Monday, March 13, 2017

Kefir vs. Kombucha, What are they?


Posted by No comments:

10 INSTANT HEALTH ENHANCERS



1. Drop the afternoon coffee 
That 3 p.m. cup of dark roast may be just the thing to rev you up for the rest of your day, but it's not doing you any favours as evening approaches. Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit found that caffeine can affect the quantity and quality of sleep, even when consumed six hours prior to bedtime, potentially knocking an hour or more off your nighttime sleep. 
2. Uncross your legs 
Sitting with one thigh over the other is an unconscious habit for many of us. The problem is, when you cross your legs, you torque your hips and rotate your pelvis, putting pressure on your spine. Long term, that can lead to neck and back pain. Worse, habitual leg crossing has been linked to raised blood pressure and herniated discs. Once you've kicked the crossing habit, aim to keep your knees and ankles at 90-degree angles. 
3. Skip diet soda 
The label may say "zero-calorie," but that daily can of pop can cause you to gain weight. Research has linked diet sodas not only to increased belly fat but also to a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high triglycerides—all precursors to heart disease and diabetes. Ditching diet soda is also good for your bones:  A 2014 study found that increased consumption of diet soda is associated with increased risk of bone fractures in postmenopausal women. 

 4. Unplug for at least one hour per day 
Boosting your physical and mental health can be as easy as scheduling unplugged time every day. In fact, tuning out of your devices and tuning into nature has been linked to higher levels of cancer-fighting proteins and a reduction in the symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

 5. Walk once an hour 
You may have heard the expression "sitting is the new smoking." Prolonged sitting and inactivity can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health hazards. A two-minute stroll once an hour around the office, your home or your backyard can help offset those ill effects and lower your risk of premature death by 33 percent. 

 6. Wear sunscreen year-round 
Most of us don't need a reminder to slather on the high-SPF stuff in summer—but we really should be doing it year-round. That's because unprotected exposure, even on cold or cloudy days, increases your chances of skin cancer, which accounts for one in three cancers diagnosed worldwide. Plus, sunscreen is one of the best anti-aging products out there; a 2013 Australian study found a significant delay in skin aging as a result of daily sunscreen use. For everyday protection, use SPF 15 or higher. 

7. Stop mindless late-night snacking 
The odd night of munching buttery popcorn and watching movies is harmless fun, but routine late-night snacking can take a toll on your waistline, generally because our impulsive snack choices tend to be high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as cookies and chips. You don't have to ignore nighttime hunger, just choose wisely: a banana or whole-grain toast with peanut butter will satisfy you without lots of extra calories. 
  
8. Stand (and sit) up straight 
Mom was right: Good posture is important. When you sit or stand with your body in proper alignment—ears, shoulders and hips all lined up—muscles, joints and ligaments work as they should and your body is properly supported. Poor posture, on the other hand, puts stress on your muscles, bones and ligaments, and can lead to neck and back pain as well as problems with digestion and breathing. 
9. Make sleep a priority 
We've all heard that most of us don't get enough sleep, but why is that such a big deal? Research has found that sleep is a key component in overall health, helping us ward off high blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, think more clearly, be in good humour and more. While the occasional sleepless night is not a concern, if you have ongoing insomnia, see your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions, and to get advice on falling—and staying—asleep. 

10. Wean yourself off worrying 
A little worrying can be a great motivator, but too much and too often can harm your physical and mental health. Chronic worriers tend to suffer more from irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue and depression. To get worrying under wraps, experts advise listing them and determining whether each one is productive ("I'm overdue for a dentist appointment") or nonproductive ("What if my new coworker doesn't like me?"). Once you figure out which worries you can act on, it's time to lose the nonproductive ones. 
Posted by No comments:

Monday, July 25, 2016

The Chilling History of Monsanto’s Rise to Power

By  July 25, 20160 CommentsRead More →

The Chilling History of Monsanto’s Rise to Power

In the featured video, journalist Abby Martin discusses Monsanto’s rise to power and how the company has managed to saturate the global environment with its toxic chemicals, largely through immoral means.
In May, the University of San Francisco revealed the results from a testing project that began in 2015. The tests, commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), found that 93 percent of Americans have detectable levels of the chemical glyphosate in their urine.1
Glyphosate is the most widely used agricultural chemical in the world, and it’s an active ingredient in Monsanto’s broad-spectrum herbicide Roundup. As noted by the Detox Project:2
“Glyphosate, labeled a ‘probable human carcinogen’ by the World Health Organization’s cancer agency IARC in 2015, has now been revealed to be ubiquitous in the first ever comprehensive and validated LC/MS/MS testing project to be carried out across America…
Glyphosate was found … at an average level of 3.096 parts per billion (ppb). Children had the highest levels with an average of 3.586 ppb. The regions with the highest levels were the West and the Midwest with an average of 3.053 ppb and 3.050 ppb respectively.”

Glyphosate Contamination Is ‘Everywhere’

Glyphosate has been found in a wide array of samples, including blood, urine, breast milk, drinking water and more. Results from a German study3 published in 2012 showed that even people who have no direct contact with agriculture have significant concentrations of glyphosate in their urine.
In fact, every single urine sample collected from city dwellers around Berlin tested positive for glyphosate, with values ranging from 0.5 to 2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), which is between five and 20 times the permissible upper limit for glyphosate in German drinking water, set at 0.1 ng/ml.
Why do most people have traces of this probable carcinogen in their bodies, regardless of where they live?
The answer is because glyphosate is sprayed on virtually all food crops around the world. In fact, glyphosate is the most heavily used weed killer in history. Roundup is the most commonly used formulation but glyphosate can also be found in other pesticide formulas.4
Since 1974, 1.8 million tons of glyphosate have been applied to US fields; two-thirds of that volume has been sprayed in the last 10 years.5
In 2014 alone, farmers sprayed enough glyphosate to apply 0.8 pounds of the chemical to every acre of cultivated cropland in the US Between 1974 and 2014, 9.4 million tons of glyphosate was used worldwide.

SAD NEWS: House Passes DARK Act Compromise

The House passed a compromise to the DARK Act that will force food distributors to disclose the presence of genetically “engineered” (GE) ingredients with a smartphone scan code. It’s now headed to the White House, where President Obama is expected to sign it.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or genetically “engineered” (GE) foods, are live organisms whose genetic components have been artificially manipulated in a laboratory setting through creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and even viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
GMO proponents claim that genetic engineering is “safe and beneficial,” and that it advances the agricultural industry. They also say that GMOs help ensure the global food supply and sustainability. But is there any truth to these claims? I believe not. For years, I’ve stated the belief that GMOs pose one of the greatest threats to life on the planet. Genetic engineering is NOT the safe and beneficial technology that it is touted to be.
The FDA cleared the way for GE (Genetically Engineered) Atlantic salmon to be farmed for human consumption. Thanks to added language in the federal spending bill, the product will require special labeling so at least consumers will have the ability to identify the GE salmon in stores. However, it’s imperative ALL GE foods be labeled clearly without a smartphone scan code because not everyone owns a smartphone.
The FDA is threatening the existence of our food supply. We have to start taking action now. I urge you to share this article with friends and family. If we act together, we can make a difference and put an end to the absurdity.

Boycott Smart Labels Today

When you see the QR code or so-called Smart Label on a food product, pass it by. Products bearing the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association’s (GMA) Smart Label mark are in all likelihood filled with pesticides and/or GMO ingredients.
The GMA’s 300-plus members include chemical technology companies, GE seed and food and beverage companies. Monsanto, Dow and Coca-Cola are just some of the heavy-hitters in this powerful industry group, which has showed no qualms about doing whatever it takes to protect the interest of its members.
Don’t waste your time searching through their website, which may or may not contain the information you’re looking for. If they insist on wasting your time and making your shopping difficult, why reward them with a purchase? A little known fact is that the GMA actually owns the “Smart Label” trademark that Congress has accepted as a so-called “compromise” to on-package GMO labeling, and that’s another reason why I believe the Smart Label mark is the mark of those with something to hide such as Monsanto.
mark-of-monsantoWill you financially support a corrupt, toxic and unsustainable food system, or a healthy, regenerative one? There are many options available besides big-brand processed foods that are part of the “GMA’s verified ring of deception.” You can:
  • Shop at local farms and farmers markets
  • Only buy products marked either “USDA 100 percent Organic” (which by law cannot contain GMOs), “100 percent Grass-Fed,” or “Non-GMO Verified”
  • If you have a smartphone and you don’t mind using it, download the OCA’s Buycott app to quickly and easily identify the thousands of proprietary brands belonging to GMA members, so you can avoid them, as well as identify the names of ethical brands that deserve your patronage
Last but not least, encourage good companies to reject QR codes and to be transparent and clear with their labeling. This will eventually ensure that all GMO foods can easily be identified by the GMA’s “verified ring of deception” mark that is the Smart Label.
Campbell’s, Mars, Kellogg’s, ConAgra and General Mills all vowed to voluntarily comply with Vermont’s GMO labeling law by labeling all of their foods sold across the U.S. Will their plans change if the current “compromise” gets passed by the Senate? That remains to be seen, but if you like these companies, I would encourage you to reach out to them and ask them to remain steadfast in their promise.

Non-GMO Food Resources by Country

If you are searching for non-GMO foods, here is a list of trusted sites you can visit.
Sources and References:
Posted by No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)