Kale, More Health Food Stores in Europe And A Post By Kimberly Snyder

Have you heard the commotion over kale?  I have been warned to limit the kale I put in my smoothies because of the harmful effects on the thyroid.  I really didn't have any opinion on the topic when I was given the firm admonition but I was definitely intrigued.  I generally try to rotate the greens I put into my smoothies and think that everyone should.  I believe any good thing in excess can be potentially harmful, but I was curious to know if there were any differing opinions.  I have recently seen some interesting opposition. Green Smoothie Girl, Robyn Openshaw has an article worth reading.  Here is one by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.  Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder also posted a good article.  A good rule of thumb to follow in eating plant foods is to try to include as many colors as the rainbow.  Colorful is always key.  Try the odd vegetable that you aren't used to eating much.  This requires for me to do a little homework.  I picked up some watercress and I didn't really know what to do with it so I got online and looked up some watercress salad recipes.  I have to admit that I haven't had the salad twice but I'm willing to try it again with a different recipe.  After reading the articles in this post, the concern that kale can affect thyroid function is bunk to me.  I will not in any way curtail my consumption of it because it tops the list of the most nutrient dense foods.

More Health Food Stores in Europe

I had intended to give a more thorough list of health food stores in Europe but found the task daunting, especially with the language barrier.  I met a sweet Adventist lady in Italy who graciously agreed to email me some at a later date.  Here are the sources she provided.  Here is one in Torre Pelice, a town located in the Italian Alps.  This is a chain of stores located in France.  Here is another chain based in France with one store that is close in proximity to Geneva, Switzerland.  Thank you so much Danielle!  (I honestly regret not knowing more languages!  I could have had more success with providing a better list if I did!)

A post by Kimberly Snyder

My last post was on colon health.  I read this post by Kimberly Snyder and thought it was very good although the title made me chuckle.  Skin is skin is skin and everyone should try to avoid chemicals in body care products whether a man or a woman.  But the sight of a man with cucumber slices on his eyes was a little funny to me.  Sorry!  What I wanted to point out is that at the bottom of tip #5, one of her recommendations was to have a colon cleanse. An unhealthy colon can affect so many areas of the body, including your skin.  I generally believe that colonics are helpful in reversing cancer, detoxification and other major disorders, but in this article, Kimberly recommends it to improve appearance.  Not a bad idea if you ask me.  Don't forget, you can always use herbs (taken orally) to cleanse the colon.

Spring is just weeks away!

We are digging our way out of the snow here in Maryland.  I get cabin fever easily but found the sunshine to be so uplifting today.  I put on my boots  and went for my daily walk with my dog and completely reveled in it. The birds were singing and I saw my first robin of the season.  It doesn't take much for me to feel like I'm walking on clouds.  Just give me a little sunshine and the beauty of nature and I'm flying!

Have a great day!

Audrey Hepburn and the Importance of Colon Health

 My all time favorite actress is none other than the incomparable Audrey Hepburn.  She is one of those timeless individuals that transcends culture, generational style and fad with her inimitable presence.  If truth be told, if I could choose my looks, I would look like Audrey.  I find her to be along the same ranks as Nefertiti and Helen of Troy.  Audrey has drawn countless admirers with her childlike innocence and captivating doe eyes.  She was different from her contemporaries.  Far from voluptuous, her long and lithe figure was more comparable to that of a ballerina, a fact that she bemoaned calling herself,"skinny" and "flat chested".  No matter, men melted at the sight of her.  Several who knew her personally fell helplessly in love with her.  And oh those clothes!  She forged a friendship with legendary couturier Hubert de Givenchy.  What a partnership!  She was the perfect canvas for him to create such lovely style.  Who can forget those yards of fabric, kitten heels, pill box hats or the forever striking little black dress?  To top all this off, she sought to cultivate a loveliness of character and was most beautiful on the inside!  My kids roll their eyes every time I watch a Hepburn film.  I can't help it!  I just love them!  Funny face, Sabrina and My Fair Lady are among my favorites.  Audrey died of colon cancer.  A condition that is so preventable and sadly is all to common here in the United States.  What do you do if you want to prevent it?

Detoxification should begin in the colon

Doing a detox has become a bit of a fad.  I am not minimizing their importance by any means but I believe that before embarking on any detox program, the first area of the body that should be cleansed is the colon.  Americans are number one in having the poorest digestive systems in the world.  This is as a result of eating fiberless food such as meat, white flour and processed, chemical laden food.  Food passes through the colon at a much slower rate than in other healthier cultures.   Having a bowel movement every other day, every two or three days is not uncommon here in the States.  What happens when one switches to whole, fiber rich plant based diet?  Bowel movements become more frequent.  People from healthy cultures who eat a  plant based diet report having bowel movements between two and three times a day.  A far cry from the reality of that exists amongst Americans.

So what do you do?  Eat plant foods in as close to a natural state as possible.  What if you want faster results?  Do a bowel cleanse.  I think people imagine sticking something up, "where the sun don't shine" in order to cleanse their colons but it is much easier than that when you choose to use herbs.  So why is it important to cleanse the colon?  The colon does not exist within a vaccuum.  It touches so many other organs of the body.  Imagine a colon that is sluggish with fecal matter that slowly passes through.  The toxicity in the colon will seep out and affect other areas of the body.  Clean the colon out and suddenly certain ailments will disappear.  After a colon cleanse, people have reported flatter tummies, clearer skin, migraines gone etc.   Once you clean out the colon, then you can focus on any detox program you may want to try. I recommend Danny Vierra's  or Dr. Schulze' intestinal detoxification programs.

To sign off I wanted to share this brief clip on "Audrey Style"
or this more lengthy documentary for any of you Audrey fans out there. I so enjoy anything, "Audrey!"

Have a great day!

NEW YEAR? NEWSTART!

Update I'm getting busier with work and unfortunately my blogging is falling by the wayside.  So sorry.  I'm juggling a little more these days.

I wanted to let you know about an online nutrition summit with some fantastic guests.  The Future of Nutrition Conference will take place January 27 to 31.  It's sure to be good so don't miss it!

New Year?  New Start!

I have never been one to make a new year's resolution.  I don't like them.  For one, they come around far too infrequently for one to decide to make a change to better one's self.  Another reason is because most people who make them, fail.   I believe that everyday should be an opportunity to improve our lives.  Being that it is the popular thing to do, to make a resolution that is, I thought I would share something I never have.  When I started this blog, I told my husband, "I want to start a blog on the eight natural remedies."  So in the subsequent years, I have covered every topic that is included in the "eight natural remedies."  What I haven't done is share them all at the same time in one post.  What are the eight natural remedies?  This phrase is familiar among Adventists.  Adventists are protestant Christians who started the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the 1800s which are known for being the longest lived culture of the United States.  So in essence, these remedies are our prescription for a long and healthy life.

I have mentioned Adventist Hospitals in this blog.  Yes, we have them and they are very necessary but my heart has a soft spot for the lesser known Adventist clinics and wellness facilities that are fewer and further between.   I love these lesser known centers for health and healing because they  instruct people how to improve their health by implementing simple, affordable habits to achieve a disease free life.  These are the names of the wellness centers that I am familiar with:  Weimar Institute, Wildwood, Uchee Pines Institute, Black Hills and Hartland.  There are more that are unofficial run by individuals who are skilled and knowledgeable about healing using natural methods.  Danny Vierra's Bella Vita is one of these locations.  Several of these places have acronyms to help people remember what these 8 natural remedies are.  The one I know the best is the one by Weimar Institute, NEWSTART.

N- Nutrition

What is recommended is a plant based diet, preferably a vegan diet.   I personally would like to add that one can be vegan and still eat terribly wrong.  One should strive to eat as much fresh, organic, unprocessed  food as possible.  Aiming for at least 75% raw would be ideal.  The remaining should be cooked from scratch.  Seek to eat foods with as many varied colors as the rainbow.

E-Exercise

Exercise is so important.  Unfortunately it seems that it is such a drudgery for so many.  Find something you enjoy doing.  Yes, walking absolutely does count.  Seek to have a 30 minute cardio workout three to five days a week.  Strength training helps to maintain healthy bones and also helps to sculpt and shape the physique.  Exercise also helps to keep one younger and mentally sharper with aging. 

W-Water

Sodas, coffee, juice and other beverages do not and should not take the place of water.  Our bodies are made of approximately 70% water and we need at least 6 to 8 glasses a day to help lubricate it.  Water helps every function of the body to run more smoothly from helping the liver detoxify to thinning our blood easing the heart's burden of pumping it throughout the body.

S-Sunshine

The sun is not the enemy!  I go a little crazy every time I hear about the harmful effects of the sun.  The truth is, most people are vitamin D deficient which increases one susceptibility to the common cold and to cancer.  Do you want to boost your body's immune system, sleep better, stay younger and feel happier?  Then get out into the sun!

How to expose yourself to the sun:

1. Morning or late afternoon exposure is the best.  If you have midday exposure, you will need much less time to get the vitamin D that you need.  Lighter skin requires less time and darker skin requires more time.  When you skin achieves the lightest shade of pink, you have met your requirement for the day.
2.  Increase your body's resistance to burning by saturating your skin with phytonutrients found in raw food.  Drink fresh juices and green smoothies, eat sprouts and lots of fruits and vegetables.  This is what keeps your skin healthier and creates a resistance to burning.
3. Use safe sunscreens.  I cringe every time I see people slather on sun screens like they are doing themselves a favor.  Most on the market are tainted with cancer causing chemicals that are only increasing their chance of getting cancer!  Find better sunscreens that are devoid of these chemicals.  Look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as a key ingredient in better sunscreens.
4. Avoid burning and overexposure
Burning plus a body that isn't well nourished is the recipe that will create skin cancer.  Vitamin D helps to keep a body young but overexposure to the sun can cause photo aging of the skin.  Everything in moderation folks!

T-Temperance 

For Adventists this means moderation in all things that are good and complete avoidance on all things that are bad.  The list includes alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs and caffeine.  I personally would like to add pharmaceutical medications.  Sometimes the latter cannot be avoided such as in emergencies but if a health problem can be overcome by diet and herbs, why tax the body with harmful chemicals?

A-Air

Get fresh air!  There is something about being outside that does something so good for me.  I need to walk or run in the sun everyday even in ice or snow or else I cannot sleep well and am more susceptible to succumbing to a melancholic state of mind.  I love walking in the woods and breathing fresh ionized oxygen.  Gives my psyche such a boost.

R-Rest

I think I need more sleep than most people.  I like to sleep nine hours a night if I can manage it.  I try to be in bed by 9:30 and If I've done everything right to enhance my sleep, I will function well during the day.  I am prone to insomnia and have found that there are somethings I must do so that I can sleep well at night.

Here are my tips:

1.  Spend time in the sun everyday.  I will do my best to get outside regardless of weather.

2.  Try to eat your last meal no later than 5p.m.  A full stomach at bedtime will kill my sleep like nothing else.

3. Sleep in a dark room.  I use black out curtains for a completely dark room.  I cannot tolerate any light at all.

4.  Avoid electronic devices before bedtime.  Any glowing screens will also disrupt my sleep.  I avoid them for at least a couple of hours before bedtime.  I also do not have any alarm clocks, lamps or electrical devices near me while I sleep.

5.  You might think it's hokey but I do ground myself while sleeping.  I believe the science that's been found regarding this new found practice.

6.  This last bit of advice is one I haven't done yet but I plan to eventually.  Use natural bedding.  Conventional mattresses have been created with chemicals that tax the body.  Invest in mattresses that are made with natural materials.

Adventists also observe the Sabbath for 24 hours by refraining from work.  It is a a time for recharging physically, socially and spiritually.

T-Trust

Trust in God.  This is a big one for Adventists.  We take things in stride.  Let go and let God.  Having a supportive community and strong network of friends helps immensely.

If you would like to read more from a woman who had this information way back in the late 1800's, you must read the The Ministry of Healing- E.G.White.  I also really like The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy by the same author.

Have a great day!

The Healing Benefits of Clay

There's nothing like the holiday season to make my head spin with a thousand things to get done.  Today is another full day and I can't just wait for a lull in the schedule. I have to carve out the time or else I'll never get to another post.  So today I want to discuss the medicinal properties of clay, yet another fantastic product of nature that needs to be showcased.  I choose to keep some on hand and have it stored right next to my container of charcoal.  My clay is European Green Clay I purchased from Hope for Health.   If there is one word I would choose to describe clay, it would be detoxification.  Clay is actually aged volcanic ash.  An area that has high concentration of this substance is located in Benton, Wyoming- hence the name, Bentonite Clay.  Never heard of it?  I'm sure you've seen it.  Many facial masks are made with clay.  Clay is by no means limited to facials and is very beneficial in drawing out toxins from the body.  You may be familar with some of the behavioral practices of parrots of Central and South America.  They eat berries and foods that contain toxicity.  In an effort to protect themselves from sickness, they congregate at clay licks.  These birds have an innate knowledge that clay will neutralize the toxicity they ingest from the foods they eat.

The Many Uses Of Clay

Aside from facials and bird clay licks, clay has many uses and can help in several situations.  Clay can help to absorb toxins, heavy metals, impurities and chemicals.  If you have followed this blog for a while, you may remember me stating that maintaining alkilinity in the body is very important.  The way to do this is to eat at least 75% raw.  An alkaline body is one that successfully fights disease and is on the offense when it comes to airborne pathogens, bacteria and invading "bugs".  (Not to mention that this practice would help to reverse a myriad of medical conditions!)  Wouldn't you know, clay actually helps to alkalize the body, just what you need if you are ever sick.  Clay aids in nutrient absorption, helps to neutralize the body from radiation exposure and is rich in minerals.  As a side note, one of the things that was done to help those exposed from the nuclear fallout at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union,  was to mix clay into chocolate bars for the people to eat.  If that wasn't enough, clay has also been shown to fight MRSA and flesh eating bacteria according to this article.  Talk about packing a serious punch!  So often I find that the the overlooked and in this case a substance that is actually tread underfoot contains powerful healing abilities. Yet again, it is a solution that is ignored because of it's lack in profitability. 

Here is more information about clay that might interest you.  Clay helps to cleanse the skin even helping to remove spots left from acne.  It helps the liver in the the process of cleansing the body. It helps to strengthen the immune system and can help in the removal of parasites.  It also has been seen to help with allergies, colitis, viral infections, diabetic neuropathy, diarrhea, stomach ulcers and anemia.  Although clay is seemingly inert, it actually carries a negative electrical charge.  A negative charge coming in contact with the body behaves like an antioxidant help the body to neutralize free radicals and aids in healing the body.

How To Use Clay

When mixing powdered clay with water it is beneficial to not actually mix it.  Because of it's charge, it should be scooped out with a non-metal spoon.  A plastic or wooden spoon should be fine.  I also just pour water onto it slowly until it is aborbed.  I don't even mix it.  Use just enough water to make a paste or poultice to use externally or a few tablespoons of it in a full glass of water to drink as a slurry.  This past summer I used clay on my son's face when he got poison ivy.  Clay will not stain the skin like charcoal can.  (I also use clay for bee stings.)  Another tip to remember is to try not to use natural remedies on a day to day, regular basis. You do not want your body to become accustomed to an herb or treatment rendering it ineffective when you really need it.

Happy Holidays

Okay, I think this time sitting down at the computer has helped me catch my breath from my pre-Christmas whirlwind of activity.  I love this time of year and enjoy getting together with family, baking cookies and making the house sparkle with holiday decor.  Obviously we do not have crown roast for our christmas meal but do it  veggie-Guatemalan style.  My mom takes the lead with our help and makes vegetarian tamales which is an all day group effort.  My husband and kids absolutely love it!  Once a year do we enjoy this very fun, festive activity.  My kids count the days and we all revel in every aspect of this time of year.  Hope you are enjoying this season as well!

Have a great day!

The End Of Antibiotics?

I have mentioned my concern for the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant superbugs on this blog.  I saw this very important article which include an excellent PBS documentary and had to share it.  Not only are there virulent strains of bugs that have become stronger than the antibiotics we have on the market, but pharmaceutical companies no longer plan to invest in making any new ones.  Not enough profit to make it worth it to them.  The implications are serious to say the least.  It is for this reason I have been emphatic that we become familiar with "antibiotics" we can find in nature.  Two I have mentioned are garlic and oregano (used in conjunction with hydrotherapy. ) Please take the time to read this article and strongly consider self-educating in regards to natural remedies.  I believe it very well may be what we need to fall back on in the future.

Coming up soon:  Natural Remedy- Bentonite Clay

Herbal Products To Use While Traveling

My husband, Nathan and I at Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg, Austria

I'm writing from Berlin, Germany, which is part of a month long European excursion for us.  I so enjoy traveling whether at home in the U.S. or abroad, and I savor every moment I get to do it.  I love appreciating new vistas, flavors and unusual experiences.  It just feels like an adventure to me.  I love getting lost in some town and just exploring it and discovering the hidden paths and alleys.  Some can be really inviting!  The one thing I have found out is that a wonderful traveling experience can be ruined by unexpected sickness.  Blah!  It has happened to me!  No fun at all.

The good news is that we can do certain things to help prevent and treat some of the more common ailments.  You probably remember my love for Dr. Schulze and his products.  Here are some tips and herbal products that I have discovered  can be useful to help deal with the unexpected.

Increase Immunity Before Leaving

First, it is important to boost your immune system before going on a trip. Avoid sugar for the weeks leading  up to a trip.  There is nothing like sugar to compromise your immune system.  If you want to be healthy and well, just skip it.  Increase the amount of raw food you eat prior to your trip. Consider using echinacea and adding oregano, turmeric and garlic to your diet. I recommend also purchasing echinacea extract to take along.  Avoid foods that can trigger a reaction.  I know my joints begin to act up soon after I eat gluten so I try my best to not crumble under temptation!  My husband had to scold me for trying some crusty, scrumptious, freshly baked European bread.  Ahh!  Torture!  But I know that I will be walking a whole lot and I don't want to be in pain so I do my best to endure! 

Using Supplements

I like to take Dr. Schulze' Superfood every morning.  I feel better knowing that I am covering my bases nutritionally.  I purchase it in powder form and mix it with water and down it first thing in the morning.  My husband and kids mix it with juice.  On this trip we purchased the Superfood bars that are really convenient for packing along.  No mixing required! 

Some Other Effective Herbal Products

There's nothing worse than dealing with food poisoning or other digestive issues when away from home.  But that's where certain products come in to fix the situation.  If there is food poisoning or diarrhea, use charcoal in slurry or tablet form. Use more than you think you need.  Most people make the mistake of taking too little.  Dr. Schulze Intestinal Formula No. 2 is also effective in dealing with diarrhea.  If you are dealing with constipation from trying so many new foods that plug you up, use IntestinalFormula No. 1. Better take Intestinal formula No. 1 with food.  It contains  a lot of garlic and can cause a stomach ache if taken on an empty stomach.  Another fantastic product is Dr. Schulze's Digestive Tonic.  It helps settle nausea or an upset stomach.

Drink Plenty Of Water

It is easier to get dehydrated when traveling.  Be mindful of getting enough water and get in the habit of always carrying a bottle of water.  My husband has a small filtration bottle he carries just in case we cannot find bottled water to purchase.  Doesn't taste as great but it beats the alternative. 

Here are some lovely, inviting, vistas and paths I have found during our travels.

We rented a spunky standard shift Citroen.  Here we are in a village in the Bavarian countryside.  So lovely!  Driving on the autobahn was interesting! I didn't feel comfortable driving faster than 90 miles per hour.  Some cars flew past me as if I were standing still!

San Souci, Potsdam, Germany

One thing that I enjoyed was when I thought Ihad seen the most breathtaking view, I would turn the corner and my breath would be taken away...again!

View from our hotel window in Salzburg.  Amazing isn't it?

Gardens by a cathedral in Salzburg

Had to add these guys.  I was meeting them when the Ram head butted the others as if to say, "Hey, I want to meet her too!"  I love it!

My month of travel in Europe isn't over yet.  I hope to post more as long as I can access the internet.


Have a great day!

The Medicinal Properties of Charcoal

Update

I would like to share with you a valuable resource.  Go Healthy for Good is a program on the Hope Channel that features natural remedies from time to time.  Dr. Nerida McKibben, MD is the host and her husband Daniel McKibben, CMT participates on occasion.  My children were involved with the filming on some of these programs.  

The Medicinal Properties of Charcoal

When I attended the Natural Remedies and Hydrotherapy Workshop at Andrews University in Michigan last summer, I was already familiar with the use of hydrotherapy and herbs. However, I was totally blown away by the lecture on charcoal. I had little experience with it and had no idea what charcoal was capable of.  Why it isn't used more for problems like brown recluse spider bites is beyond me. I believe every household should have some (both in tablet and powder form) around at all times in case of some emergency. Charcoal or charred, blackened, powdered wood is an absolutely powerful product of nature.  Being familiar with it and how to use it can mean the difference between life and death in certain situations.

Becoming Acquainted with Charcoal as a Natural Remedy

Absorptions is something that is familiar to most of us.  What a sponge does to water is called absorption.  Adsorption is what a magnet does to iron.  Charcoal's star power is it's ability to adsorb and neutralize all kinds of toxins and poisons.  In 1830 a pharmacist, P.F. Touery, set out to prove to himself and others that charcoal was indeed a powerful adsorbent and did something that was pretty daring if you ask me!  He swallowed strychnine,  10 times the lethal dose, mixed with charcoal.  He suffered no ill effect from this experiment.  Charcoal is very porous, and looks like a sponge under a microscope.  It is this endless surface area that makes it able to adsorb so much  toxicity.  Home made charcoal, which is not activated, has spots where it will not adsorb.  Activated charcoal on the other hand has had these spots removed making it even more effective.  Therefore, the best quality charcoal is activated charcoal.  Inactivated charcoal is still very effective and should not be disregarded in an emergency.

The following is excerpted with permission from Home Remedies Manual by Harold Cherne MD and Daniel Mckibben CMT

"Charcoal will adsorb gases, solids, liquid, bacteria, viruses, bacterial toxins, hormones, products of wound secretions, carcinogens and... will reduce swelling by taking up excess tissue fluid and products of allergies.

Internal Indications: Flatulence, nausea, colic, jaundice (The need for exchange transfusion in babies with jaundice has been cut by more than 90% with the use of charcoal.), Crohns, IBS, Ulcerative colitis and peptic ulcers...Prostatitis, Colostomy odor, poisons, food poisoning, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sore throat,  toothpaste, toothache, bad breath, bacteria and viruses. 

Will adsorb: tylenol, aspirin, opium, cocaine, amphetamines, phenobarbital, lead, DDT, hemlock, mercury, chlorine, pesticides, penicillin, kerosene, radioactive substances and cobra venom just to name a few."

External uses include: Gangrene, infections, spider bites including the brown recluse, snake bites, bee stings, mosquito bites, poison ivy and other poisonous plants.  This is by no means an exhaustive list.

A Few Facts to Consider

As a side note, you may need to consider the fact that drugs are adsorbed by charcoal, including birth control pills.  Take proper precautions and don't blame me if you get pregnant from taking charcoal!  Food can interfere with charcoal's effectiveness.  Charcoal is messy and becomes airborne in a black cloud from the slightest disturbance.  It also can stain fabric very readily.  Internally, charcoal must be taken with water as a slurry.  Please note that over time it can cause constipation. Use charcoal only when necessary.  Extended use can make your body accustomed to it, thereby losing it's effectiveness.  Externally it can be made into a paste or poultice.  Start with powdered charcoal and add water to a yogurt consistency.  Add some flax meal to the paste so that it can retain  moisture for a longer period of time.  Please note, If placed on open wounds, tatooing will occur.  My suggestion is for you to pick up a couple of books to read up on the uses, indications and contraindications of charcoal more thoroughly.

Suggested Books

The first book I suggest is Charcoal Remedies.com - The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and It's Applications by John Dinsley.  This book is available on Amazon.

This book reads more like a novel and chronicles the experiences of the author and his amazing stories helping people with the use of charcoal.  As the title of the book suggests, he also has a website where people have submitted their testimonials with the use of charcoal.  Check it out here.

The second book I recommend is by Agatha Thrash, MD and Calvin Thrash, MD.  Charcoal - Startling New Facts About the World's Most Powerful Adsorbent.  Available at the Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Store.

Finally, I also recommend the manual from which I excerpted.  Home Remedies Manual - Treatments for Arthritis to Herpes Zoster (A to Z) Using Water, Herbs, Stretching Exercises (Similar to Chiropractic), Massage and Common Sence By Harold Cherne MD and Daniel McKibben CMT

This manual is available from the Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Store. 

Make Your Own Charcoal at Home

Making your own charcoal at home is not complicated.  It's just burned wood.  But there are some steps that make the process more effective.  In this link, you will find instructions on how make your own charcoal at home.  Harder wood such as Oak or Manzanita does make for better charcoal, but make sure to use untreated wood.  Charcoal briquettes for grilling are not to be used medicinally.  Store your charcoal in a food pantry in an air tight container.  If you happen to store it with other chemicals, it will adsorb the chemicals in the air.  Most definitely not what you want.

I like the secure feeling of knowing that I won't be helpless in certain situations.  If, God forbid, all hell were to break loose and hospitals were unable to help me, I have an extensive reliable list of  home remedies to rely on - just in case.

Have a great day!

Natural Remedy: Herbs

"The fruit shall be for food and the leaves shall be for medicine." Ezekiel 47:12

"And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations." Rev 22:2

Herbs are safer to use than drugs

I have had an interest in natural healing for a few years now.  It spawned from my interest in reversing cancer naturally and is still very much deep within my bones.  I have discovered that it is not hard to get healthy or to heal certain conditions.  I also discovered that natural methods are attainable by everyday people willing to take the time to research.  Natural remedies are also low risk and economical. I share my resources and their methodology with anyone who is willing to listen.  There is certainly an awakening in society towards natural methods of healing but I find more often than not that most people are wary of using herbs or natural methods.  Just a few decades ago the use of herbs was used by the fringe hippies of society and it seemed that only the free spirited willing to venture beyond box thinking would stumble across healing.  Mainstream society still eyes natural methods as dangerous.  After all, it is not regulated by the FDA.  Well then, let's just take a look at the FDA.  When you have former heads of Monsanto at the helm of the FDA with mainstream media as their mouthpiece, do you honestly think that they have your well being in mind?  The FDA says that genetically modified franken foods are safe.  Brain cell killing aspartame (sweetener in diet sodas), msg and other excitotoxins are also stamped with the seal of approval by the FDA.  Recently there was a world-wide march against Monsanto, the mainstream media did not report on it at all.  Did you hear about it on the evening news?  I didn't.  It seems to me that the entities we have long trusted to protect the public are not really about protecting the people but protecting their own interests.  Here's a look at what pharmaceutical medications can do.  Pharmaceutical medications are responsible for 290 deaths per day and a staggering 106,000 deaths per year.  Take a look at this article that discusses how there was a scant amount of deaths or none at all attributed to the use of herbs and supplements in 2008.  Yet, the fear of using herbs still exists which baffles me quite frankly.  Yet those who have successfully employed the use of natural remedies helping many to heal have been subject to raids and imprisonment.  There is currently legislation in the process right now that would limit our rights to supplements.  It tells me that big pharma has been incredibly successful at deflecting attention and pointing fingers at their competitors who dare share their affordable methods of healing.  As a business they have to protect their highly lucrative monopoly on healing.  Since they have friends in high places (the government), they can push their weight around.

The use of herbs is nothing new.  As seen from the texts at the beginning of this post, herbs have been used for thousands of years.  There's about 188 references in the Bible on the use of medicinal herbs and in my opinion, what God intended for healing.  Think about the side effects that you can find with any bottle of medication and research the possible outcomes, invariably death is listed in the fine print.  While herbs are readily recognized by the human body, they don't just mask symptoms like drugs do and they bring about true healing.

As a side note:  If you find me in a car wreck and I look beat up, please call 911.  I believe there are some very necessary drugs that are life saving.  I, however, believe that a disservice is done to ourselves when all we turn to are pharmaceutical medications.

My sources for quality herbs

I would like to share with you my sources for herbs and methods for healing.  I have mentioned Dr. Richard Schulze with you before.  He is in my opinion, the foremost authority on natural healing.  I suggest for you to sign up for his blog, get on his mailing list, buy his books, get his catalogue and use his herbs.  If there is one word I can use to describe his herbs it would be "quality".  I helped a man reverse his liver condition using Schulze's herbs and methodology.  He was waiting for a liver transplant and also had kidney problems.  I told him, "just try a cleanse since you are already waiting."  He listened to me and did the cleanse.  His liver cleared and the side effect he also experienced was that his kidneys cleared and healed as well.  The doctors scratched their heads in disbelief.  They ran the tests again and couldn't explain how he didn't have any liver or kidney issues anymore.  I have another tidbit of info to add.  Dr. Schulze' tinctures have a shelf life of about 5 to 10 years if unopened.  So they are excellent if you want to store some for emergency use.  His emergency herbs would be cayenne and lobelia. Cayenne can help to protect vital organs during a heart attack or stroke.  Lobelia is a bronchial dilator and antispasmodic herb.  Take the time to read up on these life saving herbs.

I also like another company called doTerra.  They formulate essential oils from medicinal herbs that are an excellent source to replace all the medications you may currently have in your medicine cabinet.   I really like On Guard which is their oil combo that has been shown to inhibit MRSA (antibiotic resistant staph bacteria).  On Guard is also good for killing airborne pathogens, colds and sore throats, all sorts of bacteria and viruses. Ask for their medicine cabinet makeover flyer.  You could also purchase their family physician kit or emergency preparedness kit.  Both these kits come with a CD that instructs in the use of each essential oil combination.  doTerra has a protocol for lyme's disease which thrills me because I love running my trails in the woods and I really don't care to stop doing that because of some nasty ticks.  (Oregano, clove, cassia, On Guard and Lifelong vitality are used for lyme in various quantities depending on when infected.)  My distributor demonstrated to me how one oil (it was an essential oil of lemon or orange- can't remember which) could eat through the bottom of a styrofoam cup.  Karen explained that it destroys toxins but it is healing and alkalizing to the body.   My distritubutor is Karen Vasecka who happens to be a regional health coach for Green Smoothie Girl Robyn Openshaw. Email her with any questions: karen.rob840@yahoo.com

I also like Danny Vierra's herbal formulations or Hope for Health.   I'm sure you can find more quality sources of herbs.  Do yourself a favor and do your homework.  Don't just buy any herb from some fly-by-night company.  There are many companies that take shortcuts and buy cheap, weak herbs which are irradiated and then people wonder why they're not effective.

Miracle herb

There a lots of excellent herbs that are amazing at healing but I want to showcase one that is spectacular.  While at the seminar at Andrews University, Don Miller, a Uchee Pines trained naturopath, told us many stories of healing.  He traveled the world to remote regions to teach the local people how to heal themselves since they didn't have hospitals or doctors and suffered terribly from various ailments.  One young boy had a gaping wound that would surely become infected and gangrenous without treatment.  Don treated him with Comfrey.  I was amazed by the ability of this herb to treat his wound.  Comfrey is used to help heal joints, ligaments, muscle and tissue.  The boy's leg was saved and healed well.  Comfrey grows like a wild weed and is incredibly easy to grow.  Check last link for more information on this herb and how to use it as medicine.

Controversial herb

I wanted to touch upon a controversial topic.  I am against using any kind of mind altering recreational drug.  That should be pretty clear from my blog.  I don't even drink alcohol because I like to keep my mind sharp and clear at all times. That said, I do think we should not throw out the use of medical marijuana without a second look.  It has incredible anti-cancer properties and excellent in treating seizures and epilepsy.    If you are worried about the "high", there are varieties that are non psychoactive that help to treat epilepsy.  There is also a way to use other varieties without inducing a high.  Read following article and link.  Keep it in mind if you are dealing with cancer or epilepsy.

Make your own herbal medicine

If you are a hands on person and would like to make your own herbal medicine these are the books I recommend. The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook by James Green,  Herbally Yours - by Penny C. Royal (this book is a reference guide to know what herb to use for what ailment) I also recommend  The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia by Vance, Ferrel, Archbold, M.D. and Cherne, M.D.  This book is excellent and lists about 700 medical conditions and what protocol to follow in reversing them.   When growing herbs be sure to purchase non-gmo heirloom seeds.  Horizonherbs.com is a good source for medicinal herbs.  I noticed that naturalnews.com sells non gmo seeds.  Institute for Responsible Technology has a non gmo seed finder on their site.

It's very satisfying to be able to reverse medical conditions naturally.  Healing shouldn't be expensive or unattainable.  Read, read, read through the sources I provided.  I'm sure you can find other natural remedy sources, especially on Amazon.  Here's to your health!

Enjoy the Journey!

Two Amazing Transformational Stories

I love to see when someone grabs hold of the power of plant foods and uses it to transform their lives!  Sometimes radically!  I want to share with you two testimonials that are absolutely amazing and inspiring.  The first is of a woman who reversed her cancer by going on a 100% raw food diet.  She also used other methods that included juice fasting.  Her physical transformation alone is amazing.  She went from unfit and sickly to absolutely glowing with life.  She also experienced an emotional transformation.  I think it's inevitable.  If you understand what plant foods can do, especially when raw, you'll know that they can make you happy just to be alive.

The second is of another woman who switched to a plant based diet, although not 100% raw.  100% raw is great for reversing the irreversible but not everyone needs to go that far.  Take a look at this inspiring story!

Coming up soon: Natural Remedy - Herbs

Becoming Aquainted With Natural Remedies: Hydrotherapy

Updates

My heartfelt prayers go out to the victims in Oklahoma.  So much sad news!

I have a few more articles for you to see on the subject of mastectomies for the prevention of cancer.  The first is from celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder.  The second is from Dr. John McDougall.  Lastly, there is another great article by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.  Please take the time to read them.  They have compelling information to share.

Natural Remedies

Hippocrates, The Father of Modern Medicine, uttered an incredibly profound and insightful statement that should have spoken loudly to people of all ages: "Let food be thy medicine."  Unfortunately, like so many other unsung heroes, and brilliant teachers birthed my mankind, his teachings have fallen to forgetfulness.  Robyn Openshaw states that a high raw plant based diet will reverse about 80% of conditions. Beyond that, if there are life threatening conditions like cancer, I would also consider a 100% raw diet including juice fasting, herbs, hydrotherapy and colonics. (This approach is by no means limited to reversing cancer, but helps the body regain wellness with various conditions.) There are instances, however, when ear aches, influenza and other conditions can weaken the best of us. Therefore, becoming acquainted with natural remedies can really be a help in such situations. I believe every household should build a collection of books on natural remedies. You only need a few.  Knowing what to do in certain situations that require medical attention when there is none to be found can make all the difference! Can it happen? As long as there are natural disasters, as long as hospitals can be overrun to overflowing - Yes, absolutely! Natural Remedies do not take the place of an Emergency Room, but they can help in many situations.  

History of Using Natural Remedies

Some of the methods I will be sharing with you were used to save many people from dying during the flu pandemic in the early part of last century.  These therapies have been used in the past successfully by our forefathers, but have long since been abandoned because of the highly successful marketing of pharmaceutical medications.

I have mentioned that last summer I attended a natural remedies seminar at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It just so happened that after we were done with the workshop, my sister's mother-in -law who was visiting the area at the time had excruciating pain in her back, radiating down her leg.  Her son who is a physician (my sister's husband) gave her medication, but the pain continued.  She was in tears and couldn't sleep or even walk from her pain. My husband and I offered to do a hot fomentation to ease her pain. (Please check out the last link, it includes how-to videos produced by Agatha and Calvin Thrash.) It only took a short while from the time we started before she relaxed and was able to fall asleep. We continued with this treatment, coupled with massage, every evening and she continued to improve.

I have shared with you in a previous post a hydrotherapy technique useful for staving off the flu (and also in dealing with cancer.)  Near the end of this past winter, my son began to show symptoms of sickness. I prepared a hot bath for him and gave him a warm tea made of garlic and grapefruit. I kept him in the bath for at least 20 minutes and had him finish with a cool shower. He went straight to bed after his shower. The next morning he showed no signs of sickness and resumed his activities as normal.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can help with such conditions as arthritis and muscle, joint and nerve pain. It also can help with boosting the immune system and increasing white blood cells when dealing with the flu or cold. If there is a part of the body that is injured or has impaired circulation, that area should be treated using hydrotherapy.  Insomnia and stress can also be alleviated by using hydro.  Hydrotherapy can help to loosen tight muscles. It aids the process of detoxification by improving circulation. It also helps to hydrate cells, thereby improving skin tone. 

Because each type of hydrotherapy application has a list of contraindications, I will not give you detailed instructions for various treatments. Instead, I will direct you to books you can purchase inexpensively as references in case you need them.  These therapies are designed to be used at home.

I suggest trying to pick up one or two of the following books. Dr. Agatha Thrash has written a few and If you can get a hold of any of her books (Amazon) I would highly recommend them. These are some titles of her books: Home Remedies, Natural Remedies and Health Care For Your Child. You can also call Uchee Pines Institute for her books. Another book I recommend is Hydrotherapy - Simple Treatments For Common Ailments by Clarence Dail, M.D., and Charles Thomas, PhD. Amazon also has other hydrotherapy books you can consider. Be sure that they are designed for home use.

You can also go to NEWSTART(R) Lifestyle Club's site for a quick three minute how-to video for using hydrotherapy for arthritis or to natural-health-restored.com for more detailed instructions on how to use hot fomentations or other forms of hydrotherapy at home. I highly recommend this site!

Enjoy the Journey!

Angelina Jolie and Mastectomies for the Prevention of Cancer

Certain things make the alternative sites swarm with a volley of discussion.  Angelina Jolie's choice to have a double mastectomy most certainly is one of them.  Most alternative sites view her as the latest victim of the cancer industry and another sees her as part of a clever marketing scheme.  Angelina's choice really does not matter much to me, but I will say that it is terrible to encourage healthy women to mutilate their bodies in the name of prevention!  Genetics loads the gun, yes, I agree with that.  Lifestyle, however,  pulls the trigger.  One can choose to trump the faulty genes they're born with.  One can choose to have  oxygen rich blood by having a diet that is high in chlorophyl. (Cancer cannot exist in an oxygen rich body, so... drink green smoothies!)  One can choose to "overdose" on cruciferous vegetables.  One can choose to increase vitamin D levels.  One can choose an alkaline diet and avoid foods that trigger cancer (e.g., animal products, processed foods, GMO's, conventionally raised foods, etc.). One can choose to avoid chemicals in their body care products and environment and practice the art of creating joy!  So much more fun than going under the scalpel!  Here is an article by Natural Society on the topic and another by Health Impact Daily News.  I believe that if someone is  hell bent on creating cancer by lifestyle choices, cancer will find another area of the body to set up shop, mastectomy or not. 

Here are some other factors to take into consideration. Having a mastectomy creates $50,000 for the cancer industry! The cancer industry has vehemently attacked any effective alternative cancer treatment with such ferocity.  Slander, maim and destroy anyone who can cure cancer is their motto!  Hmmm? What are they so afraid of? Are they trying to protect their cash cow? Here is an article by Natural Society that discusses this issue.

Since I'm on the topic of cancer, I thought I would inform you of another online cancer summit that will be taking place. Mike Adams and Natural News are the hosts of this one. It will begin Monday May 20 (sorry for the late notice) and has a guest speaker who has a high success rate of reversing cancer, Dr. James Forsythe, M.D. Need more info? Read through my cancer file for all my posts on cancer which include documentaries, therapies and resources.

Here's to preventing cancer AND keeping our breasts!  Have a great day!

The Harmful Effects of Frequent Meals And Tips for Aiding Digestion

Article by Dr. Agatha Thrash

I highly respect Dr. Agatha Thrash, MD, co-founder of Uchee Pines Institute, so I'm happy to share some information from one of her recent articles (quoted below with permission). Uchee Pines is a training center for natural methods of healing.  It also has a lifestyle retreat center for health and healing where such training is applied.  I plan to follow this post with a series of posts on natural remedies. Of course, this series will be interspersed with whatever crosses my path.

I believe that frequent meals are not healthful. It is very important to help the body be as efficient as possible in the task of digestion. Taxing the body by what, how and when you eat will only accelerate the process of aging. My goal is to lighten the burden my body has to deal with by eliminating chemicals and heavy foods and aiding digestion by what and how I eat.  One weight loss idea I hear repeated often is to eat several mini-meals. The question I pose to this advice is, when does your body rest from the task of digestion?  I also hear that it helps to accelerate one's metabolism.  Okay, so that means that the body goes into overdrive because it never seems to finish it's job.  Here is a daily video by Dr. Michael Greger that states that according to research, there is no evidence that this method aids in weight loss. Dr. Joel Fuhrman states that this way of eating accelerates the aging process.  Here is a clip of his lecture at Longevity Now Conferences.  When the body is done with the task of digestion it transitions to detox mode which is crucial in slowing down the aging process.  There is also a risk of developing diseases by using the frequent meal method.  This is what Dr. Thrash says about it. "Beginning with the salivary glands, the entire digestive tract prepares digestive juices of good strength and in adequate quantities - a task that requires a tremendous expenditure of chemical and physical energy from the body...

Even nibbling on a few peanuts between meals causes stagnation of food in the stomach. X-ray studies done years ago showed that a little eating between meals delays stomach emptying by up to 14 hours or more. This stalling of food in the stomach promotes gastritis, since the stomach puts out large quantities of acid and pepsin as long as food is present. These are powerful digestants, and their overproduction is likely to cause the stomach to be come weakened, often resulting in peptic ulcers.

To avoid stomach disease, the stomach needs  to finish it's work by resting for an hour or two before getting recharged for the next meal. Therefore, five or more hours should pass between the end of one meal and the beginning of the next - with nothing eaten in between." 

Dr. Thrash ends her article by advising to eat the largest meal for breakfast since the stomach is well rested after a night of sleep.  The second largest meal should be lunch.  The third meal should be very light, like a bowl of fruit.  The third meal can also be skipped.   The longest lived people in the world eat two meals a day and if they eat three, the third meal consists of a very light meal.  I find that if I eat a light dinner or none at all, my body burns up fat very quickly and easily.

Tips to Aid Digestion

Other tips to aid digestion would be to minimize or eliminate animal products and eat a whole grain, plant based diet.  There is no fiber whatsoever in any animal product, which contributes to Americans' high rate of constipation.  Drink plenty of water.  Eat fruit alone.  Fruit digests fast (about 30 minutes) and will sit in your gut and stagnate if eaten after a heavier meal.  During a meal, eat your salads first and then move onto the heavier items on your plate.  Refrain from drinking any beverage during a meal, it only dilutes your digestive juices.  Try to eat your meals at the same time everyday.  Consider taking a probiotic supplement to support healthy gut flora.  Also consider taking enzymes.  They aid in digestion and other processes of the body.  Avoid GMO's like the plague!  They are the reason for intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.  (This is the reason we have skyrocketing levels of food allergies, autoimmune diseases and other conditions.) 

My mom was shopping with a friend who commented, "Why pay more for organic when you can get it so much cheaper?"  My mom replied, "We think nothing of maintaining our cars with the best treatment, why should we then treat our bodies with the worst?" I'm not always perfect but I really want to do my best at treating my body right.  I think of my body like a highly complex machine.  I want it to be fine tuned and maintained the best way possible.  I want to have this body running strong and healthy for years to come.  After all, I only have one.

Enjoy the Journey!

The Food Revolution Summit 2013

I was not planning a post for today at all but I saw an online event that I thought I should pass onto you.  It begins on April 27 and runs until May 5.  It is sponsored by the same people who organized the Cancer World Summit.  This online event is called The Food Revolution Summit 2013.  Yet again, they have quite the lineup of excellent speakers.  I recently had the honor of meeting Jeffrey Smith at the GMO-free D.C. event.  He will be speaking at this online summit.  One of my first introductions to the scary way conventional food is produced was by reading John Robbins' book, Diet For a New America. Read it and weep!  Also take time to read his introduction to this event.  They will be covering some very important issues in regard to how our food is being produced and the far reaching implications of it!  Please Facebook, tweet or use any other social media to spread the word! 

Alternative Cancer Therapies on Prime Time

I recently read this article that some conventional cancer clinics are beginning to ration care.  Read the article here.  Normally anyone who is unfamiliar with alternative cancer therapies would say that would be a scary situation.  You should know me by now!  I think that it could be a blessing!  I believe radiation and chemotherapy proliferate cancer cells and make them resistant to any therapy you can try.  Every time I hear about someone who is going to start chemo, I just think, "That's it, they're gone!"  I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to yell in frustration, "There is another way!"  There are many people who are finding great success with alternative therapies. I'm so glad that Chris Wark is getting much needed recognition.  Chris Wark was on  the Ricki Lake show sharing his experience with reversing cancer naturally.  Alternative cancer therapies need to get all the recognition they deserve!

Need a Beauty Makeover? Head To Your Produce Aisle!

One Update

If you live in the Washington D. C. region, you may be interested in attending an event hosted by GMO free D.C. "An Evening with Jeffrey Smith."  It will take place on April 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  More information about the event is posted on their Facebook page.

Need a Beauty Makeover?  Head to your Produce Aisle

 I'm sure you have seen medications for acne and other skin disorders.  I don't want to name names but you probably have seen them.  Sometimes acne is an attempt by the human body to rid itself of toxicity.  So what do many people do?  They medicate themselves for clear skin, forcing the body to hold onto toxins it clearly does not want.  A better approach is to detoxify the body by eating cleansing foods and avoiding putting toxic substances on the body like conventional body lotions, perfumes and especially acne medications.  Flood the body with live, raw enzymes and antioxidants, eliminate acne inducing foods like dairy, fried and processed foods and the effects can be absolutely amazing!  Natural Society has a list of natural remedies you can look into if you are dealing with acne. If you have followed this blog for a while, you may remember this link which I shared with you in the past.  Check out these before and after pictures of people who have chosen a 100% raw food diet.  I envy people who can do this.  I ate 90 to 95% raw for two years.  I have since changed and now eat 75 to 80% raw.  Initially I felt like a failure when I backed off of nearly 100% raw food, but I have since changed my perspective.  My diet is still very detoxifying and satisfying to me.  I felt like I wasn't quite right on so much raw.  My energy levels increased when I added back in some cooked food.

I want to share another amazing trans-formation of someone who enjoys a detoxifying, plant based diet. I follow celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder.  She recently shared her before and after photos and I was floored.  She is a stunning beauty, but before she improved her diet she struggled with weight and acne.  Take a look at her photos and you'll be amazed as well.  Take the time to read her post.  Kimberly is vegan and eats a lot of raw, detoxifying foods, but she isn't 100% raw.  For those of you who might be beating yourselves up trying to go 100% raw, you don't have to!  Kimberly also has a fantastic new book Beauty Detox Foods that is already a New York Times bestseller!

Enjoy the Journey!

Monsanto, Needless Medical Procedures and the Sad Search for Integrity

When I was about 18 or 19 years old I picked up a copy of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.  It was the unabridged version, all 1400 pages of masterful classic literature.  By the time I was done with this book, my emotions were reeling with the endless themes I came across.  So many of them!  Musicals can be an acquired taste for some, but I was no less impressed by Claude Michel Schonberg's exquisitely crafted musical rendition of this timeless tale.  He managed to encapsulate the story in three hours of memorable music that I found positively haunting.    I suppose the aspect I appreciate most in this story, and one of the character traits that I hold in the highest regard, is integrity.  Would this story have been as good if integrity were absent?  Without integrity society is left with nothing but heartless cut-throats clawing their way to the top.  It separates one who espouses it and sets him or her apart in such a marked way.  Maybe it stands out so much to me because when there is an absence of it, such dark ugliness can be the end result.

When I come across corporations like Monsanto I am just completely aghast at how evil they are.  Monsanto in particular parades around behind the guise of selfless humanitarianism. Rhetorically it sounds pretty good.  They supposedly exist to help eradicate hunger.  In actuality the truth about this corporation is far from that.  They have left devastation, human suffering and the failing health of millions in their wake.  What is frightening is how it seems that their end game is to control the world's food supply.  If you want to catch a glimpse of what Monsanto is about, I encourage you to watch this clip.  It is only about 10 minutes long. This clip pretty much sums it up. Another documentary that is very informative can be viewed here.  Monsanto has recently filled for immunity against litigation and has placed itself above the law.  Their representatives even wrote the legistlation!  Originally when I began this post, I was requesting that you send a message to Obama to veto this measure.  Unfortunately, I have since received an email that stated that Obama has already signed it into law.  Here is another article by Newsmax in regards to this story.  According to this article, it didn't even hit the congressional floor for discussion. Is this really the United States of America?  I thought this kind of thing only happened in dictatorial third world countries.

There is yet another facet to this problem that I find disturbing.  Apparently, we have recently lost the strongest voice of support for organic farming at the USDA.    It doesn't take a genius to be able to see problems down the pike. I personally plan to collect heirloom seeds for fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs.  I don't ever want to come to the point where I cannot find the kinds of food I want to eat.  I like to see the glass half full, but there's nothing wrong with planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

I am suspicious of pharmaceuticals and conventional medicine.  There are times, such as with emergencies, that they are very necessary. But more often than not, people would do far better in seeking the root cause of their illness and searching for alternative methods for healing.  Above is a graphic for a documentary that you should watch titled Escape Fire.  Please watch the trailer.  Very interesting.

Lastly, there is a book that was recently published by Dr. Makary who is a surgeon at Johns Hopkins.  He candidly and openly discusses the fact that alarming medical mistakes occur in our hospitals. The name of the book is "Unaccountable".  Please take the time to watch his interview with Dr. Mercola here.

Sadly integrity has fast become a scarce commodity.  It is my opinion that everyday people like you and me are ultimately responsible for our own health. I appreciate guidance from those who are trained, but I don't like handing over my trust to someone else in helpless resignation expecting miracles - especially if they practice conventional medicine. When it comes to my health, the buck stops with me.  A trustworthy professional can help me find the root cause of my problem, but only I can make the necessary changes to my diet or lifestyle and put advice into action.  My challenge to you is to read, study and investigate.  Seek help, but know that you are the only one who ultimately can achieve the health you are looking for.

If you are currently looking for an alternative method for healing, here are some suggestions as to where you can begin your search.  Read Dr. Richard Schulze's books. Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine has a list of practitioners they recommend.  The first site is holisticmedicine.org and the second is Dr. McDougall's list of physicians.  I also trust Michelle Ross, C.N.

Have a good day!