God’s favor in our lives is a powerful force. It’s so strong that many of us may not realize at first just how deeply it impacts us. When we first get saved we may have a rudimentary, intellectual knowledge of grace, but it may take us years, or even the rest of our lives, to fully understand what we need to know. This undeserved favor from God proactively reaches out to us in various ways, changes us for the better, and allows us to live on the same level as Jesus Christ.
Comparing the old to the new, life before the cross was not as rich and full of promise as life after the cross. Under the Law of Moses, the people were expected to abide by hundreds of strict rules and regulations to avoid being cursed. God led them, but from a distance. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God, Himself, can now live in us. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Believing in the power of what Jesus did for us releases us from bondage to fear, worry, stress, and anxiety—emotions the rest of the world assumes are a part of living. We now have peace of mind and joy that can’t be explained rationally, yet it’s always there, even in difficult times. This is all part of the Father’s plan for believers. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven. When we miss the mark, we can be free from the spiritual shackles of guilt, shame, and condemnation because Jesus has already taken care of the judgment and sentencing for sin. Negative emotions hold people back from leading the joyful, powerful lives God wants them to have. Shame inflicts emotional pain and damage; Jesus hated it so much, He died on our behalf to take it away forever. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed” (Isaiah 50:6, 7).
Because we have a relationship with Christ, we can rest without the nagging uneasiness so many others carry. This rest is something religion can’t give us because it focuses on self-effort and hard work to earn blessings from God, instead of on receiving by faith what He has already provided for us. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:9-11). This isn’t always easy to do when the pressures of life hit; however, with God’s help it can be done.
As God’s children, we’re in a unique position to demonstrate His love by the way we live. God has radically changed us so that His grace can flow through us and radically change the lives of others. Submitting to His influence makes us lights in a dark world.
Do you want to have a faultless, repeatable swing? This class will break down the seemingly unobtainable dream of having the "perfect swing" and turn it into a reality. Robert Rock is known for having one of the best golf swings in the world and now he has made a very simple guide to help you create yours.
In this series, you will learn all the core fundamentals of a "perfect swing" from the setup all the way to the follow-through. There are a number of simple drills and tips which are guaranteed to make your swing better and easier. This really is a class you don't want to miss.
After this class, you will know:
How to successfully take the club away
The key checkpoints the club must pass through in the swing
The changes needed for a driver and an iron
How to solve "overswinging"
How to create solid impact repeatedly
This class includes 15 instructional videos and loads of practice drills to support your training.
Birdietime is the leading game improvement platform by PGA and European Tour coaches
Robert Rock
Robert Rock is a progressive and intuitive golf professional from England. A contemporary of his fans and peers, Robert is a multiple winner on the men’s European Tour with a world-renowned classical golf swing.
Robert is a professional player himself but also coaches several other professional players like Matt Wallace and Nino Bertasio. Book this course.......
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are compounds that the body needs to stay healthy but cannot produce independently. This means that a person must get these nutrients from food or supplements.
EFAs are necessary for producing hormones that regulate the immune system and nervous system.
There are two categories of Essential Fatty Acids, omega-3 and omega-6. It is important to balance them in a person's diet for optimal health.
What Are Fish Oils? (Omega-3)
Fish oil is often used as a broad term for supplements or foods containing the omega-3 nutrient. Fish oils are the most prominent sources where omega-3 can be found, although there are also some plant-based omega-3 sources.
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are used to produce hormones called eicosanoids, which play a role throughout the cells in the human body. Specifically, omega-3 acids are important for cardiovascular and immune system health. Omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to anti-inflammation, so that they can be an important supplement for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other joint pain.
For expecting mothers, essential fatty acids, specifically the DHA omega-3, are beneficial for the development of the baby throughout pregnancy. It is commonly recommended that pregnant women take a DHA supplement during their pregnancy. While this is widely considered a safe supplement beneficial for a baby's development, always consult with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet while pregnant.
Some research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help combat mood disorders and even ADHD, especially in children. While more studies are needed in this area, there is anecdotal evidence that patients have shown improvement in depression, ability to focus, and general cognitive ability when an omega-3 is increased in a person's diet through food or supplements.
Dietary Sources of Omega-3
Omega-3 EFAs are most commonly found in fish, but there are also plant sources and supplements in capsule form.
Some common animal-based omega-3 sources:
Salmon
Herring
Mackerel
Sardines
Tuna
Some common plant-based omega-3 sources:
Walnuts
Flaxseed
Chia seeds
It is important to note that more research is done on fish-based sources of omega-3 rather than plant-based sources. While all of these foods are considered healthy to consume, the body can process the amounts and types of omega-3 in these sources differently. Unless you have dietary restrictions or allergies, fish-based sources of omega-3 are recommended.
Supplements can be made from either animal-based or plant-based sources for those with dietary restrictions. The most common omega-3 supplement is fish oil; it is found in capsule form and can be taken daily. Fish oil has the most research for effectiveness and is the most widely taken omega-3 supplement. Other fish-based supplement options are krill oil or cod liver oil.
While the risk of serious side effects from taking omega-3 supplements, specifically fish oil, is very low, they can interact with certain medications, trigger allergies, and cause indigestion. Always consult with a doctor before changing your supplementation routine.
What Is CLA? (Omega-6)
CLA is a group of essential fatty acids that contain omega-6; they are widely found in plant-based sources like nuts and seeds.
CLA and omega-6 also aid in functioning all cells in the human body, and CLA helps the body produce energy and balance cholesterol levels.
Recently, CLA specifically has become popular with the fitness community. It is said that CLA can help the body create energy, specifically from fat stores, which protects muscle tissue from being used and reduces the amount of body fat a person has. While this needs more research, anecdotal evidence in the bodybuilding community often supports the claim.
A risk with omega-6 is that it has been shown to increase inflammation when taken in high amounts, leading to aggravated medical conditions and general pain.
Dietary Sources of Omega-6
Omega-6 nutrients are most commonly found in nuts and seeds or can be taken as a supplement. CLA is the most commonly used supplement for omega-6.
Plant-based sources of omega-6
Walnuts
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Corn oil
Soybean oil
Omega-6 fatty acids are relatively easy to get from a modern American diet, but they can be found in supplements if needed. There are some risks to a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, as they have been linked to inflammation that can aggravate medical conditions such as COPD. Consult with a doctor before adding a CLA or omega-6 supplement.
Which Supplement To Take, CLA or Fish Oil?
Both omega-6 and omega-3 are essential fatty acids, meaning they are necessary for health but cannot be produced by the body. This means that supplementation of both can be necessary in certain cases if there is not enough intake from food.
The main consideration when deciding if taking a CLA, fish oil, or another omega supplement is balance. For optimal health, a person should have omega-6 and omega-3 in their diet, but the levels of omega-3 should be higher due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The two types of fatty acids can have opposite effects on the body, so while both are needed, the side effects can balance each other out when levels of both are consumed.
Another factor is that omega-6 is more readily available in the common American diet – so taking a CLA may not be necessary. The plant-based oils containing omega-6 are inexpensive and widely used in cooking, so most Americans get enough if they eat a balanced diet. Omega-3, on the other hand, is harder to get from food. The top sources of omega-3 are fatty fish, which can be expensive and less common in the American diet. For this reason, many can benefit from taking a fish oil supplement.
The last consideration is risk factors. While there are always some risks when consuming any supplement, fish oil is America's most commonly taken supplement, and it is well researched and generally considered very safe. It is difficult to consume too much omega-3, and CLA is a newer supplement with less research. Studies have shown that it is possible to get too much omega-6, and high levels can be harmful, so look into current levels of omega-6 intake before adding a supplement.
What Happens Without Enough EFAs
Since essential fatty acids are necessary for the body, a deficiency can cause health problems. If a person is not consuming enough of these nutrients, it can lead to Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency or EFAD.
While it is rare for a person who is consuming a healthy diet to have severe cases of EFAD, varying levels of these symptoms can occur due to Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency:
Hair loss or dull hair
Rash and dry, scaly skin
Weakened immune system
Slowed growth in children
Severe Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency cases can be diagnosed and treated clinically through blood tests and infusions of fatty acids. In most cases, however, adding a supplement will reverse the effects.
Learn more about the importance of Essential fatty Acids such as Fish Oil and CLA, by clicking the links below.
The squat is often performed incorrectly. After reading this guide, you'll know how to back squat.
Setting up for the squat
The first part of this guide will be about how to set up for the
squat. I’ll explain where the bar should be positioned, hands width,
elbow position, bracing, getting tight, walking the bar out and creating
full-body tension.
Bar position
There are two basic bar positions on the back squat, high bar, and
low bar. With the high bar squat, the bar rests on the traps, while the
low bar squat rest on the rear delts. The biggest thing to avoid while
positioning the bar for the high bar squat is to make sure it’s on the
traps and not on the neck. Having the bar too high is generally the
reason people have sore necks after squatting. With the low bar squat,
some people get on the shoulder blades. That generally comes from
letting the bar rest directly on the spine of the scapulae. Just
slightly moving the bar up or down of the scapula should remove the
problem. People who have shoulder problems and lack the mobility to have
the bar that low without pain are better off using the high bar
position. The low bar causes a slightly more forward lean low bar than
the high bar squat. Ensure you are in the middle of the barbell as you
set up. Placing the bar asymmetrically on the back will cause one side
to take most of the load and it will be hard to maintain your balance.
Hand position
In general, you should try to get your hands as close as comfortably
can get without it causing pain in your wrists, shoulders, or elbows. A
narrow grip will help keep your upper back tight.
Elbows
Try and keep your elbows down and pulled into your sides. It should
feel just like you're doing a lat pull down. This will cause tension in
your lats which will help with upper back tightness. Some people benefit
from driving their elbows up behind the bar when doing low bar squats.
This is because some people don’t have very big rear delts and driving
their elbows back creates a bigger shelf to put the bar.
Bracing and getting tight
Getting tight, bracing and creating full-body tension is important as
it reduces the chance of injuring yourself and it allows you to lift
the most weight. Strong legs and hips aren’t enough to squat. You need
to be able to transfer the force into the bar through the torso. To get
your upper back tight, you should actively pull your shoulder blades
together and maintain this the whole time the bar is on your back. As
mentioned before, pull your elbows down and in towards your body unless
you need to drive your elbows behind you. Before every rep, you need to
take a big breath into your diaphragm to create Intraabdominal pressure.
When breathing into your diaphragm, your stomach should inflate out.
This helps protect your lower back. If you’re chest and shoulders raise
while you take your breath you’re not breathing into your diaphragm. You
will hold this breath during the rep at least until you’re 2/3 of the
way back up. Contract your abs like you’re about to get punched in the
stomach. This combined with taking a big breath will ensure you’re core
is braced.
Foot stance and angle toes point out
How wide people’s stance is will vary depending on individual anatomy
and their mobility. You’ll need to use trial and error to find your
best stance. A good starting point is to have your heels at
shoulder-width apart and slightly pointing out. See how that’s feels.
Then try it an inch or two wider, and an inch or two narrower. Try with
the toes pointing out and driving the knees out, and try with the feet
pointing straight ahead. See how comfortable and how deep you can squat
with each stance width without your back rounding.
Walking the bar out of the rack
First thing you need to check that the hooks are a good height. You
shouldn’t ever have to tiptoe the bar out of the rack. This is a common
mistake people often make. You also don’t want it too low that you waste
too much energy. A good starting point is to have the hooks set so the
bar is level with your sternum. With your feet the width you plan to
squat with. Start your hips a bit behind the bar, take a deep breath
into your stomach, tense your back, and get your hips under the bar and
squatting the weight up out of the hooks. Be aggressive when unracking
the bar. Once you unrack the bar, wait for a second and let the weights
settle. Take a small step back with one foot, then a little step back
with your second foot, and then a third step if an adjustment is needed.
You want the walkout to be as efficient as possible so that you waste
minimal energy. You shouldn’t ever need more than three steps to walk
out. Once you’ve walked the bar out, you will already be braced and the
upper body will be tight. You now want to get even tighter so you have
complete control of the bar. You need to ensure you have your weight
evenly distributed across your big toe, your little toe, and your heel.
Next, you need to create tension in your hips. With your feet planted
into the floor try and rotate your hips outwards. Do this by imagining
trying to touch your heels together and move more toes towards a wall
either side without actually moving your feet.
Setting up for the squat
1 Place the bar on either the traps or rear delts. Ensure you're set in the middle of the bar.
2 Grip the bar as close as you comfortably can. If you’re getting
wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain or discomfort, move your hands out. Drive
your elbows under the bar, or behind if you need to.
3 Take a deep breath, get tight and brace before lifting the bar out
of the rack. Walk the bar out, using as little energy as possible.
4 Get in your preferred stance width
5 Take another deep diaphragmatic breath. Brace like you’re going to take a punch to the stomach6 Create total body tension.
The Squat
When squatting, look straight ahead or slightly down. Focus on
something and don’t take your eye off it. Two cues when doing the squat
is sit down and sit back. When sitting down you break at the hips and
knees at the same time. When you cue to sit back you break at the hips
first by pushing your butt back as if you’re going to sit on a chair.
Sitting down tends to keep your body more upright but there isn’t a
massive difference. For most people breaking at the hips and knees at
the same time will be best to start with. Try both and do what feels
most comfortable. You should descend as fast as you can while being able
to remain tight and remain in complete control of the barbell. Try and
squat to just below parallel. Parallel is where the crease of the hip
joint is level with the top of the knee. Some people are able to go
lower, while some people will struggle to reach depth due to mobility
issues. When at the bottom drive your traps into the bar and push your
feet into the floor. Your hips and shoulders should come up at the same
speed. This will keep your back angle the same throughout the lift. A
common mistake is to allow your hips to rise up faster than your
shoulders and end up bent over. Driving your traps into the bar should
prevent that.
Onions (Allium) are bulb vegetables related to chives,
garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks. They contain high levels of
ANTIOXIDANTS and sulfur-containing compound levels linked to reduced
cancer risk, lower blood sugar levels, and better bone health.
Onions come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, but seemingly red
onions are best as their pigmentation is due to the presence of
ANTHOCYANINS.
The taste of onions ranges from mild and sweet to sharp and spicy,
depending on the variety, season, and age. They can be eaten before they
mature, the youngest being scallions and spring or summer onions.
Red onions are called SPANISH or PURPLE onions and are very mild with a sweetish taste. There are four varieties:
TURDA onions from Central Romania with their particular aroma
TROPEA onions from Italy with a strong and sweet taste
WETHERSFIELD red onion from the US
CONNECTICUT red onion, also from the US.
Red onions have more health benefits than white onions. They provide
ten percent of the vitamin C RDA, but red onions contain MORE
antioxidants.
Although White onion has more fiber and sulfur, red onion has more
FLAVONOLS and anthocyanins. For example, the total anthocyanin contents
determined by the pH differential method were on average 0.75 mg per 100
g fresh weight in white onion, 9.64 mg per100 g in yellow onion, and a
huge 30 mg per 100 g in red onion, respectively. So, the anthocyanin
content in onions is red>yellow>white. The average flavonoid
contents of onions with three different colors are 36.64 and 111.10 mg
per 100 g in yellow and red, respectively, whereas white onion contains
none.
Red onions are also a more effective natural blood thinner than white
onions because of their flavonoids, which help thin the blood. In
addition, the phytochemicals in red onion help boost the immune system.
They are also rich in vitamins K, B6, and C. However, the phytochemicals
act as a stimulant to vitamin C within the body.
The fiber in red onions helps digestion and prevents constipation.
As for minerals, red onion contains CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, POTASSIUM,
CHROMIUM, IRON, and MANGANESE. It also contains folate and thiamine. The
chromium is suitable for people with diabetes as it impacts blood sugar
levels by slowing and controlling the release of sugar into the body.
Because chromium affects insulin activity, a lack of it may cause weight
gain, so if you want to lose weight, eat red onions!
Among the antioxidants in red onion is QUERCETIN. Antioxidants fight
the free radicals, which are toxic organic waste. However, they are
considered dangerous because they can cause cancer by mutating DNA.
Because of that, quercetin is most valued as studies show that it can
even reduce the spreading of cancer through the body. Interestingly,
studies showed that consuming half a red onion each day may reduce the
risk of stomach cancer by a half. For example, in Georgia, USA, where
red onion is grown, the number of stomach cancer cases is half the US
average. Similar data comes from China, where red onion is mainly used.
Quercetin also helps to regulate blood pressure. According to a study
by the University of Utah, this antioxidant can reduce the risk of
heart disease and stroke. Quercetin is also an anti-inflammatory, so it
benefits people suffering from allergies, asthma, and arthritis.
Red onion’s anti-inflammatory powers help acne sufferers. Applying
red onion mixed with honey or olive oil to the affected areas of the
face reduces redness and swelling.
If you get stung by a bee or wasp, apply red onion to the injured
area, and you will get instant relief from the burning sensation. That
is because red onion helps neutralize the harmful effects of the
cocktail of substances injected by these stinging insects, which
includes mast-cell degranulation protein, hyaluronidase, acid
phosphatase, lysophospholipase, histamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and
serotonin.
Red onion is a very low glycemic food with a glycemic index of GI, so
it is ideal when dieting. In addition, 25 g contains only 11 calories
and zero fat.
If you have ringing in the ears due to tinnitus, or earache, a few drops of red onion in the ear may help.
Does red onion have side effects? To some people, it has, especially
those with an onion allergy. Onions give them itchy eyes, redness, and
rashes. It may also cause them to vomit and suffer gastric problems.
All in all, red onions are full of antioxidants, and may help fight
several maladies. They are high in quercetin and form part of a healthy
diet. If you know what you are doing, the above will help you get and
maintain the essential minerals your body needs from red onions.
Janice Palmer has put together a complimentary report
on minerals in our food that will help solve your mineral intake
problems quickly and permanently. To access it instantly, please visit https://pureminerals.uk/book/
Democrats in the Nations House proposed an 8-bill gun-control package after an evil, deranged, 18-year-old killed 21 people in a school. The bills in the package called “Save Our Children” would disarm law-abiding citizens and give criminals who don’t follow laws greater power.
The restrictive gun laws make the people more dependent on the government for protection. People with 24/7 armed security are making a powerful push to convince us of this.
Those of us who aren’t playing professional sport, haven’t starred in a movie, or are a politician, can’t afford security or a house in a gaited community. We commoners want to be self-reliant and we understand that the government is unwilling and incapable of protecting us. So thanks, but no thanks.
Allow Armed Teachers, Ohio HB99 —
House Bill 99 passed the Ohio House 56-34, and Senate 23-9, and now only waits for Governor Dewine’s signature. There are lots of rumors about what HB99 contains. Let’s look at the bill.
This bill does not force teachers to arm themselves. Opponents to allowing school staff the ability to defend themselves and the students mis-characterize bills like these. You can see this here in the Ohio Education Association President’s statement:
Asking teachers who are already overburdened to add more to their plate by serving in a dual role where they’re both responsible for educating children and now in some cases where this might be implemented for armed security in schools, we think is not really addressing the issue.
See how the assumption is that teachers don’t want the option to defend themselves or the lives of the kids? As if when a gunman comes into a school, a teacher’s chief concern is that they are really burdened with grading tests, not that they want to protect themselves and kids. Maybe police officers shouldn’t carry guns because they are already overburdened writing tickets and responding to emergency calls. It all makes sense if you don’t think about it. Keep reading.......
