Inspired

Why socialized medicine? Sicko says it all.

Like in his other movies, Michael Moore makes you laugh, cry, cringe, and growl in his healthcare documentary. And as usual, many comparisons are made between Canada and the U.S. Geez, they have free healthcare, live longer lives, AND they don't have guns. How DO they do it??? Here are some facts I borrowed from his website:

(Those Canadians are so radical ~ I'm always impressed by my colleagues in B.C. who tell me Naturopathic and Homeopathic medicine are household terms, rather than mysterious symbols of "unscientific experimentation.")

Canada spends only $3,165 per capita on health care, compared to over $7,000 per capita in the United States.
Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The life expectancy in Canada is three years longer than in the United States.
Source: World Health Organization

The infant mortality rate in Canada is 5.0 per thousand, compared with 7.0 per thousand in the United States.
Source: World Health Organization

24 percent of Americans did not seek medical care because of cost, compared to 5 percent in Canada.
Source: 'Inequities In Health Care: A Five-Country Survey,' Health Affairs.

There are nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance, compared with none in Canada.
Source: Centers for Disease Control

The median waiting time in Canada is only three weeks for diagnostic tests and only four weeks for specialist visits and non-emergency surgery.
Source: Statistics Canada

70 to 80 percent of Canadians feel their wait times are acceptable.
Source: Statistics Canada

Quan Yin: art and healing

This gorgeous carving of Quan Yin from the Portland Art Museum has every element of beauty and healing I strive for in my work, from medicine to art.

~proportion & balance~

+ pure presence +

>^ compassion ^<

*elegance*

)sensuality(

/ calm /

! JOY !

7 is an auspicious number in all spiritual practices, including yogic and martial arts. Did you know 7 is the number of stages of healing as well?

1. acknowledging the need for healing
2. finding a practioner as guide
3. making a committment to the process; establishing personal healing goals
4. following the prescribed protocols and practices
5. periodic self-reflection and re-committment to self-trust
6. opening emotionally, psychically, and physically to being well
7. peeling away layers of illness towards transformation

Finding an image that represents your ultimate wellness, whatever form that takes for you, and gazing upon it while reflecting on it's power to transform you, is a wonderful jumpstart to being on your path.

(Just don't get caught with your camera out in the museum.)

Happier After Cancer?

This article ( ~ ) really rang my bell today, on being happier after having gone through treatment for cancer. I also thought it was a nice follow-up to the launching of my fall workshop series for women survivors. If you or someone you know has had cancer, you're hip to the fact that nothing really comes close in terms of re-evaluating your life. When a part of you dies, there's a rebirth. That rebirth can take various forms and for me it was all about expression with paint. For others it's about words, song, music, dance, creating community; the list is endless. But you'll never see life the same way again.

Amen!

Biznik is the new MySpace

I'm not sure what percentage of people read my blog for it's alt medicine news content or to check out my artwork.....but it all started with Biznik. Dan McComb, the founder of this new social networking phenomenon, was all about teaching people to blog about 1 1/2 years ago when Biznik was just taking off. I've since discovered people read my blog when they're considering consulting me for medical care, to get a feel for who the person is under the persona. What I love about Biznik, which is about to get even sexier when the 2.0 version comes out, is the collective enthusiasm and energy generated by the "creative class." Not sure if you're part of it? Read here for more.

Starbucks lattes contribute to breast cancer

If you get your java lattes at Starbucks, here's something you might want to know: about 50% of the milk used in making your dee-licious morning beverage has recombinant growth hormone in it. rBGH, as it's called, is injected into cows to force a greater yield of milk. Aside from being a creepy thing to do to an animal, this hormone in our bodies stimulates another naturally-occuring hormone called IGF-1 (interluken growth factor) to increase--- and IGF-1 plays an key role in breast, prostate, and colon cancer. People diagnosed with one of the above cancers often have elevated levels. Injection of growth hormone is banned in Canada, Japan, all of the European Union, and Australia. Why are we always the last one's to take action? Read more and send an email to Starbucks, asking them to be an industry leader in saying "NO" to hormone-filled milk.