Why can't we just have REAL CORN!!!

Dear Friends,
I am a huge believer in you are what you eat! When I do succeed at eating properly, it pays off - in my energy levels, skin tone, hair, attitude.. and so much more! I also believe that my cancer diagnosis years ago was greatly a result of the poisons I was ingesting, in the chemicals, preservatives and additives inherent in my food choices. Again, today, I'm far from perfect, but I am aware!

One of the things I am PASSIONATE about is trying HARD not to eat Genetically Modified Foods (GMO's). But I don't always know if I've been successful, not all our labels are telling us. I question, "what will happen to our health when we don't KNOW what we are eating?"

Monsanto is trying again to bulldoze these toxic foods into us! Monsanto is a HUGE company with very deep pockets, and highly effective lobbyists! They are big into genetically modified seeds and food. The petition below explains what they are trying to do with our corn, coming soon to our grocery stores. We do not have to accept this fate, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE... and we can fight back!

Please read and sign the petition, copy the note and pass it on to all your contacts! Be heard and let our food source providers know we want REAL food! NOT genetically modified food that is resistant to toxic chemicals like Round up! Do you think Round up doesn't have an effect on this food as it's growing? It is being absorbed into these plants...how can it NOT be in every bite of sweet corn you take? Do yourselves a great favor, it's easy.. buy organic. But also, let your voice be heard. Please sign the petition below! Share the story people!

Our health and the health of our children are in our hands.

.............................Petition...............................................

Dear Friend,

This fall, Monsanto, the corporation who produces roughly 90% of the
world's genetically modified seeds, will try to bring their new, GMO sweet
corn to a grocery store aisle or farmer's market near you.

Unlike Monsanto's other GMO crops -- which are primarily fed to animals --
this sweet corn is intended for direct human consumption.

This is the first time Monsanto has engineered a vegetable that could be
served straight to your dinner table. And if this unlabeled, and
potentially toxic crop succeeds, Monsanto is sure to bring us even more.

As an activist and consumer, we are in a powerful position to pressure
leading U.S. grocery stores to reject Monsanto's new GMO corn.

I just signed a petition telling major grocery stores around the country
that I don't want Monsanto's sweet corn on the shelves. Will you join me
and help stop this unsafe food?

Click here for the petition!
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/gmo_corn/?r_by=-4498632-_hVSUgx&rc=mailto2

A simple Message

This is from one of my all time Favorite Blog sites - Peaceful Daily. It's a blog that I subscribe too, and I am emailed very short thoughts for each day! That's my favorite thing about them, it's very short. With all the email I am sent, it's nice to have one I KNOW I can manage, and get some positive energy from. Most days, it's a simple message or reminder. Sometimes, they feature a simple product that is eco friendly, or just plain cool. I really liked today's message.

This video is worth your time

This video is really worth watching. It's a long one - about 18 minutes, but trust me - it's worth it... carve out some time. I promise, this one doesn't have any animals being tortured. It WON'T make you feel guilty for eating meat... it's an education on foods you are probably eating every day, and foods your family is likely eating. It's information I've tried to share in the past, but Robyn O'Brien is much more eloquent in her delivery. If you can't watch the whole video, can you commit to watching the first 10 minutes? Do you think you know all there is to know about Milk, Corn, Soy? I suspect you may learn something new from this, like I did. After all, It really does matter.... Education IS Power.

Ammonia in Meat - Seriously!

This week I learned something new. Sadly, I was SHOCKED And DISTURBED!

While Watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution this week, I learned that in the US, our FDA has allowed ground beef to be treated with ammonia! Much of this ammonia processed meat has found its way into our fast food industry. The bigger shocker is that meat treated with Ammonia does not have to be labeled!

I wondered how could our Government justify this? The answer: Our Federal officials agreed that the ammonia be classified as a “processing agent” and NOT an ingredient - therefore it didn't need to be labeled! So that "100% beef" advertising we are all exposed to?.. well... I guess that definition depends on if you mean, WHAT you are eating or HOW it was processed? Does that matter to you and the health of your loved ones? Seems to me that might be a bit deceptive.

I was shocked to learn of this, and wanted to get the word out to as many people as I could - I am encouraging you to read the facts for yourself! To make this story even more appalling, I learned that besides the fast food use of this type of processed meat, that much of this ammonia processed beef has made it's way into our children's schools.

I did some online research and found these articles. This New York Times article, is credited with busting this disturbing practice open! This article was also very eye opening. Please educate yourselves! We REALLY need to work towards KNOWING what we are ingesting! Is there any wonder we are getting sicker - at younger ages?

We need our government to protect us - food labeling of GMO's and ammonia treated meat - it's a no brainer. But they aren't going to do it unless we demand it! Get involved with an organization that is working towards honest food labeling! I hope you agree - this REALLY DOES MATTER!

Have a Peaceful Day

Today, I met a friend for lunch at a new vegetarian restaurant. Prior to our meeting, my friend and I exchanged a few texts to make sure this was something we still wanted to do... Crazy, huh? How often do we make plans with friends, then have those plans fall through, because either we have too much going on, are too busy, or simply don't feel up for it? Well, I was really looking forward to keeping these plans, which I did. We met at an amazing restaurant, had an amazing lunch. I sat there with her and realized, THIS is exactly where I need to be. I needed time away from the deadlines, the crazy race to DO stuff -whether that stuff is drive the kids somewhere, run errands, or simply take care of things at home. I needed a PEACEFUL day with a friend.

After lunch we decided to cross the street for some relaxing tea at THE most charming tea house. I also got a lesson on my new MAC from my friend. But the most important lesson I learned today was to take time to enjoy the peaceful things in life.

As I was walking back to my car after our time together, I thought to myself what a wonderful day I was having! Take time to make Peace with yourself and with those people in your life that matter. You will always have your family, take some time for your soul by growing the seeds of friendship. Call someone you have been meaning to catch up with - make some time. Those kinds of things really do matter.

Organic Eggs - not all they are CRACKED up to be!

I have been guilty of buying organic eggs for YEARS! As it turns out, in some cases, that might have been a large waste of money. I used to purchase most of my eggs by convenience - at grocery stores and large food retailers. I came across this report by the Cornicopia Institute, and figured it was time to post my findings. Wouldn't you have thought that organic eggs may have been healthier, and come from birds treated more humanly? I'm learning, that is not always the case. Check out the scorecard ratings that were used in this study. Worth reading is the note regarding the Organic Valley Brand. As always, do your own research and do what YOU are comfortable doing.

I've recently switched to purchasing my eggs from local farmers markets. These farmers are less likely cleaning their eggs in chlorine, or other toxic chemicals that can leach through the shell. And I like supporting my local farmer. One benefit is they aren't as large a polluting operation as the big national companies which is good in many ways like: there is less transportation involved, and that usually means a smaller footprint towards pollution.

My advise, strike up a conversation with the farmer and ask questions! Not only will you learn alot, but you'll be making educated decisions. What we eat and feed our families, really does matter!

Coconut Milk to the Rescue!

As you know by now, I am trying to do a better job at monitoring the chemicals I am ingesting in the foods I eat. One of the better changes I think I have made lately is to switch my coffee additive, to SoDelicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk! And YUM - does it ever taste good! So Delicious also makes a coffee creamer that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! It doesn't contain any of the nasty chemicals the more popular coffee creamers have, and I can get this in yummy French Vanilla or Hazelnut flavors. I have found it in the dairy section at Whole Foods. It isn't crazy expensive either! Just good, healthy Coconut Milk based creamer! Try it.

Now, if that didn't quite sell you, this notification just came through my email today, and I thought I'd pass it on. The manufacturers of SoDelicious have a current promotion going where you can help resucued farm animals courtesy of Farm Sanctuary, just by mailing in the UPC code from the carton! So, you can do something good for you, and something good for a very worthy organization, not to mention the cute animals. Check it out, and let me know if you like it as much as I do!

Grass Fed Beef

I realize not everyone is a vegetarian, but it seems like these days, most of us are more careful about the foods we buy and serve to our friends and family. I came across this video and information regarding Grass Fed Beef. So much of the Beef we eat has been fed Corn, which is NOT natural for cattle. Have you ever seen pictures of heards of Cattle grazing in corn fields? Yeah, I didn't think so.
Grass Fed Cattle are naturally more healthy, and the meat is leaner. Look for it, and preferably, make sure it hasn't been fed anitbiotics or growth hormones either.

If you want to learn MORE about the dangers of Corn in the US - (we are hearing more and more about how corn and its sugars are not good for humans, but it's not healthy for cattle either), please read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan.

For now, I hope this information is useful!

Inflammation and Acidic vs. Alkaline

Many of you may be reading more and more lately about foods that can produce more acid or foods that create a more alkaline condition in your body. Highly acidic foods can lead to inflammation in our bodies, which in turn can lead to sickness and poor health. Whereas some foods help to provide a more alkaline balance to our bodies. The trick is to balance our pH levels - or neutralize it. In other words, we don't want to be too acidic, or too alkaline, but balanced between the two conditions. Balancing this pH level will help in our aging process, and who doesn't want to age gracefully and with health energy?

So can you guess which kinds of foods create the more undesirable condition of higher acid? If you answered, processed and engineered foods and meats, you are correct. It appears that with each new generation, our bodies are becoming more and more acidic! And it should be no surprise then that the rates for cancer and diabetes keeps on climbing.

What happens when we are too acidic?
When you eat foods that increase your acid levels, your body works to get rid of this excess acid by excreting it in urine, feces and perspiration.
It uses fat cells as an "acid dump".

When your body exceeds its ability to maintain, from food, a "neutral" balance it has to "steal" from bones, teeth and tissues as an acid neutralizer.

Over a period of time of this stealing process can make your bones become a hollow shell and you have to be extremely careful of slips or falls. 30% of rest homes tenants are there as a result of osteoporosis and a fall that broke a hip etc.


For the diabetic, acidity has and continues to interfere with the response of insulin receptor cells which results in higher and higher insulin resistance.
Correcting this acidic condition will reverse the ever rising insulin resistance and will aid in halting silent inflammation contributing to the problem.

High acidity interferes with full digestions of vitamins and supplements as well. So all that good we think we are doing by taking supplements, may not have the impact we were hoping for if we are acidic!

So, what SHOULD you be eating or doing?
First let me give you list of what you should AVOID: all of these raise acidity!

Alcohol
Caffeine
Low fat foods
Fear or Anger
Lack of essential nutrients
Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup
Stress
Lack of Fiber
Most drugs
Fatigue
Sedentariness
Artificial Sweeteners, Asparatame VERY acidic

Here is a list of Alkaline rich foods - as well as a chart showing some acid rich foods. Other lists are readily available on line.

If you can Neutralize the acidity, your body will start to heal itself immediately!

To find out whether you are in an acid or alkaline state, you can purchase pH testing strips at almost every health food store. They are activated with a little urine, very easy to do! Try it out, than start adjusting your diet to get yourself into a neutral zone. Let me know how you feel!

It's a constant battle to do the right things: eat right, exercise and simply get enough sleep. But what have you got to lose? There is much to gain!

More information on Chemicals to avoid in cosmetics

Although I recently posted about the chemicals to avoid when purchasing cosmetic products, I like the way this article summarizes it all. It reinforces the previous information, but focuses on a few key ingredients. For me, it's easier to memorize a few ingredients! This old brain, aint what it used to be! I hope you find this info useful!

Some spices Cut Cancer Risks!

This was delivered to me today in my daily health news.. I really thought this was worth sharing!

Researchers report that adding certain spices to your burgers before tossing them on the grill this summer will not only add to the flavor of the meat, but they can also cut the risk of cancer long associated with the cooking of beef.

Scientists at Kansas State University (KSU) found that three spices in particular -- fingerroot, rosemary and tumeric -- seem to direct the greatest amount of antioxidant activity towards preventing the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs, they note, are the cancer-causing compounds that are produced when foods such as beef are barbecued, grilled, broiled or fried.

Specifically, the three spices appeared to cut back on HCA production by upwards of 40 percent, the team observed, thereby significantly reducing the HCA-associated risk for developing colorectal, stomach, lung, pancreatic, mammary and prostate cancers.

"Cooked beef tends to develop more HCAs than other kinds of cooked meats such as pork and chicken," KSU food chemistry professor J. Scott Smith noted in a news release. "Cooked beef patties appear to be the cooked meat with the highest mutagenic activity and may be the most important source of HCAs in the human diet."

Therefore Smith and his colleagues looked into the HCA-inhibiting potential of six spices: cumin, coriander seeds, galangal, fingerroot, rosemary and tumeric.

Of all those investigated, rosemary came out on top as the strongest protector against HCA.

The authors suggested that consumers integrate these spices into their menus when appropriate, noting that some, such as rosemary, come in an extract form that has demonstrated HCA inhibition of 61 percent to 79 percent.

They pointed out that spicing allows for the sort of high-temperature cooking (above 352 degrees Farenheit) that is typically recommended for safe grilling, while at the same time blocking the increased HCA production that is known to occur when the flames intensify.

Smith and his team plan further research to see what other marinades and powders might do by way of HCA curtailment -- they noted that earlier work has shown that marinating steaks with particular herbs and spices effectively lowers HCA production.

More information

For more grilling safety tips, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Random Acts of Kindess

Nothing feels better than the random kind act, that is both unsuspecting and truly random. It gives you a feeling of the goodness that exists. We all hear stories of the bad that is around us, but an act of kindness, especially when the giver and receiver are total strangers, is hard to beat. I have been the recipient of two very random acts of kindness recently, and am conscience of how grateful I am to have experienced them, and I'm also anxious for the opportunity to become the giver of a random act of kindness. Last night, to reinforce this, there was a program on TV that I watched... it was called, "What would you do?" and it featured stories that were secretly videotaped to see peoples reactions to tough situations. One story touched me, it featured people who did not have enough money to pay for their medications. In all cases, complete strangers stepped up to pay - $50 to $100 worth of medications for someone they didn't even know. It was all very moving. The simple act of one human being just wanting to help another. So I started to think, what kind of good can we bring to the world? What would happen if each of us were the giver of a Random Act of Kindess? Maybe if we all try it in the upcoming week, the recipients will simply "Pay it Forward". It's worth a shot, isn't it? After all, Kindness... it Really Does Matter!

Real Time Farms

Check this out... such a great website sent to me by my friend Lori! She thought it was worth sharing and I agree! It's called Real Time Farms and it lets you load in a farm or market near you. It will help you find fresh local food near you! It shows you pictures and gives you info! So cool!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE starting my weekend out early on Saturday morning heading to and walking around my local Farmer's market. I sip my coffee, stroll and take in all the hard working farmers who care so much to bring us fresh foods! I feel good buying locally, and I know I am doing something wonderful for me and my family. It's just a great feeling to go and take it all in. If you aren't going to a local market, I urge you to try it. I'm usually home before the rest of my family is up and going. OR once in a while, I will get my family up early to go with me. It never disappoints!

So many Breads... which is best?

I know when I go grocery shopping versus when my husband goes, we often come home with very different kinds of breads. I have also noticed that Bread can be something we can get very, very attached too. People I know always find a brand they like and stick with it. And often times, think that what they are buying is okay for them healthwise.

Hopefully many of you already know that White bread really has no nutritional value in it. It's been heavily processed, and enriched, which sounds like something good has been added, but in reality, so much of what might have been good in it, has been lost in the manufacturing process.

Whole Grain breads are the healthiest, best bread to buy. But what does True whole Grain bread actually mean? Well, the words "Whole Grain" needs to be listed in the first or second place in the ingredients listing.

So, is whole wheat bread the same as whole grain? It is NOT! You do not want to see flour in your ingredient list. A lot of stores carry whole grain breads, many of them are in the freezer section of your grocery store. Ezekiel is one of my favorites. I also find various sprouted grain breads that I love - whole foods has a wonderful sprouted bun that I love with my veggie burgers. Store them in your fridge, and they will last longer! It's a healthier option, full of fiber, which will help keep you full and help get more toxins out of your body! More on Fiber in a later post! But for now, read your labels! Whole Grains are what you want!

Be the Change you Wish to see in the World

Sometimes, I just get a bit overwhelmed with trying to understand what my bigger purpose is supposed to be. My heart gets tugged frequently to help with something? Make a difference somehow? Find my true passion. I guess if I was lucky enough, I would have had more kids, or turned my passion for fundraising and making a difference into a career. But short of that, I still search for ways to help.

My most recent charitable involvement was through my church, and our family sponsored a child in Kenya. Our sponsorship will provide, food, education, medical help and sprititual guidance to children who are poor and many of whom are orphaned. There are many wonderful childrens sponsorship programs out there that need help. We choose to work with nochild.org, but there are others that need help too. Worldvision.org is another wonderful organization. Or, if you want to check out these or other organizations, this is a wonderful site that allows you to see how efficiently they operate, as well as how they are rated. This site handles more than just child sponsorship organizaions, you can check out just about any charitable organization here! It's a great resource!

The idea of children dying due to starvation is so haunting for me, and hard to understand. We have so much, and others have nothing. My family decided to sponsor a child, and our 'sacrifice' is as simple as giving up one inexpensive meal out and giving it to our chiild's organization. This will be pretty painless for my family, but of great benefit for our sponsored child. It feels good.

What drives you when you hear the phrase Ghandi stated: "Be the change you wish to see in the world". Does it inspire you to do something?

Check it out for yourself

If you are curious about how your favorite cosmetics fare, check out this website. They grade your favorite cosmetics in terms of toxicity... Any knowledge can be powerful!

Check out your Cosmetics at this site!

As a follow up to my post yesterday, I wanted to send along the link to this very cool site, where you can get a hazard rating on the cosmetics you use. It's fun, and interesting. Check it out: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ This is a great place to do some research and learn how your own products score. It's a database where you can search for your products. This database is brought to you by the Environmental Working group - Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group. You might be surprised to see the toxin levels of some of your daily used products. I found this fascinating. Check it out and share your thoughts. Are what you using something that is good for you? Are you finding something interesting about what you find here? Leave a comment.

Not all Skin Care Products are Created Equal

This post will focus on another element of health that so many of us are misinformed, or lack knowledge on. It's about skin care products, and the ingredients in them. Our foods are regulated to a certain extent through some labeling, like USDA organic, at least that will let you know your food is growth hormone and toxin free. But what about our skin care products. Is it possible you are eating healthy things for your body, yet slathering toxins into your skin daily? Remember that your skin IS your largest organ. Anything you put on it can be easily absorbed through your pores. There are more and more health care products on the market that are good for you, and don't contain any harmful chemicals. Here is a list of things you should avoid in your cosmetics, skin care products and beauty supplies:

Parabens: Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens. Many skin care products, including moisturizers, will use parabens as a preservative so the product will have a longer shelf life. It's a matter of economics. Some studies have suggested that they may cause cancer and interfere with the body's endocrine system. They may also cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.

Alcohols: Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. Not all alcohols have the same properties, but these which are commonly found in skin care products, are very drying and irritating for the skin. These alcohols can strip away the skin's natural acid mantle, making you more susceptible to molds, viruses and bacterias.

Dioxane: This is a synthetic derivative of coconut. This is widely used in skincare products. It often contains high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, which is readily absorbed through the skin. 1,4-dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the State of California to cause cancer". Do you really want to put that on your body? Crazy that companies can use these and sell them to people!

Fragrances: I am not against smelling good, so for sure don't go get rid of your favorite perfume. It's just that your skincare products shouldn't contain fragrances. Remember how I told you your skin is your largest organ? Well, when you use skin care products, you apply them all over your face, neck and body. This covers a lot of surface area, and therefore, a lot can be absorbed through your skin. Typically, perfumes are just dotted in a couple of key areas. Just be careful with your fragrances, since many of the ingredients in them are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.

Remember, there are some great choices out there for cosmetics. Do your homework and choose wisely, because what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it!

You're a WHAT?

I thought I'd post a little something on what all these terms floating around mean - you know, what's the differences between a Vegan vs. Vegetarian vs. ??? I have heard a lot of these terms lately, but didn't know until recently what they all meant. My guess is there might be a few people like myself out there that don't know exactly what they mean either. Is a Vegetarian the same as a Vegan? Let's clear it all up with some simple definitions:

Vegetarian: Is someone who eats no meat (beef, poultry, pork, fish) or no meat by-products (including gelatin, soup made with meat stock).

Lacto Ovo Vegetarian: Is someone who still doesn’t eat meat like a vegetarian but will eat eggs and dairy products.

Semi-Vegetarian: Is someone who cuts back on their meat intake on a daily basis.

Pesco Vegetarian: This is someone who eats fish but no other meat.

Pollo Vegetarian: Is a person who will eat poultry but no other meat.

Vegan: This is a strict vegetarian, who also has no dairy - NOTHING that has come from an animal. Vegans typically also avoid all animal products, including wool, silk, leather and any other item made from an animal.

So as you can see, there are MANY definitions, for many types of eaters. I'm a believer that you don't have be a vegetarian to make a huge difference in this world and the environment. Be a meat eater! But if you can, try to select meat that has no added antibiotics or growth hormones. Even better, buy meat from a local farmer you trust. It's easy to build those relationships. Most towns have Farmer's Markets, so grab yourself a coffee or tea to go, and strike up a conversation on Saturday Morning with a local farmer! Bottom line is, if you simply eat one less meal with meat each week, you too can have a huge impact on your health, our water, our soil and pollution as a whole. After all, it really does matter!

Meat Free Mondays

As many of you know, I am a fairly new vegetarian... going on 5 months now. And truly I have never felt better. I chose to do this for many reasons, but it isn't my goal to convert people to this lifestyle. I do however support making a positive change in the health of our planet, and ourselves by limiting the amount of meat we do eat.
Maybe you are familiar with the environmental effects industrial animal farming produces. It is a HUGE contributor to the CO2 footprint of our planet.
Meatless Mondays, or Meat Free Mondays refer to the movement of going one full day without eating meat. Some cities have actually done this! I urge you to give it a shot. Your family may not even miss the meat! It is a great way to get more fruits and veggies in your diet!

Some tasty ideas to try:
Roast some veggies. Try Onions, Cauliflower, or Asparagus - my favorite!
Try a new pasta dish with diced veggies in it!
How about some meatless meatballs! Trader Joe's brand is super tasty!
A simple dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup is always a great choice.
Fruit, granola and yogurt parfaits for breakfast
Avocado, Tomato sandwiches

What ideas do you have for meat-free dishes? Share them!