Pre-Christmas VIDDA T-shirts Sale
Go and check us out and grab a great Christmas present for friends and family.
All shirt on 100% cotton, multiple sizes and fast delivery
Tuesday 8 November 2016
Wednesday 26 October 2016
Learn How to Master your Social Media & Business
How To Promote, Market & Create Business Using Social Media Blogging Pinterest Facebook Linkedin Twitter The Complete Works
Do you enjoy using the Social Media platforms but would like to know how to earn an income by utilising it?
Have you considered gaining a better understanding of the social media but without the nerdy computer language?
Imagine what it would be like to:
- Work from home
- Making money online
- Using social media for business
- Using social networking for business
- Having a social media strategy
- Understanding social media apps
- Being a social media manager
- Learning social media management tools
- Implementing social media scheduling
- Avoiding social media classes
- Being confident to learn how to make money online
- Being a social media entrepreneurship
- Gaining respect from social media for entrepreneurs
Learn step by step how to set up, manage and automate your social media account so that you can spend a few minute a day adding content to market your business.
- Blogging
Use this book to 'dip in' every day and apply 5 minutes tweaking and building your Social Media empire. Learn how best to engage people and reach out to millions of potential new customers.
The internet is like a living organism, constantly evolving and so business needs to evolve along with it. The Social Media is your window into a very competitive marketplace, master it and the World is yours, ignore it at your own peril.
Monday 10 October 2016
Introducing Genetically Modified Organisms GMO 2nd Edition
What does Value Free Mean?
by Mark Plummer BSc / PGCE
Science is like any other human endeavour in that it is not a static process; it is an organic and dynamic mechanism by which we make sense of the world around us. For an enquiring mind, an observation becomes hypothesis which in turn becomes a theory. The theory holds until it is replaced by another. If new observations lead to a new hypothesis, then it is entirely possible that a new theory will present itself. Every time new evidence is presented the existing theory is re-assessed and if necessary it is replaced. Within this paradigm, there are countless examples of where science can and should be framed as a value-free process, a phrase which has different meanings in different contexts. In my view, any aspect of science which has no consequences in the real world as it is today is value free. To be genuinely and totally objective the application of science and /or technology in the real world must not have any impact (good or bad) what so ever. A personal opinion or perception of that application must equally have no consequence for other people, their community or the natural world. The only way that science as a discipline can operate in this manner is if it separates itself from the world it is part of. I do not believe that an agency operates in isolation from the others. No single structure can implement a given policy or move in a given direction without it having consequence or impact on the others. Clearly, as far as GMO’s are concerned the science and the technology which applies it will always have an impact on the world around us. Hence we as human beings are going to make a value judgement on whether we agree or not. My position is obvious and another reason for this series of eBooks is to ask you to make a similar call. According to those who support the release of GMO’s into the environment, this is not the case. We are supposed to accept without question GMO’s because the science is sound (which it isn’t) and the organisms themselves are equivalent (which they are not) to those which are already here. We are supposed to ignore all other considerations. We are supposed to agree solely on the basis of results presented in a given set of primary science papers. In one sentence the community of practising scientists who support and/or develop GMO’s actually want hundreds of millions of people to drop their opposition because of the results presented in the science that they have produced. We say that perhaps you ought to stop and engage with the reasons why there is so much opposition. This engagement does not mean grinding opposition down it means actually talking to the people you are supposed to serve.
Given that achieving objectives such as improved food security, reduced pesticide use and biodiversity are supposed to benefit all living organisms on the Earth, they must be constantly evaluated. The how, why, who and where and the mechanisms by which such goals are hit must always be critically assessed. Hence by definition, the development of GMO’s cannot be framed in any way as a value-free process. Such issues connect to questions on the “ethics of science” and that means there is no right or wrong answer. It really does depend on what kind of future you want and what kind of planet you want to live on. For example, I have been opposed to GMO’s from the outset. Over the last 20-25 years, I have seen nothing to make me change my mind. I consider the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa to be a crime against humanity, for which there will be some future reckoning. I do not support nuclear power in any sense and developments such as fracking represent a complete disregard for the coming climate (at least for our species) catastrophe. Others have the opposite view on these and other systemic global problems. It is up to the reader to decide where they stand on such issues and for most there is no middle ground. For instance, you either:
• Want to live in a nuclear-free world or you don’t.
• Want and end to poverty, inequality, conflict and global war or you don’t.
• Want fracking to go ahead here in the UK (or anywhere else) or you don’t.
• Want to push for as wide and comprehensive renewable energy portfolio as we can, or you don’t.
• Want fossil fuels to remain in the ground or you don’t.
• Support the Palestinian cause or you don’t.
• Want to eat food produced by means of genetic engineering of plants and animals or you don’t.
• Think that the techniques used in the laboratory produce food which is substantially equivalent to that which already exists or you don’t.
None of these subjects are value free and your viewpoint on them indicates exactly the values you hold. Perceptions and opinions vary, but one point is 100% cast iron guaranteed, once you have embarked on any of the above examples, there is no going back. Either way, you have to stand up and be counted warts and all. There will be consequences and that means your value system will come to the forefront of your thinking. In contrast, value-free means that the debate or discussion can be settled by the evidence alone and that is it, the subject is closed. And there is no consequence, the answer just is and that is it. The supporters and drivers of GMO’s want you to believe that the science and technology falls into this category. Hopefully, the following example will demonstrate, yet again, why I (and hundreds of millions like me) do not believe this to be the case.
Consider the hypothesis that the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-rex) was not the majestic predator we like to think it was. Within the field of palaeontology there are those who assert based on evidence that the animal was a predator. Conversely there are those who impart that the picture is not so clear. This second school of thought suggests with equally robust science that T-rex was in fact a scavenger, living off carrion where ever it could find it. The question for us today is to ask “does it really matter?” Well, it does in the sense that we can use palaeontology to help us construct an ever more detailed picture of the prehistoric world. The more blanks we can fill in the more detailed picture we have of evolution and the processes which drive it. On the other hand does it really matter to you, me or anyone else outside of the disciplines of Earth science and palaeontology, whether T-rex was scavenger or not? Will the outcome of this debate influence any of the decisions you make during your lifetime? It might, but probably not. Did you even know that T-rex debate was even happening? You may have done, but the chances are you didn’t. Overall, the question appears to be settled, T-rex it appears on the balance of probabilities and continued good solid and objective science, was a predator, so what of it? Will the answer help you pay the mortgage? No of course not. The answer will satisfy our thirst for knowledge and need to construct a picture of the past and rightly so, but that’s it. In other words, the scavenger or predator discussion for T-rex is a value-free scientific debate. Does the scientific evidence either way make any difference to us, the biosphere today or the future direction of evolution? The answer is of course a succinct no. I mean to say do you really care whether T-rex was a predator or not? Without belittling the science in any way shape or form, I don’t. Even the chief protagonist for the scavenger theory is reported to have said words to the effect of “look I don’t care either way, let’s just do the science and find out”. Bang on and no argument with that.
In terms of the potential future impact on what remains of the biosphere the presence (or not) of GMO’s are absolutely pivotal. I would love to live in a world where just a fraction of the obscene amounts of money and expertise tied up in crop and animal genetic engineering was diverted to worthwhile endeavours such as palaeontology or genuine solutions to climate change. Indeed, I would love to see the huge subsidies and massive bank balances enjoyed by big agriculture and the GM component of the biotechnology industry immediately diverted to organic and permaculture systems. And I would love to see it on a global scale. I would like to see a full global moratorium on every aspect of plant and /or animal genetic engineering. I would love to see the whole enterprise properly regulated and thoroughly investigated. Where appropriate I would love to see criminal charges brought against the agencies and individuals who support it and have brought us to the current position. The supporters of GMO’s have not (in my experience) even acknowledged this point of view as legitimate. In many ways they do not even know it even exists, of such realities are schisms made. In contrast, my value system says the above opinions represent part of the framework to achieving a genuinely sustainable future for ourselves and all the life on planet Earth. Sadly, for myself and millions more who have serious questions on the GMO issue, such a shift is not going to happen anytime soon and it will only happen if we demand it, campaign for it and make it happen.
Without a doubt on GMO’s and agriculture, on climate change and biogeochemical cycles, on biodiversity, on conflict and nuclear issues the proverbial clock is ticking. These are the biggest issues that I believe need to be resolved if we and the biosphere which supports us are to survive. On the current trajectory something is going to give and as our current global situation stands it is going to put what we have seen so far into the shade. From an evolutionary perspective the picture is absolutely terrifying. We all live in a world which is already in a catastrophic and disgraceful situation and I would argue heading toward a 6th mass extinction. Well since the Cambrian explosion at any rate. A pivotal event known as the Permian mass extinction occurred in the prehistoric past. Approximately 250 million years ago on a Tuesday at 10.00am an inter-related series of processes was set in motion by the geology of Planet Earth. About 100,000 years later the collective of processes had fully run their course. By which time anything up to 90% of all life on Earth had been eradicated. In everyday language is referred to by several phrases including “the great dying” or “the day the Earth nearly died” and words such as “wipe-out”. An alternative supposition is that the Permian event was caused by a meteor impact, but the evidence for this has always been lacking. Having said the reader can guess which body of research the fossil fuel and nuclear industries have funded in recent decades. Once again it is demonstrated that science is not a value-free process.
I believe with good reason and with an increasing sense of fear (if not unbridled terror) that we are heading Permian levels of environmental collapse. Unless “things” change or are compelled to, I believe that it will happen one way or the other in a timescale that is measured in decades. Some say that the process is already occurring. Given the current rate of species extinction and environmental destruction, it is difficult to argue against such a proposition. The prospect of artificial genetic engineering leading to the release of human-made novel organisms into the natural world absolutely fits into this paradigm. And it’s not pretty. Take a second and think about it. The world is unstable and becoming more so, the spoilt children who run things seem to be in a more manic mood than has hitherto passed. If you are a rational human being this is undeniable and as we all know instability breeds uncertainty. Given our current disgraceful and avoidable situation are we really to stand by and allow the release of a whole plethora of GMO’s (plant and animal) into a biosphere that is already in a critically endangered state? If you believe science to be value free then the answer is yes. If you do not believe science to be value free the answer is no. Once again there is no middle ground. I reiterate (again) that we have no idea of the long-term consequences of such releases; we truly are firing in the dark. The supporters of GMO’s are firing pellets of novel DNA into the fabric of evolution and they seriously expect us to believe that there will be no consequence. More bizarrely some have even suggested that if there are consequences our ingenuity will overcome them. I say it isn’t worth the risk especially when there are alternatives. I say that anyone who believes there will be no consequence needs psychiatric help and certainly should not be making decisions concerning GMO’s on our behalf.
By the time you read this we may well be in a world where Donald Trump is the president of the most powerful country in the world. The tragedy is that Hilary Clinton isn’t really much better, but she is not Donald Trump. Sadly, in terms of outlook and foreign policy there really isn’t much difference between the two contenders. In the name of humanity, a Donald Trump presidency cannot be allowed, but it could well happen. We also live in a world which looks set to leave the Holocene epoch behind and enter a completely new time frame called the Anthropocene. In either case all bets, statutes and mechanisms by which our affairs are organised are off and I do mean all bets. The prospect of living in a world with a Trump presidency, in the Anthropocene, where absolutely nothing is done about the above mentioned issues (and others) and we have unfettered GMO’s as the norm scares this writer to the core of his being. At the end of the day it is very simple, do you want that kind of future or not? As I make crystal clear here and in the second edition of the “Introducing GMO’s book” there is no middle ground, so what do you want? What we have and likely much worse, or do you believe as I do that “another world is possible”?
References
4: http://isj.org.uk/marxism-and-the-anthropocene/
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Release Date 2nd Edition October 10th 2016
Friday 9 September 2016
The Never-ending Wonders of Flaxseed – My 7 Minute Hair Gel
Flaxseed, or Linseed as it is also known, has been in our kitchen cupboards ever since I can remember. It is an incredible superfood, containing the highest source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (Alpha-linolenic Acid – ALA) in the world, and it is incredibly affordable (£3.63 for 1 kg of organic brown Flaxseed), and very versatile.
I used it every day in my green smoothies; add it to my muesli, salads and as a gorgeously nutty topping on a bowl of mixed fresh fruits with a healthy serving of vegan yoghurt. I also cook with it, I put it in soups, homemade spelt bread and flapjacks (I will share the recipe with you next time).
Always grind/crush the flaxseeds before consumption to make it more bioavailable. Use a pestle and mortar or a coffee grinder to do so. It is always best to ground the seeds as you use them, but for convenience, you can always grind a few extras and store it in a glass jar in the fridge and remember to keep out of direct light.
If you don’t break the seed shells by grinding, you will end up passing most of the seeds into the toilet and missing on the amazing health benefits that these incredible seeds contain. It is really remarkable; three tablespoons of Flaxseeds contain:
- 6,338mg of Omega-3 (ALA)
- 8 g of Fiber
- 6 g of Protein
- Manganese (35% of your Recommended Daily Allowance - RDA)
- Magnesium 30% RDA
- Phosphorus 19% RDA
- Selenium 10% RDA
- Vitamin B1 (31% RDA)
- It also contains vitamin B6, Iron, potassium, copper, zinc, and lots of fibre.
It is no wonder that it has so many health benefits, amongst which are:
- Help with colon detoxification (due to its high content of soluble and insoluble fibre)
- Aid weight loss as it makes you feel satisfied for longer and it is low in carbs
- Help reduce cholesterol
- It is excellent for mental health because of the high Omega-3 content (brain fatty acids)
- Can decrease the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, endometrial and ovarian cancer as well as prostate cancer.
I think you are probably beginning to understand why I like it so much :)
I had also read that Flaxseed is incredible for your hair, skin, and nails. The concentration of healthy fats and b-vitamins can help improve acne and eczema and reduce dryness and flakiness. For years I suffered from brittle nails that used to split and peel into layers. I used every nail product that came in the market for strengthening and hardening my nails but nothing worked. What I didn’t know at the time is that all those toxic chemicals contained in nail varnishes, nail polish removers and so on, were doing more harm to my nails (never mind to my body) than good. It goes without saying that this is no longer the case. My nails have never been healthier looking, stronger and whiter!
So I was sold on the idea of consuming flaxseed, but putting it directly on your hair??
I couldn’t believe it until I tried it a few months ago. Up until then, Aloe Vera had been my choice of natural hair styling product. I always loved the way it subtly defined my curls and left my hair soft and feeling clean with no sticky or greasy gel / mousse residue.
Flaxseed is even better! Not only it moisturizes your hair, it creates more hold without stiffness or crunchiness. You have to try my simple recipe; here it goes:
FLAXSEED HAIR GEL
[Makes Approx. 150ml]
40g (1/4 cup) of Flaxseeds (Brown or Golden)
250ml (1 cup) of Filtered Water
I have used brown and golden flaxseed in the past to make this gel. Both work perfectly fine, some people claim that golden flaxseed produces a better gel but one thing is for sure, the colour of the golden flaxseed is more pleasant to the eye; beige instead of grey.
Soaking overnight is optional. Yes, you will get a better gel yield and it seems to make it easier to strain the gel as well as slightly reducing the time you need to cook it for. But the whole process will not take you more than 7 minutes.
Here is a STEP BY STEP PHOTO GUIDE to the process:
Bring the filtered water to boil in a medium saucepan (If you have soaked the seeds overnight, cook it in the same liquid, slightly gelatinous by now)
Once the water is boiling, add the flaxseeds
When you get a whitish foam, reduce the heat to medium-high
Stir gently and cook for approximately 5 minutes
When the seeds stay suspended in the jelly, the gel is ready
Remove the pan from the heat and drain the gel into a bowl with a strainer
Use a spoon to push the flaxseeds through the strainer. Nothing gets wasted as the seeds will go straight into my compost bin to feed my organic vegetable garden :)
Whisk the gel to break up any clumps
Whilst the gel is cooling down, soak or wash your pan and strainer before the gel sets and makes the cleaning more arduous.
At this stage, you can add anything else you like (it is optional). A tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel or Epsom salts really enhances your curls.
Transfer the gel into a glass container and store it in the fridge. I find it lasts approximately 7-10 days without any preservatives if you keep it in the fridge. Don’t worry; you will know when it has gone off as it will start smelling a bit “funky”.
Use it as you would your regular styling gel, scrunching or smoothing it over your hair. I tend to saturate my hair with it and leave it to dry naturally. If in a rush, I use the blow dryer with the diffuser attachment.
You will find that it leaves your hair soft, well defined and without any stickiness or greasiness. If you find it is a little “crunchy”, scrunch it out with your hands.
I love the natural earthy smell of the gel, but you can also add essential oils such as lavender, lemon or clove, which are also preservatives.
One note on preservatives, Citric acid, and Vitamin E oil are good natural preservatives but don’t be fooled by the well-known antioxidant Grapefruit seeds extract. I discovered recently that despite popular believe, grapefruit seed extract is not a “natural” product at all and certainly not grapefruit seed juice! but a chemically altered form of grapefruit seed treated with hydrochloric acid and ammonium chloride.
I love my new Gel. My hair feels amazing and it stays cleans a lot longer. It is 100% Natural, Good for You and Good for Our Planet.
For more natural and eco-friendly beauty tips and recipes, check out my book Green Up Your Beauty. Message me for a Free Audible promotional code or a Review copy in exchange of your honest Amazon Review.
As you have seen, ‘It is Easy, Simple & Cheap to Go Green’.
Stay Healthy and Naturally Gorgeous!
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Wednesday 7 September 2016
My Beetroot Harvest Smoothie
September is one of my favourite times of the year. The countryside is filling up with wild fruits and my organic garden is producing wonderful superfoods.
Yesterday evening Pilar and I took a walk in the local countryside, camera in hand and a foraging back in my pocket. Moving very quietly we saw both Muntjac and Roe Deer foraging on the very autumn fruits we had gone out to look for. Unfortunately, the light was fading fast so no worthy photos.
The bramble bushes are just starting to produce big, shiny blackberries. We harvested about a hundred big, ripe fruits as it's very important not to take too many at any one time. The wild animals rely on this annual harvest to fatten up to prepare for the winter. Only take what you immediately need, you can always go collecting another day.
This year I planted beetroot in between my runner bean plants. They've all done really well and I pulled four large beetroots for this smoothie. I also harvested the mint, apple, celery and spinach. it can't get fresher and more organic than this.
This smoothie recipe is sweet, smooth and delicious. It's also a great blood and liver regenerator. (fantastic hangover cure, apparently) Try and drink it fresh to get the best of the live enzymes and micro nutrients. This mix makes four and a half pint of deliciousness from my faithful MagiMix blender.
Give it a go and let me know what you think.
Cheers!
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Tuesday 6 September 2016
Finding echoes in the rocks from before Dinosaurs walked the Earth
During the Palaeozoic Era (spanning from 541 to 252.17 million years ago) this Trilobite died and drifted down to the bottom of a muddy, shallow sea where soft tissues quickly decompose leaving the hard exoskeleton which was covered in fine sediment and silt. Over time the sediment built over the body, layer upon layer compressing and eventually hardening into rock. As the encased body decays, minerals seep in replacing the organic material cell by cell in a process called "petrification."
On Sunday 4th Sept 2016 about half a billion years since its death, I discovered this beautiful specimen at a local car boot sale. It drew me like a bee to honey. Since I was a small boy I've remained fascinated, even obsessed with all prehistoric life and the evidence left behind. I have many beautiful specimens but this quite large example will spend the next blink of geological time sitting on our fireplace.
Below is an artist's impression of what this animal would have looked like in life, swimming around, looking for food, mating and breeding and doing trilobite things as trilobites did. Of all the 100's of different and varied trilobite species discovered in the fossil record, none now remain, they are all a very long time extinct. If this fact wasn't so I'd have a large fish tank full of them.
If I had a time machine one of the locations in ancient time I would visit would have been back to the Cambrian explosion (541 million to 485.4 million years ago) with a wetsuit, diving gear a collecting net. They remind me of giant, aquatic woodlouse and I've always had a soft spot for woodlouse much to the bewilderment of my better half.
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Wednesday 24 August 2016
SIRT FOOD cover design
Hi everyone, I need some help. I've recently been tweaking and editing all our covers in our catalogue. When I look back at some of the early design disasters from last year, I bloody cringe.
The final cover I've decided to modify is back to the first book released, SIRT FOOD.
The original cover has gone through several modifications until I settled on the recent edit B. This morning I decided it needed a fresh feel, cover A is the result.
Simple question, which do you prefer?
If you could leave either A or B or a more detailed comment I'd really appreciate the feedback. Thanks J
UPDATE June 2017:
Decided on this cover
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Monday 8 August 2016
THE MARKY MARCANO SHOW - Tonight LIVE with Vidda Publishing and Jose Torres
We're all geared up for our first appearance on The Marky Marcano Show, Can't wait to talk to the great Jose Torres.
Call in and win a free copy of my new book.
The Spanish edition of 'Resolution to be Happy' / 'Proponte Ser Feliz' narrated by Marky Marcano. The English narration has been recorded by the 'Hollywood' voice of Don Hoeksema
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Sunday 7 August 2016
PRESS CONFERENCE on the threat of CSIRO's GM Wheat
This is so disturbing on so many levels. The potential of negative health or even control of the population cannot be underestimated. Do you know what's in your families processes wheat?
For further reading I highly recommend -
For further reading I highly recommend -
Introducing Genetically Modified Organisms GMO:
The History, Research, and the TRUTH You're Not Being Told
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Thursday 28 July 2016
VIDDA KITCHEN - COOKING CONVERSION CHART
Recently I've been asked by several people about weight conversions for cooking. If I'm honest I never remember and have to check on-line. So I decided to design a simple reference chart to print out and stick to the fridge door. I hope you also find it useful.
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Wednesday 27 July 2016
Vidda Kitchen - Gluten Free Vegan Banana & Pecan Bread
One of the most difficult challenges of cleaning up our diet was removing gluten and dessert/sweet foods. To be honest, the sweet stuff I always could take or leave, I prefer savoury, but for my partner, Pilar the desserts proved a real challenge.
Thankfully as our nutrition improved and health and vitality returned the 'sweet tooth' cravings also vacated our dietary routine. Today we look at natural and unprocessed sugars and delicious recipes full of nutrition.
This recipe covers many nutritional based for us. Not only is it gluten free it contains great fibre, oils, vitamins, and minerals. The is so easy to make and I promise you'll love it. My favourite use is to have it warm out of the oven, smeared with tahini and organic honey, place in a cereal bowl and add a large spoonful of non-dairy yogurt and a few berries, blueberries and raspberries preferably.
Be inventive and flexible with this recipe. Walnuts also are really good instead of pecans. When in season try hazelnuts or chestnuts. You don't need to use nuts, obviously avoid if you have allergies. Replace the nuts with berries or small chunks of mango, kiwi or apple, get creative.
We always look for the reduced priced bananas when we are out shopping. It's funny to us because most people reject any bananas that have brown spots, ha, ha more for us and they are always discounted.
Once you've tried this delicious bread you'll be hooked.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
5 very ripe bananas
1.5 cups quinoa flour
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup crushed pecans
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
Pre-heat your oven to 350F.
Wipe you baking tin with a smear of oil.
Throw together your peeled banana, flour, and oil. You can use a food processor for mixing but I use my Magimix smoothie blender.
Then mix in the spices and nuts or berries.
Finally, mix in the baking powder.
Pour the gooey mix into your baking tin, place a few whole nuts or banana slices on the top and cook for 40 minutes.
Disclaimer: All recipes are tried and tested and addictive. Five days of binge eating any of our recipes will result in a sloppy smile and possible weight gain. As far as we are aware no deaths have been recorded from eating banana bread, this is not a challenge, be careful, please.
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