AUTISM AND VACCINES- is there really a connection?

It has been a long time since I have written. Last week Jenny McCarthy talked on Oprah about her sons recovery from autism through diet, fungal and bacterial treatment, healing the gut, and focusing on getting rid of mercury in the body.

She pointed out that he got autism after vaccinations... but that they were more like the straw that broke the camels back.

Today, I decided to see what doctors had to say about vaccinations.... Wow. I understand the science behind how they can be harmful. A child should never be given vaccines if they are on antibiotics. That really increases their chances of the mercury not leaving their body.

1 out of 1000 kids in the USA had autism 20 years ago... now 1 out of 150. SOMETHING MUST CHANGE!! 1 out of 6 american children have a disorder! That is just crazy!!

Some great videos!!
A doctor explaining the science behind vaccinations, this is a four parter, to see the other 3 parts, click on the video to go to YouTube:


A pediatrician discussing the rapid rate of increase in autism.

The "Global Warming" debate has been raging for some time. While most now agree that global warming is a fact and that we as a species are to blame - the debate still rages on. It applies to us all, one way or another. Kelly and I believe we have a responsability to eachother and the world to take this issue seriously.

Regardless of what the popular idea about Global Warming is is, there's still a lot of debate about what to do.
Should we act, shouldn't we?

The video I have posted puts an end to this debate. It is it's silver bullet so to speak. And approaches the question with simple logic we can all understand and relate to.

I recommend you take ten minutes off and watch it. Regardless of your personal viewpoint on global warming.
It applies to both "camps" as well as people who are yet to make up their mind.

Wedding photos from our Norwegian wedding are now available!

This is us at the party after church
And this is everyone who was present at the party
You can see the entire album here - or by clicking on either of the two photos.

Kidnapping and 'torture'
I guess you will see posts on my friends' blogs about this in the near future.
According to good Norwegian tradition the bride and groom will be kidnapped by their friends and severely humiliated before the wedding. As my friends did not have a lot of chance before my wedding it came now - before the blessing in June.

Kelly, Debra, Joe and Amanda all knew what would happen. So when my friends showed up with determination and stern faces they were not shocked.
I was, however.

I will publish more photos - and videos of the event when I get this from my friends.

In short, I was kidnapped and they had me do all sorts of things. Play with toys in a toy store, "Play" the flute (I can't play to save my life) at all the outdoor restaurants in Karl Johan's Street (Central street in Oslo). They had me interview people with incredibly stupid questions - and a sausage as a microphone...

And then, to top it off we played laser tag and paintball. At paintball I was given a protective vest, mask and a bunny mask. No marker (weapon). I was told to run, and the others were given markers.
And instead of paintballs they were loaded with rubber balls. Which hurt more than paintballs.

Despite the vest protecting my torso, my friends are good shots and sometimes decided to aim at unprotected areas. Hence I have over a dozen bruises like this:

Ok. This one is the worst one, but you can definitely see them all. And believe me, I could feel it when I was shot! Ouch!
Next time we play paintball I am wearing pants, long sleeved sweater AND a gun. Thank goodness for that vest though. Without it I would have many dozen bruises.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Smoked Mackerel SMUDI, anyone?

Smoothies are here! I am not sure if Norwegians have always had smoothies, but it sure seems like it is a new fad here. There are smoothie kiosks at the train station, smoothie fruit juice drinks at stores. I have seen food magazines, advertisement magazines, and parent magazines with smoothie recipes. The smoothie has indeed arrived in Norway!

At one of my jobs, I make smoothies almost weekly. When the idea of smoothies was first presented to me at this job, my colleagues made it sound like it was some sort of new thing. I have been making smoothies for over ten years. They are not difficult to make so I am not really sure why my colleagues would rather not make them alone... but would prefer that I and one other colleague make them.

In fact... I am not really that good. Far too experimental and health-focused. 10 years ago my smoothies tasted good. Now they just taste like nutritional supplements. :)

Vegar has recently started making smoothies for us. His first three tries were MUCH tastier than mine have been lately. I encouraged his new talent and urged him to continue advancing in this delicate artform.

I came home the other night from work. The first thing from his mouth... "I made the worst smoothie ever today! I couldn't even drink it all!"

"You didn't throw it out," said I; waste not, want not is my golden rule! Yes, he HAD thrown it out! "Well, what was in it! Maybe I would have liked it! I can eat anything, you know!"

He began to count out the items... "2 apples, 2 kiwis, 6 grapes..." and then comes the doozie... "half a smoked mackerel."

"WHAT?!?! Smoked FISH in a SMOOTHIE?!"

So, maybe Norwegians haven't exactly understood the pleasantly scrumptious meaning of a smoothie entirely. Maybe by changing the name to "Smudi" they have somehow changed the meaning into "anything that can be eaten, blended up and served as dessert."

I knew that Norwegians were crazy about fish... BUT...

Next time I am at the smoothie stand at Oslo S, I will be sure to say "hold the sugar... and the Mackerel!