Happy New Year and Forget Detoxing...really! #gingersimpson

I happened to be doing a little researc on toxins and came across the most logical argument against all the scams that tell us we need to detox our bodies.  I suggest you read it before you invest money in something that isn't necessary.  If you watch what you eat and cut out the unnecessary salt, pastas, breads, and fast foods, you're bound to lose weight.  Don't think that flushing out your system is the only way to get those unwanted pounds off.  I suggest you read:  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-detox-scam-how-to-spot-it-and-how-to-avoid-it/
Here's a little snippet that might make you follow the link.

The reality is that our bodies are constantly being exposed to a huge variety of natural and synthetic chemicals. The presence of any chemical in the body, (natural or synthetic) does not mean that it is doing harm. Many naturally-derived substances can be exceptionally toxic, and consequently the human body has evolved a remarkable system of defenses and mechanisms to defend against, and remove unwanted substances. The skin, kidneys, lymphatic system, our gastrointestinal system, and most importantly, the liver make up our astoundingly complex and sophisticated intrinsic detoxification system. Importantly, the dose makes the poison – even water can be toxic (dilutional hyponatremia) when consumed in excessive amounts. http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-detox-scam-how-to-spot-it-and-how-to-avoid-it/.  In case you're too stubborn to click on the link, I'll share the conclusion, although the entire article is meaningful and makes sense.



Any product or service with the words “detox” or “cleanse” in the name is only truly effective at cleansing your wallet of cash. Alternative medicine’s ideas of detoxification and cleansing have no basis in reality. There’s no published evidence to suggest that detox treatments, kits or rituals have any effect on our body’s ability to eliminate waste products effectively. They do have the ability to harm however – not only direct effects, like coffee enemas and purgatives, but the broader distraction away from the reality of how the body actually works and what we need to do to keep it healthy. “Detox” focuses attention on irrelevant issues, and gives consumers the impression that they can undo lifestyle decisions with quick fixes. Improved health isn’t found in a box of herbs, a bottle of homeopathy, or a bag of coffee pushed into your rectum. The lifestyle implications of a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, lack of sleep, and alcohol or drug use cannot simply be flushed or purged away. Our kidneys and liver don’t need a detox treatment. If anyone suggests a detox or cleanse to you, you’d do well to ignore the suggestion, and question any other health advice they may offer.

Note from Ginger:  If you don't believe people are in this myth for the money, just go to http://google.com/images and search under "detox."

Goals

To me, the definition of a goal should be changed to "dream." It's a particular thing you want to achieve, will strive to achieve, but be damn lucky if you see it to fruition.

While I didn't set goals for 2009, my friend on my historical critique group so kindly posted ones I set in 2008. As the saying goes, "a day late and a dollar short," I still accomplished something this past year, aside from finding out that Parvo Virus doesn't only pertain to dogs, blood thinner requires that you have frequent blood testing, you should never never assume you are on the last step in the dark, and most importantly for my continued health, I discovered why someone named a particular shoe "slippers." *lol*

Here are my goals from 2008 along with comments about how I fared.

1. Successfully find a home for Sarah's Journey if TWRP doesn't offer a contract.

I discovered that TWRP doesn't like me. They turned down Sarah's Journey because they didn't approve of the ending, and they reported the loss of my two other submissions. I can take a hint. I'm not their cup of tea. Luckily, the submission's editor at Eternal Press GOT the reason for SJ's ending and called it brilliant. How lucky was that? And how true?

2. Complete First Degree Innocence and Love in Stages.

Well, Love in Stages turned out to be Stages of Love and the stories in that collection were finished and published by Eternal Press. (Chastity's Charms, Forever Faith, Amazing Grace, and Hope Springs Eternal.) Unfortunately, I'm still plugging away at First Degree Innocence and it's number one on my 2010 goal list. This is the ONE that's going to make me famous. *big grin*

3. See Sisters in Time completed in an improved format and shop it.

Improved it, shopped it and it's already published by Eternal Press. Available in both download and print...as are all my works.

4. Rob a bank so I can attend the Romance Times Convention in 2008 *just kidding*

2009 was such a bad financial year, I would have had to rob a bank to attend the conference. While this goal remained impossible in 2008 and 9, I'm hoping 2010 will be the year I can afford to attend at least one conference. The networking opportunity is awesome, and I so enjoyed the RT conference I attended years back. It's a costly venture, and certainly not one that can be supported by my book sales, unless of course you guys want to step up to the plate and start buying. *lol*

5. Find an agent who actually knows the difference between Internet and Mainstream publishing. :)

I did find an agent, and she does know the difference. What remains to be seen is if she can place any of my work. I've just completed an historical romance, Odessa, and time will tell.

Seems like a short list of accomplishments, but when you factor in all the blogging, emailing, Facebooking, Myspacing, Goodreading, Tweeting, and such, it's amazing I got anything done...especially since I've become addicted to Farmville. As if that's not bad enough, I keep getting invites to join Mafia Wars, Cafe World, Fishworld, Farm Town, and Farkle. I'm praying for strength to "just say no." It doesn't only work for drugs. *lol*