Is ABC Anti-Christian? And if so, is that bad?

According to author Jason T. Berggren, the Bible is boring, praying doesn't work, and Christians are self-righteous. Those are a few of the emotionally charged subjects Berggren answers for in the first of two interviews which debuted online this week on ABC's video news blog The Quick Fix (http://blogs.abcnews.com/quickfix/2009/04/quick-fix-10-th.html). Berggren discusses openly the challenges he has faced over the 20 years of his faith journey as chronicled in his bold new book ''10 Things I Hate About Christianity: Working Through the Frustrations of Faith (http://www.10thingsihate.com/).''

News correspondent Harris describes the book as "a fascinating and rather risky critique of Christianity." The assessment seems accurate based on recent comments gathering on ABC's site and around the web. Berggren openly admits hate is a very strong word and reveals that he wrestled deeply with using the term. In the end, he decided it was the best way to describe his angst-ridden frustration, which is how he justifies the use of the term. Berggren emphasizes that this is not a closed and bitter anger. It's the type of deep dissatisfaction that can be a motivator towards personal growth and forward momentum.

Berggren highlights the sub-title when clarifying this, "It's working through the frustrations of faith." Berggren explains that he doesn't just point out problems in the 10 foundational areas of his faith that he has constantly had to work through over the last 20 years, but backs them with his own personal resolutions. He acknowledges that many may not come to the same conclusions, but the author feels that others will be helped in their own spiritual experience as they read about his.

To learn more about Jason T. Berggren, his blog, and his controversial new book visit www.10thingsihate.com. ABC will be featuring Berggren in a primetime interview for the debut of a new show called "Beliefs" airing in a few weeks. Specific showtime to be announced on www.abcnews.com.

How to reduce your risk of getting Swine Flu

In the news this morning is the first reported death from Swine Flu in the USA, a 23-month-old infant in Texas.


The worst case scenario for a Swine Flu epidemic looks grim, according to government sources. Two million dead. Hospitals overwhelmed. Schools closed.

The government estimates that a pandemic like the 1918 Spanish flu would sicken 90 million Americans, or about 30 percent of the population. Of those, nearly 10 million would have to be admitted to a hospital, and nearly 1.5 million would need intensive care. About 750,000 would need the help of mechanical ventilators to keep breathing.

One doctor believes that there are simple and easy ways we can all reduce our susceptibility to infection.

“Most flus enter our body through our noses, and the organ in our nose that is critical to fighting infection is the nasal cilia,” said sinus infection expert Dr. Murray Grossan, author of Free Yourself from Sinus and Allergy Problems – Permanently from Hydro Med, Inc. (www.drgrossan.com). “If you take care of your cilia, and take steps to enhance their ability to ward off infection, you can increase your immune response and reduce your susceptibility to Swine Flu.”

With Swine Flu overtaking foreign countries and also making its presence known in the United States, people feel helpless because there is no vaccine and limited preventative measures they can take to prevent against infection.

But Dr. Grossan, an expert in the causes and prevention of sinus infections, believes that the same methods he advises his patients to prevent sinus infection and the cold can also be useful in helping to prevent Swine Flu.

“The key to preventing sinus infections, and repeated sinus infections, is healthy nasal cilia,” Dr. Grossan said. “They are our first line of defense, and too many OTC products may be harmful. My method is to enhance cilia health so that the organ can do the job it was intended to do – keep us healthy.”

Tea is one main weapon in the arsenal to fight infection, he said.

“Tea can boost the body’s defense fivefold,” Dr. Grossan said. “Dr. Jack Bukowski of Harvard reported that five cups of tea per day increased the body’s defenses against disease. The chemical in tea, L-theanine, transforms into ethylamine in the liver. Ethylamine is a molecule that primes the response of an immune blood cell, one of the T cells. These T cells, called gamma delta T cells, prompt the secretion of interferon, a key defense against infection. Tea is also high in antioxidants and actually stimulates cilia action.”

Chicken soup is also not a cliché in this case, he said. It contains properties that are critical to cilia health, and can actually help keep them strong.

There are also a number of over the counter products that can be used to protect the cilia topically, and these remedies are usually employed by travelers on airplanes.

“These gels coat the cilia, and prevent bacteria from penetrating to the nasal tissue, thereby helping to prevent infection,” he added.

Relaxation is also important, as is a good night’s sleep, according to Dr. Grossan.

“When you’re stressed out and exhausted, your immune response is significantly hampered, and you are more susceptible to infection,” he said. “Learning to relax and relieve your stress is an important tool in the fight against disease, and a general aid to good health.”

Anyone who is looking to get a Swine Flu Vaccine should be aware that the only drugs currently available that can save your life if you should be infected by the H5N1, H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2 virus are Tamiflu and Relenza, which are sold online -- at least until the supplies run out, which they could do during a pandemic.

Want to start your own business? Grab a bucket!

A company in California is making it easy for anyone looking to make money with the launch of Business-In-A-Bucket. The product enables individuals to build a personal stimulus package, as it contains all of the information necessary to begin an auto detailing business. Entrepreneur and owner Kevin Jones launched Business-In-A-Bucket to help those suffering from unemployment and to help young people find the money for college and be empowered to become CEOs of their own companies.

"As we embark upon the worst economy ever, it is imperative that we think fast and think outside the box. Let's face it -- we are drowning. There is a giant leak in America's economic boat. Do we wait for someone to patch the hole, or do we jump off and swim to shore?" Jones says. "If you stay in the boat and do nothing, it's a sure thing that you will drown. If you get out of the sinking boat and try to save yourself, your chances of surviving are greater. Business-In-A-Bucket is designed to help teenagers -- anyone - earn income and learn entrepreneurial skills necessary for business success."

After a home, a car is the most expensive investment that many people make. In addition to learning how to create jobs, users of Business-In-A-Bucket will learn how to preserve their own cars and save money.

Business-In-A-Bucket is just as it sounds -- a bucket loaded with everything necessary to start a business; more specifically, it contains everything needed to professionally detail a car. Included in the bucket is Jones' instructional guide book "The Owner's Guide to Auto Detailing," featuring all of the intricacies of auto detailing, including one little-known fact in bold print: "DO NOT USE DISH SOAP TO WASH YOUR CAR." The book offers 58 car maintenance tips in all, covering topics such as polishing compounds and the proper way to clean tinted windows, all of which are pertinent in the business of auto detailing.

Business-In-A-Bucket is a simple, cost-effective way to make money without the hassle and stress. For less than $50, users are provided various tips and tools that they can utilize to create any number of new businesses, such as an auto preservation consultancy, a mobile auto detailing business (http://www.businessinabucket.net/)or selling do-it-yourself auto detailing kits.

"Business-In-A-Bucket allows you to start your own business right away. It's a great way to encourage youth in business. We must find ways to create our own stimulus packages, and doing so for yourself is a great start. With Business-In-A-Bucket, something so simple can lead to something so great," Jones says.

Is Eating Meat Bad for America?

With World Health Day and Earth Day both in April, health and environmental advocates are calling on President Obama to take a page from history and proclaim national "meatless" days, as three of his predecessors in office have done.

Presidents Wilson, Truman and Roosevelt all instituted national meatless days in order to divert food to troops overseas and alleviate worldwide food shortages. Today, a growing body of experts say that moderate reductions in meat consumption will mitigate climate change, lessen fossil fuel dependence, conserve fresh water and help reduce the chronic preventable conditions that today kill 70 percent of all Americans -- cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Robert Lawrence, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future at the Bloomberg School of Public Health says, "With the President's notable embrace of healthy food and strong support for environmentally sound policies, reintroducing 'Meatless Mondays' at the White House will demonstrate a great way for Americans to improve their health, while lightening our nation's carbon foot-print."

Meatless Monday envisions meatless menus and recipes issuing from the White House every Monday, inspiring Americans to cook healthier meals, and the administration providing international leadership by directing the White House Chef to plan and prepare meat-free banquets and state dinners.

At December's international summit on global warming in Poznan, Poland, United Nations emissaries cited meat production as a primary source of greenhouse gas. Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called eating less meat "one of the most important personal choices we can make to address climate change."

"When we think about the climate crisis, we tend to think about Big Oil or dirty coal-fired power plants," says Anna Lappé, author of Taking a Bite out of Climate Change (http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/climatechange). "Meanwhile, the global food system is responsible for as much as one-third of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock alone contributes more to the global warming effect than emissions from the world's transportation."

Eating less meat also makes economic sense. More and more people are finding that forgoing meat for just a few meals each week can yield significant savings.

Sustainable Table's (http://www.sustainabletable.org/home.php) Regina Weiss says, "Asking Americans to forgo meat just one day a week will attract strong support from pediatricians and parents, economists and environmentalists, farmers and foodies alike."

Marion Nestle, nutritionist, advocate and author of the prizewinning Food Politics and What to Eat, says, "This is a great opportunity to expand our vegetable repertoire and do good things for health and for the planet."

Peggy Neu, President of Meatless Monday, says, "Looking back to a period when millions of Americans made simple sacrifices for the greater good, President Obama can urge Americans to cut out meat, just one day a week. It's easy to do and can have huge benefits for our health and the health of our planet."

To get the facts on meat, read below.

Meat: The Consequences

* The meat industry generates nearly 1/5 of the man-made greenhouse gases that are accelerating climate change worldwide, far more than transportation.(1)

* About 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S.(2) Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein.(3)

* The estimated 634 gallons of fresh water required to produce one 5.2 ounce hamburger would be enough for a four-hour shower.(4) Compare this to the 143 gallons of water required to produce the same quantity of tofu.(5)

* 2/3 of Americans are overweight or suffer from obesity. 6 Studies show that individuals on vegetarian or low-meat diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices.(7)

* Chronic preventable conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer kill 1.7 million Americans each year, 70% of all deaths in the U.S.(8) Diets abundant in red and processed meats have been linked to increased cancer risk, especially of the digestive tract;(9) while diets high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.(10)

Endnotes

(1) Steinfeld, H., et al., Livestock's long shadow: Environmental issues and options. 2006, Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Rome, Italy

(2) Pimentel, D. and M. Pimentel, Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003. 78: p. 66S-3S.

(3) Pimentel, D. and M. Pimentel, Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003. 78: p. 1.

(4) Hoekstra, A.Y. and A.K. Chapagain, Water footprints of nations: Water use by people as a function of their consumption pattern. Water Resource Management, 2007. 21(1): p. 35-48.

(5) Kreith, M., Water Inputs in California Food Production. 1991, Water Education Foundation: Sacramento, CA.

(6) National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2008, With Special Feature on the Health of Young Adults. 2008, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hyattsville, MD. p. pp. 50, 327, 336.

(7) Berkow, S.E. and N. Barnard, Vegetarian Diets and Weight Status. Nutrition Reviews, 2006. 64(4): p. 175-188.

(8) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Chronic Disease Overview," Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, March 20, 2008, Accessed February 5, 2009 (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm#2).

(9) Cross, A.J., et al. "A Prospective Study of Red and Processed Meat Intake in Relation to Cancer Risk." PLoS Medicine, 2007. 4(12): p. e325.

(10) Susanna C. Larsson, A.W. "Meat consumption and risk of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective studies." International Journal of Cancer, 2006. 119(11): p. 2657-2664.

Help in Breaking Voodoo Spells

I don't know about you, but among the things I worry about, like filing my income tax return, and the rising cost of living, really close to the top of the list is that someone has cast a voodoo spell on me. And that is why I am so grateful to have seen the following news flash this morning...

Break Voodoo Spells and Generational Curses

Generational curses are destructive patterns of behavior that are passed down through families for generations. Millions of people are miserable living a life that has been passed down to them by well-intentioned, but ill-informed family members. Freelance writer and media host, Toyi Ward tackles this topic in her debut novel, Par for the Curse (Naphtali Books, 2009). Ward says, "Get rid of that stuff and don't recycle it."

Beginning May 16, Toyi Ward will begin a national tour to help readers rid their lives of destructive patterns of behavior. Currently planned stops include: Boston, New York, Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dallas, Lexington, KY, Chicago, and Los Angeles. "First, I want people to enjoy the story, that's why I write fiction," Ward says with a double wink.

"Then I want the reader to identify their own baggage and toss it out…not to be recycled."

Toyi Ward is a freelance writer and the host of "Toyi Talk-Authenticity with Attitude" which airs on the Blog Talk Radio Network each week. Her keen insight into life's success strategies have appeared in the The Glass Hammer, MSN Lifestyle, Your Business Channel, Recognize Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, The Cincinnati Enquirer and many more.

Read more on Toyi Ward's Newsroom (http://toyiwardnewsroom.blogspot.com/)

Low Income Families Can Get More Affordable Phone Service

While more than 90 percent of American households have telephone service, there are millions who simply cannot afford a telephone in their home. Consumers may be eligible for these reduced rate telephone services if they receive qualified benefits from their state. Phone service is an essential component of public safety. TDS Telecommunications Corp. is committed to helping low-income families get telephones in their homes at an affordable rate using funds from the Universal Service Fund program.

"Lifeline and Link-Up are designed to ensure that everyone in the country has access to basic telephone service," said Kevin Hess, senior vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs for TDS Telecommunications Corp. "Phone service is not only a convenience, but a necessity. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Lifeline program provides discounts on monthly service for qualified telephone subscribers. The Link-Up program offers reduced charges for telephone installation and additional discounts off the monthly service.

People can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC or log on to www.fcc.gov/cgb. There are different requirements in nearly every state to qualify for the Lifeline and Link-Up programs. The nationwide switch to digital television will be complete June 12, 2009, but your local television stations may switch sooner. TDS Telecommunications Corp. markets communication services to business and residential customers in 30 states through its brands TDS Telecom® and TDS Metrocom®. With nearly 1.2 million access line equivalents in service, TDS Telecommunications Corp. connects customers to phone, broadband, and digital television service in hundreds of rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities. TDS Telecommunications Corp. is the eighth-largest wire line company in the nation; employing approximately 2,730 people. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wis. Visit www.tdstelecom.com and www.tdsbusiness.com for more information.