Ignorance is bliss...

Ignorance is bliss, except when it comes to your health.
For that only ensures disease, and modern medicine cannot cure…
No matter your wealth!

So educate yourself on what’s healthy and what’s not.
And don’t follow blindly to what the “experts say”, that miracle cure does not exist…
Not pill, nor powder, nor shot.

A healthy body, spirit, and mind, these three are key.
Obtaining this is simple, no company to profit here.
Experience the power of real food, the earth beneath your feet, and don’t forget about sunshine. . .
Good old Vitamin D!

The direct connection between our health and the environment

I found this article to be very interesting, and for those into natural healing over today's pharmaceutical approach I think you will find this interesting as well.  As for those "pro-pharma" when it comes to preventing or fighting viruses, disease, or today's many health related disorders, it's an article worth your time.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/14/numen-documentary.aspx

Some interesting takeaways. . . those that have followed the "natural path" to health and wellness know that there is no "overnight fix".  This is because unlike the pharmaceutical approach the object here is not to mask or address individual symptoms, but rather to address the root cause. 

“It is very seldom that herbs are strong enough to kill germs. A few of them can, but then they become drugs. Killing germs isn't how traditional medicine works.It works instead by changing the environment, working to address imbalances in organ systems and tissue states, not targeting a specific bacteria with a single chemical extracted from a plant or synthesized in a lab.”

Mercola.com/articles/numen-documentary

Our "oneness" with nature is another noteworthy point.  Western medicine fails to see the connection between our overall health and that of our environment; the air we breathe, or the water we drink, or the food we eat, and even the dirt beneath our feet.

“If there’s been a single disconnect in Western civilization, it’s this idea that somehow we’re separate or distinct from nature, when in fact the opposite is true… we’re connected to the ecosystems around us and we can really only be healthy when the land and the air and the water around us are also healthy. And if they’re not, it’s going to show up in our physical well-being.”

Mercola.com/articles/numen-documentary

 And finally who can talk about pharmaceuticals without mentioning the dreaded side-effects.  So many in fact, just listing them takes up to 70% of the commercial ad aired on TV!  And unfortunately I think this only leads to viewers tuning this (the bad) out, so long as there is a chance this magic pill can cure us. . . As a society we have become numb to these warnings that need not be ignored!

"Most synthetic medications are based on compounds in plants. Scientists cannot create these substances but must, rather, try to make copies, But in their synthetic models they often end up with compounds that your body doesn’t recognize and doesn’t know how to handle. As Herbert explained:

“You target a particular chemical and you hit it really hard, and the system is expected to just have the response that you want it to have, but actually you have all these other effects… we call these side effects. They’re not side effects, they’re effects, they’re just not the ones you wanted.”
Mercola.com/articles/numen-documentary

Along with many more interesting comments in the article there is also a documentary that is available for viewing which takes a far more in-depth look at this very subject.

You're NOT alone. . .

There has been an immense amount of research of late emphasizing the crucial role bacteria play in our overall health.  It's important to know that over 90% of the DNA that makes up each and every one of us is not our own.  It's that of the countless numbers of bacteria that call us "home".  It's a symbiotic relationship that we are only beginning to understand let alone appreciate the importance of, and the truth of the matter is our health depends greatly on this relationship.  Maybe more accurately put our health depends on the delicate balance of good versus bad bacteria, with good controlling the bad of course.  I think this is one of the amazing details in some of the latest research; the fact that our bodies naturally harbor both (good and bad), but as long as we provide the proper environment for healthy bacteria to flourish keeping the "bad guys" in check we stay healthy.  It's when our bodies, through improper diet and exposure to external toxins, becomes more habitable for bad bacteria do we ultimately suffer.

Take for instance dental hygiene.  Many prominent dental experts (those that have broken away from the false traditional medical way of thinking) conclude that the majority of your dental health, or lack thereof, is a result of diet and not how many times you visit the dentist; or how you brush; or how many times a day you brush. . . it's all about maintaining the proper "friendly bacteria" environment.  The same goes for every inch of real estate these friendly and not so friendly companions call home.  And it's basically EVERY INCH!

Research on this subject is simply fascinating and may be the most important of its kind.  The better we understand how directly and unavoidably tied our overall state of health is to the choices we make on what we put into our mouths or on our bodies, the better we will understand how to avoid or cure disease.  The link below is an amazing article about just that, and is a must read if staying (or getting) healthy is important to you.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/08/26/mucus-phages.aspx

We are partners in this journey of life, like a high rise apartment for micro-organisms of every kind, and although outnumbered by these symbiotic roommates that call us home, it's ultimately the decisions we make that set the tone.  So do yourself a favor and make the next decision on what to eat a healthy one.  Your healthy immune fighting allies will thank you!

Pharmaceutical facts you should know!

Did you know that livestock antibiotic use accounts for nearly 80% (if not more) of the antibiotics sold in the U.S.!

That sentence alone should get your undivided attention.  Because even if you're not one of the millions of Americans that regularly take some sort of pharmaceutical, if you consume factory farmed (i.e. store bought) meats, eggs, and dairy, you are indirectly consuming the antibiotic cocktail fed to these factory farmed animals.

More importantly though may just be the fact that you are unknowingly contributing to the rise in 'Superbugs' (antibiotic resistant bacteria).  Superbugs are a hot topic of late and for good reason.  Antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria such as TB, Meningitis, Pneumonia, and Typhoid fever are on the rise, and this can only spell disaster for such an unhealthy nation!

So you may be wondering then why this massive consumption of antibiotics by livestock is often not "front page news worthy" with any of the major mainstream news outlets?

Factory farming and Pharmaceutical companies are big business.  BIG business!  And with CAFO's (concentrated animal feeding operations) being such an unhealthy hot bed for breeding bacteria, their only option is to try and give the unhealthy animals a preventative pharma-cocktail.  It's a win win for both industries. . . but a lose lose for everyone else (people, animals, earth)!

If being healthy is your top priority, and if not contributing to the poisoning of nature in all its many forms is a cause-worthy added bonus, then say no to CAFO's!  Say no to GMO's!  Say no to Factory Farming and if possible pharmaceuticals!  And support your local organic sustainable farmers!  Plant you own garden and fight the urge to use pesticides.  Raise your own backyard free-range laying hens and experience what a healthy egg should taste like. . . yoke and all!
 

Sustainability is more than a way of life

Its a state of mind!  Or at least that's how it feels when your surrounded by people that support this philosophy of working with nature and giving back more than you take.  My wife and I do our best to live our lives by this belief, and supporting small local farms and businesses that do the same is our way of doing our part.  Sure we have a flock of backyard laying hens and a medium sized garden that allows us to experience these organic sustainable practices first hand, but with barely an acre and a quarter we can only do so much.  And that's where being a patron to others that have the means to do more comes into play. 

When you can say you know (personally) those who raised the meat that you eat, or the fruits and vegetables at the farm stand that you enjoy fresh or canned, or the wine that pairs perfectly with dinner, or the coffee that gets you going in the morning; it's an amazing and rewarding feeling! 

Some people have to travel half way around the world to some remote location to reach that state of mind that they so desire, but for me its merely a car drive away!  Be it around the corner or less then a half day's drive, its equally rewarding knowing that your supporting (and of course enjoying) the fruits of someone's labor that has taken the time to do it right.

Be a proud supporter and patron your local organic farms and businesses!

Biotech companies or government watchdogs?

These days it has become near impossible to differentiate between the biotech giants that want nothing more than to take total control over our food system with their ever growing number of patented GM seeds, and the very government watchdogs that are appointed to police such business with our (the general public's) best interest at heart.  

It's been dubbed the "revolving door policy", where those with personal / profit driven interest in our food system (food manufactures, chemical companies, biotech companies, etc.) rotate like shift work between these "companies with interest" and the very federal regulatory agencies policing them (FDA, USDA, EPA).  

Kind of like the Mafia days of Al Capone and the like, where the general public couldn't trust the police for fear that they were employed by the very thugs they were looking for protection against... take a look at the link below and you'll see what I mean.

http://media.mercola.com/ImageServer/public/2012/january/study1-big.jpg

This is why you can't trust these government agencies when it comes to your better interest (your health).  The only true way to fight the system is to make the conscious decision NOT to support GMO's, and this can only be done by choosing NOT to buy products that contain / were made from genetically modified anything!  

Unfortunately though these companies have become wise to this and therefore we must make a conscious effort not to indirectly support such research and development as well.  This means avoid when possible those organic brands that are affiliated with these biotech giants.  The organic community is growing and with this movement so comes the "dirty deeds" by the very companies that oppose organic standards.  They simply take the "if you can't beat them, join them" approach, or at least that's what they want you to believe... but you can be assured that ALL profits gained by the sale of an organic brand owned by a non-organic company (or any company that supports GMO's), will no doubt be used to fund GMO development.  And if and when they get their way, that is GMO's in all foods without labeling, they will stop production of their organic non-GMO brand. Take my word for it!

The attack of GE wheat!

It's bad enough that Monsanto will most likely sooner than later get approval to sell their GE wheat seed allowing them to complete the ultimate GMO trifecta (soy-corn-wheat) as they continue their pursuit for global agricultural domination.  Yet despite this eventual seemingly unavoidable blow to all those that fight this uphill battle against genetically engineered foods, there is always that small glimmer of hope that someday somehow people will finally wake up to the truth and acknowledge the damaging global threat that genetic engineering poses within our food industries.

So one can only imagine then the severity of such a finding as illustrated in today's news:

Non-approved strain of GE wheat found in Oregon.

Now we can speculate the how in "somehow" GE wheat has escaped testing facilities and infiltrated its way into this farmer's fields... or the who that could possibly be involved and whether or not this was accidental or deliberate.  We can even contemplate that pungent odor in the air that can only come from foul play, as we debate the possible conspiracy theories.  But you cannot deny the detrimental side effects that will cascade from such a scenario.

The act of isolating GMOs and assuring they NEVER infect non-GMO crops has always been one of the biggest fears amongst the organic community.  It has already happened countless times with the already approved GE crops (corn, soy, and canola), but this could be a first with a non-approved crop.  No doubt a true nightmare becomes reality scenario!

This fight against GMOs will no doubt be a long one, and whether or not it's a winning battle or a lost cause for those that oppose it, only time will tell.  But in the meantime it is crucial that those that who choose to buck the conventional (factory) farming system and practice a more organic sustainable farming approach, get that very opportunity without the fear of contamination!      

NASA awards grant for project that could end hunger, but at what cost?

Didn't NASA recently have its funding towards space exploration stopped (or limited), fueling countless billionaires to fund the next-gen in space travel?  And yet somehow they manage to muster up the funds to possibly end world hunger?

At first read (of the title) I immediately cringe at the very thought of the devastating possibilities this could have on human health and that of the environment.  And after giving the article a read NASA awards grant for 3-D food printer my fears are only justified. 

Why dose our future have to take this cyborg-istic evolutionary path of printing our food?

With all that I've learned about health and diet and the global benefits of getting back to nature as stewards of the land focusing on the importance of the microscopic world that exists beneath us, around us, and inside of us, it seems egotistical to think we can ignore (defy) this link with nature and simply turn to technology for the most basic of needs... food!

To me it seems like just another way for "industry" to control our lives.  Currently we have food manufactures, the factory farming industry, and pharmaceutical companies doing just that, and all we as a nation have to show for it are rises in both medical debt and the very chronic inflammatory diseases that put us there.  I guess from that angle though, food printing is the only logical next step...someone will surely benefit from this but mark my word, it wont be the consumer!

According to researchers on the project, except for insects, this "food alternative" will use mostly plant based sources to generate the protein, sugar, and carbohydrates required for printing.  The problem with this is, it's this sort of  high carb/sugar and low saturated fat based diet that is the cause of most chronic health problems.

So where's the healthy saturated fat and cholesterol in this printed food?  Absent of course.

And therefore where is the health benefit to those that consume it?  Absent of course.

Statins kill... not cholesterol!

If you still don't believe that saturated fat and cholesterol are necessary for a healthy lifestyle... and if you still believe that Statins are the miracle drug they are advertised to be... then I urge you to watch this video!

Statin Nation: The Great Cholesterol Coverup

Is sitting at work killing you?

I thought this was a very interesting article worth sharing.  It's based on research by a former NASA director of Life Sciences, Dr. Joan Vernikos, whose job it was to keep astronaut's health from deteriorating due to prolonged time spent in space. And her findings are quite astounding, in that they affect nearly every one of us that spends much of their day sitting at a desk! 

It turns out one of the most unhealthy things we can do is sit for a prolonged period of time (a desk job). 

"What she discovered was nothing short of astounding. “Standing was more effective than walking,” she says. And, it wasn’t how long you were standing, but how many times you stood up that made the difference. In conclusion, she discovered that it is the change in posture that is the most powerful, in terms of having a beneficial impact on your health.
In a nutshell, your body needs perpetual motion to function optimally. As Dr. Vernikos states, the good news is that there are virtually unlimited opportunities for movement throughout the day"

This is not the first time I've read an article on this topic, but that doesn't make it any less eye-opening.  To think that one can eat healthy and exercise regularly, and yet still may not be able to avoid the unfortunate effects of the modern day unhealthy lifestyle; especially the "desk-jockeys" of today's world.   Being one of those who work at a computer for much of the day, I take this research quite seriously!  For some time now I have been trying to limit my sitting by standing at my desk when possible, and now with this latest research I think I will focus more on constant movement; changing positions frequently as well as standing up and taking short walks.

Being healthy is a lifestyle choice, so make it wisely! 

• Choose to eat local sustainably raised/grown foods.  
• Choose organic non-GMO.  
• Educate yourself on health and nutrition, and look beyond the mainstream news for research not funded by pharmaceutical companies.  
• Get plenty of sun (Vitamin D) and go barefoot (outside) when possible.  
• And above all KEEP MOVING!

Cholesterol, in laymen's terms

Over the past year I have read countless articles on the importance of fat and cholesterol as part of a healthy diet.  So much so that experts in the field actually go as far as suggesting that 50-70% of your diet should come from healthy fat (including saturated fats) and cholesterol!  

Sound too crazy to be believable?  Maybe that's because mainstream medical (and media) are still basing today's diet recommendations on 50+ year old information. 

And why does it appear there is no real sense of urgency in allowing this new crucial information to trickle down to you the public?  When the majority of medical research is funded by those that profit most from today's unhealthy food industry (pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, genetic research companies), there will always be a major conflict of interest.

Another major problem with this false notion (fat and cholesterol are bad) that directly affects your health, is in the way doctors are testing for what they consider unhealthy cholesterol levels.  Most doctors evaluate cholesterol levels under the assumption that you have "good" (HDL) cholesterol and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol, with the common notion that high LDL leads to health problems.  However many studies have shown that a person can have "high" LDL but not be at risk for heart disease, yet others with low LDL may indeed suffer the effects of unhealthy cholesterol levels.  And the latest research shows that doctors should be more concerned with your LDL particle number rather than overall LDL levels.

So what are LDL particles?  One of the leading experts in the field has explained fat/cholesterol within the blood stream using a very creative analogy.  

"The first thing to understand is you don’t have a cholesterol level in your blood, actually. Cholesterol is fat-soluble, and blood is mostly water. For it to be transported around the blood, cholesterol needs to be carried by a protein, specifically by a lipoprotein. These lipoproteins are classified by density. So, you have very low-density lipoprotein or VLDL, low-density lipoprotein or LDL, and high-density lipoprotein or HDL, which are the main ones... If you imagine your bloodstream’s like a river, the LDL particles are like the boats that carry the cholesterol and fats around your body. The cholesterol and fats are like cargo in the boats. Right now doctors are usually measuring the amount of cargo or cholesterol in the LDL particles. But what we should be measuring is the number of LDL particles, or the number of boats in the river, so to speak, because that’s a much more accurate risk factor for heart disease.”  Chris Kresser


He goes on by explaining the importance of cholesterol within the body and how it is used by nearly every cell.  In fact it is so important that the body can't rely on food as its only source and therefore produces its own, nearly 75% to be exact.  That means only 25% comes from diet, and it's regulated so closely that if you do not consume enough dietary cholesterol the body makes more.  But to get back to Chris's analogy, in order for cholesterol to be utilized each cell must activate LDL receptors which sit on the outside of the cells and acts as a docking station for the LDL particles (boats) to dock and offload.  Without proper LDL receptor signaling the boats (LDL particles) simply drift around within the blood stream. 

And therein lies the problem... just as an over consumption of sugar and grains will eventually lead to insulin resistance; it also leads to leptin resistance, which means the cells never activate the lipoprotein receptors (docking stations).

For more information see NMR Lipoprofile

Poor research once again misleads the public

With recent health news headlines making unwarranted connections between red meat consumption and heart disease, I thought this was a good article to help clear things up and set things straight.

Will eating red meat really increase your risk of heart disease?

The latest in a long line of unwarranted conclusions linking red meat with poor health is once again based on incomplete cherry picked biased data led by the false notion, accepted by the medical community and many nutritionist alike, that red meat should be avoided.  Only this time the focus of the research was not on the ever popular 'fat and cholesterol' angle but rather what happens when the body metabolizes L-carnitine (a substance found in red meat) producing a byproduct called TMAO.  And it's this byproduct (TMAO) that they're suggesting encourages "fatty plaque deposits" to form in the arteries, and from this linking red mead to heart disease.

The problem with this conclusion however, is that in an earlier study from over a decade ago where over 40 different foods were analyzed it turned out that red meat generated no more TMAO in the urine of the subjects who participated than many fruits and vegetables.  And in fact red meat fell somewhere in the middle, with vegetables like peas and cauliflower generating far higher levels.  But the biggest culprit of all was the very food that is touted by all of the so called experts as being part of the healthiest diets... fish! 

So if we look at all of the facts, rather than just pull out what coincides with a predetermined baseless conclusion, we find that if the metabolization of red meats (producing TMAO) was a direct link to heart disease (which of course it's not) then many of the foods in a vegetarians diet as well as the key food in the so called healthy Mediterranean diet would be even worse for you since they've been found to generate far greater levels.

It's a shame we have people out there wasting research money on trying to support some predetermined conclusion (like red meat = heart disease or saturated fat and cholesterol = heart disease) with no true evidence to back them up.  Unless of course they cherry pick the data that works best for them, and message the results into whatever coincides best with the false baseless notion or assumption that is driving the research in the first place. 

It's time to accept the fact that saturated fat and cholesterol and meat be it chicken, beef, or pork when raised right (organic pastured) are indeed part of a HEALTHY diet!

The U.S. Gov. chases their tails over food poisoning

I realize this is 2 posts in 2 days on the same topic, but if its worthy enough to make headlines two days in a row then its worthy enough for me to comment on.  Especially when it only proves that the U.S. government is simply chasing its tail when it comes to controlling food poisoning.

Today's headline indicating food poising is on the rise in the US is not, nor should it be, shocking news to anyone.  Every month there is at least one headline making mainstream news regarding some sort of food recall over food poisoning or "possible food contamination".

The bigger story here however is not necessarily the number of food poisoning instances but rather how our brainless government agencies continues to police the issue.  Case in point...

Claiming that "Many of the bugs that sicken people live naturally in the digestive systems of animals, including people. Outbreaks of disease have been linked to unclean slaughtering processes and unhygienic meat handling." , which leaves much of the blame on slaughter houses is more of a scapegoat conclusion in an effort to avoid the BIGGER problem... Factory Farming!

Factory farming, CAFO's (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) to be exact, breed disease.  This is where the problem starts; not at the slaughter house where these sick unsanitary animals are brought in droves to be slaughtered and packaged.  With thousands of livestock standing, feeding, sleeping, and defecating in the same fenced in or caged in cramped area, the resulting food poisoning is an unavoidable consequence.  When the skin of cattle is literally caked with crap, teeming with harmful bacteria, as they're sent to the slaughter house, passing this on to the consumer is once again unavoidable.

It really doesn't take a genius to make the connection.  And with government officials blatantly stating the obvious, "Many of the bugs that sicken people live naturally in the digestive systems of animals" without actually addressing this problem only further adds to their ignorance.

It is not a secret that factory farmed animals are fed unhealthy diets typically consisting of GMO grains & soy, rather than what nature intended (pasture and forage).  As with humans, the immune system of an animal resides in the gut, and just as with humans an unhealthy diet that promotes inflammation and disease rather than promoting healthy gut flora can only lead to disaster.  And NO, giving these animals a cocktail of pharmaceuticals with every meal to try and lessen the chance of disease from occurring is NOT the answer!

In fact the answer, just as with humans, starts with a healthy diet.  It's an unavoidable truth.  The only thing an unhealthy diet leads to in both humans and farm animals is profit for those that fund poor diet (chemical companies, pharmaceutical companies, processed food companies) and disease for those consume it!

Why tracking sick animals is not the answer

I read an article yesterday about the USDA's new program to track farm animals.  Their reasoning is that by tracking the farm animal's movement (from CAFO to store) they will be able to better address contaminated food issues when they occur.  This is an expensive task that will no doubt waist tons of money and resources, with costs guaranteed to be passed down to the consumer in some way shape or form, all in an effort to aid a useless government agency in doing a job ASS Backwards!  Excuse my language...

Wouldn't it make far better sense to put the money and resources into fixing the problem (factory farming) instead of wasting far more money trying to address the unavoidable resulting problems created by our wrong doing in the first place?

Obviously to anyone with half a brain the answer is yes, but remember we are talking about a government agency here... NO BRAINS NECESSARY!

When animals are allowed to free range and not forced to live in overcrowded inhuman unsanitary conditions like cages and CAFOs, and when they're allowed to consume a diet nature intended (pasture and forage) with healthy vitamin D rich sun rays warming their feathers and fur while giving back to the land as much if not more than they take, we ensure that Natures perfect 'zero waste system' benefits all parties involved.

On the other hand when we feel we have the right to treat farm animals like widgets on a factory assembly line, then we are forced to pay the price... with interest!

Do the right thing and support your local organic sustainable farmer!  Only then will you truly know where your food came from.

Let Otzi the Iceman be a lesson to all

I firmly believe that 90% of dental health is related to diet.  And if the modern high sugar high grain high processed food diet and poor overall dental health doesn't make the case, then lets take a trip back in time... about 5000 years ago or so.

A story in today's health news reads Otzi the Iceman could have used a dentist, but should say "could have used a better diet".  That is a less agricultural (grains) and more hunter-gatherer diet.  Two particular points of this article clearly make the connection between a heavy agricultural based diet and disease.  Case in point:

"These extensive studies revealed that Ötzi was a middle-age, well-to-do agriculturalist who lived not far from where he died. He also suffered from heart disease and joint pain, and probably had Lyme disease."

Read a little further and we come across this gem...

"But somehow, scientists had never analyzed his teeth before. So Ruhli and his colleagues used a CT scanner to analyze the condition of Ötzi's teeth. They found that the ancient farmer had several cavities, likely caused by his carbohydrate-rich diet.

Ötzi also showed severe wear of his tooth enamel and severe gum disease. Hard minerals in milled grains abraded the surface of his teeth and gums, exposing the bone below and making the roots loose. Similar wear-and-tear is found in the teeth of Egyptian mummies who ate milled grains, Ruhli said."

And finally to sum up...

"Ötzi's dental problems show the results of switching from a strict hunter-gatherer diet to an agricultural one, Ruhli said.

"Hunter-gatherers were depending on meat and berries, whereas (Ötzi) had processed food," Ruhli said. "The processing added a bigger variety of food but also impacted the quality of the teeth."

Need I quote more!

The Gut - Brain Connection

I have read a lot lately about the "gut-brain" connection, that is the level of healthy bacteria within the gut and proper (or lack of) brain development in humans.  Some of today's leading researchers in the field, like Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, are highlighting the importance of a healthy gut and how the state of your gut influences the state of your overall health.

It's not necessarily 'new news' that a healthy gut equals a healthy immune system, since the majority of your immune systems is located within your gut, but what scientists and researchers are now finding out is that there is a microscopic world of its own going on right now in each and every one of us.  And it's the communication and interaction between gut flora and the countless colonies of healthy bacteria throughout the body, or our "inner ecosystem" as its being called, that is the hot topic within the field.  And it's this communication between the two that has researchers like Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride convinced that many if not all of the mental disorders on the rise within our society originate within the gut.

"Your gut quite literally functions as your second brain, as it is created of the same tissue. During fetal development, one part turns into your central nervous system while the other develops into your enteric nervous system. These two systems are connected via the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve that runs from your brain stem down to your abdomen."  
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/29/probiotics-for-good-digestive-health.aspx

As you probably know brain related disorders (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Depression, etc.) are increasingly on the rise in the U.S., with the latest numbers by the CDC showing 1 in every 50 children suffer from some form of Autism!  If that's not shocking and terribly frightening I don't know what is.  And more and more research is pointing to poor unhealthy gut development rather than genetics as the cause.

This means a 'Gut-Healthy' diet, one low in sugar and grains and high in fermented foods, is especially important for expecting mothers.  Brain and gut development starts before a child is born and with the typical American diet high in processed foods, sugar, and grains and nearly absent of bacteria friendly fermented foods, poor diet may just be playing a bigger role in the rapidly increasing number mental disorders and disabilities then previously thought.  Add to that the ever growing level of toxic exposure today's unborn and newly born children are being exposed to with vaccinations and antibiotic use on the rise, and the effects on this compromised immune system (gut) and its connection with the brain that can only spell disaster!

So what can you do?

1. Start by eliminating the majority of processed foods from your diet, and making sure that any processed foods consumed are organic and contain the least amount of ingredients as possible.  
2. Secondly, it is crucial to greatly reduce sugar consumption, while eliminating altogether any high fructose corn syrup as well as artificial sweeteners from your diet.  
3. Next, start incorporating unpasteurized fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha into your diet.  
4. Check out these sites: Caroline Barringer and Dr. Natasha

More profit driven propaganda!

Because soy is one of the two biggest US government subsidized crops, and because soy is also one of the two most common ingredients, in some way shape or form, in ALL processed foods, and because soy is one of the two biggest GMO crops on the market today, there is an enormous profit driven need and desire to make the public believe that it is healthy.  Many deep greedy pockets depend on it!

So when I read an article like this one in today's health news... Woman who ate more soy survive lung cancer better,  I am not the least bit surprised. Disturbed... but not surprised.

The majority of the soy consumed today as part of the typical American unhealthy diet is through the consumption of processed foods.  And aside from maybe "soy lecithin" the average consumer would never connect the dots between an ingredient listed on the package and its laboratory altered soy derived counterpart. 

This is why GMO soy (and corn) is such big business.  It can be shaped molded and restructured at the molecular level into whatever the food manufacturer wants or needs. 

What this "article with an agenda" fails to mention is that fermented soy (like Miso), not the otherwise heavily consumed filler, binder, flavor enhancer, preservative, etc. that is found in processed foods is the dietary staple for countries like China or Japan. 

It's important to remember that with fermented foods, unlike their unfermented counterpart, any and all anti-nutrients present in the original food are no longer present in this naturally modified version.  In fact fermentation increases the level of nutrients within the given food while adding the bonus of gut-friendly bacteria, which by now you should know is essential in a healthy diet.

So before you jump on the bandwagon and ramp up your already overloaded daily intake of unhealthy soy, make sure you know the facts.

All for a good cause...

I find it disturbing that our society is so hooked on processed sugary foods that it has become socially acceptable... No, expected that we take part in the consumption of them all in the name of "a good cause".

Case in point, Girl Scout cookies.

Today a coworker has brought in boxes and boxes of Girl Scout cookies to hand out to those who previously "contributed to the cause".  My question here is, what exactly is the cause?  Cancer... Diabetes... Heart disease... Autoimmune disease... Obesity?

All valid questions since processed foods (sugar) in the American diet can be blamed for nearly every chronic disease we suffer.  And yet those of us who make a conscious daily effort to NOT support what has become a lifestyle fraught in disease and chronic disorders, but rather support the prevention of disease are left having to explain our actions; or lack thereof.

Label me what you will, I refuse to be a supporter of the leading cause of death and medically induced financial debt in this country.  I stand firmly behind my actions and believe that by NOT taking part in this perceived social obligation is the true action done for a good cause!

I support my local organic sustainable farmers for a Good Cause!

I pasture my own laying hens in my back yard for a Good Cause!

I do NOT support factory farming for a Good Cause!

I support those companies that do NOT support the use of GMOs in our food, for a Good Cause!

I support the act of humanly raising farmed animals rather than the abusive torturous mistreatment they would otherwise endure, for a Good Cause!

I try to live my life with the belief that humans are not a superior all entitled species but rather merely a part (small part in fact) of the circle of life on this planet that starts and ends with the countless microorganisms that make up not only the land we live on but our bodies as well... for a Good Cause!

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

I found this article by Christopher Masterjohn on the benefits and importance of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K) to be a great example of why a diet high in healthy saturated fat is crucial for optimal health.  The author goes to great lengths explaining how these vitamins along with minerals (Magnesium, Zinc) work together in synergy and how they fall short without the proper daily amounts of each.

The Benefits of Fat-Soluble Vitamins...

I found his detailed discussion on the history of cod liver oil consumption in the US over the last ~100 years to be a great example of the nutritional power of a whole-food supplements, and why taking the right ones can be far superior to simply cherry picking individual vitamins thought to be important.   I started taking fermented cod liver oil a few years ago as a healthy source for Omega-3 fatty acid, but soon found out that it was naturally high in Vitamins D and A along with trace amounts of other beneficial nutrients. 

If you get a chance, give this article a read, I guarantee you it will be well worth your time.  Especially if you are still skeptical on the importance of a high fat diet.

Food allergies start in the gut.

I read an article in today's health news about a doctor who treated (desensitized) a child of multiple food allergies at once with the use of a "powerful drug" along with small daily doses of the allergen. 

What bothers me most about this is this treatment is that it does not fix the underlying issue at the root of the problem... Poor diet resulting in a damaged and compromised gut (immune system)!

Unfortunately like most children in this country (adults as well) this 10-year old's diet most likely consists of excessive amounts of sugar and grains (glucose), which ultimately leads to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, an unhealthy environment within the gut, and a damaged lining of the intestinal wall (compromised immune system).  And it's my guess that most people are all too familiar with the resulting diseases and disorders; obesity, diabetes, Chron's disease, heart disease, cancer, and basically every other autoimmune disease on record... the list is endless!

But in sticking with the topic at hand (food allergies) whether the allergic reaction is minor or severe one thing is for sure, the damage within the body should be the focus of attention not simply minimizing the resulting side effects.  When allergic reactions occur it means the intestinal wall has been compromised.  As microscopic food particles penetrate the intestinal lining entering the blood stream, an all-out war within the body begins as the compromised immune system battles these foreign intruders.  The resulting allergic reaction with varying intensities causes acute side effects ranging from minor skin irritations to anaphylactic shock.  But it's the chronic effects that will ultimately lead to disease and disorder. 

It has been over seven years since I found out that I am allergic to both (cow) dairy and soy.  And rather than make it my life's mission to find a drug that simply blocks the pain and discomfort, I have made it my mission to find and fix the root of the problem.  Sure in the beginning I was consumed with finding food alternatives to those I was allergic to, but this has since morphed into a journey in search of the true meaning of a healthy diet.  And what I've learned is that a healthy diet is key.  

In short your diet should:

1. Promote a natural healthy insulin response
2. Promote a healthy bacterial friendly environment within the body
3. Inhibit (not promote) inflammation

And this can easily be done with a diet low in sugar and processed foods; gluten free and low in grains; high in healthy saturated fats and high quality protein, high in unpasteurized fermented foods like homemade sauerkraut, pickles and kombucha.  Remember, maintaining a healthy gut is the most important thing you can do to improve your health.  

The POWER to make a difference!

If you're thinking how can I one lowly person possibly make a difference when it comes to our food industry, think again. 

Every time you choose NOT to support the use of GMO's by buying organic; and every time you choose to "buck the (factory farmed) system" by supporting your local organic sustainable farmer, you are no doubt making a difference.

Every time you choose food raised in a humane sustainable manner, you are making a statement LOUD AND CLEAR that says you will not be a part of a failing food industry that poisons its people, animals, and the environment alike. 

Every time you question what's in your food instead of blindly looking the other way, you are setting a precedence.  You are saying I want the right to know what's in my food and I won't let a company's profit and greed overshadow what really matters when it comes to the food we eat. 

So the next time you're thinking what's the use, remember this... a consumer's power to choose may just be the biggest weapon we have!  You don't need legislation to mandate, and you can't rely on others to look out for your health and well-being.  It's your responsibility to educate yourself on what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. 

It's your right to be a part of the solution, supporting those (people, farms, and companies alike) who are making a positive difference, just as it's your right to refuse to be a part of the problem!

Fewer calories does NOT equal weight loss!

Over the past year or so I have learned a lot about what a healthy diet truly means.  That is, what the common misconceptions are and why we should avoid them.  So what I don't quite understand is that if I can "see the light" when it comes to a healthy diet then why can't the medical and nutritionist communities?  It's headlines like this one in today's health news US obesity mystery... that boggles my mind.

So if you are as confused as the "experts" when it comes to obesity, rest assured you are not alone.  But there is something you can do.  Familiarize yourself with 4 of the most common dietary misconceptions, and then do the opposite! 

1. Fewer calories equals weight loss. 
1. This common misconception is one of the major reasons many of the fad diets on the market do not work.  All calories are NOT created equal!  Sugar (fructose consumption) in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup is metabolized totally differently than glucose, with much of it being turned into fat rather than utilized by the body as a quick energy boost.  And to make matters worse it has been documented that HF corn syrup interferes with the receptors in your brain that would normally tell the body that it has been satisfied.  And for all those hooked on the so called "zero calorie" foods, keep in mind your body isn't fooled.  The body is designed to expect calories to follow sugar intake, and when this caloric intake is not fulfilled the body will continue to crave calories until it is satisfied ultimately causing you to consume more calories!   And one important side note Aspartame, the most common sugar substitute on the market today, is VERY toxic due to the way the human body metabolizes menthol, converting it into formaldehyde. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/11/07/aspartame-causes-blood-cancer.aspx
2. Eating fat makes you fat.
1. This is another big dietary misconception, and has proven to be one of the most deadly!  The move from diets high in healthy saturated fat (organic pastured meats, eggs, organic coconut, etc.) to diets high in unhealthy vegetable oils which become toxic when heated up during cooking due to their weak molecular bonds, has led to a dramatic increase (not decrease) in cases of coronary heart disease then was present in this country a decade or so ago.  The fact is a healthy diet should consist of 50% or more of healthy saturated fat.  Humans were designed by nature to be "Fat burning machines".  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/31/coconut-oil-for-healthy-heart.aspx
3. A high cholesterol diet will cause heart disease.
1. This all too common and all too deadly misconception ties directly into the "fat = fat" misconception.  What's important to remember here is that cholesterol is utilized by nearly every cell in the body, making it probably the most important nutrient that you can consume.  And a number of new studies have pointed to the American push for a "heart healthy low cholesterol diet" as well as the excessive use of  cholesterol lowering drugs, as the leading causes of many of the diseases plaguing our society today.  This is in major contrast to what most all nutritional and medical experts will lead you to believe.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/16/cholesterol-regulates-cell-signaling.aspx
4. Whole grains are part of a heart healthy diet
1. Grains, especially those containing gluten which are extremely hard to digest, simply put are nothing more than glucose to the body.  That's sugar in Layamon's terms!  And this point cannot be stressed enough; sugar interferes with the body's natural insulin response, causes inflammation, and in excess (which is the case for most American's) is the root cause of most if not all of the major chronic diseases that affect modern society.  http://cookingallergyfree.blogspot.com/2012/11/dont-believe-heart-healthy-advertising.html

Don't Ignore Chronic Inflammation!

I think for our health's sake this point cannot be stressed enough...

Don't Ignore Chronic Inflammation!

Being someone whose journey into the 'world of natural healing' started because of the relentless struggles with chronic inflammation, I feel even more obligated to share every little bit of knowledge I've picked up along the way... and continue to.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/07/inflammation-triggers-disease-symptoms.aspx

Whether or not you or someone you know suffers from some form of chronic inflammation (Crohn's, Celiac, Arthritis, Tendonitis, Asthma, Lupus, Heart Disease, Alzheimer's, etc.  ), reading the article link above may be the most important health related news you read all year!  I say this because even if you are not currently aware of a chronic inflammatory problem, if your diet is anything close to the typical American diet high in sugar, grains, and processed foods, you are already most likely years into one of the life threatening diseases.  But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.

Unfortunately in today's world it is nearly impossible, even for the super health conscious, to avoid all forms of toxins.  Fortunately though you can not only control but counteract environmental toxin exposure through a healthy diet low in sugar (including grains) and high in Saturated Fat (from an organic pastured animal source as well as from a raw organic coconut source), Omega-3, Fermented foods (of the homemade non-pasteurized variety) , fresh organic vegetables, Vitamin D (sunlight), and a few extra supplemental antioxidants.

I am not a doctor and I do not have a degree in the medical field.  I do however have years of personal experience suffering from the effects of a poor diet, and more importantly the astonishing positive effects of a healthy diet!

Stay Educated when it comes to your health.

Never assume and always question (the "norm").

And remember that a healthy lifestyle must start in the kitchen!

Don't believe any health related study that was rushed!

I just want to point out the importance of knowing a) who is behind any health/nutritional study and b) how accurately the study was carried out.

Headlines in today's health related news touts a new study, so important to all of us, that it was ended early for our health safety so we could reap its benefits... Tasty diet cuts heart disease

This isn't the first time a study focuses on the importance of maintaining a Mediterranean style diet, high in fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and low in "evil saturated fat", in order avoid heart disease.

Unfortunately this all to common and deadly misconception that fat and cholesterol equals death, ultimately leads to the very diseases so called "low (saturated) fat" diets are supposed to prevent. 

This latest study led by a researcher from the Carlos III Health Institute is by no means an uninfluenced independent study by any stretch of the imagination.  As a matter of fact a simple Google search will quickly lead you to this "Public Health Institutes" means of funding...

First on the list is the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, which if you've followed the news would know that this "philanthropic" foundation has donated tens of millions in research money to Monsanto, the leader in GMO's and pesticides, in order to save all the many starving nations by somehow spreading the very seed that is quickly destroying sustainable agriculture the wold over.

Finally, rounding up the list of very gracious foundation partners is none other than a pharmaceutical company.  And we all know big pharma has our better interest at heart... no profit driven greed there.

It is very important to remember that no legitimate health related study, carried out by an independent research organization, is ever cut short for your benefit.  The only driving force behind such shady practice is money, plain and simply!

Flu Shot Update!

The latest numbers are in for the effectiveness of the 2012-2013 influenza vaccine, and the winner is... 

Let's just say if you got the flu shot this season, you were not amongst the winners.

This seasons flu shot had a whopping 9% success rate in preventing the flu for those 65 and older! 

Interesting since this age group (65+) is one of the two groups the CDC highly recommends receiving the vaccine, with the other being children.  And with all of the flu related headlines this winter in the news regarding children being seriously sickened and hospitalized due to the flu virus, I can only imagine that if publicized those numbers would be just as bleak.  Unfortunately the spineless conscious lacking CDC would rather publicly lump-sum the remaining statistics together in order to reveal an overall success of just over 50% (56% to be exact). 

I guess this clearly proves though that with an overall "positive" success rate, the very real risk of Mercury Toxicity as well the deadly possibility of Anaphylaxis due to its ingredients are far outweighed by its life-saving importance... lest you get the flu and wind up in the ER, where ironically enough 91% of those seniors that got the shot evidently wound up.

With "advanced technology" like this, we're doomed!

The latest headline in technology/health news reads, "Sugar needles could carry safe, painless, long-lasting vaccines"... does anyone else see the horror in this?

If there is one thing most people DO NOT need more of, its SUGAR hands down!  So when I see wasted research money being spent on new uses for sugar, I can't help but feel sad and a bit frustrated.  With the ever growing number of those living with a 'sugar consumption in excess' related disease (diabetes, Alzheimer's, heart disease, obesity, chronic inflammatory diseases... ) reaching epidemic levels, both science and medicine need to wake up and smell the inevitable insulin spike!

I think money should be better vested in research detailing sugar's negative health effects.  I think less research money should be spent on the less-than-accurate reported "positive success" data of vaccination usage, and instead shed some light on the ever growing number of truly independent research debunking this dangerous profit driven misleading scientific propaganda. Let's put that money towards a more natural based approach to health and wellness, and stop supporting these giant corporations as they compete for the next big cure regardless of the toll it takes on our health.

Oh that morning cup of... soda?

With the health of this country, the unhealthiest of the wealthiest nations to be exact, in the midst of a perfect storm of diseases affecting the masses in epidemic proportions (Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Chronic Inflammatory diseases), to say that the average American makes countless unhealthy dietary decisions per day would be a colossal understatement.  And our addiction to sugar no doubt tops the charts!  This devastatingly poor bill of health can be blamed in part, if not totally, on the staggering amounts of sugar (per person) consumed daily, especially since the advent of high fructose corn-syrup. 

And the biggest offenders?  Soda companies and their many varieties of soft drinks, sports drinks, and juices consumed each year. 

So hearing of PepsiCo's plan to roll out a new soda/energy drink hybrid tailored for those "soda connoisseurs" that are searching for that morning coffee/tea alternative, is depressing and scary to say the least... another nail in the proverbial coffin!

Their selling point?   A lower calorie (compared to all the mocha frappa coffee drinks)... lower caffeine  (compared to all the Red Bull's and 5-hr Energy drinks) alternative, but with that ever so popular Mountain Dew taste. 

Like most "low calorie" or "zero calorie" marketed drinks, manufactures rely on artificial sweeteners to fill that sugary void, but the latest research shows these sugar alternatives may actually be worse for you.  The body is hardwired to expect calories to follow sweet.  So in such cases when a 'no calorie' sweetener like Splenda or aspartame is consumed, the body ironically is not fooled.  And when the body's natural caloric and energy satisfactions are not met, as would be the case following basic glucose consumption, the body seeks more calories.  This in turn leads to weight gain.  Now add that to the fact that these artificial sweeteners, despite lacking sugary calories, still manage to stimulate the release of insulin and what you have is a deadly double whammy!

And as for their "lower in caffeine" claims, it's important to remember that isolated caffeine, unlike the caffeine found naturally in antioxidant rich foods such as organic whole bean coffee and cacao as well as tea, isolated caffeine is extremely unhealthy in any amounts.

So before you reach for that morning can of soda, think long and hard about the unavoidable consequences!

Fat and Cholesterol are our friends!

One of the most unhealthy misconceptions brought forth over the last century was started by one German Scientist and Procter & Gamble, an all to eager company quick to buy in.  In no time at all what has been called one of the most brilliant marketing schemes paved the way for a very deadly product.  A "lard lookalike" that was anything but, and so Crisco was born!  The marketing ploy... that Crisco, a vegetable oil originally made from cottonseed, was low in saturated fat and cholesterol. .  And what a marketing scheme it was!  Sure it boosted the cottonseed industry but at what cost?  This deadly piece of false misleading nutritional information was solidified in the American diet by the mid-50's when a man by the name of Dr. Keys published a flawed misleading paper that compared saturated fat intake with heart disease.  His misleading cherry-picked data painted an ugly picture that Americans were quick to eat with spoon. 

Fast forward to present time and most Americans still believe that a healthy diet is one that is low in cholesterol and saturated fat.  Unfortunately all we have to show for it is an unhealthy society severely plagued by the very diseases (heart disease, diabetes, obesity...) that were supposed to be avoided, and that could only result from such poor nutritional advice. 

If this were true, wouldn't maintaining a diet low saturated fat and cholesterol lead to a healthier you?

Tell me this, why then are there more people suffering from these diseases than back 100+ years ago when people were not afraid of saturated fat (be it coconut or animal based)?

The only ones that have gained from this poor and deadly dietary advice have been those who profit either directly or indirectly from this sort of lifestyle; the companies that make/sell/distribute these products and the medical industry and pharmaceutical companies that have millions of Americans hooked on their magic pill.

The truth is 50% or more of your diet should come from a healthy saturated fat source like coconuts, organic pastured eggs and meats.  And what about that deadly 'C' word... Cholesterol?  It turns out there may not be a more crucial player in a healthy diet!  Cholesterol is used by nearly every cell in the body and without it we cannot survive.  Some of the latest research links low cholesterol due to diet and cholesterol lowing drugs, may be the real causes of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and more!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/16/cholesterol-regulates-cell-signaling.aspx

Do the research for yourself, it might just save your life!

Don't Worry Coca-Cola will save us...

I just wanted to share this link that my cousin sent me... very interesting!  Not surprising (to me), but interesting none the less. 

It's a good example of how those companies that are a direct 'part of the problem' when it comes to our country's poor state of health, can paint a very different picture.  One putting them at the forefront of "part of the solution", and in such a way that most uninformed consumers wouldn't be the wiser!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zybnaPqzJ6s&hd=1=feature=ABCNews

So give this YouTube video a watch, get a good laugh, but know that to them this is very serious business.  How serious you ask?  Worth spending millions if not billions a year on marketing and ad campaigns to try and convince the public that their researchers are looking to make their soft drink healthier.  The only truth in this landfill of BS is that they are spending this astronomical amount of money to make their product appear healthier.

Question everything!

The Importance of Sunstainable Farming

I just wanted to share a few facts on the importance of sustainable farming that I find quite interesting and downright scary!

When people talk about topsoil they are referring to the upper layer of soil that is necessary for agriculture; without it plants won't grow.  It is important to understand that topsoil is teaming with life... Trillions of microscopic organisms in one small scoop full!  And unfortunately due to factory farming and the millions of acres of mono crops such as corn, soy, canola, and cotton that blanket our global landscape, we are destroying this essential and very key ingredient to life. 

1. We are losing crucial topsoil at a rate of up to 40 times that at which it can be replenished.
2. Nearly 70% of the World's usable nutrient rich topsoil is gone.
3. We have only about 60 years of topsoil remaining!

GE Crops and Unsustainable Agricultural Practices are Destroying our Planets Topsoil

So where is the good news in all of this?

Those that practice sustainable farming practices and buck the conventional profit driven system of deplete and destroy will actually build topsoil.  Farmers like Joel Salatin of Polyface farm in Virginia produce more topsoil per year than an untouched forest.  Maybe that's why he calls himself a "grass farmer" above all else...

When thinking of agriculture, we must think small (microscopic) if we are ever going to understand the big picture!

The flu vaccine is profit driven!

I don't see how it can be any more obvious that the flu vaccine, in this country, is for lack of a better word(s) "profit driven propaganda!"  There I said... now what?

Everywhere you turn the flu vaccine campaign is right there smack in your face!  Every grocery store, convenient store, and  drugstore has a table set up.  I've even seen them pushing it at the home improvement stores!

Someone tell me, how the hell does getting the flu shot improve your home?

I've heard of people losing their jobs over it, and kids held out of school because of it.  In fact this morning on the news I saw some kids parents being interviewed for this very reason.  Apparently the vaccine contains egg in some way and this kid is allergic to eggs.  So what do the parents do?  Exactly what you'd think, they refuse to let their child receive the vaccine.

But here is where I see obvious shady business driven by nothing short of $$$$$!

"These days its recommended that if your child does have an egg allergy, they still should get flu shot but in a monitored setting with an allergist who can monitor them in case they do get reaction, must be watched for at least 30 minutes,"

Now that is absurd!  The only way it seems possible that health care professionals (those supposedly looking out for your health and safety) would push this vaccine knowing someone is allergic to one of its ingredients, is because they are getting paid to.  It's business plain and simple!

Whether the "get your flu shot" campaign is coming from the pharmaceutical company who makes billions in profit for making and selling it, or a government who spends billions in taxpayer dollars to fund the pharmaceutical industry in their pursuit of getting the vaccine out to the public asap , or the doctors, pharmacies, and wherever else they're offered profits either directly or indirectly from giving them.  No matter how you slice this onion it stinks!

So as a concerned citizen (yes that means you) it's time to wake up to the cold hard facts.  The facts that clearly show that not only are you subjecting yourself to possible anaphylaxis due to its ingredients, or the VERY REAL risk of mercury toxicity especially if you get yours yearly, but the fact is they don't even work.  Statistics show that the overwhelming majority of those who receive the vaccine (90+ %) will receive no immunity. That means they will get the flu (or not) regardless of receiving the vaccine.  And as an added bonus for all those who line up like drones (yearly), when (not if) they come down with the flu virus it will be worse and you will suffer longer!  That's what a lack of an immune system does...

So what to do you ask?

* Eat a healthy diet low in sugar and grains (glucose to the body).
* Make sure you consuming enough animal based omega-3 fatty acid
* Eat only organic pasture raised meats, eggs, and dairy.  (these are all good sources of protein, saturated fat, fat soluble vitamins, and omega-3)
* Eat only organic vegetables.
* Eat plenty of homemade unpasteurized fermented foods.
* Exercise regularly.
* Get plenty of sun (vitamin D)
* Make sure your consuming enough vitamin C (and your probably not)
* Avoid pharmaceuticals (Rx or over the counter)

You can do it! 

Be healthy in 2013

Let me kick off the new year with a shout out to Ethel Hoover, a nurse (former nurse) at an Indiana hospital, who was fired for refusing a flu shot.  I am deeply sorry that she was ultimately let go by her employer but...

GOOD FOR HER!

...for refusing to let our failing medical industry, government, and employers tell us what we should or should not do when it comes to our bodies and our health.  (see story here)

News flash people, the flu shot does NOT prevent the flu and in fact research shows (of course not the research anyone who profits from selling this profitable propaganda wants you to see) that those who take a flu shot are more likely to be susceptible to other strains of the flu with more severe symptoms.

If you want to prevent getting the flu (or any other illness for that matter) then you have to build and maintain a healthy immune system.  This cannot be done with a pill or shot or Rx of any kind.

Instead can only be obtained through  a healthy diet low in sugar and grains (glucose to the body).  One that promotes normal insulin response, a strong colony of healthy bacteria (healthy gut), and inhibits inflammation. 

Contrary to what the medical community (most doctors) as well as those that profit from our failing food system which is any company profiting from the factory farming industry (this includes drug companies and pharmaceutical companies) would like you to believe, a healthy diet is NOT one consisting of whole grains and low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Our bodies need 'pastured' animal protein, animal fat (saturated fat) as well as fat soluble vitamins in order to run efficiently. 

• This means stop with the egg whites and eat the yokes too!  (Organic Pastured Eggs)
• This means stop eating that widely promoted whole grain breakfast and replace it with pastured eggs and bacon from pastured pork.  (It's actually good for you!)
• Stop avoiding "red meat" and replacing it with turkey this and tofu that... Put meat (red and white) back into your diet, just make sure it's of the organic pastured variety.
• Significantly cut down on processed foods, high in sugar and chemicals, and replace it with real homemade meals.
• Start incorporating fermented foods into your diet so you can build up and maintain a healthy gut (immune system).
•  Avoid all non-organic GMO products!  And any company that supports them for that matter!
• Stop listening to your doctor who most likely profits (in one way or another) from the pharmaceutical industry and take your health and that of your family's into your own hands.
• Look for a more natural and alternative approach to health and wellness. 
• Question everything considered "mainstream" and "the norm"

Be smart in 2013 and educate yourself on what it really means to be healthy!