Link up to some "Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas"

Here's a great list of ideas for the Christmas season.  Chris Wark has posted a list on his website that you should check out!  You should even check it out for yourself.  There are some great products highlighted to offer health benefits to you and your family - like the Berkey water filtration system that provides purified water for people who have fluoride, chlorine or arsenic in their water.  Here is a great video from Chris that covers the Berkey and why you HAVE to get that fluoride out of your water! (Fluoride destroys the pineal gland and the thyroid!)

Here's the link!  2013 Healthy Holidays Gift Ideas from Chrisbeatcancer.com

Happy Shopping on black Friday!

A Very Different Thanksgiving - Eating Plant Based

Mashed Potatoes with Rich Brown Gravy

Maple roasted Brussels sprouts - recipe below

Oat Burgers tweaked with poultry seasonings

Salad: Romaine, spinach, avocado, tomato topped with Fustini's Black Currant Balsamic

Our pie was so delicious that we had seconds!

 Gluten free crust: ground flax seed, walnut meal, coconut oil and salt (unbaked, refrigerated)

Lemon pie filling: recipe from the back of Ener G Egg Replacer

Just like everyone else, we have leftovers - without the risk of food poisoning.

When my husband started shooting pictures of our Thanksgiving meal for two, I started to feel panicked and ashamed.  I knew that he would post the pictures of our meal online for friends to see.  I was embarrassed and didn't want to think that anyone would judge us for what was on our plate.  It didn't have all the traditional colors or traditional foods that I grew up with and raised my kids to eat for a Thanksgiving feast.  Once I confessed my embarrassment, Adam wanted to spare me of the negative feelings and didn't post the pictures.  It is difficult for him to understand why I feel so ashamed of our food.  After all, the food is absolutely delicious and completely filling.  If I had prepared anything more with this meal, we would not have been able to eat it.  I pondered the reason for my feelings and I can honestly say that I have no idea what is wrong with me.  The only conclusion that I can come up with at this point is that, because we now eat so differently than most people we know, I have a hard time breaking away from wanting to celebrate like everyone else.  It's not that I want to eat what everyone else is eating.  I just want to fit in.  I just want to include myself in the masses of people who celebrate the blessings that God has given us over the last year.

Truthfully, I'm glad that we had this holiday alone together when I could cook the way I always cook and enjoy a meal that did not bother my stomach, give me gas, result in heartburn, make me fatigued, and cause me to gain weight - which would have followed hours of labor in the kitchen.  I started our meal at 11:30am and we sat down to eat an hour later.  Kitchen is cleaned and I am about to brew a cup of decaf organic coffee creamed with home made almond milk. I still have plenty of energy to walk my pets, call a few family members and lots of cognitive power to enjoy the best part of our day - praying together.  Since we live in a world of uncertainty, centering life on God who never changes brings us great peace and fullness of joy.

Maple Roasted Brussels sprouts

1 pound sprouts

1 Tablespoon grape seed oil

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/8 tsp or less cayenne pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

salt

In a bowl, drizzle washed Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and oil.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, cayenne, and salt to taste.  Place on a baking sheet and roast in oven at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender.  If you watch them roast for an additional 5 minutes or so, they will begin to darken and get crisp edges because of the maple syrup.  Watch closely if you try this as they can quickly burn!  Delish!!!!   

Happy Thanksgiving!!

If you struggle with the same feelings about eating plant based, I would love to hear your story.  Please comment on this post if you are willing to share 

Gluten Free Apple Bake - Vegan

(Thank you, Marilyn, for the inspiration and creativity of this dish!)

Ingredients

About 3 lb cooking apples (ie. Spy, Ida Red, Cortland) - sliced, unpeeled
1 cup water
1/4 c sugar or dry sweetener (sucanat or other natural sugar)
Cinnamon (for liberal seasoning)
1 and 1/2 cup raisins
2 T lemon zest
salt
*walnuts or pecans optional

Topping

3/4 cup ground flax seed
2 cups oatmeal, ground into flour (to be gluten free, use GF oats)
1/2 cup unrefined, virgin coconut oil
2/3 cup walnut meal or desired chopped nuts
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/8 tsp salt

In a 9"x 13" glass baking pan, place enough sliced apples in bottom of pan to fill pan half full.  Add water.  Sprinkle with the raisins, sugar and add nuts if desired.  Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon, 2 T lemon zest and lightly salt the whole layer (less than a pinch of salt).  Fill the pan and slightly heap with more apple slices.  Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon, add nuts if desired and another light sprinkle of salt.

To make topping, place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.  Crumble the topping over apples.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Watch the topping half way through baking time to be sure that it is not over cooking.  A piece of foil can be laid over the top to prevent burning if necessary.  Apples will puff up and be fork tender when fully baked. 

Prevent tooth decay with THIS

Oral use of Iodine can prevent cavities from early childhood.

Iodine kills germs.  It has been used as a preparation for skin before surgery since medical doctors understood germs and how to prevent infection.  What I had never thought or heard before was that iodine could be an effective way to kill tooth-decay causing germs.  

Dr. David Kennedy, DDS explains, in the following video, that fluoride is proven to be ineffective in preventing tooth decay.  Fluoride is toxic when ingested or when it comes in contact and absorbed by the skin.  However, iodine is non-toxic to humans.  In fact, iodine is an essential nutrient for the function of the thyroid.  The thyroid produces thyroid hormone upon which every cell of the body is dependent.  (The thyroid is incapable of producing hormone in the absence of iodine.  This will be another blog post.) Thus, iodine is an excellent, non-toxic, topical treatment for dental care.   Dr. Kennedy explains that the oral disease causing germs are "swimmers".  The germs are introduced to children by age 2 (generally through the mother who has dental decay).  As the child ages, the germs work on the gums and teeth until a cavity forms, gums recede, or teeth fall out.  You can't brush these germs away; but you can flush them away with an irrigation system for oral care.  Dr. Kennedy has a recipe for oral health video that I will post as a second video.

Fluoride Does Not Reduce Tooth Decay - But THIS Does

Dr. David Kennedy, DDS

Recipe for Oral Health by Dr. David Kennedy

Oral Health recipe

1 Quart glass jar

1 inch of salt in the bottom of jar

1 inch of baking soda (on top of salt)

hot water to fill jar

Shake jar until mixed.  Allow to sit under the counter until the salt and soda settles.  The liquid portion of this solution is saturated.  Do not shake before adding to the irrigation system.  Pour off some of the liquid portion and dilute one part solution with one part warm water for oral irrigation after usual brushing and flossing of the teeth.  A "splash" of iodine an also be added to the irrigation solution.  Set irrigation system on low setting, irrigate between and around every tooth.  When all of solution is used, rinse the system with clean water or it will not work the next time you use it!   

With a proper diet, drinking and bathing in clean (fluoride and chlorine free) water, and proper oral care, one should never need to have intervention for tooth decay!  I make my own toothpaste in order to eliminate exposure to the chemicals fluoride and aspartame which are so common in manufactured dental products.  For more information about the health hazards of commercially manufactured toothpaste, check out my blog: Why I don't use Toothpaste or Chew Gum

Dr. Kennedy's website also has a one hour documentary on fluoride in America. I haven't watched this film, yet - so I hesitate to share the link.  Once I watch it, I may have a comment or two.   Fluoridegate - the film

Chicken is NOT health food!

There are many more reasons to avoid poultry besides the presence of fecal bacteria!

It has happened again.  A nationwide outbreak of salmonella has hit the USA with a vengeance, sickening hundreds of people - this time via raw chicken.  USA Today  reports that the illness is in 18 states so far.  Articles following this food borne illness often advise everyone to handle their chicken "safely" and to cook meat thoroughly before eating.  The truth is, however, that there is no way to escape the cross contamination of chicken fecal bacteria to your body, kitchen surfaces, utensils and other foods for hours or days after handling raw chicken.  The same is true when handling raw egg.  In the following two minute video, Dr. Greger explains that salmonella remains indestructible when you bring chicken products into your kitchen.

Total recall - nutritionfacts.org

You can't escape salmonella cross contamination even if you incinerate the egg!

Just now you are probably thinking, "Turkey!  I'll just switch to turkey instead of chicken."  Not.  Turkey meat has been found to carry even more fecal bacteria with just as many disease hazards as handling chicken.  See this article about turkey here.

Fecal bacteria like salmonella is only one of the health hazards of handling and consuming poultry.  Check out this article,  Nutrionfacts.org, to see the long list of diseases that are traced back to exposure or consumption of poultry.  Here is a short list of the most common illnesses that have been positively linked to poultry:

• Lymphoma (non-Hodgkins type)
• Leukemia
• Urinary tract infections
• Obesity via the obesogenic virus
• Superbug contamination

My favorite reasons to avoid chicken:

• High methionine content.  Chicken and fish are the highest sources of methionine.  Cancer cells thrive on this amino acid and studies have shown positive connection between consumption of small amounts (just 1/2 breast) of chicken and growth of cancer in humans.
• Highest content of saturated fats.  Eggs in particular, but also chicken flesh, is very high in saturated fat which is the cause of elevated cholesterol which leads to artery disease.  (Removing the skin of the chicken does not eliminate the saturated fat in the meat.)  The cholesterol in one egg is equivalent to that of an 8 ounce steak.  Imagine eating two 8 ounce steaks every morning for breakfast!  That kind of artery clogging power can even cause a child to have a high blood cholesterol count.

Stage 4 Colon Cancer Healed without Chemo or Radiation!

          Ivelisse Page Healed Stage 4 Colon Cancer with Mistletoe!

Here are a few links that you can check out:

  

chrisbeatcancer.com  

Chris also has an archive post on Study: Mistletoe Effective Against Cancer  

Believebig.org is Ivelisse's organization which is raising donations to fund the US study of mistletoe therapy.   Her site has this link to help you understand the uses of mistletoe in cancer treatment.  There are also encouraging and informational videos on this site.

I found weleda skin care products, but the mistletoe extract used for fighting cancer is difficult to find.  If you are looking for mistletoe, I suggest finding a doctor of natural medicine or interview with oncologists, as did Ivelisse, until you find one who will work with your requests.  

Vaccine Safety - Be Informed!

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

www.canaryparty.org

Bill Gates Admits Vaccines Are Used For Human Depopulation

I would have to say that vaccinations have always troubled me.  Though I could never really explain my inclination to avoid them, I managed to choose a less than recommended pathway for my minor children.  Each of our children were overdue for most of the vaccines and were thus required to have them at an older age.  If a new vaccine was offered, I declined it until the vaccine was made mandatory - many shots were not given until our kids needed them for college admittance.  Thankfully, we completely avoided the Gardasil vaccine.  A few years after refusing Gardasil for my daughter, I watched on the news that a group of young girls in New York suffered from a mystery Turrets-like illness.  The story disappeared from the news quite suddenly and now there are sources that suspect a link to Gardasil that was deliberately hushed.  

Flu shots are another vaccine that I refuse to take.  When given from a multi-dose package, flu shots still contain thimerosal.  Here is a quote directly from the CDC:  "Since seasonal influenza vaccine is produced in large quantities for annual immunization campaigns, some of the vaccine is produced in multi-dose vials, and contains thimerosal to safeguard against possible contamination of the vial once it is opened."

Dr. Blaylock Vaccines and Autism Part 1 of 14

I recommend watching all 14 parts of Blaylock's lecture on vaccines available on YouTube.  There are many more interviews on YouTube with Dr. Russell Blaylock as well as his own website (www.russellblaylockmd.com) with literature, published papers and books available to educate yourself regarding vaccines, cancer, Alzheimer's and hidden MSG (excitotoxins) - to name a few topics.  We would be foolish to disregard this information.

The assault of so many vaccinations given to young children has resulted in so many tragic stories.  Dr. Blaylock explains that vaccines activate the brain's immune system, causing inflammation in the brain.  If a child's immune system is not able to recover from the assault, neurological damage occurs.  The same situation can happen to the adult population and the aged.  Dr. Blaylock concluded his lecture series with antidotes for children who are suffering from vaccine injury.  At that point, time is of the essence and a conscientious physician would be wise to pay attention to the treatments needed to save a young child's life and quality of life.

The following documentary is a staggering account of parents who have suffered dearly and their children who were permanently injured or died from vaccinations.  Please take the time to view this and take time to evaluate vaccinations by doing your own research before making a decision that would devastate you and your child. You have time to make a decision.  Don't decide anything in the doctor's office!  Go home, do your research and, if you choose to vaccinate, make a phone call for the appointment. 

Vaccine Nation - FULL LENGTH

Gut Check: Choose health, not junk!

CBS This Morning featured a health spot called "Gut Check" today.  The topic of beneficial bacteria is a key point for improving overall health for people of all ages.  The standard American diet is filled with meat, dairy, sweets, fat and refined carbohydrates.  These foods slow the digestive tract, contribute to the growth of inflammatory "bad" bacteria, reduce the good neurotransmitter production which benefits mental health, makes the body very acidic, and destroys the immune system.  The story on CBS This Morning highlighted the negative effects of bad bacteria being linked to diabetes, obesity and inflammation.

For the broadcast of This Morning's spot, "Gut Check", click on this link: 

Gut Check  

How can you improve your health by getting more good bacteria in your gut?  Change your diet.  Eat high fiber foods.  The only source of fiber is through plant foods.  You can get all the good gut flora that you need by eating a large, raw, green, organic salad every day (don't put nasty processed foods or dairy on that!).  The key to health is to get to the root cause of disease.  Heath starts in the gut and it begins with what we feed our bodies.  Don't rely on going through animal based foods to get your nutrition.  Go directly to the source - where the animals get their nutrition - fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  I put together a fun video about home made sources of good bacteria (probiotics).    Click on my blog post about Vegetable ferments and probiotics for more viewing and links to help you get started toward reversing your disease.

There are a few more links to my blog posts that might be helpful regarding gut health:  Probiotics,  Beet Kvass,  Some bugs you need to catch.

You only get one body in your lifetime.  Quit eating the stuff that makes you sick.  I call that stuff, JUNK.  If it comes in a package and is ready to eat or drink, then it is junk.  The effects that it leaves behind is fat on our bodies, 90% of our diseases and the wrappers that go in the trash (more junk for the earth).  Choose health.

Light and Simple Cabbage Soup

Light and Simple Cabbage Soup

This delicately flavored soup is perfect for cool days or served cold on hot days.  I give the credit to a good friend who cooks by taste, like myself.  She served a cabbage soup similar to this and told me what seasonings she used.  Here is what I did to replicate her delicious soup.

1 cup lentils

3 quarts water

1/2 head cabbage cut into bit sized pieces, about 3 cups

1 large onion chopped

4 cloves garlic minced

5 large carrots chopped

3 stalks celery chopped

4-5 potatoes, any variety, cut in bite sized pieces

1-2 cups summer squash, chopped

1 tablespoon fennel seed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

salt & pepper to taste

In a 8-10 quart soup pan, bring water to boil and add lentils, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, summer squash, parsley, fennel seed and cinnamon.  Once the soup comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes and lentils can be pierced with a fork (about 15 minutes).  Add chopped cabbage, salt and pepper to taste and simmer another 15 minutes or until vegetables have reached desired tenderness.  This will keep in the refrigerator for a week.  Makes about 16 cups of soup.

How to Prevent Common Diseases: MS, Cervical Cancer, Essential Tremor, Heart disease, Cavities and more!

Dr. Greger addresses the 12 most common diseases for which American's seek treatment.  He presents stunning research and powerful facts that show these diseases to be preventable and reversible.  I hope that you take time to watch the entire video.  If you are not able watch, please read through the bullet points that highlight this valuable information regarding your health.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/more-than-an-apple-a-day-preventing-our-most-common-diseases/

More Than an Apple a Day: Preventing Our Most Common Diseases

Michael Greger, M.D. 

• Regular physical activity improves immune function, up to 5 times.
• Mushrooms and nutritional yeast increase antibody secretion by 50% and is maintained for a week after consumption.
• Those who eat a healthy, traditional, plant based diets prevent auto-immune diseases.
• M.S. is treatable with a plant based diet free of saturated animal fat.  In a study, 95% of M.S. patients were without progression of the disease 34 years after adopting the diet.
• Essential tremor is the most common neurological disease and is linked to meat consumption.
• Heart disease is a rarity among plant based populations world wide.
• Cavities are preventable through diet (plant based)
• Consumption of trans fats in any amount increases cardiac risk.  The only way to eliminate trans fat is to eat a whole food, plant based diet.
• More than 100,000 Americans are salmonella poisoned annually by eggs.
• The USDA states that eggs are not safe to eat.
• Cervical cancer, caused by sexually transmitted HPV virus, is reversible with plant based diet.  Women eating vegetarian have significantly lower infection rates.  Vegan women have significantly lower rates of all female cancers combined - including cervical cancer.
• Male fertility is significantly impacted by diet.  Increase in saturated animal fat consumption by only 5% is associated with up to 38% lower sperm count.
• 40% of men over 40 have E.D. which places them at more than 50 times the risk of a cardiac event because E.D. is one manifestation of artery disease and a predictor of heart disease.  Young men should be concerned about their cholesterol levels.
• Cellulite is reduced by eating a plant based diet.
• 60 million Americans suffer from constipation.  Not vegans.
• Cancer kills over 500,000 Americans a year, which is equivalent to 5 jumbo jets crashing every day for a year.  However, a tumor cannot get bigger than the ball at the tip of a pen without a blood supply.  Cancer cells are commonly present in every healthy adult.  Tumors release VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in order to stimulate vascular growth and get a blood supply.  Many of the phytochemicals in veggies can block the VEGF of tumors and prevent cancer growth.
• Cancer is methionine dependent whereas healthy cells do not require methionine.  This is sourced in food.  The highest methionine content can be found in chicken and fish.  Milk, red meat and eggs are also sources of methionine, but plant based foods are the foods that contain the lowest source of methionine.
• A vegan diet has been proven to reduce prostate tumor growth whereas eggs and poultry can double or potentially quadruple the risk of cancer progression.  However, a single serving a day of any cruciferous vegetable (broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts, etc.) can cut the risk of cancer progression in half. 
• A similar result was found for breast cancer patients.  A low-fat, high fiber, plant based diet with daily physical activity can quadruple survival rate in women with breast cancer.
• In a study regarding esophageal cancer, patients consumed the equivalent of a pound of strawberries daily (in a powdered form) and the progression of the disease was reversed in 80% of the patients.  Of the patients studied, 52.7% of them were completely cured and walked away disease free - just from consuming the powdered strawberry treatment.  Similar results were found in oral cancer patients.
• Urinary tract infections have been traced to a direct link with chicken feces.  This is an animal to human disease, with or without consumption of the chicken meat.  Contamination takes place while handling and/or eating chicken regardless of care or sanitation in handling.  The pathogens colonize the intestinal tract for up to 10 days after contact or consumption.  These pathogens then travel from the intestinal tract to the urinary tract and cause bladder infection.

Are you grounded?

The earth is a huge force of energy.  The fields of science and medicine are starting to recognize that this great force, created by God, has many benefits and therapies for our health.  Since listening to this audio interview with Dr. James Oschman, I have taken advantage of the barefooted opportunities in my yard and garden.  One great benefit for me has been reduction of inflammation in my joints after spending 30 minutes with my bare feet in contact with the earth. While I'm "grounded with earth", my garden is getting weeded.  Walking barefooted can give the same benefits of bringing the human body's stress level down, reduce inflammation, and provide an overall relaxing experience.  

We are exposed to electromagnetic fields when we live in this industrialized society where there is an outlet on every wall, appliances plugged in all day, and constant use of electronics.  Individuals can go to the extent of grounding their bed with a grounding sheet so that they get a better night's rest by reducing their inflammation, stress and pain level.

Inflammation is the body's way of dealing with something that is wrong.  Cancer, chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, Alzheimer's and injuries all cause inflammatory response by the immune system.  The five hallmarks of inflammation are: pain, redness, heat, loss of range of motion and swelling. There is a great big world out there that can be used every morning and evening to help your body heal on a daily basis!  Dirt feels good on your feet!  Your skin will wash off, so get out there and go for a barefooted walk or just sit down and put your feet against the earth.

You can get a good idea of the information in the first interview by listening to the first 30 minutes, but the science and theories behind it is interesting if you have time to listen to both of the following interviews.

Dr. James Oschman on Earthing

Clint Ober Discusses Earthing Research

Diatomaceous earth for garden, pets and you!

We recently entertained a guest in our home who was taking diatomaceous earth as a supplement to help with joint pain.  Since her visit, we have discovered the greatest potential benefit which we will not refuse!  Keep reading and I will explain.

Also known as Fossil Shell Flour, diatomaceous earth (D.E.) is used to kill unwanted insects in the home or vegetable garden.  Because this food grade, fresh water form of D.E. is safe for human and animal consumption, it is the perfect organic way to treat fleas by dusting it on your pets, intestinal parasites by adding to pet food, or dust around the home to kill ants, spider, roaches, bed bugs and more.   

NOTE: only D.E. that is labeled "food grade" is safe for human and animal consumption!

So we ordered a 50 lb bag of D.E. after our friend departed.  Our main hope was to give it to the pets as a worm prevention and use it in our home and garden as an organic insecticide.  However, we also decided to try taking it internally as a potential benefit to our health.  Then we made a discovery of an unexpected benefit!  Keep reading.  

• D.E. is naturally high in magnesium which helps the body to utilize calcium (which would help to detox the kidneys from calcium deposits).  
• Just as D.E. helps to de-worm your pets, it can also rid humans of parasites.  I don't know if we have any intestinal parasites - but if we do, we want to get rid of them!
• D.E. can help with joint pain due to its high magnesium content which helps to lower uric acid levels.
• D.E. promotes healthy hair, teeth, gums, skin and nails.  Some testimonials from women even claim that their thinning hair is having new hair growth.
• See the following testimonials about D.E. helping with constipation, lime disease, hot flashes, blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol and more.
• D.E is a way to detox: heavy metals, harmful intestinal bacteria, viruses and radiation!  This is it!  This is the great benefit that we can not refuse!  D.E. detoxes the body of radiation!  My husband, who had colon cancer, chemo and radiation treatments is now taking D.E. to detox his body of that nasty radiation which can linger for decades without encouragement to depart.

There you have it.  It seems that we have a natural remedy for every medical intervention that my hubby went through to get cancer out of his body.  We have watched the chemo leave his liver by using milk thistle seed powder.  We have boosted his immune system by eating lots of green plant foods (which also help detoxify the body), by taking efforts to consume plant based sources of probiotic foods, and by maintaining healthy life style habits with rest and exercise.  Now we shall target that radiation!  If you haven't met my husband yet, you should check out this blog post where he rants about having a colostomy bag at polebarnthoughts.  

So, I think you should go eat some dirt!  Below, I will post a video explanation of D.E. and a page that lists the health benefits.  We purchased our supply from wolfcreekranch.net.  The product is not expensive per pound.  Shipping is another story.

Diatomaceous Earth---food grade

Some health benefits   http://www.earthyhealth.com/diatomaceous-earth-human-use.html

Home Grown Tomatoes - Pruning for produce

VIDEO click here - How To Prune Tomatoes (Pruning)

The video link above is a good video explanation of how to get the highest yield out of your garden's tomato plants.  By keeping the plant growing upward until one month before frost, your tomato plant can provide you with the best quantity and quality of fruit.  

Another way to increase yield, especially in cooler climates such as mine, is to mulch with a solar mulch that will increase the ground temperature in the early months of summer.  Cover them with row cover which will provide additional protection from late spring frost and chilly days.  It is difficult to get row cover to extend the length of your growing season with tomatoes because they are so large by the end of the season.  In this case, a hot house is the best option.  If you don't have a hot house for your heat loving plants (tomatoes), plant them next to a wall that has full southern exposure to the sun.  The building will provide a great deal of insulation from the cold at night as well as intensification of the natural heat from the sun during the daytime.

Tomatoes are rich in many nutrients that are health protective.  Growing them at home can offer you the best quality for the price.  When you become the farmer, you know exactly how the plants were treated.  You can be sure that your home grown vegetables are chemical and pesticide free.  

Here are a few things that tomatoes can do for you:

• Lycopene offers protection to the bones as well as cancer protection.  It especially helps fight prostate cancer.
• Rich in antioxidants which are cancer and bone health protective.
• Rich in Vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, C and K.
• One cup of raw tomato  has 12% daily value of potassium.
• High in fiber!

Chicken linked to weight gain, obesity virus and urinary tract infections

Before changing to a plant-based diet, chicken was a staple source of protein for me and my family.  I enjoyed the flavor of chicken and purchased it in large quantities in order to package it for the freezer for convenient cooking.  I often roasted whole chicken to use the meat and broth for 3 or more meals in the week.  My favorite, however, was grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast.  After I seasoned it with herbs and spices and then doused it with extra virgin olive oil, my husband took the chore of grilling it on our gas grill.  The result was a meal full of carcinogens: heterocyclic amines (HCA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's), omega 6 fat from the olive oil, fat in the meat (yes, meat has fat right inside the cells), and high protein which elevates IGF-1 hormone.

We live in a time when DNA of bacteria can be identified and traced back to the source.  We live in a time when viruses can be discovered and linked to diseases.  We live in a time when chemicals and antibiotics can be used on food and then found in our organs, our blood and in our urine.  So here are some things everyone should know before they bite into their chicken nuggets or slice into their juicy grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast. 

Meat and Weight Gain in PANACEA Study - www.nutritionfacts.org

Obesity - Causing Chicken Virus - www.nutritionfacts.org

Avoiding Chicken to Avoid Bladder Infections - www.nutritionfacts.org

More Antibiotics in White Meat or Dark Meat? - www.nutritionfacts.org

MRSA in U.S. Retail Meat - www.nutritionfacts.org

Don't be ignorant about GMO's! Be educated for your health!

The following interview with Jeffrey Smith regarding the danger of genetically modified organisms to human health and world ecology is all you need to hear in order to be well aware of GMO's threat.  Jeffrey Smith gives more scientific explanation about the cellular, genetic, world ecology and world economy problems that GMO foods create.  If you missed the link to his documentary - Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMO's, click here.  

Jeffrey M. Smith: Monsanto, GMO Seeds of Destruction

For more information on GMO's and how to buy NON-GMO foods, see his website: www.responsibletechnology.org

GMO's harmful to animals and humans alike!

We can learn a lot about how human health is affected by GMO foods by observing animals who are feed genetically modified corn and soy.  There has been a great deal of "fudging" the studies to make GMO's look safe for human consumption; however, the chronic illness caused by GMO feed in the big Ag. business sheds a revealing light on what this toxic food can and is doing to us!

  

If you are a pet owner, you should be aware of the dangers of genetically modified corn and soy in your pet food.  Unless your food or pet food is labeled "NON-GMO", don't trust anything with corn, soybean or canola  in the ingredients.  In the case of pet foods, the animal proteins used to make the food generally comes from animal products that are not marketable for humans or from the waste in butchering meat for human consumption.    The animal meal used in pet food is most likely from animals that ate GMO corn and soybean.

GMO's can cause the same damage to organ tissues in animals as they do in humans.  Listen to this short video to catch the info on how animals are harmed after consuming GM foods.

Jeffrey Smith: GMO Health Conditions Already Known

GMO's - you REALLY are what you eat!

Do you know what GMO foods are?  Genetically modified organisms are created by biological engineers who remove genetic information from one species and inject it into another species in order to derive a desired feature that would be contrary to nature - contrary to the way God created life.  By introducing GMO foods into our food supply and consuming them, this nation has begun to face an onslaught of new allergies, diseases, intestinal illness, infertility and even genetic changes to organ tissues of the human body which cannot be reversed.  I have wanted to "take on" this topic in my blog for several months, but the topic seemed too daunting to me.  In my mind, it poses a sort-of apocalyptic threat to the world.  More people need to be made aware of the dangers of eating GMO foods.  It is not only in the plant food supply, but also in the meat supply as the factory farms exclusively use GMO corn and soybeans to feed their livestock.  Thanks to "The Farmacy" on Facebook and www.realfarmacy.com, we have found a new documentary that covers  GMO's history and threat to the world.  The film also includes the conspiracy of Monsanto's goal for world domination for your rude awakening.  It seems to be a well produced documentary which is highlighted by several respected figures in the whole foods movement.  You absolutely must make time to watch this video.  We can stop this madness if we stop buying the poison that they have disguised as food.  Look for the little label on packages that says, "NON GMO Project Verified" or go to www.nongmoproject.org to help you find products that do not use GMO foods in processing.  

Since the 9-11 attack on our nation, I have often thought that our country's enemies could easily find a way to poison our nation's food and kill as many or more people than were killed on that horrible day.  Now I know that we have an enemy among us, poisoning the food supply.  The enemy has already been at work to rob us of our health, our lives and our source of livelihood.

Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMO's

Click this link if the YouTube video is lagging - Seeds of Death

Dryer Balls and Home Made Laundry Soap

We found these at Gilroy's Hardware

Since our personal experience with cancer, my husband and I have done everything that we can to avoid and protect ourselves from exposure to toxins.  We have found that natural cleaning agents in our home have saved money as well as protected our health.  I have been making my own laundry soap for more than a year.  It works very well, saves the environment from the constant consumption of plastic jugs and costs just a penny and a half per load!  I will post the recipe that I use at the bottom of this post if you are interested in trying it.

Dryer Balls?
Yes, dryer balls!  They look more like baby toys, but the purpose is far different.  Dryer balls work inside the dryer while the clothes are being tossed around.  They help to keep the clothes separated and offer a reduction in static.  I like how they keep certain clothing items from getting twisted and wrapped around other garments.  I only have two but the manufacturer recommends using up to 6 balls per dryer load.  This has allowed me to greatly reduce the use of fabric softener.  We currently purchase the Seventh Generation brand of plant based fabric softener.  However, I only use a quarter cap full in select loads when I need static control - fleece lovers know this.  Static issues are only a problem in the cold, dry, winter months.  

Dry cleaning? NO!
The chemical used by professional dry cleaners has been known for decades to cause cancer.  When the dry cleaned articles of clothing are handled, toxic chemicals can be absorbed through the skin (even when dry) or inhaled.  I have made the choice to no longer purchase clothing or sewing material that requires dry cleaning.  There are a few dry cleaning companies who have changed their solvents to organic and non-toxic alternatives to the chemicals that have been used since the 1930's.  If I ever had to use a dry cleaner, I would search for the "green" option.

Sprays and Fragrances?  NO!
Do you love the clean smell of window cleaner, all-purpose household cleaners or the latest anti-bacterial disinfectant spray that you use on surfaces?  Beware!  The chemicals are gaining entrance into your body through the most efficient route you have - the lungs.  If you can smell it, you are pumping it right to your liver, brain and every other cell in your body.  There is only one living cell between the air you breathe and the blood you pump.  If you are wiping it off the surface with bare hands, the chemicals are seeping into your skin and entering the blood stream through the blood system that serves every living cell of your body.  How about adopting a new concept of how "clean" should smell?  Maybe no smell at all is a "clean" smell.  Perhaps fresh air and warm potable water with a douse of vinegar can give you the "cleanest" result to your housekeeping efforts.

Laundry Soap!
I really love this stuff.  The ingredients are a bit of an investment up front, but the cost per load is only 1.5 cents.  

1/3 bar Felsnaptha soap, grated
6 cups water
1/2 cup Borax powdered detergent booster
1/2 cup Washing Soda - Arm & Hammer is one brand

1. Add grated Felsnaptha soap to 6 cups water in a sauce type pan.  
2. Heat on the stove, stirring until soap pieces melt into the water.
3. Add Borax and Washing Soda, stirring until dissolved.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Use a large pail or other 2 gallon container to finish the laundry soap.
6. Pour 4 cups hot water into container and add the hot soap mixture from the pan.  Stir.
7. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups water.  Stir.
8. Allow to sit at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring as often as you desire.
9. Store in air tight container - I use old laundry detergent containers to keep mine. 

    

The Danger of Fluoridated Water in Children and Public Health

There is a chemical difference between the fluoride used in toothpaste and the fluoride dumped in the public water supply.  Studies have revealed the danger that fluoridated water poses to the health of the population, and most concerning to the development of young children.  In fact, fluoridation of water could easily be considered a method of poisoning the population.  Fortunately, the USA is in the minority worldwide with its fluoridation of water.  Since 2009, more than 2000 scientific, medical and environmental professionals have called for an elimination of worldwide fluoridation.  Here is the reason why it needs to stop:

Professional Perspectives on Water Fluoridation

• Fluoride is a neurotoxin
• Fluoridated water cannot be delivered to individuals with dosages proportional to the age or weight.
• National Academy of Sciences states that there is no essential use for fluoride in human growth and development.
• If there is any benefit of fluoride, it is only effective topically, not systemically.
• USA is in the minority of countries that fluoridate water.  The dental health of the populations who do not consume fluoridated water compare to or exceed that of the USA.
• Children are getting a lot of fluoride from many sources, especially toothpaste.  
• 2005 CDC said 32% of children in the country have dental fluorosis - damage to the tooth from too much fluoride (white spots, splotches or lines, chipping or pitting).
• Fluoride is a common component in pesticides.
• The adverse effects of fluoride on teeth is a sign that the bones have also been adversely effected by too much fluoride.
• Many organs are effected by fluoride beyond the teeth and bones.
• Fluoridation of water causes a toxicity problem.
• American Dental Association has advised parents not to use fluoridated water for infant formula.
• The level of fluoride in mother's milk is 250 times less than what we put in drinking water because nature keeps fluoride away from the infant!
• Fluoride interferes with the pineal gland, thyroid gland and seriously effects the development of the infant brain.
• There is confirmed evidence that fluoride can damage the brain in the young and in adults and lowers IQ in children.
• Fluoride's effect on the thyroid is multi-fold.  The most common problem associated with fluoridated water is hypothyroidism (low thyroid function.)
• Studies revealed increased risk of bone fracture in those who drink fluoridated water.  Fluoride accumulates in the bone and makes it brittle.
• The first sign of skeletal fluorosis is arthritis, bone and joint pain.  68 million Americans have some form of arthritis.
• The fluoride added to water is hydrofluorosilicic acid.  Hydrofluorosilicic acid is considered a pollutant if sent out a smoke stack or dumped into the environment but is a "water treatment" when added to public drinking water.  Hydrofluorosilicic acid is a waste product from the phosphate industry.
• Fluoride can be absorbed through the skin, increasing the body's exposure to the toxin.

Fluoride and chlorine are very difficult to remove from drinking/bath water.  Reverse osmosis has shown to remove up to 85% of fluoride.  This is an expensive solution, but worth the investment as a health protective measure where public water contains fluoride and chlorine.  Click here for a company that makes RO systems. 

To reduce exposure to topical fluoride by making your own toothpaste, see my blog post on Why I don't use toothpaste or chew gum.

Asthma and Acne - what they have in common

The skin and the lungs are both organs.  But this is not the only thing that asthma and acne have in common.  The organs that are affected by these diseases have a function of detoxification.  When the body comes in contact with environmental toxins (food, insecticides, household cleaners, air pollutants, dry cleaned clothing, or health care products),  the liver has to filter them out because toxins kill cells.  The liver sends toxins out through the lung tissue, the skin and the intestinal tract.  A low nutrient diet can trigger the liver to store toxins until the proper foods are eaten, which then trigger the liver to dump its junk.  When someone is eating a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables but high in fat, sugar and protein, the liver is bogged down with stored toxins.  When ready for elimination, the toxins should be eliminated quickly.  This requires sweating (exercise), unimpeded air exchange and frequent intestinal eliminations.  

A person who eats a poor diet will have a difficult time getting toxins out quickly.  Poor nutrition means that every cell in the body is starving for nutrients.  Nutrients come from plants, not animals.  The body's cells were designed to run on plant fuel.  Acne and asthma are just two of the many conditions that result from food borne or environmental toxins.  You might ask, "Why, then, do young children have these conditions?"  Toxins get into everything, including babies before birth.  A staggering number of industrial toxins have been found in the umbilical blood of newborn babies.  I imagine that these mothers thought they were being careful to avoid chemical exposures during pregnancy.  It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, our nation pushes dairy and animal products on pregnant women with the promise of good nutrition!    

Foods that trigger asthma and acne are also common in each case.  Meat, dairy and junk food are listed in Dr. Popper's video that follows.  Meat and dairy products (even the lean and low fat variety) cause inflammation, contain chemicals used to treat the animal, trigger an immune system response in the body which can damage the body's own cells, and slows digestion causing general poor health.  Dairy, in particular, is naturally high in estrogen.  Boys and girls don't need any more of that to contribute to their acne problems.  As Dr. Popper will explain, dairy protein is found to be a real acne contributor!

Dr. Pam Popper: More about the Flu; Acne and Diet

Know This About Detoxification - Robert Scott Bell

This is the Key to Healing - Robert Scott Bell

For more information regarding detoxification, see my February post, Why Detox

Fertility, Pregnancy and Childhood Diet

Pregnancy and child rearing was before a major dietary change in my life.  I consumed a full fat diet of meat and dairy along with regular - albeit low - consumption of fruits and vegetables.  I successfully carried four babies to full term; but due to cephalopelvic disproportion, everyone of them was born via Cesarean section.  

There is a new video from Dr. McDougall's most recent Advanced Study weekend.  Dr. McDougall, though he lends toward Darwinian thought (I disagree with that theory of origins), has a reasonable argument regarding C-sections.  The rising number of surgical interventions for childbirth is more evidence that we are not eating properly as a nation.  The starch based diet can provide perfect nutrition for everyone - even men and women in child-bearing years. Dr. McDougall compares his wife's pregnancy while eating a Standard American diet versus a strict starch based diet.  This is an encouraging video to watch.  He gives good reasons to try to avoid C-section as a method of childbirth.  I agree with that!

Dr. John McDougall: Pregnancy and Children

A few highlights:

• All male herbivores have seminal vesicles.  All male carnivores lack seminal vesicles. Humans are the only living being with seminal vesicles that consumes meat.
• Sperm counts are reduced by consumption of meat and dairy.
• Women are also less fertile when consuming animal products.
• Cesarean section prohibits the baby from being inoculated with good intestinal bacteria and instead inoculates the baby with hospital bacteria.
• Babies are bigger because the diet of pregnant American women is rich in meat and dairy.
• Fish should not be consumed by pregnant women due to environmental toxins in the meat and fat of the fish.
• 770 pregnant women studied who ate a vegan diet were completely free of pre-eclampsia.
• Don't take multi-vitamins!  Pre-natal vitamins pose a significant risk to unborn babies.
• Consumption of animal foods is the cause of precocious puberty in young boys and girls - up to 5 years earlier than should naturally occur.
• 60% of a woman's pesticide content is dumped into her breast milk during the first 6 months of lactation!
• In the unfortunate event of needing a substitute for breast milk, McDougall recommends a hypo-allergenic formula: Silimac Alimentum, Advance Ross Pediatrics EleCare, Nutrimigen Lipil.  Add 1/4 tsp sugar to 2 oz formula for taste acceptance.
• Fast growth in children does not mean better health.
• California is the first state to establish law (2011) that requires doctors to learn about human nutrition and diet therapy.  The state of Hawaii has recently followed.
• The McDougall plan made the top 10 Best Diet list in USA Today Magazine.