New Pig Research Shows GMOs Harmful

Genetically engineered food once again has been shown to harm animals. New research published June 11th (Judy A. Carman, Howard R. Vlieger, Larry J. Ver Steeg, Verlyn E. Sneller, Garth W. Robinson, Catherine A. Clinch-Jones, Julie I. Haynes, John W. Edwards (2013). A long-term toxicology study on pigs fed a combined genetically modified (GM) soy and  GM maize diet. Journal of Organic Systems 8 (1): 38-54. Open access full http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/81/8106.pdf )

This research shows severe gastrointestinal and uterine damage to pigs when fed a combination of GE foods. A review with photos can be found at this link.

Latest Honey Bee News

The Russians are spitting mad at President Obama for protecting Monsanto & Syngenta. The minutes from President Putin's meeting this past week with US Secretary of State John Kerry reveal the Russian leaders " extreme outrage" over the Obama regimes continued protection of global seed and plant bio-genetic giants Syngenta and Monsanto in the face of a growing " bee apocalypse" that the Kremlin warns " will most certainly" lead to world war. You can read more HERE.

The EPA loves those neonicotinoid poisons: The EPA has a lawsuit filed against them by honey bee keepers who say they have lost as much as 50% of their bees this last year. I personally side with them as a small beekeeper. I lost my bees to neonicotinoids a few years back. They are  the underlying problem causing the death of our bees. These pesticides both kill them outright as well as add to the insidious breakdown of their immune systems. : "Beekeepers and environmental and consumer groups have demonstrated time and time again over the last several years that EPA needs to protect bees. The agency has refused, so we've been compelled to sue," said Peter Jenkins, a lawyer for the Center for Food Safety who is representing the coalition of plaintiffs. Read about this problem Here.

The EPA announced that they had granted full registration to sulfoxaflor, foregoing conditional regulation. While not a neonicotinoid, many scientists believe it should be classified in that family since it targets the same neural receptors as the neonicotinoids. It is being used in place of  clothianidin (neonicotinoid) which insects have built up a resistance to.

The GOOD NEWS is that neonicotinoids have been banned in the European Union for two years. You can read about it HERE. Will we all wake up in the United States and refuse to purchase these nasty chemicals that are now everywhere in our soil, and water? Chemicals that have a half life of 10 years. (This means it takes ten years for 50% of it to be out of the soil.) Our government is protecting the companies making these products, not us. It is up to us to educate others  regarding these toxins. If we don't buy the poisons, they will not make them. Read the link below for a list of the names of the chemicals and more details on them. We can also help change our neighbors and friends minds about using toxic chemicals, by showing them how to garden and farm organically.

Most of the things that are making our world difficult to live in come down to this fact. If we don't buy it, they won't make it. 

If you are having trouble trying to figure out how to do something without chemicals. Let me know and I will post a blog about it.

This blog I wrote back in 2011 is still relevant as to how we can save the honey bees: http://dreamingabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2011/03/save-honey-bees.html

Plants of The Andes & Amazon - Ethnobotany Trip to Peru

This trip is lead by a friend of mine. It looks like big fun to me. Thought some of you might be interested. She has three slots open.

ETHNOBOTANY TRIP TO PERU

August 21-30 With Dr Jillian Stansbury

THE MEDICINAL AND MYSTICAL PLANTS

 OF THE ANDES AND AMAZON

Join us in August of 2013 to explore the plants and the healing traditions of the Peruvian Andes and Amazon.

We will learn of healing traditions from Incan spiritualists and travel into the Amazon to see a great diversity of plants and visit with members of three indigenous communities.

www.jillstansbury.net

jstansbury@ncnm.edu

BASIC ITINERARY

August 21^nd – Meet in Cusco hotel Pension Alemana Wed morning, Intro talks and Welcome. Lunch, City Walk to plant museum and herb markets, introduction to unique plants. Dinner discussion, followed traditional Andean music.

August 22^rd – Early breakfast buffet, botanizing Andean plants on the way to sacred valley and back.  Lunch in Pisac, visit ruins and markets.  Cusco Dinner with more traditional music and story.

August 23^th – Buffet breakfast at Hotel.  Van down to the Amazon basin, settle into ACA lodge.  Dinner at lodge and evening stroll to focus on identifying tropical plant families.

August 24^th  – Day trip to Queros tribe.  Herb walk with Fredy, traditional meal, afternoon arts with tribe.  Return to Pilcopata hotel by dusk.  Dinner at ACA lodge.

August 25^th – Travel to Atalaya and motor boat to indigenous community of Shintuya.  Lunch and settle in at lodge, meet with Liborio of the Bora tribe for herb study.  Evening song and storytelling of amazon shamanism.

August 26^th – Morning herb hike to waterfall with Liborio.  Lunch back at lodge.  Afternoon plant studies and free time.  Dinner at lodge. Eve. discussion of indigenous healing ways with guests.

August 27^th  – Boat back to Pilcopata  Afternoon herb and tropical food preparation demos. Masato, Agua de Cocona, Aguaje

August 28^th – Day at ACA lodge medicinal garden, jungle trails.  Afternoon guest Dr Mendiat to talk about his practice, tropical disease, indigenous medicine. 

August 29^th – Van back to Cuzco.  View Cock of the Rock Birds on the way.  Lunch at Wayquecha research station in Cloud forest.  Late dinner of Indian take out at hotel.

August 30^th  - Breakfast at hotel.  Day trip with Incan shaman Kush. Coca Ceremony and offering to Pachamama, Late lunch at Trout Farm and closing.  Free evening.

August 31^st  – Breakfast at Hotel Check out.  Preparation day for those preparing to hike the Inca trail or travel on.

SUBJECT TO MINOR CHANGES

Price $2,250 – all inclusive for hotels, lodges, teachers, vans, boats, meals, museums, guides, entertainment.

Does NOT include Air Travel to Cusco.