Prop 37, Alkaline Water and Doctored

It was very hard for me to see the outcome of Prop 37 in California for several reasons.  Take a look at this article about how GMO's are responsible for the dramatic increase of gluten sensitivity as well as many other conditions not mentioned here. The fact that Prop 37 was defeated emphasized the fact that if an organization is powerful enough, they can fix an election.  This wasn't a proposition to outlaw GMO's, just to label them.  Those who spoke against Prop 37 had the audacity to say that these foods are safe.  If that is the case, why are so many countries outlawing GMO's?  Why hide the fact that certain foods contain GMO's?   The big power players pumped millions into spreading lies that labeling these foods would increase the cost of GMO foods.  Does it cost more to label something that contains bananas? oranges?  Yet, somehow they managed to pull it off.  The bright side of this issue is that the campaign process brought far more awareness to the topic.  So much so that high profile celebs and corporations are beginning to speak out against them.  Last I checked, we still have the ability to choose what to buy.  Jeffrey Smith, Founder of the Institute of Responsible Technology has fantastic tips and a non GMO shopping guide that you can download to your computer or phone to help you make the non GMO choice.

In response to my post "The Importance Of Drinking Pure Water" one of my readers sent me this clip on Kangen water. Thank you, Bill.  Raw food enthusiast, Canadian bodybuilding champ Wade Lightheart uses and promotes Kangen water as an integral part of his diet.  Like I said before, if I had thousands to spare, I would be tempted to get one.  I enjoyed Bill's Facebook page on healthful tips- check it out here.  I personally have not tried alkaline water from an ionizer and will not take a stance for or against it.  Your call, folks.  If you are looking for a low cost alternative, consider pH drops.

I just recently saw a documentary that was very good.  So many are coming out these days!  This information covers a topic that alternative therapists have known all along.  The medical establishment has had it out for the demise of non-medical therapies for a very long time, a fight that continues on to this day.  The infamous Morris Fishbein, was a relentless adversary to Harry Hoxsey, a man who provided an alternative effective treatment for skin cancer.  Fishbein was also the face of the A.M.A. from 1924-1950 and went after any therapy that would threaten the highly lucrative, financial monopoly on healing.  He is featured in this film.  Today chiropractic is widely accepted as a mainstream therapy.  It hasn't always been so.  I remember when chiropractic was a fringe therapy.  Please take the time to watch this excellent film, "Doctored."

You know how the routine goes with a doctor's visit.  You go, you get tested, you get a prescription and you see your doctor for all of ten minutes!  Cured!  Trouble is, when it comes to chronic conditions, I don't believe that drugs can cure anything.  They mask symptoms but the sickness is still there.  The original cause of the illness is never removed.  So what do you do when you want to get to the root cause of a sickness?  Who do you see?  I contacted Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine and these are the resources they gave me.  The first is www.holisticmedicine.org  and the second Dr. McDougall's list of physicians.  Many thanks PCRM!  I also highly recommend very well informed nutritionist Michelle Ross. 

Enjoy the Journey!

Reflections on Thanksgiving

It is black Friday and I have absolutely no desire to brave the crowds at the shopping centers. So I decided to just relax at my parents' home in Boston.  I received a call from my sister Amy this morning.  When we are separated for the holiday, we always compare notes on how we spent the holiday, what foods we prepared and who came as our guests.  We have adapted our menu over the years since we were children.  Almost two decades ago, after I made the dietary switch, my sisters and parents also chose vegetarianism.  Our Thanksgiving meals have been no less delicious, I must say.  We prepare all the traditional fixings from scratch - sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, everything sans the bird.  In lieu of the turkey we have had various replacements.  My sister has become very adept at using TVP (texturized vegetable protein) and makes a killer Peruvian pascualina that knocks anybody's socks off.  It has been a wonderful challenge to make it just as appealing as when we had the bird.  Amy and I also talked about how certain dishes have to be prepared just so.  I just can't do raw food on Thanksgiving. I'm a stickler on this holiday, nothing but traditional fair will do.  This has made this holiday particularly poignant for us because aside from changing ingredients, we have experienced a major difference this year.  My sister Sallie, the one who lived in Puerto Rico, has relocated to Argentina.  True to our custom, we talked about the menu via Skype.  The town my sister lives in does not have access to many of the ingredients necessary for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  So she prepared the best meal she could and gave thanks anyway.  As always we will continue to adapt and tweak the ingredients and recipes, be they gluten free or vegetarian.  Year to year, the food changes and yet it stays the same.  We recognize that this holiday goes beyond the palate to a much deeper significance.  As the years go by and even though we are separated by many miles, we pause for a moment, united in spirit... and still give thanks.

The Importance of Drinking Pure Water

It is taking every ounce of me not to blog on the outcome of Prop 37 in California.  I think I need a little time to cool off on that topic before I begin writing about it.  What better topic than the one I promised you!  Drinking pure water. We all know we need to drink water.  Reading up on the reasons why, however, can help to reinforce the habit.  I'm sure you've read that adults need to drink eight glasses of water daily.  We should rephrase that to at least eight glasses of water.  Our bodies are primarily made up of 70% water which naturally means that the majority of our bodily functions require water to work effectively.  For many Americans, drinking water can be a chore.  They would rather pick up a can of soda or drink coffee.  I believe that drinking water is critical for both detoxifying and hydrating the body.  Sodas and coffee are not capable of properly hydrating the body and can hinder optimal health.

Here are just a few benefits:

Water is helpful for weight loss.

If someone is not properly hydrated, their body will seek ways to maintain water in an act of self preservation.  In other words, they will become bloated.  Instead of taking diuretics, the better solution would be to drink more water.  Once the body receives the amount of water it needs, it will let go of excess water.  Drastically minimizing your consumption of sugar will also allow your body to let go of water. When someone is seeking to lose weight by exercise and diet modification, the vehicle by which the body eliminates the excess fat is by water and urination.

Drinking water helps to flush out toxins.

Our bodies are constantly trying maintain wellness, despite how we may abuse them.  Water helps to flush out the toxins that we are exposed to.  Drinking a glass of lemon water every morning first thing will help your liver to flush out toxins.  Water dilutes toxins and bacteria we may have in our bodies and helps to protect the surrounding tissues as it (along with some white blood cells) escorts them out of the body.

Drinking water helps to lubricate and increase effectiveness of our organs.

Have you ever had a dehydration headache?  Awful!  It doesn't take much time without water before your organs begin to protest.  Every single organ, tissue and fluid in your body needs lubrication.  Water helps to regulate the viscosity of your blood, decreasing your chances of having a heart attack.  Water helps with cognitive functions.  When your synapses are firing away, they'll have an easier time if they are shooting smoothly rather than in a dehydrated environment.  Fine facial lines that begin to show up as we age are sometimes a sign of dehydration.  (They may disappear if you are well hydrated).  Water aids proper kidney function, helping to prevent stones from developing.  Also, drinking plenty of water helps maintain normal bowel function.

Water is the optimal drink for aiding athletic performance.  

It drives me a little crazy when I see sports drinks touted as better for athletic performance than water.  Are you kidding me?  Have you read the ingredients list?  Red flags anyone?  If you are seeking to replenish lost electrolytes and minerals, do yourself a favor, forgo the toxic neon colored drinks  and drink coconut water instead.

Folks, I feel like I'm preaching to the choir, everyone knows that drinking water is important.  But sometimes we forget the importance of drinking this all important resource of nature. There are some surprising reasons however, why you would want to skip the tap. 

Tap water tastes like metal to me.  In a pinch I have drunk some tap water, but the more I read about what's in it, it just makes my stomach turn!  Read here about all the ingredients you may be able to find in your tap water including trace amounts of pharmaceutical medications, and chemotherapy drugs that others have urinated out!  Yuck! Reading this info you could surmise that a whole house filtration system as well as a separate filtration system for drinking would be advisable.

Better options for drinking water.

There was a time when I heard that the best water to drink was distilled.  I had friends who distilled their water on a daily basis.  If you get distilled at the supermarket you will notice that it tastes funny.  Because it is empty water, it acts like a vacuum and what you are tasting is the plastic from the bottle that has leached into the water.  If you distill water be sure to store it in a glass container.  Dr. Mercola suggests forgoing distilled unless you are detoxifying.  Empty water may cause minerals to be leached from your body - you don't want that!

I drink purified water, reverse-osmosis being the primary filtering method.  I know that purifying you own water is probably best but I just have it shipped to my house by a company called Endless Waters in BPA free bottles.

The jury is still out on whether or not water ionizers are worth the investment.  One thing I have noticed in regard to the advice of various professionals I respect: although they may have much in common in their philosophies, they will disagree from time to time on specifics.  The physicians at Weimar Institute say that water ionizers are just part of money making propaganda.  Robyn Openshaw, as well as others I know personally swear by it and actually do test alkaline when drinking water from an ionizer.  Just do your own research and come up with your own conclusions.  I do agree with the Weimar doctors that you shouldn't rely solely on this water to alkalize, but should keep the focus on fruits and vegetables to do the job.  If I had thousands to spare on an ionizer, I personally would be tempted to get one.

Let's see how long I go before I tear into the Prop 37 topic! Maybe I'll cool off enough by the next time I post.  Regardless, I can't believe Thanksgiving is here again.  I feel like I'm not ready for this crazy, busy time of year.  However, It is good to reflect on all the blessings - I have so much to be thankful for.  I hope you do too!  A very warm and Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones!

 

Enjoy the Journey!

Facing Goliath- Monsanto

When most people think of GMO's or purchase their product, they don't realize how far reaching the implications are.  Many farmers lives have been destroyed by simply owning property next to another farm growing GMO crop.  In India, several farmers have committed suicide because it has destroyed their income and livelihood.  As we approach this coming election my thoughts and attention are directed to California where the fate of prop 37 hangs in the balance.  This initiative is for the labeling of GMO's in food products.  My hope is that California will pave the way for the rest of the United States. Yes, our health is affected by GMO's but the livelihood of hard working farmers is also affected if not obliterated.

Please take a time to watch this documentary, "David VS. Monsanto" which can be viewed free of charge until November 10.

What can you do?  Eat non GMO.  Post this info on your Facebook page.  Contact your friends in California and share Genetic Roulette and this documentary with them.  I'm crossing my fingers!