Archive for November, 2008

People who have never bought drugs before sometimes get a little confused about exactly how much Salvia they are buying from their supplier. This is especially the case when the supplier is an online distributor; the first time you’re away that you’ve bought too much is when the massive parcel arrives in the post! You’re going to have to be pretty dedicated to smoke all that before your parents get back!

Salvia is quite often sold in ounces, and once ounce will provide between 100 and 200 dried leaves depending, naturally, on the size of the leaves from the plant. Dried leaves are considerably lighter than fresh ones.

Choosing the right amount of Salvia to use for your trip is the key to getting a good Salvia experience. The quid method requires between 2 and 10 grams, depending on the desired strength (start small and build up is the obvious advice: you can always add more for a stronger trip, but if you dive in with too high a dose it may scare you and put you off). If you’re doing the math then you’ll see that, for an ounce, you’ll be getting anywhere between 3 and 14 doses.

The leaves are very, very dry and not particularly tasty. To make the quid method a little easier you’re best off leaving the leaves in some water for 5 or 10 minutes so that they can rehydrate effectively.

Use Salvia Divinorum responsibly.

Whilst Salvia remains legal across most of the world and in most states in the US, there are still some employers and authorities that would rather you weren’t under the influence of the hallucinogenic drug at all. Ever. While this might seem a little bit draconian and going completely against our human rights, it is their prerogative to test for whatever they want to test for. If you don’t like that they’re testing for drugs like Salvia, then don’t be a part of the workforce. Simple.

Of course this situation causes a fair bit of consternation with those people who quite legally use Salvia but are afraid that their employer might require a test for it. If the employer has a policy on drug testing then you should be able to read that and work out whether Salvia Divinorum is one of the substances for which they will test. From here you will have to make an informed decision as to whether you want to risk the wrath or your employer if they do discover that you’re using Salvia as an hallucinogenic aid. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s allowed then it is time to do some serious thinking about whether or not you want to take the risk. How much does the Salvia high mean to you?

People spread rumors about Salvia, saying that because the high is so short it means that all traces of the drug will leave your system equally quickly. Quite simply this is nonsense and is a dangerous fallacy. One thing that may be true is that the active hallucinogenic ingredient, Salvinorin A, is not similar to any other drug: what this means is that even if you are tested right after your use, the tests may not show up as positive unless they are specifically looking for Salvia.

The decision, clearly, is up to you.

Pure, fresh and organic, Acai is nature’s most potent super food. Not only is it super nutritious, it wonderfully versatile, and especially delicous in juices and acai preserves. You really  can make anything out of these little berries!.  As an added bonus, acai preserves taste just like a fruity mix of chocolate and blueberries. Mmm!

Acai provides your body with a lot of the things that it really loves. Amino acids, antioxidants and essential omega fatty acids are all in the acai in abundance; it is being hailed as one of the best ways to help a controlled diet. There is no doubt about it: the little acai berry from the Brazilian rain forest is something that you will see a lot more of in coming months, and for all the right reasons.

One difficulty is that Acai degrades very quickly after it has been harvested, and unfortunately this makes it almost impossible to transport in its fruit state. Fortunately those who distribute it have though around this and you can now buy a variety of different acai-based products like acai juice, acai preserves, and even acai powders and pills.

Some of these products are better than others, of course. The acai preserves are excellent because they essentially use the whole berry to make the acai preserve, rather than extracting some bit or other from it and hoping for the best!

The current legal status of Salvia is always a source of much concern for many Salvia users. People do want to stay on the right side of the law, despite their feelings as to the stupidity of that law.

Here is what I consider to be the current situation as at the time of writing. Apologies if this is out of date by the time you read it; it goes without saying that you should not rely on this information as being correct, as I cannot promise any accuracy. Make your own enquiries before acting on this information.

In US Salvia is not currently regulated by the Controlled Substances Act but some rogue states have decided to go ahead and pass their own laws. Lots of other states have proposed new legislation to deal with the ’scourge’ of Salvia, but these laws have fortunately not yet come into being.

The UK does not currently have any laws controlling Salvia at all. Australia is one of the few places where it is banned outright. Other European countries such as Beligum, Denmark and others have decided to control the substance without necessarily banning it.

The stupidity of the legal situation in the US is highlighted by the Tennessee law which bans the Salvia Divinorum plant, but not the active hallucinogenic ingredient, Salvorin A, which remains completely legal.

On top of the massive variety in laws between countries and US States, there is the problem of policing. There is nothing about the Salvia plant that particularly draws attention to it, there is no distinctive smell unless it is smoked, and the leaves look just like the leaves of any other plant. Maybe there will be a spate of people being sent down because they are carrying a suspicious looking plant. It is entirely possible.

Mac games have seen significant improvements since the days of yore when Song was a bleeding ‎edge technology. The latest development to take the mac games world by storm is Spore. In Spore ‎you start with a cell — or spore — and watch as it slowly morphs from cell to animal, from animal to ‎tribal being, and from there into a seasoned space traveler All the time you can explore the world ‎and Universe around you. Spore is a single player game but you can interact with others’ ‎civilizations later in the game.‎

Even if you’re not usually a fan of mac games then Spore — and the standalone add on Spore ‎Creature Creator — are definitely worth a look. There is so much to this game that it really does ‎transcend what are ‘normal’ barriers to enjoying mac games. Spore Creature Creator is available ‎from as little as $9.99, so it really can’t hurt to try. If you’re still struggling for that $9.99 then ‎consider the downloadable version that is available online, for free. This version of Spore Creature ‎Creator has just 25% of the functionality of the full one, but will still give you a taste of what is in ‎store for you in the full version!‎

Acai has been hailed as the world’s greatest super food. The huge amounts of antioxidants and omega fatty acids in the acai berry — and in the acai supplements that are made from the fruit — give it a huge punch for something so small. Thinking that acai is just another fruit is a huge mistake. This berry can provide benefits that you have only previously dreamed of.

One of the most compelling reasons to consider adding the benefits acai berry supplements to your diet is that it can combat the physical and mental signs of aging. It won’t stop you getting older, obviously, but it might just enable you to do it with a little more grace than previously possible.

Another great benefit of acai supplements is that they are thought to be able to fight diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. If that’s not the most compelling reason for adding a bit more fruit to your diet then I don’t know what is! There are acai juices, purees, pulps and preserves available, too, so it’s never been easier to experience the benefits of acai berry supplements.

There are excellent reasons why acai supplements are being hailed by experts the world over as being the “next best thing”. Quite simply: the fruit can deliver.

Losing weight with the acai diet

The acai diet can help a person lose weight and stay slim. Acai berries contain incredibly high levels of fatty acids, as well as fiber, phytosterols and amino acids, which all work together to help your body burn fat with ease.

Antioxidants

Acai berries are chock full of antioxidants. An acai diet is a surefire way to keep free radicals at bay. Free radicals form naturally in the body and attack cells, leading to degeneration and susceptibility to illness. A boost of antioxidants helps keep cells in the body healthy and slow the effects of aging.

Acai berries are crammed full of fiber, antioxidants and other beneficial minerals. What this means to you and me is that an acai diet is a fast route to looking and feeling healthy. Furthermore, the range of acai products out there also help:

• Boost energy levels
• Improve digestive function
• Provide many important vitamins
• Minimize inflammation
• Cleanse and detoxifies the body
• Strengthen the immune system
• Fight cancerous cells
• Maintain healthy heart function
• Prevent atherosclerosis
• Promote healthier and younger-looking skin
• Help alleviate diabetes
• Slow down the aging process
• Improve circulation
• Improve mental clarity/focus
• Enhance sexual desire and performance
• Normalize and regulates cholesterol levels
• Promote sound sleep
• Enhance visual acuity

Fatty acids

Acai berries make shedding extra pounds so easy because they contain high levels of fatty acids. Don’t worry, though, because some fats are good. It’s important to have fatty acids for a person to stay healthy. The only problem is that on our own, our bodies can’t produce Omega-3 and Omega-6. These are needed to improve metabolism and suppress hunger. This is where acai berries come in. The berries have the right fatty acids, which aids weight loss.

Fiber

Fiber is a vital part of a person’s diet because it helps to move food through the body’s digetive track. Without an efficient process, the food would be absorbed and turned into fat cells. Acai berries contain high levels of fiber, which stops a buildup of fat cells and also helps keep hunger at bay.

Amino acids

Another reason why acai berries aid weight loss is because they contain high levels of the building blocks of protein: amino acids. These amino acids are essential for the body’s muscles to function and also to regenerate after exercise. Amino acids target the muscles and help to build muscle mass, making a person stronger and fitter.

Phytosterols

The building blocks of cell membranes, which keep the digestive tract function, are called phytosterols. These aid the tract by getting rid of waste materials and helping to absorb nutrients more efficiently. Acai berries contain generous levels of these phytosterols.

Disease-fighting qualities

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that acai berry extracts killed off 86% of leukaemia in a test:

“Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants,” said Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “This study was an important step toward learning what people may gain from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products made with the berries.”

Why go for acai berries?

Acai berries contain high levels of antioxidants, which have never been more essential. We live in an age of phytoestrogens, chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful environmental toxins. Lots of people are acai converts because the berries aid weight loss, while other people are just happy for the increased energy levels. The disease-fighting qualities of acai berries are also an important factor to consider. There are lots of reasons why you might become a fan of the acai diet. Outside of Brazil, the two most common forms of acai berry products are:

Acai supplements

The easiest and most convenient way to get your hands on acai berries is by taking acai supplements. Some dodgy dealers push bad products, however. It’s best to stay away from anyone offering free trials that ask you to just pay for shipping, only to charge the buyer an extortionate amount of money. They do these by no disclosing the fact that the buyer signed up for a subscription. The sellers then conveniently make themselves impossible to contact.

However, not everything offering acai supplement is out to steal your money. The best supplement on the market at the moment is Acai Pure, a 100% acai berry product that contains only the good stuff – and nothing else. Acai Pure is made form high-grade acai powder and is America’s best selling antioxidant cleansing formula. Polls consistently put Acai Pure in the top three acai berry products on the market.

Acai juice and drinks

You can find acai-juice products all over the place, including a number of health-food stores. What you buy over the counter, however, is usually not all you might have hoped for. Acai juices are often crammed full of sugar, which all but erases the goodness of the acai berries. Furthermore, the juices are usually diluted with the juice of other fruits, again reducing any health benefits you might be hoping for. If you want something that isn’t diluted and isn’t topped up with sugar, look no further than Amazon Thunder.

The first thing you’ll notice about Amazon thunder is that it’s thick. It’s so thick that it’s not much like a juice at all, but rather like a paste. You know from looking at it that you’re getting the good stuff. Amazon Thunder contains nothing but mashed-up acai berries, leaving all other acai juice trailing behind.

Try acai berries

This article can only begin to tell you about the health benefits of acai berries. An acai diet isn’t just a fad diet that’s likely to lose its shine in a couple of years. Acai berry products are here to stay.

Dr. Phil’s eposode on ‘risky teen behavior’ concentrated on the negative effects of Salvia. Guest on the show was Waco State Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson. The “Doc” has been instrumental in trying to have Salvia reclassified as a class A drug in Texas, and trying to get it – and possession and use of it – banned in that state. He is confident that the law will be passed by the middle of next year. Bad news for all the Salvia lovers in Texas and bad news for anyone in the US who believes that we have a right to civil liberties and a right to choose for ourselves. But hey, these minor things don’t matter when there’s misinformation and lies to spread, do they?

Anderson advised a mother that helping her child to obtain Salvia was likely to damage her son. He warned of the effects that Salvia can have on developing adolescents. He also warned that “Salvia can cause serious injury to brain tissue”. This seems a little bit of a wild claim when you consider that there is absolutely no indication that Salvia is any way dangerous. There are, though, some indications that Salvia might actually be beneficial to us. Naturally the good doctor failed to mention that bit.

Doctor Anderson demonstrated how easy it was for him to buy Salvia on the way to the studio. Of course it is easy! Salvia is legal! Why on earth would something that is totally legal and totally safe be difficult to get hold of? The logic of some of these people absolutely defies belief.

Anderson noted later in the show that no body knew the long-term effects of Salvia – this seems to go completely against what he said earlier – but that they did know about the short term effects. The short term effects seem to me to be limited to this: people get high.

Salvia berry is a super food is a food that satisfies most or all of our body’s requirements for nutrients and minerals. While it is not recommended that any one food — super food or otherwise — makes up a majority of your daily diet, it is a very good idea to eat some of these types of food in order to cover all the bases in terms of the nutrients that you take into your system. The more the nutrients the better, to many extents.

Clearly any super food that delivers more nutrients and minerals per unit weight than others is a better bet for you in terms of an addition to your diet. This is the reason that the acai berry is become so very popular in recent times. The acai berry is harvested in the depths of the Brazilian rain forest and is then shipped in varying forms to the rest of the world. Harvesting the acai berry is hard work and distributing it even harder. As a super food, though, the acai berry is absolutely number one on so many lists. If you have to choose just one super food, then you would be wise to consider the acai berry very carefully indeed.

When Salvia Divinorum is used as a recreational drug it is most commonly smoked. The Mazatec shamans that use it to find their spiritual side and for spiritual healing eat the raw leaf – sometimes they even drink it. So which is better? The ‘modern’ way of smoking it, or the more traditional way of chewing, eating or drinking a blended version of Salvia?

The disappointingly vague answer is that neither is particularly better than the other, and which is preferable at any one time depends a lot on what you want to get out of the experience.

Smoking the Salvia leaf gives an almost instant reaction. You get a vivid high and a quick comedown. Eating or drinking the leaf gives a much milder high – probably there will be no vivid hallucinations at all – but it does last for quite a bit longer. The Mazatecs are not interested in getting high and seeing faeries, you understand; what they really want is greater spiritual insight into the world around them, a greater feeling of affinity with the Universe in which they live.

On the negative side, chewing leaves requires a lot more Salvia than would be required with smoking to even get the feeling of a high. We’re talking 20 times more, so it’s not a small difference. Dried leaves will be, well, dry, and every form of the leaf is extremely bitter. This goes to back up the idea that the Shamans really do not do this for fun, but as a means to an end.

If you do not like smoking then eating Salvia may be your own option but it is, by modern standards, a very wasteful exercise.

As with anything related to Salvia, you will never know until you try, so why not try both methods on successive days and see if, with all other factors taken into account, you prefer one to the other.

In years to come, students of multi-level marketing will look upon Monavie — a type of acai juice — with an interested gaze. They will consider Monavie as a case study on how not to run an business.

Firstly we have the fact that Monavie was marketed in a pretty misleading way. There was very little acai in the juice blend at all, while the claims of the products manufacturers was that acai would cure everything from cancer, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s. Now we know that it can be beneficial to suffers of all of these afflictions, but to claim that it will cure them outright is simply a lie.

Next on the agenda is the price. How Monavie expects to be able to survive in a world where its nearest rival — Amazon Thunder — is around half its price is simply a mystery. Monavie must know something we don’t! Unfortunately for them they didn’t think to tell their customers, though, and many more people choosing the superior Amazon Thunder.

Monavie is not only critcized for having a poor quality product, they have also been investigated by the FDA because of suspected dodgy business practices; the management team at Monavie are no stranger to investigation, either.

There are plenty of other options out there if you are looking for acai juice.