Cataract development is linked to age, smoking, UV light exposure and a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Studies with anti oxidants, herbals, fruit extracts etc have not shown any prevention effect. Avoiding UV light, not smoking and eating fruits and vegetables (as opposed to supplements) help in delaying the age of onset. The main risk factor for macular degeneration is age. The second risk factor is smoking, followed by cardiovascular disease. Small risk factors include white race, blue eyes, blond hair, female gender and lifetime diet low in fruits and vegetables. For people with moderate ARMD, supplements containing antioxidants (betacarotene, Vit C, and Vit E), zinc and lutein have been shown to slow progression of disease. The value of these supplements in minimal disease has not been established, ask your eye doctor whether you should be taking them. Your eye doctor will be able to suggest a brand and provide you with samples. The antioxidant and zinc levels in these supplements are very high and you should consult your family doctor before taking them. Smokers should NOT take betacarotene as it increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers (but not in non smokers), Vitamin E has recently been found to possibly increase risk of heart attack and zinc can cause urinary tract problems in men. A diet high in leafy green vegetables (eg spinach, kale) and brightly coloured red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (peppers, squash, corn, mangoes, melons) is known to help slow macular degeneration. The various supplements on the market will cost you $30 to $40 a month. If you have early or mild degeneration, spend the money at the produce stand instead of the drug store. Here is a link that might be useful: Macular Degeneration

Flora, Thanks for explaining this further. It makes me think that the exposure to sun may have little to do with my current problems: I live close to the ocean, where it is cooler than inland, and there are cooling breezes. Also the sunlight (for just a couple of hours in the morning given the facing and construction of my balcony)is broken up by a slated railing. However, we sometimes get Santa Ana winds here -- very hot and dry from the desert -- so I'm glad to have this info for the future -- when I could take the plants inside. I do understand the odds are against me, but I've already invested time, work and money in these plants and since I have the one plant that looks happy, I want to see if I can't do the next-to-impossible. :) If you, or anyone else on the list, can answer my question about possible cuttings, I'd appreciate it. Claire

Hello Xikum, I'm sorry you are still having a hard time finding the wonderful Bilberry plant. I strongly recommend calling the Horizon Herb Company for this plant. They can be reached at (541) 846-6704 by phone. Horizon Herbs has Bilberry plants several years old and ready to produce fruit. Also, the Hartmann Plant Company at this link still has them available. They list them under the name "Eagle Bilberry" because Bilberries help night vision. I just checked it out myself: http://hartmannsplantcompany.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BB-R-7600-0400&Category_Code=&Store_Code=HPC Hartmann's phone number is: (269) 253-4281. I personally will not deal with Hartmann's because they would not take my inquiry about whether their plants are organic and/or genetically modified seriously. They even made it obvious they were brushing it off as an unimportant request. There is another source I just discovered by the name of Sand Mountain Herbs on the internet as: http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/bilberry.html They still sell the seeds but they seem to have sold out of their plants until the Fall of 2008. You may have to wait a few months is all it means. Hopefully, this will help and you will have your Bilberry plant very soon. You MUST contact these suppliers directly to get proper satisfaction. Happy Gardening, Anthony

4kids....yep the runner plague !! Great legs and then the rest...haha. It is a challenge to keep the upper body and torso strong when so much time ends up going to the actual running and life. One thing that will help keep you motivated is the prospect of injuries if you keep on the way you are. The muscles only function as well as the ligaments and tendons that hold them in place . As you age and as you run you are putting more stress on the lig/ten and expecting them to continue to hold the muscles as they always have. With age and use you will find that they lose their rubbery quality and they will sag too ! You will get subtle hints at first and then more and more you will be nursing this and that and take longer and longer to get back. I am so glad you are going to change your routine and add the strength training back in. You are to be admired..4 kids in 6 years ! WOW !! Also the other part of this is that the stronger your upper body is the better it carries your lower body, this is more true on trails but also very true on up hills and down hills on roads. If you think about the ergonomics of the moves you can utilize your upper body to help support you when you are doing the ups/downs and it relieves the stress on the lower body. Also of course having strong muscles themselves promotes good posture and form and makes injury less likely. Good Luck and I hope you will post back. Kelly it is SO good to hear back from you. I have wondered how you were doing. I agree that 14 hrs a week is way too much. It is too much to expect of your body and your mind to keep that up. Slow and steady is the way to lasting change. I sure hope you will continue to post back with your progress. We have seen so much support on this particular thread this month and I think it would be great to continue. Judy that is so good to hear. It is indeed a steady and safe way to lose weight as well as a plan for a lifetime of healthy eating. As blfenton as noted she took of a lot of weight and did it in a slow and steady and rational way while exercising moderately. A lasting change is achieved over time night over night. I sure am learning a lot here. I have kept up my runs with my new friend and my walks with my old friend. I did a 6 mile track run this AM and then a 3 mile trail walk this afternoon. I am tired now !! I went to the gym yesterday and did my usual workout and added in some new triceps exercise. Felt good and no soreness so the couple of months off didn't impact it seems. I look forward to lots more discussion here. c