Well summer is officially here and when the water is warm enough to swim in, then its open season for jelly fish.  Other than avoiding the water, if you do get stung, here are a few tips to help with the discomfort.  After coming out of the water, wash the area with SALT, not fresh water, fresh water just makes it sting more.  Then put on either white vinegar or the old standby, meat tenderizer.  Happy swimming…

Some bottled water flies "under the radar" of regulatory requirements. Water that is labeled "carbonated water," "disinfected water," "filtered water," "seltzer water," "sparkling water," "soda water," or just plain "water" may be exempt from specific water-testing and contamination standards. In addition since there is concern about heating items in plastic just think how hot those plastic bottles of water get in the heat of summer. A report by the NRDC  states “At the national level, the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for bottled water safety, but the FDA’s rules completely exempt waters that are packaged and sold within the same state, which account for between 60 and 70 percent of all bottled water sold in the United States (roughly one out of five states don’t regulate these waters either).”

NRDC continues, “Even when bottled waters are covered by the FDA’s rules, they are subject to less rigorous testing and purity standards than those which apply to city tap water“  Time to rethink the case  for bottled water…

Based on a new ruling by the 9th U.S. Court of appeals…"internet users have no reasonable expectation of privacy in the data while using the internet".   They don’t even need a search warrant to install this spyware on your computer if they feel that your activiity could be a threat to national security.  Unfortunately due to the times we live in we have to forgo many  of the freedoms this country was based on in the name of national security, and although it is understandable in many cases, it is very hard to determine when that goes over the line.  But a word to the wise, there is very little that will remain private these days…

In the ever continuing stream of misinformation like the case for butter being bad versus margarine, eggs being unhealthy, and let’s not forget how they frightened us about drinking coffee!  Thank goodness I for one maintained my coffee habits, my family is a lot happier for it especially first thing in the a.m.  It is truly disheartening to think of all the money that has been spent in all these studies that turn out to be incorrect after YEARS of us believing otherwise.  Imagine how much good that money would have done to help folks who can’t afford medical care and preventive measures in the first place. Don’t get me started…

Good morning, and as I was watching Good Morning America, a Wall St Journal editor talked about the new capabilities on cell phones. One can now monitor what is being texted or called in on your child’s cell phone. In addition cell phones can now monitor your sleep apnea, diabetes, heart rate and be your personal trainer. Yes, it will even choose a song with a beat that is either slower or faster depending upon your target heart rate. Amazing yes, however, it seems that our entire lives are being monitored and sometimes that is not such a good thing. Keep personal freedom alive…

These are definitely scary times, in NYC today, the fear that another terrorist attack was upon us had folks running through the streets covered with debris, tears running down their faces. In fact it was a steam explosion in the streets of Manhattan, but how close these feelings are to all of us and how frightening these times truly are. So the message, is to appreciate and nourish the garden of life.

Time for another cup of java and a walk outdoors.  Always great to be outside after it rains… check in tomorrow, looking forward to seeing you here