WHALES
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I'm listening to Margaret Throsby's interview this morning - the guest is Philip Hoare, about his book Leviathan, (which fellow Care2 member and friend Jacqueline posted in C2NN quite a while ago).
I thought a few here in Care2 might find it interesting. You can listen online.
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Cheers, Jenny

Are you a good patient? 
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How you can take charge of your own health and become your own best health care advocate.
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Do you make some of these common mistakes with your doctor? 
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1 - Do you fail to clearly state the problem?
...and leave out important details, expecting the doctor to figure it out? The time allotted with the doctor is often very limited. Make good use of your time by communicating your concerns clearly. Doctors are mere humans, with no extra talent for mind reading.
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2 - Do you play loose with the facts?
...by saying that you don’t drink or smoke when you actually do
...by saying you take the medicine as prescribed when you don’t?
...about your diet and about your exercise regime?
Lying to the doctor is not in our own best interest. We entrust our doctors with our health, but we can’t expect to get the full benefit of their knowledge and experience unless we tell the truth -- no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Your doctor has little choice but to trust what you say.
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3 - Do you come to visits unprepared?
...not knowing the names and dosages of any medications you are currently taking... not being able to say when and where the problem began... It doesn’t take long to jot down a few key facts on a piece of paper that you can bring to doctor visits. When you are unprepared, you tend to take up more time unnecessarily, contributing to the wait times of other patients, and you are more often apt to leave with questions unanswered.
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4 - Do you fail to ask follow-up questions?
...such as what are the potential side effects or drug interactions of prescribed medication... when and how can you expect results of tests... warning signs... next steps...
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5 - Do you take a passive role rather than an active role?
...by waiting for your doctor to mention something and, if he doesn’t, letting it go? It’s your health we’re talking about here. If you think a second opinion is in order, ask for one. If you wonder about an alternative to the recommended treatment, ask about it. If your doctor doesn’t treat you with respect and compassion or does not encourage you to be an active participant in your own health care decisions, it’s time to find a new doctor.
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If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, you are not doing all you can to foster patient-centred, compassionate care -- but these problems are easy to fix. If you are doing your part, then you need a doctor who will do the same. If you’ve got that, you’re in pretty good shape.
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(Taken from Care2's Are You Guilty of Making These 5 Mistakes With Your Doctor? author Ann Pietrangelo)
Related material:
What Happened to Patient-Centred, Compassionate Medicine?  Doctor/Patient Relationship Poll Twitter:@AnnPietrangelo

Ingestion of avocado - Persea americana
has been associated with:
--Myocardial Necrosis .....in mammals and birds and
--Sterile Mastitis ............in lactating mammals.
.Dogs, cattle, goats, horses, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, sheep, budgerigars, canaries, cockatiels, ostriches, chickens, turkeys, and fish are susceptible.
.Caged birds appear more sensitive to the effects of avocado, while chickens and turkeys appear more resistant.
The poisonous ingredient in avocado is persin.
Ingestion of fruit, leaves, stems, and seeds of avocado has been associated with toxicosis in animals;
- leaves are the most toxic part.
The Guatemalan varieties of avocado have been most commonly associated with toxicosis.
.Goats develop severe mastitis when ingesting 20 g of leaves/kg, whereas 30 g of leaves/kg results in cardiac injury.
.Sheep: acute cardiac failure developed in sheep fed avocado leaves at 25 g/kg for 5 days; 5.5 g/kg of leaves fed for 21 days or 2.5 g/kg for 32 days caused chronic cardiac insufficiency.
.Budgerigars fed 1 g of avocado fruit developed agitation and feather pulling, while 8.7 g of mashed avocado fruit resulted in death within 48 hr.
Diagnosis of avocado toxicosis relies on history of exposure and clinical signs. There are no readily available specific tests that will confirm diagnosis.
Clinical Findings: In lactating animals, mastitis occurs within 24 hr of exposure to avocado, accompanied by a 75% decrease in milk production. Affected mammary glands are firm, swollen, and produce watery, curdled milk. Lactation may provide a degree of protection against myocardial injury at lower doses.
In nonlactating mammals, or at higher doses, myocardial insufficiency may develop within 24-48 hr of ingestion and is characterized by lethargy, respiratory distress, subcutaneous edema, cyanosis, cough, exercise intolerance, and death.
.Horses may develop edema of the head, tongue, and brisket.
.Birds develop lethargy, dyspnea, anorexia, subcutaneous edema of neck and pectoral regions, and death.
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from the Merck Veterinary Manual online
See also: Bread Dough; Chocolate; Macadamia Nuts; Raisins/Grapes via the link above. 

Ayurvedic Healing Foods
from Yoga Journal By Miriam Kasin Hospodar
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Lemons are both purifying and nourishing, and they stimulate digestion. For reducing toxins, drink unsweetened lemonade as many times during the day as desired.

Ghee (clarified butter) is among the best rejuvenating and longevity-promoting foods. It aids digestion and calms the nerves. Ghee's rate of absorption is high, making it an excellent medium for transporting the nutrients of other foods to the tissues.

Dates and Figs are prized as excellent sources of energy. They also help build tissues. Eat one or two every day.

Almonds are nourishing and life-supporting. Ayurveda recommends blanching and peeling almonds because their skins are slightly toxic. Eat several almonds daily to increase strength and energy.

Mung Beans are among the best legumes for their supreme digestibility and health-giving qualities. They are beneficial when people are sick or otherwise in need of very light food. Mung beans are particularly nourishing when mixed with rice or other grains.

Ginger is often referred to as "the universal medicine." It promotes good digestion and helps remove ama. Dried ground ginger is more concentrated in its flavor and its effects. To aid digestion, sprinkle a thin slice of fresh ginger with lemon juice and salt, and eat one-half hour before a meal.

Cumin Seeds serve as a digestive aid and ama-reducer for all doshas. To help remove toxins, start the day by drinking warm water mixed with a pinch of powdered cumin and ginger.

Lassi is a beverage prepared by mixing one part yogurt into two parts water. It is an excellent nutritive digestive aid, taken during or after a meal. You can flavor lassi either with raw sugar or honey and a little ground cardamom, or with toasted ground cumin seeds and salt.
Juicy, Seasonal Fruits are both highly nutritive and purifying. Juicy fruits should be completely ripe for maximum healing value.

Green, Leafy Vegetables are both nutritive and purifying. Their bitter flavor stimulates the liver, helps balance blood sugar, and aids skin conditions. Prepare with a little ghee or oil.

Cow's Milk is considered a vitalizer by Ayurveda and recommended for those emaciated after injury. Ayurveda recommends bringing milk to a full boil to remove the qualities that can cause excess mucus. To further reduce milk's clogging qualities, add a pinch of ginger and/or black pepper. Also, milk should be imbibed separately from foods with any taste other than sweet.

Water is universally beneficial for everyone, and assists virtually all healing. It promotes digestion and, when imbibed while hot, is particularly effective for removing ama.

Here are three mini-meditations, moments to just stop and breathe and remember why you are here. A moment to check yourself out, to look within, and to find what is really meaningful to you. You can get it together even when you think it is all falling apart.
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Mini-meditations can be done on a train, walking down the street, at an airport, standing at a bus stop, in an elevator, while sitting in the bathroom (sometimes the only place you can be alone!).
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1. Mini Breath Meditation
Sit comfortably with your back straight. Take a deep breath and let it go. Begin to silently count at the end of each out breath: Inhale… exhale… count one, inhale… exhale… two, inhale… exhale… three. Then start at one again. Just three breaths and back to one. Simply following each breath in and silently counting. So simple. Do this as many times as you want, eyes open or closed, breathing normally.
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2. Mini Walking Meditation
You can do this walking along a country lane, a city street, in the office or the garden. You can walk slowly, normal or fast, whatever feels right. As you walk become aware of your walking, of the movement of your body and the rise and fall of your feet. Become aware of your breath and see if you can bring both your breathing and your walking together. Just walk and breathe with awareness for a few minutes.
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3. Instant Letting Go
Find a quiet place to sit, have a straight back, and take a deep breath and let it go. Then quietly repeat to yourself: “My body is at ease and relaxed… my heartbeat is normal… my mind is calm and peaceful… my heart is open and loving.” Keep repeating this until you have let go of the tension and are at peace. Then take a deep breath and have a smile on your face!
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Practice mini Loving-Kindness meditation: 
--as you walk down the street or in an elevator, by silently wishing everyone be well, wishing that everyone be happy.
--in the office by spending a few moments repeating the names of everyone you work with and wishing them happiness.
--on your way home from work by reflecting on your day and generating loving thoughts to all those you met.
--When you send out relaxing and loving thoughts it relaxes the space around you and often any chaotic or disturbing energies will dissipate.
--What you put out comes back to you ten-fold.
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Adapted from Care2 DailyAction 3 Ways To Get Through The Day
Book by Ed and Deb Shapiro: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World

I made the following tags using quotes from the book, 505 Ways To Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend by Lisa J. Copen. You are welcome to share them.

Native American Heritage Day: 27 November
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"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 27, 2009, as Native American Heritage Day."



Turtle Song: Performed by Spirit of the Dawn. Wabanaki drumming and singing group from Maine

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/27/usa-native-american-heritage-day/

Posted as '7 Ways to Save Your Brain' in Care2 by Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine


A 2009 Mayo Clinic study found that of 1,300 people ages 70 to 89, those that had regularly engaged in mentally challenging activities, such as reading, playing games, and doing crafts, in their 50s and early 60s were 40% less likely to develop memory loss than those who hadn’t. Follow these simple steps to stay sharp as you age.
--- Hone your manual skills
--- Learn one new word every day
--- Challenge your short-term memory
--- Mix it up
--- Be friendly
--- Shut the TV off
--- Keep working
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HONE YOUR MANUAL SKILLS: Learn a new instrument, start quilting, build a model airplane, or get going on those carpentry projects you’ve been putting off. Such activities not only help promote hand and finger dexterity, they also foster the development of new neural connections.

 
LEARN ONE NEW WORD EVERY DAY: This engages the brain’s language centres, frontal lobe, and memory circuits. “It’s like aerobics for your brain,” says Neurology Professor Richard Restak, MD.

CHALLENGE YOUR SHORT-TERM MEMORY: Although iPhones and BlackBerries may be convenient, they have one downside: They’ve robbed us of the need to commit things to memory. Do it anyway. Memorize your grocery list, your friends’ phone numbers, the US presidents in order, every state’s capital city. As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

MIX IT UP: Try a wide variety of mental games, from crossword puzzles to computer games. Experts say seniors tend to do what they’re good at–over and over again. While that may improve proficiency, it doesn’t form new neuronal connections or boost neurotransmitter production in the brain like new and diverse experiences do.

BE FRIENDLY: Engage in social activities as much as possible. Multiple studies have shown that living a solo life can vastly increase your risk of dementia. One recent Swedish study of 2,000 men and women found that people living alone at age 50 had twice the risk of developing dementia 21 years later than those who were living with a partner in middle age.

TURN THE TV OFF: Research shows that those who watch minimal TV are as much as 50% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

KEEP WORKING: Resist the temptation to retire early. A recent British study of 382 men found a significant association between later retirement and later onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Salinity and the Murray River, from my own experience: I visited my inlaws in Mildura every year while my children were growing up. When my daughter was 2 we took the paddleboat cruise on the "Mighty Murray". I was shocked to learn then that the Murray was several times saltier than the ocean, due to poor farming practices.
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That was 25 years ago. So increasing salinity isn't a new problem of the Murray River, and anyone might have made an educated guess that the wetlands wouldn't stay 'freshwater' for too long, with briny sea on one side and saline-heavy Murray on the other.
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Wetlands Disaster at the Mouth of the Murray.
C2NN item submitted by Katie
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THE collapse of the Coorong wetlands at the mouth of the Murray River is shaping up to be one of the Australia's worst environmental disasters.
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Bird numbers in the region have fallen dramatically -estimates of waterbirds for the region were 250,000 in November 2007 but a similar survey last year showed numbers had declined 48%.
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One of the most disturbing developments in the wetlands has been the explosion of tubeworms in the freshwater lakes. The marine worms attach themselves to the backs of the turtles, colonising them until the turtles are so weighed down they drown.
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It is the most poignant example of the collapse of the system. Because there is not enough fresh water coming down the river, the lakes are becoming more salty and this marine tubeworm is invading the freshwater lakes. Along the lakes schoolchildren go out with buckets to collect the turtles, and try to chip off the tubeworms.
.Professor Kingsford and colleagues are calling for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray mouth in South Australia to be saved by a massive injection of water into the Murray from eastern states.
.Flows to the mouth of the Murray have been declining for decades as dams and irrigation have siphoned off water in upstream Victoria and NSW. In recent years the flows have dropped so much that several of the lakes have fallen below sea level and the Murray mouth now needs continual dredging.
.The report argues strongly against plans under consideration by the federal and South Australian governments to flood the lakes with sea water because of their rapidly increasing salinity.
.But a spokesman for the Minister for Climate Change, Penny Wong, said the report would be rejected - to do otherwise would be ''highly irresponsible''. It would require a total ban on drawing any water from the Murray or the city of Adelaide or towns, cities and irrigation along the river.
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C2NN item submitted by Katie: http://my.care2.com/kat112 
theage.com.au Source: The Sydney Morning Herald