TED Community » Sandra Lozes

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Education, nutrition, healthcare and how these three things alone should be primary in growing a strong society.

An idea worth spreading

HAMMOCK PHILOSOPHY- Hammocks could change the world for the better. This is a bold statement, but I believe if we all had a hammock in our backyards, or where ever one chooses, we would be far less stressed; relaxation alone is a gift. If you wish to learn more about my "hammock philosophy", just message me. For me, where I hang my hammock really means something significant! It is a cradle that allows me full view of the night sky, and my favorite place (my go to ideal) is in a good hammock. I've told several friends, but they don't have the same passion about them that I do. When was the last time you were cradled in a hammock? Think about it.

Talk to me about

Anything. Really, I'm open to new ideas and love learning. Similarly, I enjoy conversation and tend to ask many questions. I believe I missed my calling as a reporter, so fair warning! Its all genuine

People don't know that I'm good at

Inspiring people to follow their dreams and take risks! I'm better at advocating for others than myself, which is strange and a little sad I suppose.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.50 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: Do you think Genetically Modified food (GM) is morally justifiable? How about the "Industrialisation" of food production?

  Mar 8 2012: I read not so long ago that the food being shipped to third world countries as part of relief efforts was not meeting basic nutritional standards, and the children were fed but starving...it was a letter written to Hillary Clinton by a government official asking that food aid be that with appropriate nutritional ingredients for the sake of providing what it was meant for. I wish I remembered where I read it.

• A comment on Conversation: Do you think Genetically Modified food (GM) is morally justifiable? How about the "Industrialisation" of food production?

  Mar 8 2012: http://m.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/02/pig-mrsa-origin/
  
  An example of how antibiotics affect humans, when bacterial infection jumps from human to animal and back to human, leaving an evolved superbug resistant to many antibiotics due to repeated exposure.

• A comment on Conversation: When it comes to vaccine intervention for disease control, should personal liberty go before the benefit to society?

  Mar 7 2012: Kevin,
  Thank you for the information on HPV and the studies cited. Also, I was being kind by not bringing his financial ties into the equation, but I have read about his link to Merck...he's the governor of Texas afterall, not that he is ever in the forefront of anything unless its to help his political aspirations.
  
  I'm having to go without internet presently, so when I have access I'm going to look into the info on Guardasil. I worked in the pharma industry for several years and enjoy perusing the published studies. I will leave it at that! Take care! Thanks again.

• A comment on Conversation: When it comes to vaccine intervention for disease control, should personal liberty go before the benefit to society?

  Mar 6 2012: I don't know enough about HPV to know how I feel about a mandate as proposed by Rick Perry. I have read that the only way a child would be at risk is through sexual intercourse. I also am not sure about the claims for Guardasil being 100% effective in protecting sexually active women against contracting HPV, nor do I know the side effect profile of the vaccine. Because it is relatively new, only time will tell, and fortunately for me, my daughter has 14 years or so before this will be a decision in our lives. I say this primarily because by then I will have much more information on its use, and effects to make a sound decision on its benefits.
  
  If this was a question about vaccinations of children for diseases we have almost eradicated because we've had them in use and have outcomes data, I say yes they are important for the health of our communities against once deadly viruses. This, however, is very new. I also don't have much confidence in Rick Perry, so him being the person who brought this into the Texas legislature leaves me with more doubt than confidence. I can't help but wonder how Rick Perry, a staunch proponent of individual liberty, and of abstinence only sexual education for students because "abstinence is 100% successful in the eradication of teen pregnancies and stds" would advocate for mandatory vaccinations of teens against HPV, a virus that is only a risk for the sexually active? There is a reason, but I don't think it is what he presents solely to the public. What do you think?
  
  What do you think?
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Do you think Genetically Modified food (GM) is morally justifiable? How about the "Industrialisation" of food production?

  Mar 6 2012: Tara,
  I agree that if we knew where our food came from, it would change the way we eat. I stopped eating beef and pork 9 years ago. Considering I was a self proclaimed carnivore, and a large part of my diet consisted of pork and beef, I thought the change would be difficult. However, I had recently read about factory farming, and what that entailed, along with what ground beef could consist of and it changed my constitution for eating or wanting to eat meat. So now, almost a decade later I eat only free range poultry and fish (of the small variety). I can't tell you the amount of push back I received from people for the longest time. I live in Texas! I dont usually mention my dietary change because I'm not trying to advocate or make my choice an imposition to my mammal eating family and friends, but since the topic is about GM foods, and
  Factory farming is a system that is far from a natural life course for the animals it seems lie an appropriate place to share here.
  On Western diseases and money awarded to research...it comes down to putting a value on the population being treated and the profitability from certain procedures, drug development, etc. Is it morally justifiable? I think not, for the many people left without treatment and the approach to disease in the first place. We have a political system driven by interest groups that prefer to continue to treat disease that can be quelled more effectively by changing how our foods are produced, and making real foods available to everyone in all grocery stores nationwide. Instead, we skip the source and look for ways to treat the effects, and that is our most costly challenge for the health of western societies and the costs that are not sustainable in the healthcare arena.
  Why didn't my grandparents didn't take an arsenal of pharmaceuticals? I suspect diet played a role.

• A comment on Conversation: Why is it sometimes difficult to admit mistakes and say "I'm sorry"?

  Mar 5 2012: It puts us in a vulnerable position. We want to be right, accepted and appear competent and certain. Ego fears being in a vulnerable position, however, I do think with time comes wisdom and a confidence in self that surpasses the need to be "right". Personally, to admit my mistakes and offer apologies is a gift I can give myself as well as to the person on the receiving end. We are all better off with a bit of humility and self reflection, and in the end it is these characteristics that allow us to let go of fear and defensive nature and be our authentic selves.
• +4

  A comment on Conversation: Do you think Genetically Modified food (GM) is morally justifiable? How about the "Industrialisation" of food production?

  Mar 1 2012: Western diet is one of the main reasons we have heart disease, diabetes, obesity, to name a few. These are lifestyle diseases, and our foods are loaded with calories, and lack high nutritional value.
  
  It was not until agriculture and modifying flour (taking out the nutrients found in wheat seeds for longer shelf life) and the addition of sugar that we began seeing tooth decay,
  
  Anyone who thinks factory farming is okay, as long as the animals are treated humanely does not know how factory farming works. Not only are the animals produced solely for food, but they are pumped up with antibiotics, hormones to speed growth, and fed corn that is high calorie, low nutrient food, and not food cattle have historically eaten.
  
  It is because of the food they are fed that they are given antibiotics, because the corn literally rots their stomachs as it bulks them up at an unnatural rate, and within 9 months or less, they are taken to slaughter.
  
  There have been studies conducted on age of onset of menstruation, and females are on average reaching puberty 1-2 years earlier than in the past. Why? It has been theorized the hormones given to cattle is having an effect on our youth. Not to mention the antibiotic resistance seen in humans which has been said to be in part due to us receiving them through eating beef.
  
  Morality aside, is it a healthy choice? Time will tell. Our society is sick, and I believe many of the processed foods and the homogenous foods are part to blame. I know I was fortunate to have fresh fruits and vegetables grown in my grand parents garden. I really miss the delicious foods of my youth, because it is a rare occurrence to find the same quality in grocery stores.