Youth athletics…a mirror to the real world

Here we go again…the world of youth athletics.  If we wonder why we have real problems in the world, we can once again look at youth athletics as window into why we can’t solve these problems.  For example, if the parents of the kids I coach spent as much time focusing on other things than trying to get little Johnny to the major leagues by the time he is 16, we’d get somewhere.  Let’s get real folks…do the homework, research, etc. and realize that Johnny is NOT going to be a MLB player at age 16.  No matter how much you spend, how much you trash your coaches, complain at umpires, and continue to teach that it’s not about the team, but ONLY YOU Johnny.   Let’s take the fun out of the game, let’s teach our kids that selfishness is the right approach, let’s make sure the coach hears how Johnny should be at first base every inning because he’s the only one that has any ‘real’ future, and that he should never, ever sit out.   GET A GRIP and STEP BACK.   This mentality must change for  all of our sakes.   Have we forgotten what we’re supposed to be teaching our kids??  What has happened to talking to your child everyday about what is going on?  What they like, what they don’t like.  Specific to sports, what has happened to encouraging your child to work harder and earn the position or playing time?  Why is it that you are not teaching your child to talk directly to the coach and ask what he/she can do to earn more playing time?  Why are you not teaching your child compassion for those that are making mistakes?  Is your kid that perfect??   We’re to build our children up BUT not at the expense of tearing someone else down.  At what point did this become acceptable to you?  Are you really so indifferent and selfish that you don’t care if Johnny gets what he wants??  I guess the problem I have is that fully a third of the kids I deal with are being raised this way.  I do what I can to change this thinking and I’m pretty good at that, but it only takes another parent ( and sometimes even another coach) to destroy the values that I work so hard to instill.  Since I’m not a quitter this is going to be my fight.  The kids I coach who buy into participating as a true teammate both on the team, their community, and in their life are the ones I want running for office, making decisions that shape the course of our future.  We’ve seen what happens when we let those that don’t believe in this run our country…it’s why we are where we are.  We, as parents/coaches, hold the key to a future that allows us to be teammates with other countries, other ideologies, etc.  Take a step back and buy in to this thinking and let’s reap the rewards this way; together.

In health, NBPI

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ponderings of the little league mind

It’s Friday and it’s beautiful out…going to get out in a few and take in all in.  In the meantime, it’s one of those pondering days….and little league baseball is where my mind is.  I’m experiencing the whole scene for the second time ( my two boys are 7 years apart) andthis time it’s much more fun.  It’s so much more enjoyable to see the game for what it is – a GAME.  It’s another reminder of the the little lessons we need to see what’s in front of us.  Let’s remember WHO is playing the game and what it means to them, not us.  Let’s help these kids play free of the fear of making mistakes.  Let’s remind ourselves that part of playing any game is learning it, therefore mistakes are inevitable.  Opportunity counts as well and they all deserve opportunities…both to play and to learn why they aren’t playing.   We, as parents, cannot forget that we are the teachers in this as well.  So to all of you watching youth baseball tonight or anytime in the future – ENJOY IT for what it is!  Play Ball!

oh yeah,  this is coming from a coach (HS, Sr., LL)

In health,

Natural Bridges Products, Inc.

www.livergard.com

A crisis on the edge…

Here in Santa Cruz we understand being on the edge.  Our sports, our culture, our ‘cultivated’ image; they all speak edgy.  This also tends to overshadow the fact that we’re all real people.   Even more so, real problems are often hidden…until now.   While the media and ‘experts’ discuss the economy in generalities, our county, city, and surrounding municipalities are looking at making dire and far reaching decisions because they have to deal with a budgetary crisis that is beyond anyone of this generation’s comprehension.  We’re not talking generalities here…the decisions to have to close libraries, parks, and teen centers are vivid in detail and right in our face.   As I work with teen and preteen kids via coaching athletics, I know first hand how important it is to keep the kids busy and learning life’s lessons in an environment that is positive and safe.  When these cuts take place many of these safe environments are being taken away.  Come on people, think back to when you were a kid.  Have you forgotten??  You know what decision these kids will make.  Knowing this and coming to terms with this, aren’t we ready to accept the responsibility for these problems?  Not the government (whether local or state) as we’re the ones who elected and allowed their decisions.  It’s no different than accepting the personal responsibility when you drop in at Steamers, launch yourself in Nicene Marks, or put on your tutu and dance down Pacific Avenue.  Let’s find ways to keep the parks open, the libraries open, and the teen centers open.  That’s the innovative edge we want to be known for.

Natural Bridges Products supports an edgy, yet balanced lifestyle for YOU.

In health, NBPI

another day on the edge…

It’s just after 10:30 am and the sun is coming out!  It’s been a long gray spell of marine layer out here on the left edge of the country so the sun is welcome.  I’m looking forward to a bike ride in a few minutes to take advantage of this; probably down on the beach.   After a great meeting this morning, I’m actually energized into writing again.  The past few months have been a blur of work, baseball, and the dynamics of family in the midst.  My energy today revolves around the topic of life on the edge.  Here in Santa Cruz, it has both a literal and figurative meaning.  With all that is going on around us, the idea of being on the ‘edge’ is too real.  There is always the conversation of balance but I’m of the belief that it is not necessarily achieving balance that is the goal but accepting that imbalance is part of the equation.   So, enjoy life on the edge and we’ll see you back here often with more ramblings…took my liverGARD, now off to ride!

In health, NBPI

A little common sense…

Common sense.   Is it just me or is the concept of applying common sense AWOL?

Liver Health in the NEWS

In the past three weeks there have been several major references to liver health in both treatment and potential harm to the liver via a certain supplement.  From our perspective, this awareness is welcome and indicates a growing concern for something that we’ve been paying close attention to for almost 10 years.  We’re very excited to see improved treatment posibilities for Hepatitis C.  I’ve blogged before on this subject and having a friend who went through the standard treatment (successfully) any improvement in results and fewer side effects is a huge positive.  I’ve also blogged about supplements and the need to clearly identify what is in the product and what the possibility for harm is.  Any of us who sell supplements have to be concerned about this and should not market any product, whatsoever, if there are any doubts to safety.  The hydroxycut issue is an example of this.   I’d like to see the various companies selling this product open their adverse events log and share that with the public.  Were these liver problems only recently reported or have there been other reports back to the manufacturer or reseller as to these concerns.  They should now do the research to find out why ( supplement/drug interaction, genetic type, gender, age, ???).  The supplement may be very safe except when certain conditions are present.  Hopefully that’s what happens next so that the consumer and the supplement industry can continue to benefit each other.  In the meantime, for those who have been taking hydroxycut, successfully or otherwise, I would be tempted to get some liver support supplements.  Look at the ingredients, any research, and decide for yourself.  What nutritional support can you give this organ to help your body maintain its optimum performance.  I can send you here to start and I trust you’ll finish here (after your research, of course).  See what LiverGARD is all about.  1650 Orac units per serving and only two ingredients – artichoke and sarsaparilla (like in root beer). www.livergard.com

In health, NBPI

Liver Health resources…

Thanks for visiting today.  I had taken a few days off to clear my head.  Too much on my plate and too little time to get to it.  As much as I have strong assessments/opinions (which I sometimes provide via this vehicle ) what I want to remain focused on is my desire to make sure that relevant information can get to you regarding the liver.  Hepatic (liver) research is ongoing and both pharmaceutical and natural considerations are being utilized to increase liver wellness.   We’re searching daily and will update weekly, information that we find on liver related issues and provide those links here.   Here one from the AP via Yahoo News that discusses an experimental treatment for liver cancer:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_he_me/med_healthbeat_liver_cancer;_ylt=AhUVpTp241TAuy0KkqOwGFzVJRIF

Here’s another that links surgery with general anesthesia for children under 4 and learning disabilities:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102306350&ft=1&f=1007&sc=YahooNews

What’s relevant about that is how the anesthesia is metabolized.  Body weight, development, etc. impact the livers capabilities.  It could be that liver support might help reduce the impact in the body of the anesthesia.  Obviously research in this area is warranted.

Check back often…naturalbridges

Thank you Armed Forces members!

I was really grateful for the sales we received last week for liverGARD.  A good percentage of them were from listeners of Armed Forces Radio and sports fans who were listening to a friend of mine who does our commercials.  Shipping to  an APO is no problem and I’m glad that folks were listening and willing to see what we’re all about.  Both of the founders of NBPI are ex USAF and many of our team members are former USARMY.  The web guy is  former USN so you can see that we have tremendous respect for the sacrifices you all make on our behalf.   We know that liverGARD will serve you well on your tours in places that put a strain on your detox system.  Too many airborne pollutants get in your bloodstream and must be metabolized when passing through the liver.  Using liverGARD daily will help your body deal with all of that.  When you do get downtime, you can use liverGARD to support your evening fun without losing the next day due to a hangover.  Keep up the solid work that you do and recognize that a significant majority of us know that regardless of politics, the job you do is the price of freedom and we’re grateful.

NBPI March 12, 2009

Hepatitis C and LiverGARD

If you suffer from this disease, and you are not alone, you are probably considering going through the interferon treatment to kill the virus.  I do not have the virus myself, but have observed two individuals go through the treatment (successfully) and don’t wish that on anyone.  The devastating effect of the interferon on the individual and their family is beyond belief, especially since the duration of the treatment usually is around 18 months.  On the bright side, once completed, the return to ‘normal’ is very welcome.   The interesting thing that I observed through the course of seeing these individuals go through their treatment course was the difference in the treatment time.  Individual A, only took 9 months to complete his treatment, whereas Individual B, took the whole 18 months.  Though both suffered immeasurably during the course of treatment, the difference in time made a huge difference in the toll it took on the family.  Individual A was actually older by 10 years and less fit than Individual B and the doctors felt that his chances were less for success.  So then, why the difference?  If you ask Individual A, he’ll tell you that it was taking the liverGARD everyday as part of his treatment protocol.  His doctor did nothing to discourage it, especially since he was progressing significantly faster than any other patient she has treated.  Does it make sense?  I would suggest that, yes, it does make sense since the toxic level of the interferon must be metabolized by the very organ that has the virus.  Now obviously this sampling is too small at this point to make any strong conjecture, but having worked with liverGARD for the past 10 years and seeing other results from real people who have improvements in liver related function, it’s not that much of a stretch.  By the way, Individual B now takes liverGARD daily as part of supporting his ‘new’ liver health.  He happens to work in Hepatitis C research and is interested in helping us get funding to support further research in this area.  So, if you know anyone who suffers from this affliction, get them to our website and start the process of ‘feeding’ their livers.  The all natural supplement certainly won’t hurt and if it helps shorten the duration of their treatment, then they will thank you forever.  If you’d like to help us fund further research, don’t hesitate to contact us.  Remember, because we’re plant based, the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t want to touch us because they can’t make as much money.  It doesn’t matter to them that it might be beneficial to humanity unless it makes them a dollar or a euro.  Right or wrong, that’s their stance.  If each of the people in the USA who have Hepatitis C were to give us a dollar, it would fund  the research we ( and they ) need to prove our point.  If you don’t suffer from any liver issues, do yourself a favor and keep a bottle around for yourself.  You’ll find it helps for a myriad of issues, including the dreaded alcohol hangover, which it PREVENTS, if you follow directions.

In health,

NBPI   www.livergard.com

it’s nice to have some help…

Tonight is March 2, 2009 and after a bunch of craziness, LiverGARD goes live on the air.  In the Bay Area, tune into Chris Townsends sports talk show on KTRB 860 AM in San Francisco from 10pm until 3am.  Check out the great entertainment and see why he supports LiverGARD.  Chris has been using LiverGARD under it’s original name of First Call for almost 5 years.  Not only does it protect the liver by preventing the hangover, but if you smoke or are exposed to smog or other pollutants, your body needs to metabolize these toxins.  LiverGARD supports the natural ability of the liver to do this.  Listen to Chris, check us out, and place your order!    www.livergard.com

We do liver health!   All the best, NBPI