February 10

Halogen of the week


Iodine

Iodine is an element that is we hear a lot about in the health field because of its connection with nutrition, water purification, and the functioning of the thyroid. It is both essential and toxic to the human body. Deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, which leads to host of symptoms. The lethal dosage is 2-3 grams
Here are some other facts about it.
Iodine is a relatively rare element that was discovered in 1811. It is a member of the halogen group, which are non metallic elements. Halogen normally exists as a bluish - blackish solid and has an atomic number of 53 and an atomic mass of 127. It is one of the heaviest elements used by the human body, known as a trace element, and is found in kelp, seafood, dairy products, plants grown in iodine rich soil, and some processed foods. Commercially, iodine is mined in Chile, the United States, and Japan.


Alchemy

Probably like most students of occult knowledge I am too fascinated with alchemy. I don't think of it as magic, but of a very high level of knowledge and experience. My understanding is that it can be practiced both internally and externally. Externally it is used as a means of transformation, just as the alchemists in India and China took poisonous metals and facilitated their transformation into a more desirable or palatable form. In this way, alchemy seems to be very much like chemistry, although it is not based on chemical constituents, but rather on energetics and a science of qualities. Internally, I also think of alchemy as a means of transformation. After all, as we have learned, there can be no loss of matter or energy. There is only movements and changes to that mass and energy. Internally we can think of the Chinese concept of emotion, which is described as a movement of qi. If that emotion does not manifest then it still exists but in another form. There is a story of a man who used to survive on consuming tobacco leaves alone. From this toxin it is said that he produced a nectar within himself that sustained him. This is but one story of the many that inspire a sense that there is more to this life then is commonly known. Like all powerful and rare experiences, much of alchemy will remain shrouded in mystery, vagueness, and legend by everyone who has not directly experienced it.

Feb 3

Inert Gas of the week


Inert gases are non reactive. The most common ones are argon and neon. Today, I will speak about the beautiful, electrifying, classy, and extraterrestrial NEON.

We all know this gas, yet we may only know it for the light that it helps emit. Although neon (ne) is simply a gas with an atomic number of 10 it is special in that it is in many ways otherworldly. Neon is common in the universe, but rare on our lovely and little planet earth. This is due to its lightness and inertness. Although rare, neon can be spotted with the naked eye especially after sunset. Simply walk to your favorite downtown street corner and enjoy!


The colors in my kitchen

We hopefully have all walked the isles of our local farmers markets and seen the beautiful array of colors that fill its stalls. These colors are not only pleasing to the eye but are also beneficial to our mind/body. Chinese medicine, ayurveda, and now modern medicine have all contributed to the science of how these colors effect us and how we can use knowledge of color to help create better health and to aid us with particular ailments. So with that said I looked into my own kitchen to see what colors are there and what which ones are not.

First off I looked in the refrigerator, to see the vegetables and ahh ha there was a gold mind.
Carrots come in a variety of colors. We know the orange one's but there are also white, red and purple. Luckily my local grocery store sells bunches of carrots that contain all of these varieties.

then I saw that i had bak choi, which is green and white, and asparagus, which is a lighter shade of green.

Then i looked in the cabinet.
There I have three types of lentils. French green , red, and mung beans, all have distinct colors.

Then I looked at my rice. I have white jasmine and off white basmati (I don't like brown rice).

So all in all I had a variety of colors in my foods that not only taste good, but that will hopefully provide me with good, prana, qi, vitamins, and minerals.

The world of color . .  .

is fascinating! Its science always strikes me because of its vagueness, impermanence, and deception. It is a great way to describe how we are often mistaken by what we perceive. We live in a world of subjectivity, not objectivity, and it is through our 5 senses and their limitations that we can understand the world. Is there anything that exists that is beyond the 5 senses? Something that can not be detected?And when I say beyond I mean beyond the eye or the ear. And I'm not just talking about human senses but bee eyes and dog ears as well. We all know that what we perceive to be reality is different then the person next to us, and indeed much different then the other beings that share our planet. A dogs auditory experience is much more acute and a bees eyes can detect the world of sight in a completely different way. This article on the color of minerals shows us that it is chemical bonds that are commonly the reason why a substance absorbs or emits certain colors.And with this chemistry has helped us add nuance to how we perceive the world

Jan 27

Discussion

Industry is fueled by  dollars and it's those dollars that ultimately govern its direction.
Take for example, the market for "natural products." This industry, is one that has grown enormously as more and more people become cautious to the effects that traditional products may have on their health and that of the environment. Within a capitalist system voting with your wallet is a very effective means of change. It is a very loud way of saying what we want, and it does not depend on difficult to obtain scientific proof in order to create a huge shift. We can see in almost every industry alternatives arising that give people options to choose two different products that may represent two different mindsets and that produce two different social and environmental realities. The main issues are the availability of alternatives,  and their cost, which are the main weapons of those who have a stranglehold on any given market. Political influence also plays a tremendously important role as well. History clearly shows us how a marriage between politicians and industry does not help facilitate the natural growth of the marketplace, but in fact leads to a stifling of it and to the creation of more efficient and smarter products and technologies.

Catalyst of the week

So many people like cheese, but they may not know how it is produced. How might you ask does that liquid sweet milk change into thick and pungent cheese? The answer: enzymes, which are a form of catalyst. In the process of making cheese, rennin, a proteolytic enzyme, found in the stomachs of young calves and lambs, is the catalyst of choice in the process of hydrolyzing milk proteins. This process is essential in making many cheeses, especially those aged cheeses which so many people adore. However, these enzymes are also found in vegetable sources, which many companies use to make their cheeses suitable for their vegetarian customers.

The Atom Economy

I found this link to be too technical for my level and interest in the subject. Overall, I understand that the more we can measure and account for the atoms within our specific projects the more green we can be. The more efficient we can be will greatly reduce the amounts of materials that are used in today's industries.