Hama DVD Laser Cleaning Disc: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

So, the other day, I had to hook up my DVD recorder, it has not been used for a while but was not used that much anyway. To my horror, it was making all kinds of grinding noises on any type of disc I tried in the unit. I gave up. Then someone suggested I try the Hama DVD lens cleaner. I did and hey presto! It worked! No more grinding noises and what's more, it reads discs very quickly and smoothly. Now I am going to go round the house and use it on the other DVD players and the pc. Worth the money.

The Portal of Healing.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Ok folks, it's here, the product you have all been waiting for - Kindle with 3G and Wifi! I am told the 3G is completely free. No catches! You need to place an order now for delivery in October. I have also ordered a case which is really neat! Good luck.

The Portal of Healing.

Health alert as Moscow overwhelmed by smog

A lesson for us all, for those of us who want to hear that lesson. The pictures tell their own story, this is what is going to happen to this planet in time to come, it is going to burn up. Most of us will be long gone when that time comes but for future generations there are lessons to be learned.

Global warming is here folks and it's here to stay. No more denying it is just a passing phase, we are coming out of a mini ice age and things are just starting to heat up. This winter just passed was the mildest in Canada I have seen since I have been there. In January of 2009, supposed to be the coldest and snowiest month of the year, they were having to bus in snow for the ski hills for there was not enough snow. This winter just passed, I only had to use the snow blower four times in four months.

Sure, it was still cold, but the period of extreme cold was quite short and most of the time I was bored and there was not enough snow to clear up!

The events in Russia are the other extreme, temperatures never seen before in Moscow, over a 100 degrees and now wildfires, it truly is crazy. Have humans made this situation worse? You bet. You can't tell me that 200 years or so since the industrial revolution started, combined with the decades of car use and heavy industry, mining and the pollutants we put out in making most of what we consume have not taken their toll and made matters worse.

It is not possible to roll back 200 years of evolution just like that. It takes time to change attitudes and time to educate people to be more responsible in their day to day lives. But the biggest culprits in this scenario are the governments for it is they who allow big business to carry on polluting, wasting and generally turning a blind eye to the obvious - we just cannot carry on the way we are going otherwise that day of reckoning may come sooner.

We are paying Russian roulette (pardon the pun!) with our lives and the lives of future generations. So, come on people, do your bit to make things better. Use the car a little less, drive a little more slowly, don't burn those leaves and most importantly, contact your MP, Congress person or parliament to do something about global warming!

THe Portal of Healing.

Belkin Wireless G Plus Wireless MIMO Router

I need to get a new wireless router for the house as the signal is so bad. I will still have to put the router in a central location in the house and run a wire back to the modem but at least this product seems to get good reviews and Belkin do have a good reputation for quality. I am also going to get a nice wireless adapter with external antenna and there is a link for that below as well.

The Portal of Healing.

Abnormal brain activity in migraineurs is not restricted to attacks

"Typically, migraine is considered to be an episodic disorder with discrete attacks of headache. But new research by Dr. Till Sprenger and his team from UCSF Headache Group and Technische Universität München found increased network activity -- stronger functional connectivity -- bilaterally in the visual, auditory and sensorimotor network in migraineurs."

This research sounds very exciting. I know many people who suffer with migraine of one sort or another. I sometimes get bad attacks of headache and these I assumed were triggered by certain social and environmental conditions e.g. second hand smoking, any kind of smoke from burning, dust, heat, certain types of lighting and bad diet. Perhaps this research can shed light on why migraine is so bad and sometimes unpredictable.

The Portal of Healing.

Energizer USB Battery Charger with 2x AAA Batteries

I like these usb chargers, they use much less energy than ordinary chargers.

Lens Cleaning Kit (Wii)

So, over the last couple of weeks, my Nintendo Wii has started playing up by not reading some of the discs. I guess it is time for the cd lens to be cleaned and I found this useful product on Amazon. I suppose you could use a cd lens cleaning kit but the reviews all say this did the job and is recommend for the Wii. At the price it is well worth it.

The Portal of Healing.

Ethernet LAN Network Cable UTP Lead 30M

So, there I was, with my new modem router with wireless but the house is old and the wireless does not work. The reasons are many and varied but to put it simply, wireless does not like brick walls and steel.

I would have used the internal phone cable that had been fitted many years ago but it was costing me about 50% loss in broadband speed. Should be about 5.8 megs but was only getting about 2.7. So out came the old cable and hence the need to purchase the 30 metre metwork cable.

For those that are not in the know, if you have to run a cable for your internet, use a cat5, rj45 plug, ethernet network cable as these are designed to run up to 100 feet without much signal loss. After I fitted this and tested this pc wirelessly, I was still getting the same speed as I was getting plugged in directly to the modem! The cable clips are also listed below along with the link for the cable. I also need an aerial cable for my freeview box in the kitchen. Whew!

Now, it's time for a cup of tea (smile).

The Portal of Healing.

Smallest Full Size Pocket Travel Tripod

A must buy especially if you need complete stillness on the shot e.g. macro. Very versatile and configurable.

Compatible NP-FV60, NP-FV70 Sony InfoLITHIUM type PREMIUM camcorder battery

A very good price as when I checked in the Sony shop today, these were going for around £70.00 pounds!

Screen/LCD Scratch Protector For Nokia E63

Very good idea to have one of these lcd screen protectors for your Nokia E63 mobile phone.

SanDisk microSDHC 16GB Card

This is the best deal around right now for a 16 gig micro sd card for your mobile phone such as a Nokia 5800.

ByteStor 16GB SDHC Class 4 Memory Card

A good price for 16 a gig class 4 sd card - but why is the 32 gig £56?

Samsung B2100 Solid Extreme SIM Free Mobile Phone

For those of you who have a habit of killing their mobile phone, this might be a good solution. Rough, tough and easy to use, this phone is a good deal at the price considering you can pay £300.00 for a similar product. By the way, for those of you looking for a sim free, unlocked phone at a reasonable price, head down to your local Asda where you can buy any Asda mobile and they will work on any UK network. Not sure about other countries but the prices start at £15 quid so go for it!

The Portal of Healing.

Intoxicating fragrance: Jasmine as valium substitute

Jasmine, one of my favourite, not surprising that it helps in calming the mood. I found some really good jasmine in the local store, made by Good Earth, it is organic for those that are keen on organic and it is extremely good. Highly recommended. The organic Fairtrade Jasmine Tea looks pretty good too.

The Portal of Healing.

Nokia 5800 Chrome on T-Mobile

Ok, here is the deal of the week, a Nokia 5800, touchscreen, wi-fi, GPS, it will allow you to use your voipcheap.co.uk account through the phone using either wi-fi or the GSM wireless network and the beauty about is that being on T-Mobile, if you have a Virgin Sim Card, it will work in the T-Mobile phone and that means you can access the data network for £0.30 pence a day up to 25 megs, which is plenty for making voip calls.

Here is a link to the other phones that run the app from voipceap uk (this is not voipcheap.com, they are separate) - not all the phones on this list are wi-fi which is a must if you want to make free calls during your free days period which you get when you top up your voipcheap account:

http://www.lowcaller.com/en/get-lowcaller-now.php?label=Voipcheap.co.uk

Once you have found your model of phone, you will need to install the file on your phone probably via your pc as I did with the Nokia PC Suite. Once it is installed, I found the app in the installations folder called M.V - it is a simple but nice app you simply enter your voipcheap uk username and password, choose the method of connection either wifi or GSM network, the app will register you to the voipcheap server and that's it! Choose a contact from your phone book and enjoy free or cheap calls. You have to insert the international dialling code for the country you wish to call even if you are in the UK calling a UK landline number e.g. you would dial 011 44 miss out the first zero and the rest of the number will follow like this:

011 44 123 456 7890

Enjoy!

TomTom USB Home Charger - Power Adapter

Solar & USB Hybrid AA Battery, Equipment

Especially good if you want to get into solar power.

Energizer USB Rechargeable Battery Charger with 2x AAA

I have been using one of these for a few weeks now and I have to say they are very good. Of course I have the pc on for a few hours per day but at the same time I can charge the batteries in this which does save energy and is good for the planet. The price is good too.

The Portal of Healing.

National Geographic Rock Tumbler Refill Kit

National Geographic Rock Tumbler Refill Kit

Clickfree, HD535 Automatic Back Up

A very neat backup system for your pc. It will back up everything including your system files and will do a sync backup either automatically or manually when you specify. This takes the hassle out of making regular backups of your important data.

Sony DCRSX33ES Flash Memory Handycam Camcorder

This a fab deal, has all the features you might expect from a Sony and the quality. True there maybe cheaper alternatives out there but I have always used a Sony and never been disappointed.

DIY Lighting Hacks for Digital Photographers

Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

Nitrate in beetroot juice lowers blood pressure

The nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its blood pressure lowering benefits, research from Queen Mary University of London reveals. The study, published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found that blood pressure was lowered within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets, and people who drank beetroot juice.

So, eat beetroot and drink some beetroot juice.

The Portal of Healing.

Photographic accessories

A bargain. Very good for the amateur enthusiast. Basic set of lenses that cover the needs of most amateur photographers. 52mm set but can be used with a step up/down ring adapter. There is also an xd card from olympus, M+, 2 gig, a good deal especially if you are shooting in raw format or a lot of video.

Elizabeth Pitcairn in Red Violin film special feature- "The Auction Block"

A wonderful story, I have always liked the movie but this story is real life - I hope in years to come, more people will get the chance to really appreciate how good a Strad is and that music is the power that feeds our soul. I highly recommend the 10th anniversary edition of The Red Violin. Click the link below to take you directly to the Amazon website.


The Portal of Healing.

Lack of sleep 'linked to early death'

This is very important and everyone should take note. If you or anyone you know is having trouble sleeping, deal with it immediately. Do not put it off or pass it off as a phase you may be going through. Sleep deprivation will lead to a number of health issues over time and the causes can be both mental and physical. Take time to sit down and work out what those causes might be. In the end you only live once.

The Portal of Healing.

Joe McElderry - Homecoming Video Diary

An inspiration, Joe's voice is wonderful and we should do what we can to encourage Joe and others like Joe to greater success.

The Portal of Healing.

Lara Fabian - Immortelle

Special, I cannot get over how good her voice is and how it moves me.

The Portal of Healing.

Nausea Train

This is what life feels like sometimes.

The Portal of Healing.

The Stand up Cat

Completely amazing and wonderful!

Vinegar May Aid in Fat Loss

"In recent years, research has suggested that the main chemical in vinegar, called acetic acid, can help control blood pressure and blood sugar."

Definitely. I started using cider vinegar in my food and cooking. There are many ways you can incorporate cider vinegar in your food, salad dressings are an obvious one but I use it to make houmous, sprinkle some over my salmon to cook it in the oven and add some to olive oil when cooking potatoes or vegetables. There are probably more ways than I can list here. Try it and see how it will help you.

The Portal of Healing.

High-fat, High-sugar Foods Alter Brain Receptors

"Overconsumption of fatty, sugary foods leads to changes in brain receptors. The results, according to new research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, have implications for understanding bulimia and other binge eating disorders."

Love Songs Of Bowhead Whales:

"Hydrophones have revealed that the whales have developed very sophisticated songs that are used to attract a mate and thereby ensure the species’ survival."

Cornwall singers win deal to make album of sea shanties

What a wonderful story! At last, maybe the big record companies have realised that there is a rich and deep vein of culture, history and music that deserves to be exposed to the wider public. Let's hope that his is the first of many such albums.

The Portal of Healing.

BBC News - Nissan to build Leaf electric car in Sunderland

This fantastic news! I can't wait to say goodbye to petrol!

BBC News - Blood pressure fluctuations 'warning sign for stroke'

"People with occasionally high blood pressure are more at risk of stroke than those with consistently high readings, research suggests."

In the studio with Jimi Hendrix

"Forty years after his death, Jimi Hendrix's guitar genius is being kept alive with the release of an album of previously unheard recordings.
They were completed by Hendrix's original engineer Eddie Kramer, who recalls his time in the studio with the rock icon and says the album sounds "like it was recorded yesterday."

Imagine that, enough material for an album a year for ten years. I wonder why it has taken so long for this material to be released? I can't wait!

Band from TV Making of Minnie The Moocher - House MD Soundtrack

On this blog you will see a link to the charity Music for Relief. If that does not interest you, then maybe the charity cd/dvd from Band from TV (a play on words according to Hugh Laurie), will. I am a fan of House and Hugh Laurie and being a muso myself have respect for Hugh Laurie as a player. So if you are so inclined, click on the link above to purchase the cd/dvd or anyhing else that takes your fancy.

The Portal of Healing.

A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum

A wonderful melody and harmony inspired by J.S. Bach, a great arrangement with that Hammond organ and a crazy, cryptic lyric, A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of those songs that outlives it's generation. In 2009 it was the most played song in public places in the UK, and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognized it as the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years.

I have a small personal connection to Procul Harum outside of the fact that I like this song. I was fortunate enough to study conducting with Lawrence Leonard at the Morley College in London. I discovered by chance that Lawrence was Music Director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1968-1973) and that he also conducted the Edmonton Symphony in a 1971 concert featuring Procol Harum, which was recorded and released commercially as Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, was released in 1972; it was recorded at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on 18 November 1971. It is the band's best selling album, certified Gold by the RIAA.

It's a small world and I never knew that somebody who was so important to me was involved with a group that was culturally important to many people. Whenever I hear A Whiter Shade of Pale, I think of Lawrence Leonard. If he were here, I think he would approve.

The Portal of Healing.




We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
But the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray

And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see.
But I wandered through my playing cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well have been closed
She said, Im home on shore leave,
Though in truth we were at sea
So I took her by the looking glass
And forced her to agree
Saying, you must be the mermaid
Who took neptune for a ride.
But she smiled at me so sadly
That my anger straightway died

If music be the food of love
Then laughter is its queen
And likewise if behind is in front
Then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
Seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
And attacked the ocean bed

BBC News - Singing 'rewires' damaged brain

Something that I and many others have been saying for sometime - music is good for you. sing, dance, play do whatever you can to get music into your life and enjoy. I know from my own experience that music has been a healing and powerful force in my life and others I have come into contact with.

I used to practice occupational therapy in a hospital and the effects on the patients were truly amazing. What we could not communicate in words, we did through music. Get involved in music however you can.

The Portal of Healing.

YouTube - The Mighty Wurlitzer

"Perhaps the most famous instruments Wurlitzer built were its pipe organs (from 1914 until around 1940), which were installed in theatres, homes, churches, and other public places. "The Mighty Wurlitzer" theatre organ was designed, originally by Robert Hope-Jones, as a "one man orchestra" to accompany silent movies. In all, Wurlitzer built over 2,200 pipe organs (and indeed more theatre organs than the rest of the theatre organ manufacturers combined); the largest one originally built was the 4 keyboard / 58 rank (set of pipes) instrument at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Music Hall instrument is actually a concert instrument, capable of playing classical as well as non-classical repertoire."

And now for something completely different. Definitely music from a different era but the Wurlitzer pipe organ owes it's heritage to the church organ and although they put some extra toys on there, it is still essentially that - an organ. But what they can do with it is sometimes magical. Now, the electronic world has taken over and these mighty beasts are a rare artefact and although I love what can be done with electronics and sampling, there is nothing like the sound of a real pipe organ in a church or a ballroom.

Let's hope that there are enough people interested to keep them going. Or maybe you know someone who can make them?

The Portal of Healing.

Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

There are so many artists that I could write about and I am sure I will try in time to come. Joni Mitchell is one of those artists who one goes back to from time to time because what she wrote and the way she performed was quality, moving and had meaning. I have included two versions of Both Sides Now, the first from 1970 and the second from 2000. It is a very interesting contrast to hear the two versions and in some way I prefer the later version, the depth of feeling and the arrangement give new life to the lyrics.

The Portal of Healing.

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Elizabeth Pitcairn Red Violin Suite with the KCO

"Pitcairn famously plays the real-life instrument that is said to have inspired the 1999 Academy Award-winning film The Red Violin. Antonio Stradivari who lovingly made his instruments in his small shop in Cremona, Italy centuries ago, crafted the historic violin in 1720 and he remains the most famous violinmaker of all time. The violin went missing for over 200 years, it’s disappearance pondered by many. Canadian filmmaker Francois Girard imaginative speculations became the narrative for The Red Violin. The 1720 "Red” Stradivarius would eventually surface during the 1930s in Berlin."

Violinist plays down his looks

"I don't think I'm particularly good-looking," Bell said during a phone interview with The Times. "Everyone is good-looking on a CD cover. ... I don't think looks mean anything in sustaining a career."

I expect that Mr. Bell would rather we focus on his playing and not his looks but it is all part of the package! The album At Home with Friends is required listening and his talents have covered movies such as the Red Violin and Angels and Demons. Whatever your taste, Joshua Bell is well worth the entrance fee.

The Portal of Healing.

BBC News - Morbidly obese 'may have missing genes'

Obesity is not just about what you eat, it is a genetic condition as well as environmental factors playing their part. Like many actions of misinformation, many people are not aware of how or why people become obese and as a result, many people do not care either.

Let's hope that articles like this will help to unravel the mystery as to why so many more people are becoming obese. It is massively important that we do for obesity and the modern day lifestyle is killing us.

The Portal of Healing.

Leona Lewis Stop Crying Your Heart Out

I really like this performance and for me it was a step up in quality. There seemed to be a strength and maturity that was not so much there before and nice control of the song especially in the lower register of the voice where she was haunting.

The Portal of Healing.

Itzhak Perlman’s 'Urgent Message from Mr. Beethoven' at Luckman Theater Los Angeles Times

I wish I could have been there.

The Portal of Healing.

YouTube - The Spooky Men's Chorale - Tooled Up

This group is absolutely fabulous! I first came across them after hearing about their performance at the Towersey Folk Festival near Thame, Oxfordshire. I have both the CD and the DVD and they are well worth the purchase. There is something about their sound which is haunting and their 'spooky' demeanour just adds to the fun.

The Portal of Healing.

Multimedia System Provides New View Of Musical Performance

Musicians can now use 3D computer analysis to radically improve their technique, thanks to the latest research in multimedia technology from the University of Leeds.

Burgers, Fries, Diet Soda: Metabolic Syndrome Blue-plate Special

Otherwise-healthy adults who eat two or more servings of meat a day -- the equivalent of two burger patties -- increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 25 percent compared with those who eat meat twice a week, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Mounting Evidence Of Fish Oil's Heart Health Benefits

There is mounting evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements not only help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals, but also reduce the incidence of cardiac events and mortality in patients with existing heart disease. A new study, published in the August 11, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, extensively reviews data from a broad range of studies in tens of thousands of patients and sets forth suggested daily targets for omega-3 consumption.

High-fat, High-sugar Foods Alter Brain Receptors

Over consumption of fatty, sugary foods leads to changes in brain receptors, according to new animal research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The results have implications for understanding bulimia and other binge eating disorders.

The Known Universe by AMNH

The Known Universe by AMNH






This video is wonderful. It really brings into sharp focus how small we are in the global cosmos and how much more there is to be explored by future generations. I hope that someday, someone will get to travel to the stars.

The Portal of Healing.

Out of `a grave,' Haitian violinist keeps music in his heart - Haiti - MiamiHerald.com

Out of `a grave,' Haitian violinist keeps music in his heart - Haiti - MiamiHerald.com

"By the time Romel Joseph was pulled from the ruins of the New Victorian School 18 hours later, he had recited every concerto in his mind that he had ever performed during his renowned career."

A remarkable story and yet another reminder of how music can save people - literally.

The Portal of Healing.

Vital Signs - Mildly High Cholesterol at Midlife Linked to Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com

Vital Signs - Mildly High Cholesterol at Midlife Linked to Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com

"Adults who had just slightly elevated blood cholesterol when they were in their early 40s were at greater risk of developing dementia decades later, compared with those whose cholesterol was at optimal levels, a new study has found."

Scientists Help Explain Effects Of Ancient Chinese Herbal Formulas On Heart Health

Scientists Help Explain Effects Of Ancient Chinese Herbal Formulas On Heart Health

"New research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that ancient Chinese herbal formulas used primarily for cardiovascular indications including heart disease may produce large amounts of artery-widening nitric oxide. Findings of the preclinical study by scientists in the university's Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM) appear in the Sept. 15 print issue of the journal Free Radical Biology & Medicine."

Whole Grain Cereals, Popcorn Rich In Antioxidants, Not Just Fiber, New Research Concludes

Whole Grain Cereals, Popcorn Rich In Antioxidants, Not Just Fiber, New Research Concludes

"In a first-of-its kind study, scientists reported today at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that snack foods like popcorn and many popular breakfast cereals contain "surprisingly large" amounts of healthful antioxidant substances called "polyphenols.""

Black Tea May Fight Diabetes

Black Tea May Fight Diabetes

"Long known for its antioxidants, immune boosting and, most recently, antihypertensive properties, black tea could have another health benefit. Black tea may be used to control diabetes, according to a study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists."

Poorest at risk of worst diabetes

Poorest at risk of worst diabetes

"The poorest people in the UK are more than twice as likely to have diabetes at any age than the average person"

Exercise & Blood Sugar - iVillage Your Total Health

Exercise & Blood Sugar - iVillage Your Total Health

Effect of exercise on blood sugar

Diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to produce or efficiently use insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose (blood sugar). In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells in the pancreas have stopped producing insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin but does not use it efficiently for helping fuel the body.

Joslin Diabetes Center | Why Is My Blood Glucose Sometimes Low after Physical Activity?

Joslin Diabetes Center | Why Is My Blood Glucose Sometimes Low after Physical Activity?

Spices May Protect Against Consequences Of High Blood Sugar

Spices May Protect Against Consequences Of High Blood Sugar

"Herbs and spices are rich in antioxidants, and a new University of Georgia study suggests they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar. "

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

"Millions of people have high cholesterol, but only a small fraction of them understand why triglycerides are a dangerous part of the cholesterol picture, according to a new survey of doctors and patients."

Soda Warning? High-fructose Corn Syrup Linked To Diabetes, New Study Suggests

Soda Warning? High-fructose Corn Syrup Linked To Diabetes, New Study Suggests

"Researchers have found new evidence that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children. In a laboratory study of commonly consumed carbonated beverages, the scientists found that drinks containing the syrup had high levels of reactive compounds that have been shown by others to have the potential to trigger cell and tissue damage that could cause the disease, which is at epidemic levels. "

Biology News: Corn syrup linked to diabetes

Biology News: Corn syrup linked to diabetes

"The startling rise in diabetes is perfectly mirrored by our mounting consumption of refined carbohydrates, a new analysis reveals. The study adds to evidence that sugary foods should be eschewed and that public health advice to cut back on fat may have backfired."

Packet recipes Foil dinner recipes Packet meal recipes

Packet recipes Foil dinner recipes Packet meal recipes

Time for some nice food and a very neat way of cooking is to use foil. It certtainly makes the food more moist and tender so works very well for fish, chicken and some cuts of meat. Veggies also go well in foil.

The Portal of Healing.

Researchers find high leptin levels may protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Researchers find high leptin levels may protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that higher leptin (a protein that controls weight and appetite) levels were associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and dementia. The study, which appears in the December 16th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, may open pathways for possible preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Dessert on your mind? Your muscles may be getting the message

Dessert on your mind? Your muscles may be getting the message

Even the anticipation of sweets may cause our muscles to start taking up more blood sugar, say researchers reporting in the December issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. That message is delivered via neurons in the brain's hypothalamus containing the chemical known as orexin and the sympathetic nervous system, the studies in mice and rats suggest.

Music and the arts fight depression, promote health

Music and the arts fight depression, promote health

If you paint, dance or play a musical instrument -- or just enjoy going to the theatre or to concerts -- it's likely that you feel healthier and are less depressed than people who don't, a survey of nearly 50,000 individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds from a county in mid-Norway shows.

Apple Cider Vinegar cures - the best NATURAL home remedy for many health issues.

Apple Cider Vinegar cures - the best NATURAL home remedy for many health issues.

Apple Cider Vinegar, that wonderful old-timers home remedy, cures more ailments than any other folk remedy.

Enjoy Healing Curry Recipes | Mail Online

Enjoy Healing Curry Recipes | Mail Online

Yummy!

BBC NEWS | Health | Beetroot juice 'boosts stamina'

BBC NEWS | Health | Beetroot juice 'boosts stamina'

Drinking beetroot juice boosts stamina and could help people exercise for up to 16% longer, a UK study suggests.

Stand by Me

Stand by Me

I just love this video and what it has inspired in me and others to do - stand by me my brothers and sisters and I will stand by you. Go out and help some one in some way, it will make a difference in ways we can only imagine.

The Portal of Healing.

The passion players: amateur classical music in the UK

The passion players: amateur classical music in the UK

"Nearly two years ago, I started to play ­chamber music. I had been one of those schoolgirl ­music nerds who had let ­playing drop in adulthood. Picking up the violin again wasn't easy: the digits had lost their acrobatic ease on the strings, but with time and patience and practice, things began to fall into place again. Some friends and I started a Sunday evening ­chamber group – sometimes it's a ­quartet, sometimes a piano quintet, sometimes a sextet. Some of the time we sound pretty ropey. But once in a while, something amazing happens: the endless complexity of those threads of Brahms, Schumann or Schubert come together and our individual lines ­become one. It's almost embarrassing to use the word, in our cynical times, that best describes this feeling: joy.."

From the Portal:

A very nice article from Charlotte Higgins. I have gone back to playing the violin again, inspired in part by family and friends and partly through the spontaneoues purchase of a strad copy which I adore. I remember well the amateur scene after my college days and it was a great arena for me to cut my teeth in my early days of conducting and a great way to inspire people in music making. There are many groups out there making music and I encourage you all to go out and get stuck in.

The Portal of Healing.

Water Buddha - Zen Bamboo Flute (Shakuhachi)

Water Buddha - Zen Bamboo Flute (Shakuhachi)





Very relaxing.

The Portal of Healing.

Violinist to appear with struggling NC Symphony after playing private fundraising concert - WTKR

Please support the arts wherever you can by going to concerts, fundraising and just helping out. If we don't try to preserve the rich heritage that has been built up over the centuries then we will lose it - forever.

The Portal of Healing.

Celebrating Django Reinhardt Centennial at the Dakota, January 17-20

Best known for his collaborations with violinist Stephane Grapelli in their Quintette du Hot Club de France, Django Reinhardt was one of the most popular jazz artists of the 30s, 40s and 50s and had a profound influence on such artists across musical genres, from Julian Bream and Chet Atkins to B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix, from Les Paul and Barney Kessell to the hot clubs of the 21st century.

Ysgol Glanaethwy: O Fortuna - Last Choir Standing Final - BBC One

This piece of music has been played more times than any other on Classic FM UK. The X Factor show uses it as their theme so it has grown in popularity.

The Portal of Healing.

Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels - Official Video

She is so exciting! Good for the spirit. Broken Heels is released on January 18th.

The Portal of Healing.

Violin virtuoso at home in many musical worlds » Knoxville News Sentinel

By the age of 10, Rachel Barton Pine was a recognized prodigy and performed with the Chicago Symphony.
She was well on her way to international stardom, when, in 1994 at age 20, a train accident resulted in the amputation of one of her legs.
After what she describes as a near-death experience, she determined that music had too much to offer her to give up. Music fed her soul and sustained her.
Now, after more than 40 surgeries, she no longer needs assistance when she walks out on stage, although she still uses a stool for support while she plays.
So who can blame her if she wants to experience as many musical genres as her almost boundless energy and generous spirit has time for.
"I often invite my metal audiences to come to a classical concert," Pine said. "Classical music is such great stuff. If people will just try it, they will fall in love with it. There is no reason they should be left out."

The Portal of Healing.

Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman never stops learning | Jacksonville.com

Itzhak Perlman needs little, if any, introduction. His diverse fan base and international superstar status are a rarity in classical music, and at age 64, they haven't waned. For decades, whether at the White House, Carnegie Hall or on the Oscars, he's left audiences speechless.

The Portal of Healing.

Pigeon: Impossible

This is absolutely awesome! Very good. Hope to see more of this very funny film.

The Portal of Healing

TVO The Agenda - Alanna Mitchell on Neuroscience in Education

I watched this interview with some interest and at the same time some concern. My concern is not that the concept is not proven, but that in the modern day education system, with all the rules and regulations and vested interest from government, teachers, business and parents, any additional demands on an already overstretched system could actually make matters worse.

For me, there is one simple fundamental truth when it comes to education - how, in a classroom of about thirty children, can any one teacher be expected to address the needs of every individual student? It simply is not going to happen. Far too many people leave the education system with inadequate if non existent qualifications which automatically put them at a disadvantage in the workforce.

Until it is accepted that all people are different and so their needs educationally will be different, then this situation is not going to get better. Neuroscience in education could be the way forward but ultimately, the biggest player in this game of Russian roulette, the government, is not going to be able to justify additional expenditure on a concept it does not necessarily want?

As the saying goes, when it comes to most things in life, what the government wants and pays for, the government gets.

The Portal of Healing.

Susan Boyle - A Modern day Phenomenon

Whatever has been said about Susan Boyle, there is no escaping the fact that in her efforts to be as she put it "as famous as Elaine Paige", she has clearly achieved that and then some. I sit here having seen artists come and go, many of those artists fade as time passes, some still remain popular and good at what they do but there are not many of those artists around now sadly.

No one knows if Susan Boyle will remain popular and good at what she does but there is one quality that she has in abundance - the quite natural ability to touch us where it matters, deep down through her singing and the fact that she is an ordinary person from an ordinary background who has at last been given that once in a lifetime opportunity to do something with her talent.

Most people including Simon Cowell mocked her in her first audition. She then began to sing and everything changed - in that moment, in an instant she was special. That first audition video has been viewed nearly 85 million times on youtube alone! Now, she is not just a household name in the UK, but globally her name is known by people far and wide. On a visit to the US, there was a banner held aloft at the airport which read:

"Texas loves Susan Boyle"

Such is the power of the Internet but it is not just the Internet that made Susan Boyle famous, it is Susan Boyle herself.

Through all of the hype and hysteria that has surrounded this slightly shy and pleasant person, she stayed fairly composed but even the best of us would wilt under such intense scrutiny coming from a quite area of Scotland to global mega stardom in the space of about seven minutes which is how long her first audition lasted.

Now, Susan Boyle is breaking all kinds of records and for all the right reasons. It is the reason why I, along with many others I suspect, have returned to watch her on youtube and elsewhere many times. She reminds us all that we can dare to dream.

Happy New Year.

The Portal of Healing.