The Deforestation of Tymber Creek

The Deforestation of Tymber Creek

Sometimes it is necessary to speak up for the “little guy” who has no voice. In this case, I’m writing to speak up for some “big guys” with no voice – the trees. 

 

If you live west of I-95 in Ormond Beach, you’re probably already aware that Tymber Creek road now has a lot less “tymber.” Over the last couple of weeks, a massive road widening project is under way and the trees are, unfortunately, in the way. 

 

Call me a tree-hugging hippie if you like (I have a “Trees are Cool” license plate), but the reality is that I’m very much in favor of tasteful and balanced growth and development – both in society and nature. After all, I was a Realtor and contractor for years; so I’m well aware of the positive side of development. However, I also sympathize with nature and I absolutely abhor waste and needless destruction.

Initially, I was excited to hear that the city would be widening Tymber Creek road because there is a long, narrow segment between Breakaway Trails and Granada that has no sidewalk and is sketchy for biking. Obviously I knew there would be some tree casualties, but I never imagined that there would be such widespread destruction and deforestation. 

 

Widening a two-lane road and even installing a median and sidewalks certainly requires a considerable amount of increased width and infringement on nature, but the swath that the bulldozers cut looks sufficient enough to detour I-95 right into Hunter’s Ridge! Visually, the areas that were cleared (right into some houses’ patios) doesn’t appear to make a lot of logical sense. I hope the city and its contractors know what they are doing. 

Speaking of the city, there is an ordinance (Ormond City - chapter 3, article 1, section 3-08 A4) that reads: "If an existing site that is non conforming with regard to landscape or buffer requirements, number of trees or other landscape standards is made more non conforming by the removal, destruction or death of the plant material, then the owner shall be required to replace what was removed or destroyed in that area and to provide additional materials to the extent that it would be practically and economically feasible to do so, to meet minimum current standards."

I wonder if the city of Ormond Beach is going to “eat their own cooking” and plant a new tree for each of the thousands of trees that were butchered on Tymber Creek. 

 

If you drive down the mile-long stretch of destruction, you can’t help but feel sorry for the remaining gentle giants that await the claws of “the reaper” that will soon uproot them – or the fallen trees that lie on their side waiting for transport to the paper mill or the mulch grinder. It took hundreds of years for the majestic live oaks to grow – and only a matter of minutes to knock them down. 

 

Oxygen is the most important element to life. If you don’t believe me, hold your breath. Trees and plants produce oxygen – and therefore, give us life. There has to be a better, more sustainable and environmentally friendly way to expand our infrastructure and our commercial and residential footprints on this beautiful planet. I fear humanity is going to be in big trouble if we don’t. 

Magnolia Avenue in St. Augustine

Everything is Energy

Everything is energy.  We are energy.  Life is energy.  And when we run out of energy we’re dead!

Energy requires fuel.  Our fuel is known as food or nutrition. Without proper nutrition we are not able to function properly.

Are you a race fans?  Or do you just drive a car? Race cars run on high octane fuel.  The higher the octane, the better the performance of almost any car.

If you want to perform your best, then you need to eat your best.

Nutrition should be on the top of your budget and the last thing to get cut. 

In this blog, we’ll be covering all the nutritional components, essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients and we’ll be emphasizing cost effective, easy, nutrition and recipes that you can realistically add to your lifestyle and daily routine.  How does that sound – Delicious or Nutritious?

And there will be no profanity on this blog! There will be no dirty four letter words in here.  I am referring to that nasty 4-letter word that starts with DIE…T.  Diet (notice how it starts with the word die?!)

Your goal should be truly about changing your habits and regimens and implementing lasting and permanent changes in your life.

Here’s a tangible takeaway to get you started on the right track.

You wouldn’t pour sand, salt, sugar or other crap into the gas tank of your car would you? And if you did, you wouldn’t expect the car to run well or last very long would you? Of course not!

So stop putting junk into the gas tank of your body and wondering why you’re having health problems or not performing at 100%.

Change your mindset about eating. Eat to live, don’t live to eat.

Everything that goes into your mouth should be high-octane fuel to power the trillions of cells that make up your body and all of its organs.

What kind of fuel do cells like? Here’s a list:

1.      Oxygen (breathe deep and fully – sit up straight or stand tall)

2.      Water (cut the soda, coffee and colored crap out of your diet and consume only water)

3.      Raw fruits and veggies (fresh, local, organic and uncooked are great – the greener the better too)

4.      Nutrient dense, highly bio-available (usable by the body) supplements like Juice Plus, Chews4Health or Nutopia.

5.      Solar powered vitamin D (get out in the sun for 20 minutes a day in the morning or late afternoon – your skin will naturally produce vitamin D when exposed to sun in moderation).

For many more great healthy recommendations, read “Health and Happiness: an owner’s manual for the mind and body”.

And most importantly, don’t forget – EVERYTHING IS ENERGY!

Does Deodorant Cause Cancer?

For years there has been a notion often heard through the grapevine that deodorant causes cancer, but is it true? Let’s explore the idea logically from a common sense point of view.

First, we were not born wearing deodorant, nor was it created naturally in nature like an apple; therefore, it is not natural. Anything not purely natural could be a suspect in the cause of cancer and other diseases.

Second, the lymphatic system is the body’s septic system and is responsible for removing toxicity and waste from the body. The lymph system is about 94% water and also holds the greatest concentration of white blood cells (the soldiers that defend our body). One of the greatest concentrations of lymph nodes in the body is in the armpit. Approximately 8% of our bodies’ overall detoxification occurs through sweat. 8% doesn’t sound like a lot, but how would you feel about cutting off 8% of your arms or legs – or losing 8% of your brain? Anyway, we block the release of toxic sweat by coating our armpits with deodorant and anti-perspirant. By the way – anyone who would disagree on the argument that we don’t detox very much through sweat – has obviously never done a hot yoga class!

Next, deodorant contains many un-natural chemicals and man-made ingredients. Aluminum is one such ingredient. Aluminum, when absorbed into the body, could potentially be linked to autism, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer. Some may argue that these substances aren’t absorbed into the body – others may contest that the small doses of these substances are approved by the FDA (funeral directors’ association) and are okay for our use. Right – so explain to me how the FDA approved birth control “patch” works – as well as nicotine strips applied to the skin and absorbed into the body. As for the small dosage – think about this – most people who wear deodorant do so out of habit – EVERY day of their life – which adds up to a whole lot of quantity.

Think about this – the next closest soft tissue to the armpits is the breasts. Not only are the breasts susceptible, but the lymph system eventually connects to every cell in the body through fluid transfer. What if one day it was discovered that deodorant plus a few other common-place modern practices and products were actually the leading and only causes of cancer?! Don’t expect deodorant/anti-perspirant to be pulled from the shelves any time soon – it’s a billion dollar industry.

What do you THINK? Use your common sense – and your shopping dollars wisely. What we buy determines what companies produce and stores sell. My message to doctors, pharmacies, scientists, awareness and fundraiser groups “For the Cure” – stop looking for a cure and focus on the causes. Often times they are right under our noses (or armpits).

If you want to support your health and a great company who truly cares about you and your health – shop the Wholefood Farmacy online – and invest in some all natural Hi-Roller deodorant. I’ve been protecting my health by using it for over 7 years. I suggest you do too.

So does deodorant REALLY cause cancer? I don’t know, but I do know this – it certainly doesn’t help or contribute to health.

For more healthy info and preventative measures, read "Health and Happiness: an owner's manual for the mind and body."

The Amazing Benefits of Juicing

The Benefits of Juicing

Thanks to shows like Dr. Oz, juicing has really soared in our country and is becoming widely popular in mainstream America.  Most Americans have been charmed by the weight loss affects experienced with juicing; however, after the initial thrill of pounds melting away with little effort, the weight loss becomes secondary to all the other health benefits they experienced.

By far the best way to get your suggested minimum 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies is to drink fresh juice. Let’s get clear on something first,  fresh juice is not purchased in cartons at the store. It is not canned, cooked, flash-pasteurized, colored, sweetened, filtered or preserved. Fresh juice comes directly from fresh fruits and vegetables and is best when consumed immediately (within minutes of juicing) to get the maximum nutritional value as it loses its potency rapidly once removed from its parent source.

Hurom - auger style juicer

Juicing extracts the majority of the nutrients and living enzymes from the fruit or veggie while leaving the pulp out. Basically this translates into an easily digestible drink that is packed full of the good nutrition your body needs.  Drinking your food eases the burden on the digestive system by eliminating all of the solid matter that requires additional digestion and elimination. By drinking fresh juice you go straight to the source and bypass the carrier. 

When you consistently drink fresh raw juice, especially vegetable juice that includes plenty of dark leafy greens, along with eating lots of vegetables and fruit and a very healthy diet, your whole internal environment changes.  Juice, which is rich in antioxidants, cleanses the body of stored wastes and toxins that interfere with the proper functioning of cells and organs.  This means our cells, organs, and systems are able to do the jobs they are designed to do.  Furthermore, vegetables and fruit are very alkaline, which helps to balance a diet that is often quite acidic for most Americans. 

Juicing does requires work – shopping regularly for fresh produce, cleaning, cutting and preparing the produce and then cleaning and maintaining the juice machine.   Juicing is well worth the work involved because the benefits pay high dividends in your health. For example:  Drinking a 16 ounce glass of carrot juice is the equivalent of eating about 6 to 8 large carrots. That’s a lot of chewing that you don’t have to do and a lot of solid waste (pulp) that your body doesn’t have to process.

Some personal benefits I can directly attribute to the effects of juicing over the last 15 years include:

• My eyesight has naturally improved and I no longer have to wear glasses when I read or work on the computer.
• My seasonal allergies are almost non-existent now.
• My genetic hair loss and receding hair line has slowed down significantly.
• My fingernails grow super strong at an incredible speed.
• I have never had a tooth cavity in my life.
• My skin stays healthy and more resistant to sunburn, acne and wrinkles
• I have a high energy level, but operate on less sleep.
• My focus, concentration and motivation get better every year.
• I get sick less often, and when I do, I recover in a day or so when friends stay sick with the same illness for days or weeks.

These benefits began to become evident within the first year or two of implementing juicing and a vegetarian diet. The effects of juicing continue to improve and maintain my health due to the cumulative effects of ingesting vital nutrition on a daily basis.

To discuss other benefits of juicing or to receive a Hurom Juicer shipped to your door at an excellent price, contact Sean Donovan at 804.909.5550 or email sean@seandon.com

So now you know the Amazing Benefits of Juicing

Healthy Weigh - "Outback" weight loss tip

G'Day mate - it's Sean Donovan. Join me for an "Outback." No, it's not a steak dinner or an adventure in the land down under - it's my next "Healthy Weigh" weight loss tip.

Watch, learn and start losing weight the healthy weigh.

Healthy Weigh - "Walk n Talk" weight loss tip

I promised I'd share my weight loss secrets that helped me lose over 30 pounds in 110 days - so here you go...

This particular tip happens to be one of my favorites. It's also one of the easiest and most effective healthy ways to lose weight. Virtually anyone can do it - anywhere and anytime.

For more "healthy weighs" to lose weight, contact Sean for coaching and support - sean@seandon.com or (804)-909-5550.

How to test your body's pH

Day one –Eat your typical daily diet and drink your typical beverage consumption throughout the day

-          6am to 9am - Test your body’s pH first thing in the morning upon waking by placing the yellow end of the test strip into your stream of urine for a few seconds. Compare the color of the tip of the strip with the chart provided with the test strip. Write down the result.

-          Noon – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          6pm – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          9pm – Midnight – Final test of the day and write down the result

Day two – Drink no alcohol, soda, coffee or tea – drink only water (preferably ph neutral water or Fiji Water) – at least half of your body weight in ounces or ideally one liter per 50 lbs of body weight. Eat your normal and typical diet

Day three – Continue drinking only water and eating your typical diet

-          6am to 9am - Test your body’s pH first thing in the morning upon waking by placing the yellow end of the test strip into your stream of urine for a few seconds. Compare the color of the tip of the strip with the chart provided with the test strip. Write down the result.

-          Noon – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          6pm – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          9pm – Midnight – Final test of the day and write down the result

Day four – Continue drinking only water, but consume only raw fruits before noon and raw vegetables after noon.

Day five – Drink only water and eat only raw fruit before noon and raw vegetables after noon

-          6am to 9am - Test your body’s pH first thing in the morning upon waking by placing the yellow end of the test strip into your stream of urine for a few seconds. Compare the color of the tip of the strip with the chart provided with the test strip. Write down the result.

-          Noon – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          6pm – Repeat the urine test and write down the result

-          9pm – Midnight – Final test of the day and write down the result

Compute the results for each day by adding all 4 numbers together and dividing by four – this will give you your average pH level for that particular day. How does each day compare? You should have gotten progressively more alkaline each day. Ideally your pH should be around 7.4 – a healthy daily range would be between 6.5 and 8.0. The most acidic reading for your body should be first thing in the morning due to the fact that your body has detoxified and removed lactic acids while you slept. The most alkaline reading for your body should occur in the late afternoon and early evening as your body has become alkaline from the assimilation of a healthy diet, air, sunlight, exercise and movement throughout the day. If you average below 7, contact me for consultation and/or coaching at sean@seandon.com

You see, it's quite easy to learn how to test your body's pH