Organic Food Tax Write Off
I am finally preparing to have my taxes done this evening. Thats right, I did put it off until the last minute. I was contemplating what to write about for todays article while in the back of my head, thinking about what I will need to bring to the tax office tonight. I remembered a great idea that I had about this time last year about our taxes and the purchase of organic food.
You hear about it in the news, on TV shows and from politicians that Americas getting fat. Its not just the weight as much as it is our overall health that we should be concerned about but in todays economy it is very difficult for many people to eat healthy. It certainly helps to have an incentive in mind when deciding to switch to a healthy diet and many people are still skeptical about switching to organic food, assuming that its just a fad. It is slightly more expensive to eat organic but the truth is it that its the best choice we can make for our health.
America has become aware about the benefits of going green and making strides toward improving our environment but what we should also be concerned about is improving our health. If we can make America healthier one step at a time, a great start would be to allow tax payers to write off some of the cost of organic groceries. Not only will people eat healthier knowing that they will be partially compensated for the cost, it will benefit our country as a whole in many ways.
People who live healthy lifestyles will require less medical care. This is most likely a pipe dream, but it wouldnt hurt if our insurance would cover natural, homeopathic medicine as well as treatments like acupuncture and massage therapy, etc. Healthier citizens are more productive citizens. Employees will be more productive at work as they will be more alert, focused and happier because they will not be full of the toxins that can cause emotional problems, difficulty concentrating and so much more. Children who eat organic food function much better at school and will most likely earn better grades, increasing their chances for a decent job once they have graduated. I feel comfortable stating that the economy can only benefit from such a change.
We have two paths we can take. We can support local business owners like farmers as well as companies offering products that better our health and increase longevity, vs. giving our money to fast food and pharmaceutical companies. Why support businesses like McDonalds that entice prospective customers with visions of cheeseburgers dancing in their heads while delivering our children food that makes them look and feel terrible, not to mention includes meat from sick, hormone-injected cows. Come on guys, mommys taking everyone to McDonalds for dinner! I dont get the concept and the government shouldnt either.
We seem to be taking baby steps toward eating the right foods. Organic sections at grocery stores are growing and consumers are reading the labels before purchasing products. Now we just need the support of our government. If were not going to get rid of enterprises like McDonalds, lets at least offer even more incentives (above and beyond the obvious) for people to eat healthy. If our money goes toward organic food only, I guarantee you that businesses will want to accommodate our needs in order to thrive and our country will blossom from there.
Its time to come out of the closet about organic food. This is not a fad that will change over time- not once people notice the benefits that a nutritional diet can have on their health and appearance. Some people just need a little nudge in the right direction and a tax break just for one year just might do the trick!
Pesticides Invisible Killers
Pesticides. What are they exactly? Is it necessary to use pesticides to keep our crops free from infestation? How do organic farmers keep their crops safe from bugs and insects without the use of pesticides? We know that pesticides are harmful but we still have many detailed questions because the actual risks of consuming pesticides arent necessarily advertised at your local grocery store. Many people dont have thoughts of pesticides running through their heads when they are shopping at the store. We often shop on an empty stomach and dont really stop to think about the risk we would take if we chose to eat a pint of delicious, super-red strawberries that happen to be on sale for half the price! No. We think, this is cheap, its fast, its a desert and a snack and the beautiful bright red color makes it look so fresh. We dont take into account that those pretty little berries could very well be toxic.
Lets start with a brief explanation of what pesticides are and why they are used. Pesticides can contain one or more of the following: chemicals, bacterium and disinfectants. They are used to rid of pests as well as weeds and fish. Farmers save money when they use pesticides to protect their crops from deteriorating or being consumed as they save approximately 10% of their product. Studies claim that the omission of pesticides would lead to job loss and hunger, yet at the same time, there are millions of dollars spent on the constant testing of these substances.
We all know that pesticides were invented to kill bugs and in small doses arent thought to kill humans. The fact is, 18,000 workers in the field of agriculture die each year of poisoning from pesticides. Many workers who are exposed to pesticides put themselves at risk for many types of cancer as well as neurological problems. Pesticides can harm those who work with or nearby the substances. Why do we assume that they wont have the same effect on us? We should assume that they do, slowly at least. Can pesticides harm us one bite at a time along with our daily servings of fruits and vegetables?
Washing or peeling your food does not get rid of pesticides but does reduce the amount you would otherwise consume. The even bigger problem is the fact that you cant wash your juice, apple sauce, sugar, soybean oil and many of the other products that contain pesticides. Soy Lecithin is found in chocolate bars and many other foods and consists of the left over trash of a soybean as well as their pesticides. Organophosphates are common pesticides found in our food that can also be found in nerve gas, yummy.
Organophosphates as well as other pesticides are known to affect children the most and can cause birth defects, cognitive impairment and behavioral problems (such as A.D.D.) and possibly even leukemia. There is also talk that pesticides may be contributing to the higher rates of autism over the past few years. Human exposure to pesticides can also lead to liver damage, Parkinsons Disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer, infertility, immune deficiencies and more.
Is exposure to harmful pesticides beyond our control? Folks living in agricultural areas where pesticides are sprayed over crops are probably at greater risk than anyone else. The pesticides that are sprayed from planes can easily travel through the air and into neighborhoods. The chemicals can also pollute bodies of water and soil beyond the farms. This is one of the many reasons that the use of pesticides should be prohibited. Farmers would be disappointed assuming that they would be losing money. If a farmer is presented with the choice of having 10% more crops or a child with leukemia, which do you think he/she would choose? I would say losing a few crops here and there would be nothing compared to losing a child. This type of thinking needs to be more common. The risks of being exposed to pesticides needs to be advertised and people need to stop rationalizing when it comes to public safety. There is a clear choice here.
Those of us who have control over whether or not were exposed to pesticides need to make responsible choices for our safety and the health of our children. It is our conscious decision from here on in and our responsibility to take care of ourselves. Suddenly, those strawberries you bought at the grocery store dont seem so appealing. Next time youll know to buy the organic ones in the next isle. Yes, they are not on sale, and yes, they do cost a little more than the average bunch, but you will be surprised when you eat a few and actually feel full. You will be reminded of what a real strawberry tasted like when you were a kid. You will be full, satisfied and that much healthier.
Organic food is free of pesticides and there is an organic version of just about everything out there. This is not a fad people; its a necessity at this point. Eating organic is the only way you will receive the vitamins and minerals that are found naturally in food. When you dont eat organic, you might as well be eating plastic. Todays food is so polluted and over-processed that it is no longer food once it hits the grocery store shelves. You will eat less food when you eat organic because the food is whole and pure, filling you comfortably. Organic food makes you less gassy, does not give you that bogged down, guilty feeling when youre done eating, and does not contain chemicals that block the absorption of the essential nutrients your body needs to build immunity and keep you healthy and happy. Say no to pesticides.
Movies Inglorious Basterds The Other Man Public Enemies
There were so many great movies showing over the weekend with Dish Networks premium channels that it was difficult to choose which movie to watch! I absolutely had to check out Quentin Tarantinos Inglorious Basterds so I decided to hit the video store Friday night. Since snow was in our Massachusetts forecast, I assumed that Id have time to watch this movie as well as one or two more. This is probably the first weekend in six months that I actually put time aside to relax and have some fun at home.
I had a weird feeling that I would enter the video store and see that every copy of the movie would be gone and I was right. I asked the clerk if there were any Inglorious Basterds hiding behind the counter. I figured if I made him laugh somehow he would look deeper for the movie. He said that there should be two copies in the store and we went searching to see if they were misplaced. They were no where to be found so I started poking around to see what other treasures I could find and I ended up renting four movies! Most people would say that renting four movies is ridiculous but you must understand that I have much catching up to do on my entertainment. I grabbed Public Enemies, The Other Man and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves for my daughter who laughs every time she sees the preview on her copy of Toy Story. I realized I was holding three movies and couldn’t decide on which to rent for myself so I headed to the counter with all three until I noticed something at the corner of my eye. Inglorious Basterds! I must have looked insane when I jumped like a child to grab the DVD off the shelf. I laughed at myself and headed to the counter with the four flicks in hand.
We decided to watch The Other Man Friday night and chose to save the main feature for Saturday night so wed have something to look forward to. This film stars Liam Neeson, Antonio Banderas and Laura Linney. The title is self-explanatory and Im sure that you can guess that Antonio Banderas is the other man. It received negative reviews, but Im always up for a challenge. I know now why this film didnt make a killing. I fell asleep! The last time I fell asleep on a movie, it was because I was sick. The total film probably couldve been compiled into thirty minutes because it was so uneventful that the wait for something interesting to happen was excruciating! What a waste to include three decent actors in a movie that was almost about nothing. You have the cheating factor that is interesting but it was not enough to make this movie fly. I watched an hour of it and I still plan to see the rest tonight. I still dont want to totally give up hope. Liam Neeson is an amazing actor and if youve seen his performance in Schindlers List youll know why, but he has taken every movie offer that comes his way. I dont know how many more sleepers I can handle just to see a movie including Neeson. His other recent film, Taken was one of the worst hostage films Ive ever seen. Whats going on Liam? Laura Linney can be slightly annoying to watch but shes a great actress and truly shined in The Truman Show. Antonio Banderas is great no matter what hes in. He has the skills, the great looks and, of course, the accent. There must have been some reason these actors chose to be in this film so maybe Ill be proved wrong when I finally watch the rest of it tonight!
I was finally able to watch Inglorious Basterds Saturday night. The suspense and excitement had been building ever since I heard word on the Internet of Tarantino filming this movie. Maybe I built up too much excitement because I wouldnt say that this is his best film. It was certainly as unique as I would expect from Tarantino and the story was quite interesting. There was a certain level of suspense and anxiety that was great but something about it seemed off. I was getting that feeling that we would encounter a Pulp Fiction style revenge in the end that makes you want to jump out of your chair and say, Take that! but something about the ending wasn’t as effective as I expected. I wont go into detail because I dont want to ruin it for anyone but it just seems that there could have been a more shocking approach to the grand finale. Those of you who have seen this film may agree that you would have liked to see the girl that got away pull a Kill Bill type can of whoop-a** on the bad guys. Maybe its just me. Overall, I thought it was a good film but I must say that Tarantinos best films were his earliest. I hope one day Tarantino makes a movie as good as Pulp Fiction. This is such an original hit that I think he set his bar at the top when this movie hit theaters because its almost impossible to make a movie another film as great and as twisted as this. I enjoyed the following movies more than Inglorious Basterds; the obvious Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, From Dusk Till Dawn and Jackie Brown. Kill Bill was fun but Inglorious Basterds was better. Brad Pitt continues to amaze me with his flexibility as an actor. I always thought he was a decent actor especially in Legends of the Fall, then he absolutely blew me away with his part in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and again with his character in Burn After Reading. I thought his role in Inglorious Basterds seemed a little silly and I was afraid he wouldnt be able to make his character believable but I was mistaken because he surprised me yet again with a great performance! The cast was superb in this film with the exception of Eli Roth. What the heck was that Tarantino? Eli Roth is an awesome director and maybe he has become friends with Tarantino but the guy couldnt act if his life depended on it. Eli, we love your movies but not your acting. How about another film like Cabin Fever?
I watched Public Enemies last night for the conclusion to my entertaining weekend. I have one question, how can the director not know that the film he has just made contains one hour of boredom and one hour of award-winning entertainment? The first half of this film doesnt even compare with its last half so Im glad I didnt fall asleep! If I was fortunate to have made a film and it turned out to be half dull and half fabulous, I would go back and film the whole first part of it the way I did the last to create a blockbuster hit. Overall the movie was fairly entertaining and ladies, if you love Johnny Depp wait till you see him crying over his girlfriend in this film.
Out of the three movies I rented for us, I would have to go with Inglorious Basterds as number one. Part of me feels that it would have been more worth it to spend the twenty dollars I spent at the video store at the theater to see Avatar, another film I cant wait to see!
Dish Network Myths Setting the Record Straight
In recent months DIRECTV has begun a campaign of falsehoods directed at Dish Network in an effort to slow Dishs momentum in the marketplace. Customers havent been fooled by DIRECTVs claims and here is why:
Dish Network Does Not Carry Local Channels
For some time now it has been stated Dish Network has lost local programming for affiliates like CBS ABC NBC. this is not true. Dish Network carries local programming in 184 local markets, encompassing 97% of the country. By comparison DIRECTV services only 150 local markets or 94% of the country. In fact Dish Network delivers local channel in high-definition to 93% of the country. DIRECTV services just 84% of the country with HD locals.
Dish Network charges for Local Channels
Not true! Local channels are included in all Dish Network programming packages. The misconception comes from Dish Network offering customers a $5.00 discount if they choose not to get locals. Also there are some International programming options that require the customer to add a local channel package for $9.99. DIRECTV requires one of two a base packages be purchased for International customers, Basic $12.99 or Preferred Choice $34.99.
Dish Network loses channels
Not true! Dish Network has been adding channels to its lineup month over month more than any other service provider. Programming like The NFL RedZone Channel, which has launched to tremendous reviews. DIRECTV has recently lost Versus, hope youre not a hockey or PBR fan. In fact Dish Network now carries more than 295-channels in its Americas Everything Pak. DIRECTV, just 265 in its Premier Package.
Dish Network has Inferior HD Quality
Not true! This all marketing done by DIRECTV to justify their higher prices. Dish Network is the first Satellite Provider to broadcast in 1080P true high definition. Dish Network is currently offering 140-HD channels to DIRECTVs 130.
Dish Network is plagued by installation problems
Not true! With accessible call centers and a departments devoted to making sure your installation is a pleasurable experience there would be no reason for a customer to experience an installation problem. A Dish Network installer will even install a satellite dish on a pole at no cost to the customer. DIRECTV installers charge $150 for pole mounts. Dish Network installations take place within 2-4 days typically. DIRECTV 5-7 days on average.
Dish Network out sources its Customer Service Centers overseas.
Absolutely incorrect! Dish Network has customer service centers in Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma, to ensure a customer speaks to a representative that can understand what they are experiencing and unlike DIRECTV these are free calls.
Dish Network has poor signal strength
With new satellites launched in November 2008 Dish Network has Satellites devoted to both sides of the country, known as the Eastern Arc and Western Arc. The Arcs provide Dish Network with greater elevation angles than DIRECTV giving Dish Network customers better satellite signal and better picture quality. The placement of this satellite has ensured Dish Networks signal remains second to none with a 99.9% reliable rating.
Dish Network has inferior sports programming
Dish Network provides college and pro basketball with ESPN Full Court, NBA League Pass and NBA TV. Hockey is covered through NHL Center Ice, NHL Network, and Versus (not carried by DIRECTV). Soccer, College Football and even International sports like Rugby and cricket are covered. The main differences between DIRECTV and Dish Network when it comes to sports are Baseball and Football. DIRECTV carries MLB Extra Innings at a cost of $180 per season, Dish does not. You can watch your local baseball teams on Dish Network, but if you are into paying for out-of-market baseball games than DIRECTV would be the place to go. When it comes to the NFL, Dish Network has launched the NFL Network RedZone Channel, which is getting tremendous reviews. DIRECTVs signature programming is the NFL Sunday Ticket, which they have paid nearly $750-million for the exclusive rights to. Sunday Ticket programming will cost you $300 for the season and an extra $100 to get DIRECTVs version of the Red Zone Channel. With only 3% of DIRECTV customers subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket, perhaps that explains DIRECTVs higher rates. Incidentally, you can watch NFL games on Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network in crystal clear high-definition on Dish Network.
Dish Network has inferior equipment
Dish Network possesses an HD-DVR, the ViP722 that can be utilized on 2-TVs at once. Providing High-Definition and DVR on one TV and Standard Definition and DVR on the other. This receiver was voted CNet Editors Choice best in class. Dish Network does all its manufacturing in-house, which allows them to expand technology and keep costs low for their customers. Currently in development is a sling system, which will allow a dish customer to access their TV, and DVR through any Internet connection. This includes your cell phone!
Earthquake-Are We at Risk for Another Catastrophy?
It seems like natural disasters are happening now more than ever before. Ive been wondering if there is a need to panic about the future of mother earth, as we know it. Hot vacation spots in the Dominican Republic are just 150 miles away from the wreckage and tourists claim that you would never know there was a disaster next door if it didnt make world news. Its scary to think that they too could fall victims to a horrible disaster such as this. Does the Dominican Republic have a reason to be concerned and what about neighboring islands or Florida that is 710 miles away? Is the world at risk for a major catastrophe? Rather than get completely paranoid about things I cant control, Ive decided to do a little online research about earthquakes and tsunami to see if we are more at risk now than ever before.
Earthquakes are certainly nothing new to our planet. The first recorded quake was in 1831 B.C. and took place in Chinas Shandong province. Earthquakes are a result of the shifting of tectonic plates and are fairly common. Florida and South Dakota have had the fewest earthquakes in America. Alaska is at the greatest risk for earthquakes as it is the most seismically active area of the world. There is approximately one quake per year in Alaska measuring a magnitude of 7 with more sizeable quakes at a magnitude of 8 or more about once every 14 years. Earthquakes can reach as deep as 400 miles below the earths surface in areas located at the edge of tectonic plates.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is the term used to describe the area surrounding the huge Pacific plate where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are most common. This area is where 90% of all earthquakes have occurred. The Pacific Ring of Fire surrounds the Pacific Ocean reaching from the Peru-Chile Trench through Panama, up to Alaska, over to Japan, around Australia and through New Zealand like a horseshoe.
The second most popular seismic area for earthquakes to occur is along the Alpide Belt. This is where 5-6% of all earthquakes have occurred. The Alpide Belt is made up of a huge series of mountains that extend along the borders of the Eurasian plate, African plate and Arabian plate. It includes the Himalayans, Alps, Carpathian Mountains and more. It continues through the Mediterranean and ends at the Atlantic Ocean near Spain.
The third most notorious area for earthquakes to occur is along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This strip basically slices the Atlantic Ocean in half curving west toward Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This is the longest mountain range in the world and is located under water with Iceland being its largest tip above the ocean. This area experiences seismic activity due to fact that its nestled between the Eurasian, North American, African and South American plates.
There is currently no way to predict when an earthquake will occur or how significant it will be but you could say that there is a 100% chance that there will be one today. Most earthquakes happen along The Pacific Ring of Fire so there is more of a probability of one striking there today whether it is merely a rumble or a 7 on the Richter scale. There are a few countries where quakes are more common and studies are conducted to measure possible fore-quakes that could lead to an earthquake. Some scientists measure the beginning of a quake by the level of radon gas that is emitted and some examine the way that rocks crack in comparison to stress. Overall, we just need to be content with not knowing exactly when an earthquake will occur or how severe it will be until there is a valid measure for prediction.
Tsunami
Tsunami are created when a large amount of water is displaced and a series of waves is created leading up to what most refer to as tidal waves and are most common in Japan where the term originated. One of the events that can cause a tsunami is an underwater earthquake of great magnitude right below the ocean floor. Even if an underwater earthquake is detected, there is no foolproof tool to measure whether a tsunami will definitely follow and how powerful it will be. The most valid warning sign for civilians near the shore is when there is a dramatic suction of the ocean from the shoreline, exposing a vast area of land that is normally covered by water. People who notice this occurrence are warned to make an immediate run for higher-ground as there is very little time between the drawback and the immense wave of destruction. Places with a high risk of tsunami like Hawaii, use devices attached to buoys that can detect when significant underwater earthquakes occur and act as a tsunami warning system. They are now installing the same system in the Indian Ocean since the catastrophe that occurred last time a tsunami hit. Tsunami are not new occurrences as there have been 25 throughout the past century though they do occur less often than earthquakes.
I did not find any information supporting the idea that catastrophies like these are any more common now than they were years ago. There is however much more media coverage than ever before. There is new technology and people generally seem more drawn to news about disasters than any other news. Photos on the internet of sick and injured people whose families have been torn apart by tragedy, live news reports, the updates are ongoing and will be for some time. This coverage takes this tragedy and makes it real to people around the world. It brings us a sense of sorrow and fear but also informs the world of a country in need of help and donations. It makes us question if the same thing could happen to us and gives many of us a sense of unrest, leaving us with unanswered questions. The best thing to do for those of us who have not been affected by a catastrophe like the earthquake in Haiti is to realize just how lucky we are and to contribute whatever we can to the cause. There seems to be no major reason to think that there will be an increase in natural disasters so right now the best we can do is to stay informed, stop panicking and live life to the fullest.
Frank helps people learn about Dish Network Satellite TV, and how they can save money every month with popular Dish Network Packages. Frank and his team also help people determine if satellite internet is right for them.
By: Frank Bilotta