Wordless Wednesday : OH Christmas Tree

This was a few years ago...

Toddler with killer throwing arm = no more glass ornaments.

I'd love to hear about your holiday decorating tips with child safety in mind!  Either that, or any holiday experiences (both good & bad) that you've had with your toddler.

I Just Don't Understand Republicans

By Fuzzyone

So while they are okay with sexual harassment, Republicans draw the line at extramarital affairs.  So naturally they are dumping Herman Cain for Newt Gingrich?

What Has Occupy Accomplished

By Fuzzyone

A friend with whom I have been debating the merits of the Occupy movement asked me what I thought about this New Yorker Talk of the Town piece by Jane Mayer.  In it she discusses the campaign that led to the delay, and one hopes eventual abandonment, of the Keystone XL pipeline.  At the end of the piece she has a condecending reference to the Occupy Movement:

Yet the Occupy movement could do worse than to learn from the pipeline protest. The difference between the focussed, agenda-driven campaign fought by the environmentalists and the free-form, leaderless one waged by the Occupiers, the historian Michael Kazin says, is that the environmentalists grasped the famous point made by Dr. King’s political forebear, Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

But Mayer, of whom I am generally a fan, misses a fundamental point. She notes that on November 6 12,000 people encircled the White House to protest the pipeline.  The turn out exceeded expectations and was far more than participated in earlier protests at the end of August.  Mayer does not explain the difference and while she rightly lauds Bill McKibben for organizing the anti-Keystone actions, she neglects to mention this: before the November protest McKibben sought the support of the Occupy Movement and that the very environmentalists leading the protest were also aligned with Occupy.  (A McKibben piece on the issues appeared right here back in October.)

This is, in part, the impact of the Occupy Movement.  It has awakened, energized and empowered people who are frustrated by the way in which big money has shut them out of decision making in this country and that awakening has the potential to revitalize activism in this country.  Energy may need direction to have its fullest effect, but first you have to create it.

Palate Cleanser: Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff, with The Roots, performs The Harder They Come on "Fallon."  (Cliff has just released an EP, Sacred Fire, produced by Rancid's Tim Armstrong and which includes a great cover of Rancid's Ruby Soho. You can download that tune here.)

The White House Doesn't Get It On Contraception Coverage

Will the Obama administration succumb to pressure from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on the new policy requiring health insurers to cover birth control and allow exemptions for religious-affiliated hospitals and other institutions if they have religious or moral objections?  At yesterday's press briefing, Obama's press secretary was hardly reassuring.  You can sign Planned Parenthood's petition here which urges the President to stand strong.


By Jodi Jacobson, cross-posted from RH Reality Check

Jed Lewison, writing at Daily Kos, nails it when he underscores what's wrong with the reasons the White House is now giving as it considers caving to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on coverage of birth control.

Lewison notes that at a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney responded to a question by ABC's Jake Tapper as follows:

JAKE TAPPER (ABC):    I’ve heard from a lot of Democrats in the last few weeks who are concerned about President Obama possibly granting an exemption to Catholic churches, hospitals and universities from the requirement that all insurance plans cover contraception.  I’m wondering if you could shed any light on this decision.  I know the President has not yet made a decision, but I think these Democrats, a lot of them in the abortion rights community, are concerned that this is even being discussed.  Could you explain why the President is considering an exemption, and what’s going into his decision-making?

JAY CARNEY (WH Press Secretary):  Well, part of the process, Jake, as you know, was seeking and receiving public input before the guidelines that were announced by the Secretary of Health and Human Services would go into effect.  That process did result in public input, as well as resulted in numerous comments from various folks who have concerns about this issue.

The President has -- this decision has not yet been made.  You can be sure that we want to strike the right balance between expanding coverage of preventive services and respecting religious beliefs.  And that’s the balance that will be sought as this decision is made.

Lewison notes that "if you didn't know any of the background, Carney's answer seems perfectly reasonable. He makes it sound just like any other open decision, and promises that President Obama will come down on the side of balance."

But, as Lewison points out, "The problem is, the decision has already been made."
In August, the administration announced new rules requiring all new insurance plans to cover birth control and emergency contraception by 2013. At an early October fundraiser in St. Louis, President Obama himself hailed the rule. And when President Obama appeared before the U.N. in September, the administration touted the contraception rule as an example of America's commitment to women.

So, writes Lewison, when Carney says "this decision has not yet been made," he's wrong. It has been made—and by reopening it, President Obama is succumbing to pressure from anti-choice groups."
Even worse, writes Lewison, "Carney says President Obama is trying to "strike the right balance between expanding coverage of preventive services and respecting religious beliefs" without acknowledging the fact that the rules announced in August already included an exemption for churches."

Even though that balance has already been achieved with the existing exemption, anti-choice groups are nonetheless claiming that the new rule violates their religious freedom. They say they want to expand the exemption beyond churches to  include hospitals and other facilities with religious affiliation, regardless of the religious beliefs of the people who work at and are served by those institutions. Despite their rhetoric, such an expansion would have nothing to do with religious liberty—remember, churches themselves are already exempted—and in fact would allow anti-choice activists to impose their own religious and moral views on others. What they really want is to get rid of the rule altogether, and they're more than happy to use any tactic at their disposal to begin chipping away at it.

"In the face of such an obvious attack on the core of the rule, it's disturbing to see the White House openly contemplate caving to the anti-choice movement," writes Lewison.

I agree. It is disturbing.  But it is also completely predictable because it has happened repeatedly. 

Think Stupak Amendment executive order; think Nelson Amendment to the health care reform bill in the Senate.  Think about the President's complete 180 on the Hyde Amendment. Think about the HHS regs that voluntarily expanded the denial of coverage of abortion care, applying the Stupak Amendment to exchanges, even though this was not required by law. Think of Obama's silence in the face of clinic violence and the death of Dr. Tiller.  Think about the continued ab-only money and the fact that our international funding is still going to discredited programs.  I could go on but will stop there because it is all too depressing.

Lewison writes: "They must have known this attack was coming when they announced the rule, so why in the world are they getting weak knees now?"

Let's say this: If they didn't know the political ramifications there are some awfully naive people in charge of policy in the Administration and those that I know for sure are not naive are being out-weighed by others who are too scared of the Bishops boogeyman or too wrapped up in some unfathomable personal or political calculation to care what this will mean for women and as a precedent. Either way, the do not have women's interests at heart.

If they did know and just can't stand up and maintain a decicion that is in keeping with what the President espoused as his pro-choice platform even on birth control and even when there is absolutely no political gain from caving, we have been had. Every single pro-choice voter that cast a ballot for Obama has been had.

As Lewison writes:

The political implications here are obvious: caving to the anti-choice right would be a huge let down to everyone who cares about reproductive freedom and access to birth control. And given that 99 percent of women have used birth control, that's a lot of people—a whole lot more than the small but noisy group of anti-choice activists who want to ban birth control altogether.

"Moreover, he continues, "there's absolutely no upside to allowing opponents of the rule to chip away at it; it's not like they are going to suddenly come out and endorse the rule. They still want it to be repealed."

The final thing that needs to be said is that if the White House and President Obama cave on this, they will have fallen back into the same old trap of projecting weakness when they are actually in a position of strength. The optics probably wouldn't be the same if the administration hadn't already announced the rule, but the fact is, they've announced it. Two-thirds of Americans support it. And now that the administration has put the rule in place, they should be proud of it—not contemplating walking it back. Instead of quietly considering weakening the rule, they should be shouting from the rooftops about how great it is. The fact is, that it was one of the most important accomplishments of the administration, and when it comes to women, it will certainly have a bigger impact than the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

I can only add that caving to the Bishops will flout public health, medical evidence, women's most fundamental human rights, and efforts to undermine unintended pregnancies.
Otherwise, I could not have said any of this better.

Top or Bottom

Image courtesy of www.badboystours.com

The most common question in every man to man relationship is "Who's the top?" and "Who's the bottom?" I am sure that many of you are aware of this so it is totally unnecessary for me to explain the details.

After posting A Post Mortem on the Interview, many readers have been asking me "Who's the top?" and "Who's the bottom?"  I really don't know the answer but I know of someone who had an intimate encounter with M before. According to him, M is versa (versatile), but he is actually more top, a very good top. He was also the one who told me that M can be compared to a can of Ligo Sardines. I hope this post answers your questions.

Before I end this, I would just like to say that I was not feeling very well yesterday but I felt even worse when I heard that M (the girl) was the cause of the break up. I know I wrote that M was the reason, but let me just clarify that the M that I was referring to is a boy and not a girl!

Republicans Are Sabotaging The Economy

By Roger Hickey, cross-posted from Campaign for America's Future

Republicans have slashed public investment and blocked the President's American Jobs Act. With 14 million Americans officially unemployed and many millions more having given up finding jobs, you would think Republicans would support two measures they have backed in the past that would help middle-class Americans. But will they?

Today we're asking our supporters to sign this petition at ourfuture.org/StopGOPSabotage that tells the Republican leadership in the Senate and the House of Representatives to “stop sabotaging the economy.”

It’s time to demand Republicans vote to extend long-term unemployment benefits – one of the most effective ways to put money in the pockets of people who will certainly spend it, and by doing so spur employers to hire more people. And many Republicans this week are arguing against extending the payroll tax cut, which is expected to come up for a vote this week in the Senate. The payroll tax cut provides at least some cushion to the strapped middle class. But Republicans are continuing to demand more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires—even as they seem willing to allow taxes to go up for middle-class workers.

The temporary payroll tax cut is far from a magic elixir to heal the economy. What is really needed is massive investment in infrastructure, clean energy, education and youth job initiatives. And we need millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share, with higher income taxes and financial transaction taxes. But the payroll tax and the benefits for the long-term unemployed are among the few wisps of stimulus that we have left in the wake of the nonstop obstruction of the Party of No.
Here is the petition that the Campaign for America’s Future is asking activists to send to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner:

We the undersigned urge Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to quit trying to sabotage the economy, and support the extension of the temporary payroll tax cut and long-term unemployment insurance without spending cuts that would negate the stimulative effects. This is the bare minimum Congress can do to keep the economy from sinking into a double-dip recession. Already, you have sought to sabotage the economy for political reasons, by blocking the American Jobs Act and cutting critical public investments. It is long past time to put politics aside and put jobs first.

Might be Over Soon?

Image courtesy of www.womenesi.com

When this actress arrived at the shoot of their television series last week, her eyes were swollen from crying. Later that day, she opened up to the people around her and told them that she is having problems with her boyfriend/co-actor. She mentioned further that their relationship is currently on the rocks and she is worried that her boyfriend might eventually decide to break up with her.

The actress' boyfriend is very intense when he loves a person and he can sense that she still enjoys playing around. This, plus the fact that his family members do not like her, makes him want to break it up with her. I wonder how this actress will react if she finds out that her boyfriend plans to pursue this certain singer when everything is over?

Do you know who this actress is? How about her actor/boyfriend? Please observe the guidelines in writing comments and remember that initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow MicSyLim on Twitter for the latest update on Fashion PULIS. Kindly continue to send your juicy stories and letters to: michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for the 10,000,000 page views!

Poster Child For California's Broken Death Penalty

David Murtishaw

Death row inmate David Murtishaw died Tuesday of a heart attack.  He was sentenced to death 32 years ago for the 1978 murder of three USC film students.  Had the crime occurred just nine months earlier, before the re-institution of California's death penalty law, the enormous costs attendant to capital punishment, both financial and otherwise, would have been avoided.

The California Commission for the Fair Administration of Justice (CCFAJ), after its extensive study of the state's death penalty system, concluded that with extremely rare exceptions, death sentences are unlikely ever to be carried out.  Former Chief Justice Ronald George acknowledged this when he testified before the CCFAJ and described it as "dysfunctional."  Indeed, the process for reviewing death sentences is “plagued with excessive delay” in the appointment of post-conviction counsel and a “severe backlog” in the Court’s review of appeals and habeas petitions.  CCFAJ's report found that it would be excessively costly to even attempt to make the system workable.  The reality is that California's death penalty is broken beyond repair. 

David Murtishaw's is a case in point.  Three trials.  Three state appeals. Three state habeas petitions.  One round of federal habeas proceedings.  Thirty-two years under sentence of death only to die of a heart attack.  (Since 1978, while there have been 13 executions, 55 condemned inmates have died from natural causes, 19 have committed suicide, six died from other causes.) 

In Murtishaw's first trial, serious errors by the trial judge, the prosecutor and Murtishaw's lawyer undermined the fairness of the verdict.  In 1981, based on one of these errors -- a prosecution expert's unreliable prediction of Murtishaw's future dangerousness -- the California Supreme Court reversed the death judgment, but left the underlying murder convictions in place. 

Rather than allow imposition of a sentence of life without possibility of parole, the D.A. sought and obtained another death sentence.  Murtishaw was tried and the jury was instructed, however, under the wrong death penalty statute, one that did not exist at the time of the crimes.  This time the California Supreme Court rejected Murtishaw's claims on appeal, but upon review in federal court the death sentence was again reversed, twenty years after it was overturned the first time.

The D.A. took Murtishaw's case to trial again in 2002, and once again Murtishaw received a death sentence.  The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment just this past February, almost ten years later.  Other state remedies were still pending when Murtishaw died. 

Three trials.  Three state appeals. Three state habeas corpus petitions.  One round of federal habeas proceedings.  Thirty-two years under sentence of death only to die of a heart attack.

This is madness.

A study released in by U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Arthur L. Alarcon found that California's death penalty system is currently costing the state about $184 million per year.  Further, "since reinstating the death penalty in 1978, California taxpayers have spent roughly $4 billion to fund a dysfunctional death penalty system that has carried out no more than 13 executions."

If we replaced the death penalty with life without possibility of parole, then instead of decades of costly litigation that does nothing to make us safer, we would have more resources for investigating unsolved crimes.  (46% of murders and 56% of rapes go unsolved in California every year.)

It is crazy to continue to spend $184 million every year to perpetuate a system that is broken and beyond repair.  Join the effort to replace the death penalty by clicking here:  SAFE California.

U of L spinal cord center brings in $13.7 million in 2011, $64.1 million since 2000

The University of Louisville's spinal cord scientists attracted more than $13.7 million in outside funding in 2011 alone, and have brought in a total of $64.1 million since 2000.

"This is tangible evidence of our effort to become a nationally recognized premier metropolitan research university," said U of L President James Ramsey. "We have taken the investment that the state has made in our program, brought in the best researchers to work on spinal cord injury, and begun to help people."

One major success story was that of Rob Summers, who played college baseball in Oregon and was paralyzed below the chest after a car accident in 2006. "In May, a team from U of L and two California universities announced that they had used electrical stimulation and rehabilitation to help (him) stand and take steps with assistance — a breakthrough with implications for millions of paralyzed people around the world," reports Laura Ungar of The Courier-Journal. (Read more)

Breakfast Quinoa

What are you eating for breakfast nowadays? Oatmeal? Toast? A smoothie?  All of the above? 

Whatever your answer, I won't judge.  Well, unless you aren't eating breakfast 'cause then that would be a problem. 

Or, if you are eating breakfast, but breakfast to you means glazed donuts every day for the past week.  Ahem, yes Ashley, I am looking at you... No, you're right, I said I wouldn't judge.  I'll just look at you out of the corner of my eye until you pick up that bowl and fill it with quinoa.  Good.  Now we're talking.

Have you jumped on the quinoa bandwagon yet?  If not, then allow me to catch you up. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is the edible seed that comes from the Quinoa plant which originated in South America. Quinoa’s relatives include spinach, beets, and Swiss chard. Quinoa comes in several varieties (white, red, and black) and each has their own unique taste and texture.

Quinoa is one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom and is also rich in iron, potassium, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. This makes quinoa the perfect main dish for vegetarian meals.

Even though quinoa is not technically a grain it can be substituted for nearly any grain in cooking. It is also gluten-free so it is perfect for anyone with wheat or gluten sensitivities or allergies. Quinoa is fluffy, creamy, and nutty and can be served hot or cold. You can find quinoa in a variety of recipes here on my blog as well. 



Breakfast quinoa is special for a couple of reasons:

1. You eat it at breakfast.
2. It's a great way to start your day with a vegan source of protein (that doesn't include soy or gluten!).
3. You can top it with your favorite fruits, nuts, spices, and milk!

Now let's get to it! 

And, if you haven't already entered my Hurraw! Balm giveaway, please be sure to do before Saturday, December 3rd at 4 pm PDT.

Breakfast Quinoa
Serves 2

1 cup quinoa
2 cups of water
Any toppings of your choice

Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Set aside, covered, for 10 minutes.  Spoon into bowls and top with your favorite toppings.  Serve warm or cold. 

Stressed

Stress accounts for 80 % of all migraines, according to a study in the journal Cephalalgia. That's because it causes fluctuations in cortisol and adrenaline - the fight-or-flight hormones - which can lead to pain and nausea, says Sheena K. Aurora, MD, medical director of the Headache Center at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Stress can also make you clench your jaw and neck muscles, causing neck pain that, in turn, can set off tension headaches.

Trigger Tamer: Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and massage can help. Or consider a mind-body technique called biofeedback - get more information from the Association for Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

By Winnie Yu Scherer

Hirsutism or Excess Hair

From NHS Choices YouTube channel: Hirsutism causes excess hair growth in women, such as on the face and chest. An expert explains the causes or hirsutism, treatments such as hair-removal and cosmetic techniques, and where to go for help if you're worried about excess hair growth.

The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine published an Update on the management of hirsutism in 2010:

Hirsutism is a source of significant anxiety in women. While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other endocrine conditions are responsible for excess androgen in many patients, other patients have normal menses and normal androgen levels (“idiopathic” hirsutism).

The finding of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound is not required for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gonadotropin-dependent ovarian hyperandrogenism is believed to cause PCOS. However, mild adrenocorticotropic-dependent adrenal hyperandrogenism also is a feature in many cases.

Even women with mild hirsutism can have elevated androgen levels, and thus, they may benefit from a laboratory evaluation.

Laser treatment does not result in complete, permanent hair reduction, but it is more effective than other methods such as shaving, waxing, and electrolysis. It produces hair reduction for up to 6 months. The effect is enhanced with multiple treatments. Interestingly, a portable laser hair removal device is currently available from Amazon (this post is not a recommendation or endorsement of the product).

References:

Update on the management of hirsutism. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine June 2010 vol. 77 6 388-398.

A home hair removal laser device is available without prescription from Amazon.com (not a recommendation to buy any product, see the link below). A similar device is available from Costco.

Spotted: Dating: Together on a Date?

According to this actor, he is just friends with this actress. Take a look at these photos and tell me what you think. Do you know who they are?

xoxo

Fashion PULIS

Kapamilya Stars to Spread Holiday Cheer at the 11th World Bazaar Festival

Worldbex Services International, in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation, brings you this year’s longest and grandest Christmas charity bazaar in Manila, the 11th World Bazaar Festival from December 2 to 18, 2012 at the World Trade Center Manila.

Come and experience the longest Christmas bazaar to date with three shopping weekends, all for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Foundation. Drop by and shop from over 600 booths that offer a great selection of products, some of which are courtesy of top Kapamilya stars. Doors open from 12nn to 10pm every Monday to Thursday and 10am until midnight every Friday to Sunday.

The event will feature booths from Kapamilya stars Judy Ann Santos, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban, Gladys Reyes, Empress Schuck, Phoemela Baranda, Donita Rose, Rica Peralejo, Xian Lim, Matteo Guidicelli, Kathleen Hermosa, plus a lot more. These celebrities would be selling a wide variety of products including personal items as well as brand new merchandise.

However, the 11th World Bazaar Festival is not just about shopping, but also a place where people can give back to the community through shopping for a cause. Here are some of the Kapamilya stars’ inputs about the highly anticipated 11th World Bazaar Festival:

“Shopping at the 11th World Bazaar Festival is a great shopping experience because you not only get to shop for yourself and for your loved ones, but you also get to shop for those who are less fortunate and could use all the help they can get. Hats off to the organizers of this event.” – Judy Ann Santos

“ABS-CBN has been with me throughout the years and (I) would love to give back to the institution and support its cause. It’s great that Worldbex provided us the opportunity to share what we have at this time of the year.” – Angelica Panganiban

“Through selling my pre-loved possessions, I hope to put my celebrity into good use and help raise money for charity. Christmas is after all the season of giving,” – Bea Alonzo

"I've always loved shopping, especially during Christmas since I don't only get to shop for myself, but also for the people that I love. I think the 11th World Bazaar Festival is the perfect place to shop this holiday season because not only is there a ton of booths to choose from, but we also get to do our part for charity since the event benefits the ABS-CBN Foundation. It’s really a great way to give back this Christmas.” - Phoemela Baranda

“My reason for joining this year’s bazaar isn’t just for business reasons; it’s also my way of helping out the ABS-CBN Foundation this holiday season.” – Matteo Guidicelli

“I think doing your Christmas shopping here at the bazaar is a win-win situation for you and the beneficiaries of the ABS-CBN Foundation because you get to make your Christmas and theirs a happy one.” – Xian Lim

As festive as this season is for every Filipino, things can only get merrier at the 11th World Bazaar Festival courtesy of the Kapamilya network as it would also feature various ABS-CBN show launches, musical shows, fashion shows and a celebrity pavilion.

Be sure to drop by the most happening and star-studded place for holiday shopping, the 11th World Bazaar Festival from December 2 to 18, 2011 at the World Trade Center because truly, Da Best Ang Pasko ng Pilipino!

Occupy Our Homes

The Occupy Movement Focuses On Foreclosures

By Alan Jenkins, cross-posted from Campaign for America's Future

As the Occupy movement enters its third month, it is moving into a new phase. Colder weather in the north, combined with aggressive push back from city officials around the country, is requiring the movement to adopt new, innovative approaches that include, but transcend, public presence as protest.

Pundits are wondering aloud whether Occupy is through. But this young movement is just getting started. An exciting piece of evidence to that effect is a new focus on foreclosures.

Alongside its call for job creation, corporate accountability, and relief from crushing student loan debt is a growing demand that Wall Street and Washington make right the disaster that their greed and neglect respectively caused. The movement has deemed December 6th a National Day of Action to Stop and Reverse Foreclosures.

The new “OccupyOurHomes.org” website describes the stakes and the problem well:

“Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head and a place to call home. Millions of Americans have worked hard for years for the opportunity to own their home; for others, it remains a distant goal. For all of us, having a decent place to live for ourselves and our families is the most fundamental part of the American dream, a source of security and pride.

In 2008, we discovered bankers and speculators had been gambling with our most valuable asset, our homes—betting against us and destroying trillions of dollars of our wealth. Now, because of the foreclosure crisis Wall Street banks created with their lies and greed, millions of Americans have lost their homes, and one in four homeowners are currently underwater on their mortgage.”

These Americans are joining many others, particularly in communities of color, who were victimized by predatory lending and lax enforcement for decades. A new report by the Center for Responsible Lending, for example, shows that African Americans and Latinos were consistently more likely than whites to receive high-risk loans. While an unacceptable 12 percent of White Americans have lost their homes to foreclosure or are delinquent, a staggering one-quarter of Latinos and African-American borrowers are in the same position.

Fortunately, there are a range of solutions that can save homes, restore communities, and rebuild the American Dream of fair and sustainable homeownership. They range from mandatory mediation of foreclosure proceedings, to pre- and post-purchase counseling, to principal reduction and bankruptcy reform. Also important are approaches like own-to-rent programs, community land trusts, and improved fair housing enforcement. And when Congress again takes up the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it will be crucial to maintain a government role that keeps homeownership accessible and sustainable for working Americans.

The Occupy movement and its allies have been criticized, unfairly in my view, for failing to articulate solutions. As their attention turns to addressing foreclosures, it is clear what they are working for.

Beshear says hand over child abuse records; cabinet immediately files for more time

Gov. Steve Beshear ordered the release of "state records of children who have been killed or nearly killed as a result of abuse and neglect," reports Beth Musgrave of the Lexington Herald-Leader. (Photo by H-L's Pablo Alcala)

"Transparency will be the new rule," he said at a news conference Tuesday.

But, immediately after he spoke, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services filed a motion in Franklin Circuit Court asking for more time. "It also asked Judge Phillip Shepherd to sharply limit the information the cabinet must release and allow it to remove a significant amount of detail — restrictions that seem to contradict the governor's pledge of openness," reports Deborah Yetter of The Courier-Journal.

The two newspapers have been suing the cabinet to see the records, and Shepherd has twice ruled that the newspapers should be able to view them. "State law says that the child protection records are private with one clear exemption — in the deaths or near-deaths of children who have died as a result of abuse or neglect," Musgrave reports.

The cabinet argued releasing the documents would run counter to federal privacy laws and could lead to a loss in federal funding.

Attorney Jon Fleischaker, who represents the C-J, was not impressed by the governor's move. "It's a sham, in my judgment," he said.

In 2009, both newspapers sued the cabinet after being denied access to documents pertaining to Kayden Branham, a toddler who died after drinking drain cleaner that was reportedly to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

The Todd County Standard likewise sued the cabinet when it refused to turn over documents pertaining to Amy Dye, a 9-year-old who was beaten to death by her adoptive brother. "This crime has drawn a lot of attention, has left this community dazed, confused and angry and searching for answers as to why this could have happened and why this happened," said Todd Circuit Court Judge Tyler Gill.

The motion filed by the cabinet Tuesday would exclude details of Amy's case, such as the circumstances of her adoption, the names of her siblings, information about foster care, and the termination of parents' rights and juvenile court records, "all of which were elements of Amy's case," Yetter reports.

Records that Shepherd ordered be released Nov. 7 showed evidence that state social service workers either ignored or dismissed repeated complaints by school officials that Amy was the victim of abuse. "The cabinet had initially denied it had any records, then refused to disclose them, citing confidentiality," Yetter reports.

At the news conference Tuesday, Beshear said he planned to propose legislation in 2012 to make it more clear as to what information the cabinet is subject to releasing.

To read more in The Courier-Journal, click here.

To read more in the Herald-Leader, click here.

Herman Cain Is Not Ready For Prime Time But Is Likely To Get A Prime Time Gig

The fact that a significant segment of Republicans support for president a man whose economic plan is a slogan that makes no economic sense and who makes it a point of pride that he knows nothing about foreign affairs says far more about the sorry state of the GOP than about Herman Cain. 

In the wake of the latest firestorm surrounding allegations of an extra-marital affair, Cain is reportedly reassessing his candidacy.  But it has long been obvious that Cain was never a serious candidate.  He never developed a national organization or any kind of infrastructure in key states or raised enough money to sustain the campaign.  And he must have known that the sexual harassment allegations and his long-time affair would surface at some point.

Which all leads to the conclusion that Cain never intended on becoming the Republican candidate for president.  What he has done, thanks to the insanity of the Republican nominating process and  a gullible and compliant media, is become another right wing celebrity. 

So what's next for Herman Cain?  A lucrative book deal and a job as a pundit with Fox News, or maybe CNN. 

Mission accomplished. 

Final Expense Life Insurance

 Get a free quote now:http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

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After you die you won’t have to worry about your unpaid bills. But somebody will. Let’s face it: Dying is expensive. The average funeral costs $6,500, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, and that doesn’t include cemetery expenses and other items that can push the bill above $10,000. In addition, the average American owes nearly $9,846 in credit card and other debt, according to the Federal Reserve. And that doesn’t include what’s due on your home mortgage. Throw in probate costs,taxes and other legal and estate matters, and it all adds up to a financial burden that could take years to pay off. Final expense life insurance can relieve your family of that concern, allowing them to mourn and to tie up loose ends without worrying about where the money will come from.

Get a free quote: http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

Ask us about a no medical exam life insurance:http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp 

Understanding the Basics

Final expense insurance is a life insurance policy written for a specific purpose: To cover your funeral costs and other short-term debts you leave behind. Most policies are available in face amounts typically ranging from several thousands of dollars up to a maximum of $50,000 or $75,000 – much less than a standard life insurance policy. That’s because these policies are only intended to cover final expenses and not longerrange expenses like ongoing living costs or college or retirement funding.
 
If you’re trying to determine whether final expense insurance is right for you, here are some key features and considerations to keep in mind:

• Permanent Coverage: With very few exceptions, final expense insurance is whole life insurance, a form of permanent life insurance. Unlike term insurance, which only pays a death benefit if you die during the “term” of the policy, usually 10 or 20 years, a whole life policy remains in effect as long as you continue to pay your premiums.

What You Need to Know About

Free quote: http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

Ask us about a no medical exam life insurance:http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp 

Final Expense Life Insurance

This information provided as a service of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education.


• Level Premiums and Benefits: With whole life insurance, the premiums and the death benefit are guaranteed to remain the same for as long as you keep the policy in effect.
 
• Cash Values: A whole life policy also comes with guaranteed cash values that grow over time on a tax-deferred basis. If necessary, you can access your cash account for a variety of
purposes – if you’re in a tight financial spot, for example, or if you need the money for an important purchase or to supplement your retirement income. This is known as a policy loan. You ultimately must repay any loan with interest or your beneficiaries will receive a reduced death benefit.

• Simple Application Process: The process of applying for a final expense policy is very streamlined. Premiums are mostly dependent on your age at the time of purchase. Typically, there is no medical exam or long questionnaire. Usually you’re just required to answer some medical questions. This is called Simplified Underwriting, and it’s a nice option to have if you’re a little older or not in great health. If you're concerned that you may be uninsurable, you should consider a “Guaranteed Issue” policy. With this type of policy, if you can answer “no” to a few simple health questions, you will be issued the policy.
Of course, the downside to simplified underwriting is that the cost is usually higher than what you would pay for a fully underwritten life insurance policy where the questions are more extensive and a medical exam is generally required.

• Two Types of Policies: There are two types of Final Expense policies. Immediate Full Benefit
Policies are generally offered to people who have no serious immediate health concerns.
The full value of these policies becomes available as a death benefit as soon as the policy is issued. Graded Benefit Policies are available for people who have health issues. These policies typically provide limited
benefits during the first two or three years.
If you were to die during that period, your beneficiaries would receive a percentage of the death benefit. If you live beyond that initial provisional period, the policy would pay the full death benefit.
• Flexible Payment Options: Most companies give you the option of a single premium (an
up-front, lump-sum payment) or multi-year payment plans (typically paying over 3, 5, 7 or 10 years).

Free quote: http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

Determining Your Needs

Because final expense insurance is for a specific set of needs, the amount of coverage that’s right for you depends on your own circumstances. You’ll need to think about what kind of funeral you want as well as estimate how much money will be needed to cover other final expenses such as probate, taxes, mortgage balances, car loans and other outstanding debts. The best way to do this is with the help of a qualified insurance professional who can walk you through a comprehensive needs analysis and help you choose the right amount and type of insurance.
 
Having final expense insurance helps ensure that your death won’t result in financial hardship for those
you love.

Free quote: http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

Ask us about a no medical exam life insurance: http://www.mintcofinancial.com/life-insurance-quote.asp

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Nobel Women's Initiative

Another amazing group working on women's rights around the world.

The Nobel Women’s Initiative uses the prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize and courageous women peace laureates to magnify the power and visibility of women working in countries around the world for peace, justice and equality.

They have a lovely blog for the 16 Days project too! 

Not only that, but I will soon have the honor of joining NWI on a delegation to Mexico and Central America. More details when I can post them! Until then, my passport is tapping its foot in anticipation.

Restore The Basic Bargain

By Robert Reich, cross-posted from his website

For most of the last century, the basic bargain at the heart of the American economy was that employers paid their workers enough to buy what American employers were selling.

That basic bargain created a virtuous cycle of higher living standards, more jobs, and better wages.

Back in 1914, Henry Ford announced he was paying workers on his Model T assembly line $5 a day – three times what the typical factory employee earned at the time.

The Wall Street Journal termed his action “an economic crime.”

But Ford knew it was a cunning business move. The higher wage turned Ford’s auto workers into customers who could afford to buy Model T’s. In two years Ford’s profits more than doubled.
That was then. Now, Ford Motor Company is paying its new hires half what it paid new employees a few years ago.

The basic bargain is over – not only at Ford but all over the American economy.

New data from the Commerce Department shows employee pay is now down to the smallest share of the economy since the government began collecting wage and salary data in 1929.

Meanwhile, corporate profits now constitute the largest share of the economy since 1929.

1929, by the way, was the year of the Great Crash that ushered in the Great Depression.

In the years leading up to the Great Crash, most employers forgot Henry Ford’s example. The wages of most American workers remained stagnant. The gains of economic growth went mainly into corporate profits and into the pockets of the very rich. American families maintained their standard of living by going deeper into debt. In 1929 the debt bubble popped.

Sound familiar? It should. The same thing happened in the years leading up to the crash of 2008.

The latest data on corporate profits and wages show we haven’t learned the essential lesson of the two big economic crashes of the last seventy-five years: When the economy becomes too lopsided – disproportionately benefitting corporate owners and top executives rather than average workers – it tips over.

In other words, we’re in trouble because the basic bargain has been broken.


Yet incredibly, some politicians think the best way to restart the nation’s job engine is to make corporations even more profitable and the rich even richer – reducing corporate taxes; cutting back on regulations protecting public health, worker safety, the environment, and small investors; and slashing taxes on the very rich.

These same politicians think average workers should have even less money in their pockets. They don’t want to extend the payroll tax cut or unemployment benefits. And they want to make it harder for workers to form unions.

These politicians have reality upside down.

Corporations don’t need more money. They have so much money right now they don’t even know what to do with all of it. They’re even buying back their own shares of stock. This is a bonanza for CEOs whose pay is tied to stock prices and it increases the wealth of other shareholders. But it doesn’t create a single new job and it doesn’t raise the wages of a single employee.

Nor do the wealthiest Americans need more money. The top 1 percent is already taking in more than 20 percent of total income — the highest since the 1920s.

American businesses, including small-business owners, have no incentive to create new jobs because consumers (whose spending accounts for about 70 percent of the American economy) aren’t spending enough. Consumers’ after-tax incomes dropped in the second and third quarters of the year, the first back-to-back drops since 2009.

The recent small pickup in consumer spending has come out of their savings. Obviously this can’t continue, and corporations know it. Consumer savings are already at their lowest level in four years.
Get it? Corporate profits are up right now largely because pay is down and companies aren’t hiring. But this is a losing game even for corporations over the long term. Without enough American consumers, their profitable days are numbered.

After all, there’s a limit to how much profit they can get out of cutting American payrolls or even selling abroad. European consumers are in no mood to buy. And most Asian economies, including China, are slowing.

We’re in a vicious cycle. The only way out of it is to put more money into the pockets of average Americans. That means extending the payroll tax cut. And extending unemployment benefits.
Don’t stop there. Create a WPA to get the long-term unemployed back to work. And a Civilian Conservation Corp to create jobs for young people.

Hire teachers for classrooms now overcrowded, and pay them enough to attract people who are talented as well as dedicated. Rebuild our pot-holed highways. Create a world-class infrastructure.
Pay for this by hiking taxes on millionaires.

A basic bargain was once at the heart of the American economy. It recognized that average workers are also consumers and that their paychecks keep the economy going.

We can’t have a healthy economy until that bargain is restored.

 Robert Reich is Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley.  He writes a blog at www.robertreich.org.  His most recent book is Aftershock.

Cleveland Clinic calls "Code Lavender" to improve patient satisfaction

From the WSJ:

How patients feel they were treated has always colored their opinions of a hospital. Now, those feelings are being factored into how hospitals get paid.

The Cleveland Clinic CEO, Dr. Cosgrove, says that in his own days as a top cardiac surgeon, he focused so intently on reducing complications from cardiac procedures that he gave little thought to the feelings or experiences of patients.

Times have changed dramatically since then. The Cleveland Clinic has launched a program known as HEART - for hear the concern, empathize, apologize, respond and thank—that empowers employees to handle patient concerns from the moment they arise.

It developed a Healing Services team to offer complimentary light massages, Reiki—a laying on of hands—aromatherapy, spiritual care from a clergy person or lay practitioner and other holistic services, and it will call a "Code Lavender" for patients or family members under stress who need immediate comfort.

Since 2008, the Cleveland Clinic's overall hospital ratings have increased by 89%.

"Code Lavender" has a Twitter account too (@CodeLavender), managed by the former Cleveland Clinic Chief Experience Officer who popularized the term.

From the Cleveland Clinic Twitter account: Efforts to improve patient satisfaction were featured in a NBC Nightly News story (see the video below).



References:

A Financial Incentive for Better Bedside Manner. WSJ.
Image source: Lavender Farm, Wikipedia, public domain.

Disclaimer: I was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic from 2005 to 2008.

Comments from Twitter:

@TanyaPRpro (Tanya R. Walton): Clever and meaningful hospital care

@scottRcrawford: Brand medicine

@gruntdoc: How sad. Condolences. RT @DrVes: Cleveland Clinic calls "Code Lavender" to improve patient satisfaction goo.gl/X4Jtt

@MGastorf (Melissa Gastorf): concerns about satisfaction basis for payment- i.e. if you refuse to write narcotic and patient angry, physician payment suffers.

Baptist-Trover hospital merger another example of trend

Though the proposed merger of Saint Joseph Health System, University Hospital and Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare has grabbed recent headlines, another merger is under way, with Baptist Healthcare System hoping to expand its reach to Western Kentucky with the acquisition of Trover Health System in Madisonville.

"There's a lot of territory . . . and certainly Trover fits a geographic hole that Baptist has in the western part of the state," said Andy Sears, vice president of planning and development for the Louisville-based Baptist system.

Trover is made up of a 390-bed regional medical center and several clinics, resulting in the company having seven locations in six counties, reports Patrick Howington for The Courier-Journal.

"With reimbursements from government health plans set to tighten under health-care reforms, experts say stand-alone hospitals will have more difficulty keeping up than larger systems, which can spread costs and have more purchasing power," Howington reports.

During the first nine months of 2011, there were 71 deals involving 132 hospitals and totaling $6.9 billion, according to Sanford Steever, editor of Health Care M&A Report. (Read more)

To read more about hospitals merging nationwide, click here.

Move to managed care involves a steep learning curve, patients and providers tell Noelle Hunter of The Morehead News

Patients and providers are "ascending a steep learning curve as they implement Medicaid managed care," reports Noelle Hunter in a two-part series in The Morehead News. Even for a proactive patient, the changeover has its challenges, and vulnerable populations are at risk of falling through the cracks, providers say. For health administrators, it means getting accustomed to three new systems, all of which require pre-authorization before treatment can begin.

The move to managed care, which took place Nov. 1, was intended to fill a $166 million shortfall in the Medicaid budget. Gov. Steve Beshear pushed hard for the switch and estimates it will save the state $1.3 billion in the next three years. Managed care will be handled by four organizations — Kentucky Spirit, CoventryCares, WellCare and Passport — across the state. Passport was already handling the Louisville region.

When the switch took place, Medicaid recipient Mary Jo Long discovered "45 percent of Medicaid recipients were automatically enrolled in Kentucky Spirit," Hunter reports. "None of the doctors (in Rowan County) take Kentucky Spirit," Long said. Discovering this, she waited on hold 30 minutes before being switched to CoventryCares and doesn't "anticipate any problems from here," she said.

While Long was able to navigate the challenge, many patients, particularly those with mental or behavioral health issues, might find it difficult, said Kimberly McClanahan, CEO of Pathways, Inc., a drug or alcohol rehabilitation center. "A lot of our patients are seriously mentally ill and they don't or cannot always pay attention to the information they are getting in the mail about the change," she said. "When they got their first letter about the changes, it was seven pages long. A lot of our consumers just threw it in the trash."

Health administrators are likewise dealing with lengthy forms from managed care organizations. "We've essentially gone from a one-page document to a sometimes 25-30 page document that has to be faxed to the MCOs before any care can be given," said G.R. "Sonny" Jones, chief financial officer at St. Claire Regional Medical Center.

The paper overload stems from the fact that Medicaid patients must be pre-authorized before they can receive any treatment, the likely key to savings in such a system. "I was talking to a case manager who said she spent an hour and 45 minutes on the telephone trying to obtain a pre-authorization," said Charlotte Walker, administrative director for clinical operations at St. Claire.

Moreover, the existing network of providers is not extensive enough, in part because the move to managed care happened in just 120 days, as per the state's directive, "when it usually takes a year or two to develop a satisfactory network," Jones said.

Behavioral health organizations and pharmacies are also experiencing challenges, with some patients not able to access their prescriptions "because each MCO has different prescription formularies," Hunter reports.

Whether the move will indeed save money remains to be seen, administrators say. "In the long run, the financial incentives are there to pay hospitals and providers less," Jones said. "It will make it more difficult for us."

An op-ed piece in the Lexington Herald-Leader indicated likewise. "There will now be four bureaucracies, with each sopping up Medicaid money to pay for the bureaucrats needed to keep track of everything," writes Edward L. Smith, a charter member of Northern Kentucky's Mental Health/Substance Abuse Regional Planning Council. "Where will the money for the bureaucrats come from? From services, of course." (Read more)

To read Part 1 of Noelle Hunter's series Mandatory Medicine, click here. For Part 2, click here.

Klout Perks: The Adventures of Tintin

I just received a Klout Perk for 2 FREE tickets to see the upcoming movie from Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson: The Adventures of Tintin Which will be in theaters starting December 21, 2011.

You can earn free perks too! If you're not registered for @klout, check it out! Sign up today and let's see how we compare! Klout Invite.

Note: This perk includes two tickets (up to $30) to see the new movie “The Adventures of Tintin,” as well as other gifts from Purina® Dog Chow® Brand Dog Food.

Check out the trailer:

Three New Titles from Demeter Press

Demeter Press is pleased to announce the releases of

Latina/Chicana Mothering
edited by Dorsía Smith Silva

Latina/Chicana Mothering provides a glimpse into the journey of mothering within the diverse spectrum of the histories, struggles, and stories of Latinas and Chicanas. Here, the Latina/Chicana mothering experience emphasizes the need for various conceptualizations of mothering, especially in regard to the conditions which shape the lives of Latinas and Chicanas, such as race, gender, sexuality, culture, language, social status, religion, kinship, location, and migration. The book has four sections: testimonios (narratives), links between motherhood and communities, mothering challenges, and literary and cultural images of Latina/Chicana mothers. As the essays in this book unfold, they reveal new images of motherhood and offer ways to transform Latina/Chicana mothering.

"Compelling narratives, testimonios, empirical research and literary representations on mothering make up Latina/Chicana Mothering. Dorsía Smith Silva has assembled a powerful collection of essays that get at the spirit of Latina/Chicana mothering. Diversity of thought and discipline is the beauty of this anthology as it extends the topic across studies in education, incarceration, violence, homelessness, popular culture, and feminine icons among others. This is essential reading in Chicana feminist work, women studies, ethnic studies, feminist theory, and motherhood."

-Ruth Trinidad Galván, Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies, University of New Mexico, co-editor of the Handbook of Latinos and Education.
-Dorsía Smith Silva is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. She is the co-editor of Caribbean Without Borders: Caribbean Literature, Language and Culture and Critical Perspectives on Caribbean Literature and Culture.

October 2011

258 pages $34.95

ISBN 978-0-9866671-3-8

Maternal Pedagogies: In and Outside the Classroom

edited by
Deborah L. Byrd and Fiona J. Green.

This is the first anthology to theorize about ways in which cultural views of motherhood and personal experiences of mothering affect the processes of teaching and learning, this collection features fifteen articles by Canadian and U.S. women of varying backgrounds, interests, and fields of expertise. Some essays examine ways in which individuals and groups who do not occupy positions of unearned privilege and power use maternal pedagogies to resist oppressive ideologies and practices based on race, class, sexual identity, and ability, while others reflect on how belonging to one or more privileged groups affects the author's pedagogical views and experiences. Some contributors focus on the teaching and learning that occurs when parents are interacting with their children; others examine ways in which ideas about mothering and motherhood affect teacher-student dynamics that occur within educational institutions; still others discuss ways in which the teaching of one's children resembles and differs from the teaching of one's students. Other essays foreground ways in which contemporary public policies and institutions shape or are shaped by maternal pedagogies, whereas others examine the relationship between mothering and teaching from an historical perspective or in the context of activism and social justice work.

"The book brings up a plethora of important questions about the changing definitions of motherhood in different contexts, cultures and historical periods, and across different mediums of communica- tion and educational settings. The editors have created a provocative collection of essays on what is a relatively new and under-theorized topic for both women's studies and education."

-alice e. giNsberg, author of And Finally We Meet: Intersections and Intersectionality among Feminist Activists, Academics and Students

-Deborah Lea Byrd is Associate Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. She is lead editor of Teaching the Isms: Feminist Pedagogy Across the Disciplines (2010) and has published articles on 19th- and 20th-century British writers, mentoring programs for teenaged and low-income single mothers, and building and sustaining partnerships with community organizations.

-Fiona Joy Green is a feminist mother, Chair of the Department of Women's and Gender Studies and a Co-Director of the Institute for Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Winnipeg. She is the author of Feminist Mothering in Theory and Practice, 1985-1995: A Study in Transformative Politics (2009), and Practicing Feminist Mothering (2011).

Fall 2011 978-0-9866671-6-9 $34.95 pb / 6 x 9 / 238 pp. education / motherhood studies / feminist studies / social change / justice and activism

Through the Maze of Motherhood: Empowered Mothers Speak
written by Erika Horwitz

This is a unique book that argues that mothers who are critical thinkers and who take a stance against social pressures to be perfect mothers experience a sense of empowerment. The book is based and expands on qualitative research that explored the experience of mothers who resist the current discourse on mothering. Through the Maze of Motherhood conveys what it is like to resist a strong societal discourse and how some mothers have managed to navigate the intricacies of the process of resistance. This book also dispels the belief that there is one right way to mother and, therefore, suggests that a process of questioning and resisting the current myths may result in a more autonomous, agency driven, and empowered way to mother. This book will not only encourage resistance that can lead to freedom from the oppression of the discourse, but that it will also persuade women to refrain from judging one another and develop a strong community with a strong voice against the ideal of the prefect mother. Through the Maze of Motherhood gives voice to mothers who are in a process of resistance to the discourse on mothering and it unpacks the many benefits, intricacies, challenges, and struggles they experience. Moreover, the book provides evidence for the notion that critical thinking and resistance are experienced as empowering even though they present some challenges.

"Through the Maze of Motherhood gives voice to women who bucked the norm of good motherhood ... and have no regrets. They mothered their way, and, in doing so, felt challenged but empowered. It is a must-read for independent-minded mothers and scholars."

-Shari Thurer, author of The Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother

"Erika Horwitz's book is a refreshing and important look at how resistance works, is experienced by mothers, and what supports mothers' resistance and challenges to dominant discourses of motherhood. By interviewing mothers rather than only theorizing resistance, Horwitz adds a much needed exploration in motherhood studies about the personal, contextual, and situational factors that support resistance to the dominant, white, and western model of motherhood. By doing so, Horwitz encourages readers and mothers to find strategies of resistance that can work for them, while also encouraging mothers to support one another in the struggle to resist the dominant discourse of motherhood."
-D. Lynn O'Brien Hallstein, Boston University

"Drawing on many examples from the life experiences of mothers and on her wealth of knowledge from 20 years of teaching parenting courses, Erika Horwitz offers rare and honest insight into how some mothers have made decisions to successfully deviate from the confining and limiting dominant set of rules and expectations of motherhood in ways that result in the mothers feeling empowered as they actively engage in alternative ways of parenting."

-Fiona Joy Green, author of Practicing Feminist Mothering and co-editor of Maternal Pedagogies: In and Outside the Classroom
Erika Horwitz is a registered psychologist. She is the Director of Counselling Services at Simon Fraser University and a Lecturer both at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia in their Faculties of Education and Counselling Psychology Programs. She has published several articles on the topic of motherhood, and has appeared on television and radio interviews as an expert and advocate for mothers. Dr. Horwitz lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her two daughters and her husband.

Fall 2011

250 pages $34.95

ISBN 978-0-9866671-4-5

Hurraw! Balm Giveaway

Because I love you.  Because your health is important.  Because it's the holidays.  And because the nice people at Hurraw! are absolutely awesome...

I'm proud to be giving away three sets of Hurraw! Balm to three lucky readers! 

I first tried Hurraw! Balm this summer when I received one in my Vida Vegan Con goodie bag and I've been using it daily ever since.  Here is what I love about their lip balms:

• Hurraw! Balms are certified organic, raw, vegan (containing no animal products), cruelty-free, fair-trade, gluten-free, kosher, and contain no GMO's.  (Does that list amaze you the way it amazes me?)
• They are handmade in small batches and are infused with real seeds, pods, fruit zests, barks, and roots for flavor and natural color. 
• All of their ingredients are ones that I can pronounce and would use in my own kitchen, such as: coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, peppermint leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, raw chocolate, and vanilla beans.
• Hurraw's oval tube is much more comfortable for application than a typical round tube.
• None of their balms contain petroleum, preservatives, or artifical flavors. 

If you were around last month for my Beauty Food Friday posts, you'll remember my mini lecture that switching to natural, organic beauty products is one of the best ways to decrease cheimcal-exposure.  Everything that you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream and most lip balms are made with petroleum jelly (a bi-product of oil drilling). 

Hurraw! Balms currently come in 18 yummy flavors (like chai spice, vanilla bean, and grapefruit) and they are shipped in super cute reusable tea bags.  If you order through their website and are sending these as gifts, they will even include a free gift message!  I seriously love this company.

Back to the giveaway!  Enter to win your own set of Hurraw! Balms by leaving a comment below before Saturday, December 3rd at 4 pm Pacific Time telling me one thing that you're going to do this week to improve your health.  Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Sunday.

**Please note that this giveaway is already closed.  Thank you to all that entered!  You can see the winners here.