you in a past "Your Healthy Perspective," and it is included below in today's "Healthy Recipe."  By the way, tofu, a main ingredient in this recipe, is a source of magnesium.  With both turmeric and magnesium, this is a good immune system building food.

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More helpful links
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Here are a few more web sites you may find helpful as you sort through the maze of information about our current crisis:

Johns Hopkins University, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies
http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response page
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

Biohazard News, A Civilian Initiative Addressing the Threat of Bioterrorism
http://www.biohazardnews.net/

Talking About Bioterrorism - Real-Life X-Files [Medscape Infectious Diseases, 2001]
http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/ID/journal/2001/v03.n05/mid1024.gold/mid1024.gold-06.html
 

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HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE IN THE NEWS
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The common cold - facts and fallacies
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Immune system building is important for protecting ourselves from "cold and flu season" as well as from bio-terrorism.  The first paragraph of the article on Immune System Health at http://www.healthyperspective.com/immuno.html reads:

"The immune system is the army that protects us from invaders.  It extends throughout all body systems and is linked to our brain and affected by our state of mind.  It protects us from bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.  Its basic strategy is simple:  recognize the enemy and attack.  The immune system is perhaps the 'most important' body system when considering living well and maintaining good health.  A healthy immune system can meet all challenges."

In a study, researchers surveying 161 families from various economic backgrounds, found that 60 percent of parents erroneously believed that some colds were caused by bacteria and nearly half erroneously believed that things such as colds, bronchitis and green mucous should be treated with antibiotics. Colds are actually caused by viruses, and antibiotics and antibacterial lotions have no effect on them.  Nearly half the parents also had erroneous beliefs about causes of colds, with 46 percent thinking colds could be caused by not wearing enough clothes, 57 percent thinking they could be caused by cold weather, and 37 percent thinking they could be caused by going outside with wet hair.

Colds are more easily transmitted through the nose and eyes (e.g.. rubbing one's nose or eyes with virus-infected hands), and are less likely to be transmitted through the mouth.  However, 90 percent of the parents studied focused preventive measures on issues such as sharing drinks or eating utensils, or kissing someone with a cold, and only 75 percent correctly thought shaking hands was an effective way to catch a cold.

While 74 percent of the parents correctly knew that children can prevent catching someone else's cold by frequent hand washing, 50 percent of the parents thought antibacterial soaps to be superior.  However, these preparations are no more effective against catching a cold virus than washing simply with soap and water, according to researchers.  [In fact, according to other unrelated research, antibacterial soaps may actually be counterproductive, causing more virulent antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to be present in our environment.]

(http://www.reutershealth.com/cgi-bin/frame2?top=/tops/eline.html&left=/elinel.html&right=/archive/2001/10/29/eline/links/20011029elin007.html)

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Caffeine consumption and bone loss in older women
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NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2001 (Reuters Health)

Researchers report that caffeine consumption can take its toll on the bones of older women, especially those with a particular genetic mutation.

The investigators found that in a group of women whose average age was 71, those who consumed the most caffeine had significantly lower bone mineral density  compared with women who consumed the least. Bone mineral density is a marker of bone strength. Women with two copies of a gene with a mutation in the vitamin D receptor were even more prone to bone loss, the report indicates.  These findings add weight to earlier research linking caffeine consumption to the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis, which can raise the risk of fractures in the elderly.

(http://www.reutershealth.com/cgi-bin/frame2?top=/tops/eline.html&left=/elinel.html&right=/archive/2001/10/29/eline/links/20011029elin007.html)

Source:  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001;74:569-570, 694-700.
 

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HEALTHY RECIPE
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**Eggless "Egg Salad"**

This will surprise you.  It looks and tastes like egg salad, but contains no eggs!  And it contains both turmeric (as seasoning) and magnesium (in the tofu), to make a superb immune system building food.

 2 - 12 oz. (24 oz. total) containers extra firm or gourmet firm tofu
 approx. 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos* (use in place of salt)
 1/3 cup diced dill pickles**
 3 stalks chopped spring (green) onions
 1/2 cup diced green olives**
 1 teaspoon turmeric
 1-1/2 teaspoons "Vegit" all-purpose seasoning*
 1 teaspoon Schilling "It's a Dilly" seasoning*
 1/2 teaspoon "Garlic Magic" (garlic powder)*
 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes or 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
 dash cayenne pepper
 1 tablespoon prepared brown or yellow mustard
 3-5 tablespoons Nasoya "Creamy Dill" dressing or Nasoya "Nayonaise"**  (or other healthy eggless mayonnaise-type dressing)

Drain liquid off tofu, rinse, and place in large mixing bowl.  Crumble tofu finely or mash with fork.  Add other ingredients and mix well. You may have to adjust dressing amount (start with 3 tablespoons and add as necessary), depending on the moisture content of your tofu.  You'll know you have the right amount of dressing when you get that "sticky" egg salad consistency, not too goopy and not too dry.  Cover and let it sit in the refrigerator for several hours (better overnight).  An interesting phenomenon occurs:  as it sits, not only do the flavors get to mingle, but the mixture will turn more yellow and look more like egg salad!  It's not magic; it's the turmeric.

This is great stuff.  It makes wonderful sandwiches (on whole grain bread, of course!).  It's also great in sandwich wraps, pitas, pasta salads, potato salad (in place of boiled eggs); in canapés and hors d'oevres; tossed in a green salad; and as a spread on rice cakes, crackers,  etc.  I'm sure you'll find other favorite ways to use this (email and let us know where your culinary imagination has taken you).

We make a big batch, as it's so versatile and it keeps in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to a week.  Of course, you may cut this recipe in half if you like.

Enjoy!

*I mention these name brands, as they are our personal preference, and are both healthy and tasty.  You will probably find them in your local health food store, and you may even find them in your supermarket.

**Please read labels.  Find a brand that uses no chemical additives, preservatives, flavors, colors, etc.  You might want to try pickles you find in the refrigerated case in the store (and read the label to rule out additives).  Use low sodium products whenever you can.

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If you have some particular concerns or questions, regarding health or spiritual matters during these trying times, feel free to email us.  We'll do our best to help provide you with the information you seek, and we can certainly pray with you.

May God bless and keep you.
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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Copyright (c) 2001 by Clarence Russell . All rights reserved. As long as this file is left intact, permission is granted for use on web sites or in newsgroups or mailing lists.