13. December 2009 by Suzy Karasik.

This is an incredible opportunity I am helping my friend to develop.  You can contact Dave Kirwin at 510-220-8858  ASAP for an interview and detailed understanding of the plans.  Please send thislink to anyone you know who may be looking to build a community and have an option to own..

Here’s the story:

We have a unique opportunity to start a very small affordable living community in Alameda’s Bay Farm Island. The number of shares or units could be 2-5, depending if it is individuals or a family. It is currently a legal duplex owned jointly by two owners, one wants to sell.  

A very sunny, garden filled ¼ acre, it is the last house on a small street with only 3 houses on one side, and a park across the street.  Isolated by a golf course and the park which wraps around the side of the house, it feels remote yet it’s close to everything. Renting begins February 1st with the intent of converting to a ‘Tenant-in-Common’ (TIC) ownership arrangement, preferably very soon.  Front 3 BR 2 B home can be owned separately, or provide for separate renters with a community spirit. 

Transportation:  It’s a 5 min walk to Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center with several bus lines within a few blocks.  It is 1 mile from SF-Alameda ferry. We have several ’share-bikes’, a bike set up for shopping, and a bike trailer. I envision a community of friends maximizing the community strength to minimize fossil fuel based personal vehicle use, striving to grow much of our own food, fully functioning with a lighter footprint.  

We have 6 hens, fish ponds w/solar water fall,  7 excellent raised beds/gardens, honey bee colonies, lots of prolific young fruit trees, lavender lined walkways, hot tub, far infra-red sauna, massage table. There are still many goals for expansion of eco friendly home elements like solar hot water, gray water irrigation, wind and solar-voltaic energy harvesting.  There is TV-Internet-phone, common space and a nice community kitchen and living area. 

There is also the potential for conversion of a detached 1200 sq ft garage/shop.  I am determined to find a way to remain part of this unique property and looking for others who want and are able to be join this partnership.  The potential is tremendous; all we need is highly communicative, like-minded people and the willingness to contribute resources and creativity.   I am open and interested in any ideas that you might have.

We are in the early stages of creating a concept like this, so it lends to constant revision of ideas and as of yet, nothing is really ‘set’.  What we need right now, is people who want to begin a discussion, have a need for funds housing, are creative and have moderate financial resources.  There is a time factor here so please act now if it sounds appealing.

I can send you photos and tell you all about how great it is…time is of the essence so please spread the word to anyone who fits this profile…

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8. December 2009 by Suzy Karasik.

Is Digestive Trouble Ruining Your Holiday Fun?

Health News   (this article was taken from Vitamin Research Products newsletter)

By VRP Staff      **contact me for more info, see   www.specialized-systems.com  for ordering

It’s no secret that indigestion, stress and the holidays go hand in hand. After all, you’ve barely had the chance to recover from Thanksgiving dinner when a whole new month of crowded malls, midnight snacks and party-filled weekends returns yet again. There’s no getting around it: This season is stressful. And where there’s stress, you can bet that indigestion, gas, bloating and diarrhea are never far behind.

But that doesn’t mean you’re defenseless against this unpleasantness. In fact, just by stocking up on a few key dietary supplements, you can prime your gastrointestinal tract to withstand the onslaught of holiday stress—not to mention the sugary snacks and heavy meals that come with it. Supplemental intake of the amino acid L-glutamine, for example, has been shown to reduce intestinal permeability and diarrhea in both animal studies and human clinical trials.^8-10 Meanwhile, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is proven to combat and soothe gastric ulcers, berberine can control GI inflammation and botanicals like marshmallow and slippery elm can provide a protective layer for irritated mucous membranes.^11-17

Similarly, compounds in cabbage can curb peptic ulcer pain and lower your risk of stomach and colorectal cancer—while gamma oryzanol, which has modulated pituitary secretion and inhibited excess gastric acid secretion in animal models, may provide all-natural antacid support.^18-20 Adequate intake of phosphatidylcholine and n-acetylglucosamine (NAG) is equally crucial, as low levels of these nutraceuticals have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis in clinical trials.^21-22 You’ll find all nine of these gut-strengthening nutrients in VRP’s GI Cell Support—a single comprehensive formula that fosters peak digestive function all year long.

To keep your gut trouble-free through the holidays, don’t forget to keep up with the basics, too—the most important being a quality probiotic. When it comes to maintaining a healthy flora of microorganisms in your colon, mixing several friendly, probiotic bacteria is always best: A blend of Bifidobacteria infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum (all in VRP’s BioPRO™) is clinically proven to provide significant relief from stress-induced GI symptoms like nausea and vomiting—and animal studies suggest it could offer a boost to your mood, too.^23-24

Finally, look for natural solutions to get you through those heavy holiday meals without bloating, gas or other digestive problems. Among your best options: a blend of all five key digestive enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase, lactase, and cellulase—all found in VRP’s Digestive Enzymes) will help to ensure that your body can break down every last bite efficiently and comfortably.^25-27

To avoid aggravating, hidden food allergies, on the other hand, you need to look out for stealthy lectins—those sticky proteins that can turn even otherwise healthy foods like wheat, tomatoes or pomegranates into digestive irritants.^28-29 Fortunately, however, you won’t have to sacrifice your favorite holiday treats to avoid this trouble—that is, as long as you supplement with a comprehensive blend of lectin-binding ingredients found in VRP’s Lectin Lock™, before you sit down to eat. This unique formula’s combination of NAG, bladderwrack, okra, d-mannose and sodium alginate can protect your digestive tract from these troublesome lectins by safely binding them for removal from your body before they have the chance to wreak havoc on your delicate intestinal lining.^30-35 And that means a healthier, happier—and more delicious—holiday for you.

Remember, rich food combined with the stress of the holiday season can wreak havoc on your digestive tract, taking away the pleasure you would normally feel when indulging in good food while surrounded by good friends and family. Taking a combination of GI Cell Support, BioPro, Digestive Enzymes and Lectin Lock can strengthen your GI tract, ensuring that you can experience the pleasures of the holiday season without the pain and aggravation of GI upset.

**  I agree with all of this though have a bit of a different twist, so if you are interested, give me a call at 760-808-1195

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