GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) information exposed by Wikileaks

Wikileaks reveals what appears to be a U.S.-led conspiracy to force GMOs onto European countries. The U.S. drew up ways to retaliate against Europe for refusing to use genetically modified seeds. You can learn more about this by going to:

Democracy NOW where you can listen to what Jeffrey Smith has to say about it on video at http://www.responsibletechnology.org/resources/audio-video   (Definitely watch this!!!!)

The wikileaks cables at http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html  and http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html

Bladder Health and Prevention of Bladder Infections in Women

Prevention of Bladder Infections -  This material is for educational use only.

 

Urinary Tract Health Urinary tract health is closely related to Reproductive Tract Health. The bladder and urethra are both related energetically to the 2nd chakra. (for explanation of 2nd chakra relationship, see below*) Many woman experience bladder/urethral infections at some time in their life.

Predisposing Factors to Urinary Tract Infections:
•    Obstructions - stones, tumors, strictures
•    New or multiple sexual partners    

•    Stress
•    Diabetes mellitus    

•    Food allergies
•    Chemical sensitivities    

•    Candida overgrowth
•    Bowel toxemia    

•    High sugar intake
•    Rep. vigorous sexual intercourse    

•    Decreased immunity
•    Diaphragm use or misuse    

•    Vesicovaginal fistula
•    Lack of local defense system - this is considered the cause of recurrent UTIs in many women.  A lack of local defense may allow colonization of bacteria on the vaginal vestibule. These women usually have decreased cervicovaginal antibodies to enterobacteria. These factors lead to an increased number of abnormal organisms in the vagina that are capable of ascending the urinary tract through the urethra.
 

Avoid the following to help prevent bladder infections.

•• Nylon underwear

• Sitting on cold floors & hot radiators

• Baths, use showers l  

• Pantyhose    

• Tight pants

• Swimming in chlorinated pools 

• Fried Foods

• Sexual partner with dirty fingers 

• Sugar and processed sugary foods

• Sitting around in wet bathing suits 

• Caffeine and dairy can be a problem for some as well as food sensitivities in general

• Soaps that contain perfumes, colorations 

•Vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse      

• Refined Foods

•Vaginal douches and sprays are generally unnescessary and many can be harmful especially those with    l    alcohol, perfumes, colorations or other chemicals

• Clothing that increases heat and perspiration in the perineal area

Reduce Risk Factors:

•Wipe from front to back when voiding.

•Drink plenty of water.

•Drink nettle tea.

•Urinate after sexual intercourse.

•Keep the genital area clean.

•Urinate whenever you feel the urge.

•Wash clothing with non-scented detergents.

•  Drink unsweetened cranberry juice. Combine a cup of water and a handful of berries in the blender.

If a bladder infection is Suspected:

•Drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria and prevent spread of the infection to the kidneys.

•Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.

Studies have shown that it's the mannose in cranberry juice that does the job. If the UTI is caused by E. coli  (Bladder infections are often due to coliform bacteria and mostly E coli) the E. coli germs take in the mannose and discover that they can no longer adhere to the walls of the urinary tract. If your UTI is caused by another organism then cranberry juice, mannose may not help at all.

•Avoid caffeine, nicotine, sugar and alcohol.

• Use hot and cold alternating sitz baths: 3 minutes warm and 1 minute cold to improve pelvic circulation.

•Drink rose hip tea for vitamin C content or take Vitamin C to bowel tolerance.

• Drink carrot juice for carotenoids including betacarotene.

•Eat berries or flowers high in flavonoids.

•Eat pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and other foods high in zinc or take zinc 30 mg/day.

            • Vitamin A 25,000 IU/day.

• Use flax oil or seeds if there is chronic inflammation and especially if allergies are suspected.

Herbal Formulas Used for Simple Bladder Infections
Urinary Tract Infection Formula (Liquid extract)
Echinacea spp. (Echinacea)    20-35%
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi)     20-35%
Barosma betulina (Buchu)     20-35%
Usnea spp. (Old man’s beard)     10-20%
Zea mays (Cornsilk)     10-20%

Actions: This formula is antimicrobial and disinfects the entire urinary tract. It also soothes the urinary tract's mucus membranes, decreases irritation and helps to maintain tissue integrity. It has diuretic qualities and enhances the immune system’s natural resistance to bacterial and fungal organisms.
Indications: A diuretic and antiseptic used for the inflamed and infected bladder and kidneys.

Herb Profiles:
Echinacea spp. (Echinacea) is immunomodulating, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
Arctostaphylos uva ursi (uva ursi) is a urinary tract antiseptic and diuretic that is specific for urinary tract infections. Research claims it works best in an alkaline pH. The leaves contain arbutin, an antiseptic constituent, which is metabolized into an even more antiseptic constituent called hydroquinone. In alkaline urine, hydroquinone is an effective antimicrobial agent. Uva ursi itself tends to alkalinize the urine and may give it a green tinge.
Barosma betulina (Buchu) is also antimicrobial and astringent.
Usnea spp. (Old man’s beard) is thought of as nature’s "herbal antibiotic" by some herbalists. It does kill many bacterial organisms.
Zea mays (Cornsilk) is a soothing diuretic, mild antimicrobial, vulnerary and demulcent. Glycoproteins in cornsilk increase production of interferon, inhibit IgE formation and enhance IgG and IgM formation. Corn silk has antiviral and antitumor activities.
Liquid extract dosage: 40-60 drops (up to one teaspoon in hard to treat cases), 3-4 times per day. Can be taken every 2 hours if necessary. Do not use at this dosage for more than  72 hours. Reduce dosage to 4 times per day, and finally 3 times per day over a 10 day period.
Adjunct: Mucilaginous teas
Contraindications, Cautions and Words of Wisdom: Urinary tract infections, especially kidney infections, can have serious consequences. If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, and if there is a fever or pain indicating a kidney infection more aggressive treatment may be necessary. A health care practitioner should always be consulted.

Urinary Tract Infection Formula (Tea)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi)    10-20%
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)    10-30%    

   Elytrigia repens (Couch grass)     10-20%
Urtica dioica (Nettles)     10-20%    

   Plantago spp. (Plantain)     10-20%    

   Taraxacum officinalis leaf (Dandelion)    10-20%

Actions: This formula is antimicrobial and disinfects the entire urinary tract. It also soothes the urinary tract's mucus membranes, decreases irritation and helps to maintain tissue integrity. It has diuretic qualities and enhances the immune system’s natural resistance to bacterial and fungal organisms.
Indications: A diuretic and antiseptic used for the inflamed and infected bladder and kidneys.
Herb Profiles:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi) (See Arctostaphylos uva-ursi profile above).
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) is anti-inflammatory, mucilaginous and soothing.
Agropyren repens (Couch grass) is antimicrobial and a diuretic.
Urtica dioica (Nettles) is a nutritious herb with a beneficial effect on the whole urinary tract as well as the nervous system.
Plantago spp.  (Plantain) is soothing and healing to the urinary tract. It assists in restoration and maintenance of normal epithelial tissue lining of the bladder.
Taraxacum officinalis leaf (Dandelion) is used for its diuretic qualities, although its liver support and general stimulation of digestion is useful to almost everyone.
Tea dosage:
Dosage - acute: 2 heaping teaspoons per cup water, 3-4 times per day. Can be taken every 2 hours if necessary, up to a 72 hour period. Reduce dosage to 4 times per day, and finally 3 times per day over a 10 day period.
Adjunct: Mucilaginous teas: Drink as much as possible.
Contraindications, Cautions and Words of Wisdom:
     Urinary tract infections, especially kidney infections, can have serious consequences. If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, and if there is a fever or pain indicating a kidney infection more aggressive treatment may be necessary. A health care practitioner should always be consulted.

 Additional Informational Links Freely Offered by this Author:

For more information on urinary tract health and the use of herbs and nutrients for the urinary tract go to this link for a pdf on this and other subjects: http://www.herbaltransitions.com/herbalresources.html

You can get detailed information on the above herbs from the book Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth. The materia medica from the first edition of this book is available for free here:  http://www.herbaltransitions.com/BotanCom.html

*  The Second Chakra Energy & The Reproductive Tract Explained
This energy center is in the area around your pelvic region. It is  physically related to the lower abdominal organs such as your sexual organs, bladder, large intestine, pelvis, hips, and lower back. This second energy center is your energetic connection with physical survival and where you relate one on one with other individuals in your life. It is were you are confronted with feeling the need to control your environment. All methods we use to control our environment such as with money, authority, sex, etc are all related through their attachment of this energy center to the body. This center is also related to the creative birth of ideas or projects as well as birth of human beings. This center is about dualism and relationships. (female/male, white/black, yin/yang)
This center gives us  the stamina to take care of ourselves in the world. It supports our ability to physically and financially be able to take care of ourselves, and to grow as an individual interacting with others and learning from our relationships.
This center can become negatively effected when one is afraid of putting their creative ideas into physical form.
It is also negatively affected when you try to control others or allow yourself to be controlled by others, feeling like your hands are tied or being between a rock and a hard place. Feelings of betrayal, or being taken advantage of can cause dis-ease  relating to this energy center. All of these actions in the 2nd chakra can affect the physical organs related to it including the bladder. Learning to dance with this energy in a healthy way will support the physical health of the bladder and other 2nd energy center organs. Learning to be honorable  about our interactions with others, keeping our word and having a honorable moral code will lay the ground-work for personal health in our pelvic region.
In relation to the bladder, be aware when you are feeling "pissed off" with others in your life or you are feeling controlled by others or feeling a need to control others.  These kind of emotions when ignored can lead to poor bladder health including infections. Notice when you fold your hands over the area above your bladder during conversation with others. Notice your feelings. You may be feeling a need to protect this area of your body. Pay attention to your bodies messages.

Your organic eggs may be factory farmed eggs!

Chickens that are raised on grassy fields with some room to run have superior eggs in both flavor as well as nutrients.

How are most of the organic eggs in the United States being raised?

Factory farms where birds are packed into buildings in high densities are raising 80% of the organic eggs on the market. Aviaries have wall-to-wall hens. Sometimes they also have floor to ceiling hens.  US Organic specifications require outdoor access. Some of these factory farms provide no outdoor access although technically it is required. Some provide small outdoor screened in porches and fewer yet provide small areas of dirt with no plant life. Chickens need ample space, fresh air, grass, sunlight and bugs. This factory farming industry has lobbied for cheap feed and factory farm production methods. They are trying to take over the organic egg industry and in so doing are not really selling what we use to consider as an organic egg. To get a real organic egg you need to purchase it from a local farmer at their farm or at the small local health food store or at a farmers market. Real organic eggs are getting hard to find no matter how they are labeled. The best thing to do is grow your own!

These organic factory farms have lobbied for the use of things like synthetic methionine, which has to be fed to birds that are not let out to run in a natural pasture environment. Synthetic methionine was supposed to be phased out 5 years ago. Instead, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) voted to extend its use past October 2010, the current sunset date. It will be 5 years before methionine is reviewed again. These factory farmers have invaded the organic industry and are lobbying for and receiving laws that should not exist in organic production methods.

We need to let the NSOB know that we want stricter organic standards for organic eggs and organic chickens. The regulations clearly state that organic egg producers must give outdoor access to their chickens. The organic factory farmers need to comply with the rules that exist. We must tell them to prohibit small porches as outdoor access areas. Birds need to have outdoor access in grassy areas. Outdoor areas should be at least as big as the henhouse itself. Better yet would be to make the outdoor areas larger than the henhouse, like is required in Europe.  Synthetic methionine should not be given to the birds and would not be needed if they were raised appropriately.

If you want to learn a little more and tell the NOSB you want real organic eggs on the market, go this website http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=13184481 to learn a bit more and if you wish send a comment to the NOSB.

Refuse to purchase "organic" factory farmed eggs and tell your grocer you get your eggs somewhere else if all they sell are these eggs. If you can't grow your own chickens (many cities have laws that allow hens) purchase your eggs from a local organic farmer, go to your local farmers market or call all the grocery stores and ask if they carry local eggs from small organic farms. They are usually around somewhere it is a matter of investigating. Tell your friends and neighbors where to buy them once you find out.

Please forward this blog to others who eat eggs.

Genetically Modified Food is dangerous. Let's get it off the market and out of our diet!

If you eat food that is not organic you are eating GMOs. It may be food you purchase, food a well meaning friend cooked or food from a restaurant. Why be concerned about GMOs (genetically modified organisms)? Well let’s look at the warning sent out by the American academy of environmental medicine last year to its physicians. 

They told their constituents to advise their patients to eat only non-GM (genetically modified) food.

They warned that the GMO animal feeding studies show reproductive problems, organ damage, gastrointestinal problems, immune system problems, and accelerated aging. You can see their position on GMO’s here at  http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

Studies with animals have shown a 5-fold increase in infant mortality, smaller babies, sterile babies, and inability to have babies by third generation.

There is only one human feeding study currently published. GMO soy was used in this experiment. GMO soy is designed to not die when sprayed with round up spray. It is called round up ready soy. When the people in this study digested food made from GMO soy, the genes inserted in the soybeans they ate transferred into the DNA of the bacteria inside the human subjects. These human subjects now had round up ready gut bacteria. We don’t know if the round up ready soy DNA that transfers to our gut bacteria will they stay there forever or if it may even splice into our own DNA. We don’t know since the research has not been required to be done by the FDA.

GMO corn is designed to create a gene that produces an insecticide. What if the gene in the GMO corn also transfers to our gut bacteria like the soy DNA. It could splice into our gut bacteria and make insecticide in our gut. Worse, it may splice into our own DNA and cause us to make insecticide in other areas of our bodies. We don’t know, as it has never been studied in humans. However in animal studies they have found traces of GMO food DNA in tissues and blood.

The Obama administration said it would require labeling for GMO’s like other countries. However, that has still not happened. It does not help to ask the govt to do anything, as the food safety czar Obama put into place is Monsanto’s former attorney and vice president. (Monsanto leads in GMO patents and has publicly said they want to dominate the food market. They also flood the planet with toxic chemicals sold to farmers and are implicated in the massive farmer suicides in India.) They know if they label GMO foods that most people will not eat them. So Monsanto and the FDA simply don't label them and they ignore the fact that the public wants GMO food labeled as such.

We can stop GMO’s. There is currently a campaign under way to get rid of GMO’s in the United States. All we need is about 5% of shoppers to refuse to purchase GMO’s and they will get removed off the market. Grocers, suppliers and producers will see this 5% as a growing trend and they will realize GMOs are becoming a marketing liability. This happened when people learned of the cancer risk of dairy products that had growth hormone in them. Once 5% of the shoppers refused to purchase the products with growth hormone the sellers removed them from their shelves. We can do this with GMOs by refusing to purchase them also. Tell your grocer you want only non GMO corn, soy, canola oil, cotton oil etc in your food products. Tell them you are not purchasing anything with these items in them unless it states on the package it is organic or at least non GMO. Then follow through. We will see these items removed from our shelves if we get only 5% of us to do this. Be part of the 5%.

What we have to do is find out what is and is not GMO. One place to go is http://nongmoshoppingguide.com/

You can get this in an iPhone application and a pocket guide to help you avoid eating GMO’s when you are shopping.

Here is some quick information to help you:

Here is a list of the GMO foods you commonly find in supermarkets and when you go out to eat in a restaurant. I have listed the percent of each foods chance of being GMO when you purchase it.

Soy 91%, corn 85%, cotton 88% and canola 80-85% (Canada) are all genetically modified if not organic (they are considered the big 4- if it says one of these on the label and does not say organic, assume it is GMO. Of course this includes high fructose corn syrup, corn sweeteners. Maltodextrin, dextrose, soy lecithin, soy protein isolate etc.

As of 2008 sugar in USA is made from GMO sugar beets.

Some zucchini and crook neck squash are modified, most papayas from Hawaii, potatoes, tomatoes

Others: A cigarette called quest, milk from treated cows, aspartame, chymasin in hard cheeses (used in 80% of hard cheese in US).

All organic food is not allowed to contain GMO's.

One last scary thought for meat eaters that are not eating only organic meat. The animal you ate was raised on GM grains if it was fed grain. What happens when we eat that GM fed chicken or beef? 

It is worth noting that GMOs are bad for the planet but those details would make this blog into a book. Briefly I will say that they use hundreds of millions of pounds more herbicide, damage soil ecology, harm beneficial insects, pollute waterways and the water supply, and cross pollinate with wild relatives. Sadly, their self-propagating genetic pollution can persist in the environment permanently.

Where to get more info on GMOS

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

I strongly suggest you check out this website of Jeffrey Smith. He is the author of "Seeds of Deception" and Genetic Roulette. Watch some of his video interviews. They are well worth the time. 

Another organization that is following and working to stop GMOs is
http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm

Please forward this blog to others who wish to eat healthy food! 

Believe in Yourself

Today’s social political world has become a complicated entangled mass of deceit that many people just want to tune out of. In today’s world there are many people trying to get your attention. Many people trying to lead you down a path for their own gain. How can you know when the path you are contemplating is a good path, a path that will bring love and joy to your life?  You can be sure you are on the right path by using your Supersensory Methods. Use these methods to help guide yourself to other people who are speaking truth and lead you to situations that will bring joy to your heart.

Supersensory Methods

To use supersensory methods be in the now:

Naturally

Open to

Wonderment

When getting to know your supersensory self there are times when you will question the information you are getting. If there is question in your heart, be careful.  Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Your body is wise and insightful. Our body stores memories, and gives us information from other areas than just the brain.

Gut insights: Sometimes you get gut feelings about things. Learn to trust them, there is much truth to be found in our gut insights. A gut insight is usually sudden and intense and can pack a powerful punch of emotion. If we ignore it, our guts can belabor this lack of attention and become cranky and give us much strife. A cranky gut becomes a chronically inflamed gut.

Heart Knowing: This is a type of wisdom that is heart based. Think of the times you have said to your self or someone else, “I know in my heart this is true.” Your heart does not mislead you. It is our heart that guides us best. It is our heart where love resides. Love is the greatest power and is that which connects us deeply to all other living beings.

Instant knowledge: This type of knowing is like a computer download into your mind. Suddenly spirit gives you this tremendous amount of information. It may seem to come directly from other than spirit such as angels or spirit guides. Remember, Spirit has an infinite number of messengers and speaks in mysterious ways.

Inner hearing: This type of hearing is not usually one of directly hearing voices. It is as if you heard a voice but actually you did not, you just got the message. If you are walking around and suddenly out of the blue, remember something you had not actually known previously or feel like you just got a new message, you did.  Pay attention to it.

Dreaming: You are often visited in your dreams, meditations and prayers. If you ask for guidance in your dreams, it will be there.

Messages From Others: Often we get messages from loved ones, friends and strangers. Notice when coincidences happen. Notice when you someone starts talking to you about something that has been on your mind. Spirit uses others to tell use things we need to hear. Consider these messages carefully. Don't ignore them. 


All of nature speaks the language of spirit! Go out and immerse yourself in nature.

A Cause of the Honey Bee Deaths

My bees died this spring. They had been healthy and happy 5 days prior when I had put an essential oil in their hive to kill off mites. Something I do every spring and not something that would harm them. However, 5 days later I was walking by the hive, I noticed hundreds of dead bees at the doorstep to the hive and on the ground in front of the hive. I looked inside and most of the rest were in various stages on their way to death. The ones still alive appeared to be drunk. I thought they looked like they had some sort of nervous system toxicity.

When I called my local bee association and spoke with one of the respected mentors there. He told me he thought my bees had a new type of Nosema called Nosema ceranae. I got my microscope out and dissected some bees and did see the Nocema spores. However, with ceranae the bees usually die away from the hive and what I had was a massive amt of dead bees (appeared to be all of them) in the hive or right outside of the hive. Plus the ones still alive looked drunk. I was so sure they were poisoned with something.

Upon further investigation I came upon what I think was the culprit. A type of insecticide called imidicloprid. It is my personal belief that this insecticide is a main cause of the massive honey bee deaths being experienced on the planet.

In 2003, 13 North Dakota beekeepers brought a class-action lawsuit against Bayer, alleging that the company's neonicotinoid, Imidacloprid, which had been used in nearby fields, was responsible for the loss of more than 60% of their hives. The beekeepers said their bees appeared to be getting drunk from the spray. They could not walk straight and could not work. (Just like mine!)

Dr. Daniel Mayer a retired bee expert from Washington State University, traveled to 17 different bee yards in North Dakota and observed dead bees and bees in the throes of what looked like Imidacloprid poisoning. He theorized that after foraging in planted fields where the seeds had been treated with Imidacloprid, the bees then brought the pesticide back to the hive, where it built up in the wax combs.

Pennsylvania beekeeper Dave Hackenberg lost 60% of his colonies. In an interview with Linda Mounton Howe, he said hat he and other beekeepers thought the culprits were systemic nicotine-based insecticides getting into crops that flower, contaminating the pollen on which honeybees forage. Imidacloprid (Called Gaucho by Bayer is a nicotine-based insecticide.)

Many of us beekeepers think that the virus and fungi that are being found in the bees guts when they are found dead (colony collapse disorder) is not the actual culprit but they are merely opportunists growing out of control in bees with compromised immune systems. People have asked what is it that is suppressing the bee’s immune systems. Why do so many of the bees die in the fields and not even return to their hives. Some of us think the answer is Bayer’s number one selling insecticide, Imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is s neonicotinoid that lab tests have confirmed will interfere with nerve impulse transmissions in insects, including honeybees. Aha, this sounds like a drunken honeybee does it not?

Environmental groups and beekeeper organizations have been trying to ban neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been linked to bee decline across the world. In a recent study, the toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides to arthropods was shown to be reinforced by exposure time. The Dutch toxicologist Henk Tennekes demonstrates that the long-term risks associated with the insecticides imidacloprid and thiacloprid are far greater than previously thought. This could actually explain worldwide bee decline. The study was published in the journal Toxicology, July 23rd.

The acceptable limits for neonicotinoid insecticides are based mainly on short-term tests. If long-term studies were to be carried out, far lower concentrations may turn out to be hazardous. This explains why minute quantities of imidacloprid may induce bee decline in the long run.” Because of their high persistence significant quantities of neonicotinoids may remain in the soil for several years. Consequently, untreated plants growing on soil previously exposed to imidacloprid may take up the substance via their roots and become hazardous for bees.

In short imidacloprid and other neonicotinoids are bad news for the bees and probably bad news for other beneficial insects. Some countries such as France and Germany have bans on neonicotinoid use. Bayer has had multiple law-suites against their product imidacloprid, but in the USA we are still using it along with its closely related chemical relative called clothianidin (also made by Bayer)

WHAT CAN WE DO? I am sure none of you reading this blog use toxic chemicals in your gardens or on your farms. However, we need to talk to our neighbors and find out what they use. Educate them on the hazards of neonicotinoids. It will take all our efforts to save the honeybees.

Places you can learn more:

http://pollinatethis.org/beeblog/2009/05/24/us-honeybee-advisory-board-asks-epa-to-ban-imidacloprid/

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/0022-0493-101.6.1743?journalCode=ecen

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12469.cfm

http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1779&category=Environment

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/10/10-1

Prevention of Influenza or Flu

Many people are concerned about the possibility of having another devastating flu visit us again such as in the 1918 pandemic. The best thing to do if you are one of these concerned individuals is to take out insurance in the form of a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system is your best insurance against any type of virus including the flu virus.


What can you do to prevent the flu and support your immune system?

• Stay away from sick people - seems simple but people don't do this.

• Wash your hands regularly.

• Clean instruments such as phones that are shared with others with a lavender spray or another antiviral essential oil spray. You can make a simple spray by starting with a base of 40% rubbing alcohol & 60% water or a Base of 20% grain alcohol and 80% water. Once you make your base put the base into a spray bottle. For each oz of base add 40 drops of lavender essential oil. Spray this on items you are sharing with others such as phones. Make sure you don’t spray it on anything you think will be damaged by the essential oil or the alcohol. (I spray this on most things with no problem, but it can damage wood and may damage some fabrics etc. You can test an area first to make sure it will not harm the item.)

• Eating antioxidant rich foods (lots of fruits and vegetables), which is also a diet rich in Vitamin C, beta-carotene and essential minerals is helpful.

• Increase immune system supportive nutrients such as vitamin C with bioflavonoids 500 mg in the AM and PM at minimum. If someone is sick they usually take vitamin C up to bowel tolerance. (This is the amount that causes your stools to become slightly loose.) Once they reach bowel tolerance they lower the dose slightly so they don't have loose stools. Also zinc, about 15-30 mg per day. If taking zinc for more than 3 months you should take copper in a ratio of 8 parts zinc to one part copper. So if taking 15 mg zinc per day you would take 2mg copper also. Last but not least consider vitamin D (sunshine, supplements (needs to be D3-check lab levels to decide on amount to take-see below), cod liver oil) . A multiple B vitamin can be helpful in addition for general cellular energy production.

• Getting a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D test is a good idea as many people do not have adequate levels of vitamin D, and often these people find they can prevent flu with just this one change. Research shows that low levels of vitamin D predispose one to getting the flu as well as the common cold. Until recently there was not a reliable measurement of vitamin D available. The vast amount of new research has shown we need much more vitamin D than thought previously. People who test low in vitamin D usually need to use D3 supplementation to raise their levels to within normal limits. The amounts necessary are often between 3000 IUs to 8000 IUs per day. One should not take large amounts of Vitamin D without testing  occasionally to check for toxicity. Although it is best to work with a professional health care worker, many cities have independent labs that will let you order this test without a physicians order.

• Immunomodulating herbs such as Echinacea and Garlic help prevent colds and flu. I use a lot of fresh as well as cooked garlic in my food during flu season. If I am around others who are sick or if I feel I am starting to get sick I take one teaspoon to one tablespoon of Echinacea every few hours for 2-3 days to keep from getting sick. This works well for me. Yes it is a lot of Echinacea, but I find for myself this is what is necessary.

• Get as much sleep as possible. This is necessary for your body to stay healthy.

• Homeopathic flu solutions called Dolicoccil  or Occilococcinum are helpful.

For detailed information on the use of herbs to support the immune system, you can go to a 2005 newsletter I wrote and have archived at my website: http://www.herbaltransitions.com/herbalresources.html



What About Those Flu Vaccines?

Personally I do not get flu vaccines. I don't like what they are preserved with and don't like to put things I consider to be toxic into my blood stream. I also feel I can much better take care of myself by keeping myself healthy and supporting my immune systems innate ability to protect my body from viruses.

The flu vaccine is prepared from the fluids of chick embryos inoculated with a specific type(s) of influenza virus. The strains of flu virus in the vaccine are inactivated with formaldehyde and preserved with Thimerosal, which is a mercury derivative. (There is a limited supply of thimerosal-free influenza vaccines and it is supplied in single dose vials which do not require a preservative).

Every year, the federal health agency officials make a guess as to which three flu strains are most likely to be prevalent in the U.S. in the following year to determine which strains will be included in next year's flu vaccine. They usually include the two most prevalent strains from the previous season and they watch to see what strain is causing trouble in Asia and use that as a basis to guess it will move on to the U.S. If they guess right and the match between the vaccine and the circulating virus is close, the vaccine is thought to be 70 to 90 percent effective in temporarily preventing the flu of the season in healthy persons less than 65 years old. For those over 65 years old, the efficacy rate drops to 30 to 40%.

Of course this is based on having the correct strains. Making this prediction is difficult since there are several hundred strains of influenza circulating at any time. They do not always correctly predict which flu strains will be most prevalent and the vaccine's effectiveness is much lower for that year and may even be worthless. You would think they would withdraw the flu vaccine if they guess wrong, but they still continue to give out the vaccine anyway.

According to the CDC, people at high risk for reactions to flu shots are those who are sick with a fever, have an egg allergy, have a mercury allergy and have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. The most common reactions usually begin within 12 hours of the vaccination and can last several days. They are fatigue, fever,  headache and painful joints. The most serious reaction is Guillain-Barre Syndrome which occurs usually 2-4 weeks after the vaccination. Less than 5% of the cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome end in death.

For up to date detailed information on all vaccines this website is invaluable:http://www.nvic.org/default.aspx

For detailed information on the use of herbs to support the immune system and more details on the flu you can go to a 2005 newsletter I wrote and have archived at my website: 
http://www.herbaltransitions.com/herbalresources.html

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A Hand Pump For the Well

If you are like me and like to be able to be self sufficient, getting a non-electric pump for your well water is on you mind if you have not already done it.

This month I put a hand pump on the well at my farm. It is not just any hand pump though. Originally, I was looking at the old-fashioned pitcher pump. The same exact type of pump my grandmother had on her well. However, I realized early on in my search for the perfect pump that there are now new and improved pump options. After careful consideration of all the pumps available I went for what I consider to be the best choice on the market. It is called the Simple Pump. Indeed it was simple to put in and simple to pump. We placed the Simple Pump right over the current electric pump without a problem. However, this is not just any hand pump. This pump can be hooked up to electricity as a primary electric pump if I wish. Additionally the creator of this fine pump had the forethought to make a pump that it is easily hooked up and used with solar power if I wish. I have not done either of these things currently, although I may hook it up for solar use eventually. Living in the Pacific NW that is not something I am jumping at first thing. I do like the option to be able to easily hook it up to solar though.

There are many things I like about this pump.  I have the choice of pumping the water into a bucket or I can hook it up to my pressurized tank and pump the water right into the tank rather than a bucket. When the electricity goes off here, rather than going out and pumping into a bucket, I pump directly into my pressurized tank and the water still goes into my house and comes out of my faucet and into the toilet. Wow, that is a far cry from my grandmother having to carry water. You can’t fill the whole pressurized tank, as eventually the pressure is too much to pump against. However, it beats carrying the buckets and is much easier to use out of the tap.  It is made right here in the USA and wow is it quality workmanship. The parts are cut and ground with skill. It is not every day you see such brilliant workmanship.

You can find cheaper pumps, but I doubt you can find a better pump or more versatile pump. If you want more details on this pump you can go to http://www.simplepump.com . (I  have no affiliation with this company.)

Why this blog was created.

Join me in dreaming a better world. Together we create our future. It all starts with a dream. The dream gives birth to new visions and new ideas. We turn those visions and ideas into plans for the future. We turn those plans into actions. To take action we break the actions into simple steps to get from where we are now to where we wish to be. These simple steps allow us to create reality out of our dreams.
 
This blog has been created to give you the tools to turn our shared dreams into reality. This blog is for those of you who wish to build a world where the earth is recognized as a beautiful living organism and all of life is cherished. It is for those who wish to live sustainably, and in harmony with the other beings on this planet. It is for those who are looking for the tools to realize our goals.

 This blog gives you tools on:
 1) Caring for ourselves and the earth through the use of sustainable gardening techniques (they will encompass many techniques such as organics, permaculture, and biodynamic gardening/farming. Followed with ways to preserve these foods we grow.
 2) Information on important political activities taking place that effect us all and that we can do something about.
 3) The care of small farm animals such as chickens and goats.
 4) Information on how to care for ones self, family and animals through nutrition, exercise, herbs, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, sun, rest, meditation/prayer and playing.
 5) Other methods of being self-sufficient and ways to become better planetary stewards as well as passing on inspirational information to help us on our path to becoming enlightened beings.