Living La Vida Verde

The True Food Shopping Guide

2008-04-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

GE stands for genetically engineered foods also known as GMO or genetically-modified foods.

Download the brand new Pocket Shoppers' Guide to Avoiding GE Foods - Updated for 2008!

From the True Food Network's website:

After a long wait, we are pleased to announce the arrival of our updated, portable pocket shoppers' guide to help you find and avoid GE ingredients wherever you shop. Our guide gives you valuable information on common GE ingredients, brands to look for, and look out for, and common sense tips to keep you in the know. Stop shopping in the dark and download your new pocket shoppers' guide today! In the coming weeks, the Guide will be available in several formats online and in print.

Background Info on Dr. Shaklee's Soy Protein

2008-03-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Dr. Forrest Shaklee was one of the earliest researchers on soy in the USA.

Five years ago Vegetarian Times ran an article telling their customers not to eat soy products because they are poison. Shak has known this for a long time. There is a process called a "Mallard" reaction - whenever you cook a food you de-nature it and make it into something different. In order to de-nature compounds like the anti-thyroid substance, tyrosine, then you begin to rearrange the amino acid substance in soy which then becomes a toxic substance. That's why the Chinese would take tofu, which is a water extract of soy curd, and cook it and eat it right away, before there was any time for degradation.

Dr. Shaklee knew that too. By using a cold water extraction technique, you get the very best of the soy and all of the positive things like the phytoestrogens which prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer in men.

Some people today don't read the fine print to realize there is a difference in soy. The Veggie burger group and several other companies' textured vegetable protein products are known to produce cancer.

The difference in Shak's soy is that they did the research long before people even started talking about this stuff. Yes most soy products should be avoided because of their negative affects on the thyroid, but Dr. Shaklee knew that from his research and separated the protein from the raw soy bean which leaves behind the enzymes that contain the anti-tyrosine substance. Enjoy Shak's soy with confidence!

Soy: Is it Good or Bad?

2008-03-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

This information taken from the March "Healthy Home Newsletter" which is written by Monica Stanton, my fellow Shak Distributor. There is so much misinformation about soy floating around, I thought you'd appreciate this as much as I do!

Soy: Is it Good or Bad?

Did you know that proteins are the only thing your genes code for? That's how important protein is. It's critical for tissue repair and rebuilding, muscle retention during weight loss, healthy blood formation, immunity, etc...Your liver, for example, is a completely rebuilt organ with new cells every three months! Protein is your body's building block. And contrary to popular belief, adults need more protein than children, as their bodies are breaking down faster and more rebuilding needs to take place.

With all the recent bad press on soy, I'd like to share with you what I've learned about soy from conversations with our biochemist/clinical nutritionist, Dr. Richard Brouse, lectures I listened to on proteins and soy, and conversations with those who know the quality of Shak's soy protein:

Soy Bullet Points:

For every 1 bad study on soy, there are 10,000 studies on its benefits (an exaggeration by our biochemist doctor, perhaps, but you get the point).
He believes all the recent bad press is due to the adulterated soy products in the market today. Much of the soy in the marketplace is so processed that it has not only lost its beneficial properties, but has become denatured and bad for you. He especially warned us to stay away from textured vegetable protein (TVP), used in soy cheeses, soy hot dogs, soy burgers, etc...
Soy is the major source of protein for 17% of the world's population (seafood is 25%, red meat is 30%, dairy is 9%, etc..)
Most soy is genetically modified in today's products, not the way God had intended. One genetic modification is a soybean that has a gene spliced into it from the E.Coli bacterium, that survives Roundup, the weed killer. Hence, you can spray a field with Roundup and the soy will still grow. This was initially meant to be for making paint and oil for other products, but it has entered into our food supply.
There is a marker that reveals if healthy soy has been damaged -- urease -- often found in soy flour or soy meal. Soy powders have to be prepared in a controlled and buffered manner to maintain all its good properties.
He did a study with his students on all the soy products on the market (Pacific Northwest), and Shak's soy protein (which is non-genetically-modified) was the best in terms of all the benefits of soy still present, purity, bioavailability, and amino acid composition that matches that needed by humans.

Benefits of Soy

Soy isoflavones slow the aging process and are gentle to the body (animal proteins have stress and survival hormones that actually increase the aging process in humans).
Two billion people in Japan and China depend on soy, and have 1/3 to 1/5 the cancer rate of the U.S.
Reduced nitrogen in the soy (vs. animal proteins) prevents osteoporosis.
The "jury is in" that if red meat consumption is replaced by soy, your chance of heart disease is cut in half.
San Diego State University's Dept of Nutrition found that soy manufacturing processes result in the loss of soy's anticancer and atherosclerosis's properties. Oxidation and high temperatures results in decreased quality.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1998 published a study. One conclusive finding was pre-puberty girls who took 40 grams a day of healthy soy had a 68% reduced risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Another study in Japan found soy has scavenging glycosides that are absorbers and magnets of toxins, and will also absorb free radicals in the body.
Good soy phytoestrogens support prostate, breast, and menopausal health.

Shak's soy is certified by the IPP (Identity Preserved Program) certification process to ensure their soybeans are free from exposure to genetically modified soybeans. Our family uses Shak's Soy Protein Powder , (natural flavor), which has no sugar (0 grams!) in smoothies for an energy snack (my husband likes it in a cup of coffee without the rush). One of our children consumes 40 grams per day, and we see first-hand its health benefits. It can also be used to replace up to 1/3 of your flour if you want to add extra protein and the other benefits of soy to your baking. Shak's Energy Soy Protein and their Inchloss Soy Shakes (vanilla, chocolate strawberry, cafe latte) provide tasty, protein-packed, low glycemic snack or complete meals for sustained energy.

We will have these quality soy products available for you to try at our Wellness Workshop on March 15 - Don't forget to RSVP to Krista at mikeandkristaenglish@shaklee.net If you have any questions or comments, please call or email me. I hope this information is helpful to your pursuit of good health and energy. Feel free to pass this information on to others.

Local High School Students Design "Green" Single-Family Home

2008-03-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what you'll find in Santa Barbara! This morning I read about some local high school students who were challenged to design a "green" single-family house for an empty lot in Ojai. You can read about today's local green living news in The Lompoc Record. (right-click and open in new window)

LOCAL EVENT March 15: Nutrition and Wellness Workshop (Goleta, CA)

2008-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

In just two weeks we'll be having a special Nutrition Workshop. We'd like to encourage you to attend, as it will be a great opportunity to gather the most comprehensively researched and clinically-proven information regarding natural health and supplementation. There is no obligation to buy. Just come and learn. We promise to make it fun.

Topics to be presented, with a Question and Answer session afterwards, include:

1) Basic nutrients needed for each age group.

2. Building immunity naturally

3) How to kick a cold naturally before it becomes full-blown.

4) How to handle PMS and menopause naturally

5) Digestive Health -- bloating, burping, belching, constipation, diarrhea

6) Women's Health -- stress, fatigue, blood sugar issues.
7) We'll also touch on Men's Health, more so if the men decide to join us!

Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: El Camino Presbyterian Church 7526 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117 (Click for Directions)

Cost: Free
RSVP by March 12 To: Krista at mikeandkristaenglish@shaklee.net

Please email if you can't make it but would have liked to, and would like to be notified of future events.

Vitamix Total Nutrition Center - Free Trial and Free Shipping Offer

2008-02-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

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My Favorite "Green" Show

2008-02-27T23:48:00.000-08:00

How can I have a favorite tv show when I don't get cable or satellite tv? I'm weird that way I guess. I forget how I learned of BuildingGreen with Kevin Contreras. Perhaps it was because he is from Santa Barbara, building a 100% green house from the bottom up, and I read about it in the paper. Wait I don't get the News-Press anymore. Maybe I caught it on TV while visiting a family member. At any rate, he's got an awesome website at Building Green--which I've mentioned in another post, and I'm excited to share with you that Kevin has completed his home!

Not only that, but here's the cool part, he wasn't finished with the finale show until he had Sloan Barnett, the wife of CEO Roger Barnett of Shaklee Corp. come and talk about how important it was to not dirty up this green environmentally healthy home with toxic cleaning products now that they're finished and will live there. I was so excited to see my two favorites come together on the show -- so how did I see it without a TV? You can too - view it by opening this link in a new window NOW And after you view it, simply head on over to our website to pick up the products Sloan is talking about today which you can buy individually or conveniently packaged in a nice kit. Not only are they good for you and the planet, they out-perform leading brands like 7th Generation, Whole Foods, All Laundry Soap, and Palmolive in 3rd party testing!

Best of Health and Home,
Krista

P.S. Most cool stuff you find on TV can be found on the internet, so save your money on cable and your space for t.v. and just watch the best of the best, your favorites, by doing some simple internet research. Some people say they can't afford to make healthy changes, but it's oftentimes not the case. Just look for things you can eliminate in other non-essential areas, and you will be freed up in the areas that are really important to you! (Just my 2 cents!)

Take a Tour of Your Home

2008-02-16T16:57:00.001-08:00

Go take a look at what's under your sink. I'll wait. Now take a look at this and see how you fared...What's Under Your Sink?

One of the nice things about using our cleaning products is that once you get rid of all those undesirable cleaners you may have in your home, you won't have to replace them with 27 more. You'd have to spend more than $3,400 to get the same amount of clean! It's a smart choice, it's a safe choice, it's a green choice, and it's a powerful clean choice. You don't have to sacrifice quality to purchase safe, environmentally-friendly products!

For more information about this great company with a 50-year track record in environmental leadership - way before the green movement was popularized click here.

Alternatives to Pesticides

2008-02-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

Pesticides are designed to be poisons. Many of them harm our health and cause special problems for children. They often contaminate the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Many are hazardous for pets, birds, or fish, and we don't need to use them!

If you think you leave them outside so they can't be harmful, think again. The residues come inside your home on the bottom of your and your children's shoes where they're tracked around on the carpets and floors. If you have a flea-control on your dog or cat and you have kids please look at the alternatives for their health's sake. Pesticide-free techniques are simple and effective. It's time to give them a try.

Here's a great resource to use on Alternatives to Pesticides put out by the NCAP - Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.

Canaries in the Kitchen (EWG report)

2007-07-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Teflon toxicosis is deadly to pet birds, so why do we have it in our kitchens? Read this great report on Teflon, along with tips on safe cookware, written by the Environmental Working Group.

Sign the Petition to Grow Organics

2007-07-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Spread the Word
about Organics
Just 6 days left!

Help us reach our goal of 30,000 signatures by July 15. We're over halfway there!

SPREAD THE WORD
"According to the subsidy data from the Environmental Working Group, one giant cotton farm collected $2.95 million through crop subsidies in 2005, nearly as much money as the federal government spent on its primary research program for organic agriculture last year -- $3 million."
-- The New York Times, July 4, 2007
"The Debate Over Subsidizing Snacks"

Dear Readers,

New York Times reporters aren't the only ones poring over the information in EWG's Farm Subsidy Database. The unfair funding distributions have everyone's attention and EWG Action Fund's Grow Organics Campaign for organics funding is taking off. Thanks to your generous support, we surpassed our goal and raised a total of $45,000! These vital funds will help our staff meet with lawmakers to gain support for crucial changes in the Farm Bill.

But organics aren't safe yet. In just a two short weeks the full House will vote on a new Farm Bill, which could be the first to include significant funding for organics. To make this happen, our Representatives need to hear from us! Add your voice to the Grow Organics petition today.

More than 17,000 of you have signed on to level the playing field for organic farmers with the petition so we're more than halfway to our goal! Now is the time to reach out to your social networks and get them involved in the campaign.

The more signatures on the petition, the more powerful our demand for fair funding will be - so spread the word today. Help EWG Action Fund tell Congress to shift funding from chemical-based agriculture to more environmentally friendly organics.

Here's what you can do:

Sign the Grow Organics petition

Direct people to visit this site to learn more about fair funding for organics.

Add a link to the petition to your blog or e-mail signature: www.ewg.org/organics/petition

Spread the word on your listserv or in your e-newsletter - link to www.ewg.org/organics/petition

At EWG Action Fund, we're working with other groups, bloggers, and our Congressional champions to spread the word about fair funding for organics. Our goal is to get 30,000 signatures by this Sunday, July 15 and deliver them to Congress next week.

Let's win this victory for organics.

Sandra Schubert
Director of Government Affairs, EWG

Water Quality at the Beach and Sand Removal Tip

2007-07-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full-swing, and we are blessed to live near so many beautiful beaches. We've been able to go to the beach a lot this summer, and thankfully there has been no warnings or beach closures due to contaminated water.

Here's a handy tool to find out the water quality at your local beach...you can use this tool anywhere in the nation since it's an EPA tool: Find My Beach. If you're local to Santa Barbara County, you can use this tool which shows actual levels of bacterias they test for: Check SB Beaches - I just find this stuff fascinating--you don't really need to know what or how much they find since if it's at a dangerous level, they will post the appropriate sign warning you of health risks.

Summer Tip: Baby powder applied to the sand that is stuck to you when you leave the beach, helps dry it up and remove it from your body. We bring baby powder and a soft brush in the car just for that purpose!

5 Natural Remedies for Sunburn

2007-07-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

It’s best to avoid getting sunburned, but if you do spend too much time in the sun tomorrow, try these five natural remedies to soothe your skin.

• Aloe. The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf has been shown to speed the healing of radiation-induced burns. Scoop the gel directly from split leaves or buy commercially prepared gel at a health food store or herb shop. Apply aloe gel after showering, then reapply it a few more times each day until the pain has subsided.

• Cucumber. The cool cucumber is often used for soothing burns, simply slice open a cucumber and wipe it directly onto your skin.

• Calendula. Research shows calendula flowers speed the healing of burns by stimulating the growth of new skin cells, closing wounds and reducing inflammation. You can buy commercial skin creams containing calendula at many health food stores.

• Plantain. Plantain contains allantoin, a proven healer of injured skin cells.

• Vitamin E. This nutrient is popular for anti-sunburn activity. Try a cream containing vitamin E to soothe sunburned skin.

Warnings Against Megadosing Vitamins

2007-07-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Vitamins are grouped into two broad categories: water soluble vitamins (thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenate, vitamin B12, folic acid, ascorbic acid) and fat soluble vitamins (vitamin E (tocopherols), vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K). It is a general rule that there is very little danger of consuming toxic levels of water soluble vitamins; because they are soluble in water, their elimination from the body is very efficient. So when the body recognizes that the intake of water soluble vitamins exceeds daily needs, the elimination process becomes more efficient and the excess is voided from the body in the urine.

With fat soluble vitamins there is more danger. Fat soluble vitamins are not as quickly eliminated from the body, but rather are stored in fat tissues and in various organs throughout the body. The regulation of the body levels of these vitamins is therefore not as precise as for the water soluble vitamins and long term consumption at levels above those required can mean the build up of toxic levels of fat soluble vitamins in the body. Toxic symptoms have been recorded but for some fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin K it has been difficult to establish the effects of chronic (long term) consumption levels.

If you look up a chart on toxic dosages they are very high, so a balanced multi-vitamin and a good B-complex are not likely to cause any problems. It's for those mega-dosing individuals that this warning is really intended.

Tip: Keep a health journal or log and pay attention to how your body feels. If you start feeling nauseated, lose your appetite, have diarrhea, are fatigued or weak, then stop taking your vitamins and see if those symptoms disappear. If so, you've had too much of a good thing and you need to take a break or adjust your dose altogether.

Healthy Person's Guide to Skincare

2007-07-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

I ran across this as I was purchasing my new bath & body soap, armed with the knowledge I gleaned from the Skin Deep Database (the EWG report I blogged about earlier)! I chose Terressentials as my new source for suds. Check out their website after reading The Healthy Person's Guide to Personal Care Ingredients -- it's highly informative!

On their website you can also learn all about what organic really means when it comes to body care products. Terressentials takes it a step further and uses only ingredients that are certified organic to eat by the USDA! As they say, "Sorry folks: when it comes to body care, if you don't see the USDA Certified Organic seal, the word "organic" doesn't mean anything." So you can be assured that if it's not okay to ingest, then it's not okay to put all over your body. It makes sense because you absorb 60% of any substance that's applied to your skin (that's how estrogen and nicotine patches work). You care about what you ingest and what you inhale, and it's just as important to educate yourself about what you're absorbing through your skin.

Visit their site and you can also learn the truth about Grapefruit Seed Extract, about Parabens, about Oleo-chemicals and about Sunscreen. Also you must read the eye-opening article on how parabens disrupt our endocrine systems called "Can the Methyl Paraben in Your Shampoo Make You Fat?"

Biodegradable Picnicware

2007-06-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

The eco-conscious among us are phasing out "disposables" -- trading in our paper or plastic options at the store for durable canvas bags for instance. And with Independence Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider switching to more eco-friendly picnicking options!

Try Branch's biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils which are made of sugarcane fiber or potato starch and vegetable oil. They are not only biodegradable, but compostable and recyclable! That's a lot of ables!

They're surprisingly sturdier than standard Styrofoam and plastic tableware, and prices start at $5. Due to unusually high demand, the 7" plates and fork/knife/spoon sets are backordered for 1 week. Be sure to stock up for Labor Day weekend!

About Vitamins...

2007-06-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Many people take supplements to boost their intake of vitamins and minerals. In fact, most doctors recommend that patients take at least a multi-vitamin.

Did you know that some supplements work better in pairs? For example:

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron
Three B-vitamins (folic acid, B-6 and B-12), taken together, reduce the level of the amino acid homocysteine that damages artery linings, leading to heart attacks and strokes
Vitamin E and selenium, taken together, may help prostate cance

Not all supplements are the same, but Shaklee's supplements are balanced, in harmony with nature, pure and effective. You'll find that, based on scientific research, they have paired up just the right ingredients (like Vit. E and selenium or iron and Vit. C). Plus they have a 100% money-back guarantee. Try them for 30 days and if you don't feel better contact them for a full no hassle refund! You won't find a company with higher integrity and that uses such quality ingredients where each batch is tested for purity.

Clever Tips on Preventing Foodborne Illness

2007-06-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought you were making a healthier snack food choice by buying Veggie Booty, they recall it due to salmonella concerns. Many of the 51 people reported ill had consumed this product. Details of the recall and how you can get reimbursed are here.

You probably remember the spinach recall of 2006 - organic spinach! We can't be afraid to eat healthily, but we can prevent unnecessary illnesses in children, elderly and immune-compromised individuals who are the most at-risk for those foodborne illnesses. I tell ya, buying actual vegetables, fresh and local, and washing them with a biodegradable soap like Shak's famous biodegradable cleaner plus hydrogen peroxide will eliminate any icky bugs like salmonella or e. coli. You can't wash processed food! I'm not perfect, by the way...I still like to buy organic corn chips to have with my homemade salsa! Sometimes my homemade corn chips (wedges cut out of a tortilla and baked) don't turn out so well, and I'm desperate for my salsa!

So get some awesome biodegradable non-toxic cleaner if you don't have it already and write down this recipe for clean and germ-free produce (the peroxide also neutralizes pesticides on your conventionally grown produce):

Soak them in a solution of 2 qts COLD water, 2 drops of Shak's famous biodegradable cleaner, and 1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide for 5 min. Rinse well.

By the way, I also rinse chickens before I cook them with hydrogen peroxide to kill any bugs, especially when I use the crockpot which may not get the temperatures up high enough to do a thorough job of eliminating any pathogens like salmonella! (Crockpot temperatures were evaluated by the editors of Cook's Illustrated who deemed crockpots not entirely safe for cooking raw meats and poultry.)

I purposefully did not reiterate common knowledge about food safety such as personal hygiene, proper refrigeration, eliminating cross-contamination, etc. If that is new to you, do a search for "food safety" or "foodborne illness" to learn more about it. And. for your convenience, here are some foods that are potentially hazardous:

Tofu or other Soy Protein Foods, Meat, Beef, Pork, Lamb, Milk and Milk Products, Cooked Rice, Beans, or other Heat-Treated Plant Foods, Fish, Poultry, Sliced Melons, Baked or Boiled Potatoes, Garlic-in-Oil Mixtures, Shellfish and Crustacean, Sprouts and Raw Seeds, Shell eggs, Synthetic Ingredients such as Textured Soy Protein.

Concern Over Processed Food

2007-06-28T08:19:00.001-07:00

China Shuts Down 180 Food Factories - Read that article and you might reconsider buying processed food. The Chinese authority quoted in the article says that this is not an isolated incident. Well, at least he's honest!

It's best to purchase food as close to nature and as locally grown or raised as possible for health reasons, taste and even the environment. Less transport means less fuel used, less carbon emissions, less plastic, less paper, etc.

Some New Lunch Ideas

2007-06-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut of salad or the typical sandwich, so if you're needing help with lunch alternatives here's a great website:

Vegetarian Lunchbox
Lots of ideas for quick, easy and healthy food for your lunchbox

Enjoy!

(Seeeee, my blog is not all bad news, LOL!)

Absorbing 5 lbs of Makeup Chemicals Per Year

2007-06-22T16:25:00.001-07:00

I read a great article today about how if you wear makeup and add in all the other personal care products you use, you're absorbing about 5 pounds of chemicals per year! Some of these chemicals have been found in the tumors found in breast cancer.

Many people apply around 20 beauty products a day, not to mention products that are past their expiration date like mascara and lipstick. Those two products, as you are aware by now, are perfect homes for bacteria.

So how many personal care products do you use per day...let's count! I don't wear makeup so, let's see. There's shampoo, soap, deodorant. That's 3 for me. But don't forget lotion. I don't use it. Don't forget sunscreen...I don't have any currently after that last post about the sunscreen, LOL!

So, currently I'm pretty plain with only 3 products I use daily. You probably imagine I must be somewhat homely, but you can see my photo on the right side and decide for yourself. I might look rather plain, but I don't think anyone really NEEDS all those products.

Typically, you might use shampoo, soap and deodorant, plus conditioner, shaving cream, lotion, nail polish, foundation, sunscreen, lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, blush, lip balm, hair gel, hair spray, and the list goes on. What about all the things you need to chisel off that stuff like mascara remover, nail polish remover, special face wash soap or makeup remover.

There are alternatives if you really MUST wear any of the above. I'd like to once again refer you to Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database called Skin Deep. There you will see tabs across the top in the blue bar section. Products you can look up are in the following categories: Makeup, Skincare, Haircare, Eye Care, Nail Care, Baby Care, Oral Care, and Fragrance.

I encourage you to go looking through your own products around the house and in your purse and start eliminating the hazardous chemicals that you're absorbing in your skin...that goes directly into your bloodstream, unlike food with chemicals which break down somewhat with digestive enzymes. With the knowledge provided by EWG you can start shopping to replace those products or use less of them if you can!

So how many products do you use? Comment away because I'm curious!

P.S. My Jumpcut friend Heidi made a video of all her personal care products that she has decluttered...I thought it was really cute so here it is for you to VIEW

Wonderful Sunscreen Database by the EWG

2007-06-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to let you know about an awesome new tool: The Sunscreen Database created by the Environmental Working Group, my favorite watchdog. It's a way for consumers to find out exactly how good their sunscreen is at blocking those UV rays -- and whether it contains dangerous chemicals.

The database contains safety and effectiveness ratings for over 700 sunscreens. EWG looked particularly at each product’s UVA and UVB protection, the safety of its ingredients, and the product’s stability. What they found was actually pretty bad news – only 16% of the products studied were rated both safe and effective. The new database allows users to look up their sunscreen, research their next purchase, and find out which ingredients to use (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and which to avoid (don’t worry, I won’t list all of those long chemical names here). You can see the study and the database at SUNSCREEN DATABASE.

The US has at least 12 fewer approved sun-blocking ingredients that Europe, and many of the products they use may be safer and more effective. Meanwhile, sunscreen products on the shelf go largely unregulated – many don’t offer UVA protection at all.

So, do your homework by looking up your sunscreen in the database. If your sunscreen is not listed, you can look up the individual ingredients of your sunscreen and check that way. If you have a good one GREAT! If you have one on the "worst list" then look at the ones on their "best list" and go shopping with your new information! You've been informed, now run with it!

One last tip: This is for those of you who don't have time to look at the database--the #1 tested brand for the most effective and least toxic of all sunscreens was Badger sunblock SPF 30 You can visit their website, locate a store near you that carries their product, or purchase it from them directly on their website. If you go to specialty shops that don't carry it, tell them about EWG's study, send them to my blog to read this post, and tell them about Badger SPF 30 sunblock - they'll likely want to start offering it for sale!

Source: Amanda Hanley, Enviroblog.org

Alternatives to Chemical Cleaners

2007-06-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Beware of Greenwashing
Natural, Green, Eco-friendly, Botanical. You will find these words on many product labels. But in fact, there are no legal definitions for these words. Often manufacturers of hazardous products dress up their containers with pretty pictures of flowers and fruit to play on our desire for more natural products. A company may promote one healthy sounding ingredient (“With Goat’s Milk”, “With Vitamin E”) in a product whose other ingredients are not healthy at all.

Some companies will list ingredients as being derived from plants, like coconut or corn. But the plant may have gone through so many chemical processes, sometimes involving toxic solvents, that the resulting ingredient bears little resemblance to the original plant material.

Natural is not always non-toxic. Some natural ingredients have proven harmful effects. For example, d-limonene, found in orange peels, is a powerful solvent. It has been found to be a sensitizer and causes severe reactions in some people. In fact, just this evening I had a reaction (itchy welts) on my hands after peeling a mandarin orange. Sodium lauryl sulfate, often derived from coconut, is a known skin irritant which enhances allergic response to other toxins and allergens. Sodium laureth sulfate may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen. The U.S. government has warned manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin formation in some products containing this ingredient. In some cases petrochemical ingredients, particularly those which are not volatile, can be good less toxic choices.

What I Do
Sure you can make your own cleaners. There are many recipes on the internet for that so I'll let you do your own search instead of re-typing all that here. I have made my own cleaners and laundry soap before, and while that was fun for awhile, you still had to be careful not to inhale Borax and take other precautions. It also took time and frankly I don't always have much of that to spare. So, I've been buying Shak products for 10 years. It is a 50-year old company who has made non-toxic cleaners since the beginning!

While the trend in the 1950s was moving toward convenience with TV dinners and processed foods, Shaklee was helping people do what was right...live as healthily and environmentally-friendly as possible. Today new products are always coming on the market from new names, but you can trust Shak's track record and commitment to quality, non-toxic and biodegradable cleaners. Plus, their products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I also love how long their all-purpose cleaner and their soft scrub cleaner lasts...In 10 years, I only needed to make 2 re-orders. Talk about economical! At that rate, my vinegar was more expensive when I was making my own cleaners!

Even the number one daytime talkshow host knows how great Shaklee products are. She's featured Shak's products and the company on her show 5 or 6 times since May 2007 because they're one of her "favorites."

Common Hazardous Ingredients in Cleaning Products

2007-06-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

A couple of friends who are interested in living a non-toxic lifestyle asked me recently where to start. Doing everything all at once can be overwhelming, but remember our new motto...progress, not perfection! Start with the things you can replace easily by looking over ingredients in the products you use throughout your house. Those could be cleaning products, personal care products, shampoos, etc.

Following is a list of some of the most common toxic chemicals found in household cleaning products; however there are many others. If you have products with these chemicals, take them to the hazardous waste site near you instead of dumping them in the trash. I'll post later about alternatives to them:

Acetone - A neurotoxin, acetone may cause liver and kidney damage, and damage to developing babies in the womb. It is a skin and eye irritant. Found in spot treatment cleaners, mark and scuff removers, nail polish removers, and other products.

Aerosol products- Aerosol propellants may contain propane, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and central nervous system depressant, methylene chloride, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and reproductive toxin, and nitrous oxide . Products applied with aeresol sprays are broken into minute particles, which can be more deeply inhaled than larger particles, which may increase their toxic effect.

Ammonia - Undiluted, ammonia is a severe eye and respiratory irritant that can cause severe burning pain, and corrosive damage including chemical burns, cataracts and corneal damage. It can also cause kidney and liver damage. Repeated or prolonged exposure to vapors can result in bronchitis and pneumonia. Found in a wide range of cleaning products. Ammonia will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth.

Bleach: see sodium hypochlorite

Diethanolamine (DEA) - Listed as a suspected carcinogen by the State of California, this chemical is a skin and respiratory toxicant and a severe eye irritant. Used in a wide range of household cleaning products.

D-limonene - This chemical is produced by cold-pressing orange peels. The extracted oil is 90% d-limonene. It is a sensitizer, a neurotoxin, a moderate eye and skin irritant, and can trigger respiratory distress when vapors are inhaled by some sensitive individuals. There is some evidence of carcinogenicity. D-limonene is the active ingredient in some insecticides. It is used as a solvent in many all-purpose cleaning products, especially 'citrus' and 'orange' cleaners. Also listed on labels as citrus oil and orange oil.

Ethoxylated nonyl phenol - Nonyl phenols are hormone disruptors and some contain traces of ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen. They are eye and skin irritants. Used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products.

Formaldehyde - In lab tests, formaldehyde has caused cancer and damaged DNA. Formaldehyde is also a sensitizer, with the potential to cause asthma. Several laboratory studies have shown it to be a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. While formaldehyde naturally occurs in the human body in minute amounts, it is estimated that 20 per cent of people exposed to it will experience an allergic reaction. Used in a wide range of products, including some furniture polishes. Formaldehyde may be released by other chemicals, for example quaternary 15.

Fragrance - Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven carcinogens. In 1989, the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 2,983 fragrance chemicals for health effects. They identified 884 of them as toxic substances. Synthetic fragrances are known to trigger asthma attacks. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing baby in the womb. Symptoms reported to the FDA from fragrance exposure have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Fragrance is a common skin irritant.

Methylene chloride - Methylene chloride is a carcinogen, a neurotoxin and a reproductive toxin. On inhalation, it can cause liver and brain damage, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attack. It is a severe skin and moderate eye irritant. Used in stain removers.

Monoethanolamine - This chemical may cause liver, kidney and reproductive damage, as well as depression of the central nervous system. Inhalation of high concentrations - when cleaning an oven for example - can cause dizziness or even coma. The chemical can also be absorbed through the skin. It is a moderate skin irritant, and a severe eye irritant. Found in many cleaning products, including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, laundry pre-soaks, floor strippers and carpet cleaners.

Morpholine - This corrosive ingredient can severely irritate and burn skin and eyes, and can even cause blindness if splashed in eyes. It can cause liver and kidney damage, and long-term exposure can result in bronchitis. It reacts with nitrites (added as a preservative in some products, or present as a contaminant) to form carcinogenic nitrosomines. Morpholine is a moderate to severe eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant. Used as a solvent in a number of cleaning products, including some furniture polishes and abrasive cleansers.

Naphthalene - This registered pesticide is listed as a suspected carcinogen in California and is most commonly found in mothballs, and some other pest repellants, as well as in deodorizers. As a reproductive toxin, it is transported across the placenta and can cause blood damage. It can cause liver and kidney damage, and corneal damage and cataracts. Skin exposure is especially dangerous to newborns.

Parabens - Parabens are hormone disruptors. Widely used in cleaning products as preservatives, paraben is usually preceded by the prefixes methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl. Parabens may cause contact dermatitis in some individuals

Paradichlorobenzene - This highly volatile registered pesticide is in the same chemical class as DDT. It is a suspected carcinogen, and may cause lung, liver and kidney damage. It is used in mothballs and some washroom deodorizers and urinal blocks.

Phosphoric acid - Extremely corrosive, it can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Breathing vapours can make the lungs ache, and it may be toxic to the central nervous system. Found in some liquid dishwasher detergents, metal polishes, some disinfectants, and bathroom cleaners, especially those that remove lime and mildew.

Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate - This corrosive chemical is a severe eye, skin and respiratory irritant. It may cause liver and gastrointestinal damage, and may be toxic to the central nervous system. It will react with bleach to form poisonous chlorine gas that can cause burning and watering of eyes, as well as burning of the nose and mouth. It is found in some toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers, as well as industrial detergents and some institutional dishwashing detergents.

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) - A corrosive chemical, sodium hypochlorite is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, as well as a sensitizer. It is especially hazardous to people with heart conditions or asthma, and can be fatal if swallowed. It may be a neurotoxin and toxic to the liver. Found in a wide range of household cleaners.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used as a lathering agent. This chemical is a known skin irritant. It also enhances the allergic response to other toxins and allergens. The U.S. government has warned manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin formation in some products containing this ingredient. SLS can react with other ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines

Toluene - Exposure to toluene may cause liver, kidney and brain damage. It is also a reproductive toxin which can damage a developing fetus.

Turpentine - This chemical can cause allergic sensitization, and kidney, bladder and central nervous system damage. It is an eye irritant. Found in specialty solvent cleaners, furniture polish and shoe products.

Xylene - Xylene has significant neurotoxic effects, including loss of memory. High exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and even death. It may damage liver, kidneys and the developing fetus. It is a severe eye and moderate skin irritant. Used in some spot removers, floor polishes, ironing aids and other products.

***Sources:

The Safe Shoppers Bible, David Steinman & Samuel Epstein
Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd, Tarcher Inc, 1997

What's In Your Water - Find Out Now!

2007-06-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

I am often tooting the horn of the work done by the Environmental Working Group, a watchdog making a difference! They have once again brilliantly educated us, this time with a National Tap Water Quality Database. You can easily learn about the contaminants found in YOUR tap water no matter where you're located. It's really awesome! EWG explains all about the contaminants -- where they come from, the known health impacts, as well as the health-based limits and how much they were exceeded by your local water source. You can look up tap water on a national, state or local level.

Krista's Tip: Your family deserves the best water you can buy, and buying plastic water bottles is so harmful to our environment (another post for another day!) If you haven't purchased a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system yet, Shaklee has some great solutions for you. Their high-volume, broad-spectrum RO system was rated Excellent by Consumer Reports 1997. It installs easily under the counter, providing instant, clean, refreshing drinking water for just pennies a day! If you are renting and can't install the under-counter model, Shaklee also has a simple portable style that sits atop your counter.

We love RO water and I fill up my stainless steel water bottles for when we're on the go.

What Shall I Eat or Drink Today?

2007-06-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

A study by the University of Toronto about 15-20 years ago made a new discovery: nutritional status of patients receiving general elective surgery greatly determined the outcome.

Their findings:

Patients with good nutritional status: 20% needed antibiotics; average hospital stay was 18 days.

Patients with poor nutritional status: 75% needed antibiotics; average hospital stay was 48 days; average surgery cost increase over healthy patients was $20,000, and this was 20 YEARS ago!

Since then, the general consensus has become that nutritional supplementation is necessary not only for deficiencies from disease, but for optimal health. Daily recommendations have been established for calcium, B12, magnesium, biotin, folic acid, vitamin E, etc.

The new consensus today in the medical and nutrition communities, that you will be hearing more and more about, are the power of antioxidants to protect you. Antioxidants are any substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by free radicals. More and more, researchers are finding that antioxidants knock out the action of damaging free radicals in the body. The damage on your body's cells by free radicals are believed to cause many diseases and aging.

In a given moment today, standing on a street corner and breathing in the fumes from a passing bus, a person has more free radicals entering his body in that single moment than the amount of free radicals a person 150 years ago would have been exposed to in his entire lifetime. Add fumes from cleaning products, carpeting adhesives, varnishes, disinfectants, nail polish remover... get the picture?

There are hundreds of different antioxidant compounds that include various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and phytochemicals. Since scientists don't know every antioxidant in a plant, a test was developed that indicates its total antioxidant potential, or Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC).

Many studies are finding that consuming foods with high ORAC scores translates into increased levels of antioxidants in the blood by 10 to 25 percent. One determination of average ORAC intake from diet alone is about 1200 units. A study of 36 older people showed that boosting that intake to reach 3200 units a day increased antioxidant potential in the blood by 10-15% - enough to have an impact on disease prevention. These researchers think most people should strive to consume 1000 to 2500 ORAC units ABOVE what they currently get.

Foods have been given ORAC scores by researchers at Tufts University's USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Human Research Center.

Here are the Top-scoring Fruits and Vegetables from the foods they tested and their respective scores:

(ORAC units per 3.5 ounce serving):

prunes 5770

raisins 2830

blueberries 2400

blackberries 2036

strawberries 1540

raspberries 1220

plums 949

oranges 750

red grapes/wine 739

cherries 670

kiwi fruit 602

grapefruit, pink 483

kale 1770

spinach 1260

brussel sprouts 980

alfalfa sprouts 930

broccoli flowers 890

beets 840

red bell pepper 710

onion 450

corn 400

egg plant 390

(Shak's Amazing Antioxidant Complex 5920)

Krista's Tip: Deep, dark, or bright colored veggies and fruits are the best, and we add these to our smoothies everyday in addition to our meals! We use a Vitamix blender and LOVE it - worth every penny for the amount of money you save in veggies (in a traditional juicer, you throw away a ton of pulp and it takes a lot more produce to make juice). Plus you can make soup in it and salsa and so much more! Click the demo at the head of my blog and use the link to get FREE SHIPPING (a $25 value in US or $35 value in Canada).

While consuming these foods is better than supplementation, you or your children may be challenged in eating the required servings. Juicing is a great way (or VitaMix) to get these phytonutrients, etc., in large amounts without having to eat a table full of vegies and fruits. If you do not have digestive issues, using a VitaMix type of blender is better than juicing as you get the hundreds of those phytonutrients still undiscovered by scientists and that work in concert, as well as the fiber. And you spend less dollars and time shopping for produce! A ratio of 5 veggies to 3 fruits has been recommended.

The ARS scientists tested 46 supplements touted for antioxidant potential. They found just eight of the products were powerful enough to supply 1000 to 2500 ORAC units. Another study showed anitoxidant supplement brand discrepancies ranging from 16 to 3985 ORAC units. The great range in antioxidant power probably results from the processing techniques used. Shak's Antioxidant Complex registers 5920 ORAC units per capsule! It's important to buy your supplements from a manufacturer you can trust! (For legal reasons I cannot mention Shak's or Shak's products real name, but you know what I'm talking about if you click on the link :)

Krista's Bonus Tip: If you can't afford a Vitamix, or don't like smoothies, get some Shak antioxidant protection -- a power-packed supplement to give your body optimum health.

***********************

References:

Dr. Steve Cheney, Univ of NC Prof of biochemistry, biophysics, and nutrition. 80 publications. Instrumental in establishing a Nutrition Dept. in Univ of NC's Medical School. Nutrition is a personal hobby of his over the past 30 years.

Judy McBride, Agricultural Research Service Information Staff, Tufts University, Studies as part of Human Nutrition Requirements, Food Composition, and Intaks, an ARS National Program

Dr. Richard Brouse, Biochemist, Clinical Nutritionist, Sunnyside Health Center, Clackamas, Oregon

Building Green

2007-06-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

The following clip is a short introduction to Building Green TV's Season One, a 13-episode series debuting on PBS affiliate stations nationwide in June 2007! Learn about green building trends and techniques with host Kevin Contreras as he shares his experience of building his straw bale home right here in Santa Barbara! Really awesome ideas, and if you can do it in Santa Barbara, you can do it anywhere. Please check your local station for air times and visit Kevin at Building Green's website.

Join Me in the Fight to Grow Organics

2007-06-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

I just joined a great campaign to Grow Organics with the EWG Action Fund and I thought you'd like to join, too.

Are you satisfied with having just 3% of the fruit you eat free of potentially dangerous pesticides? How about 2% of vegetables? Or less than 0.02% of corn?

Right now, those are the percentages of organic produce available in grocery stores.

Fortunately, the EWG Action Fund is working with Congress to make sure organic farmers get their fair share of federal funds to improve access to healthy alternatives.

You can help right now by signing the EWG Action Fund's Grow Organics petition.

Thanks for joining the Campaign to Grow Organics.

FDA Consults Shaklee to Help Design Food Supplement Industry Safety Standards

2007-06-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Supplementation was once believed by nutritionists to be necessary only because of a "failure" to eat properly. Now it is a growing consensus in the medical and health industries that good eating habits, exercise and supplementation are necessary for good health.

Since most of us don't not have analytical labs, how do we determine that what is on the label is truly in the bottle? Do the claims have scientific backing? Are the products that you and your family are to consume every day free of "trace" amounts of contaminants or hazardous chemicals? Yes, ingredients such as lead and hexane, used in extraction processes, as well as hazardous "natural" ingredients that come under many names have been found in food supplements.

Consumer Reports did a report in 2004 called "The Dirty Dozen," naming twelve hazardous ingredients that have been found in food supplements (Shak is the only company that has never sold any of these ingredients!). Hazardous here means seizures, kidney failure, etc. Right-click and open that article in a new window.

The FDA realizes there is a serious problem in the food supplement industry. Today there is no requirement for proving efficacy of a product. The FDA is limited to regulating herbal products, vitamins, and minerals as "foods." Because of a growing number of incidents of contamination at toxic levels, missing active ingredients, use of hazardous "natural" chemicals, and false labeling, they are pushing for food supplements manufacturers to use pharmaceutical standards in their manufacturing, called good manufacturing process (GMP).

GMP means, testing every step of the way, from determining that claims are scientifically proven, to purity and safety of raw materials, to maintained purity and presence of the active ingredient in the required amounts after extraction procedures and manufacture, and proper labeling. Most food supplement companies do not have these practices in place because they do not have the resources necessary or they just don't want to. Recognizing that Shaklee has chosen to use GMP standards in their products for a long time, the FDA has consulted with them in helping design standards for the other food supplement companies.

Krista's Tip: Another contaminant commonly found in calcium supplements is lead, but not in Shak's calcium. The high standard Shak has set, by performing over 83,000 lab and quality assurance tests per year on nutritional products and their ingredients alone, is one of the main reasons that I settled on Shak as my source for supplements and as a business that I could stand behind. You too could make the switch from the store-bought products you half-heartedly use to the nutritional supplements you can feel good about which are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I have never experienced feeling much different when taking my cheap store bought vitamins, always buying whatever is on sale. I was so surprised to actually see improvements within 30 days of taking my first supplements! You really do get what you pay for...and by the way, the prices listed in our catalog are SRP, click on the actual product and you'll see "Member's Price" -- that is what you'd pay when you become a member. Feel free to contact me at mikeandkristaenglish@shaklee.net

Fish Oil Supplements + Exercise = Heart Health

2007-06-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

A recent study published just last May in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that fish oil which contains long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and regular exercise can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. In this study, 75 overweight volunteers with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or triacylglycerols were assigned either fish oil, fish oil and exercise, sunflower oil, or sunflower oil and exercise. The aerobic exercise involved walking 45 minutes 3 times a week. The results showed in comparison to the sunflower oil group, the group receiving fish oil supplementation had lower triacylglycerols, increased HDL cholesterol and improved arterial vasodilation. The exercise groups had better arterial compliance (change in the arterial blood volume due to change in the arterial blood pressure) than those who did not exercise. The authors concluded that fish oil supplementation and regular exercise independently reduced body fat and improved cardiovascular and metabolic health.¹

1. Hill AM, et al. Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. May 2007;85(5):1267-74.

Tip: I highly recommend Shaklee's Omega-3 fish oil supplement not only for it's efficacy, but for it's purity (tested for contaminants like heavy metals, mercury, dioxins, and PCBs) as well. And Shaklee's pills are smaller and easier to take, plus no fishy aftertaste or indigestion! See previous posts about choosing your Omega 3 supplement. Become a member and receive 15% off all our great supplements and non-toxic cleaning products.

Gotta Wear Shades

2007-06-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Source: American Optometric Association

Reasons to Wear Sunglasses

1.) UV Protection. The sun's UV radiation can cause cataracts; benign growths on the eye's surface; and photokeratitis, sometimes called snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye's surface. Wide-brimmed hats and caps can block about 50 percent of UV radiation from the eyes but optometrists say that is not enough protection.

2.) Blue-Light Protection. Long-term exposure to the blue and violet portion of the solar spectrum has been implicated as a risk factor for macular degeneration, especially for individuals that are “sun sensitive.”

3.) Comfortable vision. The sun's brightness and glare interferes with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly by causing people to squint and the eyes to water.

4.) Dark adaptation. Spending just two or three hours in bright sunlight can hamper the eyes' ability to adapt quickly to nighttime or indoor light levels. This can make driving at night after spending a day in the sun more hazardous.

5.) Skin Cancer. Cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes is more common than people think. People should wear sunglasses outdoors whether they are working, driving, participating in sports, taking a walk, running errands or doing anything in the sun.

Five Tips for Healthy Eyes

1.) Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days and during winter months.

2.) Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

3.) Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions and imperfections.

4.) Purchase gray-colored lenses. They reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.

5.) Don’t forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

Krista's Tip: Consider buying Transitions lenses next time you are in the market for prescription eye glasses. Even though they are more expensive, you will never have to carry around sunglasses or lose another pair again!

Current Recommendations for Vitamin D Are Much Too Low

2007-06-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

Published in Forbes News.com, 6/8/07:

Vitamin D Cuts Cancer Risk: Study
06.08.07, 12:00 AM ET FRIDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Boosting your vitamin D intake can dramatically reduce your risk of breast and other cancers, a new study found.

The research adds to growing evidence that vitamin D can help protect against many forms of cancer as well as other diseases, Creighton University researchers said.

But an American Cancer Society spokeswoman urged caution in interpreting the findings, saying it was premature to recommend taking vitamins to reduce cancer risk.

Joan Lappe, a Creighton University professor of medicine and nursing and lead author of the study, said, "What we can say from our study is that 1,100 international units (IUs) a day of vitamin D definitely decreased the incidence of cancer."

That amount of the vitamin is nearly triple the recommended intake for the age group studied -- women who were 55 and older when the four-year study started.

Lappe's team followed 1,179 study participants who were all postmenopausal and lived in rural Nebraska. The women were free of known cancers for the 10 years before entering the study. They were assigned to one of three groups and followed for four years.

One group took 1,400 to 1,500 milligrams of supplementary calcium a day, another group took that same amount of calcium plus 1,100 IUs of vitamin D daily, while the third group took placebo pills every day.

After four years, those in the combination vitamin D and calcium group had a 60 percent lower risk of developing cancer, compared to the placebo group. The calcium-only group had a 47 percent reduced risk.

Then the researchers eliminated data from the first year of the study, figuring some women may have entered the study with cancer that had not yet been diagnosed. The results were more dramatic, Lappe said.

When the researchers looked at results from just the last three years of the trial, they found the combination calcium-and-vitamin D group had a 77 percent reduced risk of cancers, compared to the placebo group. The risk for the calcium-only group was essentially unchanged.

In all, a total of 50 women got non-skin cancers during the study, with breast cancer the most common. The other cancers included lung and colon tumors.

The findings are published in the June edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In May, Harvard Medical School researchers reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine that high intakes of vitamin D and calcium cut the risk of breast cancer by nearly one-third in premenopausal women, but not women past menopause.

Dr. Michael Holick, professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at the Boston University School of Medicine and a long-time vitamin D researcher, said the Lappe study adds to growing evidence of the health and disease-fighting effects of vitamin D.

"It's very clear the data are significant," he said of the Lappe study.

Vitamin D is thought to act through the immune system to help prevent the formation of abnormal cells, Lappe said.

To date, both Lappe and Holick said, high intake of vitamin D has been found to reduce the risk of many forms of cancer as well as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure.

Both researchers think the current recommendations for daily vitamin D intake should be boosted. The U.S. Institute of Medicine, which makes recommendations on vitamin and mineral requirements, considers 200 IUs of vitamin D adequate for children and adults up to age 50; 400 IUs adequate for adults 51 to 70, and 600 for those 71 and older. The levels aren't Recommended Dietary Allowances, or RDAs, because the institute doesn't think there's enough evidence to establish an RDA for vitamin D.

"I think it's safe to say the current recommendations are much too low," Lappe said, adding that postmenopausal women should "probably be taking 1,100 IUs a day."

She recommends vitamin D3 supplements, the type used in the study, over D2, because D3 is more active, she said.

But Marji McCullough, strategic director of nutritional epidemiology for the American Cancer Society, who is familiar with the new study and other similar research, said in a prepared statement that the society doesn't currently recommend taking vitamin or mineral supplements to reduce cancer risk. But it has joined other health organization to weigh the evidence of vitamin D, and a joint panel recommends supplementation and small amounts of ultraviolet exposure "as the best way to achieve proper vitamin D status."

While she called the new study "intriguing,'' she said the number of participants was small and the research needs to be replicated before firmer conclusions can be drawn.

Discuss vitamin D intake with your doctor. And be aware that the Institute of Medicine has declared that 2,000 IUs is the upper tolerable, or safe, level for most people. For babies up to 1 year old, the limit is 1,000 IUs, McCullough said.

Vitamin D, which is important for strong bones, is found in salmon and other fish, and fortified milk and fortified cereals, among other foods.

Supplements aren't the only potential way to fight disease. In the same issue of the journal, another report found that a high intake of whole grain foods reduced the risk of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the blood vessels, which can lead to heart disease.

U.S. researchers tracked 1,178 men and women, from 40 to 69 years old at the start of the study, and found that eating more whole grains was associated with a lower risk of atherosclerosis.

More information

To learn more about vitamin D and cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

Rethinking Microwaves

2007-06-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

Adventures of Vita-Man (comic)

Right-click to open in a new window to see the punchline of the above comic!

We've gotten so accustomed to seeing a microwave oven in everyone's home that we assume they must be good for us...I mean, if it were bad for you why would the government allow them to be sold, right? Well, read on and tell me what you think. It's really easy to leave a comment by the way! And don't throw your microwave out, until you read my tip on what microwaves are good for at the end of the post.

In 1991 Dr. Hans Hertel, a retired Swiss food scientist and Lausanne University Professor, Barnard H. Blanc did a ‘blind’ study of the effect of microwaved foods versus ‘normal’ foods. The foods in the study were milk, both raw and pasteurized, and organic vegetables. They found changes in blood chemistry indicative of an early pathogenic processes similar to the start of cancer. Interestingly, cholesterol was raised quickly after eating the vegetables cooked in the microwave, indicating that stress does have a marked impact on cholesterol levels, not food as there was no cholesterol in the vegetables. And interestingly, frozen food was also denatured.

The changes they observed:

Decreases in all hemoglobin values.
Increases in hematocrit, leukocytes and cholesterol values.
Decreases in the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.
Decrease in white blood cells following ingestion of microwaved food.
Evidence that microwave energies are passed to the cells via the blood.

The following summary of Russian microwave food science investigations is courtesy of The Atlantis Raising Educational Center, Portland OR.:

Carcinogenic compounds were formed in virtually all foods tested under normal cooking conditions. For example:

Prepared meats: Formation of the carcinogen d-nitrosodienthanolamine.
Milk and cereal grains: Portion of amino acids converted to carcinogens.
Thawing frozen fruit: portion of glucoside and galactoside fractions converted to carcinogens
Short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables: Portion of plant alkaloids converted into carcinogens.

And the nutritional value was altered in almost all foods. For example:

Structural degradation: A 60 to 90% decrease in nutritive value.
Vitamin and minerals: Decreased bio-availability of vitamins B, C, E, essential minerals and lipotropic factors.

How hard is it really to reheat leftovers in our oven or boil water on the stove? I think it's worth the extra time it takes to heat a teakettle, don't you? I'm no coffee drinker, but I heard from others who drink coffee that it just doesn't taste like it's suppose to when microwave reheated. That's probably because those molecules have been altered so badly. It's like that for all our food. So let's reclaim our ovens and stoves as the workhorses they use to be prior to the 1970s, and use our microwaves to kill germs and fungus on our kitchen sponges instead!

Tip: Clean your kitchen sponge by zapping it in the microwave where 99.9999% of germs and fungus are killed! Microwaves are more effective than chlorine bleach (which is bad for you and for our environment) at killing bacteria.

What's In Season? Find a CSA Near You

2007-06-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Most fruits and vegetables have a particular season. Annual plants are adapted to grow best in a certain range of temperatures, and with a certain amount of sunlight and moisture. Perennial fruit trees bear their fruits only once a year, usually over a period of just a few weeks. This seasonality is why you won't find tomatoes, corn, or melons grown locally (here in southern CA) during the winter, peas in late summer, or asparagus in the fall. Growing fruits or vegetables within their appropriate season results in healthier, better tasting fruits and vegetables that are less susceptible to disease or insect pests. So here is what is in season at Fairview Gardens in Goleta, CA (Santa Barbara) in June:

arugula
basil
beets
carrots
chard
cucumbers
fennel
French & green beans
herbs
kale
kohlrabi
leeks
lettuce
spring onions
potatoes
radishes
spinach
summer squash
turnips
avocado
cherimoya
mandarins
nectarines
peaches
strawberries

Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, is one of the best ways to get the freshest fruit and vegetables! We are members of Fairview Gardens in Goleta, but if you're not local to the Santa Barbara area, here's a link to find a CSA near you: Local Harvest

Go Really Green: Non-Toxic Lawncare

2007-06-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

QUICK FACTS ON LAWN AND GARDEN CHEMICALS

An analysis of the most popular lawn and garden pesticides shows more than half of the products include ingredients classified by the EPA or the World Health Organization as possible carcinogens, one-third contain known or suspected endocrine disruptors, and more than a quarter contain reproductive toxins.
Over 40% of the most commonly used lawn and garden pesticides are banned in other countries, yet U.S. homeowners annually apply 90 million pounds of these types of pesticides to gardens and lawns where children frequently play.
An EPA study found that residues from outdoor pesticides are tracked in by pets and people's shoes, and can increase the pesticide loads in carpet dust as much as 400-fold where it remains for years due to a lack of sunlight and rain to break it down.
Home use of pesticides has risen 42% between 1998 and 2001 and now represents the only growth sector of the U.S. pesticide market.
Pesticides are also applied more intensively for lawn care, with applications rates between 3.2 to 9.8 pounds per acre for lawns, as opposed to agricultural averages of 2.7 pounds per acre.

Visit Beyond Pesticides -- A great site to learn more about the availability of non-toxic lawn care and spread the word to your neighbors!

Good info on going pesticide-free can also be found at:
Alaska Community Action on Toxics

Facts from this article were obtained from The Organic Consumers Association

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Organic

2007-06-07T09:45:00.001-07:00

Excerpted from an article by Sylvia Tawse, Alfalfa's Markets, Boulder, CO with notes from me in parenthesis sprinkled throughout.

10. Taste Better Flavor
There's a good reason why many fine chefs use organic foods in their recipes -- they taste better! Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil which eventually leads to the nourishment of the plant and, ultimately, our palates.

9. Promote Biodiversity
Mono-cropping is the practice of planting large plots of land with the same crop year after year. While this approach tripled farm production between 1950 and 1970, the lack of natural diversity of plant life has left the soil lacking in natural minerals and nutrients. To replace the nutrients, chemical fertilizers are used, often in increasing amounts.

Single crops are also much more susceptible to pests, making farmers more reliznt on pesticides. Despite a tenfold increase in the use of pesticides between 1947 and 1974, crop losses due ot insects have doubled -- partly because some insects have become genetically resistant to certain pesticides.

8. Support a True Economy
Although organic foods might seem more expensive than conventional foods, conventional food prices do not reflect hidden costs borne by taxpayers, including nearly $74 billion in federal subsidies in 1988. Other hidden costs include pesticide regulation and testing, hazardous waste disposal and cleanup, and environmental damage.

7. Help Small Farmers
Although more and more large scale farms are making the conversion to organic practices, most organic farms are small independently owned and operated family farms of less than 100 acres.

It's estimated that the United States has lost more than 650,000 family farms in the past decade (this was written in 1992!). And with the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicting that half of this country's farm production will come from 1 percent of farms by the year 2000, organic farming could be one of the few survival tactics left for the family. (It would be interesting to get the current statistics and I will update this article when I have time to research that more).

6. Protect Farm Worker Health
A National Cancer Institute study found that farmers exposed to herbicides had a six times greater risk than non-farmers of contracting cancer.

In California, reported pesticide poisonings among farm workers have risen an average of 14% per year since 1973, and and doubled between 1975 and 1985. (Imagine what it is now!) Field workers suffer the highest rates of occupational illness in the state.

Farm worker health also is a serious problem in developing nations, where pesticide use can be poorly regulated. An estimated 1 million people are poisoned annually by pesticides.

(My note: It's not just farm workers health, but children's health too! Due to urban sprawl, many communities are located in agricultural areas, placing schools next to farm fields. When fields are sprayed, there is a pesticide drift which exposes people to these toxic chemicals. When I lived in the Santa Ynez Valley, I was personally sprayed a few times by pesticide drift, twice quite badly. The first time it came at me through my open windows as I was driving by--call it a drive-by spraying. The second time I was on my own driveway when the field up wind from me sprayed in the evening, incorrectly assuming most people are indoors...I was overcome by fumes, getting lightheaded, dizzy, headache and nauseated. )

5. Keep Chemicals Off Your Plate
Many pesticides approved for use by teh EPA were registered long before extensive research linking these chemicals to cancer and other diseases had been established. Now the EPA considers that 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides and 30% of all insecticides are carcinogenic. A 1987 National Academy of Sciences report estimated that pesticides might cause an extra 1.4 million cancer cases among Americans over their lifetimes. The bottom line is that pesticides are poisons designated to kill living organisms, and can also be harmful to humans. In addition to cancer, pesticides are implicated in birth defects, nerve damage and genetic mutation.

4. Save Energy
American farms have changed drastically in the last 3 generations, from family-based small businesses dependent on human energy to large-scale factory farms highly dependent on fossil fuels.

Modern farming uses more petroleum than any other single industry, consuming 12% of the country's total energy supply. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till, cultivate and harvest all the crops in the United States.

Organic farming is still mainly-based on labor-intensive practices such as weeding by hand and using green manures and crop covers rather than synthetic fertilizers to build up soil. Organic produce also tends to travel fewer miles from field to table.

3. Protect Water Quality
Water makes up two-thirds of our body mass and covers three-fourths of the planet. Despite its importance, the EPA estimates pesticides--some cancer causing--contaminate the groundwater in 38 states, polluting the primary source of drinking water for more than half the country's population. (My note: If you have yet to invest in a good Reverse Osmosis system, give Shak's RO options a look - they use unparalleled technology and prices are competitive.)

2. Prevent Soil Erosion
The Soil Conservation Service estimates that more than 3 billion tons of topsoil are eroded from the United States' croplands each year. That means soil is eroding seven times faster than it is being built up naturally. Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming. But in conventioanl farming the soil is used more as a medium for holding plants in a vertical position so they can be chemically fertilized. As a result, American farms are suffering from the worst soil erosion in history.

And...1. Protect Future Generations
The average child receives four times more exposure than an adult ot at least eight widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. The food choices you make now will impact your child's health in the future.

(My note: In Lompoc, CA there are 8 miles of flower fields between the ocean and the town where people live. They have an abnormally high rate of asthma and bronchial and sinus illness among children and a high rate of cancer among all ages. Air quality is poor with tests of the air showing at least 8 pesticides in the air at any given time. Unfortunately, since the wind blows inland there is no getting away from it, and cost of living in this area makes it difficult for people to move. Did you know you can buy organic flowers!? I'll let you know about it in another post!)

Three Types of Vitamins

2007-06-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

“Suboptimal intake of some vitamins, above levels causing classic vitamin deficiency, is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in the general population, especially the elderly.”

“…it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.”

Robert H. Fletcher, MD, MSc (Harvard School of Public Health)
Kathleen M. Fairfield, MD, DrPH (Harvard Medical School) JAMA. 2002; 287:3127-3129.

Most doctors are recommending supplements to their patients, but with so many brands to choose from, how can you tell a quality vitamin from a dud? What makes Shaklee vitamins different?

There are 3 types of vitamins:

1. Test Tube or Synthetic* (the usual drug store variety)

No enzymes
Man-made
Contain petroleum-based fillers
Inorganic substances (tar, plastics, coal)
Stimulant
Side effects

*About synthetic vitamins -- Most of the less expensive supplements are made from synthetic ingredients. Did you know that the main ingredient of One-a-Day tablets is a by-product of Kodak film? Kodak's biggest client, next to the film industry, is the vitamin industry, because this petroleum by-product is cheap, is approved by the FDA, and is the main ingredient in almost all of the synthetic vitamins. Can you imagine what that petroleum does to our insides? Would you prefer to swallow something petroleum-based or plant-based?

2. Natural Isolate/Organic Extract - (The usual health food store variety)

Weak enzyme action
Uses chemical and heat extraction
Low quality raw materials
Stimulant
Imbalanced
Harsh binders and fillers

3. Natural and Unaltered (Shaklee Food Supplements)

Strong enzyme action
Low heat, low pressure process
Highest quality raw materials
Feeds and improves cell health
Balanced and just as nature intended
Contains essential unknown nutrients (whole food supplements contain all the nutrients as nature intended, not isolated like crystalline versions)
Results oriented - tests done to determine efficacy
Tested for purity

Shaklee supplements are as close to nature as possible!

Scientific evidence on the benefits of taking nutritional supplements can be found at the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau.

Choosing Your Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement

2007-06-06T09:51:00.001-07:00

What Do I Look for in an Omega 3?
You need to look for two things when it comes to your heart health: purity and potency. The good news is that fish is an excellent source of Omega-3s. The bad news is that wild fish may contain many contaminants such as lead, mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. This is a fishy dilemma!

The World's Finest Fish Oil
Shak, has an ultra pure, high potency Omega 3 complex. Here's why we take it:

ULTRA PURE
• Certified pharmaceutical-grade fish oil
• Triple molecular distillation and purification*** see explanation below
• Low temperature process to concentrate the omega-3 fish oils, and avoid formation of trans fats
• Helps remove heavy metals such as mercury and lead, and PCBs
• Low odor, no aftertaste, and easy to digest

FULL-SPECTRUM POTENCY
• Full spectrum of seven ultra pure omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in fish. These include DHA, EPA, ALA and four other naturally occurring omega-3s
• High concentrations of DHA and EPA, including 50% more DHA

***Explanation of Triple Molecular Distillation
1. Fish oils, which contain impurities, are placed in a vacuum and heated at low temperatures.
2. Fish oils are allowed to vaporize
3. Impurities are removed

***Benefits of Triple Molecular Distillation
1. Less oxidation and lower trans fats means a purer, healthier fish oil
2. Reduced heat time (half that of the industry standard) lessens thermal degradation
3. Less oxidative breakdown means low odor and no aftertaste
4. Cold filtration eliminates saturated fats

My Experience
One night, after a very long day of activity, Adam was at a gymnastics Parents Night Out event. Being tired, he wasn't as quick in his response time and received an eye injury from one of the cut up mats that they use to jump into. It was so swollen when he arrived home and he said it felt like pin stabbing in his eye. He went to bed and the next morning it was worse! It was completely swollen shut and he said he kept having the stabbing pains. So, I was ready to take him to the urgent care on a Sunday. I read about how the Omega 3s were good for inflammation and decided to give it a try since I had Shak's great Omega product on hand. He took 1 and his eye had improved by lunch, then I gave him another and by the late afternoon it was all gone! He had no more inflammation or eye pain.

I also have been taking it 3 times a day and have noticed an improvement in my inflammation. I have lupus, so inflammation has always been a part of my life since my diagnosis. I also have had a lot of congestion in my ears, but that's gone away since starting on my Shak supplements. I think everyone should be on a good Omega-3 supplement and highly recommend Shak's Omega complex to for purity and efficacy. Along with that you need to take a Vitamin E, Vitamin C and selenium to protect the Omegas from damage done by free radicals. Well there are better reasons to take those vitamins, but since we're talking about Omega-3s I thought I should mention it. Shak has a great Vitamin E that contains selenium and grapeseed extract, a powerful antioxidant. And their Vitamin C is fantastic because you only need to take 1 a day, yet it's clinically proven to perform hour after hour.

What are Omega 3's and Why Do I Need Them?

2007-06-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

What We Know About Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are known as essential fatty acids because they are nutrients that we must obtain from our diet as our bodies don't make Omega-3s
Omega-3s are one of the primary structural components in cell walls and membranes throughout the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids promote cardiovascular health, retain normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Omega-3s are also essential to healthy vision, brain function and joint mobility.

Studies (see Footnotes) suggest that ADHD¹, allergies, asthma² and skin disorders³, like psoriasis and eczema, may be linked to an Omega-3 deficiency. Other studies show it to help inflammation and diseases associated with inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis⁴ and inflammatory bowel disease⁵ . There are so many studies to reference here on the benefits of Omega 3s, so if you'd like to see more just email me.

The Challenge of Getting Our Essential Omega 3's
Fish and shellfish are a good source of high quality protein, are low in saturated fat and provide Omega-3 fatty acids which contribute to heart health and children's growth and developement. Most of us don't eat enough seafood because of the high cost, the proximity to the ocean or lack of available quality fresh fish. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice a week, but the average American is lucky to at it 3 times per month. So we need to supplement, but supplements can be contaminated by the same mercury, dioxins, PCBs and lead that are found in the seafood we so cautiously buy.

Tip: Because Omega-3s are susceptible to damage by free radicals, it is recommended to take Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and selenium along with your supplement*.

^* Yam D, Peled A, Shinitzky M. Suppression of tumor growth and metastasis by dietary fish oil combined with vitamins E and C and cisplatin. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2001;47(1):34-40.

FOOTNOTES:
¹ Stevens L, Zentall SS, Deck JL. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62:761-768.
²Masuev KA. The Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids of the Omega-3 Class on the Late Phase of the Allergic Reaction in Bronchial Asthma Patients. Ter Arkh. 1997;69(3):31-33.
³ Isseroff RR. Fish Again for Dinner! The Role of Fish and other Dietary Oils in the Therapy of Skin Disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dec1988;19(6):1073-80.
⁴ Geusens P, et al. Long-term Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. A 12-month, Double-blind, Controlled Study. Arthritis Rheum. Jun1994;37(6):824-29.
⁵ Belluzzi A. N-3 fatty acids for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Proc Nutr Soc. 2002 Aug;61(3):391-5.

Other Things Organic Like Seafood and Cosmetics

2007-06-06T09:00:00.001-07:00

What About Seafood?

Wild or farmed fish can be labeled organic, despite the presence of contaminants such as mercury and PCB. There is no USDA certification standards for seafood -- producers are allowed to make their own organic claims. However, at a recent visit to Lazy Acres in Santa Barbara, I saw that all of the seafood in their cases was certified by Safe Harbor Foods. The Safe Harbor seal certifies that the seafood you purchase has been tested and certified to be among the lowest in mercury available. Safe Harbor seafood meets a far stricter standard than that set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bristol Farms is also participating in the Safe Harbor certification. Look for the Safe Harbor seal at your seafood market, and expect to pay much higher prices. Does the seafood taste better because it costs more, or does it cost more because it tastes better?

Cosmetics

Just because it says "organic" or "natural" in the name, doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. Only 11 percent of ingredients found in personal care products, organic or not, have ever been screened for safety. So the less you use the better, and stay tuned for an upcoming post about how to tell if your product is really safer.

The Dirty Dozen & Veggie Washing Tip

2007-06-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Dirty Dozen: Must-Buy Organic Foods

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others, even after washing! Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., have developed the "dirty dozen" list of fruits and vegetables. You should always buy the following produce organic, if possible, because their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. They cost about 50% more -- but are well worth the money, and they are:

Apples
Strawberries
Raspberries
Cherries
Grapes, Imported (Chili)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears

Bell Peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

Other Organic Foods Worth Considering

Milk
Beef
Poultry

To reduce exposure to other potential toxins in non-organic feed and to reduce the risk of exposure to the agent believed to cause mad cow disease, you ought to consider going organic with the above items. When these foods are certified organic it means they contain NO hormones or antibiotics which have been linked to increased antibacterial resistance in humans. They often cost 100% more than conventional products.

No Need to Go Organic with These Foods

So you can't afford to go 100% organic? Good news. There are some foods you can get away with buying conventionally because these products generally do not contain pesticide residue. And they are:

Fruit - Tip: we safely buy large amounts of these at Costco and freeze them for smoothies!

Bananas
Kiwi
Mangos
Papayas
Pineapples

Vegetables

Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn
Onions
Peas

Safety Tip and Green Clean Recipe: If you have to buy conventional, be sure to wash your produce in a soap which is safe for food, like Shak's Concentrated Biodegradable Cleaner, which washes off all the dirt and residue, and for the pesticide residue that remains, add hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide neutralizes any remaining pesticide. Your vegetables are going to taste great! Here's the recipe for neutralizing: Soak them in a solution of 2 qts COLD water, 2 drops of Shak's biodegradable cleaner, and 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes, and rinse well.

Feel free to print the above lists to take with you on your next shopping trip!

My Experience
Buying local fresh produce is your best bet for taste if you live near a farm or CSA, Community Supported Agriculture program. Better even when it's an organic farm! We are members of Fairview Gardens, one of the first organic farms in America with a thriving CSA membership. If you're local, I highly recommend it for quality just-picked organic produce. Each week they have a recipe sheet that goes with one of the unique vegetables or fruit you might be trying for the first time in your share. We have a full share and find that it feeds our family of 4 more than adequately. In fact I think some families of 6 could have enough with a full share depending on how much you eat. They sell half shares for smaller families, couples or singles.

Sodium Benzoate + Vitamin C = Benzene

2007-06-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

I've got so many great things to share with you, which makes it really difficult to jump off and get started. So let's start with an introduction. By now, you've read my profile and know where I'm coming from.

I mentioned in my profile that I had leukemia, and that I thought it was linked to my lifelong addiction to coca-cola. Let me further explain that I was drinking coke from the time I can remember, at least 5 years old, through the age of 35. When I read the recent report about sodium benzoate, a common preservative in soft drinks (as well as other foods), and how when combined with Vitamin C it creates benzene, a known carcinogenic, I said, "Of course." Benzene is one of the risk factors for getting leukemia, but I don't smoke. Other risk factors included exposure to radiation from a nuclear bomb, but that was quickly ruled out.

Needless to say, I will never imbibe a soda again, no matter how tempting to this former addict. I don't know if coke caused my leukemia, but I know it's not worth the risk. No amount of fizz or good feelings-in-a-can are worth bone marrow biopsies, chemotherapy, hospital stays or potential bone marrow transplants.