GIRL STIR November Issue

Question I Challenge I Rethink

November 2011

Plus:

Why We LOVE Liberty Toting RON PAUL,Our Debt to the Dog, Women and Guns, and Bag the Birth Control

Survive

Holiday

Gatherings Raw Foods Fight PAIN

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November 15, 2011 14 How To Survive Holiday Gatherings, Tips for overcoming the Debbie Downers at holiday gatherings.

18 Management Lesson #5, Getting to the top.

24 Choose A Pacemaker, Achieve success by keeping up with a pacemaker.

30 Our Debt to the Dog, Where does our obsession with the dog come from?

34 GIRL STIR Endorses Ron Paul for President, This article explains exactly why we feel Ron Paul is this country’s best bet!

38. Raw Foods Fight Pain, And here’s a few raw foods for your everyday pains.

46. This Holiday, Forget the Diamonds, Give A Gun! Gun ownership among women is on the rise! Does a woman in your life need a little extra protection?

50. Bag the Birth Control and Start Counting, Is a 48 hour fertility window really worth all the side effects of pharmaceutical birth control?

54. Amazing Food Facts, This issue we talk HFCS and Laetrile!

52 Recognizing A Stroke, Know the signs and symptoms before it’s too late!

6 GIRL STIR

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 7

A Note from the Publishers

I

can barely believe it’s time to start holiday shopping again. It never ceases to amaze me how fast the year seems to fly. Every December I think the same thing, “Next year Christmas will be here before I know it.”

Well it’s almost Thanksgiving and almost time to once again be surrounded by friends and family. We all love our families but let’s face it, at times they can be a little tough to take. At least some of them anyway. That’s why in this issue we’ve included a great article to guide you through those tough “get together” moments and keep you sane!

S h e l l y A l l e n We’ve also included oodles more information on

everything from pets to guns to politics. Plenty of topics for holiday gatherings to shift the attention away from you.

Did you know seven percent more women own guns this year than did a year ago? The number seems to be on the rise so don’t be surprised if part of your holiday dinner conversation turns to gun ownership, and check out the article we’ve got in this issue about women and guns.

J ac k i e B r anca 8 GIRL STIR

And of course, what would an issue of GIRL STIR be without talk of our favorite Presidential Candidate Ron Paul. This issue we explain what it is we love so much about him and what you should to! So now, sit back, relax and enjoy this issue of GIRL STIR. We look forward to seeing you next month, same time, same sandbox!

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 9

www . t h e gi r l maga z in e . c o m P.O. Box 50111, Lighthouse Point, Florida, 33074, 954.829.1982, 954.815.3220 Publisher: Allen-Branca Media Company, Inc Managing Directors Shelly Allen, Jackie Branca Editorial Senior Editor Shelly Allen Research Alicia Polacek Contributing Writer Sidney Higacer Contributing Writer Sue Willis Contributing Writer Allison Singer Contributing Writer Jennifer Davis Contributing Writer Claudia Beckenstein Contributing Writer Pam Wall Sales Director of Sales Jackie Branca Sales Associate Amanda Pearl Internet Sales Associate Lindsey Peppar Studio / Production Art Director / Production Design Pink Parrot Productions Advertisement Design Joya Design 954.829.9915 Layout Design Pink Parrot Productions Web Site Director / Designer Joya Design Distribution Tri-County Distribution Services 2011 Copyright here and abroad of all editorial content is held by the publishers of GIRL STIR Magazine. Reproduction whole or in part is forbidden without prior written consent from the publisher. Publisher may not be held liable or responsible in any way for any actions ensuing from advertisements or content.

10 GIRL STIR

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.

- Chinese Proverb

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G I RL H o l i d a y

By G inn y G ri m sle y

How to Survive

Holiday Gatherings

and Avoid an Aneurysm

Tough Love Author Shares Tips for Disarming the Debbie Downers 14 GIRL STIR

F

or those of us from families built on Debbie Downer DNA, there’s only one direction a mood can go during holiday gettogethers and that’s down.

Sure, the running negative commentary, bubble-bursting barbs and rampant self-pity were funny coming from comedian Rachel Dratch on “Saturday Night Live’s” Debbie Downer sketches. But few of us can foresee our own Negative Nancys giving us a good belly laugh.

Whether you’re the smiley face among frowners, or a bit of a Depressing Dan yourself, there are tricks you can use to keep the table talk from getting lethal, says Paula Renaye, a professional life coach and author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, (www.hardlineselfhelp. com).

“You can take control simply by thinking about what you choose to say – or not say,” Renaye says. “If you hear yourself criticizing, judging

or complaining, you’re part of the problem. Happy, self-respecting people don’t find it necessary to dump on others to make themselves feel good.

“If someone else is the problem, simply don’t give them the ammunition they need,” she says.

Instead try these tactics: Do not say anything negative.

Period. And no one-downing!

One-downing is the opposite of one-upping. It’s the art of coming up with something worse when someone else talks about their problem. No matter what negative thing anyone says, or how much you agree with it or don’t, resist the urge to respond with a negative. Instead ….

Dodge, distract and detour.

Turn things around with a question -- a positive one. If you need to, make a “happy list” of questions before you go, so you’ll have some at the ready. And remember, there’s no law that says you have to answer a question just because someone asked it. With negative people, it’s best if you …

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 15

Do not talk about yourself.

The only reason negative people care about what you’re up to is because they want something to ridicule, brag or gossip about to make themselves look or feel good. Don’t go there. Whether you just filed bankruptcy or won a Nobel Prize, keep it to yourself. No good can come of it. None. And why do you need to chatter like a chipmunk about yourself anyway? Might want to think on that one, too. Better to find some praise for someone else than to expect someone to praise you.

Do not share your woes.

Even if you’re in a tough place and could really use a shoulder to cry on, don’t start laying your woes on a Negative Nell.

Even in a weak moment, when you’ve had a terrible day, talking about it with a negative person is a bad idea. You might get a microsecond of sympathy, but that’s only so they can launch into telling you how much worse they have it. So, no talking about yourself unless you want to be the talk of the party, and the town.

16 GIRL STIR

Do your homework and become like Teflon.

Think of the times people said things that made you feel bad or made you feel the need to defend or explain yourself. If you want to avoid going down that trail again, start hacking away at the jungle of your own emotions. Get over needing anyone’s approval or blessing. If you are still waiting for negative relatives to validate you, you’re in for a long wait.

Don’t set yourself up to be miserable. Get over it and go prepared.

About Paula Renaye: Former eggshellwalker, emotionally-bankrupt wreck and utter failure at keeping her world from falling apart, Paula Renaye uses her journey out of despair into joy as a bread crumb trail for others. She has been a consultant for 18 years, holds a degree in financial planning with a background in journalism and psychology, and is a member of the International Association of Coaches. Paula is the multi-awardwinning author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook.

stir

(st没r) 1.

To rouse, as from indifference, and prompt to action.

2.

To provoke deliberately.

3.

To excite strong feelings in.

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 17

G I RL H u m o r

M anag e m e n t L e s s o n

#5

A turkey was chatting with a bull...

“I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”

“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull.

“They’re packed with nutrients.”

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. ....He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the stor y : Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it sure won’t keep you there!

18 GIRL STIR

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 19

G I RL I n s pi r a t i o n

Good Advice T

he first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a

The only people who fear death are those with regrets...

B y A non y m o u s

smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose.

I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?” I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze. “Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?”

I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids.”

“No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. “I always dreamed of having a college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the

20 GIRL STIR

next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this ‘time machine’ as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she taught us.

She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m sorry I’m so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.”

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.

You have to laugh and find humor every day.

You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eightyeight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change.

Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do.

The only people who fear death are those with regrets.” She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year’s end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s never too late to be all you can possibly be.

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 21

22 GIRL STIR

scan the tag. scan the tag.

find GIRL on facebook facebook.com/girlmag

find GIRL on twitter twitter.com/girlmag

Get the free app for your smartphone at http://gettag.mobi

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 23

G I RL S u cc e s s

C h o o s e

A

Pacemaker

B y N apoleon H ill

24 GIRL STIR

Trail Blazers

A

number of years ago, while teaching a class down in Long Beach, California, the value of a pacemaker was brought out in a very vivid lesson.

It was one of those terrifically foggy nights, when you could not tell where you were except in relation to the white lines painted on the highway. The lights of the car did not penetrate very far and one had to creep along.

A car was found that was equipped with fog lights and two high candle power spotlights which could light up the white lines for a considerable distance.

This extra lighting enabled the pacemaker to travel at near normal speed.

We took advantage of his trail breaking and drove along behind him. It was evident that if he encountered any obstacles, he would give sufficient warning so that we could stop and avoid trouble.

So it is in life. If you pick out a person who is traveling the same road you have chosen, he will light up the pitfalls for you, and thereby you may avoid some of them. Remember to carry your share of the load, however, and when you have passed your first pacemaker, assume the role for someone else.

Choose as your pacemaker some prosperous, self-reliant person who is obviously successful. Make up your mind not only to catch up with him, but to excel him; but do this silently, without mentioning to anyone what you’re doing.

When you select a pacemaker, be sure to choose one who keeps moving at the same speed, or faster, than you yourself wish to travel. If he slows down too much, or turns off on a side road, you had better switch to another trail blazer.

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 25

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Have you seen all that GIRL has to offer?

The GIRL STIR mission.

To bring our readers real information that makes them question their preconceived notions, challenge their belief systems and rethink what they have been taught is fact.

thegirlmagazine.com 2011 I GIR(L) 29 QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 29

G I RL P e t s

Pet Nation

Our Debt To The Dog B y S u san C laire

Certified Pet Dog Trainer

W

hy do we love our dogs so much?

Is it because they’re cute and cuddly? Or is it borne of an instinct as strong as any instinct to survive? Until recently, most theories on dog behavior were extrapolated from the behavior of wolf packs, which have been studied extensively. But a relatively new science, called Anthrozoology (the study of human-animal interaction) sheds some interesting light on the relationship between people and dogs.

The earliest archaeological proof of domesticated dogs dates back 12-15,000 years. There are several theories on how our ancestors made an ancient alliance with the dog. Some scientists believe wolves began as scavengers of human refuse. Others hypothesize hunters

30 GIRL STIR

brought wolf pups home to keep as pets.

Perhaps the success of the human-canid hunting team closed the deal. Whichever theory you believe, dogs contributed to the survival of early humans by assisting in the hunt, warning of approaching danger, and later guarding livestock.

One theory goes so far as to suggest that the dog becoming our “nose and ears,� allowed our own faces to evolve in a way conducive to language.

In the beginning, the wolves that were friendly, curious and useful, were tolerated, fed, and eventually allowed inside human settlements. These sociable wolves lived to pass on their genes.

Complying with our wishes became a survival advantage for the wolf. Wolflike traits were lost, and the wolf became

the domesticated dog- one of the most successful species on the planet. Today, there are dogs living within every society on earth.

Dogs still perform vital tasks for humans as service animals, working dogs, and therapy dogs. They have worked their way into our homes, our hearts, and our beds. We refer to our dogs, as “my best friend,” and “part of the family.” We think they can understand what we say, and how we feel. And recent studies have indeed shown that puppies are born with an innate ability to read human social cues. We describe them as loyal and faithful. Anyone who has raised a puppy knows that a young pup quickly

forms a strong bond with his human and will cry when separated, even when in the company of his own litter mates.

As our two species evolve together, so does our relationship with the dog.

People are becoming more isolated from their neighbors, and family and often dogs fill an emotional niche. The health benefits of owning a pet, especially a dog, have been well documented. Dogs make us better people by requiring we care for, nurture and exercise them. Many people could not fathom life without a dog.

Evolution has made the dog predisposed to bond with humans. Could the reverse be true as well?

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 31

Together, We Can Stop the Killing Your tax dollars helped fund the killing of more than 21,000 homeless animals in Miami Dade County alone last year. Is that what you’re working for?

The majority of these animals were healthy and treatable pets who could have gone to new homes.

Through implementation of the No Kill Equation, any community can end the killing of healthy & treatable companion animals. This 10 step program is simple and the only proven effective method that leads to No Kill success, as long as the most important step is in place: a compassionate, progressive, hard-working shelter director.

Dogs & cats are our companions, our soulmates, our family members - and they deserve to live. Join our cause, and help us save millions of lives.

No Kill Communities now exist in Washoe County (Reno), Nevada; Tompkins County (Ithaca), New York; Austin, Texas and many other cities.

And we can do it in South Florida.

For more information and to learn how you can help, visit: www.thenokillnation.org • www.facebook.com/nokillnation www.thenokillnationblog.wordpress.com • www.twitter.com/nokillnation www.nokillmiami.org • info@thenokillnation.org No Kill Nation is a 501c3 national advocacy organization dedicated to educating the public on the realities of our nation’s high kill shelters.

32 GIRL STIR

The No Kill Revolution Starts With You Animal lovers across the nation are outraged by the abuse, neglect and unnecessary killing being perpetrated against our homeless animals in “shelters” across the country. Funded by taxpayers, these shelters are supposed to protect animals, but are little more than slaughterhouses.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You can stand with us and put an end to the killing.

Rescue Five-O is a three-part nationwide campaign to rescue animals from death in the shelters and pounds of all 50 states by reforming our nation’s broken animal shelter system.

THE STEPS INCLUDE: 1. Campaign for new leadership in local shelters 2. Political advocacy at the local level 3. Legislative changes at the state and local level Animal lovers, visit www.rescue50.org to download all the materials and begin your advocacy efforts.

For printed copies of the step-by-step guides, email a request to rescue50@thenokillnation.org.

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 33

G I RL P o l i t ica l

GIRL STIR Magazine Endorses:

Ron Paul for President

Y

es, you read that correctly, GIRL STIR Magazine is endorsing Republican contender Ron Paul for President I mean really, could it be any other way? Ron Paul is the only candidate who pushes us to do exactly what this magazine advocates: Question, Challenge, and Rethink.

Let’s be honest people, we are in a mess.

We’re not alone as many other countries are in a mess too. We NEED to really ask ourselves some difficult questions. First, is what our government doing working?

Are we better off today with our entitlement programs, our warmongering and meddling, our financial bailouts, are we better off? If the answer to these

34 GIRL STIR

and Here’s

By Shelly Allen

Why

questions is “NO” then we need to challenge the way we have been doing things.

Second, what is it going to take to change the course we are on?

The fact of the matter is, I don’t know. But what I do know is that what we have been doing…it isn’t working. Maybe it’s time to rethink the people we have been putting in the White House.

We’ve been duped by the mainstream media into believing that a President should have charm and charisma, they should be young and inexperienced, and somewhat good looking.

None of that makes for a good leader! It’s time we stop picking presidents because they look good and start picking presidents by their records.

So why Ron Paul? First and foremost, consistency. Ron Paul has an incredibly consistent record over the course of his 30 year congressional service.

He has NEVER flip flopped on an issue. Where does his consistency come from? His detailed knowledge of The Constitution and historical precedence. He not only knows our Constitution inside and out but he has also studied what has happened throughout human QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 35

history when governments made the mistakes our government is currently making. He believes our founders got it right when they wrote our Constitution because they too studied history. It’s easy to be consistent when you know your stuff and you have the personal integrity to stand on.

Second, integrity. We challenge you to find another politician who has spent as much time, or even less time, in Washington and still possesses the personal and professional integrity of Congressman Ron Paul. He/she simply does not exist.

Third, his plan. Ron Paul is the only candidate with a clear plan that actually puts us on the path that will help restore America to its former greatness. He wants to cut $1 Trillion from the budget in year one, and he has a detailed plan to achieve it. I could outline all of the details of his plan but as a concerned and informed voter I know you are going to want to go to his website and see for yourself, www.RonPaul2012. com.

The bottom line is this, Congressman Ron Paul isn’t the best speaker in the world in debates, he is not the most charismatic guy running for President of the United States, nor is he the youngest or the best looking. But this is what he does have; integrity, honesty, a proven track record, a dedication to liberty and justice for all, an enormous 36 GIRL STIR

understanding of the Constitution and historical precedence, a backbone of steel (better known as Dr. NO to his colleagues), and not only the foresight to see how his policies will affect generations to come, but the passionate concern for future generations. At this point in our juncture, we NEED Congressman Ron Paul as our President in 2012.

Here’s how you can make it happen.

Do your due diligence, go to his website and learn about the real Ron Paul at www.RonPaul2012.com. When you are convinced, register to vote as a republican, or change your party affiliation to Republican just long enough to vote for Ron Paul in the republican primary. In the state of Florida, you must be registered as a republican to vote in the republican primary BEFORE January 1, 2012. To change your party affiliation or register to vote, visit our website www.TheGirlMagazine. com for the link that will take you to Florida’s election website where you can download and print the registration form. Fill it out and send it in. It’s that easy to help change the course of America and stop the tailspin this once great nation has been in for the past 30 years. The decision is up to you, a brave return of a country full of opportunity and advancement and happiness for your children and grandchildren, or one of scarcity and debt and limited or no freedom in the years to come. Ron Paul IS the change you can believe in!

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 37

G I RL H e a l t h

Raw Foods Fight

Pain

By Michelle Bosmier

Research shows that there are some everyday foods that work like a charm to ease pain and replenish our systems...

S

ometimes you’ve exercised too much and your muscles hurt. Sometimes, you’ve got a terrible headache - perhaps you’ve slept too much, or too little? And sometimes, you’re tired, weary, and desperately in need to rest your sore, tired body after a long day. Pain is something we cannot avoid, no matter how healthy our diets and lifestyles are. But that doesn’t mean that pain should be lived with - research shows that there are some everyday foods that work like a charm to ease pain and replenish our systems.

Let’s start with bananas... if you have cramps, then this is the fruit for you. Cramping is usually the result of an imbalance in the body’s potassium supply. Because bananas are potassium-rich, including as little as one banana in your diet a day can help to replenish your daily needs and reduce cramping.

Ease arthritis and joint-pains with a few dashes of cinnamon.

Researchers from the Nanjing University in China have discovered that cinnamon is highly effective in reducing inflammation, and also uric acid - the prime culprit for arthritis flare-ups.

Spice it up with Ginger and Turmeric. These two glorious spices have the same analgesic properties as aspirin or ibuprofen - without savagely attacking

38 GIRL STIR

RETHINK Raw your stomach line or putting too much pressure on your kidney functions. On the contrary... both ginger and turmeric’s analgesic properties are amongst many of their favorable health benefits: the most important being that they will actually protect your digestive system, from oral to renal.

salad next time - and that’s because olive oil is rich in particular antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that hinder the pain-causing mechanisms within the body. Because it is a monounsaturated fat, it is also a heart-healthy choice that happens to reduce high blood-pressure, a prime culprit when it comes to headaches.

Get rid of that headache with a handful of cherries. Researchers from Michigan State University say that eating around twenty of these delightfully sweet little fruits will ease a headache. What’s more is that cherries have been discovered to ease muscular pain after a bout of weight-training.

Eat that lettuce - because researchers have recently discovered that it contains salicylic acid, a compound found in aspirin. Romaine lettuce in particular is quite rich in this compound, which is known to treat inflammation.

Vitamin C rich fruit are also one of the best means for killing pain. We’re talking about strawberries, kiwis, oranges, guavas, lemons, and limes. Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that has recently been discovered to reduce pain. Studies have suggested that eating vitamin C-rich foods will reduce pain after breaking a limb or going through surgery.

Go for some golden olive oil over your

How’s that for natural painkillers? Before reaching for a box of pills, think again whatever fruits, veggies, and spices you have in your fridge or on the bench might very well do your body a world of good, side-effect-free.

About the author Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. In 2010, Michelle created RawFoodHealthWatch.com, to share with people her approach to the raw food diet and detoxification.

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 39

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G I RL W i s d o m

“Ideas are very important to the shaping of society. In fact, they are more powerful than bombings or armies or guns. And this is because ideas are capable of spreading without limit.

They are behind all the choices we make.

They can transform the world in a way that governments and armies cannot. Fighting for liberty with ideas makes more sense to me than fighting with guns or politics or political power.

With ideas, we can make real change that lasts.” ― Ron Paul, Liberty Defined: The 50 Urgent Issues That Affect Our Freedom QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 41

42 GIRL STIR I 2011 42 GIRL STIR

2011 I GIR(L)

43

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 43

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 45

G I RL I n d e p e n d e n t

This Holiday Season,

Forget the Diamonds,

G iv e A G U N B Y S hell y A llen

Y

ou read that right, women may be more inclined to want a gun this year than a set of diamond earrings.

According to recent Gallup Poll, 43% of American women reported a gun in their home or somewhere on their property.

That number has skyrocketed by seven percentage points in just one year!

So what’s driving women to exercise their second amendment right? The first reason is protection. According to Catalyst,org, in 2010 there were 17.5 million women in the United States 18 and older living alone. That’s 17.5 million women responsible for their own safety and protection. What else but owning a gun and knowing how to use it in a dire situation can make a woman feel more secure? Michelle Fenz explains, “Having my gun with me at all times and knowing

46 GIRL STIR

how to use it just makes me feel better.”

Women are learning that with proper education and training, protecting themselves and their families with a gun just makes sense. In fact, you are far more likely to survive a violent assault if you defend yourself with a gun. In 1966, the city of Orlando responded to a wave of sexual assaults by offering firearms training classes to women. Rapes dropped by nearly 90% the following year. Violent criminals want easy prey, a woman protecting herself with a gun…not so easy prey anymore.

But what about the women who are buying guns despite having a male counterpart to protect them? Some theorize the internet and instant access

to information is revolutionizing the way we think about everything. Information and education used to be doled out to us, but now things have changed. We can turn on our laptops, research any subject of interest and educate ourselves about anything! Guns are no exception.

States, and those firearm deaths include gang violence, self defense shootings and police shootings! Yes, accidents do happen, but in households where children are routinely taught about firearms and how to use them, the “accident” numbers plummet.

Women have been particularly shy about owning guns since it has been purported that family members routinely accidentally shoot either themselves or another member of the family with the household gun. In truth, death by firearms accounts for the LOWEST percentage cause of death in the United

With shows like American Guns on Discovery Channel that depict strong women who open carry and know their guns inside and out, look for gun ownership among women to continue to climb. I wouldn’t be surprised if an entire line of guns and gun gear for women hit shelves soon!

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 47

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK

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G I RL R e t h in k

B ag t h e B i r t h C o n t r o l an d

Start

Counting!

B y S hell y A llen

Did you know a woman is only fertile for 48 hours out of the entire month?

4

8 hours, that’s it! It makes me wonder why so many woman subject themselves to the ongoing side effects of medicated birth control when they can simply spit out the pill and start counting.

According to a recent FDA report, Bayer’s Yasmin, Safyral, Yaz, Angeliq, and Beyaz birth control drugs all contain drospirenone, which is already

50 GIRL STIR

known to cause cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system dysfunction, vision problems, respiratory illness, and endocrine disruption. Now the FDA admits that the drug is linked to causing deadly blood clots known as venous thromboembolism as well.

With all of those possible side affects isn’t it time to rethink your birth control method? Here’s how it works. Most women are on a 28 day cycle and ovulate 14 days after the start of their last period.

The ovulation cycle is about 48 hours and sperm can live inside your body for about 72 hours. Do the math and you find there is about a five to six day period of time that pregnancy is possible. I know, I know all this counting can get confusing and God forbid you get it wrong, right?

Well yes but, tracking your periods and the round about time of your ovulation does a couple things. First, it lets you

know how regular your periods are. Some women think their periods are irregular until they start keeping track. Once they start keeping track they usually find they are just either on a longer cycle, 32-35 days or a shorter cycle, 21-26 days. That in itself can help you avoid a whole lot of confusion and uncertainty when it comes to your reproductive health.

Second, when you know you are close to your ovulation date you can either abstain from sex altogether or have your man provide the protection. I know, I know they always put up such a fight, right?

But let’s think about this, what if you sat down with your partner and showed him the side affects of the birth control? If he really loves you won’t he be willing to suck it up a few days out of the month? I think so, and if not, then you have a bigger problem on your hands than we can possibly discuss in this article!

So let’s break this down and make this real simple. You have a smart phone right?

You know those handy dandy apps we all download like financial trackers, and note pads, and angry birds?

Well turns out there are quite a few apps designed with ovulation in mind. The

best one I have found is called My Days for the Android Market. All YOU have to do is tap the day on the calendar in the app that you start your period and the app does the rest. It tells you what days are going to be your most fertile and the day you will ovulate. How’s that for simple? It even includes graphs that, after a few months of tracking, will tell you exactly how long your cycle is and all kinds of great statistics!

So here’s my disclaimer, I am not by any means telling you to stop taking the pill today and start counting. I don’t want anyone hunting me down because they got pregnant when they didn’t want to! I am simply saying start tracking your ovulation and maybe after a few months you will feel comfortable getting off the pill so you can keep from experiencing any horrible side effects that accompany it!

Here’s to your health…

QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 51

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QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 53

G I RL F OOD F A C TS

High-fructose

corn syrup • Found in many foods, is made using a toxic chemical catalyst •

BY DaviD Guiterrez

H

igh-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used as a sweetener in nearly all mainstream packaged foods in the United States, from bread to soda and even breakfast cereal. It has been blamed for increasing the number of empty calories in the U.S. diet, and researchers have even linked it to diabetes and obesity.

Another danger from this ubiquitous ingredient comes from the toxic chemicals that are used to turn corn into corn starch and then into HFCS. One of these chemicals, glutaraldehyde, is so dangerous that small quantities can burn holes in the human stomach. Like other chemical disinfectants, it can severely irritate the lungs, eyes and throat and can cause headaches or dizziness if inhaled.

Because two of the chemicals used in HFCS production introduce mercury into the mix, a recent study found that between one-third and one-half of all HFCS-containing products on the market tested positive for mercury contamination. In some cases, the level of mercury was high enough that a woman eating an average amount of HFCS as represented in the American diet could ingest more than five times the maximum recommended upper limit of mercury.

Sources: http://www.naturalnews.com/025442_HFCS_Corn_Refiners_Association.html http://www.slate.com/id/2216796 http://blog.friendseat.com/is-there-mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup 54 GIRL STIR

laetrile

BY Mike Adams

• The seed inside a peach contains an almond-like nut which holds a potent anti-cancer medicine •

P

eaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and bitter almonds are all closely related fruit trees with very similar pits. In all these fruits, the pit must be broken open to reveal the almond-shaped (and sized) kernel within. In fact, this is what bitter almonds actually are: the kernel within the pit of the fruit of the bitter almond tree!

The kernels of all these species contain high concentrations of a chemical known as laetrile, amygdalin or vitamin B-17. Research has suggested that laetrile induces programmed cell death in cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. This appears to occur because the chemical is actually composed of four separate molecules: two of glucose, one of benzaldyhide and one of cyanide. The latter two chemicals are toxic, but are bound up in a non-bioavailable form. Cancer cells contain an enzyme that healthy cells do not, however, known as beta-glucosidase. This enzyme actually breaks apart the component pieces of laetrile, and the cell is poisoned by a combination of benzaldyhide and cyanide. Healthy cells do not undergo this effect.

Claiming that laetrile was ineffective and toxic, however, the US medical establishment successfully persuaded the FDA to ban it in 1971.

Sources: http://www.naturalnews.com/027088_cancer_laetrile_cure.html http://www.naturalnews.com/025427_almonds_nuts_weight.html QUESTION I CHALLENGE I RETHINK 55

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G I RL H e a l t h

RECOGNIzING

A STROKE

By Phillip Day

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.

D

uring a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics). She said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken, Jane went about enjoying herself for the rest of the evening.

Jane’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital and at 6:00pm Jane passed away. In fact, she had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. If those present had known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today.

Some don’t die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

Neurologists say if they can get to a stroke victim within three hours, they can in some cases totally reverse the effects of a stroke. They 58 GIRL STIR

say the trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours, which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.

The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S • Ask the individual to SMILE. T • Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently). i.e. It is sunny out today.

R • Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

---- NEW SIGN OF A STROKE ---STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE If the tongue is crooked, i.e. if it goes to one side or the other, this also can be an indication a stroke has occurred.

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