"Cursing"

Today, my daughters and I were flipping channels to decide what to watch on TV and saw something interesting in the Maury Povich Show (people that have survived amazing things or performed unexplainable feats). We couldn't watch it for too long - the audience was out of control, cursing so much, that you didn't know what Mr. Povich was saying since they had to blip long sections of the program due to excessive cursing. My oldest daughter said to me: "Mom, that's because the audience is full of ignorant people..." I guess she's right. The truth is that these shows are really disgusting. The content of the shows, in my opinion, is very inappropriate for most audiences. The messages are negative and the program portrays people in dire situations, mostly due to lack of character, integrity and education. The programs really don't teach anything uplifting or positive.

This brings me to the title of my blog: "Cursing". I always hated profanity, cursing and any form of offensive language. To me, this kind of language just communicates ignorance and lack of moral values. It violates people's right to live in a decent and positive society. Someone may say: "Karol, relax. Everyone uses curses once in a while." That is true to a certain extent. We all make mistakes here and there (or get into the bad habit of saying a few "curse words" like the "S" word). But when every sentence in a conversation has a curse word; when every time you get upset you have to use profanity; that tells me that you're just covering up your lack of an extensive and proper vocabulary, good speaking skills and good command of the English Language. It sounds terrible and it's demeaning to others. We're supposed to be considerate and compassionate, and to care for our fellow human beings. Cursing will always be disrespectful; it offends people in general and should be eliminated from our conversation, no matter how upset we may be. It upsets me to hear so many young people using this kind of language. In many ways it's like saying: "I don't care about you, what you think and how you feel, I only care about myself, and whether you like it or not I will always say whatever I please - the heck with you!" That to me is rude and inconsiderate!

The excessive use of "cursing" is truly despicable - in movies, in TV shows and everywhere. It's like assuming that all of us speak that way. Let's try our best to be more considerate and stop all these expletives and other forms of vulgar language from our vocabulary. Let's inform the TV and movie producers that we are repulsed by it and maybe do something to communicate our disapproval (like not watching these kind of shows).

We don't have to lower our standards and values just to try to please others; or think that only by speaking like others do, we will be accepted. We have to make a stand and protect our convictions and never feel bad to be who we are. Stay strong...

"Hidden Poisons"

Like many Americans and other people in this world, I've been consuming "Artificial Sweeteners" for a long time trying to stay away from the so-called "Refined Sugars". You read everywhere about the dangers of Diabetes and about how bad simple sugars and carbohydrates are for your health. I don't think I overdo it; but I do put Sweet'N Low, Splenda or Equal in many of my drinks (coffee or iced-tea). I also select, at times, "Diet" sodas or drinks. For quite some time I've been noticing that I'm having unusual palpitations and pain in my joints. I wake up with my heart pounding at times and after drinking something with "Aspartame", especially, I can feel my heart going nuts. I also feel "funny" - like something is not right. So, I decided to do a little research and discovered that "Artificial Sweeteners" can cause a great number of symptoms - one of them "heart palpitations", another one "joint pains". Just because something doesn't have calories, doesn't mean that it is healthy for us. If we're trying to lose weight or eat healthier (and be "healthier"), we should definitely stay away from these dangerous substances.

Check the following sites for more information: www.spice-of-life.com,www.doorway.com, www.holisticmed.com and www.vegsource.com, and do your own research. You'll be surprised about the findings, and maybe even a little scared too. I'm now committed to eliminating "Artificial Sweeteners" from my diet, at all costs. I’ll use Stevia or Xylitol instead (see "Update" below).

"Stevia" is a natural plant from South America. Read more about it at: http://www.stevia.net. Ironically the FDA once labeled this natural product "dangerous". The public health threats are all the other "Artificial Sweeteners" not "Stevia". Then again, decide wisely and eat everything in "moderation". Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to learn what's really good for us; since there are so many contradictory reports. One day a study says that one thing is healthy, the next day another study says that that same thing is unhealthy...

No matter what, let's pay more attention to our bodies and to how we feel, and especially to what we are putting in our mouths. "Artificial Sweeteners" are actually more dangerous than sugar, who would have guessed? We put so much trust on certain companies and on the FDA that sometimes we even question our common sense. We cannot believe that something so popular is actually a poison for our systems. Let's wise up and inform ourselves more, before we do what everybody does or eat what everybody eats.

I will stay away from these chemical ingredients (I know how hard it is, they are everywhere!). Usually doctors don't even consider the possibility that these sweeteners are causing the strange symptoms that we feel. If we complain of certain pains and rare symptoms, they just think we're exaggerating or just plain crazy.

PLEASE BE INFORMED... AND READ MORE ABOUT IT!

UPDATE - APRIL 2009: I recently discovered a new natural sweetener called Xylitol. Believe it or not I heard the name in one of my dreams (as weird as this sounds, it is the truth). I woke up remembering this word, and kept repeating it to myself - I didn't want to forget it. I was curious and wanted to find out what it meant in Google.com. Xylitol is an amazing sweetener. It was discovered in Finland after World War II when the country was having a sugar shortage. Read more about it at: www.xylitolnaturalsweetener.com, www.xlear.com or www.theultimatelife.com. Look for more information on your favorite search engine. I'm using it now. I prefer the xylitol from birch trees than the one from corn cobs, it tastes better - just like regular sugar! It is a very healthy sweetener that kills bacteria, prevents osteoporosis and doesn't raise your blood sugar levels. The only negative thing is that it is expensive (especially compared to regular sugar) - but the benefits outweigh the expense.