Monday, May 23, 2011

Graduation Advice

Congratulations Graduates

But be warned:

In this time of year, graduation invitations fill our mailboxes and ceremonies fill large churches and civic centers. And of course, there are speeches

Most of the talks by local dignitaries will talk about the new beginning the end of high school marks. "commencement" is the term after all.

But what world awaits the class of 2011?

It's certainly a very different world than when I sat through speeches with the class of 1987. But I recall nothing of those speeches. I know some things now that I wished they had said then.

So, if you know a graduate, you might want to pass along this information that is sure to be missing from their ceremonies

1. Life is not a handout. You have what you were given. Giftings, contacts, skills, energy and the ability to learn. The degree to which you use those gifts diligently will determine the heights you reach.

2. Keep learning. Not just from books Meet with any adult you can and find out what they did right and what they regret. It is a smart person who does not repeat his own mistake but it is a wise person who avoids it to begin with.

3. Seek God. Your parent’s belief or lack thereof does not define your souls eternal destiny. You and only you can choose. (John 3) There is a narrow path that few choose, called faith It has some troubles but leads to eternal bliss. The wide path is deceptive and seems easy, and leads to eternal torment. It is this choice more than any other, that affects your life and that of your descendants

4. Learn to put off pleasure, status and leisure until your hard work has earned them. If not, you will always be in such debt you can't enjoy life. What a foolish thing to pay notes on a nice car but have no money for gas. The inability to live at less than your means is crippling. Tithe and save. You must be able to postpone pleasure or you will always be an overgrown child. Adults delay gratification.

5. Follow your passion. Whether you choose to believe it or not, God made you special. You have gifts to do that which you were meant to do. Pursue it and it will become clearer to you.

Congratulations. If you are even reading a newspaper, you are ahead of the game. Seek God as He is truth. Don’t be deceived by this world. Never quit learning. But never change what you know is right.

Welcome to your future!

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Why Are We Fat?

Why Are Americans Obese?

Have you noticed the trend of obesity in our country? Especially among children, it is just staggering. Just consider these points:

•Diabetes has increased over 90% in the last decade.

•Childhood obesity had more than tripled in the last 30 years!

I wanted to know why. I know that kids are lazier than ever, playing video games and watching television while parents won’t make them do any chores. But I know there had to more to it. Why are there 12 year olds that weigh more than I do?

Some people may suspect some vast secret conspirator has placed some agent in our food supply to make sure they can sell diabetes supplies. Well, if so, the food industry has played a role.

They have added ever-increasing amounts of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). And who could blame them? HFCS is a lot cheaper than sugar. It is made from corn, so it sounds quite safe and “natural.” (Of course gasohol is also made from corn, and you run your car on it.)

To create HFCS, corn kernels are soaked, heated and spun. Using enzymes, they create high fructose, making it as sweet, if not many times sweeter than regular sugar. Much of the corn used is reported to have been genetically modified.

Currently over 55% of all sweeteners are made from corn! It is the number one source of calories in the United States. The consumption of HFCS between 1970 and 2005 has increased a whopping 10,673% in the United States!

It is not only cheap and widespread, but it is stealthy. High Fructose Corn Syrup rears it head not just in the Cola aisle, but it is found all over your local grocery store. Just look at this list:

Breakfast Cereal: Whether it sounds healthy or not, check for HFCS. Many kids are starting their day with pure sugar in the form of healthy looking cereal. It is like feeding your kids cake and ice cream for breakfast.

Yogurt: Once again, healthy sounding foods like yogurt often contain HFCS.

Ravoli and Canned Goods: Yes, ravoli! If it is sweet or salty, check it out.

Salad Dressings and Condiments: HFCS is used to offset the saltiness of un-sweet items like salad dressings.

Nutrition Bars and Candy Bars: There is not much difference between the two. Don’t let the word “nutrition” fool you. They tend to have a lot of HFCS.

Breads: Just because it says “whole grain” does not make it less fattening. Many contain HFCS.

Waters: Just because they talk of vitamins, it is also full of sugar.

The main concern is that HFCS seems to metabolize fat far more rapidly than regular sugar.

Thus the chart linking obesity and HFCS look like the same data.

Obesity leads to diabetes, and high levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol), and heart attacks and stroke. In short, our sweet tooth is killing us.

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

BEING PREPARED

Being Prepared

The saying “Be Prepared” has long been uttered respectfully by Boy Scouts across the United States. As one who was blessed to achieve an Eagle Scout rank, I look back fondly upon lessons learned in readiness and self-reliance.

With record-breaking tornadoes leveling the South, flooding threatening thousands of homes, terrorists’ frightful scheming and the constant threat of living in an earthquake zone, it is apparent that a heightened sense of readiness is required. Think of those who had to evacuate for what may be months from their homes in Japan near the failing nuclear plant. The Bible admonishes us to plan for the future:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30

There are several ways we can be more prepared. Items listed can be packed in “go-bags” that allow a quick exit. There is a hierarchy of needs, form most urgent to least, but they are all important.

  • · Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation;
  • · Non-perishable food with a can opener, all in a backpack or duffle bag;
  • · NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a flashlight and extra batteries for both;
  • · First aid kit and whistle to signal for help;
  • · Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation;
  • · Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and hatchet or axe to help rescuers;
  • · Cell phone with chargers, and important phone numbers;
  • · Important documents such as powers of attorney, living will, driver’s license, pictures of your family and pets, cash, ATM card, Health insurance card, insurance policies, and tax records;
  • · Comfortable clothing and blankets, ponchos and duct tape;
  • · Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other needs your family may have;
  • · Some will want to stockpile extra gasoline or diesel; and
  • · Some may prefer to keep a firearm and ammunition.

Consider well ahead of time what you'd take if you had only a:

  • ü a day's notice,
  • ü a couple of hours' notice to pack the car, or
  • ü five minutes' notice to 'get out now' (the go bag)

Make arrangements for places to stay well ahead of time. Make a deal: If there's an emergency/evacuation, they can come to your home, or you to theirs. Crashing on someone's sofa or camping in their yard is infinitely preferable to a public shelter.

If you have to take medications, make sure you keep them all in one place, and can sweep them into the go bag without any searching. A "shelter-in-place" kit and a "to-go" bag can share items as long as they can be moved from one pace to the other quickly. For example, it makes sense to have three-days worth of water in your shelter-in-place kit but take a day's worth with you when you leave. However, it is always best to keep things compartmentalized in case you have to shelter in place and then later leave. Remember that if you are prepared you may be able to minister to those who are not.

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

May God bless and protect your family.

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.