A product that is supposed to help you buffer off colds is none other than zinc–which you’ve probably seen readily available at the grocery store or pharmacy during this cold and flu season–and just this week the International Zinc Association (IZA) partnered up with UNICEF to help fight other zinc-deficient-related and co-habiting illnesses, such as pneumonia and malaria. The “Zinc Saves Kids” initiative has already been rolled out in Nepal and the next stop is Brazil.

While some in the West may view zinc as an occasional booster supplement–as it’s found in such drugstore products as Zicam–for children in developing countries zinc is a matter of life and death and indeed zinc-deficiency is the cause of hundreds of thousands of deaths and even more deaths when zinc-deficient individuals are struck with malaria or diarrhea.

Some points from the press release:

• “Since 2004, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF have recommended zinc supplements for the management of diarrhoea. Since then, about 50 governments have changed their child health policies to include zinc for diarrhoea management.”
• “Between 2006 and 2008, UNICEF procurement of zinc tablets increased from 20 million to more than 150 million. But this is only a fraction of what is needed to treat affected children worldwide.
• “In September 2009, former President Bill Clinton noted of the zinc supplementation programmes that ‘there is almost no other strategy on earth that could save that many lives for that little money…, [yet] this is something 90 per cent of us are unaware of or wouldn’t have a clue as to what to do about it.’”
• “Last month, the “Zinc Saves Kids” initiative was highlighted to German Members of Parliament as an example of innovative use of metals in the modern world. Over 200 metals industry executives convened at Tempelhof airport in Berlin on 28 September where Dr. Jürgen Heraeus, the Chairman of UNICEF Germany, presented the initiative.”

…

Larosa Carrington of Colorado Springs, Colo. was treated shabbily by Discovery Benefits, the administrator of her COBRA benefits. Since she never received a bill, the laid-off college admissions counselor was forced to calculate how much she owed on her own. By Carrington’s reckoning, she figured that $165.15 was the correct amount and sent the payment to North Dakota-based Discovery Benefits. In response, the company sent her a badly written, legalistic letter saying that “the amount of your payment was not enough to satisfy your initial premium payment … so your coverage has not been reinstated with your insurance carrier.”

The 52-year-old telephoned Discovery Benefits to find out and was stunned when the Discovery representative told her she owed $165.16 and wanted her to send a payment for 1 cent. Carrington says that the representative insisted she pay the shortfall with either a check or money order and there was no way that it could be overlooked. Carrington was incredulous.

“I actually called them from my hospital room, [lying] in my hospital bed,” she says. “At that particular moment, I wanted to know how much I was short … Of course, I was in disbelief when I found out” that the amount due was a single penny.

Carrington says she tried “everything” she could think of, including “ridiculing them and shaming them,” to no avail. Her argument was that she could not send a payment because she was undergoing chemotherapy. Another problem Carrington pointed out was that her bank might not cash her check, thinking it was a “mistake.” A supervisor was more sympathetic, but still could not help.

“The best she could do for me was keep a ‘special eye’ out for my payment,” she says. “I kept hearing ‘that’s not our policy.’”

Frustrated with Discovery’s stubbornness, Carrington mentioned to the supervisor who called herself “Gina” that she was considering telling her story to the media. Later that day, Gina phoned back to say she had come up with the figure of $161.1545. Carrington had rounded down while the company had rounded up. Discovery then corrected its error and reinstated her coverage. Carrington was so mad that she told her story to the media anyway

…

By Ann Hettinger

Ever walk into a room and forget why you entered? Or completely space out during an important meeting at work? It’s frustrating, but usually normal.

Your brain is naturally primed to wander whenever it can, according to a joint study by Harvard University, Dartmouth College, and the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Using MRI, researchers found that brain regions responsible for “task-unrelated thought” (that is, daydreaming or mind wandering) are almost constantly active when the brain is at rest or performing a task that doesn’t require concentration.

Fortunately, brain experts say it’s possible to corral that brainpower, filter out distractions, and master any task by improving your concentration. Here are their top tips for refocusing during key moments when your mind starts meandering, but shouldn’t.

Get organized
If you have several to-dos, decide what to tackle first, and clear all other projects off your desk and computer screen. “Out of sight, out of mind applies,” Kane says. “Get rid of memos, e-mails, and anything else that reminds you you’re behind.”

And go easy on your cubicle’s decor. “Even family photos are potential thought stealers,” Kane adds, because they’re people you’re prone to worry about….

Time for a Supershake Update!

I hope you all are doing wonderfully!

Some good news! Soon after posting the supershake videos, I learned a ton of you guys have started making them! You can’t imagine how happy I am about this. Starting your day off this way offers such a huge blast of vitality to your health and daily endeavors. Stay with it! New invigoration, inspiration and direction of lifestyle will follow suit if it hasn’t started already!

Okay. In the last few weeks, I’ve received a number of messages asking if I’ve modified my shake at all. The answer is, yes I have. So quite a few people replied requesting me to post all the ingredients I use now. Hence this blog entry.

Let’s take a closer look into the supershake, see the ingredient list that makes it tick, and I’ll discuss the latest changes I’ve done as well as a few plans I have for the near future….

Part I:

Link on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md3pH77rY-A

Part II:

Link on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KH4-WoteI0

Add in 2 Magnetic Pills and a high quality multi-vitamin and I am sure you will be amazed at changes in how you feel and think.  Your meditations will improve.  Your health will improve.  And your fitness level will improve, even if you aren’t working out.