A Passport Application Made Easy
A passport is a primary source of identification for a citizen while at home or abroad. To obtain this document, a citizen must fill out a passport application form and produce the required documentation to the government. Without a passport, world travel is impossible, as all customs officials from every corner of the globe require them to be produced before a citizen can pass into the country.
It must be remembered that obtaining a passport is a privilege, not a right. In all cases, the government has the final say in whether a person can or cannot leave or enter the country. These documents are necessary forms of identification that give holders certain rights and privileges. While abroad, a United States passport can give citizens access to an embassy in times of trouble.
Because of their high level of importance, a prospective recipient of a passport must fill out all necessary paperwork. This paper trail aids the government in following movements of citizens and visitors alike to promote the interests of national security. Locating a passport agency, such as a county store, is where one goes to begin this process.
People who wish to acquire a passport must do so in person at one of these passport offices. To purchase a passport, a citizen must be able to prove to government officials both their identity and citizenship. To do this, prospective travelers must bring documents such as a valid driver’s license, green card, birth certificate, social security card, or an old undamaged passport with them to the office.
Photographs on the passport are also a major step in the application process. Most offices will take the picture of a citizen on the date of the application, but a picture taken in the last six months can also be substituted. These pictures must be up to date and show the citizen in their normal clothes to guard against cases of mistaken identity. To guard against forgery, passports contain two pictures and a seal.
Once the picture is taken and citizenship and identity are proven to government officials, the final step in gaining a passport is payment. Payment for this document can be made by cash, debit or credit card, or by check at the government office. Two fees totaling $120 is the cost of a new passport while renewing one only costs $95. Passports for minors, also, cost less money than adults.
After a passport is sent to a citizen, it is their responsibility to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. International criminals and other nefarious people would love nothing more to obtain a U.S. passport so if one is stolen or lost, the government should be notified immediately. Because of their importance, penalties and fines for replacing lost or stolen passports have been put into place.
The Importance of Learning a Foreign Language
There is more to knowing a second language than just the possibility of carrying on a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak English. There is more than just the possibility of travel to exotic places and being able to mingle with the locals.
Learning a second language offers an amazing glimpse into the way people in other cultures think and process information. It has the side effect of knocking the learner out of the center of the universe. We discover that it is okay that someone else has a different way of looking at things. It is a fascinating and delightful experience to see the world from someone else’s perspective. Learning a second language makes this possible.
“I have ten years.”
Here in Canada, French isn’t exactly a foreign language in that it’s an official language of Canada. It is, however, foreign to the many school-age children who have spent the first years of their lives hearing little or no French.
One of the earliest twists that young students encounter is the strange way that the French express a person’s age. In English we say, “I am ten years old.” In French, the same idea is expressed as “J’ai dix ans.” This translates literally as “I have ten years,” which doesn’t convey the same meaning in English at all.
French also uses avoir (to have) to express hunger and thirst.
“I am hungry” is “J’ai faim.” (I have hunger.) “I am thirsty” is “J’ai soif.” (I have thirst.)
The idea is the same, but the way of expressing it is different. And that is perfectly okay! Communication is more that just words. We communicate in ideas that often go beyond the words used to express them. This is an eye-opening concept at any age, but especially for children. Learning to accept a different means of expression for a similar idea means increased understanding toward others in general. We could all use a little more understanding!
You just never know!
Philosophical musings aside, you just never know when knowing another language might be useful. A cousin of mine has always been a talented athlete. As a teenager, he earned a hockey scholarship to Princeton, the prestigious American university. He later went on to play professional hockey in Europe. I don’t imagine that as a young boy he was sitting in his grade school French classes thinking, “Yes! This will be really useful when I am playing pro hockey in Europe!” But that is the way things worked out. You just never know.
Knowing a second language can open up a world of career possibilities. With the world getting smaller every day, people in more and more industries are travelling as part of their jobs. Second language training looks great on any résumé and might make the difference between getting that dream job and settling for your second choice.
With all of the practical reasons to study a foreign language, it also has to be said that language is fascinating for its own sake. After studying the quirks of someone else’s language, we are able to see the strangeness of our own. Growth in understanding, possibilities for travel, and greater choices in life are just some of the benefits of learning a second language.
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the importance of knowing a second language,the important of learning a second languageFun Facts About South Africa
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Perhaps the most famous South African movie is “Tsotsi” by Gavin Hood.”Tsotsi” is a story about a gang leader.On March 5, 2006, “Tsotsi” won the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film in Los Angeles.
In his speech, Gavin Hood said, “God bless Africa. Wow. I have a speech, it
Quit Smoking – Here’s How
Trying to quit smoking is definitely not one of the easiest things to do in life, some people would rather eat sand than having to go through the withdrawal period. Cigarettes is one of the most socially accepted drugs in most countries, it is definitely not illegal, it may just be illegal to smoke in certain places, but it is not a banned drug.
As with everything in life, trying to kick the dirty habit is all about choice, however, easier said than done as most smokers would say.
Here’s how:
The first thing is to make a conscious decision to quit, not a conscious decision to try to quit. Our brain sometimes does funny things to us and because we sincerely know it would be the right thing to do, we practice a little mercy on ourselves and put the words “will try to quit” in our sub-conscious mind, meanwhile, telling family and friends we have decided to quit and then going through the painful, agonising withdrawal period only to relapse. It is called denial! Take a moment, sit down and have a heart-to-heart with yourself. List the pros and cons of it if you need to see it in black and white. This is also effective in actually helping you to see that there really is no pro’s to it. How can there be when with each puff, you are hurting yourself and your organs and with secondary smoke, hurting the ones you love most. It starts with a sincere intention which comes from understanding why you need to, not want to, but need to quit smoking, then making the conscious choice to quit, and then comes the hard work by following through on your decision. This is by no means easy so get professional help if you need to. Avoid people, places and things that would normally cause you to light one up. Avoid those 3 things at the beginning of the process, but manage them at a later stage because you cannot be avoiding the rest of the world nor reality, you will encounter smokers at some time or the other during your time of quitting.
Most smokers who finish a packet a day will admit that most of it is due to habit and not actual craving.
You can only manage what you can control. Monitor yourself when you have a craving. How long does it last? What happens to you during that time? Ask yourself if you will be able to manage it when it happens again?
Also, to entertain the thought of a craving is to validate it, so do not pay too much attention to it, otherwise you will find yourself anticipating when the next craving will happen.
It certainly is a process to quit smoking, so be conscious of that, but do not use it as an excuse to relapse. Relapsing is a choice too.
So it really helps to think of the benefits to your organs, especially your lungs, think of all the money you will be saving, you will be able to taste better, you will be increasing your chances of a longer healthier life and of those loved ones around you. The pros of quitting definitely outweighs any craving.
Study Abroad in South Africa
A study abroad South Africa trip consists not only of a glimpse inside a spiritual and historical people, but also face-to-face encounters with some of the most beautiful wildlife and landscapes in the world.
If you travel to South Africa for a summer abroad you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience jumping from Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bungee jump destination in the world.
If you happen to be in the South African town of Hermanus in the months of August to November for a semester abroad, you’ll be able to watch whales from some of the most amazing cliffs in Africa.
From exotic cuisine to never-before-seen animals, South Africa will be one of the memorable study abroad experiences you will ever have.
South Africa Study Abroad Programs
Any university that you choose to visit in South Africa will be full of new and exciting things to do and see.
For a diverse South African experience you can join a study abroad program at Stellenbosch University, which has one of the oldest international offices in South Africa.
You can take classes in everything from African studies and political science to art and history, and you can meet a wide variety of international students from Rwanda, Australia, India, Greece and many other countries. Stellenbosch is considered an institution of excellence and encourages diverse ideas and perspective from its staff and students.
If you’re interested in engineering, the environment, humanities, law and science, the University of Cape Town is the perfect place for you to gain undergraduate college credit. This is the oldest university in all of South Africa, and it prides itself in its top-rated teaching and research facilities.
In fact, it’s home to over a quarter of all the highest-rated researchers in the world in their field of study. Most importantly, the University of Cape Town continually supports HIV/AIDS prevention and research in a wide variety of programs administered by students and staff.
Another South African institution where you can find a good study abroad program is at North-West University.
South Africa Transportation Options
South Africa has the largest economy in all of Africa, so that means there are many modes of transportation individuals use to get from one place to the next.
The most important mode of transportation in South Africa is the railway system, which is also the most advanced system in Africa. People use the railway every day because it connects all major cities through its network.
South Africa is known for its luxury railway system called the Blue Train, which travels from the cities of Pretoria and Cape Town. The Blue Train features suites that have their own marble-tiled bathrooms and temperature controlled units, and there is a full-time staff of executive chefs, butlers and waiters to accommodate your needs.
One of the easiest ways to travel in South Africa is to grab a taxi ride or ride a bus. Both taxi cab services and bus companies will take you anywhere that you need to go, and they can be found in all major cities in South Africa. If you would like to travel by taxi you can choose the Grab a Cab service, or you can choose a bus transportation service like Translux to tour the biggest cities in South Africa.
Car rental is another option in South Africa. The Car Rental South Africa website offers services from companies such as Avis and Hertz, and allows you to compare prices to see which type of service you can afford.
Finally, if you’re interested in mountain biking or cycling around the South African landscape, you can always take a tour from a company like Downhill Adventures or just rent a bike to explore the area on your own.
Always follow health and safety guidelines no matter how you travel in South Africa, just to prepare yourself for the unexpected. In a foreign country halfway across the globe from your home, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Exchange Rates for South African Currency
South African currency is known as the rand. The rand was introduced in 1961 when the Republic of South Africa was established.
Here’s what you need to know about the rand:
* Coins = 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5
* Bills = 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200
You can use a South African currency converter to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the rand.
Best Locations to Visit in South Africa
There are many must-see cities you should visit when you study in South Africa. Johannesburg, which is the largest city in South Africa, has an endless list of things to do.
Art enthusiasts can visit the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which features Dutch, British, European and South African art, and outdoor explorers can visit the caves in Sterkfontein, where fossils dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago have been found.
The second largest city in South Africa is Cape Town. This city has become a popular tourist destination because of its parks, beaches and other cultural attractions. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens features over 9,000 plants, and is a great place to relax and read a book.
Adventure-seekers can go hiking or rock climbing on Table Mountain, and people looking for good food and shopping can visit the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, where you can also take boat and helicopter rides.
Finally, Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, is the perfect place to go on a self-guided tour and view beautiful beaches and ports. The Golden Mile is a long stretch of sand that you can walk along and see waterfront properties, fishing piers, restaurants, museums and skate parks.
Durban is also home to uShaka Marine World, which has the fifth largest aquarium in the world and one of the largest ocean parks in Africa.
My Special Letter to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Dear Madiba,
Prayfully this missive will find you in good spirits.
Today, February 11th 2010 marks the 20th year of liberty.
Liberty for you from 27 years in jail,
Liberty for the millions of your brothers and sisters,
The millions of your sons and daughters,
The millions of your grandsons and granddaughters,
The millions of your grand-grandsons and grand-granddaughters,
Who were enslaved in poverty only because of the melanin in their blood.
Baba, how are you? Where are you these days? What are you doing?
Contemplating the slow evolution of your country?
The world we live in?
Is this what you envisioned for modern South Africa?
Is Apartheid over?
20 years later, your country is governed by black elites,
The intelligentsia you groomed so painstakingly,
They are doing their best to rule a aching nation,
Fighting social evils wherever they can.
Madiba, is this what you foresaw?
The country is torn and needs healing.
Large swaths of the populace are still hurting.
A villain named AIDS is killing everyday,
Sons and daughters are being lost to oblivion,
While some of your political heirs are squandering huge time irrelevantly
Violence is rampant and it murders the very core of our societies.
Madiba, is this what your imagined?
South Africa is growing slowly, steadily and surely.
But the economy is still in the hands of a few,
The same few that held it before you were jailed,
The same few that held it before you were released,
While the mass is suffering from human greed and slow decimation
A new few also became wealthier than you can think,
And will be next generation power brokers.
Madiba, your country is crying,
Your continent is suffering from forces within and outer
Would you give them a bit of your rare wisdom?
Would you tell the world, so laudatory to you, that time has come for action?
Would you tell your African counterparts to let go of their massive military ego?
Would you please do that?
Would you…?
Working With the Aboriginals of the Cape York Peninsula
On the Pennefather, Cape York Peninsula, Australia
This article, and future articles, will share some of my various trips to Australia to work with, and assist, various Aboriginal tribes in the Cape York Peninsula.
Terry Graham, a white man, is one of a handful of people that are welcomed as an outside expert on construction and infrastructure by a number of tribes in the Cape. Terry has spent a great deal of his life working and interacting with various Aboriginal groups around the Cape. He is known and trusted, so it is natural the tribes turn to him when making significant plans and changes. It is also widely known that Terry is an expert on the historic and cultural histories of the Cape York Peninsula and is one of few allowed a limited access to the inner circles involving decision making for a tribe.
As an aside, Terry headed up the Australian relief construction team to Dili, East Timor, when the Indonesians pulled out leaving chaos behind them. He has also done relief work in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Indonesia (post tsunami) Vietnam and other hot spots throughout the world. We have a long history together in various challenging places at challenging times.
Terry led a group of us to assist the Mapoon people located on the northeastern part of the Cape. They are located north of Weipa, a wild and wooly bauxite town loaded with adventurous people living similar to the Klondike days. The journey to their land involves a lot of slow four wheel driving through swamps, sand and scrub. As the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula offers some of the finest fishing in the world many residents of Weipa, and elsewhere, would like to enter and stay in the pristine paradise. The Mapoon control all of this area requiring a permit giving travel permission to outsiders.
The Mapoon people, and other peoples of Australia, have been the victims of discrimination similar to the history of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. It’s shocking how the Rufus River Incident, in Australia, is so similar to the event at Wounded Knee, in the States, that killed so many. The Aboriginals have only recently recovered their children and had their land returned to their sole control. Since “the return” and their governance of their land they found it beneficial to form various Corporation of Peoples (term tribe is inaccurate) to help with infrastructure and management of their land (countries). Various Australian organizations have spent years attempting to make life a bit better for the Aboriginal after so many years of destructive treatment by a succession of governments.
These people have a number of significant challenges that can be assisted by income generated by the adventure needs and desires of the roustabouts in Weipa who want to visit the area for fishing and camping.
Unfortunately, many of the Mapoon’s young people have lost a bit of their connection to their heritage and land. Many of the young are affected by addictions to petrel sniffing, a brain destroying habit, as well as to grog and all the problems brought by that involvement. The tribe is attempting to draw their youth back into their country to get them away from petrel and grog and to teach them the ways that have existed for perhaps 40,000 years.
The plan when we arrived was to help construct a gravity water system from the bush to the beach waterline in order to allow tourists some comforts. The scheme called for constructing a number of showers and dunnies. The Mapoon would allow in tourists charging a fair price for camping with limited amenities.
Balkanu, Cape York Development Corporation, Terry Graham, Australian Rotary, and volunteers such as myself had agreed to help them with this construction and other ventures.
We anticipated working with about forty tribe members. When we arrived, after hours of grueling driving, we were told most of the tribe was off on a “Stone Ceremony’ to commemorate a member who had died a year ago. “No worries.” This was almost predictable, according to Terry, as our schedules in no way exist on their timetables. If something more important comes up that is what drives the day. That this plan had been talked about for months didn’t affect the situation. That four five thousand gallon tanks with miles of pipe had been shuttled from Cairns days before our arrival didn’t slow anyone down when their plan was to go to ceremony. We would have to make do.
Two of our group were master plumbers/electricians who came along to train some of the young people on how to set up and maintain the systems, pumps and generators. That there were going to six of us, and a dozen of them, was the situation we faced as we kicked around how to accomplish all the work within a fortnight. No one had any idea on when the majority of the tribe would return.
Future articles will share how all this came together with all the challenges that were presented to us upon arrival.
Getting Down in Cape Town
Imagine standing on a bridge that stretches across a massive gorge. 710 feet below, a river snakes its way into the Indian Ocean–which is visible in the distance. Now imagine standing on the edge, looking down, taking a deep breath, and leaping off… Besides being the highlight of my life, this experience was also the highlight of my time in South Africa.
But yet again, I’m getting ahead of myself. Cape Town is by far the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. On the day we arrived, I got up at 4am to watch us pull into port. The entire coastline was ablaze with lights from buildings, lighthouses, and a giant ferris wheel that rests on the coast. The Explorer docked right smack-dab in the middle of downtown. I ate breakfast on Deck 6 while enjoying a view of the city and Table Mountain–the gargantuan rock that dominates the landscape. A friend asked me what my plans were for the day. I pointed to the top of Table and said, “that”. The hike consisted of walking up stone stairs for three hours. They weren’t kidding when they named it Table Mountain–the top is almost completely flat. The view from the top is indescribable. Turquoise ocean nestles against the entire city of Cape Town. We enjoyed a few beers on top before taking the tramway back down into the city. We got down just in time to see the clouds roll over the mountain. They look like a wave slowly crashing over the hill. The locals refer to this almost daily event as the “tablecloth”. My pictures are great, but nothing can compare to seeing it for yourself. I suggest everyone should add it to their bucket list.
Cape Town is a city of contrast. The immediate port area is white and shiny–an when I say white I don’t mean only the buildings. Racism is still very much alive in South Africa. The era of apartheid was not that long ago at all. While the separation might not be legal anymore, it still exists both socially and economically. About 20% of the population lives in high rise apartments and mansions. They drive top of the line cars and make at least six figures annually. A ten minute drive out of the city allows one to see the true colors of South Africa. The rest of the country lives in massive shantytowns called townships. Shacks are pieced together with sheets of aluminum and wood. I’ve never seen such opulence back right up against extreme poverty. South Africa is a place that is hard to wrap your head around, and Cape Town is equally crazy. The city has both the highest crime rate and HIV/Aids rate in the world. Neighborhoods are separated into black, white, and “colored” (a term for lighter brown skinned people–like Muslims, or me). These terms are not taboo like they are in the States, the people identify themselves with these names and never think twice. It was a shock to be asked what it was like to be “colored” and live in America.
Besides dealing with some latent racism and heartbreaking poverty, my time in South Africa was amazing. The nightlife was great–just as in every other port. Basically, if you are twenty-something years old you can go anywhere and have the time of your life–so my advise to all of you is to get out and go, anyplace will do. Speaking of amazing times, my bungy jump was hands down the craziest and greatest thing that I have ever done. A six hour bus ride brought me to Bloukrans bridge, the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere and the tallest bungy bridge in the world. I have wanted to bungy ever since I was little, and I finally had the chance to do it. The jump was freeing to say the least. I felt everything melt away, all the worries from my past, present and future–and then I jumped. I fell for 6 seconds and reached terminal velocity at around 120 mph. Two weeks later and I still can’t stop smiling. The next day, I went cage diving with great white sharks. I know–my life sucks. The rest of my time was spent shopping and raging in Cape Town. None of us wanted to leave and we all dreaded the seven day trip to Mauritius. Although, once we got there we forgot all about it.
Success Against Cancer and HIV in South Africa
Years ago, when I first began research into the amazing oleander plant, I ended up as a member of two Yahoo Health Groups about oleander. One was named “Anvirzel” (after the patented Oleander medicine which had passed FDA phase 1 trials a few years earlier) and the other “Oleandersoup” (named for the home remedy version of the patented medicine). I became friends and acquaintances with many people close to oleander and Anvirzel, as well as some opponents – one of whom later came after me with hired thugs posing as US Marshalls after I helped expose his fake cancer drug scheme (but that will have to wait for another story).
One of the people I met was a noted South African humanitarian, entrepreneur, crusader and researcher named Marc Swanepoel. Marc was keenly interested in the oleander plant due to the epidemic of HIV-AIDS in his native country as well as the number of indigent cancer patients who could not afford mainstream treatment options (which were largely ineffective anyway). Like several of us in the groups, Marc began making his own oleander home remedy after the instructions were posted by Ed Hensley “The Father of Oleander Soup” and the first moderator of the Yahoo “Oleandersoup” group. Unlike the rest of us, Marc took things a few steps further and he began searching the Brazilian Rain Forest and his native South Africa for other botanicals to combine with oleander.
After testing various combinations, Marc settled on two similar botanical supplements which consisted of 80% oleander extract made exactly according to the oleander soup instructions. The first supplement was for HIV/AIDS patients and it added extracts of the agaricus blazei murrill (ABM) mushroom, cats claw, and pau de arco, while the second supplement, intended for cancer, substituted the relatively rare chrysobalanus icaco (red-tipped coco plum) for the pau de arco. All of the rain forest botanicals added to the oleander have their own histories of successful immune boosting and cancer fighting abilities, some dating back centuries among the indigenous Amazon peoples. I asked Marc why he used oleander for 80% or the mix and he confided that, as potent as the other botanicals were, he felt that oleander was by far the most effective botanical he had ever found.
Marc soon selected a Brazilian manufacturing facility named Takesun do Brasil to make his supplements for him and he also licensed them to market his supplements around the world. Takesun is managed (or was) by a German PhD named George Otto (The Takesun website, a bit rough in the English version, can be found at http://www.agaricus.net – but I do NOT recommend that you buy any of their products at this time! I will just say that I believe that there are better and more reliable sources and that Marc Swanepoel agrees and leave it at that.)
Ultimately, the OPC product grew to be quite successful, especially in Dr. Otto’s native Germany. So much so, that two clinic were built which used only the OPC and Agaricus products and Dr. Otto ended up moving back to Germany where plans are in the works for a hospital built around an oleander/agaricus protocol.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, Marc returned to his native South Africa and made notable progress of his own – first getting the government to embrace the use of his oleander supplements for HIV and cancer and then getting it accepted by various doctors and clinics as well as gaining some support at the university level. Over the past three years, he and I have kept in touch and he has tole me many times of the success his supplements have had in helping HIV and cancer patients, but I have too admit that I was somewhat remiss in digging a bit deeper and finding out the true scope of the success until the first part of this year when I asked Marc how the patients in South Africa were faring and he reported back:
“Everything still ok here and cancer patients as well as HIV patients on the oleander mix are doing well. The medical doctor in Cape Town who is using the mix for all his cancer patients has continued to have good results. The oncologist where he sends his patients to (a woman) was so impressed with the results that she is now using it herself for prevention.
. . to date, the only patients that did NOT make it on the oleander mix were three patients with very advanced cancer that had metastasized to the liver and who had been on intensive chemo treatments. In my opinion, the effect of the chemo on the and liver and heart eventually led to failure of those organs.”
Needless to say, I was very impressed with the news, but after thinking about it, I started to wonder “3 patients out of how many did not make it”? So, to try to get a better perspective I asked Marc in a follow up message and the response I received astounded me! Just when I thought I could not possibly be even more impressed with oleander, based on my research and first hand experience with oleander users including friends and members of my own family, I got this incredible message from Marc:
“Hi Tony,
“Approximately 350 HIV/AIDS patients have used it and about 80 cancer patients on a regular basis. Of the cancer patients, 5 arrived when they had about a week to 10 days to live and they were too weak to keep the mix down. They died without really being able to try the mix. 3 (the ones I mentioned to you) died of liver and heart failure. All the others are still alive, some now for nearly three years. One breast cancer patient who was given a few months to live eventually became the patient of the oncologist who is now also using the mix. She was declared free of cancer by the oncologist approximately 1 year ago and is still doing well. Others used it for a few months until their cancers were gone and we have not heard from them again. One patient with a festering hole of 1cm diameter on his nose (about half a cm deep) have been using it for three months after doctors were unable to cure the tumor with radiation. The hole is now half the size and not festering anymore. It should be healed in about 3 – 6 months. The doctor in Cape Town whose own wife had metastasized cancer to the bones, is now cancer free. She has been on overseas trips and lives a normal life.”
Unfortunately, I do not have time to keep track of all the patients. They just collect the mix from me and phone me from time to time to say that they are doing well. It also seems to help for asthma, male impotence and diabetes. One advanced MS patient have now used it for 2 months and is reporting that it seems to help for the pain in her legs. All the distribution is happening by word of mouth and I don’t advertise at all. I have had orders from the UK from people who had heard about the successes in South Africa. A documentary maker there was filming the progress of his wife on a weekly basis but, unfortunately, she was one of the liver complications. He still believes very firmly that the mix gave his wife an extra 5 months of high quality life.”
I was almost dumbfounded to hear such news. 100% success on HIV and almost the same for cancers? I knew that oleander was almost always successful, but I had never really seen numbers like that before! If I had not known Marc for years now and know his character and accomplishments I would have doubted such numbers myself – and I am maybe the number one oleander fan in the galaxy!
The numbers Marc quote, mirror the results I am familiar with from around the world and in my own family, friends and health forum – especially those who combine a good diet and lifestyle and do not depend on oleander alone. For years, it has pretty much been used as a stand alone product. Marc, like myself, has recommended cleansing and de-toxing along with a very healthy diet and lifestyle to go along with the oleander. I take it a step further and recommend that other immune boosting and cancer fighting supplements also be used – not because I have any doubts in the magical powers of oleander, but because I think the more weapons in your arsenal, the more likely you are to win the battle and the war.
Yesterday, before preparing this installment, I sent Marc an email yesterday asking him for the very latest results so I could include them here. I received his reply only a few hours ago:
” Tony –
Since my last update to you when the total number of HIV/AIDS patients were about 350 and the total number of cancer patients were about 80, I have given the new mix to an additional 130 people with advanced AIDS and to a further 15 people with cancer. The people with AIDS, without exception, are doing fine and mostly resume their normal activities after 6 – 8 weeks. The son of the senior nurse at the clinic where I am doing my research was a case with advanced AIDS, badly swollen legs and barely walking with the aid of crutches. After 4 weeks, he does not need the crutches anymore and his mother reports that he is now singing in the morning. There are many similar cases and I have no doubt that the oleander mix can control HIV/AIDS better than the antiretrovirals.
I do not supply the mixture to many new cancer patients locally myself, but the doctor in Cape Town as well as two other people are regularly taking a total of at least 15 bottles of the mixture (500ml) from me every month for patients and friends who hear about it by word of mouth. The guy with the hole in the nose is now ok and the wound is nearly gone. He has brought another friend with a similar open cancerous wound on the nose that doctors have been unable to cure and he is taking the mix as well as an ointment that I make (ozonated olive oil mixed with the oleander). He has been taking it for 3 weeks and reports that he can already see a difference.
Two of the cancer patients who were in remission had recurrences of small tumours (but not in the same place as before). Against my advice, they had both stopped using the mix after their doctors had declared them clear of any tumours. As I mentioned to you before, I believe the cancer will always return UNLESS one changes the things that caused the cancer in the first place. The oleander and all other successful treatments allow one the breathing space to give effect to such changes.
At present I distribute about 70 – 80 bottles of the Sutherlandia OPC mix per month. This is without any advertising or other promotions – strictly word of mouth. I believe this will not be happening unless people are finding that it works. ( Remember that the AIDS patients only use it for 2 – 3 months and often share it among friends, whereas cancer patients use it for about 3 – 6 months for mild cancers). With cancer, one of the main problems is the fact that patients first try chemo and radiation to the point where doctors give up and then they try something else. My experience is that those who try the mix without going that route are also the ones who are willing to change their lifestyles (especially diet) and they are the one who pull through. The problem comes AFTER the cancer has been cured and a few are lured back into their old ways – with predictable results.
Regards,
Marc”
As a final note: As of a couple of months ago, Marc began manufacturing his own OPC oleander supplement and, after a lengthy period of testing, also changed the formula to 80% oleander and 20% sutherlandia frutescens (the South Africa “Cancer Bush”. Marc reports that the new addition does more than the other three combined ingredients in the other formulations. Marc is in fact, doing a doctoral thesis based on the use of oleander in combination with s. frutescens that should be completed in a few months, and I for one eagerly await the results, which I will promptly report here.
For those who would like to know a bit more about the South Africa “Cancer Bush”, you can find a wealth of information at http://www.sutherlandia.org
And that concludes this installment in the oleander series. Perhaps now, many of you can understand why I am so impressed with oleander!
Live long, live healthy, live happy!
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South Africa\s HIV Aids success 2011Reduce Your Risk of Cancer by Adding Fresh Herbs to Your Cooking
Fascinated by the cooking style of Jamie Oliver, I became very curious about his delightful liberty with fresh herbs in dishes. I had always known that herbs are healthy, but he definitely took it a notch higher than I was accustomed to. The flavours that filled the home as I prepared Jamie’s recipes coupled with the happy reception around the dinner table made me want to find out more about the fresh herbs for cooking. This turned out to be a quite a journey as I was, for the most part, pleasantly surprised by the wide range of health benefits of cooking with fresh herbs. In fact, I was so impressed, I wasted no time in starting my own herb garden.
In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve learnt on my journey. Just before I get there, however, permit me to side-track a little and say that one more reason why fast foods are so bad for us is because eating it almost takes our digestive system by surprise. Normally, when food is being prepared in the home, the aroma that fills the air allows our digestive system to kick into gear, starting with the process of salivation so that by the time we eat, the rest of the digestive processes flow more freely. That’s also one more reason why home-cooked meals are not only tastier, but healthier.
Back to our topic: fresh herbs add flavor and nutritional value to our food. It also makes food more interesting and transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary ones. Herbs also account for the cultural identity of many dishes. Dried herbs bring along gorgeous flavours and nutritional value as well, and certainly have their place in the culinary world, but fresh herbs have higher anti-oxidant levels.
Adding fresh herbs reduces the need for salt and that already presents a great benefit right there. Cooking with fresh herbs can be useful when one has to cut back on salt, fat and sugar because of health reasons. Culinary herbs are high in disease-fighting anti-oxidants. Studies have shown that adding fresh herbs to a meal significantly boosts the nutritional value by providing the body with an additional source of anti-oxidants. Although there are many herbs with a variety of benefits, the 9 herbs I will cover here all contain top cancer-preventative compounds. Besides cancer prevention, these 9 have an impressive list of other benefits too and I will touch on some of those.
It is important to understand the value of anti-oxidants before one could fully grasp the value of adding herbs to our food. Anti-oxidants are a group of compounds that help prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and also have anti-aging benefits. They work effectively in the body by destroying free radicals which are harmful molecules generated by unhealthy habits and exposure to pollutants in the air.
List of Nine Culinary Herbs known for Anti-Cancer Properties
1. Basil
2. Chives
3. Dill
4. Mint
5. Oregano
6. Parsley
7. Rosemary
8. Sage
9. Thyme
Basil
* Basil boasts with an impressive 53 cancer-preventing compounds
* Great companion to tomato dishes, vegetables, poultry, grilled pizzas, salads, pesto, pasta sauce, peas and zucchini
* The smallest leaves on the top of the plant are the tastiest
Chives
* Contains 22 compounds that prevent initial cancer development, 16 that support anti-oxidant effects on the human body, 12 anti-inflammatory compounds and 10 compounds that indirectly decreases blood pressure.
* It adds a subtle onion flavor to dishes and goes well with tomatoes, egg dishes, soups, sauces, potato salad and baked potatoes, fish, dips and spreads.
* The flowers are great for garnishing
Dill
* Has 47 cancer-prevention compounds
* Compliments tuna salad, omelets, carrots, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, in yogurt dressing for cucumbers, herb vinegars and cottage cheese
Mint
* Contains top cancer preventative compounds namely Vitamin C, Beta Carotene and others.
* Great with both savory and sweet dishes
* Excellent with beverages, jellies, sauces, marinades for meat and vegetables. Great with buttered peas, fruit salads and teas
Oregano
* An USDA study found that oregano has the highest anti-oxidant activity out of 27 fresh culinary herbs. It contains 48 compounds for cancer prevention
* It compliments lamb, beef, eggs, beans, eggplant, peppers and tomato dishes
Parsley
* Aids digestion
* Rich in Vitamin A which decreases the risk of developing diabetes and atherosclerosis (a condition usually caused by cholesterol causing clogging or hardening of the arteries), aids the formation and and maintenance of healthy teeth, skin and bones
* Rich in Vitamin C which strengthens the immune system, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant and acts to decrease the risk of heart disease. It also retains the smoothness and elasticity of the skin, prevents dry skin, and decreases wrinkles, facial lines and spider veins.
* It is a source of Vitamin K which is an important blood clotting agent where there is bleeding.
* It contains folic acid which decreases the risk of cancer
* Contains small amounts of iron which prevents blood deficiency and anemia, promotes healthy nails and hair growth.
* It has potassium which promotes normal kidney function
* Calcium which contributes to healthy bones
* Manganese which maintains normal blood sugar levels and promotes the health of the nervous system and working together with other minerals ensures the effective functioning of the thyroid gland as well as help the body control levels of cholesterol
* It goes well with salads, vegetables (especially potatoes) and pasta
* It is also used as a breath freshener
Rosemary
* Stops the gene mutations that could lead to cancer and decreases the risk of heart disease by preventing damage to the blood vessels
* It has 50 compounds that support anti-oxidant activity in the body
* It has 47 compounds that plays a preventative role in early cancer development
* 46 compounds that support anti-bacterial function
* 41 compounds that reduce inflammation
* 25 compounds that plays an anti-septic supportive role
* Rosemary is also found in may cosmetic products because of its anti-aging properties as it rejuvenates the skin by strengthening the small arteries just beneath the skin surface and gives the skin a healthy glow
* Has been shown to have diuretic properties and thereby prevents water retention in the body
* Known also to boost the memory
* Aids digestion because of anti-spasmodic properties
* Rosemary is a great companion to Mediterranean dishes, lamb, poultry, fish, breads, stews, pork, roast potatoes, soups and tomatoes
Sage
* The Latin name for sage, Salvia, means to heal and there is an old belief that adding sage to your diet gives you wisdom, which appears to be quite true as it has been proven to enhance memory, and prevent memory loss and dementia. It is believed to help clear the head, calm the mind and make studying a little easier
* It has anti-oxidant properties which help prevent some cancers and cleanses the body of free radicals. It contains enzymes that decrease the risk of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
* New research has been showing that it may play a role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
* It also has properties that boost the immune system
* Some studies, that are still being further researched, are proving that a daily sage tea infusion may lower the blood sugars in diabetics
* Furthermore it has antibiotic, anti fungal, and anti-spasmodic properties
* Although popularly used in poultry stuffing, it is also used in sausages and rich meats like pork, goose and duck
Thyme
* Boasts 50 compounds that prevent cancer
* Has anti-septic properties which combats minor infections including coughs and colds, urinary tract infections.
* It also has compounds that stimulates the digestive and cardiovascular systems
* Great accompaniment to Mediterranean dishes, Lima beans, potatoes, stews, eggs, seafood, poultry, tomatoes and other vegetables like carrots.
Fast Facts about Herbs:
* Buy fresh herbs like you would fresh flowers. They must look good, the stems firm, the brightly colored leaves must be intact, no bruising, torn or discolored leaves.
* Buy your fresh herbs as close as possible to the required time for use.
* If picking from the garden: best picked early morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets hot. This helps to ensure best flavor and storage quality.
* There is no right or wrong way to cook with herbs. Your creative skills can be given free reign. Starting with a few recipes, however, will slowly build your confidence in introducing herbs to your cooking
* Herbs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months
* Flavor may diminish with storage
* When you opt to use fresh instead of dried herbs the general rule is to three times as much fresh herbs as you would dried herbs.
* Most delicate herbs are added to the dish towards the end of cooking time
* Less delicate herbs can be added about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time
* Mint is one of the first ever recorded medicinal plants in known history
With such an impressive list of health benefits, cooking with fresh herbs has the capacity not only to be more interesting, but more beneficial to our all-round health. Enjoy this new adventure.
To see images of each of the listed herbs, click here