Senate Bill S 510- Threatening the future of food

So, Senate Bill S510 is on the table... and it could be up for vote as early as tomorrow.
Here's a summary.

This bill is entitled the Food Safety Modernization Act. And while it does have many provisions for regulating food, including more accountability and testing by big food producers, it also threatens small farms and small food facilities that sell directly to local communities. This includes CSA's and other sources of fresh, organic food supplying many areas. If passed as is, this bill would mean fees and regulations for small farmers that would likely put them out of business. Urge your senators to vote FOR the Tester Amendment to this bill, which would exempt small farmers. Furthermore, do the research. If you do not support S510 in its entirety, tell your representatives!

Read about the threats imposed by S510 here.

Contact your senators here.

Don't know what to write? Try this.

Do it now! Let's protect our rights to grown our own food and save our seeds.

The Dangers of Fluoride

Fluoride is a chemical additive found in most city water (tap water), and in multitudes of toothpastes and other dental products. As I kid, I remember coming home from the dentist with a bottle full of fluoride and being told to brush with it alone once per day.

I've heard things here and there about the dangers of fluoride, but I think that more and more research is coming out proving that it really is no good at all- especially for what it's used for (making enamel stronger). Both the Center for Disease Control and the American Dental Association have claimed that fluoride, especially when given to infants and toddlers, can cause major problems.

Fluorosis causes white and brown spots on the teeth (and presumably the bones). Over exposure to fluoride disrupts the growth process of bones and teeth, causing visible malformations. While many pro-fluoride groups claim that these defects are simply cosmetic, common sense tells us that visible flaws in the protective layers of teeth will certainly lead to other, deeper, problems.

Since most toothpaste, mouth wash, and other dental products contain fluoride, this is a very important issue. Choose toothpastes that are fluoride-free, and drink only water that has been filtered (activated charcoal and ozonated are best). This is especially important for infants and children. Research is coming out in droves about the ill effects of feeding babies formula that has been reconstituted with fluoride containing water. If you do feed your infant formula, use filtered, fluoride-free water. This is also important for children learning to brush their teeth. While fluoride containing toothpaste shouldn't be used at any age, according to many studies, it especially should not be swallowed. So for young children who haven't quite learned the rinsing technique, be certain that the toothpaste you give them is fluoride-free.

The dangers of fluoride, according to the article linked above, include:

• Disrupts synthesis of collagen
• Increased lead absorption
  
• Hyperactivity and/or lethargy
• Muscle disorders
• Brain damage, and lowered IQ
• Arthritis
• Bone fractures
• Lowered thyroid function
• Bone cancer
  
• Dementia
• Inactivates 62 enzymes
• Inhibits formation of antibodies
• Genetic damage and cell death
• Increases tumor and cancer rate
• Disrupts immune system
• Damages sperm and increases infertility

This is enough to push us into a greater awareness of what we are putting into our bodies. My vote: go fluoride-free. It can't hurt.

Make Thanksgiving Healthy

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I absolutely adore Thanksgiving dinner- there's something about all those winter vegetables being made into beautiful and delicious meals that you share with loved ones that makes it really special. This Thanksgiving, try to make your dishes healthier- I promise they'll taste just as good, if not better.

I've chosen some good looking recipes that don't contain animal fats. I'd still tweak a couple things in some of them: use whole grain flour when it calls for white, cut the sugars and sweeteners (you never need as much as they say), use homemade instead of packaged ingredients, use oil instead of margarine, and use as many organic ingredients as possible. Otherwise, have fun planning your menu. There are some great resources out there for healthy recipe ideas. Be thankful for your health, and give that gift to your loved ones.

Tofurkey
Cornbread Stuffing
Miso Gravy
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Thanksgiving Casserole
Pumpkin Tart

Water = Life

Water controls pretty much all of our bodily functions. Without enough pure, filtered water, your body cannot carry out its life processes. You should be drinking:

8 t0 10 8 oz glasses of pure water every day
(for children 2 and older)

That's 64 to 80 oz per day- almost 2.5 liters.

And that is for someone of an average weight, living in an average climate. In exceptionally dry places, you should be drinking even more. Overweight people should also be drinking even more.



Water is vital for eliminating toxins (including harmful fats) from the body. Drinking more water help with many health issues, including acne, diarrhea, edema, immune function, and toxicity.

Sodas, coffee, tea, and juice don't count. Only pure water that is free of other impurities (sugars, caffeine, etc.).

This is especially important for children. Many parents give their children juices, powdered drinks, or sports drinks, and odds are high that the child is not getting enough water when these drinks are offered. I'm not even going to go into the sugar content and artificial colors and flavors contained in most of these "drinks." If you do give your child juice (once a day is ok), make sure it's 100% organic juice with no added ingredients. And dilute it with pure water. Otherwise, it is very important to offer only pure water. The growth, brain function, and health of your child is at stake. Here is an excellent site that goes a little more in depth as to the function of water and how to keep your child hydrated.

It is suggested that tap water which has been BOTH ozonated and filtered through an activated charcoal filter is the best, purest choice. If buying bottled water, choose mineral water. Never choose distilled water unless you are doing a heavy metal detox, and then only drink it for a short period, as it is lacking vital minerals.

Tap water can be harmful. In most municipalities things like chlorine and fluoride are added. Both of these things can be toxic. (More on fluoride later) Tap water may also contain carcinogens, heavy metals from the pipes, traces of phalates, etc.

There have also been suggestions that there are health benefits to drinking water both iced and at room temperature. So, have at it!

Purify your water, and drink it to your heart's content! If you are used to flavored drinks, don't worry, it doesn't take long for your taste buds to truly appreciate a glass of pure nourishing water.

Water gives us life. Let's honor that.