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Garbage in, garbage out. I believe the term originated in reference to computer programming; the idea being that the quality of the any result is directly related to what you start with. (Another colorful expression that certainly pre-dates GIGO—one that my high school algebra teacher loved to say—is, “you can’t get a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!”)

So let me ask you. Where are you getting your information? Is it coming from that highly-produced, market-driven TV news? While some media companies work a little harder than others in at least attempting to be unbiased, it’s pretty obvious that most broadcast and cable TV networks lean one way or the other, with the majority of their programming reflective of a point of view skewed in only one direction. CNN, pretty much left. Fox, right. MSNBC, again, left.

And then there is the problem of timing and access. What if you are ready for a little “brain food” right now? Is your cable or radio station going to deliver what you want, when and where you want it?

Even if you find a station that you like, have you “had it up to here” with what seems like enormous time-blocks of commercials? I think it’s something like nine minutes of advertising for every five of content. At least it seems that way.

Wouldn’t it be a pleasure to find a place where you could access information and commentary based upon your own criteria—either by the personality that you want to hear, or the subject matter that you are most interested in? A place where the content is original, and virtually unpolluted by commercial interruptions?

I have found an answer—with The Talk Pod, you can say “goodbye” to those canned, repetitive radio and TV broadcasts that give you so little of what you want (and too much of what you don’t want).

Talent-wise, this new site is packed to the rafters with the best of the best in their fields, covering everything from politics and sports, to entertainment, wine and weather… and everything in between.

The names are familiar, certainly to anyone in Northern California, if not to the entire country; Barbara Simpson, John Rothmann, Lloyd Lindsey Young, Bill Wattenburg, Stan Burford, Ed Baxter, Rosie Allen, Ken Dito, Joe Starkey, Malou Nubla, Elizabeth Kate, and the guys from “Flick Nation;” Steve Wagner, Dennis Willis and Steven Kirk.

So long “GIGO.” Hello The Talk Pod.

Probably not. The major cause of this jaw dysfunction, as my jaw TMJ/TMD practice has experienced, is STRESS. We are living in very stressful times. The economy is slowly recovering and family life has been disrupted by both parents having to work to make ends meet. To make matters worse, kids with time intensive extracurricular activities like sports, cause family sit down dinners to be a rare occurrence. When can we reduce stress and finally enjoy life?

To communicate and to laugh together? In order to recognize unconstructive habits or lifestyle changes that can help, it’s important to understand the mechanisms by which stress affects the body and what can be done about it.

Controlling our bodily functions, without our knowledge, is the Autonomic Nervous System. This system is made up of two opposite systems: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. As the Autonomic Nervous system receives stimuli from the external environment it automatically responds by activating a body process using the sympathetic system, or inhibiting responses using the parasympathetic system. Many of us are aware of the “fight or flight” reaction that the sympathetic system prepares as a response to stress or an emergency situation, including clenching and grinding of teeth.

The parasympathetic system controls the bodily processes during ordinary life, including the speeding up and slowing down of heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and simulating proper digestion—all of which allow us to restore and build tissues, heal, and reproduce.

What most of us also know, but lose sight of, is what we can do to have some measure of control over these functions. When possible, we must take a break from the “Rat Race”. Understanding that our digestion cannot take place properly with stress dominating our minds, on every possible occasion we must take time to sit down, relax, eat nutritiously and find something to laugh about. Choose another time for business. Sitting down to eat dinner with the whole family is invaluable. Turn off the TV and get to know each other. I was blessed with a wife that could make a room full of people laugh and, as I look back, I can’t think of a dinner without laughter. True laughter stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which takes away many of the effects of stress and allows proper digestion to occur. It is also hard to clench or grind teeth while laughing.

Some might wonder why I got off on this tangent when my goal is to deal with TMJ/TMD problems. I regularly get my patients pain free quite quickly, but, to make it a lasting change, dietary and lifestyle changes are sometimes required. At my practice the goal is to help our patients understand the cause of the problem that brought them to me and, hopefully, guide them in the elimination of that cause.

The opposite of stress is thought by most to be relaxation. I would like to propose that the opposite of stress is happiness. Not the “happiness” of a new car or a promotion, etc., but the happiness that comes from internal serenity. That kind of happiness is “Rat Race” free and truly free as well. Some time ago I came upon a book by Matthieu Ricard entitled Happiness. This book explains why we have the emotions we enjoy or suffer from, what causes them and their underlying purpose. If you are ready to find real happiness and enjoyment in your life, this is a must read.

A new school year means a new you, but who has time for a mini makeover before class? Try these simple and easy beauty tips to totally switch up your look in 60 seconds or less!

Fabulous Eyes:

We all know eyeliner is the secret to instantly playing up the eyes, but who says it always has to be black or brown? Try using a rich navy to spice things up with an added new trendy twist.

Flirt Alert:

Switching up your lip color is an easy way to transition your summer beauty look into fall. This season soft nude peach tones, is the new pink. So trade in your rosy-hued pink gloss for a subtle natural gold coral shade.

Brighten Up:

Waking up for school can be rough. Fake a fresh-faced look even if you’ve been up all night cramming for a test by using a shimmery pink blush on your cheekbones. This is a quick way to get a natural girly glow without looking made-up. Make sure to smile so you can locate the apples of your cheeks, then apply the shimmer in an upward slant. It’s a great pick-me-up for the girl on the go!

One Hot Minute:

Tired of reapplying your lip-gloss after every class? Try out a fun new lip liner in a nude, berry, or soft peach and you’ll be well on your way to the perfect, long-lasting pout! Lip liners can last hours, while glosses can fade after eating and drinking. To apply: line and fill in your lips then simply add gloss.

Brows a-go-go:

When making up your eyes, look beyond just your lids and lashes. Eyebrows are actually the feature that frames your whole face, and with a little grooming it can go an extra-long way! If your brows are on the lighter or thinner side, try filling them in with a waterproof eyebrow pencil that’s a complimentary shade to your brow color. For blondes we usually suggest a taupe color, slightly lighter than your brows. For darker hair you’ll want to use a medium taupe color. You’ll be surprised at what a world of difference this quick trick makes, especially when taking selfies!!

You can also make an eyebrow appointment at The Rouge to update your brows perfectly and expertly before starting school. We are pros at brow shaping. We look at the shape of your face and wax and groom your eyebrows to work perfectly with your own individual face shape, and of course they keep your look extremely trendy and updated.

At The Rouge we offer make-up lessons for all ages and they are experts at eyebrow shaping. Whether you’re going to a new school, or just need a change, we will provide you with the most up-to-date trends of the season. We offer lessons Tuesday through Saturday for your convenience. Make it a great year and look your best, enjoy your beauty confidence and put your best features forward. You-go-girl!!

I Now Pronounce you Rachael Ray’s cousin on her father’s side twice removed…

As a newly married woman, part of one of my many duties is to be the chef of our home. Now, even though I don’t mind this position it can be extremely demanding, and that’s something I just wasn’t ready for. Growing up I never cooked anything. My mom was like Gina Neely, my grandmother was like Paula Dean (pre-scandal), and my mom’s sister (my aunt/godmother) was the authentic Betty Crocker in the family, so I was pretty much covered when it came to food. My entire family probably could have been food network stars, so naturally when I married my husband he thought he was getting Rachael Ray. Here’s the problem with that… I knew how to cook, I just never tried it and of course I wasn’t going to tell him that. I never thought I would have to cook for a man who claimed all he needed was sandwiches and cereal, but just like anchovies on a pizza…I was wrong!

Thank God for my secret weapons, Pinterest and Fresh and Easy Grocery stores, because the two of them together for me was like cooking for dummies. So I have been using my aides to get me through these past few months of new-wife hood, but something went grossly wrong last week with the stuffed chicken I made. One more incident like that and I won’t be able to keep my Rachael Ray facade up for much longer. I mean my husband is bound to start figuring things out.

I can’t really explain why none of my first time meals (which is pretty much all of them) have never gone wrong before last week, but they just haven’t. So of course, like most prodigies my head got sort of big. The bigger my head got the more my husband expected. So at this point I’ve surpassed Rachael Ray in my mind and I’m feeling more like Bree Va De Kamp from ABC’s Desperate Housewives... that is until he told his father that I’m cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year and to bring the whole family. All I remember from that point on was lying on the floor as he was bent over me pressing a cold towel to my forehead and asking if I was okay. I couldn’t believe it; he had unintentionally unknowingly told the biggest lie ever to my in-laws, and it was all my fault. When I told Karma that she skipped some people I never mentioned my own name. This just can’t be happening! I just figured out how to fry chicken for goodness sake, now I’ve got to prepare a whole turkey?

Lesson one from this whole debacle: never forget what level of chef you really are. Just because a few meals turn out fantastic doesn’t mean you’ve skipped levels from novice to intermediate.

Lesson two: never believe what your husband says pre-marriage about what your duties as his wife will be. Just don’t believe the hype. He’s lying to you and the poor guy might not even know it.

Last, but not least Lesson three: find a support group where you can tell the truth and be yourself.

I have chosen you, our ALIVE readers to be my support group. So, now I’m not ashamed to say, “My name is Kristina I’m a recovering cooking con-artist. I’ve been clean for almost a week now (mostly because we’ve been eating takeout), but I’m here to declare that I may not be Rachael Ray, but through Pinterest and Fresh and Easy Grocery stores I’m like Rachel Ray’s cousin on her father’s side twice removed, and for this week I’m okay with that. Just don’t tell my husband.

Is your gut health preventing your brain from functioning at its best? That is the question many scientists are trying to answer today. A while back, in the April issue of Alive, I wrote an article discussing the “The Second Brain” in the gut. The article talked about the enormous number of nerve cells that control the GI tract and how those nerve cells interact with the brain. In this article, we’ll focus on how an unhealthy gut can result in unhealthy brain function.

Most people are comfortable with the concept of our brain and emotional stress affecting the function of our stomachs and intestines, i.e. “nervous stomach,” nausea or diarrhea. The concept of gut function affecting the brain is less known. For many, many years it was thought that the brain completely controlled the gut, and almost every malady has been blamed on our over stressed brain. I agree that stress is a big factor when dealing with many issues including fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and premature aging but much of the time the stress we feel is actually caused or at least increased by inflammation, poor gut function and bacteria imbalance.

Recently there has been a great deal of scientific work outlining the relationship between the brain and our guts. As an example, neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D, wrote a recent book called Grain-Brain, where he discusses in detail how eating gluten (wheat and grain foods) leads to generalized inflammation in the brain by damaging the gut. This damage causes protein leakage through the gut wall, leading to a severe immune reaction. This “supercharging” of the inflammatory response causes brain degeneration, which could lead to Alzheimer’s Disease.

We now know that problems in the gut directly impact our body, especially the brain, causing depression, anxiety, memory loss, and sleeping problems. Because our central nervous system is made of exactly the same cells as our gut nervous system (enteric nervous system) they can and do communicate in an important way. In fact, the two are connected by a large nerve—the Vagus nerve—that takes all the information on motility, inflammation, and permeability from the gut and sends that to the brain. As a matter of fact, it turns out that 90% of the information in the Vagus nerve goes to the brain, not the other way around.

Recent research on probiotics has confirmed this pattern. In 2011 the Journal of Neurogastroenterology reported that the bacteria in our guts, known as Bifidobacterium (“good” bacteria), will normalize anxiety in rats with colitis. In a separate study, a probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus decreased depression and anxiety by increasing GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms the brain.

Research has also shown that fish oil (DHA and EPA) can control the bad bacteria in our gut, decreasing inflammation and improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That’s important not only because of gut discomfort, but they have also found that people suffering with irritable bowel have a lower verbal IQ. Those bad bacteria in IBS patients also inhibit the normal and healthy production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Surprisingly, 95% of the body’s serotonin is in the gut. In fact, research psychiatrists can diagnose major depression, pain syndromes, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome by testing for toxins produced by pathogenic bad bacteria in the gut.

The clear message here is that we must do everything we can to maintain our gut health in order to have healthy brain function. Things like antibiotics, gluten, grains, and even some of the medicines you are given by your trusted doctor can damage the gut wall and lead to brain degeneration. Caring for this delicate part of our immune system is vitally important in order to have a healthy brain. To accomplish this task, get the help of a practitioner who is knowledgeable in the techniques of improving gut health with appropriate lab testing, treatment and lifestyle changes that put you on the path of improved brain function.

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL) or WalnutCreekThyroidInstitute.com

Since its founding in Danville in 1999, Align Healing Center has treated the accelerating increase in chronic pain and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), now called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the community. RSD/CRPS is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor injury, such as a sprain. And in some cases, no precipitating event can be identified.

RSD/CRPS is characterized by various degrees of burning pain, swelling, and sensitivity to heat, cold, or touch. Pain may begin in one area or limb and then spread to other limbs. In some cases, symptoms of RSD/CRPS diminish for a period of time and then reappear with a new injury.

Causes and Risk Factors for RSD/CRPS
An exact understanding of RSD/CRPS is not complete. It appears to involve a complex interaction among the sensory, motor, and sympathetic nervous systems in conjunction with the immune system. Currently, Western Medicine is undecided on the causes of RSD/CRPS. It is believed that in most cases the sympathetic nervous system is the main contributor to the experienced pain. Another theory postulates that CRPS is caused by a triggering of the immune response, which leads to the characteristic inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.

Treatment Options for RSD Patients
Medical treatments for the management of RSD/CRPS include analgesics, anti-depressants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nerve blocks, and multiple other drug therapies.
The Natural Approach for Chronic Pain and RSD/CRPS

Holistic, non-invasive treatments for RSD/CRPS offer many new possibilities for pain and symptom management. As with traditional treatments, holistic treatments may need to be supplemented for optimal results. Nevertheless, Natural Medicine (vitamins, herbs, natural compounds, etc.) has proven to be an effective and long-term solution to calming the sympathetic nervous system and reducing systemic inflammation.

At Align Healing Center we are currently seeing beneficial results in the treatment of chronic pain and RSD/CRPS. The combination of Laser Therapy with Natural Medicine is yielding promising results.

The Power of Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged. In opposition to high-powered lasers used in health care that cut tissue, such as surgical or hair-removal lasers, therapy lasers produce beneficial chemical and biological interactions that can help relieve pain and repair injured/damaged tissue. Just as photosynthesis creates energy for plants, the absorption of the laser light by your cells causes increased production of cellular energy. In areas of injury or damage, this means there is more energy available to improve the rate and quality of healing.

Studies on tissue cultures have revealed a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, including increased levels of endorphins, reduced levels of inflammatory compounds, and an increased rate and quality of tissue healing. We often have patients notice improvement after the very first treatment session; whereas with chronic pain or RSD/CRPS it is realistic that it may take a few treatments. The effect of laser therapy is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on previous ones.

The results that we are experiencing with our patients are nothing short of remarkable. Class IV Laser Therapy has exceeded our expectations of the healing potential that it ignites in the body and it is our mission to share it with anyone who is seeking freedom from their pain.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Protecting the planet and looking chic are not exclusive endeavors. As women are becoming increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and animal cruelty, eco-friendly fashion is a trend that’s here to stay.
Here are some ways you can contribute to the environment and be super-stylish, too:

1. Shop at consignment shops. By purchasing pre-loved clothing, you can rescue good quality merchandise from landfills or being shipped overseas. You also have more options than regular retail shops because resale shops have a wider variety of styles. You’ll also find good quality garments—as opposed to “fast fashion” retailers like H&M and Forever 21—and you can extend the life of a treasure!

2. “Living with Less.” This philosophy, embraced by many Americans, results in the downsizing of homes and reduction of wardrobes, creating a less stressful lifestyle. Donating business attire that you no longer wear to organizations like Wardrobe for Opportunity (www.wardrobe.org) will ensure that that your “power suit” is passed on to someone who needs a fresh start in life.

3. Save the animals, ditch the leather. Wearing faux-leather, or what we used to call “pleather” (plastic + leather) is no longer considered tacky. A vegan leather jacket uses synthetic materials sourced from petroleum, and is both cruelty-free to animals and costs less than real leather. And that’s cool.

4. Host a clothing swap! Trading gently used clothing with girlfriends is the best way to ensure that the pieces you’ve “worn and loved” will have a good life with someone new. Chances are, more than one friend has been eyeballing that cocktail dress of yours for years. As Elsa sings in the movie, Frozen… “Let it go!”

5. Recycle your clothes. Retailers like Puma, Levi’s, Gap, Patagonia and The North Face offer discounts or other perks. Inquire at local locations for event information.

Be well. Dress well.

For style tips and trends, read Carolyn’s blog at C2style.com/blog or follow her on Facebook (C2 style) and Twitter (shopwithC2style).

Dear SSHS,

My boyfriend and I recently became engaged and are getting married in the fall. We love each other very much and agree on most everything except finances. We both have great jobs, but he’s a saver and I’m a spender. He complains about my shopping sprees, and I say he’s too frugal. Neither of us wants to change our ways, so how can we find common ground for the sake of our relationship?– Sophie L., Pleasanton

She Said: Finances are one of the leading causes of trouble in a marriage, so good thing you’re catching this early. I highly recommend keeping your finances separate, splitting all bills evenly, and agreeing to a joint savings account where you each contribute a set amount each month. Treat that savings like another bill. Your fiancé can have his own savings account wherein he can place his money for that rainy day he’s worried about. But remember, don’t go crying to him if you come up short one month due to overspending. I Told You So is such an ugly phrase.

He Said: This definitely needs to be resolved before you tie the knot for the sake of the relationship. I suggest a long term financial spending plan that you both agree on and stick to for the long haul. Robin’s right, you should definitely share the cost of the necessities and splurge only after you’ve done your part, otherwise, your frugal fiancé may see you as a gold digger rather than a partner. You can’t expect your fiancé to put a roof over your head and food on the table while you line the walls of your closet with designer labels.

 Dear HSSS,
My husband “John” and I are new parents of a 3-month-old baby boy. John has moved into the guest bedroom, saying he needs his eight hours of sleep and refuses to help when the baby awakens in the middle of the night. He’s a great husband, but not the best dad so far. How can I get him to pitch in more?– Sleepless in Dublin

He Said: This is a very common situation that newborn mothers deal with. You’re married but feel like a single parent when it comes to your newborn. On the flip side, I hear a lot of fathers complain there isn’t much they can do with the baby in the middle of the night since they aren’t the ones breast feeding. Remember, the mother-baby bond is so much stronger at this stage than the father’s so often only a mother’s embrace will calm a crying newborn. Successful marriages are all about give and take so if your husband wants his full night’s sleep, ask that he step it up a notch and cook and clean more often, or give you a hand with your other duties since you now have the most time consuming and important job of all – MOM.

She Said: There are many things we don’t know about your situation, for example, are you nursing, back to work yet, etc. I’ll throw out some tips and you decide which ones apply. 1) Put the baby monitor in dad’s room. When the baby awakens, Dad can get up, bring the baby to you, and go back to bed. If Baby falls asleep with you, no big deal. 2) On weekends, nighttime duty is shared, or maybe you’re even given a break. Have a bottle ready in the fridge for Dad to manage easily. 3) During the day, you sleep when Baby sleeps and nobody should be expecting dinner on the table or a clean house if you’re alone on night duty. Keep in mind, having a new baby is wonderful but hugely stressful. Every baby stage is temporary, so don’t get locked into thinking this is the way it’ll always be. Just when you get this worked out, there’ll be something new to deal with.

Robin Fahr and Shawn “Shizzo” Alikian host Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30. Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

At ten years old, after believing I was a Native American, I found out playing with Native children didn’t make me a real Native American. I started collecting Indian art instead. I sold my baseball card collection to a neighbor for $10 and went to the Kachina Store in Lake Tahoe (The Old Miners Cabin, Tahoe City). I extensively researched one kachina and I found out who the Hopi people were, where they had lived, and what their kachina culture was.

Within twenty years, this one kachina led to a collection of over one hundred Native American items from rare artifacts to tourist items. Yes, I was hooked as a collector. I attended every Native American Art show I could within fifty miles of Concord, CA: UC Davis Pow Wow, Monterey Indian Art Show, and UC Davis Indian Art Show—all now vanished.

Another one hundred items later and I was ready to sell some Treasures. There was an Indian Art Show coming to the Alameda Country Fair Grounds in Pleasanton Ca, being put on by the Traders Guild. Upon inquiring about the date, time, and admission fee, the promoter and I began talking about our mutual interest in Native American art and culture. He asked me why I hadn’t rented a booth to sell my overstock. That interchange made me realize this is something I wanted to do.

During the first day of my show, I wondered how I had gone from a buyer, to a collector, to a dealer? And, most importantly, did I really want to sell some of my collection? The second day of the show I sold my first Kachina that I purchased at ten years old for $175, and I was bitten by the dealer bug. As a dealer I successfully attended many fine shows for the next ten years and met many fine people. Promoters who were role models to me included Kim Martindale, Dick and Paula Plum and Merlin Carlson. As the years passed many shows folded; people blamed it on E-Bay and the lack of interest by the younger generations.

At this point I was getting ready to retire and decided to rent a small space at the Alamo California Women’s Club to promote a Native American Art Show. The show became a great success and lasted for three years. We then had run out of dealer space and the building was not large enough for all the customers who came to visit.
Upon my official retirement from my teaching career at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, I started looking for a bigger venue. After soul searching for months and gathering information from the pros, I decided to move the Alamo show to Pleasanton and reintroduce Native art to the area. I picked the end of September as our annual date because it did not conflict with other shows. I chose the name of Todos Santos Trading Post as the company name and titled the show The Great Native American Artifact and Art Show.

Our first year was successful but a larger building was more challenging. The second year, having met our challenges, we doubled our attendance and had great reviews from the public.

I created a web page for the benefit of our dealers and customers and went to work on year three. With all the updates and hard work I can now say with pride: Todos Santos Trading Post celebrates the 3rd annual Great Native American Art and Artifact Show.

This successful marketplace features the finest examples of contemporary and antique Native American Art. It also includes an array of rare and antique artifacts. We are proud to showcase many of the nations Native American artists. To name a few:

Debbie Martinez-Rambeau from Earth to Hand —- Gourd Art Vessels and Quilts
Betty Fuller from Greyday Child —- Navajo Sterling Silver Jewelry
Bud Gonzales from Two Bears —- Zuni Fetishes
Tony Mitchell from O’Teo’s Creations —- Contemporary Silver Jewelry
Enrique de los Angeles from Alma Z —- Hand woven Textiles and Rugs
Barbara Murphy from Sundance —- Baskets and Beadwork

Along with these fine Native artists there will be collectors selling and displaying their wares from various areas around the United States. Fine collections of Hopi Kachinas, North West Coast totem poles, period Pueblo Pottery, pawn jewelry and many rare artifacts will be available for sale.

I guess I am now the promoter I always wanted to become! Please come and join us.

This event takes place at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA, on September 27th and 28th, 2014 from 10:00 to 4:00 daily. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and children are free. Looking forward to seeing you at this exciting, informative tri-valley event. For further information please contact Don Phelps at Web page: pleasantonindianartshow.com or contact Don Phelps at phelpststp@gmail.com.