Photo courtesy of Loyd Auerbach

Ever wonder what it takes to become a serious ghostbuster? What sorts of skills are necessary in order to track down our fleshless friends?

Well, paranormal neophytes, Matador is here to help debunk erroneous myths and impart ghost-hunting advice.

Armed with a hefty set of questions and a burning curiosity, we sit down with professional ghost hunter and director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations, Loyd Auerbach, to get some serious knowledge from one of the most respected minds in all things paranormal.

Here are six myths Loyd typically encounters among lay people and junior investigators alike.

Myth #1: Ghosts only come out at night.

Truth: Most people experience paranormal encounters in well lit areas. Loyd tells us:

Not only is this unscientific, but it flies in the face of the vast majority of people’s ghostly encounters and experiences. Darkness allows our perceptions to be skewed. Most people have experiences with lights on or even during the day.

Tip: Carry a flashlight, turn on the lights, or investigate during the day.

Unnecessary / Photo: nym

Knowing what you are seeing is just as important as seeing something.

Myth #2: Scientific technology can detect the paranormal.

Truth: “Apparitions and hauntings are phenomena defined by human experience,” Loyd writes in his article, Technology and Ghost-Hunting.

He explains to us:

No technology has been designed that is confirmed as detecting anything paranormal or psychic with certainty. Such technology can’t even be designed at this point since we don’t know what exactly we’re trying to detect.

Tip: Don’t rely solely on gadgets. Use your senses when investigating and always consider the perceptions of the witnesses. Do research beforehand on psychic experiences to be aware of what you might experience. Consider working with a reputable psychic. Humans are the best detectors.

Myth #3: Ghost hunting is dangerous work.

Truth: Ghost hunting can be dangerous if you make it so. Loyd says:

If working in the darkness, you can trip over things or if you are heading into locations that are physically unsafe. Ghost hunting is not dangerous because of “evil” or “demonic” entities. My colleagues and I do sometimes find the living folks more of a worry than ghosts.

Tip: Use common sense. Don’t explore alone. Be careful in areas that may be physically dangerous and stay away from potentially dangerous people!

Photo: Allan Siew Official

Myth #4: Ghost stories are worthless. You need your own proof.

Truth: Eyewitness accounts are essential to your investigations.

“The very basic model of ghosts requires that some form of psychic communication and perception is happening. Hauntings may rely on some form of clairvoyance. Poltergeist cases cry out for an understanding of psychokinesis,” Loyd writes in his article, Things To Do (And Not To Do) When Ghost-Hunting.

To Matador readers, he says:

I’ve heard many ghost hunters make this type of statement. Anecdotal evidence is how we define the experience of apparitions, hauntings, poltergeists, and all psychic experiences. As these experiences are of the mind and the minds of the ghosts, it’s all about subjective experience. People’s experiences are essentially anecdotal evidence and important.

Tip: Listen up! Many times, people will tell you the very information you are looking for.

Myth #5: There are no experts on ghost hunting.

Truth: Actually, there are. Parapsychology has a formidable and rich history. Loyd shares this nugget of info with us:

Parapsychologists, and before them psychical researchers, have studied people’s experiences and the locations and environments where said experiences are reported, researched what could cause people to experience such things outside of paranormal explanations, applied laboratory research on ESP and psychokinesis to their field investigations, etc. for over 100 years.

Tip: Seek out sources and references through the parapsychological research centers and organizations.

Photo: skillzthatkillz21

Myth #6: There is no significant literature or study on ghosts before the 1990s.

Truth: Parapsychology literature on apparitions, hauntings, and poltergeists go all the way back to the mid-1800s. It is important to do adequate research in the field of parapsychology if you are serious about ghost hunting.

In addition to teaching classes in the San Francisco area, Loyd Auerbach provides a list of educational resources across the U.S. on his website as well as constructive advice for those seeking formal parapsychology training.

Tip: Do your research. Check the library, Google Books, and Mindreader.com.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Now that you’ve armed yourself with some real ghostbusting knowledge, head over to Carlo Alcos’s post at Trips to learn about 5 American Hauntings You Can Visit and Investigate First Hand.

Photo: dno1967

For vehicles less than 25 years old, registered and insured for the full-year preceding the trade-in, and never get you laid, the CARS Allowance Rebate System program will hand qualified applicants a few grand on top of their vehicle’s current trade-in value to buy or lease a brand new ride.

This means consumers may receive up to a $4,500 discount for their trade-in vehicle when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. Almost 30,000 different vehicle models qualify for the program so this might be just the right discount for you to take advantage of if you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Check the website for more details and the most up-to-date information.

Then again, as Julie Schwietert examined the other day: who does Cash For Clunkers really benefit?

Feature Photo: Threaded Thoughts

Photo: jburwen

With the crappy economy circumscribing our day-to-day lives, the concentration of job seekers rises higher and higher with each passing month. Many of us are on the rarely-rewarding, often-frustrating job hunt that ultimately leaves us feeling like we are participating in one giant, perpetual and perpetually-draining job interview.

And damn if we don’t want to get off this ride.

Matador feels your pain. We really do. And we want to help. So to start off our Tips for Your Every Day series, I am sharing what hopefully will help catapult job seekers out of the interview spectrum and straight into the rapture of being gainfully employed.

Tip: Say my name.

Our brain activity heightens when we hear our own names. We like it and we perk up. Saying your interviewer’s name occasionally throughout the interview will not only actively engage him or her in your responses, but also foster positive feelings between the two of you.

Tip: Tell a story.

Put yourself in the shiny, employed shoes of the interviewer. Chances are, you’re not the only person they’re interviewing (shocking, I know). A good story that not only entertains, but also showcases your talents will be way more memorable than those standard, fill-in-the-blank answers everybody else is giving.

Photo by slushpup

Tip: Stay within a 20 second – 2 minute time frame.

Interviewees have been statistically more successful in landing jobs when they kept their answers within this time frame during their interview. Practice with your friends, family, or household plants to make sure your answers are not only complete, but also at least 20 seconds in length. Do not exceed the two minute time limit.

Tip: Finish your response with, “I’d love to discuss this further.”

This is for those that are finding it difficult to contain all their sophistication and glory in a mere two minutes. If your interviewer is practically begging you for more, please, do indulge their curiosity, but again, respect the two minute mark. And don’t extend an interview answer more than once. Remember, you want to leave them wanting more, you saucy thing.

Feature Photo by Brymo

Community Connection:

Loving your job will go a long way in loving your life, find out how- One Week Job: New Web Show About Finding Your Passion
Love to travel? Make traveling your career- 10 Travel Jobs Within Your Reach
An excellent resource for finding travel jobs is the website Transitions Abroad.

Photo: Marxchivist

Without concrete plans or much forethought, the two relied heavily on the kindness of strangers to help actualize their film. Since then, they have gathered over 300 hours of raw footage they aim to condense into a 50 minute length documentary film titled “The Recess Ends.”

“We went in with no plan, no goal, no vision,” documentary filmmaker Austin Chu said. “[Brian and I] thought, ‘Let’s just drive through every state. Let’s just observe. Let’s just listen. Let’s just be open to what people have to say.’ ”

As it turns out, having no plan was the best plan for them. From utilizing social networking sites and major media outlets (the brothers have been featured in CNN, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and many other local media stations), Austin and Brian followed the spontaneous trail of human connection and always found extremely giving hosts across the nation.

“In Bennington, Vermont, we didn’t know anyone,” Austin said. “We passed through our entire network [and found] a friend of a friend who knew someone who might be working there. Two hours later we got picked up and had a place to stay. People are really generous even when times are bad. Humans are good people.”

And ultimately, that’s the message the Chus hope to impart to audiences. Though family budgets are getting squeezed and employment is harder to retain and even harder to find, there is value in basic human kindness, generosity, understanding, and communication.

Photo: Kevin N. Murphy

“A lot of the stories we’ve come to see and capture [show our] values are so simple, and yet we’ve strayed so far away from it that it’s become enlightening,” Austin said. “This film will give people 50 minutes to reevaluate themselves and connect with others spiritually and emotionally. Instead of asking, ‘How can we fix the economy?’ let’s start asking , ‘How can we help each other?’ Let’s start communicating with one another.”

Open communication is the backbone of “The Recess Ends.” Through candid conversations and even open mic sessions in an elementary school, the footage showcases the resilience of the American people in the light of a down economy.

Deeply impressing is the creative spirit of the 5th and 6th graders in Queens, New York. When a local teacher who was using the brother’s travel across the nation to teach his students American geography gave his students the optional homework assignment of expressing in their own words how the recession was affecting their family, the kids came back to school the next day with poems, rap lyrics, and songs. Two are featured in the film’s trailer.

“We set a time to spend a full afternoon with the kids after school,” Austin said. “This next generation, they are growing up in something many of us didn’t grow up in. It’s not, ‘I don’t get my Xbox360,’ it’s ‘I don’t get to spend time with my mom anymore because she has to work two jobs.’ They use words like ‘foreclosure’, ‘mortgage’, ’stock market’, ‘recession’.”

Photo: hermmermferm

While it was sobering to witness 11 and 12 year olds speak on such topics, the two filmmakers nevertheless noticed an optimism pervasive throughout their footage. That optimism and the inherent kindness of the people they met along the way, fueled the brothers throughout their grueling five month shoot.

“We’re only hearing negative news, but in reality, we saw everything completely opposite,” Austin said. “The relationships we’ve made and the people we’ve met [are] priceless. You couldn’t pay us a million dollars not to do it. We feel rich.”

The film is set to premiere in San Francisco September of this year with final copies available to the public in October. Check out the website for more information, updates on the film, and weekly webisodes.

Official Trailer: The Recess Ends from B-Rilla on Vimeo.

Feature photo by nickherber. Photo above courtesy of Gary Vaynerchuk.

It started with gentle sobs during the car ride to and from work. Like many of us trapped in 9 to 5’s, Gary Vaynerchuk dreaded going to work.

“I hated it,” Vaynerchuk said. “When I first started working in the [wine industry] I cried everyday. But one day it clicked for me; I saw people collecting wine the same way they collected baseball cards I was selling on the weekends. I decided to make myself into an expert and let my natural marketing ability take over.”

And take over it did. Soon after Vaynerchuk began uploading his now wildly popular video blogs on his personal site, Vaynerchuk’s internet presence skyrocketed into the web stratosphere, eventually landing him appearances on mainstream programs like The Conan O’Brian Show.

“In 2006 I saw what was happening in video with people like Ze Frank and Rocketboom and I got very excited with the potential for a social web,” Vaynerchuk said. “I knew [video blogging] would give me an opportunity to connect with consumers in a different way [so] I started sharing some of my business and social media ideas on my personal blog. People really liked it so I stuck with it.”

Now a web sensation and the first ever Social Media Sommelier, Vaynerchuk releases regular video blogs that cover topics from wine recommendations to business advice to tips on happiness.

Photo by Couche Tard

(MT): With the economy being what it is today, not everyone can afford, or even is willing to afford, that fancy-shmancy bottle of wine. What are the top three budget bottles you recommend for people to drown themselves in for 2009?

I prefer to recommend regions rather than specific bottles. Check out wines from Portugal, especially the Douro region. We’ve also seen great value out of Malbec and Torrontes from Argentina, and Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.

(MT): When we’re pressed for cash, sometimes it’s a choice between eating or drinking. If we hit up fast food joints, we can have both! What are your wine recommendations that best accommodate our favorite fast food?

With a Whopper, I’m thinking Red Zinfandel. On a budget you can produce that experience with a Primitivo from Italy, Primitivo being a relative of Zin. With that Wendy’s Chili, I have to go with Albarino from Spain. Zippy acidity to pair with that little bit of spice. Filet-o-Fish? How about a Macon? Crisper and easier to pair with food than a California Chardonnay, you can get a decent white Burgundy for under 12 or 15 bones.

(MT): Are there any wines you’d recommend with our favorite snack foods?

With Cheez-its I think Sancerre could be an interesting play. These Sauvignon Blanc wines from the Loire Valley in France have minerality and sometimes a little saline quality that I’d like with the salty crackers. With potato chips I’m thinking about Viognier. The floral elements of the wine might play very nicely with greasy potato chips. With Cheetos or Doritos I’d look for a Spanish red. Tempranillo based wines, especially a Ribera del Duero, with all that seductive up-front fruit to combat the bold flavors of the snack.

(MT): Do you currently have a favorite (or a few favorite) bottle(s) of wine? Do tell!

Not really, every wine is a different experience and I rarely bring home more than one bottle of anything. My favorite category and something I think is totally under appreciated in America is Champagne and sparkling wine.

(MT): And how do you like to enjoy your wine?

With family and friends!

For all wine aficionados, fans, and newcomers, Vaynerchuk emphasizes trusting your own palate.

“The most important [thing is] to keep and open mind and try new things,” Vaynerchuk said. “There are so many traditional rules about pairing this with that, and so much of it is ridiculous. Wines will change with foods, and your experience of the food will change with different wines. Expand your palate by trying different things, and forget about the traditional rules!”

Remember, the point of wine is to enhance your tasting experience, so go with your own personal preferences and let your taste buds make your libation decisions!


COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Are you a beginning oenophile? Check out Craig Martin’s classic article, “How to Drink Wine Like a Pro” for tips about getting started in the world of wine.

Photo by mag

The rivalry between these two libation titans is long-standing. Tea fanatics preach endlessly about the various health benefits of brewed leaves while coffee lovers consistently chronicle their endless appreciation for ground beans.

What’s a fence-sitter to do?

While the taste debate is still heatedly contested, tea has been scientifically proven to be much healthier for the human body than coffee. Next to its caffeine content, coffee doesn’t do much else for its fans. If you’re trying to decide which drink is better for you in the long run, it’s tea by far.

Below are 10 reasons why you’ll be doing your body a favor by incorporating the ancient beverage into your everyday diet.

1. Tea’s rich in antioxidants.

Photo by R. Motti

Teas contain high levels of polyphenols, which function as powerful antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are all contributed to by the damage done by free radicals. Antioxidants aid in preventing and repairing such damage.

2. Tea has less caffeine than coffee.

Photo by eyeore2710

High amounts of caffeine can raise blood pressure and health professionals generally recommend a maximum daily coffee consumption of four 8-oz cups. Tea, on the other hand, contains much less caffeine than coffee, allowing tea aficionados to enjoy more of the healthful brewed concoction each day.

3. Tea fights cancer.

A number of scientific studies have found that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. Because tea is high in antioxidants, drinking it regularly can help ward off cancer.

4. Tea fights heart disease.

Tea protects the heart by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting clots, and reducing cholesterol levels. Its high antioxidant levels also help ensure your heart’s health.

5. Tea wards off osteoporosis.

Photo by okinawa soba

Coffee’s high caffeine content can contribute to osteoporosis, but green and black teas can help maintain bone health. Studies have found that people who drink tea five times a week have significantly better bone health than those who rarely drink tea.

6. Tea kick starts metabolism.

Coffee is an effective method of suppressing your appetite, but tea will actually give your metabolism the kick it needs to burn calories and fat. For those looking to lose weight, tea is better and more helpful in the long run.

7. Not addictive

Photo by selva

Coffee lovers know this to be true. The high amounts of caffeine in that delicious morning cup make it hard, sometimes impossible, to resist. Tea, however, contains significantly less amounts of caffeine which frees your wallet from the puppet strings of your local cafe! Add the health benefits of drinking tea helping you avoid future medical bills and you’ve got a drink that protects your body as well as your bank account. Betcha didn’t see that one coming.

8. Tea reduces high blood pressure.

Caffeine can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure, which is bad news for those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension. Because tea helps relax blood vessels, it can actually reduce your blood pressure. That’s good news, no?

9. Tea prevents tooth decay.

Photo by estherase

Coffee can contribute to brittle teeth, whereas tea helps inhibit the bacteria that lead to cavities. Fewer cavities mean a more brilliant smile to catch that neighborhood cutie’s eye. Who knew drinking tea could improve your love life?

10. Tea treats inflammation.

Studies have found the catechins in tea help reduce bladder and skin inflammations. This is good news for your body, inside and out!

Though tea surpasses coffee in terms of health benefits by leaps and bounds, coffee does present its own merits for the human body. For example, caffeine can help alleviate asthma and enhance the pain-relieving effects of aspirin. Unfortunately in the long run, the benefits of coffee still pale in comparison to those of tea. So, whether you enjoy green, black, oolong, or Earl Grey, you are doing your body a wonderful favor by brewing that next healthful pot of tea.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

Are you a tea drinker or a coffee lover? And where in the world have you had your most memorable cuppa? Let us know in the comments!

“Hi Samantha how are you!” My voice cracks just a little and I speak entirely too quickly. As an avid Travel Channel viewer, I have been a Samantha Brown fan since I discovered her show one rainy day in Taiwan over three years ago.

Every season, Brown takes us vicariously all around the world with programs like Passport to Europe and Great Hotels. Through the lens, she introduces people from diverse backgrounds and captures breathtaking scenes.

Viewers can’t help but be drawn to the natural warmth of Brown’s personality. She seems so down to earth that you almost feel like you’ve met her before, standing in line at the local grocer’s or sitting down at a neighborhood dinner party.

And yet, spending over 200 days traveling each year, Brown can rarely be found in her home in Brooklyn.

“I honestly never thought this would be my job,” Brown said. “I grew up in New Hampshire and came from of background thinking other people got to travel, not me. I didn’t think I had that much to bring to the table.”

In university, Brown studied musical theater and after graduation found her passion in improvisation and sketch comedy. Up until her agent informed her of the Travel Channel audition, Brown had no interest in travel or travel hosting. Unbeknown to her at the time, her theatrical skills that would help her land the job of a lifetime.

“Because we are unscripted, [travel hosts] have to roll with the punches and talk about destinations while somehow forwarding the plot,” Brown explains. “We have to juggle spontaneity with purpose.”

Landing the Gig

Spontaneity and purpose were exactly what drove Brown to stand in front of a commercial airliner poised for take-off in order to make her audition with the Travel Channel. Having missed the plane for her first audition, Brown was given one last chance at a live audition to impress casting directors who were unmoved by her demo reel.

Running late that day, Brown missed final boarding, but doggedly sprinted out onto the tarmac and begged her way onto the plane.

“I was standing at the nose of the plane shouting ‘Please!’,” Brown recalls with laughter. “I wonder about that pilot today [who] saw a little girl standing in front of his plane waving her arms and crying. The moment they let me on [the plane], I knew I had the job.”

Now, 10 years later, it’s hard to imagine anyone but the affable Brown leading us across boundary lines on our televisions. But travel programs were strikingly different during Brown’s audition and it took not only her brave determination, but classic good timing for her to land the hosting job.

“I was lucky that Travel Channel wanted a change,” Brown admits. “Back then, travel hosts were poised, perfect people, like Stepford wives, and I thought ‘I’m nothing like that!’ Now, you see a diversity of hosts, but back then it was a pretty boring pot of soup to be in.”

Becoming a Travel Host Today

With the advantages of today’s new media and web 2.0 technologies, aspiring travel hosts don’t necessarily need agents or the cajones to stand in front of airplanes to grab network attention. For those who are interested in travel hosting, Brown recommends taking full advantage of the omnipresent internet and building a fan base from there.

“I think people have a lot more going for them than I did 10 years ago,” Brown said. “[Use] YouTube, Facebook, any of those programs to get your name out there. If you develop your own steady fan base and bring it to the Travel Channel or any other network, you can grassroots your own career. You just have to show your point of view is different and compelling.”

It’s encouraging advice, but Brown warns that the naive that travel hosting is not simply a vacation with the camera crew. Travel hosts are on their feet around 10 hours a day, shooting and re-shooting takes, dealing with hecklers that inevitably follow, and overcoming technological snags along the way.

“We were just in Key West filming aerobatics,” Brown said. “I get nauseous pretty easily and was glad when we finally [landed], but we found out none of it was caught on tape so we had to go up and do it all over again. Through the years, I’ve learned that you definitely have to roll with the punches.”

A Life on Camera

In addition to juggling complications at work, Brown struggles to not let her personal life get overwhelmed by her career, not an easy feat for someone who spends most of the year away from home. This past year has been especially trying since Brown spent 240 days traveling, 20 days over her annual average.

Recently married, Brown is determined to make her personal life the focus of 2009.

“It’s tough, very tough,” Brown admits. “My life is literally on camera. When I go home, I’m just catching up with bills, but this year my big project is my personal life.”

Don’t get her wrong, though, Brown absolutely loves her job. It has taught her not only gratitude in her everyday life, but also the immense importance of communication.

“My life has completely changed [due to my job],” Brown said. “When I started, I thought travel meant checking things off a list. But I’ve learned that it’s all about connecting with people, looking at their everyday life. It’s about unlocking that and celebrating the small everyday moments; that’s my passion.”

For more information on Samantha Brown, including her taping schedule, you can visit her page on the Travel Channel website.

Feature photo by Heliøs. Photo above by SuperFantastic.

Erik McLaughlin is not your typical doctor. This family practice resident speaks four languages, attended medical school in England, and aims to focus on expedition medicine in the near future.

With a real passion for taking care of travelers and embarking on adventures in remote locations, he is an adventure doc in every sense of the word.

Matador sat down with the Adventure Doc to pick his brain for travel health advice. Travelers are exposed to a much wider range of viruses and medical situations abroad than domestically, and we wanted to know what advice the Doc had for our readers.

Matador: Does Vitamin C really work?

Vitamin C is relatively well known as having some benefit, although it has yet to be proven in serious medical literature. Lots of people cite many studies on Vitamin C. These studies are often improperly done, have small numbers of participants, and show skewed data.

Interpretation of data is key, as is the source and quality of the research study. Basically, there is no proof of the effectiveness of Vitamin C, but I say, if it makes you feel better, go for it! I still take one gram of Vitamin C every day that I am sick.

Matador: And what about Emergen-C?

I actually drink Emergen-C often. I love the easy packets, great vitamins, and electrolytes. I had a glass earlier today. I also carry it with me in my first aid kit when I travel.

Photo by shareski.

Matador: Why are sports drinks so effective in rehydrating sick people?

The thing about sports drinks is that they contain glucose, which couples with water molecules, helping them get from inside the stomach to the blood stream faster. Thus, dehydration gets treated faster. Sports drinks are the best for dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

But you don’t need to buy the expensive ones. Some water, a few pinches of salt, and a spoonful of sugar work fine, too.

Matador: Hand sanitizing gel vs. hand washing?

A very good question! There is a bit of an argument in the surgical crowd about this. Both state that the gel and actual hand washing are effective, and I believe they are. But one always tries to be better than the other.

The problem with hand washing is that tap water is not always clean water and definitely not sterile. If I just washed my hands with soap and then rinsed with crappy water, that’s no good.

Personally, I use hand gel when I need to be sterile and try a mix of both when I’m traveling. Either way, washing your hands is the most important thing to prevent infection from colds and the flu. This is proven, retested, and proven again. This is the most important thing I can say about infection prevention.

Matador: How does the flu shot work?

The flu shot is basically a prediction of what several flu strains are going to be the most virulent and pathogenic the next year. Flu shot engineers take into consideration the way viruses change as they shift from continent to continent and spread around the world.

Engineers grow the virus, then inactivate it before administering it to patients so it cannot infect people. Your body recognizes the virus and remembers it so when you encounter it again, your body immediately releases white blood cells to kick some butt! Flu shots do work and should be encouraged.

Photo by rocknroll_guitar.

Matador: Why is it so important travelers get the flu shot?

Viruses mutate as they travel the globe. This is where travelers come into the equation of global disease spread. Influenza is pandemic stuff. Think epidemics that kill millions. The common cold just gives you a runny nose, a 2-3 day fever, and a cough.

The flu kills millions in outbreaks. The early 1900s saw a global pandemic killing millions. This is the fear with the bird flu. Hence the emphasis on travelers getting the flu shot.

Matador: Besides travelers, for whom else is the flu shot essential?

People with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease should get the flu shot. Anybody who risks being killed from a case of the flu should get a flu shot.

Matador: What is the typical incubation period for the flu virus, and is it possible to combat the flu during this stage?

The incubation period varies depending on the virus, bacteria, or infectious agent. Generally a 2-14 day incubation is common. Fighting off the flu is almost a futile attempt. If you got it, you got it. Like bad body odor, nothing can be done.

The term we use is “symptomatic treatment,” meaning we try to help the runny nose, cough, or fever. But fighting the virus is very tough. Viruses are clever. There are some antiviral medications like Tamiflu that take action against replication of the viruses, thus shortening the duration of the illness.

However, use of antivirals can also increase resistance to the medications, ultimately making them useless.Really, the only things you can do is treat the symptoms and ride it out.

Photo by Augapfel.

Matador: What are some key steps in prevention?

The flu shot may not be in everyone’s lifestyle, but hand washing should be. Hand washing is a very inexpensive and very effective method of prevention. Rest is also key, as lack of rest can lower the immune system.

Additionally, some argue that being properly hydrated prevents tiny cracks in your mucous membranes that will allow viral particles suspended in the air an easy entry portal.

Proper nutrition is also vital. Being fit and healthy lessens your recovery time, makes your immune system stronger, and increases resistance. This is why people with chronic medical problems should get the flu shot.

Matador: What is the number one piece of advice you’d give to travelers in order to avoid the flu?

Travelers are encountering things that they have never seen before – buildings, people, pathogens. Their resistance to simple local illnesses is almost non-existent. Travelers need to be extra cautious as they are encountering things that are new to their body. Hand washing is the most important thing a traveler can do to avoid the common cold while on the road. Proven prevention is hand washing.

Matador: How do you know when it’s time to go see a doctor?

Signs of trouble include fevers not responsive to medication like Tylenol, shortness of breath with cough, changes in the color of mucus. Rashes are also pretty big red flags to me. This is assuming lots of things like the person is a healthy adult, not in a malaria-exposed environment, and has no recent foreign exposures.

Matador: What items does the Adventure Doc pack to stay healthy while traveling?

Ibuprofen or a pain and fever medication like Tylenol, electrolyte powder, and an antihistamine like Benadryl. Ibuprofen can treat pain, fever, inflammation, and much more. It is truly a wonder drug!

Matador: What literature would you recommend for our travelers without medical backgrounds?

Field Guide To Wilderness Medicine, Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual, and Where There Is No Doctor. The best, by far, is the Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. That should be read by every traveler.

The Adventure Doc hopes to open his own travel clinic in 2009 and is available for internet consultations. Visit his website or contact him through email : adventuredoc@gmail.com.

Photo above by howieluvzus

Many of us have heard of Banksy only within the last few years as he has transcended into worldwide notoriety and infamy. We have seen the stencils and heard the name, yet the man himself remains a mystery.

Photo above by DocZork – restless

Not much is known about Banksy outside of his work. In the midst of rumors, journalists and art aficionados have produced little verifiable concrete background information about the underground British artist.

UK’s Daily Mail published an article last summer, claiming to have uncovered Banksy’s true identity, although at the very end they concede that their whole discovery could be bunk.

The most commonly accepted facts are: his hometown is Bristol, UK; He was born in or around 1974; and his involvement with graffiti art began in the early 1990s.

In interviews granted to various media outlets, mostly anonymously, Banksy talks about his background only in relation to his work.

Having always been interested in art, Banksy started graffiti when he was just 14 years old. He gravitated toward stencil art because it was quick while still allowing him to do aesthetic, detailed work.

“If you damage someone’s property it’s good to show some dedication to it. [To] just slop it up is a bit rude, I fear.”

Having never been a fan of school, Banksy, instead, found his place and identity within the underground graffiti culture. Since picking up a spray can and stencils, the artist hasn’t looked back.

Photo above by howieluvzus

Regardless if you’re a fan or a member of Keep Britain Tidy (a group that believes Banksy’s work is criminal vandalism) you immediately recognize a Banksy when you see it.

His signature rat, children, monkey, and police men motifs and consistent anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-establishment messages make his work uniquely identifiable.

Banksy Worldwide

Starting in the early 2000s, Banksy began to extend past Britain and work all over the world. From the Guantanamo prisoner in Disneyland to the sprayed art on Israel’s West Bank wall, Banksy’s art has covered the globe, uniting all sorts of people in his fan base. Currently, fans include some of Hollywood’s most famous stars, though in all likelihood Banksy wouldn’t brag about that.

What probably makes Banksy most notorious, however, is not just the message, but the overtly mischievous and humorous style evident in his work.

Photo above by LexMonkey

A few years ago, Banksy added his own prehistoric piece to the walls of the British Museum, mimicking cave art style and depicting a man with a shopping cart chasing a buffalo. The statement “This finely preserved example of primitive art dates from the Post-Catatonic era,” was in the sign hung beneath.

He once snuck into the London Zoo, spray painting the message “I want out. This place is too cold. Keeper smells. Boring, boring, boring.” in the elephant pen.

When Paris Hilton came out with her debut music CD, Banksy replaced 500 original copies with his own doctored CDs across 48 UK record stores. He Photoshopped the cover art to replace her face with that of a dog’s and added titles such as, “Why Am I Famous?” and “What Am I For?”.

In response to his increasing notoriety, Banksy offered for sale a painting of an art auction with the sentence, “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit.”

Photo above by armcurl

Banksy Today

A little less playful and a lot more disenchanted, Banksy has told The New Yorker’s Lauren Collins “I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I’m not sure I like it enough.”

He’s admitted that his infamy and the fact that just one of his pieces fetches hundreds of thousands of dollars makes him uncomfortable.

But this doesn’t mean he’ll retire from art activism. Just late last summer, he tagged several buildings in New Orleans to commemorate the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Hopefully, for his fans around the world, he’ll never stop working.

You can visit Banksy’s official website at www.banksy.co.uk. Original prints can be found at lazinc.com and are sold through his agent’s gallery in Soho, London.

Photo above by Breno Peck

1. Acai

Hailing from the Amazon rainforest, Acai berries are so rich in antioxidants you’d need to drink 20 times as much wine to match a single serving. They contain high levels of Omega fatty acids and amino acids.

2. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in an anti-oxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies show that EGCG inhibits cancer cell growth cells, and can be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, as well as inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. Other types of teas, while still providing health benefits, do not contain EGCG.

3. Beans

From green beans to kidney beans, there is no bean that is not a superstar in your diet. I know, it’s kind of cheating to encompass all beans as number three on the list, but what’s a health nut to do when all beans are good for the body?

An amazing source of fiber, beans are high in iron, manganese, and protein. Combine kidney beans, black beans, and white beans to make a three bean salad! Add lima beans to your soup! Use pinto beans in your chili!

4. Tuna

An extremely nutritious food, tuna is chock full of protein, Vitamin B, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Whether canned or fresh, tuna makes a solid contribution to your personal health.

When buying fresh tuna, be sure to use a trusted grocer or one that has a strong reputation for having a frequent supply of fresh fish.

5. Quinoa

This South American grains is sacred to the native peoples of the Andean mountains. Quinoa is high in protein, essential amino acids, and dietary fiber. Include them in your salad or as a gluten-free alternative to your meal. It cooks up quickly and is easy to digest.

6. Olive oil

Want shinier hair? Healthier skin? Consuming olive oil may be just the thing you need. From protecting people from heart disease to helping them regulate their cholesterol, olive oil is a must to include in your diet.

Be sure to purchase extra virgin olive oil as it is the safest to consume and contains the highest amounts of polyphenol antioxidants.

Photo above by Nate Steiner

7. Oatmeal

Did you know that oats contain soluble fiber, a cholesterol blasting ninja? And lower cholesterol levels mean lower risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Start the day off with a yummy, hot bowl of oatmeal. Just chill on the sugar. Try maple syrup, molasses, or agave nectar instead.

8. Blueberries

Rich in vitamins, blueberries help lower cholesterol as well as help fight against cognitive decline.

Like the skins on grapes, blueberry skins contain flavonols that are not only great for your health, but also inhibit the development of cancer cells.

9. Mushrooms

Nature’s little umbrellas, mushrooms are high in fiber and vitamins like riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Bake ‘em, sautee ‘em, grill ‘em: mushrooms make an excellent and delicious addition to your meals!

10. Soy

As a complete source of protein, soy is the foundation of vegetarian food and beverages. But did you know that the soybean also contains loads of Omega-3 fatty acids?

11. Alfalfa sprouts

Though it tastes like grass, this superfood is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Worried about your cholesterol? Want to fight osteoporosis? Have high blood pressure? Incorporating alfalfa sprouts into your diet is like injecting a huge does of life force into your body.

Photo above by SteveC

12. Ginger

More a medicinal aid than a superfood, ginger is nevertheless an ingredient you want to incorporate into your diet. This root helps digestion, reduces nausea, and even stimulates blood circulation, which helps remove toxins from the body.

In addition to all that, ginger is a direct anti-inflammatory. Throw it in a dish when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s a great, natural way to relieve symptoms and boost the immune system.

13. Salmon

Salmon tops the list of fish that is good for you. High in protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and good cholesterol, salmon helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Just remember to stick to the wild Alaskan salmon.

14. Yogurt

With frozen yogurt making a huge comeback, this product is fast becoming near and dear to people’s hearts. It’s no surprise, as yogurt contains large amounts of friendly bacteria that do everything from help your digestion to protect you from infection.

It’s good for your bones, good for your immune system, and good for your body’s fat burning ability. But watch out: most yogurt products also have tons of sugar and unfortunately, sugar is not good for you.

15. Bananas

Ever wonder why people claim a sports drink and a banana as the ultimate hangover cure? That’s because bananas are the best source of potassium.

Potassium is an important electrolyte your body needs, especially after going big at the bars. In addition to adding potassium to the body, bananas increase the body’s absorption of calcium and help protect against stomach ulcers.

16. Bell peppers

High in Vitamins C and A, bell peppers are a fantastic, crispy treat for your body. Whether green, yellow, red, or orange, bell peppers are all rich in antioxidants which offer a wide array of health benefits. Dice ‘em to put in a salad! Slice ‘em to add to your curry!

17. Barley

In addition to its fantastic fiber content, barley contains niacin, which protects your cardiovascular system. Like other whole grains that are low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, barley helps reduce the incidence of heart disease, certain cancers, and even Type 2 Diabetes.

Photo above by sean dreilinger

18. Papaya

This tasty fruit is brimming with Vitamin C and a great source of folate and potassium. It helps you maintain cardiovascular health and fight colon cancer. Some of the antioxidant nutrients in papaya also have anti-inflammatory effects.

I remember as a kid, I would always have papaya-milk smoothies in the summers. They are refreshing and nutritious!

19. Tomatoes

The premier source of lycopene, tomatoes, and all tomato products, are protective against a growing list of cancers. Included in that list are colon, prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancers. Tomatoes are also high in antioxidants.

20. Walnuts

Like many other superfoods, walnuts are an important source of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as other monounsaturated fats. Eating just four walnuts a day significantly increases your Omega-3 levels. Plus, walnuts make a great, crunchy addition to any dish or desert!

21. Avocado

In addition to being a good source of monounsaturated fats, avocados are high in folate, a nutrient that plays an important role in protecting you from cardiovascular disease or stroke. Just one cup contains 23% of the daily value for folate. So get the chips and make some guac!

22. Spinach

The classic superfood, spinach is filled to the brim with antioxidants, cancer-fighting agents, Iron, and Vitamin K. From protecting you from cancer to keeping your bones in tip-top shape, spinach does it all. Popeye was on to something.

23. Kale

A leafy, green vegetable that contains enormous amounts of Vitamins A, C, and K, kale has more nutritional value for fewer calories than almost all other foods. It’s inexpensive and because it’s easy to grow, you can find it at your local grocer’s all year round. It’s also a great source of fiber and calcium.

Photo above by Zed.Cat

24. Chocolate

Nature’s aphrodisiac, chocolate is full of flavonoids, which are the antioxidants that protect the body from damage done by free radicals. Lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and heart disease prevention are just some of the benefits of antioxidants.

Chocolate also contains the anti-depressant serotonin. No wonder eating chocolate always makes you feel better! Try and shoot for dark chocolate though, as it contains lesser amounts of sugar and milk fat and higher amounts of antioxidants. Don’t even ask about white chocolate.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2009!