Soaking Grains

Have you ever soaked grains before eating them? It has only been in the recent past that people have stopped using this ancient, traditional practice. What's the reason to soak grains before eating them? All whole grains contain enzyme inhibitors which greatly reduce your body's ability to digest vital nutrients. Soaking the grains releases enzymes into a form your body can absorb more readily. Many people who have digestive issues and would normally have issues with eating grains (and in particular, wheat) such as irritable bowel, Crohn's disease and related ailments find they can consume soaked grains without the problems associated with grains and flour that is not soaked.

We are repeatedly told by "health experts" that whole grains are healthier than grain flour, which is true. Unfortunately, there also exists a large amount of confusion over what really is a whole grain. Companies selling grain products commonly use marketing language on packaging such as "whole grains" to convince the consumer that what they are buying is healthy. Beware! Most of the time what you are buying is actually some type of flour as the main ingredient and not a whole grain. This is where label reading is of the utmost importance.

Back to the importance of soaking grains. If you are going to consume grains, the best variety to eat are those that are sprouted and/or whole. The great news is that there are a variety of healthy grains to consume - in moderation of course, as many people have allergies and/or intolerances to wheat. Good choices include:

• Spelt
• Kamut
• Buckwheat
• Amaranth
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Millet
  

The process is simple, it's just a matter of remembering to do it ahead of time. Soak grains like rice, millet, or quinoa at room temperature in water overnight. Add 1-2 tablespoons of whey, lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, yogurt, or kefir -- this provides an acidic environment in which to produce fermentation. Fermentation is important for health because it allows the foods to develop good bacteria which is beneficial for your digestive tract and immune system.

Water by itself is fine to use as some grains begin sprouting in simple water (which means enzymes and phytic acid become neutral). If you do use one of the other methods besides just water, you will acheive a somewhat sour taste due to the acidic additive. Nutritionally speaking however, this is the best method to use. After you are finished soaking your grains you can add fruits, nuts, honey, real maple syrup, and healthy fats such as raw milk, butter, kefir, or cream.

If baking, soak flour in buttermilk, yogurt, or kefir overnight. Add remaining ingredients to flour the following morning. When your grains or flour has finished soaking, simply drain water and other ingredients out and move on to your next step of cooking or heating.

Suggested reading on the subject of soaking grains can be found in Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions and on the Weston A. Price Foundation web site.

Toxic Chemicals in Antibacterial Soaps, Toothpaste

Do you use a lot of personal care products? A dangerous chemical called triclosan, contained in many products including toothpastes and antibacterial soaps has been found to promote cancer. The ingredient is not only unhealthy for humans, it's also unhealthy for the environment. Careful reading of ingredients shown on labels of all products will enable you to avoid this toxic chemical.

According to Natural News, "When tap water meets toothpaste, the triclosan reacts freely with the chlorine in the tap water to become chloroform (a chlorinated aromatic) and is similar to the dioxins found in the compound Agent Orange. It's a chemical reaction occurring right in your mouth while you brush your teeth." Once you rinse it out you are still at risk. Studies reveal this chemical remains in the mouth for up to 12 hours and is easily absorbed into skin on the tongue and through mucus membrane areas in the body. At greatest risk are children who are more likely to swallow toothpaste during teethbrushing.

Best alternatives are environmentally-friendly brands such as Logona or Mint-T-Fresh. Also, try using baking soda and food grade hydrogen peroxide. For soaps, natural bar soaps are best; avoid pump soaps in plastic containers as most of those contain chemicals and emulsifiers. A good pump soap brand is Dr. Bronner's (check out their other products as well).

Do Away With Dryer Sheets

Do you use dryer sheets in your dryer? While this practice may cause your clothing to have a "pleasant" smell or even diminish static cling, there are serious health risks to using these products. Like most detergents, dryer sheets come from non-renewable, petroleum-based products.

Dryer sheets contain phthalates, a common industrial chemical used in PVC, plastics, solvents, and synthetic fragrances. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors which are linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men and genital abnormalities in baby boys. (As a side note, the average sperm count of a man has decreased significantly since the 1940's.) More recently they've also been linked to asthma and allergies.

It may seem like an impossible thing to do, but try drying your clothes without dryer sheets. Another alternative is to hang your clothing and other articles to dry outside in your yard and let the solar power of the sun dry them. I've personally washed my family's clothing in safe, non-toxic laundry detergent and used no dryer sheets for almost ten years. Our clothes never contain static and have a genuine "clean" smell that is free of chemicals and perfumes. Our culture is so used to having products around to solve all our problems, but what actually ends up occurring is that often these products cause a great deal of problems which outweigh the benefits of using them in the first place.

For more information about phthalates, visit the Environmental Working Group.

Health Benefits of Organic

Do you eat organic foods? Purchase organic products? Much controversy exists over whether organic is really better for health or not. But consider this:

• Conventional products and foods receive exposure to toxins that organic varieties do not such as pesticides, herbicides, added chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and other unwanted substances that adversely affect health. Even if the argument stands that organic foods contain no more nutrients than conventional, avoiding these other substances is important for health.
• Organic farming is a sustainable activity in that it replenishes the soil of lost nutrients and minerals. Feeding the soil with organic matter instead of ammonia and other synthetic fertilizers has proven to increase nutrients in produce, with higher levels of vitamins and minerals found in organic food, according to the 2005 study, “Elevating Antioxidant levels in food through organic farming and food processing,” Organic Center State of Science Review (1.05).
• Many conventional crops come from seeds that are genetically modified. Just over a decade ago, no genetically modified foods were part of our food supply; today more than 30 percent of our cropland is planted in GMOs.
• Purchasing organic products helps ensure the success of smaller, more sustainable family farms. Certified-organic family farms provide twice the benefit to the economy: they are profitable and farm in harmony with nature. This is true whether the farm is a 3-acre orchard or a 4,000-acre wheat farm -- organic is a beneficial practice that is genuinely family and earth-friendly.
• Eating organic promotes the reduction of farmland pollution (i.e., waste produced from factory farms, which makes an incredible impact on the environment)
• Certified organic and sustainable farming practices favor humane treatment of animals on their premises, whereas factory farm environments sole purpose is to maximize profits.

Using caution when purchasing "organic" is advised however, because many large corporations are now capitalizing on using the term "organic" in their marketing to sell products. Large corporate "organic" outfits can claim to use organic farming practices in their methods, but may or may not be consistent with what is really considered organic. Do research and read labels. Smaller, sustainable operations are more likely to practice in accordance with rigid standards of what it means to farm in harmony with nature and land stewardship than larger companies.

For more information on organic and sustainable farming practices, visit Sustainable Table.

Information You May Not Know About Soy

Do you consume soy regularly? If so, you should be aware that in 2002, two U.S. senior government scientists, Drs. Daniel Doerge and Daniel Sheehan, discovered that chemicals in soy could increase the risk of breast cancer in women, brain damage in both men and women, and abnormalities in infants. Here are the findings and outcomes from their research:

• The scientists chose to go against FDA colleagues and oppose its decision to approve a health claim that soy lowered the risk of heart disease.

• They wrote an internal protest letter warning of 28 studies revealing toxic effects of soy, mostly focusing on chemicals in soy known as isoflavones, which have effects similar to the female hormone estrogen.

• These doctors discovered research which clearly reveals a connection between soy and the ability to cause health problems in human beings.

• Soy can cause health issues in animals including the changing of sexual development of fetuses and causing thyroid issues.

• Some studies reveal that chemicals in soy can cause a rise in the development of estrogen-dependent breast cancer.

According to the letter they wrote:

• 'There is abundant evidence that some of the isoflavones found in soy demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and in the thyroid.'

• 'During pregnancy in humans, isoflavones per se could be a risk factor for abnormal brain and reproductive tract development.'

According to one of the scientists, parents who allow their children to drink soy milk or formulas "are exposing their children to chemicals which we know have adverse effects in animals. It's like doing a large uncontrolled and unmonitored experiment on infants.'

The soy industry maintains that these findings shown in animals have no application to the health of human beings. Remember that the amounts of soy consumed by people in Asian countries is much less than those levels in the United States and other developed countries. It is also important to note that the type of soy consumed in Asia is generally from the whole soybean, whereas the soy we are consuming in the U.S. is more often than not a processed soy such as in soy cheese, soy milk, tofu, veggie burgers, and similar food products. Another consideration is the amount of soy consumed by cattle for feed in factory farm environments, which are slaughtered for food and is consumed by human beings.

For more information about soy and the dangers of its use, visit Soy Online Service.

Butter is Good for You

Do you eat butter or a butter replacement product? If you are eating butter replacement products, you should be aware of the effect these have on your health.

Margarines and other similar products are processed foods. They are created chemically from refined, polyunsaturated oils. The process which changes normally liquid oils into a spreadable form is called hydrogenation (also known as a trans-fat). Ironically, there is great movement on the market today to eradicate hydrogenated oils and trans fats from many products, yet natural saturated fats continue to be blamed for health issues.

Butter replacement products contain vegetable oils that have been modified to give the oil the same properties of a fat. This process is used to make shortenings, margarines, and a variety of butter substitute items. The process of modifying vegetable oil in this manner is referred to as interesterification. According to Natural News, this process "involves taking a batch of vegetable oil, to which we add an enzyme that acts as a catalyst. The catalyst causes the separation of a triglyceride molecule into a glycerol and 3 fatty acids.

After breaking the triglycerides molecule apart, the factory can re-configure the fatty acid molecules – combining any three Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, or Saturated molecules, in whatever combination they seek.

Depending on this combination, ie. the percentage of lighter Omega 3 or 6 versus the heavier Omega 9 and Saturated molecules, the hardness of the fat will be determined. The interesterification process can produce any type of fat or oil. This includes heavy fats suitable for deep-frying, semi-solid fats to make margarine, or liquid oils for bottling; the end result is a product that has an indefinite shelf life, targeted at the unsuspecting consumer."

Consuming these processed substances can actually cause the very health problems for which butter is criticized. In general, it is best to avoid any foods containing butter replacement products. The natural Omega 3s occurring in organic butter are essential to health and help regulate cardiovascular function. Butter also contains Vitamin A which is important for thyroid and adrenal glands, and has been associated with heart and blood vessel deformation of the heart in infants born from mothers with Vitamin A deficiencies. Vitamin E is also found in butter, and both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are critical in antioxidant power to keep the body from developing disease.

Use care in selecting good quality butter. Organic is best, and raw butter is a bonus. Try Organic Pastures or U.S. Wellness Meats.

To learn more about the health benefits of eating real butter, visit the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Avocado and Coconut Oils - Super Oils for Health

Looking for good oils to improve health? Oil from avocado and coconut alike are extremely beneficial to consume. Eating whole avocados and using unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil for cooking needs are two great ways to get essential fatty acids necessary to maintain health.

Avocados contain a superior oil that is comprised of about 70 per cent monounsaturated fats. This oil is one of the most plentiful sources of beta-sitosterol -- clinically proven to reduce levels of unhealthy cholesterol. Avocados also contain lutein -- a nutrient that protects against cataracts. This delicious fruit is a a good source of Vitamin E and the mineral potassium, which helps maintain optimal blood pressure levels and protects against circulatory diseases. Eating avocados provides the correct type of Omega 6s - something we receive too much of in other forms from processed foods in the Western diet.

Although coconut oil falls into the category of saturated fat, this is the type of saturated fat which is actually healthy to consume. Too much saturated fat increases risk of health problems such as heart disease because it raises levels of unhealthy cholesterol. The difference between the saturated fat in coconut oil and that in processed foods such as desserts and breads is that it exists in an alternate chemical form and is processed easier and and sent directly to your liver to be converted to energy.

Approximately two-thirds of coconut oil consists of Medium Chain Triglycerides. These MCTs are comprised of lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid. These essential fatty acids and their corresponding monoglycerides are powerful antimicrobial agents and are effective against a wide range of pathologic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts.

Research has shown that the type of fat found in coconut oil speeds up metabolic function, and therefore is a calorie burner. As long as you eat the correct types of saturated fats in moderation, such as coconut oil (and avocado oil), your health will maintain its proper levels of calorie intake per day.

Calcium and Health

Are you getting enough calcium in your diet? Don't rely on pasteurized dairy as a reliable source for obtaining enough calcium. Pasteurized dairy actually causes current stores of calcium in the bone to be leeched out. Because pasteurized dairy has been heated up to destroy "bad" bacteria, beneficial nutrients, proteins, and enzymes are denatured and rendered harmful to the body and do not properly absorb. Good sources for calcium include:

• Almonds
• Green leafy vegetables like spinach, bok choy, kale and Chinese Mustard greens, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli
• Fish such as salmon (wild caught from Alaska) and deep-sea sources like sardines and anchovies
• Raw dairy products such as milk, cream, butter, and cheese

Most people do not receive adequate calcium in their daily diets and should consider taking a supplement. Use caution when taking calcium as it also must be accompanied by a magnesium component for proper balance and absorption. Selection of good products is important because many are inferior and won't provide the right type of calcium needed. Calcium citrate is the optimal chemical composition of calcium. Check labels on products.

Try Solaray or Lifetime liquid calcium supplements. Liquid is great for children and has a pleasant taste. Check with a qualified health care practitioner or at a health food store to find out which calcium supplement is ideal for you and your individual health. As always, when you are choosing supplements, the condition of your digestive system is critical to determine what you need to take. If your digestion is damaged, like most people in developed countries, you will need different type of supplementation than a person whose digestive tract is healthy. Always take calcium at night for maximum absorption, and before or after a meal is ideal.

Beware of "fortified" and processed foods claiming to contain high amounts of calcium. These "foods" are dangerous to consume and won't provide proper nutrients to your body. Watch out for the following:

• Pasteurized, low-fat and non-fat milks and dairy products (cheese, yogurt, etc.)
  
• Orange juice
• Soy milk

Some Facts About Milk

Do you wonder where your milk comes from? Why do dairies pasteurize milk? Here is an interesting story as found on the Organic Pastures web site:

"In the 1800s, many US dairies began commercially producing low quality raw milk in the inner cities of Boston and New York and others. These Brewery dairies would feed their cows very poor quality "brewer's mash." The resulting milk was very weak and nearly blue from lack of protein, mineral, and fat content. This occurred during the Jamaican rum embargo. During this same time period, the dairy industry did not use or have access to refrigeration, stainless steel, milking machines, rubber hoses, hot water, or chlorine as a sanitizer. TB and Brucellosis were rampant (not to mention horse manure on the streets, flies, and lack of public sanitation and sewage) and the cows were milked by hand without mechanical machines. The cows stood in manure and there was no access to pasture (sounds like some factory dairy farms of 2005). The resulting unhealthy milk from these sources literally killed millions. The heating of milk to high temperatures reduced this horrible blight. During this same time period, milk from the countryside taken from pasture grazed healthy and clean cows was the best medicine of the day. In fact, the Mayo Clinic used this high quality country raw milk as a basis for many disease curing therapies.

This was the untold story of raw milk. Because of pasteurization successes, commercial interests prevailed and all dairies (the good, bad, and the ugly) then began to pool their milk so that "nobody would die," even if milk quality was very poor. This was great news for milk mass marketing, and creameries created high profits. These pasteurization practices continue today with the chief benefit being extended shelf life. These modern dead milk products now cause allergies and lactose intolerance to huge sectors of the population. Current (PMO) Federal standards for pasteurized milk permit 100,000 bacteria per ml for milk going to be pasteurized with as many as 20,000 injured or living bacteria to be alive after pasteurization, and this may include pathogens (this is arguably the reason why milk is pasteurized). California standards for raw milk require that milk sold for raw consumption have fewer than 15,000 live bacteria per ml and no pathogens. Organic Pastures Dairy averages about 1500 beneficial living bacteria per ml (and never a human pathogen)."

To learn more about the amazing benefits to your family of raw milk and raw milk products, visit Organic Pastures.

Gallstones and Your Health

Do you suffer from gallbladder pain or gallstones? Many doctors suggest eating a so-called "low-fat" diet and if trouble persists, having the gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy). Doctors also tell patients that gallstones usually cannot be avoided, but actually, this is not the case. The gallbladder has long been thought to be an organ we can live without, but research shows that removal of this important organ can actually lead to health issues including diarreah from constant bile dripping into the small intestine which can lead to colon and bowel cancer.

It is true that gallstones develop over many years' time. Gallstones are a result of eating poorly and are caused by a buildup of unwanted substance and toxins from the diet. Lifestyle habits are the best deterrent against gallstone development as well as many other illnesses and diseases. Here are some tips if you are sufferer of chronic gallbladder episodes:

• Make an appointment to see a qualified health care practitioner that knows how to treat gallstones holistically. He or she can recommend the proper dietary supplements necessary to bring your gallbladder back to health. In many cases, a malfunctioning gallbladder is a result of improper diet and lack of necessary nutrients in the diet to keep the gallbladder functioning properly.
• Eat a healthy diet with healthy fats - whole dairy, natural, grass-fed meats and poultry that do not contain hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals, and safe choice fish.
• Eat plenty of organic vegetables, fruits, and raw foods.
• Make sure to maintain adequate levels of purified water daily.
• Maintain a consistent schedule of moderate exercise - such as walking briskly or cycling 4 to 5 times a week. Exercise helps maintain healthy insulin levels and benefits your pancreas, liver, and gallbladder by helping to regulate blood sugar levels and metabolic rates.
• Many gallbladder "cleanses" and flushes are useful in eliminating gallbladder issues. To learn more about these activities, visit Sensible Health. It is recommended to consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner to guide you through this process and to use the correct type of flush.
  
• Remember that low-fat and non-fat foods and dietary habits will cause failure of the gallbladder.
  

For more information about gallstone problems, visit Alternative Medicine and Health.

Spirituality and Health

Do you have some type of spirituality in your life? Evidence suggests that adhering to some type of spiritual belief system is beneficial to health. "Spirituality can affect the physical and emotional health of patients in quite significant ways," said Dr. Harold G. Koenig, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.

Spirituality is defined as the way you find meaning, hope, comfort and inner peace in your life. Many people find spirituality through religion. Some find it through music, art or a connection with nature. Others find it in their values and principles.

It is unknown how spirituality affects health, but many people believe the spirit, mind, and body are intimately connected. When you tap into that connection, you can be in tune with your body more effectively and alter your state of health merely through activities that are spiritual in nature such as prayer, meditation, and similar exercises.

You may or may not be able to cure an illness, but efforts spent improving spiritual health can actually help you feel better, prevent various health problems, and help you and family members or friends deal more positively with with death, disease, and stress.

Learn to identify and cultivate hings in life which promote comfort and peace for you individually. Make time each day to participate in a few minutes up to an hour or so of time spent engaged in one of these activities whether it be solitary or with a group. Here are some ideas:

• Nature walks
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Attending services
• Yoga
• Reading inspirational material
• Deep breathing

For more information on how you can explore your spirituality as related to health, visit Spirituality & Health

Improving Your Sleep Habits

Do you stay up late at night to try and get some personal time? Personal time is important, but so is a good night's sleep. If you are staying up all hours of the night and then dragging yourself out of bed the next day to get to work, school, or other obligations, perhaps it's time to change your habits.

Instead of going out late at night or watching television, try winding down quietly at home with some relaxing music and low lights. Read a book for fifteen minutes, have some herbal tea, and then settle into bed before it gets to be much past 10:00 p.m. Make certain your room is well-ventilated and completely dark. If you have trouble falling asleep try turning on your radio for five minutes to a station that plays classical music and lying quietly. Breathe deep and move all thoughts of things you have to accomplish tomorrow out of your mind. Relax your muscles and get into a comfortable position. Don't forget to turn off your radio before falling asleep. Nighty-night!

Reduce Your Grain Intake

The Food Pyramid recommends eating 5 - 11 servings of grains daily. But did you know that consuming this amount of grains on a regular basis can actually be harmful to your health? Here's why:

The consumption of grains in modern society is vastly different from how people in the historical past have eaten. Grains are not the same as they once were; grains have been bio-engineered to contain higher levels of gluten, and thus contain less protein. Gluten causes health reactions in many people, and because grains and grain products are so ubiquitous in our food supply stores and our culture as a whole, we are finding these intolerances to be more and more pervasive. The lower ratios of protein to carbs and the frequency with which we eat these substances has caused a fundamental shift in what our bodies are getting out of this food. Grains -- and in particular, the processed varieties that most of us eat on a daily basis -- are chock full of Omega 6 essential fatty acids - so much that we are overloaded on this EFA and the result has been heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and an array of other health issues. We are not getting enough of the the balancing Omega 3s in our diets because we are eating more grains, and less grass-fed meats which contain proper amounts of this EFA.

Another important health consideration is that grains are high on the glycemic index, which causes the digestive system and especially the pancreas to work harder. The more this continual strain is placed on the pancreas and liver to process these high amounts of carbohydrates, the greater the risk of developing insulin resistance and eventually Diabetes. Diets rich in complex carbohydrates such as fresh, organic produce, healthy, grass-fed meats and poultry, and small amounts of healthy, whole, sprouted grains are most beneficial to health.

To learn more about why eating grains can harm health, visit: Your Hub, Denver and Dr. Mercola.

Healthy Alternatives to Soda Pop?

How much soda pop do you drink? What about your children? Soda pop received the boot from school vending machines, but watch out because the beverage industry has only replaced the revenue they lost out on from eliminating soda with sports drinks such as Gatorade and “enhanced” VitaminWater. The companies who make these beverages, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, have spent a fortune billing them as “healthy.” However, advocates for informed public health argue that the content in these beverages of high fructose corn syrup, chemicals, and sodium should easily place them in the same category as the soda drinks and disqualify them from being stocked in vending machines.

Children will drink these beverages because they are sweet and are made popular by advertising and marketing. Children won't think twice about the fact that these drinks are not any healthier than their fizzy counterparts -- they'll just pop the coins in the machines and drink up. It's unfortunate that companies are not required to tell the truth on their products, or even worse, that they are allowed to sell such items in the first place. It is products like this and many others that are leading to the decline in our health -- and the worst part is that it is helping to set up our children for lifelong health problems including Diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

The human body needs water - and a lot of it. If you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink half of your weight in ounces each day -- so 50 ounces total. If you are currently not drinking enough water, you should work your way up gradually to avoid kidney trouble. Here are some ways to keep your child away from these dangerous drinks:

1. Help your children stay away from sugary, chemical-filled drinks by not purchasing these products to have in your home.
2. Limit as much as possible the amount of drinks like these your child has outside the home. If you can, pack your child's lunch. Send only water to school.
3. When your son or daughter goes to family or friend's houses and you are not together, let your friends and family members know that you don't want your child to consume sugary drinks (except on rare occasions).
4. Encourage your child to drink water when he or she is away from home and not under your supervision.
5. Have conversations with school staff about removing these drinks from vending machines if they are available in your child's school. Get involved locally to help change requirements about what's served at school.
   

For more information about sports drinks and sodas, visit the Doc Shop.

Children and Diesel Exhaust Exposure

Have you considered the risk to your child's health when exposed to diesel exhaust? Clean School Bus USA is a program designed to reduce exposure received by children to exhaust from diesel-fueled buses, and the amount of air pollution created by these vehicles buses. Consider this:

• 24 million American children ride school buses daily
• Students spend, on average, about an hour and-a- half each day in a school bus
• School buses drive more than 4 billion miles each year

The safest transportation method for children to get to and from school are school buses. But pollution emitted from older diesel vehicles has serious health risks for everyone, especially children. Children have smaller bodies and absorb greater amounts of the chemical as compared to adults. Reducing pollution from public school buses should be a priority, and if a concerted effort is made by all we can assure that school buses are also a clean way for children to travel to and from school. By aligning partners from from education, business, public-health, and transportation organizations, Clean School Bus USA is working toward the following goals:

• Encouraging policies and practices to eliminate unnecessary public school bus idling.
• Upgrading (“retrofitting”) buses that will remain in the fleet with better emission-control technologies and/or fueling them with cleaner fuels.
• Replacing the oldest buses in the fleet with newer technology buses that have lower pollution levels

Diesel exhaust can exacerbate health conditions such as asthma, allergies, and respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and sinusitus.
What can you do to help?

• Limit the amount of time children are spent on buses and waiting for them outside of idling vehicles
• If your child must ride a bus, encourage he or she to sit toward the front of the bus, if possible. Less exposure to carcinogens occurs toward the front of the bus.
  
• Talk to bus driver and administrative staff at your school to encourage that vehicles are turned off while waiting for children to load.
• Request that your school district to replace diesel buses with alternative-fuel buses
• Write to your congressman or woman about these issues and get involved locally
• Ride your bike to school or walk with your child to save gas and cut down on air pollution

What are some good alternatives to diesel-powered buses? Vehicles using compressed natural gas and propane are much cleaner and just as reliable, and these are used pervasively for city transportation. More school districts everywhere are switching to these types of vehicles. As research on alternative fuels and technologies increases, additional alternatives -- including battery or fuel-cell-powered buses and vehicles using a mixture of batteries and fuel -- may be coming soon.

For more information, see the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Watercress and Lung Cancer

Watercress? Yes indeed! Consuming a bowl daily of this fantastic relative of the mustard green family could lower your risk of lung cancer according to John La Puma, MD, author of ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine.

Research reveals that among smokers and nonsmokers, those who regularly consumed approximately a cereal-bowl's worth of fresh watercress daily for 8 weeks showed lower levels of DNA damage to white blood cells. Smokers experienced the most marked change. According to La Puma, the isothiocyanates in watercress have a powerful effect of supressing a potent cancer-causing agent found in tobacco. And like many greens, watercress has extremely high nutritional content. This fabulous plant is loaded with vitamins and necessary minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and lutein, as well as mustard oil.

Best sources for watercress? Try your local food growers and merchants in places such as the farmer's markets. Also look for watercress in health food stores.

Here is a great recipe for Watercress Salad. Here is another for Avocado and Watercress Salad. Enjoy!

Avoid Excessive Drinking

Do you consume more than one alcoholic beverage a day? If so, you may be at risk for increasing your chances of developing liver or kidney disease or cancer. One a day is fine (two for men), but anything beyond that can cause health problems.

In addition, alcoholic binge drinking has been connected to sugar addiction. Alcoholic beverages contain high amounts of processed carbohydrates and studies show that children who consistently eat poor diets and are nutritionally deficient in younger years are more likely to develop alcoholic habits and tendencies during adolescence and young adult years.

For more information about alcohol and the sugar connection, visit Agriculture Society and read our article that was featured in the October 2007 issue of Healthy Beginnings magazine.

Best Bets for Eating Out

Eating out can be expensive, and is often unhealthy. There is never any way to control all the ingredients of food when eating out – simply because you are not the one selecting food for the meals. Now there are more and more restaurants who serve organic and natural foods. But by and large, most restaurant owners have a bottom line to consider – the cost of running their business. As such, most of the food they purchase for their restaurants will be the variety that is not as high quality as you would choose for meals at home. In fact, much of what you will eat at restaurants contains ingredients that are incredibly unhealthy to eat. The reason for this is that foods which have the longest shelf life will probably be staples in a restaurant for maximization of profits.

One of the things you will absolutely have to give up if you are going to eat a truly healthy diet is fast-food restaurants. Fast-food restaurants are the bottom of the barrel, no matter how much they try to convince you with clever marketing that they have changed many of their menu items to healthier choices. Fast food restaurants are infamous for using fillers, chemicals, hydrogenated oils and altered fats, and unnaturally high does of sugar and carbohydrates.

Many other restaurants serve plenty of fast-food type fare, so choosing menu items for those who are accustomed to eating these types of items may be difficult at first. Do not be fooled by media advertising used by fast-food chains to entice you to eat their food…they use all kinds of buzz words such as “healthy”, “fresh”, and “natural” when in reality, the ingredients they use are probably the worst possible selections you might come across and many of them are processed. Anything processed should be a red flag for health. Many of these foods contain toxic ingredients that can actually cause allergic reactions and a variety of health issues. Here are some unhealthy choices available at restaurants when eating out:

• Hamburger and hot dog buns (and often the meat inside those buns)
• Bagels
• Pita Breads
• French fries
• Pasta
• Focaccia breads
• Potato chips, tortilla chips (corn and flour)
• Flour and corn tortillas
• Tater Tots
• Many soups - as they can contain hydrogenated oils, damaged fats, flour, and chemicals
• Meats and/or poultry full of chemicals, steroids, nitrates, or hormones
• Salad dressings - most dressings are horribly unhealthy, but if you can get olive oil and vinegar you are good to go. It is very common for restaurants to use soybean oil or canola oil in vinagrette dressings.
• Dairy products
  

Of course, you don't often know the source of foods you eat in restaurants. Because finding this information out is time consuming and most people don't want to bother, you can avoid overloading your body with more toxins and chemicals than necessary by sticking to the following foods, when possible. Naturally raised meats are harder to come by, but are becoming more and more common:

• Beef, naturally raised(grass-fed)
• Potatoes and some rice (brown, basmati, and wild are the best)
• All Vegetables and fruits, either raw, baked, roasted, sauteed, or steamed - salads or cooked
• Meatloaf (without bread)
• Roasted chicken, naturally raised (pasture-raised)
  
• Healthy fish
• Roasted turkey, naturally raised (pasture-raised)
  
• Ham, bacon, or pork naturally raised with no nitrates
• Lamb (grass-fed)
  
• Wild game meats
• Raw Vegetables and cooked vegetables (salads and otherwise)
• Naturally produced dairy products
• Salad dressings that are oil and vinegar-based - if in doubt, ask about what type of oil they are using
  

If you are going to eat out, simply avoiding any fast-food selections at all is your best bet. There are plenty of other choices that are both healthier to consume and taste better.

Best choices at restaurants are always proteins such as meat, fish, and eggs. If meat is organic and grass-fed, that’s a plus. Fish selections that are wild are usually superior to farmed, although in some cases farmed can be acceptable. For a pocket-guide to safe fish choices, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium site. Although not always the case, local and independent establishments tend to use locally-produced foods more than chains. If you eat at a local restaurant, you are much more likely to find local foods on the menu than at restaurants such as Red Robin, Olive Garden, or Johnny Carino’s.

Nearly any type of vegetable besides french fries, hashbrowns, or tater tots is a good choice. Even a baked potato or mashed potatoes are fine in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to try and eat raw vegetables at every meal, but a variety of raw and cooked is good as well. This may seem like a limited selection, but there really are many choices you can make at restaurants that will allow you to stay within your lifestyle goals.

Unless noted (which is rare), most dairy is a bad idea to consume in restaurants because they use the cheapest variety they can find, which means the milk, cream, butter, cheese, sour cream, and other items are pasteurized, low or non-fat, and probably full of antibiotics, steroids, other chemicals, and hormones. The best type of dressing you can get on a salad is oil and vinegar, such as most types of vinaigrette (some may contain undesirable oils such as soybean, cottonseed, or canola; if in doubt, ask). Although some vinaigrettes contain unhealthy oils, Ranch, thousand island, blue cheese, and other similar dressings are also loaded with these oils, processed dairy, sugar, and chemicals that you’ll want to avoid.

A good way to have an impact over what foods restaurants serve where you eat is to make comments to the staff and even talk to the manager or owner. Tell them that you'd like to see healthier choices on their menu and would especially like to have offered healthy, local, and organic choices as well.

Read Labels!

Do you often see the word "organic" on products you purchase? Beware, that even when something states that it is "natural", "healthy", or "organic", often, these products may actually not be any healthier for you than their conventional counterparts.

Many products, such as crackers, cereals, fruit snacks, candies, desserts, breads, chips, and related items are just as unhealthy to consume as those manufactured with toxic ingredients. For example, a box of "organic" cereal can contain as much sugar, fillers or other ingredients such as soy, dairy, or nuts that have been processed in an unhealthy manner, and are not any healthier to eat. Read labels. If you are in doubt, don't purchase the item.

Eating "organic" cereal in place of Fruit Loops or Cocoa Puffs may very well not be better for your body because a majority of those cereals still contain processed ingredients that are unnatural, sugar, and allergens. Instead, try eating eggs with sprouted grain toast and real, raw butter and some fruit. Vegetables are a great and nutritious addition to eggs in the morning and are especially tasty with some salsa. Try switching from your normal breakfast of sugar, chemicals, and carbohydrates to a meal with real food and see what a difference it makes.

Radiation Exposure and Heart Disease

Most of us receive exposure to radiation on a daily basis. But did you know that exposure actually increases the risk for heart disease as well? This is among people exposed to low-dose radiation for long term or high dose for short-term according to a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The study examined the health of 65,000 workers working between the years of 1946 and 2002 at 4 separate nuclear plants operated by British Nuclear Fuels plc and its predecessors. This study, conducted by Steve Jones and collegues at Westlakes Scientific Consulting looked at non-cancer death rates and cumulative radiation exposure using the worker's personal dosimeter badges. Findings revealed that those exposed to relatively higher doses were at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

The effects of radiation on heart disease should not be a surprise to anyone who has followed reports and studies done about the effects of radiation on the body. Another finding by John Gofman, a famous nuclear physician discovered that 75 percent of breast cancers are connected to exposure to medical x-ray (which includes mammograms), also stated years ago that radiation causes damage to arteries and blood vessels, which perpetuates heart disease. Breast cancer radiation also raises the risk of heart disease as well, as reported by BMC Cancer.

The bottom line is, living a healthy lifestyle is critical to avoid both the need for medical procedures which use radiation and avoiding other unnecessary exposure to radiation. Things to avoid include x-rays, mammograms, CT scans, and reduce the amount you use or are exposed to devices which emit radiation such as microwaves, cell phones, televisions, wireless devices, and other related equiment.

Is Orange Juice Healthy?

What could be better than a glass of orange juice at breakfast? We have been led to believe for many years that orange juice is one of the foundations of health in our daily diets and this popular beverage is served in many environments to be included with a "healthy breakfast". Did you know that not only is orange juice really just sugar in disguise, but unless it comes from an organic source that in many cases it also contains toxins that cause illness and disease? Let's find out why.

The following excerpt is from the annual conference of Consumer Health of Canada, 2002. At this conference, Sally Fallon, well-known author and educator gave a lecture about the food processing industry. Ms. Fallon is also known for her work with the Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit group whose mission is to "disseminate the research of nutrition pioneer Dr. Weston Price, whose studies of isolated non-industrialized peoples established the parameters of human health and determined the optimum characteristics of human diets" through education, research, and activism.

"In the processing, the whole orange is put into the machine. Enzymes are added to get as much oil as possible out of the skin. Oranges are a very heavily sprayed crop. These sprays are cholinesterase inhibitors, which are real neurotoxins. When they put the oranges in the vats and squeeze them, all those pesticides go into the juice.

What about the orange peel used for cattle feed? The dried left-over citrus peel is processed into cakes which are still loaded with cholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates. Mark Purdey in England has shown these neurotoxins are correlated with "Mad Cow Disease" (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis or BSE). The use of organophosphates either as a spray on the cows or in their feed is one of the causes of the degeneration of the brain and nervous system in the cow and if these components are doing this to the nervous system of the cow, there's a possibility they are doing this to you also. In fact, a study carried out in Hawaii found that consumption of fruit and fruit juices was the number one dietary factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers speculated that the real culprit was the pesticides used in fruit—and concentrated in the juices due to modern processing techniques."

Still think orange juice is healthy? Consider this: because the majority of orange juice on the market comes from conventional sources that rely heavily on chemical processes and pesticides, you are much more likely to encounter this variety of juice than the pure type from organic sources. Even if you do drink organic orange juice regularly, just contemplate the empty calories going into your body and the sky-high amounts of sugar your pancreas must deal with - and remember, it takes an average of 10 oranges to make an 8 ounce glass of juice. You are getting all of the sugar and none of the fiber, pulp or nutrients (or in the case of juice with "pulp", you are not getting very much). How many people do you know who will sit down and eat 10 oranges at a time? Next time instead of drinking the juice, opt for a whole, organically-grown orange. Your body will thank you.

Vitamin Supplements

Do you take supplements or vitamins? Know the facts before you take any supplement:

• Many supplements are not standardized or high quality. Choose supplements that are good quality and have good ingredients. The majority of what is available in most grocery and food stores, and some health food stores is not considered good quality, so use caution. Professional grade products are the best choice.
  
• The best method of choosing supplements that are right for you is through a knowledgeable health care practitioner. Traditional doctors do not typically know a great deal about nutritional supplements, and trying to decide on your own may cause health problems to occur and you will likely end up wasting money. For best results, seek the advice of a qualified practitioner well-versed in nutrition such as a certified nutritional therapist or naturopathic physician.
• In general, whole-food, organic compounds with phyto-nutrients and co-factors are the best choices.
• Make certain you are choosing supplements that take care of the following dietary requirements: essential fatty acids (Omega 3s), mineral balance (such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, and other important minerals), fiber (for regularity and toxin removal), digestion (such as digestive enzymes), and probiotics (friendly bacteria that help populate your intestinal tract and keep your immune system functioning).

For more information about making the right choice in nutritional supplements, visit Merchant Circle.

Save Electricity and Money

Here are some tips for saving electricity:

• Unplug appliances and devices when not in use.
• Turn off any lights and or plug-in devices when not in use such as toasters, microwaves, blenders, televisions, coffee makers, stereo systems, and computers.
• Use candles instead of lights when possible, but be certain to monitor their use closely to prevent the risk of fire.
• Choose a few nights a week to hand-wash dishes. Use cold water whenever possible.
• Use cold water in your washing for clothes.
• Hang your clothes out to dry in your bathroom, on chairs in your living room or dining room, or outside on a clothes line.
• Tighten your house's thermal envelope by improving on various areas in your house that separate the home from the outside such as walls, windows, weatherstripping, roof, doors, areas where you have caulking.
• Close curtains and shades in parts of the house that receive the most sunlight during warmer weather months: north, morning and south, evening.
• Move furniture away from air registers to allow air flow efficiency.
• Change the filter regularly in your air conditioner system or air system.
• When appropriate, Replace older, less efficient appliances and devices with higher-level, energy efficient ones.
• Turn your heat down a couple of degrees in the winter and bundle up. Turn your air conditioner up as well during summer, and turn on fans and open the windows. Consider installing ceiling fans in your house to help move air through and save money.

Eat Your Fish!

Fish oil and protein is an important source of nutrients for health. Try to eat these foods twice weekly. According to the Washington State Department of Health, here are the selections which are lowest in mercury:

• Anchovies
• Butterfish (Silver Pomfret)
• Catfish
• Clams
• Cod (Pacific)
• Crab (King, Snow, Mid-Atlantic - U.S. and Canada)
• Crayfish
• Flounder/Sole (Pacific)
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Oysters
• Salmon (fresh, Alaskan)
• Sardines
• Scallops
• Shrimp (U.S.)
• Squid/Calamari
• Tilapia (U.S., Central America)
• Trout (farmed)
• Tuna

Eat no more than 3-4 times per month:

• Blue Sea Bass
• Chilean Sea Bass
• Chinook Salmon (Puget Sound)
• Croaker (white, Pacific)
• Halibut (Pacific)
• Lobster
• Mahi Mahi
• Rockfish/Red Snapper
• Sablefish
• Tuna (canned white albacore - WA, OR, CA troll caught)
  

Avoid:

• Mackerel (King)
• Shark
• Swordfish or Marlin
• Tuna Steaks
• Tilefish

Overall, eat smaller fish as they contain fewer contaminants. Larger fish live longer and thus have had a longer life span in which to accumulate mercury and other toxins. Avoid eating fatty parts of fish and stick to the fillet. Grill, broil, or bake your fish with real butter or grapeseed oil, and use spices such as rosemary, dill, tarragon, and thyme. Garlic is also tasty, as well as pesto and certain types of tomato sauces for a unique change.

Visit the Monterey Aquarium site for more information about safe fish choices and to download a pocket guide of safe fish to keep in your wallet.

Get the Facts Straight!

Much conflicting information exists about what is healthy and not healthy to eat. Here are some "facts" about growing and eating food:

Proponents of anti-meat rhetoric report the following:

• Livestock production uses more than 50 percent of all water in the U.S.
• It takes 25 gallons of water usage to grow one pound of wheat.
• It takes 2,500 gallons of water to grow one pound of meat.
• Livestock in the U.S. consume enough grain and soybeans to feed over five times the entire human population.

What is not discussed in these "facts" are the following:

• Most meat consumption in the U.S. is from meat originating from factory or industrial environments. Factory farms produce enormous amounts of meat never paralleled before in history. Their bottom line is high production and yield, therefore they will need enormous amounts of water to keep their cattle alive.
• Wheat is consumed much more now than ever before in history. Just look at the packages of many products you purchase in the store. Many of them contain wheat or wheat flour. Wheat allergies (and other food allergies) are becoming one of the most prevalent cause of illness and disease. The more your body is exposed to something, especially something processed such as wheat, the more likely it will be that you will develop an allergy.
• Soy beans and grains are not healthy substances for animals to consume. When animals that are slaughtered for meat consume these grains, there is an increased requirement for antibiotics because the animals are more susceptible to disease. The health of the animal goes downhill from there and what results is an unhealthy meat product which, when consumed, causes among other things -- heart disease, diabetes and many other disorders.
• Soy beans, in their whole state, are fine for human consumption in moderation. We are consuming soy and soy products at a higher rate than ever before in history. Soy products are unhealthy to consume, as they are generally processed and should be avoided. Most wheat as well, in mass quantities as we consume in this country, is also unhealthy to consume. Encouraging people to drop their consumption of meat and take up soy and wheat is by these standards, folly. If you are going to eat industrial meat and wheat and soy products, health problems will most certainly ensue.
  

Here are more "facts" from so-called health experts that do not take any of the above information into consideration:

• The average American child's diet contains unnecessary amounts of protein, exceeding the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) established by the National Research Council.
• Diabetes has increased six-fold in the last 40 years from 1.6 million people in 1958 to 10 million diagnosed cases in 1997. Another 6 million people are estimated to have Diabetes but have not been diagnosed.
• Sixty percent of Cancers are caused by diet according to the American Cancer Society.
• Reducing your consumption of meats, eggs, dairy products, fish, and chicken can reduce your risk disease by over fifty percent.

It is interesting to note: the first item mentions that children consume too much protein, and yet the second item states that Diabetes has increased six-fold in the last 40 years (both "facts" are from the same source). Why is this, really? Pay close attention - the reason for this is due to the fact that our demand for meat has increased by at least that much or more, and the majority of what we are consuming comes from none other than -- factory farms. What did we say about factory farms again? Oh right, those facilities feed their animals soy, corn, and grains (carbohydrates), and also administer chemicals, steroids, and growth hormones. These methods do nothing to promote health or well-being in animals nor the people who consume the meat from those animals. So yes, if you continue consuming meat, dairy, and eggs produced by factory farms, by all means, you will develop heart disease and other health problems. But not if you consistently eat healthy, organic, grass-fed varieties of meat and meat products.

Now is it clear why so many people and an increasing number of children in particular have Diabetes and are heading for Cancer and heart disease? So actually, when the American Cancer Society reports that sixty percent of Cancers are caused by diet, they are actually reinforcing all the data we have discussed here -- that factory farm environments produce meats and dairy products that contribute to disease and illness.

Organic, sustainable farms that grass-fed their animals to produce meats and dairy products are the viable solution. These products represent the culmination of health which supports natural living and the environment, produces far less waste, and works in harmony with the Earth. When you consume these products, you are feeding your body the correct, natural, and balanced portion of food it needs to be healthy. Factory farms cannot make the same claim about their products. Obesity, heart disease, and other disorders do not stand a chance in a body which eats the proper types of food for health.

Be very cautious when you consider believing any philosophy which advocates less meat consumption but encourages eating more soy, corn, and grains. Use your brain and think about the chain of events that causes things to happen. Your health and the planet will thank you for it.

Keep Children Away from Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals

Pesticides, herbicides, and toxic chemicals are found everywhere. They are dangerous to be exposed to for all human beings, but are particularly risky for children and infants. Their lower weight and higher metabolisms cause them to be particularly vulnerable to toxic substances. "More than 1 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 ingest at least 15 pesticides every day from fruits and vegetables. More than 600,000 of these children eat a dose of organophosphate insecticides that the federal government considers unsafe, and 61,000 eat doses that exceed benchmark levels by a factor of 10 or more"(Source: Environmental Working Group, "Overexposed: Organophosphate Insecticides in Children’s Food," 1998, pp. 1-3.).

"Our children are born with a deposit of pesticides and other foreign chemicals in their bodies, caused by a shift of maternal pesticide ‘body burden’ through the placenta; after birth, children ‘inherit’ further load through breastfeeding. Pesticides have a cumulative multigenerational destructive impact on human health -- especially on behavior. Pesticides are a serious threat to the physical, emotional and mental development of children and future generations," according to a report from the Environmental Illness Society of Canada.

By admission on their web site, the EPA has stated that pesticides are harmful chemicals: "By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm. Pesticides can cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms". In view of this information, it is beyond critical to take any action necessary to protect children from toxic chemicals.

Here are some tips for protecting your children from these lethal substances:

• Store food and trash in closed containers to keep pests from coming into your home.
• For extermination of pests in your home, use baits and traps when you can instead of toxic sprays; place baits and traps where children cannot reach them
• Avoid keeping pesticides and toxic chemicals in your home. If you do have these substances, store them where kids can't reach them - never put them in other containers that kids can mistake for food or drink.
• Keep children, toys, and pets away when pesticides are applied.
• If you must eat conventional produce, wash under running water before eating - peel them before eating, when possible.
• Allow spiders to remain in your yard as they serve as natural pest control.
  
• Encourage birds, bats, and natural wildlife in your yard which also control pests. For example -- build a bat house in your yard or hang a bird house in a tree, and put out a bird feeder to attract birds.
• Use natural methods to keep pests out of your yard. Visit Common Sense Gardening for ideas.
  
• Pull weeds with your children.
  
• Douse weeds with boiling water to kill them instead of using weed killer.
• Soap weeds to death by doing the following: mix 5 tablespoons of liquid soap such as environmentally safe dish-washing liquid with 4 cups of water (1 quart) in a spray bottle. Coat weeds with soapy water. This method works best in hot weather.
  
• Purchase and eat organic produce. Diets rich in organic vegetables significantly lower children's exposure to toxic chemicals. Eating conventional or industrial meats is also unsafe because pesticide residues collect in the fats of animals who consume pesticide treated feed.
  
• Do not use dangerous insect repellents on the market, many of which contain DEET. Instead, make your own home-made insect repellent.
  
• Check with your school district to find out their policy on using pesticides. If they're not using true Integrated Pest Management and least-toxic methods, start a campaign to insist that they do.
• Check with local garden and nursery stores who often sell organic and natural products to help control pests and weeds in your yard.
  
• Contact local legislature and find out about changing laws for the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. Start a campaign with other concerned individuals in your area.
  

For more information about children and pesticide exposure, visit the following web sites:

The Green Guide

Westchester County Pest Management Committee

The Horrors of Premarin

Do people shoot horses? Sure they do, but horses are also used for the pharmaceutical industry in ways many would never imagine. A popular drug on the market used by doctors called Premarin is used for hormone or estrogen replacement. In order to collect the substance, urine, used for Premarin, pregnant mares are kept in dastardly conditions where horses receive not only sub-standard care but are grossly neglected.

Great bodies of research exist which have clearly linked the connection between pharmaceutical use of drugs like Premarin with increased risk of breast and other cancers. Read this report by the National Cancer Institute for a detailed look at this phenomenon, and another study prepared by Medicine Net.

Alternatives to HRT or hormone replacement therapy are vast and useful, as compared to the choice of taking pharmaceuticals and contributing to the widespread abuse of horses. Natural diet, a healthy lifestyle, herbs, and homeopathy are great alternatives to getting a prescription for this drug, which has yet to show benefits over risks to health. Through natural means, women can and do balance out their bodies for the better and overcome the difficulties of menopausal and other related health issues. Many women in developed or Western countries experience exaggerated symptoms of pre-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal effects, while those in less developed countries which rely on fewer drugs and have natural lifestyles experience those symptoms to a much lesser degree or not at all.

If you are suffering from PMS, menopausal issues, don't give in to the pharmaceutical trap! There is a better way. For more information about Premarin, visit Premarin (.org) and Premarin Facts.

Are CT Scans Safe?

CT scans have come under the radar as being a possible cause of cancer. Although many sources say radiation levels are low, CT scan exposure can emit waves of radiation into the body. When considering cancer, it is important to remember that radiation is cumulative in the body. The more you are exposed, the higher the risk of cancer. In 2004, a study in The Journal of Radiology concluded that full-body CT scans increase the risk of cancer while trying to detect it. Each time you receive a scan, say once yearly after the age of 45, your risk goes up from 1 in 1200 to 1 in 50.

In the earlier half of this year, cancer risk to women having coronary angiography procedure became a topic of discussion. Since then, using CT scans in children was again brought to the attention of health communities, and it has been revealed that now as many as 2 percent of all cancers may be related to CT scans. Although such tests save lives, careful consideration is needed. If your healthcare provider suggests using this technology, discuss the risks and benefits and find out whether not having the procedure done is more of a risk than doing it.

For more information on the safety of CT scans, visit The Annie Appleseed Project and Science Daily.

For more information about the effects of radiation in the body, visit Good Health Info.

Excitotoxins

Are you consuming excitotoxins? These substances are found in many of the processed and packaged foods and drinks people consume every day. Some of the most common ingredients which are excitotoxins are aspartame and MSG or monosodium glutamate. According to Dr. Russell L. Blaylock M.D. (a neurosurgeon)- on a fundamental level, excitotoxins increase the risk of cancer growth and metastastis. Excitotoxins belong to a family of substances known as glutamates - which are some of the most plentiful amino acids found in the brain.

Glutamates are a naturally occurring substance in the body, but when you introduce them into the body from outside sources, such as what you will find in processed foods, you are just asking for trouble. The blood-brain barrier is not meant to deal with such high levels of glutamate in the body. "So, when you're consuming MSG, the level of glutamate in the blood can rise as high as 20-fold. You get very high glutamate levels in the blood after eating a meal containing MSG. You're stimulating all of the glutamate receptors." Dr. Blaylock said. Because too many glutamates cause the body to have to deal with much higher levels of glutamates than it would ever naturally be accustomed to, what has been created is an upset in the chemical balance that is a ripe environment for disease and illness to develop.

Where will you find excitotoxins? In millions of products! Here is a short list: breads, cereals, salad dressings, crackers, soy products, soda pop, "juices", "energy drinks", sauce mixes, cocoa mixes, drink mixes, desserts, candies, pop tarts, "fruit" snacks, "food" bars, and many others.

Aspartame (also known chemically as aspartate) is the substance found in many beverages and sweeteners used as an alternative to sugar. Both glutamate and aspartate are considered major excitatory transmitters, and aspartate has been found to activate neurons in place of glutamate (from James South, MA, Excitotoxins, The Ultimate Brainslayer). Besides causing sugar cravings and tumors, aspartate may also be responsible for major brain damage.

MSG has actually been found to cause IBS, diarrhea, and may even explain the rise in incidences of sudden cardiac death. In fact, research shows that MSG is a major source of cardiac irritability, and people with these disorders should entirely avoid anything with MSG in it or greatly promote their risk of sudden death. Studies show that animals exposed to MSG prefer carbohydrate and sugar-laden foods over the protein rich variety.

Soy products have been found to have some of the highest glutamate levels of any processed foods. If you read soy labels, you will find in many instances that they contain hydrolyzed matter (hydrolyzed soy protein is the common wording used), and when something is hydrolyzed, it releases glutamate. Many people who consume soy complain of migraine headaches. When they stop eating soy, headaches go away. We've now been shown that not only are soy products dangerous to endocrine and reproductive systems, but also to the nervous system as well.

So Beware! Even if a packaged item reads, "100% all natural ingredients", you could still be purchasing a food containing glutamates. Food labels are very deceptive and are designed to sell products. Remember, if something is processed, in all likelihood it will be responsible for causing health problems.

For more information, read the latest article on Agriculture Society. Also, check out these other resources:

Applied Health Journal

Dr. Risley (chiropractic doctor)

Complete Wellness Center

Suggested reading: Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills - Dr. Russell L. Blaylock.

Green Hotels

Have you ever stayed at a "green" hotel? "Green" hotels are environmentally-friendly establishments where the management have implemented practices which save water, energy, and reduce solid waste (which also saves money) to help protect the Earth. The following is a list of hotels across the United States which qualify as "green":

• AmericInns
• Adam's Mark
• AmeriSuites
• Amhsa Hotels
• Aston
• Best Inn & Suites
• Best Western
• Canadian Pacific
• Choice Hotels
• Clarion Inn
• Comfort Inn
• Country Inn & Suites
• Courtyard by Marriott
• Days Inn
• Doubletree
• Dunphy Hotels
• Econo Lodge
• Embassy Suites
• Fairfield Inn
• Family Inns
• Forte Hotels
• Four Points by Sheraton
• Guest Quarters
• Hampton Inn
• Hawthorn Inn
• Hilton
• Holiday Inn
• Homewood Suites
• Hospitality Inns
• Howard Johnson
• Hyatt
• Inter-Continental
• Kimpton Group
• Lexington suites
• Loews
• Marriott
• Hoteles Marta
• Microtel Inn & Suites
• Omni Hotel
• PAHIO Resorts
• Park Inn Intl.
• Presidente
• Quality Hotels
• Radisson
• Ramada
• Red Lion
• Red Roof Inns
• Regal Hotels
• Renaissance
• Rodeway Inn
• Sheraton
• Shoney's Inn
• Sleep Inn
• Hotel Sofitel
• Sonesta Resorts
• Stouffer Hotels
• SuperClubs
• Super 8 Lodge
• Susse Chalet
• ThriftLodge
• TraveLodge
• Vagabond Inns
• Wellesley Inns
• Westin Hotels
• WestCoast
• Wyndham
• Xanterra Resorts

The next time you plan a trip, consider making a reservation at one of these hotels. For more infromation, visit the Green Hotels Association web site.

Landscaping Your Lawn

Tired of spending a lot of money watering your lawn? Do you feel no matter how much you water your grass, it still looks brown and crispy? Maybe it's time to rethink your lawn. Here are some ideas for implementing a technique known as Xericscaping - a way to garden that requires little water and energy to maintain:

• Test your soil. When necessary, add organic matter to your soil if it is performing poorly. You can take compost from your own pile or purchase organic compost and/or fertilizer from a local nursery or garden store.
• Group plants by watering requirements. Place high-need plants in areas that naturally receive more water from rain or the sprinkler, or where you can hand-water easily and conveniently.
• Plant native species. These varieties are more accustomed to the weather and soil conditions in the area which you live, will have a better chance of thriving, and won't require extra water as those imported from other areas.
• Reduce grass space. Grass tends to require a lot of water, so limit grass areas and plant varieties of flowers, shrubs, bushes, and plants that require minimal amounts of water.
• Mulch, mulch, mulch! Spread plant beds with grass shavings from the mower and fallen leaves to help retain as much moisture as possible.

The benefits of Xeriscaping include:

• Avoiding use of pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals
• Improves the value of your property by offsetting costs of expensive landscaping
• Saves water
• Provides a natural habitat for local wildlife
• Reduces pollution of soil, air, and water

For more information on Xeriscaping, visit the Landscape Design Site.
Less maintenance and time invested is necessary

Support Fair Trade

Have you ever purchased a product that reads "fair trade" on the label? In a global economy where profits rule all, smaller merchants, craftsman, farmers, and artisans are often left in a vulnerable position with no resources or ability to look toward a positive future for themselves or their communities.

Fair trade rules include the following:

• Producers receive a fair profit for their goods or services
• Forced labor and child labor is not allowed
• Buyers and producers develop and maintain long-term relationships
• Producers have access to financial and technical assistance
• Sustainable production techniques are encouraged
• Safe and healthy working conditions exist for workers
• Equal employment opportunity is provided for all
• All aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability

Some of the products you can purchase that display the Fair Trade label include the following:

• coffee
• sugar
• teas
• herbs
• rice
• vanilla
• fresh fruit
• cocoa and chocolate
• arts and crafts

Fair trade helps people who have previously been exploited and impoverished to create goods and services to make a living and regain their traditional way of life.

Check in your local community for Fair Trade products. For more information about Fair Trade practices and how you can get involved, visit the following sites:

Ten Thousand Villages

TransFairUSA

DiscoverFairTrade

Equal Exchange

Our Consuming Natures

How much do you consume? If you could measure and keep track of it, do you think it would make a difference in your regular consumption levels? In our culture of mass consumption, we are so accustomed to buying products and having products around for our "convenience", we seldom stop to think just how much we are consuming and how much waste we are producing as a result of that overconsumption.

Stop and think: do you really need to consume everything that you do? Challenge yourself to consume less of everything for one week. Keep a journal of the things you are doing without and ask yourself if you can do without those things permanently. At the end of the week, compare your reductions in consumption with your previous levels of consumption. Here are some ideas for reducing levels of consumption:

1. Ride your bike or walk to work, the store, or to a friend's house. I've even heard stories of people riding their horses - don't laugh...do it, if you can!
2. When you do have to drive somewhere, combine trips to various locations that are in nearby locations. Instead of driving every day of the week, cut back your driving to 3 or 4 days a week.
3. Use items over and over. Whenever you have containers, devices, or utilitarian items that can be used more than once, store them for later use to use again and again. This includes glass, paper, canvas, wood, metal, or tin foil.
4. Replace plastic with paper, wood, canvas, cotton, glass, metal, ceramic, tin foil, or wax paper.
5. Stop buying dryer sheets. Hang your clothes in the backyard to dry on a clothes line. If you do use a clothes dryer, dry them without anything at all. I have been doing this for years with no adverse effects to my clothes, and I am saving my family the hazards of toxic chemicals in dryer sheets (as well as $$).
6. Wash your clothes all in cold water.
7. Make your own clothing detergent.
8. Make your own toothpaste.
9. Use bar soaps for everything in your house including the shower and all the sinks. Stop buying liquid pump soaps. They are bad for you and the environment.
10. Make your own shampoo and wash your hair less. When you wash your hair less, you find the need to condition your hair less frequently or not at all, thus saving your health and your pocketbook.
11. Make your own cleaners, air fresheners, and deodorizers for home use.
12. Stop using personal care products such as lotions, moisturizers, hand creams, and other similar items. Pay more attention to eating natural foods with whole, natural fats in them to supplement your health and support healthy skin, hair, and nails. Supplement your diet with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) such as raw butter, raw cheese, raw milk, raw nuts, leafy green vegetables, grass-fed meats, and fresh fish and fish oils from safe, deep-sea sources. If you must moisturize your skin, use fresh, real oils like coconut, grapeseed, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil.
13. Buy as many whole foods as possible, and less packaged and processed foods. You will save $$, your health, and the environment.
    

Corn Fed Meat?

Do you eat corn-fed meat? If you are a meat-eater, there is a high probability that you do consume a good amount of this substance. When animals consume corn and are slaughtered for meat, the meat becomes what is considered "obese" and causes many health problems. Consumption of corn-fed meats is one of the leading causes of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other problems that are plaguing people at younger and younger ages.

Corn-fed animals make up a majority of meat products consumed in developed countries because it is cheap and easy to grow. But did you know that corn and eating corn-fed meat is probably one of the worst things you can do for your health and the environment?

To learn more about this health issue and how you can make important changes, visit Agriculture Society and read our latest article.

Natural Insect Repellent...Use It!

It's insect season; are you prepared? Protect yourself and your family from insects like mosquitoes. Avoid using commercial products which contain DEET and other toxins - in the long run, they will cause health issues and can harm the environment.

Here is a good recipe for homemade insect repellent:

• 20 drops Eucalyptus oil
• 20 drops Cedarwood oil
• 10 drops Tea Tree oil
• 10 drops Geranium oil
• 2 oz. carrier oil ( such as Jojoba )

Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as needed and avoid eye areas. Keep out of reach of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities. Experiment with different percentages of essential oil.

Also try Annie's Remedy for other ideas about homemade insect applications.

If you are unable to make your own insect repellent, here are some good brands to consider purchasing from your natural market:

Bite Blocker
Buzz Away
Burt's Bees Insect Repellent

During peak insect hours (early morning and late evening), avoid going outside. If you must be outdoors, wear protective clothing to cover up and use safe, natural insect repellent. Make certain to take special care with children, who are more vulnerable to insect bites. Keep applications out of children's eyes, nose, and mouth, and allow to dry before allowing young children to be free to move around.

Where Do Our Nutrients Come From?

Do you know where your nutrients come from? Here are some fruits and vegetables that provide the highest amounts of various nutrients:

Sources of vitamin A (carotenoids)

• Orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin

• Dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach, collards, turnip greens

• Orange fruits like mango, cantaloupe, apricots

• Tomatoes

Sources of vitamin C

• Citrus fruits and juices, kiwi fruit, strawberries, cantaloupe

• Broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes

• Leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, turnip greens, spinach
  

Sources of folate

• Cooked dry beans and peas

• Oranges

• Dark-green leafy vegetables like spinach and mustard greens, romaine lettuce,green peas

Sources of potassium

• White or sweet potato, cooked greens (such as spinach), winter squash

• Bananas, plantains, dried fruits such as apricots and prunes

• Cooked dry beans (such as baked beans) and lentils
  

For better health, eat at least 2 - 3 servings of fruits and 4-5 servings of vegetables each day. Avoid processed foods and junk. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are purported to keep health problems away.

Best Bets for Healthy Oils

Do you consume enough healthy oils? The best way to eat oils is in their natural, raw forms - as in salad dressing mixtures with vinegar. You should have some of them each day. Here are the healthiest choices for oils:

• Extra-virgin, cold pressed olive oil
• Palm Oil
• Extra-virgin coconut Oil
• Flax oil
  

If you must cook oils, the best ones for this purpose are grapeseed and coconut oil, as they have higher smoke points than most other oils and remain stable at higher heat temperatures. Avoid cooking olive oil at very high temperatures, and flax oil should not be consumed heated at all.

The following are not safe for consumption:

• Canola oil
• Soybean oil
• Flax oil
• Corn oil
  
• Safflower oil
  
• Sunflower oil
  

What's the problem with vegetable oils? Vegetable oils are full of polyunsaturated fats (long-chain fatty acids) that are fragile and unstable. "The unsaturated oils inn some cooked foods become rancid in just a few hours even when refrigerated," states Ray Peat, Ph. D. a physiologist who has studied hormones and dietary fats since 1968. "And that's responsible for the stale taste in leftover foods. Eating slightly stale food with polyunsaturated oils isn't more harmful than eating the same oils when fresh, since the oils oxidize at a much higher rate once they are in the body. As soon as a polyunsaturated vegetable oil enters the body, it is exposed to temperatures high enough to cause its toxic decomposition, especially when combined with a continuous supply of oxygen and catalysts such as iron." These oils are purported to be one of the root causes of serious human health issues like heart disease, premature aging, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity, and immune system disorders.

Among vegetable oils, the safest is considered olive oil. However, Peat cautions that consumption of olive oil should occur in moderation. Olive oil's content of polyunsaturated fats (approximately 8 to 12 percent) is several times higher than that of coconut oil (roughly 1 to 2 percent), and means that use of olive oil should be less in comparison with coconut.

Vegetable oils are also often genetically-modified. Consumption of genetically-modified organisms carry a list of health risks. For more information, visit Seeds of Deception.

For more information about the reasons for consuming healthy oils and fats, visit The Scream Online and also the web site of Chet Day.

Replace Your Plastics!

Do you have a lot of plastic in your environment? Your house, your place of work? Here are some ways to remove plastics from your life and prevent them from causing toxic damage to your health and the environment:

• Replace plastic cutting boards with glass, ceramic, bamboo, or wood. You can cut and prepare foods such as meats and cheese on glass so that any bacteria can easily be washed off and does not absorb. Clean your wood or bamboo cutting boards sparingly to prevent softening and cracking of materials, and use a small amount of mineral oil on your boards if they start to dry out or crack after washing.
• Replace plastic wraps, bags, and other similar items in your kitchen to as large an extent as possible with paper, tin foil, or wax/parchment paper. Organize your vegetables in the pull-out drawer in your refrigerator so that you have a sheet of tin foil on the bottom of your drawer, and just place your vegetables on top of one another in the drawer without plastic bags. You'll find that vegetables keep longer, don't develop condensation nearly as quickly, and won't absorb dangerous toxins from the plastic. Make certain to remove any moldy or rotting vegetables that might be on the bottom of your pile and clean out your drawer by washing with soap and water. Dry with a clean kitchen towel and replace your sheet of tin foil with a new one. Place smaller items like baby carrots or radishes in small glass bowls in your vegetable drawer on top of stacked vegetables to keep separated.
• Use paper, cotton, or canvas bags for carrying or storing instead of plastic.
• Recycle glass bottles and jars for drinking beverages and stop purchasing and drinking beverages sold in plastic bottles. The smaller varieties in which ice teas and juice are sold are ideal for packing lunches, taking on picnics, walks, bike rides, or to work.
• Store your foods in the refrigerator on or in glass, wood, ceramic, or other non-toxic containers. Cover your foods with tin foil.
• Reconsider your need for piles and piles of plastic toys for children. Discard plastic toys and other similar items and replace with wooden toys. Children are particularly vulnerable to absorbing toxins through their skin from plastic toys because their bodies are still developing and growing. These toxins can adversely affect endocrine, nervous, and reproductive function.
• Replace all and everything used for babies that is plastic (if possible) with something metal, glass, or wood. Although convenient, plastic used in baby bottles, dishes, and other items are especially dangerous for infants due to the reasons discussed above and should be avoided at all costs.
  
• Reduce or eliminate the amount of products you purchase in plastic containers around your house such as household cleaners and personal care products. Consider making your own cleaners and personal care items from ingredients you have in your home. Store in glass containers with pumps for easy use.
  

Think about all the things you use in your daily life and ask yourself whether or not you can replace those made of plastic with a safer alternative. In many cases, wood, metal, and glass are outstanding alternatives. Try to make these replacements over time instead of all at once to cut down on expenses. If you take good care of your household items that you've used to replace the plastic ones, you should not find yourself replacing them too often.

Change Your Shaving Habits!

Do you use a harsh, chemical-laden product when shaving? Over time, these products will irritate your skin and you will absorb many toxic substances through your skin that will cause health problems. Many mainstream shaving products, as well as so-called "natural" and "organic" ones contain ingredients that clog pores and dry out skin, and will seep into the cells of your body which can contribute to diseases such as cancer.

A good alternative is a natural body scrub such as Bee Crow Bee. The ingredients are few and completely natural. See for yourself: sugar, shea butter, sweet almond oil and apricot oils, essential oils. This body scrub is fabulous on your skin and prevents nicks and cuts due to its high moisture volume from real oils. The motion of the sugar moving on your skin is a good stimulant to help circulation and blood flow movement. Your skin will be soft and smooth, and you'll say goodbye to all those expensive, toxic shaving products you have used for years. Use care not to apply to broken or irritated skin; rather, wait until an affected area has healed before applying.

Bee Crow Bee uses packaging that is good for the environment as well because they use glass bottles for their body scrubs, which are brown-colored to protect the contents of their ingredients. These body scrubs are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way, which will also save you money.

Use a scoop or a spoon for your scrub. This will reduce contamination into your container from fingers and increase the shelf life of your scrub. Make certain to replace the cap of your body scrub immediately after use to keep steam and water from the bath or shower out of your container, which can cause decay of your product.