Along with the rest of our society I have been watching the evolution and creation of a health care system that can provide all US citizens affordable and attainable healthcare.

For the past 30 years, I have observed and experience the ups and downs of Western Medicine while comparing it to Oriental Medicine and other natural modalities.

I have many friends who are Surgeons, Cardiologists and MD’s. In 1993 at the age of 40 I chose to go back to school and add to my engineering degree and study Chinese Medicine to assist me in dealing with the most important equipment I ever managed – human beings. I received a degree in 1996.

My life experience has led me to see many things in the arena of medicine. My brother died at 44 of a heart attacks and my father lived a good life but died of pancreatic cancer at 82. I saw what lifestyle does, what prevention can and can’t do and what drugs work and what drugs kill.

Recently my questioning led me to evaluating scientific method as used in the decision making process for healing in our society. I realized something profound – “That scientific method, as it is being applied to the healing of people, is flawed”.

How could a health care system that bases itself on protocols inside a system of thinking and science that is flawed succeed? The protocols are set up by pharmaceutical companies whose first and most present need is to stay in business and make a profit. One huge flaw is that if the protocols are not followed the doctors and hospitals are subject to malpractice. This creates a fear based system that does not serve the patient but the pharmaceuticals.

There is an inherent fallacy in the system – “that science explains everything”. There are many elements that are not scientific and difficult to quantify yet help people towards their path to better health. For example- how we think, how we laugh, how we communicate, how we love. The present system also negates natural healing. The FDA regulations take methods that have worked for centuries and has restricted and controlled them to the point that those with experience and knowledge live in fear of consequences should they not follow “the imposed protocols”. Insurance companies either do not recognize natural healing or greatly limit and recognize the validity of their use.

Please understand this citizen’s opinion in whole. I do not believe all the protocol is bad – the existing protocol is just incomplete.

I have come up with a few suggestions that I believe would help reduce the cost of our healthcare system, provide better quality choices for people, provide affordable health care for more and actually create a healthier society.

These are my suggestion:

1. That the ban on health claims for natural remedies be changed to allow companies to make claims without having to spend millions upon millions of dollars to get approval from the FDA. Their claims would include disclaimers as to the limitations of the research done. This would mean that for example if goldenseal has been found over the centuries to fight infections then the claims should be allowed on the label. If there are claims that vitamin D prevents the flu then this claim should be allowed and not restricted until a pharmaceutical “scientifically” isolates the active ingredient and patents it.
2. Practitioners of natural medicine with systems of herbs and healing protocols that help people should not have to leave the country and open websites overseas to practice. They should be allowed and have disclaimers as to the extent of their research of experience and practice here.
3. That an individual seeing a doctor, other health care practitioner or natural healing modality be given choices as to using pharmaceutical protocols, natural herb protocols, lifestyle changes and dietary approaches. A signature form would be standard and everyone would need to sign it showing that they are at choice taking the responsibility away from the doctor and thus reducing or eliminating liability. It must be simple and to the point.
4. That the massive lobbying being done by insurance companies and pharmaceuticals be stopped and replaced by the hiring of a cross section of impartial experts in all healthcare modalities and insurance to provide our decision makers with accurate and unbiased information to make proper decisions as to what is best. This could be funded by the same companies paying the lobbyist for a fraction of what is being spent presently.

I constantly hear stories from Medical Practitioners, nurses and doctors as to the fear based protocols they must follow and how they cannot be sincere with patients. This must stop. We have taken the heart and spirit out of the art of healing. Let’s put it back.

Jacob Barrocas – Sustainability Consultant

Genetically Modified Food

It’s barely been a week since I wrote about the dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods and now the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has released a strongly-worded warning about the health dangers associated with Frankenfoods.

Calling for a moratorium on GM foods, the AAEM says these foods “pose serious health risk.”

Stay away from genetically modified foods

The AAEM calls for:

• A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long-term safety testing and labeling of GM food.
• Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods.
• Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients’ disease processes.
• More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health.

Citing numerous animal studies that show that GM foods cause damage to various mammalian organ systems, “It is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of our patients and the public’s health,” said Dr. Amy Dean, AAEM board member.

Children at greatest risk from GM foods

Experts have warned that children are most likely to be adversely effected by toxins and other dietary problems related to GM foods.

Animal studies have shown that GM foods:

• Increase infant mortality
• Cause sex organ mutations
• Change DNA in emboyros of parents fed GM foods
• Cause infertility
• Cause immune system dysregulation, including increase in cytokines that are associated with asthma, allergy and inflammation
• Increase overall mortality and more

The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods: The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function.

What consumers can do

None of us should wait to for our doctors’ recommendations. Those will be a looooong time coming.

Stay away from GM foods. Fruits and vegetables that are GM will have a sticker with a five-number code that begins with “8.” Don’t buy them.

The greatest sources of GM are in foods included in processed food. In those cases, it is virtually impossible to tell what types of foods have been used. For a large number of reasons avoid processed foods.

Avoid all foods that contain soy or corn derivatives (including high fructose corn syrup), cottonseed and canola oil and sugar from sugar beets since many, if not most, will come from GM sources.

If American consumers refuse to purchase GM foods, food processors will be forced to remove all GMs from the food supply as is the case in Europe.

Read more about the GM issue and the AAEM’s warning. Educate yourself and take action.

by Kathleen Barnes

Could cancer be fungus?

There is so much controversy around how to treat cancer and it is important to admit that, as much as there are people with strong opinions, there are many possible ways to deal with cancer. My father dealt with pancreatic cancer by using a combination of Chemo and natural medicine. He lasted for 9 months. In today’s reality everyone knows someone who has died of cancer: For most of us – someone dear to us. Statistics show that one out of every three persons will get some kind of cancer. These statistics are alarming to say the least.

President Nixon declared a war on cancer in 1970. Every president since then has confirmed this war. Yet after millions and billions of dollars spent on finding a cure things do not look much better. Sounds like a holographic parallel to Iraq. J

In researching, there are numerous claims that cancer can be cured. There are people who believe that we need to protect ourselves from chemicals in our air, water and food. Some people and even scientist claim that the treatments for cancer – radiation and chemo – cause cancer. Others say it is caused by electromagnetic fields. Some claim that eating organic vegetarian diets prevents cancer. Others say that it is based on our moods and that happy people are better off than sad, angry and depressed people. The other day, our washer was broken and the repair man told me about a person north of Asheville that claimed to be treating breast cancer with 100% success by getting rid of fungus in the mouth. Who knows?

It is important to remember that there are many false claims, false accusations and false cures out there. It is also good for our spiritual and personal growth to be open to what infinite possibilities may exist in the world. In researching there where three interesting videos on YouTube I found about cures for cancer. There were many more. I found one about dealing with chemo and radiation. I could not find an article or a video that spoke about how chemo and radiation cures cancer. If you can please let me know.

I recently heard of a naturopath I have known to be reputable in the past claiming he had the cure for cancer. Billy Best claims he cured himself from cancer with natural medicine and Daniel Hause is asking the courts to allow him the right to choose his own treatment. I found a few claims for cancer cures in my research.

DCA is a compound being sold in Canada and worldwide yet not in the US. It kills cancer cells in a test tube and leaves the healthy cells alone. Dr. Michelakis from Alberta warns that the patient should be very careful if taking other drugs since the side affects of combining DCA are risky. Although Glenn Beck is a bit on the right for me usually he reports on DCA on this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR38y2I5g5E&NR=1

The claim is made that a one minute cure for cancer and other diseases exist. The u-tube video captured my attention yet did not provide me with answers. In order to get specific answers you must buy their book. Although not my style and a definite red flag, given my openness to research and the fact that I have friends dealing with stage 4 cancers, my curiosity had me order the book. I will definitely update this article as soon as I get the book to review. If you want watch the video and judge for yourself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3bAl9lSHg0&feature=related

A few weeks ago the appliance repair person who came to my house mentioned a doctor near Asheville that was curing breast cancer by dealing with it as a fungus. I found “Cancer is a fungus” by Dr. Simoncini. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQuODiMlUsc . I was left with a simple question – Is the evidence of white imply a fungus that causes cancer? In Chinese medicine a white coating on the tongue is excess damp in the body. The claim for a cancer cure appears to give optimism yet is it valid?

The most useful information I found was “Super Cure for Cancer, a great easy guide to overcome cancer and its tough treatment”. This video documents and shows how lifestyle and diet can significantly improve survival and reduce symptoms. I recommend you watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QS1LgqdP3E

Today, I was part of a radio interview with Dr. Stewart Lonky on the Frankie Boyer Show. His book Invisible Killers explains how toxins are affecting our health. He spoke about how his Medical Doctor associates are starting to see alarming rates of cancer and other diseases that are being correlated with environmental factors.

Maybe it’s hype – maybe it’s miracles in existence that are being marketed away from us by big money. Have your own perspective. Make your own conclusions. Take ownership of your free will.

For me, I am an idealistic optimist and believer in people. I have been accused of being naive to think that everyone has good intentions. Yet in my life I have personally known and socialized with MD’s, Acupuncturists, Naturopaths, Oncologists, Surgeons, Energy Healers and Pharmacists that all cared about their patients and wanted what was best for them. They all believed in what they were doing. This is not a conversation about right or wrong or accusing anyone of trying to hurt someone. That type of conflict and attitude will just keep us all sick – physically and emotionally. What we need is common ground and I believe that the caring is it.

The issues as I see them are “CHOICE” and “FREEDOM”. To heal, we must have free choice and access to information that gives us that choice. As much as conspiracy theorist say choices are being taken away, when I research, I find more and more information available to help me make choices. The internet gives each of us an endless access to information we could not dream of even 5 years ago. There are endless books available in book stores. I find immense caring from all medical practitioners including the herbalist I know and the doctor who gave my father chemo. They all care.

Is there a cure for cancer? I assume that somewhere in time the answer is yes. Maybe it’s here already. If it is in our destiny to heal, then for me it’s diet, lifestyle, belief, environment and a lack of fear. My suggestion is that while you wait and look for cures the thing to do is to:

• Be realistic
• Be an idealist
• Be open and flexible
• Be responsible
• Listen to your gut
• Listen to people who are educated and credentialed
• Take time to question. If someone gets defensive at your questions – I would assume that as a red flag.

When it comes to cures, the biggest thing that stands out for me is spiritual teachings around who we are and what works. Years ago I had two separate teachings that helped me heal and cope in my life. In 1981 Bo In Lee, from the Mahayana Yoga Center near Boston, explained to me that the one thing healthy people he knew had in common was laughter. Another special teacher explained to me that the root of all healing comes from the context and awareness that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience – - – - and what an experience it is.

Jacob Barrocas, Sustainability Consultant
www.ConsultITGreen.com

Alternative Flu Treatments

Through history different cultures have approached ailments and symptoms of malice with natural elements found in nature. Nature has been the benchmark for what to do when people were out of balance. The most common forms of natural medicine considered by people are:

• Chinese Medicine
  Originated thousands of years ago through meticulous observation of nature, the cosmos, and the human body.    http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/Chinese-medicine.html

• Ayurveda
  A form of healing practiced in India for 5000 years. It considers five elements and is based on the principles that humans are microcosmic representations of the entire universe and that health is the natural end of living in harmony with the environment.   http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Hindu+medicine

• Native American
  Native American medicine is based on widely held beliefs about healthy living, the repercussions of disease-producing behavior, and the spiritual principles that restore balance.
  www.healingtherapies.info/Native-American%20Medicine.htm
  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0005/ai_2603000543/

• Homeopathy
  Is a system of medicine whose fundamental principle is the law of similars—that like is cured by like. http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/reference/homeopat/homeopathy?invocationType=redirect&flv=1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy

• Naturopathic
  An alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the body’s  ability to heal and maintain itself
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopathic_medicine
  http://www.aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine.php

• Herbal Medicine
  A practice that has existed since prehistoric times and used by 80% of the worlds population. It uses natural plant substances to treat and prevent illness
  http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/reference/herbalm/herbal_medicine?invocationType=redirect&flv=1

Looking over some of these age proven practices a normal person may wonder how it has stood the test of time. Could it be that maybe it actually works from time to time? I have been told by Allopathic doctors (better known as MD’s) that herbal remedies are not as good as pharmaceutical drugs because drug companies find the “active” ingredient in the natural remedies, isolate them, test them, get them approved by the FDA, get the AMA to agree to using it and then proceed to determine the proper dosages that will work on everyone with “the disease”.

Alternatively, in speaking with a variety of practitioners that use natural remedies, their treatments are tailored to the individual and dosages are kept to a safe level to avoid complications. In principle every patient gets treated differently based on their specific symptoms.

Gary Null’s research implies that people are dying in the tens of thousands from adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs. http://www.scribd.com/doc/8109091/Death-By-Medicine-Gary-Null-The-Dangers-Of-Allopathy

It is difficult to find cases of people dying from adverse reactions to natural remedies. It is important to be aware of where you are getting your remedies and who is advising you. For example, over the years, there have been many cases of patent Chinese remedies that were found to be contaminated with pharmaceutical drugs.

Another caution is to be careful if you are taking prescription drugs and combining it with natural remedies. Some of the complications can be detrimental to your health.

In speaking with practitioners of natural medicines there are numerous suggestions as to how to deal with the symptoms of Influenza or the Flu. Below are some of those suggestions. Should you choose to try any of these it is highly advised again that you confer with your physician to monitor your progress.

How to avoid catching flu

• As a prevention – maintain a healthy immune system
• Regular bowel movements- at least once a day
• Colon cleanse
• Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, grains and beans
• Eat plenty of berries
• Reduce or eliminate all heavily processed food and junk food
• Reduce or eliminate processed sugar products
• Drink plenty of clean water at room temperature
• Reduce or eliminate caffeine
• Get regular moderate exercise
• Eliminate factors in your life that cause fear. Best cure – understanding and communication.
• Use supplements to keep immune system strong:
• Garlic, probiotics, Echinacea, zinc, ginger, vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin D
• Take time to consciously breath
• Use natural cleaning products
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
• Good hygiene
• Do a random act of kindness
• Laugh a lot

Treating the symptoms of flu with natural remedies

• Natural  antimicrobials [kills harmful bacteria, yeast, fungus, virus]

• Silver Solutions
  - Excess use could cause Argyria or turning skin blue
  - Mesosilver is the best then silverhydrosols

• Olive Leaf Extract http://www.olivus.com/

• Combinations of Chinese herbs by a qualified practitioner can be helpful

• Oil of Oregano http://www.homeremediesweb.com/oil_of_oregano_health_benefits.php

• Vitamin therapy

Remember to be careful with your body. Although natural remedies can work, it is important to monitor your health by conferring with your physician. Take the following into account if you’re sick:

• Vomiting, fever and diarrhea can lead to dehydration which could be fatal if not dealt with on a timely basis.
• A High Fever can cause organ and brain damage and can also be fatal
• Sinus and lung congestion can lead to more serious pneumonia and restricted breathing which could be fatal if not dealt with.

A simple warning to those who are frozen by fear generated by listening non stop to the media: Fear can really hurt your immune system.

In Chinese Medicine, Fear damages the Kidneys, Sadness the Lungs, too much thinking digestion and Anger the Liver. We need all those organs and systems to function optimally in order to heal. Trusting in yourself or something bigger than all of us can help overcome the fear and frenzy. This trust is called Faith by some.

The Swine Flu has been showing up in humans since 1976 when more than 200 cases occurred with some people having serious illness and one person dying. In 1988 a pregnant woman contracted the Flu and died.

Swine influenza is actually a disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses referred to as H1N1. This is a regular occurrence in pigs and does not normally show up in humans. In the past, human cases of swine flu have occurred in people who are around pigs.

As of April 29, 2009 – 50 cases have been reported in California and Texas, 6 in Canada, 11 in Mew Zealand, 2 in the UK 1 in Israel and 1 in Spain with no deaths in any of these countries. The biggest concern is Mexico where 152 deaths have been reported [although the WHO only reports 7] and 1600 suspected cases.

The issue that has some health officials concerned is that the virus is made up of genetic elements of four different flu viruses [a combination of swine, human and avian influenza] making it very difficult to make a vaccine that would work. It is unlikely that the current vaccine would work.

It is important to know four things. What the symptoms are, how it may be spreading, how to treat it and most importantly how to prevent it.

The Symptoms of swine flu

The symptoms are similar to human seasonal influenza which includes:

• Fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, lethargy, coughing, runny nose, lack of appetite, and diarrhea
• In Adults: shortness of breath, pain or pressure in chest or abdomen, confusion
• In children: Fast breathing, bluish skin color, not waking or interacting, irritability, lack of desire for fluids.
• Complications can include:  Pneumonia, Bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections and even death

How does swine flu get spread?

Although the health authorities are not sure of how this outbreak is spreading, the following are typical ways viruses are spread:

• touching infected things
• coughing
• kissing
• sneezing
• touching orifices with infected hands

How to treat swine flu

There are various ways to treat the Swine Flu once contracted – they vary from pharmaceutical drugs to natural remedies. Below are a few of the possible treatments…

Treating swine flue with pharmaceuticals:

• Antiviral drugs  – work well if started within two days of symptoms
• Oseltamivir
• Zanamivir

Treating swine flu with natural immune remedies

• Research or see a Naturopath Physician
• There are many natural remedies that make great claims. Although some may work, be responsible and monitor your progress by conferring with your physician.

Treating swine flu with  homeopathic remedies

• See a specialist in Homeopathic remedies. This is a proven science that requires knowledge and experience.

[Note: If you suspect you have swine flu follow the advice of your physician. This article is meant to give you information only. Working with an experienced physician will assist you greatly in your recovery.]

How to avoid contracting swine flu

At a lecture on natural medicine a speaker spoke about environments in which viruses and bacteria grow and flourish the best. The conclusion was – a damp, warm, dark and slow moving environment. He followed by explaining that what we ate and the amount of activity we performed determined the internal environment of our bodies.

If you had a wet damp corner in your basement with no air circulation you would most likely end up with all kinds of growth. What if our bodies worked the same way? This was one of the best analogies I have ever heard.

Some simple recommendations to boost your immune system and avoid illnesses like Swine flu

• Follow common sense hygiene such as washing your hand regularly, being careful in public places and restaurants, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and avoid contact with sick people.Use immune boosting products to boost your immune system
• Eat a clean healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans
• Chew your food well, eat slowly and consciously
• Limit your consumption of processed foods, junk food, sugar and dairy
• Eat a variety of grains such as millet, brown rice and quinoa. Wheat or bread is eaten to excess in our society and is believed to cause stagnation and excess damp in the body
• There are many nutritious condiments and products that can help you such as Garlic, Probiotics, Echinacea, Zinc, Ginger, Many others – research further and read about them
• Move and use your body. Regular moderate exercise such as stretching, walking, bicycling and light weights helps maintain a healthy immune system
• Remember to breath. Breathing is important to maintain a healthy system. Many of us tend to breath shallow and unconsciously. Take time to inhale and exhale and observe how you fell. Become aware of the quality of the air you are breathing also

In Conclusion

Make sure to put things in perspective. Remember that fear is our biggest enemy. Take care of yourself by being informed and ready to act responsibly. Be wise in your choices. Read and listens to the news and media with open ears and eyes. Stay healthy and be happy. Some say that laughter is our biggest cure for all that ails us.

Take a look at that luscious, juicy mango on your plate. Your mouth is no doubt watering as you anticipate digging into its sweet ripeness.

But the sweetness of that mango or clementine or strawberry starts to sour a bit when you consider the environmental cost of growing the crop and transporting it to your doorstep.

There have been hardy types who have vowed for health and environmental reasons to restrict their diets to food produced within 100 miles (roughly 166 km) of their homes. Most of them have found this was incredibly difficult and that required a great deal of sacrifice.

What has become commonly known as the 100-mile pledge might be impossible in Vancouver if you want to cook with extra virgin olive oil or you’re craving wild-caught salmon in Saskatoon or oranges when you live in Quebec. And forget about grains entirely if you live in BC. They’re just not grown there.

We’re not talking about Ho-Hos or Ding-Dongs or Tostitos here. We’re talking about real food: apples, potatoes, beef, carrots, onions and lettuce.

Consumers are increasingly asking not only how their food was grown but where it comes from.

Of course, labeling will usually tell you about produce, but not necessarily about meat and dairy products.

If your supermarket isn’t labeling foods so you know what is local, an easy first step would be asking the manager to do so, suggests Greg Horn, author of Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability (Freedom Press, 2006 – see below)

Regardless of the difficulty of the 100-mile pledge today, it’s still a goal worth striving for. “In the long term,” says Living Green author Horn, “We need to support local agriculture, encourage local farmers and make sure there is a thriving market for their products.”

It stands to reason that food produced near your home will maintain its nutritional value better than that orange that travelled 8,000 km in the dead of winter.

But think about the carbon footprint of that pineapple from Hawaii or that burger from Argentina.

Greenhouse gas emissions from food distribution

In 2005, the Region of Waterloo (Ontario) Public Health released some sobering statistics about the real cost of our food.

“The imports of 58 commonly eaten foods travel an average of 4,497 km to Waterloo Region,” says the report compiled by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. “These imports account for 51,709 tonnes of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions annually, contributing to climate change and air quality, which both have an effect on human health.”

More importantly, the Waterloo report includes only foods that can be grown in that region, making the environmental impact even more devastating. The scientists estimated that switching from imports to locally produced foods could save nearly 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the truck that bring the foods from faraway producers. That savings would be the equivalent of taking 16,191 cars off the road.

The biggest culprit? Beef, far and away. The average burger or steak travels 5,770 kilometers to get to Waterloo’s tables.

You might say, “But I’m a vegetarian. Surely the cost of my pears wouldn’t be as high as that!”

You’d be right, but the cost is still enormous. Your pear has traveled more than 6,000 km to get to your table and the annual greenhouse gas emissions to get it there were the equivalent of removing 1,641 cars from the road, 561 times more than if you’d bought a locally produced fruit that would have more nutrients and probably ripened longer on the tree.

Speaking of vegetarian diets, the environmental impact of meat production in terms of water and land usage far exceeds “cost” of vegetable protein production. It takes about ten grams of grain to produce one gram of meat and requires about 26 times the amount of water.

Carbon footprint of your burger

Dutch research shows that, in general, the carbon footprint of your beef burger is about 25 times that of a soy burger, but there are some variables that may balance out the equation.

When you take into account the long distance air transport, deep freezing and horticultural practices, “Long-distance transported vegetarian foods may actually have a bigger carbon footprint than locally-produced organic beef,” says the Dutch study author, Lucas Reijnders of the University of Amsterdam.

Food miles have finally found place on the sustainable living radar screen. You can do you part, not only by buying local, but by choosing foods that have lighter impact and smaller carbon footprints.

You can find an excellent food miles calculator for foods imported to Canada and transported within the country at: http://www.lifecyclesproject.ca/initiatives/food_directory/

There are some who would say that food miles are an oversimplification and remind us to take into account agricultural practices in other countries, efficiency of transportation, etc. One New Zealand study claims that sustainable farming techniques make lamb produced in New Zealand environmentally cheaper than locally grown British lamb, even taking into consideration the 18,000 kilometer transport.

“My advice to people is to get started somehow,” says Horn. “It’s a continuum of steps between doing nothing and moving onto an organic farm and producing all your food yourself. Neither is very practical in my minds. The best advice is to arm yourself with information and do what you can to make the right choices.”

The real environmental cost of that Beef Burger

The real cost of importing beef to the Waterloo, Ont. Region:

Those imported burgers come from as far away as Argentina and New Zealand.

Transporting them to Ontario produces annual greenhouse gasses (GHG) of 15,729 tonnes. This is the equivalent of the pollutants emitted by 5,146 cars, 667 times the carbon footprint of locally produced beef.

Kathleen Barnes, the author of this article, is author or editor of 13 books, most of them on natural health and sustainable living. She is also president of Take Charge Books, she produces teleseminars, and is an avid blogger and Twitterer. Find her at www.kathleenbarnes.com

For more than 60 years, the natural treatments originally prescribed by Dr Max Gerson have been helping thousands of people not only prevent chronic illness, but also treating and helping patients recover from the likes of cancer, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. Now looked after by his daghter, the Gerson Institute offers therapies for patients, and training programs for licensed professionals.

Based on a natural program of organic vegetarian food, juices, detoxification and supplements, the program has helped thousands of people recover from so called ‘incurable diseases’ such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Through super doses of enzymes and nutrients, and enemas to detoxify the liver, the program helps the body break down and cleanse diseased tissue leading to recovery.

They have a great website here with lots of details and more information.

When was the last time you paid $2 for a 16 oz bottle of water? That comes to $32 a gallon – much more than what anyone is paying for gasoline anywhere in the world.

Yet our tap water is still very affordable when it is available and although some areas may lack availability of clean water, water-lines or the equivalent of gas lines has not been experienced by industrialized economies.

There are many experts that believe that water resources are dwindling. Unlike oil, which is important but not absolutely necessary for survival, life on earth can survive for a very short time without water. Along with needing water for our survival, it is also needed for energy and for maintaining climate equilibrium.

There are many ways to save water and become more responsible. For more information go to: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/learn/news/pour-water-conservation

Years ago while traveling I sat next to an employee from the state of Florida’s EPA. Her comment to me was that the water supply was so contaminated from drugs that people flush down the toilet both in their waste and discarded drugs.

She explained how she and her associates had been instructed to not speak or report this due to the fear of how people would react. Yet we cannot help to react to dangerous levels of drugs in our water supply. It affects our health.

For more information go to: http://www.naturalnews.com/025415.html