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Are Blueberries Really As Healthy As They’re Claimed to Be?

Blueberries-Fresh vs Frozen

Blueberries pack a powerful punch of nutrients and health benefits. Brimming with antioxidants and phytochemicals, blueberries can boost brain and heart health, combat cancer, manage diabetes, and even protect your skin. But they can also be expensive, especially fresh. Are they worth the cost? Are they okay to eat frozen? And should you worry about pesticides?

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/are-blueberries-healthy

(Tom: Although Goji Berries have 10 times and cacao has 40 times the antioxidant power . That’s why one of the tastiest and most antioxidant snack you can have is here: https://www.healthelicious.com.au/ChocoFruit-Slice.html Or if you prefer Macadamia Nuts, try this one:  https://www.healthelicious.com.au/ChocolateAndMacadamiaRockyRoadSlice.html

Both absolutely NAIL my sweet tooth craving!)

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You and CoQ10

If you do intense exercise you might be interested in a short exchange I had today with Grok on behalf of a client.

Got a mate who runs marathons. He has two scheduled within a space of 6 weeks. I know marathons strain the heart so I asked if he took CoQ10. He said no, what is it? In 500 words or less, please help me answer his question with particular reference to his level of exertion.

Grok.com replied:

CoQ10, or Coenzyme Q10, is a naturally occurring compound in your body that acts like a vitamin. It’s essential for producing energy in cells (via ATP) and functions as a powerful antioxidant, protecting against cellular damage from free radicals.

Your heart relies heavily on CoQ10 because it’s an energy-intensive organ. Intense exercise like marathons increases oxidative stress and inflammation, which can strain the heart muscle and deplete CoQ10 levels. Running two marathons in just six weeks amps up this demand—your body faces cumulative fatigue, muscle damage, and potential cardiovascular stress from repeated high exertion.

Studies show CoQ10 supplementation may help athletes by reducing oxidative stress, boosting antioxidant activity, and lowering inflammation markers like TNF-a and IL-6 in runners. It could improve heart health, regulate blood pressure, reduce fatigue, and enhance recovery, allowing better performance and less strain during back-to-back events. For endurance athletes, it’s linked to better physical output and metabolism support.

Typical doses for athletes range from 100-300 mg daily, often in ubiquinol form for better absorption. However, benefits vary; it’s not a magic pill. If you’re on statins or have heart issues, CoQ10 might interact—always consult a doctor before starting. Overall, for your marathon schedule, it could be a smart addition to support heart resilience and energy.

I get mine from iHerb. Interestingly enough they have a 20% off special on it at present. Here’s my affiliate link. It may also get you a discount:

https://www.iherb.com/?rcode=VDN958

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Plants Talk

Forest Giants

Scientists have managed to film plants communicating with one another, capturing something usually invisible to the human eye. They discovered that plants use airborne chemical signals to warn neighbors of danger and to defend themselves from threats like insects.
When a plant is attacked by herbivores, it releases imperceptible compounds into the air. Nearby plants detect these signals and respond by activating their own defenses, such as producing chemicals that repel insects or by strengthening their cell walls.
Although scientists have known since the 1980s that plants release distress signals, the process of how other plants receive and respond to them remained unclear. To study this, researchers transferred these compounds from damaged plants to healthy ones and then used a fluorescence microscope to observe how the healthy plants reacted.
In one experiment, caterpillars were placed on the leaves of certain plants. Soon after, nearby untouched plants responded to the chemical warnings by preparing their defenses, showing that communication had taken place.
Plants also share information in other ways. Through underground networks of fungi called mycorrhizae, they can exchange nutrients and signals about soil conditions, creating a hidden web of communication beneath the earth.
This research reveals that plants are far from passive, they are constantly sensing, signaling, and adapting in order to survive in their ever-changing environments.
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Pyschs Harm, Never Heal

Finger Pointing Psych

When someone hurts or damages another and they recognise the damage inflicted, they usually apologise and go out of their way to try and make good the damage.
But when a psychiatrist hurts or damages a patient with ECT and/or prescribed drugs, they don’t go out of their way to make good, especially when a patient complains.
What psychiatrists do is consider the patient treatment-resistant and/or blame the patient’s mental troubles rather than addressing the brain damage inflicted with ECT or the iatrogenic condition resulting from the prescribed drugs. Psychiatrists point the finger rather than admit criminal assault.
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Harrison Ford strapped on the fedora again in 2008, but this time he did so with a curious twist: during the filming of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” he performed many of his own stunts at age 65. Crew members recalled their surprise watching Ford climb onto moving vehicles, crash through glass, and sprint across uneven terrain with the same vigor he had decades earlier. For a franchise built on physical adventure, seeing its leading man embrace the danger so late in his career became one of the film’s most remarkable behind-the-scenes stories.
The movie, released in May 2008, was the fourth installment in the legendary series directed by Steven Spielberg. Set in 1957, it placed Indiana Jones against Soviet adversaries led by Irina Spalko, played by Cate Blanchett. The Cold War setting was chosen deliberately, reflecting both the historical moment and the passing of time since the last adventure in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989). Shifting from Nazis to Soviets allowed the story to align with the era’s geopolitical climate, while also signaling that Jones’s adventures had entered a new age.
The idea of incorporating extraterrestrial elements became one of the most debated choices. George Lucas championed the concept, believing the 1950s backdrop naturally tied into the sci-fi obsessions of that decade. Spielberg initially resisted the alien theme, preferring the mystical religious artifacts that defined earlier films, yet Lucas convinced him that the crystal skulls could merge archaeology with science fiction. This decision divided fans but also gave the film its distinct identity.
Shia LaBeouf joined the cast as Mutt Williams, a motorcycle-riding greaser who turned out to be Indiana Jones’s son with Marion Ravenwood, reprised by Karen Allen. Their reunion added emotional depth, with audiences seeing Jones not only as a legendary adventurer but also as a father grappling with family responsibilities. Offscreen, LaBeouf described working alongside Ford as intimidating, but Ford reportedly encouraged him to embrace the character’s rebellious energy.
One of the most thrilling sequences, the jungle chase involving sword fights between vehicles, required months of coordination. Blanchett trained extensively in fencing to convincingly duel LaBeouf on speeding jeeps. Spielberg wanted the sequence to feel old-fashioned and practical, so much of it was shot with real vehicles crashing through the Hawaiian jungle, combined later with CGI enhancements for hazards like the infamous swarms of giant ants.
Ford’s costume, especially the fedora, underwent careful updates. Designers slightly adjusted its shape to account for his older face, ensuring it still carried the same iconic silhouette. His whip, another trademark, was used sparingly because Ford had less interest in mastering the lengthy cracking routines, though he insisted on keeping the weapon visible to preserve the character’s authenticity.
Filming spanned multiple locations, from New Mexico deserts doubling as Nevada test sites to soundstages packed with ancient temple sets. The production also recreated the nuclear test town sequence, where Indiana Jones hides inside a lead-lined refrigerator to survive an atomic blast. That moment quickly became infamous, sparking the term “nuking the fridge,” a phrase now used to describe any story that stretches credibility too far. Spielberg defended the scene, noting it was scientifically reviewed and theoretically survivable, though even Ford later admitted its absurdity made it memorable.
Marketing leaned heavily on secrecy. Spielberg and Lucas wanted to preserve the thrill of discovery, so trailers revealed little about the actual plot. The secrecy extended to the cast as well; scripts were printed on red paper to prevent photocopying, and actors were monitored to avoid leaks. When the film finally premiered at Cannes, anticipation reached extraordinary levels, and the cast was met with a mix of ovations and sharp criticism.
Though reactions to the movie varied, the sheer scale of its production, the return of beloved characters, and Ford’s unwavering commitment made it an undeniable cultural event of 2008. For all its controversies, it reaffirmed the enduring magnetism of Indiana Jones, showing that adventure could still find new directions even after decades of storytelling.
The film’s most unforgettable truth remains that at an age when most actors would avoid physically punishing roles, Harrison Ford charged forward, proving that Indiana Jones was never defined by time, only spirit.