A muslimah's green clinic

2011-08-21T04:04:00.001-07:00

Rice water mask

2011-07-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

Want beautiful, healthy skin? Try using rice water....

2011-06-17T01:31:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a new blog Ive just started reading called "The Pistachio Project: One mom´s journey of living green and crunchy:"

Id like to encourage everyone to take a few minutes and click on the link below

http://thepistachioproject.blogspot.com/

7 Foods That Boost Every Type of Bad Mood

2011-01-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

Learn what to eat when you’re feeling stressed, cranky, sad and more

By Sarah Jio Posted August 24, 2010 from WomansDay.com

While that tub of ice cream in the back of the freezer may be what you crave when you’re feeling blue, there is a long list of other (healthier!) foods that can cure a grouchy morning or a stressed-out afternoon. We talked to the experts to get the scoop on what to eat to make you feel better no matter what your mood.

Stressed: Eat Chocolate

The scenario: It’s Friday at 6:30 p.m. You’re hungry, tired and late for your dinner date. You were supposed to be out of work an hour ago, but your boss has asked you for a favor…again. The stress is building, so what can calm you down fast? Now’s the time to pull out the chocolate bar hiding in the back of your desk drawer. Experts say that chocolate—particularly dark chocolate—may help reduce the stress hormones that are swarming in your body. In fact, a recent study by researchers in Switzerland, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, found that eating just a smidge of dark chocolate (about 1.4 ounces) has the power to lower the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamines in the body, reducing your anxiety and giving you a better chance to get the job done—and make your date.

Sluggish: Eat a Spinach Salad

Can’t concentrate? Trouble keeping your eyes open? Skip the coffee and have a spinach salad instead, says Joanna Dolgoff, MD, author of Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right. “Folic acid, or folate, helps your body to process and lower homocysteine levels,” says Dr. Dolgoff. “High levels of homocysteine are associated with damage to blood vessels, in addition to interfering with the flow of blood and nutrients to the brain. Impaired blood flow may leave you feeling sluggish or slow to process or recall information.” The best way to get a boost? Eat folate-rich foods like spinach and other leafy green vegetables as well as potatoes, fortified breads and cereals, beans, peas and mushrooms.

Cranky: Eat an Apple with Peanut Butter

Did you snap at your kids…and the telemarketer on the phone? Crankiness can be a sign that your body needs fuel. Just be sure to refuel the right way: with foods that don’t leave you with a blood sugar crash an hour later, setting the crankiness cycle in motion all over again. To blast irritability, “eat combination foods at each meal and snack,” says Dr. Dolgoff. “Combination foods contain a carbohydrate in combination with either some protein or some fat. Carbohydrates are a great source of energy that quickly burns out. Adding some fat or protein will slow the digestion process, causing your sugar and energy levels to remain stable for a longer amount of time. A great example of a combination snack is an apple with peanut butter. The apple is your healthy complex carbohydrate and the peanut butter is a healthy fat. Combining these powerhouse foods tastes delicious and gives you energy that lasts for hours!”

Anxious: Eat a Salmon Burger

Worrying about your finances, your marriage, your kids? If anxiety and worries are consuming your day, consider heading out to lunch with a friend. The conversation will do you good, and so will the meal—if you order salmon, which is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that may help tame your anxiety. "Regular consumption of omega-3s has extensive research support for both the prevention and treatment of clinical depression. And there's growing evidence that omega-3s also help reduce anger and irritability,” says Stephen Ilardi, PhD, author of The Depression Cure. While there are plant-based sources of omega-3s, Dr. Ilardi says it’s best to stick with fish: “The specific form of omega-3 that most strongly boosts mood is found most abundantly in coldwater fish such as salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel,” he says.

Angry: Sip Green Tea

Maybe your neighbor’s dog barked all night long and kept you up or your coworker took credit for a project you worked on over the weekend. Whatever the reason for the grrrrrrs, if you need to calm down fast, consider sipping a cup of green tea, says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, a researcher, nutrition expert and author of Beat Sugar Addiction NOW! Here’s why: “Green tea contains theanine, which calms you and helps you maintain clear concentration and focus,” he says. Green tea’s modest amount of caffeine won’t send you into an angry rage, either; it’s gentler on your body than coffee.

Sad: Eat Whole-Grain Cereal with Lowfat Milk

Need a happiness boost? While the source of your sadness could be work- or relationship-related, it also may have something to do with a deficiency of vitamin D in your diet. “This nutrient has many different roles in the body, one of which is to help in the production of serotonin,” says Dr. Dolgoff, explaining that serotonin is a neurotransmitter known as the “feel-good hormone” that can help you feel calm, relaxed and happy. If you’re low on vitamin D, you may be affecting your body’s ability to stabilize your mood and reduce feelings of depression. To boost your intake of vitamin D, turn to lowfat fortified milk, fortified cereals or mushrooms. “Depending on your diet, you may also need to take a calcium and vitamin D supplement,” adds Dr. Dolgoff.

PMS: Eat an Egg-Salad Sandwich

If your go-to PMS meal usually comes in the form of comfort food (mac ’n’ cheese, potato chips, ice cream) consider making an egg-salad sandwich instead. In the days before your period, it’s normal for women to begin craving carbohydrates, says Stella Metsovas, BS, CN, a nutritionist in private practice in Laguna Beach, California. And for good reason: Carbs help your body boost its serotonin levels, in turn helping you improve your mood. But avoid high-sugar, high-fat carbohydrates, like doughnuts or chips, which can leave you feeling sluggish—or worse, grumpy—after your blood sugar spikes, then drops. Opt for whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, and for extra PMS-zapping strength, pair them with tryptophan-rich protein such as eggs, sunflower seeds or turkey, which may enhance the release of serotonin, adds Metsovas. An egg-salad sandwich on whole-grain bread offers the perfect carbohydrate-tryptophan combination. Try our favorite tip: Cut the mayo and mix your diced hard-cooked eggs with a teaspoon of fat-free or lowfat plain Greek yogurt and half a teaspoon of whole-grain Dijon mustard.

All photos by Shutterstock.

Sugar free better?

2011-01-18T00:56:00.000-08:00

I love juice.. I could easily drink juice all day. My favorites include apple and cranberry. I refuse to buy store bought juice and instead drink freshly squeezed juice when I can. My husband on the other hand drinks juice by the gallon. Pointing at the label he shows me where it says "without sugar". True, the label does say "without sugar" and if you were to ignore the list of ingredients on the back you would assume the juice is good for you.

Lets look at the drink I bought the other day. Its a orange, mango and carrot juice which at first glance seems healthy. If you look at the list of ingredients on back you will find the following:

Made from juice concentrate. No sugar added, only contains the sugar from the fruit itself. with SWEETENERS. Minimum fruit content 50%. Sweeteners (E-952 and E-954).

Googling the 2 sweeteners you soon find out that these "sweeteners" are 500 times sweeter than sugar.

E954
Saccharin and its Na, K and Ca salts

An artificial sweetener, around 500 times sweeter than sugar but with a slightly bitter and metallic aftertaste, particularly after heating.

Synthesised from toluene, a colourless inflammable liquid, insoluble in water, derived from petroleum.

Toluene is probably better known for its part in the preparation of trinitrotoluene - the powerful explosive more commonly known by the acronym TNT.

Toluene is a well-known carcinogen and Saccharin was banned in the USA in 1977, but reinstated subject to strict labelling stating: "Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals".

A bill passed in 2000 removed this requirement after it was decided that the Canadian research that indicated that saccharin caused bladder tumors in rats did not apply to humans under normal patterns of use. (what do they consider normal use?)

Useful for diabetics it can be found in alcohol-free beer, cider, desserts, fruit juice drinks, tinned or bottled fruits, ice cream, jams, jellies, margarine, marmalades, milk drinks, mustard, sauces, soft drinks and sweets, normally with the description 'no added sugar' or 'diet'.

E-952

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_cyclamate

Does anyone else see warning flags from the following statement:

"Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals".

So, it was banned in 1977 but later allowed so long as the labeling includes the above statement. Which then was later removed because it does not apply to humans under normal patterns of use. What do they consider normal pattern of use? Consuming it once a week? Once a month?

Next time you are at the grocery store and you see "without sugar" "low fat" or "fat free" put the item back on the shelf and continue shopping. Low fat and fat free labels have added sweeteners and are worse for you than the original product that was full of fat. The reason being our body does not recognize these artificial sweeteners and is unable to digest them properly. They then get stored into our tissues.

Curing Eye & Ear infections with breast milk

2010-10-22T00:23:00.000-07:00

2 1/2 months ago I had my daughter, safiya. I have been breastfeeding her since day one and recently learned some other benefits and uses of breast milk. For those of you who are breastfeeding or know someone who is, please share this information with them. Next time your baby or even yourself have an eye or ear infection, instead of going to the doctor and getting a prescription for antibiotics, use breast milk. A dropper works best. Just put a few drops into the infected eye or ear a few times a day for 2 to 3 days, or until gone.

Here are the instructions for treating an ear infection

http://www.ehow.com/how_5592613_use-breastmilk-treat-ear-infection.html

To find out other uses of breast milk, check out these lists!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/373334/did_you_know_breastmilk_can_cure_these.html?cat=5

http://bmsg.tripod.com/breastmilkuses.htm

Vitamin D3 is also important for babies since most babies are deficient in this vitamin. Anytime you or your children start to come down with something, increase your intake of vitamin D3 and you should feel better within a few days! Heres a great site to learn more about vitamin D3 and correct dosages for babies and adults. This site is also a great site to learn more about the dangers of vaccines.

http://drtenpenny.com/VitaminD_info.aspx

Ive also just discovered Colloidal silver, which has numerous health benefits and works as an antibiotic. Here´s a great site to learn more about it

http://colloidalsilver.com/

2010-08-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

Red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6: food dyes causing cancer

2010-07-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Walking down the aisles of your local grocery store, everything is stacked on the shelves, processed, pre-packaged and ready to go. Labels such as "natural" "no sugar added" can be deceiving. If you take a minute and turn the package over and go through the list of ingredients you will find aspartame, sucrose, or other sugar additives which are dangerous to ones health. This can be misleading. A lot of foods and beverages have food dyes in them, and although they make the product look attractive, have you ever wondered what exactly is in the food dyes? Why do we need extra synthetic chemicals added to our foods, why cant they use plant based dyes?
The following article exposes red 40, yellow 6 and yellow 5 (which are found in most foods and beverages) and how they lead to cancer. We need to stop buying these products and say NO to synthetic chemicals!

http://www.cspinet.org/new/201006291.html

No shampoo, thank you

2010-07-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I stumbled across an article about washing ones hair with nothing but water, baking soda and vinegar. Intrigued and tired of all the shampoos loaded with chemicals and not wanting to pay $10 for a bottle of organic shampoo whose list of ingredients made me wonder how organic it really was, I decided to follow my philosophy that if you cant eat it, dont put it on your body. Like any detox, it takes about 4-6 weeks to see results. Once you give up shampoo you will wonder why you didnt do it sooner! Your hair will feel thick, clean and no longer be stripped of its natural oils. For those of you concerned about your hair smelling bad or becoming too oily, all you need to do is add a few drops of your favorite scents (jasmine, mint, etc) to the mixture and your hair will smell great. You will no longer need to wash your hair daily, and will find that going 2 or 3 days without washing your hair leaves no build up.

Here is what you will need to get started

1-2 tbsp of baking soda,1/2 cup water, mix and add to a cup or bottle. After your hair is wet, scrub and massage the baking soda into your scalp. Leave on for a minute or so and then rinse. The baking soda gets rid of any build up. Next, mix apple cider vinegar (few tablespoons) with 1/2 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. For extra shine you can even use a beaten egg to your hair, leave on for a minute or so and rinse out. Coffee also makes your hair shiny, just make sure to thoroughly rinse out. When you are finished and your hair has dried, apply coconut oil, olive oil or avocado to your hair for a conditioner. (you will only need to condition your hair 1 to 2 times a week.)

Ive been shampoo-free for a month now and love the results.

Calling all ice cream lovers: one-ingredient ice cream

2010-04-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

For all of you ice cream lovers out there, I know what your thinking, Ice cream with just one ingredient? How is it possible? Im here to show you that not only is it possible but its delicious. A few days ago I stumbled upon a recipe that called for just one ingredient to make ice cream, albeit there is no cream and there is no milk, nonetheless its one take on ice cream. To add more flavor you can mix carob powder or chocolate, peanut butter, honey and cinnamon, etc. I prefer to eat mine with honey and cinnamon. Its a wonderful treat for both children and adults and helps to crave your sweet tooth. You can also substitute the banana for an avacado.

Directions for Banana Ice cream

Take 2-3 bananans and cut into small piece

Place the pieces onto a plate and place in the freeze for 2-4 hours.

Remove the banana from the freezer and place into a food processor. Process until smooth and creamy.

Enjoy!

Ever wonder whats in a McDonalds Chicken Nugget?

2010-03-20T03:16:00.000-07:00

Before you send your child to McDonalds for some chicken nuggets, read the list of ingredients listed below. You will also find a homemade recipe for chicken nuggets which your children will thank you for! Your child´s health is worth the extra time and preperation that goes into making homemade nuggets opposed to having them eat the junk that in fast food nuggets.

McDonalds Chicken nuggets

"Chicken, water, salt, modified corn starch, sodium phosphates,chicken broth powder (chicken broth, salt, and natural flavoring(chicken source)), seasoning (vegetable oil, extracts of rosemary,mono, di- and triglycerides, lecithin). Battered and breaded withwater, enriched bleached wheat flour (niacin, iron, thiaminemononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, bleached wheatflour, modified corn starch, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acidpyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate,calcium lactate), spices, wheat starch, dried whey, corn starch. Batterset in vegetable shortening. Cooked in partially hydrogenated vegetableoils, (may contain partially hydrogenated soybean oil and/or partiallyhydrogenated corn oil and/or partially hydrogenated canola oil and/orcottonseed oil and/or sunflower oil and/or corn oil). TBHQ and citricacid added to help preserve freshness. Dimethylpolysiloxane added as ananti-foaming agent."

"The most frightening of all is the tertiary butylhydroquinone, an antioxidant derived from petroleum that is either sprayed on the nugget or the inside of the box it comes in to help preserve freshness! TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a form of butane (lighter fluid). The FDA allows processors to use it sparingly on food.

Here’s an easy, healthy recipe for homemade chicken nuggets that children will love.

What Makes These Homemade Chicken Nuggets So Healthy?

Pastured or free-range, organic chicken
Marinated in organic whole milk yogurt
Sea salt instead of refined table salt
Organic sprouted whole wheat flour instead of bleached white flour
Fried in healthy beef tallow, lard or coconut oil
Served with nutritious raw honey
No petrochemicals, MSG, cancer-causing preservatives, or lighter fluid

You’ll be surprised at how easy this recipe is to make. You can alsomake a big batch of thse chicken nuggets and freeze them in freezerbags or butcher paper. To reheat, simply put them on a cookie sheet andbake in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Serve your homemade chicken nuggets with whatever you like —homemade mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (with cream and butter), orhomemade sourdough biscuits. They would also go great on a fresh greensalad.

And don’t forget the honey for dipping. Your kids will love it!

Healthy Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Honey Dipping Sauce

Equipment:
Cast iron skillet or large stainless steel saucepan
Tongs
Small finger bowls or ramekins

Ingredients:
3 pounds pastured (or free-range organic, if you can’t get pastured) chicken meat, cut into nugget-size pieces
2 cups organic whole milk yogurt or buttermilk (enough to cover the chicken)
1 yellow or white onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, smashed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1-2 pinches cayenne pepper
1 1/2 – 2 cups sprouted flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cups beef tallow, lard or expeller pressed coconut oil — expeller pressed is flavorless so you don’t taste any coconut flavor

Raw honey

1. In a bowl, Pyrex baking dish or plastic freezer bag, marinate thechicken in yogurt or buttermilk with the onion, garlic, paprika andcayenne pepper for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 2 days.

2. Place chicken in a colander and drain off the excess buttermilk or yogurt.

3. Add the sprouted flour, sea salt, ground pepper, and chickenpieces to a large plastic freezer bag, zip to seal, and shake until thechicken is completely coated. You can also dredge the chicken in theflour mixture in a large bowl if you prefer.

4. Set a cast iron skillet or large stainless steel saucepan on medium heat and add the 2 cups of expeller pressed coconut oil.

5. The oil is hot enough when it starts to bubble — but not so hotthat it’s smoking. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and fry for 3-5minutes on each side, until dark golden brown.

6. Using tongs, remove chicken nuggets from the skillet and place ona cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet, or on a plate or cookie sheetlined with a paper towel. Add sea salt to taste.

7. Serve with small bowls (I use small ramekins) of raw honey for dipping."

source:

http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/05/14/healthy-homemade-chicken-nuggets-with-honey-dipping-sauce/

Onions

2010-03-03T00:43:00.000-08:00

By Syedah Batool Habibah Husaini

In1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor thatvisited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone wasvery healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that wasdifferent the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in adish in the rooms of the home,
(probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it andasked if he could have one of the onions and place it under themicroscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the fluvirus in the onion.  It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore,keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in NZ. She said thatseveral years ago many of her employees were coming down with the fluand so were many of her customers. The next year she placed severalbowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of herstaff got sick. It must work. (And no, she is not in the onionbusiness.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowlsaround your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in youroffice or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see whathappens. We did it last year and we never got the flu. If this helpsyou and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better.  If you doget the flu, it just might be a mild case. Whatever, what have you tolose?  Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now there is a P. S.. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregonwho regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She repliedwith this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks forthe reminder. I don't know about the farmers story...but, I do knowthat I contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill...I cameacross an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put one endon a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing thejar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be blackin the morning from the germs....  sure enough it happened just likethat...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlicplaced around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. Theyhave powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

But here is the other important side to remember. LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

I  have used an onionwhich has been left in the fridge, and sometimes I don't use a wholeone at one time, so save the other half for later.

Now with this info, I have changed my mind.......will buy smaller onions in the future.

I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products,Makers of mayonnaise.  Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers andsisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.

Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. He's one of the brothersEd is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of thesauce formula..  He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.

Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour,someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People arealways worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surpriseyou. Ed said that all commercially- made Mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated.. No harm in refrigeratingit, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH inmayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in thatenvironment... He then talked about the quaint essential picnic, withthe bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blamesthe mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing theofficials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where thoseonions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not themayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in theoutdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's thePOTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especiallyuncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a slicedonion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag andput it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out fora bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for thoseonions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)

Ed saysif you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probablybe okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich,you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in apotato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercialmayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author)am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For somereason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a companythat produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.'

Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions ....

Pleaseremember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook thenext day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night andcreates Toxic bacteria which may cause Adverse Stomach infectionsbecause of excess Bile secretions and even Food poisoning.

Menu for Health

2010-01-27T06:12:00.000-08:00

A team headed by lung specialist Stephen Rennard at the NebraskaMedical Center found that in a test tube chicken soup suppressedinflammation, which causes many cold symptoms. But chicken soup isn’tthe only food that might help heal you from the inside out. Here’s adaily menu based on experts’ recommendations.

Breakfast

Orange juice or half a grapefruit. Both are great sources of vitamin C, which could shorten the duration of colds.
Whole-grain cereal or bread. Whole grains are rich in vitamins andminerals, including zinc and vitamin E, which can help keep your immunesystem healthy.
Black tea. Real tea leaves (not herbal) have substances that speedthe action of cilia, the tiny hairlike cells lining your nasalpassages, helping them expel germs.

Mid-morning snack

Yogurt. It can help you maintain a healthy immune system, as longas it contains beneficial bacteria. One cup of yogurt with live activecultures or a glass of kefir a day provides all you need.

Lunch

Chicken soup. The Nebraska researchers used a traditional recipethey called “Grandma’s Soup,” which had veggies like onions, parsnips,and carrots, along with chicken. But most of the commercial varietiesthey tested reduced inflammation, too. For even more protection, add aclove or two of garlic.
Anise-seed cookie. Anise seeds, with their licorice-like flavor, have been found to help break up congestion.

Dinner

Salad of bitter greens. Watercress and arugula can make a saladspecial—and research shows they may also have antiviral effects. Bittergreens are especially helpful in relieving chest congestion, sniffles,and coughs.
Pasta with tomato sauce and plenty of garlic. Because the pungentbulb is one of the most potent disease-fighting foods around, it’sworth having at least two servings a day. Raw garlic has the mostbenefits, but cooked garlic also packs a punch.
Ginger tea. It’s different and refreshing—and, Duke says, “gingeris loaded with virus-fighting substances, including several that actdirectly against cold viruses.” (One substance, gingerol, can suppresscoughing.) Boil water; then steep a tablespoon of fresh shredded gingerfor 2 or 3 minutes.

source: http://eating.health.com/2008/01/30/cold-fighting-foods/

sorry guys

2010-01-23T03:33:00.000-08:00

Ive been slacking when it comes to blogging so I will make sure to have some new entries soon, i promise =)

Shocking Processed Food Ingredient Secrets: Eat The Box, NOT The Cereal

2009-12-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

Breakfast is the mostimportant meal of the day. So, we shop for the best breakfast cereal atthe local health food store because we know that most top sellingcereal brands on the supermarket shelves are loaded with sugar. We knowhow to eat healthier and live longer – we use only low fat milk in ourbreakfast cereal. Afterward, we feel nourished and ready for ourchallenging work day. What’s wrong with this picture?

We feel nourished only because the breakfast cereal industry told us so!
ALL packaged dry breakfast cereals are produced by a process called extrusion
The extrusion process destroys most nutrients in the grains, even the added vitamins!
The amino acid lysine, a crucial nutrient, is especially denatured by extrusion and rendered very toxic by this process!
We’d eaten a healthier breakfast by throwing out the cereal and consuming the box it came in!

Can you believe this? It blew me away when I read about the following lab rat tests…

One group of rats received corn flakes and water
The second group was fed with the cereal boxes and water
The third group got rat chow and water

Guess what happened…

Group #3 remained healthy throughout the experiment
The box-eating group became lethargic and eventually died of malnutrition. But…
The group eating corn flakes and water died before therats on the “box diet”! Plus, the corn flake rats developedschizophrenic behavior and went into convulsions before they finallydied!

The truly shockingnews is that the healthiest breakfast cereals bought in health foodstores are processed foods and actually more toxic than the supermarketbrands, because they are higher in protein. It’s the proteins that areso terribly denatured by the extrusion process!

The studies mentioned above were never publicized. The cerealindustry is highly profitable and the manufacturers are a powerful (andruthless) lot. I encourage you to check out the following referencematerials with more dirty little food processing secrets including thedangers of packaged orange juice, low fat milk, margarine, and more…

This presentation by Sally Fallon was given at the annual conference of Consumer Health of Canada, March, 2002.

Ten Reasons Not To Eat Processed Food

2009-12-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

1. Processed food is all about time saving, millionsof pounds are spent every year on the junk that manufacturers pump outevery year. Such is the methods that are used the overall quality, ofthe finished product mostly tends to be very low nutritional wise.

This is one of the reasons why when you are eatingprocessed food, you tend to feel far more hungry than you would do ifyou are eating fresh prepared food, the reality of this time differenceis marginal.

Fresh food in comparison tastes a lot better,processed food tends to taste very bland

A lot of food stores that sell pre-packaged frozenprocessed food have now jumped on the healthy craze in order to cash inon healthy eating. But then again this all tends to lead to misleadinginformation on the packaging.

Let’s not mess about here the people that sell thisgarbage are interested in one thing only money. Nothing more andnothing less, do you really in your wildest dreams think that thepeople that make this junk are concerned about your health I think not.

One particular tactic that is used, is to focus onone healthy point ie for instance the packaging might contain contains20% less fat, but what they will fail to tell you is what sort of fatit is, is it unsaturated fat or saturated fat which is the unhealthytype.

It may be the case that the particular product is lowin fat but it also may be the case that it might have tons of sugar inorder to compensate for this.

Another thing that is used on a lot of processed foodespecially in our country is the round nutritional pie chart where youhave sections of a pie chart, in order to see the calories containedwithin the product etc.

What a lot of manufacturers have been doing justrecently is putting down the values of either half or a quarter, ofwhat it has in it say for instance, it might give you the total fatvalue. This to me seems to be another misleading way of trying to trickpeople into thinking they are buying something that is lower in fatwhen in actual fact it isn’t.

And if you think about it if we are taking notice ofwhat we are eating how come as a nation we are still getting fatter,the something is wrong somewhere don’t you think ?

Have more money in your pocket

2. Processed food tends to be a lot more expensivethan it is healthy counterpart if you think about the logistics of thishere is why, when you’re eating food that is full of artificial crapand no nutrition whatsoever you’re bound to eat more of it.

Here’s something for you to do go, out and comparefresh food compared to processed food and see how much difference thereis you might be surprised at what you find some processed food is quitecheap admittedly but that’s no reason to eat it

Boxes that contain processed food are bigger than thefood inside it this is another psychological trick that you may nothave realised. You’re not necessarily getting more for your moneyprobably less if you look carefully.

its synthetic

3. When food is processed a lot of the nutritionalvalue is lost in the process so added synthetic vitamins and mineralsare added in order to make the shortfall, the only problem with this isthat they are nowhere near as good as their regional counterparts so ina way you’re cheating yourself yet again.

As we said previously when you don’t get the correctvitamins and minerals from your food you will tend to eat more andbecause of the very nature of the food, you’re eating your more likelyto gain weight. You see manufacturers can say packed with fortifiedvitamins but as we know they are no good.

Where is it ?

4. Where is it indeed everything that should be inprocessed food isn’t, on a scale of one to 10, I would say that thenutritional value of processed food is about one, and that is beinggenerous to say the least. Have you ever noticed on the back of thepacket all the preservatives e numbers etc. what on earth do they meanwill they do you harm are they good for you what exactly are they for,the problem with this is no one knows except the manufacturer.

Is it alive !!!!

5. I would say almost definitely not all the livingenzymes and/or bacteria that can be good for you doesn’t tend to be inprocessed foods and I dare say that phytochemicals probably aren’tthere as well, which are important factor when it comes to freeradicals in your body for these like plants soak up free radicals inyour body which prevent disease.

Is it worth investing in ?

6. When you buy this food you’re encouraging morebeing spent on it so therefore keeping it alive if less people spendmore money on fresh fruit and vegetables and more money would encouragethe growth of this particular industry.

Not needed additions

7. Processed food tend to have tons of chemicaladditives which are no use whatsoever to you or the food things likeartificial colouring and preservatives, so the food will last longer nouse to you whatsoever for all you know these could cause harm withoutyou even knowing.

Mystery guests !!!

8. This type of particular food can have all sorts ofstrange odds and ends added during processing one particular example ofthis is sausages say or hot dog sausages to be more specific they cancontain something called edible offal, i.e. different parts of theanimal like ears.

Are you a crack addict

9. It’s a well-known fact that fat and sugar are asaddictive as heroin and cocaine they stimulate the same receptors inyour brain that make you feel good this is what’s known as a dopaminehigh, manufacturers all too well know that.

These substances are highly addictive that is whyprocessed food does have a lots of hidden sugar and fat, so as to makeit addictive and also enhance the taste.

Listen to old advice

10. Can you remember when you were younger and your parents told you to eat more vegetables well guess what they were right.

source: http://www.losethattyre.co.uk/ten-reasons-not-to-eat-processed-food/

Oscar Mayer Lunchable: Additives Overload

2009-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

(HealthCastle.com) We set out to check the labels on some commonconvenience kids' lunches, and were shocked to find a long list of foodadditives in a popular choice - the Oscar Meyer Lunchables product line.

To use an example, here are the food additives we identified (in bold) in the Kraft Oscar Mayer Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Sub:

Oscar Mayer Lunchables Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich

Ingredients: Water- spring water. Applesauce - apples, apple juice concentrate, water,ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Sub bun - enriched bleached wheat flour([wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate {Vitamin B1},riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, folic acid], malted barley flour), water,sugar, white wheat bran, contains 2% or less of the following: soybeanoil, yeast, wheat germ, dough conditioners (mono & diglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, enzyme modified soy lecithin, datem), salt, guar gum, modified cellulose, calcium propionate (preservative), xanthan gum, artificial flavors, enzymes. Contains: wheat, soy. Oven roasted turkey breast - cured - smoked flavor added - browned with caramel color - turkey breast, water, potassium lactate, modified corn starch, contains less than 2% of salt, dextrose,carrageenan, sodium phosphated, sodium diacetate, sodium ascorbate,sodium nitrite, natural and artificial flavor, smoke flavor, caramelcolor. 2% milk reduced fat cheddar pasteurized prepared cheese product - pasteurized part-skim milk, water, milkfat, sodium citrate, contains less than 2% of milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, lactic acid, sorbic acid as a preservative, salt, oleoresin paprika (color), annatto (color), Vitamin A palmitate, enzymes,cheese culture with starch added for slice separation. Contains: milk.Nilla wafers - unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reducediron, thiamine mononitrate [Vitamin B1], riboflavin [Vitamin B2], folicacid), sugar, soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, whey (from milk), eggs, natural and artificial flavor salt, leavening (baking soda and/or calcium phosphate), mono- and diglycerides (emulsifier). Contains: wheat, milk. Egg. Nonfat mayonnaise dressing - water, modified food starch, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, soybean oil*, contains less than 2% of salt, cellulose gel, natural flavor, artificial color, egg yolks*, xanthan gum, mustard flour, lactic acid, cellulose gum, phosphoric acid, Vitamin E acetate, lemon juice concentrate, dried garlic, dried onions, spice, yellow 6, beta carotene, blue 1, with potassium sorbate and calcium disodium EDTAas preservatives. Contains: egg. *trivial source of fat andcholesterol. Tropical punch artificial flavor soft drink mix - sugar, fructose, citric acid (provides tartness), contains less than 2% of atural and artificial flavor, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin E acetate, calcium phosphate (prevents caking), acesulfame potassium and sucralose (sweeteners), artificial color, red 40, blue 1, BHA (preserves freshness).

The Bottom Line

Manyof the scientific-sounding ingredients are used mostly to enhance theflavor, texture, or appearance of the product - or to extend its shelflife - and do not contribute nutritionally. Avoid over-engineered"food-like" items, and go for the real thing instead. If you would liketo pack a turkey sub for your kids, simply create your own with whole grain bread,leftover cooked turkey (instead of the cold cuts), a slice of realcheese (instead of the processed cheese product), and bump up theveggie quotient by including cucumber slices, tomatoes, or carrots,wrapped separately from the sub to prevent sogginess.

For the sandwichspread, there are numerous options besides mayo, such as mashed avocado (seasoned with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper), hummus, or pesto, which can do double-duty as tasty dip for the veggies you pack along.

Written by Sofia Layarda, MPH, RD
Published in August 2009

RTNC Ingredient List

2009-12-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

RTNC stands for Reaction-Triggering Neurotoxic Chemicals.

There are more than a hundred of different kinds of RTNCs. But these hazardous ingredients may be listed on food labels under a number of different, innocent-sounding names, like "Natural Flavors," "Spices," or "Seasonings."

One of the most notorious RTNCs is Monosodium Glutamate, or "MSG." However, MSG is just one of many RTNCs.

So, while you may not see "monosodium glutamate" specifically listed on an ingredient label, these other RTNC ingredients are just as hazardous. Even if it says "NO MSG" or "ORGANIC" or "ALL NATURAL" on the label, the product probably has other RTNCs in it.

Here is a list of the most common RTNCs found in foods, beverages, cosmetics, and other products. Nexttime you’re grocery shopping, take the list with you to thestore. Look at the labels of the foods you eat. You will beASTOUNDED to realize that you and your family unwittingly consumeRTNCs every single day!

REACTION-TRIGGERING NEUROTOXIC CHEMICALS
INGREDIENT "ALIAS" LIST

monosodium glutamate
glutamate
natural flavor(s)
natural flavoring(s)
smoke flavoring(s)
flavoring
carrageenan
gelatin
nutrasweet
aspartame
dough conditioner(s)
chicken flavoring
beef flavoring
pork flavoring
chicken base
pork base
beef base
spice(s)
seasoning(s)
broth
stock
bouillon
soup base
solids
milk solids
guar gum
vegetable gum
l-cysteine
sodium caseinate
calcium caseinate
caseinate
disodium guanylate
disodium inosinate
disodium caseinate

maltodextrin
malt extract
malt flavoring(s)
malted barley flour
malted barley
barley malt
malted anything
malt
malt syrup
whey
whey protein
whey protein isolate
whey protein concentrate
protein concentrate
protein extract
textured protein
hydrolyzed protein
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
hydrolyzed plant protein
hydrolyzed oat flour
hydrolyzed anything
autolyzed yeast
autolyzed yeast extract
autolyzed anything
yeast extract
soy extract
soy protein
soy protein concentrate
soy protein isolate
soy sauce
ajinomoto
umami
kombu extract
seasoned salt

All of these chemicals contain substances classified as Processed Free Glutamic Acids (PFGAs), which are proven to trigger adverse reactions in millions of people.

RTNCs are added to virtually every packaged food and beverage sold in stores. For example, Coke, Pepsi, 7UP, andHawaiian Punch contain RTNCs. Campbell’s Soup, KraftMacaroni & Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion Chips, Mott’s AppleSauce,Pringles, Oscar Meyer Deli Meats, Lean Cuisine, ChipsAhoy Cookies, Jell-O, and even Breyer's Ice Cream contain these hazardous neurotoxins.

Every sandwich at McDonald’s, every flavor atthe yogurt shop, every brand of microwave popcorn has RTNCs. Just read the labels and see.

READING INGREDIENT LABELS

The only way to determine if a product contains RTNCs is to read the ingredient label. If you spot any of the chemicals in the list above, the product contains RTNCs, and SHOULD NOT BE CONSUMED.

Remember: if the label contains even one of these ingredients, you’re consuming dangerous neurotoxic chemicals.

Source: http://www.rtnc411.org/tlist.html

Is Bottled water better?

2009-12-25T06:08:00.001-08:00

The realization that bottled water isseldom of higher quality than tap water has caused a major shift inpublic opinion. "It causes 60 million plastic bottles A DAY to bemanufactured, transported and then disposed of in U.S. landfills. It'skilling our planet, and for no good reason..."
-Eric Olsen, Natural Resources Defense Council

Consumers typically buy bottled water under the misconception that itis safer, purer or healthier than tap water. Bottled water companieshave spent billions to manipulate consumers into believing that bottledwater is safer or healthier than tap water. Now the public is talkingback and asking some very tough questions:

Is bottled water really better quality than tap?
Do plastic water bottles leach harmful chemicals?
Is the cost and inconvenience of bottled water just a waste of time and money?
Do you know that bottled water is a leading source of plastic pollution in America?
Are you aware that most studies show bottled water quality to be the same or lower than that of tap water?
Are home water filters a better option and which one is best?

Compare 20 Leading Home Water Filters

Dr.Leo Trasande of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine explains the dangersof plastic water bottles and which ones are the safest on MSNBC, April9, 2008:
Risks from plastic water bottles.

The facts are clear: All plastic bottles leachsynthetic chemicals into water, some more than others. Even the popularrefillable polycarbonate water bottles are known to release BPA(Bisphenol A) into the water. The best and healthiest solution is aquality home water filter and refillable glass water bottles.

Refillable glass water bottles.

Hundredsof recent reports reveal that bottled water quality is grosslyoverrated. "While much tap water is indeed risky, having comparedavailable data we conclude that there is no assurance that bottledwater is any safer than tap water."
-Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington DC.

With a home water filter, you get better quality than bottled water,pure and natural taste, the convenience of tap water and all for lessthan 1/10 the cost of bottled water... and no plastic bottle pollution!

Bottled Water's environmental impact:

60 Million plastic bottles a day are disposed of in America alone!
Massive amounts of greenhouse gases are produced from manufacturing the plastic bottles.
Millions of gallons of fuel are wasted daily transporting filtered tap water across America and around the world.
It requires 3 times as much water to make the bottle as it does to fill it... it is an exceptionally wasteful industry.

Virtually every independent study on bottled water shows contamination from bacteria and/or synthetic chemicals.

"It is impossible to get chemical-free water from a plastic bottle orfrom the tap. A home water purifier is the only sure solution for cleanhealthy water... "
-Charles Strand, author of the book All About Water and Editor of WaterWarning.com

"There is no logical explanation for regular bottled water use: Itcosts more, offers less and pollutes our planet unforgivingly..."
-Dr. Julian Whitaker

A simple solution to plastic water bottle pollution:

Home water filtration is the most logical, mosteconomical, most convenient and healthiest alternative to tap orbottled water. With home water filtration you can pick the degree ofpurity you want and have complete control over it. Considering theextreme importance of healthy, chemical free water, a quality homewater filter may be the most valuable home appliance you can own. Onceyou look at the facts, we believe you'll join the millions of informedconsumers who "Just Say No" to bottled water. It's better for you,better for our economy and better for our planet!

source: http://www.bottledwaterblues.com/

5 Homemade Chemical Free Bug Repellents That Work

2009-12-24T02:38:00.000-08:00

Not only can insects be a nuisance in yourgarden, but they can ruin a perfect picnic or hike. Here are a fewtotally green, home remedy suggestions to repel insects without usingtoxic chemicals.

#1 Pepper Spray

This works great for ants and other small pests.

Boil 2 or 3 cups of water.
Add about ½ to 2/3 cup of chopped hot pepper. Let marinate for a few minutes.
Run the mixture thru a sieve to remove the peppers.
Put the liquid in a squirt bottle and use when necessary.
Be careful not to spray directly on foliage.

#2 Minty Soap Spray

This is great for ants.

Mix 2 tbsp of Dr. Bonners mint soap with a gallon of water.
Spray directly on ants.

This will also work to ward off other pests on foliage however becare when you spray it directly on your plants. It has been known toburn some plants if too much is applied.

#3 Pure Vanilla Extract

Dab a little on you wrists, neck and behind the ears. Many insects don’t like the smell.

#4 Chem-Free Bug Off Mist

Mix witch hazel with a few drops of tea tree oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil in a squirt bottle.
Lightly mist your body.

You can also add one of these essential oils to an unscented organic lotion for a bug repelling moisturizer.

#5 Lavender Works Mosquito Miracles

Stop the bites!

Rub a lavender flower behind your ears, wrists and neck.
Not only will you smell great but mosquitoes will leave you alone.
source: http://www.gardenmandy.com/5-homemade-chemical-free-bug-repellents-that-work/

100 New Uses for Everyday Things

2009-12-22T03:32:00.000-08:00

Use Baking Soda to:

1. Exfoliate skin. Wash your face, then apply a soft paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water. Massage gently with a circular motion, avoiding the eye area; rinse clean.
2. Erase crayon, pencil, ink, and furniture scuffs from painted surfaces. Sprinkle soda on a damp sponge, rub clean, and rinse.
3. Unclog a drain. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly pour 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar after it. Let sit for five minutes (covered, if possible). Follow with a gallon of boiling water.
4. Remove tough stains from enameled cast iron and stainless steel.Scrub enameled cast iron with a soft nylon brush and a thick paste ofbaking soda and water. Clean stainless steel with a soft cloth and 4tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water. Wipe dry witha clean cloth.
5. Scrub pans. Sprinkle soda on crusted casseroles and roasting pans and let sit for five minutes. Lightly scrub and rinse.
6. Brush teeth. Use a paste of baking soda and water.
7. Fight class-B fires (flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease). Baking soda can be used to smother only a small flame.
8. Deodorize. Dust baking soda under your arms to absorb body odor.
9. Clean up minor oil and grease spills on a garage floor or driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.
10. Settle a stomach during occasional indigestion. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1/2 cup of water and drink for a safe and effective antacid.

10 New Uses for Lemon

“Lemon juice is the strongest food acid in our kitchens, strong enough to make life unbearable for most bacteria,” says Robert Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of What Einstein Told His Cook 2: The Sequel, Further Adventures in Kitchen Science (W. W. Norton, $26).

Use Lemon to:

1. Sanitize a chopping block. Run a slice of lemon over the surface to disinfect.
2. Eliminate the browning that occurs when food sits out too long. Sprinkle apple or pear slices with lemon juice before serving, or squeeze a bit into guacamole and give it a stir.
3. Remove tough food stains from plastic and light-colored wooden cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with water.
4. Fade tea stains on cloth. Dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water. Use an eyedropper or a Q-tip to make sure the juice targets the stain. Thoroughly flush with cool water.
5. Decorate on the cheap. Fill a glass bowl with lemons for a sunny centerpiece. Or display a row of them along a windowsill.
6. Relieve a sore throat.Cut a lemon in half. Skewer one half over a medium flame on a gas stoveor an electric burner set on high and roast until the peel turns goldenbrown. Let cool slightly, then mix the juice with 1 teaspoon of honey.Swallow the mixture.
7. Whiten fingernails. Rub a wedge on the surface of your nails.
8. Shine the interior of copper cookware. Sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.
9. Brighten laundry whites. Add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the wash cycle of a normal-size load.
10. Remove soft cheese or other sticky foods from a grater. Rub both sides of the grater with the pulp side of a cut lemon.

Use Newspaper to:

1. Deodorize food containers. Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a lunch box or thermos, seal it, and let sit overnight.
2. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them out at room temperature.
3. Pack delicate items.Wrap frames and figurines with several pieces of newspaper, then crumple the remaining sections to fill extra space in the box.
4. Wipe away tough streaks on glass. Use newspaper with cleaning fluid to clean mirrors and windows.
5. Preserve antique glass.Some older frames have finishes on the glass that can be damaged bycleaning solutions. Remove smudges by rubbing with newspaper dipped ina solution of one part white vinegar and one part warm water. Letair-dry.
6. Dry shoes. Place crumpled paper in them overnight.
7. Wrap gifts. Use the comics to wrap a child’s birthday gift, or try the wedding announcements for an engagement gift.
8. Create a home for slushy snow boots. During the winter, keep a pile of newspaper near the entryway. When your little snowmen and -women come home, they can toss their winter wear onto the newspaper instead of creating puddles on the floor.
9. Prepare a garden.In the fall, mow a patch of lawn to make room for a dedicated bed.Cover it with four layers of newspaper, then a four-inch layer ofshredded leaves or bark mulch. Hose it down. Come spring, the compostblanket will have smothered the grass roots, and the bed will be primedfor planting.
10. Keep the refrigerator vegetable drawer dry and free of smells. Line the bottom with newspaper.

Use Olive Oil to:

1. Shave. Olive oil can provide a closer shave when used in place of shaving cream.
2. Shine stainless steel. Many cleaning standbys, such as ammonia, can dull and even corrode chrome and stainless steel. Olive oil, however, is a safe and effective shining agent.
3. Remove eye makeup. Dab a little under the eyes and rinse off with a washcloth.
4. Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder. Rub a thin coat on the base of the holder before inserting a candle. Dripped wax should peel away easily.
5. Care for your pet. Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon to your cat’s food to help prevent hair balls.
6. Moisturize cuticles. Apply a small amount of olive oil to the nail beds.
7. Treat dry skin. Rub a thin layer over the skin after a shower or a waxing.
8. Unstick a zipper. Using a Q-tip, apply a drop to lubricate the teeth. (Avoid touching the fabric.) The zipper should move up and down freely.
9. Dust wooden furniture. Apply a bit of oil to a cloth and wipe.
10. Silence squeaky doors. Lubricate hinges by applying a small dab to a cloth, then wiping the top of the hinges so that the oil runs down the sides.

Use Dryer Sheets to:

1. Freshen smelly shoes. Insert a dryer sheet into the offending pair and let sit overnight.
2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Wipe the surface with a sheet.
3. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the spot where Fluffy left her fur.
4. Replace a sachet. Keep a dresser drawer smelling fresh and clean by placing a dryer sheet on the bottom of it.
5. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a fresh sheet in the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm tap water, and let sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.
6. Tackle suitcase and gym-bag odors. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag so your clean clothes won’t take on the odors of the dirty ones.
7. Prevent old books from smelling musty when in storage. Stick a dryer sheet between the pages of your beloved copy of Pride and Prejudice.
8. Wipe up sawdust after working in the garage. Rub a dryer sheet over the fine wood particles.
9. Prevent thread from tangling when sewing. Run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin your handiwork.
10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds, then wipe up and down with a dryer sheet.

Use Coffee Filters to:

1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you’re taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.
2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it.
3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The filters act as disposable bowls, so there’s no dishwashing.
4. Make yogurt dip.Use a rubber band to secure a paper coffee filter over the mouth of adeep cup or jar. Slowly pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt onto the filter.Let drain for one hour. In a bowl, mix the thickened yogurt with 1small minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and saltand pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.
5. Heat up leftovers in the microwave. Use a filter as the protective covering over a bowl or a plate.
6. Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.
7. Prevent scuffs and scratches on fine china. Use flattened coffee filters as spacers when you stack your dishes.
8. Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.
9. Serve pita sandwiches. A circular filter is the perfect size for carrying a sandwich on the go.
10. Clean windows and glass when you’re out of paper towels. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

Use Velcro to:

1. Hang pieces of art or photos on a wall. Stick several strips of Velcro to the wall and to the back of a lightweight frame.
2. Prevent a jacket or a blouse from gaping open. Sew small pieces of Velcro between the buttons to create a smooth surface.
3. Keep a rug in place. Stick pieces of Velcro to the floor and to the bottom of the rug.
4. Stop seat cushions from sliding off kitchen chairs. Place strips of Velcro on the chair and on the cushion.
5. Organize toys. Affix a Velcro strip to the wall and Velcro pieces to stuffed animals to make cleanup fun for toddlers.
6. Keep track of the remote. Use Velcro to attach the remote to the side of the TV when it’s not in use.
7. Remove pills from sweaters. Use the hook side of Velcro to pull off pesky balls.
8. Restrain wayward cords. Keep them in one place with a strip of Velcro.
9. Keep a pen or paper handy.Place a small piece of Velcro next to a desk calendar and on a pen soyou can jot down to-dos ASAP. In the car, stick a notepad to thedashboard or the door of the glove compartment and you’ll always havepaper for a brilliant thought or a last-minute errand.
10. Picnic in peace. Keep a tablecloth from flying away by applying Velcro to the underside of the cloth and to the picnic table.

Use White Vinegar to:

1. Pinch-hit for lemon in a savory recipe. Use 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar in place of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
2. Remove coffee or tea stains from the bottom of a cup. Swish 2 tablespoons of vinegar around in the cup, then wash as usual.
3. Treat oily hair. Vinegar is a good degreaser for oily hair because it helps adjust pH levels. Shampoo your hair as usual, rinse, then pour 1/4 cup over it and rinse again.
4. Wipe salt stains off boots. Dip a cloth or an old T-shirt into vinegar, then wipe away the white residue.
5. Make wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feel.
6. Deodorize a garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through the drain.
7. Clean a teakettle or a coffeemaker.Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in a teakettle, then wipe away thegrime. Fill the reservoir of a coffeemaker with a mixture of vinegarand water and run it through a brewing cycle. Follow this with severalcycles of water to rinse thoroughly.
8. Clean a dishwasher. Once amonth, with the machine empty, run a cup of vinegar through an entirecycle to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and glassware.
9. Remove stubborn price tags or stickers. Paint them with several coats of vinegar, let the liquid soak in for five minutes, then wipe away the residue.
10. Kill weeds between cracks in paving stones and sidewalks. Fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray multiple times. (Be careful not to get any on the surrounding grass, as it will kill that too.)

Use Ziploc Bags to:

1. Knead dough. Place dough in a Ziploc bag so your fingers don’t get sticky. Or slip your hand into the bag and wear it like a glove.
2. Store panty hose.Nude, Tan, Nearly Naked―they look the same out of the package. Tear offthe corner of the package listing the brand, size, and color, then slipit into a bag. Store each pair in its own bag to keep hose organizedand prevent snags.
3. Remove chewing gum or candle wax from a tablecloth, a couch, or carpeting. Gently rub gum or wax with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the substance hardens. Shatter gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up the chips. Carefully peel off frozen wax with a plastic spatula.
4. Pipe frosting. Snip off a tiny corner to use a Ziploc as a pastry bag.
5. Store homemade soup. Fill up bags, then lay them flat in the freezer. When the bags of soup freeze flat, you’ll be able to pile them up like stacked books for easy, space-saving storage.
6. Protect precious cargo. No bubble wrap? Slip a straw into the top of a nearly closed Ziploc bag and inflate. Remove the straw and seal to make a cushion. (Heirlooms, however, should wait for that bubble wrap.)
7. Break up graham crackers or vanilla wafers to make a piecrust. Fill a bag with the cookies, then roll a rolling pin over it.
8. Prevent a handbag from turning into a snow globe. Store pressed powder and other compacts in Ziploc bags.
9. Gather herbs from the garden. Before winter frost sets in, wash, pat dry, and freeze the herbs in Ziploc bags.
10. Ice an injury. Fill a bag with ice cubes to create a cold compress.

Use Salt to:

1. Make eggs or cream whip up faster and higher. Add a pinch of salt before beating.
2. De-ice sidewalks. In a pinch, it can be used as a substitute for rock salt.
3. Keep chicken or turkey moist. Rub salt in the cavity of the bird before cooking.
4. Prevent sautés made with eggplant or zucchini from getting watery. Sprinkle salt on these vegetables before cooking.
5. Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Run the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled with salt.
6. Clean drains. Pour a hot, strong solution (1/2 cup salt for every quart of water) down the drain.
7. Remove dirt from leafy vegetables, such as spinach. Wash the vegetables in a bath of salt water.
8. Prevent frost from accumulating inside car windows. Rub the glass with a solution of 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe dry.
9. Remove sangria and red-wine stains from your washables. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, cover the stain with salt, and carefully pour boiling water over it.
10. Keep shells from cracking when boiling eggs. Add a few pinches of salt to the water.

Rules of eating Fruits!

2009-12-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone Loves Fruit! I could easily eat a pound of strawberries, raspberries and apples everyday! A lot of people eat fresh fruit right after lunch or dinner or with meals. However, not many people realize thateating fruits at the end of lunches or dinners can be quite harmful.Specialists suggest being careful on this point and following some easyrules, which can help us to rip maximum benefits from eating fruit.

1. Do not eat fruits after meals. It usually takesabout 20 minutes for fruits to digest and move to the small intestinewhere further absorption of the nutrients occurs. However, when we eatfruits after other meals, especially the ones with a high content ofproteins or starch which usually take much longer to digest, the fruitsget blocked in our stomach and start fermenting or even getting rotten.In such case, no positive nutritional effects will be received.Instead, the meals will not be digested completely, the fruits will getbroken right in our stomach and our digestive system will be affectedand upset.

2. Do not eat fruits together with other meals. Thesame effect will take place in the stomach, when the fruits are mixedwith other meals. Toxic effects of rotten fruits in your stomach cancause great discomfort and even serious diseases. For example, eatingkiwis, cherries or berries together with meat, potatoes or other foodscontaining lots of proteins, starch and fats, can cause variousproblems with digestion, colitis, diarrhea, and even pains in liver.

3. Make a habit of eating fruits on an empty stomach.This habit will bring more good to your health. Your stomach anddigestive system will not have to use additional mechanisms to balancethe process of digestion. It is also very good to eat fruits afterdoing physical exercises or any sort of outdoor activities.

The best time for eating fruits:

in the morning, 20-30 minutes before having breakfast;
in the afternoon, 3-4 hours after lunch
before the bedtime, 3-4 hours after having dinner.

Dangers of Oil of Olay aka Olay

2009-12-21T04:39:00.000-08:00

If you use Oil Of Olay products, you’d better get accustomed to a new name because the new name is simply “Olay”. This is because many consumers are realizing that the ‘oil’ in Oil of Olay is mineral oil on skin just isn’t a fine idea. In fact, it’s a terrible idea and mineral oil safety is highly questionable meaning that Oil of Olay & skin aren’t good companions.

When you know what mineral oil is it’s not hard to see why it’s not best buds with your body and mine ‘cuz it’s made from petroleum. Yep, that same goopy, valuable black stuff that bubbles out of the ground. Your cat might love it – but your organs don’t. In fact, mineral oil is nothing but a liquid hydrocarbon that has been refined to look a little less … disturbing. If someone suggested that you should reach into an oil puddle and slap some on your face you’d stare at them in horror and disbelief. But mineral oil really isn’t all that different.

Mineral oil has no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It will clog your pores and, in the body, it increases your load of toxins.

So why do skin care companies use this garbage? Because it’s cheap.

A Closer Look At An Oil Of Olay Moisturizer: Olay Definity Cream

Olay’s Definity is marketed as an anti aging moisturizer. Obviously, anyone interested in anti aging wants their skin to be nourished and improved – otherwise, how will we look younger? So let’s see what’s actually in this produce [according to the Olay website]:

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 3% OCTISALATE, 3% OCTOCRYLENE, 2% AVOBENZONE.

ALSO CONTAINS: WATER, GLYCERIN, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, NIACINAMIDE, ACETYL GLUCOSAMINE, ISOPROPYL LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, PANTHENOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER, BEHENYL ALCOHOL, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, LAURETH-7, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, METHYLPARABEN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, PEG-4 LAURATE, PEG-4 DILAURATE, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, PEG-4, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLATE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, IRON OXIDES.

Are these ingredients really good for your face? Let’s see:

Glycerine: may – or may not – be Ok, depending on whether it’s plant or animal glycerine.

Animal glycerine has been implicated as a cancer-agent and it definitely has some negative effects on our organs. It’s called a “polyhydric alcohol” which is a technical term for a substance that is extremely drying to the skin, which is ironic in a skin care product.

Titanium Dioxide: is supposedly relatively safe on skin but it isn’t safe to inhale. I have to wonder how anything with a hazardous smell can possibly be a wise idea. When it’s used in in nanotechnology {Arbonne does this} then it’s definitely a hazard.

Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate: this is not allowed in personal products in Japan but it considered a ‘moderate hazard’ in the US.

Question: why do we want ANY hazard in our skin care products?

Benzyl Alcohol: there is strong evidence of this chemical being toxic to the human neurosystem, or nerves. Many people evidence allergies to Benzyl alcohol and there have been definite mutations in human cells from this product.

Laureth-7: is a ‘moderate hazard; because it is often contaminated with truly horrifying chemicals like Etheylene Oxide and 1,4-Dioxane.

Cetyl Alcohol: all alcohol is drying to the skin; it is frequently obtained from killing whales or dolphins and unless we know the source, we cannot assume it is plant-based; there are some concerns about irritation of the skin, eyes or lungs.

PEG-100 Stearate, PEG 4 Laurate, PEG-4 Dilaurate: used to thicken skin care products – yet they’re so strong that they’re often used in spray-on oven cleaners! PEGs can destroy the natural functioning of your skin which help keep it soft and moist. PEG products are likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen and research has clearly revealed that dioxane easily penetrates the skin.

Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and Ethylparaben: parabens are used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Highly toxic. {From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)}: “WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. SKIN CONTACT: CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE REDNESS, ITCHING, AND PAIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTIONS. EYE CONTACT: CAUSES IRRITATION, REDNESS, AND PAIN.”

It’s estimated that 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products contain parabens and the number is growing astronomically because they’re cheap to manufacture. Methyl paraben may degrade releasing methanol, a potentially toxic chemical {see Formaldehyde}. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities – mimicking estrogen – and interfere with the body’s endocrine system. According to the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they have been implicated in cancers because they increase estrogenic activity in the body. They have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. They are effective preservatives because they inhibit enzyme activity – but the human body desperately needs enzymes.

Research has shown that they may affect the future fertility of male babies. According to Professor John Sumpter of Brunel University, England, an expert on estrogenic chemicals in the environment, the use of these preservatives might just “play a role in falling sperm counts and rising breast cancer rates.”

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate: is prohibited for use in cosmetics in the European Union; it is linked to cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity, irritation of the skin, eyes or lungs; organ system toxicity; endocrine disruption; neurotoxicity ranging from subtle developmental delays to chronic nerve degeneration diseases and there is limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity.

Ammonium Polyacrylate: this is considered of low risk – IF there is a low amount of absorption. What does “low” mean?

Keep in mind that these chemicals don’t just sit on the surface of your skin. They interact with your skin cells and a certain percentage is absorbed into the body.

Further, the skin is the largest excretory organ of the body and if it is coated with chemicals, it cannot do its job.

YOU can be in charge of what goes on your skin and in your body. In fact, you’d better take charge because no one else is concerned about your safety – not the government or the skin care companies. Olay is certainly not unique.

source:
http://www.blissplan.com/natural-remedies/natural-skin-care-body/oil-of-olay-products/

10 Healing Herbs Used in Teas

2009-12-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

As a tea lover I am always looking for new herbal teas to try. It can be overwhelming when you make your way to the tea aisle and find yourself looking at shelf after shelf of herbal teas. How do you make your selection? Below you will find a list of popular herbs which are effective in treating common health ailments:

Chamomile

Chamomile is a flower long loved for its soothing, calming and sleep-inducing qualities. The petals of the plant are the active ingredient—and are most often combined with other soothing herbs like valerian and hops to create the blends meant to lull you into relaxation, such as Peach-Chamomile or Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepy time.

Lemongrass

The citrusy tang that comes from the lemongrass plant is favored in cooking as well as tea. Lemongrass teas are often served as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion—primarily due to a substance called citral, also the active ingredient in lemon peels. Though typically enjoyed unaccompanied by other herbs, it can also be blended to create lemon-flavored teas like Lemon Zinger.

Jasmine

Jasminum sambac—a species of the genus Jasmine (a shrub or vine in the olive family)—is the flower featured in tea blends. Unlike other herbs, jasmine is most loved for its robust fragrance rather than its health value. Typically, the oils from the petals of the flower are combined with a green tea or roobios tea to create the steaming concoction we enjoy.

Peppermint

Often peppermint tea is either a mixture of black or green tea with peppermint leaves, or a simple peppermint tisane (sometimes referred to as mint tea). It’s believed that the menthol-containing leaves help soothe irritable bowel syndrome, nausea and other stomach-related ailments by calming the abdominal muscles and improving the flow of bile, which aids in digestion. Peppermint is also said to cure minor cases of bad breath.

Echinacea

There is much debate over whether echinacea really prevents or cures the common cold. But it's widely acknowledged as a powerful herb that contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and have antioxidant effects. The tea is prepared by infusing with hot water the leaves and flowers of the uppermost part of the plant—the section believed to contain polysaccharides (a substance known to trigger the activity of the immune system).

Rosehips

Rosehips are the seed-filled red-orange pods that form at the base of the rose bloom. When boiled with water, they produce tea with a tangy, tart flavor and pinkish color. Notable for its high concentration of vitamin C, the herb is valued for its immune-strengthening properties (some consider it superior to most vitamin C supplements). Any tea with a berry or fruit flavor typically contains rosehips.

Blackberry leaves

Picked, dried in the sun and infused with boiling water, blackberry leaves are the essence of most berry-flavored teas. Studies suggest that the leaves contain a healthy dose of flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant activity. Hibiscus Hibiscus—better known to us as the “zinger” in teas such as Celestial Seasonings’ Red Zinger, Berry Zinger and Lemon Zinger—is an herb favored for its tangy flavor and known health value as a natural diuretic.

Orange peel

The zest of an orange peel is often the basis of orange, clementine, honey and tangerine teas. It may be unpleasant to eat in its natural state, but when dried and infused with boiling water, the peel produces a strong, aromatic flavor and is known for its immune system–boosting properties

Hawthorn

The leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant are used in a variety of peach- and berry-flavored teas. The plant is believed to contain flavonoid-like complexes that help improve cardiovascular health by helping to relax and dilate blood vessels, which increases blood circulation and lessens stress on the heart. Hawthorn berries are also believed to relieve water retention by draining the body of excess salt.

The truth about Vitamin Water

2009-12-14T03:21:00.000-08:00

Vitamin Water gives the illusion of a healthy, hydrating, and rejuvenating miracle elixir. The bottles are beautiful, colorful, and the text on them is snappy and clever. They have empowering flavor names like "endurance," "energy," "essential," and "focus." There is no question that there is some genius marketing at hand. The cold, hard truth is... Vitamin Water is fortified sugar water. Check the label yourself. Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 8 fl oz; Servings per Container 2.5 Calories 50 Total Fat 0g Sodium 0mg Total Carbohydrate 13g Total Sugar 13g Protein 0g Vitamin C 60%; vitamin B3 10%; vitamin B6 10%; vitamin B12 10%; vitamin B5 10%, Zinc 10%

Ingredients:
vapor distilled/deionized water, crystalline fructose, citric acid, vegetable juice (color), natural flavor, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural flavor, vitamin E acetate, magnesium lactate (elecrolyte), calcium lactate (electrolyte), zinc picolinate, monopotassium phosphate (electrolyte), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), cyanocobalamine (B12)

First, notice that this product contains NO juice. None. Now that we have that out of the way, let's factor in that one bottle of Vitamin Water is 2.5 servings, therefore, nutrional information should be adjusted accordingly (unless you're really only going to drink less than half of the bottle at at time). That makes one bottle of Vitamin Water contain 125 calories and 33 grams of sugar. (Remind me again why they try to call this a form of "water"?) That's more calories and sugar than a 12 ounce serving of Coke (12 oz of coke equates 110 calories and 30 grams of sugar). Now, Coke contains high fructose corn syrup and is not fortified, but nutritionally, you're still getting sugar and calories from both drinks.

And don't be enticed by "crystalline fructose," the second ingredient on the Vitamin Water ingredient list. It's their own fancy name for their form of sugar, and it's the most prominent ingredient after water!

The whole "vitamin" aspect of Vitamin Water is irrelevant. So, they fortify their sugar water with chemically synthesized vitamins. You can now purchase "Diet Coke Plus," which is fortified Diet Coke. Because vitamins are added to a beverage, does that make it healthy? Vitamins can't undo the sugars and additives in a beverage, and you are much better off gaining these nutrients from your diet (or a multi vitamin if necessary). Of course adding vitamins to a drink doesn't do any actual harm, but it confuses consumers into thinking that the beverage is a healthy choice. Remember, these companies don't really care about your health and well-being... they're trying to win you over! Our society now has become somewhat obsessed with healthier choices, and the smart companies know how to appeal to that crowd. They boast that their drink is full of essential vitamins and will somehow make you perform your daily tasks more efficiently. Trust me on this: downing a bottle of sugar water is going to do nothing but give you a sugar crash later.

Now, Vitamin Water is not pure poison. It is certainly not a health food or something that I would personally drink, but if the choice is between Vitamin Water or soda, I suppose Vitamin Water is a wiser choice. But you know what the smartest choice is? Water. Real water. It is crucial to keep your body properly hydrated at all times, and pure water is the only way to do this. Drinks that are full with sugar only continue to dehydrate the body, regardless of their water content.

Want something sweet to drink? Try squeezing lemon or lime in pure or sparkling water. Add a few drops of stevia (see my post on this amazing natural, non-caloric sweetener) and you've got a drink that hydrates, tastes great, and isn't full of sugar or added nonsense.

source: http://healthy-eating.fitsugar.com/541747

additional information on vitamin water: http://www.scienceline.org/2007/12/03/ask-intagliata-vitaminwater/

The Bailey Banks case: US vaccine court admits vaccines cause autism; $1 million award

2009-12-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

Source:

http://www.thedoctorwithin.com/newsletters/vaccine-court-admits-vaccines-cause-autism/

Now here’s a story most of us probably missed:

In a Feb 2009 award, a US vaccine court judge ruled that a child was permanently injured by MMR vaccine and was awarded lifetime damages totaling over $1 million.

The story was carried by very few news media, largely because of the implications in the vaccine injury legal arena. But in two brilliant articles authored by Robt F Kennedy Jr and David Kirby, the details of the Bailey Banks case are clearly described. [1,2] The reader is directed to those articles for the whole story. (Vaccine Court: Autism Debate Continues – 24 Feb 09)

What was significant about the Banks case was the new approach the injured child’s lawyers used to win the case.

The successful tactic used by the plaintiff’s lawyers in this case was simply not to label the injured child as autistic.

That term tends to result in a case being lumped in with other similar cases in big class actions, like the ponderous monster Omnibus Autism Proceedings, and then to be summarily dismissed as a group. This happened again just 2 weeks earlier in a well-publicized case carried in the New York Times and all major media. [3] This high profile case was precedent-setting and would have made the defendants (vaccine makers) liable not only for millions in settlement, but would have opened the floodgates for some 5000 vaccine-injured to obtain similar recoveries. So of course it ended with the judges reciting their usual mantra of ‘no possible connection’ between vaccines and autism, etc. which we have heard every few months in some case or other, ever since the organized barbecuing of Andrew Wakefield began some 10 years ago. [4]

But in this recent Banks case, which was awarded in Feb 2009, the lawyers went ahead and used expert witness testimony to describe the minutiae of the specific neurological damamge suffered by the child, without ever using the word autism. It was proven in court beyond a doubt that Banks, the injured child, had sustained a permanent condition known as PPED or post encephalopathy disorder as a direct result of the MMR vaccine.

The judge said:

“the MMR vaccine at issue actually caused the conditions from which Bailey suffered and continues to suffer.” [1]

They went on to prove that Banks also fit all the criteria for another permanent brain injury known to doctors as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
– ADEM. So even though both these conditions have been recognized by CDC for years as part of the whole autism spectrum, by not focusing on that term, the lawyers were able to thoroughly characterize the nature of the damage to the brain cells and win the case: over a million in damages.

The point that must not be missed is the focus on terminology, semantics and word games that lawyers can use to change the nature of physical reality and pretend like the actual physical events are being addressed and ruled upon. That is to say, the term autism is just a word that was chosen by media and by pediatricians in the mid 1990s to attempt to describe the sudden epidemic in brain damaged children, which outbreak happened to follow the introduction of several new mercury vaccines all at once. What followed was the emergence of several groups of parents of these children who were outraged at the patronizing denials of government regulatory agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH about any possible connection with vaccines. And worse, these agencies’ refusal to allocate research funds that would actually rule out a vaccine connection.

These grassroots parents groups were unrelenting in their demand for investigation into the cause of over 1 million children suddenly having their brain development permanently reversed. Early on, some of the groups didn’t take on the media-assigned term autism, and instead simply described the new demographic as
vaccine damaged.

The Banks case is just the most recently publicized example of that particular label – vaccine damaged – being successfully used in a court situation in order to navigate the minefield of denial, word games, and deliberate confusion that has been employed by rich industry lawyers over the past decade to defend the vaccine makers. Why this case is significant is that the defense usually prevails in these cases – and most of the permanently brain damaged children have lost all chance of recovering restitution either from government agencies who coerce parents into vaccinating, or from the industry who makes the vaccines.

Again, word games. The physical reality is simple, and incontrovertible: specific ingredients in vaccines which are injected into a little infant with no blood brain barrier, with an unformed nervous system and an unformed immune system – these ingredients prevent the child’s brain cells from forming normally. Especially with respect to myelination, and the microcirculation that is trying to build the infant brain. The reaction to things like mercury and MMR ingredients is the immature body’s best attempts at inflammation, which becomes chronic and prevents normal brain cells from forming. And also destroys existing brain cells. These facts are uncontested in mainstream neurology, as my text The Sanctity of Human Blood, 13th ed., [4] and hundreds of other sources, including those cited by Kennedy and Kirby, can easily show. These were the same sources used to prevail in the Banks case. As long as they didn’t use the word autism.

The Banks win is not an isolated event. The Kennedy article states that over 1300 vaccine injury cases have prevailed using the same legal strategy in the past few years. Kennedy explains why few people have ever heard about these cases.

The astounding reality underscored in this new situation is how well an entire epidemic of vaccine injured children, now numbering somewhere between 1 and 4 million children, how well it has been covered up from general notice by a ridiculously simple word game played by vaccine industry lawyers during the past decade.

Any case that wins in vaccine court is astounding in itself, considering the absence of a level playing field. In the history of vaccine litigation, the lawyers of the vaccine injured have always had to deal with an enormously corrupt position by the courts that government statistics on vaccine injuries is kept strictly classified. The US government knows exactly how many children have been injured by vaccines, and maintains these epidemiological figures in a secret file called the VSD or Vaccine Data Link. Having successfully defended against all subpoenaed demands by plaintiff’s attorneys over the past decade, the figures would obviously help not only the individual vaccine injury case, but would expose the vaccine industry to a flood of potential injury claims, many of them probably legitimate. The VSD information has never been seen by the general public and is not permitted to be even brought up in mainstream media. Such a position by the government demonstrates too clearly that it is the vaccine manufacturers and not the nation’s children who are being protected. [1]

The value of the Kennedy article is that it helps the reader realize just how devious and clever government defense counsel has been in the past ten years in getting claims of autism caused by vaccines thrown out. Same with Kirby’s article. In many cases it wasn’t necessarily that the children were any less injured from vaccines, but simply the legal tack chosen by their attorneys was able to be derailed and thwarted by a defense team who could bring in dozens of articles and studies all proclaiming no possible connection between autism and vaccines. Makes one think of how heartsick many of the parents of the lost cases in past years must feel, knowing that their efforts failed because of mere legal tactics and court terminology. Are their children any less injured than Bailey Banks?

My prediction is that industry lawyers are already scrambling to prevent hundreds of new vaccine injury cases from using this same tactic – true and forthright description of the actual neurological cell damage – in order to prevail in vaccine court. I really don’t see the tobacco phenomenon happening quite yet in the vaccine litigation venue.

What was it Shakespeare said we should first do to all the lawyers? I forget.

1. Kennedy, RF Another autism case wins in vaccine court 24 Feb 09
www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-and-david-kirby/vaccine-court-autism-deba_b_169673.html

2. Kirby, D A new theory of autism causation? 24 Feb 09

3. Editorial: Vaccines exonerated on autism New York Times 12 Feb 2009

4. O’Shea T The sanctity of human blood: vaccination is not immunization, 13th ed.
thedoctorwithin.com 2009.

Benefits of Ginger Root

2009-12-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

For motion sickness, upset stomachs, colds or headaches, steep about a teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water to make a tea. Sip this tea before taking a trip to avoid motion sickness or during or after the journey to calm a queasy stomach.

If you have athlete’s foot, cool this tea and soak your feet in it. It’s anti-fungal property will ease the burn and itch.

Ginger tea is also said to reduce excessive perspiration, act as an aphrodisiac, and freshen one’s breath. Not bad for the stem of a plant that grows underground.

As a mood enhancer, ginger’s cineole content may help contribute to stress relief. So sipping a cold glass of ginger ale after a hard day at the office might be just what the doctor ordered. Just make sure the ginger ale you drink is made with real ginger. Some of today’s sodas are artificially flavored and will do nothing for you like ginger can.

It’s not surprising that ginger has been used for so many years as a homeopathic remedy in different civilizations. Many current medicines--from aspirin to quinine--were also developed from plant-based compounds and chemicals.

Source:

http://www.essortment.com/all/benefitsofging_rwoq.htm

Natural Shampoo Recipes

2009-12-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

If you have ever watched a shampoo commercial (think Pantene Pro V or Herbal Essence) you will notice that all of the models have beautiful, thick,and glossy hair. All you have to do is use the shampoo they are advertising and you too will have beautiful hair like the models, right? What they don't tell you is that the models never use the shampoo they are advertising, why would they. Most if not all of the shampoos advertised have harsh chemicals that make your hair fall out and dry out your hair. Years ago I made the switch from Brand Shampoos to Organic, natural shampoos (chemical free). My favorite shampoo and conditioner products are by Aubreys-organics.

http://www.aubrey-organics.com/custom.aspx?id=8

You can order their products online or find them at your local Whole Foods. They also sell chemical free makeup made from natural products. (A bit pricey, but well worth it!) Below is an article I found on making your own shampoo. I sometimes use Organic goats soap on my hair and afterward my hair feels fresh and clean. If any of these recipes seem too complicated, remember you can always use baking soda, Apple Cider vinegar and honey. For more information visit

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/hair_shampoo.html

As a side note, for those of you with dry hair apply extra virgin coconut oil on your hair at bedtime and rinse it out in the morning. Not only does it cure hair lose, it makes your hair grow back thicker, softer and shiner.

Article source:

http://www.best-natural-cures-health-guide.com/natural-cures-shampoo-recipes.html

Manufacturers are constantly using toxic chemicals in their skin and hair products and disregard their toxic effects on your body. This is easily seen in the list of chemicals that they use. Here are a few of these chemicals found in many product labels:

1 propylene glycol or glycol– a petrochemical used because it is cheap
2 cetearyl alcohol – emulsifier that can be synthetic or natural
3 methylparaben or propylparaben – typical synthetic preservatives
4 distearate – this is polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol which are petrochemicals
5 isopropyl alcohol – used as a cheap solvent to carry synthetic oils.

Here is a natural shampoo that you can make. This formulation is something that I have been using for many years. First collect the following items:

4 oz of castile soap with any scent is that available – plain, peppermint, eucalyptus. ½ oz of rosemary - stimulates the hair follicles and helps to prevent premature baldness ½ oz of sage – has antioxidants and keeps things from spoiling and is antibacterial ½ oz of nettles – acts as a blood purifier, blood stimulator, contains a large source of nutrients for hair growth

½ of lavender – controls the production of sebaceous gland oil and reduces itchy and flaky scalp conditions

2000 mg of MSM – provides organic sulfur to your scalp, which improves the health and strength of your hair. It also helps to drive herbal nutrient into the skin and follicles where they can do the most good.

one empty 8 oz plastic bottle, or any other empty shampoo or soap bottle.

Mix the herbs in a mason jar, which has a lid. Boil 2 cups of distilled water. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water. Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove. Let the herb mixture sit for 30 – 40 minutes. Put the 2000mg of MSM into the herb mixture after 30 minutes of cooling. After 40 minutes and the MSM is melted, strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.

Pour 2 to 2 1/2 oz of strained herbal tea into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Now, pour the 4 oz of castile soap into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients.

The shampoo is now finished and ready for use. Use this as a base for all of the shampoos you make. You can add different herbs as you learn what these herbs do and how they help your hair. You can vary the ingredients according to your taste. But now you have a shampoo that has no additives that can harm you.

Homemade Recipes For Dry Hair

Many women struggle with dry, hard to manage hair. This can be cause naturally by genetics or improper care such as using harsh chemicals (relaxers, color) or by hot styling products (blow dryer, heat iron). The good news is that some beauty recipes can help restore or re-hydrate your hair leaving it softer and shinier than ever.

• Mix 1 tablespoon Honey and any type of vegetable oil. Distribute mixture evenly all over the hair.

• Coat dry hair with mayonnaise, once finished cover with a plastic shower cap and leave on for 10-20 minutes.

• Apply olive oil all over your hair. Cover with a plastic bag and let it stay for 20 minutes. For extra conditioning take a warm shower while waiting. The heat will help the oil work to its maximum potential.

• Beat one egg, add 3 tablespoons of water and apply to scalp and hair.

This applies to all recipes: Once you are done waiting for the natural ingredients to work their magic wash, rinse, and style hair as usual.

“Homemade Shampoo Recipes”

Mix 1 cup distilled water and a 1/4 cup Cider Vinegar, and pour over your hair, gently massaging the scalp and rinse well. Cut off a piece of the root and peel the brown off of the root until you have exposed the white root inside. Once clean take a hammer, smash the Yucca root until it breaks in pieces. Wet the Yucca root, while holding the root over a basin of warm water, rub the root like a bar of soap to get mounds of lather from it. Wash your hair with the lather for a few minutes and then rinse well.

7 foods experts won´t eat!

2009-12-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

1. Canned Tomatoes

The expert: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.

2. Corn-Fed Beef

The expert: Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. More money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.

The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets, and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.

3. Microwave Popcorn

The expert: Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize—and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.

The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes, or soup mix.

4. Nonorganic Potatoes

The expert: Jeffrey Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes—the nation's most popular vegetable—they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."

The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.

5. Farmed Salmon

The expert: David Carpenter, MD, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany and publisher of a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish. The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter, and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You could eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.

The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon.

6. Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones

The expert: Rick North, project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate, and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100% proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."

The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or organic milk. These phrases indicate rBGH-free products. Remember, pasteurized milk has no enzymes, which means your better off drinking a glass of water. Always opt for Raw Milk, check my blog entry on Raw Milk for more details!

7. Conventional Apples

The expert: Mark Kastel, former executive for agribusiness and codirector of
the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.

The solution: Buy organic apples. If you can't afford organic, be sure to wash and peel them first. (You can also buy an organic fruit and vegetable wash that helps to loosen the wax and remove pesticides and other chemicals from the skin of fruits and vegetables. Check your local whole foods)

Good Bye processed bread, Hello Sprouted bread!

2009-12-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

As a bread lover I have had a hard time giving up bread so I sought an alternative. I had a hard time finding bread that didn't contain fructose corn syrup or wasn't processed. I was seeking a bread that not only is healthy and nutritious, but tasty. All bread should have less than 5 ingredients. Most bread sold today has a long list of ingredients that have been added, most chemical.

Last year I came across Ezekiel Bread at my local Whole Foods Market. It's an organic-sprouted-whole-grain-bread that is not only a complete protein but also weighs in very low on the Glycemic Index. These are the kind of carbs we want to be eating, whole unprocessed whole grain products. All you have to do is take a close look at this bread to see all the whole grains that it consists of. Bread made without flour? Out of sprouted grains, legumes and seeds? This couldn’t possibly taste good, could it? Unlike many breads on the market today you will NOT see ingredients like enriched wheat flour, high fructose corn syrup, or preservatives listed in the ingredients.

Some of the ingredients you will see are sprouted barley, millet, lentils, spelt, and soybeans! In the case of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, the result is an organic, nutritionally-dense, high fiber bread that also is a complete protein — one of the few breads on the market that contain all 9 essential amino acids, is low in fat, has no Trans Fats or cholesterol and is generally low in sodium. When was the last time you can honestly say you had all of these nutritious ingredients in one sitting? Remember, when choosing any breads you want to look for whole grains over simply whole wheat flour. This is easy enough because all you have to do is look at the bread… if you see whole grains and seeds you know you’ve got a good one. If you’re bread is brown but soft and fluffy you might want to take a closer look at the list of ingredients.

Ezekiel products are also gluten free, flour free so for those of you that have food allergies this may very well be the product you have been looking for! Sprouting the wheat berry seems to break down the gluten a bit and many people who have wheat-gluten sensitivities seem to be able to tolerate this bread. The best part is that they make more than just bread.

You can get English muffins, tortillas, buns, cereals, pasta and pita bread – lots of options!

Below is a Sandwich recipe I came up with using sprouted bread

ingredients you will need:

curry
coconut oil or olive oil
goats cheese (raw cheese that hasnt been pasturized is the best because it contains enzymes)
tomato slices
spinach leafs

Instructions:
Take 2 slices of sprouted bread and toast them.
Pour 1 tbsp of olive oil or Coconut oil (I prefer coconut oil to all oils) and sprinkle 1 tsp of curry powder into the oil. Allow to heat
Place the toasted bread into the curry oil and coat both sides.
slice the goats cheese and add it to one side of the bread
top it with tomato slices
sprinkle with some spinach leaves and place the other slice of bread on top.
Once the cheese is heated remove and eat
Enjoy

The secret behind the PLU digits on your fruit and vegetables

2009-12-05T09:25:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder why fruit and vegetables often have stickers on them listing a 4 or 5 digit number? These stickers identify the fruit and vegetables you are about to eat as organic, conventional or genetically modified. Next time you pick up a piece of fruit and vegetable, take notice of what the number starts with and how many digits are on the sticker. Most stores do not advertise that they are selling genetically modified produce, therefore it is up to you to pay attention to the labels!

Here's how it works:

For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8. For example,

A conventionally grown banana would be: 4011 An organic banana would be: 94011 A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011

The numeric system was developed by the Produce Electronic Identification Board, an affiliate of the Produce Marketing Association, a Newark, Delaware-based trade group for the produce industry. As of October 2001, the board had assigned more than 1,200 PLUs for individual produce items.

Incidentally, the adhesive used to attach the stickers is considered food-grade, but the stickers themselves aren't edible.

RAW JUICE THERAPY Common Disease Therapy

2009-12-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

Acidity : Grapes, orange, mosambi, carrot and spinach.

Acne : Grapes, pear, plum, tomato, cucumber, carrot, potato and spinach.

Allergies : Apricot, grapes, carrot, beet and spinach.

Arteriosclerosis : Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, celery, carrot, lettuce, and spinach.

Anemia : Apricot, prune, strawberry, red grape, beet, celery, carrot and spinach.

Arthritis : Sour cherry, pineapple, sour apple, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, beet, carrot, lettuce and spinach.

Asthma : Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery.

Bronchitis : Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, tomato, carrot, onion and spinach.

Bladder Ailments : Apple, apricot, lemon, cucumber, carrot, celery, parsley and watercress.

Colds : Lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion, celery and spinach.

Constipation : Apple, pear, grapes, lemon, carrot, beet, spinach and watercress.

Colitis : Apple, apricot, pear, peach, pineapple, papaya, carrot, beet, cucumber and spinach.

Diabetes : Citrus fruits, carrot, celery, lettuce and spinach.

Diarrhea : Papaya, lemon, pineapple, carrot and celery.

Eczema : Red grapes,carrot, spinach, cucumber and beet.

Epilepsy : Red grapes, figs, carrot, celery and spinach.

Eye Disorders : Apricot ,tomato, carrot, celery, parsley and spinach.

Gout : Red sour cherries, pineapple, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot, celery and spinach.

Halitosis : Apple, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, tomato, carrot, celery and spinach.

Headache : Grapes, lemon, carrot, lettuce and spinach.

Heart Disease : Red grapes, lemon, cucumber, carrot, beet and spinach.

High blood pressure : Grapes, orange, cucumber, carrot and beet.

Influenza : Apricot, orange, lemon , grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion and spinach.

Insomnia : Apple, grapes, lemon, lettuce , carrot and celery.

Jaundice : Lemon, grapes, pear, carrot, celery, spinach, beet and cucumber.

Kidney Disorders : Apple, orange, lemon, cucumber, cucumber,carrot, celery, parsley and beet.

Liver ailments : Lemon, papaya, grapes, carrot, tomato, beet and cucumber.

Menstrual Disorders :Grapes, prunes, cherry, spinach, lettuce turnips and beet.

Menopausal Symptoms : Fruits and Vegetables in season.

Neuritis : Orange, pineapple, apple, carrot and beet.

Obesity : Lemon, grapefruit, orange, cherry, pineapple, papaya, tomato, beet, cabbage, lettuce,
spinach and carrot.

Piles : Lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, carrot, spinach, turnip and watercress.

Prostate Troubles : All fruit juices in season, carrot, asparagus, lettuce and spinach.

Psoriasis : Grapes, carrot, beet, and cucumber.

Rheumatism : Grapes, orange, lemon, grapefruit, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot and spinach.

Stomach Ulcers : Apricot, grapes, cabbage and carrot.

Sinus Trouble : Apricot, lemon, tomato, carrot, onion and radish.

Sore Throat : Apricot, grapes, lemon, pineapple, prune, tomato, carrot and parsley.

Tonsillitis : Apricot, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, spinach and radish.

Varicose Veins : Grapes, orange, plum, tomato, beetroot carrot and watercress.

Raw Milk vs. Pasteruized Milk

2009-12-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

Raw milk straight from the cow or goat is full of the benefits of wonderfully healthy bacteria, vitamins, and enzymes that you simply will not get from store-bought milk. Milk you find on your supermarket shelf is flawed for many reasons.

One reason is the big commercial dairies do not feed their cows grass and hay which is what they are supposed to eat, but rather their cows exist in small feedlots being fed large amounts of grain which is actually not something a cow was meant to eat. As a result, these cows must be fed antibiotics which in turn are going into your milk. Bleach is also often added to make sure your carton of milk is as white as can be. Scary, isn’t it?

But even if this were not the case, commercially available milk is pasteurized (heated) and homogenized (process that breaks down butterfat), and you can be sure that all those beneficial enzymes and healthy bacteria are long gone by the time it reaches the grocery shelf. What you have left is simply dead liquid which can possibly cause more harm than good due to the growth hormones and antibiotics (among other things) given to the unhealthy commercial-dairy cow.

Many people will argue that drinking milk straight from the cow is not healthy, and that pasteurization is necessary to kill off things like E coli. The fact is that milk collected hygienically from a healthy grass-fed cow on a small family-owned farm is very safe, and the benefits far outweigh the risks. You’d be statistically much more likely to contract E coli from your local produce department than from that farmer’s cow. The source of the majority of our commercial milk is the modern Holstein dairy cow which has been bred specifically for quantity in order to produce large amounts of milk far beyond what a cow was ever meant to produce. Since she is fed so much grain (remember this is unhealthy for a cow), she requires antibiotics to keep her healthy.

Growth hormones also end up in that milk you’re pouring over your breakfast cereal every morning. The most healthy and best-tasting raw milk will come from the “old” breeds of dairy cows such as the Jersey, Guernsey, Ayrshire, or Brown Swiss, or the older lines of Holstein which were not bred to produce obscene amounts of milk. The average butterfat of these old breeds of cows back at the turn of the century was 4%. Today’s butterfat normally comprises less than 3%. There is also the misleading notion that skim and low-fat milk is good for you. Full-fat milk is awesomely healthy as the butterfat contains the vitamins A and D which are needed for the absorption of calcium, and is also rich in the short- and medium-chain fatty acids that protect us against disease.

You get no health benefit at all from drinking low-fat or no-fat milk, and you might as well just have a glass of water instead. That would actually be far more healthy. Many are jumping on the raw milk bandwagon, and many more will climb on board in the coming years as people educate themselves about what is actually going into our food through the commercial processes. If you have a small dairy farm near you, drop by and sample some real milk and see what you have been missing.

And verily in cattle (too) will you find an instructive sign. From what is from their bodies, between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it. (16:66)

The Quran narrates the process in remarkable detail: part-digestion of what is ingested as food, absorption of it; a second process and refinement in the glands. Milk is a wholesome and agreeable diet for man, yet it is a secretion, like other secretions, between the excretions which the body rejects as useless and the precious blood-stream which circulates in the body

For more information on raw milk, where to find it, etc check out the links below.

http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/raw_milk_health_benefits.html

http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/Want_Raw_Milk.html

http://www.realmilk.com/healthbenefits.html

http://www.rawmilkbenefits.com/buy-raw-milk.html#more-53

http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/organic-parenting/raw-milk-55061801

How to Treat Fungal Nail Infections Naturally

2009-12-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it, nail fungus probably isn’t one of the nicest health topics to talk about but it is certainly one which affects a lot of people. The condition is caused by micro-organisms called Dermatophytes. It lives on the nail bed and eats the keratin which is the protein in your nail. Normally it will start at the end of the nail and work its way down to the base if left untreated. The end result is a nail which is thick and deformed and in some cases can affect the surrounding skin. Typically the big toe is affect first, spreading to the other toes later.

What Causes Fungal Nail Infection?

Dermatophytes love warm and moist conditions such as sweaty socks and shoes. Buy cotton socks instead of nylon and used an anti-fugal powder if you suffer from sweaty feet.
Sometimes the fungus can infect the nail via the skin. This can happen due to an ingrown toe nail or damage to the nail.
If you have circulation problems, diabetes or HIV you have an increased chance of infection.
If you suffer from athlete’s foot make sure you treat it quickly to prevent it turning into a fungal nail infection.

Treatment of Fugal Nail Infection

First of all before deciding what treatment to go for, please understand that it can take at least 3 months for the problem to go away. It can take 18 months for a nail to replace itself so this is not going to be a quick fix.

Tea Tree – Tea Tree is a wonderfully potent natural antibacterial essential oil. Simply apply a few drops to the affected area a few times per day.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Either apply Hydrogen Peroxide to your nail with some cotton wool and allow to dry or soak in a mixture of 50% HP and 50% water.
Vinegar – soak your feet daily in 50% vinegar, 50% water. Soak your feet for at least half an hour and it’s recommended you do this three times per day. There is a surprisingly large selection of vinegars available including wine vinegar and coconut vinegar. You can use any of them but generally it is Apple Cider or white vinegar which is used for nail infections. The reason vinegar works is because it is acidic and fungi don’t like acid conditions.
Saprox – Saprox is a natural mud which is high in sulphur. Apply liberally to the toe and allow it to dry in. It is suggested that combining with another treatment will help speed up results.
There are a number of other natural treatments to try including: Vitamin E Oil, Oregano Oil, Thyme Oil and Essential Oil Cinnamon Leaf.

If you are bothered by fungal nail infection it is definitely worth trying natural remedies first. Although there are a number of prescription drugs you can take they are not always effective and can be harsh on the liver. If you are at all unsure please always consult with a doctor or chiropractor.

source:

http://naturalhealthremedies.org/how-to-treat-fungal-nail-infections-naturally/

Has The Cause of Crib Death (SIDS) Been Found?

2009-11-29T08:56:00.000-08:00

Toxic Gases in Baby Crib Mattresses

By Jane Sheppard

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These four words can incite a considerable amount of terror in a parent of an infant. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death or cot death, is the number one cause of death for infants from one month to one year of age. 90% of all SIDS deaths are in babies under six months old. Ongoing SIDS research occasionally leads to discoveries of risk factors associated with these deaths, but after over 50 years, researchers say they still do not know how or why it happens. The prevailing official viewpoint on SIDS is that the cause is unknown (SIDS Alliance 2001).

It may seem inconceivable that over a million babies have died of this "syndrome", and after almost half a century and many millions of dollars spent, no one in this age of science and technology can tell us why. But what parents are virtually oblivious to (through no fault of their own) is that a highly convincing explanation for this tragedy has been found, along with a simple means of eliminating it. This explanation is backed by a significant amount of evidence, but has been and continues to be completely ignored by SIDS organizations, the medical community, and the government - for a variety of reasons, including politics, financial liability, and vested interests. Publication of these findings continues to be denied and suppressed. The result is that babies continue to be at risk from deaths that may easily be prevented.

Toxic Gases in Mattresses

Dr. Jim Sprott, OBE, a New Zealand scientist and chemist, states with certainty that crib death is caused by toxic gases, which can be generated from a baby's mattress. Chemical compounds containing phosphorus, arsenic and antimony have been added to mattresses as fire retardants and for other purposes since the early 1950's. A fungus that commonly grows in be dding can interact with these chemicals to create poisonous gases (Richardson 1994). These heavier-than-air gases are concentrated in a thin layer on the baby's mattress or are diffused away and dissipated into the surrounding atmosphere. If a baby breathes or absorbs a lethal dose of the gases, the central nervous system shuts down, stopping breathing and then heart function. These gases can fatally poison a baby, without waking the sleeping baby and without any struggle by the baby. A normal autopsy would not reveal any sign that the baby was poisoned (Sprott 1996).

In spite of denial and opposition from orthodox SIDS organizations, no research has disproved this gaseous poisoning explanation for crib death. No valid criticism of this explanation has ever been provided. This logical finding explains every factor already known about crib death, and is backed by scientific research (Sprott 1996, 2000) and 11 years of practical proof consisting of a crib death prevention campaign that continues in New Zealand.

Ongoing research continues to support these findings. A four and a half year study by the Scottish Cot Death Trust published in the British Medical Journal (November 2, 2002) has shown that the re-use of infant mattresses triples the risk of cot death (Tappin 2002). Dr. Sprott explains that the risk of death increases when mattresses are re-used from one baby to the next because the fungus has already had a chance to establish itself in the used mattress. When the next baby uses the same mattress, the fungus is soon active. Toxic gas production begins sooner and is generated in greater volume. It is known that crib death rates increase markedly from the first baby in a family to the second, and from the second to the third, and so on (Mitchell 2001). Dr. Sprott warns, however, that new mattresses can also be unsafe because fungal growth can quickly become established in a new mattress once a baby begins sleeping on it (Sprott 2003).

The fundamental solution is urgent action to eliminate all sources of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony from all mattresses. But this is not happening now, and is not likely to happen anytime soon, so exposure to these gases must be prevented. The intervening solution is to prevent babies from being exposed to the gases by wrapping mattresses in a gas-impermeable cover made from high-grade polyethylene and ensuring that bedding used on top of a wrapped mattress does not contain any phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.

A 100% successful crib death prevention campaign has been going on in New Zealand for the past 11 years. Midwives and other healthcare professionals throughout New Zealand have been actively advising parents to wrap mattresses. During this time, there has not been a single SIDS death reported among the over 100,000 New Zealand babies who have slept on mattresses wrapped in a specially formulated polyethylene cover. The number of crib deaths in New Zealand that have occurred since mattress-wrapping began in 1994 is about 810. The number of crib deaths that have occurred in New Zealand on a properly wrapped mattress is zero.

In early 2002, a German doctor published the results of the New Zealand mattress-wrapping campaign, including statistical analysis carried out in conjunction with the University of Munich (Kapuste 2002). The statistics showed that the proof of the validity of mattress-wrapping for crib death prevention was one billion times the level of proof generally accepted by the medical community as proving a scientific proposition.

Prior to the commencement of mattress-wrapping, New Zealand had the highest crib death rate in the world (2.1 deaths per 1000 live births). Following the adoption of mattress-wrapping by many parents in New Zealand, the New Zealand crib death rate has fallen by 70%, and the Pakeha (non-Maori) crib death rate has fallen by an estimated 85% (NZMH). Pakeha parents have adopted mattress-wrapping with enthusiasm. "These reductions cannot be attributed to orthodox cot death prevention advice," said Dr Sprott. "There has been no material change in that advice since 1992. The only significant change in cot death prevention advice, which has occurred since 1994, is the nationwide dissemination of my recommendations to wrap babies' mattresses."

Parents Are Denied Findings

So why isn't this profound and critically important information making the headlines of major newspapers or all over the evening news? Why aren't crib death researchers and the government of the United States telling parents to wrap babies' mattresses? Why are the manufacturers still adding fire retardants and other chemicals to mattresses?

There are various reasons, but one possible reason is that mattress manufacturers are required to use fire retardants through government regulations. Admitting that these chemicals are causing deaths would mean admitting to major liability. Furthermore, crib death research has been a significant source of funding for medical researchers in the U.S. Unfortunately, the ongoing complex and expensive research that leads to the discovery of "risk factors" for a so-called "syndrome" has pushed aside the simple and inexpensive solution of mattress-wrapping; a solution that can do no harm.

The Cot Death Cover-Up? (Penguin books, NZ, 1996), by Dr. Jim Sprott, reveals the amazing story of denial on the part of crib death researchers and the medical community, and the failure of these entities to accept such a simple explanation. Dr. Sprott first suggested a toxic gas theory for crib death in 1986, and in 1989 Barry Richardson of Britain, also a consulting chemist acting independently, publicized research on the finding. In response, the British government set up expert committees to investigate the findings.

One committee published the Turner Report, which recommended the removal of the chemicals from baby mattresses and for babies to be tested for antimony. A second committee published the 1998 Limerick Report, which is frequently cited by SIDS organizations as finding no evidence to substantiate the claim that toxic gases cause crib death. Contrary to this publicity, the Limerick Report did not disprove the theory (Fitzpatrick 1998) - in fact, it provides further confirmation of it (Sprott 2000).

The main orthodox crib death prevention recommendation is to put babies to sleep on their backs. We know that babies do still die when sleeping on their backs, although face-up sleeping does reduce the risk. The gases are denser than air and tend to settle in a thin layer directly on top of the mattress, so babies sleeping face-down are more likely to inhale a lethal dose of the gases. The gases are also absorbed through babies' skin, and this is one of the major reasons why face-up sleeping provides only partial protection against crib death (Sprott 1996).

However, no babies have died sleeping on a properly wrapped mattress. This is crucial information for parents. 2,100 babies continue to die every year in the United States from SIDS. Parents should be provided with the information so that they are able to decide for themselves whether they want to wait for the SIDS research organizations or the government to endorse mattress-wrapping or to "play it safe" as many parents have done in New Zealand. As Dr. Sprott points out and no one has denied, "All New Zealand crib deaths since mattress-wrapping began in late 1994 have occurred when parents have not wrapped their babies' mattresses. An inexpensive, non-toxic protective cover can surely do no harm."

The assumption that our government agencies do everything they can to protect our children is naive. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has stated that BabeSafe mattress covers do not constitute any safety risk to babies. These covers (manufactured in New Zealand) are the only mattress covers designed to protect babies from toxic gases generated in mattresses. Yet even though BabeSafe products are simple, inexpensive, and safe, the FDA requires the manufacturer to go through the expensive, complex, time-consuming procedure of obtaining pre-market approval in order for BabeSafe covers to be bulk imported into the U.S.

Instead of putting unnecessary hurdles in the way of a harmless and potentially live-saving product, why don't the authorities endorse mattress-wrapping in the U.S. to see if the results achieved in New Zealand could be duplicated here? The score in New Zealand is now 810 deaths (orthodox crib death prevention advice) to none (mattress-wrapping). With so many more babies born in the U.S. than in New Zealand, the potential to save lives is dramatically greater - thousands every year. Why should even one baby be denied something that could potentially save his or her life?

Though the toxic gas explanation has not yet been 100% scientifically proven to cause crib death, why take any chances when you don't have to? The 100% successful cot death prevention campaign in New Zealand is enough evidence to warrant taking a precautionary approach.

Dangers of Pork

2009-11-28T01:36:00.001-08:00

Pork-raising has come to be one of the great industries of this country; and since the supply is wholly regulated by the demand, it may be taken as a proper index of the prodigious quantities of swine’s flesh which are daily required to satisfy the gustatory demands of the American people.

No other kind of animal food is so largely used as pork in its various forms of preparation. Pork and hominy is almost the sole element of the Texan farmer; while in the Western States pork and potatoes constitute the most substantial portion of the farmer’s bill of fare. The accompanying dish may be hominy, beans, or potatoes, but the main reliance is pork in each case.

In the case of no other animal is so large a portion of the dead carcass utilized as food. It seems to be considered that pork is such a delicacy that not a particle should be wasted. The fat and lean portions are eaten fresh, or carefully preserved by salting or smoking, or both. The tail is roasted; the snout, ears, and feet are pickled and eaten as souse; the intestine and lungs are eaten as tripe or made into sausages; black pudding is made of the blood; the liver, spleen, and kidneys are also prized; the pancreas and other glands are considered great delicacies; while even the skin is made into jelly. In fact, nothing is left of the beast, not even the bristles, which the shoemaker claims.

The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. Its prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.

Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked a name other than that of Allah. [Al-Qur’an 5:3] The above verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden.

The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus and the swine, as he divideth the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you. Leviticus chapter 11 verse 7 and 8:

Pork is also prohibited in the book of Deuteronomy

And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deuteronomy chapter 14 verse 8:

A similar prohibition is repeated in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5.

The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various Helminthes, like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which in a layman’s terminology is called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack and if it enters the eye it can cause blindness. If it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body.

Another dangerous helminthes is Taenia Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from

Taenia tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ovas present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.

Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension.

The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that God has produced. In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs.

Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta.

The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. It feels no jealousy. And among people who consume pork, the practice of wife swapping and other forms of promiscuous behaviour is common.

Table of High Fructose Corn Syrup Products Containing Mercury

2009-11-28T01:31:00.000-08:00

Just published in the Environmental Health journal is a science commentary reporting that mercury was found in 9 of 20 samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common sweetener of foods and beverages.

Mercury is a potent brain toxin that we know accumulates in fsh and seafood, although diet is not the only route by which we are exposed. When babies are exposed to elevated mercury in the womb, their brains may develop abnormally, impairing learning abilities and reducing IQ. For these youngest children, the science increasingly suggests there may be no “safe” level of exposure to mercury.

And yet for decades an increasingly common ingredient in processed foods, HFCS, has been made using mercury-grade caustic soda. The lead author of the Environmental Health study found mercury contamination in some commercial HFCS, which can be made from mercury-grade caustic soda.

Through this public scientist’s initiative, the FDA learned that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury. The agency has apparently done nothing to inform consumers of this fact, however, or to help change industry practice.

Mercury was found at levels several times higher than the lowest detectable limits in some snack bars, barbecue sauce, sloppy joe mix, yogurt and chocolate syrup. Although closer to the detection limit, elevated mercury levels were also found in some soda pop, strawberry jelly, catsup and chocolate milk. The top mercury detections are summarized in the table below.

Product Name	Total Mercury ppt (parts per trillion)
Quaker Oatmeal to Go	350
Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce (Heinz)	300
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup	257
Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce	200
Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars	180
Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe	150
Market Pantry Grape Jelly	130
Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly	100
Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry	100
Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup	87
Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing	72
Coca-Cola Classic	62
Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt	60
Minute Maid Berry Punch	40
Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink	30
Nesquik Chocolate Milk	30
Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk	30

References:
1. David Wallinga, M.D., Janelle Sorensen, Pooja Mottl, Brian Yablon, M.D. Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

The Hazards of Household Cleaning Products

2009-11-28T01:18:00.000-08:00

What cleaning products do you use in your home? Are they safe for the environment? Do they pose health risks? What happens if a child accidentally drinks some? The answers to these and other questions may surprise you.

Many of us use toxic chemicals in everyday life. Sometimes we are aware of it, sometimes not. Many actions which appear to be harmless actually involve the use of harmful chemicals. Household cleaners, garden pesticides, paints, batteries, detergents, even flea powders can be hazardous to our health and the environment.

Detergents, degreasers, stain removers and pesticides have made our homes miniature chemical factories. Hazardous chemicals endanger the environment by contaminating our groundwater, lakes and oceans. If these hazardous products in the home are ingested, absorbed through the skin or inhaled they can cause illness that may only appear years later.

One of the biggest culprits in ocean pollution is phosphates, common in laundry detergents and some cleaning products. The average consumer nationwide uses about 30 pounds of laundry detergent a year; all together, Americans use about 8.3 billion pounds of dry detergent and a billion gallons of liquid detergent each year! High phosphate levels can kill life in rivers, streams and oceans by causing "algae blooms." Algae slimes dense enough to suffocate marine life have been swelling around the world, especially in coastal bays. They are largely caused by fertilizing pollutants called "nutrients" in human sewage and farm runoff.

Some marine experts call this type of ocean pollution a silent, global epidemic that if unabated could destroy American's most scenic and commercially valuable waters. From Long Island Sound to the Santa Monica Bay, nutrients have devastated many popular fishing spots and shellfish beds. Many coastal bays have turned the hue of pea soup, and some have regressed to "dead zones"--water so depleted of oxygen that only primitive creatures such as bacteria and algae can survive.

Some progress has been made in tackling this problem. Phosphates have been banned in many areas. But some supermarket varieties still contain them. In addition, many other household cleaning products contain harmful solvents and harsh chemicals that destroy the natural processes involved in wastewater treatment. In addition, hazardous waste products should not be disposed of in a septic system. These materials kill valuable bacteria in the system. This includes even small amounts of latex paint rinsed off of rollers and brushes.

Many of us tend to think anything sold in a supermarket must be safe, but often labels do not contain complete and accurate information. Many common household cleaning products are actually classified as hazardous waste! You should not dispose of them in the trash; please take them to your county's hazardous waste collection center.

There is another side to this issue besides the pollution of our environment--our health, and the safety of our children. Chemical levels can be up to 70 times higher inside the home that out. Over 100 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, psychological abnormalities, skin reactions, headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, loss of sleep, asthma. . .the list goes on. Housewives have a 55% higher risk of getting cancer than do women working outside the home. This most likely has to do with the products they use on a daily basis. Nervous disorders and respiratory problems have also been linked to hazardous substances in the home.

Every year thousands of household poisonings are reported. Many are fatal. Approximately 70% of all poisoning accidents occur in children between the ages of one and five. Almost all childhood poisonings are caused by unsafe storage and handling of household cleaning products and medicines. According to Poison Control, dishwashing detergent accounts for more accidental poisonings than any other household substance. Dandruff shampoo, if swallowed, causes vital organs to degenerate. Household ammonia, when mixed with bleach is a deadly substance. Bug spray can remain active and airborne in your home for up to 30 years.

Seniors are also at risk. With increasing age, people become more vulnerable to the harmful effects of environmental chemicals due to the deterioration of physiological and biochemical processes, which include certain age-related biochemical, morphological and functional changes associated with the nervous system. For example, the elderly are likely to suffer more than younger people from exposure to carbon disulfide and to certain pesticides and chemicals.

The most common ingredients in household cleaning products include alkalies, acids, detergents, other toxic chemicals. Alkalies are soluble salts that are effective in removing dirt without excessive rubbing. Alkalies vary in strength; the stronger one cause burns, and if swallowed can cause internal injuries and even death. Acids are beneficial in removing hard-water deposits, discoloration and rust stains. Acids can irritate and injure the skin and eyes. Oxalic acid, used in some toilet bowl cleaners, is extremely poisonous.

Caustic household cleaners can cause severe burning if swallowed or put on the skin, Symptoms of poisoning include redness around the mouth, drooling and difficulty in swallowing. Never make someone who has swallowed a caustic substance vomit or give a "neutralizing" agent, as the chemical reaction can cause further burning.) It is best to give water (about a cupful) and seek emergency advice from poison control.

Many of the chemicals found in our homes are used to make our lives easier. But we don't realize the consequences of using many of these substances. Think before you pour waste down the sink. Only natural substances should be disposed in our sewer systems. Be wary and read labels. And whenever possible, use alternative non-toxic products that will curtail the destruction of the environment.

Top 11 toxic Seafoods to Avoid

2009-11-23T04:47:00.000-08:00

These days when you eat fish, it’s a guessing game as to whether it’s actually good for you. Aside from food poisoning, there’s the issue of which fish are the most toxic. Several popular fish are laden with toxic substances thanks to widespread pollution of oceans, streams, rivers, lakes and creeks. When you eat a toxic fish — which is easy to do — then you become toxic, affecting your health in the long term.

One of the biggest problems with fish today is mercury. Mercury is one of the deadliest heavy metals known to man. It can affect the brain, nervous system and liver. In small amounts it can even be lethal. If you are pregnant, then you have to be even more vigiliant.

Here are the top ten fish to avoid eating. Some sources say you shouldn’t eat more than a serving per month, while other researchers argue that they should be avoided altogether:

1. Mahi mahi
2. Blue mussel
3. Eastern oyster
4. Cod
5. Pollock
6. Great Lakes salmon
7. Gulf Coast blue crab
8. Channel catfish (wild)
9. Lake whitefish
10. Tuna
11. Swordfish

If you’re pregnant, the Environmental Working Group suggests you avoid:

* Shark
* Swordfish
* King mackerel
* Tilefish
* Tuna steaks
* Canned tuna
* Sea bass
* Gulf Coast Oysters
* Marlin
* Halibut
* Pike
* Walleye
* White croaker
* Largemouth bass

And a note about shrimp.

A new report from Food & Water Watch, “Suspicious Shrimp,” contains the following recommendations:
The Food and Drug Administration must significantly increase physical inspections and testing of imported seafood. To make this happen, Congress must increase funding for inspections. The FDA only inspects about 1.2 percent of all imported seafood, according to the report.

Loopholes in country-of-origin labeling rules should be closed, so that seafood at restaurants and stores is labeled. Natsoulas said about half the seafood sold in grocery stores does not have to be labeled, despite U.S. Department of Agriculture rules about labeling, because it is processed and falls into a loophole in the law.

Consumers should look for wild-caught domestic shrimp, or shrimp farmed in the United States by environmentally responsible operations. (Of course, how can we do this if shrimp is not labeled by origin?) However, if you trust the source of your seafood to be truthful, one way to gauge whether or not shrimp is wild-caught is by price. Wild-caught shrimp will usually cost more.

3 Miraculous Mold-Killing Recipes

2009-11-23T04:31:00.000-08:00

Tea Tree Treasure

2 teaspoons of tea tree oil
2 cups of water

Shake the solution together in a spray bottle and spritz on moldy areas. Let it sit without rinsing.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

20 drops of grapefruit seed extract
2 cups of water

Like the Tea Tree Treasure, shake the solution together in a spraybottle and spritz on problem areas. Again, let it sit without rinsingto let it work its magic.

Vinegar Spray

Pour white distilled vinegar straightinto a spray bottle without diluting with water. Spritz offending spotsand let it sit without rinsing. It’ll smell strong but will dissipatein a few hours time—along with the mold!

Why you need to throw away your toothpaste and pick up a Miswak!

2009-11-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Have you read the ingredient label on your toothpaste lately? If you have you would have seen the endless list of hard-to-pronounce, even harder-to-decipher chemical names.

Have you ever wondered if all those chemicals are really safe?The answer is No! Rule of thumb, if you cant eat it, don't put it into or onto your body.

More and more people are turning to natural toothpastes. What they have yet to discover is the Miswak...A Miswak or Siwak is probably an alien thing tothe western world. But, it’s a twig which a majority of people fromMuslim countries use daily to brush their teeth. Although it mightsound outdated to use twigs from trees for cleaning your teeth, studiesconducted on the Miswak prove otherwise. Studies have inferred thatMiswak is better than toothpaste for preventing gum disease. It isbeing known as chewing stick in the western world and is being lookedupon as a form of alternative medicine. So, let’s analyze this “wondertwig” keeping documented scientific studies as proofs.

But first of all, why would anyone think of usinga tree twig to clean their teeth? The fact is ancient man did not havethe facility of a toothbrush and many cultures have used Miswak fororal hygiene. The use of Miswak is well spread in the Muslim populationof the world, and is a common entity in Muslim countries. The reasonfor common use of Miswak by Muslims can be attributed to religiousbeliefs. The last messenger of Islam used it frequently and alsoinstructed his followers to do the same and hence the practicecontinues widely in Muslim countries. There are 70 benefits of Miswakas suggested by Islamic Literature and many of these have beenscientifically proven and the rest haven’t been studied yet.

You might be wondering what exactly a Miswakis in the first place. The Miswak is obtained from the twigs of theArak tree (Peelu tree) although a few other trees can also be used toobtain it such as walnut and olive.

A few important benefits of Miswak

Kills Gum disease causing bacteria.

Fights plaque effectively.
Fights against caries.

Removes Bad breath and odor from mouth.

Creates a fragrance in the mouth.

Effectively clean between teeth due to its parallel bristles.

Increases salivation and hence inhibits dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Scientific Studies on Miswak

Although the 70 supposed benefits of Miswakrange widely, the main one we are examining is its effect on oralhealth. So, let’s throw some light on scientific studies conducted onMiswak.

The Wrigley Company made a study on Miswakwhich was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.The study found that mints laced with Miswak extract were 20 times moreeffective in killing bacteria than ordinary mints. A small testimony tothis fact is that after half an hour, the mints laced with Miswakextract killed about 60% of the bacteria where as the ordinary mintsmanaged only 3.6%

In the August issue of Journal ofPeriodontology (2008) appeared a study conducted by Swedish researcherson Miswak. The study apparently found that suspended Miswak pieces in apetridish (medium for culturing bacteria) were able to kill bacteriathat cause periodontal disease with out being in physical contact withthe bacteria. The researchers suggested that Miswak might be givingantibiotics as gases trying to explain this phenomenon.

A study which compares tooth brushing and using Miswak (Miswak ing!) can be seen on PubMed(U.S National Library for Medicine Service). The study concluded thatMiswak was more effective than tooth brushing in reducing plaque andgingivitis provided it was used correctly. Similar studies found on thesame website and elsewhere vouch for the effectiveness of Miswak overtoothbrush.

A study conducted by a group of dentists at King Saud University concluded that using Miswak wasat least as good as tooth brushing, if not better. There have beenplenty of published studies on Miswak and infact entire books publishedwhich study its oral and systemic benefits.

For more information about Miswak and how to use it visit
http://www.squidoo.com/miswak

10 Reasons To Give Up Sodas

2009-11-18T04:28:00.000-08:00

Soda has become more popular than water. Its not uncommon to see infants and toddlers sipping a coke or pepsi. Adults who crave the taste of soda yet want to lose weight opt for diet sodas, assuming that the diet soda is healthier for them than the original soda. Diet sodas actually have more sugar than regular sodas and actually contribute to weight gain! The following is a list of reason why you should give up soda immediately!

Nutrient Deficiency

Sodas provide the human body with empty calories that lack any nutrients, and these calories are generally converted into fat. Sodas also rob the body of nutrients by replacing milk, juices and water, and soft drink consumption is thus associated with lower intake of numerous vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Participants in a study of school children, who had high soft drink consumption, consumed less milk and fruit juice compared with those whose soft drink intake was low.

Osteoporosis

Studies have indicated that intake of cola is associated with low bone marrow density in women. Another study concluded that high consumption of carbonated beverages and the declining consumption of milk are of great public health significance for girls and women because of their proneness to osteoporosis in later life. The phosphate content of some sodas is high, and this leads to high phosphate and low calcium levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels low, calcium is pulled out of the bones.

Obesity

Soft drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the diet and exceed the recommended total sugar consumption, and a 330 ml can a day of soda translates to more than 1lb of weight gain every month. A study of children concluded that regular soft drink consumption might put some young children at a greater risk for obesity. Another study at Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, indicates that a greater consumption of soft drinks is associated with weight gain and obesity. Obesity also contributes to other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, back pain, etc.

Diabetes

Consumption of soft drinks is associated with weight gain and an increased risk for development of type 2 diabetes by providing excessive calories and large amounts of rapidly absorbable sugars.

Kidney Stones

Results in a human study demonstrate increased urinary magnesium, citrate, and oxalate levels after cola consumption, which could contribute to kidney stone formation. Another study proved that consumption of cola causes unfavorable changes in the risk factors associated with calcium oxalate stone formation.

Toxic Artificial Sweeteners

Perhaps the worst ingredients in sodas are the artificial sweeteners aspartame, acesulfame K and Sucralose that are a serious health hazard despite FDA reassurances.

Research has shown that aspartame and/or the components of aspartame may cause brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, panic attacks, dizziness, irritability, nausea, intestinal discomfort, skin rash, nervousness, depression and male infertility. For further insight into the dangers of aspartame, watch the movie Sweet Misery.

Acesulfame K contains the carcinogen methylene chloride, which can cause headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, liver defects, kidney defects, visual disturbances, and cancer.

Studies on Sucralose in rats have shown shrunken thymus glands, enlarged liver and kidneys, atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus, increased cecal weight, reduced growth rate, decreased red blood cell count, hyperplasia of the pelvis, extension of the pregnancy period, aborted pregnancy, decreased fetal body weights and placental weights, and diarrhea.

The latest research on diet sodas suggest that they do not assist in weight loss, they in fact contribute to weight gain by stimulating appetite.

Gout

Findings from a study of adults suggest that sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption is associated with high levels of uric acid, which may significantly increase the risk of gout.

Teeth

Studies have proved that soft drink consumption erodes dental enamel. Results of a study of children’s teeth suggest that consumption of carbonated soft drinks is a risk indicator for dental caries.

Caffeine

Sodas contain caffeine, which in high dosages can cause high blood pressure, dehydration, gastrointestinal disturbance, irritability, restlessness, tension, insomnia, excessive urination, irregular heartbeat, and other side effects.

Acidity

Colas have an acidic pH of 2.5, the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 for most liquids, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. A recent study conducted at the University of California in San Francisco on 9,000 women showed that those who have chronic acidosis are at greater risk for bone loss than those who have normal pH levels. Mild acidosis can lead to heartburn, fatigue, immune deficiency, gout, and candida, and cancerous cells thrive in an acidic environment.

The Real Reason We Overeat

2009-11-18T04:13:00.000-08:00

On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: "No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath."

Few would take exception to the assertion that obesity is an enormous health problem in the United States. There is less agreement, however, on how to combat the problem. David Kessler's new book, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite offers a compelling case that to prevent overeating--and hence obesity--people should avoid processed foods as well as many popular chain restaurants such as Olive Garden and Chili's. The advice is consistent with what many experts who treat or research obesity have been recommending, but not entirely for the same reason.

Many of us recommend avoiding fast food in particular, and eating out in general, because of the tremendous number of calories in many of the meals offered. Although some fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds, have recently started offering some healthier options, most of the menu items are high in fat and calories. A recent study found that the average lunchtime purchase from a fast food restaurant in New York City contained more than 800 calories--far more calories than most people should be eating at lunch.

Kessler argues not only will you consume too many calories by eating processed foods; they will also cause changes in your brain circuitry, making you crave them in the future.

To increase profits, Kessler argues, food companies want to develop foods that are so stimulating you crave them--or at least cannot resist them.

This is a much more compelling argument for avoiding processed foods and chain restaurants than the message we normally give: avoid them because you'll consume too many calories. Kessler argues that not only will you eat too many calories, eating these foods will cause changes in your brain circuitry that will make you start to crave them--and therefore eat too many calories well into the future. That is a much stronger argument for avoiding fast food and other commercially produced foods than most of us in the obesity field use.

Kessler makes clear that despite the perception that salads are healthier options, many times they are extremely high in fat and calories. Some of the fats may be healthy for your heart, such as those found in avocados and nuts, but many of the other items added to salads are high in both calories in unhealthy fats--cheeses, bacon bits, sour cream, fried tortilla strips/chips/bowls, and cream-based salad dressings. Not to mention all of the chemicals added to the dressings. Perhaps hearing that this is well known to the food industry will be enough to change consumers' perceptions of salads.

There is a lot of debate about whether sugar per se is related to obesity. However, as Kessler explains, people now prefer the sugary foods, including salad dressings with sugar. Moreover, highly palatable foods change the wiring in our brains to make us crave these foods. Much of the focus of The End of Overeating is on how these foods change the wiring of the brain, and suggestions for how to combat these changes. Kessler does a nice job explaining a complex body of research findings related to reward-seeking behavior. However, it is disappointing that The End of Overeating fails to cover many other relevant areas of research related to eating behaviors.

Article by Alison E Field

The Amazing Acai Berry

2009-11-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

The Acai berry is one of the highly powerful and nutritious small sized, purple colored fruits popular worldwide today. It is a high energy berry that comes from an exclusive Amazon palm tree that is generally harvested in rain forests of Brazil.

Acai Berry Juice Pulp

The Acai berry is a fruit that actually has a very short post harvesting period. Because of that, Acai is accessible only as the juice fruit pulp, which is further used in various juice blends, smoothies, sodas and numerous other beverages. The juice of Acai berry is known to be extremely rich in proteins and also known to have calories equivalent to those in egg. This juice includes Vitamin B3, known by the name Niacin. It plays a major role in the production of the cellular energy by giving assistance in the transfer of electrons during oxidation and due to which the consumer have more energy and reduced fatigue. And it constitutes several ingredients such as fatty acid, amino acids as well as anti oxidants other than fibers, iron and various vitamins.

The healthy properties and high energy level in the juice of Acai berry often remain active for about 24-48 hours and assist in having more energy and reducing fatigue. Acai berry juice pulp boasts a high concentration of anti-oxidants, approximately ten times much more than red grapes and approximately thirty times more than the anthocyanins in red wine. It has a synergy of the dietary fiber, phytosterols and monounsaturated fats, which promote cardiovascular health along with digestive health. The juice also incorporates amino acid complex with the trace minerals, which induce muscle regeneration and contraction. Ultimately all the benefits of Acai Berry juices help people to have more energy.

The much desired acai fruit is only 10% of the actual berry. The other 90% is made up of the seed or pit. The acai berry is harvested by the thousands and put through a process that separates the pulp from the seed to produce a thick, edible puree.

America Discovers the Acai Berry

Although the acai berry is legendary in Brazil, only recently has its popularity spread to America. Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and countless media outlets rave about its many nutritional qualities and health benefits

This recent surge of interest in the acai berry has been aided by Bestselling author and anti-aging expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone who has touted the berry as the “Number one super food in the world” in his book “The Perricone Promise” and in appearances on TV shows such as Oprah.

Calling the acai berry “the number one super food in the world” might sound like a stretch, but this view is not unfounded. The little berry is packed with an amazing amount of free-radical fighting antioxidants and is considered to have the best overall nutritional value of any fruit on earth.

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method used by the USDA of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. As you can see below, other popular fruits don’t even come close to the antioxidant power of the acai berry.

All this talk about antioxidants and nutritional value, what does it mean exactly? In simple terms, the acai berry can help:

Support the immune system

Aid in weight loss

Improve digestion

Reduce pain and soreness

Promote healthy sleep

Increase energy & stamina

Increase libido

Fight cancer & disease

Lower blood pressure

Fight aging & inflammation

Protect against heart disease

Promote glowing, healthy hair and skin

Help rejuvenate your body, spirit and mind

Several other advantages of Acai berry juice include stabilizing the blood sugar as well as controlling diabetes, and gaining a quicker recovery from any sort of injury and sharper vision among the major related health issues. In addition, the juice pulp of Acai Berry also assists in getting rid of the problem of depression and eradicating infectious toxins from the body. The juice pulp of Acai Berry also helps in putting off the extra weight from all the parts of the body, thereby acting as an effective fat burner. The pulp juice of the Acai berry certainly has more energy, nonetheless, it also has fatty acid content equivalent to that of olive oil, consequently is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. The oleic acid assists in the penetration of cell membrane via omega 3 fish oil that further makes the cell membranes supple. The supple membranes assist in the efficient functioning of the neurotransmitters, insulin receptors and hormones.

The Acai berry’s antioxidant properties, in addition, also assist in averting the vascular and heart disease. That is why the pulp of the Acai berry is extensively used in the making of dietary supplements and various other products. Discover the amazing benefits of Acai Juice, but don’t be fooled - only drink 100% Acai Juice imported from Brazil.

For more reading visit http://www.acaiberry.org/

Baby products

2009-11-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

Great sites for buying organic, non-chemical products for babies (diapers, wipes, food, etc)

http://www.seventhgeneration.com
http://216.182.166.7/yobaby/index.jsp
http://www.earthsbest.com/

Safeguarding Your Baby

2009-11-16T04:18:00.000-08:00

Why you should make the switch to green baby lotions ’n potions

Shelagh McNally

When it comes to your baby's lotions, shampoos or powders, it’s wiseto go green. Doctors and researchers have found many personal careproducts marketed for babies are laced with the harmful phthalates andother concerning chemicals.

Toxic to little ones 

Phthalatesare man-made chemicals used in plastic and vinyl products to make themsoft. They are also found in cosmetics and personal care products inthe form of fragrances and colours. Traces of these chemicals areshowing up in everyone's blood but infants and toddlers seem to havethe highest concentration.

At first, researchers thoughtchildren were picking up traces from sucking or chewing on plastic ontoys or from playing on dusty floors.

No tears but lots of chems

 But a recent study, conducted by University of Washington researchers and published in the journal of Pediatrics suggests another source: baby care products.

Researchersmeasured the urine from the diapers of 163 infants aged 2 to 28 monthsand all had detectable amounts of at least one type of phthalate. Morethan 80 percent had seven or more types. The levels of phthalatesincreased with the amount of grooming.

More than half themothers had used baby shampoos on their infants within 24 hours of theurine tests; 14 percent had used powder and one-third lotion. Thesebabies had four times the level of phthalates in their urine as thosewhose parents had not used any products on them.

In March of this year, baby shampoos also came under firefor containing formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or both, two chemicals havebeen linked to cancer and skin allergies. Of the 28 products tested bythe Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, including some leading national brands, 17 contained traces of both chemicals.

Want grandchildren?

 Otherstudies have found that phthalates can alter children's hormones,especially the human male reproductive development when a fetus isdeveloping. While more research is needed, many scientists are clearthat these are dangerous chemicals and young infants may be morevulnerable because they are smaller and still developing.

"Atthis time, we do not know what the potential long-term health effectsmight be, but there is a large body of animal studies to suggestdevelopmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a fewhuman studies with changes in health outcomes as well," said Dr. SheelaSathyanarayana, the lead scientist on the Pediatrics study.

There are concerns these chemicals could interfere with reproduction when exposed children reach puberty.

Out of sight 

Althoughthere's been a law passed in California that will ban six types ofphthalates, there are currently no federal U.S. or Canadian lawsprohibiting their use in personal care products or cosmetics. (In April2009, Health Canada proposed a banon the use of six phthalates in soft vinyl children’s toys andchild-care articles, such as vinyl bibs, school supplies or bath,squeeze or inflatable toys, but the new regulation has yet to takeeffect.) Cosmetic and personal care companies in North America areunder no obligations to list their ingredients, there's no way ofknowing which products have phthalates.

Go organic 

ManyEuropean countries are erring on the side of caution and banning thesechemicals. You should too. Fortunately, there are plenty of chemicalfree and healthy products out there for baby:

• Erbaviva Baby; available online, at health food stores and many Canadian baby boutiques.

• Live Clean Baby; Canadian, available at major retailers such as grocery and drug stores.

• Hankettes; Canadian, online only.

• Earth Mama, Angel Baby; available at health food stores and many Canadian baby boutiques.

• Burt's Bees Mom and Baby; available at drug stores and health food stores.

• Aubrey's Organics; available at health food stores.

http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/safeguarding-your-baby

Makeup Chemicals To Avoid

2009-11-16T04:12:00.000-08:00

Most ofus take for granted that the popular cosmetics, soaps, lotions and thehair care products that we buy in our local salons, drug and departmentstores are safe. Why, as consumers, would we be able to buy and use aproduct on our skin, lips, eyes and hair every day if they wereharmful?

Over90% of all ingredients in commercially available cosmetics are ofsynthetic origin. Directly linked to serious health risks like cancer,infertility, kidney and liver disease and severe skin issues.Environmental Working Group report called, “Skin Deep” found thatalmost 90 percent of the more than 10,000 ingredients used in personalcare products have not been evaluated by government regulators.

Of the20,000 different off-the-shelf cosmetic products that are for sale inthe US, over 80 percent of the products surveyed contained one or moreingredients that have caused documented adverse reactions in humans andanimals.

The real motivation behind the CosmeticIndustry's dis-concern is money and profit. Chemicals, dyes and fillersmentioned below are found in almost every cosmetic product because theycan be manufactured incredibly inexpensively and have a very long shelflife. If they were to discontinue using these chemicals for morehealthy alternatives they would be severely cutting their profitmargins to give you chemical free beauty products. In this battle theirprofits supersede your health. As a consumer your only response shouldbe to discontinue using their products.

Largecorporations in the personal-care industry are only motivated to beinterested in their profits because the United States Government andspecifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulateor require any kind of federal, unbiased testing before a cosmetic orpersonal-care product hit the shelves. The FDA leaves it up to thecosmetics manufactures to test their own products. In essence, YOU theconsumer are the Commercial Cosmetic Industry's guinea pig. No wondervirtually none of them need to test on animals anymore! The consumer isnow the guinea pig of choice!

Currently,the cosmetic companies in North America alone generate over $30 billionin sales each year. Advertising through celebrities, slick magazine andTV ads, they give hope for a brighter, younger complexion, morebeautiful hair and sexier features. What they don't mention is the longlist of chemicals that go into that promise. Since the industry is notregulated, many cosmetic companies don't even bother to list theingredients on their products

Read the label and decide whether that lovely shade oflipstick, blush or eye-shadow is worth the risk. Is having full volumehair or thick eyelashes worth compromising your health?

The followinglist is just a few of the chemicals found in basic personal careproducts. You can learn more and even do a search of your particularproduct with Skin Deep Safe Cosmetics Database, a campaign being run by the Environmental Working Group.
Phthatale family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Canresult in: endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCS) and carcinogen linkedto birth defects; premature breast developments; lowered sperm counts;testicular injury; damage to reproductive organs; lung, liver andkidney cancer

Why used: makes plastic soft and malleable.

Found in: nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions, and deodorants.

Banned in: Europe

Lauryl sulfate(SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate(SLES)

Canresult in: suspected carcinogen linked kidney and liver damage; nervoussystem disruption; damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema anddermatitis, known to inflame skin layers.

Why used: foaming agent and emulsifier.

Found in: toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels.

Banned in: Europe and Central America

Paraben preservatives or alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)

Canresult in: hormone disrupter, estrogenic (mimics natural estrogens thatleads to cancer); linked to breast cancer; skin rashes.

Why used: germicide and preservative.

Foundin: conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations,concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, and deodorants,sunscreen, hair-colouring.

Banned in: Japan and Sweden. Under review in the UK.

Formaldehydefamily or Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitropropane-1, Formalin , Methanal , Methyl aldehyde,Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene

Canresult in: carcinogen, causes allergic reactions and contactdermatitis; headaches; irritates mucous membranes; damaging to eyes;linked to joint and chest pain; depression; headaches; fatigue;dizziness and immune dysfunction.

Why used: disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer and preservative, cheap and mixes easily with water.

Foundin: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid antiseptic hand wash, skinlotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nailpolishes, talcs; mascara, mouthwash, make-up remover.

Banned in: Europe

Amine family Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA)

Canresult in: hormone disrupter; carcinogen linked to liver and kidneycancer; irritant to hair and skin; corrosive to eyes; causes contactdermatitis; react with other chemicals to form carcinogenicnitrosamines.

Why used: emulsifier, pH adjuster, and preservative, foaming agent added to coconut oils.

Foundin: shampoos, soaps, hairsprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers,eyeliner, talc, face powders, shaving creams, hair colouring products(women and men), hair sprays.

Banned in: Currently under review in the USA, UK and Europe

Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG)

SideEffect: linked to possible brain, liver, and kidney abnormalitiesrespiratory and throat irritation, central nervous system depression,pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycaemia, skin rashes anddermatitis, neuro-toxin that weakens protein and cellular structure.

Why: cheap substitute for glycerine, Humectant (retains moisture).

Found in: deodorants, body lotions, body washes, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, hand-wipes, lipsticks.

Banned in: Europe

Companies offering alternatives

Aubrey: hair, skin and body care products *I've tried their products and love their hair products and natural makeup*

Burt's Bees: chapsticks, skin care, makeup, hair care

BWC (Beauty without Cruelty): makeup and skin care

Dr. Hauschka: skin care products

Druide bath products and hair care

Ecco Bella: makeup, skin care and bath products

Erbaviva

Giovanni: bath, hair and skin products

Juara Skincare

Lavera: makeup and skin care products

Little Forest Baby

MOP (Modern Organic Products): hair care products

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Naddara Suki Naturals

Weleda: cosmetics

Upurea has one of the largest selections of enviro-friendly skincare products sold online

The TRUTH about Canola Oil

2009-11-16T03:39:00.000-08:00

Canola oil is very popular in ethnic cooking. Asians and Africans tend to use a lot of canola oil when cooking. It is also very popular in southern cooking where food is deep fried. Most people assume that this oil is healthy and use it in their everyday cooking. Below is an article i found on the dangers of canola oil.

The Real Story on Canola Oil (Can-ugly Oil)

The Hampton’s Diet
Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN

The Science of Fats, Fatty Acids and Edible Oils
Choosing the Right Oils and Fats

Can-ugly Oil my pet name for canola oil. Since canola is a completely contrived substance, I thought it should have an equally ridiculous name. The patient who first turned me off of canola oil lost 58 pounds following the Hamptons diet. Trevor was thrilled to finally discover a diet that emphasized high levels of monounsaturated fats, good saturated fats and downplayed the seemingly glorified horror that is canola oil. He is a 67 year old man who worked for a major pharmaceutical company for his entire career as a chemist. He understands the chemistry of the fats much more intimately than I do; still, we came to the same conclusion. He wanted to lose weight but was having difficulty following a low carbohydrate diet approach that did not emphasize the good, healthy fats. Trevor had a heart attack four months prior to seeing me and he did not want to take any cholesterol lowering medications and was looking for a way to avoid that, if possible. He was so relieved on discovering my approach that he even helped me out with some of the chemistry you see in this book. He was a model patient and lost his weight in 6 months. His cholesterol dropped to the 170’s with his HDL level staying in the low 70’s and triglycerides in the 40’s. I will try to relate to you what he told me about the rape seed.

Can-ugly oil is derived from the rape seed which is a member of the mustard family, which also includes broccoli, kale, cabbage and mustard greens. Rape seed oil has been used in traditional Asian and South Asian cooking for many years, without cause for alarm. This is probably because the oil was processed at very low temperatures usually by hand. A study raised concerns about heart disease and its relationship to one of the fatty acids that was most prevalent in rape seed oil, erucic acid. Since that was determined, the rape seed that is used today to make canola oil was bred to eliminate virtually all of the erucic acid so that now instead of 45% erucic acid that you get from a traditional rape seed, there is generally less than 25% found in common canola oil.

Canola oil is named for a Canadian scientist who developed it, hence, Canadian oil or canola. This new rape seed was bred to have a fatty acid profile of 57% monounsaturated fat; 5% saturated fat; 24% omega-6 fat and 10% omega-3 fatty acids. Because there is a decent level of omega-3 fatty acids, it is not recommended that canola oil be heated above 120F or trans fats are formed. Considering the profile, canola oil looks like a decent product. However, there are some canola oils whose smoke point is 520 F – how did that happen? That is all from chemical manipulation of the chemical structure of the oil through refinement and processing. So, although there is a 2:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, unless canola oil is used cold, and even then there is controversy, it is of little use and the levels of trans fats are extremely high at 4.5%, more so than margarine.

Traditionally rape seed oil was probably okay due to its gentle processing technique. However, modern canola oil processing is far from gentle and is what is responsible for making it can-ugly. The oil is removed from the seed by a combination of high temperature mechanical pressing and solvent extraction. As you will recall, traces of the solvent usually remains in the oil. Then, the oil is further refined, bleached and degummed, each step requiring exposure to high temperatures and chemicals. Since canola oil has a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids, these easily become rancid and foul smelling during these high heat processes. It therefore has to undergo another refining process called deodorization. This deodorization process removes a large portion of the omega-3 fatty acids by turning them into trans fats – which can be as high as 4.5%.

Now, canola oil is one of the most commonly used oils in processed foods. Since this oil has already been damaged by its refining process, it then undergoes another process that I have already described called hydrogenation, which further increases the trans fatty acid content of a given food. Canola oil is preferred in the processed food industry not only because it is cheap but because it hydrogenates better than soy or corn oil – an important component for shelf life stability, but not human health.

Canola Oil Mythology

In order to understand how canola oil came from not even existing on the planet to being one of the most commonly consumed oils in the American diet, we really don’t have to go back too far – only to the 1980’s. At that time, polyunsaturated fats ruled the roost and were the oils that were promoted as heart healthy. Science, however, was beginning to understand that the polyunsaturated stand was unhealthy. The powers that be could also not go back to a position that saturated fats were healthy again after they spent the better part of a decade or longer telling us that the thought of them would kill us. This was the birth of the reign of the monounsaturated fats. But, like most things governmental, the message got misguided and distorted by the food processing industry to give us what they can make the most money on. It is only now with the birth of the reign of MacNut oil and the success of the Hamptons diet can monounsaturated fats finally find a good home and be the bearer of the health message that they should.

Inthe mid-1980’s, articles on the benefits of olive oil, a naturalmonounsaturated fat, began to appear in the press. Consumers latchedonto this as it seemed natural and the images of the Mediterranean andTuscany seemed fitting for a healthy lifestyle. However, because of itsexpense, there had to be a cheaper alternative to use in processedfoods; and, because of its relative scarcity, there needed to be analternative. Another thing to note is that olives do not grow that wellin the US as there are not that many areas of the country that have aMediterranean-type climate. But, rape seeds are perfectly suited togrowing in the US and thus became the darling of the USDA. So, that’swhen a Canadian scientist developed a rape seed that was high in oleicacid and low in erucic acid, the poisonous substance – hence, the birthof LEAR (low erucic acid rape seed) or what is now known as canola oil.

This term canola oil did not come into widespread use until the 1990’s; although it was coined earlier than this. Since canola oil was a food product that was totally new; and the marketers wished to get it into the marketplace right away, it needed to be granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. Otherwise, it would not be allowed into the United States food supply, nor sold as food or used in the food processing industry. Without research and testing on the product, which is normally required fro many years, this as yet untested food product was granted GRAS status by the USDA in 1985.

It is interesting to note that Stevia, a non-caloric safe and natural sweetener with no friends in the food processing industry was never granted this same status although it is not a new, man-made contrived substance, nor is it a new food product, having been used for many years without any reported problems by many other countries besides the United States. Unfortunately, Stevia is only allowed to be sold as a nutritional supplement and not as a food. The interest of big business is always at stake, even in our food supply.

Thus, the marketing of canola oil as a health food began in earnest. The marketing genius drew on the fact that canola oil had 10% omega-3 fatty acids – which at that time was brand new to consumers. Canola oil began to be used interchangeably with olive oil, as the lighter alternative with the same healthy characteristics – something that could not have been further from the truth. Unprocessed canola oil which can not be found in our food supply does contain high levels of both monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, but not the processed variety, the most common one. That is because a product with that much omega-3 fatty acids is not shelf stable. This marketing campaign was very successful and helped push this crop into one of the most widely planted in the world today. It is even the oil most commonly used in cholesterol lowering spreads in place of traditional margarines – a big mistake; and canola oil is the oil of choice in most restaurants.

The Dangers of Can-ugly Oil

There have been many warnings in the health food industry that canola oil is unhealthy and the average health food consumer understands the limitations of this oil. It is interesting to note that canola oil started its meteoric rise in popularity in the health food markets and now is shunned by the healthiest consumers. Several studies in animals have shown that canola oil can decrease the bio-availability of vitamin E, a critical component of cardiovascular health.

Also, canola oil consumption can lead to shortened life spans in other animals. In still another study, growth is retarded and hence the ban on the use of canola oil in infant formulas. If this was so safe, why can’t it be fed to human infants? Keep in mind that these studies were all done on animals and it is hard to make that leap into humans. The one thing that is known is that there have never been long term studies in humans as to the health benefits or to the dangers of canola oil – another uncontrolled experiment that only benefits one thing – the food processing industry. That is something to seriously consider when deciding which oil to reach for on the supermarket shelf.

Hand Chart

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click to enlarge picture

48 ways to Never Waste Food Again

2009-11-16T03:15:00.000-08:00

Allah (SWT) states: "...Eatand drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not wasters." (Al-Quran,7:31)

Using Up Vegetables

1. Leftover mashed potatoes from dinner? Make them into patty shapesthe next morning and cook them in butter for a pretty good "mock hashbrown."

2. Don't toss those trimmed ends from onions, carrots, celery, orpeppers. Store them in your freezer, and once you have a good amountsaved up, add them to a large pot with a few cups of water and makehomemade vegetable broth. This is also a great use for cabbage coresand corn cobs.

3. Don't toss broccoli stalks. They can be peeled and sliced, then prepared just like broccoli florets.

4. If you have to dice part of an onion or pepper for a recipe,don't waste the rest of it. Chop it up and store it in the freezer forthe next time you need diced onion or peppers.

5. Roasted root vegetable leftovers can be turned into an easy,simple soup the next day. Add the veggies to a blender, along withenough broth or water to thin them enough to blend. Heat and enjoy.

6. If you're preparing squash, don't toss the seeds. Rinse and roastthem in the oven, just like you would with pumpkin seeds. The taste ispretty much the same.

7. Celery leaves usually get tossed. There's a lot of good flavor inthem; chop them up and add them to meatloaf, soups, or stews.

8. Use up tomatoes before they go bad by drying them in the oven. You can then store them in olive oil in the refrigerator (if you plan on using them within a week) or in the freezer.

9. Canning is always a good option. If you're doing tomatoes, you can use a boiling water bath. If you're canning any other type of veggie, a pressure canner is necessary for food safety.

10. Before it goes bad, blanch it and toss it in the freezer. Thisworks for peas, beans, corn, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts,cauliflower, and leafy greens like spinach and kale.

11. Too many zucchini? Make zucchini bread or muffins. If you don't want to eat the bread now, bake it and freeze it, then defrost when you're ready to eat it.

12.Pickle it.Cucumbers are the first veggie most of us think of pickling, but inreality, just about any vegetable can be preserved through pickling.

Ideas for Cutting Down on Fruit Waste

13. Make smoothies with fruit before it goes bad. Berries, bananas, and melons are great candidates for this use-up idea.

14. Jam is really easy to make, and will keep for up to a year ifyou process the jars in a hot water bath. If you don't do the waterprocessing part, you can keep the jam in the refrigerator for a month,which is a lot longer than the fruits would have lasted.

15. Dry your fruit and store it in the freezer or in airtight containers.

16. Make fruit leather.

17. Make a big fruit salad or "fruit kebabs" for your kids. For somereason, they seem to eat more fruit if it's in these "fancier" forms.

18. Use up the fall bounty of apples by making applesauce or apple butter.

19. Don't throw out those watermelon rinds! Pickled watermelon rind is a pretty tasty treat.

20. Make a fruit crumble out of almost any fruit you have on hand.Assemble and bake it now, or leave it unbaked and store it in thefreezer for a quick dessert.

Putting Extra Grains to Good Use

21. Make croutons out of day-old bread.

22. Turn day-old bread into homemade bread crumbs.

23. Freeze leftover bread. This way you'll have day-old on handwhenever you need bread crumbs, or croutons rather than using freshbread.

24. All of those little broken pieces of pasta in the bottom of thebox? Collect them and mix with rice and veggies for a simple side dish.

25. A few tablespoons of leftover oatmeal isn't enough for a meal, but it is great sprinkled on top of yogurt.

26. Add chopped bread to a soup. It will dissolve and thicken the soup.

27. Made too many pancakes for breakfast? Put them in the freezer,then toss in the toaster for a fast, tasty weekday breakfast. Dittowaffles.

28. If you make plain white or brown rice with dinner, use leftoversfor breakfast the next morning by adding them to oatmeal. This providesextra fiber and allows you to use up that rice.

29. If you our your kids don't like the bread crusts on yoursandwiches, save these bits and pieces in the freezer to turn intobread crumbs later. Just throw the crusts into a food processor orcoffee grinder to make them into crumbs. Season as you like.

30. If you have just a smidge of baby cereal left in the box, andit's not enough for a full meal, add it to your babies pureed fruit. Itadds bulk and fiber, and keeps baby full longer.

Make the Most of Meat

31. Don't toss those chicken bones after you eat the chicken. Boil them to make chicken stock.

32. Ditto for bones from beef and pork.

33. The fat you trim from beef can be melted down and turned into suet for backyard birds.

34. Turn leftover bits of cooked chicken into chicken salad for sandwiches the next day.

35. Use leftover roast beef or pot roast in an easy vegetable beefsoup the next day by adding veggies, water, and the cooking juices fromthe meat.

Use Dairy Before It Expires

36. If you've got a few chunks of different types of cheese sitting around after a party, make macaroni and cheese.

37. Eggs can be frozen. Break them, mix the yolks and whitestogether, and pour into an ice cube tray. Two frozen egg cubes is theequivalent of one large egg.

38. You can also freeze milk. Leave enough room in the container for expansion, and defrost in the refrigerator.

39. Use cream cheese in mashed potatoes or white sauces to give them thickness and tang.

40. Put Parmesan cheese into the food processor with day-old breadto make Parmesan bread crumbs. This is excellent as a coating foreggplant slices, or chicken.

Herbs and How to Get the Most Out of Them

41. Chop herbs and add them to ice cube trays with just a littlewater. Drop whole cubes into the pan when a recipe calls for that typeof herb.

42. You can also freeze herbs by placing them in plastic containers.Certain herbs, such as basil, will turn black, but the flavor willstill be great.

43. Make pesto with extra basil or parsley.

44. Dry herbs by hanging them by their stems in a cool, drylocation. Once they're dry, remove them from the stems and store themin airtight containers.

Don't Waste a Drop

45. Leftover coffee in the carafe? Freeze it in ice cube trays. Usethe cubes for iced coffee or to cool down too-hot coffee withoutdiluting it. You can do the same with leftover tea.

46. If you have pickle juice left in a jar, don't pour it down thedrain. Use it to make a fresh batch of refrigerator pickles, or add itto salad dressings.

47. You can also freeze broth or stock in ice cube trays, and use a cube or two whenever you make a pan sauce or gravy.

48. If there's just a bit of honey left in the bottom of the jar,add a squeeze or two of lemon juice and swish it around. The lemonjuice will loosen up the honey, and you have the perfect addition to acup of tea.

Jabir(ra)relatedthat Rasulullah(saw) had asked for the leftovers of food on the plateand those stuck on the fingers to be cleaned while saying, "You do notknow which part of your food that carries the blessings."

General meaning--Itis bad to have leftovers when eating as those leftover food are part ofGod's gift to us. Make it a habit not to have any leftover even of theslightest bit. If we are quite full in the first place, do not take thefood in excess. Always try to finish those food which are left on theplate and those stuck on our fingers. Maybe those leftovers are theones that carry the blessing.

Bananas Who Knew!

2009-11-16T03:03:00.000-08:00

Bananas, containing three natural sugars, sucrose,
fructose and glucose combined with fiber, give an
instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide
enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No
wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the
world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way
a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help
overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses
and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND
amongst people suffering from depression, many felt
much better after eating a banana. This is because
bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the
body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax,
improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it
contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect
your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of
hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium
yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood
pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug
Administration has just allowed the banana industry to
make official claim for the fruit's ability to reduce the
risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were
helped through their exams this year by eating bananas
at breakfast, break and lunch in a bid to boost their
brain power. Research has shown that that
potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making
pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help
restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the
problem without resorting to laxatives.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas hava a natural antacid effect in the body, so if
you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for
soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood
sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing
the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.
Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing
swelling and irritation.

NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the
nervous system.
OVERWEIGHT AND AT WORK?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found
pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like
chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients,
researchers found the most obese were more likely to be
in high pressure jobs. The report concluded that to
avoid panic induced food cravings, we need to control our
blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate
foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal
disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.
It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without
distress in over choronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining
of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit
that can lower both the physical and emotional
temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for
example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their
baby is born with a cool temperature.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain
the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

SMOKING:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.
The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and
magnesium found in them, help the body recover from
the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

STRESS:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the
heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your
body's water balance. When we are stressed, our
metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium
levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high
potassium banana snack.

STROKES:
According to research in "The New England Journal of
Medicine", eating bananas as part of a regular diet can
cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the
protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the
phosphorus, five times the Vitamin A and iron, and twice
the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in
potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So
maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that
we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

The Benefits of Wheatgrass

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**Excerpts from The Wheatgrass Book by Ann Wigmore**

WHEATGRASS JUICE...

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure.It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris.Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems byenriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure bydilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

Restores alkalinity to the blood.The juice's abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity inthe blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has beenused successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis,constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinaltract.

Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector.The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us fromcarcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells,detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizesenvironmental pollutants.

Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins.Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability tofight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibitcell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juicecleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

Contains beneficial enzymes.Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to losefive pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilitiesof the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we helpthem from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones foundin wheatgrass juice. Don't cook it. We can only get the benefits of themany enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100percent of the enzymes in food.

Has remarkable similarity to our own blood.The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is itsremarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygenin the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the HagiwaraInstitute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use ofgrass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll issoluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly intothe blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also beabsorbed in this way. In other words, when the "blood" of plants isabsorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transportsnutrients to every cell of the body.
When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel.An implant is a small amount of juice held in the lower bowel for about20 minutes. In the case of illness, wheatgrass implants stimulate arapid cleansing of the lower bowel and draw out accumulations of debris.

Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately.

Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions.
Is soothing and healing for cuts,burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete's foot, insect bites,boils, sores, open ulcers, tumors, and so on. Use as a poultice and replace every two to four hours.

Works as a sleep aide. Merelyplace a tray of living wheatgrass near the head of your bed. It willenhance the oxygen in the air and generate healthful negative ions tohelp you sleep more soundly.

Enhances your bath. Add some to your bath water and settle in for a nice, long soak.
Sweetens the breath and firms up and tightens gums. Just gargle with the juice.

Neutralizes toxic substances like cadmium, nicotine, strontium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride.

Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen.Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (theoxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25%of the body's oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobicbacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

Turns gray hair to its natural color again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily.

Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed.Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells,slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive rightaway. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.

Lessens the effects of radiation.One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiationand acts as an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellulardamage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants.

Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness.

Can double your red blood cell count just by soaking in it.Renowned nutritionist Dr. Bernard Jensen found that no other bloodbuilders are superior to green juices and wheatgrass. In his book Health Magic Through Chlorophyll from Living Plant Lifehe mentions several cases where he was able to double the red bloodcell count in a matter of days merely by having patients soak in achlorophyll-water bath. Blood building results occur even more rapidlywhen patients drink green juices and wheatgrass regularly.

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT WHEATGRASS JUICE?

1.	Wheatgrass juice is 70% chlorophyll.
2.	Chlorophyll is the first product of light and contains more light energy than any other element.
3.	Wheatgrass juice is a crude chlorophyll and can be taken orally and as a colon implant without toxic side effects.
4.	Chlorophyll is the basis of all plant life.
5.	Wheatgrassis high in oxygen like all green plants that contain chlorophyll. Thebrain and all body tissues function at an optimal level in a highlyoxygenated environment.
6.	Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.
7.	Renownednutritionist Dr. Bernard Jensen says that it only takes minutes todigest wheatgrass juice and it uses up very little body energy.
8.	Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of harmful bacteria.
9.	Chlorophyll(wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream. Studies of various animals haveshown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction. The red cell countwas returned to normal with four to five days of the administration ofchlorophyll, even in those animals that were known to be extremelyanemic or low in red cell count.
10.	Farmersin the American midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them onwheatgrass to restore fertility. (The high magnesium content inchlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones.)
11.	Chlorophyllcan be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior becauseit has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown inorganic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.
12.	Wheatgrass has what is called the "grass juice factor," which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive indefinitely.
13.	Dr. Ann Wigmore helped people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.
14.	Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them, and rebuilds and rejuvenates them.
15.	Wheatgrassjuice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice andother fruits and vegetables. Dr. Earp Thomas, an associate of the lateAnn Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350pounds of carrots, lettuce, celery, and so on.
16.	Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.
17.	Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body.
18.	Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.
19.	Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.
20.	Wheatgrassjuice cures acne and even removes scars after it has been ingested forseven to eight months. The diet must be improved at the same time.
21.	Inthe 1940 American Journal of Surgery, Benjamin Cruskin, MD recommendedchlorophyll to: clear up foul-smelling odors, neutralize strepinfections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis,overcome chronic inner-ear inflammation and infections, reduce varicoseveins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabbyeruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of theuterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoidfever, and cure advanced pyorrhea in many cases.
22.	Wheatgrass juice acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant.
23.	A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet prevents tooth decay.
24.	Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will eliminate toothaches and poisons from gums.
25.	Gargle with wheatgrass juice for a sore throat.
26.	Forpyorrhea of the mouth, lay pulp of wheatgrass soaked in juice ondiseased area in mouth or chew wheatgrass. Spit outthe pulp.
27.	Drink wheatgrass juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.
28.	Wheatgrass juice keeps the hair from graying.
29.	Bytaking wheatgrass juice, one may feel a difference in strength,endurance, health, and spirituality and experience a sense ofwell-being.
30.	Wheatgrass juice improves the digestion.
31.	It is great for blood disorders of all kinds.
32.	Wheatgrass juice is high in enzymes.
33.	Wheatgrassjuice is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through theskin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warmwater and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
34.	Wheatgrassimplants (enemas) are great for healing and detoxifying the colonwalls. The implants also heal and cleanse the internal organs. After anenema, wait 20 minutes, then implant 4-ounces of wheatgrass juice.Retain or 20 minutes.
35.	Wheatgrass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels open. It is high in magnesium.
36.	Dr. Max Bircher,a research scientist, inventor of muesli, and founder of the famedBircher-Benner Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, called chlorophyll"concentrated sun power." He said, "Chlorophyll increases the functionof the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus,and the lungs.... It is therefore a tonic which, considering itsstimulating properties, cannot be compared with any other. "
37.	According to Dr. Bircher, nature uses chlorophyll (wheatgrass) as a body cleanser, rebuilder, and neutralizer of toxins.
38.	Wheatgrassjuice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs frombreathing acid gasses. The effect of carbon monoxide is minimized sincechlorophyll increases hemoglobin production.
39.	Wheatgrass juice reduces high blood pressure as it enhances the capillaries.
40.	Wheatgrass juice can remove heavy metals from the body.

Color Therapy – The Art Of Healing The Whole Body With Colors

2009-11-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

Much research has been done in the area of light and color therapy.It is a great addition to traditional therapies and treatments.

According to color therapy a patient reaction can be significantly increased by changing the mount and color of light entering the eyeball.

Hence psychological and physical changes can be observed.

Today there are thousands of practitioners of color therapy. Beclear and ask all your doubts and questions as they ask you during theinitial visit.

If you observe that he can’t answer according to your expectations then leave him and search for another practitioner.

Color therapy is considered as a complementary medicine.A good reputable practitioner will refer you to another practitionerfor treatment of your ailments, using color therapy only in conjunctionwith their recommendations.

Working of color therapy:

Color therapy is mainly based on creating balance and enhancingenergy. The seven colors of light spectrum are properly aligned alongeach charka of the body.

These colors resonate with your body’s own healing energy toalleviate stress, headaches, etc. each color has its own wavelength andsupplies the energy of the corresponding charka.

The colors and their corresponding charkas are:

Blue = the throat
Green = the heart
Indigo = the brow
Orange = the lower tummy area
Red = the base or groin
Violet = the crown of the head
Yellow = the solar plexus

Each charka is considered as an energy wheel witheach color as a component in the machine of the body. Once anycomponent is out of alignment, the entire machine runs improperly orbreaks down.

So a better health can be achieved by keeping all of the seven components flowing proper energy to each part of the body.

The first session of color therapy:

During the first session the color therapist will ask you a series of questions and he will also explain various methods of alternative treatment. He will discuss everything with you such as about the use of color in your every day life and how it balances the energy.

Color therapy can affect all the four levels of your life such as physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Color therapist can determine which color energyyou are lacking in your everyday life and then he will prescribedifferent colors or combinations along with the light therapy inaddition to holistic treatments in order to balance all the four levelsof your body.

For instance, the color associated with the crown of the head is violet and is connected to the organ of the brain and relates to self knowledge and/or spiritual awareness.

This color is suitable for those who are suffering with depression, memory loss, and also Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Awareness Bracelet) patients. This color is considered as a cool color and it has calming properties.

Blue relates to self depression (Alternative treatment for Depression) and the digestive tract.

Green relates to the heart, breast and helps with the immune system.

Yellow is a warm color and it stimulates the stomach and liver.

Orange is a color for sociability and creativity.It relates to self worth. It manages the bowels, ovaries, testes anduterus. Most of you ear it for joy and confidence.

Red stimulates the appetite and is often used in restaurant decorations.

Say No To Nonstick Cookware

2009-11-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

by Joe Barrios on January 21, 2009

We all love our nonstick cookware. Those eggs slide right off theslick nonstick coated pan, leaving no mess and nothing to scrape.

Unfortunately, evidence is mounting that nonstick cookware could be hazardous to your health and even fatal to your pets. The Environmental Working Group(EVG), a watchdog environmental non-profit, has extensively researchedand questioned claims that nonstick chemicals are safe. In 2005, EWG foundthat six studies pointed to a risk for heart attack and stroke arisingfrom exposure to PFOA, a chemical found in nonstick materials. Otherdata showed possible links between PFOA and many kinds of cancer,including breast, testicular, pancreatic and liver cancers. Still otherstudies suggested PFOA suppresses the immune system and damages thepituitary gland.

Disturbingly, pet birds have dropped dead when exposed to fumes that are emitted when nonstick cookware is heated.

In 2006 an EPA panel concluded that PFOA is a “likely human carcinogen,”yet the chemical continues to be used not just in nonstick cookware butalso in a variety of other applications from stain-repellent clothesand carpet to grease-repellent fast food packaging to cleaning products.

PFOA never breaks down. Another EWG study showed that 95 percent ofAmericans’ blood, including all ten newborns studied, showed thepresence of PFOA. This chemical is now everywhere–from our bodies tothe air and water we use.

In 2006, eight makers of nonstick coatings agreed to phase out any possible release of PFOA into the environment from consumer products or manufacturing centers by 2015.

Anyone serious about living a more green and natural lifestyleshould seriously consider immediately disposing of any nonstickproducts, especially nonstick cookware.

EWG sees stainless steel cookware as a fantastic, much healthier alternative–whileit may be a bit more inconvenient to wash, it’s worth it so as toensure that something so hazardous is nowhere near our homes orfamilies. It’s also dishwasher safe. It has the added benefit ofbrowning food much better than nonstick cookware.

EWG also recommends cast iron cookware–it is very durable, canwithstand very high temperatures on the stove or in the oven, and canbe purchased pre-seasoned ready for use.

The small convenience offered by nonstick pans isn’t worth therisks. Please consider saying “no” to nonstick cookware and adopting ahealthier alternative.