Latest GMO Research: Decreased Fertility, Immunological Alterations and Allergies

Latest GMO Research: Decreased Fertility, Immunological Alterations and Allergies

http://www.naturalnews.com/025001.html

A friend of mine emailed me this very important article. I will paste what she wrote to those she sent it to here because I think it is a great summary:

If after reading this article, you still continue to buy conventional processed foods because 'organic is too expensive', you need to have a good strong look at your budget and figure out what really matters in your lives and the lives of your children.

Organic is not too expensive - in fact, you can't afford NOT to eat organic food as exclusively as you can. In addition, we all need to be putting pressure on our respective governments to require labelling of any foods that contain GMO ingredients and while we are at it - foods and other products that use nanotechnology.

Both of these 'sciences' have the ability to destroy living species including man in a very short time period. The English had the right idea when they went into the fields that were growing GM produce and burnt them. GMOs were banned by major supermarket chains in the UK within a very short time of those acts. Where has direct action gone? Why are we so accepting and apathetic when it comes to our own lives and the lives of our children?

I was at first hesitant about sending this out because if you don't have a working knowledge of what Genetic Modification is it may sound overwhelming at first. But if you just read it through you will get the point. In synopsis he is saying that Genetic Modification is not an exact science and as more information comes out it shows that it is actually a game of Russian Roulette.

There have been some biased short term studies and those that weren't biased have been suppressed. The recent research by independent (the key word) researchers show many hazards especially over the long term and carried across the generations. This being most likely because it is actually CHANGING OUR OWN GENETIC CODE!!! Genetic modification is a crime against humanity and should be taken seriously by every one of us.

We should question what we are consuming and demand labeling of anything genetically modified. And remember genetic modification is going beyond the foods we eat. Just as an example, the Hepatitis B vaccine is made up of genetically modified animal material. And this is injected regularly into babies only hours after being born. Always being wary of anything genetically modified.

( Thanks Arianna! )

A Clear and Plastic Danger

The following article appeared in Natural Solutions magazine and I thought it was not only very scary, but extremely important. PLEASE read it- I believe everyone needs to. Can you eliminate plastics from your life completely? Probably not- but after reading this I did my best to try.

The full article:

http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/center.article/articleID/14985/subTopicID/173/AClearPlasticDanger

Important excerpts:

"For a microcosm of what’s been happening with endocrine disrupters in the US, consider the case of the widely used chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). Industry loves BPA because it makes polycarbonate plastic clear and nearly unbreakable. An extensive body of literature supports the view that this chemical, originally developed as a synthetic estrogen, can cause hormonal chaos. “We’re talking about hundreds of studies with large sample sizes by the world’s premier scientists in endocrinology, neurobiology, and developmental biology—published in the major journals in the world,” says University of Missouri-Columbia neurobiologist Fred vom Saal, a pioneer in BPA research. But the FDA has so far declared BPA safe, citing instead two tiny studies. Those studies, unlike the independent research that counters them, were funded by the chemical industry."

"The government has also failed to act against phthalates—chemicals used mainly to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic soft and pliable—despite disturbing research that points to estrogen-related damage in both animals and people, including shrunken penises and impaired testes. As usual with profitable substances, the government claims that regulation is unwarranted until someone proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that phthalates cause harm. Relying on the same research available to US agencies, however, the European Union (EU) began enforcing a ban against phthalates in toys in 1999."

“When [fetuses and children] are exposed during critical windows of development, the effects are permanent,” says vom Saal. Women’s BPA and phthalate levels worry scientists as well, because these chemicals pass through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy or through breast milk. Scientists worry less about men because, as vom Saal notes, “In adults, it’s like taking a birth-control pill.” In other words, when a woman takes the Pill, her hormonal activity is affected while the chemicals are in her body. Once she goes off the Pill, her hormonal activity eventually returns to normal. So it is with endocrine disrupters: If adults end their exposure to the chemicals, they also end the effects."

"The theory about how damage from endocrine disrupters transpires goes like this: As vom Saal points out, the cells in babies and children depend upon signals from hormones to determine how they should develop. The wrong signals produce the wrong result. Because both BPA and phthalates resemble estrogen, they can mimic or block estrogenic effects in the body. Females exposed to messed-up estrogen-like signals early in life may develop breast and other reproductive system cancers later, research suggests. If males are exposed at crucial developmental stages, they may develop female characteristics and/or have poorly developed male ones. Other possible consequences include testicular cancer, reduced sperm counts, smaller penises, and undescended testes."

"Vom Saal has worked exclusively on rodent studies, but he’s used breeds that respond to estrogen in a similar manner as humans. In 2006, an expert panel including vom Saal suggested that BPA may factor in such known human trends as increases in abnormal penises and urethras in males, early female puberty, decreased sperm counts, prostate and breast cancers, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, obesity, and type-2 diabetes. BPA led to all those conditions in rats."

"In a sense, one large-scale human study of estrogen mimics has already been conducted—and the results weren’t pretty. From about 1941–71, millions of US women were given a synthetic estrogen called DES to prevent miscarriages. Their babies seemed healthy at birth, but vom Saal notes, “as teenagers, the girls started developing uterine cancers that had never been seen in women under 60.” These same girls, now grown women, have hyper rates of breast cancer, too. “They looked OK from the outside,” vom Saal says. “But their internal systems were completely deranged.”

"How did the endocrine disrupter situation get so out of hand? The US was the first nation to aggressively regulate chemical pollution in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s. But as other industrialized nations began following our lead, an antiregulatory backlash—fueled by corporate lobbyists and their political allies—took over at home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasn’t banned a single chemical in 17 years and has only banned five—including dioxins and PCBs—in its entire history. In fact, it has allowed 95 percent of chemicals to be used with no testing whatsoever. Note, too, that one of the most dangerous sources of phthalates—cosmetics—is barely regulated at all, thanks again to the industry’s lobbying efforts."

How to Avoid Heavy Metals in the Kitchen

This is a topic I have been meaning to attack for some time. After reading an article in the Weston Price Foundation Quarterly discussing heavy metal poisoning I got to thinking about how I can reduce my family's risk. Environmental factors are difficult to control, but I knew I could do something in my own home.

At this point, most people know that cooking with Teflon (or any non-stick surface), aluminum, copper and plastics are unsafe- I did not realize that stainless steel could also leach heavy metals, especially when cooking acidic foods. Here is a good general article detailing the dangers involved with cooking in different types of pots and pans:
http://www.enotalone.com/article/10251.html

I was slightly overwhelmed at the thought of giving my kitchen an overhaul, especially because I am not on such a big budget, being a stay at home mom. But I thought this was very important because it is connected to what we are ingesting on a daily basis and therefore I decided to look into some solutions.

-Cooking with glass is an excellent way to go and is very budget-friendly. Corning used to make a line of amber-colored glass cookware called "Visions". You can buy one item or a whole set for a great price on Ebay. Just remember to tell the seller to pack carefully and write "Fragile" on the outside (hmm...wonder how I know that!). They are just great to cook in and extremely durable.

-Baking with glass is also easy to accomplish by buying Pyrex pans. I love the ones with tops that snap right one. They go from the oven to the refrigerator so easily. Just do not leave the tops on the oven while baking- they melt. (Personal experience of course!)

-Baking with Corning enamel pans is another very good option. You can get those with snap on tops as well.

-Cast iron cookware is yet another choice. I have a griddle that I really enjoy using for burgers and home fries. I also have another pan which has become rusty. Truth be told, I am not so good at maintaining cast iron. Many people swear by it and will not use anything else, but I have trouble seasoning it. If properly seasoned it is a really fabulous nonstick surface, but for most of my daily use, I just find glass easier.

-Broth is a very important base for our diet, but my stockpot was stainless steel. I found an enamelware pot (lightweight speckled) for around $15 at Target. So far it has worked just fine. You could also use graniteware as well.

-Pyrex glass mixing bowls are nice to use because they come with snap on lids- so you can also use them for food storage.

-I've seen a lot of glass bowls/jars/plates and more at IKEA for very good prices.

-I also "recycled" all my Tupperware. Although this does not have to do with heavy metals, plastics are dangerous too, so I replaced them with glass storage containers of various sizes. Both Pyrex and Anchor makes them- I recommend Pyrex because although the Anchor brand is cheaper, the tops have cracked on me. The neat thing about these storage containers is you can bake with them, freeze food in them, or stick them in the toaster oven/regular oven to heat up the food inside (without the lid on, of course).

-I peel the labels off old mayonnaise, sauce, and salsa jars or the like and use those for storage. It is nice because they are free! You can also freeze food in some of them, but make sure they are the Mason variety. Sometimes if the glass is too thin, they will crack in the freezer.

-My son was really never into drinking from a bottle, so I have used my sets of Evenflo glass baby bottles with the flat storage tops to store homemade salad dressing, spices and to mix homeopathic remedies.

-I have replaced Thermoses with stainless steel inside to the ones with glass inside. They sell them on the Thermos website. And of course my husband just lost our big one on his last trip abroad!

-I try to use bamboo utensils for cooking. To Go Ware sells bamboo cutlery, but at this point it is too expensive for me. It is really cool though!

-I got rid of my crock pot. From what I have read, Hamilton Beach is the only brand that does not use lead in their glaze. All other brands do- and while the lead content is suppose to be within the "safe" limits, I am not sure how much I trust the FDA on anything.

-I am attempting to find a glass sippy cup. My son can drink with a straw, but for travel it is either plastic or stainless steel. Any ideas are welcome- I am still working on a solution. For the time being I am using a stainless steel one and putting the water in and dumping it after he drinks.

I think this is a fairly good synopsis of the changes I have made- it has taken a few months and a lot of analysis, but I finally feel pretty good about the kitchen. If you are able to make small changes as you feel comfortable and can afford it, it does not take too long to make your food preparation space safe.

*** I want to note that although this does not have to do with the kitchen, amalgam fillings leach mercury directly into your mouth. If you have them, do some research about the dangers and how to remove them. Composite fillings are plastic, which is not great, but you might want to weigh your options. Of course, another HUGE source of heavy metal poisoning is vaccines. Avoid them for that and other reasons. ***

Vinegar as a Rinse Agent for Dishwashers

Just a quick tip:

Instead of buying a "natural" rinse agent for your dishwasher (which just costs way too much!), just use white vinegar in rinse agent compartment instead.

And if you're looking for reasonably priced dish liquid or dishwasher detergent, Seventh Generation has an inexpensive and very "green" line out with lots of choices. Even Target is selling it now. Yes, I've looked into making those things myself too- but don't think I can handle that :)

Got Raw Milk?

Drinking milk straight from clean, pastured cows (or goats) is one of the best things you can do for you and your family's health in my opinion. I discovered what harm pasteurization and homogenization does to milk, beyond the hormones, antibiotics and confinement (even with "organic milk" cows), and I was really unhappy about how such a good thing could be turned so very bad. Now that we've started drinking raw milk, we can't imagine going back. It tastes amazing and it just so nutritious.

Interestingly, when talking to my mother (who does not consume any dairy) she noted that I used to have many colds, sinus problems, post nasal drip and bronchitis all the time growing up, especially in the winter. And as kids we were always made to drink our milk and eat many other dairy products. I stopped getting this sort of thing later in life- when I was in high school and didn't drink my milk and especially in college when I rarely drank any. She was linking dairy to my sicknesses early in life. And when I think of it, it really makes sense. Every time I eat regular dairy these days I feel all stuffy and mucousy. But with raw milk- never- it is totally different. I feel great.

So on that note, I'll urge everyone to read up on raw milk on the following websites. I'll go have my glass right now!

http://www.realmilk.com/where2.html

http://www.rawmilk.org/default.php

Gum O'Mile- Great for Teething

Lately I've been having problems with my son and teething. He just does not want to sleep when his teeth bother him- and sometimes that can be quite difficult. I will not resort to Tylenol or Oragel, but I have scoured the internet looking for something natural to help him...something I have not tried already. Homeopathy had not made an impact (although I may need to use 200c instead of 30c), I had bought wooden teethers (really cool) which he promptly threw on the floor and the list goes on and on.

I happened to find a great product by Herbs for Kids called Gum O'mile while searching. I actually tried it on my own gums and I think it would be good for after dental work. I was surprised that it is not that well known, so I thought I would have to share. It really did help my son more than anything else so far.

Here's what's in it:

(The clove oil is what helps the gums- but don't try clove oil alone, it needs to be diluted in a carrier oil so it does not burn when applied.)

INGREDIENTS PER SERVING: Almond oil, Willow bark extract, Chamomile flowers extract, Essential oil of Clove bud and Vitamin E oil

Just a little end note- I've been using the homeopathic remedy "cina" with good results to help my son go to sleep when his teeth make him wakeful. It is excellent for sleeplessness and irritability in children. Remember to give the remedy in water- one pellet in 4oz, a teaspoon at a time. Watch for results and if there is none succuss the bottle 10 times and give another teaspoon. Discontinue when there is improvement and if not continue with the succussing.

Probiotics and Third World Travel

OK, so I haven't blogged in quite some time. In fact, it was right before we went our our month-long trip to Egypt. And since we got back I've been super busy and really neglectful of blogging.

I was nervous to go to Egypt with our baby. I used to live there, but with kids it's different. You worry about them getting sick or you getting sick and not being able to take care of them. Egypt is kind of like Mexico- you're abt to get "Mummy Tummy". Or whatever the cute catch name is for the nasty stomach virus third world countries are famous for.

So I decided to exclusively nurse my son the whole time- and he did fabulously. Could I have bought organic baby food from the US and fed him that. Yes. Could I have bought organic veggies from Egypt and made his food. Yes. But I thought bringing tons of jars wasn't the best idea and I was too busy to make food. And come to find out, my son didn't really care. He was happy with breast milk. Clean, always available- worked perfectly.

I was afraid though, that I would get sick and it would be hard to care for and nurse my son. So a friend recommended that I take probiotics leading up to the trip and during. I thought it couldn't hurt. So I bought some Culturelle, which doesn't require refrigeration and took them a month before the trip and all throughout- amazingly I never got sick. I didn't drink the water, but I did eat out plenty (and I did eat raw fruits and vegetables, but only at home). Could it have been coincidental- sure. But every time I've been away from Egypt for awhile and come back I get a nasty stomach bug. And this time not even so much as diarrhea. Also on the plane ride back my husband's stomach wasn't feeling great, so he took two and felt better an hour or so later.

At home I get my probiotics from natural sources. I culture yogurt and kefir. I also lacto-ferment sauerkraut. But for travel, there's no way to take that kind of thing with you, so probiotics were the perfect solution. I recommend you try them on your next trip- especially to a third world country.

For reference, if you do not know what probiotics are. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389

Garlic Curry Cauliflower

A wonderfully flavorful and easy recipe from Natural Solutions Magazine. And I thought cauliflower was bland!

Ingredients

• 1 large head fresh cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh gingerroot, minced (I used jarred- you could probably get away with dried too)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (I used regular black)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced (I didn't have this and it was still great)

Process

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. In an 8-inch-square glass casserole, coat cauliflower with olive oil. Roast 10 minutes.

3. Combine onion, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, curry powder, white pepper, and salt.

4. Pour coconut milk mixture over the cauliflower, cover loosely with foil, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until cauliflower is tender.

Remove from oven and stir in cilantro.

Nutrition info per serving: 186 calories; 13.5 g fat; 6.4 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 5.4 g protein; 15.6 g carbohydrates; 6.2 g fiber; 359.5 mg sodium

http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipes.display/ID/214

When Organic Isn't an Option

I thought this tidbit might be handy as recently there has been a substantial movement to buy organic fruits and vegetables (among other things). And for good reason. But sometimes you can't find what you're looking for or the price of a certain item is sky-high. I've definitely had one or two of those supermarket dilemmas- trying to decide how my husband will take it after he sees a $5 organic avocado on the receipt (which is where organic coops come in handy...more about that on another post)!

So here's a chart from the Environmental Working Group that lists produce from the most pesticides to the least. Print it out and take it with you to the grocery store so you can make an informed decision in a pinch. It's difficult to paste, so I'll link it here (scroll down):

http://www.foodnews.org/

If you're a visual person, there's a nice little printout from The Organic Center that is not quite as detailed, but along the same lines.


http://www.organic-center.org/reportfiles/TOC_Pocket_Guide.pdf

How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders?

A VERY telling article as far as I'm concerned.

(CBS) For years some parents and scientists have raised concerns about vaccine safety, including a possible link to autism and ADD. Many independent experts have sided with government officials and other scientists who say there's no possible connection. But how "independent" are they? CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson shares here's what she found.

They're some of the most trusted voices in the defense of vaccine safety: the American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two, and pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit. But CBS News has found these three have something more in common - strong financial ties to the industry whose products they promote and defend.

The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of Pediatrics for conferences, grants, medical education classes and even helped build their headquarters. The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal bits and pieces.

A $342,000 payment from Wyeth, maker of the pneumococcal vaccine - which makes $2 billion a year in sales.

A $433,000 contribution from Merck, the same year the academy endorsed Merck's HPV vaccine - which made $1.5 billion a year in sales.

Another top donor: Sanofi Aventis, maker of 17 vaccines and a new five-in-one combo shot just added to the childhood vaccine schedule last month.

Every Child By Two, a group that promotes early immunization for all children, admits the group takes money from the vaccine industry, too - but wouldn't tell us how much.

A spokesman told CBS News: "There are simply no conflicts to be unearthed." But guess who's listed as the group's treasurers? Officials from Wyeth and a paid advisor to big pharmaceutical clients.

Then there's Paul Offit, perhaps the most widely-quoted defender of vaccine safety. He's gone so far as to say babies can tolerate "10,000 vaccines at once."

This is how Offit described himself in a previous interview: "I'm the chief of infectious disease at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at Penn's medical school," he said.

Offit was not willing to be interviewed on this subject but like others in this CBS News investigation, he has strong industry ties. In fact, he's a vaccine industry insider.

Offit holds in a $1.5 million dollar research chair at Children's Hospital, funded by Merck. He holds the patent on an anti-diarrhea vaccine he developed with Merck, Rotateq, which has prevented thousands of hospitalizations.

And future royalties for the vaccine were just sold for $182 million cash. Dr. Offit's share of vaccine profits? Unknown.

There's nothing illegal about the financial relationships, but to critics, they pose a serious risk for conflicts of interest. As one member of Congress put it, money from the pharmaceutical industry can shape the practices of those who hold themselves out to be "independent." The American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two and Dr. Offit would not agree to interviews, but all told us they're up front about the money they receive, and it doesn't sway their opinions. Today's immunization schedule now calls for kids to get 55 doses of vaccines by age 6. Ideally, it makes for a healthier society. But critics worry that industry ties could impact the advice given to the public about all those vaccines.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/25/cbsnews_investigates/main4296175.shtml

Why We Decided Not to Vaccinate- Our Story

My husband and I had planned and planned and discussed and discussed many things before our son was born. You could say he was anxiously awaited! We talked about how we would raise him, how we would educate him, what kind of morals and values we would instill in him, what kind of food he would eat...nothing was too small to go over. But there was one thing we missed. And that was vaccinations. As vigilant as we were about what he would eat and what we put on his body, we never thought about what was being injected IN it. Go figure.

Lucky for me, I met someone through a Craigslist transaction (really!) and we became good friends. She urged me to research vaccinations- she does not vaccinate her daughter who is my son's age (7 months old). At first I thought, oh, well he needs shots- think of those horrible diseases you can get. Although I really couldn't name one off the top of my head....and I certainly couldn't tell you anything about them. Then I thought, well, if we go to Egypt, there's much worse there and he'll need to be protected, won't he? I didn't realize how socially ingrained the concept of vaccinating is and I just assumed it's what we had to do, what we should do and the best thing. But my friend encouraged me to research again and because I have an open mind and realized that I did not know anything about vaccinations that I should do my research.

What I initially found was quite shocking. I talked to my husband and we decided to cancel my son's 4 month "well-baby visit" (Read: "shot-visit") until we could do more research and come to a conclusion. Now, my husband and I both have our masters and we're no strangers to research, so we delved in. We looked at 3 things initially- just the facts. There are many pro and con vaccine websites and books out there, but first we needed to put all debates aside and look at the heart of the matter.

1. What are the recommended vaccinations?

2. What ingredients do these vaccines have in them?

3. What are the diseases they are vaccinating against and the details? (How statistically possible is it to get it? What happens if you do get it? What is the treatment for it?)

I think the recommended number of vaccinations is what is quite unbelievable at first. Why is it that the amount has increased SO drastically since say, we were children or even our parents were children, yet there have been no new diseases or epidemics that require such measures? It is easy to see if you follow the trail of money...doctors, drug companies, politicians- vaccines make their businesses extremely profitable. Why not make more and more? Sadly, there are no long term studies on how these vaccines affect the health of those they are injected into- but who cares- it's all about the money, isn't it? All you will hear from doctors is that vaccines are "safe and effective." Where is the proof? I do not want the 96+ viruses injected into my son- his immune system is perfect as-is. The vaccines can only overwhelm and weaken it.

I think the most shocking for us was the second thing we researched- the ingredients. Just go to the Center for Disease Control website. They list all the ingredients.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

I think I will pass on the mercury, aluminum, monkey kidney tissue, aborted fetus cells, formaldehyde and much more, thank you. I felt like puking after reading what they inject helpless babies with. And this is coined "safe"? Who are they fooling? I will not say more about the ingredients- I believe they speak for themselves if you take the time to look. Or take a peek at the package inserts for the vaccines that your doctor probably will not go over with you. Wait, I guarantee that he or she will not. See for yourself why.

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm

The last thing, the diseases, definitely took the longest time to research. Although after we did, the picture became crystal clear. We realized that the diseases which there is a possibility of contracting are not inherently dangerous. (Yes, I did survive the chicken pox.) And those that are dangerous are almost impossible to contract. You might think- well that's because vaccines eradicated them. Not so. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to prove this. Try and find some. Take polio for example. It went away in Europe at the same time as here in the States, yet in Europe they did not vaccinate widely as they did here. So what gives? Better hygienic conditions most likely. Also, the polio vaccination was developed as the cases of the disease were already on the decline. But most people, previously including me, don't know these things. This article was a fabulous resource for us to congeal the whole scenairo.

http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/display.cfm?ID=20001118213614

So as we plugged through each disease, we crossed one more vaccine off the list. Until we didn't have any left. And then we felt better. Freer. At least that's how I felt. I remember when we gave my son his 2 month shots (albeit split into 2 visits per my mother's recommendation), I just felt that it was wrong. I do not know why- maybe it was instinct. When we came home and he screamed for 4 hours straight the top of his lungs and ran a fever, I just knew all this could not be a good thing. And now I know why I felt that way.

Also, after this research I came to ponder all the claims of autism, developmental delays, allergies, asthma and even cancer- as well as many other things people never had when I was a kid. Why? What's changed so drastically since then that these conditions are so extremely prevalent in children today? I am a teacher (or rather former, since I am now a SAHM) and I often cannot believe the problems of today's children. Always sick, allergic to everything under the sun, multiple learning disabilities...I personally think it has to do with vaccines. I also think that diet, chemicals in the environment and antibiotics have a thing of two to do with it as well.

So as my mind was opened up to "possibilities", I continue to research vaccines. It is fascinating and there is a wealth of information available that your doctor certainly will not give you. So don't take his or her word for it- arm yourself with knowledge! While I research vaccines, I am also learning how to boost my son's immune system naturally. So if he contracts the measles or chicken pox or the flu, he can be in tip-top shape to fight it off the way nature intended.

This is really the short version of our journey. There is an absolute plethora of information available online and in books about vaccines- which is why I am still learning and reinforcing our decision. But my advice: stick to facts and don't get carried away in the controversy. Decide what you think. Decide what is best for your child. And don't get caught up in "fear" or what your doctor says or that you need shots to go to school (you don't- there are exemption letters in most states). Because before I researched- really researched- I would have just gone along with the herd. So good luck- and do your research. Your kids will thank you.

Awesome Lentil Soup (and Baby Food)

I finally perfected my lentil soup recipe. It is very easy and great to puree for babies. My 7-month old really liked it!


Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely diced
• 4 or 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 6 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes
• 5 cups of chicken or beef broth (needs to be homemade-store bought is not nutritious)
• 1 cup red lentils (soaked previously for at least 7 hours)
• salt and pepper to taste

Process

Put the onion, garlic, carrots and olive oil in a large pot. Saute for about 15 minutes (making sure not to burn the garlic). While the onion and garlic are sauteing, strain the lentils with strainer to get rid of the water. Then add the lentils and broth and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are soft (around 30 minutes). After the lentils are soft, add the tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes. It is important not to add the tomatoes until the end. For some reason the lentils will not cook properly with tomatoes- I made that mistake before myself.

For babies, puree the soup (I avoid the pieces of tomato, though) and serve!

Make Your Own Baby Formula

Really. I thought this was so great. I wish I had known about it when my son was first born. I fed my son a few bottles of formula here and there in the first month or so. I didn't want to. I wasn't happy about it- especially when I read the label on the formula (yikes- what ARE those ingredients!). And I wanted to gag when I tasted it. But while waiting for my milk to come in and for a few weeks after my c-section when my husband needed to help me, I knew of no other option. (Pumping just never worked for me, unfortunately). Thankfully, my son speedily took to nursing and has never seen a bottle since.

Later on, a friend told me about a recipe for formula that she started making for her daughter when she went back to work. Her daugther is so healthy and just thriving on it. I thought this was fantastic- it would have been great to have had a natural and healthful option on hand when I needed it in the beginning. So I want to share:

http://westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html

And some FAQ:

http://www.westonaprice.org/children/formula-faqs.html

And if you need more reasons to make your own, see the following articles:

CDC: Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Baby Formula
http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/baby_formula_perchlorate.html

90 Percent of U.S. Infant Formula May Be Contaminated with Melamine; FDA Abruptly Declares Chemical Safe for Babies
http://www.naturalnews.com/024947.html

I also want to add that glass bottles are the way to go. Born Free (expensive) and Evenflo (inexpensive) sell them- I've seen the Evenflo at Babies 'R' Us and Burlington Coat Factory. That is the brand I went with. I use them now for water and they are very durable (dropped multiples times) and of course, safe. You'll never have to worry about any of the things that are used to make plastic leaching into the fluid. I highly recommend them- they are great.

A Shocking Trip to the Dentist's Office

When I was at the dentist this past weekend, she asked me why I wanted to know about what the ingredients were in the filling material. I had them send me the package inserts weeks in advance. I told her I am leery of numerous components (especially fluoride leaching) and I like to be an informed consumer.

Later she started talking to me (because of my almost 7 month old) about how babies are being started on "fluoride vitamins"at 6 months. I was really shocked. Um, what? Maybe I have been in the dark, but I hadn't heard about that before. Great, just what babies need, to be overdosed with fluoride AND vaccines.

I really didn't want to discuss it and just laughed it off saying, "Well, my son doesn't have teeth yet anyway". (Read: As if you'll ever catch me giving that to my son.)

She said, "Oh, well they don't need to have any- it's to get the fluoride in their system before they get teeth."

So when I was paying my copay, I couldn't help myself. I just had to say something. I asked her, "Don't you think if children's diets were better (they didn't eat processed food, sugar, and all that other nasty stuff) that they wouldn't need fluoride?"

She said, "Well, a long time ago people didn't eat those things and they had more cavities than today." (This is debatable!)

"Sure", I said, "But then their hygiene habits then were not as good as today. Today our hygiene is very good."

She looked stumped and kept saying, "Well, studies prove that fluoride prevents cavities...blah blah blah".

I am not arguing about whether fluoride does or does not prevent cavities, but if people just ate better and continued to take care of their teeth well, I think that would certainly alleviate the need for fluoride. Not to mention how much fluoride all of us are already ingesting through our water supply and food. Fluoride is a toxin- bottom line! I was really feeling so disgusted at the fact people actually pump their babies full of this stuff. Funny enough, as I was about to go, her assistant who was standing right near her, asked my recommendation for a fluoride-free toothpaste for another patient they have. That kind of made me chuckle inside.

There are many sites to research fluoride- but here a couple to get started. Do the research yourself- see what you think! No matter which way you lean, be informed.

http://www.fluoridealert.org/

http://www.nofluoride.com/

How Safe Are Your Cosmetics?

Or for that matter anything you use on your body? Check the Cosmetic Safety Database by the Environmental Working Group to find out. What you find may shock you. But all for the better- then you can toss your old personal care items and replace them with ones that are safe as soon as possible. I know that safe cosmetics can be a few dollars more expensive, but it is certainly worth that money as opposed to exposing you and your family to toxins. Remember, anything that touches your body is absorbed by your skin. Think- foundation, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, eye cream, hair gel...get started in your bathroom cabinet. And don't forget to look up the products you are using on your baby or child- never assume they are safe!

http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

Clean Your Entire House With Just THREE Things You Already Have

When I look down the "cleaning products" aisle in the grocery store, I cannot believe the products being marketed to the general public. It makes me sick that people are paying money to spread toxic chemicals around their home in the name of "cleaning". Especially people with young children who touch and lick almost everything (and are most vulnerable to toxins). Not that it's any better for you and me.

Sure, there are "green" cleaning products out there. I have never tried them because why spend the money? You can use exactly three things you already have to clean your entire house. Seriously.

1. WHITE VINEGAR

• Mix a solution of one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. This is your all purpose cleaner. Use this for countertops, tables, and pretty much any hard surface. Also use as a glass cleaner with a clean cloth. Dishcloths, old Tshirts and the like are good for this.


• Mix very hot water with a cup of vinegar in a dishpan to clean hard floors.

2. BAKING SODA

• Mix a little with water to form a paste and use this with a sponge or scrub brush to clean sinks, the bathtub and any hard surface that needs a little extra abrasion.


• Sprinkle some in the toilet and use a toilet brush to clean.


• Sprinkle some on hard to clean pots and pans and scrub.

3. OLIVE OIL

• Use with a little on a clean cloth to dust and polish wood furniture.

Vaccines - Why Fear Sells

I like this article's slant. People are so pumped with fear on this issue that they don't even have the ability to cut through the curtain and look for the truth.


By Sherri Tenpenny, DO



It's interesting how a discussion about vaccination can quickly become heated and sometimes even hostile. Would the same debate rage over an antibiotic or an antihypertensive medicine if there was evidence the drug was causing harm? When it becomes obvious that thousands have been injured by a drug such as Vioxx, it is removed from the market. We stop the use of drugs until they are proven safe. And we sue.


Not so with vaccines. Vaccines are promoted with fanfare until they are statistically proven to cause harm to a large number of persons. The thousands of individuals who suffer from vaccine reactions in proportion to the millions who have been vaccinated are not considered to be a mathematically significant statistic. However, the more than $1billion that has been paid to vaccine-injured persons shows that safety is not all that is it promoted to be. Why the double standard?


Vaccination is built around a "belief system." We believe vaccines are safe; we believe vaccines are important to health; we believe the stories that vaccines are solely responsible for the elimination of smallpox and polio. And we really want to believe that our doctors have read all the available information on vaccines--pro and con--and are telling us the complete truth about vaccines.


However, belief is based on faith, not necessarily on fact. For example, we want to believe that vaccinating our children will keep them from getting sick with measles or chickenpox. However, there is a plethora of information documenting this is not necessarily so.


Why is there an almost desperate need to defend the current belief--and trust--in vaccines? The public’s view of disease seems to be similar to our current view on terrorism: Random attacks that are potentially deadly. The media hawks this view of childhood illnesses and the need for vaccines. Pharma sells it, doctors push it, and educational institutions reinforce it. They keep selling it because most readily buy into it, without question. There is a "just in case" or "better be safe than sorry" mentality when it comes to vaccination and illness with children.* After nearly 200 years of use, fear still sells vaccination.


What do we really know about vaccines? A review of the literature and the CDC documents reveals the following:


1. Vaccine safety studies are relatively small and include only healthy children. However when a vaccine trial has been completed, vaccines are given to ALL children, regardless of the condition of their health, family history or genetics.


2. Vaccine safety studies are short. Most clinical trials monitor for side effects a paltry 21 days, sometimes, it is only for 5 days. It can take months before immune system complications appear. This arbitrary deadline, established by the FDA, precludes associating vaccines with chronic health disorders. "Safe" is a designation given based on limited information.


3. Vaccine safety studies do not use a true placebo. One of the Gold Standards in medical research is the "placebo-controlled" trial. An inactive substance such as a sugar pill is given as a placebo to one group of participants, while the treatment group is given the new drug. The data is analyzed to compare the number of side effects that occurred in those given the drug compared to the numbers of side effects that occurred in those given the placebo. However, the "placebo" used in vaccine research is not an inert substance such as sterile water; it is another vaccine. Inert, sterile water doesn't cause a reaction; as substitute vaccine can. If both groups of babies in a trial have the same number of reactions, the study reports that the vaccine "is as safe as a placebo." This is deceptive science.


4. Vaccine-induced antibodies do not correlate with protection. In fact, the esteemed journal, Vaccine stated this clearly "…It is known that, in many instances, antigen-specific antibody titers do not correlate with protection." The full reference can be found at PMID: 11587808


Vaccination has been accepted as safe, effective and protective. The shots can be described as a medical "sacred cows," by definition, "a medical procedure unreasonably immune to criticism." The strong response is a reaction to a suggestion that the "cow" should be "sacrificed." It is heresy to suggest that the status quo is wrong.


When Copernicus insisted that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system, it went against the philosophical and religious beliefs held during the medieval times. When two other Italian scientists of the time, Galileo and Bruno, embraced Copernican theory their comments were considered blasphemous. Bruno was tried before the Inquisition, condemned and burned at the stake in 1600. Thirty years later, Galileo was brought forward and in front of his "Betters," was forced to renounce his beliefs under the threat of torture and death. Even after his confession, he was sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his days.


The more one investigates vaccination and studies the adverse effects that have been attributed to vaccines, the more one becomes a Copernican heretic, speaking out against the status quo can have deadly consequences. I have personally invested more than 8,000 hours in revealing the truth about vaccines. If the result of this inquiry and exposure is to be called a heretic, than I am in wonderful company.



http://ezinearticles.com/?Vaccines---Why-Fear-Sells&id=610035

The Weston Price Foundation

A friend led me to the Weston Price Foundation website. It is great nutritional resource- absolutely worth the read. It will make you think about food and more in a whole new way. In the future, I'm sure I will post articles from it that I feel are extra important because it's a lot to sift through and so much of value.

http://www.westonaprice.org/splash_2.htm

Got Vegetable Recipes?

This lady does!

I stumbled on her blog when looking for a new way to cook up green beans and boy, was I happy. About the blog, I mean. But the green beans were good too! I adore vegetables, although I am not the most creative in cooking them. So if you're like me, this is a real gem- it has SO many yummy and easy veggie recipes that are totally worth a look. It has helped me more than once when I've been in a pinch. Yay for vegetables!

http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/

Badger Products: I Really Can't Rave Enough!!!

I recently was looking for lavender lotion or oil to help my son fall asleep more easily and I came across Badger Sleep Balm. All of the ingredients in it are organic and there are no preservatives or chemicals of any kind:


Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Natural Beeswax, Castor Oil, and Essential Oils of Bergamot, Ginger, Organic Rosemary, Lavender & Organic Balsam Fir


I thought I'd give it a try. Let's put it this way- it is amazing and lasts forever. And the smell- fabulous! So after using more of their stuff and loving it, I am totally hooked.They have such a great selection of soaps, suncreen, lip balms, body balms, baby products, body butter, oils, and more. A homegrown startup that makes natural products- my kind of company!

Check out their site- I am so psyched about this find!

http://www.badgerbalm.com/default.aspx

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth (and add 1 chicken bullion for richer, slightly saltier flavor)
• 1 8oz tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can of corn
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 or two bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 5 or 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoons chili powder or cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

(Or instead of all the spices, you can use Penzey's Adobo Mix)

Process

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

We love to eat this chili in a "bread boats". Take Italian bread, cut it in half horizontally and vertically so that it is in four quarters. Or any other kind of loaf that works to your liking! Hollow out the middle. Save the crumbs in the refridgerator or freezer for use in meatloaf or another dish later. Fill the loaf with chili and bake in the toaster oven or regular oven on 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. You can also add cheese on the top and let that melt while baking them.

Coconut Oil: Diaper Rash Prevention, Treatment and Much More!

Coconut oil is such a wonderful condiment to have on hand!

Using it on a baby's skin is an easy, natural way to prevent and heal diaper rash. I've never had a diaper rash to contend with by using cloth diapers and coconut oil, thank goodness! To prevent them I wash my son with water and a reusable cloth wipe (cut from old T-shirts). To make sure he is extra dry, I use a blow drier on cool-shoot (never use it at regular heat!!!). Taking away any excess moisture is very important, I find. Then I apply coconut oil. It protects the area from being irritated by further secretions. (I am sure you could find other oils that work to your liking as well). What I enjoy about using coconut oil is that it is natural (unlike other diaper rash creams- even those that claim to be natural are usually not if you read the package). I also find other diaper creams to be goopy- coconout oil goes on smooth. And the best part is a little goes a LONG, LONG way.

I love to use coconut oil to moisturize or massage my son after his bath and my own skin and scalp too. In addition, it is an excellent nutritional supplement for babies, children and adults- or just for cooking!

Here are some great articles detailing the benefits of the oil:

http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Get yourself some today- it's worth it in SO many ways. Make sure to get organic, unrefined oil. Here's where I got mine:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=166555&catid=48848&trx=GFI-0-EVGR-49973&trxp1=10782&trxp2=166555&trxp3=1&trxp4=18&btrx=BUY-GFI-0-EVGR-49973

Cloth Diapering: Easy, Economical and Chemical-Free

When I was pregnant with my son, my husband and I knew we wanted to use cloth diapers. Everything about cloth is positive, as far as I am concerned! Now, each time I wash and dry my son's diapers, I know that I'm doing something excellent for him and that makes me feel great inside. For those who want to use cloth, the challenge is settling on the way to do it that best suits your needs. There are so many products on the market that it can make your head spin- and seem complicated and expensive. So what is the cheapest and easiest method that will still stand up to wear and tear? I spent a good deal of time researching those very things and compiled some information for parents interested in cloth diapering. Here's how to get started.



What you need:



- 3 or 4 dozen indian or chinese prefolds (depending on how much you do laundry)

- 10 nylon pants

- a "snappi" or two (that is the fastener)

- a regular size kitchen garbage pail

- a waterproof laundry bag to line the pail



How to prep:



- Wash the diapers and dry them two or three times to get them to their full absorbancy.

- Stretch the snappi about 30-40 times to get it feeling more elastic and pliable.

- Line the garbage pail.



What you do:



- Fold on the diaper (there are plenty of sites to show you how to do this- just Google "cloth diaper folds").

- Fasten with snappi.

- Cover with nylon pants.



Clean-up:



- If the diaper has poop on it, swish it in toilet and rub clean (I keep a pair of rubber gloves nearby so I don't get my hands dirty). You don't need to do this if it is just a pee diaper.

-Throw the soiled diaper in the pail ( you don't have to throw the cover in if it's not soiled- I use the cover a few timese before tossing it in the pail).

- Sprinkle in a little baking soda. The pail doesn't need water- it won't smell and it's a lot less messy to do a dry pail than a wet pail.

- Once you're almost out of diapers or the pail is full, throw the bag and the diapers into the machine and wash them with Soap Nuts. Nuts that grow on trees that create soap- just throw them in the washer. Crazy, I know- look them up on Google! (I used to use Biokleen Powder which is natural. There are also other natural detergents on the market as well, which you can find in Whole Foods, for instance.) . Then dry- I personally hang them on a drying rack. You certainly could put them in the drier if you so desire- I just choose to save money/energy. Also, do not use a drier sheet if you choose the drier method. Not only do they make the diapers less absorbant, they are also FULL of chemicals. Really not needed.

- You may be wondering about bleach- I buy unbleached prefolds, so I don't need to bleach them. Bleach is harsh on the baby's skin and there is no need for it. So even if you can't buy unbleached prefolds for whatever reason, do not bleach your cloth diapers.



Specs:



- Indian or chinese prefolds are really, really absorbant and the cheapest to buy. Make sure you get 4x8x4 weave. The "8" means that the middle has 8 layers. Anything less will not be as absorbant and that means leakage. Wherever you buy the diapers, pay attention to that middle number. You will have to get at least two sets of diapers as your child grows. One size is for newborn -15lbs, then next size is for 15-35lbs. I found this site to have the cheapest prices.



http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=clothdiape&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=592266261&Count2=509406685&ProductID=41&Target=products.asp



- Nylon diaper covers are the cheapest, other than plastic pants. Nylon actually breathes so it's much better than plastic...it also doesn't crack like the plastic pants would. There are several sizes you might need, but they are cheap, so it's not a big deal. You only need about 10 pants for each size. You don't change them at every diaper change because they won't be dirty. This site has the cheapest prices for nylon pants.



http://www.babybestbuy.com/diapering-nylon-pants-2.asp



- The Snappi you can buy anywhere. Cloth diapering sites sell them, but I got mine off Ebay for cheaper. They are great because you don't have to mess around with pins.



Prices:



- If you go this route, you will not spend more than $400 max. The actual figure depends on if your baby will be potty trained by the time he reaches 35lbs (if not, you'd need the third biggest size), if you buy 3 or 4 dozen, and the shipping. But over the course of 2+ years, you'd spend WAY more on disposables than $400. You should also figure in the cost of using the washing machine (and the drier if you do not choose to use a drying rack).



- Another way to keep costs down is to make your own reusable baby wipes. What I did is cut up old T-shirts into 5x7 inch rectangles. I use a spray bottle to spray water on to the wipe (or my son's bum, if there's a big poop!) and clean with that. Then I just throw it in the pail to be washed with the diapers. Soft and free- they are just great! And think of all the money you save on wipes.

-A good place to shop, if you know what you're looking for is http://www.diaperswappers.com/