Why the TransPacific Partnership is a "pending disaster" for America and the world

By Joseph Brenner

(Daily Kos) There's been very little mention of what Obama's State of the Union speech has to say about the Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty proposal.

As Robert Reich [Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley and Senior Fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century] has commented:

"If you haven’t heard much about the TPP, that’s part of the problem right there. It would be the largest trade deal in history — involving countries stretching from Chile to Japan, representing 792 million people and accounting for 40 percent of the world economy – yet it’s been devised in secret."

Reich calls the TPP a "pending disaster".  So what does Obama have to say? ...

5 simple methods to boost immunity and detoxification

 If you're seeking an uncomplicated way to cultivate health, tend to the lymphatic system. Working in tandem with the cardiovascular system, lymph fluids help remove toxins from the blood, while also transporting immune system cells. Since the lymphatic system doesn't have an organ like the heart to circulate fluid, it needs to be stimulated. Have a look below for several suggestions on how to do this easily each day.

Honeysuckle: A sweet-scented remedy that calms inflammation, infection and contagious illness

If you have a honeysuckle plant flourishing nearby, a surprising medicinal plant is right at your fingertips. One of the most important herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this fragrant beauty is much more than just an ornamental vine -- the flowers exhibit antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties as well.

DIY $2 self-watering garden bed—Grow produce easily, even in the toughest drought conditions

"When life gives you lemons, share them with neighbors!" enthuses the Food is Free Project, a grassroots organization based out of Austin, Texas. The project isn't advocating sharing bad luck; instead, it's championing the idea of connecting neighbors and communities with a bounty of free, homegrown fresh produce.

30 ways to rejuvenate your day in 5 minutes or less

By Cylon George

(Pick The Brain) You’re a busy person. Your days are filled with meetings, project, deadlines, family issues, and many other urgent things. That leaves very little time for rest and rejuvenation. Over time you may begin to feel disillusioned. You may wonder “What is this all for?” But the thought goes away as quickly as it comes. You may say, “I’d love to take some time out to rejuvenate but I don’t have the time to sit for 30 minutes to an hour.”

Yes, we’re all strapped for time. It’s often difficult to find a moment to sit, reflect and rejuvenate your spirit. Instead, we push and push until we burn out from the effects of stress.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to take 30 minutes out of your day to rejuvenate. You can do it in 5 minutes. I’ve got a few ideas to help you get started:

"The Economics of Happiness" — A new documentary on how globalization destroys inherent joy—and how we can reclaim it

"A powerful new film that cuts deeply to the heart of the global crisis. Magnificent!"

              – David Suzuki, Television presenter and environmentalist

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people around the world are resisting those policies – and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

The top 6 inflammatory foods + how to detox from them

(MindBodyGreen) There are a multitude of diets to choose from, or exercise programs that run the body ragged. The simple truth is that our bodies weren't meant to eat Lean Cuisine meals or to be engaged in hours and hours of intensive exercise. If a person examines the evolution of our body from the caveman days, they would see that the body thrives off of whole foods, clean meats and exercise that involves lots of walking.