Obama’s USDA to deceive Americans over GM crops (Part III)

There is just so much conflict between what Michelle Obama tells us and what Barack Obama tells us.  I'm completely confused Mr. President!  Please explain...

 

Obama’s USDA to deceive Americans over GM crops (Part II)

I'm sad about the fact that Michelle Obama is so health conscious and yet Barack's choices for this country is simply contradicting everything that she preaches.  She seems to be all about organic gardening and cultivating a healthy community.  I'm not accusing her of being a hypocrite, however, Barack is surely making her look that way since his decisions contradict her choices.  Barack is clearly pro GMO and Michelle is pro organic gardening.  It is next to impossible to have both worlds living harmoniously. 

Obama’s USDA to deceive Americans over GM crops (Part I)

There was a time when politics didn't mean a thing to me.  I actually jokingly asked if I could register for an apolitical party when I first moved to Colorado.  To this day, I still don't like to discuss politics.  The only reason I've become a very political woman in the last couple of months is because I feel that the food industries and the pharmaceutical industries are stomping on my rights not to choose what they have to offer.  I don't appreciate someone telling me that choosing not to vaccinate is abuse and I will not listen to anyone who tells me that speaking out against GMOs is not permitted and I refuse to believe that raw milk is dangerous compared to the poison junk they sell in grocery stores.

It didn't mean a thing to me when Obama was voted president nor did it mean anything when Bush (Jr. or Sr.) or Clinton was in the White House because once again I simply didn't care about the political world.  When I learned about Obama's broken promise (to have GMO foods labeled) and about his appointing Tom Vilsak to the USDA, I've been dying to see him out!  To be fair, he wasn't the first president to get in bed with Monsanto, but I am hoping desperately that he will be the last.

Obama’s USDA to deceive Americans over GM crops

Overuse Injuries

It looks as though I may have won the battle with my much hated shinsplints.  Years ago, when my shins first started bothering me, I did a little research on overuse injuries and found out some facts about shinsplints.  There are apparently different causes.  In my case the agonist muscle, the gastrocnemius, is getting a full workout while the antagonist, the tibialis anterior, is getting almost no workout at all.  This causes exhaustion of the unworked muscle and eventually pain.  The painful state is what characterizes the shinsplints.  This is why it is so important to work the antagonist muscle.  If not, the agonist will become over contracted while the antagonist will remain weak.  In order for the antagonist to do it's job on a daily basis, it has to work harder than ever because the agonist (which is getting stronger) is working against it. 

I bought an exercise band and I used it to give my tibialis anterior muscle some resistance exercise.  I've been working with it every other day.  So far, after two days of working with the band, I went for a run and I had absolutely no pain in my shins!

Athlete's Curse

My new love for running apparently didn't come without paying some dues.  I have almost forgotten the one major drawback of being an aerobics instructor; overuse injuries!  Today, I call it athlete's curse.  It is an athlete's curse because overuse injuries can be very painful and they can keep you from doing the activities that you love so much.

The one overuse injury that used to attack me constantly was shinsplints.  Shinsplints and I are now mortal enemies!  I remember how painful they were when I was an athlete.  I remember teaching an aerobics class with an ace bandage around my shin.  It was the only way my legs would allow me to teach.  I was going to classes for my massage certification at the time too; therefore my legs were getting massaged daily and they still were still in pain.

Now that I started running again, my much hated shinsplints are back.  I will be doing some exercises to work the tibialis anterior (the muscle that hurts so badly), to see if that helps.  Hopefully I find success for I so desperately don't want to give up running.

Treasured New Discovery

I remember a time when running was something that I would avoid.  I would do brisk walking, biking, aerobic dance of many kinds, rollerblading and surge training; but never running.  I am surprised to find myself completely in love and addicted to this energizing new activity.

Two days ago I woke up and heard my husband coughing (it turned out to be a reaction to dryness).  Desperate not to get sick, I got out of bed and went for a run.  I'm not sure what possessed me.  I was already awake before he started coughing, and for some reason all I could think about was running in the crisp Colorado morning air.  So, I put on a tee shirt and sweatpants and went for a run.  I admit that I didn't go as far as I wanted to.  It didn't surprise me because it has been a while since I've done any cardio exercise.  I've been very focused on resistance exercise and weight bearing exercise.  I know from experience, however, that my distance will increase overtime.  Since I'm going to be running often, it probably won't be long.  I'm most surprised about how meditative running is.  My mind works so much more efficiently after a run.  Things are clearer, fresh ideas flood in to the point where I can't write things down quickly enough.  It is the most amazing thing! 

The only reason I didn't go out this morning as well is because I have to fast for some blood work.  I don't feel that it is a good idea to do such rigorous exercise when fasting like this.  I do look forward to my run tomorrow though.  I'm so excited about my new discovery and wonder why I never thought of it before.

Preparing For Halloween

Candy is something that I've refused to give to anyone for years.  The only time I've even purchased candy in the last 7 years was for a presentation.  I was demonstrating the gross lack of nutrition that is offered by things that we have the nerve to call food.  As a teacher, I NEVER EVER gave candy as a reward nor would I offer it to my neighbors for trick or treat.  For the last 3 winters I've had to get creative on Halloween.

The following presentation offers different ideas about what you could give to your neighbors for trick or treat this Halloween.  I may utilize some of these ideas myself.  There were a few that were both cheap and sustainable. 

Good News on Battle for Health Freedom

I believe that there is a "boo-hoo" in order for corporate monster Monsanto.  It looks as though Posilac, one of their crowned jewels, are so undesired by consumers that they may have to bag it!  The cows will be so disappointed.  Their days will be so boring without all of the pain from the constant mastitis.  What will milk be like without all of the hormones and puss?  It won't NEARLY be as toxic and disgusting!  I guess Monsanto scientists will no longer have to spend so much on organic milk anymore.

Bye-bye rBGH!!  You will be anything but missed!


A Decade of Consumer Pressure Is Driving Monsanto's Bovine Growth Hormone off the Market

The War on Vitamins

The FDA is really going to try and gain control over vitamin supplements.  It is really very scary how Monsanto wants for everyone to depend on them so badly that they are literally invading the government with their minions and creating situations where we no longer can depend on the sources that make us well.

Please click on the article below and stand up for your rights!  If you value your health, if there are supplements that you find GREAT for your body; please participate!

The War on Vitamins

FDA Disappointment

The FDA is suppose to be an impartial institution committed to looking out for our health.  My husband told me something interesting the other day:  when a politician says "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" in any way, shape or form, head for the hills!  I believe in regulation to protect others from corporate monsters like Monsanto's crooked manner of doing business, but we need to be very careful when government gets their camel noses under the tent of healthcare or agriculture.  Many of these laws have little to do with protecting us.  What it's really about is control; trying to control where we spend our money by subsidizing products that are toxic and unsustainable for reasons that I will never understand.  Then they try to further claim control by implementing these "protective laws" that really just stomp on our rights.

I'd like to say that I'm deeply disappointed in the FDA.  When I think about it, however, I wonder if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot by placing the government in charge of our food in the first place.  Perhaps my disappointment should be in the fact that we Americans placed our faith in the wrong people.

Support Your State’s Bills on Genetically Engineered Foods!

I wanted to post the following one hour feature again because it gives so much vital information about who Monsanto is and what their history looks like.

If you are one of the Millions Against Monsanto, I created a forum where we could keep each other informed.  If any of you give really good information or feedback, I would love to feature your post on this home page.  For this reason, please be complete about links to your sites so that anyone who reads your information on the homepage can easily find you.

Please observe the link below to support your state if they are trying to implement mandatory labeling of GMOs.

Support Your State’s Bills on Genetically Engineered Foods!

No Surprise Here! “Tyranny of the Year” Judge Quits the Bench—to Work for Monsanto Law Firm

Unbelievable!  Judge Patrick J. Fiedler, the one who ruled against residents of Wisconsin drinking raw milk even if it is from their own cows/goats, is now working for Monsanto.  Just when I honestly believed that this corporate monster could sink no lower! 

No Surprise Here! “Tyranny of the Year” Judge Quits the Bench—to Work for Monsanto Law Firm

Loss of Health Freedom in Wisconsin

Our health freedom allies in Wisconsin recently lost a battle.  It's bad enough that most states outlaw the sale of raw milk in stores but now it is against the law to consume raw milk in the state of Wisconsin. 

Judge Patrick J. Fiedler decided that Wisconsin not only has no right to sell raw milk, they can't even board cows, or consume milk from their own cows.  So in other words, not only is the Wisconsin government in control of what residents buy, they are in control of what they consume.  In the most invasive way, Fiedler is trying to control what people can or cannot eat.  That is awful!  Families have seen entire winters without getting sick because of raw milk, but now thanks to these outrageous laws to "protect" us, families in Wisconsin will have one very potent nutrient that can prevent flu revoked from them.

Yes, take the raw milk away.  Instead of being healthy and preventing disease, we could just all die from brain damage from poisonous vaccines.  It frustrates me so much that these politicians can do this!  I thank God that I am in a libertarian state where people are mostly encouraged to make their own choices about such things.

Breaking News—California May Require Labeling of GE Food Products!

I am so excited!!  I just posted this news everywhere with the hope that more people know, give a signature and pass on the message.  I hope it comes through!  This is what we've all been REALLY fighting for!  I mean, I'm hoping to rid the world of GMOs all together, however, this would be a profound beginning!   

Breaking News—California May Require Labeling of GE Food Products!

Gut Flora

I've been boning up on my probiotics over the past 3 months and I have been feeling really good!  Dr. Joseph Mercola highly recommends one strain in particular.  Lactobacillus acidopholis DDS-1 is a probiotic strain that Mercola finds far superior to others.

There are apparently many different strains of Lactobacillus acidopholis so the DDS-1 is the one in particular that is desirable.  Besides the fact that it is acid resistant, which many probiotics are not, it tends to also be very helpful to lactose intolerant individuals.  These are two of many qualities of Lactobacillus acidopholis DDS-1 that make it unique.

I don't take probiotic supplements anymore because I'm ingesting so much kombucha, sauerkraut and raw milk, however if you are taking a supplement, be sure that your supplement has this particular strain.  Dr. Mercola declares "I no longer consider taking a probiotic as part of my daily regimen without this strain!" 

Not Milk!

Unfortunately, I have found that much of what was said in this video is true but incomplete.  Milk itself is not the enemy. 

Raw milk is a very nourishing food.  The pasteurized, Posilac (or rBGH growth hormone) infested junk that is found in most grocery stores is very toxic.  I have felt my immune system collapse under the influence of store bought milk.  Many raw milk drinkers, however, experience strength in their immune system.  We had our first cold snap and I didn't get sick as I usually do during a cold snap. I am lactose intolerant; however, raw milk doesn't hurt me at all.  

I don't therefore place the blame on something as nourishing as milk for all of the illnesses associated with dairy products.  So if you are one of the Americans who gets milk from the grocery store, you may be in danger of the many things the video warned about.  If you are one of the Americans like me who only consumes raw milk, you have nothing to fear at all.

Promises Promises!

I love when politicians make promises that they really had no intention of keeping.  I didn't even know that President Obama said he would have GMO foods labeled if he became president.  Did he even make an attempt to keep that promise?

Hypothetically, let us say that Obama had every intention of having GMOs labeled like he said he would.  The one thing that would help me to believe him is Michelle Obama's organic gardening programs.  The problem is, I would have to close my eyes to many, many other things that contradict this image of a president who is desirous of a healthy world.  For example, what is up with appointing Tom Vilsack (Monsanto supporter) to the USDA??  If anything would give our movement to protect small farmers a monster set back it was that.  Thanks to that precarious move, GMO alfalfa has been approved despite the major problems organic alfalfa growers will find themselves in and despite the problems that the US is having with super-weeds thanks to the increased use of Monsanto's R**ndup R**dy herbicide.  Did either Vilsack or Obama think about the growing problem with CCD?  What about Michael Taylor the former Monsanto lawyer?  Why was he bumped up to a higher position in the FDA?  What about the ramifications of that dangerous move?

Had I known about this promise back in 2007 in conjunction with Michelle Obama's organic gardening ideas, I would've believed him too!  It is now 2011, and Obama is about to run for re-election.  Where are all of the labels he promised?  At least 80% of all processed foods in the US have GMOs in them, but I don't see the labels.  Sorry Mr. President; your choices have placed your integrity into question.

Dr. Mercola on Health Liberty

I've always hated politics.  There was a time that current events and history didn't mean a thing to me.  When I learned what corporate greed and political corruption is doing to the health of our nation, all of a sudden I became someone who cares very much about who is running the country and the court systems.

There are leaders of some corporate giants who don't want opposition or competition.  Big Pharma and Big Agrobiz are two types of businesses that corrupts politics in order to eliminate opposition and competition.  When they do that, they also limit our choices.  If you are one who wants to vaccinate your child, that should be your choice, however, you should understand all of the pros and cons of vaccinations.  Informed consent seems to fall through the cracks when it comes to vaccinations.  If you are one who believes that fluoride is good for the teeth, then you should be able to choose to use it.  When it is put into our water supply and in many commercial drinks, we don't really have very much of a choice in that matter.  If you believe that GMOs are safe and beneficial for many other reasons, then you should be able to make use of it; but not at the expense of your neighbor who is trying to raise organic crops nor should we all have to eat it because the company who makes it refuses to label it.  We should all be able to make choices about what is best for our families and ourselves.

Dr. Mercola addressed a few of these things.  Watch:

Millions Against Monsanto Forum

This is a new forum on the Whole Health Destinations page, I hope it will be active.  I know I have so much information to give, but I also know that others have much information to share as well.  There are so many ways that we can fight for our health freedom.  The best way to achieve our health freedom is by educating one another and standing up together. 

I have had enough of Monsanto's malicious lies and their fatal deceit.  Monsanto has destroyed lives; ask BT cotton farmers in India, anyone who lives in Anniston Alabama or small farmers in the US who lost their businesses because of GMOs. 

Please join me and many others around the world who are fighting for their health freedom.  Join the million against Monsanto!

Again, registration (or reregistration if you are a BWMFs member but not a Whole Health Destinations member) is necessary to join the forum.  Of course registration is free and simple.  If you are like me and need more guidance, click here for instructions on registration.

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved and fight for your health freedom.  I know there is a lot of bad news to swallow; to name some of the negative outcomes, there is CCD, small farmers losing businesses because of Monsanto's lies and crooked political take-overs and poor farmers in India committing suicide because they didn't get rich like Monsanto promised.  Even with all of the bad news that we've seen and endured, as Vandana Shiva said, there is so much hope. 

People are waking up and figuring out that there is so much that just does NOT add up.  I've posted about the 270,000 farmers who are suing Monsanto.  I may have even mentioned that Canadian farmers and some Indian farmers went after Monsanto as well.  California is in the process of fighting to have GMOs labeled as are many politicians and organizations like the OCA (Organic Consumers Association).  We have individuals such as Jeffery Smith, Dr. Rima and Vandana Shiva fighting for our health freedom.  If we keep turning up the heat, I'm hoping that eventually, even multibillion dollar Monsanto won't stay in the kitchen.

Here are some ways to get involved:

1. The 2012 California Ballot Initiative
2. You could donate to the OCA
3. Click here for a list of other ways to get involved 
4. Go to the Wellness Avenues page for more resources  
5. Get involved in the Millions Against Monsanto forum on the Whole Health Destinations page

Miswak

My hygienist was the one who told me about miswak or siwak.  Miswak looks like a twig, but after chewing off the bark and chewing the fibers inside; it actually makes a great cleaner for your teeth.

I've used miswak a few times.  I don't have the skill to get the miswak to certain parts of my mouth to get all of my teeth clean, but I am told that there are ways.  My hygienist was very curious about miswak after observing the teeth of the Saudi Arabian gentleman that introduced it to her.  She said that she has rarely ever seen such healthy gums.
 
I researched the product, of course, and found out that C*lg*te brand puts miswak in their toothpaste in the middle east, yet they will put fluoride in their toothpaste here in the US.  Interesting, isn't it?

Let Food Be Thy Vitamins (Part II)

I am forced to assume that the video was talking crystallized vitamins because those are the most popular kind of vitamins on the market (and the least effective).  Crystallized vitamins have been unadulterated, therefore the body cannot metabolize and absorb it very well.  In other words, once ingested it isn't treated like a food.  It falls apart in the digestive tract and then it is excreted.  Researchers believe that it is because too much has been taken out out of the supplement during purification.  The body can absorb about 10% of crystallized vitamins or less which is why the vitamin content in crystallized vitamins are so high.  With the added insult of GMOs, I would guess that they could have something to do with the increased cancer risk.  Also, too much vitamin A of any kind can cause health risks that I'm still learning about.  I've spoken to a number of doctors about this and they ALL said that it is best to get vitamin A from food (both eggs and raw milk butter from organic grass fed cow/goats have the highest content of vitamin A).  When you acquire vitamin A from food it is nearly impossible to get too much.  

Whole food vitamin supplements are another type of multivitamin.  This is my favorite way of getting the vitamins that I need each day.  There are two types of whole food vitamin supplements.  One type is a supplement made from food.  For example, algae can be made into a supplement.  It is grown, fed nutrient dense food and then freeze dried into a pill form.  The other kind of whole food vitamins are actual foods that you enjoy each day but work as supplements in the body.  For example, the American diet is iodine deficient.  Despite the iodine put in table salt, we are still an iodine deficient nation.  Sea weed is one way of obtaining sufficient iodine.  Brown sea weeds like kombu and kelp are among the highest.  I sprinkle kelp granules on my toast, eggs, soups and in smoothies (if I make it with fresh homemade nut milk) and I always cook kombu with beans.  Nutritional yeast has the highest concentration of a variety of B vitamins.  Salba seeds (or chia seeds) are a super food that contains more calcium than milk, more omega 3s than fish, more antioxidants than blueberries and more fiber than flax seeds.  One of my favorite snacks is something that I call vitamin toast; this is toast with homemade raw butter, Salba seeds, kelp granules and nutritional yeast.

I find it very disappointing that the presentation left out all of this information.  It didn't even mention that it is possible to obtain vitamins without "one per day" pills.  It's good to know that there is a way to get vitamins without having to rely on vitamin companies.

Let Food Be Thy Vitamins (Part I)

This is interesting information.  The only part that I found upsetting is that they didn't mention that there is a difference between crystallized vitamins and whole food vitamins.  One vitamin supplement is great for the body and the other is not.  More on this will be posted in a followup post later today.

October's Book: Seeds Of Deception

This is a one hour presentation that talks about October's book of the month.  I hope you find the presentation interesting, informative and instructive.

I apologize for the delay in making it available.  I very recently fixed a technical issue that prohibited me from doing so.

Non-GMO Day Post Series Continues: Vandana Shiva Future of Food Part III

GMOs impact us all.  Unfortunately it is difficult to avoid, but it is not impossible.  Just today I spoke with my dairy farmer about GMO alfalfa.  Thank goodness he is fully aware of it's approval, production and distribution and he happily distances himself from it.  This means that my happy cows are still producing healthy, happy cow moo-juice!

Here Vandana Shiva expresses why there is hope for all who are fighting for real food in the battle against GMOs.  She is the one activist who makes me feel positive about the issues with GMOs.  She is a beam of light in the dark that was created by Monsanto:

Non-GMO Day Post Series Continues: Vandana Shiva Future of Food Part II

I feel the one thing that makes Vandana Shiva unique is her message of hope and her hopeful attitude.  She leads me to believe that she knows something that I don't.  She leads me to believe that there is hope for those of us who desire a clean world and clean food.

There has been so much bad news that came of GMOs; there was CCD, dying and sterile herds, small farmers who were treated like thieves and the fact that I can't eat at a restaurant without eating GMO products.  There is, however, hope.  There are nearly 300,000 small farmers going to bat for the world, there are activists like Shiva and Jeffery Smith and there are individuals like you and me who have passion for the things in the world that are good, wholesome and healthy.  So our world DOES have hope.  As I said before, Monsanto may win some big battles, but they will NOT win this war!

Non-GMO Day Post Series Continues: Vandana Shiva Future of Food Part I

Vandana Shiva is another activist who is fighting for us to regain our rights to clean food.  Formerly a physicist, Shiva has seen how GMOs have impacted the people of India.  She has a burning passion to fight against the corporate monster Monsanto who is working to own all seeds through genetic engineering. 

Vandana Shiva

Vandana Shiva won the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize.  She believes in the power of seeds.  Seeds are the producers of life, food and finance.  It is amazing how so many of us take that for granted.  It makes me sad.  When will we see the devastating potential that Monsanto has over us? 




Indian Activist Wins 2010 Sydney Peace Prize by NTDTV

Farmers Who Fight For All

About 270,000 farmers have been going up against Monsanto.  I'm just learning about this now, however, it has been in progress for a while.

I did some digging and saw that it isn't just happening in the United States.  Indian and Canadian farmers are also in the process of suing Monsanto.  Australia was the #1 producer of non-GMO canola oil.  Within the last couple of months, Japan imported canola that was GMO positive.  In other words, there are fields that have been contaminated.  Therefore, some have written canola off as a GMO product all together.  Australia tried to create a situation where some genetically modified material in food can still qualify as non GMO (understandably), but those of us who fight for clean food KNOW why that can never happen.  If I eat corn, I want to know that it is clean.

The odds against these farmers are overwhelming, but I hope they don't give up.  I support them in every possible way that I can.  One ray of hope is what the USA is today.  Every single man who signed the Declaration of Independence believed that they signed their own death warrant.  England's was extremely powerful at the time.  What we had that they did not have was something worth fighting for.

I'm sorry Monsanto, but money is NOTHING compared to my health and the health of all my family and my babies and my friends and my neighbors.  You may win a few battles, you may even win most battles, but you will NOT win this war!

Smith and Mercola

Dr. Mercola and Jeffery Smith talk about GMO month and teach things that are important to know.  Jeffery Smith is the author of October's book of the month (which will be announced when technical issues are resolved).

Marketing of Beauty

It makes me sad how in America we are so focused on our looks.  For example, women especially are known for buying the dresses that make them look thin.  Many of us are conscious of our calorie or fat intake.  Call me cynical, but I believe it was by design.  It certainly isn't the only way health is marketed.   

The way we are made to see ourselves is all about marketing.  Think about it, where did you learn that a sexy slender body is what health looks like?  Of course it was from television, magazines or the internet.  Right now 60% Americans are overweight or obese but we are told that we should have bodies like twigs.  Fitness equipment like running shoes and fitness centers make an obscene amount of money every year because of ads that promise to give you a body like a supermodel.  Think of all of the foods that are in popular demand; french fries and sugary foods that we are addicted to.  It almost seems like they are made to keep us addicted and overweight.  We will keep spending our money on the foods that make us unhealthy as well as the stuff that promise to give us sexy, slender bodies even though they are designed to give us enough results to keep us buying but not enough to really help anything.  For example, how many times have you heard of people who have tried every weigh loss program or spend hours in a gym but can't lose weight?  I know quite a few.

When humans first walked this earth, how do you think we analyzed our fat and calorie intake?  That's because we never did!  Do you see obesity in nature besides household pets who are fed by the same humans who are from a culture and society of obesity?  I would think that it's obvious that there is something wrong with our perception of food and health.  I hope for the day when people start to realize this.  Only then can I hope for change.

New Pathogen

I guess some people just don't want to face the slippery slope that they placed us on.  It is so upsetting that some don't want to open their eyes and see how dangerous GM crops truly are. 

Diets III

Many people who are on raw food diets tend to believe in it passionately.  Most raw food eaters believe that meat is simply not food.  It's okay to practice this and to believe in it.  I don't argue with such individuals even though I am a meat eater and always will be because  Vegan programs can be very healthy, but they can be very unhealthy if not done properly.  For example, I warn against eating sugar when on a vegan diet.  I've known too many vegans (non-raw food vegans) who would overeat sugary foods and in the end was even MORE unhealthy than many meat eaters with unhealthy eating practices.

Diets II

The diet or "way of life" that I've chosen gives me plenty of energy and decreases my chances of illness (such as fatigue and fogginess).  I'm hoping that cold and flu type illnesses decrease as well.  Even though it is colder, I still have to get through the cold season before I know my lifestyle will decrease my chances of such disease or not.

I take a little from almost all of the diets that I've mentioned.  I ferment vegetables often (I'm even making a kombucha baby so that I can make a large tea), I eat almost no processed foods (except bread), I have days where I eat vegetarian and others where I eat strictly raw vegan foods (but overall, I'm a meat eater).  I usually eat raw vegan foods 24 hours before and after a fast.  As I mentioned, I'm trying to increase my dark leafy green intake.  Other than that, I'm happy with my eating style.

I love the food that I've been making a habit of eating.  It makes me feel energetic and healthy overall.  I'm actually looking forward to how my new found health takes on this winter.  I have little doubt that I can get through it with little or no illness at all.

Diets

As Americans, we are often lectured about how a “diet” or a “way of life” will give us slim, fit, sexy bodies.  The term “diet” has a bit of a negative connotation, therefore a new “way of life” is what I hear many diet experts advise.  It's possible that some just need to change their eating style completely and it is possible that others just need a temporary change.  Once the temporary change does what it should, however, it is necessary to find new skills so that you don't go back to an eating style that can lead to a decrease in fitness or worse an increase in illness.  In other words when the "diet" is over, a new "way of life" needs to be implemented immediately.  This is where I've seen many fall.  Once they have lost weight, they feel they can go back to eating greasy GMO corn chips fried in trans fats and drinking beverages infested with heaping amounts of white sugar or high fructose corn syrup.  This will NOT keep anyone healthy.  

There are so many “diets” and “ways of life” to choose from that it can be confusing.  There are several vegetarian diets.  There is Donna Gate’s Body Ecology diet, David Wolfe’s raw food diet, Maximized Living’s healing diet, Dr. Atkin’s high protein diet (which I personally am not a fan of), the Mediterranean diet and there is even a diet that varies according to your blood type.  Some of these diets I'm not too crazy about.  That doesn't mean that it isn't a good diet for others.  The individual must decide what is best for him or her.  Which one raises energy for you?  Which one decreases illness?  

Kombucha baby

I've never attempted to make a kombucha baby from store purchased raw kombucha.  I ran out of kombucha babies because my last batch of kombucha had mold growing on top.  I was sternly warned that when this happens to ditch the whole batch of kombucha.  It pained me to do it, but it is done. 

I purchased some Synergy kombucha (unflavored) today.  I chose the one that looked like it had a bit of a scoby in it.  I will post my progress in a few weeks and tell you if I have a baby or not.  Because it is getting colder, it will take longer for a baby to form.  Wish me luck!

Healthy Life With Healthy Finances

Finance can get frustrating for so many of us.  Healthy products can be obnoxiously expensive.  My poor husband used to have a decent food bill before he met me.  Once we started living together, his food bill shot up.  He claimed that his energy rose as well (of course his weight dropped too).

Finance is an area where I am constantly looking to improve.  The best thing that we could do to save money and be healthy is to plan meals.  When you plan meals, you have a little more control over your budget.  I like to cook large amounts of food that I can make several dishes from.  My last roommate and I would buy whole fryer chickens to eat.  We each got three meals out of one chicken which was a lot of food for our buck.  Fermented vegetables could last 6 months to a year AND it is a day of work that will last several weeks.  There are places to buy clean (organic but non-certified) meat (no hormones, herbicides or pesticides) for a great price too.  When you are really in a pinch, beans and rice with some vegetables is a healthy and complete meal.  I can no longer have rice so that doesn't work for me anymore.  When I used to eat rice, however, I used to make garbanzo, black beans, red lentils and lima beans in large amounts and then I'd put the left overs in a jar for nights when I didn't feel like cooking.  Those of you on raw food/vegan diets, I would be surprised if you didn't have a MUCH easier time with money than those of us who eat meat and eggs.  Meat, cheese and eggs are usually the most expensive things on our menu.

Again, this is an area where I'm still growing; so questions, comments and futhermores are most welcome for this post!

Glorious Greens

I'm trying to make a habit of eating more greens.  I tend to go back and forth.  I do well when I have fermented veggies in the fridge because I always, always ferment greens of some kind.  But I'm fresh out and I need to make more.

There are several greens on my list that I've purchased and sampled over the years.  Some that I still buy and some that I may need to pick up again and attempt new recipes.  Kale and chard are my favorites.  I buy one or the other almost every week.  If I'm going to ferment vegetables then kale and chard are the first items on my shopping list.  I recently developed a love for broccoli too.  There was a time when I couldn't eat broccoli at all, but my body seems to love it now.  I seem to do best with it when it is raw, fermented or blanched.  I suppose lettuce is technically a green food, however, it isn't like the nutrient rich dark leafy greens.  I buy lettuce once in a while; we actually had lettuce tonight in fact.  I do want to have more of the dark leafy greens, however, so I don't focus on lettuce that often.  Spinach, I've eaten, but I've always been funny about spinach.  It is a wonderfully nutrient dense food, but I've simply never been much of a spinach fan for some reason I still can't explain.  Arugula I used to juice often.  Currently I juice once in a while, but I want to make it more of a habit in the near future.  I was rarely able to eat arugula because of it's bitter flavor.  I used to juice it with carrots, apples and sometimes even ginger; so I didn't really taste the bitter flavor.  Dandelions were another green food that I used to juice often, however, I don't see them in stores as much as I used to.  Dandelions are powerful blood cleansers.  I notice most cleanses that I've seen use dandelion root as part of the regimen.  Parsley and cilantro are the last on my list.  I used to juice parsley often as well.  Cilantro was something that I would eat with a tomato salad or I would sometimes juice that too.

So I guess I have many greens to choose from.  The challenge is washing them and making a habit of eating them more often.  This is why I love fermenting foods.  I'll spend a day washing and chopping but then for weeks I have ready to eat vegetables!  The next time I ferment foods, I will be trying a bunch of new green recipes.  I'll be sure to post my success.

Compost, Recycle, Landfill

I took seriously everything that I've learned in the Story of Stuff video that I presented a while back.  It has inspired me to implement a new garbage system.  I've always recycled, but recently I started composting as well.  The goal is to put as few things into the trash as possible.

I have four bins:  the recycle bin, the green compost bin, the brown compost bin and the landfill bin.  My only issue right now is that I'm starting to collect an overwhelming amount of green compost.  Because of this, I'm starting to see how I'm really going to need a worm farm and VERY soon.  The worms can devour all of the excess green material and make beautiful compost.  I also use a compostable trash bag.  I know that it will not decompose in the landfill which is upsetting.  Because the landfill rubbish is not mixed, oxygen can't get to the decomposable material which is too bad.  I use them anyway because at least I know I'm not putting those toxic petroleum based materials into the ground.  Plus if my trash is burned, it will not release such dangerous toxins into the air.  I can't fix everything by recycling and composting, but I can at least be a part of the solution and for now that's enough.

My World Without Fluoride

I've stopped using fluoride toothpaste over a year ago.  I remember how afraid I was to do it.  All my life I've had very healthy teeth and I actually believed that fluoride had something to do with it.  Because of this belief, I was afraid to switch to a non-fluoride toothpaste.  I'm almost surprised how completely wrong I was. 

When I first stopped using fluoride toothpastes, I remember getting gingivitis for the first time.  It was pretty bad, but not irreversible.  I continued to use my non-fluoride tooth powder, my tea tree oil mouthwash and flossing and by my next dental check-up it was gone.  It has been a year and I never saw another attack of gingivitis or any such problem since.  I almost feel that it was a coincidence that I had gingivitis then.  For I've had two check-ups since and my teeth and gums have been very healthy.


I love my hygienist. Besides the fact that she will not use fluoride in my mouth upon my request, she and I always share tips on how to stay healthy using natural sources.  She assured me that fluoride isn't really necessary for oral hygiene.  She felt that whatever I've been doing is working well and said to keep doing it.  Not one item in my cabinet contains fluoride and at this rate nothing ever will again! 

October is Non-GMO Month

October is Non-GMO month.  This month we will focus on how to win our health freedom.  This month many around the nation will make attempts to educate others and push to get GMO foods labeled.

There are some who feel that GMOs are safe.  In my opinion they should have the right to purchase it, however, there are MANY who don't feel safe eating GMO foods and they too should have the right to purchase what they want.  I don't like how this food is imposed on us, so this month health conscious individuals and businesses like health food stores all over the country are going to focus on ways to win our health freedom back.

You could participate in a way that is bold and dynamic but you could also participate in a way that is quiet yet powerful.  Either way, if you are one of the millions against Monsanto, you could make a difference.  Please check out my post that presents the tutorial on GMO Food Dump demonstrations if you want to participate in a most dramatic way.  To participate in a way that is far less conspicuous, click here for a petition to print out and give to your health food store.  If you want to do your part even more quietly, you could complete this form if you haven't already.

For those of you who have fought in any way for health freedom, I want to say thank you!  Thanks to you, I can serve nutritious food to my family.  Thanks to you, I have hope for a better future!  Thanks to you, I dare to believe that small farmers will be able to sell products (like raw milk) again someday.  I haven't the slightest doubt that this craziness will die down and we can all be free to choose our health again.

Kombucha

As part of my quest to rebuild my gut flora, I've been making a habit of drinking kombucha tea.  Unfortunately, the tea that I buy at the health food store is pretty pricey and they don't always use organic ingredients.  I eventually decided that I had to just learn how to make the tea myself.  I drank my favorite teas from the health food store too, but once I learned how to flavor my own tea I barely purchased the store one anymore.  Besides, my husband commented that mine is pretty tasty.  I take this as a huge compliment because he will NOT drink the ones bought from the store.

Below are the basics and I will talk more about how I flavor it in my next post.  Enjoy:

Soaked Almonds

A friend of mine was advised of the health benefits of soaked almonds by two professionals, one of whom is a mutual doctor of ours.  He happens to be the doctor who helped me recently.  He did some work on me that successfully ended both my constant neck pain and migraines after just one visit.

Almonds are rich in nutrients; but my doctor, Donna Gates and other health professionals that I know all recommend soaking them before eating them.  According to my doctor, it helps the body to produce hydrochloric acid which is necessary for digestion.  He recommends eating them first thing in the morning before any food or water.  Donna Gates recommends that almonds soak for 12 hours before eating.  DO NOT DRINK the water, let it go to waste.  When soaked, the almonds leach a substance.  Because it's concentrated in the water after soaking, the substance can be toxic.  Once the water is poured off, the almonds are ready to eat.  According to Gates, soaked almonds are a wonderful supplement for the body ecology diet and can even be tossed into a fermented veggie salad.

I've been eating soaked almonds in the morning lately.  My body seems to really like it!  It is the same experience people describe when eating popcorn or potato chips because I can't stop eating them until the bowl is empty.  The thought of eating soaked almonds was all that I needed to get myself out of bed on this lazy Saturday morning in fact.  As always, I enjoyed them!