Territory Earth

Important Reasons to Go Organic

2012-04-21T03:47:00.001-07:00

Here's a good article from Rodale about reasons to eat organic. Number 2 is particularly compelling. It talks about glyphosate, a chemical permeating our water and soil. See if it doesn't convince you to eat organic foods as much as possible. 7 Surprising Reasons to Go Organic .

Small Space Spring Gardening Idea

2012-04-10T04:40:00.000-07:00

This great idea for small (or large) space gardening was making the rounds on Facebook courtesy of

The Backyard Diva
Here's her description:
"Got Pallets?
Hate weeding?
Don't feel like turning up a bunch of grass?
Use a pallet as a garden bed - staple garden cloth on the backside of the pallet fill with dirt and start growing!
You can also place your pallet on the ground in a rocky location rather than a grassy area, this way you will not need the garden cloth to stop the weeds and grass coming through. Please be advised: Use raw wood pallets!
Some that are shipped overseas may contain chemicals. Where I am from most are from raw wood - not saying that everywhere is!
And for those of you that don't know where to get pallets - look in industrial areas, hardware stores etc.
Please if you have any questions - there are many links below and so much information provided by every one and their comments!
This was just an idea - some inspiration for everyone."
If you like gardening ideas you'll enjoy her page, she also has a website brewing, currently under construction at www.backyarddiva.ca

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's how I minimize my weeding!

(you can click on the pic. to see more)

Increase Your Health with Spices

2012-04-07T07:04:00.003-07:00

Going back a couple of years I reviewed a book called Secrets from a Healthy Asian Kitchen.
This book advocated making foods healthier by substituting ingredients such as green tea for water when cooking. I loved the simplicity of the idea.

In recent months I've started adding another health enhancing trick to my repertoire. I am adding healing spices to many of the foods I eat. My mainstay is turmeric which helps fight against the development of tumors; when coupled with pepper turmeric is said to be especially potent.When I add these two spices to things like my homemade salad dressing on a regular basis I know I'm adding a little more health insurance to my food.

Here are some other spices that are being shown to help your body:

Rosemary - The carnosic acid found in rosemary has been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice by 40 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. It can also protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and the general effects of aging.

Cinnamon, turmeric, basil, oregano, thyme, and sage can all protect your brain from inflammation, according to neurologist Eric Braverman, M.D., a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Braverman recommends 3 to 7 teaspoons of any combination of these spices each day. I always include basil when I'm having tomatoes, such as in a salad or a sandwich.

Cinnamon also helps the body process sugar. It's natural compounds improve insulin function lowering blood sugar with as little as 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon a day. It has also been found to help cut triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

Oregano and cinnamon both have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Oregano oil is available in a tincture as well and is often used as a bacterial fighter.

Cilantro enhances the bodies ability to detoxify heavy metals. Since I have a history of high levels of lead and mercury in my system I regularly eat cilantro, it's also available in a tincture. After first taking chlorella to protect the stomach from the metals that it may pull from your body cilantro is good to take before getting a massage, using a sauna or participating in other activities that make you sweat or get your lymph working. It will enhance the detoxifying effects of these activities. It is also a digestive aid and is used as a tea to calm diarrhea.

Speaking of detoxing, last spring I did the 21 day Clean protocol recommended by Dr. Alejandro Junger. According to Dr. Junger the body needs 12 hours after it's last meal of the day to fully detox for the next day. He recommends a 12 hour window overnight before you eat the next day. I thought that sounded pretty interesting and matched my tendency to get hungry about 12 hours after my last evenings meal. I've found I feel much better on days when I follow that guideline. I recommend the Clean experience, particularly if you suspect you have food allergies. The Clean "diet" is a great way to identify foods you're sensitive too and it has a great Clean support site on the web. The site includes a lit of healthy recipes too!

The book is available here Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself

There are plenty of books on healing spices available if I've piqued your interest. I love simple tricks to increase my chances of living a long healthy life, and this is certainly one of them!

One Small Step

2012-03-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

This is a great representation of what a big difference one simple step toward sustainability can make. I collect statistics (because I'm terrible at remembering them) and I recently came across this one from The Natural Resources Defense Council.

If every US household replaced just one roll of virgin-fiber paper towels with one that's 100% recycled, it would save 544,000 trees. Amazing isn't it?

Amazing Skin Care

2012-02-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

You know that feeling when you wash your face and it feels perfect? I’ve found a wonderful skin care line, my favorite to date, and it all started with ilike’s Nettle Exfoliating Wash. The wash leaves my face feeling great, not dry and tight, not filmy or like it needs another washing.

The ilike (pronounced ehleeky) skin care line, from Szep Elet, is made with certified organic ingredients and it shows. The natural scents in the products I’ve tried so far are mild and pleasant (and I tend to be sensitive to fragrances) and the texture of the products feel, well, smooth and natural. Even the exfoliating wash is so gentle it feels smooth on the skin.

The line originated in Hungary with Ilike Molnar whose grandmother, the village herbalist, taught her to use the natural fruits and herbs around her to create products to support the skin.

They have an extensive line of products for different kinds of skin. They also have tempting treats like a Yogurt Power Peel, Yarrow Oil and a Firming Grapeseed Body Lotion.

Their brochure says “you will instantly notice the difference between ilike and other skin care lines”, and that’s no line. I could tell the difference right away, and as you know I’ve tried quite a few brands of natural cosmetics.

If you’re looking for a line of truly organic products I highly suggest looking into ilike. While the cost is moderately high, the things I’ve tried so far go a long way. For example, when added to water in the palm as recommended, the Nettle Exfoliating Wash only requires a few drops to wash the whole face. It’s a great feeling knowing you’re using completely natural products that are effective on your skin.

To find ilike products near you call 1-888-290-6238 to find the nearest location offering them, or you can get them from several on-line skin care companies by googling ilike skin products.

Finding BPA Free Products

2012-01-28T05:48:00.001-08:00

The contamination of food with Bisphenol A (BPA) continues to makes headlines. While the European Union (EU) has gone as far as to ban BPA in the plastic used to make baby bottles, the US FDA has only been able to push for voluntary removal of BPA.

BPA is of particular concern when it comes in contact with food and drink. It’s regularly used in plastics, including plastic cups, baby bottles, food storage containers and the plastic film that lines many cans used for canned goods. If you see a white or yellowish lining in your can you should be suspect that it contains BPA. It's also used in dental sealants and cash register receipts. Cashiers have been found to have high levels of BPA in their systems.

A recent study done at the Harvard School of Public Health and reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that individual’s drinking soup from cans with BPA in their lining showed a significant increase in BPA in their urine. Results of other studies have implicated BPA in heart disease and children's behavioral problems and results of a BPA study in the journal Human Reproduction showed BPA negatively affects the reproductive systems of men.

The US FDA has acknowledged BPA is a concern but because they don’t have regulatory authority they can’t require manufacturer’s remove the chemical, they can only strongly urge companies to stop using BPA.

Fortunately there are more and more companies changing their canning processes to eliminate BPA from the cans they use for their canned foods. Most seem to be in the process, but a few have taken the leap, and some haven’t used it for years.

Here’s a link to an article on 7 Companies who don’t use BPA in some of their cans, depending on the product. A site where you can see and order products the site claims are BPA free can be found at bpafreestuff.com.

Although the increased availability of BPA free containers is encouraging I have to leave you with a “buyers beware” note of caution. As with many situations where society is pushing for safer alternatives unscrupulous companies may claim their cans are BPA free when they may not be safe. Because there is currently no regulatory oversight, or even definitive lists of what products contain BPA, there is no guarantee a product is BPA free unless you see it has been tested to be clean.

Addendum - My good friend Glennis has found BPA free cans of pet food. There are several brands that say BPA free on the label so your pets can be protected too. I have also found tomato paste in glass from bionaturae, a company whose products are primarily in health food stores right now.

Additional BPA information:

Well referenced outline of BPA studies on trainer Charles Poliquin's site

The Environmental Working Group has numerous research papers and a nice overview of the BPA issues

Recycling your Holiday Cards

2011-12-30T05:52:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has un-decorating on her list this weekend. As we move into another new year, I thought this was worth re-posting.

Holiday cards are great for cutting up for decoupage or putting aside for children or adult projects later in the year. One of my post holidays traditions is to cut the cards into gift tags. You won't ever have to buy tags again, as there's always a wide array of colors and patterns for next years gifts!

Green Burials

2011-11-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

More people are opting for green funeral services and burials to end their life on earth as they lived it, striving to live in harmony with nature. Green burial information is available at the Green Burial Council's website as well as on the pages of cemeteries offering green services & burial options.

Resources for green burials in New Jersey have been added to NaturalJersey.com.

What You Can Do About the Phthalates & Toxins Ruining Our Health

2011-11-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

Added November 5, 2011 - Here's a great series of updated articles on the health hazards of fragrances in our cleaning and body products.

Original Post:

Of all the toxins we are exposed to in our homes and communities, phthalates (pronounced "THAL-ates")
may be the most insidious. Despite the increasing evidence on the dangers the general population continues to be oblivious to the toxins lurking in the plastics and fragrances in their homes. Like BPA and Parabens, there are currently no regulations in the US to protect us from manufacturers ignoring the dangers.

Consumers in the US have to start insisting on safer products for our families. It's been estimated about a billion pounds of phthalates are produced worldwide annually. Wow. It's hard to comprehend how they can be avoided. It's currently up to us to do the hard work to find alternative products. Hard, because phthalates are in so many things.

Phthalates are in our bodies, our homes and our water. They are used as plasticizers to soften plastics, especially PVC plastic (#3) and to make nail polish flexible and chip-resistant. They're in shower curtains and hair spray, soft vinyl toys for pour children and pets. They are also used in body products to make the product penetrate the skin more easily, and in fragrances, hand creams, deodorants, laundry detergents perfumes and colognes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measured human phthalate exposures in 2000 and found high levels of phthalates in every single one of the 289 people tested (Blount 2000).

What do they do? One effect is the disruption of the production of testosterone. They block male hormones responsible for making a male into a male. A common pthalate, dibutyl pthalate has been proven in animal studies to contribute to low sperm count, and birth defects of the testicles and penis. Another, diethyl phthalate (DEP), has been correlated by Harvard researchers with DNA damage in male sperm which can lead to infertility or birth defects. DEP is common in cosmetics, colognes and perfumes.

Studies have not been conclusive, but as a hormone disrupter phthalates (along with parabens and other toxic chemicals) are suspect in estrogen positive breast tumors. Part of the problem in conducting definitive studies is the lack of full disclosure of ingredients in the US. Products have to independently tested first to determine what's in them.

What You Can Do:

~ Stop using products with fragrances other than certified natural organic oils (although you should be aware some folks are sensitive to these as well). Get rid of the dryer sheets, perfumes, scented hand lotions and diffusers.

~ When you have to purchase plastic, look for plastic products such as toys and Shower Curtain Liners that are PVC and phthalate free (I have confirmed that the one linked here is made of EVA and is PVA & pthalate free). If they have that "plastic smell", don't buy them. (See my series on plastic).

~ Purchase natural and organic body products and cosmetics. Check the ingredients at the Cosmetics Database. Note that starting in June 2011, Whole Foods will not keep any cosmetic or body product on their shelves that claims to be organic if it isn't actually certified as organic.

~ Read labels. Many won't tell you all the ingredients, but some will. Find safer products on one of the many sites now available, a few are listed here for you:

EWG's Skin Deep and the Cosmetics Database.com

LessToxicGuide.ca

        TheNakedTruthProject.org
        Dangerous Household Chemicals

~ Support legislation to get our products regulated. There are currently two in the US, HR 5820, The Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010 (TCSA) and the Kid Safe Chemical Act. Here's some information on what's happening with them. Find the name and addresses of your representatives, and write to them.
~Keep up with the issues on websites such as mine, some good organizational sites are:

The Alliance for a HealthyTomorrow
Teens Turning Green

Not a Guinia Pig

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
National Resources Defense Council

       Washington Toxics Coalition
       Health and Environmental Alliance
       Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families

~ Let companies know why you aren't purchasing their products. Comment on their products on their websites. This is a great way to flex your consumer muscle.

~ Good books on the subject include:

Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry

Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and Survival?--A Scientific Detective Story

The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-Being

I'll keep you "posted".

UPDATE - Genetically Modified Salmon Coming Our Way!

2011-06-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2011 Update - The US House of Representatives has passed an amendment (HR2112) prohibiting the use of FDA funds to approve any application for approval of genetically engineered salmon. While this doesn't mean there won't be genetically engineered salmon in our future, it does help to ensure a more thorough and thoughtful analysis and debate on future proposals. Read more about the House Vote to Block FDA Approved Genetically Engineered Salmon here.

September 29, 2010 update- 38 Representatives and Senators, backed by 53 environmental, consumer, recreation and food groups have asked the FDA to stop the process of approving GE salmon. The request is to allow more time to study the issue and consider potential regulations for monitoring and labelling. The overall view is that the hearings were premature as the studies and data aren't thorough or even adequate. You can see who the players are and if your representative supports further study here.

September 24, 2010 - On the right side of this webpage there is a place to have a letter sent to your representatives asking them to join in the fight against approving Genetically Engineered Salmon for our marketplace. There is currently no regulatory oversight in place for such an endeavor. If you are unsure, consider the links below, as well as these documents regarding the problems we're already facing with the GE plants on the market at http://biointegrity.org/list.html.

September 21, 2010 update- After 2 days of public hearings the FDA panel has not made a final decision, but instead opened hearings on whether or not the salmon, if approved for genetic engineering, would be required to be labeled as such. What's going on here!

See a picture of the difference between a normal salmon and one that's been genetically modified here. You'll see why they've coined the term "frankenfish"!

September 2, 2010 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering approval of an application to market genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic Salmon. Concerns? Well for starters GE foods are not required to be labelled, so you won't know you're not eating salmon that's had it's genes tweeked unless you buy organic. Of course, we have no idea how these modifications could alter the nutrition of the fish. Then there are the concerns that they could cross breed with wild salmon, potentially contaminating our wild salmon too. It's already happened with the GE corn. Read more and sign the petition here.

A Pill to Prevent Sun Damage?

2011-06-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

August Update: Last month I spent a week in the Tucson sun;113 degree Tucson sun! I was naturally worried about my sun exposure so I took 2 of Life Extensions Fernblock every morning in addition to using the Nutri-Lift sunscreen mentioned below in my original post. I did tan, but I was truly amazed that despite the hot sun I never burned. Of course this is no guarantee the combination will work the same for everyone, but since I'm on the fair side I'm sold on the combination for my sun protection.

Original Post : Summer! Summer means heat, water & fun in the sun. It can also mean sunburn. In my quest to find healthy sunblocks (many are not as safe as they appear) I came across references to the Cabbage Palm Fern. I did some research and it seems there might actually be something to the claims of sun protection in a pill.

The Cabbage Palm Fern, Polypodium leucotomos, is a plant native to Central America. Several studies have been done that have shown it to have a slight protective effect against UV damage. The studies to date have not been double-blind studies (the participants knew they were receiving the treatment which could create a placebo effect), nor have they been extensive, but they seem to indicate the root of this fern may indeed help to protect our skin from sun damage.

There are two brands currently available, Heliocare and Life Extension's FernBlock (there's a link to their site in the right column of this page). Neither should be relied on to provide full sun protection and should be used as a supplement to a good sunscreen.

Incidentally, my current sunscreen of choice is Nutri-Lift's photo stable Maximum Sun Protection. I like it so much I'm now testing their foundation, Nutra-lift Flawless Foundation, which has an SPF of 18. So far I'm very happy with it, it's organic, lightweight and it blends beautifully.

One last note about your summer skin protection arsenal, lycopene-rich fruits and veggies such as watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit, and tomatoes also seem to reduce skin damage from UVA and UVB rays. A 2010 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology looked at women whose diets included 16 milligrams of lycopene every day (the amount in about two cups of diced watermelon) for 12 weeks . The results were a reduction in the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, including sunburns and cellular damage.

Here's my article on Sun Protection for Children, in case you missed it.

Lead Toxicity in Women

2011-04-21T04:28:00.000-07:00

I recently learned that lead toxicity in middle aged women is not uncommon.

When my usually slight reaction to heavy perfumes and colognes started to turn into full fledged allergies to even milder fragrances I went back to my holistic doctor, Dr. Berk. Feeling droopy with burning eyes and an almost constantly gravely throat, I was concerned I might be developing asthma or some other serious respiratory reaction. He surprised me though, as his immediate reaction was to re-test the heavy metals in my system. Apparently if the levels of metals in your system are high, it creates a situation where your body can’t tolerate the additional irritant of the toxins in fragrances.

Here’s where it got really interesting. I expected that my mercury levels were rising again, (see my previous post regarding my adventures with mercury fillings) which they were. This is not atypical, since once one has gone through a chelating regimen and loosened up the contaminants in their body additional amounts may continue to leach out over time. What was a surprise however was that my lead levels were also very high, which they had never been on previous tests.

Now I was totally perplexed trying to determine where I could have gotten such a high dose of lead exposure over the last year or so since my last testing. Typical sources of exposure, which I don’t have, would be smelting, lead fishing weights, lead soldered pipes in old houses or lead based paints. Some recent construction in my office came to mind, but it was hard to believe it could have created this level of exposure.

Dr. Berk then explained that a percentage of menopausal aged woman tend to experience lead toxicity from childhood exposure. If a child is exposed to undetected lead the lead is in effect sealed in their bones as they seal up during puberty. When a woman reaches the age of perimenopause the drop in estrogen levels results in bone breaking down, what we call bone loss. This break down naturally releases the lead that’s been stored there all of those years.

A more definitive follow up test was done and confirmed that my lead is indeed quite high. This round we’ll be using EDTA, which is more effective for lead than the DMP I had last year to reduce my mercury levels.

I’ll do a follow up here after I see what happens. Mind you, this is yet another good reason to avoid synthetic chemical fragrance additives. I can't stress enough the danger of synthetic fragrances in perfumes and home products. Remember the phthalates in fragrances can cause very serious damage to you and your progeny. Perfumes, air fresheners, even dryer sheets are insidiously bad for you.

Will Americans Finally Get Protection from Toxic Chemicals?

2011-04-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

APRIL 2011 Update - Senator Lautenberg has re-introduced his proposed legislation as the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. Here's a link to urge your senators to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act. Let's finally get a Safe Chemical Act in 2011!

APRIL 2010: US Senator Lautenberg has proposed, for the third try, legislation (S. 3209) to offer some protection to Americans from toxic chemicals. There is also a draft making it's way through the House of Representatives. Americans may see a future where products will come to the marketplace only after the chemical ingredients have been approved as safe. Future generations may be born without the toxic soup of chemicals already in their bodies that many of today's children are being born with.

The European Union (EU) has a precautionary principle they may invoke when considering legislation that involves potential toxins. The principle essentially says that if there is a question as to the safety of a chemical or additive, then it's best to err on the side of caution. It "may be used to stop distribution or order withdrawal from the market of products likely to constitute a health hazard."

In the US we have no such protections. This is why we have body products, cosmetics and even foods that are so much more questionable than our European neighbors. For example there are no requirements for a pre-market safety check of body products.

In 1976 the US legislature passed the Toxic Substances Control Act. It hasn't been very effective. Since it was passed the Environmental Protection Agency has only been able to regulate five chemicals of concern. Currently the onus is not on the manufacturer but on the EPA to prove the safety or danger of a chemical.

Lautenberg's Safe Chemicals Act would set the standard even higher than the EU's review of toxic chemicals. Currently a safety review is initiated if the EPA questions it, and then it's up to the EPA to perform the review - with taxpayer's money. S. 3209 would require the manufacturer of a chemical to prove its safety. It would also make the industry more transparent as it would require disclosure of the ingredients in their creations. There would no longer be synthetics with undisclosed ingredients in our homes and communities.

A safe chemical is defined in the bill as having “a reasonable certainty of no harm.” This is similar to the standard the EPA has used to assess pesticides for the last ten years.

A particularly progressive part of the bill is the acknowledgment that we need to consider what it calls "aggregate exposure". It adds together exposure to a single substance from all sources, such as air, water, and food. It also looks at cumulative exposure which would consider the public’s aggregate exposures to chemicals that have similar effects, such as mimicking estrogen.

If you would like to show your support for this bill you can send a thank you to Senator Lautenberg via the Environmental Defense Fund. They also list three points that would strengthen the bill even more. The most critical addresses the concern that the legislation would still allow questionable chemicals to enter the market place before being tested.

Cookies for Breakfast!

2011-02-27T06:32:00.000-08:00

Yes, these cookies are so healthy you can eat them for breakfast. They're certainly healthier than any pancakes or waffles you might get at one of the breakfast chains. Eat them any time you want, they're a great replacement for sugary snacks when you're craving a goodie.

Eat 'em Anytime Cookies

Mix Together:

1 Cup organic peanut, cashew or almond butter (with no sugar added)
1/4 Cup roasted salba or chia seeds
1/2 Cup coconut sugar or xylitol (a sweetener available in your local health food store)
1 Scoop whey powder (optional, but gives you your am protein)
1 Tablespoon aluminum free baking powder
3 Tablespoons coconut, almond or hazelnut flour, or a mixture
1/2 Cup salted organic butter
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla
2 Eggs

Add whichever of these you have on hand, or all of them!

1 cup finely crushed walnuts
1/4 cup dried (unsweetened) coconut, sometimes called dessicated coconut
1/8 cup wheat germ (if you leave this out these cookies are gluten free)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 Tablespoons acai berry powder

Mix it all up, then let it sit for about 10 minutes while the oven heats to 350 f.

Drop by spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet (best "grease" is coconut oil or grapeseed oil).

Cook for about 10 minutes until beginning to brown around the edges.
Keep an eye on them as they cook fast once they start to brown.

Check out my new site and blog at www.NaturalJersey.com !

Good News for NJ's Raw Milk Fans

2011-02-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

I've started a new website called Natural Jersey. The site is devoted to NJ's resources for fresh local farm goods and natural health resources. I posted this article there, and thought my Territory Earth readers would be interested in it as well. It gives you a little history of the raw milk movement.

Bills to allow raw milk sales in New Jersey has moved out of the health committee and are now being considered by the Senate and Assembly. The bills, A743 in the Assembly, sponsored by John DiMaio and Connie Wagner, and S2702 in the Senate, sponsored by Michael Doherty, establish a procedure for permits. The permits would be administered by the NJ Department of Agriculture. Among the requirements for the permits would be semi-annual inspections, regular testing for pathogens and growth hormones may not be used.

This is great news for proponents of raw milk. New Jersey currently outlaws raw milk sales in the state. New Jersey farmers who may be interested in the additional income they could make by selling certified raw milk are losing these sales to our Pennsylvania neighbors. Those who like raw milk and feel it's their right to determine for themselves what they can eat have not had the choice of purchasing raw milk if they live in NJ.

Here's a little history of the raw milk debate. Cattle and cows are ruminants whose specialized stomachs are made to graze and digest healthy grass. When cattle live on a diet of grazing grass their meat and dairy production is far more nutritious than their counterparts. Products from grass fed cattle are higher in Omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an Omega 6 fatty acid that's needed for human health too.

In the 19th century the demand for dairy in developing areas resulted in the expansion of herds without expanding their grazing land. The fast growing market naturally led to more crowded quarters, and many urban farms ended up using a by-product from liquor distilleries known as "slop" to make up for the smaller pastures to feed their cattle. While this slop kept cows lactating, it didn't keep them healthy like their grass grazing past had. The addition of more grain than grass also contributed to the problem. As urban farms, in particular, became more crowded unhealthy cows could be found wallowing in the waste from their unhappy stomachs, and naturally as the cows became more unhealthy, so did their surroundings and ultimately their milk & meat.

In the 1890's two solutions were implemented. One was a farm certification program conducted by medical certifying boards.a pasteurization program. When pasteurized, milk is heated at high temperatures (at least 161.5 F for 15 seconds or more) and sterilized. Both were a good idea, and they didn't need to become mutually exclusive. While truly healthy milk was being certified, the less nutritional milk was pasteurized. Milk became healthy to drink again, and infant mortality rates declined.

A campaign was started claiming only pasteurized milk was healthy and eventually consumers were convinced raw unpasteurized milk was dangerous. Most states implemented laws outlawing the sale of raw milk. Our milk was now uniformly safe, but we'd lost the high nutritional value in our milk.

Moving forward to the present, many states now allow the consumption of raw milk. Here at Raw Milk Nation is a site where you can see the variety of raw milk laws. The laws take many different forms, some only allowing sales directly from the farm, some requiring stringent certification. This has come about because of the belief by many consumers that raw milk is healthier if the cows are properly fed and managed. This has created a very solid movement of consumers who feel they should have the right to make their own decision as to whether or not they want to drink raw milk.

I'll leave you with an interesting tidbit about the health claims of raw milk. When milk is pasteurized (which requires heating it) it naturally degrades the vitamins in the milk. It also destroys the natural bacteria and enzymes. These are the bacteria and enzymes that keep pathogens at bay. These are also the very bacteria and enzymes the human body needs in order to break down and digest the milk. Milk, it turns out, is one more product we've over processed so much we've made it indigestible for humans.

Here's information on where you can contact your state NJ representatives if you'd like them to support these bills.

Incredible Healthy Lemonade from Your Juicer

2011-02-04T04:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not technically lemonade, but my new favorite healthy juice from my juicer tastes like the best lemonade I've ever had. I know what I'll be drinking this summer! I just had to share the recipe with you:

1 Fennel bulb, stem and leaves optional
2 green apples, cored
1/4 - 1/2 lemon, yellow skin removed but leave white portion if you can

This is enough for a couple of cups, or you can cut it in half if you like. You can also add water if you prefer a drink that's not quite so rich, and then it'll last twice as long.

That's it, put it all in the juicer and you have a super healthy lemonade substitute. You get the benefits of fennel, great for your stomach and digestive system, cancer fighting green apples and no added sugar.

Happy Birthday NWF!

2011-02-03T03:47:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the inception of the National Wildlife Federation. The National Wildlife Federation, or NWF, is the largest conservation organization in the US. Their primary emphasis is on protecting and restoring wildlife habitat.

Most of us grew up with Ranger Rick or the National Wildlife Magazine. When my kids were young we participated in their wildlife habitat program. We added elements that would support the wildlife in our yard, an additional bird bath was one item I remember, and it qualified us for an official NWF Wildlife Habitat sign for the yard. What a great way to teach kids about cohabiting with the local wildlife. The NWF has always been in the forefront of connecting children with nature.

Take a few minutes and celebrate the NWF anniversary by exploring their site.

Help Fight Genetically Modified Foods

2011-01-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Update 1/27/2011: From the Center for Food Safety - "The Center for Food Safety criticized the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it will once again allow unlimited, nation-wide commercial planting of Monsanto's genetically-engineered (GE) Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite the many risks to organic and conventional farmers USDA acknowledged in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). " See the CFS website for more information.

There's also a link on the lower right side of this page if you want to add your voice to the concerns.

Original Post 2009: The Center for Food Safety is putting out a fund raising plea to help their fight against Genetically Modified Organisms. Keep them in mind if you can help any time throughout the year. Here's what they have to say about their accomplishments so far:

"Over the past few years, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) has used groundbreaking legal victories and grassroots campaigns to protect your food by putting a halt on the sale and plantings of many GMO crops. With the support of individuals such as you, we've successfully stopped the commercialization of genetically engineered wheat, rice, alfalfa, and biopharm crops (crops that have been engineered to produce pharmaceuticals). And we're on our way to stopping other crops - such as a recent federal court victory that called the government's approval of Monsanto's pesticide promoting GMO sugar beets "illegal." And for years we've helped fend off the approval of genetically engineered salmon.

Imagine if these GMO crops had not been stopped. Think of all the foods using wheat, for example that would have been contaminated had Roundup Ready wheat been commercialized. Or the threat to organic dairy if alfalfa was contaminated by Monsanto's genetically engineered variety. We know that nearly 400 million pounds of additional herbicides have been used because of the use of GMO crops designed to withstand massive doses of toxic weed killing chemicals. Imagine the pesticide pollution of our croplands, waterways, wildlife and air that would have occurred if GMO wheat, rice and alfalfa had been commercialized. And independent scientists have shown that the release of even a few genetically engineered salmon into a native population could lead to extinction."

Reporters Fired for Refusing to Lie About the Health Dangers of BGH

2011-01-23T05:24:00.000-08:00

Consumers beware. This is an older story, but sadly not much has changed. These reporters discovered that since there is no law requiring media such as news stations to adhere to the truth they cannot be sued for misleading or outright lying to the public. It's bad enough when we know we need to confirm the accuracy of information coming from editorializing pundits, but allowing our "news" programs to bend the truth to their liking is another story. In this particular case it meant withholding information about a danger to our health, Bovine Growth Hormones (BGH) in our milk.

In 1998 Jane Akre and Steve Wilson ended up blowing the whistle on their news station after they were fired for refusing to include inaccuracies at the request of the station, but the story blew up on them.

It's just another reminder not to accept everything you hear as fact without corroboration. My last post was about the FTC's Green Guide, which looks specifically at guidelines for green claims and gives great examples of the many ways we are green washed by deceptive companies. Common decency and integrity should make the goal of honesty unquestionable, but instead it seems we need similar guidelines for our media and all consumer products.

FTC's Green Guide for Environmental Marketing Claims

2011-01-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know there's a "Green Guide" published by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)? The guide was last updated in 1998. There has been such a proliferation of green companies and green-washing claims in the ensuing years that updating the guide was actually initiated ahead of schedule. The comment period was recently closed, and we're awaiting the new version.

A summary of the proposed changes can be seen here. Modifications to the older version will include adding newer terms such as carbon offsets.

Looking at the older version, it's actually pretty interesting reading. Entitled a "Guide for the use of Environmental Marketing Claims", it outlines numerous terms and product implications that might be used to market an alleged "green" product or service, with examples of how the terminology should be used, as well as where it would be misleading and therefore not acceptable.

For example in 260.6, under the category of (c) Overstatement of environmental attribute, one example is:

"A package is labeled, “50% more recycled content than before.” The manufacturer increased the recycled content of its package from 2 percent recycled material to 3 percent recycled material. Although the claim is technically true, it is likely to convey the false impression that the advertiser has increased significantly the use of recycled material."

Because the Green Guides are administrative interpretations of the law, they don't have the force and effect of law and they are not independently enforceable. However, if a marketer makes claims that aren't in keeping with the Guides, the FTC can take corrective action under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices. Their site has a place where complaints can be made, but they wisely recommend researching first to make sure a complainant understands the parameters of what the FTC does and what can be accomplished by filing a complaint.

The site gives a lot of information about the FTC and the areas it covers, of particular interest to me are the consumer protections. Also of interest, if you'd like a current list of environmental marketing cases or copies of individual cases you can call the FTC Consumer Response Center at (202) 326–2222.

Can't Lose Weight? Try Eliminating High Fructose Corn Syrup

2011-01-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

This stuff is so bad! For one thing, corn that isn't organic is most likely genetically modified. For another, it's effect on the body's metabolism is suspected of being one of the primary reasons we have an obesity epidemic. You'd be surprised what it's in too. I couldn't find a hot dog roll without it last week (although the same brands had breads without it). You really have to read labels.

You already know you have to give up sugar as part of a healthy weight loss plan. Eliminating the high fructose corn syrup will make a big difference too. Check out this article from Yahoo News, Four Reasons to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup, currently making it's rounds on the web.

Protect Your Health - Protest Eliminating Mercury Standards

2011-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

One of the first bills introduced in the new Congress would block new toxic emissions standards for cement plants, which is the third largest man made source of mercury pollution in America. They are also a source of many other toxic pollutants. The legislation would permanently ban toxic emissions standards in the future as well. Contact your US representative. You can get more information on mercury and sign a pre-written letter, or modify it to express your own views here.

I've had my own personal bout with mercury poisoning. Please take a minute to look at the dangers of mercury and help minimize our exposure by contacting your legislators.

Healthy Crackers From Your Juicer!

2011-01-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

I added a tip to my recent post on juicing. After tossing the pulp into my compost for a couple of weeks I was contemplating this great fine dry vegetable mix and the light bulb went off. Why not dry them to make crackers! So now I save the pulp and add a little sea salt and whatever spices I feel like that day, and dry it into little round crackers for virtually calorie free snacks.

The crackers work best if you haven't included anything bitter or with a rind in your juice that day, grapefruit for example leaves some rind that makes the crackers bitter. If you have a dehydrator you can use that, or you can put them on a lightly oiled or non-stick cookie tray and put them in your oven, set at 155 degrees, for several hours. Between 2 and 3 hours usually works in my oven. Keep them refrigerated.

Here's a recipe to get you started, adjust the seasonings to your taste:

1/4 cup pulp

1 teaspoon sea salt

pinch turmeric

pinch cayenne

pinch pepper (the health benefits of turmeric are supposed to be enhanced when pepper is added)

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Here's another, as well as a recipe for almond pieces, I found on the Clean Forum site:

Gena’s Juice Pulp Crackers (Inspired by Kristen of Kristen’s Raw)
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups juice pulp
1 cup ground flaxseed
½ tsp coriander
1 tsp curry
1 tsp nutritional yeast
2 tbsp raw sesame seeds
1 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp olive oil, plus additional for greasing baking sheet
Procedure:
Mix all ingredients well, by hand. It should be malleable but still hold together. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper to ¼ inch (or less) thick. Remove top sheet of parchment and cut into 2-inch squares. Flip onto evoo-oiled baking sheet and separate squares a bit. Bake at 300° for 15 to 20 minutes.

Made use of something nutritious and full of fiber that would have gone into the composter! With extra pulp, I made a modified version with shredded cheese for dog biscuits. Even my picky elderly dog loved it. Well, the cheese didn't hurt.

Along the same idea, here's a recipe for leftover almond pulp from making almond milk:
http://www.elanaspantry.com/betsys-multi-grain-crackers/

Have fun!

Juicing for Super Health

2011-01-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

I finally did it, I got myself a real juicer! I am absolutely loving it and so glad that I broke down and got one. Juicing is one of the healthiest things you can add to your diet. I thought I would have to pay several hundred dollars for a good one, so I never really put the investment on my wish list. Now I have great healthy juices, and super veggie crackers from the pulp!

I invested in a Vitamix Blender many years ago, and while I would occasionally make myself a healthy vegetable and fruit juice in it, a blender like the Vitamix (wonderful for everything else, including making soups and ice cream!) doesn't separate the pulp from the juice, so the drink gets very thick quickly. It's certainly healthy, but it's not particularly appealing if you don't drink it right away.

If you're interested in getting a juicer and you expect to juice a lot of greens, your best buy is a masticating juicer. These juicers, such as the Omega 8006 or the Hunom 100, crush the food and then juice it, resulting in more juice. A centrifugal juicer is good for juicing if you are primarily juicing fruit. They will also work with greens, they just don't juice them as thoroughly.

I did some web surfing on a whim one day and realized that some of the more reasonably priced juicers, from $60.00 - $150.00 range, were actually getting some pretty good reviews. I settled on a centrifugal model ,the Hamilton Beach 67650 Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor.

This juicer is everything I had hoped. Easy to put together, use and clean. Some reviewers were concerned about the noise, I don't think it's noisy at all. Of course I'm used to my Vitamix, which can sound like a jet taking off. So far I've juiced fruit and vegetables including carrots, greens and apples without any problem. The pulp that's extracted is very dry showing what a good job it does, and a great addition to my compost!

The very best part is how healthy the juice is. Want to to diet? Replace a meal with low calorie, high vitamin and mineral juice (after consulting with your physician of course). Fighting a medical issue? Supplement your medical treatment with a juice recipe targeting your problem. Want to improve your general health? Infuse your body with easy to digest vitamins and minerals from fresh organic produce. Such a simple way to improve your health.

Juicing breaks down the food so the nutrients are more easily digested and absorbed. It's also a great way to get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, especially if you normally have trouble fitting them into your daily diet. One study in 2006 at the University of South Florida showed people who drank three or more 4-ounce glasses of fruit or vegetable juice each week were 76 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who drank less. The high levels of antioxidants (in the form of polyphenols)found in fruits and vegetables may protect brain cells from the damage that's suspected of causing the disease, according to author Amy Borenstein, Ph.D

After tossing the pulp into my compost for a couple of weeks I was contemplating this great fine dry vegetable mix and the light bulb went off. Why not dry them to make crackers! So now I save the pulp and add a little sea salt and whatever spices I feel like that day, and dry it into little round crackers for virtually calorie free snacks. You can put them on a lightly oiled or non-stick cookie tray and put them in your oven for several hours. Two hours usually works in my oven. Here's some more information and a recipe.

A great place to start is Sandra Cabot's Raw Juices Can Save Your Life!: An A-Z Guide to Juicing. This great little book has recipes for specific health concerns such as headaches, weight loss and fibromyalgia. You can easily create your own recipes based on her chart showing the benefits of different fruits and vegetables.

Some people prefer a drink with the fiber of a healthy green smoothie rather than a juice. Dr. Oz is a proponent, as is Robyn Openshaw AKA Green Smoothie Girl. There's loads of information on her website. She also has a complete package to get you started on your road to green smoothie health, "12 Steps to Whole Foods Complete Course" including a Manual, Recipe Collection, Journal, CD's & DVD's.

Here are some other sites with more information and recipes:

The Best of Raw Foods
Living and Raw Foods Juicing
Energise for Life
Downloadable Green Smoothie Girl Recipes

Fluoride & Natural Health

2011-01-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency are proposing a reduction in the recommended amounts of fluoride in the US water supply because of an increase in fluorosis, a condition that causes spotting and streaking on children's teeth, particularly adolescents. This is good news for all of us, as fluorosis is not the only negative effect from being exposed to fluoride.

Fluoride was added to most of the public US water supply in the 40's because it reduces cavities. However, we are now bombarded with fluoride in our toothpaste, mouthwashes, and water, and many people have experienced flouride poisoning. The EPA is still considering whether to lower the maximum allowable amount. Fluoridation is not required, not all water suppliers fluoridate their water.

There are other concern over fluoride added to our public drinking water. Fluoride is a neurotoxin and a suspected hormone disrupter. We know for certain it can affect the thyroid; it was actually used as a treatment for hyperthyroidism at one time. Fluoride is a carcinogen and can inhibit iodine causing or contributing to goiters (in large amounts) and hypothyroidism. It has also been featured in studies that indicate it may be a contributor to ADD and bone loss.

Many groups have been asking for a reduction or elimination of fluoride in water. The Environmental Working Group is one group that has been gathering information and asking for a reduction in fluoride for years.

The recommendations have been submitted to the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period. If you'd like to comment you can access the register here .